Montgomery County will host two free Independence Day fireworks displays this year, one on Saturday, July 1, and the other on Tuesday, July 4. The Independence Day celebrations will take place at the following locations:
“Our Independence Day fireworks displays are such wonderful events and the perfect opportunity to enjoy music, outdoors and time with family and friends,” said Montgomery County Recreation Director Robin Riley. “We look forward to celebrating together once again this summer.”
Per Montgomery County: The Montgomery County Council issued a statement on the recent vandalism, burning and removal of LGBTQ+ Pride flags, a Black Trans Lives Matter flag and Ukrainian flags at residential homes in Silver Spring in the early morning on Wednesday, June 28.
“We are outraged by the numerous incidents of hate and anti-LGBTQ+ vandalism that occurred early this morning, which included the removal and burning of Pride flags, LGBTQ+ banners, Ukrainian solidarity flags, a Black Trans Lives Matter flag and other inclusive lawn signs in the Park Hills neighborhood and nearby streets in Silver Spring.
The 7th edition of the International Colombian Festival of Washington DC will take place on Saturday, July 22nd 2022, from 11:00AM at 8:00PM at Catholic University (University Garage, 3598 John McCormack Rd NE, DC 20310).
Last year’s festival included over 5,000 spectators in attendance and a large turnout is expected again this year. The festival will include “food, folklore, dance, art and tradition.” Organizers Go Columbia LLC say “This year, we have MEXICO as a guest country and we are anxiously looking forward to even greater success. In the past, we have counted with the participation of well-renowned artists and recipients of Grammy awards, and this year we are not expecting less as we are pushing for unique.”
Montgomery County, MD is commonly known as being a suburb of the nation’s capital, but what might surprise some is that it is also home to a thriving biotech ecosystem. With over 350 life sciences companies, including global brands like AstraZeneca, United Therapeutics, and Novavax, Montgomery County anchors the third largest biophama hub in the U.S., behind only Boston and San Francisco.
Running annually in Washington D.C. for over 25 years, World Vaccine Congress attracts an international audience from over 80 countries and convenes more than 3,000 people to learn about the latest trends, research, and technologies in the vaccine industry. This year, Montgomery County took center stage, with a featured session on the extensive Biologics Value Chain in the County, as well as a session during which County Executive Marc Elrich spoke about the extensive resources available to companies here, and an exhibit space showcasing these resources.
A Complete Biologics Value Chain in One Region
One of the defining strengths of Montgomery County is its ability to support the full lifecycle of biologics, all the way from early research to large-scale manufacturing. During the panel discussion, moderated by Dr. Stefanie Trop, Director of Life Sciences at the Maryland Department of Commerce, local leaders emphasized that the region’s strength lies in its network of partners who work collaboratively across discovery, development, testing, and production. Panelists from companies in all stages of the value chain spectrum included Dr. Andrew Lees, Founder of Fina Biosolutions, Benjamin Moutier, Senior Vice-President, Vaccines and Immune Therapies at AstraZeneca, Dr. Helen Sabzevari President & CEO of Precigen, and Dr. Frederick Holtsberg, Chief Scientific Officer of Integrated BioTherapeutics.
This end-to-end capability in close geographical proximity gives companies a unique advantage and is rare to find in other markets, even established ones like San Francisco and Boston. In fact, only a handful of places worldwide offer the combination of infrastructure, expertise, and collaboration found in Montgomery County and if diversity, education and population density are taken into consideration – then Montgomery County standouts even more.
“Gaithersburg is one of the six places in the world where we can do what we’re doing,” explained Benjamin Moutier, Senior Vice-President, Vaccines and Immune Therapies, AstraZeneca. “We have the right partners at every step of the value chain [in Montgomery County].”
A Strong Partnership Network
Biotech breakthroughs rarely happen in isolation. They depend on strong partnerships between private companies, local and state governments, academic institutions, and workforce training organizations. Montgomery County has intentionally cultivated these connections, making collaboration and coordination defining characteristics of its life sciences ecosystem.
Dr. Frederick Holtsberg, Chief Scientific Officer at IBT Bioservices, a full service CRO offering clinical & preclinical contract research services, says the company’s close partnerships between them and local stakeholders have been crucial to its success. “As a Rockville-based company, we’re grateful for the partnership and support from city, County, and state leaders,” explained Dr. Holtsberg. “These programs have helped fuel our growth, and we’re excited about the continued momentum of our community.” (more…)
Per MCPD: Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – 3rd District Investigative Section are investigating multiple hate-based vandalisms that occurred in Silver Spring. Detectives are asking for the public’s assistance in identifying the suspect(s).
The preliminary investigation has revealed that during the overnight hours of Tuesday, June 27, 2023, to Wednesday, June 28, 2023, several Pride and Ukrainian flags had been burned in the Mansfield Road, Wayne Place, Ellsworth Place, Greenbrier Drive, Pershing Drive and Deerfield Avenue neighborhoods.
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:
According to Montgomery County Council President Evan Glass, Montgomery County Police have received reports of signs and flags being vandalized in Silver Spring. Glass tweeted the following:
Earlier today MCPD received reports of Pride flags, Ukrainian flags and inclusive lawn signs in Silver Spring being desecrated.
According to Montgomery County Police, “On Friday, June 23, 2023, at approximately 1:05 p.m., 3rd District officers responded to City Place Mall (Ellsworth Place) at 8661 Colesville Rd. in Silver Spring for the report of a kidnapping that occurred in the playground of the mall.
The investigation has revealed that 32-year-old Jeffery Akame picked up a two-year-old child victim (male) from the playground. The mother of the victim intervened and took away her child from Akame. Akame then ran away and left the scene.
Per MCPD: Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – Major Crimes Division are investigating an armed robbery that occurred on Monday, June 26, 2023, in the 20200 block of Maple Leaf Court. Detectives are asking for the public’s assistance in identifying the suspect.
The initial investigation has revealed that at approximately 11:35 p.m., an unknown suspect entered the victim’s residence. The suspect displayed a black handgun with an extended magazine and demanded personal property from the victim in that room. The suspect then went upstairs and demanded cash from another victim in the residence. The suspect then left the residence on foot in an unknown direction.
Per MCPD: Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – Special Victims Investigations Division (SVID) are asking for the public’s assistance in locating Ruth Ochoa, a missing 14-year-old from Silver Spring. Ruth was last seen on Tuesday, June 27, 2023, at approximately 7 p.m., at her residence on Gateshead Manor Way in Silver Spring.
Ruth is approximately 5-feet, 5-inches tall and weighs 130 pounds. She has brown eyes and brown hair. She was last seen wearing a black hooded sweatshirt and a black book bag. Police and family are concerned for her welfare.
Jayleen is approximately 5-feet tall and weighs 100 pounds. She has brown eyes and brown hair. She was last seen wearing a beige hooded sweatshirt, red sweatpants, and red/white sneakers. Police and family are concerned for her welfare.
Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Jayleen Chavez is asked to call the police non-emergency number at (301) 279-8000 (24-hour line). Callers may remain anonymous.
Yesenia is approximately 5-feet tall and weighs 100 pounds. She has dark brown eyes and dark red hair. She was last seen carrying a pink purse and wearing a black shirt and white pajama pants with cartoon makeup accessories on them. Police and family are concerned for her welfare.
Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Yesenia Cabrera Felipe is asked to call the police non-emergency number at (301) 279-8000 (24-hour line). Callers may remain anonymous.
Per Montgomery County (6.27.23): The Montgomery County Council today approved County Executive Marc Elrich’s nominations of Scott Bruton to lead the County’s Department of Housing and Community Affairs (DHCA) and Ben Stevenson to lead the County’s Department of Correction and Rehabilitation (DOCR).
Dr. Bruton originally came to the County six months ago. He served as deputy director and acting director of DHCA before being confirmed today. Dr. Bruton brings a lot of real-world experience to his new role as director. Dr. Bruton spent the last seven years working for the Coalition for Nonprofit Housing and Economic Development in Washington, D.C., where he was senior vice president for housing policy, research and development.