Per Montgomery County: The Montgomery County Commission on Veterans Affairs is honoring many “Fallen Hometown Heroes” with County connections dating back to World War I with detailed tributes displayed on a special website created by the commission. The tribute is especially notable as the County prepares to commemorate Memorial Day on Monday, May 29.
To learn more about the Montgomery Commission on Veterans Affairs, go to www.montgomerycountymd.gov/cva.
Per Montgomery County: Warm weather is settling in and Wheaton is ready to welcome it. From noon-4 p.m. on Sunday, May 21, the Marian Fryer Town Plaza in Downtown Wheaton will turn into a ”Spring Fling” free community picnic scene with music, food and drinks from local merchants, lawn games and arts and crafts. Marian Fryer Town Plaza is located at 2424 Reedie Dr. in Wheaton. It is close to the Wheaton Metro Station and there is significant nearby parking.
Per Montgomery County: Montgomery County Animal Services and Adoption Center (MCASAC) will hold a fee-waived adoption event for all dogs starting Thursday, May 18, and running through Sunday, May 28. The “Love is Blooming” adoption event is sponsored by Friends of Montgomery County Animals (FMCA).
Through adoptions, education and outreach, MCASAC serves as a critical community resource to promote and advocate for responsible pet care. Animal Services officers are available seven days a week, 24 hours each day, to investigate complaints and respond to animal emergencies.
Per Montgomery County: The Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is now accepting mattresses and box springs at the Shady Grove Transfer Station and Recycling Center in Derwood. The new recycling program provides an opportunity for community members to responsibly dispose of old mattresses and box springs and will greatly reduce waste.
Acceptable items in the new recycling program include mattresses and box springs such as, but not limited to:
Per Montgomery County: Today the Montgomery County Council appointed Artie L. Harris, Jr. as the new Montgomery County Planning Board chair and Josh Linden as a Planning Board member. The Planning Board serves as the County’s principal land use and planning advisor. Planning Board members also serve as commissioners of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission.
“The new Montgomery County Planning Board reflects Montgomery County’s diversity across backgrounds, experience and party affiliations,” said Council President Evan Glass. “The Council’s public selection process has led us to make twocritical appointments today. Artie Harris and Josh Linden have the combined experience, leadership and listening skills that are necessary to engage with community members and the Council about land use and planning issues. These individuals will play an integral role in establishing a vision for the future of our County.
Per Montgomery County: The number of adults and children experiencing homelessness in Montgomery County increased by 313 people since last year, according to the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) 2023 Point-in-Time (PIT) survey report released May 10. The PIT survey is part of an annual regional analysis and report that started in 2001. According to the 2023 report, all nine jurisdictions in the Metropolitan Washington area included in the survey recorded an increase in the number of persons experiencing homelessness when compared to the 2022 count.
Montgomery County’s PIT count was conducted on the night of Jan. 25, 2023, as part of the nationwide effort to count people experiencing homelessness, including:
Per Montgomery County: Montgomery County’s three minority health initiatives/programs (MHIP), which are part of the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), have released a report on the mental health needs of minority residents. “Minority Voices 2022: Our Mental Health Journey” is the result of a year-long partnership between the Asian American Health Initiative (AAHI), the African American Health Program (AAHP), and the Latino Health Initiative (LHI).
Through the sharing of personal experiences, the report aims to raise awareness, reduce negative stereotypes and stigma surrounding mental health, and initiate an open dialogue that encourages individuals to speak up and seek help. It also identifies barriers to seeking mental health support and the factors that positively impact mental well-being.
Key leaders in education, law enforcement, health services, and drug use prevention advocates will gather to speak on emergency opioid overdose response in schools, including new detailed guidance on naloxone storage, training and use. Naloxone (also known by its brand name “Narcan”) is a potentially-life saving medication that temporarily reverses the effects due to an opioid overdose.
Naloxone is currently stocked in every Montgomery County public school as an emergency medication, and is available for free to Montgomery County residents without a prescription. Hundreds of MCPS students have received county-sponsored training at regional weekend forums. According to the new guidance, students are permitted to carry personally obtained naloxone on school property. This step is in response to the rise in youth overdose cases across the county and country.
Per Montgomery County: The Harriet Tubman: The Journey to Freedom statue will be the centerpiece as Montgomery County hosts “Journey to Freedom History Day” from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on Saturday May 13, at the Button Farm Living History Center in Germantown. Montgomery County Executive, Marc Elrich will speak at the free event, which is being presented by the Montgomery County Office of Human Rights, the Menare Foundation Inc., Heritage Montgomery and Montgomery History.
At noon on May 13, Ranger Angela Crenshaw will host a talk on Harriet Tubman’s work on the Underground Railroad and screen the documentary Harriet Tubman: Vision of Freedom. At 1 p.m., County Executive Elrich and members of the County Council will present a proclamation in recognition of the event. At 2 p.m., Capitol Tap and District Tap will share a dance performance about Ms. Tubman’s coded letter. The afternoon will conclude with Lesley Younge leading a story time for kids reading from her new book A-Train Allen. Throughout the event, Montgomery History will host a history table of information.
Per Montgomery County: The Montgomery County Office of Community Partnership (OCP) and the Asian American Health Initiative (AAHI) will host the second annual Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month celebration from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. on Sunday, May 21, at Seneca Valley High School in Germantown. The event is free and registration is not required to attend. Seneca Valley High School is located at 19401 Crystal Rock Dr. in Germantown.
The event will feature:
Per Montgomery County: Montgomery County is seeking nominations for its African American Living Legends Awards that honor individuals who are 75 or older and have dedicated their lives to service, advocacy and selfless acts of kindness to their community. The awards will be presented as part of the 26th Annual Juneteenth Celebration, themed “Celebrating Freedom at the Rock … Acknowledge, Educate, Celebrate.” The awards ceremonies will be at 7 p.m. on Friday, June 16, at the BlackRock Center for the Arts in Germantown. The community celebration will be from noon-10 p.m. on Saturday, June 17, at the BlackRock Center.
At 7 p.m. on Friday, June 16, Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich will host the African American Living Legend Awards presentation at to honor distinguished individuals who are living legends in the County and have helped shape the cultural heritage of the African American community.