ROBERT DYER CHANNEL CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN: THE COMPLETE PLAYLIST (VIDEO)

Thanks to everyone who watched some or all of the Christmas Countdown on The Robert Dyer Channel this past holiday season. If you missed some of the episodes, or just seeking over 2 hours of quality video entertainment, a complete playlist of all 26 episodes is now available for viewing. I look forward to doing this again in December.

THIEVES PARTY LIKE IT'S 1999 IN TWO BETHESDA NEIGHBORHOODS ON NEW YEAR'S EVE - BETHESDA CRIME UPDATE

The spike in thefts from vehicles has resumed in two Bethesda neighborhoods. On New Year's Eve, thieves hit the Westmoreland Hills community in western Bethesda, and victimized vehicle owners on both sides of Old Georgetown Road, near Grosvenor.

A robbery was reported in the vicinity of the Wildwood Shopping Center on December 31 as well, according to crime data.

Here's a roundup of crimes reported across Bethesda on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day:

December 31, 2013

Assault. Suburban Hospital (*note: assaults are often reported to police by victims seeking medical treatment at hospital emergency departments; a report does not necessarily mean that the assault took place at Suburban Hospital).

Theft. 4700 block Willard Avenue (Friendship Heights).

Disorderly conduct. 5500 block Wisconsin Avenue (Friendship Heights).

Theft. 5400 block Westbard Avenue.

Vehicle burglary. 5300 block Duvall Drive (Westmoreland Hills).

Vehicle burglary. 9300 block Wadsworth Drive (Wyngate Woods area).

Vehicle burglary. 10100 block Dickens Avenue (off Grosvenor Lane).

Vehicle burglary. 5300 block Albemarle Street (Westmoreland Hills).

Theft. 5800 block Grosvenor Lane.

Vehicle burglary. 10100 block Baldwin Court (Davis Library area).

Robbery. Old Georgetown Road and Democracy Boulevard.

Theft. Home Depot (Westfield Montgomery Mall area).

January 1, 2014

Disorderly conduct. Woodmont Avenue at Old Georgetown Road.

Disorderly conduct. Union Jack's Bethesda.

Assault. 4400 block Willard Avenue (Friendship Heights).

THEFTS IN DOWNTOWN BETHESDA, BALTAN ROAD HIT AGAIN IN SUMNER CRIME SPIKE - BETHESDA CRIME UPDATE

Three thefts were reported in close proximity in downtown Bethesda on Monday,  according to crime data. Thieves also struck at the Chevy Chase Club on Connecticut Avenue, and returned yet again to beleaguered Baltan Road in Sumner. The latter street has been victimized again and again by one or more thieves in recent weeks.

Here's a roundup of crimes reported across Bethesda on December 23:

Theft. 7600 block Old Georgetown Road (downtown Bethesda).

Theft. 7700 block Woodmont Avenue.

Theft. 7200 block Woodmont Avenue.

Vehicle burglary. 4600 block Leland Street (downtown Bethesda).

Theft. Chevy Chase Club.

Theft. 5000 block Baltan Road (Sumner).

BURGLARY IN EDGEMOOR, WEAPONS ARREST IN WILDWOOD AREA - BETHESDA CRIME UPDATE

A burglary was reported on Fairfax Road in Edgemoor this past Sunday, according to crime data. On the same day, a weapons offense arrest was made in the vicinity of the Wildwood and Georgetown Square shopping centers.

Here's a roundup of crimes reported across Bethesda on December 22:

Theft. 7600 block Old Georgetown Road (downtown Bethesda).

Disorderly conduct. 4900 block St. Elmo Avenue.

Drug arrest. Edgemoor Lane and Arlington Road.

Theft. 4300 block East-West Highway (near BCC High School).

Burglary. 7100 block Fairfax Road (Edgemoor neighborhood).

Theft. 7200 block Chestnut Street (Martin's Additions).

Theft. 9400 block Old Georgetown Road (YMCA area).

Weapons offense arrest. Old Georgetown Road at Democracy Boulevard.

Theft. 11300 block Rockville Pike (White Flint).

Theft. Macy's at Westfield Montgomery Mall.

MORE VEHICLES BROKEN INTO IN BETHESDA, ROBBERY ON WESTLAKE DRIVE AND MORE: BETHESDA CRIME UPDATE

Thieves continue to help themselves to items from cars in Bethesda. Vehicle break-ins were reported in western Bethesda again on December 20, with 3 incidents off of Goldsboro Road, and one on River Road. Bradley Hills was also struck multiple times. It can't be said too often: lock your doors, and remove any items visible in the vehicle cabin.

Among other notable crimes, there was an assault reported on Johnson Avenue, and a robbery on Westlake Drive.

Here is a roundup of crimes reported around Bethesda on December 20:

Vehicle burglary. 5400 block Roosevelt Street (Suburban Hospital area).

Vehicle burglary. Chevy Chase ES.

Vehicle burglary. 5200 block River Road (Westbard area).

Burglary. 3800 block Village Park Drive (Chevy Chase).

Assault. 5500 block Johnson Avenue (Old Georgetown Road corridor).

Vehicle burglary. 8600 block Rayburn Road (Bradley Hills).

Theft. 5300 block Western Avenue (Mazza Gallerie area).

Theft. 8800 block Walnut Hill Road (Chevy Chase).

Vehicle burglary. 6300 block Haviland Drive (Bannockburn/off Goldsboro Rd.).

Vehicle burglary. 6300 block Haviland Drive (Bannockburn/off Goldsboro Rd.).

Vehicle burglary. 6300 block Blackwood Road (Bannockburn/off Goldsboro Rd.).

Theft. 6500 block Lone Oak Drive (Democracy Boulevard/Davis Library area).

Drug arrest. Rockville Pike and Flanders Avenue.

Vehicle burglary. 11400 block Rockville Pike (White Flint).

Theft. Westfield Montgomery Mall.

Theft. Macy's at Westfield Montgomery Mall.

Robbery. 10300 block Westlake Drive (Westfield Montgomery Mall area).

THEFT SPREE CONTINUES IN WEST BETHESDA, ASSAULT AT BETHESDA COUNTRY CLUB, DRUG ARREST IN GROSVENOR - BETHESDA CRIME UPDATE

The theft spree continues in western Bethesda, with thieves returning to Sumner and Green Acres, and hitting new targets, like Kenwood and Somerset.

A separate wave of vehicle break-ins occurred on December 18 in White Flint, according to crime data. An assault was reported at Bethesda Country Club on Bradley Boulevard the same day, as well as a drug arrest in Grosvenor.

Here is a list of crimes reported across Bethesda on December 18 and 19:

December 18

Assault. Bethesda Country Club.

Theft. 7700 block Wisconsin Avenue (downtown Bethesda).

Theft. Bethesda Metro Center 1.

Theft. 4900 block Hampden Lane.

Burglary. 5300 block McKinley Street (NIH area).

Theft. 5200 block Chamberlin Avenue (Kenwood).

Theft. 5800 block Warwick Place (Somerset).

Burglary. 5100 block Dorset Avenue (Kenwood).

Theft. 4400 block Willard Avenue (Friendship Heights).

Theft. 5300 block Western Avenue (Mazza Gallerie area).

Vehicle burglary. 8900 block Ewing Drive (Bradley Hills area).

Theft. 4800 block Bayard Boulevard (Green Acres).

Drug arrest. 10400 block Grosvenor Place.

Vehicle burglary. 11300 block Orleans Way (White Flint).

Theft. 6100 block Tuckerman Lane (Tilden area).

Vehicle burglary. Orleans Terrace (White Flint).

Theft. 11300 block Woodglen Drive (White Flint).

Vehicle burglary. 11600 block Nebel Street (White Flint).

Theft. 11500 block Rockville Pike (White Flint).

Theft. 7100 block Democracy Boulevard (Westfield Montgomery Mall area).

Theft. 7100 block Westlake Terrace (Westfield Montgomery Mall area).

December 19

Theft. 7400 block Wisconsin Avenue (downtown Bethesda).

Theft. 8000 block Wisconsin Avenue (downtown Bethesda).

Vehicle burglary. 4800 block Cordell Avenue.

Theft. 4900 block Auburn Avenue (downtown Bethesda).

Drug arrest. MD 355 at Cedar Lane.

Vehicle burglary. 5200 block Elsmere Avenue (Cedar Lane area).

Vehicle burglary. 4700 block Merivale Road (Green Acres vicinity, River Road corridor).

Vehicle burglary. 6000 block Roosevelt Street (Bradmoor).

Theft. 5100 block Westpath Way (Sumner).

Theft. Ericsson Road (Cabin John/Glen Echo area).

Vehicle theft. 11400 block Rockville Pike (White Flint).

Theft. 10400 block Auto Park Avenue (Westfield Montgomery Mall area).

CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN SCHEDULING CHANGE

The Christmas Countdown on The Robert Dyer Channel was originally scheduled to begin yesterday, December 6. Due to unexpected technical difficulties, the first episode will now be uploaded tonight. The video was finished on time, but I've had difficulty uploading it. Several attempts failed; despite the website claiming it was "X% complete", that was not the case. I will try again today, and reduce video quality if necessary. Thank you for your patience and support, and I sincerely apologize to anyone who was awaiting the upload last evening.

SHOPPES OF BETHESDA CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS ARE UP (PHOTOS)

The Shoppes of Bethesda has put up its Christmas decorations - to see all of them, you'll have to walk down Elm Street west of Woodmont Avenue, and then take either Arlington Road or the center staircase from Elm, to the Hampden Lane side of the shopping center. The retail center has its own parking lot on the Hampden side.

BETHESDA TRAFFIC SIGNALS COLLAPSE, CRASH DOWN ONTO STREET BELOW [PHOTOS] - OLD GEORGETOWN AND ARLINGTON ROADS

A utility pole and traffic lights fell suddenly Saturday afternoon, crashing down onto the roadway below at a major downtown Bethesda intersection. It is unknown at present the official cause, or how soon the pole and signals at the crossroads of Old Georgetown Road, Arlington Road, St. Elmo Avenue, and Wilson Lane can be replaced.

Montgomery County Police
on scene after collapse

Rust and corrosion at the base of the pole are obvious, but we'll have to wait for an official determination. Many thanks to reader James Murphy for emailing these dramatic photos in the immediate aftermath of the collapse. Fortunately, there is no indication of injuries.

This is another wake-up call about aging infrastructure countywide.

Close-up of corroded
light pole base

HIT AND RUN DRIVER TOPPLES LIGHT POLE IN DOWNTOWN BETHESDA (PHOTO)

UPDATE:

A reader, emailed this photo of the aftermath of a one-vehicle hit-and-run accident in downtown Bethesda.

The reader said he heard a vehicle strike this pole on northbound Wisconsin Avenue at Rosedale around 1:30 AM this morning. That vehicle then reportedly fled the scene. The reader never saw the vehicle, nor which direction it fled.  He only saw the resulting fallen light pole, pictured above in his photo. Seeing the pole dangerously in the roadway, the reader and another person placed barrels to warn oncoming drivers.

If anyone witnessed this accident, I urge you to contact Montgomery County Police right away. Clearly, this was costly damage to public property, and the driver would be prosecuted. Perhaps the vehicle and/or incident were recorded by nearby traffic cameras?

ROBBERIES REPORTED IN GROSVENOR, AT MONTGOMERY MALL

Two robberies have been reported in Bethesda since last Friday.

The first robbery occurred at Montgomery Mall on Friday, July 19.

Robbery #2 was reported in the 10100 block of Grosvenor Place on Sunday, July 21.

BETHESDA-CHEVY CHASE RESTAURANT WEEK JULY 29-AUGUST 4, 2013 (VIDEO)

Bethesda Restaurant Week is here again! Bethesda-Chevy Chase Summer Restaurant Week is Monday, July 29 to Sunday, August 4, 2013. The official website has the full list of participating restaurants.

Yesterday, Lebanese Taverna hosted a restaurant week kickoff event at Bethesda Row. I always say that the patio outside of Lebanese Taverna is the best-smelling corner in downtown Bethesda. The wonderful aromas drifting out of the restaurant certainly entice you to go in, even if you are a tourist not familiar with the local Lebanese Taverna chain.

As you will see (or just saw) in the video, Chef Jeff Heineman of Grapeseed on Cordell Avenue is the chair of this year's BCC Restaurant Week Committee. And that's been a Herculean task, as the entity behind previous years' events has stepped down.

Fortunately, the Restaurant Association of Maryland has stepped in to produce this year's restaurant week. And reliable local sponsors like EagleBank, Grapeseed and Bethesda Magazine have joined Friends of Restaurant Week BCC Chamber of Commerce, Bethesda Urban Partnership, the NIH and NOAA Recreation and Welfare Association, Metromedia Energy and Congressional Seafood Company to ensure a successful event.

2-course lunches will be $12 or $16, and 3-course dinners $33.

Best of all, a portion of the proceeds will go to wounded service members and their families, through the Yellow Ribbon Fund.

Speaking of ribbons, there was a ribbon cutting yesterday to mark the one-week countdown to BCC Restaurant Week. Delegate Bill Frick (D-District 16), a 2014 candidate for Maryland Attorney General, was on hand to assist, as was Ginanne Italiano, president of the BCC Chamber of Commerce.

Participants around Bethesda Row include Assaggi, Jaleo, Lebanese Taverna, Mon Ami Gabi, Nest Cafe (on the EuroMotorcars block of Bethesda Avenue), Newton's Table, Raku, and Redwood.

Further afield additions include the new-and-already-award-winning Quench in the Traville Gateway area of Rockville, and the fabulous Brio Tuscan Grille in White Flint.

Start planning now, as this is a chance to try many top Bethesda restaurants for far less than the usual prices. Stay tuned here and on Twitter at @BethesdaRow as additional restaurants join the Restaurant Week list.

BETHESDA-BOUND TRIPPER BUS BREAKS DOWN IN NEW JERSEY

A Tripper Bus traveling from New York City to Bethesda last night broke down en route, according to a passenger.

The intercity bus discharged its passengers at a New Jersey rest stop while awaiting assistance.

"Never again," wrote the disgruntled passenger, who said there were 3 hours to go on the already-delayed trip.

Tripper Bus travels between downtown Bethesda and New York City.

BETHESDA ROW SIDEWALK SALE SUMMER 2013: JULY 19-21

The annual Bethesda Row Sidewalk Sale starts this afternoon, and continues through Sunday, July 21.

Visit all participating shops and restaurants to enjoy food and drink specials, music, trunk shows, and - of course - big savings. Sophie Pyle, editor of Guest of a Guest, has put together a guide to the fashion events you won't want to miss.

Speaking of things you won't want to miss, enjoy a FREE flatbread at Redwood on Bethesda Lane, when you purchase a beverage, and show them the coupon below!

BETHESDA OUTDOOR MOVIES 2013

Outdoor movies return to the Woodmont Triangle area of downtown Bethesda July 23-27, 2013, at 9:00 PM each evening. The annual outdoor movie series is organized and sponsored by Bethesda Urban Partnership. This is the ninth year, for those keeping score at home.

Movies will be shown at the corner of Norfolk and Auburn Avenues. Look up and check out all 17 stories of luxury building The Gallery, currently under construction, while waiting for the movie to start.

There will be limited chairs available, so FYI: BYOC, if you want to be sure of having a seat.

This year's movie titles are:

Tuesday, July 23:
The Princess Bride
"Inconceivable!"

Wednesday, July 24:
Rear Window
Jimmy Stewart, Grace Kelly.

Thursday, July 25:
Back to the Future
One of the Top 10 movies of all time, in my book.

Friday, July 26:
The Hunger Games
You may have heard of this cult classic.

Saturday, July 27:
Life of Pi
Some guy on a raft. Wait a minute, I just saw this at Bethesda Row Cinema, and it was called Kon-Tiki.

Bethesda UP has a directory of nearby restaurants for pre (outdoor)-theater dining. Please note that two of the restaurants listed have changed: Uptown Deli is now an Indian wok restaurant called Kadhai, and Wing Hub is now Maggie's but still has the Wing Hub wings on their menu - if that's not confusing!

There are some other notable restaurants not listed, including the brand-new Brickside Food & Drink, Smoke BBQ and Latin favorite, The Parva.

KENWOOD FIREWORKS POSTPONED UNTIL LABOR DAY 2013 IN BETHESDA

A representative of the Kenwood Country Club tells me that the fireworks display that was canceled last night, has been postponed until Labor Day in September 2013.

[Here is video of the opening of the 2009 Kenwood fireworks]

Obviously, this is mostly disappointing news. And the weather was actually fine for fireworks last night, as it turned out.

The only positive is that Bethesda will have fireworks on Labor Day weekend, and they will be the same, high-quality Kenwood fireworks.

If you are a member of the club, the employee said you can place reservations for the rescheduled fireworks, dinner, etc., etc. beginning tomorrow.

KENWOOD FIREWORKS CANCELED TONIGHT

I just checked with the Kenwood Country Club, and they said tonight's fireworks have been canceled due to weather.

At the moment, they did not have a rescheduled date for the fireworks display, but I will pass it along if and when it is official.

This is very disappointing, as I believe this is the first time weather has caused a cancellation of the Kenwood fireworks. Especially because these are the best fireworks in the area, in my opinion.

Stay tuned.

JUDITH HILL LIVE CONCERT IN BETHESDA JULY 14 AT BETHESDA BLUES & JAZZ

Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club has booked another big name of the moment for July 14:

Judith Hill (click here to buy tickets), who was a popular contestant on The Voice this season. Coached by Adam Levine, Hill was expected by many to win before becoming many media outlets' consensus choice for "most shocking elimination from The Voice."

Levine and the producers of the show weren't the first to hear something in Hill. She was chosen by Michael Jackson for his ill-fated This Is It tour in 2009, performing duets with him for the show, and solo at his funeral services. Jackson had probably the best ear in pop music, so you can't get a better endorsement than that.

Hill is also currently on the silver screen, as one of the vocalists profiled in the documentary, "20 Feet from Stardom."

With the limited seating at Bethesda Blues & Jazz, this show is almost sure to sell out, so use that link above to get tickets.

WATCH VIDEO OF BURGLAR BREAK-IN AT BOLOCO BETHESDA ROW!

As I reported in a previous crime update, a burglary took place at Boloco on Elm Street in the early morning hours of May 27.

Watch this video to see the strangely-dressed burglar, with shiny shoes.  Even more strange, the burglar - according to Boloco - either was lucky, or quickly guessed the code for the restaurant safe. That's kind of suspicious.

One thing's for sure - he wasn't there for the smoothies.

Does anything about this burglar look familiar? Report any tips to buzz@Boloco.com or to the Montgomery County Police.

FATHER'S DAY SPECIAL AT ROCK BOTTOM BETHESDA (PHOTO)

This Sunday, June 16, Rock Bottom in Bethesda has a hot Father's Day special: a Smokin' Jalapeño Sirloin and a beer for $20.

Rock Bottom is located at the corner of Norfolk and St. Elmo Avenues in downtown Bethesda.