Council to Hold Hearing, Vote on Proposal to Create Automatic Triggers for Reopening

The County Council is planning an introduction, public hearing and vote next week on a revised Board of Health regulation that would add automatic triggers for reopening the county based on the percentage of residents receiving a COVID-19 vaccine. The proposal would amend the current regulation to add three phases of reopening based on the percentages reported by the county’s health officer to the Board of Health.

AAHP Adds Two Videos Featuring Local Media Personalities to COVID-19 Campaign

The African American Health Program has released two additional videos, each featuring a local media personality, in its campaign to urge the African American community to get tested for COVID-19. Comedian and WPGC 95.5-FM host Joe Clair along with Fox 5 Morning News anchor (and county resident) Wisdom Martin both talk about the need to “Don’t Stress, Take the Test,” the campaign’s tagline.

Blumen Lumen Kinetic Art Now Operational, Open to Public

Blumen Lumen, the kinetic art installation at the corner of Georgia Avenue and Colesville Road, is now fully operational and the site is open to the public. The installation from the Foldhaus art collective is a 25-foot tall group of “flowers” that changes colors and opens and closes based on weather information from the National Weather Service, which is connected to the art’s controlling software.

Urban One’s Proposal for Virginia Casino/Resort One of Two Finalists

Urban One’s proposal for a casino/resort in Richmond, Va. Is one of two finalists an evaluation panel is still considering, according to a report in the Washington Business Journal. The Silver Spring-based company announced its plans in February and was one of six original bidders on an economic development project.

Takoma Park Project Creates Public Art Posters for Bus Shelters

In lieu of its regular public art exhibitions delayed by pandemic restrictions, Takoma Park’s Arts and Humanities Division has created a series of posters featuring works by local artists. The seven different posters, designed by Charlotte Mann Lee, include 14 artists and are now on display at 14 bus shelters in Takoma Park in a series called Arts on the Move.

AAHP Releases New Video in COVID-19 Campaign

The African American Health Program has released a new video in its campaign to urge the African American community to get tested for COVID-19. The new video features county resident and Vietnam War veteran Dr. Raphael Gray, who sees a parallel between that war and the current pandemic.

County Renters Can Now Apply for Rent Relief in Third Phase of Program

County residents who rent their housing and have been financially affected by the pandemic may be eligible to now apply for additional funds providing rent relief, officials announced. The county has entered the third phase of the COVID Rent Relief Program with an additional $59 million on top of $21 million already dedicated to the funding by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act.