FIRST WINDOWS INSTALLED AT FUTURE BETHESDA ROOFTOP RESTAURANT (PHOTOS)

The first windows, and tiled facade, are in place at Roof, the future Bethesda rooftop restaurant at the corner of Norfolk and Cordell Avenues.

Will you be drinking a craft beer or a glass of Pinot Grigio, and enjoying the early evening breeze above Old Town Bethesda this August?

It's certainly possible, but I wouldn't bet your life on it. Given all the regulatory hurdles restauranteurs face in Montgomery County, my money would be on the second half of September. But stranger things have happened, so we can hope for the best.

Roof is a concept by the owner of Tommy Joe's on Montgomery Lane, and the building it will sit atop is formally called Norfolk-Cordell II. It was designed by architect Steven Karr, and, as I've said before, one of the fresher designs among buildings currently rising or planned in downtown Bethesda.

FINAL SCENES FROM ABANDONED SAAB DEALERSHIP (PHOTOS)

The Dark Side of White Flint:
Part 9

For posterity, here are some photos of this former Saab dealership on Old Georgetown Road.

The building has some very nice, Scandinavian modern architecture.  Among the Saab memorabilia still there when these photos were taken, is a poster that aludes to Saab's jet fighter heritage.

SURREAL BATMAN ART AT WESTFIELD MONTGOMERY MALL (PHOTO)

I found this surreal Batman artwork in the Wentworth Gallery in Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda.

It appears to be a cross between Dali and a bad lounge happy hour.

But it's redeemed by the classic Adam West Batmobile, which Chris Nolan should have studied more closely.

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.

AROMA ESPRESSO BAR LAUNCHING WEEKLY EXOTIC CAR MEETUP IN BETHESDA SATURDAY, JUNE 15

Aroma Espresso Bar is launching a weekly Saturday morning meetup for car enthusiasts this weekend, right outside its outdoor patio at Westfield Montgomery Mall, in Bethesda.

From 7-10 AM this Saturday, enjoy the usual great breakfast menu at Aroma, with the bonus of gift card giveaways. Criswell Maserati will not only be showing off the cars, but adding to the giveaways with Maserati apparel.

The event is Aroma Exotics, but the meetup is for all automotive enthusiasts, and Aroma says they are inviting domestic and imported cars, vintage cars, hot rods, muscle cars and exotic cars - and the people who love them - to participate.

I think this event is a great idea. We're told daily by "experts" that both cars and suburban shopping malls are a fading fad of the past. That idea couldn't be more false.

This is also a rarity in Bethesda, and shows yet again the value of surface parking. It's very difficult to put on an event like this in an urban area, though Chevy Chase Cars does a great job moving their vehicles around to accommodate the annual Back to Bethesda car show.

Finally, the combination of outdoor car event and breakfast is made possible by the new outdoor patio at Aroma, one of many improvements underway at the mall.

If you haven't been to Aroma, head to Entrance 4 (Old Navy wing) at Westfield Montgomery this Saturday for what sounds like a great event.

MAX BRENNER CHOCOLATE BAR GOES UNDERGROUND IN BETHESDA (PHOTO)

Don't be Choco Late for your train, but check out this Max Brenner ad in the Bethesda Metro station.

Are you ready for this chocoholic's paradise to open at Bethesda Row on June 22?

RUFFLES ULTIMATE SWEET & SMOKIN' BBQ POTATO CHIPS REVIEW (VIDEO)

I've tried the Jalapeño Ranch and Honey Mustard flavors. Now there's a third Ruffles Ultimate chip: Sweet & Smokin' BBQ. Here's my review.

The "secret" ingredient in this BBQ sauce is chipotle peppers.

ROAD RESURFACING IN WHITE FLINT (PHOTOS)

Rockville Pike (MD 355) is currently being resurfaced between Montrose Parkway and Nicholson Lane. You may encounter grooved surfaces and uneven roadway along this segment, as well as traffic delays.

PARKING RESTRICTIONS, SIDEWALK CLOSURES ON CORDELL, ST. ELMO IN DOWNTOWN BETHESDA (PHOTOS)

Sidewalk replacement on two downtown Bethesda streets has led to parking restrictions on both.

Through 5:00 PM Wednesday, June 12, there is no street parking in front of Caddies or Matuba on Cordell Avenue.

And no parking between the Public Parking garage and Rock Bottom on St. Elmo Avenue.

Both sidewalks have closed segments. However, all businesses are still open.

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.

CLASSIC 1961 CHEVROLET IMPALA AT CLASSIC BETHESDA THEATRE (PHOTOS)

Last week, Fleming's Ultimate Garage of Rockville displayed a vintage 1961 Chevrolet Impala SS by the historic Bethesda Theatre (now known as the Bethesda Blues and Jazz Supper Club).

They don't make 'em like they used to. The Impala hasn't had much style since the mid-90s Impala SS. And while several new movie theaters are under construction in Montgomery County, none are a true movie palace, which the Streamline art deco Bethesda Theatre is.

As both show, with good maintenance, classic icons don't have to be demolished.

Fuzzy dice included!

THE LAUREN ULTIMATE BETHESDA PENTHOUSE REVEALED

The Lauren, which has stirred up a buzz about its future condominiums "from the several millions" on Hampden Lane at Bethesda Row, has now released more details about the most exclusive residence among the building's 25 units: the Penthouse.

You've got to give the marketing firm credit: The Lauren is generating more discussion than any other residential project in town. Even the backlash against the provocative PR campaign is simultaneously impressing The Lauren's "discerning" target audience with amenities that blow away any other luxury building in town.

The (extremely) wealthy future owner of this penthouse will be king or queen of a veritable castle overlooking downtown Bethesda.

Arrival will allow a choice of valet parking, or driving your Bentley directly into your own private space. Penthouse owners, as with other multi-bedroom units in The Lauren, will have 2 reserved spots.

For the auto enthusiast, The Lauren promises an optional car lift in your space, allowing you to work on that fix-me-up Lamborghini you've been meaning to get around to.

Want to check with the 24/7 concierge about where to dine tonight, or those tickets for the Bethesda Row Cinema? No? Then be whisked directly into your unit in your private elevator.

Exiting the elevator foyer in your penthouse, Jeeves awaits your coat, which he will place in the Coat Room - yes, a coat room like a fancy restaurant or club would have.

Would you like to sit at your own, full bar? Or retrieve a particular vintage from your wine "cellar" around the corner?

The formal living room looks out upon the Grand Terrace. Jeeves is flexing his fingers, ready to provide some background music on the grand piano, as you step outside into the evening air.

Have you hired a personal chef? You obviously can afford it! Would you prefer to dine in your Formal Dining Room, with seating for 10?

Ah, a more casual evening in mind? Paté will be just as delicious in the massive kitchen, that also seats 10 for in-kitchen dining.

The two fireplaces are roaring away.

Will you binge-watch a favorite program in your 9-seat home theater? Or review The Wall Street Journal in the Library?

Your iPad controls the temperature, electronics, and even the window shades throughout the penthouse.

The maid is doing your laundry in the Laundry Room - that's right, a room, not a closet.

Later, she will retire to her own studio apartment Maid Quarters within the penthouse, one of the 5 bedrooms and 6 bathrooms you have.

Of course, the Master Suite is the best of those, with its own outdoor Terrace, and study.

How about His and Hers closets (with Hers being twice the size of his)? You betcha.

His and Hers sinks. His and Hers toilets.

Don't like what you see in the His mirror? Or the Hers?

Whip yourself into shape in the Fitness Center downstairs.

Oh, why bother; you're so rich, it doesn't matter what you look like anymore.

Look at the peasants below, searching for a parking space (or an affordable apartment in downtown Bethesda).

Let them eat Georgetown Cupcake.

FATHER'S DAY SPECIAL AT GUAPO'S IN BETHESDA (PHOTO)

This Sunday, June 16, is Father's Day.

You can take Dad south of the border without leaving Bethesda.

That's right: the Mariachi band is coming back to Guapo's this Sunday. There will also be some food and drink specials.

You can make reservations now at 301-656-0888.

Guapo's is located at 8130 Wisconsin Avenue.

YOU'VE NEVER SEEN THE ELEVATOR AT MONTGOMERY MALL LIKE THIS! (PHOTOS)

A central elevator at Westfield Montgomery Mall is undergoing a complete overhaul. As you can tell from the photos below, this is not simply an emergency repair. Nearly every major component is apparently being replaced.

The mall is directing patrons to use the elevator by Sears during the closure.

This is yet another example of Westfield investing in the mall's future. From elevators to the movie theater to the food court to the Transit Center, a tremendous financial investment is being put into improving and expanding the mall. It's an example other mall operators across the country should adopt. Malls are still viable, and will continue to thrive in the future, when management shows pride in the facility like this, and puts the customer experience first.

By the way, parking lots at Westfield Montgomery Mall were full of cars yesterday. So much for the "malls are outdated" fad.

VA BI-COUNTY PARKWAY SQUABBLE THREATENS MONTGOMERY COUNTY'S ECONOMIC FUTURE

A highway battle currently raging in Virginia could have severe impacts on traffic here in Bethesda, and a large portion of Montgomery County. If it results in a capitulation by elected officials in Virginia, the loss of a potential new Potomac River crossing would prolong an existing failure to attract large employers to our side of the river.

Many years, and Virginia taxpayer dollars, were put into preparing VA Route 28 as a potential link in a future Outer Beltway. Also known as Sully Road, VA 28 passes along the eastern side of Dulles Airport. If you look on a map, you'll notice many of its intersections have been transformed into cloverleaf interchanges, such as you find on the Beltway and other interstates.

While discussion of a future Potomac River crossing connecting VA 28 to I-370 in MD has rarely been open, it was often assumed to be the most cost-effective solution to several congestion and access issues on both sides.

But over the last 2 years, Virginia transportation officials have begun to emphasize a highway corridor west of Dulles Airport. Anchored around a north-south Bi-County Parkway, it is now thought by many to be the new route of the Outer Beltway.

I personally would not strongly object to that happening. But I'm concerned that the new plan is stirring up more unnecessary fights with residents near the western Dulles route. Should the proposal fail as a result, it could also delay construction of the new river crossing.

A VA 28 Outer Beltway route (see map below) would be less expensive to build for Virginia taxpayers. And if the Bi-County Parkway is canceled, I would hope Virginia officials would immediately turn their attention back to Route 28, and a Potomac River crossing.

Why is a new crossing so important to Montgomery County?

First, our lack of access to Dulles Airport is a major reason large companies choose Virginia over Montgomery County. A short route across the Potomac would not only provide that access, but also allow hotels in our I-270 corridor to enter the airport hotel market for Dulles.

Second, the numbers clearly prove that a new Potomac River crossing would reduce up to a fourth of the traffic on Bethesda's congested American Legion bridge during rush hour, in both directions.

A 2012 study, presented by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, showed that 23% of Maryland drivers on the bridge are headed to the Dulles area.

And that 27% of Virginia drivers crossing the Legion bridge are heading to I-270.

A new bridge would provide easy access for both sets of drivers, as well as high-paying jobs for Montgomery County residents.

So this is a story worth paying attention to on our side of the river, as our county's economy has been stagnant for many years.

If Virginia officials succeed with the Bi-County Parkway project, that's fine. But if it fails, they should return to the VA 28 concept. As the map below shows, it can achieve the airport access and same Outer Beltway route through the Dumfries area, back to I-95, as the Bi-County Parkway alternative.

At the same time, elected officials on our side of the river need to start working with their Virginia counterparts - like Outer Beltway proponent Sen. Mark Warner - to build this essential crossing.

Every day we do nothing, we lose more jobs to Fairfax and Loudoun counties, and we spend another day in gridlock on the Beltway and I-270.

SCENES FROM FINAL HOURS OF 3 WHITE FLINT MALL STORES (PHOTOS)

The Dark Side of White Flint:
Part 8

Witness Montgomery County retail history, in these exclusive photos of 3 businesses, taken in their last hours before closing at the dying White Flint Mall in North Bethesda.

At Gap, as you can see in the photo below, the sales floor was already being cleared of merchandise. Later,  boxes would be stacked inside.

At Easy Spirit, you can see the boxes stacked inside.

Both are closed permanently.

The news is not so bad for fans of Bertram's Inkwell, pictured below as it wound down operations at White Flint:

Not only is Bertram's moving to a new location, but it is right across the street from White Flint Mall.

The new Bertram's store is at 11300 Rockville Pike, in One Central Plaza.

Bertram's new location should open this week. I'll be sure to pass it along when it does.

Bertram's Inkwell holds the distinction of being one of the oldest tenants at White Flint, where it opened in 1985.

All 3 stores' White Flint spaces have been stripped of signage, like so many other shops now closed in the mall.

THE BOX BAR CLEARED OUT IN BETHESDA (PHOTOS)

The Box Bar and Grill on Old Georgetown Road is looking quite vacant. Everything not nailed down appears to have been moved out. The signage from the ill-fated Dry Fried Wings co-branding has been removed. However, the original Box signage remains.

Owner Jason McCarther had planned to reopen The Box as Roc Bar, a live music venue. Those plans fell through, and the future of the space is unknown for the moment.

WHAT'S STILL OPEN AT WHITE FLINT MALL? (PHOTOS)

The Dark Side of White Flint:
Part 7

With the majority of stores having closed at White Flint Mall, and the first phase of demolition underway, many people have assumed the mall is entirely closed.

However, some businesses remain open for now, including:

Lord & Taylor (which will eventually be the only part of the mall to escape demolition)

Loews Theatres multiplex

The Cheesecake Factory

Dave and Busters

P.F. Chang's

Banana Republic

Bertucci's

H&M

Bruno Cipriani

BUBBLE TEA ADDED TO BERRY YOGURT MENU IN BETHESDA (PHOTOS)

Berry Yogurt, the frozen yogurt shop on Norfolk Avenue, has added a large variety of Boba tea (a.k.a. bubble tea) drinks to its menu just in time for summer.

Boba tea originated in Taiwan, with the boba being tapioca "bubbles" floating in the tea-milk blended beverage. Sweet or fruit flavors can be blended in, and served in an icy form.

You will see the complete boba menu below; click to enlarge for more details.

One apparent subtraction from the menu here: sushi. I don't see it mentioned anymore.

DORITOS DINAMITA CHIPS REVIEW (VIDEO)

The good news is, the spicy Latin flavors of Doritos Dinamita chips have belatedly arrived in Bethesda.

I found bags of the Nacho Picoso and Chile Limón varieties at CVS on Arlington Road, and here is my review.

The bad news is, the last time I went to CVS, all the bags were gone. Maybe they are back in stock by now.

TROPICAL STORM ANDREA FORECAST FOR BETHESDA/DC AREA - BETHESDA WEATHER

BETHESDA STORM CENTER

ANDREA UPDATE:

Andrea is traveling up the southern East Coast. The tropical storm is moving NE at 28 MPH.

Winds within the storm are now measured at 45 MPH.

The eye of the storm is currently located east of Savannah, Georgia.

Heavy rain is expected in Bethesda throughout the day, and flash flooding is a real possibility.

FLOOD-PRONE ROADS
+  +  +  +  +

In Bethesda, I would suggest you avoid the following flood-prone areas, especially during a Flash Flood Warning:

Little Falls Parkway (the whole thing), Massachusetts Avenue at Little Falls Parkway, River Road near Ridgefield Road/Whole Foods, Beechtree/Burning Tree Road, Bradley Boulevard at Arlington Road, River Road at Willard Avenue, Goldsboro Road between River Road and MacArthur Boulevard.

ANDREA FORECAST FOR BETHESDA/DC AREA
+  +  +  +  +

TODAY:

Flash Flood Watch in effect.
Heavy rain, with 1-2" rainfall expected, heavier in spots.
Winds E-SE, 5-10 MPH.
Temperature: 73°.

TONIGHT:

Rain ending overnight.
Winds N 10-20 MPH.
Temperature: 68°.

SATURDAY:

Afternoon showers.