Around this time last year, President Biden talked about relocating the FBI headquarters to the suburbs from its current Pennsylvania Avenue location in DC. This past September, the GSA officially announced the new sight selection process for the new headquarters.

Currently, Maryland has two proposed locations for the FBI headquarters in PG county and Virginia has one Springfield location as a contender. The competition between Maryland and Virginia picked up this past week when the Maryland governor, lieutenant governor, Prince George’s County Executive, and Democrats in Congress all signed a letter for President Biden. The letter argues that the proposed Maryland locations “has the potential to be a shining example of the integrity of your executive orders” relating to racial equity and opportunities that he signed on his first day in office. 

“The economic disparity between Prince George’s County and other jurisdictions in the National Capital Region did not materialize overnight. It is the result of a systemic imbalance in decision making over time about the sitting of federal offices….”

Virginia leaders countered the argument by saying that brining bringing federal facilities to Springfield is in line with the president’s stance on considering racial equity. Maryland then rebutted the augment by stating that stating diversity is not the same as equity, pointing out that Fairfax County overall is 64% white while Prince George’s is a majority-minority county. 

During the heat of the rapid-fire between states, on March 9th, Maryland governor Wes Moore (D) challenged Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin (R) to a game of basketball where the winner gets the new FBI HQ, and Gov Yongkin accepted with a reply tweet saying “game on!”

There is no official word as to whether or not a game would actually take place but it definitely lightened up the mood with a friendly Twitter exchange.

Game on! https://t.co/7lkZyB5Jmt pic.twitter.com/iIGyFoWWjA

— Governor Glenn Youngkin (@GovernorVA) March 9, 2023

Yuvan Sundrani (sophomore information science major at UMD), Jason Steinberg (sophomore computer science major at UMD), and Sid Jagtap (sophomore finance major at the University of Michigan) are launching an exciting new app called Soshi. Simply put, the app allows users to share all of their social media and contact information in one place with one tap.

These students were amongst the many seniors to miss out on the end of the year senior fun and started freshman year behind a screen. Quarantine left everyone with a little extra time on their hands. Jason Steinberg and Sid Jagtap founded MoCo Tutors, an affordable digital tutoring service aimed at helping Montgomery County students struggling with virtual instruction. Meanwhile, Yuvan Sundrani gained some experience and insight while interning with the artificial intelligence laboratory at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in Gaithersburg as a Data Engineer Intern.

The winter break before the first back in-person semester started in the spring, Jagtap, a business major with an entrepreneurial spirit wanted to fix a common first-world problem: the awkwardness and tediousness of exchanging multiple contact and social media information one at a time. “Oftentimes, asking and exchanging your phone number, Instagram, and Snapchat all at once can really disrupt the flow of a conversation”, Jagtap said. Sundrani and Steinberg were immediately intrigued and, together, the trio gathered to create mock ups of the app in Sundrani’s basement. 

Soshi, the app, develops an individualized QR code to quickly and efficiently exchange information. Without storing any passwords, it gathers all of a user’s selected social media under their personalized Soshi profile. With toggle switches, users are able to switch which social media they want to share depending on the person.

When non-users scan a Soshi user’s QR code, they are taken to an online webpage with the user’s desired socials neatly hyperlinked. Existing app users will be redirected to the friends section of the app where they can track their connections for later reference.

The creators emphasize the importance of simplicity so that anyone can use it. The trio noticed how competitors in the space either had too many overwhelming features or did not cater towards the everyday person. Steinberg stated how “this app is something that people, especially college students, can use with people they meet in class, at parties, the gym, a pickup basketball game, and more”.

The summer of 2020, provided the trio with more time to work on the app. On slow or rainy days at the Germantown pool, the other lifeguards would make fun of the trio for spending time on the app instead of having  “fun.”

Along the way, Sundrani and Steinberg  taught themselves a new programming language called “Flutter” that is compatible with both Android and iOS. When asked whether it was challenging to learn Flutter, Sundrani said “it was definitely a learning curve but Jason and I began to enjoy creating the app once we got past it”.  This process has been a continuous cycle of trial, error, learning, and fixing errors, but one that has ultimately proved to be rewarding.

Steinberg shared that the most shocking part about the process was how long it took; the team started in the winter of 2021 and December 9th is the first scheduled beta release.Going forward, the three say that they envision themselves turning this side project into a full time job if the opportunity presents itself. 

Fun Facts: 

• One of Yuvan Sundrani’s favorite food spots is Mr. K’s Cafe Germantown
• Jason Steinberg has a biking hobby, he has even biked to Pittsburgh from MoCo! He loves living in MoCo because in a few hours he could find himself biking on back roads to sugarloaf or take the opposite and end up in a different location..
• Sid Jagtap, a former Arizona resident, enjoys cherry blossom season the most in MoCo and the pleasant weather that comes with it.

Damascus Native Wil Armstrong Completes Cross Country Bike Ride For ALS

72 days after commencing his cross country, against the wind bike ride for ALS, Damascus native Will Armstrong has completed his trip. He started on June 26th from Rehoboth Beach, DE, and finished September 6th in First Beach La Push, Washington. 

Throughout this journey, Wil updated his daily blog with his progress, experiences, and related statistics. Inspired by his mentor and former basketball coach, Rodney Lapp who has ALS, Will dedicated his cross-country journey to ALS and crowdfunded for the ALS Association.

Over the past 73 days, Wil has ridden and camped in various weather conditions. Riding in the haziness of the Canadian Wildfires in Minnesota, Montana, and North Dakota was strenuous work. He would wear a mask while riding to avoid breathing in the smoke. 

After camping out in storms, Wil faced another one of Mother Nature’s obstacles, a heat wave in Montana. Morning temperatures were about 50 degrees Fahrenheit and would rise to 100+ degrees Fahrenheit by 2:00. To avoid as much of the heat wave as possible he started to wake up between at 3:30/4:00am to get going before the heat and wind picked up after noon.

He ran off of 6 packs of bagels for weeks, ate over 200 different kinds of bars (fruit bars, nature valley bars etc), and ran an impressive banana and apple count (86 bananas and 74 apples in his second month). Audio books, music playlists and educational podcasts (on crypto currency and economic theory) helped him pass time keeping his mind busy as he peddled his way through. A special shout out goes to the Home Depot theme song, he would loop the song from the commercial almost every day. He even got to apply for jobs and write up cover letters at camp.

Throughout the trip, Wil has been met with the overwhelming kindness of friends, families, and strangers. From getting to know and exchanging stories with strangers, to sleeping on strangers boats, sleeping arrangements (hotels and motels) paid by individuals along the way, camping in strangers back yards, and couch crashing.

To learn more about his daily encounters through out this trip his website is linked HERE. ALS Research donations can be found HERE. To learn more about his ride you can check out our previous article HERE.

Photo Curtesy of @wilsride Instagram

Metro Offering New Incentives, Including $2 Rides, Discounts and Service Improvements to Get Riders Back

Metro has added some new discounts and scheduling to try to get people back onto trains and buses starting this Labor Day. They include:

• $2 fare for weekend train rides, no mater how far you are going.
• Discounting monthly passes by 40% for 30 days in September as workers head back to the office.
• Discount day and weeklong rail and bus passes by 50%. These would also be temporary 30-day discounts to woo riders back to the system.
• Indefinitely eliminating the $2 cost to transfer from bus to rail service.
• Lowers the seven-day regional bus pass cost to $12 ($6 for seniors and disabled people)

For service changes, Metro is focusing on providing more consistent service throughout the day.

• Peak hour service would have trains every five to ten minutes.
• Rail would stay open until midnight seven days a week starting in July and increase to 1 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays starting this fall.
• The rail service should see 12-minute or less waits during most of the day.
• 20 of the busiest bus routes would see 12-minute or less waits during the day. Sixteen other bus lines would have service every 20 minutes or less.

In June the WTMA (The Washington Township Municipal Authority) shared how rail ridership was down 83 percent over 2019, and bus ridership was down 65 percent.

Taste of Bethesda Food Festival Cancelled

The annual Taste of Bethesda Festival scheduled for October 2, for the second year in a row, will not be taking place due to the recent resurgence of COVID-19 cases.

The Downtown Bethesda Management organization and Bethesda Urban Partnership announced the cancellation on August 31st. 

Traditionally the festival features live entertainment as the community strolls the streets filled with local vendors from nearby restaurants. Previous evens have attracted over 45,000 individuals.

Smaller-scale activities, such as live music at The Streetery and “yappy hour,” will continue in Bethesda.

Last year the Bethesda urban partnership replaced the event with an 11 day restaurant promotion event where Downtown Bethesda offered fixed-priced menus. Currently, there is no word on a replacement to take place.

The announcement was first reported byDan Schere from Bethesda Magazine.

Maryland Board of Education Votes to Mandate Masks for All Schools

Today the Maryland State Board of Education voted 11-1 for an emergency regulation to require all children and adults to wear masks in public schools statewide. This decision was made in an effort to preserve in-person learning as the Delta variant spreads at alarming rates.

Maryland joins Puerto Rico, Washington, D.C., and 14 states that include California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Virginia, and Washington.

While the majority of the state’s 24 jurisdictions had already mandated masks, five counties had not – Carroll, Cecil, Dorchester, Somerset and Worcester, according to WTOP.

The CDC reported that 51.7% of Marylanders are fully Vaccinated.

Alicia Deeny is the First Latina High School Principal in MCPS

Established in 1892, Richard Montgomery High School (RM) is the oldest public high school in Montgomery County. For the first time ever RM appointed a female principal, and she is also MCPS first Latina High School Principal in History.

Alicia Deeny, Richard Montgomery’s new principal, grew up in Montgomery County and attended public Schools. She grew up with a Puerto Rican mother who was an English major and taught her to take pride in the family’s heritage while only speaking to her in Spanish.

Before starting her role at Richard Montgomery, Deeny served as the Takoma Park Middle School Principal and before that she experienced being on a high school administrative team by serving as one of Blair’s assistant principals.

Michael Jordan is an avid open sea fisher. During the fishing season, MJ spends time traveling the coast in his 8 million dollar fishing boat to participate in fishing competitions. MJ and his boat Catch 23’ were registered for the 2021 White Marlin Open, (August 2nd through 6th) for the third year in a row. In the past he hasn’t caught anything worth a cash prize. 

For three years in a row, the arrival of Jordan’s private plane at the Salisbury airport has been something local residents look out for. CATCH 23′ is powered by MTU engines and has a max speed of 40 knots and a range of more than 500 nm. The yacht can accommodate eight guests and a crew of two. The 216 square-foot cockpit is built for deep-sea fishing. There’s a transom door, a massive freezer, a large storage space, and fish wells The boat features Jordan’s signature elephant skin print that is also on his private jet. The elephant skin print was used on the Jordan 3s sneakers.

https://youtu.be/a-drHwVUeI4

Rockville’s Helen Louise Maroulis Becomes The First American Woman to Win Two Olympic Medals in Wrestling

Helen Louise Maroulis is a Rockville-born freestyle wrestler who competes in the women’s 55-kg 53-kg and 57-kg categories. She was the first-ever American to win a gold medal in women’s freestyle wrestling back at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.

On Wednesday, she became the first American woman to win two Olympic medals in wrestling when she beat khongorzul Boldsaikhan from Mongolia

She attended Magruder High School for three years, where as a freshman she became the first female wrestler to place at the Maryland state wrestling championships. She has been a great spokesperson for mental health awareness after suffering many physical injuries, brain trauma and the effects of prescription medicines.

(2016 Rio Olympic Games, first-ever American to win a gold medal in women’s freestyle wrestling)

The 72nd Montgomery County Agricultural Fair is just around the corner! Here are a few updates you should know before planning your visit:

The Old MacDonald’s Barn will open at 3 pm on opening day, and 10 am for the rest of the fair

Friday, August 13th^, and Saturday, August 14th

The horse barn will be open to the public

All exhibit buildings will be closed to the public except for the commercial exhibits in chilly Mall #6

Fair Gates open from 10am–12midnight | Carnival open from 12noon–12midnight on the 14th and 11PM on Sunday, August 15th

Sunday, August 15th

Animal exhibits open at 12noon through the end of the Fair.

Monday, August 16th is family day!

Fair Gates open from 10am – 11pm.  Carnival open from 12noon – 11pm.

FREE admission for all youth ages 11 and under.  Carnival one-day ride wristbands are $20 for all ages.
Wristbands MUST be purchased from 12noon – 5pm ON-SITE and EACH person purchasing one must be present.  You can ride until 11pm. All buildings are open to the public.

The MoCo Show is proud to be an official sponsor of the 2021 Montgomery County Agricultural Fair!

Tickets are available here and don’t forget, children 11 and under are free everyday.

Free and Discounted Activities at this Year’s Montgomery County Agricultural Fair

This year the annual Montgomery County Agricultural Fair will run from August 13th through the 21st. The MoCo Show is proud to be an official sponsor of the 2021 Montgomery County Agricultural Fair, please make sure to stop by our booth and say hello!

Tickets are available here and don’t forget, children 11 and under are free everyday.

DAILY FAIR SCHEDULE:
• Friday, August 13th, 3 pm-midnight
• Saturday, August 14th, 10 am – midnight
• Sunday, August 15th – Thursday, August 19th, 10 am to 11 pm
• Friday, August 20 – Saturday, August 21st, 10 am – midnight
Carnival hours of operation:
• Friday, August 13th, 3:00 pm – midnight
• Saturday, August 14th noon – midnight
• Sunday, August 15th – Thursday, August 19th noon to 11 pm
• Friday, August 20 – Saturday, August 21st, noon-midnight

WHATS FREE?

All children ages eleven and under get free admission every day at the fair.

Free parking and shuttle bus service is offered from Lakeforest Mall, located at Lost Knife Rd. and Odenhal Ave. Fairground parking is $10 per vehicle.

On Tuesday, August 17th , the fair will be celebrating Senior Day in partnership with Adventist HelathCare. Admissions will be free for those who are 62 and over from 10 AM to 5 PM.
On Thursday, August 19th, the Montgomery County agricultural fair will be celebrating military day. Admission is free for any active military who come in uniform or display a valid military ID at the tickets booth, hours run from 10 AM to 5 PM.

ANIMALS

• Old MacDonald’s Barn exhibit teaches you about many different animals. (Barn is open EVERY day)
• The Barns display all types and breeds of farm animals, such as; Cows, Goats, Horses, Pigs, Poultry, Rabbits, Sheep, and sometimes babies too. (These barn displays do not open until Sunday, August 16th at noon)

There are many contests you may participate in for free, such as:
• Flower Arranging •
• Twitter Scavenger Hunt • win Cash
• Stang Plumbing & Heating Toilet & Toilet Seat Decorating
• Cheese Carving • Project G Street • You Be the Judge • •Coloring Contest •My Best Fair Photo Contest
*** Please visit macgfair.com for contest rules ***

4-H livestock is abundant and exhibits on display for free at the Fair.
Animal shows are held in our Cattle, Beef, Swine, and Sheep & Goat Pavilions on various days and times. *Horse events are held in the Horse Arena on various days and times*
The Fair has many interesting displays and demonstrations, such as:
• Adventist HealthCare Shady Grove Medical Center Mooo-ternity Ward – check in frequently to see if a calf is on its way or taking its first steps.
• The Milking Parlor – You can “Milk a Cow” by hand for $1, on various days and times.*
• Home Arts in Building #6
• 4-H in Building #6
• Photography, Arts & Crafts in  Building #3
• Farm & Garden in Building #2
• Old Timers in Building #2
Please see each building for the demonstrations.

FREE GRANDSTAND EVENTS/SHOWS

• Truck Drag Racing- Friday, August 13 at 7:30 pm
FREE in the Xfinity Grandstand
• ATV Drag Racing – Saturday, August 14 at 7:30 pm
FREE in the Xfinity Grandstand.
• Renegade Monster Truck Tour – Wednesday and Thursday, August 18 & 19 at 7:30 pm in the Xfinity Grandstand; $15 online, $17 at the gate per person 12 and older, $10 online, $12 at the gate for children 3 – 11, children 2 and under are Free
• Demolition Derby:” Night of Destruction”- Friday and Saturday, August 20 and 21 at 7:30 pm in the Xfinity Grandstand; $15 online, $17 at the gate per person 12 and older, $10 online, $12 at the gate for children 3 – 11, children 2 and under are free.

Many vendor booths will have free giveaways and drawings.

FREE PERFORMANCES AND EVENTS 

• Brad Matchett – Comedy Hypnotist Show, Every day at 9 pm on the PEPCO, and Exelon Company Community Stage
• Fast Action Motorsports Fame Racing– Free remote control racing, various times daily near Bldg. #3
• 4-H Parade – Sunday, August 15 at 5 pm on Maple Ave.
• Fair Royalty Coronation – Sunday, August 15 immediately following the 4-H Parade on the PEPCO, an Exelon Company Community Stage
• Honey Bee Demonstrations – Daily at 1, 4, & 6 pm in Farmer’s Triangle
• Pig Races brought to you by Grant County Mulch – Daily in Racing Park *
• Carrie McQueen Stilt Walker – Find her roaming the Fairgrounds daily.
• Chainsaw Carver – 2, 5, and 7 pm daily at Farmer’s Triangle (4, 6, and 8 pm on August 14th)
• Raptor’s Up Close – Monday- Friday 11 am on the PEPCO, an Exelon Company Community Stage. Visit their tent on the upper grounds to see the Raptors up close
• Community Dance & Musical Performances – Daily on the PEPCO, an Exelon Company Community Stage *
• Maryland Agricultural Showcase – Daily, upper grounds, in the KidZone
• Agricadabra – Fun and Entertaining educational agricultural shows daily on the PEPCO, an Exelon Company Community Stage
• Pirates of the Colombian Caribbean- This action- packed show is entertaining for the whole family. 12, 4, and 7:30 pm daily on the upper grounds. (3:30, 5:30, and 7:30 on August 13th)
• Extreme Illusions & Escapes – This show is mixed with amazing stage illusions, and skillful escapes, audience participation, and exciting music. Daily at 2:30, 4:30, and 8 pm on the PEPCO, an Exelon Company Community Stage.
• KidZone – ALL the activities & games in this area are free, such as:
STEAM tent, large oversized games, arts and crafts o Many activities occur throughout the day.

The summer reading program completed will earn children free food & a ride.

RIDE DISCOUNTS

Friday, August 13 – One-day ride wristbands will cost $20.00, from 3 pm to midnight only.

One-day ride wristband, available online only, through August 14 at midnight for $20.00. (Does not include Fair admission fee).

Monday, August 16 & Wednesday, August 18 – Family Day Ride Special
On Monday and Wednesday ONLY one-day ride wristbands will cost $20.00 starting at noon and ending at 5 pm, you may ride until 11pm. Ride all rides but the Air Raid. Ride wrsitbands WILL be placed on wrist at time of purchase. Absolutely no exceptions. ***CARNIVAL ONLY ACCEPTS CASH***