FREE CHICK-FIL-A IN BETHESDA IF YOU DRESS LIKE A COW FRIDAY

All day Friday at Chick-Fil-A at Westfield Montgomery Mall is Cow Appreciation Day.

Dress like a cow, and you'll get FREE food.  How much, depends on how hardcore you are.

Dress partially like a cow, and get a FREE original chicken sandwich.

Dress "head to hoof" as a complete cow, and you'll receive a FREE #1 meal!

Moo.

ROTI MEDITERRANEAN GRILL IS COMING TO BETHESDA!

SOMEBODY NEEDS A S'HUG

Sultan Sandwiches all around!  Roti Mediterranean Grill will be opening in late 2012 at the Westlake Crossing Shopping Center in Bethesda.  You know, that place right next to Westfield Montgomery Mall.

If you haven't been to the Roti in DC (or Chicago, or lots of places around the country), it will be kind of like Cava Grill here at Bethesda Row.  The service is similar, also:  cafeteria, build-a-meal, choose this, skip that... you know the drill.

This will be just one of many Mediterranean-inspired restaurants in Bethesda.  Besides Cava, there are Lebanese Taverna at Bethesda Row, Yamas Grill on Rugby Avenue, Queen Bee Cafe on Bethesda Avenue, just to name a few!

But Roti is highly-rated, so it should be highly-welcome, especially by the lunch crowd working at the Rockledge office parks, and in the mall.

TIME TO TACKLE INFLATED INFRASTRUCTURE COSTS

COZY RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN 

POLITICIANS, UNIONS, CONSTRUCTION FIRMS 

DRIVING TAXPAYERS INTO POORHOUSE, 

STIFLING VITAL PROJECTS

One of the biggest arguments for substandard transit projects like Montgomery County's proposed BRT system, and not building needed highways is, "We just don't have the money."

That's partly true, because politicians keep spending transportation funds on the folks who donate to their campaigns.

But there's a fundamental flaw to that argument, and it came to my attention recently.

Reading about a new interstate highway in the deep South, that will extend several hundred miles through three states, I was flabbergasted to find that the ambitious project's total cost was going to be less than what Maryland taxpayers are paying for the few miles of the InterCounty Connector.

As a fan of underground subways, I wonder why areas like ours have stopped building them.  We're told that light rail (which I also like, by the way) is a cheaper alternative.

Initially, you might think so.  New York City is building a subway extension of 8 miles for $17 billion.  In contrast, Maryland has estimated the much longer Purple Line to cost around $2.2 billion as a surface light rail line.

But wait a minute, Toronto is building the 15.5 mile Englinton-Scarborough Crosstown subway line for about $8 billion.

Ironically, the ESC subway was meant to be a light rail line.  But Toronto Mayor Tom Ford wisely scrapped that plan.

Subways are a far more civilized form of urban transit, particularly in dense areas.  They help create world-class transit systems when stops are placed in the right spots.  Subways can arrive beneath destinations, whereas light rail can be blockaded by surface obstacles around buildings.  Consider the experience of arriving within the Verizon Center complex or Prince Georges Plaza, compared with remote outposts like the White Flint and Shady Grove stations.

And subways do not require all of the surface clutter and debris needed to operate light rail systems.  Not to mention that subway speeds blow away bus or light rail rapid transit.

We're unlikely to match the transit ridership rates of New York City until we have a system that covers the same amount of territory the Big Apple's does.

And we won't reduce gridlock until we build our master plan highways like the Rockville Freeway, M-83 Midcounty Highway Extended, the Outer Beltway, and the Northern Parkway.

Opponents say we can't afford to do it.

It turns out that's hogwash.

Why does it cost so much to build infrastructure here?  Besides nuisance lawsuits permitted by federal law, the driving force behind costs is our politicians' cozy and unethical relationships with all of the players needed to build anything.  Requiring not only union labor, but with an inflated wage, causes costs to skyrocket.  Design and build firms, like union leaders, give generously to politicians' campaigns.  And those politicians are equally generous with the taxpayers' money, approving design and construction projects with overinflated budgets.  And as we've witnessed with projects like Strathmore and the Silver Spring Transit Center, those same tight relationships seem to prevent elected officials from taking any serious, punitive measures to avoid cost overruns when projects go wrong.

While a project like the Rockville Freeway could be built for well under $1 billion under the current cost structure, it is well past time to tackle the outrageous infrastructure prices that are keeping our region from moving forward.  That includes sewer and utility improvements, too!  Even FDR believed that unions hold no right to bankrupt the public.

For Montgomery County in particular, it has been devastating.  It doesn't have to be.  We have the power to take action now to reduce the cost of building infrastructure.  What we need is the leadership that can actually take on this challenge.

BETHESDA STORM UPDATE: NEW POWER OUTAGES, DEBRIS PICKUP STARTS TODAY

TORRENTIAL DOWNPOURS HIT BETHESDA

Last night's storms were light on wind, thunder and lightning, but still left some Bethesda residents without power.  I received two reports of power outages in neighborhoods off of River Road.  However, Pepco had restored that outage by shortly after midnight.

Are you without power in Bethesda currently?  Let me know in the comments below, or on Twitter at @BethesdaRow!

COUNTY STORM DEBRIS COLLECTION STARTS TODAY

Get your limbs, branches and other assorted wood debris out to the curb of county-maintained roads - county crews will be traveling throughout the county starting today to pick it all up.

They have a map where you can supposedly track their movement in real time (now if we could just have a real-time, online, itemized county budget!) on the county website.

Not ready yet?  Don't worry!  You can still put debris out in smaller bundles on future trash days.

"BIG BULLY" GAITHERSBURG MUSCLES IN ON CELEBRATE DAMASCUS FIREWORKS

My favorite place besides Bethesda in Montgomery County is Damascus.

Each year, this small town holds an event called Celebrate Damascus, usually the Friday and Saturday the next week after July 4th.

This year, it is this Friday, July 13, and Saturday, July 14.  Friday night will be the parade and fireworks, and Saturday is a townwide celebration at venues ranging from the Damascus Volunteer Fire Department, VFD Activities building on Lewis Drive, the Damascus Library, etc.

The fireworks display is one of the best kept secrets in the county, and has always been held after July 4th, which boosts turnout for the Damascus display.  Usually, there is no competing fireworks show.

Until this year.

Gaithersburg, which canceled its July 4 fireworks in political solidarity with allies in Rockville and Montgomery County government, abruptly announced it would have its fireworks after all.

On July 13.

So much for mutual respect among jurisdictions!

The most offensive part of this decision, is that Gaithersburg is using a taxpayer funded event to the detriment of Celebrate Damascus, which - in contrast - is the result of mostly private, volunteer efforts.  And the Damascus fireworks are usually paid for by at least one generous, private donor.

It's just bad sportsmanship by the City of Gaithersburg, whose "city elders" are surely aware of the Damascus event, and its importance to town pride and charitable organizations, schools, churches and businesses.

So join me in giving a hearty "BOOOOO!!" to Gaithersburg, which should have gone ahead on July 4th.

But wait, take it a step further.  Go to the parade and fireworks in Damascus.  After 6:30 PM or so, you'll have to park in the Weis Markets lot, as streets north of there close for the parade.

One other Celebrate Damascus item to pass along.  If you go Saturday, somewhere in town there is supposed to be a booth where the Damascus United Methodist Church (located at the corner of Main Street and Woodfield Road) will be raising money to restore its 1930 Skinner pipe organ.

The restoration will cost $129,954 and 75 cents.

You can learn more about the organ - and see some interesting photos of the current church under construction - in this video.

Other town highlights?

Damascus water tower

My personal favorite is the water tower.  Other favorites?  Weis Markets, the historic Druid movie theater (still standing, but now a Rite Aid), Jimmie Cone, the Damascus Heritage Museum (behind the library) and Tom and Ray's restaurant.

One of the greatest historic structures in Montgomery County is the
Druid movie theater on Main Street.  Now a Rite Aid[!!].

In Friday's parade, you'll see other favorites of mine, including John Deere and Farmall tractors, muscle cars, and Damascus, Laytonsville and Mount Airy VFD firetrucks, ambulances, and rescue vehicles.

When the 2 day event ends, you may have a new appreciation for the vital role volunteer fire departments play in communities like Damascus, and think about signing the petition to oppose the Ambulance Fee.

FREE BEER 7 PM TONIGHT IN BETHESDA!

Don't tell me you're going to pass up FREE BEER!

Get smart and head to Rock Bottom at the corner of Norfolk and St. Elmo Avenues right here in downtown Bethesda, at 7:00 tonight.

There you will enjoy a FREE sample of their house-brewed Right On Rye, an American-style pale ale.  With 33% rye malt, and Cascade hops, Right on Rye is a great summer beer with sweet bread and citrus flavors.

But don't take my word for it; Right On Rye won the gold medal at the Great American Beer Festival!

Collect your friends and report to Rock Bottom at 7, because when it's gone, it's gone!

P.S.  Don't forget that the new Lot 8 on St. Elmo Avenue is a great place to park for Rock Bottom, if you can find a space.  It's on the second block of St. Elmo, on your left past The Corner Slice.

BETHESDA ROW'S RAILROAD HISTORY UNEARTHED - LITERALLY!

Excavators digging at the site of former Public Parking Lot 31 have had a shocking encounter with Bethesda's past.

After digging several feet beneath the lot surface, they struck something hard.  Further clearing revealed still-intact railroad tracks, that had been hastily buried in Montgomery County's rush to redevelop today's Bethesda Row area.

Yes, Bethesda was railroad town - a Baltimore and Ohio Railroad town, on the Georgetown Branch.

While newer residents know this right of way as the Capital Crescent Trail, it originally was a freight railroad between its junction with the Metropolitan Branch near Lyttonsville in Silver Spring, and the Georgetown waterfront.

The area around Lot 31 on Bethesda Avenue was home to industrial plants and a rail switching yard.  I'm not sure if this particular track was used for switching, or if it was a spur to a factory.

How can the rails still be connected under all that weight?  I know that when the railroad was taken over by the Chessie System, the company retracked the Georgetown Branch with higher-quality, welded rail.

Unfortunately for young railroads fans like me, CSX abandoned the Georgetown Branch in the mid-80s.  The Apex Building (Regal Bethesda 10) was not there at the time.  Wisconsin Avenue - unbeknownest to many - actually crosses the railroad right-of-way on a bridge.  I remember looking down off the sidewalk on the side of that bridge, waiting for the rare train to enter downtown Bethesda.  More homeless people emerged than trains, usually.

The spot near the front of Barnes and Noble used to actually be home to a B&O rail office.  To a child like me, however, the railroad was permanently associated with the Chessie System and its classic locomotive paint scheme.

There is a ton of history in Bethesda, and much is related to the Georgetown Branch.

First of all, railroad historians have recognized the Georgetown Branch as an engineering triumph when it was completed, just about a century ago.

Second, did you know that all of the heavy stone used to build the Lincoln Memorial got there by train - on the Georgetown Branch?  Yes, the memorial you visit today once passed through Bethesda in pieces, on its way into the District.

One other favorite piece of Georgetown Branch history of mine:  the railroad played host to the world's oldest operating steam engine - The John Bull - in 1981, if I remember correctly.

Alas, all good things come to an end.  The tracks were torn up in the early 90s.  The Capital Crescent Trail that has become such a valued parkland, came to exist partly by accident.  Rumors of passenger and commuter trains being added to the Georgetown Branch had been heard since 1955, when the Montgomery County Council first asked the B&O for permission to do just that.   The B&O's response?  "Get lost!"  Or something like that.

My heartbreak at the abandonment announcement was only tempered by the promise that commuter rail service would soon begin, and the county soon purchased the route from CSX.

But wealthy residents along the Georgetown Branch in Bethesda had no intention of allowing this.  Working with county and state officials, they had the tracks removed at tremendous expense.

There would be no more trains in Bethesda.

But now there is the CCT, which gets tremendous use by residents and tourists alike.

Still, it's worth pointing out that had CSX kept trains running, everything we have around Bethesda Row today would still have been possible.

The fact that the tracks were not removed by the county, and they simply laid the parking lot on top, shows what a rush they were in for developer profits at the time.

Today, a new developer project at the same site [The Darcy] is disrupting cyclists and pedestrians on the CCT, and causing traffic and parking problems for everyone visiting Bethesda Row.  Mostly because the county put developer profits ahead of a common-sense plan to time closures of downtown parking facilities, and build new ones concurrently.

The more things change...

But at least on Bethesda Avenue, the railroad is getting the last laugh.

KNITS, ETC. IS CLOSING AT BETHESDA ROW

Bethesda Row boutique Knits, Etc. has announced it is closing.

I can't tell you what this portends for civilization as a whole, because I've never actually heard any woman mention the place.  I've never been inside.  Men are not exactly their target demographic.

But it's unlikely many women heard of it either, as a Google search turned up no website or Facebook for the shop.  Along with the combined rating of 1 star on Yelp, perhaps the closure was inevitable.

Have you ever patronized Knits, Etc.?  Are you going to miss the store?  Post a comment and let others know.

BETHESDA STORM UPDATE: BATTEN DOWN THE HATCHES

Severe thunderstorms are expected to hit Bethesda between 1 and 11 PM today.  With a cold front hitting 105 degree temperatures, fasten your seatbelts for a wild and wooly day.

Don't forget that collection of curbside storm tree/limb/miscellaneous wood scraps begins July 11.

Let's hope the county picks up the 3 fallen trees currently blocking the sidewalk on Westbard Avenue between Westbard Circle and Massachusetts Avenue.  If you are trying to walk to church or Little Falls Library, use the Westbard Mews side of the street sidewalk.

DEVELOPER PROPOSES NEW BUILDING FOR CORNER OF NORFOLK AND CORDELL

Remember The Veneto?  That 8 story condo and retail project planned for the corner of Norfolk and Cordell Avenues stalled out in recent years.

Now the owner of the classic building that currently occupies the spot is floating a 2-story, glass facade building for retail and/or restaurant use.  Developer Norfolk-Cordell II, LLC says, optimistically, the "new" building will open in early 2013, and that one floor is already leased.

The concept illustrations, and 2 story height, suggest a renovation of the current building, rather than a demolition of it.  If that's the case, while I think even the existing building design could be made to work, a renovation would be better than knocking it down.

The corner is a prime spot on Norfolk Avenue.  Long-term-minded investors should know that Norfolk is planned to be the "Bethesda Avenue" of the future, redeveloped "Old Town Bethesda."

That makes it a great location to be in, once new residential buildings are constructed and occupied.  There's also a vacuum for a restaurant that is in between the high-end, fine dining of Tragara and Grapeseed, and the more casual spots like Freddy's Lobster and soon-to-open Smoke BBQ.

MYSTERY BETHESDA SIDEWALK REPAIRS REVEALED!

It turns out that all of the destruction and repairs to the sidewalks at Fairmont and Wisconsin Avenues is just to install one of those ADA squares with the little bumps, as has been done elsewhere in downtown Bethesda.

As you can see, much progress had been made by the time this photo was taken, but it's still a mess.  I never realized so much of the sidewalk had to be torn up to install those.  It's like taking an axe to your front door when you want to install a new doorknocker.

By the way, that's the Minute Clinic at CVS across Wisconsin Avenue.  If you are new in downtown Bethesda, and are uninsured or underinsured, note the location.  It will be your new best friend the next time you are sick.

SMOKE BBQ BETHESDA - UPDATE ON NEW BBQ RESTAURANT

The old Asian Cafe space at 4858 Cordell Avenue has gotten a makeover.

New tenant Smoke BBQ has installed an awning out front.  The homestyle barbecue restaurant will open this summer.

Cordell is becoming home to a nice variety of cuisines.

The lights are on - and somebody's home - at Smoke BBQ.

BETHESDA STORM UPDATE: HOW TO GET RID OF STORM DEBRIS, POWER OUTAGES CONTINUE

WEATHER NEWS

I'm not going to insult your intelligence like the TV news - "It's hot! It's 100 degrees!" Duh!

But it will feel like 115 degrees Saturday, so be prepared.  New thunderstorms are forecast to hit Bethesda on Sunday and/or Monday.

Montgomery County still has a cooling center open at Richard Montgomery High School in Rockville for those without power.

POWER OUTAGES

Up to 14,000 county residents remain without power a full week after the storm hit.  To top it off, some have even lost power once it was restored.

Chef Tony's and Jiffy Shoppes both suffered partial or complete power outages on St. Elmo Avenue Thursday.

MONTGOMERY COUNTY TREE DEBRIS

What do you do with all of those branches, limbs and chunks of wood littering your yard?

A) Build a log cabin

B) Start a firewood company

C) Gather them up, and place them "in the county right of way" if you live on a county-maintained road, before July 11.

The answer is C.

Starting July 11, county crews will begin picking up the curbside debris.

The county says not to place debris in any spot that blocks a road, driveway or sidewalk; generally speaking, it should be right at the edge of your lawn by the gutter/edge of the street.

Debris not ready for pickup July 11 can still be bundled by you, or your yard service, for regular yard debris pickups on trash days.

CELEBRATE 100 YEARS OF OREO COOKIES AT BETHESDA ROW!

Stop by Dunkin' Donuts on Bethesda Avenue, and try the limited-time-only Oreo Donut and Oreo Coolatta.  It sounds to good to be true, I know!  But as a fan of Oreo cookies and donuts, these special items have the official Robert Dyer @ Bethesda Row Seal of Approval.

BOLOCO BETHESDA ROW INSTAGRAM CONTEST

OK, let's get a couple of things straight here:

You love using Instagram, right?

And you can't wait to try the world-famous, globally-inspired burritos at Boloco when it opens at Bethesda Row in 2 weeks?

So, what if I told you that by using Instagram, you could get a FREE Boloco burrito?

I'm not making this up!

Just stop by Boloco's soon-to-open location ASAP on Elm Street, and take a picture of yourself via Instagram in front of this sign:

Then tweet your photo on Twitter to @boloco, and add the hashtag #bolocobethesda to your tweet.

Et voila, you could win FREE burritos!

I'm still deciding which burrito to order first, but I already know what drink I'm ordering:  the Jimmy Carter peanut butter shake!

Stay loco, Boloco fans!

BETHESDA STORM UPDATE: KENWOOD FIREWORKS ASTOUND, POWER OUTAGES ABOUND

There were more lights in the sky over some parts of Bethesda, than there were on the ground below.

Some residents and businesses remained without power last night, including the neighborhood of Kenwood Park (bordered by River Road, Goldsboro Road, Wilson Lane and Bradley Boulevard) and 7-11 on River Road.

Meanwhile, many homes in hard-hit 20817 had their power restored throughout the Independence Day holiday.

While Montgomery County Government inexplicably canceled its official fireworks displays (as did cities with close political ties, like Rockville and Gaithersburg), thanks to the private Kenwood Golf and Country Club, Bethesda residents in-the-know were still able to enjoy a spectacular fireworks show.

A record crowd gathered nearby, and there was no nightmarish trip home on hot, crowded Metro cars, and no pickpockets to deal with!

If Friday's storm proved anything, it's that the demise of the air-conditioned, American indoor shopping mall, and personal automobile, have been prematurely predicted by the usual suspects.

BETHESDA FOURTH OF JULY 2012 EVENTS

July 4th is here!  But most people have been spending the last 5 days dealing with power outages, gas shortages, and extreme heat.

Fortunately, I've got the best of the best Fourth of July events around Bethesda for you:

Redwood

Redwood is having the biggest event in town:  a backyard barbecue out on their Bethesda Lane patio!  Hamburgers, hot dogs, coleslaw, even a $5 Fourth of July cocktail.  The BBQ will run from noon until 6 PM.

Cafe Deluxe

Cafe Deluxe will be serving brunch until 3 PM today.

Mussel Bar

Mussel Bar will be open from 11:30 AM to 11:30 PM.  Stop in and celebrate with Red, White and Blue Chimay!

Matuba

Is sushi what you want?  Matuba on Cordell Avenue will be open for dinne only, from 5:00 to 9:30 PM.

Fireworks

It's all about the fireworks, isn't it?  Although the county bizarrely canceled its official government firework displays, fortunately, we have fireworks right here in Bethesda tonight!

Happy Fourth of July!

2 MORE PHOTOS ADDED TO BETHESDA STORM GALLERY

Pepco crew and citizens in action last night - click here to view photo gallery!

BETHESDA STORM UPDATE - POWER OUTAGES, COOLING CENTERS

Heat Alert! Storm Alert!

There is a chance of storms today, the temperature will be high (what a shock!) and many are still without power.

For those reasons, the Bethesda Library on Arlington Road will be opened as a cooling center (and as a library, of course: books, internet, etc.) from noon until 8 PM tonight.

You'll be a short walk from the barbecue on Bethesda Lane in front of Redwood between 12 and 6 PM, if you'd like a burger or hot dog.

New Power Outages

Last night's storm caused an additional 11,000 outages.

Old Power Outages

Kenwood (the neighborhood, not the club!) was without power as of 11:00 PM last night.

Power Restorations

Pepco made some progress in the hard-hit 20816 and 20817 zip codes.  Residents near Fernwood and Greentree Roads reported having power by mid-evening last night.

Gas stations on River Road reopened, but 7-11 appeared to remain closed.

Power was restored for the first time in the Springfield neighborhood off River Road.

Stay tuned to @BethesdaRow on Twitter and this blog for the latest news!

BETHESDA NEIGHBORHOOD TAKES DESPERATE MEASURES TO GET PEPCO'S ATTENTION - EXCLUSIVE PHOTOS!

"PEPCO: R U LOST?"

Residents of powerless Green Acres in Bethesda have had to resort to extreme measures to get Pepco's attention.

The neighborhood posted handmade, poster board signs with messages for utility crews that might pass by on River Road.

Ironically, Pepco trucks did pass by on Sunday, right past the main entrance to the neighborhood!  Unfortunately for Green Acres, they kept on driving.

Green Acres has a right to feel victimized.  Prior to the killer storm, their neighborhood has been one of the hardest hit by the recent burglary-theft crime spree that began May 4.