The City of Rockville will conduct a vote by mail election on Tuesday, Nov. 5 for mayor and four councilmembers. Now is the time to make sure you are registered. Wondering what voters and potential candidates need to know now? We’ve got answers to help ensure your ballot gets to you, and you get on the ballot:
Riding a bike offers a cheap, environmentally friendly alternative to your daily commute, that’s healthy and fun. Trade your gas pedal for bicycle pedals on Bike to Work Day, from 6:30-9 a.m., Friday, May 17.
A second community meeting has been scheduled to discuss the future of the Rockshire Village Center site, a 7.32-acre former shopping center at the corner of Wootton Parkway and Hurley Avenue.
The City of Rockville Department of Planning and Development Services, and their consultant partners, Rhodeside & Harwell, will hold the meeting from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Thursday, May 30 at the Korean Presbyterian Church at 800 Hurley Ave.
Property Tax Rate Remains Constant for 12th Consecutive Year
Rockville residents will pay the same property tax rate as they have for the last 11 fiscal years, after the Mayor and Council on Monday approved a $138.9 million operating budget for Fiscal Year 2020.
City’s Community Empowerment Grant Leads to New Neighborhood Notice Board
East Rockville neighbors will stay in the know, thanks to a new message board made possible through Rockville’s Community Empowerment Grants program.
The East Rockville Civic Association applied to the program to help pay for the new notice board. It replaces one originally donated by a civic association member that had become too weathered to use.
Three ninth-grade students from Richard Montgomery High School have won honorable mentions in C-SPAN’s 2019 StudentCam competition, an annual national video documentary competition for middle and high schoolers.
This year, C-SPAN asked students to create a five- to six-minute documentary on the theme, “What Does it Mean to Be American?”
Amanda Wu from Richard Montgomery High School and Matthew Casertano, from Montgomery Blair High School in Silver Spring, won an honorable mention for their video, “Disunited States.” (See their video at www.viddler.com/v/8d43b962.)
An honorable mention also went to Richard Montgomery High’s Carina Guo and James Mu for their video, “Crossing the Oceans.” (See their video at www.viddler.com/v/6d7143ac.)
See www.studentcam.org for more on the annual StudentCam competition.
Wonder no longer about how to fill those long summer days — the 2019 summer recreation guide, “Life in Rockville,” is out and packed full of classes, programs and special events for all ages and interests.
Additionally, find summer camps and playgrounds programs for kids and teens in the 2019 camp guide.
When it comes to programs, courses and events for the 60-plus community, look for the “Adults 60+” recreation guide.
All of Rockville’s recreation guides are available at City Hall, community centers, libraries and at www.rockville md.gov/guide.
General registration begins Thursday, May 9. To register with a course number, visit www.rockvillemd.gov/registration.
Buy Farm-Fresh Produce in Town Center, Beginning May 18
Rockville’s Farmers Market returns Saturday, May 18 to give shoppers their pick of farm-fresh produce and more from regional growers/producers.
This year’s market will include vendors offering fruits and vegetables, plants and flowers, herbs, baked goods, local wine and spirits, knife sharpening, meat and coffee.
A Rockville tradition, the city’s annual Independence Day celebration, returns to King Farm on Thursday, July 4.
Hosted by the Mayor and Council, the celebration is held annually at the 26-acre Mattie J.T. Stepanek Park, 1800 Piccard Drive, in King Farm, which offers easy access and ample free parking, with convenient exits within a short walk of fireworks viewing areas.
The celebration, now in its fifth year at Stepanek Park, includes live music by The Nighthawks at 7 p.m. and a fabulous 20-minute-long fireworks display at 9:15 p.m. There is no rain date.
Mark your calendars for Rockville’s free Peace Day Celebration, beginning at 1 p.m. Saturday, July 13.
The event celebrates the life, legacy and birthday of late teen poet and peace activist Mattie J.T. Stepanek, with cake, conversation, activities, crafts and entertainment.
The outdoor party will be held from 1-5 p.m. at the King Farm Village Green, 800 Pleasant Drive, and will feature a moon bounce, face painting, peace crafts, music and dancing.
During the street fair, local restaurants will offer food and drink specials, with a dance party at Botanero Restaurant from 5-8 p.m. to cap off the celebration.
For more information, visit the Mattie J.T. Stepanek Foundation at www.mattieonline.com.
The National Park Trust and the City of Rockville Recreation and Parks Department are inviting everyone to visit Croydon Creek Nature Center, 852 Avery Road, and celebrate Kids to Parks Day.
Kids to Parks Day is free and takes place 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, May 18. Explore the Hayes Forest Preserve and enjoy a free make ‘n’ take activity to help with forest exploration.
Find out more about Kids to Parks Day at www.parktrust.org/kids-to-parks-day. Follow Croydon Creek Nature Center’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/croydoncreek.
Mark your summer entertainment calendar for Rockville’s free outdoor Movies in the Parks, on the big screen at neighborhood parks throughout the city on Wednesdays in August.
Bring chairs, blankets, food and beverages and enjoy four family-friendly movies at four different neighborhood parks. Movies begin at dusk (approximately 8 p.m.) and are free. Last year, more than 300 people attended each week.
The 2019 schedule is
Learn more at www.rockvillemd.gov/moviesintheparks.
