The Laytonsville District Volunteer Fire Department will be receiving more than 80 cases of canned water that will be provided by Anheuser-Busch InBev and Montgomery Eagle, a Gaithersburg-based beer distribution company, through an initiative in partnership with the National Volunteer Fire Council.  Press release below:

“Anheuser-Busch InBev (AB InBev) and Montgomery Eagle, the Gaithersburg-based AB InBev marketing company, in partnership with the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC), announced today their initiative to provide the Laytonsville District Volunteer Fire Department with cases of canned emergency drinking water.  The donation is part of AB InBev’s commitment to deliver more than 2.5 million cans – more than ever before – to volunteer fire departments across the country this year in support of disaster preparedness and relief efforts. This AB InBev and Montgomery Eagle emergency drinking water initiative demonstrates the companies’ deep appreciation for their local first responders and communities.


Per Montgomery County: Fela Kuti was the biggest Afro Beat star out of Africa. Olney Theatre currently has a production about his life. From 6-9 p.m. on Tuesday, July 11, there will be a free special event primarily featuring the music and dance of Fela Kuti. The event, at Veterans Plaza in Silver Spring, will have the additional components of yoga, arts and crafts, a fashion show and even Nollywood stars–all from the Nigerian community.

Fela Kuti was an empowered activist and musician who used his voice to speak up against the injustices against Nigerians. To speak up for oneself and their community in such an authentically profound and remarkable way, one must be in integrity with himself and the universal Soul that connects all.


According to a GoFundMe that has been set up to help Grays mother with funeral expenses, “As some of you may know, her son Tommy (aka Trey), only 17 years of age, was murdered while on their vacation in Puerto Rico this past weekend. No parent should ever have to bury their child and unfortunately Rhonda & Trey’s father Tommy have to With the overwhelming news and the unbearable pain of losing a child, getting them as much support as possible would be absolutely appreciated. Funds will help bring Trey back home so he can be laid to rest by the rest of his family & loved ones. As well as for funeral arrangements, hospital funds, etc. Thank you in advance to those who can support! ❤️ Rest in love & peace Trey. You will forever & ALWAYS be remembered!” https://www.gofundme.com/f/pc9zs-laying-tommy-to-rest

POLICÍA IDENTIFICA A SOSPECHOSO DE ASESINATO A TURISTA EN ISLA VERDE Y SOLICITA AYUDA A CIUDADANOS PARA DAR CON SU PARADERO.@PRPDNoticias identificó a Carlos Aníbal Rosado Martínez, de 23 años, como el sospechoso del asesinato del joven de 17 años, residente de Maryland. pic.twitter.com/02RwfpsMWc


Per MCPD: Officers from the Montgomery County Department of Police – 4th District station responded to a hate/bias incident involving an electronic sign board in a construction zone. On Saturday, July 8, 2023, at approximately 6:47 a.m., the Montgomery County Emergency Communications Center received multiple calls about a sign board displaying a racist message near Brookeville Road and George Avenue, in Brookeville.

When patrol officers arrived, they discovered that the sign board, intended for construction safety messages, had been hacked into. Officers were able to erase the message and arranged to have the sign removed.


Three private fireworks displays will take place in Montgomery County tonight (Friday, June 30th). The events will take place at at Manor Country Club (located at 14901 Carrolton Road in Rockville), Argyle Country Club (located at 14600 Argyle Club Rd in Silver Spring), and Norbeck Country Club (17200 Cashell Rd in Rockville, near Olney).

According to Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services Chief Spokesperson Pete Piringer, the clubs are hosting a ‘private/permitted event’ which will include a fireworks display & aerial explosions. The events are scheduled to start between 9pm and 9:30pm and last between 15 and 30 minutes. While the events are private, the fireworks will be visible in the surrounding areas.


Brew Belly at 18065 Georgia Ave in Olney has announced it will be holding its annual Cheesesteak Eating Contest on July 4 at 12:00pm. The winner of the contest, which is open to the first 25 people to sign up ($20 entry fee), will win free cheesesteaks from the restaurant for one year.

The $20 entry fee will be donated to Hero Dogs. In addition to cheesesteaks, Brew Belly boasts of over 250 Maryland-born brews, between its ever-changing (24 tap) beer list, to its well-stocked (12 door), reach-in, self-serve cooler. “Hero Dogs, Inc. improves the quality of life of our nation’s heroes by raising, training, and placing service dogs and other highly skilled canines, free of charge with lifetime support of the partnerships. We serve the greater Washington, DC metropolitan area.”


MedStar Health announced that Emily Briton will be the newest president of MedStar Montgomery Medical Center and senior vice president, MedStar Health as of July 1, 2023. Briton previously held several leadership roles within the MedStar Health system, most recently serving as chief operating officer and senior vice president at MedStar Washington Hospital Center in Washington D.C.

“It is a tremendous honor to be joining MedStar Montgomery Medical Center in this exciting role,” said Briton, a longtime resident of Montgomery County. “We have important work ahead of us, bringing high-quality personalized care to our community and continuing our mission to be the trusted leader in caring for people and advancing health.” The announcement follows news of the appointment of President Thomas J. Senker, FACHE, as the next president of MedStar Union Memorial Hospital and MedStar Good Samaritan Hospital, also effective July 1, 2023.


Wine Enthusiast has ranked MoCo Lite, the collaboration between The MoCoShow and Lone Oak Brewing Company, the best light beer in the country.

In the article titled ‘The Best Light Beer to Drink Right Now‘, Wine Enthusiast gives MoCo Lite the highest rating out of all light beers in the country- scoring a 91. “There’s a joke that light beer is nearly water but not as flavorful. This pale straw yellow lager pours clear as a bell with a robust head and delivers on soft grain-forward refreshment. Drink all day without palate fatigue.”


It has been approximately six years since Pat’s Hallmark Shop closed its Olney location, leaving local residents to rely on grocery stores and CVS for its greeting cards, ornaments, gift wrap, home decor and gift ideas. Hallmark has decided to return to Olney, however, with a new store signed on to take over the space recently vacated by My Little Gym at 18217 Village Center Dr in the Olney Village Center.

While there’s no available opening timeframe, construction is expected to begin soon inside the 4,000 SF space. Hallmark was founded in 1910 by teenage entrepreneur J.C. Hall, and remaining a private company with family members on the board of directors today, Hallmark’s businesses employ more than 20,000 people worldwide. “While there are many ways to experience Hallmark, the experiences that matter most to the company are the ones our customers are able to share with their friends and loved ones. We strive each day to help those experiences – and those connections – come to life. In each of our businesses we aim to be good community partners, we believe embracing diversity and inclusion is the best way to understand and serve our employees and consumers, and we strive to be environmentally responsible. This all helps to fulfill our purpose of inspiring meaningful relationships and enhancing lives.” Featured photo courtesy of Google Maps.


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