Hey, Rockville!

It's been disappointing to see County Council candidates run negative ads against Evan Glass and Jud Ashman. Did their opponents run out of things to say? When did being for something and embracing civil discourse go out of style (don't answer that!). Suzan and Council Member Marissa Valeri never run out of things to talk about, and we hope you'll enjoy this episode recorded shortly after Marissa...

In this long-overdue episode, Jaime and Suzan talk to John Lin, Chair of Rockville's Asia Pacific American Task Force. Restaurants we talk about: A&J Peter Chang (now in Gaithersburg) Lao Sze Chuan (technically in North Bethesda) Bob's Shanghai Pho 75 Pho Nom Nom Chadol Eat a Lao Royal Durbar and Suzan still has not gone to Il Pizzico. Lame. https://www.rockvillemd.gov/government/boards-commis...

Former Mayor and Planning Commissioner, local real estate agent, Larry Giammo, helps us wade through some of the more complicated aspects of the current real estate market — politics, finance, education, and everything else we can squeeze out of him in an hour. https://www.larrygiammo.com/ Where we've been eating: Azu Peruvian next to the Giant on the Pike Chef Tony's Seafood Petit Delices Chateau...

See that empty box in the episode photo? The pie was gone before we thought to take a picture.  Today Dini from Dini's Divine Pies hung out in the garage with us to talk all things pie and small business. Suzan manages not to talk about Texas, but Jaime, of course, slips in a pickleball reference. We also talked about the Thanksgiving Kim had to cut the pie Suzan made with a machete. Good times! I...

Suzan and Jaime have a conversation with Michelle Whittaker, Executive Director of Ranked Choice Voting Maryland. Michelle sheds light on what ranked-choice voting is, how it works, and addresses criticisms of this voting method. With the potential for building consensus in a time of great division, this might be a topic worth your time. Ranked Choice Voting Maryland: https://www.rcvmd.org/ Google...

Chip Boylan is the president of the Rockville Rec and Parks Foundation, a 501(c) 3 organization that raises money to help take our beloved city parks to the next level. Whether you are enjoying a pick-up basketball or pickleball game, cooling off with your kids at the Maryvale Park splashpad, or getting some me time in the garden at the Glenview Mansion, there is a park to be enjoyed by each and a...

Staycationing this summer? Explore Rockville can help you plan a perfect not-getaway. https://explorerockville.org/ Link to Rockville Ice Cream Trail Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/nvZywxFzSweg8taf7 Bookmark for next summer: Bethesda Big Train Baseball Suggestions for a great day in Rockville: Go for an early bicycle tour of Historic Rockville: https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/7b493987dad34f3697...

RedGate Park was a municipal golf course until the City of Rockville closed it in 2018. Now, it's a crown jewel of Rockville, providing green space for humans and habitat for animals. At a time of deep concern for the steep decline in the bird population, RedGate is a haven for birds. Rockville-adjacent resident and documentary filmmaker Cintia Cabib caught a multitude of RedGate's birds on film,...

Time for some summer fun, Rockville! In this episode, we learn about pickleball, a fast-growing sport. MoCo Pickleball Montgomery County Pickleball App to get you started: Link and Dink Where we've been eating: Botenero's Cava Mezza Z&Z Manuoshe Bakery (again and always) Kajiken

Jonathan's Sports Pub, located in the Burgundy Shopping Center between East Rockville and Twinbrook, was a MOCO/Rockville legend. We talked to the new owner about the transition to First Street Tavern. First Street Tavern Suds & Soles 5k Registration We missed the Bender JCC event with Dana Bash, but if your kids have enjoyed their programs like ours have, you can donate here .

Spring is here, and summer is coming soon--a great time to ride bikes! We talk to Jake Jakubek, Chair of the Rockville Bicycle Advisory Committee, about bicycling in Rockville and the surrounding area. Rockville Bike Hub: https://www.rockvillebikehub.org/ Rockville Bicycle Advisory Committee: https://www.rockvillemd.gov/327/Rockville-Bicycle-Advisory-Committee Bike Rockville Meetup: https://www.me...

Affordability is bigger than housing, and we've been talking about an affordability series for months. With "things" unpredictable, a little frightening, and life feeling especially hard right now we understand that people are hesitant to engage. Multiple experts on what affordability means, and what constitutes an affordable life, turned down interviews or never responded to interview requests. W...

Friend of the Pod Deborah Landau and Suzan drive around on a snowy, rainy fall day to preview local businesses for Small Business Saturday. Here's a short excerpt of their conversation and a couple of interviews with local business owners. Happy Thanksgiving, and happy Small Business Saturday! Please note -- we do not sell advertisements and we have received nothing in-kind from the businesses on...

We wrap up "the past, present, and future of Rockville" by bookending our conversation with Sunil Dasgupta with Mayors Ashton and Ashman, who talk about what cooperation and competition look like in practice. They had many restaurant recommendations, and hopefully we captured them all below. What a great hour! Rockville mentions: Rockville Holiday Drive Engage Rockville Global Bites F. Scott Fitzg...

Rockville is well-known for its diversity and its friendly, inclusive community. That didn't fall out of a coconut tree--today's vibrant Rockville has early roots in the Civil Rights Movement. The Gibbs decision played a crucial role in equal pay laws, and that decision was made right here in Rockville. Life-long resident Patrick Woodward shares his family's role in this monumental case that all r...

Jaime and Suzan recently spoke to Cindy Rivarde, CEO of Rockville Economic Development, Inc. (REDI) about the history of the organization, what it does for the City and its business community, and what's on the horizon. Of course, every Rockville business is her favorite, but she did highlight a few restaurants she's enjoyed recently. Little Miner Taco , now open in Rockville Town Square Arirang K...

In this episode, Suzan talks with Eric Fulton, founder of the Rockville Pedestrian Advisory Committee, about getting around without a car (spoiler--it's pretty great to walk places!). Pizza Monkey Gyroland Arirang Clear Skies Meadery York Castle Ice Cream La Speranza Rockville Pedestrian Advisory Committee Asphalt Art Outlive (book) We talk about the health benefits of walking--we are not doctors...

We lean Italian in this conversation with Rockville native and City Councilmember Adam Van Grack. Please congratulate Jaime on finally meeting someone who likes to eat almost as much as he does. Adam's enthusiasm and love for Rockville is infectious and we hope you enjoy his insights into our City as much as we did. Where we're eating: Hello Vietnam Kabuto O'Donnell's Giuseppe's Pizza La Speranza...

We talk with Sunil Dasgupta, local political science professor and podcaster, about Rockville in the context of the larger community. This is the first in a series on the past, present, and future of Rockville, and we thought it would be helpful to get a big-picture overview before diving in.

A quick intro the next set of episodes on Rockville's past, present and future.

Jaime and Suzan visit with the delightful Molly Kogan, founder of Rockville Vegans. We talk about the whys and hows of veganism, and where to eat vegan in the Rockville area (we're looking at you, St. Veg!). 

FoP Debbie Landau spoke with Wayne Breslyn--RedGate Park Champion, Weed Warrior, and YouTube Celebrity--about the creation of the park, trees, doing better for the planet, and YouTube. During his talk with Debbie, Wayne mentions: Friends of RedGate Park:  www.redgatepark.org RedGate Park Master Plan: https://www.rockvillemd.gov/2311/RedGate-Park-Arboretum-Master-Plan Reforest Rockville:    www. Re...

We talk to Billy Jones about running an arts-based business, the Rockville music scene, thriving as a small business during and post-COVID, Australia, and the coffee problem in Rockville. We also forget to mention Rockville and Rockville-adjacent Hank Dietle's , the Outta The Way Cafe , the Digits , Folk-n-Great house concerts, and Java Nation's live shows. We need to get out more. Seriously. We t...

Jaime and Suzan talked to Dr. Lisa Patton, psychologist and fitness instructor, about getting and staying motivated to move when it's cold and wintry outside. We also talk about kids, gym culture and community, and, of course, where we like to eat. Gold's Gym Wintergreen Plaza Taste of Kabob Julii York Castle Ice Cream Island Pride Olney Farmers Market Sides Barbeque

Chris Landers is a Rockville artist and owner of the Clay CoOp on North Stonestreet. He talked to us about what it's like owning an arts-based business in the City and building community. The Clay CoOp More about Chris on MoCo 360 Rockville Art League Rockville Cultural Arts Commission Vis Arts Bones Jones Music Ema Rossi Kiin Imm Thai Niwano Hana Bob's Shanghai No website but mentioned in this ep...