Maryland

MoCo’s Black Viking Brewing is a Finalist For USA Today’s Best New Brewery in the U.S.

By MCS Staff

Black Viking Brewing (BVB) was founded in August 2020 over coffee and pastries at the Black Lion Cafe in North Potomac by former Montgomery County basketball players turned beer lovers, Jamil Raoof (Wootton ’08; the brewer) and Shaun Taylor (Magruder ’99; the marketer). Now, the brewery is a finalist for a reader’s choice award for USA Today’s Best New Brewery (click the link to vote). Black Viking expects to open their own physical location by Summer 2024.

The co-founders first met while Jamil was a player at Wootton and Shaun was an assistant varsity basketball coach. Since they launched their first beer back in October 2021, Black Viking Brewing has shaken up the beer world with their ‘Zingabier’ aka “The World’s Most Drinkable Beer” (a deliciously drinkable golden ale, brewed with the perfect blend of zesty ginger and sweet, wildflower honey), their ability to build community through both beer and social media (Black Viking TV), and their strategic collaboration projects (most notably with Samuel Adams in April 2023).

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Maryland/Virginia Ice Cream Shop Named “Best Indie Ice Cream Shop in the U.S.”

By MCS Staff

USA Today recently released its “10 Best Indie Ice Cream Shops in the U.S.” list and Island Creamery, located in Maryland and Virginia, took the number 1 spot. Island Creamery opened up shop on Chincoteague Island in Virginia in 1975.l, where they still make all of the ice cream. They have since opened locations in Berlin, MD (Worcester County) and Salisbury, MD (Wicomico County)– both detours many here in MoCo can make on the way to the beach this summer.

Per the article, “Churning an all-natural premium ice cream mix from local cows, Island Creamery’s flavors are inspired by local fruit farmers. Some of the most popular homemade small-batch treats include Bourbon Caramel Crunch, Java Jolt, super rich double chocolate Marsh Mud and Cotton Candy Party.” Additional information can be found on the Island Creamery website.

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Governor Moore Announces $13.5 Million in Maryland Waterway Improvement Funds

By MCS Staff

Governor Wes Moore announced that the Maryland Department of Natural Resources is providing $13.5 million in Waterway Improvement Funds. The funds will support new and improved public boating access facilities, dredging of navigable public waterways, emergency vessels and equipment for local first responders, and other important infrastructure and initiatives.

“Investing in infrastructure is integral to achieving the full potential of Maryland’s resources,” said Gov. Moore. “This partnership between the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and our local jurisdictions is critical to improving, maintaining, and promoting use of our public waterways.” The Waterway Improvement Fund is primarily derived from the one-time 5% excise tax when a boat is purchased and titled in the state, as well as a small portion of the state gas tax. It has been used to construct and maintain more than 400 public boating facilities and more than 250 public navigational channels across the state as well as the acquisition of vessels.

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Maryland Department of Agriculture to Provide Hay and Straw Directory

By MCS Staff

Per Maryland.gov: The Maryland Department of Agriculture is encouraging farmers looking for markets for their hay and straw to provide their contact information for a new state Hay and Straw Directory. “This directory will be a valuable tool for farmers marketing their hay and straw and for their potential customers,” said MDA Secretary Kevin Atticks. “I encourage farmers to take advantage of this promotional tool.”

To view the current directory list, please visit https://mda.maryland.gov/maryland_products/Pages/Hay-and-Straw-directory.aspx. To include hay and straw for sale in the directory, please contact Agricultural Marketing Specialist Audrey Broomfield at 410-260-9349 or by email at [email protected].

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Maryland State Trooper Arrested on Child Pornography Charges

By MCS Staff

Per the Maryland State Police: Maryland State Police computer crimes investigators have charged a Cecil County man, employed as a state trooper, with the possession of child pornography. The suspect is identified as Christopher Black, Sr., 48, of Elkton, Md.  He is charged with six counts of possession of child pornography.  After consultation with the Cecil County State’s Attorney’s Office, an arrest warrant was issued for Black. He was arrested by Maryland State Police this morning without incident, processed at the North East Barrack and taken before a District Court commissioner for a bond hearing.

Black is employed as a Sergeant and assigned to the North East Barrack. He is a 21-and-a-half-year veteran of the Department. Black’s police powers have been suspended with pay pending the outcome of the investigation.

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Iron Rooster is Coming to College Park

By MCS Staff

Restaurant Broker & Developers recently facilitated a major leasing deal for a 6,000 sq.ft restaurant space within The Hotel at University of Maryland’s Conference Center. The space has been leased to Iron Rooster, a Maryland-based restaurant renowned for its unique offerings and warm hospitality.

This will mark Iron Rooster’s 5th location in Maryland, reinforcing their commitment to serve the local community. With the addition of this new location, the dining scene in College Park is about to get a lot more exciting. Per Restaurant Broker & Developers, “This location is poised to be a vibrant hotspot for students at the nearby University of Maryland, offering a perfect blend of delicious food, a welcoming ambiance, and a unique setting.”

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Big Greek Cafe Named “Best Gyro in Maryland” by Tasting Table

By MCS Staff

Tasting Table, an online publication with over 18 million monthly visitors that offers “expert-backed dining advice, practical tips, must-try recipes, and the most relevant news influencing the food and restaurant world today”, has created a list of “The Best Gyro in Every State” and MoCo’s very own Big Greek Cafe earned the nod for Maryland.

Big Greek Cafe opened its first location in Downtown Silver Spring in 2009 and has quickly grown to become a favorite across the county. In addition to Downtown Silver Spring, there are currently locations in Bethesda, Hillandale, Kensington, Rockville, Urbana, and Laurel. Per the article,“According to the owners, the food here is served just as yia yia used to make. For those who don’t know, yia yia is the Greek word for grandma, and no one can cook better than a Greek grandmother. Follow up the famous gyro pita with rizogalo, a Greek rice pudding dessert not often found outside of Greece.”

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MD Moves to Intervene in Lawsuits Defending Truck Emissions Regulations to Reduce Air Pollution

By MCS Staff

Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown has joined a coalition of Attorneys General and cities in moving to intervene in lawsuits challenging decisions by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that authorize California to establish regulations that would speed the adoption of zero-emission trucks and reduce emissions from fossil fuel-powered heavy-duty vehicles.

The regulations would help the states tackle climate and air quality challenges by reducing greenhouse gases, nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, and other emissions from medium- and heavy-duty vehicles. In the latest challenges, trucking and petroleum industry groups are among those challenging EPA’s decision to grant California’s request for “waivers of preemption,” which allowed these regulations to move forward in California and opened the door for other states to adopt them as well. Pursuant to the Clean Trucks Act of 2023, the Maryland Department of the Environment is finalizing regulations, which incorporate California’s standards by reference.

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