MORE NEW SIGNAGE AT SHOPPES OF BETHESDA (PHOTOS)

More shops (shoppes?) have their new signs as the remodeling of the Shoppes of Bethesda continues. The shopping center is located along Elm Street and Hampden Lane in downtown Bethesda.

ROBBERY REPORTED AT SUBURBAN HOSPITAL ON THANKSGIVING - BETHESDA CRIME UPDATE

Here's a roundup of crimes reported across Bethesda on November 27, according to crime data:

Liquor arrest. Union Jack's Bethesda.

Theft. 4700 block Bethesda Avenue.

Robbery. Suburban Hospital.

Burglary. 8000 block Glendale Road (Chevy Chase).

Burglary. 5800 block Magic Mountain Drive.

BETHESDA CONSTRUCTION UPDATE: SANDY SPRING BANK

The new Sandy Spring Bank branch in the ground floor of the 7550 Wisconsin office building is finished. Here are some preview shots of the bank's interior taken over the last two weeks; as you'll notice, the furniture has been added in the latest photos near the bottom:

WHITE CASTLE JALAPEÑO CHEESEBURGERS REVIEW (VIDEO)

How could you possibly make the legendary White Castle cheeseburger better? Add jalapeño! That's just what the burger maker has done in these new White Castle Jalapeño Cheeseburgers. How do they taste?

Watch my review to find out. We'll also check in with Creed vocalist Scott Stapp, who is apparently residing at a Holiday Inn at the moment.

2 LIQUOR ARRESTS ON ST. ELMO AVE. + PLUS MORE - BETHESDA CRIME UPDATE

Here's a roundup of crimes reported across Bethesda on November 26, according to crime data:

Disorderly conduct. 4900 block St. Elmo Avenue.

Liquor arrest. 4900 block St. Elmo Avenue.

Liquor arrest. St. Elmo Avenue at Old Georgetown Road.

Theft. 4500 block Montgomery Avenue.

Theft. 5500 block Wisconsin Avenue.

Burglary. 5400 block Wisconsin Avenue.

Vehicle burglary. 3500 block Hamlet Place.

Theft. 5100 block Nicholson Lane.

BETHESDA CENTRAL FARM MARKET CLOSED SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 30

The Bethesda Central Farm Market, ordinarily held Sunday mornings at Bethesda Elementary School, is cancelled for this Sunday, November 30, due to the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. It will resume weekly operation the following Sunday, December 7.

BETHESDA CRIME UPDATE

Here's a roundup of crimes reported around Bethesda on November 25, according to crime data:

Drug arrest. Bradley Boulevard at Offutt Lane.

Theft. 4300 block Montgomery Avenue.

Theft. 4600 block N. Park Avenue.

Theft. 5500 block Montgomery Street (Chevy Chase Village).

Theft. 4400 block S. Park Avenue.

Vehicle burglary. 5400 block Massachusetts Avenue.

Burglary. 4700 block Waverly Avenue (Garrett Park).

POLICE HOLIDAY TASK FORCE ARRESTS 24 FOR DUI IN THANKSGIVING EVE OPERATION

The Montgomery County Police Holiday Task Force hauled in 24 drivers for DUI in a Thanksgiving Eve anti-drunk-driving operation. In all, police said, Task Force officers interacted with 291 citizens, and issued 253 traffic citations, 127 warnings, 32 equipment repair orders, 9 criminal violations, and 2 civil violations.

Among alcohol-related offenses were underage drinking and public urination. At least 5 of the drivers alleged to be driving under the influence Wednesday night, and early Thursday morning, were taken to the Bethesda 2nd District Police Station.

COMMUNITY MEETING FOR PROPOSED NEW BUILDING AT 4733 BETHESDA AVENUE

A community meeting has been scheduled for December 15, to discuss a proposed 242,000 SF office building that would replace the existing one currently located at 4733 Bethesda Avenue. It also may include additional office space being added to the existing building at 7200 Wisconsin Avenue, and a hotel (not actual office space) as the main use for the new 4733 structure.

The meeting will be held at 7:00 PM that evening, at the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Services Center at 4805 Edgemoor Lane.

As proposed, the building would have 13,000 SF of ground floor retail and restaurant space. It is being developed by the JBG Companies, and along with their current efforts to draw a major restaurant tenant to the neighboring Artery Plaza, could help activate that fairly-dead block of Bethesda Avenue after business hours. JBG has previously included a 230-room boutique hotel as part of the 4733 Bethesda Avenue/7200 Wisconsin Avenue project. I've heard nothing to indicate the hotel plan at 4733 being changed to office space, but we will find out at the meeting just what the newest proposal is.

HOLIDAY DECORATIONS AROUND THE WOODMONT TRIANGLE OF BETHESDA (PHOTOS)

Take a stroll around the Woodmont Triangle neighborhood of downtown Bethesda, and enjoy the holiday lights and decorations without leaving your desk or couch in this photo gallery:

GOV.-ELECT HOGAN RELEASES THANKSGIVING MESSAGE TO MARYLANDERS

Maryland Governor-elect Larry Hogan and his wife, Yumi, have released the following Thanksgiving Day message to residents of the state:

My fellow Marylanders,

As we traveled the state over the last few years, we were privileged to meet many thousands of Marylanders from all walks of life, in cities and suburbs and on farms, young families just starting out and retirees, skilled tradesmen and professionals.  Nearly without exception, the men and women whom we met along the way were grateful to call themselves Marylanders.  For whatever their individual challenges and circumstances, they believe that if we work together—across the lines of party, geography, income, and race—we can change Maryland for the better.  And we will.

As we enjoy our Thanksgiving meals, let us not forget our obligations to the farmers and watermen whose hard work produces our food and those who bring it to market, and the vital work of restoring our economy so no one goes hungry.  And as we gather with family and friends this holiday season, let’s not forget those with empty seats at their tables for loved ones serving our nation abroad, or those who gave the last full measure of devotion for our freedom and liberty.  

In giving thanks to our Creator for our blessings, for our great nation and a beautiful state, I am profoundly grateful for the trust Marylanders have placed in me as their next governor, and keenly aware of the hard work and challenges that lie ahead for my administration, our colleagues in the legislature, and the state employees whom I will soon be honored to call co-workers.

In closing, we wish you and your family health and happiness this Thanksgiving.

Your friends,

Larry and Yumi Hogan

BETHESDA RESTAURANTS OPEN THANKSGIVING 2014 - THANKSGIVING DINNER BETHESDA

Not everyone has the time, circumstances or desire to cook Thanksgiving dinner at home. Fortunately, there are restaurants serving up real Thanksgiving dinners around the Bethesda area, and there's no work or clean-up involved. You can call them to see if reservations remain, but don't dawdle:

Tastee Diner

The Tastee Diner has been a local institution since FDR was President, and they are open every day of the year except Christmas. You won't be fooled you're dining at the Waldorf Astoria, but Thanksgiving Day at the Tastee Diner includes a choice of turkey or honey-baked ham (as well as the rest of their vast but classic menu). This is one place you can probably just walk in - it is a diner, after all. 

7731 Woodmont Avenue

(301) 652-3970

Positano

Positano has been a fixture in downtown Bethesda since 1977, and is open every day of the year. While known for its Italian menu, you can also get a traditional Thanksgiving day feast with turkey and all the fixings at this spacious restaurant on Fairmont Avenue. They'll be open from noon to 9 PM tonight.

4948-4940 Fairmont Avenue

(301)-654-1717

Brasserie Monte Carlo

3-Course Thanksgiving Menu, 11.30am until 8.30pm. $35/pp. Mains Include; Sea Bass, Turkey, Duck, Pork, Beef Medallions and Vegetarian options.

7929 Norfolk Avenue

(301) 656-9225

Morton's

Open 1:00 to 9:00 PM for Thanksgiving dinner. Fine dining at the grand Hyatt Bethesda hotel, right on the Metro Red Line Bethesda station.

7400 Wisconsin Avenue

(301) 657-2650

Ruth's Chris Steak House

Thanksgiving dinner includes oven-roasted turkey breast and sweet potato casserole. $39.95 for adults/$12.95 for children.

7315 Wisconsin Avenue

(301) 652-7877

The Capital Grille

Thanksgiving dinner, $36 adults; $15 kids. Open noon to 9 PM.

5310 Western Ave, Chevy Chase, MD 20815

(301) 718-7812

Clyde's of Chevy Chase

I've had Thanksgiving dinner at Clyde's a number of times, including last year, when I recorded this review of the meal. The restaurant is usually packed full with residents of the nearby apartment buildings and condos.

5441 Wisconsin Avenue 

Chevy Chase, MD 20815

(301) 951-9600

Lia's

Local celebrity Chef Geoff Tracy has earned his acclaim at several locations around the DC Metro area, and Lia's is tucked away in Friendship Heights, not far from Clyde's. Check out the menu.

4435 Willard Avenue

Chevy Chase

(240)-223-5427

Maggiano's

Maggiano's in Friendship Heights is the place to go if you want your Thanksgiving dinner with an Italian twist.

Chevy Chase Pavilion, 

5333 Wisconsin Ave NW, 

Washington, DC 20015

(202) 966-5500

SHEETZ GINGERBREAD LATTE REVIEW (VIDEO)

Heading home to points north or south for Thanksgiving and Black Friday? You might just pass by a Sheetz on the way there, unless you're lucky enough to have one in your home town. If you find yourself at Sheetz, you'll want to try their new Gingerbread Latte. How does it compare to the Pumpkin Pie Latte? Is it worth the (reasonable) price?

Watch my review to find out, and also get some free Black Friday shopping advice from our resident "expert."

GOV.-ELECT HOGAN NAMES DOUG DUNCAN, 19 MORE MEMBERS TO TRANSITION TEAM

Maryland Governor-elect Larry Hogan expanded his transition team by 20 yesterday, again drawing from a diverse, bipartisan group of Maryland residents. Notable among them were several Montgomery County residents, including one of the county's most prominent political figures, former County Executive Doug Duncan.

His personnel review team now includes Montgomery County resident Katja Bullock, former Special Assistant to the President for Presidential Personnel for Ronald Reagan and George H. W. Bush, and a highly-regarded and longtime elected official with the Montgomery County Republican Party; Ande Fulton Rhodes, Personnel Director for Anne Arundel County and former Personnel Director for the State of Maryland; and Diane Baker, former Deputy Appointments Secretary for the State of Maryland.

Named to his business regulation review board were Jim Soltesz, President and CEO of Soltesz, Inc., a Maryland-based engineering and design firm; Ed Dunn, CEO of American Mechanical Services; and Abba Poliakoff, attorney at the firm Gordon Feinblatt, LLC.

Hogan also created a Transition Advisory Board, which includes 3-time Montgomery County Executive and Rockville Mayor Doug Duncan (D); Ambassador Ellen Sauerbrey, diplomat and former candidate for Governor of Maryland; Jimmy Rhee, former Assistant Secretary of Commerce and Trade in the Commonwealth of Virginia; Helen Bentley, former U.S. Congresswoman; Joe Bartenfelder, former Delegate and member of the Baltimore County Council; Doug DeLeaver, Director of Community Relations for the Maryland State Police; David Craig, Harford County Executive (R); Kelly Schulz, Delegate (R-Frederick); Montgomery County resident Sam Malhotra, Founder and CEO of Subsystems, an IT services company based in Rosslyn, Virginia;  Steve Hershey, State Senator (R-District 36); former Lieutenant Governor candidate, Del. Jeannie Haddaway (R-District 37-B); Chris Shank, State Senator (R-District 2); Dr. Juliette Bell, President of the University of Maryland Eastern Shore; and Luis Borunda, Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Maryland Hispanic Business Conference & President, and CEO of U.S. Hispanic Youth Entrepreneur Education.

Doug Duncan

Selecting the pro-business Duncan, as well as prominent businessmen like Soltesz and Malhotra, suggests Hogan is strongly focused on the challenge of improving the state's moribund business climate. Given that Democrats are in the majority, the inclusion of Duncan will likely give Hogan an advantage in outreach, particularly in Montgomery and Prince Georges Counties, where Duncan has been very active in the business community since leaving office.

BLACK FRIDAY IN BETHESDA - BLACK FRIDAY DEALS 2014

Just when you've finished Thanksgiving dinner - you're just getting started. While football on TV was the after-dinner activity of choice for most when I was growing up, in 2014 it's time to zip up the winter coat, grab the credit card, and head to the local mall, shopping center or big box store to grab the deals before they're gone.

Here's a roundup of some of the best in Bethesda:

WESTFIELD MONTGOMERY MALL

The mall won't be open all night. Their hours on Thanksgiving Day will be from 6:00 PM to midnight, and then the mall will reopen at 6:00 AM on Black Friday. If you haven't visited in a while, you'll definitely be pleasantly surprised at the mall's makeover and expansion. Enjoy movies at the new, 16-screen ArcLight Cinemas and dining at the many new restaurants in the Dining Terrace. You'll also want to check out Santa Claus if you have kids, or the mall's holiday decorations, including the hanging 20' Christmas tree shown at the top of this post, which has 500 ornaments! Add extra time for parking, though, as the parking decks outside of Macy's have been demolished, and won't be replaced in time for Black Friday. Here are some of the deals you'll find around the new, updated mall:

Forever 21:

Black Friday Mystery Scratcher Giveaway: Arrive early for a chance to receive a discount of 15%, 20% or 25% off your in-store purchase and enter to win a private shopping party.

Black Friday Deals:

Beanies: $3.00+

Slippers: $5.00+ 

Dresses: $9.00+ 

Sleepwear: $10+ 

Tops: $10+ 

Sweaters: $12+

Also: get an additional 50% off Markdowns 11/27-11/28 until 2PM.

GAP:

GAP has a great deal Thanksgiving and Black Friday: 50% off entire purchase!

American Eagle Outfitters:

Both days: 40% off the entire store (excludes gift cards and select Aerie merchandise). Get an additional 15% off if you are approved for a new AEO credit card (purchase must go on new card for discount).

Bath and Body Works:

Black Friday: Entire store - Buy 3, get 3 free equal or lesser value. Also, spend $40 on a qualifying purchase to receive the VIP Bag for $20. Limited quantity of VIP Bags available.

Brookstone:

Buy One, Get One 50% OFF on all items from 6:00 pm - 12:00 midnight on Thanksgiving, and from 6:00 am - 10:00 pm on Black Friday.

Auntie Anne's:

Buy any pretzel item and a large lemonade, get a free pretzel of equal or lesser value.

Sephora:

Kind of underwhelming: $10 beauty deals Black Friday weekend. Selected items for $10.

Express:

Another great deal: 50% off the entire store on Black Friday.

Victoria's Secret:

Free secret reward card with $10 purchase or more. Worth $10, $50, $100 or $500 off your purchase Dec 4 - Dec 19. 

2 for $30 Candles

2 for $30 Fragrance Gift Sets

$15 off Sports Pants

2 for $49.50 Sexy Tees and Cotton Bras

5 for $26.50 Cotton Panties

Free Tote Bag with $75 purchase (while supplies last).

Under Armour:

Maryland's homegrown athletic apparel store is offering 25% off its signature Big Logo Hoodie. Men’s, women’s, and youth styles included.

Kay Jewelers:

Thankgiving night only: 10% off regular merchandise. 15% off Movado watches.

Mirch Masala:

Didn't get enough Thankgiving dinner? They'll be offering their Butter Chicken rice bowl for $5 on Thanksgiving night.

Marbles - The Brain Store:

Spend $100 and get a free Hydraulic Robotic Arm. And who couldn't use a Hydraulic Robotic Arm, right?

Aldo:

Black Friday only: 20% off on all regular priced merchandise until 10:00 am.

Freddy:

Solid deals both days: All Lounge Collection buy one, get second 1/2 off; selected WRUP Pants 50% off;

all shoes 50% off.

As Seen on TV:

You can't pick up too many Slap Chops or Light Angels. Everything 10-25% off Thanksgiving night, but only select items on Black Friday.

Urban Outfitters:

50% off all sale items on Black Friday.

Banana Republic:

Stop by Banana Republic on Black Friday and get 50% off one full-priced item until 1:00 pm -- plus 40% off your purchase all day long. Some exclusions apply.

Old Navy:

The first 100 people in line have a chance to win $1,000,000, and others could win a $200 shopping spree.

Burton:

20% off outerwear.

Lucky Brand:

30 - 50% off everything.

The Body Shop:

Both days: 3 items for $33 on select products; $30 Black Friday bag w/any $30 purchase; $15 gift offer.

Aeropostale:

Free Fleece Blanket with $100 purchase or more. Black Friday Deals starting at $5.

White House | Black Market:

Black Friday only: 30% off entire purchase (see store associates for details and exclusions).

Hallmark:

25% off regularly-priced merchandise both days.

Tommy Bahama:

Receive a $50 award for every $150 you spend in-store on Black Friday to use toward a future purchase.

Radio Shack:

Black Friday: RadioShack will be offering the Galaxy S5 for free with a qualifying two-year contract with AT&T, Verizon or Sprint. Beats Solo headphones only $69.99 (requires mail-in rebate).

Sears:

6 PM Thanksgiving night Doorbusters: Save 55% on a Kenmore washer and dryer set. RCA LED 1080p HDTV for $249.99 (40") or $379.99 (52"). 45% off Kenmore French door refrigerator/freezer.

BETHESDA ROW

Deals on Black Friday at Bethesda Row will include 30% off the entire store at Lucy. The Pink Palm will give you a Reusable Shopper Tote with any full priced Lilly Pulitzer purchase, and a wash and wear bag with any full priced Lilly Pulitzer purchase of $75 or more, while supplies last. Ginger will have lower prices the earlier you go: 40% off from 9-10 am; 30% off from 10-11 am; 20% 11-close.

WESTWOOD SHOPPING CENTER

RadioShack will have the same great deals as at their Westfield Montgomery Mall store, but it may be closer to you. The Westwood Shopping Center is located at 5400 Westbard Avenue in Bethesda.

PEDESTRIAN STRUCK IN DOWNTOWN BETHESDA

A pedestrian was struck by a vehicle at the intersection of Wisconsin and Montgomery Avenues in downtown Bethesda this morning. The accident was reported by Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson Pete Piringer shortly before 7:00 AM. A steady rain has been falling during the early morning hours, but no cause of the accident or injury details have been made public yet.

BETHESDA CONSTRUCTION UPDATE: 7770 NORFOLK LUXURY APARTMENT TOWER (PHOTOS)

The 17-story 7770 Norfolk luxury apartment tower continues to make progress at the corner of Norfolk and Fairmont Avenues in downtown Bethesda. Some of the first glass is being installed on the lower floors right now. You can see corner balconies that look almost livable right now, minus their necessary railings, of course. 7770 Norfolk is being developed by The JBG Companies.

SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY AT ANGLO DUTCH POOLS AND TOYS IN BETHESDA THIS SATURDAY

After Black Friday comes Small Business Saturday. One of many popular small businesses in the Westwood Shopping Center on Westbard Avenue is Anglo Dutch Pools and Toys. It's one of only 2 Bethesda small businesses named Neighborhood Champions this year by American Express (the other is Creative Parties, LTD), and they'll be hosting a special event this Saturday, November 29, from 10:30 AM to 3:30 PM.

There will be fun for both kids and adults. For kids, balloon virtuoso James Creel will entertain from 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM, and after that there will be craft activities, and all Playmobil sets will be 15% off. Adults, and more specifically women, may like the fact that all shoppers on Saturday will receive a Rebecca Minkoff-designed American Express tote bag.

Anglo Dutch Pools and Toys

5460 Westbard Avenue

(in the Westwood Shopping Center)

(301) 951-0636

CELEBRATE MATUBA OWNER'S 40 YEARS IN AMERICA, 34 YEARS IN BETHESDA WITH SPECIAL IN DECEMBER

Matuba owner Kunio Yasutake is celebrating his 40th year in America, and his restaurant's 34th year in Bethesda, with a dinner special from December 1-15.

Two can dine for $40, with your choice of two items from the following list:

• Gourmet sushi

• Gourmet sashimi

• Pan-fried salmon teriyaki with fried shrimp

• Seafood tempura

All meals will include miso soup and rice.

Matuba's history includes having the first rotary sushi buffet in the Washington Metropolitan area.

Matuba

4918 Cordell Avenue

(301) 652-7449

FOLLOW THE MONEY IN WESTBARD REDEVELOPMENT

Special Investigative Report

The pressure to transform the suburban Westbard area of Bethesda into an urban town center is not coming from residents. According to Montgomery County planner Marc DeOcampos, 85-90% of resident feedback during the week-long Westbard Sector Plan charrette was in favor of low-density development.

With those same residents panning the initial concept plan last week, and no clear incentives or perks to justify the negatives of urbanization on the Westbard area, where will any support for radical change come from in the Westbard Sector Plan process at the Planning Board and County Council levels?

Follow the money.

Developer Equity One, which owns all of the commercial properties along Westbard Avenue and Ridgefield Road, has partnered with local development firm EYA. EYA has donated many thousands of dollars to councilmembers. Here's a chart detailing checks the firm and its leaders have written to those members of the Montgomery County Council:

EYA (corporate)

2010

Nancy Floreen $250

Hans Riemer $500

2013

Hans Riemer $500

2014

Hans Riemer $500

Nancy Floreen $500

Bob Youngentob

George Leventhal $250

Nancy Floreen $1000

Hans Riemer $1100

LeRoy Eakin

Hans Riemer $500

Frank Connors

Hans Riemer $100

Aakash Thakkar 

Hans Riemer $743.12

The grand totals are $1750 for Councilmember Nancy Floreen (D-At-Large), $250 for Councilmember George Leventhal (D-At-Large), and a whopping $3,200 for Councilmember Hans Riemer (D-At-Large).

All 9 councilmembers will have the final say on the Westbard Sector Plan. If anyone keeps pushing for higher than 45' buildings in the plan, now that residents have made clear they are opposed, you'll know where it's coming from. Follow the money.

ROOF CLOSES IN BETHESDA (PHOTOS)

In an odd sequence of events, just after posting new signage, rooftop restaurant and bar Roof has closed in Bethesda's Woodmont Triangle. Hopefully someone can turn this promising space into the place to see and be seen in downtown Bethesda.

Roof has gone dark

NEW IMAGES OF PROPOSED MIXED-USE TOWER ON ST. ELMO AVE IN BETHESDA (PHOTOS)

New images of the future 16-story mixed-use tower proposed for St. Elmo Avenue by the Lenkin Company are in. The St. Elmo Apartments will house 210 residential units, and up to 15,488 SF of office/commercial space. The above image (and many other details) was already seen in my earlier report on the project, but there are some additional sketches, blueprints and plans for the David M. Schwarz-designed tower.

You can see it will be massed as a "C" shape building, and - if all goes as planned - will share an enhanced 10,865 SF public space with next-door neighbor Bainbridge Bethesda apartments. According to a letter to the Montgomery County Planning Department, the developer has already met with representatives of the Bainbridge to begin those discussions.

The sketch plan proposes up to 32 MPDUs, using a higher 15% affordable housing standard than the Montgomery County requirement of 12.5%.

While the current address of the development site is considered 4931 Fairmont Avenue, the future building's lobby will be on St. Elmo Avenue, as will its 4-level underground parking garage entrance. The tower's loading dock will be on Fairmont, however.

Construction would not begin until mid-2016 or 2017, attorney Steve Robins said in August.

Other than the sad news that Chef Tony's and Pizza Pass would have to be demolished prior to construction, most indications seem promising for this project. It will provide high density near Metro, has proposed higher than the required amounts of parking and affordable units, and could create an enhanced public gathering space. What would really make that work best would be if the St. Elmo and the Bainbridge can get some restaurants to lease in their ground floors, so that there will be activity over a greater range of hours, as opposed to a bank or shop that closes at 5 or 6 in the evening. The revitalization of that block of Fairmont Avenue seems stalled out at the present, with no tenants in the Bainbridge ground floor yet, and other future towers still under construction (7770 Norfolk) or in the works (former BP gas station at Fairmont and Old Georgetown Road).