Education

Per MCPS: More than 900 students were celebrated at this Summer RISE closing ceremony for participating and completing the program. Summer RISE is an initiative led by the Montgomery County Public Schools’ (MCPS) Department of Partnerships in collaboration with businesses, government agencies, higher education institutions, and nonprofit organizations. The program is for rising MCPS juniors and seniors to participate in a career-based learning opportunity during the summer.

This year’s speakers included special guest Maryland Lt. Governor Aruna Miller, MCPS Board of Education president Karla Silvestre, superintendent Dr. Monifa B. McKnight, Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich, and Education and culture chair and councilmember Will Jawando.


Montgomery Planning

The Montgomery County Planning Board and Montgomery County Planning Department have announced their August 2023 calendar of events and meetings. While the Montgomery County Planning Board is on recess until September 2023, past meetings can be watched on demand. The Montgomery County Planning Board is currently in recess. The first meeting after the summer recess will be held September 7, 2023. August Calendar of Events:

August 1 – The Development Review Committee (DRC) will meet in-person and virtually. The community is invited to attend the meeting in-person or online by watching the DRC live video stream or viewing on-demand. The DRC is an inter-agency task force comprised of representatives from Montgomery Planning, public agencies, and utilities such as WSSC, PEPCO, the State Highway Administration, and the county Departments of Permitting Services, Environmental Protection, and Public Works and Transportation. At these regularly scheduled meetings twice a month, DRC members discuss development applications with the Applicants.


MCFRS

Dr. Earl Stoddard, who is the Assistant Chief Administrator in Montgomery County and has served as the Director of the Montgomery County Office of Emergency Management & Homeland Security (OEMHS) since January 2016, has provided an update on storm clean-up efforts via Twitter. The full update can be seen below:

“Just to provide an update on storm clean-up. Right now, the primary focus remains power restoration and road clearance. That requires coordination between the County and power utilities given the intersection between vegetation and power lines.


Sponsored

It’s Asian American Pacific Islander Month, and what better way to celebrate the culture than to immerse oneself at the Anne Arundel Asian American Festival outside of Annapolis on May 31st?

Or didn’t get enough Irish last month? Two of the biggest Irish acts returns to the stage with Gaelic Storm and Carbon Leaf. See below for more details and information!

All events are family-friendly, packed with food, live music, interactive experiences, and now even more ways to get active.

To kick things off, you can save 20% on tickets with code MOCOSHOW (valid through May 31 for general admission tickets).

2026 Festival Lineup

Annapolis Irish Festival

May 29 & 30

Experience the spirit of Ireland right here in Annapolis with two days of live music, great food, and high-energy performances. Headlined by internationally recognized acts like Scythian, Gaelic Storm, and Carbon Leaf, the Annapolis Irish Festival blends traditional Irish culture with modern rock festival vibes.

Haven’t heard of Gaelic Storm? Are you sure? They were the band in James Cameron’s Titanic and went from local stars to national powerhouses. We are lucky to have them right here in Maryland so don’t miss out!

Enjoy Guinness, Irish whiskey tastings, craft beverages, local vendors, and nonstop entertainment in a setting that brings thousands together to celebrate Irish heritage.

Anne Arundel Asian American Festival

May 31

Celebrate culture, community, and cuisine at the Anne Arundel Asian American Festival, a vibrant showcase of food, performances, and traditions from across Asia!

Come hungry and enjoy authentic dishes from a wide range of vendors, cultural performances throughout the day, and interactive experiences for all ages. This family-friendly event highlights the diversity and energy of the Asian American community during AAPI Heritage Month.

Food vendors include:

Namit Filipino, Ekiben, Bun’d Up, E-San Thai, MD Brad Butcher and Central Asian dishes, Thai Pinto, Pho Wheels, and The Sister House! (more…)


MoCo Government

From the Office of Council President Evan Glass: The Montgomery County Anti-Hate Task Force will hold its second meeting with all six cohort groups representing the Jewish, Black/African American, LGBTQ+, Asian American and Pacific Islander, Latino/Hispanic and Muslim communities on Tuesday, August 1 at 7 p.m. 

The meeting will feature a presentation by Montgomery County Public School leaders with an overview and plan on combating hate and bias incidents in schools. 


Event

Historic Indigenous Recognition Event to Take Place in Montgomery County, Maryland

The Taino American Indigenous National Organization (T.A.I.N.O.) proudly announces its upcoming signature public event,


Gaithersburg

Montgomery County’s first Sheetz, which will be located at 751 Progress Way in Gaithersburg, is now scheduled to open on Thursday, August 24. Gas pumps were recently installed at the site and signage is now up for its 24-hour drive-thru. In May we reported that Sheetz will also be opening a location in the Walnut Hill shopping center in Gaithersburg sometime in 2024. Sheetz rival Wawa has also recently ramped up the construction on its upcoming Gaithersburg store.

Sheetz is a gas station/convenience store that offers made to order food and has over 650 locations throughout Maryland, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia. According to the company, Sheetz provides “kicked-up convenience while being more than just a convenience store. Sheetz is a mecca for people on the go. If you need to refuel your car or refresh your body, we have what you need to keep you moving on to whatever comes next.”


Restaurant

Nick’s Diner at 11199 Veirs Mill Rd in Wheaton remains closed after a heavy storms knocked out power in the immediate area on Saturday afternoon.  The restaurant posted the following update Monday morning: “Attention valued customers, We regret to inform you that Nick’s Diner is still closed due to the ongoing power outage. We apologize for any inconvenience caused and appreciate your understanding. Updates on our reopening will be provided as soon as electricity is restored. Thank you for your patience and continued support. -Nick’s Diner”

Nick’s recently celebrated its 40th anniversary and serves diner classics like pancakes, French toast, omelets, hot & cold sandwiches, chili, souvlaki, and gyros. Featured photo courtesy of Nick’s Diner on Instagram.


Crime

Detectives are asking for the public’s assistance in identifying two suspects who broke into a construction site and stole construction related equipment in the 10100 block of Washingtonian Boulevard in Gaithersburg– the site where The Carnegie at Washingtonian is being built, next to Life Time.

Per Gaithersburg Police: In July 2023, during the early morning hours, the two suspects entered the construction site and removed construction related equipment and electrical related property with a value of over $170,000. Detectives from the Gaithersburg Police – Investigative Section obtained surveillance video and photos of the suspects. Detectives describe suspect one as a male, thin build with short dark colored hair. The second suspect is a male with two distinguishing tattoos. The first tattoo is located on his left leg and the second tattoo is located on his right forearm.


Downtown Silver Spring

All Set Restaurant & Bar, located at 8630 Fenton Street, Plaza 5 in Silver Spring, has announced it will be hosting its inaugural Oyster Eating Contest on Saturday, August 5th, from 2pm-4pm featuring, an oyster shucking demonstration from Owner & Head Chef, Edward Reavis. The contestant who eats the most oysters will be awarded one dozen oysters a day, every day, for one calendar year, All Set & Money Muscle merchandise, their photo posted on All Set social media, & ultimate bragging rights. All interested competitors must sign a waiver & pay a $25 registration fee. Additional details on the contest can be seen below:

Each ‘athlete’ will have 1 minute to eat as many oysters as possible. Contestants will receive a tray filled with 24 pre-shucked oysters on the half shell. If the competitor consumes all the oysters on the tray, they will be given supplemental dozens.


Beyond MoCo

The Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) will release a limited number of passes at noon on Monday, July 31 for its 2023 Hip-Hop Block Party at nmaahc.si.edu/HipHop50. This daylong event celebrates the 50th anniversary of hip-hop, Saturday, Aug. 12, from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. (last admission at 10 p.m.), at the intersection of Madison Drive and 14th Street N.W. The event is free, but passes are required. The 2023 Hip-Hop Block Party will be hosted by Vic Jagger and feature performers such as DJ Beauty and the Beatz, The True School DJs – DJ Cuzzin B, Miss H.E.R., and DJ Marc Nfinit, Adam Blackstone and Special Guest Sugar Bear, Mumu Fresh, Monie Love, Kid Capri, J.Period, and more to be confirmed.

NMAAHC hosts the block party in celebration of the culture and music that originated and has been shaped by Black America for decades. Attendees will also be able to participate in interactive activities, such as graffiti art, hip-hop dancing and more.  The Hip-Hop Block Party also marks the return of Club Café, where attendees can taste a delicious hip-hop-inspired menu while experiencing a vibe only the museum can provide. For a complete schedule, please visit nmaahc.si.edu/HipHop50.


DC Sports

Last month it was announced that The Citi Open in Washington, D.C. is combining with the Mubadala Silicon Valley Classic to become the Mubadala Citi DC Open beginning in 2023. The move from San Jose elevated the DC women’s event from a WTA 250 level to a WTA 500 level, making the Mubadala Citi DC Open the only combined ATP-WTA 500 tournament in the world on the tour calendar. The move is subject to ATP Board approval.

The Mubadala Citi DC Open is the fifth largest pro tennis event in the United States and kicks off in earnest Monday with a star-studded lineup on the first day of main draw play at the William H.G. FitzGerald Tennis Center in Rock Creek Park in the nation’s capital. From former World No.1s Viktoria Azarenka and Andy Murray to past DC champions Liudmila Samsonova, Sloane Stephens and Gael Monfils to local favorite Frances Tiafoe, fans will be treated to plenty of headliners on the first full day in Rock Creek Park.