MCS Staff, Author at The MoCo Show

Metro Lift Income-Qualified Fare Begins Enrollment

Published June 21, 2023 at 3:03AM

Per WMATA: Metro is making it more affordable for tens of thousands of Metro customers across the region. Today, customers can begin enrollment in Metro Lift, an income-qualified reduced fare program approved by Metro’s Board of Directors in the Fiscal Year 2024 budget.

The program’s launch, announced earlier this month, will provide a 50 percent discount on Metrorail and Metrobus fares for customers who qualify. The discount will reduce the cost of a bus trip to just $1 and rail fare to as little as $1 and no more than $3 depending on how far you travel.

Gaithersburg

Ms. Ida Pearl, MoCo Born and Raised, Celebrated Her 105th Birthday

By MCS Staff

Published June 20, 2023 at 9:31PM

Ida Pearl (known to most as Pearl) was born and raised on Riffle Ford Road. She was born in 1918 and on Thursday, June 18, she celebrated her 105th birthday!

She has lived the last 70+ years on Quince Orchard Road, just couple miles away from her childhood home. She is a faithful and dedicated member of Fairhaven United Methodist Church and a loyal trustee of the Pleasant View Historical Association. Some know her as “The Avon Lady,” as she has been one for over 60 years.

Celebrities

MoCo Native Martin Amini Announces Tour With Matt Rife

By MCS Staff

Published June 20, 2023 at 8:55PM

MoCo native Martin Amini, who is selling out comedy venues across the country, has just announced a 2023/2024 tour with comedian Matt Rife– arguably the hottest comedian in the country at the moment. Amini was just hitting his stride in Los Angeles when the pandemic hit in March of 2020 and forced him to leave his dreams behind in Los Angeles and move back in with his family in Montgomery County where he grew up (Silver Spring). Prior to the pandemic, the comedian made Thrillist’s “Best Undiscovered Stand Up Comedian list” and while Covid slowed things down for stand-up comedy, Amini came out of it better than ever. In the last year, he has been headlining and selling out shows across the country and even once joked “8 months ago I couldn’t sell over 80 tickets in Houston. This weekend I sold over 600. Grateful for all the support and tiktok algorithm for blessing me.”

Amini’s stand-up material touches on what it’s like growing up mixed in America (primarily here in Montgomery County) and coming from an Iranian and Bolivian background. His interactions with the crowd has earned him millions of likes and shares on social media. His upcoming tour mate, Matt Rife, is a standup comedian whose star has risen to the top due to his stage persona and quick wit. While both Rife and Amini are considered “roast comedians” by some, their clever replies and ability to go along with any situation the crowd hands to them has helped elevate both. The dates of the tour will be announced soon, but Amini is currently in the middle of his Bolivian Famous tour that’s taking him across the country and even across the pond to London for a show.

Clarksburg

Wells Fargo Announces Impending Closure of Clarksburg Village Location

By MCS Staff

Published June 20, 2023 at 6:28PM

Wells Fargo has announced it will be closing its Clarksburg Village Center location at 12101 Chestnut Branch Way Bldg B4). The bank emailed customers informing them of the closure, which will occur on September 20th later this year.

“Dear Customer,

Germantown

Gas Leak Closes Roads in Germantown; Significant Delays Expected

By MCS Staff

Published June 20, 2023 at 5:59PM

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services responded to contractors hitting a gas line at 19900 Century Blvd near Crystal Rock Dr. at TD Bank in Germantown at approximately 5:40pm on Tuesday evening. The bank building has been evacuated and the area is being secured as units await the arrival of Washington Gas. Century Blvd is currently closed at Crystal Rock Dr. due to the gas leak. Drivers are advised to seek an alternate route and significant delays are expected.

Per MCFRS Chief Spokesperson Pete Piringer: “19900 Century Blvd., near Crystal rock Dr.,, TD Bank, Germantown, contractors hit gas line, @mcfrs PE729, PE735, PE734, PE722, E753, T734, AT735, RS729, A722, A735, HM728, SU725, BC705, BC703, T725, EMS703, SA700 & others responding, Bank building being evacuated” Featured photo courtesy of Google Maps.

Gaithersburg

First Look at Proposed Dining Pier by Copper Canyon at Rio Lakefront

By MCS Staff

Published June 20, 2023 at 5:47PM

In April we let you know that Copper Canyon Grill is requesting approval for a 1,012 square foot covered dining pier to be located in the RIO Lake. At its regular meeting on June 7, 2023, the Planning Commission made the recommendation to the Mayor and City Council for approval (5-0 vote) of Schematic Development Plan SDP-9003-2021, based on the evidence and testimony submitted to the record and the findings in the Final Staff Analysis, to the Mayor and City Council.

Per the City of Gaithersburg: The Schematic Development Plan would add commercial as an allowed use on the RIO lake parcel. The Planning Commission was supportive and complimentary of the project, noting that this is an exciting new way to enjoy the existing lake. The Mayor & City Council Record was closed at 5 pm on June 14, 2023 with the anticipated Mayor & City Council Final Action to be presented on July 3, 2023 during the Mayor & City Council Meeting. Below are renderings of the proposed piers:

Crime

Traffic Stop Leads to Arrest Made For Open Warrant for 1st Degree Assault and Possession of Crack Cocaine

By MCS Staff

Published June 20, 2023 at 5:31PM

Chief Antonio DeVaul from the Takoma Park Police Department has announced the arrest of Merhender Birmingham, 47, of no fixed address, for an open warrant for 1st Degree Assault and possession of Controlled Dangerous Substance (CDS) Crack Cocaine on Monday morning.

Per Takoma Park Police: On Monday, June 19, at approximately 11:51 am, Takoma Park Police initiated a traffic stop in the 7400 block of New Hampshire Avenue, Takoma Park, Maryland. Investigation revealed that the vehicle was unregistered, uninsured and the vehicle driver was unlicensed. Birmingham, who was an occupant in the vehicle, was known to police to have an outstanding warrant for 1st Degree Assault in Takoma Park. Birmingham was placed under arrest. A search incident to arrest yielded he was in possession of Controlled Dangerous Substance (CDS) Crack Cocaine. Other items of evidentiary value were recovered. The vehicle was towed pending a search warrant.

Montgomery Planning

Community Members Invited to Give Feedback on Montgomery County’s Development Review Process on June 22, July 18 and August 2

By MCS Staff

Published June 20, 2023 at 2:54PM

Public invited to give feedback at a series of public meetings hosted by State Delegate Lesley Lopez, in coordination with the Montgomery County Planning Department and the Montgomery County Executive’s Office

The public is invited to three public listening sessions on June 22, July 18, and August 2 to provide input on Montgomery County’s development review process. These public sessions are part of the newly formed Development Review Process Workgroup, which was created by the Montgomery County state delegation and chaired by Maryland State Delegate Lesley Lopez (D-District 39).

Downtown Silver Spring

The Eleanor Has Closed Permanently in Downtown Silver Spring

By MCS Staff

Published June 20, 2023 at 1:06PM | Updated June 20, 2023 at 2:30PM

The restaurant posted the following message Tuesday afternoon on social media:

It is with a heavy heart that we share some difficult news. After facing unprecedented challenges since opening just two weeks before the pandemic shutdown, we have decided to close our Silver Spring location.

DC Sports

Joe Gibbs Sells Minority Stake of Joe Gibbs Racing to Future Commanders Owner Josh Harris’ HBSE

By MCS Staff

Published June 20, 2023 at 10:30AM

Future Washington Commanders owner and MoCo native Josh Harris and his sports and property management company Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment LLC (HBSE) has bought a minority equity stake in Joe Gibbs Racing, owned by heralded former Washington head coach Joe Gibbs, according to a report by the Sports Business Journal.

According to the report, Gibbs has told people close to him that he intends to keep the team in the family and would only sell a minority stake. Gibbs will continue running Joe Gibbs Racing while receiving help from HBSE in areas like marketing and sales, plus fundinG. The racing team name will not change and Gibbs will become part owner of the Philadelphia 76ers of the NBA New Jersey Devils of the NHL, pending approval by both leagues. As a part of HBSE, Gibbs would also have a minority ownership stake in the Washington Commanders once the sale is finalized.

Beyond MoCo

“LEGO Discovery Center Washington DC” Announces Opening Date; Tickets Now Available

By MCS Staff

Published June 20, 2023 at 7:58AM

Merlin Entertainments has announced the official opening of the highly anticipated LEGO Discovery Center Washington, D.C., which is due to host a grand ribbon cutting ceremony on Wednesday the 9th of August. The 32,000-square-foot family attraction will be located in Virginia’s Springfield Town Center and will be a must-visit for locals and visitors with children ages 2 through 12. The bricktastic new attraction will officially open to the public on Monday, Aug. 14. Families can go on the ultimate LEGO adventure by creating and playing together as they make their way through 12 unique zones; from building adventures to an interactive ride.

LEGO Discovery Center Washington, D.C. is a next-generation attraction, reimagined with a brand-new look and design, allowing more family learning through play activities. A team of playmakers and Master Model Builders, led by Master Model Builder Andrew Litterst, will also deliver fun, inspirational, and creative workshops to guests.