Silver Spring bank to become dental clinic

The vacant Bank of America branch at 8788 Georgia Avenue in downtown Silver Spring has a new tenant. Capital Kids Dentistry & Orthodontics has leased the space, which will obviously need some significant transformation inside. For example, each patient room or workstation will need plumbing hookups. Capital Kids Dentistry has an existing location at 4200 Wisconsin Avenue NW in Washington, D.C., but the Silver Spring office will offer full orthodontic treatment in addition to pediatric dentistry.

Pepco tells Maryland customers, "It's not us"

The most recent two U.S. presidents have had to get used to having their likeness slapped onto gas pumps via "I did that!" stickers, when their policy decisions have led to rising gas prices. Less eager to take credit for exploding electricity bills is Pepco, which is once again taking pains to inform customers that government is indeed the problem. "Higher energy bills can be challenging, and we want you to understand what's driving those changes," the Exelon-owned utility explained in a message to ratepayers with this month's bill. And explain they do, but not as extensively as they should, requiring us to employ the Annapolis Anger Translator (AAT) for full disclosure.

First culprit on the list is the regional grid operator PJM. Pepco notes that PJM "is increasing electricity supply prices for our area. Pepco does not generate electricity or set these prices — we pass these charges through directly to customers with no markup. These increases are due to factors such as higher demand and tight energy supply."

Using the AAT, we can expand on this to learn that the actual electricity rates paid by consumers in Maryland are set by the Maryland Public Service Commission, a body appointed by...whoops!...the governor of Maryland, and approved by the Democratic-controlled Maryland State Senate. 

Why is there a "tight energy supply?" Perhaps because Maryland elected officials forced the closure of 8 power plants across the state. As a result, Maryland itself can no longer generate enough power to supply the demands of residents and businesses, and is now forced to import electricity from out-of-state at inflated boardwalk prices.

Pepco also highlights the EmPOWER MD surcharge that appears on your monthly bill. Like many other "sneak taxes," elected officials hope that you will assume these taxes, fees, and surcharges are being levied by the service provider, not your corrupt leaders. The reality is that this surcharge was levied by the Maryland General Assembly in Annapolis. It is a Karl Marxian Communist initiative of the highest order. Your hard-earned money goes into a slush fund used to pay for "green" upgrades to poor people's homes. From each according to his abilities...well, you get the idea.

Not mentioned is the latest hoax: data centers, the latest pass-the-buck punching bag for politicians trying to divert public attention from their direct role in the affordability crisis. No, data centers in Maryland are not the reason your Pepco bill keeps going up. It's a boogeyman far more familiar to you: your unfriendly neighborhood elected official. The call is indeed coming from inside the house.

AFI Silver Theatre in Silver Spring to screen The Odyssey in 70mm

The AFI Silver Theatre at 8633 Colesville Road in downtown Silver Spring will be one of the few movie theaters in the Washington, D.C. region to show Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey in the glorious 70mm format. Tickets are now on sale for the 70mm showings beginning on July 16, 2026. Rave reviews for the recent 70mm screenings of Terminator 2: Judgement Day at this theater suggest this is the way The Odyssey must be seen for the ultimate picture and sound quality - unless you are willing to drive further for the 70mm IMAX version at a true IMAX theater.

Pho Nom Nom expanding to Silver Spring

Pho Nom Nom is parlaying its success in Rockville and Gaithersburg into a third Montgomery location, opening soon in Silver Spring. The Vietnamese restaurant has leased the space at 11225 New Hampshire Avenue, next to Tobacco Village at the White Oak Shopping Center. Give credit to property owner Saul Centers, which manages to squeeze in some surprising twists here among the typical strip mall denizens. Let's face it, you won't find Sarku Japan outside of a mall in Bethesda. And there is the always-delicious Pizza Castle.

Amazing Art Studio opens in Silver Spring

Amazing Art Studio has opened at 12255 Prosperity Drive at the White Oak Town Center in Silver Spring. If you're ready to paint-your-own pottery, mosaics, fused glass, and other mediums, Amazing Art Studio is ready for you to drop in at your convenience during business hours. Or, you can plan and schedule a party or event for a group. This is the second Amazing Art Studio in Montgomery County, with the original location still going strong at Downtown Crown in Gaithersburg.

Austrian life sciences firm chooses Virginia over Maryland for U.S. headquarters

Austrian life sciences firm Ringana has made the United States the target of its next international expansion push, but first it needed a U.S. corporate headquarters to operate from. It has found the perfect location, and you won't be surprised to hear it is not in Montgomery County, or even within the state of Maryland. You also won't be surprised to learn that Virginia is once again the winner in this latest corporate HQ sweepstakes. That's right: 435 jobs are on the way from the Österreich to 2797 Frontage Road NW in Roanoke, Virginia. The former Johnson & Johnson site will not only house corporate offices, but also a manufacturing facility and a distribution center.

The deal was apparently secured when Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger invited Ringana corporate leadership to meet with her personally this past February. In contrast, Maryland Governor Wes Moore has failed to turn his supposedly-massive Rolodex of Wall Street, Hamptons, and Martha's Vineyard business contacts into a single major corporate headquarters win. After an awkward few months dominated by divisive partisan politics, Spanberger seems to have found the blueprint left behind by her Democratic predecessors, who have typically been as successful in attracting corporate headquarters as their Republican counterparts.

“RINGANA’s decision to establish its first U.S. facility in Virginia underscores the Commonwealth’s reputation as a welcoming, premier destination for international investment,” Spanberger said in a statement. “With our world-class workforce, strong apprenticeship and career training programs, and unwavering commitment to supporting global companies in a global marketplace, Virginia offers the ideal environment for businesses to grow and succeed in the United States. We are excited to welcome RINGANA to Roanoke and look forward to the hundreds of career opportunities this partnership will create for Virginians.”

We should take note of the site chosen by Ringana. Look how close it is to Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport, which has connecting flights to Dulles International Airport. Also nearby is Interstate 81, a major freight trucking route connecting Tennessee and Canada. Once again, Virginia tax advantages join with infrastructure to hand Maryland and Montgomery County yet another economic development loss. MoCo and Maryland elected officials will tell you with clownish pride that "we don't do highways," and that they will never allow construction of the long-delayed new Potomac River crossing to the Dulles area.

Now before we get too carried away, I don't want to overhype Ringana. We should be focused on major corporations, especially on aerospace, biotech, defense, and technology firms. Ringana is not a Fortune 500 company. But it has enjoyed $245 million in annual revenue, and 30% year-over-year revenue growth. It will be investing $85 million in Virginia and its people and communities. The Roanoke Regional Partnership is already working to connect local businesses that can provide services to Ringana with the company's leadership.

Beggars can't be choosers. Montgomery County and Maryland once again are left holding their nearly-empty begging cups.

KaFean Koffee opens at Wheaton Plaza

KaFean Koffee is now open at Wheaton Plaza. The coffee kiosk has relocated here from Westfield Montgomery Mall. Look for it on Level 2 of the mall, near Kokee Tea. KaFean Koffee serves coffee from the Austrian coffee roaster Julius Meinl. Check out their menu below: