Maryland

With 87% of Americans feeling “anxious” or “very anxious” about inflation, the personal-finance website WalletHub today released its report on 2022’s Happiest States in America, Maryland came in ranked as 2022’s ‘2nd Happiest State in America’.

To determine where Americans have the highest satisfaction with life, WalletHub compared the 50 states across 30 key indicators of happiness. The data set ranges from the depression rate and the share of adults feeling productive to income growth and the unemployment rate.


MCPS

A message was sent to the Northwest High School and Gaithersburg High School communities by MCPS systemwide athletics director Jeff Sullivan, Gaithersburg principal Cary Dimmick, and Northwest principal Scott Smith providing an update regarding the initial actions taken resulting from the incident that occurred during the Northwest at Gaithersburg varsity football game on Friday, September 16. The full message can be seen below:

Dear Northwest and Gaithersburg Communities,


Maryland

The Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) today released its Draft Consolidated Transportation Program (CTP) for fiscal years 2023 to 2028, outlining a record $19.9 billion six-year investment to replace and repair aging infrastructure, expand transit opportunities, assist Maryland’s economic recovery and preserve and expand the state’s transportation network.

The Draft FY 2023-2028 CTP is nearly $2.2 billion more than the $17.7 billion Final FY 2022-2027 CTP released in January. That increase is the result of factors including $1.3 billion in additional federal formula funds from the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) passed by Congress last fall, as well as improved post-pandemic revenue estimates and an increased share of state corporate income tax revenue allocated to MDOT.


Maryland

Per the Maryland Department of Transportation: Maryland is joining jurisdictions across the country and throughout North America in promoting safety at rail crossings during Rail Safety Week, September 19-25. Through a safety and awareness campaign, Maryland Operation Lifesaver is joining Operation Lifesaver Inc., Operation Lifesaver Canada and the Mexican Association of Railroads in urging the public to help #STOPTrackTragedies.

In Maryland each year, on average 23 people are killed or injured in grade crossing and trespassing incidents, according to data from the Federal Railroad Administration. Throughout North America, 2,100 people are killed or seriously injured annually. Operation Lifesaver works to prevent these incidents from happening.


Bethesda

Per MCDOT: On Wednesday, Sept. 21 starting at 1 p.m., the Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) will hold a virtual public hearing on the proposed abandonment of a public alley on the basis that there is no current or anticipated future public use. The public will have an opportunity to present oral or written testimony.

The applicants, Benjamin and Michele Oshman, are seeking the abandonment of a portion of a 15-foot wide Public Alley covering approximately 301 square feet behind their property located at 4803 Bayard Boulevard, Bethesda, MD 20816. The petition seeks to abandon a portion of the Public Alley which was established initially in connection with a Subdivision Plat dated Oct. 8, 1920 and entitled “Crestview” on the basis that there is no current or anticipated future public use of the alley.


Kensington

Per MCDOT: The Town of Kensington has released a pedestrian and bicycling access and safety study for a portion of Connecticut Avenue. The Connecticut Avenue Corridor Pedestrian and Bicycling Access and Safety Study gives three alternatives for the layout of Connecticut Avenue and identifies additional safety and connectivity improvements for the surrounding area. The study will be used in the creation of the Town’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Priority Area (BPPA) Plan.

The study specifically focused on Connecticut Avenue (MD 185) between Knowles Avenue and University Blvd (MD 193). Secondary study areas included Knowles Avenue (MD 547), Plyers Mill Road, Howard Avenue and University Blvd (MD 193), which have significant connections between Connecticut Avenue (MD 185) and popular Town destinations and neighborhoods.


Business

Per MCEDC: The Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC) has officially begun accepting applications for commercial loans from the new Accelerating Community Excellence (ACE) Loan Fund, a state of Maryland-funded program that provides loans to small, minority and women-owned companies. MCEDC is the ninth fund manager in the Maryland Small, Minority and Women-Owned Business Program, also known as the Video Lottery Terminal (VLT) Program.

“Small, minority and women-owned businesses are the backbone of Montgomery County,” said Bill Tompkins, MCEDC President & CEO. “Our new ACE Loan Fund gives us the power to provide financial support to these businesses to help them grow and flourish in our area and across the state of Maryland. We couldn’t be happier to have been appointed and approved as a fund manager and look forward to seeing Montgomery County businesses continue to thrive.”


Events

The Northwest High School Booster Club is holding a community 5K Fun Run/Walk on Saturday October 29 at 8:00 AM. Registration is $35 per person and includes a t-shirt (sign-up by 9/23 to be guaranteed your desired shirt size). Every person on the course must be registered and able to individually navigate the course (course map). No strollers or pets please. The run will begin and end at Northwest High School and will include a Health & Wellness Fair with information from numerous local businesses. The entire community is invited to participate.

Volunteers are needed to help with various tasks on race day.  If you are injured and can’t run or are accompanying a runner to the race, or you just want to give something back to the sport and contribute to the success of the event, please send an email to [email protected].


Restaurants

Three Thai restaurants located in Montgomery County have made Eater DC’s ‘15 Standout Thai Restaurants Around D.C.’ list. Per the article, “While suburban neighborhoods like Falls Church and Wheaton have a particularly strong selection of top-tier Thai restaurants, D.C. proper has its own strong scene.” With Montgomery County being home to over 30 Thai restaurants, many have previously shared their opinions via the @TasteMoCo food tournaments of 2020. Below you’ll see the three that made it onto Eater DC’s list:

Thai Chef (29 Maryland Ave, #308, Rockville): “Inspired by bustling night markets in Bangkok, this aquamarine-soaked Dupont mainstay that expanded to Rockville Town Square last year comes from Bangkok native Pornnapa Pongpornprot and her eldest daughter, Chalisa Fitts. The eye-popping restaurant is covered with ornate metal sculptures, merry-go-round horses circling a soaring interior atrium, and neon-lit catch phrases. Best sellers on the menu include its Crying Tiger steak entree, “after-school” wontons, spicy drunken noodles dubbed “D.U.I.” and a new fried rice section. Both locations are open for dine-in and takeout.”


Restaurants

Earlier this month we let you know that Flip’d by IHOP will be opening on Tuesday, September 20. The company has announced that the first 100 guests in line, when the store opens at 6am, will receive a free ‘Original Pancake Bowl’. This will be the third Flip’d location in the country (located at the old Asian Bistro Cafe spot at 8537 Georgia Avenue in Downtown Silver Spring) between Panera and Red Lobster).

IHOP has opened locations in Lawrence, Kansas and New York City. An additional location is currently planned for Cincinnati, Ohio as well. Per Flip’d, the menu consists of the following options:


MCPS

Takoma Park Elementary School, located at 7511 Holly Avenue in Takoma Park, was evacuated after a report of odor and haze that followed a “boiler noise”, which has been explained as likely stemming from an outdoor transformer issue, according to MCFRS PIO Pete Piringer. All students and staff were evacuated and accounted for and there were no injuries sustained due to the incident. The school will send a Connect-ED message to the community after the school day ends.

(~1p 9/19) Takoma ES, 7511 Holly Av, report of odor & haze after boiler noise (likely transformer issue outside) All students staff evacuated & accounted for, @mcfrs PE719, E754B, PE716, PE844, PE707, AT719, T812, RS801, M844, BC701, BC702, RS742B, T706, M707 responded


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