MoCo Archives - Page 333 of 615

Schedule and Education Sessions Announced for 10th Annual Montgomery County Energy Summit That Will Be Held March 28-29 in Silver Spring

Published February 23, 2023 at 10:13AM

On March 28, the sessions are designed for building owners, managers and facilities staff. Attendees will cycle through five stations to learn about energy benchmarking and performance requirements for commercial buildings. The sessions will address resources available to assist in improving building performance, including receiving utility incentives, financing building upgrades, securing building permits and installing electric vehicle charging stations.

During the first day of the summit, attendees will have the opportunity to speak one-on-one, ask questions and receive hands-on support from subject matter experts. Energy audit demos will take place throughout the day to help attendees consider no-and low-cost energy-saving opportunities in their buildings.

Formal Plaque Unveiled to Recognize the Renaming of Rockville Memorial Library

By Patrick Herron

Published February 23, 2023 at 9:52AM

Per Montgomery County: A formal plaque has been dedicated at the Rockville Memorial Library recognizing the name change from the original Rockville Library. The name change for the branch of the Montgomery County Public Libraries system was instituted in 2010 at the request of Gold Star families—those who have lost a family member in U.S. military conflicts—and the County Commission on Veterans Affairs.

The plaque is located on the first-floor lobby of the library, next to a digital display honoring the County’s Fallen Heroes. The Fallen Heroes digital display honors County residents killed in action dating to World War I

Sixth Annual ‘Girl Power Contest’ Recognizing March as Women’s History Month Accepting Entries Through Friday, March 31

By Patrick Herron

Published February 23, 2023 at 9:51AM

Per Montgomery County: In recognition of March as Women’s History Month, the Montgomery County Commission for Women, Montgomery County Libraries and Friends of the Library is holding its Sixth Annual “Girl Power Contest.” County residents, ages 5 and up, are encouraged to submit a short story, poem, drawing or entry in the medium of their choice that addresses this year’s theme. Entries must be submitted by midnight on Friday, March 31.

In 2022, the Montgomery County Council made history as voters in November elected the County’s first female-majority Council. In honor of this milestone, the following question is the theme for this year’s Girl Power Contest: We now have six women on the Montgomery County Council. What advice would you give them to make sure our community is a place where women and girls can feel safe and encouraged?

Council President Evan Glass Calls for Creation of Anti-Hate Task Force

By Patrick Herron

Published February 22, 2023 at 12:52PM

According to the most recent Montgomery County Report on Bias Incidents, there were 143 reported bias incidents in 2021 – the highest number in nearly a decade. Of the 79 race-based incidents, 60.8% were anti-Black and 20.3% were anti-Asian. Of the 34 incidents motivated by bias towards religion, 85.3% were considered anti-Jewish, despite residents of Jewish faith making up only 10% of the population. The level of public animosity towards Jews is higher than it’s been in recent memory, with antisemitic hate crimes on the rise in our region and across the nation. Last year, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) reported a 34% increase in antisemitic incidents nationwide – the highest number on record since ADL began tracking such incidents.

As a Jew and a member of the LGBTQ+ community, I know the fear and pain many of our neighbors are experiencing. One of the central functions of government is to provide comfort and safety to our residents, which is why we have a moral obligation to promote inclusiveness, celebrate diversity, prevent the spread of misinformation, and reject hate in all its forms.

County to Offer $20,000 Incentive to Join Montgomery County Police; Department Currently Down 129 Sworn Officers

By Patrick Herron

Published February 22, 2023 at 8:06AM

Chief Marcus Jones confirmed earlier this month in testimony before the Public Safety Committee of the County Council that the Department is currently down 129 sworn officers.

Local Students Extend Invite to 16th Annual Black History Month Celebration

By MCS Staff

Published February 21, 2023 at 9:30PM

The Students of Minds In Motion Child Care, Scotland Community, and the Judith Resnik Elementary School extend an invitation to celebrate Black History Month with a night filled with knowledge, food, poetry, and performances. This free program will be held on Friday, February 24, 2023, from 7 – 9 pm at the Resnik Elementary School, Gaithersburg, MD, and includes dinner from local restaurants. The program will recognize icons of Black History including Viola Davis, Rosa Parks, Michelle Obama, Guy Bluford, Missy Elliot, Cynthia Erivo, and Katherine Dunham. Students will present on their achievements throughout the event.

Performances will be led by various youth groups including students of Minds in Motion Child Care, Scotland Community, Bells Mill Elementary School, Cabin John Middle School, Damascus Elementary School, Goshen Elementary School, Judith Resnik Elementary School, Winston Churchill High School, and Watkins Mill Elementary School. The highlight of the evening will be the Step Performance featuring Kristopher Paul, Noah Gleaton, Diezel Duckett, Sidoine Djimbou, Braedan Lynk, Bebo Aly, and Ahmed Hassan.

Montgomery Housing Project is Accepting Donations For Those Affected by Saturday’s Fire at Silver Spring Apartment Complex (Hundreds Displaced)

By MCS Staff

Published February 21, 2023 at 8:42PM

A fire that took place on Saturday, February 18th at the Arrive high-rise apartment complex on Georgia Avenue in Downtown Silver Spring resulted in one fatality and injuries to multiple residents, as well as the displacement of hundreds of residents. At the request of Montgomery County, Montgomery Housing Project (MHP) is managing a dedicated relief fund to assist those affected by the fire. One-hundred percent of donations will go directly to those affected.

Per MHP: “While this is not an MHP property, we maintain close ties with the community through the many affordable housing properties we have developed in Montgomery County, and are playing a role by managing financial donations to help impacted residents. Thank you for lending a hand to our neighbors!” Donations can be made here.

Georgetown Prep Music Teacher Releases EP

By MCS Staff

Published February 21, 2023 at 8:26PM | Updated February 21, 2023 at 8:46PM

Sean Gaiser is a class ‘98 Georgetown Prep alumnus and a current music teacher at the Jesuit college-preparatory school in North Bethesda (the only only Jesuit boarding school in the United States). He and Billy Glading (Gonzaga ‘99) have recently released a new five-song EP titled “Wildflower.” The title of the album was inspired by Sean’s sister, Caroline, who passed away in February 2020.

Per a Georgetown Prep news release, his sister, Caroline, was a free spirit who loved flowers. Gaiser chose a fox on the cover because they frequent his house and stare at him and he feels in his heart the foxes represent his sister. The third song on the album is a tribute to Caroline. This is Sean’s third album and he says, “I am always writing music and enjoy starting new projects. I plan to never stop making music.” Sean and Billy said this is their most personal and challenging piece of work yet, and took 5 years to create.You can listen to the album on Amazon Music, Apple Music, Spotify and YouTube.

Seasonal Increase in Passport Applications Has Increased Processing Time

By MCS Staff

Published February 19, 2023 at 5:40PM

Last week Representative Jamie Raskin warned travelers who plan on traveling this Spring that processing times for are increasing for passport applications due to a seasonal increase in applications. Processing times are now up to 8-11 weeks for regular applications and 5-7 weeks for expedited applications. Rep. Raskin’s full message can be seen below:

”I’ve just been alerted that a seasonal increase in passport applications has increased processing times to 8-11 weeks for regular apps and 5-7 weeks for expedited apps. If you have travel plans, please submit your application ASAP.”

Ride On Flash Buses Decorated For February

By MCS Staff

Published February 18, 2023 at 7:19AM

Montgomery County residents are feeling the love from their local transportation department. The Montgomery County Department of Transportation has decorated some of its US 29 Flash buses with pink neon heart-shaped lights in honor of Valentine’s Day. The buses will remain decorated throughout February.

Fares on Ride On for most riders has been re-established at $1 per ride. Seniors (age 65 and older), persons with disabilities and youth under 19 ride free with specialized SmartTrip cards. The Flash buses are the first of a series of Bus Rapid Transit corridors planned for the County

‘A Wide Place in the Road—The Roots of Modern Bethesda’ Will Again Be Available from Montgomery History from Feb. 20-26

By MCS Staff

Published February 18, 2023 at 7:16AM

The evolution of Bethesda was the subject of a 2022 virtual presentation from Montgomery History that proved to be its most watched presentation of the year. Starting Monday, Feb. 20, and continuing for a one-week period through Sunday, Feb. 26, “A Wide Place in the Road—The Roots of Modern Bethesda” will again be available in a free virtual presentation from Montgomery County’s history organization.

Bethesda Historical Society Secretary and Tour Chair Hank Levine will take viewers through how, between 1750 and 1920, a fall line, a ridge line, a turnpike, a trolley line, rail lines, the coming of the automobile and Chevy Chase set the stage for the development of Bethesda. Mr. Levine will address how Bethesda went from being an affluent suburb and transformed into the urban center it is today.