MCS Staff, Author at The MoCo Show

SEC Charges Bethesda-Based Eagle Bancorp and Former CEO with Failing to Disclose Related Party Loans

Published August 17, 2022 at 1:47PM

The Securities and Exchange Commission charged Eagle Bancorp, Inc., based in Bethesda, Maryland, and its former Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board, Ronald D. Paul, with negligently making false and misleading statements about related party loans extended by the bank to Paul’s family trusts. Eagle and Paul have agreed to settle the SEC’s charges.

The SEC’s order against Eagle finds that, from March 2015 through April 2018, Eagle failed to include loans to Paul’s family trusts totaling at times nearly $90 million in the related party loan balances included in its annual reports and proxy statements. The SEC’s order also finds that Eagle improperly omitted tens of millions of dollars of loans to Eagle directors and their family members from these related party loan balances. Both SEC regulations and Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) required Eagle to disclose these material related party transactions.

Bethesda

Two MoCo Residents Claim Combined $5.7 Million in Prize Money at White Marlin Open Last Week

By MCS Staff

Published August 17, 2022 at 12:26PM

Last week we reported on the Montgomery County man, Jeremy Duffie, who claimed the world record top prize at The White Marlin Open. The total winnings have increased and Duffie, along with Sandy Spring’s Bill Britt, have claimed over $5.7 million in prize money. The White Marlin Open is a 48-year-old deep-sea fishing tournament held annually in Ocean City, Maryland. The tournament awards prize money for catches of white marlin, blue marlin, tuna, wahoo, dolphin and swordfish. This year, a Bethesda resident, Jeremy Duffie, caught a white marlin and claimed the billfish tournament’s top prize., which is a world record payout. Duffie, fishing off Ocean City boat Billfisher, reeled in a 77.5-pound white marlin and claimed $4.536 million prize. Sandy Spring’s Bill Britt (seen in photo below) received a $1.208 Million payout for reeling in a 511 pound blue marlin.

About The White Marlin Open: The first tournament, held in 1974, drew 57 boats, 150 anglers and paid $20,000 in prize money with the top award of $5,000. The 2021 event drew 444 boats, over 3,500 contestants, and paid out over $9.2 million dollars in prize money including the top individual awards of $3.2 million. Long known as “World’s Largest Billfishing Tournament,” the White Marlin Open has awarded over $86 million dollars since 1974 to the lucky winners among more than 110,000 anglers aboard over 15,000 registered boats. Along the way, the WMO became not just the largest billfish tournament, but also holds the world record for prize money payouts for any type of fishing tournament.

Crime

MCPD Update on Friday Night Shooting in Montgomery Village; No Suspect in Custody At This Time

By MCS Staff

Published August 17, 2022 at 11:58AM

Update per Montgomery County Police: At approximately 11:23 p.m., for reasons unknown a juvenile male was involved in a dispute in the area of the 18300 block of Lost Knife Circle. During the course of the dispute, shots were fired and it was determined that a juvenile male was the victim of a shooting. Officers and fire rescue responded. The victim was transported to an area hospital with serious injury.

Original Report: A teenager was shot at approximately 11:20pm last night on Lost Knife Circle, which is located just off of Montgomery Village Avenue and Lost Knife Road in Montgomery Village. Officers were initially dispatched for a sound of shots complain and found the teenaged victim critically shot. Officers rendered first aid prior to EMS arrival. The victim was transported to the hospital with very serious injuries.

Education

Open House at Thomas Edison High School of Technology Wednesday, August 17 (5:30pm-7pm)

By MCS Staff

Published August 17, 2022 at 11:25AM

Thomas Edison High School of Technology.

The Thomas Edison High School of Technology will be holding a Back-to-School Open House between 5:30pm and 7pm on Wednesday, August 17th. The school is attached to Wheaton High School and located at 12502 Dalewood Drive. The event will allow community members to join the TEHST leadership team for games, conversation, and school tours.

Anyone interested in joining the waitlist for one of the school’s programs for the upcoming school year (2022-2023) can click HERE to access the application page.

Gaithersburg

Life Time Gaithersburg to Convert One Basketball Court to Pickleball Courts

By MCS Staff

Published August 17, 2022 at 10:46AM

On Thursday, August 18th, the basketball courts at Life Time in Gaithersburg will be closed due to basketball backboards being removed, as the right side court will be permanently converted to Pickleball in the coming weeks. The basketball courts are currently unavailable due to Summer Camp that ends on Friday, August 26th. After that date, full basketball availability will continue in Gym 1 and Pickleball will become a permanent fixture once the courts are ready.

Per the Life Time website, each club has scheduled pickup play for basketball throughout the week for adults, including 18+ and 40+ only, as well as kids 17 and under and 12 and under. Outside of the pickup schedule and other scheduled events on the court, you can always shoot hoops or find a game of 21, 2-on-2 or even a run of 5-on-5. Pickleball is offered through clinics, lessons, and open play, which is a series of set times every week where all players with a reservation can participate in fun and challenging games.

Bethesda

Taste of Bethesda Returns This October

By MCS Staff

Published August 17, 2022 at 9:53AM

The 31st annual Taste of Bethesda is scheduled for Saturday, October 1st and will feature Bethesda’s best restaurants, five stages of live entertainment, an activity area for kids and more. The event is held along Norfolk, St. Elmo, Cordell, Del Ray and Auburn Avenues in Bethesda’s Woodmont Triangle. Taste of Bethesda is located just three blocks from the Bethesda Metro. Admission to the Taste of Bethesda is free. Taste tickets are sold on-site in bundles of four tickets for $5. Food servings cost one to four tickets. Restaurants serve delectable dishes from 11am-4pm. Ticket sales end at 3:30pm. Participating restaurants can be seen below, and additional information can be found here.

Events

DrinkMaryland, a Market-Like Pop Up Event, is Coming to Olde Towne Gaithersburg In September

By MCS Staff

Published August 17, 2022 at 9:40AM

DrinkMaryland, a market-like pop up event, will make a stop at Olde Towne Plaza in Gaithersburg on Friday, September 9, from 4 to 8 p.m. Featuring local Maryland wine, cider & beer, this open-air market is perfect for a casual Friday night. Learn about the local craft beverage industry from the vintners, brewers & distillers themselves while sampling their products. Enjoy live music, visit with artisans & crafters, and enjoy food from vendors & local restaurants in the historic commercial center of Gaithersburg.

Unlike traditional wine tasting events, DrinkMaryland is an open marketplace for visitors to explore. Public entry to the event is free; tasting passes for the sampling of wine, cider, mead, beer, and distilled spirits can be purchased for $20 in advance or $25 on-site. Order a sampling pass here. Artisans & crafters are still being sought for this Maryland Makers event. For vendor information, please contact the Community Museum.

Events

Oktoberfest Returns to Kentlands for Annual Celebration

By MCS Staff

Published August 17, 2022 at 9:09AM

The annual Oktoberfest celebration returns to transform the Kentlands in Gaithersburg, with multiple stages of live entertainment featuring traditional Bavarian music & dancing, along with local, regional & national talent. Fall-themed activities for families, a Business Expo, artisans, beer, mead & cider, and delicious food will delight attendees throughout the day. The event will take place on Sunday, October 9th from 12pm until 5pm. In past years this event has drawn crowds of up to 30,000. Admission, shuttles & parking are free to the public.

In the past, Oktoberfest has allowed area residents to experience a taste of Germany right in their own backyard with musical performances, traditional festival food, and samples from many local microbreweries and Maryland varietal wines. Fall festivities have previously included professional pumpkin carving and apple cider pressing demonstrations, free horse-drawn wagon rides, hands-on crafts, pumpkin and face painting, artists and crafters, family activities, and strolling entertainers. More details will be added as the event draws nearer.

Crime

Teenager Shot in Montgomery Village Tuesday Night

By MCS Staff

Published August 17, 2022 at 8:25AM | Updated August 17, 2022 at 11:56AM

Update per Montgomery County Police: At approximately 11:23 p.m., for reasons unknown a juvenile male was involved in a dispute in the area of the 18300 block of Lost Knife Circle. During the course of the dispute, shots were fired and it was determined that a juvenile male was the victim of a shooting. Officers and fire rescue responded. The victim was transported to an area hospital with serious injury.

Original Report: A teenager was shot at approximately 11:20pm last night on Lost Knife Circle, which is located just off of Montgomery Village Avenue and Lost Knife Road in Montgomery Village. Officers were initially dispatched for a sound of shots complain and found the teenaged victim critically shot. Officers rendered first aid prior to EMS arrival. The victim was transported to the hospital with very serious injuries.

Restaurants

Rockville’s Armand’s Pizzeria and Grille Voted WTOP’s ‘2022 Best Pizza’

By MCS Staff

Published August 17, 2022 at 8:14AM | Updated August 26, 2022 at 7:36AM

Armand’s Pizzeria and Grille, located at 190 Halpine Road in Rockville, has been voted as the favorite in WTOP’s ‘2022 Best Pizza’ list. Armand’s once had over 25 DMV locations with multiple restaurants right here in Montgomery County. The once-mighty local chain is now down to two family-owned locations with just the Rockville location remaining in the area and “Armand’s By the Sea” located in Bethany Beach, DE. In January of 2021, Armand’s Pizza won Taste MoCo’s tournament of 64 Montgomery County restaurants that offer pizza.

Founder Lew Newmyer opened the first Armand’s back in 1975 at Veazey Street and Wisconsin Avenue NW near Tenley Circle in Washington, D.C., after tasting deep-dish pizza during a visit to Chicago. The Newmyer family, residents of Montgomery County, owned and operated several Armand’s location, closing the last of their restaurants in 2018 when the Silver Spring location closed. The two remaining restaurants are franchised locations that still use the original recipe and cooking style Armand’s is known for. Lew, who was a Silver Spring resident, passed away in 2015 at the age of 92.

Restaurants

Paris Baguette To Open Rockville Town Square Location With Plans to Open 1,000 Bakery/Cafes By 2030

By MCS Staff

Published August 17, 2022 at 7:37AM | Updated August 17, 2022 at 9:10AM

Each Paris Baguette store location will be home to a variety of experiences designed to showcase the master bakers and cakers deep passion in their craft while inspiring a welcoming invitation to all. Walking through the main doors immediately ignites the senses with the smell of fresh baked goodness, sights of delectable charm through display cases, and an enveloping warmth of welcome and community spirit through dining spaces and murals customized with images of local landmarks.

Paris Baguette, “the neighborhood bakery café where communities come together over expertly crafted baked and brewed goods”, announced that the brand is on track to open a projected 40 new locations by the end of 2022, reaching nearly 150 locations across the United States and reinforcing its status as one of the fastest growing franchises in the country. One of those location will be in Rockville Town Square with another location (currently unknown) coming to the area soon, according to a report by Bethesda Magazine. The Rockville Town Square location will be located at 101 Gibbs Street and will offer Korean and French baked goods. Doors may open by the end of 2022.

In addition to the upcoming Montgomery County locations, the growth of the bakery/cafe will accelerate in 2023 with 96 slated bakery café openings and increased interest from franchise partners. Paris Baguette currently operates in 14 states with a focus on expanding to a nationwide footprint in top-tier markets through a combined strategic approach of corporate-owned and franchise locations; franchise agreements have been signed to expand across 25 states. “The increased interest we’ve seen in franchise agreements and rapid expansion through new store openings at Paris Baguette is a testament to the success we’ve seen by focusing on the elevated bakery café experience and creating an emotional connection with our guests,” said Darren Tipton, Chief Executive Officer, Paris Baguette America. “We set an aggressive goal to open 1,000 locations in the U.S. by 2030 and we’re on track to exceed this plan with strategic direction on growth, quality products, customer experience, and innovation.”