Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich will join residents and members of the County’s library community for a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 16, to celebrate the reopening of the newly refreshed Montgomery County Public Libraries’ Germantown Branch.
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Maryland businesses and residents affected by the remnants of Tropical Storm Ida on Aug. 31 through Sept. 4 can apply for low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration, SBA Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman announced this week. Montgomery County businesses are among those identified for potential assistance.
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Any individual or organization that always dreamed of operating their own cable television channel may now have that opportunity as Montgomery County is now accepting applications to determine an operator of a future high definition channel that would be part of the County’s PEG (Public, Educational or Government) system.
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Montgomery County Recreation is hosting family-friendly events to enjoy during the fall season. From free movies to swimming with pumpkins, events will be hosted at community recreation centers and aquatic facilities located throughout the County. 
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Montgomery County-based companies Astro Lab Brewing, Twin Valley Distillers and the Urban Winery will be featured on the latest episode of the “What’s Happening MoCo” podcast. Company representatives will discuss how they started, talk about popular products, and relate their experiences managing during the COVID-19 health crisis.
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The Montgomery County Thanksgiving Parade is looking for volunteers. The annual event, which will be held Saturday, Nov. 20, in Silver Spring, needs volunteers, aged 13 and older, to dress up in costume, to serve as unit leaders and to be inflatable and balloon handlers.
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The Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection and the Montgomery County Committee of USGBC National Capital Region are inviting proposals for educational presentations at the 2022 Montgomery County Energy Summit. Proposals are due Wednesday, Dec. 1, by 5 p.m. The summit will take place Tuesday, April 5, and Wednesday, April 6. 
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The Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation has released the report of an expert Economic Advisory Panel to develop a consensus strategy to grow the economy of the County. The report, entitled “Connecting the Dots: Accelerating Economic Growth in Montgomery County,” offers an action plan of the immediate steps necessary to transform the County’s economic climate into the top tier nationally.
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Montgomery County is requesting feedback for a new “Ride On Reimagined” study. The study will determine guiding principles for a comprehensive assessment of the bus network in the County, including County Ride On buses, Metrobus services that operate within the County limits and the future Purple Line. 
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Montgomery County Recreation (MCR) has immediate openings for full- and part-time year-round positions. MCR is looking to hire experienced and energetic staff members who will support the department's mission to provide high quality, diverse and accessible community-based programs, activities and services.
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Montgomery County suspended its mandate requiring masks or face coverings indoors in locations accessible to the public on Thursday, Oct. 28, after James Bridgers, the acting County health officer, announced that it achieved seven consecutive days of “moderate transmission” of COVID-19.
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Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich joined County Council Vice President Gabe Albornoz and Councilmembers Will Jawando and Evan Glass on Oct. 26 to provide details of a proposed “Guaranteed Income Pilot Program” for Montgomery County residents. If a special appropriation is approved by the Council to create the program, it would begin in 2022 and provide direct cash payments of $800 per month to 300 County households for 24 months.
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Montgomery County’s Commission on Veterans Affairs is paying tribute to County veterans through a virtual “Tribute to Montgomery County Veterans” website. As Veterans Day approaches on Thursday, Nov. 11, the commission wants to add tributes to the site.
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Montgomery County’s Corridor Advisory Committee will hold a virtual meeting from 6:30-8 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 10, to provide an update and seek feedback on the future Veirs Mill Road Bus Rapid Transit (BRT)/Flash Bus project.
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Free online workshops and one-on-one sessions geared toward assisting job seekers and entrepreneurs are available throughout November. Montgomery County Public Libraries is sponsoring the programs.
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Help Montgomery County Reimagine Its Bus Service Have you had the opportunity to share ideas about the County’s bus system? Montgomery County is seeking public comments by November 1st on a pending Ride On Reimagining Study.

Access the document and give feedback. Click here


Councilmember Katz Invites Residents to an Online Community Forum
Wednesday, November 3 from 10:00 am to 11:00 am

The Community Forum will focus on Age-Friendly Montgomery and the Village Concept and will be held virtually via Zoom. To register, please use this Zoom link or Click here

Age-Friendly Montgomery County is an initiative to enhance the County as a wonderfully diverse Community for a lifetime, where all residents can age, thrive to their full potential and contribute as a powerful resource in making Montgomery County a better, stronger and more inclusive community for everyone. Villages are local, volunteer-led, grassroots organizations that aim to support community members who choose to age in place. They foster social connections through activities and events and coordinate volunteer help at home using the neighbor helping neighbor model. There are nearly 50 villages in the DC metro area. Learn more about villages at the Department of Health and Human Services website.

For questions or more information, please email CouncilmemberKatz@montgomerycountymd.gov.


County Seeks Input on Taxi Services from Residents 65+ and Those with Disabilities The Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Department of Transportation (DOT), and the Taxicab Services Commission are surveying residents 65+ and residents with disabilities about their experiences using taxi services.  The deadline to provide input is Friday, November 26.

Sample questions include:
*Do you use local taxis to help meet your transportation needs?
*What do you like about local taxi service?
*What changes or improvements would you like to see with local taxi services?

Taxicabs provide vital on-demand transportation to residents, especially older adults, and residents with disabilities, who need access to jobs, medical appointments, shopping, social engagements, and more. The survey focuses on service that is part of MetroAccess, Abilities Ride, Call-n-Ride, and Medicaid Transportation.  The survey is not asking users about ride sharing services, such as Uber and Lyft.

Complete the survey by clicking here

Residents can also request that survey answers be provided via telephone. To request a telephone survey, residents should call 240-777-1350 and leave their name and phone number. A staff member will return the call to conduct the survey on the telephone. 


2021 Virtual 50+ Expo
November 1, 2021 through January 31, 2022
beacon50expo.com

This year’s keynote speaker will be Diane Rehm, who hosted NPR’s The Diane Rehm Show for more than 30 years. Rehm will engage with Beacon newspaper publisher Stuart Rosenthal in a discussion about her broadcast career and the books she has written. A second keynote conversation will take place between Rosenthal and Dr. Mark Warshawsky, former Deputy Commissioner of Social Security, about the future of Social Security and private pensions.

More than a dozen expert speakers will address health and wellness, legal matters and estate planning, employment and volunteer opportunities, money and investments, retirement housing options and travel. In addition, the online expo will include video demonstrations and classes on tai chi, yoga, cooking, nutrition, dance and more.


National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
We can all help prevent suicide. The Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources. Call 800-273-8255.

 

Job Search Training for Professional Job Seekers 50+
November 1, 3, 5, 8, 10 (Interactive and Online)
Upcoming:  January 18, 19, 21, 24, 26 – 2022 (Interactive and Online)

Are you over age 50 and frustrated by your job search?  JCA’s Career Gateway Program can help you hone your resume, polish your networking and interviewing skills, use Internet job search resources more effectively, and turn your age and experience to your advantage.  Each session of the Career Gateway features 30 hours of small-group classroom instruction over five days, comprehensive take-home materials, practical exercises, and a long-term mentor – all for only $75.  Sessions run from 9:00 am until 4:00 pm.  Optional employment-related tech classes are also available.

Sessions and tech classes will be an interactive, Zoom, online experience. The same curriculum, class facilitator, presenters and volunteers address all the important job-seeking skills as in in-class program. Prior online sessions have been a resounding success.  Don’t be intimidated by online instruction.  We’ll train you and will work through this together. 

Registration is limited and is on a first-come, first-serve basis.  For more information and to register for an upcoming 2021-22 Career Gateway session, please contact Jodie Rasch at 301-255-4215 or Jodie.Rasch@AccessJCA.org
Website: Click here

 

November Guests:  In honor of Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month and National Family Caregivers Month, Katie Smith talks with Lylie Fisher, Facilitator of the Caregiver Support Program, Area Agency on Aging, Health and Human Services;  Sheila Griffith, Program Manager for the Alzheimer’s Association National Capital Area Chapter; and Officer Laurie Reyes, Unit Coordinator for the Montgomery County Police, Autism/Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD), Alzheimer’s and Dementia Outreach Unit.

Where to Watch: Comcast and RCN channel 6; Verizon channel 30; or On-Demand at the County's website by clicking here.