Kensington Archives - Page 14 of 28

Smoke Visible From Miles Away Due to Tuesday Morning House Fire

Published July 25, 2023 at 12:20PM

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) responded to a call for a house fire on the 11800blk Goodloe Rd., off Dewey Road, near Viers Mill Elementary School shortly before 11:30 on Tuesday morning.

According to MCFRS Chief Spokesperson Pete Piringer, crews arrived to see the fire showing upon arrival. Many readers have written to us via social media from miles away letting us know that the fire is visible. Piringer tweeted a video from the scene shortly after 12:00pm that showed lots of smoke coming from the home as crews continue to work. The video can be seen below.

Concern for Missing 17-Year-Old Last Seen Four Weeks Ago

By Patrick Herron

Published July 25, 2023 at 10:53AM | Updated July 26, 2023 at 9:18AM

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Jasmine Jenifer Perez is asked to call Montgomery County Police Non-Emergency (301) 279-8000 (24-hour line).

Concern for Missing Seventeen-Year-Old

Kensington VFD resumes Summer Movie Nights This Saturday

By Cordell Pugh

Published July 20, 2023 at 7:07AM

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

Fake Speed Camera Removed From MoCo Neighborhood

By MCS Staff

Published July 19, 2023 at 7:06AM

On Monday we let you know of a NextDoor post depicting a fake speed camera that was built in a Kensington neighborhood on McComas Ave. The post has received over 170 comments and network news coverage, which has led to the removal of the speed camera. A neighbor stated, “the county sent someone to remove this but I intercepted them. If the builder would like their art back– contact me.” Another neighbor shared a picture of a flyer posted on a light pole with – picture of the structure and the words “RIP July 14, 2023 – July 17, 2023”.

The “speed camera” was filled with books and appeared to double as a version of a “Little Free Library”, a space that allows neighbors to take and drop off books for the community. The structure was discovered by Kensington resident Jake Meer just past his front yard. “Just returned from vacation to see a fake “speed cam” was erected in front of my house on McComas.” Meer wrote on NextDoor. “I’m a bit concerned about the liability factor: poorly made with glue gun and cheap plexiglass, storms/ wind blowing it over, library aspect distracting a driver, etc. THAT SAID, I totally get the utility factor, as people drive way too fast down McComas and it needs to be safer.”

Fake Speed Camera Set Up By Resident in MoCo Neighborhood

By MCS Staff

Published July 17, 2023 at 6:42PM | Updated July 19, 2023 at 7:07AM

Update: The camera has been removed. Full story here.

A NextDoor post depicting a fake speed camera that was built in a Kensington neighborhood has received over 150 comments and news coverage as neighbors debate if it’s a good idea. The “speed camera” is filled with books and doubles as a version of a “Little Free Library”, a space that allows neighbors to take and drop off books for the community.

First Look at Stella Point Grille; Now Open in Kensington

By MCS Staff

Published July 17, 2023 at 1:42PM | Updated July 17, 2023 at 4:25PM

Our very own Mr. MoCo stopped by a friends & family event at Stella Point Grille, which has officially opened today (video below). The restaurant is located at 3739 University Blvd in Kensington– the former home of China Gourmet. Stella Point Grille is owned by Graham Gursky (former general manager at Quincy’s South) and Stephen Lee (principal owner of China Gourmet).

Gursky is a Montgomery County native, who was raised in Germantown and attended Watkins Mill High School. He has worked in the restaurant business since he was in high school, only leaving Montgomery County for a few years while attending college in New Hampshire. Lee is also local, born in Washington DC. He has been in the restaurant industry his whole life and attended college in Kentucky before managing restaurants for decades. He has been married to his wife Christina for 51 years and has two daughters four grandchildren. Much of Lee’s staff from China Gourmet was getting ready to retire so he was ready to change concepts at the location. Gursky has brought along a lot of his former staff from Quincy’s South including the restaurant’s Assistant GM, Gavin Holt, who is also a MoCo native.

Stella Pointe Grille Will Hold its Grand Opening on Monday, July 17 in Kensington

By MCS Staff

Published July 14, 2023 at 7:29PM | Updated July 15, 2023 at 7:57PM

Stella Point Grille has announced it will hold its grand opening this coming Monday, July 17th at 3739 University Blvd in Kensington– the former home of China Gourmet. They’ll be open from 11am until 2am, the restaurant’s regular weekday hours. Graham Gursky, joined in ownership with Stephen Lee, the principal owner of China Gourmet, have rebranded as Stella Point Grille and will offer what they call “elevated American bar fare.”

Gursky let us know the food will be competitively priced, “We won’t be selling $20 chicken wings or $10 Miller Lites.” he said. Gursky also praised local Kensington restaurants Knowles Station and Talia’s Cuzina, telling us that there are great restaurants in Kensington but that he hopes to fill the void of something lacking in the area. Stella Point Grille will be a restaurant where you can enjoy a nice meal and is also a sports bar with 17 televisions ranging 55 to 85 inches. They’ll offer event nights like karaoke, trivia, etc. along with signature food specials created by Chef Leonel Merlos throughout most of the week.

Montgomery Parks One Step Closer to Selling Warner Mansion and Carriage House Buildings to Washington Landmark Construction to be Turned into Residential Units

By MCS Staff

Published July 12, 2023 at 12:30PM | Updated July 13, 2023 at 10:03AM

Warner Circle Park will remain a public park managed by Montgomery Parks.

Montgomery Parks, in conjunction with Montgomery County Government, has entered into an agreement to transfer the historic Circle Manor and Carriage House at Warner Circle Park to Washington Landmark Construction (WLC) to develop seventeen residential condominiums. The Historic Preservation Commission recently approved the proposed work as described in the Historic Area Work Permit. WLC is now working to complete the design documents and obtain all necessary permits.

“The Oldest White Oak Tree in Montgomery County” Set To Be Removed on July 18

By MCS Staff

Published July 12, 2023 at 7:39AM

The oldest white oak tree in Montgomery County will be removed next week, according to a press release by Montgomery Parks. Montgomery Parks will be taking down the historic Linden Oak tree because it is in declining health on Tuesday, July 18, 2023 at 8:30 a.m. (Date subject to change based on weather conditions.)

The usable wood from the tree will be taken to nearby Ken-Gar Local Park where a chainsaw artist will carve it into a sculpture. The trunk of the Linden Oak will remain in place, along with two existing memorial plaques. One plaque commemorates the Linden Oak being named a Bicentennial Tree in 1976, for surviving the American Revolution. The other plaque recognizes the efforts of local citizens to save the tree from destruction during Metro construction in the 1970s.

Dalia’s Falafel to Hold Grand Opening For New Bethesda Location Today (Sunday, July 9th)

By MCS Staff

Published July 9, 2023 at 8:16AM

Dalia’s Falafel is scheduled to officially open its first brick and mortar location, with its regular hours, at 7750 Old Georgetown Road in Bethesda on Tuesday, July 11. Today, from 11am until 2:30pm, Dalia’s will be holding a special Grand Opening. Per its website, regular hours will be:

Dalia’s opened up as a pop-up restaurant at 4223 Howard Avenue in Kensington back in August 2020 serving falafel pita sandwiches and falafel bowls. New items on the menu will include radishes, french fries, rice, and Moroccan beef kabobs (full menu below.) The Kensington pop up will close once the Bethesda location opens. Last year, the local “Yelp MD Burbs” part of Yelp released its list of “Top 25 Places to Eat in MD Burbs” list and 15 of the 25 restaurants on the list are in Montgomery County, including Dalia’s Falafel, which came in at #21. Yelp is a popular company that publishes crowd-sourced reviews about businesses with a major focus on restaurants.

Woman Who Murdered 92-Year-Old Roommate Sentenced to 23 Years

By Patrick Herron

Published June 29, 2023 at 5:56PM | Updated June 29, 2023 at 6:13PM

Courtesy Google Maps

According to the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office, “Today in the Circuit Court for Montgomery County, MD, the Honorable John Maloney sentenced defendant, Julia Birch, 28, of Kensington, to 40 years in prison suspend all but 23 years to serve and five years of supervised probation upon release. She must also complete 240 hours of community service upon probation. Judge Maloney recommended the defendant be admitted to the Patuxent Eligible Persons Program while incarcerated.

This stems from an incident on July 28, 2021. Montgomery County Police and Montgomery County Fire and Rescue personnel responded to a residence on Spruell Drive in Kensington, Maryland for a death investigation. Upon their arrival, the complainant, 26-year-old Julia Birch, told officers that she had suffocated and killed her 92-year-old roommate, identified as Nancy Ann Frankel, who was found deceased in her bedroom. Birch had staged the body to look more presentable, laying the victim on a pillow, folding her arms over her chest, and putting perfume on her. This was after initially unsuccessfully trying to get the body back into her bed. Birch was taken into custody and transported to Montgomery County Police Headquarters to be interviewed. She admitted to killing Nancy Ann Frankel by trying to place a plastic bag over Frankel’s head to suffocate her, and when the victim poked a hole in the bag, Birch took her to the ground and strangled her to death. Physical evidence and autopsy confirmed the method of death. Birch admitted to then calling 911 to report the death.