Author: MCS Staff

Kensington

Improperly Discarded Smoking Materials Revealed As Cause For Monday Morning Fire

By MCS Staff

In an update to yesterday’s fire on the 3900 block of Denfeld Ave in Kensington, Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) have determined that improperly discarded smoking materials and cardboard boxes on the deck were the cause of a fire that caused approximately $60K in damages. One adult suffered minor injuries trying to move the cardboard boxes away from the house.

Monday’s report: Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) responded to a fire in the 3900blk of Denfeld Ave, near Brandywine Street, in Kensington on Monday, November 28 around 8am. According to Chief Spokesperson for MCFRS Pete Piringer, the fire appeared to have started on the exterior (deck) and extended to the house. The fire has been extinguished and all occupants are out of the home. EMS is transporting one adult (civilian) with non-life threatening injuries. We will post an update when more information becomes available.

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Arts

Local Singer, Pete Looney, Has Passed Away; Celebration of Life to Take Place in December (New Location)

By MCS Staff

Local singer Pete Looney, who has been providing entertainment across the county and DC Metro Area for years, has passed away according to a post on his Facebook page. His children, Pat and Monika, released the following statement announcing a Celebration of Life that will take place on Sunday, December 11th (now in a new location).

The Celebration of Life will take place on Sunday, December 11th from 6-9pm at Brookeville Beer Farm (20315 A Georgia Ave. Brookeville, MD 20833). Light bites and some wine will be provided. The event organizers ask anyone who is planning to attend to mark “going” on the Facebook event page so that they can plan accordingly.

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Germantown

Sally Beauty Supply to Close Permanently Next Month in Germantown

By MCS Staff

Sally Beauty Supply will close its Germantown store (20650 Seneca Meadows Parkway), located at The Shops of Seneca Meadows, on Thursday, December 9th, according to a representative we spoke to earlier today. We were told the shop has been there since the shopping center was built nearly a decade ago.

The Texas-based retail chain will be closing 350 of its stores by the end of this year. The company operates 4,500 stores in the US and as of now we only heard of Germantown and the Olney location closing in Montgomery County.There is no word on its replacement, but the shopping center is now home to the recently opened Crumbl cookies and has F45 and Playful Pack coming soon. Featured photo courtesy of Google Maps, article updated to include Olney location closing.

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Germantown

Playful Pack is Coming to Germantown

By MCS Staff

Playful Pack, a daycare and boarding facility for dogs, is coming to The Shops at Seneca Meadows in Germantown, taking over the location that was previously home to ‘For Eyes’ two stores down from Panera (near Wegmans).  The doggy daycare has locations in Northern Virginia and Annapolis, as well as an upcoming location in Rockville. Playful Pack offers the following services and features, including:

Per Playful Pack: We are proud to maintain a cage-free atmosphere here at Playful Pack to mimic a dog’s natural environment and meet our PACKmates’ physical and mental needs. Each weekday, we plan a variety of exciting activities that rotate throughout the month, including bacon bubbles, gourmet treats, tunnels of fun, snuffle mats, frozen Kongs, and more. We even host birthday “pawties” on our PACKmates’ special days!

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MCFRS

Portion of Goshen Rd Closed Due to Utility Work and Clean Up Following Sunday Evening’s Plane Crash

By MCS Staff

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) have issued a Traffic Advisory: “Goshen Rd CLOSED/BLOCKED between Rothbury Dr & Bramblebush Dr near Stewart Town, utility work & cleanup.” Crews are currently working at/near the site of last night’s plane crash into power lines/tower that caused widespread power outages Sunday night.

The pilot and passenger were successfully rescued without incident by EMS personnel using two specialty crane/boom trucks just after midnight on Monday.  According to Maryland State Police, the pilot was identified as Patrick Merkle, 65, of Washington, D.C. and the passenger was identified as Jan Williams, 66, of Louisiana. Both were transported to the hospital with serious injuries. The plane was also removed from the power lines early Monday morning

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Gaithersburg

Kentlands Photography Cafe Announces Temporary Closure of Physical Space

By MCS Staff

The Kentlands Photography Cafe opened for retail business starting on December 14th, 2021. Less than a year later, the cafe has announced a temporary closure of its physical space due to sudden and unfortunate circumstances.

The venue has served as a photography gallery, cafe, photography bookstore, wine bar, as well as a space for classes and lectures. The full message, posted by the cafe, can be seen below:

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Damascus

Weis Recalls Ice Cream Due to Packaging Issue

By MCS Staff

Weis Markets, which has two Montgomery Count locations and many others nearby, has recalled “Weis Quality Sea Salt Caramel Ripple Ice Cream” according to a notice posted by Weis on November 23, 2022. Reason for recall: Product may be contain undeclared soy and coconut allergens. The recall was initiated when it was discovered that the product containing soy and coconut was distributed in packaging that did not list the presence of soy and coconut.

Anyone with an allergy or severe sensitivity to soy or coconut allergens could potentially run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reactions if they consume these products. The ice cream container says “Weis Quality Sea Salt Caramel Ripple Ice Cream” and the lid says “Weis Quality Caramel Caribou Ice Cream.” No illnesses have been reported to date.

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Gaithersburg

Police Investigating Hotel Death on Monday Afternoon

By MCS Staff

A person was found dead in a hotel room at Hampton Inn and Suites on North Frederick Avenue in Gaithersburg at approximately 12:20pm on Monday afternoon. Montgomery County Police is conducting a standard death investigation and as of now, no foul play is suspected, per our public safety reporter Cordell Pugh.

GAITHERSBURG HOTEL DEATH INVESTIGATION: ~12:20PM Monday at the Gaithersburg (North Frederick Avenue) Hampton Inn and Suites. Person found dead inside hotel room. Police conducting standard death documentation/investigation; as of now NO foul play suspected. Rest In Peace.

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Events

Jingle Jubilee & Tree Lighting on December 3 in Gaithersburg

By MCS Staff

City of Gaithersburg: Celebrate diverse & vibrant holiday traditions at Gaithersburg’s Jingle Jubilee. Enjoy an evening of music, dance & song. Enjoy an evening of music, dance, and song. This year marks the 96th anniversary of the tree lighting ceremony. The festivities take place at the Concert Pavilion in Olde Towne. Admission is free. The outdoor venue features lawn seating with limited chairs. Please feel free to bring your own chair to enjoy the entertainment. Masks are encouraged for this outdoor event.

Children & adults alike will delight in meeting Santa, Frosty the Snowman, Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, Paw Patrol, and other characters. Be sure to bring your camera to capture memorable holiday photos. Meet animal characters who benefit from clean streams, pose for pictures with the City’s newly painted snowplows and a beautifully decorated police car, write a letter to Santa, sing along to holiday songs with the Gaithersburg High School Band, and enjoy exhibits of diverse decorations & traditions.

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MoCo Recreation

Montgomery County Recreation Membership Passes Will be FREE For County Residents in 2023

By MCS Staff

Montgomery County Recreation membership passes for exercise enthusiasts will be free for County residents in 2023. The free pass provides access to full-equipped exercise rooms, open gym activities, and game rooms at any Community Recreation Center during regularly scheduled hours.

This membership makes it easy to work out close to home, near your office, or at any recreation center location that’s convenient. Passes include both the gym and weight room. Please note the free pass does not include access to aquatic centers. List of MoCo Rec Centers below:

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Arts

Dozens of Students Compete at MCPS Latin Dance Competition

By MCS Staff

Dozens of MCPS high school student dancers took the stage at the Music Center at Strathmore on Nov. 21 to represent their schools at the 22nd annual MCPS Latin Dance Competition. The event was organized by the After School Dance Fund, whose mission is to build strong Latin dance clubs in MCPS and to support the academic and social-emotional success of students.

“The annual MCPS Latin dance competition has been taking place at the Music Center at Strathmore since 2010 and is the culmination of Montgomery County’s elite high school Latin dance program which started back in 1999 at Seneca Valley High School. The main objective is to strengthen the social emotional well being of our students and promote health, exercise, and unity through Latin dance education. Students compete in the Junior and Senior categories showcasing their choreographies in Duets/Partner: Salsa, Chacha, Merengue, Bachata, Jack and Jill, Parent/Student, and Best in Show (Group).”

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