Bethesda

Per MCDOT: On Wednesday, Sept. 21 starting at 1 p.m., the Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) will hold a virtual public hearing on the proposed abandonment of a public alley on the basis that there is no current or anticipated future public use. The public will have an opportunity to present oral or written testimony.

The applicants, Benjamin and Michele Oshman, are seeking the abandonment of a portion of a 15-foot wide Public Alley covering approximately 301 square feet behind their property located at 4803 Bayard Boulevard, Bethesda, MD 20816. The petition seeks to abandon a portion of the Public Alley which was established initially in connection with a Subdivision Plat dated Oct. 8, 1920 and entitled “Crestview” on the basis that there is no current or anticipated future public use of the alley.


Kensington

Per MCDOT: The Town of Kensington has released a pedestrian and bicycling access and safety study for a portion of Connecticut Avenue. The Connecticut Avenue Corridor Pedestrian and Bicycling Access and Safety Study gives three alternatives for the layout of Connecticut Avenue and identifies additional safety and connectivity improvements for the surrounding area. The study will be used in the creation of the Town’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Priority Area (BPPA) Plan.

The study specifically focused on Connecticut Avenue (MD 185) between Knowles Avenue and University Blvd (MD 193). Secondary study areas included Knowles Avenue (MD 547), Plyers Mill Road, Howard Avenue and University Blvd (MD 193), which have significant connections between Connecticut Avenue (MD 185) and popular Town destinations and neighborhoods.


Business

Per MCEDC: The Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC) has officially begun accepting applications for commercial loans from the new Accelerating Community Excellence (ACE) Loan Fund, a state of Maryland-funded program that provides loans to small, minority and women-owned companies. MCEDC is the ninth fund manager in the Maryland Small, Minority and Women-Owned Business Program, also known as the Video Lottery Terminal (VLT) Program.

“Small, minority and women-owned businesses are the backbone of Montgomery County,” said Bill Tompkins, MCEDC President & CEO. “Our new ACE Loan Fund gives us the power to provide financial support to these businesses to help them grow and flourish in our area and across the state of Maryland. We couldn’t be happier to have been appointed and approved as a fund manager and look forward to seeing Montgomery County businesses continue to thrive.”


Events

The Northwest High School Booster Club is holding a community 5K Fun Run/Walk on Saturday October 29 at 8:00 AM. Registration is $35 per person and includes a t-shirt (sign-up by 9/23 to be guaranteed your desired shirt size). Every person on the course must be registered and able to individually navigate the course (course map). No strollers or pets please. The run will begin and end at Northwest High School and will include a Health & Wellness Fair with information from numerous local businesses. The entire community is invited to participate.

Volunteers are needed to help with various tasks on race day.  If you are injured and can’t run or are accompanying a runner to the race, or you just want to give something back to the sport and contribute to the success of the event, please send an email to [email protected].


Event

Historic Indigenous Recognition Event to Take Place in Montgomery County, Maryland

The Taino American Indigenous National Organization (T.A.I.N.O.) proudly announces its upcoming signature public event,


Beyond MoCo

On May 4, 2006, the body of Dusty Myriah Shuck, 24, of Silver City, New Mexico was discovered near a rest stop in Frederick County, Maryland by a passing motorist. Shuck was last seen in New Mexico on April 24, 2006 at a local hotel. Days later she was found wearing a tank top, a hooded sweatshirt and sweat pants. She was found without shoes or any identification and lying on the shoulder of eastbound I-70, east of New Market, Maryland. The only clues to identify her were two dragon tattoos located on her back with the words “Gypsy Rose” written beneath them. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in 2006 ruled her death as a homicide caused by stabbing and blunt force trauma.

The Maryland State Police Homicide Unit immediately launched an investigation. Crime scene technicians from the Maryland State Police Forensic Sciences Division responded and processed the scene for evidence. Limited evidence was left at the scene.


MoCo Government

WMATA General Manager and CEO: Randy Clarke

Introduction: The Council will meet with WMATA General Manager and CEO Randy Clarke. This meeting is an opportunity for Mr. Clarke to introduce himself to the Council and to share his goals and objectives for improving WMATA safety and service. Councilmembers will also discuss their concerns related to WMATA.


Restaurants

Three Thai restaurants located in Montgomery County have made Eater DC’s ‘15 Standout Thai Restaurants Around D.C.’ list. Per the article, “While suburban neighborhoods like Falls Church and Wheaton have a particularly strong selection of top-tier Thai restaurants, D.C. proper has its own strong scene.” With Montgomery County being home to over 30 Thai restaurants, many have previously shared their opinions via the @TasteMoCo food tournaments of 2020. Below you’ll see the three that made it onto Eater DC’s list:

Thai Chef (29 Maryland Ave, #308, Rockville): “Inspired by bustling night markets in Bangkok, this aquamarine-soaked Dupont mainstay that expanded to Rockville Town Square last year comes from Bangkok native Pornnapa Pongpornprot and her eldest daughter, Chalisa Fitts. The eye-popping restaurant is covered with ornate metal sculptures, merry-go-round horses circling a soaring interior atrium, and neon-lit catch phrases. Best sellers on the menu include its Crying Tiger steak entree, “after-school” wontons, spicy drunken noodles dubbed “D.U.I.” and a new fried rice section. Both locations are open for dine-in and takeout.”


Restaurants

Earlier this month we let you know that Flip’d by IHOP will be opening on Tuesday, September 20. The company has announced that the first 100 guests in line, when the store opens at 6am, will receive a free ‘Original Pancake Bowl’. This will be the third Flip’d location in the country (located at the old Asian Bistro Cafe spot at 8537 Georgia Avenue in Downtown Silver Spring) between Panera and Red Lobster).

IHOP has opened locations in Lawrence, Kansas and New York City. An additional location is currently planned for Cincinnati, Ohio as well. Per Flip’d, the menu consists of the following options:


MCPS

Takoma Park Elementary School, located at 7511 Holly Avenue in Takoma Park, was evacuated after a report of odor and haze that followed a “boiler noise”, which has been explained as likely stemming from an outdoor transformer issue, according to MCFRS PIO Pete Piringer. All students and staff were evacuated and accounted for and there were no injuries sustained due to the incident. The school will send a Connect-ED message to the community after the school day ends.

(~1p 9/19) Takoma ES, 7511 Holly Av, report of odor & haze after boiler noise (likely transformer issue outside) All students staff evacuated & accounted for, @mcfrs PE719, E754B, PE716, PE844, PE707, AT719, T812, RS801, M844, BC701, BC702, RS742B, T706, M707 responded


Bethesda

In 2016, following discussions with the state and Montgomery County, Marriott announced plans to stay in Maryland and move from its Fernwood Road headquarters to the new location in downtown Bethesda, a 21-story headquarters home to corporate associates supporting over 8,100 hotels in 139 countries and territories. Governor Hogan took part in the groundbreaking for the site in 2018.

Citation Presentation in Seoul. Governor Hogan presented a Governor’s Citation during a celebration of the grand opening at JW Marriott Seoul.


Montgomery Village

Montgomery Village’s Fall Festival will take place this year on October 8 from 11am-2:30pm at North Creek Community Center (20125 Arrowhead Road). The event will feature food trucks, games, a petting zoo, and the annual Great Pumpkin Race. The Great Pumpkin Race is a “unique side-by-side, single-elimination race featuring handcrafted, decorated pumpkin race cars, in a madcap, dramatic explosion of creative ingenuity. The referee rules the race, building excitement as registered pumpkin race car owners compete for the Pumpkin Race Championship Trophy.”

Each year the racing and the decorating become more competitive, and this year is expected to be no different. Families, individuals, local dignitaries, groups and organizations are encouraged to build a pumpkin racer for the race, which caps off the Montgomery Village Foundation (MVF) Fall Festival. Participants will have time before the single-elimination heats to test and tune their racers for optimal performance. A limited number of race kits will be available both at the MVF Office, 10120 Apple Ridge Road ($20), before race day, and at the festival on race day (limited quantities); pumpkins not supplied. For instructions on how to build a pumpkin racer, click here.