Friday, January 31, 2014

ROCKVILLE MAY CONSIDER OUTDOOR SMOKING RESTRICTIONS

Rockville City Councilmember Beryl Feinberg has asked city staff to research the effects of outdoor secondhand smoke, and to explore options to regulate it. Feinberg has not suggested any specific legislation at this time, but said her office has received sufficient complaints from constituents to warrant action.

Feinberg referred to a bill pending before the Montgomery County Council that would crack down on smoking in outdoor dining areas. She said the problem is larger than that at Rockville Town Square. Patrons sitting at chess tables or on benches find that "there are smokers there," Feinberg said at Monday night's council meeting. Concerns have been raised about the effect of outdoor secondhand smoke on children, and those with pulmonary health issues, Feinberg noted.

The topic remains controversial, however, with many restaurant and bar owners concerned that such legislation could send patrons to other jurisdictions. Councilmember Tom Moore expressed some skepticism about the dangers of outdoor secondhand smoke, and said he would like to be presented with the latest research on the issue before the council takes any action.

"No one is less of a fan of tobacco than I am," Moore said. "It’s not absolutely clear to me…that the secondhand effects of smoke when you’re outdoors is sufficient enough to deserve a lot of regulation. I’m happy to be convinced on it, but I haven’t been yet."

Do you think Rockville should restrict outdoor smoking in Rockville Town Square and other public gathering areas? Take the poll on the right side of the screen (desktop version) or comment below.

Thursday, January 30, 2014

FREE PEPSI WHEN YOU ORDER 20+ HOOTERS WINGS SUPER BOWL SUNDAY IN ROCKVILLE

Stock up on wings for your Super Bowl party this Sunday in Rockville, and your (non-alcoholic) beverages could end up being free. Order at least 20 of Hooters' classic wings to go at Hooters of Rockville this Sunday, and you'll receive a coupon for a free 2-liter bottle of Pepsi.

Wednesday, January 29, 2014

BAR LOUIE ROCKVILLE ADDING MENU ITEMS THURSDAY, JANUARY 30 (PHOTO)

Bar Louie, located in Rockville Town Square, is adding some new menu items tomorrow, January 30. New dishes on their Limited Additions Menu will include Spinach Asiago Flatbread, and these Short Rib Sliders, which feature asiago and swiss cheeses, spinach, balsamic onions, mushrooms, smokey horseradish, and a side of Bar Louie's fries.

Tuesday, January 28, 2014

TACO BELL CHILI CHEESE FRIES LOADED GRILLER REVIEW (VIDEO)

The Rockville Taco Bell has a brand-new Loaded Griller that combines chili, nacho cheese and fried potato chunks in a tortilla - the Chili Cheese Fries Loaded Griller. Of course, I had to try it, and here is my review.

There's also a bonus interview with the new director of Transformers 4, who replaces Michael Bay after his CES Samsung TV meltdown. He's someone known for meltdowns himself.

Monday, January 27, 2014

MAKI CAFE, SUPER BOWL NOODLE HOUSE APPLY FOR LIQUOR LICENSES IN ROCKVILLE

Super Bowl Noodle House in Rockville's Ritchie Center (785-G Rockville Pike) and Maki Cafe are both applying to Montgomery County for liquor licenses. Super Bowl seeks a Class H H/R license, while sushi and ramen spot Maki Cafe is requesting a Class D license. Both restaurants will have their hearing before the Board of License Commissioners on Thursday, February 6.

Thursday, January 23, 2014

FREE CHILI OR SOUP IN ROCKVILLE TODAY!

This secret password will get you free turkey chili, or chicken tortilla soup, today at California Tortilla in Rockville: Just make any purchase, and say the password, "BRRR-ITO." In return, you'll get a free sample of whichever you prefer.

If this isn't chili and soup weather, I don't know what is.

California Tortilla is located at 199 E. Montgomery Avenue in Rockville.

Wednesday, January 22, 2014

RON BURGUNDY'S SCOTCHY SCOTCH SCOTCH ICE CREAM REVIEW (VIDEO)

Stay classy, Rockville! Here's a review of the new Ben and Jerry's flavor, Ron Burgundy's Scotchy Scotch Scotch. Of course, this is inspired by the recent Anchorman 2 movie. As you might guess from the name, it is butterscotch ice cream with swirls of butterscotch mixed in. But is it rich enough to win the prestigious John Candy Award?

Tuesday, January 21, 2014

ROCKVILLE RESIDENTS WANT ANSWERS ON TREE REMOVALS

Maria and Tom Luginbill sought answers to (so far) unanswered questions regarding the removal of two trees co-owned by two property owners on Wall Street in Rockville. Maria Luginbill said her Community Forum appearance last Monday evening was her latest attempt to get a response from the city. She said that only by attending Mayor Bridget Newton's drop-in meeting Monday was she able to get the gears turning towards a resolution.

A dispute between a new-home builder and the Luginbills apparently took several unpleasant turns over the last four years. "I've been threatened, the police have come," Tom Luginbill testified Monday night. Ultimately, two trees co-owned by the Luginbills and the builder's clients were taken down without clear evidence of who gave permission for the removal, Maria Luginbill said. Under city rules, this should not have been possible. Both co-owners must agree to remove the trees, under normal circumstances.

The removal of the trees was "very, very painful for me," Maria Luginbill testified. "We lost our privacy screen...[Our] entire quality of life [was] effected immensely."

Both Luginbills acknowledged it is too late to reverse what has happened, but asked the Mayor and Council to assist them in getting answers from city staff as to how this action occurred.

Monday, January 20, 2014

MCDONALD'S NEW CHOCOLATE COVERED STRAWBERRY FRAPPE REVIEW (VIDEO)

McDonald's has a new coffee drink - apparently for Valentine's Day - but it's here now, and I've reviewed it for you. The McDonald's Chocolate Covered Strawberry Frappe starts with a regular, icy Frappé, but adds chocolate candy chunks, fresh strawberry bits, and strawberry syrup and lots of whipped cream on top.

Friday, January 17, 2014

FIRST LOOK AT iPic THEATER AT PIKE AND ROSE (PHOTOS)

The future iPic movie theater at Pike and Rose in White Flint has mostly been discussed for its upscale pricing, dining options, and reserved seating. But here are the first renderings of what the cineplex will actually look like on Grand Park Avenue in North Bethesda. Those of you who get a chill from the AC at movies will enjoy the preview photo of the trademark iPic blankets. Overall, there are some design similarities to the newly-renovated Landmark Bethesda Row Cinema. Let's take a tour:
Have you bought your Star Wars: Episode VII
tickets yet?

Does the curved screen suspended above
this corridor look familiar?

Not your typical snack bar

Premium ticket holders get iPic pillows
and blankets. In case you're wondering, they are
replaced with fresh ones at each screening
Images: iPic Theaters, All Rights Reserved.

Thursday, January 16, 2014

MATCHBOX ROCKVILLE JOINS DC RESTAURANT WEEK (PHOTO)

One of the best restaurants in Rockville, Matchbox in Congressional Plaza, has joined the DC Restaurant Week currently underway until January 19. Chef Geoff's and La Tasca are the other two participating restaurants. Here is the Matchbox Restaurant Week special menu:

Wednesday, January 15, 2014

ROCKVILLE RESIDENT QUESTIONS CITY FEE INCREASES, SAYS HIKES ARE LOWERING HOMEOWNERSHIP

David Thomas, a Hungerford resident since 1985, questioned the city of Rockville's record of increasing stormwater fees and property taxes during Monday night's Community Forum. He noted that budget increases average 5% per year, far outstripping the less-than 1% annual increases in population or stormwater system mileage.

Thomas urged the mayor and council to reject the 6% increase in water fees proposed by city staff in the next FY-2015 budget. He said he has already witnessed his stormwater fees double over the last decade.

"What have we in the Hungerford neighborhood received in infrastructure improvements?" Thomas asked, noting that he has only observed routine upgrades and maintenance of the system in his own vicinity.

Thomas said he is concerned that the increasing fees are "making it very difficult for the young to become homeowners and residents in Rockville."

Tuesday, January 14, 2014

CAPE COD BACK BAY CRAB SEASONING POTATO CHIPS REVIEW (VIDEO)

The crab chip market has just expanded. Massachusetts potato chip manufacturer Cape Cod is taking on Utz, Herr's, and perhaps some less-known brands, with a new limited batch of Back Bay Crab Seasoning potato chips. How do they stack up to the champion, Maryland favorite Utz Crab Chips ("The Crab Chip")? Watch my video review and find out!

Monday, January 13, 2014

ENGAGE ROCKVILLE TO BE DISCUSSED IN CLOSED SESSION, PRESENTED AT MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEETING TONIGHT

A new online community engagement tool, Engage Rockville, will be a major focus of tonight's Rockville Mayor and Council meeting. The mayor and council will obtain legal advice regarding the website's relation to state laws regarding open meetings, and ex parte communications between government officials and citizens, businesses, or other individuals.

There will then be an official presentation of Engage Rockville, listed as agenda item 11.

Right now, the website offers a poll, and invites users to upload photos of their favorite locations in Rockville. It also asks you to share "your big idea for the future of Rockville."

According to the site, 5 city employees from the Planning Department are participating in the online discussion.

Friday, January 10, 2014

ROCKVILLE HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION MEETING CANCELLED

The Rockville Historic District Commission meeting that had been scheduled for Thursday, January 16, at 7:30 PM at City Hall, has been canceled. No reason was given.

Thursday, January 9, 2014

YOUNG PEOPLE DON'T DRIVE ANYMORE? YEAH, RIGHT!

One of my favorite urban legends is, "Kids/teenagers/millenials don't drive anymore." By itself, the Young People Don't Drive canard would merely be humorous and harmless. Unfortunately, the anecdotal "evidence" behind this claim is now being used by urban planners to reduce parking spaces, and cheat on transportation capacity standards.

Certainly, many young people do walk, bike or use transit. It's a commendable choice. When it makes sense to do so, why wouldn't you? Where the problem comes in, is when planning changes are made based on a myth, and then you have a transportation system that can't handle the volumes that exist in reality.

Reality is the key word. You can conveniently forget the new driver's license hurdles created by many states in recent years, and then twist that data to extrapolate that those teens won't drive when they can later. And you can say teens would rather have an iPhone than a car, but only if you weren't out in the real world, where kids not old enough to drive already have the latest smartphones. There must be a special button in Photoshop that allows you to create fake travel photos. There isn't? Gosh, then how are young folks generating all these "road trip!" shots on social media?

Stop by the Rockville campus of Montgomery College around 11:00 AM, and try to convince yourself that young people are giving up the automobile. Google "the cars of GW." Or check out the car clubs of Penn State, the University of Maryland, or the University of Calgary.

My favorite recent story about young auto enthusiasts was in Bloomberg Businessweek. According to the article, Chinese high school and college students have spent $15.5 billion dollars purchasing cars in the United States between 2012-2013. "A little more than half the vehicles bought by Chinese students in the U.S. during the 22-month period [CNW Marketing Research] studied were new, with an average purchase price of $52,796; and 32 percent of buyers paid cash," Businessweek reported.

In Eugene, Oregon (the town supporters of Bus Rapid Transit in Montgomery County keep referring to us as a model), the University of Oregon has an International Student Auto Club. "While members throw barbecues and help new students navigate the car-buying process," the article notes, "their favorite thing to do is gather in parking lots with their rides." It sounds like California car culture is not only alive and well, but crossing international and political borders.

As top tech and automotive firms refine the technology that will eventually allow autonomous vehicles, the American automobile is far from extinction. That means adequate highway capacity remains a critical necessity in planning. A former DC transportation official was recently quoted saying that we are witnessing the last generation of private automobile ownership. But again, reality is quite different.

Wednesday, January 8, 2014

CHEF BOYARDEE PIZZA TWIST REVIEW (VIDEO)

Chef Boyardee has a second new product available at Giant, and it would be a great hot lunch on a day like this, if you heat it up in the office or home microwave.

Chef Boyardee Pizza Twist features spiral pasta in a special tomato sauce, with chunks of real pepperoni throughout. Let's try it out in this video review.

Tuesday, January 7, 2014

ROCKVILLE RESTAURANTS PARTICIPATING IN METROPOLITAN WASHINGTON RESTAURANT WEEK, JANUARY 13-19, 2014 - MENUS

Metropolitan Washington Restaurant Week is already here again, from January 13 to 19. Three-course lunches are $20.14, and dinners are $35.14. Two great restaurants (I have dined at both) are participating in Rockville for 2014:

Chef Geoff's Rockville


La Tasca Rockville



Monday, January 6, 2014

CAPE COD BUFFALO CHEDDAR WAFFLE CUT POTATO CHIPS REVIEW (VIDEO)

5 degrees in Rockville? You need a hot chip. Fortunately, I've reviewed these brand-new Cape Cod Buffalo Cheddar Waffle Cut potato chips just in time!

Friday, January 3, 2014

CHEF BOYARDEE KICKIN' SLOPPY JOE REVIEW (VIDEO)

This is the perfect weather for a hot meal from Chef Boyardee. The world's best canned pasta company has a brand new microwave cup product: Chef Boyardee Kickin' Sloppy Joe. Let's test it out in this video review, plus learn about the history of the chef himself (yes, he was a real person).


Thursday, January 2, 2014

BARNEY'S HORS D'OEUVRES REVIEW AND KORBEL BRUT CHAMPAGNE REVIEW (VIDEO)

HAPPY
NEW
YEAR

Happy New Year to all readers! Here's a review of some classic New Year's Eve party refreshments: Barney's Hors d'Oeuvres, and Korbel Brut Champagne. The two Barney's varieties reviewed in this video are the Franks 'n Blankets, and the Party Assortment (spicy beef turnovers, potato puffs, and spinach and cheese puffs). We'll also sample a very affordable Champagne from California.

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