Beyond MoCo

The University of Maryland was included in Newsweek’s 2023 list of America’s Greatest Workplaces, one of only eight universities recognized among the 1,000 major employers.

The rankings, based on a large-scale study conducted in collaboration with data firm Plant-A Insights Group, evaluated and scored companies based on eight categories: company image, corporate culture, working environment, work-life balance, training and career progression, compensation and benefits, sustainability awareness, and proactive management of the diverse workforce. UMD earned four out of five stars in the list released this month.


MCFRS

The Bethesda Park Condominiums complex, in the area of Randolph Rd. and Parklawn Dr., was one of the hardest hit when the sever storms rolled through late Saturday afternoon. According to Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services Chief spokesperson Pete Piringer, a “microburst” could have been responsible for dozens of trees were knocked down and many of them were blown into or on top of buildings. A microburst is is a localized column of sinking air (downdraft) within a thunderstorm that can cause extensive damage at the surface.

A large crane was already on the scene earlier today helping with dozens of crews clear the trees that are now scattered across the complex and roofs of the buildings. Dozens of residents have been displaced and many remain without power into Saturday night. The county has set up shelters that many residents will be going to for the night. There are no known injuries


Aspen Hill

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) responded to a call on the 12200 block of Charles Rd, off of Veirs Mill Rd (near the Korean Korner) at approximately 4:45pm on Saturday, for a tree that fell onto a house and trapped at least some of the occupants.

MCFRS Chief Spokesperson Pete Piringer provided an update stating that there were no injuries and that all 10 occupants are accounted for. The affected families, which include five adults and five children, have been displaced. The Red Cross is assisting. Severe damage was caused across the county due to Saturday’s storm.


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…)


Bethesda

MoCo native Katie Ledecky’s gold medal in the women‘s 800m has given her the most career individual swimming world titles of all time, with 16 overall.  She has surpassed fellow Marylander Michael Phelps, who previously held the record with 15.

Ledecky won the 800m freestyle race on Saturday with a time of 8 minutes and 8.87 seconds. She now holds the 29 fastest times in history in the event and also became the first swimmer to win any event six times at worlds. She has never lost since winning her first 800m back in 2012 when she was just 12 years old. Ledecky finished the world championships in took gold in the 800m and 1500m frees along with two silvers.


DMV

A severe thunderstorm that rolled into the late afternoon on Saturday, July 29th has caused damage in several parts of Montgomery County (a thunderstorm caused severe damage on Friday, July 28 as well). There are power outages across the county. Reminder: Treat traffic lights without a signal as four-way stops. Incidents reported and photos below:

• 12200 Braxfield Court near Academy Way, Rockville, large tree down, no injuries, tree landed in front of four-story apartment building


Darnestown

Pho City, which has been located at The Shops of Potomac Valley shopping center at 12123 Darnestown Rd. in Gaithersburg for approximately 15 years, is closing permanently today the store confirmed on the phone.

We are told that the restaurant has been sold to a restaurant that plans to offer Chinese-style beef noodle soup, but there is no current timeframe for when the new restaurant will open.  The shopping center has also recently lost Neal’s Bagels, which recently moved to a nearby Kentlands location. and there hasn’t much movement at the Wayback Burgers restaurant that installed permanent signage about one year ago. Isaac’s Poultry Market opened in the shopping center earlier this year. Featured photo courtesy of Google Maps.


Bethesda

Trader’s Joe’s has removed a broccoli cheddar soup and falafel from its shelves after learning that the products were possibly contaminated with foreign objects. The grocery store is telling its customers that they should return the items to any Trader Joe’s location for a full refund.  The company issued the following two announcements:

Last week Trader Joe’s recalled its Almond Windmill and Dark Chocolate Chunk & Almond Cookies due to the possibility that the products were also contaminated with rocks. Trader Joe’s has MoCo locations Bethesda, Rockville, and Silver Spring.


MCPD

Montgomery County Police are investigating a fatal collision that occurred this morning, Saturday, July 29, 2023. According to MCPD, “At approximately 5:49 a.m., 1st District officers and Montgomery County Fire Rescue personnel responded to the area of Veirs Mill Road and Twinbrook Parkway for the report of a single vehicle traffic collision.

The preliminary investigation revealed that a black Honda Civic was traveling eastbound on Veirs Mill Road when, for reasons unknown it left the roadway and collided with a guardrail. The adult male driver was transported to an area hospital where he was pronounced dead. Two passengers were transported to area hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries. 


MDLottery

Per Mega Millions: “For the fifth time in its history, Mega Millions® will offer a jackpot in excess of a billion dollars! After no ticket matched all six numbers drawn Friday night – the white balls 5, 10, 28, 52 and 63, plus the gold Mega Ball 18 – the estimated jackpot grows to $1.05 billion ($527.9 million cash) for the next drawing on Tuesday, August 1. That prize would equal the fourth-largest Mega Millions jackpot to date. The jackpot has been rolling since it was last won in New York on April 18, and Tuesday’s drawing will be the 30th in this current run.

With excitement over the rising jackpot, the number of prizes won across the other eight prize tiers keeps growing. In the July 28 drawing, there were a total of 3,157,597 winning tickets across all tiers. Of those, 586,903 included the optional Megaplier (available in most states with an extra $1 purchase), which multiplies all standard non-jackpot prizes by a factor of 2x to 5x; Friday night’s Megaplier was 5x. In the current Mega Millions matrix and Megaplier configuration, which has been in place since October 28, 2017, there has never been a Megaplier of 5x drawn at this extraordinary jackpot level. That means a lot of prizes in other tiers have been multiplied by a factor of five!


Beyond MoCo

We learned the child had been inside the car for several hours while her mother was visiting at a home nearby. The 29-year-old mother from Glen Burnie, MD, will be criminally charged with Neglect of a Minor, Unattended Child Left Confined in a Vehicle and Reckless Endangerment.

Child Protective Services has been notified, per Maryland law, to investigate and determine if the family can benefit from other services. It’s never ok to leave a young child unattended but it is particularly dangerous to do so in a vehicle when there is a heat advisory. Even with a window partially down, temperatures rise quickly and can become deadly. Children, dependent adults and even pets should simply never be left alone in a vehicle during extreme temperatures. We’re heartened that someone saw something and said something and are thankful for a community that looks out for each other!”


DMV

An Excessive Heat Warning is in effect for half the county with a Heat Advisory in effect for the other half until 8pm Saturday night. The National Weather Service warns of “Dangerous heat index values of 100-110 are forecast for much of the area again today. Scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms are expected, especially this afternoon and evening. Some storms may be severe and produce locally damaging winds.”

A “cold front” will move in tomorrow with temperatures in the mid/upper 80s and a heat index in the lower 90s, which will still feel hot, but about 15° cooler than the last couple days have felt. The upcoming week will bring temperatures in the mid 80s, which will give us a little break from the recent extreme heat.