Gaithersburg

The City of Gaithersburg has received the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for the 45thconsecutive year and the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for the 22nd consecutive time, both from the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA).

The City’s comprehensive annual financial report for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022, was judged by an impartial panel to meet the high standards of the program, which includes demonstrating a constructive “spirit of full disclosure” to clearly communicate its financial story and motivate potential users and user groups to read the report. The Certificate of Achievement is the highest form of recognition in governmental accounting and financial reporting.


Bethesda

In June, the Washington Wizards traded three-time All-Star Bradley Beal to the Phoenix Suns for Chris Paul, Landry Shamet, a handful of second-round picks, and multiple pick swaps. Now, the NBA superstar has put his Bethesda home up for sale for $10 million in a listing by held by Jill Schwartz and Andres Serafini of RLAH @properties.

The home, located at 8913 Holly Leaf Ln in Bethesda, has 6 bedrooms and 8.5 bathrooms with a total of 13,482 SF on 2.03 acres. It also includes a four-car garage and two full-size basketball courts (one indoor, one outdoor). The home is described as having a “South Miami vibe” and if basketball isn’t your thing, you can enjoy the “full-size tennis court with stadium lighting, elevated spa cascading into the heated linear swimming pool, detached Pool House complete with cabana bath, outdoor kitchen and the finest smore-worthy fire pit.” The full description and a video can be seen below:


Maryland

The Maryland Department of the Environment urged public water systems, citizens and businesses in parts of the state to continue voluntary water use restrictions as a drought watch issued earlier this summer has been upgraded to a warning.

“Water conservation is a good practice year-round, but we are asking water systems to take extra precautions as dry conditions persist,” said Maryland Department of the Environment Secretary Serena McIlwain. “Consumers can help by limiting the use and duration of sprinklers for lawns, taking short showers as opposed to baths, and not leaving the faucet running while brushing your teeth. These things sound simple, but it all adds up.”


MoCo Police

Per the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office: “The Sheriff’s Office has been noticing an uptick in scam calls reported by residents of the County. Sheriff Uy would like to remind everyone that the Sheriff’s Office will NEVER ask for money or financial information over the phone. Also, it is important to remember that paying a “fine” will not clear up a warrant.

These scammers are giving the following fictitious story when they get an intended victim on the phone: “My name is (insert fake name) from the Sheriff’s Office (insert fake Section). You missed a court date/jury duty/failed to answer a summons, and the Judge has issued a warrant for your arrest. If you don’t pay a fine, my deputies will be coming to arrest you immediately.”


Maryland

Orioles legend Brooks Robinson passed away, his family and the team announced on Tuesday evening. Considered one of the greatest third basemen in the history of baseball, his career influenced many, but it was a personal story that solidified Robinson’s status as a true legend in every aspect of the word for ESPN’s Scott Van Pelt. Van Pelt shared his heartfelt story on social media Tuesday night:

Long Brooks Robinson story I believe I told on radio:


Boyds

Fall is here and the colors around us are about to change. Whether it’s the taste of a warm pumpkin-flavored latte, the cool breeze of a crisp fall morning, weekends full of football, or the yellow glow of the sun on a tall birch tree, autumn is often a contender for MoCo residents’ favorite season (however short it may be). Many locals are looking forward to combining all the best parts of fall and enjoying the foliage outdoors, so we’ve put together a small list of 11 where you can enjoy the foliage across the county:

Agricultural Reserve: A drive through the rural areas that the 93,000 acre Agricultural Reserve encompasses, along with the larger rural communities of Damascus and Poolesville and small crossroad communities such as Beallsville, Sunshine and Dickerson, are sure to give you your fill of fall foliage.


Business

Last November we let you know that Sodexo committed its U.S. headquarters to 915 Meeting Street, a new 276,000-square-foot trophy office building currently under construction at the award-winning mixed-use development of Pike & Rose in North Bethesda, Maryland. Sodexo’s headquarters are currently located at 9801 Washingtonian Blvd in Gaithersburg (next to Rio Lakefront). According to a recent Maryland Newsletters report, the firm pulled a permit toward a $5.59 million fitout of 51,907 square feet at the North Bethesda building.

Sodexo will be taking 52,000 square feet, along with Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH), which signed a long-term lease to occupy 105,000 square feet. Sodexo is a leading global provider of catering, facilities management, employee benefits and personal home services to 100 million daily consumers in 56 countries. It will be moving from its current location in Gaithersburg to Pike & Rose in Spring 2024 (renderings are available below courtesy of Federal Realty).


Business

Peterson Cos. has acquired the 402-unit Huntington at King Farm: Phase II apartment complex in Rockville for $135.5 million, according to a recent BizJournals report. This is the first residential holding for Peterson Cos. in Montgomery County. On the retail side, Peterson Cos. owns Downtown Silver Spring, Milestone Center in Germantown, and Rio Lakefront in Gaithersburg. Peterson Cos purchased the property on September 21st.

“Located at 801 Elmcroft Boulevard in Rockville, Huntington at King Farm: Phase II is a unique multifamily property in the prestigious King Farm neighborhood. The community has a total of 402 rental units, 165 of which are townhomes with private parking garages. Originally built in 2000 with generously sized floor plans of nearly 1,200 square feet on average, the community has benefitted from by long-term institutional ownership that maintained the property to a high level. Since 2011, approximately 342 units have been renovated.


DC Sports

Orioles legend Brooks Robinson has passed. Considered one of the greatest third basemen in the history of baseball, Brooks Robinson traces his love of the sport to the Little Rock Boys & Girls Club. There he played Little League ball, honing the skills that would earn him 16 consecutive Golden Gloves, the 1964 American League MVP, the 1970 World Series MVP and a place in the Baseball Hall of Fame. Playing 23 seasons for the Baltimore Orioles, Robinson set major league career records for games, putouts, assists, chances, double plays and fielding percentage. Also a clutch hitter, he hit 268 career home runs, at the time an American League record for third basemen. A Statement from the Robinson Family and the Orioles:

“We are deeply saddened to share the news of the passing of Brooks Robinson. An integral part of our Orioles Family since 1955, he will continue to leave a lasting impact on our club, our community, and the sport of baseball.”


Entertainment

Dust off your dirndl, grab your lederhosen and get ready to Prost! The City presents the 30th annual celebration of Oktoberfest on Sunday, October 8, 2023, from noon to 5 p.m. The festival takes place in and around the Arts Barn, Kentlands Mansion, Kentlands Village Green and along Main Street & Inspiration Lane. Admission and parking are free. Free wheelchair accessible shuttle service will run regularly during festival hours to and from satellite parking at 101 Orchard Ridge Drive, just off of Quince Orchard Road.

Experience a taste of Germany right in your own backyard with performances by the ever-popular Alte Kameraden German Band and Alt-Washingtonia Bavarian Dancers. Savor traditional festival food while enjoying selections from local breweries, including Festival partners Dogfish Head Alehouse and Saints Row Brewing, as well as Clear Skies Meadery, Landmade Farm Brewery, Two Story Chimney Ciderworks, and Silly Yak Beer. Also available this year is non-alcoholic beer for sale by Sobar.


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