Dinty Moore Beef Stew recalled due to wood in cans

Dinty Moore Beef Stew is usually one of the best canned products you can buy. But not one recent batch. Manufacturer Hormel has announced a recall of 20-ounce metal cans of the product with “BEST BY Feb 2028” and lot code “T02045” printed on the can. That lot code may also have an additional number at the end on your can. You will also see establishment number “EST 199G” printed on the can. The recall is nationwide.

Hormel received three consumer complaints reporting pieces of wood in the beef stew product. So far, there have been no confirmed reports of injury from the foreign material. Hormel can be contacted with questions and concerns at 800-523-4635.

Rat-hunting dogs tackle downtown Bethesda's pest problem

A rat-hunting dog with a red
LED collar sniffs around
trash cans on Woodmont Avenue

Rat-hunting dogs are hitting the streets of downtown Bethesda, the latest tactic to confront a persisting pest problem. A team of dogs with human handlers deploys to sniff out the trail of the dastardly fiends, so they can be rounded up. Areas of concentration include landscaping and trash receptacles. The handler will lift a public trash can so the dog can sniff underneath. Dogs wear LED collars.

The handler lifts the trash can,
so the dog can search underneath

The notable increase in rats and roaches scurrying about the streets and alleyways downtown after the 2020 pandemic lockdown seemed to reach a peak last summer. An increase in outdoor dining - including closed streets set up as "Streatery" dining areas, combined with decreased human activity during the nightime hours, seemed to attract more vermin. Other persisting factors in the surge include the collapse of the "nighttime economy," which has turned the downtown area into a dead zone after 9 or 10 PM at night, dog owners who don't pick up their animals' waste, and numerous excavations for construction projects. 

PetWellClinic opening at Pike & Rose

When your dog goes to Pike & Rose next year, it may not just be for fun and treats at Bark Social. That's because PetWellClinic is opening a location on the Rockville Pike/Old Georgetown Road corner of the Federal Realty property. The preventative-care veterinary clinic will be between Visionworks and Chipotle.

Franchisees Dave Ballow and Liz Overmann plan to open this and 24 other locations in our region. The Knoxville-based clinic chain was founded in 2009 by Dr. Sam Meisler, who sought to catch pet illnesses early through preventative care, while lowering vet bills for pet owners by stopping disease before it requires more expensive treatment.

Coronavirus doesn't take a vacation, but Maryland Health Department does

Coronavirus case numbers appeared astoundingly good in Bethesda, Montgomery County and the state of Maryland on Thursday and Friday. A little too good, given that cases are trending upward across the country and the world. In fact, Maryland's coronavirus website is inaccurately showing zero new cases for Thursday and Friday, November 25 and 26, 2021. It turns out that the Maryland Department of Health took Thursday and Friday off, and did not provide accurate data for new cases of Covid-19 during this period. 

The failure to inform the public is remarkable, given the firm government hand regarding masks, school and business closures, lockdowns, and vaccinations by Maryland officials over the last two years, and the announcement of the new Omnicron variant. According to The Washington Post, Virginia and the District of Columbia also did not report case numbers for Thursday and Friday. The Post (in its print edition, at least) did not report that Maryland would also fail to do so, however.

Home Care Assistance leaves Bethesda for DC

Home Care Assistance, a home healthcare service, has cleared out its offices at 7950 Norfolk Avenue. Clients are being directed to its new location in Northwest Washington D.C. 

HCA's new address is 4646 40th Street NW, off of Chesapeake Street NW, near Fort Reno Park and Woodrow Wilson High School. That's the same block where WDVM (now WUSA) Channel 9's fabled Broadcast House was once located (40th and Brandywine NW). One of the top neighborhoods in D.C.; I know it well. HCA had been at its most recent Bethesda address on Norfolk since 2014.

Bethesda Exxon offering most contactless way to fill up your gas tank

The new downtown Bethesda Exxon station at 8240 Wisconsin Avenue now offers the most contactless gas pump I've seen. You can pay using the Exxon/Mobil Rewards app, Amazon Alexa (by saying, "Alexa, pay for gas"), or by holding your card in proximity to a chip reader if it has a chip.

Exxon also boasts a new and improved car wash, something hard to find in Bethesda these days. And there are TV screens, a feature increasingly found at gas stations around the world.

Head2Toe Health offering rapid Covid-19 tests in downtown Bethesda

Head2Toe Health, a private medical clinic at 4938 St. Elmo Avenue in Bethesda, has been offering drive-up coronavirus testing services since last April. Now they also have rapid Covid-19 tests. Results come back while you wait after getting the test. They are also still offering the standard tests, the results of which take about two days on average, by comparison. Call 301-337-8610 for more information, or to make an appointment.

Stepped-up police presence as new Montgomery County mask mandate takes effect

More police cars were seen in high-traffic dining and retail hubs in Bethesda last evening, as a new mask regulation in Montgomery County went into effect at nightfall. The new requirement issued by County Health Officer Travis Gayles requires the wearing of masks at all times outdoors, even when six feet apart from others. At the same time, Gayles announced that indoor gatherings can include no more than ten people.

Shortly after the new orders went into effect at 5:00 PM, a Montgomery County police cruiser with lights flashing was stopped in the entry lane to the Trade Street garage at Pike & Rose. A heavier police presence was also seen around Bethesda Row, including a Park Police car just north of the development at Caroline Freeland Park. Not seen during early evening stops at both properties were the Maryland State Police, whom Gov. Larry Hogan had said would serve as mask patrols and establishment capacity enforcers over the holiday weekend. Virtually everyone walking around Bethesda Row was wearing a mask at that hour.

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan: All restaurants, bars statewide must close between 10 PM and 6 AM starting Friday

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R) announced additional restrictions on businesses and activities this afternoon, as the coronavirus pandemic worsens in the state and around the world. Effective Friday at 5:00 PM, Hogan has ordered all restaurants and bars statewide to close at 10:00 PM nightly. None will be allowed to open between 10:00 PM and 6:00 AM. 

Hogan also ordered most hospital visits to be suspended with some exceptions, and nursing home visitors will be limited to compassionate care visitors, who have to be tested 72 hours before visiting. The governor also banned all attendance at professional and collegiate sporting events, just weeks after fans were allowed to return to stadiums in the state.

Under the new restrictions, all retail stores and places of worship must reduce capacity to 50%. Hogan urged any students returning from college, or who plan to be around elderly relatives for Thanksgiving, to get tested for Covid-19 first. 

The governor asked hospitals to postpone any elective procedures or treatments where possible. He said hospitalizations are up 100% since November 1. The number of patients in ICU beds is the highest since June 2020. Maryland's Health Department is issuing an order to allow hospitals that are full, or nearing capacity, to transfer patients to other hospitals.

"We are in a war right now, and the virus is winning," Hogan said. "Now more than ever, I am pleading with the people of our state to stand together a while longer to help us battle this surging virus.”

Hospital bed use exceeding summer Covid-19 spike level in Maryland

Black line = total beds
Pink line = acute beds
Purple line = ICU beds

Current hospitalizations in Maryland now exceed the number at the height of the summer Covid-19 spike, according to data from the Maryland Department of Health. Acute beds and total beds in-use are at a higher level and continue to trend upward in late fall. ICU bed use, which peaked in May and was flat over the summer and early fall, is now beginning to creep upward sharply. Coronavirus cases have been increasing concurrently with the increase in hospitalizations. 

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services spokesperson Pete Piringer said MCFRS units were operating under Blue Alert around 11:45 PM last night. All Montgomery County hospital emergency rooms were busy at that hour, Piringer said. Blue Alert means there is more active management of the distribution of patients transported among hospital emergency rooms.

As of this writing, no County hospitals are on Blue Alert, but Holy Cross Germantown is under Red Alert - meaning no ECG-monitored beds are available, and that it can no longer accept emergency patients who need such monitoring - and has been since 6:38 AM this morning. Sibley Memorial Hospital is also under Red Alert this morning.

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan is expected to hold a press conference on the Covid-19 situation this afternoon at 5:00 PM.

Maryland releases draft Covid-19 vaccination plan

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R) released a draft of the state's Covid-19 vaccination plan this morning. Like all states, Maryland must submit a plan like this to the federal government for how it will store, distribute and administer any future approved vaccines for the coronavirus.

The Maryland vaccination plan is split into three phases: the initial period when vaccine supply may be minimal and who should have priority to receive it must be determined, a second phase when large amounts become available and there is a more general rush to administer it to a large number of people, and a third, ongoing phase when one or more Covid-19 vaccines continue to be distributed like a flu shot in the future.

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R)

The Maryland Department of Health Center for Immunization (CFI) will orchestrate the operational side of implementing the plan. MDH's Office of Preparedness and Response (OP&R) will focus on planning, coordination and logistical matters. And other MDH programs and agencies such as the Maryland Emergency Management Agency and Maryland State Police will take on other roles "as the operational needs evolve," the plan draft states.

Will you, the average Montgomery County citizen, be one of the first to receive a Covid-19 vaccine? No, according to the plan. In phase one, only high-risk members of the population and workers at hospitals, long term care (LTC) and skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) are anticipated to be vaccinated. 

The plan states that two doses of the potential vaccine(s) will likely be required, with a period of three or more weeks between shots. Maryland plans to use its PrepMod and Maryland MyIR online portals to send recipients a reminder that it is time to come in for the second dose. PrepMod will also initially be the main vaccine management system, 

PrepMod is an online clinic management and appointment scheduling system. It is used by Maryland local health departments to conduct mass vaccination drives and vaccinations at school-located clinics. Maryland's ImmuNet will play a central role as the one-stop shop for health care providers to register as an official Covid-19 vaccine provider, order their vaccine supplies, track vaccine deliveries, report doses administered, and to determine scheduling of second doses.

Maryland's first priority in public messaging when a vaccine becomes available will be assuring the public that it is a safe and effective vaccine. Public communication will then emphasize vaccination of the most-vulnerable first, and then the general population.

One of the other key points covered in the report is the necessary training of providers in the handling, storage and administration of this new vaccine or vaccines. This training will have to be rapid. Among the required training efforts, Maryland plans to utilize state, federal and CDC materials and webinars to get providers up to speed quickly.

Few signs of coronavirus panic yet in Bethesda (Photos)

Hogan, Elrich advise residents

to remain calm and informed

Bethesda residents are not hitting the panic button over the deadly COVID-19 coronavirus yet. There have been no confirmed cases of the virus in Maryland yet, but a few patients have qualified for testing. Stores seem to be well-stocked with virtually every item, including the milk, bread, and paper goods that people often clear out in a panic. The only panic buys I have really seen so far are of hand wipes, gloves, masks and respirators at CVS Pharmacy, Lysol and other disinfecting wipes at Safeway on Arlington Road, and rubbing alcohol bottles, meals that do not require refrigeration, Cup Noodles, and a few specific brands of peanut butter, water and bread at Giant (but there were still plenty of both on the shelves as of last night, and more on the way as stores continue to restock).

Lysol disinfecting wipes cleaned out at
Safeway

Purchases seem to be strategic and based on expert advice stressing the need for wipes, masks and gloves. A notice is posted at CVS regarding the shortage of masks and gloves, and that shortage already extended to major online retailers earlier last week. But to this point, I haven't seen the shelves stripped as we have during weather events since I began reporting on Bethesda in 2006. In such a highly-educated community, residents appear to be following credible information and remaining calm.

Bottled water at Giant in the
Westwood Shopping Center

We can also learn some interesting trivia about the preferences of Bethesda residents. JIF is the peanut butter brand of choice of shoppers at the Westbard Giant during emergencies, and the creamy variety in particular. Plenty of Peter Pan and Skippy peanut butter remain on the shelves, as does Chunky JIF. Shoppers there also overwhelmingly prefer Nissin's Cup Noodles ramen cups over Maruchan's. A handful of packs of Shrimp Cup Noodles, and a stray beef and chicken pack remained Saturday. Maruchan varieties were fully stocked.

Giant shoppers like the beef varieties of Hormel's non-refrigerated entrees, except for the Dinty Moore beef stew. Even at 2 for $4.

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R)

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R) has spoken with Vice-President Mike Pence (R) to coordinate the state and federal response to the coronavirus outbreak. Bethesda residents appear to be following Hogan's advice not to panic, but to take this seriously and to continue to stay informed.” Hogan paid an in-person visit to the state's emergency command center in Reisterstown last Thursday, and is submitting a $10 million coronavirus response package to the General Assembly for approval. He urges residents to rely on Maryland's official coronavirus information website.

Montgomery County Executive
Marc Elrich (D)

Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich (D) says "Our primary focus is to ensure that people are educated and informed as this situation unfolds." He is directing residents to the County's own official coronavirus website for ongoing information and prevention tips.

Righttime Medical Care to open in December

Here's an update on Righttime Medical Care at 4507 Stanford Street in downtown Bethesda. While their signage was installed in April, construction has clearly taken longer than expected. The urgent-care clinic with nighttime hours is now targeting a December opening.

Bethesda building now condemned...but still without roof covering (Photos)

Montgomery County building inspectors downgraded the vacant building at 4820 Auburn Avenue from "Unsafe" to "Condemned" Monday. Neighbors have expressed concern that the building, which lost its roof during a snowstorm this past winter, poses a mosquito threat due to standing water on the premises.

While the building is now condemned, the tarp remains displaced, and the structure could still breed mosquitoes. That is even more concerning due to the spread of the Zika virus into the United States from South America, which is transmitted via the detestable creatures.

So until the tarp is repositioned, the County's work isn't done here yet.

MD nonprofit seeks kids with asthma for study, offers stipend and free home improvements

The National Center for Healthy Housing, a non-profit located in Columbia, is seeking children with asthma between the ages of 5 and 16 for a study on improving indoor air quality. Children must live in a single-family home or townhome, and must be covered under private health insurance (includes plans under the Affordable Care Act).

Participants will receive a stipend of up to $350 for the year-long study, and some in the study group will receive free home improvements related to indoor air quality.

For full details, and to enroll by the May 31, 2016 deadline, visit the study website.

Downtown Bethesda building declared unsafe by Montgomery County (Photos)

Montgomery County took a swift initial action on the roofless building I reported on yesterday, condemning the structure at 4820 Auburn Avenue. Nearby residents have expressed several concerns about the vacant property, most recently its potential to hold standing water that could breed mosquitoes as temperatures rise.

A tarp over the top of the structure has been blown aside, exposing the interior (and pockets in the tarp) to rainwater.

As of last evening, the tarp had not been replaced.

Is this Bethesda property increasing your risk of contracting Zika? (Photos)

A reader with a bird's-eye view of the vacant Steamers property at 4820 Auburn Avenue tweeted me over the weekend with his concern that the now-roofless building could become a breeding ground for mosquitoes. The pesky insects, already notorious for spreading West Nile virus here, have plunged further in the public opinion polls now that they are known carriers of the Zika virus. Now spreading into the United States, the disease is being blamed for birth defects in children.

From the Twitter photo sent to me (above), it was clear that tarp covering the collapsed roof must have been blown aside by the high winds over the last week. This is allowing rain to fully enter the building, and theoretically would leave standing water that creates a mosquito risk. If you look through the front doors, you can see right through what used to be the roof, and the Gallery Bethesda apartment tower looming above.

The 8,342 SF property is currently for sale, and most likely represents a demolition and redevelopment opportunity for the prospective buyer.