EXCLUSIVE SNEAK

PREVIEW:

BETHESDA'S NEWEST

PARKING LOT

St. Elmo Avenue Public Parking Lot 8

Aims to Ease Bethesda's Parking Nightmare

Another Robert Dyer @ Bethesda Row Exclusive!!!

You can't park there.

But you can take in the majesty of downtown Bethesda's newest parking lot in these super-exclusive photos.

Montgomery County's St. Elmo Avenue Public Parking Lot 8 is nearly ready to receive its first (paying) customers. The last step is to add the lighting (Capital Properties could learn a thing or two from the county in that regard!).

Lot 8 is small and tucked away off St. Elmo Avenue behind The Corner Slice. It's just past the intersection at Norfolk Avenue on your left. While most attention is on the April 1 closing of two public lots on Bethesda Avenue, Lot 8 is more directly a replacement for a just-closed surface lot in the Del Ray/Auburn Avenue area of "Old Town" Bethesda.

Lot 8 offers traditional parking spaces on the left side, and parallel spaces on the right. Meters max out at 2 hours, and, of course, disabled parkers will find a space here, too.

This is a good lot to use to visit Rock Bottom, Union Jack's, Hanaro or BlackFinn - but please limit yourself alcohol-wise if you're getting back behind the wheel!

Speaking of alcohol, Lot 8 is also perfect for a quick stop at Capital Beer and Wine, or to pick up a hot pizza pie at the aforementioned Corner Slice.

Dining-in at Annie's Bistro Francais, Chef Tony's or the Red Tomato Cafe is made easier by Lot 8, too. A 2-hour time limit is more reasonable than those 1-hour jokers you often find among Bethesda parking meters.

Lot 8 is the Revenge of Surface Parking Lots. And that's great news for Bethesda drivers. If you can snag a space.

So check out that fresh asphalt and paint! Will you be the first to park in Lot 8?

BETHESDA TV

PRODUCER'S "ILLEGAL"

HIJINKS IGNITE

SCANDAL

National Geographic Show is

"Extreme, Spastic, Painful and

Disturbing," Say Creators

Residents of Montana are furious after the stars of Bethesda-based Half Yard Productions' newest show allegedly went hog wild on historic sites in that state.

The Billings Gazette reports that "Diggers," an amateur archaeology adventure show Half Yard is producing for National Geographic, "dug" without permission at historic preservation properties like Old Montana Prison.

Producers deny the claims and say they had full permission to be there. Preservationists are calling on the state to press charges.

"We don't want historic sites, especially battlefields, looking like gophers have been in there," Doug Melton of the Montana Bureau of Land Management told the Gazette.

Half Yard Productions is no stranger to controversy; the company also produced "The Real Housewives of D.C."

BETHESDA

HAWK HOMICIDE

TEST RESULTS

ARE BACK

Maryland DNR Rules Out Poisoning;

Missing Talons Raise Questions

Another Robert Dyer @ Bethesda Row Exclusive!!!

Maryland's Department of Natural Resources has completed testing on one of two deceased Cooper's hawks found by the Bethesda Pool on Little Falls Parkway.

The deaths were considered suspicious, but the DNR's investigation results have failed to end the suspense: Who or what dunnit?

Poison was ruled out by laboratory testing; the DNR lists "debilitation" as the official cause of death.

But now, the plot thickens.

The DNR reports that the hawk was "missing talons, which limited its ability to capture prey." End of story, apparently, for the state agency.

But not for Ace Ventura, Pet Detective!

The DNR's explanation is that the hawk couldn't feed himself and died in a debilitated state. Okay, but what about the second hawk? How do you explain two dead hawks, in the same location, with no apparent external injuries? Was the other one depending on the first to capture prey? And how does a predator with no enemies in Bethesda lose several talons?

All of these questions simply heighten the suspense. The hawk case is far from closed.

The Case of the Missing Talons.

It's known that hawks, while fierce predators, can also die instantly of fright. But that doesn't make their talons disappear.

Hawks are also commonly victims of parasites, and the diseases those parasites can spread. Talon loss is not a symptom or result listed by any source I've found on hawk ailments. Trichinella pseudospriralis-related infections "are known to cause severe debilitation and death in Cooper's hawks," according to the University of Michigan Museum of Zoology. But not known to cause talon loss.

Perhaps it could be argued that he died of an infection, and that the missing talons were unrelated. But the DNR claims he died precisely because his talons were missing.

Having exhausted all resources, I contacted the Cascades Raptor Center in Eugene, Oregon.

Executive Director Louise Shimmel said some aspects of the Bethesda hawk deaths are fairly common: 60% of juvenile hawks die during their first winter, and emaciation is not unusual among them.

But the fact that the tested hawk was missing talons "is definitely unusual," Shimmel said. Captured rodent prey could have fought back, but it would be nearly impossible to have injured more than one talon, she noted. And snapping traps aren't baited with anything hawks would want. Ultimately, Shimmel said there is no good explanation for the missing talons. "It's not that easy to lose a talon."

We have a real mystery on our hands here, ladies and gentlemen.

Whodunnit? Whatdunnit?

This could be Ace Ventura's toughest case yet. Stay tuned for future updates as we try to solve this mysterious and baffling puzzle.

BANG AND OLUFSEN

LEAVING

BETHESDA ROW

High-end Audio Retailer to

Open New Location in

Peripoint Building

Another Robert Dyer @ Bethesda Row Exclusive!!!

Bethesda audiophiles may be shocked to find out that Bang and Olufsen is leaving its Bethesda Row location.

The longtime neighbor of Mon Ami Gabi exemplifies the high-end fashion and specialty boutiques synonymous with aspirational Bethesda Row.

There's no need to panic, however. B&O will open a new store in a famous Bethesda landmark, the Peripoint Building. Located at the intersection of Wilson Lane and Old Georgetown Road, the odd, art deco structure was once known as a vacuum repair shop.

More recently, a total refit earned the Peripoint "green" and Silver LEED status, as an environmentally-friendly building. Its latest, best-known tenant was the Neptune art gallery.

Now Bang and Olufsen will bring its 87 years of sonic excellence to one of Bethesda's busiest intersections.

The new store will open with regular hours on April 1, 2012.

B&O's management says it wants to stay in touch with its customers during any time it is unable to be open during the transition. They invite you to leave them a voicemail or send an email with any questions.

Then, on April 1, they expect everything to be back to normal, and their new store to be fully operational.

It's sad they are moving out, but now it's time to restart the Bethesda Row "Hot Stove League," meaning, passionate arguments among Bethesda Row patrons about what should take over the storefront on Woodmont Avenue.

What new store, restaurant, business or entertainment would you like to see replace B&O? Leave your suggestion in the comments below, if you like.

Then, on April 1, Bethesda will once again experience "AErlig musikgengivelse!"

MONTGOMERY COUNTY

COUNCIL APPROVES

FUNDING FOR

NEW BETHESDA

METRO SOUTH

ELEVATORS

The Montgomery County Council has just voted to include funding for the future south entrance to the Bethesda Metro station. Also known as the "Purple Line elevators," they will provide access to the future light rail station at Bethesda Row.

This approval means that there will eventually be a reliable entrance to use when Metro's escalators break down. It also keeps the Purple Line project on schedule with the state of Maryland's construction calendar.

E-DAY FOR

BETHESDA

Today is the day the Montgomery County Council is scheduled to vote on the funding of a south entrance to the Bethesda Metro station.

The council session begins at 9:30 AM; the issue will come up later.

Elevators would not only provide speedy access to the Metro platform, but also to the future Bethesda Row Purple Line light rail station. The new entrance would be located at the southwest corner of the 355-Elm Street intersection, by the Apex Building.

Prior to completion of the Purple Line, the new entrance would serve as an alternative to the station's current, failing escalator entrance at the Bethesda Metro Center.

The so-called competitor for these funds, a Wall Street-style $42 million dollar bailout of developers in downtown Wheaton, has been removed.

Yesterday, the council voted to fund an alternative proposal. But don't be fooled. The council's alternative will still force out small businesses, and eventually lead to the demolition of the entire Wheaton Triangle retail district. That is an unacceptable outcome. Not only do the demo-inducing provisions of the 2011 Wheaton Sector Plan remain in place, but merchants will lose most of the parking spaces currently used by their customers. It's clear that the council wants to boost pressure on any remaining profitable businesses in Wheaton to move elsewhere. Does it make sense to have a new office tower jammed right in the center of two-level commercial space? What happened to old-fashioned planning rules? The proposed office building is incompatible with the surrounding structures. Don't get me started about the "town square" scam! Sure, the council's increasingly-embarrassing $42M bailout is temporarily tabled. But their new plan is six of one, half-a-dozen of the other.

Hopefully, yesterday's grandstanding has freed up funds for the new Metro entrance, however. It's the right decision for increased transit ridership, public health and safety, and the Purple Line.

BULLY

VS.

BACON

IN

BETHESDA

A bully is taking on an Irish legend on Elm Street this month. What's the beef?

The bully is beef. "Bully Beef," to be precise.

Ri-Ra Irish pub is holding a competition all month long, and customers will decide the outcome.

It seems the classic Irish dish of Bacon and Cabbage is being challenged by Americans' preference for Corned Beef and Cabbage.

Ri-Ra's Corned Beef entry is called "Bully Beef and Cabbage," and it's in competition with their original "Bacon and Cabbage" in a month-long taste test.

Try both out at Ri-Ra this month for $13.95 each. Both appear to have a white sauce on top - possibly a traditional horseradish sauce?

Who are you picking in this fight?

If you're really serious about Irish legends, ask your server about the special trip to Ireland Ri-Ra's owners have planned for September. There is a special price for the vacation package.

But you can take a much cheaper Irish vacation right here on Elm Street, any day of the week at Ri-Ra.

SPIES AND WITCHES

CONVERGE ON

BETHESDA LIBRARY

Tuesday Author Event Features

Creators of "Gallagher Girls,"

"Hex Hall" Series

Another Robert Dyer @ Bethesda Row Exclusive!!!

Expect international espionage and casting of spells Tuesday evening, at the Bethesda Library on Arlington Road.

Authors Ally Carter (Gallagher Girls) and Rachel Hawkins (Hex Hall) will be reading from their latest young adult novels at 5 PM.

Conveniently, both books just happen to arrive in bookstores that very day.

Carter's "Out of Sight, Out of Time" is the latest spy adventure of heroine Cammie Morgan, a student at the Gallagher Academy for Exceptional Young Women. Which is run by the CIA.

Hawkins has written "Spell Bound," a female twist on Harry Potter and the next chapter in the saga of Sophie Mercer. Sophie attends a Hogwarts-meets-private-girls-boarding-school academy for witches, and has just lost her powers when a group of hit girls show up for an "epic war." Bummer!

Fans of either series will want to be at the library Tuesday night, at 7400 Arlington Road. Call 240-777-0970 for more information.

PASSION FIN

UPDATE

Renovations Still a Long Way

From Completion

Another Robert Dyer @ Bethesda Row Exclusive!!!

This is an update to an update. I was at the Shops at Sumner Place on Friday, and walked over to the future location of highly-anticipated Asian bistro and sushi bar Passion Fin.

The windows at the top across the storefront are uncovered, and I can confirm that - at least as far as the ceiling and interior walls go - there is a long way to go. Ventilation systems and hoses are completely exposed where a ceiling should be. One permit is now posted, for a WSSC inspection. Understandably, the conversion of an apparel boutique to a restaurant would require new plumbing installation for kitchen and restroom water systems. Right inside the front doors, there is an L-shaped makeshift wall.

Out front, the same dumpster is there, and it is not even clear there is anything in it. It has been in the same spot for about 4 months.

All told, and in light of the initial promise of an "early 2012" opening, the project has clearly encountered one or more delays.

When it finally opens, expect Passion Fin to compete more with Yirasai Sushi and similar Japanese restaurants in the Palisades area, more than with Raku and Sushi-ko on the Red Line.

Ironically, Passion Fin, Yirasai and Sushi-ko are all on the route of Ride On Bus 23. So, if you're a rider of the venerable 23, for you there will be a Sushi Showdown in 2012.

For now, sushi fans, patience is a virtue.

ST. PRACTICE DAY

AT

UNION JACK'S BETHESDA

Are you ready to celebrate St. Patrick's Day? Do you need a warm up?

You're in luck! Union Jack's Bethesda is hosting a St. Practice Day from 4-10 PM tonight.

Specials include:

$3 Killian Irish Reds

$3 Lucky Charm Shooters

$4 Jamesons

50% off Car Bombs

From 10-11, all drinks are only $1!

But wait! Don't leave yet, because when the Power Hour is over, they are giving away a FREE tropical vacation!!

MONTGOMERY MALL

TO

BETHESDA MEDICAL

CENTER

BIKEWAY UPDATE

$21,000 State Grant to Fund

Signage, Paint

Another Robert Dyer @ Bethesda Row Exclusive!!!

As I reported a few days ago, Governor Martin O'Malley has announced a grant of $21,000 to fund an official state bikeway connecting Westfield Montgomery Mall with the Bethesda Medical Center Metro station.

I noted that the announcement was vague on specifics, and would update you on the project.

After contacting the appropriate office at the Maryland Department of Transportation, I know a bit more than I did, but much is still speculative.

I had guesstimated the other day that the relatively small amount of money wouldn't cover much more than signs and paint. That was confirmed by Kate Sylvester of MDOT's Office of Planning and Capital Programming, who said the funds would indeed go towards wayfaring signage, and possibly "pavement markings and bike-friendly drainage grates."

Regarding a map of the new bikeway, none currently exists, she said.

"The exact route is not finalized yet. MDOT will be following up with Montgomery County in the next few weeks to learn more about the exact route and the steps the county will take to complete it," Sylvester explained.

You might be wondering what a "wayfaring sign" is.

The Federal Highway Administration sets standards for "official" wayfaring signs.

Wayfaring signs include one or more of the following elements:

A directional arrow, the name of a destination (i.e. Medical Center), the mileage to the listed location, and a bicycle icon to indicate the information is for bicyclists.

The signs approved by the FHWA feature reflective, white text on a green background.

Chicago was the first jurisdiction in the nation to install FHWA-approved wayfaring signs. Northern Virginia has them in some areas.

Hopefully, in a few weeks we'll know the exact route, and a timetable for completion of the bikeway.

KRISTI YAMAGUCHI

AT

BETHESDA ROW

TODAY

Olympic champion and Dancing with the Stars competitor Kristi Yamaguchi will appear at Barnes & Noble today at 1:00 PM.

She will read from and sign her new children's book, "It's a Big World, Little Pig."

The book tells the story of Poppy the Pig, a figure skater who wins the chance to compete in the "World Games" in Paris.

UNHAPPY TRAILS

TO YOU

Purple Line Advances Out of

Council Transportation Committee,

CCT All But Certain to Cross

Wisconsin Ave. at Street Level

The Montgomery County Council's Transportation Committee took several steps toward restoring the Purple Line to the CIP budget. It also went back on its word to supporters of the Capital Crescent Trail, that the trail would remain in the Purple Line tunnel under Wisconsin Avenue.

Assuming the new plan is approved by the full council, here's what you'll get:

* An underground Purple Line station

* Grade-separated crossing at Connecticut Avenue

* Funds to "rebuild" the Capital Crescent Trail alongside the rail line

What you won't get is the CCT through the tunnel under Wisconsin Avenue. This was a cop-out by the committee. Is the trail question a no-win scenario? Absolutely. But that is the council's fault. They promised trail supporters that it would remain in the tunnel. Period.

One consolation for trail users: you will witness, in the coming years, the construction of the world's first "gold standard" bike lane along 47th Street, Willow Lane and Bethesda Avenue. What exactly a "gold standard," "guaranteed to be safe" crossing (that doesn't quadruple gridlock on a state highway, to boot) consists of is unknown. Mainly because no such thing exists right now, but we are going to witness a historic first in bike safety, ladies and gentlemen! So promises your county council. And you can trust their promises, right? They're so good at keeping their promises.

This is a "gold standard" promise this time, folks! They promise!

The next big Purple Line hurdle comes Monday, when the council takes up the south entrance for the Bethesda Metro station and Purple Line.

Some are still saying this project is in a zero sum competition for funding with the "redevelopment" of downtown Wheaton.

I would say that if a developer cannot meet the financial commitments of this unnecessary and oversized "redevelopment," it ought not to be in the business of doing so. If the finances are that slim on the project, why would we put up $42 million in taxpayer money?

The elevators are the project that meet the greater public need.

BETHESDA / NW DC

CRIME WAVE UPDATE

Capital Properties Restores Full

Lighting to

Westwood Shopping Center

Parking Lot

Another Robert Dyer @ Bethesda Row Exclusive!!!

The big news is that Capital Properties has heard and responded on the issue of lighting at the Westwood Shopping Center on Westbard Avenue.

Three weeks ago last night, about a third of the venerable retail center's parking lot was suddenly plunged into darkness. The cutoff of those area's lights was particularly questionable given that an armed assault and robbery had occurred January 19, directly across the street in the Park Bethesda parking lot. Since the Park Bethesda masked assailants are still at large, and are now known to await victims in parking areas among other settings, many wanted to know why that side of the lot would be blacked out. Furthermore, Park Bethesda residents regularly cross that side of the lot to reach the Giant and Rite Aid, because the only signaled crosswalk is at the shopping center's property line.

Regular readers know that I have been reporting on this story since shortly after the blackout began. With increased concerns about crime in the area, the timing of the lighting reduction was not a great community relations move.

The good news is that Capital Properties has responded and turned the lights back on. Park Bethesda, Westwood Tower and Westbard Mews residents can once again safely cross the lot, and Westbard Avenue is once again well-lit, as it has been for decades, by the shopping center's lights.

It was a particularly timely decision, because 1) I was about to write this story noting that the lights had been out for a third full week, and 2) The Gazette had just published a story which reported that retail properties near Western Avenue, and Pepco, were improving lighting in that area, which has been a hot spot in this recent Bethesda/Northwest DC crime wave.

But on Westbard, you had lighting already in place. Someone had simply decided to turn it off.

There have been no official incidents reported in the last week that match the method of operation of the Park Bethesda trio - masks, guns, assault, and theft of property from the victim.

Here is what unofficial SpotCrime is reporting that in any way relates to the Park Bethesda robbers:

Robbery, 3900 block of Morrison Street, NW, 3/6/2012

(this would be the 2nd hit on Morrison since this crime wave started)

Assault, Parking Garage 40, 4935 St. Elmo Avenue, 3/4/2012

Assault, 4200 block of Wisconsin Avenue, NW, 3/2/2012

Assault, 5800 block of Johnson Avenue (Bethesda), 3/6/2012

(that would be a stretch for them; they've stuck within walking distance of Metro stations with the exception of the Park Bethesda incident)

Remember, those are not official police reports, but they are out there, and you can never have too much information. These unofficial reports suggest a fair increase in assaults in downtown Bethesda, if you add in the one from Wisconsin and Hampden last week.

In any case, the more dots you can place on a map, the easier it is to connect them, and ultimately complete a picture.

Only the Morrison robbery sounds remotely like a match.

Montgomery County Police continue to have a greater uniformed presence in the Westbard area. In fact, I saw two police cruisers when I was at the shopping center. Police have said tactical units are also working in the area. Again, this is a big reason why no further armed robberies have been reported since those efforts began.

With the lights restored, a continued police presence, and no new armed robberies, West Bethesda is likely feeling safer at the moment.

MD BOARD OF

PUBLIC WORKS

HANDS I-95

TRAVEL PLAZAS

TO

AREAS USA

Existing Operator HMSHost May Sue

The travel plaza soap opera appeared to reach its grand finale yesterday, as Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley and Treasurer Nancy Kopp voted to approve a public-private partnership with Areas USA.

But just as the fat lady prepared to enter from stage right, Areas USA's Bethesda rival HMSHost stole the spotlight, threatening new legal action in what it says was an unfair process.

Comptroller Peter Franchot continued to enhance his growing reputation as an independent player, strongly questioning the wisdom of proceeding with the deal under such legal storm clouds.

The 2-1 decision puts the state in the awkward position of having evicted a Maryland company - with over 1,000 employees in the state - from its travel plazas. And doing so days after HMSHost was named "Best Overall Food and Beverage Operator" in the United States. And just won a ton of awards for its airport concessions at American airports nationwide.

Oops.

Now HMSHost may have to fire employees who worked at or managed the plazas. Not exactly a great PR move for the state during a time of record unemployment.

The other concern, and sadly, one that is all too common in today's Montgomery County, is that poor government relations with HMSHost will make them more likely to move their headquarters to a more business-friendly place. Like Northern Virginia? Here we go again.

Areas USA's bid is an impressive one. Should their very optimistic revenue projections be met, the deal would clearly be a winner for the state. O'Malley and Kopp are gambling that this will be the case.

It would be better, however, for the state to hear a matching offer from HMSHost and Airport Plazas/Tishman Construction. If they can't match it, then the taxpayer can be confident that they got the best deal from Areas.

I hope we can have that type of closure. That would avoid lengthy trials. And it would give Areas USA a chance to proceed with 110% effort on building two outstanding travel plazas, without this soap opera diverting company time and resources.

At this hour, however, it appears that only a judge can order such a resolution to this dispute.

MDOT AWARDS

FUNDING FOR

BETHESDA

BIKE ROUTE

BETWEEN

MONTGOMERY MALL

AND

BETHESDA METRO

STATIONS

"BRAC" Bike Path's Route is

Not Specified

Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley announced a grant today of $21,000 for a 5.2 mile, signed bicycle route, connecting Westfield Montgomery Mall with the Bethesda and Medical Center Metro stations.

The FY2012 Maryland Department of Transportation award is one of the first such grants given under the state's new Maryland Bikeways program.

No route map or details have been provided. A large, statewide map showing all bikeways is available, but not a zoomed-in map for the Bethesda route. While it makes perfect sense for the Bethesda Trolley Trail to be part of the route, that path was not mentioned in the announcement.

The announcement did differenciate street routes from bike paths; the Bethesda route did not say "on-road route" as similar projects in Howard and Prince Georges County did. So that means the Bethesda route will not be entirely on the street.

Considering the size of the award, that would only cover the cost of metal signs, paint, labor and - maybe - a bit of paving here or there. So we are certainly not talking about a new bike trail here.

Much like a Fort Meade area award, this bike route has partly been planned as another small-scale BRAC traffic solution. But put major emphasis on "small," as this will have a negligible impact on Bethesda traffic.

What this would do is allow NIH or Walter Reed employees to live in housing around Montgomery Mall, and bike to work.

More significantly, it further enhances Westfield's major efforts - in partnership with Montgomery County - to make the mall even more accessible via alternate forms of transportation. (As reported here, a new mall Transit Center is in the works).

That fits with Gov. O'Malley's stated goal of making "bicycling a true transportation alternative and to encourage more Marylanders to get out and ride."

PASSION FIN

SWIMMING SLOWLY

TOWARDS

GRAND OPENING

Renovation Continues at Future

Bethesda Asian Bistro and Sushi Bar

Another Robert Dyer @ Bethesda Row Exclusive!!!

Passion Fin, an Asian Bistro and sushi bar expected to open early this year at the Shops at Sumner Place in West Bethesda, seems to be swimming upstream at the moment.

There is tremendous interest in the new Japanese entry. But the announced opening target of "early 2012" does not sound realistic at this point. A generous definition of early would possibly extend through the end of March.

Even the firm that announced the deal to bring Passion Fin to Sumner Place does not know what the restaurant's opening day target is now, according to a representative.

So we have to examine the clues for now. The same dumpster is positioned exactly the way it was several months ago in front of the restaurant. Window coverings are still in place. On a recent evening, one covering appeared to have peeled off. Through the window, I could see what looked like exposed ventilation systems, including a large round pipe. There did not appear to be finished walls or ceilings in place yet. But it was dark, so I can't say for sure.

Finally, no telltale Montgomery County permits or inspection documents hang in the windows, which you would see if an establishment was just about to open.

As they say, good things come to those who wait. The space obviously needs extensive renovation and reconfiguration, as it was formerly a woman's clothing boutique.

Stay tuned for further updates on this intriguing new dining option in West Bethesda.

BETHESDA'S

LOCKHEED MARTIN

READIES

LIGHTNING MAPPER

THAT WILL REVOLUTIONIZE

WEATHER FORECASTING

Satellite Module will Provide More

Accurate Tornado Warnings

Bethesda-based Lockheed Martin is conducting final tests on a new addition to its long-deployed GOES weather satellite.

The Geostationary Lightning Mapper (GLM) will record all cloud-to-cloud and cloud-to-ground lightning activity over the entire Americas.

In other words, the whole enchilada: every single lightning strike will be detected by this near-infrared device.

That in-cloud lightning activity is critical to giving as much as thirty minutes' warning of a tornado spawning. The complete scan will reveal an individual storm's "jump signature," a sudden acceleration of cloud-to-cloud lightning activity. This will also reduce false alarms.

Lockheed has scheduled final thermal and thermal vacuum testing for the coming months.

The Goddard Flight Center right here in Maryland helps manage development of GOES instruments.

Deployment of this advanced storm detection can't come a minute too soon, as unusual tornado activity continues to wreak havoc across the nation's southern and midwestern regions.

BETHESDA'S

JULIE ZETLIN

NAMED

HEADLINER

AT 2012

KELLOGG'S

PACIFIC RIM

CHAMPIONSHIPS

2012 Olympian to Lead USA

Rhythmic Gymnastics Team

Another

Robert Dyer @ Bethesda Row

Exclusive!!!

Just after being named to Team USA for the 2012 London Olympics, Bethesda rhythmic gymnast Julie Zetlin has been chosen to lead the US team in that sport at the 2012 Kellogg's Pacific Rim Championships.

To be held at Comcast Arena in Everett, Washington, March 16-18, the event will bring athletes from Australia, Canada, China, Chinese Taipei, Colombia, Costa Rica, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Panama, Phillipines, Russia and the US to compete in artistic and rhythmic gymnastics and trampoline.

FREE BEER TONIGHT

AT

ROCK BOTTOM

BETHESDA!

Fire Chief Ale to be Tapped for Charity

Tonight

Another Robert Dyer @ Bethesda Row Exclusive!!!

I've got the magic two words for you: FREE BEER!

Not just any free beer, but FREE PREMIUM CRAFT BEER from the award-winning brewmaster at Rock Bottom Bethesda!

Fire Chief Ale will be dispensed free tonight at 7 PM, until 8 PM or they run out. So get there early! And get your free beer. Early. Free Beer. Now there's a hipster mantra for you.

Enjoy your beer guilt-free, because Rock Bottom will be Passing the Boot to collect (optional) donations for the Montgomery County Burn Foundation.

Furthermore, a portion of Fire Chief Ale sales through April 15 will also go to the foundation.

This is a 10-alarm giveaway, so stop by Rock Bottom at 7 tonight!

7900 Norfolk Avenue

Bethesda, MD 20814