Several Montgomery County theaters will offer $3 tickets this Saturday, September 3 as a part of National Cinema Day. According to www.nationalcinemaday.org, the $3 tickets are for “every movie, every showtime, and every format.” Some theaters will also offer food and drink discounts, such as AMC, who are offering a fountain drink and popcorn combo for $5. Participating theaters include:
The fried chicken chain, which originated in Guatemala, opened its first location in 1971 and has grown to over 400 locations worldwide, including over 70 in the United States.
Victor Cascella, 62, of Gaithersburg has died from injuries sustained after crashing his car into two Gaithersburg townhomes on August 29. According to Montgomery County Police, “the investigation by detectives has revealed that the driver of a 2016 white BMW was traveling southbound on Orchard Ridge Dr. when, for reasons unknown at this time, crossed over the center median, left the roadway and crashed into the townhome residences of 432 and 434 Orchard Ridge Dr. The BMW and building engulfed in flames damaging both residences as well as 430 and 428 Orchard Ridge Dr.” Investigators believe the man was suffering from a medical emergency at the time of the crash.
According to Chief Spokesperson for Montgomery County Fire & Rescue Services Pete Piringer, Fire/Explosive Investigators believe that the fire began in the vehicle’s engine compartment before spreading to house. The inhabitants of the homes were temporarily trapped upstairs, but rescue units were able to get them out with ladders. Six adults have been displaced and damages are estimated to be $400,000.
Last October we let you know that Verizon Wireless, located next to Downtown Crown Beer & Wine in Gaithersburg, was expecting to undergo renovations, but at the time employees told us they would be closing. Verizon has since moved within Crown, but we were told fast-casual salad restaurant Sweetgreen wouldnbe moving in to the space next. Signage has recently been erected. While we don’t have an expected opening date, we would anticipate an early 2023 opening.
Sweetgreen currently has three MoCo locations, in Bethesda, Downtown Silver Spring, and Pike & Rose. Crown has been without a salad fast-casual restaurant since Chopt closed in early 2020 and has since moved that location to the Kentlands neighborhood.
At approximately 2:48 p.m., Montgomery County and Gaithersburg Police officers along with Montgomery County Fire Rescue personnel responded to the location for a traffic collision involving a vehicle that crashed into two townhomes.
The investigation by detectives has revealed that the driver of a 2016 white BMW was traveling southbound on Orchard Ridge Dr. when, for reasons unknown at this time, crossed over the center median, left the roadway and crashed into the townhome residences of 432 and 434 Orchard Ridge Dr. The BMW and building engulfed in flames damaging both residences as well as 430 and 428 Orchard Ridge Dr.
A vehicle was driven into a house on the 400 block of Orchard Ridge Drive near Twin Lakes Drive in Gaithersburg, a little before 3pm on Monday afternoon, according to Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) spokesperson, Pete Piringer.
A neighbor has told us that a vehicle crossed the median and crashed into townhouse-style condo, which started a fire in the car that extended to the house. The witness tells us that the driver has been transported to hospital, but that they are currently unsure on condition or cause of crash. There were no other passengers. The inhabitants of the home were temporarily trapped in upstairs, but Rescue units were able to get them out with ladders.
The work will be completed at night for safety of the construction crews & reduce delays to the community.
Work will take place on weekdays between 8 p.m. & 6 a.m. For more information & status updates please contact the Department of Public Works at 301-258-6370 or email [email protected].
While Lakeforest mall and its anchor stores have been purchased by WRS Inc., a real estate investment firm based out of South Carolina, redevelopment of the site has yet to begin and close to 40 stores/kiosks are still open for business inside. Since our last update in April:
Upper Level:
The brand new Starbucks in the Montgomery Village Shopping Center opened for business on Thursday, August 25. The Starbucks is located at the former site of the Montgomery Village Denny’s at 19290 Montgomery Village Ave.
Earlier this month we reported that Hangry Joe’s will be coming to the space directly next to the new Starbucks later this year. The spicy fried chicken chain has recently opened locations in Wheaton (2533 Ennals Ave) and at 10050 Darnestown Road in the Travilah Square shopping center. Hangry Joe’s joins a growing list of restaurants that are all expected to open in the redeveloped MV shopping center by the end of this year that includes Antojitos Salvadoreños Isabel, Boo Boo Pho, Dickey’s BBQ, and Kobe Japan. The Joint chiropractic care center and Safe Splash Swim School have also signed leases and will coming to the center.
Utkarsh Ambudkar was born in nearby Baltimore, but was raised in Rockville while his parents worked at NIH in Bethesda. The 38 year old actor graduated from Wootton High School and is well known for his roles in Hulu’s The Dropout, the male lead in hit CBS sitcom Ghosts (which he stars in with fellow Wootton alumnus Richie Moriarty), Donald in Pitch Perfect, Rishi in the Mindy Project, Skatch in Mulan, and a lot more. In season 2, episode 5 of the CBS series Secret Celebrity Renovation, Ambudkar comes home to MoCo to renovate his parents’ home.
The episode starts off with views of Gaithersburg, where his parents currently live, leading into Ambudkar and the show’s host, Nischelle Turner, driving through MoCo on their way to his parents’ home. While home he visits friends who are still in the area and heads over to Wootton High School where one of his childhood friends, Nick Hitchens, is currently the assistant principal at the school. He stops by the theater where it all started and credits one his former directors, Harriet Mittelberger, for changing the course of his life by convincing Utkarsh’s mom to let him pursue acting.
MoCo’s only 24-hour Starbucks location at 505 Quince Orchard Rd. in the FirstField Shopping Center (Gaithersburg) will be closed for one month starting on September 9th and lasting until October 9th for renovations, an employee of the store tells us. During that time the Starbucks located at 300 Spectrum Ave in Gaithersburg will be temporarily operating 24-hours for the duration of the Firstfield remodeling.