OBAMA INVITES GOV.-ELECT LARRY HOGAN TO WHITE HOUSE

Maryland Governor-elect Larry Hogan is one of 6 newly-elected governors who have been invited by President Barack Obama to the White House Friday, December 5, for a day-long meeting. Hogan will meet with Obama, Vice-President Joe Biden, Secretary of Health and Human Services Sylvia Burwell, Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, Secretary of Transportation Anthony Foxx, and Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Gina McCarthy.

The main topic of discussion is scheduled to be the economy. Other governors invited are Governor Bill Walker of Alaska, Governor-elect Bruce Rauner of Illinois, Governor-elect Charlie Baker of Massachusetts, Governor-elect Tom Wolf of Pennsylvania, and Governor-elect Greg Abbott of Texas. Walker is not "Governor-elect" because he was sworn into office on December 1.

CELEBRATE INAUGURATION AT HOME IN BETHESDA WITH CAKES AND APPAREL FROM GIANT, CVS (PHOTOS)

Despite the media hype that suggests everyone will be riding Metro and trudging through Mall crowds in DC today, the reality is that most of us will be at work or at home.

But that doesn't mean you can't celebrate the event right here in Bethesda.

Not only is TV the "best seat in the house," but you can plan your own last-minute party for 1 or a dozen.

Giant Food is taking a non-partisan approach to celebrating the inauguration, and the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  Giant's theme is, "Celebrate America," emblazoned not only on its print ads, but on these Giant sheet cakes pictured below.  They are also offering the black T-shirt below, featuring the inauguration date, the American flag, and "OBAMA" on the front.

At CVS on Wisconsin Avenue, at Cheltenham Drive, the drugstore is selling fancier Obama shirts and hoodies, which feature a portrait of the reelected president on the chest.

Whatever your political beliefs may be, Happy Inauguration Day, and a peaceful Dr. King Holiday, from Robert Dyer at Bethesda Row!  I always find it an interesting day, whether the candidate I voted for has won or lost.

OBAMA SOCKS ON SALE AT BETHESDA CVS (PHOTOS)

Here's a new one: Obama socks.  Yes, these are out just in time for the inauguration at the Arlington Road CVS in Bethesda. As you can see from the pictures below, I'm not making this up.

The socks come emblazoned with the now-immortal Obama campaign logo, or a peace sign within the "O."  They're sure to inspire envy, or bad jokes, depending who you run into. "A change of socks we can believe in?"

But on a serious note, if you're attending the inauguration, and you're not a VIP bigshot, a pair of thick socks like this will probably come in handy. It will be a day of extensive walking for the average citizen taking Metro downtown. And, frankly, the regular Obama logo version is downright sporty.

You can't pull yourself up by your bootstraps, if you don't have any boots. But Obama fans can proudly pull up these collectible socks at CVS. While they last!

GET READY FOR OBAMA INAUGURAL BALLS AND PARTIES AT MACY'S SPECIAL EVENT TODAY IN BETHESDA (PHOTOS)

Planning to attend an inaugural ball or party? Dress up or "suit up" today at Macy's Inauguration special event at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda.

Celebrate 4 more years of Barack Obama in style, starting at 2 PM today.

For the ladies, check out all of the Inaugural-ready dresses and gowns in a special presentation. Style consultants will be on hand to give personal shopping advice on the right dress for you. Refreshments and a live harpist (don't ask!) will round out the event.  A pop-up salon will also provide mini-makeovers.

For the guys, get that right tuxedo, bow tie, cuff links and flag pin! A formalwear advisor and skincare consultant will be on hand, and a DJ will provide the music in the Men's Department.

As you can see in the photo below, they've even got donkey cuff links for the style-conscious Democrat.

If you've put your inaugural preparations off, no one will ever know, if you make a one-stop shop at Macy's inauguration event today!

EVA LONGORIA'S

BETHESDA ROW

BIRTHDAY (CAKE)

Not-so-"Desperate" Actress and Activist

Celebrates Birthday in DC with Help from

Elm Street's Fancy Cakes by Leslie

Another Robert Dyer @ Bethesda Row Exclusive!!!

Activist and actress Eva Longoria was in Washington this week, and her birthday just happened to fall during her trip.

Rather than cancel her trip - which included her appearance as a national co-chair of President Barack Obama's reelection campaign - Longoria celebrated here in DC, at the swanky W Hotel near the White House.

And the birthday cake?

Her cake was custom-ordered from Fancy Cakes by Leslie, right here at Bethesda Row on Elm Street.

To see the cake yourself, click here

As you would expect for a star who sets flashbulbs ablaze on red carpets, and has fashionistas envying her latest wardrobe change, the cake design was anything but ordinary.

Longoria's busy schedule includes a repeat turn as executive producer and host of the Alma Awards this year.

Hopefully, next time around, she'll stop by the boutiques and restaurants of Bethesda Row.

After all, her role as an activist brings her often to Washington. And her official gig with the Obama campaign means she must be pretty tight with Michelle Obama, who has visited Bethesda Row several times.

That's right: an Eva/Michelle ladies' night at Bethesda Row, and our Commander-in-Chief finally stopping by Kraze Burger to try The Matiz burger.

Sounds like an Alma Awards weekend plan for Longoria, who might just want to stop by Fancy Cakes by Leslie for some baked goods to go.

BETHESDA RANKS #2 IN

PROJECTED JOB GROWTH

BY 2020, SAYS

U.S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS

Need a job? You've come to the right place! The Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics says that Bethesda will experience the second-highest rate of job creation in America between now and 2020. Washington, D.C. ranked first.

I'm guessing this is based on two fairly-solid projections: continuing growth of county, state and federal government, despite growing deficits; and what is apparently an ever-expanding theater of war, which will result in more defense spending. Firms such as Lockheed - headquartered right here in Bethesda - stand to benefit from such developments.

But, although I hate to burst the bubble on this lovely dream, this projection is overly-optimistic in my opinion.

First, there is no guarantee of continued big spending in Washington. President Obama is suggesting deep cuts in defense, and has already turned over spaceflight to the private sector. (And what a sad statement about America today, that space exploration is something many Republicans and Democrats now mock and laugh at. Such people have no clue about science or the universe. If you didn't sleep through Chemistry 101 in high school, you know that there clearly are new elements and fuel sources out there to be discovered. Do these folks realize what will happen if Russia or China find them first?)

Second, Montgomery County - without a 180 degree change in the structure of government, taxes and regulation, and completion of its transportation system - could never attract the number of public or private jobs claimed by this projection. Not one single large employer has relocated here in years.

Our roads are jammed with traffic, and business travelers have no easy access to Dulles Airport.

If Bethesda aspires to claim its rightful spot on this list, citizens and the BCC Chamber of Commerce need to take action to make this area more attractive to large employers. We need to retain industrial zones and office parks, not sell them to developers as the county council just did in the Betco plant debacle last fall. Where will future corporate headquarters go?

Finally, we need to build the Rockville Freeway and Outer Beltway if we are to even begin to handle the traffic we have today.

To be number 2, we have to try harder.