Today, Concept3D, the leader in location-driven virtual experiences, announced the acquisition of Silver Spring’s Localist (8484 Georgia Ave #675), the leading event calendar platform for higher education communities. With the platform integration, universities will have the ability to create an elevated, university-branded experience for student events, interactive mapping, virtual tours, and more within one, centralized platform.

Per the press release: “Localist and Concept3D have a shared belief that events and in-person connections are key to building community, ultimately making a student experience better the first day they step onto campus,” said Gordon Boyes, CEO of Concept3D. “By bringing our solutions together, combining people, community, and location, users can easily connect, driving engagement and fostering togetherness.”


Today in the Circuit Court for Montgomery County, MD, Judge Sharon Burrell sentenced defendant, Biet Van Tran, 65, to life without the possibility of parole on the charge of first-degree murder of victim, Linh Pham, 23, and to an additional 55 years in prison for two counts of attempted first-degree murder for the stabbing attacks on Quy Luc, 32, and Thi Nyguen, 22.

The stems from an incident in May of 2020. The COVID pandemic was underway, and the three victims planned a trip from their home in Florida to visit the D.C. area. On May 9th, 2020, they drove to Luc’s mother’s home at 911 Balmoral Drive in Silver Spring, Maryland. She had recently had a stroke and was staying in a rehabilitation center but her boyfriend, the defendant, was still living in the home. Luc also planned to assist with arrangements for his mother.


Three Thai restaurants located in Montgomery County have made Eater DC’s ‘15 Standout Thai Restaurants Around D.C.’ list. Per the article, “While suburban neighborhoods like Falls Church and Wheaton have a particularly strong selection of top-tier Thai restaurants, D.C. proper has its own strong scene.” With Montgomery County being home to over 30 Thai restaurants, many have previously shared their opinions via the @TasteMoCo food tournaments of 2020. Below you’ll see the three that made it onto Eater DC’s list:

Thai Chef (29 Maryland Ave, #308, Rockville): “Inspired by bustling night markets in Bangkok, this aquamarine-soaked Dupont mainstay that expanded to Rockville Town Square last year comes from Bangkok native Pornnapa Pongpornprot and her eldest daughter, Chalisa Fitts. The eye-popping restaurant is covered with ornate metal sculptures, merry-go-round horses circling a soaring interior atrium, and neon-lit catch phrases. Best sellers on the menu include its Crying Tiger steak entree, “after-school” wontons, spicy drunken noodles dubbed “D.U.I.” and a new fried rice section. Both locations are open for dine-in and takeout.”


Earlier this month we let you know that Flip’d by IHOP will be opening on Tuesday, September 20. The company has announced that the first 100 guests in line, when the store opens at 6am, will receive a free ‘Original Pancake Bowl’. This will be the third Flip’d location in the country (located at the old Asian Bistro Cafe spot at 8537 Georgia Avenue in Downtown Silver Spring) between Panera and Red Lobster).

IHOP has opened locations in Lawrence, Kansas and New York City. An additional location is currently planned for Cincinnati, Ohio as well. Per Flip’d, the menu consists of the following options:


Takoma Park Elementary School, located at 7511 Holly Avenue in Takoma Park, was evacuated after a report of odor and haze that followed a “boiler noise”, which has been explained as likely stemming from an outdoor transformer issue, according to MCFRS PIO Pete Piringer. All students and staff were evacuated and accounted for and there were no injuries sustained due to the incident. The school will send a Connect-ED message to the community after the school day ends.

(~1p 9/19) Takoma ES, 7511 Holly Av, report of odor & haze after boiler noise (likely transformer issue outside) All students staff evacuated & accounted for, @mcfrs PE719, E754B, PE716, PE844, PE707, AT719, T812, RS801, M844, BC701, BC702, RS742B, T706, M707 responded


Per Montgomery Parks: Montgomery Parks recognizes the Friends of Sligo Creek — a non-profit community organization that has dedicated the past 20 years to protect the health of the eight-mile-long tributary, which feeds into the Anacostia River.

The group’s mission is to protect and steward the creek by monitoring water quality, informing the public about the creek’s health, educating communities about upcoming projects and documenting the creek’s natural history as well as wildlife. They also prioritize removing invasive plants from the creek’s gulley and nearby areas and restoring the creek with native plants afterward. “The Friends of Sligo Creek are simply leaders in what they do. Their stewardship consistently shows us what’s possible when a community with a clear goal in mind comes together and focuses on what’s literally in their back yard,” Lynn Vismara, senior volunteer services and partnerships coordinator, said.


A call went out at approximately 6:50 p.m. for a fight that occurred at an adult soccer game at Argyle Middle School. One adult male was stabbed and suffered non-life-threatening injuries. He was taken to a local trauma center.

Approximately 30 people were involved in this fight and we have been told that there were over a hundred people in attendance. There is no one in custody at this time and this is not an MCPS related incident. The investigation is ongoing.


Earlier this month we let you know that Fryer’s Roadside, described as “a traditional walk-up window Chicken Shack/Ice Cream Stand”, was available for sale for an asking price of $150,000. The restaurant has been sold to Chef Ed Reavis and Jennifer Meltzer, owners of All Set Restaurant and Money Muscle BBQ, according to a report by Source of the Spring (statement available below). Details of the sale are currently unavailable.

The restaurant is located at 12830 New Hampshire Ave (former location of Chopaan Kabob House) in Colesville’s Meadowood Shopping Center and has been open for a little over a year. Below you’ll see a statement by the new owners, per Source of the Spring:


Back in April of 2021, we let you know that Firepan KBBQ started construction at the old Pete’s New Haven Style Pizza location at 962 Wayne Avenue Suite L-B in Downtown Silver Spring. Firepan had its Montgomery County ABS alcohol license hearing on November 4, 2021 previously announced an August 1st, 2022 opening date on its website. That date was then changed to Mid-September, and now just to “2022” according to the website. Not to worry, as Source of the Spring reports the restaurant is now hiring ahead of a planned early October opening.

Per its website, Firepan KBBQ offers a varied KBBQ menu, including both unmarinated and marinated meats, seafood, vegetarian selections like kimchi pancakes, and more adventurous options like beef intestines. The restaurant opened its first location at 6793 Wilson Blvd #c in Falls Church, VA in the first half of 2019. They offer appetizers, meat & grill options, combos, lunch specials, and all-you-can-eat options that range from $24.99 per person to special options for up to $69.99 for 2 people.


Tuesday Morning, an off-price retailer of home goods and décor that has Montgomery County locations in Rockville and Aspen Hill, announced that it has entered into an agreement to secure $32 million in convertible debt financing from a special purpose vehicle (“SPV”) formed by Retail Ecommerce Ventures LLC (“REV”), the owner of a diverse portfolio of consumer brands that includes Pier 1 Imports (“Pier 1”), Linens ‘n Things, Stein Mart, Modell’s Sporting Goods, and Ayon Capital, LLC (“Ayon”). Additionally, certain members of Tuesday Morning’s management team, including Chief Executive Officer Fred Hand, are providing $3 million in convertible debt financing.

The deal will lead to Pier 1 products being sold in Tuesday Morning stores, something that hasn’t happened since Pier 1 closed all of its stores in 2020. The proceeds from the parties’ investments (collectively, the “Transaction”) are expected to strengthen Tuesday Morning’s balance sheet and allow it to begin executing an omni-channel strategy, which will now include an ecommerce presence and digital activations to complement the Company’s store footprint over the long-term. The Transaction’s terms also provide for the following:


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