The 2024 Festival of Lights will take place from December 5, 2024 to January 1, 2025 at the Washington DC Temple (9900 Stoneybrook Dr in Kensington, MD). At the Festival of Lights, over 500,000 Christmas lights illuminate the temple grounds to ring in the season and celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. The lights will turn on each night at 4:45 PM and go off at 9:00 PM each evening.
Update: Macy Kaplan, the missing autistic woman, has been located.
Per the Montgomery County Police Department (MCPD): **DISCLAIMER: THE PHOTO ON THIS FLYER IS THE ONLY ONE AVAILABLE TO HELP IDENTIFY THIS MISSING PERSON AND HAS BEEN INCLUDED BECAUSE SHE IS A MISSING ADULT WITH AUTISM** (more…)
Four Montgomery County companies in the financial services, AI, biopharma, and clean tech industries raised just over $460 million across public offerings and private investment activity in June and July, signifying continued investor confidence in Montgomery County’s business ecosystem.
In June, Forbright, a Chevy Chase-based bank holding company with 545 employees, successfully completed its initial public offering on the Nasdaq. The D.C. region’s fastest-growing bank raised $142.2 million, valuing the company at approximately $950 million, marking not only a major milestone for the company but also for Montgomery County’s rapidly expanding financial services industry, which boasts companies spanning venture capital, private equity, financial technologies, and investment asset management.
Also in June, Bethesda-based Xometry announced a $225 million secondary public offering. Founded in Gaithersburg, the AI-powered manufacturing marketplace has become one of Montgomery County’s homegrown innovation economy success stories, connecting businesses with manufacturing capacity around the world through its intelligent digital platform. The additional capital will allow the company, which employs over 1,000 people, to continue expanding and investing in advanced manufacturing innovation.
Known as the anchor of the third-largest biopharma hub in the nation, it’s not surprising that life sciences companies in the County also continue to attract attention from investors. In July, RegenxBio, Inc., a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on the development of gene therapy treatments, raised $90.04 million in its second public offering on the Nasdaq Stock Exchange. Located in Rockville with over 370 employees, RegenxBio is a leader in developing therapies for retinal, neuromuscular, and neurodegenerative diseases.
In clean tech, Arculus Solutions, a developer of hydrogen-barrier coatings designed to protect infrastructure from hydrogen embrittlement, raised $1.95 million of Seed-1 funding from undisclosed investors, putting the company’s pre-money valuation at $20.05 million. The company’s coatings can be used in various applications, such as hydrogen fuel cell pipelines, storage tanks and hydrogen-powered vehicles, enabling the energy industry to reduce the risk of accidents and improve safety. Based in Bethesda, Arculus is yet another example of Montgomery County’s growing position as a hub for clean tech, which is home to several leading clean tech companies, including X-energy and Liatris.
From innovative financial institutions and AI leaders to biopharma and clean tech companies that are developing technologies that are shaping to future, Montgomery County continues to remain a place where companies can start and scale quickly.
As we roll into Week 2 of the playoffs, Montgomery County’s top teams are ready for intense rematches and rivalries that promise plenty of fireworks. Here’s a breakdown of each matchup and how I see them playing out. The Game of the Week preview and prediction can be seen here.
In the MoCoShow Game of the Week, two determined teams will clash Friday night in 2nd round playoff action as the Oakdale Bears visit the Sherwood Warriors in Sandy Spring (Preview and predictions for all other MCPS games can be seen here). The stakes are high, with Sherwood looking to redeem itself after last season’s playoff defeat in Ijamsville. This time around, Sherwood brings a stronger, more seasoned squad to the field, hoping to upset an Oakdale team that’s still potent but slightly less dominant than last year. The real question is: have the Warriors closed the gap enough to secure a victory on their home turf?
HouseMouse Books is excited to announce the debut of Escape the Bookshop IV, our brand new limited-run escape room experience.
Escape the Bookshop games are always based on a real crime with connections to the DC region. They are designed and built by HouseMouse Books to be played in our atmospheric bookshop. This latest game was inspired by a true local museum theft and the goal is simple – to find the stolen object before the suspect flees the country!
You’re Invited to the Community Fall Dance! 🍁
Join us for a fun, free evening of music, dancing, and community under the stars!
The Montgomery County Council has appointed Craig Howard as its new executive director, a role in which he will oversee fiscal and policy analysis and manage Council operations, following his 22 years of experience in the county’s legislative branch, including five years as deputy director. (more…)
Tory Burch is now open at Westfield Montgomery Mall (7101 Democracy Blvd) in Bethesda. The luxury women’s brand, known for its shoes, handbags, accessories, jewelry, and watches, is located on the mall’s upper level next. (more…)
According to Maryland Lottery and Gaming, Maryland’s sports wagering market generated $7.05 million in contributions to the state in October 2024, marking a 21.3% increase from the previous year, with a record $593.1 million handle driven by strong performances from local teams like the Baltimore Ravens and Washington Commanders. (more…)
Chicago-based women’s clothing store Akira is now open in Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda, with a grand opening planned in two weeks. (more…)
The Montgomery County Police Department (MCPD) has announced the arrest of 31-year-old Steven Randolph, accused of exposing himself at two businesses in Olney. Detectives have released his photo and are encouraging any additional victims to come forward.
A Germantown woman won $50,000 after purchasing a winning lottery scratch-off ticket at the Safeway at 19718 Germantown Road. Full story below, courtesy of MD Lottery:
Goodreads, the world’s largest site for readers and book recommendations, has released its opening round nominees for the 2024 Goodreads Choice Awards and former Watkins Mill teacher Sara Confino’s novel Behind Every Good Man has been nominated in the Historical Fiction category. Opening round voting runs until later this month.