Arts

The Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery will celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month from Sept. 15 through Oct. 15 with special programs, film screenings and an all-ages festival highlighting Hispanic history, culture and stories. The month of festivities will be followed by the museum’s annual el Día de los Muertos event Thursday, Nov. 2. Featuring a video and music installation by artists MasPaz and Guache, the event also will include crafts, performances and culinary treats. Admission for the festival is free.

On Saturday, Sept. 23, the Portrait Gallery will collaborate with its friends at the bilingual children’s book publisher Lil’ Libros, who will return to the museum for the second co-hosted Fotos & Recuerdos Festival. The afternoon event is for all ages and will take place in the museum’s Kogod Courtyard and surrounding galleries from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Visitors are invited to join gallery tours, story times, book signings with Lil’ Libros authors, live performances and crafts workshops inspired by the Lil’ Libros book series “The Life of / La vida de,” which features Latinx sitters from the Portrait Gallery’s collection. The Washington Ballet will also be attending to lead a story time and salsa and bomba workshop. This program received federal support from the Latino Initiatives Pool, administered by the National Museum of the American Latino. NPR is the media partner.


Beyond MoCo

Carnivore keepers at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (NZCBI) in Front Royal, Virginia, are celebrating a litter of five cheetah cubs born to 8-year-old adult female Echo Tuesday, Sept. 12. Viewers can enjoy watching the cubs grow via the Cheetah Cub Cam. Note that Echo may move her cubs out of the den and around her habitat so they may be out of view at times.

Animal care staff will leave Echo to bond with and care for her cubs without interference, but as opportunities arise, staff will perform quick health checks. During a recent weight check, staff confirmed there are three males and two females. The cubs appear to be strong, active, vocal and eating well.


Clarksburg

Montgomery Planning to host a series of sessions in October to gather more community input about the plan area.

The Montgomery County Planning Department invites the community to four listening sessions in October to provide input on opportunities and challenges on the east side of Interstate 270 and west of MD 355 – the plan area for the Clarksburg Gateway Sector Plan.


MCFRS

It’s September 23, 2023 and 

fall is here. Many may want to spend quality time outdoors before winter, and the The Takoma Park police department has asked residents to be mindful of all Montgomery County rules regarding open burning and the use of fire pits.  Please be sure you are adhering to all county guidelines and using precautions when using a fire pit:

Courtesy of Takoma Park Police


Education

MCPS has launched a partnership with Future Link, Inc., a leading nonprofit organization that provides low-income, first-generation-to-college young adults with the tools, skills and resources to achieve economic self-sufficiency and success in the workforce.

The collaboration works to bridge the gap between education and career readiness, ensuring that Future Link students—92% of whom are MCPS graduates—receive comprehensive support and opportunities to thrive in their academic and professional journeys. The partnership will provide career exploration programs, mentorship and coaching, and workforce readiness training. Future Link’s mentors and career coaches will offer individualized guidance to help students set goals, develop essential skills and navigate the challenges of transitioning from post-secondary education to the workforce.


Education

The Montgomery County Students Automotive Trades Foundation (ATF) is seeking vehicle donations. Donations will help more than 400 high school students learn how to evaluate, repair and refurbish used cars. The ATF is a nonprofit that fosters automotive education by offering students hands-on instruction in maintenance, repair, sales and marketing. As part of the automotive program, students sell the cars at three sales throughout the school year.

The ATF accepts donations year-round between 8 a.m.–3 p.m. Monday through Friday at Damascus, Gaithersburg and Seneca Valley high schools and at the Thomas Edison High School of Technology. Donations may be tax deductible. The first used car sale will take place on December 9th at Gaithersburg High School from 9am-11am.


Crime

Per the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Maryland – A federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging Jalen Thomas Kelley, age 21, of Abingdon, Maryland, for aggravated sexual abuse, sexual abuse and assault within the territorial jurisdiction. Kelley was arrested by the FBI Charlotte Field Office in Wingate, North Carolina, on September 20, 2023.

According to the indictment, between January 1, 2023 and January 2, 2023, the defendant engaged in a sexual act by force and assaulted Victim 1 without consent on board a cruise vessel Carnival Legend, which had a scheduled departure from and an arrival in Baltimore, Maryland.


MoCo

Wiseguy pizza has opened its first MoCo location. The restaurant is located in the space that was previously occupied by Angel’s Pizza at Wheaton Mall (preview video available below).

Wiseguy serves stone-deck oven baked pizza by the slice that’s made with imported ingredients from Italy, homemade sauces, and dough using a special water filtration system. Pizza options include Cheese, Pepperoni, Paneer Tikki (House Masala, Paneer, Mozzarella, Onions, Tomato, Green & Chili Peppers, Cilantro, Jalapeño Sauce), Nashville Hot Chicken, Chicken Parmesan, and Whitestone (Garlic, Ricotta, Mozzarella, Parmigiano, Oregano, Oil from Tuscany Italy).


Maryland

Per the State of Maryland: In preparation for Tropical Storm Ophelia, Governor Wes Moore has asked State departments and agencies to launch a coordinated effort to keep Marylanders safe and informed in the upcoming days. Governor Moore signed Executive Order 01.01.2023.13 declaring a state of emergency in Maryland on Friday, September 22, 2023.  Here is information on what a state of emergency means.

Not all states of emergency are the same. Each state of emergency is different and can change depending on the severity of the event or emergency.  Be sure to check with your local news and with MDEM for updated information related to states of emergency. A state of emergency has been declared in order to allow Maryland to coordinate and request emergency resources and support. A state of emergency allows the Governor to access certain resources, like the National Guard, in order to increase the State’s response.


MCPD

Montgomery Blair Principal Renay Johnson sent the following message to the Blair community on Friday, September 21, regarding an incident that took place at the school which involved students at the school performing an antisemitic salute:

One of our students reported witnessing a distressing incident during our lunch period. A group of students were observed outside filming themselves performing an antisemitic salute. We take this incident seriously, as it goes against our school’s core values of respect, tolerance, and inclusion. A report was made to the Montgomery County Police, and we are conducting thorough investigations to understand the motivations behind this behavior and to prevent any future incidents.


MCDOT

Per MCDOT: The County’s 10th annual Montgomery County Friendship Picnic takes place this Sunday, Sept. 24, from noon to 5 p.m. at Wheaton Regional Park, located at 2000 Shorefield Road in Wheaton. Ride On will provide free shuttle service, with 15 – 20 minute frequency, to and from the Wheaton Ice Rink and Athletic fields located at 11717 Orebaugh Avenue.

All are welcome to the free celebration featuring a wide range of activities for children and adults including music, dancing, moon bounce, face painting, the carousel and rides on the park’s miniature train.