IN BRIEF

Thursday, July 17, 2008

Forum Tonight Examines Watershed Restoration

The county's Department of Environmental Protection will host a public forum tonight to discuss restoration plans for the Great Seneca and Muddy Branch watersheds, both of which drain into Montgomery County sections of the Potomac River. Officials will discuss studies and answer questions regarding the affected areas.

Officials expect the restoration to protect water and sewer pipes and help maintain healthy ecosystems and recreational areas. Restoration methods under consideration include rain gardens, green roofs and ponds to reduce storm water flow intensity, as well as engineering enhancements to restore and reinforce stream channels and banks.

The meeting is scheduled from 7 to 9 p.m. in Room A of the Upcounty Regional Services Center, 12900 Middlebrook Rd. in Germantown. For information on the restoration plans, call the Department of Environmental Protection at 240-777-7700 or visit http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/dep and click on "watershed restoration."

Residents Invited Online To Chat With Leggett

County Executive Isiah Leggett (D) will host a live online chat from noon to 1 p.m. today, inviting residents to ask questions and share concerns.

Participants can submit questions before or during the conversation by visiting the county Web site, http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov, and clicking on "Live Discussion with County Executive Ike Leggett." Residents will be able to view the discussion's questions and answers during and after the chat. Transcripts from previous chats are also available on the site. For information, call 240-777-2500.

Run to Benefit Rockville's Youth Recreation Fund

Rockville Town Center will host the 23rd annual Rockville Rotary Twilight Runfest on Saturday, featuring two races and a festival. The event will benefit the city's Youth Recreation Fund, which helps low-income Rockville youths participate in recreational programs.

The festival will offer refreshments and music from 7 to 11 p.m., and races will begin at 8:45 p.m. Runners can participate in the eight-kilometer Road Race for $35 or the one-kilometer Fun Run for $10. Road Race participants may enter as individuals or in teams of five or more, including at least two men and two women. Team entry costs an additional $10 in advance or $20 the day of the race.

Registration is available online, in person from 6 to 8 p.m. at the event or from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday at Metro Run & Walk in Federal Plaza, 1776 E. Jefferson St. in Rockville. Town Center is at North Washington Street and Middle Lane. For information and registration, call 301-353-0200 or visit http://www.mcrrc.org/races/TwilightRunfest.

Animal Shelter Offers Free Rabies Vaccinations

The Montgomery County Animal Shelter will offer an outdoor rabies clinic for cats, dogs and ferrets from 10 to 11:30 a.m. July 27, weather permitting.

Pet owners must obey the following rules:

· Pets must be accompanied by an adult.

· Dogs must be leashed or harnessed.

· Cats and ferrets must be in a carrier or cage or be otherwise contained.

Vaccinations are free for pets owned by county residents, but a county license must be purchased. Licenses for dogs and cats younger than 1 are free. For dogs and cats 1 or older, licenses are $12 per year if the pet is altered or $25 per year if the pet is not. Vaccinations for ferrets and out-of-county pets are $4, and no county license is required.

Rockville and Gaithersburg residents will be able to purchase a vaccination for $4 and also buy city licenses at the clinic. City license laws and prices vary. For Rockville license information, call 240-314-8930 or visit http://www.rockvillemd.gov/residents/doglicense. For Gaithersburg license information, call 301-258-6343 or visit http://www.gaithersburgmd.gov and enter the search term "pet licensing."

The shelter is at 14645 Rothgeb Dr. in Rockville. For clinic and shelter information, call 240-773-5960 or visit http://www.mchumane.org.

Officials Seek Input On Silver Spring Library

Montgomery officials are conducting public meetings to solicit input from Silver Spring residents about the type of library they envision for their community.

The first meeting was scheduled for Tuesday, and two others are scheduled as follows:

· Aug. 23, 10 a.m. to noon, at the Round House Theater, 8641 Colesville Rd.

· Sept. 21, 2 to 4 p.m., at the Coffield Community Center, 2450 Lyttonsville Rd.

Residents will be asked to comment on the services and programs they want at the library to be built at Fenton and Bonifant streets in downtown Silver Spring. The meetings will be hosted by Montgomery County Public Libraries, the Silver Spring Regional Services Center and the Design Section of the county's Department of General Services.

Residents need attend only one meeting.

To request ADA program accommodations, at least five work days in advance, call the Silver Spring Library at 240-773-9420.

For information about the meetings, call 240-773-9416.

-- Compiled by SARAH MARSTON