Per Montgomery County: The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) will hold a virtual open house at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 28, to present a first look at the Ride On Reimagined study and get community feedback on proposed concept changes to the County transit network. The ongoing Ride On Reimagined Study is a full-scale re-assessment of how the Montgomery County public transit network will operate. Montgomery County residents are encouraged to register and participate in the meeting.

The Ride On Reimagined Study has the goal of creating a future-focused public transportation system. The study, which began in February 2022, conducted a comprehensive assessment of the current Ride On and Metrobus network, ridership patterns and ongoing projects. To better address community needs, MCDOT sought extensive community feedback through ridership surveys, pop-up events and focus groups comprised of transit riders and non-riders.

“Ride On Reimagined lets us examine our public transit from every angle to create a transportation system that is a real alternative to cars—fast, reliable and less expensive,” said Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich. “We have worked closely with WMATA, through the Better Bus initiative, to create a comprehensive plan that integrates a regional network of transportation systems. Ride On Reimagined will bolster the local economy by improving connections for residents and visitors to shopping, recreation, and jobs. Improved public transit helps address inequality by increasing transportation access—and in turn opportunities—to historically marginalized populations. The plans developed from this study will update the County’s transportation network to meet the needs of travelers with efficient, affordable service to regional hubs, shopping and entertainment and business districts. We want you to see what we are proposing and provide your comments. Ride On Reimagined will help make car-free transportation a first-choice option in Montgomery County, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and traffic congestion.”

The new concepts from the study incorporate the planned Flash bus rapid transit corridors, supplemented by additional frequent high-capacity bus routes and new all-day express service linking Downcounty and Upcounty hubs and Tysons Corner in Northern Virginia. Local routes will provide connectivity throughout the County, with trips operating at a minimum of every 30 minutes, supplemented by new Flex zones to offer on-demand, corner-to-corner service throughout the day.

“We have seen a significant shift in how and when people are using public transit. The pandemic has accelerated trends that were already in motion; with more people teleworking part or all of their workdays, traffic patterns have more variance throughout the day,” said MCDOT Director Chris Conklin. “We are seeing more demand for buses that connect to entertainment and shopping districts. We are taking a close look at shifting demographics, including an aging population that requires higher levels of accessibility and shifting trends in housing. Our bus service needs to reflect where and how residents live, work and travel. We will be implementing creative solutions to transit needs on a rolling basis over the next few years. The goal is to improve access to public transit, connect neighborhoods and improve the customer experience.”

MCDOT will also hold a series of eight pop-up events throughout October to share proposed changes to individual routes. The pop-up events will be held at the following locations:

• Monday, Oct. 2. 7–10 a.m. at Germantown Transit Center
• Thursday, Oct. 5. 11 a.m.–2 p.m. at Rockville Metro Station
• Tuesday, Oct. 10. 7–10 a.m. at Bethesda Metro Station
• Wednesday, Oct. 11. 11 a.m.–2 p.m. at Shady Grove Metro Station
• Tuesday, Oct.17. 7–10 a.m. at Silver Spring Transit Center
• Thursday, Oct. 19. 3–6 p.m. at Wheaton Metro Station
• Monday, Oct. 23. 3–6 p.m. at Lakeforest Transit Center
• Wednesday, Oct. 25. 7–10 a.m. at White Oak Transit Center

The Ride On Reimagined Study will continue through January 2024.

Comments can be submitted via email to [email protected]. Once completed, the Ride On Reimagined study will include immediate adjustments to bus routes to better serve the community and long-term plans to implement and expand on-demand, express and bus rapid transit service.

For more information on the Ride On Reimagined study and to register for the virtual open house, visit the website.

“Coming soon” and “now hiring” signage is up at the upcoming Outback Steakhouse location at Ellsworth Place in Downtown Silver Spring. The Australian-themed casual dining chain will be located in the space that was previously home to Not Your Average Joe’s at 8661 Colesville Rd. An opening date is not yet available, but it will be the chain’s third Montgomery County location, joining existing restaurants in Aspen Hill and Germantown.

While Outback Steakhouse is an international chain, one of the founders has strong local ties. Chris T. Sullivan, one of the founders of Outback Steakhouse, is a Blair High School alumnus. Sullivan attended the school, and Takoma Park Middle School before that, in the 60s before heading to the University of Kentucky to study business and economics.

After graduating in 1972, he became a restaurant manager at Steak & Ale before opening the first Outback with his partners in 1988. He and the other co-founders saw the chain expand to over 900 restaurants worldwide and grow to include Carrabba’s, Bonefish, and several other hospitality-related businesses. He has previously been CEO and president of OSI Restaurant Partners (the restaurant group he founded) and is currently a board member at Bloomin’ Brands.
Featured image courtesy of @ellsworthplacesilverspring on Instagram.

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Walter Johnson (3-0) at Paint Branch (2-1):  WJ has taken big steps over the last 4 years and this is a great opportunity for the Wildcats to prove themselves and stake a claim for the top seed in the 4A North. Meanwhile PB will be looking for a statement win after falling short against Sherwood. Prediction: Paint Branch by 3

Fernando J. Herrera-Rivera, age 23, of Gaithersburg, has been charged with six counts of 2nd degree arson in connection with a spree of fires that occurred early morning on Sunday, September 17 in Gaithersburg. Herrea-Rivera was arrested in the area of N. Frederick Ave that same morning after police used video surveillance footage and witness accounts to identify him. Herrera-Rivera was also wanted on a bench warrant for an unrelated charge and is currently being held without bond.

According to Chief Spokesperson for MCFRS Pete Piringer, at 2:30am on September 17, approximately 75 firefighters responded to multiple fires at the Holbrook Center (across from Gaithersburg High School) at 400blk S. Frederick Ave. near Education Blvd. Around 3:15am, MCFRS units then responded to 3 Russell Ave (La Frontera/Taco Bar) and found several vehicles and businesses on fire. There was an additional outside fire also located near the Gaithersburg Police Department building at 14 Fulks Corner Ave that morning. Damage is estimated to be $1,250,000 ($500,000 structure/$750,000 contents.)

We spoke to the owner of Taco Bar who told us he is mainly thankful that nobody got hurt. “I am still in shock but slowly grasping the magnitude of the damage caused to my business and to my employees. We are currently working with the insurance companies while waiting on the investigations to conclude and start the recovery process. We hope to be back in business in a few months.” We will provide an update if additional information becomes available.

Charleys Cheesesteaks opens today at 13617 Connecticut Ave. in the Aspen Hill shopping center. This is the third Charleys location to open this year in Montgomery County. Last month, Charleys opened inside of the Germantown Walmart at 20910 Frederick Rd, in the space formerly occupied by McDonald’s. In June, Charleys opened a location at 19877 Century Blvd in Germantown, in the space that was previously home to Roll by Goodyear and Yogi Castle in the Shops at Town Center & Century Station shopping center. Charleys has additional locations in Bethesda, Clarksburg, Gaithersburg, and Wheaton.

Charley’s now has over 600 stores nationwide. Newer locations have adopted a new menu concept, offering chicken wings and ice cream in addition to its Philly cheesesteaks. “Tossed-to-order, the wings are made with 10 chef-inspired flavors ranging from Angry Ghost and Nashville Hot to milder options like Zesty Lemon-Lime Rub and Sweet Teriyaki.”

The restaurant opened its first location across the campus of Ohio State University in 1986. While studying real estate at the school, Charley Shin worked in his mother’s Japanese/Korean restaurant in Columbus, Ohio. A wrong turn on a family trip to New York City resulted in Charley’s discovery of the Philly cheesesteak. Charley convinced his mother to sell her restaurant, and invest her life savings of $48,000 into Charley’s, a 450-square-foot restaurant across the street from Ohio State’s campus.

Pickleball is one of the fastest growing sports in the country and Dill Dinkers will hold the grand opening of its second Montgomery County location in Rockville, just six miles away from its recently opened North Bethesda location, on Monday, September 25th. The Rockville facility is located at 40-C Southlawn Court, next to ZavaZone and near the Sportsplex and Ice Arena.

As part of its grand opening, Dill Dinkers will offer free open play from 9am-9pm from September 25th through September 29th. Dill Dinkers offers a wide array of options for getting out on the courts to play, including court reservations for members and non-members, clinics, leagues, and lessons for new and experienced players looking to improve their game. Dill Dinkers will also offer advertising opportunities within the facility for businesses and organizations looking to reach a large, active audience focused on healthy living.

About Dill Dinkers: “In the Summer of 2021, Denise and Will Richards instantly fell in love with Pickleball after their very first lesson. By Winter, they were so hooked on the game that they became determined to keep playing, despite the weather and low court availability. Most of the time when the two did get a court, they spent half of their time cleaning it so it would be safe to play. Denise searched the county to try and find indoor courts, only to find that there were very few options. This is when the couple first started to realize that there was a need for an indoor facility. After visiting out of state indoor pickleball venues, they decided to make one in their own community.”

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The Montgomery County Department of Police – 3rd District Investigative Section is asking for the public’s assistance in locating Jose Rauda-Ayala. Rauda-Ayala, 42, was last seen on Tuesday, August 8, 2023, in the 500 block of Thayer Avenue in Silver Spring. He is 5-feet, 9-inches tall, 180 Ibs., with black hair, brown eyes, and medium complexion.

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Jose Rauda-Ayala is asked to call Montgomery County Police Non-Emergency (301) 279-8000 (24-hour line).

Per Montgomery County: The Montgomery County Commission for Women is sponsoring two free programs that can help residents get themselves better organized. A series of “Financial Health and Wellness Seminars” will begin on Tuesday, Oct. 10. Seminars on “Separation and Divorce: What Do I Need to Know?” will begin on Wednesday, Oct. 4. The virtual financial seminars will cover many aspects of becoming more financially organized.

The Commission for Women is joining with Montgomery County Public Libraries to offer the seminars, which will be led by Jamie Lapin, a private wealth advisor and president of RMG Advisors, LLC, and Thiago Glieger, a private wealth advisor and Federal retirement specialist.

The seminars will take place via Zoom from 7-8:30 p.m. on Tuesday evenings. To register for any seminar, go to Fall 2023 Financial Health and Wellness Seminars Tickets, Multiple Dates | Eventbrite. The link to the Zoom meeting will be provided after registering.
The schedule for the financial seminars:

• Tuesday, Oct. 10: Financial Planning 101. Learn the basics of financial planning and terms and tools to equip yourself with the knowledge needed to succeed financially.
• Tuesday, Oct. 17: Retirement Planning. Running out of money before running out of time is most people’s biggest concern. The seminar will address how to maximize your understanding of resources and autonomy.
• Tuesday, Oct. 24: Social Security and Medicare. Learn how to utilize and maximize the government programs you have invested in for your working lifetime.
• Tuesday, Nov. 7: Divorce and Money. Divorce is a strain on finances and on nerves. This seminar will address the financial realities that could come with divorce.

The online series on “Separation and Divorce: What Do I Need to Know?” will cover the “ins and outs” of separation and divorce in Maryland.

The seminars will be held on from 7-8:30 p.m. on the first Wednesday of each month through June, with the first seminar on Oct. 4. To register for any seminar, go to Separation and Divorce: What Do I Need To Know? Tickets, Wed, Oct 4, 2023 at 7:00 PM | Eventbrite. Zoom information provided after registering.

Local family law attorneys will lead the seminars on going through a separation and divorce in Maryland. The seminar topics will include Methods of Dispute Resolution, When and Where to File, Types of Divorce and Grounds, Financial Statements, Alimony, Property and Equitable Distribution, Role of the Attorney and Domestic Violence/Orders of Protection.

The schedule of seminars in the Separation and Divorce series:

• Wednesday, Oct. 4
• Wednesday, Nov. 1
• Wednesday, Dec. 6
• Wednesday, Jan. 3
• Wednesday, Feb. 7
• Wednesday, March 6
• Wednesday, April 3
• Wednesday, May 1
• Wednesday, June 5

Per Montgomery County: Montgomery County Government has nearly 1,000 full-time and part-time jobs, currently open for employment. Interested job seekers 18‐and‐over are encouraged to attend the Montgomery County Career Fair and Hiring Expo from 3-7 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 3, at the Silver Spring Civic Building at Veterans Plaza in Downtown Silver Spring.The Silver Spring Civic Building is located at 1 Veterans Place in Silver Spring.

This is the County’s second major job and hiring event this year designed to attract job seekers across various careers. During the County’s first career fair and hiring expo in May, one in seven attendees received a contingent job offer.
“When you choose to work for Montgomery County Government, you are not just getting a job; you are opening doors to incredible career opportunities,” said County Executive Marc Elrich. “With a robust package of benefits, we are committed to providing our employees a work environment that values their talents and fosters their professional growth. The average Montgomery County employee has worked for the County for over a decade, over twice as long as the average U.S. worker. Our goal is to create a culture where our employees will want to spend their entire career working for our residents, businesses, and visitors.”

Registration is not required, but attendees are encouraged to register in advance at www.montgomerycountymd.gov/JOBFAIR
County departments will be onsite to discuss available opportunities and conduct same‐day interviews for select positions, make on‐the‐spot offers or extend offers within 30 days after the event. Departments that will be represented will include:

Per Montgomery County: Bicycles that are no longer being used by some can make a big difference for others. The Montgomery County Department of Transportation’s annual Bicycle Donation Drive will be held on Friday, Oct. 20. The event will make it easy to donate previously owned bikes and ensure they will have a continued impact. From 7 a.m.-2 p.m. on Oct. 20, bikes will be collected (rain or shine) outside of the Montgomery County Council Office Building Garage at East Jefferson and Monroe Street in Rockville.

Bicycles should be in good working condition or in need of only minor repairs. Donations will be refurbished and MCDOT will match the bikes with residents in need through the Bike Match program. Community members are welcome to organize a bike collection at their school, place of worship or within their neighborhood and bring the bikes to Rockville on Oct. 20. For drives that collect 10 or more bikes, MCDOT will arrange to pick them up at a prearranged location.