Permanent signage is up at Chopin Noodle House at 12123 Darnestown Rd in the Shops of Potomac Valley shopping center. It will take over the location that was home to Pho City for 15 years until the restaurant closed at the end of July.
Chopin Noodle House offers a variety of hand pulled noodle soups, including Lanzhou beef noodle soup, traditional beef noodle soup, crispy fish noodle soup, cold noodles, and many others. The menu will also offer appetizers such as cucumber salad, chili oil cabbage, mutton chops and more. A variety of milk teas and iced tea/lemonades will also be available. An opening date for the restaurant is not yet available, but the restaurant has recently opened its first location in Catonsville.
This will be a welcomed addition to the shopping center has recently lost Neal’s Bagels, which recently moved to a nearby Kentlands location. We are also told that plans have fallen through with Wayback Burgers after the restaurant installed permanent signage over a year ago. Isaac’s Poultry Market opened in the shopping center earlier this year.
Featured photo sent in by Todoris Fismanis
For the 2023–2024 school year, Glenstone Museum has launched a new booking page that will make scheduling an on-site, guided visit more seamless for educators. This system provides real-time availability to schedule guided visits between Sept. 1 and Jan. 26, 2024.
The Potomac museum provides opportunities for middle and high school students to learn in an environment that encourages direct connection with art, architecture and nature. Glenstone offers guided on-site visits and virtual engagement options. The school program is intended for a broad range of curriculum and grade levels and uses interactive exercises to encourage direct engagement. In conjunction with Glenstone’s temporary exhibit, Ellsworth Kelly at 100, school visits have been expanded to include Kelly’s important contributions to the contemporary art world. To learn more about school visits, visit the website.
For MCPS middle and high schools, Glenstone provides free bus transportation and substitute teacher coverage for all guided visits. More details will be shared once a visit is confirmed. To request a guided on-site visit, click here. To request a virtual engagement, click here. Glenstone is located at 12100 Glen Road in Potomac.
Courtesy of MCPS
Per the Maryland Attorney General’s Office: As part of a 54-state and territory bipartisan coalition, Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown joined a letter urging Congress to study how artificial intelligence (AI) can and is being used to exploit children through child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and to propose legislation to protect children from those abuses. The danger of AI as it relates to CSAM is in three main categories: the likeness of a real child, who has not been physically abused, being digitally altered to depict abuse; a real child who has been physically abused being digitally recreated in other depictions of abuse; and a fictitious child being digitally created in a depiction of abuse that feeds the market for CSAM.
The letter states, “AI is also being used to generate child sexual abuse material (CSAM). For example, AI tools can rapidly and easily create ‘deepfakes’ by studying real photographs of abused children to generate new images showing those children in sexual positions. This involves overlaying the face of one person on the body of another. Deepfakes can also be
generated by overlaying photographs of otherwise unvictimized children on the internet with photographs of abused children to create new CSAM involving the previously unharmed children.”
“The terrifying truth is that for all its potential benefits, artificial intelligence can also be used to hurt children and perpetrate child sexual abuse. With support from states, Congress must act now to get ahead of this manipulation of AI that could have such tragic consequences,” said Attorney General Brown. “We must work together to eradicate the use of this technology to exploit and harm kids.”
The coalition is asking Congress to form a commission to study specifically how AI can be used to exploit children and to “act to deter and address child exploitation, such as by expanding existing restrictions on CSAM to explicitly cover AI-generated CSAM.” The letter continues, “We are engaged in a race against time to protect the children of our country from the dangers of AI. Indeed, the proverbial walls of the city have already been breached. Now is the time to act.”
In submitting the letter, Attorney General Brown joins the Attorneys General of Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia. Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Northern Mariana Islands, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virgin Islands, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
https://www.marylandattorneygeneral.gov/press/2023/090623.pdf
The City of Rockville will proclaim September 15th-October 15th as Hispanic Heritage Month. According to the City of Rockville, the 2023 Hispanic Heritage Month Theme has been selected. This year’s theme is: “Latinos: Driving Prosperity, Power, and Progress in America.”
Per the City of Rockville: Hispanic Heritage Month originally started with one week of commemoration when it was first introduced by Congressman George E. Brown in June 1968. With the civil rights movement, the need to recognize the contributions of the Latin community gained traction in the 1960s. Awareness of the multicultural groups living in the United States was also gradually growing. Two heavily Latinx and Hispanic populated areas, the San Gabriel Valley, and East Los Angeles, were represented by Brown. His aim was to recognize the integral roles of these communities in American history. Observation of Hispanic Heritage Week started in 1968 under President Lyndon B. Johnson and was later extended to a 30-day celebration by President Ronald Reagan, starting on September 15 and ending on October 15. It was enacted into law via approval of Public Law 100-402 on August 17, 1988.
September 15 is set as the starting date for the month as it is important for many reasons. It is the independence anniversary for Latin American countries El Salvador, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and Honduras. From here onwards, the independence days of Mexico and Chile fall on September 16 and September 18, respectively. The month marks the anniversary of the independence of five Latin American countries, including Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua; all of whom declared independence from the former colonial power, Spain, on September 15, 1821. Mexico, Chile, and Belize celebrate Independence Day on September 16th, 18, and 21st. Hispanic, Latinx, and Latino-identified Americans have been an integral to the prosperity of the U.S. Their contributions to the nation are immeasurable, and they embody the best of American values. The Hispanic American community has left an indelible mark on the U.S. culture and economy.
During the month of September, communities gather to share their diverse and rich cultural history and heritage. The City of Rockville, Maryland, through its annual programs like Hometown Holidays, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. celebration, and International Night, encourages participation to highlight this valuable segment of the population.
At Tuesday night’s Mayor and City Council meeting, the City of Gaithersburg proclaimed that September 15th-October 15h will be Hispanic Heritage Month. Per the City of Gaithersburg, “the National Hispanic Heritage Month began in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson. In 1988, President Ronald Reagan changed the designation to a 30-day time covering the dates of September 15 to October 15. The date of September 15 is historically significant as it marks the anniversary of independence of five Latin American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. The designation period also includes Mexico and Chile, which celebrate their independence on September 16 and 18, respectively. According to the U.S. Census, Hispanic Americans are identified by the parts of the world that they or their ancestors came from, including Puerto Rico, Cuba, Mexico, Spain, and the countries of Central and South America.”
City programming in recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month:
· The Multicultural Affairs Committee is presenting a month-long educational display, starting in September. The exhibit can be viewed at the Activity Center at Bohrer Park, Monday throughFriday from 8 AM to 10 PM and on Saturdays & Sundays from 8 AM to 5 PM.
· The Benjamin Gaither Center and Asbury Methodist Village with the collaboration of De Colores Mexican Folk Dance Group will present a cultural extravaganza on September 12 with traditional Mexican Folk dance, artifacts display, and food tastings. The event is free, but registration is required.
Accepting the proclamation was Yerania Benicio. Yerania, born in Mexico and graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration Degree at University of Colima in Mexico. She is a member of the Gaithersburg Multicultural Affairs Committee and has been a resident of Gaithersburg since 2003. Yerania is part of a Mexican Folk group called De Colores Mexican Folk Dance Group, who love to serve and entertain the community. She and the group are thankful for the opportunity to install the Day of the Dead Altar over the past few years, and they look forward to sharing their traditions.
She also enjoys doing volunteer work with her children, where she can be a part of their growth while helping others. Yerania has been working for a multicultural institution for over 13 years, where she has learned to value and treasure other cultures and has been exposed to their foods and traditions.She feels very fortunate to live and work in such a diverse community. When Yerania would return home to Mexico, her grandma would ask how people look and what they eat on the other side of the world. She realized how blessed she was to be able to tell her about the lovely people from the other side of the world.
Courtesy of the City of Gaithersburg
“Dear Montgomery County Families and Community Members,
As key leaders representing Montgomery County residents, we are writing to report on the actions taken following the recent fight that followed a high school football game in Bethesda this past Friday, September 1, and to reiterate our collective commitment to community safety.
Following the football game between Bethesda-Chevy Chase and Walter Johnson High Schools, a physical altercation near the Bethesda Metro Station resulted in multiple student injuries. Montgomery County Public Schools and Montgomery County Police immediately began a collaborative conversation.
The primary goal of this work is to determine precisely what occurred and to ensure that students involved will be held accountable. The memorandum of understanding with all community police partners very specifically outlines what actions may be addressed through school-based discipline and what is considered criminal activity.
Available evidence has been reviewed and we can confirm at this time that appropriate disciplinary action has been applied in alignment with the MCPS Student Code of Conduct . However, no students have been charged criminally, although the criminal investigation is ongoing.
The school district has always maintained comprehensive operational safety plans for each football game every week during the fall athletics season. Prior to the fall athletic season, MCPD and MCPS hold a collaborative meeting to discuss comprehensive operation safety plans for each football game. These meetings have helped create the tiered safety plan system that has been in place since 2022. MCPD and MCPS remain committed partners in ensuring school and community safety, and frequently discuss updates to these plans on a weekly basis.
The question has arisen, “How do we extend safety beyond the school campus?” This poses challenges but we are exploring a number of options along with our county security and police partners. Essentially, this involves monitoring by placing MCPS staff in key areas of our community following football games and messaging to our students that we and the community are watching.
Moving forward, we are taking the following actions to strengthen safety at all football games.
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We utilize the resources that our Fall 2023 Athletics Safety Plan provides, which include actions such as:
- Students must present a school ID
- School-age spectators from other than the competing schools must be accompanied by an adult
- Backpacks are not allowed and more.
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The Athletics Safety Plan also allows for us to implement actions on an incremental basis. Therefore, effective this week, all varsity football games will operate with the following Tier 2 actions:
- Spectator numbers will be limited to 75% of stadium capacity to assist with event management.
- Individuals who engage in inappropriate behaviors may be excluded from postseason competition or suspended for multiple contests.
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Game times/dates may be altered to provide more daylight and assist with event management.
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If additional incidents occur, consistent with the decision guidelines in the safety plan, additional actions may be taken, including a shift to Tier 3 of the plan.
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Also, Montgomery County Police have committed to assigning officers in identified areas of concern such as areas where students may gather after games.
This incident must serve as a teachable moment for our entire community. We must collectively reinforce the values of respect, tolerance, and resolving conflict through peaceful means. It is through an “All Together Now” understanding that we can ensure our students do not resort to violence as a means to resolve their differences. Collectively, we encourage parents and guardians to have conversations with their children about the inappropriate choice of violence and fighting, as well as the possible consequences. These conversations are vital in reinforcing the values we hold dear within our community.
As community leaders, we are dedicated to addressing this incident with the seriousness it deserves and ensuring that it serves as an opportunity for positive change. Together, we can strengthen the bonds that unite us and help our students grow into responsible, compassionate, and productive members of society.”
In partnership,
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Dr. Monifa B. McKnight |
Marcus Jones |
The Gaithersburg Mayor and City Council will hold its record open until 5 p.m. on Friday, September 15, 2023 (10 days) for a proposed ordinance to amend Chapter 15A of the City Code to apply restrictions to the use of marijuana, including but not limited to the same restrictions that now apply to smoking. Policy Discussion, and possible adoption, will take place on October 2, 2023. Per the proposed ordinance, “this has become necessary since Maryland State voters in the 2022 elections approved the use of cannabis, including marijuana, in small amounts for more than medical purposes.” More from the proposed ordinance below:
In 2022, The General Assembly approved proposing to the voters of Maryland a constitutional amendment authorizing the public and recreational use of marijuana without a medical need, and the voters approved this amendment in the November 2022 elections. The amendment required the General Assembly to enact legislation authorizing distribution, and in Senate Bill 516, the General Assembly passed the Cannabis Reform Act, which enabled and authorized the use and sale of cannabis, including marijuana, in small amounts for general and recreational use. The legislation also imposed a 9% tax to be shared with municipalities and counties. While the legislation did not impose restrictions on the use of cannabis, it established local authority to restrict public use and establish some distribution zoning requirements. If the City does not impose restrictions on the use of cannabis, such as for the use of tobacco, no such restrictions will be in place at least for uses of small amounts now authorized by state law.
The proposed ordinance would amend Section 15A-1, establishing restrictions in City parks, by adding cannabis and marijuana to the definitions. The proposal would also amend Sections 15A-7 to add cannabis and marijuana to current restrictions on tobacco and controlled substances to sell or distribute and package or transport with the intent to sell or distribute cannabis and marijuana, while Section 15A-8 also specifies that smoking and vaping of cannabis, unlike tobacco, is also prohibited.
Courtesy of the City of Gaithersburg
According to Rockville City Police, Redin Javier Herrera Ortiz, 24, of the 14000 blk of Cove Ln in Rockville, was last seen Sept 2, 23 at 5:00 pm. Has not reported to work since Sept 1. Police concerned for his welfare. Anyone w/info call RCPD at 240-314-8900 (24-hour line) or e-mail [email protected].
Missing Rkville Man – Redin Javier Herrera Ortiz, 24, of 14000 blk of Cove Ln – last seen Sept 2, 23 at 5:00 pm. Has not reported to work since Sept 1. Police concerned for his welfare. Anyone w/info call RCPD at 240-314-8900 (24-hour line) or e-mail [email protected]. pic.twitter.com/YINVn7AIgF
— Rockville City Police Department (@RockvilleCityPD) September 6, 2023
After more than 30 years of dedicated service to what was Community Ministries of Rockville, and is now Community Reach of Montgomery County, and 15 years as the Executive Director, Agnes Saenz is stepping down in early September 2023. Originally from Costa Rica, Agnes joined CMR (now Community Reach of Montgomery County) in 1991 as a volunteer accountant and soon became a full-time employee charged with updating CMR’s accounting system. She proposed and founded CMR’s Language Outreach Program (originally Latino Outreach), directing that program until 1998 when she was promoted to Managing Director. In that position, she was responsible for oversight of all direct service programs and administration, as well as the day-to-day operations of the organization. In 2008, Agnes was named Executive Director of CMR. Since 2013, Agnes has also served as the Executive Director of Reach’s subsidiary, Mansfield Kaseman Health Clinic.
Agnes is fluent in both Spanish and English, knowledgeable in Latino/Hispanic culture issues and serves on several boards and commissions. She has been a member of the Latin American Advisory Committee for Montgomery County Executive, Montgomery Cares Advisory Board, Health Centers Leadership Council for Montgomery County Clinics, and the Human Services Advisory Commission for the City of Rockville. She is a graduate of the 1998 class of Leadership Montgomery. Agnes holds a BS Degree in Business Administration with a major in Management and Accounting from the University of Lima, Peru. She received her Master’s Degree in Human Resources from the University of Maryland University College. She was honored by the Maryland Hispanic Business Conference (MDHBC) as the 2014 Latina Powerhouse Award winner. Agnes is close to her extended family, who also live in Rockville and strongly support Reach and the Clinic.
During Agnes’ time with Reach, the organization has substantially changed and grown. When she first joined the organization, her initial role was to digitize and rework the accounting records and office. The budget has grown from less than $200K when Agnes joined to almost $4 million today. During her tenure, she oversaw the creation of the Language Outreach Program (LOP) in 1993 and served as its first director, responding to changing community needs as more non-English speaking immigrants arrived and faced difficulties with communication. When promoted to Managing Director in 1998, she oversaw all of our housing programs, which at that time included Chase House, Sophia House, Hope Housing and Jefferson House. Agnes was also heavily involved with the creation of the Mansfield Kaseman Health Clinic and has served as its Executive Director since 2009. Many other developments have taken place under Agnes’ skillful guidance, including the opening of Rockland House in 2014. She will be greatly missed, but as with any great leader, Agnes has prepared Reach to continue to thrive and grow after she leaves.
Agnes in her own words: “It has been a wonderful journey of almost 32 years! Having been part of the CMR family earlier on and now the REACH and Kaseman Clinic family has been a great ministry and service to our community that I feel very proud of. We have grown so much, and I leave in a time that the organization is stable and will continue to grow. Like anything in life, there are ups and downs, and a moment and a reason for everything and it is my time to move on. I love this organization and will always be a friend and a donor and will continue to support and attend our
events. Thanks to the Board and Staff of all these 32 years for allowing me to serve.”
Ms. Saenz participated in multiple City of Rockville Commissions, Committees and Task Forces:
- Served on the Human Services Commission from1997 to 2017.
- In the 1990’s served on the Imagine The Future of Rockville Retreat
- Served and Chair the Diversity Task Force after Imagine the Future of Rockville
- Served on The Spirit of Rockville Committee planning the annual events in late 1990s and early 2000s.
- Chair the Rockville Caregivers Coalition from 2009 to 2019. (The coalition’s work was suspended due to the pandemic in 2020)
- Served on Mayor’s Susan Hoffman Inaugurating Committee
- Served on the Caregiver’s Funding Task Force from 2017 to 2019
- Served as Interpreter and Coached families displaced after fire in Blandford Apartments in 1996.
Courtesy of the City of Rockville
The City of Rockville will be providing Certificates of Recognition to the 2022 Woodley Robotics Team. The 2022 Woodley Robotics team was the one team selected to represent Maryland at the First Lego League Competition at the World Festival in Houston, Texas in April of 2022. The team has been competing in the First Lego League Challenge throughout the 2022 season. There were 108 teams (from 51 countries) competing from all over the world. The team had some issues with their robot; however, they kept going and correcting and trying new things. The team received a score of 520 on their last run, that ranked them at #21 overall in the robot games portion of the competition. The competition also included presentations to a panel of 4 judges on their Innovation Project, Robot Design and Core Values, as well as answering questions asked by the judges in the 40 minutes interview round.
26 trophies were awarded, and many great teams did not go home with one; however, the Woodley Robotics team received the “Breakthrough Award,” which is a special judges’ award based on how the team performed overall in all of the categories (Innovation Project, Robot Design, and Core Values). The Woodley Robotics team put in a lot of hard work, long hours and dedication to their Robotics project. The team consists of Head Coach Phil Johnson, Assistant Coach Karen Folkart, Team Members Charlotte Cornman, Jordyn Folkart, Brynn Johnson, Caroline Murphy, and Stella Newhouse.
