Jazz vocalist and DC-native Akua Allrich finds inspiration from a wide range of genres old and new, including soul, rhythm & blues, and pan-African music. She has produced and performed in many successful solo and group programs, including tribute programs to Nina Simone, Miriam Makeba, and other great African American women of jazz. Akua’s most recent project, an eclectic, Afro-futuristic jazz & blues album with Kris Funn, will be released in January.
Old Town Pour House, located at 212 Ellington Drive in Gaithersburg’s Downtown Crown development, closed permanently on Tuesday, October 24th after 8.5 years of service (the lease was signed for 10 years). The restaurant is now auctioning off the contents of the restaurant, which includes beer/wine dispensers, kitchen equipment, television screens, chairs/tables/booths, umbrellas, and more. The auction began on October 28th and ends on November 28th.
Old Town Pour House released the following statement after our report on its closure last month, “After10 incredible years in Gaithersburg, our lease is up and we’ve decided to turn off the taps at Old Town Pour House at 212 Ellington Boulevard. This last decade was filled with so many delightful guests and meaningful engagement with an outstanding community, and we consider it a major success for the Bottleneck Management group. We whole-heartedly thank everyone we’ve met along the way for making us a part of their lives. Our last day of service will be Tuesday, October 24th. We’re so thankful to our team and guests for our 10 years in Gaithersburg. Though this location is closed, you can visit other Bottleneck restaurants across the US. www.bottleneckmgmt.com”
Baskin Robbins is now open in the Montgomery Village Center. The ice cream shop is located next to Suburban Hair and the upcoming Safe Splash Swim School. The location is offering Baskin Robbins newest flavor “Turkey Day Fixin’s”, a “surprising combination of sweet potato and autumn spice ice creams mixed with honey cornbread pieces and swirls of Ocean Spray cranberry sauce.”
Also in the shopping center, permanent signage is up for Fiesta Laundromat, which will be located across from Baskin Robins, next to Boo Boo Pho. “At Fiesta Laundromat, we take immense pride in our work, whether we are working with large-scale corporate clients, individual laundry clients or our walk-in customers. Take a look around our website and learn more about the variety of laundry services we offer.” No opening date has been announced but the location is currently hiring. Fiesta has an additional location at 7601 New Hampshire Ave in Takoma Park
Earlier this year, ISAAC’S Poultry Market at 12167 Darnestown Rd in Gaithersburg won the Restaurant Association of Maryland’s “best sandwich competition.” With that win, the restaurant was automatically qualified for the World Food Championships, which are taking place this week in Dallas, TX. The opening round is Friday, November 10, and if ISSAC’S advances it will compete on Sunday for the championship.
According to the Restaurant Association, “The World Food Championships is the largest competition in Food Sport, where grand champions of previous events convene for a chance at winning the ultimate food crown and a share of hundreds of thousands of dollars in prize money. This event is also the springboard for many up and coming culinary stars and home cooks as they seek TV fame through many well-known food shows and acting opportunities.”
Montgomery Planning’s Great Seneca Plan: Connecting Life and Science team held two community meetings on October 23 and October 25. “It was great to share the first look at the plan’s preliminary recommendations and get feedback.” At the meetings, preliminary recommendations were shared for each of the plan’s distinct geographic enclaves including:
If you couldn’t make it to the October 23 and 25 meetings, here is a guide to the preliminary recommendations, which the Great Seneca plan team will be finalizing over the coming weeks as it prepares to present them to the Planning Board on December 7.
Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) responded to the scene of a crash that involved a vehicle being driven into the woods at the I-270 S ramp to Sam Eig Highway (exit 9) at approximately 7:25am on Thursday morning.
According to Assistant MCFRS Chief Spokesperson Pete Piringer, the crash involved just the single vehicle and two occupants were extricated from the car. Both occupants were transported to an area hospital– one with life -threatening injuries, and another with less serious injuries. Pazos tweeted, “It appears Driver had medical emergency (likely pressing on gas while passenger was trying to steer car to avoid to other cars) consequently they lost control on ramp & ended up in wooded area.”
Montgomery County Police tweeted the following on Thursday, November 9 at 7:38am: “TRAFFIC ADVISORY: A traffic collision has southbound 270 closed at Exit 9A (370 ramp). Drivers are advised to seek an alternate route. Expect significant delays. #MCPNews #MCPD #Traffic”. Fox 5 reports that a vehicle left the roadway and crashed into a wooded area. It is unclear if anyone involved in the crash was injured. The cause of the crash remains unknown.
We’ll provide an update if additional information becomes available. Featured image courtesy of Google Maps.
Watkins Mill High School athletic coordinator, Lisa Magness, provided new school principal Vilma Najera with an encouraging update following an analysis of the Fall sports teams at the Montgomery Village school. The full letter can be seen below.
“Dear Ms. Najera: I have completed the academic analysis of the Fall sports’ teams at Watkins Mill High School. Using the data from the 1″ marking period report cards, I found some terrific information:
Per the City of Gaithersburg: Unofficial results for the November 7, 2023, municipal election for three City Council Members have been announced:
The top three candidates with the highest number of votes were Neil Harris, who received 2,900 votes (24.57%), Yamil Hernández, who received 2,189 votes (18.55%), and Robert T. Wu, who received 2,932 votes (24.84%).
Whetstone Elementary School, located at 19201 Thomas Farm Road, had a tradition that celebrates students who have demonstrated the school’s Wildcat core values. Each quarter, the school literally rolls out the red carpet.
Students chosen by their teachers receive a certificate and dance down a red carpet while their classmates, teachers, principal, mascot Wendy the Wildcat, and caregivers clap and cheer them on. “Our caregivers love this event and appreciate the acknowledgement of their children,” said principal Loretta Woods in an update by MCPS. Woods started the tradition when she arrived at the school as a way to show the students they are special, supported and loved by all and invite parents and caregivers to join in that celebration.
Carmen’s Italian Ice is opening its newest location this Wednesday, November 8. Carmen’s is partnering with the owners of Kung Fu Tea at 130 Market St in Gaithersburg and is taking over the portion of the building that was previously occupied by Tutti Frutti. According to Carmen’s, it will initially offer three flavors of custard and six flavors of Italian ice. The new store will be offering half off 1/2 off of ices and gelatis in-store all day on Wednesday for “Jayden Day”.
Earlier this year Carmen’s partnered with the Clarksburg Market at 23329 Frederick Rd to open a similar concept in Clarksburg. About Carmen’s: It started with a simple idea. Introduce homemade gourmet Italian Ice to the Washington DC area. Jason Mandler – a native of Parsippany, New Jersey – opened Carmen’s Italian Ice & Cafe in Rockville, MD in 2001. Tracing its roots back to Philly and South Jersey where this dessert has been a mainstay for years, Carmen’s offers homemade, gourmet Italian Ice in over 60 flavors. It also now offers frozen custard, shakes, and a toppings bar.