Charley Prime Foods under construction at Rio in Gaithersburg (Photos)

Construction has begun on a new restaurant at Rio Lakefront in Gaithersburg. Charley Prime Foods will feature American cuisine, cocktails and waterfront dining by the AMC Theatres Dine-In Rio Cinemas 18. It comes well-recommended, as it is from the same team responsible for Bar Charley and Quarry House Tavern. Charley Prime Foods is expected to open in late 2022.

Maryland governor candidates Dan Cox, Wes Moore to square off in TV debate October 12

After declining several invitations to debate Republican Dan Cox, Democrat Wes Moore has accepted an invite extended to both Maryland gubernatorial candidates from WBAL and Maryland Public Television. The debate is scheduled to take place on October 12, 2022 at 7:00 PM. It will be broadcast live on WBAL NewsRadio 1090 and FM 101.5, WBAL-TV 11 in Baltimore, Maryland Public Television statewide, and on NBC4 in the Washington, D.C. area.

Unless Moore agrees to further debates, this will be a high pressure forum, particularly for Cox. With far less broadcast advertising money than Moore has at his disposal, this will be a key opportunity for Cox to speak to a substantial TV and radio audience of likely voters. Cox is also in a rare scenario where the current governor of his own party affiliation - Larry Hogan - is refusing to help him in any way, due to Hogan's ongoing feud with Donald Trump. Trump endorsed Cox over Hogan's choice of Kelly Schulz in the GOP primary. 

"I look forward to the opportunity this October to contrast my vision and values with Dan Cox’s far-right agenda,” Moore said in a statement. “I am glad Wes Moore has finally accepted an invitation to debate with me," Cox said in his own statement this morning. "So far, he has refused or declined to respond to several requests, including those from Morgan State University and the Maryland Federation of NARFE (National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association). I would like to thank MPT and WBAL for this opportunity. I look forward to letting the voters of Maryland see the candidates live, in person and unfiltered."

Spirit Halloween now open at Rio Lakefront in Gaithersburg

Spirit Halloween has returned to Rio Lakefront for 2022. The store is now open at 101 Boardwalk Place, the former home of Charming Charlie. A tour of Spirit Halloween has become an annual Halloween-season tradition for many. New animatronics this year include Lord Raven, Bog Zombie, Monty the crazed cymbal-wielding monkey, Lucky Bottoms, Bag o'Bones, and Nozzles the Clown.

Van Hollen secures Pleasant View restoration funding for Gaithersburg

Senator Chris Van Hollen (D - Maryland) announced Tuesday that he has secured $943,000 in an FY-2023 U.S. Senate appropriations bill for renovations of structures at Gaithersburg's historic Pleasant View community. Pleasant View was established by free African-Americans after Maryland emancipation, following the Civil War. Many such communities were completely wiped off the map in Montgomery County by developers in the 20th century, such as those on River Road in Bethesda or in Rockville's Town Center.

The funding will be used by the Pleasant View Historical Association to renovate and stabilize structures that remain in Pleasant View. This will allow them to be reopened to the public for tours and educational opportunities. It will also expand the community's existing educational partnerships with Montgomery County Public Schools and the Universities at Shady Grove. The funding is not final until the Senate bill passes, is reconciled with the House of Representatives, and is signed by President Biden.

Photo courtesy Office of Senator Chris Van Hollen

Indecent exposure at Gaithersburg gas station

Patrons at a Gaithersburg gas station saw more than high prices at the pump early yesterday morning. Gaithersburg City police responded to a report of indecent exposure at a service station in the 400 block of N. Frederick Avenue at 1:39 AM Monday. 

Maryland governor candidate Wes Moore won't debate GOP rival Dan Cox at Morgan State University

Wes Moore, Democratic nominee for governor of Maryland, has declined a debate invitation from Morgan State University. MSU is the largest among the state's Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Republican gubernatorial nominee Dan Cox accepted the invitation, and said he will debate an empty chair representing Moore at MSU on September 27. According to The MSU Spokesman campus newspaper, which is hosting the debate, a Moore spokesperson provided the paper with a contradictory statement when asked why Moore would not accept the invite.

The Moore spokesperson said that the candidate would not debate Cox because Moore does not want to provide a platform "that amplifies his dangerous and decisive (sic) rhetoric." Yet, the spokesperson went on to say that Moore would debate "at the appropriate time and forum." Moore has so far declined at least two invitations by organizations that have invited him to debate Cox.

“The students at Morgan State University deserve inclusive treatment for their historic debate,” Cox said in a statement. "Moore should not discriminate against them, nor diminish the University’s leadership in political debates. Voters need to hear directly from their candidates, so they can make well-informed decisions on how to vote November 8th.” The Cox campaign said their candidate accepted the MSU invite "immediately."

Fairchild Apartments in Germantown update (Photos)

The Fairchild Apartments topped out last month at 20013 Century Boulevard in Germantown. Since that last update, virtually all of the glass has been installed in the unit windows. 

When completed in early 2023, The Fairchild will feature 212 luxury units, and is steps away from Regal Cinemas Germantown cineplex, IHOP, Chick-fil-A, Taco Bell, Senor Tequila's, Red Robin, Longhorn Steakhouse, Taqueria y Pupuseria El Paso, Panera Bread, Top Golf, the Germantown Library and the Germantown Transit Center. You will also have a wonderful neighbor in the Fairfield Inn & Suites next door.