The City of Gaithersburg issued a press release today stating that Federal Realty Investment Trust (FRIT) has approved approximately $6.6 million in property improvement expenditures for the Gaithersburg Square shopping center located at 524 North Frederick Avenue. The shopping center dates back to 1965.
The renovations are set to begin in 2021. They will include a brand new plaza area with outdoor dining and amenities, in addition to a more streamlined shopping experience.
Actress Kimberly J. Brown, best known to audiences for her portrayal of the teen witch Marnie Piper in the Halloweentown films, is from Gaithersburg. In a 2016 interview with a Maryland-based blog, she referenced growing up in Gaithersburg in the 80s and early 90s.
“There were certain areas near where I lived that were so serene. I love that whole country, green feel. Our family ritual was going to duck ponds in the area and playing with the baby chicks. I love being able to have a bat and a ball, and not caring where the ball lands if that makes sense. In Los Angeles, you don’t have that luxury all the time.”
Unofficial MoCo Voter Day 3 Turnout (provided by the Montgomery County Board of Elections)
Bohrer Park (Gaithersburg) 3,190
I-495 and I-270 Managed Lanes Study: Let Your Voice Be Heard
So many of us know the feeling of being stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic jams on I-270 during rush hour. In 2019, a study by Texas A&M University found that the average DC-area car commuter spends 102 hours a year in traffic, which puts it in the top three of metro areas in the entire nation.
Where in MoCo Can 16-Year-Olds Vote?
It’s common knowledge in the US that the voting age is 18, but one place in Montgomery County allows teens as young as 16 to vote in city elections.
Reminder: Be safe & DON’T DRINK AND DRIVE this Halloween!
Unofficial MoCo Voter Day 2 Turnout (provided by the Montgomery County Board of Elections)
Bohrer Park (Gaithersburg) 3,241
11/4/20 UPDATE: Per MCPS, a work session will take place at 2pm on Friday, 11/6 where where MCPS staff will discuss a reopening strategy aligned with health metrics developed for a phased-in return to in-person instruction. It can be viewed at montgomeryschoolsmd.org
MCPS Releases Health Metrics Matrix for Phased-In Return to In-Person Instruction
Although the novel “Bridge to Terabithia” by Katherine Paterson takes place in rural Virginia, the story has a surprising connection to Takoma Park and Sligo Creek. Katherine Paterson’s son David Paterson and his childhood friend Lisa Hill attended Takoma Park Elementary School together. The two main characters in “Bridge to Terabithia,” Jesse Aarons and Leslie Burke, are based on Katherine Paterson’s son and Hill.
David Paterson reminisced to the Washington Examiner how he and Hill spent their time outside of school. “We used to play together around Sligo Creek building forts and inventing games.” The idea of Leslie Burke’s tragic death in the book also originated from real life. 8 year-old Hill was struck and killed by lightning while visiting the beach with family.
A Tale of Three Cities: Rockville’s Sister Cities
Many of us have spent a warm summer evening sampling Rockville Town Square’s various eats or tossing a football at Woodley Gardens Park. Rockville is a uniquely American city, full of diverse cultural touches and flavors. At every different corner, you might find someone who speaks a different language, or perhaps a new local restaurant that has opened up to share another unique iteration of the countless cuisines that are already represented in the area.
Unofficial MoCo Voter Day 1 Turnout (provided by the Montgomery County Board of Elections)
Germantown Recreation Center (Germantown): 3,434