Marvel Adventure Lab relocates at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Face front, true believers! The Marvel Adventure Lab kiosk has moved at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. It was formerly located in the Dining Terrace food court on Level 2. Look for it now outside of Forever 21. The Marvel Adventure Lab is a photo booth that allows you to pose with your favorite Marvel Comics superhero, or insert yourself into a page from a comic book. The final product prints out for you to take home. Excelsior!

Maryland governor's false claim of tax cuts for some is really a tax hike for nearly everybody

Despite claims by Maryland Gov. Wes Moore that some Marylanders will receive a tax cut under his budget proposal, the math is adding up otherwise. Moore's proposed changes to the tax code would provide the average low-income resident with an annual tax cut of $300, and "middle class" taxpayers with an average savings of $173. Even in another dimension where those taxpayers would actually end up in the black on Tax Day with those amounts, you could still imagine Dr. Evil rubbing his hands together over that paltry "one-hundred and seventy-three dollars." But imagining is all that taxpayers who were promised a "tax cut" will be able to do next April 15, based on new numbers emerging from the state and economists in recent days.

For those working and middle-class taxpayers, the new, doubled vehicle registration fee alone will wipe out their entire tax cut. The Moore plan also eliminates deductions such as mortgage payments for homeowners. This is not only insane at a time when homeownership is already incredibly expensive and hard to attain, but is also an embrace of a radical idea designed to discourage people from even owning a home, by removing one of its key advantages over renting. With mortgages and other costs no longer deductible, most taxpayers making a modest $75,000 and up would find Moore's deduction-elimination plan delivering a tax hike. And even the low-income taxpayers are unlikely to realize any savings once all of the new, regressive tax hikes and fees are factored in.

A proposed new tax on "sugary drinks" is misleadingly promoted by sponsors as a "2-cent tax." In reality, it is 2-cents per ounce. That means $2.88 per 12-pack of sodas. $3.84 for a 12-pack of Monster Energy drinks. Multiply that by 26 or 52 weeks, depending on consumption level, and you're talking about a serious escalation in price, at a time when groceries are already obscenely-expensive for all but the wealthiest. Why in the world would our elected officials do this to their constituents?

The average Amazon Prime member places 100 orders from Amazon per year. And the average American orders food from a food delivery service like DoorDash or Uber Eats around 60 times per year. That means Moore's new 75-cents tax on all retail and food deliveries from Amazon, DoorDash, Uber Eats and other equivalent services would cost the average Marylander an additional $120 per year.

I've already reported on the massive tax hikes Moore has proposed for marijuana and sports betting. But there's yet another target for new taxes: guns. Two proposed bills would place a new 12% excise tax on all firearms, firearm accessories, and ammunition.

We haven't even factored in the skyrocketing energy bills that are the direct result of Moore and the Maryland General Assembly's Communist EmPOWER MD fee hike, and their forced closure of 8 power plants across the state to meet a 100% "clean" energy target by 2035.

Conservative news outlets wringing their hands over the potential flight of the rich from Maryland are actually underplaying the threat to the state's future, because such departures of the well-off were an established fact following former Gov. Martin O'Malley's disastrous "millionaire's tax" of 2012. Only two years after that tax hike, there were 1000 less such "millionaires" filing tax returns in Maryland, and it's only gotten worse since.

So why would Moore press ahead while knowing this? Because he knows that, like before, it's the working stiffs and modestly well-off white collar workers who are really going to pick up the tab. In fact, The Washington Post calculated that Marylanders who make under $500,000 will actually contribute about 60% of the new revenue generated by the Moore tax plan. And as many economists have noted, in a real estate market as expensive as we are in now, those lucky enough to be in home are unlikely to relocate to avoid taxes, unlike the rich who can afford to move and often have more than one home.

McDonald's reopens at Cabin John Mall (Photos)

A dapper Ronald McDonald is greeting customers at the remodeled McDonald's at 11301 Seven Locks Road inside Cabin John Mall in Potomac. The renovated restaurant has reopened for business with a new look, and a new interior configuration. Everything is geared toward the new normal of takeout and delivery orders being the main driver of business after the pandemic. But the updated interior design is also a welcome reward for loyal customers who fought to keep this location open when it was in danger of closing a few years ago.

Maryland energy crisis requires axing EmPOWER, embracing nuclear

Barakah Nuclear Power Plant, UAE

Maryland is in a full-blown energy crisis, which is devastating electric ratepayers across the state, and has only exacerbated our image as a poor destination for international business. The two root causes are the direct responsibility of our elected officials in Annapolis: the Communist EmPOWER MD program, and the closure of eight power plants that resulted from a state mandate to attain 100% clean energy by 2035. EmPOWER's surcharge was increased for this year by Governor Wes Moore and the Democrat-controlled Maryland legislature. The result has been a massive increase in electric costs for Maryland residents in the midst of a cold winter. In the not-so-distant future, low-energy Maryland will be forced to import nearly half of its power from out-of-state (it currently imports 40%, and is in the process of approving another transmission line to bring power from outside Maryland), further raising electric bills.

One of the short-term solutions is obvious: Maryland must revoke, repeal, kill, and bury the EmPOWER program. Communist to the core, EmPOWER is a rob-Peter-to-pay-Paul scheme that steals money from working Marylanders, ostensibly to buy "green" appliances and home efficiency upgrades for poor people, but to also line the pockets of the political cartel and their cronies along the way. 

Maryland residents simply can't afford to "EmPOWER" the cartel any longer, and it is a no-brainer to demand that the Maryland General Assembly take immediate action to terminate it during the current session. At the moment, they are too busy cranking out every imaginable new tax in the world to increase what is already the highest tax burden in the Washington, D.C. area, and among the highest nationwide.

For the long term, we must take equally-immediate action to increase the electricity generating capacity inside our state borders. That includes restarting the shuttered power plants, and modifying others for natural gas. It also means expediting the construction of new nuclear plants across the state. Even a broken clock is right twice a day, and to that end, there is one modestly-positive proposal on the table in Annapolis this session: to add nuclear to the list of "green" power sources.

But we also need to move urgently on actually getting nuclear plants constructed. There are several new players in the nuclear energy field, and new technology such as micro reactors. 

The United Arab Emirates is currently conducting an active search for potential nuclear projects in the United States. Maryland should answer the call. We often hear that nuclear plants can take two decades or more to come online. But the UAE's Emirates Nuclear Energy Company completed four reactors at the Barakah nuclear power plant in less than 12 years, and the project came in on-budget, according to the Financial Times. 

Enec's CEO Al Hammadi was asked by the FT if his firm would like to build, own, or operate nuclear projects, or function as a consultant. "All of the above," he replied. Maryland should at least be having a conversation with Al Hammadi, and with leaders at other companies, about creating a state where energy is cheap and abundant for residents and business alike.

Photo courtesy Enec

Pop Mart Robo Shop opens at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

The Pop Mart Robo Shop is now open at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. Essentially a vending machine, it is located outside of CAVA. Pop Mart has over 2000 of these vending machines in operation, dispensing licensed blind bag collector toys and labubu. U2 should probably be contacting their lawyer.

Forever 21 says "Everything must go!" at Montgomery Mall as closing rumors swirl

Is Forever 21 closing any stores, some stores, or all stores? The apparel chain isn't making any announcements. But its Bethesda store at Westfield Montgomery Mall just put up signs stating "Everything must go!" Another sign says prices are 10% to 40% off. I've never seen an "Everything must go!" sign at a store that wasn't closing. No sign says the store is closing, but the moves align with the report from a Forever 21 location in Woodbridge, New Jersey. 

The Daily Dot reports that a similar sale is now underway at that New Jersey store, where no returns are being accepted on the sale items. When asked why they could not be returned, a Woodbridge store employee reportedly told the customer it was because all Forever 21 stores are closing, and that the discounts will ramp up as the weeks go by toward the eventual closure. The Daily Dot notes that The Wall Street Journal recently reported that the chain is mulling a bankruptcy filing.

Signage installed at Mon Ami Gabi at Bethesda Row

Here's a "sign" that the reopening of Mon Ami Gabi is not far away at Bethesda Row. Construction walls and barriers have been removed from the front of the French restaurant at 7239 Woodmont Avenue. A new sign has been installed above the main entrance. Last night, it was already hooked up and lit. Mon Ami Gabi has been undergoing a major renovation, as well as expanding into an empty storefront behind it.

Assault reported at Pyle Middle School in Bethesda

Montgomery County police were called to Thomas W. Pyle Middle School early Friday afternoon, February 14, 2025, after someone reported an assault there. The incident was reported to police at the school, which is located at 6311 Wilson Lane in Bethesda, at 12:40 PM Friday. 

Bethesda Row Giant posts message on egg prices, availability

The Bethesda Row Giant at 7142 Arlington Road has posted a message regarding the impact of avian influenza, a.k.a. bird flu, on the shelves of the egg section at the store. This message states, "You may notice a variance in price and availability of eggs at this time due to recent Avian Influenza outbreaks." Elevated prices were certainly evident across the shelves. However, there was no shortage of eggs at the time of my visit - there were plenty of eggs available to purchase.

Maryland AG's lawfare case against United Gun Shop dismissed by judge

Attorney Dan Cox represented the Rockville
gun shop that prevailed in the case

Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown was handed his first loss in his lawfare crusade to bankrupt gun shops in the state yesterday. Montgomery County Circuit Court Judge Ronald B. Rubin dismissed Brown's case against United Gun Shop of Rockville with prejudice. "With prejudice" means that the case is permanently dismissed, and cannot be reopened. Brown's lawfare effort against United Gun Shop and two other Rockville gun stores is a partnership that includes the Attorney General of the District of Columbia, and anti-gun organization Everytown Law, which is backed by billionaire Michael Bloomberg. The unstated goal of this lawfare crusade is to bankrupt all gun stores in Montgomery County - and ultimately, all gun shops statewide - via expensive legal fees to defend themselves.

In his 19-page opinion, Rubin advised the plaintiffs that the gun sales in question were completely legal, and that they would have to seek changes to the existing gun laws if they wanted to prevent such sales. The current Designated Collector statute in Maryland law permitted the purchaser to make repeated purchases of the same gun from United Gun Shop, and the other dealers in Rockville, Rubin wrote.

Attorney Dan Cox represented United Gun Shop in the case, in which he faced off against twenty attorneys well-funded by the multiple plaintiffs. "It was political, and the judge even called that out," Cox said after the dismissal Friday. "We thank God for this victorious outcome," he said in a statement issued by his office. "It sends notice to those wishing to crush innocent Americans with unfounded false accusations that we will not shrink, we will not falter, we will not fail to fight for the truth under law."

Cox is favored by many in the state to be named as the next U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland by President Donald Trump. The U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, Erek L. Barron, resigned on February 12. Cox is also representing the mother of Kayla Hamilton, a 20-year-old Maryland woman murdered by an MS-13 gang member from El Salvador, who was allowed to enter the United States illegally, live in Maryland, and attend public school in Harford County during the Biden adminstration.

Hamilton's mother and Cox joined newly-sworn-in U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi at a press conference on February 12, at which Bondi announced the filing of charges against the State of New York, NY Governor Kathy Hochul, NY Attorney General Letitia James, and NY Department of Motor Vehicles Commissioner Mark Schroeder for issuing driver's licenses to illegal immigrants in the Empire State. In addition to being on Bondi's radar, Cox was previously endorsed by Trump when he ran for Maryland governor in 2022. Cox supporters have started emailing petitions to urge President Trump and the U.S. Department of Justice to consider appointing Cox as the next U.S. Attorney for Maryland.

Valentine's Day flavors at Dolcezza at Bethesda Row

Dolcezza at 7111 Bethesda Lane has two romantic flavors for Valentine's Day at Bethesda Row. Red Velvet Cake features red velvet cake batter gelato with slices of red velvet cake, and swirls of cream cheese frosting. Passion Fruit Mousse is a fluffy passion fruit gelato made from whole fresh passion fruit, with drizzles of passionfruit coulis. Both flavors will be available for the rest of February.

Photo courtesy Dolcezza

Valentine's Day specials at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda is offering several special offers for Valentine's Day 2025.  The mall's AMC Theatres Montgomery 16 cineplex is giving you $2-off tickets for screenings after 4:00 PM today through Sunday, February 16. Use the promo code MONTGOMERY2OFF to redeem the offer. California Pizza Kitchen on Level 2 has a specially-priced 4-course meal for two for Valentine's Day, starting at $55. Love is in the air aboard the Dream Aero Flight Simulator, with 14%-off flights today through Sunday. And today only, Purple is taking an extra 10%-off on any mattress purchase.

Transformer explosion knocked out power to several businesses in Bethesda (Photos)

A transformer exploded in the Woodmont Triangle area of Bethesda early last evening, knocking out power to several businesses, among other Pepco customers. Residents in the area reported hearing a loud explosion shortly after 6:00 PM Thursday. Among the businesses that went dark following the explosion were 7-Eleven at 7820 Wisconsin Avenue, the CVS Pharmacy across the street, Z-Burger, Tastee Diner, Starbucks (which is currently closed for remodeling), and Dog Haus Biergarten. The traffic signal at the intersection of Woodmont and Norfolk Avenues also went out.

Pepco restored power to CVS Pharmacy and 7-Eleven by late evening. Montgomery County police directed traffic at the dark intersection. Power was restored to the rest of the affected customers by this morning. 

Upscale/Resale shopping event this weekend at Woman's Club of Chevy Chase

The Woman's Club of Chevy Chase (WCCC) is hosting its second annual Upscale/Resale event this weekend, Saturday, February 15th, and Sunday, February 16th, from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. It will be held at the WCCC clubhouse, which is located at 7931 Connecticut Avenue.

Shoppers will find a variety of items for sale, including art, collectibles, home decor, clothing, furniture, silver, crystal, jewelry, housewares, and more. All proceeds from the sale will go towards funding WCCC scholarships. These scholarships are awarded annually to local high school seniors, and adult students returning to school.

Free parking is available behind the clubhouse, and is accessible from Dunlop Street. For more information, please visit wcccmaryland.org or call 301-652-8480.  The Woman's Club of Chevy Chase is a 501(c)(4) non-profit organization.

Signage installed at District Dabble Lab at Westbard Square in Bethesda

Permanent signage has been installed at District Dabble Lab, opening soon at 5312 Zenith Overlook at Westbard Square in Bethesda. The arts and crafts studio will also host classes, workshops, and parties. All ages will be accommodated. District Dabble Lab will be located between Sense of Thai and Starbucks on the ground level. 

69% of Montgomery County voters oppose bag tax hike - but County Council passed it anyway

Over two-thirds of registered voters in Montgomery County oppose raising the bag tax to ten cents, a Washington Post/University of Maryland poll found, but the Montgomery County Council unanimously passed it anyway on Tuesday. The poll found that 69% of voters oppose the tax increase on paper bags, and that a minority 47% of voters support the plastic bag ban that was passed alongside it Tuesday. But, as the Council has done increasingly since defeating the Columbia Country Club with its 2009 Purple Line vote that brought no electoral consequences, the Council put its legislative steamroller in gear and floored the accelerator.

Interestingly, the Post declined to print the results of its bag tax/ban poll questions until the day after the Council voted, despite having taken the poll in late January, a clear attempt to tamp down opposition ahead of the Council vote. Tuesday's vote spoke deafening volumes about the deepening radical political trends in Montgomery County, trends that suggest the moribund jurisdiction is on-track for further and accelerating economic decline in the years ahead.

Montgomery County has acquired an international reputation as an anti-business jurisdiction. Not surprisingly, it has failed to attract a major corporate headquarters in over 25 years. Since the last decade, it ranks at or near the bottom by every relevant measure in economic development and job creation in the D.C. region, based on data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. It has long ago fallen out of the Forbes Top Ten Richest Counties in America list, as the wealthy flee to lower-tax jurisdictions in the region. In 2010, stores like Target and Magruder's in Rockville turned their interior lights down, posting apologetic signs explaining it was due to the County's new Energy Tax.

Tuesday's decision won't change the world's perception of us.

According to Wednesday's Post article, Councilmember Marilyn Balcombe (D - District 2) demanded Tuesday that the County begin to go after businesses "more aggressively" if they don't comply with the new ban and tax collection, despite the even-more-complicated regime of mandates imposed by the new law.

Okay, the Council is going to hound your business "more aggressively." But if you're thinking of starting a business, or moving it to Montgomery County, surely you can trust that the local Chamber of Commerce will have your back against the tinfoil dictators of the County Council, right?

Wrong.

The Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce supported the Council's vote. Yes, you read that right. "We worry about Montgomery County being in a position that it's not competitive with surrounding jurisdictions [and] that's not what this bill does," Chamber spokesperson Brian Levine told the Post. 

That's nice, but it's actually false, as Washington, D.C., Arlington County, and Fairfax County do not have bans on plastic bags, and only charge 5 cents per bag, not 10 cents. So putting us in a position that's "not competitive with surrounding jurisdictions" is exactly "what this bill does."

Imagine paying dues to a Chamber that kneecaps you in order to keep political favor with the County Council when the rubber meets the road. This isn't the first time. How many Chamber members wanted this bag law to pass? The Chamber's written testimony goes so far as to declare the organization "applauds the sponsor and co-sponsor for proposing this commonsense policy change." Applauds?! Such kowtowing to an rabidly-anti-business Council is embarrassing for a business organization. Yet again, we cede competitive economic growth territory to Northern Virginia and D.C.

It's bad enough that this is yet another tax hike, at a time when a majority of Montgomery County taxpayers are struggling with already-outrageous grocery prices, and Maryland is about to raise taxes and fees at the state level. But it's also another example of our megalomaniacal elected officials, who have a psychological need to control other people. Council President Kate Stewart (D - District 4) said the new bag law will "change behavior." Voters didn't elect you to "change behavior." They elected you to execute the basic functions of government in a competent manner, foster a favorable climate for business, provide necessary infrastructure and a functioning transportation system, and enforce the laws to protect the safety of the public - - all things this Council hasn't been able to do in this century.