Author: MCS Staff

MCFRS

Family Displaced, Approximately $55K in Damage Caused By Basement Fire Wednesday Night

By MCS Staff

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services were called to the scene of a basement fire on the 700 block of Elm St., off of Ethan Allen Ave., in Takoma Park at approximately 11pm on Wednesday night.

According to MCFRS Chief Spokesperson Pete Piringer, crews arrived to find a fire in the basement of a single family home and were able to knock down the bulk of the fire by 11:19pm. The fire was fully extinguished soon after and no injuries were reported. Three residents have been displaced and damage totaled to approximately $55K ($30K in contents and $25K was structural).

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MCFRS

Approximately 65 Firefighters Respond to House Fire Late Wednesday Night

By MCS Staff

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) were called to the scene of a fire at a single family home on the 10800 block of Brickyard Ct., near Falls Rd., in Potomac at approximately 10:16pm on Wednesday night.

According to MCFRS Chief Spokesperson Pete Piringer, approximately 65 firefighters were on the scene battling the heavy fire that was showing upon arrival. All occupants were able to get out safely, but the family of two adults, two children, and a guest, has been displaced. Damage is estimated to be at $2 million + and the cause of the fire is currently under investigation.

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Education

Two Montgomery College Students Selected to Receive Jack Kent Cooke Foundation’s Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship

By MCS Staff

Normand Bayigamba and Luiz Mata Lopez are two of the high-achieving Montgomery College students selected to receive the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation’s Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship. The highly competitive national scholarship aims for Cooke Scholars to complete their undergraduate educations with as little debt as possible. The award, which is last dollar funding after all institutional aid, can provide Bayigamba and Mata Lopez with as much as $55,000 a year to complete a bachelor’s degree.

Bayigamba, a graduate of Thomas S. Wootton High School, and Mata Lopez, a Col. Zadok Magruder High School graduate, both took part in the college’s commencement last month. Bayigamba earned an associate of arts degree in general studies, with a concentration in social sciences, administration and health. Mata Lopez earned an associate of arts degree in computer science.

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Education

2,659 Retirees Honored By MCPS

By MCS Staff

The Board of Education and Superintendent Monifa B. McKnight honored 2,659 retirees at the MCPS annual retirement recognition ceremony and reception on June 8 at Richard Montgomery High School. Recognized retirees included those who retired this year and, due to the pandemic when receptions were not held, those who retired in 2020, 2021 and 2022.

Certificates of appreciation will be mailed in July to thank them for their dedicated service to MCPS students. View the list of 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023 retirees. The list includes each retirees’ name, last assignment and years of MCPS service. See a photo gallery from the event.

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Entertainment

Barstool-Rated Pizza Places in MoCo

By MCS Staff

At one point Dave Portnoy, founder of Barstool Sports, ate pizza every day for two years while getting his “One Bite” pizza reviews started on Instagram and YouTube. Through the years, he has eaten pizza from various restaurants across the country– providing a 1-10 rating for each slice, with over 1,000 ratings overall. While many disagree with his opinion on pizza, the ratings are some of the most popular across the country (in terms of social media views). Most of his reviews come from pizza places in Massachusetts, New York, and New Jersey, but some restaurants operate stores locally here in MoCo. Check them out below:

Buca Di Beppo (New York, NY, #1024, 1.2). An incredibly low score for the Italian family-style chain restaurant. It’s sole MoCo location can be found in Gaithersburg’s Kentlands neighborhood.

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Silver Spring

Silver Spring Ranked 3rd in “Best Places to Live For Families” List

By MCS Staff

To select the Best Places to Live for Families in each state, Fortune evaluated nearly 1,900 cities, towns, suburbs, exurbs, villages, and townships that had approximately 20,000 residents across all 50 states in the U.S. This range provided a broad universe of places that offered high-quality amenities in communities with a hometown feel. Silver Spring was ranked 3rd on the list.

“Located just six miles north of Washington, D.C., Silver Spring residents can enjoy proximity to the nation’s capital without sacrificing the charm of smaller-town life. While locals can easily commute to D.C. for work or pleasure via public transit options like the Washington Metro or MARC Train, Silver Spring offers plenty to do within its bounds. The suburb prides itself as the site of a state-designated arts and entertainment district, and has worked to woo artists, arts organizations, and other creative companies. It’s home to more than 50 arts and humanities associations, art venues, and entertainment firms.

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MoCo Athletics

Back to Back Championships For Olney Boys and Girls Club 13U Softball

By MCS Staff

The OBGC 13U Blackhawks have won back-to-back championships after consecutive undefeated seasons. “I almost feel more of a relief than excitement. The expectations on this team were such that anything less than a championship would have been a disappointment for several of the players. The players were able to rise to the moment and they will remember today long after they eventually hang up their cleats.” said Coach Ron Berry. “This team is special, with or without the win today. This was the just the cherry on top.”

This band of young ladies has gone 33-2-1 over the last three seasons (2023 Spring Record – 12-0-1. 2022 Fall Record – 10-0. 2022. Spring Record – 11-2). The league they compete in is the OBGC House Softball league for 13u girls, which is made of a consortium of teams from Poolesville, Clarksville, Burtonsville, Damascus and Rockville. After losing to Damascus Team Remsnyder in the playoffs last spring, the team came back very hungry. They went undefeated in the Fall season (no playoff due to shortened daylight time and harsher weather with fall and winter approaching). The majority of the team came back for this year‘a spring season and picked up right where they left off.

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Gaithersburg

City of Gaithersburg Juneteenth Holiday Closures

By MCS Staff

Most City of Gaithersburg facilities & offices are closed on June 19, 2023, in observance of Juneteenth, with the exception of the following:

The collection of recycled materials will take place as scheduled. Bulk pick up is unavailable. Regular trash & garbage collection for City residents is handled by private contractors. Please contact your HOA or your private contractor regarding the holiday collection schedule for these materials.

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Bethesda

MD 355 Flash BRT Project Update

By MCS Staff

A briefing on the MD 355 BRT was provided to the Gaithersburg Mayor and City Council on Tuesday night. Per the presentation, available below, the MD 355 BRT will provide a new transit service with greater travel speed and frequency along the MD 355 corridor that will help:

The MD 355 BRT has completed the Preliminary Engineering phase between Grosvenor and Montgomery
 College – Germantown. Preliminary Engineering is continuing for the Bethesda and Clarksburg segments (Fall 2023 completion), NEPA documentation is underway, there is ongoing coordination with FTA, and they are currently preparing procurement for Progressive Design-Build. Full presentation below:

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Gaithersburg

Kentlands Baby Bar Grand Opening Celebration to Take Place Saturday, June 24th

By MCS Staff

Kentlands Baby Bar has announced it has pushed back its Grand Opening Celebration to 10am-1pm on Saturday, June 24th (with the soft opening on Saturday, June 17th). “Please join us for a fun day of face painting, balloon animal making, and t shirt decorating while checking out the newest baby friendly spot in Kentlands!” It will open at 375 Main St. in Gaithersburg’s Kentlands neighborhood.

Carolynne Nowrouzi, founder/owner of Baby Bar, was raised in MoCo. She wanted to provide a space where parents can go with their young children to enjoy a space where they can each grab a bite and just play. The space will offer “food, fun, and socializing” where “you enjoy a coffee and a bite, while your little ones get yummy food and a baby-friendly place to play!” Baby Bar Kentlands will offer fresh fruits and veggies and will have options for babies (puréed or chopped), food for kids like grilled cheese, egg bites, croissants, and more, and food for adults like bagels, muffins, fruit bowls, and more. Hours of Operation: Mon-Sat, 09:30 am – 02:30 pm. Sundays closed.

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