In Memoriam — back
to top
 Judith
Scioli, 59, former director of the Office of Public Information, passed
away on January 19 after a battle with cancer.
Scioli served as OPI director under County Executive Neal Potter. After
leaving Montgomery County in 1994, she served as communications director
for the University System of Maryland, and then as press secretary to
Governor Parris Glendening. Her last five years in state government were
spent as communications director for the Maryland Port Administration.
Prior to her coming to Montgomery County, Scioli worked for many years
at the Potomac and Bethesda Almanac newspapers, ultimately as editor-in-chief.
Scioli, who lived in Philadelphia, is survived by her companion, Robert
Barnett, two sons, Anthony and Adam, a brother and two grandchildren.
 |
| HHS Launches
New Phone Line – County Executive Douglas M. Duncan (left)
and Council Member George Leventhal (second from right) recently joined
the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) staff to launch
their new HHS Information & Referral telephone line. Pictured
above with Duncan and Leventhal are HHS employees who will staff the
new phone lines (left to right): Heather Vaughan Williams, Damaris
Bonilla, Yasmin Reyazuddin, Anne Santora and Jose Argueta. |
New I&R Information Line— back
to top
The Department of Health and Human Services now has an information and
referral line that offers assistance in multiple languages, including
Spanish, Chinese and Hindi.
The centralized phone line offers callers one phone number to call for
information or questions about health and human service issues. The new
phone number, 240-777-1245 (240-777-1295 TTY),
will be staffed Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Calls
received after hours will be referred to the 24-hour Crisis Center.
“With 124 different programs and services in 19 separate locations,
it is critical that we make it easier for residents to find and obtain
the services that they need,” said Health and Human Services director
Carolyn Colvin. “This unit is staffed by a group of highly qualified
individuals whose goal it is to help callers find the services they need.”
Winter Storm Safety Tips —
back to top
With two potentially cold and stormy months ahead for the Washington
region, the Office of Emergency Management offers the following tips to
help residents remain safe throughout the winter storm season. Everyone
should be prepared for the possibility of power outages and hazardous
road conditions that can result from snow storms and freezing rain.
Power Outages:
1. Have sufficient supply of flashlights and fresh batteries on hand.
2. Do not use candles for lighting
3. Never use a candle when fueling equipment such as a kerosene heater
or lantern, since the candle flame can ignite fumes from the fuel.
4. Keep home generators outdoors and away from doors, windows or air intakes.
Safety on the Road:
1. Where traffic signals are rendered inoperable, slow down and treat
intersections as three or four-way stops.
2. Maintain a winter safety/survival kit in your car that includes a first-aid
kit, extra clothing, blanket, food and water, flashlight and extra prescription
medicine for one day.
Storm Assistance Hotlines:
If you need assistance, but it is not an emergency, call the County’s
Crisis Center at 240-777-4000. Snow shoveling assistance is available
to residents who are elderly or have disabilities, by calling the County’s
Volunteer Center at 240-777-2600.
For more information about road conditions and other updates during winter
weather emergencies, go to the County’s homepage and click on Winter
Storm Information and Updates.
Library Lovers Month— back
to top
Do you love your local library for its large selection of books? How
about the availability of PC’s? Or, maybe you attend your local
community association meeting in your library’s meeting rooms? Perhaps,
you just like the fact that if you need a quiet space to sit and reflect,
your local library offers that space. Libraries serve many users and many
purposes, and February is the month set aside for raising awareness of
the wide-ranging role that public libraries play in the life of the community.
February marks the second annual Library Lovers Month. Local public libraries
will host special programs and activities throughout February to showcase
services and help library customers show their love for library services.
Recently, the Montgomery County Public Libraries was rated one of the
10 best public library systems in the country.
The annual event is co-sponsored by the Montgomery County Friends of the
Library, a non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing and promoting
public libraries through fundraising and advocacy efforts.
For more information about Library Lovers Month, visit the libraries’
website or call 240-777-0020.
New Merit Protection Board Members
— back to top
The Merit System Protection Board has elected its members for 2005.
Serving as chairperson for the coming year is Mary A. Lamary. Harold D.
Kessler will serve as vice-chairperson and Rodella E. Berry, as an associate
member.
The board’s mission is to oversee the County’s merit system
and to protect employees’ rights under the system.
Offices of the Merit System Protection Board are located in the Council
Office Building, suite 113. Hours are Monday through Thursday, 9:30 a.m.
to 3 p.m. The phone number is 240-777-6620.
February
is Black History Month — back to
top Celebrate African American heritage and culture with a variety
of programs for the entire family being offered by the public libraries
during Black History Month.
Included in this year’s celebration is an African American film
series, adult book discussions, songs, storytelling and a Read-A-Thon.
Events are taking place all month at a number of library branches throughout
the County.
For more information about these and other library programs, go to the
libraries website or click here.
Summer Camps — back
to top
Even though there’s snow on the ground and temperatures are dipping
well below freezing, it’s not too early to sign your kids up for
a summer camp program. The Recreation Department has published its 2005
Summer Programs guide featuring summer camps, summer fun centers and
special programs.
Stop by any county library, community center, regional services center
or aquatic center and pick up a copy of the Summer 2005 Summer Programs
guide.
For more information, call 240-777-6870.
ADOPT-A-PET — back
to top
 Swanson
is such a love bug! She is a spayed female Bengal about 5 years old. Swanson
loves to cuddle, be held and play with any toys she can get her paws on!
She is used to having some children to romp around with as well as other
cats in her old home. Right now she enjoys all the attention she can get
and would welcome a new home.
Visit the animal shelter Monday through Friday, 1-7 p.m., and Saturday,
noon to 5 p.m. Call 240-773-5930 or visit www.mchumane.org.
PRESIDENTS’ DAY —
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Monday, February 21 is Presidents’ Day
|
Seniors
