Mackie’s Barbecue is now open at 5500 Olney Laytonsville Rd in Olney (most recently Umberto’s). The restaurant is in its soft opening phase with a limited menu for dine in, takeout, and delivery via DoorDash, Ubereats, and GrubHub. A preview and first look video is available below.
Per Mr. MoCo, “The restaurant features a beer cave, similar to the ones found at Shoppers grocery stores, and a wall of retail wine that features local vendors (a wide variety of beer and wine is coming soon, with some already there). The restaurant will also eventually have a full bar.
Phase II of Mackie’s will begin soon when the restaurant demolishes the outdoor patio that’s behind the restaurant and replaces it with an improved patio that will feature a full outdoor bar, additional seating, two mobile smoker on-site, and 12-15 fire pits for customers to enjoy throughout the year. Phase III will include the addition of pickleball courts in the connected property, but that’s a little bit down the road.
Today we had the pulled pork sandwich, which was absolutely amazing… 10/10 in taste (I used the sweeter sauce that came with it). The mac n cheese was very good and the coleslaw was great on the sandwich. The daily made alcohol-infused desserts were delicious (and only have a slight hint of alcohol if you’re worried about that). I highly recommend them…today they had two cakes, one infused with Patrón Silver Tequila and one with Amaretto. Both awesome.
This is certainly going to be something very different than the recent tenants of the location, as Mackie’s has purchased the property and has plans to make it a destination. I’m looking forward to it seeing it when all phases are complete, but while we wait for that I definitely recommend the food.”
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Per MCPD: Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – 3rd District Investigations Division are asking for the public’s assistance in identifying a suspect who committed a commercial burglary of a restaurant in Silver Spring.
On September 19, 2023, 3rd District officers responded to the Dragon City in the 800 block of Sligo Ave., for the report of a burglary. The investigation by detectives determined that the suspect shattered the front of the business with a brick and stole property.
Detectives reviewed surveillance footage and obtained a description of the suspect. The suspect is described as a Black male, approximately 5-feet, 7-inches tall, wearing a black jacket, blue jeans and black shoes.
Detectives are asking for anyone with information regarding this crime or the suspect involved to call Crime Solvers of Montgomery County toll-free at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477). A reward of up to $10,000 is being offered for information that leads to the arrest of the suspect. Callers may remain anonymous. Featured image courtesy of Google Maps.
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The Montgomery County Department of Police – 4th District Investigative Section is asking for the public’s assistance in locating Jennifer Jaime Chepuras. Chepuras, 66, was last seen on Saturday, September 2, 2023, at the Westfield Wheaton Mall in the 11100 block of Veirs Mill Rd. She is 5′ tall, 135 lbs., with red hair and hazel eyes.
Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Jennifer Jaime Chepuras is asked to call the Wheaton Investigative Section (240) 773-5545.
Per Montgomery County: The Wheaton Arts Parade and Festival, a showcase of creative marching art preceding a day of food, fun and entertainment, will return to Downtown Wheaton on Sunday, Oct. 15. The parade annually features exhibits that can be pushed, pulled, carried, worn or performed—but none that is powered by motors of any kind.
The parade, which starts at 10 a.m., traditionally has bands, dance groups, artists and large floats that march around the Wheaton Triangle Business District and finish at the Marian Fryer Town Plaza at 2424 Reedie Dr. in Wheaton. Entries in the parade can be organized by groups of all kinds, and in some cases, by individuals.
The festival area will be open from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. It will have more than 40 booths of exhibits, including those of artists displaying and selling their original work, community organizations and Montgomery County agencies. Activities will include art making and giveaways. Free art fun in the Kids’ Zone will have face painting and balloon art. Click here to see the exhibitors.
Starting at noon, the festival will have three stages of entertainment including Strathmore artists, dance companies and bands. Oct. 15 will be last day of the celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, so festival will include considerable Latin music and dance. It also will feature outstanding Irish music, hip hop and good old rock and roll. Click here to see the performers.
For more information about the Wheaton Arts Parade and Festival, go to Parade & Festival | Wheaton Arts Parade.
UPDATE: Osmara Diney Juarez 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 Osmara Diney Juarez, a missing 14-year-old. Juarez was last seen on Tuesday, September 27, 2023, around 7:00 p.m., in the 2800 block of Parker Avenue in Wheaton. She is 5’2″, 120 Ibs., with long black hair, brown eyes, and was last seen wearing a black and white shirt.
Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Osmara Diney Juarez is asked to call Montgomery County Police Non-Emergency (301) 279-8000 (24-hour line).
Per Montgomery County: Montgomery Parks is conducting an online survey, seeking community input on the renovation of Jesup Blair Park. At 15 acres, Jesup Blair Park is the largest park in Downtown Silver Spring.
Jesup Blair Park is located near the Washington, D.C. line and bordered by Georgia Avenue, CSX/transit railroad tracks, Blair Road and Jessup Blair Drive.
The Jesup Blair Park Survey can be accessed through Oct. 31. It can be found at
Jesup Blair Survey.
The park currently has a playground, soccer field, lighted tennis and basketball courts, picnic areas and the historic Jesup Blair House. Planners are hoping to increase use of the space by developing a “park for all” that appeals to a diverse group of park users with varying interests, abilities and ages.
“We hope as many people as possible take the survey and let us know what they would like to see in this park” said Project Manager and Landscape Architect Matt Weir. “It is a vital open green space for Downtown Silver Spring and adjacent communities. Spending time walking, playing, socializing or simply enjoying the tree shade can be good for physical and mental wellbeing.”
In addition to the online survey, Parks staff will gather input at upcoming in-person events and community meetings. Details on those meetings and the project timeline will be posted on the Jesup Blair project page on Montgomery Parks website.
The park plan also will be guided by the Silver Spring Downtown and Adjacent Communities Plan (SSDAC). That sector plan was approved by the Montgomery County Council and the Montgomery Planning Board in 2022. Its goal, in part, is to ensure that development in downtown Silver Spring allows for open spaces to support a healthy community.
The vacant Jesup Blair House sits in the center of the park. The house and the entire park are included in the Montgomery County Master Plan for Historic Preservation. A separate project is underway to find a tenant and renovate the historic house.
Per Montgomery County: The 29th Annual Montgomery Parks Harvest Festival will be a day of fall activities and opportunities to meet farm animals up close. The festival will take place from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 7, at the Montgomery County Agricultural History Farm Park in Derwood.
The park is located at 18400 Muncaster Road in Derwood. The charge for entry will be $20 per car.
The Harvest Festival will be an opportunity to see the past, present and future of Montgomery County farming at the 455-acre park. It features rolling hills, open fields, an apple orchard and a variety of farm animals. The festival will provide the chance to get a unique perspective on the County’s rich farming heritage while visiting barns, historic buildings, a modern farming activity center and other facilities at the park.
The festival will include candle making, tin crafts, quilts, paint pumpkins and building scarecrows.
Animal enthusiasts will be able to meet heritage farm animals like cows, pigs, and chickens, and learn about how they were used on farms in the past and how they are cared for today.
There will be live music, storytelling and hayrides around the farmstead. More information about the festival is available at Agricultural History Farm Park – Montgomery Parks.
The City of Gaithersburg has received the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for the 45thconsecutive year and the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for the 22nd consecutive time, both from the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA).
The City’s comprehensive annual financial report for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022, was judged by an impartial panel to meet the high standards of the program, which includes demonstrating a constructive “spirit of full disclosure” to clearly communicate its financial story and motivate potential users and user groups to read the report. The Certificate of Achievement is the highest form of recognition in governmental accounting and financial reporting.
To receive the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award, the City had to satisfy nationally recognized guidelines for effective budget presentation. These guidelines are designed to assess how well an entity’s budget serves as a policy document, a financial plan, an operations guide, and a communications device.
“We are extremely proud of these significant achievements,” said Janice Hartman, Director of the Department of Finance & Administration. “These awards affirm our dedication and commitment to excellence to prepare an accurate budget and financial report that is easily understandable by all of the City’s stakeholders.”
City Manager Tanisha Briley added “these prestigious awards demonstrate our continued commitment to transparency and excellence in financial reporting and budgeting, and our commitment to providing the highest level of service to our residents. It also reflects the tremendous talent and efforts of the dedicated staff in our Department of Finance and Administration.”
The GFOA is a nonprofit professional association that represents 22,500 government finance professionals throughout North America. For more information contact the Department of Finance & Administration.
Courtesy of the City of Gaithersburg, photo courtesy of @DronifyDMV
In June, the Washington Wizards traded three-time All-Star Bradley Beal to the Phoenix Suns for Chris Paul, Landry Shamet, a handful of second-round picks, and multiple pick swaps. Now, the NBA superstar has put his Bethesda home up for sale for $10 million in a listing by held by Jill Schwartz and Andres Serafini of RLAH @properties.
The home, located at 8913 Holly Leaf Ln in Bethesda, has 6 bedrooms and 8.5 bathrooms with a total of 13,482 SF on 2.03 acres. It also includes a four-car garage and two full-size basketball courts (one indoor, one outdoor). The home is described as having a “South Miami vibe” and if basketball isn’t your thing, you can enjoy the “full-size tennis court with stadium lighting, elevated spa cascading into the heated linear swimming pool, detached Pool House complete with cabana bath, outdoor kitchen and the finest smore-worthy fire pit.” The full description and a video can be seen below:
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The whispers and excitement of one of the most coveted estates available for purchase has arrived. Tucked away in the private enclave of exclusivity in Bethesda, Maryland, 8913 Holly Leaf Lane is the “above the rim” offering that sets the bar for real estate in the DC-Metro region. Award-winning Winmar Construction’s vision to inspire a South Miami vibe elevated with commercial grade building finishes and quality was the inspiration for the private, idyllic estate. The fresh take on chic-soft and contemporary-luxury simulates architectural excellence blended with design perfection. The chef’s gourmet kitchen has every imaginable component for the likes of a master chef or a caterer including the Viking Professional Series Appliance Package. The heart of the home is the center island created with rare natural granite reflecting striking earth tones. Black ceiling accents, sleek custom cabinetry, cutting-edge lighting fixtures surround the hallways and maintain the ambiance as the floorplan flows to the dining room, living room, office, den and family room. By combining elements such as wrought iron railings, multi-dimensional wool blended abstract carpets, textured wallcovering, and Italian handlayed mosaic tile in the foyer layered with finishing touches from Carla Royder Designs & Co, Holly Leaf is crisp, glamorous, and takes the indoor/outdoor living concept to a level appreciated by one of the NBA’s best. The grounds are stunning with privacy landscaping and lighting accentuating every amenity, such as the full-size tennis court with stadium lighting, elevated spa cascading into the heated linear swimming pool, detached Pool House complete with cabana bath, outdoor kitchen and the finest smore-worthy fire pit. The living quarters invites spacious ensuite bedrooms with architectural surprises such as balconies, sundecks, sneakerhead-worthy closets, double french doors, automated shades and radiant heated tile flooring. Explore it all by elevator. YES FANS, courtside view via the floor to ceiling glass in both the Fitness Center and Arcade Room overlook where the magic happens… one-of-a-kind underground NBA-built, measured and certified Half-Court Regulation Basketball Court. Please enjoy the drone flyover, video tour, virtual tour and digital assets that have been curated for this truly exceptional home.
