Gaithersburg

Back in May we let you know that the owner of popular dim sum restaurants China Garden (Rockville) and Han Palace (Tysons, Woodley Park, Barracks Row) announced that she is bringing a new restaurant to Rio– taking over the space that was previously home to Union Jack’s until June 2020. It has now been confirmed by Rio that the restaurant will be known as Han Spot. 

Chris Zhu made the announcement via social media in May, “Another milestone. New baby from Han Palace coming to Rio Gaithersburg. Next to AMC theater & Guapo’s 🤗🤗🤗.” One of Zhu’s other restaurants, Han Palace, offers an all-day dim sum menu. Scallops, shrimp, pork/crab dumplings, rice rolls, barbecue pork buns, lobster sticky rice, Han-style filet mignon, and Peking duck are included on the Han Palace menu.


Education

This year represents the 40th anniversary of the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program. Congratulations to the more than 9,000 awardees recognized since 1983. Six schools in Maryland (one in Montgomery County) have been recognized in 2023– they are listed below.

The National Blue Ribbon Schools (NBRS) Program is one of the U.S. Department of Education’s longest-running recognition programs. NBRS recognizes outstanding public and non-public elementary, middle, and high schools based on their overall high academic achievement or success in closing the achievement gap among diverse groups of students.  Since its inception, the goals of the program are to shine a spotlight on the best schools in the United States and to share best practices of outstanding schools across the country.


DMV

Left something on Metro and need to get it back? If it ends up at Metro’s lost and found, you may be in luck. Metro will now keep a wider list of lost items left behind on trains, buses, at stations, and other Metro facilities. The new policy, updates changes made due to pandemic-related budget constraints in 2021 that restricted Metro’s lost and found storage to wallets and electronics such as phones, tablets, laptops, and cameras only.

In addition to these items, Metro’s lost and found department will now work to also reunite customers with lost keys, glasses, backpacks, headphones, luggage, and purses. Items such as perishables, clothing, umbrellas, and bikes will not be kept by the lost and found. Non-returnable items, and any other property unclaimed after 30-days will be disposed of, donated to charity, destroyed, or auctioned.


Education

Three exceptionally inspiring high school seniors were awarded a total of $2,600 in scholarship funds for the 2023-2024 academic year through the W. Edward Bohrer, Jr. Memorial CHARACTER COUNTS! Scholarship program.

Per the City of Gaithersburg: Presented in partnership with the W. Edward Bohrer Memorial Fund and the City Student Union, the scholarships are named for former Mayor Bohrer, under whose leadership the City adopted the CHARACTER COUNTS! program in 1996. The scholarship program acknowledges students for embodying the Six Pillars of Character – trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and citizenship.


Events

Since 1994, the Kensington 8K Race has been one of the most popular DC area fall races. It’s described as a “fun, fast event with beauty, challenge, and excitement” and this year it takes place on Saturday, September 23, 2023.

“Known throughout the DC Area as a true community race – parents and kids cheering on each other and welcomed visitors running through our Town and Rock Creek Park.” Four local schools – Kensington Parkwood ES, North Bethesda MS, Silver Creek MS, and Walter Johnson HS – benefit from race proceeds, with more than $250,000 raised since 2009.


MCFRS

Earlier this morning, a gas leak was reported at the intersection of New Hampshire Avenue and University Blvd.  As of now, the following road closures are in effect:

Northbound New Hampshire Avenue is open for traffic. University Blvd. East heading into Prince George’s County is closed until further notice. The 1300 block of University Blvd. is also closed to all traffic.


Maryland

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources has announced the lottery results for the 2023 black bear hunt. Having been selected by random drawing, the 950 successful applicants will receive a permit valid for the six-day hunting season open from October 23-28 in Allegany, Frederick, Garrett, and Washington counties.

“The black bear hunt provides a unique opportunity for hunters to pursue one of our greatest natural resources here in the state and contribute to the management of the species,” Wildlife and Heritage Service Acting Director Karina Stonesifer said. “Congratulations to those successful applicants – we wish you all good luck and safe hunting during our 20th annual black bear season.”


Maryland

Fall officially kicks off Saturday, September 23, 2023—the same day as the autumn equinox—in the Northern Hemisphere. Many of us in Maryland are looking forward to leaving behind the days of record-breaking heat and welcoming clear, blue skies, cooler evenings and autumnal tree canopies. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources once again has started presenting its weekly Fall Foliage Report. What can we expect from fall foliage this year and when can leaf peepers catch a glimpse of fall’s best colors? Check it out below, courtesy of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources:

What the Science Says: For years, scientists have worked to understand the changes that occur in trees and shrubs during autumn, according to the United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service, but they can agree that three primary factors influence autumn leaf color: leaf pigments, length of night, and weather.


DMV

We Are Ready to Strike– An overwhelming 98% voted YES to an Unfair Labor Practice strike.

Kaiser Permanente workers in the DMV have authorized a strike that would begin as early as October 1st if a contract agreement between the union and the Kaiser is not reached by the end of September, according to a statement Monday by the local union representing DMV Kaiser employees. The statement can be seen below:


Bethesda

Various MoCo restaurants that are anticipating fall openings have been included in Eater DC’s list of ‘Most Anticipated Fall Restaurant Openings.’ The upcoming Montgomery County restaurants included can be seen below:

Aventino Cucina and AP Pizza Shop (Bethesda): MoCo resident Chef Mike Friedman (Olney), Colin McDonough, Gareth Croke, and Mike O’Malley, the team behind DC restaurants All-Purpose Pizzeria, The Red Hen, and Boundary Stone Public House will be opening a new concept in Downtown Bethesda this November. Aventino and AP Pizza Shop will be located at 4747 Bethesda Ave. Additional information can be found here.


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