Gaithersburg

Power Outage Temporarily Closed Some Businesses in Downtown Crown Sunday; Starbucks to Close Early on Tuesday, 8/16/22

By MCS Staff

A power outage on Sunday, August 14th temporarily affected Gaithersburg’s Downtown Crown, which led to some businesses closing for the day. The power came back later in the evening, and many businesses reopened, but a few remained closed until their regularly scheduled Monday morning opening.

One of the businesses that closed for the day was Starbucks, which notified customers with a sign on the door stating they were closed for the rest of the day due to the outage. A second sign, which was sent in to us by multiple readers, has caused a little confusion that was cleared up by a store representative Monday morning (photos of both signs available below). The sign states “OUR STORE WILL BE CLOSING Tuesday, August 16th, at 3:30pm” with an apology and a note that says “We are working to re-open our store as quickly as possible.” The representative made it clear that the store is only closing for the rest of Tuesday for a meeting that will take place at the store and that it will be reopening on Wednesday, August 17th.

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MoCo

Montgomery County is Providing 40,000 Chromebooks to Residents Who Do Not Have Computers; Over 15,000 Distributed So Far

By MCS Staff

As we noted back in May, Montgomery County is providing 40,000 Chromebook computers to residents who do not have a computer. Eventbrite is being used to create appointment tickets to manage computer pick-ups.  If all appointments are taken, check back on the page in a few days for new events.  4 to 5 events will be hosted every week through October 2022. As more computers are received this summer and fall, we will offer more appointments into 2023. Every person receiving a computer:

There is a limit of one computer per person.  You do not need to be a U.S. Citizen to receive a computer but you must be a Montgomery County resident.  EVERY PERSON, INCLUDING CHILDREN, MUST HAVE THEIR OWN APPOINTMENT AND APPEAR ON THEIR APPOINTMENT DAY IN PERSON WITH ID TO RECEIVE A COMPUTER (For Example:  If a parent wants a computer for the parent and two computers for two children, the parent must make 3 appointments and bring the two children with ID to receive the computers.  If you make an appointment for June 21, you cannot show up on a different day.)

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North Bethesda

One Person Dead After Collision on Josiah Henson Pkwy

By Patrick Herron

One person has died following a two vehicle collision that occurred in the area of Josiah Henson Pkwy. and Randolph Rd. in North Bethesda on Sunday afternoon. Per MCPD:

On Sunday, August 14, 2022, at approximately 4:14 p.m., 1st District officers and Montgomery County Fire Rescue personnel responded to the location for a traffic collision involving a Ford and an Audi.

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Calverton

Giant Donates $6,000 During Grand Opening Celebration of Newest MoCo Store

By MCS Staff

Earlier this month, Giant Food celebrated the grand opening of a new Maryland store located at 12028 Cherry Hill Road in Silver Spring (Calverton). The doors officially opened at 6 a.m. on Friday, August 5th and the company touts 100 new jobs to the Silver Spring community and comes following a season of grand re-openings at three additional Giant Food stores across Maryland and Virginia. During the Grand Opening ribbon cutting ceremony, Giant Food president Ira Kress joined the Wizards and Capitals’ mascots, MoCo Councilmember Tom Hucker, WTOP sports anchor Dave Johnson in presenting $3,000 checks to  Manna Food Center and Impact Silver Spring. The new store replaces the Giant store located at 11701 Beltsville Drive in Beltsville.

According to a press release: With close to 65,000 square feet of shopping space, the Silver Spring community will enjoy amenities such as full meat and seafood service, an expanded gourmet cheese selection and extensive prepared food offerings like freshly made sushi and pizza. The new store will also be equipped with full-service deli and floral departments and a Starbucks café. Customers can enjoy convenient shopping with free Wi-Fi and Giant’s latest store configuration.“Giant Food has been serving the Silver Spring community since 1958 and we are pleased to bring this new store that will provide a fresh space for everyone to enjoy,” said Ira Kress, President of Giant Food. “The new store is designed to bring the best products and value to the community while continuing to offer top-notch service to new and existing customers.”

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Event

Heat for Heroes Chili Cook-Off

Lone Oak Farm Brewery

5000 Olney Laytonsville Rd

Olney, Maryland 20832

Website Contact

General admission is $25 per person, which includes chili tastings. Free Admission for kids under 18, Police Officers and their Family is provided by MCPF). All proceeds benefit the Foundation’s mission to strengthen community-police relationships, support officers wellness, and enhance public safety initiatives across Montgomery County.

In addition to delicious chili, attendees can enjoy local craft beer from Lone Oak Brewery, family activities, and opportunities to meet and interact with Montgomery County police officers in a fun, relaxed setting.

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Wheaton

Five Below is Coming to Wheaton Mall

By Patrick Herron

Five Below is coming to Westfield Wheaton Mall at 11160 Veirs Mill Rd in Wheaton. The new store will be located in the upper level center court, in the space that is currently occupied by Gussini Fashion & Shoes. Gussini is expected to relocate to the former Panera Bread location, which closed in 2020. We’re told construction on the new Five Below is scheduled to begin in a few months.

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.

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Takoma Park

The Takoma Park Folk Festival Returns In-Person This September

By Patrick Herron

“It’s very exciting,” added Gordon Nimmo-Smith, who oversees sound engineering and logistics. “All of us on the committees love producing an in-person festival and engaging with our audience.”

Music will begin with the DC Labor Chorus at 10 a.m. and run through 6:30 p.m. at Takoma Park Middle School. As always, the festival will be free, family-friendly, and filled with music, crafts, food vendors, and community information booths.

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MDLottery

$25,000 Winning ‘Pick 5’ Ticket Sold at Silver Spring 7-Eleven

By Patrick Herron

A  $25,000 winning Pick 5 ticket, purchased for 50-cents, was sold at the 7-Eleven at 13401 New Hampshire Avenue in Silver Spring. According to the Maryland Lottery, the winning numbers on August 9 were 77770 and delivered 20 winning tickets, each worth over $10,000 or more, including the ticket previously mentioned. Details below:

When the Maryland Lottery’s evening Pick 5 drawing came up 77770 on Aug. 9, the result was an unusual number of big winners. A total of five $1 straight tickets each won $50,000, and five 50-cent straight tickets each won $25,000. Meanwhile, there were 10 5-Way Box tickets with $1 wagers that each won $10,000.

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Maryland

Maryland Department of Transportation, Maryland State Department of Education Deliver Back to School Supplies for Students

By Patrick Herron

“We put out the call, and our MDOT team, our partners at MSDE and our customers all across Maryland responded to help the Boys and Girls Clubs of Maryland prepare students for success in the classroom,” said MDOT Secretary James F. Ports, Jr. “Marylanders are eager to invest in the future of our young people. The result of this drive – filling 1,000 bags with school supplies – sends a tremendous message of support for students.”

During the drive, MDOT business units including the Transportation Secretary’s Office, MDOT Maryland Transit Administration (MDOT MTA), MDOT Maryland Port Administration (MDOT MPA), MDOT Maryland Aviation Administration (MDOT MAA), Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA), MDOT Motor Vehicle Administration (MDOT MVA) and MDOT State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA) collected supplies from employees and customers at more than 50 locations statewide.

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MoCo Government

Capital Area Solar Co-op Will Remain Open Through Aug. 30 in Encouraging Homeowners to Consider Letting the Sun Provide Their Power

By Patrick Herron

In Round 2, Solar United Neighbors (SUN) continues to work with more than a dozen local jurisdictions and organizations around the Capital Area in encouraging residents to put solar panels on their homes.

By joining the #CapitalAreaSolarCoop, residents will join neighbors in Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C. in the quest to lower energy costs, become energy independent and participate in the renewable revolution.

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Silver Spring

International Food & Craft Festival Takes Place Sunday, August 14, in Silver Spring

By Patrick Herron

The International Food & Craft Festival takes place today,  August 14, from 1-7pm at Veterans Plaza (One Veterans Place) in Silver Spring. The event will feature arts & crafts, food vendors, performances, music and entertainment. The event is run by Chic Events DC, who produce multiple arts and crafts events, fashion shows, arts exhibitions and more in the Washington DC metro area.

From the event’s website, “A celebration of the Nations! Enjoy great food, crafts, and music with the whole family. Featuring over 60 artisans and small businesses, plus a DJ playing international music.” Schedule of live performances below:

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Uncategorized

Burtonsville Crossing Proposal

By MCS Staff

Earlier this summer, County Executive Marc Elrich was joined by Council President Gabe Albornoz, Councilmember Tom Hucker, members of the Montgomery County State Delegation and representatives from EDENS to announce bringing a main “anchor” store back to the Burtonsville Crossing Shopping Center and the redevelopment of the vacant shopping center. It was revealed that the Phoenix-based company Sprouts Farmers Market will be coming to Burtonsville in what will be the grocery chain’s first store in Montgomery County. Since then, Total Men’s Primary Care has also signed on for the soon-to-be renovated shopping center. At the community announcement in late June, an EDENS representative stated that Sprouts may open as early as the second half of 2023. Below, you’ll see the justification statement submitted to Montgomery Planning:

The subject property, known in the community as the Burtonsville Crossing Shopping Center, is comprised of approximately 13.35 acres (581,503 square feet) located at 15701 Old Columbia Pike, Burtonsville. The center has been in decline and largely vacant for the past several years, but this Limited Major Site Plan Amendment application (“Site Plan Amendment”) represents an important first step towards its revitalization. As described more fully below, the proposed amendment will demolish a portion of the in-line retail to create a new community gathering space, add two new retail buildings without increasing overall density, enhance pedestrian and vehicular circulation, and introduce new landscaping, tree cover and improved lighting to the site

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