Germantown Elementary Crossing Guard Goes Viral
A Tik Tok video featuring a Germantown Elementary School crossing guard of 30 years is begining to go viral on social media this morning.
On the @gooodnews_movement Instagram page, the video has racked up over 600K views.
The short video shows Lisa, the longtime crossing guard, guiding traffic while greeting children on their way back from school. At the end of the short video, her daughters (who made the Tik Tok) brought her a little retirement surprise to honor her work.
Lisa was known for never taking days off, and greeting the Germantown Elementry students with a smile every day.
The Jolly Show Carnival is back at the Westfield Wheaton Mall parking lot at 11160 Veirs Mill Rd. in Wheaton.
The Carnival will run from September 22 through October 3, Monday though Friday 5p-10p, Saturday 1-11pm, and Sunday 3-11pm.
For more information and to buy tickets visit: https://marylandcarnivals.com/events/47
Ticket Info:
Unlimited Ride Specials
Pre-Sale – Until 5pm on September 22
1 wristband $25 good any day – Save $5!
4 wristbands $85 good any day – Save $35!
50 ride tickets $45 good any day and at any event – Save $15!
After 5pm on September 22!
On-Sale
1 weekday wristband $27
1 weekend wristband $30
4 wristbands $100 – Save $20!
50 ride tickets $55 – Save $5!
Update: Jake’s Ice Cream Grand Opening will be taking place this weekend on Sunday, 9/5 and Monday, 9/6. Jake’s Ice cream will be celebrating the occasion some special prizes and promotions.
More details can be found on the Jake’s Ice Cream Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Jakes-Ice-Cream-102208118696660/
Beyond MoCo: Jake’s Ice Cream in Falls Church Will be Employed Primarily by Adults With Special Needs
Jake’s Ice Cream is coming soon to the Barcroft Plaza in Falls Church, VA. The shop will be hiring primarily employees with disabilities who have had trouble finding traditional jobs.
Jake’s Facebook page describes the ice cream shop as “artisanal small batch ice cream made on the premises. House made waffle cones, sundaes, shakes, floats and other confections. Many of our staff are special needs adults and we rejoice in their pride in this community.”
According to the Annandale Blog, the shop hopes to be open by early July and will be open daily from 11am-8pm. Jake’s Ice Cream owner Robin Rinearson told the blog that the shop is named for her nephew Jake, who lost his job due to the COVID pandemic.
MoCo Park Police Officer Rescues Kitten Stuck in The Engine Compartment of Vehicle in Germantown
On Sunday afternoon, Maryland Park Police tweeted that an officer responding to the Germantown SoccerPlex rescued a kitten from the inside of a vehicle’s engine compartment. The cat was then taken to the MoCo Animal Services & Adoption Center.
This morning officers responded to the Germantown SoccerPlex for the report of a kitten stuck in the engine compartment of a vehicle. The kitten was rescued and transported to the @mcasac shelter for evaluation and adoption if an owner is not located. pic.twitter.com/Rdevgn53v1
— Park Police MC (@ParkPolice) June 6, 2021
In other cat/kitten news, did you know that June is national Adopt a Cat Month? Click here to see a list of animals currently up for adoption at the Montgomery County Humane Society.
Did you know June is #AdoptACatMonth? We have some amazing cats ready to find their forever homes! For more information and to fill out an application, please visit our website. 😻https://t.co/V6HY2oqbOL#adoptablecats #rescuecats #adoptme #adoptdontshop #letsbehumanetogether pic.twitter.com/DW5PNQOGFE
— MoCo Humane Society (@MoCoHumane) June 1, 2021
Old School MoCo Commercials #4
Enjoy the latest round of local commercials from the past. Make sure to check out Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3 of the series.
Giant Supermarket – 1992
“That’s my Giant!”
DZ Discovery Zone- 1993
At one point, Discovery Zone had over 300 locations in the U.S., including several in the area.
Shakey’s Pizza Parlor -1983
Glen Echo Amusement Park -1957
Immediately following the ad is a channel 5 TV weather report from 64 years ago this week!
Holiday Fitness & Racquet Club in Rockville – 1981
This commercial is a cross between Star Wars and 2001.
The Toy Exchange in Wheaton – 2000’s
Official Statement From The Montgomery County Fair
The organizers of The Montgomery County Agriculture Fair released the following statement on Friday:
Press Release May 28, 2021
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. “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.
We will keep you up to date on everything fair related leading up to the event.
Remembering Shakey’s Pizza Parlor
Shakey’s Pizza Parlor had multiple locations in MoCo back in the 70’s and 80’s, including in Gaithersburg on Beauru Dr. and in Rockville on 355.
Shakey’s was founded in 1954 by Sherwood “Shakey” Johnson and Ed Plummer in Sacramento, CA. According to wikipedia, Johnson’s nickname resulted from nerve damage following a bout of malaria during World War II. As the first franchise pizza chain in the United States, the company expanded to as many as 500 stores worldwide at the height of it’s popularity.
Photo courtesy of Steve Michaels.
Shakey’s was popular with both children and adults. Parents could drink pitchers of beer while the kids played Pac-Man or watched the chef’s prepare the pizza through their open kitchen.
After multiple ownership changes in the 80’s, most of the U.S. locations were closed by the 1990’s. Currently you can only find Shakey’s in California (47 locations) and Washington (2 locations).
Here’s a look at some current day menu items from the chain:
We did a Facebook post about Shakey’s back in 2015, here were some of the best replies:
Who’s up for a road trip to the West Coast?
Winston Churchill High School Student Receives Internship Assisting NASA at University of Texas
Press Release
Rahil Verma, a student from Winston Churchill High School in Montgomery County, Maryland, has been selected for the prestigious Student Enhancement in Earth and Space Science (SEES) summer internship hosted by The University of Texas at Austin’s Center for Space Research. This nationally competitive program sponsored by NASA’s Texas Space Grant Consortium selects students to conduct authentic research using NASA data. Investigations are being conducted as part of Mosquito Mappers, a SEES team co-sponsored by the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES) under the NASA Earth Science Education Collaborative project.
Mosquito Mappers receive training from NASA scientists, led by GLOBE Observer scientist Dr. Russanne Low, IGES, on safety procedures, mosquito ecology and habitat, larva identification, land cover classification and satellite data analysis. Each intern devotes 10-15 hours a week in June and July participating in weekly data explorations, developing and implementing a research design, and collaborating with NASA subject matter experts.
Mosquitoes cause millions of cases of disease in humans every year but seasonal habitat monitoring can provide early warning of potential disease outbreaks. Using the GLOBE Observer citizen science app and a microscope that clips onto their mobile device, student scientists can report actual and potential mosquito habitats they identify on the landscape. Paired with satellite observations of temperature, water and vegetation, these data can support scientists forecasting a community’s risk of mosquito-borne disease.
SEES high school interns work with scientists and engineers to conduct authentic research using NASA data and analysis tools. Teams are organized around an aerospace or space science theme drawn from NASA’s diverse engineering and scientific research programs. SEES sponsored several team challenges this summer, including designing Mars habitats, exploring lunar environments, tracing COVID-19 using NASA technologies, and examining the relationship of observed mosquito habitats to land cover and environmental data obtained from satellites.
The SEES internship provides an outlet for the excitement many students feel about Earth and space science. Interns are offered a unique opportunity to work with professional scientists and engineers at the cutting edge of NASA science, experience being part of a science team, and explore STEM career options firsthand.
GLOBE Observer is part of the International GLOBE Program. Using this free mobile app, anyone in one of the 123 GLOBE countries can take observations and contribute data. GLOBE Observer Mosquito Habitat Mapper and Land Cover observations from the public provide additional data for student research projects and help to make a difference. Download GLOBE Observer from the App Store or Google Play and learn more at observer.globe.gov/
The STEM Enhancement in Earth Science (SEES) project is supported by National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) cooperative agreements NNX16AB89A to the University of Texas Austin for the STEM Enhancement in Earth Science (SEES), and NNX16AE28A to the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES) for the NASA Earth Science Education Collaborative (NESEC) for the SEES Mosquito Mappers Team.
Shepherd’s Table Offering Free Prepared Meals To Go in Aspen Hill For Those in Need
Shepherd’s Table is offering free prepared meals every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 5-6PM at Parkland Middle School (4610 West Frankfort Dr.) in Aspen Hill.
Shepherd’s Table, located at 8106 Georgia Ave in Silver Spring, has provided free hot meals every day since it was founded in 1983.
Their mission is to “improve quality of life, create a pathway towards self-sufficiency, and inspire hope for the most vulnerable experiencing food insecurity, homelessness, and poverty. We welcome all to our community table for meals and access to social services, provided with compassion and respect.”
Visit shepherdstable.org for more information.
Friday is Bike to Work Day and MCDOT is Sponsoring 15 Local Pit Stops
Per Montgomery County:
For Immediate Release: Thursday, May 20, 2021
Fifteen pit stops sponsored by Montgomery County’s Department of Transportation (MCDOT) will be part of the annual region-wide celebration of “Bike to Work Day” on Friday, May 21. Commuter Connections and the Washington Area Bicyclist Association will host the free event that offers the first 15,000 bikers to register and participate a free 20th anniversary commemorative tee shirt.
All participants who register for Bike to Work Day 2021 are entered into a raffle for a chance to win a new bike. This year, BicycleSPACE will donate bicycles from the Brooklyn Bicycle Company, All-City and Brompton. Winners need not be present when the names are drawn.
Due to COVID-19 protocols, this year’s celebration will feature non-traditional pit stops throughout the County. Telecommuters can bike to pick up free BTWD tee shirts at a pit stop. People biking to work can continue to their place of business and telecommuters are encouraged to bike a “fake commute” or take a break during their workday.
“For 20 years, Montgomery County has been celebrating Bike to Work Day and has aggressively directed policy efforts, budgetary investments and communication to support bicycling safety,” said County Executive Marc Elrich. “We have worked toward better access and infrastructure, and we will continue to create more opportunities and improved safety for bicyclists. Bicycling is good for the health of our residents and our environment. We encourage bicycling for commuting, exercise and as a great way to get around Montgomery County.”
The County has increased the number of pit stops it sponsors to encourage teleworkers to participate. Those working at home can get exercise and bike to a tee shirt pickup point (pit stop) and then head back home to work for the day.
To register for the event, participants should visit the Find Your Pit Stop map to plan a route for the day of the event.
The MCDOT-sponsored pit stops will be at:
All American Bicycle Center, Damascus
Andes Bike Shop, Gaithersburg
Bike Center Ltd., Gaithersburg
Chevy Chase Athletic Club, Chevy Chase
Germantown Cycles, Germantown
Griffin Cycle, Bethesda
Just Riding Along Bike Shop, Laytonsville
MCDOT Mobile Commuter Store, Silver Spring (Briggs Chaney Park and Ride lot)
MCDOT Mobile Commuter Store, Germantown (Walmart Service Center)
MCDOT TRiPS Store, Silver Spring (Paul S. Sarbanes Transit Center, second floor)
REI Store, Bethesda
Silver Cycles, Silver Spring
Terrapin Cycles, Bethesda
TREK Bicycle, Rockville
Takoma Bicycle, Takoma Park
Riders should check the time of operation for a pit stop at which they plan to stop. Pit stops will be operating at various hours.
MCDOT also has announced a “Bicycle Swag Bag Contest” to promote Bike to Work Day.
Through May 30, MCDOT encourages bike riders to show their favorite commute to work or place to bike on a recreational bike trail/path in Montgomery County. Bike riders are asked to submit a favorite picture of themselves enjoying their ride along any bike path or trail in the County and to tag @mococommuter and #MoCobikes on Twitter and Instagram or by e-mail to [email protected] to be entered into a weekly drawing.
Winners have previously been selected for submitting photos from the Capital Crescent, Sligo Creek, Carl Henn Millennium, Matthew Henson, Bethesda Trolley and Rock Creek trails. For more information on the contest and future locations can be found at ow.ly/8WBi50Ega7e.
Wootton High School Student Appears on The Today Show to Advocate ADA Compliance in Schools
Catherine Contreras, a senior at Wootton High School in Rockville, was featured on the Today Show earlier this week discussing accessibility for students with disabilities in Montgomery County schools.
Catherine began advocating for students with disabilities after she and several other classmates attempted to help a fellow student in a wheelchair out of the school during a fire drill back in 2019.
Regarding the incident, she told the Washington Post, “all of a sudden, I heard screams and cries from my best friend. My heart shattered. This was a terrifying sound that I will never forget.”
She has since spoken several times at MCPS school board meetings and in front of the Montgomery County Council.
You can view her Today Show story here: Student fights for accessibility for people with disabilities in schools
Earlier this month Catherine was also featured in a piece on local NBC News 4.
