Author: Patrick Herron

Kensington

Washington D.C. Temple Now Open to the Public for the First Time Since 1974

By Patrick Herron

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is holding public tours at the famous Washington D.C. Temple, the first time it has open to the public since 1974.  The church was originally scheduled to open to the public in 2019 but was delayed due to COVID-19. The temple, beyond the visitor center, will be open to the public from April 28 through June 4, 2022, 9am-9pm, except on Sundays. The temple is located at 9900 Stoneybrook Dr. in Kensington. Parking and Metro shuttle tickets are now available at www.dctemple.org/open-house/

“When the temple was completed in 1974, it served all Latter-day Saints living east of the Mississippi and some Latter-day Saints in South America and Canada. At 160,000 square feet, it is the third largest temple in the world. It contains instruction rooms and sealing rooms, where marriages are performed.”

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North Bethesda

Pedestrian Struck by Driver on Tuckerman Lane, Sustains Life-Threatening Injuries

By Patrick Herron

Update: The pedestrian mentioned in this story has succumbed to his injuries. Montgomery County Police are now investigating. 

(~10a) Tuckerman Lane & Kings Riding Way, collision, pedestrian struck, @MCFRS_EMIHS transported 1 adult Pri1 trauma w/ LT injuries, some lanes blocked, Tuckerman La BLOCKED/CLOSED between Grosvenor Place and Sugarbush La

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MoCo Government

Election Workers Need for 2022 Gubernatorial Primary Election

By Patrick Herron

To serve in this paid volunteer position, all election poll workers must be registered to vote in the State of Maryland; able to speak, read and write the English language; and cannot hold, or be a candidate for, public or party office. In addition, election workers may not serve as a campaign manager for a candidate or as treasurer for any campaign finance entity.

Training is required and will be provided to all election workers. This includes an online quiz, virtual training and classroom in-person training. Volunteers will be paid for completing training and working the election. Several positions are offered, including all-day and part-day. More information is available at www.777vote.org.

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MoCo

Montgomery County to Celebrate Arbor Day by Commemorating the New County Tree on Friday, April 29, in Silver Spring

By Patrick Herron

At the event, there will be tree planting, trees will be raffled off and volunteers will take part in a trash pickup. It is hoped the activities will bring attention to the new County tree and encourage the planting of trees so the tree canopy increases. Residents also can register for “plogging” supplies at the event. Plogging is an innovate way to help the environment by doing an exercise like jogging, walking or biking while picking up trash.

“The black tupelo is now added to the list of county symbols that includes the robin as the County bird, the dogwood as the County blossom and the County seal,” said County Department of Environmental Protection Acting Director Adriana Hochberg. “The black tupelo is resilient, beautiful and critical to the County’s ecosystem and tree canopy. It’s a perfect symbol for Montgomery County as our official tree”.

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Beyond MoCo

Astronaut Jessica Watkins, the First Black Woman to Serve Aboard the International Space Station, is From Gaithersburg 

By Patrick Herron

Jessica Watkins became the first Black woman astronaut to be a part of a crew aboard the International Space Station when SpaceX’s Crew-4 mission launched on Wednesday morning. Watkins and her three other crew members will be on the station for around six months. Born in Gaithersburg in 1988, her family later moved to Layfette, Colorado where she graduated high school.  She then went on to play rugby at Stanford University in California, where she received her bachelor’s degree in geological and environmental sciences. She later earned a Ph.D. in geology at the University of California, Los Angeles.

“I think it’s important to recognize this as a milestone for our agency and for our country, as well, to know that we are building on the foundation that was laid by the Black woman astronauts who’ve come before me,” Watkins told NPR

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Aspen Hill

Meet Celebrity Chef Robert Irvine at Aspen Hill Liquor and Wine

By Patrick Herron

Chef Robert Irvine will be holding a meet and greet at the Aspen Hill Liquor and Wine (13661 Connecticut Ave) on Friday, May 13th from 2-5pm.  Irvine will be signing bottles of his Dry American Gin and Precision Distilled Vodka, which are now available at Montgomery County ABS stores. The event is free but registration is required.

On Friday, May 13th from 2pm – 5pm at the Aspen Hill Liquor and Wine Store in Silver Spring, MD Chef Robert Irvine will be in-store for a bottle signing event. Chef Robert Irvine is available for a meet and greet featuring his newly released products to Montgomery County, MD.

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Poolesville

Montgomery County’s First Adaptive Kayaking Pier to be Dedicated on Sunday, May 1, at Riley’s Lock in Poolesville

By Patrick Herron

Experienced kayakers have an opportunity to compete in the 2022 Seneca Showdown  race on from 9 a.m.-noon on May 1. From the event’s proceeds, 50 percent will go to Team River Runner. Click here to register for the Seneca Showdown Race.

More information about the events can be obtained by emailing Angela Fox at [email protected].

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Bethesda

New Marriott International Headquarters and Hotel in Bethesda Named Maryland Economic Development ‘Project of the Year’

By Patrick Herron

Marriott International appreciated the award that reflects the detail that went into the project.

“Marriott is excited to move into our new Downtown Bethesda headquarters this summer and to carry on the proud legacy that has been built in Montgomery County, a community we have called home for more than 65 years,” said Carolyn B. Handlon, executive vice president and global treasurer of Marriott International, who accepted the award on behalf of the company. “We’re delighted with the recognition as Maryland’s ‘Project of the Year.’ We believe our new headquarters is truly the right place for our team of associates. We’ll be joining a vigorous and diverse community whose lively urban setting is exciting for all of us. As a proud corporate citizen, you can expect to see us continue to participate, volunteer and contribute to local and state civic life, including through our global social impact and sustainability platform, Serve 360.”

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Potomac

Detectives Investigate Residential Burglary in Potomac; Surveillance Video of Suspect Released

By Patrick Herron

The suspect is described as a male, wearing a white t-shirt, cargo shorts and a baseball cap.  Anyone with information regarding this suspect or this crime is asked to call the 1st District Investigative Section at 240-773-6084 or 240-773-TIPS, or contact Crime Solvers of Montgomery County toll-free at 1-866-411-TIPS(8477). A reward of up to $10,000 is being offered for information that leads to the arrest of the suspect. Callers can remain anonymous.

 

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Uncategorized

Montgomery County Sierra Club Group Endorses David Blair for County Executive

By Patrick Herron

The Sierra Club Montgomery County Group announced Tuesday that they would be endorsing David Blair for Montgomery County Executive. The Sierra Club is an environmental protection and advocacy group, which has local chapters throughout all 50 states.  According to their website, “the Montgomery County Maryland Group focuses on local issues, including improving public transit, maintaining clean water sources, supporting and monitoring the county’s Climate Protection Plan, and endorsing and supporting green candidates.”  The Sierra Club said that Blair will be a strong and effective leader, and that he has an appealing environmental platform. In a press release, the Sierra Club said, “we understand that our endorsement of Mr. Blair will be met with surprise and even frustration by some. Montgomery County Sierra Club, though, believes that Mr. Blair is the best candidate overall to continue and expand real environmental progress in our County.”

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Maryland

Governor Hogan Announces $200 Million Affordable Housing Package 

By Patrick Herron

Per the State of Maryland:

ANNAPOLIS, MD—Governor Larry Hogan today announced that more than $200 million in financing tools and new programs will be made available to create new affordable housing opportunities in the state. The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) will administer the funds to produce more than 6,000 additional units statewide amid rising construction costs and interest rates.

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