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Gaithersburg News Briefs: City Celebrates Earth Hour, Make A Difference Day and More

Gaithersburg news in brief.

The city of Gaithersburg released the following news this week:

City Dims Lights, Encourages Earth Hour Observances

The city of Gaithersburg joins with communities across the globe in emphasizing the importance of energy conservation during Earth Hour on Saturday, March 23. However, because popular recreation and cultural programming at its facilities precludes an hour long observation on March 23, City officials will bring attention to the issue by holding a “minute of darkness” at their March 18 Mayor and City Council meeting.

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Residents and businesses are encouraged to go dark for one hour during Earth Hour on Saturday, March 23, at 8:30 p.m. Earth Hour is the World Wildlife Fund’s annual campaign to raise awareness of the environmental challenges we all face. To learn more visit http://worldwildlife.org/earthhour.

More information is available on the city of Gaithersburg website.

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Fourth Annual Gaithersburg Book Festival Scheduled for May 18

The Gaithersburg Book Festival is an annual celebration of great books and great writing that is fast becoming one of the nation’s top literary events.  In its fourth year, the festival will feature best-selling and award-winning authors, as well as local authors, a Children’s Village, presentations by poets and singer/songwriters, announcement of the high school short story contest winners, exhibitors with literary wares and on-site sales of new and used books. Visitors of all ages also have the opportunity to participate in a variety of interactive, hands-on writing workshops.

Use less! Do more! This year, make a commitment to change a few habits for the benefit of our environment. Gaithersburg makes suggestions on how to make a positive difference at home and in your community. Use the city's list year-round to save water, energy, and money, and create a culture of environmental awareness and action at home and in the community.

The great thing about this list is that most of the tips don't require a radical lifestyle change to have a positive impact. Small actions can add up to significant savings in our consumption of water, energy, and other natural resources.

The full list is available on the city of Gaithersburg website.

Fair Housing Posters Available for Display By Rental and Real Estate Businesses

The Montgomery County Office of Human Rights has updated fair housing posters available in both English and Spanish for display in residential and commercial rental offices, realty offices, property management offices and lending institutions. Under Sec. 27-13 of the Montgomery County Code, these posters must be prominently displayed, in both English and Spanish, in these types of businesses. Under Montgomery County law, a person cannot be discriminated against because of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, national origin, sex, marital status, disability, presence of children, family responsibilities, source of income, sexual orientation, gender identity or age.

The posters can be picked up at the following locations:  Office of Human Rights, 21 Maryland Ave., Suite 330, Rockville; Gaithersburg City Hall, 31 South Summit Ave., Gaithersburg; Greater Capital Area Association of Realtors, 8757 Georgia Ave., Suite 600, Silver Spring; and Greater Capital Area Association of Realtors, 9707 Key West Ave., Rockville.

More information is available on the city of Gaithersburg website.


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