PGC is now truckin' diverse foodie flavor. The county's first official food truck hubs debut in College Park, one just outside of the University of Maryland (UMD), on Friday, September 2nd. 

The College Park Hub will have two locations. The 7431 Baltimore Ave (at the corner of Lehigh) will have two slots for rotating food trucks. The Baltimore Ave hub features an eaters park with picnic tables, trash cans, and scenery for an upbeat vibe.  Hours will be Thurs-Sat, 5-9 pm (beginning Sept. 2). Organizers are currently working on approval to extend the hours to 12 midnight.

The Sept. 2nd launch of the College Park Hub (on Baltimore Ave) will feature several of the hottest food trucks including  The Q Truck (Fun Quesadillas), owned and operated by a UMD student and UMD alum.

The second hub is located in UMD's M Square Research Park on the east side of the College Park Metro Station (at the  intersection of River Road & University Research Ct). The M Square hub will be open Mon & Wed, 11-2 pm (beginning Aug. 29), featuring two to four trucks.

 

What's next? New Carrollton Metro is expected to be next in line. Stay tuned.

Normally held in September, the festival has been suspended thru 2017 due to three major construction/renovation projects ongoing at the PGCC campus. These projects impede festival event space and staging areas. BBF looks to be back on stage in 2018. 

The Original Ledo Restaurant (OLR) in College Park received glowing mention in the online DMV foodie mag, Eater DC.

 

It was selected to Eater DC's recent list of  DC's Iconic Cheap Restaurants .

A DC area landmark, serving up its legendary square pizzas for over 60 years, OLR has created lasting memories for visitors and University of Maryland grads alike. Connie Chung (TV journalist), Gayle King (CBS This Morning co-host), Kevin Plank (CEO/Founder, Under Armour), and others fondly reminisce about OLR (in interviews regarding their days as UMD undergrads).  

The Downtown Hyattsville Arts Festival presents  "Arts & Ales",  September 10th,  12 noon-6 pm. 

In a beautiful collaboration, festival organizers have joined hands with the Brewers Association of Maryland. The result is "Arts & Ales" featuring an array of amazing art AND phenomenal craft beers from Maryland-area breweries.   

The juried art festival will feature over 120 exhibiting artists and artisans, 20 craft breweries, 10 food trucks/vendors, as well as entertainment and musical performances throughout the day. The event is free and family-friendly. Craft beer tasting passes (ages 21+) are $30  in advance online  and can also be purchased for $35 at the gate.

The festival takes place along the 4300 blocks of Gallatiln & Farragut Streets, in the Gateway Arts District. In addition, visitors can also browse the downtown Hyattsville restaurant scene, retail shops, and participating Gateway Arts District arts facilities. For additional info:  http://hyattsvillearts.com.

The Gateway Arts District has  gained a new "paper" component.

The Live @ Montpelier music series is one of our favorite fall pastimes. It combines remarkable artistry, within the intimate space that is Montpelier Arts Center. Not a bad note in the house.  This fall's line-up features an eclectic mix of jazz, blues, soul, Brazilian, and Pan-American flavors. 

The music begins September 16th with the Tizer Quartet featuring Karen Biggs  (pictured). Also scheduled are the  Cristian Perez Quintet (Sept 23), Bohemian Caverns All Star Band (Sept 30), Curtis Brothers Quartet (Oct 7), Michel Nirenberg Brazilian Jazz Quartet (Oct 14), Terry Marshall & Bridges (Oct 21), Cyrille Aimee (Oct 28), and A Charlie Brown Christmas with the Eric Byrd Trio (Dec 11). 

And, let's not forget, the Live @ Montpelier "Smooth Sounds for Seniors" performances featuring singer Carly Harvey (Oct 13) and singer Akua Allrich (Nov 10).   

All Live @ Montpelier Friday night shows are 8 pm. Both Thursday "Smooth Sounds for Seniors" shows are at 12 noon. For tickets and info, call the Montpelier Arts Center at 301-377-7800. 

The Black Owned Wine & Spirit Festival will be held  September 24, 12 noon-6 pm, at Rosecroft in Fort Washington.

According to event organizers, "never before has there been an opportunity where African-American owned Spirit, Wine, and Beer brands have been unified in one place for a single common ground.  The Black Owned Wine & Spirits Festival will lay a foundation of commerce and education that will inspire and propel a movement towards the widespread support of Black owned Spirits, Wine and Beer."

The day will be filled with tastings, education, and entertainment. Featuring Mixologists Torrance Swain and McGaritt Franco. Performers include Marcus Johnson, Sean Kingston, Jordan Grizzle, Charles Jean Pierre, DJ Mim, and others. 

The National Capital Radio and Television Museum (NCRTM) in Bowie has named Karen Whitehair as its new Executive Director. Karen has over 25 years experience in museum circles and is a veteran historian in PGC.

She comes to NCRTM from Montpelier Mansion in Laurel, where she has served as Collections Manager for over nine years. Prior, she held positions with the Institute of Museum & Library Services, the Smithsonian National Museum of American History, the Sotterley Foundation, Sewall-Belmont House & Museum, and other prominent museums.  She has a  Certificate in Museum Studies/Collections Management from George Washington University and a Master's in History from Yale.