Jeff Bezos Donates 100 Million to Bethesda-Based Chef José Andrés
Right after Jeff Bezos returned from his self-founded trip to outer space, he announced that he will be awarding the “Courage and Civility Award” to Bethesda-based Chef José Andrés. Andrés Was one of the two lucky recipients.
Each awardee gets $100 million to disperse to charities of their choosing. Andrés will channel his share into his charity, World Central Kitchen. Their mission is to feed people during times of disaster, which includes the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
(Fun Fact: one donation of $100 million is about .04% of Bezos income, with his tax write offs not taken into consideration).
Jose Andres has been proactive about the arising needs during the pandemic. In May, he offered $50 Gift Cards to those who got the COVID-19 vaccine until 70% of the U.S. is vaccinated. The gift card applies to any of his @ThinkFoodGGroup restaurants in the DC Area.
José Andrés is an active member in the community, he was selected as the MCPS graduation speaker for the class of 2020.
His newest restaurant Spanish Diner on Woodmont Avenue in Bethesda opened earlier this year. The Bethesda menu includes dishes from Asturias, the northwest region of Spain where Andrés was born. The diner serves breakfast all day and has an extensive beverage program, guided by Cocktail Innovator Miguel Lancha.
The Montgomery County Fair is Officially One Month Away
The MoCo Show is proud to announce that we are an official sponsor of the 2021 Montgomery County Agricultural Fair! After COVID caused last year’s fair to be cancelled for the first time in it’s 70 plus year history, the Montgomery County Fair returns on Friday, August 13th at 3PM and will run through August 21st.
Tickets are available here and don’t forget, children 11 and under are free everyday.
Special events this year include Demolition Derby “Night Of Destruction” and Renegade Monster Trucks.
Family Day is on Wednesday August 18th where Carnival Megapass one-day ride wristbands are only $20 for all ages and you can ride until 11 PM!
From the Montgomery County Agricultural Fair:
“The 9 Best Days of Summer will return to Gaithersburg when the Montgomery County
Agricultural Fair opens on August 13, 2021 at 3:00 PM and will be in operation through August
21, 2021. “Family Fun for Everyone” will feature farm animals, spectacular carnival rides,
dozens of food selections, Monster Truck shows, Demolition Derby shows, agricultural shows
and exhibitions, as well as numerous vendors and free entertainment throughout the Fairgrounds.
The most recent information regarding on-line ticketing, the schedule of events and COVID 19
details can be found in the coming days at www.mcagfair.com.”
Update on Burton’s in Kentlands
We spoke with representatives from the real estate agency for Kentlands Market Square and they informed us that they still expect Burton’s Grill and Bar to open a location across the paseo from MOD Pizza, although not until 2022.
The lease has not yet been signed but both parties are still interested. Burton’s was planning to open a Kentlands location in 2020 but the pandemic put everything on hold.
This would be the first Burton’s restaurant in Montgomery County’s. They have nearby locations in Alexandria, Sterling, and Riverdale Park.
Burtons Grill and Bar opened its doors back in 2005 and offers “chef-driven, innovative local preparations, and traditional fare.” It was voted Most Allergy-Friendly Restaurant in 2019 by AllergyEats.
Bullis Students Create Award Winning Wheelchair-Stroller for Teacher’s Husband
A talented team of ten high schoolers from The Bullis School in Potomac, Maryland, invented and created an award-winning wheelchair stroller. This device allows for people in wheelchairs to independently take babies on a stroll, which recently the invention won two international awards.
The “Wheelstroll” was inspired by Chelsie King, a middle school teacher at Bullis whose husband’s life changed after brain surgery. The procedure impacted Mr. King’s speech and balance, which lead to him using a wheelchair.
After the King’s found out they were expecting, they “immediately jumped into ‘Okay, how is he going to do certain things for our baby that normal parents don’t have to think about?’” King said. “And one of the things that we really couldn’t find was a way to enjoy walks with our son” (Interview with NBC Washington 4).
Mrs. King reached out to Matt Zigler, head of the school’s Innovation and Technology Lab, which teaches a class that creates objects for social good. The class interviewed the King’s family to better understand their needs. Class groups collaborated on design ideas, the end result was the combination of two designs to create one “superior” design.
The design created an attachment piece for the bottom/base of wheelchairs. Next, one would place the car seat into the attachment piece. Lastly, the baby would be buckled in before one would head out for a stroll.
The high school class entered the 2021 international Make: Able Challenge Competition where the judges awarded the Bullis students both “Best Inspirational Story” and “Best Showcase of Iterative Design” for the 14-18 age group. The school will receive a new 3D scanner and a FIlamentive bundle pack as prizes.
Now, Mr. King is able to independently take his son Phoenix on strolls. The King family found a new sense of appreciation for what many take for granted — a simple family stroll. They are very grateful for Mr. Ziegler’s high school students.
If someone you know could benefit from a “wheestroll,” you can contact The Bullis School on their website or call in to get connected.
Montgomery County Animal Services and Adoption Center Joins Montgomery County Partners for Animal Well-Being in Hosting Operation: Feline Freedom, a Fee-Waived Adoption Event
For Immediate Release: Tuesday, June 29, 2021
The Montgomery County Animal Services and Adoption Center (MCASAC) operated by the Montgomery County Office of Animal Services (OAS) will be holding a month-long adoption event from July 1 – July 31 where adoption fees will be waived for all cats and kittens. MCASAC’s Operation: Feline Freedom is sponsored by the nonprofit organization Montgomery County Partners for Animal Well-Being (MCPAW).
The summer months are a perfect time for people to welcome a new family member into their home. MCASAC will be launching the event with more than 50 cats and kittens available for adoption. New animals are made available every day.
Patrons may visit the shelter in person to adopt, or patrons can start the process online to reserve a spot to speak to a counselor. All potential adopters should review the Pre-Adoption Checklist prior to visiting or submitting a questionnaire online. Submitting a questionnaire does not reserve an animal for adoption and adoptions are first come, first served.
Guidelines for adoption, the pre-visit checklist, and the adoption questionnaire can be found at https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/animalservices/adoption/howtoadopt.html.
Shelter hours of operation are 12 p.m. – 7 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday and 12 p.m. – 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The shelter is closed to the public on Wednesdays. The shelter will be closed to the public on July 4 and reopen on July 5.
About the Montgomery County Animal Services and Adoption Center:
The Montgomery County Animal Services and Adoption Center (MCASAC), operated by the Office of Animal Services, provides high-standard sheltering and care to the homeless, abused, and neglected animals in our community and ensures the safety and welfare of the county’s citizens. We are the County’s only open-admission, municipal shelter. Through adoptions, education, outreach, and more, MCASAC serves as a critical community resource to promote and advocate for responsible pet care. Animal Services Officers are on-call seven days a week to investigate citizen complaints and respond to animal emergencies 24 hours a day. For more information, please visit www.montgomerycountymd.gov/animalservices.
About Montgomery County Partners for Animal Well-Being:
Founded in 2010, Montgomery County Partners for Animal Well-Being (MCPAW) is an independent 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with a mission to end pet homelessness and suffering with proven actions and compassionate services, such as providing veterinary care, pet food, and other resources, and by removing all barriers to adoption, including keeping shelter animals medically and emotionally healthy and matching them with well-prepared adopters to create forever homes. MCPAW frequently partners with the Montgomery County Animal Services and Adoption Center in making a positive impact for the people, pets, and shelter animals of Montgomery County, Maryland. Learn more at www.MCPAW.org or by contacting [email protected].
Former Damascus Football Player Bikes Across the Country Raising Money for ALS
On Saturday, June 26th Wil Armstrong, a 2016 Damascus High School graduate, commenced his cross-country bike ride “Against the Wind” from Rehoboth Beach, DE. He is expected to finish 2.5 months later in Seattle, Washington. Throughout this journey, Wil is updating his daily blog with his progress, experiences, and updates on his banana consumption count. During his cross-country journey, he is crowdfunding for the ALS Association after seeing his mentor and former basketball coach, Rodney Lapp, go through it.
Photo courtesy: @wilarmstrong4 Instagram
Wil played football for his high school’s state champion team and later played rugby at the University of Maryland. What started off as a high school job at Jimmie Cone carried over into his time at the University of Maryland, where he got his Master’s in Quantitative Finance through the Robert H. Smith School of Business through their Plus One program. With eight years under his belt, he was the Damascus Jimmie Cone’s longest tenured employee! How much more Damascus can you get?
When people ask Wil why he is taking on such an adventure he says, “Touring is a way to use my gifts to make a difference in the world, the stars are aligned, and nothing makes me feel more clear, focused, and alive.”
Photo courtesy: @wilarmstrong4 Instagram (2018 trip – biked 375 miles from Damascus, MD to Niagara Falls, CA in 4 days)
His sister Megan inspired his craze for fitness and his Eagle Scout days got him into exploring nature, camping, and cycling. Although he has an excellent fitness resume, which consists of biking from Damascus, MD to Ocean City, MD in a day (215 mi) and running his first marathon backwards, to prepare for the bike ride he read about athletes’ and Navy Seal wellness, focused on strength training, and learned new stretches to help with recovery.
Before starting his adventure, Jimmie Cone kick-started his fundraiser on Tuesday, June 22nd by matching the tips to donate towards ALS. He reached out to the outdoor equipment company Lone Peaks with his story and had about a thousand dollars worth of bags donated to him; which, he hopes to give a special in-person thank you in Washington.
The planning of this trip was like a full-time job back in March. He considered starting on the west coast. Wil decided to take on the challenge of biking against the wind patterns and wrapping up his tour while visiting national parks. Since he was limited to the summer months he is taking a far turn north to avoid the heat, which will allow him to bike one of the most beautiful roads in America, “Going-to-the-Sun Road” at Glacier National Park, Montana.
I had the opportunity of interviewing Wil Armstrong on day three as he was pedaling through Towson, MD. He said the Oliva Rodrigo album has been a frequent play and the Home Depot theme song “locks him in.” Last year it was on his Spotify top five most played songs and says he wouldn’t be surprised if he was in the top 1% of listeners. The Home Depot song has helped him get his mind off some tough hills recently. On his long rides, he listens to recommended audiobooks and listens to a lot of music suggested by those keeping up with his trip.
On his website, he encourages individuals to reach out and connect with him. His sleeping arrangements will mostly consist of camping and sleeping in his mosquito net-covered hammock, but accepts the courteous offers of mutual connections or anybody offering their hospitality even if it’s a couch to sleep on or back yard to camp in.
Wil’s Twitter (@wilarmstrongiv) automatically posts “Shared LiveTrack” links that update you on his location. You can learn more about Wil Armstrong and his journey on his website againstthewind.xyz
Drive Thru Food Distribution Event Friday in Germantown For Those in Need
The Upcounty Consolidation Hub and Nourish Now will be hosting a drive-thru distribution event today at 18900 Kingsview Rd in Germantown from 1-3PM.
Please temain in your vehicle while volunteers deliver food.
Since the beginning of the pandemic, Black Rock Center has temporarily transformed into the Upcounty Consolidation Hub. The Hub provides essential food, baby, and household supplies to over 1,000 families disproportionally impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic every week.
Learn more at blackrockcenter.org
Today’s $40,000 VaxCash Winner is From Gaithersburg
The Maryland Lottery announced that today’s (Tuesday, June 22nd) VaxCash $40,000 winner was from Gaithersburg.
Today's $40,000 VaxCash Winner is from Gaithersburg, MD!
Learn more about the promotion here: https://t.co/cUK1ERVCdF #VAXtoWin pic.twitter.com/UMC34FfIhU— Maryland Lottery (@MDLottery) June 22, 2021
Details about VaxCash below:
Maryland lottery will continue to give away $40,000 each day until July 4th.
Here’s how it works:
Vax and you’re in.
The Maryland Lottery $2 Million VaxCash Promotion is a public outreach campaign consisting of a series of statewide drawings to help raise awareness and increase the number of Marylanders that are vaccinated for COVID-19.
Any Maryland resident 18 years old and above who has been vaccinated in Maryland is automatically registered for a chance to win each day of the promotion. It doesn’t matter when you were vaccinated; as soon as you are vaccinated, you are eligible to win until the promotion ends on July 4th, 2021.
$2 million in prizes.
Starting May 25th, one $40,000 winner will be randomly selected every day for 40 consecutive days. On July 4th, one lucky vaccinated Marylander will be randomly selected to receive $400,000!
Everybody wins.
Marylanders who have been vaccinated and those that choose to during the promotion period are already winning by protecting themselves, their loved ones and their communities against COVID-19. And during the promotion, they can also win big bucks! GoVAX. Lets end COVID, Maryland.
Maryland’s COVID-19 ICU Census Falls to Lowest Level On Record
Per the State of Maryland:
Third Consecutive Day Under 50 New Cases
Hospitalizations Fall Below 150 Statewide
Positivity Rate Drops to 0.65%
Case Rate Drops to 1.03 per 100K
ANNAPOLIS, MD—Governor Larry Hogan today announced that the COVID-19 ICU census in the State of Maryland has dropped to its lowest level on record.
COVID-19 Hospitalizations: 146, ICU Census: 38. COVID-19 hospitalizations have dropped to 146—down 88% since mid-April. The COVID-19 ICU census statewide has dropped below its lowest recorded level of 40, reported on March 26, 2020.
Third Consecutive Day Under 50 New Cases. The state is reporting 49 new confirmed cases of COVID-19—the third day in a row under 50 new cases.
Positivity Rate Drops To 0.65%. The state is reporting a record-low 7-day COVID-19 positivity rate of 0.65%—down 89% since mid-April.
Case Rate Drops to 1.03 Per 100K, 10 Counties Under 1 Per 100K. The state’s COVID-19 case rate has dropped to 1.03 per 100K—down 95% since mid-April. Overall, 10 Maryland counties are in the green zone with a case rate under 1 per 100K. Data is available by jurisdiction at coronavirus.maryland.gov.
Vaccinations: 6,654,784. To get vaccinated—and be eligible for the state’s $2 million VaxCash Promotion—visit covidvax.maryland.gov, or call 1-855-MD-GOVAX (1-855-634-6829). The call center is available seven days a week, from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
The Montgomery County Animal Services and Adoption Center Reopens with Full Services Today
Per Montgomery County:
Montgomery County Animal Services and Adoption Center is excited to announce we are open for adoptions by appointment only. Please visit our COVID-19 Adoptions page for more information.
Hours Open to the Public:
Admissions- for reclaiming lost pets, bringing in stray animals, surrendering pets (by appointment)
Monday: 9:00am – 7:00pm
Tuesday: 9:00am – 7:00pm
Wednesday: CLOSED
Thursday: 9:00am – 7:00pm
Friday: 9:00am – 7:00pm
Saturday: 9:00am – 5:00pm
Sunday: 9:00am – 5:00pm
Adoption Center- By appointment only- no walk ins will be accepted
Monday: 10:00am- 5:30pm
Tuesday: 10:00am- 5:30pm
Wednesday: CLOSED
Thursday: 10:00am-5:30pm
Friday: 10:00am-5:30pm
Saturday: 10:00am-5:30pm
Sunday: 10:00am-5:30pm
*Adoption Center CLOSED to public on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and county government holidays.
Starting June 20, patrons may visit the shelter in person to view animals. All potential adopters should review the Pre-Adoption Checklist prior to visiting the shelter or submitting a questionnaire. Questionnaires may be submitted online or in person. Once all basic requirements have been met, and the adoption questionnaire is received, an animal visit appointment may be scheduled online or in-person. Submitting a questionnaire does not reserve an animal for adoption and adoptions are first come, first served.
Guidelines for adoption, the pre-visit checklist, and the adoption questionnaire can be found at https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/animalservices/adoption/howtoadopt.html.
The facility is also now once more open to group tours. Tours may be scheduled by submitting the Tour Request form on the website at https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/animalservices/about/location.html.
Montgomery County Partners for Animal Well-Being’s walk-up Pet Food Pantry will again be accessible to citizens in need during operating hours via the Adoption Center entrance.
The Montgomery County Animal Services and Adoption Center (MCASAC), operated by the Office of Animal Services, provides high-standard sheltering and care to the homeless, abused, and neglected animals in our community and ensures the safety and welfare of the County’s citizens. We are the County’s only open-admission, municipal shelter. Through adoptions, education, outreach, and more, MCASAC serves as a critical community resource to promote and advocate for responsible pet care. Animal Services Officers are on-call seven days a week to investigate citizen complaints and respond to animal emergencies 24 hours a day. For more information, please visit www.montgomerycountymd.gov/animalservices
Montgomery County Animal Services and Adoption Center Fully Reopening
For Immediate Release: Wednesday, June 16, 2021
The Montgomery County Animal Services and Adoption Center (MCASAC) operated by the Montgomery County Office of Animal Services (OAS) is reopening full services on June 20, 2021.
The OAS has operated throughout the pandemic caring for homeless animals and responding to animal complaints and emergencies. We are excited to be able to welcome the public back into our facility to learn more about our work and the animals available for adoption.
Hours of operation will return to pre-COVID-19 hours of 12 p.m.- 7 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday and 12 p.m.- 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The shelter is closed to the public on Wednesdays.
Starting June 20, patrons may visit the shelter in person to view animals. All potential adopters should review the Pre-Adoption Checklist prior to visiting the shelter or submitting a questionnaire. Questionnaires may be submitted online or in person. Once all basic requirements have been met, and the adoption questionnaire is received, an animal visit appointment may be scheduled online or in-person. Submitting a questionnaire does not reserve an animal for adoption and adoptions are first come, first served.
Guidelines for adoption, the pre-visit checklist, and the adoption questionnaire can be found at https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/animalservices/adoption/howtoadopt.html.
The facility is also now once more open to group tours. Tours may be scheduled by submitting the Tour Request form on the website at https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/animalservices/about/location.html.
Montgomery County Partners for Animal Well-Being’s walk-up Pet Food Pantry will again be accessible to citizens in need during operating hours via the Adoption Center entrance.
About the Montgomery County Animal Services and Adoption Center:
The Montgomery County Animal Services and Adoption Center (MCASAC), operated by the Office of Animal Services, provides high-standard sheltering and care to the homeless, abused, and neglected animals in our community and ensures the safety and welfare of the County’s citizens. We are the County’s only open-admission, municipal shelter. Through adoptions, education, outreach, and more, MCASAC serves as a critical community resource to promote and advocate for responsible pet care. Animal Services Officers are on-call seven days a week to investigate citizen complaints and respond to animal emergencies 24 hours a day. For more information, please visit www.montgomerycountymd.gov/animalservices
