Roy Rogers officially announces Aspen Hill location (Photo)

Roy Rogers has officially confirmed what I reported to you back in June - Roy Rogers is returning to Aspen Hill. No official opening date has been announced for the new restaurant, which will be in the Northgate Plaza Shopping Center at 13884 Georgia Avenue.

Longtime residents will recall the old Roy's in the Aspen Hill Shopping Center, back in the days when one could see a movie there, or shop at the A&P across Aspen Hill Road...

Image via Roy Rogers on Facebook

Black students more likely to be suspended by MCPS than by Texas schools

Everything's bigger in Texas - except racial disparities in public school discipline policies, apparently. A new study by Texas Appleseed helps provide further context to a recent report that showed African-American students in Montgomery County Public Schools are 3 times as likely to be suspended from school as white and Asian students.

In Texas, there are also racial disparities in school discipline. But the Texas Appleseed report, titled "Suspended Childhood", found that black students in that state are less likely to be suspended than black students in Montgomery County. Black students in Texas are more than 2 times as likely to be suspended as whites - not laudable, but lower than in MCPS schools.

Montgomery County should consider this comparison, and some of the recommendations in this report, as it continues to struggle with a growing achievement gap. A 2014 County Office of Legislative Oversight report confirmed that MCPS had declined, and the achievement gap had widened, since 2010.

Now we know that Montgomery County students also fared poorly on this year's PARCC exams, the scores of which determined less than half of MCPS high school students are ready for college-level work.

And that superintendent search? Yeah, that search. They'll get around to it. Maybe some of the WMATA runners-up will give it go. The Montgomery County Council and Board of Education have made slouching a science.

Takoma Park residents approve new City election dates

Voters in Takoma Park approved a ballot question Tuesday that will move City elections "to the Tuesday following the first Monday in November in each even-numbered year in order to coincide with Maryland statewide general elections." In plain English, that means Takoma Park elected offices will be filled on the same days voters choose their Congressional representatives or Governor statewide.

Not all on the City Council were thrilled with the proposal, or thought it would solve voter apathy issues in Takoma Park.

Residents voted 194-72 in approval of the change, according to the unofficial election results from the City.

Stewart wins Takoma Park mayoral race

When Takoma Park Councilmember Kate Stewart is sworn in as the city's next mayor, she will represent a generational shift in political power in Montgomery County's most progressive municipality. Taking over from longtime Mayor Bruce Williams, Stewart has only been on the City Council a short time after winning a special election in April 2014.

The new mayor-elect has been a City resident for far longer - two decades, and is a principal at ConwayStrategic, a communications firm in the District. Stewart has clearly made a great impression on residents in her short term of office, as she was unopposed until the last minute, and has quickly leapfrogged several longer-serving politicians into the Mayor's office.

Also winning last night were incumbent councilmembers Tim Male, Terry Seamens, Jarrett Smith, and Fred Schultz, and new additions Peter Kovar and Rizzy Qureshi. These results are unofficial and not yet certified.

Photo via Kate Stewart for Mayor website

T.J. Maxx to open November 11 at Ellsworth Place in Silver Spring (Photos)

The newest anchor tenant at Ellsworth Place mall in downtown Silver Spring is just about ready to open its doors. T.J. Maxx has announced it will open November 11 at the retail center being revitalized by development partners Petrie Richardson Ventures and Rockwood Capital. A Grand Opening celebration will be held at the new 24000 SF store that day between 8:00 AM and 9:30 PM.

“T.J.Maxx continues to be a hugely popular and accessible retailer, appealing to a broad audience – from Millennials to Boomers – with its fashion-forward offerings and exciting, creative retail experience,” Terry Richardson, president and COO of PRV, said Monday. Richardson promised an "industrial chic" look to the mall when renovations are completed in early 2016.

Current anchor tenants at Ellsworth Place include Burlington Coat Factory, Marshalls, Michaels and Ross. Dave and Buster's and Not Your Average Joe's restaurants are on the way, as well.

Ellsworth Place is located at 8661 Colesville Road, and is attached via skywalk to a convenient adjacent public parking garage.

Squire's Rock Creek Chophouse applies for liquor license in Wheaton (Photos)

The future Squire's Rock Creek Chophouse has applied for its liquor license. Located at 2405 Price Avenue in Wheaton, the restaurant's hearing will be on November 19.

Coming Soon signage at future Cava Grill in downtown Silver Spring (Photos)

It's not exactly a surprise that Cava Grill is taking over this former Baja Fresh space at 8515 Fenton Street in downtown Silver Spring. But Cava has put up some signage in case you had any doubt. The Baja Fresh was recently liquidated in an online auction.