It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas at Bethesda Row (Photos)

The Christmas season was officially here, as of 12:00 AM this morning. Bethesda Row hasn't wasted a single minute. Elves from American Christmas of Mount Vernon, New York, have been busy working all day at the Bethesda development, and the main Christmas tree on Bethesda Lane has already been erected at this hour. Some decorations are new this year, such as the ornaments bouquet tacked up on the facade of Anthropologie & Co. And large stars, which are being hung from the new plaza canopy in front of that store, and hopefully light up.

Hampden Lane now open in both directions in Bethesda

Hampden Lane is open in both directions between Woodmont and Wisconsin Avenues in Bethesda today. Recently, that stretch of Hampden has been reduced to one lane, ostensibly for one-way use, but without clear directional signage. Access to the road has been limited over the last two years, due to construction of the Hampden House and The Charles apartment towers on either side of the street. Vehicular access has been restored recently, as Hampden House welcomes its first residents.