Friday, March 29, 2013

2 ROBBERIES IN LONG BRANCH - SILVER SPRING/TAKOMA PARK CRIME REPORT, MARCH 23-26

Two robberies took place in the Long Branch area Tuesday, March 26.  The incidents occurred in the 500 block of Domer Avenue, and in the 8400 block of Garland Avenue/500 Clayborn Avenue.

It is not known at this time if the two robberies were related.

Here is a summary of other crimes in the downtown Silver Spring, Long Branch, and Takoma Park areas from March 23-26:

MARCH 23:

Assault. 100 block Ritchie Avenue.

Burglary. 700 block Sligo Avenue.

MARCH 24:

Assault. 8700 block Cameron Street.

Theft. 900 block Ellsworth Drive.

Burglary. 8200 block Georgia Avenue.

Assault. 2200 block Quinton Road.

Theft from vehicle. 100 block Granville Drive.

MARCH 25:

Burglary. 7500 block Maple Avenue.

Theft from vehicle. 8900 block Flower Avenue.

Theft. 9200 block Colesville Road.

Theft. 8500 block Georgia Avenue.

Burglary. 8400 block Georgia Avenue.

Assault. 8600 block 16th Street.

MARCH 26:

Stolen car. 7400 block Wildwood Drive.

Theft from vehicle. 8000 block Eastern Avenue.

Theft. 8500 block Piney Branch Road.

Theft. 00 block Wayne Avenue.

Burglary. 400 block Silver Spring Avenue.

Theft. 800 block Easley Street.

Theft. 7600 block Fenton Street.

Thursday, March 28, 2013

THIEVES PROWLING WHEATON NEIGHBORHOOD - WHEATON/GLENMONT CRIME REPORT, MARCH 22-25

One or more thieves is targeting a Wheaton neighborhood in recent days, seeking items from vehicles.  On March 25, 3 thefts from vehicles occurred in one small area. One was in the 1900 block of Carmody Drive. The other two were on the same street, in the 1300 and 2300 blocks of McMahon Road.

If you live near that area, make sure to lock your vehicle at all times, remove any visible valuables from the cabin, and report suspicious activity to police.

Here is a roundup of other notable crimes in Wheaton and Glenmont from March 22 to 25:

MARCH 22:

Stolen car. 2500 block Weisman Road.

Drug arrest. 2000 block Pritchard Road/1998 Carmody Drive.

MARCH 23:

Theft from vehicle. 2900 block Kingswell Drive.

Disorder. 3300 block Claridge Court.

Disorder. 11600 block Veirs Mill Road.

Drug arrest. 2400 block Reedie Drive.

MARCH 24:

Assault. 10800 block Georgia Avenue.

Disorder. 2300 block Glenmont Circle.

MARCH 25:

Assault. 3000 block Ferndale Street.

Drug arrest. 11100 block Georgia Avenue.

Wednesday, March 27, 2013

CRIME REPORT FOR ASPEN HILL, BEL PRE, CONNECTICUT AVE. ESTATES, LEISURE WORLD, LAYHILL - MARCH 22-24

A theft at Leisure World, and a stolen car in Layhill are 2 notable incidents in this Aspen Hill, Bel Pre, Connecticut Avenue Estates, Leisure World and Layhill crime report for March 22-24, 2013.

MARCH 22:

Theft. 3900 block Aspen Hill Road.

Disorder. 3000 block Bel Pre Road.

Drug arrest. 14300 block Georgia Avenue/4050 Bel Pre Road.

Disorder. 14000 block Georgia Avenue.

Theft from vehicle. 12800 block Bushey Drive.

MARCH 23:

Theft from vehicle. 3600 block Gleneagles Drive, Leisure World.

Stolen car. 14500 block Layhill Road.

Disorder. 3800 block Bel Pre Road.

Disorder. 1800 block Middlebridge Drive.

Disorder. 4700 block Wissahican Avenue.

MARCH 24:

Theft from vehicle. 3600 block Bel Pre Road.

Tuesday, March 26, 2013

CELESTE MEXICAN PIZZA REVIEW (VIDEO)

Celeste has a new, Limited Edition Mexican Pizza for One. I found this at Target. Watch my review.

The pizza has beef and chicken crumbles, diced green and red peppers (the same ones from the Celeste Deluxe Pizza for One), imitation cheddar cheese, and pizza sauce.  This pizza has the standard Celeste thin crust, and includes a microwave crisping disk.

Saturday, March 23, 2013

TASTYKAKE PANCAKE KRIMPETS REVIEW (VIDEO)

Do you like pancakes? Can the pancake experience be shrunk down to a snack cake?

Join me as we find out in this video review of Tastykake Pancake Krimpets!

Friday, March 22, 2013

ASPEN HILL HOME INVASION

Just before 12:46 AM yesterday morning, March 21, two armed intruders invaded a home in the 13000 block of Freeland Road in Aspen Hill.

According to police, the suspects demanded money, and then shot a 14-year-old girl and a 55-year-old man.  They then fled the scene.

Police describe the suspects as two white males, age 20-25, and say they may know the victims, who are recovering from non-life-threatening injuries.

Do you have any information about this incident? Did you hear or see anything strange in the neighborhood that night? Did you see a vehicle driving through the neighborhood around 12:45 AM?

If so, please call police at 240-773-5100, or remain anonymous at 1-866-411-TIPS.

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

WHITE OAK, NEW HAMPSHIRE AVE. AREA CRIME REPORT - SILVER SPRING

A robbery, a stolen car, and a drug bust at Springbrook High School are among the highlights of this March 15-17 crime data roundup from the White Oak and New Hampshire Avenue areas of Silver Spring.

MARCH 15:

Theft. Sears White Oak.

Drug arrest. Springbrook HS.

Burglary. 11300 block Baritone Court.

Assault. 11200 block Lockwood Drive.

MARCH 16:

Burglary. 100 block Colony Road.

Stolen car. 900 block Northampton Drive.

Assault. 9400 block New Hampshire Avenue.

MARCH 17:

Robbery. 1000 block Ruatan Street.

Assault. 11400 block Lockwood Drive.

Drug arrest. 11500 block Stewart Lane.

Theft from vehicle. 1000 block Kathryn Road.

Drug arrest. 11200 block New Hampshire Avenue.

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

SILVER SPRING, LONG BRANCH, TAKOMA PARK CRIME REPORT MARCH 14-16

MARCH 14:

Theft. 7900 block Georgia Ave.

Theft from vehicle. 8700 block Leonard Drive.

Theft from vehicle. 8000 block Eastern Avenue.

MARCH 15:

Theft from vehicle. 1900 block Rosemary Hills Drive.

Assault. 8600 block Colesville Road.

Robbery. 9600 block Merwood Lane.

Drug arrest. 400 block University Boulevard/E. Melbourne Avenue.

Theft. 1100 block Linden Avenue.

Stolen car. 9300 block Piney Branch Road.

Burglary. 1100 block Holton Lane.

Theft from vehicle. 6400 block Kansas Lane.

MARCH 16:

Robbery. 7800 block Kennewick Avenue.

Assault. 8200 block 16th Street.

Theft. 900 block Ellsworth Drive.

Assault. 800 block Bonifant Street/Grove Street.

Assault. 600 block Silver Spring Avenue.

ROBBERY ON BEL PRE ROAD - ASPEN HILL/SILVER SPRING CRIME UPDATE

According to crime data, a robbery took place in the 3700 block of Bel Pre Road Saturday.

More details when they become available.

Monday, March 18, 2013

SEXUAL ASSAULT IN WHEATON, DRUG ARREST AT KENNEDY HS - WHEATON - GLENMONT CRIME REPORT

A sexual assault was reported Wednesday in the Kemp Mill area of Wheaton, according to crime data. A narcotics arrest was made this past Friday at Kennedy High School in Glenmont. And a robbery was reported Thursday on Norlee Drive.

Here is a list of crimes reported to police between March 13-15:

MARCH 13

Sexual assault. 900 block Kenbrook Drive.

Stolen car. 2300 block Blueridge Avenue.

Theft. JC Penney, Wheaton Plaza.

MARCH 14:

Drug arrest. 2400 block Randolph Road.

Theft. 11400 block Georgia Avenue.

Drug arrest. 12000 block Dalewood Drive.

Drug arrest. 11000 block Amherst Avenue/Pritchard Road.

Robbery. 11100 block Norlee Drive.

MARCH 15:

Drug arrest. 11100 block Veirs Mill Road.

Drug arrest. Kennedy HS.

Saturday, March 16, 2013

ST. PATRICK'S DAY IN WHEATON AND GLENMONT

Where to go on St. Patrick's Day in the Wheaton-Glenmont area?

The Limerick Pub has to be the top choice.

On St. Patrick's Day, they'll be serving Kegs and Eggs from 9 AM to 12 PM. But all this weekend, they're having live music, raffles, giveaways, and food and drink specials.

Tonight's musical guest will be White Loafer.

Other places to check out are:

The Royal Mile Pub in Wheaton.

Stained Glass Pub in Glenmont, at 12510 Layhill Rd.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Friday, March 15, 2013

CRIME REPORT FOR ASPEN HILL, BEL PRE, CONNECTICUT AVENUE ESTATES, LAYHILL, LEISURE WORLD

A robbery, a stolen car, drug busts, and lots of disorderly people, jump off the rap sheet for March 8-11 in Aspen Hill, Bel Pre, Connecticut Avenue Estates, Layhill and Leisure World.

And there really were "no rules" at Outback Steakhouse during a disorderly conduct episode.

March 8

Drug arrest. XX Valleyfield Court.

Disorder. 2200 block Bel Pre Road.

Drug arrest. 1440 block Homecrest Rd./3050 Bel Pre Road.

March 9

Theft. 13700 block Connecticut Avenue.

Disorder. 3200 block Hewitt Avenue.

Disorder. 14800 block Village Gate Drive.

Disorder. 14200 block Grand Pre Road.

Disorder. Outback Steakhouse.

March 10

Theft from vehicle. 3900 block Peppertree lane.

Disorder. 14900 block Habersham Circle.

Disorder. 3600 block Pear Tree Court.

Disorder. 1310 block Superior Street.

Disorder.  12900 block Goodhill Road.

March 11:

Stolen car. 3300 block Weeping Wiilow Court.

Robbery. 3800 block Aspen Hill Road.

Disorder. 13800 block Georgia Avenue.

Disorder. 13500 block Georgia Avenue.

Drug arrest. 3900 block Bel Pre Road.

Theft from vehicle. 3800 block International Drive.

Thursday, March 14, 2013

MCDONALD'S MCWRAP REVIEW (VIDEO)

Montgomery County is one of the first places in America to get the product launch of McDonald's new McWrap menu item.  Click here for an in-depth review of the McDonald's McWrap!

The McWrap comes with your choice of grilled or crispy chicken. There are 3 variations: Chicken and Bacon, Sweet Chili Chicken, and Chicken and Ranch.

Sweet Chili sounded the most unique, so I decided to get that first.

Watch my review for all the details, and my final verdict. You'll also find out about the McWrap packaging, which is not only different, but highly functional.

Wednesday, March 13, 2013

CHEETOS MIX-UPS XTRA CHEEZY MIX REVIEW (VIDEO)

There's been another mix-up at the Frito-Lay factory, and I suspect Chester Cheetah had something to do with it!

The result is Cheetos Mix-Ups Xtra Cheezy Mix, and here is my review.

Monday, March 11, 2013

SILVER SPRING - TAKOMA PARK CRIME REPORT

March 5:

Burglary. 7200 block Cedar Avenue.

Assault. 700 block Sligo Avenue.

Assault. Silver Spring Metro station.

Assault/"other sexual offense." 8700 block Carroll Avenue.

Theft. 2100 block Forest Glen Road.

Theft. 10200 block Calumet Road.

March 6:

Disorder. Whole Foods, 833 Wayne Avenue.

Robbery. 7800 block Kennewick Avenue.

Theft. 9300 block New Hampshire Avenue.

March 7:

Burglary. 12300 block Galway Avenue.

Assault. 10200 block New Hampshire Avenue.

Assault/"other sexual offense." 200 block University Boulevard E.

Burglary. 700 block Ludlow Street.

Stolen car. 7400 block Holly Avenue.

Burglary. 7400 block Hancock Avenue.

Disorder.  Fenton Street Greyhound Bus terminal.

Disorder. Red Lobster. 8533 Georgia Avenue.

Theft from vehicle. 1400 block Dale Drive.

Stolen car. 9900 block Dameron Drive.

Theft from vehicle. 900 block Robin Road.

March 8:

Burglary. 7000 block Carroll Avenue.

Theft. 8600 block 2nd Avenue.

Theft. 900 block Wayne Avenue.

Stolen car. 8300 block Greenwood Avenue.

Robbery. 2800 block Duvall Road.

Assault. 7600 block Carroll Avenue.

Burglary. 700 block Northwest Drive.

Sunday, March 10, 2013

WHEATON-GLENMONT CRIME REPORT, ROBBERY IN BEL PRE

A robbery was reported in the 3700 block of Bel Pre Road on Thursday, March 7.  The same day/night, thefts occurred in Aspen Hill in the 14100 block of Georgia Avenue and 4100 block of Aspen Hill Road.

Disorderly conduct was reported in Glenmont at Staples, and in the 2300 block of Glenmont Circle.

Meanwhile, here is a list of crimes reported in Wheaton and Glenmont:

Tuesday, March 5:

Disorder. 11500 block Amherst Avenue.

Disorder. 1500 block Ladd Street.

Wednesday, March 6:

Disorder. 11400 Amherst Avenue.

Thursday, March 7:

Theft. 2400 block Hickerson Drive.

Theft. 14100 block Georgia Avenue.

Theft from vehicle. 900 block Clintwood Drive.

Theft. 11100 block Veirs Mill Road.

Assault. Wendy's. Wheaton.

Theft.  11100 block Veirs Mill Road.

Theft. 10900 block of Amherst Avenue.

Drug arrest. 10800 block Georgia Avenue.

Saturday, March 9, 2013

RASH OF BURGLARIES IN ASPEN HILL, ASSAULT AT KENNEDY HIGH SCHOOL - CRIME REPORT

Aspen Hill residents may want to double check their door locks.  Three burglaries occurred in that area, not too far apart, this past Tuesday.  It could mean one or more burglars are casing the neighborhood.

An assault was reported at Kennedy HS a day earlier. And a car was stolen on Georgia Avenue that day, as well.

Here is a list of reported crimes in Aspen Hill, Bel Pre and Glenmont between March 3 and 6.

Sunday, March 3:

Disorder. 4600 block Dabney Drive.

Theft. 3100 block Hewitt Avenue.

Assault. 4300 block Elizabeth Street.

Monday, March 4:

Stolen car. 14300 block Georgia Avenue.

Theft. Kohl's Aspen Hill.

Assault. Kennedy HS.

Assault. 13800 Parkland Drive.

Burglary. 2500 block Glenallen Ave.

Tuesday, March 5:

Burglary. 13100 block Valleywood Drive.

Assault. 14200 block Wolf Creek Place.

Burglary. 4000 block Postgate Terrace.

Burglary. 14000 block Bardot Street.

Theft from vehicle. Mid-County Recreation Center.

Drug arrest. 2400 block Jones Lane.

Wednesday, March 6:

Disorder. 3700 block Bel Pre Road.

Drug arrest. 4500 block Grenoble Court.

Friday, March 8, 2013

TACO BELL COOL RANCH DORITOS TACO REVIEW (VIDEO)

It finally happened: the biggest fast food product launch of 2013, the new Taco Bell Cool Ranch Doritos Taco!

How does it rate? How much Cool Ranch is on there, anyway? Watch my video review, and all of your questions will be answered!

Thursday, March 7, 2013

PEDESTRIAN STRUCK ON COLESVILLE ROAD NEAR DOWNTOWN SILVER SPRING

John Skelton Williams of Silver Spring was struck while crossing Colesville Road just north of Noyes Drive this morning around 9:30 AM.

He was transported to Suburban Hospital with life-threatening injuries, according to Montgomery County Police.

Police say he was struck by a silver Honda Accord driven by Dennis Stewart, of Columbia. Mr. Stewart has not been declared at fault yet, and police are investigating.

If you witnessed the accident, police would appreciate your help in reconstructing what happened.

Please call 240-773-6620. You can remain anonymous if you wish.

DO YOU RECOGNIZE THESE DOWNTOWN SILVER SPRING ROBBERY SUSPECTS? (PHOTOS)

Montgomery County Police are asking for the public's help in locating the three suspects pictured below, in connection with strong-arm robberies near the intersection of Colesville Road and East-West Highway, on January 16 and 17, 2013.

The three were described by victims as black males between 25 and 30 years of age. One wore a black hoodie jacket, and another, a tan jacket, and a mustache.

Anyone with information about these robberies, or the suspects involved, is asked to call the 3rd District Investigative Section at 301-565-5835. Those who wish to remain anonymous may call Crime Solvers of Montgomery County toll-free at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477).

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

TREE FALLS ON CAR IN SILVER SPRING, ONE HURT (PHOTO)

A tree fell on an occupied vehicle this afternoon on New Castle Drive in Silver Spring.  One passenger was transported to an unspecified hospital with minor injuries, according to Scott Graham, MCFRS Public Information Officer.

Here is a Montgomery County Police photo from the scene:

CHEVY CHASE LAKE SECTOR PLAN HAS AFFORDABLE HOUSING LOSS SIMILAR TO WHEATON, GLENMONT, SILVER SPRING PLANS

Montgomery County's elected officials continue to say one thing, and do quite another, when it comes to affordable housing.

One myth postulated by developer-backed "smart growth" advocates and politicians, is that this form of planning will generate affordable housing. But in practice, Montgomery's smart growth sector plan and zoning rewrites do the opposite.

You may recall that, a few months ago, the County Council and Planning Board endorsed demolition of hundreds of relatively-affordable housing units on Battery Lane in Bethesda. In return, the county will get a handful of MPDUs it will control.

This pattern is repeating itself all over lower Montgomery County.

The typical ratio is anywhere from 10-20 moderately-priced units generated for every 100+ apartments demolished.

Just do the math.

The latest example came up at last night's public hearing on the Chevy Chase Lake sector plan before the County Council.

While the loss of affordable units in Chevy Chase Lake will be far less than in Wheaton or Glenmont, due to its smaller land area, the unnecessary inclusion of existing housing in the plan is reminiscent of those two rewrites.

Newdale Mews is - relative to usual Chevy Chase living costs - an affordable apartment complex.  Rents start around $1300-1400.  The apartments are not brand new by any means. But that doesn't mean they cannot be renovated.

But should the sector plan pass as-is, Newdale Mews will be demolished, and replaced by luxury apartments for the rich.  According to nearby homeowner Jeff Rule, who testified against the plan last night, only 10-12 MPDUs would be in the new luxury complex.

Again, do the math.

I'm still trying to do the math for the current Glenmont sector plan rewrite. With the exception of the plan to tear down the beautifully-landscaped Privacy World apartments - which has such an overkill of new units planned (1000+!), it could possibly equal the number of affordable units destroyed - several other apartment complexes have been explicitly targeted by planners for demolition.

Why?

Developer greed.

When I testified before the council last year against the zoning changes in downtown Wheaton, I presented an alternative plan.  One that would exempt existing affordable housing, and shopping centers with small businesses (many with Asian or Latino owners), from rezoning.

Instead, I suggested, limit rezoning to properties where the business owner also owns the land.  That way, struggling folks don't get forced out of their homes and shops by landlords who want to cash in on the new zoning.

The bottom-line question was, if you don't mean for these apartment buildings to be demolished, and the occupants tossed out on the street, why in the world would you apply the new zoning to them?

But, predictably, the council went ahead anyway.  They're also going to give a small fortune to a construction company, to build a completely-unnecessary government building on the current parking for Wheaton Triangle businesses. With parking difficult, customers will be turned away. And that means that - guess what? - more shops go out of business. It's an ingenious plan to speed redevelopment of the Wheaton Triangle shopping centers at the expense of taxpayers, and business owners.

And how about affordable housing? Not to long ago, I heard that a plan is coming forward to redevelop the Ambassador apartments. That is one of the affordable apartment buildings I referred to in my testimony. No one is saying it's the Ritz Carlton. But where are those folks going to go?

And which building is next?

Even an affordable complex dedicated by Eleanor Roosevelt herself, on the edge of downtown Silver Spring, is now facing the wrecking ball. What would she say about that? Don't worry, a developer could probably give a smart aleck answer that would be favorable to new development. Save it for the Planning Board.

Problems in development-crazed Washington, DC, are giving us a glimpse of Montgomery County's future, should we continue on this path.

A spike in the number of DC residents, including hundreds of children, trying to get into homeless shelters. Others are moving to Prince Georges County. Recent news stories have cited the loss of affordable housing as the primary cause of the surge.

Meanwhile, unit after unit of affordable housing is demolished in DC, and replaced by luxury apartments. Wealthy politicians, developers and residents lecture us on the success of "vibrant, walkable, smart growth" redevelopment.

Sound familiar?

SILVER SPRING, WHEATON, GLENMONT SNOW UPDATE - WINTER STORM SATURN

Well, so far the weather experts have been dead wrong on Winter Storm Saturn. Rain starting at 5 PM yesterday? Never happened. 1-3" of snow last night? Nope. Now they're telling us the worst is still to come today. I don't have much faith in these "experts."

Roads are slick but quite passable at this hour.

Schools and the federal government are closed. The Maryland state government is on liberal leave.

Almost all Metrobus routes are running, but some are on "limited" schedules. That means more waiting than usual at bus stops.

Forecast remains the same, with snow accumulation of 5-6" by tomorrow, while other models say anywhere from 3-12".

Stay tuned here and at @SilverSprung and @WheatonGlenmont on Twitter for updates.

Tuesday, March 5, 2013

NEW GIANT SMARTPHONE APP ALLOWS YOU TO SELF-CHECKOUT WITH YOUR iPhone OR ANDROID PHONE (PHOTOS)

Grocery shopping just got faster and easier at Giant.

Giant has a new smartphone app for iPhone and Android that can replace the self-scanner device you may have used in the store previously.

The Scan-It Giant app helps you with your shopping list, scans each item via your smartphone camera, and then checks you out when you're done.  Best of all, app users get special deals beyond the sales and Bonus Card prices.

The service is currently available at Giant stores in Aspen Hill, Burtonsville, Colesville and White Oak. More East County locations will be added over time.

HOW MANY INCHES OF SNOW WILL SILVER SPRING, WHEATON GET FROM WINTER STORM SATURN?

Silver Spring, Wheaton, and all of the East County are under a Winter Storm Watch right now. The sun is shining, but there's a wintry chill in the air.

Winter Storm Saturn is on its way to the DC area.

How many inches of snow will end up falling on eastern Montgomery County tonight and on Wednesday?

The average prediction is 5-6 inches. Some forecasters say it could be as many as 8-12.

But here's an intriguing prediction: the now-famous Euro Model is saying the DC area will receive a 1-3" accumulation. This contradicts the majority of forecasts. Yet it is intriguing because the Euro Model was dead-right about the hurricane last fall.

The fact is, nobody knows. But conditions are right for up to a foot of snow.  And it is supposed to be a wet, heavy snow. That means more effort to shovel and plow for humans and machines.

Even though the Euro Model sounds unlikely, you can't rule out the data from a model that has been accurate so many times.

The fact that temperatures will rise above freezing on Wednesday could certainly reduce the potential total accumulation.

But that ice and slush will freeze solid after dark again, so watch out.

Today, expect light showers by 5:00 PM, changing over to snow after dark.  Accumulation of 1-2" possible tonight. Winds gusting to 30 MPH.

Wednesday, heavy showers and heavy snow. Accumulation of 5-12" possible through Thursday morning. Winds will gust to 35 MPH. Visibility could be affected if snowfall is heavy, due to winds.

Metro and Metrobus are total wildcards in recent years, in contrast to their past practice of operation during all but the worst snows in prior decades.

Stay tuned here and at @SilverSprung and @WheatonGlenmont on Twitter for updates throughout the storm!

Monday, March 4, 2013

CRIME REPORT FOR WHEATON-GLENMONT AREA

Disorderly customers at the MVA in Glenmont and at Wendy's in Wheaton, a stolen car, and an assault at Einstein HS are among crimes reported between February 26 and March 1, 2013.

February 26:

Disorder. 12400 block Georgia Avenue.

Theft. 2300 block University Boulevard W.

Theft from vehicle. XX Hugo Court.

Theft. 4D. 2300 block Randolph Road.

February 27:

Disorder. MVA Express, Glenmont.

Assault. 2800 block Schoolhouse Circle.

Drug arrest. 11300 block College View Drive.

Theft. Macy's Wheaton Plaza.

February 28:

Robbery. 2700 block Munson Street.

Disorder. 12500 block Winexburg Manor Drive.

Disorder. 12700 block Layhill Road.

Disorder. 11300 block Grandview Avenue.

Disorder. Wendy's downtown Wheaton.

Theft. 11100 block Veirs Mill Road.

March 1:

Stolen car. 12700 block Holdridge Road.

Assault. Einstein HS.

Disorder. 11300 block Georgia Avenue.

Disorder. 11200 block Georgia Avenue.

Liquor arrest. Parking Lot 13.

SILVER SPRING ROBBERY ROUNDUP

The following robberies were reported between February 27-March 1 around Silver Spring:

February 27:
12800 block of New Hampshire Avenue.

February 28:
Piney Branch ES, 7510 Maple Avenue.

March 1:
14200 block of Pear Tree Lane.

Sunday, March 3, 2013

CRIME REPORT FOR ASPEN HILL, BEL PRE, LEISURE WORLD, GLENMONT AND LAYHILL

Here is a list of crimes reported to Montgomery County Police between February 25-27, 2013 in the Aspen Hill/Leisure World/Bel Pre/Layhill area:

Thursday, February 25:

Theft from vehicle. 14000 block Castaway Drive.

Theft. 14600 block Bauer Drive.

Theft from vehicle. 4000 block Peppertree Lane.

Theft from vehicle. 4000 block Postgate Terrace.

Theft. 14000 block Georgia Avenue.

Friday, February 26:

Drug arrest. 3200 block Whispering Pines Drive.

Assault.  3300 block Beaverwood Lane.

Theft. 3400 block Hewitt Avenue.

Burglary. 3000 block Hewitt Avenue.

Theft from vehicle. 13800 block Vintage Lane.

Drug arrest. 14200 block Layhill Road.

Robbery. 2200 block Bel Pre Road.

Burglary. 14200 block North Gate Drive.

Saturday, February 27:

Assault. 3800 block Tynewick Drive.

Assault. 14500 block Macbeth Drive.

Assault. 12900 block Margot Drive.

Disorder. 13500 block Georgia Avenue.

Theft from vehicle. 2800 block Vixen Lane.

Saturday, March 2, 2013

CHEETOS MIX-UPS CHEEZY SALSA MIX REVIEW (VIDEO)

There's been a mix-up at the Cheetos factory, but Chester Cheetah isn't complaining.  That's because the result is new Cheetos Mix-Ups Cheezy Salsa Mix! How hot is it? How do they rate? Watch my video review to find out.

Bags of this just arrived at Giant this week.

Friday, March 1, 2013

POLICE LOCATE MISSING LEISURE WORLD MAN

Arthur Dixon is safe and sound. The Leisure World resident was found in North Carolina this morning, Montgomery County Police report.

Dixon had gone missing last night, and police had issued a Silver Alert.

GLENMONT PRIVACY WORLD MEMORIES

I found this nostalgic recollection of life in Glenmont in the late 1960s posted as a reply to a comment on an apartment rating website.

It's kind of going to waste hidden on there, so I thought I would share it here.

The author is anonymous, but what a great example of the negative impact developer-control of politics has wrought in Montgomery County.  Sure, the only constant is change in this world.

But the changes we've experienced over the last decade in the county, in regards to planning and development, are contrary to the more responsible planning and development practices of the past. I'm referring not only to the failure to build roads to support that development, but also the attempt to apply city density to bedroom communities and rural areas, like Glenmont, Wheaton, Olney and "Science City."

Here now is one man's story from the early years of Glenmont.  A time when developers could build affordable housing for working families that took advantage of suburban green space, and trees.  A more promising time, one we can recapture again simply by adopting a responsible growth policy in Montgomery County:

"In the 1960's, Privacy World was known as the Glenmont Park Apartments. In 1966, my family moved into a two bedroom apartment at the back of the community. We were the first tenant in the apartment. Everything was new.

There were woods on the other side of the parking lot. Metro did not exist. The woods stretched back a great distance. I once saw a black bear and a cub in those woods. There was a swimming pool next to the office. I took lessons and learned to swim there. I played basketball on a basketball hoop that was mounted on the outside wall of a party room building that was located next to the office. I think the pool and the party room building are long gone.

I remember walking down Georgia Ave to the 7-11 to buy baseball cards with my allowance. On the way, I would sometimes look at the cars in the showroom of the Dodge dealer. They once had a Superbird with a huge airfoil on the back. All the car makers had cool muscle cars in that era.

As a treat, my parents occasionally would give me money to by myself dinner at KFC. Back then, nobody worried about the safety of children traveling around by themselves. There were other kids my age to play sports with after school. We road a school bus to Georgian Forest Elementary School.

I remember teenagers wearing peace signs around their neck. Some tenants had relatives serving in Vietnam. They were often tense or emotional when the TV news reported the war. On July 4th, you could see the fireworks from the balconies of the tenants on the upper floor in the front of the building.

The apartment was nice. We were on the second floor. Our balcony faced out on a small stand of trees growing around the creek that was formed from the runoff from the storm water sewer pipe. My younger brother got his head stuck between the railing bars on the balcony. A fireman freed him.

My brother and I shared a bedroom. Our bathroom had two sinks, which was convenient. There was a den off of the living room. My brother and I kept our toys in it. I set up my Hot Wheels track in the living room and a friend and I raced our toy cars. The apartment seemed big, but I was young. The kitchen had a neat passthrough/bar that we used to eat our breakfast.

There was a lot of open space between buildings, a lot more than a developer would leave today. My father played baseball with me in one of those areas. He also taught me to ride a bike when we lived there. During the summer, the Good Humor man came through at night. I was always sad when the summer came to an end and I had to go back to school. When I ate the last ice cream bar of the season from the Good Humor man on the night before the new school year began, it was a little sad and sweet at the same time.

In 1970, when I was nine years old, we moved to a new single family house in Rockville. It was not until decades later that I visited the complex again and took a look around. I recall the apartment complex as a nice place. But a lot changes in forty years. And I no longer see things through the eyes of a child.

I hope others enjoy living there. A lot of that depends on how you choose to look at things and what you are focusing on in your life."

I enjoyed this story, and thought readers might, as well. The primary reason any existing apartment or retail complex has declined in varying degrees, is the temptation developer-beholden politicians have dangled of unlimited, mixed-use redevelopment of said properties.  Period.  There's no good reason to pave over the entire county, just for easy developer profit,  when more sustainable, greener suburban development can provide a better quality of life. As it has previously in Glenmont.

POLICE: LEISURE WORLD RESIDENT MISSING (PHOTO)

Montgomery County Police detectives are asking the public's help in locating a missing Leisure World resident.

Arthur Lee Dixon was last heard from in a phone conversation around 7:00 PM last night. During that conversation, Dixon said he was about to drive to his son's residence in Clinton, MD to visit his son. But he never arrived, and is now considered a missing person.

Dixon is 84-years-old, 150 pounds, with glasses and graying dark hair. Police say he may be wearing a jogging suit and hat.

Dixon's vehicle is described as a gold, 2003 Cadillac, with Maryland tag 1ELP14.

If you find Mr. Dixon, or have any information regarding his whereabouts, or just think you may have seen that Cadillac, please call police at 301-279-8000.  If the situation is an emergency, use 911, obviously.