Good morning, Gaithersburg.

Montgomery County is marking Lunar New Year with proclamations, cultural programs, and community events throughout February.

Local libraries and venues in Bethesda and Rockville will host family-friendly activities (including lion and dragon dances and crafts) to honor Asian American traditions.

Montgomery County mourns the loss of Rev.

Jesse Jackson, an iconic civil rights leader whose work influenced local civic dialogue following his passing on Tuesday, Feb. 17 at 84. Governor Wes Moore praised his legacy and dedication to social equality.

A new study showed that Maryland residents must earn at least $68,603 to be classified as middle class while Virginia residents need $61,393, highlighting over a $30,000 gap in income benchmarks.

The report detailed that Maryland is the third hardest state to join the middle class.

Rockville-based Silent Beacon is piloting a wearable panic button that allows teachers to discreetly alert security or 911 during school emergencies.

The pilot is underway at a local college and a K-12 school in the D.C. area.

Sherwood High students from the MOSS club (Make Our Schools Safe) met with lawmakers on Capitol Hill last week to advocate for Alyssa’s Law, which would speed up emergency response at schools.

Their efforts aim to spark similar safety initiatives in other Maryland schools.

DC Water plans to repair the collapsed 72-inch pipe that spilled sewage into the Potomac River on Jan.

19; crews are removing a rock dam (30 ft from the break) and expect to complete repairs by mid-March before starting environmental restoration nearby.

In January, Montgomery County saw more homes listed at lower prices than in December, with the median sale price falling 6.9% to ($595,000) and listings lasting 44 days, giving buyers more room to negotiate.

U.S. Soccer announced today (Feb.

18) that Trinity Rodman, Tara Rudd, and Kate Wiesner from the Washington Spirit have been chosen for the 2026 SheBelieves Cup, where they will face Argentina, Canada, and Colombia.

Lashes in Full Bloom Celebration

10 AM – 2 PM — Amazing Lash Studio — Free entry — Celebrate National Lash Day with a flower bouquet bar, mimosas, and exclusive lash services.

Feng Shui Basics Workshop

1-2 p.m. — IKEA Plan & order point with Pick-up - Gaithersburg — Free to sign up — Explore Feng Shui principles to create a balanced and harmonious home environment.

Bethesda Girlies: February Book Club Meetup

2-4 p.m. — Tous Les Jours Bakery & Cafe — Free entry — Engage in cozy discussions over 'The Love Hypothesis' and connect with fellow book lovers.

Yoga Challenge for Real Bodies

Feb 23 to Mar 16 — Casey Community Center — Check event page for details — Engage in a challenging yoga workout tailored for those already familiar with the practice.

Tax Season: Do’s and Don’ts

11 AM – 12 PM — Benjamin Gaither Center — Free entry — Learn valuable tips for maximizing your tax return with expert guidance and free resources.

Aromatic Butter Chicken and Flatbread Cooking Class

6-8 p.m. — Casey Community Center — Cost Info TBD — Learn to prepare a classic Indian Butter Chicken dish alongside delicious homemade flatbread.

Needlepoint Craft Workshop

6:30-8:30 p.m. — Locally Crafted Workshop — $100+ value kit included — Discover the joy of needlepoint while creating a small project in a fun and social environment.

Friday Rhythms - Line Dance

12:30 – 1:30 p.m. — Benjamin Gaither Center — Free entry — Dance the day away with fun line dance steps and bring friends for double the enjoyment.

Pilates with RTR

9-10 a.m. — lululemon — Free entry — Stretch, strengthen, and sweat in a fun Pilates class for all levels.

Gaithersburg Summer Opportunities Fair

8:30-10:30 p.m. — 506 S Frederick Ave, Gaithersburg, MD — Free entry — Discover valuable volunteer, internship, and paid summer opportunities offered by the City of Gaithersburg.