What's Happening MoCo?

Send us Fan Mail Mail-in voting feels like a modern convenience, but the rules behind it are older and more rigorous than most people realize, and one small mistake can create big headaches. We sit down with Dr. Gilberto “Dr. Z” Zelaya from the Montgomery County Board of Elections to make vote by mail in Montgomery County, Maryland feel straightforward, practical, and stress-free. We talk about ho...

Send us Fan Mail We sit down with Dr. Gilberto Zalaya from the Montgomery County Board of Elections to turn voting season into a simple plan you can actually follow. We break down the 2026 primary timeline, every way to vote, and the fast text tools that help you register, find locations, and avoid last-minute mistakes. Be sure to like, subscribe, and share this very important episode of the What&...

Send us Fan Mail We visit the Brookside Gardens Butterfly Exhibit and talk with conservatory manager Raymond Carter about how a glasshouse full of butterflies runs safely, legally, and beautifully. Along the way, we dig into butterfly biology, horticulture, and how this local attraction connects to real conservation work around the world.  • what a butterfly exhibit is and what visitors can expect...

Send us Fan Mail We recorded this episode from the Montgomery County Recycling Center to answer a resident’s question people ask all the time: does recycling get separated after you toss it together? Along the way, we learn why Montgomery County, Maryland runs a dual stream recycling program, keeping mixed paper and cardboard separate from commingled containers like glass, metal, and plastic to re...

Send us Fan Mail This Woman's History Month, learn about one of the most powerful women in Maryland.  She was an undocumented, 16-year-old that could not speak English when she and her mother came to the U.S. from Venezuela. Today, Council President Natali Fani-Gonzalez joins us to talk about how that experience shaped her into a leader who treats public office like a responsibility to use po...

Send us Fan Mail We talk with Mitsi Herrera about Montgomery Connects, Montgomery County Maryland’s digital opportunity program built around three essentials: affordable broadband, access to a device, and the skills to use it safely and confidently. From COVID era device distribution to the everyday reality of paying bills, applying for benefits, and scheduling health care online, we dig into why...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we sit down with Frederick Hawkins—Montgomery County’s African American community liaison and podcast host for a candid discussion that follows his journey of service to the African American community and reviews his first year and a half in his position.  Along the way we give advice to youth, talk about the Black Coffee podcast, and Black History Month. If you c...

Send us Fan Mail We sit down with MoCo Pride Center’s leadership to unpack what a physical location means for health, safety, and belonging: Testing Tuesdays with full-spectrum STI screenings, a lending library of inclusive books, growing support groups, and rotating health services. Everything is free, open to all county residents, and designed to lift up those most underserved. Then the magic co...

Send us Fan Mail Eight hours changed everything. Coach Joseph Hooks took 480 minutes of winter training and turned it into a movement that helps Montgomery County youth grow through sport, mentorship, and mental wellness. We sit with Coach Hooks to unpack how a grassroots idea became a reliable network that reaches kids where they are—schools, apartment communities, rec centers, and the fields the...

Send us Fan Mail A major winter storm doesn’t have to become a household emergency. We sat down with Montgomery County Fire and Rescue’s Pete Piringer to unpack clear, no-nonsense steps for staying safe when the snow and ice arrive—starting with what to do today. From smoke alarms and escape plans to smart heating, our conversation focuses on the real risks people face when they hunker down: unatt...

Send us Fan Mail A winter storm is closing in, and we’re pulling back the curtain on how Montgomery County keeps people moving when snow stacks up and temperatures plunge. With Storm Operations Center manager Tim Serano, we walk through the real plan: early weather briefings, staffing and contractor call-ups, and why brining primaries and feeders changes the game before the first flake lands. You’...

Send us Fan Mail On January 19th, at 9:30 am we’re inviting you to join the Montgomery County Volunteer Center in a celebration of the legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr at the Silver Spring Civic Building, where volunteers, students, families, and neighbors roll up their sleeves alongside 50+ nonprofits to turn care into action.  Faith McNeil from the Montgomery County Volunteer Center walk...

Send us Fan Mail Ready for a fitness reset that’s real, local, and doable? Kayla Kavoukas with Montgomery County's Department of Recreation dives into how Montgomery County residents can use free Rec Fit Pass access for gyms, open courts, and family-friendly spaces across 21+ recreation centers—plus rotating free offerings like indoor cycling and urban line dancing.  We explore movement that...

Send us Fan Mail Want a clearer way to give that actually moves the needle in Montgomery County? We sit down with Anna Hargrave, Executive Director for the Greater Washington Community Foundation’s Montgomery County branch, to unpack how smart philanthropy turns good intentions into measurable local impact.  Anna also opens the curtain on the annual open call for nonprofit applications, the rigoro...

Send us Fan Mail Paychecks paused, budgets stretched, stress rising—when a shutdown hits home, the first question is simple: where can I get help today? We invited Assistant Chief Administrative Officer Earl Stoddard to walk us through the fastest, most reliable ways Montgomery County residents can find support for food, rent, mental health, and work options, all without getting lost in red tape....

Send us Fan Mail The health disparities affecting minority communities in Montgomery County demand urgent attention and innovative solutions. In this candid conversation, Councilmember Lori Ann Sales—the first Jamaican American and Black woman to serve in countywide office—brings her unique background in public health to address the systemic challenges facing underserved populations. In the second...

Send us Fan Mail As communities across America grapple with tension and uncertainty, Montgomery County's 11th annual Friendship Picnic offers a powerful antidote to division. Nestled under the canopy of trees at Wheaton Regional Park, residents from all walks of life gather to celebrate what connects us rather than what separates us. "Whatever happens around us here in Montgomery County,...

Send us Fan Mail The semicolon tattoo on Alnicia Gibson's wrist tells a powerful story - it represents choosing to continue when she could have ended her life. As chair of Montgomery County's Out of the Darkness Community Walk, Gibson transforms her lived experience into action, rallying the community against a crisis that ranks as the third leading cause of death among young people aged...

Send us Fan Mail Groundbreaking innovation emerges from right here in Montgomery County as we speak with Jasmin El Kordi, CEO of M Blue Labs. Their patented ingredient methylene blue is revolutionizing skincare with dual benefits. The conversation takes an enlightening turn when therapist Marilyn Spinadel joins us to share practical mental wellness techniques you can incorporate into daily life. ...

Send us Fan Mail Step into the vibrant world of the 76th Annual Montgomery County Agricultural Fair as we take you behind the scenes of this cherished summer tradition. Through conversations with dedicated volunteers, passionate 4-H members, and innovative vendors, we discover the heart and soul of what makes this nine-day celebration so special. Whether you're planning your visit or simply c...

Send us Fan Mail Have you ever wondered what really goes on behind the scenes at your local fire department? Chief Corey Smedley pulls back the curtain on Montgomery County's Fire and Rescue Service, revealing surprising truths that challenge everything you thought you knew about emergency response. From practical summer safety tips about barbecuing and AC maintenance to flood preparedness ad...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of "What's Happening MoCo," Anthony Featherstone, Executive Director of WorkSource Montgomery, discusses the organization's role in supporting the county's workforce through nine job centers. He highlights the Mobilize Montgomery coalition's efforts to assist highly-skilled professionals affected by federal workforce reductions. Dr. El...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the What's Happening MoCo Podcst, we talk to father and son Potato Chip business duo Gary and Brian Edell. When Gary Edell started making homemade potato chips for his son Brian's baseball team gatherings in 2009, he never imagined those crispy, thin-sliced snacks would eventually become a thriving business competing against industry giants. From an op...

Send us Fan Mail Nestled in the heart of Rockville, Maryland lies a community treasure that many Montgomery County residents might be surprised to discover is open to everyone. The Bender JCC of Greater Washington isn't just a fitness center or cultural hub—it's a 119,000-square-foot community crossroads where diversity thrives and inclusion isn't just talked about, it's lived...

Send us Fan Mail This podcast episode was recorded in April 2024. This conversation with the Autism Society of Maryland explores how neurodiversity presents uniquely in each individual and why the shift from merely "awareness" to genuine "acceptance" matters deeply. Executive Director Melissa Rosenberg shares how their organization expanded from Howard County to now serve Montg...