Omer Balva, a dual Israeli-American citizen who grew up in Rockville, was killed on Friday night in an anti-tank missile attack along the Lebanese border, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced Saturday (per The Times of Israel). “A message has been given to his family,” the IDF said in a statement. “The IDF shares in the family’s grief and will continue to support them.”
According to various reports, Balva was in the United States when he was called to service last week and flew to Israel. He grew up in Rockville, where he attended the Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School (class of 2019). The school releases the following statement on Saturday: “CESJDS mourns the loss of Omer Balva ’19. Omer was proudly serving in the Israeli Defense Forces having been recently called up for reserve duty. He was a beloved student who attended CESJDS from age seven through his high school graduation. Omer was an unabashed advocate for the State of Israel. He is a hero to the State of Israel, the Jewish people, and the school. We are devastated and heartbroken.”
The DMV Chocolate & Coffee Festival is coming to Montgomery County on November 7 & 8, 2026, at the Adventist HealthCare Fieldhouse in Germantown, Maryland. Get ready to sip, sample, shop, and enjoy a full weekend of family-friendly fun!
Sip, Sample & Shop
Get ready to explore a festival floor filled with top chocolate makers, coffee roasters, bakeries, specialty food vendors, artisan brands and small businesses from across the region and beyond. Sample new flavors, meet the people behind the products and shop directly from the talented makers and businesses who created them.
Experience Chocolate History
One of the highlights of this year’s festival is a large-scale chocolate sculpture of George Washington on horseback, created by award-winning chocolate artist Paul Joachim.
The sculpture will be part of a special exhibit exploring chocolate’s place in early American history. Guests can see the sculpture up close, sample colonial-style drinking chocolate, and shop the exclusive Collector’s Heritage Box inspired by the historic drink. It’s a unique opportunity to experience chocolate through art, history, and taste all in one place.
Seminars, Demonstrations & More
Visit the Sip & Share Seminar Classroom for educational sessions and demonstrations throughout the weekend, all included with your festival admission. Explore topics ranging from ancestral cacao in the Ecuadorian Amazon and the realities of starting a coffee business to craft chocolate and festival trivia. Learn directly from experts and makers as they share their knowledge, demonstrate their craft and offer a closer look at how their products are made.
Fun for All Ages
The DMV Chocolate & Coffee Festival offers an experience the whole family can enjoy. Kids under 12 receive free admission with a ticketed adult and can get creative at our complimentary kids’ craft tables. Festival mascots Chunk & Bean will also be on-site for meet-and-greets and photo opportunities throughout the weekend. Families can even shop for Chunk & Bean plushies, children’s books and other kid-friendly items.
Whether you’re a serious chocolate lover, a coffee enthusiast, a foodie or simply looking for a fun fall outing, there’s something for everyone to see, taste, shop and enjoy.
Save on Tickets
The DMV Chocolate & Coffee Festival Maryland Edition takes place November 7 & 8, 2026, at the Adventist HealthCare Fieldhouse in Germantown, Maryland.
MoCo Show readers can use code MOCO10 at checkout to save 10% on online festival tickets. Grab your tickets and get ready to sip, sample and shop at one of the sweetest weekends of the fall!
Koma, a new café and cocktail bar from Brad Feickert, chef and owner of SOKO Butcher, is now open at 8006 Flower Ave in Takoma Park. The restaurant is currently holding its soft opening and will be open from 7am-2pm on Saturday and Sunday. Koma is a “specialty coffee shop with an Italian influence that serves coffee, pastries, and breakfast by day and lunch, dinner, wine, beer, and cocktails by afternoon and night.” The restaurant is currently serving sandwiches and will be expanding its menu to include pizza and pasta in the coming weeks.
The restaurant posted the following on its Instagram page on Friday, October 20: “We were very sneaky and did a quiet soft open today, a lot of you found out quick and we appreciate you checking us out! We will be doing another soft opening this weekend from 7am-2pm Saturday and Sunday! Come by and try our Croissant Egg and Cheese and a cold brew!”
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers arrested two fleeing Maryland rape suspects at Washington Dulles International Airport late Thursday and early Friday. Each suspect is wanted on a separate felony rape charge– one in Montgomery County and one in Prince George’s County.
According to CBP, “Officers first arrested Oscar Armando Hernandez Mata, a 53-year-old Salvadoran, on a Montgomery County, Maryland, warrant for felony second degree rape and sexual abuse of a minor. Hernandez Mata is an alien unlawfully present in the U.S. after being ordered removed by an immigration judge in 2006. CBP’s National Targeting Center alerted Dulles officers of Hernandez Mata’s impending departure flight to El Salvador. Dulles CBP officers apprehended Hernandez Mata at 4:48 p.m., Thursday at the departure gate.
Olney, MD Art Gallery and Studio to present a Pop-Culture themed group Art Exhibit and Artists’ Alley event.
Highly Animated is a 2-month long celebration of the vibrant world of fan art. From classic JRPG nostalgia, to the latest anime obsessions, to amazing original characters, this exhibition will highlight the passion, creativity and talent within fan communities.
Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Rashawn Williams is asked to call Montgomery County Police Non-Emergency (301) 279-8000 (24-hour line).
Old Town Pour House, located at 212 Ellington Drive in Gaithersburg’s Downtown Crown development, will be closing permanently on Tuesday, October 24th. A manager from the restaurant confirmed the closing to us on Friday night, following the restaurant’s filing of a WARN on Friday for a mass layoff of 58 employees.
We have received the following statement, “After10 incredible years in Gaithersburg, our lease is up and we’ve decided to turn off the taps at Old Town Pour House at 212 Ellington Boulevard. This last decade was filled with so many delightful guests and meaningful engagement with an outstanding community, and we consider it a major success for the Bottleneck Management group. We whole-heartedly thank everyone we’ve met along the way for making us a part of their lives. Our last day of service will be Tuesday, October 24th.
Tacos Way is coming soon to 8777B 1st Ave in Silver Spring. The Montgomery County ABS announced that the restaurant recently received its alcohol license and Source of the Spring reports that exterior signage has recently been installed. Menu items include tacos, burritos, bowls, quesadillas, salads, and chimichangas.
According to its website, “All of our taco flavors are inspired by delicious Mexican flavors.” Tacos Way has an additional location at 10540 York Rd in Cockeysville, MD. We will provide an update when additional information becomes available. Featured image courtesy of Tacos Way on Facebook.
Adventist HealthCare has announced a new radiation oncology joint venture partnership with US Oncology Network, a leading oncology provider, at the Shady Grove Aquilino Cancer Center in Rockville. “This partnership deepens the relationship with top oncology experts at Maryland Oncology Hematology and is backed by the US Oncology Network, with 500 sites of care throughout the U.S, giving patients more access to the latest clinical trials, treatment and advanced technology.”
Adventist HealthCare and Maryland Oncology Hematology have closely collaborated for many years and were key partners in the opening of the Aquilino Cancer Center in 2013. The relationship has deepened through a separate radiation oncology joint venture partnership at the White Oak Cancer Center in 2020. This new agreement will now align the most advanced care practices at both cancer centers to improve outcomes and patient experience, providing world-class cancer treatment in the Washington, D.C., region.
Per MCPD: “Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – 4th District Investigative Section are investigating a commercial burglary that occurred at the Speedy Laundromat in the 12500 block of Layhill Road in Silver Spring. Detectives have released surveillance photos of one of the suspects and are asking for the public’s assistance in identifying him.
The investigation by detectives has revealed that at approximately 3:50 a.m.,on Wednesday, October 11, 2023, a suspect forced entry into the laundromat by shattering the glass front door, stole an undisclosed amount of money and left the store. At approximately 4:40 a.m., a second suspect entered the business through the broken front door, stole the cash register containing an undisclosed amount of money and left the scene.
Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) will host a Girls’ Summit on Saturday, Oct. 21 from 9am until 1pm at Clarksburg High School.” A CDC report released in February 2023 highlighted record high levels of sadness, suicide risk, and violence reported by teen girls. These concerning national trends are also seen in Montgomery County.” This event for students and their caregivers will offer education, resources and activities centered especially around young women’s health.
The Girls’ Summit will provide informative workshops geared towards middle and high school girls on a variety of current topics, a chance to network, participate in fun activities, learn valuable skills and enjoy a fashion show presented by White House Black Market celebrating diverse body types.
Governor Wes Moore today released the following statement regarding the killing of Judge Andrew Wilkinson:
“I am shocked, heartbroken, and sickened by the killing of Judge Andrew Wilkinson. He was the victim of a cold-blooded, vicious, and targeted attack. My heart goes out to Judge Wilkinson’s family, and my prayers are with everyone who knew him, loved him, and served alongside him.
