Fight Back Against Mold Illness with Help from Proactive Wellness Centers

CIRS Mold Toxicity Treatment in Rockville, MD

Experiencing mold toxicity is a terrifying thought for most people. Although it may seem like an interesting concept for a medical drama, nobody wants to experience the effects of mold exposure firsthand.

Mold is a fungus that thrives in wet environments, such as under tiles, wood floors, and ceilings, pipes, and roofs. While several types of mold exist, some are more hazardous than others, and some individuals may be allergic or sensitive to mycotoxins, the toxins that mold naturally produces. Exposure to excessive amounts of mold, or the types of mold that trigger health problems, can lead to mold toxicity and even CIRS - Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome. This acute and chronic systemic inflammatory response syndrome is typically acquired after exposure to mold or other producers of biotoxins, usually from damaged water buildings.

If you believe that you're suffering from mold toxicity or mold illness, it can seem like the world is folding in on you. No matter what you do, your symptoms persist, lowering your quality of life and eliminating your peace of mind. Fortunately, there is reason to be hopeful: Proactive Wellness Centers now offers a research-backed, highly effective mold illness poisoning treatment in Rockville, MD for men and women just like yourself and your children as well if they have been impacted.

Service Areas

Understanding

CIRS and Mold Toxicity

CIRS and mold illness are on the rise, and accurate diagnosis of the issue plays a major role in this trend. Thanks to Dr. Ritchie Shoemaker, there is a huge body of evidence that covers diagnosing and treating patients with CIRS. Dr. Lawson is one of less than 30 practitioners in the United States that are fully certified by Dr. Shoemaker for diagnosing and treating CIRS. The body of evidence by Shoemaker and many associates is the largest body of scientific evidence that is published in major medical journals. Around 80% of CIRS/Mold cases are caused by indoor air contaminated with mold toxins and other triggers. However, it's important to note that CIRS can also be caused by biotoxin producers such as cyanobacteria and a marine dinoflagellate that produces the Ciguatera toxin found in certain types of fish.

When mold or biotoxins are not processed effectively, a series of biochemical changes known as the Biotoxin Pathway occur. Genetic studies have revealed that approximately 24% of individuals have a genetic makeup that makes them susceptible to developing an illness related to mold or biotoxins. The remaining 76% of the population can typically eliminate these toxins from their system and avoid the development of the Biotoxin Pathway that can lead to various diseases.

CIRS Treatment In Rockville Rockville, MD

CIRS and Mold Poisoning Misdiagnosis

CIRS and mold exposure symptoms overlap with many other chronic illnesses, which makes diagnosis challenging and can even lead to missed diagnosis of CIRS. Based on research from Proactive Wellness Centers, CIRS is frequently misdiagnosed. Some of the most common misdiagnoses include:

  • Lupus
  • Chronic Pain Syndrome
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Parkinson's Disease
  • Multiple Sclerosis
  • Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
  • PTSD
  • More

Lyme disease, in particular, is often misdiagnosed. We have treated a number of patients whose symptoms were in line with Lyme disease. Fortunately, we were able to confirm the presence of CIRS and mold and were able to successfully help those patients using CIRS treatment in Rockville, MD.

Note that many of these patients have CIRS and Lyme disease and in that case, it is necessary to treat both in order for full recovery. Treating one or the other will invariably leave the patient with debilitating symptoms and even more frustration with their medical team. At Proactive Wellness Centers, we are skilled In diagnosing and treating both.

 MD Rockville, MD
 CIRS Mold Toxicity Treatment In Rockville Rockville, MD

CIRS and Mold Poisoning Symptoms

If you're reading this page, chances are you're concerned that you might have CIRS or some form of mold poisoning. You may be wondering what you have - is it CIRS, or is it something else like Lyme disease? We can't provide the answer to that question without consultation and testing at our wellness center in Virginia. However, there are common symptoms of CIRS and mold toxicity you should know.

Some of the most common symptoms of CIRS include:

  • Fatigue
  • Decreased Word Finding
  • Headaches
  • Difficulty Concentrating
  • Morning Stiffness
  • Tremors
  • Excessive Thirst
  • Tingling
  • Night Sweats
  • Frequent Urination
  • Confusion
  • Mood Swings

Proactive Wellness Centers'

Tools for Diagnosing Mold Sickness and CIRS

Identifying and confirming if a patient is being impacted by CIRS and identifying the cause and source of the biotoxin are the two main steps in diagnosing CIRS and Mold Exposure. To diagnose CIRS and Mold Exposure, the following diagnostic tools are commonly used:

To learn more about the debilitating symptoms of mold sickness and to find out whether you have CIRS or something else, contact Proactive Wellness Centers. Our team of medical professionals is here to help you every step of the way.

 MD Rockville, MD

Hope for Patients with CIRS: Proactive Wellness Centers' Mold Illness Treatment in Rockville, MD

Our approach to treating CIRS utilizes integrative and functional medicine, The Shoemaker Protocol along with the latest evidence-based approaches to treating mold illness and the related secondary issues that it causes. We begin by utilizing advanced diagnostics to confirm the presence of the condition and identify the specific environment causing continued exposure to biotoxins. Next, we take a stepwise approach to halt the progression of the disease, eliminate biotoxins from the body, and reverse any damage to cellular structures. Our goal is to help patients achieve a full recovery.

To do this, we not only have to identify the primary condition like CIRS or Lyme disease, but we then have to continue looking to see if you have any of the common secondary conditions like reactivated EBV, Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS), and others. Once we understand the totally of your condition, then we can implement a treatment plan tailored for you. Yes, it will leverage the Shoemaker protocol, but we have found that we have to extend the protocol to cover the secondary issues that we uncover.

The steps we follow to reach that goal include:

In order to initiate the recovery process, it is important to address and resolve any affected areas, or, alternatively, relocate the patient from that environment if necessary. Prolonged exposure to mold can hinder the success of the treatment plan and impede the healing process.

Two commonly used binding agents in the process of treating Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome are Welchol and Cholestyramine. Cholestyramine is particularly effective in binding biotoxins that are processed in the liver's bile ducts and helps to eliminate them from the body. It has been scientifically proven, through placebo-controlled studies, to reverse multiple aspects of the inflammatory process associated with CIRS.

Many individuals experiencing mold sickness and other chronic inflammatory illnesses may have a staph infection called MARCoNS (Multiple Antibiotic Resistant Coagulase Negative Staphylococci) residing deep in their nasal cavities. This infection is resistant to antibiotics and needs to be eliminated for the patient to fully recover.

Each patient requires a customized plan based on the affected areas and CIRS severity. Retesting is necessary after each step to confirm balance restoration. Testing may include some or all of the following:
  • VIP
  • TGF Beta 1
  • MMP9
  • ADH
  • Antigliadin
  • Androgen Imbalance
  • C4a
  • More

In order to halt the growth of mold fungi, patients need to avoid foods that can cause mycotoxins. Some examples of these foods include:
  • Barley
  • Cottonseed
  • Peanuts
  • Corn
  • Black Pepper
  • Figs
  • Rice
  • Bread
  • Beans
  • More
Proactive Wellness has a proven track record of treating patients who have experienced severe health issues without any clear explanation. Unlike other "syndromes," our diagnosis process involves specific tests to confirm a diagnosis rather than simply ruling out other diseases.
 CIRS Mold Poisoning Treatment In Rockville Rockville, MD

Fibromyalgia, Lupus, Chronic Fatigue, and Chronic Pain Syndrome are examples of illnesses that are often diagnosed without such confirmatory tests. If you are experiencing unexplained health issues or have been exposed to water-damaged buildings, it is possible that you are suffering from CIRS or a mold illness.

The good news is that we can diagnose and address this disease with a mold illness treatment program in Rockville, MD tailored to your body and your symptoms. That way, we can help you regain your health as soon as possible.

Be Wary of These

5 Symptoms of Mold Exposure

Mold spores can easily be brought into your home on your shoes or clothing or through open windows or doors. If these spores can find a warm, damp, humid environment, they can begin to multiply. Soon, your home can be filled with toxic mold. If you think mold has invaded your home or another environment, like in an office or warehouse, it's important for you to know about the symptoms.

Unfortunately, diagnosing mold issues can be exceptionally difficult. But why? The answer can be quite frustrating.

Understanding the Difficulty of Diagnosing Mold Symptoms

Many doctors fail to recognize the impact of mycotoxins emitted by certain indoor mold species, which can lead to chemical and inflammatory reactions. While conventional medicine acknowledges that mold can cause allergies, it may overlook this crucial aspect of mold-related health issues.

This can happen for several reasons:

  • Standardized treatment protocols for mold toxicity are offered mostly by Functional/Integrative physicians as the conventional physicians are not on board despite over 20 years of published research. Due to this issue, patients spend precious months/years going from doctor to doctor in the conventional channel with no answers.
  • Though ERMI testing has been accepted in the integrative/functional medical community, there isn't a "gold standard" in mold testing that is universally accepted.
  • Mold symptoms can manifest in vastly different ways depending on the patient.
MD Rockville, MD

After understanding the points above, it's no wonder that mold poisoning can be hard to diagnose. Fortunately, integrative and functional holistic medicine providers and wellness centers like Proactive Wellness are flipping the proverbial script. Unlike traditional clinics, our team considers environmental factors that can affect patient health and has advanced training to provide mold poisoning treatment in Rockville, MD.

Now that you understand why mold symptoms are so hard to diagnose let's take a closer look at five of the most common indicators of mold sickness.

 Mold Toxicity Symptoms Rockville, MD

Fatigue

Fatigue is probably the number one symptom of well over 90% of CIRS patients. The level of fatigue varies from 5 on a 10 point scale all the way to 10 on a 10 point scale. Many patients can no longer work or remain productive as in the worst cases, the fatigue is overwhelming. College students living in moldy dorms frequently have to drop out of school until the illness is treated effectively. Older adults have to retire or stop working due the fatigue. If you have overwhelming fatigue, CIRS may be a major contributor to your illness.

 Mold Poisoning Symtoms Rockville, MD

Breathing Problems

Exposure to mold can cause a host of respiratory problems, such as breathing difficulties, allergies, and asthma, especially in individuals with a weakened immune system. Mold can worsen asthma, irritate the nasal passages, lungs, and throat, and lead to symptoms such as wheezing, coughing, sneezing, sore throat, and nasal congestion. Other health issues such as hypersensitivity pneumonitis, sinus congestion, allergic rhinitis, asthma, and allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis have also been associated with mold sickness.

 Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome Treatment Rockville, MD

Sadness and Depression

Mold can cause a variety of illnesses that can show up in different ways, such as psychological symptoms like anxiety, depression, insomnia, concentration problems, and memory loss. It has been reported that nearly 40% of people who live in moldy homes experience depression. Researchers suggest that exposure to toxic mold and dealing with the physical symptoms of mold illness can contribute to mental health issues.

Due to this phenomenon, many mold patients are given antidepressant medications in the conventional channels.

 Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome Symptoms Rockville, MD

Feeling "Pins and Needles"

Numbness, twitching, or tingling in the extremities, such as hands, feet, legs, and arms, is another symptom of mold illness. The sensation is similar to pins and needles, which are often felt when the body is held in an uncomfortable position for a long time. While this sensation can indicate serious nerve damage or disease, it can also be a symptom of mold sickness.

CIRS Treatment In Rockville Rockville, MD

Digestion Problems and Disorders

When exposed to mold, individuals may experience various digestive problems. Some may lose their appetite, leading to unintentional weight loss. Others may suffer from stomach pain, nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting. Furthermore, the influx of mold spores may trigger systemic inflammation, causing bloating and weight gain due to the digestive system's exposure to harmful mold.

Top Tips for

Controlling Mold in Your Environment

It's not possible to completely eliminate all mold and mold spores from your home or place of work. However, since mold spores need moisture to grow, the best way to prevent or get rid of growth is to reduce the moisture in your environment. If you already have mold growing there, it's important to clean it up and address the issue causing dampness. If you only clean up the mold and don't address the underlying problem, the mold is likely to return.

Here are some tips to help reduce moisture throughout your home or office:

  • Use A/C or Dehumidifiers. This is especially important if you live in a hot, humid area of the United States.
  • Ensure A/C drip pans are clean, dry, and obstruction-free.
  • Thoroughly dry areas that are damp or wet within 48 hours.
  • Be sure to install insulation in cold areas like your home's exterior walls and windows. Doing so will reduce condensation.
  • Work with an HVAC company to check your HVAC system. Doing so can help ensure your unit is removing as much humidity as possible.
  • Keep the humidity in your home below 60% whenever possible.
 CIRS Mold Toxicity Treatment In Rockville Rockville, MD
 MD Rockville, MD

Here are some tips to help reduce moisture in your kitchen:

  • Check for leaks near your ice makers, sinks, and anywhere else water is present.
  • Make sure your exhaust fans are directing moisture outside, not into your attic.
  • If you notice your appliances are causing moisture on windows and other surfaces, turn them off as soon as you're done using them.

Here are some tips to help reduce moisture in crawlspaces:

  • Use a plastic covering on the dirt in your crawlspace. Doing so will prevent moisture from saturating the ground.
  • Ensure that your crawlspace or basement is ventilated well.
  • Check your home's gutters. Make sure they're directing water away from your property, not toward your foundation or crawlspace.

Your Top Choice for

Mold Toxicity Treatment in Rockville, MD

Trying to "tough it out" through life with CIRS isn't any way to live. If you're suffering from the effects of biotoxin illness, you should know that there are solutions available to help you reclaim your health and your life. With the help of a can-do attitude, healthy living, and mold illness treatment from Proactive Wellness, there's light at the end of the dark tunnel you're trapped within. Contact our office today to get started on your first step toward recovery!

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Latest News in Rockville, MD

What's Open, Closed For On New Year's Day In Rockville

ROCKVILLE, MD — New Year's Day falls on a Monday in 2024, so there will be various schedule changes over several days.Below are the openings and closures to know for the New Year's holiday weekend around the City of Rockville and Montgomery County:Rockville City government offices: Closed Monday, Jan. 1.Montgomery County office buildings: Closed Monday, Jan. 1.State offices and courts: Closed Monday, Jan. 1.Find out what's happening in Rockvillewith ...

ROCKVILLE, MD — New Year's Day falls on a Monday in 2024, so there will be various schedule changes over several days.

Below are the openings and closures to know for the New Year's holiday weekend around the City of Rockville and Montgomery County:

Rockville City government offices: Closed Monday, Jan. 1.

Montgomery County office buildings: Closed Monday, Jan. 1.

State offices and courts: Closed Monday, Jan. 1.

Find out what's happening in Rockvillewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Montgomery County Schools: Closed Monday, Dec. 24 through Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024.

Post offices: Closed Monday, Jan. 1.

State Motor Vehicle Administration offices and Vehicle Emissions Inspection Program stations: Closed Monday, Jan. 1.

Libraries: Closed Monday, Jan. 1.

Alcohol Beverage Services: All stores open regular hours on Sunday, Dec. 31 and closed on Monday, Jan. 1.

Department of Permitting Services: Closed Monday, Jan. 1.

Ride On: On Sunday, Dec. 31 and Monday, Jan. 1, Ride On will operate on a Sunday service schedule.

Ride On extRa and Ride On Flex: Will not be in service on Sunday, Dec. 31 and Monday, Jan. 1.

SEE ALSO: New Year’s Eve 2023 In Rockville: When And Where To Celebrate

Ride On Flash: On Sunday, Dec. 31, will operate a Weekends and Holidays schedule service for the Orange Route until 10 p.m. The Blue Route will not be in service. On Monday, Jan. 1, will operate a Weekends and Holidays schedule for the Orange Route. The Blue Route will not be in service.

MARC Train: Regularly scheduled Penn Line weekend service on Saturday, Dec. 30 and Sunday, Dec. 31. No service on Monday, Jan. 1.

TRiPS Silver Spring commuter store: Open 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 31. Closed on Monday, Jan. 1.

TRiPS Mobile Commuter Store: Closed Sunday, Dec. 31 and Monday, Jan. 1.

Metrorail: On New Year’s Eve on Sunday, Dec. 31, Metrorail will operate on Sunday schedule, with service starting at 7 a.m., but ending at a time to be determined after midnight. On Monday, Jan. 1, Metrorail will operate on a Sunday holiday schedule from 7 a.m. to midnight. For more details, go to https://www.wmata.com/schedules/timetables/index.cfm.

Metrobus: Will operate on a Sunday schedule on Dec. 31 and Jan. 1. More details at https://www.wmata.com/schedules/timetables/.

Public Parking Garages, Lots, Curbside Meters: Free on Monday, Jan. 1.

Rockville City trash and recycling: All collections occur one day later than usual this week.

County-provided trash and recycling: No collections on Monday, Jan. 1. Collections for the remainder of the week will slide one day, with the final collections on Saturday, Jan. 6.

Shady Grove Transfer Station and Recycling Center: Closes early at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 31. Closed on Jan. 1.

Aquatic Centers: Will close at 3 p.m. on Dec. 31. Closed Jan. 1.

Community Recreation Centers: Closed Dec. 31 and Jan. 1.

Senior Centers: Closed Dec. 31 and Jan. 1.

Montgomery Parks: Visit MontgomeryParks.org for complete information.

Mental Health Identified As Most Important Health Issue In MoCo

Mental health is the most important health issue to Montgomery County residents and organizations in the county, according to a new report.Mark Hand, Patch StaffMONTGOMERY COUNTY, MD — Mental health is the most important health issue to Montgomery County residents and organizations in the county, according to a new report.On Tuesday, Montgomery County’s Department of Health and Human Services released its ...

Mental health is the most important health issue to Montgomery County residents and organizations in the county, according to a new report.

Mark Hand, Patch Staff

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, MD — Mental health is the most important health issue to Montgomery County residents and organizations in the county, according to a new report.

On Tuesday, Montgomery County’s Department of Health and Human Services released its 2023 Community Health Needs Assessment, which details the health and socioeconomic needs of the county.

The focus on mental health and other key health needs and issues identified in the report will be used to create a Community Health Improvement Plan.

"The good news is that Montgomery County has healthier outcomes as compared to the State of Maryland across a range of indicators," County Executive Marc Elrich said in a statement Tuesday. "The data also shows that we need a continued focus on public health-related efforts to address some areas. We have made access to mental health services a priority and will continue our focus on this and other important issues."

Residents shared that they are experiencing a lack of mental health insurance and substance use benefits and a lack of bilingual and culturally competent mental health providers to meet the needs of the community.

Find out what's happening in Rockvillewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Transportation to doctor's and dental appointments was a barrier for residents, with many stating that they must take multiple buses to get to an appointment or ask someone to give them a ride.

Montgomery County ZIP codes 20838, 20886, 20879, 20906, 20851, 20912, 20902, 20877 and 20903 had rates of uninsured individuals above the county’s average of 9 percent.

“Montgomery County’s CHNA is community-developed and driven,” said Christopher Rogers, acting chief of Public Health Services. “This CHNA describes health needs, issues and barriers from the perspectives of more than 2,500 county residents and stakeholders.”

Residents, community partners and stakeholders are invited to attend a virtual town hall on from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 21, for a more detailed look at the report’s findings. Attendees will have an opportunity to ask questions at the end of the presentation during a moderated session.

Advance registration for the virtual town hall is required to receive login information.

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

What's Open, Closed On Presidents Day 2024 In Rockville

See how the Presidents Day holiday will affect public parking, garbage pickup and more in Rockville and across Montgomery County.Mark Hand, Patch StaffROCKVILLE, MD — Many workers and students in the Rockville area will get a long weekend for Presidents Day on Monday, Feb. 19.George Washington's birthday is Feb. 22, but the federally observed Presidents Day falls on the third Monday in February.Government off...

See how the Presidents Day holiday will affect public parking, garbage pickup and more in Rockville and across Montgomery County.

Mark Hand, Patch Staff

ROCKVILLE, MD — Many workers and students in the Rockville area will get a long weekend for Presidents Day on Monday, Feb. 19.

George Washington's birthday is Feb. 22, but the federally observed Presidents Day falls on the third Monday in February.

Government offices, schools and other services will be closed on Feb. 19, while other services like transit may have schedule changes. Below are the openings and closings to know in Rockville and Montgomery County:

Rockville City office buildings: Closed Monday, Feb. 19.

Montgomery County office buildings: Closed Monday, Feb. 19.

Find out what's happening in Rockvillewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

State offices and courts: Closed Monday, Feb. 19.

Montgomery County Schools: Closed Monday, Feb. 19.

Post offices: Closed Monday, Feb. 19.

State Motor Vehicle Administration offices and Vehicle Emissions Inspection Program stations: Closed Monday, Feb. 19.

Libraries: Closed Sunday, Feb. 18 and Monday, Feb. 19.

Alcohol Beverage Services: All stores will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 19.

Department of Permitting Services: All offices, including customer service lobby, are closed Monday, Feb. 19.

Ride On: Will operate on a holiday schedule on Monday, Feb. 19. All schedules can be found at Routes and Schedules.

Ride On extRa and Ride On Flex: Will operate on a holiday schedule.

Flash: The Orange Line will operate on a holiday schedule, while the Blue Line will not operate on Monday, Feb. 19.

MARC Train: On Feb. 19, MARC trains will operate on its "R" schedule on all three lines. Penn Line Trains 453 (9:35 p.m. departure from Penn Station) and 452 (10:55 p.m. departure from Washington) will operate. Brunswick Line will be the R, not the R+ schedule. EPTA connecting bus service to West Virginia stations will be available from Train 875 at Brunswick.

TRiPS Silver Spring commuter store: Open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 19.

TRiPS: Mobile Commuter Store: Closed Monday, Feb. 19.

Metrorail: Over the Presidents Day weekend, Metro will operate on a Saturday holiday schedule, with trains running from 5 a.m. to midnight.

Metrobus: Will operate with Saturday supplemental service. View Metrobus timetables here.

Public Parking Garages, Lots, Curbside Meters: Free on Monday, Feb. 19.

Rockville City trash and recycling: Collections will occur one day later than usual the week of Feb. 19.

County-provided trash and recycling: No collections on Monday, Feb. 19. Collections for the remainder of the week will slide one day, with the final collections on Saturday, Feb. 24.

Shady Grove Transfer Station and Recycling Center: Closed Monday, Feb. 19.

Community Recreation Centers: Closed Monday, Feb. 19.

Senior Centers: Closed Monday, Feb. 19.

Montgomery Parks: Visit MontgomeryParks.org for complete information.

Residents near epicenter of Rockville, Maryland, earthquake describe shaky ground

BALTIMORE -- Did you feel the ground shake?A small-magnitude earthquake shook the Washington, D.C. suburb of Rockville, Maryland, early Tuesday, the U.S. Geological Survey said.A 2.3 magnitude earthquake happened shortly before 1 a.m. at a depth of about 9.5 miles about 2 miles west of Rockville.No damage or injuries have been reported, but nearly 2,000 people, from six states and Washingt...

BALTIMORE -- Did you feel the ground shake?

A small-magnitude earthquake shook the Washington, D.C. suburb of Rockville, Maryland, early Tuesday, the U.S. Geological Survey said.

A 2.3 magnitude earthquake happened shortly before 1 a.m. at a depth of about 9.5 miles about 2 miles west of Rockville.

No damage or injuries have been reported, but nearly 2,000 people, from six states and Washington, D.C., reported feeling the earthquake to the USGS, including people in Baltimore, and as far away as Pennsylvania and West Virginia.

Rockville resident Audrey Jan told WJZ she felt the ground move early in the morning.

"It was just a little shake, not much," Jan said. "Just make you think, maybe I had a little too much to drink or something."

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue officials report several calls to 911.

"What most people describe is they heard it," Montgomery County Fire and Rescue spokesperson Pete Piringer said. "Some describe it as a truck driving down the street, of course, this was about 1 o'clock in the morning."

EMT Erich Mayne was in an ambulance at the time of the earthquake.

"I was talking to my friend about the earthquake in Japan, and before we knew it, it was crazy timing," Mayne said. "We felt the earth shake while we were talking."

USGS research geophysicist Thomas Pratt says it's unlikely the earthquake will lead to something larger, but it's possible.

"It's a relatively small earthquake, but anything about 1.5 or so, there's a chance people will feel it," Pratt said. "It's not uncommon for earthquakes like this to come in clusters."

The USGS website shows the epicenter of the earthquake was in Rockville.

"This is Glen Mill, we're right here," Jan said. "Yeah, it's just right across the road."

Officials say these quakes are great examples of why it's important to have an emergency plan in place, in case a bigger one were to hit, like the 5.8 magnitude earthquake in Virginia in 2011.

"The Eastern U.S. transmits energy a lot more efficiently than the Western U.S. because it's older and harder rocks in the east."

Rohan Mattu

Rohan Mattu is a digital news producer at CBS News Baltimore. Rohan graduated from Towson University in 2020 with a degree in journalism and previously wrote for WDVM-TV in Hagerstown. He maintains WJZ's website and social media, which includes breaking news in everything from politics to sports.

What's Open, Closed On MLK Jr. Day 2024 In Rockville

ROCKVILLE, MD — Residents and businesses in Rockville will honor the life and legacy of civil rights icon Martin Luther King Jr. on Monday, Jan. 15.As a federal holiday, MLK Day could also affect the hours of government offices, libraries, public transportation, garbage pickup and other services in Rockville.On Saturday, Jan. 13, the City of Rockville will be hosting its 52nd Annual Martin Lu...

ROCKVILLE, MD — Residents and businesses in Rockville will honor the life and legacy of civil rights icon Martin Luther King Jr. on Monday, Jan. 15.

As a federal holiday, MLK Day could also affect the hours of government offices, libraries, public transportation, garbage pickup and other services in Rockville.

On Saturday, Jan. 13, the City of Rockville will be hosting its 52nd Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Rockville High School. The free event will include a screening of the award-winning documentary "Finding Fellowship" followed by a Q&A with Rev. Gerard Green. Participants will have an opportunity to listen to a panel discussion with city and county justice, equity, diversity and inclusion professionals and a drum performance by Soul in Motion. As part of the Salute to Nonprofits, volunteers can sign up with a variety of nonprofit organizations to perform a day of service. There will also be a kid-friendly performance by Groovy Nate.

Those wishing to perform community service as a way to honor King's memory can also take part in the MLK Day of Service Trail Clean up. Each participant will receive gloves, a garbage bag and a set of trash pickers. Those who return the trash pickers will receive and SSL form. Children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult. Space is limited and registration is required. The event takes place Monday, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., at Croydon Creek Nature Center, located at 852 Avery Road in Rockville. To register by emailing or calling the nature center at 240-314-8770.

Montgomery County will host a full day of activities on Monday, Jan. 15, to honor the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. The day will kick off with in-person service projects designed to benefit the community and will conclude with a free gathering at 4 p.m. at the Music Center at Strathmore in North Bethesda that will celebrate King’s birthday through expressions in word, music and song.

Find out what's happening in Rockvillewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The Montgomery County Volunteer Center, which is associated with Americorps, will honor King through community service during the annual Day of Service and Volunteer Resource Fair. Dozens of local nonprofits and government agencies will host a variety of family friendly service projects and informational booths from 12:30-2:30 p.m. at the Bethesda North Marriott Hotel & Conference Center.

Additional service events are being held at six Montgomery County Community Recreation Centers and the Silver Spring Civic Building. Service projects will be available for people of all ages. Residents can visit the Montgomery County Volunteer Center website for more information and to register for MLK Day of Service.

Here’s a roundup of what’s open and what’s closed on Martin Luther King Jr. Day in Rockville and across Montgomery County:

Rockville City office buildings: Closed Monday, Jan. 15.

Montgomery County office buildings: Closed Monday, Jan. 15.

State offices and courts: Closed Monday, Jan. 15.

Montgomery County Schools: Closed Monday, Jan. 15.

Post offices: Closed Monday, Jan. 15.

State Motor Vehicle Administration offices and Vehicle Emissions Inspection Program stations: Closed Monday, Jan. 15.

Libraries: Closed Sunday, Jan. 14 and Monday, Jan. 15.

Alcohol Beverage Services: All stores will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 15.

Department of Permitting Services: All offices, including customer service lobby, are closed Monday, Jan. 15.

Ride On: Will operate on a holiday schedule on Monday, Jan. 15. All schedules can be found at Routes and Schedules.

Ride On extRa and Ride On Flex: Will operate on a holiday schedule.

Flash: The Orange Line will operate on a holiday schedule, while the Blue Line will not operate on Monday, Jan. 15.

MARC Train: On Jan. 15, MARC trains will operate on its "R" schedule on all three lines. Penn Line Trains 453 (will have 9:35 p.m. departure from Penn Station) and 452 (will have 10:55 p.m. departure from Washington, D.C.). Brunswick Line will be the R, not the R+ schedule. EPTA connecting bus service to West Virginia stations will be available from Train 875 at Brunswick.

TRiPS Silver Spring commuter store: Open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 15.

TRiPS: Mobile Commuter Store: Closed Monday, Jan. 15.

Metrorail: Over the Martin Luther King Jr. Day weekend, Metro will close a portion of the Blue, Orange, and Silver lines on Friday, Jan. 12 through Monday, Jan. 15. Other Metro lines, including the Red Line, will operate on a Saturday holiday schedule from 5 a.m. to midnight on Monday, Jan. 15. View Metro timetables here.

Metrobus: Will operate on a Saturday Supplemental schedule on Monday, Jan. 15. View Metrobus timetables here.

Public Parking Garages, Lots, Curbside Meters: Free on Monday, Jan. 15.

Rockville City trash and recycling: A collections will occur one day later than usual the week of Jan. 15.

County-provided trash and recycling: No collections on Monday, Jan. 15. Collections for the remainder of the week will slide one day, with the final collections on Saturday, Jan. 20.

Shady Grove Transfer Station and Recycling Center: Closed Monday, Jan. 15.

Aquatic Centers: Will operate at normal hours on Monday, Jan. 15.

Community Recreation Centers: Closed Monday, Jan. 15.

Senior Centers: Closed Monday, Jan. 15.

Montgomery Parks: Visit MontgomeryParks.org for complete information.

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