Westbard Square construction update (Photos)

The Phase 1 Giant building at the Westbard Square development at 5400 Westbard Avenue in Bethesda has advanced to the Tyvek stage. Exterior walls are now solid around a significant part of the upper floor of the building, and are wrapped, as are the support columns on the lower floors (which will have larger windows - and on the bottom floor, storefronts for other businesses - so they are farther along than they look before glass, etc. is installed). Delivery of the building is anticipated for late 2023. All current businesses at the adjacent Westwood Shopping Center remain open during the construction.

Fancy Cakes by Leslie closes in Bethesda

Downtown Bethesda welcomed a new bakery over the weekend, but said goodbye to another. Fancy Cakes by Leslie has closed at 4939 Elm Street, in the Shoppes of Bethesda shopping center. The bakery's space has been totally cleared out. Fancy Cakes had a long and noteworthy run in downtown Bethesda. Celebrity clients over the years included Caroline Kennedy and Eva Longoria.

Josephine Gluten-Free Bakery opens in Bethesda

Josephine Gluten-Free Bakery has opened at 4927-A St. Elmo Avenue in downtown Bethesda. The bakery offers a wide range of gluten-free products, made in a 100% gluten-free and allergen-free facility. Savory and sweet waffles are a specialty. See their full menu here.

Josephine is named for owner Jean Charles' daughter, and was inspired by his wife's gluten intolerance. Charles, who hails from France - where many of the world's best bakeries are located, has gone from managing bakeries to now opening his own.

CVS Health neon heart logo lights up at future Bethesda CVS Pharmacy (Photos)

The shelves still aren't filled with merchandise, but the progress towards an opening day is still very visible at the newest CVS Pharmacy in downtown Bethesda, located at 7235 Wisconsin Avenue. A new, lighted neon sign of the company's CVS Health heart logo has been installed in the window, and was lit for the first time last night. 

This logo debuted several years ago, to signify the brand's transition from retail and prescription sales to its goal of becoming a major healhcare provider. CVS says the heart represents its new, trademarked corporate motto, "Bringing our heart to every moment of your health."

Victim robbed at knifepoint in Friendship Heights

Montgomery County police responded to a report of a robbery in the Friendship Heights area of Chevy Chase this past Thursday afternoon, October 27, 2022. The robbery was reported at a store in the 5400 block of Wisconsin Avenue at 4:24 PM. A knife was employed in the robbery, the victim reported.

Halloween Mystery Mansion returns this weekend in Chevy Chase

The Woman's Club of Chevy Chase will again host its annual Halloween event, Mystery Mansion, at the club today and tomorrow, October 29 and 30, 2022. Enjoy a family-friendly haunted house, fire pits, food, music and more from 5:00 - 8:00 PM both evenings. There are 3 ticketed areas: the Bonfire Bash, Mystery Mansion (for those age 5 and up, and includes Bonfire Bash ticket), and the ultimate scare of The Crypt (ages 10 and up, and includes Bonfire Bash and Mystery Mansion tickets). Tickets may be ordered online through the event website, which has all the information you need to know.

The club is located at 7931 Connecticut Avenue in Chevy Chase. Parking is free in the lot behind the club, which is accessed from Dunlop Street, off Connecticut Avenue. This is a no-contact haunted house experience.

Old Georgetown Road resurfacing project underway in Bethesda (Photos)

A resurfacing project is underway on Old Georgetown Road between the Capital Beltway and Nicholson Lane. Expect lane closures on that stretch outside of rush hours on weekdays. The project is expected to be completed by January, and will also convert one travel lane in each direction into a protected bike lane. Needless to say, if you are concerned about your car getting scratched by debris, take an alternative route during this period.

Man arrested in alleged sexual assaults at L.A. Fitness in White Flint

Montgomery County police have arrested a man who allegedly sexually assaulted two women showering in the women's locker room at L.A. Fitness at 11416-A Rockville Pike last Friday, October 21, 2022. Samba Dieng, 18, of Silver Spring has been charged with Second-Degree Rape, Fourth-Degree Sex Offense, and two counts of Second-Degree Assault. He was taken into custody Wednesday at his home without incident. 

Detectives discovered that Dieng had been to multiple L.A. Fitness locations in Montgomery and Prince George's County. They are concerned that there may be other victims. Anyone with information regarding this suspect or additional victims is asked to call the Special Victims Investigations Division at 240-773-5050.

Little Falls Parkway reduced to 2 lanes in Bethesda (Photos)

Little Falls Parkway got a lot more dangerous to drive today. An announced plan by Montgomery Parks to reduce the road's size down to one lane in each direction between Arlington Road and Dorset Avenue came to pass. As you can see, it is just as narrow as I predicted it would be. There will be no room for error, and no room for evasion, should a drunk driver weave into oncoming traffic with this illegal road diet by the Parks department.

Sneak peek: District Falafel in Bethesda (Photos)

Here's a sneak peek inside District Falafel, opening very soon at 10315 Westlake Drive, at the Westlake Crossing shopping center in Bethesda. The interior appears completely finished and ready to go. This is the latest food truck business to move into a larger, bricks-and-mortar operation. Best known for its fresh-made falafel, District Falafel's menu also features hummus, gyros, and wraps made with falafel, lamb, or chicken.

Aggravated assault in downtown Bethesda

Montgomery County police responded to a report of an aggravated assault in downtown Bethesda Monday night, October 24, 2022. The assault was reported in the 6900 block of Arlington Road at 9:00 PM. A weapon other than a firearm was employed in the assault.

Lovisa to open boutique at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Lovisa is opening a boutique at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. The fast-fashion jewelry brand was founded in Sydney, Australia by billionaire Brett Blundy in 2010. Since then, Lovisa has grown to a chain of over 400 stores worldwide. Lovisa will be on Level 1, next to Journeys, and is now hiring (use the QR code in the picture at bottom to apply).

Vera Bradley closes at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Vera Bradley has closed at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. Their space has been cleared out. Vera Bradley opened here in June 2012. That's an impressive run, but apparently not enough to survive the moribund Montgomery County economy that has claimed so many victims in recent years. 

LaserAway to open at Pike & Rose

LaserAway is opening a location at Pike & Rose. It will be in the former Taylor Gourmet space in the Canopy by Hilton hotel at 926 Rose Avenue, off Rockville Pike. LaserAway is a laser hair removal practice with locations in 24 states and the District of Columbia. They also offer botox treatments, tattoo removal, photofacials, dermal fillers, Thermage skin tightening, Coolsculpting fat removal, Clear + Brilliant laser treatments and other skincare services. 

Egg nog already in stock at Bethesda Row Giant (Photos)

Egg nog seems to disappear from the shelves at Giant earlier each Christmas season in recent years. But it also appears earlier. Thus we have this selection of egg nogs at the Bethesda Row Giant store at 7142 Arlington Road already for sale a week before Halloween. 

I've already reviewed all of these brands on my YouTube channel Christmas Countdown over the years. Turkey Hill is probably the best one of those pictured here. You can't go wrong with the Giant store brand. The Vanilla Spice variant of Southern Comfort Egg Nog is better than the Traditional variety.