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Montgomery County's Office of Consumer Protection and the Advisory Committee on Consumer Protection and Office of Consumer Protection will host a public forum to discuss car buying and ownership issues from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday at Sport Chevrolet, 3101 Automobile Blvd. in Silver Spring.

County Executive Isiah Leggett (D) will give remarks at the forum, which is titled, "Car Buying/Ownership in a Changing Economy." The forum will be moderated by automotive writer Warren Brown, who will also lead a discussion with leading experts from the County's Office of Consumer Protection, the Federal Trade Commission, Senator Barbara Mikulski's office, the Maryland and District of Columbia Credit Union Association, the Washington Area New Auto Dealers Association and the Maryland Consumer Rights Coalition. The topics will include new federal legislation, including the Cash for Clunkers program, and tax deductions for excise tax; financing lending and loan options; bankruptcies and dealership closings; lemon law and; repossession issues.

For more information, call 240-777-3636.

Enjoy dog days of summer

in Silver Spring

The second annual "Dog Days of Downtown Silver Spring" will be held at Silver Plaza 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. The plaza is located on Ellsworth Drive between Georgia Avenue and Fenton Street in Silver Spring. Highlighting this year's event, sponsored by downtown business Living Ruff and Downtown Silver Spring, will be special guests Wendy Rieger of NBC-4 TV and Mary Alice Yeskey of the Food Network's "Ace of Cakes." Rieger will host the days' events and Yeskey will be one of three judges for a pet/owner look-a-like and best trick competitions.

Additional activities include free giveaways, dog adoptions, an appearance by McGruff the Crime Dog and a raffle, with the grand prize a year's supply of Nature's Variety food. All proceeds from the raffle will go to local animal rescue services. Last year's event raised more than $1,000 for area charities.

For more information visit www.livingruff.com/dogdayspage.html or go to Living Ruff's Facebook or Twitter page (www.twitter.com/livingruff).

New artists market comes

to Fenton Village

The first day of the Fenton Street Market, founded and operated by east Silver Spring resident Hannah McCann, will be held 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the corner of Fenton Street and Silver Spring Avenue in Silver Spring. The market will feature 50 local vendors and artists at various booths selling a wide variety of local knickknacks, from jewelry to dog treats, from recycled bicycles to homemade soaps. The market will also be held at the same time Oct. 3. For more information, visit www.Fen

tonStreetMarket.com.

Meditation Museum holds programs to help you relax

The Meditation Museum, 8236 Georgia Ave. will hold a program hosted by B.K. David, "Positive Thinking: Make Your Mind Your Best Friend," from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.

The museum will also hold an event to help attendees learn about the balance of mind and body and how to reduce stress. "The Purity in Chi Gong," hosted by Chi Gong expert Warren Cary and meditation teacher Sister Gita will be held from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday and again from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 26.

Attendees must R.S.V.P. by calling 301-660-0065 or 301-588-0144. Voluntary contributions are accepted.

Open house and casino night at local dance studio

Join the Contradiction Dance team from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the studio, 7014 Westmoreland Ave. in Takoma Park for a free open house, where residents are encouraged to come see performances showcasing the studio's variety of classes.

The studio will promote its pre-ballet, creative storytelling, hip hop, contemporary and belly dancing classes, allowing attendees a chance to "sit in" on what a typical class might be like.

Later that night, adults are welcome back to the studio from 7 to 10 p.m. Saturday to attend a fundraising Casino Night event featuring even more performances by Contradiction Dance groups.

The open house and Gazebo stage events are free and open to the public. Tickets to the casino night cost $25 per person, $40 for a couple. For more information about the event lineup, to buy tickets or general information about Contradiction Dance, please visit the studio Web site, www.contradictiondance.com.

Upcoming golf tournament

to support city library

Come join the Friends of the Takoma Park Maryland Library and library staff for the 8th annual Mike Morrissey Memorial Golf Tournament, beginning at 9 a.m. sharp Sept. 21 at the Redgate Golf Course, 14500 Avery Rd. in Rockville.

All proceeds from the tournament go to benefit the library, its computer center and its many programs, including children's foreign-language classes and the library's annual summer-reading event, according to library director Ellen Arnold Robbins.

Applications to play in the tournament are available at the library front desk, registration costs $100 and includes 18 holes, a cart, lunch and a donation to the library, Robbins said. Residents can also choose to sponsor a player or make donations.

For more information, please contact the library staff at 301-891-7259. For more information about the tournament, please visit the FTPML Web site at www.ftpml.org.

City Council to tour public works facility

The Takoma Park City Council will not meet for its regular meeting in the Community Center Sept. 14; the council and Mayor Bruce Williams will instead participate in a guided tour of the city's Public Works facility from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. at 31 Oswego Ave. in Takoma Park.

The city is debating whether to spend up to $3 million to renovate the aging and neglected facility, and the council hopes to gather input from public works staff and the community at large before making its decision. The public is welcome.

For more information, please visit the city's Web site, www.takomapark

md.gov/council/index.html or call 301-891-7100.

It pays to visit a Recreation Department senior site

The Montgomery County Recreation Department and the Department of Health and Human Services are eager to engage older residents in activities that improve their lives. During targeted "Open House" days in September, neighborhood senior programs and senior centers will offer free $5 gift cards to new participants and current ones who bring a friend.

The Recreation Department identifies seniors as all residents over age 55. Activity options range from line dancing to tai chi to chair exercises.

For information about the open house events scheduled for September, call 240-777-4925.

Whole Foods sales to benefit Habitat for Humanity

Whole Foods Market in Montgomery County is holding its CommUnity Support Day today, where 5 percent of the day's net sales are donated to a local nonprofit. This fall, Habitat for Humanity of Montgomery County will be the recipient of the money to support affordable homeownership opportunities in the county.

The Whole Foods locations in the county are 5269 River Road in Bethesda, 316 Kentlands Blvd. in Gaithersburg, 1649 Rockville Pike in Rockville and 833 Wayne Ave. in Silver Spring.

Items for People and Places may be sent to Jason Tomassini, The Gazette, 13501 Virginia Manor Road, Laurel, MD 20707. The fax line is 240-473-7501; or e-mail jtomassini@gazette.net. Call 240-473-7559. Or, contact Jason Arias, The Gazette, 13501 Virginia Manor Road, Laurel, MD 20707. The fax line is 240-473-7501; or e-mail jarias@gazette.net. Call 240-473-7564. Deadline is one week prior to publication for consideration.