 This week, the County Executive takes you through his post-election analysis focusing on the state of politics in America. He congratulates County Executive-elect Will Jawando and thanks election workers and voters. He talks about the upcoming vote at the council that could close the incinerator and open a path to zero waste. He emphasizes the public's role in traffic safety while introducing a new regional campaign and providing an update on Vision Zero funding. He explains why foreign-made robots are being used in new ways across Montgomery County and discusses how the County marks Veterans Day next week.
Story Keys:
 The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) will begin its annual leaf vacuuming program on Monday, Nov. 9. It will continue into December, with two potential collections planned for each home. Prior to those pickups, MCDOT will post signs along neighborhood streets with the upcoming leaf-vacuuming date.
Read the news release for more details about how to pile leaves, what to keep out of leaf piles, and how to participate in leaf collection if you are not on the vacuum route.
Montgomery County officials joined regional and state partners in Silver Spring to highlight pedestrian and bicycle safety through the Street Smart campaign as shorter days bring darkness during evening commutes.
Drivers are urged to slow down, avoid distractions, and watch for people walking and biking. Pedestrians and bicyclists should follow traffic signals and use designated crossings.
Have a broken item? Bring it to the Fix-It Clinic from 11 a.m.–3 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 7, at the Wheaton Headquarters Building (2425 Reedie Dr., Wheaton). Volunteer repair coaches will help residents repair clothing and textiles, bicycles, jewelry, small furniture and wood items, electronics, mechanical items, and small appliances.
Please register for the correct repair category and bring no more than two items in the same category.
The 50+Expo will take place from noon–4 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 8, at the Silver Spring Civic Building, located at 1 Veterans Plaza in downtown Silver Spring. The free event, presented by The Beacon Newspapers, will bring together more than 100 exhibitors and community resources to help older adults and their families explore services and opportunities that support healthy, active, and engaged living. Attendees also can take advantage of health screenings, vaccines, giveaways, and door prizes.
The Expo will feature a special appearance by journalist and broadcaster Kojo Nnamdi, a familiar voice to listeners of WAMU 88.5 and host of the Young at Heart podcast. A Resource Fair, presented in partnership with Montgomery County, will connect visitors with County departments, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations offering information and assistance.
Montgomery Parks invites residents to explore local African American history through free programs this weekend and next at Oakley Cabin African American Museum and Park, Woodlawn Manor Cultural Park, and Thomas Harper Cabin.
Activities include museum admission, interactive storytelling, living history interpreters, U.S. Colored Troops reenactors, historic-site tours, and a guided hike along the Underground Railroad Experience Trail.
Maryland Emancipation Day marks Nov. 1, 1864, when a new state constitution abolished slavery in Maryland. Additional programming later in November includes an educational afternoon tea exploring life in Montgomery County after the Civil War.
Residents can learn about lowering utility bills and applying for energy assistance at an Illumination Station from 3–7 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 10, at Aspen Hill Library.
Attendees may bring old incandescent and compact fluorescent lightbulbs to exchange for energy-efficient LED bulbs, with a limit of three LEDs per person. The replacement bulbs are standard, warm-light, 60-watt-equivalent LEDs.
The event is presented in collaboration with the Montgomery County departments of Health and Human Services and Environmental Protection, and Pepco. For more information, visit the event webpage or call Aspen Hill Library at 240-773-9410.
Montgomery County has unveiled a specially wrapped Ride On bus as part of Operation Green Light, a national initiative honoring veterans and connecting them with resources and support.
The bus features the U.S. flag, silhouettes of veterans, and an illuminated “Operation Green Light” sign. It will travel routes throughout the County, while nearly 400 Ride On buses will carry information about veterans’ services.
Residents and businesses are encouraged to display a green light in a window from now until Veterans Day, Nov. 11 to show their support. Veterans and their families can find resources at montgomerycountymd.gov/veterans or by calling Serving Together at 855-738-7176.
The Montgomery County Government, and programs that impact County residents, will follow a holiday schedule and program changes for the observance of Veterans Day, Wednesday, Nov. 11.
The City of Rockville will honor members of the U.S. armed forces during its annual Veterans Day ceremony at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 11, at Veterans Park, near the intersection of MD 28 and Rockville Pike. The free, public ceremony will feature a wreath laying, presentation of colors, and rifle salute. Retired U.S. Army Col. Eric Goldie will serve as the guest speaker.
Adults can explore the basics of coding at a free, four-day bootcamp from 6–8 p.m. each evening, Monday–Thursday, Nov. 9–12, at Montgomery College’s ignITe Hub in the Mannakee Building on the Rockville Campus.
Offered through the Montgomery Can Code series, the in-person bootcamp introduces participants to Swift using Swift Playgrounds, a free iPad app with interactive exercises. No coding experience is required.
Find distinctive holiday gifts while supporting local artists and nonprofit museums at Strathmore’s Museums & Makers Holiday Market. The event will take place from 10 a.m.–6 p.m. daily, Thursday–Saturday, Nov. 12–14, at the Mansion at Strathmore.
The three-day market brings together museum shops and artisans from across the area. Admission is free, with a suggested $10 donation supporting Strathmore’s visual arts exhibitions and programs. Strollers are not permitted.
The Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) will celebrate America Recycles Day with a free paper shredding and recycling event from 10 a.m.–2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 14, at Montgomery College, Rockville – Lot 13, at the corner of Mannakee Street and Hungerford Drive (Rte. 355). Residents can securely dispose of sensitive paper documents in an environmentally responsible way.
The event will conclude at 2 p.m. or earlier if the shredding trucks reach capacity. There is a limit of five paper bags or small boxes per vehicle of personal and confidential papers for shredding, such as financial and legal documents, receipts, tax, and medical records.
November is National Diabetes Month, and Montgomery County Health Officer Dr. Kisha Davis shares tips to help residents take charge of their health. Screening can help identify diabetes or prediabetes early—even before symptoms appear—and connect you with care to prevent or manage health complications.
Watch Dr. Davis’s video to learn more about diabetes prevention and why you should talk with your health care provider about screening.
Montgomery County Recreation will open registration for its 2026-27 winter programs, classes, and activities on Tuesday, Nov. 17, at 6:30 a.m. for most programs and activities. Registration for all senior programs, including Bone Builders, will begin the same day at 9 a.m.
Non-County residents can register for winter programming on Thursday, Nov. 19, starting at 6:30 a.m.
The Montgomery County Office of Human Rights (OHR) has rescheduled this year’s Human Rights Hall of Fame induction ceremony. The event, originally scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 8, will now take place at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 21, at the BlackRock Center for the Arts, located at 12901 Town Commons Drive in Germantown.
The Human Rights Hall of Fame recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to advancing human and civil rights in Montgomery County. Established in 2001 by former OHR Director Odessa Shannon, the Hall of Fame honors historic trailblazers and contemporary advocates who have worked to eliminate discrimination and promote social justice. This year marks the 14th biennial selection, with more than 100 individuals honored to date.
One of five regional centers, the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Regional Services Center connects residents and businesses throughout the region with County government. Serving Bethesda, Chevy Chase, North Bethesda, Potomac, Rockville, and surrounding communities, the team helps navigate permitting questions, find business support, and connect residents with the right departments to address neighborhood concerns.
The center also works with community organizations and helps residents get involved in local decisions. Located at 4805 Edgemoor Lane in Bethesda, it brings County government closer to the communities it serves.
The Jewish Social Service Agency (JSSA) will host a free Virtual 50+ Employment Expo from 10 a.m.–4 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 17, connecting job seekers age 50 and older with hiring employers and career resources.
The event will feature morning workshops on WorkSource Montgomery services and using artificial intelligence to explore career paths, followed by presentations and questions and answers with 14 area employers. Participants may join or leave throughout the day and communicate with employers through Zoom chat.
The expo is funded by the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services. Registration is free. For registration information, contact Ann Happ at employmentexpos@jssa.org or 301-255-4209.
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Montgomery Parks’ annual Garden of Lights returns to Brookside Gardens in Wheaton on Friday, Nov. 20, transforming the gardens into a colorful holiday light display. The half-mile walk-through experience features illuminated flowers, animals, and other natural elements. New displays this year include nighttime creatures such as a bat, luna moth, owl, and fireflies, along with brighter rope-light displays and photo opportunities.
Timed-entry tickets must be purchased online in advance at GardenofLights.org. Admission is $13.99 per person Sunday through Thursday and $16.99 Friday and Saturday. Children 5 and younger are admitted free. The event is accessible to strollers and wheelchairs. It operates rain or shine, with entry times beginning at 5 p.m. Visitors also can enjoy refreshments and seasonal shopping at the Brookside Gardens Gift Shop.
Garden of Lights runs through Sunday, Jan. 3, 2027. The event will be closed Nov. 23-26, Dec. 24-25, and Jan. 1.
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The MoCo Pride Center offers a welcoming, affirming space for Montgomery County’s LGBTQIA+ community to find support, access resources, and build connections. Services include support groups, free HIV and STI testing, health and wellness supplies, an inclusive library, and community events. Staff also help visitors connect with additional resources throughout the County.
Located on the second floor of the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Regional Services Center at 4805 Edgemoor Lane, the center is open daily from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., including holidays.
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The Montgomery County Thanksgiving Parade will step off at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 21, in downtown Silver Spring, featuring high school marching bands, colorful floats, cultural dance performances, and holiday characters. The parade will begin at Ellsworth Drive and Fenton Street in the Silver Spring Arts and Entertainment District and proceed south on Georgia Avenue, ending at Silver Spring Avenue. Montgomery County high school bands will perform a variety of musical selections, joined by cultural dance groups, Akhmedova Ballet and Maryland Youth Ballet.
The parade will feature autumn harvest and Thanksgiving-themed displays, followed by winter holiday favorites, including giant inflatable turkeys, Hanukkah characters, reindeer, elves, and Santa Claus. The event will take place rain or shine. Spectators are encouraged to take the Metro Red Line to the Silver Spring station. Road closures will be in effect in downtown Silver Spring from 6 a.m. to approximately 1 p.m.
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Montgomery County Public Libraries (MCPL) will host its second annual Local Author Showcase from 1–4 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 22, at the Wheaton Library and adjoining Wheaton Community Recreation Center, 11701 Georgia Ave.
The free, family-friendly event will feature 30 local authors, book discussions, and opportunities to learn about writing, publishing, and marketing. Activities include author meet-and-greets, a Friends of the Library book sale, a “Read to a Superhero” activity for children, and a hands-on zine-making workshop for teens.
With the holidays approaching, Montgomery County residents can use the County’s online collection-day lookup to check their County-provided recycling and trash services and stay informed about schedule changes.
Enter your address to view your collection schedule, sign up for updates and reminders, or add collection dates to your electronic calendar.
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