MCS Staff, Author at The MoCo Show

MCPS and Montgomery County Education Association (MCEA) Reach Tentative Agreement on Two-Year Wage Increase

Published April 28, 2023 at 3:56PM

Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) and the Montgomery County Education Association (MCEA) have reached a tentative agreement on wage increases over a two-year period. If the County Council fully funds the MCPS budget proposal, the following increases would take effect beginning July 1, 2023, for MCEA unit members:

For the 2023-2024 school year, the salary for teachers would increase by $5,602 for 10-month employees and $6,583 for 12-month employees, with a step increase for those eligible employees. The new salaries would range from $59,640 to $124,416 for 10-month employees; and from $70,078 to $146,189 for 12-month positions depending on experience and years of service.

Events

Cirque Italia’s Water Circus is in Gaithersburg Until Sunday, April 30

By MCS Staff

Published April 28, 2023 at 3:47PM

Cirque Italia presents Water Circus. “The name reflects a unique attribute under the tent, as the show features a custom designed water stage that travels from city to city. The stage holds 35,000 gallon of water that performers dazzle over while thrilling the audience with every move. With this unique feature under the tent, guests will be surprised, for it’s a show of its own!”

Bethesda

Green Paint Installation Now Complete on Old Georgetown Rd Bike Lanes

By MCS Staff

Published April 28, 2023 at 2:22PM

Roadwork is now complete on MD 187 (Old Georgetown Road) as MDOT SHA crews have finished the installation of the green paint on the MD 187 (Old Georgetown Road) bike lanes. Last October the Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA) announced that it started a project to significantly improve safety for bicyclists and motorists on nearly two miles of MD 187 (Old Georgetown Road) in North Bethesda. The changes on MD 187, between south of I-495 (Capital Beltway) and Nicholson Lane, converted one travel lane in each direction in order to add buffered bicycle lanes and the installation of flex posts to outline the new bicycle lanes.

The addition of the bike lanes has been met with mixed reviews with a petition opposing the bike lanes receiving over 8,000 signatures and a petition created in response, supporting the bike lanes, receiving over 2,000 signatures. A rally was also held, in January, in support of the Old Georgetown Rd safety improvements. Featured photo courtesy of the ‘Support the SHA redesign of Old Georgetown Road’ petition.

Events

“Sideline Swap”, an Event That Allows You to Trade-in Your Gently Used Sports Gear For Gift Cards, Runs Until This Sunday

By MCS Staff

Published April 28, 2023 at 1:40PM

Sideline Swap is hosting a trade-in event at the Dick’s Sporting Good in Wheaton Mall (11160 Veirs Mill Rd) from Friday, April 28th until Sunday, April 30th. You can bring your gently-used sports gear to receive a gift card for the trade-in value. Sideline Swap is accepting hockey, baseball, lacrosse, golf, ski gear & more. Sideline Swap runs from 2pm-7pm on Friday, 10am-6pm on Saturday, and 10am-6pm on Sunday. Items accepted include:

Items not accepted include:

Maryland

Congressman Jamie Raskin Announces He Is In Remission After December Cancer Diagnosis

By MCS Staff

Published April 28, 2023 at 8:58AM

Congressman Jamie Raskin (MD-08) announced via social media on Thursday that he is in remission. “Tuesday I thanked nurses, doctors and pharmacists at Georgetown Hospital who serve with splendid kindness—and who saved my life over 5 months. I finished 6 rounds of 5-day chemo sessions—which they organized so I didn’t have to miss votes or hearings—and I rang the bell! A new chapter begins.” the congressman was diagnosed with cancer Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma in December.

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=188271080299667&mibextid=cr9u03

Crime

Maryland Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Threatening a Member of Congress Via an Event Management Website

By MCS Staff

Published April 28, 2023 at 8:49AM

Per the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Maryland: – U.S. District Judge Richard D. Bennett today sentenced Justin Kuchta, age 40, of Annapolis, Maryland, to four months in federal prison, followed by one year of supervised release, for threatening to murder a United States Member of Congress.

According to his plea agreement, Kuchta made threats to murder a Member of the U.S. Congress. Specifically, a U.S. Member of Congress’ district office in Texas reported that on July 18, 2022, it received a threatening message via an event management website. The website was being used by an event planner to coordinate an event held in the State of Missouri, being attended by Member of Congress 1. The Subject line of that email read, in relevant part: “Rally in Missouri – Featured Guest [Member of Congress 1], [Individual 1], and [Individual 2].” The message stated, “Thank you for the address!!! I’m coming to murder all of you Satanist f*ckers!!! Especially the chuckle-f*ck Zodiak [sic] Killer [Member of Congress 1]!! That fat fake f*cker ass will be the first on the gallows!! SEE ALL OF YOU F*CKERS REALLY SOON!!! With my fresh militia and weapons!!! Thanks for the info f*ckers!!!” The Member of Congress’ Washington office reported that a similar message was sent on July 22, 2022, using the same event management website.

Events

Montgomery Parks May Special Events and Programs

By MCS Staff

Published April 28, 2023 at 8:46AM

Montgomery Parks, part of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, announces its lineup of special events and programs in May for people of all ages. Events include the start of Acoustics and Ales and Salsa in the Park programs, guided hikes on the Underground Railroad Experience Trail, and Family Archaeology Day. May events in Montgomery Parks include:

Kingsley Schoolhouse Tour | First Sunday of the month through October 2023 | 1 – 4 p.m.

Education

Argyle Principal, James Allrich, is MCPS Finalist For WaPo’s Principal of the Year

By MCS Staff

Published April 28, 2023 at 7:46AM

James Allrich, principal at Argyle Middle School, is the MCPS finalist for The Washington Post Principal of the Year. Additional information on Allrich below, per MCPS:

In the six years James Allrich has been principal at Argyle Middle School, he has been recognized as a student-centered leader, a fierce social-emotional advocate, a visionary on equitable and anti-racist practices and a community builder. Students are always at the forefront of his decision-making. He often reminds them: “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”

Arts

Gaithersburg Announces 2023 Storm Drain Art Contest Winners

By MCS Staff

Published April 28, 2023 at 7:37AM

The Gaithersburg Parks, Arts & Recreation Corporation (G-PARC) Arts & Culture Alliance, in conjunction with the City Stormwater Management and Cultural Events & Services Divisions, is pleased to announce the winners & honorable mentions of our Storm Drain Art Contest 2023. The judges selected their artwork out of a total of 46 entries for its great interpretation of the contest theme, which was to bring attention to the importance of protecting our Chesapeake Bay watershed.

Per G-PARC: The eleven winners’ artwork will be painted on the storm drain covers at two locations in two phases. Phase 1 will paint on Saturday, June 3 (rain date June 4) in Diamond Farm Park. The second phase will paint in Walder Park in the Fall. The winning designs & honorable mentions may also be used in banners, posters, coloring books, other educational materials, and on social media. Congratulations to our winners & honorable mentions:

Clarksburg

Clarksburg Teacher, Charles Orifici, Is Finalist For WaPo’s Teacher of the Year

By MCS Staff

Published April 28, 2023 at 7:33AM

Charles Orifici, instrumental music teacher at Clarksburg High School, is the MCPS finalist for The Washington Post Teacher of the Year. More on Charles Orifici below, per MCPS:

For 25 years, Charles Orifici has been teaching instrumental music, 24 of them in MCPS. Since opening Clarksburg High School in 2006, he built the instrumental music program into one of the hardest working and successful school marching bands, culminating in this past fall’s Maryland Marching Band Association competition, where the band went undefeated.

Gaithersburg

Gaithersburg Names Milly Abdo As Its 2023 Junior Mayor

By MCS Staff

Published April 28, 2023 at 7:25AM

The 2023 Junior Mayor Contest for the city of Gaithersburg has concluded. Milly Abdo, a fourth grader at Fields Road Elementary School, begins her term on May 1, when she is officially sworn in at the Mayor & City Council Meeting. The ceremony will also include outgoing remarks by 2022 Junior Mayor Loriele Nix of Summit Hall Elementary School. The meeting can be viewed on the City of Gaithersburg’s YouTube channel.

Congratulations, Milly! Her full essay can be seen below: