Everything must go! at City Sports Bethesda Row (Photos)

With the entire City Sports chain in bankruptcy, the closing sale is underway at their Bethesda Row store on Arlington Road. Everything must go! 

Although, as I've pointed out at many a past closing sale in town, these prices hardly constitute a true liquidation. Unless they will slowly increase toward the final day, savings of only 10-30% suggest much of this merchandise won't end up being sold here.

Even the fixtures and furniture are for sale. City Sports has already cleared out of its Pike & Rose location. It seems like just yesterday that I was promoting a job fair for the Bethesda Row City Sports.

First rendering of proposed upgrades to senior housing on Battery Lane in Bethesda (Photo)

The first rendering of the upgrades Sunrise Development, Inc. has proposed for the Springhouse Manor Care senior housing facility on Battery Lane is now available. Changes sought include the addition of a canopy at the entrance to the building, new balconies, and a reduction in the parking requirement that reflects recent changes to Montgomery County's zoning code.

This application will be considered by the Montgomery County Planning Board at its November 19 meeting. Planning staff is recommending approval of the application.

Image via Montgomery County Planning Department

2 assaults in 25 mins. in downtown Bethesda, assault w/deadly weapon + more - Crime update

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

Theft from vehicle. 4900 block Fairmont Avenue.

Assault. East-West Highway at Old Georgetown Road at 9:40 PM.

Assault. 8000 block Woodmont Avenue at 10:05 PM.

Theft. Westfield Montgomery Mall.

Drug arrest. 4800 block Battery Lane at 12:20 AM.

Disorderly conduct. 6900 block Fairfax Road at 10:44 PM.

Disorderly conduct. 6800 block Wisconsin Avenue at 8:35 PM.

Weapons arrest. 7500 block Spring Lake Drive at 10:02 AM.

Assault with deadly weapon. 11300 block Gainsborough Road at 11:54 AM.

Death. 11300 block Seven Locks Road at 9:08 PM.

Theft from vehicle. 4600 block Coachway Drive (Randolph Hills).

Psychic of Bethesda opening on Bethesda Avenue (Photos)

An "astrology boutique" is taking over the old Definition Boutique space at 4700 Bethesda Avenue. It's going under the popular name of Psychic of Bethesda.

Another psychic business, Spiritual Enlightenment, closed in September in the Woodmont Triangle. This one has a different phone number, and cites "Ava" as the psychic.

Another business flees doomed asbestos building in Bethesda (Photos)

A second business tenant of the soon-to-be-demolished office building at 4962 Fairmont Avenue has found a new home nearby. Like College Nannies and Tutors, Shipshape IT will stay within the Woodmont Triangle.

The new Shipshape HQ is taking over the vacant space upstairs at the EagleBank building, located at the intersection of Fairmont and Woodmont Avenues.

Meanwhile, ahead of demolition, asbestos removal will begin today at the 4962 Fairmont office building. That work is expected to take 10 days. Ultimately, the building will be demolished to make way for Duball, LLC's 4990 Fairmont luxury condo tower.

As Ace Ventura once said,
"Do not. Go in there." 

Their old location at
4962 Fairmont

Old College Nannies + Tutors
sign left behind at 4962

Another downtown Bethesda building
with distinctive stone from the
local quarry on the facade

This is part of what will
ultimately be a
revitalization of a block
of Fairmont Avenue
that is largely dark
and dead at night

Kate Spade opens at Bethesda Row (Photos)

Kate Spade New York has opened its doors at 4803 Bethesda Avenue at Bethesda Row. This is the latest in a series of high-end retail chain additions to the Federal Realty property.

The neon "Live Colorfully" sign isn't quite as lit up here in these daytime photos, as it was in my previous sneak preview of the interior. But Kate Spade fans will likely find the rainbow display of handbag options more than make up for it.

Rape reported in downtown Bethesda, assault on North La. + more - Bethesda crime update

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

Assault. North Lane at Woodmont Avenue.

Theft. 4600 block Montgomery Avenue.

Assault. 7200 block Woodmont Avenue at 7:09 PM.

Drug arrest. Battery Lane at Old Georgetown Road.

Rape/sexual assault. 6800 block Wisconsin Avenue at 8:46 AM.

Theft. 6000 block Benalder Drive (Glen Echo).

Liquor arrest. 6400 block Rock Spring Drive at 10:26 AM.

Vehicle burglary. 4900 block Wyaconda Road (Randolph Hills).

Assault/"Death". 11800 block Old Georgetown Road at 1:37 PM (Pike District).

Bethesda construction update: 7770 Norfolk luxury condos (Photos)

The 7770 Norfolk luxury condo tower is nearing completion in downtown Bethesda's Woodmont Triangle. 

Developed by the JBG Companies, the 17-story tower is being constructed by Clark Construction. It was designed by FXFOWLE Architects, and the interior design is by Cecconi Simone. Amenities include a rooftop deck, swimming pool and outdoor living rooms.

The condos are now on-sale. Their sales gallery is located at 4828 St. Elmo Avenue.

Maryland wins $27.8 million grant to advance DC-Baltimore high speed Maglev train

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R) announced Saturday that the U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded the state $27.8 million to advance private sector efforts toward the construction of a high-speed Maglev train system between Washington, D.C. and Baltimore. The award bumps Maryland to the forefront of high-speed rail innovation in the United States. With operating speeds of over 300 M.P.H., the 15-minute trip between the two cities would surpass the speeds planned for any of the high-sped rail routes previously developed by the Obama administration.

If constructed, the route would have dramatic economic development benefits, most especially for Baltimore City. Currently floundering with vast sections of vacant, abandoned properties, the City could become an appealing bedroom community for those working in the DC area who need affordable housing. Unlike light rail plans moving forward or canceled under Hogan, Maglev is competitive with auto transportation. The Maglev could reach downtown Baltimore in one-fourth the time it would take to drive there on congested I-95. Unlike light rail or BRT poking along, Maglev could actually free up highway capacity on I-95 and the Baltimore-Washington Parkway.

The grant was lauded by Gov. Hogan and other officials yesterday.

“The ability to travel between Baltimore and Washington, D.C. in only 15 minutes will be absolutely transformative, not just for these two cities, but for our entire state,” Governor Larry Hogan said in a statement. “This grant will go a long way in helping us determine our next steps in this transportation and economic development opportunity.”

“Maryland will be on the leading edge of technology as the only state in the nation with the private-sector-led pursuit of SCMaglev,” Maryland Secretary of Transportation Pete Rahn said.

Even the Japanese ambassador weighed in on the state's win.

“We are very pleased to see this funding announced,” said Japanese Ambassador Kenichirō Sasae. “Working with the United States Government, the State of Maryland and Baltimore-Washington Rapid Rail, we will prove that this cutting-edge Japanese technology will be a great asset to the busy Northeast Corridor.”

Such a route could ultimately extend from Washington to Boston, in line with plans already laid out by Amtrak.

Maryland's effort is being led by a private firm, Baltimore-Washington Rapid Rail.

That firm will use the funds to begin planning and engineering analysis for the rail line, and to review what permits would be needed for construction.

Sex offense on River Rd., weapon arrest on Beltway + more - Bethesda crime update

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

Theft. Apple Store (Bethesda Row).

Theft. 4400 block Chestnut Street.

Other sexual offense. 5200 block River Road.

Weapon arrest. Inner Loop of Capital Beltway at Connecticut Avenue.

Theft. 10200 block Old Georgetown Road.

Alex and Ani opens at Westfield Montgomery Mall (Photo)

Bracelets and other accessories imbued with "positive energy" are now available at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. That's because Alex and Ani has opened.

This is the chain's first boutique in Bethesda.

Kraze Burgers loses name at Westfield Montgomery Mall (Photos)

Kraze Burgers now has a less crazy name in the Westfield Montgomery Mall Dining Terrace. It is now going under the anodyne moniker of Burger Venue.

Same menu, same ingredients, but no Kraze Burger branding. Virtually all of the Kraze Burgers restaurants in the area seem to have closed - does anyone know if there are still any open?

So the good news is, if you like Kraze Burgers, you can still enjoy it at Westfield Montgomery Mall.

3 more cars stolen, theft at BCC HS + more - Bethesda crime update

Here's a roundup of crimes reported across Bethesda on November 3, according to crime data:

Stolen car. 7700 block Woodmont Avenue.

Theft. Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School.

Assault. 4700 block Chevy Chase Drive.

Vehicle burglary. 6600 block Hillandale Road.

Vehicle burglary. 8200 block Maple Ridge Road.

Stolen car. 5300 block Glenwood Road.

Vehicle burglary. 4100 block Blackthorn Street.

Vehicle burglary. 4800 block Langdrum Lane.

Stolen car. 3900 block Aspen Street.

Theft. 5400 block Wisconsin Avenue.

Vehicle burglary. 9300 block Adelaide Drive.

Vehicle burglary. 9300 block Adelaide Drive.

Theft. 7100 block River Road.

Strange art in downtown Bethesda (Photos)

Check out some of the strange artworks one will find when using the pedestrian walkway at the Solaire Bethesda construction site. Recognizable figures depicted include a potential future president, Hillary Clinton; past President George Washington; and actress Audrey Hepburn.

The luxury apartment building is going up on the former home of Eastham's Exxon, at 7100 Wisconsin Avenue.

Montgomery Avenue will be closed for half of Saturday in Bethesda (Photos)

There's been a lot of roadwork on Montgomery Avenue in recent weeks. And there's more on the way. Montgomery Avenue will be closed at Wisconsin Avenue (MD 355) tomorrow (Saturday), November 7, from 12:00 AM to 12:00 PM.