 This week, the County Executive discusses the grand opening of the Residences at Forest Glen and how it boosts the number of affordable housing units in the County. He also celebrates a major economic development win with the expansion of X-Energy. The County Executive encourages you to participate in “National Night Out” and discusses the successful effort to lower crime. He also highlights troubling news about the EPA before praising this year's Summer RISE program and its participants.
Communities across Montgomery County will come together on Tuesday, Aug. 5, to celebrate “National Night Out” with block parties, cookouts and family-friendly fun. The annual event strengthens police-community partnerships and encourages neighborhood unity.
County Executive Marc Elrich and Police Chief Marc R. Yamada will join first responders and local leaders at several locations throughout the evening.
- East County Regional Services Center in Silver Spring
- Ellsworth Plaza in Silver Spring
- Montgomery College in Germantown
The County’s event calendar, under the Aug. 5 tab, has a full schedule of events.
The Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has awarded $1.3 million in competitive grants to three local, community-based organizations committed to addressing youth mental health and substance use. The funds, made available through the County’s share of settlement agreements with JUUL and Altria, will support targeted programs by Elite Soccer Youth Development Academy, Identity, Inc. and Tree of Hope Association, Inc.
The grants are part of the County’s Community Youth Mental Health and Substance Use Initiatives Grants Program, which prioritizes zip codes most impacted by substance use and focuses on serving Black and Latino youth ages 11 to 24. Each organization is implementing peer-led, culturally responsive strategies that address the root causes and long-term effects of youth vaping and substance use.
 Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich and County Councilmembers Natali Fani-González and Andrew Friedson joined nonprofit community organization Montgomery Housing Partnership (MHP), Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development Secretary (DHCD) Jake Day and other partners on Tuesday to celebrate the opening of the Residences at Forest Glen, a new, 100% affordable rental housing development with nearly 200 affordable units. The development replaces an aging property while preserving and expanding the number of affordable homes on the site. The apartments are located near public transit, a short 10-minute walk from the Forest Glen Metro station.
Located at 2106 Belvedere Blvd. in Forest Glen, the collaboration with MHP replaced 72 outdated affordable units with 189 modern affordable units of various sizes.
The Montgomery County Agricultural Fair returns to Gaithersburg from Friday, Aug. 8 through Saturday, Aug. 16, at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds. Visit Montgomery has put together an Insider’s Guide to help residents plan their visit, with tips on transportation, parking, can’t-miss carnival food, rides and more. The guide also highlights a variety of contests taking place throughout the week, where participants can compete for fun and prizes.
A local tradition since 1949, the Fair continues to draw crowds eager to explore exhibits, enjoy entertainment and see more than 5,000 farm animals. The entrance to the Fairgrounds is located at 501 Perry Parkway in Gaithersburg.
 The Montgomery County Vision Zero Steering Committee has released its Fiscal Year 2026 Work Plan, detailing the safety projects, public education campaigns and enforcement initiatives scheduled from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026. The annual plan supports the County’s broader Vision Zero 2030 Action Plan, which aims to eliminate serious injuries and fatalities. With a focus on safer streets for all road users, the new plan builds upon past progress and sets the stage for stronger, more targeted efforts in the year ahead.
To prepare, residents are encouraged to explore the Fall GUIDE, a comprehensive digital catalog featuring hundreds of programs, classes, sports leagues, trips, events and other activities. Offerings include aquatics, fitness, sports, education, health and wellness, art, music, therapeutic recreation and programming for adults 55 and over.
 The 28th episode of the Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services (DPS) Podcast, “Meet John Catlett: New DPS Commercial Building Division Chief,” features a discussion about the future of commercial building, from customer service to codes to industry trends and plan review.
 Drop the needle and join the groove! Vinyl Day is back at the Brigadier General Charles E. McGee Library on Saturday, Aug. 9 from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. This free, all-ages event celebrates Montgomery County’s music, arts 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.
Get ready to save! Maryland’s annual Tax-Free Week runs from Sunday, Aug. 10 through Saturday, Aug. 16, 2025. During this week, qualifying clothing and footwear items priced at $100 or less are exempt from the state’s 6% sales tax. The first $40 of each backpack or bookbag purchase is also tax-free.
This is a great time to stock up on back-to-school essentials or everyday basics while keeping more money in your pocket. Whether you shop in-store or online, make sure to check that your items qualify and your purchase is completed during the tax-free period.
 Have you noticed a lot of construction near Metro stations in Silver Spring or Bethesda? It might be related to the Purple Line, a Maryland state project bringing a new light rail connection to our region. Stay informed by signing up for updates tailored to your area and get the latest on progress, closures and what to expect in your neighborhood.
Did you know Montgomery Parks has more than 210 miles of natural surface trails? The organization wants to hear from you about how you use and experience these trails. Whether you hike, bike, walk or run, your input will help improve the trail network and shape future projects. Take a few minutes to share your feedback through a short survey on Engage Montgomery Parks.
 The Pike District will host a free community concert featuring Anna Wilson, a Montgomery County singer currently competing on “America’s Got Talent.” The performance will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 4, at the Pike District Pop-Up Park. The event is a chance to support a local artist making waves on national television and enjoy a summer evening of live music. The park is located at the intersection of Grand Park Avenue and Banneker Street behind the parking garage of the North Bethesda Marriott Hotel.
 |
Montgomery County’s Commission on Aging will host a free community event from 2-3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 28, at Poolesville Presbyterian Church (Speer Hall), located at 17800 Elgin Road in Poolesville. The event will highlight County programs and services that help support older adults remain active, healthy and independent. Topics include wellness and recreation activities, caregiving resources, meal programs, transportation options and lifelong learning and employment opportunities.
Attendees will have an opportunity to meet members of the Commission on Aging and share feedback on issues affecting older adults in Montgomery County. Registration is required. To register, visit this registration link or call 301-875-7701.
 Mark your calendars for one of Montgomery County’s biggest music events of the year. The 2025 Silver Spring Jazz Festival returns on Saturday, Sept. 6, with Preservation Hall Jazz Band headlining the night. The free festival runs from 3-10 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.
Throughout the summer, you can join Montgomery County Public Libraries (MCPL) for reading-based activities for 3 to 5-year-olds. “Preschool Play and Learn” involves hearing a story in a short circle time, followed by play-based activity stations. This fun, engaging program builds essential school readiness skills and gets preschoolers ready for kindergarten. MCPL regularly schedules “Preschool Play and Learns” across our library system.
 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. Vaccination offerings include Tdap, Meningococcal (MCV4), Meningococcal B, Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and Varicella (chickenpox). There are four centers around the County to serve you by appointment.
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.
 |
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 held every Wednesday from noon-4 p.m., at the Rockville Memorial Library located at 21 Maryland Ave. If the available hours are not suitable, help is available via email or by calling 202-464-1700.
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 Sept. 30.
|
