 The holidays are fast approaching—and so are changes in Federal government. County Executive Marc Elrich talks about how the County will be preparing for possible new Federal policies that will impact Maryland and local governments. Following a Count Council session regarding resident comments about the attainable housing strategies, he discusses some of the concerns and he celebrates another affordable housing project called the Chimes. In addition, he provides details on how a new partnership with InnovateUS will enable County government to better help residents through increased use of AI. And with holiday shopping underway, County Executive Elrich encourages residents to support local small businesses, especially on “Small Business Saturday” on Nov. 30.
Stories in this issue include:
Montgomery County's annual report for the "Vision Zero Initiative" includes details on progress made in Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) on 127 projects undertaken between July 1, 2023 and June 30, 2024. Serious and fatal crashes dropped 11 percent compared to the pre-COVID-19 years of 2015 to 2019. The reduction was driven by a 28 percent decline in serious and fatal crashes on high-injury network (HIN) corridors, which are prioritized for safety interventions under the Vision Zero Action Plan.
 The Montgomery County Government, and programs that impact County residents, will have holiday schedule and program changes for the observance of Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov. 28. In some cases, special schedules also will be in effect on Friday, Nov. 29
 Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich this week continued to address the Attainable Housing Strategies recommended by the Montgomery Planning Board. The County Council was briefed on the plan earlier this week.
The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration has started construction on a $5.2 million safety and resurfacing project along a 2.76-mile section of MD 650 / New Hampshire Avenue from MD 198/Norbeck Road to MD 200 (Intercounty Connector) in Montgomery County. The project is expected to be completed by next summer, depending upon weather, and will lead to traffic delays throughout the construction period.
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 Experienced and novices who have been awaiting cold weather so they could lace on a pair of ice skates can put on the warm clothes and get ready to glide. Visit MoCo is encouraging residents and visitors to take advantage of the many skating opportunities throughout Montgomery County.
Montgomery County will implement a winter closure of the Wheaton "Streetery," located on a portion of Price Avenue at Elkin Street in Wheaton, beginning Monday, Nov. 25. The Streetery comprises streets closed off to vehicles, enabling restaurants to offer outdoor dining spaces for customers and areas for residents to gather.
Employers based in Montgomery County that are company headquarters or national nonprofit organizations or who are in the category of “targeted industries,” may be eligible for up to $500,000 in grant funding to create jobs and support their growth and expansion.
 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 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 annual Montgomery Parks’ “Garden of Lights,” a breathtaking outdoor winter light display at Brookside Gardens in Wheaton, is now open. This year’s exhibit features more than 1.5 million twinkling LED lights.
The City of Gaithersburg’s 29th Annual Winter Lights Festival will feature 3.5 miles of enchanted woodland with more than 450 illuminated displays and spectacularly lit trees that brighten the evening sky starting Friday, Nov. 29. The display in Seneca Creek State Park will have seasonal scenes like Winter Woods, Teddy Bear Land, Toyland, Victorian Village and the North Pole.
Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich has announced the launch of two groundbreaking funding programs designed to support innovative small businesses and underrepresented entrepreneurs. The Technology Innovation Fund and the Founders Fund will offer a combined $10 million in commercialization grants to spur economic development and create equitable opportunities for growth and prosperity.
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As part of the “New Deal” in 1933, the National Park Service launched the “Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS).” How this led to researching the old homes in Montgomery County’s Agricultural Reserve will be the subject of a free only presentation of Montgomery History. The presentation will be available for a one-week period starting Monday, Nov. 25. To view the presentation starting Monday, register at History Conversations.
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 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.
The Montgomery County Department of Transportation will hold a virtual public information meeting at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 10, to discuss the proposed Greentree Road Bridge replacement project over Bulls Run in Bethesda. Residents will have an opportunity to provide comments and ask questions.
“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.
Montgomery County will commemorate World AIDS Day, officially designated as Sunday, Dec. 1, with a free breakfast program and workshops focused on Black women’s sexual health and wellness from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 3. The event, co-sponsored by the alumnae chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., will be held at the Silver Spring Civic Building.
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