SNOWING IN BETHESDA - WEATHER UPDATE

Snow flurries are falling in Bethesda currently. It is 26°F, and winds are gusting at 8 MPH. A small craft advisory is in effect for the Potomac River.

Flurries will continue intermittently through 9:00 PM, with a possibility of a snow squall this afternoon. Temperatures could rise above freezing for the first time in nearly a week this afternoon, but will plunge back into the mid-teens overnight.

BETHESDA CRIME UPDATE

Here's a roundup of crimes reported across Bethesda (although it seems criminals were more active in Friendship Heights than in Bethesda) on January 22:

Vehicle burglary. 4600 block N. Park Avenue (Friendship Heights).

Vehicle burglary. The Hills Plaza (Friendship Heights).

Liquor arrest. 5500 block Wisconsin Avenue (Friendship Heights).

Theft. 6000 block Grosvenor Lane.

2 BURGLARIES IN DOWNTOWN BETHESDA, 3 THEFTS AT BETHESDA ROW - BETHESDA CRIME UPDATE

Two burglaries were reported on Sunday in downtown Bethesda, and a theft was reported at Bethesda Row. An additional two thefts occurred at Bethesda Row on Tuesday, according to crime data. Here is a roundup of crimes reported across Bethesda on those two days:

January 19

Theft. Elm Street and Bethesda Lane.

Theft. 5400 block Westbard Avenue.

Theft. 5000 block Allan Road (Glen Cove area).

Thefts. Sears and Macy's at Westfield Montgomery Mall.

January 21

Burglary. 7600 block Wisconsin Avenue (downtown Bethesda).

Theft. 4800 block Bethesda Avenue (Bethesda Row).

Theft. 4800 block Bethesda Avenue.

Burglary. 4300 block Montgomery Avenue (downtown Bethesda).

Theft. 7500 block Radnor Road.

Vehicle burglary. 5400 block Tuckerman Lane (Strathmore area).

Assault. 10400 block Old Georgetown Road (Wildwood/Georgetown Square area).

BECOME A COCKTAIL EXPERT AT BETHESDA ROW

Tom Cruise would be jealous! Sign up now for Redwood's Cocktail Making Series every Tuesday in February, and become a master mixologist. Learn the often-fascinating history of cocktails, the basics of how to stock a real bar, how to bartend and impress your party guests with drinks and punches, and - by the end - some of the advanced tricks of the trade.

Redwood is located on Bethesda Lane at Bethesda Row.

BETHESDA APARTMENTS HAD NO HEAT, NO ELEVATORS

The patience of residents at downtown Bethesda's 8200 Wisconsin Avenue apartment tower was sorely tested Thursday, as a transformer issue cut off heat and elevator service in the building. Temperatures were below freezing all day.

According to the building's management, melting snow flooded a transformer Thursday morning. A resident said the heat went off at 8:15 AM Thursday. He and the management said that heat was restored around 9:00 PM last night, after Pepco worked on the issue throughout the day.

Late last night, elevators in the high-rise remained out of service. Building management said they hoped to have them running by this morning. But there is no certainty as to how long the repairs will take.

DOUGLAS DEVELOPMENT OFFICIALLY ACQUIRES 3 BETHESDA PROPERTIES

DC real estate development powerhouse Douglas Development officially completed a deal that gives it a major chunk of a block in the Woodmont Triangle to redevelop. The properties in question are 8004 and 8006 Wisconsin Avenue, and 8013 Woodmont Avenue. Technically, the purchaser is an entity known as Jemal's Surplus, LLC, after the firm's founder and president, Douglas Jemal.

Douglas Development will now make a go of remaking a site once in the hands of a local competitor, JBG. JBG had essentially the entire block between Cordell and Fairmont Avenues, with the exception of Nathan Landow's Fairmont Plaza. But a deal that would have moved Bethesda's 2nd District police station to the mixed-use project eventually fell through, and JBG gave up on the plan. JBG will still develop the site in between the new Douglas properties and Fairmont Plaza, one of the most architecturally-intriguing designs on the boards right now in Montgomery County.

One advantage of the Douglas acquisitions for nearby residents, is the firm's impressive list of tenants at its other regional projects, which include Zara, H&M and Shake Shack. Douglas also owns the Shops of Wisconsin (home of Trader Joe's) in downtown Bethesda, which it is renovating.

FREE CHILI OR SOUP IN BETHESDA TODAY! (PHOTO)

This secret password will get you free turkey chili, or chicken tortilla soup, today at California Tortilla in Bethesda: Just make any purchase, and say the password, "BRRR-ITO." In return, you'll get a free sample of whichever you prefer.

If this isn't chili and soup weather, I don't know what is.

California Tortilla is located at 4871 Cordell Avenue in Bethesda.

UNCLE SAM REFINES DESIGN OF SANGAMORE RD. INTELLIGENCE CAMPUS IN BETHESDA (PHOTOS)

Images of a future Bethesda homeland security site have been unveiled by the U.S. Government, in response to feedback on the initial blueprints. The Montgomery County Planning Board will examine refined designs for the future federal intelligence campus, at 4600 Sangamore Road, at its January 30 meeting. County planners are recommending approval of the new renderings for transmittal to the National Capital Planning Commission, which has oversight of the project.

A refinement of the initial designs was sought in response to both community concerns, and the environmentally-sensitive location of the project, at the former Geospatial Intelligence Agency campus. The updated designs take into consideration the cosmetic appearance of several structures, as they appear from both the adjacent residential neighborhood, and from the Potomac River below.

Overall, the project aims to balance a return of the site to its origins as a scenic river bluff, and the significant expansion of personnel. The federal agencies in charge of the project are the Defense Intelligence Agency, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

I love the fantastic aerial photo of the river running behind the campus. Clark Construction has been in charge of the current construction phase, reconfiguring the high-security entrance and parking, and construction of the new Centrum building. The ultimate expansion will be a huge boon to businesses and restaurants in the Shops at Sumner Place, located directly across the street from the campus. Click images to enlarge for more detail:

KATIE AND SURI MAY HAVE TO BE PATIENT AT BETHESDA ROW

I have an update on the opening of Make Meaning at Bethesda Row. A company spokesperson says they are now targeting summer for the grand opening, which is about 6 months later than originally planned. As you saw in yesterday's post, construction is progressing at the new Bethesda outpost of Katie Holmes' and Suri Cruise's favorite NYC playdate destination.

BEN AND JERRY'S RON BURGUNDY'S SCOTCHY SCOTCH SCOTCH REVIEW (VIDEO)

Stay classy, Bethesda! Here's a review of the new Ben and Jerry's flavor, Ron Burgundy's Scotchy Scotch Scotch. Of course, this is inspired by the recent Anchorman 2 movie. As you might guess from the name, it is butterscotch ice cream with swirls of butterscotch mixed in. But is it rich enough to win the prestigious John Candy Award?

SCULPT STUDIO GRAND OPENING THIS SATURDAY IN BETHESDA (PHOTOS)

The first Megaformer Pilates fitness studio in Bethesda will open this Saturday, January 25. Sculpt Studio is hosting a special Open House between 1:00-4:00 PM Saturday for local residents.

Visitors will be able to meet the instructors, tour the facilities, become familiar with the unique Megaformer equipment, watch or participate in free 10-minute sessions, and receive 20% off class packages purchased on Saturday.

Photos courtesy of Sculpt Studio

BETHESDA SNOW AFTERMATH METRO/RIDE ON/WEATHER UPDATE

The current temperature in Bethesda is 8° F, and it feels like -14° F.

Metrorail is on a normal weekday schedule today. Metrobus is operating on Snow Emergency routing this morning. There are brief delays on the Red Line related to an electrical problem near Glenmont. Check the WMATA website for your particular route before heading out.

In Bethesda, Ride On Route 23 (Friendship Heights Metro station to Sibley Hospital via Westbard/Sumner) is currently bypassing Brookmont on its usual route.

We are expected to reach a high of 14° F today, with temperatures dipping back into the high single digits again tonight. Today's forecast is mostly sunny, with increasing cloudiness after dusk.

BETHESDA BARS SNOW SPECIALS

Stay warm with these snow specials at Bethesda bars and restaurants!

The Barking Dog

The downstairs bar is open, but Salsa dancing is canceled upstairs tonight. Enjoy $4 Winter Storm Shooters, and $3 Natty Boh (I give them extra points for that) and $4 ESB drafts.

4723 Elm Street, Bethesda, (301) 654-0022

Brickside

Happy Hour is still on until 7 PM tonight. $12 burger and beer special until 10 PM. $10 pitchers until they close tonight.

4866 Cordell Avenue, Bethesda, (301) 312-6160

Food, Wine & Co.

Food, Wine & Co. have two snow day beer specials, the aptly-named Snow Blind by Star Hill Brewery, and Mad Elf ale, both for $5. Have a friend along? Order Chef Michael Harr's All American Burger - featuring a fried tater tot patty, spicy ketchup, coleslaw, and lollo bionda lettuce - and get a second burger of your choice for only $5.

7272 Wisconsin Avenue (same building as Regal Cinemas), Bethesda, 301-652-8008.

Redwood

Redwood is having a snow party all night at Bethesda Row!

7121 Bethesda Lane, Bethesda, (301) 656-5515

WESTFIELD MONTGOMERY MALL CLOSING AT 5 PM DUE TO SNOWSTORM IN BETHESDA

Westfield Montgomery Mall will close today at 5:00 PM, according to a mall spokesperson. The closure is in the interest of mall patrons and employees, due to the significant snowfall, and poor driving conditions.

The mall expects to reopen tomorrow morning as usual, however, but stay tuned for any weather related changes as the winter storm continues.

ARE KATIE HOLMES AND SURI CRUISE READY TO VISIT BETHESDA ROW? (PHOTOS)

A Bethesda outpost of Katie Holmes' and Suri Cruise's favorite New York playdate spot remains under construction on Bethesda Avenue. Make Meaning has fallen behind schedule for the opening date they were targeting previously, but here are photos of the construction progress so far:

LOEHMANN'S GOING OUT OF BUSINESS AT MAZZA GALLERIE IN CHEVY CHASE (PHOTOS)

After 93 years in business, Loehmann's department stores are closing nationwide, following the chain's third bankruptcy filing in December. That includes the Friendship Heights NW DC store in Mazza Gallerie, where a closing sale is underway. Loehmann's began with a store in Brooklyn in 1921. One New York customer - now a New York Post reporter - is "verklempt" at the closure, and has written a nostalgia piece Loehmann's fans will likely enjoy.

8200 WISCONSIN AVENUE APARTMENTS FRONT ENTRANCE CLOSED IN BETHESDA

8200 Wisconsin Avenue residents are probably aware of this, but the Wisconsin Avenue lobby entrance of the building is closed for construction. Until an unspecified future date, residents and visitors will have to use the rear Woodmont Avenue access to the building.  A new ground floor office is being constructed for Aldon Management.

Meanwhile, the Mitchell Eye Institute has moved to the 8218 Wisconsin Avenue Bethesda Medical Building.

BETHESDA / DC AREA SNOW UPDATE

Bethesda Storm Center
* * *
Snow Update

A winter storm warning, and wind chill advisory, are in effect until 11 PM tonight.

Current temperature in Bethesda: 34° F, falling into the 20s later this morning. Temperatures could reach single digits later tonight.

Wind gusts will pick up speed as the day goes on, maxing out at 40 MPH by this evening. Expect dangerous wind chill, and the potential for falling limbs and trees, as well as power outages.

Snow should begin between 7 and 10 AM this morning, and increase starting around 10:30 AM. The heaviest snow is expected this afternoon, and will taper off by evening. Accumulations could be in the 4-8" range, with higher totals in upper Montgomery County.

Stay tuned here and at @BethesdaRow on Twitter for any urgent updates throughout the storm.

7001 ARLINGTON ROAD LUXURY APARTMENTS BETHESDA CONSTRUCTION UPDATE (PHOTOS)

Construction continues slowly but surely on the former site of the Bethesda Post Office, at 7001 Arlington Road. Formerly known as Dwell Bethesda, the luxury apartment building is, for now, known simply as 7001 Arlington Road. Questions regarding local elected officials' involvement (or lack thereof) in the selection of the new post office, at 6900 Wisconsin Avenue, remain unanswered.

Just last week, I was informed of a disabled post office patron who required the assistance of a Good Samaritan to successfully mail letters, due to the lack of handicapped parking at 6900. Handicapped parking in a nearby garage is simply no substitute for truly functional spaces near the front door of the post office. Some two decades after the Americans with Disabilities Act, all citizens have a right to expect equal access to public facilities. 

The United States Postal Service has yet to publicly announce a location for a second Bethesda post office it plans to open. But let's go ahead and check out the progress of construction crews at the much-missed former post office site:

ROOF BETHESDA TO ADD BRUNCH AND LUNCH HOURS THIS MONTH (PHOTOS)

 

Bethesda's much-talked-about rooftop restaurant, Roof, is about to launch the most scenic brunch and lunch in town. Brunch with Woodmont Triangle views will launch this Saturday, January 25, at 10:00 AM.

Next, the restaurant will add lunch hours, starting at 11:00 AM on Thursday, January 30. Previously, Roof has been opening at 4:30 PM.

By the way, the Washington Post's guide to best brunches last Friday was another example of either their usual anti-Bethesda bias, or ignorance. They listed not one brunch spot in Bethesda! Have they been to Bethesda recently? Maybe they should book a table for Day One of brunch at Roof.