Summer is heating up at Good Counsel Athletics!
Our summer camps are filling fast, and only a few spots remain! Whether you’re looking to sharpen your skills, stay active, or have fun with friends, now is the time to register.
Don’t miss your chance to train with Falcons coaches and athletes this summer. Register today before camps sell out! www.olgchs.org/camps
The Mental Health Version of an Annual Physical Is Here
By Montgomery County Counseling Center
You get the annual physical. You go to that 9am dentist appointment. You’re vigilant about your sleep and exercise. You treat your well-being as something you maintain, not just repair. Why is mental health different? Why aren’t we more proactive? Why do we only seek out support when something goes wrong? Mental health is so often treated like an afterthought when routine check-ups can make a world of difference. Montgomery County Counseling Center is working to change the way we view mental health with a new offering designed to put wellness and preventative care on the map for good.
For most people, mental health care follows a pretty predictable pattern. Something gets hard enough and it lasts long enough that it finally feels like a problem worth addressing. So then you find a therapist and you start working on it until you’re out of crisis, and then you stop. But that’s not the only path and for a lot of people, it’s not the best starting point either; the threshold for “is it bad enough to say something” ends up being way higher than it needs to be, and a lot gets ignored in the meantime.
Think about how you approach the rest of your health. You don’t wait for a heart attack to see a cardiologist. You don’t wait until you’re sick to get your flu shot. You plan ahead. You stay on top of it. You check in. You make decisions based on something more than a gut feeling or a bad stretch. The value of a routine checkup isn’t that it always finds something. It’s that you know either way, and make minor precautionary tweaks. Mental health doesn’t have to be any different.
And yet, for most people, it is. There hasn’t really been the equivalent of an annual physical for mental health. No annual touchpoint, like a birthday or a new year, where someone sits down with a professional and simply goes over how they’re doing. There’s certainly no outside party, like a school, a sports league, or a camp that insists you get checked. That’s why people fall through the slim cracks between doing great and being at risk. After all, the absence of a crisis is not the same thing as a clean bill of mental health. (more…)
By Shannon Sanchez (more…)
Key Takeaways:
Coaching Salud Holistica (CSH) is actively transforming maternal health outcomes in Maryland. They are addressing a growing need for culturally responsive health education and support in communities across the state. This need is particularly urgent given that Latina women in Maryland experience higher rates of certain maternal health complications compared to other groups, underscoring significant disparities in care.
Founded by Jhoselyn Rodriguez, a bilingual community health leader, educator, and advocate, CSH is deeply committed to empowering Latino, immigrant, and diverse families. This commitment shines through their comprehensive approach, encompassing education, community engagement, workforce development, and vital maternal health services. This dedication is further exemplified in their mission to empower families and transform maternal and infant health outcomes. (more…)
This June, Rockville is inviting everyone to the table. From June 1 – 30, 2026, Rockville Economic Development, Inc. (REDI) is bringing back Explore Rockville: Global Bites, a month-long celebration of food, culture, and community. The campaign encourages diners to explore Rockville restaurants and submit receipts to support local nonprofits and earn chances to win prizes. (more…)
By Amanda Gilbert, Selzer Gurvitch Family Law Practice (more…)
Montgomery County, Maryland, has long been known as one of the nation’s premier hubs for life sciences and technology but recently, the County has gained global recognition for another high-growth industry: satellite and advanced communications.
The roots of the County’s satellite ecosystem stretch back decades. The former COMSAT Laboratories in Clarksburg helped establish the foundation of modern satellite communications technology and continues to shape the industry today. That legacy directly contributed to the growth of companies like Hughes Network Systems, headquartered in Germantown, which is widely recognized as a pioneer of satellite internet technology and continues to employ nearly 1,000 people locally.
Home to over 120 satellite and advanced communications companies employing approximately 4,500 workers across the region, Montgomery County’s growing prominence in advanced antenna, satellite communications, and space technologies, includes the presence of visionary business leaders, like Eric Sung, CEO of Intellian Technologies who has dubbed the area “Satellite Valley” in recognition of its growing industry concentration and momentum. Intellian, which selected Rockville for its first U.S.-based Advanced Development Center, committed a $100 million investment to develop advanced satellite communication technologies, including phased array antennas and portable military-grade terminals designed for next-generation low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite networks. Montgomery County’s concentration of satellite companies, engineering talent, and proximity to government and defense stakeholders made the region a strategic fit for their expansion.
A leading global provider of stabilized satellite communication and satellite TV antenna systems with more than 70 employees located in Montgomery County, Intellian was one of the businesses featured in a special report from the Financial Times’s fDi Intelligence released in May, highlighting the region’s expanding technology ecosystem. From legacy industry pioneers to fast-growing international companies, such as Thales Defense & Security, Montgomery County offers a deep talent pool with technical expertise, proximity to federal agencies, and highly welcoming and diverse communities, allowing it to continuously attract investment from around the world. (more…)
Summer at Good Counsel is all about curiosity, creativity, and discovery!
Our GC Summer Camps offer hands-on experiences that keep minds active while school is out — especially in our science-focused camps. From exciting experiments and engineering challenges to robotics and STEM exploration, campers get the chance to investigate, build, and innovate in a fun, supportive environment.
Whether your child is a future scientist, engineer, or simply loves to ask “why?”, our science camps spark curiosity and make learning an adventure.
Spots are filling quickly — register today and let the discoveries begin!
Summer fun starts at Good Counsel! Our Summer Camps are packed with exciting activities, sports, creativity, adventure, and unforgettable memories for campers of all ages. From the field to the classroom and everywhere in between, there’s something for everyone at Good Counsel’s Summer Camps!
Spend your summer learning, laughing, and making new friends with the Good Counsel community. Spots are filling fast so be sure to register today!
Register at: www.olgchs.org/camps
Montgomery County, MD is commonly known as being a suburb of the nation’s capital, but what might surprise some is that it is also home to a thriving biotech ecosystem. With over 350 life sciences companies, including global brands like AstraZeneca, United Therapeutics, and Novavax, Montgomery County anchors the third largest biophama hub in the U.S., behind only Boston and San Francisco.
Running annually in Washington D.C. for over 25 years, World Vaccine Congress attracts an international audience from over 80 countries and convenes more than 3,000 people to learn about the latest trends, research, and technologies in the vaccine industry. This year, Montgomery County took center stage, with a featured session on the extensive Biologics Value Chain in the County, as well as a session during which County Executive Marc Elrich spoke about the extensive resources available to companies here, and an exhibit space showcasing these resources.
A Complete Biologics Value Chain in One Region
One of the defining strengths of Montgomery County is its ability to support the full lifecycle of biologics, all the way from early research to large-scale manufacturing. During the panel discussion, moderated by Dr. Stefanie Trop, Director of Life Sciences at the Maryland Department of Commerce, local leaders emphasized that the region’s strength lies in its network of partners who work collaboratively across discovery, development, testing, and production. Panelists from companies in all stages of the value chain spectrum included Dr. Andrew Lees, Founder of Fina Biosolutions, Benjamin Moutier, Senior Vice-President, Vaccines and Immune Therapies at AstraZeneca, Dr. Helen Sabzevari President & CEO of Precigen, and Dr. Frederick Holtsberg, Chief Scientific Officer of Integrated BioTherapeutics.
This end-to-end capability in close geographical proximity gives companies a unique advantage and is rare to find in other markets, even established ones like San Francisco and Boston. In fact, only a handful of places worldwide offer the combination of infrastructure, expertise, and collaboration found in Montgomery County and if diversity, education and population density are taken into consideration – then Montgomery County standouts even more.
“Gaithersburg is one of the six places in the world where we can do what we’re doing,” explained Benjamin Moutier, Senior Vice-President, Vaccines and Immune Therapies, AstraZeneca. “We have the right partners at every step of the value chain [in Montgomery County].”
A Strong Partnership Network
Biotech breakthroughs rarely happen in isolation. They depend on strong partnerships between private companies, local and state governments, academic institutions, and workforce training organizations. Montgomery County has intentionally cultivated these connections, making collaboration and coordination defining characteristics of its life sciences ecosystem.
Dr. Frederick Holtsberg, Chief Scientific Officer at IBT Bioservices, a full service CRO offering clinical & preclinical contract research services, says the company’s close partnerships between them and local stakeholders have been crucial to its success. “As a Rockville-based company, we’re grateful for the partnership and support from city, County, and state leaders,” explained Dr. Holtsberg. “These programs have helped fuel our growth, and we’re excited about the continued momentum of our community.” (more…)
It’s Asian American Pacific Islander Month, and what better way to celebrate the culture than to immerse oneself at the Anne Arundel Asian American Festival outside of Annapolis on May 31st?
Or didn’t get enough Irish last month? Two of the biggest Irish acts returns to the stage with Gaelic Storm and Carbon Leaf. See below for more details and information!
All events are family-friendly, packed with food, live music, interactive experiences, and now even more ways to get active.
To kick things off, you can save 20% on tickets with code MOCOSHOW (valid through May 31 for general admission tickets).
May 29 & 30
Experience the spirit of Ireland right here in Annapolis with two days of live music, great food, and high-energy performances. Headlined by internationally recognized acts like Scythian, Gaelic Storm, and Carbon Leaf, the Annapolis Irish Festival blends traditional Irish culture with modern rock festival vibes.
Haven’t heard of Gaelic Storm? Are you sure? They were the band in James Cameron’s Titanic and went from local stars to national powerhouses. We are lucky to have them right here in Maryland so don’t miss out!
Enjoy Guinness, Irish whiskey tastings, craft beverages, local vendors, and nonstop entertainment in a setting that brings thousands together to celebrate Irish heritage.
Anne Arundel Asian American Festival
May 31
Celebrate culture, community, and cuisine at the Anne Arundel Asian American Festival, a vibrant showcase of food, performances, and traditions from across Asia!
Come hungry and enjoy authentic dishes from a wide range of vendors, cultural performances throughout the day, and interactive experiences for all ages. This family-friendly event highlights the diversity and energy of the Asian American community during AAPI Heritage Month.
Food vendors include:
Namit Filipino, Ekiben, Bun’d Up, E-San Thai, MD Brad Butcher and Central Asian dishes, Thai Pinto, Pho Wheels, and The Sister House! (more…)