All Maryland residents aged 16 and older are eligible as of today (April 6) for a COVID-19 vaccination at the state’s mass vaccination sites, Gov. Larry Hogan (R) announced yesterday. In addition, the governor said that all residents 16 and older will be eligible to receive a vaccine from all providers, such as pharmacies and hospitals, as of Monday, April 12.
Brookside Gardens is one of the Top 25 Gardens in North America, according to Yelp. The 50-acre, horticultural display garden located within Wheaton Regional Park was ranked #25 on the list.
Restaurants and diners in Montgomery County, as well as local craft beverage and food producers, are invited to participate in the upcoming MoCo Eats Week event, which runs from April 23 to May 3. The promotion, organized by Visit Montgomery and the county’s Department of Alcohol Beverage Services, allows diners to enjoy food and drinks at discounted prices. In addition to discounts for diners, restaurants will gain exposure from the event’s promotion by the county.
Ride On and Flash bus service will remain free until at least the end of the fiscal year on June 30, County Executive Marc Elrich announced yesterday evening. The change reverses a Department of Transportation decision released earlier this week to start charging $2 fares again on Monday, April 5. Fare collections had been suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The County Council is planning to hold four public hearings on the FY2022 operating budget beginning next week, according to an announcement. The first hearing will be held at 1:30 and 7 p.m. on Tuesday, April 6. Two more will follow on Wednesday and Thursday, April 7 and 8, at 7 p.m.
The county’s Department of Transportation will begin collecting fares and changing boarding procedures on all Ride On, Ride On extRa and Flash buses beginning Monday, April 5. Passengers will now be able to board through the front doors and no longer forced to use the rear doors, though rear boarding will still be used for Flash buses.
Adventist HealthCare has formed a partnership with CASA and the Latino Health Initiative to vaccinate 600 Montgomery and Prince George’s county Latinos per week at its Takoma Park facility, officials with the groups announced. CASA will sign up 300 Prince George’s County residents, while “Our Health and Wellness” initiative (“Por Nuestra Salud y Bienestar,”) will include 300 from Montgomery County.
Maryland’s governor delivered some good news and some dismaying news to the county regarding the COVID–19 vaccine this week. Gov. Larry Hogan (R) yesterday announced that Montgomery County would be getting one of six new mass vaccination sites around the state. However, the governor also issued an order that forbade other jurisdictions, such as the county, to make vaccine priority rules that were different from the state’s rules.
A new temporary outdoor art installation memorializing the county’s victims of COVID–19 has gone on display at Brookside Gardens. “Facets of Hope” is a series of crystal strands suspended among wisteria vines, each one honoring a local resident who died of the virus.