Tuesday, August 14, 2012
In its 25th year, the shark-centric TV event is poised to make even bigger waves.
In the summer of 1987, the Silver Spring-based Discovery Channel unleashed a lineup of shark-centric shows that, a quarter century later, sends millions of fin-atics and land lubbers alike into a full-on feeding frenzy. The 25th anniversary of Shark Week, which started Sunday, opened with “Air Jaws Apocalypse,” a follow-up to last year’s Emmy-winning program on the famously airborne Great Whites of Seal Island, South Africa. This year, viewers can also vote via Twitter and Facebook for what they want a mechanical megalodon—that most fearsome of extinct dino-sharks—to chomp with its hydraulic jaws. Tweets tagged #SharkWeek might even get on the air. So whether you marvel at the beauty of the ocean’s top predators or watch transfixed in …
Monday, August 13, 2012
A tad more than 500 words on the 500 square miles of that miracle called Montgomery County. Did you know your cops were funny?
There may be bigger news fish to fry but when what's hot and battered is a Twinkie or a funnel cake, we must start this week's column with a tribute to the one, the only, Montgomery County Agricultural Fair, which continues through Saturday, Aug. 18. Where else can you celebrate the fact that a third of the land in Montgomery County is designated for farming by participating in a toilet-decorating contest? In addition to fried food, there are carnival rides, live music, monster trucks, a children's theater and, of course, live animals, including racing pigs. More than 200,000 people are expected to pay the $10 entrance fee to attend. Speaking of farming, it's the new cutting edge career in these parts. Montgomery County Executive Isiah …
Monday, July 30, 2012
The traffic disasters on Rockville Pike and I-270 were enough to make you wish for an ATM that dispenses cupcakes.
If you weren't caught in massive backups on Rockville Pike or I-270 last week, consider yourself lucky. If you were –– heads up –– Montgomery County planners would like to change your usual view of the ubiquitous strip malls on your commute. It started Wednesday during rush hour when a fire at Marlo Furniture closed the Pike at Wootton Parkway and forced traffic into downtown. Flames were seen shooting through the roof of the giant box full of kindling in the form of mass-produced home furnishings. Then Thursday, a truck hauling thousands of gallons of Budweiser rolled over and hit a guardrail near the Old Hundred Road exit on I-270. Crews spent nearly seven hours cleaning things up, perhaps while crying over spilt beer. Where would …
Friday, July 27, 2012
If you're taking pictures of Chompie tonight twit pic using the hashtag #ChompiePic.
Are you ready for a shark attack on Silver Spring? Why do we ask such silly questions? Of course you are ready for Chompie's return. Some residents expressed their excitement for the blubbery guy to Patch when his return was announced. Crews are expected to get started on hoisting Chompie up Friday so that all 84,000 pounds of him can fit on the Discovery Communications Headquarters building. The over 400-foot inflatable shark comes back this year to celebrate 25 years of shark programming on the Discovery television network. Shark Week starts on August 12. Send Patch your pics of Chompie to Tamika@Patch.com or twit pic us @SilvSpringPatch!
Monday, July 16, 2012
A Discovery Channel documentary about the existence of mermaids has people talking, and not just about mermaids.
If you’re heading to the ocean for vacation, you might be on the lookout for more than the usual sea creatures. And, we're not talking about the typical summer shark scare. Mermaids made a recent splash – no pun intended – this week when the Discovery Channel aired its documentary, Mermaids: The Body Found, which originally was shown May 27. Currently, the search term “mermaid body found” is No. 1 on Google Trends with over 100,000 searches, but USA Today reports that the scene in which a mermaid’s body is found by a young boy was staged. The Discovery Channel, which is headquartered in Silver Spring, is known as “the world’s #1 nonfiction media company,” according to its website. The show’s website asks: “What if there’s a kernel of …
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Sneak peek of “Great White Invasion” scheduled for July 29th at Veterans Plaza.
Now in its 24th year, Discovery Channel’s annual Shark Week programming event will test the waters by offering a sneak peek for Silver Spring residents of the “Great White Invasion,” the program slated to open the week-long event that will also air nationally on Discovery Channel. Silver Spring residents are invited to the July 29th event to enjoy not only the sneak peek but also free giveaways like Shark Week swag, including shirts, hats and DVDs. And while Chompie will not grace the Discovery Communications building this year, be on the lookout for a Shark Week mascot to circle Veterans Plaza for photo opportunities. What: “Great White Invasion” screening event When: Friday, July 29th at 8:30 p.m. Where: Silver Spring Veterans Plaza
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Silver Spring Civic Building
One Veterans Place, Silver Spring, MD
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Political Punnery
12:21 pm on Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Americans have begun the annual Shark Week festival in hopes of minimizing the culling of the human herd during the next harvest season. As has been tradition for the last 25 years, various TV personalities from the Discovery network lead adherents in nationally coordinated rituals designed to appease the unstoppable water demons. They include praising sharks for their jumping ability, expressing… more ›