Rockville

House Fire Started by Overheating Bathroom Ceiling Fan Causes ~$275K in Damage

By Patrick Herron

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) responded to a fire at a single-family home in the 200 blk of Ashley Manor Dr in Rockville around 10:30pm on Wednesday, March 22. According to Chief Spokesperson for MCFRS Pete Piringer, the cause of the fire was a bathroom ceiling exhaust fan that overheated. Around 60 firefighters responded to the scene and there were no injuries reported. Damage is estimated to be ~$275K and two adults have been displaced. We will post an update when additional information is available. Photo courtesy of @liem__s on Instagram.

Per @mcfrsPIO on Twitter: “200blk Ashley Manor Dr,(3/22 initial dispatch 1030p); single family house; fire contained to attic/roof; Origin/Cause, bathroom ceiling exhaust fan, probable fan motor overheated (fire extended to attic); Damage ~$275K; 2 adults displaced; no injury; ~60 FFs responded”

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Restaurants

Bonchon Rockville is Hosting a Wing-Eating Competition on March 25

By MCS Staff

Bonchon, located at 107 Gibbs Street in Rockville, will be celebrating its 10th anniversary in Rockville Town Square by hosting a wing-eating competition on Saturday,  March 25th. The Korean fried chicken chain will be choosing five contestants for spicy and five  contestants for soy garlic wings to “see who can eat 15 wings the fastest in under 1 minute (bones must be clean).”

This competitive food eating contest is for amateurs that are 18+ only. The first place winner in each group will receive a $100 gift certificate and t-shirt. The competition will take place March 25th at 4pm, and any contestants selected would need to arrive thirty mins prior. Aspiring competitors can register for the competition using this form. Featured photo courtesy of Bonchon.

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Park Potomac

Gym & Tonic Has Closed in Park Potomac

By MCS Staff

Gym & Tonic, a boutique featuring “the best in luxury athletic and casual wear” has closed after approximately 4.5 years in Park Potomac. The 1,000 SF boutique opened in September 2018 at 12435 Park Potomac Ave. According to Store Reporter, the brand is hoping to reopen at a different shopping center, likely in Potomac or Bethesda, but decided not to renew its lease due to a lack of foot traffic in Park Potomac.

Per a previous press release, Gym & Tonic offered a unique blend of high-end athleisure apparel. It’s the brainchild and labor of love of two retail veterans and good friends – Amy Block and Wendy Abelman. Block, a Miami native turned Bethesda-ite, wanted to open a store that she felt was lacking in the DC Metro area.“We created Gym & Tonic to feature the kinds of fashionable, top-of-the-line clothes that we all love to wear,” Block said. “Everything we offer is stylish whether you’re at the gym in the morning or out on the town at night.”

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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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