Barry Jackson receives endorsements of 13 local officials in Rockville City Council race

Barry Jackson, a candidate for the Rockville City Council in the November election and President of the King Farm Citizens Assembly, has received the endorsements of several current and former elected officials. His campaign announced the support of Rockville Mayor Bridget Donnell Newton, Montgomery County Councilmember and former Gaithersburg mayor Sid Katz, Gaithersburg City Councilmember Robert Wu, and Maryland State Delegate Joe Vogel (D - District 17) yesterday. "Having worked with Barry in his capacity as President of the KFCA, I support his candidacy for City Council," Newton said in a statement Wednesday. "Barry brings leadership experience and a new perspective - and he'll work to make our City safer and more equitable for all."

Former elected officials endorsing Jackson include past Rockville mayors Susan Hoffmann and Steven Van Grack; former Rockville City Councilmembers John Britton, Piotr Gajewski, Tom Moore and Bob Wright; and former Kensington mayor Pete Fosselman. "Barry is inclusive, he listens, and he fights for his community but is not abrasive," Hoffmann said Wednesday. "He will fight for you." Jackson also has backing from prominent community members, including peace activist Jeni Stepanek, former Senior Citizens Commission chair Anne Herbster, and KFCA board member Matt Roh.

“I am honored to have the support of so many local leaders," Jackson said in a statement. "Their support reflects their confidence in my experience and ability to bring real, positive change to Rockville’s City Council."

Photo courtesy Committee to Elect Barry Jackson

Rockville police searching for would-be fanny pack snatcher

Rockville City police are seeking the public's help in identifying and locating a suspect in the attempted strong-arm robbery of a fanny pack early on the morning of September 27, 2023. A female pedestrian was walking in the 1300 block of E. Gude Drive at 2:23 AM, when a Black male allegedly attempted to grab her fanny pack. The victim managed to hold on to her pouch, and the suspect fled in a silver car.  

Police describe the suspect as a Black male, 5'7" in height with a medium-build. He was wearing a black hoodie, black pants, and black shoes. If you have any information about this incident or suspect, call Rockville City police at 240-314-8900.

Indecent exposure in Rockville

Rockville City police responded to a report of indecent exposure in a parking lot early Monday morning, October 2, 2023. The incident was reported in a commercial parking lot in the 700 block of Hungerford Drive at 3:15 AM Monday. 

Montgomery County's first Taco Bell Cantina is "coming soon"

Montgomery County is finally getting its own Taco Bell Cantina, and it's about time! The upscale Taco Bell concept will be opening at 8662 Colesville Road in downtown Silver Spring, according to a banner posted on the storefront. It looks like construction has already begun inside. Is Rockville next? With 50 Taco Bell Cantinas planned for New York City, surely there's room for more than one in MoCo.

What is the difference between Taco Bell Cantina and a regular Taco Bell? A fancier interior, an open kitchen like you find in hip restaurants, custom menu items, and adult versions of Taco Bell freezes alongside a selection of beer, wine and sangria. As you can see, Taco Bell fans are already lining up outside. Or is it for The Fillmore next door? The Fillmore doesn't have Baja Blast!

Do you recognize this alleged armed robber of Dawson's Market in Rockville?

Montgomery County police are seeking the public's help in identifying and locating a suspect in yesterday's armed robbery of Dawson's Market at Rockville Town Square. The suspect entered the grocery store around 10:40 AM Monday, October 2, 2023. He allegedly attempted to shoplift food from the store, but was intercepted by an employee, who asked him to leave the premises. The suspect complied and left the store. Around 11:09 AM, the suspect returned to the store, allegedly brandishing a knife, took food and fled on foot. Detectives have released surveillance video from the store.

Police describe the suspect as a Black male, 27 to 37-years-old, 5'10" tall, and weighing approximately 225-250 pounds. He was wearing an orange baseball cap, black hooded sweatshirt, red t-shirt, black pants, white and gray sneakers, blue surgical mask and red and black gloves.  

Anyone with information regarding this suspect or this crime is asked to visit the Crime Solvers of Montgomery County, MD website at www.crimesolversmcmd.org and click on the “www.p3tips.com” link at the top of the page or call 1-866-411-8477. A reward of up to $10,000 is being offered for information that leads to the arrest of the suspect. Tipsters may remain anonymous. 

Former chef at D.C.'s Obelisk opening La Speranza in Rockville

The sign is up at La Speranza at 806 Baltimore Road in the Burgundy Park Shopping Center in Rockville. Neptali Mendoza will be the executive chef of the Italian/Tex-Mex restaurant, his first venture after a long career in Washington, D.C.-area restaurants. He started cooking professionally under the chef Peter Pastan at the Michelin Guide-listed Italian restaurant Obelisk at 2029 P Street, N.W. in 2006. Mendoza then moved onto RedRocks Pizzeria in Alexandria, and Baronessa Italian Restaurant here in Rockville, which closed last year. He is a graduate of the culinary arts program at the Carlos Rosario International School.

La Speranza will serve Neapolitan-style pizzas cooked in a wood-fired brick oven, classic Italian entrees and pasta dishes. A smaller set of Tex-Mex and Latin American favorites on the menu will include fajitas, carne asada, BBQ pork ribs, ceviche mixto, nachos, and gambos al aljillo. Steaks and seafood will round out a menu that should appeal to a wide audience in a convenient neighborhood location. Mendoza hopes to open La Speranza before the end of the month; stay tuned for an opening date.

Piketoberfest 2023 at Pike & Rose (Photos)

Piketoberfest returned to Pike & Rose for 2023 yesterday. "North Bethesda's premier fall festival" featured food, live music, games, a pop-up bar by Hello Betty, and a craft beer garden hosted by Owen's Tavern. Among the performers was It's All Good, a cover band from the Delmarva peninsula. Also spotted was the Calluna Flower Truck, a vintage Chevrolet pickup truck loaded with fresh flowers for sale. The fall events at Pike & Rose continue this week, with an Oktoberfest Seafood Boil at Hello Betty this Saturday, October 7, from 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Tickets are $59, and available online.