Bethesda

Seven Suspects Using Stolen Kia Steal From Target and Sephora 

By Patrick Herron

Per MCPD: Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – Major Crimes Division are investigating two thefts at department stores that were committed by seven suspects who used a stolen Kia to commit these crimes. Detectives have released surveillance photos of the suspects and are asking for the public’s assistance in identifying them.

On Friday, April 28, 2023, 2nd District officers responded to Sephora in the 5300 block of Western Ave. in Chevy Chase for the report of a theft. The investigation by detectives has revealed that the seven suspects walked into the store, placed merchandise in shopping bags and ran out of the store without paying. The suspects then left the scene in a black Kia bearing Washington, D.C. license plate GC-5918.

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MoCo Government

Update on Taste of Wheaton’s Cancellation

By Patrick Herron

On Tuesday, we reported that this year’s Taste of Wheaton event scheduled for June 4 at Marian Fryer Plaza (2424 Reedie Plaza) in Downtown Wheaton had been cancelled. Taste of Wheaton is an annual event that takes place in early June that features food, music and dance, rides, and children’s activities.  According to the Sidney Cooper of the Wheaton Urban District, the event “encountered contracting hurdles we could not overcome in time for the event to be the success the community expects and deserves” and “we look forward to bringing it back bigger and better in 2024.”

When asked on Twitter if restaurant recruitment played a factor in the cancellation,  County Councilmember for District 6 Natali Fani-González replied, “The County Exec team notified me a couple of days ago about the unfortunate cancellation. Restaurant recruitment has to do with the decision. More will be discussed at the June WUDAC meeting.” Last year’s participating restaurants included Frank’s Burger Place, Green Plate Catering, Hollywood East Café, IHOP, Los Cobanos, Methi Indian Restaurant, Nando’s Peri Peri, Nothing Bundt Cakes, Nut House Pizza and Terra Mare Restaurant.

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Bethesda

Nike By Bethesda Opens Today

By MCS Staff

Just days after the Nike store in Georgetown closed its doors,  a new Nike store put up signage in January at 7117 Arlington Rd in Bethesda– the former home of Amazon Books. “Nike By Bethesda” is opening its 6,063 SF store today (Thursday, May 25th). The store is open from 10am-8pm Monday-Saturday and 10am-7pm on Sundays.

Nike recently opened its Silver Spring Nike Unite store and  also operates a Factory Store at the Clarksburg Premium Outlets in Montgomery County. The Bethesda store is considered a retail store. Nike retail stores offer shoes and apparel that are new and come directly from the warehouse. They are generally priced at the normal retail price. This is different than a Nike Factory store, which sell products made specifically for the retail outlet or outlet out-of-season discounted goods.

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Arts

MCPS Performing Arts Students Shine in Awards Celebration

By MCS Staff

Dozens of MCPS high school seniors were recognized for their accomplishments in dance, theatre performance, technical theatre, choral and instrumental music, media arts, and 2D and 3D visual art at the 22nd annual Superintendent’s All-County Fine Arts Awards Celebration on May 22 at Seneca Valley High School.

The event featured musical and dance performances from four high schools, plus the All-County Dance Ensemble, which performed Origins, choreographed by Alice Howes and directed by Tiffany Alastanos. Other performances included—

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Beyond MoCo

“Innovations in Flight” Event Returns to Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum

By MCS Staff

The National Air and Space Museum’s Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center will host its annual “Innovations in Flight Outdoor Aviation Display,” Saturday, June 17, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Visitors will be able to view over 50 vintage, modern and commercial aircraft that will fly in for the day and be on display outside the museum. Aircraft scheduled to appear include a C-17 from the 514th Air Mobility Wing; a Bell UH-1 Iroquois from the 1st Helicopter Squadron; aircraft from the Naval Test Pilot School such as a T-6B Texan II, Bell H-58 and C-26 ASTARS III; and a variety of civilian aircraft. Free passes are required to view the outdoor display and can be reserved on the museum’s website.

“Innovations in Flight Outdoor Aviation Display” will explore the engineering and design achievements of the past century of flight. Visitors can talk with pilots and explore the aircraft’s cockpits and cabins. In addition to the outdoor aircraft display, museum educators will lead visitors in plane spotting aircraft landing at Washington Dulles International Airport and teach them how to spot and identify aircraft from anywhere. Visitors will also be able to use social media filters to transform into iconic pilots from aviation history.

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Beyond MoCo

Meerkats Are Born at Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute

By MCS Staff

For the first time in 16 years, the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (NZCBI) in Washington, D.C., is celebrating the birth of three meerkats. Keepers in the Small Mammal House reported for duty the morning of May 10 and observed that 5-year-old Sadie had given birth overnight. NZCBI had received a recommendation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Species Survival Plan (SSP) to breed Sadie and the pups’ 6-year-old father Frankie. These pups are the first offspring for Sadie; Frankie sired offspring previously at his former zoo. Meerkats live in groups called mobs that can include as many as 30 individuals, although the average mob size is around 10 to 15 individuals. Visitors can view NZCBI’s meerkat mob—which also includes Sadie’s sister, Stella—at the Small Mammal House.

In the wild, meerkat pups typically remain in an underground burrow for about three weeks. To encourage the meerkats to exhibit their natural burrowing behavior, a system of tubing—concealed within rockwork—runs along the outskirts of their habitat in the Small Mammal House. At the end of the tunnel, a nest box offers visitors a view of the meerkats’ underground sleeping chamber. The day Sadie gave birth, she surprised keepers by bringing her pups into the main exhibit space.

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Education

Celebration of House Built and Designed By MCPS Students

By MCS Staff

Students and members of the Construction Trades Foundation (CTF) celebrated the completion of the 43rd student-build house with a cornerstone ceremony on May 23. Construction and interior design students built the house over the past two years (video below).

Located at 14105 Alderton Road in Silver Spring, the 3,100-square-foot home has four bedrooms and three upstairs bathrooms with a half-bath on the main level. It includes beautiful, large windows with an open floor plan and a two-car garage with a remote door entry. The kitchen features stainless steel appliances, silestone countertops, a kitchen island, window above the kitchen sink and contemporary lighting. The house also includes HVAC units in the basement and attic, a wraparound porch, screened patio and oak hardwood flooring.

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Olney

First Look at Salt & Vine in Olney (Opens Friday, May 26)

By MCS Staff

Salt & Vine officially opens on Friday, May 26th in the Olney House, which was previously the home of Ricciuti’s at 3308 Olney-Sandy Spring Rd. Below you’ll see a sneak peek at some of the menu items from a soft opening event that took place on Wednesday, May 24th.

“Salt & Vine Trattoria and Wine Bar is built from the historic Olney house at Olney Maryland. Executive Chef and Owner, Thomas Zippelli has focused on creating local, fresh, and seasonally inspired Italian dishes. As well as building a dining experience that fits everyone . We have outdoor seating, two bars, private dining, and a dining room. Anyone searching for an elevated and authentic dining experience will enjoy Salt and Vine. Search no further.”

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Olney

Smoothie King Moves Closer Toward Opening in Olney

By MCS Staff

Last September we let you know that Smoothie King will be opening an Olney location at the Olney Village Center. It will be taking over the 980 SF space that was previously home to Party USA at 18151 Village Center Drive, between IHOP and Pho & Grill. Signage is up and interior construction has progressed to near completion. An opening date has not been provided yet, but it looks very close to being ready to open (photo below).

Olney Village Center, where Smoothie King will be located, is anchored by Giant, TJ Maxx, and Gold’s Gym. Smoothie King will compete directly with nearby Playa Bowls, which opened at the Fair Hill shopping center at the beginning of 2021. CB Acai, which also offered smoothies, closed its only storefront in November 2021. Carmen’s, an Italian ice and sweet treats spot, opened in Olney in April 2020, and Kung Fu Tea, which offers bubble tea, slushies, and other cold and warm beverages, recently opened in the Shoppes of Olney.

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Education

MCPS Celebrates 24 Graduates Who Are Future Educators

By MCS Staff

MCPS hosted a Future Educators celebration for 24 graduating seniors on May 24. This is the second year that the Office of Human Resources and Development has hosted a “Grow Your Own” strategy to attract, recruit and excite MCPS students with the possibility of a teaching career with the district.

The event recognized the students for their outstanding academic performance and commitment to return to MCPS once they have finished college. In addition, each of these students are receiving a $5,000 scholarship toward their college studies. The scholarships are funded by the Maryland Leads Grant. The Maryland Leads Grant and the MCPS “Grow Your Own” initiatives support the long-standing need to establish and strengthen teacher pipelines and development.

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Events

City of Rockville’s Independence Day Celebration and Fireworks Display Takes Place on Tuesday, July 4th

By MCS Staff

The City of Rockville will hold its annual Independence Day celebration and fireworks display at Mattie J.T. Stepanek Park in King Farm on Tuesday, July 4th from 7pm to 10pm. “This location offers wonderful spectator viewing, and ample and convenient parking for the 4th of July festivities. Enjoy live music by Vertigo Red and a 20-minute fireworks display.”

So far, other Montgomery County Independence Day celebrations have been announced in Germantown, Gaithersburg, Kensington/Wheaton, and Poolesville:

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