Good morning, Rockville.

Song Dog Farm Distillery in Boyds added fire pits for its free Winter Fest, featuring cocktails and cocoa, running Friday to Sunday at 8100 Bucklodge Road.

Kneads Bakeshop will open its fourth location in Chevy Chase (5400 Wisconsin Ave) in Q2, and Roy Rogers closed its Rockville Pike restaurant.

The Metropolitan School of the Arts is previewing its upcoming show Metropolitan Follies — a series of performances across the DMV — with more details on dates and locations to be announced soon.

B-CC students debated AI use in classrooms yesterday as MCPS considers a draft policy that would allow teachers to use AI for instruction while maintaining oversight on student work—public comments on the policy are accepted until Jan.

26.

Sherwood High School in Sandy Spring canceled classes on Friday after a malfunctioning sprinkler flooded 12 classrooms, and repair work will continue through the weekend so the school can reopen on Monday.

The closure affects classes ahead of the winter holiday.

Montgomery County will ban plastic bags at most retailers starting Jan.

1, 2026; shoppers must bring their own bag or pay 10 cents for a paper bag (exceptions include prescription drugs, newspapers, perishables, and bulk items) as county leaders highlighted the change at Lotte Plaza Market in Rockville.

The Maryland General Assembly approved a study on the impact of data centers planned for the former Dickerson coal plant site, which includes a campus with warehouses while protecting the 700-acre agricultural reserve (area unchanged by the proposal), county officials said.

The Buds Concert

2-4 p.m. — Hank Dietle's Tavern — $10 — Enjoy a mix of roots, blues, rockabilly, country, and power pop from the talented band, The Buds.

Winter Craft Week Camp

8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. — Rockville Makerspace and Tool Library — Registration required — Enjoy three days of winter crafts, ice skating, and hot chocolate for kids aged 5-12.

Dan Hovey Live Performance

5:30-7 p.m. — Hank Dietle's Tavern — No cover charge — Enjoy finger-style guitar reminiscent of John Fahey during happy hour.