DOWNTOWN BETHESDA RESIDENTS DISTURBED BY NIGHTTIME MOVING TRUCKS (PHOTOS)

Some downtown Bethesda residents were disturbed by the after-hours move of Long and Foster and Sage Title to 7700 Old Georgetown Road last night. The move continues tonight, but it is unclear how late they'll go this time.

One resident posted the following comment here on my blog:

"I live across the street from the building at 7700 Old Georgetown Road and definitely heard the moving vans all night long, until past 3 a.m., in fact! People living in the neighborhood don't appreciate it. And this is not the first time that the building has been guilty of after-hours noise, with no regard to people living nearby."

Trucks were being loaded on Bethesda Avenue earlier this evening for the move:

PEPCO EMERGENCY RESPONSE ON ST. ELMO AVENUE IN BETHESDA, R LANE CLOSED BY GARAGE (PHOTOS)

A Pepco emergency response team is on St. Elmo Avenue, by the public parking garage. The right lane on that side is closed. Crews are working below ground, and cutting limbs off trees over the street.

KENWOOD FIREWORKS 2013 - THE DC AREA'S BEST FIREWORKS ARE IN BETHESDA!

When are the Kenwood Club fireworks this year?

I've just received word that the DC area's best fireworks will be on Wednesday, July 3, 2013 this year. The display will begin between 9:30-9:45 PM.

The Kenwood Golf & Country Club, on River Road, is a private club, and the festivities are not open to the public.

So why do non-members want to know when the fireworks are?

Because residents of nearby neighborhoods, and apartments that face the club, have made something of a tradition out of the fireworks.

It's possible to throw a big party, with hot dogs, etc., and then enjoy the club's fireworks from your balcony or backyard, as if it was your own private show. And all of your guests will think you're the Great Gatsby.

What if you're not part of the landed class near the club?

People often park at one of the nearby churches or commercial parking lots on River Road. The sure spot is at the church directly across from the club entrance. Be forewarned, the display will be loud, as you might expect.

Downtown Bethesda? Some people have been able to enjoy the fireworks from higher floors of buildings facing that direction.

I do not recommend inviting people to a party unless you know you'll actually be able to see the fireworks from the location in question. You want to be the Great Gatsby, not the Great Pumpkin.

The trajectory of fireworks can change slightly from year to year. From downtown Bethesda, in general, if you are standing at the corner of Arlington Road and Bethesda Avenue, with your back to Urban Country,  the fireworks should be in the general direction of EuroMotorcars and the Bradley Shopping Center. That's the general direction, but it pays to be on a higher floor rather than street level. Caveat emptor.

Kenwood's fireworks became a huge deal last year, when they fell on the actual July 4 holiday, and the county canceled all public fireworks displays after the derecho storm.

But the Kenwood fireworks beat any I've seen in the DC area, any year.

ROOFTOP POOL PARTY TONIGHT AT DOUBLETREE BETHESDA HOTEL

The rooftop at the Doubletree Bethesda hotel will be hosting parties Thursday and Friday nights this summer, from 5-10 PM.

Stop by tonight to check out the best view of downtown Bethesda.

MCDONALD'S DELUXE QUARTER POUNDER REVIEW (VIDEO) - NEW QUARTER POUNDERS

Bethesda is one of the early launch cities for the new McDonald's Quarter Pounders. Now I've tested the second of the 3 new Quarter Pounders, the Deluxe Quarter Pounder. Watch my exclusive review of this new burger at the Golden Arches, just in time for summer.  I've also reviewed the Habanero Ranch Quarter Pounder.

BETHESDA AVENUE DETOUR THIS WEEKEND AT BETHESDA ROW (PHOTOS)

Watch for a detour on Bethesda Avenue at Woodmont Avenue this Saturday and Sunday, between 4:00 AM and 9:00 PM. (Note that the person who programmed the electronic signs below did not have a 2013 calendar handy!)

It would be smart to allow extra time for driving and/or riding the Bethesda Circulator bus in that area of Bethesda. This could turn out to be a huge mess around the Row this weekend.

I might suggest using Elm Street if you are coming to Bethesda Row this weekend. All nearby public and private garages have access via Elm Street. You still may encounter backups on Elm, if they direct cars that way on the detour, however.

I'm sure nearby businesses will be thrilled by this closure! Obviously, this is due to the construction directly adjacent to the intersection.

FLO ANITO LIVE SUMMER CONCERT AT VETERANS PARK, NOW UNTIL 8 PM (PHOTO)

Flo Anito is performing live in Veterans Park, at the corner of Norfolk and Woodmont Avenues in downtown Bethesda.

The concert will continue until 8 PM, and there are plenty of cold drinks and frozen desserts for sale nearby!

This summer concert series is sponsored by Bethesda Urban Partnership on Thursday evenings during the summer.

LONG AND FOSTER, SAGE TITLE MOVING FROM BETHESDA AVENUE TO 7700 OLD GEORGETOWN ROAD IN BETHESDA (PHOTOS)

Business is booming for moving trucks on Bethesda Avenue.

Now Long and Foster and Sage Title are moving from their Bethesda Avenue offices to a new home just blocks away, at 7700 Old Georgetown Road.

In fact, I saw the move in progress yesterday.

CAR REPORTED STOLEN ON BRADLEY BOULEVARD, ROBBERY ON 355 - BETHESDA CRIME UPDATE

A car was reported stolen in the 5000 block of Bradley Boulevard Monday.

It was one of several serious crimes reported that Memorial Day in Bethesda:

Theft from vehicle. 4900 block Glen Cove Parkway (Glen Cove).

Burglary. 4900 block Elm Street.

Robbery. 8900 block Rockville Pike.

Theft from vehicle. 9400 Linden Avenue.

Theft from vehicle. 5800 Nicholson Lane.

RELAXED! NAILS AND SPA INSTALLS SIGN, WINDOW ART AT FUTURE BETHESDA LOCATION (PHOTOS)

Relaxed! Nails and Spa has installed signage and window art at its future home in the Westwood Shopping Center on Westbard Avenue.

Why the exclamation point? Because at this spa, you won't be relaxed. You'll be relaxed! Apparently, there is a difference.

No opening date has been announced, but I expect it to come sooner, rather than later.

SYMMETRY SALON STUDIOS OPENS IN BETHESDA (PHOTOS)

Symmetry Salon Studios has opened at 4908 Hampden Lane in downtown Bethesda. It is one street over from Bethesda Row.

The salon, which brings stylists with different specialties under one roof, will offer cuts, coloring, blowouts and much more.

To make an appointment, call 240-800-4060, or stop by today, to check out the facilities for yourself.

THEFT SPREE ROCKS BETHESDA NEIGHBORHOODS IN OLD GEORGETOWN ROAD CORRIDOR FRIDAY - BETHESDA CRIME UPDATE

One really fit thief - or a group of thieves - hit multiple neighborhoods west of Old Georgetown Road hard Friday in Bethesda.

All stolen items were taken from cars parked in neighborhoods between Suburban Hospital and the Beltway.

One additional theft was reported just north of Georgetown Square, and two others occurred in the east Bethesda neighborhood around Rosedale Avenue. Another took place on Arlington Road. An isolated theft was reported in the Green Acres neighborhood, off River Road, as well. A grand total of 13 thefts were reported from Friday alone.

Obviously, it is yet another reminder to keep car doors locked, and remove any visible items from the cabin of the vehicle, including loose change.  If you notice any suspicious persons or vehicles wandering around, report that - and tag numbers - to Montgomery County Police.

Here is a complete list of thefts from vehicles reported in Bethesda last Friday, May 24:

4900 block Montgomery Avenue (Green Acres).

7100 block Arlington Road.

5600 block Alta Vista Road.

5900 block Sonoma Road.

5600 block Sonoma Road.

8900 block Oneida Lane.

5600 block Southwick Street.

8700 block Garfield Street.

5500 block Hoover Street.

4500 block Rosedale Avenue.

8200 block Kentbury Drive.

6000 block Kingsford Court.

6400 block Rock Forest Drive.

WORK BEGINS AT FUTURE BONOBOS GUIDESHOP AT BETHESDA ROW (PHOTO)

Interior work has begun at the future Bonobos Guideshop at Bethesda Row.

As you can see in the exclusive photo below, the first step is to demo the former interior of the space's previous tenant, Daddy & Son.

If you're not a regular reader, you may be asking, "What is Bonobos?"

Bonobos is a men's apparel store that specializes in well-fitting pants, of which more are needed in the world. Having shopped at Bonobos myself when they opened a pop-up shop on Bethesda Lane during the holidays, I can tell you that even Wallace and Grommit would have a hard time finding The Wrong Trousers at Bonobos.

ZEN TARA TEA HAS CLOSED IN BETHESDA - BUT IS STILL OPEN ONLINE (PHOTOS)

Zen Tara Tea, a tea shop and cafe on Bethesda Avenue, has officially closed its doors. A farewell message to loyal customers was in the window yesterday. But fans of the shop are invited to shop in their online store.  The owners also hint at a next chapter, offering to keep those who join their email list apprised of developments on that front.

HELP OK TORNADO VICTIMS BY DRINKING ADULT BEVERAGES AT REDWOOD BETHESDA? IT'S TRUE!

Can the consumption of alcoholic beverages help your fellow man (and woman)?

The answer is, "Yes!" this week at Redwood on Bethesda Lane.

Through June 2, enjoy this special, limited-time Okies Hope cocktail at Redwood, and 75% of the proceeds will go to the Red Cross.

Pretend you're Brad Pitt or Angelina Jolie, and take on this difficult task for the good of all (wo)mankind. It's a tough job, but somebody's gotta do it.

This drink looks mighty good, I have to say.

MCDONALD'S DULCE DE LECHE CARAMEL SHAKE REVIEW (VIDEO)

A limited-time, Latin-flavored milkshake is now available at McDonald's on River Road in Bethesda.

Last night, I tested it out. Here's my review.

I got a small size for $2.19. It has vanilla ice cream, Dulce de Leche caramel sauce, whipped cream and a cherry on top.

The milkshake will be available through the end of summer, and roll out nationwide by June 10.

SHOPHOUSE OPENING AT BETHESDA ROW - ASIAN CHIPOTLE SPINOFF TO TAKE OVER CITY LIGHTS OF CHINA SPACE

Exclusive!

Bye-bye,  City Lights of China.

Hello... Shophouse!

That's right, Dupont Circle's favorite Asian Chipotle spinoff, Shophouse, is coming to Bethesda Row.  Shophouse will move into the City Lights of China space at 4820 Bethesda Avenue, which City Lights is vacating ...now.

As the auction announcement I found (below) shows, the contents of City Lights are being auctioned off today.

That's the bad news.

The good news is that Shophouse is taking its place. Have you heard before that a particular restaurant is the "[fill in type of ethnic food] Chipotle" before? Or "trying to be Chipotle?"

Well, Shophouse literally is Chipotle, an Asian spinoff from the same company. So prices and ordering procedures will be fairly familiar to regular patrons of Chipotle. I expect Shophouse will be hugely popular at lunch.

Of course, having a corporate chain take over a small Chinese restaurant will likely cause some minor grumbling in the community. As might the closure of a second independent Asian restaurant on Bethesda Avenue in a month (Taipei 101 being the first). It will be interesting to hear public reaction, given the popularity of Shophouse in DC.

Appropriately, the name Shophouse comes from Chinese buildings that had residences above commercial shops. What's old is new again, as Shophouse comes to Bethesda Row, which urban planning experts refer to often as the best example of a mixed-use development in America.

AERIAL SHOT OF BETHESDA ROOFTOP RESTAURANT UNDER CONSTRUCTION (PHOTO)

Here's the aerial view of the future Bethesda rooftop restaurant, Roof, the computer did not want to show you in my previous post, for whatever reason.

Roof is under construction at the corner of Norfolk and Cordell Avenues.

BETHESDA ROOFTOP RESTAURANT CONSTRUCTION UPDATE (PHOTOS)

Progress continues at the future site of the rooftop restaurant and bar to be known as Roof.

Bethesda's third rooftop dining space (the Doubletree hotel and Tia Queta are the others), Roof is expected to open in late summer.

The building itself, Norfolk-Cordell II, will also house a Dunkin' Donuts/Baskin Robbins (a long-overdue return of the 31 Flavors to downtown Bethesda!) and Smashburger, among other potential retail tenants. It is designed by renowned architect Steven Karr.

WE HAVE A WINNER IN THE INSTAGRAM CONTEST!

Congratulations to Monica Ryan, who has won the Robert Dyer @ Bethesda Row Front Row Fashionista Instagram contest!

(You can be ready for future contests by following @BethesdaRow on Instagram).

Monica took in the many events at the annual Front Row at Bethesda Row fashion extravaganza, met celebrities Jessica Alba, Katherine Kallinis Berman and Sophie Kallinis LaMontagne, and looked fab while doing so.

Now Monica will be receiving a free blowout at Drybar, and has bragging rights to the title of Front Row Fashionista until next year's event.

Enjoy photos from around Bethesda, and future prize giveaways, by following @BethesdaRow on Instagram today!

MILITARY EAT FREE AT BOLOCO BETHESDA ROW TODAY

All US servicemembers eat FREE today, May 27, at Boloco on Elm Street in Bethesda.

ZIPCAR ABANDONS CORDELL AVENUE CARSHARING STATION (PHOTOS)

Only weeks after a competitor, Hertz On Demand, entered the car sharing market in downtown Bethesda, ZipCar has abandoned the station it kept several vehicles at curbside on Cordell Avenue.

All other ZipCar locations in Bethesda remain in service as of now.  It's unclear if there just wasn't demand at that location, or if it was too costly to rent the spots.

Those ZipCar spaces have now been returned to public use, and are metered.

MCDONALD'S HABANERO RANCH QUARTER POUNDER REVIEW (VIDEO) - EXCLUSIVE!!

Bethesda is one of the advance launch cities for McDonald's 3 new Quarter Pounders. The burgers went on sale yesterday at the Bethesda McDonald's on River Road.

I got a Habanero Ranch Quarter Pounder, and posted my review of it. It has Habanero Ranch sauce, whole-leaf lettuce, tomato slice, bacon and white cheddar cheese.

The other 2 new Quarter Pounders are downsized versions of the 1/3-pound Angus Burgers they replace, Bacon & Cheese, and Deluxe. Habanero is the only new sandwich concept.

Fans of the classic Quarter Pounder, fear not: it's still on the menu.

BRUCE VARIETY EXTERIOR PAINT UPDATE (PHOTO)

Here's a photo of what the updated paint on the front of Bruce Variety looks like at 8011 Woodmont Avenue in Bethesda:

MONTGOMERY MALL GARAGE COLLAPSE CONTRACTOR HAS BEEN CITED IN OTHER DC AREA INCIDENTS

Whiting-Turner, the construction company in charge of the Westfield Montgomery Mall project where a garage collapse killed one, and injured another Thursday, has been cited for safety violations in other DC-area incidents.

It's important to note upfront that, given the company's size, portfolio, and work with many partners, it would be unrealistic for the company to have an accident-free record. And, based on my investigation so far, there is nothing that suggests Whiting-Turner has an unusually high number of violations relative to its competitors.

Having said that, there are a number of incidents where workers have been injured or killed.  And a Cleveland garage collapse eerily reminiscent of Thursday's.

In March 2011, Roxana Zelaya, a 37-year-old forklift operator working for a Whiting-Turner subcontractor, was killed after being pinned by scaffolding at an underground construction site at Georgetown University, in Washington.

Whiting-Turner was cited by OSHA for violations during the construction of towers at Washington Hospital Center, also in the District.

In October 2002, a Whiting-Turner employee was fatally electrocuted during the expansion project at BWI Airport. Three years later at BWI, Whiting-Turner was cited three times by the Maryland Occupational Safety and Health Unit. This after a worker on an elevated roadway bridge project fell through a gap, and was "seriously injured" upon landing on the road below.

An incident in Cleveland, Ohio sounds awfully similar to what happened at the Bethesda mall Thursday.

On December 16, 2011, during construction of a Whiting-Turner project called Horseshoe Casino, a section of the second level of a parking garage deck suddenly collapsed. Fortunately, no workers were injured.

Was Thursday's work by Whiting-Turner, or its subcontractor(s)?

It could affect the company either way.

Sometimes contracts hold the contractor responsible for incidents caused by its subcontractors.

And Tim Sullivan of the New England Regional Council of Carpenters told his union's blog in August 2010 that "we have noticed a pattern of problems with subcontractors hired by Whiting-Turner."

Now, unions clash with employers all the time, so don't necessarily jump to conclusions from that.

But little information is being put out to the public right now (and that's somewhat understandable, as there will surely be civil, if not criminal lawsuits ahead for responsible parties in the mall incident).

So it's worth at least reviewing what other incidents the company has been involved in around the DC area.

LATEST PHOTOS FROM GARAGE COLLAPSE AT WESTFIELD MONTGOMERY MALL IN BETHESDA

Here is the scene tonight at the site of yesterday's partial garage collapse at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda.

You'll note the supports in place to shore up the floors, and the crane that is assisting.

The road that passes through the garage remains closed, but the mall is fully open and operational tonight.