Bethesda

Traffic Data to be Presented During Virtual Public Meeting About Little Falls Parkway Pilot Project

By MCS Staff

Montgomery Parks will host a virtual public meeting on Wednesday, February 15, 2023, at 7 p.m. to present data from traffic studies conducted on Little Falls Parkway  between Arlington Road and Dorset Avenue during May, July, September, and December of 2022. The traffic studies were conducted as part of the Little Falls Parkway Pilot Project,(opens in a new tab) which was initiated to address concerns with cut-through traffic in adjacent neighborhoods associated with the weekend closures of Little Falls Parkway while retaining space for recreation on the parkway.

WHAT: Virtual public meeting on traffic studies on Little Falls Parkway

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Montgomery Parks

Montgomery Parks awarded $7.5 million federal grant to fund “Safe Streets and Roads for All”

By MCS Staff

 Funding will create safer access to Montgomery Parks trails and parks. 

Montgomery Parks, part of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC), has received $7.5 million from the Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) grant program. The money will be used to facilitate safe access to parks, trails, and recreation facilities in the county through 2026.  The SS4A program funds regional, local, and Tribal initiatives to prevent roadway deaths and serious injuries. 

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Germantown

Rio Grande Grill to Hold Ribbon Cutting Ceremony to Celebrate Grand Reopening in Germantown

By MCS Staff

The Gaithersburg-Germantown Chamber of Commerce (GGCC) will be hosting a ribbon cutting for Rio Grande Bar & Grill in Germantown to celebrate the family-owned restaurant’s new ownership and grand reopening. Rio Grande was sold to new owners in 2022 and has been operating under new ownership since October.

Rio Grande will be offering Tex-Mex appetizers for attendees, and anyone is welcome to stay for lunch and support the local business and new member of the Chamber of Commerce. Additional information below:

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Poolesville

Poolesville Adopts Backyard Chicken Ordinance

By MCS Staff

At the February 6th Town Commissioners meeting, the Commissioners formally adopted Ordinance 224, which allows for keeping backyard chickens. To comply with the ordinance, residents who have chickens or would like to purchase them must apply for a permit and submit a site plan and a Chicken Keeper Certificate. The site plan and applications must abide by the following regulations:

A maximum of six chickens may be kept. Roosters are prohibited.

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Education

Free Construction Camp by National Association of Women in Construction is Open to Rising 7th–12th Grade Girls

By MCS Staff

The Greater Washington, D.C. chapter of the National Association of Women in Construction is hosting a free summer camp for rising 7th through 12th grade girls. The camp will be held from 8:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m. from July 31–Aug. 3 (no camp on Friday, Aug. 4) at Thomas Edison High School of Technology, 12501 Dalewood Drive in Silver Spring. Campers will participate in fun, hands-on activities, while learning about construction career opportunities, obtaining valuable skills and networking for internship opportunities. Participants will learn basic carpentry, electrical, plumbing, automotive and concrete skills, as well as other trade skills from men and women working in the industry. Register here.

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MCPS

MoCo Rec Department Collecting New or Gently Used Items for Project Prom Dress

By MCS Staff

Montgomery County Recreation is working to ensure the dream of attending prom can come true for all high school students. To ease the financial obstacle, the department is collecting gently used and new dresses, suits and accessories for “Praisner’s Project Prom Dress” giveaway event on Saturday, April 15, at the Marilyn J. Praisner Community Recreation Center in Burtonsville. Dresses, suits and accessories can be donated at the recreation center until March 15 during the following hours: Monday–Thursday, 9 a.m.–9 p.m., Friday, 9 a.m.–6 p.m. and Saturday, 10 a.m.–3 p.m. The center is located at 14906 Old Columbia Pike in Burtonsville. Three other community centers are also collecting items and have specific donation drop-off dates (see below).

Between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 15, any high school student can visit the Praisner community center, show their school ID card, shop the racks and select an outfit for free.

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Gaithersburg

Pepco Has Completed Repairs on Tower Damaged By November Plane Crash

By MCS Staff

According to a report by WTOP, Pepco stated “it completed repairs on the tower and overhead lines on Feb. 3, 68 days after the shocking plane crash and rescue of the two inside. Pepco added that the Gaithersburg transmission tower is back to working normally.” Repairs on the transmission tower and power lines that were damaged after a private plane crashed into them on November 27 began on Monday, January 16. The crash occurred near the intersection of Goshen Road and Rothbury Drive in Montgomery Village and resulted in an outage to approximately 85,000 customers across the county. The pilot and passenger of the plane suffered non-life threatening injuries. On December 6, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) released its preliminary report on the incident.

Montgomery Parks’ recognized Park Manager Tom Baker at a Montgomery County Planning Board meeting for his heroic efforts in helping the people involved in the plane crash. Baker, who has worked for Montgomery Parks for over 18 years and manages 29 parks in the Rock Creek region of the county, was presented with a certificate of appreciation. He was dispatched to the scene the evening of the crash and was put in charge of communications with the pilot, to keep him calm and informed of the recovery efforts. “This went on for approximately seven hours until they were rescued,” said Baker, “I was relaying information about their status to the medical command officer so he could keep the paramedics informed. In all my 27 active years as a volunteer, I have never responded to such a call. This is in fact a once in a lifetime incident.” The pilot and passenger were both rescued and are recovering.

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Education

Kingsview MS Counselor Katie Mendelson Named Maryland State Middle School Counselor of The Year

By MCS Staff

Katie Mendelson, school counselor at Kingsview Middle School, has been named Maryland State Middle School Counselor of the Year. She was surprised with the news during an announcement at the school on Feb. 6. Middle school requires a delicate blend of skills to carefully use “push and pull;” two opposing forces to ensure the success of all students,” Kingsview Principal Dyan Harrison wrote in her recommendation letter. “Katie Mendelson masterfully exemplifies these skills in her role as school counselor (video of the surprise announcement available below).

“As you enter Ms. Mendelson’s office it is clear to see how much she values students and recognizes the importance of her impact as a school counselor. Deemed “a safe space” by students, the office is intentionally filled with positive messages, soft lighting and a comfortable couch. There is no doubt that you have entered a safe-haven free of judgment and full of love,” Harrison wrote.

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Gaithersburg

City of Gaithersburg Launches “Retool Gaithersburg” Initiative to Modernize Zoning Code

By MCS Staff

The City has launched Retool Gaithersburg, a comprehensive initiative to update the City’s Zoning Code. The update aims to modernize the zoning ordinance to better reflect the needs of the community today & ensure that zoning regulations accommodate & implement the City’s vision & goals of a vibrant & innovative Gaithersburg. A new website dedicated to the project can be found at www.RetoolGaithersburg.com. The first stage of the zoning update process consists of two virtual kick-off meetings on February 23, 2023, at Noon & 7 p.m. to introduce the project. All members of the public are invited to attend. The presentation will outline the scope of the project & timeline, and will give participants the ability to ask questions about the initiative. Sign up to participate here.

Per the City of Gaithersburg: Why Retool Gaithersburg? The last comprehensive update to the City’s Zoning Code was in 1965, a time when Gaithersburg was mostly agricultural. Since then, the types of businesses, housing, and industrial uses have changed. Updating the zoning rules will support policies to improve quality of life, prepare for new and innovative businesses and construction methods, and address the future demands of the City. Retool Gaithersburg also seeks to enhance usability for residents so the Zoning Code is easier to navigate & understand. Retool Gaithersburg is expected to take up to 18 months to complete in order to offer as much engagement & public input as possible. For project updates, timeline, background information, and public engagement opportunities visit www.RetoolGaithersburg.com.

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