Maryland

Maryland Ranked “3rd Best State for Civic Racial Equality“, Per Report

By MCS Staff

“With black voter turnout down in the 2022 midterms and 64.1% of black Americans registered to vote compared to 70.9% of white Americans”, WalletHub today released its report on the Best States for Racial Equality in Civic Engagement, with Maryland being ranked “3rd Best State for Civic Racial Equality.”

In order to determine which states have the most racial equality in civic engagement, WalletHub compared 48 states and the District of Columbia across five key metrics. Our data set compares the difference between white and black Americans in areas like the share of single-parent households, the volunteer rate and voter turnout. Below, you can see highlights from the report.

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Restaurants

Mi Mariachi to Take Over Nava Thai Space in Wheaton

By MCS Staff

Mi Mariachi Bar & Grill will take over the space that was recently home to Nava Thai and previously home to Sir Walter Raleigh at 11301 Fern St in Wheaton. Nava Thai closed in February after approximately 16 years at the location.

It is unclear at this time if this version of Mi Mariachi is related to the Mi Mariachi that was previously in Wheaton at 2715 University Blvd W. This version of the restaurant incorporated in April 2023 and has an Alcoholic Beverage Services (ABS) hearing for its alcohol and liquor license on Thursday, June 15th at 1pm. We’ll have additional information as it becomes available. Featured photo courtesy of Google Maps.

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Business

Dr. Hagop M. Kantarjian of Rockville’s Ascentage Pharma Receives Award for Lifelong Contributions to Leukemia Research

By MCS Staff

Rockville’s Ascentage Pharma (6855.HK), a global biopharmaceutical company located at 700 King Farm Blvd in Rockville engaged in developing novel therapies for cancers, chronic hepatitis B (CHB), and age-related diseases, announced that its Clinical Advisory Board member Prof Hagop M. Kantarjian has received the David A. Karnofsky Memorial Award for his lifelong contributions to leukemia clinical research and his dedication to improving the lives of patients.

Prof Kantarjian received the award at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting, June 2-6, 2023, in Chicago, IL. The David A. Karnofsky Memorial Award is considered the highest honor that ASCO confers and has been presented annually since 1970 to recognize an oncologist who has made outstanding contributions to cancer research, diagnosis, and/or treatment.

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Bethesda

HOTWORX Infrared Sauna Workout Studio to Open First MoCo Location

By MCS Staff

HOTWORX, a virtually instructed exercise program created for users to experience the benefits of infrared heat absorption, is opening its first MoCo (and Maryland) location at 4830 Rugby Ave in Bethesda (the ground level of an apartment building). The studio is currently offering founding member rates via its website.

HOTWORX allows members to complete a 30-minute Isometric workout or 15-minute High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) session in an infrared sauna studio. As the infrared heat penetrates your body causing you to sweat, the isometric postures further accelerate detoxification by physically removing the toxins from your organs through muscle contraction. “Our patented sauna combines heat, infrared, and exercise– what we like to call “3D Training”– and makes HOTWORX a workout unlike any other fitness program available!”

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Education

Board of Education Makes Four Appointments Including New Principal at Kennedy High School

By MCS Staff

The Montgomery County Board of Education approved the following administrative appointments at its meeting on Tuesday, June 6th:

Ella Bradley, currently Coordinator, Human Capital Recruitment, Retention, and Talent Acquisition, Howard County Public School System, Md., as Director, Human Capital Management, Office of Human Resources and Development, Office of the Chief Operating Officer

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Education

MoCo Board of Education Adopts $3.165 Billion Operating Budget for Fiscal Year 2024

By MCS Staff

The Montgomery County Board of Education has unanimously adopted a $3.165 billion operating budget for Fiscal Year (FY) 2024, an increase of $245 million or 8.4 percent over the prior year. The adopted budget will allow Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) to make investments to support enrollment growth and student academic needs, while providing staff wage increases to competitively hire and retain highly qualified teachers, administrators and support service workers.

The FY 2024 Operating Budget was developed to specifically target investments aligned to the three focus areas of the MCPS strategic plan: Academic Excellence, Well-Being and Family Engagement and Professional and Operational Excellence. The budget also includes focused investments by the Board of Education to improve math and literacy rates, build a safe and inclusive school culture and support two-way communication.

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DMV

Smoke Coming From Fires in Canada Are The Cause for Code Orange and Red Air Day (Wednesday, June 7)

By MCS Staff

The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) has forecast a Code Orange air day for the Metropolitan Washington region tomorrow: Wednesday, June 7. Code Orange levels mean the air is unhealthy for sensitive groups. Smoke coming from fires in Canada will contribute to the increased levels of fine particle pollution. Frederick, Baltimore and areas north/west will fall under a Code Red. On unhealthy air days, COG advises the following health precautions:

Residents can check current air quality conditions on COG’s website or by downloading a free air quality app from Clean Air Partners. On unhealthy air days, residents are encouraged to take the following actions to help reduce pollution:

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Health

Governor Moore Signs Executive Order to Protect Gender Affirming Health Care in Maryland

By Patrick Herron

“In the State of Maryland, nobody should have to justify their own humanity,” said Gov. Moore. “This order is focused on ensuring Maryland is a safe place for gender affirming care, especially as other states take misguided and hateful steps to make gender affirming care cause for legal retribution. In Maryland, we are going to lead on this issue.”

“In signing this executive order, this administration is saying to all LGBTQIA+ Marylanders: You deserve to be your authentic selves — during Pride month and every month,” said Lt. Gov. Miller. “You deserve to live safely, openly, and freely; and receive the gender affirming care you need.”

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Beyond MoCo

Scotland Freedom Day Concert Featuring Wyclef Jean Moved Again

By Patrick Herron

The Scotland Freedom Day Concert featuring artists Wyclef Jean, Gyptian, Jamaican reggae legend Tarrus Riley, and Dean Fraser & The Blak Soil Band scheduled for Monday, June 19th at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds in Gaithersburg has once again been relocated, to the Anthem in DC, after initially being relocated to the Howard County Fairgrounds in West Friendship, MD. Additional information here.

“Celebrating the past and present of the first places African-Americans owned land in Montgomery County, the Scotland community of Potomac, Md., is announcing a significant expansion of our annual Scotland Juneteenth Heritage Festival for 2023.

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Business

Sprinkles in Potomac is Available to Purchase For New Price

By MCS Staff

Popular Potomac dessert spot, Sprinkles, which was listed for sale on BizBuySell last year for $850K is currently listed on the site at a newer price of $599,999. The 34-year-old family owned ice cream store and bakery is located in the Potomac Village shopping center and is described as being approximately 600-700SF. All assets will transfer with sale– including “existing inventory, ice cream and frozen yogurt machines, bakery oven and equipment etc.” The store is also touting a brand new HVAC system and floor in the kitchen, an in-store bathroom for employee use, a seating area for customers, and describes itself as “the only ice cream store in the Village and within at least a 3-5 mile drive.”

Additional information, per the listing: “Sprinkles Won Best Dessert place in Potomac Maryland in 2022 from Potomac Lifestyle Magazine. We are a woman owned, family-run, small business that has been serving the community for 33 years. Sprinkles is a staple in this community and is a favorite of families for over three generations. Hand made ice cream and frozen yogurt shop that has expanded to sell baked goods, gourmet candies & treats and novelty gift items. We have major corporate and non-profit clients including, but not limited to: Akin Gump, PNC Bank, Make-A-Wish Foundation, RSM, DC United, Greater Washington Board of Trade, Serco, etc. Corporate gift box business for Fortune 100 companies – Verizon, Marymount University, etc, nationwide. WE ARE NOT a franchise- it is a stand alone store.“

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Silver Spring

Preliminary Plans Revealed For 500+ Unit High-Rise at Recently Sold Tastee Diner Site

By MCS Staff

Tastee Diner at 8601 Cameron St. in Silver Spring permanently closed on March 22 after the diner was sold on March 21 to D.C. based Roadside Development for $3.1 million according to Maryland Land Records.  Roadside Development, which purchased the adjacent Capital One bank lot back in August, plans on creating a “multifamily mixed-use” redevelopment at the two sites and recently revealed a sketch plan and preliminary pre-submission plans.

The plans include a new high-rise residential development with up to 525 apartments at 8676 Georgia Avenue and 8601 Cameron Street, according to DC Urban Turf. For now, the original Tastee Diner car is planned to be worked into the upcoming development. A green roof and green space will also be included in the development plans, which also include Tastee Diner’s historic diner car, according to Roadside, according to Source of the Spring (additional photos below).

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