The much-anticipated Pike’s Peek 10K is racing back to the Pike District on Sunday, April 27 and the Pike District Partnership is giving away one free race entry to kick-start your run! (more…)
Sponsored
This is a monthly sponsored post by attorneys John Berry and Kimberly Berry of Berry & Berry, PLLC, an employment and labor law firm located in Northern Virginia that specializes in federal employee, security clearance, retirement and private sector employee matters.
By John V. Berry, Esq
We have been representing and advising numerous federal employees regarding the Reductions-in-Force (RIF) that have recently been issued by several different federal agencies.
As most people have started to realize, these RIF actions have not been thought out very well and have been designed for speed as opposed to accuracy or compliance with the meaning of law and regulation. The question now is what to do if you receive an RIF.
What is a Federal Employee RIF
Federal employee RIFs are simply notices which start the separation process for federal employees. RIFs are supposed to be issued due to restructuring, department elimination, or lack of funding or work. RIFs are also supposed to follow laws, rules, and regulations. A federal employee is also supposed to be given 60 days’ notice before separation.
What We Have Been Seeing Lately
In many of the cases we have seen, most federal employee RIF notices simply state that their entire competitive areas have been eliminated. These mass RIF actions were never anticipated when the laws and regulations governing them were issued. The rules were supposed to be based not on speed but rather on a thoughtful process of eliminating positions that were no longer needed when government funds were low or when an agency needed to restructure.
In reality, the RIFs appear to simply be a means of getting rid of as many federal employees as quickly as possible based on a directive from the President. In most of the notices we have seen, there has been no consideration for performance ratings, years of service, or prior military service. The federal agencies directed to conduct these RIFs have simply looked at cutting numbers and not needs or proper reorganization. This is extremely unfortunate.
Owning a pool is a luxurious addition to any home, offering a refreshing escape. However, over time, pools can become outdated or in need of repair. Renovating your pool can […]
Visit the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian to see the first-ever retrospective of Diné fiber artist DY Begay and experience the love she holds for her homelands, expressed through 48 inspired tapestries.
Bring the whole family and join an interactive experience for young visitors to understand the care and pride involved in weaving a Navajo rug.
Weaving Family Threads
Saturday and Sunday, April 5-6, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Free | National Mall
In support of the exhibit Sublime Light: Tapestry Art of DY Begay, fiber artist DY Begay (Diné) and her sisters, Berdina Charley and Berdine Begay will share their stories and talents with the public. There will be hands-on interactive demonstrations to share some of the processes involved with weaving, including carding (combing) wool and spinning wool into thread.
While you are at the museum, enjoy Indigenous-inspired cuisine at the Mitsitam Native Foods Cafe, open daily 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Major support provided by Henry Luce Foundation. Generous support provided by Ameriprise Financial. Additional support provided by The Coby Foundation, Ltd., and Furthermore: a program of the J. M. Kaplan Fund. This project received Federal support from the Smithsonian American Women’s History Initiative Pool, administered by the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum.
Visit AmericanIndian.si.edu for event updates.
Sign up for a Free 30 minute zoom class today!
355Code.com is a Computer Science School founded by Mr. Tim Yang, a Montgomery Blair High School and CMU alumnus.
The 355Code Curriculum includes:
- Javascript — Web Development | Tic-Tac-Toe, Connect 4, and Pac-Man student games
- Python — Data Structures, List Comprehension | Strings and Hangman student games
- AP — Computer Science A, Artificial Intelligence and Competitive Coding
Classes meet in-person for 2 hours on Saturdays at Pike & Rose/Rio Gaithersburg or virtually through zoom on weekdays from 6-8 p.m.
“Our son loves the classes, and he is learning a great deal — not just about coding but about math, problem-solving, and hard work as well. We attended the school STEM fair last night. He ran a Raspberry Pi machine learning setup found from Google’s Teachable Machines website, adapting their Python code to his setup. All made possible by your class — We’re grateful!” — Montgomery County Public School parent feedback
Class prices are $90/Week with one-on-one instruction from Ivy League instructors.
Learn more about 355Code by visiting 355Code.com or contact [email protected]!
Stay up to date with 355Code by following on Instagram @355code.
Nashville Chart-Topping Singer Songwriter Irene Kelley Comes to the Arts Barn March 29 By Cindy Majane
MoCo Eats F&B Showcase Highlights Impactful Woman-Owned Stories of Participating Vendors (sponsored)
The MoCo Eats Food & Beverage Showcase will highlight business from around the capital region. While you’re there, dive into the business owner’s minds to learn what inspired them to start their entrepreneurial journey. Visit with over 90 businesses participating and ask the makers to share their unique stories. (more…)
On April 9, the community is invited to participate in Dine Out for Young Children, a special event aimed at supporting early care and education in Montgomery County. This initiative allows residents to contribute to a vital cause simply by dining at participating local restaurants.
Enclave Coworking will open the company’s newest location, and second in the D.C. area, in Bethesda, Maryland!
The location will open early April at 4933 Auburn in downtown Bethesda, minutes away from Bethesda Row and the Metro.
Enclave offers Bethesda residents the opportunity to work in a professionally designed space close to — but not at — home. Enclave Bethesda features offices for executives, small businesses and others who require a more private environment. A business lounge is open to hybrid employees who simply want to get out of the house for a change of scenery and fewer distractions. Prices start at $120/month for lounge access and $720/month for a private office.
This is the 16th location for Enclave which operates 14 spaces in the Chicago area. Like the Chicago locations, Bethesda members will enjoy phone and meeting rooms, an elevated coworking lounge, high-speed internet, printing, monitor storage, and free coffee, tea, snacks, and soft drinks. For those members who join in March, Enclave is offering one month free for offices and discounted rates for lounge access.
Jason Tuscher, an Enclave member, praised Enclave for helping him create some necessary separation between work and home.
“I have a home office, but if I’m in the house, it’s much harder to focus with the kids running around,” Jason said.
Bethesda residents are invited to visit Enclave and sign up for a free 2-week trial!
“We are excited to offer Bethesda professionals a productive workspace close to home. Our tech-enabled space brings office space and a high end business lounge directly to Bethesda residents — no distractions, no commute.” — Jake Ganey, General Manager for the DMV
Learn more about the Bethesda location here.
About Enclave Coworking
Enclave Coworking is a coworking space and social lounge for suburban professionals. With 14 locations in Chicago and two in D.C., Enclave is the largest provider of suburban coworking space in the country.
Follow Enclave on Instagram @enclavecoworkingdmv.
From Cybersecurity Student to Community Leader: How USG Opened Doors to Incredible Opportunities. Guest Post: Mariana Ruiz de Streuhofer By: Mariana Ruiz de Streuhofer, UMBC Cybersecurity Master’s Student at USG