December 2, 2022

ADVISORY BOARDS

Community Advisory boards are a way to keep up to date on issues affecting your communities and to have a voice. Take an active role by participating & engaging in your local Advisory Boards.

Mid-County Citizens Advisory Board Meeting

Next meeting will be

December 15, 2022 at 7:00PM

Topics/Presenters:

County Commuter Options - Michelle Golden, MCDOT

Gilchrist Immigrant Resource Center - Julien Labiche

Zoom link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82931330898

Meeting ID: 829 3133 0898

call in: (301) 715-8592

Wheaton Urban District Advisory Committee Meeting

Next meeting will be

December 13, 2022 at 7:00PM

Topics/Presenters:

Upton Drive Neighborhood Greenway Project

Wheaton Downtown Study

Zoom link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83246233594

Meeting ID: 832 4623 3594

call in: (301) 715-8592

Meetings are open to the public.

If you have any questions about either one of these meetings, please contact Carmen Kaarid at carmen.kaarid@montgomerycountymd.gov

Community Meeting on the Wheaton Streetery

Wheaton Holiday Market

Support Local Economy & Gift Local Goods

The Community Engagement Cluster, Regional Service Office Directors are currently recruiting for four full-time Community Project Managers (Program Manager II), IRC55977 to join four of the five committee regions. For additional information, please see the description, minimum qualifications, and preferred criteria sections of the job announcement at this link: Search Available Jobs and select “General Professional” then click search. 

County Executive Marc Elrich this week offers his appreciation for the first responders who serve the residents of Montgomery County, saying they were at their best again in saving two people involved in a plane crash in Gaithersburg. He also expresses his support for a bill approved by the County Council that will require most new construction starting in 2026 to be powered by electric or other types of renewable energy. He addresses the 2022 County Vision report, saying progress has been made, but much more must be done to make roads safer for all. And, as he is about to be sworn in to his second term, the County Executive reflects on the achievements of his administration’s first four years and what he sees for the future. Read more.

Community Updates

County Executive Elrich and First 11-member County Council to be Sworn In at Inaugural Ceremonies on Monday, Dec. 5, at Strathmore

Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich will be sworn in to his second term and the members of the County’s first 11-member County Council also will be sworn in at the Montgomery County Inaugural Ceremonies at 11 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 5, at the Music Center at Strathmore in North Bethesda. The ceremonies are open to all and there is no charge to attend. Read more.

Free Flu Vaccination Clinic for Children to be Held on Wed., Dec. 7, in Silver Spring

Montgomery County will hold a free flu vaccination clinic for children from 1-4 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 7, at the Dennis Avenue Health Center, located at 2000 Dennis Ave. in Silver Spring. Children ages six months to 18 are eligible to receive vaccinations at the clinic. Read more.

Volunteers Needed!

Scientists at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) require a safe, steady, and reliable source of blood for their research

The NIH Blood Bank is enrolling healthy volunteers to join its Research Blood Donor Program - a Clinical Center study which supports over 200-NIH research laboratories studying health problems such as heart disease, cancer, and immune deficiencies.

Though not used for direct patient care, Research Blood Donations are critical to the advancement of science - contributions that allow Investigators to pursue - and discover - new treatments and therapies.

To be eligible, you must be 18 years of age or older and meet volunteer blood donor eligibility criteria, with a few exceptions.

You should not participate in this study if you (1) have a history of heart, lung, or kidney disease or bleeding disorders (2) have known sickle cell disease (3) are pregnant.

Participation includes a preassessment evaluation and blood draw and then repeated donations of either whole blood or a single component of blood by apheresis.

Study donors are compensated for their participation.

Located on the REDLINE - Medical Center Metro & donor parking is available at no cost.

Volunteer to join our study - call, email, or visit us online.

301.496.0092

giveblood@cc.nih.gov

Party helpers needed on December 8, 4-7:30pm 

AHC Inc, an affordable housing developer, is looking for volunteers to help with a holiday party at Charter House, an apartment building for active senior citizens in Silver Spring, MD. The event is on Thursday, December 8. We're looking for 5-7 volunteers from 4-7:30pm to help with set-up, preparing plates of food, serving the residents when they are seated and clean-up. Help for the full 3.5 hours or part of that time.

Email volunteer@ahcinc.org for more information.

Wheaton Metro Station Phase 2 of Temporary Bus Bay Relocations Starting Nov. 28, 2022; Outreach Teams to be Present

Starting Nov. 28, 2022, and lasting for approximately five weeks, sections of the bus loop at the Wheaton Metro Station will be closed for phase 2 of pavement rehabilitation. Bus Bays F, G, H, J, and K will be closed. Temporary bus boarding locations can be found in the map below. 

WMATA will be deploying outreach teams to assist riders with the change daily from November 26 - December 1. Timing will be as follows:

Resurfacing Project for 3.7-Miles of MD 108 in Olney Area Will Improve Road, But Will Create Traffic Disruptions Through Summer 2023

The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA) is beginning a $3.7 million safety and resurfacing project on MD 108 from Olney Mill Road to Brooke Road in Olney. Weather permitting, the 3.7-mile project is expected to be complete by late summer 2023. Read more.

Resurfacing Projects

• Alta Vista-Page Hill Subdivision Resurfacing Project
• Alta Vista Road Resurfacing Project
• Colie Drive Resurfacing Project

Upcoming Events

County Executive Elrich Is Holding Hybrid Forums to Seek Input on FY 2024 Operating Budget, With Next One on December 7, at White Oak

Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich, the County’s regional services offices and community partners will host eight hybrid forums in November and December to seek input on the Fiscal Year 2024 Operating Budget. The first forum will be from 7-8:30 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 14, at the Mid-County Regional Services Center in Wheaton. Residents can attend the forums in person or view them via the internet. Read more.

Montgomery County Recreation Will Celebrate Holiday Season with Festivals, Movies Events and Special Events

Montgomery County Recreation is hosting holiday-themed, family-friendly events for everyone to enjoy this winter. From cocoa and crafts to photos with Santa, December events will be hosted at community recreation centers, senior centers and aquatic facilities across the County. Read more.

Grants

Two Grant Programs Launched to Assist Disabled, Seniors and Low-Income Residents with Transportation Needs

Two grant programs designed to increase transportation services for disabled, senior and limited income residents were launched this week by the Montgomery County Department of Transportation Approximately $800,000 in operating and capital budget funds will be available to eligible nonprofits to create assistance programs or enhance existing ones. Read more.

Countywide Facade Improvement Program

Funds Available Now!

Visit Montgomery County Department of Housing & Community Affairs website for more information or to apply. Read guidelines here.

COVID-19 Updates

Be COVID-Prepared for the Upcoming Holiday Season

The third holiday season with COVID-19 is approaching, and everyone agrees that COVID fatigue exists. A few simple steps of caution can make being with family and friends enjoyable while reducing the risk of illness from COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses such as colds and flu. Read more.

Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP), is NOW available to provide funds to assist low income households pay past due water/sewer bills! Funds are limited. Apply today at: http://dhs.maryland.gov/ohep