MoCo Beekeepers Association Announce Bee Impact Grant Award Winner
The Montgomery County Beekeepers Association have announced that Zachary Lamas is the 2021 recipient of their Bee Impact Grant Award for his work on “Nano-Colonies”.
The MoCo Beekeepers Association is a non-profit organization with over 500 local beekeepers. For more information on the MoCo Beekeepers Association, visit their website.
Details on Zac’s work below.
Bee Impact Grant Award Announcement
2021 Bee Impact Grant awarded for honey bee research breakthrough
Montgomery County, Maryland – The Montgomery County Beekeepers Association
(MCBA), a non-profit organization of more than 500 Maryland beekeepers, has awarded
its 2021 Bee Impact Grant to researcher Zachary Lamas.
The $5,519 grant will help Lamas continue development of his recent breakthrough,
“Nano-Colonies,” a laboratory technique that makes honey bee research more efficient,
exponentially more affordable, and highly targeted. “Now we can study the effects of an
isolated chemical, for example a fungicide, with the control of a laboratory environment,
but with many of the colony-like characteristics that we would see in the field,” says
Lamas.
“Normally, honey bees won’t raise babies, or a new queen, unless their colony has many
thousands of workers,” says MCBA President Pam Hepp. “Lamas’ nano-colony setup
convinces them to go about their business, even when there are only 100 bees present.”
Nano-colonies make it far easier to observe individual bee-to-bee interactions, and to
study factors affecting bees, one variable at a time. Evaluating how queen development
is affected by specific pesticides, or by specific parasites, like the Varroa destructor mite,
are two such research areas important to reducing honey bee losses.
According to the Bee Informed Partnership, backyard and small-scale commercial
beekeepers in Maryland suffered an average winter loss of 39.1% during the 2019-2020
winter season. Backyard and small-scale commercial beekeepers represent the majority
of beekeepers in Montgomery County and in the State of Maryland.
“My hope,” says Lamas, “is that other researchers will adopt my nano-colony method to
successfully rear honey bee queens in the lab. This will enable more studies to be
undertaken at a much lower cost, so our knowledge base will grow more quickly.”
“We’re proud of how MCBA members have stepped up to fully fund the next phase of
Zac’s important work,” says MCBA Vice President, Eric Malcolm. “Donating isn’t
always easy, especially during Covid, but our community pulled out all the stops. Several
members set up matching funds, offered services, or gave in-kind donations to encourage
others to give. This is our second year, as a beekeeping community, collecting donations
to support local honey bee research to help make a difference where we can. We believe
this year’s awardee, Zac Lamas, is going to have a big impact on bee research for years to
come.”
Zachary Lamas is a PhD student in the Hawthorne Lab at the University of Maryland
Entomology Department. In addition to his novel method for rearing honey bee queens in
the lab, he also researches pesticide and virus issues as well as the feeding habits of the
parasitic Varroa destructor mite. He was also the recipient of the 2019 PAm-Costco
Award. He has written many articles contributing to the beekeeping community in
magazines such as Bee Culture and Bee World.
The Montgomery Country Beekeepers Association was incorporated in 2010 after
decades of meeting informally. Its Bee Impact Grant program was inaugurated in 2020.
The first recipient was Dr. Samuel Ramsay in support his research in Thailand on the
Tropilaelaps mite that parasitizes honey bees.
To see more of Zac’s work visit www. Researchgate.net/profile/Zachary_Lamas
Large Weather Synced Art Installation Coming to Downtown Silver Spring
A large, kinetic art installation is being installed next week in Downtown Silver Spring. This is a part of Peterson Companies recent $10 million makeover plan of DTSS.
Artists from FoldHaus will be on site to install the gigantic moving flowers that open, close and change color based on the weather. The structure will be synced technically with the National Weather Service).
Below you’ll see videos and photos of the art being created in the studio:
Artist Rendering:
Consensus Reached to Include Words “North Bethesda” in Potential White Flint Metro Name Change
On Wednesday night, Amy Ginsburg of the Friends of White Flint hosted an online discussion with County Executive Marc Elrich, Councilmember Andrew Friedson, and The Greater Bethesda Chamber to discuss the re-naming of White Flint metro station.
Ginsburg told MCM, “the approximately 60 people in attendance went from expressing a fairly even split to reaching a consensus to change the station’s name to something that included the two words – North Bethesda”
The name of the metro station is most closely associated to the old White Flint mall and current residents don’t believe it reflects the area.
Lord & Taylor, the last remnant of the mall, closed in January of this year. The rest of the mall was demolished in 2015.
The two names we’re hearing suggested the most are “North Bethesda” and “Pike District”.
Our friend Dan Reed @justupthepike had a few good suggestions:
folks want to rename the White Flint Metro station, and I got your new name right herehttps://t.co/gQZ8D578zZ pic.twitter.com/xBhKO7NCbS
— dan reed 🦀 (@justupthepike) April 2, 2021
Baby Delivered on 495 This Morning
Pete Piringer, Chief Spokesperson for Montgomery County Fire & Rescue Service, posted today that a mother gave birth this morning on I-495 between New Hampshire Ave and University Blvd.
The baby was born around 7AM, prior to the arrival of emergency medical responders.
The mother and newborn child were then transported to a nearby hospital and are said to be doing fine.
No word on whether or not the child will be named Langley (joke).
~7a OL I495 Beltway just prior to University Boulevard (between New Hampshire Ave. & University Boulevard, OB medical emergency, baby delivered (prior to @mcfrs arrival) @MCFRS_EMIHS transporting mother & ‘newborn’ child, everybody fine, @mcfrs PE712, T716, A712 on scene
— Pete Piringer (@mcfrsPIO) March 26, 2021
Children’s Book on Dr. Fauci Set to be Released This June
A new children’s book by author Kate Messner titled,”Dr. Fauci: How a Boy from Brooklyn Became America’s Doctor”, is set to be released by Simon & Schuster on June 29th.
Dr. Fauci serves as the director of the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases in Bethesda and as the chief medical advisor to the president.
From the publisher:
“Before he was Dr. Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Anthony Fauci was a curious boy in Brooklyn, delivering prescriptions from his father’s pharmacy on his blue Schwinn bicycle. His father and immigrant grandfather taught Anthony to ask questions, consider all the data, and never give up–and Anthony’s ability to stay curious and to communicate with people would serve him his entire life.
This engaging narrative, which draws from interviews the author did with Dr. Fauci himself, follows Anthony from his Brooklyn beginnings through medical school and his challenging role working with seven US presidents to tackle some of the biggest public health challenges of the past fifty years, including the COVID-19 pandemic. Extensive backmatter rounds out Dr. Fauci’s story with a timeline, recommended reading, a full spread of facts about vaccines and how they work, and Dr. Fauci’s own tips for future scientists. ”
The book is available for preorder here.
Exciting morning here – @CNN's @brianstelter just revealed the cover for DR: FAUCI: HOW A BOY FROM BROOKLYN BECAME AMERICA'S DOCTOR on @ReliableSources!
(Coming 6/29 from @simonschuster & available for pre-order today – https://t.co/f8OxdyPeTf) pic.twitter.com/0rasv2s7Np
— katemessner (@KateMessner) March 21, 2021
Hello Kitty Cafe Truck is Visiting Bethesda Next Weekend!
The Hello Kitty Cafe Truck, a traveling food truck selling Hello Kitty-themed treats, shared that they will be parked in the Bethesda Row area on Saturday March 27.
You can expect to find cookies, madeleines, macarons, clothing, bags, and more– all decorated with Hello Kitty and other Sanrio characters.
You can find The Hello Kitty Cafe Truck from 10am-7pm on the corner of Elm and Woodmont. Per their facebook event page, face masks and social distancing will be required.
The Hello Kitty Cafe Truck has not made an appearance in Bethesda since 2018– they planned to have an event in the area during March of 2020, but it was canceled due to COVID.
There are two Hello Kitty Cafe Trucks in the US, one that travels up and down the East coast, and one that travels the West coast. Additionally, there are two Hello Kitty Cafes in the US, one in Las Vegas and one in California. You can learn more about the traveling trucks here.
Photos courtesy of the Hello Kitty Cafe Truck instagram.
By: Michelle Katz @pike.and.rozay
Gaithersburg Featured Briefly (sort of) in New Blockbuster Documentary
In the 2020 documentary The Last Blockbuster, now available on Netflix, you can briefly see a return envelope with a Gaithersburg address.
The envelope is from the last days of Blockbuster when they attempted to follow the Netflix model of mail order renting.
Photo Credit: @_mdansani_
Strangely, 20897 is actually the zip code for Aspen Hill, MD.
While we have plenty of fond memories of the local Blockbusters, here at The MoCoShow we were always particularly fond of Erol’s.
Erol Onaran, a Turkish immigrant, started a video rental and electronic sales and repair company in the DMV area in the early 80s. The company, which reached 250 stores on the east coast, was sold to Blockbuster Video for $40 million in the early 90s. Click here for more on the history of Erol’s.
Last year we asked, “aside from Blockbuster, where else did you rent movies from in Montgomery County?” on Facebook. Check out some of the responses below:
https://www.facebook.com/MoCoShow/posts/2917310541706219
A Guide to the 2021 National Cherry Blossom Festival
By Amy Lusignan
As the weather warms up in the DC area, the cherry blossoms will be in full bloom soon. Originally given as a gift from Japan to the United States in 1912, these cherry blossoms represent the lasting friendship between the two countries. Thousands of people normally visit DC every spring to see the beautiful trees in blossom. However, this year the National Cherry Blossom is encouraging festival goers to “blossom safely” and will host numerous virtual and pandemic-friendly events. Here’s a guide to the various cherry blossom events that will be happening in Washington D.C. this year.
Every year, the festival’s Opening Ceremony features talented artists with connections to both Japan and the United States. This year, the festival’s Opening Ceremony will be presented virtually by Kristi Yamaguchi, an Olympic Gold Medalist, and ABC 7’s Michelle Marsh. The ceremony will still have performances from award-winning artists and performers. Free to watch, the event will be on March 20 at 6 PM EST. Watchers will have to per-register on the official National Cherry Blossom Festival’s webiste.
On the same date, walkers around DC will be able to find various 26 cherry blossom inspired art sculptures scattered throughout the area.
For the first time, cherry blossom cams will be available online on the National Cherry Blossom’s website, giving everyone a chance to see the blossoms at peak bloom. As of March 1, the National Park Service predicted that peak bloom this year will be from April 2 to April 5.
Unfortunately, there won’t be a National Cherry Blossom parade. But instead, the organizers encourage neighborhoods to participate in the “Petal Porch Parade.” If neighborhoods register by March 15, the best dressed springtime neighborhood porches can win a chance to have the inaugural Petal Procession come through the area. The festival also mentions that from March 20-April 11, they will have a map of all the neighborhoods that participated so walkers can plan a trip to see the porch decorations. Another outdoor event that people can sign up for are online kite-building demos and workshops, which will start on March 15. All these events can be registered for on the National Cherry Blossom’s website.
The last two virtual events are the “Pink Tie Party” and the “Celebration Show.” The Pink Tie Party will be a virtual party that people can sign up for. Tickets will run from $100-130 and include “three-course carryout dinners from your choice of popular D.C., Maryland and Virginia restaurants, a Party Kit filled with goodies to enhance your celebration, and a chance to win great prizes.” Popular radio hosts Tommy McFly and Kelly Collis will host the night of fun.
The Celebration Show will be a family-friendly TV special that celebrates the DC area in bloom. Premiering locally on WJLA-TV (ABC 7) on Saturday, April 10 at 12 Noon. The event is free and doesn’t require registration.
Butler’s Orchard Farm Market Opens For 71st Season, Several Major Renovations
Butler’s Orchard Farm Market has reopened for the 2021 season. The biggest change this year is their new paved parking lot. “After decades of thought, the farm market was finally paved to create a better experience for our customers. Delicate peaches and bumpy grocery carts just don’t go well together,” said Butler’s.
During the off-season they also rebuilt and completely replaced The North end of their market. It is now built to match the original build from 1960.
Butler’s also let us know that a full time chef will be offering seasonal food from their Farmers Porch Kitchen on weekends throughout the summer. The Farmers Porch has also added a new state of the art slush machine.
And lastly, two new potbelly pigs have joined their farm park, Petunia & Sissy.
They are open 9AM-6PM Tuesday- Sunday. Visit butlersorchard.com for more information.
Montgomery & Wheaton Mall Owner Looking to Sell Properties
The Los Angeles Business Journal is reporting that Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield (URW) plans to sell all of it’s US holdings in 2022. This would include both Westfield Montgomery and Westfield Wheaton.
Shopping malls, which were already hurting due to the rise of online shopping, were hit especially hard during the COVID-19 pandemic.
CEO of URW Jean-Marie Tritant said “We are implementing a program to significantly reduce our U.S. footprint once the investment markets reopen, which should happen as soon as the economy rebounds.”
You can read the full article at
https://labusinessjournal.com/news/2021/mar/08/mall-operator-urw-plans-sell-all-us-properties/
MoCo Native’s Short Film Selected for Matt Groening Fellowship Program
MoCo native and Wootton High School graduate Demetri Tzamaras has worked on a few notable movies including Spider-Man: Into the SpiderVerse, The Minions, and Secret Life of Pets.
He recently created a short animated comedy about a pair of young brothers who are on a trip to Ocean City, MD with their “Papou” (the Greek word for grandfather).
Tzamaras told us that this was similar to what he and his friends experienced growing up here in MoCo.
The film was selected for the Matt Groening Production Fellowship by Matt Groening himself (creator of the The Simpsons), and is going to be playing at various film festivals in Greece.
The Bucket Hat trailer can be seen here.
