MoCo Government

Update on Oak Barrel and Vine in Gaithersburg

By Patrick Herron

The first Oak Barrel & Vine store, located in the Cabin John Village shopping center, opened in 2021 and has become a customer favorite. The future second Oak Barrel & Vine store, located in the Montrose Crossing shopping center, is expected to open in January 2023. ABS intends to upgrade its remaining retail stores to the Oak Barrel & Vine brand over the next several years.

ABS is the alcohol wholesaler of beer, wine, and spirits for Montgomery County and operates 26 retail stores throughout the County. In addition, ABS manages alcohol licensing, enforcement and education for more than 1,000 businesses. Generating more than $35 million in net income annually, its profits are used to pay down County debt with a large portion deposited in the general fund to pay for resident services that would otherwise be funded by County tax dollars. Follow ABS on Facebook and Twitter.

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Events

Easter Egg Hunt Returns to Takoma Park

By MCS Staff

Per the City of Takoma Park: After a few years of a modified egg hunt the traditional egg hunt returns to Takoma Park. Each Spring the Takoma Park Recreation Department hosts an egg hunt at Ed Wilhelm Field (behind Piney Branch Elementary School). This FREE event is always an egg-citing time! Egg Hunt age categories include:

Don’t forget to bring your basket to collect all the eggs! Each age group will have one metallic golden egg hidden among the eggs. If you are the lucky one to find that egg be sure to go to the Information Booth to claim your prize. There will be games, crafts and fun and a special visit from Mr. Bunny. The majority of the eggs are made from recycled baby bottles. Continue the recycling by turning in your eggs before you leave, you will get a ticket to win a raffle prize. For more information visit https://takomaparkmd.gov/government/recreation/egg-hunt/

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MCPS

Media Access to Regular Season Athletic Events To Require MCPS Credentials

By MCS Staff

Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) is committed to administering spirited and safe athletic competitions consistent with the R.A.I.S.E. core values for MCPS Athletics. District athletics events are extremely popular and well-attended, requiring meticulous logistical preparation. Media credentialing ensures a safe environment for members of the press covering MCPS athletic events and are essential for easy identification and knowing who may be in our athletic facilities. As such, new protocols governing media coverage of MCPS athletic events will go into effect on April 1, 2023; including:

When: The application for athletic event credentials is open. Media representatives must have the official MCPS Athletic Event Credentials in order to attend and cover any regular season event.

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Poolesville

White’s Ferry Update: Rockland Farm Rejects $1.1M Offer, Kuhn Looks to Sell Ferry to Montgomery County

By MCS Staff

The owners of White’s Ferry have announced that Rockland Farm, the Virginia landing site for the ferry, have rejected a $1.1 million dollar offer to purchase the site. According to a press release, the offer included funds from White’s Ferry’s owners, both Montgomery and Loudoun Counties, and additional funds from Herb Brown, the original ferry owner. White’s Ferry ceased operations back in December 2020 over a legal dispute with Rockland Farms. 

Chuck and Stacy Kuhn, owners of JK Moving Services, purchased the Ferry in February 2021. “We have run out of options and will now seek to sell the ferry land and operations to Montgomery County so it can work to invoke eminent domain and acquire the Virginia landing site,” Chuck Kuhn said. Full statement below:

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MCFRS

North Carolina Fire is Likely Cause of Smokey Smell Across Montgomery County

By MCS Staff

Lt. Franco Martinez of Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) has addressed multiple calls regarding smoke or a smokey smell in various parts of the county. Per Lt. Martinez, “Is there something in the air in Montgomery County? Apparently there is. Our department is getting multiple calls for smoke in the area. It just might be from a very large fire in North Carolina. Fire departments in the DMV getting the same reports.”

Per an OuterBanksVoice tweet, “Tyrrell County Wildfire now 34% contained. March 26 update from the North Carolina Forest Service. The Last Resort Fire in Tyrrell County is 34% contained as of 4 p.m., March 26. Due to more accurate mapping, the fire is 5,200 acres in size.”

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Gaithersburg

Late April Opening Anticipated for Shake Shack Kentlands

By MCS Staff

Permanent signage has been up for a few months at the upcoming Shake Shake location in Gaithersburg’s Kentlands neighborhood. A representative from the Potomac location let us know that the Kentlands location is currently scheduled to open at the end of April. Shake Shack has additional MoCo locations at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda and Cabin John Village in Potomac.

Background: On July 8, 2021, Shake Shack was granted approval for the construction of a 4,700 square foot building with outdoor seating as the second of three commercial infill sites totaling 16,000 square feet along Kentlands Square Place. The burger chain was granted its license to sell beer and wine on the premises during its Alcohol Beverage Services (ABS) hearing on January 6th of 2022, and prepared to break ground in February. Construction began in March, but stalled after flooding that occurred over the summer. The approval was for the first of three infill sites was granted for the construction of a 2,100 square foot Starbucks building with drive through and outdoor seating. Starbucks opened in January of 2021, a little over two years ago.

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Health

Governor Moore Announces EBT Reimbursements for Fraud Victims

By Patrick Herron

Per the State of Maryland: Governor Wes Moore today announced Electronic Benefits Transfer reimbursements for fraud victims. Since beginning outreach to eligible individuals last week, the Maryland Department of Human Services has approved nearly 1,300 claims totaling $761,584 in reimbursed benefits.

“My administration is using a direct and swift approach to reimburse people whose food and cash benefits were stolen,” said Governor Moore. “We are demonstrating how our state will lead and find innovative ways to solve our common problems and restore faith in our family-serving institutions.”

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Restaurants

Willie T’s Seafood Shack is Now Open

By MCS Staff

In November 2021 we let you know that Willie T’s Seafood Shack and BRB (be right burger) would be moving in to 9326 Georgia Avenue (joint restaurant), between Islands Tropical Ice Cream and Goldberg’s New York Bagels, in the location that was formerly home to Andy’s Restaurant. Willie T’s is now open, according to an Instagram post by the restaurant (seen below). Willie T’s will be open at 11am until 10pm, seven days per week, according to its Google listing.

Willie T’s, a seafood concept from Thompson Hospitality, has recently opened as a pop-up inside of Austin Grill in Springfield, VA and a ghost kitchen out of Homewood Suites in Reston. The restaurant serves A variety of seafood dishes, including hand-breaded fried fish sandwiches and baskets, crab cakes, lobster tails, salads, grilled fish, po boys, and more. The full menu can be seen here.

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North Bethesda

Quincy’s South to Close This Friday

By Patrick Herron

After nine years, Quincy’s South at 11401 Woodglen Dr in Rockville will be closing this Friday, March 31.  The current location is scheduled to be redeveloped into an apartment complex with a retail pad and the restaurant is actively looking for a new location. Drew Gardner, who was recently in the running for Maryland bartender of the year, will be the new General Manager and managing partner when the restaurant reopens. After 3/31, Gardner will be at Quincy’s Potomac (1093 Seven Locks Rd) until a new location is found for Quincy’s South.

“We had a great run here,” said owner Marty Magill. “We never could have imagined how the neighborhood would support us over the years. We are so very grateful for everyone who visited and can’t wait to find our new home nearby soon.”

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Gaithersburg

Police Continue to Search for Missing 8-Year-Old From Gaithersburg

By Patrick Herron

Miriam may be traveling to outside of Maryland with her 41-year-old grandmother, Karla Vanessa Martinez, in an unknown vehicle. Carla is 5-feet tall and weighs approximately 170 pounds. She has black hair and brown eyes.  Family and police are concerned for her welfare.  Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Miriam Garcia is asked to call the police non-emergency number at (301) 279-8000 (24-hour line). Callers may remain anonymous.

 

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Beyond MoCo

Turbulence Ruled Out as Flight Issues Cause Jolts That Killed Montgomery County Woman on Flight

By MCS Staff

Turbulence has been ruled out as the cause of Montgomery County woman’s death earlier this month after pilots told investigators they did not encounter turbulence on the flight, providing an update to the early statements from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) from a preliminary assessment the day after the crash. According to FOX5, “investigators said Friday that a passenger on a business jet was fatally injured in early March when the aircraft violently bucked up and down after pilots disconnected a system used to stabilize the plane.”

The flight took off from New Hampshire and was destined for Leesburg, VA before making an emergency landing in Connecticut. Dana Hyde, of Cabin John, was transported via ambulance to Saint Francis Medical Center, in Hartford, Connecticut after suffering blunt-force injuries. Hyde worked in the Clinton and Obama White Houses and was counsel on the 9/11 Commission, which investigated the September 11th terrorist attacks.

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