Montgomery Planning

Takoma Park Minor Master Plan Informational Session to Take Place August 16th

By MCS Staff

Join the City of Takoma Park for an information session regarding the Takoma Park Minor Master Plan, hosted by Mayor Searcy and Councilmembers Fulcher, Dyballa, Gibson, and Small.

In preparation for the Montgomery County Planning Board public hearing on September 14, this event is an opportunity to talk directly with the Mayor, Councilmembers, and City Staff about the Minor Master Plan and ask questions about the upcoming process. After City Staff and Councilmembers’ presentations, residents can participate in a public Q&A session.

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Education

MCPS Welcomes New Spanish Language Communications Specialist, Edith Lozada

By MCS Staff

Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) is delighted to introduce Ms. Edith Lozada as the newly appointed Spanish Communications Specialist and Spanish Language Public Information Officer within the MCPS Department of Communications.

With a wealth of experience in the field of communication, Ms. Lozada brings with her an impressive track record as an Emmy Award-winning Bilingual Media Producer, driven by a passion for immersive storytelling and community-centered programming. Her academic journey includes acquiring a Bachelor’s in Mass Media Communication from the University of Puerto Rico.

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Bethesda

New Peruvian Restaurant, Pisco Y Nazca Gastrobar, is Coming to Bethesda

By MCS Staff

Pisco y Nazca Ceviche Gastrobar is coming to 7401 Woodmont Ave, according to a Biz Journals report. It will be taking over the space that was home to Cesco Osteria for a decade until it closed earlier this year. The space was also previously home to national chain McCormick & Schmick’s until the restaurant closed in the summer of 2011. According to the report, Pisco y Nazca will be taking about 5,500 square feet of the space vacated by Cesco Osteria, though Chevy Chase Land has broken up some of the former restaurant’s space for an expanded lobby.

Pisco Y Nazca adds a “modern twist to Peruvian cuisine. Inspired by Peru’s top eateries, the new DC outpost serves up bold-flavored dishes, unique cocktails and a vast selection of local and international beers.” It is named for Pisca- A city located in the Ica region of Peru, known for its Peruvian grape brandy that shares the same name and Nazca- a desert town in the southern coast of Peru, famous for its mysterious Nazca Lines and also for its production of Pisco. Per the restaurant, “Entre Pisco Y Nazca translates to “The enjoyment of libations in a social setting.” The restaurant currently has nearby locations in D.C. and a Reston location that opened last month. The menu of the DC location can be seen here, and includes creative fusion dishes like Lomo Saltado sushi rolls. An opening timeframe is not yet available.

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Maryland

Beyond MoCo: Governor Wes Moore Visits Carroll County to Survey Storm Damage

By Patrick Herron
Governor Moore Visits Carroll County

After working diligently for hours at the scene and at multiple substations, BGE crews successfully de-energized the power lines. As they worked, Maryland State Police, Carroll County Sheriff’s Deputies and personnel from Maryland State Highway Administration checked trapped vehicles, provided water to trapped motorists, and secured the scene.

“Coordination between the local jurisdiction of Westminster, Carroll County, and the state has been absolutely tremendous,” said Maryland Department of Emergency Management Secretary Russell Strickland. “We constantly plan, train, and exercise so responses like these can come together.”

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Bethesda

Adult Bike and Scooter Classes This September, October and November

By Patrick Herron

Per MCDOT: The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT), in collaboration with the Washington Area Bicyclist Association (WABA), is offering adult bike classes in September, October and November. The classes include both Learn to Ride and Basic Skills classes. MCDOT also will offer four free, walk-up scooter classes following select bike classes.

Advance registration is required to participate in the bicycle classes and cost $10 for Montgomery County residents. There is no charge for WABA or Capital Bikeshare For All members. Bicycles and helmets will be provided at no charge for the adult Learn to Ride class participants and can be rented from WABA, if needed, for the Basic Skills class participants. Scooter classes are free of charge.

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Beyond MoCo

‘Museum of Failure’ Comes to DC in September

By MCS Staff

Everyone makes mistakes, and the Museum of Failure is here to celebrate that! The Museum of Failure brings together over 159 products and services that were a total flop but also paved the way for other great inventions. Failure is the mother of success, after all! It showcases a collection of failed products and services from around the world. The museum arrives on September 7th and goes through the month on Wednesdays-Sundays from 10am-7pm at Georgetown Park (3270 M Street NW, Washington D.C., 20007). Tickets start at $25.

Every item provides unique insight into the risky business of innovation—and, let’s face it, the majority of innovation projects fail at some point. But that’s okay because embracing failure and taking meaningful risks paves the way for real innovation and progress. After all, as Confucius once said: “our greatest glory is not in never failing, but in rising every time we fail.”

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MoCo Libraries

Montgomery County Public Libraries to Celebrate ‘Just for the Record–A Vinyl Day’ on Saturday, Aug. 12, With Focus on 50 Years of Hip Hop Culture and a DJ Scratch Battle

By Patrick Herron

Per Montgomery County: Montgomery County Public Libraries (MCPL), on Saturday, Aug. 12, will host its annual “Just for the Record–A Vinyl Day,” a celebration of music on vinyl records that will feature popular DJs from around the country and a special celebration of 50 years of hip hop. The free, family-friendly festival will take place from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. at the Brigadier General Charles E. McGee Library located at 900 Wayne Ave. in Silver Spring.

Attendees can participate in workshops about music production, songwriting, breakdancing and more. They also will be able to purchase vinyl records and CDs organized by the Friends of the Library Montgomery County (FOLMC). The festival’s concluding event, “FADERATION: United Cuts & Scratches Mid- Atlantic Scratch Battle for DJ Supremacy,” will feature well-known DJs from around the country vying for top “scratch” honors and cash prizes.

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MoCo Government

County Councilmember Laurie-Anne Sayles is Seeking Student Applicants for her S.M.A.R.T. Youth Advisory Council

By Patrick Herron

Per Montgomery County: Councilmember Laurie-Anne Sayles is launching the second cohort of her S.M.A.R.T. Youth Advisory Council and is looking for a new group of students to apply. Applicants must live in Montgomery County and be in grades 7-12 and older than 13 to be eligible. Applicants must commit to meeting in person and virtually once every two weeks at 5:30 p.m. on Monday from September—December. The sessions will focus on Councilmember Sayles’ S.M.A.R.T. agenda to strengthen 21st-century education, make a living more affordable, advance local food production, revitalize the economy and tackle climate change.

“I am pleased that interest has grown to continue the S.M.A.R.T. Youth Advisory Council, which exposes more youth to my S.M.A.R.T. agenda and the process of policymaking at the Montgomery County Council. The perspectives reflected in our Youth Advisory Council represent the ethnic and geographic diversity of the student population in our County.”

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Bethesda

VinoRita Now Open in Montgomery Mall

By Patrick Herron

VinoRita Wine Slushies is now open in the Montgomery Mall food court, taking over the kiosk space that was previously home to HalfSmoke, Gelato Galax, and Coldstone Creamery. Alcohol infused flavors include the best selling “Black San,” which is a Blackberry Sangria, Peach Frose, Strawberry Daquiri, and Blueberry Pomegranate. Non-alcoholic options include Blue Raspberry and Lemonade.  According to VinoRita, the first 150 customers will receive their slushies in color-changing Margarita souvenir cups at the pop-up.

Additional information below, Per VinoRita:“If you’ve never had a wine slushy before, you’re in for a treat! Even if you have  had a wine slushy, you’re in for a treat! VinoRita was created to bring you a fun & unique, Love at First Sip, top notch customer experience! Our goal is to revolutionize the way you experience wine! We’re not biased, our slushies really are delicious & they really are  made with wine – no hard liquors or spirits are added. At VinoRita, we offer a delicious slushy cocktail that does not require you to indulge in hard liquor to have fun! We’ve worked hard to perfect our recipes over the years and can’t wait to bring our wine slushies to a city near you.  In some of our locations, you can have a wine slushy while you shop! 🍷🍹🛍How fun is that? Check out our locations page to see where you can find us & experience Love at First Sip with a VinoRita Wine Slushy! Based on the way alcohol and liquor licenses have previously worked at the mall, we do not expect customers to be able to leave the VinoRita area with the drinks, but are awaiting word on that. Featured photo courtesy of VinoRitaWineSlushies.com

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Germantown

Walmart in Germantown to Host Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for Store’s $7 Million Remodel

By Patrick Herron

There will be a ribbon cutting ceremony at Walmart (20910 Frederick Rd) in Germantown on Friday, August 25 at 7am with the Gaithersburg-Germantown Chamber of Commerce (GGCC) to mark the completion of recent renovations at the location.  According to the GGCC, “Join us for Walmart Supercenter’s ribbon cutting and unveiling of its new store remodel at the Germantown location! The $7 million remodel includes a new floor plan, parking lot project, new merchandise, food online grocery delivery , and 60 new associate hires. Walmart’s Germantown location currently employees nearly 500 people and is celebrating 20 years of being part of the community.”

Charleys Cheesesteaks and Wings is also scheduled to open inside the Germantown Walmart soon, though no opening date has been announced. Charleys is taking over the space formerly occupied by McDonald’s. Featured image courtesy of Google Maps.

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