Learn about the culture and craftsmanship of traditional Chinese lantern festivals at the Winter Lantern Festival Washington, located at Lerner Town Square at Tysons II (8025 Galleria Dr, Tysons, VA 22102). Modern LED lights are embellished by traditionally hand-crafted lantern frames made from small pieces of classically made Chinese silk cloth and steel wire. All lanterns are created by artisans, some of which have over 20 years of experience in their trade and bring magical folklorical creatures to life. Each unique piece holds a story of its own that will be told to visitors to help contextualize their experience even more.

“With our lights and lanterns, we hope to provide an unforgettable experience for all. This year, not only will we bring lanterns, we are also excited to bring more family fun such as, dino rides, picture taking opportunities to further expand the entire experience.” The exhibition is held in an outdoor venue with indoor space available if you need to take a break during the 60-120 minutes experience. Though it is held in an outdoor venue, it is a rain or shine event. Feel free to take photos as new this year are a few figures just for picture taking. The venue reminds you to please make sure not to disturb others while taking photos. Professional equipment and tripods are not permitted. “Winter Lantern Festival’s unique luminescent nightwalk brings the culture and craftsmanship of traditional Chinese lantern festivals, where contribution is celebration!”


Gwenie’s Pastries, a family owned bakery based in Rockville Maryland (12113 Nebel St.), is opening a new location in Frederick. The bakery has been serving the Washington DC area and more for over 15 years– specializing in classic Filipino desserts, fusion specialties, as well as our own unique creations. The new Frederick location will be opening at 220 B Shorebird Street in the Market Square at Frederick shopping center (2430 Osprey Way, Frederick, MD), across from Distill’d. Gwenie’s announced they had the keys to the space in February of this year, but an opening date is not yet available.

​More per the Gwenie’s website: “Bakers and Cooks, three words which perfectly describe my family. The moments spent together at the kitchen, which usually end up with a sumptuous meal, has made food and pastries a big part of our family tradition. As our family recipes are handed down from one generation to another, cooking skills were also honed through time.


The Maryland Terrapins didn’t have much luck against the Penn State Nittany Lions on Saturday, losing 51-15. The Terps have now lost four in a row and it seems to have even the biggest fans in the crowd confused as a few who attempted to spell out “TERPS!” with body paint couldn’t quite get the order down and were caught on national television spelling out “STREP!” (video below).

With temperatures getting a little colder and a few predictions for higher-than-average snowfall, maybe the young fans were just warning of communicable diseases that come with the season, but it’s more likely the fans were as confused as Maryland’s offense seemed to be against Penn State.


Sailing Through The Winter Solstice begins annually in November, when a number of boats, transformed through the “creative minds of many Frederick friends”, set sail on the Creek. The boats are anchored in Carroll Creek (50 Carroll Creek Way, Frederick, MD 21701), between Market Street and Carroll Street in Frederick County. The fleet includes gaff-rigged ketches, yawls, three-masted schooners, and pirate ships, moored with their sail outlines, rigging and decks lit up from dusk till dawn. This year, the experience launches on November 18th. Admission is free from 8am until midnight (a video of the experience is available below).

“It’s not just fun, it’s for a purpose.  In addition to voting for your favorite boat ($1 per vote), many organizations are raising awareness and money for amazing causes. All proceeds raised during STTWS got to Color On The Creek and each boat’s designated charity. The event runs from launch week in November through the 1st Saturday in February’s traditional theme ‘Fire & Ice’.” Per Visit Frederick, “You can view the boats anytime day or night. In fact, you may want to take a look while it’s light out and again after it gets dark and the lights come on. Lights typically turn on at sunset, so this is a great time to see them both ways.  Sailing Through the Winter Solstice is a fundraiser – visitors can vote on their favorite boat, with donations supporting local non-profit organizations. The 2022-23 season raised more than $130,000 for charities in Frederick County!”


Howard County Executive Calvin Ball and Recreation & Parks Director Nicholas Mooneyhan today broke ground on the COVID-19 memorial and sculpture at Meadowbrook Park and Athletic Complex in Ellicott City. The memorial will consist of three main elements: a grove of native birch trees, a seating area surrounding a water fountain, and a sculpture.

Forty-two birch trees were selected due to their symbolism of new beginnings and growth. They are native, attractive, and easily adapt to Maryland’s environment and various soils. The trees are fast growing, have beautiful, curling bark, and their spreading limbs provide excellent shade.


Per the Prince George’s County Police Department: “The Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Unit is investigating a fatal collision that occurred in the unincorporated section of Upper Marlboro. The deceased driver is 71-year-old Alena Mirshahi of Bethesda. The collision occurred in late September. On November 2, 2023, the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner ruled her death was caused by injuries suffered during the crash.

On September 22, 2023, at approximately 9:00 am, officers responded to the 900 block of Harry S Truman Drive for a single-vehicle collision. The driver was transported to a hospital with critical injuries. She was pronounced deceased a short time later. The preliminary investigation revealed Mirshahi was traveling on Harry S Truman Drive, when for reasons under investigation, she lost control, left the roadway and collided with a building. Anyone with information on this case is asked to call the Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Unit at 301-731-4422. 


Now you can add a “twist” to your shopping experience by sipping on your favorite alcoholic beverage while strolling throughout Tysons Corner Center (1961 Chain Bridge Rd., Tysons, VA). You can purchase your favorite drink at any of our participating restaurants listed below. If a restaurant is not listed, they are not approved to sell alcohol for common area consumption. FAQ and additional info below, courtesy of the mall:

Can I carry an alcoholic beverage around Tysons Corner Center? Yes! Those that are 21 years of age and older can now purchase an alcoholic beverage from participating restaurants and stroll throughout the common areas and most stores at Tysons Corner Center. Beverages must be in a logo disposable cup provided by the restaurant where you purchased the drink.


Shoppers at Tyson’s Corner Center (1961 Chain Bridge Rd, Tysons, VA)  can now imbibe alcohol while shopping at the mall. According to the Tysons, “Now you can add a “twist” to your shopping experience by sipping on your favorite alcoholic beverage while strolling throughout Tysons Corner Center. You can purchase your favorite drink at any of our participating restaurants listed below. If a restaurant is not listed, they are not approved to sell alcohol for common area consumption”

There will be an official Sip & Shop Launch event on Wednesday, November 8 from 5-8pm where the first 100 shoppers to arrive will receive a gift bag and a $25 gift card from one of the mall’s participating restaurants, including:


The Maryland Department of Transportation will host a series of open houses, including one in Rockville, to engage the public about improvements to the Interstate 495/270 corridor from the American Legion Bridge to Frederick.

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Cedar Fair (owner of Kings Dominion) and Six Flags Entertainment Corporation, announced today that the two companies will be merging.  The combined company will operate a portfolio of 27 amusement parks, 15 water parks and 9 resort properties across 17 states in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. According to a press release, “the combined company, with a pro forma enterprise value of approximately $8 billion based on both companies’ debt and equity values as of October 31, 2023, will be a leading amusement park operator in the highly competitive leisure space with an expanded and diversified footprint, a more robust operating model and a strong revenue and cash flow generation profile.” The merger is expected to close in the first half of 2024

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Raising Cane’s started its expansion into the D.C. metropolitan region when its first area restaurant opened last December in Sterling, VA (45545 Dulles Eastern Plaza). The first Maryland location opened in Towson in January 2023 and both stores featured lines out the door for months on several days of the week. A Waldorf Location opened in May, a Westminster location opened in July, and a Gambrills locations opened in September to make four for the state. Now, the fifth and closest location to Montgomery County will open at 9071 Snowden River Pkwy in Columbia on Tuesday, November 7th.

We previously reported that Raising Cane’s aims to open 14 stores in the next year, stretching from suburban Baltimore to the Richmond area, and now the chain has announced 15+ locations for Maryland alone. A Forestville restaurant, at 3270 Donnell Drive (Prince George’s County) is set to open on December 5th, which will be a closer location for many. None of the other Maryland locations have been announced yet, and we are awaiting word on if Montgomery County will be included in the openings.


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