Live Disscusion with County Executive Isiah Leggett

This online interactive forum allows residents in Montgomery County to send questions directly to County Executive Isiah Leggett. You may submit questions anytime. Answered questions will be available at the beginning of the live session and selected questions will be answered during the scheduled discussion time.


http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/apps/News/Discussion/PIOQuestion.asp?schdID=26&type=2

Limited English Proficiency PSA

English: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VeapsfDQb_Q

Spanish: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gtm5ICPkgnw&feature=related

Gaithersburg Arts Barn to Host 10th Annual One Act Play Festival

Enjoy an evening of both comedy and drama as the City of Gaithersburg joins with Montgomery Playhouse to present the 10th Annual One Act Festival July 15 through 24 at the Arts Barn, 311 Kent Square Road.  Performances will be held Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., with special Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. Tickets are $15, $13 for City of Gaithersburg residents.  The festival presents two separate evenings of one-acts in rotation.  If you would like to see all the plays offered in the festival, you will need to purchase two separate admissions.

Some performances contain adult themes and are not recommended for audiences under the age of 16.

After the Garden by Greg Powell, directed by Ted Ballard

The events that surround Adam and Eve’s expulsion from the Garden of Eden.

Graceland by Ellen Byron, directed by David Dossey

June 4, 1982, 5 a.m.  Elvis’ famous mansion is about to be opened to the public and devoted fans Bev and Rootie are both determined to be the first one through the gates.  Things are about to get interesting.

Porch by Jeffrey Sweet, directed by Aly Ettman

A “prodigal” daughter reunites with her father as he prepares to have life threatening surgery and encounters a former love with whom she shares a complicated history.

Going to the Chapel by Donald Steele, directed by Bruce Hirsch

For the fifth time Jan is Julie’s maid of honor.  They are getting ready for Julie’s wedding.

Pillow Talk by Peter Tolan, directed by David Jones

Two young men, Aaron and Doug, are on a cross country trip and have stopped for the evening at Aaron’s Grandmother’s mobile home in Prescott, Arizona.

Soap Opera by David Ives, directed by Christopher Mannino

The “Maypole” (read Maytag) Repairman brings his favorite washing machine (an Ocean IT-40) to a 4-star restaurant.   Throughout the play we learn about his love affair with this appliance.

For information and ticket purchase please call 301-258-6394 or use RecXpress online at www.gaithersburgmd.gov.

Gaithersburg’s Top Talent Competition Announced

We know that Gaithersburg’s is full of talented dancers and musicians, and we’re inviting young people to show off their skills at the Gaithersburg Top Talent Music and Dance Competition, taking place at the 30th Annual Celebrate Gaithersburg in Olde Towne street festival on Sunday, September 18, 2011.  Top prize in each category is $400 in cash, four hours of rehearsal time at Impact Studio, and four hours of weekend recording time at the Olde Towne Youth Center.

Gaithersburg’s Top Talent Competition Announced Show Off Your Music or Dance Skills at the Celebrate Gaithersburg Festival

Dancers and musicians (individuals and groups) between the ages of 11 and 21 are encouraged to submit audition tapes for this new competition.  But hurry.  The application deadline is July 15, 2011.  Audition tapes will be reviewed, and five dance acts and five musical acts will be accepted for the final competition on September 18.  Dance acts must perform a 2 to 4 minute routine.  Bands will be required to perform a 12 to 14 minute set. 

A panel of judges will select the champions, and audience voting, at a cost of $1 per vote, will also be factored in to the scoring.  Monies raised from votes at the Gaithersburg Top Talent competition will benefit the City of Gaithersburg Student Union, a high school club that promotes and participates in community outreach, service projects, and extracurricular activities for high school students. 

The application fee is $50, and forms with complete rules and regulations are available online at www.gaithersburgmd.gov/events.   For more information please contact Maura Dinwiddie at mdinwiddie@gaithersburgmd.gov or call 301-258-6350.

Gaithersburg Observatory, Museum Tours Available on Heritage Day

 The Gaithersburg Community Museum and the Gaithersburg Latitude Observatory are among 36 historical sites participating in Montgomery County Heritage Days, June 25 and 26, 2011.  This 14th annual event celebrates and showcases the County’s rich history with music, dance, food, and children's activities.  All Heritage Days events are free.

In commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the Civil War, a number of the sites will highlight Montgomery County’s Civil War connections.  Event organizer, Heritage Montgomery, has created “Life in a War Zone” DVD, “American Music of the Civil War” CD, and a commemorative map of Montgomery County in the 1860s in honor of the sesquicentennial. 

In Gaithersburg, the following will take place on Saturday, June 25, 2011:

The Gaithersburg Community Museum

Noon – 4 p.m.

9 South Summit Avenue

Tour the restored 1884 B&O railroad station, site of the Community Museum, history park and rolling stock.  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.

Gaithersburg Latitude Observatory

Noon – 4 p.m.

100 DeSellum Avenue

Tour the restored building and newly opened interpretive park.  Built in 1899 as one of six around the globe, the Observatory played an important role in the efforts of scientists to determine the wobble of the Earth on its polar axis to aid in navigation.  Ground markers are still used for GPS purposes today.

For more information on the activities in Gaithersburg please contact the Gaithersburg Community Museum at 301-258-6160 or visit www.gaithersburgmd.gov/museum. 

For more information on Montgomery County Heritage Days please visit www.heritagemontgomery.org.  This project is supported by the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority, Montgomery County Government, Comcast Communications, and the Gazette Newspapers.

Road Construction Projects Underway

Cedar Lane Bridge to Close for Reconstruction for 12 Weeks; Route 34 Ride On Bus Service to be Detoured Project Will Improve Bike Network; Other Pedestrian Projects Under Way

The bridge on Cedar Lane in Bethesda that carries traffic over Rock Creek is currently being rehabilitated because inspectors found that its concrete beams and piers were in poor condition.   Beginning at

7 p.m. on Thursday, June 16, bridge reconstruction efforts will require that the bridge be closed for about 12 weeks.  A temporary bridge will be available only for pedestrians.  The bridge is expected to reopen August 24.

During the bridge closure, Ride On bus Route 34 will be detoured between Parkhill Drive and Beach Drive, and service to six bus stops, three in each direction, in that portion of the route will be temporarily discontinued.  Instead, an extra bus will offer supplemental service for Route 34 to ensure that the route operates on time.  The supplemental service will run between Wheaton Metrorail Station and Medical Center Station via Cedar Lane, Beach Drive, Connecticut Avenue, and Jones Bridge Road, using only existing Route 34 bus stops.  Passengers should board at either Medical Center Station or any of the Parkwood Drive stops prior to Beach Drive.  When the bridge reopens, Route 34 service will return to its normal routing.

The construction is related to transportation improvements in progress to address increased traffic expected as a result of the Base Realignment and Closure Act (BRAC) changes at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda. 

The Cedar Lane Bridge was originally built in 1959 and the superstructure and pier caps must be replaced.  A shared-use pedestrian and bicycle path will be added between Rock Creek Trail and Elmhirst Trail.

Other BRAC-related projects that are either ongoing or recently completed include:

Pavement patching, milling and resurfacing on Battery Lane from Old Georgetown Road to Maryland Route 355. This project should be completed by the end of June, weather permitting.

A new sidewalk along Jones Bridge Road.  One segment from Maryland Route 355 to Gunnell Road is open.  Crews have completed sod placement from Grier Road to University Road.  The next phase will construct the sidewalk from Gunnell Road to Grier Road. Signage for Battery Lane’s wayfinding system has been completed. Sidewalk construction along Maryland Route 355 beside the National Naval Medical Center has been completed.

For more information on the Cedar Lane Bridge project and the Jones Bridge Road sidewalk, call

240-777-7223 or visit the Division of Transportation Engineering’s website.  For more information on the resurfacing project, call 311.  For more information about BRAC in Montgomery County, visit the County’s BRAC website.

Gaithersburg Earns Fifth Consecutive “Banner City/Town” Designation from Maryland Municipal League

The City of Gaithersburg was one of 44 cities and towns in the State of Maryland to earn designation as a Maryland Municipal League (MML) Banner City/Town.  This is the fifth consecutive year that Gaithersburg has received the honor, which it has earned since the program’s inception in 2007.

The program formally recognizes those communities that demonstrate a commitment to MML programs and activities through the involvement of their elected and appointed officials.  There are five minimum requirements to earn the designation, including participation and support of the annual “If I Were Mayor” contest, support of Municipal Government Works Month, attendance at chapter meetings, participation in the annual convention and fall conference, and participation in at least one of six other service criteria. 

“The City Council and I were delighted to learn that Gaithersburg qualified for Banner City designation once again,” said Gaithersburg Mayor Sidney Katz.  “The Maryland Municipal League is an important advocacy organization, helping cities like Gaithersburg govern more effectively and speak as one voice on important regional issues.  By sharing best practices and learning from one another, these cities and towns are helping to enhance the quality of life in Maryland.”

MML was founded in 1936 and represents 157 municipal governments and two special taxing districts in Maryland. A voluntary, nonprofit, nonpartisan association controlled and maintained by city and town governments, MML works to strengthen the role and capacity of municipal government through research, legislation, technical assistance, training and the dissemination of information for its members.

Join us June 21st to congratulate the Welcome Back Center's receipt of the E Pluribus Unum Award

What: Event to recognize the staff, clients, and supporters of the Welcome Back Center

When: Tuesday June 21st 4:30-6pm

Where: Rockville Library 1st floor

RSVP to: Karla.silvestre@montgomerycountymd.gov or 240-777-2525

Suburban Maryland's Welcome Back Center is awarded the Migration Policy Institute’s E Pluribus Unum Award

Join us in congratulating our talented staff and participants for receiving this prestigious award and learn about the accomplishments of our Welcome Back Center as it works to help internationally- trained health professionals get credentialed in the State of Maryland and incorporate into the health workforce.

Each year, this award recognizes four immigrant integration programs nationwide and is awarded by the Migration Policy Institute. For more information on the Suburban Maryland Welcome Back Center visit: http://www.lhiinfo.org/en-programs-and-activities/Welcome-Back-Center.asp

Summer Reading Program to be Held at Montgomery County Public Libraries

Summer Reading Program to be Held at Montgomery County Public Libraries June 18 – August 13 with Registration Online Only; Kickoff Events Scheduled for Children and Teens

Children and teens are invited to participate in this year’s Summer Reading Program at Montgomery County Public Libraries (MCPL) which will run from June 18 through August 13.  Registration is online only through the library’s website at www.montgomerycountymd.gov/library beginning June 15.   Participants can sign up for the program and log the books they read using any computer in the library or at home or school, or using any mobile device. 

This year’s Summer Reading Program is offered programs on three levels:

Babies and Books! is designed for babies and toddlers, birth through pre-K.  Parents/caregivers can sign up their children to listen to or read 20 books.

One World, Many Stories (Kid’s Read!) is for children in Kindergarten through grade six.   Participants may sign up and read 10 books.

You are Here (Teens Read!) is for teens in middle and high school.  Read four -- or more – books. Share books and program information on Facebook.

Special Kickoff Events

MCPL will kick off Summer Reading for children at the Aspen Hill Library on Saturday, June 18 at 11 a.m.  The program features two-time Grammy-winning artist Cathy Fink and Grammy-nominated Hip-Hop artist, ChristyLez Bacon.  After the music program, there will be balloon twisting fun with Dee Vinchey.

The Teen Summer Reading kickoff event features Sarah Dessen at the Bethesda Library on June 16 at 5 p.m.  Dessen is the author of 10 novels for teens, among them “Along for the Ride,” “Lock and Key,”  “Just Listen” and “The Truth About Forever.”  Her newest book, “What Happened to Goodbye” was just published in May 2011.  Copies of her new book will be on sale at the event through Politics and Prose.

Summer Reading t-shirts are on sale now through the Friends of the Library, Montgomery County, Inc. (FOLMC).  For more information, contact the FOLMC at 240-777-0020.

All programs are funded by the Friends of the Library, Montgomery County, Inc. and local Friends of the Library chapters.

For more information about programs and events, visit www.montgomerycountymd.gov/library.

County to Host Fireworks Displays in Germantown and Kensington; Baltimore Symphony Orchestra to Perform at Germantown Glory

Montgomery County will again this year host two Independence Day fireworks displays on Monday, July 4.  Germantown Glory will be held at the SoccerPlex in the South Germantown Recreational Park, 18041 Central Park Circle, Boyds.  Mid-County Sparkles will be held at Albert Einstein High School, 11135 Newport Road, Kensington.

Germantown Glory will begin at 6 p.m. with children’s activities hosted by the BlackRock Center for the Arts.  The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra will perform a musical salute to America at 8 p.m., through the sponsorship of Hughes Network Systems and the Mid-Atlantic Federal Credit Union.  Fireworks will begin at approximately 9:15 p.m.

To reach the South Germantown Recreational Park from I-270, take exit 15B (Route 118 south) toward Germantown; go for 2.8 miles and turn right onto Richter Farm Road.  Go one mile and turn left onto Schaeffer Road.  The park entrance is 0.3 miles on the right.  Ample, free parking is available.

Mid-County Sparkles activities begin at 7:30 p.m. with a concert by Bobby and the Believers.  The fireworks display will follow at approximately 9:15 p.m.  Since there will be no on-site parking at the school or at adjacent properties, except for handicapped parking, shuttle buses will pick up passengers, beginning at 6:15 p.m., at Westfield Wheaton and the Wheaton Metro Station.

Low lawn chairs and coolers are welcome at both events.  Food vendors will be on site.  No alcoholic beverages are permitted.  The rain date for fireworks only is July 5.  No shuttle service will be available on the 5th.

For more information, call 240-777-6821 or go to www.montgomerycountymd.gov/rec.

Vaccancies on County Boards

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:

• Silver Spring Transportation Management District Advisory Committee
• Silver Spring Urban District Advisory Committee
• Wheaton Urban District Advisory Committee
• Community Development Advisory Committee
• Domestic Violence Coordinating Council
• Housing Opportunities Commission
• Solid Waste Advisory Committee

 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.

County Offers Farmer’s Market Coupons to Low-Income Seniors

A limited number of free farmer’s market coupon books will be distributed to low-income seniors in Montgomery County on July 7.  The coupons may be used at farmer’s markets in Montgomery County until October 31, 2011. 

Coupon books will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis on Thursday, July 7 at 10 a.m. at the following locations:

Elizabeth House

1400 Fenwick Lane

Silver Spring, MD  20910

Gaithersburg Senior Center

80A Bureau Drive

Gaithersburg, MD  20878

Holiday Park Senior Center

3950 Ferrara Drive

Wheaton, MD  20901

Long Branch Recreation Center

8700 Piney Branch Road

Silver Spring, MD  20901

Rockville Senior Center

1150 Carnation Drive

Rockville, MD  20850

Schweinhaut Senior Center

1000 Forest Glen Road

Silver Spring, MD  20901

Waverly House

4521 East West Highway

Bethesda, MD  20814

Proof of age (60+), residency (Maryland) and income of less than $20,147 (family of one) is required.  For more information, call 240-777-3810.

Look What's Happening in East County and Around

Dear Residents:

Please review the list of upcoming events in East County and Around...

Click on the weblink to access the information:

http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/content/rsc/eastcounty/happening/current.asp

June 11, 2011 through November 19, 2011 (every Saturday)

Briggs Chaney-Greencastle Farmers' and Artisans' Market

When: Coming every Saturday until November 19 -- From 10am to 2pm

What: 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.

City of Gaithersburg Election Packets Available for Potential Candidates

Gaithersburg residents will cast their ballots for three City Council Members on Tuesday, November 8, 2011.  The Council Members each serve the community at-large for a four-year term. The terms of office for Council Members Jud Ashman, Cathy Drzyzgula and Ryan Spiegel will expire in November.

Residents interested in running for office in the November 8 City of Gaithersburg elections can pick up a candidate’s packet between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. at City Hall, 31 South Summit Avenue, on or after Monday, July 11, 2011.  Candidates must file a petition of nomination with the City Board of Supervisors of Elections via the City Attorney’s Office.  The petition must be signed by at least 100 City residents who are qualified voters. 

Petitions and associated documents must be returned to the City Attorney’s Office by 5 p.m. on Monday, September 19, 2011 in order for a candidate to be included on the ballot.

When petitions of nomination have been validated by the Gaithersburg Board of Supervisors of Elections, the candidates’ names will be placed on the ballot.  Note that residency and other restrictions apply.  Candidates’ packets contain full details.

City residents who are registered to vote in Montgomery County are automatically registered to vote in City of Gaithersburg elections.  The deadline to register to vote for the City elections in November is Monday, October 24, 2011.  For registration information contact the Montgomery County Board of Elections at 240-777-VOTE (8683) or visit www.montgomerycountymd.gov.

For more information on City of Gaithersburg elections visit www.gaithersburgmd.gov/elections or contact the Elections Clerk, Lauren Klingler, at 301-258-6310, ext. 2172 or cityelections@gaithersburgmd.gov.

Upcounty Latino Network Meeting and Announcements

What: Upcounty Latino Network Meeting

When: June 22, 2011, 9:30-11:30 AM

Where: (CHANGE OF LOCATION) Casey Community Center 810 S Frederick Ave Gaithersburg, MD 20877

  

The Latino Network meetings are a forum to exchange community and government resources for the benefit of the general community and in particular for Latino residents of Montgomery County. It is also an opportunity for service providers to network and collaborate on joint efforts and to voice community issues to the County Executive’s Office. If you are interested making a presentation about a community resource, please email Karla Silvestre at karla.silvestre@montgomerycountymd.gov.

Faithfulness Together: Enabling Self Sufficiency Gathering

Red Hot Patriot - The Kick-A** Wit of Molly Ivins Makes Area Debut at Arts Barn Stage

The area premier of the one-woman show, Red Hot Patriot - the Kick-A** Wit of Molly Ivins, will be staged for four performances only in July at the Arts Barn in Gaithersburg, Maryland.

Presented by permission of Samuel French, the show will be performed at 8 p.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, July 28, 29 and 30, and at a 2 p.m. matinee on Sunday, July 31.  Tickets are $18, $16 for City of Gaithersburg residents. It is directed by Fay Jacobs, who directed shows professionally for 30 years in the Washington DC area before relocating to Rehoboth Beach. This production originated at the beach and is now traveling the East Coast.

The Arts Barn, Gaithersburg’s premier cultural arts facility, is located at 311 Kent Square Road, Gaithersburg.  In addition to theatrical productions staged in partnership with local community groups in its 99-seat theater, the Arts Barn also features an art gallery, two artist-in-residence studios, art classes, camps, workshops, and unique retail from local artisans.  For more information and tickets call 301-258-6394 or visit online at www.gaithersburgmd.gov/artsbarn.

Your County Resources

This link includes a list of all the Department​s in Montgomery County:

http://montgomerycountymd.gov/apps/opi/service/departments.asp

Montgomery College Enrollment Day Event - Foundation Scholarship application is now available

June 8, 2011

4:00 to 7:00 PM

Takoma Park/Silver Spring Campus  

The Montgomery College Foundation Scholarship application is now available online for students to download the application. Paper copies of the application will be sent out to the MCPS Career Centers. 

The MC Foundation Scholarship application deadline this year is Tuesday, June 07, 2011. The MC Foundation awards over 300 scholarships every year with scholarship amounts varying from $250-$2,000.  Please note that only one application is needed for the entire academic year.

www.montgomerycollege.edu/MCFoundationScholarship (direct link to the scholarship application)

http://cms.montgomerycollege.edu/WorkArea/linkit.aspx?LinkIdentifier=id&ItemID=26699 (Financial Aid Grants & Scholarships)

Photo Exhibit of County's Waiting Children will Highlight Need for Foster Parents and Adoption

Friday, June 3, 2011

5:00 to 8:00 PM

BlackRock Center for the Arts

12901 Town Commons Drive, Germantown Town Center

To promote foster parenting and adoption, the Montgomery County Child Welfare Services, in partnership with the Freddie Mac Foundation and Adoptions Together, will host an exhibit of photos of Montgomery County’s waiting children and an arrangement of portraits from the Freddie Mac Foundation Heart Gallery. 

Information about becoming a foster and adoptive parent will be available.  Live music and light refreshments will be provided.

For more information, call 240-777-1664 or visit www.facebook.com/montgomerycountyfosterparenting. 

Pay-By-Cell Parking Now Available

Pay-By-Cell Parking Now Available Throughout Wheaton; Bethesda and Silver Spring Completed – North Bethesda and Montgomery Hills to Receive Service by Summer

Cell phones can now be used to pay for parking at 830 County parking meters in Wheaton.  By summer, the program will be expanded to include meters in Montgomery Hills and North Bethesda.  Staff completed converting Bethesda’s 5,000 parking meters in March and Silver Spring’s 4,500 parking meters in May. 

To use pay-by-cell, first-time patrons register for the program once by going online anytime to www.mc.goparknow.com or calling 301-830-7074.  Parkers set up an account and indicate which credit card will be used for the parking charges.  The step-by-step instructions, printed on each meter, direct parkers to:

·        Use a cell phone to call 301-830-7074.

·        Or, send a text message to 32075. 

·        Follow the phone/text prompts to enter the meter location number (located on the meter decal).

·        Select the amount of time desired for parking.

The patron then receives voice and text messages confirming the start of the parking session.  A 35-cent transaction fee will be charged in addition to the parking fee. 

The new parking system provides many conveniences to parkers.  Those who use pay-by-cell will get a text message reminder that their parking time is about to expire.  Patrons can extend parking time remotely and view transactions online.   Parkers can stop a parking session upon returning to a vehicle, so they only pay for the parking time they have used.

In January 2010, the Montgomery County Department of Transportation Division of Parking successfully tested a pay-by-cell phone system at 1,250 parking meters in Bethesda.  Customer feedback was very positive about the program. 

MobileNOW! LLC is the County’s contractor for the pay-by-cell program and a tenant of the Rockville Innovation Center, part of the Montgomery County Business Innovation Network.  Operating under the County’s Department of Economic Development, the network helps small and emerging technology, biotech, pharmaceutical and professional services firms succeed by offering turnkey office and/or wet lab space, fully integrated conference rooms and key resource and support services.  In addition to Rockville, the network includes four other centers -- Shady Grove, downtown Silver Spring, Wheaton and the Germantown campus of Montgomery College.

When all the County parking facilities are converted, there will be about 11,000 pay-by-cell parking meters.  For more information on the pay-by-cell initiative, or to register for an account, go to the Division of Parking’s website at www.montgomerycountymd.gov/mcdot.  

Pay-By-Cell Parking Now Available

Pay-By-Cell Parking Now Available Throughout Wheaton; Bethesda and Silver Spring Completed – North Bethesda and Montgomery Hills to Receive Service by Summer

Cell phones can now be used to pay for parking at 830 County parking meters in Wheaton.  By summer, the program will be expanded to include meters in Montgomery Hills and North Bethesda.  Staff completed converting Bethesda’s 5,000 parking meters in March and Silver Spring’s 4,500 parking meters in May. 

To use pay-by-cell, first-time patrons register for the program once by going online anytime to www.mc.goparknow.com or calling 301-830-7074.  Parkers set up an account and indicate which credit card will be used for the parking charges.  The step-by-step instructions, printed on each meter, direct parkers to:

·        Use a cell phone to call 301-830-7074.

·        Or, send a text message to 32075. 

·        Follow the phone/text prompts to enter the meter location number (located on the meter decal).

·        Select the amount of time desired for parking.

The patron then receives voice and text messages confirming the start of the parking session.  A 35-cent transaction fee will be charged in addition to the parking fee. 

The new parking system provides many conveniences to parkers.  Those who use pay-by-cell will get a text message reminder that their parking time is about to expire.  Patrons can extend parking time remotely and view transactions online.   Parkers can stop a parking session upon returning to a vehicle, so they only pay for the parking time they have used.

In January 2010, the Montgomery County Department of Transportation Division of Parking successfully tested a pay-by-cell phone system at 1,250 parking meters in Bethesda.  Customer feedback was very positive about the program. 

MobileNOW! LLC is the County’s contractor for the pay-by-cell program and a tenant of the Rockville Innovation Center, part of the Montgomery County Business Innovation Network.  Operating under the County’s Department of Economic Development, the network helps small and emerging technology, biotech, pharmaceutical and professional services firms succeed by offering turnkey office and/or wet lab space, fully integrated conference rooms and key resource and support services.  In addition to Rockville, the network includes four other centers -- Shady Grove, downtown Silver Spring, Wheaton and the Germantown campus of Montgomery College.

When all the County parking facilities are converted, there will be about 11,000 pay-by-cell parking meters.  For more information on the pay-by-cell initiative, or to register for an account, go to the Division of Parking’s website at www.montgomerycountymd.gov/mcdot.  

Sign Up Now to March in the 73rd Annual Gaithersburg Labor Day Parade

Winding through the streets of Olde Towne on Monday September 5, 2011 at 1 p.m. will be the ever-popular Gaithersburg Labor Day Parade.  Now in its 73rd year, this rain or shine event includes ethnic dance groups, antique cars and fire trucks, clowns, high school marching bands, and an assortment of community groups, equestrian units, large balloons, and more. 

Interested in participating this year? The City is looking for community groups and other organizations to march in the parade. This is a great way to be involved in the community and to get your group noticed, plus your unit might even win a special award.  Note that participation in the Labor Day Parade by groups or organizations other than City of Gaithersburg officials, departments or committees does not constitute City of Gaithersburg endorsement.

Organizations and individual volunteers are also needed to distribute program booklets, assist with parade line up duties and serve as balloon handlers.

The Labor Day Parade Participant Application and Agreement Form are available on the City’s website at www.gaithersburgmd.gov/parade.  For more information please contact Dorthy Winder at 301-258-6350 x136.         

During the parade, free parking will be available in the Olde Towne garage, located at the corner of Olde Towne and Summit Avenues. Handicap parking will be located behind the Victor Litz store on the north side of Diamond Avenue, and behind the Shell station on Summit Avenue. A shuttle bus will also be available from the Lakeforest Shopping Center transit station to Gaithersburg Elementary School beginning at noon.

ADC- Maryland's Kick off Meeting is on June 2nd!

The ADC-Maryland Chapter’s kickoff to be held on June 2nd at 6:00 PM at the Sheraton Hotel in Columbia.


Click on this link to view the event flier for more information:




To RSVP, http://adcmaryland.wufoo.com/forms/invitation-to-adcmaryland-kickoff-june-2nd/

If you have any questions please contact ADC-Maryland directly at: 410-446-4967 or email us at: adc.maryland@gmail.com.

Please add ADC-Maryland to your Facebook for upcoming news and events: http://www.facebook.com/pages/ADC-Maryland/203103136380073?ref=ts”