Ted’s Bulletin Adds Outdoor Dining Pods
As the weather gets colder, restaurants are coming up with creative ways to keep their guests socially distanced while also feeling safe and comfortable.
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News
Montgomery County Declares November 1 as Emancipation Day
On November 1, 1864, six months before the end of the Civil War, Maryland became the first state south of the Mason-Dixon Line to abolish slavery through voting. One year later, the 13th amendment was ratified.
Have you noticed what seem to be traffic lights during rush hour on entry ramps on I-270?
They are ramp meters; ramp meters are a part of the I-270 Innovative Congestion Management (ICM) Project, a traffic-congestion improvement project spearheaded by the MD Department of Transit’s State Highway Administration.
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.
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.
Kaiser Permanente is Coming to Aspen Hill
A Kaiser Permanente Medical Center will be constructed at the intersection of Connecticut and Georgia Avenue, directly south of Home Depot. It will take over a property left vacant in 2010 by former defense contractor Vitro Corporation, which until recently has been used for law enforcement tactical training purposes.
Today, the County Council and County Executive Marc Elrich announced that this Monday, October 12 will be officially recognized as Indigenous Peoples’ Day, and it will continue to be recognized annually by the county.
The decision, which was brought to the council by Councilmember Nancy Navarro, was met with unanimous support. This day, which had traditionally been associated with Columbus Day, will recognize and celebrate the “stories and cultures of our Native communities,” Navarro said.
Bethesda Softworks Acquired by Microsoft in $7.5 Billion Dollar Deal
This morning, the head of Xbox announced that ZeniMax Media, the parent company of Rockville-based Bethesda Softworks, has been acquired by Microsoft. The head of Xbox stated that this deal will allow Bethesda’s games to be added to Xbox Game Pass for console and PC. The announcement also mentioned plans to bring Starfield, a highly anticipated game that is currently under design, to the Xbox.
Applications are Now Open for the Second Phase of the COVID Rent Relief Program
Montgomery County is now accepting requests for the second phrase of the COVID Rent Relief Program. The program will continually review applications while funds are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Back in December of 2019, we shared that Metro would soon allow users to load SmartTrip funding onto their iPhones and Apple Watches. This morning, we learned that Apple users are now able to use their devices to pay for their fare on Metrorail, Metrobus, and all regional buses that accept SmartTrip cards. Users have the option to load funds from a pre-existing SmartTrip Card into their Apple Wallet or they can purchase a new digital card.
However, as reported by NBC Washington, this feature only works with newer devices– users must have an iPhone 8 or newer or an Apple Watch Series 3 or newer.
The Washington Football Team has announced that they’ve appointed Jason Wright as Team President.
Wright becomes the first Black president of an NFL team.