Author: Patrick Herron

Bethesda

KID Museum FREE For MCPS Students on Sundays Through August 27 (Registration Required)

By Patrick Herron
Courtesy Kid Museum

KID Museum is dedicated to expanding access for the MCPS community by providing free opportunities to participate in our programming. Thanks to the generous support of Montgomery County Public Schools, all MCPS students and families can register for free admission to KID Museum, now through August 27, 2023.

KID Museum opened last May in its new flagship site at Bethesda Metro Center, 3 Bethesda Metro Center, Suite 140— a brand new, 28,000 square foot facility “created to foster the “Mind of a Maker” and empower the next generation with the skills to invent the future.” The state-of-the-art makerspace is purpose-built for kids ages 4-14 to explore coding, robotics, engineering design, and hands-on maker learning, with the capacity to welcome more than 100,000 visitors every year. There will be grand opening events, becoming a member, or sponsoring us to help all kids discover a love of exploring, creating, and collaborating to become makers of the future.

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MoCo Government

Montgomery County ABC Becomes Exclusive Mid-Atlantic Seller of Domaine de Galuval Wines from the Rhône Valley

By Patrick Herron

Per Montgomery County: Montgomery County Alcohol Beverage Services (ABS) has leveraged its direct import capacity and is now offering eight creative and cutting-edge wines from the Domaine de Galuval winery in the Rhône Valley of France. ABS serves as the exclusive distributor of these wines in the Mid-Atlantic Region. Only a few other U.S. outlets—in California, Puerto Rico and New York City—carry Domaine de Galuval products. The Domain de Galuval wines are available now in all ABS Liquor Wine retail stores and Oak Barrel & Vine stores throughout the County. They also are available at participating privately owned beer and wine stores and restaurants.

The eight highly rated wines are unique creations, inspired by nature and true to the individual character of each vintage. The eye-catching labels feature works of art that represent the unique geology and character of the terroirs of the Domain de Galuval Estate. By importing directly, ABS is able to offer the products at attractive price points.

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Crime

Driver Who Struck and Killed Elderly Couple on Election Day Convicted of Vehicular Homicide While Under the Influence of Alcohol

By Patrick Herron
Courtesy Google Maps

According to the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office, “After a bench trial today in the Circuit Court for Montgomery County, MD, the honorable Bibi Berry found defendant, Davinder Singh, 47, of Gaithersburg, guilty of Homicide by Motor Vehicle While Under the Influence of Alcohol, Driving While Under the Influence of Alcohol, and multiple related charges. Singh faces up to ten years in prison and $14,000 in fines. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for October 20th, 2023, at 1:30 p.m.

This stems from the Election Day collision on Tuesday, November 8th, 2022, that occurred on School Drive in Gaithersburg which caused the deaths of 65-year-old Miguel Antonio Ortiz and 70-year-old Ana Margarita Ortiz.  The married couple from Gaithersburg were crossing the street to vote at a school polling place. Assistant State’s Attorney Bryan Roslund is handling prosecution of this case.

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Maryland

Governor Wes Moore Announces $6.6 Million Federal Grant To Advance Apprenticeships Through Maryland Department of Labor

By Patrick Herron

Per the State of Maryland: Governor Wes Moore today announced that the Maryland Department of Labor received $6.6 million through the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration to help expand apprenticeship throughout the state. The funding will help connect thousands of Marylanders to good paying careers in vital and high-growth industries, including hospitality and tourism, and will establish a public sector innovation fund to bolster public service attraction and retention efforts.

“With this grant, we will be able to keep pace and continue to add new industries and new occupations, in addition to bringing apprenticeship to more Marylanders,” said Gov. Moore. “The funding will direct key resources to supporting apprentices and establishing connections to partners and employers to bolster staffing, outreach, training, in addition to modernization of the state’s data systems.”

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Beyond MoCo

$1 Million and $40,000 Mega Millions Tickets Sold in Maryland Remain Unclaimed

By Patrick Herron

Winning Mega Millions tickets worth $1 million and $40,000 remain unclaimed as of July, 31, according to the Maryland Lottery.  The $1 million ticket was sold at Pine Liquors (9231 Oxon Hill Road) in Prince George’s County and the $40,000 Mega Millions Megaplier ticket was sold at Giant (8100 Loch Raven Boulevard) in Towson. This Tuesday’s night’s Mega Millions drawing has a jackpot worth an estimated $1.05 billion ($527.9 million cash.) Addition news about last week’s lottery winner across the state below courtesy of MD Lottery:

As the Mega Millions jackpot continues to grow, the game produced another millionaire in Maryland on July 25 in Fort Washington. An additional 29 players across the state won prizes of $10,000 or more playing a variety of Lottery games in the past week.

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Beyond MoCo

Beyond MoCo: Maryland State Police Aviation Crews Rescue Mountain Bikers in Maryland, West Virginia

By Patrick Herron

Per the Maryland State Police: Maryland State Police Aviation Command crews over the weekend rescued two injured mountain bikers in separate hoist missions in Howard County, Maryland and Tucker County, West Virginia. Crews on Saturday afternoon rescued a 44-year-old man in Ellicott City, Maryland and a 41-year-old man in Davis, West Virginia. They were both injured while mountain biking and needed aerial rescues due to terrain difficulties, limited resources by first responders and the nature of their injuries.

The 44-year-old fell and became incapacitated after his bike struck a rock on a trail near the Valley Overlook in Patapsco Valley State Park Daniels area. His riding partner called 9-1-1. Maryland Natural Resources Police Helicopter Natural 1 conducted an initial search but did not locate the victim. Howard County Department of Fire and Rescue Services personnel hiked to the man and initiated patient care before requesting a Maryland State Police helicopter. Pilots on Trooper 3, Frederick Section, hovered the Leonardo AW-139 helicopter nearly 180 feet above the dense tree covers, while a trooper/paramedic was lowered.

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Restaurant

Original Pancake House in Rockville Open Despite Cosmetic Damage From Saturday’s Storm

By Patrick Herron

The Original Pancake House at 12224 Rockville Pike in Rockville was one of the many businesses impacted by this past weekend’s severe storms. According to the restaurant, “It was a parapet wall that was blown over which consists of metal studs, plywood and styrofoam. There was no internal structural damage.”  MCFRS cleared the structure as safe and the Original Pancake House was able to open on Sunday morning.

About the Original Pancake House: “The Original Pancake House was founded in Portland, Oregon in 1953 by Les Highet and Erma Hueneke. Customers enjoy the benefit of their many years of experience in the culinary field, through the extensive menu of delicious authentic national and ethnic pancake recipes. The Original Pancake House is a second and third generation family business, which takes great pride in maintaining the high standards that make our food so outstanding. There are over 100 Original Pancake House restaurants from coast to coast, which have won local and national acclaim. Our recipes demand only the very finest of ingredients, such as 93 score butter, pure 36% whipping cream, fresh grade AA eggs, hard wheat unbleached flour, and our own recipe sourdough starter. Our batters and sauces are made fresh in each kitchen every day. Legendary chef James Beard was one of the Original Pancake House biggest fans! There are three Original Pancake House locations in the Washington, DC Metropolitan area, each with free parking. We consider ourselves “The First Name in Pancakes” and hope you will too! Each location below offers free wi-fi and a senior menu. You can also get terrific sandwiches, burgers, salads and wraps from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on weekdays.”

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Education

MCPS: Summer RISE Ceremony Brings Students, LT. Governor, Business owners, and County Leaders Together

By Patrick Herron

Per MCPS: More than 900 students were celebrated at this Summer RISE closing ceremony for participating and completing the program. Summer RISE is an initiative led by the Montgomery County Public Schools’ (MCPS) Department of Partnerships in collaboration with businesses, government agencies, higher education institutions, and nonprofit organizations. The program is for rising MCPS juniors and seniors to participate in a career-based learning opportunity during the summer.

This year’s speakers included special guest Maryland Lt. Governor Aruna Miller, MCPS Board of Education president Karla Silvestre, superintendent Dr. Monifa B. McKnight, Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich, and Education and culture chair and councilmember Will Jawando.

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MoCo Government

Anti-Hate Task Force to Meet on August 1; MCPS Leaders to Present Information on Combating Hate and Bias Incidents in Schools

By Patrick Herron

From the Office of Council President Evan Glass: The Montgomery County Anti-Hate Task Force will hold its second meeting with all six cohort groups representing the Jewish, Black/African American, LGBTQ+, Asian American and Pacific Islander, Latino/Hispanic and Muslim communities on Tuesday, August 1 at 7 p.m. 

The meeting will feature a presentation by Montgomery County Public School leaders with an overview and plan on combating hate and bias incidents in schools. 

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Gaithersburg

Updated Opening Information for MoCo’s First Sheetz

By Patrick Herron

Montgomery County’s first Sheetz, which will be located at 751 Progress Way in Gaithersburg, is now scheduled to open on Thursday, August 24. Gas pumps were recently installed at the site and signage is now up for its 24-hour drive-thru. In May we reported that Sheetz will also be opening a location in the Walnut Hill shopping center in Gaithersburg sometime in 2024. Sheetz rival Wawa has also recently ramped up the construction on its upcoming Gaithersburg store.

Sheetz is a gas station/convenience store that offers made to order food and has over 650 locations throughout Maryland, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia. According to the company, Sheetz provides “kicked-up convenience while being more than just a convenience store. Sheetz is a mecca for people on the go. If you need to refuel your car or refresh your body, we have what you need to keep you moving on to whatever comes next.”

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Restaurant

Nick’s Diner Remains Closed Due to Power Outage Caused by Saturday’s Storm; Hoping to Reopen Mid-Week

By Patrick Herron

Nick’s Diner at 11199 Veirs Mill Rd in Wheaton remains closed after a heavy storms knocked out power in the immediate area on Saturday afternoon.  The restaurant posted the following update Monday morning: “Attention valued customers, We regret to inform you that Nick’s Diner is still closed due to the ongoing power outage. We apologize for any inconvenience caused and appreciate your understanding. Updates on our reopening will be provided as soon as electricity is restored. Thank you for your patience and continued support. -Nick’s Diner”

Nick’s recently celebrated its 40th anniversary and serves diner classics like pancakes, French toast, omelets, hot & cold sandwiches, chili, souvlaki, and gyros. Featured photo courtesy of Nick’s Diner on Instagram.

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