MoCo Government

Councilmember Will Jawando to Run for U.S. Senate

By Patrick Herron

Councilmember Will Jawando announced today that he is launching a campaign for the U.S. Senate. Yesterday, U.S. Senator Ben Cardin, Maryland’s senior senator and Chair of the Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee, announced that he would not seek re-election at the end of his current term. Statement below courtesy of @willjawando on Twitter:

I don’t accept that one must suffer for another to gain. There’s more than enough for us all, and every American has the right to thrive. I’ve spent the last five years on the Montgomery County Council dismantling the economic and racial barriers that keep too many down.

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Wheaton

Wheaton Mall to Host Event With “Real Live Mermaids” Later This Month

By Patrick Herron

To coincide with the release of the upcoming live-action Little Mermaid movie, Westfield Wheaton will be hosting a “Make a Splash with Real Mermaids” event on May 27th from 12-4pm in the mall’s lower level Macy’s Court. The event will feature “live” mermaids, a full custom designed mermaid cove, and live DJ.

Per Westfield Wheaton: “Everyone’s favorite little mermaid makes her return to the big screen at AMC theaters, but you’ll only find REAL LIVE MERMAIDS at Westfield Wheaton center! Come see the highly anticipated film at AMC and swim over to Macys lower court to meet real mermaids! Enjoy 3 live mermaids, with live music, get a little mer-makeover with face painters, and take home a keepsake photo from a professional photographer. Find out what’s in a mermaid’s purse by diving into deals in our many retailers surrounding the mermaid’s cove. Make sure to buy your cinema tickets HERE before they sell out.”

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Rockville

Rockville Housing Enterprises Acquires Scarborough Square; 121 Affordable Units Added for City Residents

By Patrick Herron

Per the City of Rockville: Rockville Housing Enterprises, the city’s public housing agency, recently acquired Scarborough Square in the city’s College Gardens neighborhood, which provides and preserves 121 affordable housing units in the City of Rockville. Scarborough Square has a variety of units, including larger ones that are often in short supply but ideal for families. The property’s 121 one-to-four-bedroom units are contained in townhomes and multifamily buildings. RHE plans to modernize the building over the next two to four years.

The acquisition of Scarborough Square is a step towards achieving the city’s housing policy objectives outlined in the 2040 Comprehensive Plan. The Regional Metropolitan Council of Government’s goal is to increase the number of affordable units in the city of Rockville to 1,000 by 2030. To support this goal, RHE acquired Scarborough Square apartments through the Montgomery County Right of First Refusal program in November 2022. The acquisition was made possible through intergovernmental and public-private partnerships with the City of Rockville, Montgomery County and a private lender, ORLO.

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Bethesda

Detectives Investigate Woodmont Ave Attempted Carjacking

By Patrick Herron

Per MCPD: Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – Major Crimes Division are investigating an attempted carjacking that occurred in the 7900 block of Woodmont Avenue at approximately 7 p.m., on Thursday, April 27, 2023. Detectives have released video of the suspects and are asking for the public’s assistance in identifying them.

The investigation by detectives has determined that the victim was leaving a restaurant in the 7900 block of Woodmont Avenue. Upon arriving to his vehicle and opening the rear passenger door, two unknown black male suspects approached him and began to punch him in the face. After striking him multiple times, the suspects demanded the victim’s car keys. One of the suspects then opened the driver’s door to the vehicle and discovered that the vehicle was not running. Good Samaritans from inside the restaurant began to witness the assault and went outside to assist the victim. At that time, the suspects left the scene and headed towards the Bethesda Metro Station.

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DMV

Giant Makes Changes to Checkout Experience Due to “Significant Increase in Crime and Theft”

By MCS Staff

Giant Food has posted a notice at many of its stores with a message from its president, Ira Kress, informing customers of changes made to the checkout experience. Changes include limiting self-checkout to 20 items or less. The full message can be seen below:

“You may notice changes to your checkout experience as you are shopping with us today. Due to a significant increase in crime and theft that we and many other retailers are experiencing across our market area, we have made several changes to our operating procedures to mitigate the impact of theft to our business. We know that these changes may cause some inconvenience or be disruptive to the experience you are used to, and I assure you we are making these changes out of necessity to prioritize the safety of our associates and customers.

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Montgomery Parks

Germantown Adventure Park Renovation Survey

By MCS Staff

Montgomery Parks soliciting input on the renovation of one of the area’s most popular playgrounds : After 20 years of use, South Germantown Adventure Playground is ready for an update. Montgomery Parks, part of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, is seeking public input on its plan to replace the South Germantown Adventure Playground. “Our goal is to provide fun and inclusive play experiences for kids of all age groups,” said Ching-Fang Chen, the project manager and landscape architect with Montgomery Parks. “With the new playground we are working to create a well-rounded play environment that offers exciting and challenging activities, opportunities for nature play, sensory play and multi-generational play, a lively space where kids can interact and let their imaginations run free.”  

Montgomery Parks is seeking the community’s input on the upcoming renovation through an online Open Town Hall survey: Open Town Hall Forum- April 27-May 29, 2023 https://communityfeedback.opengov.com/12781 In addition to upgrading the play area, the renovation will add accessible walkways, picnic areas, seating, a game/workout area and improved landscaping and stormwater management to the park.  Construction is expected to begin in Spring of 2024.  

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Bethesda

Detectives Continue to Investigate Bethesda Strongarm Robbery; Surveillance Video Released

By Patrick Herron

Per MCPD: Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – 2nd District Investigative Section are investigating a robbery that occurred on Friday, March 31, 2023. Detectives have released surveillance video of the suspect and are asking for the public’s assistance in identifying him. The initial investigation has revealed that the victim was walking in the area of Pearl Street and East West Highway when the suspect approached the victim, displayed a knife and demanded her bag. The suspect then yanked the bag away from the victim and ran towards Wisconsin Avenue. The suspect then used credit cards stolen from the victim at area businesses.

Detectives reviewed the surveillance footage and obtained a description of the suspect. The suspect is described as a Black male, medium build, wearing a green and blue hooded jacket, blue pants, hiking shoes and a mask.

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Burtonsville

Free Meal For Teachers at Greene Turtle in Burtonsville Today (Tuesday, May 2)

By MCS Staff

The Greene Turtle in Burtonsville is saying THANK YOU to Teachers on Tuesday, May 2nd with a FREE Meal*! Greene Turtle Burtonsville is located at 15560 Old Columbia Pike. Details on the deal below:

*School Teachers who show a valid school issued Teacher ID will receive a free meal valued at up to $15. Valid Dine-In Only. Offer does not include beverages. Cannot be combined with other offers, discounts, Happy Hour or Greene Turtle Rewards.

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North Bethesda

BIBIBOP Offering Free Bowls to All Teachers Today, May 2

By Patrick Herron

BIBIBOP Asian Grill, which has locations in Downtown Silver Spring (935 Ellsworth Drive) and Pike & Rose (11584 Old Georgetown Rd. Unit 1126), is offering free bowls for all teachers on Tuesday, May 2. BIBIBOP offers fully customizable bowls with your choice of proteins, bases, toppings, and sauces. Options include Korean BBQ, steak, spicy chicken, and tofu.

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Health

Montgomery County Produces Nation’s First Health Care Providers’ Handbook on Hindu Patients

By Patrick Herron

Per Montgomery County: Coinciding with the celebration of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, The Health Care Providers’ Handbook on Hindu Patients was released today marking a major initiative by Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich’s Office of Community Partnerships Asian Pacific American Advisory Group (APAAG.) This is the first such handbook in the nation providing detailed information specifically for Hindu and Jain patients.

“With over 2 million Hindus in the United States and over 80,000 Indians and Nepali Americans in Maryland alone, it is important that our caregivers are sensitive to the needs of an ever growing and diverse community,” said APAAG co-chair Chowdhury. “By being culturally in-tune caregivers may be better equipped to address a variety of issues that are unique to the Hindu and Jain diaspora. With over 15% of Montgomery County residents self-identifying as Asian descent, Maryland can serve as a model in helping health care providers understand and meet the distinct cultural and religious needs of its many patients.”

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MCFRS

Community Rallies Around Family Who Owns Body Shop Destroyed By Fire Last Week

By MCS Staff

Last Wednesday, Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) responded to a fire at the Wheaton Body Shop that caused approximately $1 million in damage. Thankfully, no injuries were reported, but the family who owns the body shop has to rebuild the business from the ground up. A GoFundMe started late last week has already raised over $35,000. More information from the fundraiser can be seen below:

“We are reaching out to you today on behalf of Petr and Zuzana Kelyman, owners of the Wheaton Body Shop. Sadly, their business was completely destroyed in a devastating fire that occurred on Wednesday evening, April 26th, leaving them with nothing but ashes. As immigrants from the Czech and Slovak Republics, Petr and Zuzana came to this country with the hopes of living the American dream. With hard work and dedication, they built up their business, providing honest and reliable service to their customers.

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