11-year-old charged after allegedly threatening Parkland Middle School

Montgomery County police responded to Parkland Middle School at 4610 West Frankfort Drive Friday around 12:34 PM, after a school faculty member reported someone had called the school and made a "general threat" to Parkland students. Detectives investigating the incident determined the phone call had allegedly been made by an 11-year-old male who does not attend Parkland.

The juvenile was charged with one count of disrupting school activities and one count of making a threat of mass violence.  After being charged, the juvenile was released into the custody of his parents.  The case will be handled by the Department of Juvenile Services for adjudication.

Chapman Row townhomes coming soon signage in Rockville

The Escher at 1900 Chapman Avenue didn't have a name until the new apartment building was on the verge of delivery. But we now also know the name of the future townhome community that will share the former Syms site with The Escher. Banners announcing Chapman Row have gone up along namesake Chapman Avenue. The townhome development was approved by the Planning Commission over two years ago.

Rockville Chamber of Commerce names new CEO

A business and advertising executive who got her start at ESPN in 1979 is the new CEO of the Rockville Chamber of Commerce. Marji Graf will be moving to Rockville to take the reins of the growing business group from outgoing CEO Michelle Day.

Graf, who has lived in Vermont for last two decades, has been the CEO of the Okemo Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce for the last 10 years. She also has experience as the owner of two businesses herself over the years. Graf will officially take leadership of the Rockville Chamber on July 2.

Rose Krasnow campaign headquarters open on Rockville Pike

Former Rockville mayor Rose Krasnow, who is running for Montgomery County Executive, has a campaign headquarters in the soon-to-be-demolished shopping center at the corner of Rockville Pike and Halpine Road. It's a ramshackle affair compared to millionaire rival David Blair's gleaming HQ with professional signage down the Pike - if you're not looking closely, you wouldn't even know it was there.

The Block posts Coming Soon signage at Pike & Rose

Large advertising screens for The Block, a highly-anticipated expansion of the popular Annandale Asian food hall, have been installed at its future Pike & Rose location. Posted along the facade of the building it will share with current tenant Pinstripes, the screens feature blown-up images of the renderings of The Block's dining areas you saw recently on this site. The Block is scheduled to open next year at the Federal Realty development.

CrossFit Fireborne fitness studio to open Tuesday in Rockville

After a holiday weekend of hot dogs, hamburgers, BBQ and apple pie, some in Rockville may be ready to burn off some calories Tuesday. CrossFit Fireborne might have the solution when they open tomorrow, May 29, 2018 at 1610 Rockville Pike. The fitness studio will offer custom-tailored programs for both adults and kids. Learn more at their website, where you can register for classes.

MOM's Organic Market in Upper Rock to open June 1

The long-awaited opening of MOM's Organic Market at 10 Upper Rock Circle is almost here. It will open June 1, 2018, and the local chain will be holding an opening weekend celebration at the store from June 1 to June 3.

Officially designated as MOM's Gaithersburg store, the market is located in JBG Smith's Upper Rock development, which is within the city limits of Rockville. A historic office building was torn down to clear the way for this new retail center, which is convenient from both the adjacent Gables Upper Rock apartments and I-270 (just take the Shady Grove Road exit and head east, and it's the first thing you see on the right past the interchange [you'll see the CVS Pharmacy, which is in the same shopping center]).

Opening weekend will include tastings of local foods, kids' activities and giveaways. You'll also have the opportunity to meet representatives from environmental organizations like Waterkeepers Chesapeake and Trash Free Maryland, and staff from Montgomery Parks' Brookside Gardens.

The new MOM's will feature only the highest-quality organic produce, an all-organic vegetarian eatery called Naked Lunch, sustainable insect proteins, a Backyard Beekeeping section with everything you need for this important environmental activity, free car-charging stations, only sustainable seafood (including canned tuna), a wide selection of GOTS-certified organic and sustainable clothing, a liquid bulk section featuring goods like vinegar and honey, a recycling center that can handle household items like cell phones and household batteries, and a large Health and Wellness department, where you can find everything from bulk organic herbs to bulk soap, bath salts and body scrubs.

MOM's does not carry any products that use cartoon characters to target children, and this location will be no exception. 5% of the grand opening sales will be donated to Waterkeepers Chesapeake. MOM's is one of the more on-target tenant choices in Upper Rock, considering that the city envisioned the development as a community for the "creative class" of young professionals. It sounds like they have a wider variety of merchandise than Whole Foods, as well.