Permanent signage is up at Kema by Kenaki at Cabin John Village. According to a representative at Kenaki, the restaurant has just started the hiring process for all positions and are hoping to open sometime in April.

The almost 2,000 square foot restaurant will be very similar to what Kenaki in Kentlands offers, but will be more “fast paced,” in what will be a hybrid between Kenaki and AKO. Kenaki is a full-service restaurant while AKO is a sushi counter at a food hall. Kema will offer signature rolls from Kenaki/AKO such as the Black Magic roll- made with “forbidden rice”, spicy tuna, pickled jalapenos, and truffle oil, the Donkey Kong roll- made with eel, fried plantain, cream cheese, cucumber, tempura flakes, togarashi spice mayo, and sweet shoyu, among others.


A teacher at Chevy Chase Elementary School for three years, Amanda Hammersla has been named this year’s Rising Star Teacher of the Year by MCPS. This award honors a teacher in their first, second or third year of teaching. The winner shows a passion for the success of all students, creatively engages students in learning and contributes to a strong, positive partnership among students, staff, parents and the community.

Hammersla believes that students learn best when they are engaged, valued and challenged. She inspires students to take a deep dive into reading with innovative approaches. She turned her classroom into a restaurant while students wore chef hats and sampled new books. She wrote a PTA grant, which brought an author into the classroom virtually while students asked questions. She reads texts in characters’ voices. Through Reader’s Theater, students make costumes and props and perform for peers and families. This helps students develop speaking and listening skills, build fluency and work collaboratively.


Almost a year ago, we let you know that Capo Italian Deli will be opening a new location in Cabin John Village. It will be taking over the location that was previously home to Goldberg’s New York Bagels, which closed last year, at 7731 Tuckerman Lane. While an opening date isn’t yet available, the deli has a hearing with Montgomery County’s ABS for a Class BD, Beer, Wine & Liquor License, Beer & Wine On/Off Sale and Liquor On-Sale Only. The hearing will take place at 10am on Thursday, March 16z

The Italian delicatessen was previously available for carryout and delivery in Montgomery County out of sister restaurant Brickside Food & Drink (4866 Cordell Ave) in Bethesda. The deli’s first location opened at 715 Florida Ave in NW, DC.  Using a a prohibition style speakeasy gimmick, the deli their old school Italian deli as a “front” to it’s back bar. Capo gained attention in the area in the summer of 2020 for their popular “Fauci Pouchy” carryout cocktails. The deli has since opened a Western Market location and has a Tyson’s Corner location coming soon. The menu includes Italian classics like Chicken Parmigiano, Hot Italian Beef, Prosciutto & Provolone, and more.


The new Chopt location in Cabin John Village (Potomac), in the space next to Boulangerie Christophe, will hold its grand opening on March 14 (originally scheduled for March 8.) This will be Montgomery County’s fifth Chopt restaurant, with locations currently open in Gaithersburg, Rockville, and two in Bethesda. Prior to the grand opening, on March 13, Chopt will be partnering with Manna Food Center for “Chopt Gives Day” (a tradition the day before every new opening), where 100% of sales go towards their initiatives in ending food insecurity among children and families in Montgomery County.

Chopt joins a bevy of restaurants and retailers that have recently opened or are coming soon to Cabin John VillageRecently Open: The Pretzel Bakery opened in April. Authentic French bakery, Boulangerie Christophe, opened in May. Stretch Zone opened in July. The Scoop ice cream shop opened in August. Cabin John Village, formerly known as the Cabin John shopping center and mall, is  named for the adjacent creek and regional park. It has been a pillar of the Potomac community since 1967 and was acquired by EDENS in 2016. Per EDENS: “EDENS has transformed the traditional shopping center experience into a welcoming communal environment that naturally fosters meaningful social interaction. Complementary retail options include a curated mix of home goods, dining, health and wellness and more outdoor greenspace welcomes the opportunity for community events.” 


A Montgomery County woman died last Friday after a Bombardier Challenger 300 jet she was on experienced severe turbulence on a flight that took off from New Hampshire and was destined for Leesburg, VA. Per Connecticut State Police, “On Friday, 03/03/2023, at approximately 3:49 PM, Connecticut State Troopers responded to a medical assist call at Bradley International Airport. One adult female patient, identified as Dana Hyde, DOB 08/12/1967, of Cabin John, MD, was transported via ambulance to Saint Francis Medical Center, in Hartford, Connecticut. where she was later pronounced deceased. The Connecticut Office of the Chief Medical Examiner subsequently assumed custody of the decedent.

This investigation has been assumed by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Requests for information relative to this investigation should be referred to the above agencies.”


On or about March 20, 2023, crews will resume excavation in the Purple Line’s elevator shaft to connect to Metro’s Red Line in Bethesda. This operation will include blasting the rock within the shaft located at the work zone on Elm Street at Wisconsin Avenue. Blasting is planned during daytime hours, typically once a week with additional work in the area occurring over multiple shifts between excavation and removal of spoils from the site. In advance of each blast, warning siren will be activated. Use of backup alarms will be limited during nighttime hours. Work may occur in two shifts weekdays and weekends, as needed, according to Purple Line MD.

Additional Purple Line construction updated in Bethesda/Chevy Chase: Crews continue work in the Jones Mill Road underpass area through March. Work includes utility relocation, construction of retaining walls, and completing the east side of Jones Mill Road. Work may take place 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and overnight 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. weekdays and weekends, as needed.


Montgomery County Police responded to an armed carjacking on Sunday night. According to MCPD, “On Sunday, March 5, 2023, at approximately 8:15 p.m., MCP officers responded to the 8700 block of Lowell Street for the report of a carjacking. The preliminary investigation has revealed that four armed suspects arrived at the location in a vehicle and approached an adult male victim. The suspects then stole the victim’s vehicle and left the scene in the victim’s vehicle, leaving the vehicle that they arrived in at the scene. Officers determined that the vehicle used by the suspects had been reported stolen. This is an active and ongoing investigation.”

Public safety reporter Cordell Pugh reports that the suspects stole a 2009 Honda Accord and left a stolen Hyundai Elantra at the scene. We will post an update if additional information becomes available.


Get ready to party at the mall like it’s 1999! As part of its upcoming BlossomFest, Westfield Montgomery will be hosting a special Y2K Pink Party on Saturday, April 1st at 1pm. The free concert will be hosted by NSYNC’s Chris Kirkpatrick and 98 Degrees’ Jeff Timmons and will feature performances by Y2K-era pop heroes LFO and O-Town, who’ll perform live in the Nordstrom wing. The MoCoShow will team up that day with Lone Oak Brewery to host a special pop-up biergarten in the Blossom Lounge from 11am-8pm. Reserve your spot here. Full details below from Westfield Montgomery:

Play among the cherry blossoms, snap photos in an Insta-worthy Blossom Lounge, take in new spring-inspired public art activations and celebrate Washington’s iconic flower, all without stepping foot on the Tidal Basin this month at Westfield Montgomery Mall. BlossomFest, an official participating event of the National Cherry Blossom Festival, will feature activations and events slated through April, including new artwork from artists Nicole Bourgea, Maggie O’Neill and Cris Logan, a stunning blossom and lantern installation brightening up Nordstrom corridor, and more, culminating in a live nostalgic concert that’ll have guests reminiscing about the dawn of the millennium with NSYNC’s Chris Kirkpatrick and 98 Degrees’ Jeff Timmons, LFO and O-Town. Here’s what’s on tap in March and April at the region’s premier retail destination:


About Tara Thai: “Walking into Tara Thai is like walking into the soothing serenity of the deep blue sea, with indoor waterfalls and seaside colors sparking from the ceilings and walls. This is a place worth indulging in courses. We proudly bring you to experience fine dining with the most successful Thai restaurant on the east coast. Serving delicious Thai cuisine, along with an enjoyable atmosphere. Our unique decoration reflects quality of our dishes with finest ingredients, in preparing our gourmet-quality dishes. All ingredients are carefully selected by our experience head chef.”


Longtime MCPS teacher and coach Larry Hurd has accepted the Athletic Specialist (formerly known as “Athletic Director”) position at Walter Johnson High School. Hurd, who has been the football coach at the school, will be stepping down as coach in order to take the position. He will be replacing the legendary Tom Rogers. Below is Hurd’s full statement:

“Wildcat Nation,


Montgomery Parks will present information, including traffic data, related to the Little Falls Parkway pilot project(opens in a new tab) to the Montgomery Planning Board at an evening briefing on March 30, 2023. After the briefing, the Planning Board will hold a public hearing so the public can respond to the data and share input on the project. The exact time for the March 30 briefing and public hearing will be posted on the Planning Board agenda closer to the date of the hearing.

The public will have an opportunity to provide testimony virtually or in person at the March 30 planning board hearing or in advance via email or mail. Details on how to sign up to testify, provide advance testimony and the procedures for testifying are outlined on the Planning Board “Sign Up to Testify” webpage.(opens in a new tab)


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