 This week, the County Executive analyzes the challenges associated with the historic storm that brought 'snowcrete' to Montgomery County. He shares his thoughts after hosting a community gathering on data centers with the goal of developing responsible ways to address the growth and encroachment of these facilities in Montgomery County. The County Executive reacts to the County Council's decision to limit how much the County can bond for capital improvement projects to better address widespread needs in our school system. He marks the start of Black History Month by highlighting Good Trouble Award winners and helps launch a new public awareness campaign, "Look Before You Book," to help the public identify signs of human trafficking.
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Montgomery County, with support from its Human Trafficking Prevention Committee, has launched the “Look Before You Book” campaign to help residents identify licensed massage services and spot the warning signs of illegal operations that may be linked to human trafficking and labor exploitation. Some businesses that appear to offer massage or bodywork services may be operating illegally.
Since June 2024, Montgomery County has significantly increased enforcement and inspections of massage and bodywork establishments:
- The Montgomery County Police Department’s Vice Unit conducted 44 spa inspections.
- Police issued 40 civil citations to 25 spas.
- Police charged 13 spa owners with felony offenses for aiding and abetting illegal massage operations.
- A landlord terminated one commercial lease following enforcement action.
- The Montgomery County Department of Health cited two businesses for illegal operations during the licensing process.
The campaign runs through June and includes TV, exterior bus, and bus shelter ads, social media outreach, and a new website with tips for choosing licensed providers.
Report suspected illegal activity anonymously at 240-773-TIPS (8477) or 866-411-TIPS (8477).
Visit the Oakley Cabin African American Museum and Park in Olney and snap a selfie with AI Shirley, the park’s virtual interpreter. Share your photo on Instagram, X, Facebook, or Google Maps using #SelfieWithShirley and tag @CountyCableMoCo for a chance to win one of 13 gift cards—$25 for top posts and a $100 grand prize.
AI Shirley answers questions about Oakley Cabin’s history, and visitors can explore nine augmented reality (AR) experiences by scanning QR codes onsite.
The Oakley Cabin African American Museum and park is located at 3610 Brookeville Rd. in Olney.
The exhibit, “It Happened Here: Remembering Three Lynchings,” traces the history of three racially motivated lynchings in Montgomery County: George Peck (1880), John Diggs-Dorsey (1880), and Sidney Randolph (1896). Each of them was denied due process and their deaths recorded “at the hands of parties unknown.”
Through site markers, photographs, and stories, the exhibit explores the history, community engagement, and reconciliation efforts surrounding these tragedies. Visitors will see images from soil collection and marker ceremonies honoring the victims.
The library is located at 10101 Glenholden Dr. in Potomac. Saturday hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
 Time is running out to enter Montgomery County Public Libraries' (MCPL) MoComCon Art Contest! This year’s theme, “Draw Your Own Original Character,” asks entrants to draw an original character from their favorite book, movie, or game.
The deadline to submit artwork is 5 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 9. Entries will be accepted by residents aged 5 and older. There will be child, teen, and adult categories. Only electronic submissions will be accepted.
- Top entries will be featured online on the MCPL website, and winners in each age group will receive prizes and recognition.
- The deadline to submit entries for the MoComCon’s 2026 Art contest is 5 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 9. Combine your love of art and fandom by entering. Celebrating 10-years this March, MoComCon is Montgomery County Public Libraries' free celebration of comics, graphic novels, and fandoms. This year’s theme is to draw your own original character. Contestants are challenged to invent their own original character from any fandom, book, television show, movie, or game (board, video, arcade, or other).
- Entries in the contest will be judged on creativity and originality, technical skill and execution, visual impact, emotional impact and engagement, and overall impression. Prizes will be awarded to 1st-, 2nd-, and 3rd-place winners, as well as to honorable mentions in each age group.
 Photo provided by Montgomery Parks
February is Black History Month, and Montgomery Parks invites the community to honor it with events and programs that educate, engage, and inspire. From family-friendly activities and concerts to thought-provoking exhibits and book discussions, there’s something for everyone.
Highlights include:
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Free booklets on African American history and culture at Josiah Henson Museum and Park (11401 Old Georgetown Road, North Bethesda).
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Virtual History Book Club – Wednesday, Feb. 11, 6:30–8 p.m. Sign up at Active Montgomery.
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Black History Month Family Day – Saturday, Feb. 14 at Woodlawn Manor Cultural Park (16501 Norwood Road, Sandy Spring).
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Jubilee Voices Concert – Sunday, Feb. 15 at Josiah Henson Museum and Park (11401 Old Georgetown Road, North Bethesda).
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Life at Dawn Family Day – Saturday, Feb. 28 at Josiah Henson Museum and Park (11401 Old Georgetown Road, North Bethesda).
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Wood and Wine at Oakley Cabin – Saturday, Feb. 28 (3610 Brookeville Road, Olney) 4-7 p.m. 21 years and older.
 The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) is celebrating love throughout February with its Flash Bus Rapid Transit service. Five Flash BRT buses servicing Colesville Road/Columbia Pike (U.S. 29) are decorated with neon heart lights and colorful red lights framing the buses.
Residents and visitors are encouraged to take pictures of the lighted buses and post them on social media for a chance to win a $35 gift card in a weekly drawing. To enter, snap a picture of a decorated LoveFlash bus and post it on Bluesky, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, or X, and tag and follow MCDOTNow. The contest will run until Saturday, Feb. 28.
 Join the National Park Service at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 7, for a free, 45-minute walking tour exploring the Civil Rights protests that desegregated Glen Echo Amusement Park in 1960. Learn who led the demonstrations, which ride became a focal point, and how the park became part of the National Park System. Meet at the Dentzel carousel. No registration is required. The Glen Echo Park Partnership for Arts and Culture will also present two free screenings of the powerful documentary, “Ain’t No Back to a Merry-Go-Round” about the protests at Glen Echo Park. The park is located at 7300 MacArthur Blvd. in Glen Echo. Register for the documentary.
 Montgomery County Community Action Agency’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA) is offering free income tax preparation for households earning $69,000 or less. Appointments are available at multiple locations and virtually. Certified tax preparers will complete and file 2025 federal and state returns.
Appointments:
- Mondays: 2–8 p.m. – Casey Community Center, 810 S Frederick Ave., Gaithersburg
- Tuesdays: 11 a.m.–5 p.m. & 2–8 p.m. – Community Action Agency, Rockville, 1401 Rockville Pike, Suite 320, Rockville & TESS Center, 8703 Flower Ave, Silver Spring
- Wednesdays: 12–8 p.m. – Community Action Agency, Rockville
- Thursdays: 11 a.m.–5 p.m. – WorkSource Montgomery, 11510 Georgia Avenue, 3rd Floor, Wheaton & Community Action Agency, Rockville
- Fridays: 11 a.m.–5 p.m. – Virtual appointments
All VITA sites serve taxpayers filing with individual tax information numbers (ITINs). Staff can assist with ITIN applications at Community Action Agency VITA and CASA.
Beginning Monday, Feb. 9, Montgomery County caregivers can access Trualta, a free online education and support platform provided by the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). Trualta offers practical tutorials, skills-based learning, and resources to help caregivers feel more confident, prepared, and supported.
Through the Care4MC portal, caregivers can:
- Learn caregiving skills at their own pace.
- Access guidance for safer, more confident care.
- Find resources to manage stress and avoid burnout.
Sign up beginning Monday, Feb. 9.
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The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) will hold an in-person community meeting at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 10, to discuss the proposed Executive Boulevard–Grand Park Avenue Bike Lanes Project in North Bethesda. The meeting will be held at Luxmanor Elementary School, 6201 Tilden Lane, North Bethesda.
The project proposes constructing separated bike lanes along Executive Boulevard (Nicholson Lane to Marinelli Road) and Grand Park Avenue (Marinelli Road to Old Georgetown Road). MCDOT will present the conceptual design and traffic study, answer questions, and gather public feedback that may influence the final design.
Public input is encouraged. Comments can be submitted through the project website or by email to the Bikeways Coordinator, Matt Johnson, at matt.johnson@montgomerycountymd.gov. The deadline for comments is Saturday, Feb. 28.
 Jobseekers are invited to participate in a free, in-person job and resource fair at the East County Regional Services Center, happening from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 11. Participants can network with health care industry employers, receive job search guidance, and learn about new tools and strategies for finding employment. Support and resources for participants impacted by recent federal government cutbacks and layoffs will be available for participants.
Register through the Maryland Workforce Exchange at mwejobs.maryland.gov with the event ID #117289. Questions about the event should be sent to Mana Tinaza at MTinaza@worksourcemontgomery.com.
 The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) is accepting submissions for its annual “Heads Up, Phones Down” video contest through Friday, Feb. 28. High school students are invited to create 30-second Public Service Announcements (PSAs) promoting safe, distraction-free driving and walking.
Students can win prizes worth up to $800 and earn up to five SSL hours. Entries may be submitted individually or in groups of up to four students, in English or Spanish.
Prizes include:
- Individual winners: Apple MacBook Air, Apple Watch, or tripod
- Group winners: $800 grand prize, $400 second prize, $200 third prize (Visa gift cards)
Videos must be uploaded to YouTube and submitted via the online entry form.
Each year, millions of Americans fall victim to financial fraud, scams, and identity theft—often with devastating consequences. The Keeping Seniors Safe (KSS) volunteer outreach team helps residents protect themselves by teaching:
- How scams and identity theft occur.
- Warning signs to watch for.
- Practical steps to prevent victimization.
- What to do if you or a loved one becomes a victim.
Presentations are free, last about an hour, and can be scheduled at your group’s location. Participants receive educational materials for future reference.
Email Police.KSS@MontgomeryCountyMD.gov.
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 Join Suburban Hospital for a virtual symposium from 1-2 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 18 to receive trusted guidance and practical tools to help women prioritize cardiovascular health and confidently navigate the health care system.
Women’s heart health is shaped by several factors, from pregnancy to menopause, mental health, and innovations in medical technology. However, the constant and sometimes conflicting health information on social media can leave many women confused, overwhelmed, or unheard. This can lead to barriers to care, such as delayed diagnoses or symptoms being dismissed.
Join Tina Zhang, M.D., co-director of the Women’s Wellness & Healthy Aging Program at Johns Hopkins, and Yolandra Hancock, M.D., M.P.H., a member of the American Heart Association, Greater Washington Region board of directors, for a discussion designed to empower women with clear information on women’s heart health.
The event is free, but registration is required.
 The Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services (DPS) will hold its annual Stakeholders Forum at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, March 3, at the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) building, 2425 Reedie Drive, Wheaton. The forum runs until 11:30 a.m., and doors open at 8:30 a.m.
This event brings together architects, builders, contractors, designers, developers, engineers, homeowners, and other industry professionals to hear important updates and engage directly with DPS leaders. Topics include permitting trends, energy and fire code updates, housing initiatives, and technology improvements. An interactive panel discussion will provide an opportunity for feedback and Q&A.
Advance registration is required by Friday, Feb. 27. Register now.
 Montgomery County’s Vision Zero Youth Ambassadors will host a pedestrian and driver safety outreach event from 8 a.m.–noon on Saturday, Feb. 28, at the White Oak Motor Vehicle Administration, located at 2131 Industrial Parkway in Silver Spring.
Residents are invited to stop by to meet the youth ambassadors, learn practical safety tips, and see how young leaders are helping promote safer streets across the community. Families and residents of all ages are encouraged to attend.
 The Montgomery County Office of Consumer Protection (OCP) has released a new episode of its Consumer Connection podcast: “Outsmarting Scammers in 2026.” Host and OCP investigator Michelle Escobar talks with NBC4 Washington consumer reporter Susan Hogan about emerging fraud trends, including AI voice cloning, fake job offers, and other tactics scammers are expected to use this year.
Listeners will learn practical tips to safeguard personal and financial information, spot red flags, and stay one step ahead of scammers.
The episode is available on the OCP website, major podcast platforms (Apple, Amazon, Spotify), and on OCP’s YouTube channel. It also airs on County Cable Montgomery at 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays.
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