What are the best places to visit in Montgomery County? In the latest episode of the “What’s Happening MoCo” podcast, Kelly Groff, president and CEO of Visit Montgomery, shares a list of some of the County’s most interesting destinations. Some are well-known to people who live in the County—and to visitors who travel a long way to see them. Others are hidden gems.
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The Montgomery County Department of Transportation is partnering with the Bethesda Arts & Entertainment District in a call for artists to participate in the “Paint the Town” initiative to promote and bring more public art murals to Downtown Bethesda. The deadline for applications is Friday, Aug. 6.
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Reservations to use fields in fall, for library community rooms and for school facilities during the 2021-22 school year will soon be opened by the County’s Community Use of Public Facilities (CUPF) interagency coordinating board.
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A new dashboard that allows residents to view the progress of the “Reimagining Public Safety Initiative” is now available. The dashboard advances County Executive Marc Elrich’s commitment for transparency and accountability.
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Montgomery County’s Department of Transportation will adjust Ride On bus schedules starting Sunday, July 18, to increase overall service and improve efficiency. The changes reflect the continuing shift of resources toward schedule patterns as the County reopens following the COVID-19 health crisis. As part of the increased service changes, the innovative Flex on-demand service will return in the Rockville and Wheaton/Glenmont areas on Monday, July 19.
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Ride On Flex, a unique on-demand transit service that was piloted in 2019 into early 2020, but has been suspended due to the COVID-19 health crisis, will be returned to operation by the Montgomery County Department of Transportation on Monday, July 19. Flex operates in defined zones in Rockville and Glenmont/Wheaton.
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Montgomery County Public Libraries is offering free online workshops and one-on-one sessions geared toward assisting job seekers and entrepreneurs throughout July. All workshops will be offered virtually. 
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The Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection is highlighting its Recycle Right “Oops Tag” Program to inform residents about materials that should not be placed in recycling bins.
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The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA—or Metro) has announced that two significant projects to improve safety will impact riders of the Red Line from July through December. A project that will begin in September will necessitate the closure of the Shady Grove and Rockville Metro stations through December
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Montgomery Parks, part of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, will join in the celebration of the Eighth Annual Latino Conservation Week from July 17-25 with a series of free events. The week, an initiative of the Hispanic Access Foundation, was launched in 2014 to connect Latino communities across the country with opportunities to get involved in outdoor recreation, conservation education and advocacy efforts.
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The Upcounty Regional Services Center in Germantown has resumed in-person access to some services that are provided by the various agencies in the building.
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Montgomery County Public Libraries now offers the “Northstar Digital Literacy” suite of tools to help residents acquire or improve basic digital literacy skills. The resource includes the Northstar Digital Literacy Assessment, a suite of free online modules that test proficiency in essential digital skills. The assessments, built around basic computer digital literacy standards, were developed by leading Adult Basic Education groups and are now sustained by Literacy Minnesota.
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The Maggie Nightingale Library, located at 19633 Fisher Ave. in Poolesville, will close at 6 p.m. on Aug. 2 to undergo interior improvements under the County’s award-winning Library Refurbishment initiative. Montgomery County Public Libraries expects the facility to reopen in spring.
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The Montgomery County Department of Transportation, which suspended late fees on parking tickets in March 2020 to prevent undue hardship to customers during the COVID-19 health crisis, will resume collecting late fees starting Aug. 1. However, late fees for parking citations issued from Jan. 1, 2020 through June 30, 2021, will be waived provided that the tickets are paid by Aug. 1. 
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It is with great pleasure we share that Montgomery County has turned the corner and after 15+ months of uncertainty daily life is gradually reopening. Yet we acknowledge that many of our readers have experienced the loss of a loved one during this time, and due to the restrictions of Covid-19 may still be in the need of support. If you or someone you know is grieving the loss of someone due to Covid-19 (or any other circumstance) please consider gaining support now. In Montgomery we are very fortunate to have Caring Matters, click here to view their programs. They offer many groups for adults and children, they also have a specific support group for people who have lost someone due to Covid-19. Additionally you are welcome to contact: Montgomery Hospice, JSSA, National Alliance for Grieving Children, and we Info Montgomery listings. 

Additionally, Montgomery County government will continue to make available a range of community based supports, to learn more view the County's Covid-19 Portal.
Click here for more information.

 

Montgomery County Recreation (MCR) is excited to welcome the 55+ community back to our senior centers! We’ve been apart for far too long and look forward to seeing you in our centers participating in programs, classes, work outs and much more!

Damascus and Holiday Park senior centers started to re-open their doors for a grand re-opening on Monday, June 14. Since then more senior programs have started to gradually commence operating, click here to see the most up to date information.

Programs new and old are being scheduled and details will be available on our website as new information becomes available. We sincerely hope you will find something of interest and stop in to see us, we have missed you!

Need curb-to-curb transportation or want to reserve a lunch at Damascus or Holiday Park?

Please call the center nearest you to speak to the Center Director or call our main office at 240-777-4925. Curbside transportation is available for any resident 55 and older who resides within the centers service area (approximately 3-5 mile radius). Wondering if you qualify or need help
reserving a spot? Our dedicated Recreation professionals are here to help, just give us a call.

Are you 60 years old or better and want to join our onsite lunch program? Call one of our recreation professionals to assist you with the application process. (A spouse of a qualifying participants, or an adult with a disability may be eligible.) Click here to see which centers are currently open and the phone numbers.

 

Here in Montgomery County we have an extensive array of caregiver support groups organized through local, regional and even national organizations. 

Some of these groups are focussed on providing support for caregivers specific to their loved ones diagnosis. Yet there are others that welcome any caregiver. Whatever is best for you, do explore the groups we feature and enjoy an opportunity to connect with others to breakdown the feeling of going it alone.

Each month we feature an array of supports groups available in our region. Our community partners are working very hard to find new ways to ensure caregivers can easily connect with each other and experienced group facilitators. Support Groups take many forms: some focus specifically on one disease, eg: Alzheimer's, Parkinsons, MS, ALS, Blindness or Low Vision etc. Other groups bring diverse carers together who enjoy hearing, learning and supporting each other - these include support for Veterans, LGBTQIA+, Immigrants and Migrants, Residents of Upcounty Montgomery County, please also visit: InfoMontgomery and the County's Health and Human Services.

Groups are available in many languages, contact the: the Smithsonian, MS Society, Alzheimer's Association, County's Health and Human Services Minority Health Initiatives, Parkinson's Foundation, NAMI MC (supports for mental health). Additionally you can call the County's Aging and Disability Services on 240-777-3000.
Click here for more information.

DPS hosts the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) for a session on Stormwater Management Landscaping Practices

Please register for DPS Educational Series; Stormwater Management Landscaping Practices to be held on Jul 21, 2021 2:00 PM EDT

Click here to register

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

Description: 

Best Management Practices (BMP) planting plans are the critical first step to reduce challenges of long term maintenance.  This presentation will walk through aspects of planting plan design, using case studies as examples and guidance for the BMP planting plan design community to consider for reducing maintenance and achieving long term sustainable stormwater management success.  

Solar Power Purchase Agreement (Solar PPA) Explained
RESIDENTIAL: Are you interested in going solar but still unsure of your options? SaveOnEnergy® has put together a comprehensive article about everything you need to know about a Solar Power Purchase agreement. A solar power purchase agreement (PPA) is when a developer pays to install a solar energy system on a homeowner’s property and sells the solar energy to the homeowner at a fixed rate. There are many options for going solar – join the Capital Area Solar Co-op, participate in a Community Solar project, finance your panels through the Montgomery County Green Bank or go with the Solar PPA. This article will help answer your questions.


EmPOWER Maryland Small Business Program Update
COMMERCIAL: The Maryland Public Services Commission issued Order No. 88514, granting all Maryland utilities the ability to increase their Small Business Program Eligibility threshold from 60 kW to 100 kW. The utilities have all been tracking this development for some time and are excited to share this news with you! The change will take effect July 7, 2021, and they will be using the peak kW over the past 12 months. Contact your utility if you have any questions or concerns. 


How to Put Your Business On An Eco-Friendly Path
COMMERCIAL: Ruby Clark is a content writer who loves writing about many things including the environment. In this article, she provides businesses with tips on how to work toward an eco-friendly path. Some of the ways you can use to put your business on an eco-friendly path include reducing items, sourcing sustainable materials, donating what you don't need, reducing your water usage, lowering your energy costs, implementation of recycling and compost measures, prioritizing reusable office supplies, building sustainable relationships, and encouraging employees to switch up their commute,
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Learn about the Climate this Summer
COUNTY: While MCPS may be out for the summer, there is no need for students to pause their climate education. Numerous organizations are offering affordable, virtual camps and workshops focused on the environment and climate change. These educational opportunities are a great way for your student to begin or continue building their knowledge of climate issues. Find out more here.


How Do You Conserve Energy and Water
RESIDENTIAL: World Conservation Day is July 28th. It is a day to increase awareness about the best practices to protect our natural resources. One way to conserve energy at home every day is by taking a few simple steps to reduce your energy use. You can learn how by watching our Montgomery Energy Sing-A-Long video!
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Green Jobs Board

The My Green Montgomery Green Jobs Board will help you find green jobs in our region. We post jobs for free if they:

• are green jobs (focused on energy, sustainability, water, trees, community greening, environmental ed, etc.)
• based in the DC or Baltimore regions. Jobs in Montgomery County or easy for our residents to commute to work!