MOCO GOP SPECIAL COUNSEL RELEASES FINDINGS AFTER STUDY OF GERRYMANDERING

Frederick Seelman, who was appointed by the Montgomery County Republican Party on October 7 to study gerrymandering of election districts by Democratic elected officials, has submitted his findings to party leaders. According to a press release, Seelman concluded that gerrymandering has contributed to one-party rule in the county, and made recommendations to reform the election system.

Seelman's report cites the compactness and lack of partisan variance in the current districts as detrimental to fair and competitive elections.  "All the thirteen of the legislative and councilmanic districts had a Democratic to Republicans ratio that exceeded 2 to 1," the report notes. "This result does not seem to be the product of a chance occurrence."

The report recommends the MCGOP begin a petition drive to gain public support for changes to the current system, and then submit formal county and state charter amendments to create those changes.

POP TARTS LIMITED-EDITION PUMPKIN PIE REVIEW (VIDEO)

Pop Tarts has two limited-edition flavors for Halloween, and the most promising variety is Frosted Pumpkin Pie. I tested it out in this video review. The Halloween Countdown continues on the Robert Dyer Channel.

DOGS INVITED TO FESTIVAL THIS SATURDAY AT GABLES UPPER ROCK IN ROCKVILLE

Dogs will be the guests of honor at Saturday's Paws for A Cause, 11 AM to 2 PM, at Gables Upper Rock, 70 Upper Rock Circle in Rockville. The November 1 event will raise money for fundraiser for MCPAW—Montgomery County Partners for Animal Well-Being, a partner of the Montgomery County Animal Services and Adoption Center. Most activities Saturday will be free, but with donations accepted.

Is your K-9 ready for the dog costume contest? He or she will enjoy a host of Fido-centric freebies including doggie ice cream, potty bag dispensers, natural dog treats and more. There will be activities for those on two legs, too, including face painting, music, a photo booth and food trucks like Holy Crepes and The Mighty Dog and Acai.

Pet-centric vendors will offer information, discounts and merchandise, including MCPAW, Tiki’s Playhouse, Bark!, Amazing Art Studio, Metropolitan Emergency Animal Clinic, Sniffers Doggie Retreat, Unleashed by Petco and Whole Pet Central.

If you and your dog enjoy your visit to Upper Rock, you may be interested to know that Gables Upper Rock welcomes dogs as residents in their apartments, as well. 

When completed, Gables Upper Rock will offer 441 pet-friendly apartments, a private on-site dog park, Turf, and a dog spa area for bathing and grooming, Couture. All community care products used at Gables Upper Rock are safe for pets, and the paths connecting the community’s four residential buildings are perfect for dog walking.

“We are about creating places where people want to live, and we recognize that more than ever, our residents’ pets are important members of their families,” says Greg Gaisor, Vice President, REIT Operations—East for Gables Residential.

STEPHEN STRASBURG TO APPEAR AT MICROSOFT STORE OPENING AT WESTFIELD MONTGOMERY MALL

Microsoft has just announced that Washington Nationals pitcher Stephen Strasburg will be a VIP guest at the November 22 Grand Opening of the Microsoft Store at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. The first 200 customers in line at 10:30 AM that morning will receive a ticket for a chance to play Xbox One with the Nats ace, who will appear from 4:00-6:00 PM.

Grand opening attendees will also get special deals, including a Toshiba Encore 8-inch 32GB tablet for just $99, or an Xbox 360 for only $99.

Microsoft will present technology grants to community organizations during the 10:30 AM ribbon-cutting ceremony. In addition to products, the store will also feature an Answer Desk where customers can receive expert advice on their Microsoft gadgets and software.

HALLOWEEN LUNCHABLES REVIEW (VIDEO)

The Halloween Countdown is underway on the Robert Dyer Channel, and the latest video is a review of the Halloween Lunchables of 2014. This year, dessert seems to be the theme, with an Oreo-based Dirt Cake, and S'mores Dippers. I tried out both, and here is my review. Both have great Halloween themed packaging, but let's find out if the actual product is as good.

WATTS BRANCH PARKWAY REOPENS IN ROCKVILLE

Watts Branch Parkway reopened yesterday, after the Rockville Public Works Department completed repairs of a broken water main. A portion of the road had been closed since October 15.

A 40-year-old pipe was the culprit, according to the department. During the work, Verizon and Washington Gas also made minor repairs to its systems affected by the water main break.

NIGHTSWATCH: ROCKVILLE CRIME UPDATE

Here is a roundup of crimes reported across Rockville on October 20, according to crime data:

Assault with deadly weapon. 9900 block Medical Center Drive at 11:26 PM.

Assault. 300 block Howard Avenue.

Theft. 800 block Ivy League Lane.

Burglary. 5500 block Halpine Place.

Theft. 9900 block Key West Avenue.