Events

Rockville Town Square’s FIRST Lunar New Year Festival: Year of the Rabbit. It takes place on January 29th from 1pm-3pm. This free family-friendly event will include local performances & vendors, “fun for ALL”, and Red Envelope giveaways. Performances include and free activities include:

Hammer & Stain ($) sign up in advance. Open Workshop 1pm. Family-Friendly Workshop 2pm.


MoCo

Nominations are now open for the 2023 class of the Montgomery County Sports Hall of Fame. “We are looking for athletes, coaches, journalists, officials, and others who have made significant contributions or brought notoriety to sports in Montgomery County.” The last year’s inductees included Steve Francis, Tim Kurkjian, Sonny Jackson, Rob Bordley, Sally Glynn Hauser, and Clarence “Pint” Isreal.

The nomination form along with nomination criteria and rules can be found on our website at www.mcshf.org.  Nominations will stay open until February 10th. Inductees will be chosen by the MCSHF Board of Directors and will be announced in March. They will be honored at a ceremony on Sunday October 29th at the Silver Spring Civic Building.


Rockville

Full statement: “It is another sad day for the country and the law enforcement community. We have no doubt taken many steps backwards this evening. The actions of the Memphis police officers against Mr. Tyre Nichols is appalling and inexcusable.

Law enforcement agencies across the nation have worked tirelessly to better themselves and their reputations in their respective communities and cities, particularly since the death of George Floyd in 2020. These incidents are troubling and disgraceful, not only to the public and those who put their trust in this profession, but to every police officer who has taken the oath to protect and serve to heart. We cannot just say we will do better; we all must do better.


Gaithersburg

Poke Bros, which opened its first restaurant in 2016 and has since expanded to over 75 restaurants across the country, will be opening its first MoCo location in Gaithersburg’s Kentlands neighborhood. The restaurant will be taking over the space that was previously home to Next Day Blinds at 107 Market St W until 2020.

More bout Poke Bros: After the founders were introduced to the Hawaiian staple on a trip to California. The appeal of this fast and casual—while healthy—concept immediately inspired the founders to begin thinking how they could bring this unique dish to the midwest. From its inception, we were confident the foodies of Columbus would love the poké concept, but wanted to provide an inexpensive and accessible product in the larger market. After some intense research and trial and error, the Poké Bros founders developed their own brand of poké bowl flavor they are proud to share and call their own. Modeling similar assembly line casual dining concepts, we developed a unique way to build your “sushi in a bowl” and have fun doing so! As the poké movement has caught on, Poké Bros has rapidly expanded into multiple states across the Midwest and East Coast, offering the same fresh and authentic cuisine to a wider range of customers. We will continue to stick to our roots, as Poké Bros continues to grow, and offer only the best fresh ingredients that fill you up but don’t slow you down.


Crime

On January 18, 2023, a Gaithersburg Police Department patrol officer observed a white Mercedes traveling on S Summit Avenue with an expired registration plate. A traffic stop was initiated and upon speaking with the driver, the officer smelled the odor of marijuana emanating from the vehicle. The officer inquired with the driver if there was anything illegal in the vehicle and the driver advised there was a handgun inside. A probable cause search of the vehicle revealed a loaded Ruger revolver in the front driver door pocket. Upon inspection of the revolver, officers observed the serial number had been removed. The driver, a 27-year-old, male from Silver Spring, MD was arrested and charged with the following:

Information per Gaithersburg Police


Crime

On January 26, at approximately 9:11 am, Takoma Park Police responded to the 700 block of Devonshire Avenue for an attempted shed burglary. Sometime overnight, unknown suspect(s) attempted to pry open the locks on the victim’s shed but was unsuccessful.  Property was not stolen. Investigation continues under case #230004230. Anyone with information about this crime is asked to please call us at 301-270-1100.

On January 26, at approximately 9:20 am, Takoma Park Police responded to the 700 block of Ethan Allen Avenue for the report of an attempt stolen auto.  Unknown suspect(s) attempted to steal the victim’s vehicle sometime between 10:00 pm January 25 and 9:00 am January 26.  The suspect pulled wires and damaged the steering wheel column; however, was unsuccessful in stealing the vehicle. Investigation continues under case #230004232.  Anyone with information about this crime is asked to please call us at 301-270-1100.


Business

The Olney Professional Building, a a three-story, 20,000 sq ft commercial property located at 17904 Georgia Ave in Olney,  will undergo energy efficiency renovations using tailored financing from the Green Bank and Sandy Spring Bank. The energy efficiency upgrades include HVAC, building envelope, roof, insulation, and windows (including design and contingency). The funding will also include renovations for the elevator, asphalt, landscaping, storm drain, curbs, and a parking lot. These energy conservation measures will result in 29,328 kWh in energy savings and $7,000 in annual savings for the building.

The Green Bank—in partnership with Sandy Spring Bank—provided structured financing with a 12-month draw period followed by P&I payments based on a 10-year fully amortizing loan. Due to the Montgomery County Green Bank’s participation, the Olney Professional Building received a blended interest rate on the loan for $2.9 million.


Arts

The City of Rockville celebrates Lunar New Year by offering a free event, at Wootton High School on Saturday, January 28th from 10am-1pm, that celebrates Rockville’s Asian cultures with performances, to-go activities and snacks. Organized in partnership with Rockville’s Asian Pacific American Task Force, the Lunar New Year celebration is a source of pride for the city’s Asian community and an educational opportunity for neighbors to learn about Asian culture. Event program below:

Individuals with Disabilities: We encourage individuals with disabilities to register and participate in Rockville recreation programs. To adequately plan for a successful and rewarding experience, contact us via e-mail at [email protected] or via phone at 240-314-8620. We ask that you inform us prior to the activity start date as ample time is needed to secure auxiliary services and aides.


Business

Seneca Village Apartments is a 58-building, 684-unit affordable multifamily property located at 750 Clopper Rd. in Gaithersburg. It was originally constructed in 1973 and sits on 40 acres of land. With funding from the Green Bank, in partnership with Virginia Community Capital and NYCEEC, Seneca Village Apartments will install new energy-efficient roofs with reflective coating and a 2.18 MW rooftop solar array by Patuxent and Solar Energy Services.  The $11.4 million project is the largest rooftop solar project on a multifamily property in the Montgomery County. The property will save 2,583,535 kWh in energy savings and over $300,000 in annual savings.

“A fundamental part of our mission is to support the County’s climate goals of equitable access to clean energy. This project situated in an Equity Emphasis Area and on an affordable housing property is such an example,” says Tom Deyo, CEO of Montgomery County Green Bank. “Further, this collaboration with Virginia Community Capital and NYCEEC is the perfect depiction of how the Montgomery County Green Bank leverages capital and innovative partnerships to facilitate clean energy projects in the County.”


Sponsored

Miller’s love for nature and waterways began during her childhood, which she often spent hanging out by the creek at the back of her parents’ farm in Olney. Her internal love and longing for nature persists, and she makes it a priority to spend time seeking answers and respite on the banks of her favorite rivers.

Miller’s time with Strathmore included a residency with students and artists from the DMV area on January 24, including interviews with river experts. She will also be conducting a music workshop for her alma mater, Sherwood High School, February 8 in Olney, MD. The evening of the performance also includes a pre-concert talk at 6:30pm with local riverkeepers from the Anacostia Watershed Society, Potomac Riverkeeper Network (PRKN), and Groundwork Anacostia River DC.


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