RIVER ROAD TV TOWER EXCEEDING LIGHT POLLUTION REGULATIONS AGAIN IN BETHESDA

The lowest flashing bulb on the TV tower behind McDonald's on River Road is going crazy again. It's been 48 hours now. This happened last year, and went on for weeks. Finally, I called the tower's owner, Crown Castle. They promised to fix it, and within a couple of weeks, it was corrected. And that was actually the second malfunction, since the tower converted from red to white lights years ago.

Now it's happening again. I received a complaint a number of days ago via comment from a reader; however, when I checked at that time, it did not seem to be malfunctioning. Perhaps it depends which direction you are standing in relation to the tower. But it's going nuts for sure now, and once again, it simply exceeds any reasonable light pollution limits.

I'll have to call them again, apparently. This is ridiculous. They need to make a permanent fix - or better yet, join the other 90% of towers in America, and use the red lights that don't have this problem (the River Road tower uses white flashing lights). Red lights are the industry standard. Does anyone know what federal entity regulates lights on broadcast towers?

This is how the bulbs are
supposed to look at night

RIVER ROAD TV TOWER LIGHT GOING CRAZY AGAIN IN BETHESDA

I've heard from a number of residents who live near the old Channel 20 broadcast tower on River Road, regarding the third light going bonkers at night.

I'd actually already noticed it, but it doesn't seem like it's going to change unless somebody says something. It flashes off nearby structures, and the intensity is in violation of light pollution regulations.

This isn't the first time, and it was even worse last time.

On Monday, June 7, 2010, all three of the tower's warning lights were replaced with these new white flashing light assemblies. When night fell that evening, it was clear that workers had either left the lights on too high of a setting, or had failed to install shielding on them.

What transpired was a cross between a laser show and a fireworks display. That goes on all night. As obnoxious as it was in nearby neighborhoods, imagine being in one of the top floor apartments next to the tower.

Obviously, I heard from people at that time, too.

When it went on a second night, I wrote about it on my blog on Wednesday, June 9.

By nightfall, the lights had been toned down to their normal illumination.

I don't know if pointing it out publicly will bring it to their attention again. I think it could have been an honest mistake both times, because, obviously, the bulbs get changed in daylight, and the problem is only apparent at night.

But it is a problem, and I will start making some calls if it doesn't get fixed soon.

I actually like this tower, and grew up around it. As a child, before I knew the layout of all the surrounding neighborhoods, I used to use the tower as a North Star of sorts when out exploring.

The tower is 850' tall, and is owned by Crown Castle. It used to broadcast several TV station signals; the building at its base is the former home of WDCA Channel 20.

There is no broadcast television anymore. Hence, TV is no longer broadcast via this tower in the traditional sense.  It does broadcast radio (Hot 99.5, 94.7 Fresh FM), and cellphone signals.  There are satellite dishes around the base, and a variety of miscellaneous broadcast equipment around it.

Last year, quite extensive work was done on the tower, and a different antenna array was installed at its highest point.

I'll keep you updated on this story, of course, and keep those reader tips and gossip coming in!

CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS EXTRAVAGANZA AT SHOPPES OF BETHESDA (PHOTOS)

Maybe it's the effect of having a Christmas tree lot on your street, but the Shoppes of Bethesda shopping center has gone all out for the holidays this year.

Even the "secret staircase" between Elm Street and Hampden Lane is filled with Christmas cheer.

Would you believe there's a Nutcracker soldier guarding the premises?  And judging from those red cheeks, he's been having one too many drinks at Ri-Ra in the process! It's hard to find good help these days.

CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS POPPING UP AROUND BETHESDA (PHOTOS)

Yesterday was the official start of the holiday season, and that means Christmas trees, lights, and decorations are appearing all around. Even on parking garages!

BETHESDA U.P. RESTORES VETERANS PARK FLAG LIGHTING

U.S. FLAG

FLYING AGAIN

TUESDAY NIGHT

Another Robert Dyer @ Bethesda Row Exclusive

The U.S. Flag illumination problems in Bethesda's Veterans Park I reported here Monday morning, have been corrected.

Tuesday, 8:30 PM

Workers from Bethesda Urban Partnership fixed the lighting, and by last evening, the Stars and Stripes were flapping over Veterans Park once again.

Earlier Tuesday, I received a Twitter message from Bethesda U.P. that said the lighting for the flag was going to be fixed, and in the meantime, the flag would be raised in the morning, and taken down by dark.

So I was surprised to find the flag - properly lit - already flying over the park last night.

Bethesda U.P. released photos showing workers in action Tuesday.

Bethesda U.P. workers repair flag display
lighting at Veterans Park Tuesday
[Photo: Bethesda U.P.]

Kudos to Bethesda U.P. for addressing this matter, and I highly recommend everyone stop by and see the flag in its fully-lit glory after dark.  But if you can't, I've posted a photo above.

BETHESDA VETERANS PARK FLAG UPDATE

Last night, the American flag in Veterans Park was lowered and removed before dark.  As I reported yesterday, the flag had been flying in darkness recently, in violation of the U.S. Flag Code.

Veterans Park, Tuesday evening

While taking the flag down is the appropriate course of action, in the event no illumination is possible, this is not the ideal solution.

Is there a wiring or bulb issue?  If so, this should be resolved as soon as it is feasible to do so.  I'm glad that the flag is now (hopefully) going to be treated properly, and hope it will be raised again during daylight hours today.

But Veterans Park should not be left in substandard condition indefinitely.  We have a setup there to illuminate the flag and veterans memorial at night, and we ought to use it.  The park is a public space, and should be inviting to the public around the clock.  And with the monument and flag illuminated, it is also an inspiring place.

As the richest town in America, it's incumbent upon us to aim a bit higher than this.  If parks aren't going to be maintained in working order, taxpayers may start demanding a refund of the taxes they've paid for that very purpose.

BETHESDA'S VETERANS PARK IN VIOLATION OF U.S. FLAG CODE AGAIN

FLAG, MEMORIAL

FALL INTO

DARKNESS AGAIN

Another Robert Dyer @ Bethesda Row Exclusive

The display of the U.S. flag in downtown Bethesda's Veterans Park is again in violation of federal law, which requires that flags flown at night be illuminated.

Sunday, September 23, 2012

Last night - and by my recollection, other recent nights - the flag was flying in total darkness.  You may remember that the flag, and memorial to Bethesda-Chevy Chase veterans killed in action over the last century, had been unlit at night this year until I pointed this out publicly. Within a week, lighting was restored.

This is how it's supposed to be done
July 2012

Once the lights were back on, I reported that many people were now stopping at the memorial, and reading the inscription to themselves or their children.  In other words, Veterans Park was again serving its original purpose - preserving the memories of community members who made the ultimate sacrifice, for the cause of freedom.

Beyond that, the park has been more active and welcoming at night with the lights on.  Active and inviting public spaces are a major part of the successful urban environment in Bethesda and elsewhere.  Why shouldn't this park be all that it can be?

With that context, I am perplexed as to why the park has gone dark again recently.  If a bulb has burnt out, or wiring has failed, the flag must then be lowered at night, and raised again in the morning.  But if the lights are working, they must be on every night.

This isn't just my advice as a onetime Bethesda Cub Scout.  It just happens to be the law.

U.S. Code, Title 4, Section 6a, to be precise:

"It is the universal custom to display the flag only from sunrise to sunset...However, when a patriotic effect is desired, the flag may be displayed 24 hours a day if properly illuminated during the hours of darkness."

Oops.

As you can see in the photo, this was not the case last night.

Perhaps some feel this is not a big deal.  I do realize that when the weather turns colder, the fountain turns off for the winter.  But the flag and memorial should remain lit year-round.

This is just a matter of respect, and civic pride, if nothing else.  What if an Iraq War veteran - now a traveling businessman - is staying at the Doubletree Hotel, and takes a walk down Woodmont at night?  Upon reaching the park, he finds the veterans memorial and flag in darkness.  Is that the message we want visitors to take away from Bethesda?

It's flat out embarrassing, and I hope most people reading this feel the same.

And in the case of the flag, it just happens to be against the law.

Time to turn the lights on.  Again.

BETHESDA / NW DC

CRIME WAVE

UPDATE

No New Armed Robberies to Report,

Capital Properties Takes

Westwood Shopping Center

Back to Dark Ages

Another Robert Dyer @ Bethesda Row Exclusive!!!

The Jan. 19 Park Bethesda armed, masked trio is still at large. No armed robberies fitting the gang's method of operation have been reported.

Let's examine any other crimes within the group's operating area, which centers on the Western Avenue border between Maryland and the District. Specifically, assaults, robberies and auto thefts. This trio clearly has utilized vehicles, given the distance of the Park Bethesda from the nearest Metro station. Criminals in this situation could make use of stolen cars, and switch them as necessary.

Assault, 5100 block of Dalecarlia Place, Bethesda, 3/13/2012 (SpotCrime)

Assault, 7359 Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda, 3/13/2012 (SpotCrime)

Robbery, 2800 block of New Mexico Avenue, NW, DC, 3/13/2012 (SpotCrime)

Assault, 4900 block of Fairmont Avenue, Bethesda, 3/11/2012 (SpotCrime)

Assault, 4900 block of Fairmont Avenue, Bethesda, 3/10/2012 (SpotCrime)

Robbery, 4800 block of Nebraska Avenue, NW, DC, 3/9/2012 (SpotCrime)

The only notable incident reported by the Montgomery County Police was a theft of vehicle at Macarthur Blvd. and Brickyard Rd., outside of the Park Bethesda robbers' area of activity.

In other news, Capital Properties bizarrely has turned off the lights in one-third of the parking area at the Westwood Shopping Center. Apparently, they think the community is not intelligent enough to realize the lights are off. Once again, it is a dark and dangerous trip to the grocery and drug stores for residents of Park Bethesda and Westbard Mews, who walk across the darkened area of the lot.

After Friendship Heights retailers agreed to leave on more exterior lighting, and Pepco replaced some faulty streetlights, it is beyond embarrassing for Capital Properties to decrease public safety in the Westbard area by extinguishing lights that have been lit at night for decades.

The lights have been off three nights, as of Thursday night. Lighting remains on in parking areas directly in front of stores in the shopping center, as it did during the three week blackout that ended eight days ago.

Now that the lights are out again, nearby residents are wondering what Capital Properties' message is to the neighborhood, even as the developer hopes to win community support for redevelopment of the Westbard sector. Not a great way to go about winning support!