TLux Nail Lounge opening in downtown Silver Spring

TLux Nail Lounge is coming soon to downtown Silver Spring. It will be in the ground floor of the new Atwell on Spring apartment building at 8785 Georgia Avenue. TLux anticipates a fall opening date on signage posted in the salon's windows. "Treat yourself to our array of luxurious services, including nail, skin, and spa care designed to rejuvenate and relax your body and mind," a promotional statement promises. "As our valued guest, you can expect the highest quality products and service."

Country Nursery burglarized in Burtonsville

Montgomery County police responded to a report of a burglary at Country Nursery at 3330 Spencerville Road in Burtonsville on September 3, 2024. The burglary is believed to have taken place over the night between September 2 and 3. Officers responding to the scene found evidence of forced entry at the business. 

Unspecified property was taken by the suspect, for whom police do not currently have a description. If you have any information about this incident, call police at (301) 279-8000.

Armed robbery on Silver Spring residential street

Montgomery County police responded to a report of an armed robbery on a residential street in Silver Spring Tuesday night, September 10, 2024. The robbery was reported in the 200 block of Hannes Street at 9:54 PM Tuesday. That is in the Northwood Park neighborhood, near the Forest Knolls Pool. A firearm was the weapon employed in the robbery.

Nighttime assault in Wheaton Triangle

Montgomery County police responded to a report of an aggravated assault in the Wheaton Triangle on August 25, 2024. The assault was reported in the 2400 block of Reedie Drive in the "early morning hours," police say. An adult male victim was assaulted by a White male approximately 35 years of age. If you have any information about the suspect or this incident, call police at (301) 279-8000.

Friendship Picnic September 15 in Wheaton

The 10th annual Montgomery County Friendship Picnic will be held this coming Sunday, September 15, 2024 from 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM at Wheaton Regional Park at 2000 Shorefield Road. Hosted by the Montgomery County Committee Against Hate Violence, the picnic is free and offers a variety of American and international foods. There will also be live music, Zumba, and children's activities, as well as COVID-19 and flu vaccinations. Free satellite parking will be available at the Wheaton Ice Rink at 11717 Orebaugh Avenue, and a free shuttle service will transport you to the picnic site.  

Larry Hogan's 100th tour stop is Silver Spring

Maryland U.S. Senate candidate Larry Hogan (R) notched the 100th stop on his Strong Independent Leadership tour in Montgomery County yesterday. His choice for the campaign milestone was Silver Spring. Hogan attended the Saints Constantine & Helen Church Greek Fest at 721 Norwood Road. "We enjoyed some great food and had the chance to meet so many members of our Greek community," Hogan tweeted last night. 

The former Maryland governor ended last week with a strong endorsement by U.S. Senator Joe Manchin, after a Gonzales poll showed his Democratic opponent Angela Alsobrooks moving 5 points ahead of him following a well-received speech at the Democratic National Convention last month. Hogan is leading Alsobrooks by ten points among independent voters, the poll showed, and eleven percent of those surveyed told pollsters that they are still undecided on the race.

Photos courtesy Hogan for Maryland, Inc.

Takoma Park Folk Festival parking restrictions for this Sunday, Sept. 8

Motorists in the vicinity of the Takoma Park Folk Festival this Sunday, September 8, 2024, are asked to drive cautiously, as pedestrian traffic is expected to be heavy. The festival is being held at Takoma Park Middle School at 7611 Piney Branch Road from 10:45 AM to 6:00 PM Sunday. There is no parking on Piney Branch Road, and there will be no parking on Grant Avenue from Piney Branch to Holly Avenue. A very limited number of handicapped spaces will be available at the school, on a first-come, first-served basis. If you are driving to the festival, you are encouraged to utilize the two shuttle buses that will be operating for festival-goers.

One bus will be available at the Montgomery College TPSS East Garage, at the corner of Fenton Street and King Street, one block south from the signal at the intersection of Philadelphia Avenue and Fenton Street. The entrance is on King Street and it will be free to park in the garage. A free shuttle bus will board and discharge at the beginning of the parking lane in front of the Extra Space storage business, which is adjacent to the garage at 7722 Fenton Street. The shuttle will run from 9:45 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. A free shuttle will also be available from the Takoma Metro station Kiss and Ride parking lot. 

Purple Line-related turn restriction in Long Branch area scheduled for October

Another temporary traffic pattern change to report that's related to Purple Line construction, this time in the Long Branch area of Silver Spring. On or about October 1, 2024, left turns from Barron Street onto Piney Branch Road will be temporarily prohibited. The restriction will last for approximately one month, while crews install trackage for the light rail line down the center of Piney Branch. Drivers are advised to take Domer Avenue to Flower Avenue to travel west on Piney Branch Road, and to follow all on-site signage while the turn restriction is in place.

Larry Hogan is the "un-Trump Republican," his 1st Maryland U.S. Senate TV ad of fall declares

"Never Backs Down" isn't the most original slogan to be employed by former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan in his current campaign for U.S. Senate, as Ron DeSantis would likely agree. But Hogan's first TV spot for the fall campaign season does manage to come up with a more unique qualifier for an anti-Trump candidate like himself: "The un-Trump Republican." It's not all that new or original, either (the ad cites The Washington Post, and the phrase has been employed by outlets as diverse as Al Jazeera and The New York Times, among others), but is far less often invoked than "Never-Trump Republican." The latter term has failed to convert many mega-MAGA "irredeemables" back to the Bush Republican fold so far.

Using the phrase makes clear that voters in Hillary Clinton's fabled basket of deplorables are not the target audience for this ad. The spot plays up examples of "Hogan's radically normal model for the GOP," such as blocking tax increases every year he was the executive of Maryland, lowering tolls on state bridges, and leaving a large budget surplus for his successor Wes Moore. Major challenges Hogan faced while in office are also highlighted, ranging from the pandemic and Baltimore riots that followed the death of Freddy Gray, to his own personal cancer diagnosis and recovery.

"Now more than ever, we need strong independent leadership in Washington who will never back down to the extremes and the party bosses," Hogan tweeted in introducing the ad Tuesday. "That’s exactly what I did as your Governor, and that is exactly what I will do in the United States Senate." 

Hogan's Democratic opponent, Prince George's County Executive Angela Alsobrooks, has already begun an ad blitz worthy of the deep-pocketed primary opponent she vanquished earlier this year. Prior to his defeat, David Trone was an inescapable presence not only on TV screens, but in his relentless, un-skippable YouTube ads. Alsobrooks' ad focuses on her central message to juice turnout in a majority-Democrat state: that the winner of the Alsobrooks-Hogan contest may determine which party controls the U.S. Senate this coming January.

Segment of Sligo Creek Parkway to temporarily close on September 16

A portion of Sligo Creek Parkway in Silver Spring will temporarily close for about two months, beginning on or about September 16, 2024. The segment of the parkway in question is between Wayne Avenue and Schuyler Road. During the closure, Wayne Avenue will be reduced to one travel lane in each direction in this vicinity. The road closure is related to Purple Line track placement, and road reconstruction. Consult the map above for detour and traffic pattern information. Drivers are asked to follow detour signage in the area during the closure.

Drag Story Hour returns to Montgomery County Public Libraries this Saturday

Drag Story Hour is returning to Montgomery County Public Libraries this Saturday, September 7, 2024 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at the Marilyn J. Praisner Library at 14910 Old Columbia Pike in Burtonsville. According to the official Montgomery County Public Libraries event announcement, the story hour is for an audience of "preschool and kindergarten, elementary school age, babies and toddlers." MCPL states that the event is "appropriate for all ages, especially for children ages 18 months to 10 years with their families."

"Story hour just got a lot more glamorous!" the MCPL event description says. "Drag Story Hour (DSH) is just what it sounds like! Storytellers using the art of drag to read books to kids in libraries, schools, and bookstores. DSH captures the imagination and play of the gender fluidity of childhood and gives kids glamorous, positive, and unabashedly queer role models." MCPL tags the event as one that facilitates the goal of "Kindergarten Readiness."

The events have not been without controversy, reflecting a nationwide political divide on the issue. Montgomery County police, as well as volunteer citizen groups like Parasol Patrol and Rainbow Defense Coalition, have deployed to separate attendees from protesters at past story hours.