 This week, County Executive Marc Elrich reflects on Thanksgiving and notes that Montgomery County consistently demonstrates compassion and generosity to those in greatest need. Marc announces the launch of “Montgomery Gives Local,” encouraging residents to support local nonprofits on Giving Tuesday and shares an update on the new Lakeforest Transit Center, a key step in redeveloping the former Lakeforest mall site and advancing the County’s Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system. He also reminds residents to shop locally on Small Business Saturday, stay safe during the holidays, and plan ahead to avoid impaired driving.
The Montgomery County Government, and programs that impact County residents, will have holiday schedule and program changes for the observance of Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov. 27. In some cases, special schedules also will be in effect on Friday, Nov. 28.
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Thanksgiving weekend is one of the busiest and most dangerous travel periods of the year, with increased traffic leading to a higher potential for crashes. Specifically, Thanksgiving Eve is known as one of the deadliest nights due to high alcohol consumption. From 2019 to 2023, 149 drunk drivers were involved in fatal crashes. To stay safe, it is crucial to plan ahead and never drive impaired. If you plan to drink, consider using a designated driver, public transportation, or a rideshare service like Uber or Lyft. Programs like the Washington Regional Alcohol Program’s SoberRide campaign offers free holiday rides to prevent impaired driving. Visit SoberRide.com for more information. Always intervene if family or friends have had too much alcohol, and if you see a suspected drunk driver, call 9-1-1 immediately: it could save a life. Visit Montgomery County’s website for more resources.
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Montgomery County residents can give back to the planet this Thanksgiving—and all year long—by dropping off food scraps at select farmers markets. The County’s Department of Environmental Protection offers free food scraps recycling at the following markets: Bethesda Central (Sundays, 9 a.m.–1:30 p.m.), Downtown Silver Spring (Saturdays, 9 a.m.–1 p.m.), and Olney Farmers and Artists Market (Sundays, 9 a.m.–1 p.m.). Accepted items include fruit and vegetable peels, dairy, meat, bones, and even leftover cooked food. Composting helps reduce waste and supports the County’s zero-waste goals.
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The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) is offering free parking in all County-operated garages and lots on Saturday, Nov. 29, known as Small Business Saturday, and Saturday, Dec. 20 for Super Saturday. The free parking days support local small businesses during high-demand shopping days. Parking fees at on-street meters will still be enforced on those days to facilitate turnover for access to businesses. County Executive Marc Elrich emphasized that this effort encourages residents to shop locally and support the local economy.
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Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich, Maryland State Delegate Julie Palakovich Carr, and County Councilmembers, including Marilyn Balcombe, Sidney Katz, Dawn Luedtke, and Laurie-Anne Sayles joined Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) Director Chris Conklin, WRS Inc. Real Estate Investments Principal Kevin Rogers, and other community leaders for a ceremony to mark the first phase of a partnership between the County and WRS Inc. Real Estate Investments to relocate and redevelop the Lakeforest Transit Center at the Lakeforest Mall site in Gaithersburg. The new transit center is part of a plan to transform the closed Lakeforest Mall into a mixed-use development that will support residential housing, entertainment, shopping, and public gathering spaces.
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Montgomery County’s Alcohol Beverage Services (ABS) will open registration for limited availability whiskey lotteries beginning Sunday, Nov. 30, to give residents and alcohol license holders an opportunity to purchase highly sought spirits. The lotteries are free to enter and are open only to residents of Montgomery County and alcohol licensees. Entrants must be 21 or older. Among the spirits available for purchase are George T. Stagg 2024 Bourbon, Heaven Hill Heritage 19 Year Bourbon, and Angel’s Envy Cellar Collection Vol. 5 Rye. ABS expects to release more than 500 bottles for purchase in the lotteries.
 Montgomery County residents can expect several Purple Line–related road access alerts in December. The University Boulevard pedestrian crossing at Seek Lane will be closed for traffic signal repairs, and the closure of Sligo Creek Parkway south of Wayne Avenue remains in effect through Dec. 8. Work also continues on the Spring Street Bridge. The Purple Line is a 16-mile light rail project that will extend from New Carrollton in Prince George’s County to Bethesda in Montgomery County.
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Montgomery County’s Office of Procurement reported record awards in its Fiscal Year 2025 annual reports for the Minority, Female, and Disabled-Owned Business Program (MFD), and the Local Small Business Reserve Program (LSBRP). Certified MFD businesses received $274 million in contracts, representing 21.21% of the total eligible dollars, $1,292,084,215. This marks a 10% increase in dollars from last year and directs more than a quarter of a billion dollars in contract spending. For the third consecutive year, the MFD program has set a record for the total dollar amount awarded to certified vendors.
Montgomery County’s Alcohol Beverage Services (ABS) and UFCW Local 1994 MCGEO, one of the County’s labor unions, are teaming up again for the annual “Labor of Love” campaign benefiting the March of Dimes. Running through Dec. 31, the initiative invites customers at ABS retail stores to donate or round up their purchases to support programs that improve maternal and infant health.
Last year’s campaign raised more than $66,000, and this year’s goal is $90,000. County Executive Marc Elrich praised the partnership, noting that the effort has raised over $185,000 in the past three years to support families nationwide.
Serious and fatal crashes on Montgomery County’s high injury network (HIN) corridors decreased 29% in Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25) compared to the pre-COVID-19 years of 2015 to 2019, according to the County’s Vision Zero annual report.
The Vision Zero initiative is the County's multi-departmental effort to end serious and fatal crashes on roadways by 2030. HIN corridors, which have the highest rates of serious and fatal crashes, are prioritized for safety interventions under the Vision Zero Action Plan.
 Montgomery County’s amended Bring Your Own Bag law goes into effect on Jan. 1, 2026. The amended law changes the County’s current rules on plastic and paper carryout bags.
The most significant changes include an increase in the bag tax to 10 cents, of which retailers keep five cents, and a prohibition on the use of plastic carryout bags. Some businesses in certain municipalities within Montgomery County are exempt from the plastic bag prohibition.
The law aims to reduce waste, protect waterways, and encourage residents to bring their own reusable bags when shopping.
The Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office invites middle and high schoolers who live in, or attend school in, Montgomery County, to participate in the “Speak Up, Save a Life” video contest. Create an original PSA about the dangers of opioids and fentanyl for a chance to win prizes up to $5,000. Winners will be announced at the “Save a Student Summit” on Jan. 31, 2026. Participants can also earn 10 SSL hours. The deadline for entries has been extended to Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026.
Passed in 2022, Building Energy Performance Standards, or BEPS, are policies that set performance levels for buildings and require all covered buildings to meet these levels over time, with progress measured at regular intervals. The Building Performance Improvement Board oversees the implementation of the policies and recommends changes.
The board is particularly seeking owners or managers of multifamily residential buildings with market-rate units, nonprofit building owners or managers, and representatives of nonprofit organizations focused on climate action, resiliency, public health, green building, economic development, or building decarbonization. Technical building design and operations professionals are also encouraged to apply for this oversight role.
Applications are due by Friday, Dec. 5.
 The Montgomery County Commission for Women and Montgomery Women are accepting nominations for the 2026 Women Making History Award. This annual award recognizes outstanding women who live or work in Montgomery County, including high school and college students, for their significant contributions to their profession and community.
Nominees should exemplify dedication, unselfish leadership, inspiration or support for positive social change. Recipients will be honored during Women’s History Month in March.
Nominations must be submitted online by 11:59 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5.
 County Executive Marc Elrich is seeking applicants to fill 11 vacancies on the Montgomery Cares Program Advisory Board. The Montgomery Cares rogram is a group of community-based health care providers that provide medical care to uninsured adults in Montgomery County. The program offers medical check-ups, sick visits with a doctor/nurse, medications, lab tests, x-rays, access to specialists, oral health care, and participation in other health programs.
Needed for the board are one community health care provider that participates in the program, one representative of a hospital that participates in the program, four people with knowledge and experience with issues relating to health care for the uninsured, three members of the public, and two recipients of services under the program.
The application deadline for these positions is Friday, Dec. 5.
 The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) is inviting local high school students to take a leading role in promoting traffic safety as "Vision Zero Youth Ambassadors." The project-based learning program teaches teens leadership skills, and outreach and engagement techniques to address traffic safety needs in their community. MCDOT is seeking 20 to 30 students to participate in the program. Applications are being accepted until 11:59 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 5.
The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) is bringing back its popular Flash Lights holiday buses for a fifth year. Residents can catch a ride on one of the five decorated Flash Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) buses running along Colesville Road/Columbia Pike (US 29) throughout December.
The buses feature colorful winter lights framing the bus and windows and a neon sign reading “Happy Holidays” along the side. The Flash Lights holiday buses will begin circulating on the US 29 route in late November.
The Wheaton Urban District will host the Wheaton Winter Pop-Up from 1 to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6, in collaboration with the Department of Environmental Protection, Impact Silver Spring, and the Collective Business Alliance. The event brings the community together to support local artisans and businesses while enjoying hot chocolate, holiday cheer, and a festive space to connect.
Visitors can enjoy a mini farmers market, handmade gifts, free kids’ crafts, a free photo booth, hot chocolate and s’mores, music, giveaways, and more. Free holiday trees and wreaths will also be available while supplies last.
Ready to ditch the online cart? Montgomery County is bursting with festive markets!
From the high-end, handcrafted treasures at the three-day Museum Shop Holiday Market in North Bethesda, to the huge, all-weather Silver Spring Christmas Market & Craft Fair, you'll find unique gifts everywhere. Don't miss Bethesda's Winter Wonderland for markets, ice sculpting, and Santa, or Takoma Park’s quirky Pajamarama event. Support local makers and find your perfect present across Montgomery County.
Come enjoy “Christmas on the Farm” at Agricultural History Farm Park from noon to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6. The farm is located at 18400 Muncaster Road in Derwood. The scenic park features rolling hills, open fields, and trails. Admission and parking at the family-friendly event are free.
Visitors can enjoy free cookies and cider, a bake sale, hayrides, barn decorations, live music, holiday crafts, and farm animals. Stop by the tool museum and explore the farm’s historic features.
 Montgomery Parks invites the community to celebrate the completion of a vibrant new mural at Glenmont Local Park from 1-3 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6. The celebration will take place at the park’s activity building, located at 3201 Randolph Road in Wheaton. The event is free and open to the public.
Titled “Rooted and Radiant,” the mural was selected through a public vote and celebrates the rich cultural diversity of the Glenmont community. It features plants and birds native to Maryland, as well as species from Latin American countries.
Guests will enjoy light refreshments, arts and crafts, and have the chance to meet the talented artists from Baltimore-based Red Swan Mural Studio, the team behind the design and installation of the artwork.
 Winter program registration is now underway! Whether you’re joining a league with friends or trying a new class, focus on your health and wellness this season with Montgomery County Recreation.
Residents are encouraged to register online at ActiveMONTGOMERY.org. In addition to online registration, you can register in person at the Recreation’s administrative office, located at 2425 Reedie Drive in Wheaton; at any County indoor aquatic center; or at any Montgomery County Recreation center during regular business hours.
This month marks 10 years since Montgomery County joined the World Health Organization and AARP’s Age-Friendly Communities Network, and County officials want to better understand the needs of older residents now and into the future. Older adult residents are invited to attend an upcoming listening session to share ideas for an age-friendly future or to complete the online Age-Friendly Community Needs Assessment. Resident input is crucial for guiding changes to public spaces, policies, and programs. There is one virtual and four in-person meetings scheduled early next month to gather feedback. The deadline for participating in the survey is Sunday, Dec. 14.
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