• Frederick County G8 Summit Information Center – provides useful information for residents, visitors and the media on such issues as traffic, road closures and public safety. You can also get updates from the Information Center’s  Twitter and Facebook pages.
• The Frederick News-Post G8 section – running coverage about the summit.
• Road Closures from Maryland State Police & State Highway Administration – Rt 77 will be closed from Pryor Road on the east side to Tower Road on the west side of the county from approximately 9 am, May 18, until 9 pm, May 19. Catoctin Hollow Road will also be closed at the Cunningham Falls State Park lake area entrance.
• The Tourism Council’s G8 Site – a media resource provided by the Tourism Council of Frederick County and is designed to assist visiting press about the area. It provides useful resources such as royalty free images, video B-roll, area information and story ideas.

On 10/03/2011, the Frederick Police Department received a report of suspicious behavior that they would like to make the public aware of.

On 10/03/2011 at approximately 1600 hours, 3 teenage females were jogging in the area of the 100 block of S. Market St. Two of the females were ahead of the third and as they approached the intersection of S. Market and All Saints St., 2 males blocked the sidewalk and said “come here ladies”. As the females attempted to pass, one of the males grabbed the back of one of the female’s sweatshirt. She was able to pull free and both females then ran back the way they had come to make certain that the third member of their group did not attempt to pass the males alone. When the females again approached the area, the males were gone.

It was believed that there was a third male involved and seated in a maroon minivan parked across the street. This van was also gone when the females returned.

The suspects are described as 3 black males, all in their 40’s. One was possibly wearing a green or blue winter weight jacket. The van was described as an older model, “beat up”, maroon minivan.

The Frederick Police Department urges members of the public to be cautious and alert for suspicious behavior at all times. For those who run or walk for recreation, or physical fitness, it is recommended that they vary their route and routine on a regular basis. Always remain alert to what is ahead and around you. If a situation makes you uncomfortable, turn and alter your direction prior to approaching. Exercising as a group is a measure of safety as well. Carry a cell phone if possible and do not hesitate to call the police to report any threatening or suspicious situation.

Several months of hard work paid off this morning as the new Downtown Frederick Partnership website went live. The Partnership’s new web home features improved design, functionality and capabilities including an improved calendar, cleaner and clearer business listings, an online store, beautiful photos of downtown donated by local photographers and integration with Partnership social media.

Check it out. Some real nice work from local talent at Orases and Jean Peterson Design.

The Frederick Police Department is urging residents to be vigilant as the 10th anniversary of 9-11 nears. After the death of Osama Bin Laden news reports indicated the recovery of plans by Al-Qaida to conduct attacks in the United States. We currently do not have any intelligence indicating plans for an attack in our area, but encourage that citizens observing any suspicious activity should immediately report it to the Frederick Police Department.

Be careful out there.

As a self-proclaimed recovering restaurateur I decided it wasn’t okay to have restaurants pay the Gorilla to give them glowing reviews. I think that’s crap, actually. It insults the customer/reader and doesn’t do any good for the restaurateurs who truly want to improve their restaurants.

So, I devised the SECRET GORILLA project. I sent four people to two, randomly selected restaurants in Frederick County, armed with specific review criteria and a score card.

I found the magazine as a whole to be really good, and I’m eagerly awaiting the next issue. If your interested, you can subscribe for free online.

A motorcycle ride to remember lives lost on Sept. 11, 2001, is planned for this weekend, according to a news release from Maryland State Police in Pikesville.

A portion of the 85-mile route from Cumberland to Arlington, Va., is in Frederick County on Friday, police said.

The MD State Highway Twitter feed is following the ride and posting updates.

Looks like the empty space next to Hinode’s on Carroll Creek is getting a tenant. From the logo it looks to be another location of The Wine Kitchen from Leesburg. From their website:

Wine was made for food and food was made for wine. Come enjoy the best of both with us at the Wine Kitchen. At the Wine Kitchen we operate under the central idea of “Eat, Drink, Simply.” Wine and food are at the root, simple pleasures and should be enjoyed among friends and family over the sound of happy voices and hearty laughter. We think both wine and food are best when presented in their purest form. We serve our wine and food without pomp or circumstance, just artfully prepared and presented with care.

I have an email into them to conform this, but it looks like the same place to me. Anyone try the location in Leesburg?
Big thanks to Jim Hamann for the photo and tip.

Update: A response from the email I had sent to Wine Kitchen:

Yes we are opening up our second location on Carroll Creek earlly this fall. Our first location is in Old Town Leesburg and we’ve been open there since November 2008. In Frederick we will offer a similar style menu as we do in Leesburg but with all new dishes that will also utilize local farms and their products. We are very excited to join the Frederick community.

Judging by the comments it sounds like Frederick is looking forward to this new addition.