Maryland

With summer just around the corner and 85% of Americans planning to take a summer trip, the personal-finance website WalletHub today released its report on 2023’s Most Fun States in America, with Maryland coming in at #18. To determine the states offering the greatest variety and most cost-effective options for enjoyment, WalletHub compared the 50 states across 26 key metrics. The data set ranges from movie costs to accessibility of national parks to nightlife options per capita. Maryland’s rankings in specific categories can be seen below:

Fun in Maryland (1=Most Fun; 25=Avg.):


Business

Addimmune will build upon the success of American Gene Technologies Phase 1 HIV clinical trial, accelerating the clinical development with dedicated investment and singular focus on HIV. 

American Gene Technologies (AGT), a clinical-stage biotechnology company based in Rockville, Maryland (4715 Key West Ave), is launching a new company — Addimmune — to continue to develop gene and cell therapy technologies to cure HIV. Addimmune will focus solely on advancing an HIV cure, building upon more than a decade of work by AGT that led to a successful Phase 1 HIV gene and cell therapy clinical trial. 


Maryland

U.S. News has released its “Best States” rankings, which draw on thousands of data points to measure how well states are performing for their citizens. Maryland came in ranked 22nd in 2022, falling five spots from 17th in 2021.

In addition to health care and education, the rankings take into account a state’s economy; its roads, bridges, internet and other infrastructure; its public safety; its natural environment; the fiscal stability of state government; and the opportunity it affords its residents. Maryland saw its highest rankings in the Health Care (4th) and Natural Environment (5th) categories, with lower rankings in Economy (42nd) and Infrastructure (39th). More on Maryland’s ranking per U.S. News below:


Beyond MoCo

The Maryland Department of Emergency Management (MDEM) has warned of potential travel impacts for those traveling towards Philadelphia or I-95N, following a partial highway collapse of a section of I-95 near Philadelphia. “While this took place outside of Maryland, it could impact your travel if you are headed toward the Philadelphia area or planning to use I95. Stay safe.”

Per the City of Philadelphia: This morning, June 11, 2023, a vehicle fire under I-95 near the Cottman Avenue exit in Northeast Philadelphia caused a portion of the highway to collapse. Preliminary reports indicate a tanker truck was involved in the fire. Pennsylvania State Police closed I-95 in both directions around the area.


Bethesda

Last year, we let you know that Pines of Rome, a Bethesda staple for over 50 years, tabbed WashUrban to spearhead their first ever search for a second location. Pines of Rome has found a home for its newest venture, Pines of Rome Express, according to the restaurant’s website. It will be located at 121B Congressional Lane– the former home of Congressional Deli, a representative from the restaurant confirmed. The new restaurant is located beside/behind Mykonos Grill and near Bed Bath& Beyond.

The original restaurant, which will remain open, is located at 4918 Cordell Ave. in Bethesda. Pines of Rome moved to the location in 2017 and was previously located at 4709 Hampden Lane, opening in 1972.  The restaurant is known for its extremely popular white pizza, spaghetti & meatballs, and other traditional Italian dishes.


Education

Montgomery County Councilmember Kristin Mink has released a statement apologizing to the Muslim community for remarks made during the Montgomery County Board of Education meeting about inclusive education and whether families should be permitted to opt their children out of LGBTQIA-inclusive curriculum materials. During the meeting, Mink stated the following, “…it’s more complicated than a lot of people would like to think it is. This issue has unfortunately put, it does put, some, not all of course, but some Muslim families on the same side of an issue as white supremecists and outright bigots and you know, however, the folks who I’ve talked to here today…I would not put in the same categories as those folks. Although, you know, it’s again complicated, because they’re falling on the same side of this particular issue.” Below is the statement released by Councilmemebr Mink today:

On Tuesday, June 6, I spoke at a Montgomery County Board of Education meeting about inclusive education and whether families should be permitted to opt their children out of LGBTQIA-inclusive curriculum materials. I regret that although my remarks were focused on promoting inclusion, they created an opportunity for misunderstanding and mischaracterization. I apologize for the hurt that caused in the Muslim community.


Maryland

Program Trains State Law Enforcement Leaders to Combat Impaired Driving

Per the Maryland Department of Transportation: Twenty-nine officers from 15 law enforcement agencies in Maryland graduated today from the University of Maryland’s DUI Institute, a rigorous 40-hour program that develops leaders in the enforcement of alcohol-impaired driving laws.


DMV

Kaldi’s Social House founder Tsega Haile has opened Citizens & Culture – a 15,000 square feet, multi-level fine dining and live DJ and band performance venue located on the border of downtown Silver Spring and Washington, DC. The Georgia Avenue restaurant is currently in its soft opening phase and has a grand opening set for Friday, June 16th.

In addition to fine-dining, the music venue brings a unique concept to the DC-area featuring a ground-floor front patio for outdoor seating leading into an expansive, vaulted ceiling main dining room with full length bar and an exclusive new menu by Executive Chef Ryan Hackney (DC-based chef known for appearances on Food Network’s Beat Bobby Flay and Bite Club) and Chief Chef Consultant and Director for Kaldi’s Social House Jessica Shields.


Gaithersburg

You now have the opportunity to own a piece of Lakeforest Mall. Capital Auctions has listed over 1000 items from inside of the mall, including fixtures from stores, decorative pieces, and more. Below, we’ve listed 11 of the strangest/coolest items (depending on how you look at it), in no particular order, with the price they’re going for as of 7:30am on Saturday, June 10th (video on the auction available after the items listed):

A portable shower– $1.50


Bethesda

Beginning Friday, June 9th, 2023 at 10:00pm, United Crane and Rigging will perform a mobile crane operation on Old Georgetown Road at 7607 Old Georgetown Road from Wisconsin Avenue to Woodmont Avenue. Weather and progress permitting, all work should be complete no later than 3PM on Sunday June 11th, 2023. In case of inclement weather, the job will push to a Saturday, June 10th start. During this time, there will be a full closure on Old Georgetown Road, Crews will be onsite to assist with safely detouring traffic.

During the overnight and early morning hours of each operation, they will keep noise levels as low as possible. Traffic Engineering Services will direct pedestrian and vehicular traffic during all work hours.


Rockville

Per the City of Rockville: Vision Zero is a priority initiative of the Mayor and Council as part of their goal of creating safe and livable neighborhoods. Rockville would join Montgomery County, Boston, New York, Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., and others in adopting such a plan. The City of Rockville Virtual Public Forum on Vision Zero will be held from 7-8:30 p.m. Thursday, June 22 via WebEx. Additional information below:

First introduced in Sweden in 1997 as a countrywide response to increasing traffic fatalities and serious injuries, the initiative makes the safety and health of humans the top priority in road network design.


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