Rockville's Soulfull Cafe to celebrate grand reopening Saturday, May 14

The Soulfull Cafe at 50 Monroe Place in Rockville will be hosting a grand reopening event on Saturday, May 14, 2022, from 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM. All in the community are invited to the event, which is being held in partnership with Main Street Connect. From its beginning, Soulfull Cafe has been committed to providing employee opportunities for people of all abilities.

At the reopening party, see the art of Rachel Perlman on display, and enjoy music from DJ Aaron. Tour the Main Street development that houses the cafe. And stay around at 1:00 PM for a free Main Street Zumba class. Parking is available in the garage at 51 Monroe Place, or along the street. To attend, register online here.

Dominique Dawes Gymnastics & Ninja Academy opening Rockville location

Dominique Dawes Gymnastics & Ninja Academy is expanding to a second location in Rockville. It will be in the Montrose Shopping Center at 5622 Randolph Road. Olympic gold medalist Dawes says she founded the original Clarksburg gym not just for kids who might have Olympic dreams of their own, but for the self-esteem and personal growth of every child who enrolls, and the supportive environment and coaches necessary for that. 

Membership requires an annual fee, and the financial commitment for class enrollment is by the month. The gym will also offer summer programs, preschool and homeschool classes, and party and event hosting. It is expected to open by late 2022.

Butter Me Up opening today at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda (Photos)

Butter Me Up, a breakfast-themed restaurant from the founders of Half Smoke, will open today at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. The fast-casual menu includes breakfast sandwiches, tater tots, French toast sticks, breakfast bowls, fresh juices and smoothies, hot and cold coffee drinks, lemonade and brunch-style cocktails. Look for Butter Me Up on Level 1 in the former Aroma space. Here's a first look at the interior and full menu:

Maryland in a "state of lawlessness," gubernatorial candidate Doug Gansler says in crime-focused campaign

Democrat Doug Gansler is the former Attorney General of Maryland and a past State's Attorney in his native Montgomery County. Given that resume, it's not surprising that crime has been a major focus of his campaign as the July 19, 2022 Democratic primary approaches. In a statement released this morning after a police detective was carjacked in Baltimore Tuesday night, Gansler says, "Maryland is in a state of lawlessness when people feel at liberty to carjack, shoot, or assassinate doctors, police officers, and people who are just minding their own business trying to get through their day."

Carjackings, often by armed robbers, have become a frequent occurrence in Montgomery County as well in the pandemic era. Drivers from Bethesda to Silver Spring and Gaithersburg have found themselves in the crosshairs of carjackers over the last two years. Even Potomac hasn't escaped the trend.

Gansler is tacking against the "defund the police" sentiment of some in his party. He sees a police shortage, and is promising to instead put "more and better-paid police officers on our streets." Gansler says he would balance a tougher stance on crime with funding for programs that address the root causes of lawbreaking. "We will...invest in the necessary resources to solve every murder and every carjacking while also fast-tracking funding for community infrastructure projects like youth recreation centers in high-crime areas," Gansler says in today's statement, which also accuses the state of having neglected the City of Baltimore "for too long."

In a crowded Democratic race, Gansler carries the advantage of having been elected to a statewide office before. He has been endorsed by more than 40 current and past attorneys general from across the country, and was named a 2022 Moms Demand Action Gun Sense Candidate. Gansler's path to victory would likely have to include a strong turnout in his home base of Montgomery County, Baltimore residents fed up with crime, and a sizable chunk of moderate Democrats in Southern Maryland and on the Eastern Shore. He could benefit from being the only candidate in his lane, which is relatively moderate and tough-on-crime, while the other candidates are vigorously competing to be seen as the most-progressive. The question remains, is that a winning lane in the Maryland Democratic Party circa 2022?

Also running for governor are Democrats Rushern Baker, Jon Baron, Peter Franchot, Ralph Jaffe, Ashwani Jain, John King, Wes Moore, Tom Perez, and Jerome M. Segal. Republicans Dan Cox, Robin Ficker, Kelly Schulz and Joe Werner will face off in their own July 19 primary. Libertarian David Lashar and Unaffiliated candidate Kyle Sefcik will take on the winners of the two major party primaries in the November general election.

Photo via Friends of Doug Gansler

J.Crew Factory "coming soon" to Rockville (Photos)

Classic American apparel brand J.Crew will soon have a bricks-and-mortar presence on Rockville Pike. J.Crew Factory is "coming soon" to Congressional Plaza, according to signage posted in its future storefront. Like many apparel and department store outlet sub-brands, J.Crew Factory is offering the styles the primary brand is known for at discount prices. The store is currently hiring for all positions.

Proposed changes to Rockville city employee layoff policy need more revisions, Mayor & Council say

Potentially problematic wording of an update in the City of Rockville's Reduction in Force policy preventing it from being adopted by the Mayor and Council last night. The RIF policy is triggered when budgetary constraits, lack of work or other factors necessitate layoffs or reduction in city staff, and provides criteria for making those decisions. Conflicting criteria in the proposed update such as "length of service" and "seniority" could be exploited in court by employees suing the city, City Council member Mark Pierzchala warned. "I've seen it," Councilmember Beryl Feinberg concurred, referring to cases she has observed over her career in Montgomery County government.

After some discussion, the Mayor and Council agreed that one of the two terms would have to be recommended by staff for adoption at a later date. Pierzchala moved to deny adoption of the policy update; Councilmember David Myles seconded the motion. The Mayor and Council then voted unanimously to deny adoption of the current proposal, and return the document to staff for revision.

Rockville councilmember proposes moving Rocktobierfest back to Rockville Town Square

Rockville City Councilmember Monique Ashton last night proposed moving the annual Rocktobierfest event back to Rockville Town Square. It is currently scheduled to take place at RedGate Park at 14500 Avery Road on Saturday, October 1, 2022. Ashton suggested the change would provide a boost for businesses at the struggling Town Square development. 

Councilmember Dr. David Myles said he agreed with the proposed change. A physician, Myles argued the move would be best for public safety, public health and convenience. Councilmember Beryl Feinberg was more skeptical, saying it was her observation that many people drove when the event was held at Rockville Town Square in the past rather than take Metro.

Mayor Bridget Donnell Newton and Councilmember Mark Pierzchala raised concerns that Town Square business owners have expressed in the past about events there. Street closures for the events hurt, rather than help, businesses along those routes, some business owners have said. Gibbs Street is already entirely closed to traffic as it is, Pierzchala noted.

Officials sought input from Tim Chesnutt, Director of Recreation and Parks, but he was no longer participating in the meeting. City Manager Robert DiSpirito said he recalled Chesnutt suggesting the city wait to see how Hometown Holidays turns out at RedGate Park later this month before making a change for Rocktobierfest.

Ashton made a motion to ask city staff to engage Rockville Town Square businesses on the question of moving the event there. Newton proposed a friendly amendment to add the Rockville Economic Development, Inc. (REDI) and the Rockville Chamber of Commerce to the outreach effort. Ashton accepted that amendment, and a proposal to get feedback from residents, as well. The motion passed unanimously.

Photo courtesy City of Rockville