 Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich this week looks at the Maryland Department of Service and Civic Innovation, which can provide opportunities and focus immediately after high school for graduates who are unsure of their next steps in life. He also talks of the need for the Maryland General Assembly to pass laws that would give counties more autonomy in raising revenues for transportation and education. And for those with prom dresses and suits going unused in their closets, he encourages people to donate them to “Project Prom Dress,” which aims to allow all students to attend spring proms and not worry about the cost associated with those important events.
Stories in this issue include:
 The Montgomery County Government, and programs that impact County residents, will have holiday schedule and program changes for Presidents’ Day on Monday, Feb. 19.
 The “2024 Shop Maryland Energy Weekend” from Feb. 17-19 will save consumers money on select energy-efficient appliances. During the annual three-day period, Maryland’s sales and use tax does not apply to the sale of solar water heaters and certain Energy Star products.
 Attending prom is a big milestone for high school students and Montgomery County Recreation is working to make that dream a reality. The department is collecting gently used and new dresses, suits and accessories that students will be able to choose from during the third “Project Prom Dress” giveaway event.
 Montgomery County Recreation, in partnership with Carpe Diem Arts, is putting on a Cultural Heritage Concert Series in February to join in the celebration of Black History Month. The series will continue at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 18, at the Plum Gar Community Recreation Center in Germantown featuring Miles Spicer and Franklyn Johnson-Williams.
 Montgomery County Recreation’s spring registration is now open for County and non-County residents. Registration for Bone Builders, Day Trippers and Senior Outdoor Adventures in Recreation (SOAR) also is open.
Maryland was the starting point of many unsung heroes of the Underground Railroad. Freedom seekers embarked on the perilous journey from slavery to freedom in whatever way they could. “Maryland Freedom Seekers on the Underground Railroad” will be an online presentation from Montgomery History that will be available for a one-week period starting Monday, Feb. 19.
 Montgomery County Public Libraries and Friends of the Library, Montgomery County, Inc. (FOLMC) are joining in February’s “Library Lovers Month” celebration by hosting special activities and virtual events this month. Programming will be held at library branches and FOLMC chapters across the County. The events and activities highlight the variety of resources and services MCPL provides year-round.
 Registration is now open for the 11th Annual Montgomery County Energy Summit scheduled to take place on April 15-16 at the Silver Spring Civic Building. Hosted by the Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection, the summit will offer a platform for the commercial building community to engage with County staff, network with peers and actively prepare for compliance with energy benchmarking, building energy performance standards and emerging building codes.
 “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.
 The annual Black Voices Through Poetry program, which will be online starting at 7 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 18, this year will feature poets Analysis and Ian Sydney March. Award-winning poet Brenda Bunting will host the event, which is being presented by Silver Spring Town Center, Inc.
A “nature singles mingle” for those 55-and-over and taking a maple sugar walk are among the special events and programs that will be hosted by Montgomery Parks in February.
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.
The Montgomery County Department of Transportation’s (MCDOT) “Heads Up, Phones Down” high school video contest gives County high school students an opportunity to win some great prizes by producing peer videos promoting the importance of focusing on their surroundings, instead of their phones, while driving or walking. MCDOT will be accepting entries of 30-second Public Service Announcements (PSAs) through Feb. 29.
 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.
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