Germantown

10 Free Things To Do in Germantown

By Francesca Luca

Germantown was founded in the early 19th century by European immigrants. It was called “German Town” because of German immigrants (along with immigrants from other European countries) who set up shop in the agricultural village when a road was created to connect Neelsville to Darnestown. The original plan for Germantown divided the area into a downtown and six town villages: Gunners Lake Village, Kingsview Village, Churchill Village, Middlebrook Village, Clopper’s Mill Village, and Neelsville Village. Now, Germantown has a population of over 90,000 people, making it the third most populous place in Maryland behind the city of Baltimore and Columbia (census designated place). Below you’ll find ten suggestions for free things to do in Germantown, MD:

Please note that availability and hours of operation may vary, and it’s always best to check with the respective venues or websites for the most up-to-date information before planning your visit. Enjoy your time in Germantown!

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Business

MoCo Native’s LavaBox Impresses Judges on Shark Tank

By MCS Staff

Josh Thurmond, a 1994 graduate of Quince Orchard High School and Gaithersburg native, is the inventor of LavaBox Portable Campfire– a new style of portable fire pit that’s built in a military-style ammunition can and was “created to combat climate change and reduce wildfires.” LavaBox has made waves, or fires, since its inception in late 2020, and LavaBox joined fellow Montgomery County businesses that have made it into the tank in recent months (Collars & Co. was featured in November, OoogieBear was featured in September, and ShredSkinz was featured in December) when Thurmond brought LavaBox into the tank on Friday, March 31st at 8pm.

Thurmond was looking for $200,000 for 10% equity in his company. He shared that the Lavabox comes in three sizes, with the most popular being the smaller version which retails for $195 (and costs just over $25 per unit to produce).  The larger varieties cost more to produce, but also come with a higher price range. He expects to reach over $1 million in gross revenue sales by the end of this year- numbers that impressed all the sharks. Thurmond explained that most sales come directly from word of mouth, and that he wants tp get into big box stores. Mr. Wonderful Kevin O’Leary was impressed enough to offer the $200,000 for 10% equity that he was looking for. Daymond John made an offer, wanting 20% equity, but was more interested in licensing the LavaBox instead. Lori Greiner then jumped in with an offer of $200,000 for 12.5% equity, but also wants a royalty of .75 cents per unit sold until she gets $200,000 back. Her 12.5% equity would remain the entire time if the deal is accepted. considers his options and chooses to accept Lori’s offer. After considering all offers, Thurmond went with Lori Grenier’s offer.

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Gaithersburg

First Phase of Belward Farm Development Has Been Approved

By MCS Staff

The Applicant, Trammell Crow Company (TCC), was granted  approval of Site Plan No. 820220250 which is limited to the 66.5 acres of the northern portion of the 107-acre Overall Site on March 30th. This Site Plan is the subject of a ground lease between the Trammell Crow Company and the Property Owner Johns Hopkins University, and which includes future Parcel A, Block C of the Johns Hopkins University Belward Campus subdivision and Belward Campus Drive. Additional information from the site plan can be seen below:

The Applicant, Johns Hopkins University (JHU), is seeking approval of Final Forest Conservation Plan (FFCP) No. F20230020, which encompasses the entire 107 acres referenced as the Belward Tract or Overall Site. The Forest Conservation Plan was approved for the Overall Site with Amended Preliminary Plan No. 11996110A and amended in the JHU Medical Office Building Site Plan No. 820210120. This current submission of JHU’s Final FCP amendment is triggered by the proposed development with the TCC Site Plan application. The purpose of JHU’s FCP amendment is to modify the previously approved FFCP for the Overall Site to accommodate TCC’s proposed development in their Site Plan application (“TCC Site Plan”).

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Event

Closing Reception at “Inspired!” Art Show & Sales

BlackRock Center for the Arts

12901 Town Commons Drive

Germantown, Maryland 20874

Website Contact Social

Beautiful venue; great art, gifts and hand-crafted items; refreshments; and meet the award-winning painters, photographers, mixed media artists, ceramicists, fiber artists, and more – some 40 artists in all. It’s an extraordinary array of framed wall works, 3-d media including sculpture, ceramics, jewelry, and fiber pieces, and unframed prints.

Among them, you’ll see:

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MoCo Government

Montgomery County Career Fair and Hiring Expo to be Held on Wednesday, May 3, in Silver Spring

By Patrick Herron

Per Montgomery County: Montgomery County will hold a career fair for job seekers 18-and-over from 3-7 p.m. on Wednesday, May 3, at the Silver Spring Civic Building. The County is searching for candidates to fill more than 30 types of available positions across a variety of industries. The Silver Spring Civic Building is located at 1 Veterans Place in Silver Spring. Registration is not required to attend, but attendees are encouraged to register in advance at www.montgomerycountymd.gov/JOBFAIR.

The following County departments will be onsite at the event to discuss available opportunities and conduct same-day interviews for select positions, make on-the-spot offers or extend offers within 30 days after the event:

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Beyond MoCo

‘Welcome Aboard’: Metro Supports Autism Acceptance Month with ‘Special’ In-Stations Announcements Featuring Local Enthusiast with Autism

By MCS Staff

Per WMATA: Many young people with autism have a unique connection with transit. In recognition of that special bond, Metro invited 26 budding train announcers with autism to record boarding and safety announcements that will be heard throughout the transit system in the month of April to raise awareness about autism during Autism Acceptance Month and the Autism Transit Project. 

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I-270

“Chariots for Hire” Catches on Fire Tuesday Morning

By Patrick Herron

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) responded to a vehicle fire involving a “Chariots for Hire” charter/limo bus on the inner loop of I495, between River Rd. and the I270 spur on Tuesday morning around 11am. According to Chief Spokesperson for MCFRS Pete Piringer, the fire has been extinguished and there were no passengers on board. No injuries have been reported. Some lanes are currently blocked and drivers should expect residual delays.

Per @mcfrsPIO on Twitter: “Traffic Advisory – IL I495 beltway north of River Road before Bradley Boulevard overpass, right side of road way is blocked, traffic gets by to the left, @mcfrs PE710, E752, PE726, T706, UT752, BC702, PIO on scene @MDSHA @MDSP @MCDOTNow”

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MCFRS

Fire Chief Scott Goldstein Retiring After 31 Years with MCFRS

By Patrick Herron

Per Montgomery County: Today, Montgomery County Fire Chief Scott Goldstein informed the County Executive’s Office of his decision to leave his position after more than 30 years as a firefighter in Montgomery County. Chief Goldstein’s last day with the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service will be Friday, June 30, 2023.

“Chief Goldstein has given this County so much since he first started with the Kensington Volunteer Fire Department in 1987,” said County Executive Marc Elrich. “We have leaned on his expertise and skills as a leader and watched the department grow under his leadership. Over the past few years, Chief Goldstein has worked with me and other County leaders to make this a smooth transition and I thank him for his service to the men and women of MCFRS and the people of this County.”

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Gaithersburg

Update: Basement Fire in Gaithersburg Causes Approximately $100K in Damage

By Patrick Herron

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) responded to a fire on Prairie Rose Ln., off Muddy Branch Rd in Gaithersburg on Monday, April 3. According to Chief Spokesperson for MCFRS Pete Piringer, the fire originated in a basement workshop area of the three-story townhouse and was likely caused by lithium batteries. Smoke alarms alerted residents of the fire, who then attempted to fight the fire themselves before notifying MCFRS. All human occupants made it out of the home safely and two adults have been displaced.  Firefighters located two cats, one of which was successfully resuscitated, and one that did not survive. Approximately 60 firefighters responded to the scene. Damage is estimated to be ~$100K.

Per @mcfrsPIO on Twitter: “Update (230p 4/3) Prairie Rose La, Gburg, Origin/Cause, basement workshop area, plastic storage bin, likely involved lithium batteries; Damage >$100K; smoke alarm alerted residents, delay notifying FF (tried to fight fire) FFs rescued 2 cats, 1 died; 2 adults displaced”

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Germantown

Update on New Grand Mart in Germantown

By Patrick Herron

Permanent signage is up at New Grand Mart at 13069 Wisteria Drive in the Germantown Plaza shopping center. The Korean grocery chain, which has several locations across Maryland and Virginia, is is taking over the space previously occupied by Lotte Plaza, which closed in November. According to its website, “New Grand Mart carries a variety of fresh produce, fish, meats, and ethnic specialty items that is hard for other markets to match.”  No opening date has been announced. Germantown Plaza is also home to Mangino’s Pizza, Planet Fitness, and Zen Leaf.

About: “New Grand Mart, a subsidiary of Green Paradise Enterprises, opened its first store in Falls Church, Virginia in August 2013 by acquiring the former Grand Mart – Seven Corners. Following the acquisition of its second store, the former Grand Mart – Alexandria, VA, in November 2013. New Grand Mart opened its third store in Langley Park, MD in July 2014, fourth store in North Chesterfield, VA in May 2015, fifth store in Henrico, VA in Oct 2017, and sixth store in New Carrollton, MD in March 2018.”

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Health

Maryland Department of Health celebrates Public Health Week

By Patrick Herron

“Maryland’s public health workforce is expansive, diverse, and driven to serve,” said Governor Wes Moore. “I join all Marylanders in expressing both my abiding gratitude that we have such a rich public health legacy and my shared commitment to building an even stronger, healthier future for all of Maryland’s communities.”

Throughout April, MDH and its partners will host and participate in events to raise awareness of the underlying causes of poor health and disease risk among vulnerable populations. Events include weekly community walks for state employees, a digital ad campaign to promote and celebrate the contributions of public health workers, and a networking event for state employees exhibiting culturally-diverse MDH programs and services.

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