There will be a food distribution event today, August 9, at Germantown Elementary School (19110 Liberty Mill Rd) from 2-3PM. Please remain in your vehicle while food is being delivered.
Since the beginning of the pandemic, Black Rock Center has temporarily transformed into the Upcounty Consolidation Hub. The Hub provides essential food, baby, and household supplies to over 1,000 families disproportionally impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic every week. Learn more at blackrockcenter.org
Students are heading back to school later this month with teachers reporting on August 22nd for Pre-Service. August 22nd-26th will serve as professional days for teachers. Prior to the first day of school for students, MCPS is holding a Back-To-School Fair at Westfield Wheaton, and most students will be returning to school on Monday, August 29th (Only Arcola Elementary School and Roscoe Nix Elementary School follow the Innovative School calendar). Below you will see important dates to remember for the 2022-2023 school year:
2022
The Takoma Park Library, Computer Center, and Community Center will undergo a major remodel and expansion project in Fall 2022 (video rendering available below). Wednesday, August 24, 2022, will be the last day to visit the Library and Computer Center before we relocate to a temporary space for the duration of construction. In preparation for the project, staff housed in the Library and Computer Center must be removed from the building no later than August 31,2022. Staff in the Recreation Department offices and game room must be removed from the building by approximately January or February of 2023. A definitive date will be provided no later than 1 month prior to the actual move date.
The Takoma Park Maryland Library (Library) and Computer Center are housed in the Takoma Park Community Center building. The campus address is 101 Philadelphia Avenue Takoma Park, MD 20912. The Library is connected to the Community Center building by an indoor walkway. The Library and Computer Center occupy a single story and approximately 12,000 square feet. The Recreation Department is adjacent to the Computer Center at 7500 Maple Avenue, Takoma Park, MD 20912 and is approximately 2200 square feet.
UPDATE: Detectives from the Gaithersburg Police Department – Investigative Section have arrested and charged 61-years-old, Ricky Stevens of Gaithersburg, MD with First Degree Assault, Second Degree Assault and Reckless Endangerment. Ricky Stevens was transported to the Central Processing Unit and is being held without bond.
Per the Gaithersburg Police Department: Detectives from the Gaithersburg Police Department – Investigative Section are investigating a stabbing that occurred in the 18700 block of N. Frederick Avenue in Gaithersburg.
Montgomery County Police have released a summary regarding the anti-Semitic vandalism that occurred in Bethesda and Kensington on Sunday, August 7. County Executive Marc Elrich has also released a statement on the vandalism.
Per MCPD: On Sunday, August 7, 2022, at approximately 6:46 a.m., MCP officers responded to the Bethesda Trolley Trail located near Rossmore Dr. and Fleming Ave. in Bethesda for the report of a vandalism that occurred earlier. Officers arrived at the scene and found anti-Semitic writing on the Bethesda Trolley Trail near Rossmore Dr. and Fleming Ave. and on the footbridge off of Rossmore Dr.
Below you will see notes from the August 8th, 2022 MCPS media briefing regarding recruitment and staffing for the 2022/2023 school year. The full video of the meeting is also available below.
Dr. Monifa McKnight (paraphrased):
Toys “R” Us store-in-store shops are now open inside the Macy’s locations at both Lakeforest and Montgomery Malls. The Macy’s at Wheaton Mall is expected to begin the buildout of its Toys “R” Us soon.
Macy’s is adding the Toys “R” Us store-in-store shops to all of its U.S. locations over the next few months. The shops will range from 1,000-10,000 sq. feet, depending on the size of the Macy’s and will expand during the holiday season to offer a wider assortment of products. Photos of the Lakeforest Macy’s below:
Update: Opening date has been pushed back to Monday, August 15th, according to a new sign on the door.
The first announced Hangry Joe’s in MoCo (Wheaton already opened, but was announced later) will open in the Travilah Square shopping center on Saturday, August 13th, according to a sign placed on the front door.
The TESS Community Action Center is a walk-in DHHS office where residents are connected with County services and non-profit programs and resources. Services provided include rental assistance, childcare assistance, financial benefit programs such as SNAP and Medicaid, VITA free tax assistance and legal services.
TESS provides a “one-stop-shop” where staff can help residents navigate a complex system of available services and programs. TESS was the first County office to provide services in Spanish and Vietnamese. Currently, TESS staff speak English, Spanish, Amharic, and Farsi.
Gregorio’s Trattoria will begin renovations on its newest location at the former home of Sugo (12505 Park Potomac Ave), this fall and is hoping to open in around January, according to Store Reporter. This will be Gregorio’s Trattoria third MoCo location, and fourth overall. Sugo closed its doors permanently last summer. Park Potomac is also home to Attman’s Deli, Founding Farmers, Gringos & Mariachis, King Street Oyster, and Yirisai Sushi.
Gregorio’s started out in Reston in 2008 and opened a second location in what’s now Cabin John Village in Potomac. The restaurant opened its second MoCo location in November 2020 at the Shops at Sumner Place in Bethesda, in the spot that was home to China Pavilion for over two decades until it closed almost three years ago.
A recent listing on LoopNet, an online marketplace for commercial real estate, shows that the Home Depot located at 15740 Shady Grove Rd. in the 270 Center in Gaithersburg is available through a 13.5-year NNN lease. Per Investopedia, “a triple net lease (triple-net or NNN) is a lease agreement on a property whereby the tenant or lessee promises to pay all the expenses of the property, including real estate taxes, building insurance, and maintenance. These expenses are in addition to the cost of rent and utilities. In contrast, in standard commercial lease agreements, some or all of these payments are typically the responsibility of the landlord.” Home Depot and Best Buy have anchored the property since its inception in 1994. An Amazon Fresh grocery store is expected to open in September.
Per the listing: CBRE’s National Retail Partners and Net Lease Property Group are pleased to present the opportunity to purchase a 13.5 Year NNN Home Depot in Gaithersburg, MD, one of the most affluent and sought-after markets in the nation. Home Depot is a co-anchor of 270 Center, an extraordinary shopping destination shadow-anchored by a powerful mix of destination retailers including Best Buy, Nordstrom Rack, and soon, a brand new Amazon Fresh grocer. The property benefits from a solid lineup of destination shadow anchors featuring high historical occupancy, impressive sales, and long-term leases. Nordstrom Rack has been at the property for ±10 years and is ranked the 2nd busiest Nordstrom Rack in the state of Maryland by customer foot traffic. Best Buy has co-anchored the property since its inception in 1994. The property benefits from a solid lineup of destination shadow anchors featuring high historical occupancy, impressive sales, and long-term leases.