Hip Flask, the rooftop bar that’s inside of The Marriott Bethesda Downtown at Marriott HQ, is now open. Hip Flask serves small plates and craft cocktails and is located at 7707 Woodmont Ave in Bethesda. The new hotel also features a 360 degree lobby bar. Seventh State, the hotel’s restaurant, which includes a built-in Italian wood oven and indoor/outdoor seating opened earlier this year.

Per Marriott:


Planet Bethesda, a plant-based food festival, will take place on June 5 from 12-6pm at Elm Street Park in Bethesda.  According to the events website, there will be more than a dozen area restaurants and vendors, live DJ, Bier Garten, and a plant-based pie eating contest.  Participating restaurants include Dog Haus, Berries & Bowls, True Food Kitchen, and Tikka Masala. Entry to is the event is free and vendor food and beverage will be available for purchase.


Montgomery County Fire and Rescue (MCFRS) units were called to the scene of a single vehicle collision at approximately 2:30am on Monday morning for a person trapped inside of a Jeep that was left on its side following the collision at the 9700 block of Bellevue Drive off of 355 in Bethesda, according to MCFRS PIO Pete Piringer.

The driver was extricated by rescue units and transported by to the hospital by EMS with Priority 2 trauma, suffering serious, but non-life threatening injuries. Photos courtesy of Pete Piringer.


Big Al’s Subs and Soups in the Montgomery Mall food court has closed. It was located in the space that was previously home to Wicked Waffles, next to Charley’s. The restaurant, which had a menu very similar to that of Subway, opened in December of 2021.  The restaurant offered ten different signature sandwiches, including a vegetarian option called “The Mediterranean”, and a rotating list of soups.

In other Montgomery Mall restaurant news,  HalfSmoke Bethesda will be opening in the Montgomery Mall food court, as first reported by The MoCo Source on Instagram. It will be located in the former home of Coldstone Creamery and more recently Gelato Galaxy.  HalfSmoke was the first restaurant of its kind to serve gourmet sausages via an assembly line format. Its sausages and toppings can be fully customized to create over 50,000 variations. The HalfSmoke menu also features craft beer, mac and cheese balls, tater tots, milkshakes, funnel cakes, wine, cocktails, and more, but there is no word on if the Montgomery Mall location will offer everything the DC restaurant does. No word yet on an opening date.


The YMCA of Metropolitan Washington is hosting the Y’s annual Healthy Kids Day® on April 30 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., encouraging families to take a moment to help kids be kids and set them up for a summer of success. Occurring at nine different locations across the Metropolitan region, including the Bethesda and Silver Spring locations, the day-long event will feature activities such as cooking demonstrations, a puppy parade at YMCA Anthony Bowen, kids’ yoga, STEM activities, farm stands, and water safety to motivate and teach families how to develop and maintain healthy routines at home.

“At the Y, we believe in the potential of all children and each day we work to help kids find that potential within themselves,” said Kristy McCarron, vice president of Community Health and Wellness. “Healthy Kids Day is a fun, free community-wide event to kick off summer and remind us all how important it is for kids to stay active physically and mentally throughout the summer.”


Beginning the first week of June, Ridgefield Road will be closed between River Road (MD-190) and Westbard Avenue. An updated announcement states that Ridgefield Road will remain closed for approximately 16 months, meaning Ridgefield likely won’t reopen until at least October 2023.

Two separate posted detours will direct some traffic to Goldsboro Road, and others to Little Falls Parkway. Ride On Route 23 (Friendship Heights-Sibley Memorial Hospital) will also be detoured during the closure. One of the two sidewalks along Ridgefield is slated to remain open during the closure.


Alex Baby and Toys, a new concept from FYE, is now open in Montgomery Mall. The store is located downstairs next to Old Navy.  According to Westfield Montgomery, “from legos and baby essentials to LOL’s and STEM, they are your one-stop-shop for all things play.” We’re told the store offers toys for all ages, not just toddlers and young children.

According to Billboard, FYE was purchased by Sunrise Records in 2020. Sunrise paid $10 million to take over ownership of the 200-store chain. The purchase included assuming some of the chain’s liabilities including, accounts payable, store leases, and the chain’s frequent buyer membership program while also gaining a target inventory of $40 million. It also took on all FYE employees. FYE closed its Wheaton Mall location in January 2019 and its Lakeforest Mall location one year later in January of 2020. There is another Alex Baby and Toys listed as being in Holyoke Mall at Ingleside in Massachusetts, but the phone number is not currently active, so it may also be opening soon.


Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Units were called to the 5100 block of Fairglen Lane, off of Fairfax Rd, in Chevy Chase for small fire at a single family home on Thursday evening.

The fire involved an electrical box that was attached to the outside of the home and was quickly put out by firefighters upon arrival. Connected to the electrical box that caught fire was a Supco surge protector that was previously recalled for its potential to cause fires. There was no extension to the fire,  no additional smoke, and no injuries.


On the same date, officers from the 2nd District responded to the 8000 block of Glenbrook Road for the report of a burglary that occurred earlier. Detectives obtained surveillance footage, which showed the suspect kicking in the back storm door to gain entry to the residence at approximately 5 a.m. The video footage later showed the suspect leaving the residence at approximately 11 a.m. Nothing was taken from the residence.

The suspect is described as a white male with a mustache, long black hair and medium build. The suspect was wearing a black jacket, black pants and grey sneakers.


Marriott International appreciated the award that reflects the detail that went into the project.

“Marriott is excited to move into our new Downtown Bethesda headquarters this summer and to carry on the proud legacy that has been built in Montgomery County, a community we have called home for more than 65 years,” said Carolyn B. Handlon, executive vice president and global treasurer of Marriott International, who accepted the award on behalf of the company. “We’re delighted with the recognition as Maryland’s ‘Project of the Year.’ We believe our new headquarters is truly the right place for our team of associates. We’ll be joining a vigorous and diverse community whose lively urban setting is exciting for all of us. As a proud corporate citizen, you can expect to see us continue to participate, volunteer and contribute to local and state civic life, including through our global social impact and sustainability platform, Serve 360.”


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