If you or anyone you know wants to know how Festivals are put together at the Veterans Plaza & Civic Center, this is one episode you don't want to miss. Also, find out about upcoming events at the Civic Center this week.

In this special episode, I spoke with performers at the Silver Spring Jazz Festival 2019 headlined by 4-time Grammy award winning multi-instrumentalist, Arturo Sandoval. In the course of my conversations with them, in between performances, I asked each of them this one question, "What's your advice to parents whose kids are interested in pursing a career in music?" I got great responses.

The Silver Spring Veterans Plaza is ever evolving. Eric shares some of the burgeoning ideas of what the next improvements to the Veterans Plaza will be. Listen, share, contribute!

August 24 is this year's annual Silver Spring Jazz Festival headlined by the 10-time Grammy award-winning Arturo Sandoval. On this episode, Montgomery County's new Innovation Manager, Michael Baskin and Reemberto Rodriguez, Director, Silver Spring Regional Center join the conversation.

Eric goes into detail about the Community Access Program at the Civic Center. He answers questions about who it's for, how to apply for it, how long it takes to get approval, it's benefits and more. You might find out your event at the Civic Building is eligible for county sponsorship so do check it out.

Meet two summer rise interns who just concluded their internship at the Civic Center. Meet Kate one of your neighbors downtown Silver Spring. Of course, find out about upcoming events this week at the Civic Center.

What is Democracy Summer? Hear Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's responses to questions posed to her by Democracy Summer Fellows. Get some updates about Montgomery County development from Peter Fosselman. Meet one of our neighbors downtown Silver Spring. Find out about upcoming events at the Civic Center this week.

Rep Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Rep Jamie Raskin are going to be at the Civic Center this week. Find out what's bringing them. Eric and I also discussed the 2020 census and awareness programs. As usual we did a quick recap of events and talked about exciting events coming up this week.

Lene Tsegaye and her sister run Kefa Cafe, a coffee shop that has been running for close to 25 years on Bonifant Street. Ade Toye interviewed Lene at their second location at the Silver Spring library just down the block from their original shop. Learn her thoughts about what a cup of quality coffee should be and the cultural significance of coffee to Ethiopians. Find out the secret sauce that has kept customers coming year in, year out and more.

On this Civic Center Roundup find out how to take advantage of the Community Access Program Grant, and also meet Mindy the Logistics Support Specialist at the Civic Center. Eric and I, as usual, discuss extensively upcoming events at the Civic Center and the Veteran's Plaza. Senegal Day 2019 on the plaza was a flamboyant cultural event and I was able to grab a quick interview with executives of the Senegalese Association of the DMV just before the event kicked off.