North Bethesda

United States Olympic gold medalist Dominique Dawes opened her first gymnastics and ninja academy in Clarksburg in the summer of 2020. Dawes recently announced that she’ll be opening a second location in Rockville/North Bethesda. It will be located in the upper level of the Montrose Shopping Center, next to KPot. The buildout of the gym is set to begin in the next two weeks and open in early 2023. It will be located at

Dominique was a 10-year member of the U.S. national gymnastics team, the 1994 U.S. all-around senior National Champion, a three-time Olympian, a World Championship silver and bronze medalist, and a member of the gold-medal-winning team “Magnificent Seven” at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta. Dawes is also notable as being the first African-American woman to win an individual Olympic medal in artistic gymnastics, and the first black person of any nationality or gender to win an Olympic-gold-medal in gymnastics.


Gaithersburg

Milan Laser Hair Removal, the nation’s largest laser hair removal center, is coming soon to 826 Muddy Branch Rd, Gaithersburg, the former Weight Watchers location in the Muddy Branch Square shopping center. Milan Laser Hair Removal has over 200 locations nationwide.

Per a recent press release: “We owe our success over the last decade to our commitment to standing out from the competition,” said Dr. Shikhar Saxena, co-founder and CEO of Milan Laser Hair Removal. “We have 214 (and counting) locations in 27 states because we guarantee our clients’ results for life at one affordable price.”


Restaurants

Nick’s Diner, a Wheaton staple that’ll be celebrating its 40th anniversary in a couple weeks, recently announced via social media that it will be closed on Mondays and Tuesdays going forward. Nick’s Diner, which is located at 11199 Veirs Mill Rd, cited the staff shortage for the decision. The diner’s full message can be seen below:


Beyond MoCo

DP Dough is making its return to College Park, MD nearly three years after closing its doors in January 2020 at 8145 Baltimore Ave. The Columbus, Ohio-based chain will be returning to College Park, this time at Terrapin Row, according to signage that’s up at 4200 Hartwick Rd.-

In January 2020, a couple months the prior to the start of Covid restrictions, DP Dough posted “It’s not good bye. It’s see ya later. After serving calzones for 20 years in College Park, we will be closing our doors for the last time Thursday night. It’s been an amazing journey, but all good things must come to an end.


Maryland

ANNAPOLIS,MD–Governor Larry Hogan today proclaimed a day of service and remembrance across the state of Maryland in memory of those lost in the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. The proclamation is part of an initiative that Governor Hogan, the Governor’s Office of Service and Volunteerism, and the Governor’s Office of Community Initiatives observe to mark the September 11 National Day of Service and Remembrance and to launch Just Serve, an annual monthlong initiative to promote service and volunteerism statewide through October 10.

“Today, 21 years later, we remember each and every single life cut short by an act of evil on September 11th, including 69 of our fellow Marylanders,” said Governor Hogan. “In memory of those lost, and inspired by the enduring example of the first responders who ran into danger to save lives that day, we again rededicate ourselves to a season of service. May God bless the families of the fallen, may God bless our heroes, and may God bless the United States of America.”


Germantown

Rio Grande Grill at 13541 Clopper Rd in the Seneca Plaza shopping center in Germantown has been sold. Former owner Erika Myers tells us that the new owners will be keeping the same name and menu.  The restaurant is currently closed for renovations and is expected to reopen in a few weeks.

Rio Grande opened in December 2020, in the location that was previously home to the Mistik Taverna, Germantown Kabob & Sweets, Bhima’s Kitchen & Bakery, and Arirang Korean restaurant. The restaurant offers an extensive menu that goes beyond Tex-Mex cuisine. Menu items consist of “bar food” such as crab pretzels, spinach dip, mozzarella sticks, etc., various salads, build-your-own burgers, fried chicken and pasta dishes, tacos al carbon, bowls, and a wide variety of entrees.


Maryland

From the Office of the Maryland Comptroller: Comptroller Peter Franchot urges eligible Marylanders to act fast and apply for the Student Loan Debt Relief Tax Credit Programfor Tax Year 2022. Applications must be submitted by September 15. “Going to college may seem out of reach for many Marylanders given the huge expense, but tax credits like these help make it possible. I urge everyone to apply now before time runs out,” Comptroller Franchot said. “Any way to bring down the cost of higher education is a big benefit.”

The program, which is administered by the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC), provides an income tax credit for Maryland residents making eligible undergraduate and/or graduate education payments on loans from an accredited college or university. To be eligible, you must claim Maryland residency for the 2022 tax year, file 2022 Maryland state income taxes, have incurred at least $20,000 in undergraduate and/or graduate student loan debt and have at least $5,000 in outstanding student loan debt upon applying for the tax credit.


Events

The Germantown Volunteer Fire Department is hosting its annual open house event at the department (20001 Crystal Rock Dr. Germantown, MD 20874) on Saturday, September 17th from 12pm until 3pm. The open house will consist of a big mix of activities, vendors, and things to see. “As a department, we’re just excited to reach back out into the community after three long years! We got a last minute notification that we were allowed to hold this event again and we jumped at the opportunity to hold it. This event has all come together in just under 5 weeks.”

People will be able to park in the Regal Movie Theater Parking Lot and Aircraft Dr will be closed down between Century and Crystal Rock on the day of the event. Most of the activities will be on Aircraft drive just in front of the department. Activities and vendors will include:


Burtonsville

At approximately 9:42am Saturday morning, Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services responded to a call on Strauss Terrace in Burtonsville for a cat trapped inside of a wall.

Upon arrival, units were told that the cat fell from a third floor crawl space and was trapped within the first floor walls. After breaching the wall and using a toy to lure the scared cat out, the cat was rescued and reunited with its owner outside of the walls at the Burtonsville home.


Maryland

Per Maryland Restaurant Week: Maryland Restaurant Week is back for its third year, kicking off September 16th. For ten days, we’re bringing all counties and all restaurants together to celebrate and support our industry. Participating restaurants may offer special menus, discounts or seasonal fare for dine-in, curbside, or carryout.

The dining public is invited to enjoy these Maryland Restaurant Week-specific specials September 16-25, 2022. Brought to you by the Restaurant Association of Maryland and generous sponsors. Montgomery County restaurants participating include:


North Bethesda

Filo Cafe, a self-described “mom and pop restaurant” that will offer Filipino cuisine, is coming to 4836 Boiling Brook Pkwy. The restaurant, which announced in August that it is hoping to open this month (September), will take over the storefront that was previously home to NYC Pizza and Subs. Last week the restaurant posted on its social media that it is hiring for kitchen staff and cashier positions. We’ll have updates and additional information as the restaurant prepares to open.

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