 County Executive Marc Elrich thanks the teachers and educational support professionals during Teacher Appreciation Week for their commitment and innovation. He also salutes our officers and employees in County's Correctional and Rehabilitation Department during National Correctional Officers Week and honors police officers who made the ultimate sacrifice during the annual Fallen Heroes Memorial Service. County Executive Elrich also shares his thoughts and concerns about the recently leaked opinion letter from the Supreme Court and the impact a decision to reverse Roe v. Wade would have on women's rights, freedoms, and health. He also ask everyone to join in the celebration of Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month and ask residents to recognize the many contributions that the AAPI community has made in the County.  Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich this week signed the "Building Energy Performance Standards" (BEPS) legislation (Bill 16-21) into law. The bill, which was passed unanimously by the County Council on April 19, will expand the County's benchmarking requirements by setting minimum energy performance standards for existing buildings. This will be one of the most effective ways to reduce energy demand and carbon pollution from the built environment as the County tackles its ambitious climate change goals.  A wide range of free music and entertainment will be featured on Veterans Plaza in Downtown Silver Spring throughout the spring in the "Twilight Tuesdays" series presented by Silver Spring Town Center, Inc. Christina Moore and Sibyl Brown from Shepherd's Table will be discussing their organization's meal service program in a special virtual forum from 6-7 p.m. on Monday, May 9. Shepherd's Table recently accomplished the huge milestone of serving 2 million meals since its founding in 1983. They will also be discussing hunger in the community and how Shepherd's Table worked to grow and adapt during the COVID-19 Health Crisis.  Montgomery County has been chosen to take part in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) "Urban Heat Mapping Campaign" this summer. The County is seeking volunteers to use heat sensors mounted onto their cars as they travel their neighborhoods on one of the hottest days of the year.  The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) will increase Ride On bus service starting Sunday, May 8. The new schedule will increase bus service to 90 percent of pre-COVID-19 levels.  Residents 18-and-older who are interested in electric scooter lessons will have the opportunity to attend free clinics in May and June sponsored by the Montgomery County Department of Transportation. Participants can take a test ride, learn safety tips and get details on basic scooter laws.  The U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have approved giving a second booster dose of the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccine for certain groups. Montgomery County-operated clinics are now providing the second booster dose to eligible residents.  Montgomery County residents can pick up free at-home polymerase chain reaction COVID-19 test kits at locations throughout the community. The "20/20 GeneSystems" tests are available to County residents while supplies last. Residents can receive a maximum of two test kits per person (each kit contains one test) per visit.  The Montgomery County Animal Services and Adoption Center (MCASAC), which is operated by the Montgomery County Office of Animal Services, will waive adoption fees for all animals as National Pet Week continues through Saturday, May 7. The event is sponsored in part by Montgomery County Partners for Animal Wellbeing (MCPAW).  May will be filled with special events of all kinds that are produced by Montgomery Parks. The lineup will include unique Mother's Day activities, yoga in the parks, an archaeological adventure, a native plant sale and spending a day at the splash park.  At its height, the African American town of Sugarland in the northwest corner of Montgomery County was home to a church, a school, a store, a post office and a practice hall for the town band. 'I Have Started for Canaan: Telling the Sugarland Story," a Montgomery History presentation that will be available starting Monday, May 9, will provide an opportunity for the team behind a new book that traces the history of the town to discuss its 150 years of history. | The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) is promoting this year's Bike To Work Day with the return of the 'Bicycle Swag Bag' contest during the month of May. Through Saturday, May 28, bike riders are encouraged to post a picture of themselves enjoying their bike ride along any bike trail, path or bike lane in the County. The Montgomery County Commission on Remembrance and Reconciliation on Saturday, May 14, will present a virtual symposium in remembrance of the three lynchings found in Montgomery County in the 19th Century. "Preserving Legacies: Resources for Reconciliation" seeks to contribute toward reconciliation for African American communities for the deaths of George W. Peck and John Diggs-Dorsey in 1880 and Sidney Randolph in 1896.  "Magic and Fantasy" will be celebrated as part of a special weekend of events hosted by Gaithersburg's Arts on the Green May 13-15 at the Gaithersburg Arts Barn. A magician will challenge perceptions of reality, attendees can join the quest for the One Ring and should beware of Fluffy guarding the Philosopher's Stone. The event will feature magician Adam Stone, kid-friendly music by Milkshake and showings of The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring and Harry Potter and the Sorcerers' Stone with costume and trivia contests. Montgomery County Public Libraries is offering free online workshops and one-on-one sessions geared toward assisting job seekers and entrepreneurs throughout May. | 
