Pursuant to Section 49-62 of the Montgomery County Code (2014) as amended, the County Executive or his Designee shall conduct a virtual Public Hearing via the internet-based platform known as Zoom on Tuesday, September 19, 2023 at 2:00 PM, to consider an application from 5500 Westbard Avenue Block Civic Association (the “Applicant”), for the permanent closure of a public right of way at the northwestern terminus of Westbard Avenue at River Road in the Westbard area of Bethesda. The Applicant is requesting permanent closure of the public right of way from all vehicular traffic, including emergency vehicles, at the intersection. The petition also requests that a temporary closure remain in place until a permanent closure can be installed.

Completion of this registration form will include you in a mailing list to receive an invitation to participate in the Hearing. If you require special accommodations, please contact Tiara McCray at (240) 720-7862 or [email protected]. Registration for this Public Hearing will close on Friday, September 15, 2023 at 5:00 PM.


Per the Montgomery County Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security, “Fire department activity blocks 4 lanes of SB I-270 just prior to Exit 1/Democracy Blvd. Only the right lane gets by. Expect significant delays. Seek alternate route. #MdTraffic” We will post an update when additional information is available.

Update – SB I270 Spur IAO Westlake Ter Bridge/ramp, collision, involves several vehicles, incl overturned truck/vehicle, 2patients carrying pesticides, @mcfrs HM707, SU725, BC702, BC704, PE726, PE733, T710, A726, A710, EMS702 PE720 T725, BC7O3 assisting, some lanes blocked


Per Montgomery Parks: Montgomery Parks is ending the current season of Parks Playhouse on a high note with a week of events in August, culminating with a concert by The Nighthawks on Friday, August 18, at Cabin John Regional Park.

“It’s been a great season filled with over 30 performances this summer between Parks Playhouse and Parks Playhouse Junior,” says Michael Coppersmith, director of Montgomery Parks Activation Program. “We are excited to close out the summer season with The Nighthawks before heading into fall.”


Last year Burke & Herbert Bank, Virginia’s oldest bank, expanded outside of Virginia (into Bethesda) for the first time in its 170-year history. The expansion was led by Gaithersburg native and Burke & Herbert Bank senior vice president Michael Solomon, who was recently named to BizJournal’s 40 Under 40 list.

Burke & Herbert Bank announced last summer that it opened a commercial lending office in Bethesda, Maryland, which marked the first time the 170-year old financial institution, headquartered in Alexandria, has operated outside of Virginia. The Bethesda commercial lending office, at 7272 Wisconsin Avenue, is led by Senior Vice President and Relationship Manager Michael Solomon. Solomon, local to the Montgomery County area, brings over a decade of financial experience to this role. He attended Dufief Elementary School, Robert Frost Middle School, and Wootton High School.


Adam Greenberg, owner of Potomac Pizza, has announced the acquisition of Hunter’s Bar and Grill at 10123 River Rd in the Potomac Village Shopping Center. The restaurant opened as the Hunter’s Inn in 1978 and rebranded to Hunter’s Bar & Grill in 2014. Greenberg’s team plans to maintain a majority of Hunter’s menu offerings and will add their own twist by improving current recipes and experimenting with new items based on customer feedback. Full details below:

Adam Greenberg, the restaurateur behind Potomac Pizza, Bagels ‘n Grinds, and College Park Grill, today announced the acquisition of Hunter’s Bar and Grill, located at 10123 River Road in Potomac, MD. Hunter’s Bar and Grill first opened as Hunter’s Inn in 1978, the same year the original Potomac Pizza opened, changing its name to Hunter’s Bar and Grill in 2014 under longtime owners Fred and Murray Berman’s leadership.


Pisco y Nazca Ceviche Gastrobar is coming to 7401 Woodmont Ave, according to a Biz Journals report. It will be taking over the space that was home to Cesco Osteria for a decade until it closed earlier this year. The space was also previously home to national chain McCormick & Schmick’s until the restaurant closed in the summer of 2011. According to the report, Pisco y Nazca will be taking about 5,500 square feet of the space vacated by Cesco Osteria, though Chevy Chase Land has broken up some of the former restaurant’s space for an expanded lobby.

Pisco Y Nazca adds a “modern twist to Peruvian cuisine. Inspired by Peru’s top eateries, the new DC outpost serves up bold-flavored dishes, unique cocktails and a vast selection of local and international beers.” It is named for Pisca- A city located in the Ica region of Peru, known for its Peruvian grape brandy that shares the same name and Nazca- a desert town in the southern coast of Peru, famous for its mysterious Nazca Lines and also for its production of Pisco. Per the restaurant, “Entre Pisco Y Nazca translates to “The enjoyment of libations in a social setting.” The restaurant currently has nearby locations in D.C. and a Reston location that opened last month. The menu of the DC location can be seen here, and includes creative fusion dishes like Lomo Saltado sushi rolls. An opening timeframe is not yet available.


Per MCDOT: The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT), in collaboration with the Washington Area Bicyclist Association (WABA), is offering adult bike classes in September, October and November. The classes include both Learn to Ride and Basic Skills classes. MCDOT also will offer four free, walk-up scooter classes following select bike classes.

Advance registration is required to participate in the bicycle classes and cost $10 for Montgomery County residents. There is no charge for WABA or Capital Bikeshare For All members. Bicycles and helmets will be provided at no charge for the adult Learn to Ride class participants and can be rented from WABA, if needed, for the Basic Skills class participants. Scooter classes are free of charge.


VinoRita Wine Slushies is now open in the Montgomery Mall food court, taking over the kiosk space that was previously home to HalfSmokeGelato Galax, and Coldstone Creamery. Alcohol infused flavors include the best selling “Black San,” which is a Blackberry Sangria, Peach Frose, Strawberry Daquiri, and Blueberry Pomegranate. Non-alcoholic options include Blue Raspberry and Lemonade.  According to VinoRita, the first 150 customers will receive their slushies in color-changing Margarita souvenir cups at the pop-up.

Additional information below, Per VinoRita:“If you’ve never had a wine slushy before, you’re in for a treat! Even if you have  had a wine slushy, you’re in for a treat! VinoRita was created to bring you a fun & unique, Love at First Sip, top notch customer experience! Our goal is to revolutionize the way you experience wine! We’re not biased, our slushies really are delicious & they really are  made with wine – no hard liquors or spirits are added. At VinoRita, we offer a delicious slushy cocktail that does not require you to indulge in hard liquor to have fun! We’ve worked hard to perfect our recipes over the years and can’t wait to bring our wine slushies to a city near you.  In some of our locations, you can have a wine slushy while you shop! 🍷🍹🛍How fun is that? Check out our locations page to see where you can find us & experience Love at First Sip with a VinoRita Wine Slushy! Based on the way alcohol and liquor licenses have previously worked at the mall, we do not expect customers to be able to leave the VinoRita area with the drinks, but are awaiting word on that. Featured photo courtesy of VinoRitaWineSlushies.com


The 31st annual Taste of Bethesda is scheduled for Saturday, October 7th from 11am – 4pm, and will feature Bethesda’s best restaurants, five stages of live entertainment, an activity area for kids and more.

Admission to the Taste of Bethesda is free. Taste tickets are sold on-site in bundles of four tickets for $5. Food servings cost one to four tickets. Restaurants serve delectable dishes from 11am-4pm. Ticket sales end at 3:30pm. The event is held along Norfolk, St. Elmo, Cordell, Del Ray and Auburn Avenues in Bethesda’s Woodmont Triangle. Taste of Bethesda is located just three blocks from the Bethesda Metro. Participating restaurants and entertainment schedule can be seen below:


Montgomery Parks has closed Sligo Creek Parkway, between University Boulevard and New Hampshire Avenue, and Beach Drive, from Connecticut Avenue to Knowles Avenue due to the anticipated flooding, high winds, and downed trees.

Additionally, Montgomery Parks is urging the public to stay out of parks and off trails and parkways today, August 7, 2023, due to the severe weather forecast for this afternoon through the evening. An announcement will be sent out when the parkways are reopened, and it is safe to use parks and trails.


The Montgomery County Green Bank (Green Bank) and National Capital Bank (NCB) have collaborated to provide a customized financing solution for an energy efficiency project at Kenwood House Cooperative (Kenwood House) in Chevy Chase, MD. Through a participation loan transaction totaling $1,200,000, Kenwood House will implement crucial upgrades such as a domestic hot water heating system, building envelope improvements, and electric vehicle charger infrastructure. This groundbreaking financing structure marks a significant milestone for the partnership between the Green Bank and National Capital Bank.

“We are delighted to collaborate with National Capital Bank for our inaugural venture at Kenwood House. This project exemplifies the very essence of the Green Bank’s mission to forge innovative partnerships in order to provide clean energy solutions that benefit the entire County,” says Steve Morel, CEO, Montgomery County Green Bank. “This customized loan structure further demonstrates our adaptability and commitment to crafting personalized solutions that precisely cater to specific financing requirements.” Kenwood House investment, supporting an overall $2 million capital improvement project at Kenwood House, was made possible through the flexible and affordable financing provided by the Green Bank and National Capital Bank. As a result of their participation, Kenwood House secured a blended interest rate on the loan, ensuring a cost-effective and favorable financial arrangement.


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