The Washington Spirit drew, 0-0, with OL Reign in a thrilling contest. A record-setting 34,130 fans attended the match, becoming the largest crowd in NWSL history. The Spirit played their home games in Germantown full-time from the team’s first season in 2013 until the 2018 season. For the next two seasons, the team split its time between various stadiums including its current home stadium of Audi Field.
Former USWMNT player Megan Rapinoe was honored before and after the match in what was the final regular season home match of her career. Even though the Spirit rallied late with several near-goals, the score remained level after 90 minutes. Following the pregame ceremonies, the nationally televised bout between the Spirit and Reign began without much affair. The first 25 minutes of play saw both teams jockeying for chances without success. In that time, there were no shots on target and the Spirit was statistically outplayed. OL Reign controlled over 60% of possession, doubled the Spirit’s passes and logged ten touches in the opponent’s box compared to the Spirit’s one.
Per the State of Maryland: Governor Wes Moore today released the following statement regarding Senator Melony G. Griffith’s hiring as new president and chief executive officer of the Maryland Hospital Association:
“Melony Griffith has represented Prince George’s County with distinction in the Maryland General Assembly. We are grateful for her fierce advocacy for reducing health disparities, driving economic development, and building a responsible budget. Senator Griffith’s legacy of service will strengthen our communities for generations to come.
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!
Update: This incident is now beinginvestigated as a domestic related homicide.
4th District Montgomery County Police officers responded to the 4500 block of Mt. Olney Lane shortly before 8:30 for a shooting. The suspect is in custody and officers are still on scene. This story is developing and we will update with additional information as soon as it’s available.
Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) and Montgomery County police responded to a call for a collision involving a vehicle and a pedestrian on Snouffer School Rd. in Gaithersburg on Saturday night. According to our public safety reporter, Cordell Pugh, the pedestrian was deceased upon arrival and Snouffer School Rd. will remain closed between Cherry Laurel Ln. and Flower Hill Way for several hours for collision reconstruction.
Police tweeted the following at 9:32pm, “A collision involving a pedestrian has the 8200 block of Snouffer School Road shut down in both directions. Drivers should seek an alternate route.” We’ll update with additional information when it becomes available. Featured photo courtesy of Google Maps.
Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is a time for commemorating our ancestors. Rather than a period of mourning, it is an occasion for celebrating with family—both living and dead—and honoring the cycle of life. Learn about La Catrina and her joyful view of life and mortality. Enjoy family-friendly activities throughout the day, including dance performances, coloring activities, and paper marigold and mask making. Visitors are invited to leave photos and mementos of their loved ones on the ofrenda (altar) or commemorate them by writing their names on a butterfly to attach to the memorial arch.
Bring your family and friends to our free , all-day outdoor Oktoberfest celebration. These will be an outdoor craft fair featuring local artisans and professional woodworkers, a chainsaw carving, woodworking and tool demonstrations by Festool, Montgomery Wood Turners and Carvers. There will also be lots of delicious food provided by El Parente Tacos, El Jeffe Wood-fired pizzas, Bruster's Ice cream and seasonal craft brews from Saints Row Brwsing Company.
Sunday, October 8 is the City of Gaithersburg Government Annual Oktoberfest celebration. The festivities will be occurring by the Arts Barn, Kentlands Mansion, and Kentlands Village Green, along Main Street and Inspiration Lane. Starting at 6 a.m. the following streets will be closed and will re-open at approximately 9 p.m.:
Metro’s escalator replacement project is headed for the home stretch with installation complete on half of the 130 escalators planned for replacement . On Monday three brand new, more reliable escalators will be up and running at the Farragut North Entrance on L Street NW, and another new escalator is returning to service at Grosvenor.
Metro’s contractor, KONE, is working to complete the remaining escalators as part of an ongoing escalator replacement project through 2028, helping to ensure our infrastructure remains in a state of good repair.
November marks the 30th anniversary of the first non-U.S. residents voting in Takoma Park. The landmark initiative first passed by the Takoma Park City Council in 1992 gave immigrants—regardless of their legal status—the right to vote in municipal elections. In Takoma Park, nearly one-third of the residents are foreign-born, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
“Even if it’s only a handful voting in elections—and it’s more than that—it’s a huge step forward for democracy,” said Seth Grimes, co-founder of Takoma Park Mobilization a volunteer organization that supports local immigrants, among other issues. “Non-citizens have a stake in civic affairs, and everyone should have a voice in who governs them.”
Per WMATA: Metro is running regular rail service for the Army Ten-Miler this Sunday, Oct. 8. Some bus routes will be detoured between 5 a.m. and 2 p.m. because of the racecourse. More race-specific transportation information is available on the Army Ten-Miler website.
The owners of African International Market in Germantown and Gaithersburg are opening a new restaurant in Germantown that will be called ‘Authentic African Restaurant.’ It will be located in Germantown Plaza, in the same shopping center as the first African International Market. An opening date is not yet available, but the restaurant plans to hold its Grand Opening this year (2023). The restaurant will serve authentic African cuisine. We’ll have an update as soon as it’s available.
Per Montgomery County: The Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) will begin providing sexual health services at the new Upcounty Sexual Health & Wellness Clinic beginning Monday, Oct. 9. The clinic, located at the Sidney Kramer Upcounty Regional Services Center, 12900 Middlebrook Road in Germantown, will offer free and low-cost testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections (STI) and HIV infection.
“While Montgomery County ranks as the healthiest county in Maryland, we have seen an increase in infection rates for STIs, and access to early testing and treatment services is essential to sexual health and wellbeing,” said County Executive Marc Elrich. “This new clinic location will help residents living in the Upcounty region get services where they live. Many STIs are treatable or curable but early detection is important to successful outcomes.”
Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) responded to a call for a fire at a three-story garden apartment at 900 Clopper Rd., near Metropolitan Grove Rd. in Gaithersburg shortly before 8pm on Friday night. According to MCFRS Chief Spokesperson Pete Piringer, smoke coming from the building was revealed to stem from a fire on the second floor. Multiple units responded and the building has been evacuated, with Clopper Road (MD-117) temporarily closed from Metropolitan Grove Road to Firstfield Road until late Friday night.
In an update provided by Piringer on Saturday, approximately 50 firefighters responded to the apartment fire. Two adults were transported to the hospital. One of the adults was located and rescued from the apartment of origin (smoke inhalation), and another adult from a different apartment was transported due to an unrelated medical issue. The cause is still under investigation. Two apartment units were displaces (three adults, one dog, and one cat) and where was approximately $110K in damage.
