Longtime local radio host Michael Sorce, better known as Don Geronimo, was fired from radio station WBIG “Big100” over the weekend after making on-air remarks about WUSA9 sports reporter Sharla McBride on Thursday, July 27. The incident occurred while Geronimo and co-host Crash Young were broadcasting live from Commanders training camp. Geronimo referred to McBride as “Barbie”, and initially thought she was a cheerleader. Geronimo released the following statement on Wednesday afternoon:
Last month it was announced that The Citi Open in Washington, D.C. is combining with the Mubadala Silicon Valley Classic to become the Mubadala Citi DC Open beginning in 2023. The move from San Jose elevated the DC women’s event from a WTA 250 level to a WTA 500 level, making the Mubadala Citi DC Open the only combined ATP-WTA 500 tournament in the world on the tour calendar. The move is subject to ATP Board approval.
The Mubadala Citi DC Open is the fifth largest pro tennis event in the United States and kicks off in earnest Monday with a star-studded lineup on the first day of main draw play at the William H.G. FitzGerald Tennis Center in Rock Creek Park in the nation’s capital. From former World No.1s Viktoria Azarenka and Andy Murray to past DC champions Liudmila Samsonova, Sloane Stephens and Gael Monfils to local favorite Frances Tiafoe, fans will be treated to plenty of headliners on the first full day in Rock Creek Park.
Last month we let you know of plans for Buc-ee’s Travel Center to expand their operations to New Kent County, Virginia at the exit 211 interchange along Interstate 64– the first in Virginia. The company plans to construct a 74,000 SF store with 120 fueling positions, 557 parking spaces, 24 Tesla charging spaces and 10 bus/RV parking spaces. The location is in the Richmond area, over 125 miles from most parts of Montgomery County. Now we know of plans for a new Buc-ee’s Travel Center that will likely beat this one to opening, in Rockingham County, Virginia at the exit 240 interchange along Interstate 81 (located near Harrisonburg, VA)– a similar distance form Montgomery County, in a different direction.
Per the Rockingham County, VA Facebook page, the company plans to construct a 74,000 square foot store with 120 fueling positions and 24 EV charging stations. The projected opening is in 2025. The company has requested a Special Use Permit for the review and approval of a proposed sign plan for the project.
The Montgomery County Comic & Cosplay Club, a social club of people who are passionate about comics, anime, and cosplay– and everything related to it, are hosting MonkeyCon from 10am-4pm at Bohrer Park (506 S Frederick Ave.) in Gaithersburg on Sunday, August 6th. Tickets are available online for $15 ($5 off with code MONKEY).
Per the event listing, “MonkeyCon is Montgomery County’s Comic Con and is fun for the whole family. Everyone is invited to attend if you’re from Virginia, DC, Maryland, or anywhere! Make sure you come dressed as your favorite superhero or character! MonkeyCon is brought to you by the Montgomery County Comic & Cosplay Club: a social club of people who are passionate about comics, anime, and cosplay – and everything related to it! Not only do members come together at social events and on social media, but they host their annual meeting – Monkey Con – a convention with media screenings, seminars, contests, cosplay, vendors, and more!” MonkeyCon is welcoming the following special guests this year:
The City of Gaithersburg presents works by the Gaithersburg Camera Club, on display through October 1, 2023, at Kentlands Mansion. Meet the artists and view their works at a free Artists Reception on Sunday, August 6 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. All our welcome; light refreshments will be served.
This exhibit features 55 images depicting a wide variety of subject matter. Featured artists include Michael Brown, Sabine Dickens, Wendy Dinova-Wimmer, Cheryl Gillerman, Deborah Gillham, Carol Gregoire, Judy Gross, Linda Joy, Michael Kedda, Anis Khan, Judy MacArthur, David Oakes, Ed Palaszynski, Barry Scheiner, Dottie Schmidt, Goutam Sen & Alan Simmons.
Madden NFL (known as John Madden Football until 1993) is a popular football video game named after the late Pro Football Hall of Fame coach and commentator, John Madden. Every August, the game releases its newest installment and the weeks leading up to the release feature the introduction of the players’ “Madden rating” to start the season. Below, we’ll take a look at the Madden ratings for some of the NFL players with ties to Montgomery County:
Cam Brown: The Silver Spring native and Bullis graduate is an outside linebacker with the New York Giants. He has an Overall Rating of 63 with scores in the 80s for speed, acceleration, jumping, and toughness.
Keivonn Woodard, a 10-year-old actor from nearby Bowie, MD, has become the first Black deaf actor to be nominated for an Emmy Award. Woodard received a nomination in the category of Outstanding Guest Actor in a drama series for his role as Sam in HBO’s “The Last of Us.” The show is based on the popular video game and quickly became one of HBO Max’s most watched series. This was the first acting job for Keivonn, who is a Bowie native– a city located in neighboring Prince George’s County.
Woodard is part of a six-generation deaf family, many of whom are actors. He also plays hockey locally for the Bowie Hockey Club 10U Team. The photo seen below, courtesy of the Bowie Hockey Club, shows the team after becoming the 2022 Ice Works St. Patrick’s Day Tournament Champions.
Per the Montgomery County Agricultural Fair: The Montgomery County Agricultural Fairgrounds is private property and we do not recognize any state or federal issued Concealed or Open Carry Firearm Permit. The Fair is a Family Friendly event that provides agricultural education and entertainment to children of all ages. Carrying firearms, weapons, smoking, vaping, and inappropriate behavior are prohibited.
Should a walk-through metal detector or any security official identify the need for further examination, the Fair reserves the right to conduct additional screening of the individual and their bags as a condition of gaining entry or maintaining admitted status on the fairgrounds. PROHIBITED ITEMS:
This Saturday, July 22, the Kensington Volunteer Fire Department and the Town of Kensington are resuming their Summer Movie Night. This weekend, Wreck-It Ralph will be shown at dusk in St. Paul Park on the big screen.
Starting at 7PM, activities and games will be available in the Park, including a water balloon toss and the Fire Department’s Safety House. The Kensington Volunteer Fire Department encourages moviegoers to bring blankets, picnics, friends and family. Pizza, Popcorn, and other refreshments will be available for purchase. https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=298801665876692
The “World’s Largest Rubber Duck”, also known as Mama Duck, is coming to Maryland when it arrives in Leonardtown, MD from August 4-6 followed by a trip to Crisfield, MD from August 11-13.
The duck is more than six stories high, 79 feet wide, 80 feet long and weighs over 30,000 pounds, according to CBS Pittsburgh. Not to be confused with the #KindessDuck of Kindness Duck Project, the “World’s Largest Rubber Duck” was created by Craig Samborski. In an interview with WTOP, he said “I didn’t know what I was getting into when I built this. There are so many people in the world that love rubber ducks. That’s my biggest thing why I love doing this is because it makes people so happy.”
The Urbana Volunteer Fire Department’s 49th Community Carnival is open nightly this week through Sunday, July 23.
The event is tailored towards fun for the whole family. Admission and parking are free, and the doors open every evening this week at 5:30, with rides opening at 6:00. There are a variety of carnival games throughout the midway. This year, there will be free nightly live music and fireworks at 10:00 PM Thursday night. A Blackstone 36″ Griddle is being raffled off, with the raffle drawing Sunday night. Tuesday and Wednesday evenings, unlimited ride tickets are available for $20.