Sunday, August 31, 2014

ROBBERY AT ANNE ST./GLENSIDE DR., 4 CARS STOLEN IN SILVER SPRING + MORE - SILVER SPRING/WHEATON CRIME UPDATE

Here's a roundup of crimes reported across eastern Montgomery County on August 28, according to crime data:

Assault. 3600 block Pear Tree Court at 10:00 PM (Aspen Hill/Bel Pre).

Stolen car. 3600 block Pear Tree Court.

Theft from vehicle. 3700 block Bel Pre Road (Aspen Hill).

Assault. 14000 block Georgia Avenue (Aspen Hill).

Theft from vehicle. 13800 block Connecticut Avenue (Aspen Hill).

Theft from vehicle. 13500 block Connecticut Avenue.

Theft. 3900 block Aspen Hill Road.

Burglary. 3300 block May Street (Aspen Hill).

Assault. 11000 block Veirs Mill Road (Wheaton).

"Other sexual offense." 10900 block New Hampshire Avenue (White Oak).

Burglary. 3400 block Robey Terrace (Fairland).

Robbery. Anne Street at Glenside Drive.

Stolen car. 8100 block Piney Branch Road.

Stolen car. 800 block Sligo Avenue.

Stolen car. 1100 block East-West Highway.

Saturday, August 30, 2014

ROBBERY IN ASPEN HILL, STOLEN CAR ON 16TH ST. + MORE - SILVER SPRING/WHEATON CRIME UPDATE

Here's a roundup of crimes reported across eastern Montgomery County on August 27, according to crime data:

Robbery. 3000 block Hewitt Avenue (Aspen Hill).

Burglary. 12700 block Flack Street (Glenmont).

Theft from vehicle. 11300 block Georgia Avenue.

Theft. 11100 block Veirs Mill Road.

Burglary. 11200 block Oak Leaf Drive.

Assault. 11500 block February Circle.

Assault. 1900 block Rosemary Hills Drive.

Burglary. 8700 block 1st Avenue.

Stolen car. 8200 block 16th Street.

Friday, August 29, 2014

SEXUAL ASSAULT IN GLENMONT, STOLEN CAR ON OSBORN DR., ASPEN HILL ASSAULT - SILVER SPRING/WHEATON CRIME UPDATE

Here's a roundup of crimes reported across eastern Montgomery County on August 26, according to crime data:

Theft. 14000 block Georgia Avenue (Aspen Hill).

Assault. 3100 block Helsel Drive (Aspen Hill).

Sexual assault. 2300 block Randolph Road at 2:45 PM (Glenmont).

Theft. 2300 block Price Avenue (Wheaton).

Theft. 1300 block Lamberton Drive (Wheaton).

Theft. 1000 block Tanley Road (White Oak).

Burglary. 12800 block Ruxton Road (Fairland).

Theft. 10900 block New Hampshire Avenue (White Oak).

Burglary. 400 block University Boulevard East.

Assault. 600 block University Boulevard E.

Burglary. 8500 block Piney Branch Road.

Stolen car. 2000 block Osborn Drive (Montgomery Hills area).

Thursday, August 28, 2014

ROBBERY IN WHITE OAK, STOLEN CAR IN WHEATON + MORE - SILVER SPRING/WHEATON CRIME UPDATE

Here's a roundup of crimes reported across eastern Montgomery County on August 25, according to crime data:

Assault. 11200 block Georgia Avenue (Wheaton).

Theft. 10900 block Georgia Avenue (Wheaton).

Stolen car. 1100 block University Boulevard W. (Wheaton).

Robbery. 11300 block Lockwood Drive (White Oak).

Theft from vehicle. 9300 block Caroline Avenue.

Assault. 8600 block Cameron Street.

Burglary. 1500 block W. Falkland Lane.

Theft. 7400 block Hancock Avenue (Takoma Park).

Wednesday, August 27, 2014

CAR STOLEN IN ASPEN HILL, ROBBERY ON CASTLE BLVD. + MORE - SILVER SPRING/WHEATON CRIME UPDATE

Here's a roundup of crimes reported across eastern Montgomery County on August 24, according to crime data:

Stolen car. 4300 block Aspen Hill Road.

Burglary. 2500 block Urbana Drive (Glenmont).

Burglary. 900 block Clintwood Drive (Kemp Mill).

Assault. Amherst Avenue at University Boulevard (Wheaton).

Stolen car. 11000 block Easecrest Drive (Wheaton).

Assault. 1900 block Briggs Chaney Road.

Robbery. 13900 block Castle Boulevard (Fairland/Edgewood).

Assault. 11500 block Lockwood Drive (White Oak).

Burglary. 11400 block July Drive (White Oak).

Assault. 8900 block Kimes Street.

Assault. 900 block Thayer Avenue.

Burglary. 8600 block Lanier Drive.

Tuesday, August 26, 2014

BLAZE PIZZA REVIEW (VIDEO)

The new Blaze Pizza at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda opened last Thursday, and now you can watch my video review of the pizza. I also tested out their dessert specialty, the S'mores Pie.

For testing purposes, I usually stick to a cheese pizza to better analyze the sauce and crust. That was the case at Blaze Pizza, where I ordered the Classic Red Sauce and a combination of mozzarella and Gorgonzola cheese. The Gorgonzola did seem to go quite well with the flavor of the red sauce, so I would strongly recommend it. You can select whatever toppings you like, as you will see in the video, which shows you the ordering process. As you'll see in my complete video review, there is a nice char on the bottom of the crust.



The S'mores Pie has a nice twist here, replacing the standard graham crackers with McVitie's Biscuits from England. Prince William would approve. Also, I recommend you ask to have your S'mores Pie put into the open fire oven for a more authentic campfire s'mores experience.
That's not a bite out
of the S'mores Pie; I
dropped it on the floor
(it was in a wrapper,
fortunately), and
a piece of the biscuit
snapped off

The S'mores Pie has Hershey's
Chocolate, my favorite

Blaze Pizza has a convenient location, right inside the entrance of the Old Navy wing, across from Aroma Espresso Bar. Like Aroma, Blaze Pizza will have an outdoor patio. That wasn't open yet Wednesday, but the modestly-sized dining room seemed comfortable. You can also see the pizzas going into the roaring fires of the oven from the dining area. Service was excellent, particularly considering it was a soft opening.




Monday, August 25, 2014

COUNTY EXECUTIVE CANDIDATE CALLS FOR SILVER SPRING TRANSIT CENTER INVESTIGATION

Jim Shalleck, the Republican candidate for Montgomery County Executive, has released a statement calling for a federal investigation of the Silver Spring Transit Center debacle. With the budget-busting $120 million project still nowhere near opening, Shalleck also called on County Council President Craig Rice to hold hearings on the matter.

State's Attorney John McCarthy and U.S. Attorney Rod Rosenstein should examine how the contracts for the project were awarded and executed, Shalleck said.

"Where is the accountability for this disastrous project that is now years behind schedule and millions of dollars over budget?" Shalleck asked in his press release.

A "fix" is underway for major structural issues at the hulking concrete site, but even the parties involved disagree as to whether that fix will render the building safe for buses and patrons - or possibly make it even worse.

Photo via Jim Shalleck for County Executive

Sunday, August 24, 2014

SUBURBAN COMEBACK: SFH SALES UP 2.7% WHILE CONDO SALES STAY FLAT

The rumors of the suburban apocalypse were greatly exaggerated. Just two months after data showed more people again moving to the suburbs than to urban cities, sales of condos are being outpaced by single-family homes.

According to the National Association of Realtors, condo sales were flat last month, unchanged from the previous month. During the same period, single-family home sales rose by 2.7%, USA Today reported Friday. Southern and western states recorded the highest number of home sales, while the northeast had no growth over the previous month.

Apparently many Americans are still fond of trees, lawns and backyard barbecues.

Saturday, August 23, 2014

ROBBERY IN ASPEN HILL, SEXUAL ASSAULT IN WHEATON + MORE - SILVER SPRING/WHEATON CRIME UPDATE

Here's a roundup of crimes reported across eastern Montgomery County on August 20, according to crime data:

Robbery. 3500 block Pear Tree Court (Aspen Hill/Bel Pre).

Theft. 3800 block Palmira Lane (Aspen Hill/Harmony Hills).

Assault. 3100 block Kayson Street (Aspen Hill).

Assault. 14400 block Bonifant Park Place (Layhill area).

Theft. 1500 block Ingram Terrace (Glenmont).

Sexual assault. 2200 block Reedie Drive (Wheaton).

Burglary. 11400 block Columbia Pike (White Oak).

Theft from vehicle. 11400 block Stewart Lane (White Oak).

Assault. Cameron Street and Georgia Avenue.

Burglary. 8800 block Piney Branch Road.

Friday, August 22, 2014

SEXUAL ASSAULTS IN ASPEN HILL, SILVER SPRING + MORE - SILVER SPRING/WHEATON CRIME REPORT

Here's a roundup of crimes reported across eastern Montgomery County on August 19, according to crime data:

Theft from vehicle. 13900 block Connecticut Avenue.

Sexual assault. 12600 block Parkland Drive (Aspen Hill).

Assault. 2300 block Randolph Road (Glenmont).

Theft. 2200 block Randolph Road (Glenmont).

Assault. 2300 block Arcola Avenue (Wheaton).

Theft. 11700 block Georgia Avenue.

Assault. 11200 block Georgia Avenue (Wheaton).

Assault. 10600 block Tenbrook Drive.

Assault. 1500 block Forest Glen Road.

Assault. 8400 block Colesville Road.

Sexual assault. 8200 block Dixon Avenue.

Assault. 2300 block Colston Drive.

Burglary. 2300 block Flower Avenue (Long Branch).

Stolen car. 2300 block University Boulevard.

Thursday, August 21, 2014

ARCLIGHT CINEMAS HARD HAT TOUR AT WESTFIELD MONTGOMERY MALL (VIDEO+PHOTOS)

Join me for a behind-the-scenes VIP hard hat tour of the future ArcLight Cinemas, and new Dining Terrace, at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. The sleek, modern dining terrace is just about finished, and the cineplex will open in late October.

It's a refreshing change to be reporting on a movie theater under construction, rather than theaters being demolished in the past (or, potentially, in the future, in the case of the Regal Cinemas in downtown Bethesda).
Eric Howard of Westfield Corporation
The future Valet station is in
the background

To the left is one of several
trees that balance the
modern architecture with
an organic element

Ultimately, the new cineplex/dining terrace addition is the most prominent manifestation of Westfield's $90 million upgrade of Montgomery Mall. While White Flint Mall's owners chose to pull the plug on their successful indoor mall to gamble on an urban, "town center" concept, Westfield went in the opposite direction, bringing Montgomery Mall up to the standards of its California properties.

As Westfield representatives explained during a press conference and hard hat tour yesterday, dining and entertainment are the prime catalysts for success in a competitive market like the Washington, D.C. area. Westfield Montgomery had been a runner-up to regional giant Tysons Corner for many years, with the latter boasting more - and more upscale - dining options and a far more ambitious multiplex theater.
Westfield Montgomery Marketing
Manager Diego Gonzalez-Zuniga

Gonzalez-Zuniga described
the ArcLight/Dining Terrace
addition as "the new front
door" of the mall

It's amazing what 18 months and $90 million can do. Westfield Montgomery has pulled just about even with Tysons in dining options, with new and future tenants like The Cheesecake Factory, Lobster ME, MET Bethesda, CRAVE, and Naples 45. If you consider that the last time I was at the movies at Tysons, the theater seats were stained with holes in the cushions, I would argue that a buzzworthy replacement for Legal Sea Foods could put Westfield Montgomery ahead of Tysons by a nose.
Ted Xenohristos, founder of Cava Mezze
Restaurant Group, said the chain's new
Dining Terrace location will have
several new features, including a
wood stone oven for housemade pita,
and local craft beer and wines on tap

That potential was only made possible by the 16-screen ArcLight Cinemas and the signing of many new upscale retail tenants like Lilly Pulitzer and True Religion. Some other longstanding complaints were addressed during this period, including closing the "Starbucks gap" when Westfield finally got the coffee chain on board. It also made sure that smaller dining tenants were unique, such as Dumpling Dojo, Wicked Waffle and Aroma Espresso Bar.
Zach Sussman of CRAVE Restaurants
says CRAVE takes sushi seriously

Along with the bigger full-service restaurants coming in the months ahead, these dining options were definitely not the standard food court offerings of average malls in the past. That's one reason Westfield Montgomery's food court is now called a Dining Terrace, not a food court.
The spectacular view from the
upper level in the Dining Terrace

Sarku Japan's sushi bar is
a centerpiece in the new
dining palace

The escalator that will bring patrons
up to more dining options, and the
ArcLight Cinemas

At yesterday's press conference, representatives of Cava Grill, Lobster ME, Blaze Pizza, CRAVE and MET Bethesda offered a preview of the menus and unique aspects of their respective restaurants. In the case of Lobster ME and Blaze Pizza, there was actually food to sample (stay tuned for a separate report on Blaze Pizza).
Gretchen McCourt, Exec. VP
at ArcLight Cinemas
McCourt said ArcLight patrons
won't be bombarded with
annoying ads before movies

And, as you will see in the video, ArcLight Cinemas promises to be a major boon for film buffs, in addition to satisfying the dinner-and-a-movie crowd. I like that the chain treats movies less as a commodity and more as the art form it is, with no advertising and a black box in-theater atmosphere.
McCourt leads members of the media
on a tour of one of the 16 auditoriums
under construction in the ArcLight Cinemas

Ultimately, we are witnessing the reinvigoration of the suburban indoor mall. Rather than dying out, Westfield Montgomery remains a major retail destination in the DC area. With the new multiplex and restaurants, it is now also an entertainment and dining destination. This comes just as the momentum and population growth is shifting from urban areas back to the suburbs across the country, making it perfect timing for the rebirth of the indoor mall.
ArcLight Cinemas' lobby will feature a
small cafe/wine bar

ArcLight's signature lobby image wall,
which will have changing displays
throughout the year, was being
installed yesterday

Lobby of ArcLight Cinemas

Another lobby shot

Jordan McMeen of
Blaze Pizza

Blaze Pizza opens today - stay
tuned for a review!
Chairs, tables and other
furnishes await placement
in the completed Dining Terrace
Sarku Japan's sushi bar

Where the press conference was
held earlier in the morning

Lobby of ArcLight Cinemas

Speakers are already installed in
this ArcLight Cinemas auditorium

Very dark shot looking
at the future seats from the
future screen
The corridor inside ArcLight;
note frames to hold
Coming Attractions posters
at left

Curved walls are a feature
inside all ArcLight cineplexes,
Eric Howard of Westfield said

Entrance to Auditorium 7,
where you may one day enter
to screen a movie

The escalators were running
after the hard hat tour; later
I noticed the escalator company
truck outside, meaning they
were probably testing it

But first, let me take a selfie
Now, watch this exclusive, behind-the-scenes video: