Montgomery County government liquor stores stop selling Russian vodka

The Montgomery County government monopoly liquor stores have stopped selling Russian-made spirits, the County announced in a press release on Sunday. Since the County is the only entity that can sell liquor in the jurisdiction, it is an effective ban on the sale of all imported Russian liquor products in Montgomery County "until further notice." The County statement indicated the move was "[i]n solidarity with the people of Ukraine."

Shortly after the ban was issued, individual Montgomery County establishments began announcing they were dropping Russian vodka from their cocktail menus. Montgomery County-operated liquor stores will continue to sell alternative vodka brands such as Smirnoff (manufactured in Illinois, despite the name), Ciroc, Tito's, Absolut, Svedka, Grey Goose, SKYY, Ketel One, and New Amsterdam, the County press release said.

Photo courtesy Russian Standard Vodka

Don Jorge's Restaurant building for lease in Gaithersburg

The building currently housing Don Jorge's Restaurant at 108 E. Diamond Avenue in Gaithersburg is being marketed for lease. Don Jorge's is still open for business, and its lease runs through May 2024. The property owner is now seeking prospective tenants for that time. It's a prime location at E. Diamond Avenue and Russell Avenue in Olde Towne Gaithersburg.

Peeping Tom spotted at Gaithersburg apartment building

Gaithersburg police responded to a report of a Peeping Tom at an apartment complex this past Monday night, February 21, 2022. The Peeping Tom was seen at an apartment complex in the unit block of Maplewood Court at 10:37 PM, according to crime data.

Maryland School Board votes to rescind statewide school mask mandate

The Maryland State Board of Education voted overwhelmingly yesterday to rescind its statewide mandate that required masks to be worn inside of public schools. However, the masks won't be coming off immediately in Montgomery County Public Schools. First, the Maryland General Assembly committee that originally approved the Board mandate must approve the decision to rescind it. Then the Montgomery County Board of Education will have the power to decide its own mask policy.

Photon via State of Maryland

Lakeforest Mall homicide

Gaithersburg police responded to a report of a stabbing at Lakeforest Mall yesterday at 10:52 AM. A Montgomery County police spokesperson later confirmed that the vicim had died. 

It's disturbing to hear this tragic incident being used to promote redevelopment of the mall property, as if crime will disappear in that area simply by building housing and urban-style retail. The crime doesn't come from the mall - it comes from the criminals who are active in that area, none of whom live on the mall property today, at last check.

Lakeforest Mall was once a thriving destination with packed parking lots. A succession of greedy owners have run the mall into the ground, in the hopes of justifying a demolition. They've been facilitated and coddled in their willful negligence by developer-beholden politicians. The joke will be on them when their mall is replaced with a new-but-equally-high-crime neighborhood of "missing middle" townhomes and apartments, a short walk from the very high crime area of Lost Knife Circle. 

Assault at Gaithersburg dry cleaners

Montgomery County police were called to the scene of an assault at a dry cleaners in Gaithersburg this past Friday afternoon, February 18, 2022. An individual reported being the victim of a 2nd-degree assault at a dry cleaners in the 8500 block of Atlas Drive at 4:38 PM, according to crime data.

Montgomery County indoor mask mandate to expire next week

Montgomery County's indoor mask mandate will expire on Monday, February 21, 2022 at 11:59 PM. The expiration was triggered by the meeting of targets for improvement on three health metrics: the number of cases per 100,000 residents, the test positivity rate, and the percentage of County hospital beds filled by Covid-19 patients. 

However, even after Monday night, masks are still required in Montgomery County Public Schools, in government buildings, and on public transportation. School mask requirements may change after the Maryland Board of Education meets to discuss the matter on Tuesday, February 22.

Power outages in Gaithersburg, Germantown as wind gusts batter western Montgomery County

Gusty winds are bringing down trees and power lines, and causing power outages this morning in Montgomery County. There are currently three outages in the Westbard area, with a crew assigned to the largest of the three, which impacts 43 Pepco customers. 

Small outages currently affect about 5 customers each in the Chevy Chase/Martin's Additions area, the area between Tilden Lane and Montrose Parkway, the area near the Target on Bou Avenue, an area south of Bells Mill Road off of Gainsborough Road, customers along Falls Road near Potomac Village and the Bullis School, and East Rockville just east of the CSX/Metro tracks.

Major outages are found further north along I-270. 710 customers are in the dark along the Watkins Mill Road corridor between MD 355 and Montgomery Village. 98 customers are impacted by an outage between Scenery Drive and Middlebrook Road east of MD 355 in Germantown. A small outage near Kingsview Middle School in Germantown currently affects 5 customers.

Expect more outages, with wind gusts between 20 and 50 MPH until late morning. Watch for downed trees, falling limbs and live power lines they may hit and displace. Bring in all unsecured objects that might blow away from yards or balconies.

First look: True Food Kitchen at Rio Lakefront (Photos)

True Food Kitchen looks just about finished at its future Rio Lakefront location at 221 Rio Boulevard in Gaithersburg. There's some confusion over the opening date; the True Food Kitchen website says April 2022, while Google says March 16. But there's no confusion over this restaurant putting the "lakefront" in Rio Lakefront. You can see the spectacular water views from the outdoor dining porch and patio, which will be among the best at the Peterson Cos.-owned development when it opens. Give the interior designer credit, as well, as the dining room really pops in photographs, ideal for the Instagram age.

Royal Farms pickup truck on-site ahead of Gaithersburg store opening

The first Royal Farms location in Montgomery County is scheduled to open on Thursday, February 17, 2022. Last night, two nights before opening day, a special Royal Farms pickup truck was parked in the lot of the future convenience store and mega gas station at 690 Watkins Mill Road in the Spectrum development in Gaithersburg. 

Wrapped in Royal Farms promotional graphics, the truck displays the chain's famous fried chicken, sub sandwiches, "award-winning" Royal Farms hot coffee, what appears to be a rewards card, and an illustration of the trademark gas station and store architecture. Beyond it, you can see the gas price sign that is not yet showing the hefty 2022 U.S. gas prices you'll pay. Keep on truckin'!

Montgomery Village 2022 election voting underway

Voting is now underway for the 2022 Montgomery Village Foundation Board election. Three seats are up for election, and six candidates have filed to run for them. Residents vote for their choices using mail-in ballots, a method that put Montgomery Village ahead of its time many years ago. Ballots must be received by 5:00 PM on Friday, March 18, 2022.

MVF Board incumbents Doniele Ayres and Scott Dyer are running for reelection, joined by challengers Albert Bennetts, Brian R. Della Rocca, Dick Rabil and Tosan Tutse-Tonwe. The winners will serve a three-year term.

Candidate statements and resumes can be found in the mailing sent to each household with the mail-in ballot, and in the February 4 issue of the Montgomery Village News. Voters can also participate in a virtual Zoom meeting with the candidates prior to the MVF Board meeting on February 24. Letters of endorsement can be read in, and submitted to, the Montgomery Village News. 

One issue coming to the forefront in the election is the newly-proposed Evergreen development on the Lidl property, which is of particular concern to the Whetstone community. Whetstone resident Brian R. Della Rocca and four-term incumbent Scott Dyer have both focused on the Evergreen proposal in their campaigns, among other development concerns. 

Della Rocca is a member of a Whetstone steering committee for residents opposed to the development. Dyer has been endorsed by the Save Our Whetstone Coalition after expressing opposition to the Evergreen proposal as it is currently formulated, as well as by former MVF Board member and attorney Jim Shalleck, who rose to prominence as a prosecutor in the 1977 "Son of Sam" case in New York City.

The Evergreen issue is sure to be part of the discussion at the February 24 Zoom meeting with candidates, where voters will have a chance to hear what each candidate's position on the current proposal is. 

Car stolen in Montgomery Village

Montgomery County police were called to investigate the theft of a vehicle in Montgomery Village early yesterday morning. The car was taken from a townhome community parking lot in the 9400 block of Penshurst Court. It is believed that it was stolen sometime between 10:00 PM on Saturday night, and 1:00 AM on Sunday morning.

Assault at Damascus Recreation Center

Montgomery County police responded to a report of an assault at the Damascus Community Recreation Center at 25520 Oak Drive yesterday afternoon, February 10, 2022. A second-degree assault was reported at the facility at 5:09 PM, according to crime data.

SkinSpirit opening Gaithersburg location

SkinSpirit, a spa offering aesthetic face, skin and body treatments, will open a Gaithersburg location later this year at 215 Market Street at Kentlands Market Square. According to the company, demolition began inside the My Big Finds space in December. 

As you can see in the photo above, interior fit-out of the spa in that gutted space is really just getting started. The move of My Big Finds has at least provided us some unintentional humor, with a "big" brand name moving into a notably smaller storefront.

Royal Farms opening February 17 in Gaithersburg - another sneak peek! (Photos)

The first Royal Farms store in Montgomery County will open February 17, 2022 at 690 Watkins Mill Road in Gaithersburg, according to a banner along the street. Merchandise is being put on the shelves, and a giant chicken has been installed outside the store. The chain is known for its famous fried chicken.