Per Montgomery County: The tenth annual Montgomery County “Friendship Picnic” will again bring people of diverse cultures and faiths together to make new friends and discuss ways to build a stronger community. The free picnic will be held from noon-5 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 24, at Wheaton Regional Park. Wheaton Regional Park is located at located at 2000 Shorefield Rd. in Wheaton. A free satellite parking shuttle service to and from the Wheaton Ice Rink and athletic fields will be available.
Per MCPD: Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – 4th District Investigative Section are investigating an armed robbery of a person that occurred on Wednesday, August 23, 2023, at the Westfield Wheaton Mall in the 11100 block of Veirs Mill Rd. Detectives have released surveillance video of the two suspects and are asking for the public’s assistance in identifying them.
At approximately 7:20 p.m., 4th District officers responded to the location for the report of an armed robbery.
Per Montgomery County: Luis Garay Percussion World will headline the Wheaton TGIF Friday Encore fall concert series on Friday, Sept. 15, at the Marian Fryer Town Plaza, adjacent to the Wheaton Business Triangle and near the Wheaton Metro Station. The performance begins a month of Friday concerts that join in the celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, which is observed Sept. 15-Oct. 15.
The event will feature live artist demonstrations and beverages from Twin Valley Distillers. The TGIF party will begin on the plaza at 5 p.m. with a DJ set followed by a live concert at 6 p.m. Parking is available in the building at 2425 Reedie Dr.
The Special Victims Investigations Division is asking for the public’s assistance in locating Eduardo Lobos, a missing 16-year-old. Lobos was last seen on Wednesday, August 9, 2023, at approximately 11:40 p.m., in the Kemp Mill area of Wheaton. He is 5’5″, 120 lbs., with black hair and brown eyes, and was last seen wearing a black shirt, gray shorts, and black Crocs.
Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Eduardo Lobos is asked to call Montgomery County Police Non-Emergency (301) 279-8000 (24-hour line).
Montgomery Parks invites the community to the Wheaton Ice Arena Open House, where guests can learn about and try out ice sports and activities. Stations will be set up to assist members of the community who want to try hockey, speedskating, and figure skating. Guests will be able to meet clubs that operate at Wheaton Ice Arena, get information on group lessons, birthday parties, camps and clinics, and take advantage of sign-up specials on September 17, 2023, from 9 – 11 a.m. The Open House is free, but there is a $4 per person fee to skate (which includes skate rental).
“The Open House is a great opportunity for members of the community to learn about, and experience ice skating and ice sports” said Kimberley Ransfield, Wheaton Ice Arena Facility Manager. “There will be lots of information available for those looking to join a team or club, or who are interested in taking group lessons.”
Per MCDOT: Starting on Monday, Sept. 11, the Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) will begin its semi-annual interior washdown to degrease and clean 21 County-owned parking garages in Bethesda, Silver Spring and Wheaton. The cleanings will occur on nights and weekends starting with Bethesda garages in September and concluding with Silver Spring garages on Saturday, Nov. 4. Some garages will experience partial closures during the cleanings, including select entrance/exit areas and ramps. The full schedule of garage cleanings can be viewed here.
MCDOT performs spring and fall washdowns to keep garages clean and help keep grease, oil and debris out of local waterways. Regular cleanings also prevent deterioration from prolonged exposure to salt, sand, oils, gas, dirt, pollen and leaves. MCDOT contractors will do their best to perform work around garage traffic and parked vehicles and to post signs notifying customers of anticipated impacts. For more information about parking in the County, visit montgomerycountymd.gov/DOT-parking/news/index.html. For information on MCDOT programs and services visit montgomerycountymd.gov/mcdot, follow @MCDOTNow on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram and subscribe to MCDOT’s “Go Montgomery!” newsletter.
Per Montgomery County: Montgomery County Councilmember Natali Fani-González, chair of the Council’s Economic Development Committee (ECON), and the Mid-County Citizens Advisory Board and the Wheaton Urban District Advisory Committee, will jointly host a community meeting to discuss a proposed police drone program on Tuesday, Sept. 12 at 6:30 p.m. at the Wheaton Library and Recreation Center, located on 11701 Georgia Ave, Silver Spring, MD 20902.
The Montgomery County Police Department (MCPD) will speak about their proposal to use drone technology as first responders to enhance public safety and decrease police response times. The presentations will be in English and Spanish, followed by an open question and answer period. Councilmember Fani-González requested that MCPD make this presentation so that community members have an opportunity to learn more about the technology, ask questions and share feedback.
Country Boy Market, a staple in Montgomery County for nearly seven decades, has announced that it is winding down operations and will be closing in the near future. Country Boy is located in Glenmont at 2211 Randolph Rd. The full statement can be seen below:
“It is with great regret we share that, due to another serious family illness, after 68 years Country Boy Market will be winding down operations and closing at some point in the near future. We do not have a definitive timeline yet and will share additional details as we can, but it has been our honor and distinct pleasure serving and being part of the greater Glenmont community. From our beginning as a produce stand on Georgia Avenue to our location today, we have enjoyed sharing memories with you and your families. Thank you for everything.”
Apex Vets will be opening soon at 11060 Veirs Mill Rd, across from Dick’s Sporting Goods at Westfield Wheaton. According to its website, “Apex Vets is an independently-owned specialty hospital established by veterinarians with ties to Montgomery County and DC. We believe in working as a team to provide the highest quality care, service, and environment. Apex emphasizes specialized and continued education in our fields of expertise, which include board-certified surgery, neurology, critical care, anesthesia, cardiology, and internal medicine.”
Apex is currently scheduled to open this fall.
Montgomery Parks is inviting the public to a ceremony naming the newest mural at Brookside Gardens. The celebration will take place on Sunday, September 10, 2023 from 1:30-3:00 p.m. at Brookside Gardens Underlook/Harry Dewey Terrace 1800 Glenallen Ave. in Wheaton, MD 20902 (in case of inclement weather the program will be held in the Visitor Center).
The new artwork was painted this summer by Afro-Cuban artist Osbel Susman-Peña. Entitled “Where Dreams Live/ Donde Viven los Sueños,” the dynamic artwork is in the Brookside Gardens Underlook, adjacent to the Aquatic Garden. The mural is a memorial to the late Betsy Thomas, past president of the Friends of Brookside Gardens.
Per Montgomery County: The Nighthawks, the legendary blues and roots band now in its fifth decade, will headline the Wheaton TGIF Friday Encore fall concert series on Friday, Sept. 8, at the Marian Fryer Town Plaza, adjacent to the Wheaton Business Triangle and near the Wheaton Metro Station.
The event will feature live artist demonstrations and beverages from Twin Valley Distillers. The TGIF party will begin on the plaza at 5 p.m. with a DJ set followed by a live concert at 6 p.m. The after-party will rotate to nearby local bars from 8-9 p.m. Parking is available in the building at 2425 Reedie Dr.