With County Executive Marc Elrich still on an economic mission trip to Asia, Chief Administrative Officer Rich Madaleno hosts the County Executive’s weekly video, focusing on helping the thousands of Montgomery County residents who are losing federal food assistance. He also discusses continuing the County's 'triple-A' bond rating streak. Additionally, the County pays tribute to a longtime Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service firefighter honored this week after a battle with cancer and highlights leaf season and explains how the County collects leaves and tips for your own yard. We also recognize Maryland Emancipation Day on Nov. 1 and remind you to set your clocks back this Sunday as Daylight Saving Time ends.
 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, hosted by Chief Administrative Officer Rich Madaleno, will be held for Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) educators, parents, and students in the auditorium of the Carver Educational Services Center.
The Carver Educational Services Center is located at 850 Hungerford Drive in Rockville.
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.
Due to the ongoing federal government shutdown, SNAP benefits will be paused as of November 1, unless the federal government takes action. While new applications will still be processed, no new benefits will be issued without additional federal funding.
Montgomery County is here to help. If you or someone you know is impacted by the SNAP pause or the federal shutdown, please visit our website for local resources, including food pantries, crisis support, and behavioral health services.
It’s officially fall, and that means leaves are falling and you may be thinking about preparing your yard for winter. Gas-powered leaf blowers are banned in Montgomery County and we would like you to consider eco-friendly options to manage leaves: mulch leaves into your lawn, compost them for free fertilizer, or rake them under trees and garden beds to support wildlife. Keep leaves off roads, sidewalks, and away from storm drains. Use paper lawn bags or reusable containers for curbside collection. If you receive County or other leaf vacuum service, rake leaves to the curb, not into the street.
 Montgomery County has once again achieved the highest possible bond ratings from all three major Wall Street credit rating agencies. Moody’s Ratings, S&P Global Ratings, and Fitch Ratings each reaffirmed Montgomery County’s top-tier Triple-A credit standing for 2025, an accomplishment that continues the County’s unmatched record of fiscal excellence and sound management. Out of the over 3,000 counties in the United States, only approximately 50 counties, less than 2%, earned this level of distinction for strong fiscal governance.
The Montgomery County Department of Transportation is encouraging residents to have a safe and fun Halloween that will bring increased pedestrian traffic to the streets. Halloween weekend is expected to bring increased pedestrian traffic to the roads on Friday, Oct. 31, as families celebrate with trick-or-treating. On Sunday, Nov. 2, Daylight Saving Time ends, with clocks moving back one hour.
 Montgomery County will commemorate Maryland Emancipation Day—marking the abolition of slavery in the state on Nov. 1, 1864—with a series of educational and family-friendly events at historic sites across the County.
Event highlights include:
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Josiah Henson Museum and Park, 11410 Old Georgetown Road, North Bethesda. 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Hands-on activities, lawn games, and self-guided tours exploring the life and legacy of Rev. Josiah Henson. Tickets are $7 for adults, $6 for seniors and children 6-17. Five and under are free.
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Oakley Cabin African American Museum and Park, 3610 Brookeville Road, Olney. noon–4 p.m. Jazz performance, storytelling, and an augmented reality experience exploring the site’s rich history. Free.
- Woodlawn Manor Cultural Park, 16501 Norwood Road, Sandy Spring
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Underground Railroad Experience Trail Hike, 10–11:30 a.m. Guided hike exploring historic freedom-seeking routes.
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Celebration at Woodlawn Manor, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Exhibits on local agricultural history, Black communities, Quakers, and the Underground Railroad. Presentation on slavery in Maryland and D.C. at noon. Free.
 Montgomery County will participate in the national Operation Green Light initiative from Tuesday, Nov. 4, to Tuesday, Nov.11, to honor veterans and raise awareness of available resources. Residents, businesses, and community organizations are encouraged to display green lights and attend local ceremonies. Highlights include:
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Joint Proclamation: Tuesday, Nov. 4, 9:30 a.m., Montgomery County Council Hearing Room, 100 Maryland Ave., Rockville.
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Green Lighting of Memorial Plaza: Tuesday, Nov. 4 to Tuesday, Nov. 11 from 4–11 p.m., adjacent to the Executive Office Building, 101 Monroe St., Rockville.
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Ride On Bus Tribute: Monday, Nov. 10, 10:30 a.m., Memorial Plaza, 101 Monroe St., Rockville. A special bus wrap and informational displays will honor veterans.
Veterans Day ceremonies will be held across the County, including Silver Spring, Rockville, Bethesda, Gaithersburg, and Wheaton. A full list of events and resources is available at montgomerycountymd.gov/veteransday.
The Mobilize Montgomery Federal Workforce Career Center (FWCC) is now open for business. Funded by the Montgomery County Government, the FWCC is the first-of-its-kind center 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 can benefit from federal resume and job placement assistance, career and entrepreneurial coaching, and professional development programs.
Join Peerless Rockville on Saturday, Nov. 1, for two special events marking Maryland Emancipation Day:
- 10 a.m. – Dr. Stephen A. Goldman will present on the 1864 Maryland Constitutional election that abolished slavery, highlighting the pivotal role of Union soldiers’ votes and the broader national context of the Civil War.
- 1 p.m. – Local historians Ralph Buglass and Chiquita Sorrels will lead a walking tour of downtown Rockville’s African American heritage sites, exploring stories of self-emancipation, resilience, and community-building.
Both events take place at 29 Courthouse Square in Rockville. Registration is required.
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Montgomery Parks will host an in-person open house to gather community feedback on a new skate park planned for Long Branch Local Park in Silver Spring. The meeting will take place from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 5, at Rolling Terrace Elementary School, located at 705 Bayfield St., Takoma Park. Attendees will have the opportunity to review design concepts and share input to help shape the final skate park design, which is part of the larger Long Branch Local Park renovation. Online registration is encouraged but not required. A video overview of the renovation project is available online.
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The Montgomery County Office of Procurement will host its annual Procurement Fair from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 5, at the Silver Spring Civic Building, located at 1 Veterans Place in Silver Spring. This year’s event will feature a new workshop highlighting eligibility requirements and the benefits of certification for veteran-owned businesses. It will also feature assistance to minority, female, and disabled-owned businesses looking for certifications to do business with the County. The event is free, but registration is encouraged.
Montgomery County invites members of the faith community to complete the 2025 Faith Community Survey. Anyone with a strong understanding of your house of worship is encouraged to respond—clergy or not. Your input helps the County’s Faith Advisory Group update our maps, improve communication, and connect you with grants, events, and other resources. Some questions are optional—please share only what you are comfortable with.
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The Montgomery County History Conference will take place on Saturday, Nov. 8, at Montgomery College’s Germantown Campus. Hosted by Montgomery History, this year’s event celebrates 250 years of Montgomery County’s history with a keynote by local historian Ralph Buglass, breakout sessions, and a closing panel, Montgomery County at 250: Looking Back to Move Forward.
Breakout sessions will explore topics including student activism during the Vietnam era, the creation of the Moderately Priced Dwelling Unit program, the fair housing and conservation movements, elected women of color in County leadership, and the early slave trade in Montgomery County.
 The City of Rockville offers an opportunity to voluntarily dispose of unwanted firearms anonymously and safely with a gun buyback event from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 15 at RedGate Park, 14500 Avery Road. The Rockville City Police Department, in partnership with the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office, sponsors the event, and the event gives residents an opportunity drive up and drop off firearms with no identification needed and no questions asked. Community members will receive a $100 gift card for functioning handguns, rifles, shotguns, and privately made firearms, and a $200 gift card for functioning assault weapons. The buyback is not limited to Rockville residents.
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The Montgomery County Commission on Remembrance and Reconciliation will host a community town hall at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 22, at the Montgomery College Cultural Arts Center in Silver Spring. Part of the Beyond the Marker series—public programs focused on community-led healing and dialogue—the event will explore the question: “What does reconciliation mean to you?” The program features a panel discussion and breakout sessions, providing residents with an opportunity to help shape reconciliation efforts in Montgomery County. The event is free. Registration is encouraged. Please register online. Walk-ins welcome. Residents are also invited to complete a brief online survey to share their thoughts.
 Join the Montgomery County Commission for Women as local family law attorneys walk through the ins and outs of separation and divorce in Maryland. Topics include methods of dispute resolution, when and where to file, types of divorce and grounds, financial statements, alimony, property and equitable distribution, the role of the attorney, and domestic violence and protective orders. All classes are free and held from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on the first Wednesday of each month beginning Nov. 5, through June 2026. Classes are free, but registration is required.
 Jobseekers aged 50 and older are invited to attend a free Virtual 50+ Employment Expo from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 18. Connect with age-friendly employers, explore full- and part-time job opportunities, and gain valuable job search tips and tools. Registration is free and open to both jobseekers and employers. The next Expo will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 20.
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Montgomery County Recreation, in partnership with the Montgomery County Sports Advisory Committee and the cities of Gaithersburg, Rockville, and Takoma Park, has endorsed the Children’s Bill of Rights in Sports, a national initiative developed by the Aspen Institute’s Project Play. The Bill of Rights affirms that all children have the right to play sports in safe, inclusive, and developmentally appropriate environments. Leaders from each jurisdiction gathered at Northwest Branch Recreational Park in Aspen Hill for a ceremonial signing and proclamations recognizing Oct. 6–11 as National Youth Sports Week. The event was held during Montgomery County Recreation’s Soccer4Change program, which connects middle and high school students to year-round developmental opportunities through sport.
 The National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board (TPB) is accepting public comment on the draft Visualize 2050 Transportation Plan through Friday, Nov. 21.
Residents can review and comment on:
- The Visualize 2050 Plan
- The FY 2026–2029 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP)
- The Air Quality Conformity Analysis for both documents
Visit Visualize2050.org to review the plans and submit comments. The Get Involved page includes instructions, a PDF flyer, and a social media Ambassador Kit.
The TPB will also host a TIP Forum on Wednesday, Nov. 13, at 5:30 p.m. (presentations begin at 6 p.m.). A virtual option will be available.
For questions, contact Rachel Beyerle at rbeyerle@mwcog.org or Laura Bachle at lbachle@mwcog.org.
 The Montgomery County SHIP will offer two free Medicare seminars in November to help residents understand their coverage options. The sessions will be led by the SHIP Director and will provide expert, unbiased guidance on enrollment, coverage choices, and how to avoid penalties.
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Thursday, Nov. 6 | 6–8 p.m. – Twinbrook Library, 202 Meadow Hall Dr., Rockville
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Tuesday, Nov. 18 | 6–8 p.m. – Wheaton Library, 11701 Georgia Ave., Silver Spring
No registration is required. For more information, visit medicareabcd.org/events/list.
Montgomery County SHIP is a federally funded program that provides free Medicare counseling to beneficiaries, families, and caregivers. Contact SHIP at 301-255-4250 or email SHIP@AccessJCA.org.
The Montgomery County Commission for Women and Montgomery County Public Libraries will conclude their Financial Health and Wellness Series on Tuesday, Nov. 4. The final session, “Divorce and Money,” will provide valuable guidance on managing finances during and after divorce. Designed to help residents take charge of their financial futures, the free virtual session will be held from 7 to 8:30 p.m. via Zoom and feature financial experts Jamie Lapin and Thiago Glieger.
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Tickets are now available for Brookside Gardens’ annual Garden of Lights, returning Nov. 21 through Jan. 4, 2026. The beloved winter tradition transforms the 50-acre Wheaton gardens into a glowing wonderland with more than one million twinkling lights along a half-mile outdoor trail. The Brookside Gardens Gift Shop will be open for seasonal finds, and Catalyst Hot Dogs will serve food onsite throughout the season. Timed-entry tickets are required for guests ages five and older. The event is rain or shine, so bundle up and enjoy the magic!
 The Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services’ Child Care Support Services (CCSS) presented the third annual Early Care and Education Excellence Awards to ten outstanding professionals. Selected from more than 250 nominations, the honorees represent excellence across six categories, including infant and toddler care, preschool education, leadership, and lifetime achievement. The awards recognize the vital role early childhood educators play in supporting families and preparing young children for lifelong success. Winners were celebrated during the 2025 Montgomery County Child Care Fall Conference at the Silver Spring Civic Building.
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