Author: Patrick Herron

Education

MCPS: Registration Now Open for Saturday School

By Patrick Herron

Per MCPS: Registration for the George B. Thomas Sr. Learning Academy, Inc., also known as Saturday School, is open for the 2023–2024 school year. Saturday School provides K–12 academic support programs in math and English/Language Arts. The longest-running mentoring and tutoring program in Montgomery County began on Sept. 30 in eight locations, and also will provide a virtual option. The curriculum is aligned with MCPS and is taught by certified teachers. The locations are: Montgomery Blair, Albert Einstein, Paint Branch, Springbrook, Wheaton, Gaithersburg, Clarksburg and Northwest high schools.

The annual cost is $85; $40 for families eligible for Free and Reduced-price Meals (FARMs). Registration for Saturday School, Grades 1–12 is here. Kindergarten registration is here. For an additional cost of $150 for a five-week session, Saturday School also offers classes in Coding and Robotics.

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MoCo Government

County Executive Elrich’s Next ‘Community Conversation’ on Fiscal Year 2025 Operating Budget on Monday, Oct. 16, Will Focus on Priorities for PTA Organizations

By Patrick Herron

Seven of the 10 conversations will be conducted in English, including one focusing on issues for older residents and the one focusing on issues of importance to PTA organizations. For a County first, one of the forums will be conducted in Amharic (Oct. 18). Two other non-English language forums were on the schedule. The Sept. 21 forum was conducted in Spanish and the Nov. 27 forum will be in Chinese. A select number of Community Conversations will be held online so that residents have the option to participate remotely.

The County is in the early stages of formulating the FY25 operating budget. County Executive Elrich is required to submit a recommended budget to the County Council by March 15, 2024. The Council then will have two months to review the budget. It must adopt a final budget no later than June 1. The FY25 operating budget will go into effect on July 1.

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MoCo Government

Cider Pressing and Costumed ‘Witchy Paddle’ on Little Seneca Lake Are Among the October Activity Highlights at Nature Centers

By Patrick Herron

To view all Fall 2023 activities, visit the Montgomery Parks Program Guide. Go to Montgomery Parks event calendar for a complete list of special events and programming and to learn how to sign up using ActiveMontgomery.

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Glenmont

Glenmont Forest Community Fall Art and Harvest Block Party Celebration Will Include Introduction of Two New Park Amenities on Sunday, Oct. 8

By Patrick Herron

Per Montgomery County: The Glenmont Forest Neighbors Civic Association (GFNCA) Fall Art and Harvest Block Party will be held from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 8. In addition to family fun, games, exhibits and art activities, the annual event this year will also celebrate the activation of two new park amenities: the Serenity Community Gardens and the Gathering Tree public art projects.

The new park and pavilion is located at the corner of Randolph Road and Georgia Avenue adjacent to Fire Station No. 18 in Wheaton-Glenmont. There is no charge to attend the block party. There is limited parking on Grandview Avenue. The event will take place rain or shine.

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MoCo History

18th Montgomery History Conference on Nov. 4 Will Include Address on ‘Black Chevy Chase’ and Sessions on ‘Du-Drop Inn’ and ‘Historic Homes of the Agricultural Reserve’

By Patrick Herron

Per Montgomery County: The 18th Montgomery County History Conference will return as an in-person event for the first time since 2020, with the full day of activities on Saturday, Nov. 4, at Montgomery College in Rockville including a keynote address on “Black Chevy Chase” and breakout sessions “The Du-Drop Inn of Emory Grove” and the “Historic Homes and Barns of the Agricultural Reserve.”

In addition to breakout sessions on the Du-Drop Inn and the historic homes and barns of the Ag Reserve, breakout sessions will focus on the families of the Agricultural History Farm Park, Sentinel publisher Rebecca Fields, a history of enslavement in Kensington, the County’s Poor Farm, the seven enslavers who have public schools named for them and new techniques for indigenous archaeological research.

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Bethesda

Free Drop-In Electric Scooter Clinics for Adults to be Held Oct. 22 and 28

By Patrick Herron

Per Montgomery College: Residents 18-and-older who are interested in electric scooter lessons will have the opportunity to attend free clinics sponsored by the Montgomery County Department of Transportation on Sunday, Oct. 22, and Saturday, Oct. 28. Participants will be able to take a test ride, learn safety tips and get details on basic scooter laws.

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Uncategorized

Governor Wes Moore Announces $10 Million Build Our Future Innovation Infrastructure Pilot Program

By Patrick Herron

Per the State of Maryland: “Governor Wes Moore today announced the launch of the Build Our Future grant program, a financial resource for innovation infrastructure projects to support eligible technology sectors. Funded at $10 million, the pilot program will provide matching grants of up to $2 million to projects that demonstrate a transformative impact in accelerating growth and innovation in the state’s strategic industry sectors.

“From cybersecurity and manufacturing, to quantum and drug discovery, we believe the Build Our Future pilot program will grow our innovative industries throughout the state,” said Gov. Moore. “While building a more competitive and equitable Maryland, we need to ensure we’re looking toward the jobs of the future and supporting the progressive technology sectors. This program will help us invest in the tech-advanced facilities that tomorrow’s workforce depends on.”

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Maryland

Attorney General Brown Joins Coalition Supporting EPA’s Proposal to Strengthen Dust-Lead Regulations That Could Reduce Adverse Health Effects in Low-Income Communities

By Patrick Herron

Per the Maryland Attorney General’s Office: Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown joined a coalition of 13 Attorneys General supporting the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposal to strengthen dust-lead hazard standards and post-abatement clearance levels, as authorized by the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA).

In a comment letter, Attorney General Brown and the coalition strongly support the EPA’s efforts to strengthen its dust-lead hazard standards and clearance levels, two important regulations that help to protect the public against dangerous dust-lead and lead paint exposures. The EPA’s proposed regulations are based upon several scientific studies that found that there is no safe level of lead exposure. Even very low levels of lead exposure can lead to serious health effects. For example, lead exposure is associated with delayed growth and lower academic performance in young children.

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MCPD

Statement From Montgomery County Councilmember Will Jawando Regarding Maryland Attorney General Opinion on the Safety and Traffic Equity In Policing (“STEP”) Act

By Patrick Herron

From the Office of Councilmember Will Jawando: Montgomery County Councilmember Will Jawando released the following statement related to the Maryland Attorney General’s Opinion on the Safety and Traffic Equity in Policing (“STEP”) Act.

“I introduced the Safety and Traffic Equity in Policing (“STEP”) Act to address racial disparities in traffic enforcement and to free up our police department to focus on enforcement of traffic violations that are the key drivers of serious injuries and fatalities, for example, speeding, reckless driving, DUI and driving without seatbelts.

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Gaithersburg

Pho Nom Nom Now Open in Gaithersburg

By Patrick Herron

Pho Nom Nom is now open at 18509 N Frederick Ave at Gaithersburg S.C. (that’s the name of the shopping center), at the former site of Pho Viet Saigon. Pho Nom Nom has an additional location at 842 Rockville Pike. The restaurant specializes in authentic Vietnamese cuisine, including pho, banh mi, noodles and grilled dishes. Full menu can seen below.

Gaithersburg S.C. is home to MoCo’s only Bruster’s and Corner Pizza. The shopping center was also once home to Hechinger, the hardware store that once had over 130 locations in the Mid-Atlantic.

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