MoCo Archives - Page 306 of 605

Council Appoints New Planning Board Chair and Board Member

Published May 16, 2023 at 3:14PM

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.

‘The Man Behind the Stations on the Metropolitan Branch Railroad’ Presentation May 20 in Germantown

By Patrick Herron

Published May 15, 2023 at 12:23PM

Per the Germantown Historical Society: On Saturday, May 20 at 3pm at the Germantown Library Susan Cooke Soderberg will be giving a PowerPoint presentation on: The Man Behind the Stations on the Metropolitan Branch Railroad as part of the celebration of the 150th Anniversary of the Metropolitan Branch of the B & O Railroad. 150 years ago on May 25, 1873 trains began running across Montgomery County. The coming of the railroad changed the agriculture, the economy and the society of the County. By 1893 the line had 18 stops between Washington D. C. and Point of Rocks.

Most of these stops had a station house for the ticket master and waiting passengers – some large and fancy, some small and plain. All but one of these station houses were designed by noted architect E. Francis Baldwin. Five of these buildings still exist and are preserved with historic designation on what is now known as the MARC Brunswick Line. The Architect E. Francs Baldwin is renown for designing many buildings in a variety of styles from the Catholic Cathedral in Savannah, Georgia to the Power House in Baltimore. His attention to detail extended even to the waiting shelters at the train stops. Free tickets available at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-man-behind-the-stations-on-the-metropolitan-branch-railroad-tickets-628856475647, but Walk-ins are welcome.

Number of Montgomery County Residents Experiencing Homelessness Increased by 313 Since Last Year

By Patrick Herron

Published May 15, 2023 at 11:52AM

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:

MoCo Celebrates 76 Centenarians Including Two Who Turn 107 This Year

By MCS Staff

Published May 15, 2023 at 10:08AM

“We had a terrific time today celebrating our 76 centenarians in Montgomery County with two, in particular, turning 107 this year!” Montgomery County Recreation (MoCo Rec) shared via social media. The celebration involved any resident who is at least 100 years old (centenarian) and their families. MoCo Rec began its search for Montgomery County centenarians in January of this year. Photos below, courtesy of MoCo Rec, with a video of the event coming soon:

Montgomery County Minority Health Programs Release ‘Minority Voices 2022: Our Mental Health Journey’; Report Highlights Mental Health Needs of Minority Residents

By Patrick Herron

Published May 15, 2023 at 9:18AM

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.

MCPS and County Leaders to Discuss New School Regulation that will Allow Students to Carry Narcan

By MCS Staff

Published May 13, 2023 at 8:19AM

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.

DMV Burger Restaurant, Z-Burger, to Open First MoCo Location

By MCS Staff

Published May 12, 2023 at 12:10PM

Z-Burger has signed on to take over the space that was previously home to BGR at 4827 Fairmont Ave in Bethesda. BGR closed its Bethesda location in 2022 after 14 years. Z-Burger is a local, DMV-based chain that describes itself as “a Washington DC landmark! Home to the area’s most delicious handcrafted burgers with endless toppings, fresh cut fries and 75 varieties of hand spun milk shakes and concretes made with premium Wisconsin custard.”

Z-Burger has multiple locations in DC, a few in Northern Virginia, and three in Maryland– with more to come. Its first location opened in Tenleytown in 2008. This will be its first Montgomery County location. Prior to starting Z-Burger in 2008, founder Peter Tabibian was the general manager at a Jerry’s Subs & Pizza in Maryland. He is also behind Persian restaurant Maman Joon, which has a Tenleytown location in DC and two in Northern Virginia. An opening timeframe for the burger restaurant is not yet available.

Harriet Tubman Journey to Freedom Statue on Display at Button Farm in Germantown, Special Program on Saturday, May 13, as Montgomery County Hosts ‘Journey to Freedom History Day’

By Patrick Herron

Published May 12, 2023 at 12:07PM

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.

Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month Celebration to be Held in Germantown on Sunday, May 21

By Patrick Herron

Published May 12, 2023 at 8:55AM

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:

Blair Alumnus Chick Hernandez Named to The Commanders Pre-Season Broadcast Team

By MCS Staff

Published May 11, 2023 at 6:56PM

The Washington Commanders have announced that Chick Hernandez, who grew up in Montgomery County and graduated from Montgomery Blair High School in 1981, will be joining former Washington players Brian Mitchell and Logan Paulsen as part of the new Preseason 2023 TV Crew.

Hernandez was born at Providence Hospital, but grew up in Silver Spring and graduated from Montgomery Blair High in 1981. While at Blair, Hernandez was a three-sport athlete, excelling in football. He even went on to play for one year at Montgomery College- Rockville. Following his time at MC, he enrolled at the University of Maryland. While Hernandez was still in school, fellow MoCo native Larry Michael (Northwood alumnus) offered him a job as a weekend producer with Mutual Radio in 1987. Hernandez went on to become the sports director at Georgia’s WRDW TV before coming back home to join FOX 5 as a sports anchor for seven years. He later worked for Comcast SportsNet/NBC Sports Washington for 17 years.

Nominations Sought for County’s African American Living Legends Awards That Will Be Presented at 26th Annual Juneteenth Celebration

By Patrick Herron

Published May 11, 2023 at 10:45AM

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.