Restaurants

Akira Ramen & Izakaya is Temporarily Closed in Rockville

By MCS Staff

Akira Ramen & Izakaya, located at 1800 Rockville Pike h1 at the Galvan in Rockville, is temporarily closed. The restaurant closed on Tuesday as they undergo a change in management, according to a sign on the door of the restaurant. Though a reopening date has not been provided, the restaurant does plan to open again (full note left on the door available below).

Akira Ramen & Izakaya will also open a new location next to Ela Mesa Taste of Greece (109 Paramount Park Drive) in the Spectrum Town Center in Gaithersburg. It opened its Rockville restaurant in 2017.

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Downtown Silver Spring

10th Annual Harvest Moon Festival Takes Place Sunday, September 24

By MCS Staff

The 10th annual Harvest Moon Festival, a free, multicultural event of arts, entertainment and exhibitors, promises fun for all ages in Silver Spring this Sunday, September 24th at Veterans Plaza from 1pm until 7pm. The event features an eclectic array of arts and crafts exhibitors and entertainment. Schedule of Arts Activities can be seen below:

Entertainment Schedule:

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Education

Covanta Launches Scholarship Program at Universities at Shady Grove

By MCS Staff

Joint Initiative with USG Also Aims to Build Awareness of Waste-to-Energy Benefits

With a new academic year underway, the Universities at Shady Grove (USG) and Covanta, a leader in sustainable waste management and operator of the Montgomery County Resource Recovery Facility, are proud to jointly announce a new scholarship program that can benefit students who are enrolled in an array of academic programs offered by USG’s nine partner universities.

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MCDOT

Conceptual Findings from Ride On Reimagined Public Transportation Study Will Be Discussed at Virtual Meeting on Thursday, Sept. 28

By Patrick Herron

Per Montgomery County: The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) will hold a virtual open house at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 28, to present a first look at the Ride On Reimagined study and get community feedback on proposed concept changes to the County transit network. The ongoing Ride On Reimagined Study is a full-scale re-assessment of how the Montgomery County public transit network will operate. Montgomery County residents are encouraged to register and participate in the meeting.

The Ride On Reimagined Study has the goal of creating a future-focused public transportation system. The study, which began in February 2022, conducted a comprehensive assessment of the current Ride On and Metrobus network, ridership patterns and ongoing projects. To better address community needs, MCDOT sought extensive community feedback through ridership surveys, pop-up events and focus groups comprised of transit riders and non-riders.

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Ellsworth Place

Latest Update on Upcoming Outback Steakhouse in Silver Spring

By Patrick Herron

“Coming soon” and “now hiring” signage is up at the upcoming Outback Steakhouse location at Ellsworth Place in Downtown Silver Spring. The Australian-themed casual dining chain will be located in the space that was previously home to Not Your Average Joe’s at 8661 Colesville Rd. An opening date is not yet available, but it will be the chain’s third Montgomery County location, joining existing restaurants in Aspen Hill and Germantown.

While Outback Steakhouse is an international chain, one of the founders has strong local ties. Chris T. Sullivan, one of the founders of Outback Steakhouse, is a Blair High School alumnus. Sullivan attended the school, and Takoma Park Middle School before that, in the 60s before heading to the University of Kentucky to study business and economics.

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MCPS

MCPS High School Football 2023 Week 4 Preview & Predictions

By Damon Anderson

Walter Johnson (3-0) at Paint Branch (2-1):  WJ has taken big steps over the last 4 years and this is a great opportunity for the Wildcats to prove themselves and stake a claim for the top seed in the 4A North. Meanwhile PB will be looking for a statement win after falling short against Sherwood. Prediction: Paint Branch by 3

Blake (3-0) at Sherwood (3-0): Congratulations to the Bengals on starting 3-0 for the first time ever! It was a bit expected given the level of competition they’ve played so far, but also a testament to their growth under Coach Marshall. Sherwood will be a big step up for the Bengals, but this should be a good one – Blake tends to play the Warriors tough, and nearly pulled off the comeback upset last year, only to fall on a walk-off Hail Mary. However, Sherwood has exceeded expectations so far this year and based on their performances along with Blake’s not particularly impressive win over Einstein, think they show the Bengals that there’s still a ways to climb. Prediction Sherwood 28 by 11

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Gaithersburg

Gaithersburg Man Charged with Six Counts of Arson in Connection with Sunday Morning Fires; Damage Estimated to be ~$1 Million

By Patrick Herron

Fernando J. Herrera-Rivera, age 23, of Gaithersburg, has been charged with six counts of 2nd degree arson in connection with a spree of fires that occurred early morning on Sunday, September 17 in Gaithersburg. Herrea-Rivera was arrested in the area of N. Frederick Ave that same morning after police used video surveillance footage and witness accounts to identify him. Herrera-Rivera was also wanted on a bench warrant for an unrelated charge and is currently being held without bond.

According to Chief Spokesperson for MCFRS Pete Piringer, at 2:30am on September 17, approximately 75 firefighters responded to multiple fires at the Holbrook Center (across from Gaithersburg High School) at 400blk S. Frederick Ave. near Education Blvd. Around 3:15am, MCFRS units then responded to 3 Russell Ave (La Frontera/Taco Bar) and found several vehicles and businesses on fire. There was an additional outside fire also located near the Gaithersburg Police Department building at 14 Fulks Corner Ave that morning. Damage is estimated to be $1,250,000 ($500,000 structure/$750,000 contents.)

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Aspen Hill

Charleys Cheesesteaks Now Open in Aspen Hill

By Patrick Herron

Charleys Cheesesteaks opens today at 13617 Connecticut Ave. in the Aspen Hill shopping center. This is the third Charleys location to open this year in Montgomery County. Last month, Charleys opened inside of the Germantown Walmart at 20910 Frederick Rd, in the space formerly occupied by McDonald’s. In June, Charleys opened a location at 19877 Century Blvd in Germantown, in the space that was previously home to Roll by Goodyear and Yogi Castle in the Shops at Town Center & Century Station shopping center. Charleys has additional locations in Bethesda, Clarksburg, Gaithersburg, and Wheaton.

Charley’s now has over 600 stores nationwide. Newer locations have adopted a new menu concept, offering chicken wings and ice cream in addition to its Philly cheesesteaks. “Tossed-to-order, the wings are made with 10 chef-inspired flavors ranging from Angry Ghost and Nashville Hot to milder options like Zesty Lemon-Lime Rub and Sweet Teriyaki.”

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Rockville

Dill Dinkers’ Second MoCo Pickleball Facility Opens on Monday, September 25; Free Open Play 9/25-9/29

By MCS Staff

Pickleball is one of the fastest growing sports in the country and Dill Dinkers will hold the grand opening of its second Montgomery County location in Rockville, just six miles away from its recently opened North Bethesda location, on Monday, September 25th. The Rockville facility is located at 40-C Southlawn Court, next to ZavaZone and near the Sportsplex and Ice Arena.

As part of its grand opening, Dill Dinkers will offer free open play from 9am-9pm from September 25th through September 29th. Dill Dinkers offers a wide array of options for getting out on the courts to play, including court reservations for members and non-members, clinics, leagues, and lessons for new and experienced players looking to improve their game. Dill Dinkers will also offer advertising opportunities within the facility for businesses and organizations looking to reach a large, active audience focused on healthy living.

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MCPD

Concern for Missing 42-Year-Old

By Patrick Herron

The Montgomery County Department of Police – 3rd District Investigative Section is asking for the public’s assistance in locating Jose Rauda-Ayala. Rauda-Ayala, 42, was last seen on Tuesday, August 8, 2023, in the 500 block of Thayer Avenue in Silver Spring. He is 5-feet, 9-inches tall, 180 Ibs., with black hair, brown eyes, and medium complexion.

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Jose Rauda-Ayala is asked to call Montgomery County Police Non-Emergency (301) 279-8000 (24-hour line).

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MoCo Government

Commission for Women Sponsoring Free Programs on ‘Financial Wellness’ and ‘Separation and Divorce: What Do I Need to Know?’

By Patrick Herron

Per Montgomery County: The Montgomery County Commission for Women is sponsoring two free programs that can help residents get themselves better organized. A series of “Financial Health and Wellness Seminars” will begin on Tuesday, Oct. 10. Seminars on “Separation and Divorce: What Do I Need to Know?” will begin on Wednesday, Oct. 4. The virtual financial seminars will cover many aspects of becoming more financially organized.

The Commission for Women is joining with Montgomery County Public Libraries to offer the seminars, which will be led by Jamie Lapin, a private wealth advisor and president of RMG Advisors, LLC, and Thiago Glieger, a private wealth advisor and Federal retirement specialist.

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