Surprise street closure for crane installation irks Bethesda drivers, pedestrians (Photos)

Woodmont Avenue between Bethesda Avenue and Leland Street hasn't been open that long, but drivers and pedestrians were surprised to find it closed on Saturday. No traffic control signage was posted in advance, and I can locate no public announcement. Woodmont Avenue's temporary pedestrian path was not sealed off, but blocked by barrels. Some able-bodied pedestrians squeezed by and used the path, but there was not enough room for a wheelchair to pass.

Bethesda Avenue entrance
to the temporary Woodmont Avenue
pedestrian path

The pedestrian path on
Saturday

The "war on pedestrians" continues
in downtown Bethesda

This shutdown was not related to the Lot 31 development that required Woodmont Avenue to close for the last couple of years. The closure was required to install the tower crane at the Solaire Bethesda luxury apartment project at  7100 Wisconsin Avenue. This is a common occurrence around town these days, as the heavy equipment - included a crane needed to assemble the tower crane - take up a lot of space, and that's hard to come by in an urban area. Expect the road to remain closed for at least part of today, as crews complete the job.

One side benefit of the closure was getting some close-up photos of the equipment used to install the tower crane.

Thieves target cars in Ayrlawn area, assault in downtown Bethesda + more - Bethesda crime update

Two vehicles were broken into in the Ayrlawn neighborhood off Old Georgetown Road this past Wednesday. Several other thefts occurred in that area the previous day. If you live in that vicinity, make sure to lock your vehicle, and remove all valuables from the interior. Alert Montgomery County Police if you notice any suspicious persons or vehicles in the area.

Here's a roundup of all crimes reported across Bethesda on April 8, according to crime data:

Assault. 7500 block Old Georgetown Road.

Theft. 5600 block Wisconsin Avenue.

Vehicle burglary. 5800 block Walton Road (reported at 7:18 AM).

Vehicle burglary. 9500 block Ewing Drive (reported at 7:36 AM).

Theft. 6400 block Rockledge Drive.

Theft. 11400 block Rockville Pike (Pike District).

Drug arrest. Capital Beltway at I-270 spur.

Theft from vehicle. 5800 block Nicholson Lane (Pike District).

Apple Watch arrives at Bethesda Row Apple Store - but Apple snubs Bethesda on Edition model (Photos)

The eagerly-awaited Apple Watch is available for your perusal now at the Bethesda Row Apple Store. I noticed extra security and staff were on hand for the occasion Friday.

You won't actually be able to take it home, however. Pre-ordering is underway, but the watch doesn't actually go on sale until April 24.

But in a rare gaffe, the tech giant has snubbed wealthy Bethesda. The high-end Apple Watch model, the $17,000 Apple Watch Edition in 18k gold, is not available at the Bethesda Row store. This despite the store being located in what was recently named America's richest town!

Oops!

Just yards away from Edgemoor McMansions, and construction sites for condos "from the several millions," Apple finds the Bethesda Row store apparently unworthy to host the Apple Watch Edition. Yet it is available at the Tysons Corner store. Sure, that's close to fabulously-expensive single-family homes in McLean. But McLean wasn't named the Richest Town in America.

That aside, let's have a look at this new piece of high-technology that USA Today tech expert Ed Baig says is a must-have - if you can afford it.

This is Bethesda - we can afford it!

A selection of colors

On-target GPS

You can change your
watch face - hopefully
Apple will eventually
open the watch face
design options to
third parties

Nice to have airline and Amtrak
travel options - and that all-important
Starbucks card!

One other new item that could be overshadowed by the watch, is the new MacBook:

Meet one of Europe's top landscape artists today in Bethesda

Stop by Wentworth Gallery today, April 11, between 1:00-3:00 PM to meet master Impressionist painter Maxwell Parsons. The British artist is considered to be one of the finest landscape artists in contemporary Europe. Parsons' newest oil paintings, and limited-edition giclées, will be available for purchase at the gallery today.

You can RSVP online, or by calling 301.365.3270 today.

Wentworth Gallery is located on Level 2 of Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda, at 7101 Democracy Boulevard. It is right outside of Nordstrom.

Photo courtesy Wentworth Gallery

Sex offense reported at The Whitney, auto break-in at Bethesda Metro Center + more - Bethesda crime update

Here's a roundup of crimes reported across Bethesda on April 7, according to crime data:

"Other sexual offense." The Whitney apartments.

Vehicle burglary. 7700 block Wisconsin Avenue.

Vehicle burglary. Bethesda Metro Center.

Vehicle burglary. 4800 block Cordell Avenue.

Theft. 5100 block Pooks Hill Road.

Vehicle burglary. 5800 block Melvern Drive.

Vehicle burglary. 5700 block Wyngate Drive.

Theft. 9200 block Villa Drive.

Vehicle burglary. 6300 block Hollins Drive.

Vehicle burglary. 5000 block Strathmore Avenue.

Assault/"kidnapping." 11500 block Rockville Pike (Pike District).

Theft. 7100 block Democracy Boulevard.

Assault. 6100 block Montrose Road.

New spring menu at Taylor Gourmet at Bethesda Row (Photos)

Spring is in the air, despite the rain, and that means it's time for spring menu items at the popular Taylor Gourmet at Bethesda Row.

Among the temporary additions? For starters, there are Seasonal Risotto Balls, a spicier twist on Taylor Gourmet's signature Risotto Balls appetizer. Roasted corn, chives and smokey bacon join the classic mozzarella, with an appropriately zesty Parmesan Black Pepper sauce.

For hoagies, the main draw at Taylor Gourmet, new selections include a Turkey Greene with Green Goddess dressing, two vegetarian additions (Cumberland with chickpea fritters, Chestnut with a grilled zucchini cutlet), the citrus-braised pork with pepper ham Castor, and the Crystal Hot Sauce-splashed Memphis Raines chicken cutlet (grilled or fried) hoagie.

3 new salads are available for those seeking lighter fare, including the Columbus Salad with kale, cherry tomatoes, roasted corn, avocado smokey bacon, and black pepper parmesan dressing; and a Roasted Corn Salad.

Taylor Gourmet has also launched a revamped website.

Taylor Gourmet

7280 Woodmont Avenue

Photos courtesy shootjoec.com

Kenwood braces for Cherry Blossom crowds in Bethesda (Photos)

The Kenwood neighborhood is getting ready for the masses who prefer a closer-to-home cherry blossom experience. That experience has been found annually along roads lined with grand homes and mature trees, like Dorset Avenue and Brookside Drive. What won't be found, is street parking.

No parking signs have been erected in the neighborhood off of River Road in Bethesda, by order of Montgomery County Police. That means taking a bus like the T2 from the Friendship Heights Metro to River Road and Brookside Drive, or biking or walking along the Capital Crescent Trail, which winds through part of Kenwood. While in the neighborhood, check out the work of the Kenwood Garden Club, and sample a refreshing lemonade, if a lemonade stand pops up along your travels.

As for the actual Kenwood cherry blossoms? The buds were just starting to bloom yesterday.

Cherry blossom tree in Kenwood
last evening

Bethesda Vapor Company installs new sign (Photos)

The return of the giant skateboard to the Woodmont Triangle is followed by another new sign from its upstairs neighbor. Bethesda Vapor Company has added a street-level sign on Woodmont Avenue to increase its visibility to pedestrians. With popular lunch spots there, and the adjacent Veterans Park, there is indeed a heavy amount of foot traffic in that area. Bethesda Vapor Company, a vapor lounge which sells e-cigarette, juice and accessories, is located at 4823-B Fairmont Avenue.

Rooftop restaurant Urban Heights to open April 21 or 22 with South Asian menu

The straightforward name Urban Heights, and the previous ventures by Chef Robert Wiedmaier, did not point to the latest RW Restaurant Group brand being anchored by Southeast Asian-Pacific flavors.

But that's the latest intriguing twist at the Bethesda rooftop restaurant currently shooting for an April 21 or 22 opening date.

Your first impression off of the elevator will be the gleaming Tuna Bar, displaying the latest catch for a selection of fresh tuna appetizers. You will have the option of dining indoors on that level, outdoors on the adjacent 2nd story patio, or going for a commanding view of the bustling Woodmont Triangle neighborhood from the roof.

Executive chef Cliff Wharton, who rose to prominence at DC's popular TenPenh, will draw on his Filipino heritage and a fusion of Southeast Asian flavors. You might find him working one of several woks in the kitchen. Or, during the summer, hosting a rooftop pig roast under the stars.

Wharton will bring his signature Red Curry Shrimp with Pineapple and Jasmine Rice to Bethesda. But you'll also be able to choose from dishes like Chicken Adobo sliders, Honey-glazed Shrimp with wasabi grits, and pork belly bites with Korean chili paste. Cool off with a selection from an always-meticulously-selected Wiedmaier beer list. Or enjoy a handcrafted island cocktail designed by Urban Heights' General Manager, Garth Hamilton.

Today's menu announcement has only increased the anticipation for a rebirth of this rooftop space, in the Steven J. Karr, AIA, Inc.-designed Norfolk-Cordell II building at the corner of Norfolk and Cordell Avenues.

Burglary, stolen car in downtown Bethesda + more - Bethesda crime update

Here's a roundup of crimes reported across Bethesda on April 6, according to crime data:

Stolen car. 7700 block Wisconsin Avenue at 4:24 PM.

Theft from vehicle. 4800 block Bethesda Avenue.

Vehicle burglary. 4800 block Bethesda Avenue.

Theft. 7100 block Woodmont Avenue.

Burglary. 7000 block Strathmore Street (downtown Bethesda).

Burglary. 5900 block Cedar Parkway.

Vehicle burglary. S. Park Avenue at The Hills Plaza.

Theft. 11400 block Rockville Pike (Pike District).

Theft from vehicle. 12000 block Ashley Drive (Randolph Hills).

Bethesda TV tower violating light pollution rules again

Crown Castle, yet again, is failing to properly maintain and operate the aircraft warning lights on its 850' telecommunications tower in the 5200 block of River Road in Bethesda. Readers are familiar with the ongoing saga, as every few months, at least one of the white flashing lights malfunctions and exceeds federal light pollution standards. Of course, in January, there was a new twist altogether, when the FAA had to alert pilots after the tower went entirely dark.

This time, the malfunctioning light is facing neighborhoods along Massachusetts Avenue and River Road at firework intensity. A Green Acres resident contacted me on March 31, after her children were kept up all night by the light flashing into their bedrooms. She contacted Crown Castle, the FAA, FCC, and Montgomery County Councilmember Roger Berliner's office.

Surely that should cover it, right?

Wrong. I scouted around from different spots Sunday evening and found the light is still malfunctioning. The resident of Green Acres confirmed last night that the light is still affecting her neighborhood.

I'm going to contact Crown Castle again myself. Something has to be done about this. If Crown Castle will not properly maintain its tower lighting under federal regulations, it should be fined. I think most nearby residents would be satisfied if Crown Castle would simply switch to the foolproof red lights that every other tower in the nearby skyline uses!

Sabun Home coming to Bethesda Row, Kate Spade to replace Petra (Photos)

You may recall that, last year, Federal Realty created a new retail space by the entrance to the Upstairs at Bethesda Row luxury apartments on Bethesda Lane. In early December, the For Lease sign was removed. Now, I've confirmed the space has been leased by Sabun Home, a bed, bath and home accessories boutique.

Sabun Home opened its first store at 1631 Wisconsin Avenue NW in Georgetown in 2013. That flagship location has a design studio. Their new Bethesda Lane space is decidedly smaller.

What separates Sabun Home from Bed, Bath & Beyond, or even Sabun Home's future Bethesda Avenue neighbor, Pottery Barn?

Sabun Home's owners handpick every item sold, which are imported from the Aegean and eastern Mediterranean coasts. Products range from towels and bathrobes to soaps, candles and pillows. 

You can get started planning your shopping list by checking out the Sabun Home website.

In other Bethesda Row news, it's been about 8 months since Federal Realty announced Kate Spade New York was opening a boutique at Bethesda Row.

Now it's finally closer to happening. Kate Spade will be located in the current Petra space by Barnes & Noble on Bethesda Avenue.

Bethesda construction update: Urban Heights rooftop restaurant (Photos)

There was some activity on the second story, indoor level of the future Urban Heights rooftop restaurant last evening in downtown Bethesda. It's hard to get a sense of the interior redesign without actually getting a tour, but some of the furniture and lighting fixtures can be seen in these photos. There is also still a prominent bar on that indoor level, as well. The restaurant is scheduled to open this month at 7940 Norfolk Avenue.

Assault with deadly weapon on Old Georgetown Road + more - Bethesda crime update

The holiest day of the year for many was another unusually-violent day in Bethesda. An assault with a deadly weapon was reported in the 8600 block of Old Georgetown Road early Easter Sunday. Two other assaults occurred in the Pike District of North Bethesda on Easter, as well. A robbery and several assaults were reported in downtown Bethesda the day before.

Here's a roundup of crimes reported across Bethesda on April 5, according to crime data:

Assault with deadly weapon. 8600 block Old Georgetown Road at 4:04 AM.

Assault. 5100 block Nicholson Lane at 4:11 PM (Pike District).

Assault. 11700 block Old Georgetown Road at 2:44 AM (Pike District).

Theft. 6400 block Winnepeg Road (Georgetown Village).

Theft. 5100 block Nicholson Lane.

Plant sale at St. Jane de Chantal Church in Bethesda May 1-3

The St. Jane Frances de Chantal Sodality Guild will hold its annual Plant Sale on Friday, May 1 (noon - 6 p.m.), and Saturday and Sunday, May 2 and 3 (8 a.m. - 6 p.m.), adjacent to the church and school on Old Georgetown Road.

Plants available for your garden or home at the sale will include vegetables, herbs and flowers. Proceeds from the event will fund the charitable works of the Guild.

Payment can be made with cash or personal check; credit cards cannot be accepted at the sale.

St. Jane de Chantal Church

9525 Old Georgetown Road

Montgomery County Civic Federation to preview the future of transportation on April 13

Montgomery County elected officials' widely-panned proposals for Bus Rapid Transit, and a powerful new taxing authority to force taxpayers to foot the bill for it, have generated rage and controversy countywide. But expensive transit projects are not the only way to address Montgomery County's nation-leading traffic congestion.

There are the county's long-delayed master plan highways, such as the Midcounty Highway Extended (M-83), Rockville Freeway and new Potomac River crossing to Northern Virginia, that need to be built. And there are ways to better manage our existing roads and highways, and bus service, through rapidly-advancing technology.

The Montgomery Civic Federation will be hosting an interesting discussion of the latter at its Monday, April 13 meeting, which will be held in the First Floor Auditorium of the County Council Office Building, at 100 Maryland Avenue in Rockville, at 7:45 PM.

Speakers at the Transportation of the Future seminar will include representatives for the United States Department of Transportation's Beyond Traffic initiative, and the Intelligent Transportation Society of America (ITSA). In addition, Christof Spieler, a member of the Metro board in Houston, Texas, will join the meeting via conference call.

According to Jim Zepp, MCCF First Vice President, Spieler will discuss how Houston was able to use technology to greatly improve existing bus service in the city - and unlike BRT or the ITA, this was accomplished at no cost to the taxpayer.

The meeting is free, and open to the public.

Bethesda Metro station reopens (Photos)

The Bethesda Metro station has just reopened, after a comedy of errors that began when a power surge knocked out escalator service at the station this afternoon. Initially, Metro had reported the escalator was being fixed, and that the station would reopen around 5:40 PM. That ultimately did not happen, leading to a Twitter apology from WMATA.

As rush hour wound down tonight, shuttles were still running between Friendship Heights and Medical Center. But signage only referred to the Medical Center shuttle, which appeared to confuse some stranded commuters. That free shuttle service is now canceled with the station reopening, Metro said.

The snafus were good business for the Dunkin' Donuts at the Metro Center, however, which was open until 9:00.

Dunkin' Donuts in the
Clark Building

Potential customers included
frustrated commuters, Metro
employees and TV crews

DC power surge closes Bethesda Metro station

The Bethesda Metro station is currently closed, due to an escalator failure. WMATA has just announced that the failure was caused by the Southern Maryland power surge that impacted parts of the DC area earlier this afternoon.

Metro says it expects the Bethesda station to reopen in less than 30 minutes from now. Technicians are replacing a speed sensor in the escalator at this time.

Shuttle buses are running between the Friendship Heights and Medical Center stations.

Robbery, assaults mark violent day in downtown Bethesda - Bethesda crime update

Saturday was a decidedly violent day in downtown Bethesda. A robbery was reported in the Bethesda Row area, as well as 3 downtown assaults. Two of the assaults took place 30 minutes - and about 3 blocks - apart. Two other assaults occurred in the North Bethesda area that day.

On a trivia note, new development Pike & Rose recorded only its second official crime since opening last year - a theft.

Here's a roundup of all crimes reported across Bethesda on April 4, according to crime data:

Robbery. Bethesda Avenue at Woodmont Avenue.

Assault. 4900 block St. Elmo Avenue at 2:28 AM.

Assault. 7800 block Norfolk Avenue at 3:35 PM.

Assault. 7800 block Wisconsin Avenue at 1:58 AM.

Assault. 11800 block Dinwiddie Drive at 7:30 PM.

Assault. 5100 block Parklawn Terrace at 10:22 PM (Pike District).

Theft. 11800 Grand Park Avenue at 12:15 PM (Pike & Rose).

Theft. Westfield Montgomery Mall.

Theft. Westfield Montgomery Mall.

Theft. 7100 block Democracy Boulevard.