Rockville brewery hosting ribbon-cutting for city's new Rock East District September 11

Rockville's True Respite Brewing Company is hosting a ribbon-cutting event on September 11, 2021 to celebrate the launch of the city's newly-designated Rock East District. The brewery business is located in the East Gude Drive corridor between MD 355 and Norbeck Road, which is receiving the new branding and promotion push. Marketing efforts include a new website.

The event will be a Maker's Market running from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, with the ribbon-cutting taking place at 11:00 AM. True Respite will introduce a Rock East District-themed collaboration with fellow Rock East District businesses Saints Row Brewing and Mayorga Coffee. Food will be provided by Giacomo's Brick Oven Pizza. More vendors will be announced between now and the event.

A portion of the proceeds from beer sales at the event will be donated to the Tree House Child Advocacy Center of Montgomery County, which promotes healing for child and adolescent victims of sexual abuse, physical abuse, and neglect. True Respite is located at 7301 Calhoun Place.

Signage installed at Mr. Wish in Rockville

Signage has been installed at Mr. Wish at Congressional Plaza on Rockville Pike. Last night, the main sign was lit. Mr. Wish features fruit teas, bubble tea, and smoothies. The shop is currently hiring baristas and servers for both morning and night shifts. This is the first Maryland location for the Pennsylvania-based chain.

Hummer EV now available for pre-order at King GMC Buick in Rockville

The highly-anticipated Hummer EV electric truck is now available for pre-order at King GMC Buick, located at 16200 Frederick Road. It features a 300-350 mile range, depending on which model you choose. Advanced features include Ultravision navigation cameras, a power swing gate, and the ability for the truck to drive diagonally like a crab. The pickup model goes 0-60 in three seconds; the SUV version takes a half-second longer. 

Indecent exposure at Rockville grocery store

City of Rockville police responded to a report of indecent exposure at a grocery store on Rockville Pike yesterday morning, August 8, 2021. The incident was reported at a supermarket in the 1800 block of Rockville Pike around 10:15 AM, according to crime data. There is a Safeway store on that block.

Rockville tackling trash, noise issues at Fireside Apartments

The City of Rockville is responding to complaints from the neighborhood around Fireside Park about trash and noise generated by the apartment complex. Rockville owns the affordable apartment development through the independent entity Rockville Housing Enterprises. Recently, there have been complaints about overflowing dumpsters at the complex, litter being tossed and dumped beyond the property lines, and excessive noise. One nearby resident, Max Bliss, forwarded a comprehensive list of the problems - and photographic evidence - to city officials.

About a week later, Community Support Advocate Melissa Wiak from the City Manager's office responded with a list of actions the city intends to take immediately to resolve the issues. The trash and construction debris were carted away. Winn Residential, the property manager, has adjusted the bulk pickup schedule in a way it believes will be more effective in removing such items, Wiak wrote. Winn will also reach out to Fireside residents, to notify them of the rules regarding trash disposal.

One of the sources of the trash has been the construction taking place at the complex. Wiak said the city has advised the construction contractor that all such debris must be removed daily.

Fireside will now have a staff person on duty Saturdays - in tandem with a new Saturday bulk pickup day - to specifically monitor trash. Staff will also check the dumpsters on-site daily.

To deal with noise issues, City of Rockville police units have been notified about noise complaints at the complex. Wiak wrote that officers will increase patrols through and around the complex.

Photos by Max Bliss

Armed robbery at Derwood gas station

Montgomery County police responded to a report of an armed robbery at a gas station in Derwood on Tuesday evening. The robbery was reported at a gas station in the 15800 block of Frederick Road around 6:08 PM, according to crime data. A weapon other than a firearm was employed in the robbery.

Maryland earthquake felt in Rockville, across DC region

UPDATE - 3:00 AM, August 4, 2021: The USGS now reports that the earthquake occurred at a depth of 3.4 kilometers. Latest USGS map pinpoints Clarksville, MD as epicenter, although it has not been officially named as such yet.

A 2.1 magnitude earthquake was felt in Bethesda, Rockville, Silver Spring, Derwood, and other parts of Montgomery County; Prince George's County, and Howard County at 2:11 AM this morning. The sound was audible here in Montgomery County, and was more noticeable than the shaking of the ground. According to the United States Geological Survey, the epicenter of the earthquake was 3 km from Highland, Maryland.