At the hearing, proponents of Bill 35-23 said it would reduce wage theft and help working families, while opponents of the bill said it would lower profits, increase prices for customers, and reduce the income that tipped employees currently earn. The bill would adjust the calculation of the minimum wage for tipped workers and phase out the tip credit amount under the Montgomery County’s minimum wage law. Currently, businesses are required to pay servers $4.00 per hour; if a server does not make the current minimum hourly wage ($15-16.70) per hour, employers are required to make up the difference.

If the bill passes, there will be incremental increases over the next five years:
• $4.00 per hour, until July 1, 2024;
• $6.00 per hour, effective July 1, 2024 until July 1, 2025;
• $8.00 per hour, effective July 1, 2025 until July 1, 2026;
• $10.00 per hour, effective July 1, 2026 until July 1, 2027; and
• $12.00 per hour, effective July 1, 2027 until July 1, 2028


Thai Cottage Bistro is coming to Rockville, taking over the space that was previously home to Oishii Bluefin at 9613-G Medical Center Drive. Oishii Bluefin closed permanently earlier this year.

We don’t have much information on Thai Cottage Bistro at the moment, but we know that the restaurant has its hearing for a beer and wine alcohol license with Montgomery County’s Alcoholic Beverage Services (ABS) at 11:30am on November 2. There hasn’t been much change to the interior yet, but remodeling has started (photo below).


A property in Rockville, known as the Rockville Metro Center, will be auctioned online beginning on November 13, 2023. The property consists of a vacant office building comprised of approximately 145,491 square feet, located on approximately 2.5 acres at 255 Rockville Pike, Rockville, Maryland 20850 adjacent to the Rockville Metro station. The starting bid is $2.5 million.

The property provides optionality for many uses, including the ability to redevelop the site as a residential building or convert the existing structure into life science space. The PD-RCI zoning has a wide range of applications, including the opportunity to redevelop the site into a mid-rise or high-rise residential building.


Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) responded to a call for a collision involving one vehicle on Josiah Henson Pkwy between Montrose Rd. And Executive Blvd at approximately 5:30pm on Saturday evening.

According to MCFRS Chief Spokesperson Pete Piringer, the crash caused the driver of the vehicle to be trapped inside after striking a utility pole. Crews were able to extricate the driver who was transported to the hospital with priority 2 trauma (serious, but not life-threatening injuries). Some lanes remained blocked as of 7:15pm.


Rockville voters will decide between two candidates for mayor and 12 candidates for six council seats in this fall’s vote-by-mail city election. The six council candidates with the most votes will win the six council seats. The Mayor and Council serve four-year terms. Every U.S. citizen living within Rockville city limits and over the age of 18 by Nov. 7, 2023 is eligible to vote in the city election. To be sure to receive a ballot, visit www.rockvillemd.gov/election to check your address, update your information and register online to vote. The candidates for mayor are:

The candidates for council are:


Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service (MCFRS) responded to the 12,200 blk of Village Square Ter, near Parklawn Dr, for the report of a fire at the Village Square Apartment complex in North Bethesda on Saturday, October 14. According to Chief Spokesperson for MCFRS Pete Piringer, the was located on the first floor of the 4-story building and has been extinguished. EMS is evaluating two residents for smoke inhalation.

We will provide an update if additional information becomes available.


Akira Ramen & Izakaya, located at 1800 Rockville Pike h1 at the Galvan in Rockville, has reopened. The restaurant briefly closed several weeks back as they were undergoing a change in management. “At Akira Ramen, we specialize in taking the authentic ramen experience to the next level. First, we offer unique in-house broth that would suit everyones’ taste: Tonkatsu salt, Miso, Shoyu and Vegetable broth. With extra toppings as an option, you can customize your ramen anytime. Second, our thin and curly noodles are made in-house daily.”

 


Joan– a “private school administrator” from Rockville, exited “The Golden Bachelor” prematurely after she made the decision to go home and be with her family member during a time of need. After winning the episode’s talent show with a touching poem, and a one-on-one date with Gerry (the Golden Bachelor), she became a frontrunner in the competition that involves women 60 years young and up vying for Gerry’s affection. Joan made the decision to return home and be with her daughter, who has been having a difficult time since recently giving birth.

My journey to find love took a detour this week as I traded the mansion for motherhood and headed home to be with my family. Family comes first, period. Once a mother, always a mother, I’ll always choose my kids first. Thank you for all of your outpouring love and support, for not only me but also my daughter – everyone is now healthy and happy! As for me and my journey to love… guess we will have to see where it takes me next. Until then, stay golden ✨✨ 🌹” Joan shared on social media.


Pike & Randolph Beer and Wine is now open at 5408 Randolph Rd, in Rockville. The space was closed for over a year, until this past Monday when the newly renovated space opened. The owners tell us they “have a lot of different kinds of wine and a huge variety of beers.”

Owners Mariely and Carlos Barbosa, along with and Natalie and Brent Underwood, also own Native Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, which opened a few years back and is located in the same building. Photos of the new beer and wine can be seen below.


Verny Varela is an arranger, composer, singer and flutist who born in Cali, Colombia, and raised in the “Barrio Obrero,” Verny started singing and playing with his father’s band, El Nuevo Son. In 1996, he sang with Ismael Miranda, Adalberto Santiago, Pete “El Conde” Rodríguez and the Fania All Stars, in Cali and in Tulua. In 1997, Verny became the lead singer in the Gabino Pampini Band, and later toured Europe and the U.S. with Tito Gomez.”

The special display of Lotus is expected to have at least 20 vehicles with the ACBC founder’s initials. Models expected will include a Seven and a Type Nine. There also will be displays of Elite, Elan, Europa, Eclat, Esprit, Elise, Exige and Evora. The cars will represent Lotus models from the 1950s to the 2020s. The special display will be located at the front of the show field, near the stage. In addition to the vehicles on display, with owners nearby to provide details and histories, the show will have a flea market and a car sales area. Food and drink will be available for purchase. Visitors can bring their own food to the show area. Music will be provided by Blue Sky Five.


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