MCS Staff, Author at The MoCo Show

Philz Coffee Announces It Will Be “Exiting the DC Market”; The Coffee Shop Closed its Bethesda Location Last Summer

Published January 26, 2023 at 8:42AM

Last June Philz Coffee closed its Bethesda location, located at 7247 Woodmont Avenue in Bethesda. Philz Coffee opened its Bethesda location in December of 2018. At the time, DC Area locations in Adams Morgan, Navy Yard, and Ballston remaine open, but have since closed. On Tuesday, the company tweeted that it would be exiting the DC market:

“As we look to the future, we have made the difficult decision to exit the DC Metro market. We loved serving this community, but business conditions and our desire to provide the best possible experience to our customers led to our decision. Thank you all for the years of support.”

Arts

Spark M. Matsunaga Elementary School in Germantown Ushers in Lunar New Year With Annual Celebration

By MCS Staff

Published January 26, 2023 at 8:34AM

MCPS students, parents and staff at Spark M. Matsunaga Elementary School, in Germantown, ushered in the Lunar New Year in grand style with their annual show and celebration on January 20. From traditional dances to vibrant costumes, students from all backgrounds celebrated Asian culture and traditions.

Students performed traditional Chinese and Vietnamese dances; sang; showed off martial arts moves; showcased a kids’ game; and played the flute, gourd flute and erhu, traditional Chinese instruments. Check out a photo gallery from the event. Courtesy of MCPS.

Restaurants

“Downtown Brew’s” to Hold Soft Opening Today in Rockville

By MCS Staff

Published January 26, 2023 at 8:30AM

“Downtown Brew’s” at 5751 Fishers Lane in Rockville is scheduled to hold its soft opening today (Thursday, January 26th), located at the former site of Downtown Beer and Wine. The soft opening takes place at 6pm.

According to the store, “We have on and off premise service so people can come here and enjoy a glass of wine and beer or take them with them.” “Downtown Brew’s” will also offer beer and wine home delivery services and plans to eventually offer charcuteries, gourmet toast and coffee. According to the highlight tabs on its social media, additional information, including hours of operation, will be available via the @dtbrews Instagram account, soon.

MCPS

Springbrook’s Gary Frace Named Maryland Coach of the Year

By MCS Staff

Published January 26, 2023 at 8:23AM

Per MCPS: Gary Frace, Springbrook High School’s longtime cross country coach, was named state Cross Country Coach of the Year by the Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association (MPSSAA).

Frace has been at Springbrook for nearly 50 years. Will Jawando, Montgomery County Councilmember and chair of the council’s Education and Culture Committee, offered his congratulations in the video below (featured photo– From left to right, MCPS athletics director Jeff Sullivan; Springbrook principal Stephanie Valentine; Gary Frace; athletic director Dan Feher and athletic assistant Melissa Turowski) :

Downtown Silver Spring

Soft Opening is Happening Now at Black Diamond Restaurant & Lounge

By MCS Staff

Published January 26, 2023 at 8:14AM

Back in November we let you know that Black Diamond Restaurant & Lounge will be taking over the space that was formerly home to TTT and Buena Vida at 8407 Ramsey Ave in Silver Spring. The restaurant announced, via social media, a soft opening that begins today (Thursday, January 26). It is described as an “Afro fusion restaurant and lounge.”

The soft opening phase is focusing on late-night entertainment, with Black Diamond open from 9pm until 2am on Thursdays and Sundays, and 9pm until 3am on Fridays and Saturdays (closed Monday through Wednesday). Grand opening information is being offered via the restaurant’s email list that can be found on its website, Black Diamond Restaurant & Lounge.

Downtown Silver Spring

Black Lion Café is Now Open in Silver Spring

By MCS Staff

Published January 26, 2023 at 8:04AM

Over a year ago we let you know that Black Lion Café, which has a location in Rockville, will be opening a new location in the Fenton Silver Spring apartments at 8240 Fenton St in Silver Spring. After previously planned openings that were pushed back, the cafe officially opened on Wednesday. It will be open from 7am until 8pm, seven days a week (see announcement in their Instagram post below).

The cafe opened its first location at the Traville Gateway shopping center in late 2016. Black Lion Café sources its coffee from three regions of Ethiopia known for producing some of the best tasting coffee beans in the world. Keffa, the region of Ethiopia that gave the name ‘coffee’ to the bean, Yergacheffe, and Harrar. The news of Black Lion Cafe’s was previously reported by Source of the Spring.

Education

Students at Four MCPS Middle Schools Win Awards at ‘Invent the Future’ Challenge

By MCS Staff

Published January 26, 2023 at 7:57AM

Students at Shady Grove (Gaithersburg), William H. Farquhar (Olney), Parkland (Rockville) and Briggs Chaney (Silver Spring) middle schools were named winners in this year’s Invent the Future Challenge celebration at KID Museum on Jan. 21.

Through designing their own inventions and innovative problem solving, students answered the question: What will you make to improve life on this planet? See all of the winners and a description of their projects at this link: Invent the Future Award Winners, January 2023. Courtesy of MCPS.

Gaithersburg

Crash Backs Traffic Up On NB I-270

By MCS Staff

Published January 25, 2023 at 4:51PM

At least one lane is blocked coming off of the ramp at Montgomery Village Ave (exit 11) with traffic backed up onto northbound I-270, according to Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) Chief Spokesperson Pete Piringer.

Piringer warns that driving conditions are less than desirable after MCFRS has responded to numerous crashes today, including the one pictured on the Montgomery Village Ave off ramp. One adult is being treated for non-life threatening injuries.

Education

Make-A-Wish Surprises Rachel Carson Fifth Grader

By MCS Staff

Published January 25, 2023 at 4:43PM

The Make-A-Wish Foundation surprised Rachel Carson Elementary School fifth grader Aubrey Campbell with a trip to Hawaii, where she will swim with dolphins and ride horses.

Aubrey, who has an autoimmune disease, was surprised with the trip in front of her classmates, family and Make-A-Wish representatives on Jan. 25. Her doctor, Dr. Sangeeta Sule, and Dr. Kurt Newman, president and CEO of Children’s National Hospital, and Principal Mindy Reeves were also there for the presentation.

Gaithersburg

$116K in Funds Distributed to Families Affected by November 26 Explosion and Fire at Potomac Oaks Condominiums in Gaithersburg

By MCS Staff

Published January 25, 2023 at 4:06PM

More than $116,000 in funds have been distributed to families affected by the catastrophic November 26 explosion and fire at the Potomac Oaks Condominium in Gaithersburg through a collaborative effort involving governmental agencies and nonprofits, including Making Homes Possible (MHP). The dedicated relief fund, which totals more than $138,000 thanks to generous donors, is being managed by MHP. One hundred percent of donations are going to affected families to cover costs and damage resulting from the explosion/fire.

Ten people were transported to the hospital, two with critical injuries and eight (4 adults/4 children) with mild/moderate injuries following the explosion and fire. Dozens of residents from 24 different units across four buildings were also displaced. It was announced that the body of the deceased recovered from the wreckage on Thursday had been positively identified as 36-year-old Juan Pablo Marshall Quizon. The manner of death was ruled a suicide and the cause of death was smoke inhalation and burns. MHP anticipates closing the Potomac Oaks relief fund by the end of February. Those interested in contributing to the fund should complete their donations by February 28. You can donate here.

Education

MCPS Job Fair on Monday, January 30

By MCS Staff

Published January 25, 2023 at 3:55PM

MCPS is hosting an in-person job fair for teachers from 5–7 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 30. “The largest and most diverse school system in Maryland, MCPS offers competitive compensation and benefit packages. The system is looking for highly qualified professionals to join its workforce as classroom teachers for the 2023-2024 school year.” MCPS is looking to hire for these critical areas:

The job fair will be held at 15 W. Gude Drive (Third Floor) in Rockville.RSVP to attend. Learn how to become a certified teacher in a Feb. 2 meeting. MCPS Careers