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📰 TOP STORIES
NestFest 2026: Save the Date for August 19
Mark your calendars: NestFest 2026 is set for Wednesday, August 19, from 3:30 to 5:30pm at Damascus High School. It's the Damascus Cluster's annual back-to-school kickoff, "Swarmin' to Success" this year, bringing together students, staff, and families from all ten cluster schools: Baker MS, Cedar Grove ES, Clearspring ES, Damascus ES, Damascus HS, Hallie Wells MS, Laytonsville ES, Rockwell ES, Snowden Farm ES, and Woodfield ES.
Expect an inflatable obstacle course, a principal dunk tank, a petting farm, and food from Snowballs & Waterfalls, Taco Joint, The Soda Socials, and Three Daughters. If you're coming from Baker MS or need a ride, shuttles run between Baker and the Damascus Rec Center from 3 to 6pm.
New Girl Scout Daisy Troop, Forming Now
If you've got an incoming kindergartener, there's a new Girl Scout Daisy Troop forming right here in town, with an info meeting coming up in August. Email [email protected] for details.
County Council Passes Gun Law Changes
The Montgomery County Council voted 10-1 this week to amend the county's gun law, addressing ghost guns and tightening restrictions on carrying guns in places of public assembly. The bill was sponsored by our District 7 councilmember, Dawn Luedtke, following a Maryland Supreme Court opinion earlier this year that prompted the county to revisit its rules. County Executive Elrich is expected to sign it into law. More from Bethesda Magazine.
Holsey Road Solar: Still Quiet, Here's Why
Quick update on the Holsey Road Community Solar project we've been tracking: the Planning Board hearing is still postponed with no new date, but we dug into why. The project's been sitting with the county's Development Review Committee since comments went in last October, with no new filing activity since. It hasn't died, it's just stuck in a slow administrative stage. We'll flag it the second a hearing gets scheduled.
📆 THIS WEEK IN DAMASCUS
Around Town
Last call for the Montgomery County Farm Tour, today's the final day. The four closest stops are Stone Silo Brewery, 61 Vineyard, Brown Cow Creamery, and of course Butler’s Orchard.
Sip & Spin is back at Stone Silo Brewery, a 45-minute beginner-friendly workout mixing weighted hula hooping with barre moves. Upcoming dates August 8 and 29, $35 a class (includes a drink).
Two things we're still watching, no movement to report: Damascus High School's $306M rebuild is still on the timeline we told you about (schematic design kicks off in October), and the library renovation is still tracking toward a fall 2026 reopening.
Please respond with feedback and any ideas you have for this newsletter! And thank you for reading!