Author: Patrick Herron

MoCo Government

Reggae of ‘Jah Works’ Will Conclude Wheaton TGIF Free Friday Summer Concert Series on Aug. 25

By Patrick Herron

Per Montgomery County: The reggae music of Jah Works will conclude the Wheaton TGIF Friday summer concert series on Friday, Aug. 25, at the Marian Fryer Town Plaza, adjacent to the Wheaton Business Triangle and near the Wheaton Metro Station.

The event will feature live artist demonstrations and beverages from Twin Valley Distillers. The TGIF party will begin on the plaza at 5 p.m. with a DJ set followed by a live concert at 6 p.m. The after-party will rotate to nearby local bars from 8-9 p.m. Parking is available in the building at 2425 Reedie Dr.

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MoCo Government

DHCA: Unprecedented Three-Pronged Approach to Funding Neighborhood Revitalization Launched With $3.7 Million for White Oak Façade Improvement Initiative

By Patrick Herron

Per Montgomery County: The Montgomery County Department of Housing and Community Affairs (DHCA) has launched a unique, three-pronged approach to neighborhood revitalization by combining State and County funding, along with a financial commitment from local businesses and property owners, to kick-off a community improvement initiative in White Oak.

The White Oak Façade Improvement Initiative is public-private partnership that will combine an estimated $3.7 million to enhance and modernize an aging commercial area along a stretch of Lockwood Drive at New Hampshire Avenue. The goal of the project is to make highly visible improvements that will address physical and economic decline in the area to attract more consumers and foster economic growth.

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Derwood

‘In Search of Historic Derwood’ Will Be Montgomery History Free Online Presentation on Tuesday, Aug. 22

By Patrick Herron

Per Montgomery County: “Derwood is a large zip code area today, but few Montgomery County residents would be able to say exactly where is the locality originally called “Deerwood.” In a Montgomery History online presentation at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 22, historian Ralph Buglass will provide much of the information that GPS cannot address.

One confusing “hint” about Derwood: a Metrorail station with a different name is nearby.

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Montgomery Parks

Nature Centers of Montgomery Parks Will Have Special Programs in August Including Citronella Candle Making and a Wildflower Walk

By Patrick Herron

Per Montgomery County: August starts giving hints that the end of summer could be in sight, so the nature centers of Montgomery Parks are offering many ways to make the most of the month. The schedule includes a class on how to make citronella candles that can ward off mosquitoes and a walk through the wildflowers of the Locust Grove Nature Center in Bethesda.

The August schedule of special events at nature centers will include:

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MoCo Government

Maryland Sales Tax Holiday Continues Through Saturday, Aug. 19

By Patrick Herron

Per Montgomery County: Shoppers in Maryland can continue to save by not paying the State sales tax of six percent on qualifying clothing and footwear priced $100 or less through midnight on Saturday, Aug. 19. The first $40 of back/bookbag sales also qualify.

“Clothing or footwear” means an article of apparel designed to be worn on or about the human body, states the definition from the Office of the Maryland Comptroller. “Accessory items” include, but are not limited to, jewelry, watches, watchbands, handbags, handkerchiefs, umbrellas, scarves, ties, headbands and belt buckles.

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Derwood

16th Annual ‘Bluegrass on the Farm’ Festival in Derwood Will Feature Great Music at a Farm Setting on Saturday, Sept. 9

By Patrick Herron

Per Montgomery County: The 16th Annual “Bluegrass on the Farm” festival on Saturday, Sept. 9, will feature a hayride full of top entertainers at the Montgomery County Agricultural History Farm Park in Derwood. Top performers scheduled include Big Howdy, the Red Line Ramblers and Karen Collins and the BackRoads Band.

The scenic 455-acre park offers lots of lawn seating. Concert attendees should bring their own chairs or blankets for seating and can bring their own food. There will be food available for purchase on site. Attendees also can bring their own instruments to jam before the show or between acts. Parking is free and leashed pets are welcome.

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MoCo Government

Department of Permitting Services Will Enforce Changes to Law Regarding Demolition Work Starting Monday, Aug. 21

By Patrick Herron

Per Montgomery County: An amendment to Montgomery County Code Chapter 8-27 regarding the demolition or removal of buildings will go into effect on Monday, Aug. 21, to ensure that when a residential building is demolished or substantially demolished, a demolition permit will be required. The law also will require any new home rebuilt on that site have a new home building permit. The County’s Department of Permitting Services (DPS) issues the permits.

The amended legislation redefines the term demolition to include removal of two-thirds (67 percent) of first story exterior walls of a single-family or two-family dwelling (duplex or townhouse) or if less than one-third of existing first-floor exterior walls (enclosing a habitable space of a house) are left in place above the basement or foundation.

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MoCo Government

Americorps Seeking Recent High School Graduates to Serve in ‘Project Change’ to Help Them Confidently Advance to Next Steps in Life

By Patrick Herron

Per Montgomery County: Americorps, which has been helping recent high school graduates build confidence and skills to advance to their next steps in life, is seeking to recruit recent graduates who are wondering about their future. As part of “Project Change,” Americorps volunteers would be placed in a variety of positions, earning stipends for their work.

Applications are now being accepted for positions that will be filled soon.

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MoCo Police

Gun Buyback Event to be Held August 26; $100/$200 Visa Gift Cards Offered for Functioning Guns Including Assault Style Weapons and “Ghost Guns”

By Patrick Herron

The Rockville City Police Department will be holding a gun buyback event on Saturday, August 26, from 9am-1pm at RedGate Park in Rockville. Last year over 300 hundred guns were turned at similar event. Full details below:

The Rockville City Police Department, in partnership with the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office and Montgomery County Public Schools, will host a gun buyback event from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 26, at RedGate Park – 14500 Avery Road, Rockville, MD 20850.

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Gaithersburg

Update on Akira Ramen & Izakaya in Gaithersburg

By Patrick Herron

Permanent signage is up for Akira Ramen & Izakaya in Gaithersburg. The restaurant will be located next to Ela Mesa Taste of Greece (109 Paramount Park Drive) in the Spectrum Town Center. Construction is progressing, but there’s plenty of work left to go before there’s a better idea of when the restaurant will open. Akira’s first restaurant opened in 2017 at The Galvan in Rockville.

Per Akira: At Akira Ramen, we specialize in taking the authentic ramen experience to the next level. First, we offer unique in-house broth that would suit everyones’ taste: Tonkatsu salt, Miso, Shoyu and Vegetable broth. With extra toppings as an option, you can customize your ramen anytime. Second, our thin and curly noodles are made in-house daily.

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Burtonsville

New Acting Principal Begins Today at Paint Branch High School

By Patrick Herron

Pam Krawczel starts today as the acting principal of Paint Branch High School (14121 Old Columbia Pike) in Burtonsville. Dr. Joel Beidleman, who was promoted to the Paint Branch principal position in June, was placed on an extended leave earlier this month after a Washington Post article alleged that he was reported to Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) 18 times in seven years for alleged sexual harassment, workplace bullying, and other inappropriate conduct at multiple schools. Krawczel was previously the assistant principal at Wheaton High School and recently completed a principal internship at Damascus High School, according to a report by Moco360.

Damascus High School sent the following community message the DHS community: “We would like to congratulate Ms. Pam Krawczel, who has been named the Acting Principal of Paint Branch High School. We are very happy for Ms. Krawczel and thank her for her work at Damascus High School. We will be interviewing for a new assistant principal and will update the community on that position as soon as we are able.”

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