The Committee for Ethnic Affairs advises the Montgomery County, MD County Executive and County Council on public policy that relates to ethnic affairs; promotes maximum involvement of all ethnic groups in the County in government, business and community affairs.

Friday, May 27, 2011

Vacancies on County Boards and Committees

County Executive Isiah Leggett is committed to representation on all of the County’s boards, committees, and commissions that is reflective of, and responsive to, our County’s residents. Public participation contributes to the work of County government and provides an important service to the community when a variety of issues, concerns, and viewpoints are presented. Currently, there is a valuable opportunity to serve on the following:

Adult Public Guardianship Review Board
Alcoholic Beverages Advisory Board
Board of License Commissioners (Liquor Board)
Dickerson Area Facilities Implementation Group
Advisory Board for Montgomery Cares Program
Fire and Emergency Services Commission
Board of License Commissioners (Liquor Board)

Please share this notice with anyone who may be interested. You may access vacancy announcements for boards, committees, and commissions through the following link.

http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/apps/exec/vacancies/pr_list.asp

Applicants of diverse backgrounds, professions, gender, geography, disability and ethnicity are encouraged to apply. An application, consisting of a brief cover letter and resume, should be sent by mail to County Executive Isiah Leggett, 101 Monroe Street, 2nd Floor, Rockville, MD  20850, or by email to countyexecutive.boards@montgomerycountymd.gov. Home and employment addresses, as well as contact phone numbers and email addresses should be included. If appropriate, applicants should indicate the position for which they are applying.

Members of County boards, committees and commissions may not serve on more than one such group at a time. Members of these boards are eligible for reimbursement for travel and dependent care for meetings attended. Leggett’s appointments are subject to confirmation by the County Council. Applications of those selected for appointment are made public as part of the confirmation process.

Montgomery County To Kick Off Caribbean Heritage Month June 1

Montgomery County will kick off Caribbean Heritage Month on June 1 with a free concert of steel pan music and dance performances from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Silver S pring Civic Building, located at One Veterans Place in downtown Silver Spring. County Executive Ike Leggett and members of the County Council will present a joint proclamation to kick off the celebration.  The theme for this year is “Meeting the Needs of the Caribbean Community in Montgomery County.”  John Blake from WHUR radio will serve as master of ceremony. 

On June 18, a free Caribbean American Heritage Extravaganza will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. at the East County Regional Service Center, 3300 Briggs Chaney Rd. in Silver Spring. A forum on entrepreneurship and health care will be included, along with cultural exhibits.  

For more information about Caribbean Heritage Month events, contact Daniel Koroma, African and Caribbean Community Liaison in the County’s Office of Community Partnerships at 240-777-2584.

Department of Recreation Outdoor Pools Open Memorial Day Weekend

 Montgomery County’s Department of Recreation announces the seasonal opening of its seven outdoor pools at noon on Saturday, May 28.   

The outdoor pools are:
·        Bethesda Pool, 301-652-1598, Little Falls Parkway and Hillandale Road;
·        Germantown Outdoor Pool, 301-601-1690, 18905 Kingsview Road;
·        Long Branch Pool, 301-431-5700, 8700 Piney Branch Road, Silver Spring;
·        Martin Luther King Jr. Outdoor Pool, 301-622-1090, 1201 Jackson Road, Silver Spring;
·        Wheaton/Glenmont Pool, 301-929-5460, 12621 Dalewood Drive, Wheaton;
·        Upper County Outdoor Pool, 301-840-2446, 8211 Emory Grove Road, Gaithersburg; ·        Western County Outdoor Pool, 301-349-2217, 20151 Fisher Avenue, Poolesville.

With weekend weather predictions in the 80 to 90 degree range, officials are expecting larger than usual crowds at area pools.  If capacity is reached during peak times, it may be necessary temporarily to halt admission to pools.  Swimmers will be admitted as soon as space becomes available.  Maintaining public safety is the priority at all of the County’s pools.

Month Ahead Upcoming Events

 The following events are scheduled for the coming month.  All are subject to change and anyone interested in attending or covering one of these events should confirm the information beforehand with the Office of Public Information at 240-777-6507.

Event:  Montgomery County Public Libraries Celebrates 60 years of public service
Date/Time:  Friday, June 3 at 7 p.m.
Location:  Rockville Memorial Library, 21 Maryland Ave.

Event:   NBC4-PNC Bank Shred Event, co-sponsored by Montgomery County, Montgomery College and Shred-It
Date/Time:  Saturday, June 11 from 8 to 11 a.m.  
Location:  Montgomery College, Rockville Campus, parking lot at Rte. 355 and Mannakee St.
Event:  Annual Health Freedom Walk; Innovative Project Promotes Physical Activity While Highlighting Role in Underground Railroad
Date/Time:  Saturday, June 11 at 9 a.m.
Location:  Woodlawn Cultural Park, 16501 Norwood Rd., Sandy Spring.

Event:  USGA U.S. Open Championship
Date/Time:  June 13 – 19
Location:  Congressional Country Club, 8500 River Rd., Bethesda

Event:  Montgomery County’s 15th Annual Juneteenth Celebration
Date/Time:  Thursday, June 16 at 7 p.m.
Location:  BlackRock Center for the Arts, 12901 Town Commons Dr., Germantown

Event:  Shred, Recycle and Donate event; shred and recycle confidential paper and donate clothing and household goods in working condition to A Wider Circle
Date/Time:  Saturday, June 25 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Location:  White Oak Middle School, 12201 New Hampshire Ave., Silver Spring

Gaithersburg Student Selected as “Top 4 Finalist” in Maryland Municipal League Essay Contest

 Each year the Maryland Municipal League (MML), in partnership with the Maryland Mayors’ Association, the Injured Workers’ Insurance Fund and the Local Government Insurance Trust, hosts the “If I Were Mayor…” essay contest for fourth graders throughout the state of Maryland.  The theme this year was “Working Together Works.”

More than 2,700 essays were received by the MML, and in May winners from each of the eleven districts were selected.  MML also provided recognition to the Top 4 Finalists from each district.  Kevin Garcia, a Brown Station Elementary School student in Ms. Hansa Rau’s fourth grade class, was named a Top 4 Finalist for District 5, hich encompasses the City of Gaithersburg.  Amongst the things Kevin said he would do if he were mayor was to “tell architects and builders to work together to build more shelters for the homeless.  I think it would be a good idea to build more shelters because the homeless have nothing and we need to help them.”

Kevin will read his full essay at the Gaithersburg Mayor and City Council meeting on Monday, June 6, 2011, at 7:30 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers.  The meeting is carried live within the City limits on Comcast and RCN channel 13 and FiOS channel 25.  It can also be viewed live via streaming video at www.gaithersburgmd.gov.

For more information on the MML “If I Were Mayor…” contest please visit www.mdmunicipal.org.

Renovated Gaithersburg Community Museum Reopens June 2

The Gaithersburg Community Museum has undergone renovation, and will celebrate its grand reopening with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Thursday, June 2, 2011 at 10 a.m.  Following the ribbon cutting there will be a special performance for young people at the adjacent City Hall Concert Pavilion.  Ray Owen will celebrate history through song with “Hats Off to America” from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. 

Located in the restored 1884 B&O Railroad Station complex near the intersection of Summit and Diamond Avenues in Olde Towne, the Gaithersburg Community Museum features educational exhibits and programs designed to spark interest and imagination about our City’s history.  The Museum complex also comprises rolling stock, the historic Freight House, and the outdoor History Park. 

Current exhibits include a comprehensive timeline of the history of Gaithersburg, “Local Connections to the Lincoln Assassination,” “Scientific Equipment of the Gaithersburg Latitude Observatory,” and interactive displays including a bank, school room and general mercantile store.
The Gaithersburg Community Museum is open Thursday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., with additional hours by appointment.  Admission is free.  For information call 301-258-6160 or visit the City’s website at www.gaithersburgmd.gov/museum.

Accepting Applications for the Arts Barn’s Resident Artist Studio

The Arts Barn in Gaithersburg is now accepting applications for its resident artist studio program. The application deadline is June 17, 2011.   Artists will be selected by a jury committee and must be qualified and available for a moderate amount of community teaching and instruction.
The Arts Barn has two studios for lease ranging in size from 330 to 480 square feet.  Both spaces enjoy natural light, round the clock access, a small sink and cabinet area, and adequate lighting.  Because of the nature of the facility, certain media or scale of activity may not be appropriate for the space.  
The annual rental fees are $9/square foot for City of Gaithersburg residents and $10/square foot for non-residents prorated into monthly payments along with a modest monthly utility surcharge. Artists are encouraged to consider joint applications for space to help defray expenses and meet the center’s minimum requirement of 40 hours/month of operation. The Arts Barn is located at 311 Kent Square Road in Gaithersburg viewing hours are Monday through Friday 10a.m. to 5p.m.and Saturday from 1:30 to 5:30p.m.
 For more information or for an application please visit the Arts Barn online at www.gaithersburgmd.gov/artsbarn and click on, Resident Artists Program or contact Andi Rosati at 301-258-6394 or email at arosati@gaithersburgmd.gov.  

Arts Barn Gallery Hosts Multimedia Exhibit

 The City of Gaithersburg presents Multimedia Works by Eugene (Chip) Cecil, Laura Elkins, Donald McComb and The Arts Barn Portrait Group at the Arts Barn Gallery from May 27 through July 24, 2011. The gallery is open to anyone with a love for unique and inspirational art and is located at 311 Kent Square Road in Gaithersburg, Maryland. Viewing hours are Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 1:30 to 5:30 p.m. An Artists’ Reception to introduce the collections will be held on Tuesday, June 7, 2011 from 7 to 8:30 p.m.

Eugene (Chip) Cecil likes the dynamics of large oil paintings and works from photographs and life. Cecil’s paintings reflect his interest in artistic realism, as well as a life-long enthusiasm for automobiles. Having grease and paint in his blood, he is always looking for a creative outlet to express his passion for the art of the machine and human figure.  His work has appeared in galleries in the Washington, DC and Baltimore areas and has also been on display at the Antique Auto Museum in Hershey, PA.

Laura Elkins is exhibiting a selection of witty self-portraits called First Ladies En Plein Air from her White House Collection. These paintings were inspired shortly after the artist moved to Washington and toured the White House, where she saw the compilation of the official First Lady portraits. Encountering Elkins's First Lady imagery, you can examine notions of power, femininity and aging through the traditional genre of portraiture. Painted from life, these works hang alongside landscape paintings and self-portraits at nearby attractions such as Point Overlook in the Shenandoah Mountains and Cacapon State Park in West Virginia.

Don McComb is a sculptor, photographer and painter who studies under Professor Orestes Poliszczuk at Montgomery College in Rockville. Most of his recent activity has been in creating representative and abstract sculptures in alabaster and steatite stone and clay. His sculptures are his own unique original designs and tend to develop and evolve at the moment he gets his hands on the material. McComb is a member of the Art League of Germantown and the Senior Artists Alliance of Montgomery County.

The Arts Barn Portrait Group, coordinated by Dale Eno Shore, consists of a small group of accomplished Montgomery County artists who gather weekly to hone their skills painting from a live model in a studio setting. Each artist in the group will be displaying four to six paintings. One of the paintings, "In Memoriam," is in loving memory of Dr. and Mrs. Rassek, former members of the Baha'i Community of Montgomery County Northwest. The portraits represent a diversity of ages and cultures.

Please note that the artists copyright all images. For more information, please contact Andi Rosati at 301-258-6394 or email at arosati@gaithersburgmd.gov. Visit the Arts Barn online at www.gaithersburgmd.gov/artsbarn.

Gaithersburg Skate Park Opens for 2011 Season

 After significant improvements, the City of Gaithersburg Skate Park opens for the 2011 season with a special Open House starting at 3 p.m. on Friday, May 27, 2011.  Admission that day will be FREE, however, signed waivers are required to skate.  Food and drink will be available for purchase, courtesy of a Slice of Olde Towne. 

The 12,300 square foot park has been newly renovated, with an ultra-smooth surface and improved ramps.  Skating features include an escalator, wall ride, quarters, stairs, mini half-pipe, rails, boxes and more.  The park’s amenities also include an outdoor stereo system, vending area and picnic tables.  Take advantage of money-saving memberships, private and group lessons, park rentals, competitions, skate camps and other special events. 

Regular hours will be weekdays from 3 p.m. to sunset and Saturdays and Sundays from noon to sunset. 

The Skate Park is located at the Activity Center at Bohrer Park, Summit Hall Farm, 506 South Frederick Avenue, and welcomes skateboarders and in-line skaters during all sessions, and allows BMX bikers every day except Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Safety equipment regulations require helmets, while elbow and knee pads are optional.  However, all safety equipment is highly recommended and in-line skaters must wear wrist guards.  Protective gear is available for rent.

Admission is $3 for residents and $5 for nonresidents. Money-saving Season Memberships are $35 for residents and $50 for nonresidents. For more information call Maura Dinwiddie at 301-258-6350 x168 or visit the website at www.gaithersburgmd.gov/skate.

Please note: the Skate Park will be closed in the event of excessive rain, snow or heat.

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Holiday Schedule for Memorial Day

Montgomery County government will observe the following holiday schedule for Memorial Day on Monday, May 30:
County Offices -- closed
Libraries -- closed
County liquor stores – open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., with the exception of the following
            stores, which will be closed:  Burtonsville, Cabin John and Diamond Square
Ride On – Sunday schedule
Metrobus – Sunday schedule
Metrorail – Sunday schedule
TRiPS Commuter Stores (Silver Spring and Friendship Heights) – closed
Refuse/recycling pickup – no collection*
Transfer Station – closed
Parking at public garages, lots, curbside meters – free
MCPS Administrative Offices – closed
State offices & courts – closed
* All collections scheduled on or after the holiday will be made one day later that week.

If you like flowers...

For years many have passed this house and marveled at the floral display at 3725 No. Vassault St. in Tacoma. Last year there was no display and we had wondered if the Asian man who owns this house was ill. This year the display was back in force and we stopped this past Sunday to photograph it. We went up to the owner and told him how much we had enjoyed his garden all these years and he invited us to tour his creation. We found the backyard to be as beautiful as the front. He is Vietnamese, shy, very soft spoken, and speaks very little English, so we couldn't discuss too much with him about the garden.



Montgomery County Council Approves ‘Kids Ride Free’ on Local Buses for FY12

Councilmember Nancy Navarro Led Effort to Reinstate Program to Allow Free Passage on Weekday Afternoons
 The Montgomery County Council on May 19 approved the reinstatement of the “Kids Ride Free” program in the Fiscal Year 2012 operating budget that will allow students to use Metrobus and the County’s Ride On bus service within Montgomery County for free on weekdays between 2 and 7 p.m. The Kids Ride Free program had been suspended in the FY11 operating budget.
Councilmember Nancy Navarro made reinstatement of the program one of her top priorities as the Council worked toward reaching a budget agreement. The Council will formally adopt the budget, which will include funding for Kids Ride Free, on Thursday, May 26.
Councilmember Navarro, who represents District 4 (East County), said it became evident to her that reestablishment of the program needed to be a priority after hearing from many students in her district and around the County regarding the program’s importance.
“I am thrilled I received the support of my colleagues for the reinstatement of Kids Ride Free,” said Councilmember Navarro. “Over the past year, many young people have expressed their disappointment about our decision to cut this critical program.”
While the County continues to offer “Youth Cruiser” passes at the low cost of $11 a month and $18 for the summer, those passes are valid only on Ride On—which operates only within the County. Approximately 30 percent of County ridership is on Metrobus, and that percentage is higher in east Montgomery County. Kids Ride Free gives students the flexibility to use both Ride On and Metrobus during the critical after-school hours.
 “For thousands of students who don’t have cars and aren’t eligible for MCPS transportation, bus service is essential, and many of these students have difficulty affording Metrobus and Ride On rates,” said Councilmember Navarro. “Hopefully, the kids who take advantage of this program will become life-long transit users.”
 The FY12 budget includes $376,000 for the Kids Ride Free program, including $276,000 in lost Ride On revenue and $100,000 in reimbursement costs to WMATA.

Montgomery County Board Vacancies

County Executive Isiah Leggett is committed to representation on all of the County’s boards, committees, and commissions that is reflective of, and responsive to, our County’s residents. Public participation contributes to the work of County government and provides an important service to the community when a variety of issues, concerns, and viewpoints are presented. Currently, there is a valuable opportunity to serve on the following:
Adult Public Guardianship Review Board
Alcoholic Beverages Advisory Board
Dickerson Area Facilities Implementation Group
Advisory Board for Montgomery Cares Program
The deadline for application is June 10, 2011.
Please share this notice with anyone who may be interested. You may access vacancy announcements for boards, committees, and commissions through the following link.
Applicants of diverse backgrounds, professions, gender, geography, disability and ethnicity are encouraged to apply. An application, consisting of a brief cover letter and resume, should be sent by mail to County Executive Isiah Leggett, 101 Monroe Street, 2nd Floor, Rockville, MD  20850, or by email to countyexecutive.boards@montgomerycountymd.gov. Home and employment addresses, as well as contact phone numbers and email addresses should be included. If appropriate, applicants should indicate the position for which they are applying.
Members of County boards, committees and commissions may not serve on more than one such group at a time. Members of these boards are eligible for reimbursement for travel and dependent care for meetings attended. Leggett’s appointments are subject to confirmation by the County Council. Applications of those selected for appointment are made public as part of the confirmation process.
 Contact:  Beth Gochrach, 240-777-2528

Monday, May 23, 2011

Briggs Chaney-Greencastle Farmers' and Artisans' Market


When: Coming every Saturday -- May 21 to Nov 19 -- From 10am to 2pm

What: Briggs Chaney-Greencastle Farmers' and Artisans' Market
Fresh Local Produce-- fruit, berries, greens, herbs, potted plants
Live Music, Kids Tent, Wine Tasting, Chef Demos, Jewelry, Art!

Where: 3300 Briggs Chaney Road, Silver Spring, MD 20904

Questions: visit http://bcgmarket.wordpress.com or call Gigi Goin at 301-792-9448
More information, click here

Interested volunteers to partcipate at the Farmer's market in the following areas:
Market Coordinators- Farmers, abattoirs and bakers, craftsmen, artisans, performance, games, kids and volunteers, academic contests, young entrepreneurs program, chef demo and wineries
Beauty Coordinator - Recycling, design, signage, cleanliness
Education Coordinator- Speakers, authors, policy makers
Logistics Coordinator - Parking, vendor logistics, public safety & first aid
Volunteer Coordinator - Middle and High School outreach, recording & reporting of hours
Interested volunteers, please contact the Gigi, Market Master at 301-792-9448.

Latino Leadership Roundtable

Thursday, May 19, 2011

PunditMom's Mothers of Intention: How Women & Social Media Are Revolutionizing Politics in America

Check out this brand new book that promises to be of great interest for all!

PunditMom's Mothers of Intention: How Women & Social Media Are Revolutionizing Politics in America
by Joanne C. Bamberger

Post contributed by Naomi Bloch

Annual Caribbean Heritage Month Proclamation in Montgomery County

Guest Speaker on "Caribbean Entrepreneurs in Montgomery County - Strategies for Competing Today"
Wednesday, June 1, 2011 
5:00PM - 8:00PM
Silver Spring Civic Building at One Veterans Place Silver Spring, Maryland 20910 (Fenton Street and Ellsworth Drive)
Proclamation Presented by County Executive Isiah Leggett.

Present and prospective Caribbean Entrepreneurs are specially invited to attend.

Reception ~ Caribbean Cuisine, Music and Art
Master of Ceremony:  Mr. R. John Blake, WHUR
 

National Asian Heritage Festival: Fiesta Asia Street Fair

Saturday, May 21, 2011 10:00 am - 7:00 pm
Along Pennsylvania Avenue NW between 3rd St & 6th St in the District of Columbia  
Celebrate Asian Pacific Heritage Month with a wide array of activities including live performances, Pan-Asian cuisine, martial arts, a lion dance demonstration, a multicultural marketplace, cultural displays and interactive activities. Buy your Passport DC t-shirts at the Fiesta Asia booth, $10 each or 2 for $15.

Telemundo Washington’s Fiesta de las Madres Moves to Downtown Silver Spring to Celebrate Local Mothers

Washington, DC - Telemundo Washington, DC will host the third annual Fiesta de las Madres: 
Sunday, May 22nd
Veterans Plaza at the Silver Spring Civic Building in Downtown Silver Spring, MD
12:00 pm - 5:00 pm
The event will be held outdoors and features Telemundo celebrities, entertainment, food and a wide array of vendors and activities that will focus on women and specifically, mothers.
In addition to the products and information available, loyal viewers will have the unique opportunity to see some of Telemundo's biggest stars.  Vanessa Pose and Melvin Cabrera from Aurora, one of Telemundo's highest rated novelas, will be attending along with Jorge Bernal from Al Rojo Vivo.  The stars will speak to the audience from the stage and also be available throughout the day to sign autographs and take pictures with adoring fans.  For more information, visit www.holaciudad.com.
The event has been well received by the community in its first two years.  "After the great response from our sponsors and our viewers, we wanted to expand the opportunities this year," states Nicole Quiroga, General Manager of Telemundo Washington, DC. "Our involvement in the community is what drives our station so we have created a unique event that entertains as well as informs."
Telemundo Washington will bring the community everything from dance and fitness demonstrations to relevant health information and services thanks to partners such as American Diabetes Association, CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, Coca Cola Refreshments, Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind, Cricket Communications, El Pregonero, El Tiempo Latino, E.M.D. Sales, Glenmont Financial, Hair Cuttery, Johnson Immigration Law, Kool Smiles of Takoma Park, Law Offices of Maria Mena, Maryland National Children's Study Center, MundoVision, Nueva Vida, Planned Parenthood of Metropolitan Washington, Paul Samakow Esq, Regal Cinemas Majestic Stadium 20 & IMAX, Romántica 900am, The Sherwin Williams Company, State Farm, Susan G. Komen, T-Mobile, Toyota, Verizon Wireless and the YMCA of Metropolitan Washington.

See Rockies Take on Nationals in DC July 8

 The City of Gaithersburg is hosting a bus trip to see the Colorado Rockies take on the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park in Washington, DC on Friday, July 8, 2011.  Game time is 7:05 p.m.  Seats are limited and the deadline for registration is Wednesday, June 15.
 The bus will leave from the Activity Center at Bohrer Park, 506 S. Frederick Avenue, at 4:30 p.m. and will depart the stadium 30 minutes after the conclusion of the game.  The cost per person is $30 and includes bus transportation and admission.  Please note that anyone under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult.  Refunds will only be made if the trip is cancelled due to inclement weather or insufficient number of participants.
 Registration forms are available online at www.gaithersburgmd.gov or call 301-258-6350 for more information.

Visit Gaithersburg Parks on May 21 for National Kids to Parks Day

The Mayor and City Council have proclaimed May 21, 2011 as National Kids to Parks Day in the City of Gaithersburg, encouraging children, teens and families to visit parks throughout the community.
 At a ceremony on Monday, May 16, 2011, Mayor Sidney Katz presented a proclamation to Shana Fajardo of the National Park Trust (NPT), a nonprofit organization striving to preserve and protect our nation’s parklands, and to reconnect youth with nature.  During the presentation, the Mayor stated, “Parks serve as a natural catalyst for promoting active lifestyles.  Awareness and appreciation of our parks serves as yet another strategy in a tool kit to reduce childhood obesity and create healthier citizens.”
When you visit a City park on Saturday, May 21, take your camera with you, and then submit photos of your adventures to the NPT for inclusion on their special map that will commemorate the day.  Campaign mascot Buddy Bison has lots of information and resources for you about the importance of parks.  Visit him at www.buddybison.org.  Submit your photos from May 21 to buddy@parktrust.org.
In Gaithersburg you’ll find 522 acres of parkland in 25 separate parks located throughout the City.  A complete list including all of their amenities is available at www.gaithersburgmd.gov.
One very special activity is taking place this weekend in and around Griffith Park at City Hall, 31 South Summit Avenue.  Join us for the 2nd annual Gaithersburg Book Festival on Saturday, May 21 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.  This all-day celebration of books, writers, and literary excellence features  appearances, discussions and book signings by more than 80 national bestselling and award-winning authors as well as local up-and-comers; writing workshops; a Children’s Village; a Coffee House with poets and singers/songwriters; onsite book sales, both new and used; exhibitors and, of course, food, drink, ice cream, and more. Admission, parking, and shuttle bus rides from Lakeforest Mall are free. For more information visit www.gaithersburgbookfestival.org.

"Asian Americans in the Capital Region: Heritage in the Making" Event

Please join County Executive Ike Leggett and delegates Susan Lee, Sam Arora and Aruna Miller to honor and celebrate Montgomery County’s Asian American community (now 14% of the County’s population) with a special program on May 26.   The two panels reflect the rich dynamics of today’s Asian Americans in our County.  
 "Asian Americans in the Capital Region: Heritage in the Making."  
Thursday, May 26, 3:00 – 7:00 p.m., Executive Office Building Auditorium, 101 Monroe St. , Rockville, Maryland. 
 Program Outline:
3:00 – 3:30      Overview and proclamation of APA Heritage Month
3:30 – 5:00      Panel #1: “Churches, Mosques and Temples: Faith-based Approaches to Social Services in the Asian American Community” (Rev. Tim Warner, Montgomery County’s Faith Liaison, will facilitate a discussion with a highly diverse panel of faith leaders on the critical roles of faith groups in the Asian American communities).
5:15 –6:45       Panel #2: “A Conversation with Asian American Policymakers: Perspectives on Community Engagement in a Global Economy” (Delegates Susan Lee, Sam Arora and Aruna Miller will discuss the State of Maryland’s economic competitiveness and strategies for engaging the majority-immigrant Asian American communities to advance the State’s and the County’s economic interests).
The Office of Community Partnerships and the Asian American Advisory Group are primary hosts of this program.  Hope to see you there and feel free to invite others. 

Attention! Free GED, Job Readiness Training and College Readiness Workshops

Maryland Multicultural Youth Center- Silver Spring is currently enrolling students for their Spring 2011 programs.
If you:
-          Are 16-21 years old
-          US Citizen or Legal Permanent Resident
-          Live in Montgomery County, MD
-          Meet income requirements
And you are interested in:
-          Earning your High School Diploma
-          Job Placement
-          Assistance with College or Vocational School Enrollment
Then:
Our program may be for you! Please contact Marissa Govoni at 301-495-0441 ext 224 or marissa@layc-dc.org to enroll.

The Gilcrest Center invites you to come practice Spanish with native speakers

Do You Know an Unsung Leader in Our Community?


Deadline for Nominations: May 25, 2011
The Community Foundation for the National Capital Region invites you to nominate exceptional youth and adult leaders to be considered for the 2011 Linowes Leadership Awards. 
Now in its 14th year, the Linowes Leadership Awards program recognizes the vision, creativity and leadership of unsung community leaders of all ages working in the Washington, DC metropolitan area.  Nominees should largely be unrecognized for their work and dedication.  Four awards are made annually, with one award specifically recognizing a young person age 18 or younger.
Each recipient will receive an award of $2,000 along with an additional $3,000 to be donated to the nonprofit organization of his or her choice.  All recipients will be recognized at The Community Foundation's "Celebration of Civic Spirit" event later this year.
For more information on the Linowes Leadership Awards program and details on the nomination process, please visit our website at www.thecommunityfoundation.org or contact Jessica Sherry at jsherry@cfncr.org or (202) 955-5890, ext. 159

Do You Know an Unsung Leader in Our Community?

Deadline for Nominations: May 25, 2011
The Community Foundation for the National Capital Region invites you to nominate exceptional youth and adult leaders to be considered for the 2011 Linowes Leadership Awards. 
Now in its 14th year, the Linowes Leadership Awards program recognizes the vision, creativity and leadership of unsung community leaders of all ages working in the Washington, DC metropolitan area.  Nominees should largely be unrecognized for their work and dedication.  Four awards are made annually, with one award specifically recognizing a young person age 18 or younger.
Each recipient will receive an award of $2,000 along with an additional $3,000 to be donated to the nonprofit organization of his or her choice.  All recipients will be recognized at The Community Foundation's "Celebration of Civic Spirit" event later this year.
For more information on the Linowes Leadership Awards program and details on the nomination process, please visit our website at www.thecommunityfoundation.org or contact Jessica Sherry at jsherry@cfncr.org or (202) 955-5890, ext. 159

Gandhi Brigade Youth Media is looking for a new Program Director

If you know an extraordinary person with strong program management experience and a love of young people, forward them this job post on Idealist:
Please direct questions to:
Richard Jaeggi, Gandhi Brigade, Executive Director richard@gandhibrigade.org, http://www.gandhibrigade.org

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Come to the Financial Consumer Protection Forum on May 17th

Congressman Van Hollen Invites You to a Financial Consumer Protection Forum

On Tuesday, May 17, 2011 from 7-9 pm, Congressman Chris Van Hollen will host a Financial Consumer Protection Forum in conjunction with the Montgomery County Office of Consumer Protection. Speakers will include Professor Elizabeth Warren, Assistant to the President and Special Advisor to the Secretary of the Treasury on the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Representatives from more than 30 federal, state, county, and non-profit agencies will also participate.
Forum attendees will have the opportunity to talk to experts, gather information, and learn about issues like mail fraud, lotteries and sweepstakes scams, investment scams, foreclosure prevention, identity theft, Medicare fraud, long-term care issues, benefits for veterans and Social Security recipients, and more.
The event will be held at the Silver Spring Civic Center at One Veterans Plaza in Silver Spring, MD, at the corner of Fenton Street and Ellsworth Drive. Parking is available at the In-Town Garage, 801 Ellsworth St., across the street from the Center.
For more information, please call 301-424-3501.

Event Monster: Resource for events happening in the DC Metro Area



Have you ever said to yourself "Hmmm...I'm really bored, I really want to do something different, but I keep doing the same old thing". Well if you are anything like me, you sure have. The concept behind this site is to solve this very problem. If you're trying to find something new to do in your home city or on travel and just not sure where to go to find events, this is the site for you. EventMonsters hopes to build a community-based format to help you explore a city like never before. So take a stroll around our web pages, make sure to join the newsletter to get up-to-date listings of events, and leave us some feedback if you have ideas on how to make this site better. Most of all, we hope you enjoy the fun!

Thanks and enjoy Mikey

Founding Members
Mike Heard
Joseph Li

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Human Rights Commission Hosts Free Community Forum

The City of Rockville's Human Rights Commission will host the second free community forum in a series Thursday, May 12, at 7 p.m. at the Twinbrook Community Center Annex, 12920 Twinbrook Parkway.
The forum, Defending Religious Freedom; Building Interfaith Bridges, will focus on how to advocate for religious freedom and interfaith dialogue globally and locally. It will feature guest speakers from the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom and Interfaith Works, and will include a discussion and light refreshments.
For more information about the forum or the Human Rights Commission contact Janet Kelly, human rights and mediation coordinator, at jkelly@rockvillemd.gov or 240-314-8316, TTY 240-314-8137.

Monday, May 9, 2011

Cultural Tourism DC Passport DC Week Begins

Passport DC features special international programing and events throughout the entire month of May. Be sure to catch one of the many daily and ongoing international events that are happening all around Washington, DC. Don't miss the Around the World Embassy Tour on May 14. Embassies from around globe open their doors and welcome visitors to experience the art, culture, cuisine, and much more. A complete list of participating embassies is available online.  

Leggett to Help Launch Countywide Local Hospitality Campaign

Leggett to Help Launch Countywide Local Hospitality Campaign Will Be First Public Unveiling of Campaign Logo and Materials 

Monday, May 9, 2011
 3:00 - 4:30 pm
 Campaign Launch – 3:30 pm
 Veteran’s Park
(corner of Norfolk and Woodmont avenues, Bethesda)

Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett will join with: Dennis Castleman, vice president, Industry Relations, U.S. Travel Association; Roger Berliner, Montgomery County Council; Dave Dabney, executive director, Bethesda Urban Partnership; Rick Southard, CVB Board chair & senior market account executive, Marriott International; Kelly Groff, executive director, Conference and Visitors Bureau of Montgomery County, Maryland, Inc.; and members of the local hospitality community for the official launch of a new County-wide hospitality campaign sparked by the 2011 U.S. Open Championship being held June 13-19 at Congressional Country Club in Bethesda and to coincide with National Travel and Tourism Week May 7-15.

Note:  In the event of inclement weather, the event will move indoors to the Double Tree Hotel, 8120 Wisconsin Ave., Bethesda.

Leggett Proposes Renaming Montgomery Aquatic Center In Honor of Eunice Kennedy Shriver and Sargent Shriver

Montgomery Aquatic Center in North Bethesda in honor of the late Eunice Kennedy Shriver and Sargent Shriver, longtime residents of Montgomery County. “Naming this world class aquatic center for the Shrivers would appropriately honor the lives and memory of these two remarkable, community-minded individuals,” said Leggett.  “The Shrivers were avid swimmers and were renowned for opening their home and pool to disabled and disadvantaged children for fun and exercise and for Eunice Shriver’s beloved Special Olympics activities.”

As required by County Administrative Procedure 5-19, the County Executive has appointed an Ad Hoc Naming Committee to review this proposal and receive and consider public comments.  Following receipt of any public comment, as well as comments from the County Council, the committee will make a final recommendation to the County Executive.

Public comments should be submitted no later than Friday, May 13, to Kathleen Boucher, Assistant Chief Administrative Officer, Office of the County Executive, 101 Monroe Street, Rockville, MD  20850.  Comments may also be sent via email to Kathleen.Boucher@montgomerycountymd.gov.

County Executive’s Youth Advisory Committee To Hold Teen Forum

Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett and his Youth Advisory Committee (YAC) invites teens to a Teen Forum scheduled for Saturday, May 14 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Silver Spring Civic Building, One Veteran’s Place, Silver Spring.  The free event is being organized by members of the YAC to give young people an opportunity to share their experiences, insights and solutions to problems with the County Executive and members of the County Council.

The YAC provides Montgomery County teens the opportunity to develop leadership skills while serving their communities.  Appointed by the County Executive, YAC members represent youth from across the County.  The committee works to strengthen students’ voices in the schools through “speak outs” and contact with County government.  Another part of the committee’s mission is to help eliminate violence, alcohol and other drug use, and help fight racial discrimination through multicultural education.

Space is limited so pre-registration is recommended.  To pre-register, go to www.montgomerycountymd.gov/rec, click on registration and register for course number 310044.