 This week, County Executive Marc Elrich reflects on the aviation disaster that happened at Regan National Airport. He discusses the latest Presidential administration executive orders. He highlights the launch of the County’s Climate Smart campaign, especially in light of the current federal focus on dismantling progress on addressing climate change. He also provides information on free tax preparation assistance to eligible residents and free Ride On fares on Feb. 4 to mark Transit Equity Day.
Stories in this issue include:
 Montgomery County has launched its new Climate Smart campaign, designed to inspire and inform residents about making climate-smart choices in their daily lives. The campaign encourages individuals to take a “pledge” to be Climate Smart, with the slogan “BIG CHANGE starts small” serving as a reminder that small actions can lead to significant impact.
 The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) will offer free fares on County buses on Tuesday, Feb. 4 to recognize Transit Equity Day, which commemorates the life and legacy of Rosa Parks on her birthday. MCDOT Ride On buses also will display internal placards celebrating Rosa Parks and her lasting influence in establishing transportation equity as a fundamental civil right.
On Thursday, Jan. 30, the Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) announced that laboratory testing has detected a case of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza in a Montgomery County backyard flock. MDA officials have quarantined all affected premises, and birds on the properties have been depopulated to prevent the spread of the disease. Birds from the affected flock will not enter the food system.
“Our public health team is in frequent communication with the Maryland Department of Health and Maryland Department of Agriculture,” said County Health Officer Dr. Kisha Davis. “The risk to humans remains low, however, people should avoid interacting with dead birds. If you see dead wild birds, please report it to animal control by calling 311. If you think you may have been exposed, please contact your primary care provider for assessment.”
 Montgomery County Alcohol Beverage Services (ABS) recently presented a check for $66,793 to the March of Dimes on behalf of customers who donated to the “Labor of Love” campaign over a recent five-week period.
The return of DC Winter Restaurant Week, presented by the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington, gives residents an opportunity to visit participating restaurants that are offering specially priced meals, including to-go options and cocktail and wine pairings.
Restaurants will offer brunch for $25, three-course lunch and brunch menus for $25 and three-course dinner menus for $40 or $55. Restaurant Week continues through Sunday, Feb. 2. Check out the VisitMontgomery website for a list of participating restaurants. Reservations are recommended.
 Montgomery County residents with combined household incomes of $67,000 or less can receive free tax preparation services through the Community Action Agency’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program.
A recent video from the Montgomery County Department of Transportation provides an update on Montgomery County's planned Bus Rapid Transit network, Flash.
 The Maryland Public Service Commission is hosting a public hearing at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 4, to solicit comments on a proposal by Chaberton Solar Sugarloaf I, LLC to construct a 4.0 MW solar generating facility in Montgomery County. The hearing will be held at the Upper Montgomery County Volunteer Fire Department, located at 19801 Beallsville Road in Beallsville. The first public comment hearing in this case was held on July 10, 2024.
The Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services will host a hybrid Stakeholders Forum from 9 a.m.-noon (doors open at 8:30 a.m.) on Wednesday, Feb. 12, in the second floor auditorium of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission building at 2425 Reedie Drive in Wheaton.
Montgomery Parks will offer special events during February to celebrate Black History Month and honor history, culture and community. Events include an engaging presentation by historian Ralph Buglass on Thurgood Marshall’s early fight against segregation in Montgomery County and poet and author Camille Dungy will discuss powerful insights on the connections between nature and identity.
If you’ve received a delinquent property tax notice in the mail, don’t worry—MC311 is here to guide you through the next steps. Here’s what you can do if you think the notice was sent by mistake:
 The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) is hosting an in-person public forum at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 18 at the Mid-County Regional Services Center, located at 2425 Reedie Drive in Wheaton. The meeting will be held in the 2nd floor conference room.
 The Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services Podcast episode, “Water Runoff,” provides permitting guidance and tips for those planning to change the topography of their property by adding an accessory structure or embarking on a landscaping project.
The “Monsters of Seahorse Island,” a play for kids and families about bias and conflict, will host performances on two weekends, Feb.1-2 and Feb. 8-9, at the Montgomery College Cultural Arts Center in Silver Spring.
 Montgomery History is looking for volunteer judges for the National History Day competition on Saturday, March 8. National History Day is a transformative learning experience for middle and high school students where they learn about history hands-on by creating projects centered around a theme. Through months of research using primary and secondary sources, students create and provide a presentation in one of five formats: paper, exhibit, documentary, performance or website.
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