 This week, the County Executive responded to severe flash floods and called for urgent climate action. He condemned federal rollbacks on greenhouse gas protections and highlighted new local flood sensors and tree planting efforts. He comments on the Council’s passage of ZTA 25-02 for risking displacement and ignoring community input. The County Executive also signed a bill to help hire displaced federal workers and visited four local businesses supported by County grants that are driving innovation and creating jobs.
 Mark your calendars for one of Montgomery County’s biggest music events of the year. The 2025 Silver Spring Jazz Festival returns on Saturday, September 6, with Preservation Hall Jazz Band headlining the night. The free festival runs from 3 to 10 p.m. at Veterans Plaza in downtown Silver Spring, with the headliner taking the stage at 8:30 p.m. Enjoy a full lineup of jazz performances, food vendors, a beer garden, and fun for all ages
Join the County's Department of Environmental Protection at Strathmore’s Live from the Lawn on Wednesday, July 30, from 6 to 9 p.m. and take the pledge to the "Give Up Plastics!" 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.
 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 montgomerycountymd.gov/senior.
 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.
The 2025 Farm Tour is part of Montgomery County's broader effort to promote sustainable agriculture and educate the public about the County's 93,000-acre Agricultural Reserve, which comprises nearly one-third of the County's total land area. Home to 558 farms and 350 horticultural enterprises, agriculture contributes $282 million to the County's economy annually.
 “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.
 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.
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, Aug. 6. 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.
 Drop the needle and join the groove! Vinyl Day is back at the Brigadier General Charles E. McGee Library on Saturday, August 9 from 10 a.m.to 5 p.m. This free, all-ages event celebrates Montgomery County’s music, art, and DJ culture with a day packed full of hands-on activities, live performances and community fun. Spin some records, try your hand at graffiti art, learn to scratch like a pro, and don’t miss keynote speaker DJ GI Joe at 2 p.m.. From STEMusic concerts for kids to workshops for aspiring DJs, there’s something for everyone.
 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.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources – Wildlife and Heritage Service plants sunflowers each spring on the McKee-Beshers Wildlife Management Area. The primary purpose of planting sunflowers in wildlife management areas is to provide a food source for mourning doves, as well as other wildlife species.
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Nobody in Montgomery County should go hungry. If you or someone you know needs food, there are free resources available across the County. Check the Montgomery County food distribution calendar for upcoming events offering meals, groceries and household essentials. New events are added regularly, and many sites offer walk-up service with no ID required.
Attorneys from Volunteer Legal Advocates assist low-income survivors of domestic violence who are residents of Montgomery County with protection orders, divorce and custody issues at the Domestic Violence Walk-In Legal Clinic. The attorneys offer brief advice consults as well as take on some cases for full or limited representation, depending on their capacity. Interpreters are available by phone. The clinic is every Wednesday from noon - 4 p.m. at the Rockville Memorial Library at 21 Maryland Ave. If the hours don’t work for you, email or call 202-464-1700 for help.
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One of Montgomery County’s favorite summer events is back! The 76th Annual Montgomery County Agricultural Fair returns August 8–16. with this year’s theme: “Make a Bee-Line to the Fair!” Held at the Gaithersburg Fairgrounds, this nine-day celebration features farm animals, local food, carnival rides and live entertainment—including rodeos, monster trucks and demolition derbies. Don’t miss the Mooo-ternity Ward or honeybee demos!
On July 4, President Trump signed the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" which repealed and revised many tax credits for clean energy technologies, including the Clean Vehicle Tax Credit. But don't worry! If you've recently purchased or have been dreaming about an EV, you can still claim the tax credit if you take delivery of the vehicle on or before September 30, 2025.
 Heads up, Gaithersburg: the Brink Road Bridge over Seneca Creek will be closed for resurfacing starting Friday, July 25. The closure will last about four days, weather permitting, while crews work to extend the life of the bridge and improve driving conditions. A detour map is available to help drivers plan alternate routes. This is part of MCDOT’s ongoing effort to keep roads safe and reliable.
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