Beyond MoCo Archives - Page 124 of 196

National Portrait Gallery Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month and Día de Los Muertos

Published September 23, 2023 at 10:06PM

The Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery will celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month from Sept. 15 through Oct. 15 with special programs, film screenings and an all-ages festival highlighting Hispanic history, culture and stories. The month of festivities will be followed by the museum’s annual el Día de los Muertos event Thursday, Nov. 2. Featuring a video and music installation by artists MasPaz and Guache, the event also will include crafts, performances and culinary treats. Admission for the festival is free.

On Saturday, Sept. 23, the Portrait Gallery will collaborate with its friends at the bilingual children’s book publisher Lil’ Libros, who will return to the museum for the second co-hosted Fotos & Recuerdos Festival. The afternoon event is for all ages and will take place in the museum’s Kogod Courtyard and surrounding galleries from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Visitors are invited to join gallery tours, story times, book signings with Lil’ Libros authors, live performances and crafts workshops inspired by the Lil’ Libros book series “The Life of / La vida de,” which features Latinx sitters from the Portrait Gallery’s collection. The Washington Ballet will also be attending to lead a story time and salsa and bomba workshop. This program received federal support from the Latino Initiatives Pool, administered by the National Museum of the American Latino. NPR is the media partner.

Cheetah Cub Cam Features Litter of Five Cheetah Cubs Recently Born at the Front Royal Campus of Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute

By MCS Staff

Published September 23, 2023 at 10:03PM

Carnivore keepers at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (NZCBI) in Front Royal, Virginia, are celebrating a litter of five cheetah cubs born to 8-year-old adult female Echo Tuesday, Sept. 12. Viewers can enjoy watching the cubs grow via the Cheetah Cub Cam. Note that Echo may move her cubs out of the den and around her habitat so they may be out of view at times.

Animal care staff will leave Echo to bond with and care for her cubs without interference, but as opportunities arise, staff will perform quick health checks. During a recent weight check, staff confirmed there are three males and two females. The cubs appear to be strong, active, vocal and eating well.

Frederick Man Receives Successful Pig Heart Transplant at the University of Maryland Medical Center

By Patrick Herron

Published September 23, 2023 at 8:23AM

Per the University of Maryland Medical Center: “A 58-year-old patient with terminal heart disease became the second patient in the world to receive a successful transplant of a genetically-modified pig heart on September 20. He is recovering well and communicating with his loved ones. This is only the second time in the world that a genetically modified pig heart has been transplanted into a living patient. Both historic surgeries were performed by University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM) faculty at the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC).

The first historic surgery, performed in January, 2022, was conducted on David Bennett by University of Maryland Medicine surgeons (comprising UMSOM and UMMC), who are recognized as the leaders in cardiac xenotransplantation. This new patient, Lawrence Faucette, had end-stage heart disease. He was deemed ineligible for a traditional transplant with a human heart, by UMMC and several other leading transplant hospitals, due to his pre-existing peripheral vascular disease and complications with internal bleeding.

Bethesda Man Arrested for Assaulting Law Enforcement During Jan. 6 Capitol Breach

By MCS Staff

Published September 20, 2023 at 4:10PM

Per the United States Department of Justice: A Maryland man has been arrested on felony and misdemeanor charges, including assaulting law enforcement, related to his actions during the breach of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. His actions and the actions of others disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress convened to ascertain and count the electoral votes related to the 2020 presidential election.

Steven Patrick Cook, 24, of Bethesda, Maryland, is charged in a criminal complaint filed in the District of Columbia with two felony offenses of assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers and obstruction of law enforcement during civil disorder. In addition to the felonies, Cook is charged with several misdemeanors, including entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority, disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds, and engaging in physical violence in a restricted building or grounds. Cook was arrested in Virginia on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, and made his initial appearance today in the District of Columbia.

Maryland Firefighter Wins $50,004 Powerball Prize; Tonight’s Jackpot Reaches $638 Million

By Patrick Herron

Published September 18, 2023 at 6:33PM

A firefighter from Odenton, MD is $50,004 richer after purchasing a winning Powerball lottery ticket from Royal Farms at 100 Monument Avenue in Oxon Hill. According to the Maryland Lottery, no one has won the Powerball jackpot since a $1.08 billion winning ticket was sold in California back in July. Tonight’s jackpot has an estimated annuity of $638 million and an estimated cash value of $304.2 million, making it the 10^th largest jackpot in Powerball history.

The Anne Arundel County resident confessed that he told a few coworkers about his Lottery luck when he arrived at the station. “I couldn’t keep it to myself. It was hard to contain.” His $10 ticket had four of the five winning numbers along with the Powerball to secure the third-tier prize in the drawing. He also won $4 on another line of the ticket, giving him a total prize of $50,004.

UMD Ranked 19th Among Public Schools in U.S. News’ Rankings of “Best Colleges”

By MCS Staff

Published September 18, 2023 at 5:02PM

The University of Maryland has earned its highest-ever ranking among national universities from U.S. News & World Report, cracking the top 50 for the first time. Per the Maryland Office of Marketing and Communications:

UMD rose nine spots since last year to No. 46 in the national listing and held steady at No. 19 among public schools in the influential 2023-24 “Best Colleges” report released on Monday. The university now has a combined 69 top-25 undergraduate and graduate programs, according to U.S. News, which began its annual rankings 40 years ago.

Governor Wes Moore Spotlights Economic Justice at Climate Week New York City 2023 Opening Ceremony

By Patrick Herron

Published September 18, 2023 at 12:43PM

Governor Moore Speaks at Climate Week

“Hitting our goals will help us defend against the consequences of climate change. But I’m not here to just talk about avoiding tragedy – I’m here to talk about helping people find greater opportunity.”

“Our communities of color – our working parents – our middle-class families: They are the ones who stand to benefit most from our aggressive climate goals. Those are the hands that will install new solar panels at the local rec center. Those are the minds that will invent next-generation wind turbines that power millions of homes. Those are the hearts that will shape a stronger America, where we aren’t just building pathways to sustainability – we’re also building pathways to work, wages, and wealth.”

Sugarloaf Mountain Remains Closed to The Public

By MCS Staff

Published September 17, 2023 at 9:35PM

Sugarloaf Mountain, a Stronghold property, has been closed since an attempted break-in at the Strong Mansion on August 19th. Stronghold Inc., the non-profit that owns and operates the property for the public’s “enjoyment and education in an appreciation of natural beauty”, has posted the following message:

The Stronghold property will be closed to the public until further notice. Stronghold Incorporated will be focused on providing for and reassessing the security needs for the entirety of the Stronghold property. On Saturday August 19, 2023 an unidentified individual attempted to make entry into the Strong Mansion between the hours of 8:30 am and 10:30 am. Physical evidence was collected at the scene, including a DNA sample. Security camera footage is being reviewed. If anyone happened to see anything suspicious or has any information pertaining to this situation please contact Deputy Wheeler with the Frederick County Sheriff’s office at (301) 639-4866, reference case number 2023-090125. We appreciate any information as well as your understanding and patience at this time.

Maryland Man Wins $580K After Store Clerk Gave Him Ticket For Wrong Game

By MCS Staff

Published September 17, 2023 at 5:49PM

A loyal Maryland Lottery player knows his games as well as he knows his favorite Lottery retailers and their employees. So, when a new store clerk gave him a ticket for the wrong game and tried but couldn’t void the ticket, the Upper Marlboro resident accepted the employee’s profuse apologies and continued on his way home with one very lucky Multi-Match ticket in hand. Full story below, per MD Lottery:

Little did he know that the $10 quick-pick ticket in his possession would win a $580,000 jackpot in the Sept. 11 drawing. “This is the biggest prize of my life,” he said, sitting with his wife in the Winner’s Circle at Lottery headquarters in Baltimore. The happy husband said he has read a lot of Lottery winner stories and just cannot believe it is his turn to tell the story of a win that his wife described as “divine intervention.”

Metro plans full-scale security exercise at Capitol South Station Today (Sunday, Sept. 17)

By MCS Staff

Published September 17, 2023 at 10:31AM

Metro Transit Police in coordination with U.S. Capitol Police will conduct a full-scale law enforcement exercise on Sunday, Sept. 17, at the Capitol South Station. The exercise will simulate a real-life security threat to test operational coordination, communications, and response between law enforcement agencies.

During this time, the Capitol South Station will be closed from opening until approximately 2 p.m. Free shuttle buses will replace trains between Eastern Market and Federal Center SW. The exercise will simulate a real-world response to an active assailant in the Metrorail system. People in the area will see and hear a large emergency response and police activity in and around the station, including simulated ammunition (blanks). Please be assured this is only a drill.

Dave Chapelle Announces Several DC Tour Dates

By Patrick Herron

Published September 15, 2023 at 6:02PM

Dave Chappelle will be performing at the Lincoln Theater (1215 U St) in DC from October 10-13. Tickets for the shows went on sale on this morning and immediately sold out. Dave Chapelle grew up in Silver Spring, attending Woodlin Elementary School before attending Duke Ellington School of the Arts in DC.

According to Ticketmaster, “THIS IS A CELL PHONE FREE EVENT. We’re making shared memories. With your confirmation, you agree to place your phone in a locked pouch which you keep throughout the evening. If you need to use your phone, return to the distribution tent at the entrance. Anyone caught using a cell phone during the show will be immediately ejected. Live Special Taping. Please arrive on time. Admittance is not guaranteed after taping begins.”