Montgomery County Public Libraries hit by network outage after underground fire in Baltimore

Montgomery County Public Libraries announced that they are experiencing a system-wide network outage, due to an "underground fire in Baltimore this past weekend." The fire damaged a fiber optic cable network that serves public libraries statewide, MCPL said in a statement this afternoon. 

All Montgomery County libraries remain open on their normal schedules, and it is possible to check out books and materials. However, MCPL’s Wi-Fi, public computers, printing, scanning and copying services are currently unavailable, and MCPL believes the outage may last for several days. Libraries and school systems in all Maryland counties have been impacted.

Repairs to the fiber optic system are currently underway, MCPL stated. Baltimore City officials do not yet know the cause of several recent underground fires that have impacted electrical and communication utilities. This past weekend's fire was followed Monday by a major Verizon cell service outage impacting multiple states, and today by an eight-hour Sony PlayStation Network outage that affected users worldwide. Neither Verizon nor Sony have indicated the cause of their service interruptions so far.

First look: Torchy's Tacos in Rockville (Video + Photos)

Torchy's Tacos will open this Wednesday, October 2, 2024 at 10:00 AM at 12266-A Rockville Pike at Federal Plaza in Rockville. Here's a sneak peek from the restaurant's soft opening hours, which are available by reservation again today, September 30. Pictured below are the Trailer Park taco and Chicken Fajita taco, and a side item of Hillbilly Queso (Torchy's famous queso upgraded with chorizo, and probably what J.D. Vance would order if the manager got nervous) and chips (a.k.a. nachos). Notable selections from the soft drink dispenser are Fuze and Strawberry Fanta. The restaurant also has Torchy's merchandise available for sale.

Trailer Park taco (L) and
Chicken Fajita taco (R)

Hillbilly Queso + Chips

Thumbs up for Strawberry Fanta

You're not leaving without a trucker hat

Squishable reopens at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Squishable has reopened at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. The store closed at the beginning of August, and the mall posted a sign indicating that a new retailer would soon fill the space. But the Squishables just wouldn't vacate the premises! Nothing was moved. Nothing changed. 

About two weeks later, the sign was reinstalled above the storefront. The windows remained covered. Now the store has reopened, without any explanation for what happened. So I'm filing this under the category of "weird" once again. Look for Squishable on Level 1 of the mall, between Bath & Body Works and Mango.

No "Megalopolis: The Ultimate Experience" IMAX showings in Montgomery County so far this weekend

Montgomery County didn't make the cut for "Megalopolis: The Ultimate Experience" in IMAX theaters this opening weekend. Neither of the IMAX cineplexes in the County - AMC Dine-in Rio Cinemas 18 in Gaithersburg and Regal Majestic in Silver Spring - will feature the "Live Participant" who will interact with Adam Driver's Cesar Catalina character during the film's most-publicized scene. AMC Tysons Corner 16 is the only theater in the D.C. region offering "The Ultimate Experience" this weekend, according to IndieWire, and a review of local movie listings. 

It's surprising, given that Montgomery County has one of the highest-educated populaces in the nation. By comparison, New York City, San Francisco, Seattle, Phoenix, and Denver have more than one location offering "The Ultimate Experience." Providing a live performer to enact the scene was always expected to be a major challenge when the film went to nationwide distribution, but IndieWire reports that additional theaters could be added as time goes on. If they are, confirmation will be offered at the time of ticket purchase by the label "The Ultimate Experience" on the particular screening time.

How long "Megalopolis" will play in theaters remains to be seen. Many reviews so far suggest the major messages of the film have gone over most critics' heads. It's likely to be a movie that will be reassessed much more positively in a decade or two.

Signage installed at Kapow Buddy at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Signage has been installed at Kapow Buddy Thai Street Bowl at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. The signs have been placed on the mall exterior, as well as outside the fast casual restaurant's space indoors. In recent weeks, the restaurant has been serving its bowls at various events and venues to obtain feedback, which has been quite positive from the reactions shown on their social media accounts. When it opens, look for Kapow Buddy Thai Street Bowl on Level 1 of the mall, diagonally across from Yogi Castle in the Old Navy wing.

Foot Locker chooses Florida over Montgomery County, Maryland for new corporate HQ

Montgomery County and the State of Maryland turned out to be flyover country for Foot Locker. CEO Mary Dillon announced that the sporting goods giant, currently located in New York City, has chosen St. Petersburg, Florida as the new location for its global corporate headquarters. This officially gives St. Petersburg more Fortune 500 headquarters than Montgomery County, while its population is barely a third of MoCo's. Foot Locker plans to make the move late next year, bringing 175 high-wage jobs to St. Petersburg.

Foot Locker is only the latest company to sail over Montgomery County and Maryland like Michael Jordan on its way to the basket. Montgomery County hasn't attracted a major corporate headquarters in over a quarter-century. It's just one reason why the County, like Maryland, has a moribund economy and structural budget deficit. Once again, we've been dunked on by a more business-friendly jurisdiction, and the losses are adding up on residents' annually-rising tax bills.

"Foot Locker's move represents a significant corporate relocation, and importantly, it's another example of impactful and inclusive economic development in our city and the Tampa Bay region," St. Petersburg Mayor Kenneth T. Welch said in a statement. "On the heels of the generational Historic Gas Plant District project approval, St. Pete has now attracted a Fortune 500 company that will create 150+ more jobs and further diversify our workforce."

"We are delighted to welcome Foot Locker, Inc. to Pinellas County," Pinellas County Economic Development Director Dr. Cynthia Johnson said. "The Fortune 500 company’s decision to relocate here is a testament to Pinellas County’s attractiveness as a business destination. Pinellas County is committed to supporting the company’s growth and ensuring it thrives in the community.”

Photo courtesy Foot Locker

Public hearing on Lakeforest Mall redevelopment agreement tonight in Gaithersburg

Gaithersburg's Mayor and City Council will hold a public hearing tonight, Thursday, September 26, 2024 at 7:30 PM, at 16 S. Summit Avenue, regarding the Development Rights and Responsibilities Agreement (DRRA) for Lakeforest Redevelopment, LLC. This is in relation to the redevelopment of the Lakeforest Mall site. A DRRA provides for "the creation of an agreement that can provide certainty and stability to developers, while allowing the City to negotiate enhanced public benefits in return," the City said in a statement. "A DRRA aims to enhance development flexibility, innovation, and quality, while ensuring the protection of public interests, health, safety, and welfare."