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📰 TOP STORIES
Bye Heat Wave
Reagan National hit 102°F on Thursday, a new daily record. Yesterday was the last scorcher, with highs near 98. Rain moves in today and knocks temps down to the upper 80s, and by tomorrow, when Montgomery County's heat emergency alert lifts, we're back to a much more normal low-to-mid 80s.
Celebrate Damascus Days: The Full Weekend Guide
We’ll have this heat wave behind us, just in time for Celebrate Damascus Days!
Friday, July 10, the parade steps off at 7pm up Route 27, starting at the high school to Lewis Drive, ending at the Fire Department Activities Building. The fire department will have a Fried Chicken Dinner served in the activities hall from 4:30-8pm. Fireworks follow at dark (rain date is Saturday).
Saturday, July 11, majority of events are from 10am-2pm. A Cruise In Car Show is happening at Carquest Auto Parts (9930 Main Street) and Snowie of MD will be there for shaved ice. The fire department is holding an Open House with safety demos and station tours, Damascus Health & Fitness has its own open house, and Damascus United Methodist Church hosts the Lions Club's flea market, plus pony rides, a moon bounce, and food trucks. Around town: Half-price sale at Harwood Thrift, McDonald's is doing a live broadcast with prizes, Jimmie Cone is selling t-shirts, and free trams will run all day.
Solar Project Hearing: Postponed
Remember that July 9 Planning Board hearing we flagged for the Holsey Road solar project? It's off the calendar. The agenda now lists the item as "postponed, date TBD," with no new hearing date set as of this week. The project itself hasn't changed, still the same 52-acre Alder Energy proposal off Ridge Road. Hang onto your testimony notes, we'll tell you the second a new date is on the books.
Our November Ballot Just Got Set
The primary dust settled this week, and two races that touch Damascus are now locked in for November. For Montgomery County Executive, it's Will Jawando (D) vs. Esther Wells (R), set after Andrew Friedson conceded the Democratic primary. Closer to home, County Council District 7, that's us, will be incumbent Dawn Luedtke (D) vs. Harold Maldonado (R).
Damascus High School Grad's Fourth Novel
Natalie Evans, a 2004 Damascus High School graduate and current MCPS special education teacher, just released "Rock Bottom Rise" under the pen name Natalie Blank, her fourth young adult novel.
🏆 HORNETS SPORTS
Damascus Teens Make US Gymnastics Team
Max Rosenhaft and Sara Rodriguez, both of Damascus, were named to USA Gymnastics' 2026-27 Junior National Team, announced June 28 following the USA Gymnastics Championships in Oklahoma. Max competes in the 12-18 Men's Group, and Sara in the 12-18 Women's Group. We love seeing Damascus kids repping us on a national stage!
❤ SMALL BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT
New Laytonsville Bookstore: The Brady Readery
A little outside Damascus but worth the 15 min drive: The Brady Readery opened on June 13 in Laytonsville at 6860 Olney Laytonsville Road. It's a veteran and woman owned small business and the shop sells curated new and used books and games, plus runs a children's lending library and a weekly Story and Craft Hour.
Please respond with feedback and any ideas you have for this newsletter! And thank you for reading!