National Consumer Protection Week

Montgomery County’s Office of Consumer Protection (OCP) has joined a group of federal, state and local government agencies and other national consumer advocacy organizations to celebrate the 13th annual National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW), March 6 – 12. During NCPW, organizations share tips and information that help consumers protect their privacy, manage money and debt and avoid identity theft, frauds and scams. This year, we will host a free seminar on Wednesday, March 9 from noon to 2 p.m., titled, “Recovering from the Recession.” Guest speakers will discuss building/rebuilding credit and managing debts, as well as issues affecting seniors. The seminar will be held at the Rockville Memorial Library 2nd floor conference room, 21 Maryland Ave., Rockville. Pre-registration for the seminar is recommended as space is limited. Free tote bags will be given to the first 25 attendees. Register by calling 240-777-3764 or email consumerprotection@montgomerycountymd.gov.


Office of the Consumer Protection will also be answering consumer questions online throughout the week. Questions may be sent to consumerprotection@montgomerycountymd.gov. Include “NCPW” in the subject line. Answers will be posted on the Consumer Protection website at www.montgomerycountymd.gov/consumer.

Office of Consumer Protection investigates complaints involving automotive sales and repairs, new home purchases, home improvements, credit issues, retail sales, internet services and most other consumer transactions and also provides pre-purchase information to consumers and speakers to the community on consumer issues. For more information and to check any merchant’s complaint record, call 240-777-3636 or visit OCP’s website at www.montgomerycountymd.gov/consumer.

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5th Annual Let’s Get It Started! Montgomery County Youth Job Fair

Is Your Business Looking …


To hire motivated youth ages 16-21 for seasonal or permanent work?

For an environment that simplifies your recruitment process and allows you to reach youth considering careers in your field or industry?

If you answered YES to any of the above, then join us for the

5th Annual Let’s Get It Started!
Montgomery County’s Youth Job Fair


Saturday, March 26, 2011
10:00 am-2:00 pm
Silver Spring Civic Building at Veterans Plaza
One Veterans Place, Silver Spring, Maryland


Sponsored by the County’s Workforce Investment Board's Youth Council, the Montgomery County Department of Economic Development, and the Maryland Multicultural Youth Center, Let’s Get It Started will provide employers with an opportunity to conduct on-site interviews and offer information to youth ages 16-21 about jobs and career tracks in their industry and/or business. This is a great opportunity for businesses looking for seasonal or permanent workers.

Last year's event drew some 800 youth and nearly 40 employers - with some 375 youth hired in seasonal or permanent jobs!

For more information, call 301-495-0441, ext. 225 or 240-777-2039 today!

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Annual Congressional Art Competition

High school artists who live or attend school in the 8th Congressional District are invited to submit work for the 30th annual Congressional Art Competition, sponsored by Congressman Van Hollen.


The winning entry will be displayed in the U.S. Capitol for one year and runners-up will be displayed in Congressman Van Hollen’s congressional offices. A juried exhibition of approximately 90 pieces of the submitted artwork will be on display at VisArts at Rockville from April 6 – May 4, 2011. VisArts is located at 155 Gibbs Street in Rockville.

To participate, students must complete and submit an entry form, which they can get by going to www.vanhollen.house.gov or by calling 301-424-3501. Entry forms need to be signed by the student, a parent or guardian, and a faculty member and faxed to the Congressman’s office at 301-424-5992 or emailed to Karen.McManus@mail.house.gov by Friday, March 25, 2011.

Artwork may be delivered to VisArts either on Friday, April 1st between 2:30 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. or Saturday, April 2nd between 10:00 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.

Congressman Van Hollen will host an Arts Celebration and Awards Reception to showcase the exhibit, honor all participants and announce awards at VisArts on Monday, April 11, 2011 from 7:00-8:30 p.m.

For more information, contact Karen McManus in the Van Hollen office at 301-424-3501 or at Karen.McManus@mail.house.gov, or Linda Pepper, Congressional Art Competition coordinator, at 301-657-8650 or at pepper461@aol.com.

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