 This week, County Executive Marc Elrich weighs in on U.S. election results and describes how the County will work with the incoming administration. He highlights the MOVE grant program which helps businesses pay for commercial space in the County. The County Executive encourages nominations for the Human Rights Hall of Fame and provides important information on recycling election yard signs.
Stories in this issue include:
Montgomery County’s annual Thanksgiving Parade, the largest in the Washington, D.C. region, is set to fill downtown Silver Spring with holiday cheer starting at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 16. This year’s festivities will include marching bands, community floats, County Executive Marc Elrich, members of the County Council and local Olympians Thea LaFond of Dominica and Aaron Ghebre Owusu of Eritrea.
 The Montgomery County Department of Transportation has started its annual leaf vacuuming program and will continue collections throughout December in specified areas. There will be two collections scheduled on each collection district street.
 The Montgomery County Office of Human Rights (OHR) is now accepting nominations for its esteemed Human Rights Hall of Fame, which honors individuals who have made significant contributions to advancing human and civil rights in Montgomery County. The nomination period will close on Monday, Nov. 25.
Montgomery County’s Department of Permitting Services (DPS) collected 1,050 illegally placed signs during a “sign sweep” on Tuesday, Nov. 12. The removed signs were illegally placed in public rights-of-way throughout the County. The signs included campaign signs that may have been posted in the right-of-way leading up to the Nov. 5 general election.
 Montgomery County’s Department of General Services (DGS) has received two grants totaling $1.5 million from the Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) to further the County Department of Transportation’s transition to zero-emission Vehicles.
 Montgomery County's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has secured a $1 million Federal investment from the U.S. Department of Energy, paired with $800,000 from the County, to fund its Low to Moderate Income (LMI) Housing Electrification program. The County will award the $1.8 million in total funding to an eligible nonprofit housing provider to replace fossil fuel-fired appliances with efficient electric alternatives, advancing climate goals while improving energy efficiency and indoor air quality for residents.
 “Out of Darkness” is an art exhibition that celebrates the powerful work of four Black female artists. Strength, beauty and resiliency are explored through Black identity and social justice. The exhibition at the Betty Mae Kramer Gallery in Silver Spring will run through Jan. 17. An opening reception, sponsored by the Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomery County, will be held from 6-8 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 19.
 Montgomery Parks has expanded pickleball opportunities with the creation of six more dedicated pickleball courts at East Norbeck Local Park. A ribbon-cutting celebration was held on Nov. 13.
 The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration, in conjunction with partners at the Montgomery County Department of Transportation and Metro, will host a public meeting from 6-7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 20, in Wheaton to provide updates and gather feedback on the ongoing pilot project utilizing roughly seven miles of bus-only lanes along Georgia Avenue, Veirs Mill Road and Colesville Road.
Sweeney Todd, an unjustly exiled barber, returns to 19th-century London seeking vengeance against the lecherous judge who framed him and ravaged his young wife. The story is being told this time by the Rockville Musical Theatre in performances Friday-Sunday, Nov. 15-17 at the F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre.
 Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich is joining County health officials in urging all residents to protect themselves and their families by getting vaccinated against the flu. A number of clinics throughout the County will make available free vaccinations for adults and children in November.
The annual Montgomery Parks’ “Garden of Lights,” a breathtaking outdoor winter light display at Brookside Gardens in Wheaton, will open on Friday, Nov. 22. This year’s exhibit will feature more than 1.5 million twinkling LED lights.
Friday, Nov. 15, will be the first day for the general public to request use of a meeting room in a Montgomery County Government building for use Jan. 1 through June 30.
The Montgomery County Commission for Women is now accepting nominations for the 2025 “Women Making History Award.” Presented in partnership with Montgomery Women, this annual award celebrates outstanding women who have made significant contributions to their professions and the community.
 The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) is seeking up to 35 County high school students to serve as “Vision Zero Youth Ambassadors.” The project-based learning program teaches teens leadership skills, outreach and engagement techniques to address traffic safety needs in their community. Applications are now being accepted through 11:59 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 2.
Montgomery County Public Libraries (MCPL) will continue its celebration of Native American Heritage Month and Military Family Month in November with a special event at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 20, at the Brigadier General Charles E. McGee Library in Silver Spring. The event will focus on a discussion with Alexandra N. Harris from the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian on the history of Native American military service.
The Montgomery County Commission for Women and Montgomery Women, a nonpartisan organization that works to ensure that women are fully represented in leadership positions in the County, will host a free virtual career guidance session for female middle school, high school and college students from 6-7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 21. The presentation will be hosted via Zoom.
The free annual look at how the holidays would be celebrated in the historic agricultural areas of Montgomery County will be on display Saturday-Sunday, Dec. 7-8, at “Christmas on the Farm” at the Agricultural History Farm Park in Derwood. The park will be open each of those days from noon-5 p.m. for the celebration.
Job seekers 50 and older could benefit from a free virtual job fair designed specifically for them from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 19. Age-friendly employers are also being sought to participate in the event, which is being co-sponsored by the Montgomery County Government and the Jewish Council for the Aging of Greater Washington (JCA).
“Rules for Writing Christmas Cards,” a comedy by Jennifer Faletto, will make its world premiere from Nov. 29-Dec. 15 at the Gaithersburg Arts Barn. The show will be presented by the Best Medicine Rep Theater Company, in partnership with the City of Gaithersburg.
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