MDLottery

Tonight’s Mega Millions Jackpot Now at $1.1 Billion

By Patrick Herron

With excitement over the rising jackpot, the number of prizes won across the other eight prize tiers keeps growing. In the July 28 drawing, there were a total of 3,157,597 winning tickets across all tiers. Of those, 586,903 included the optional Megaplier (available in most states with an extra $1 purchase), which multiplies all standard non-jackpot prizes by a factor of 2x to 5x; Friday night’s Megaplier was 5x. In the current Mega Millions matrix and Megaplier configuration, which has been in place since October 28, 2017, there has never been a Megaplier of 5x drawn at this extraordinary jackpot level. That means a lot of prizes in other tiers have been multiplied by a factor of five!

They include a big $5 million winner in Pennsylvania, one of five tickets nationwide that matched the five white balls for the game’s second-tier prize. Another Pennsylvania ticket takes home the standard $1 million prize in the July 28 drawing, along with tickets in Arizona, California and New York. Across the country, 92 tickets matched four white balls plus the Mega Ball to win the third-tier prize. Fourteen of those tickets are worth $50,000 each, because they also included the optional Megaplier. The other 78 win the standard $10,000 each.

Go to Tonight’s Mega Millions Jackpot Now at $1.1 Billion Read more
Retail

Bed Bath & Beyond Relaunches Today as Online-Only Retailer 

By Patrick Herron

Bed Bath & Beyond, which had locations in Gaithersburg, Germantown, and Rockville, is being relaunched today as an online-only retailer. Bed Bath & Beyond’s intellectual property was purchased by Overstock.com for $21.5 million in June. Both companies will now fall under the Bed Bath & Beyond name and Overstock.com now redirects you to bedbathandbeyond.com. Per Overtsock.com: The beloved home brand, Bed Bath & Beyond, is back! This leading consumer brand, which was purchased by Overstock.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:OSTK) in June, announced today the launch of BedBathandBeyond.com in the U.S. This launch marks a transformation for both Overstock and Bed Bath & Beyond, merging the best of both companies into a single online shopping destination under the Bed Bath & Beyond name.

“This is a historic day for Bed Bath & Beyond and Overstock – and for the broader ecommerce industry,” said Jonathan Johnson, CEO of the new Bed Bath & Beyond. “Overstock has a great business model with a name that does not reflect its focus on home. Bed Bath & Beyond is a much-loved and well-known consumer brand, which had an outdated business model that needed modernizing. Through this rebranding, we’re breathing new life into Bed Bath & Beyond, positioning it as an asset-light, ecommerce retailer with an expanded home furnishings and furniture assortment. Think of it as Bed Bath & a much bigger, better Beyond.”

Go to Bed Bath & Beyond Relaunches Today as Online-Only Retailer  Read more
Law

Congressman Raskin Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Allow Cannabis Users Access to Federal Employment and Security Clearances.

By Patrick Herron

On Thursday, Congressman Jamie Raskin (MD-08) and Congresswoman Nancy Mace (SC-01) introduced the Cannabis Users Restoration of Eligibility (CURE) Act, legislation to prevent prior or current marijuana use from becoming grounds for failing to receive security clearance or for being found unsuitable for federal employment. The CURE Act will also allow for someone who has previously been denied a security clearance or a federal job opportunity based on marijuana use the chance to have that denial reviewed.

“Every year, qualified and dedicated individuals seeking to serve our country are unable to secure federal jobs and security clearances because the federal government has not caught up with the widely established legal use of medical and recreational cannabis,” said Rep. Raskin. “I am proud to partner with my friend Representative Mace to introduce the bipartisan CURE Act that will eliminate the draconian, failed and obsolete marijuana policies that prevent talented individuals from becoming honorable public servants in their own government.”

Go to Congressman Raskin Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Allow Cannabis Users Access to Federal Employment and Security Clearances. Read more
Bethesda

KID Museum FREE For MCPS Students on Sundays Through August 27 (Registration Required)

By Patrick Herron
Courtesy Kid Museum

KID Museum is dedicated to expanding access for the MCPS community by providing free opportunities to participate in our programming. Thanks to the generous support of Montgomery County Public Schools, all MCPS students and families can register for free admission to KID Museum, now through August 27, 2023.

KID Museum opened last May in its new flagship site at Bethesda Metro Center, 3 Bethesda Metro Center, Suite 140— a brand new, 28,000 square foot facility “created to foster the “Mind of a Maker” and empower the next generation with the skills to invent the future.” The state-of-the-art makerspace is purpose-built for kids ages 4-14 to explore coding, robotics, engineering design, and hands-on maker learning, with the capacity to welcome more than 100,000 visitors every year. There will be grand opening events, becoming a member, or sponsoring us to help all kids discover a love of exploring, creating, and collaborating to become makers of the future.

Go to KID Museum FREE For MCPS Students on Sundays Through August 27 (Registration Required) Read more
MoCo Government

Montgomery County ABC Becomes Exclusive Mid-Atlantic Seller of Domaine de Galuval Wines from the Rhône Valley

By Patrick Herron

Per Montgomery County: Montgomery County Alcohol Beverage Services (ABS) has leveraged its direct import capacity and is now offering eight creative and cutting-edge wines from the Domaine de Galuval winery in the Rhône Valley of France. ABS serves as the exclusive distributor of these wines in the Mid-Atlantic Region. Only a few other U.S. outlets—in California, Puerto Rico and New York City—carry Domaine de Galuval products. The Domain de Galuval wines are available now in all ABS Liquor Wine retail stores and Oak Barrel & Vine stores throughout the County. They also are available at participating privately owned beer and wine stores and restaurants.

The eight highly rated wines are unique creations, inspired by nature and true to the individual character of each vintage. The eye-catching labels feature works of art that represent the unique geology and character of the terroirs of the Domain de Galuval Estate. By importing directly, ABS is able to offer the products at attractive price points.

Go to Montgomery County ABC Becomes Exclusive Mid-Atlantic Seller of Domaine de Galuval Wines from the Rhône Valley Read more
MoCo

NBC Washington Highlights MoCo Lite Being Named The Best Light Beer in the Country

By MCS Staff

MoCo Lite, the collaboration between The MoCoShow and Lone Oak Farm Brewing Co. in Olney was recently named the Best Light Beer in the Country by Wine Enthusiast. NBC Washington’s Jummy Olabanji came out to Olney to speak with the team behind the beer.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/CvZ2QcKgg5E/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Go to NBC Washington Highlights MoCo Lite Being Named The Best Light Beer in the Country Read more
Education

Maryland Has the 3rd Best Early Education System in America, According to Study

By MCS Staff

With only 11 states currently offering universal pre-K education, the personal-finance website WalletHub today released its report on 2023’s States with the Best & Worst Early Education Systems, with Maryland coming in 3rd overall. Maryland came in 1st in the income requirement for State Pre-K eligibility category, and was ranked as the 8th best school system overall in a study released by WalletHub last week.

In order to determine the best early education systems in America, WalletHub compared the 50 states and the District of Columbia across 12 key metrics. The data set ranges from share of school districts that offer a state pre-K program to number of pre-K quality benchmarks met and total reported spending per child enrolled in pre-K. Quality of Early Education in Maryland (1=Best; 25=Avg.):

Go to Maryland Has the 3rd Best Early Education System in America, According to Study Read more
Bethesda

Vuori’s First DMV Location Now Open

By MCS Staff

Vuori has opened its first location in the DMV at 4820 Bethesda Ave, in the space that was previously home to BIBIBOP at Bethesda Row in Bethesda. Vuori makes premium performance apparel inspired by the active Coastal California lifestyle — an integration of fitness, surf, sport, and art.

Vuori draws inspiration from the active California lifestyle—an integration of fitness, yoga, surf and life. “We make products that stand the test of time and hope to inspire others to live healthy, extraordinary lives. Vuori is much more than a brand. It’s a way of life.”

Go to Vuori’s First DMV Location Now Open Read more
Rockville

New Traffic Pattern Coming to Rockville Town Center in August

By MCS Staff

The city of Rockville’s contractor is planning final pavement markings on North Washington Street and East Middle Lane in early August.

As early as the week of Aug. 7, new traffic patterns are expected on North Washington Street and East Middle Lane as the city’s contractor reallocates the existing motor vehicle travel lanes to create bike lanes. The two existing motor vehicle travel lanes will be reduced to one lane in each direction. New bike lanes and new on-street parking spaces will be added. The work is expected to last one to two weeks, depending on the weather.

Go to New Traffic Pattern Coming to Rockville Town Center in August Read more
Gaithersburg

Megamart Moves Closer Toward Opening New Gaithersburg Store at Former Golden Bull Location

By MCS Staff

MegaMart appears to be close to opening at the former site of iconic MoCo restaurant, The Golden Bull. The Golden Bull closed its doors on February 17th, 2017. In 2019, construction crews began the demolition of the building to make room for the new 26,600 SF Megamart grocery store that will be moving across the street from its location at 401 N Frederick Ave in the Hudson Trail Center. After delays to to Covid, a lot of progress has been made (photos below).

Megamart is a regional grocery chain specializing in Latin items with about a dozen locations in the DMV. Some Megamart stores have additional services, such as gold sales, mobile phone repair, and sporting goods. An opening date is not yet available, but the exterior of the new store looks ready to go and Megamart trucks were parked outside. One major change for the new Gaithersburg store is that it will have its own dedicated parking lot– taking care of the parking issue that has often been brought up regarding the location across the street.

Go to Megamart Moves Closer Toward Opening New Gaithersburg Store at Former Golden Bull Location Read more
Kensington

New Name For Upcoming Kensington Shopping Center That Will Feature at Least Three New Restaurants

By MCS Staff

Construction began earlier this year at the upcoming  Kensington Crossing shopping center, which is located at 10619 Connecticut Avenue (at Plyers Mill Road). Recently, a decision to change the name from Kensington Crossing to ‘Crossroads in Kensington.’

Since plans were approved, Crossroads at Kensington has also signed M&T Bank, Buffalo Wild Wings GO, Mezeh, and Marathon Deli for the upcoming shopping center. M&T Bank, which currently has a Kensington location on Howard Avenue, will move once construction of the new space is complete. Buffalo Wild Wings GO is a scaled-down version of the traditional BWW restaurant that focuses on the to-go and delivery format. Mezeh is a fast-casual eatery with a buffet-style of offerings that include rice and salad bowls, wraps and a variety of sauces and toppings. Marathon Deli, a staple of College Park and life at the University of Maryland for decades, is the most recent to sign on, and one more space remains available in the shopping center.

Go to New Name For Upcoming Kensington Shopping Center That Will Feature at Least Three New Restaurants Read more
View More Stories