The resurgence of COVD-19 and the importance of
vaccinations, booster shots, and continued mask wearing is addressed by
County Executive Marc Elrich in his message this week. He also
expresses his gratitude for the venerable efforts of the County’s MC311
team that serves the County so well, and he is enthused about the
County’s progress in creating a quicker, more reliable, and more
equitable bus system. County Executive Elrich welcomes two new leaders
to the County and discusses his innovative Budget Forums and
#KeepingMoneyInMontgomery.
County Holiday
Schedule for the Christmas Holidays, Friday, Dec. 24, and Saturday,
Dec. 25
The Montgomery County Government will observe special
schedule changes, with many programs not being held and most
facilities, including senior centers, closed for the Christmas holiday
weekend on Friday, Dec. 24, and Saturday, Dec. 25.
‘Super Saturday
Boosterama’ to Be Held Saturday, Dec. 18, in Wheaton as County
Encourages Residents to Get COVID-19 Booster Shots
Montgomery County, in partnership with Por Nuestra Salud y
Bienestar and Westfield Wheaton, will be hosting a “Super Saturday
Boosterama” from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 18, to provide
free COVID-19 booster vaccines for residents. First doses for adults
also will be available. There will be no pediatric shots available. No
appointment is needed.
County to
Provide At-Home Rapid Test Kits to Targeted Groups Through Partnerships
with Community Organizations
Montgomery County will be providing rapid, at-home
COVID-19 test kits received from the Maryland Department of Health to
increase testing access for specific groups in the County. Montgomery
health officials will be working with community organizations to
distribute the test kits.
County Introduces
Dedicated Bus Lanes at the Germantown Transit Center
Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich, County
Councilmember Craig Rice and the County Department of
Transportation (MCDOT) this week introduced new dedicated bus lanes at
the Germantown Transit Center. The lanes, which
have been painted red and are located on Crystal Rock
Drive, Century Boulevard, and Aircraft Drive, allow buses to
easily access the transit center.
COVID-19
Information Portal Has Statistics on the Virus Including Infections and
Vaccinations Given by Zip Codes
Montgomery County’s COVID-19 Information Portal provides a
variety of breakdowns on how the virus has impacted the County. The
statistics are updated to reflect the most recent reports from the
State of Maryland during the health crisis. Among the information available
is how many positive cases have been reported in each zip code in the
County.
MC311, the
County’s Customer Service Center, Surpasses One Million Calls Handled
Since the Start of the COVID-19 Health Crisis
MC311, Montgomery County’s customer service center for all
nonemergency County information and services, has surpassed one million
calls since the COVID-19 health crisis began in March 2020. County
Executive Marc Elrich noted the milestone was reached just before the
two-year anniversary of the first COVID-19 case was identified in China
in 2019.
Latest ‘What’s
Happening MoCo’ Podcast Episode Features a Conversation with Montgomery
County Councilmember Nancy Navarro
In a conversation that includes managing adversity while
serving as an elected official, on the newest edition of the “What’s
Happening MoCo” podcast, Montgomery County Councilmember Nancy
Navarro describes details of her political journey from her tenure on
the Montgomery County Board of Education through her time serving
three terms on the County Council.
Silver Spring
Arts and Entertainment District Will Be Filled with Holiday
Happenings
The Silver Spring Arts and Entertainment District has a
season full of holiday events to enjoy this winter. Upcoming events in
Silver Spring include activities from the more than 100 arts and
humanities organizations, popular arts venues, attractions and entertainment
businesses in the Arts and Entertainment District.
Wheaton Has Many
Winter Holiday Events for the Whole Family
Wheaton’s Arts & Entertainment District and its
surrounding region has a wide variety of holiday celebrations and
events throughout the winter season. There will be activities for the
whole family—including the family pets.
New Parking Rates
Will Go into Effect on Monday, Jan. 3
New parking rates at Montgomery County-operated garages,
parking lots and street meters will go into effect beginning on
Monday, Jan. 3, and will be implemented in stages over the following
months. The Montgomery County Council adopted the parking rates as part
of the Fiscal Year 2022 budget process.
Metro to Reopen
Shady Grove and Rockville Metrorail Stations on Jan. 16
The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA,
or Metro) announced this week that it will reopen the Shady Grove and
Rockville stations on Jan. 16. The stations have been closed for a
four-month period for the Rockville Canopy Replacement Project.
MCDOT Seeking
Entries for ‘FlashLIGHTS Photo Contest’ Through Jan. 1
Photos of the holiday-decorated Montgomery County Flash
bus that operates in the Columbia Pike (US 29) area could win
photographers $25 gift cards or other prizes when the photos are posted
on social media. The Montgomery County Department of Transportation is
looking for photos of the innovative service for its “FlashLIGHTS Photo
Contest.”
Free Online
Workshops Available for Job Seekers and Entrepreneurs in December
Montgomery County Public Libraries is offering online
workshops and one-on-one sessions geared toward assisting job seekers
and entrepreneurs throughout December. All workshops are free and
offered virtually.