Per Montgomery County: Today, the Montgomery County Council issued the following statement condemning the drawings of swastikas found at three separate Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS).
“We are once again saddened and disgusted at the displays of hate targeting the Jewish community at three Montgomery County schools.
Per Montgomery County: The Montgomery County Commission for Women (CFW) will host its 43rd Annual Women’s Legislative Briefing (WLB) virtually from 12:30-5 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 29. The theme of this year’s event is “Empowered Women Protect Democracy.”
The annual event brings together advocates, allies, policymakers and emerging leaders to empower, engage and mobilize Marylanders around issues affecting women and girls. Attendees will hear from, and engage with, members of the Maryland General Assembly, community leaders and representatives of organizations that advance the status of women and girls.
Per Montgomery County: Volunteers are needed to assist sexual assault victims and their families through Montgomery County’s Victim Assistance and Sexual Assault Program (VASAP), part of the County’s Department of Health and Human Services. Interviews are currently being conducted for the 2023 winter training session.
VASAP outreach volunteers donate their time serving victims of sexual assault and domestic violence. Volunteers provide 24-hour crisis counseling and companion services at County hospitals and police stations for victims of rape, sexual assault and domestic violence. Bilingual volunteers are encouraged to apply.
Per Montgomery County: The County Council will hold public hearings to receive testimony on new items introduced to the Council as follows:
The Council will receive testimony on the FY24 Capital Budget and amendments to the FY23-28 CIP for County Government, MCPS, Montgomery College, Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, Washington Suburban Transit Commission, Revenue Authority, Housing Opportunities Commission, and municipality and State projects and the FY24-29 CIP for WSSCWater. The Council will also receive testimony on supplemental appropriations to the FY23 Capital Budget as listed below:
Montgomery County has partnered with Habitat for Humanity and AHC to build nearly 200 multi-family homes, located at Randolph Road and Bushey Drive, near Veirs Mill Road, in Silver Spring (Wheaton-Glenmont)– the project broke ground this week. According to Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich, the county was able to leverage the land value, coupled with reduced property taxes, through the County’s PILOT program and a substantial loan from the County’s Housing Initiative Fund, which enabled this construction to move forward despite dramatic increases in both construction costs and interest rates.
“I am thrilled that this will include homeownership options for low-income residents. When we began discussing this project, I pushed for home ownership opportunities, and I am grateful to our partners for making sure that was included. It is an outstanding, innovative project. Because affordable housing is a priority, we must seek out partnerships and ideas like this to spark projects that deliver many deeply affordable units and benefit a broad range of wage earners.” said Elrich.
Kayla DiCello, a freshman from Boyds who recently graduated from Northwest High School in Germantown, was recently named the “SEC Specialist of the Week” a week after being named the “SEC Freshman of the Week.” DiCello won the all-around in the quad meet against Ball State, Lindenwood and West Virginia with a top score of 39.475. DiCello’s score was the highest all-around mark among SEC freshmen, second among nation’s freshmen and tied for nation’s 10th highest for the opening weekend.
She is now one of seven Gators to win the all-around in their first meet since 1986. DiCello tied with Trinity Thomas (2019) for Florida’s top all-around in the first collegiate meet. She shared second place on balance beam with teammate Ellie Lazzari at 9.90, and also captured third place on bars (9.925) and floor (9.875). In July DiCello was selected to compete at the upcoming Pan American Championships. In August, DiCello competed at the National Championships. She finished finished fourth in the all-around and third on balance beam.
“Dear Friends,
With a new year comes an opportunity to change things up from what you have come to expect each week. In the video link that is part of our weekly Montgomery Update newsletter, we have a bit of a different approach. This week, County Chief Administration Officer Richard Madaleno and I talk about the just released recommended Fiscal Year 2024 Capital budget.
Per Montgomery County: Montgomery County will host its 10th Annual Energy Summit over two days on Tuesday, March 28, and Wednesday, March 29, at the at the Silver Spring Civic Building. The Summit will be presented by the County’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and will focus on preparing the commercial building sector for compliance with the County’s energy benchmarking and building energy performance standards, as well as educating building owners about cost-cutting opportunities and programs. Since 2013, the Summit has offered cutting-edge education and workshops focused on the latest trends in green building, energy efficiency, renewable energy and related commercial, multifamily and residential topics.
New this year will be the featured “Innovation Alley,” a display of innovative products and services available to the commercial and multifamily building sector to aid in building energy efficiency, renewable energy, electrification, building decarbonization, healthy buildings and zero-emission vehicles. Exhibitors interested in participating should submit an expression of interest on the Energy Summit website by Wednesday, Feb. 1.
Montgomery County Recreation is seeking residents who are 100 and older for a centenarian celebration that will be taking place this May. Interested residents are asked to fill out an online form by March 10. Additional details courtesy Montgomery County: “Are you a Montgomery County, Maryland resident? Were you born in 1923 or earlier? Do you know someone who is turning 100 in 2023 or currently 100+? Montgomery County Recreation is looking for individuals who are turning 100 years old or older to participant in our centenarian event on May 12. If you are interested or know someone who would be interested, we would love to contact them!
If you know a centenarian living in the County, fill out this online form or contact the senior programs team at [email protected]. Please include the centenarian’s name and address and the contact person’s name, email and telephone number. The deadline to submit is March 10.”
Per MCPS: Key leaders in education, law enforcement, health services, and drug use prevention advocates will gather to speak to an alarming rise in Illegal Opioid use, especially Fentanyl, in our youth. Data is showing not only a rise in overdose cases but a rise in death rates. These are dangerous trends that parents and students must be aware of.
Multiple county agency leaders discuss the rise in the use and availability of illegal opioids, often laced with Fentanyl, and the alarming rise in overdose cases, including those resulting in death. This will take place on Thursday, January 19th at 3pm at the Carver Educational Services Center, 850 Hungerford Dr. Rockville MD, 20850 (Auditorium) also hybrid via Zoom https://mcpstv-org.zoom.us/j/84524812357?pwd=Z1FFSkFLa1lMYUs1Qk9YMTJJam9kUT09
RainScape is a landscape or design technique that helps reduce stormwater runoff from individual properties. They include: