Wheaton Mall

We first reported that Five Below was coming to Westfield Wheaton Mall (11160 Veirs Mill Rd) back in August and we were recently informed by representatives from Westfield that the store is scheduled to open this December.  Five Below will be located in the upper level center court, in the space that was recently occupied by Gussini Fashion & Shoes. Gussini will be relocating to the former Panera Bread location, which closed in 2020. Five Below opened its most recent MoCo location at 516 N Frederick Ave in Gaithersburg, the former location of Chuck E. Cheese, back in July.  Five Below has additional MoCo locations in Gaithersburg (Kentlands), Germantown, Rockville, and Silver Spring.

This Saturday, October 29, Westfield Wheaton will host a Halloween ‘BOO!sterama’ event from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. to provide the new bivalent COVID-19 boosters to anyone age 5 and older who had their last vaccination at least two months ago. The shots are free and no appointment is needed. The new Pfizer bivalent booster is approved for anyone 5 and older and the updated Moderna bivalent booster is approved for anyone 6 and older.


MCPS

Manchester Valley (4-4) at Poolesville (7-1) – The Falcons overcame the injury bug to stage a 2nd half comeback to beat Kennedy 13-12. RB Tyler Shefter rushed for 99 yards and 1 TD in the win. The win pretty much locks Poolesville in as the #1 seed in the 2A West region.  Manchester Valley of Carroll County visits to close out the season.  Prediction: Manchester Valley by 8       

Einstein (2-6) at Northwood (0-8)   The Titans lost to Blake 28-18. As a team Einstein rushed for 159 yards and 2 TDs.  The Gladiators lost to Rockville 38-6. Prediction: Einstein by 35   


MoCo Government

“I am proud of what we have accomplished at DPS since I was appointed to this position,” said Director Pedoeem. “We moved the entire department from Rockville to Wheaton during the COVID-19 pandemic, and we reorganized the department, creating a new division for Customer Support and Outreach with a renewed focus on providing excellent customer service. Plus, we streamlined many of the permitting processes and practices, and cross-trained employees to enhance and improve the customer experience.”

Director Pedoeem was appointed as DPS director in April 2020. Before joining DPS, she worked at the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission where she served as deputy director of administration for Montgomery Parks until 2019. Director Pedoeem began her career as a bridge engineer with the Maryland State Highway Administration and went on to work as a senior engineer and senior budget analyst for Montgomery County Government.


Montgomery Planning

“Given the unprecedented challenges at the Montgomery County Planning Board, the Council has selected a diverse group of experienced leaders, who will reset operations, support the Park and Planning staff, and provide a bridge to the next Planning Board,” said Council President Gabe Albornoz.

“Restoring trust in the agency is job one. The Council is confident that this group of dedicated individuals will immediately hit the ground running and work collaboratively with Acting Planning Director Tanya Stern and Park and Planning staff to restore the public’s confidence in the agency. They will perform the critical functions of the Planning Board and move planning projects and services forward for residents.


Events

WHEATON, Md. —  Montgomery Parks, part of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, announces events in celebration of Maryland’s Emancipation Day, including activities at our sister agency, M-NCPPC, Department of Parks and Recreation in Prince George’s County. Most events are free.

Maryland Emancipation Day commemorates November 1, 1864, a pivotal day in Maryland’s history when a new state constitution freed all persons held in bondage within its borders.


Events

Get the kids into their costumes and ride our Halloween Eye Spy Trains(opens in a new tab) at Cabin John Train and Wheaton Train and Carousel on Saturday, October 28, and Sunday, October 29, from 11 am to 6 pm. Search for characters during your ride and keep track of them on your Eye Spy Train card. Buy online or onsite for the last train rides of the season.

Kids can ice skate while in costume during Not So Spooky Skate(opens in a new tab). Trick or treat at the rinks, participate in a costume contest, and make Halloween crafts. Not So Spooky Skate is Friday, October 28, 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm, at Cabin John Ice Rink; and Friday, October 28, 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm, at Wheaton Ice Arena. Please sign up online.


Maryland

Impaired driving enforcement beginning tonight and continuing through Halloween will focus on locating and arresting drunk and drugged drivers. Troopers from barracks statewide will be saturating areas known to have a higher frequency of impaired driving arrests or crashes. Saturation patrols for impaired drivers will be unannounced.  Locations and times of operations will vary.

Those using alcohol during upcoming celebrations are urged to make plans for a sober driver.  Multiple transportation options are available for those who will be drinking that keep them from behind the wheel.  The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has designated October as National Pedestrian Safety Month. Risky driving behaviors put pedestrians at risk.  With more people outdoors, the risk of injury or death increases for pedestrians on roadways.


Silver Spring

At approximately 5 p.m., 3rd District officers responded to the 600 block of Deerfield Ave. for the report of a residential burglary that occurred earlier.  The investigation by detectives revealed that an unknown suspect entered the residence and stole items to include credit cards and cash. The unknown suspect later utilized the stolen credit cards to make several unauthorized purchases in northwest Washington, D.C.

Surveillance video footage shows the unknown suspect making several illegal purchases at a Walmart in N.W. Washington, D.C.


Bethesda

District Falafel has announced it will open its first brick and mortar location on November 1. The restaurant will be taking over the spot that was most recently home to The Wok Chinese Kitchen and previously home to longtime favorite Fu Shing Cafe at 10315 Westlake Drive in the Westlake Crossing shopping center, located next to Montgomery Mall in Bethesda.


Restaurants

Updated to reflect the restaurant has reopened 

Last month, we let you know that Rio Grande Grill at 13541 Clopper Rd in the Seneca Plaza shopping center in Germantown has been sold. At that time, former owner Erika Myers told us that the new owners will be keeping the same name and menu.  The restaurant has been closed for renovations, but recently reopened and has a November 3rd hearing with MoCo’s Alcoholic Beverage Services for the transfer of the liquor license to the new owners.


MoCo Government

The clinics generally will last about two-to-four hours and e-scooters will be available at each site. Those interested in e-scooters can stop in at any time during the clinic.

Participants must have a valid driver’s license or ID. No registration is required to attend a clinic and walk-ups are welcome. Check tinyurl.com/5n8adjaj for cancelations due to inclement weather.