Bethesda

Where To Take Your Mini Dinosaur Lover In and Around MoCo

By Francesca Luca

For those moms whose children are fascinated with all things dinosaurs, read on to find out where you can take your littles to learn more and explore their curiosities.  They are listed by distance from the approximate middle of Montgomery County.

The Path to the Past in the outdoor Nature Exploration Area located in the Locust Grove Nature Center (7777 Democracy Blvd. Bethesda, MD) lets you “Take a journey back through time, starting from present day to when dinosaurs roamed the Earth millions of years ago. As you walk, learn about the different periods of geologic time. When did the first plants and mammals appear? Have temperatures changed over time? How have our continents changed?  You’ll end your journey at a dig site, where you’ll discover a life size replica of a dinosaur fossil. Become a paleontologist; find your tools in the workbox at the dig site and see which dinosaur fossil you unearth.”  More information available on their site.

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Maryland

Governor Hogan Announces Immediate Authorization of New COVID-19 Bivalent Boosters

By MCS Staff

Governor Larry Hogan announced that state health officials have formally authorized new single-dose bivalent boosters for COVID-19 following approval by both the FDA and the CDC. As part of the state’s COVIDReady plan, Marylanders are encouraged to get this new shot for maximum protection against the virus and circulating Omicron variants.

“This new bivalent booster shot is another important tool in our toolbox to help Marylanders stay COVIDReady,” said Governor Hogan. “While federal guidance has made it confusing at times for people to know if and when they’re eligible, everyone 12 and older will be able to get to this new shot. Maryland continues to be one of the most vaccinated and boosted states, and we have always focused on staying ahead of the virus, which is why getting this new shot is so critical.” To date, the state has administered nearly 12.9 million COVID-19 vaccines and boosters; 58.3% of Marylanders 12 and older who are eligible for a booster dose have received at least one.

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WMATA

Metro Service Information for Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 5

By MCS Staff

Metrorail, Metrobus and MetroAccess will operate on a Sunday schedule for customers traveling on the Labor Day holiday, Monday, Sept. 5, 2022. In observance of the holiday, customers will benefit from off-peak fares and parking will be free all day.  The holiday also marks the last day of closures at five Orange Line stations – New Carrollton, Landover, Cheverly, Deanwood and Minnesota Ave – for platform reconstruction and station improvements. The stations will reopen on Tuesday, September 6, capping off a four-year effort to renovate and modernize 20 outdoor stations.

On Monday, September 5, 2022, service will operate as follows:

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Events

Gaithersburg Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month

By MCS Staff

The City of Gaithersburg invites you to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with educational & cultural presentations & activities. Residents are encouraged to learn about & celebrate Hispanic culture and participate in local events & programs taking place throughout the month, many coordinated by the City’s Multicultural Affairs Committee. The Mayor & City Council will officially designating September 15 through October 15, 2022 as “Hispanic Heritage Month” in the City of Gaithersburg. The official proclamation will be presented at the September 6 Mayor & City Council meeting. The public is welcome to attend the meeting, watch it live on YouTube or watch it via Zoom by registering here.

The proclamation will be received by María Helena Malagón. María is the only child of Spanish Civil War refugees. She was born in the Dominican Republic and spent her childhood in Mexico, New York & Washington D.C. She has lived in Gaithersburg for more than 40 years. María’s interest & passion for multicultural issues led her to become one of the first ESOL teachers with Montgomery County Public Schools, including Gaithersburg Middle School. In 1984, she was selected to be the Director of the Division of ESOL/Bilingual Programs, a position she held until her retirement in 2002. As the Director, she brought together a highly talented multilingual/multicultural team of individuals who helped develop & implement instructional & support services for more than 11,000 students in 185 schools & their families. María served on numerous local, state & national committees, advocating for English language learners. After retiring, María began volunteering at Hero Dogs, a Gaithersburg-based service-dog training organization. With her Labradors, she makes therapy visits to hospitals, schools & retirement communities including Asbury Methodist Village.

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WMATA

Metro 7000-Series Trains Making Comeback

By MCS Staff

Per WMATA: Metro is returning more of its newest, most reliable trains to service starting Sept. 12. This marks a significant step in the restoration of all 7000-series railcars, which is key to Metro’s plan to improve train frequency for customers. With the Washington Metrorail Safety Commission’s approval, Metro’s updated return to service plan allows the agency to safely operate up to 20 of its 7000-series trains per day, up from the current limit of eight trains.

“Our 7000-series trains are the newest and most reliable in Metro’s fleet, and they are key to providing the level of service our customers want and deserve,” said Randy Clarke, General Manager and Chief Executive Officer. “In my frequent conversations with Metro customers, I hear over and over that more frequent service and more 7000-series trains on the tracks are a top priority, and that’s what we’re working to deliver. We appreciate the partnership of WMSC in our shared efforts to improve service for the region.”

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Bethesda

Landon School Releases Statement After Video of Students Singing Lyrics Containing Racial Slur is Posted on Social Media

By MCS Staff

A video was posted on Instagram showing a group of Landon students singing lyrics that contained a racial slur on the metro Thursday morning. The video, which was posted on Instagram by popular local page, @DChomos, has since been shared hundreds of times on various platforms and shows the students reciting lyrics that contain the N-word. Landon School released a statement at approximately noon today, that can be seen below:

“We are deeply concerned by the video showing a group of Landon students’ behavior on the DC Metro. Their conduct and offensive words are unacceptable and antithetical to our school’s values and our Civility Code.

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WMATA

Work to Install New Escalators at Silver Spring Station to Begin Tuesday, Sept. 6

By MCS Staff

Per Metro: As part of customer improvements at the Silver Spring Station, Metro is replacing the five entrance escalators at the Silver Spring Station with brand-new escalators that are more durable and reliable. Work will begin at the north entrance between East-West Highway and Second Ave on Tuesday, Sept 6. The entrance will close during construction for approximately four months to allow the escalators to be replaced concurrently and reduce construction time. 

Metrorail service will not be impacted and customers will be able to access the station via the escalator and elevator at the south entrance closest to the Paul S. Sarbanes Transit Center.

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Education

MCPS Community Message: A Letter from Superintendent Dr. Monifa B. McKnight – “A Great First Week of School”

By MCS Staff

“Dear MCPS Community,

Our first week of school for the 2022-2023 school year has gone by so fast. There has been so much to celebrate and so much for which I am thankful. I have witnessed exciting and intentional instruction, deep engagement in our classrooms, and staff and students energized for the new year. With the cloud of COVID-19 receding, it is refreshing to see such positive energy in our schools as we continue and expand our focus on academic excellence.

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Maryland

Press Release: Maryland State Police Ready For Impaired, Aggressive, Distracted Drivers Over Labor Day Weekend

By Patrick Herron

With an increase in impaired drivers expected throughout the state this holiday weekend, state police will be conducting saturation patrols at each of the 23 barracks focusing on impaired, aggressive and distracted driving. Enforcement will be bolstered by impaired driving saturation patrol funds from the Maryland Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration’s Highway Safety Office.

The initiatives, which will take place on various days through Labor Day on September 5, including saturation patrols in areas known to have a higher number of DUI crashes or arrests. These efforts in many cases will include partnering with allied law enforcement and other state agencies to both enforce the law and offer outreach to the community through social media and electronic billboards.

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