Good morning, Rockville.

Round1 Bowling and Arcade is set to open at Westfield Wheaton Mall at the former Hollywood East Cafe location, offering arcade games, bowling, billiards, karaoke and a full bar.

Also, St. John’s Episcopal Church in Bethesda used Christmas Eve donations to pay January rent for 11 supportive housing tenants.

MCPS lost about $8.6 million in federal funding, so district officials plan to shift county funds to keep federal programs running as part of a $3.78 billion operating budget for fiscal year 2027 (public hearings are planned throughout January).

Montgomery County is advancing its Clean Action Plan with 80 of 84 goals in progress, including tree planting and energy upgrades at schools and homes.

The county will switch 25% of Ride On buses to electric and add a weather station at the National Capital Trolley Museum next fiscal year.

Maryland Department of Assessment and Taxation reviewed Group 2 property values, showing that over 90% of homes increased by more than 12%.

In Montgomery County (Silver Spring, Bethesda, Potomac, Wheaton and Olney), property tax increases are capped at 10% on 2026 bills as statewide growth slowed compared to recent years.

Local hospitals in Maryland and D.C. are under strain as the CDC reports over 5,000 flu-related deaths and more than 120,000 hospitalizations, with emergency wait times extending past two hours.

Health officials advise residents to get the flu shot despite its reduced effectiveness.

Flu cases are rising in the DMV region as CDC data show nearly 11 million cases nationwide and a new variant causing 90% of infections; local health officials urge residents to seek care if symptoms appear (updated Jan.

6).

Montgomery County ice dancers Caroline Green from Rockville and Michael Parsons of Derwood will compete at the U.S. Figure Skating Championship in St. Louis on Jan.

8 and 10 & they aim to secure one of three Olympic spots for the Winter Games in Turin, Feb. 10-26.

Big Boy Little Band Live Performance

9:00 – 11:59 p.m. — Hank Dietle's Tavern — $10 Cover — Experience deep blues that'll make you feel alive.

Sip & Sculpt Pottery Workshop

12:30-2:30 p.m. — 7 Locks Brewing — Creative workshop — Unwind and explore the art of pottery at this hands-on event.

Mosaic Lamp Workshop

11:00 AM – 1:30 PM — 12276 Wilkins Avenue, North Bethesda, MD — Materials included — Create your unique Turkish mosaic lamp while enjoying Turkish tea and delicious delights.

Dan Hovey Live Performance

5:30 p.m. — Hank Dietle's Tavern — No Cover — Enjoy fingerstyle guitar tunes from former Nighthawks guitarist Dan Hovey during happy hour.

Cash BINGO!

7-9:30 p.m. — Rockville Moose Lodge — Food and drinks available — Dust off your lucky charms and enjoy a night of fun with BINGO!