Beyond MoCo

“Hitting our goals will help us defend against the consequences of climate change. But I’m not here to just talk about avoiding tragedy – I’m here to talk about helping people find greater opportunity.”

“Our communities of color – our working parents – our middle-class families: They are the ones who stand to benefit most from our aggressive climate goals. Those are the hands that will install new solar panels at the local rec center. Those are the minds that will invent next-generation wind turbines that power millions of homes. Those are the hearts that will shape a stronger America, where we aren’t just building pathways to sustainability – we’re also building pathways to work, wages, and wealth.”


Bethesda

MoCo resident Chef Mike Friedman (Olney), Colin McDonough, Gareth Croke, and Mike O’Malley, the team behind DC restaurants All-Purpose Pizzeria, The Red Hen, and Boundary Stone Public House will be opening a new concept in Downtown Bethesda this November (date according to Washingtonian Magazine). Aventino and AP Pizza Shop will be located at 4747 Bethesda Ave.

Aventino will feature vibrant and traditional Roman cuisine with a menu of antipasti, pasta and more by chef Mike Friedman, and classic cocktails like a selection of spritzes and negronis, in a warm and inviting setting that can hold over 100 guests. Per Washingtonian,the menu will include “dishes like Jewish-­style fried artichokes, polenta-crusted fluke, and housemade gelato.”


Education

Per MCPD: John Anthony Vigna, a former Montgomery County elementary school teacher who was convicted in 2017 for sexual abuse of students, has been released from prison.

In July 2023 the conviction of Vigna, now 58-years-old, was overturned and he was released on bond as he awaits a new trial. Since his initial conviction, additional victims have come forward.  Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – Special Victims Investigations Division believe that there may be more.  Detectives would like to speak with any potential victims and urge them to call 240-773-5050.


MoCo Government

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.

 


Rockville

B.F. Saul has provided an update on Twinbrook Quarter, announcing that they plan to turn the grocery store space over Wegmans in early Spring of 2024, after which Wegmans will begin to build out the store’s interior. The grocery store has a planned 2025 opening.

Roadwork at Halpine & Chapman: Regrading at the intersection of Halpine Road and Chapman Avenue is underway this week and possibly over the next few weeks. The road will remain open with some adjustment to the traffic flow.


Education

With World Teachers’ Day around the corner but teachers making an average of $3,644 less per year than they did 10 years ago when adjusted for inflation, the personal-finance website WalletHub today released its report on 2023’s Best & Worst States for Teachers, with Maryland coming in as the “6th Best State for Teachers.” Maryland came in first in the ‘Existence of a Digital Learning Plan’ category.

In order to help educators find the best opportunities and teaching environments in the U.S., WalletHub analyzed the 50 states and the District of Columbia across 24 key metrics, ranging from teachers’ income growth potential to the pupil-teacher ratio to public-school spending per student. Teacher-Friendliness of Maryland (1=Best; 25=Avg.):


MoCo Government

ActiveMONTGOMERY is the registration and reservation system used to request permits, register for activities, reserve public spaces, and pay online for various classes, camps, and facility rentals throughout the county. While many athletic fields can be reserved online through ActiveMONTGOMER Y, synthetic turf fields can only be reserved by direct communication with a Community Use of Public Facilities (CUPF) or Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission – Montgomery Parks (Parks) employee. Once a synthetic turf field reservation has been processed by a CUPF or Parks employee, the reservation and permit are listed under the applicable ActiveMONTGOMERY account.

The investigation revealed that in 2022 and 2023, the subject employee intentionally misled staff from CUPF and Parks to believe they were requesting reservations for athletic fields on the Council’s behalf when in fact they were doing so for the benefit of their spouse. In total, field use permits in the amount of $19,190 ($11,490 of which was reserved under the council’s ActiveMONTGOMERY account) were obtained by the employee and never paid for. Attempts by Parks staff to obtain outstanding payments were ignored, and at times the employee made reference to their position at the County Council. During the investigation, the employee also intentionally made false statements to OIG investigators in an effort to conceal their misconduct.


Events

The first ‘Taste of Rio’ will take place on Sunday, October 15th from 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm. The “foodie celebration” will take place on the lakefront featuring bites from rio restaurants, live music, craft cocktails and more.

Participating restaurants include: AMC, Auntie Anne’s/Cinnabon, BurgerFi, California Pizza Kitchen, Charley Prime, Chipotle, Copper Canyon Grill, Corner Bakery, Dave & Buster’s, Donutchew, Fantasticks, FineWine.com, Guapo’s, Han Spot, Kung Fu Tea, Lanzhou Pull Noodle, Le Macaron, Miss Toya’s Southern Kitchen, Muse Paint Bar, Nando’s Peri-Peri, Poki DC, Potbelly, Silver Diner, Starbucks, The Bench, True Food Kitchen, Uncle Julio’s, and Yard House.


MCDOT

Per MCDOT: The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) today announced a “fare-free day” in support of Car Free Day on Friday, Sept. 22. All Ride On buses will waive the one-dollar fare to encourage the use of public transportation. The announcement was made in coordination with the Maryland Transit Authority, which is offering free fare throughout the weekend on all MTA-operated transit. Regular fares will be required on Metrobus.

Residents can also take the regional pledge online to participate in Car-Free Day and be entered into a raffle for prizes such as gift cards, an annual Capital Bikeshare membership and a pre-funded SmartTrip card. Duplicate entries will be disqualified. Participants can take the pledge at carfreemetrodc.org/pledge-page.


Health

Per Montgomery County (9.14.23) A new COVID-19 vaccine will soon be available. Earlier this week, the Food and Drug Administration approved a new vaccine and the advisory committee of the Centers for Disease Control recommended that anyone age 6 months and older get vaccinated. The new vaccines are a much closer match to currently circulating variants. They are updated versions of the Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines.

There will be a limited number of County-sponsored clinics distributing the new vaccines, but they will be for residents who are uninsured. Information about those clinics will be available when vaccine is available.


Beyond MoCo

Sugarloaf Mountain, a Stronghold property, has been closed since an attempted break-in at the Strong Mansion on August 19th. Stronghold Inc., the non-profit that owns and operates the property for the public’s “enjoyment and education in an appreciation of natural beauty”, has posted the following message:

The Stronghold property will be closed to the public until further notice.  Stronghold Incorporated will be focused on providing for and reassessing the security needs for the entirety of the Stronghold property.  On Saturday August 19, 2023 an unidentified individual attempted to make entry into the Strong Mansion between the hours of 8:30 am and 10:30 am.  Physical evidence was collected at the scene, including a DNA sample. Security camera footage is being reviewed.  If anyone happened to see anything suspicious or has any information pertaining to this situation please contact Deputy Wheeler with the Frederick County Sheriff’s office at (301) 639-4866, reference case number 2023-090125.  We appreciate any information as well as your understanding and patience at this time.