Wheaton redevelopment update (Photos)

Last week's monsoon conditions hit the Lot 13 construction site in Wheaton hard. Cleaning up was added to the voluminous list of other tasks at hand in recent days. The storms caused delays on the construction of the Montgomery County government office building's foundation, which has now resumed, according to County officials. Concrete pours for the foundation are now scheduled for next week, and the County says the rain delays will have no impact on the project's delivery schedule for summer 2020.

White Oak Day this Saturday, June 2

The Montgomery County Department of Recreation is sponsoring White Oak Day with family activities and entertainment this Saturday, June 2, 2018 from 12-4 PM, at the White Oak Community Recreation Center at 1700 April Lane. Performers will include Halau Nohona Hawaii and Chinese Folk Dancers. Activities will include sports challenges and inflatables. There will also be plenty of food. And don't forget the prizes! The event is free; children under 11 must be accompanied by an adult.

Goodbye to Noodles and Company, hello to Paisano's in Silver Spring (Photos)

Noodles and Company has closed at 905 Ellsworth Place in downtown Silver Spring. As a pasta fanatic, I would think restaurants like this would do well. But the quality at this location was a frequent point of contention for diners who gave the establishment poor reviews. The chain is directing customers to its College Park location - apparently on the presumption that the under-construction Purple Line is already operating?

In a more positive development, Paisano's has finally opened over at 8213 Georgia Avenue. There's no such thing as too many pizza options, so this is a welcome addition to town.

Mandarin Chinese Restaurant reopens in Silver Spring (Photos+Menu)

Mandarin Chinese Restaurant at 8411 Georgia Avenue in downtown Silver Spring reopened for business Saturday. To celebrate the Grand Opening, they are offering 10% off of both take-out and dine-in orders through this Saturday, June 2. The menu is diverse and large, for a rare Chinese restaurant where you can also order chicken tenders, mozzarella sticks, or a slice of sweet potato pie. To place a take-out order, call 301-585-1282/1283.

Layhill teen missing

Gissell Alejandra Zavala, 17, who lives in the 14000 block of Cleese Court in the Layhill area, is missing. Zavala is described by Montgomery County police as a Latina, 5’ 2” tall, and weighing 150 pounds. She has black hair and brown eyes.  She has tattoos, including a tattoo on her left forearm.

Police and her family are concerned for Zavala’s physical and emotional welfare. Anyone who has information regarding the whereabouts of Gissell Alejandra Zavala is asked to call the Montgomery County Police non-emergency number at 301-279-8000 (24 hours).

Islands Lounge finally moving forward in Wheaton

Islands Lounge, which had planned to open this spring in Wheaton, is finally moving forward. A renovation permit has been requested from Montgomery County for the old Ferdinand's space at 11300 Fern Street. The restaurant, bar and lounge will serve Caribbean cuisine.

Taste of Wheaton June 3, 2018

Taste of Wheaton returns Sunday, June 3, 2018, but in a new location. Construction of a new Montgomery County government office building has forced the event to relocate to Public Parking Lot 17 at 2320 Price Avenue. Taste of Wheaton will run from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM at the parking lot that day.

Sample the best of Wheaton's restaurants, a beer and wine garden and cooking demonstrations. Kids will enjoy numerous activities, including face painting, balloon sculptures and caricature drawings.

Live music performances will include:

11:30 a.m. The Scotch Bonnets (Reggae)

12:30 p.m. Wheaton Studio of Dance

1 p.m. Earth, Wind and Fire Tribute Band (R&B, Soul)

2 p.m. Urban Artistry

2:30 p.m. Rafael Ortiz & El Tumbao Urbano featuring Salseros

of the DMV /Karen Aguilar (Latin)

3:30 p.m. Ameanspinn

4 p.m. Nightlife (Top 40, Pop)

El Sapo restaurant coming to Central in Silver Spring

The first details on the new venture by Urban Butcher owner Raynold Mendizabal are emerging. El Sapo, a restaurant offering the cuisine of the Spanish Caribbean, will open in the ground floor of the Central development at 8455 Fenton Street in Silver Spring. The 3600 SF space will seat around 145 people, and serve lunch and dinner.

There will also be outdoor patio seating available. El Sapo is aiming for a July opening. Fitness studio Orange Theory opened in the building last week. The new Mendizabal restaurant is eagerly awaited, after his popular Urban Butcher was recognized as serving "the best beef tenderloin in the D.C. area," among other plaudits.

Credit cards stolen and used in Woodside home burglary in Silver Spring

Credit cards were stolen during the burglary of a home in the Woodside area of Silver Spring, and the alleged burglars later used the cards in purchases in Silver Spring and Wheaton. Montgomery County police say they responded to a call from a home in the 1700 block of East-West Highway at 9:44 AM on Saturday, May 12. They determined that someone had entered the home earlier that morning through a rear door - while the occupants were at home.

Police say credit cards were among the items stolen, and that they were later used by two men at the 7-Eleven at 8455 Colesville Road, at H&M in downtown Silver Spring, and at Champs Sports at Wheaton Plaza. The last transaction was unsuccessful.

Anyone who recognizes this suspect or has information about this burglary is asked to contact the 2nd District Investigative Section at 240-773-6710.  To be eligible for a reward, tipsters may call Crime Solvers of Montgomery County toll-free at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477) or enter a tip online. Crime Solvers will pay a cash reward of up to $10,000 for information provided to them that leads to an arrest and/or indictment of the suspects.  Tipsters will remain anonymous.

Silver Spring construction update: Astro Lab Brewing (Photos)

The makeover of the old Champion Billiards building at 8216 Georgia Avenue continues. Soon it will be downtown Silver Spring's newest brewery, Astro Lab.

Utilities being undergrounded at Wheaton redevelopment site

Pepco crews are on hand at the future site of a Montgomery County government office building this week, converting the above-ground electricity infrastructure into an underground system for the new development. This includes all utility poles along Grandview Avenue and Reedie Drive, including communications cables.

Watch for traffic directions from crews, and closures of some metered street parking spaces along there this week. Traffic will continue to move in both directions during the work, however.

Glenmont county executive candidate forum scheduled for May 22

 A forum for candidates running for Montgomery County Executive will be held on Tuesday, May 22, 2018 from 7:00-9:00 PM at the Holiday Park Senior Center, located at 3950 Ferrara Drive in Wheaton. The forum is being hosted by the Glenmont Forest Neighbors Civic Association (GFNCA), in cooperation with the Wheaton-Kensington Chamber of Commerce and Wheaton Hills Civic Association,

All 7 candidates, including Republican Robin Ficker, have confirmed their participation, according to the GFNCA.

Silver Spring Wendy's to become a Dunkin' Donuts

Shocker! The Wendy's restaurant at 13804 Outlet Drive in the Briggs Chaney area of Silver Spring is going to undergo a major transformation. In fact, it is going to be converted into a Dunkin' Donuts store.

Hopefully, it will retain the drive-thru as Dunkin' Donuts has done at another vacant fast food location in Rockville. In the future, you'll celebrate a purchase at Sport Chevrolet with a Coolatta instead of a Frosty.

The Look to close in Olney

The Look, a fashion boutique at 18119 Town Center Drive in the Fair Hill shopping center, will close on May 31. They're hosting an "everything must go!" sale right now. Store fixtures are among the clearance items.

Silver Spring construction update: Orange Theory at Central (Photos)

Orange Theory, a new fitness concept coming to the Central development in downtown Silver Spring, looks pretty close to finished inside. The Florida-based chain popping up in urban areas across the region blends cardio and strength training into intense interval workouts. Orange Theory will be located at 8455 Fenton Street. Central itself also is sporting a new sign out front.

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Outdoor office returns to Downtown Silver Spring

Outbox, the attention-getting outdoor office space, has returned to Downtown Silver Spring. The concept was designed in partnership with Montgomery College students, and is sponsored by Adventist Health Care.

Kicks Karate to open in Kensington

One of the biggest Kensington landmarks over the decades was the martial arts studio where Connecticut Avenue splits with University Boulevard. Now a new martial arts business is coming to the heart of Kensington.

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Kicks Karate will be located at 10508 Connecticut Avenue, in the venerable Kensington Shopping Center.