Monday, July 31, 2023

Capital One boards up Westbard ATM (Photos)


What's in your wallet? It doesn't really matter anymore at 5370 Westbard Avenue in Bethesda. Capital One has boarded up its ATM inside the venerable glassed-in structure at the edge of the Westwood Shopping Center parking lot. Will the new Westbard Square development have any bank? Stay tuned. 





Signage installed at Hotworx in Bethesda


The sign is up at Hotworx at 4830 Rugby Avenue in Bethesda. Last night, it was already lit. A 24-hour virtual instruction "infrared sauna workout" facility, Hotworx combines heat, infrared energy, and exercise. Operating hours of the gym itself will be 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM Monday through Thursday, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM on Fridays, and 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM on Saturdays. Closed Sundays, like Chick-fil-A.

Sunday, July 30, 2023

Teas Me bubble tea shop now open in Bethesda


Teas Me
is now open at 5017 Wilson Lane in downtown Bethesda. The bubble tea shop is ready to serve you now, but will also be hosting a grand opening celebration on Sunday, August 6, 2023 from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM. There will be food and music during the event. Daily operating hours for Teas Me are 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM Tuesday through Friday, 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM on Saturdays, and 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM on Sundays; check out the menu below:




Thousands without power in Bethesda after thunderstorm damages and uproots trees

Pepco crews staging at the 7-Eleven store
on River Road in Bethesda this morning

UPDATE - 7:07 AM: Additional brownouts reported in the Westbard area from 6:49 AM to 6:51 AM, at which time there was a power outage from 6:51 to 7:03 AM, and at 7:04 AM.

Over 10,000 Pepco customers remain without power this morning in Montgomery County, but that number is down about 60,000 from the height of last evening's thunderstorm damage. The weather event, and resulting tree and power line damage, has been one of the few significant tests for Pepco since the electric utility was acquired by Exelon in 2016. Yesterday's storm appeared deceptively routine for late summer, but spawned straight line winds in areas like North Bethesda and Rockville, and had some in Northwest Washington, D.C. reporting a tornado in their community.

Southwest Bethesda neighborhoods like Springfield, Sumner, Wood Acres, Bannockburn and Spring Hill are still experiencing significant power outages. Grid resiliency issues reared their head again in the Westbard area long after skies had cleared Saturday night. Residents there who were fortunate enough to retain power after the storm last night report experiencing brownouts at 2:12 AM and 4:32 AM. The 4:32 AM brownout was an extended one, as after a split-second blackout that ravaged appliance motors, light fixtures were shimmering and flickering until all power was lost around 4:45 AM. Power was then restored around 4:48 AM. Interestingly, both brownout episodes reported seem to coincide with brand new power outages in the Westbard and Wood Acres/Searl Terrace areas, which the Pepco outage map indicates were reported at 2:15 AM (Searl Terrace) and 4:53 AM (Westbard Avenue). This morning's brownouts follow three sunny day brownouts in the Westbard area two weeks ago.

In North Bethesda, apartment building residents reported being in the dark Saturday night, and outages persist around Grosvenor, Garrett Park, Tilden Lane, Randolph Hills and the Randolph Road corridor this morning. Things aren't looking much better in the Twinbrook and Rollins Park areas of Rockville.

Aspen Hill is still smarting today with many outages. Fortunately for those without air conditioning, today's high will "only" be 85 degrees, instead of the 99 degree peak experienced last Friday. Outages also persist around Leisure World, Bel Pre Road, Wheaton, Kensington, Kemp Mill, Takoma Park, Hillandale, Colesville and Fairland. 

The storm appears to have cut a straight path across Montgomery Village, Goshen, and Laytonsville, judging from the large number of outages there. Outages remain in the Kentlands, Montgomery College-Germantown campus, Olney and Sandy Spring areas. 

Saturday, July 29, 2023

Bethesda construction update: Solaire 7607 Old Georgetown Road apartments (Photos)


The Solaire 7607 Old Georgetown Road apartment tower is in the home stretch of construction on the former site of the La Madeleine restaurant in downtown Bethesda. The Solaire 7607 will house 198 residential units, 1500 square feet of retail space, and a four-and-a-half level underground parking garage. This will be developer Washington Property Company's second Solaire-branded property in Bethesda. Clark Construction is forecasting a 2024 delivery for the tower.






First salons open at Cheval Bethesda condos (Photos)


The first tenants have opened their salons at the new Amor Studio Salons in the ground floor of the Cheval Bethesda condo tower at 4960 Fairmont Avenue. Beauty by Jenna and Be Well Beauty Studio are now accepting clients. Be Well Beauty Studio offers nail, eyelash extension, waxing, facial, eyebrow tinting, and permanent makeup services. Beauty by Jenna does not yet have a website or social media presence that I can find.





Friday, July 28, 2023

Vuori opens at Bethesda Row


Vuori
has opened today at 4820 Bethesda Avenue at Bethesda Row. Judging from the number of inquiries I have received from readers, this may be the most eagerly-awaited retail opening of the year in Bethesda so far. The performance apparel brand favored by celebrities and influencers offers athleisure wear for men and women. Operating hours of the boutique will be 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM Monday - Saturday, and 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM on Sundays.

Bethesda Marriott HQ briefly embraces its Hot Shoppes heritage with disappearing Mighty Mo


It would seem to be a no-brainer for Marriott International to serve the famous Mighty Mo burger from the Hot Shoppes restaurants that laid the groundwork for the international hospitality giant it is today. Nowhere would it make more sense to be able to buy a Mighty Mo on a daily basis than at the company's downtown Bethesda headquarters, and adjacent Marriott Bethesda Downtown hotel. It happened quietly and briefly this week, but only for 120 minutes.

Marriott HQ's ground-level cafe at 7750 Wisconsin Avenue offered the legendary burger, with a side of chips, for $10.49 Wednesday at 11:30 AM. By 1:30 PM, the burgers had sold out, an employee said yesterday. The cafe plans to offer it again for one day sometime this fall. 

Because I was not aware of the Mighty Mo special in advance, I was not able to compare it to the original I used to get at Hot Shoppes in downtown Bethesda. This video may give us an idea, however, because it was filmed at the headquarters this past May. 

You'll notice, like the Mighty Mo served at the Marriott Marquis in Washington, D.C., and in the bar at the former Key Bridge Marriott in Rosslyn, the burger patties are thicker than those in the original Mighty Mo. This is probably a concession to modern standards, much as few restaurants would dare to serve the crab cakes of the 70s and 80s that were more cake than crab. The original was closer to a Big Mac patty, and the burgers were well-done, not the medium rare David Marriott asks for in the video. And if you're having a Mighty Mo, onion rings and an Orange Freeze are essential, I might add.

You can't get a Mighty Mo in Bethesda, but
you can in Sri Lanka!

I will continue my futile quest for a Mighty Mo burger. And continue to urge Marriott to add permanent Hot Shoppes menu items to the restaurants at the Bethesda HQ and hotel. The Mighty Mo is served more often than one would think around the world, but not as much to the customers who would remember and appreciate it most in our area. Consider that the Marriott empire's Sheraton Kosgoda Turtle Beach Resort in Sri Lanka began serving the Mighty Mo this month!

Top photo: Marriott Hot Shoppes Cookbook
Bottom photo: Marriott Bonvoy

Bethesda construction update: Hampden House (Photos)


Construction of the Hampden House apartment tower at 7316 Wisconsin Avenue has reached street level. Once it starts rising beyond this point, it won't be overshadowed by the massive Bethesda Metro station elevator shaft project happening right next to it on Elm Street anymore. The 25-story Hampden House will contain 366 rental apartments, 10,110 square feet of retail and restaurant space, and a 5-level underground parking garage. Developer B.F. Saul anticipates a 2025 delivery date for the project.








Landow Building work continues in Bethesda


Here's an update on the project at the Landow Building at 7910 Woodmont Avenue in downtown Bethesda. The main lobby entrance remains closed, where a new canopy will be installed over the doors. However, work has expanded to the second story facade and windows, which have been boarded up. I will have to open the floor to one of our resident construction experts in the comments to maybe shed light on whether that has anything to do with the 2nd floor concrete slab issues, which were to be inspected as part of the work.





Thursday, July 27, 2023

Paris In Town closes for "summer break" in Bethesda, but landlord wants $70K back rent


Paris In Town
is closed at 4903 Cordell Avenue in Bethesda. A sign in the window states that the French cafe is taking a "short summer break." The length of that break may be determined by whether or not the restaurant can pay over $70,000 in back rent. A Montgomery County District Court notice on the window of the restaurant indicates that a trial date regarding the unpaid rent has been set for August 4 at 1:30 PM. Paris In Town opened in April 2022.





Montgomery County police deploy new stealth police cruisers for Vision Zero traffic enforcement


Starting today, there are two more reasons to obey the speed limit. Montgomery County police have deployed two new "slick top" cruisers as of this morning, July 27, 2023. Both new Dodge Charger models are designed with stealthy features to avoid premature detection by leadfoot or texting drivers. They each have lights inside the top of the windshield and rear window, rather than on the roof. The "ghost graphics" model has nearly-invisible MCPD markings on its exterior, which are very subtle in the daytime, but are highly-reflective at night.


MCPD says both cruisers are being deployed for Vision Zero traffic enforcement. Officers driving them will be on the lookout for drivers who are speeding, texting while driving, not wearing seatbelts, driving impaired or driving aggressively. Both will be driven by Central Traffic Unit officers, who will be in full uniform.

BioTec USA to reopen August 1 in Bethesda


BioTec USA Skin Care
's Westfield Montgomery Mall location in Bethesda is temporarily closed. The clinic is scheduled to reopen next Tuesday, August 1, 2023. Look for BioTec next week on Level 2 of the mall, next to Avalon in the Nordstrom wing.

Sinatra's Gentlemen's Barbershop opens in Bethesda


Sinatra's Gentlemen's Barbershop
is now open at 7026 Wisconsin Avenue in downtown Bethesda. Licensed master barber Frank Ortiz worked in local barbershops for more than a decade, before leasing a salon space at the Collection at Chevy Chase in Friendship Heights. Now he has upgraded to his own storefront on downtown Bethesda's main street. Look for Sinatra's next to Town Jewelers.

Wednesday, July 26, 2023

Prince George's County officials endorse Will Jawando for U.S. Senate in Maryland


Montgomery County Councilmember Will Jawando announced four new endorsements from elected officials in Prince George's County this morning, in his campaign for the Maryland U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Ben Cardin in January 2025. Laurel City Councilmembers Martin Mitchell and Carl Dewalt, Colmar Manor Mayor Monica Casañas, and Mount Rainier Mayor Celina Benitez joined Jawando for a press conference in Laurel to make the announcement. The Democratic electorate in Prince George's is key to victory in any statewide race.

Councilmember Mitchell zeroed in on a central Jawando campaign theme in his endorsement statement. “From his work on the County Council to stabilize rents to his commitment to introduce a Universal Basic Income program in the U.S. Senate, it is clear to me that Will Jawando is the only true progressive in this race," Mitchell said. "We need a new generation of leaders in every part of our government — ones that will prioritize voting rights, action on climate change, and a vision of equity for all. That’s why I’m proud to stand by Will in his race to be Maryland’s next U.S. Senator.”

Mayor Casañas also echoed Jawando's effort to claim the progressive lane in the race, which has been left open by the decision of Congressman Jamie Raskin to pass on the 2024 Senate contest.  “As a community activist, I know that the only option in this race is Will Jawando," she said. "I have had the honor of working alongside Will Jawando on the Montgomery County Council to promote and advance English literacy in adult communities. Will is a partner in building equity and opportunity for marginalized communities and that’s exactly what he will do in the U.S. Senate.”

Jawando's recent role in the passing of rent stabilization in Montgomery County was mentioned by several of the endorsers, including Councilmember Dewalt. “I’ve spent a career working on behalf of the citizens of Laurel, both as a police officer and now as the Councilmember for Ward 1," Dewalt said. "Will has delivered for his constituents in Montgomery County time and time again; his efficacy as a legislator is unparalleled, look only to his recent success in passing rent stabilization in the largest county in Maryland. I look forward to working with him when he is elected to be our next U.S. Senator.”

“I am so proud to earn the endorsements of Councilmembers Mitchell and Dewalt and Mayors Casañas and Benitez," Jawando said in a statement. While I have been honored to serve on the Montgomery Council Council for the past 5 years, the truth is that there’s so much more to Maryland in addition to Montgomery County – and my expanding progressive coalition spans across the state. Prince George’s County is a beautiful bastion of diversity, economic development, and some of Maryland’s best.

“I intend to win this race by bringing together all the communities that make our state great, spanning across racial, ethnic, socioeconomic, and geographic lines. These endorsements today help demonstrate our campaign’s strength in this regard, and over the next few months, I will continue to show that this message resonates with all Marylanders.

“As we continue to expand my coalition, I plan to travel all across the state and take no vote for granted. Our vision for Maryland’s future will lift everyone up, no matter your ZIP Code. I look forward to working alongside all of these excellent public servants between now and election day.”

Car stolen in Springfield neighborhood of Bethesda


Montgomery County police are investigating the theft of a vehicle from a home in the Springfield neighborhood of Bethesda this past Sunday morning, July 23, 2023. The vehicle was taken from the driveway of a home in the 5500 block of Parkston Road. Remember to lock your vehicle, remove all visible objects from the interior, and do not leave keys in the ignition or glove compartment.

Loehmann's Plaza redevelopment proposed


The owner of Loehmann's Plaza at 5926 Randolph Road is proposing a long-term redevelopment of the shopping center property. Rosenfeld Investments, LLC has proposed a first phase of redevelopment that will add 84 townhomes to the property, very similar to what was completed recently at Cabin John Village in Potomac. A future stage would see the entire property redeveloped with nearly 600 more housing units in the form of apartments, as well as 50,000-square-feet of retail and a pedestrian woonerf street designed to be shared by pedestrians, vehicles and cyclists.
Existing shopping center

Proposed Phase 1 redevelopment with
townhomes at left and right


Permanent closure of Westbard Avenue at River Road on July 27 Planning Board agenda


The Montgomery County Planning Board will review and comment on a petition by the "5500 Westbard Avenue Block Civic Association" to permanently close the existing vehicular access to and from River Road at the end of that block of Westbard tomorrow, Thursday, July 27, 2023 at 10:00 AM. That closure was recommended in the 2016 Westbard sector plan after residents of the block expressed concern about existing and future cut-through traffic, including trucks seeking to avoid the tight right turns from River onto Ridgefield Road. The Montgomery County Department of Transportation will hold a public hearing on the closure request on August 29, 2023, according to the Montgomery County Planning Department. That meeting's location was not disclosed.


While the proposed permanent closure would prohibit vehicular access to and from River Road from the 5500 block of Westbard, it would retain access by pedestrians and cyclists. The physical barrier to vehicular traffic would also have to mountable by fire and rescue vehicles, as recommended in the sector plan. Montgomery County planning staff write that the closure will require construction of a turnaround "acceptable to" MCDOT and the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service.

Staff are recommending delaying permanent closure of 5500 Westbard at River Road until the realigned Westbard Avenue connection to River Road, located on the former Ridgefield Road right-of-way at River, opens to the public this fall. At that time, staff suggest traffic studies be performed on travel patterns in the area under the new configuration. After study results are compiled, staff recommend the following options be considered for the 5500 Westbard/River intersection:

1."Permanent closure to motorists, except emergency vehicles while maintaining access for bicyclists, and pedestrians. This alternative should include a turnaround acceptable to Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) and Montgomery Department of Permitting Services (MCDPS) Fire and Rescue."

2. "Closing the median on River Road, which would prohibit left turns onto Westbard Avenue."

3. "Installing a larger directional island that ensures right-in/right-out traffic operations from and towards River Road support the signed left turn restrictions already in place."

4. "Closing northbound access onto River Road from Westbard Avenue altogether. This alternative should include a turnaround acceptable to MCDOT and MCDPS Fire and Rescue."

Staff recommend that the MCDOT study of these alternatives include the participation of the Maryland State Highway Administration, the Planning Department, and MCDPS Fire and Rescue and Stormwater Management.

Thursday's public hearing has appeared quickly, and with no notice to nearby residents in the community. It is also being held at the height of summer travel season. As such, it's not surprising that the staff report notes that "Staff has not received any public correspondence on the Right-of-Way Petition as of the date of this staff report." Well, that might be because the public was not made aware of this hearing, nor has MCDOT notified the community of the August 29 public hearing or its location, as of this morning.

Tuesday, July 25, 2023

Paint Nail Bar Bethesda update




Paint Nail Bar
, the new nail salon in the 8001 Woodmont apartment building in Bethesda, now anticipates opening before the end of summer. In addition to standard nail services, the salon will offer nail art and accessories such as jewelry. Pain Nail Bar will also be able to serve 5 oz. of beer or wine to customers of legal drinking age, using the special liquor license designated for salons that was introduced in 2015. Operating hours will be 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM Tuesday and Wednesday, 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM Thursdays, 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM Friday and Saturday, 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM on Sundays, and closed on Mondays. Paint Nail Bar's website can be found here.

What will set Paint Nail Bar apart from most nail salons is the fume and odor-free environment, nail care products chosen to avoid toxic ingredients, and a heightened focus on cleanliness. All implements will be sterilized in a hospital-grade autoclave after use, and remain in a sealed envelope until your appointment begins. Files and buffers will only be used once and discarded, and LED lamps will be used for gel manicures instead of UV. Instead of whirlpool pedicure thrones that harbor bacteria in their systems, ceramic pedicure basins will be employed, and cleaned after each use. 

Chip City signage installed at Shoppes of Bethesda


The sign is up at Chip City, opening soon at 4939 Elm Street at the Shoppes of Bethesda. In addition to that permanent sign over the storefront, the cookie bakery has also installed "coming soon" window screens in the door and front window. The cookie shop replaces Fancy Cakes by Leslie in this spot. Chip City will immediately be thrown into the cookie-fad fire against nearby neighbor - and fellow New York chain - Levain Bakery, as well as Rockville's Crumbl Cookies via delivery services.