Aggravated assault in Rockville parking lot

Rockville City police responded to a report of an aggravated assault in the Twinbrook area of the city early yesterday morning, June 5, 2023. The assault was reported in a commercial parking lot in the 2100 block of Veirs Mill Road at 12:47 AM Monday. A weapon was employed in the assault, but it was not a gun.

Lakeforest Mall auction items revealed - including a Lakeforest Mall Chevy pickup truck!

The remaining contents of Lakeforest Mall in Gaithersburg are being auctioned off, and now the items up for bid have been revealed by Capitol Online Auctions. They include a Chevy Silverado pickup truck with a Lakeforest Mall logo on the door, probably the next best thing to a DeLorean as time travel vehicles go. It still runs, and COA says you are welcome to have your mechanic check it out before bidding. The snowplow that goes with it is also up for grabs, if you want to imagine yourself clearing the parking aisles during a ferocious holiday-shopping-season blizzard.

There's a canoe from the food court. The Amongo candy machine. The children's play area with equipment. More mall holiday decorations and trees than you probably have room for.

Several public art pieces from inside the mall are on the block, as well. Birds from the mall's indoor "sky," a leaf chandelier from the food court, leaf-themed paintings and sculptures, and even the "Cafes in the Forest" signs could soon be adorning your Lakeforest Mall-themed mansion.

OK, now let's get serious: The Lakeforest Mall directory signs. Entire kiosks. A giant bear looking for a new home. Unfortunately, it seems that the most-desirable tenant signs have already been removed from the premises, but some of the more mom-and-pop business names are available.

All told, there are twelve pages and over a thousand individual items available in the auction catalog, many in lots. Please note that the auction has moved from late June to early July. The preview date is Wednesday, July 5, 2023. The auction begins closing online the next day. Removal dates are July 10-14.

Photos courtesy Capitol Online Auctions

Rockville biotech clinical advisor receives highest honor from American Society of Clinical Oncology

Dr. Hagop M. Kantarjian, a member of the Clinical Advisory Board of Rockville biotech firm Ascentage Pharma, has received the highest honor bestowed by the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO). The organization presented Kantarjian the David A. Karnofsky Memorial Award "for his lifelong contributions to leukemia clinical research and his dedication to improving the lives of patients" at its annual meeting, which is taking place through tomorrow in Chicago. Those who have received the Karnofsky award since its inception in 1970 have been oncologists who made outstanding contributions to cancer research, diagnosis, or treatment.

"Dr. Kantarjian has dedicated his life to saving and enhancing the lives of patients with leukemia, renewing hope to millions of patients with unmet medical needs," Ascentage Pharma Chairman Dajun Yang, MD, PhD said in a statement this morning. "For decades, he has been at the forefront of the oncology community's efforts to end cancer. We are privileged that Dr. Kantarjian has chosen to share his wise counsel with our organization while serving with honor and distinction on the Ascentage Pharma Clinical Advisory Board."

Ascentage Pharma was founded in 2009 in Suzhou, China. Its American office is in Three Irvington Centre, at 700 King Farm Boulevard in Rockville. 

Car stolen from Rockville apartment building garage

Montgomery County police are investigating the theft of a vehicle from the parking garage of an apartment building in Rockville that was reported yesterday, June 4, 2023. The vehicle was parked in a residential garage in the 1800 block of Chapman Avenue. It is believed it was stolen sometime between 11:00 AM on Saturday and 8:00 AM yesterday.

Armed robbery at Rockville convenience store

At 5:15 PM Friday, June 2, 2023, the Rockville City police department tweeted that there was police activity in the 200 block of Park Road, but did not specify what it was in relation to. It turns out that officers were investigating an armed robbery that was reported at a convenience store around 3:35 PM. A firearm was the weapon utilized in the robbery. Metro Coffee Convenience is located on that block, which is across MD 355 from Rockville Town Center.

Washington Post Saturday newspaper edition delivery stymied by traffic accident

Some Washington Post subscribers in the Washington, D.C. metro area - including parts of Montgomery County - did not receive a newspaper this morning, Saturday, June 3, 2023. According to the Post, a truck carrying a large number of newspapers was involved in a traffic accident early this morning. Subscribers will receive their Saturday edition either later today, or with tomorrow's newspaper, the Post customer service department said.

Update on Colony Grill pizzeria at Cabin John Village in Potomac (Photos)

I have a big update on the Colony Grill at 11325 Seven Locks Road in Potomac. Look at the incredible progress that has been made inside just over the last several weeks. A new sign has been attached on the exterior of the pizzeria, as well. Furniture is still in the wrapper inside, and the outdoor patio space has not yet been set up. Stay tuned for an opening date! Here is a look at the progress of work over the last few weeks, in chronological order: