Janie and Jack's new storefront ready at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Janie and Jack could be making the switch any day now at Westfield Montgomery Mall. In fact, the children's clothing boutique's new location - next to California Pizza Kitchen on Level 2 - has already been updated on the mall website. If the usual location is closed when you arrive, just look across the corridor for the new spot. Signage has been installed above the new storefront. Inside, inventory is visible on the shelves.

Westbard shooting suspect(s) still on the lam a month later

The suspect(s) in the March 29, 2025 shooting on Westbard Avenue in Bethesda remain at large four weeks after the incident. Two people were wounded outside of Bowlero at 5353 Westbard Avenue at 12:13 AM that morning. Montgomery County police and Montgomery County elected officials remain silent on the shooting and investigation. We haven't even heard from Moms Demand Action! 

While no information is being provided by official sources, this past week another unofficial tidbit was provided by a patron of the bowling alley, who visited on the Monday following the shooting. They reported seeing bullet holes in the main entrance doors, and that glass panels were boarded up. 

We've seen every effort made to reduce the 2nd Amendment rights of law abiding citizens in Montgomery County. Tackling the criminals who are actually opening fire in public places? There doesn't seem to be the same energy, to say the least. Can our officials summon the same fury and contempt they have for the law-abiding gun owner for the criminals on our streets? A mass shooting left two people wounded in the 20816 zip code, and the action is not matching the rhetoric, folks.

"Maryland has made bold efforts to reduce gun violence...Montgomery County has continued to take action by appropriately exercising its granted legislative authority to pass laws to address gun violence." - Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown

"Our goal is to move closer to ending gun violence in Montgomery County.” - Montgomery County Council President Kate Stewart

"We have had enough of thoughts and prayers. We need to act." - Montgomery County Councilmember Evan Glass

"We don't have to accept gun violence as an inevitability...Montgomery County continues to push the envelope as much as we possibly can within the legal parameters that we have." - Montgomery County Councilmember Andrew Friedson

"Maryland is leading the way...We passed an assault rifle ban. Since then, we've banned ghost guns, passed universal background checks, red flag laws, and just this past session...we ended gun immunity - gun industry immunity in Maryland." - State Senator Jeff Waldstreicher (D - District 18)

WMATA replacing Metrobus signs in Bethesda (Photos)

Washington, D.C. regional transit authority WMATA is now in the process of replacing Metrobus signs throughout Montgomery County, including the ones you see here in Bethesda and Silver Spring. The new signs sport the new route designations for Metrobus lines. Every Metrobus route in Montgomery County will now be an "M" route, instead of T, Q, or J, for example. The M stands for...Montgomery County.

Fairfax County routes will start with an "F." Prince George's County gets "P." Arlington and Alexandria have to share "A." D.C. routes will be "D" for downtown, or "C" for crosstown. Express routes will start with an "X."

It seems the famously-impoverished WMATA that is always extending its hat for Oliver Twist's proverbial "more" is suddenly flush with cash it doesn't know what to do with. That has spurred it to go in search of a solution in search of a problem. Nobody was confused about the existing route numbers; they're going to be really confused by the new route numbers. 

Two sets of new bus stop signs will be manufactured - one temporary, and one permanent after June 29, the day of the official switchover. The cost of replacing all of the signage is massive, and is being drawn from WMATA's Better Bus Network budget. A "better" use of our tax money is to refund the amount being spent on the name changes to the taxpayers of the D.C. region.

Turns out, WMATA is "really, really rich"

Final 3 days for Forever 21 at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

If you want to go on one last shopping spree at Forever 21 at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda, you'd better hurry. There are only three days left to shop. As you can see from the photos here, inventory is being snapped up at 60-80% off. Shelves near the front door that held store fixtures for sale are bare. Forever 21 has filed for bankruptcy, and all of its stores nationwide are expected to close by May 1, 2025.

Brandy Melville opens at Pike & Rose

Brandy Melville has opened at Pike & Rose on Rockville Pike. The women's fast fashion boutique is located at 11804 Grand Park Avenue. Brandy Melville was founded in Italy, but gained success after taking inspiration from California designs rather than Italian fashions. The label's target audience is comprised of teens and young adults.

Another reason for Brandy Melville's popularity is that their pricing is very reasonable. They're still looking for full-time and weekend employees, if you are seeking a retail fashion position. Scan the QR code pictured in the bottom photo below.

Pizza oven installed at Piccoli Piatti Pizzeria at Westbard Square in Bethesda

The pizza oven has arrived at the future Piccoli Piatti Pizzeria at 5306 Zenith Overlook at Westbard Square in Bethesda. Manufactured by Marra Forni, the Neapolitan pizza oven is customized with the name of the restaurant across the front. "Italian inspired American craftsmanship" utilizes MarraStone, a refractory brick composed of volcanic material. Best of all, Marra Forni is based right here in Beltsville, Maryland. Stay tuned for an opening date, but you can get an advance taste at their Wildwood Shopping Center location in Bethesda.

The pizza oven!

Downtown Bethesda J2 bus stop to be removed by WMATA

WMATA will remove one of the stops for the Metrobus J2 route in downtown Bethesda this summer. As of Sunday, June 29, 2025, the J2 will no longer service the bus stop at 8008 Wisconsin Avenue (southbound MD 355). WMATA says the stop is being removed as part of a larger service overhaul to make bus travel "faster and more reliable" across the Washington, D.C. region. 

Some might say, "Good riddance." Situated in front of long-abandoned vacant storefronts, this stop is - frankly - pretty scary for someone traveling by themselves to wait at. The vacant commercial property has been in development hell for about a decade, as the 8008 Wisconsin and Artena Bethesda projects have remained mired in delays. Vagrant intruders and vandals have predictably been drawn to the property, creating a public safety hazard and an eyesore on Bethesda's "Main Street." 

Ironically, the original 8008 Wisconsin developer was prepared to move forward until the Montgomery County Council intervened, and insisted the developer hand over part of the land for a future bus rapid transit station. Bogged down by the extended negotiations over the compensation for the taking, the project fell through. Heckuva job, Brownie!

Contents of Nabi's Lunch Box in Bethesda to be auctioned off

Nabi's Lunch Box has closed at 7315 Wisconsin Avenue in downtown Bethesda. The longtime deli enjoyed a lengthy run at the Bethesda Crossing complex. This Friday, you can get a piece of Nabi's history for your own. The contents of the restaurant will be auctioned off at 10:07 AM on Friday, April 25, 2025.

Signage installed at Paris Baguette in Bethesda

Permanent signage was attached to the future storefront of Paris Baguette Bakery Cafe at 4924 St. Elmo Avenue in Bethesda yesterday. The French-Korean bakery is located in the ground floor of the new Sophia Bethesda apartment tower. South Korea-based Paris Baguette has a massive menu of French and Korean baked goods, hot lunch and snack items like tiny pizzas and pigs-in-a-blanket, and coffee and tea beverages. There's even a whole line of donuts, including cronuts and mochi donuts. 

Virginia added more than twice as many jobs as Maryland in March

The economic development broken record played the same tune yet again in the Washington, D.C. region last month. Virginia destroyed Maryland in job creation once again, adding more than twice as many jobs in March 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Maryland added 2,300 jobs, while Virginia added 5,900 jobs. 

March's job creation numbers show Virginia's economy remained far stronger than moribund Maryland's in a month where both states were impacted by federal job cuts. The total number of actual federal positions lost remains murky, as legal injunctions or orders to rehire workers have followed many of the "DOGE" layoffs.

"This job growth reflects businesses hiring as Virginians continue to find opportunities," Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin said in a statement. "Virginia has jobs, and we’re committed to strengthening the business environment so that everyone can find a path to success right here in the Commonwealth."

Kenwood Cherry Blossoms 2025 Photo Gallery (Video + Photos)

More and more people discover the cherry blossoms of the Kenwood community in Chevy Chase each year. Much like the spectacular Kenwood Golf & Country Club fireworks in the summer, many local residents are increasingly content to settle for the superior product closer to home, without the long trip to the Tidal Basin in Washington, D.C. Of course, this puts a strain on the Kenwood residents, as the masses stagger through the neighborhood, and lines of cars snake around the community's streets under police supervision. The diabolical Montgomery County Council even stopped by to post one of their new "Lemonade Tax Now" signs, recalling when the Council fined kids $500 for operating a lemonade stand in Bethesda in 2011. They cannot, and they will not, give up this fight!

A special video:

The Bunny Hive opening in Bethesda

The Bunny Hive is coming soon to downtown Bethesda. It will be in the ground floor of the 4909 Auburn apartments in the Woodmont Triangle. The Bunny Hive is "a social club designed for families with little ones." It will host events like birthday parties and baby showers, as well as summer camps and classes. The Bunny Hive is expected to open this fall.

Photo courtesy The Bunny Hive

Elrich to veto Montgomery County Council's massive developer tax break

Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich has declared his intention to veto a bill recently passed by the Montgomery County Council, which would exempt new residential developments from property taxes for 20 years, if they provide at least 17.5% affordable units and are converted from - or replace - existing office buildings. The legislation would apply to so many projects that it would likely drain billions from County coffers over the next two decades, and bankrupt the County. Such projects are already being built in great numbers without the new incentive.

"This bill makes no sense," Elrich said in his weekly update video Friday. "It gives away desperately-needed revenues to the developers." The Council is expected to try to overturn Elrich's veto. Seven councilmembers will have to vote in favor of overturning the veto to be successful. "Now is the time to speak up," Elrich said, urging residents to contact their councilmembers, and tell them they oppose overturning Elrich's veto. Although all councilmembers have accepted financial contributions from developers, the vote to overturn Elrich's veto will be closely watched, to see which councilmembers are willing to risk fiscal oblivion merely to facilitate even-higher profits for their developer sugar daddies.

Rails opens at Bethesda Row

Rails has opened at 4852 Bethesda Avenue at Bethesda Row. The men's and women's apparel retailer fills the space vacated by Allbirds last fall. Rails was founded in 2008 by Jeff Abrams, who took inspiration for the brand name from the train he was traveling across Europe in, and from California for the styling cues of his apparel designs. The boutique is coincidentally located next door to California-inspired Jenni Kayne, and joins a growing number of shops that cite inspiration from the Golden State at Bethesda Row, including Gorjana, Vuori, and Serena & Lily. Gavin Newsom will feel right at home at Bethesda Row when he moves into the White House in 2029.

Westbard shooting suspect(s) remain at large for a third week

The suspect(s) in the March 29, 2025 shooting on Westbard Avenue in Bethesda have managed to evade capture for a third week. And we have to continue to say "suspect(s)," because the public hasn't even been informed of how many shooters there were, or what exactly happened outside the Bowlero bowling alley at 12:13 AM that morning. What we do know is that two people were wounded in the shooting, multiple ear-witnesses claim they heard twenty to thirty shots being fired, and that numerous shell casings were recovered over a wide area. 

While the Montgomery County Council has much to say about firearms and gun violence, they have been strangely silent about the Westbard shooting. Who fired the shots? Where did they come from? Where are they now? Where's the accountability? Inquiring minds want to know.

Peeping Tom, pickpocket strike at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Montgomery County police were kept busy at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda on Thursday afternoon, April 17, 2025. At 3:10 PM, officers were called to investigate a Peeping Tom at the mall. About three hours later at 6:20 PM, a mall patron called police to report that their pocket had been picked. Remember to keep your wallet securely in a front pocket, if possible, and do not leave purses unattended while shopping.

White Flint McDonald's construction update (Photos)

Here's a look at the progress on the new McDonald's restaurant at 11710 Rockville Pike in White Flint. New and improved, as this one - unlike the McDonald's that just closed nearby - will have drive-thru service. You can see the two drive-thru windows on the south side of the building now. Fast food restaurant construction is often measured in days or weeks, rather than the months this one has been. Another unusual aspect of this? I've never seen Home Depot protective wrap on a project like this before.