BETHESDA CRIME UPDATE

Here is a list of notable crimes reported May 20-21 in Bethesda:

MAY 20:

Theft. 4800 block Sangamore Road.

Burglary. 7000 block Heatherhill Road.

Theft. 8400 block Old Georgetown Road.

Theft. 4800 block Cordell Avenue.

Theft. 5600 block Wilson Lane.

Theft. 7300 block Wisconsin Avenue.

Burglary. 9400 block Rockville Pike.

Theft. 7700 block Tuckerman Lane.

Theft. 11100 block Stillwater Avenue.

MAY 21:

Theft from vehicle. 5800 block Namakagan Road.

Burglary. 7200 block Wisconsin Avenue.

Theft. Staples (Wisconsin Avenue).

Theft. White Flint Mall.

Theft from vehicle. 4800 block Chevy Chase Boulevard.

TACO BELL BEEFY CRUNCH BURRITO REVIEW (VIDEO)

Last night, I headed out amidst the monsoon conditions to get a Taco Bell Beefy Crunch Burrito. This is the first time I've had it, and here is my review.

The burrito is stuffed with seasoned beef, nacho cheese sauce, reduced fat sour cream, rice, and Flamin' Hot Fritos, which provide the namesake crunch.

PANTS ON FIRE: MONTGOMERY COUNTY BRT FACT CHECK

With no facts or hard data to support the need or justification for a Montgomery County Bus Rapid Transit system, it's no surprise that developer-backed proponents have to resort to fantastical predictions and deceptive tactics, if they hope to ram this "billions and billions" BRT boondoggle through.

On Wednesday, I was interviewed by WUSA9 reporter Debra Alfarone for her follow-up story on BRT. When I arrived, Stewart Schwartz of the Coalition for Smarter Growth - a prominent advocate of BRT - had just finished his interview. He then told her that opponents had made a false claim regarding the $10 billion cost of the original BRT proposal. Schwartz stated that no one had ever given that figure.

Having written extensively about the BRT proposal, I interjected that Schwartz's claim was incorrect. In fact, it was Montgomery County Master Planner Larry Cole himself who made that *official* $10 billion projection in early 2013.

Furthermore, it was Cole's projection that led the county to reduce the size of the system by 50%, the smaller proposal now on the table, I pointed out.

Schwartz responded that he himself had never heard that figure.

Is that believable?

The Stewart Schwartz, guru of transit, "smart" growth, and BRT didn't review the basic documents the county itself released on the BRT system he is the expert on?

Stewart Schwartz, the development-friendly spokesperson quoted as an authority by local media almost daily, didn't know the budget projection given by an official government office?

OK, let's say he somehow missed all that.  Did he also miss the many articles that cited Cole's $10 billion projection?

The $10 billion BRT cost was not only in a banner headline on my blog, but in the bigtime corporate media, as well.

Like this Washington Examiner article. And on NBC Washington's website. And on Silver Spring Patch.

"Nobody ever said $10 billion."

You be the judge.

But you can discern the pattern of deceptive tactics here. Once again, we're hearing BRT proponents claim that 200,000 new residents are coming to Montgomery County.

And, as always, that is complete bunk.  200,000 people can only come here if the Planning Board and County Council approve 200,000 new housing units. One would assume they would ensure our incomplete highway system was finished before allowing an influx of that size.  85% of these newcomers will drive, and our roads are already over capacity.

So, for Schwartz's claim that a $10 billion price tag was never cited for Montgomery County BRT, I have to award "4 Pinnochios" or the "Pants on Fire" rating found on those fact checking websites. Verify it yourself.

Just the facts, Ma'am.

R SB LANE OF OLD GEORGETOWN ROAD CLOSED AT MOORLAND IN BETHESDA (PHOTOS)

I received an email from Montgomery County Councilmember Roger Berliner's office today, regarding the Verizon utility work that has inconvenienced drivers in downtown Bethesda over the last 2 1/2 weeks. It cc'd a message from a MD/DC Government Affairs representative of Verizon, which stated, "all of the work was completed Monday, May 20."

But the work continues tonight, and a lane of Old Georgetown Road is closed at Moorland.

I don't question the need to do the work. I don't think any of us would want to be without phone/FIOS/etc. service if it was out.

But there could be an improvement in community outreach. According to the email, Verizon is only obligated to contact the owner of the road in question. And in the case of Old Georgetown and Wisconsin, they are both state roads.

If the message could be relayed by Verizon or the state to Ken Hartman at the Bethesda Regional Services Center, or the county DOT, they would then be able to send out emails to the community. For long-term repairs like this, the message should be passed to Dr. Gridlock, who posts such roadwork in his Washington Post column on Sundays.

GARAGE COLLAPSES AT WESTFIELD MONTGOMERY MALL IN BETHESDA, 1 DEAD, 1 VICTIM REMOVED FOR TRANSPORT

A partial collapse of a garage at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda this afternoon left one person dead, and a second victim trapped. Both were reportedly construction workers.

The trapped victim was recovered by Montgomery County Fire and Rescue teams. This person was reported to be in shock. Two medevac helicopters were on scene. The patient is being transferred to a local hospital.

It is unclear what the cause of the collapse was, or whether construction taking place related to mall expansion played any role.

Fire officials and technical experts are now inspecting the scene to determine the stability and safety of the garage and nearby mall structures.

Crews on scene report that the first floor of the garage has been shored up. One worker reports "no [garage] columns showing any stressors," a positive sign, but it is way too early to speculate.

Fire officials are also concerned about the heat, requesting bottled water for firefighters. Potentially severe thunderstorms are expected to pass through the area in a few hours.

Stay tuned here, and on Twitter at @BethesdaRow for updates.

ONE NATION, UNDER DOG IN BETHESDA - WHAT IN THE WORLD IS THIS? (PHOTOS)

One of the strangest things I've noticed recently, is the flag that has been raised high atop the Peripoint Building, at the intersection of Wilson Lane and Old Georgetown Road.

Click to enlarge these photos, and zoom in, if necessary.

You will notice the flag waving over the building features a dog.

What is this about, or is it just an attention-getter/conversation starter?

If it is, it worked.

BURGER KING RIB SANDWICH REVIEW (VIDEO)

Burger King is challenging McDonald's in the boneless rib sandwich market.  How does the Burger King Rib Sandwich stack up to the McRib? Watch my review to find out!

The BK Rib Sandwich features a flame-broiled boneless pork patty, sweet pickles, a bakery-style bun, and plenty of special recipe BBQ sauce.

SLURPEE DAYS THIS MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND IN BETHESDA!

7-Eleven in Bethesda has a special offer for the holiday weekend:

Friday, May 24 through Monday, May 27, medium Slurpees are only 49¢.

There are 2 7-Elevens in Bethesda: on Fairmont Avenue across from Fairmont Plaza, and on River Road just west of Butler Road.

RAFAELLO & MISSCLASS OPENS IN BETHESDA (PHOTOS)

Rafaello & Missclass, an upscale shoe boutique that appears to specialize in boots, is now open in Bethesda at Westfield Montgomery Mall.

The store is on the lower level, outside of Macy's.

DRUG ARREST AT BCC HIGH SCHOOL - BETHESDA CRIME UPDATE

Police made a narcotics arrest at Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School last Friday, according to crime data.

Among other notable crimes around Bethesda over the weekend:

MAY 17:

Theft from vehicle. 5200 block Glenwood Road.

MAY 18:

Theft. Bethesda Metro Center.

Theft. 7100 block Woodmont Avenue.

Theft from vehicle. 5100 block Bradley Boulevard.

MAY 19:

Assault. 9500 block Bulls Run Parkway.

Theft from vehicle. 6400 block Greentree Road.

Burglary. 7100 block Bells Mill Road.

50% OFF LUNCH SPECIALS TODAY AT VICTOR'S PIZZA AND PASTA IN BETHESDA

Save big on lunch, today only at Victor's Pizza and Pasta in Bethesda.

The following menu items will be 50%-off between 11 AM and 2 PM today:

All pizza, any size

Steak and Cheese

Chicken Steak and Cheese

Gyro on Pita

Chicken Gyro on Pita

A Bethesda favorite, at a not-so-Bethesda price.

4860 Cordell Avenue, Bethesda.

UPS STORE OPENS IN BETHESDA 20816 ZIP CODE WHILE USPS DAWDLES (PHOTOS)

The USPS has been talking for nearly a year about opening a new post office in the 20816 area of Bethesda. Such an opening is still at least a year away.

Meanwhile, UPS has leapfrogged Uncle Sam, and opened a UPS Store in 20816, at 5237 River Road.

The store replaces Anessi Salon in the Kenwood Station shopping center best known as the home of Whole Foods (or, for longtime residents, as once being a Brunswick bowling alley).

The new UPS Store has - yes - mailboxes, printing services, packing and shipping assistance, faxing and notary services...pretty much the things most people need on a regular basis.

For downtown Bethesda residents, if you weren't aware already, there is a UPS Store on Hampden Lane.

L.A. BOXING NOW OFFERS VALET PARKING IN BETHESDA (PHOTO)

L.A. Boxing - which will eventually become UFC Gym - on Cordell Avenue is making life easier for members. They've now added valet parking. Just stop at the red umbrella you see in the photo below out in front of the gym.

FREE PEOPLE BOUTIQUE OPENS IN BETHESDA AT WESTFIELD MONTGOMERY MALL (PHOTOS)

Bethesda is going boho at the new Free People boutique, now open at Westfield Montgomery Mall.

A store targeted towards 26-year-old women, Free People is part of the Urban Outfitters company, which recently opened a store in the mall, as well.

HOAMGAR OPENS IN BETHESDA; BOUTIQUE IS CHINESE LABEL'S FIRST OUTSIDE OF ASIA (PHOTOS)

The discerning Bethesda fashionista, who wants to wear something none of her friends or coworkers have, has a new hot spot in Bethesda.

Hoamgar, a popular fashion house that has produced lines sold exclusively in China, Mongolia and Singapore for the last two decades, has opened its first boutique outside of Asia right here at Westfield Montgomery Mall.

The clean white interior of the store puts all the attention on the clothes, until now unavailable in America.

Stop by and check it out.

OOPS...THEY DID IT AGAIN: VERIZON STILL WORKING ON WISCONSIN AVENUE TONIGHT (PHOTOS)

Despite claiming a second time they were finished, Verizon has crews out again on Wisconsin Avenue tonight.

There is one right lane closed on the northbound side of Wisconsin, in front of the Montgomery Farm Women's Collective Market.

PANORAMIC PHOTO OF BETHESDA ROW CONSTRUCTION

Here is a wide, panoramic photo of the Lot 31 construction site at Bethesda Row. The project involves construction of 2 luxury residential buildings - The Darcy, and The Flats - and a 900-space public parking garage that will run under both.

Note that a second tower crane is under construction down in "The Pit."

Click to enlarge for more detail:

FOUNTAIN ON AT VETERANS PARK IN BETHESDA (PHOTO)

Bethesda Urban Partnership has activated the fountain in Veterans Park, located at the corner of Norfolk and Woodmont Avenues in downtown Bethesda:

MOCO INSPECTOR GENERAL CLEARS COUNTY PERMITTING DEPARTMENT IN BAINBRIDGE-FRESH GRILL BUILDING DAMAGE COMPLAINT

I've promised to keep you updated on the soap opera involving the condemnation of the building housing Fresh Grill on Fairmont Avenue, and I just uncovered some more information.

The most intriguing twist? An engineering firm currently retained by Montgomery County to inspect and solve the Silver Spring Transit Center fiasco, claimed the Fresh Grill building was not in danger of collapse from the Bainbridge excavation next door.

This directly contradicts the findings of another firm retained by White Flint Express Realty Group LLP (owner of the damaged buildings at 4909 and 4905 Fairmont Avenue), which I reported on last September.

Despite the acknowledgment of cracks in the Fresh Grill structure by both the Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services (DPS), and White Flint's consultant, a third firm - KCE Structural Engineers - (retained by Bainbridge) asserted that the "buildings are not in imminent danger of collapse, nor must the tenants or their visitors be removed due to safety concerns caused by the [Bainbridge] construction."

The Bainbridge is a 17-story, luxury residential building under construction at 4918 St. Elmo Avenue, in downtown Bethesda.

According to a Montgomery County Inspector General's Office (OIG) report, KCE asserted a second time that the Fairmont Avenue buildings were in no danger of collapse.

But weeks later, on May 9, 2012, KCE advised its client, Bainbridge, to cease construction near the damaged buildings, and proposed a remediation plan for the Fairmont Avenue properties. DPS found the plan satisfactory, and allowed the Bainbridge project to resume eventually.

The Bainbridge construction was going full steam again by late 2012.

But White Flint continued to argue their buildings on Fairmont were in danger of collapse.

On November 13, 2012, White Flint brought photos of cracks and other damage to the Inspector General's office.

OIG met with DPS officials 3 days later, and the latter again confirmed that work should continue on the Bainbridge, and that KCE's remediation plan was satisfactory.

White Flint pressed forward on several specific complaints against DPS:

Allegation 1: DPS improperly permitted the continuation of work on the project.

OIG concluded this accusation was unfounded, that DPS had performed at least 100 on-site inspections, and had adhered to county code in every respect.

Allegation 2: DPS unlawfully delegated review and approval authority of the plan and its implementation to the owner of the Bainbridge.

OIG concluded KCE was a fully-credentialed firm, and that DPS was correct in accepting their technical expertise in allowing construction to resume.

Allegation 3: DPS made an incomplete investigation, because the Bainbridge's consultants falsely advised DPS that they were denied access to White Flint property.

OIG reported that White Flint demanded Bainbridge sign a document that could have had legal implications in the dispute. Therefore, Bainbridge was unable to inspect the site, even though Bainbridge and DPS wanted to carry out such an inspection.

Allegation 4: No valid Traffic Control Plan exists and DPS has been allowing Bainbridge to violate the law regarding construction work in the right-of-way.

OIG said the Traffic Control permits issued to Bainbridge remain in effect through completion of the project, despite the delay caused by the excavation controversy.

Furthermore, OIG says DPS has, in fact, issued citations to Bainbridge on several occasions for "illegal activity in the right-of-way."

Summarizing the findings, OIG concluded:

"We found no evidence that would substantiate the allegations made in this complaint against DPS. We draw no conclusions about whether or to what extent the [Bainbridge] construction has damaged White Flint property. Accordingly, no further investigation by the OIG and no recommendation or follow-up action is required."

So, as of this point, it appears White Flint will have to pursue its complaints in the court system.

As such, don't expect any of the parties to speak about the matter publicly.

Fresh Grill remains caught in the middle of this mess. If one believes the KCE report, technically, Fresh Grill could have reopened by now. But because their building's owner maintains the structure is unsafe, the restaurant remains in limbo at the moment.

VERIZON TENT CITY ON WISCONSIN AVENUE TONIGHT (PHOTO)

There's a small tent city on northbound Wisconsin Avenue north of Elm Street, as Verizon utility work continues. And a lane closure again southbound near Bethesda Metro Center.