A letter was sent home by Rosemary Hills Elementary School principal Rebecca Irwin Kennedy informing the school community of a mask requirement for one class at the Silver Spring school. The letter stated that three or more individuals tested positive for COVID-19 In the past 10 days and that the school is taking the steps to keep the school environment as safe as possible, including the requirement of masks for the one class. Per the letter, “Additional KN95 masks have been distributed and students and staff in identified classes or activities will be required to mask while in school for the next 10 days, except while eating or drinking. Masks will become optional again following the 10 day period.”

MCPS spokesperson Christopher Cram that there are four reported cases in one Pre-K class and per CDC guidance for an outbreak there will masking in that one classroom until the end of this week. Cram also sent us the following, from the MCPS Medical Officer:

“This year we are no longer requiring online reporting of positive COVID-19 cases and maintaining a districtwide dashboard.  Staff and students now report absences due to COVID-19 directly to their school or program, who notify our office of possible classroom outbreaks. We work with schools to determine risk, identify temporary mitigation strategies, and to report outbreaks as required through the county health department. These procedures have not changed since last year.  Since the first day of school, we have had several schools report classroom outbreaks.  In these cases, we remind positive staff and students of CDC recommendations for isolation and exposure, and notify staff and families with students affected by the outbreak of any required temporary measures.  The Montgomery County Department of Health continues to keep a COVID-19 dashboardincluding multiple community metrics, and also monitors COVID-19 levels in wastewater.  Though hospital admission rates remain in LOW risk status for our county, we continue to monitor these data and absence rates carefully, as a modest rise in infectious illness is typical of this time of year.”

Denizens has announced that its Silver Spring taproom will close permanently on Sunday, October 22nd. The announcement was made via a video shared on social media by Denizens co-founder and owner Julie Verrati. Denizens opened at 1115 East-West Highway in Silver Spring back in 2014.

“Our ten year lease has come to an end and that’s the end of an era for us, an end of a chapter. It’s been an incredible ten years in Silver Spring and we’re so grateful for the community here. We’re still making the same high quality beer, high quality service, high quality food that you can grab right here in Riverdale Park, Maryland.” Verratti said in the video, which can be seen below.

We’ve got some news to share… pic.twitter.com/AdntkfOkXx

— Denizens Brewing Co. (@DenizensBrewing) September 5, 2023

Kabob N Karahi at 18232 Flower Hill Way (Previously Aaron’s) in Gaithersburg is hoping to open by the end of the month. Kabob N Karahi is a Pakistani restaurant (that serves some Indian cuisine), and its menu consists of a variety of kabobs, curries, stews, and tandoori naan.

The Cloverly Village Center location at 15521 New Hampshire Ave, Silver Spring., opened in 2008 and has become a staple in Cloverly. Per Kabob N Karahi: “Welcome to Kabob N Karahi, Maryland’s best family restaurant to find fresh, casual, authentic Pakistani-Indian kabob and curry cuisine. KNK is completely a Halal restaurant. We use only Halal meat, house sauces and salads are made fresh daily. We specialize in delicious chicken, beef, lamb, kofta kabobs and tikkas as well as Karahi. We provide catering for all the occasions (Birthday,Wedding and Engagement etc).”

https://www.facebook.com/100896368366783/posts/578651120591303/?mibextid=cr9u03

The inaugural Maryland Cider Festival is taking place this Saturday, September 9th at Two Story Chimney Ciderworks (7115 Damascus Rd. Gaitherburg, MD 20882) from 11am until 4pm. Though the event has a Gaithersburg address, it’s north of Laytonsville closer to Damascus. This event will showcase hard cider makers from across the Old Line State. You’ll also find local artisans, craft vendors, live music, and food trucks. Whether you’re an aficionado who knows their cider, cidre, or sidra, or you’re just looking for a refreshing change of taste this is the place to be. Come join us for a celebration of Maryland craft makers.

The festival will feature ten local cideries showcasing their best hard ciders, from dry to sweet, still to sparkling, modern to heritage, and everything in between. Ciders of all styles and types will be in glass for you to sample and take home, and you’ll get to learn more about the cider-making process from the experts. The festival will also have food trucks serving up delicious bites to pair with your cider, live music from local musicians for your enjoyment, and local craft vendors selling their unique and handmade products.

“Whether you’re a cider lover or just looking for a fun new way to spend a fall day, you won’t want to miss this event. Tickets are $35 per person and include admission, a souvenir tasting glass, and twenty cider samples. The festival runs from 11am to 4pm, rain or shine. Don’t miss this chance to celebrate the growing Maryland cider scene and support local craft makers.”

Update: Spirit Halloween locations in Germantown and Rockville have fallen through. Additional information available here.

Spirit Halloween is coming to 2210 Veirs Mill Rd., the former CVS location in the Twinbrook Center in Rockville. This is a different location than the nearby Pike Center (where TGI Friday’s is on Rockville Pike) where Spirit Halloween has set up shop in recent years.

The store also recently announced its new Gaithersburg location at the former Pier 1 location (30 Grand Corner Ave) in Rio. Last year, Spirit had an additional Montgomery County location in Burtonsville. During the Halloween season, Spirit operates over 1,400 stores in North America. The Spirit Halloween website is open year-round, offering its in-store products online. The store usually open 30-60 days prior to Halloween.

Andy’s Pizza has opened its first Montgomery County location at 4600 East West Highway– the former site of sandwich shop Booeymonger in Bethesda. Our very own Mr. MoCo stopped by during opening week to buy a few slices and support one of MoCo’s newest businesses. The video and more information can be seen below.

The pizza dough at Andy’s undergoes a 72-hour cold ferment and is cooked in a New York deck oven. The process creates a crispier crust with a chewy interior, and a hint of a sour flavor. Andy’s Pizza will also offers salads, wings, fries, and more. In 2021 Andy’s got 1st place in the International Pizza Challenge™, which has evolved and grown in stature and prize money to become one of the most prestigious pizza-making competition in North America.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cw0WxqqOAVR/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

WUSA9 reports that Montgomery County Police responded to a collision involving a child on Tuesday, September 5, near Rocky Hill Middle School in Clarksburg.  According to police, “MCPD responded to the area of Frederick Road and Little Seneca Parkway at approximately 7:49 a.m., for the report of a pedestrian struck.  A juvenile victim has been transported with minor injury to an area hospital.  The driver remained on scene.”

We will post an update if additional information becomes available. Featured image courtesy of Google Maps.

Per Montgomery County: The Montgomery County Anti-Hate Task Force’s Muslim cohort will hold a virtual listening session on Monday, Sept. 11 at 8 p.m. The listening session is an opportunity for the public to engage with the Muslim cohort of the Anti-Hate Task Force and provide input that will guide the cohort’s recommendations to the Council. Each of the six cohorts is tasked with presenting policy recommendations that promote safety and combat hate in Montgomery County.   

The Special Victims Investigations Division (SVID) is asking for the public’s assistance in locating Elkin Herrera, a missing 14-year-old. Herrera was last seen on Wednesday August 30, 2023 at approximately 5:30 p.m., in the 600 block of Monroe St. in Rockville. He 5’7′ 120 Ibs, with black hair, brown eyes and was last seen wearing red t-shirt with the Nike logo, black sweatpants and grey sneakers.

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

Concern for Missing Fourteen-Year-Old

The Special Victims Investigations Division (SVID) is asking for the public's assistance in locating Elkin Herrera, a missing 14-year-old. https://t.co/xzoCsnn7kb#MCPNews #MCPD #MissingPerson pic.twitter.com/ygK8BFmXVv

— Montgomery County Department of Police (@mcpnews) September 5, 2023

The Special Victims Investigations Division (SVID) is asking for the public’s assistance in locating Betsy Angelee Santiago Olan, a missing 16-year-old. Santiago Olan was last seen on Friday, September 1, 2023 at approximately 5 p.m., in the 400 block of Muddy Branch Road in Gaithersburg. She is 5-feet tall, 150 lbs., with black hair, green eyes, and a tattoo on her hand. She was last seen wearing all black clothing.

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Betsy Angelee Santiago Olan is asked to call Montgomery County Police Non-Emergency (301) 279-8000 (24-hour line).

Concern for Missing Sixteen-Year-Old

The Special Victims Investigations Division (SVID) is asking for the public's assistance in locating Betsy Angelee Santiago Olan, a missing 16-year-old.https://t.co/7sIeTYXGbz#MCPNews #MCPD #MissingPerson pic.twitter.com/NlCnKoYOm8

— Montgomery County Department of Police (@mcpnews) September 5, 2023