Red Ribbon Bakeshop, a Filipino bakery chain, is opening its new Wheaton location this Saturday, September 23 at 9am. The bakery is located at 2501 University Blvd W, right next to the Anchor Inn sign that still stands.
According to Red Ribbon, “COME EARLY and win One Year of Sweetness. The first 20 customers get Mango Supreme Cakes every month for an entire year. The first 100 customers on day 1 (Sep 23) and the first 50 on day 2 (Sep 24) who spend over $50, receive bundles of assorted mamon pastries FREE.”
Currently, Red Ribbon Bakeshop has over 200 locations across the Philippines and 39 in the United States. In 2005 it was acquired by Jollibee Foods Corporation, which opened its first D.C. area Jollibee location at Wheaton Mall in 2021.
More about Red Ribbon: In 1979, Amalia Hizon Mercado, husband Renato Mercado together with their five children, Consuelo Tiutan, Teresita Moran, Renato Mercado, Ricky Mercado and Romy Mercado established Red Ribbon as a small cake shop along Timog Avenue in Quezon City. The cakes developed by daughter Teresita Moran are what gave Red Ribbon its prominence in the dessert market of the Philippines. In 1984, it opened its first overseas outlet in West Covina, California. The company began franchising in 1999. Today, there are more than 200 branches all over the Philippines and 39 in the United States as it continues to expand.
Restore Hyper Wellness has opened at 14933 Shady Grove Rd. Suite J in Rockville’s Fallsgrove Shopping Center between Jersey Mike’s and Hair Cuttery. The wellness center will be hosting a Grand Opening from Thursday, September 21 until Sunday, September 24 with many special offers (available below).
Restore Hyper Wellness Rockville provides “a proactive approach to enhanced energy and wellbeing through a unique blend of wellness solutions and modern medical therapies, including Whole Body Cryotherapy, Infrared Sauna, IV Drip Therapy, Intramuscular (IM) Shots, mild Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, NAD+ IV Infusions. Diagnostic Tests, Hydrafacials and Cryoskin treatments. With a nationwide footprint of 210+ studios, Restore is the leader in combining cutting-edge wellness technology with expert guidance to fight the wear and tear of modern life and leave you energized to do more of what you love.”
The four day Grand Opening will allow customers to kick in a “lifetime discounted membership rate” as well discounts on the following service:
✔️ 30% Off All Packs
✔️ $125 Single Cryoskin Facials
✔️ $100 Off Premium Hydrafacials
✔️ 10% Off NAD+ IV Therapy
✔️ 50% Off Retail Rate Single Service
and more. The event will also have additional deals, raffles, and vendors including:
Orange Theory Fitness
Pure Barre
Cosmetic Surgery Associates
Bacall & Bogie
Eat the Change
St. Veg
Dunkin Donuts
Spirit Vigilante
im=x Pilates
and more! Additional information can be found on the Restore Hyper Wellness Facebook page.
https://www.facebook.com/113471478307687/posts/265161479805352/?mibextid=cr9u03
UPDATE: All travel lanes have reopened on northbound I-270 at Exit 13 for Middlebrook Rd. Expect residual delays.
Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) responded to a collision involving a car and a tractor trailer on Tuesday, September 19 around 5pm. According to Chief Spokesperson for MCFRS Pete Piringer, the incident occurred on northbound I-270 between Montgomery Village Ave and Watkins Mill Rd, prior to Middlebrook Rd. Two patients were evaluated with non-life threatening injuries. Only one lane of traffic gets by as of 5:47pm.
We will provide an update if additional information becomes available.
NB270 prior to Middlebrooke Road 2 car collision, car vs. tractor trailer. @MCFRS_EMIHS Evaluating 2 patients with NLTI. Only one lane getting by at this time. pic.twitter.com/9f3G03P6YR
— Pete Piringer (@mcfrsPIO) September 19, 2023
Back in May we let you know that the owner of popular dim sum restaurants China Garden (Rockville) and Han Palace (Tysons, Woodley Park, Barracks Row) announced that she is bringing a new restaurant to Rio– taking over the space that was previously home to Union Jack’s until June 2020. It has now been confirmed by Rio that the restaurant will be known as Han Spot.
Chris Zhu made the announcement via social media in May, “Another milestone. New baby from Han Palace coming to Rio Gaithersburg. Next to AMC theater & Guapo’s 🤗🤗🤗.” One of Zhu’s other restaurants, Han Palace, offers an all-day dim sum menu. Scallops, shrimp, pork/crab dumplings, rice rolls, barbecue pork buns, lobster sticky rice, Han-style filet mignon, and Peking duck are included on the Han Palace menu.
An opening timeframe is not yet available, but other Rio restaurants will be participating in the inaugural ‘Taste of Rio’ event in October. A menu from Han Palace can be seen below (pinch and expand):
Featured photo courtesy of Han Palace
https://www.instagram.com/p/CscYhQQOnV6/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
Per Montgomery County: The Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) will begin providing sexual health services at the new Upcounty Sexual Health & Wellness Clinic beginning Monday, Oct. 9. The clinic, located at the Sidney Kramer Upcounty Regional Services Center, 12900 Middlebrook Road in Germantown, will offer free and low-cost testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections (STI) and HIV infection.
A community open house and ribbon cutting for the facility is planned for Thursday, Oct. 5 from 1-4 p.m.
“While Montgomery County ranks as the healthiest county in Maryland, we have seen an increase in infection rates for STIs, and access to early testing and treatment services is essential to sexual health and wellbeing,” said County Executive Marc Elrich. “This new clinic location will help residents living in the Upcounty region get services where they live. Many STIs are treatable or curable but early detection is important to successful outcomes.”
Services will be free or low cost, and no one will be turned away based on their ability to pay. Appointments are recommended by calling 240-777-1609, but walk-ins will be accepted based on service availability.
- HIV testing is free to anyone regardless of age or where they live in Maryland.
- STI testing and treatment is free to anyone age 26 and under. For those individuals over 26, a sliding scale fee model is used for payment, ensuring that no one is turned away regardless of their ability to pay. The clinic also accepts individuals with Medicaid coverage.
“The creation of the Upcounty Sexual Health & Wellness Clinic demonstrates our commitment to addressing issues of health inequity,” said Kisha Davis, County health officer. “This clinic will be the only low barrier safety net clinic in this area of the community addressing health disparities found within sexually transmitted infections and HIV incidence.”
The Germantown location will serve as a satellite clinic for the Sexual Health & Wellness Clinic located at Dennis Avenue Health Center in Silver Spring.
The schedule for services at the Germantown location:
- Free HIV testing only will be offered from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Sept. 20, 22, 27, 29 and Oct. 4. Call 240-777-1609 to make an appointment.
- Full STI testing and treatment services and HIV testing only will be available regularly from 8:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, beginning Oct. 9. Call 240-777-1609 to make an appointment.
For more information about the County’s efforts to end the HIV epidemic and other sexual health and wellness resources, visit the “Do It For You Montgomery County” website or follow “Do It For You MC” on social media.
Below a is a list of businesses that have recently opened or are coming soon to Olney, MD:
Coming Soon: Z-Burger/Maman
Last week we reported that Maman Joon and Z-Burger would be taking over the space that was previously home to Taco Bar and Jerry’s Subs & Pizza at 181000 Georgia Avenue in Olney. Maman Joon offers Persian cuisine and recently opened a location in Tyson’s Corner. Z-Burger is a local, DMV-based chain that describes itself as “a Washington DC landmark! Home to the area’s most delicious handcrafted burgers with endless toppings, fresh cut fries and 75 varieties of hand spun milk shakes and concretes made with premium Wisconsin custard.” No opening date has been announced.
Coming Soon: Ramen Ya
Coming soon signage is up for Ramen Ya at 16822 Georgia Ave. in Olney. The Japanese noodle and dumpling house is taking over the space recently occupied by Loyal Companion, in the same shopping center as Roots Market and Sisters Sandwiches & Such. Ramen Ya imports its flour for noodles directly from Japan and uses a “top-of-the-line noodle machine” to make fresh noodles daily. Ramen Ya has an additional location at 7938 Crain Hwy S in Glen Burnie, MD.
According to its website, “Our company has been in the food business for over a decade. From distributing premium seafood ingredients to restaurants, to opening sushi stations in high-end supermarkets, we now seek our own spaces to serve guests the best authentic Japanese ramen we can offer.” We will post an update when additional information becomes available.
Coming Soon: Mackie’s BBQ
Mackie’s Barbecue Company is coming to 5500 Olney Laytonsville Rd in Olney, taking over the space previously occupied by Umberto’s Italian Restaurant. Mackie’s currently has locations at 8547 Ziggy Lane in Gaithersburg and 325 West 7th Street in Frederick, MD. Menu items include BBQ nachos, crab dip, pulled pork, brisket, pulled chicken, ribs, mac & cheese, and Texas beans. While no opening date has been announced, we’re told a soft opening will be happening soon.
Now Open: Hallmark
Hallmark recently opened at 18217 Village Center Dr (formerly My Little Gym) in the Olney Village Center. Hallmark previously had a location a few doors down at 18305 Village Center Dr. that closed in 2017. Hallmark was founded in 1910 by teenage entrepreneur J.C. Hall, and remaining a private company with family members on the board of directors today, Hallmark’s businesses employ more than 20,000 people worldwide. “While there are many ways to experience Hallmark, the experiences that matter most to the company are the ones our customers are able to share with their friends and loved ones. We strive each day to help those experiences – and those connections – come to life. In each of our businesses we aim to be good community partners, we believe embracing diversity and inclusion is the best way to understand and serve our employees and consumers, and we strive to be environmentally responsible. This all helps to fulfill our purpose of inspiring meaningful relationships and enhancing lives.”
Now Open: ‘Easy Little Plants’
Easy Little Plants, a new store selling “happy houseplants in homemade soil” opened over the summer at 3412 North High St, Suite B in Olney (located behind the Exxon in Georgia Avenue). Owner Savannah, 21, mixes each batch of soil herself, and takes pride in the effect it has on the pants sold at the store. The plants come pre-potted in repurposed glassware that allow you to look through the glass to see the roots and soil. “It’s much easier to look and see when your plant could use a drink.”
This year represents the 40th anniversary of the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program. Congratulations to the more than 9,000 awardees recognized since 1983. Six schools in Maryland (one in Montgomery County) have been recognized in 2023– they are listed below.
The National Blue Ribbon Schools (NBRS) Program is one of the U.S. Department of Education’s longest-running recognition programs. NBRS recognizes outstanding public and non-public elementary, middle, and high schools based on their overall high academic achievement or success in closing the achievement gap among diverse groups of students. Since its inception, the goals of the program are to shine a spotlight on the best schools in the United States and to share best practices of outstanding schools across the country.
Each year, the U.S. Department of Education works with state departments of education to identify and nominate outstanding schools for this coveted award based on student academic achievement measures and progress toward closing achievement gaps. Through a rigorous review process, the U.S. Department of Education awards several hundred outstanding schools annually, to celebrate their achievement. This prestigious award serves not only as a symbol of exemplary American schools, but also as inspiration for schools across the nation. It affirms the hard work of students, educators, families, and communities in creating safe and welcoming schools where students thrive. Full list of Maryland schools recognized can be seen below:
• Stone Mill Elementary School
14323 Stonebridge View Drive North Potomac, MD 20878-4811
Phone: (240) 740-5450
District: Montgomery County Public Schools
• Church Hill Elementary School
631 Main Street
Church Hill, MD 21623-9756
Phone: (410) 556-6681
District: Queen Anne’s County Public Schools
• Matapeake Elementary School
651 Romancoke Road Stevensville, MD 21666-2637
Phone: (410) 643-3105
District: Queen Anne’s County Public Schools
• Northeast Elementary School
11001 Forest Avenue NE Cumberland, MD 21502-8152
Phone: (301) 724-3285
District: Allegany County Public Schools
• Oakdale High School
5850 Eaglehead Drive Ijamsville, MD 21754-9711
Phone: (240) 566-9400
District: Frederick County Public Schools
• Smithsburg Middle School
68 North Main Street Smithsburg, MD 21783-9606
Phone: (301) 766-8353
District: Washington County Public Schools
Wiseguy Pizza will open it’s first Montgomery County location in the Wheaton Mall food court on Wednesday, September 20. The restaurant will be located in the space that was previously occupied by Angel’s Pizza. Wiseguy serves stone-deck oven baked pizza by the slice that’s made with imported ingredients from Italy, homemade sauces, and dough using a special water filtration system. Pizza options include Cheese, Pepperoni, Paneer Tikki (House Masala, Paneer, Mozzarella, Onions, Tomato, Green & Chili Peppers, Cilantro, Jalapeño Sauce), Nashville Hot Chicken, Chicken Parmesan, and Whitestone (Garlic, Ricotta, Mozzarella, Parmigiano, Oregano, Oil from Tuscany Italy.)
Wise Guy currently has four locations across D.C. and Virginia and this will be its first Maryland store. Thompson Hospitality Group, which is behind restaurants like Matchbox (Bethesda, Rockville, and Silver Spring locations in MoCo), Willie T’s Seafood Shack (Silver Spring), Austin Grill and American Tap Room (both previously in MoCo), acquired all Wiseguy locations in 2022. According to Wiseguy’s website, the restaurant is scheduled to open this summer.
The Rockville City Police Department tweeted the following on Tuesday, September 19:
Missing woman: Sumona Kazi, 39, last seen 9/11/23 in the 2000 blk of Northrup Dr. Police & loved ones concerned for her wellbeing. If you know Ms. Kazi’s whereabouts or have any info to assist in locating her, please contact the Rockville City Police at 240-314-8900.
Missing woman: Sumona Kazi, 39, last seen 9/11/23 in the 2000 blk of Northrup Dr. Police & loved ones concerned for her wellbeing. If you know Ms. Kazi’s whereabouts or have any info to assist in locating her, please contact the Rockville City Police at 240-314-8900. pic.twitter.com/mOBvJMq79a
— Rockville City Police Department (@RockvilleCityPD) September 19, 2023
Per Montgomery County: The Montgomery County Council voted unanimously today to approve the Safe Streets Act of 2023 (Bill 11-23). The new law, spearheaded by Council President Evan Glass, will create safer streets for pedestrians, cyclists and drivers on Montgomery County roadways.
The new law, spearheaded by Council President Evan Glass, will create safer streets for pedestrians, cyclists and drivers on Montgomery County roadways. The legislation prioritizes pedestrians by enhancing walk times at crosswalks, and prohibits “right turn on red” at busy intersections in downtown areas. To create safer routes to school, the legislation will also require infrastructure reviews following incidents in school zones, walksheds and bus stops.
“Too many of our neighbors continue to be seriously injured or killed while walking or biking on our roads,” said Council President Glass, who chairs the Transportation and Environment Committee. “The Safe Streets Act of 2023 will bring much-needed safety improvements to our roads and help prevent injuries and death. The United States has the highest rate of roadway incidents in the developed world. This legislation will put us on a safer path. I’m grateful to the community members and advocates for safer streets who shared their personal stories and provided valuable perspectives that strengthened this legislation.”
In 2022, 19 pedestrians and bicyclists were killed and 541 people seriously injured on our County’s roads. The County has already had 11 fatalities and 404 injuries involving pedestrians and cyclists in 2023.
“Students deserve to have a safe passage as they travel to and from school by walking, cycling, riding a bus, or driving in a car. The routes and bus stops are too often dangerous. By including school zones improvements, the Safe Streets Bill supports safety measures for our youngest travelers. Parents commend this legislation,” said Melissa Regan, Co-chair of MCCPTA Safe Routes to School.
“We have to rethink roadway design to meet our commitment to eliminating traffic deaths and serious injuries. The Safe Streets Act does this: it mandates sensible changes that will make Montgomery County streets safer for pedestrians and bicyclists. The Washington Area Bicyclist Association (WABA) is grateful for Council President Glass’s Vision Zero leadership via this legislation,” said Seth Grimes, Maryland Organizer for WABA.
“MoCo FSS applauds the Montgomery County Council for the passage of the Safe Streets Act. We are hopeful that this renewed focus on safety features along our County roadways, especially in and around school zones and busy pedestrian town centers, will help to improve safety for our children and community members,” said Kristy Daphnis, Steering Committee Member of MoCo Families for Safe Streets.
“We congratulate the Montgomery County Council on passing the Safe Streets Act while considering the expansion of safe, comfortable, and accessible transportation through the Pedestrian Master Plan,” said Amy Frieder, President of Action Committee for Transit. “Our members look forward to working with our political leaders on a steady effort to make all roads in the county safer for everyone.”
The legislation aims to advance the County’s Vision Zero goals of eliminating serious and fatal crashes by addressing specific transportation initiatives. The bill also requires the County Executive to provide a comprehensive automated traffic enforcement plan, which must be updated and resubmitted to the Council annually.
“This common-sense legislation will go a long way to make sure the county’s town centers and school zones are safer places to walk, which is good for public health and for our environment. However, this is only the beginning,” said Dan Reed, Regional Policy Director of Greater Greater Washington. “We look forward to working with Council President Glass and the County Council to secure a future in which people are no longer killed walking or bicycling on Montgomery County streets.”
“Making walking safe and comfortable throughout our County—whether we are walking to school, accessing transit, or enjoying our downtowns—will save lives, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and help to foster vibrant, connected communities. The Safe Streets Act is a concrete step towards making Vision Zero a reality,” said Carrie Kisicki, Montgomery Advocacy Manager for Coalition for Smarter Growth.
Councilmembers Dawn Luedtke, Kate Stewart, Sidney Katz, Natali Fani-González, Council Vice President Andrew Friedson, and Councilmembers Will Jawando, Marilyn Balcombe, Kristin Mink, Laurie-Anne Sayles and Gabe Albornoz cosponsored the legislation.
You can read the bill text here.
