Author: Patrick Herron

Burtonsville

Maryland’s First Ever Cannabis Lounge to Open This Weekend in MoCo

By Patrick Herron

Ceylon House (4009 Sandy Spring Rd, Burtonsville), a first-of-its-kind cannabis lounge in Maryland, will hold its grand opening this Saturday, March 4.  Ceylon House describes itself as an inclusive space for cannabis enthusiasts that is inspired by the tea houses in Sri Lanka. The entry fee for two hours of lounge use is $25. Ceylon House does not serve food or beverages, but vending machines are accesible and the Little Miner Taco food truck is scheduled to be there on opening day. Tickets for the event are available at www.ceylon-house.com.

According to its website, “Only Registered Maryland Medical Patients that are older than 21 are allowed to enter for open lounge consumption and public events. Please bring with you your Patient ID number, Government-issued photo ID, and medical cannabis in its original packaging with your patient label still attached.”  Ceylon House does not sell cannabis, but there is a dispensary located directly across from the lounge. Alcohol and tobacco consumption is prohibited.

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Burtonsville

Detectives Investigate Armed Carjacking; Surveillance Video of Suspects Released

By Patrick Herron

Per MCPD: Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – Major Crimes Division are investigating an armed carjacking that occurred in the 4300 block of Dunwood Terrance in Burtonsville on Tuesday, February 21, 2023. Detectives have released video of the three suspects and are asking for the public’s assistance in identifying them.   

At approximately 5:44 a.m., 3rd District officers responded to the location for the report of an armed carjacking that just occurred. The investigation by detectives has determined that an adult male victim was removing an item from his white 2021 Nissan Rogue when the three suspects arrived in a blue four-door sedan. Two of the suspects exited the sedan and approached the victim. One the suspects implied that he had a handgun and demanded the key to the Nissan. The victim complied and handed over the key to the Nissan. One of the suspects left the scene in the Nissan and the other two left the scene in the sedan.

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Silver Spring

MCPD: Over Two Thousand Fentanyl Pills Recovered Following Traffic Stop

By Patrick Herron

Per MCPD: On Monday, February 27, 2023, at approximately 3:15 p.m., Montgomery County Police 4th District officers conducted a traffic stop on a silver Mercedes sedan in the 12300 block of Georgia Avenue for a traffic infraction. Officers identified the driver of the vehicle as 20-year-old Markus Carter, of Silver Spring, and determined that Carter was driving the vehicle in violation of his learner’s permit.  There were two other occupants of the vehicle, a 20-year-old and an 18-year-old male.

Through investigation, probable cause to search the vehicle was developed.  Inside the vehicle, officers located 250 suspected fentanyl pills and other items indicative of drug distribution.  On Carter’s person, officers located additional fentanyl pills, over $1100 in U.S. Currency, and a loaded .45 caliber handgun.

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Bethesda

Montgomery Mall to Hold ‘Y2K Pink Party’ Featuring Members of N’SYNC, 98 Degrees, LFO, and O-Town; The MoCoShow and Lone Oak Brewery to Host ‘Blossom Lounge’ Pop-up

By Patrick Herron

Get ready to party at the mall like it’s 1999! As part of its upcoming BlossomFest, Westfield Montgomery will be hosting a special Y2K Pink Party on Saturday, April 1st at 1pm. The free concert will be hosted by NSYNC’s Chris Kirkpatrick and 98 Degrees’ Jeff Timmons and will feature performances by Y2K-era pop heroes LFO and O-Town, who’ll perform live in the Nordstrom wing. The MoCoShow will team up that day with Lone Oak Brewery to host a special pop-up biergarten in the Blossom Lounge from 11am-8pm. Reserve your spot here. Full details below from Westfield Montgomery:

Play among the cherry blossoms, snap photos in an Insta-worthy Blossom Lounge, take in new spring-inspired public art activations and celebrate Washington’s iconic flower, all without stepping foot on the Tidal Basin this month at Westfield Montgomery Mall. BlossomFest, an official participating event of the National Cherry Blossom Festival, will feature activations and events slated through April, including new artwork from artists Nicole Bourgea, Maggie O’Neill and Cris Logan, a stunning blossom and lantern installation brightening up Nordstrom corridor, and more, culminating in a live nostalgic concert that’ll have guests reminiscing about the dawn of the millennium with NSYNC’s Chris Kirkpatrick and 98 Degrees’ Jeff Timmons, LFO and O-Town. Here’s what’s on tap in March and April at the region’s premier retail destination:

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MoCo Government

Councilmembers Unveil Tenant Assistance and Protection Package to Address Growing Crisis in Housing Affordability

By Patrick Herron

Per Montgomery County: Councilmembers Natali Fani-González, Andrew Friedson, Gabe Albornoz, Marilyn Balcombe, Sidney Katz, and Dawn Luedtke today announced a bold new proposal to alleviate pressures on the County’s most vulnerable renters. Like most similar jurisdictions throughout the country, Montgomery County faces a housing affordability crisis. The County has a tremendous housing challenge, with 41,000 housing units needed by 2030 to accommodate population growth and alleviate pressure on county renter households that are cost burdened. Based on a County-specific study, extensive research including from the NYU Furman Center, and the real-world experiences of other jurisdictions across the country, particularly Oregon, Minnesota, and California, the Tenant Assistance and Protection Package will provide direct assistance to the most vulnerable residents, protect against rent gouging, provide access to homeownership to build generational wealth, and increase supply of income-restricted affordable housing.

The sponsors of the Tenant Assistance and Protection Package are calling on County Executive Marc Elrich to include these funds in his recommended budget, due for submission to the Council on March 15.

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Silver Spring

Police and Family Concerned for Missing 18-Year-Old

By Patrick Herron

Per MCPD: Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – 3rd District Investigative Section are asking for the public’s assistance in locating a missing 18-year-old from Hyattsville. Virginia Francis Pelham was last seen on Thursday, March 2, 2023, at approximately 9:30 p.m., in the 11800 block of Healing Way in Silver Spring.  Virginia is 5-feet, 7-inches tall and weighs 120 pounds. She has black hair and brown eyes. She was last seen wearing a white and orange top, black sweatpants and multicolor Crocs. Police and family are concerned for her welfare.

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Virginia Francis Pelham is asked to call the police non-emergency number at (301) 279-8000. Callers may remain anonymous.

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Gaithersburg

Brio’s Chicken No Longer Coming to Kentlands

By Patrick Herron

Brio’s Chicken has announced it will no longer be opening its location at the Kentlands in Gaithersburg.  Signage for Brio’s Chicken first went up at the location back in 2020 but the restaurant was delayed several years due to issues caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. We were told by the restaurant back in February that construction had finally began but financing fell through. 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. The owner of the restaurant tells us that they are looking to sell the restaurant equipment they have already purchased. You can reach Jose at 240-342-0067.

Potomac Cookie Co: Potomac Cookie Co is coming to 109A Market St in the Kentlands Square shopping center in Gaithersburg, near Moby Dick and the upcoming Poke Bros. Potomac Cookie is known for its “giant size” 4oz cookies.  Flavors include Choco-delight, Da Fudge, Dorothy’s Slippers, Double Dutch,  Peebee ‘n’ Yay!, and S’more Love. No opening date for Potomac Cookie Co has been announced.

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Bethesda

Tara Thai Closes Bethesda Location

By Patrick Herron

About Tara Thai: “Walking into Tara Thai is like walking into the soothing serenity of the deep blue sea, with indoor waterfalls and seaside colors sparking from the ceilings and walls. This is a place worth indulging in courses. We proudly bring you to experience fine dining with the most successful Thai restaurant on the east coast. Serving delicious Thai cuisine, along with an enjoyable atmosphere. Our unique decoration reflects quality of our dishes with finest ingredients, in preparing our gourmet-quality dishes. All ingredients are carefully selected by our experience head chef.”

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Sponsored

Sam The Concrete Man MoCo is a name you can trust when looking for concrete! (sponsored)

By Patrick Herron

Sam The Concrete Man has been providing residential and commercial concrete services since 1989. With over 30 years in the concrete industry, we ensure the highest standards, world-class customer service, and sustainable products that are built […]

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