 During “Teacher Appreciation Week,” Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich this week shares his thoughts on why it so important to appreciate—and support—County teachers. He talks about his recent visit to Rolling Terrace Elementary School in Takoma Park, where he was a longtime teacher. He discusses the impending impact on many residents as the Federal Government ends some assistance programs implemented during the COVID-19 health crisis. Additionally, County Executive Elrich offers his views on an increase approved by the County Council in the County recordation tax on the sale of homes valued at $600,000 or more.
 Montgomery County Recreation’s summer program registration begins at 6:30 a.m. on Monday, May 15, for County residents for most programs and activities. Registration for Bone Builders, Day Trippers and Senior Outdoor Adventures in Recreation (SOAR) will begin at 9 a.m.
Montgomery County residents who have felt deceived or taken advantage of during a business transaction can turn to the Montgomery County Office of Consumer Protection (OCP) for advice and assistance. OCP and its staff of experts on various matters can help explain complicated terms of a business transaction or get involved when a resident feels they are the victim of deceptive business practices, communication barriers or have experienced a situation when they were treated unfairly by a merchant who does not want to resolve the matter.
 The free spring and summer concert series at the Good Hope Neighborhood Recreation Center in Silver Spring, which is presented as a partnership between Bloom by Strathmore and Montgomery County Recreation, will continue at 5 p.m. on Saturday, May 13, with Latin jazz star Taisha Estrada.
Montgomery County is seeking nominations for its African American Living Legends Awards that honor individuals who are 75 or older and have dedicated their lives to service, advocacy and selfless acts of kindness to their community.
Sunset Tuesdays--Afro-Latin Dance Party will be shaking Veterans Plaza in Downtown Silver Spring from 7-9 p.m. on Tuesday, May 16, as part of the Twilight Tuesday series of free special events presented by Silver Spring Town Center, Inc.
 The Montgomery County Office of Community Partnership and the Asian American Health Initiative will host the second annual Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month celebration from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. on Sunday, May 21, at Seneca Valley High School in Germantown. The event is free and registration is not required to attend.
 The latest episode of the Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services (DPS) Podcast, “Check Your Deck,” features information about residential deck maintenance, inspections and deck permits. It is now available during Building Safety Month, an international campaign to raise awareness about the importance of building safety. DPS issues about 1,000 permits a year to build residential decks.
 “Discover MoCo Month” in May are a collection of week-long programs sponsored by Visit Montgomery to celebrate the County’s small businesses and entrepreneurial spirit. Throughout the month, visitors and local residents will be able to access deals, discounts and special events at a selection of the County’s hotels, restaurants, attractions, retail businesses and craft beverage producers.
The nature centers operated by Montgomery Parks will have an exciting and fun array of programs and activities in May, including the annual native plant sales, Mother’s Day crafts and nature hikes.
 Karen Washington, an urban community gardener and food justice advocate, and Jabari S. Walker, the first-ever sustainability and energy coordinator at Bowie State University, will be the featured speakers from 5:30-7:15 p.m. on Friday, May 19, in the next Montgomery County Public Libraries “Contemporary Conversations Series.” Ms. Washington and Mr. Walker will talk about urban farming, sustainability and the environment at the free event at the Connie Morella Library in Bethesda.
 The winners of the Montgomery County Commission for Women’s sixth annual “Girl Power Contest” have been selected. The contest asked entrants to write/illustrate their thoughts on giving advice to the six new female members of the County Council “to make sure our community is a place where women and girls can feel safe and encouraged.” The winners are Natalie Jean (adult category), Morgen Thompson (high school), Mya Twyman (middle school) and Colette Jaksic (elementary school).
 Residents 18-and-older interested in e-scooter lessons will have the opportunity to attend two free clinics sponsored by the Montgomery County Department of Transportation. The next class will be from 1-3 p.m. on Saturday, May 13, in Rockville.
 National Bike to Work Day will be held on Friday, May 19, and the Montgomery County Department of Transportation will sponsor seven pit stops throughout the County as part of the Washington Region’s participation in the event. Registration for the free event is now open. The first 15,000 bicyclists to register and participate will get a free t-shirt and will be automatically entered into a raffle for a chance to win a new bike.
 The Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) will host its annual mental health and substance use disorder spring forum from 6-8 p.m. on Thursday, May 18. “Overcoming Disparities and Barriers to Treatment for Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder” is a free event that will focus on treatment access within underserved communities and will include a track for adults and a concurrent track for youth, planned by members of the County’s Youth Ambassador Program. The forum will be hosted online.
Summer is right around the corner and to help kick things off, Montgomery County Recreation is hosting its second annual “55-and-Over BBQ Bonanza” on Friday, June 23, at Smokey Glen Farm in Gaithersburg. From 10 a.m.-2 p.m., the grand event for County residents 55-and-older—which costs just $5 to attend—will provide a fun-filled day of great food and fun activities including games, crafts and line dancing.
Montgomery County Public Libraries and the Montgomery County Commission for Women will be offering a series of free financial seminars in May on the ins and outs of "all things money.” The seminars, which are open to all, will be led by financial and investment advisors Jamie Lapin and Thiago Glieger and will take place via Zoom, from 7-8:30 p.m. on Tuesday nights.
 Four Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services programs are joining efforts to host the first-ever “Growing Up Healthy Child Safety and Resource Fair” from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturday, May 20, at the Wheaton Regional Park. This free event was created to connect families to community resources and services that will help their children grow up healthy.
 The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) and Manna Food Center are once again asking Montgomery County residents to help fight hunger in Montgomery County.
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