Silky Gem, which offers crystal candies inspired by Vietnamese Lunar new year traditions, is now open at 332 Main St in Gaithersburg’s Kentlands neighborhood. The store has been described as the first crystal candy shop to open in the United States (photos below).
The shop has held a few events prior to its grand opening and offers a variety of the same crystal candies many have seen on the Silky Gem social media accounts. The grand opening was initially scheduled to take place on Saturday, June 24th, but had to be postponed due to unforeseen circumstances, opening earlier this week. Store hours are 12pm-8pm daily, closed on Tuesdays.
Bassett’s Restaurant at 19950 Fisher Ave in Poolesville has announced it will reopen on Monday, October 9. The restaurant closed due to a fire on June 5. The fire was located in a small building in the back and thankfully there was no extension to the main building/restaurant.
The DMV Chocolate & Coffee Festival is coming to Montgomery County on November 7 & 8, 2026, at the Adventist HealthCare Fieldhouse in Germantown, Maryland. Get ready to sip, sample, shop, and enjoy a full weekend of family-friendly fun!
Sip, Sample & Shop
Get ready to explore a festival floor filled with top chocolate makers, coffee roasters, bakeries, specialty food vendors, artisan brands and small businesses from across the region and beyond. Sample new flavors, meet the people behind the products and shop directly from the talented makers and businesses who created them.
Experience Chocolate History
One of the highlights of this year’s festival is a large-scale chocolate sculpture of George Washington on horseback, created by award-winning chocolate artist Paul Joachim.
The sculpture will be part of a special exhibit exploring chocolate’s place in early American history. Guests can see the sculpture up close, sample colonial-style drinking chocolate, and shop the exclusive Collector’s Heritage Box inspired by the historic drink. It’s a unique opportunity to experience chocolate through art, history, and taste all in one place.
Seminars, Demonstrations & More
Visit the Sip & Share Seminar Classroom for educational sessions and demonstrations throughout the weekend, all included with your festival admission. Explore topics ranging from ancestral cacao in the Ecuadorian Amazon and the realities of starting a coffee business to craft chocolate and festival trivia. Learn directly from experts and makers as they share their knowledge, demonstrate their craft and offer a closer look at how their products are made.
Fun for All Ages
The DMV Chocolate & Coffee Festival offers an experience the whole family can enjoy. Kids under 12 receive free admission with a ticketed adult and can get creative at our complimentary kids’ craft tables. Festival mascots Chunk & Bean will also be on-site for meet-and-greets and photo opportunities throughout the weekend. Families can even shop for Chunk & Bean plushies, children’s books and other kid-friendly items.
Whether you’re a serious chocolate lover, a coffee enthusiast, a foodie or simply looking for a fun fall outing, there’s something for everyone to see, taste, shop and enjoy.
Save on Tickets
The DMV Chocolate & Coffee Festival Maryland Edition takes place November 7 & 8, 2026, at the Adventist HealthCare Fieldhouse in Germantown, Maryland.
MoCo Show readers can use code MOCO10 at checkout to save 10% on online festival tickets. Grab your tickets and get ready to sip, sample and shop at one of the sweetest weekends of the fall!
According to the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office, “in the Circuit Court for Montgomery County, MD, before the Honorable Sharon Burrell, a jury has convicted defendant, Kevin Orihuela, 22, of Rockville, on charges ofHomicide by Motor Vehicle while Under the Influence of Alcohol and Gross Negligent Manslaughter by Motor Vehicle for causing the crash that killed 62-year-old Noel Powell of Germantown. The jury reached its verdict late yesterday afternoon, October 5th, 2023. Orihuela faces up to 15 years in prison. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for December 15th, 2023.
The fatal crash occurred on Sunday, August 14th, 2022, at Josiah Henson Pkwy and Randolph Rd, at the intersection of Josiah Henson with the exit ramp from route 355 at approximately 4:12 p.m. The defendant, Orihuela, had gone to brunch at a restaurant in the Pike and Rose center with a large group of friends to celebrate one of their 21st birthdays, where they ordered “bottomless mimosas.” Based on a review of surveillance video, the defendant drank 11 mimosas over the course of one hour and 55 minutes (1:06 pm to 3:01 pm). The video depicts the defendant consistently sitting with his head on the table and head in his hands in the minutes before he leaves. He then got into his Audi A4, left Pike and Rose via the Towne Road exit, turned right onto Josiah Henson, and quickly accelerated his Audi toward the intersection with the ramp from route 355. The event data recorder from his vehicle showed that as he approached that intersection, he was accelerating at one hundred percent of his vehicle’s capability and reached a speed of 70 miles per hour. The speed limit on that road is 40 mph.
Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) responded to Brickyard Rd and Stable Ln in Potomac for the report of a collision involving an overturned ambulance. According to Chief Spokesperson for MCFRS Pete Piringer, the incident occurred around 9:30am on Friday, October 6 due to the road surface being wet from morning precipitation, and “apparently very slick (likely build up of oil on road).”
The unit was returning from the hospital and there were no patients inside of the ambulance at the time of the collision. The crew of two sustained no serious injuries. We will provide an update if additional information becomes available.
The National Museum of the American Indian’s Native Cinema Showcase is an annual celebration of the best in Native film. The festival celebrates the best of Indigenous film, spanning documentaries, features, animations, and short-format films by Indigenous filmmakers from across the Western Hemisphere and Arctic.
Olney, MD Art Gallery and Studio to present a Pop-Culture themed group Art Exhibit and Artists’ Alley event.
Highly Animated is a 2-month long celebration of the vibrant world of fan art. From classic JRPG nostalgia, to the latest anime obsessions, to amazing original characters, this exhibition will highlight the passion, creativity and talent within fan communities.
The Montgomery County Department of Transportation warns of an increased chance of encountering deer on the roadway. In a tweet from earlier today, MCDOT wrote: “With the shorter days and 🦌deer🦌 mating season here, please be on the lookout👀for deer alongside and on the roadway during dawn🌄 & dusk 🌆. Slow down if a🦌deer🦌crosses the road ahead. Deer often travel in groups & others🦌🦌🦌🦌 may be nearby.”
Additional information and tips below, per the Maryland Department of Natural Resources: The Maryland Department of Natural Resources reminds motorists to be vigilant. During this time deer travel across roads in often unpredictable patterns at all times of the day in search of a mate. Most wildlife species are also more active this time of year, as they search for food to prepare them for the coming winter.
Northwest High School principal Scott Smith sent a letter to the community informing them that the school is in a “modified shelter” due to an anonymous threat made via social media. At this time, it is not believed that the threat is credible, but Montgomery County Police is on-sight as a precaution. Full letter can be seen below:
“Dear Northwest High School Students, Families and Staff,
On October 5, 2023, at approximately 1:00 pm, Takoma Park Police responded to the 1300 block of Holton Lane (El Alazan Western Wear), for the report of an armed robbery and assault that had just occurred.
According to Takoma Park Police, “The suspect entered the establishment under the pretense of being interested in purchasing merchandise. However, for unknown reasons, the suspect’s demeanor turned hostile and he brandished a silver handgun. One of the store’s owners attempted to call 911. In response, the suspect aggressively charged at her in an attempt to take her phone. During the struggle, the suspect forcibly dragged the owner out of the establishment causing her to fall to the ground outside. The suspect fled on foot towards the rear of “La Union” Mall located in the 1400 block of University Blvd east.
Governor Moore Honors Environmental Leaders During 2023 Maryland League of Conservation Voters Changemakers Celebration
Per the State of Maryland: Governor Wes Moore today delivered remarks at the 2023 Maryland League of Conservation Voters Changemakers celebration, honoring Marylanders who have demonstrated vision, leadership, and courage in protecting the environment. The event took place at the Colwell Center in downtown Baltimore, home to the Institute of Marine and Environmental Technology.
“Being a changemaker is hard and it takes partnership. We praise these changemakers not only for their individual accomplishments, but also for how their collective accomplishments moved us forward,” said Gov. Moore. “If we follow the example of these changemakers, I know we will meet this moment united and build a better, more sustainable, more resilient, and more equitable future.”
The U.S. government will continue to make COVID-19 tests available to uninsured individuals and underserved communities through existing outreach programs. Contact a HRSA health center, Test to Treat site or ICATT location to learn how to access low- or no-cost COVID-19 tests provided by the Federal Government. Most Montgomery County Public Libraries also are distributing free test kits provided by the County. Check with your local library to see if it has test kits available.
Per MCDOT: The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) will hold a series of virtual public meetings to present the findings of three separate elementary school walkability studies including Forest Knolls Elementary (Silver Spring), New Hampshire Estate Elementary (Silver Spring), and North Chevy Chase Elementary (Chevy Chase) schools. The meetings will show study findings and discuss the sidewalk and safety needs of students walking and biking to the studied school.
Each of the walkability studies reviewed the condition of existing infrastructure and recommended improvements that may be implemented within the school walkshed to provide safe and accessible routes for students walking and biking to the school. Most of the improvements that could be implemented quickly, such as signing and marking, have been completed. These community meetings will help County staff better understand safety needs and plan future sidewalk and safety improvement projects within the school walkshed.
White House press release (10/4/23): President Biden has long believed that college should be a ticket to the middle class, not a burden that weighs on families. That’s why from day one, his Administration has taken unprecedented steps to fix the broken student loan system, make college more affordable, and bring the promise of higher education in reach for more Americans.
Marking a key step forward in that effort, President Biden is announcing that an additional 125,000 Americans have been approved for $9 billion in debt relief through fixes his Administration has made to income-driven repayment (IDR) and Public Service Loan Forgiveness, and by cancelling debt for borrowers with total and permanent disabilities. Today’s announcement brings the total approved debt cancellation by the Biden-Harris Administration to $127 billion for nearly 3.6 million Americans. The Biden-Harris Administration is announcing it has approved:
