Montgomery Community Media

Maryland and Montgomery County politicians have taken to Twitter over the past couple of weeks to air their frustrations with the federal government shutdown. Here’s a look at what they’ve been saying. Gov. Larry Hogan I am disgusted by the lack of concern for hardworking employees who will go unpaid this week. No one in […]

Politicians and furloughed federal workers came out to protest the government shutdown at the Silver Spring Civic Center on Wednesday night. The event was lead by Rep. Jamie Raskin, who started the rally with a chant: “All for one, one for all, stop the shutdown, stop the wall.” In addition to Raskin, the rally featured […]

It’s Wednesday, Jan. 9, and here are five things you need to know: 1. Shutdown Rally: Rep. Jamie Raskin (MD-8) is inviting the community to rally with him to show support for federal workers, private contractors, and others impacted by the federal government shutdown. Rep. Don Beyer (VA-8) and J. David Cox, the president of American Federation of […]

Rep. Jamie Raskin (MD-8) is inviting those impacted by the federal government shutdown to join him in a protest to end the shutdown. Raskin, along with Rep. Don Beyer (VA-8), Rep. Abigail Spanberger (VA-7), American Federation of Government Employees President J. David Cox, and the D.C. Labor chorus will lead a rally in solidarity with “everyone […]

My good-bye post as the Furloughed Fed. Today, I went back to work. After being gone — and not even checking emails — for 16 days, it felt like my first day on a new job. Where to start? What to do? But I’d say my first day back was productive. My Desk, 8:15 a.m. […]

For me, one of the most disheartening aspects of the federal government shutdown has been people’s reactions. Not their reactions to the shutdown itself, but the lack of empathy for the workers who suddenly found themselves furloughed.       Today, as we’re nearing a close, one of my Facebook connections posted the following: ZOOK- […]

Furlough Report, Days 10/14 and 11/15 Theme: Laura, Laura, Laura With the furlough hopefully drawing to a close soon, I decided yesterday and today were the perfect days to spend extra time with my daughter. That said, even before the furlough took effect, yesterday (Columbus Day) was slated for a Family Fun Day. By that, […]

On my last day in the office, there was a lot of talk about unemployment in relation to the government shutdown. We knew we could file, but I think all of us hoped we wouldn’t have to, that the shutdown would be short-lived. As we go into Day 8/10, it’s clear that short-lived is not […]

So how else am I spending my furlough days? In the kitchen. I’ve always been an avid baker. Peanut butter banana chocolate chip bread (with bourbon baked in). Chocolate chocolate chip walnut pecan cookies. Limocello cheesecake. Baked french toast casserole. Bacon chocolate chip cupcakes with chocolate ganache. I’ve even gotten to the point where I […]

If you’ve read my bio, you know that I have a master’s degree in writing and am a published author. (My publications include a short story in “Enhanced Gravity,” a short story in Gargoyle magazine, and a short story in “District Lines.”) But the truth is, despite my passion for writing, I don’t write enough. […]