Weeklong Festival Begins Tomorrow in Long Branch

| at 1:30 pm | Categories Montgomery County

The first Long Branch Festival begins Friday night, Sept. 20, for a weeklong celebration of the neighborhoods, businesses and culture of the area, according to organizers. “The purpose of the Long Branch Festival is to celebrate the dynamic neighborhood, businesses and culture of Long Branch,” according to the festival website. “Our goal is to bring communities together and celebrate our diversity, expand understanding of the crucial role of shared public spaces and highlight the value of locally owned stores.

Ellsworth Drive to Close, Become a Linear Urban Park

| at 11:51 am | Categories Silver Spring

The operators of Downtown Silver Spring will permanently close Ellsworth Drive to vehicular traffic, and lay down nontoxic artificial turf to create what’s described as a “linear urban park.” Bryant Foulger, chairman of Fougler-Pratt, one of the complex’s owners, presented plans for a $10 million renovation of the area to a generally receptive audience of about 60 people last night.

Community Meeting Set to Present Plans for Downtown Silver Spring

| at 1:00 pm | Categories Silver Spring
Downtown Silver Spring to Get $10 Million Renovation, New Tenants

Representatives of the owners of the Downtown Silver Spring development will hold a community meeting Monday Sept. 16 to present plans for the complex’s renovation. The meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. in the Silver Spring Civic Building.
A $10 million renovation of the area was announced in May by The Peterson Companies (which manages the development) and Foulger-Pratt that, together with Argo Investment Co., owns the complex.

PLNT Burger Grand Opening Set for Tomorrow

| at 1:00 pm | Categories Silver Spring

PLNT Burger, a vegan fast-casual restaurant led by local celebrity chef Spike Mendelsohn, will hold the grand opening of its first location tomorrow, company officials announced. The outlet is inside the Whole Foods at 833 Wayne Ave. in downtown Silver Spring and features Beyond Burgers, a product of Beyond Meat that is a plant-based burger made without GMOs, soy, or gluten.

Lemon Slice Café Planning Soft Opening Today

| at 9:42 am | Categories Silver Spring

Beginning today, Lemon Slice Café is planning a soft opening with a limited menu at its location on the lower level of 8737 Colesville Rd. Owner Beth Yohannes has taken over the space formerly occupied by Dip n Rolls, which closed at the end of July.

“Red Grape” Wins Tomato Tasting Event

| at 10:00 am | Categories Silver Spring

More than 250 people attended Washington Gardener Magazine’s 12th Annual Tomato Taste at the FreshFarm Silver Spring Market on Saturday, Aug. 24. Attendees tasted and voted on their favorite tomato variety. “Red Grape” took the top spot with twice as many votes as “Sun Gold” in second place.

Perfect Weather, Great Entertainer Highlight Jazz Festival

| at 11:53 am | Categories Silver Spring

One perfect weather day. Two stages. Seven performing groups. Seven hours of music. And several thousand fans. Grammy-winning Arturo Sandoval headlined the annual Silver Spring Jazz Festival Sunday. He showed he’s a multi-instrumental master and a great entertainer as well.

Workshop Scheduled for Aspiring Comedians

| at 10:19 am | Categories Silver Spring

Aspiring comedians can learn how to hone their routines during a workshop sponsored by Improbable Comedy, according to an announcement from producer Kim Levone. Standup comedian Sara Armour, who started in the business in Washington, D.C. in 2011, will lead the three-hour workshop. The workshop will be held on Sunday, Aug. 25 from noon to 3 p.m. at the Cissel-Saxon American Legion Post 41 at 905 Sligo Ave.