April 10, 2015

PAST COUNTY NEWS FROM THE FIRST QUARTER OF 2015: 

• Montgomery County Recreation | Summer Camps Registration Now Open!  To learn more click here.
• Montgomery County is on the MOVE with the Expansion of the MOVE PROGRAM to learn more click here.
• Maryland Has A Renters' Tax Credits Program renters have until September 1st 2015 of the year in which the credit is sought to apply.  For more information click here.
•  More Jobs, A Bigger Tax Base, More Transportation Options:  Get the Facts on Montgomery's Independent Transit Authority to learn more click here.
• Special Winter Edition of Go Montgomery! Now Available to learn more click here.
• Montgomery County Launches "Young Montgomery" Television Show- This half-hour Cable Television Show is geared to highlight the accomplishments and activities of the County's youth population.  To learn more click here.
• Three Term Council member Nancy Dacek Dies former colleagues recall their memories of this dedicated public servant in video.  County Executive Leggett's statement on her passing can be found here.
• Update on the Fire Department's Home Safety Initiatives for Seniors-To request a free home safety evaluation and smoke alarm check-up, the Fire Department's "Senior Hotline" is 240-777-2430 or click here.
• Registration for Recreation's Summer Camps and Programs Is Now Open to view camps and programs guide click here.
• Department of Environmental Protection 'Storm Drain Art Contest' to learn more click here.
• Montgomery County Executive Ike Legget hosted the Mid-County Budget Forum at the Mid-County Community Recreation Center.  To learn more click here.
• County Executive Ike Leggett was elected as president of the Maryland Association of Counties.  Click here to read his remarks.
• New Ride On Service Improvements For a complete list of all 25 routes affected please click here.
• New Real Time Bus Stop Sign Being Tested at Veirs Mill and Randolph Road to learn more click here.
• Residents throughout Montgomery County Reminded of Slide in Trash/Recycling Schedules.  Residents with County-provided trash and recycling collection service are reminded that due to the inclement weather in the area their items will be picked up one day later throughout the rest of the week.  For more information visit website and residents with questions about their service should call 311.
• Detectives from the Montgomery County Police Department - Financial Crimes Section
  want to again remind residents of a telephone scam that has been reported throughout the county.   To gain more information please visit website.
• Remember to Clear Sidewalks of Ice & Snow and Check In With Neighbors 
  Montgomery County Executive Leggett reminds residents they are required by law to clear sidewalks in front of, and alongside, their properties within 24 hours of the end of a snowstorm--for more information, please click here.
• Interested in running for the Montgomery County Board of Education?
  Districts 2, 4, and At-Large may file a Certificate of Candidacy with the Montgomery County Board of Elections please contact Brian McKevitt at 240-777-8502.
• Office of Consumer Protection Advises Consumers to Choose Charities 
  & Donate Carefully for more information click here or call 240-777-3636
• BAN THE BOX OUTREACH -  "Ban the Box," or the Fair Criminal Record Screening Standards Law, assists in the successful reintegration into the workforce people with criminal records by removing improper barriers to employment.  Ban the Box FAQ.
• Pepco Prepared for Cold Weather Payment Resources Available to Customers click here.
• Inaugural Remarks by County Executive Isiah Leggett Richard Montgomery High School, Rockville, MD.  Please click here to view the speech and to watch the ceremony please click here.
• Leggett Announces Release of FY16 Community Collaboration Grants Application and New Grants Portal.  For more information please email click here. or visit the Grants Portal.
• NEW COUNTY COUNCIL OFFICERS - George Leventhal was unanimously selected as the new president of the Montgomery County Council on Dec. 2. Nancy Floreen was unanimously selected as vice president. They will serve one-year terms.Watch video of remark by Council President.  View remarks from Council President
• Noyes Library for Young Children in Kensington is excited to announce expanded hours! They are now open Wednesdays from 1-8 p.m. For more information click here.
• Leggett Hails News of County's Triple-A Bond Rating; County Among Best in Nation for Fiscal Responsibility to read newsletter please use this link.
• Leggett, StonebridgeCarras and Bozzuto Announce Agreement for Redevelopment of Downtown Wheaton; to read newsletter pleases use this link.
• FREE TRANSPORTATION TO SENIOR CENTERS, County Seniors Have a Free Ride to Fun, Fellowship, Activity check out the video. 
• DISCOVER WHAT 7 MILLION TOURISTS SEE IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY - Visit Montgomery County promotes new website and county-wide events calendar use this link.
• MONTGOMERY PARKS CANCELS 2014 GARDEN OF LIGHTS SHOW DUE TO RENOVATIONS UNDERWAY AT BROOKSIDE GARDENS use this link.
• VISIT MONTGOMERY LAUNCHES NEW WEBSITE AND NAME CHANGE for more information please visit website.
• BILINGUAL VOTERS NEEDED TO SERVE AT THE POLLS - www.777vote.org, or e-mail Dr. Gilberto Zelaya. 
• Montgomery County Recruiting Voters to Work at the Polls on Election Day for more information, visit www.777vote.org , call 240-777-VOTE.
• MID-COUNTY REGIONAL CENTER announces New Website & Toolkit The Mid-County Regional Center is happy to announce an updated website with information for residents, businesses and organizations in Mid-County.  One new feature of the website is the creation of the new updated Mid -County Community Toolkit.The toolkit is meant to assist residents in working towards starting, improving, and growing civic associations, which are important forums for county residents to address matters within their communities.
• ATTENTION ALL HOME OWNER ASSOCIATIONS - the Mid-County Regional Center is updating its contact information for all Home Owner Associations in Mid-County. Please call at 240-777-8104 to update your HOA's information. 
• Libraries and Schools Partner With Ride On to Sell SmarTrip Cards; Kids Ride Free Expanded use this link for more information.
• MONTGOMERY COUNTY TO HOLD VOTER REGISTRATION DRIVES AT PUBLIC LIBRARIES: Saturday, September 6: Aspen Hill Library, 4407 Aspen Hill Rd, Kensington Park Library, 4201 Knowles Avenue, Kensington MD 
• Montgomery County's Fall Guide for Recreation and Parks Programs Now Available. Use this link.

PAST INFORMATIONAL MEETINGS:

April Meetings 2015

• April 6th CAFE Financial Capability Symposium for more information click here.

March Meetings 2015

•  March 24th Wheaton Redevelopment Community Meeting for more information click here and Para obtener información en español, haga clic aqui. 
• March 5th "Montgomery College Support Services for Immigrants and Adult Students"

February Meetings 2015

• February 20th MONTGOMERY COLLEGE Presented-  The Twenty-Third Anniversary Peace Agreement in El Salvador for more information please email.
• February 24th Maryland & Montgomery County Historic Preservation Tax Credits Workshop.  For more information click here.
• February 24th Residents were invited to participate in a Live On-Line "virtual" Town Hall Meeting with the County Executive Ike Leggett.  For more information, call the Office of Public Information at 240-777-6507.
• February 25th Montgomery County Recreation"Virtual Outreach Blitz"Open House Enrollment Informational Session to learn email contact: Kim Sanders-Brown.
• February 26th MONTGOMERY COLLEGE EVENT:  FAFSA, Maryland Goal Sunday to learn more please call: 240-567-7339.
• February 12th MCPS Parent Academy Talk Co-sponsored by  Parent Encouragement Program (PEP) Free Workshop to learn more click here.
• February 13th Join this Week's "Ask the Expert" Facebook Forum on Teen Dating Violence Prevention to learn more click here.
• February 15th Sign Up Deadline for Affordable Care Act Health Coverage Ends February 15; Extended Hours During Final Week to learn more click here.
• February 18th Montgomery County Energy Summit to learn more click here.
• February 11th Open House Enrollment Informational Session This informational session  shared information about the Enrollment Process, Placement Testing and the Financial Aid Process.  For more information contact: Terre Thomas.  
•  February 9th Catholic Charities very excited to offer Beginner's Computer Class in Spanish! For more information please call: 301-942-1790
• February 8th MONTGOMERY COLLEGE EVENTS FAFSA, Maryland Goal Sunday!  TP/SS CAMPUS  for more information please call: 240-567-3935
• February 5th Montgomery College Hosting Three Events for Prospective Students to learn more click here.
• February 3rd Public Hearings for Aspen Hill Minor Master Plan - Council public hearing; 7:30pm to learn more click here.
• February 2nd Public Hearings for Sandy Spring Rural Village Plan-  PHED work session 2:00pm to learn more click here.

January Meetings 2015

• January 31st Health Coverage at Health Connect Now to learn more click here.
• January 31st Kensington Historic Buildings Workshop: Warner Circle / Kensington Cabin / Noyes Library.  The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission is working with Kensington citizens to activate and enhance three of the community's historic buildings.
• January 31, 2015 MARYLAND FREEDOM CONFERENCE DON'T REACT - RESPOND!  To learn more click here.
• January 22th Hispanic Chamber of Congress Montgomery County QuickBooks & Business Seminar! to learn more click here.
• January 24th Montgomery College Citizenship Program, through Catholic Charities Immigration Legal Services-Free Citizenship Workshop.  to learn more click here.
• January 25th Montgomery County Commission for Women 2015 35th Anniversary (Women's Legislative Briefing). For more information please call 240-777-8302
•  January 26th Special Pro-Bono Immigrant Juvenile Status training on: Representation of Unaccompanied Minors. 
• Jan. 27th Faith Community Working Group Upcoming Event: Honoring Religious Diversity in Montgomery County.  For more information click here.
• January 28th Community Action Board, in partnership with the City of Gaithersburg, are hosting Raise Your Voice! For more information click here.
• January 22 - Council public hearing; 7:30pm Spring Rural Village Plan to learn more click here.
•  January 20th 1-4pm Montgomery College Child Grow & Development Class Registration to learn more call 240-777-4959 .
• January 20 - Council public hearing; 7:30pmSandy Spring Rural Village Plan to learn more click here.
• January 21, 2015 10am-2pm-Montgomery College Information Technology Open House to learn more click here.
• January 15th Board Members of Montgomery Sister Cities Annual Meeting.
• January 13th Gilchrist Center's Winter '15 Classes English as a Second Language - ESL (Beginning & Intermediate levels). To learn more click here.
• January 10th Gilchrist Center's Winter '15 Classes Basic Computers I & II. To find out more click here.

Past Mid-County Information October 2014

OUR COUNTY NEWS: 

• RECRUITING VOTERS TO SERVE AT THE POLLS - Have you ever considered serving your community by working at the polls on Election Day? Montgomery County's Board of Elections is seeking registered voters to manage polling places and provide customer service as an Election Judge on Tuesday, November 4.  To apply online, or for more information, visit www.777vote.org and select the Election Judges' link. For other election information, call 240-777-VOTE.
• BILINGUAL VOTERS NEEDED TO SERVE AT THE POLLS - The Montgomery County Board of Elections is seeking bilingual voters to work at early voting centers and at polling places on Election Day.  If you are interested in taking this leadership position in your community, please contact the Montgomery County Board of Elections at 240-777-8532, download an election judge questionnaire from our website at www.777vote.org, or e-mail Dr. Gilberto Zelaya.  
• MID-COUNTY REGIONAL CENTER announces New Website & Toolkit The Mid-County Regional Center is happy to announce an updated website with information for residents, businesses and organizations in Mid-County.  One new feature of the website is the creation of the new updated Mid -County Community Toolkit.The toolkit is meant to assist residents in working towards starting, improving, and growing civic associations, which are important forums for county residents to address matters within their communities.
• ATTENTION ALL HOME OWNER ASSOCIATIONS - the Mid-County Regional Center is updating its contact information for all Home Owner Associations in Mid-County. Please call at 240-777-8104 or email her here to update your HOA's information. 
• Libraries and Schools Partner With Ride On to Sell SmarTrip Cards; Kids Ride Free Expanded use this link for more information.
• MONTGOMERY COUNTY TO HOLD VOTER REGISTRATION DRIVES AT PUBLIC LIBRARIES: Saturday, September 6: Aspen Hill Library, 4407 Aspen Hill Rd, Kensington Park Library, 4201 Knowles Avenue, Kensington MD 
• Montgomery County's Fall Guide for Recreation and Parks Programs Now Available. Use this link.

PAST INFORMATIONAL MEETINGS:

• Excel Beyond the Bell Symposium: Promoting  Social Emotional Learning through Creative Connections for more information click here.
• Nonprofit Leadership Boot Camp for more information click here.
• Upcoming Fire Department Open Houses it's the perfect time to check your smoke alarms!  October is Fire Prevention Month and fire stations across Montgomery County will be hosting educational, family-oriented events and activities.  October 12th 12:00-4:00pm, Kensington Volunteer Fire Department, Station 5, 10620 Connecticut Ave., Kensington MD. 240-773-4705 
• Upcoming Fire Department Open Houses October 5  1:00 - 4:00 pm Sandy Springs Volunteer Fire Department, 16911 Georgia Ave., Olney MD. 240-773-4740 
• Zoning Code Training on October 7, Planning Department staff will host a training on the new zoning code. A presentation geared towards community members will be followed by a question and answer session.  For more information click here.  
• County to Host Town Hall Meeting Regarding Bullying in Schools for more information please call 240-777-8450.
• National Prescription Drug Take Back Day for more information  Click here 
• Public Invited to Infant Mortality Forum For more information, contact Pat Keating at 301-754-7163 or by email.
• National Voter Registration Day 2014 To check to see if you are registered and for more information click here.
• The Gilchrist Center is pleased to announce its upcoming Job Search Workshop for more information please see flyer.
• Residents Invited to Participate in Live Online Discussion with County Executive Ike Leggett for more information call 240-777-6507.
• Ride On Invites the Public to Comment on its Revised Title VI Policies that Prohibit Discrimination for more information click here
• Public Hearing Aspen Hill Minor Master Plan Amendment for September 11, at 8787 Georgia Ave. Silver Spring, MD 20910.  Click here for more information.
• Public Forum Hosted by Human Trafficking Task Force Postponed.  For more information please call County Executive's office at 240-777-2522   
• Department of Permitting Services Hosts International Green Construction Code (IgCC) Public Work Session Briefing on September 3, 2014.  Click here for more information.
• Public hearing on the Sandy Spring Rural Village Plan on Thursday, Sept. 4, at 8787 Georgia Ave. Silver Spring, MD 20910. Click here for more information.
• Free College Prep Workshop To be Held at Davis Library On August 27 use this link or call Davis Library at 240-777-0922. 
• Montgomery County Sister City Mission to India: Hyderabad,  Raipur,  Delhi,  Amritsar and Mumbai.  Click here for more information.

PAST MID-COUNTY BOARDS & COMMITTEES:

• The Wheaton Urban District Advisory Committee will be holding their next monthly meeting on October 14th at 6:30pm at the Mid-County Regional Center located at 2424 Reedie Drive, 1st floor conference room. 

PAST MEETINGS AND EVENTS IN THE COMMUNITY 

• October 9, - Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration at Holiday Park Senior Center
• October 7, - Montgomery County Hispanic Heritage Event and "Harvest of Empire" Film Screening, Executive Office Building Auditorium, Rockville. 
• American Film Institute Latin American Film Festival-September 18-October 8th, 2014.  For more information click here.
• Noyes Family Hoedown  to support the Noyes Children's Library Foundation.  For more information see website. 
• Trucktoberfest: Food Truck & Craft Beer Festival.  Click here for more information
• Sept. 20th Les Dames d'Escoffier guided gourmet walking tour of the Wheaton Business District
• Join Montgomery Parks Staff and help Sligo Creek on Sunday, September 21st. 
• Public Invited to Participate in  World Car Free Day Monday, September 22 for more information please visit website.
• Wheaton Urban District & RoundPeg partner for Park(ing) Day, 
  

  September 19th, at 3pm - 6pm , Lot 13 
• Maker Faire Coming to Silver Spring -Sunday, September 14 from noon to 5 p.m.  For more information click here
• Montgomery County Friendship Picnic:   When: Sunday, September 14, 2014, Time: 1pm to 5pm, Where: Wheaton Regional Park

THIERE IS ALOT GOING ON IN MID-COUNTY SO I HOPE YOU ARE STAYING CONNECTED

OUR COUNTY NEWS: 

• Wheaton Community Survey on Youth Drinking-for survey please use this link
• County Urges Preparedness for Summer Storm Season use this link
• Holiday Schedule for Independence Day use this link for more information
• Great Fines Read Off Program Returns to Montgomery County Public Libraries- use this link for more information 
• New School Immunization Requirements for 2014-2015 School Year Announced  For more information on immunizations, call the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services' Immunization Program at 240-777-1050 or School Health Services at 240-777-1550.  For specific information, parents may contact their child's school health nurse.  

 INFORMATIONAL MEETINGS:

• Proposal Writing Series July 16 at the Foundation Center or July 24 & 30 at Montgomery College 10:00 am - 1:00 pm each session. Cost of class $90. Click here for more information.

MID-COUNTY BOARDS & COMMITTEES:

• The Wheaton Urban District Advisory Committee will be holding their next monthly meeting on July 8th at 6pm at the Mid-County Regional Center located at 2424 Reedie Drive, 1st floor conference room. 
• The Mid-County Citizens Advisory Board will be holding their next monthly meeting on July 15th at 7pm at the Mid-County Regional Center located at 2424 Reedie Drive, 1st floor conference room.  

GETTING INVOLVED:

The County Executive is looking for individuals to serve on boards and committees throughout the county.  Please click here to see what vacancies are available.

AWARDS & SCHOLARSHIPS:

County's Office of Human Rights Seeks Nominations for Hall of Fame: the Montgomery County Office of Human Rights (OHR) is currently accepting nominations for its Eighth Human Rights Hall of Fame. Nominations should be individuals - either living or deceased - whose ongoing work, service and contributions have positively impacted human and civil rights in the county.  This year's theme is "Advancing New Strategies for Human & Civil Rights."  The deadline for nominations is August 22.  For more information please visit their website.  

Well folks, I’m wrapping up the SNAP the Silence challenge today.  I almost made it to the end of the week keeping true to the challenge but I admit that I broke down last night after a rough day.  I suspect many of us break our budgets, diets, or commitments when dealing with difficult situations.  And that’s ok.  What matters is what we do afterwards, either picking up where we left of or maybe starting over.  For me, it’s important to share how grateful I am for the opportunity to participate in this challenge and to share what I learned along the way.  Here’s my summary:

1. Planning your meals is key when living on a budget: I don’t just mean that Monday night is taco night and Tuesday is spaghetti night.  The budgeting I’m describing includes what I can make with the limited money I have every day or week.  This may result in every night being soup night or rice and beans night as whatever I make has to last several days. 

2. Luxuries are truly luxuries: I never would have thought of a brownie as such but that is what did not make it into my budget.  Though most of us could use the help in weaning ourselves of sweets, it would be a choice.  Families with limited food budgets don’t have those same choices, making me realize the vast privileges I do have. 

3. Healthy options are not always possible:  I did not get to blog about this topic this week but it was one that struck me from the moment that I made my purchases for food on Monday.  I was able to grab some healthy options that made my week not as bad as I originally expected but I certainly was not able to buy fresh vegetables either.  Jenna Umbriac nutrition coordinator for Manna Food drove this home for me at the press conference Monday morning.  She mentioned that they rarely get donations for fresh fruits and vegetables, let alone healthy donations of food.  She then asked us to consider what we like to eat and feed our families with when making donations to a food pantry.     

4. Lastly, education is crucial: I realize that most of us do not always come across people in need of assistance.  We may hear about cases of need from the local paper or nonprofit but may not always get to experience the reality of it firsthand.  I urge you to learn more, ask questions and find out what you can do to make a difference in your own community.  

Thank you for joining me on this challenge as a reader and maybe even a participant.  I hope you too can take the lessons I’ve shared to SNAP the Silence on poverty here in Montgomery County, MD.

The last two days, I've been met with mixed reactions as I explain why I'm doing the SNAP the Silence challenge.  Some are excited to hear that we are trying to raise awareness about the challenges of low-income families in Montgomery County.  Others seem to think that its disingenuous emphasizing that people don't live on $5/day.  They have stressed that the program is a Supplemental program, which is what the S in SNAP represents. So I've decided to do some investigation to demystify the word.

To qualify for the SNAP program, a family of 4 needs to earn $30,000 gross according to the federal standards.  In return, they will receive $668/month to buy food for their family-which is approximately $20/day for the family or $5/day per person.  They may be able to utilize the rest of their income to buy food, but remember they still have to pay for housing, utilities, transportation, clothing, medical expenses, child care, toilet paper, etc.    

So I suspect the word Supplemental means it’s not supplementing their food budget but rather, their income to ensure that they can eat. 

We have a lot to learn about how our low-income families are living around us. Each day that I participate in this challenge, I’m forced to do more than just eat off $5/day.  I'm learning to research and explore what it really means to live with minimal means, leaving me face to face with numbers and stories that are uncomfortable to ignore.  And by doing so, I'm no longer the same.

At the press conference yesterday to kick-off the SNAP the Silence Challenge, Montgomery County Media caught this picture of me shopping for food. I certainly was feeling a bit overwhelmed at buying food as I had not really planned out my meals for the week.  Had I done so, I believe I would have been much more successful at ensuring I had balanced meals all 5 days of the SNAP challenge.  

Luckily for me, I have an advantage in this challenge-I'm Puerto Rican. Traditionally, we eat a lot of rice and beans as the base of our meals.  Hence, this challenge has brought me back to my roots and enjoying some of my favorite foods.  For example, last night I took most of my roaster chicken and made a big pot of Puerto Rican chicken soup with rice, frozen butternut squash and spinach.  I think I made enough to last me the week and I still have not even touched my beans. So I think I should fare well the rest of the week assuming I don't grow too tired of leftovers.

That said, there is one thing I overlooked while shopping-my sweettooth. I did buy some clementines and raisins for my oatmeal in the morning, but of course today I got a serious craving for a brownie.  In that moment, nothing else could satisfy me.  I got frustrated at myself for not planning better because had I done so, I may have been able to fit in some luxuries in my $25 food budget for the week.

  

But maybe this is the point of this challenge.  There are no luxuries.  You have enough to sustain yourself without the extras that many of us take for granted. And we should all be grateful for what we can have.

SNAP the Silence

Councilmember Ervin has organized what is called the SNAP the Silence challenge. Starting today, anyone interested can try to experience life on public nutrition assistance by eating $5 per day for five days.  I along with many others, have decided to take the challenge not to bring attention to myself but rather, to raise awareness of the struggle many low-income families face right here in our community.  

According to the most recent Census, 12.4% of Wheatonites are living below the federal level of poverty.  The Census also states that the median household income for Wheaton is $74,000.  That might seem like a lot of money but the 2012 Self-Sufficiency Standard for Montgomery County states that a family of 4 needs a minimum of $70,000 to pay all of their bills--which turns out to be approximately $16.75/hour/adult.  So you can see where many families earning between $24,000 (the federal measure of poverty) and $70,000 might actually need help in getting all of their basic needs met.  

This really hit home for me as I purchased my food this morning for the week.  I bought some oatmeal for breakfast, a chicken roaster along with some milk, clementines and frozen vegetables.  I had to leave out bread from my purchase to meet the $25 spending limit.  I don't have time to cook food tonight so I plan to eat a can of tuna with some clementines as I wait for my evening meetings.  

Do you want to join the challenge?  You still have time.  My hope is that if you do, you too can begin understanding what your neighbor, colleague or closest friend might be experiencing.  And if you do, maybe together we can try to find solutions to this problem.

Follow me on twitter at @anavanbalen as I talk through what I learn in this challenge.