 This week, the County Executive analyzes the County Council's latest budget proposal under consideration and explains how it disproportionately burdens lower-value homeowners while leaving commercial property untouched. He highlights how educators and school support staff have criticized the Council for reducing the recommended MCPS budget for next year. The County Executive recognizes nurses, correctional officers, fallen police officers, small businesses, and other topics being recognized in May. He emphasizes the importance of having a partner like Maryland Gov. Wes Moore to focus on economic development, marks a milestone moment for the Purple Line, and discusses the largest renewable-energy-powered bus depot in the United States. The County Executive also notes a welcome addition to Wheaton and shares a Happy Mother's Day message.
Story Keys:
Spots are filling up fast for the Department of Permitting Services’ (DPS) free residential deck maintenance inspections. Homeowners can request an inspection by submitting an online service request through the DPS website. In the description section of the updated online form, residents should note that they are requesting a deck maintenance inspection and include their property address and contact information. Residents may also schedule an inspection by calling MC 311 or 240-777-0311. City governments in Gaithersburg and Rockville are also offering a limited number of free deck inspections in observance of Building Safety Month.
Once on site, the inspector will check the overall condition of the structure, including the deck support structure and the ledger attachment. Spots are limited to 300 appointments. It’s a great way to learn directly from our inspectors about the condition of your deck and a good reminder of how important it is to have a professional look your deck over.
Click through to discover other ways we're focused on building safety throughout May.
The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) has launched a countywide effort to ensure pedestrian signals are functioning properly. MCDOT began the effort with a “Pedestrian Signal Repair Blitz” that will run through May. Crews are inspecting crosswalk signals at roughly 100 intersections in high-traffic downtown areas and completing any needed repairs. The approximately 800 remaining County-maintained intersections will be assessed by the end of the year.
Downtown Bethesda, Silver Spring, and Wheaton were selected as the starting points due to their high pedestrian volumes. Heavy snowfall and subsequent freezing temperatures over this past winter created large snow piles at street corners across the Washington metropolitan area, damaging some crosswalk signals and toppling several pedestrian signal poles. In the aftermath of Winter Storm Fern in January, MCDOT crews repaired many damaged signals and are now proactively assessing all pedestrian signals to repair any unreported damage and ensure they are working properly.
A beloved early learning space in Kensington is getting ready for its next chapter. The Noyes Library for Young Children will temporarily close at 5 p.m. on Thursday, May 21, as the Department of General Services, working with Montgomery County Public Libraries, begins a comprehensive renovation of the historic building.
Known for its cozy, child-focused environment, Noyes has long served families with young children, but the upcoming improvements will make the space more accessible, functional, and better equipped to support modern programming.
Before construction begins, the community is invited to celebrate at a groundbreaking event at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 9.
 The Montgomery County Community Action Agency’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program concluded a successful tax season by serving 2,479 households and generating $8.9 million in free tax preparation assistance. The group's 89 volunteers contributed 3,418 hours of assistance to residents with tax preparation.
The program reached residents through an extensive multilingual outreach campaign that included Ride On buses, text messaging, digital signs inCounty libraries and buildings, and the popular Earned Income Tax Credit Awareness Day event. Following these efforts, VITA will offer post-season appointments from June 23 through Oct. 28. Starting the first week of June, residents can schedule appointments on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. at 1401 Rockville Pike in Rockville.
Schedule an appointment or learn more by clicking below.
Montgomery County, with support from its Human Trafficking Prevention Committee, has been behind the Look Before You Book campaign, a public education and outreach effort designed to help residents identify safe, legal massage services and recognize warning signs of potential illegal operations.
Some businesses that appear to offer massage or bodywork services may be operating illegally. These illegal massage businesses might be linked to significant criminal activity, including human trafficking and labor exploitation. That is why this campaign is so crucial to public safety and the well-being of the people being victimized.
The video public service announcements have been airing locally since February. Watch them now:
Bethesda is gearing up for Bike to Work Day on Friday, May 15. Participants can enjoy free breakfast foods, beverages, and giveaway items. There will also be a DJ and a free raffle.
The Bethesda Urban Partnership and Bethesda Transportation Solutions will honor one downtown Bethesda employee who regularly bikes to work with the Golden Gear Award.
The County’s Department of Transportation will sponsor pit stops at the following locations:
- Downtown Bethesda at Woodmont and Bethesda Avenues, Bethesda. 6:30-8:30 a.m.
- Friendship Heights at the Shops at Wisconsin and Western Avenues, Chevy Chase. 6:30-9 a.m.
- North Bethesda at Pike and Rose, west of 935 Prose St., North Bethesda. 6:30-8:30 a.m.
- Fallsgrove at Thomas Farm Community Center, 700 Fallsgrove Drive, Rockville. 6:30-9 a.m.
- Rockville Town Square, 36 Maryland Ave., Rockville. 6:30-9 a.m.
- Downtown Silver Spring at Veterans Plaza, Ellsworth Drive and Fenton Street, Silver Spring. 6:30-9 a.m.
- Downtown Wheaton at Marian Fryer Town Plaza, 2424 Reedie Drive(next to the Wheaton Metro), Wheaton. 7-9 a.m.
- Germantown at BlackRock Center for the Arts, 12901 Town Commons Drive, Germantown. 7:30-9:30 a.m.
Additional pit stops in Montgomery County include:
- FDA White Oak, New Hampshire Ave. and Mahan Rd., Silver Spring, 7-9 a.m.
- Kensington, Clum Kennedy Park,10207-10225 Kensington Parkway, Kensington, 7-9 a.m.
- Gaithersburg-Kentlands, Main Street Pavilion, 301 Main St., Gaithersburg, 7-9 a.m.
- Gaithersburg Olde Towne Plaza (afternoon), 1 S. Summit Ave., Gaithersburg, 4-6 p.m.
- National Institutes of Health, 9000 Rockville Pike, Building 45, Bethesda, 7-9:30 a.m.
- Takoma Park – Downtown/Old Takoma, Takoma Bicycle, 7216 Carroll Ave., Takoma Park, 6:30-9 a.m.
- Takoma Park – Sligo Creek Trail, at New Hampshire Avenue, Takoma Park, 7-9:30 a.m.
All riders are encouraged to wear a helmet. The first 18,000 bicyclists to register and participate will receive a free t-shirt and be automatically entered into a raffle to win a new bike.
 If you love big trucks or you have loved ones who do, don’t miss your opportunity to get up close and personal with the County’s biggest rigs.
The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) is hosting a FREE, family-friendly MCDOT Truck Day from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 16, at the MCDOT Depot and Salt Barn, 17000 Crabbs Branch Way in Rockville. The fair-like event will feature hands-on exploration of various County construction vehicles, music, raffle prizes, and children’s activities. The event celebrates National Public Works Week, which recognizes the critical role public works professionals play in planning, building, managing, and maintaining the infrastructure that supports our community.
This Saturday, May 9, safety will be in the spotlight as MCDOT transforms the Carver Educational Services parking lot at 850 Hungerford Dr. in Rockville into a traffic garden to help kids learn road safety. Come explore, learn, and have fun at the free event.
There will be free shuttles to Safety Day available from:
- Seneca Valley High School
- Gaithersburg High School
- Walter Johnson High School
- Kennedy High School
- Montgomery Village Middle School
- White Oak Middle School
Additionally, the Route 40 bus runs from Wheaton Transit Center to Montgomery College.
 Now is the time to review the new Montgomery Parks Summer 2026 Guide before registration opens on Monday, May 11.
The guide takes you through the agricultural, historical, and sports programs available through Montgomery Parks. It also provides locations for popular amenities such as boating areas, dog parks, camping, and bike parks. Community gardens, nature centers, and horse stables are also highlighted.
Learn about all the things you can do over the course of the summer through Montgomery Parks by clicking below.
 Montgomery County Recreation’s summer programs registration begins at 6:30 a.m. on Tuesday, May 12, for County residents for most programs and activities. Registration for all senior programming, including Bone Builders, Day Trippers, and Senior Outdoor Adventures in Recreation (SOAR) will begin at 9 a.m.
Non-County residents can register for Recreation’s programs starting at 6:30 a.m. on Thursday, May 14.
Montgomery County Recreation offers hundreds of programs and activities that help promote an active and healthier lifestyle. Offerings include aquatics, fitness, sports, arts, therapeutic recreation, 55+ programming, and more. Summer offerings are now available to view online.
We’re equally committed to ensuring every resident can take part through initiatives like Rec Assist, which helps remove financial barriers so more families can experience and benefit from everything Montgomery County Recreation has to offer. In 2025, nearly $1 million in funding enabled residents to participate in programs.
 This is the last week to weigh in on the 2026 Countywide Strategic Plan. The Public Input Survey is open now. In 2021, the Montgomery County Council passed a law designating the Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation to lead the development of a countywide economic development strategic plan. Updated every four years, the plan serves as a roadmap to align economic development efforts, drive business growth and job creation, strengthen the talent pipeline, and advance long-term economic resilience and competitiveness for the County.
Economic development is more than business growth. It is the engine that funds and sustains public priorities. As the economy grows, so does the County’s ability to deliver services. A strong, growing economy can strengthen the community and enhance quality of life by expanding tax revenues, creating more job opportunities, and driving investment across our County.
SRI and MCEDC are seeking community input to develop clear, actionable goals that drive sustainable growth and opportunity across Montgomery County. Learn more and participate by clicking the link below.
The deadline to participate is Friday, May 15.
 The Wheaton-Kensington Restaurant Week returns Monday, May 11- Sunday, May 17.
Discover the incredible flavors across the Wheaton-Kensington area and explore new dining spots throughout the week.
Whether you have a taste for dim sum, pollo a la brasa, moussaka, or fish and chips, Wheaton’s diverse selection of restaurants and markets will satisfy your taste for something unique.
Participating restaurants may offer either:
- A prix fixe menu.
- A restaurant-specific promotion (such as a discount or featured dish).
 The Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services is supporting this year’s NAMIWalks event at 9 a.m. on Saturday, May 16, at the Rio Gaithersburg.
NAMI stands for the National Alliance on Mental Illness, the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for those affected by mental illness.
The Montgomery County chapter is one of more than 600 local affiliates working to raise awareness of the need for mental health support and to provide it. More than 250 people have already signed up to participate in this important event and raise money.
 Book lovers look forward to the Gaithersburg Book Festival every year. This year's 17th edition will be held from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. on Saturday, May 16, at Bohrer Park.
The festival features workshops for aspiring authors, a children's village to spark creativity, and the winners of a poetry contest will be announced. This year, more than 120 student entries were submitted from Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia.
Admission and shuttle service from Shady Grove Metro and the Montgomery County Fairgrounds will be free.
 Join community and state health leaders, WSSC, and DC Water for an update on the Potomac Interceptor clean-up on Monday, May 18, at Glen Echo Town Hall, located at 6106 Harvard Ave. Organizers emphasize they are moving beyond sharing information about the sewer line break back in January and focusing instead on long-term restoration.
The latest sampling results will be shared, including a discussion of the recent sediment testing. It will also be an opportunity to learn about the latest developments in ongoing cleanup and remediation efforts.
Bring any lingering concerns, and feel free to share feedback about the plan. The meeting begins at 7 p.m., and those who can only attend virtually can sign up now at www.tinyurl.com/bdhykbf5.
Representatives from the Maryland Department of the Environment, DC Water, and the Maryland Department of Health will attend. Leaders from the County’s Department of Health and Human Services will also be on hand to explain why some restrictions remain in place near the spill site.
 Join Montgomery History in Rockville at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, May 18, for a tour with local historian Ralph Buglass. The two-hour walk will shine a light on how our County has changed dramatically from rural and agrarian to a bustling and densely packed county with its own unique story.
Ten stops are planned that will touch on the County’s founding in 1776, the evolution of government, an important civil rights case argued by the legendary Thurgood Marshall, and more.
Silver Spring Church Asks for Feedback About Adding a Resilience Hub
 The People's Community Baptist Church (TPCBC) is considering adding a resilience hub at its location on Norwood Rd. in Silver Spring and would like to hear from the community about the idea, among others, for improving lives in the community. Specifically, they want to hear from the people who live, work, worship, and build in the neighborhood.
The resilience hub uses solar panels and storage to provide power during emergencies and outages. Among the benefits, the hub would allow the church to provide warm or cool refuge during weather emergencies.
TPCBC is hosting an in-person listening session from 1 - 2:30 p.m. on Monday, May 18, at the church, located at 31 Norwood Rd. Use the QR code in the graphic to register.
If you can't make the meeting but still want your opinion heard, you can complete a survey about potential additions to the church and neighborhood.
 Make plans to join the Virtual 50+ Employment Expo on Tuesday, May 19, starting at 10 a.m. Participants can network with age-friendly employers in our area and learn about new tools and ways to search for employment opportunities.
Each Expo features multiple employers seeking full-time and part-time help. Employers with at least three job openings can find their next hire through the virtual job fair. Registration is complimentary, and you may register for multiple events at once. The next Expo will be on Tuesday, June 16.
Though the Expo is scheduled to end at 3 p.m., organizers may extend the end time to accommodate everyone who wants to participate.
Morning workshops:
- 10:15 to 11 a.m. Step Into Your Resilient Self!. Barbara Beizer, B2Works, Leadership & Transition Coaching
- 11 to 11:45 a.m. Standing Out in a Sea of Job Seekers. Justin Volman SHRM-CP, CEO Volman HR Strategy LLC
In the afternoon, listen to area employers discuss their companies and available openings, and have your questions answered in the chat. You may join and exit as your schedule permits.
 The Department of Environmental Protection invites County-based landscapers to a training on landscaping with battery-powered equipment. The free opportunity, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, May 13, is designed to help participants effectively use battery-electric landscaping tools. The session will include both classroom and field instruction. Participants will receive an AGZA “Service Pro” training certificate and a $500 rebate coupon upon completion. The training will be offered in English and Spanish. The location will be shared only with registered participants. Residents are encouraged to share this opportunity with landscapers they know.
Montgomery County Animal Services and Adoption Center Needs More Cat Carriers
Every day, the Montgomery County Animal Services and Adoption Center (MCASAC) sees cats leave for a new home. Lately, our professionals have been worried that there won’t be a safe way for those cats to go home with their new families.
If you have a pet carrier to spare, you can make an immediate impact.
MCASAC is looking for:
- Hard shell carriers that are clean and in good condition.
- Around 24 inches long.
- Two-door or top-loading carriers preferred.
- Cardboard or soft-sided carriers must be new.
- Suitable for pets up to 15 lbs.
Donations can be accepted at 7315 Muncaster Mill Rd., Derwood, during MCASC’s regular operating hours. If the center is closed, feel free to leave the items outside the door.
Residential Permitting Open House Set for Wednesday, May 20
Montgomery County will host a Residential Permitting Open House from 4:30 - 8 p.m. on Wednesday, May 20. Located in the auditorium of the Isiah “Ike” Leggett Executive Office Building at 101 Monroe Street in Rockville, the open house will bring together several County departments and partner agencies, including WSSC Water and the cities of Gaithersburg and Rockville.
Obtaining proper permits for your home during improvements, ensuring code-compliant work, and keeping up with property maintenance are key elements to community safety. The event will allow residents and contractors to get permitting questions answered directly by the Department of Permitting Staff (DPS). Families are encouraged to attend with their children for fun lessons about the importance of building safety and resilience.
DPS headquarters are in Wheaton at 2425 Reedie Dr., 7th floor. They are open to the public each weekday from 7:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Air quality impacts our lungs. Across the nation, 4 in 10 Americans live with unhealthy air on a regular basis.
Even in Montgomery County, where the Air Quality Index (AQI) usually ranges between 30 and 50 (good), those with sensitive trigger points can suffer from discomfort. We usually chalk it up to allergies, but when problems linger, you could be dealing with long-term exposure to particulate matter that is harmful.
The County’s Department of Environmental Protection recommends using airnow.gov to monitor air quality information. The higher the AQI, the greater the problem air quality may pose to residents. Be aware of Air Quality Action Days and have indoor plans ready to go for young children and the elderly.
 Set the table for the 5th Annual Crossroads Community Food Fair on Sunday, May 17, at the Laurel Avenue streetery in Takoma Park. Enjoy a variety of sweet and savory dishes from more than a dozen local businesses, a mix of current entrepreneurs and alumni from Crossroads’ TPSS Community Kitchen. Crossroads provides affordable kitchen space and free, bilingual support to equip food entrepreneurs with the skills and resources they need to build successful businesses.
Food will be available from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. From Latin American staples like pupusas, tacos, and empanadas to rich Ethiopian and Peruvian stews and gourmet mac-n-cheese, there is something for everyone. Save room for dessert with decadent baked goods, handcrafted cotton candy, and unique Haitian sweets, all paired perfectly with locally roasted Guatemalan coffee.
 Photo provided by Dani Machlis Photography
Silver Spring Town Center Inc. is pleased to present the new "Summer Music Series at the Bio Wall" at United Therapeutics. The first concert will be held from 6 - 8 p.m. on Friday, May 15.
The series of shows kicks off with Daryl Davis & Friends performing blues, R&B, pop, and, of course, boogie-woogie (a style of blues). Davis is a Maryland resident who attended Howard University and made a name for himself as a keyboardist playing with Chuck Berry, The Drifters, and Percy Sledge, before fronting his own band.
Bio Wall is located at 1040 Spring St. in Silver Spring. Keep an ear out for more community concerts at Bio Wall throughout the summer. The monthly program will feature a global mix of roots and rhythms. This free program is made possible with generous support from United Therapeutics, but registration is required.
 Montgomery County continues to accept nominations for the 2026 African American Living Legends Award, which recognizes African American older residents who have dedicated their lives to service, leadership, and strengthening our community.
County Executive Marc Elrich will host the 11th African American Living Legends Awards to honor distinguished individuals whose lives and work have significantly shaped the cultural and civic landscape of Montgomery County’s African American community.
The nomination deadline is Wednesday, May 20. For more information, visit the Office of Human Rights website.
 The Montgomery County Commission on Aging will host a public policy forum focused on the vital role of social connections in healthy aging from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Thursday, May 28, at the Silver Spring Civic Building, One Veterans Place in Silver Spring. On-site registration begins at 8:30 a.m. Advanced registration is encouraged.
The free event will bring together policymakers, County staff, aging experts, service providers, and community members to discuss how relationships and community engagement help older adults maintain health, independence, and overall well-being. Centered on the theme “The Role of Social Connections in Helping Older Adults Age Well and Live Longer,” the forum will feature expert presentations and interactive discussions on addressing challenges such as social isolation and limited mobility. Participants will also explore practical solutions for making connections, including technology, community-based programs, and partnerships that help older adults stay connected and thrive. The Commission on Aging continues to advocate for policies and programs that support Montgomery County’s growing older adult population and foster a more connected, age-friendly community.
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