 County Executive Marc Elrich this week provides an update on the County’s BRT/Flash bus system that will be receiving an infusion of funding from the State. He addresses how innovative programs from throughout County Government are improving services for residents. The County Executive encourages residents to attend one of the many special events that will be part of the County’s celebration of Black History Month in February. And he offers thoughts on Police Chief Marcus Jones, who announced this week he will be retiring in July after 38 years with Montgomery County Police.
Stories in this issue include:
 Montgomery County Recreation’s spring registration begins at 6:30 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 12, 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 Connects,” Montgomery County’s digital equity and inclusion program, has launched a new program to distribute 60,000 free laptop computers to low-income families. There is a limit of one computer per resident. Eligible recipients must be Maryland residents, do not need to be U.S. citizens and may not have already received a computer from the County before April 2023.
 Preparing your garden for spring, celebrating Black History Month, taking a maple sugar walk and having Valentine’s Day fun are among the special events and programs that will be hosted by Montgomery Parks in February.
Through daily weekday breakfasts with her grandmother, Ida Pearl Green, Kisha Davis learned stories of family and an African American community in Quince Orchard which went much deeper than the name of her school or a road named Quince Orchard. At 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 6, Montgomery History will host a free online presentation about how Ms. Green’s life reflects the evolving Quince Orchard community.
Montgomery Parks will commemorate Black History Month with events throughout February.
 Brimming with must-see museum exhibits, spectacular theater performances, guided tours and adventurous outings, Visit Montgomery is suggesting to County residents that there are all types of activities that can keep enthusiasts busy throughout the year. For 2024, Visit Montgomery has identified 24 County places to explore in the new year.
Improbable Comedy will fill Downtown Silver Spring with laughs with its SPRUNG! Comedy Festival from Thursday, Feb. 7, through Sunday, Feb. 11, at the Silver Spring Black Box Theatre.
 The Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection will hold its 11th annual Montgomery County Energy Summit on Monday, April 15, and Tuesday, April 16, at the Silver Spring Civic Building. The summit is an opportunity for the commercial building community to prepare for compliance with energy benchmarking, building energy performance standards and emerging building codes.
 Income-eligible Montgomery County residents can now schedule free tax appointments with the Community Action Agency's Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. Appointments for 2023 taxes only are for Montgomery County residents with household incomes of $64,000 or less. Free tax appointments will be available through April 11 at four locations.
 The Rockville Little Theatre is presenting the quintessential American story of hope and survival, “The Grapes of Wrath,” with performances Feb. 2-4 at the F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre in Rockville Civic Center Park.
Eight acts with international flavor will help celebrate the upcoming arrival of spring as part of the free “Around the World Bazaar” at the Silver Spring Civic Building from 5-10 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 9. The broad array of entertainment will include the Latin and Brazilian Carnival Dance Party and Orfeia, a women’s vocal ensemble dedicated to preserving and sharing traditional music from Bulgaria and Eastern Europe.
 Montgomery County Recreation’s RecFit passes will be free for Montgomery County residents again in 2024. The free RecFit pass provides access to fully equipped fitness rooms, open gym (drop-in) activities and game rooms at community recreation centers during regularly scheduled hours.
 It is a new year, but will there be a new and improved you? Are you staying true to your new year’s resolutions? Montgomery County’s Health Officer, Kisha Davis, joins the latest episode of the “What’s Happening MoCo” podcast to help residents keep their physical and mental health resolutions. Armed with a “top five” list of tips for residents, Dr. Davis participates in a lively and educational conversation with podcast host Derrick Kenny.
 The 2024 WSSC Water Commissioners’ Engineering Scholarship application is now available. Winners receive $2,000 per year and up to $8,000 over four consecutive years. In addition, scholarship winners are given priority for paid summer internships.
 The Montgomery County Commission on Veterans Affairs will honor Black County veterans with detailed virtual tributes displayed on the County’s website as it recognizes February as Black History Month. The tributes to County veterans will feature photos, background information and details of accomplishments during their military careers and afterward.
In celebration of its 15th year, the Gaithersburg Book Festival will host former U.S. Poet Laureate Billy Collins for a special free event from 7-9 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 9, at the Asbury Methodist Village Rosborough Cultural Arts Center in Gaithersburg. Mr. Collins will share his new book, “Musical Tables,” followed by a book signing and reception.
 Renowned writer Mahogany L. Browne, Lincoln Center’s inaugural poet-in-residence, will be the featured speaker at the Montgomery County Public Libraries’ “Contemporary Conversations” series in celebration of Black History Month. The free event titled, “Chlorine Skies and Chrome Valleys: The Work of Mahogany L. Browne,” will take place at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 27, at the Marilyn J. Praisner Library in Burtonsville.
 The Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services’ Public Health Services, in partnership with the Maryland Living Well Center of Excellence, will offer a free community-based Diabetes Self-Management Program (DSMP) beginning Thursday, Feb. 22. The six-week program will be held virtually from 5:30-7:30 p.m. each Thursday.
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