15th Annual Gaithersburg Book Festival on Saturday, May 18, Will Feature Fantastic Lineup of Authors and Workshops for Emerging Writers

The 15th annual Gaithersburg Book Festival from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on Saturday, May 18, at Bohrer Park in Gaithersburg will once again feature an overwhelming lineup of authors talking about their most recent books and their lifetime adventures. The free festival, which has grown into one of the most prominent literary festivals on the East Coast, also will have workshops for emerging writing seeking to improve their skills or hoping to learn more about business of getting works published.

The book festival also will be the right place to interest young readers in the adventures contained in books. There will be a Children’s Village as part of the event.

Among the featured authors will be Fran Abrams (latest book “Arranging Words”), Sarah Adler (“Happy Medium”), E.A. Aymar (“When She Left”), Tracey Baptiste (“African Icons: Ten People Who Shaped History”), Derrick Barnes (“Who Got Game? Basketball: Amazing But True Stories”); Phil Bildner (“Glenn Burke, Game Changer: The Man Who Invented the High Five”), Fred Bowen (“Extra Innings”); Susan Coll (“Real Life and Other Fictions” ), John Eisenberg (“Rocket Men: The Black Quarterbacks Who Revolutionized Pro Football”), Beth Ferry (“Solar Bear”), Lisa Graff (“Rewind”), Harold Holzer (“Brought Forth on This Continent: Abraham Lincoln and American Immigration”), Antonia Hylton (“Madness: Race and Insanity in a Jim Crow Asylum”), Brigid Kemmerer (“Destroy the Day”), Carlos Lozada (““The Washington Book: How to Read Politics and Politicians”), Liza Mundy (“The Sisterhood: The Secret History of Women at the CIA”), Susan Page (“The Rulebreaker: The Life and Times of Barbara Walters”), Jayne Anne Phillips (2024 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction winner for her novel, “Night Watch”), Joe Posnanski (“Why We Love Baseball”), James Ransome (“Fighting with Love: The Legacy of John Lewis”), Sara Shepard (“Nowhere Like Home), Carole Boston Weatherford (“Kin: Rooted in Hope”) and Kate White (“The Last Time She Saw Him”).

The festival will have a strong lineup of poets.

Bohrer Park is located at 506 S. Frederick Ave. in Gaithersburg, adjacent to Gaithersburg High School. Although parking is free, there will be very limited parking at the high school.

The most efficient free parking will be at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds, located at 501 Perry Parkway. There will be free shuttles running continuously from 9:15 a.m.-6:30 p.m. from the fairgrounds to the event. The shuttle also will operate from the Shady Grove Metro Station. It will pick up on the Route 355 side of the station (not on the side with parking garages).

There are two Gaithersburg-owned parking options within about a short quarter-mile walk of Bohrer Park. The garages are the Gaithersburg Parking Garage – Olde Towne (112 Olde Towne Ave.) and at Gaithersburg City Hall (31 S. Summit Ave.).

The master schedule for the festival can be found at https://www.gaithersburgbookfestival.org/master-schedule/.

The list of authors presenting can be found here.

The schedule of writing workshops for adults and teens can be found here. The children’s workshops can be viewed here. All workshops are free to attend and do not require advance registration.

Politics and Prose booksellers will have a pop-up store inside the Activity Center where attendees can buy the latest books from the featured authors and poets. All of the featured authors will do a signing that begins 10 minutes after their program concludes. The signings will be inside the Activity Center, in the gym area.

The festival is a “rain or shine” event. Most, but not all, of the programming is outside, under large tents.

Celebration of Public Works Week Will Include ‘Truck Day’ Event on Saturday, May 18, in Rockville

The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) will kick off “Public Works Week” with a free, family friendly “Truck Day” event from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. on Saturday, May 18. The event will be held at the MCDOT Truck Depot and Salt Barn at 17000 Crabbs Branch Way in Rockville. Truck Day invites members of the community to touch, climb and explore the many first-response, construction and transportation vehicles that keep the County running.

Truck Day will offer the opportunity for a hands-on experience with MCDOT vehicles including a bucket truck, tractor, semi-truck and bus. The event also will feature first responder vehicles and a fire engine, with the chance to meet the essential workers who operate them. MCDOT Highway Services employees will be available to answer questions and share how their vehicles work and the role their vehicles serve.

“Truck Day is great way to introduce residents, and especially children, to local public works professionals and the important work they do to keep our community safe and improve the quality of life for all who live, work and visit Montgomery County,” said County Executive Marc Elrich. “This free, outdoor event is a lot of fun. MCDOT does an excellent job setting up interactive activities and kids love climbing into the trucks.”

As part of the event, MCDOT will showcase entries in the annual “Paint the Plow” contest. A total of 16 Montgomery County public middle schools will participate in a competition to name and decorate a snowplow. Attendees at Truck Day will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite snowplow name and design. First-, second- and third-place winners will receive cash prizes for their schools. The popular snowplows are deployed across the region during snowstorms in the winter months.

“Public Works Week” is a nationally recognized week in May to honor essential workers. The American Public Works Association selected "Advancing Quality of Life for All” as the theme for the 2024 National Public Works Week. The theme emphasizes that public works professionals contribute to and enhance the quality of life in all the communities they proudly serve.

In addition to the Truck Day event, MCDOT will run a social media campaign to highlight MCDOT Division of Highway Services employees and the essential work they do. The campaign will spotlight employees through video content to highlight their contributions.

“MCDOT employees work around the clock to ensure public safety,” said MCDOT Director Chris Conklin. “They are often unseen, but they provide critical services during emergencies such as adverse weather such as snow, flooding, downed electrical lines and trees, and ensure essential workers can reach their destinations safely.”

To learn more about the “Paint the Plow” contest or other MCDOT-sponsored activities during “Public Works Week,” visit the Paint the Plow website.

Recreation Summer Program Registration Now Open

Registration for Montgomery County Recreation summer programs for toddlers, youth, teens, adults and older adults is now open.

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. In-person registration is available at the County’s aquatic centers and at the administrative offices in Wheaton. Registration also is 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.

Virtual Community Meetings Providing Purple Line Updates Will Be Held for Greater Lyttonsville-Woodside and Long Branch Communities

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 meetings are scheduled for the Greater Lyttonsville-Woodside community on Tuesday, May 21, and the Long Branch community on Thursday, May 23.

The meetings on each night will be from 6-7:30 p.m.

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.

To learn more, visit purplelinemd.com, check us out on Facebook and Instagram, and follow us on X.

Project Update on Proposed Behavioral Health 'Diversion Center' in Rockville to Help Individuals in Crisis Will Be Given on Tuesday, May 21

Montgomery County officials will host a project update on the planned "Diversion Center" at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, May 21, in the auditorium of the Executive Office Building (EOB) in Rockville. The meeting will also be accessible virtually via Microsoft TEAMS at Diversion Center Project Update. The center, which will be located on Seven Locks Road in Rockville, will treat individuals experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis.

The EOB is located at 101 Monroe Street in Rockville.

County officials participating in the May 21 meeting will include:

• Earl Stoddard, assistant chief administrative officer
• Rolando Santiago, chief, Behavioral Health and Crisis Services, Department of Health and Human Services
• Hamid Omidvar, chief, Division of Building Design and Construction, Department of General Services

The County is opening the diversion center to help reduce the use of emergency rooms and jail. The center will be available to individuals in crisis who are dropped off by emergency medical technicians (EMTs) or police, persons transferred from hospitals, and health and human services Mobile Crisis & Outreach Teams. A team of multidisciplinary professionals will staff the center, including nurses, licensed mental health and addiction professionals, peer specialists and resource navigators.

The center will provide a variety of behavioral health services, including triage, crisis stabilization and warm hand-off referrals to appropriate services. These services are designed to stabilize individuals experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis during the first hours and up to three days. The center will operate 24 hours a day, 365 days per year.

An initial public meeting was held in October 2022 to hear from City of Rockville officials and community members. A second meeting, in April 2023, provided an update on questions raised at the October 2022 meeting related to procedures for individuals brought to the diversion center.

At the most recent project update meeting held in July 2023, the community was advised there would be the creation of a Stakeholder Engagement team to incorporate community feedback in the design process, including elements that would improve the neighborhood experience with the site. The team would be made up of individuals from the neighboring community, recovery community, the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of General Services and the Department of Correction and Rehabilitation.

Commission on Veterans Affairs Honors Fallen Hometown Heroes from Military Action Dating to World War I with Online Tributes as Memorial Day Approaches

The Montgomery County Commission on Veterans Affairs is honoring “Fallen Hometown Heroes” with Montgomery County connections on a website created by the commission. The tribute is especially notable as the County prepares to commemorate Memorial Day on Monday, May 27.

The website honors veterans who were killed in action in World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Gulf War and the Global War on Terrorism (including Operation Iraqi Freedom / Operation Enduring Freedom / Operation Inherent Resolve / Operation Freedom's Sentinel / Operation New Dawn). The website includes photos and military histories of those who lived in Montgomery County and were killed in action. The site can be viewed at www.montgomerycountymd.gov/fallenheroes.

“We owe a great debt of gratitude to our local heroes, as well as all service members, who made the ultimate sacrifice in their service to our nation,” said Michael Wilson, an Operation Iraqi Freedom veteran who currently chairs the County Commission on Veterans Affairs. “I encourage residents to visit the County’s Fallen Hometown Heroes website and learn more about these heroes dating back to World War I and as recent as the Global War on Terrorism. Their sacrifices will always be remembered and honored.”

In 2023, a plaque was unveiled at the Rockville Memorial Library recognizing the name change from the original Rockville Library. The name change was instituted in 2010 at the request of Gold Star families—those who have lost a family member in U.S. military conflicts—and the County’s Commission on Veterans Affairs. The plaque is in the first-floor lobby, next to a digital display honoring the County's Fallen Hometown Heroes. The Fallen Hometown Heroes digital display honors residents killed in action dating to World War I.

“Memorial Day is a special day for honoring the men and women who lost their lives while defending our nation,” said County Executive Marc Elrich. “We recognize the sacrifice they and their families have made—and we will never forget. I urge every resident to take a moment to reflect on our local heroes and learn more about their courageous stories through this website.”

To share the story of a friend or family member who was killed in action, complete a Google form or a PDF form. Be prepared to provide the following information:

• Servicemember’s name
• Name of person submitting information and relationship to the individual
• Branch of service and rank
• Years of service
• Era served (WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Gulf War, Global War on Terror or peacetime/other)
• Brief narrative about their service
• Connection to Montgomery County (where the individual currently lived, attended high school or college/university, etc.)
• Photos (preferably one during their service and one in their civilian life)

Email MCCVA@montgomerycountymd.gov to learn more about the tribute program.

Visit the Commission on Veterans Affairs website for more information about their work.

‘SEED Classroom’ Innovative Learning Space Will Open on Saturday, May 18, at Black Hill Regional Park in Boyds

Montgomery Parks and the Montgomery Parks Foundation will celebrate the opening of the SEED Classroom, an innovative learning space, from 1-3 p.m. on Saturday, May 18. SEED is an acronym for “Sustainable Education Every Day” The new classroom at Black Hill Regional Park will increase the educational opportunities available at the park.

Black Hill Regional Park is located at 20930 Lake Ridge Dr. in Boyds. Parking will be available near Picnic Shelters E and F or at the Black Hill Discovery Center. Shuttle service will be provided between parking lots and event site.

The SEED classroom showcases how an environmentally friendly building functions. The living lab space, large open classroom and covered deck will be used for a park-based nature preschool program, school field trips and private and public events.

The SEED classroom is a net-zero energy user. The building produces all of the water and power it needs to function with a rainwater cistern that waters a living plant wall inside the building, a composting toilet and solar panels on the roof to generate electricity.

“The addition of the 6.5 kWh solar array and rainwater capture system allows the SEED classroom to meet net-zero goals and serve as a hands-on teaching tool for children,” said Johnny Richardson, program manager of Green Mountain Energy Sun Club, one of the SEED classroom’s major financial supporters. “Our Sun Club grants are designed to promote sustainability and support important causes in the community."

The SEED classroom is located at a former park maintenance yard. It brings new life to that area and a connection to the nearby Black Hill Community Garden and greenhouse. It is near walking trails, a large stream and wetland areas.

The Montgomery Parks Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting Montgomery Parks, coordinated efforts to provide funding for the project.

Major financial support for the SEED classroom has been provided by:

• Maryland General Assembly bond bill
• Green Mountain Energy Sun Club
• Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation
• First Energy Foundation
• Wegmans
• Friends of Black Hill Nature Programs

Road Resurfacing on Veirs Mill Road and Other County Roadways Will Impact Traffic Through Late June

The Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) is paving, patching and sealing cracks on roadways on Veirs Mill Road and the work will impact traffic from Rockville to Wheaton through late June. Roadways in other parts of the County are also being resurfaced, which will cause traffic delays.

Other pavement improvements will include patching on MD 355 (Rockville Pike) from Twinbrook Parkway to MD 911 (First Street) and crack sealing on MD 28 (West Montgomery Avenue) from Quince Orchard Road in Gaithersburg to Hurley Avenue and on MD 28 (Key West and West Montgomery avenues) from Broschart Road to Hurley Avenue.

In mid-April, SHA began resurfacing several sections of MD 586 (Veirs Mill Road) through Rockville, from First Street to the bridge over Rock Creek, and in the Wheaton/Silver Spring areas. Work is being done weeknights, 9 p.m.-5 a.m.

Work on other roads is being done weekdays, 7 a.m.-5 p.m. Some overnight work may be necessary. During work hours, motorists can expect lane shifts and lane closures. Work is expected to be complete by late June, weather permitting, though additional lane closures and work hours may be necessary to keep projects on schedule.

Drivers are advised to slow down in the work zone for the safety of all drivers and the crews working to improve roads. Look for arrow boards, cones and barrels to safely guide motorists through the work zones.

For a list of all major SHA projects, visit mdot-sha-project-portal-maryland.hub.arcgis.com. To view real-time traffic conditions, visit md511.maryland.gov.

Holiday Schedule for Memorial Day on Monday, May 27

The Montgomery County Government, and programs that impact County residents, will have holiday schedule and program changes for the observance of Memorial Day on Monday, May 27.

Schedule changes for the holiday celebrating Memorial Day on Monday, May 27:

• County offices—Closed.
• MC 311— Closed.
• State offices and courts—Closed.
• State Motor Vehicle Administration offices and Vehicle Emissions Inspection Program stations—Closed.
• Libraries— Closed Sunday, May 26, and Monday, May 27
• Alcohol Beverage Services (ABS)—All stores open 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Department of Permitting Services—Closed.
• Ride On—Will operate on Sunday schedule.
• Ride On Flex and Ride On extRa – Not in Service
• Flash—will operate on the Weekends and Holidays schedule for the Orange Route. The Blue Route (normally weekday only) will not be in service.
• MARC Train—No service.
• TRiPS Silver Spring commuter store—Open 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
• TRiPS mobile commuter store—Closed.
• Metrorail—Will operate on a Sunday Holiday schedule with trains running from 7 a.m.-midnight.
• Metrobus—Will operate on a Sunday service schedule.
• Public parking garages, lots, curbside meters—Free.
• County-provided trash and recycling collections—No collections on Monday, May 27. Collections for the remainder of the week will slide one day, with the final collections on Saturday, June 1.
• Shady Grove Transfer Station and Recycling Center— Entire facility is closed.
• Aquatic Centers— Open.
• Community Recreation and Senior Centers—Closed.
• For Montgomery Parks information, visit www.MontgomeryParks.org. Montgomery Parks headquarters and permits offices and the Montgomery Parks public information and customer service office—Closed.

Megan Lee of Watkins Mill High, Kairo Maysonet Walker of Julius West Middle School Are Top Winners in ‘Keeping It Safe Coalition’ Video Contest

Megan Lee of Watkins Mill High School in Montgomery Village and Kairo Maysonet Walker of Julius West Middle School in Rockville were the top winners in their respective categories in the 2023-24 “Keeping it Safe Coalition” student video contest sponsored by Montgomery County Alcohol Beverage Services (ABS) and the Montgomery County Police Department. The annual contest encourages teams from County public and private schools to create 30-second public service announcements to educate young people about the risks of under-21 alcohol use.

The winning entries will receive cash prizes for their affiliated school. In this year’s contest, 59 videos were submitted from 31 schools.

Founded in 1992, the Keeping It Safe Coalition (KIS) is an alliance of County departments, local organizations and concerned residents that work to deter underage alcohol access and use. The student video contest was funded by the Montgomery County Department of Police’s Traffic Division.

“Alcohol is the most misused drug by Americans under 21,” said Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich. “The National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism reports that 60 percent of adolescents admit to having at least one alcoholic drink by the time they turn 18. I value every student’s effort to reduce and prevent alcohol use among their peers. I recognize and admire their initiative to create, work together, and submit an entry for the competition. This shows their dedication to their community.”

The KIS Coalition announced the winners at an awards ceremony held on Wednesday, May 8, at the Carver Educational Services Center in Rockville.

“We are happy to support the Keeping it Safe Coalition.” said ABS director Kathie Durbin. “Raising awareness about the dangers and consequences of under-21 alcohol consumption among students is an important endeavor. These videos help young people learn how to fight peer pressure when it comes to alcohol consumption and ways to support friends who have an alcohol problem.”

The 2023-24 high school award winners:

• First Place—Megan Lee from Watkins Mill High School. Will receive a $1,000 prize.
• Second Place—Asher Anantham and Alana Anantham from Montgomery Blair High School, with help from Julius West Middle School. Will receive a $500 prize.
• Third Place—Anjolaoluwa Adeleke from Walter Johnson High School. Will receive a $350 prize.
• Honorable Mention—John F. Kennedy High School. Will receive a $100 prize.

The 2023-24 middle school award winners:

• First Place—Kairo Maysonet Walker from Julius West Middle School. Will receive a $500 prize.
• Second Place—Shady Grove Middle School. Will receive a $300 prize.
• Third Place—Cabin John Middle School. Will receive a $250 prize.
• Honorable Mention—Ariel Callwood and Aylani Callwood from William H. Farquhar Middle School. Will receive a $100 prize.

For the third year in a row, Travel Television, a member of the Keeping It Safe Coalition, sponsored the “most popular video” award for both high school and middle school participants. The award recognized the video with the most online views and “likes.”

The 2023-24 Most Popular video for high school and middle school winners were Ariel and Aylani Callwood from William H. Farquhar Middle School. They will receive $150 payable directly to the students.

The winning videos can be viewed on the ABS website.

Through robust alcohol licensing, compliance and training programs, the Division of Licensure, Regulation and Education (LRE) within ABS ensures the responsible sale and service of alcohol. LRE has been an active supporter of the KIS Coalition for decades.

ABS is the alcohol wholesaler of beer, wine and spirits for Montgomery County and operates 27 retail stores throughout the County. In addition, ABS manages alcohol licensing, enforcement and education for more than 1,000 businesses. Generating more than $35 million in net income annually, its profits are used to pay down County debt with a large portion deposited in the general fund to pay for resident services that otherwise would be funded by County tax dollars.