Friday, November 2, 2012

It�s Time: Set Clock Back, Put Batteries in Detectors

With the end of Daylight Savings Time, the Fire and Rescue Service (MCFRS) urges all residents to check the batteries in their smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors to ensure they are working when they change their clocks this weekend.  

�Home fires injure and kill thousands every year,� said Fire Chief Richard Bowers. �Smoke alarms that are properly installed and maintained play a vital role in reducing fire deaths and injuries. I encourage everyone to test their smoke alarms, replace any alarms that are 10 years or older and conduct a home fire drill this weekend.�

MCFRS will provide and install smoke alarm batteries at no cost to residents and will provide and install smoke alarms for residents who cannot afford them.

Call 311 for information and bookmark the MCFRS website -- www.mcfrs.org/mcsafe -- for year-round safety information.

Watch a short public service announcement reminder about changing the batteries.


Coming up: Vacuum Collection of Leaves


The Montgomery County Department of Transportation Division of Highway Services (DHS) will conduct its annual vacuum collection of leaves in the southern part of the County from November 5 through mid-December. Two collections are made on every street in the vacuum leaf collection district during the fall.

The leaf vacuum collection district is bounded by I-495, I-270, the Rockville City limits, Norbeck, Bel Pre and Bonifant roads, Northwest Branch Park, and the District of Columbia and Prince George's County lines.

Residents should look for signs posted along the streets announcing the collection dates in their neighborhoods. Green signs indicate the first collection, and red signs marking the second and final collection.

Collections are restricted to leaves only. Tree debris, sticks, branches or coarse garden debris should be placed in containers or tied in bundles not more than four feet long and placed where household trash is regularly picked up.

Get more information on the collections, such as how and where to place the leaves, how to find when your street will be vacuumed and what to do if you miss a collection. 

General Election Returns on County Website

Up-to-the-moment election results for the November 6 General Election will be accessible on the Board of Elections website at www.777vote.org.

Early Voting returns will be tabulated on Election Day and will be available as soon after 8 p.m.as possible.

Election Day returns will be available beginning at 9:20 p.m. on Tuesday and will be updated every 20 minutes.  

Residents who do not have internet access are invited to visit the Board of Elections in Gaithersburgat 18753 N. Frederick Ave. Suite 210. Election results will be displayed in the lower-level training room as the votes are counted.

An election-related logo on the Elections� website � www.777vote.org � will provide a link directly to the return page, as well as links to the Prince George�s County, state, and national election returns. 

County Holiday Schedule for Veteran�s Day

Montgomery Countygovernment will observe the following holiday schedule for Veterans Day on Monday, November 12:
  • County Offices � closed 
  • Public Libraries � closed 
  • County liquor stores � open 
  • Recreation � aquatic and community centers are open as scheduled. Aquatic classes and programs will meet as scheduled. All other classes, administrative offices, senior centers and all senior programs will be closed 
  • Ride On � Special modified holiday schedule (www.rideonbus.com), click on �Holidays� to see specific schedules) 
  • Metrobus � Saturday supplemental schedule 
  • Metrorail � Saturday schedule (5 a.m. to midnight) 
  • TRiPS Commuter Stores (Silver Spring and Friendship Heights) � closed 
  • Refuse/recycling pickup � regular collection 
  • Transfer Station � open 
  • Parking at public garages, lots, curbside meters � free 
  • MCPS Administrative Offices � open 
  • State offices & courts � closed 

NOTEWORTHY NOTES

Second Annual Homeless Resource Day

County residents experiencing homelessness are invited to participate in the second annual Homeless Resource Day on Thursday, November 15, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Bohrer Park Activity Center, 506 South Frederick Ave., Gaithersburg

Sponsored by Montgomery County and the City of Gaithersburg, the event will offer a wide range of resources for homeless residents.  More than 30 organizations will provide information and resources for individuals and families such as free medical screening, legal services, financial counseling, employment services, tax assistance, substance abuse and mental health counseling, and social services.
        
Free transportation will be provided from seven locations throughout the County.  Registration is not required and the event is free. 

Volunteers are needed to assist in a variety of roles.  For more information or to register as a volunteer, go to www.montgomerycountymd.gov/HRDor call Gloria Huggins at 240-777-4565.

Recreation Department Winter Coat Drive

Montgomery County Recreation is collecting coats to support the Montgomery County Government/City of GaithersburgHomeless Resource Day.  Interfaith Works, which provides shelter, clothing and food to community members in need, is coordinating the coat drive. There is a lesser need for children�s coats, but they will also be accepted.

Gently used winter coats can be dropped off at the following Recreation facilities through November 8:

  • Eunice Kennedy Shriver and Sargent Shriver Aquatic Center, 5900 Executive Blvd., N. Bethesda;
  • Holiday Park Senior Center, 3950 Ferrara Dr., Wheaton;
  • Jane Lawton Community Recreation Center, 4301 Willow La., Chevy Chase;
  • Long Branch Community Recreation Center/Senior Center, 8700 Piney Branch Rd., Silver Spring;
  • Martin Luther King, Jr. Swim Center, 1201 Jackson Rd., Silver Spring;
  • Olney Indoor Swim Center, 16605 Georgia Ave., Olney;
  • Potomac Community Recreation Center, 11315 Falls Rd., Potomac;
  • Upper County Community Recreation Center, 8201 Emory Grove Rd., Gaithersburg; and
  • Wisconsin Place Community Recreation Center, 5311 Friendship Blvd., Chevy Chase.
For more information about the Interfaith Works Coat Drive, call Christine Hong, 240-498-7727. 

For information about the Recreation Department donation sites, call Judy Stiles at 240-777-6875.  For information about the second annual Homeless Resource Day, visit www.montgomerycountymd.gov/HRD.

Free Presentation for Public about Affordable Care Act

The public is invited to a free discussion on the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) on Monday, November 12, from 6 to 7 p.m., at the Silver Spring Civic Buildingin Downtown Silver Spring. 
           
The Department of Health and Human Services� director, Uma
Ahluwalia, will present an overview of the ACA and how it will impact Montgomery County and Maryland. A question-and-answer period will follow.

Among the questions that will be addressed are: What additional changes are authorized by the ACA?  How is Marylandpreparing for ACA implementation?  What impact will the ACA have within Montgomery County?

For more information, contact Dourakine Rosarian at 240-777-4397. To request sign
 language interpreter services or other assistance to participate in this meeting, call
Shantee Jackson at 240-777-1058 (voice), 240-777-1295 (TTY) or email
shantee.jackson@montgomerycountymd.gov  by November 8.

Help Seniors Help Themselves

The Senior Connection of Montgomery County, Inc. links older adults to services and resources so they can live as independently as possible while remaining integral members of their community.
Volunteers can help by:


  • Escorting an individual or couple to the store; assisting them with reading labels, reaching items from the shelf, delivering them home and helping put them away; or
  •  Shopping for someone who may not be able to go to the store.

Senior Connection volunteers are matched with a senior for regularly scheduled grocery shopping assistance and find that fitting in a weekly or bimonthly grocery shopping trip can be accomplished even with a full time job. 

To learn more and/or to download an application, visit www.seniorconnectionmc.org or contact Marcia Custer at 301-962-0820, ext.14 or email marcia.custer@seniorconnectionmc.org.

Consumer Protection Wants You to Know about�the County�s Domestic Worker Law 

Do you have a nanny�a housekeeper� or a companion for a sick or elderly family member?  If you answered �yes,� Montgomery County�s Office of Consumer Protection (OCP) wants to remind you of the County�s Domestic Worker Law.    

If you employ someone as a nanny, housekeeper, cook or a companion, you may be required to offer that individual a written employment contract and abide by state wage and workers� compensation laws.  Failure to comply with the county�s law may result in a civil penalty of $1,000 for each violation.  The Domestic Worker Law applies if the worker:
  •  works primarily in a Montgomery County residence
  •  works at least 20 hours per week for at least a 30 day period
  •  performs primarily childcare, housekeeping, cooking, cleaning or laundry-type work
  •  works as a companion to a sick, convalescing, disabled, or elderly individual
  • has an employer that is an individual or an employment agency

To learn more about the Domestic Worker Law, contact OCP at 240-777-3636 or visit  http://bit.ly/Domestic_Worker_Lawfor additional resources.