MoCo Government Archives - Page 132 of 247

Small Businesses Along Purple Line Construction Route Encouraged to Apply for Phase III Purple Line Construction Impact Grants

Published August 2, 2023 at 8:39AM

Per Montgomery County: Montgomery County will be offering funding support for independently owned and operated businesses with 20 or fewer employees impacted by the Purple Line construction through Phase III of its Purple Line Light rail grants program. Eligible businesses can start submitting applications on Aug. 15.

The County’s Business Center will host informational webinars on the program on Aug. 29, 30 and 31 in English, Spanish, and Amharic languages respectively at 8070 Georgia Ave. in Silver Spring. This is the third round of grants through which the County’s Business Center will offer $5,000 to qualifying small businesses in the construction corridor. This grant program is made possible through an $815,000 grant provided by the Maryland Department of Commerce.

Efforts Continue to Restore Power and Clean Up Damage Following Severe Weather Weekend

By Patrick Herron

Published August 1, 2023 at 3:15PM

Per Montgomery County: Montgomery County officials continued storm cleanup efforts days after severe storms and heavy rain caused significant damage and power outages on Saturday evening.

“Even though efforts to clear and repair damage from this weekend’s storms continue across Montgomery County, I want to recognize and thank our storm responders for their hard work and long hours,” said County Executive Marc Elrich. “Over the last few days, countless Montgomery County Government employees have worked diligently to help residents and businesses recovering from severe storm damage. We assisted those in need to find shelter, rescued boaters during the thunderstorms, removed trees and debris from streets and sidewalks, distributed water on Ride On buses and directed traffic when lights were out. I thank my County colleagues, as well as those working for the State and utility companies, for their response to these storms. Their tireless efforts made recovery from a difficult weekend much better for so many people.”

Montgomery County ABC Becomes Exclusive Mid-Atlantic Seller of Domaine de Galuval Wines from the Rhône Valley

By Patrick Herron

Published August 1, 2023 at 10:52AM

Per Montgomery County: Montgomery County Alcohol Beverage Services (ABS) has leveraged its direct import capacity and is now offering eight creative and cutting-edge wines from the Domaine de Galuval winery in the Rhône Valley of France. ABS serves as the exclusive distributor of these wines in the Mid-Atlantic Region. Only a few other U.S. outlets—in California, Puerto Rico and New York City—carry Domaine de Galuval products. The Domain de Galuval wines are available now in all ABS Liquor Wine retail stores and Oak Barrel & Vine stores throughout the County. They also are available at participating privately owned beer and wine stores and restaurants.

The eight highly rated wines are unique creations, inspired by nature and true to the individual character of each vintage. The eye-catching labels feature works of art that represent the unique geology and character of the terroirs of the Domain de Galuval Estate. By importing directly, ABS is able to offer the products at attractive price points.

Dr. Earl Stoddard Provides Update on Storm Clean-Up and Power Restoration Efforts

By MCS Staff

Published July 31, 2023 at 11:19AM

Dr. Earl Stoddard, who is the Assistant Chief Administrator in Montgomery County and has served as the Director of the Montgomery County Office of Emergency Management & Homeland Security (OEMHS) since January 2016, has provided an update on storm clean-up efforts via Twitter. The full update can be seen below:

“Just to provide an update on storm clean-up. Right now, the primary focus remains power restoration and road clearance. That requires coordination between the County and power utilities given the intersection between vegetation and power lines.

Anti-Hate Task Force to Meet on August 1; MCPS Leaders to Present Information on Combating Hate and Bias Incidents in Schools

By Patrick Herron

Published July 31, 2023 at 10:57AM

From the Office of Council President Evan Glass: The Montgomery County Anti-Hate Task Force will hold its second meeting with all six cohort groups representing the Jewish, Black/African American, LGBTQ+, Asian American and Pacific Islander, Latino/Hispanic and Muslim communities on Tuesday, August 1 at 7 p.m.

The meeting will feature a presentation by Montgomery County Public School leaders with an overview and plan on combating hate and bias incidents in schools.

Wheaton Mosaic Mural Created by Students and Montgomery Housing Partnership Residents Working with Wheaton Arts Parade Dedicated

By Patrick Herron

Published July 30, 2023 at 10:14PM

Per Montgomery County: A community mosaic mural that was created by families living in Montgomery Housing Partnership (MHP) apartments in Wheaton working with artists from the Wheaton Arts Parade organization was formally dedicated on Thursday, July 27. The mosaic panels were created in 2019, but installation was delayed due to the COVID-19 health crisis. The Wheaton Arts Parade “Community Mosaic” was supported in part by a grant from the Arts & Humanities Council of Montgomery County.

The mosaic mural is installed on the wall of the Pembridge Square Apartments at 2319 Blueridge Ave. and is visible from the side facing Elkin St. in Wheaton. Residents from nearby Amherst Gardens also participated in its creation. Among those at the dedication were Montgomery County Councilmember Natali Fani-González, MHP representatives and mosaic artists Edwin Salmeron and Ge’Vonna Keyes. Dan Thompson of Wheaton Arts Parade led the ceremonies.

Montgomery County Council to Hold Public Hearings on Sept. 12; Deadline to Sign up to Speak is Sept. 11 at 2pm

By Patrick Herron

Published July 28, 2023 at 3:20PM

Per Montgomery County: The County Council will hold public hearings to receive testimony on new items introduced to the Council as follows:

Residents have the opportunity to testify remotely for public hearings or provide in-person testimony at the Council Office Building in Rockville. Residents can register to speak in person or virtually at a public hearing, provide written testimony, prerecorded audio or video testimony using the online form at https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/COUNCIL/PHSignUp.html; or sent by mail to County Council, 100 Maryland Ave., Rockville, MD 20850; or residents may sign up to testify remotely by phone (call 240-777-7803 for information). To express an opinion call 240-777-7900.

Tonight’s “TGIF Free Friday Concert” Featuring The Nighthawks Has Been Postponed Due to Heat

By Patrick Herron

Published July 28, 2023 at 3:11PM

The concert was scheduled to be held outside at the Marian Fryer Town Plaza, adjacent to the Wheaton Business Triangle and near the Wheaton Metro Station. The Wheaton Arts & Entertainment District will try to reschedule The Nighthawks for a concert later this summer. For updated information on the concert series, go to https://www.wheatonmd.org/.

21 Organizations Receive Grants from Montgomery County Totaling $1,425,000 to Support Adult English Language Learning

By Patrick Herron

Published July 27, 2023 at 9:44PM

Per Montgomery County: The Montgomery Coalition for Adult English Literacy (MCAEL), in partnership with Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich and the Montgomery County Council, recently awarded grants totaling $1,425,000 to 21 organizations that provide 27 adult English language learning programs across the County.

Recipients of these grants include:

Residents Can Testify at Final Virtual Development Review Process Workgroup Listening Session on Wednesday, Aug. 2

By Patrick Herron

Published July 27, 2023 at 1:14AM

Per Montgomery County: Montgomery County’s process for reviewing and approving development projects during the Development Review Process Workgroup listening sessions will provide one more opportunity for residents to provide input. Residents can sign up to provide feedback during the workgroup’s third and final listening session that will be held virtually from 6-8 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 2. The second listening session was held at the Wheaton Headquarters of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) on July 18.

The Maryland General Assembly’s Montgomery County delegation created the workgroup, which is chaired by State Delegate Lesley Lopez (D-District 39). It is examining the County’s development review process, with a special focus on finding opportunities to improve the County’s economic competitiveness. The workgroup’s July 18 listening session followed a June 22 listening session and three livestreamed workgroup work sessions June 9, June 27 and July 12.

‘Captured, Examined & Returned: The Folklore of Alien Abductions’ Will Be Focus of Conversation with Smithsonian Curator Jim Deutsch on Monday, July 31

By Patrick Herron

Published July 27, 2023 at 12:29AM

Per Montgomery County: Folklore follows formulas and conventions that govern the folksongs, the folk art and the folktales and legends people share. Many of the personal accounts of being abducted by aliens follow a three-part formulaic structure: captured by aliens; examined by aliens; and then returned to pre-abduction status, often with lasting memories of the encounter.

Mr. Deutsch is a curator and editor at the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage in Washington, D.C., where he has helped plan and develop public programs on the Peace Corps, Hungary, China, Circus Arts, Apollo Theater, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Mekong River, U.S. Forest Service, World War II, Silk Road, and White House workers.