 This week the County Executive talks about the importance of funding our schools supported by a .1% income tax increase. He discusses the importance of adding to our transit infrastructure to grow the economy and reduce congestion while celebrating 50 years of Ride On service. The County Executive also highlights the opening of a new manufacturing facility by AstraZeneca. Finally, he spotlights many groups and causes being honored and recognized in May and extends a Happy Mother's Day to everyone being celebrated this Sunday.
Stories in this issue include:
 Montgomery County is seeking nominations for its African American Living Legends Awards, which recognize residents age 75 and older who have dedicated their lives to service, advocacy and selfless acts of kindness to their community. Nominations are due by June 1. The awards will be presented during the County’s 28th Annual Juneteenth Celebration, which will be held at the BlackRock Center for the Arts in Germantown. This year’s theme is “Juneteenth: Pushing Back...the Fight for Freedom Is Not Over.”
 The Montgomery County Animal Services and Adoption Center (MCASAC) is hosting a “Spring Fling” adoption event for large dogs on Saturday, May 10 and Sunday, May 11. During the event, adoption fees for dogs weighing more than 30 pounds will be covered by Friends of Montgomery County Animals. The shelter is currently full of large dogs looking for good homes. The Animal Services and Adoption Center is located at 7315 Muncaster Mill Road in Derwood. The Center is open seven days a week. Visit the Center’s website for a complete list of hours.
 Check your deck! Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services (DPS) inspectors will offer free residential deck maintenance inspections during May as part of the County’s annual “Building Safety Month” outreach campaign. The DPS deck inspection program is limited to 300 appointments.
Farmers markets are now open across Montgomery County, offering residents access to fresh, locally grown produce and other goods. Markets are located throughout the County, including in Bethesda, Clarksburg, Gaithersburg, Rockville, Silver Spring and Takoma Park, with several operating year-round and others open seasonally through the fall. Many markets participate in nutrition assistance programs such as SNAP, WIC, FMNP and SFMNP, with some offering matching dollar programs to increase purchasing power. Several sites also collect food scraps for composting through a partnership with the Department of Environmental Protection.
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The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) will host a free family-friendly, student-led “Safety Day” event from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 10 at the Carver Educational Services Center (CESC) in Rockville. The CESC is located at 850 Hungerford Drive in Rockville. The fair will highlight driver, bike and pedestrian safety with interactive and educational experiences including safety demonstrations, games and hands-on activities for all ages. Safety Day is organized and staffed by local high school students participating in the County’s Vision Zero Youth Ambassador program.
 Stay busy this summer and make it memorable with Montgomery County Recreation. Summer program registration for County residents kicks off Tuesday, May 13, at 6:30 a.m. for most programs and activities. Registration for all senior programs, including Bone Builders, Day Trippers and Senior Outdoor Adventures in Recreation (SOAR), will begin at 9 a.m. Registration for non-County residents begins on Thursday, May 15, at 6:30 a.m.
 The Montgomery County Commission for Women, in partnership with Montgomery County Public Libraries, will continue a free virtual Financial Health and Wellness seminar series throughout May. The four-part series, designed to help residents take control of their finances, will be held on Zoom from 7-8:30 p.m. on Tuesdays, through May 27.
 The Office of Food Systems Resilience has a new resource for residents seeking food assistance in Montgomery County. This user-friendly flow chart helps connect residents with the necessary support, whether they have immediate needs, need short-term food assistance or are looking into longer-term nutrition program options at the federal, state or local levels. This tool is currently being translated into additional languages for ease of use across diverse communities in Montgomery County.
The Montgomery County Office of Consumer Protection (OCP) recently worked with Canadian law enforcement officials to investigate a phishing scam that resulted in a Rockville resident losing more than $400,000 and is warning residents to be on alert for similar scams.
 The Wheaton Urban District is excited to announce the launch of the Wheaton Streetery Block Party Series, a monthly open-streets event taking place on the third Saturday of each month through October. This series will activate the heart of downtown Wheaton with outdoor dining, live entertainment and family-friendly programming in a safe, walkable environment. The first event will be Saturday, May 17, with a live DJ from 11 a.m.-6 p.m., street closures, and programming and dining opportunities until 8 p.m. There will also be free ice cream and face painting from 2-5 p.m.
 The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) will hold a public open house to discuss the New Hampshire Avenue Flash Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Planning Study from 6-8 p.m. on Wednesday, May 14 at the Langley Park Community Center in Hyattsville. The in-person public open house will focus on the New Hampshire Avenue BRT corridor, which is planned to run from Fort Totten Metro Station to Colesville. MCDOT is seeking public input that may influence the outcome of the project.
 Job seekers 50 and older could benefit from a free virtual job fair planned from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Tuesday, May 13. Age-friendly employers are also being sought to participate in the event, which is co-sponsored by Montgomery County Government and the Jewish Council for the Aging of Greater Washington. To learn more about the job fair and to register to participate, click here. Participants can join, exit and rejoin the Expo as their schedule permits.
 Montgomery County’s Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) will host a free forum, “Effective Communication Strategies for Substance Use and Mental Health,” from 8:30 a.m.-noon on Saturday, May 17, in Silver Spring. The event is open to the public and will offer practical tools to help individuals and families navigate conversations around mental health and substance use, connect with local resources and support loved ones through prevention, crisis and recovery.
The Montgomery County Commission on Aging (CoA) will hold its annual public policy forum on Wednesday, May 21, at the Activity Center at Bohrer Park in Gaithersburg. This year’s event, "Revaluing Care: Building Policies, Programs and Connections to Support Caregiving in Our Community," will highlight the essential role and contributions of unpaid caregivers.
Come learn how to modernize historic homes while preserving their character at a Preservation Month event on Saturday, May 17. The event, themed “Sustainability in Historic Preservation,” will take place from 10 a.m.-noon at the Grey Courthouse, 27 Courthouse Square. Attendees will explore energy-efficient and sustainable home upgrades that maintain the integrity of historic properties.
 The Senior PGA Championship, the most historic and prestigious major championship in senior golf, will be played at Congressional Country Club May 22-25. The iconic Blue Course at Congressional will host its third PGA of America event in the last four years.
Wheaton's signature event, attracting thousands of attendees to downtown Wheaton, is from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, June 1 at the Marian Fryer Town Plaza. The event is free to attend and will take place rain or shine. Come get a "taste" of all Wheaton has to offer. Enjoy delicious food from diverse ethnic restaurants, live entertainment and dance from local performers, local artisans and business vendors and art activities, face painting and balloon animals for the kids.
 Montgomery County's Bethesda–Chevy Chase Regional Services Center is partnering with KID Museum to present the "Invent the Future Expo" family event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday, June 1. Hosted at KID Museum—a nationally recognized nonprofit dedicated to building STEM and creative problem-solving skills through hands-on learning experiences—the event will offer free indoor and outdoor activities, including free admission to the museum.
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