2022 - Page 174 of 530 - The MoCo Show

Montgomery Parks Hosts Athletic Field Showcase to Highlight its Work in Developing and Maintaining Athletic Fields

Published September 22, 2022 at 10:50AM

Montgomery Parks invites the public to its Athletic Field Showcase at Wheaton Regional Park’s F. Frank Rubini Athletic Complex, on Wednesday, September 28, 2022, from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Parks’ staff will demonstrate the processes to develop and care for athletic fields including construction, renovation and maintenance. “Athletic fields are one of the most popular amenities in our parks,” Mike Riley, director of Montgomery Parks, said. “We take great pride in providing top notch fields for athletes to play on and enjoy. Through the showcase we will provide a behind-the-scenes look into the work, resources and funding that goes into providing these fields.”

Montgomery Parks staff will cover topics related to baseball field caretaking, such as irrigation, aeration, seeding, nutrient management, as well as maintenance techniques for the infield, outfield, batter’s box and pitcher’s mound. “Montgomery Parks is a leader in athletic field technology at the parks and recreation level across the country. We pride ourselves on using technology for making data-driven decisions. Especially when it comes to resource conservation and being good stewards of the environment,” Cliff Driver, Montgomery Parks athletic field program manager, said.

Wheaton Mall

MCFRS Respond to Vehicle Fire at Wheaton Mall

By Patrick Herron

Published September 22, 2022 at 10:34AM

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services responded to a vehicle fire inside of a parking garage at Westfield Wheaton Mall on Thursday morning. According to Chief Spokesperson for MCFRS Pete Piringer, the fire was located on the lower/ground level of a garage near JCPenney’s and Dick’s Sporting Goods. The vehicle was ‘well-involved’ when firefighters arrived and the fire has been extinguished.

The vehicle was unoccupied at the time and there were no injuries. Piringer noted that there were no fire sprinklers in the parking garage. Some roads in the area were blocked and drivers should expect residual delays. Per @mcfrsPIO on twitter: Westfield Wheaton Plaza, 11100blk Veirs Mill Road, parking garage IAO Between JCPenney’s & Dicks Sporting Goods, vehicle fire, ground level, @mcfrs PE718, PE705, PE719, PE716, E754B, AT719, PT725, RS742B, A742B, BC701, BC702, SA700, C705 & others responding & on scene

Silver Spring

Silver Spring Man Arrested for Shooting During Dispute

By Patrick Herron

Published September 22, 2022 at 9:52AM | Updated September 22, 2022 at 10:43AM

At approximately 4:12 p.m., 3rd District officers responded to the location for the report of a shooting that just occurred. Upon arrival, officers spoke with a witness who stated that they heard arguing outside. They looked out of their window and saw a white Infiniti SUV and a group of young males and females standing around the SUV. The witness also stated that they saw the Black male suspect and a Black female arguing with the group of young people.

Highways / Interstates

I-270 & Beltway Toll Lanes to Be Built By Tutor Perini

By MCS Staff

Published September 22, 2022 at 8:18AM

Tutor Perini Corporation, a civil, building and specialty construction company, announced that it has been selected by Accelerate Maryland Partners LLC (“AM Partners”) as the design and construction contractor for Phase 1 South of the New American Legion Bridge I-270 Traffic Relief Plan, one of the largest civil works projects ever undertaken in the United States. Tutor Perini was selected by AM Partners to design and construct both the Phase 1 South A and Phase 1 South B components of the project. Tutor Perini’s team includes O&G Industries (for Phase 1 South A), the Company’s subsidiary – Lunda Construction (for Phase 1 South B), as well as Parsons Corporation as the lead designer for both Phase 1 South A and B components.

Phase 1 South and Phase 1 North of the New American Legion Bridge I-270 Traffic Relief Plan are expected to generate $12.6 billion in construction-related economic activity, support 43,400 job-years of employment (a job-year is one job lasting for one year) and boost regional labor income by more than $3.3 billion, based on a 2022 assessment report conducted by the Center for Regional Analysis at George Mason University. Phase 1 South is a multi-billion dollar construction project.

Bethesda

Virtual Counseling Office Launches in Bethesda

By MCS Staff

Published September 22, 2022 at 7:54AM

Rise Counseling has announced the opening of its new virtual counseling practice in Bethesda. Founder Mikela Hallmark commented “We built a great office in Atlanta, GA and realized that many working professionals want quality counselors who are available for virtual appointments. With their busy lives, they enjoy being able to avoid the traffic, and fit sessions in when it’s convenient for them.’ We’ve launched the website, and now we’re recruiting talented counselors to join our team.

Per the press release: The addition of the new virtual location will allow Rise Counseling Bethesda to bring their therapeutic services to more people in need of support. They offer individual counseling, couples counseling, as well as anxiety therapy. ‘We’re pretty passionate about helping high achievers get the support they need to reduce anxiety and increase sense of connectedness, and this virtual office allows us to expand our reach’, said Hallmark. The Rise Counseling Bethesda virtual therapy practice is now hiring therapists and will soon be accepting new clients.

Gaithersburg

‘Hispanic Heritage Celebration’ Exhibit Begins in Gaithersburg

By MCS Staff

Published September 22, 2022 at 7:37AM

The City of Gaithersburg welcomes the annual “Hispanic Heritage Celebration” art exhibit to the Activity Center at Bohrer Park through November 13, 2022. The exhibit is part of the City’s Hispanic Heritage Celebration.

Collage artist Roxana Rojas-Luzon returns as the special guest curator for this exhibition. She selected 39 pieces of art in a variety of two-dimensional mediums. “Hispanic artists want to offer the community a complete vision of what it means to be Hispanic,” said Rojas-Luzon. “Our works not only represent what we left in our countries of origin & our nostalgia, but also our daily joys & struggles — what we are living & learning here every day. They are a fusion of imagination, experiences & richly varied influences. Our Hispanic heritage is intrinsic in our imagery & colors — what we learned as children: love for our families, landscapes, faces & traditions. All this is rendered not only realistically but also figuratively, abstractly & even surreally.”

MCPS

MCPS: Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month

By MCS Staff

Published September 22, 2022 at 7:35AM

Per MCPS: The Board of Education has proclaimed Sept. 15 to Oct. 15 as Hispanic Heritage Month. Throughout the month, MCPS schools will be celebrating the unique culture and traditions of students, teachers, staff and community members who trace their roots to Spain and other Spanish-speaking countries in North America, Central America, South America and the Caribbean.

Hispanics and Latinos are the fastest growing ethnic group in MCPS, with 32 percent of the student population, representing 21 Spanish-speaking countries. MCPS resources to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month are available here.

WMATA

Metro is “Working Differently” to Support Customer Safety and Community Service Initiatives

By MCS Staff

Published September 22, 2022 at 7:19AM

Per WMATA: Metro is “Working Differently” to launch several public safety initiatives that will strengthen and support customer safety and community service for those who use our transit system. Metro Transit Police (MTPD) have strategically increased officer availability to be more visible throughout the Metrobus and Metrorail system to offer customers additional support. Officers are riding trains and buses in intervals throughout the day as part of the new safety patrol operation “HelpingHands.”

“We’ve been listening to customers over the past two months, and it’s clear that a better, safer customer experience is paramount to rebuilding ridership and customer trust,” said GM and Chief Executive Officer Randy Clarke. “The steps we are taking are part of a larger framework that enhances the work MTPD is already implementing to improve Metro daily.” In the coming months, Metro will hire several Crisis Intervention Specialists trained in mental health awareness and de-escalation methods. They’ll be paired with an MTPD officer or Operating staff to respond to customers with mental health disorders, intellectual or developmental disabilities.

MoCo Government

Montgomery County Rewrites Sign Ordinance; Updates Allow More Flexibility for Menu Boards and Digital Signs

By Patrick Herron

Published September 21, 2022 at 10:03PM

The changes approved in ZTA 22-05 represent the first comprehensive rewrite of the County Sign Ordinance in the past 25 years. The provisions of ZTA 22-05 will go into effect Monday, Oct. 10.

Prior to approval of the new ZTA, owners of digital sign boards were legally limited to changing the messages on digital signs to once every 24 hours unless they obtained a variance. The new regulations will allow changes once every 30 seconds.

Education

MCPS: Scholarship Recognizing Academic Excellence to be Launched in October

By Patrick Herron

Published September 21, 2022 at 9:53PM

The Rales’ $10 million gift is the largest donation ever to the Montgomery County Public Schools Educational Foundation.

Annually, the program will award 200 scholarships worth $10,000 each to the highest achieving graduating seniors from low-to-moderate income households in Montgomery County to help ease the financial burden of attending college, beginning in 2023 through 2027. In total, 1,000 exceptional students will receive scholarships, in recognition of their hard work and achievement.

Education

MCPS: Mental Health Awareness Week to Take Place Oct. 10–15

By Patrick Herron

Published September 21, 2022 at 9:51PM

The Waymaking mental health forum will be held from 6:30- 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 12. The virtual resource fair and expert panel will be held from noon-1:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 15.

Virtual events will include pre-recorded videos and live interviews with experts on topics, including healthy habits, supporting positive school climate through equity and diversity, and supporting problem solving through appropriate use of social-emotional vocabulary. Experts are expected to speak on topics such as neurodiversity, exercise and wellness, yoga and pain management, substance use prevention and therapy dogs. Students may earn Student Service Learning (SSL) hours for participation in virtual activities.