Recreation Summer Program Registration Begins Monday, May 13

Registration for Montgomery County Recreation summer programs for toddlers, youth, teens, adults and older adults will begin at 6:30 a.m. on Monday, May 13, for most programs and activities. Registration for Bone Builders, Day Trippers and Senior Outdoor Adventures in Recreation (SOAR) will begin at 9 a.m.

Non-County residents will be able to register for Recreation’s programs starting at 6:30 a.m. on Wednesday, May 15.

Recreation offers hundreds of programs and activities that help promote an active and healthier lifestyle. Offerings include aquatics, fitness, sports, arts, therapeutic recreation, 55+ programming and more. A digital guide is now available online.

“We are committed to serving County residents and youths with summer programming,” said Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich. “It is important when school is off for the summer, that our families have options for activities to continue learning and to be able to gain skills that will last a lifetime. I encourage all residents to consider Montgomery County Recreation's summer programs. The most popular programs go fast, so please register as soon as you can.”

A new refund policy will take effect with summer program registration on Monday, May 13. Refund requests for classes, camps, leagues, trips and tours must be submitted 14 days prior to the start of an activity to receive a full refund. Refund requests submitted after the start of an activity or posted league schedule will not be issued a refund. View the full refund policy online.

Applications for the department’s financial aid program, are currently being accepted. County residents who meet program requirements can receive $400 per family member to supplement program costs.

While online registration is encouraged, registration will also be accepted by mail, drop-off or in person. On May 13, in-person registration will be available at 6:30 a.m. at the County’s aquatic centers and at the administrative offices in Wheaton. Registration will also be available, in-person, at all other Recreation facilities during regular business hours.

For more information about registration, visit the website or call the customer service team at 240-777-6840.

County Police Holding a Special Event Through Saturday, May 11, to Assist Owners of Theft-Prone Hyundais

The Montgomery County Police Department (MCPD) has worked with car-manufacturer Hyundai to provide free software upgrades designed to enhance the security of Hyundai vehicles. Certain Hyundai models have been featured on social media showing how they can be prone to potential theft. A three-day program being held at the Montgomery County Public Safety Headquarters in Gaithersburg is providing theft assistance to Hyundai owners.

The event will run from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. on Saturday, May 11, and no appointment is needed. Public Safety Headquarters is located at 100 Edison Park Drive in Gaithersburg, 

The event is open to vehicle owners and people who lease affected Hyundai models.

“This initiative reflects our commitment to enhancing community safety,” said County Executive Marc Elrich.

There has been a nationwide surge in the theft of Hyundai vehicles, and that has affected owners in the Washington area. Thieves are targeting certain Hyundai vehicles made between 2011 and 2021 that do not have push-button ignitions. Nearly four million cars nationwide need this update.

Hyundai representatives will also be present on Saturday, May 11. The software upgrade event aims to equip eligible Hyundai vehicles with anti-theft software designed to protect against the theft mode popularized on social media. The upgrade will be free. All Hyundai owners will receive a complimentary steering wheel lock.

More information about the event is available here. Additional information on the Hyundai software upgrade program is available at hyundaiantitheft.com.

Virtual Community Meeting Providing Purple Line Updates Will Be Held for Bethesda-Chevy Chase Community on Tuesday, May 14

The Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Transit Administration will is holding virtual Purple Line Community Advisory Team (CAT) meetings that will be targeted for specific neighborhoods and will include member-driven teams of representatives appointed by neighborhoods, community residents, civic and business associations and local governments. The next meeting is scheduled for the Bethesda-Chevy Chase community on Tuesday, May 14.

The Maryland Transit Administration is one of the largest multi-modal transit systems in the United States. The Purple Line will be a 16-mile, 21-station light rail line that will extend from New Carrollton in Prince George’s County to Bethesda in Montgomery County. It will directly connect to the Metro’s Red, Green and Orange lines at Bethesda, Silver Spring, College Park and New Carrollton. The Purple Line also will connect to MARC, Amtrak and local bus services.

“Progress of the Purple Line has reached an exciting period, and our team looks forward to sharing this progress with the public,” said Purple Line Senior Project Director Ray Biggs II. “Our spring CAT meetings will show future Purple Line stations taking shape, miles of installed track and completed neighborhood improvements such as the Talbot Avenue Bridge.”

The Purple Line project team will include representatives from the concessionaire, Purple Line Transit Partners, and Maryland Transit Solutions, the design-builder. They will provide area-specific updates in addition to overall project information. Each meeting will incorporate dedicated time for CAT members and residents to ask questions.

The virtual meetings will be held via Microsoft Teams, offering captioning services in multiple languages. Instructions on how to enable live captioning are posted on the project website, purplelinemd.com. Questions on the CAT meetings can be directed to the outreach team at outreach@purplelinemd.com.

All meetings will take place from 6-7:30 p.m. The schedule for specific neighborhoods is as follows:

• Tuesday, May 14. Bethesda-Chevy Chase
• Thursday, May 16. College Park
• Tuesday, May 21. Greater Lyttonsville-Woodside
• Thursday, May 23. Long Branch

To learn more, visit purplelinemd.com.

Rising Middle School Students Can Now Register for ‘Montgomery Can Code’ Summer Camp to Learn ‘Swift’ Coding from Experts

“Swift” is an easy-to-understand programming language used by professional developers to create world class apps. Montgomery County Public School middle school students can now register to enjoy a free, fun week of summer camp to learn Swift from coding experts.

Campers will learn to code with Swift Playgrounds, which is a free app for iPad that makes getting started with Swift code interactive and fun.

More information about the camp and how to register is available at https://www.montgomerycancode.com/

The camp will be hosted in July with the option to select one week to participate. Each week offers the same programming activities, for students to learn Swift code on an iPad, select a coding challenge from local nonprofit and design a prototype app. Campers also participate in a career day and a showcase experience to pitch their apps.

The full day, in-person camp will have Week 1 (Monday-Friday July 15-19) and Week 2 (Monday-Friday July 22-26) at Montgomery College. There also will be a virtual camp Week 3 (Monday-Friday July 29-Aug. 2). The camp is free to Montgomery County Public School middle school students.

Swift is a code that is interactive, intuitive and easy to read and write. The summer experience will include Career Pathway Days where students have opportunities to interact with leading local IT companies to talk about future careers. The program will conclude with a fun certificate of completion and other surprises to ensure a memorable, valuable summer experiences.

More information about the camp can also be obtained by emailing montgomerycancode@mcpsmd.org.

Montgomery Can Code is also seeking CEOs in the technology industry to be guest speakers for one day a week during their summer camp program. If interested, send an email to nicole@thinkmoco.com..

 

Reservations for Booking Space in County Buildings from July 1-Dec. 31 Open on Wednesday, May 15

Groups seeking to book space in Montgomery County public buildings from July 1 through Dec. 31 can start making those reservations on Wednesday, May 15. The often-competitive process starts at 6:30 a.m. that day.

The Community Use of Public Facilities (CUPF) website will begin at that time taking reservations for regional centers, the Executive Office Building, the Council Office Building, police stations, the Clarksburg Cottage and other County Government buildings.

More information about the booking process is available here. The website also has information on how to book use for schools and athletic facilities.

CUPF can be contacted at 240-777-2725 or at cupf@montgomerycountymd.gov.

Washington Region’s Annual ‘Bike to Work Day’ Will Ride on Friday, May 17

The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) will sponsor eight pit stops throughout the County as part of the Washington Region’s participation in “National Bike to Work Day” on Friday, May 17.

MCDOT will sponsor eight pit stops this year, including a new stop in Germantown at the BlackRock Center for the Arts.

The free pit stop events offer refreshments, music and local vendor displays at varying times throughout the morning of May 17. There will be free raffle prizes and a grand prize raffle of at least one new bike at each of the MCDOT-sponsored pit stops. Residents biking to work, as well as leisure riders, are encouraged to participate.

Registration to participate is now open. The first 15,000 bicyclists to register and participate will get a free t-shirt and will be automatically entered into a raffle for a chance to win a new bike. Registration is encouraged but not mandatory.

Bike to Work Day is held annually across the nation on the third Friday of May to celebrate bicycling as a fun, healthy and climate-friendly way to get to work.

In addition to the eight pit stops sponsored by MCDOT, there will be an additional eight Bike to Work Day pit stops at additional locations in the County operated by other organizations.

“Biking to work or to run errands is a healthy form of transportation that also helps to get cars off the road and reduce air pollution,” said County Executive Marc Elrich. “To encourage more residents to use bicycles and to help them ride safely, we continue to invest in more bike paths and dedicated bike lanes throughout the County. Currently, cyclists can extend their commuting options with a way to transport their bikes on all Ride On buses, Metrobus, Metrorail and MARC trains. You can give it a try on Bike to Work Day and learn more about biking as an alternate mode of transportation.”

The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments coordinates Commuter Connections, a network of transportation organizations in which MCDOT participates. Commuter Connections and the Washington Area Bicyclist Association (WABA) are the co-organizers of Washington Region’s Bike to Work Day event.

Participants should visit the Find Your Pit Stop Map to check pitstop locations and times and plan a route in advance.

MCDOT-sponsored pit stops will be at the following locations:

• Downtown Bethesda at Woodmont and Bethesda Avenues, Bethesda. 6:30-8:30m.
• Friendship Heights at the Shops at Wisconsin and Western Avenues, Chevy Chase. 6:30-9 a.m.
• Germantown, BlackRock Center for the Arts, 12901 Town Commons Dr., Germantown, 7:30-9:30 a.m.
• North Bethesda at Pike and Rose, west of 935 Prose Street (next to Bark Social), North Bethesda. 6:30-8:30 a.m.
• Rockville, Fallsgrove at Thomas Farm Community Center, 700 Falls Grove Drive, 6:30-9 a.m.
• Rockville Town Square at Dawson’s Market, 225 N. Washington St., 6:30-9 a.m.
• Silver Spring Downtown at Veterans Plaza, Ellsworth Drive and Fenton Street, Silver Spring. 6:30-9 a.m.
• Downtown Wheaton at Marian Fryer Town Plaza (next to the Wheaton Metro), Wheaton. 7-9 a.m.

Other pitstops within Montgomery County will include:

• Gaithersburg-Kentlands, Main Street Pavillion, 301 Main St., Gaithersburg. 7-9 a.m.
• Gaithersburg Olde Towne Plaza (afternoon), 1 S. Summit Ave., Gaithersburg. 4-6 p.m.
• National Institutes of Health, Building 1, 1 Center Dr., Bethesda.7-9:30 a.m.
• Rockville at Twinbrook, 5625 Fishers Lane, Rockville. 7-9 a.m.
• Takoma Park – Downtown/Old Takoma, 7216 Carroll Ave., Takoma Park. 6:30-9 a.m.
• Takoma Park – Langley Crossroads, 7676 New Hampshire Ave., Takoma Park. 6:30-9 a.m.
• Takoma Park – Sligo Creek Trail, at New Hampshire Ave., Takoma Park. 7-9:30 a.m.

“This is a fun event to recognize the health and environmental benefits of biking,” said MCDOT Director Chris Conklin. “It is a great way to get exercise and meet your neighbors. The events are open to everyone, of all ages and ability, and we’re pleased to be able to add a new pit stop in Germantown this year.”

Additional pit stops will be located throughout the Washington region. For more information and a full list of regional pitstops, or to register, visit biketoworkmetrodc.org.  

All riders are encouraged to wear a helmet. 

For more information on MCDOT programs and services visit montgomerycountymd.gov/mcdot, follow @MCDOTNow on X, Facebook and Instagram and subscribe to MCDOT’s “Go Montgomery!” newsletter. 

Free ‘Community Safety Day’ Event Promoting Pedestrian Safety Will be Held in Rockville on Saturday, May 11

The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) will host a free family-friendly, student-led “Community Safety Day” event from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. on Saturday, May 11, at the Carver Educational Services Center (CESC) in Rockville. The fair will highlight driver, bike and pedestrian safety with interactive and educational experiences including safety demonstrations, workshops, games and hands-on activities for all ages.

The Carver Educational Services Center is located at 850 Hungerford Drive in Rockville. The event will be in the parking lot.

“Ask any parent or teacher, and it is no great secret that young people will listen to and pay attention to each other more than to adults,” said Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich. “We have found that peer-to-peer messaging, such as our Vision Zero public safety communications efforts through our Youth Ambassador program, is more effective in convincing our youth to make smart and potentially life-saving decisions. It’s encouraging to see our young people get involved and want to spread awareness about an important topic like traffic safety. These efforts are part of our commitment to making Montgomery County safer for pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorists.”

Safety Day was organized by members of the County’s Vision Zero Youth Ambassador program. Students in the program completed a group project that encompasses engineering and education topics to address local traffic safety needs. The program’s goal is to equip young adults to be the next generation of traffic safety leaders.

County high school students apply annually and are competitively selected to be youth ambassadors for a four-month program. Ambassadors who complete the program gain extensive knowledge about the County’s Vision Zero initiative, meet County leaders and earn up to 35 Student Service-Learning Hours (SSL). Vision Zero Youth Ambassadors planned and will be working the event, sharing valuable tips and tricks through activities.

“Keeping our residents safe is our highest priority,’” said MCDOT Director Chris Conklin. “This event is a great opportunity to highlight the importance of safely walking, biking and driving, as we work together to achieve our Vision Zero goals.”

The event is for all ages, from seasoned cyclists to school-aged children and will feature unique and fun activities for the whole family, including:

• Traffic Garden: Young children can enjoy the interactive traffic garden, a safe zone to try biking through miniature streets and learn how to navigate crosswalks and other traffic-related situations safely.
• Raffles: Hourly raffle drawings and giveaways featuring essential safety gear that will help keep everyone protected on the roads and sidewalks.
• Interactive Activities: Attendees can visit interactive demonstrations and games, including a bike helmet melon drop and safety trivia, as a fun way to learn about safety.

Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) and Montgomery County Recreation are co-sponsoring the event along with MCDOT.

“Thousands of Montgomery County Public Schools students and staff get to and from school each day by walking, riding a bicycle, or driving,” said MCPS Interim Superintendent of Schools Monique Felder. “This event provides an important opportunity to spread awareness about safety and ensure that our families have the knowledge and resources they need to practice safe behaviors on sidewalks and on the roads.”

‘Roller Disco’ Evening at Ridge Road Park in Germantown on Friday, May 17, Will Be Free Family Friendly Event with Inline Skating to 1980 Movie ‘Xanadu’

Montgomery Parks is hosting a “Roller Disco” evening from 6-8 p.m. on Friday, May 17, at the inline skating rink at Ridge Road Recreational Park in Germantown. The free event, open to all ages, will feature 1970s and 1980s themed music, including music to the 1980 movie Xanadu.

The Ridge Road Recreational Park is located at 21155 Frederick Road in Germantown. It has a fully accessible inline skating rink. Only roller skates and in-line skates are permitted inside the rink. Skateboards, longboards and bikes are not permitted.

The event will feature a live DJ and sweet treats for purchase from Sno Blast DMV. Attendees must bring their own skates. Seating is available, but guests are encouraged to bring their own chairs and blankets to picnic on the grass.

Animal Services and Adoption Center in Derwood Remains Closed Due to Canine Influenza Virus

The Montgomery County Animal Services and Adoption Center’s (MCASAC) in Derwood remains closed due to a case of Canine Influenza Virus (CIV). Canine influenza is a respiratory disease of dogs caused by a specific strain of type A influenza virus. The adoption center will be closed until further notice.

Dogs in the center have been placed under isolation and will not be moving out of the building. Adoptions of other animals are also paused at this time.

Despite vaccinating for CIV and adhering to strict cleaning protocols, a dog in the care of MCASAC tested positive for CIV and 22 additional dogs are showing CIV symptoms.

The canine influenza virus mainly spreads from infected dogs to other dogs (or cats) through respiratory droplets (coughing, sneezing, barking or nuzzling) and through contaminated surfaces and clothing. It is not transmissible to people. However, people can spread the virus to other dogs via their clothing, equipment or hands.

The symptoms of canine influenza are cough, runny nose, eye discharge, fever, lethargy and poor appetite. The signs range in severity between no signs at all and severe illness resulting in death.

“Canine influenza is a highly contagious virus that spreads rapidly through a shelter's dog population,” said MCASAC Chief Veterinarian Gregory Lawrence. “We will continue to do everything we can to prevent further spread of the virus and treat those dogs that are infected.”.

If your dog is showing any symptoms of CIV, contact your veterinarian immediately for assessment and early supportive treatment. Keep your dog separated from others for at least 28 days. Avoid trips to dog parks, doggy daycare, grooming and boarding facilities.

Most dogs recover within two-to-three weeks, but some will develop secondary bacterial infections that can lead to more severe illness.

MCASAC is now accepting essential intakes only. Essential intakes include:

• Sick and injured animals.
• Dogs that pose a threat to public safety.

Residents who find a lost pet are asked not to bring the animal to the shelter for the safety of those animals. Tips on locating the owner of lost pets can be found on the center’s Found a Pet (montgomerycountymd.gov) page. MCASAC will provide finders of lost pets who are willing to foster, with the necessary supplies to care for the animal until the owner can be located or other placement options are determined.

The canine influenza vaccine is not required and is not considered a core vaccine for all dogs. However, with cases occurring in the DMV area, speak with your veterinarian about having your dog vaccinated. If you visit dog parks, doggy daycare or board your dog when traveling, your dog is more at risk for canine influenza. The vaccine may not stop your dog from contracting the virus completely, although it will lessen the severity and help reduce the spread.

Additional precautions to take to keep your dog safe:

• Limit direct contact with other dogs when on walks. Do not allow them to sniff one another.
• Avoid using shared toys or dishes.
• Consider skipping daycare, boarding, grooming facilities and dog parks.
• Contact your dog’s daycare or boarding facility and ask about recent cases and cleaning protocols.

For more information, visit Canine influenza | American Veterinary Medical Association (avma.org).

‘Artist Residency’ Available from Arts and Humanities Council, with Applications Due May 22

The Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomery County is making available a one-year “artist residency” in the East County, Mid-County or UpCounty regions of Montgomery. Applications must be received by Wednesday, May 22.

The Request for Qualifications has been published for the Montgomery County Artist Residency. An artist training will take place on Sunday, May 19, at the Mid-County Regional Services Center, which is located at 2425 Reedie Dr. in Wheaton.

The training will be led by consulting artist Kenya Miles. Attending the training is mandatory for all applicants.

More information about the program is available at https://www.creativemoco.com/experience-art-culture/public-art/montgomery-county-artist-residency/.