Per the City of Rockville: The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning Plus (LGBTQ+) Pride Month is celebrated in the United States to commemorate the Stonewall Riots, which occurred at the end of June 1969. The commemorative month also recognizes the impact LGBTQ+ individuals have had on history—locally, nationally, and internationally.
The City of Rockville has issued proclamations declaring LGBTQ+ Pride Month since June 2017.
Rockville’s Independence Day Celebration is held annually at Mattie J.T. Stepanek Park in King Farm. This location offers wonderful spectator viewing, and ample and convenient parking for the 4th of July festivities. Enjoy live music by Under the Covers and a 20-minute fireworks display. The event will take place on Tuesday, July 4, 2023 between 7pm – 10 pm Mattie J.T. Stepanek Park, located at 1800 Piccard Drive, Rockville, MD 20850. The schedule and additional information can be seen below (video of last year’s event also available):
Parking: Free parking is available in lots along Shady Grove and Gaither Roads, as well as on Piccard Drive. These lots are conveniently located near the event site. There is no parking available in the King Farm neighborhood. Please use main roads such as Route 355, Gude Drive, and Shady Grove Road to access these parking lots. There will be ample signage directing people to public parking. View Parking Map/ Accessible parking is available in the parking lot on the corner of Shady Grove Road and Gaither Road. Please display your Accessible Parking Pass when entering the event site.
Per MCPD: Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – Special Victims Investigations Division (SVID) are asking for the public’s assistance in locating Ayiana Johnson, a missing 12-year-old from Silver Spring.
Johnson was last seen on Saturday, June 17, 2023, at approximately 5 p.m., in the 3300 block of Teagarden Cir. Johnson is approximately 5-feet, 6-inches tall and weighs 115 pounds. She has brown eyes and black hair. It is unknown what she was last seen wearing. Police and family are concerned for her welfare.
Summer fun starts at Good Counsel! Our Summer Camps are packed with exciting activities, sports, creativity, adventure, and unforgettable memories for campers of all ages. From the field to the classroom and everywhere in between, there’s something for everyone at Good Counsel’s Summer Camps!
Spend your summer learning, laughing, and making new friends with the Good Counsel community. Spots are filling fast so be sure to register today!
Register at: www.olgchs.org/camps
It has been approximately six years since Pat’s Hallmark Shop closed its Olney location, leaving local residents to rely on grocery stores and CVS for its greeting cards, ornaments, gift wrap, home decor and gift ideas. Hallmark has decided to return to Olney, however, with a new store signed on to take over the space recently vacated by My Little Gym at 18217 Village Center Dr in the Olney Village Center.
While there’s no available opening timeframe, construction is expected to begin soon inside the 4,000 SF space. Hallmark was founded in 1910 by teenage entrepreneur J.C. Hall, and remaining a private company with family members on the board of directors today, Hallmark’s businesses employ more than 20,000 people worldwide. “While there are many ways to experience Hallmark, the experiences that matter most to the company are the ones our customers are able to share with their friends and loved ones. We strive each day to help those experiences – and those connections – come to life. In each of our businesses we aim to be good community partners, we believe embracing diversity and inclusion is the best way to understand and serve our employees and consumers, and we strive to be environmentally responsible. This all helps to fulfill our purpose of inspiring meaningful relationships and enhancing lives.” Featured photo courtesy of Google Maps.
Beautiful venue; great art, gifts and hand-crafted items; refreshments; and meet the award-winning painters, photographers, mixed media artists, ceramicists, fiber artists, and more – some 40 artists in all. It’s an extraordinary array of framed wall works, 3-d media including sculpture, ceramics, jewelry, and fiber pieces, and unframed prints.
Among them, you’ll see:
Kats Kitchen and Company signage is up in the window of 12854 New Hampshire Ave, previously the home of Dominic’s Italian Grille. Dominic’s closed permanently in January. In December 2022, we received confirmation that the owners of Dominic’s would no longer be opening the new concept, Bourbon, Wings and Beer at the previous home of Buffalo Wings and Beer in Cloverly.
Currently, not much is known about Kat’s Kitchen and Company, but a martini glass is adorns the sign that’s placed in the window of the restaurant, so a bar is likely to remain at the location. We’ll have additional information as soon as it’s available.
Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) responded to a call for a fire at the Farmingdale Condos on Chalet Dr, off of Great Seneca Highway, Farmingdale Condos, in Germantown […]
Per WSSC: WSSC Water and Montgomery County recently entered into a five-year agreement that will literally turn poop into power. Thanks to the construction of the innovative Piscataway Bioenergy Facility, methane gas captured during the wastewater treatment process will be upgraded to Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) and sold to the county to power their Ride On buses. During today’s monthly meeting, WSSC Water Commissioners were briefed on the agreement to generate an estimated $700,000 per year in revenue for WSSC Water while reducing the utility’s greenhouse gas emissions.
“The Montgomery County government is always seeking innovative and sustainable practices in order to reduce carbon emissions,” said County Executive Marc Elrich. “This agreement to turn methane gas into fuel for our buses is a win-win-win for our constituents, commuters and, most importantly, our environment. I appreciate the efforts of WSSC Water to work with us to create this agreement. Increasing the efficiency and reliability of our Ride-On bus system is critical toward the County’s goal of a 100% carbon emission reduction by 2035. This agreement, along with our new electric buses and microgrids are important improvements within our fleet of Ride-On vehicles.”
Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) responded to a fire in the 11500 block of February Circle, near January Drive in White Oak on Thursday, June 22. According to Chief Spokesperson for MCFRS Pete Piringer, the fire was located in a bedroom on the 2nd floor of the four-story garden apartment and was caused by a space heater that was too close to combustibles.
Two adults have been displaced. Damage is estimated to be ~$25K and there were no injuries reported. We will post an update if additional information becomes available.
Per the Maryland-National Capital Park Police-Montgomery County Division: The Maryland-National Capital Park Police are investigating the report of an attempted sexual assault that occurred today (Wednesday, June 21) at approximately 2:30 p.m. in the area of Beach Drive and Leland Road in Rock Creek Stream Valley Unit 1.
The victim, 17-year-old female, was jogging on Beach Drive at the intersection of Leland Road when a white vehicle approached her. An unknown male asked her if she wanted a ride. When she said no, the subject exited the vehicle and grabbed her and attempted to sexually assault her. The victim was able to fight off the subject who ran back to his car and fled the scene in his vehicle towards East-West Highway. The victim was examined at a local hospital to ensure she was not injured. Park Police along with Montgomery County Police secured the crime scene and canvassed the area for the suspect with negative results. The Park Police will be providing additional marked and unmarked patrol units in the area.
Giant Food has announced that Ben’s Chili Bowl’s world-famous Chili and Half Smokes will be available in the prepared food sections and hot bars in Giant stores throughout the area beginning this Friday, June 23. According to a press release, Giant will offer Ben’s Chili Bowl Original and Spicy Half Smokes, Chili Con Carne, Turkey Chili and “secret” Chili Sauce.
“Ben’s Chili Bowl has remained a respected business within our community since 1958 and the opportunity to partner with the brand and expand the Ali family’s legacy was a no-brainer,” said Ira Kress, President at Giant Food. “We are proud to introduce Ben’s Chili Bowl’s fan-favorite recipes and menu items into our stores, and we are sure they will be a welcomed addition for our customers.”
Per WMATA: Metro crews are nearing the finish line to reopen two stations and restore normal Silver Line service following construction to lay down miles of new rail and fiber-optic cables. Beginning Monday, June 26, trains will resume service to the East Falls Church and West Falls Church stations.
This is the first of a two-phase rail replacement project on the Orange and Silver lines. The second phase continues on the Orange Line only through July 16, with the Vienna and Dunn Loring stations remaining closed.