Your Mid-County News
Aspen Hill, Bel Pre, Brookeville, Glenmont,
Forest Glen, Kemp Mill, Kensington, Layhill, Olney,
Sandy Spring, Upper Rock Creek, Wheaton
July 19, 2019
Advisory Boards
Keep up to date on issues affecting your communities and take an active role by participating & engaging in your local Advisory Boards.
Mid-County and Wheaton Advisory Board meetings are monthly and open to the public.

The Mid-County Citizens Advisory Board (MCCAB) will meet again on Tuesday, September 17, 2019.

No meeting in August


The Wheaton Urban District Advisory Committee (WUDAC) will meet again on Tuesday, September 10, 2019

No Meeting in August
WHEATON REVITALIZATION PROJECT
Check out the camera shots from the top of the Exchange Building for a view of the progress of the the  Wheaton Revitalization Projec t. C lick  here .

MCDOT Installs Parking Meters on Georgia Avenue
M CDOT installed 56 new meters on portions of Georgia Avenue in the Wheaton Parking Lot District. The meters add to existing capacity and provide convenient parking for nearby businesses. The duration will be 2-hours ONLY during non-rush hours. For details, including a map of the meter locations, click here .
Neighborhood Events Matching Fund Accepting FY2020 Applications
T he Neighborhood Events Matching Fund is now accepting applications for events in FY 2020. Neighborhood organizations, block groups, tenant associations, civic clubs and similar neighborhood groups may apply for funds to hold events and activities that bring the community together or support economic development.

The maximum fund amount is $1000 per applicant per year.  To apply, click here to access the application and submit it to your Regional Area Director:
COUNTY NEWS
Excessive Heat
The National Weather Service has forecast extremely dangerous temperatures for this weekend. The County’s Office of Emergency Management & Homeland Security (OEMHS) has issued a Heat Emergency Alert from Friday, July 19, through Sunday, July 21, at 8 p.m. A Heat Emergency Alert is declared when the heat index is forecast to be 105 F or higher. While nighttime temperatures will be lower, they still pose a health threat with extended exposure.  
When the County's extreme heat plan is activated, County officials urge residents to take precautions to protect themselves, and their pets , against heat-related illnesses such as heat stroke and heat exhaustion.
Residents are asked to check on elderly friends, relatives and neighbors who may be isolated to be sure they are not showing signs of heat-related illnesses. County facilities, including libraries, swimming pools, recreation and senior centers, as well as regional services centers are places to cool off during normal operating hours.

  • Pets must not be left unattended outdoors. Under Executive Regulations 17-17, the Montgomery County Police Department, Animal Services Division, has the authority to enforce Anti Cruelty Conditions for Dogs and Other Pets.

Furthermore, Montgomery County is extending hours through Sunday evening at the following community recreation centers.
9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.
11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
10 a.m. to 11 p.m.
11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
10 a.m. to 11 p.m.
11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
9 a.m. to 11 p.m.
11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Gym memberships fees have been waived beginning at 6 p.m. on Friday, July 19 through Sunday evening.
For the open hours of recreation facilities visit the websites at:

Additionally, Montgomery County Public Libraries has 21 branches that are available during normal hours. A complete list of opening hours are available on the website

For more information and to sign up for County alerts, click here .

If you, or someone you know, needs immigrant assistance, click here .

Montgomery County is committed to building and maintaining a safe and inclusive community for our residents. Understanding, tolerance, and respect are hallmarks of the Montgomery County way. Social justice for all is what we strive to achieve in our County.
Your Taxpayer Receipt

County Executive Marc Elrich unveiled the County’s new “Taxpayer Receipt.” The County is the first jurisdiction in the region to implement this online tool that enables taxpayers to see how their estimated local income and property taxes support budgeted services for the Fiscal Year 2020 (July 1, 2019 - June 30, 2020). Click here to view your taxpayer receipt.
money_taxreturn.jpg
Farm Tour Celebrates 30 Years

Montgomery County is hosting the 30th annual Farm Tour and Harvest Sale the weekend of July 27 and July 28.
The Farm Tour offers opportunities to pick fresh flowers and produce, meet farm animals, and simply enjoy the natural beauty of the Agricultural Reserve. There are 19 farms participating in the tour on Saturday, July 27, and 13 farms will be open on Sunday, July 28.
For more information, click here . For details about the location of the farms, operating hours and more, visit the  OAG website . For more information about the Farm Tour, watch this  video.
TONIGHT: Summer of Peace Event in Wheaton


WHEATON SUMMER CONCERTS
Music Under the Skies

The Wheaton TGIF Concert Series continues at 7 p.m. Friday, July 26, as reggae favorite Lenny Kurlou highlights the second of four free summer concerts at Wheaton Veterans Urban Park (11200 Amherst Ave. and Reedie Drive, Wheaton)
Lenny Kurlou is now performing solo shows after being the featured performer in a number of reggae bands. He was born in Cockburn Pen, Jamaica, and was raised in Kingston. The music of the singer/songwriter/ producer has been influenced by Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, Sugar Minot, Beres Hammond, Daddy U-Roy and Tenor Saw.
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VISION ZERO: Updated Website
Eliminating Traffic Deaths and Reducing Serious Injuries
County Executive Elrich has made the reduction of traffic-related deaths a priority. The efforts of many County departments and agencies moving this effort forward are now easily find-able in a single place—the updated Vision Zero website. Montgomery County was one of the first county governments in the United States to initiate a Vision Zero plan. The County has put resources in place to reduce severe and fatal collisions. The long-term goal is to have zero severe and fatal collisions by 2030.
The site will be regularly updated with details of Vision Zero-related projects and events directed toward making the County safer for pedestrians, bicyclists and drivers. Click here.
Have You Tried Ride On's NEW Flex? 
Ride On F lex , Montgomery County’s first microtransit service mobile app, is available for free download from the Apple or Google Store . Ride On F lex i s an on-demand transit pilot program that operates in Glenmont/ Wheaton areas and Rockville. In the first two weeks there have been over 1,300 downloads of the mobile app. Riders have experienced an average wait time of only 8 minutes! Click here for more information.


Wellness Classes

MCPL in partnership with Recorded Books, now offers unlimited access to wellness and personal development classes on Learn It Live
Learn It Live offers interactive, live video courses and thousands of recorded courses on health and wellness, spirituality, and personal development. Learn It Live is available on mobile devices and desktop computers through the RBdigital app . For more information click here or go to the MCPL website.
Grandreaders Program
MCPL is offering the Grandreaders Program at several branches this summer. Grandreaders is a free, one-on-one, intergenerational literacy program, which pairs up a Grandreader volunteer with a child from kindergarten through third grade to practice reading aloud.
The Grandreaders Program runs through Aug. 5 at select branches:
No registration is required. Participants may bring their own book or select one from the library. For program information email Clotilde Puértolas .
Ready Player One -- Teen Movie at Twinbrook Library
 
 Map  
Get out of the heat -- enjoy a movie at Twinbrook Library. July 30th at 2 pm. Bring a friend to see this movie based on the 2011 best-selling book of the same name, by author Ernest Cline. Its a reality-bending treasure hunt filled with much danger and mystery. For teens ages 13 and up. Rated PG-13. Free, no registration. A Teen Summer Read and Learn program.

Birth Certificate Section Reopens at Dennis Avenue Health Center 

The County’s birth certificate service, which was closed temporarily beginning in early May, is open for business at the Dennis Avenue Health Center in Wheaton/Forest Glen.
Walk-in hours are available Monday through Friday from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. and 1 to 3 p.m. The Dennis Avenue Health Center is located at 2000 Dennis Avenue. For more information, click here or call 3-1-1.
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Wheaton Arts & Cultural Facility
The Wheaton Arts and Cultural Facilities Feasibility Study report has been submitted to the County and is available to view here .
2019 Online Resident Survey
Let County Government know how you feel......County Executive Elrich wants residents to know the County has launched an online survey to gauge residents’ assessment of their local government, its services and their quality of life. The 2019 Resident Survey was mailed to 5,000 randomly selected County households in the first week of June, and residents who did not receive the questionnaire in the mail are invited and encouraged to participate online here .
The online survey for all residents will be open to July 19 and can be taken in English, Spanish, or Chinese. Households who received the randomly selected mailed survey, but have not yet completed and returned it, are asked to use their mailed survey not the link above. For more information, click here.
COUNTY COUNCIL NEWS
 Montgomery Council News
For information on past agendas for Council sessions, committee meetings, prior meeting minutes, actions, access to informational packets for every issue to be discussed at meetings, viewing of live meetings and archived videos of past meetings, and more, go to the Council   web site . Click the box titled "Council Meeting Portal".  

Sign up to receive notifications about Council legislation by visiting  https://apps.montgomerycountymd.gov/ccllims/bill_List.aspx  and selecting the bill you would like to follow.
COMMUNITY NEWS & INFORMATION
Apply to the Community Advocacy Institute
Are you interested in learning how to be an advocate for your community? Apply today to the Community Action Board’s Community Advocacy Institute! The CAI includes FREE workshops featuring guest speakers, activities to practice advocacy skills, and networking opportunities. Applications due August 16
* To qualify for this program, participants must be Montgomery County residents with household incomes of $55,000 or less.
Campos & Associates -- New Business in Wheaton
The law offices of Campos & Associates will have an open house on Saturday July, 27th from 11am-2pm at their new building. There will be free pupusas for everyone, a clown and magician for the kids, and a piñata with candy! There will also be a pupusa eating contest. (Participants must sign a legal waiver). Please RSVP here.

Parking is available in the County Parking Lot for FREE (11304 Amherst Ave, Wheaton, MD 20902). The Wheaton Metro Station is just 3 blocks away.

Wheaton/Kensington Chamber Updates
Please click here for the latest announcements and news from the Wheaton/Kensington Chamber of Commerce.
Join  One Montgomery Green  at the next Networking Happy Hour on
Thursday, July 25th from 5:30 to 8:00 pm at The Limerick Pub  (11301 Elkin Street, Wheaton). Join other members of the community who want to thrive in environmentally sustainable communities. RSVP and more info here .
Gilchrist Center Classes
Want to learn how to use computers? Want to practice English in a friendly setting? The Gilchrist Immigrant Resource Center offers english conversation and basic computer literacy classes at different locations (Wheaton, East County, White Oak, and Gaithersburg). Click here to view flyers on the Gilchrist website or call 240-777-4940 for more information.
TONIGHT: Enjoy Events at Your Regional Park!
Leadership Washington Recruiting for New Senior Class
Click here for more information
ALL THINGS KENSINGTON
The Kensington Historical Society 
Free Summer Concert Series
 
Enjoy live music every Saturday from 10 - 11 am ~ through September in the Howard Avenue Park (across from the Kensington Farmers Market at the Train Station) in Kensington..

  • July 20: Sisters Uke & Friends ~ Fun, friendly, ukulele music
  • July 27: Ruthie Logsdon ~ Country
  • August 3: Rick Franklin ~ Piedmont Blues
  • August 10: Blue Book Value ~ Rhythm & blues swing band
  • August 17: Natalie & Michael ~ Songs to sing to, all genres
  • August 24: Dede Wyland & Ira Gitlin ~ World renowned bluegrass and Americana
  • August 31: Silver Creek (the O'Malleys)~ Country, Hawaiian, ragtime
  • Sept. 7: Janine Wilson & Max Evans ~ Rock/roots/blues
  • Sept. 14: Take Two ~ Top 40's, oldies, and current country songs
  • Sept. 21: Ester Haynes & Keith Grimes ~ Vintage jazz, swing, blues
  • Sept. 28: Silver Strings ~ Folk, traditional, & contemporary

Kensington Volunteer Fire Department 
Free Summer Movie Night 
in St. Paul Park, Kensington, MD 20895 
Partnership between the Town & the Kensington Volunteer Fire Department
Movie: 
- Moana - Saturday, July 27
 Food trucks and Safety House at 6:30 pm along with games & firefighter demos.
Movies at dusk (around 8:30 pm) **No rain date**
Call KVFD: 301-929-8000 


Kensington Park Library Event AND Kensington Fitness Festival
GET INVOLVED
  T here are multiple ways to get involved in your communities by serving on the County's boards, committees and commissions.

To serve on boards, committees and commissions, review ALL CURRENT vacancy announcements and read instructions carefully at:   http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/boards/index.html