Avocet Tower lights up with Washington Commanders colors ahead of NFC title game

The Washington Commanders will face the Philadelphia Eagles in a challenging but eminently-winnable National Football Conference Championship game this afternoon at 3:00 PM. Avocet Tower at 7373 Wisconsin Avenue in Bethesda was "ahead of the game" last night, when it made its best effort to ape Washington's burgundy-and-gold colors. The accent lighting can be customized within a limited color palette, and has been tweaked to do everything from celebrating Christmas, to showing solidarity with Ukraine. One question remains ahead of today's coin toss: Is Avocet Tower visible from Dan Snyder's yacht?

Lost seasons lead to sale prices for Redskins, Ravens at Safeway

I saw these Washington Redskins and Baltimore Ravens shirts recently on sale at 50% off, at the Safeway at 5000 Bradley Boulevard. The Redskins official website yesterday floated the possibility of the team drafting Wyoming quarterback Josh Allen.

Redskins' Chris Thompson to appear at Quincy's in Bethesda tonight

Join Washington Redskins running back Chris Thompson at Quincy's in downtown Bethesda tonight, September 8, for the NFL season opener of the Carolina Panthers vs. the Denver Broncos. Thompson will be signing autographs and posing for photos.

Watch the game on 19 giant HD televisions, and enjoy season opener specials. The game starts at 8:30 PM.

4920 Del Ray Avenue

(301) 718-2400

Redskins Store closes at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda (Photos)

Faster than a Darrell Green interception return for a touchdown, the Redskins Store has closed at Westfield Montgomery Mall. A burgundy band along the interior wall is the only clue that this was once a destination for Washington Redskins fans.

This is one of several perplexing closures at the mall recently. Sure, there have been disappointing seasons for the Skins too many years (although I remain a fan no matter how bad the record is any given year). But the team had an exciting season last year, has made some good additions for the upcoming season, and expectations are high. Not to mention that a poll of Native Americans recently sapped all the energy out of the New York-Dallas media conspiracy to strip the team of its name and history.

So, why would the Redskins Store close now? Bizarre. My only complaint was that the store was too small, and therefore couldn't carry the full spectrum of Redskins merchandise that is available.

BETHESDA BIG TRAIN CELEBRITY SOFTBALL CLASSIC (PHOTOS)

A Redskins-powered offense lifted the Athlete team to a 18-13 victory over the Media team, in Saturday's enjoyable Bethesda Big Train Celebrity Softball Classic. You might consider this event the equivalent of Midnight Madness for Bethesda baseball fans. Beautiful weather, a packed Shirley Povich Field, the crack of bats, and the aroma of hot dogs wafting through the stands. For fans eagerly awaiting the Big Train season (which starts with an exhibition game on May 31 - order tickets now here), this was a welcome change from the record cold of the Winter that Would Not Die.

The 3rd Annual celebrity game raised money for construction and maintenance of local youth ballfields, Lorenzo Alexander's ACES Foundation, The Brave Dave Open, and The Redskins Alumni Association.

Several members of the Media team said their squad might fare better with more distant outfield walls, to reign in some of the home runs by the Athlete power hitters. But the crowd didn't seem to mind the power display, cheering wildly as Washington Redskins kicker Kai Forbath started the game with a hot smash over the outfield wall. That set the tone, even as a scrappy Media team launched a few of their own, and capitalized on speed and errant throws.

A mascot race, a tribute to veterans, food from vendors like Buffalo Wild Wings and Auntie Anne's Pretzels, and a Qdoba burrito giveaway were among the diversions. And a silent auction offered winning prizes like lunch with Lorenzo Alexander, Chris Cooley's autographed jersey from this game, and a Dexter Manley autographed Redskins helmet.

But celebrities were the biggest draw, and those on both teams stayed afterwards to sign autographs and pose for photos. One internationally-known celebrity didn't make the team, but still made an appearance: Ronald McDonald threw out the ceremonial first pitch. McDonald's was among the game's sponsors.

Here are some photos from the game - stay tuned for video very soon!

Aston Martin DBS

Corvette provided by Member Car,
which also gave away free car washes

Even this guy was shocked by
the great weather, after
hibernating all winter

Helmet signed by the
legendary Dexter Manley

Ronald McDonald chats
with fans

Fantastic weather, and a
packed house, as
game time approaches

The Redskins' Kedric Golston
mans first base

Ready for a ground ball

Media team manager, and
former Redskins tight end,
Chris Cooley

Cooley is now an ESPN 980
radio personality

But is still in demand for an
interview himself

Ronald thinking about the
good reviews the new McDonald's
Peaches and Cream Pie, and
Bacon Clubhouse Burger, got
on the Robert Dyer Channel

On deck: Steve Chenevey,
FOX 5 sportscaster

Cooley can't be pleased with
the the way the game is
going

Me with Grant Paulsen of
106.7 The Fan

WUSA Sports anchor Kristen Berset,
who is disappointed about the
closure of Bethesda's BlackFinn,
which hosted Florida Gators
game watches

Another Gators fan, Comcast
SportsNet's Julie Donaldson

Steve Chenevey chats with
Washington Redskins LS
Nick Sundberg after the game

Redskins DE Kedric Golston, and
the very cool adidas custom
jersey designed for the game

Nick Sundberg

DJ Chris Styles of WPGC

Good night from
Shirley Povich Field
in Bethesda!

BETHESDA BIG TRAIN CELEBRITY SOFTBALL CLASSIC TICKETS ON SALE

Baseball season is nearly here, but it's time to make plans for a visit to Bethesda's own baseball park, Shirley Povich Field, for the Bethesda Big Train FanFest and Celebrity Softball Classic on April 12. The game will start at 7:00 PM, but come early for FanFest at 5:30 PM, for family-friendly rides, games, giveaways and a Redskins-themed auction. There'll also be free food for the first 500 people.

The media team has the most household names of local celebrities, including Chris Cooley, Fred Smoot, Chick Hernandez, Mike Wise, Julie Donaldson, Lindsay Murphy, Kristen Berset, Dianna Russini and DJ Chris Styles.

On the athlete roster, you'll find the Washington Redskins well-represented, including Ryan Kerrigan, Kai Forbath, Nick Sundberg, Perry Riley, Niles Paul, Kedrick Golston and Chris Wilson. Ali Krieger and Ashlyn Harris of the Washington Spirit soccer team, and University of Maryland favorite Byron Mouton will round out the athlete squad.

Proceeds from the game will benefit Arizona Cardinal Lorenzo Alexander's ACES Foundation, The Brave Dave Open, and the Washington Redskins Alumni Association. Game sponsors include adidas, Buffalo Wild Wings, Giant Food, and two hometown Bethesda companies: Miller & Long and Honest Tea.

Tickets are available now online, and what a great way to help several causes, while making a downpayment on warmer weather! You can get an idea of what the event will be like by watching the video below (the audio is silent due to YouTube muting it, so don't adjust your volume).

Shirley Povich Field, 10600 Westlake Dr.

BRIAN MITCHELL TO APPEAR AT BETHESDA CHARITY EVENT THURSDAY (PHOTO)

Ball Hogs Radio and KEEN will welcome famed Washington Redskins player Brian Mitchell to BlackFinn in Bethesda Thursday.

Click flyer to enlarge:

REDSKINS AMBULANCE TURNS HEADS IN DOWNTOWN BETHESDA - PHOTO

EMERGENCY VEHICLE

CAME TO RESCUE OF

NFL FANS AT CADDIES

ON CORDELL

Another Robert Dyer @ Bethesda Row Exclusive

Early last evening, a Redskins ambulance caused many a double-take on Cordell Avenue outside of Caddies on Cordell.

Among the special equipment aboard this "Special Operations Tailgating Unit" were large flatscreen TVs.

The vehicle was on hand for Ball Hogs Radio's NFL season kickoff party at Caddies.  No word if it was exempted from the new county Ambulance Fee...

BETHESDA'S

WOUNDED WARRIORS

ENJOY SPECIAL

SUPER BOWL PARTY

The U.S. Department of Defense has released details of a special Super Bowl party held for wounded servicemembers and their families here at Bethesda's Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.

Celebrity guests included Jon Voight, famed Washington Redskins Roy Jefferson and Carlton Kammerer, and the Washington Redskins Cheerleaders.

Pulled pork, chicken, Buffalo wings, pizza and nachos were among the fare served, according to the Defense Department.

Defense.gov noted this was the largest event held at Walter Reed since it moved to Bethesda's Naval Medical Center site in 2011.