En Sintonía con el Concejo

Interview with Carmen Berrios, division chief at Montgomery Recreation. Summer is almost here, and Montgomery County Recreation has a wide variety of programs for toddlers, youth, teens, adults and seniors. Starting Monday, May 13, most of the programs and activities will open for registration. On May 13, in-person registration will be available at the County’s aquatic centers and at the administrative offices in Wheaton. In-person registration will also be available at all other recreation facilities during regular business hours.

Interview with Edith Lozada, Spanish communications specialist and Spanish language public information officer at Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS). This edition of En Sintonía features a discussion on the registration process and requirements for kindergarteners at MCPS. Children turning five years old by Sept. 1 can be registered for the 2024-2025 school year through the parentVUE portal. Ms. Lozada will provide all the necessary information about the requirements, which include proof of residency, identification, birth documentation and health forms. Parents who are registering their children for the first time in MCPS must also provide age and immunization records.

Interview with Yanira Rodríguez, Community Engagement Manager at Montgomery College. This edition of En Sintonía features a discussion on the new Montgomery College East County Education Center located in Silver Spring. The East County Education Center is a significant part of the County's dedicated efforts to provide accessible education and career opportunities to all residents.

Interview with Councilmember Natali Fani-González. The upcoming radio program will have Councilmember Natali Fani-González as a special guest. She will discuss the efforts made by Montgomery County to help residents who will be impacted by the temporary closure of several Metro stations this summer.

Interview with Carmen Lezama, Clinic Management Director at Mansfield Kaseman Health Clinic. The interview features information about the expansion of Mansfield Kaseman Health Clinic to provide additional support for individuals without medical insurance. Their primary objective is to prevent people from resorting to emergency rooms for non-emergency medical needs, by offering residents accessible and affordable healthcare options.

Interview with Michelle Ramirez, Public Outreach Specialist at Montgomery Parks. Montgomery Parks has organized various enjoyable activities for families to participate in during this spring season. Michelle Ramírez will provide information on different youth programs and activities, as well as special events like the popular Spy Eyes Trains in Wheaton and Bethesda, Sunday Serenades at Cabin John Regional Park, Acoustics and Ales and Tails, and more.

This week we feature Ruthann Eiser, communications specialist for the Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT). In this interview we discuss details about the adult bike classes available this spring to Montgomery County residents. MCDOT, in collaboration with the Washington Area Bicycle Association (WABA), will offer adult bike classes in April, May and June. The classes include a learn to ride and a basic skills class. MCDOT also will offer four free scooter classes this spring. Participants in the bicycle classes will learn how to start and stop, balance, glide, pedal and steer a bike. The classes will be led by experienced WABA instructors.

In this interview we will discuss her top legislative priorities for 2024, which include addressing important issues such as housing, changing the zoning laws, tenant safety and notification, and public safety primarily in the downtown area of Silver Spring. She will also talk about the proposed projects in the Recommended Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Capital Budget and the FY25-30 Capital Improvements Program (CIP) for District 4.

Interview with Councilmember Fani-González The radio program will start with a special guest, Councilmember Fani-González. In honor of Women's History Month, she will share her experience representing District 6. As a public official in her second year on the Council, one of her legislative priorities is public safety. In the interview, Fani-González will share details about the measures that are being implemented in the Wheaton and Glenmont communities to strengthen public safety. This week, Fani-González also led a delegation to the Maryland General Assembly alongside Hispanic mothers who have been victims of the opioid epidemic, tragically losing their children to Fentanyl overdoses. The group of mothers testified in favor of tougher laws for Fentanyl and heroin traffickers. Councilmember Fani-González will discuss Montgomery County’s effort to combat opioids and Fentanyl overdoses.

Interview with Edith Lozada, Spanish communications specialist and Spanish language public information officer at Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS). The interview will highlight the efforts of MCPS to get students, staff, parents and caregivers to participate in a survey aimed at improving teaching and making the schools and district a welcoming place for everyone. The survey focuses on students' perspectives on school culture, engagement and well-being, and aims to help develop opportunities for improvement in teaching and learning practices. The feedback received from the survey will help administrators, staff and district leaders enhance student motivation, participation and academic achievement.

In this interview Mariela Leon, Hispanic community liaison with the Montgomery County Police Department (MCPD) will discuss the upcoming 2024 Community Resource Fair and Forum hosted by MCPD. The event will take place on March 1 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Long Branch Community Center and will feature Community Opioid Prevention Education Trailer tours, Narcan training, immigration resources, MCPD recruitment, youth entertainment, and so much more.

This interview features special guest, Councilmember Balcombe, who represents the north-western portion of the County in District 2. Councilmember Balcombe will discuss her top legislative priorities for 2024, along with the proposed projects in the Recommended Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Capital Budget and the FY25-30 Capital Improvements Program (CIP) for District 2. Some of her top priorities include the Clarksburg Library, the Poolesville Recreation Center and a Student Center for Montgomery College Germantown Campus.

Interview with Montgomery County Councilmember Natali Fani-González, who serves as the chair of the Council's Economic Development (ECON) Committee. This interview features important information about the Recommended Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Capital Budget and the FY25-30 Capital Improvements Program (CIP). Councilmember Fani-González will share her vision behind the proposed projects in the CIP for the Council district she represents (District 6), which includes portions of Aspen Hill, Forest Glen, Glenmont, Kensington, Rockville and Wheaton. This includes the construction of a Bus Rapid Transit line on Veirs Mill Road, an Arts and Entertainment Center in Wheaton, acquiring property in the Glenmont Shopping Center, creating a flood management plan, and more.

Interview with Gustavo Minaya, financial aid outreach counselor at Montgomery College. The radio program will focus on financial assistance for students who wish to pursue higher education in Maryland. The application period for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) has already begun. Applicants need to be aware of the changes for this year. The FAFSA form 2024-25 broadens the eligibility criteria for receiving federal student aid, including federal Pell grants, and offers an improved user experience. The updates to the student aid calculations mean that 610,000 new low-income students will qualify for Pell grants. Mr. Minaya will discuss the changes and explain Montgomery College's efforts to support students with the application process.

Interview with Eduardo Mendes, program specialist for the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program at the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). This interview features important information about Montgomery County's Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. Beginning on Jan. 22, residents with a household income of $64,000 or less are eligible for free tax appointments through the VITA program. As we approach the 2024 tax season, eligible residents should call 240-777-1123 to schedule an appointment.

Interview with Ana Arriaza, manager of partnership and engagement at Montgomery County’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). The interview highlights the importance of detecting radon. Radon is a radioactive gas that cannot be seen or smelled, and it is found naturally in rocks, soil and water. It can enter homes and buildings undetected and exposure to it is linked to lung cancer. Therefore, it is important to limit exposure to ensure the safety of families. To determine if your home is affected by radon, it is important to perform radon tests. To raise awareness about this issue, the Maryland Department of Health is offering discounted radon test kits for homeowners at the discounted rate of $3 throughout January as part of the National Radon Awareness Month.

Interview with Carmen I. Sáenz, manager at the Suburban Maryland Welcome Back Center of the Latino Health Initiative (Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services), and Ana Mejia, human services specialist at the Suburban Maryland Welcome Back Center. The interview highlights the services provided by the Welcome Back Center, which is a part of the Montgomery County Latino Health Initiative. The center's primary objective is to offer counseling and guidance to health professionals who have completed their education outside the U.S. and are interested in joining the workforce in Maryland.

Interview with Carmen Hernández, senior network builder at Impact Silver Spring; Sonia Climaco, entrepreneur. Discover the magic of the holiday season while supporting local entrepreneurs at the upcoming Holiday Market in the heart of Wheaton. Find the perfect seasonal gifts created by talented local artisans while enjoying the festive atmosphere. The market will take place on Dec. 16 and 23 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Marian Fryer Town Plaza, where you'll have the opportunity to explore a variety of unique products such as crafts, jewelry, piñatas, keychains, and more. Come and experience the joy of community and the spirit of giving this holiday season. The Holiday Market will feature the Department of Environmental Protection, as well as other government agencies providing information on resources available at Montgomery County.

With the holiday season fast approaching, it is important to prioritize safety to make the most of this special time with loved ones. Family gatherings and feasts are integral to the holidays, but it is crucial to take precautions when cooking to avoid fires. This means keeping children and flammable items, such as grocery bags and dish towels, away from the stove and oven. Decorations and candles can also pose a fire hazard. To help residents ensure safety in their homes, Mr. Méndez will share some important recommendations to prevent life-threatening situations.

Interview with Councilmember Natali Fani-González. The growing number of opioid overdoses among young people has become a pressing issue in our communities. The radio show will start with a discussion featuring Councilmember Fani-González, who will discuss Montgomery County's efforts to support young people and their families.