WHEATON, Md. — Montgomery Parks, part of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, announces events in celebration of Maryland’s Emancipation Day, including activities at our sister agency, M-NCPPC, Department of Parks and Recreation in Prince George’s County. Most events are free.
Maryland Emancipation Day commemorates November 1, 1864, a pivotal day in Maryland’s history when a new state constitution freed all persons held in bondage within its borders.
Get the kids into their costumes and ride our Halloween Eye Spy Trains(opens in a new tab) at Cabin John Train and Wheaton Train and Carousel on Saturday, October 28, and Sunday, October 29, from 11 am to 6 pm. Search for characters during your ride and keep track of them on your Eye Spy Train card. Buy online or onsite for the last train rides of the season.
Kids can ice skate while in costume during Not So Spooky Skate(opens in a new tab). Trick or treat at the rinks, participate in a costume contest, and make Halloween crafts. Not So Spooky Skate is Friday, October 28, 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm, at Cabin John Ice Rink; and Friday, October 28, 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm, at Wheaton Ice Arena. Please sign up online.
Impaired driving enforcement beginning tonight and continuing through Halloween will focus on locating and arresting drunk and drugged drivers. Troopers from barracks statewide will be saturating areas known to have a higher frequency of impaired driving arrests or crashes. Saturation patrols for impaired drivers will be unannounced. Locations and times of operations will vary.
Those using alcohol during upcoming celebrations are urged to make plans for a sober driver. Multiple transportation options are available for those who will be drinking that keep them from behind the wheel. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has designated October as National Pedestrian Safety Month. Risky driving behaviors put pedestrians at risk. With more people outdoors, the risk of injury or death increases for pedestrians on roadways.
At approximately 5 p.m., 3rd District officers responded to the 600 block of Deerfield Ave. for the report of a residential burglary that occurred earlier. The investigation by detectives revealed that an unknown suspect entered the residence and stole items to include credit cards and cash. The unknown suspect later utilized the stolen credit cards to make several unauthorized purchases in northwest Washington, D.C.
Surveillance video footage shows the unknown suspect making several illegal purchases at a Walmart in N.W. Washington, D.C.
District Falafel has announced it will open its first brick and mortar location on November 1. The restaurant will be taking over the spot that was most recently home to The Wok Chinese Kitchen and previously home to longtime favorite Fu Shing Cafe at 10315 Westlake Drive in the Westlake Crossing shopping center, located next to Montgomery Mall in Bethesda.
Updated to reflect the restaurant has reopened
Last month, we let you know that Rio Grande Grill at 13541 Clopper Rd in the Seneca Plaza shopping center in Germantown has been sold. At that time, former owner Erika Myers told us that the new owners will be keeping the same name and menu. The restaurant has been closed for renovations, but recently reopened and has a November 3rd hearing with MoCo’s Alcoholic Beverage Services for the transfer of the liquor license to the new owners.
The clinics generally will last about two-to-four hours and e-scooters will be available at each site. Those interested in e-scooters can stop in at any time during the clinic.
Participants must have a valid driver’s license or ID. No registration is required to attend a clinic and walk-ups are welcome. Check tinyurl.com/5n8adjaj for cancelations due to inclement weather.
True Respite and Saints Row breweries will be holding a “Very Spooky Mac & Cheese Cook-Off” this Saturday, October 29, from 12-5pm at True Respite Brewery (7301 Calhoun Pl #600) in Rockville. The brewery will also be hosting a Fall Maker’s Market that will feature food trucks, live music and a costume contest. Six Cool Moms will be holding a Halloween Dance Party after the market from 6-9p. Full details below courtesy of True Respite on Facebook:
“On Saturday, October 29th, from 12-5 pm, True Respite & Saints Row present A Very Spooky Mac & Cheese Cook-Off!
ABS and UFCW Local 1994 MCGEO have set a goal of raising $60,000 in the initiative, with monies raised to help March of Dimes improve maternal health, help babies be healthy and strong and protect the health of families through programs and advocacy.
“Supporting March of Dimes is a great way for us all to give back to our local community,” said ABS Director Kathie Durbin. “ABS has always been committed to public health and safety, and this campaign is a natural extension of that commitment. Together we can help assure that every mom and every baby have the best possible start.”
For the first time since 2019, James Hubert Blake High School hosted the MCPS Marching Band Showcase. During the Oct. 22 event, nine high school and 10 middle school bands performed everything from disco and Latin music to Billy Joel music and ‘80s hits. Performing high schools were: Clarksburg, Seneca Valley, Watkins Mill, Paint Branch, Col. Zadok Magruder, Damascus, Albert Einstein, Montgomery Blair and Blake (video below).
All the middle school bands performed together, playing the national anthem to kick off the event. Students from Parkland, Silver Spring International, Francis Scott Key, Takoma Park, Robert Frost, Thomas W. Pyle, William H. Farquhar, White Oak, Sligo and John Poole middle schools participated. The grand finale included all bands performing Thriller by Michael Jackson.
The Montgomery County Board of Education approved the design plans for Crown High School back on March 24, 2022. The $180 million high school will be located in the undeveloped 30 acre site that is adjacent to Crown Neighborhood Three and is located at the intersection of Fields Road and Omega Drive (photo of exact location below). The school is expected to open in the fall of 2027.
The new school will relieve crowding at Gaithersburg, Northwest, Quince Orchard, Thomas S. Wootton and Richard Montgomery high schools. According the presentation from earlier this year, the school will be a five story building that will utilize onsite renewable energy sources such as solar panels and geothermal energy. The City of Gaithersburg was able to secure the site as part of the negotiations related to the Crown Farm Annexation Agreement X-182 on August 7, 2006.