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How do you get solar on your home? We talk with Montgomery County Larissa and Odette from the County's Department of Environmental Protection to make solar power feel practical, understandable, and worth your time, whether your goal is lowering your electric bill or doing your part on climate. 

We start with the quick and easy ways to save energy right now, including thermostat choices that can shift your costs and easy lighting upgrades like LED swaps through county “illumination stations.” 

From there, we learn about theSwitch Together program. We cover roof concerns, warranties, squirrel guards, and how installers are selected through Solar United Neighbors. Our county solar specialist also explains Maryland net metering in plain English, what a kilowatt hour really means, and why community solar is a great alternative for renters or shaded roofs. 

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Glenstone Museum in Potomac, Maryland celebrates its 20th anniversary. Over the year's it has redefined what a museum can be.  With modern architecture, serene landscapes, and galleries shaped with input from living artists, it’s one of Montgomery County’s most distinctive places to slow down and explore.

We sat down with Valentina Nahon, Senior Director of Public Engagement, to talk about Glenstone’s origins, its expansion to the 180,000‑sq‑ft Pavilions, and how the museum creates deeply intentional experiences for visitors.
Admission and parking are free—just reserve timed tickets at glenstone.org to keep your visit relaxed and uncrowded.

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Wearing blue sounds small until you see what it does for people who have been carrying this alone. We sit down with Marina Thompson, Area Director for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), to talk about suicide prevention in a way that is honest, practical, and grounded in community. She explains the meaning behind the Out of the Darkness Community Walk bead colors, from loss and survival to supporting someone in crisis and LGBTQ+ support, and why that simple visual language helps people feel seen without having to explain everything out loud.

We also unpack what the walk experience is actually like for first-timers: teams, opening ceremonies, a resource fair, and a hopeful tone that still makes room for grief. If you have ever wanted to show support but worried about bringing attention to yourself, this conversation helps you understand what to expect and how to participate in a way that feels safe. For Montgomery County listeners, we also share key details about the local walk at Martin Luther King Park on September 19 at 9 a.m.

If you find this helpful, subscribe, share it with someone you care about, and leave a review so more people can find these suicide prevention resources.

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Live from the Montgomery County Agricultural Fair, Hannah and Lela share what it’s really like to work with horses, why miniature horses are measured differently, and how caring for animals builds calm, focus, and responsibility. We also talk with Anthony from the Ag Fair Junior Board about youth leadership, building a legacy as a first‑generation fair volunteer, and his practical advice for dealing with spotted lantern flies.

The tour wraps up with grandstand action from Corey Snyder, a Bethesda native behind the wheel of the 1,500‑horsepower Toxic Monster Truck, plus a stop at Tailgators2U, where Tim Kaufman explains how his backyard barbecue turned into a local food‑truck favorite.

Subscribe for more local stories, share this with a friend who loves the fair, and leave a review with your favorite fairgrounds moment.

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A 150-year-old compound sounds like the last place you’d look for modern innovation, yet methylene blue is at the center of one of Montgomery County Maryland’s most fascinating biotech beauty stories. We talk with Jasmin El Kordi, CEO of MBlue Labs, about how a University of Maryland discovery turned into a real-world product line aimed at longevity, anti-aging skincare, and hair growth. We get specific about what methylene blue is, why researchers keep finding new uses for it, and how it connects to mitochondrial health inside skin cells. 

Then we hit the streets at Juneteenth in Germantown at the BlackRock Center for quick, lively interviews with local business owners. Abby Gordon shares how Momentum Coffee House is building a community “third space” around high-quality espresso, creative menu specials, and a movable coffee cart model. Brett from Silver Branch Brewing Company talks craft beer styles, what makes a brewery welcoming even if you “don’t know beer,” and how growth can mean dozens of local jobs. If you care about Montgomery County small business, entrepreneurship resources, and innovation you can actually buy and try, this one’s for you. Subscribe, share the episode with a friend, and leave a quick review so more people can find the show.

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We’re on site at this historic Montgomery County, Maryland landmark with Ama Mills-Robertson, Chief Program Officer at Glen Echo Park, to unpack what’s really happening beyond the nostalgia: galleries, classes, camps, dances, theater, and hands-on studios where you can actually learn to make things.

We talk about what visitors can do today, from pottery, painting, drawing, photography, mixed media, and music lessons to serious craft programs like silverwork and glassblowing. If you’re looking for things to do in Montgomery County near DC, this is the kind of place that can be a casual weekend stroll or a long-term creative home.

You’ll also hear about free entry, free parking, National Park Service connections, and newer accessibility steps like sensory-friendly carousel rides with dimmed lights and slower movement.

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In this episode we talk with Montgomery County Department of Recreation Director Gabe Albornoz about summer fun offerings from Montgomery County Recreation including what's new at recreation centers and aquatic centers. He also shares why he returned to lead the recreation department.

Then the energy shifts to a look back to the Juneteenth Celebration at BlackRock Center for the Arts in Germantown, Maryland. We spoke with a bassist that performed on the main stage, as well as, residents who shared what they like about the celebration and the importance of Juneteenth. 

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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 how voter outreach has evolved from excuse-required absentee voting to today’s no-excuse mail-in ballots, plus why programs like Future Vote help build lifelong civic engagement by bringing students into the election process early. Then we get into the stuff you actually need: how to request a mail-in ballot (including texting “VBM” to 77788), how to check voter registration (text “VOTE” to 77788), and where to get help if you prefer a phone call or an in-person visit. 

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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's Happening Moco podcast to let all your friends, neighbors, colleagues, and whomever else know how to vote

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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 
• what a conservatory manager does and how seasonal installations are planned 
• USDA permits, APHIS oversight, and why containment rules matter 
• how plant selection supports nectar feeding while avoiding host plants 
• horticulture as an intersection of design and science 
• butterfly vs moth differences including chrysalis vs cocoon 
• the hot, humid habitat and why it helps tropical species thrive 
• standout species like the blue morpho, paper kite, and giant birdwing 
• metamorphosis explained from egg to caterpillar to chrysalis to adult 
• why wings look so colorful and what scales do 
• what butterflies eat including nectar and decomposing fruit 
• biomimicry, monarch toxicity from milkweed, and viceroy lookalikes 
• how butterfly suppliers can fund reforestation and habitat protection 
• how to visit, buy tickets, and choose sensory-friendly or photography sessions 
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