 Programs to prevent and respond to crime in Downtown Silver Spring and throughout the County are addressed by County Executive Marc Elrich this week. He also asks residents to “Act Now” to prevent food waste and participate in Earth Month activities happening across the County in April. He also mentions the importance of music education by educators and Carpe Diem arts. And he salutes public health workers and their heroics actions during National Public Health Week.
Stories in this issue include:
 Montgomery County’s Alcohol Beverage Services (ABS) will open registration on Sunday, April 7, for its annual limited availability whiskey lotteries that provide opportunities to purchase highly sought spirits. The lotteries are free to enter but have residency requirements.
John Kelly, who retired earlier this year after 34 years with The Washington Post including many years as the creative author of “John Kelly’s Washington” in the Metro section, will be the featured guest at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, April 10, at a free SPARKLE event at the Silver Spring Civic Building.
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 Middle schools from across Montgomery County can participate in the County Department of Transportation’s (MCDOT’s) third annual ‘Paint the Plow’ competition to name and decorate a snowplow for a chance to win cash prizes for their school. Middle schools have until 5 p.m. on Friday, April 12, to register online to participate.
 The Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) will celebrate April as “Earth Month” with activities and events aimed at taking action and fostering environmental awareness and stewardship across our community.
 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.
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 Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is promoting another round of the successful Capital Area Solar Switch program in collaboration with Solar United Neighbors, iChoosr and other Capital Area governments including the cities of Rockville, Takoma Park and Bowie. The program's first iteration, which ran from May to August of 2023 in Washington, D.C., Maryland and Northern Virginia, was a resounding success, with almost 2,000 sign-ups across the region.
 Montgomery County is celebrating five years since legislation was approved eliminating use of toxic pesticides on lawns. To mark the occasion, the County’s Department of Environmental Protection is holding a photo contest that will make good-looking lawns the featured attraction.
 Montgomery County’s “Care Be Aware” Teen Mental Health Week from Saturday, April 6, to Saturday, April 13, will address critical mental health needs of teenagers in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. The initiative will showcase programs and events offered by Montgomery County Public Libraries (MCPL), Montgomery County Recreation and the Department of Health and Human Services.
Tractors of all types, antique cars and trucks, live animals, pony rides and hay wagon rides will be among the many activities on Friday and Saturday, April 27-28, when the annual free Gas and Steam Engine Show returns to the Montgomery County Agricultural History Farm Park in Derwood.
 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.
In the museum collection of the C&O Canal National Historical Park is a shop ledger from a merchant in Williamsport, Md. Tracking purchases made between 1856-58, the ledger provides tantalizing glimpses into the everyday lives of its customers. Using the ledgers and overall knowledge of canal life in the mid-1800s, Blyth McManus, the curator of the C&O Canal National Historical Park, at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, April 9, will lead a live online presentation about life in those times.
 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, from 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.
 A Family Puzzle Palooza, a wildflower walk and a celebration of a full moon on a Friday are among the special events that Montgomery Parks will host to make April special in its nature centers.
 The Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) will hold in-person public meetings throughout April to seek resident input to prioritize the important health needs identified in the 2023 Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA). During these events, attendees will receive a brief presentation on the identified needs and then participate in a paper voting process to prioritize them.
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