Beyond MoCo Archives - Page 129 of 187

Paint Branch High School Principal, Dr. Afie Mirshah Nayar, Named FCPS Director of School Administration and Instructional Leadership

Published May 20, 2023 at 7:59PM

Dr. Afie Mirshah-Nayar, currently the principal at Paint Branch High School in Burtonsville, has been named Director of School Administration and Instructional Leadership of Frederick County Public Schools.

Per FCPS: Dr. Afie Mirshah-Nayar comes to FCPS from Montgomery County Public Schools where she currently serves as a high school principal. She has worked in the field of education for 23 years. During her career her focus has been on the education of high school students. Her professional experiences include both school-based and central office-based positions. Dr. Mirshah-Nayar served as principal of two Maryland schools, Largo High and Paint Branch High. In addition, she has served as the president of the Maryland Association of Secondary School Principals. She earned a doctorate degree from the University of Maryland, a master’s degree from American University, a bachelor’s degree from the University of Maryland and an administrative certification from Hood College.

Beyond MoCo: Black Bear Spotted in Frederick

By Patrick Herron

Published May 16, 2023 at 9:01AM

According to the Frederick Police Department (FPD), there have been several sightings of a small black bear in the city of Frederick. FDP posted the following message on Facebook:

“🚨🐻Please be advised: We have received several reports regarding sightings of a small bear in our area. Please be aware that FPD is fully aware of the bear sightings, and we are actively monitoring the situation. To ensure everyone’s safety, we kindly request that you do not approach the bear if you happen to encounter it. Bears are wild animals and unpredictable, especially when they feel threatened or cornered. Please stay tuned for any updates or instructions from FPD regarding this matter. We appreciate your cooperation and understanding as we navigate this situation.”

Beyond MoCo: Dave’s Hot Chicken Opens First DMV Location

By Patrick Herron

Published May 15, 2023 at 1:30PM

https://www.instagram.com/p/CpDt_pNvxUt/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=452e2bb0-ae5f-41bf-89a9-724278996cd7

Beyond MoCo: Ice Cream Festival Coming to National Harbor This Summer

By Patrick Herron

Published May 15, 2023 at 11:33AM

The National Ice Cream Festival is coming to Spirit Park (115 Waterfront St, Oxon Hill, MD) at National Harbor on June 17 from 1-9pm. The event will feature over 25 different ice cream vendors, live music, and food trucks.

Per National Harbor: “Get ready for the coolest event of the year as the National Ice Cream Festival arrives on June 17, 2023! This annual celebration brings together ice cream enthusiasts from all over the country to experience some of the best frozen treats on the East Coast. Whether you’re a child or an adult, there’s something for everyone at this festival. With vendors competing in various categories for the title of best ice cream, you’ll have the chance to taste and judge the delicious creations. This outdoor, festival-style event will feature a variety of food, drink, entertainment and merchandise, all designed to give visitors the best possible experience. The flow of the festival will be optimized to give vendors maximum exposure while ensuring crowd flow is easy and enjoyable. Don’t miss out on the National Ice Cream Festival!”

Metro Summer Construction Work Began Friday, May 12 Starting with Orange Line Stations

By MCS Staff

Published May 13, 2023 at 9:48AM | Updated May 13, 2023 at 10:45AM

Beginning this Friday, May 12, Metro will begin a 10-day construction project on the Orange Line to complete structural work and waterproofing on the platform canopies at Minnesota Ave and Deanwood stations. During construction, the stations will remain open, with trains single tracking between Stadium-Armory and Cheverly to maintain rail service for customers.

Metro will run additional “Orange Line Plus” train service between Vienna and Downtown Largo during the morning and evening rush hours only (6 – 9 a.m. and 3 – 6 p.m.) to alleviate capacity concerns outside of the construction area at busier downtown stations. Orange+ trains will run every 24 minutes, with service to/from Downtown Largo, while traditional Orange Line trains will run every 24 minutes to/from New Carrollton. Combined, the Orange+ and Orange lines and the Blue and Silver lines will continue to provide high-frequency service with trains arriving every four minutes on average between Rosslyn and Stadium-Armory. Due to operational constraints some customers may experience wait times up to nine minutes.

Beyond MoCo: New 126,000 SF Indoor Water Park Opens June 14

By MCS Staff

Published May 11, 2023 at 5:07PM

Great Wolf Lodge in Perryville, MD, will open on June 14, 2023, according to the indoor water park’s website. Great Wolf Lodge Maryland will be the company’s 20th resort in North America, and their largest. It will offer 700 family-friendly suites, a 126,000-square-foot indoor water park, a 57,000 square-foot entertainment center, and 12,000 square-feet of conference space. Perryville is about 70 miles and a little less than an hour and a half away from most parts of MoCo.

Per Great Wolf Lodge: Careening down slides, jumping over waves, floating down a lazy river, and getting drenched by a thousand gallons of water cascading from a giant tipping bucket are a few of the water-filled adventures families will discover at the all-new Great Wolf Lodge Maryland. The indoor water park is the marquee attraction at Great Wolf Lodge, and the water park planned for the company’s Maryland resort will be the largest Great Wolf Lodge has ever built. The water park at Great Wolf Lodge Maryland will offer more than 128,000 square feet of enclosed fun with slides, pools and water play for all ages, and a cozy 84-degree temperature year-round.

MoCo Resident Wins $200,000

By Patrick Herron

Published May 11, 2023 at 11:56AM

Those numbers looked and sounded even better when he learned via his Lottery app that they’d been drawn in the May 6 midday drawing. He knew that he’d purchased four tickets for the drawing, which meant four $50,000 top prizes. “I immediately dropped to my knees to thank God for the blessing,” he said.

The automobile repair specialist said he has no immediate plans for his combined $200,000 prize. The management of Hyattsville Convenience Store also benefits from selling four $50,000 winning Pick 5 tickets. The store at 2230 University Boulevard East will receive a combined $2,000 bonus from the Lottery for its lucky sale.”

The World’s Biggest Bounce House is Coming to Maryland

By MCS Staff

Published April 30, 2023 at 8:45AM

Big Bounce America, the largest touring inflatable event in the entire world, is coming to Maryland. “We’ve created an action-packed day out suitable for all ages and featuring some of the most unique and exciting custom-built inflatable attractions ever made.” Starting May 20th and going until June 11th, you’ll be able to attend at Rosecroft Raceway in Fort Washington (Prince George’s County).

Per Big Bounce America: “Covering an area of just over 16,000 square foot and towering 32ft from the ground to the tip of our candy-colored turrets we’ve worked hard to ensure there is never a dull moment in this, the World’s Biggest Bounce House. We’ve created a crazy inflatable landscape filled with some of the most amazing, completely customized attractions you’ll have ever seen. Not only does our massive bouncer look spectacular, it really does have something for everyone within its four walls of fun.

BWI Airport Unveils Upgraded, Expanded Restrooms

By MCS Staff

Published April 27, 2023 at 7:11AM | Updated April 27, 2023 at 8:41AM

Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport has opened the first set of improved restrooms as part of a broad program to modernize and enhance restroom facilities throughout the terminal. BWI Marshall Airport has an ongoing $55 million program that will ultimately expand and improve six sets of restrooms on Concourses B, C and D.

“These improved restrooms are an important part of our overall effort to ensure a positive, world-class travel experience for our customers,” said Ricky Smith, Executive Director/CEO of BWI Marshall Airport. “We are continuously working to provide an airport that is clean, modern, and inviting for passengers.” The new set of restrooms now open on Concourse B is nearly 4,700 total square feet. The new facilities are bright, spacious and comfortable, with full height stalls, space for stowing roller bags, solid surface materials that are easy to clean and sanitize, and improved ventilation. The new restrooms feature innovative technology such occupancy lights for the stalls and sensors to inform custodial staff when supplies need to be refilled. The facilities include honeycomb core windows that provide natural light to the open areas of the restroom while also ensuring privacy.

HalfSmoke Closes Baltimore Location; Update on Rockville Town Square Restaurant

By MCS Staff

Published April 24, 2023 at 5:36AM

In addition to HalfSmoke closing its Westfield Montgomery Mall location, the restaurant also closed its Baltimore location earlier this month. According to a report from BizJournals, the Baltimore restaurant closed at 2400 Boston St. in Canton’s Can Company on April 4.

At the mall, HalfSmoke was located in a kiosk in the mall’s food court/terrace (previously occupied by Coldstone Creamery and Gelato Galaxy) and was the first restaurant/bar to serve alcohol in the food court (nearby restaurants off of the food court served alcohol, ex: Slade’s). The menu consisted of the best-selling sausages and sides from its DC location (651 Florida Ave, NW), as well as boozy milkshakes and a funnel cake bar. HalfSmoke’s sister restaurant Butter Me Up also closed its Montgomery Mall location earlier this month.

Two Suspects Charged in Connection with 2021 Attempted Carjacking in Rockville

By Patrick Herron

Published April 20, 2023 at 11:44AM

Per MCPD: Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – Major Crimes Division have charged 19-year-old Mateo Paredes-Vincent and 20-year-old Havanna Holland-Miller with an attempted armed carjacking that occurred on Tuesday, November 23, 2021, in the 100 block of Talbott Avenue in Rockville.

Through the investigation, detectives identified Paredes-Vincent of Washington, D.C. and Holland-Miller of Southbridge, MA as the suspects. On Tuesday, March 28, 2023, detectives obtained an arrest warrant for Paredes-Vincent, charging him with attempted armed carjacking related charges. He is currently in jail in Alachua, Florida on an unrelated arrest. He is awaiting extradition to Montgomery County.