The Maryland Department of Health’s Center for Firearm Violence Prevention and Intervention has released a Preliminary State Plan and a Firearm Violence Data Dashboard to support a public health approach to reducing gun violence. The tools provide comprehensive data and strategic goals to help state and community leaders develop targeted, data-driven prevention efforts.
Tao’s Optimal Performance (TOP) Gym opened its first location in early 2024 at 19616 Fisher Ave. Suite K in Poolesville. Now, the owners have announced that a second location is coming soon to Damascus.
Your weekend plans just got sweeter! The DMV Chocolate & Coffee Festival Maryland Edition opens November 7 & 8 at the Adventist HealthCare Fieldhouse in Germantown, bringing chocolate makers, coffee roasters, specialty foods, and small businesses together for two days of discovery.
Meet the makers, try something you’ve never tasted, and shop for handcrafted chocolates, freshly roasted coffee, gourmet foods, and unique gifts from across the region and beyond.
Whether you’re getting a head start on holiday shopping, stocking your coffee shelf, or choosing a treat for yourself, the festival offers a chance to discover products you won’t find on your usual grocery run. Every purchase is also an opportunity to support the small businesses behind the flavors.
Chocolate takes an unexpected form at George Washington’s Chocolate Table, featuring a large-scale sculpture of Washington on horseback by award-winning chocolate artist Paul Joachim.
See the sculpture up close, sample colonial-style drinking chocolate, and explore chocolate’s place in early American history. You can also shop the Collector’s Heritage Box to bring the drinking chocolate experience home.
Between shopping stops, visit the Sip & Share Seminar Classroom for sessions and demonstrations included with festival admission.
Discover ancestral cacao from the Ecuadorian Amazon, hear what it takes to start a coffee business, explore craft chocolate, or put your knowledge to the test with Festival Trivia. It’s a chance to hear the stories behind the products and ask questions directly to makers and experts.
Kids under 12 get in free with a ticketed adult! Families can enjoy complimentary kids’ craft tables and meet festival mascots Chunk the chocolate bar and Bean the coffee cup for photos throughout the weekend. Shop from Chunk & Bean plushies and pick up a copy of their children’s book too.
Join us November 7 & 8 at the Adventist HealthCare Fieldhouse in Germantown, Maryland for a weekend of chocolate, coffee, and discoveries worth taking home.
Use code MOCO10 to save 10% on online tickets. Find tickets, the vendor lineup, and festival details at dmvchocolateandcoffee.com.
Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown announced a settlement requiring Capital Jazz to refund nearly $60,000 to consumers for canceled SuperCruises in 2021 and 2022, following a prior $1.3 million settlement with Royal Caribbean.
Beginning this Tuesday, May 1, the sales tax on adult-use cannabis and cannabis products in Maryland will increase from 9% to 12%. The new rate was approved by the General Assembly during the 2025 legislative session. (more…)
Join Oneness-Family School for a free Montessori toddler event on Saturday, November 14! In this Montessori-inspired lesson from OFS teacher Ja’Shai Rowe, toddlers will explore the story of "Leaf Man" by Lois Ehlert and enjoy fall activities and crafts. For parents and toddlers age 1-3 years.
The City of Rockville Recreation and Sports department has announced that the outdoor recreation pool construction has been completed and the newly renovated outdoor recreation pools open on Monday, June 30th.
Niche has released its “2025 Best Public Middle Schools” rankings based on “rigorous analysis of key statistics and millions of reviews from students and parents using data from the U.S. Department of Education.” Maryland has 24 local school systems, which function as its school districts. These include one for each of the state’s 23 counties, plus one for Baltimore City.
Readers Digest scoured the country last summer to find the “absolute best ice creams in the U.S.A.” and has put together a list that consists of their best ice cream spot in each state. The Maryland winner now has locations across the state and in DC.
Montgomery County Fire and Rescue officials are reminding residents that all fireworks, including sparklers and consumer-grade types, are illegal year-round in the county due to safety risks, and violators may face fines or jail time. (more…)
Beginning July 1, Montgomery County will launch a pilot program in the Wheaton Urban District that allows restaurants to convert curbside parking spaces into outdoor dining areas with accessible seating and tables. The program aims to support local businesses and includes specific permitting requirements, safety guidelines, and prorated parking space fees.
Montgomery County passed legislation in 2024 to address environmental, noise, and health concerns related to gas-powered leaf blowers and vacuums. Sales of gas-powered equipment have been banned since July 1, 2024, and the ban on their use begins on Tuesday July 1, 2025. (more…)
The Montgomery County Animal Services and Adoption Center (MCASAC) at 7315 Muncaster Mill Rd. in Derwood fully restored its air conditioning a day after a mechanical failure caused rising temperatures inside its near-capacity facility. During the issue, MCASAC put out a call seeking short-term foster homes for pets and the response was remarkable.