This week, Montgomery County launched the nation's first Federal Workforce Career Center in Wheaton, a collaboration to help workers navigate the shutdown and instability in Washington D.C. by offering services like career coaching and resume assistance. The County Executive highlights the significant strides made in the production and preservation of affordable housing within the County over the last several years, specifically over the last 15 months. He also talks about the impact that federal cuts to the Department of Energy could have on your utility bills and discusses the importance of recognizing Active Aging Week and Indigenous Peoples' Day.
The Mobilize Montgomery Federal Workforce Career Center (FWCC) held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark its official opening. Funded by the Montgomery County Government, the FWCC is the first-of-its-kind physical location in the United States dedicated to supporting displaced federal workers through personalized services and programs. Located within the Wheaton American Job Center at 11510 Georgia Avenue in Wheaton. This space will welcome displaced federal workers, contractors, and others navigating career transitions due to the ongoing federal workforce reductions. Montgomery County residents will be able to benefit from federal resume and job placement assistance, career and entrepreneurial coaching, and professional development programs.
Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich, along with the County’s regional services offices and community partners, is holding 12 "Community Conversations" through November to seek input on the Fiscal Year 2027 (FY27) Operating Budget. The next conversation will be for the Mid-County community from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 13, in the Social Hall at the Wheaton Community Recreation Center. The Wheaton Community Recreation Center is located at 11701 Georgia Ave. in Wheaton. The County is in the early stages of formulating the FY27 operating budget. County Executive Elrich is required to submit a recommended budget to the County Council by Monday, March 16, 2026. The Council will then have two months to review the budget. It must adopt a final budget no later than June 1. The FY27 operating budget will go into effect on July 1, 2026.
 The Montgomery County Department of Housing and Community Affairs (DHCA) released an updated version of its final Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25) Affordable Housing Pipeline Report, along with its first quarterly update for Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26), showing that the County has significantly increased the number of affordable homes it is supporting through its financial investments. DHCA’s quarterly reports detail recently completed financing agreements, the number of affordable units to be produced or preserved in each project, and pending projects with affordable units that are in the pipeline for future development.
 |
The Montgomery County Office of Consumer Protection (OCP) alerts federal employees and their families on ways to avoid financial scams during the current government shutdown. During a government shutdown, most federal employees are placed on furlough, while other essential staff are required to work without pay. These disruptions can create financial hardships for employees and their families and may affect services that residents rely on.
Montgomery County is outperforming both state and national averages in chronic disease outcomes, according to a new report released by the Department of Health and Human Services. Chronic Diseases in Montgomery County, MD 2010–2023 marks the County’s first comprehensive look at long-term health trends, spotlighting the impact of prevention, education, and early intervention. The report showcases Montgomery’s success in improving population health and also identifies key disparities and opportunities to better serve its rapidly growing and diverse community. Learn how this data-driven approach is shaping a healthier future for all residents.
|
 Montgomery County is recognizing October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month with a series of outreach efforts led by the County’s Domestic Violence Coordinating Council (DVCC). As part of the campaign, posters will be displayed in area Metro stations and across social media to raise awareness about how community members can support victims of intimate partner violence. The DVCC is providing guidance for those concerned about a family member, friend, neighbor, co-worker or, even a stranger in a public setting. In honor of the month, the County Executive and County Council will present a proclamation on Oct. 21. Residents are also encouraged to wear purple on Thursday, Oct. 16, to show solidarity with survivors and support efforts to end domestic violence.
 |
The Montgomery County Board of Elections will host an Open House and guided tours of its facility from 1 to 5 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 13 at 18753 N. Frederick Ave., Suite 210, Gaithersburg. Tours will begin at the top of each hour from 1 to 4 p.m. and will showcase the Board’s structure, voter services, including candidate filing, voter registration, and mail-in and provisional ballots, outreach efforts, and the recruitment and training of election workers. Attendees will also see demonstrations of mail-in ballot sorting and ballot-scanning equipment, visit the IT and operations warehouses, and tour the new election workers training and canvass center.
 |
The American Diversity Group and the Association of Physicians of Pakistani Descent of North America DMV Chapter will host a free community health event on Sunday, Oct. 12, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Silver Spring. The event will offer free specialty medical consultations, including dermatology, neurology, cardiology, dental care, and more, along with free grocery distribution. Services are open to everyone, and no insurance is required.
 |
The Montgomery County Commission for Women and Montgomery County Public Libraries will host a Financial Health and Wellness Series beginning Oct. 14 to help residents take charge of their financial futures. The free, four-part virtual series will feature financial experts Jamie Lapin and Thiago Glieger, who will cover topics ranging from basic financial planning to retirement, federal employee benefits, and managing finances after divorce. Sessions will be held from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on Tuesdays via Zoom. Participants can register online to receive the event link. The series includes: Financial Planning 101 on Oct. 14, Retirement Planning on Oct. 21, Planning to Leave Federal Service on Oct. 28, and Divorce and Money on Nov. 4.
 |
The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) is excited to share that construction for utility relocation on the Veirs Mill Road Flash Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project has begun. Pepco began placing new utility poles last week on Veirs Mill Road at Connecticut Avenue. Verizon will begin overnight utility work on Veirs Mill Road on Sunday, Oct. 12. The work is estimated to last a few months and will take place from Sunday through Thursday from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. along two center westbound lanes. This utility work marks the start of implementation for the second Flash BRT corridor being built out in the County. Videos specific to this utility relocation work are available in English and Spanish. The Veirs Mill Road Flash BRT is estimated to launch service in 2028 and will connect Wheaton, Downtown Rockville, and the Montgomery College Rockville Campus with twelve stations along Veirs Mill Road and MD 355. Flash service will connect with other regional transit services, including the MARC train, and the Metrorail Red Line. The Veirs Mill Road Flash project will also include extensive bicycle and pedestrian improvements like continuous sidewalks, paths and safer crossings.
 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 and more reliable service, and frequent connections to housing, jobs, the MARC train, and the Metrorail Red Line.
 Employers currently hiring two or more employees are invited to participate in the WorkSource Montgomery Quarterly Career and Resource Fair on Wednesday, Oct. 22, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Silver Spring Civic Center. The event is free to attend and offers businesses the opportunity to connect directly with local job seekers and promote available positions.
 The Montgomery County Community Action Agency’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program is recruiting volunteers for the upcoming tax season, which runs from January through mid-April. There is a significant need for volunteer appointment schedulers. Schedulers assist residents by answering phone calls and scheduling appointments through an online system. This volunteer role is ideal for individuals who want to support the VITA program without preparing taxes.
 Montgomery County officials will host a project update on the planned "Diversion Center" at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 29, in the Leggett Executive Office Building (LEOB) auditorium in Rockville. The meeting will also be accessible virtually via Microsoft TEAMS at Diversion Center Project Update. The center, which will be located on Seven Locks Road in Rockville, will treat individuals experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis. The LEOB is located at 101 Monroe St. in Rockville. The auditorium is on the lobby level of the building.
 The Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office is hosting its annual “Speak Up, Save a Life” student public service announcement video contest to raise awareness about the dangers of opioid misuse, overdose, and fentanyl among teens. The contest honors the memory of two Montgomery County residents, Michael Pisarra and Matthew Loudon, whose lives were lost to illicit fentanyl. Middle and high school students living in or attending school in Montgomery County are invited to submit original videos from Oct. 9 through Dec. 7. Winners will be announced at the “Save a Student Summit” on Jan. 31, 2026. Prizes include $5,000 for first place, $3,000 for second place, and $1,000 each for third place and the fan favorite, with additional monetary awards for honorable mentions. Montgomery County Public Schools students who submit qualifying entries will also earn 10 Student Service Learning (SSL) hours.
 The City of Gaithersburg invites residents and visitors to celebrate the 32nd annual Kentlands Oktoberfest from noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 12. The neighborhood will transform into a vibrant festival featuring multiple stages of live entertainment, including traditional Bavarian music and dancing, as well as performances by local, regional, and national artists. The event also includes fall-themed family activities, a Business Expo, artisan vendors, and a wide selection of food and beverages—ranging from beer and cider to non-alcoholic options and mead. With past attendance reaching up to 30,000 people, Oktoberfest remains one of the area’s most anticipated fall events. Admission, parking, and shuttle service are free.
 |
Montgomery County Alcohol Beverage Services (ABS) has released the eleventh episode of its podcast series “Spirited Discussions.” The new episode, “Protecting Our Shelves from Retail Theft,” examines the department’s loss prevention efforts that help keep prices down, fund essential services, and deter crime. ABS Loss Prevention Manager Pete Schomburg and Montgomery County Department of Police (MCPD) Sergeant Jesse Dickensheets join host Jocelyn Rawat to discuss the partnership between ABS and MCPD that has resulted in decreased shoplifting incidents in ABS retail stores, increased restitution orders from prosecuted cases, and an improved shopping experience with better product availability and lower prices. Spirited Discussions is available on major platforms including Amazon, Apple and Spotify. Listeners are encouraged to email questions or topic ideas.
 Registration is underway for Montgomery County Recreation’s winter youth basketball programs. These exciting leagues and clinics provide a fun, supportive environment where young athletes of all skill levels in grades K–12 can sharpen their basketball skills while learning teamwork, discipline, sportsmanship, and staying active.
The Rockville Antique and Classic Car Show, a city tradition for more than 60 years, will return to Rockville Civic Center Park from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 18. The free event, held at 603 Edmonston Drive, features vehicles from 33 car clubs, including Packard, Plymouth, Fiat, and Ferrari. Set against the scenic backdrop of the historic Glenview Mansion, the show offers a fall setting for collectors and enthusiasts to share memories and admire classic cars. One of the oldest and largest shows of its kind in the mid-Atlantic region, the event also includes a car-related flea market, car sales area, and live music by Karl Stoll and the Danger Zone.
 |
Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) will bring back Monster Flash, a haunted house-themed bus, for three Halloween events on Saturday, Oct. 25, and Sunday, Oct. 26. Residents can view the decorated Flash Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) bus and learn about the planned Flash Bus Rapid Transit Network at Twinbrook Library in Rockville from 10 a.m. to noon, the Germantown Library from 2 to 4 p.m. on Oct. 25, and at HalloWheaton in Wheaton from noon to 4 p.m. on Oct. 26. Flash buses currently operate along Colesville Road/Columbia Pike (U.S. 29) between the Silver Spring Transit Center and Briggs Chaney, and to Burtonsville during weekday rush hours, offering service every seven to 15 minutes on weekdays and every 30 minutes on weekends. MCDOT is expanding the Flash BRT network to provide faster, high-frequency service, and improve pedestrian and bicycle safety. Utility relocation on the Veirs Mill Road corridor began recently, with service expected to start in 2028.
 |
Celebrate the season at the Barks & Brews Fall Festival, a free event packed with food, music and Halloween fun from 4 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25. Dress up your dog—and yourself—for the Costume Parade and Contest, with prizes awarded for the best looks. Enjoy Venezuelan arepas from Arepateca and smoky pit-style favorites from Hardy’s BBQ. Sip local craft beer from 7 Locks Brewing or Maryland-grown wine from Mazzaroth Vineyard. Families can enjoy a moon bounce, lawn games, and treats for pups, all in support of Hero Dogs, a nonprofit that provides service dogs to veterans and first responders at no cost. Live entertainment includes soulful R&B and jazz from Cecily Bumbray and high-energy Latin beats from DJ Victor of All Out Danza. As night falls, bring a blanket and settle in for a screening of the Halloween favorite Hotel Transylvania.
 |
Join the Wheaton Arts and Entertainment District for HalloWheaton, a festive fall celebration packed with family-friendly fun. The event will take place from 12 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 26 at Marian Fryer Town Plaza, 2424 Reedie Dr., with a costume contest for kids at 2 p.m. Enjoy free activities including s’mores roasting, pumpkin decorating, Halloween crafts, face-painting, photo ops, and more. Adults can relax in the beer garden, warm up by the fire pits, play yard games, and explore the zombie trailer.
 |
Maryland state Sen. Cory McCray, author of the debut book "The Apprenticeship That Saved My Life," will lead a discussion on building stronger pathways for the next generation. The event, moderated by Maryland Del. Jheanelle Wilkins, will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 27 at the Rockville Memorial Library. It will include a conversation, audience Q&A, and reflections on community impact. Copies of the book will be available for purchase at the event through Friends of the Library, Montgomery County, or online.
 The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) continues to offer low-cost adult bike classes, and a free e-scooter drop-in session, in October and November. Of the original 12 classes, six are still open, including five Learn to Ride classes, one Basic Skills class, and one walk-up e-scooter class. Bike classes are $10 for County residents and free for WABA and Capital Bikeshare for All members, though registration is required and fills up fast. Bikes and helmets are provided. Classes are open to adults 18 and older and fill up quickly. A free e-scooter class will follow a bike session on Nov. 2. Registration is open for all classes. No registration is needed for the scooter class—just bring a valid ID.
|
