 County Executive Marc Elrich this week fondly salutes Harvey Zeigler, a fighter for civil rights who passed away this week at age 102. He talks about how the County is celebrating April as “Earth Month” and addresses how the most recent survey of County residents shows that they again feel the County is a great place to live. He provides an update on COVID-19 as the County joins in the celebration of Public Health Week. And he takes pride in the County’s economic development efforts as three companies become the newest graduates of Montgomery’s business incubator.
 Despite nearly two years of restrictions and other challenges that residents have had to face because of the COVID-19 health crisis, 90 percent of respondents consider Montgomery County an “excellent” or “good” place to live. This is one of the findings of the biannual, independent National Community Survey on the “livability” of Montgomery County, which was commissioned by the Montgomery County Government and released this week.
 Earth Month will be celebrated throughout April by the Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection with volunteer, community and environmental events that are fun, educational, and bring attention to the importance of caring for the environment.
 The U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have approved giving a second booster dose of the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccine for certain groups. Montgomery County-operated clinics are now providing the second booster dose to eligible residents.
 Montgomery County residents can pick up free at-home polymerase chain reaction COVID-19 test kits at locations throughout the community. The "20/20 GeneSystems" tests are available to County residents while supplies last. Residents can receive a maximum of two test kits per person (each kit contains one test) per visit.
 Dancing has always played a major role in most societies. From being deeply rooted in the history of cultures, representing and celebrating one’s heritage, to connecting people from all ages and backgrounds. This spring, Montgomery Recreation is offering classes in Senior Ballroom Dancing and Bollywood Dance Fitness and a Creative Combo class for girls ages 8-12.
 The Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), in partnership with the County’s Regional Services Centers, will host five virtual community conversations that will highlight the diverse array of services that DHHS provides to residents. During the forums, residents will be able to offer their opinions on issues and services. The meetings will be held from 7-8:30 p.m. on April 13, 18, 25 and 27 and on May 9.
Residents 18-and-older who are interested in electric scooter lessons will have the opportunity to attend four free clinics in April, May and June sponsored by the Montgomery County Department of Transportation. Participants will be able take a test ride, learn safety tips and get details on basic scooter laws. The first class will be from noon-2 p.m. on Saturday, April 9, at Westfield Montgomery Mall.
 Sign up opportunities are now underway for residents to offer their views on County Executive Marc Elrich’s proposed $6.3 billion Fiscal Year 2023 operating budget at public hearings that will be held by the County Council on April 19, 20 and 21.
Seminars on “How to Avoid Scams Targeting Seniors” will be presented at senior communities and centers around Montgomery County in April by John McCarthy, the Montgomery County State’s Attorney, and Eric Friedman, the director of the County’s Office of Consumer Protection.
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The new book, The Urban Garden: 101 Ways to Grow Food and Beauty in the City, will be the subject of an online talk presented from 7-9 p.m. on Wednesday, April 13. The event featuring the book’s co-authors, Kathy Jentz and Teri Speight, will be presented by Silver Spring Town Center, Inc.
 April will have a lot of opportunities to dust off the winter cobwebs and get moving with a month of special events from Montgomery Parks including Sunset Yoga and Salsa in the Park. There also will be Chess in the Park. The special events calendar also will include music, locally crafted beer and food with the return of Acoustics & Ales.
A collective of Maryland organizations and agencies have completed a groundbreaking research document, the “Maryland LGBTQ Historic Context,” making Maryland the second state in the nation to do so. The report, released in September 2020, illuminates Maryland LGBTQ history in rural, suburban and urban locations. The report will be the focus of a Montgomery History presentation available online starting Monday, April 11.
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 The Seventh Annual Montgomery County “GreenFest” will return as a free in-person festival celebrating Earth Day from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturday, April 23, at Brookside Gardens in Wheaton. The theme for Earth Day 2022 is “Invest in Our Planet.”
Three portfolio companies have “graduated” from the Germantown Innovation Center (GIC), Montgomery County’s business incubator program. The County’s incubator program started in 1999 to foster the growth and development of young technology companies. Akan Biosciences, Intelligent Fusion Technology and Seraxis are the three County-based companies that graduated from the program this spring.
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 Gaithersburg’s Arts on the Green will hold its 2nd “Walking with Shakespeare” adventure from 1-4 p.m. on Saturday, April 23, at Observatory Park in Gaithersburg.
Montgomery County Recreation is hiring part-time seasonal employees to work during the summer season and will have job fairs from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturday, April 9, in Gaithersburg and Rockville. Numerous positions are available for aquatics and summer day camps. There also are openings in community recreation facilities, senior services, youth development, sports and therapeutic recreation.
 Free online workshops and one-on-one sessions geared toward assisting job seekers and entrepreneurs will be held throughout April. The workshops are sponsored by Montgomery County Public Libraries.
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