Montgomery County Police are alerting residents that the department will be conducting drone training this week in Silver Spring.  “The MCPD Special Operations Division will be conducting UAS (drone) training in & around the Central Business District of Silver Spring at various times between Mon., Oct. 2 -Sat., Oct. 7, 2023. Residents/community members may observe a drone however there is no reason for alarm.”

MCPD has recently been speaking with residents about their proposal to use drone technology as first responders to enhance public safety and decrease police response times.

The MCPD Special Operations Division will be conducting UAS (drone) training in & around the Central Business District of Silver Spring at various times between Mon., Oct. 2 -Sat., Oct. 7, 2023. Residents/community members may observe a drone however there is no reason for alarm. pic.twitter.com/LtcDlm3fsY

— Montgomery County Department of Police (@mcpnews) October 2, 2023

The MCPS STEAM Festival takes place on Saturday, October 21st from 10am-1pm at Wheaton and Edison High School campuses (12401 and 12501 Dalewood Drive in Silver Spring).

Festival highlights the educational, cultural and financial impact of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts And Mathematics (STEAM) in the county. Families can participate in hands-on activities, talks, lab tours, nature experiences, exhibits and performances. A highlight video of last year’s STEAM Festival can be seen below.

Anglo Dutch Pools & Toys has announced that it will be closing its doors permanently on Thursday, November 30th. The store, which specializes in toys, swimming + training products, and pool & spa collections, wrote that they have lost their lease and are being forced to retire. Anglo Dutch Pools & Toys is located at 5460 Westbard Ave in Bethesda, which is currently undergoing redevelopment. The full post shared on social media can be seen below:

“Anglo Dutch Pools and Toys being forced to close at the end of November. One month before Christmas :(.

Dearest Neighbors and Friends,

Unfortunately, we lost our lease; and, therefore, we have to close our doors, and are forced to retire. We are closing as of November 30, 2023 (Regency Centers are worse than the Grinch that Stole Christmas), and so we urge you to make your Christmas shopping by November!

Furthermore, we want to thank everyone for having been so loyal to us during these 38 years that we have been your neighborhood pool and toy store. We will miss our many clients who made us feel so happy to be able to assist you and make your day a happy one. We hope you find joy in your life and take good care of yourselves as well as your children, grandchildren, and some of you, great grandchildren!

Lots of hugs to all,

Solie, Monique, and Francesca Darvish”

https://www.facebook.com/100063798798265/posts/774612358008717/?mibextid=cr9u03

Per WMATA: Most Metrorail customers will see nearly normal train service tomorrow, even as Metro continues to inspect the fleet’s oldest railcars. Metro will operate service to all customers (every 6-12 minutes from end-of-line stations); however Blue and Yellow line trains will depart every 15 minutes while work continues to repair tracks damaged in Friday’s derailment. Track repairs are proceeding around the clock to replace components of the damaged tracks at National Airport.

The investigation into the derailment continues, but Metro found that the wheel measurements on the 7000-series train were consistent with its specifications and there were no apparent track or infrastructure defects, as a preliminary matter.NMetro investigators, who are coordinating with the Washington Metrorail Safety Commission, continue to focus on a disc brake that came loose from a train ahead as a causal factor.

Following yesterday’s order from Metro General Manager and Chief Executive Officer Randy Clarke to remove all 2000- and 3000-series railcars from service, mechanical teams have inspected 102 cars and identified 32 with non-conforming bolts. “We continue to act quickly on information as it develops to ensure safe and reliable train operations for our customers and employees,” said Clarke. “I am proud of the team for delivering solid service while tackling this challenge with our 35-year-old equipment.”

The 2000- and 3000-series cars, built in the mid 1980’s are reaching the end of their useful life and are scheduled to be replaced by new 8000-series railcars.

Montgomery County Police is investigating a fatal collision that occurred Sunday evening.  According to police, “At approximately 7:57 p.m., on Sunday, October 1, 2023, officers and Montgomery County Fire Rescue personnel responded to the 12800 block of Veirs Mill Road for the report of a fatal traffic collision involving a motorcycle and a vehicle. The adult male operating the motorcycle was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the striking vehicle remained on scene.

The Montgomery County Department of Police – Collision Reconstruction Unit (CRU) is investigating the collision. A news release will be distributed once more information becomes available, including the name of the deceased, following proper notification of next of kin.” We will provide an update when additional information is available. Featured image courtesy of Google Maps.

Good Ducking Burger is now open, replacing Bethesda fine dining staple Duck Duck Goose. Like its predecessor, Good Ducking Burger is owned and operated by French-trained chef Ashish Alfred. It’s located at 7929 Norfolk Ave. and our very own Mr. MoCo gave the new restaurant a glowing review (see preview video below).

Times change, tastes change, prices fluctuate and the one who chooses NOT to evolve is the one that sinks. For Duck Duck Goose Bethesda, it all came down to the numbers. Despite having a packed dining room most nights, the rising costs of doing business caused DDG Bethesda’s profit margin to plummet. While Alfred’s four other restaurants in Baltimore and DC are both spacious and busy, Bethesda was just busy. Cozy and intimate at about 1100 square feet total (counting interior and the seasonal outdoor patio), and unable to add any more seating, it became obvious that the business was just no longer sustainable as is and, according to Alfred, he was putting an increasingly unfair demand on his employees.

Immediately, the French brasserie was a bonafide success. There were lines, waits for tables and Southern Living Magazine even named it the Best Restaurant in Maryland. More than a commercial success, Chef Alfred, who is a MoCo native and 2005 graduate of Magruder High School, credits the intimate, 27-seater for saving his life – this was his first venture after kicking an almost life-ending drug and alcohol addiction. And he feels Duck Duck Goose Bethesda put his career on the map. It was also because of DDG Bethesda that Alfred was named Chef of the Year by the Restaurant Association of Maryland and the restaurant was named Best Brunch by Washingtonian Magazine three years after opening.

Enter Good Ducking Burger. Alfred’s new fast, casual American burger joint with an Indian twist. “Growth can be painful but it’s the right decision for the business,” says Alfred. “I can keep trying to make things work – I mean business is still good – but when it’s time to change, it’s time to change.” Good Ducking Burger isn’t completely a new concept. It has made wildly successful appearances at Alfred’s restaurants in Baltimore and DC as a delivery-only ghost kitchen, focusing on American classics like burgers, chicken and fries… all with a nod to Alfred’s Indian heritage.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cx4CS4gOZio/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Back in February we let you know that Barra Brava Cevicheria Peruana was “coming soon” to the location that was previously home to Old Hickory Grill at 15420 Old Columbia Pike B in Burtonsville. The restaurant recently announced that it will open its second location on Saturday, October 21st from 12pm until 12am. Barra Brava opened its first location at 15921 N Frederick Rd in Rockville in October of 2017.

The menu consists of seafood entrees, a variety of ceviches, non-seafood entrees like lomo saltado, aji de gallina, and more. The full announcement from the restaurant can be seen below:

“We want to announce to all our valued customers that after six years of much perseverance and hard work overcoming many adversities, we are proud and happy to announce the opening of our second location in the Burtonsville area, always hoping that it will be pleased by you who are the reason from Barra Brava Our commitment will always be to provide you with our best and be able to meet your expectations.

Thank you all for such loving acceptance and preference in these six long years. It is necessary to emphasize that whoever writes these lines is completely excited to live this new adventure where I promise to transport them to the most beautiful memories of our beloved Peru through our delicious dishes elaborated with a lot of dedication and respect maintaining our recipes and flavors forever. Dear public once again many thanks to each of you for your preference.
Remember we are always happy to serve you at both our Rockville and Burtonsville homes..

Brava Bar
HERE WE EAT RICO AGAIN!!!”

https://www.facebook.com/100063770507100/posts/791692266299783/?mibextid=cr9u03

UPDATE: Javier Alexander Zelaya Orellana has been located safe and unharmed.
Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – Special Victims Investigations Division (SVID) are asking for the public’s assistance in locating Javier Alexander Zelaya Orellana, a missing 10-year-old from Rockville. Zelaya was last seen on Saturday, September 30, 2023, at approximately 5:30 p.m., in the 1100 block of Rockville Pike in Rockville. He is 5-feet tall, 120 lbs., with black hair and brown eyes.

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Javier Alexander Zelaya Orellana is asked to call Montgomery County Police Non-Emergency (301) 279-8000 (24-hour line).

Concern for Missing Ten-Year-Oldhttps://t.co/PJZQHLcIpl#mcpnews #mcpd #missing #missingperson pic.twitter.com/bGF15r3lZu

— Montgomery County Department of Police (@mcpnews) October 1, 2023

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) responded to a vehicle fire on I-270 on Sunday, October 1 around 5pm. According to Chief Spokesperson for MCFRS Pete Piringer, the fire occurred on southbound I-270 between Montrose Road and Old Georgetown Road, in the area of the split. The fire has been extinguished and there are no injuries reported. Some lanes are currently blocked.

We will provide an update if additional information becomes available. Featured image courtesy of @jesssica_leee on Instagram.

SB I270 between Montrose Road and Old Georgetown Road, IAO Splt, vehicle fire, vehicle well involved, @mcfrs PE733, AT723, SA700 on scene, some lanes blocked

— Pete Piringer (@mcfrsPIO) October 1, 2023