MoCo Government

From Nov. 7-13, Montgomery County’s Memorial Plaza, which is located adjacent to the County Executive Building at 101 Monroe St. in Rockville, will be lit with green lights. More information about Operation Green Light is available at https://www.naco.org/blog/counties-take-action-participate-operation-green-light-veterans.

The County’s Commission on Veterans Affairs is continuing to pay tribute to County veterans through a virtual “Tribute to Montgomery County Veterans” website. As Veterans Day approaches, the commission wants to add tributes to the site. The website is open to all residents who have served in military service. In addition, there will be Montgomery County veterans’ tributes during the month of November in the display cases at the Rockville Memorial Library and the Silver Spring Civic Building at Veterans Plaza.


Wheaton Mall

The event will be held at Westfield Wheaton Mall, outside of the Carter’s store on the second floor. Individuals who receive their booster at the event will be entered into a drawing to receive one of five $50 gift cards that can be used throughout Westfield Wheaton’s variety of retailers.

“Health officials continue to recommend the updated COVID-19 booster as a way of protecting people from the risk of serious illness from COVID-19,” said County Executive Marc Elrich. “I am grateful and appreciative of our partnership with Westfield Wheaton to provide space, incentives and access to get our vaccines directly in front of potential recipients.”


MoCo Government

To register and vote during early voting, go to an early voting center in the county where you live and bring a document that proves where you live. This document can be your MVA-issued license, ID card, a change of address card, a paycheck, a bank statement, a utility bill or other government document with your name and new address. You will be able to register to vote and vote. Voting during early voting is the same as voting on election day. When you get to the early voting center, check in to vote and then vote.

There will be instructions available at the early voting centers to familiarize you with the ballot. You may ask an election judge to explain how to vote, but must cast your vote alone—unless you are unable to do so because you have a disability or are unable to read or write the English language.


MoCo Government

The following tips can help keep trick-or-treaters safe:

“Drivers should be very cautious, slow down and avoid distraction and impairment knowing that kids will be out trick-or-treating,” said MCDOT Director Chris Conklin. “If people are careful on our roads, we can keep each other safe and reduce the risk of a Halloween tragedy.”


MoCo Government

Davis is a compassionate family physician and community health advocate.  She was most recently the vice president for health equity at Bethesda-based Aledale, an organization that works with independent medical practices, health centers and clinics to support the delivery of high quality, equitable patient care.  She served as a project  manager on the Family Medicine for America’s Health project focusing on payment reform, practice transformation, technology and health equity.  Previously she served as the medical director for CHI Healthcare, a primary care center in Gaithersburg.

“We are very happy to welcome Dr. Davis to this important position,” said Raymond Crowel, director of the County’s Department of Health and Human Services.  “Her experience in clinical care and population health is an important combination as we continue our work to address health disparities in our community.”


Gaithersburg

The upcoming Taco Bamba location in Gaithersburg is now projecting to open this winter, according to a report by Bethesda Beat. The new restaurant will be located in the space that was formerly home to Urban Crawfish at 670 Quince Orchard Road, next to the recently opened Miyaji Kebab and Rumali Rolls (which is next to Beers & Cheers Too).  According to Taco Bamba’s Facebook page, the restaurant will be holding several job fairs in November. We will post an update when an opening date is announced.

Chef Victor Albisu opened the first Maryland location of Taco Bamba in Rockville’s Congressional Plaza in June 2021.  Albisu stated that Maryland is a “priority area of growth for Taco Bamba” citing the line at last year’s Rockville opening, according to a report by Bethesda Beat.  “We can’t wait to build a whole new food and cocktail menu for our friends in Gaithersburg. It’s a town with an eclectic mix of restaurants serving a diverse community that knows good food.” There are additional Taco Bamba locations in Ballston, Fairfax, Falls Church, Landmark, and Vienna, VA.


MoCo Police

The Washington Regional Alcohol Program (WRAP) SoberRide program will run from 4pm Saturday October 29 until 4am on Sunday October 30. SoberRide offers free Lyft rides home up to $15. For more information visit https://wrap.org/soberride/ “This Halloween, do not drink and drive. Have a designated driver, call a ride share or #ChooseSoberRide.”


Maryland

In receiving the award, the governor shared the story of his diagnosis and treatment, and talked about the state’s cancer initiative to accelerate cures and treatments.

“I want to sincerely thank my dear friend Marlene Malek, Ellen Sigal, and everyone at the Friends of Cancer Research—this is truly an incredible honor to have been chosen to receive the first ever Marlene A. Malek Public Service Award,” said Governor Hogan. “Through our Maryland Cancer Moonshot Initiative, we are harnessing the power and the capacity to produce the talent, the tools, and the treatments that will help us make decades worth of progress in just a matter of years and to make the State of Maryland a powerhouse at the forefront of the nation’s efforts to defeat this dreadful disease.”


Beyond MoCo

The University of Maryland announced the launch of the Terrapin Commitment on Monday, an investment that will provide up to $20 million annually for low-income, in-state students starting January 2023. The full announcement can be seen below:

Dear Maryland community,


MoCo Government

ZTA 22-01 will foster expanded 5G wireless service in Montgomery County and help narrow the digital divide. To encourage colocation and reduce proliferation of antennas across the County, ZTA 22-01 reduces the setback requirements for antennas on existing structures to correspond with the current 30-foot setback requirement for antennas on new structures. By changing the setback from 60 to 30 feet, these antennas are treated similarly to telecommunications towers and can provide better service to residents.

“These zoning changes continue the Council’s work over more than six years to ensure a smooth, efficient, and thoughtful deployment of the infrastructure required to support advancements in wireless technology,” said Planning, Housing, and Economic Development Committee Chair Riemer. “While a small, but vocal group of critics has opposed these measures and sought delay at every turn, I ask: if we don’t embrace these changes, how are we supposed to compete for job growth and quality of life with our regional counterparts who have already moved forward on common sense wireless zoning reforms? Montgomery County should embrace the future. Companies and our residents do not want to be in a technology backwater. We all benefit from wireless connectivity, and these zoning reforms will ensure continued progress.”


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