MoCo Government

Per Montgomery County: The Third Annual Montgomery County Children’s Business Fair will return to Rockville Town Center from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 19, to display the works and ideas of more than 55 young entrepreneurs. The event is free to attend and open to the public.

The fair is back after a three-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 health crisis. The event was founded Tameka Montgomery of the Raising Entrepreneurs Podcast and a senior executive at the U.S. Small Business Administration.


MoCo Government

Per Montgomery County: A free online home buying seminar sponsored by the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Montgomery County will be held from 4:30-5:30 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 17. The seminar will be led by Bill Rozek from Embrace Home Loans.

Mr. Rozek will cover many topics that could lead to getting approved to purchase a home.


Beyond MoCo

Michael Jordan is an avid open sea fisher. During the fishing season, MJ spends time traveling the coast in his 8 million dollar fishing boat to participate in fishing competitions. MJ and his boat Catch 23’ have been registered for The awhile Martin Open for the last few years. Jordan is currently back in town enjoying Ocean City, MD for the tournament (video below).

The White Marlin Open is a 50-year-old deep-sea fishing tournament held annually in Ocean City, Maryland. Long known as the “World’s Largest Billfishing Tournament,” the Open has awarded over $105 million for catches of the gamefish that migrate up the Gulf Stream each summer. The first tournament was held in 1974 and drew 57 boats, 150 anglers, and paid $20,000 in prize money. The 2022 event drew 408 boats, over 3,500 contestants, and awarded over $8.6 million dollars in prize money, including the top individual prize of $4.53 million dollars which established a new world record award for the catch of a fish. Two Montgomery County fisherman claimed a total of $5.7 million in prize money last year.


Sponsored

It’s Asian American Pacific Islander Month, and what better way to celebrate the culture than to immerse oneself at the Anne Arundel Asian American Festival outside of Annapolis on May 31st?

Or didn’t get enough Irish last month? Two of the biggest Irish acts returns to the stage with Gaelic Storm and Carbon Leaf. See below for more details and information!

All events are family-friendly, packed with food, live music, interactive experiences, and now even more ways to get active.

To kick things off, you can save 20% on tickets with code MOCOSHOW (valid through May 31 for general admission tickets).

2026 Festival Lineup

Annapolis Irish Festival

May 29 & 30

Experience the spirit of Ireland right here in Annapolis with two days of live music, great food, and high-energy performances. Headlined by internationally recognized acts like Scythian, Gaelic Storm, and Carbon Leaf, the Annapolis Irish Festival blends traditional Irish culture with modern rock festival vibes.

Haven’t heard of Gaelic Storm? Are you sure? They were the band in James Cameron’s Titanic and went from local stars to national powerhouses. We are lucky to have them right here in Maryland so don’t miss out!

Enjoy Guinness, Irish whiskey tastings, craft beverages, local vendors, and nonstop entertainment in a setting that brings thousands together to celebrate Irish heritage.

Anne Arundel Asian American Festival

May 31

Celebrate culture, community, and cuisine at the Anne Arundel Asian American Festival, a vibrant showcase of food, performances, and traditions from across Asia!

Come hungry and enjoy authentic dishes from a wide range of vendors, cultural performances throughout the day, and interactive experiences for all ages. This family-friendly event highlights the diversity and energy of the Asian American community during AAPI Heritage Month.

Food vendors include:

Namit Filipino, Ekiben, Bun’d Up, E-San Thai, MD Brad Butcher and Central Asian dishes, Thai Pinto, Pho Wheels, and The Sister House! (more…)


MoCo Government

Per Montgomery County: Montgomery County’s Community Action Board (CAB) is now accepting applications to participate in its free, eight-month Community Advocacy Institute (CAI) training program that teaches participants how to effectively advocate for policy change. Applications are due Friday, Aug. 18.

The board is the governing body for the Community Action Agency (CAA), Montgomery County’s Federally designated anti-poverty agency. The CAA is part of the County’s Department of Health and Human Services.


Event

Beautiful venue; great art, gifts and hand-crafted items; refreshments; and meet the award-winning painters, photographers, mixed media artists, ceramicists, fiber artists, and more – some 40 artists in all. It’s an extraordinary array of framed wall works, 3-d media including sculpture, ceramics, jewelry, and fiber pieces, and unframed prints.

Among them, you’ll see:


MoCo

Montgomery Parks is seeking public input on its Capital Improvement Program (CIP) for fiscal years 2025 – 2030 (FY25-30). Community suggestions for the upcoming CIP may be submitted online, via email, U.S. mail, or in person at the public forum. The public forum takes place Thursday, September 7, 2023, at 7 p.m. at the Wheaton Headquarters of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC), 2425 Reedie Drive, Wheaton, MD 20902.

The CIP is prepared every two years to cover a six-year cycle and funds new parks and park amenities, environmental restoration, and rehabilitation projects that increase the life of assets. FY25-30 Capital Improvement Program priorities may include:


Gaithersburg

The City is one of eight municipalities from across the country selected to receive coaching & support from NLC’s expert staff.

Per the City of Gaithersburg: The City is proud to announce its participation in the National League of Cities (NLC) Advancing Economic Mobility Rapid Grant program. As a selected participant, the City will receive a grant in the amount of $15,000 for economic mobility advancement along with five-months of coaching from NLC. Grant funds will be used toward expanded outreach of the City’s Financial Empowerment Center (FEC) and programs that provide economic support and opportunity.


Bethesda

Per Montgomery Parks: Montgomery Parks is ending the current season of Parks Playhouse on a high note with a week of events in August, culminating with a concert by The Nighthawks on Friday, August 18, at Cabin John Regional Park.

“It’s been a great season filled with over 30 performances this summer between Parks Playhouse and Parks Playhouse Junior,” says Michael Coppersmith, director of Montgomery Parks Activation Program. “We are excited to close out the summer season with The Nighthawks before heading into fall.”


Uncategorized

Test Messages Will be Sent to All TVs, Radios and Cell Phones

FEMA, in coordination with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), will conduct a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) this fall. The national test will consist of two portions, testing WEA and EAS capabilities. Both tests are scheduled to begin at approximately 2:20 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Oct. 4.


Colesville

Per the Office of the United States Attorney, District of Maryland: MS-13 member Kevin Alexander Castillo Calderon, a/k/a “Fantasma,” “Ghost,” “Eterno,” and “Josue Argueta Gonzalez,” age 25, of Colesville, Maryland, pleaded guilty today to a racketeering conspiracy, including a murder.

According to court documents, the La Mara Salvatrucha gang, also known as “MS-13,” is an international criminal organization composed primarily of immigrants or descendants of immigrants from El Salvador, with members operating in the State of Maryland, including Montgomery County, Prince George’s County, and Frederick County, as well as throughout the United States.  In Maryland and elsewhere, MS-13 members are organized into “cliques,” smaller groups that operate in a specific city or region.  MS-13 members are required to commit acts of violence, both to maintain membership and discipline within the gang and against rival gangs.  One of the principal rules of MS-13 is that its members must attack and kill rivals, known as “chavalas,” whenever possible.  Participation in criminal activity by a member, particularly in violent acts directed at rival gangs or as directed by gang leadership, increases the respect accorded to that member, resulting in that member maintaining or increasing his position in the gang and opens the door to promotion to a leadership position.


Restaurant

Bento Express opened earlier this summer in the Woodmoor Shopping Center at 10141 Colesville Road in Silver Spring. The fast-casual restaurant is located in the space that was formerly home to Sprint, between the UPS Store and Subway. Menu items include teryaki (chicken, beef, shrimp, & salmon), bento boxes, poke bowls, dumplings, and a variety of sushi rolls.

According to the restaurant, “Bento Express Restaurant offers authentic and delicious-tasting Japanese cuisine in Silver Spring, MD. Bento Express’ convenient location and affordable prices make our restaurant a natural choice for eat-in or take-out meals in the Silver Spring community. Our restaurant is known for its variety of tastes and high-quality fresh ingredients. Come and experience our friendly atmosphere and excellent service.”


Celebrities

Montgomery County native Josh Hart is finalizing a four-year, $81 million contract extension with the New York Knicks, ESPN reported on Wednesday. The 6’4 guard is considered one of the best rebounders at his position, averaging 7.8 boards per game last season. In 2021, Hart signed a $38 million deal with the Pelicans before being traded to Portland and then to the Knicks where he helped guide the team to the NBA Playoffs last season.

Josh Hart grew up in Silver Spring. Prior to transferring to Sidwell Friends in D.C., he attended and played basketball at Wheaton High School. He grew up playing basketball for the Montgomery County Bearcats, where his coaches praised him for his heart at an early age. He made the varsity basketball team as a freshman at Wheaton, eventually becoming a starter in the second half of the season. Even though he transferred to Sidwell Friends and played there the last three years of his high school basketball career, his ties to MoCo remained strong. His mother has been a long-time employee at Woodmont Country Club in Rockville and his father is a retired caterer.