North Bethesda

Update: DMV Iron Gym has set an opening date of September 15th.

In May we let you know that DMV Iron Gym, a world class facility that offers hand selected, state of the art gym equipment from the 1960’s up to the latest technology from the best manufacturers in the world, is coming to MoCo. The 16,000 square foot facility planned open in Rockville’s Federal Plaza in September 2023, next to Micro Center. Now a representative has told us that the gym hopes to open by September 10th. A message from DMV Iron Gym CEO Leo Williams can be seen below:


Bethesda

Trader Joe’s has recalled its Multigrain Crackers with Sunflower and Flax Seeds due to the possibility that the product may contain metal. The grocery store is telling its customers that they should return the items to any Trader Joe’s location for a full refund.   Trader Joe’s has MoCo locations Bethesda, Rockville, and Silver Spring. Full statement below:


North Bethesda

Chef Max Zelenkov and his wife Iqra Zelenkov announced the grand opening of La Table Du Chateau at The Block at Pike and Rose (967 Rose Ave. North Bethesda) last month, debuting as a weekend-only breakfast/brunch spot on Saturday, July 22. One month later the two sides have concluded their working relationship. La Table Du Chateau will continue to operate as it did before this venture, as a catering company, and will also be available at area farmers markets in Olney and Maple Lawn going forward.

Chef Max Zelenkov’s journey began when he emigrated as a Ukrainian/Russian native to the United States and was raised and pursued his education in Montgomery County. MoCo, a melting pot of culture and tradition, was the perfect setting to foster Chef Max’s fascination with the world’s diverse culinary traditions. Iqra Zelenkov tells us the duo hopes to launch their own storefront in a year or so, if finances permit them to, but for now will just expand their catering and farmers markets presence.


Gaithersburg

Per the City of Gaithersburg: Most City facilities & offices are closed on September 4, 2023, in observance of Labor Day, with the exception of the following:

Recycling will be collected the preceding Saturday, September 2, 2023. Bulk pick up is unavailable. Regular trash and garbage collection for City residents is handled by private contractors. Please contact your HOA or your private contractor regarding the holiday collection schedule for these materials. Note that the Mayor & City Council Regular Session will take place on Tuesday, September 5, 2023.


Gaithersburg

Additional information on Sheetz grand opening: “On Thursday, August 24, Sheetz, a major Mid-Atlantic restaurant and convenience chain, will officially open its first-ever location in Montgomery County. The store will be located at 751 Progress Way, Gaithersburg, MD 20879.  To celebrate this first-ever opening in Montgomery County, Sheetz will reduce its gas prices at this location starting at 9am on Thursday, August 24th and ending on Friday, August 25th at 11:59pm. The prices will vary based on the following fuel grades:

Regular: $2.999


Germantown

TRAFFIC ADVISORY: The entrance to the Department of Energy in the 19900 block of Germantown Rd. is closed as the result of an investigation by the Federal Protective Services.

Drivers are advised to seek an alternate route.


Education

Nearly 162,000 students will head back to school on Monday, Aug. 28 for the start of the 2023–2024 school year. About 920 teachers and nearly 280 supporting services employees have been hired, and there are 33 new principals, principals new to their schools and acting principals who can’t wait to get to know their new students and families. These leaders were asked to share a fun or interesting fact with us that they would like their school community to know. Read about them below, courtesy of MCPS:

Elementary Schools


Events

Montgomery County’s first Sheetz opens today, August 24, at 751 Progress Way in Gaithersburg. The store opens to the public at 9am and its grand opening event will take place from 1-3pm. In addition to a “Win Sheetz for a Year” giveaway, the store will be offering discounted gas prices for its first two days. Sheetz had initially announced that all fuel grades would be $2.99, but has since updated to the following:

Per Sheetz: “CORRECTION: GAS PRICES TO VARY BASED ON FUEL GRADESOn Thursday, August 24, Sheetz, a major Mid-Atlantic restaurant and convenience chain, will officially open its first-ever location in Montgomery County. The store will be located at 751 Progress Way, Gaithersburg, MD 20879.To celebrate this first-ever opening in Montgomery County, Sheetz will reduce its gas prices at this location starting at 9am on Thursday, August 24th and ending on Friday, August 25th at 11:59pm. The prices will vary based on the following fuel grades:


Beyond MoCo

Per the Maryland State Police: The quick response by Maryland State Police helped save the life of a woman after her vehicle caught fire this afternoon in Frederick County. Shortly after 12 p.m. this afternoon, Sergeant Brian Blubaugh assigned to the Maryland State Police Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division, working out of the New Market Scale House and President of the Maryland Troopers Association, was the first to arrive on the scene following a single-vehicle crash on westbound I-70 at mile marker 49 in Frederick County. According to a preliminary investigation, a Ford van, operated by a 69-year-old woman from Pennsylvania, was traveling westbound on I-70 when for unknown reasons, traveled off of the roadway and struck an embankment when the vehicle began to catch fire.

Sergeant Blubaugh, along with multiple citizens, helped extract the woman from the burning vehicle, ultimately saving her life. The driver was transported by ground to Meritus Hospital in Hagerstown, Maryland for treatment of her injuries. The cause of the crash is under investigation.


MoCo Government

Per Montgomery County: Montgomery County’s Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23) Resident and Community Food Gardening Grant Program recently presented 10 awards totaling $100,000 in funding to expand resident and community food production capacity.. The awards, ranging from $5,000 to $15,000, represent partnerships in the faith community, urban agriculture, neighborhood associations, academic institutions and community health services.

The funding reflects priorities established in the FY23 County operating budget to increase food security and support initiatives that will expand local food production through home and community farming and gardening. The funded projects will help to promote food sovereignty, healthy living, civic engagement and racial and social justice by creating opportunities for residents to cultivate their own food sources, thereby increasing access to affordable and culturally diverse food. These efforts will contribute to reduced transportation emissions and community resilience in the face of climate-related supply chain disruptions.


Kensington

Per Montgomery County: The 56th Annual Town of Kensington Labor Day Parade and Festival will start off the holiday early, with the parade kicking off at 10 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 4. The parade will include marching bands, equestrian show groups, dance units, floats and ambassadors. Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich is scheduled to participate in the parade.

Following the parade, the festival will continue on Armory Avenue through 2 p.m. The festival will feature food trucks, vendors and activities. More information on the parade is available at https://tok.md.gov/event/kensington-labor-parade-2023/.