Indecent exposure at Rockville library

Rockville City police were called to the Rockville Memorial Library at 21 Maryland Avenue late Thursday afternoon, June 13, 2024, to investigate an indecent exposure incident. The incident was reported at the library at 5:47 PM Thursday. An individual was also accused of disorderly conduct and obstructing a criminal investigation in the same incident. The adult male suspect was arrested and faces all three charges, which are all misdemeanors.

Local UFCW unions endorse Alsobrooks in Maryland U.S. Senate race, Trump embraces critic Hogan

Three local United Food & Commercial Workers unions endorsed Prince George's County Executive Angela Alsobrooks (D) in the race for Ben Cardin's Maryland U.S. Senate seat yesterday. UFCW Local 400, UFCW Local 27, and UFCW Local 1994 MCGEO represent over 30,000 members who are registered voters in Maryland. Those members work in a wide variety of fields, including grocery stores, retail, health care, food processing, meatpacking, chemical processing, cannabis, and gaming, as well as in the public sector. UFCW Local 1994 represents many Montgomery County government employees, for example.

UFCW Local 1994 MCGEO President Gino Renne

“Angela Alsobrooks is a champion for working families, and a relentless advocate for justice and equity,” UFCW Local 1994 MCGEO President Gino Renne said in a statement Thursday. “Her commitment to the people of Maryland and her proven track record of leadership make her the ideal candidate for the U.S. Senate. I am proud to endorse Angela Alsobrooks, confident that she will fight tirelessly for our rights and our future.”

Alsobrooks receiving the endorsement of
local 1199 SEIU union in February

The choice of labor to support Alsobrooks is not necessarily a surprising development in the general election contest, which pits the Prince George's leader against former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R) in a statewide election that may determine which party controls the U.S. Senate. Alsobrooks has already garnered many union endorsements in the race, including several local SEIU unions, and the Amalgamated Transit Union. Thursday's endorsements give her the backing of 13 labor organizations, based upon the list on her campaign website.

Former Gov. Larry Hogan receiving endorsement
of Ocean City and Worcester County firefighters in
Ocean City

Hogan has received six union endorsements himself, many representing first responders in the state. Among those supporting the Republican are the Marine Engineers’ Beneficial Association (M.E.B.A.), the nation’s oldest maritime labor union representing officers of the United States Merchant Marines, Ocean City Career Firefighter Paramedics Association IAFF Local 4269, Worcester County Professional Firefighters IAFF Local 4916, the International Union of Police Associations, the State Law Enforcement Officers Labor Alliance (SLEOLA), and the International Longshoremen’s Association Local 333. The latter represents more than 2,000 maritime workers at the busy Port of Baltimore.

One endorsement Hogan didn't necessarily expect was that of President Donald Trump, whom the former governor has heavily criticized for years. But he got it anyway Thursday, only a week after Trump surrogates declared Hogan's Senate hopes dead, after the Marylander asked his fellow Americans to respect the verdict in Trump's New York trial. 

Trump's habit of embracing even his harshest critics at the drop of a hat can be seen by some as shrewd, and by others as nonsensical. But Trump's transactional relationship style has served him well for decades in business and politics, making his endorsement of Hogan not entirely shocking. On balance, the Trump nod may even help Hogan, if "Lockdown Larry"-averse MAGA voters end up begrudgingly following their leader's directive.

Photos courtesy Alsobrooks for Senate, UFCW Local 1994, Hogan for Maryland, Inc.

Mind Games opening at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Another toy store is coming to Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. Mind Games will be a bit more on the Smart Toys side of the spectrum than a Toys R Us or KB Toys model. The Toronto-based retailer sells books, educational toys, and games alongside the conventional popular toys. It also has its own house-brand products. Familiar toy brands stocked include Lego, Funko, Mattel, and Maisto.

Mind Games is now hiring for all positions, including store manager, assistant manager, key holders, and part-time associates. When the games begin, look for Mind Games on Level 1 of the mall, next to Build-A-Bear Workshop. Which coincidentally puts Mind Games a few doors down from another Lego retailer - Lego itself. 

The store brings some Canadian sensibilities with it, too. Boxing Day gets a big push on its social media accounts, for example. And holiday sale door busters are "door crashers," eh?

Derwood students are 2nd-place winners in Montgomery County DOT "Paint the Plow" contest

Top winners from Westland MS in Bethesda

This winter, Montgomery County residents may see one or more of the County snowplows decorated by Montgomery County Public Schools students during the County Department of Transportation's "Paint the Plow" contest. Teams from 16 middle schools in the MCPS system participated. MCDOT provided the snowplows and paint materials, and each team had four days to name and decorate their plow. The plows were displayed at MCDOT's annual Truck Day on June 1, and attendees voted for the top three winning plows.

Redland MS in Derwood

Bethesda's Westland Middle School team won the top prize of $500 for its Road Runner "Beep Beep" and Pokemon Squirtle design. Redland Middle School in Derwood took second, with a prize of $300, for their team's Snoopy-inspired "Scoopy" plow. Coming in third for $200 was the team from Roberto Clemente MS in Germantown, who went full zombie with their plow's Zombinator theme.

Roberto Clemente MS in Germantown

“The annual Truck Day and Paint the Plow contest lets us showcase the vital role public works employees play in contributing to and enhancing our quality of life,” MCDOT Director Chris Conklin said in a statement. “Public works employees are on the front lines during emergency conditions, including winter weather events, and these snowplows will serve as a reminder of the valuable work they do.” 

County Executive Marc Elrich

Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich praised the student winners and the County's public works employees, including snowplow drivers. “I want to thank MCPS and the participating students and teachers for helping us recognize the hard work and dedication of our public works employees. From keeping our streets clear of snow and ice, paving our roads and collecting yard debris, to maintaining our vital sanitary and storm sewer systems, their efforts keep our County safe, clean and thriving.” 

Soma closes at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Soma has closed at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. The women's lingerie boutique brand was recently acquired by a private equity firm, which makes the closure less surprising. Having said that, I do not see news stories about specific Soma locations closing in other areas of the country at this time, so perhaps Montgomery County's infamously-moribund economy is to blame in this case. Soma was launched by Chico's FAS twenty years ago, and claims to have over 250 stores today.

Mía Cane Juicery and Açaí Bar opening in Rockville

Mía Cane Juicery and Açaí Bar is coming soon to Rockville. It will bring the newest beverage trend of sugarcane juice alongside smoothies, açaí bowls and Vietnamese coffee to 785-I Rockville Pike at the Ritchie Center. This was Japong Bakery's original spot before it moved to 765-A at the center. 

This will be Mía Cane Juicery and Açaí Bar's third U.S. location, and their first in the Washington, D.C. area. Their first two are in New England: Worcester, Massachusetts, and the soon-to-open store in Providence, Rhode Island. Coming-soon signage is now up at the Rockvile location.

Sherwin-Williams building up for sale in Rockville

A commercial building in a high-visibility location is now on the market in Rockville. 856 Rockville Pike is being offered at the asking price of $4,075,000. It is not only on the very busy commuter route of MD 355, with an average of 62,800 vehicles passing it per day, but is also across from Wintergreen Plaza. The current tenant is Sherwin-Williams Paints, which has 10 years remaining on its lease, with 2 5-year extension options. Built in 1970, the building was renovated in 2020, according to the online listing.