A bizarre series of events in a college microbiology lab class left 33 people—including students, professors, and lab workers—believing they were exposed to a deadly germ. Of those, 32 began taking an antibiotic regimen as a precaution to prevent a life-threatening infection. Two also underwent lumbar punctures—aka spinal taps—after developing mild symptoms.

But none of them had actually been exposed to a dangerous pathogen, a fortunate twist in the strange incident, which otherwise stands to be a cautionary tale for the ages. The incident was published in a recent issue of Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

It began with a simple laboratory exercise. The microbiology lab students were supposed to be given mystery bacteria by their instructors and then identify the microbe based on a series of biochemical tests and morphological characterization.

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An unusual new destination for coffee lovers has arrived in Montgomery County, as Cafecito is now open inside the new Whip Clean Car Wash at the Festival at Muddy Branch shopping center in Gaithersburg.

Whip Clean also officially opened this week, offering a state-of-the-art car wash with free exterior washes during its grand opening weekend.

Cafecito serves handcrafted specialty coffee, premium matcha and seasonal signature drinks. The shop says its mission is to create a welcoming space where customers can slow down, connect and enjoy quality coffee instead of simply grabbing a drink on the go.

Cafecito was founded by Michael Funes, a former professional soccer player who represented both the United States and El Salvador. After discovering a passion for espresso during a trip to Italy in 2019, Funes spent several years learning the craft before launching Cafecito as a coffee cart in 2025. The business sources its coffee from Latin American countries including Colombia, El Salvador, Mexico and Guatemala, with a mission centered on hospitality, culture and community.

The new Whip Clean location is located on Muddy Branch Road across from Lotte Plaza Market and next to Best Friends Pet Resort. The 11,378-square-foot facility features a modern wash tunnel and an assembly line-style finish bay designed to streamline the drying and detailing process.

The annual Taiwan Bubble Tea Festival returns to Rockville Town Square on Saturday, September 19, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The free, family-friendly event will celebrate Taiwanese culture through food, music, art and community while also commemorating the United States’ 250th anniversary with this year’s theme, “Steeping Joy for the USA’s 250th!”

Festival organizers say attendees can enjoy authentic Taiwanese bubble tea, traditional snacks and specialty foods, live music and cultural performances, and activities highlighting Taiwan’s rich heritage. The event also aims to bring together families, friends and members of the DMV community through cultural exchange and shared experiences.

Admission is free, and all ages are welcome. The festival is sponsored by EVA Air and will be held at Rockville Town Square.

Kareem’s Lebanese Kitchen is hiring as it prepares to open its first Washington metropolitan area location at 212 Boardwalk Place in Rio. While an exact opening date has not yet been announced, the restaurant is targeting an August debut. Exterior and interior construction both appear to be nearing completion.

The menu for the Gaithersburg restaurant is expected to closely resemble the one offered at Kareem’s Naples, Florida location, featuring a wide selection of authentic Lebanese dishes. Guests can expect traditional mezze including hummus, baba ghanoush, grape leaves, falafel, kibbeh, labneh, and moussaka, along with shawarma wraps, grilled kabobs, kafta, lamb shank, stuffed vegetables, and Chef Rachid’s signature platters. Entrées include Chicken Farrouj, Salmon Harra, Mixed Grilled Mashawi, Shish Taouk, Chef’s Lamb Mouzat, and Ovzi with Grape Leaves. Desserts include baklava, Beirut qatayef, and chocolate lava cake.

According to the restaurant, Kareem’s is led by Chef Rachid, whose culinary roots trace back generations in Beirut, Lebanon. Growing up in a family where cooking was both a tradition and a way of bringing people together, he later attended the prestigious Culinary School of Beirut before beginning his career at the InterContinental Hotel in Beirut. He eventually moved to the Four Seasons Hotel in Washington DC, where he became known for his authentic Lebanese cuisine and personalized approach to hospitality.

The restaurant says Kareem’s was created to honor Chef Rachid’s family heritage while sharing the vibrant flavors and hospitality of Lebanon. “For years, Kareem’s has offered residents and visitors in Southwest Florida an authentic taste of Lebanese cuisine, earning a reputation for exceptional food, warm hospitality, and a welcoming atmosphere,” the restaurant says on its website. “Now, the same commitment to quality and tradition is coming to the Washington metropolitan area.”