Montgomery Parks has announced the opening of Rock Spring Park, a new neighborhood park in Bethesda that was constructed by Erickson Senior Living and will now be managed and maintained by Montgomery Parks.

A public celebration marking the park’s opening will be held on Wednesday, June 24, from 10:30am to 11:30am at 10350 Fernwood Road. The event will include a speaking program followed by light refreshments.

“Rock Spring Park is a strong example of how the public and private sectors can collaborate to create meaningful new community gathering spaces,” said Montgomery Parks Director Miti Figueredo. “We are grateful to Erickson Senior Living for helping make this park possible and proud to welcome residents to a new place for play, connection and outdoor recreation.”

The park was built by Erickson Senior Living as part of the public benefit and open space requirements associated with the nearby Grandview Senior Living Community. Following completion, ownership of the park was transferred to Montgomery Parks.

Rock Spring Park features amenities designed for residents of all ages, including nature-based play equipment and playgrounds for children ages 2 to 5 and 5 to 12. The park also includes outdoor fitness equipment designed for adults with a range of abilities, a multi-use plaza with ping-pong tables, walking paths, and bench swings.

According to Montgomery Parks, the new park is intended to expand access to outdoor recreation while providing a welcoming space for neighbors and visitors to gather, play, and connect.

The Crab Trap is now open at 15211 Frederick Rd. in Rockville, located at the Exxon station on the corner of E. Gude Drive and 355 (preview video below).

According to the restaurant’s website, The Crab Trap is closed on Mondays and open Tuesday through Saturday from 11am to 8pm and Sunday from 11am to 7pm. For now, orders can be called in at 227-292-9933 as online ordering is being finalized.

The Crab Trap specializes in Maryland-inspired seafood with a menu centered around crab cakes made with Maryland blue crab. The food truck offers both jumbo lump and lump crab cake sandwiches, along with items such as the Trap Burger, Chesapeake Chicken, boardwalk-style fries, Maryland street corn, crab hushpuppies, and rotating desserts through its “Sweets By Sam” program.

As previously reported, owner and chef Matt Biscoe launched The Crab Trap with a focus on Chesapeake Bay flavors and a commitment to quality ingredients. The concept’s tagline, “JUMBO LUMP, NO JUNK!,” reflects its emphasis on traditional Maryland crab cakes and straightforward preparation.

 

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Elis James thinks he has a friend in common with just about everyone else in Wales. Don’t believe him? Give him 60 seconds to prove it.

The former first minister is to serve as deputy prime minister in a simulation of a Russian attack on the UK.

I've had a number of very interesting (private) discussions following the last week's post on The Wall Of Money. One important take away has been to also mention the shadow banking system as the key contributor to the wall of money.

If traditional central bank money printing is the visible high tide, the shadow banking system is the massive underwater current that amplifies that tide. It plays an enormous, often hidden role in inflating and sustaining asset valuations.

A fund can take $100 million in Treasury bonds, pledge them in and borrow $95 million in cash, and immediately use that cash to buy equities. The lender who took those Treasury bonds as collateral can turn around and use those same bonds to back a different loan for someone else. Rehypothecation - rinse and repeat.

This generates an immense amount of purchasing power that flows directly into financial markets. But it is a liquidity mirage.

[Traditional Central Bank] → Creates Visible Money Supply

[Shadow Banking System] → Creates Hidden Synthetic Credit & Leverage

[Combined Wall of Capital] → Inflates Stock Multiples

The shadow banking system is the reason why valuations defy gravity, even when central banks try to tighten the money supply by raising interest rates. The shadow banking system keeps cash flowing into risk assets.

Deals like the SpaceX IPO are attractive as they are high volume and thus are able to multiply large amount of money.

The catch is, this is all highly sensitive to confidence. The wall of money can potentially turn into a liquidity desert. But as of now the party is at its peak and everybody is happy. Things are still cheap based on the P/C (Price-to-Cosmos) ratio.

Fire officials from across the Washington region gathered Thursday to remind residents that fireworks are dangerous and should be left to professionals ahead of Independence Day celebrations. Representatives from agencies in Washington, D.C., Montgomery County, Arlington County and Alexandria also conducted a live demonstration showing how illegal fireworks can cause serious injuries and property damage.

“Montgomery County officials are reminding residents that all fireworks are illegal in the county, including sparklers. Private use or sale of fireworks can result in a fine of up to $1,000,” said Montgomery County Battalion Chief Jeffrey J. Ewart.

The regional safety briefing was hosted at the DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department Training Academy on behalf of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments Fire Chiefs Committee. Officials encouraged residents to attend professional fireworks displays rather than using consumer fireworks, noting that fireworks are responsible for numerous injuries, fires and property damage each year.