Jolly Shows carnival returns to Montgomery Mall through April 3, 2022

Jolly Shows is bringing its carnival back to Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda today through April 3, 2022. Workers were setting up the carnival ground in the parking lot last evening. Weather may be an issue during this stint at the mall - while there is little rain in the forecast over the next week, unseasonably-low temperatures are expected Sunday through Tuesday.

Carnival hours will be 5:00 PM - 11:00 PM Fridays, 1:00 PM - 11:00 PM Saturdays, 3:00 PM "to close" Sundays, and 5:00 PM "to close" on weekdays. Tickets for the carnival can be purchased online at the Jolly Shows website.

Frank Pepe Pizzeria hosts soft opening at Montgomery Mall

Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana was hosting an unannounced soft opening last night at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda, ahead of next week's scheduled grand opening. The pizza parlor was giving away free pizzas. I wouldn't suggest driving a long distance - but would I suggest you stop by and see if they are selling, or even giving away, pizzas between now and the grand opening if you're already at the mall? Sì!

In-person Mayor & Council meetings resume in Rockville March 28

Rockville City Hall will reopen to the public on Monday, March 28, 2022, after being closed for over two years due to the pandemic. Monday night at 7:00 PM will bring the first Mayor & Council meeting that the public can attend in-person. There are several things to know, if you are considering attending (you will still be able to participate in the meetings virtually online).

Seating capacity in the Mayor and Council chambers will be limited to 42 people; overflow seating will be available. The public must enter through the Main Entrance on the third floor facing Vinson Street. You can exit the building using any publicly-accessible door. Masks will be provided for those who wish to wear one, and do not have their own, but masks are not required.

If you wish to speak during the Community Forum portion of the meeting, sign up using the form at the entrance to the Mayor and Council chambers. In-person speakers will follow online virtual speakers in speaking order.

Photo courtesy City of Rockville

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan endorses Kelly Schulz for governor

Maryland Governor Larry Hogan (R) yesterday announced he is endorsing Kelly Schulz for governor in the Republican primary currently scheduled for July 19, 2022. Schulz served in the Hogan administration for seven years, as the first female secretary of both the Department of Labor and Department of Commerce. She has also served as a state delegate to the Maryland General Assembly from Frederick County, and as a small business owner. If elected, Schulz would be the first female governor of the state.

Schulz faces fellow Republicans Delegate Dan Cox, who has been endorsed by President Donald Trump; attorney and former state delegate Robin Ficker; and attorney Joe Werner in the gubernatorial primary. The Hogan endorsement's impact on the race is debatable. 

For Schulz, the support from Hogan bolsters her argument that she is the only candidate who can hold the Hogan coalition together that led him to victory twice in a blue state. Hogan said as much in his statement of endorsement Tuesday:  “If you approve of how we have led Maryland, then Kelly Schulz is your choice for governor.” 

The governor scored a major win this week in bringing a Hitachi railcar factory to economically-hard-hit Hagerstown, with 460 high-wage jobs, the first such high-profile victory in nearly two decades for the state. Hitachi's announcement puts a tangible punctuation mark on Hogan's claim to have improved Maryland's miserable business climate. Schulz noted following the announcement that she played a leading role as Secretary of Commerce in recruiting Hitachi and a new United Safety Technology manufacturing facility to the state, allowing her to now tout these wins on the stump, a powerful talking point with broad appeal to moderate Democrats and independents.

But while Hogan is more popular in majority-Democrat Maryland overall than Trump, Trump may loom larger in a GOP primary. A Gonzales poll in January showed that more Democrats approved of Hogan than Republicans statewide. Hogan clashed eagerly and regularly with Trump over the last several years, angering many Republicans in the state.

While Schulz has led in fundraising, her campaign has unleashed increasingly-negative attacks on Cox in recent weeks, via online ads and surrogates. Either Cox remains a significant concern, or Schulz is not taking any chances. 

Ficker and Werner have stayed out of the fray. Ficker has focused on his proposal to reduce the state sales tax by two cents, and Werner has balanced conservative positions on social issues with a pro-business-growth message. Cox has fought Hogan's pandemic restrictions and mandates, such as business closures, going as far as suing the governor at one point. He and his supporters are likely shedding no tears over an endorsement snub by Hogan.

Pepco makes donation to Montgomery College

Pepco has made a donation to Montgomery College, as part of a $650,000 package of donations to local community colleges and historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs). The money will go to workforce development in the energy field, teacher training and scholarships, the Exelon-owned utility announced in a press release. Montgomery College has campuses in Rockville, Germantown and Takoma Park.

“We hope this funding helps open the door to educational opportunities that all too often are just a dream for many young people within our communities,” Rodney Oddoye, Senior Vice-President of Governmental, External and Regulatory Affairs for Pepco Holdings, said in a statement. “Through our partnerships with local community colleges, HBCUs, and workforce development programs like the DC Infrastructure Academy, we are not only expanding the possibilities for our youth, we are building the talent pool for the future energy workforce.”

Rockville homicide stemmed from argument, police say

A fatal stabbing in Rockville last night has led to an arrest, and is under investigation by Montgomery County police detectives. Deonte Foreman, 21, of Rockville was stabbed outside his home in the 10100 block of Reprise Drive around 9:21 PM Monday night. Police arrived after someone called 911 to report a shooting at that location. Officers found Foreman suffering from multiple stab wounds, and attempted to provide medical assistance until County Fire and Rescue personnel arrived, but Foreman was ultimately pronounced dead at the scene.

Demarco Rayford, 26, of Gaithersburg was arrested at the scene. Detectives allege that Foreman and Rayford had an argument, which escalated into an altercation. During that fight, police allege that Rayford stabbed Foreman multiple times. Rayford has been charged with 2nd degree murder; police have not yet provided a mugshot of Rayford.

The location of the homicide is near the Gaithersburg border, directly adjacent to the Crown Farm development.  Police say their investigation is ongoing.

Rockville Wegmans construction update (Photos)

There are now three tower cranes erected at the future site of the Twinbrook Quarter development, Phase 1 of which includes anchor retail tenant Wegmans. The cranes are highly visible as you come down the southbound lanes of Rockville Pike from the Edmonston Drive intersection. Developer B.F. Saul says concrete pours have begun for the foundation of the building that will have Wegmans on the ground floor, starting with the underground parking garage. That is a complex job and will take some time to complete, the company says.