Takes on Earth Day, Pennies Go a Long Way and Theme Parks for Play

Happy Earth Day, Rockville.

We hope the rain holds off long enough for you to enjoy what Mother Earth has to offer today. If it doesn't (and you don't enjoy an offering of April showers), then check out —and then make Earth Day tomorrow, when we're supposed to get a break from the monsoon season.

Best wishes to all celebrating Easter, Passover or Earth Day this weekend.

And now the "rain, rain go away" edition of "The Rundown":

• Ever have someone offer "a penny for your thoughts" and then tell you they overpaid? (Rim shot.) Students at did a lot more with their pennies, raising an astounding $11,260 by collecting change over three weeks to support The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s mission to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma and to improve the quality of life for patients and their families. Fourth-grade teacher Erica Cerniglia and third-grade teacher Liz Litzenburg coordinated the school's fundraising effort, which included parents donating time and money, including items for raffles and an auction, reports Shelby Gosnell, a campaign coordinator with LLS. One student, whose cousin recently battled leukemia, donated $400 of their own money, Gosnell said. The school's efforts were driven by personal connections to people battling the diseases that LLS fights to cure, including the connections of Cerniglia and Litzenburg with loved ones who were lost to the diseases, Gosnell said. Students created a "Wall of Change" where students who brought in $1 added a paper piece of change to the wall. By the end of the program, walls were covered with paper change, Gosnell said. The school surpassed its fundraising goal and helped contribute to a total of more than $400,000 raised.
• With spring break here, summer isn't too far away. If you're a roller coaster or water park enthusiast, the City of Rockville can hook you up with substantially discounted to theme parks in Maryland, Pennsylvania and Virginia, including Busch Gardens, Water Country, Kings Dominion, Dorney Park, Dutch Wonderland, Hershey Park, Sesame Place, Six Flags Great Adventure and Six Flags America.
• Staying close to home this summer? Registration is now open for City of Rockville summer camps. Nature, sports, pottery, drama and more—the city's 2011 Summer Camp Guide offers a wide variety of programs.
• . Keeping my room clean was always a chore. But keeping the county clean shouldn't be. County police are participating in the Alice Ferguson Foundation and Metropolitan Washington Council of Government’s litter enforcement initiative. Through May 7, county police officers and other local law enforcement agencies "will be particularly vigilant in identifying litter violations and enforcing the applicable criminal, traffic and civil statutes,"  according to a news release from county police. Police remind residents that it is illegal to throw or dump litter on any public highway or property (other than personal property). The public can report violations by calling the police non-emergency number at 301-279-8000. 
• Washington Gas Energy Services is giving new residential and small commercial electricity and natural gas customers free upgrades through April 30. Customers who purchase a year of 50 percent wind power will get a free upgrade to 100 percent wind power. Customers who purchase a full year of 100 percent carbon offsets will get the first month's supply for free. For more details go to www.getgreenforfree.com, choose "Free Wind Power" or "Free Natural Gas" and enter promo code “FREEWIND” or “FREEGAS” or call 1-888-884-WGES (9437).
• For those of you have made it all the way to the end of this Earth Day edition of "Rundown," we offer some Earth Day perspective. OK, actually, the late, great George Carlin offers some perspective in a way only he could. (Warning: This is not advised for those who are offended by profanity—though this is not the "Seven Words You Can Never Say on Television" it does contain one or two of those words. It is also not for those without a sense of humor. It's just a reminder that as we get out and do things for our environment this weekend, we should do them for the right reasons.)
• If you like Rockville Patch, "like" us on Facebook. If you know any good George Carlin jokes that are 140 words or less (we'd be shocked), tweet them to us @RockvillePatch on Twitter.