Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) responded to a vehicle fire involving a “Chariots for Hire” charter/limo bus on the inner loop of I495, between River Rd. and the I270 spur on Tuesday morning around 11am. According to Chief Spokesperson for MCFRS Pete Piringer, the fire has been extinguished and there were no passengers on board. No injuries have been reported. Some lanes are currently blocked and drivers should expect residual delays.

Per @mcfrsPIO on Twitter: “Traffic Advisory – IL I495 beltway north of River Road before Bradley Boulevard overpass, right side of road way is blocked, traffic gets by to the left, @mcfrs PE710, E752, PE726, T706, UT752, BC702, PIO on scene @MDSHA @MDSP @MCDOTNow”

“Chariot on fire” IL I495 Between River Rd., and Split for I 270 Spur, vehicle fire, Chariots for Hire limo bus, no passengers on board, fire is extinguished, Driver OK, some lanes blocked https://t.co/GXgugcp15Q pic.twitter.com/yPL6aUyNoI

— Pete Piringer (@mcfrsPIO) April 4, 2023

This week, the Westbard Square project team expanded their closure of Westbard Avenue near the current Westwood Center and future Westbard Square, which is currently under construction.

Westbard Avenue is now closed between Ridgefield Road and the entrance to the existing shopping center. All vehicular traffic must access the Westbard Shops from Massachusetts Avenue, and all Northbound traffic on Westbard Avenue is now diverted into the shopping center. The sidewalk alongside the newly-closed segment of Westbard remains open.

Ridgefield Road is currently closed between Westbard Avenue and MD-190 River Road for roadway realignment as part of the Westbard Square project. Westbard Square will close the existing Giant once the new grocery store and retail space opens. Next phases of the Westbard Square project, currently projected to be completed in 2027, include townhome and apartment construction.

Paul Stanley, the co-founder, singer, and guitarist of legendary rock band KISS, will be appearing at the Wentworth Gallery at Westfield Montgomery Mall (7101 Democracy Blvd, Bethesda) on Friday, February 24 from 7-9pm. Stanley’s art is currently on display at the gallery and individuals who purchase one of his paintings will have the opportunity to meet him at event.  According to his website, “Paul Stanley creates portraits and abstracts that are emotionally charged compositions. The scale is huge, the paint laid on thickly; the colors have been chosen in order to generate a powerfully physical and emotional effect. Paul’s work can be associated with the Abstract Expressionists of the late 1940’s and 1950’s. He aims to maximize the direct, physical impact of his paintings through scale, texture, color and simplicity of images.” We will post additional details about this event as they are released. Stanley will also be appearing the Wentworth Gallery at Tysons Galleria on Saturday, February 25.

About Wentworth Gallery: “At Wentworth, we define selection not only by bringing you some of the most collected and heralded artists worldwide, but by travelling to the far reaches of the globe in order to introduce you to new artists whose works are sold exclusively through Wentworth Gallery. We carry artists such as Peter Max, Ric Ocasek, Mickey Hart, Rick Allen, Paul Stanley, Michael Cartellone, Brian Wheat, Charles Fazzino, Elena Bond, David Schluss, Michael Godard and Romero Britto.

If you are in the area, please visit one of our many gallery locations. In any one of our galleries, you will find hundreds of works by internationally renowned artists. We also offer our unique Home Show service where we will bring up to 20 works of art to your home or office for a private viewing, within 50 miles of any of our galleries at no charge and no obligation, at a time convenient for you.

At Wentworth, you will find the best selection, the best service, and the best prices. We hope you enjoyed your visit.

Per Westfield Montgomery: Westfield Montgomery is celebrating the Lunar New Year Jan. 22 and 29 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. marking the Chinese New Year with celebrations hosted in partnership with the Chinese Culture and Community Service Center (CCACC). Westfield Montgomery presents a series of well-designed and prepared cultural performances, including traditional dragon and lion dances, artisticdemonstrations, martial arts, and more! Along with these performances, the center has been adorned with festive decorations throughout.

All performances and activities occur in Nordstrom wing of the premiere shopping center, on the lower level; and is open to adults and children alike – no rsvp required.

Additionally, Fangyan (also located in Nordstrom wing) is offering 15% off on Jan. 22 and 29 in celebration of the holiday.

“Westfield Montgomery, in partnership with CCACC, has created two exhilarating celebrations to commemorate the year of the rabbit,” said Zeina Davis, Director of Marketing for Westfield Montgomery. “Collaborating with such important diverse local partners is truly what community means to us – and we hope to bring a sense of this time-honored tradition to the center and all of our customers.”

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About Westfield Montgomery

Westfield Montgomery is a 1.1-million-square-foot flagship shopping center located just minutes from Washington D.C. right off interstate 270 in Montgomery County, Maryland. The center is the retail destination of choice for communities in Bethesda, Potomac, and Chevy Chase and across the wider region. The center is currently home to such top brands such as Nordstrom, Zara, Lululemon, Lilly Pulitzer, Vineyard Vines, Fabletics, Kiehl’s, Sephora, Urban Outfitters, LEGO, J.Jill, Nespresso, Madewell, Stuart Weitzman, Bonobos, Tesla, Tommy Bahama, Apple and the critically acclaimed Lucky Strike gastropub / bowling alley concept. Westfield Montgomery is also home to popular restaurants and eateries like The Cheesecake Factory, Shake Shack and CAVA. Moving into the future, Westfield Montgomery will be transformed from a traditional shopping center into a completely reimagined city center encompassing best-in-class residential, retail, office, co-working, health and wellness, restaurant, entertainment, hotel, and recreational offerings.

Per MCPD: Detectives from the Montgomery County Police – 2nd District Investigative Section are investigating a theft from a delivery vehicle that occurred on Thursday, October 13, 2022, in Bethesda. Detectives are releasing surveillance video of the suspect and are asking for the public’s assistance in identifying him. At approximately 12:08 p.m., 2nd District officers responded to the 7500 block of Old Georgetown Road for the report of a theft from a delivery truck.

The initial investigation has determined that an unknown suspect entered the delivery truck, stole property and left the scene. A citizen witnessed the crime and followed the suspect into the Bethesda Metro Station. When the suspect noticed he was being followed he demanded that the citizen stop and pulled up his sweatshirt, revealing a handgun in his waistband. The suspect then entered a white Lexus and left the scene. The suspect is described as a Black male, approximately 6-feet, 1-inch and weighs 200 pounds. He was wearing a baseball hat, white face mask, a hooded sweatshirt, dark colored pants and gloves.

Anyone with information regarding this suspect or this crime is asked to contact the 2nd District Investigative Section at 240-773-6710 or contact Crime Solvers of Montgomery County toll-free at1-866-411-TIPS (8477). A reward of up to $10,000 is being offered for information that leads to the arrest of the suspects. Callers may remain anonymous.

Police are investigating an automobile theft that occurred Monday afternoon in Bethesda. According to MCPD, “On Monday, January 16, 2023, at approximately 2:03 p.m., MCP officers responded to the CVS Pharmacy in the 6900 block of Arlington Rd. in Bethesda for the report of a stolen vehicle.

The preliminary investigation has revealed that an adult male parked his black 2016 Mercedes sedan in the parking lot of the CVS and left the engine running while he was purchasing items inside the pharmacy.  Moments later, he came out of the pharmacy and observed that his Mercedes had been stolen.”

Australian based jewelry chain Lovisa opens today, January 12, at 11am at Montgomery Mall (7101 Democracy Blvd, Bethesda). According to its website, “We are the fashionable on-trend jewelry specialist. See our latest styles & curated range for every occasion. From earrings, necklaces, rings & more.” The store is located on the lower level of the mall, next to Journey’s.  Additional jewelry stores  in Montgomery Mall include Elite Jewelers, Francesca’s, Gold Palace, Icing, Jewelry Corner, Kay Jewelers, Lilenquist, & Beckstead, and Pandora.  Click here to see a full list of new stores at Montgomery Mall.

About: “Lovisa was created out of a need for on-trend fashion jewelry at ready-to-wear prices. Our trend spotting departments worldwide take inspiration from couture runways and current street style to deliver new, must-have styles to our customers. We are a fashion-forward jewelry brand that caters to every woman, with 150 new styles being delivered to stores each week. We give exceptional customer service and apply our core belief, It’s about you, always to everything we do.”
Feature photo courtesy of Lovisa on Facebook.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CnQ2gRQhwt_/

An overturned vehicle has blocked several lanes of the I270 Spur on Wednesday morning.  According to Chief Spokesperson for Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services Pete Piringer, the collision occurred around 9:30am in the area of Fernwood Rd, prior to Democracy Blvd.  We will post an update when additional information becomes available.
Per mcfrsPIO on Twitter: “Update – SB I 270 Spur IAO under Fernwood Rd Overpass, prior to Democracy Blvd, collision one vehicle flipped on its side, some lanes blocked, @mcfrs  A726, PE726 on scene”

More – SB I270 Spur IAO Fernwood Rd, prior to Democracy Blvd, collision, some lanes blocked pic.twitter.com/NKpT4JAULN

— Pete Piringer (@mcfrsPIO) January 11, 2023

The Montgomery County Department of Transportation is asking residents to share their thoughts on the Bethesda Streetery on Norfolk Ave via an online survey. The Streetery was created in 2020 to allow additional restaurant seating outdoors in downtown Bethesda.  A sample question from the survey can be seen below:
“What is your preference for the future of Norfolk Ave?

• Remove the Streetery and go back to the way it was before.
• Keep the Streetery on Norfolk Avenue as it currently exists.
• Be more ambitious within the current extents (Del Ray Avenue to St. Elmo Avenue), re-envisioning the design to something more permanent.
• Be more ambitious and go beyond the current extents, re-envisioning the design to something more permanent and extending it further along Norfolk Avenue (potentially extending to Rugby Avenue and Woodmont Avenue).”

“The map on this page shows the current extent of the Streetery on Norfolk Avenue in red (between Del Ray Avenue and St Elmo Avenue). The project study area is shown with a dotted black line. The study area extends along Norfolk Avenue from Rugby Avenue to Woodmont Avenue. The study area also includes cross streets, approximately 100 feet in both directions from Norfolk Avenue.”

Per MCDOT: Have you been to the Streetery on Norfolk Avenue between Del Ray Avenue and St. Elmo Avenue in downtown Bethesda? Montgomery County is thinking about the future of this street and wants to hear from you. Please share your thoughts on the online survey so that MCDOT can make informed decisions with our community’s feedback in mind. The survey will take approximately 5 to 10 minutes of your time. Take the online survey at surveymonkey.com/r/PDRZ8K3. For information on MCDOT programs and services visit montgomerycountymd.gov/mcdot, follow @MCDOTNow on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram and subscribe to MCDOT’s “Go Montgomery!” newsletter.

Adonni’s Desserts, a “haven of sweets”, has opened in the Montgomery Mall food terrace. Adonni’s is owned and operated by the people behind Malia’s Kitchen, which opened a location in the food terrace earlier this year. Menu items at Adonni’s include fried Oreos, funnel cake fries, brownies, bread pudding, and an assortment of ice cream and cakes.

About Malia’s Kitchen:
Malia’s Kitchen held the grand opening of its Montgomery Mall location on September 1. Malia’s is located in the space that was previously occupied by Lazzaro’s Authentic Italian Deli and Big Al’s Sub Shop. Malia’s Kitchen serves soul food and seafood, which they describe as the best “homemade” down home cooking in the DMV. Items on their menu includes crab cakes, fried chicken, fried fish, and BBQ.

“My name is Roberta Hillary, I am the Head Chef and Partner of Malia’s Kitchen LLC delivering you the best “homemade” down home cooking in the DMV. After 25 years of cooking and catering it is now to take our delicious food and recipes to patrons and foodies in the Washington Metropolitan area. Malia’s Kitchen has now launched a food truck to service locations in the District and Metropolitan area, our goal is to deliver homestyle soul food with our food truck and full-service catering options. Although our primary focus is lunch & dinner, our team can also be available for corporate breakfast catering via our food truck or catering delivery services.