The following weekly “Dear Colleague” was sent to all MCPS staff. This letter contains an Action Plan Update on the corrective actions work by superintendent Dr. Monifa B. McKnight and the district to improve the investigations and promotions process in Montgomery County Public Schools:
The DMV Chocolate & Coffee Festival is coming to Montgomery County on November 7 & 8, 2026, at the Adventist HealthCare Fieldhouse in Germantown, Maryland. Get ready to sip, sample, shop, and enjoy a full weekend of family-friendly fun!
Sip, Sample & Shop
Get ready to explore a festival floor filled with top chocolate makers, coffee roasters, bakeries, specialty food vendors, artisan brands and small businesses from across the region and beyond. Sample new flavors, meet the people behind the products and shop directly from the talented makers and businesses who created them.
Experience Chocolate History
One of the highlights of this year’s festival is a large-scale chocolate sculpture of George Washington on horseback, created by award-winning chocolate artist Paul Joachim.
The sculpture will be part of a special exhibit exploring chocolate’s place in early American history. Guests can see the sculpture up close, sample colonial-style drinking chocolate, and shop the exclusive Collector’s Heritage Box inspired by the historic drink. It’s a unique opportunity to experience chocolate through art, history, and taste all in one place.
Seminars, Demonstrations & More
Visit the Sip & Share Seminar Classroom for educational sessions and demonstrations throughout the weekend, all included with your festival admission. Explore topics ranging from ancestral cacao in the Ecuadorian Amazon and the realities of starting a coffee business to craft chocolate and festival trivia. Learn directly from experts and makers as they share their knowledge, demonstrate their craft and offer a closer look at how their products are made.
Fun for All Ages
The DMV Chocolate & Coffee Festival offers an experience the whole family can enjoy. Kids under 12 receive free admission with a ticketed adult and can get creative at our complimentary kids’ craft tables. Festival mascots Chunk & Bean will also be on-site for meet-and-greets and photo opportunities throughout the weekend. Families can even shop for Chunk & Bean plushies, children’s books and other kid-friendly items.
Whether you’re a serious chocolate lover, a coffee enthusiast, a foodie or simply looking for a fun fall outing, there’s something for everyone to see, taste, shop and enjoy.
Save on Tickets
The DMV Chocolate & Coffee Festival Maryland Edition takes place November 7 & 8, 2026, at the Adventist HealthCare Fieldhouse in Germantown, Maryland.
MoCo Show readers can use code MOCO10 at checkout to save 10% on online festival tickets. Grab your tickets and get ready to sip, sample and shop at one of the sweetest weekends of the fall!
Per MCPD: “Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – Major Crimes Division are investigating a strong-arm robbery of a jewelry store in Westfield Wheaton Mall that occurred on Sunday, December 24, 2023. (more…)
Loyalty Bookstores will be moving its Silver Spring store location, currently on 823 Ellsworth Drive in Downtown Silver Spring, to open on 923 Gist Avenue in partnership with Bump n’ Grind Coffee’s Analog Market.
Olney, MD Art Gallery and Studio to present a Pop-Culture themed group Art Exhibit and Artists’ Alley event.
Highly Animated is a 2-month long celebration of the vibrant world of fan art. From classic JRPG nostalgia, to the latest anime obsessions, to amazing original characters, this exhibition will highlight the passion, creativity and talent within fan communities.
Sticky Fingers, the beloved woman-owned DC-based bakery from two-time Cupcake Wars champion, Doron Petersan, is now sweetening up more of the DMV. Its latest retail outlet and flagship commercial kitchen opens its doors on Tuesday, January 23rd in the Takoma neighborhood of DC, at 314 Carroll Street NW, across from the Takoma Metro Station. The bakery takes over the space formerly occupied by Soupergirl, and will carry Soupergirl soups in its grab-and-go section.
Turncoat, a “clandestine speakeasy where the spirit of the Roaring Twenties comes to life,” will hold its grand opening on Wednesday, January 24 at 5pm. (more…)
Do you know an exceptional school counselor who supports students, nurtures strong relationships with colleagues and student families, and shows outstanding leadership? Completed nomination packets for the MCPS School Counselor of the Year Awards are due on Friday, April 5.
Per the State of Maryland: “Governor Wes Moore today announced appointments to the Maryland Entertainment Council, which will study and make recommendations regarding Maryland’s film, television, and entertainment industry.
Per the Prince George’s County Police Department: “A Gang Unit investigation led to the arrest of three suspects and the recovery of multiple weapons and thousands of fentanyl pills. The suspects are 26-year-old Dream Edwards of Columbia, Maryland, 22-year-old Romel Johnson of Laurel and 34-year-old Michael Jordan Thompson of Washington, DC.
18100 block of Town Center Dr. in Olney per Google Maps
The Montgomery County Police Department (MCPD) responded to the 18100 block of Town Center Drive at approximately 12:30 a.m., for the report of a stabbing early Monday morning.