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. 

Angel Reese meal now available at McDonald's in Bethesda

McDonald's' latest celebrity meal veers from the music world to the WNBA. The Angel Reese meal includes the new BBQ Bacon Quarter Pounder with Cheese. "Featuring an unapologetically bold and smoky BBQ sauce with crispy bacon, this breakout QPC® is taking it to the next level," McDonald's promises. "Each BBQ Bacon Quarter Pounder with Cheese is cooked when you order with a 100% fresh beef+ quarter pound patty, seasoned with just a pinch of salt and pepper, and sizzled on our flat iron grill. It’s smothered in smoky BBQ sauce and layered with crispy bacon, two slices of melty American cheese, slivered onions and tangy pickles all on a soft and fluffy sesame seed hamburger bun."

Reportedly, the BBQ sauce is a new recipe, and not the one used for McNuggets or the McRib. The Angel Reese Special also includes a medium fries, and Hi-C Orange is the recommended beverage pairing.(or other soft drink) round out the roster and has 1230 calories. Speaking of local basketball stars...here in Washington, we are looking forward to the Cooper Flagg Meal, if the NBA doesn't cheat us out of the #1 draft pick again.

More Piccoli Piatti signage added at Westbard Square in Bethesda

The Piccoli Piatti pizzeria isn't open yet at Westbard Square in Bethesda, but more signage has been posted around the development for it. One is a permanent wayfaring logo applied to the wall inside Level 1 of the parking garage. The other is an additional "coming soon" banner.

Promising "the best Neapolitan pizza in Maryland," the Italian restaurant has an existing location at the Wildwood Shopping Center. Ingredients used include flour imported from Italy, and Bertozzi cheese. If that's not enough, their tomatoes are grown in San Marzano, below Mount Vesuvius. A selection of appetizers, pasta, and mussels rounds out the main menu.

Bethesda Medical Building being marketed for sale

The venerable Bethesda Medical Building at 8218 Wisconsin Avenue in downtown Bethesda has hit the market for sale. Currently only 50% leased, the 1954 commercial office structure is managed by Bethesda-based The Donohoe Companies. The asking price in the investment sale is $8,000,000, according to the online listing. 

In the short term, there is growth potential in adding more healthcare tenants. For example, a doctor on one floor can send a patient to a specialist or lab on another floor. Longer term, the greatest value of this property would be assembling it with the adjacent gas station and Monocle Building for redevelopment as a high-rise.

Strong-arm robbery in downtown Bethesda

Montgomery County police responded to a report of a strong-arm robbery in downtown Bethesda early Sunday morning, February 9, 2025. The robbery was reported in the 4800 block of St. Elmo Avenue at 3:00 AM Sunday. It took place inside a parking garage.

Cornucopia closed until Friday in Bethesda

Cornucopia Specialty Food Market at 8102 Norfolk Avenue in downtown Bethesda is temporarily closed. It will reopen this Friday, February 14, 2025. The shop is temporarily closed due to the owner having to make an unexpected trip to Italy. 

Cornucopia sells fresh-prepared Italian foods, as well as a wide variety of groceries and goods from Italy. It is one of the "if you know, you know" hidden gems in the Woodmont Triangle. So if you are planning a romantic Italian dinner for Valentine's Day, there's no need to worry: the market will be open just in time Friday.

Police increase visibility at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda after robbery wave

Police were more visible at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda this past weekend, following a string of robberies at the popular retail center. In one instance, as seen above in the Dining Terrace food court, a uniformed police officer joined a mall security guard making the rounds of the property. Montgomery County police recently responded to three robberies in a nine-day period at the mall, on January 26 and 27, and on February 4. In the January 27 robbery, the victim was a business inside the mall.

Last year, assaults - not robberies - were the primary type of violent crime taking place at the mall. Eleven assaults were reported at the mall in 2024, up from five in 2023. The last assault was on November 12, 2024. A new leadership team was brought into the mall by parent company Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield ten days later. No assaults have been reported at Montgomery Mall so far in 2025. 

There's no question that a visible police presence can not only deter criminals, but also make mall patrons feel safer. A sense of lawlessness, such as thieves being permitted to escape with large armfuls or bags of merchandise, only attracts more serious criminals as word spreads of easy pickings. TV news reports of New York City Police Department officers on subway platforms and trains, as that city's mayor announced that at least two officers would patrol each train during overnight hours, would give passengers a high degree of confidence in riding the MTA system. 

The newly-deployed NYPD officers are in addition to the existing ones patrolling MTA stations and platforms. Meanwhile, back in Maryland, the Montgomery County Council has defunded the police since 2020. Heckuva job, Brownie!

The Jam closes at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

The Jam has closed at Westfield Montgomery Mall. An experimental art pop-up gallery and gift boutique by D.C.-area artist Maggie O'Neill, The Jam opened in the vacant Wentworth Gallery space outside of Nordstrom last October. The space has been cleared out, signage is gone, and the windows have been covered over. It will be interesting to see if the next tenant continues the art gallery streak, or if Westfield decides to go in another direction with this space.

Garage opening at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Garage will open its first store in Montgomery County this summer at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. The women's apparel boutique is one of two brands founded by parent company GDI in Montreal in 1975. "We're a casual clothing brand for young women who are fun and effortlessly sexy," the company marketing spiel declares. When it opens, look for Garage in the former Aeropostale space on Level 1 of the mall, next to JD Sports.

Maryland lawfare crusade to eliminate gun shops targets Montgomery County first

Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown has joined a crusade that aims to use lawfare to ultimately drive all gun stores in the state out of business. The first three businesses in the crosshairs of the campaign are all located in Montgomery County. One of Brown's initial targets is a family-owned gun shop in Rockville operated by retired law enforcement professionals, United Gun Shop, whose owners have already been forced to shell out over $100,000 to defend themselves. Brown's partners in the lawfare effort are the Attorney General of the District of Columbia, and pro-gun-control organization Everytown Law. The other defendants in the civil suit filed last September 3 are Atlantic Guns and Engage Armament, which are also both located in Rockville.

Lawfare is the use of frivolous lawsuits designed to bankrupt political or business opponents either through victory with punitive damages in friendly courtroom venues, or through the cost of defense even if there is little or no chance of prevailing in court. It is often employed as a last resort, when such opponents are not violating criminal law, and their activities are legitimate and legal. You'll notice that Brown has not lodged criminal charges against the store owners.

While the shops are accused of selling guns to a "straw purchaser," the sales were legal. The shop owners have no way to know to whom a legal purchaser might sell a firearm after the transaction at their business. Brown, et al's civil suit argues that the shop owners should have known (through E.S.P., perhaps?) that his large number of legal purchases of firearms meant that he was selling them to criminals. 

The lawfare effort is only the latest attempt by Montgomery County and Maryland elected officials to prevent their constituents from exercising their 2nd Amendment rights. Maryland's gun laws, among the strictest in the nation, have failed to prevent an ongoing violent crime wave, shootings, and homicides. They also happen to be unconstitutional. A forced closure of all gun stores in the county - and, potentially, the state - will make it all the more difficult for residents to exercise their 2nd Amendment rights.

United Gun Shop's owners have started a GiveSendGo fundraising campaign to help defray the tremendous cost of defending themselves from this lawfare in court. While Everytown Law is at least using its own funds in the effort, Brown is using your own tax dollars to strip you of your 2nd Amendment rights.

Assault at Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School

Montgomery County police responded to a report of a 2nd-degree assault at Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School on Wednesday, February 5, 2025. The assault was reported at 3:36 PM at the school, which is located at 4301 East-West Highway. It reportedly took place in the parking lot outside the school.

3rd robbery in 9 days at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Montgomery County police responded to a report of a robbery at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda Tuesday afternoon, February 4, 2025. The robbery was reported at the mall at 3:30 PM Tuesday. This was the third robbery at the busy retail center in nine days. The first two took place on January 26 and January 27. 

Bethesda's newest CVS Pharmacy to close

The newest CVS Pharmacy in downtown Bethesda may also be the next to close. Customers having prescriptions filled at the 7235 Wisconsin Avenue store this week report they are being told to move their prescriptions elsewhere, as CVS has decided to close this location next month. The store opened in the former PNC Bank building in December 2022. It recently closed temporarily due to a water main break in January.

Proposed Maryland law would jail social media users for posting deepfake, AI, or altered media of political candidates

A new law proposed in the Maryland legislature would impinge on the 1st Amendment right to freedom of speech, and result in potential fines and jail sentences of up to 5 years for posting "deepfake," AI-created, or otherwise-altered media featuring candidates during elections. The text of MD House Bill 525 does not even distinguish between official posts or advertising by political campaigns against opponents, and social media posts by individuals. As currently written, the law would expose all citizens to a threat of fines up to $5000, and jail terms of up to 5 years. 

Censorship on social media was a significant issue in the 2024 election. It's surprising that the sponsors of this bill believe this is an opportune time to propose new restrictions on freedom of speech. The vague and broad language in the bill would have a chilling effect on negative political speech, and is clearly unconstitutional. If passed during the current legislative session, the new law would take effect on June 1, 2025.

Why are Homeland Security police outside of this Bethesda hotel?

A number of readers have asked about the heavy security presence outside of the Hyatt Regency Bethesda hotel at 7400 Wisconsin Avenue in recent days. In particular, people have taken note of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security protective police vehicles, and Montgomery County police cruisers. A Red Cross vehicle was seen there, as well, and there is a Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service ambulance on-site. This is in relation to the recent and tragic collision of an American Airlines regional passenger jet and a military helicopter near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.

During one of the briefings after the incident, it was announced that the Hyatt would be used as a staging area for families of the victims who were aboard the American Airlines flight. This is still an ongoing effort and ordeal for all involved. But residents can be reassured that there is no reason for concern related to the vehicles and personnel.

Maryland Comptroller owes taxpayers a fine - with interest - for 1099-G data breach

Has an apology even gotten you out of paying your taxes, or fines, to the Internal Revenue Service or the Comptroller of Maryland? It's thought-provoking, then, that Maryland Comptroller Brooke Lierman believes that an apology is sufficient to cover a shocking data breach by her agency. "On February 4th, The Office of the Comptroller identified a printing malfunction that led to a limited batch of roughly 6,000 1099-G forms going to incorrect addresses," the Office of the Comptroller posted on its website yesterday. "The printing error did not impact other tax forms produced by the agency. There was no external data breach; this was an internal issue. Individuals who mistakenly received another person’s information should destroy the document immediately."

In other words, personal identification data and financial information of "roughly 6000" Maryland taxpayers was exposed to identity theft by the Office of the Comptroller. What is going to happen in terms of accountability? "We sincerely apologize for not catching the error and for any distress this incident may cause the affected individuals," the statement concluded. "We will be altering our process in the future on printing jobs to ensure this type of incident does not ever happen again." That's it?

Has that kind of response ever worked for you with federal or state tax authorities? Of course not. Has the Maryland legislature taken steps to hold Lierman accountable for the data breach in the last 48 hours? Negative on that front, as well.

Who does "public servant" refer to? Do our elected officials serve the public? Or is it the other way around? The latter seems to be the case virtually 100% of the time. Government believes it is entitled to an ever-increasing amount of the income you generate through your own labor and enterprise. Government cannot be held accountable, but it will bankrupt you, and throw you in prison for the same behavior.

The fact is, the Comptroller's office owes all Maryland taxpayers whose data was exposed a check. A fine, with interest added for each day that passes since February 4, 2025. Not surprisingly, the local lapdog media, and the Comptroller's elected friends in Annapolis, are not calling for this.

Spanish Diner posts farewell message at Bethesda Row

Spanish Diner posted a farewell message to patrons last night at Bethesda Row. The hometown restaurant of celebrity chef José Andrés, its homestyle spin on Spanish cuisine replaced his original tapas concept Jaleo at 7271 Woodmont Avenue in May of 2021. "Life is memories. We hope you remember us well!" was posted in Spanish at the restaurant Wednesday night. This morning, the Bethesda location's website is gone. 

What's next for this prominent corner spot is currently unknown. But if Andrés is not involved, an exit from Bethesda by its most-famous chef, and one of its most-famous residents, would be an explosive development in the decline of Montgomery County. Andrés has no shortage of ventures to juggle these days. He has a knack for popping up anywhere in the world to provide meals as crises and disasters unfold. A few weeks ago, he was in Los Angeles at the height of the wildfires and destruction, chatting with Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, Duchess and Duke of Sussex. His portfolio expansion includes a luxury hotel he expects to open in Georgetown in 2027. Is Bethesda on his calendar? Stay tuned!

Spanish Diner Bethesda Row website is gone

Mon Ami Gabi expansion may block view of Bethesda Row Cinema marquee (Photos)

The expansion of Mon Ami Gabi into the adjacent former Häagen-Dazs space at Bethesda Row may have an unintended consequence for next door neighbor Landmark Bethesda Row Cinema. An awning now being attached over the extended outdoor dining area appears to block the view of the animated theater marquee screen that displays the films currently showing. The theater is rather far back from Woodmont Avenue, but the marquee display was previously viewable from the street and sidewalk. There don't appear to be any other downsides to the French restaurant's expansion - there will be more seating inside and out at the popular establishment, and the significant investment by Mon Ami Gabi suggests the building is going to be around for many more years into the future, despite the theater's lease expiration pending for 2027.

View from Woodmont Avenue