October 10, 2010

Montgomery County news blurbs

Columbus Day Not an Official Montgomery County Holiday--Parking Charges in Effect at Meters and County Garages.‰ See http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/apps/dot/pressrelease/PR_details.asp?PrID=6975

October 11th at 2 p.m. ˆ The Montgomery County Council‚s Planning, Housing and Economic Development (PHED) Committee will hold a worksession on the possible restructuring of the two departments of the Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC). The PHED Committee, which is chaired by Mike Knapp and includes Councilmembers Marc Elrich and Nancy Floreen, will in the Seventh Floor Council Hearing Room of the Council Office Building at 100 Maryland Ave. in Rockville.

The Fiscal Year 2011 Operating Budget, adopted by the Council in May, resulted in a significant decrease in funding for M-NCPPC. To achieve budget reductions, both the Planning Department and the Department of Parks are reorganizing. The Planning Department is considering a major reorganization that eliminates the existing division structure and creates three interdisciplinary, geographically-based divisions with master plan and master plan implementation/regulatory review functions, a Division of Regulatory Consistency and Coordination, a Functional Planning and Policy Division and the Center for Research and Information Systems. The FY11 funded positions in the Planning Department will be 22 percent less than the FY10 funded positions.

The Department of Parks is proposing a reorganization that would eliminate two divisions and move several functions among divisions. The FY11 funded positions in the Department of Parks will be seven percent less than the FY10 funded positions. The Department of Parks eliminated all seasonal employees. However, the Office of Legislative Oversight found that one of the primary ways that parks departments operate most efficiently is through the use of a significant amount of seasonal employees. It is expected the committee will want to discuss this issue with the department

October 16th at 7:00 p.m. Westmoreland Congregational's gifted Director of Music, Dr. Alejandro Hernandez-Valdez, will be joined by his brother, pianist Sergio Hernandez Valdez, and tenor Jesus Daniel Hernandez, to present a concert celebrating the glorious music of Mexico. The concert will highlight works by Manuel M. Ponce and include lively four hands renditions of such moving pieces as Revueltas's"Sensemaya" and Barcelata's "El Cascabel." The concert will be followed by a reception and showcase. Iconography: Theology in Color, featuring artists Barbara Shivak Fleshman and Sally Jacobs. While there is no fee for attendance, 100 percent of the free-will offerings collected at this event will be donated to Outreach Ministries. Westmoreland Congregational United Church of Christ is located at One Westmoreland Circle, Bethesda, Maryland, 20816.

Author of „Brain Food: 100 Games That Make Kids Think‰ To Present Program at Chevy Chase Library - Dr. Paul Fleisher, author of „Brain Food: 100 Games That Make Kids Think,‰ will share games that explore the fun in learning on Monday, October 18 at the Chevy Chase (MD) Library, beginning at 4 p.m. The library is located at 8005 Connecticut Ave. The book is a compilation of new and traditional games that have been classroom tested and are tailored toward enhancing the thinking power of students. Dr. Fleisher is the author of more than three dozen books for children and teachers. The free program is designed for children ages 10 and up, parents and educators. To request ADA program accommodations, at least five days in advance of the program, contact the Chevy Chase Library at 240-773-9590; TTY 301-622-6596. For more information and a list of upcoming library programs and events, visit www.montgomerycountymd.gov/library or call Ask-a-Librarian, 240-777-0007.

Montgomery County Public Libraries Announces "Meet the Author" Programs in October Featuring Local Writers - http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/apps/News/press/PR_details.asp?PrID=6974

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