Beyond MoCo

A Facebook page for “In-N-Out Burger Hagerstown”, that was created on Wednesday, September 14th, has been shared over 700 times in the 20 hours since the page was made. The page is not an official In-N-Out Burger page, and a new restaurant is not coming to Hagerstown.

In-N-Out Burger is an American regional chain of fast food restaurants with locations primarily in California and the Southwest. The chain’s location closest to us is in the Forth Worth, Texas area. So why aren’t there any In-N-Out restaurants on the east coast? According to Reader’s Digest, “The company refuses to sell frozen patties to ensure that customers are only eating the highest-quality meat, according to the official website. That’s why all In-N-Out restaurant locations are within 300 miles of In-N-Out’s patty-making facilities. These facility locations are only in California and Texas, hence the lack of any East Coast locations. This commitment to fresh food applies to other key ingredients, too—the fries are hand-cut, the lettuce is hand-leafed, and the buns are freshly baked. Not to mention, the chain locations don’t have any freezers or microwaves.


Maryland

Pumpkin spice is getting a new fall-flavored friend…with Old Bay in it. McCormick & Company has released a new Old Bay Caramel seasoning, which it will sell online only for a limited time, the company announced earlier this week. The seasoning unites the 18 herbs and spices of the traditional Old Bay with “luscious caramel flavor for the perfect sweet-and-salty mix,” McCormick officials said in a news release.

“This blend is the perfect seasoning to have as we make the transition from summer to fall,” McCormick said. With autumn on the horizon, the seasoning is making its debut at just the right time, according to the company. Old Bay Caramel Seasoning is made in small batches and available for a limited time online only. A 2.5 ounce jar is $5.95.


Education

Per MCPS: Applications will open soon for the newly created Ruth and Norman Rales–Patricia Baier O’Neill Scholarship Recognizing Academic Excellence. These $10,000 scholarships for graduating high school seniors were announced earlier this year by the Norman R. Rales and Ruth Rales Foundation to honor the lives and contributions of Ruth and Norman Rales and Patricia O’Neill, who died Sept. 14, 2021, after having served the longest tenure in the history of the Montgomery County Board of Education.

The Rales’ $10 million gift is the largest donation ever to the Montgomery County Public Schools Educational Foundation.


Gaithersburg

MTA recommends MARC passengers plan for alternate travel options in the event of a strike.  For Gaithersburg area MARC commuters, RideOn extRa travels state Route 355 during morning and evening rush hours. Frequent buses, limited stops and connections at three Metro stations make this route almost as convenient as MARC. Learn more at www.montgomerycountymd.gov/dot-transit/RideOnExtra.html.

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority also has online maps and schedules for their bus (including the ‘Montgomery County, Maryland, Frequent Service’) and rail systems at www.wmata.com/schedules/maps.


Event

General admission is $25 per person, which includes chili tastings. Free Admission for kids under 18, Police Officers and their Family is provided by MCPF). All proceeds benefit the Foundation’s mission to strengthen community-police relationships, support officers wellness, and enhance public safety initiatives across Montgomery County.

In addition to delicious chili, attendees can enjoy local craft beer from Lone Oak Brewery, family activities, and opportunities to meet and interact with Montgomery County police officers in a fun, relaxed setting.


Crime

Per the Office of the U.S. Attorney, District of Maryland: Today the Justice Department announced the establishment of three Strike Force teams created to enhance the Department’s existing efforts to combat and prevent COVID-19 related fraud.

“These Strike Force teams will build on the Department’s historic enforcement efforts to deter, detect, and disrupt pandemic fraud wherever it occurs,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “Since the start of this pandemic, the Justice Department has seized over $1.2 billion in relief funds that criminals were attempting to steal and charged over 1,500 defendants with crimes in federal districts across the country, but our work is far from over. The Department will continue to work relentlessly to combat pandemic fraud and hold accountable those who perpetrate it.”


MoCo Police

Per MCPD: Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – Silver Spring Investigative Section are asking for the public’s assistance in locating a missing woman. 23-year-old Breasia Carey is believed to have been in the 8000 block of 13th St. in Silver Spring. Her last communication was on Saturday, September 10.

Carey is 5-feet, 1-inch tall and weighs 140 pounds. It is not known what she was wearing when she went missing. Police and family are concerned for her mental and physical welfare.


Education

Per MCPS: The Montgomery County Board of Education has approved a revised regulation (COG-RA) concerning student possession and use of personal mobile devices on school property and during MCPS-sponsored activities. Approved in May, the regulation establishes procedures for possession and use of non-MCPS issued personal mobile devices that are used to send or receive data via voice, video or text, such as tablets, laptops, smart watches, tablets and cellphones by students who are on MCPS property or engaged in MCPS-sponsored activities. This update to the regulation aligns guidelines with current best practices and, importantly, was developed collaboratively by a workgroup composed of staff, students and community members.

The revised guidelines indicate that personal mobile devices may be used:


Arts

The Arts Parade starts at 10 a.m. at the intersection of Grandview and Ennalls avenues. It will move down Georgia Avenue, around the Wheaton Triangle Business District and will end at the festival site adjacent to the entrance of the Wheaton Metrorail Station.

Marian Fryer Town Plaza is located at 2424 Reedie Dr. in Wheaton.


Gaithersburg

Using family recipes passed down from generation to generation and a fried chicken recipe that is considered a national treasure of Guatemala, Pollo Campero offers tender, juicy, hand-breaded fried chicken and slow-marinated, citrus-infused grilled chicken that is always fresh and prepared daily. Pollo Campero also offers hand-selected, farm-to-restaurant sides inspired by the brand’s roots in Latin America.

The Gaithersburg location is moving from Lakeforest Mall and will now be located at 426 N. Frederick Ave, Gaithersburg, MD. The fun-filled grand opening celebration will feature an appearance from Pollito, a variety of on-site activities including a spinning wheel for giveaways, Central American music, free samples of Pollo Campero’s flavorful chicken and drinks, desserts, and more.


Montgomery Parks

Montgomery Parks, part of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, invites the public to an open house at Denizens Brewing Co. on Tuesday, September 20, 2022, from 6 – 8 p.m. Attendees will have an opportunity to learn more about a new park that will be located on the former site of the National Tire and Battery Company, near the intersection of East-West Highway and Georgia Avenue. The future South Silver Spring Park will serve as an active recreation space to complement the historic and contemplative setting of nearby Acorn Urban Park.

Parks staff will share information about the project and initial findings from a community survey about the future park and collect input from attendees about what type of amenities they would like in the park.