Beyond MoCo Archives - Page 164 of 191

Beyond MoCo: Ocean City Listed as One of the ’25 Best Beaches in the U.S.’ by Travel + Leisure Magazine

Published May 7, 2022 at 9:10AM

Travel + Leisure a travel magazine and website based in New York City with over 4.8 million readers, according to its corporate media kit, has released a list of the “25 Best Beaches in The U.S.” that includes nearby Ocean City, MD. The list also includes beaches from New York, Hawaii, California, Florida, and more. According to the article, “many different criteria define the perfect beach: the sand, the waves (or lack thereof), the level of seclusion, the public transportation and accessible parking, the boardwalk, the activities, and even the amount of shaded trees.”

Ocean City, MD: “Ten miles of white-sand beach plus a three-mile boardwalk packed with amusement park rides, bike rentals, shops, and delectable treats make Ocean City Beach a popular vacation spot. You’ll find a variety of hotels, restaurants, and even a brewery on the boardwalk. Jet skiing, surf fishing, and fishing charters are popular here as well.”

Tragic Loss of Animal Life at Smithsonian’s National Zoo

By MCS Staff

Published May 3, 2022 at 2:14PM

Staff at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute are devastated and mourning the loss of 25 American flamingos and one Northern pintail duck killed by a wild fox yesterday in the Zoo’s outdoor flamingo habitat. Three additional flamingos were injured and are being treated at the Zoo’s veterinary hospital.

Per the press release: In the early morning of May 2, Bird House staff arrived to discover the deceased flamingos and sighted a fox in the Zoo’s outdoor flamingo yards. The fox escaped the yard. The flock originally had 74 flamingos. The remaining flamingos were moved indoors to their barn and the ducks to a covered, secure outdoor space.

Small Plane Bound for Gaithersburg Lands in New Jersey After Smoke Reported in Cockpit

By Patrick Herron

Published May 2, 2022 at 5:21PM

A small single-engine Piper PA-32 plane that was headed to the Montgomery County Airpark in Gaithersburg was forced to make an emergency landing in New Jersey on Sunday morning after the pilot reported smoke in the cockpit, according to a report by FOX 5. The plane, which had initially departed from Norwood Regional Airport in Norwood, MA landed safely at Teterboro Airport in Bergen County, NJ around 11am. It is not know how many people were aboard the plane at the time of the incident. Per Wikipedia, the Piper PA-32 is a single-engine, light aircraft manufactured in the United States by Piper Aircraft and is used around the world for private transportation, air taxi services, bush support, and medevac flights.

According to US News & World Report, the FAA is investigating the incident and that “The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which owns and manages the airport, did not immediately respond to questions about the incident, and local police also did not respond.”

Beyond MoCo: Black Bears Emerging from Winter Dens (Black Bears Will Occassionally be Spotted in Montgomery County)

By MCS Staff

Published April 28, 2022 at 6:26PM

Maryland’s black bears are leaving their winter dens and as they emerge, they are hungry. Bears will be searching for natural food sources such as acorns, plants, berries, and insects. With natural food sources in short supply until later in the spring, bears can be attracted to anything that smells like food. Homeowners who leave human-generated food sources out in the open may unintentionally draw bears to residential areas. Residents of Maryland’s bear country (Garrett, Allegany, Washington and Frederick Counties in Maryland are all home to black bears, and black bears have occasionally been spotted in Montgomery County) are urged to be proactive and exercise good judgment to avoid creating man-made attractions for bears.

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources advises:

Astronaut Jessica Watkins, the First Black Woman to Serve Aboard the International Space Station, is From Gaithersburg

By Patrick Herron

Published April 28, 2022 at 9:24AM

Jessica Watkins became the first Black woman astronaut to be a part of a crew aboard the International Space Station when SpaceX’s Crew-4 mission launched on Wednesday morning. Watkins and her three other crew members will be on the station for around six months. Born in Gaithersburg in 1988, her family later moved to Layfette, Colorado where she graduated high school. She then went on to play rugby at Stanford University in California, where she received her bachelor’s degree in geological and environmental sciences. She later earned a Ph.D. in geology at the University of California, Los Angeles.

“I think it’s important to recognize this as a milestone for our agency and for our country, as well, to know that we are building on the foundation that was laid by the Black woman astronauts who’ve come before me,” Watkins told NPR

Honeymoon Chicken Receives Michelin “Bib Gourmand” Award

By Patrick Herron

Published April 26, 2022 at 7:24PM | Updated April 27, 2022 at 4:06PM

Honeymoon Chicken (4201 Georgia Ave NW, DC) has received a “Bib Gourmand” award from the Michelin Guide. Started in 1997, the Bib Gourmand award has been given to restaurants that have “good quality and good value”. Honeymoon Chicken opened it’s standalone location in DC this past January, but is also available in Montgomery County from Ensemble in Bethesda. Ensemble is a digital food hall from Salis Holdings (Ted’s Bulletin, Sidekick Bakery, Federalist Pig), located 4856 Cordell Ave. Food from Ensemble is only available for pickup or delivery and you must order through their mobile app. The menu features items from four the different Salis Holdings restaurants that can be mixed and matched. You can get a brisket sandwich from Federalist Pig, side of French toast from Ted’s Bulletin, fried chicken from Honeymoon Chicken, and dessert from Sidekick Bakery all at the same spot.

Current MCPS Associate Superintendent Appointed Superintendent of Frederick County Public Schools

By MCS Staff

Published April 26, 2022 at 3:22PM

The Board of Education of Frederick County (the Board) appointed Dr. Cheryl L. Dyson to serve as the next superintendent of Frederick County Public Schools.Dr. Dyson will assume the role on July 1, 2022, contingent upon approval by the State Superintendent of Schools. Dr. Dyson’s contract was approved and signed at today’s Board of Education meeting and is posted at fcps.org.

Per FCPS:

Beyond MoCo: Dave Chappelle to Perform Two Shows at Maryland Live! Casino

By Patrick Herron

Published April 25, 2022 at 9:32PM

Dave Chappelle will be performing two stand up comedy shows at Maryland Live! Casino & Hotel (7002 Arundel Mills Cir Ste 7777, Hanover, MD) on June 18 and 19 as part of the casino’s ten year anniversary celebration. The shows will take place in The HALL, Maryland Live! Casino’s 4,800 seat venue. Tickets go on sale Friday, April 29, and start at $89. Dave Chapelle grew up in Silver Spring, attending Woodlin Elementary School before attending Duke Ellington School of the Arts in DC.

According to the AXS ticket website, “this is a phone-free show. No photos, video or audio recording devices allowed. Upon arrival at The Hall, all phones and other photo or video-capturing devices will be secured in a Yondr pouch that will be unlocked at the end of the show. You keep your pouch-secured phone with you during the show and, if needed, can unlock your phone at any time in a designated Yondr Phone Zone located outside the venue.”

Beyond MoCo: Governor Hogan, Cal Ripken Jr. Cut Ribbon on New Youth Development Park at Prince George’s County Police Department

By Patrick Herron

Published April 23, 2022 at 8:07PM

Per the State of Maryland:

ANNAPOLIS, MD—Governor Larry Hogan and Cal Ripken, Jr. today took part in the ribbon cutting for the Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation’s new Youth Development Park in Hyattsville—the first of its kind in the nation built on the grounds of a police department.

Beyond MoCo Update: Suspect in DC Shootings Has Been Located Deceased

By MCS Staff

Published April 22, 2022 at 4:53PM | Updated April 22, 2022 at 10:06PM

This article is being updated with as MPD provides updates

The Washington DC Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) tweeted at 3:47pm that it was “responding to the 4100 block of Connecticut Avenue, NW for the report of at least 2 shooting victims (it ha snow been confirmed that there are 4 victims). There is a large police presence in the area. Updates will follow.”

Beyond MoCo: FHA Approves MDTA’s Recommendation to Move Forward With New Chesapeake Bay Crossing

By MCS Staff

Published April 22, 2022 at 1:54PM

The Federal Highway Administration (FHA) has approved the Maryland Transportation Authority’s (MDTA) recommendation to move forward with a study that will lead to a new crossing of the Chesapeake Bay.

The new crossing, which is years away, would be located between Anne Arundel and Queen Anne’s counties, near the existing Bay Bridge, per MDTA.