Forging Freedom: Endurance, Escape, and Rockville’s Underground Railroad is an exhibit on the story of Rockville in the era of the Underground Railroad, when slavery cast a shadow over life in this farming town, and separatist tensions steadily propelled the nation towards war. Come learn about the brave fugitives who fled slavery in Rockville, the abolitionist network that helped, and the endurance of the enslaved community.

This is an online presentation through Zoom on Wednesday, February 22z Upon registration, you will receive the link to the Zoom broadcast. If you, a friend, or family member are interested in the presentation but unable to use Zoom? Register for the presentation, then e-mail [email protected] or call 301-762-0096 and ask for the telephone number in the days before the start of the event. You can call and listen to the presentation, instead. (Telephone attendees will not be able to view the visual aspect of the presentation.)


Explore Black history in Montgomery County this weekend as part of Black History Month. Per Montgomery Parks: “Get ready for spring — plan your gardens and landscape with the advice of experts and register for the season’s exciting classes, camps, outings, and events.” Holiday Operating Hours/President’s Day weekend offers unique programs, additional Open Parkways hours, or family fun.

• Curate thoughtful and environmentally friendly gardens and landscapes with the advice from experts at GreenScapes Symposium, a live Zoom event on Friday, Feb. 17 at 9:30 am. This is your final chance to learn the latest advancements in landscape design strategies and how to employ them in private or public gardens.


The Black and Brown Coalition for Educational Equity and Excellence, the NAACP Parents’ Council and Identity, Inc. are hosting a virtual conversation with MCPS Superintendent Monifa McKnight on Wednesday, Feb. 22. The event will take place via Zoom from 6:30–8 p.m.

The event will provide an opportunity for families to ask questions on topics, including how well students are doing in school; the anti-racist audit and equity, and student well-being. RSVP and ask a question here. Spanish interpretation will be available. Feb. 22 Virtual Conversation with Dr. McKnight.


In partnership with Montgomery Goes Purple, MCPS is hosting a second Family Forum on Fentanyl from 9:30–11:30 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 25, in the Northwood High School auditorium.

Panelists, including representatives from the county health department and the police department, will share information on the dangers and prevalence of illegally made fentanyl, prevention tools and protective factors for students, and resources for treatment. There will be Narcan training and distribution of Narcan kits to help reverse an overdose, breakout discussions for students and parents/caregivers (in English and Spanish) and a resource fair. The Community Opioid Prevention & Education (C.O.P.E.) trailer (a mock teen bedroom) will be available for tours to learn signs of substance use. Students can earn two Student Service Learning hours for attending.


The session will take place on February 22, 2023, and look at the rise of public art as a form of expression, healing and protest in America. 

Montgomery Parks is hosting its February virtual speaker series on the topic of public art on Thursday, February 22, 2023, from 3-4 p.m. This session features art expert Jack Becker discussing how public art can act as a cultural barometer, revealing a society’s values and struggles.


Town hall will be held at Lakelands Park Middle School in Gaithersburg with virtual participation available

The Montgomery County Council will hold a hybrid town hall meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 15 from 7-8:30 p.m. at Lakelands Park Middle School, which is located at 1200 Main St. in Gaithersburg.  Councilmembers have scheduled this time to answer questions and listen to concerns from community members. Some of the topics for discussion will include public safety, public health, housing and transportation, and other issues of community concern.


Celebration at Cabin John to Benefit the Scotland AME Zion Church Restoration

Celebrating the past and present of the first places African-Americans owned land in Montgomery County, the Scotland community of Potomac, Md., is announcing a significant expansion of its annual Scotland Juneteenth Heritage Festival for 2023. Featuring a children’s carnival and music performance, as well as art exhibitions, food, sports, and presentations on Black history in this region, the events for the federal holiday on Monday, June 19, will be spread across the Cabin John Regional Park, Cabin John Village, and the Scotland community on Seven Locks Road.


Montgomery Parks, part of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, announces programming and operating hours for the 2023 Presidents Day holiday.

Open Parkways Schedule: The Open Parkways will be extended during the Presidents Day holiday weekend. During this time, parkways are open to pedestrians and bicyclists and closed to motor vehicles.


Registration is now open for the 10th Annual Montgomery County Energy Summit, which will take place in-person on March 28-29, at the Silver Spring Civic Building. Hosted by the County Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), the Energy Summit brings the private sector, nonprofit groups and local governments together to collaborate on expanding high-performing, sustainable buildings.

The 2023 Energy Summit will focus on preparing the commercial building community for compliance with energy benchmarking, building energy performance standards and emerging building codes. It will explore requirements and opportunities in these areas and provide hands-on learning opportunities, as well as case studies from commercial and multifamily buildings.


Per Montgomery Parks: Spend the weekend in the parks! Discover these ten activities happening Friday, February 10, through Sunday, February 12:

Birds: You don’t have to be a bird expert to help with this community science project at Locust Grove Nature Center. So, join staff at FeederWatch Friday(opens in a new tab) on Friday, February 10, 11 am, to help count birds and bird species at feeders around the facility.


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