Beyond MoCo

Rockville-Based Silver Diner to Open First DC Location in October With New Concept Included

By MCS Staff

Rockville-based Silver Diner, which opened its first restaurant in Montgomery County back in 1989, will open its first DC location at 1250 Half Street, SE (Ball Park/Navy Yard) on October 5th. The unique two-story location will have two two restaurants– Silver Diner downstairs and Silver Social, a 21+ terrace lounge, upstairs.

This will be the 18th restaurant for Silver Diner, which has locations in Maryland and Virginia, and the first to offer the Silver Social concept (previously referred to as Bar Silver). The 8,000-square-foot location will have seating for approximately 300 people and an outdoor terrace overlooking Nats Park.

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Arts

Local Middle School Teacher Has Spread Message of Love and Healing Through Thousands of ‘Meeps’ She Has Made Over the Last Four Years

By MCS Staff

Every week, Takoma Park Middle School teacher, Maura Moore, highlights one student in each of her classes that has done something noteworthy (kind to a classmate, shown perseverance with an academic struggle, exemplary work, etc.) by giving them a raffle ticket that could win the a students a “meep” to keep. A meep (photos below) is a crocheted emotional support orb. Moore started making the meeps in March of 2018 when she was going through a difficult time in her life and wanted to show that you could turn a tough time into something beautiful.

She made over 1,000 maps in a little over 6 months (approximately 250 of them were for staff and students). In the last 4 years she had made several thousand meeps, spending her own time and money, so that she can brighten other’s day. When she made her first meep, before it had a name, it was just a gesture to say to someone “I see you struggling, and I want you know I am here and I care.” Just this summer she made 600 of them and recently she has made meeps available for purchase through her website, AllYouMeepIsLove.com

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Gaithersburg

Spencer’s in Lakeforest Mall Has Closed

By Patrick Herron

Spencer’s in known for selling novelty items like lava lamps, shot glasses, t-shirts, and 18+ items like lingerie and sex toys. According to their website, Spencer’s is “the mall destination for entertainment, excitement, and fun” and has been in business of over 65 years.

From their website: “Starting out as a mail order company in 1947, Spencer’s opened its first retail store in 1963 at New Jersey’s Cherry Hill Mall. From the outset, Spencer’s quickly became an oasis within the mall environment offering our guests an entertaining experience both through its merchandising and product mix and grew to a national chain by the mid-’70s. In 2003, under new management, Spencer’s lifted the bar higher and set out to reinvent itself. Remaining true to its roots, this reinvention set Spencer’s on the path to greatness in a subtle shift from Spencer Gifts to Spencer’s in newly re-designed funky, industrial spaces with an award-winning downtown club look.

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Beyond MoCo

Johns Hopkins Medicine Provides Update on Potentially Leaving CareFirst Network

By MCS Staff

Earlier this month Johns Hopkins announced that it may be leaving the CareFirst network as soon as December 5th, citing lower pay from the insurance company through the following statement, “What CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield (CareFirst) pays Johns Hopkins’ doctors, nurses and other caregivers has not kept up with inflation. In fact, what CareFirst insurance pays for Johns Hopkins’ care is lower than what most other area insurance companies pay. It is very hard for Johns Hopkins — or any health care system — to provide care at the rates we are currently paid by CareFirst.”

On Friday, September 23, Johns Hopkins provided the following update, “Until December 5, 2022, Johns Hopkins caregivers will remain in-network for patients who have CareFirst health insurance. We continue to regularly meet with CareFirst and are doing everything we can to come to a fair agreement before December, so that there is no change in coverage.”

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Highways / Interstates

Overturned Tractor Trailer Closes Several Lanes of MD200 on Monday

By Patrick Herron

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services responded to the scene of a collision Monday morning around 10am that involved an overturned tractor trailer. The incident occurred on the ICC (MD200) prior to US-29. According to Chief Spokesperson for MCFRS Pete Piringer, HazMat is currently on the scene to clean the fuel spill (Maryland Department of Energy is pumping off 150 gallons of diesel.)

 

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Gaithersburg

(Located) Concern for Missing Twenty-Four-Year-Old Man

By Patrick Herron

Twine is approximately 6-feet, 1-inch tall and weighs 300 pounds. He has short black hair, brown eyes and a beard. He was last seen wearing a grey t-shirt, blue shorts with red on the sides and Tommy Hilfiger red, white and blue slides.  Police and family are concerned for his welfare.

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Queinton Isaiah Twine is asked to call the 6th District Investigative Section at (240) 773- 5770 or the police non-emergency number at (301) 279- 8000 (24-hour line). Callers may remain anonymous.

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Cabin John Mall

Coming Soon to Cabin John Village; Seafood, Pizza, Subs, Sushi, and More

By MCS Staff

Cabin John Village, formerly known as the Cabin John shopping center and mall, is  named for the adjacent creek and regional park. It has been a pillar of the Potomac community since 1967 and was acquired by EDENS in 2016. Per EDENS: “EDENS has transformed the traditional shopping center experience into a welcoming communal environment that naturally fosters meaningful social interaction. Complementary retail options include a curated mix of home goods, dining, health and wellness and more outdoor greenspace welcomes the opportunity for community events.” Below you’ll see a list of some of the places coming soon to the shopping center:

Augie’s: Augie’s Mussel House and Beer Garden is coming to 7747 Tuckerman Ln (Cabin John Village), the former site of Lahinch Tavern. Augie’s currently has a location at 1106 King Street in Alexandria, VA. In addition to mussels, menu items include a 10-Day Cured & Smoked Brisket Sandwich, Chicken Pot Pie Empanada, Chicken & Waffles,  and Soft Shell Crab.  Opening information has not been announced.

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Poolesville

Board of Public Works Approves Funding for Clean Water and the Chesapeake Bay; Including Poolesville Project

By MCS Staff

The Maryland Board of Public Works in Annapolis approved more than $10 million in grants and loans today to reduce water pollution and flooding risks, including a project in Poolesville. The board is composed of Governor Larry Hogan, Treasurer Dereck E. Davis and Comptroller Peter Franchot. Lt. Governor Boyd K. Rutherford chaired the meeting. “These are smart investments to advance our Chesapeake Bay goals, protect public health and reduce flooding risks to Maryland communities,” said Maryland Environment Secretary Horacio Tablada.

The Poolesville Wastewater Treatment Plant Enhanced Nutrient Removal Refinement project was one of the projects approved earlier this month. “A $7,065,360 Bay Restoration Fund grant to the Town of Poolesville will help fund the planning, design and construction of denitrification filters and related equipment at the Poolesville Wastewater Treatment Plant. The project will allow the plant to consistently reduce its nitrogen discharge by 62.5 percent and its phosphorus discharge by 85 percent, significantly reducing the amount of nutrients discharged to Seneca Creek and ultimately the Chesapeake Bay. Excessive amounts of nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus lead to lowered levels of oxygen needed to support aquatic life in waterways, including the Chesapeake Bay. Enhanced Nutrient Removal upgrades of wastewater treatment plants are a critical component of Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay restoration plan.”

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Maryland

Beyond MoCo: Maryland Agencies to Treat Parts of Potomac River for Black Fly Control on September 27

By MCS Staff

The Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) — in partnership with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources — will treat a targeted area of the Potomac River near Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, as part of a pilot program to control black fly populations in the area. Treatment is scheduled for 10 a.m. September 27, 2022.

MDA will apply a Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti)-based larvicide via helicopter (Bell 206 Long Ranger, green and white paint scheme. Tail number is N641HA). Bti is a naturally occurring bacteria found in soils worldwide. It is a bacterial insecticide, not a chemical, and is only harmful to a very limited variety of organisms, including midge, black fly, and mosquito larvae and a few other aquatic Dipteran (flies) insects. The treatment may cause temporary discoloration of the water, but it is completely nontoxic and is not harmful to humans, fish, crabs or other aquatic invertebrates. A fact sheet on Bti can be found here.​

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Maryland

Design Contest for Maryland’s 2023-2024 Migratory Game Bird Stamp Now Open

By MCS Staff

Artists are invited to submit their original works for Maryland’s annual Migratory Game Bird Stamp contest, sponsored by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR). This popular competition combining artistic skill with knowledge of Maryland’s wildlife is open until November 3, 2022. Each contestant may submit up to three entries with a fee structure of: $15 for one entry, $20 for two and $30 for three. Proceeds help fund game bird and waterfowl research and projects.

DNR staff will judge the entries live at the Waterfowl Festival in Easton on November 12, at 2 p.m. All entries must be original works, neither copied nor duplicated from any previously published paintings, drawings, prints or photographs. To enter, contestants must mail their designs with required fees and forms to be received by November 3. The contest is open to state residents and nonresidents. Complete contest rules and entry forms are available on the DNR website.

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Poolesville

Montgomery County Man Now Holds State Record After Catching 77 Pound Albacore

By MCS Staff

Thomas “Tad” Bodmer of Poolesville has been recognized by the Maryland Department of Resources as the new state record holder Atlantic Division for albacore, or long-fin tuna (Thunnus alalunga), with his 77-pound catch. Bodmer, a recent convert to saltwater fishing, was aboard the charter Top Dog on September 20 as Captain Ryan Knapp and First Mate Josh were preparing to head back to shore after a slow fishing day.

In a matter of minutes, three different lines went out simultaneously. The trio scrambled to pick up rods. “It was chaos,” Bodmer said. “I would get my fish close and then it would run back out. It took 25 minutes to get it.” Bodmer landed the record albacore trolling a naked ballyhoo bait. The crew knew they had a big albacore but didn’t think it was a record-breaking catch until it was officially weighed. “All these people came out of the woodwork with cameras,” Bodner said. “I was like a deer in headlights.”

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