Arts

Montgomery Potters Present Ceramics Exhibit Through June 4

By MCS Staff

Arts on the Green presents a ceramics exhibit featuring works by members of Montgomery Potters. The exhibit is on display through June 4, 2023. Meet the artists and view their works at a joint Artists Reception on Thursday, April 27 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at both the Arts Barn & Kentlands Mansion, where the Gaithersburg Fine Arts Association’s exhibition will be on display. The joint reception is open to all and free to attend. Light refreshments will be served. Masks & social distancing are encouraged, but not required.

Members of Montgomery Potters will also provide docent tours of the exhibit from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. during the Arts Barn’s 20th Anniversary Celebration on Saturday, April 15. “We are so pleased to welcome the Montgomery Potters to the Arts Barn Gallery,” says Gallery Program Coordinator Jaree Donnelly. “Their work is terrific and varied in style, and we hope our patrons will enjoy perusing the pieces from this talented group of artists & choose to acquire something from the exhibit for their collection or to give as a wonderful, unique gift.”

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Gaithersburg

Construction Begins at Red Door Escape Room in Rio

By MCS Staff

Earlier this year we let you know that Red Door Escape Room is coming to Rio. It will be occupying the 4,057 SF space at 125 Boardwalk Place that was recently home to Locally Crafted before it moved a bit down the street, and previously home to Ann Taylor (across from Potbelly). Construction has begun (photo below) and we anticipate the escape room to be open in the next couple of months, though an opening date or timeframe has not yet been provided.

Red Door Escape Room has locations in California, Oklahoma, Texas, Utah, and Virginia with its most recent location opening in the Richmond area at the end of 2022. An opening date for the Rio location is not yet available. More About Red Door Escape Room:

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Derwood

Sides BBQ & Catering is Looking For a New Home

By MCS Staff

Sides BBQ & Catering is looking for a new home after operating as a “ghost kitchen” out of Sam’s Pizza at 15855 Redland Rd in Derwood since last August.  Sam’s Pizza was recently sold and will operate as Charlie Pizza and Subs starting next week. The change will move forward without Sides BBQ & Catering as part of the equation, according to announcement Sides made on social media:

“Hello SIDES Family.. unfortunately we have to share some bad news. Our location on Redland Rd was sold to a new business that has chosen to go in a different direction necessitating us to close operations effective immediately. Please know that we appreciate each and every one of you and your support means the world to us. But make no mistake, WE WILL BE BACK! Keep following us here for updates.. as we regroup, refocus, and soon RETURN. P.S. If you know of any business in the area looking to share space, please let us know. ❤ STILL #thesoulofmoco”

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Maryland

Notice of District 39 State Delegate Vacancy After Delegate Kirill Reznik Takes Job With Gov. Wes Moore’s Administration

By MCS Staff

On March 14, 2023, Delegate Kirill Reznik announced that he would resign from the Maryland House of Delegates on March 21, to serve as the Assistant Secretary for Inter-Departmental Data Integration for the Maryland Department of Human Services. Per the Montgomery County Democratic Party: Delegate Kirill Reznik has resigned as Maryland State Delegate serving District 39 effective March 21, 2023. Governor Wes Moore has appointed Delegate Reznik as Assistant Secretary for Inter-Departmental Data Integration at the Department of Human Services.

Individuals interested in applying for the appointment should submit a cover letter, a resume, and any other supporting materials that they would like the MCDCC to consider by email to [email protected] with the subject line D39 Delegate Vacancy Application no later than Tuesday, April 4, 2023 at 5 p.m. Applicants also must provide proof of residency indicating that they have been a resident in the district for the past six months. Each applicant must submit either a Credit card bill, Utility bill, Bank statement, or mail from a Federal, State, or Local government agency dating back six months.

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Burtonsville

Burtonsville Elementary School Supports Wellness with Natural Beauty, Community, and Composting

By MCS Staff

At Burtonsville Elementary School of Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS), MD, nutrition and food access, family and community engagement, and staff well-being are inseparable. School staff and families have come together in leading campus beautification projects, food waste reduction initiatives, and stigma-free nutrition access for all. And the result? “Oh, they love it!” says Vice Principal Terry Gobourne, who leads the beautification initiatives.

Community-driven programs have set Burtonsville apart as one of America’s Healthiest Schools. In October 2022, they received recognition in six topic areas, including Increasing Family & Community Engagement, sponsored by Kohl’s, and Cultivating Staff Well-Being, sponsored by Kaiser Permanente and Harmony SEL at National University. Burtonsville also received the 2022 MCPS Healthy Schools Award.

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Germantown

Motorcyclist Transported to Hospital by Helicopter After Collision in Germantown

By Patrick Herron

Montgomery County Police and Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services responded to a collision involving a motorcycle on Wednesday evening in Germantown. According to MCPD, “At approximately 6:48 p.m., MCP officers responded to the area of Frederick Rd. and Cider Press Place in Germantown for the report of a collision involving a vehicle and a motorcycle.

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Beyond MoCo

Beyond MoCo: Baltimore Fire Department Responds to Report of Vehicle in the Water at the Inner Harbor

By MCS Staff

With a recent string of crashes leading to overturned vehicles and one driving into a building in the last two days here in Montgomery County, the Baltimore Fire Department had to swiftly jump into action when they responded to a call shortly after 4pm on Wednesday afternoon for a report of a car in the water at the Inner Harbor.

Upon arrival to the scene on the 700 block of E Pratt Street, all occupants were out the vehicle with the help of a bystander. The fire department tweeted that Fireboats were on scene with a car into the water. Two people were treated and transported to the hospital with minor injuries. No word on what led to the vehicle in the water. Featured photo courtesy of the Baltimore Fire Department (tweet below).

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Glenmont

MCFRS Respond to Collision With Overturned Vehicle Wednesday Evening

By Patrick Herron

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services responded to a two vehicle collision on Randolph Road, near Glenmont Circle, around 8pm on Wednesday, March 22. According to public safety reporter Cordell Pugh, one sedan overturned onto its roof and only minor injuries were reported. Both involved vehicles were towed from the scene. Photos courtesy of @0_o_willliam_o_0 on Instagram.

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Beyond MoCo

“LEGO Discovery Center DC” to Open This Summer

By MCS Staff

Last year we reported that Springfield Town Center, in Springfield Virginia (Fairfax County) executed an agreement with Merlin Entertainments, the world’s second-largest visitor attractions operator, to launch the next generation of LEGO Discovery Center in 2023. The 32,000 square foot indoor attraction has been co-created by Merlin & the LEGO Group and will be accessible on one level right off the main entrance to the property. Springfield Town Center is located at the intersection of I-95, 395, 495, and Fairfax Parkway. There are currently 14 Legoland Discovery Centers in the United States and 13 overseas, with the closest being in Philadelphia. The center has since announced that it will be known as LEGO Discovery Center DC and is expected to open this summer. Additional information below, courtesy of Merlin Entertainments:

“We are delighted to be opening an indoor LEGO attraction in Washington DC at Springfield Town Center. Our LEGO themed attractions have been a huge success across the globe, providing an opportunity for adults and children to spend fun and quality time together in an awesome LEGO world. We look forward to revealing more special details over the coming months ahead of welcoming our first visitors in 2023,” said Meike Lippert, Senior Divisional Director Midway Europe and Global New Openings, Merlin Entertainments. “This new attraction helps PREIT achieve its goal of creating high quality purposeful places that serve as one-stop destinations for customers at a key property in a growing market,” said Joseph F. Coradino, Chairman and CEO of PREIT. “Experiential tenants have proven to be great catalysts throughout our portfolio and we expect that, upon opening, our trade area will expand by a two hour drive time, driving traffic and sales.”

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Olney

Olney Ale House Building Sold for $1.45 Million; New Owners Plan to Reopen in About a Year

By MCS Staff

The 100-year old building that is home to the Olney Ale House has been sold to Two Sibs LLC, led by Selim Kantar, for $1.45 million, according to the deed. Olney Ale House, located at 2000 Olney Sandy Spring Rd (Rt. 108 and Doctor Bird Rd.), operated in the space until a kitchen fire caused the restaurant to shut down in 2019. In September, we spoke with previous owner John Rich who told us he was interested in selling to someone that would continue to run it as the Olney Ale House restaurant. We spoke with Kantar today, who told us that he will be doing just that.

The restaurant will keep the Olney Ale House name and operate with an updated menu and new cocktails. Kantar tells us that work is just getting started and that there is a lot of it that has to be done before the restaurant is ready to open, so a 2024 opening is the most likely scenario. We will have updates for you as the restaurant continues with renovations and moves closer toward opening.  The news of the sale was first reported by @themocosource. Below we share with you the restaurant’s rich history, courtesy of the Olney Ale House website:

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Silver Spring

Tastee Diner in Silver Spring Sold to Developer; Plans for New Mixed-Use Residential Project

By Patrick Herron

Tastee Diner at 8601 Cameron St. in Silver Spring permanently closed today, March 22, at 2pm. According to a report from the Washington Business Journal, the diner was sold on March 21 to D.C. based Roadside Development for an undisclosed price.  Roadside Development, which purchased the adjacent Capital One bank lot back in August, plans on creating a “multifamily mixed-use” redevelopment at the two sites. According to a press release, the original dining car from the diner will be incorporated into the future project.

“As a Silver Spring native myself, I have a deep appreciation for the history and culture of this vibrant community. It is a true privilege to be able to showcase Roadside’s passion for the community by incorporating Tastee Diner’s original dining car into the project,” said Jeff Edelstein, Partner at Roadside Development. “It has been a pleasure to get to know Gene over the last year. He has entrusted us with this opportunity and Roadside is honored to be able to breathe new life into the block and continue to grow this dynamic part of Silver Spring’s ever-evolving downtown.”

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