 County Executive Marc Elrich this week provides details on his recent economic development trip to the Smart Cities Energy Summit in Taiwan, where he sought to recruit international companies to establish roots in Montgomery County. Among the companies he pursued were computer chip manufacturers. He also talks about the grand opening of the new North American headquarters of Sodexo in North Bethesda. One of the world’s largest employers will continue as a major County company. And as April approaches, the County Executive addresses the many ways the County will celebrate “Earth Month” as it works toward the goals in its Climate Action Plan.
Stories in this issue include:
 Maryland Secretary of the Environment Serena McIlwain will provide the keynote address at the 2024 Montgomery County Energy Summit on Tuesday, April 16. The summit will be held at the Silver Spring Civic Building, located at 1 Veterans Plaza in Downtown Silver Spring.
 Montgomery County is one of healthiest counties in Maryland and in the United States, according to the annual County Health Rankings (CHR). The 2024 report does not provide a ranking for each county within a state but does show metrics on how a county’s health outcomes and underlying factors are relative to other counties in their state and with nationwide metrics.
 Montgomery Parks is in the early design stage of a new “Action Sports Park” at the Rubini Athletic Complex in Wheaton Regional Park. Two design concepts will be shared at the virtual community meeting from 7-8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 3. The goal of the Action Sports Park will be to deliver safe, inclusive and engaging action sports experiences that serve a diversity of ages and skill levels from beginner to advanced.
 Maryland businesses looking to grow through exports can seek customers, suppliers, manufacturers or academic partners in travel that may be supported through a Maryland Department of Commerce ExportMD Grant. The program, which can provide reimbursement for up to $5,000 for eligible expenses, is accepting applications through April 1 for travel in May.
Archaeology tours, “Acoustics and Ales” and Sunday serenades are among the many special events that will be presented by Montgomery Parks in April.
 The Montgomery County Commission on Aging will host a presentation from 1-2 p.m. on Wednesday, April 3, at the Silver Spring Senior Center, to provide information on a variety of issues important to older adults and those concerned about older adults. The event is free and advance registration is not required.
 Montgomery Executive Marc Elrich will be the featured guest at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, April 2, during the 581st episode of “Montgomery al Día” (“Montgomery Today”), Montgomery County’s National Association of Counties award-winning Spanish-language radio show on Radio America WACA 900 AM.
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“Nation’s Metropolis,” a book which describes how the National Capital Region functions as a metropolitan political economy, will be the focus of free online presentation of Montgomery History that will be available April 1-7. Authors Royce Hanson and Harold Wolman will discuss their new book and distinguish aspects of the Washington Region that reflect its characteristics as a national capital from those common to most other metropolitan regions and to other capitals.
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The latest episode of the Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services (DPS) Podcast series, “GIS Maps,” provides an overview of three new geographic information systems (GIS) maps that are posted on the front page of the DPS website. The maps include the Floodplain and Storm Drain map, the My Inspector and Property map and the Commercial Use and Occupancy map. The maps could help business owners considering locations or potential homeowners in their decision making.
 There is evidence that 2024 will turn out to be the “Year of the Cicada.” There are many cicada landmarks this year, and it is the first time since 1803 that broods 13 and 17 will co-emerge. More about this phenomenon will be the subject of a free lecture, led by area naturalist and historian Clarence Hickey, at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, April 10, in Gaithersburg.
 “RespectFest” is a program featuring online activities and an in-person event from 1-4 p.m. on Sunday, April 7, at the Wheaton Community Recreation Center to celebrate healthy relationships among young people and raise awareness about unhealthy and abusive ones. The program will be hosted by the Montgomery County Domestic Violence Coordinating Council.
The “Healthy Homes Fair,” which is a free expo and interactive experience for homeowners, renters, home renovation professionals and career seekers, will be held from 1-5 p.m. on Saturday, April 6, at the D.C. Armory. The Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is encouraging residents to attend as they can learn about the products and services needed to improve health, increase comfort and reduce emissions from the homes.
 The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) will be offering low-cost adult bike classes in April, May and June. The classes will include Learn to Ride and Basic Skills classes. MCDOT also will offer four free, walk-up electric scooter classes following select bike classes.
The 33rd Annual Rockville Science Day on Sunday, April 21, will continue its tradition of mixing the forefront of scientific advancements and historical looks on scientific developments. The free event, noon-5 p.m. at the Rockville campus of Montgomery College, will include demonstrations and the ability to talk with experts in fields including rockets, robotics, astronomy and electric vehicles.
 The Third Annual “Rockville Skate Jam” on Saturday, April 20, at the new Rockville Skate Park will include a day of activities for many members of the family. The fun activities will include morning yoga, skateboard competitions and skateboard demonstrations. The event is free.
 The Silver Spring Arts and Entertainment District has fun activities and playful destinations to entertain adults and children this season.
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“Exercises for the Quiet Eye,” a free interactive workshop in two sessions for anyone interested in taking the time to learn new techniques for viewing art, will be held Thursday, April 4, and Thursday, April 11, at the Silver Spring Civic Building. Each workshop will take place from 7-9 p.m. Participants can attend one or both sessions.
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 Montgomery County will commemorate National Public Health Week (NPHW), April 1-7, by highlighting daily themes through a series of social media posts and hosting community events. This year’s theme is “Protecting, Connecting and Thriving: We Are All Public Health.”
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