Education

This year represents the 40th anniversary of the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program. Congratulations to the more than 9,000 awardees recognized since 1983. Six schools in Maryland (one in Montgomery County) have been recognized in 2023– they are listed below.

The National Blue Ribbon Schools (NBRS) Program is one of the U.S. Department of Education’s longest-running recognition programs. NBRS recognizes outstanding public and non-public elementary, middle, and high schools based on their overall high academic achievement or success in closing the achievement gap among diverse groups of students.  Since its inception, the goals of the program are to shine a spotlight on the best schools in the United States and to share best practices of outstanding schools across the country.


Restaurant

Wiseguy Pizza will open it’s first Montgomery County location in the Wheaton Mall food court on Wednesday, September 20.  The restaurant will be located in the space that was previously occupied by Angel’s Pizza.  Wiseguy serves stone-deck oven baked pizza by the slice that’s made with imported ingredients from Italy, homemade sauces, and dough using a special water filtration system. Pizza options include Cheese, Pepperoni, Paneer Tikki (House Masala, Paneer, Mozzarella, Onions, Tomato, Green & Chili Peppers, Cilantro, Jalapeño Sauce), Nashville Hot Chicken, Chicken Parmesan, and Whitestone (Garlic, Ricotta, Mozzarella, Parmigiano, Oregano, Oil from Tuscany Italy.)

Wise Guy currently has four locations across D.C. and Virginia and this will be its first Maryland store.  Thompson Hospitality Group, which is behind restaurants like Matchbox (Bethesda, Rockville, and Silver Spring locations in MoCo), Willie T’s Seafood Shack (Silver Spring), Austin Grill and American Tap Room (both previously in MoCo), acquired all Wiseguy locations in 2022. According to Wiseguy’s website, the restaurant is scheduled to open this summer.


Rockville

Missing woman: Sumona Kazi, 39, last seen 9/11/23 in the 2000 blk of Northrup Dr. Police & loved ones concerned for her wellbeing. If you know Ms. Kazi’s whereabouts or have any info to assist in locating her, please contact the Rockville City Police at 240-314-8900. pic.twitter.com/mOBvJMq79a

— Rockville City Police Department (@RockvilleCityPD) September 19, 2023


Announcement

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.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:


Event

October 10 & 11, 2026

The MoCo Epic is a festival celebrating mountain biking, natural surface trails, and the community that makes this region a great place to ride! 2026 marks the 16th anniversary of the MoCo Epic.


MoCo Government

Per Montgomery County: The Montgomery County Council voted unanimously today to approve the Safe Streets Act of 2023 (Bill 11-23). The new law, spearheaded by Council President Evan Glass, will create safer streets for pedestrians, cyclists and drivers on Montgomery County roadways.

The new law, spearheaded by Council President Evan Glass, will create safer streets for pedestrians, cyclists and drivers on Montgomery County roadways. The legislation prioritizes pedestrians by enhancing walk times at crosswalks, and prohibits “right turn on red” at busy intersections in downtown areas. To create safer routes to school, the legislation will also require infrastructure reviews following incidents in school zones, walksheds and bus stops.


DMV

Left something on Metro and need to get it back? If it ends up at Metro’s lost and found, you may be in luck. Metro will now keep a wider list of lost items left behind on trains, buses, at stations, and other Metro facilities. The new policy, updates changes made due to pandemic-related budget constraints in 2021 that restricted Metro’s lost and found storage to wallets and electronics such as phones, tablets, laptops, and cameras only.

In addition to these items, Metro’s lost and found department will now work to also reunite customers with lost keys, glasses, backpacks, headphones, luggage, and purses. Items such as perishables, clothing, umbrellas, and bikes will not be kept by the lost and found. Non-returnable items, and any other property unclaimed after 30-days will be disposed of, donated to charity, destroyed, or auctioned.


Education

Three exceptionally inspiring high school seniors were awarded a total of $2,600 in scholarship funds for the 2023-2024 academic year through the W. Edward Bohrer, Jr. Memorial CHARACTER COUNTS! Scholarship program.

Per the City of Gaithersburg: Presented in partnership with the W. Edward Bohrer Memorial Fund and the City Student Union, the scholarships are named for former Mayor Bohrer, under whose leadership the City adopted the CHARACTER COUNTS! program in 1996. The scholarship program acknowledges students for embodying the Six Pillars of Character – trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and citizenship.


Events

Since 1994, the Kensington 8K Race has been one of the most popular DC area fall races. It’s described as a “fun, fast event with beauty, challenge, and excitement” and this year it takes place on Saturday, September 23, 2023.

“Known throughout the DC Area as a true community race – parents and kids cheering on each other and welcomed visitors running through our Town and Rock Creek Park.” Four local schools – Kensington Parkwood ES, North Bethesda MS, Silver Creek MS, and Walter Johnson HS – benefit from race proceeds, with more than $250,000 raised since 2009.


MCFRS

Earlier this morning, a gas leak was reported at the intersection of New Hampshire Avenue and University Blvd.  As of now, the following road closures are in effect:

Northbound New Hampshire Avenue is open for traffic. University Blvd. East heading into Prince George’s County is closed until further notice. The 1300 block of University Blvd. is also closed to all traffic.


MCFRS

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) responded to a fire in the 9600blk of Shadow Oak Dr, near Arrowhead Rd., in Montgomery Village on Tuesday, September 19. According to Chief Spokesperson for MCFRS Pete Piringer, the fire originated in a small pile of trash in a 2nd floor bathroom of the two-story townhouse. Firefighters assisted several residents from the building and there were no injuries reported.

We will provide an update if additional information becomes available.