MCDOT

Per MCDOT: On Wednesday, Feb.15 at 1 p.m., the Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) will hold a virtual public hearing to discuss the proposed abandonment of a public alley covering a parcel of approximately 166 square feet, located at the northwest corner of 11565 Old Georgetown Road in Rockville. The public will have an opportunity to present oral or written testimony.

The applicant, SSL Investment Partners II, LP, is seeking to abandon the Public Right of Way on the basis that there is no current or anticipated future public use of the alley. The abandonment is being sought in connection with the applicant’s development of a property adjacent to this right of way. If approved, it will allow the applicant to construct steps that, as currently planned, extend into the right of way.


Olney

F45 Training, an Australian franchisor and operator of fitness centers based in Austin, Texas, is opening its Olney location on Saturday, February 25th. The fitness center has taken over the 3,200 SF location that was previously home to Pet Valu in Olney’s Fair Hill Shopping Center (previously Olney Town Center) at 18100 Town Center Drive, Unit 8115. F45 Olney posted the following on its Facebook page today:

Our Grand Opening will be 2/25/23! In honor and in prep of our big day, we are allowing all Founding Members VIP access to the studio beginning 2/13-2/24. That’s right, all Founding Members workout for FREE for half a month prior to us opening. No risk, just a good time. If you have not locked in your Founders Rate yet, message us directly through our page and we can ensure you get access to our exclusive two weeks of free classes prior to us opening our new home. DO. IT. NOW.


Silver Spring

At approximately 12:44 a.m., Hinnant Jr., walked into the Rockville City Police Station and requested to speak with a homicide detective. Hinnant Jr., stated that officers would find the deceased body of his wife at their residence on Lanier Drive.


MCPS

Tom Rogers and Tom Martin of Walter Johnson High School were recently honored during the Montgomery Invitational, the signature indoor track competition hosted by MCPS since 2001. Rogers is athletics director at Walter Johnson, and Martin is indoor track coach at Walter Johnson. They were recognized for their service to the invitational, which they started to create an elite showcase prior to championship season, and have directed ever since. The meet, which welcomes students from 95 schools around the region and serves as a fundraiser for MCPS, has been hosted at the Prince George’s Sports and Learning Center since its inception.

Pictured from left to right are: Duke Beattie, former director of MCPS athletics; Tom Rogers, athletics director at Walter Johnson High School; Tom Martin, indoor track coach at Walter Johnson; and Jeff Sullivan, current director of athletics.


Beyond MoCo

Since 1974, Jimmy’s Famous Seafood has served the Baltimore community with iconic culinary creations. Founded by the late Dimitrios “Jimmy” Minadakis, the restaurant quickly became synonymous with crab cakes and Maryland seafood in general. Today, Jimmy’s Famous Seafood carries on his vision through his sons, who have grown the business into a nationally known brand, shipping their food across the country.  The restaurant’s soups, dips, and crab pretzels are now available through 197 Weis Markets locations. Weis currently has two Montgomery County locations (Damascus and Gaithersburg) with a third on the way in Clarksburg.

The restaurant announced today that “You can now find our Famous soups, dips, and crab pretzels at 197 Weis Markets! We’re thrilled to enter this partnership, which brings us closer to new customers via the most convenient method possible! Thank you for your unwavering support. Be sure to share your photos with us when you discover our products at a location nearest you!” We recommend checking with your local Weis, as the partnership is new.


Education

Fourteen MCPS seniors have received four-year, full-tuition scholarships from QuestBridge, a national non-profit organization that connects low-income, high-achieving students with more than 45 top colleges and universities. QuestBridge partners with the schools to identify and support students who may not apply to leading colleges. The schools provide full scholarships or large financial aid packages covering tuition and fees, room and board, and books and supplies. The 14 MCPS students, their high schools and the college scholarships they received are:

QuestBridge administers the National College Match application focusing on the achievements and academic success of students who face economic challenges. Featured photo shows Einstein High School.


Education

Do you know an exceptional school counselor who supports students, nurtures strong relationships with colleagues and student families, and shows outstanding leadership? Completed nomination packets for the MCPS School Counselor of the Year Awards are due on Friday, March 24. These awards—given to a counselor at the elementary, middle and high school levels—honor the dedication and hard work of counselors. Nominations can be submitted by staff, administrators, parents, students and community partners.

To be nominated, counselors must be actively working as a counselor in MCPS and have worked for the system for at least three years. Nominees also must show outstanding leadership; understand the individual needs of students, encourage their talents and cultivate their self-esteem; foster collaborative relationships with colleagues, students, their families and the community; instill a desire to learn and achieve while advocating for equity; use data to evaluate program effectiveness and programming needs; and use technology to enhance student learning.


Germantown

Update: Laperaux will open on Tuesday, February 7

Back in April we let you know of the impending arrival of Laperaux, the Journeymanchef’s Bistro,  the new restaurant coming to 18056 Mateny Rd in Germantown- the former home of Gumbo Ya Ya, Dickie’s BBQ Pit, and Cafe Mileto (located in the Cloppers Mill shopping center, in the same strip as Shoppers). The French bistro has recently completed “front of house” training and plans to open in the coming days (possibly by the end of this weekend).


Events

Rockville Sister Cities Corporation, in partnership with WQER-LP 96.7 FM Radio and the Chinese Culture Institute will hold its annual Lantern Festival from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 11 at the F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre and Social Hall at Rockville Civic Center Park, 603 Edmonston Drive.

The family-friendly event is free to attend and features cultural performances, displays and ethnic cuisine. For more information, contact Rockville Sister Cities Corporation at 240-314-5029 or [email protected], or visit RockvilleSisterCities.org.


Rockville

Volunteers, pictured above, met Jan. 21 to help pack 10,000 meals with Rise Against Hunger, a global effort to end hunger. The meal packing was one of several city-sponsored service activities on and around the holiday honoring Martin Luther King Jr., who famously summed up the importance of service with the quote above.

The city’s Weed Warriors gathered 28 volunteers to remove litter and non-native invasive plants at Dawson Farm Park. Other activities included partnering with Project Linus to make more than 100 blankets for sick children, a trail cleanup at Hayes Forest Preserve, and creating 60 winter kits for unsheltered individuals.