Taiwan Bubble Tea Festival Saturday, September 23 in Rockville

The Taiwan Bubble Tea Festival will be held tomorrow, Saturday, September 23, 2023 from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM at Rockville Town Square. A tropical storm is expected to generate heavy rain Saturday, but the festival organizers have stated the event will be held rain or shine, so carry an umbrella. There will be live music, dance performances, games, arts and crafts, and food vendors. Of course, there will also be bubble tea, and a chance to win a round trip flight from New York City to Taipei. For a full event schedule, see the official event website.

Rockville mayor to discuss State of the City September 21

Rockville Mayor Bridget Donnell Newton will participate in a discussion of the State of the City tomorrow morning, Thursday, September 21, 2023, at 9:00 AM at Glenview Mansion at 603 Edmonston Drive in Rockville. The discussion is being hosted by the Greater Rockville Chamber of Commerce. Brian Barkley, public policy chair for the Chamber, will lead the discussion and ask questions. Questions may be submitted in advance by emailing marji@rockvillechamber.org. The event is free and open to the public.

Monique Ashton to officially launch campaign for Rockville mayor September 9

Rockville City Councilmember Monique Ashton will formally launch her campaign to be the city's next mayor tomorrow, Saturday, September 9, 2023 at 2:00 PM in the town square at Rockville Town Square. Ashton says her campaign agenda will focus on affordable and workforce housing, enhancing public safety, improving pedestrian safety through Vision Zero, and investing in infrastructure. While on the City Council, she has worked on economic development issues, public safety, climate change, and returning millions of dollars to the City through resolution of tax duplication matters with the State of Maryland.

“Serving this vibrant community has been an incredible honor, and I am eager to continue working towards making Rockville an even better place to live, work, and raise a family," Ashton said in a statement. "I am committed to working collaboratively with City, County, State, and Federal officials, community leaders, residents, businesses, nonprofit organizations, faith-based leaders and other stakeholders to address the opportunities and challenges facing our city. With their support, we can continue to build a brighter future for all of Rockville's residents."

Ashton has already picked up several major endorsements from local, County and State officials. Among those now backing her mayoral campaign are County Councilmember and former Gaithersburg mayor Sid Katz, current Gaithersburg Mayor Jud Ashman, State Delegate and former Gaithersburg City Council member Ryan Spiegel, County Councilmember and former Takoma Park mayor Kate Stewart, County Councilmember and former Gaithersburg City Council member Laurie-Anne Sayles, and current Gaithersburg City Councilmember Lisa Henderson.

"Monique has proven herself to be a tireless, compassionate leader in Rockville and Montgomery County," Stewart said in a statement Thursday. "I have seen her in action working effectively with other elected officials in Montgomery County and Annapolis to advance our communities. She shows up for the hard work of making policy, getting into the details, and bringing stakeholders together. I look forward to her continued leadership."

Mayor Ashman called Ashton "a brilliant and gifted leader. I’ve watched her bring people together to get big things done, both in Rockville and beyond. She consistently works to find the best solutions and practices to bring to bear in her community. I know that she is 100 percent dedicated to making Rockville the very best that it can be."

Ashton will face off against fellow City Council member Mark Pierzchala in the November 7, 2023 election. Full information on registering to vote, voting by mail, and all other election-related issues can be found on the City website.

Rockville goes purple again for opioid addiction awareness (Photos)

Rockville's Mayor and Council have proclaimed September as National Recovery Month, to bring attention to the nationwide epidemic of opioid addiction. The theme for this year's effort is “Opioids: Let’s Talk About It,” with the goal of encouraging dialogue and openness about opioid addiction, and awareness of the need to avoid stigmatizing addiction. Residents and visitors will see the most visible representation of the month-long campaign in the purple hue being projected onto City Hall, the Rockville City Police Department, and other city buildings, as well as purple light posts around Rockville Town Square.

The Rockville City Police Department will host the Rockville Goes Purple Drug Takeback, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, September 23 at the department’s headquarters parking lot at 2 W. Montgomery Ave. You can also join RCPD officers at the Rockville Senior Center from 1-2 p.m. Wednesday, September 27 to learn about opioids and drug problems in our community, and how you can help.

7-Eleven Slurpee Day 2023 means a free small Slurpee today, July 11

Today is July 11, and 7/11 is...no longer 7-Eleven Day. The convenience store chain has rebranded today as Slurpee Day, because it is running the promotion across three different chains it now controls: 7-Eleven, Speedway, and Stripes. Despite the new name, the game is still the same: You can get a free small Slurpee today at all three stores, which in the case of Montgomery County really just means 7-Eleven.

7-Eleven is offering two other bonuses for Slurpee Day this year. Select fresh food items will be sold for $1 through the 7REWARDS program, including pizza slices, STUFDCAKES cupcakes, and the legendary Big Bite Hot Dog. And, if you are lucky, your nearest 7-Eleven store will also have three limited-edition Slurpee flavors: Sprite Lymonade Legacy, Summertime Citrus, and Fanta Dragon Fruit Zero Sugar. 

Daboba tea shop to hold grand opening in Rockville

Daboba is getting ready for a busy two days this upcoming weekend in Rockville. The Malaysia-based bubble tea chain will celebrate the grand opening of its newest store in the Talbott Center at 1079 Rockville Pike this Saturday, July 8, 2023 and Sunday, July 9. On Saturday, Daboba's first 50 customers will receive a free drink, and the next 50 customers will be offered a buy-one-get-one-free deal. The first 100 customers on Sunday will receive "free gifts." 

After 3:00 PM on Sunday, you will be able to get any of their Honey Golden Pearl series drinks for 50% off if you purchase one of their Roasted Brown Sugar series beverages. One complication for those eager to be first in line is that Daboba has not yet announced its operating hours. Most of their US stores open at 11:00 AM, except the Midwest stores, which seem to open at noon.

Top photo: RockvilleNights.com
Middle, bottom photos courtesy Daboba

Rockville-area fireworks displays 2023

Independence Day fireworks season will start early with a bang tonight in Rockville, at one of the most prominent country clubs in America. Here's a list of local public and private fireworks displays in and around the City of Rockville for 2023. Remember not to trespass on private property, but the private fireworks displays may be seen from nearby parking lots and public property.

Saturday, June 24 - 9:30 PM: Woodmont Country Club

June 30 - 9:00 PM: Manor Country Club, 14901 Carrolton Road

June 30 - 9:10 PM: Norbeck Country Club, 17200 Cashell Road

July 4 - City of Rockville Official Fireworks Display, 1800 Piccard Drive

The City of Rockville's official Independence Day celebration takes place at Mattie J.T. Stepanek Park in the King Farm neighborhood. Parking is located in nearby surface lots on Shady Grove Road, Gaither Road and Piccard Drive. See the map below for officially-designated parking lots.

Event schedule:

7 p.m.	Music by Under the Covers
8:45 p.m.	Mayor and Council Greeting
8:55 p.m.	National Anthem
9 - 9:13 p.m.	Music by Under the Covers
9:15 p.m.	Fireworks Display Food and beverages will be available for purchase at the event. Bring beach chairs or blankets to ensure comfortable seat­ing. Be considerate so that those around you can see the show too. No chairs or blankets allowed within 100 feet of the stage.  Outside, prepared food is permitted. Most events will take place rain or shine. In case of inclement weather, cancella­tions will be posted at www.facebook.com/cityofrockville. Mattie J.T. Stepanek Park is smoke and vape free   No tents, barbecuing or open flames No outside alcohol No wheeled recreational devices No noisemakers, glass containers, drones, laser pointers No weapons, illegal substances, explosives No throwing footballs, frisbees, baseballs or other projectiles

Photos courtesy City of Rockville

Maryland Congressman Jamie Raskin to speak at Montgomery County Juneteenth event

Maryland Congressman Jamie Raskin (D - 8th District) will be the headlining speaker at what is shaping up to be the biggest Juneteenth event in Montgomery County for Monday, June 19, 2023. The Bethesda African Cemetery Coalition's Juneteenth Observance event will be held by the site of the desecrated Moses African Cemetery, next to 5214 River Road in Bethesda (behind the McDonald's), from 2:00 - 5:00 PM on Monday. Raskin will be the first U.S. Congressperson to personally visit the cemetery site. BACC representatives have sought Raskin's support for the cemetery cause, so his remarks on Monday will be heard with great interest.

Also appearing at the event will be Maryland Delegate Lorig Charkoudian (D - District 20), historian and author C.R. Gibbs, and Harvey Matthews, an official with Macedonian Baptist Church and a former resident of the lost African-American community that existed for about a century on River Road in Bethesda. The performing talents of Evergreen Productions and the Walt Whitman Drumline will be on display at this very special commemoration of Black history in Bethesda.

Rockville Baskin Robbins grand opening this Saturday, June 3

Rockville has been one Baskin Robbins ice cream parlor short since their Congressional Plaza location closed in late 2019. That is now remedied with the new Baskin Robbins store at 1079 Seven Locks Road. It will be celebrating with a grand opening event this Saturday, June 3, 2023, from 12:00 - 4:00 PM. There will be a DJ, prizes, giveaways, and - of course - 31 flavors. Mention this Facebook ad below to get $2 scoops during the event. If you need a recommendation, it's definitely Baseball Nut season!

Rockville VFD to host first annual Flag Day at the Park on June 14

The Rockville Volunteer Fire Department announced yesterday that it will host its first annual Flag Day at the Park on June 14, 2023 from 5:00 to 8:00 PM. In addition to a ceremony and other activities, a Flag Day Walk will be held at Redgate Park at 14500 Avery Road at 6:00 PM. Tickets to participate in the walk will be $10 for adults and $5 for children. All proceeds from walk tickets will benefit the Rockville VFD. 

All of the evening's events besides the walk will take place at the Elks Lodge at 5 Taft Court in Rockville, which is adjacent to Redgate Park. Activities will include Queen of Heart and 50/50 drawings, a Flag Day ceremony, and a Flag retirement ceremony.  There will be an educational presentation on the history of the U.S. flag, including a visit by an American Revolutionary War soldier. For children, there will be some VFD fire and rescue equipment on hand.

Hot dogs, hamburgers and sausages - as well as beverages - will be available for sale at the Elks Lodge before and after the 6:00 PM walk. Walk participants can walk, jog, run or crawl along the route as they wish, the VFD said. Public parking for the event will be available at the Elks Lodge, and in lots nearby the lodge on Taft Court.

Rockville Memorial Day parade canceled

The City of Rockville announced this morning that the 2023 Memorial Day parade scheduled for today, May 29, has been canceled. A ceremony that was to be held along with the parade has also been canceled. The cancellation is due to the inclement weather, the city said.

DOD POW/MIA historian to be grand marshal of 2023 Rockville Memorial Day Parade

UPDATE: The Rockville Memorial Day parade and ceremony have been canceled due to inclement weather

Local Silver Spring resident and U.S. Department of Defense historian Stephen P. Johnson has been selected to serve as Grand Marshal of the 2023 City of Rockville Memorial Day Parade. The parade and ceremony will begin at 9:00 AM tomorrow, Monday, May 29, at Rockville Town Square with a musical tribute by the Rockville Concert Band and Chorus. A ceremony will be held at 9:30 AM, and the actual parade will start at 10:30 AM. Roads that will close for the parade will begin to shut down at 6:00 AM Monday, and will reopen at 2:00 PM.

The parade begins at N. Washington Street and Martins Lane, and heads south on N. Washington Street. Next, the parade turns left onto Beall Avenue, right on Maryland Avenue through Rockville Town Square, and left onto E. Montgomery Avenue. Free parking will be available at the Metro lots, Rockville City Hall lots and Montgomery County Courthouse jury lot. Paid parking will be available for $5 in the Rockville Town Square garage, which can be accessed from Route 355 or North Washington Street from 7:00 AM - 3:00 PM on Monday, May 29.

Grand Marshal Johnson works as a civilian employee in the DOD's POW/MIA Accounting Agency. He volunteered for the Undersecretary of Defense for Policy’s Personnel Accounting Consolidation Taskforce in 2014. As an enlisted member of the Air Force from 1977-1984, Johnson attained the rank of staff sergeant. His selection continues the City tradition of asking a local veteran or active military member to serve as the City's Grand Marshal, and lead the Memorial Day festivities.

Montgomery County Council President Evan Glass to host Pride Month events in June

Montgomery County Council President Evan Glass (D - At-Large) will once again host or appear at a series of Pride Month events in June. This will be the fifth year Glass will perform this leadership role. The events will include Rockville Pride, an annual event hosted by the City of Rockville at Rockville Town Square, which will be held on Saturday, June 24, 2023 this year. 

June 11 will be Takoma Park Pride Day. Bethesda's Big Train baseball club will also hold a Pride Night on June 17. Pride in the Plaza will take place at Veterans Plaza in downtown Silver Spring on June 25. Events will kick off with the raising of the Pride Flag at the Montgomery County Executive Building on June 1. 

“I’m excited to host Montgomery County’s fifth annual LGBTQ+ Pride month events,” Glass said in a statement. “This is a time for celebration, reflection and unity. Today, the rights of LGBTQ+ Americans are under relentless attack. Members of the LGBTQ+ community — especially people of color and trans people — continue to face discrimination and efforts to undermine their human rights. As we continue our struggle for greater civil rights and liberties, Pride Month is a time to not only reflect on our progress but to focus on the work ahead.”

Circus coming to Montgomery Mall in Bethesda this June

The Do Portugal Circus will present its Cirque show under the big top next month at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. Tracing its roots back to 1911, the Mexican circus troupe has been touring with this show around the world for 25 years. You won't see elephants or tigers, but you will see just about everything else you expect from a circus starting June 9, 2023 and continuing through June 25: Trapeze artists, magicians, roaring motorcycles in the Cage of Death, and more.

Tickets to all performances are available now online, and VIP seats are an option for the biggest circus aficionados. No outside food or drinks will be allowed, but the circus will have its own concessions with hot dogs, nachos, popcorn, pickles, cotton candy, snow cones, soda, water, juice, Powerade, coffee and hot chocolate.

Photos courtesy Do Portugal Circus

Rockville Planet Fitness grand opening set for April 12

The new Planet Fitness gym in Rockville is scheduled to host a grand opening celebration this Wednesday, April 12, 2023 at 4:00 PM at 5520 Randolph Road, in the Montrose Shopping Center. It will be hosted by Nick Gomez from Hot 99.5 FM. Enjoy a ribbon cutting ceremony, a 30-minute circuit workout with the owners and trainers, food & drinks, and a chance to win fabulous prizes (65" Smart TV, Apple Watch, Amazon Echo) and more. Planet Fitness replaces Gold's Gym at the shopping center.

Find out how your Montgomery County business can work with Rockville City government

Jessica Lewis, Director of Procurement
for the City of Rockville

Local businesses can learn about opportunities to do business with the City of Rockville at a special event this month. Register now for the "Rockville Means Business" event, which take place from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM on Thursday, April 20, 2023 at the Glenview Mansion at Rockville Civic Center Park, 603 Edmonston Drive. Doors will open at 8:30 AM.  

Information sessions, exhibits and strategy sessions with city employees will help you find out if your services or products are needed by the city. You'll also receive advice on how to most effectively to bid on procurement opportunities, and how to use the city's online vendor collaboration portal.

A continental breakfast will be served during the event. If you cannot attend, the event will be available online. You can register for the virtual option on the same page as the in-person registration.Minority-, female-, disabled- or veteran-owned businesses are especially encouraged to attend the event. Seating will be limited, so don't delay in registering. 

Summer job hiring event at Rockville Swim Center

Looking for a swimming pool or fitness-related job for the summer? Mark your calendar for the special hiring event at the Rockville Swim Center at 355 Martins Lane on March 29, 2023 from 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM. The walk-in event will provide the opportunities for preliminary interviews, and to participate in tests to demonstrate your skills. Training will be available. Job seekers should bring their swimsuit, a towel, and their summer calendar. The swim center is owned and operated by the City of Rockville.

St. Patrick's Day event at Finnegan's Wake in Rockville today

Keep the celebration of St. Patrick's Day going all weekend at Rockville Town Square. Irish pub Finnegan's Wake at 100 Gibbs Street will be hosting a special event today, March 18, 2023. Start with a St. Patrick's brunch at 10:00 AM. Then enjoy live music, face painting and a balloon twister from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM.

N'SYNC, 98 Degrees, LFO, O-Town members to perform at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda April 1

Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda will transport you back to the golden age of Y2K on Saturday, April 1, 2023. Members of the boy bands that ruled the charts at the dawn of this century will converge on Level 1 of the Nordstrom wing at 1:00 PM that afternoon for a live concert. Hosted by N'SYNC's Chris Kirkpatrick and 98 Degrees' Jeff Timmons, the Y2k Pink Party concert will include live performances by LFO and O-Town. The concert is free, but if you RSVP online and agree to receive promotional emails from the mall, you will be entered to win a meet-and-greet with the boy band stars.

Between 11:00 AM and 8:00 PM on that day, before and after the concert, a DJ will be playing so many records from the Y2K era that you'll feel like you're outside the MTV studios screaming, "Bring me up, Carson!!" A pop-up biergarten will take over the Blossom Lounge near the Lego Store, serving Lone Oak Brewery's Sandbar Tropical Hazy IPA, The MoCo Show MoCo Lite Lager, and Rose Hard Seltzer. The mall is encouraging you to wear pink to the concert.

The mall's Center Court will be set up to accept donations of Spring and Summer clothing, which will earn you coupons for mall restaurants. Donate your old jeans, and American Eagle will turn them into insulation for homes - and give you a coupon for $10-off a new pair. 

Montgomery Mall will be counting down to the concert all this month, with the Cherry Blossom-themed Blossomfest. Find Instagram-ready flower displays for your selfie backdrops in the Nordstrom wing during March, courtesy of Edge Flowers. The Blossom Lounge near the Lego Store will feature displays of pink flowers designed by the region’s premier creative props firm, Brightly Ever After, along with white leather seating. Enjoy free, live jazz music every Friday from March 17 to April 14 from 5:00 - 7:30 PM. Treats from Adonni’s Desserts will be available for purchase.

A female artist showcase will include the mall's new mural, Carpe Diem, by local artist Nicole Bourgea on Level 2, and displays of works by Maggie O'Neill and Cris Logan throughout the mall. Kids will enjoy playing in the cherry blossom-themed playhouses designed by Brightly Ever After.

The April 1 concert won't be Bethesda's first direct connection with N'SYNC, LFO and O-Town. That involved Bethesda company Dynasty Construction, the now-demolished Westwood Center II mini-mall, and a missing sum of $775,000. The true story is no April Fool's joke.

Rockville brewery launches Mardi Gras-themed beer with all-day party today

Toast Mardi Gras with a beer inspired by the holiday today at True Respite Brewing Company at 7301 Calhoun Place, #600, located off of E. Gude Drive in Rockville. The brewery is rolling out its limited-edition Party Gras, a 6.3% ABV fruited sour ale fermented with passionfruit, and conditioned on tangerine, lime, and a touch of rum extract with an all-day Mardi Gras party today, February 17, 2023. Special guests will include the Calypso N' Roux food truck selling Cajun food, Zydeco band Little Red & the Renegades, and Twitch-streaming tarot coach Skye Marinda.

Photo courtesy True Respite