Rainy Weather + Leaves = Driving Risks  Leaves are similar to ice when they get wet in that they create a barrier between the road and your tires. With ice, it's a layer of water. With leaves, it's the slippery surface they have on both sides added to a layer of water.This is a Montgomery County, Maryland announcement.We have a very rainy day in Maryland. Please drive carefully. Zinnia, Kentlands Photowalk, Gaithersburg, Maryland USA IMG 5489Canon PowerShot G11 Camera, f/4.5, 1/100 sec., ISO-800, 30 mm., No FlashPhotograph by Roy KelleyRoy and Dolores Kelley Photographs 11/21/2023

I-495 Extensive Lane Closures Through End of YearThe Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration has started a project to maintain pavement and improve ride quality on I-495 (the Capital Beltway) that will impact Montgomery County drivers through the end of the year. The work will be done five nights a week between MD 191 (Bradley Boulevard) and east of Linden Lane and between east of Northwest Branch Anacostia River and US 29 (Colesville Road). The work will be performed nightly from 9 p.m.-5 a.m., Sundays through Thursdays. The work is scheduled to be completed by the end of the year, weather permitting. At times, as many as three lanes will be closed in each direction. Closing three travel lanes will provide a safe buffer to enhance protection of road workers.T... 11/21/2023

Montgomery County Thanksgiving Holiday Schedule The Montgomery County Government, and programs that impact County residents, will have schedule and program changes for Thanksgiving Weekend, Thursday-Friday, Nov. 23-24. County offices—Closed Thanksgiving Day. MC 311—Closed Thanksgiving Day. State offices and courts—Closed on Thanksgiving Day and Friday, Nov. 24. State Motor Vehicle Administration offices and Vehicle Emissions Inspection Program stations—Closed Thanksgiving Day. Libraries— Closed Thanksgiving Day. Alcohol Beverage Services (ABS)—All stores closed on Thanksgiving Day. Open regular hours (10 a.m.-9 p.m.) on Friday, Nov. 24. Department of Permitting Services—All offices, including the customer service lobby, will be closed on Thanksgiving Day. Offices will be open 7:30 a.m.-... 11/20/2023

Free Hearing Aids for Qualified SeniorsGreat news for Montgomery County seniors! Free over-the-counter hearing aids and sound amplifiers are available for residents 60+ with mild-to-moderate hearing loss. Thanks to the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services, Access HEARS and the American Rescue Act!Information and eligibility: https://ow.ly/pzlx50Q8skFThis is a Montgomery County, Maryland announcement.The Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services’ Aging and Disability Services Division continues to provide free hearing aids and personal sound amplifiers to eligible residents age 60-and-over. The County is partnering with Access HEARS, Inc., a nonprofit organization whose mission is to connect individuals with hearing loss to the solutions they need to ... 11/20/2023

Holiday Giving: Thanksgiving Treat BagsThe Gaithersburg Holiday Giving program distributes over 400 Thanksgiving treat bags every November made by our partners at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church /w the help of generous donors, like you! Interested in donating? Visit https://gburg.md/holidaygiving to learn how!This is a City of Gaithersburg, Maryland announcement.For more than a quarter century, the City of Gaithersburg and its generous partners have served an average of 600 families a year for both the Thanksgiving and December holidays through its Holiday Giving Program. This year, staff anticipate serving more than 500 families in November and more than 600 families and 1,300 children in December. The Holiday Giving Program needs the communities help to ensure we can adequately serve ou... 11/19/2023

Montgomery County Security Camera Rebate ProgramThe Montgomery County Department of Police is committed to working in partnership with the community and has launched a Police-Private Security Camera Incentive Program with the purpose of deterring and solving crime by incentivizing the installation of security cameras in geographic areas experiencing relatively high incidents of crime. An owner or tenant of a property that is used as a residence, business, or nonprofit organization located within an eligible priority area may apply. Click here to learn more.Security camera systems shall meet the minimum technical and video specifications published on the Police Department’s application website and must retain video footage for at least seven (7) days. Security camera systems shall be ins... 11/19/2023

Winter Lights Discount Tickets and Leashes ‘n’ Lights  The Winter Lights Festival at Seneca Creek State Park will be open nightly November 24 through December 31 (closed on December 25). Tickets must be purchased in advance and are only good for the specific date listed on the ticket. Donate to the City’s Holiday Giving Program and save on your admission. Visit Winter Lights for only $10 per car from November 27 through November 30. Purchase discounted tickets online, and bring donations of new children’s winter hats, gloves, and scarves to the check-in station when you arrive. Purchase tickets here. Treat your pooch to a leisurely 1-mile stroll or an invigorating 3-mile walk at Leashes ‘n’ Lights on Monday, November 20 from 6 - 9 p.m. Purchase tickets here.  This is a City of Gaithersb... 11/18/2023

Gaithersburg Recognized as a Top Arts-Vibrant Community SMU Data Arts named the City of Gaithersburg, along with Frederick and Rockville, the seventh most vibrant arts community in the Top 20 Large Communities category. The vibrancy assessment covers aspects of supply, demand, and public support for arts and culture using a data-driven approach. The Gaithersburg-Frederick-Rockville community scored in the top 1% of measures related to contributed revenue and total compensation paid to those working in arts and culture.Read more here.This is a City of Gaithersburg, Maryland announcement. Gazania, Kentlands Photowalk, Gaithersburg, Maryland USA IMG 0134Canon PowerShot G11 CameraPhotograph by Roy KelleyRoy and Dolores Kelley Photographs 11/18/2023

Gaithersburg 2023 Election: Official Results and Special Session The Gaithersburg Board of Supervisors of Elections has certified the results of the November 7 election. Neil Harris, Yamil Hernández, and Robert T. Wu have been elected to the City Council. The newly elected officials will be sworn in at a Special Session of the Mayor and City Council on Monday, November 20 at 7:30 p.m. Neil Harris received 3,089 votes (25.57%), Yamil Hernández received 2,361 votes (19.54%), and Robert T. Wu received 3,137 votes (25.97%). The remaining candidates in order of total votes received were Shanika Whitehurst with 2,222 votes (18.39%), Daniel Lukomsky with 942 votes (7.80%), and Omodamola Williams with 886 votes (7.33%). In the 2023 election, 4,497 ballots were cast, 2,796 of them by mail and 1,... 11/17/2023

Illinois Prairie Corn ChowderChef Dolores used the soup mix and recipe for the Frontier Soups Illinois Prairie Corn Chower from Anderson House and this is one of my favorites. Click on the link to reach the website. Dolores has prepared many of the Frontier Soups and we frequently use the mixes for holiday gifts. Click here to view and print the recipe. Autumn Colors, Kentlands Photowalk, Gaithersburg, Maryland USA IMG 0108Canon PowerShot G11 CameraPhotograph by Roy KelleyRoy and Dolores Kelley Photographs 11/17/2023

Christmas on the Farm The feeling of celebrating a holiday on a farm will be the theme on Saturday-Sunday, Dec. 2-3, at the annual “Christmas on the Farm” event at the Montgomery Agricultural History Farm Park in Derwood. Among the highlights will be the opportunity to see farm animals up close, to visit the park’s tool museum and to enjoy free cookies and cider. The Agricultural History Farm Park is located at 18400 Muncaster Road in Derwood. The event will be held from noon-5 p.m. each day. Admission and parking will be free. The event is hosted by Friends of the Agricultural History Farm Park, Inc., with the support of Montgomery Parks. The event will feature music, hay rides, barn decorations, a bake sale and holiday crafts. For more information about the event, go to https://friend... 11/16/2023

Old Roads, New Histories Online Presentation 25 Years of County’s ‘Rustic Roads’ ProgramFor 25 years, Montgomery County’s Rustic Roads Program has protected the historic and scenic roadways that reflect the County’s agricultural character and rural origins. An update to the Rustic Roads Functional Master Plan is currently in progress. In an online presentation of Montgomery History that will be available for free for one week starting Monday, Nov. 13, the progress of the program will be reviewed by host Kacy Rohn.The talk, which was originally presented during the 2022 Montgomery County History Conference, will outline the work underway to bring new roads and new histories into the program.The presentation will look at factors that reflect the diversity of the County’s past with previou... 11/16/2023

GIS Day and Geography Awareness Week  Geographic Information System (GIS) Day is an annual global event, celebrated this year on November 15. With more than 700 layers of information in its database, the City’s GIS serves as an important tool for analysis, strategic decision making, and everyday functions of government. An official proclamation designating November 15 as GIS Day and November 13 to 17 as “Geography Awareness Week” was presented at the October 16 Mayor and City Council meeting. Join us for a citywide Latitude/Longitude Scavenger Hunt on November 18 and 19 from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Community Museum. Winners receive City swag and bragging rights. Also, enjoy some amazing activities inspired by GIS and visit with Benjamin Franklin and learn more about his fascinati... 11/15/2023

Free Virtual Career Seminar for Middle and High School FemalesThe Montgomery County Commission for Women and the nonpartisan organization Montgomery Women, which works to ensure that women are fully represented in leadership positions, will host a free virtual career guidance session for middle and high school female students from 7-8:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 16. “A Virtual Career Exploration for Her” will be hosted via Zoom.The event will provide middle and high school girls with a chance to explore careers such as fire services, STEM careers, law and entrepreneurship.During the webinar, the students will get the opportunity to hear experienced, professional women share their insights, expertise and educational journeys. They will discuss key factors necessary to pursue a career in th... 11/15/2023

Gaithersburg Farmers Markets, Nov. 16 & 18    COMING TO MAIN STREET IN DECEMBER       Get ready for the holiday season at the Main Street Market! On the first three Saturdays in December, six of our favorite artists and crafters will bring their selections of unique gifts to the Main Street Market in Kentlands.   Details on participating vendors are coming soon. Follow the Gaithersburg Farmers Markets on Facebook for updates!     CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE!     CASEY FARMERS MARKET 810 South Frederick Ave   OPEN MAY - NOVEMBER Thursdays 11 AM - 2:30 PM ____________   CURRENT CASEY MARKET VENDORS   SEE OUR FULL SCHEDULE OF FOOD TRUCKS HERE!   Nomz: The Nomz truck is back at Casey this week with their delicious selection of sandwiches and salads. See the full season's food truck calendar here.... 11/14/2023

Garden of Lights and Holiday BARKetFall is settling in and winter is around the corner, but Montgomery Parks has events and activities for all seasons. The Garden of Lights opens at Brookside Gardens on Nov. 17 and there will be a “Holiday BARKet”for dog lovers on Sunday, Nov. 18, at Cabin John Regional Park.The list of Montgomery Parks special programs in November includes: Garden of Lights. Nov. 17‒Dec. 31 (closed Nov. 20-23 and Dec. 24-25. 5:30‒9:30 p.m. nightly. Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton. The ever-popular seasonal light display is back! The display is a one-half mile, walk-through, outdoor exhibit featuring more than a million twinkling lights formed into tunnels, flowers, animals and other natural elements. The rose garden is turned into a winter wonderland ... 11/14/2023

Annual Procurement Fair, Thursday, Nov. 16The Montgomery County Office of Procurement’s annual “Procurement Fair” will provide details on upcoming business opportunities with County Government. The fair, which will be held from 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at the East County Community Recreation Center in Silver Spring, will be free to attend.  The East County Community Center is located at 3310 Gateshead Manor Way in Silver Spring.Any business interested in contracting opportunities with Montgomery County will benefit from attending the fair. Attendees will able to learn about upcoming procurement opportunities and they will be able to network with their professional peers.The event will include: Minority, Female and Disabled-Owned Business (MFD) certifying agencies panel. Details on upcoming ... 11/13/2023

Candlelight Tours of Agricultural History Farm The Montgomery Agricultural History Farm Park in Derwood always is a fascinating place that can quickly take visitors back to a time when agriculture dominated the County’s economy and lifestyle. There will now be an opportunity to learn about those times via candlelight tours on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 17-18, and Friday-Saturday, Dec. 15-16.The nighttime tours on each evening will be from 6-8 p.m. Tickets are $20 for ages 18-and-older and $10 for ages 7-17. Children under-7 are free. The Agricultural History Farm Park is located at 18400 Muncaster Road in Derwood.The tours will look at the history of the farm, which dates back about 275 years, and the families that lived there. Costumed re-enactors will recount the experiences of the Mag... 11/13/2023

Volunteers Needed for Parade Day Activities Annual Thanksgiving Parade, Nov. 18The annual Montgomery County Thanksgiving Parade, which is held the Saturday before Thanksgiving, returns at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 18, in Downtown Silver Spring. The parade will again feature a diverse range of participants—and the event organizers are seeking volunteers to assist in the widely attended gathering.The parade will begin at the intersection of Ellsworth Drive and Fenton Street in the Silver Spring Arts and Entertainment District, then proceed south along Georgia Avenue, ending at Silver Spring Avenue. The initial performances are scheduled to take place at the start of the parade, where WJLA-TV’s First Alert meteorologist and Good Morning Washington host Eileen Whelan will serve as the emcee... 11/12/2023

Garden of Lights Returns for the 2023 Season Garden of Lights returns to Brookside Gardens on Friday, November 17, 2023 through Sunday, December 31, 2023. Bring your family and friends to stroll through the one-half mile outdoor exhibit of twinkling lights and glimmering one-of-a-kind displays.Click here to reserve your tickets.Advance sale tickets are only available for purchase online at Eventbrite.com. Tickets are $10 per person, age five and older.This is a Brookside Gardens announcement. Brookside Gardens has transformed into a magical winter wonderland for Garden of Lights. Walk through the outdoor twinkling lights and glimmering displays that dot the paths and flowerbeds throughout 50 acres in Wheaton. More than one million dazzling and colorful LED lights are handcrafted into or... 11/12/2023