Author: Patrick Herron

Gaithersburg

Spirit Halloween Returning to Rio in New Location

By Patrick Herron

Spirit Halloween is coming to the former Pier 1 location (30 Grand Corner Ave) in Gaithersburg’s Rio. Currently, the upcoming Gaithersburg store is the only Montgomery County location listed on Spirit’s website. Last year, Spirit had additional locations in Burtonsville and Rockville.  During the Halloween season, Spirit operates over 1,400 stores in North America. The Spirit Halloween website is open year-round, offering its in-store products online. The store usually open 30-60 days prior to Halloween.

In previous years, Spirit has opened at 101 Boardwalk Place in Rio. That location is scheduled to become a new “plan and order” concept from IKEA later this year. Click here to see a full list of what’s new and what’s coming soon at Rio.

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MDLottery

71-Year-Old MoCo Plumber Wins $41,385

By Patrick Herron

The winner told Lottery officials that a friend of his, who is an avid Racetrax player, recently won a big prize playing the simulated horseracing game. “Racetrax was a little bit on my mind after talking to my friend. I guess that’s why I bought the ticket. I made sure it was a Superfecta bet, just like his was.” The lucky plumber reports that his life has been very busy lately, professionally and personally, so it took a few weeks to cash in his $41,385 winning quick-pick ticket from the July 25 race. “It was such a good feeling knowing that I had this coming. I am going to share my good luck with my family.”

The Lottery terminal at Corner Market & Pharmacy produced the big winner, randomly selecting horses 6, 4, 11 and 7. The market’s owner receives a $413.85 bonus from the Lottery for selling a winning Racetrax ticket of $10,000 or more. The bonus is equal to 1% of the prize.” Featured photo courtesy of Google Maps.

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Glenmont

372 Vehicles Stopped, 5 Arrested During August 25 Sobriety Checkpoint

By Patrick Herron

Montgomery County Police has announced that during the August 25 sobriety checkpoint on northbound Georgia Avenue at Weller Road, officers from MCPD and allied agencies stopped approximately 372 vehicles and arrested 5 people for driving while impaired. Last week MCPD announced that it stopped 565 vehicles and arrested 4 people for driving while impaired during an August 18th sobriety checkpoint on northbound Frederick Road at Game Preserve Road in Gaithersburg.

Last month, recreational marijuana use became legal in the state of Maryland and Montgomery County Police Chief Marcus Jones issued the following reminder before the July 4th weekend, “We implore drivers to think of cannabis the same way they think of alcohol. Do not get behind the wheel of a car if you are impaired. Our officers will pull over and arrest anyone they suspect of driving while impaired. Alcohol, marijuana and other drugs can impair the ability to drive because they slow coordination, judgment, and reaction times. Our priority is keeping the roads safe for everyone.”

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Bethesda

Ledo Pizza Voted WTOP’s ‘2023 Best Pizza’; Several MoCo Pizzerias Make the List

By Patrick Herron

Ledo Pizza was voted best pizza in DC, Maryland, and Virgina by a recent reader/listener poll conducted by WTOP.  Ledo Pizza started near The University of Maryland in 1955 with its first location on University Boulevard. Since then, Ledo Pizza has grown substantially from just one location to over one hundred locations throughout Maryland, D.C., Virginia, South Carolina, West Virginia, New York, and Florida. Ledo Pizza is one of the pioneers of what we call “Maryland Style Pizza” and has Montgomery County locations in Bethesda, Damascus, Germanton, Montgomery Village, North Potomac, Rockville, and Silver Spring.

Additional pizzerias with Montgomery County locations to make the list include:

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Gaithersburg

Gaithersburg Arts Barn announces Season-Opening Concert & Reception featuring Pianist Brian Ganz on Saturday, September 9 (sponsored)

By Patrick Herron

Sponsored article by the Gaithersburg Arts Barn: The Gaithersburg Arts Barn is pleased to announce its exciting 2023-24 artistic season of concerts, theater, comedy and magic, film, and more. The season kicks off with a headlining concert and arts fundraiser and reception featuring world-renowned pianist Brian Ganz.

Widely regarded as one of the leading pianists of his generation, Brian Ganz returns to the Arts Barn on September 9 for the first Legacy Campaign Concert and reception. Ganz has made it his mission to join vivid music making with warmth and intimacy onstage to produce a new kind of listening experience, in which great works come to life with authentic emotional power. For this special event, enjoy a special reception of delicious hors d’oeuvres and desserts, sponsored by French bistro Laperaux, bubbly, and wine followed by an intimate concert of incredible music. Your ticket purchase will contribute to the purchase of a new concert piano and expanded music programming for the community.

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Bethesda

Peruvian Chicken Restaurant Coming to Former Tara Thai Location in Montgomery Mall

By Patrick Herron

Brio’s Chicken has announced it will open a location at Westfield Montgomery Mall (7101 Democracy Blvd) in Bethesda. The restaurant will be located in the space previously occupied by Tara Thai, which closed this past spring.  Menu items at Brio’s will includes Peruvian charbroiled chicken, empanadas, paninis, steaks, and seafood. Brio’s plans to be open daily from 8am-9pm and will offer Sunday brunch (full menu below.) No opening timeframe has been announced.

Brio’s Chicken was scheduled to open a location in the Kentlands but after several years of delays and issues caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the restaurant never materialized.  Brio’s Chicken previously had a location in Aspen Hill in the Aspen Manor shopping center, where Outback is located, but that location is under new ownership and is now known as Gio’s Chicken.

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Clarksburg

Detectives Investigate Residential Burglaries in Clarksburg and Germantown; Reward of up to $10,000 Offered for Information Leading to Arrest

By Patrick Herron

Per MCPD: Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – 5th District Investigative Section are investigating two residential burglaries that occurred on Friday, June 30, 2023, and Thursday, August 3, 2023.

On Friday, June 30, 2023, 5th District officers responded to a residence in the 12300 block of Houser Dr., in Clarksburg, where the victim noticed his rear door smashed in and found multiple pieces of property were stolen.  On Thursday, August 3, 2023, 5th District officers responded to a residence in the 19900 block of Crystal Rock Dr., in Germantown, where the victims advised that when they returned home, their door had been pried open and found multiple pieces of property and an undisclosed amount of money stolen.

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MoCo Government

Ghost Guns and AK-47 Among Firearms Turned in at Buyback Event

By Patrick Herron

On Saturday, August 26, the Rockville City Police Department (RCPD), in partnership with the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office and Montgomery County Public Schools, held a “gun buyback” event at RedGate Park (14500 Avery Rd) in Rockville. Residents that turned in a firearm received a receive a $100 Visa gift card for functioning handguns, rifles and shotguns or $200 in Visa gift cards for functioning assault-style weapons and privately manufactured firearms (ghost guns).

According to RCPD, over 110 firearms were voluntarily turned in within the first hour of the event. We will post an update when the final tally is announced. More than 300 firearms were voluntarily turned during a similar event held last August. Additional details about Saturday’s event below:

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Restaurants

Ming’s Chinese Restaurant Now Open

By Patrick Herron

Ming’s, a new restaurant serving Chinese cuisine, is now open at 800 Pleasant Dr. Suite 120 in Rockville’s King Farm neighborhood. Ming’s is located in the space that was previously home to Imperial Chinese Gardens.  Menu specialties include Hunan Style Bamboo Shoots, Kongbao Jumbo Shrimp, House Style Cumin Lamb, and Sauteed Beef Intestines.  Full menu can be seen here. The restaurant is open 11am-9:30pm Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 11am-9am Sunday, and closed Tuesdays.

In other King Farm news, coming soon signage is up for Pet Wants at 302 King Farm Blvd Ste 130 in Rockville, next to Montgomery County’s last remaining Baja Fresh. Pet Wants offers pet food that contains no corn, wheat, soy, or animal byproducts.  Pet Wants Rockville has been in business since 2021 operating as a delivery service and vendor at local farmers markets, and this will be its first brick-and-mortar location. The store is targeting a fall opening and plans to host regular pet adoption events with local rescues.

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Restaurant

Filo Cafe in Rockville Listed for Sale

By Patrick Herron

Filo Cafe at 4836 Boiling Brook Pkwy in Rockville is currently listed for sale on BizBuySell for $250,000.  The self-described “mom and pop restaurant” that offers Filipino cuisine opened in October 2022. According to the listing, “Filo Cafe owned by Romeo & Lydia Ermitano seeks new ownership. Exceptional opportunity. Look no further, our highly regarded Filipino restaurant is now available for sale. We have been the go-to-destination for authentic Filipino cuisine, captivating the hearts and palates of our loyal customers. Our restaurant has become synonymous with quality innovation, and an unrivaled dining experience. Now it’s time for a new chapter , and we invite you to be visionary behind its continued success.

Furthermore, our prime location in a bustling area ensures high visibility and easy accessibility for both locals and visitors alike. The potential for growth and expansion is immense. Don’t miss out on this remarkable opportunity to own a renowned Filipino restaurant that’s poised for continued success”

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