NEWS & EVENTS AROUND THE REGION
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Independence Day Fireworks Displays in Germantown and Kensington!
Montgomery County will again host two fireworks displays on July 4 -- Germantown Glory, with festivities starting 7 p.m. at the Maryland SoccerPlex and Mid-County Sparkles at Albert Einstein High School beginning 7.30 p.m. More details here.
For more information, call MC311 at 311 or 240-777-0311 or visit website.
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Montgomery County Announces Faith-based Facilities Security Improvement Grants
County Executive Ike Leggett announced guidelines for a Montgomery County grant program that will match monies spent by County faith-based religious institutions that have experienced or are at risk to experience hate crimes. Only one application per organization,
up to a maximum of $20,000 will be accepted. Applicants must provide a hard match of 50 percent of the amount requested.
Interested parties should submit an electronic application form with project budget by 5pm on August 1. Only electronic applications will be accepted. Click here for form and more details.
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MCPL, Technology Services and ultraMontgomery Offer Summer Digital Learning Program for Seniors
The courses which will run from June to August are designed specifically for older adults by NYC-based Older Adults Technology Services, which operates the Senior Planet technology center in Manhattan.
Courses will be offered at three MCPL locations:
Marilyn J. Praisner, 14910 Old Columbia Pike, Burtonsville.
- iPad Basics for Older Adults: June 5 - Aug 9 Mondays and Wed 12:30 to 1:45 p.m
Long Branch, 8800 Garland Ave.,Silver Spring.
- iPad Basics for Older Adults: June 6 - Aug 15 Tuesdays and Thur 1:30 to 2:45 p.m.
Germantown, 19840 Century Boulevard, Germantown.
- Computer Basics for Older Adults: June 5 - Aug 9. Mondays and Wed from 10:30 to 11:45 a.m.
To register for any program, call 240-753-0676. For additional information about these programs, please contact Mary Ellen Icaza at 240-777-0006.
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Ripken Collegiate Baseball Players Collect More Than Four Tons of Food for Manna Food Center for Second Straight Year
On Saturday June 10, nearly one hundred college baseball players who have come from across the country to play summer baseball in Montgomery County collected 8,816 pounds of food -- more than four tons -- at Giant and Whole Foods stores across Montgomery County for the Manna Food Center. The Rockville Express won the Eighth Annual Cal Ripken Collegiate Baseball League's Feed the Hungry Challenge by collecting an individual team record 3,670 pounds of food. Players from the Bethesda Big Train, Gaithersburg Giants, and Silver Spring-Takoma Thunderbolts also collected food on Saturday. In the eight years of the competition, the college players have collected 43,672 pounds of food - nearly 22 tons of food for Montgomery County's neighbors in need. Six-time winner Rockville also won the competition in 2010, 2011, 2013, 2015, and 2016. Thanks to the Manna Food Center, Giant Food, Whole Foods, and Text Design for supporting this community service program of the Cal Ripken Collegiate Baseball League.
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Catalogue for Philanthropy Announce their Class of 2017-18 Catalogue Charities
Every year Catalogue for Philanthropy releases names of nonprofits that are chosen to appear in their print catalogue and also get featured on their website. The charities are selected after successfully passing a rigorous review process conducted by a team of 120+ experts in the local philanthropic field. Click here to view if your favourite nonprofit made it to the list.
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Wheaton Arts and Entertainment District Receives Achievement Award
The Maryland State Arts Council (MSAC) awarded the 2017 Award for Outstanding Achievement to Wheaton Arts and Entertainment (A&E). This MSAC bi-annual award celebrates the accomplishments of one of Maryland's A&E Districts, showcasing its work toward promoting community involvement, tourism and revitalization. This award recognizes Wheaton's stellar efforts in highlighting the unique mix of artistic and cultural traditions, the establishment of new initiatives and partnerships, and its thoughtful approach to developing a strategic plan that will guide Wheaton through a period of tremendous physical redevelopment in the coming years.
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Sign Up for Leadership Montgomery's July Day of Service
Saturday, July 15 from 9:00 AM- 12:00 PM, join Leadership Montgomery for their annual summer day of service at sites across Montgomery County. With projects supporting Montgomery Parks and Montgomery Housing Partnership (MHP), there's something for everyone! All volunteers ages 12 and up are welcome to participate. Click here to
sign up
.
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Silver Spring Thursday Night Concerts from June 15 - August 3
The Silver Spring Summer Concerts are free and take place outdoors on Thursdays from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Silver Spring Civic Building on Veterans Plaza, at Fenton Street and Ellsworth Drive. These summer concerts are family-friendly, with dancing, face painting, games for the kids and music in a variety of styles. For more information, call (240) 777- 0311 or visit website.
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Join Fellow Marylanders for Day to Serve
From September 11 to October 10, commit time to volunteer in your community. Maryland has big goals to reach this year and needs your help to get there. We want to get 50,000 volunteers involved, serving a total of 150,000 hours! Get involved either as a group/organization or as an individual.
For more information for organizers join info webinar on July 12. Register here.
For more information for participants, join webinar on July 13. Click here to register.
Check out the website for the latest information.
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Board of Appeals Applicants sought by Montgomery County Council
The County Council is seeking applicants for a four-year term on the County Board of Appeals. Deadline for applications is 5pm on Wednesday, July 19. County law provides that the Council may designate a member of the Board for the position of chair. The Council will select a new chair from among the current or new members of the board in conjunction with this appointment process.
Letters expressing interest, including a resume listing professional and civic experience, political party affiliation, home and office telephone numbers and an email address, should be addressed to: Council President Roger Berliner, County Council Office, 100 Maryland Avenue, Rockville, Maryland 20850 or can be emailed.
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Nominate a Bethesda Magazine 2017 Green Award Winner
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The Board of Elections Seeks Feedback on Proposed Early Voting Centers
The County Board of Elections (BOE) is reviewing proposed recommendations for early voting centers in the 2018 gubernatorial election and your input is wanted. The BOE is planning to add an 11th early voting location for next year's election.
Email the Board if you have a suggestion for another site. The Board of Elections is accepting comments on the site at its upcoming meetings on July 17 and Sept. 18. Find out more about that process and where to email your comments here.
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Applications Open for the 2017-2018 Volunteer Maryland Americorps Member
Application Deadline: August 1.
The Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services Community Action Agency Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program is now accepting applications for the Volunteer Maryland AmeriCorps Member (ACM) position for 2017-2018. This is an 11-month, full-time (40 hours/week) position.
ACMs will work with the CAA's VITA program and Maryland Hunger Solutions to support volunteer participation and promote food and nutrition outreach. The ACM service year begins on September 6, 2017 and concludes on July 31, 2018. ACMs are expected to complete 1,700 hours of service during the term.
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Get Involved: Join a Board or Commission
County Executive Ike Leggett seeks applicants of diverse backgrounds, professions, gender, geography, disability, and ethnicity to serve on the county's boards and commissions. 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. County Executive Leggett's appointments are generally subject to confirmation by the County Council. Applications of individuals selected for appointment are made public as part of the confirmation process.
Access complete list of vacancy announcements for boards, committees, and commissions
here
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Sister City Trips Are a Great Way to See the World
Join County Executive Leggett in South Korea & China
Soon after taking office, County Executive Leggett suggested Montgomery County should have a Sister Cities program. With one-third of our more than one million people having been born in other countries (now at 43% of our population if you include dependent children of our foreign born), it was well past time to begin to build deeper connections with the countries of origin of our new neighbors. Our Sister Cities program is a critical element of our commitment to be one of the nation's most welcoming communities. It strengthens our cultural competence and expands our economic ties across the globe. Having residents who understand every culture and speak nearly every language is Montgomery County's edge in the 21st century global marketplace.
County Executive Leggett has led delegations to four of the top countries of origin of our immigrant population to sign Sister City agreements - El Salvador in 2011, Ethiopia in 2012, China in 2013, and India in 2014. This fall, the County Executive is leading a delegation to sign a Sister City agreement with Daejeon, South Korea. The delegation will be traveling to Seoul and Daejeon and then on to Xi'an, our Sister City in China, and Shanghai from October 20-29.
Sister City trips are a fabulous way to travel. On a Sister Cities mission trip, you will see the main attractions that all tourists see. You will also meet governmental leaders and go behind the scenes to meet the people who make the city work. These personal exchanges with community activists, doctors and nurses, business leaders, clergy, teachers, and artists will enrich your experience beyond what even the best travel companies can provide and at less cost.
I hope you will join County Executive Ike Leggett October 20-29 as we tour South Korea and China. For information on this trip, please contact Diane Vu or click here. To reserve your space on this mission trip to South Korea and China at the best price, we need a deposit by July 5. For information about Montgomery Sister Cities, please click here.
Bruce Adams
Director, Office of Community Partnerships
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Members of the OCP staff visited Glenstone on June 23 to meet with Community Outreach Coordinator Peter Ibenana and colleagues to discuss how this community resource could attract diverse audiences. The museum brings art, architecture, and landscape together on 200 acres in Potomac. The feature is Glenstone's collection of post-World War II and contemporary art. Please click here to schedule your visit.
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| From L to R: Bruce Adams, Daniel Koroma, Glenstone's Peter Ibenana, Kasey Kaseman, Julian Norment, Mimi Hassanein, Glenstone's Evon Ruffin, and Diane Vu |
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Put Your Language Skills to Work as a Translator
Do you speak (or sign) a language in addition to English? Put your skills to work to help our community as a volunteer translator or interpreter, assisting local nonprofits and government agencies in their work to serve residents who may have limited English proficiency or communicate with sign language.
The Montgomery County Volunteer Center's website features a wide range of such opportunities for individuals who are fluent in multiple languages, including the Montgomery County Language Bank, a program of the Office of Community Partnerships, which seeks adults fluent in all languages to serve as translators for short-term needs for a variety of county agencies and area nonprofit organizations. Other organizations currently recruiting translators include
- The county Office of Consumer Protection in Rockville, which needs native speakers of all languages--but especially Vietnamese, Cambodian, and Spanish--to help work to investigate and resolve consumer complaints as well as to work with the immigrant community on outreach.
- Family Services Inc., which is looking for an American Sign Language interpreter for a parent in its Early Head Start program in Germantown as well as Spanish speakers to assist with a teen parenting program in Gaithersburg.
- The C&O Canal Trust, headquartered in Hagerstown, now seeking an English-Spanish translator to create brochures and other media in Spanish.
- Charles E. Smith Life Communities, which seeks volunteers who speak Russian, Hebrew, Spanish, Mandarin, and other languages, to visit with residents of its Rockville nursing home, assisted living facility, and rehabilitation center.
- Gaithersburg Help, which is recruiting volunteers fluent in both English and Spanish to work from home to help schedule support for clients of this organization dedicated to providing residents with basic food and medical needs.
- Community Ministries of Rockville, which needs Spanish interpreters to assist patients and care providers at its Mansfield Kaseman Health Clinic, a low-cost primary health care and health education facility.
- Mercy Health Clinic in Gaithersburg, which also needs Spanish (as well as French) interpretation assistance for its low-income and uninsured patients and medical providers.
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Open Computer Labs - A chance to get your questions answered
For many County residents, having someone available to answer your questions as you work on the computer is much appreciated. This spring, the Gilchrist Immigrant Resource Center in Wheaton offered a combined Keyboarding Class and Open Computer Lab for the first time, allowing students to practice keyboarding or work on other projects with a teacher available for questions. The lab was nearly filled every week.
With the success of the spring session, Gilchrist Center is offering Open Computer Lab again this summer. Click for class details taking place in Wheaton, East County and Gaithersburg.
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Registration open for Gilchrist Center Summer Classes
Please visit the Gilchrist Immigrant Resource Center website to learn about our summer programs. In addition to our year-round drop-in conversation classes, this summer we will offer our extremely beneficial Job Search Workshop for Non-Native English Speakers, starting July 12. This is a very small class, please apply early - see our website for details. Fall registration dates are now published on our site as well.
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Start Planning Now for Welcoming Week
Did you know that Montgomery County is a member of Welcoming America? Welcoming America's national network helps nonprofit and government partners transform their communities into more welcoming places for all people, including immigrants.
One of Welcoming America's Initiatives is Welcoming Week - which this year will be held September 15 - 24. This is a good time for your organization or group to plan an event for Welcoming Week! Click here to access the Welcoming Week Toolkit.
If you decide to host a Welcoming Week event, please contact Anna DeNicolo, [email protected], so that the Gilchrist Center can post it on our website.
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IMMIGRATION SERVICES & INFORMATION
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Montgomery County Citizenship Initiative!
The workshop was held in partnership with the Asian Pacific American Legal Resource Center (APALRC) and Advancing Justice (AAJC) at the Rockville Memorial Library. The successful event included over 30 appointments for the day as county residents inquired and/or started the application process to become U.S. Citizens.
The next citizenship workshop will be on Saturday, July 22, 2017 from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm at Mid-County Regional Services Center -2424 Reedie Dr, Wheaton. Call 240-560-2272 to register.
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Citizenship Workshop in Wheaton
Saturday, July 22 from 9:00am-12:00pm at the Mid-County Regional Services Center, 2424 Reedie Dr, Wheaton. Questions regarding a legal issue? Consult with an immigration attorney in this citizenship fair to learn more on how to complete the citizenship application, the ongoing citizenship classes and fee waiver application to learn if you qualify for a free application.
Call 240-560-2272 to register!
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Montgomery County Bar Foundation Free Legal Clinic
The Montgomery County Bar Foundation Pro Bono Program assists low-income residents of Montgomery County, Maryland to obtain free legal representation and consultation. Volunteer private practice attorneys are solicited by the program to provide free legal guidance and/or representation in the areas of absolute divorce, selected limited divorce, separation agreements, custody, adoption/guardianship, simple name changes, private landlord tenant law (security deposits only), bankruptcy (simple chapter 7), limited debt collection defense matters, wills and powers of attorney, limited immigration and limited employment cases.
Legal Clinics will be held through September this year. The schedule at various centers will be as follows:
- East County/Silver Spring: Eastern Montgomery Regional Services Center July 6, August 3, September 7
- TESS/Silver Spring: TESS Community Service Center:
June 21, July 5, July 19, August 2, August 16, September 6, September 20
- Gaithersburg: Gaithersburg Library June 26,July 10,July 24,August 14,August 28, September 11,September 25
- Germantown: Upcounty Regional Services Center: June 27,July 11,August 8, September 12
- Wheaton/Mid-County Regional Services Center: June 28, July 12, July 26, August 9, August 23, September 13, September 27
You may contact the Pro Bono Program at (301) 424-7651 Monday through Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. for an initial eligibility screening or click here for
more information.
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MD Legislative Black Caucus Town Hall on June 10th
On June 10th members of the MD Legislative
Black Caucus hosted a Town Hall at Burtonsville Elementary School to discuss their policy agenda and take questions related to the HBCUs lawsuit, medical cannabis, criminal justice, healthcare, and education. Pictured in these photos are two Montgomery County state legislators in Senator Will Smith (blue tie) and Delegate Jheanelle Wilkins (pink blazer).
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Montgomery County's Annual Juneteenth Celebration
The Juneteenth Celebration was held Friday, June 16, at the BlackRock Center for the Arts. This event celebrated the commemoration of the events of June 19-1865 - the day Union Major General Gordon Granger officially declared that the institution of slavery was dead. His announcement came after the official issuance of the Emancipation Proclamation by President Abraham Lincoln. As part of the program, African American Living Legends Awards were presented to Ruby A. Rubens, Odessa M. Shannon, Christine (Tina) Clarke, and Wilma K. Holmes.
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(From L to R) Ruby A. Rubens, Odessa M. Shannon, Christine (Tina) Clarke, and Wilma K. Holmes
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Vietnamese American Art Festival
Five day art festival from July 3 to July 7 at the Silver Spring Civic Center at 1 Veterans Pl, Silver Spring. All are cordially invited to the Independence Holiday exhibition by the Vietnamese American artists. The event is free and open to public. Reception will be on July 3 from 5pm-7pm. The exhibition will feature paintings, calligraphy, bamboo art and much more.
For more information call Dr Tara Toai at 240-997-1732 or Mr. Linh Vuong at 240-888-3976.
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African Affairs Advisory Group Hosted a Community Dialogue on Mental Health
On June 2, the County Executive's African Affairs Advisory Group organized a community meeting that was titled "No Longer a Taboo!. Community
Dialogue on Mental Health". The leaders have been hearing from community members about elevated stress levels due to recent changes in national immigration policy. Some community members are worried about changes in their Temporary Protected Status (TPS), Green Card renewals, and passing their citizenship exams.
Community leaders emphasized that no one should be afraid to seek help in Montgomery County. A representative of DHHS attended the event and was available for questions. For videos of the event, click here.
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Caribbean American Heritage Month in Montgomery County
On Tuesday, June 20, members of the County Executive's Caribbean American Advisory Group hosted the 11th Annual National Caribbean American Heritage Month Proclamation at the Silver Spring Civic Building. County Council President Roger Berliner presented the County's Proclamation. Council President Berliner reassured everyone that in Montgomery County, our diversity in our strength. He emphasized that Montgomery County's core values are strong and will continue to remain strong.
The theme of the event was "The Caribbean and Caribbean Americans in the Midst of the Current Administration: America's Immigration Policy Towards Haiti". Ambassador Curtis Ward, former Ambassador of Jamaica to the United Nations, talked about the historic partnerships between the United States and many Caribbean countries. These partnerships range from trade, tourism, education to national security. Ambassador Ward talked about the importance of strengthening these partnerships.. For more information about the Caribbean American Advisory Group, please visit website.
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Nestor Alvarenga Among El Tiempo Latino's "100 most influential people"
OCP's very own Nestor Alvarenga has been listed on El Tiempo Latino's "100 most influential people for the Nation's Capital Metro Area Latinos." In order to select the 100 individuals who comprise the list, El Tiempo Latino held a nomination process open to the public. With more than 400 nominees collected, a panel of judges from the community and the paper's editorial council selected those based on their merits throughout 2016-2017 who deserve to be called "one of the 100." The Powermeter 100 list is presented in alphabetical order by last name. Checkout the tributes to Councilmember Nancy Navarro and other Montgomery County luminaries on the list. Click here for the direct link to Nestor.
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Join Us at the 2017 Salvadoran-American Day Festival
Join the 8th annual Salvadoran day celebrations on Sunday, August 6, 2017 at MC Rockville Campus from 11-7pm. The entry and parking to the event is free. The community celebration will include music by international artists, cultural performances, health fair organized by Ana Sol Gutierrez and Latino Health Initiative as well as activities for children. Come and enjoy the delicious Salvadoran specialties. For more information click here or call 202-271-3508 or 703-843-1522.
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Annual Iftar Dinner Hosted by County Executive Leggett & MCMF
The Annual Iftar sponsored by the County Executive, Ike Leggett, and the Montgomery County Muslim Foundation (MCMF) and Council drew several hundred to the County Executive Office Building. It featured the contributions of the the Muslim community to Montgomery County in the context of the holy season of Ramadan. Elected and appointed public officials together with other community and faith leaders addressed the importance of standing in solidarity and working together in creating a resilient and safe community for all.
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Heartwarming Documentary by High School Students Showcasing the Plight of Refugees and Immigrants
Yearning to be Free is the title of a documentary produced by aspiring journalist
students, Mika Yatsuhashi, Claire Maske, and Olivia Lindsley, of Blair High School. They heard about the Welcoming Our New Neighbors program under the Neighbors in Need Working Group and went to work interviewing various partners. The video documents our collaborative approach being coordinated by Patty Larson. We can be proud and grateful for all who are actively welcoming refugees and for these students. View their video and you too may want to join us.
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Memorial Service for the Homeless Held Along with New "Inside/NotOutside" Initiative Launch
A Community Memorial Service for the homeless who died during 2016-17 in Montgomery County drew County officials, faith leaders and non-profit organizations. The moving ceremony included an invocation and remarks by Rev. Kasey Kaseman, Interfaith Community Liaison, and Rev. Linda Kauffman from Community Solutions.
The names of those memorialized was read by non-profit providers who work closely with County government in providing services to the homeless. View a video of the Community Memorial Service.
A new initiative, Inside/NotOutside, was also launched with the goal of ending chronic homelessness by the end of 2017. Faith communities and people of conscience may learn more and engage in the program by reading about the it here.
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Anti Violence and Hate Advocacy Workshop
With the rise in hate crimes, both domestically and internationally, it is important to learn how to stand up with, and for, each other!
 Thanks to the organizers of the excellent event "Stand Up! Uniting to Respond to Hate Speech and Violence" for providing a useful, interactive workshop on understanding hate and bias, up-stander training, crisis intervention, and group advocacy. Thanks Mehreen Farooq, Samia Haque, Mansfield Kaseman, Nouf Bazaz, Jim Stowe, Batya Steinlauf, Carol Flett, and others.
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MEAAG Condemns London Attack
The Middle Eastern American Advisory Group -- volunteers with the Montgomery County, Office of Community Partnerships serving as advisors to the County Executive --condemns, in the strongest terms the terrorist attack carried out on London Bridge on June 3rd. We extend our condolences to the victims` families, friends, and neighbors and hope for the quick recovery of those who were injured.
At this tragic moment we stand in solidarity with peace-loving people of all backgrounds around the world against hate-driven attacks. Always, we are grateful to be living and working in a welcoming community of diverse communities.
The Middle Eastern American Advisory Group (MEAAG) serves to ensure that the County Executive (CE) is well informed of and able to respond effectively to the needs and concerns of Middle Eastern Americans living and/or working in Montgomery County. For the purposes of MEAAG, "Middle Eastern American" refers to Americans of Middle Eastern and Southwest Asian origin. Further information about MEAAG is available here.
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Palestine Nature and Peace Studies Tour with Mazin Qumsiyeh
Saturday, July 1, Professor Qumsiyeh will present on Palestine nature and peace studies from 4pm-7 pm at the Cedar Lane Unitarian Universalist Church, 9601 Cedar Ln., Bethesda. He received the 2011 Social Courage Award from the Peace and Justice Studies Association at the Christian Brothers University in Tennessee.and will speak on : what are the plants and animals of the holy land? What environmental threats face them? What does a Palestinian Christian have to say about conflict resolution, Islam and Islamophobia? All are welcome to this free presentation.
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Have News to Share?
To submit your news and events of interest to those in and serving Montgomery County's emerging communities and neighbors in need, email complete details and/or a press release to the OCP Newsletter.
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