Takoma Park

People’s Book, a woman-owned general purpose bookstore, has announced it will be opening at 7014-A Westmoreland Ave in Takoma Park in the late spring/early summer. According to People’s Book, “the store will have a diverse selection of over 12,000 books, with a special focus on children’s literature, local interests, new releases and independent magazines. The inventory will also include book-themed gifts. Locally roasted drip coffee, kombucha, and other beverages and treats will be available.”

“Takoma Park is our family’s forever home, and we’re excited about providing readers of all ages opportunities to explore, learn, and connect with their neighbors,” said Megan Bormet, store owner and former elementary school educator.  “Helping kids and adults find books they love is what I like to do best, and I’m thrilled that we can do this at People’s Book.”


Gaithersburg

Charley Prime Foods, the new restaurant from Jackie Greenbaum & Gordon Banks (Little Coco’s, El Chucho, Bar Charley, Quarry House Tavern) that will be replacing Tara Thai on the Rio Lakefront boardwalk at 9811 Washington Blvd in Gaithersburg, has announced it plans to open in April.

According to a press release, the Charley Prime team envisions the restaurant as a mature version of their popular DC restaurant Bar Charley, with an expanded menu, but keeping its lively cocktail forward energy. The broader menu will remain steak focused, but will also feature house made pastas (a la Little Coco’s) as well as other items unique to just this location. The group has tapped Editlab@Streetsense to design the space. Explains Greenbaum, “We can’t wait to do our first suburban project and think the timing is perfect. We’ve always done restaurants that are near and dear to our hearts and that we feel are right or needed in the particular neighborhood. My partners both have young families and Rio has been a frequent destination for them for years, as it is for tons of people in north Montgomery county. This is especially true for our chef and partner in this project, Adam Harvey, who lives nearby. We’re really thrilled to bring something unique to the mix out there.” Featured photo shows a photo of food from Bar Charley.


Germantown

Per MCPD: Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – 5th District Investigative Section are asking for the public’s assistance in locating a missing 29-year-old from Germantown. Huy Hoang Le was last seen at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, March 14, 2023, in the 13400 block of Wisteria Drive in Germantown.

Le was last seen wearing a black and grey north face sweater and beige pants.  He also wears glasses. Huy Hoang Le is 5-feet, 8-inches tall and weighs 170 pounds. Family and police are concerned for his welfare.


MoCo

Last March, Healthy Meals for Children, which requires restaurants in Montgomery County that offer a children’s meal to provide a healthy option (meal and drink) for their youngest customers, was passed. The requirements are phased in with a default healthy beverage being the first (now  in effect) followed by a healthy meal option six months later.

Councilmember Craig Rice spearheaded the legislation, and Council President Gabe Albornoz and Councilmembers Will Jawando, Nancy Navarro and Tom Hucker are cosponsors. The bill was enacted by a vote of 8-1, with Councilmember Friedson voting against the legislation. “Childhood obesity remains a longstanding problem in our nation and the rate continues to climb impacting our children’s health and quality of life. Especially in a time when our busy lifestyles have more families eating out, it is imperative that as a County we encourage  healthy options in our children’s meals,” said Councilmember Rice, who serves as chair of the Council’s Education Committee and as a member of the Health and Human Services Committee. “I applaud the many restaurants, large and small, in our community that are already providing healthier selections. This bill lays out a minimum threshold over an extended period to ensure that our children have a healthier beverage and meal option available to them, all in order to promote more healthful eating habits throughout their lives.”


Event

Historic Indigenous Recognition Event to Take Place in Montgomery County, Maryland

The Taino American Indigenous National Organization (T.A.I.N.O.) proudly announces its upcoming signature public event,


Downtown Silver Spring

Outback Steakhouse will be opening its third Montgomery County location, according to a report by Source of the Spring. The Australian-themed casual dining chain will open in the space that was previously home to Not Your Average Joe’s  at 8661 Colesville Rd at Ellsworth Place in Downtown Silver Spring. 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.


Crime

Per the U.S. Attorneys Office, District of Maryland: Hernan Yanes-Rivera, a/k/a “Recio,” age 22, of Adelphi, Maryland, and Agustin Eugenio Rivas Rodriguez, a/k/a “Terrible,” age 25, of Silver Spring, Maryland, pleaded guilty today to their participation in a racketeering conspiracy, including murder, related to their activities as part of the MS-13 gang.

According to court documents, La Mara Salvatrucha gang, also known as “MS-13,” is an international criminal organization composed primarily of immigrants or descendants of immigrants from El Salvador, with members operating in the State of Maryland, including Montgomery County, Prince George’s County, and Frederick County, and throughout the United States.  In Maryland and elsewhere, MS-13 members are organized in “cliques,” smaller groups that operate in a specific city or region.  MS-13 members are required to commit acts of violence, both to maintain membership and discipline within the gang and against rival gangs.  One of the principal rules of MS-13 is that its members must attack and kill rivals, known as “chavalas,” whenever possible.  Participation in criminal activity by a member, particularly in violent acts directed at rival gangs or as directed by gang leadership, increases the respect accorded to that member, resulting in that member maintaining or increasing his position in the gang and opens the door to promotion to a leadership position.


Derwood

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) responded to a single-vehicle collision involving a driver crashing into a utility pole on Muncaster Mill Rd, between Avery Rd and the MD200 ICC overpass, on Tuesday evening.

According to MCFRS Chief Spokesperson Pete Piringer, the driver crashed into a utility pole, with wires coming down on the vehicle and across the road. Communication/Verizon wires were also affected by the crash, which blocked lanes on Muncaster Mill Rd. One patient was transported with priority 1 trauma (life threatening injuries) and another was transported with priority 2 trauma (serious, but non-life threatening injuries). There is no word on what caused the crash.


Gaithersburg

The program will also include a panel discussion with subject experts, and student breakout groups will create public service announcements to raise awareness about the dangers of opioid use. The PSAs will be judged with prizes for the top three winners. Hot 99.5 will award first prize PSA winners with Ed Sheeran tickets for his upcoming concert at FedEx Field this summer. Second & third prize winners will receive free admission tickets to the Water Park & Miniature Golf Course. The top three entries will be shared on the City’s social media platforms.

The event will close with a resource fair featuring support program information and nonprofit groups, including Tree of Hope, Montgomery Goes Purple, The Landing, and the Gaithersburg Police Department. Students attending the event will receive lunch from Subway, a Youth Voice Summit t-shirt, and Student Service Learning (SSL) hours for their participation.


Montgomery Planning

Applications must be received no later than Monday, April 3, 2023 at 5 p.m. The cover letter should indicate if you wish to be considered for the chair position. Acting Planning Board members are eligible to apply for these positions.

Members generally serve four-year terms and are limited to two full terms. No more than three members of the Planning Board may be from the same political party, and each member must be a resident and registered voter of Montgomery County when appointed.


DMV

National Harbor has become a prime location for its cherry tree celebration each year. This year’s festivities take place from March 20 to April 16 with National Harbor also serving as an official participant of the National Cherry Blossom Festival. In addition to National Harbor’s waterfront views, this year’s celebration will be filled with entertainment, food and drink specials, classes and more. The annual Sakura Sunday festival, an official participating event of the National Cherry Blossom Festival, will be held on Sunday, April 2 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and will feature free cultural activities including Japanese inspired art, music, dance, culinary delights, and a Japanese market.

Per the press release: On April 8, in the Capital Canopy at National Harbor, Katsucon Entertainment, Inc., a Japanese entertainment and educational organization will provide an authentic Japanese tabletop experience. Games include Riichi Mahjong; Karuta card game flash cards to help teach Japanese to children ages five and older; Hanabi, a collaborative game where players have to give each other hints on the cards in order to make a firework display together (ages 10-15.) Games will take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. on April 8. Register Here. Also on April 8, National Harbor, the Embassy of Japan will host a film day Lu Over the Wall and MIRAI.The films will be shown on National Harbor’s waterfront screen (150 National Plaza) starting at 2 p.m.


Maryland

Per the Maryland State Police: With St. Patrick’s Day coming up on Friday, Maryland State Police are urging those who plan to celebrate with alcohol to drink responsibly and avoid impaired, distracted and aggressive driving. With an expected increase of impaired drivers throughout the state this week, troopers at all 23 Maryland State Police barracks will conduct saturation patrols, focusing on impaired, distracted and aggressive driving. A portion of the costs associated with the increased enforcement efforts will be paid through impaired driving saturation funds provided by the Maryland Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration’s Highway Safety Office.

The initiatives, which will take place on various days, beginning Wednesday, March 15 through Sunday, March 19, include saturation patrols in areas known to have a higher number of DUI crashes or arrests. These efforts, in many cases, will include partnering with allied law enforcement and other state agencies to enforce the law and offer outreach to the community through social media and electronic billboards.