Starting October 7th, Titanic: The Exhibition will be in the DMV as it comes to 151 St George Blvd, Oxon Hill, MD 20745 at National Harbor. The visit, which takes approximately 80-90 minutes, will include an audio guide who will take you on a narrative experience describing the events on that fateful day in 1912. Visitors will be able to unravel the true story of the ship through personal belongings, photographs and other relics and walk through a recreation of the ship’s interior—from a first-class suite to a humble third-class cabin.

“The Exhibition is far more than a display of historic items: it is a unique narrative experience, a tale of the people aboard history’s most legendary ship on its maiden and final journey. Travel back to 1912 through photographs, handwritten letters, wayward keepsakes, and other personal belongings telling countless stories about the fates and heroic deeds on board.”

About the Historian: Claes-Göran Wetterholm (Nora, 1952) is probably one of the world’s greatest authorities on the history of the Titanic. An eminent ethnologist, historian, researcher and writer, he is the author of several books on the ship, most notably Titanic (1988). He has dedicated more than 40 years of his life to investigating and studying the history of the Titanic, and since 1987 he has contributed to numerous exhibitions. He has also taken part in four expeditions to the wreckage of the ship (1993, 1994, 1996 and 1998).

Since 2003, he is the curator and historian for this exhibition. Throughout the years he has carefully selected the artefacts and personal stories that best convey the philosophy behind the display: empathy and a sense of closeness with all those who were aboard.

Additional information and ticket sales can be found here.

Montgomery County Police and Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services responded to an incident Wednesday evening in Derwood. According to MCPD, “At approximately 8 p.m., MCP officers responded to the area of East Gude Drive and Crabbs Branch Way for the report of a pedestrian that was struck by a vehicle.

Officers arrived at the scene and determined that a pedestrian was not struck by a vehicle. Officers located a juvenile female in distress. The mother of the juvenile female arrived at the scene and assaulted officers. The juvenile female was transported to an area hospital for an Emergency Evaluation Petition.  

The mother of the juvenile female was taken into custody and transported to the Montgomery County Central Processing Unit, where she will be charged with second degree assault related charges.“ We will post an update if additional information becomes available. Featured photo courtesy of Google Maps.

Per Montgomery County: The Wheaton Arts Parade organization, which is constantly expanding its range of activities, will sponsor two upcoming events including a guided tour of its artists “pyramids” that are placed around Brookside Gardens in Wheaton on Saturday, Aug. 12, and a “Yarn Bomb” at the Wheaton Library on Sunday, Aug. 13, that will lead to decorating the Wheaton area in creations of knitted and crocheted works.

The “Guided Garden Tour of Pyramids” will be part of pop up art activities at Brookside Gardens from 9 a.m.-noon on Aug. 12. Brookside Gardens is located at 1800 Glenallan Ave. in Wheaton.

The tour, which is free and does not require advance registration, will begin at the Brookside Gardens’ South Terrace, which is outside of the Visitor Center.

Wheaton Arts Parade artists have created “Parade Pyramids” that are now located around the gardens. The tour will include the chance to meet the artists and learn more about the creative process to plan, design and create the striking pieces of public art.

Following the tour, from 10 a.m.-noon, Wheaton Arts Parade artists will participate in nature-inspired activities and chalk art in the Garden.

The “Yarn Bomb” from 1-3 p.m. on Aug. 13 at the Wheaton Library will provide an opportunity for beginners to learn to knit and crochet and for those experience in the crafts to share their knowledge with other enthusiasts. The event is for yarn artists of all levels and ages. Materials will be provided.

The Wheaton Library is located at 11701 Georgia Ave. in Wheaton.

Yarn Bomb was conceived in 2019 to crochet decorations to string around trees, lampposts and railings along the Wheaton Arts Parade route and around the annual festival, which will be held on Sunday, Oct. 15, in Downtown Wheaton. The Yarn Bomb has become an integral part of the Wheaton Arts Parade & Festival and an important creative gathering for residents.

The Wheaton Arts Parade & Festival has grown to be one of the largest arts festivals in Montgomery County and produces the only arts parade in the County. More information about the Wheaton Arts Parade & Festival is available at www.wheatonartsparade.org.

Gaithersburg-based Emergent BioSolutions has made the decision to cut 400 jobs and scale back operations at some its facilities, instead focusing on core products such as overdose reversal nasal spray Narcan and anthrax vaccines. The company is also eliminating its chief operating officer (COO) position. According to WTOP, “the job cuts are at Emergent’s Bayview facility in Baltimore, at its drug production facility in Rockville, as well as another facility in Canton, Massachusetts.”

In March, the FDA granted the over-the-counter approval of Narcan to Emergent BioSolutions. It became the first naloxone product approved for use without a prescription. “Emergent’s business pivot is expected to result in yearly savings of more than $100 million, the company explained. The moves will cost Emergent around $20 million—costs it expects to incur in the third quarter of 2023.” according to FiercePharma.

Featured photo courtesy of Google Maps.

Per Montgomery County: The Third Annual Montgomery County Children’s Business Fair will return to Rockville Town Center from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 19, to display the works and ideas of more than 55 young entrepreneurs. The event is free to attend and open to the public.

The fair is back after a three-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 health crisis. The event was founded Tameka Montgomery of the Raising Entrepreneurs Podcast and a senior executive at the U.S. Small Business Administration.

“Today’s youth are tomorrow’s business innovators and leaders,” said Montgomery. “The Montgomery County Children’s Business Fair ignites their entrepreneurial spirit and gives them a head start on cultivating the skills and mindset to be the next generation of changemakers.”

The fair presents the young entrepreneurs with opportunities to win cash awards in the categories:

• Innovative idea
• Best presentation
• Best sales pitch

Awards will be determined by a panel of judges composed of local business representatives and celebrity influencers.

Per Montgomery County: A free online home buying seminar sponsored by the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Montgomery County will be held from 4:30-5:30 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 17. The seminar will be led by Bill Rozek from Embrace Home Loans.

Mr. Rozek will cover many topics that could lead to getting approved to purchase a home.

Among the topics to be addressed are:

• How to get approved in this highly competitive marke.t
• Homebuying grants available and how to qualify for them.
• How to get approved with a Tax ID number and no Social Security number.
• How to get approved with a 1099 form without using tax returns.
• How to improve credit scores.
• How to invest in a rental property without tax returns.

To register for the seminar, go to Meeting Registration – Zoom.

Michael Jordan is an avid open sea fisher. During the fishing season, MJ spends time traveling the coast in his 8 million dollar fishing boat to participate in fishing competitions. MJ and his boat Catch 23’ have been registered for The awhile Martin Open for the last few years. Jordan is currently back in town enjoying Ocean City, MD for the tournament (video below).

The White Marlin Open is a 50-year-old deep-sea fishing tournament held annually in Ocean City, Maryland. Long known as the “World’s Largest Billfishing Tournament,” the Open has awarded over $105 million for catches of the gamefish that migrate up the Gulf Stream each summer. The first tournament was held in 1974 and drew 57 boats, 150 anglers, and paid $20,000 in prize money. The 2022 event drew 408 boats, over 3,500 contestants, and awarded over $8.6 million dollars in prize money, including the top individual prize of $4.53 million dollars which established a new world record award for the catch of a fish. Two Montgomery County fisherman claimed a total of $5.7 million in prize money last year.

For many years now, the arrival of Jordan’s private plane at the Salisbury airport has been something local residents look out for. CATCH 23′ is powered by MTU engines and has a max speed of 40 knots and a range of more than 500 nm. The yacht can accommodate eight guests and a crew of two. The 216 square-foot cockpit is built for deep-sea fishing. There’s a transom door, a massive freezer, a large storage space, and fish wells The boat features Jordan’s signature elephant skin print that is also on his private jet. The elephant skin print was used on the Jordan 3s sneakers.

The tournament began on August 7th and goes until August 11th. Additional information can be found here.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/CvvK850AoZI/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Per Montgomery County: Montgomery County’s Community Action Board (CAB) is now accepting applications to participate in its free, eight-month Community Advocacy Institute (CAI) training program that teaches participants how to effectively advocate for policy change. Applications are due Friday, Aug. 18.

The board is the governing body for the Community Action Agency (CAA), Montgomery County’s Federally designated anti-poverty agency. The CAA is part of the County’s Department of Health and Human Services.

The CAI is for Montgomery County residents with combined household incomes of $64,000 or less. Monthly sessions, which begin in October, include some in-person sessions and some virtual workshops. The program is offered in English and Spanish.

Since it started in 2016, there have been more than 125 graduates of the training program.  Many graduates now serve on County advisory groups and nonprofit boards.  Others are active in important advocacy efforts.

“So many policy decisions affect people who don’t have time or access to advocate effectively; the CAI helps give them a road map to being a part of the decision-making process,” said Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich. “I strongly believe that effective policies can only be created and implemented if all community members have a seat at the table and an opportunity to participate.”

“Being a graduate of the CAI was and is a very good experience for anyone looking to advocate, uplift and improve our community here in Montgomery County,” said Albert Reed, a 2021 graduate of the program and a member of the County’s Commission on Children and Youth. “The connections, friendships and opportunities I made, and continue to make as a result of participating in CAI, are priceless. For me, this program is the gift that keeps on giving.”

Workshops cover a range of topics including working with elected officials, storytelling, research, letter writing, developing testimony and key advocacy issues. Participants must attend all workshops and complete an advocacy project to graduate.

More information and a link to the application are available on the Community Action Agency website. Additional information is available by calling 240-777-1697. TTY users can call Maryland Relay at 711.

Montgomery Parks is seeking public input on its Capital Improvement Program (CIP) for fiscal years 2025 – 2030 (FY25-30). Community suggestions for the upcoming CIP may be submitted online, via email, U.S. mail, or in person at the public forum. The public forum takes place Thursday, September 7, 2023, at 7 p.m. at the Wheaton Headquarters of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC), 2425 Reedie Drive, Wheaton, MD 20902.

The CIP is prepared every two years to cover a six-year cycle and funds new parks and park amenities, environmental restoration, and rehabilitation projects that increase the life of assets. FY25-30 Capital Improvement Program priorities may include:

• Implementing the updated Wheaton Regional Park Master Plan and rehabilitating aging facilities.
• Constructing the Lyttonsville Neighborhood Green, a new park along the new Capital Crescent Trail to Silver Spring in Lyttonsville that includes the Talbot Street Bridge memorial.
• Increased funding for electrification and solar power generation.
• Increased funding to rehabilitate and modernize aging infrastructure and park amenities.
• Increased funding to restore Stream Valley Parks degraded by untreated impervious areas draining onto parkland.
• Increased Vision Zero funding to provide safer trail intersections and traffic calming along parkways, specifically focusing on Matthew Henson Trail, Sligo Creek Trail, and connections to Wheaton Regional Park. This funding will also be used as matching funds for Federal Safe Streets for All (SS4A) and RAISE grants.
• Increased funding to renovate existing trails and improve community connections, specifically focusing on Sligo Creek Trail and Northwest Branch Trail. This funding will also be used as matching funds for Federal Safe Streets for All (SS4A) and RAISE grants.

These projects improve existing parks, restore environmental resources, and enhance service delivery to communities most in need. The projects highlighted for increases will be coordinated with our existing Level of Effort programs. This ensures safe, inviting, accessible park amenities are available throughout Montgomery County, with a focus on making social connections, promoting healthy active lifestyles, and protecting our natural resources while prioritizing investment in Equity Focus Areas.

To share your ideas and feedback about these projects and other parks, amenities, and improvements to consider funding in the CIP: 

• Sign up to speak at the public forum (limit of 35 speakers) online at the Montgomery Planning Board website at this link. If you need assistance completing the online form, please email staff in the Planning Board Chair’s Office at [email protected] or call 301-495-4605.
• Written Comments should be received by September 11, 2023, via
• E-mail to [email protected]
• Fax to Chair Artie Harris at 301-495-1320, or
• U.S. mail addressed to: Artie Harris, Chair, Montgomery County Planning Board, 2425 Reedie Drive, 14^th Floor, Wheaton, Maryland 20902.
• Online comments may be submitted through September 11 via Montgomery Parks Open Town Hall(opens in a new tab).

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