Safeway Announces Plans to Renovate Olney Location

The Montgomery Business Journal reported today that "Safeway will invest $100 million in the renovation of stores in Montgomery County over the next five years...."

"The company will replace smaller, outdated facilities in various cities with more modern stores."

Among the locations which will receive a facelift is the Safeway store at 3333 Spartan Road in Olney, which services many District 4 residents.

»»  read more

Flu Information (H1N1 "Swine Flu" and Seasonal)

Flu Information (H1N1 and Seasonal) - Montgomery County health officials are monitoring the swine flu situation and working closely with hospitals and community physicians and will provide updates as needed. Residents with questions about seasonal flu and the H1N1 (swine) flu can call the Flu Hotline at 240-777-4200. The line, staffed by County employees and volunteers, will answer calls from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each weekday.

For detailed Flu information, visit Montgomery County's Swine Flu Website: [HERE]

»»  read more

The Scoop on Group Homes

By Alexis Reed, Aide to Councilmember Navarro

Over the past few months, our office has responded to a number of requests and complaints regarding group homes that serve a variety needs. Among the groups served by these homes are minors, mentally and developmentally disabled individuals, and seniors in need. Below, I have provided information for individuals curious about the licensing and complaint aspects of group homes operating within the County’s borders. This information comes directly from Department of Health and Human Services individuals who work with health care facilities and Licensure & Regulatory Services. If you have any additional questions, please feel free to call our office at (240) 777-7968.

Group homes in the County are licensed by the State of Maryland as well as Montgomery County. The Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR) licenses depends on the program being offered within the group home. The County license is based on Chapter 23A, Executive regulations, various County fire, zoning, permitting, and well & septic codes.

The County Licensure Requirements for group homes include the following:

• An initial and annual license application and fee
• A state license or consultation with the State that the state licensure requirements have been satisfactorily met
• A sanitation approval from the environmental health specialist that the group home is in compliance with county regulations
• A county zoning approval for nine or more occupants as well as a use and occupancy permit
• A fire marshal’s approval
• A well & septic approval (if the facility has a well or septic system)
• A facility complaint procedure (approved by Licensing & Registration) which addresses how complaints from the community will be handled, as well as a Program Statement including all information required by Montgomery County law

The Montgomery County license is issued when all of the aforementioned requirements have been met. The Licensure & Regulatory Services office is responsible for enforcing County regulations and laws.

Frequently Asked Questions:

• How many group homes exist in the County? There are over 400 licensed group homes in the County.
• Are group homes required to identify themselves in the community? Because of the Fair Housing Act and privacy rights, group homes are not required to identify themselves to their community; however, the Department of Health and Human Services encourages providers to reach out to their community when they are in the process of applying for a group home license.
• Whom do group homes serve? Group homes serve a variety needs. Among the groups served are minors, mentally and developmentally disabled individuals, and seniors in need.
• How can I file a complaint about a group home in my neighborhood? Concerned residents who have called our office have expressed their concerns for the safety of the individuals living in group homes; however, the nature of concerns varies.
• For complaints regarding environmental, fire code, zoning, or other issues regulated by Montgomery County… call Licensure and Regulatory Services: (240) 777-3986.
• For complaints concerning quality of care issues regulated by the Maryland Department of Human Resources’ Social Services Administration (DHR-SSA)… call the DHR Complaints Hotline for Group Homes for Minors: 1 (866) 718-5496.
• For complaints concerning quality of care issues regulated by the Maryland Department of Health & Mental Hygiene’s Office of Health Care Quality (MHMH/OHCQ)…

§ Assisted Living Group Home Complaints: (410) 402-8217, 1 (877) 402-8218, or online here (click the link for assisted living)

§ Developmental Disability Group Home Complaints: (410) 402-8094

§ Community Mental Health Group Home Complaints: (240) 777-4100

»»  read more

Councilmember Nancy Navarro Reaffirms Support for Saving Sligo Golf Course

Today, Councilmember Nancy Navarro reaffirmed her support for keeping Sligo Creek Golf Course open to the diverse residents of Montgomery County. Though the County continues to explore ways to permanently fund operations and maintenance of the course, on Tuesday, September 29th, the County Council will vote on whether to approve enough funds to keep the course operating for another year.

In keeping with her past position on this issue, Councilmember Navarro has pledged to vote "YES" for Councilmember Ervin's proposal to fund Sligo Golf for another year. In the meantime, the County and community members will be working hard to devise a plan to permanently keep the course solvent.

Sligo Creek Golf Course is a cherished community resource that, as a public golf course, serves a large and diverse population of communities of color, seniors, women, disabled residents, and underprivileged youths through The First Tee program and other initiatives: [Find Out More]

»»  read more

Enroll in Classes to Learn English: Convenient East County Location

The Eastern Montgomery Regional Services Center at 3300 Briggs Chaney Road, Silver Spring, MD is hosting ESOL classes, starting this month.

The Center hosts a diverse range of programming for the residents of Eastern Montgomery County, including free legal clinics, college courses, and volunteer opportunities. See the latest calendar of events: [View Calendar]

Also, residents of the Mid-County area can enjoy services and events at the Mid-County Regional Services Center at 2424 Reedie Drive, Wheaton, MD: [Visit their Website]

»»  read more

Join Nancy Navarro in Celebrating Burtonsville Day: Saturday 9/26

Please join Montgomery County Councilmember Nancy Navarro in celebrating the 19th Annual Burtonsville Day Celebration.

The schedule for the day includes live music, activities for children, food and craft vendors, and much more: [View Full Schedule]

Councilmember Navarro will also be participating in the Burtonsville Day Parade, starting at 10:00 am. The festivities will take place at the Marilyn J. Praisner Community Recreation Center: 14906 Old Columbia Pike, Burtonsville, MD.




Come greet Nancy as she rides around in a Zipcar convertible! Learn about the environmental benefits of car sharing programs: [FIND OUT MORE]

»»  read more

District 4 Welcomes Vice President Joe Biden

Montgomery County's Council District 4 proudly welcomed Vice President Joe Biden this week. Mr. Biden gave an address on health care reform, along with Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, at District 4's Leisure World retirement community. Montgomery County Councilmember Nancy Navarro was thrilled to welcome the Vice President to the wonderful district she represents.

Watch the official White House coverage of the Veep's visit.

Nancy Navarro discusses health care reform with
Leisure World Residents.

Vice President Biden dispels myths about the
President's health care proposal.

The Vice President works the room.

»»  read more

Nancy Navarro Meets Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor

This week, Montgomery County Councilmember Nancy Navarro had the honor of attending a Baltimore Orioles game with newly appointed United States Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor.

As luck would have it, the Justice was attending the game to make good on a promise made by Senator Ben Cardin, during her confirmation hearings. The Baltimore Sun blog noted:

"Back in July, at a Senate confirmation hearing for Sonia Sotomayor, Sen. Ben Cardin of Maryland invited the judge to be his guest at an Orioles game."

...

"Last night, Cardin made good on the offer to Sotomayor, who became the first Latina Supreme Court justice to sit in a skybox at Camden Yards (the Maryland Stadium Authority's box, for those keeping score at home)."

This comes on the heels of President Barack Obama's address on health care at the University of Maryland, College Park. Councilmember Navarro and her colleague Councilmember Valerie Ervin had the opportunity to attend this rally on one of the most important issues of our time. This was an exciting week, indeed!

You can watch the entire speech on the net: [WATCH IT NOW].

»»  read more

District Food Crawl: Soretti's Ethiopian Cuisine in Burtonsville

Howard County foodie blog, HowChow, reports that Burtonsville's Cafe Oromio is shifting from a coffee house to full-on Ethiopian Restaurant. As a result, they're changing their name to Soretti's Ethiopian Cuisine: "I had reported that Burtonsville's Coffee Oromia already changed its name to Cafe Oromia. This is a casual restaurant on Rte 198 at Rte 29 that offers Ethiopian stews and even some Ethiopian breakfast options. I love injera, and several regular commentators -- including Bets, Dzoey, and Momomom have talked up this food."

Soretti's Ethiopian Cuisine

15510 Old Columbia Pike (Rte 198)

Burtonsville, MD 20866

240-390-0044

Check out their website at: www.soretti.com

»»  read more

Photo of the Week : Calverton Sign

Photo of the Week: September 14-September 18

Photo of the Calverton sign located on Shanandale Drive.

Reminder: Submit your photos to councilmember.navarro@montgomerycountymd.gov for consideration. Names may be withheld upon request of the photographer. Please provide a brief description of the photo.

»»  read more

International Car Free Day

Tuesday, September 22, 2009 is International Car Free Day!

Tomorrow, individuals all over the world are encouraged to keep their cars at home, and use public transportation, bicycles, their two feet, or other creative car-free modes of transportation.

Will you be going car free tomorrow? Send us your pictures tomorrow!

Check out the Car Free Day Metro DC website here, or the twitter page here.

»»  read more

District Food Crawl: New BBQ Restaurant Opening in District 4

Urban Bar-B-Que is expected to open in its new Sandy Spring location this fall! The small smokehouse chain will be opening its third restaurant in the former location of Willoughby's Market (805 Olney Sandy Spring Road).

The menu features cleverly-named items such as Two Step Chili, Urban Legend, and Dave's Almost Famous Crab Cake.

Click here to read the Washington City Paper article about the new location!

»»  read more

Please help the MCPD Solve This Case!

The Montgomery County Department of Police is offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to an arrest and conviction of the person responsible for the murder of Simone White.

Simone White was found murdered at 12:27 a.m. on the morning of September 9 on the sidewalk of her apartment building on Castle Blvd in the Briggs Chaney area of Silver Spring.

A media conference in reference to this murder was held on September 15, where family members of Simone White made a plea for help from the community.

If you have any information regarding this incident, please contact the Montgomery County Department of Police Homicide and Sex Section at (240) 773-5070 or (240)773-TIPS (8477)You can also TEXT-A-TIP to: CRIMES (274637). Text "MCPD" + Your Crime Tip. At your request, you can provide information anonymously.

Please help the Montgomery County Department of Police solve this crime!

»»  read more

Want to Know What's Going on in Montgomery County?

I suggest checking out Montgomery County's eSubscription site. It is a tremendous resource for new residents who are curious about how the government and County function, as well as longtime residents who are interested in learning about new programs and events. Through eSubrscription, you can subscribe to the newsletters and announcements of County Executive Isiah Leggett, County Councilmembers, government agencies, etc.

Check out the County's FREE eSubscription services here.

»»  read more

ECCAB Meeting Wednesday

Neighbors and Friends,

The East County Citizens Advisory Board is hosting their monthly meeting on Wednesday, September 2, 2009 at 7:15 p.m. at the Eastern Montgomery Regional Services Center. These meetings are open to the public. For more information, call: (240) 777-8400.

I hope to see you there!

»»  read more

Free Legal Consultations Being Offered at the Eastern Montgomery Regional Services Center

For Immediate Release: 8/31/2009 Free Legal Consultations Being Offered at the Eastern Montgomery Regional Services Center The Eastern Montgomery Regional Services Center and the Montgomery County Bar Foundation Pro Bono Program will offer free legal consultations for low income community residents on Thursdays, September 3 and 10 from 6 to 9 p.m., at the center, located at 3300 Briggs Chaney Road in Silver Spring. Residents can get legal advice on issues including child custody and support, debt management and immigration. Clients will be asked to fill out a client intake form before the consultation. For more information, call the Bar Association’s Pro Bono Program during business hours, Monday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., at 301-424-7651 or 301-424-7633. For directions to the center, call 240-777-8400. # # #

»»  read more