Beyond MoCo

2010 Clarksburg High School graduate Jon Thompson opened his food truck, Fifty Fifty, last year. He specializes in half-beef and half-bacon smash burgers, with the bacon ground right into the beef so they’re cohesive. Following the success of the food truck in the last year, Fifty Fifty will now open inside of Olde Mother Brewing Co. at 526 N Market St in Frederick. Construction just started on ithe kitchen inside of the brewery and they’re hoping to be open before the end of the year.

“We do double smash patties to get 4 layers of crispy seasoned bacon and beef with layered creamy cheese in ever bite. We focus on unique and creative toppings like roasted poblano cream cheese, spicy peanut butter or even authentic Belgian waffles as a bun for a one of a kind burger experience.” Thompson told us.


MoCo Pride

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Jessica Pearson is asked to call the police non-emergency number at (301) 279-8000 (24-hour line) or the Special Victims Investigations Division at (240) 773-5400. Callers may remain anonymous.


Maryland

If you haven’t gotten your REAL ID yet, you have less than six months as enforcement of the REAL ID Act at the card level begins on May 3, 2023​ (Maryland has been Real ID compliant since 2011). On May 3, 2023, U.S. travelers must be REAL ID compliant to board domestic flights and access certain federal facilities. The REAL ID Act is a federal law passed by Congress after Sept. 11, 2001, that establishes specific minimum federal standards for state-issued driver’s licenses and ID cards to be accepted for certain federal purposes, like entering a federal building or boarding a domestic commercial flight.

In Maryland, anyone with a driver’s license or identification card that expires before May 3, 2023 is eligible to renew and become REAL ID compliant up to six months prior to the expiration date on the card. MDOT MVA will contact you to remind you it’s time to renew one year in advance of your expiration date.​ Anyone with a driver’s license or identification card that expires after May 3, 2023 has the option to wait until the expiration date on the card OR upgrade to a REAL ID. Please keep in mind that after May 3, 2023​, a REAL ID will be necessary to fly domestically or visit a federal facility. There is a $20 fee to upgrade.  ​


Bethesda

Update: The opening of La Catrina has been postponed. A new date will be provided soon.

Back in August we let you know that La Catrina Bar & Lounge is coming to 4935 Cordell Avenue in Bethesda, taking over the location that was formerly home to George’s Chophouse, 4935 Bar & Kitchen, The Loft at 4935, Tragara’s, and others. The restaurant has now set an opening date, sharing on social media that it’ll be open on Friday, November 18th.


Gaithersburg

A celebration of Life & Memorial Service will be held on Monday, November 14, 2022 for Miguel Antonio Ortiz and Ana Margarita Ortiz, who were tragically killed by a driver while walking to their polling place in Gaithersburg on the morning of Tuesday, November 8th. Visitation will take place from 9:30 am-11 am, followed by a Memorial Service from 11 am-12 pm at Neelsville Presbyterian Church, 20701 Frederick Rd, Germantown, MD 20876. A private graveside burial will take place later in the day.

Their obituary, per Sagel Bloomfield Danzansky: Miguel Antonio Ortiz (65) and his beloved wife, Ana Margarita Ortiz (70), originally from El Salvador, and longtime resident of Gaithersburg, Maryland, tragically passed away on Tuesday, November 8, 2022, as the result of their injuries after being struck by a speeding car.


Germantown

Last month, a representative from Lotte Plaza Market in Germantown Plaza (13069 Wisteria Drive) confirmed that the grocery store will be closing permanently by the end of the year. The store has announced a “store closing clearance sale” that will take place until the store closes on November 27th. Montgomery County locations in Gaithersburg, Rockville, and Silver Spring will remain open.

Lotte Plaza Market is a grocery store that specializes in Asian groceries. Per its website, Lotte started with a single store on Veirs Mill Road in1989 and now has a dozen locations throughout Maryland, Virginia, New Jersey, and Florida. “Our goal is to open 50 Lotte Plaza Market locations by 2030.” A sign advertising the sale is currently in the window at Lotte (as seen below, courtesy of Instagram user @f0restbean


Maryland

Montgomery County Council President Gabe Albornoz made the following statement on behalf of the Council congratulating Governor-elect Wes Moore and Lieutenant Governor-elect Aruna Miller on their victory in Tuesday’s Gubernatorial General Election.

“The Council congratulates Wes Moore and Aruna Miller on their successful bid to become Maryland’s next governor and lieutenant governor. Every election, we see more barriers fall and greater representation that reflects our great state’s growing and diverse population. This election, Maryland voters have made history by electing the state’s first Black governor – the third Black governor elected in American history – and the first immigrant and first woman of color to serve as lieutenant governor.


MoCoSnow

Per the National Weather Service: “Today will bring the last mild day for a while with highs in the 60s to low 70s (Mountains: mid 40s-mid 50s). Some showers are possible as the next system rolls through. Behind the cold front, conditions turn much colder with brisk NW winds for Sunday.

Temperatures in most of MoCo are expected to be in the mid to high 60s today before moving to highs in the 40s and lower 50s for the next couple weeks. Sunday get to about 50° with a breeze that’ll make it feel even colder (low to mid 40s). The week is expected to start off with highs in the mid to upper 40s on Monday (with subs home) and Tuesday will bring similar temps with a chance of showers in the afternoon– everyone’s favorite…cold rain.


Restaurants

Back in April of 2021, we let you know that Firepan KBBQ started construction at the old Pete’s New Haven Style Pizza location at 962 Wayne Avenue Suite L-B in Downtown Silver Spring. Firepan had its Montgomery County ABS alcohol license hearing on November 4, 2021 previously announced an August 1st, 2022 opening date on its website, which was pushed back several times Not to worry, as Source of the Spring reports the restaurant is holding its soft opening today (Saturday, November 12).

Restaurant hours:


Gaithersburg

Earlier this year Amazon Fresh opened its second Montgomery County location at 8531 Chevy Chase Lake Terrace. The opening was the second Amazon Fresh in Chevy Chase with additional MoCo locations coming to Gaithersburg and White Oak. We now know that the upcoming location in Gaithersburg, on Shady Grove Rd., will now be opening in early 2023, according to signage on the door (exact date still not available).

The upcoming Amazon Fresh location will be outfitted with Amazon’s cashierless Just Walk Out technology. If you want a preview of what to expect, head over to the Chevy Chase Lake location that already has the same technology.  The Gaithersburg store will be located in the former Office Depot location at 15790 Shady Grove Road in the 270 Center that’s currently home to Home Depot, Best Buy, Nordstrom Rack, and more.


MCPS

Results of second round games can be seen below. Scores will be updated as we receive them (an F will signify the score is final, no F means the score is from the game while it is/was in progress). If a score isn’t listed, it’s because we haven’t yet received a report from the game.

Friday 11/11: