County Executive Marc Elrich says that the County
throughout March will mark two years of addressing the COVID-19 health
crisis by recognizing the individuals and organizations that helped the
County get through the pandemic. As the County moves to no longer
having a mandatory indoor mask mandate in most public places and
remains in a period of “substantial transmission,” he emphasizes that
voluntarily wearing a mask and getting vaccines remain the best ways to
combat the virus. He discusses how the County is preparing for
potential protesters in organized truck convoys. And as Black History
Month comes to a close, he discloses that the County will rename the
Silver Spring Library for a County hero.
Montgomery County has terminated its mandate
requiring masks or face coverings indoors in locations accessible
to the public. However, County Executive Marc Elrich still advises that
voluntarily wearing a mask indoors remains one of the best defenses
against the COVID-19 virus.
Metro’s Oldest
SmartTrip Cards Will Not Be Accepted at Faregates Starting Tuesday,
March 1
Public transit riders who use Metro should know that the
oldest Metro SmarTrip cards will no longer be accepted at faregates and
fareboxes as of Tuesday, March 1. Those currently riding Metro or who
plan to soon will need to replace their cards to travel on Metrorail or
Metrobus after the deadline.
County to
Recognize Two Years of COVID-19 Response Efforts Throughout the Month
of March
During the month of March, as Montgomery County marks two
years of fighting the COVID-19 health crisis, the County will highlight
the sacrifices, dedication and efforts of individuals and partners in
the community as we continue to move forward.
Public Libraries
to Expand Hours with Branches Open on Sundays Starting Feb. 27
Montgomery County Public Libraries will expand hours of
branch service to include Sundays effective Feb. 27. The hours of
operation had been reduced during the COVID-19 health crisis.
Recreation to
Host Summer Camp Fairs on Saturday, Feb. 26, and Sunday, March 13
Montgomery County Recreation will host two free summer
camp fairs to help families plan for their children’s summer
activities. The Nancy H. Dacek North Potomac Community Recreation
Center located at 13850 Travilah Road in Rockville will host a
fair from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Feb. 26.
Requests for
Field Permits for Spring and Summer Open Online starting Tuesday, March
1
Online requests for permits to reserve County athletic
facilities for spring and summer can be made through the website of the
County’s Community Use of Public Facilities (CUPF) starting Tuesday,
March 1. The facilities will be available from March 15 through Aug. 15
for this permitting cycle.
Free Black
History Month Programs to be Offered Virtually Throughout February
Montgomery County Public Libraries will host free programs
in observance of Black History Month throughout February. All
programs will be offered virtually.
Early Bird
Registration Now Open for 2022 Montgomery County Energy Summit on
Tuesday, April 5, and Wednesday, April 6, in Silver Spring
Early Bird Registration is now open for the ninth annual
Montgomery County Energy Summit, which will take place in-person (and
virtually) on Tuesday, April 5, at the Silver Spring Civic Building and
fully virtual on Wednesday, April 6. The Energy Summit will be hosted
by the County Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) in partnership
with the US Green Building Council National Capital Region (USGBC NCR).
The event will offer cutting-edge education that focuses on the latest
trends in green building, energy efficiency, renewable energy and
related commercial, multifamily and residential topics in Montgomery
County.
Montgomery Parks
to Host ‘Acoustics and Ales’ Winter Happy Hour Series Featuring
Evenings of Live Music, Locally Crafted Beer and Food
Montgomery Parks will turn several of its parks into
evenings of music, beer and food that will be suitable for all family
members (excluding the beer part). There is no charge for admission for
the “Acoustics and Ales” winter happy hour events, which will include
an event in Arora Hills Local Park on Friday, Feb. 25, but there are
charges for beer, food and non-alcoholic beverages.
‘A Double Take
on Lynching: Two Compelling Voices’ to be Presented Virtually on
Thursday, March 3
“A Double Take on Lynching: Two Compelling Voices,” a free
illustrated lecture and poetry program detailing the history of lynchings—including
three in Montgomery County—will be presented virtually from 7-8:30 p.m.
on Thursday, March 3. Historian Susan Strasser and poet Marcia Cole
will be featured in the program on the Jim Crow system of segregated
facilities and state-sanctioned repression that was held in place by
terror, including thousands of lynchings.
Pulitzer Prize
Winner, Science Writer and Journalist Elizabeth Kolbert to be Featured
Speaker for Free ‘Contemporary Conversations Series’ on Saturday, March
5
Elizabeth Kolbert, staff writer for The New Yorker and
author of the Pulitzer Prize-winning The
Sixth Extinction, An Unnatural History, will be the
featured speaker for the free “Contemporary Conversations Series” of
Montgomery County Public Libraries at 7 p.m. on Saturday, March 5. Ms.
Kolbert will participate in a virtual conversation on climate change
and how habits and decisions can make an impact.
‘Big, Bold and
Beautiful’ Exhibit Now on Display at Activity Center at Bohrer Park in
Gaithersburg
“Big, Bold and Beautiful IV,” a free exhibit featuring
large two-dimensional works of art, is now on display at the Activity
Center at Bohrer Park in Gaithersburg. The exhibit will be viewable
through April 10.
Senior Planet
Montgomery Free Online Classes for Seniors Feb. 28-March 4 will include
‘P2P Payment Services’ and ‘Online Shopping’
Senior Planet Montgomery, a technology training program
designed for County learners 50 and older, is offering free online
classes that focus on how to thrive at home. Classes, which are offered
live via video conference, enhance a wide variety of life skills.
Classes for Seniors Feb. 28– March 4 will include “P2P Payment
Services” and “Online Shopping.”