Montgomery County Briefs

College Program Targets Global Professionals

Montgomery College's High Technology and Science Center, 20200 Observation Dr. in Germantown, is presenting an information session and forum for international professionals from 6 to 8 p.m. May 26. The event will be in the center's Globe Hall, and registration is due by Monday.

The event is intended for "international professionals who have completed college courses or earned degrees abroad and want to pursue new careers in the United States," a college statement said. Keynote speaker E. Stephen Hunt, a senior international affairs specialist at the U.S. Network for Education Information, will discuss ways to navigate the complicated U.S. career system. Representatives from Montgomery College and county government will answer questions about careers, credentials, degree completion and career transition.

To register, professionals must e-mail cims@montgomerycollege.eduand indicate their field of interest. For information, contact Professor Ada Garcia-Casellas at 240-567-1801.

Rockville Seeks Input On Green Building Code

Rockville officials plan to revise the city building code this summer with an eye toward regulations that support green practices. A copy of the draft revised code is available at City Hall and on the Rockville Web site at http://www.rockvillemd.gov/environment/built.

Residents can express their opinions at two public meetings next week, from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday and from 1 to 3 p.m. next Thursday at City Hall, 111 Maryland Ave. in Rockville.

Comments also can be submitted by phone to Nate Wall, environmental specialist, at 240-314-8872 or by e-mail to greenbuilding@rockvillemd.gov.

Rockville Officials Host 'If I Were Mayor' Winner

Nicolas Bolatto, a fourth-grade student at Ritchie Park Elementary School, was named last week as the winner of Rockville's 2009 "If I were mayor, I would . . . " essay contest, sponsored by the Maryland Municipal League and the Maryland Mayors' Association.

Nicolas was one of 293 Rockville fourth-graders to participate in the contest, which asked students to "encourage citizens to get on board and 'go green.' "

Nicolas was recognized Monday at a mayor and council meeting, toured City Hall and other facilities, went on a police ride-along and had lunch with Mayor Susan Hoffmann. He also will participate in the city's Memorial Day parade.

Survey Plumbs Use Of Library Computers

From Monday until June 1, Montgomery County Public Libraries will participate in a nationwide survey to determine how customers use the Internet and computer services in libraries and how the services can be improved.

Library customers can take the U.S. IMPACT survey by going to the libraries' home page, http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/library. The free survey will take 10 to 15 minutes to complete, and no personally identifiable information will be collected.

"We're pleased to have the opportunity to participate in this very important initiative," libraries director Parker Hamilton said in a statement, "and I encourage our customers to take a few minutes to complete the survey. The results will help us improve public Internet access and computer services."

The survey was developed by the University of Washington Information School. Montgomery libraries are among more than 635 library systems across the country and one of 13 systems in Maryland selected at random to participate. The results will be received in September.

For information on the survey, contact the information desk at the nearest Montgomery County Public Library or visit the project Web site at http://impact.ischool.washington.edu.

Law Offers Safe Haven For Unwanted Infants

Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett recently announced a public education campaign to remind residents about Maryland's Safe Haven Law, which provides an alternative to abandoning an unwanted newborn.

Leggett (D) made the announcement at Shady Grove Adventist Hospital and was joined by Adventist Healthcare's president, William G. "Bill" Robertson, and Gaurov Dayal, Shady Grove's chief medical officer and a pediatrician, as well as county child welfare officials.

The law permits the birth mother or a responsible adult to take an unharmed newborn to a hospital or a Montgomery or Maryland state police station within 10 days of a baby's birth without fear of criminal prosecution or civil liabilities.

"Not all women who get pregnant are prepared to raise a child," Leggett said in the announcement. "The Safe Haven Law provides a safe and healthy alternative for mothers who may feel frightened, alone and unable to care for a child."

The mother or adult leaving the baby with authorities is not required to provide information, although basic medical details about the child are helpful. If necessary, medical care will be provided to the child, who will be placed in a licensed foster home while the legal process of adoption begins.

In the past year, six infants have been placed for adoption in Montgomery's safe haven program. Several newborns were abandoned in the region in the past year.

For information, call Child Welfare Services at 240-777-4417. All calls are confidential.

-- Compiled by SARAH MARSTON