“Coming soon” and “now hiring” signage is up at the upcoming Outback Steakhouse location at Ellsworth Place in Downtown Silver Spring. The Australian-themed casual dining chain will be located in the space that was previously home to Not Your Average Joe’s at 8661 Colesville Rd. An opening date is not yet available, but it will be the chain’s third Montgomery County location, joining existing restaurants in Aspen Hill and Germantown.
While Outback Steakhouse is an international chain, one of the founders has strong local ties. Chris T. Sullivan, one of the founders of Outback Steakhouse, is a Blair High School alumnus. Sullivan attended the school, and Takoma Park Middle School before that, in the 60s before heading to the University of Kentucky to study business and economics.
Walter Johnson (3-0) at Paint Branch (2-1): WJ has taken big steps over the last 4 years and this is a great opportunity for the Wildcats to prove themselves and stake a claim for the top seed in the 4A North. Meanwhile PB will be looking for a statement win after falling short against Sherwood. Prediction: Paint Branch by 3
Blake (3-0) at Sherwood (3-0): Congratulations to the Bengals on starting 3-0 for the first time ever! It was a bit expected given the level of competition they’ve played so far, but also a testament to their growth under Coach Marshall. Sherwood will be a big step up for the Bengals, but this should be a good one – Blake tends to play the Warriors tough, and nearly pulled off the comeback upset last year, only to fall on a walk-off Hail Mary. However, Sherwood has exceeded expectations so far this year and based on their performances along with Blake’s not particularly impressive win over Einstein, think they show the Bengals that there’s still a ways to climb. Prediction Sherwood 28 by 11
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!
Fernando J. Herrera-Rivera, age 23, of Gaithersburg, has been charged with six counts of 2nd degree arson in connection with a spree of fires that occurred early morning on Sunday, September 17 in Gaithersburg. Herrea-Rivera was arrested in the area of N. Frederick Ave that same morning after police used video surveillance footage and witness accounts to identify him. Herrera-Rivera was also wanted on a bench warrant for an unrelated charge and is currently being held without bond.
According to Chief Spokesperson for MCFRS Pete Piringer, at 2:30am on September 17, approximately 75 firefighters responded to multiple fires at the Holbrook Center (across from Gaithersburg High School) at 400blk S. Frederick Ave. near Education Blvd. Around 3:15am, MCFRS units then responded to 3 Russell Ave (La Frontera/Taco Bar) and found several vehicles and businesses on fire. There was an additional outside fire also located near the Gaithersburg Police Department building at 14 Fulks Corner Ave that morning. Damage is estimated to be $1,250,000 ($500,000 structure/$750,000 contents.)
Charleys Cheesesteaks opens today at 13617 Connecticut Ave. in the Aspen Hill shopping center. This is the third Charleys location to open this year in Montgomery County. Last month, Charleys opened inside of the Germantown Walmart at 20910 Frederick Rd, in the space formerly occupied by McDonald’s. In June, Charleys opened a location at 19877 Century Blvd in Germantown, in the space that was previously home to Roll by Goodyear and Yogi Castle in the Shops at Town Center & Century Station shopping center. Charleys has additional locations in Bethesda, Clarksburg, Gaithersburg, and Wheaton.
Charley’s now has over 600 stores nationwide. Newer locations have adopted a new menu concept, offering chicken wings and ice cream in addition to its Philly cheesesteaks. “Tossed-to-order, the wings are made with 10 chef-inspired flavors ranging from Angry Ghost and Nashville Hot to milder options like Zesty Lemon-Lime Rub and Sweet Teriyaki.”
The National Museum of the American Indian’s Native Cinema Showcase is an annual celebration of the best in Native film. The festival celebrates the best of Indigenous film, spanning documentaries, features, animations, and short-format films by Indigenous filmmakers from across the Western Hemisphere and Arctic.
Experience the incredible flavors of Japan at Wegmans Rockville Sushi Fest. Enjoy expertly crafted, made-to-order sushi prepared by our talented sushi chefs, along with fresh Bluefin Tuna cuttings daily at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. and King Salmon cuttings throughout the day. Explore unique sushi varieties, discover authentic Japanese products throughout the store, sample customer favorites, and learn more about the craftsmanship and freshness that make Wegmans sushi special. Whether you're a longtime sushi enthusiast or trying something new, Sushi Fest offers a delicious experience for the whole family.
Pickleball is one of the fastest growing sports in the country and Dill Dinkers will hold the grand opening of its second Montgomery County location in Rockville, just six miles away from its recently opened North Bethesda location, on Monday, September 25th. The Rockville facility is located at 40-C Southlawn Court, next to ZavaZone and near the Sportsplex and Ice Arena.
As part of its grand opening, Dill Dinkers will offer free open play from 9am-9pm from September 25th through September 29th. Dill Dinkers offers a wide array of options for getting out on the courts to play, including court reservations for members and non-members, clinics, leagues, and lessons for new and experienced players looking to improve their game. Dill Dinkers will also offer advertising opportunities within the facility for businesses and organizations looking to reach a large, active audience focused on healthy living.
The Montgomery County Department of Police – 3rd District Investigative Section is asking for the public’s assistance in locating Jose Rauda-Ayala. Rauda-Ayala, 42, was last seen on Tuesday, August 8, 2023, in the 500 block of Thayer Avenue in Silver Spring. He is 5-feet, 9-inches tall, 180 Ibs., with black hair, brown eyes, and medium complexion.
Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Jose Rauda-Ayala is asked to call Montgomery County Police Non-Emergency (301) 279-8000 (24-hour line).
Per Montgomery County: The Montgomery County Commission for Women is sponsoring two free programs that can help residents get themselves better organized. A series of “Financial Health and Wellness Seminars” will begin on Tuesday, Oct. 10. Seminars on “Separation and Divorce: What Do I Need to Know?” will begin on Wednesday, Oct. 4. The virtual financial seminars will cover many aspects of becoming more financially organized.
The Commission for Women is joining with Montgomery County Public Libraries to offer the seminars, which will be led by Jamie Lapin, a private wealth advisor and president of RMG Advisors, LLC, and Thiago Glieger, a private wealth advisor and Federal retirement specialist.
Per Montgomery County: Montgomery County Government has nearly 1,000 full-time and part-time jobs, currently open for employment. Interested job seekers 18‐and‐over are encouraged to attend the Montgomery County Career Fair and Hiring Expo from 3-7 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 3, at the Silver Spring Civic Building at Veterans Plaza in Downtown Silver Spring.The Silver Spring Civic Building is located at 1 Veterans Place in Silver Spring.
Per Montgomery County: Bicycles that are no longer being used by some can make a big difference for others. The Montgomery County Department of Transportation’s annual Bicycle Donation Drive will be held on Friday, Oct. 20. The event will make it easy to donate previously owned bikes and ensure they will have a continued impact. From 7 a.m.-2 p.m. on Oct. 20, bikes will be collected (rain or shine) outside of the Montgomery County Council Office Building Garage at East Jefferson and Monroe Street in Rockville.
Bicycles should be in good working condition or in need of only minor repairs. Donations will be refurbished and MCDOT will match the bikes with residents in need through the Bike Match program. Community members are welcome to organize a bike collection at their school, place of worship or within their neighborhood and bring the bikes to Rockville on Oct. 20. For drives that collect 10 or more bikes, MCDOT will arrange to pick them up at a prearranged location.
Per Montgomery County: Montgomery County Recreation and Friends of the Potomac Community Center will be joined by elected officials and community members at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 24, to dedicate a new Outdoor Fitness Park at the Potomac Community Recreation Center. The Potomac Community Recreation Center is located at 11315 Falls Road in Potomac. This outdoor area will provide access to fitness opportunities throughout the year. Community members of all ages will be able to exercise together to enhance mental and physical wellbeing. This site is handicap accessible.
The Friends of the Potomac Community Center, in partnership with the State of Maryland Community Grant and Montgomery County Recreation, selected the space above the community center playing fields for the fitness park. The $295,000 project included funds from a State of Maryland grant and fundraising efforts by The Friends of the Potomac Community Center. The new fitness park works to meet the goals of The Friends of the Potomac Community Center fitness, health and wellness initiative.
The Montgomery County Board of Education will hold its business meeting on Thursday, September 21, 2023. Closed session will begin at 12:00 p.m. Public agenda items will begin at 3:30 p.m. The meeting will be cablecast live on Comcast Channel 34 (HD 1071), Verizon Channel 36, RCN Channel 89 and the MCPS website.
The agenda, with related materials attached, can be found on the Board of Education’s BoardDocs site:
