Happy weekend, Germantown! In today’s happening-today edition: A wind phone for grieving loved ones, a Pokémon renaissance, and a Juneteenth celebration + events worth checking out today & tomorrow.
Today’s sponsor, GoldCo, is helping folks around Germantown protect their savings as gold and silver continue to gain momentum. Their free guide explains what’s driving the surge… and what to know before adding precious metals to your portfolio. Grab your free copy here.* |
01 — Worth knowing In the newsThree local stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
A place for remembrance: Gaithersburg installed a Wind Phone for grieving loved ones. Inspired by Meaghann Diez honoring Hailey, it was created with Robertson Park Youth Center youth and The Little Wind Phone Project -- see the Wind Phone story.
New homes in Germantown: Toll Brothers opened sales at Kings Valley View in Germantown, a luxury hilltop community offering single-family homes with views and personalized finishes via its Design Studio, priced from $1 million -- see what buyers can customize.
New dessert destination coming: Always Ice Cream Company, Fodor’s pick for #1 ice cream in the country, will open at Pike & Rose in North Bethesda in fourth quarter 2026 with over 200 flavors -- explore the ice cream plans.
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The bill all retirees should double check: Car insurance. If you’ve been on the same plan for years, you might be paying way more than you need to. It’s an easy one to forget about, but switching could save you up to $600 this year. Case in point: I shopped around and ended up cutting my premium in half — this free comparison tool makes it easy.*
Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC bill: If your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest -- this one's $150 off right now.* Highlights this week: |
02 — From our sponsor Gold just posted its strongest run in decades...And the momentum is carrying into 2026. Silver has become one of the most talked-about assets as investors look for ways to stay ahead of market volatility. While many are still sitting on the sidelines, others are quietly repositioning. If you’re wondering whether you’re missing something, GoldCo has a free guide explaining what’s driving the renewed interest… and how investors are approaching precious metals right now. It’s free and worth reading before the next move.* |
03 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
Forgot something, camper? Little Bennett Campground Store has essential camping supplies, firewood, and browse-worthy souvenirs like mugs and magnets, making it the easiest detour when the packing list goes sideways so you can grab what you need close to home and get back to your favorite local trails.
Where Germantown sharpens swings: Sneak in a focused hour at Little Bennett Golf Course, with a full grass range, three practice greens, and those Sugarloaf Mountain views that make chunked wedges feel less tragic. Hit balls, then exhale on the wraparound deck and pretend it was all part of the plan.
Upgrade your pantry game: Your weeknight dinners deserve more than the same three sauces. New Grand Mart is an international food marketplace with fresh produce, a solid fish and meat counter, and global staples that turn “I should try that recipe” into “oh wow, that actually worked.”
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04 — Our recommendations
We got your backA handful of products and services we think are worth a look.
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Have an event to share? We (and our readers) can't wait to hear about it! Submit an event → |
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05 — The event calendar Around town today & tomorrowOur favorite events going on the rest of this weekend. Dates, times, and locations are subject to change. Always check official event pages before heading out.
🎭 PokeFair Renaissance @ Montgomery County Fairgrounds (Gaithersburg) | Saturday (6/20) at 10:00 AM – Montgomery County Fairgrounds is going full royal for a two-day Pokémon celebration, with a bigger hall, a bustling artist market, and themed cosplay meet-ups. Expect TCG and VGC duels, trivia and cosplay contests, and laid-back free-play while your inner ten-year-old gets crowned.
🐲 Bardstock Pre-Adventure: Monster Hunt @ Lake Needwood (Derwood) | Saturday (6/20) at 12:00 PM – Bardstock’s pre-adventure is turning Lake Needwood into a monster hunt, with role-playing, character workshops, weapon training, and battle scenarios. For ten bucks, swap errands for epic quests, mild cardio, and heroic banter. Think summer camp for grown-ups, only with fewer trust falls, more foam swords.
🖤 Montgomery County Juneteenth Celebration @ BlackRock Center for the Arts | Saturday (6/20) at 1:00 PM – Montgomery County’s Juneteenth Celebration is taking over the day with music, art, films, and real talk about freedom, plus food and local vendors. Think block party meets history lesson, the good kind, with room to reflect, dance, and bump into half the county.
🎨 Pet Painting Workshop (2 sessions) – June 20 + June 27 @ Arts Barn (Gaithersburg) | Saturday (6/20) at 2:00 PM – Ready to immortalize your fur tyrant on canvas? This two-session, step-by-step workshop with Instructor Downing is geared to intermediate painters, materials included, and a pet photo is due at least five days in advance. Two relaxed sessions, zero stick-figure excuses, framed bragging rights incoming.
🎶 Kentland's Summer Concert Series • Groove for Good Fundraiser @ Kentlands Square (Gaithersburg) | Saturday (6/20) at 5:00 PM – An evening on Kentland's Community Green means live music, food trucks, and that cooler you swear is 'vintage.' Spread out the chair and blanket, sip something cold, and groove for good, raising funds to build an independent living community for our special needs neighbors.
🛍 Rooted in Ambition Market Pop Up Day @ Public House Road (Clarksburg) | Sunday (6/21) at 8:00 AM – Clarksburg's popping up with a market that covers your weekend wish list, from clothes and shoes to baby gear, brand new finds, and a jungle of plants. Come for the basil, stay for the bargains, and tell yourself the extra fern is for 'air quality'.
🛶 Diversify Whitewater & Calleva River Day! @ Riley's Lock (Poolesville) | Sunday (6/21) at 10:00 AM – Celebrating paddlesports with Calleva and Diversify Whitewater, this free, beginner friendly day puts you on Class II Seneca Breaks on the Potomac in rafts, kayakers with chops can BYO boat. Picnic and shuttle included, because shuttles test friendships, open to BIPOC and allies, registration required. Live music & entertainment:
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
06 — The Germantown report Weather forecastToday — High: 83°F — Low: 62°F — Precip: 0%
Sunny, with a high near 83. West wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 62. West wind 5 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Tomorrow — High: 86°F — Low: 67°F — Precip: 3%
Sunny, with a high near 86. West wind 5 to 12 mph. Later: A chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 67. Chance of precipitation is 40%. This house is wildThis upgraded 3-level Germantown townhome packs more than 2,300 finished square feet, 3 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, and over $61,000 in improvements. Fully paid-off solar panels help keep monthly costs in check, while the bright open main level, spacious primary suite, finished walkout lower level, and private rear yard add style, flexibility, and easy everyday living.
Take a peek inside → |
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