Over 125 new restaurants opened in Montgomery County in 2023 and below you’ll find a list of restaurants that are scheduled to open in 2024. (more…)
Montgomery County is mourning the loss of Karen Cordry, a dedicated advocate for our community who died earlier this week. Karen was a champion on neighborhood issues and on behalf of the Kensington Heights Civic Association and the Montgomery County Civic Federation.
Are the Festival of Lights events free? All of the Festival of Lights events and displays at the Washington D.C. Temple are free of charge. The performances require you to reserve free tickets in advance. Ticket holders are asked to be in their seats no later than 15 minutes prior to the performance. After this time, the standby line will be admitted to fill in any remaining seats.
I am not a member of your church, can I still come? Absolutely! Everyone is welcome to attend our events and our worship services (learn more about worship services). We only request that all attendees dress modestly, use clean language, and treat everyone with respect. We are Christians who do our best to follow the commandments and teachings of Christ. Whatever your background, you’re invited to join us!
What should I wear? The dress depends on the type of event. Business casual is a good rule of thumb for Auditorium events. You’re welcome to wear any modest clothes that you feel comfortable in. For Devotionals and Sunday worship services, most men wear suits, sport coats, or shirts and ties, and women wear dresses or skirts. Children also typically dress up.
Can I bring my children? All of the Festival of Lights events are family friendly and children are welcome! However, out of respect for the performers and other audience members, we suggest that the children in attendance be old enough to remain seated and attentive throughout the performance and that any disruptive children be calmed in the lobby.
Where can I park? Parking to see the Festival of Lights Parking is free and no pass is needed. Three parking lots are available, all within walking distance of the displays. There will be parking attendants at each entrance to direct you to available parking.
Visitors’ Center – 9900 Stoneybrook Dr.
Temple – 9900 Stoneybrook Dr.
Stake Center (overflow) – 10000 Stoneybrook Dr.
(If you are driving north on Stoneybrook, the first entrance on the left is the Visitors’ Center, the second is the Temple, and the third is the Stake Center.)
How early should I arrive? The theater doors usually open about 30 minutes prior to performances, (sometimes earlier), but the line to enter for large events will begin earlier than that. We recommend arriving early enough to enjoy the Nativity displays and other seasonal favorites, as well as the regular Visitors’ Center exhibits.
Can I take pictures or videos? It depends on the event, so check individual event listings, and listen for any announcements made prior to the performance. Visitors are always encouraged to take pictures and videos before and after the performance, or outside on the temple grounds. We’d love to see your pictures! Make sure to TAG us, @DCTempleVC.
I have additional questions, how do I get those answered? If you have additional questions, please write us at [email protected]. We will respond as quickly as possible, and within 24 hours. For more information visit https://dctemplevisitorscenter.org/festival-of-lights/
This Saturday, October 28th, the Kensington Volunteer Fire Department and the Town of Kensington are once again hosting their annual Halloween Movie Night. This year, “Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation” will be shown at dusk in St. Paul Park on the big screen. Costumes are encouraged for all attendees. The Kensington Volunteer Fire Department and the Town of Kensington will have refreshments available for purchase in the Park, including pizza, popcorn, and candy. Glowsticks will be available as well!
This year, the Kensington Volunteer Fire Department will also be visiting BabyCat Brewery’s 1st Halloween-iversary party. According to the Department’s Instagram story, they’ll bring one of their Fire Engines to the Brewery from 12PM-3PM.
https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=350012294088962
Wendy’s, located at 5001 Nicholson Ln. in Rockville, will hold its Grand Reopening celebration on Saturday, September 23rd at 10:30am. As with recent area Wendy’s Grand Reopening celebrations, the fast food chain will offer “free food for a year” to the first 100 guests in line.
As the fast food chain did with one of its Gaithersburg locations and its Derwood location, Wendy’s will give away 100 VIP ticket to those 16 and older and present in line at 10:30am when the dining room opens (a purchase is necessary to be considered for a card). Anyone who gets a VIP ticket will be able to come back to the store once a week for a year to receive a free sandwich, salad, or breakfast biscuit.
The nearby Rockville location is also currently closed for remodeling and is expected to offer the same deal once a reopening date is made available. Featured photo shows a concept of the recent remodeled restaurants.
Montgomery Parks currently operates three skate parks:
- Olney Manor Skate Park (Olney)
- Takoma-Piney Branch Skate Park (Takoma Park)
- Woodside Urban Park Skate Spot (Silver Spring)
There are also skate parks operated by the City of Gaithersburg and City of Rockville. Montgomery Parks is planning to build five additional parks in the following areas:
Ovid Hazen Wells Recreational Park Skate Park: As part of a park-wide renovation, Montgomery Parks will be building a new 10-12,000-square-foot skate park at Ovid Hazen Wells Recreational Park in Clarksburg. We will be seeking community input for this skate park project in the fall of 2023. Construction is expected to begin in the summer of 2024 and the park opening expected in the fall of 2025.
Wheaton Regional Park Adventure Sports Park: Wheaton Regional Park will be a hub for adventure sports! Montgomery Parks is in the planning phase of a premier, regional adventure sports park that will include a large skate park, and likely include a pump track, bike skills area, parkour course, bouldering wall, play spaces, and social gathering spots. Introduced as part of the Wheaton Regional Park Master Plan in 2022, construction of this facility is expected to begin in 2025 with anticipated park opening in late 2026. We will seek public input as the project moves forward.
Long Branch Local Park Skate Park: Recommended as part of the Long Branch Parks Initiative(opens in a new tab) and supported with Bond Bill funding from the State of Maryland, the Long Branch Local Park Skate Park will provide a skating opportunity easily accessible by public transportation including the new Purple Line. It is part of a larger park renovation that will increase active recreation opportunities in the Long Branch Area. Construction is expected to begin in 2025 and the park opening is anticipated in the spring of 2026.
Newport Mill Skate Park: Newport Mill Local Park, with its proximity to neighborhood schools including Albert Einstein High School and Newport Mill Middle School, is an ideal site for a skate spot. Montgomery Parks received State of Maryland Bond Bill funding for this project in 2022. Construction for this project is expected to begin in 2024 or 2025.
South Germantown Recreational Park Skate Park: Building on the success of the popular South Germantown bike park, Montgomery Parks plans to build a new 10,000-square-foot skate park to complement the bike skills area and bike park. The long-term vision is to create an adventure sports park with a pump track, bike skills area, and skate park. Construction for this project is expected to begin in 2025.
Take the survey and help Montgomery Parks build the best skate parks possible. The survey will close on September 30, 2023
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
According to the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office, “Today in the Circuit Court for Montgomery County, MD, the Honorable Margaret Schweitzer sentenced defendant, Reginald Dunlap, 45, of Silver Spring, to life in prison suspend all but 55 years to serve and five years of supervised probation upon release. On March 10th, 2023, a jury found Dunlap guilty of First-Degree Murder for the brutal slaying of his wife, 40-year-old Lauren Charles. Charles was beloved in the community and dozens of friends and family members attended today’s sentencing hearing.”
Charles’ body was found inside the couple’s home on March 7th, 2021. She had asphyxiated due to a pillowcase forced down her throat and was beaten to death. A decorative Buddha statue is believed to have been the murder weapon. After murdering his wife, defendant, Dunlap poured bleach on her body and ransacked their bedroom in order to stage a crime scene.
Assistant State’s Attorneys Debbie Feinstein and Sheila Bagheri prosecuted this case. They remind anyone in need of resources surrounding domestic violence to visit: Family Justice Center Home (montgomerycountymd.gov)
Update (Postponed): Ailing historic tree expected to come down later this summer. Montgomery Parks has postponed plans to remove the historic Linden White Oak tree until later this summer. The removal is on hold pending a Historic Area Work Permit.
Montgomery Park’s Linden Oak, the largest white oak in Montgomery County, will be removed this week. The removal of the 300-year-old tree will take place on Wednesday, June 14, 2023 from 9 a.m.-Noon at Rock Creek Park (located at the intersection of Beach Drive, Grosvenor Lane and Rockville Pike).
The Linden White Oak is located at the intersection of Beach Drive, Grosvenor Lane and Rockville Pike (MD Route 355). During the tree removal, all those roads will remain open, but the connector road from Rockville Pike to Beach Drive will be closed. The Linden Oak is estimated to be more than 300 years old. It has been in declining health for several years. Montgomery Parks is removing the tree before it falls and saving the usable wood for a future artwork or bench for a nearby park.
The Linden Oak’s trunk will be left in place as a memorial, along with two existing 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 1970’s.
Featured photo courtesy of Google Maps.
‘Germantown Glory’ will take place on Tuesday, July 4th. It will feature live music beginning at 7 pm and fireworks beginning at 9:15 pm. No alcohol or pets are permitted. Time is approximate and may change due to weather. Additional information will be available closer to the event date. This event will be held at South Germantown Recreational Park (18041 Central Park Circle Boyds, Maryland 20841).
So far, other Montgomery County Independence Day celebrations have been announced in Gaithersburg, Kensington/Wheaton, Poolesville, and Rockville:
The City of Gaithersburg will hold its annual SummerFest at Bohrer Park on Saturday, July 1st from from 6pm to 11:30 pm. The festival features live music, food trucks, local breweries, family-friendly activities, all leading up to a spectacular fireworks display & SummerGlo After Party.
Mid-County Sparkles, one of Montgomery County’s Independence Day celebrations, will take place on Saturday, July 1st. Live music begins at 6 pm and fireworks begin at 9:15 pm. No alcohol or pets are permitted. Time is approximate and may change due to weather and additional information will be available closer to the event date. This event will be held at Newport Mill Local Park (11201 Newport Mill Road Wheaton, MD 20895).
The Upper Montgomery County Volunteer Fire Department and Town of Poolesville will also hold its annual Independence Day celebration with fireworks on Tuesday, July 4th. “Join our community in celebrating our national patriotism at the Soccer Fields off of Hughes Road! There will be music, food, fireworks and fun! Gates open at 5 pm.”
The City of Rockville will hold its annual Independence Day celebration and fireworks display at Mattie J.T. Stepanek Park in King Farm on Tuesday, July 4th from 7pm to 10pm. “This location offers wonderful spectator viewing, and ample and convenient parking for the 4th of July festivities. Enjoy live music by Vertigo Red and a 20-minute fireworks display.”
Mid-County Sparkles, one of Montgomery County’s Independence Day celebrations, will take place on Saturday, July 1st. Live music begins at 6 pm and fireworks begin at 9:15 pm. No alcohol or pets are permitted. Time is approximate and may change due to weather and additional information will be available closer to the event date. This event will be held at Newport Mill Local Park (11201 Newport Mill Road Wheaton, MD 20895).
So far, other Montgomery County Independence Day celebrations have been announced in Gaithersburg, Germantown, Poolesville, and Rockville:
The City of Gaithersburg will hold its annual SummerFest at Bohrer Park on Saturday, July 1st from from 6pm to 11:30 pm. The festival features live music, food trucks, local breweries, family-friendly activities, all leading up to a spectacular fireworks display & SummerGlo After Party.
‘Germantown Glory’ will take place on Tuesday, July 4th. It will feature live music beginning at 7 pm and fireworks beginning at 9:15 pm. No alcohol or pets are permitted. Time is approximate and may change due to weather. Additional information will be available closer to the event date. This event will be held at South Germantown Recreational Park (18041 Central Park Circle Boyds, Maryland 20841).
The Upper Montgomery County Volunteer Fire Department and Town of Poolesville will also hold its annual Independence Day celebration with fireworks on Tuesday, July 4th. “Join our community in celebrating our national patriotism at the Soccer Fields off of Hughes Road! There will be music, food, fireworks and fun! Gates open at 5 pm.”
The City of Rockville will hold its annual Independence Day celebration and fireworks display at Mattie J.T. Stepanek Park in King Farm on Tuesday, July 4th from 7pm to 10pm. “This location offers wonderful spectator viewing, and ample and convenient parking for the 4th of July festivities. Enjoy live music by Vertigo Red and a 20-minute fireworks display.”
