Committee for Ethnic Affairs: March 2011

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

“Treasures of the East and West” Featured at Music on the Move Concert Series

The City of Gaithersburg invites you to enjoy a beautiful concert in a unique format. Ancient melodies played on traditional Chinese instruments by masters, and music, both new and old, influenced by ancient melodies for piano and violin will be performed by renowned musicians. The concert takes place on Friday, April 22 at 7:30 p.m. Admission is $25, $22 for City of Gaithersburg residents. Please call 301-258-6394 for tickets and information.

With concerts occurring simultaneously in the Arts Barn Theatre and Kentlands Mansion, patrons will have the opportunity to attend their first half of the evening with the concert in one of the two venues and switch at intermission to enjoy a second concert in the other venue. Intermission will feature a variety of delicious, complimentary desserts. Champagne, wine, beer and soft drinks will be available for purchase.

“Treasures of the East and West” Featured at Music on the Move Concert Series

HIV/AIDS Awareness & Education Event

Studies have shown increasing concern about addressing the HIV/AIDS prevention needs of culturally diverse populations in the United States.

Messages in most HIV/AIDS programs reflect Western cultural values regarding sexual relations and communication, and rarely penetrate the cultural barriers of immigrant populations. For recent immigrants and refugees from non-western countries, barriers to HIV education are reinforced by stigma, language differences and cultural values concerning health and sexuality, and by lack of access and knowledge about available health services.

The theme for this April event will be centered around “Planning & Coping Strategy Framework for Responding to HIV/AIDS Stigma”.

To learn about these significant gaps in HIV/AIDS education, anti-stigma reduction strategies and more, please plan to attend this upcoming event on April 27, 2011, from 12:00-2:30 p.m. at the Charlene Nunley Student Services Center (second floor) at the Takoma Park/Silver Spring Campus.

Gaithersburg Offers Bus Trip to See Nats vs. O’s

The City of Gaithersburg is organizing a bus trip to see the Washington Nationals take on the Baltimore Orioles at Camden Yards on Saturday, May 21. Game time is 4:05 p.m. Seats are limited and the deadline for registration is Wednesday, April 6, 2011.

The bus will leave from the Activity Center at Bohrer Park, 506 S. Frederick Avenue at 1:30 p.m. and will depart the stadium 30 minutes after the conclusion of the game. The cost per person is $50 and includes bus transportation, tickets in the left field section, and all-you-can-eat hot dogs, popcorn, peanuts, nachos, garden salads, ice cream, soda, and lemonade. Please note that anyone under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

Register online using Activity #33001 in the RecXpress program at www.gaithersburgmd.gov, or call 301-258-6350. Please note that refunds will only be made if the trip is cancelled due to inclement weather or insufficient number of participants.

Gaithersburg Offers Bus Trip to See Nats vs. O’s

Recreation Department Accepting Registration for Summer Camps and Programs

Montgomery County’s Department of Recreation is accepting registrations for its popular summer camps and programs!

The 2011 Summer Camps and Programs guide is filled with affordable and exciting camp programs designed to serve a wide range of interests. Included in this year’s offerings are camps for sports, rocketry, magic, art, horseback riding, swimming, dance, nature and stage acting. Also offered are several general interest camps. Summer Fun Centers are a good option for all ages offering daily, drop-in camp programs with different activities every day.

Early sign-up is encouraged, because registration is on a first-come, first-served basis and space is limited. Individuals can register one of four ways: by mail, fax, online or in person at the Recreation Department Administrative Offices located at 4010 Randolph Road, Silver Spring.

The Summer Camps guide is available at all Recreation community and aquatic centers or online at www.montgomerycountymd.gov/rec. For more information, call 240-777-6870

Gaithersburg Miniature Golf Course Opens for Season April 30

Gaithersburg invites you to “Come Play a Round” on its beautifully landscaped miniature golf course, located at Bohrer Park at Summit Hall Farm, 510 South Frederick Avenue next to Gaithersburg High School. The course is open weekends April 30 through June 17, daily June 18 through August 26, and weekends only again August 27 through October 9.

The park opens at 11 a.m., and closing hours vary from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. depending on the day of the week and the season. Please note that the park will close at 7 p.m. on Memorial Day, Independence Day and Labor Day. Play must start one hour prior to posted closing time.

Rates per game are just $5 for residents and $6 for nonresidents. Unlimited play is $2 more. Discounts apply for Senior Citizens.

On Mother’s Day, May 8, treat your mom to a fun round of golf to celebrate her special day. Moms play free with a paid customer. Several other promotional days are planned this year, too. Dads play free with a paid customer on Father’s Day, June 19. Celebrate Couple’s Day on July 10 and Friendship Day on August 7 with buy-one-get-on-free specials. Grandparents play free with a paid admission on Grandparent’s Day, September 11. Then on Closing Day, October 9, enjoy a Columbus Day Special with one half-priced ice cream per paid admission ticket.

Birthdays are extra special at the Golf Course, with packages that include golf admission, drinks, ice cream, and paper products, all for only $10 per child. For an additional $5 per person you can make a day of it by adding a visit to the adjacent Water Park as part of your party package.

For hours, group rates, reservations and additional information please call 301-258-6350 or visit www.gaithersburgmd.gov/minigolf.

Leggett to annouce pay-by-cell program

Leggett to annouce pay-by-cell program availble throughout Bethesda, Silver Spring, Wheaton and Montgomery Hills to Receive Service by Summer

Thursday, March 31, 2011

11:00 AM

Rooftop, Bethesda-Elm Parking Garage

4841 Bethesda Avenue, Bethesda (Garage entrances on Bethesda Avenue and Elm Street)

Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett will announce that cell phones can now be used to pay for parking at County parking meters in Bethesda. By summer, the program will be expanded to include meters in Silver Spring, Wheaton, Montgomery Hills, and North Bethesda – for a total of 11,000 parking meters.

Joining Leggett will be Montgomery County Councilmember Roger Berliner, who represents Bethesda, and Krista Tassa, president MobileNOW!, the County’s contractor for the pay-by-cell program and a tenant of the Rockville Innovation Center.

* Staff will demonstrate how pay-by-cell works at one of the rooftop parking meters.

"Community for the 21st Century"

"Community for the 21^st Century" with conversation starters Peter Block, Nancy White, Maria Scordialos & Sarah Whiteley

April 1, 2011

No technology to learn - it's all by telephone!

What is community in 2011?

Each of our conversations starters is deeply engaged in the art and practice of community; together they bring a diverse set of perspectives to seed a conversation about what's possible in community today.

Come prepared to engage with the conversation starters, special guests from the Heartland Circle, Berkana, Powers of Place, and each other!

TAKE YOUR PLACE AT THE TABLE REGISTER TODAY (you must register to participate) for more information about

this session: http://www.wedialogue.com/community-for-the-21st-century.html

the series: http://www.wedialogue.com/conversations-for-the-21st-century.html

Sunday, March 27, 2011

Montgomery County Council to Hold 5 Public Hearings on FY12 Operating Budget

The public hearings will be held at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, April 5; at 1:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Wednesday, April 6; and at 1:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Thursday, April 7. All hearings will be held in the Third Floor Conference Room of the Council Office Building at 100 Maryland Ave. in Rockville. The number of speakers for the week is limited due to the number of spots available. To register to speak, residents should call 240-777-7803.

In addition to speaking at the public hearings, residents can offer comments on the budget via the budget comment line available through the County Web site at www.montgomerycountymd.gov/budgetcomments. Comments and suggestions will be forwarded to the Executive Branch and to all County Council members daily.

The hearings will be televised live by County Cable Montgomery (CCM—Cable Channel 6 on Comcast and RCN, Channel 30 on Verizon) and also will be available via streaming through the County Web site at www.montgomerycountymd.gov.

County Executive Isiah Leggett presented his recommended budget to the Council on March 15. Over the next 10 weeks, the Council and its six committees will analyze the recommendations and will adopt the FY12 budget in late May. The budget adopted by the Council will take effect on July 1.

Details about the County Executive’s recommended budget can be found at: http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/apps/News/Blog/pioBlog.asp?blogID=28&blogItemID=1229.

Local News Channel for County Government News

Please use the link below for information about local Channel 6, for getting county government news and the latest updates and interviews on what's happening in local government.

http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/ccmtmpl.asp?url=/content/cableoffice/ccm/index.asp

County Launches Website to Educate Residents about New Code Enforcement Laws

Montgomery County has launched a new website to educate residents about new zoning laws recently enacted that are designed to help protect and maintain the residential character of neighborhoods. The new website, found at www.montgomerycountymd.gov/goodneighbors, is available in both English and Spanish.

The new laws, which go into effect on April 24, deal with home-based businesses, off-street parking and paving of front yards. A law, which went into effect in July 2009, prohibits on-street parking of heavy commercial and recreational vehicles in residential neighborhoods. The new laws were proposed by County Executive Ike Leggett two years ago based on recommendations from a Code Enforcement Work Group that he appointed. The Work Group reviewed a number of housing and zoning code issues that were causing adverse impacts and public safety issues in residential neighborhoods. The County Council approved zoning text amendment 09-03 last October.

The website is part of a comprehensive public education campaign by County officials. A series of community meetings were held in early March around the County to present the changes in the law and answer questions from County residents. Brochures and posters – in English and Spanish – are being distributed. Other advertising includes posters in Ride On buses and at bus shelters.

For more information, call 240-777-6507 or visit www.montgomerycountymd.gov/goodneighbors

Film Premiere of "A Community of Gardeners"

Thursday, March 24, 2011, Naomi Bloch (a CEA Board member) attended the premiere of "A Community of Gardeners" in downtown Washington, DC at the Museum for Women in the Arts.

This film was produced by Ms. Cintia Cabib, a local Montgomery County independent video producer and was shown as part of the 2011 Environmental Film Festival.

This is a 60-minute documentary features several different kinds of community gardens: An outdoor classroom, an oasis of peace in an inner-city neighborhood, a link to an immigrant's homeland.

I found the film to be very enjoyable, education and inspiring! It was also wonderful to meet many of the diverse people who were featured in the film. A very informative Q&A session took place after the film.

For more information about the "A Community of Gardeners" film, please check out: http://communityofgardeners.com/

And, for information about the growing community gardens movement right here in Montgomery County, Maryland, please check out this link: http://www.montgomeryvictorygardens.org/

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

County Co-Sponsors Free Screening of Documentary and Panel Discussion About End-of-Life Issues

In recognition of National Healthcare Decisions Day, the public is invited to attend a free screening of the documentary, “Consider the Conversation.” The film includes interviews about end-of-life with patients, families, health care professionals, clergy and national experts. Following the documentary, a panel of local experts will discuss the film and related end-of-life issues. Event planners hope to inspire dialogue between patients, family members and physicians about end-of-life issues and seek to promote the film’s message that end-of-life is a “normal process rich in opportunity for human development.”

Thursday, April 7, 2011

6:30 PM to 9 PM

Silver Spring Civic Building (downtown Silver Spring at One Veterans Plaza)

The screening and panel discussion are sponsored by the Montgomery County Coalition for End-of-Life Care, an education and advocacy organization; the Montgomery County Area Agency on Aging; the Montgomery County Commission on Aging; the Montgomery County Commission on Health; and Capital City Nursing.

No advance registration is required. The event will begin with a reception featuring light refreshments and resource information.

For more information, call Shawn Brennan at 240-777-1350 or go to http://www.mccelc.org/.

Teens and Parents Invited To Dating Conference

Montgomery County’s Domestic Violence Coordinating Council (DVCC), Montgomery College and other County agencies and community organizations will host the second annual Choose Respect Montgomery teen dating conference. The conference will feature workshops for teens, including sessions on healthy teen dating behaviors, recognizing abuse in dating relationships and misuse of technology. The keynote speaker will be Bill Mitchell, president of the Kristen Mitchell Foundation, an organization that supports educational efforts that raise awareness of unhealthy dating relationships. The award-winning youth performance arts organization, City at Peace, will open the conference. The event will conclude with the recognition of the winners of the Choose Respect Montgomery public service announcement contest.

Saturday, April 9, 2011

9:30 AM to 3:30 PM

Montgomery College- Takoma Park campus, Cultural Arts Center- 7995 Georgia Avenue in Silver Spring.

Sessions for teens and parents will be held in English and Spanish.

To register, go to http://chooserespectmontgomery.eventbrite.com. For more information, call 240-777-5573.

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Women's Art, Women's Vision: Over 50 & Fabulous Sponsored by AARP Maryland

Highlighting Maryland Women Artists Over the Age of 50 For Women's History Month

Monday, March 7 - Friday, April 1

RECEPTION: Tuesday, March 8 from 5 - 7 pm

LOCATION: World Trade Center in Baltimore (401 East Pratt Street)

Both the Exhibition and Reception are Free and Open to the Public

Select Artists Include: Janet Freedman, Loretto Gubernatis and Stephanie Hopkins of Baltimore; Ellie Tryon of Bel Air, Md.; Wilhelmina Burress of Bowie, Md.; Eileen Williams of Columbia, Md.; Diane Wieder of Ellicott City, Md.

All artwork in the exhibition is for sale and proceeds benefit the Maryland Women's Heritage Center

http://www.mdwomensheritagecenter.org/

National African Immigrants and Refugees (AIR) Health Advocates Training and Health-Fair Initiative

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Cameroon American Council (CAC) are delighted to announce their new partnership to educate African immigrant and refugee populations about the Medicare, Medicaid, and Children Health Insurance Programs through the National African Immigrants and Refugees (AIR) Health Advocates Training and Health-Fair initiative.

The purpose of this initiative is to provide African immigrant groups with accurate, consistent, credible and culturally sensitive information from official sources and to help Africans in the United States make the best informed choices for healthcare coverage. CMS is the federal agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that is responsible for administering the Medicare, Medicaid, Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and several other health-related programs.

Join us for this unprecedented training!

Saturday, March 12, 2011

9:00 AM to 3:00 PM

Omega Gospel Mission, 6210 Chillum Place, NW, Washington, DC 20011

Metro Stations: Takoma Park-Red Line; Fort Totten-Green/Yellow/Red Lines

Street Parking Available; Breakfast and Lunch Provided

Please register at http://bit.ly/hsupYy or email Kafui Doe at kafuidoe@gmail.com or call her at 323-493-7573

Your attendance at this training will connect you with a growing network of African Immigrant and Refugee (AIR) Health Advocates charged to serve as trainers who are equipped to provide information, assistance, and education to members of their African faith and local communities.

**For more information about sponsorship or volunteer opportunities, media/press contact or to request to have a table for organizations who would like to provide free screenings, free vaccinations, or provide resource/literature contact Sylvie Bello, sylviebello.dc@gmail.com, 202-641-0273 or Joy Spencer, joyful9802@gmail.com, 301-536-5088.

Sunday, March 6, 2011

Montgomery Life Magazine

Montgomery Life is a bi-monthly publication featuring local residents, events and resources for 10 years. The magazine is available at Borders Books, Sandy Spring Banks, local libraries, spas, salons, retail stores, restaurants and other choice areas.

Pick up this month's issue today or subscribe and receive Montgomery Life right at your door - only $17.95 per year (6 Issues).

http://www.montmag.com/default.aspx

CEA Monthly Meetings Update: March Meeting

The Committee for Ethnic Affairs meets on the first Thursday of every month to advise the County Executive and the County Council in matters of public policy relating to the County's diverse communities. By emphasizing the richness of the County's linguistic and cultural diversity, the Committee for Ethnic Affairs promotes interaction among the many groups that represent these communities.

Meeting notes from Thursday, March 3, 2011 -

Last night The Committee for Ethnic Affairs (CEA) board members met to update each other on what each of the three sub-committees have been doing to advance the goals set forward in last October's Retreat. The meeting was called to order by Chair, Enas Elhanafi at 7:00.

The three Sub-Committees updated the full committee on the progress of the action items set forth in both the Retreat and last month's meeting.

Policies & Issues, which is researching in more detail what services and programs exist in the county and how to better inform the residents of Montgomery County about these programs and services for the benefit of themselves and others in their communities. Their findings will then be shared with the Communications & Outreach sub-committee and the two committees will work collaboratively on ways of sharing this information with communities throughout Montgomery County.

The Communications & Outreach (Community Relations) sub-committee reported on their progress in further developing the monthly Happy Hours and Speaker Series. These projects are proceeding well and will become good opportunities for all three CEA sub-committees to work together. It was reported that three, more in depth community panel-style discussions are being planned for May, June and November of 2011, respectively. Interviews of guest speakers and other knowledgeable county staff will be shared via the CEA the Blog and Facebook pages.

The World of Montgomery Festival presented their work plan for the Festival that will take place in Wheaton, on October 16, 2011. The goals they are working on are: (1) Reaching out to International NGOs, and inviting their participation at the Festival in order to share information about their work with the wider community. (2) Gathering and presenting information at the Festival on the Sister Cities programs in Montgomery County as well as the plans for creating additional Sister Cities relationships in the future. (3) A children's crafts and story-telling project for the Festival that will engage and teach children about the various global cultures and customs that are also represented right here in Montgomery County.

For more information about The Committee for Ethnic Affairs and Montgomery County:

http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/cpstmpl.asp?url=/content/EXEC/partnerships/resources/meetings/CEA/index.asp

http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/

http://www.facebook.com/CEAMD

Post Contributed by Naomi Bloch

Thursday, March 3, 2011

Office of Consumer Protection Hosts Lunch Time Seminar: "Recovering from the Recession"

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

12:00 to 2:00 PM

Rockville Library, 2nd Floor Conference Rm (21 Maryland Avenue, Rockville, MD 20850)

Montgomery County Office of Consumer Protection (OCP) is joining with federal, state, and local government agencies and national organizations to celebrate the 13th annual National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) coming March 6-12, 2011. During NCPW, organizations share tips and information that help consumers protect their privacy, manage money and debt, avoid identity theft, and avoid frauds and scams.

Guest speakers will discuss building/rebuilding your credit, managing your debts, and issues affecting seniors. OCP will also be answering consumer questions online throughout the week. Please submit your consumer question to us at consumerprotection@montgomerycountymd.gov by Friday, March 4th. We will post answers on our website at www.montgomerycountymd.gov/consumer.

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 240.777.3636 or MD Relay (1.800.735.2258) or e-mail consumerprotection@montgomerycountymd.gov.

Free Tote Bag to the first 25 attendees! Light refreshments will be available at noon!

Please register by calling Consumer University at 240.777.3764 or by email at: consumerprotection@montgomerycountymd.gov.