MCS Staff, Author at The MoCo Show

MCPS Honored for Commitment to Music Education

Published May 9, 2023 at 7:31AM

MCPS has been honored with the Best Communities for Music Education designation from The NAMM Foundation for its outstanding commitment to music education. Now in its 24th year, the Best Communities for Music Education designation is awarded to districts that demonstrate outstanding achievement in efforts to provide music access and education to all students.

To qualify for the designation, MCPS staff answered detailed questions about funding, graduation requirements, music class participation, instruction time, facilities, support for the music program and community music-making programs. Responses were verified by school officials and reviewed by the Music Research Institute at the University of Kansas.

Education

Northwood High School Counseling Program Receives RAMP Designation

By MCS Staff

Published May 9, 2023 at 7:27AM

Northwood High School has received the Recognized ASCA Model Program (RAMP) designation. The RAMP designation recognizes schools committed to delivering a comprehensive, data-informed school counseling program in accordance with The ASCA National Model: A Framework for School Counseling Programs, and an exemplary educational environment.

Along with 100 other schools in 20 states, Northwood will be honored this summer during a special ceremony at the American School Counselor Association’s annual conference in Atlanta. Courtesy of MCPS.

Arts

Student at Einstein’s VAC, Olivia Ensign, Wins 8th District’s Congressional Art Competition

By MCS Staff

Published May 9, 2023 at 7:23AM

The winner of the 2023 Congressional Art Competition for Maryland’s 8th District is Olivia Ensign from the MCPS Visual Arts Center at Albert Einstein High School. Olivia’s piece is titled The Memory Quilt: Pieces of Myself.

“Each spring, the Congressional Institute sponsors a nationwide high school visual art competition to recognize and encourage artistic talent in the nation and in each congressional district. Now in its 42nd year, more than 650,000 high school students have participated since the competition’s inception in 1982.”

Gaithersburg

New Schematic Development Plan Filed to Construct 233 Residential Units in Gaithersburg

By MCS Staff

Published May 9, 2023 at 7:15AM

A Schematic Development Plan application, SDP-9588-2023, has been filed requesting to construct 233 residential units which include two-over-two condominiums and townhouses east of Parkview Avenue, north of the CSX Railroad, west of Metropolitan Grove Road, and south of City-owned land along I-270. The plan also includes a community amenity area.

Per the City of Gaithersburg: The Mayor and City Council approved Sketch Plan Application SK-9174-2022 on June 21, 2022 by Resolution R-38-22. The approval was up to 287 dwelling units of various residential types, including townhouse, 2-over-2 stacked townhouse condominiums and potentially triplexes. The approval also include an amenity area.

Restaurants

Mix Bar & Grill Rebranding to Juste Lounge in Silver Spring

By MCS Staff

Published May 9, 2023 at 6:58AM | Updated May 13, 2023 at 6:31PM

Mix Bar & Grill is rebranding to Juste Lounge The International Restaurant at 8241 Georgia Avenue, Ste 200 in Silver Spring. Mix Bar & Grill was a modern-casual American bistro with a “trendy and vibrant bar scene focused on providing great food and spirits to a diverse clientele.”

As of now we don’t have much information on Juste Lounge, but Juste Lounge has a hearing with Montgomery County’s Alcoholic Beverage Services (ABS) on its application by for a Class B, Beer, Wine & Liquor License, On-Sale Only, on Thursday, May 18th at 9am. We’ll have. Additional information as soon as it’s available. Featured photo courtesy of Google Maps.

Maryland

Maryland Ranked “2023’s 4th Best State for Police Officers”, According to Study

By MCS Staff

Published May 8, 2023 at 6:14PM

With President Joe Biden’s State of the Union address calling for law enforcement officers to receive better training and be held to higher standards, the personal-finance website WalletHub today released its report on 2023’s Best & Worst States to Be a Police Officer, with Maryland ranking as the 4th best state for police officers.

In order to determine the best states to pursue a career in law enforcement, WalletHub compared the 50 states and the District of Columbia across 30 key indicators of police-friendliness. The data set ranges from the median income for law-enforcement officers to police deaths per 1,000 officers to state and local police-protection expenses per capita:

Chevy Chase

DC Luxury Nail Salon & Beauty Parlor, nailsaloon, Announces First MoCo Location

By MCS Staff

Published May 8, 2023 at 6:02PM | Updated May 10, 2023 at 11:24AM

Washington, D.C.’s luxury nail and beauty parlor, nailsaloon, has announced its next location, a 2,128 SF space, at The Collection–a block-long outdoor shopping center that is home to “accessible luxury, featuring an array of high-end retailers, popular shops, and restaurants” in Chevy Chase.

Per the press release: The third location by DC-based Latina salontrepreneur, Andréa Vieira, is set to open its doors by early Fall 2023. nailsaloon is best known for providing superior, non-toxic nail care in a hyper-clean environment. All three locations are premier places of pampering, where patrons are welcome to unwind and re-energize while making new friends and connecting with old ones over nail treatments such as manicures, pedicures, and nail art, as well as facial and body waxing. Conversations are encouraged and a complimentary beverage is offered to each guest to wet their whistles as they enjoy an optional specialty tea, coffee, hot chocolate, juice, soda, beer or glass of wine during their service.

Bethesda

Altar’d State To Close Montgomery Mall Location After Five Years

By MCS Staff

Published May 8, 2023 at 3:55PM | Updated May 10, 2023 at 6:32AM

We confirmed today that Altar’d State would be closing its Montgomery Mall location permanently on Sunday, May 21. The women’s boutique opened at Montgomery Mall approximately five years ago. “Altar’d State is an energetic fashion boutique that offers a distinctive shopping experience for women interested in the latest fashion finds, the most anticipated accessories and that next great gift. Whether she is 16 or 60, the common thread is her desire to share her personality through stylish, comfortable, on-trend clothes, shoes and accessories.”

The first Altar’d State boutique was opened in 2009, in Knoxville, Tennessee, with one idea on the mind of founders Aaron Walters and Brian Mason: to create a brand that could make the world a better place. Per Altar’d State: “Every Monday, you have the opportunity to give back to those who need it most. 10% of net proceeds on Mondays go directly to local charities across the country. Throughout the year we support organizations who feed the hungry, assist service men and women, boost self-esteem, love on those undergoing treatment and house the homeless.” The boutique has a nearby location in Leesburg that we were told will remain open. Featured photo courtesy of Altar’d State on Facebook.

Singer Songwriter Scott Miller to Hold Workshop and Perform Concert at the Arts Barn (sponsored)

By MCS Staff

Published May 8, 2023 at 12:35PM

Scott grew up on a farm near Staunton, VA, listening to the country music greats and reading the classics. As a rock musician, he has put in his 10,000 hours writing and performing songs – in the 90s with his band V-Roys, and later with other musicians including Patty Griffin, Robbie Fulks, Paul Thorn, Robin & Linda Williams, and American Aquarium. Now he has returned to the family farm in Virginia where he divides his time between raising Black Angus cattle and pursuing his musical life. He said, “Farming & music are similar. Neither makes you much money because you put all the profits back in the business. Both provide the kind of life you want to live.”

His upcoming appearance at the Arts Barn features an evening with Scott, his guitar and his favorite original songs. That afternoon he holds a songwriting workshop – “a look at how beef sausage is made.” Imagery, storytelling, intuition and persistence plus a frank conversation about how the music business has changed so the artist today can reach their fans directly without the record label. Take advantage of the special combo price of $50 for workshop and concert. Concert alone is $30.

Downtown Silver Spring

Own a Piece of Tastee Diner History; Auction Runs Until May 17

By MCS Staff

Published May 8, 2023 at 7:42AM

Tastee Diner at 8601 Cameron St. in Silver Spring permanently closed on March 22, at 2pm. The diner was sold on March 21 to D.C. based Roadside Development for $3.1 million according to Maryland Land Records. Now you can own a piece of the diner’s long history, as the contents of the restaurant are currently being auctioned. From artwork, to photographs, to tables, chairs, and booths, you’re able to bid on almost everything inside the diner.

Roadside Development, which purchased the adjacent Capital One bank lot back in August, plans on creating a “multifamily mixed-use” redevelopment at the two sites. According to a press release, the original dining car from the diner will be incorporated into the future project. Tastee Diner opened its Silver Spring location on the corner of Wayne Avenue and Georgia Avenue in 1946. After 65 years, the diner faced being closed and destroyed to make room for Silver Spring’s Discovery Building but local residents rallied to save and move the diner to the location it was in until recently.

Derwood

Magruder HS Cluster Hosts Health and Wellness Fair (Video)

By MCS Staff

Published May 8, 2023 at 7:33AM

On April 29, the Col. Zadok Magruder High School cluster, along with local community organizations, held a Health and Wellness Fair for students, families and staff. Attendees participated in a number of educational sessions and activities, and learned about community resources. Watch the video below, courtesy of MCPS: