 The County Executive discusses the recent action at the federal level. He also provides some more comments on the More Housing NOW legislation being considered by the County Council. The County Executive talks about what led to a significant decline in drug overdose deaths in Montgomery County. He also discusses improvements to the Department of Permitting Services. In addition, the County Executive notes the five-year anniversary of the onset of COVID-19, and he takes a moment to celebrate Read Across America Month.
Stories in this issue include:
 Daylight Saving Time, observed in spring and summer months throughout most of the U.S. and much of the Northern Hemisphere, will begin at 2 a.m. on Sunday, March 9. Clocks must be turned forward one hour on Sunday. The annual, twice-yearly time changes are also good reminders to check batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
 The Maryland Department of Transportation is accepting grant applications from small businesses impacted by construction along the Purple Line route in Montgomery and Prince George’s counties.
 Job seekers 50 and older could benefit from a free virtual job fair scheduled from 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m. on Tuesday, March 11. Age-friendly employers are also being sought to participate in the event, which is being co-sponsored by Montgomery County Government and the Jewish Council for the Aging of Greater Washington (JCA). Age 50+ Federal sector jobseekers are welcome to register.
 Montgomery County residents with homes or businesses set far back from the road, making internet service costly to install, can now apply for a special grant to bring high-speed internet to their properties. The Maryland Home Stretch – Difficult to Serve Properties Program, also known as the Long Driveway Internet Program, helps cover internet installation costs for these homes and businesses to ensure better connectivity for all.
 The County’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) will host a Landscaping with Batteries Field Day from 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 12 at the Montgomery College Germantown Campus, located at 20200 Observation Dr. Attendees can participate in equipment demos from 12 manufacturers, receive vendor discounts and enter raffles to win landscaping equipment.
 Montgomery County Recreation is hosting six hiring fairs at Recreation Centers across the County in March and April. The Department is looking for lifeguards, camp counselors, camp directors and other staff to fill positions for this summer.
In celebration of Women’s History Month, the Montgomery County Commission for Women (CFW), in partnership with Montgomery County Recreation and Montgomery County Public Libraries, invites residents to participate in the eighth annual Girl Power Contest.
 The 2024 Resilience Through Art residency, led by local artist Dinah Myers Schroeder, brought together staff and clients from Montgomery County's Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to create the mural “Harmonic Hands for Change.” The project was born from the County’s Climate Action Plan, which advocates for a “whole-of-government” approach to tackling climate change. Motivated by this initiative, a climate ambassador from DHHS’ Crisis Center sought to create a work of art that would inspire hope and healing among residents most vulnerable to, and disproportionately impacted by climate-related hazards.
 On February 19, more than 60 people joined a community conversation about the future of the Germantown town center, hosted by the Gaithersburg-Germantown Chamber of Commerce with support from a grant from Montgomery County.
 The Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services (DPS) has released a new episode of its DPS podcast, “New Codes,” focusing on the recently approved 2021 codes and their impact on DPS commercial building customers. The Montgomery County Council approved these new codes (ER 13-24 and ER 14-24), with local amendments on Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2024. These updates will become mandatory at DPS starting Monday, March 31, replacing the 2018 International Code Council (ICC) codes and National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) codes and standards.
 Montgomery Parks is hosting a series of traffic calming and road-crossing improvements at parks and trails in the County. As part of its Safe Streets and Roads for All projects, the funding was made possible through a $7.5 million federal grant. The public is encouraged to join a virtual community meeting from 7-8:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 20 to learn more about these projects and provide input.
 MoComCon 2025, a Montgomery County Public Libraries (MCPL) program, will be held on Saturday and Sunday, March 22 and 23, in Germantown. The annual event offers a range of activities for comic fans, creators and community members.
 The MoCo Eats Food & Beverage Showcase is a two-day event at the Hilton Rockville on March 30 and 31, where food enthusiasts and industry professionals come together to explore the latest culinary innovations. This year's showcase features two distinct events, each designed for a different audience.
 Last month, Montgomery County 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 low-cost adult bike classes in April, May and June. The classes will include nine Learn to Ride and one Basic Skills class. MCDOT also will offer four free, walk-up e-scooter classes following select bike classes.
Advance registration is required to participate in the bicycle classes, with a cost of $10 for Montgomery County residents. There is no charge for Washington Area Bicyclist Association (WABA) or Capital Bikeshare For All members. However, registration is still required.
 The Montgomery County Police Department (MCPD) has announced that the Police-Private Security Camera Program's eligibility has been expanded to include all addresses within Montgomery County.
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