MDLottery

A dedicated scratch-off player of 30 years almost missed a winning combination on the 7th edition of the Deluxe Crossword game. The Montgomery County resident found four of eight winning words and only resumed scratching off the rest of the puzzles when a ticket scanner reported he won a $50,000 top prize.

The Germantown man said the excitement began when he scratched off four black words on one of the two crossword puzzles in the game. He took the winning instant ticket to a Lottery retailer to retrieve what he thought was a $5 prize. When he scanned his scratch-off to verify the win, he learned his prize was much more than $5.


Bethesda

Cava Group Inc., the parent company of CAVA restaurants, announced on Monday morning that the group confidentially filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission to go public in the United States. CAVA, the largest restaurant operator in the Mediterranean category in the U.S. restaurant industry, has opened over 200 restaurants since opening its first fast-casual spot in Bethesda in 2011.

In 2006, first-generation Greek Americans Ted Xenohristos, Ike Grigoropoulos, and Dimitri Moshovitis launched the full-service Cava Mezze restaurant in the Traville Gateway shopping center (Rockville), with Moshovitis as executive chef. Following the launch of four additional restaurants, in 2008, Xenohristos, Grigoropoulos, and Moshovitis launched a line of dips and spreads to over 200 stores, including Whole Foods Market. In 2009, Brett Schulman joined them as CEO and co-founder of the fast-casual chain CAVA (originally called Cava Mezze Grill, later rebranded as Cava Grill and then simply as CAVA). The group opened the first CAVA restaurant in Bethesda in January 2011.


Potomac

Back in November 2021, we reported that the $48 million sale of River View (7979 E. Boulevard Drive in Alexandria, VA)– a 16,000 square foot home with an additional carriage home had set a new record for the most expensive home sale in DMV (DC, Maryland, Virginia) history. The home was bought buy Montgomery County native and owner of the Washington Commanders, Dan Snyder. Now, with the sale of the Commanders looming, Snyder is selling his Potomac, MD home (named River House) for $49 million, according to a Biz Journals report. This is one million more than he purchased River View for in 2021, and would be the most expensive home sale in DMV history if it sells for asking price or more.

Per the report, River House on River Rd. in Potomac, “spans just over 15 acres and features a 30,000-square-foot French château-inspired home completed in 2004. Snyder bought the majority of the Potomac River-fronting lot, at 11900 River Road, in July 2000 for $8.64 million from the estate of Jordan’s King Hussein and Queen Noor, then expanded with the acquisition of six adjoining parcels.” It is being listed by listed by Heather Corey and Michael Rankin of TTR Sotheby’s International Realty. Photos of the home below, by Sean Shanahan.


MCPS

Applications for MoCo EmpowHER’s Spring Leadership Institute are now open. All MCPS middle school students, regardless of gender identity, are invited to apply. The application can be found here along with more information regarding this opportunity. The Spring Leadership Institute will meet bi-weekly on Saturdays over Zoom from 2:00 to 3:30 P.M. The application is due on February 12th by 11:59 P.M.

Detailed information regarding the Leadership Institute can be found at mocoempowher.org. This is a great opportunity to meet other middle school students from around the county, discuss important and relevant issues, and to enhance your leadership skills in a safe and encouraging space! If you have any questions regarding the Spring Leadership Institute application process, you may reach out to MoCo EmpowHER’s Leadership Institute Co-Directors Mridhula Birdy ([email protected]) and Aneela Shemsu ([email protected]).


Education

Students in the Montgomery County Students Automotive Trades Foundation (ATF) and Information Technology Foundation (ITF) will sell used cars and computers they have refurbished from 9–11 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 11 at Damascus High School. The school is located 25921 Ridge Road in Damascus.

The cars and computers are refurbished and reconditioned by the students as part of their classroom and lab studies. The sales provide students with the opportunity to practice their sales skills, earn Student Service Learning hours, and develop a deeper appreciation for community involvement.


Germantown

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 officially open on Tuesday, February 7th, according to a post on the restaurant’s Facebook page.

Chef and owner Gregory Webb, who has earned such accolades and awards as “Chef of the Year 1998” in Houston, Texas, “Winner all Categories” at the Texas Open Wild Game Cookoff, “Top Chefs of Mexico City” and many others, will be bringing a French bistro to the location (menu available below). The restaurant will offer high casual cuisine created by Webb, who has competed against Bobby Flay on The Food Network, and won numerous ‘chopped style’ competitions put on for various local charity and fund raising events, including DC Central Kitchen’s Chefs Cook Off.


MoCo Government

The Montgomery County Council will meet on Monday, Feb. 6 at 10:15 a.m. with U.S. Senator Ben Cardin to discuss economic development, transportation, public safety and health care, among other priorities.

The Council will meet at 12:30 p.m. to review local and bi-county bills for the 2023 Maryland General Assembly and may choose to take positions on the bills.


Aspen Hill

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services and Montgomery County Police responded to a collision involving a pedestrian on Sunday night in Aspen Hill. According to MCPD, “At approximately 7:37 p.m., officers responded to the area of Georgia Avenue and Hewitt Avenue for the report of a pedestrian struck.  

The adult pedestrian, who was struck by a car traveling northbound on Georgia Avenue, was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver remained on scene. This is an active and ongoing investigation.  The decedent’s name will be released following proper notification of next of kin. A formal news release will be distributed as more information becomes available.”


Montgomery Village

BooBoo Pho is now open at 19230 Montgomery Village Ave. in the Montgomery Village Shopping Center. The restaurant is currently offering a grand opening special of 15% off orders through March 3. Menu items include spring rolls, Pho (noodle soup), sandwiches, vermicelli bowls, salads, and stir fry. BooBoo Pho is open Monday-Saturday 10am-8pm and Sunday 11am-7pm.

Last week we reported that the Montgomery Village Center has been sold for $40.25 million according to a report by Maryland Newsletters. Per the report, “Atlantic remained in the deal as the 131,000 square foot center traded from a partnership that included Walton Street Capital and Atlantic, to a new one, headed by Petroleum Marketing Group and, again, Atlantic. The new owners paid $40,250,000.” The shopping center was built in 1969 and is currently undergoing a $20 million renovation. It’s anchored by Aldi and Big Lots, and is home to Ledo Pizza, a recently opened Starbucks, Dollar tree, Advanced Auto parts, and more. Below you’ll find a list of all businesses that are scheduled to open in the shopping center soon:


Beyond MoCo

Per Seymour, Connecticut Police: On February 1, 2023, following a lengthy and complex investigation by the Seymour Police Department Detective Bureau with assistance from the Gaithersburg Police Department in Maryland, Officers from both Departments arrested the following individual, Charles Ukasanya, for his role in the theft of approximately $375,000 in funds from the Town of Seymour.

Mr. Ukasanya was charged with one count of Larceny in the 1 degree which is a Class B felony. He was taken into custody in Maryland on an extraditable warrant issued by a judge in Milford Superior Court, CT. The court set bond on this warrant is $60,000. Mr. Ukasanya is in custody in Maryland, and will be extradited to Connecticut for prosecution. This investigation into the theft of funds is still active and ongoing at this time.


Wheaton

Montgomery County Police responded to a carjacking that occurred Sunday near Westfield Mall in Wheaton. According to MCPD, “At approximately 3:24 p.m., MCPD responded to the 11000 block of Veirs Mill Road for the report of an armed carjacking. There are no suspects in custody and no reports of injury.”

We will update this story when additional information is available.