 This week, the County Executive focuses on expanding Head Start to include infants and toddlers to help with early education and child care challenges. He also discusses the misinformation spread by the Trump administration that came out this week about vaccines and the false ties to autism. The County Executive also talks about new State laws that begin Oct. 1, the Wheaton Arts Parade and Festival, and the opening of the newest Oak Barrel and Vine store. He also highlights the need to clear our overcrowded animal shelter and how Bethesda and Silver Spring landed on a list of the best places to live on the East Coast.
 County Executive Marc Elrich's next "Community Conversation" about the Fiscal Year 2027 budget will be held from 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 28, at the Silver Spring Civic Building, located at 1 Veterans Place. 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.
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Hundreds of local artists will come together from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 28, for one of the most unique parades around as the Wheaton Arts Parade and Festival returns to the Wheaton Triangle. There are no cars, no political candidates, and no business advertisements--just artists in all forms dancing, marching, playing music, and showing off their talent.
Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich will participate in several special events from now 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.
 Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich, along with the County’s regional services offices and community partners, is hosting 12 "Community Conversations" through November to seek input on the Fiscal Year 2027 (FY27) Operating Budget. Focusing on issues important to the African-Caribbean Diaspora communities, a budget forum will be held from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 29, in the Community Event Room at the Montgomery College East County Education Center. The Montgomery College East County Education Center is located at 2221 Broadbirch Drive in Silver Spring.
 The Pike District Partnership has extended its free “Yoga in the Park” series with extend Yoga through Saturday morning, 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.
 Montgomery County Animal Services and Adoption Center (MCASAC) is seeing more families surrender pets due to financial hardship and recent layoffs. To help keep pets in their homes, MCASAC has expanded its resources.
 Montgomery County's East County Regional Services will host the American Diversity Group Community Health Fair from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. on Saturday, Sept 27, at the East County Recreation Center, located at 3310 Gateshead Manor Way in Silver Spring. The free event brings together the Montgomery County Department of Police, Recreation, and community health care partners to offer free medical health screenings, expert consultations, and vital resources. The health screenings include vision, hearing and bone density checks. Flu shots will be available as well. Registration for the health fair is required.
 Montgomery County is investing $2.3 million in the FY26 School-Based Food Assistance Grant Program to support children and families facing food insecurity. The funding, managed by the Office of Food Systems Resilience, will sustain food distribution at more than 60 Montgomery County Public Schools sites and expand services to 30 additional schools.
Thirteen community organizations will deliver the services, including Manna Food Center, The Upcounty Hub, So What Else, Nourish Now, and Nourishing Bethesda. Together, the programs are expected to reach more than 9,000 households with culturally relevant food offerings such as pre-packed produce boxes, family choice markets, and prepared meals tailored to dietary needs.
 Rocktobierfest returns to Rockville Town Center for its seventh year as a Bavarian-themed celebration, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 27. The free festival will feature two stages of live music, food vendors, beer from local breweries, and an artisan shopping area. The festival takes place next to Courthouse Square Park in Rockville Town Center, just steps from the Rockville Metro station. Live entertainment will feature a mix of Bavarian bands and pop-rock cover acts. Free parking locations include the County Council Office Building on Fleet Street, and the City Hall lot at 111 Maryland Ave.
 Montgomery County Recreation will open registration for its winter youth basketball programs at 8:30 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 29. These programs offer a fun, inclusive environment where young athletes can sharpen their basketball skills while learning teamwork, discipline, and sportsmanship. This year’s offerings include leagues and skills clinics designed for youth in grades K-12.
 Your voice matters when it comes to balancing the Montgomery Airpark operations and neighborhood quality of life. The airpark is located in Derwood. The Airpark Community Advisory Committee needs to fill voting positions representing flight schools and the community. The application deadline is Oct. 6.
 The Nadim Khan Memorial Homeless Resource Day will take place Thursday, Nov. 6, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Activity Center at Bohrer Park in Gaithersburg. The event is a one-day, one-stop opportunity for residents experiencing homelessness, or at risk of homelessness, to access services, resources, and information.
Volunteers are needed to serve as guides, assist with registration, and help distribute food. Training will be provided both in-person and virtually. The deadline for registering is Friday, Oct. 24.
 Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich reminds us why a Montgomery County Public Libraries (MCPL) card is so important:
“A Montgomery County Public Libraries card is one of the most valuable tools we can give our residents. It’s a key to knowledge, opportunity, and connection across Montgomery County.”
As Library Card Sign-Up Month comes to a close, there’s no better time to get your library card and unlock everything MCPL has to offer—free resources, engaging programs, and endless possibilities.
 Adventist HealthCare will host Healing Together, a free six-week virtual support group for families who have experienced the loss of a baby through miscarriage, infant death or stillbirth.
The group will be held from 7- 8:30 p.m. on Tuesdays, beginning Sept. 30 and running through Nov. 4. Participants will have the opportunity to share experiences, find comfort, and connect with others who understand their grief.
 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. Registration is required for the signature event, and it can be completed online on the ActiveMontgomery website with the Special Event Code: R07107-150.
 The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) is hosting an in-person public meeting for the Veirs Mill Road Flash Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project from 6:30-8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 21, at Albert Einstein High School in Kensington.
The Veirs Mill Road Flash BRT is a new rapid transit service connecting Wheaton and Rockville with twelve stations along Veirs Mill Road and MD 355. This service will offer faster, more reliable and frequent connections to housing, jobs, the MARC train, and the Metrorail Red Line.
 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.
 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 is also collected by Bikes for the World and donated to communities around the world. Bikes that are not salvageable are recycled.
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