Montgomery Parks will begin selling tickets for Brookside Gardens’ annual Garden of Lights outdoor, walk-through winter light display on Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2022. Tickets are available on Eventbrite starting October 11 at 9 am (video of the display available below).

Garden of Lights features glimmering one-of-a-kind displays adorning the flowerbeds and pathways throughout Brookside Gardens. New features this year include a winter wonderland scene with tall ice-like formations and falling snow in the Rose Garden and oversized colorful flower forms throughout the formal gardens. All new displays were handcrafted by Montgomery Parks staff.


Both Moderna and Pfizer bivalent boosters will be available at the BOO!sterama.  Anyone 12 and older who had their last vaccine dose at least two months ago should get the updated booster shot. The event will be held at Westfield Wheaton Mall, outside of the Carter’s store on the second floor.  Individuals who receive their booster at the event will be entered in a drawing to receive one of five $50 gift cards that can be used throughout Westfield Wheaton’s wide variety of retailers.

“Over the past month, Montgomery County became the largest jurisdiction to become 90% fully vaccinated,”  said County Executive Marc Elrich. “However, being ‘fully vaccinated’ doesn’t protect us enough and we must convince every eligible individual to get the new bivalent booster.  These booster shots are free and can protect you from the risk of serious illness from COVID-19.  I am grateful and appreciative of our partnership with Westfield Wheaton to provide space, incentives and access to get our vaccines directly in front of potential recipients.”


Montgomery Parks  will begin selling tickets for Brookside Gardens’ annual Garden of Lights outdoor, walk-through winter light display on Oct. 11, 2022. Garden of Lights features glimmering one-of-a-kind displays adorning the flowerbeds and pathways throughout Brookside Gardens. New features this year include a winter wonderland scene with tall ice-like formations and falling snow in the Rose Garden and oversized colorful flower forms throughout the formal gardens. All new displays were handcrafted by Montgomery Parks staff.

New this year, pedestrians and cyclists can enter the seasonal light display at the pedestrian gate at 1800 Glenallan Ave. or via a half-mile path beginning at 2000 Shorefield Road near the Wheaton Regional Park Adventure Playground.


Montgomery Parks will celebrate 60 years of Brookside Nature Center with a slate of free programs and activities from 1-7 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 9, 2022. Montgomery County’s first nature center has been a staple in the community, educating the public as well as introducing people to environmental stewardship.The lineup of free activities is listed below:

 Please note that parking at Brookside Nature Center is limited.


The juvenile victim was walking in the area when she observed a black 4-door sedan with tinted windows pull up behind her.  A male suspect got out of the vehicle and approached the victim, speaking in Spanish, and instructed her to get in the car. The suspect reached out and grabbed the juvenile victim’s arm. The victim refused, pulling her arm away and observed a second male in the car. The victim ran from the area, unharmed.

The suspect is described as a Hispanic male, approximately 5-feet, 8-inches tall with a thin build. He was wearing all black clothing, with black gloves and a black ski mask covering his face. The other suspect remained in the sedan and is described as a Hispanic male wearing all black clothing.


The Jolly Show Carnival is returning to the Westfield Wheaton Mall parking lot (11160 Veirs Mill Rd.) from October 5-16. There will be over 30 attractions, including carnival rides, games, and food wagons. According to their website, “We are a new generation of carnival operators who strive to be more progressive and professional. We realize that we must produce a premium product for our customer’s hard earned money. We won’t forget our proud traditions, but we are committed to overcoming the stigmas which have hindered our industry for far too long.” Tickets can be purchased here. 

The idea of a business that made people happy though, never left his thoughts. While visiting a firemen’s carnival with his children in 1939, Frank saw what he thought might be the new business for him. He counted the people in line at the “Roll-O-Plane” and watched as the thrilled riders exited the ride, and got right back in line to ride again. He visited the carnival again each of the next three nights and paid even closer attention to the operation of amusement rides. He was now sure that this is where he would invest his savings.


Saturdays & Sundays in October mean the popular Eye Spy Trains are back for Halloween. Great for families of all ages, Montgomery Parks’ Cabin John Miniature Train and the Wheaton Miniature Train will take a ride through “Trainslyvania.” Please visit ActiveMontgomery.org to purchase tickets and guarantee your seat at your ideal train time and date, tickets are available for purchase online.

A small number of tickets may be purchased onsite, but ride times will not be guaranteed. Registration closes the morning of the scheduled ride, so don’t wait, book your ride reservation online today! Trains will run Saturdays and Sundays beginning October 1 and ending October 30, 11a – 6p. For tickets purchased online, any train canceled due to weather or mechanical issues will result in a full refund automatically credited to your method of payment.


Coming soon signage is up for Royal Jewelers (RoyalDMV) in Westfield Wheaton Mall. Royal describes itself as a one-stop-shop for exuberant hip-hop jewelry. Royal will join Ardene, Classic Diamond by Pandora, Crown, Elite, Gold Palace, Kay, Paradise, Ruby,  and Sun’s on the list of jewelers located at Wheaton mall. No opening date has been announced.

In related news, former NFL star Antonio Brown stopped by Crown Jewelers (also located in Wheaton Mall) recently for some early morning shopping. Video below:


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.”


Wheaton High School, located at 12401 Dalewood Dr, will host the Wheaton Community Fall Fest on Friday, September 30th, from 4pm until 7pm. The event, which is open to the community, will feature free family photos, games for all ages, wellness activities (hosted by Wheaton High School’s wellness center), schools from the entire Wheaton High School cluster, food trucks, music, an opportunity for a Q&A with the Wheaton High School admin team, and a color run sponsored by the PTSA.


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