Rockville Loop

February 16, 2026

🏀 From Rockville Courts to History Books

Good morning, Rockvillian!

Presidents Day + Winter Olympics = We honor our great American leaders by sitting on the couch watching an extra day of curling. Washington would be proud.

In today's Rockville Loop,

• Local basketball star makes history

• Hike the new Goshen Branch Trail

• Fat Tuesday Mardi Gras show at Dietle's

Let's Loop.

🗞️ The Local Lowdown

🏀 The Jewish 'Steph Curry' sinks into Maryland history books. Berman Hebrew Academy's Alex August joined elite company as just the fourth Maryland player to reach 3,000 career points, proudly representing the Jewish community while averaging 27 points per game and inspiring young athletes across the state. Read Alex's story [DC News Now]

🔧 Rockville Makerspace reopens after flood repairs. The community workshop space welcomes members back to turn ideas into reality with a wide range of new and old technologies to use or rent. It's parent organization, the Rockville Science Center, has launched a major fundraising campaign to secure a larger space that accommodates both the Science Center and Makerspace after announcing they've been forced to leave their Town Center storefront later this spring. Check out the Makerspace and support the Science Center

🐾 Your itchy pup gets a local specialist. Dermatology for Animals just opened in North Bethesda, bringing advanced allergy care and skin treatments specifically for dogs and cats to local pet parents. Check out their services

🥗 Pura Vida Miami now open in Cabin John Village. Pura Vida Miami brings its cult-favorite açai bowls and green smoothies to the former Colada Shop space, with bright interiors and a plant-filled patio. Check out their menu

📱 Teen video contest fights distracted driving. High schoolers can win a MacBook Air or share $800 in prizes by creating 30-second videos about ditching phones while walking, biking, or driving. Submit by February 28. Submit your entry

🤖 MCPS pilots AI safety system in three schools. Three county high schools will test AI safety software from Bethesda-based ZeroEyes this spring, using cameras to detect weapons and alert authorities in real time. See how it works [Bethesda Magazine]

⚽ New semi-pro soccer club recruiting players. Defiance FC, a new semi-pro soccer club, is flipping the script on pay-to-play with free tryouts, training, and seasons for players 14+ across the County, plus college guidance and career support. Tryouts February 22 and March 1. Sign up here

🗓️ The Social Calendar

Support the Loop by mentioning it when you attend.

Mon · Feb 16

Build a Candy Machine Workshop (5-12 Years)

1pm-4pm · Kidcreate Studio - Rockville

Young inventors design and build their own candy machine to hold Skittles while exploring engineering and problem-solving on this MCPS no-school day. Register in link

School's Out - Try a New Trail

2:30pm · Great Seneca Stream Valley Park

Explore the newer Goshen Branch Trail with a volunteer ranger, following wetlands created by stream restoration and spotting beavers, muskrats, and bald eagles on this 3-mile round-trip hike.

Tue · Feb 17

Get2Gather: An Afternoon with MoCo Police

3pm-4pm · Makom

Laurie Reyes from Montgomery County Police's Autism/IDD Unit shares best practices for police interactions with individuals with disabilities and answers community questions.

Wed · Feb 18

Business & Community Expo

9am-12pm · Lakewood County Club

Showcase your business or explore local companies at this free public event featuring vendor booths and networking opportunities for Greater Rockville area businesses.

Cozy Creatures Crafts and Stories

10am-11am · Croydon Creek Nature Center

Interactive winter stories and simple nature-themed crafts designed for toddlers and caregivers celebrating seasonal wonders. Registration required

Winter Walks

1pm-2pm · Agricultural History Farm Park

Friendly guides lead you through the quiet beauty of winter-transformed fields and natural trails, exploring areas you may not have discovered on your own.

Dedication of Past to Promise, a mural by LaToya Peoples

1pm-3pm · Twinbrook Community Recreational Center

Mayor and City Council join the community to dedicate LaToya Peoples' mural celebrating Twinbrook's rich history from Piscataway stewardship through post-WWII development.

Free Workshop: The Art of Entertainment

7:30pm · The Mansion at Strathmore

Trumpeter Cyrus Mackey teaches performers how to connect with audiences beyond technical skills, covering microphone confidence, smooth transitions, and compelling setlists that turn concerts into experiences.

Thu · Feb 19

Green Energy Careers & Tech Conference

9am · 21 Church St, Rockville, MD 20850, USA

Montgomery County Green Bank and partners showcase sustainable building tech, funding opportunities, and career pathways for property managers and aspiring clean energy workers. Register in link

ignITe Hub Tech Lunch & Learn Series

12pm · ignITe Hub

Industry experts explore emerging tech from biotech to entertainment, sharing career pathways and community solutions monthly. Register in link

Seller Seminar: What to do with all my Stuff?

1pm-2pm · The Tower Building Long and Foster

Estate sale expert Don Alcorn from Red Clover walks through the process of turning a houseful of belongings into cash, covering trust factors and post-sale cleanup strategies.

Creative Writing Workshops

7pm · Strathmore

Learn how writers serve as activists by studying political poets, then craft your own poem addressing personal or social conflict in this 90-minute generative workshop

👉 See every Rockville event on our full calendar 👈

🎷 Live & Local-ish Music

Mon

Wolf's Every Monday Blues Show & Sit-In Jam
Hank Dietles · 7pm

Tue

Dan Hovey
Hank Dietles · 5:30pm

Orleans Express
Hank Dietles · 8pm · TIX

Wed

CGT Jazz Collective
Hank Dietles · 5:30pm · TIX

Cyrus Mackey
The Mansion at Strathmore · 7:30pm · TIX

Songwriters Association of Washington (SAW) Showcase
Hank Dietles · 8pm · TIX

Thu