PHOTOS FROM THE BETHESDA METRO STATION CLOSURE THIS PAST WEEKEND #WMATA

The Bethesda Metro station was closed for escalator replacement this past weekend, causing many delays for travelers who had to use shuttle buses to get around the dead spot on the Red Line.

Here are some scenes from the closure and work site:

Shuttle bus

JOHNSTON & MURPHY, RUMI TEA & SPICE COMING TO WESTFIELD MONTGOMERY MALL IN BETHESDA (PHOTOS)

Two more retail tenants plan to open at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda.

Johnston & Murphy has been a shoemaker to U.S. presidents since Millard Fillmore in 1850, all the way up to Barack Obama. Now you, too, can own a pair. Or two. Or three. They also carry apparel and accessories for men and women. Johnston & Murphy will be on the upper level near Freddy.

Tea has been slow to catch up to coffee in the hearts of exhausted Americans, but tea shops are slowly popping up around Bethesda. One more is on the way at the mall, as Rumi Tea & Spice has leased a space on the lower level.

HADLEE COMING TO SHOPS AT WILDWOOD IN BETHESDA (PHOTOS)

Hadlee is coming soon to the Shops at Wildwood, at 10303 Old Georgetown Road in Bethesda. It is the latest addition to a local mini-chain of woman-owned boutiques, the others being Corby Collection at Mazza Gallerie, Sequel (which is already at Wildwood), and Wear It Well at Bethesda Row. The Shops at Wildwood and Bethesda Row are both owned by Federal Realty.

The coming-soon signage is touting apparel by Joseph Ribkoff, a leading exporter of Canadian fashion that manufactures its entire line in Canada. It is probably best known for its endorsement arrangement with the Miss America organization.

ARCING INSULATOR PROMPTS FIREFIGHTER RESPONSE AT BETHESDA METRO

Firefighters responded to the Bethesda Metro station around 6:55 AM this morning. They were called for a report of an arcing insulator. One Montgomery County firefighter was heard to say via scanner, "we're standing there looking at, it's not doing anything."

That firefighter went on to reoprt that a Metro fire/rescue liason says they have a maintenance team on the way, and fire and rescue are not needed. Fire personnel were told to leave the scene minutes later.

According to scanner reports, passengers are allowed to enter the station now.

SNOW GOES BUMP IN THE NIGHT FOR DOWNTOWN BETHESDA RESIDENTS (PHOTOS)

A resident of one downtown Bethesda apartment building reports that residents' sleep was interrupted by a fleet of front loaders and dump trucks early this morning between 2:00 and 3:00 AM.

The well-choreographed ballet involved machines large and small, working together to remove plowed snow from the Woodmont Triangle area. These photos are taken from the area around the Bethesda Place apartments, and Lionsgate condos.

Those smaller machines pictured moved snow from curbs to form a massive pile in the center of Woodmont Avenue, as you can see. Then it was loaded into the dump trucks to be hauled out of town.

This the result of the unique challenge of snow removal in urban areas - there really isn't any place to put the snow. Thus contractors must be called in to haul it away. They left and then returned around 3:50, the resident reports.

Obviously, the early hour makes it much easier to carry out this operation, when there are few pedestrians or cars to worry about. Sleeping neighbors vs. angry daytime drivers is probably a no-win situation.

There's been a bit of both with last year's utility work under Wisconsin Avenue. I received emails from angry residents during night operations (8200 & Rosedale Park), and angry drivers when Verizon worked on the outbound side during the evening rush.

Is there a good answer to these sorts of dilemmas?

WOODMONT TRIANGLE STARBUCKS CLOSED TODAY, LIMITED HOURS TUES., WED. #BETHESDA

The Starbucks at 7700 Norfolk Avenue in downtown Bethesda will be closed today, and operate on a limited schedule over the coming days. This is due to renovation of the interior, similar to that already completed at the Westbard location in the Westwood Shopping Center in 2013.

Their schedule will be as follows:

TODAY (February 23): CLOSED

TUESDAY: 5:00 AM - 5:00 PM

WEDNESDAY: 5:00 AM - 5:00 PM

The Starbucks at 7140 Wisconsin Avenue will be open regular hours when this one is closed.

TEMPORARY BUS STOP CHANGES AT FRIENDSHIP HEIGHTS METRO (PHOTOS) #WMATA #DC

Buses wait under icicles hanging
from roof at Friendship Heights
Metro station last winter

Heads up for those traveling to work through the Friendship Heights Metro station today through this Friday (February 23-27): your bus stop might be in a new spot temporarily. Ride On 23 and 29 are not affected; neither are the E2, E3, E4, E6, L8 and T2.

Icicles hanging from the roof
over the bus bays at Friendship
Heights Metro station in 2014

WMATA is going to be repairing that leaky roof over the outer lane of the bus loop this week, requiring the moves.

Here's the temporary stop and detour list from their website:

Routes 30N, 30S, 31, 33, N2, N3 and N4 bus terminal will temporarily relocate to Western Avenue and Wisconsin Avenue NW.  The detour will be subject to cancelation if there's inclement weather. 

Routes E2, E3, E4, E6, L8, T2 and the RideOn are not affected during this time.

During this time, Metrobus will bypass bus stops at:

Routes 30N, 30S, 31, 33 and N2

• Wisconsin Avenue & Jenifer Street NW (northbound toward Friendship Heights)


• Wisconsin Avenue & Western Avenue NW (northbound toward Friendship Heights)

DETOUR ROUTES

30N, 30S Friendship Heights-Southeast northbound toward Friendship Heights
31, 33 Wisconsin Avenue northbound toward Friendship Heights
N2 Massachusetts Avenue westbound toward Friendship Heights

• Regular route to Wisconsin Avenue & Jenifer Street NW
• Left on Jenifer Street NW
• Right on Western Avenue NW
• End route at temporary bus stand at Western Avenue & Wisconsin Avenue NW

N3, N4 Massachusetts Avenue westbound toward Friendship Heights

• Regular route to Western Avenue & 44 Street NW
• Continue Western Avenue NW
• End route at temporary bus stand at Western Avenue & Wisconsin Avenue NW

30N, 30S Friendship Heights-Southeast southbound toward Naylor Road/Southern Avenue
31, 33 Wisconsin Avenue southbound toward Potomac Park/Archives
N2 Massachusetts Avenue eastbound toward Farragut Square

• From temporary bus stand at Western Avenue & Wisconsin Avenue NW
• Right on Wisconsin Avenue NW
• Resume regular route

N3, N4 Massachusetts Avenue eastbound toward Federal Triangle/Farragut Square

• From temporary bus stand at Western Avenue & Wisconsin Avenue NW
• Continue Western Avenue NW
• Left on Wisconsin Avenue NW
• Right on Wisconsin Circle NW
• Right on Western Avenue NW
• Resume regular route

**Customers can utilize the tunnel under Wisconsin Avenue to get between the station, the regular bus bays, and the temporary terminal.

To get to the temporary terminal from the tunnel, follow signs for Mazza Gallerie.  The stop is adjacent to the McDonald's.

BETHESDA CONSTRUCTION UPDATE: THE LAUREN ULTRA-LUXURY CONDOS (PHOTOS)

Work continues on The Lauren ultra-luxury condominium project on Hampden Lane. Many piles are in place, as what will be the bottom level of the garage begins to take shape.

BETHESDA CRIME UPDATE

Here's a roundup of crimes reported across Bethesda on February 19, according to crime data:

Vehicle burglary. 4400 block Montgomery Avenue.

Theft. 10200 block Old Georgetown Road (Wildwood area).

GROSVENOR HEIGHTS SALES CENTER OPENS AS CONSTRUCTION BEGINS ON NEW BETHESDA TOWNHOMES (PHOTO)

Bethesda-based developer EYA launched its newest townhome community in Montgomery County yesterday. The sales office for Grosvenor Heights at 5430 Grosvenor Lane will now be open 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM daily.

Natural brick and cedar wood will dominate the facades of the 99 elevator townhomes that are now under construction on the 33-acre property, found in a wooded area right off Interstate 270 and the Beltway. The Grosvenor Metro station is a 15-minute walk away; a distance of 0.8 miles.

First deliveries of the $1.1 to 1.6 million townhomes are expected late this year. EYA President Bob Youngentoub emphasized the natural setting, saying, "it really feels like you’re in an oasis surrounded by trees." The site was once part of Gilbert Grosvenor's Wild Acres estate, with Grosvenor being the man for whom that area of Bethesda is now named. Grosvenor's mansion will remain on site. 

Amenities will include two-car garages, 3-4 bedrooms, full-floor rooftop terrace with available outdoor kitchen and gas fireplace, and chef kitchens with Thermador cooktops and ovens; Sub-Zero refrigeration; full overlay, frameless designer cabinetry; water-saving Kohler fixtures; decorative steel stair rails and linear gas fireplaces. 

Existing amenities nearby include the Bethesda Trolley Trail for pedestrians and bikers, and Fleming Park.

Rendering courtesy of EYA
All rights reserved

3 ASSAULTS IN BETHESDA, THEFT AT WHITE FLINT MALL + MORE - BETHESDA CRIME UPDATE

Here's a roundup of crimes reported across Bethesda on February 18, according to crime data:

Assault. 7300 block Wisconsin Avenue.

Assault. 7800 block Old Georgetown Road at 11:15 PM.

Assault. 7900 block Tuckerman Lane at 12:06 AM.

Theft. 7800 block Woodmont Avenue.

Vehicle burglary. 4500 block N. Park Avenue.

Theft. Panera Bread (Friendship Heights).

Theft. 9400 block Old Georgetown Road (near Spruce Tree Avenue).

Theft. White Flint Mall.

BETHESDA SNOW UPDATE, WEATHER FORECAST, BETHESDA METRO STATION CLOSED

Another winter weather event is approaching Bethesda today. Snow is expected to begin falling early this afternoon, and pick up steam between 5:00-7:00 PM, so keep that pizza delivery number handy for dinner tonight. Accumulation could be in the 2-4" range, according to the National Weather Service.

Then things are going to go the opposite of what you'd expect tonight - it will actually get warmer as the night goes on, instead of colder. Snow will change over to freezing rain, and then to rain by around 10:00 PM. By 8:00 AM Sunday, we will be in the mid-30s, with fog. We'll reach a high of around 40° F by 3:00 PM on a cloudy Sunday.

Remember the Bethesda Metro Station is closed this weekend for work on the escalator truss, which cannot be done safely with passengers in the station according to a Metro press release.

Stay tuned here and to @BethesdaRow on Twitter for updates during the storm.

P.F. CHANG'S CHICKEN MINI EGG ROLLS REVIEW (VIDEO)

To celebrate Chinese New Year, I tested out a new frozen product from P.F. Chang's Home Menu lineup, Chicken Mini Egg Rolls. I found these at Giant in Bethesda.

Fresh out of the microwave,
surrounded by P.F. Chang's
Signature Sauce

Inside the egg rolls are dark meat chicken, cabbage and carrots. The package includes a pouch of P.F. Chang's Signature Sauce for dipping purposes. It only takes about 90 seconds in the microwave to heat them up; the sauce pouch goes in a cup of warm water for a few minutes to thaw.

Are these egg rolls worthy of the P.F. Chang's name? Watch my review to find out!

ASSAULT ON OLD GATE RD., 6 THEFTS - BETHESDA CRIME UPDATE

Here's a roundup of crimes reported across Bethesda on February 17, according to crime data:

Theft. 8700 block Ewing Drive (Alta Vista Terrace).

Theft. 4900 block St. Elmo Avenue.

Theft. 7100 block Democracy Boulevard.

Theft. 7100 block Democracy Boulevard.

Assault. 7000 block Old Gate Road (Montrose Woods).

Theft. 5800 block Nicholson Lane (Pike District).

Theft. 11400 block Rockville Pike (Pike District).

LANDLORD DEMANDS UNPAID RENT FROM SHUTTERED BETHESDA PIZZA RESTAURANT

The owner of 4924 St. Elmo Avenue is taking former tenant Pizza Pass to the District Court of Maryland for Montgomery County, in an attempt to collect unpaid rent. Pizza Pass closed at the end of January, after putting the contents of the restaurant up for auction.

A complaint filed by the landlord's attorney, Caitlin C. Grant of Bethesda-based Lerch, Early & Brewer, asserts that rent was not paid from October 2014 through January 2015. The total amount sought from PIZZAPASS, LLC is $42,925.49, including late charges.

BETHESDA WEATHER UPDATE: MCPS 2 HOURS LATE FRIDAY, CLARA BARTON PKWY CLOSED BETWEEN GLEN ECHO AND CHAIN BRIDGE

The current temperature in Bethesda is 12° F. Overnight we'll drop to a low of 1° by sunrise.

Ice and water in the roadway have closed Clara Barton Parkway between Chain Bridge and Glen Echo.

Montgomery County Public Schools will open 2 hours late Friday morning, due to the low temperature and wind chill.

BWI Airport reports some delays in flights arriving from New York City, but no delays in flights departing BWI.

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

CAR STOLEN FROM PARKLAWN DRIVE, 5 THEFTS FROM VEHICLES - BETHESDA CRIME UPDATE

Here's a roundup of crimes reported across Bethesda on February 16, according to crime data:

Theft from vehicle. 4900 block St. Elmo Avenue at 7:53 PM.

Theft from vehicle. 7800 block Wisconsin Avenue at 2:38 PM.

Theft from vehicle. 7200 block Woodmont Avenue at 8:51 AM.

Theft from vehicle. 4800 block Bethesda Avenue at 9:04 AM.

Theft from vehicle. 5300 block Wriley Road at 7:50 AM (Westhaven).

Stolen car. 11800 block Parklawn Drive (Pike District).

LAST CALL AT CURRENT TAKO GRILL LOCATION IN BETHESDA

Tako Grill is getting ready to say goodbye to its current 7756 Wisconsin Avenue location, which will in the future be replaced by a large development with a Westin Hotel. Before it moves to the Shoppes of Bethesda on Hampden Lane, the Japanese restaurant will serve a Last Buffet this Saturday, February 21, from 4:00-9:00 PM.

The price of the buffet will be $35 if you are over 12, $20 if you are age 6-12, and free if you are under 6. Tax and tips will be extra.

Contacted yesterday, the restaurant says it does not have a specific opening date nailed down for the new location yet, but is expecting to open sometime in March.

DESIGN CHANGE FOR SHOPS OF WISCONSIN MAKEOVER IN BETHESDA (PHOTOS)

Douglas Development continues the makeover of the Shops of Wisconsin mall at 6831 Wisconsin Avenue, but the redesign itself has been updated along the way. A new rendering from the DC-based development firm no longer includes the planned arch at the front of the property. The patio is simplified, as well, with less vegetation and tables. A new, glassed-in entrance with escalators is depicted to the right of the space-age elevator.

Renovations have been going on for almost 2 years at this shopping center, which is best known for its anchor, Trader Joe's.

Here is the original 2013 concept,
for comparison

Renderings courtesy Douglas Development
All rights reserved

SNOW SQUALL HITS BETHESDA, WIND CHILL ADVISORY IN EFFECT (PHOTOS)

A snow squall blew through Bethesda during rush hour this evening, but don't expect any more snow tonight.

The current temperature is 27°F, and winds are gusting to 19 MPH. A wind chill advisory is in effect until 10 AM Friday. Wind chills will be zero to 10° below zero tonight, and 5-15° below zero Thursday night. Winds will gust up to 30 MPH tonight and on Thursday, subsiding to 25 MPH gusts Thursday night.

Thursday will be sunny, with increasing cloudiness in the afternoon and a high of 14°.