Nominations Sought for Montgomery Serves Awards

Nominations Sought  for Montgomery Serves Awards

 Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett announced today that nominations are being accepted for the Montgomery Serves Awards and the Neal Potter Path of Achievement Awards.

The awards, along with the Roscoe Nix Award, will be presented on April 29 at Imagination Stage in Bethesda.  The event, organized by the Montgomery County Volunteer Center, Fund for Montgomery (FFM) and the Corporate Volunteer Council of Montgomery County (CVC-MC), will honor some of the County’s most outstanding community leaders and dedicated volunteers. Andrea Roane, weekday morning anchor for WUSA 9, will serve as mistress of ceremonies.

“There are so many dedicated and hardworking individuals in Montgomery County who give freely of their time and talents to make this County a special place to live, work and raise a family,” Leggett said in encouraging residents to submit nominations of individuals, businesses and community groups for the awards. “We launched this awards program last year to recognize the many extraordinary people who work so hard every day to serve their community.”

Nominations are now being sought from the public for two award categories:

·        Neal Potter Path of Achievement Awards.  In partnership with the Commission on Aging and “The Beacon” newspaper, two residents aged 60 and above will be selected for their lifetime of volunteer service to the County.  This annual award is named in memory of former CountyCouncilmember, County Executive and longtime civic activist Neal Potter.

·        2012 Montgomery Serves Awards. The awards recognize special volunteer accomplishments during the calendar year 2012 in three categories: Youth Service Awards (individual youth 18 years and under and/or youth groups); Business Service Awards (businesses or corporations that engage their employees as community volunteers); and Community Service Awards (exemplary volunteer service by individuals or community organizations).

Nominations will be accepted until Monday, February 25 at 5 p.m.  Additional information and nomination forms can be found atwww.montgomeryserves.org or by calling the Montgomery County Volunteer Center at 240-777-2600.  Winners are expected to be announced in mid-March.

The prestigious Roscoe Nix Award was established by the County Executive to honor community icon Roscoe Nix, who gave a half century of service to Montgomery County as president of the Montgomery County Branch of the NAACP and as a member of the Montgomery County Board of Education. First presented in 2012, the Nix award is the County’s equivalent of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian award.

The Montgomery Serves Awards, sponsored by the FFM, were created by Leggett and the Office of Community Partnerships to solicit private funding to continue important community-building events like Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, World of Montgomery Festival, Community Service Day and ethnic heritage events.  The awards ceremony is hosted by Montgomery County through the Volunteer Center, with the assistance of the CVC- MC.

The event is free and open to the public, but seating is limited and pre-registration is required. Registration begins on February 11 atwww.montgomeryserves.org.

Recreation Invites Residents' Input on Future Health and Wellness Programming for Older Adults

Recreation Invites Residents' Input on Future Health and Wellness Programming for Older Adults

Montgomery County Recreation Invites Residents’ Input On Future Health and Wellness Programming for Older Adults

          To help Montgomery County Recreation in developing a three-year plan to enhance and improve recreational programs for older adults that promote their overall health and wellness, the public is invited to attend a community meeting to share their suggestions, thoughts and ideas about the types of recreational and wellness programs they would like to see offered.  The meeting will be held on Tuesday, February 12, from 12:30 to 2 p.m., at the Mid-County Community Recreation Center, 2004 Queensguard Road, Silver Spring.

      

    “Community involvement is critical to the development of our plan,” said Montgomery County Recreation Director Gabriel Albornoz.  “I am looking forward to resident participation to help shape our future programs and activity offerings for seniors and encourage residents to attend this community meeting.”

       

   Sign language interpreter services will be provided only upon request with notice as far in advance as possible, but no less than 72 hours prior to the event. If these or other services or aids are needed to participate in this activity, call 240-777-6870 or TTY 240-777-6974 or email a request to rec.mainstream@montgomerycountymd.gov. 

 For more information call 240-777-6875.

Montgomery County Town Hall with County Executive Ike Leggett

Montgomery County Town Hall with County Executive Ike Leggett

February 6, 2013
7:30pm - 9:00pm
Montgomery County Council Hearing Room
Council Office Building
100 Maryland Avenue
Rockville, Maryland
RSVP for Montgomery County Town Hall

Montgomery County Board Vacancies

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:

·  Commission on Landlord-Tenant Affairs

The deadline for application is February 22, 2013.

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 abrief 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 individuals selected for appointment are made public as part of the confirmation process.

Contact:  Beth Gochrach: 240-777-2528

Free Income Tax Assistance

County Provides Free Income Tax Assistance to Eligible Residents Through VITA

(Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) Program

           

            Montgomery County taxpayers with incomes under $51,000 per year may be eligible for free income tax preparation assistance through the IRS’ Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program, sponsored by the County’s Community Action Agency, part of the Department of Health and Human Services.  Free tax services are also available through the RSVP/AARP Tax Aide Program, Community Tax Aid, and at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center

IRS-certified volunteers helps eligible low-to-moderate income working families and seniors quickly and safely claim refunds and tax incentives, such as the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), Child Tax Credit and tax credits for the elderly and individuals who are disabled. 

“One in four eligible households fail to claim the EITC each year,” said County Executive Isiah Leggett.  “I urge families to access the free tax help because it puts money in the wallets and bank accounts of our residents.”

To learn more about the County’s free tax services, and where to apply, call 3-1-1 (TTY: 301-251-4850 / MD Relay- 711) or go towww.montgomerycountymd.gov/freetaxhelp.

Literary Contest for Students

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Committee

Announces Literary Contest for Students

The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (MLK) Commemorative Committee is seeking entries for its literary arts contest in observance of the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The writing contest is open to all elementary, middle and high schools students in MontgomeryCounty. Entries must be 150 words, or less, in poetry or essay format. Entries will be judged on understanding and appreciation of the ideals of Dr. King; clarity and originality of expression; and adherence to the 2013 theme, “HIS dream…iAct…WE change!”

The deadline for submitting entries is Friday, December 14. Participating schools should submit a maximum of three entries per school to the MLK Essay Contest, c/o Montgomery County Office of Human Rights, 21 Maryland Avenue, Rockville, MD 20850.

The top two winners from all entries will be invited to read their essays and receive an award presented by the County Executive and The Gazette Newspapers as part of the County-wide MLK celebration on Sunday, January 20, 2013, at 3 p.m. at the Music Centerat Strathmore.

For more information, contact James Stowe, director of the County’s Office of Human Rights, at 240-777-8491 or email human-rights.commission@montgomerycountymd.gov.

Montgomery County's Winter Guide for Recreation and Parks Programs Now Available

Montgomery County’s Winter Guide for Recreation and Parks Programs

Now Available

The winter issue of the Montgomery County Guide for Recreation and Parks Programs is now available. Recreation began accepting registrations for its winter programs and classes on Monday, November 12. Registration for swim lessons opens on December 12. Residents are encouraged to register early as many programs fill up quickly.

This issue of the Winter Guide features hundreds of programs and activities for all ages, interests and abilities that will help keep residents active during the winter months. Some of the offerings include classes in creative and visual arts, fitness and cooking. Seniors, age 55 and older, can enroll in the affordable Senior Sneakers program and participate in senior trip and tour programs.

Registration is offered in one of four ways: online, by mail, fax, or in person at the Montgomery County Recreation Administrative Offices located at 4010 Randolph Road,Silver Spring.

Print copies of the Guide are available at recreation centers, park facilities, government buildings and libraries. Residents who prefer receiving the Guide in the mail can pay an annual subscription fee of $5 and receive a full year of five issues (Summer, Fall, Winter, Summer Camps and Spring). To view the Guide online, or to sign up for a subscription, go to www.montgomerycountymd.gov/rec.

For more information, call 240-777-6840.