 This week, the County Executive talked with Congressman Jamie Raskin about the federal tax bill and heard an update on what's happening in Washington. He joined Governor Wes Moore in celebrating the creation of new high-tech jobs in the County. He talks about the County's Innovation program that enables employees to work on projects meant to improve County services and programs. The County Executive also spotlights Ryan Jesien, who was awarded National Animal Control Officer of the Year. He also reminds people about the upcoming Farm Tour and Harvest Sale and celebrates anniversaries for the County's Department of Health and Human Services and the Americans with Disabilities Act.
 On June 29, 2025, Montgomery County and the region took a major step forward in public transportation when the Montgomery County Department of Transportation’s (MCDOT’s) Ride On Reimagined Year 1 implementations and WMATA’s Better Bus Network both officially launched. These coordinated bus route updates were designed to work hand in hand, improving service, simplifying transit and helping you get to where you need to go faster and more reliably across both transit services.
According to a study by the EPA in 2023, Americans generate over 36 million tons of plastic waste per year. Most of the plastic we use every day is used once and then discarded. Help us reduce waste and litter by giving up plastics. Join the County's Department of Environmental Protection at any of the following events and take the pledge to the "Give Up Plastics!"
- Saturday, July 19 - Silver Spring Farmer's Market, 10 a.m.
- Wednesday, July 30 - Strathmore Live from the Lawn, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
 July’s episode of “50+ in Montgomery County” focuses on elder abuse awareness. Host Katie Smith speaks with Montgomery County Council President Kate Stewart about senior services available to County residents. You can find some of those resources at https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/senior
 “Make A Difference” focuses on how volunteers are making a difference every day in Montgomery County. On the latest episode: Marianna McNeill, Executive Director of CareerCatchers, and Rodrigue Vital, Montgomery County Caribbean Community Liaison are the guests.
 Montgomery County Alcohol Beverage Services has released the tenth episode of its podcast series “Spirited Discussions: A Podcast by Montgomery County Alcohol Beverage Services.” The new episode, “Literature’s Most Famous Drinks,” uncorks the fascinating relationship between classic literature and the iconic cocktails that have become inseparable from the stories that popularized them.
 County Executive Marc Elrich is seeking applicants to fill 19 public vacancies on the Commission on Juvenile Justice. The 34-member Commission meets monthly (virtually or in Rockville) and monitors the juvenile justice system and advises the County Executive, County Council and Juvenile Court on matters concerning juveniles. It is responsible for keeping both legislators and citizens informed about juvenile needs, promoting the general welfare of juveniles under the jurisdiction of the court and making pertinent budget recommendations.
 Montgomery Parks is asking members of the public what they want to see in Parks. The suggestions could include ideas for new parks, more funding for existing projects, or updates or major renovations to older parks. Public input will be considered when the Park and Planning Commission outlines its budget priorities for the 2027-2032 Capital Improvements Program.
 Residents are invited to join The Community Exchange #13: Black/African American Community Check-In, at noon on Wednesday, July 23. The virtual discussion will provide a space to share concerns, connect with others and learn about available resources. The event will feature special guests from the Minority Scholars Program and the Arts and Humanities Council and will be hosted by Frederick Hawkins, African American Community Liaison and Outreach Manager with the County’s Office of Community Partnerships.
 Black Restaurant Week is underway now and goes through Friday, July 27. Visit Montgomery is spotlighting the Black-owned restaurants in Montgomery County that are participating. Visit their blog to find out about new tasty dishes with global flavors to try in Silver Spring, Bethesda, and Rockville.
WSSC Water’s popular Get Current temporary water bill assistance program has been extended and enhanced. Unanimously approved by the WSSC Water Commissioners, the extension and enhancement of Get Current 2.0 began July 1 and runs through October 31, 2025. The assistance program helps eligible customers with a delinquent balance as of June 1, 2025, by offering forgiveness of a portion of their balance and waiving 100% of late payment charges and turn-on fees.
 Help build a more vibrant and inclusive creative community in Montgomery County by taking a short, anonymous survey available in seven languages (English, Amharic, Spanish, Vietnamese, Chinese, French and Korean). Your feedback will guide the Montgomery County Cultural Plan, aiming to create a space where everyone belongs, artists and cultural communities can thrive, and arts, culture, and humanities address community challenges. As a thank you, survey participants will have a chance to win a $100 gift card. Your responses are confidential and essential in shaping inclusive, creative spaces for all.
Montgomery County is offering a variety of free events and resources to help youth stay active, connected and supported throughout the summer months.
Throughout the summer, you can join Montgomery County Public Libraries for reading-based activities for 3 to 5 year olds. It involves hearing a story in a short circle time followed by play-based activity stations. We call it Preschool Play and Learn. This fun, engaging program builds essential school readiness skills and gets preschoolers ready for kindergarten. We regularly schedule Preschool Play and Learns across our library system. Next week, Marilyn J. Praisner, Long Branch, and Germantown libraries will host their own.
 Join the East County Community Recreation Center and the Housing Opportunities Commission (HOC) for a free, family-friendly Back-To-School STEM Festival from noon to 3 p.m. on Saturday, August 16. The East County Community Recreation Center is located at 3310 Gateshead Manor Way in Silver Spring. This event is free and open to all ages and will feature backpack giveaways, free food, games, activities and interactive STEM experiences. Registration is required.
 The Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services is offering free back-to-school vaccinations for school-aged children from pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade at multiple locations across the County from now through the end of September. These vaccinations are available at no cost to children who live in Montgomery County and are missing any required immunizations to attend school like Tdap, meningococcal and varicella (chickenpox). There are four centers around the County to serve you by appointment.
The latest episode of the Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services (DPS) Podcast, “Offsite Construction,” focuses on the growing trend of modular building. It highlights a local project currently under construction at St. Andrew’s Episcopal School in Potomac.
 Montgomery County's Annual Farm Tour and Harvest Sale returns Saturday and Sunday, July 26–27, with 27 participating farms, orchards, breweries and wineries opening their gates to the public. This self-guided tour offers residents and visitors the opportunity to shop local, learn about Montgomery County's rich agricultural heritage and support the local farming economy through the Buy Local Challenge.
 Check out the many summer concert opportunities to enjoy on the Visit Montgomery website or download the Montgomery Adventure Planner app to find the details. From Germantown to Wheaton and plenty of neighborhoods in between, there is something to enjoy no matter what kind of music you like.
 Four movies. Four weeks. Four neighborhood parks. Mark your summer entertainment calendar for Rockville’s free outdoor Movies in the Parks, on the big screen at neighborhood parks throughout the city on Thursdays from July 31 to Aug. 21.
 Located on River Road, the McKee-Beshers Wildlife Management Area is a 2,000-acre tract in a mixture of woodlands, fields, wooded bottomland and managed wetland impoundments (green-tree reservoirs). The property shares a common boundary with the C&O Canal National Historical Park to the south and borders Seneca Creek State Park to the east. The McKee-Beshers Wildlife Management Area may be accessed any time of day, with no overnight camping allowed. There is no fee or permit required to access the property.
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