Feel Free, Hug a Tree: Arbor Day for Everyone

Happy Thursday, Rockville!

It's a beautiful early spring day. The Orioles are in first place in the American League East (hey, we're saying it while we still can) and the Nationals are up to their usual ways.

But let's focus on the beauty of nature. There's a lot of it in this "tree huggin' hippie" edition of "The Rundown" (Cue Bob Pollard and the boys):

• National Arbor Day is April 29 but Maryland observes its own Arbor Day on the first Wednesday of April. Gov. Martin O'Malley celebrated yesterday by announcing a new goal for the Marylanders Plant Trees program, challenging Maryland citizens to plant and register 50,000 new trees by 2012, which would bring the program's total to 100,000 trees planted. The program offers $25 coupons toward the purchase of native trees costing $50 or more, redeemable at nearly 70 participating nurseries across the state.
• Never to be outdone, the City of Rockville gets in on the action with its own Arbor Day on April 14. The city's forestry staff will plant a tree to replace the landmark silver maple that came down last year after standing in front of the Maryland District Courthouse on East Montgomery Avenue since the 1800s.
• Earth Day is April 22 and the city is celebrating with activities throughout April, including stream cleanups around the city on Saturday morning and an invasive plant pull on Sunday at . The center also will host a spring festival and native plant sale from 1 to 4 p.m. on April 30, featuring woodland hikes, nature games and crafts, exhibits and live animal shows. Plant pre-orders are being accepted through the center by calling 240-314-8770.
• Whole Foods presents the Do Something Reel Film Festival beginning at 7 tonight  at the 's Kreeger Auditorium. The festival will present a new character-driven, food-related film each Thursday night throughout April. Whole Foods, which is from its former home in Congressional Plaza will hold a at its new location at 11355 Woodglen Drive, across the street from White Flint mall.
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