MoCoSnow

There is a Freeze Warning in effect from 1am until 9am Thursday morning for northwest Montgomery County, which includes Germantown, Clarksburg, Poolesville, Damascus and some surrounding areas. A Freeze Watch is also in effect for late Thursday through Friday morning. Additional information below, courtesy of the National Weather Service:

* WHAT…For the Freeze Warning, sub-freezing temperatures as low as 31 expected. For the Freeze Watch, sub-freezing temperatures as low as 31 possible.


Maryland

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announces that it will dedicate its sunflower plantings to the people of Ukraine this spring. Each year, the department plants about 130 acres of sunflowers on 15 wildlife management areas across 18 Maryland counties, including McKee Beshers located on River Rd near Poolesville in Montgomery County. Sunflowers are the national flower of Ukraine, which remains besieged by the Russian military.

Per the Maryland Department of Natural Resources: The primary purpose of DNR’s plantings is to provide a source of food for mourning doves, cardinals, chickadees, blue jays, finches and other wildlife species, after the plants mature and dry. Pollinating insects like bees and butterflies also benefit from the abundant nectar and pollen that sunflowers produce. This year the plantings will serve a dual purpose by expressing solidarity with the Ukrainian people. Displaying the large yellow flower has become an important way for many people around the world to express unity and support for Ukrainians who have suffered the war’s destruction and bravely resisted Vladimir Putiin’s aggression against them.


Bethesda

The MCPS Elementary School 2022 All-County Art Show began at 6:00 PM on Tuesday, April 26 and will be available for anyone to walk through/view until 4:00 PM on Sunday, May 1. The display, which was entirely virtual last year, has returned to the mall, and can be seen spread across the lower level of the mall.

This exhibition highlights outstanding artwork created in 135 schools by students in Pre-K through Grade 5. We hope you share our pride in these students’ accomplishments! They demonstrated a high level of critical thinking, a sensitivity to design elements, and an ability to persevere that enabled them to create these incredible works of art.


Education

In partnership with the gardening club Food Grown at Einstein, Food Grown Home is excited to announce that on April 22nd, the first-ever aeroponic Tower Garden will be established at Albert Einstein High School (AEHS). AEHS will be the first school in Montgomery County to implement this futuristic aeroponic food-growing technology, which will enable students to learn more about sustainable farming practices and empower them with the ability to grow their own food.

FGH is passionate about involving youth and young adults in food-growing STEM activities, which can illuminate career pathways into the fields of agriculture, horticulture, public health, environmental science, and more. Further, this STEM engagement provides inspiration for critical discussions on the viability of our food systems, opportunities for increased sustainability in their schools and local communities, strategies for reducing food insecurity, and how one can apply sustainable farming methods to increase access to nutritious food. FGH is hopeful to recruit more students from schools across MCPS to start their own Food Grown Home clubs and increase access to sustainable food-growing equipment that will help others learn to grow their own food. Interested students are encouraged to send an email to [email protected] to schedule an information meeting with an FGH staff member.


DC Sports

Washington Wizards head coach Wes Unseld Jr. and his wife Evelyn have purchased a home in Potomac, according to a report from the Washington Business Journal. Unseld Jr. signed a four-year contract to become the head coach of the Washington Wizards on July 17, 2021, and ended up with a 35-47 record in his first year as the head coach of the team.

According to public records, the Unseld paid $3.7 million in March, just over $200k above asking price, for a 10,733 SF home that’s situated on a 2-acre lot north of River Road and east of Piney Meetinghouse Road. The home was originally listed in February. The property description can be seen below:


Events

The City of Gaithersburg is hosting Casey Community Center’s Be Your Best Fest, a fun, free, family friendly community event with performances, games, activities, information tables, crafts, giveaways, and more! Be Your Best Fest celebrates everything that encourages us to live our best lives & be our best selves. There will be fun activities for the whole family.

The festival will take place on Saturday, May 7, 2022 from 1:00-3:00 pm and is free for all ages. It will take place at the Casey Community Center, located at 810 South Frederick Avenue, Gaithersburg, MD 20877 (on Route 355 just off interstates 370 and 270). Register for the free event below.


Events

Cool down with a cold one at Montgomery Parks’ Acoustic and Ales outdoor happy hour series! Enjoy  a night of live music, locally crafted beer, and food.

Adults and children welcome to Montgomery Parks’ ‘Acoustics and Ales’ Outdoor Happy Hour Series. Beer, food, and non alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase. Registration is not required. Parking availability may vary based on location, so please use the links provided to the right of the page to map out your arrival! Parks are accessible by public transportation. Please see below for additional information.


Germantown

A 19 year old Germantown man, identified as Gordon Casey, was fatally shot by United States Secret Service officers following a call for a burglary in progress on Wednesday, April 20th at the residence of a Peruvian Embassy Ambassador in the 3000 block of Garrison Street, NW DC.

According to a press release from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), the Secret Service officers arrived to find multiple broken windows and located Casey, armed with a metal pole, in the backyard of the residence. Officers gave multiple commands to Gordon to drop the weapon. One USSS officer discharged their department issued electronic control device (ECD) towards the suspect, but the device did not take effect on the suspect. Two additional USSS officers discharged their service pistols striking the suspect. After lifesaving efforts, Casey was pronounced deceased.


Beyond MoCo

The Board of Education of Frederick County (the Board) appointed Dr. Cheryl L. Dyson to serve as the next superintendent of Frederick County Public Schools.Dr. Dyson will assume the role on July 1, 2022, contingent upon approval by the State Superintendent of Schools. Dr. Dyson’s contract was approved and signed at today’s Board of Education meeting and is posted at fcps.org.

Per FCPS:


Chevy Chase

Junction Bakery & Bistro, an American bistro boasting fresh-baked breads and pastries, unique and flavorful breakfast, lunch, brunch and dinner offerings, is now open at 5471 Wisconsin Ave  Suite 206B in Chevy Chase. The restaurant opened its first location in the Del Ray neighborhood of Alexandria, VA and has since opened another location in Capitol Hill.

Per the Junction Bakery website: “Our simple food paired with homemade breads and baked goods makes our kitchen an extension of your kitchen. Whether you are grabbing Commonwealth Joe espresso and a pastry to go on your way to work or stopping in for lunch or dinner with friends, you will find a warm, comfortable and beautiful environment to welcome you.”


MoCo

First-year recipients to support health, wellness, and education in the DC-metro area

Per the Columbia Foundation: The Columbia Foundation announced its first-ever Community Impact Fund (CIF) grant recipients. The Greater DC Diaper Bank; Mercy Health Clinic in Montgomery County, MD; and Washington Jesuit School in Northeast DC were each awarded $20,000 to support specific capacity-building projects.


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