 This week, the County Executive makes an argument for inclusion and details the impact federal immigration enforcement is having on the Hispanic community in Montgomery County, as well as shares his thoughts about Trump’s efforts to remove historical markers about slavery. The County Executive also delves into federal tax credits for electric vehicles expiring at the end of September and highlights how the County will benefit from more than $2 million in Maryland Energy Administration grant money. He also talks about Burtonsville Day, Poolesville Day, and how the State is helping everyone stay informed on COVID-19 vaccine information. The County Executive also recognizes African Heritage Month, welcomes a new member to the executive team, and reminds seniors about the next "Community Conversation" about the budget, which is geared toward older adults.
Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich will participate in several special events from Monday, Sept. 15, through Wednesday, Oct. 15, as the County observes National Hispanic Heritage Month. The month-long celebration honors the culture, history and achievements of Hispanic and Latino Americans, including the many immigrants who make meaningful contributions to their communities. According to the 2020 U.S. Census, Latino residents make up 20.5% of Montgomery County’s population, totaling 217,409 residents.
 During a Hispanic Heritage Month event held on Tuesday, Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich announced a grant program open to Wheaton area elementary schools to provide cultural programming for students and families. Sponsored by the Wheaton Arts and Entertainment District and the Wheaton Urban District, the $2000 Arte y Alma grants can be used to host Hispanic cultural programs and defray the cost of professional performers. The grants will be available for programs during the 2025-26 school year. The program is designed to ensure students and families celebrate and experience the artistry, traditions, and contributions of Hispanic performers during assemblies or evening family programs.
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Montgomery County was recently awarded more than $2 million in competitive grants from the Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) during the first half of 2025. The awards are for energy efficiency, clean energy, and electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure with additional social and environmental benefits.
These grants will pay for several projects including solar canopies and EV chargers at the Shady Grove Transfer Station, lighting upgrades at key County buildings to boost safety and efficiency and LED retrofits in Wheaton parking lots that support the Dark Skies Initiative.
 The Town of Poolesville is gearing up for the return of its annual Poolesville Day festival on Saturday, Sept. 20. This beloved town tradition, celebrating everything special about Poolesville and bringing the community together for more than 25 years, is the municipality’s largest community event, attracting over 12,000 visitors to the historic downtown commons.
The Burtonsville community is thrilled to welcome back the 33rd Annual Burtonsville Day Celebration, taking place from 10 a.m. — 3 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 20. The festivities will kick off with a lively parade along Old Columbia Pike, starting at Paint Branch High School and ending at the Marilyn J. Praisner Community Recreation Center, located at 14906 Old Columbia Pike.
Raise a glass to fall fun! Montgomery Parks’ Ale Trail Festival is back at Lake Needwood from 11 a.m.–3 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 20. This family-friendly event features live music, local craft beer, food vendors and scenic hiking trails—offering something for everyone. Highlights include a mid-hike beer garden for adults, Oktoberfest-themed living statues and a roaming accordion player along the trail.
Families are invited to enjoy a day of outdoor discovery and hands-on fun at Children’s Day, held from 9:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 21, at Brookside Gardens. Kids will explore the science and art of gardening by rotating through interactive activity stations designed to educate and inspire. It’s a great outing for families, friends and budding nature lovers of all ages. Picnics are allowed during the event, which is one of the few times they are permitted at the Gardens. Registration is encouraged but not required.
Silver Spring Town Center Inc. will host the 12th Annual Harvest Moon Festival from 1-7 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 21, at Veterans Plaza in downtown Silver Spring. The event will feature live entertainment, cultural performances and seasonal festivities. The event is free.
 Your voice matters when it comes to balancing airpark operations and neighborhood quality of life. The Airpark Community Advisory Committee needs to fill voting positions representing flight schools and the community. The application deadline is Oct. 6.
 Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich is seeking applicants to fill 11 vacancies on the Commission on Veterans Affairs. Four vacancies are for members of the general public, including non-veteran family members and caregivers.
The Commission advises the County Executive and County Council on programs and services that support veterans and their families. It also promotes veterans’ rights and opportunities through public education, community events and policy recommendations.
Residents of all backgrounds, professions, abilities and ages are encouraged to apply. The deadline for applying is Friday, Sept. 26.
 Montgomery Parks will temporarily close Sligo Creek Parkway between Piney Branch Road and Wayne Ave. for approximately two months, beginning on or about Monday, Sept. 22. The closure will support Purple Line construction and related roadway improvements.
During construction, detour signs will guide both vehicle and pedestrian traffic around the work zone. The Sligo Creek Trail will remain open, but users are advised to use caution and follow detour signage. Full Purple Line construction updates are available on the Maryland Department of Transportation Purple Line website.
 The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) will hold an onsite community meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 24, from 5 — 7 p.m., to discuss proposed pedestrian safety improvements within the one-mile walkshed of Kensington Parkwood Elementary School. At the outdoor meeting, residents will tour and review each of the planned enhancement areas.
The meeting will begin at the intersection of Clearbrook Lane and Cedar Lane.
The public is encouraged to visit the project website and provide feedback via email to walkyourway@montgomerycountymd.gov or phone 240-777-2192 by 6 p.m., Friday, Oct. 24.
 Montgomery County’s Alcohol Beverage Services will open its new Oak Barrel & Vine store in Wheaton at 9:45 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 25. Elected officials and alcohol industry representatives plan to attend the opening. The store is in the Westfield Wheaton shopping mall, located at 11160 Veirs Mill Rd. in Wheaton. The celebration and ribbon-cutting ceremony will occur at the store’s entrance inside the mall, space 98 near Costco.
 County Executive Marc Elrich's next "Community Conversation" about the Fiscal Year 2027 budget will be held from 3 to 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 28, at the Silver Spring Civic Building, located at 1 Veterans Place in the Fenton Room. In partnership with The Beacon 50+ Expo, this forum will focus on issues that are important to older adults. Please make plans to attend if you are interested in providing feedback about the County's next operating budget and how it pertains to older residents or your neighborhood. This budget forum will also be broadcast on the County cable channel and streamed online on the County's Facebook and YouTube pages.
 The Beacon Newspapers invites residents to attend the 50+ Expo at the Silver Spring Civic Building from noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 28. The Beacon 50+ Expo is a chance to celebrate and empower older adults and their families with a wealth of resources, connections, and support from more than 100 exhibitors.
The free resource fair will feature County resources, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations. The Expo will offer health screenings and various vaccines, including regular flu, high-dose flu, Shingrix for shingles, pneumonia, tetanus, and the new Covid booster (as available). Flu and COVID-19 vaccines will be free for those with a Medicare card or insurance, while others may require a co-pay. To encourage proactive health management, free health screenings for blood pressure, glaucoma, blood glucose, and cholesterol will also be provided.
Did you know there are approximately 20,000 septic systems in Montgomery County? During "SepticSmart Week," the Department of Permitting Services encouraged homeowners to learn how their septic system works and how to properly maintain it. Watch this educational video for more information. The topic was also recently featured on “Montgomery al Día,” the County’s Spanish-language radio show. Additional tips are included in the news release.
Hundreds of local artists will come together from 10 a.m.— 5 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 28, for one of the most unique parades around. The Wheaton Arts Parade and Festival returns to the Wheaton Triangle with more than 600 participants. There are no cars, no political candidates, and no business advertisements: just artists in all forms dancing, marching, playing and showing off their talent.
 The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) is hosting an in-person public meeting on the US 29 Flash Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Phase 2 project from 6—8 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 7, at Montgomery Blair High School. This meeting is an opportunity for MCDOT to share the design of a dedicated bus lane with the public and invite community members to provide feedback. Montgomery Blair High School is located at 51 University Blvd. in Silver Spring.
The US 29 Flash BRT is an upgraded, high-frequency transit service currently operating between Downtown Silver Spring and Briggs Chaney/Burtonsville via Colesville Road/Old Columbia Pike. The Phase 2 project will improve the existing US 29 Flash BRT service by building a dedicated bus lane between Sligo Creek Parkway and Tech Road.
 Montgomery County will join communities worldwide in celebrating Active Aging Week from Monday, Oct. 6, through Saturday, Oct. 12, as part of an international effort to promote the benefits of active, engaged and healthy lifestyles for older adults. The week will kick off with a signature event, “Go, Grow and Get Active,” on Monday, Oct. 6, at the Nancy H. Dacek North Potomac Community Recreation Center, featuring health workshops, wellness activities and a resource fair. The Nancy H. Dacek North Potomac Community Recreation Center is located at 13850 Travilah Road in Rockville.
Join early childhood educators, association leaders, and policy experts for a full day of learning, storytelling and inspiration on Saturday, Oct. 25, at the Silver Spring Civic Building at Veterans Plaza.
This annual conference offers a valuable opportunity to connect with others in the early childhood education field, gain new insights and grow professionally. Multilingual breakout sessions will return this year, offered in English, Spanish, Farsi, Amharic and Urdu to support broader community participation.
This year’s theme is “Your Story, Your Voice: Craft Your Narrative to Spark Change.”
 The new school year is in full swing, and Montgomery County Recreation is helping students stay active, social and supported beyond the classroom.
The popular “Club Adventure” after-school program is available at 10 recreation centers across the County. Designed for elementary school students, the program offers a variety of supervised activities in a safe, welcoming environment. At just $75 per month, “Club Adventure” is an affordable, high-quality alternative to traditional daycare—led by a team of professional, caring staff. Register now through ActiveMONTGOMERY.
Also returning this fall is the “Kids Day Out” series, offering fun-filled, well-organized activities on select days when schools are closed. Held at several recreation centers, it’s a great option for families looking for structured programming during the school year. The first “Kids Day Out” takes place on Thursday, Oct. 2, and registration is now open.
 September is International Underground Railroad Month and Visit Montgomery is helping you learn about historic places right here in the County that hold African American history. They honor the freedom seekers who risked everything to escape slavery and those who helped them along the way. The first step is learning where these centers are and how they offer a unique look at America. Visit, learn about and share these inspiring stories without ever leaving Montgomery County.
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The Montgomery County Department of Transportation is alerting residents that as of Tuesday, July 1, drivers are prohibited from making right turns at red traffic signals in designated downtown and town center areas of Montgomery County. Drivers who violate the ban on right turns at red lights may face a $90 fine and one point on their driver’s license, consistent with other locations within the State. In Maryland, a right turn on red is allowed unless there is a sign explicitly prohibiting it. More than 200 of these signs have been placed. The no-right-on-red measure was passed by County Council as part of the Safe Streets Act of 2023 (Bill 11-23) to improve pedestrian and cyclist safety on Montgomery County roadways.
 Donated bicycles can make a big difference for local community members. The Montgomery County Department of Transportation’s (MCDOT) annual Bicycle Donation Drive from 7 a.m. – 2 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 3, will make it easy to donate previously owned bikes and ensure they will have a continued impact. Bikes will be collected, rain or shine, outside of the Montgomery County Council Office Building Garage at the corner of E. Jefferson and Monroe St. in Rockville.
Bicycles should be in good working condition or in need of only minor repairs. Rockville Bike Hub volunteers will refurbish the bikes and MCDOT will place them with children and adults in the County through the MCDOT Bike Match Program or through the Rockville Terrific Kids program. A portion of the bikes are also collected by Bikes for the World and donated to communities around the world. Bikes that are not salvageable are recycled.
 The Pike District Partnership has extended its free “Yoga in the Park” series with extendYoga every Saturday morning through Sept. 27. Classes are held from 8–8:45 a.m. at the Pike District Pop-Up Park, located at Grand Park Avenue and Banneker Street—next to the Montgomery County Conference Center parking garage and behind the Bethesda North Marriott. Pre-registration is required.
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