MoComCon is back and it’s an all day, all ages event celebrating all things comics, graphic novels, and fandoms. MoComCon 2023 will be held on Saturday, January 14, 2023, at Germantown Library. Additional information available below:
Schedule of Events
- 10:30 – 11:00 Superhero Storytime
- 11:30 – 12:30 Space Craze! with Dr. Margaret A. Weitekamp
- 12:50 – 1:50 MoComCon Meets Manga!: An Intro to the Medium
- 2:10 – 3:10 The Washington Metropolitan Gamer Symphony Orchestra
- 3:30 – 4:00 Cosplay Contest
On-going between 11:00 – 3:30pm: Life Sized Candy Land, Dungeons & Dragons Demo, FOLMC Book Sale, Beat Saber VR Stations, Coloring Stations, Scavenger Hunt, Button Making, Selfie Station, Take & Make Kits (while supplies lasts), and more!
Art, Essay, and Cosplay Contests
Graphic Novel Booklists
Event Policies
Accessibility & Inclusion
Below is a list of several recent openings and closings in the Germantown Plaza shopping center on Wisteria Dr. in Germantown.
- Lotte Plaza Market (13069 Wisteria Drive) closed its doors on November 27th. While a replacement has not been announced, we’ve been told another international grocery store will likely be taking its place. The Lotte locations in Gaithersburg, Rockville, and Silver Spring all remain open. Lotte Plaza Market is a grocery store that specializes in Asian groceries. Per its website, Lotte started with a single store on Veirs Mill Road in1989 and now has a dozen locations throughout Maryland, Virginia, New Jersey, and Florida. “Our goal is to open 50 Lotte Plaza Market locations by 2030.”
- Signage is up for Bobby Furniture at the former Citibank location in the shopping center. The location does not appear to be connected to “Boby’s Furniture”, which has nearby locations at 317 Muddy Branch Rd in Gaithersburg and 9645 Lost Knife Rd in Montgomery Village. No opening date has been announced.
- Planet Fitness at 13031 Wisteria Dr recently underwent $1.7 million worth of renovations and was expanded by 2,200 square fee. According to a press release, “Planet Fitness Germantown originally opened in February 2011 and just completed nearly four months of renovations. Open and staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week, the club features state-of-the-art cardio machines and strength equipment, 30-Minute Express Circuit, fully equipped locker rooms with day lockers and showers, numerous flat screen televisions, HydroMassage beds, massage chairs, tanning beds and more in a hassle-free, non-intimidating environment.” Upgrades were made on the gym’s locker rooms, lobby, and Black Card spa.
-
Zaiqa BBQ & Karahi is now open at 12945 Wisteria Dr in Germantown, the former site of Eastern Kabobs. The owners took over the location in September and have since remodeled the dining room and created a new menu with a new head chef. Zaiqa tells us they specialize in authentic Pakistani cuisine, which they say is not readily available in the area. Menu items include the Chicken Shinwari Karahi, “a traditional Peshawari delicacy, chicken cooked with black pepper, tomatoes, and green chilies on a high flame, garnished with fresh coriander leaves and ginger” as well as a variety of Biryani and Kebab dishes.
“Zaiqa BBQ & karahi is a family-owned restaurant in Germantown Maryland, serving the tastiest Pakistani food in the DMV area. From delicious Karahi to sizzling BBQ, mouth-watering taste that reminds you of Pakistan. We strive to provide you a memorable dine-in experience and unforgettable authentic Pakistani taste. We offer lunch buffet every day and use an à la carte menu for dinner.”
Water service has been restored to residents that were affected by Friday’s broken water main on Clopper Road in Germantown. WSSC crews worked overnight to repair the broken water pipe and crews are currently working on road restoration. WSSC advises that discolored water is common after water main repairs and advises residents to check out their flushing guidelines: wsscwater.com/discoloredwater
Saturday Evening Update: Clopper Rd at Mateny Rd in Germantown is currently closed due to a broken water main. WSSC released the following statement around 10am, “We are working as quickly as possible to minimize the impact of the Clopper Rd water main break. We know this is frustrating. We have been evaluating options on this stretch of pipe since the last break. At this moment, the focus is to make repairs and restore service.”
Montgomery County Public Schools has announced that due to the water main break, Northwest and Seneca Valley High School will close today at 11:30 a.m. Clopper Mill Elementary Schools will be closing at 12:30 p.m. All school & after-school activities are canceled.
According to the Montgomery County Office of Emergency Management, “Both directions of Clopper Rd (MD 117) are closed between Mateny Rd and Cinnamon Dr for emergency utility work. This closure will likely last several hours. Seek an alternate route.” Clopper Rd was last closed due to a water main break/sink hole back on November 15. We will post an update when more information becomes available.
Restoration to Clopper Rd is in full swing. pic.twitter.com/yia8YzXdT9
— WSSC Water (@WSSCWaterNews) December 17, 2022
Clopper Rd at Mateny Rd in Germantown is currently closed due to a broken water main. WSSC tweeted the following update around 3pm: “cautiously digging b/c high pressure gas main very close to our pipe. Once pipe is dug up we can assess damage & provide estimate on water restoration. Water station information to follow shortly. Appreciate your patience.”
There is a water station currently set up at the United Church of Christ at 13421 Clopper Rd. that will be open until 8pm. Students from nearby Northwest High School and Clopper Mill Elementary School were released early due to the break.
Per the Montgomery County Office of Emergency Management: “Both directions of Clopper Rd (MD 117) are closed between Mateny Rd and Cinnamon Dr for emergency utility work. This closure will likely last several hours. Seek an alternate route.” Clopper Rd was last closed due to a water main break/sink hole back on November 15. We will post an update when more information becomes available.
13421 Clopper Rd. Water station open until 8 pm. pic.twitter.com/tRbk3rm4Zv
— WSSC Water (@WSSCWaterNews) December 16, 2022
Clopper Rd at Mateny Rd in Germantown is currently closed due to a broken water main. WSSC released the following statement around 10am, “We are working as quickly as possible to minimize the impact of the Clopper Rd water main break. We know this is frustrating. We have been evaluating options on this stretch of pipe since the last break. At this moment, the focus is to make repairs and restore service.”
Montgomery County Public Schools has announced that due to the water main break, Northwest and Seneca Valley High School will close today at 11:30 a.m. Clopper Mill Elementary Schools will be closing at 12:30 p.m. All school & after-school activities are canceled.
According to the Montgomery County Office of Emergency Management, “Both directions of Clopper Rd (MD 117) are closed between Mateny Rd and Cinnamon Dr for emergency utility work. This closure will likely last several hours. Seek an alternate route.” Clopper Rd was last closed due to a water main break/sink hole back on November 15. We will post an update when more information becomes available.
10AM WSSC Update: “We are working as quickly as possible to minimize the impact of the Clopper Rd water main break. We know this is frustrating. We have been evaluating options on this stretch of pipe since the last break. At this moment, the focus is to make repairs and restore service.”
Clopper Rd at Mateny Rd in Germantown is currently closed due to a broken water main. According to the Montgomery County Office of Emergency Management, “Both directions of Clopper Rd (MD 117) are closed between Mateny Rd and Cinnamon Dr for emergency utility work. This closure will likely last several hours. Seek an alternate route.” Clopper Rd was last closed due to a water main break/sink hole back on November 15. We will post an update when more information becomes available.
TRAFFIC ADVISORY: Clopper Road is closed between Mateny Road and Cinnamon Drive as the result of a water main break. Drivers are advised to seek an alternate route. Expect significant delays. #MCPD #MCPNews #Traffic #TrafficAlert pic.twitter.com/DNCaCqAS94
— Montgomery County Department of Police (@mcpnews) December 16, 2022
Both directions of Clopper Rd (MD 117) are closed between Mateny Rd and Cinnamon Dr for emergency utility work. This closure will likely last several hours. Seek an alternate route. #MdTraffic
— Montgomery Co OEMHS (@ReadyMontgomery) December 16, 2022
A $50,000 winning Pick 5 ticket sold on December 11 at the Town Center Sunoco (19738 Germantown Road) in Germantown remains unclaimed as of December 13. According to the Maryland Lottery, winners have 182 days from the date of a drawing to claim their prizes. Additional details on recent winners from across the state of Maryland below:
Players across the state won nearly $31.8 million in the seven days ending Dec. 11
A $250,000-winning scratch-off ticket sold in Baltimore led the list of the Maryland Lottery’s biggest winners in the past week, and another five players also landed six-digit prizes in Glen Burnie, Havre de Grace, Prince Frederick, Silver Spring and Waldorf. In all, 48 tickets across Maryland delivered prizes of $10,000 or more during the seven days ending Dec. 11, and the Maryland Lottery paid nearly $31.8 million in prizes during that span.
Winners of prizes larger than $25,000 must redeem their tickets at the Maryland Lottery Customer Resource Center in Baltimore, which is open by appointment only. Prizes of up to $5,000 can be claimed at any of more than 400 Expanded Cashing Authority Program (XCAP) locations. All Maryland Lottery retailers are authorized to redeem tickets up to and including $600. More information is available on the How To Claim page of mdlottery.com.
Here is the weekly roundup of big winners:
Scratch-off Prizes Claimed Dec. 5-11:
$250,000 Prize
$100,000 Prizes
- $100,000 Extreme Cash, Wheaton Exxon, 11310 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring
- $100,000 Extreme Cash, Westlake Liquors, 1182 Smallwood Drive West, Waldorf
- Blizzard Bucks, Glen Burnie Mobil, 7200 Ritchie Highway, Glen Burnie
- Blizzard Bucks, Giant #146, 655 Solomon’s Island Road North, Prince Frederick
$50,000 Prizes
- $2,000,000 Gold Rush, Parole Liquors, 2125 Forest Drive, Annapolis
- Power Spot Multiplier, 7-Eleven #36471, 2000 University Boulevard, Hyattsville
$15,000 Prize
- $15,000 Cash, Giant #348, 6050 Daybreak Circle, Clarksville
$10,000 Prizes
- $100,000 Crossword 6th Edition, Royal Farms #029, 627 Mace Avenue, Baltimore
- Bingo X10 5th Edition, Dennis Express, 6315 New Hampshire Avenue, Takoma Park
- Blizzard Bucks, Super Giant #308, 13 Lee Airpark Drive, Edgewater
- Blizzard Bucks, Jessup Amoco, 8810 Washington Boulevard, Jessup
- Holiday Cash Drop, Tobacco Barrel #307, 3834 East Lombard Street, Baltimore
- Lady Luck, 7-Eleven #27670, 4199 Kenilworth Avenue, Bladensburg
- Lady Luck, Snowden River Liquors, 9350 Snowden River Parkway, Columbia
- Lady Luck, Gem Liquors, 9443 Annapolis Road, Lanham
- Lucky Times 10, Newark Station, 7167 Worcester Highway, Suite 2, Newark
- Million Dollar Mega Multiplier, 7-Eleven #26706, 1501 West Patrick Street, Frederick
- Money Explosion, Royal Farms #067, 7201 Baltimore-Annapolis Boulevard, Glen Burnie
- Money Rush, Giant #155, 7200 Cradlerock Way, Columbia
- Show Me $1,000,000!, Sheetz #147, 5 North 3rd Street, Oakland
FAST PLAY and Draw Game Tickets Sold for Drawings Dec. 5-11:
- $112,534 Home Run Riches Bases Loaded ticket sold Dec. 6 at Weis Market #193, 943 Pulaski Highway, Havre de Grace (claimed)
- $57,777 Sevens ticket sold Dec. 11 at Wegmans Food #14, 122 Shawan Road, Hunt Valley (unclaimed as of Dec. 12)
- $10,000 Holiday Money Match ticket sold Dec. 7 at 7-Eleven #34697, 1204 Reisterstown Road, Pikesville (unclaimed as of Dec. 12)
- $10,000 Winfall Doubler ticket sold Dec. 10 at NSR Mart #004, 28270 Three Notch Road, Mechanicsville (unclaimed as of Dec. 12)
- $36,000 ticket sold Dec. 11 at Mount Airy Inn, 1401 South Main Street, Mount Airy (unclaimed as of Dec. 12)
- $10,000 ticket sold Dec. 7 at Royal Farms #128, 3320 Eastern Boulevard, Baltimore (unclaimed as of Dec. 12)
- $10,000 ticket sold Dec. 8 at AC&T #270, 22507 Jefferson Boulevard, Smithsburg (unclaimed as of Dec. 12)
- $50,000 ticket sold Dec. 11 at Town Center Sunoco, 19738 Germantown Road, Germantown (unclaimed as of Dec. 12)
- Two $25,000 tickets sold Dec. 10 at BWI Chevron, 500 Progress Drive, Linthicum (both unclaimed as of Dec. 12)
- $25,000 ticket sold Dec. 10 at Gas Depot Mart, 2650 West Patapsco Avenue, Baltimore (unclaimed as of Dec. 12)
- $25,000 ticket sold Dec. 1 at Giant #330, 3500 Northwest Crain Highway, Bowie (unclaimed as of Dec. 12)
- $25,000 ticket sold Dec. 6 at Royal Farms #148, 1114 Route 3, Gambrills (unclaimed as of Dec. 12)
- $25,000 ticket sold Dec. 10 at U.S. Gas, 3300 Washington Boulevard, Halethorpe (unclaimed as of Dec. 12)
- $25,000 ticket sold Dec. 6 at 7-Eleven #39224, 3110 Hamilton Street, Hyattsville (claimed)
- $25,000 ticket sold Dec. 7 at Eastover Liquors, 4909-4913 Indian Head Highway, Oxon Hill (claimed)
- $25,000 ticket sold Dec. 10 at J Convenience, 8765 Satyr Hill Road, Parkville (unclaimed as of Dec. 12)
- $25,000 ticket sold Dec. 10 at Fenton Citgo, 8333 Fenton Street, Silver Spring (unclaimed as of Dec. 12)
- $25,000 ticket sold Dec. 7 at Safeway #4817, 116 University Boulevard, Silver Spring (unclaimed as of Dec. 12)
- $25,000 ticket sold Dec. 7 at Marlboro Village Exxon, 5111 John Roger Boulevard, Upper Marlboro (claimed)
- $50,000 ticket sold Dec. 10 at Redner’s Wholesale Market #59, 311 Augustine Herman Highway, Elkton (unclaimed as of Dec. 12)
- $50,000 ticket sold Dec. 10 at Sheetz #184, 12404 Lager Avenue, Hagerstown (unclaimed as of Dec. 12)
- $50,000 ticket sold Dec. 10 at Royal Farms #244, 6901 Van Dusen Road, Laurel (unclaimed as of Dec. 12)
- $50,000 ticket sold Dec. 4 at Old World Favorites, 3854 International Drive, Silver Spring (claimed)
- $18,527 ticket sold Dec. 11 at Riverside Sunoco, 1319 Riverside Parkway, Belcamp (unclaimed as of Dec. 12)
- $18,089 ticket sold Dec. 10 at Long Reach Exxon, 6000 Foreland Garth, Columbia (claimed)
- $11,960.90 ticket sold Dec. 11 at Moravia Shell, 5920 Moravia Road, Baltimore (claimed)
The Maryland Lottery encourages players to check their tickets by scanning them at any Lottery retailer or with the Lottery’s mobile apps. Draw game winners have 182 days from the date of a drawing to claim their prizes, and scratch-off winners have 182 days from the announced end-of-game date. Last claim dates for scratch-off tickets are published in the scratch-off section of mdlottery.com.
Feature photo courtesy of Google Maps.
Coming soon signage is up at the upcoming Gold’s Gym location at 12922 Middlebrook Road in Germantown, in the former location of DSW that closed earlier this year in the Germantown Commons shopping center next to Bed Bath & Beyond. In September we spoke with a representative from Gold’s Gym current Germantown location in the Fox Chapel shopping center, and we’re told that the existing location will close when the new one opens “sometime next year.” According to advertisements on social media, the new Gold’s Gym location is now expected to open in “Spring 2023” (photo below).
Earlier today we reported that Gold’s Gym closed its Layhill Center location in Silver Spring earlier this month, according to a representative from one of its Rockville locations. We were told the decision was made to not renew the lease at 14348 Layhill Rd. Gold’s Gym has other Montgomery County locations in Gaithersburg, Germantown, Olney, and two in Rockville (Rockville Town Square and Wintergreen Plaza). The current Germantown location (Fox Chapel) will be closing once the new location opens in the former DSW space in the Germantown Commons shopping center next to Bed Bath & Beyond.
WSSC UPDATE: WATER STATION OPEN – 11/15 – 7pm – 10pm at Clopper Mill Elementary School 18501 Cinnamon Dr., Germantown
Clopper Road (MD-117) is currently closed from Mateny Road to Waring Station Road due to a sinkhole, according to the Montgomery County Office of Emergency Management & Homeland Security. Drivers are advised to seek an alternate route and expect significant delays. We will post an update when more information is available.
WSSC tweeted the following at 4:30pm: “no timeline just yet, it is still very early to tell. Crews are shutting water off now and will then need to reach the pipe to asses the break.,” and “Due to emergency water main repairs, Clopper Rd is closed in both directions between Mateny Rd and Game Preserve Road. Please use alternate route or avoid area if possible. #DCTraffic #M”
Traffic Alert: Due to emergency water main repairs, Clopper Rd is closed in both directions between Mateny Rd and Game Preserve Road. Please use alternate route or avoid area if possible. #DCTraffic #MDTraffic @WTOPTraffic pic.twitter.com/aad1ATEgqR
— WSSC Water (@WSSCWaterNews) November 15, 2022
Fans of summer sausage and cheese ball spreads rejoice, Hickory Farms has opened a location at 13052 Middlebrook Road in Germantown, the former site of Mattress Firm. The holiday pop-up shop is expected to be open through the first week of January. Items for sale include sausages, cheese, crackers, mustard, and candy, as well as pre-made gift baskets. Store hours are Mon – Fri: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM, Sat: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM, and Sun: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM. Photos of the store’s interior below.
About: “At Hickory Farms, we connect people through effortless gifting. Our gifts of good taste are crafted from the highest quality ingredients and expertly-curated flavors so you can celebrate every moment with something truly delicious. From savory sausages and cheeses, decadent desserts and chocolates, and steak gifts delivered, there’s something for everyone on your gift list. Or, turn to our tasty gourmet gift baskets next time you’re entertaining to create a delicious appetizer platter.”
CAVA will be holding a community event on Thursday, November 17 from 10:45am-2pm at the new CAVA Digital Kitchen in Germantown. The restaurant will be giving free bowls and pitas to people who download the CAVA app and register at www.eventbrite.com/e/germantown-community-day-tickets-465741464257. CAVA Digital Kitchen, which officially opens for business on Friday, November 18, differs from a traditional CAVA location in that there is no in-store ordering, all orders must be placed through the CAVA app. The restaurant does feature an indoor and outdoor dining area. Additional information courtesy of CAVA:
“A CAVA Digital Kitchen is headed to 19865 Century Blvd, Germantown, MD – and we’re celebrating with free Chef-Curated Bowls and Pitas before we officially open our doors. Not familiar with our Digital Kitchens? They’re exclusively for app & online orders, which means quick pickups and no waiting in line. Stop by for a free Chef-Curated Bowl or Pita (no build-your-owns until opening day). Just remember to download the CAVA app to order ahead and start earning app-exclusive rewards once we are open. To sign up, pick a 15-minute time slot and make sure to hold onto your digital ticket. Please try your best to arrive on time so we can keep the line (and the hummus) flowing. LUNCH: 10:45am–2pm”
