Friday, February 28, 2014

THE 5 CUTEST PETS YOU CAN ADOPT THIS WEEK IN ROCKVILLE (PHOTOS)

Here are 5 animals in search of a loving home. All are currently residing at the Montgomery County Animal Shelter. (Please note: the location and hours of the shelter have changed since last week) You can visit them Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM. Or on Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The shelter is located at 7315 Muncaster Mill Road, in Derwood.

Call the shelter at 240.773.5960 to check on the availability of a specific animal. When you call, have the dog, cat or small animal's name or ID number, and the 6 digit AIL number (A######) ready.

Good news - someone appears to have adopted Ollie, who was featured here last week. Congratulations, Ollie! Number 137 and Patches are also off the shelter roster, hopefully to good homes.

DOMINIQUE - ID#A380069

Dominique is an unaltered, black and white female pit bull terrier. She is around 4 years old, and has been at the shelter a long time - since October 4 of last year. Can you end her wait for a home this week? Let's make it happen.

Dominique


CATHY - ID#A383829
and
KIM - ID#A383828

Cathy and Kim are unaltered, black and tan, female mixed Yorkshire terriers. They are both around 8 months old. It seems like they should stay together. Do you have room for two?

Kim and Cathy


KALI - ID#A383649

Kali is a spayed female blue domestic shorthair, approximately 4 years old.

Kali


PETTY - ID#A383746

It's got to be extra tough to be a duck in an animal shelter. Let's help bring Petty's awkward moment to an end this week.

Petty

Thursday, February 27, 2014

ROCKVILLE POLICE FORMALLY REQUEST MAYOR AND COUNCIL GRANT COLLECTIVE BARGAINING RIGHTS

Jan Seilhamer, president of the union representing Rockville's city police officers, formally requested the mayor and council grant officers collective bargaining rights, at Monday evening's regular council meeting.

A few weeks ago, Seilhamer testified that the city's continued failure to reinstate salary step increases had left police force morale "at an all-time low." At that time, she presented the report of a forensic accountant, who concluded the city could afford to resume step increases immediately.

With no progress since that Community Forum appearance, Seilhamer returned with a formal petition requesting the mayor and council amend the city's charter to give police officers collective bargaining rights. Seilhamer said the city's public works employees already have such rights, which would include non-binding arbitration.

After outlining many months of delays and poor communication with the city, Seilhamer said the union has recently learned that its previous requests to the mayor and council were never even delivered to those elected officials by city staff. She also cited the city's own employee policy, which states on page 14, that step increases are to be based on "employee performance and availability of funding." Since the former has been outstanding, and the latter proven to be true, Seilhamer said it is clear that "the city is not bargaining in good faith."

The police union, FOP Lodge 117, has retained a lawyer, Pat McAndrew. McAndrew also spoke at Monday night's meeting, and presented a draft charter amendment. "The system in place now is broken," McAndrew concluded. Noting that Bowie, Frederick and Greenbelt are among nearby cities that have granted collective bargaining rights to their police officers, McAndrew asked the mayor and council to  “recognize what the officers in the Rockvile police department contribute to this community.”

THIS MORNING'S ROCKVILLE DEVELOPMENT REVIEW COMMITTEE MEETING IS CANCELED

The Development Review Committee meeting previously scheduled to be held this morning, in the Black Eyed Susan Conference Room at City Hall at 9:00 AM, has been canceled. Call 240-314-8228 if you have any questions. No reason was stated on the city website's announcement.

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

ROCKVILLE CITIZENS NEEDED TO SERVE ON NEW ETHICS COMMISSION

Citizens willing to volunteer their time are asked to consider serving on Rockville's new Ethics Commission. Volunteers need to be a resident of the city, and fill out a disclosure form. With elections, development and other matters becoming far more complicated than in Rockville's past, this is certainly a vital and worthy service to consider on behalf of your neighbors.

The newly-chartered commission will advise the Mayor and Council, assist in creation and implementation of ethics policy, and handle ethics complaints when those guidelines are violated.

The commission has openings for five members. One of the initial members will serve a one-year term, two members will serve for two years, and two members will serve for three years. Eventually all members will serve three-year terms.

The deadline to apply is March 14.

To apply, candidates should complete the Statement of Financial Interests and submit it along with the Expression of Interest Form, which can be found on this page.

Tuesday, February 25, 2014

ROCKVILLE TO SUPPORT OCEAN CITY EFFORT TO MOVE ELECTIONS TO PRESIDENTIAL YEARS

Over the dissent of Mayor Bridget Newton, four Rockville councilmembers approved a motion by Councilmember Tom Moore to back Ocean City's effort to have city offices appear on the presidential year ballot.

All four councilmembers who voted affirmatively were part of the Team Rockville slate in last November's city election. However, only Moore has fully endorsed the idea of moving Rockville's city elections to presidential election years. Virginia Onley, Julie Palakovich Carr, and Beryl Feinberg said they support Ocean City's effort only as an endorsement of home rule - essentially the resort city's right to set the date of its own elections.

Moore noted that Hagerstown already holds its elections in presidential years on Election Day.

Prior to the vote, Moore asked city staff to support the legislation in Annapolis that would allow Ocean City to move its election date. "You can't direct city staff," Newton responded.

The mayor challenged the majority's assertion of home rule. She said city voters had made clear they don't want elections moved, through their rejection of a ballot question last November. For the city to now use funds and resources to support the contrary elsewhere in the state would be inappropriate, Newton argued.

Monday, February 24, 2014

CHIPOTLE AND CAVA MEZZE GRILL COMING TO WESTFIELD MONTGOMERY MALL

Westfield Montgomery Mall is adding two more dining options, and both are already favorites in downtown Bethesda. Chipotle and Cava Mezze Grill are the latest additions to an exploding roster of restaurants. Like last summer's addition of Starbucks, both provide mall patrons with popular brands, and should be a draw for the sizable lunch crowd from the office parks and high school nearby.

Friday, February 21, 2014

WATCH UFC 170 ROUSEY VS. MCMANN AT HOOTERS OF ROCKVILLE SATURDAY

Hooters of Rockville is once again UFC headquarters this Saturday night at 10:00 PM, when the always-controversial Ronda Rousey squares off against Sara McMann, with the bantamweight title on the line.

Thursday, February 20, 2014

THE 5 CUTEST PETS YOU SHOULD ADOPT IN ROCKVILLE THIS WEEK (PHOTOS)

Here are 5 animals in search of a loving home. Some are currently residing at the Montgomery County Animal Shelter. You can visit them Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from noon to 7:00 PM. Or on Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 5:00 PM. The shelter is located at 14645 Rothgeb Drive, in Rockville.

Call the shelter at 240.773.5960 to check on the availability of a specific animal. When you call, have the cat or small animal's name, or the dog's ID number, and the 6 digit AIL number (A######) ready.

One dog is available from DAWG Rescue, Inc. The links will help direct you to the right place.

137 - ID#A380398

Number 137 is a neutered male cross between a Border Terrier and Jack Russell Terrier, and the county shelter staff believe he is around 9 months old. He just arrived in the shelter on Sunday.

137
232 - ID#A383045

Number 232 is an approximately 10-month-old, unaltered black and white female Pit Bull Terrier.

232

OLLIE - ID#A383704

I defy you to resist adopting this poor little guy. Ollie is a white hamster who just arrived at the county shelter on Tuesday. They think he is about 6 months old.

Ollie

PATCHES - ID#A383375

Patches is an approximately 8-year-old, unaltered calico Domestic Shorthair cat.

Patches


PRINCESS CHI CHI BU

Princess Chi Chi Bu is a Japanese Chin female, available through DAWG Rescue. She has a slight heart murmur, so she is recommended for quieter homes without small children. And she isn't completely housebroken yet, so patience will be necessary.


PEERLESS ROCKVILLE SERIES TO HIGHLIGHT ROCKCREST, HUNGERFORD AND COLLEGE GARDENS

The post-World War II and modern architecture of three Rockville neighborhoods will be the focus of Peerless Rockville's spring "Modern Living for a Modern City" series. Rockcrest, Hungerford and College Gardens will each take a turn in the spotlight as warmer weather finally begins to reach Rockville.

On March 29, Rockville Historic District Commissioner Jessica Reynolds will discuss the Rockcrest neighborhood at the Twinbrook Recreation Center, beginning at 10:00 AM.

Hungerford will be the subject on April 12, as historian Teresa Lachin makes a presentation at the Elwood Smith Community Center, also at 10:00 AM.

Finally, Nancy Pickard of Peerless Rockville will host an examination of architecture in College Gardens on April 26 at the Rockville Senior Center, again at 10:00 AM.

Peerless Rockville is a non-profit concerned with historic preservation and preserving Rockville's heritage.

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

$2.50 BEER THROUGH THURSDAY AT GORDON BIERSCH IN ROCKVILLE

Today and tomorrow, Gordon Biersch in Rockville Town Square will be offering its own brews at only $2.50 per glass.

INTERSTATE 270 SNOW BLOWER DAMAGES REGENTS SQUARE CONDOS IN ROCKVILLE

A snowblower machine clearing I-270 in the Rockville area inadvertently damaged some nearby residents' windows in the process. At least 5 residences at Regents Square on Azalea Drive were hit by debris. The Maryland State Highway Administration is determining what went wrong, but there is no public indication yet as to who will ultimately be responsible for compensating the residents and the condo board for repairs.

ROCKVILLE TRASH, RECYCLING COLLECTION ON NORMAL SCHEDULE THIS WEEK

Trash collection and recycling pickups will proceed on the regular schedule this week in Rockville. Monday's holiday has no impact on the schedule. If your service was canceled on Thursday, February 13 or Friday, February 14, your collection will not be rescheduled.

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

ROCKVILLE CITY POLICE UNION SAYS FORCE'S "MORALE IS AT AN ALL-TIME LOW"

The union that represents Rockville's police officers is asking the Mayor and Council to reverse cutbacks in officers' compensation, now that the recession is over. Officer Jan Seilhamer, who is the union's president (and an Army veteran of Operation Desert Storm), said "morale is at an all-time low within the police department," due to the reductions.

Speaking at the last council meeting, Seilhamer argued that the city can easily afford to restore step increases to officers, as jurisdictions with worse economies have already done so. A forensic accountant the Rockville Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 117 hired to review the city's finances concluded the city is in "excellent financial health," Seilhamer noted.

Given that context, Seilhamer said, officers see "a mayor and council who do not value our contributions and sacrifices. We have sacrificed time with our families, we have sacrificed our bodies for this city."

A one-time FY-2015 bonus is "unacceptable," Seilhamer said, especially when officers may be ordered to contribute more to their retirement plans, to boot.

Seilhamer pointed to the amount of the city's surplus being spent on capital improvement projects in the budget as evidence of misplaced priorities. "When are you going to make the people who help make this city so great a priority?" she asked.

The mayor and council did not publicly respond to the issue in their Response to Community Forum directly following Seilhamer's testimony.


Monday, February 17, 2014

LAY'S PICO DE GALLO POTATO CHIPS REVIEW (VIDEO)

Like salsa with your chip? How about a potato chip that has the salsa on it already? Lay's has a new potato chip flavor, Lay's Pico de Gallo. Let's try it out in this video review.

Friday, February 14, 2014

LOCAL DEVELOPER SPEAKS FRANKLY ON MOCO'S WEAK OFFICE MARKET, CRUSHING ENERGY TAX

Some refreshingly-candid commentary on Montgomery County's massive energy taxes, and weak market for office space, was delivered Tuesday by Charles Nulsen, president of Bethesda's Washington Property Company. Nulsen was testifying before the Montgomery County Council, on a slew of new energy and environmental requirements that would impact residents and businesses countywide.

But some of his more general testimony on the current economic development climate in the county jumped out. I recall being in the audience at a council hearing three years ago, and hearing the testimony of the county chamber of commerce regarding job creation. When the statistic of the low number of jobs created in MoCo was contrasted with Fairfax County's number - many times that of Montgomery's during the same period - there was an audible gasp in the room. Listening to Nulsen's testimony, those who might have tuned out local economic matters could quickly understand why we are behind.

Nulsen testified that Montgomery County businesses' utility bills are 30% higher than those in DC or Northern Virginia. He said the county currently "collects more for the distribution of electricity than Pepco itself." In addition to our tremendous traffic congestion (due to the failure to complete our master plan highways), lack of access to Dulles Airport, and high tax burden, these disparities hardly make MoCo the easy choice for large employers seeking to relocate.

That impact is felt in the county's weak office market. The vacant office space in Bethesda, Rockville, Silver Spring and Wheaton speaks for itself. With no large employer moving to the county in a decade, developers are abandoning planned office space countywide. We were told that "smart growth" would allow people to "live where they work." The factual evidence suggests otherwise: Office space planned for "smart growth" communities such as Clarksburg and King Farm is being abandoned, or converted to residential. An office building in downtown Wheaton was recently flipped to residential, as well. Ultimately, the "smart growth" has actually led to more traffic congestion and sprawl, as we are ending up with more residential than was even planned. And all of those additional residents are going to commute in to the usual downtown DC and VA employment centers.

Nulsen said his own office properties have a 25% vacancy rate, and that "our commercial tenant base is dwindling." He added that he has had difficulty attracting office tenants for a decade. I would point out that that coincides directly with the lack of major firms relocating to the county over the same time period. With a dwindling tax base, and surging population, the county's current economic trajectory is "unsustainable," Nulsen argued.

"We have an A- grade in environmental stewardship. We have an F in economic stewardship," was Nulsen's assessment of where Montgomery County stands at present.

ROCKVILLE SNOW UPDATE - HOW MANY INCHES WILL TONIGHT'S STORM BRING

The current temperature in Rockville's West End is 32° F.

Expect delays on the Red Line for Shady Grove-bound trains, but Metro subways are operating. The only Metrobus routes operating in Maryland are: 83, A12, C4, C22, D12, F4, J2, K6, P12, Q1, T18, Y9, Z8. Ride On buses are on the S Schedule, which means they are (supposedly) running, but won't adhere to the posted route schedules.

The federal government is opening 2 hours late, and Montgomery County Government and schools are closed.

We could get an additional 1-3" of snow overnight, as temperatures will drop below freezing.

Thursday, February 13, 2014

ROCKVILLE PINK BANK DEMOLITION UPDATE (PHOTOS)

The shameful disgrace that is the demolition of the historic Suburban Trust Building in Rockville continues to unfold at a snail's pace. One might describe the slow destruction of the "Pink Bank" as a death by a thousand cuts. Here is where things stand right now at the site of this rare example of New Formalist architecture in the DC area, at 255 N. Washington Street:


A full moon caught in the
background, just left of
center in the photo




Wednesday, February 12, 2014

ROCKVILLE DECLARES SNOW EMERGENCY + HOW MANY INCHES OF SNOW TO EXPECT

The City of Rockville has declared a snow emergency, as a major winter storm approaches the city. A snow emergency means residents should remove vehicles from streets by 6 PM tonight. If there is not adequate space to do so, residents are asked to park on the even-numbered side of the street. These non-mandatory requests are meant to make it easier for snowplow drivers to navigate streets, and speed up the snow removal process.

What is mandatory, is the city's snow-shoveling law:

Snow must be removed from sidewalks, steps, driveways, parking spaces and similar paved areas for public use (including access ramps and curbs) within 48 hours after a snowfall of three to 10 inches and within 72 hours after a snowfall of more than 10 inches. When clearing paved areas, provide a safe, unobstructed, passable path 36 inches wide.

Residents are asked to avoid driving during the storm, if possible. If you have a non-emergency weather-related issue to report to city police, call 240-314-8900. For emergencies, obviously, call 911.

Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley has declared a snow emergency for the state, as well.

ROCKVILLE FORECAST

Heavy snow is expected to begin falling during the evening rush hour tonight. Current projections are for 3-6" tonight, and 4-8" Thursday, for a total of up to 10". The high today will be 30-32 F, and the high Thursday will be 34 F.

Tuesday, February 11, 2014

HOOTERS OF ROCKVILLE VALENTINE'S DAY SPECIAL

Hooters of Rockville is offering diners a special deal for Valentine's Day this Friday: get 2 10-piece orders of Hooters' famous wings for only $14. No coupon is necessary, and the offer applies to dine-in customers only. Andrew Pudduck, vice president of marketing for Hooters, said, "we simply love our guests and know that between our legendary wings, relaxed atmosphere and Hooters Girl hospitality, Hooters is the perfect place to enjoy a satisfying Valentine’s Day meal at a great value."

Monday, February 10, 2014

COOKIE DOUGH OREOS REVIEW (VIDEO)

Cookie Dough Oreos have arrived in Montgomery County! I found a bag at Giant, and here's my review. 

BUDGET THE TOPIC AT TONIGHT'S ROCKVILLE MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEETING

Citizens can get a preview of the Rockville FY-2015 city budget at tonight's Mayor and Council meeting. City staff will present the highlights of the proposed budget, and the mayor and council will vote on two resolutions: one on taxation, and one amending the zoning ordinance with "technical and clarifying revisions."

The meeting will be held in the council chambers at City Hall tonight at 7:00 PM, and can also be viewed on Rockville Channel 11 on Comcast.

Friday, February 7, 2014

DUNCAN BLASTS MONTGOMERY COUNTY DECISION TO BOOT ROCKVILLE BIOTECH STARTUPS

Former Rockville mayor and past Montgomery County executive Doug Duncan yesterday blasted county officials for evicting biotech startups from a Rockville facility, a decision made to clear the way for a federal cybersecurity center at the Shady Grove property.

Duncan and biotech executives condemned the decision, saying it sends a negative message to firms who might consider moving to the county's I-270 life sciences corridor, one of the few bright spots in a stagnant county economy.

The firms currently housed at the William Hanna Center for Innovation will be kicked to the curb in June. Duncan is a current candidate for his old job as county executive.

Thursday, February 6, 2014

REDI ASKS CITY OF ROCKVILLE TO BE ON HOOK FOR PROPERTY LEASE

Rockville Economic Development, Inc., a public-private partnership that helps launch and expand Rockville businesses, is asking the city to take on additional financial responsibility as it leases an unidentified property. Mayor Bridget Newton said she was first informed of the request last Friday. “This isn’t something that they’ve known about, or I’ve known about, for a while," Newton said Monday. "I’d like to see us be as helpful as we can."

REDI Chairman Ray Whalen appeared before the Mayor and Council Monday evening to seek changes to the Memorandum of Understanding the city has with the organization. Whalen said this property transaction will be the first major financial obligation REDI has taken on. REDI currently receives over $500,000 annually from the city, Whalen said. His concern is that REDI would be unable to pay back the cost of the 3-year rent, plus fees, should the city suddenly defund the organization.

Councilmembers Tom Moore and Beryl Feinberg expressed some concern about the request, seeking more time and detail. "For us to just agree in the space of six hours," Moore said, "this is fast." Moore added that the vagueness of just what the city's obligation would be, and the short notice of the issue, was "giving us heartburn up here."

“If you were to go ahead and do this…how much would the city be on the hook for?” Moore asked. City attorney Debra Yerg Daniel also asked for clarification of REDI's definition of partial defunding. Would a $10,000 cut to REDI's budget trigger an obligation for the city regarding the lease, for example? “We’d figure things out. I don’t where the line is," Whelan said. "We’ve never really looked at that from that perspective.”

While Whelan said he could not provide definitive numbers on paper that evening, he assured the council that "we certainly know the ballpark." “This has come to us so late," Feinberg said. "I pause a little bit when it says 'other obligations not included in payroll'…there’s no specificity to it," she added. "Personally, I have no problem with it," Newton said, but she and the council adjourned to Executive Session in the Blue Crab conference room, to obtain legal advice from city counsel. Upon restarting the public session later, Newton informed Whalen that she and the council were not prepared to make a decision on the matter Monday night.


Wednesday, February 5, 2014

ROCKVILLE RESIDENT CRITICIZES CITY "COMBAT SPORTS" CLASSES HE SAYS "ENHANCE VIOLENCE"

Dr. Maynard Moore, a Rockville resident affiliated with the National Association of Recreational Equality, asked the Mayor and Council Monday to add recreational sports programs that promote cooperation, rather than competition.  Referring to Sunday's Super Bowl, Moore said "we can be thankful that apparently no one was seriously hurt. This spring the City of Rockville will be providing classes for teaching...'defeat others' combat sports," sports he said may be "conducive to aggression."

Referring to football, soccer, basketball and hockey, Moore cited research that suggests such competitive, "opponent-oriented" sports are "enhancing violence among young people," and may lead to bullying.

Moore did not suggest the city cancel the traditional sports classes, but asked the Mayor and Council to add one or two classes that would "foster cooperation, rather than aggression," such as bankshot basketball.

Mayor Bridget Newton said the city already has three bankshot basketball facilities.

ROCKVILLE NAMES NEW HEAD OF PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT

Timothy J. Chesnutt, former director of the Jacksonville, North Carolina Parks and Recreation Department, will fill that position now in Rockville. Chesnutt was hired by Rockville City Manager Barb Matthews, who announced the news Monday.

Chesnutt succeeds longtime director (and former City Hall podium turner) Burt Hall.

“I have long known Rockville is a special place," Chesnutt said. "The Recreation and Parks Department has a reputation for providing quality, innovative and responsive services and programs, and I am honored to be chosen to be a part of this exceptional team. I look forward to working with the City Manager, the outstanding staff of the Recreation and Parks Department, the Mayor and Council, and the greater Rockville community to carry on a tradition of excellence.”

BILL TO STUDY NEW MD-VA POTOMAC RIVER BRIDGE ADVANCES IN VA HOUSE

The Virginia House Transportation Committee voted Tuesday to send a bill requiring further study of a new Potomac River crossing to the House Appropriations Committee. Bill HB-1244 would require the Virginia Department of Transportation to review the results of an ongoing demand study for a new bridge. The study area is between existing crossings at Point of Rocks (US 15) and the Harry Nice Bridge (US 301). A new crossing would be constructed within that area.

Historically, new Potomac River bridges had been planned at several locations. Most notable were those to connect the unbuilt Rockville Freeway to the Fairfax County Parkway at Riverbend Park, and the unbuilt Outer Beltway (I-370 extension) to VA 28. Other bridges were considered at Arizona Avenue in the District, and in relation to the George Washington Parkway. Failure to build some - or all - of these crossings is a major factor in today's congestion on the American Legion Bridge in Bethesda, and on I-495 and I-270. A recent Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments study concluded that about a quarter of all traffic on the American Legion Bridge is heading to or from the Dulles area.

If the study shows a need for a new crossing (duh!), the bill requires VDOT to furnish recommendations for specific crossing sites to the Virginia General Assembly, and VA Secretary of Transportation, by December 1, 2015.

HB-1244 is co-sponsored by Del. Thomas Davis Rust and J. Randall Minchew. There is some urgency regarding the bill, as the House Appropriations Committee has only three meetings scheduled before all non-budget House bills must be finished.

A new crossing has been endorsed by U.S. Sen. Mark Warner (D-Virginia).

ROCKVILLE ICE/WEATHER UPDATE (PHOTO)

It is currently 32° in Rockville. Expect rain or freezing rain intermittently over the next few hours, but this further precipitation shouldn't stick once the temperature increases.

Temperatures will remain above freezing all day, and the Winter Storm Warning expires at 10:00 AM this morning.

We're not thawed out yet, though, as you can see on this Ride On sign.

Tuesday, February 4, 2014

NAPLES 45 RISTORANTE E PIZZERIA OPENING AT WESTFIELD MONTGOMERY MALL

People in DC are always talking about New York City pizza being the best. Well, they'll be delighted to know that we're getting an actual New York City pizzeria here in Montgomery County: Naples 45 Ristorante e Pizzeria will open later this year at Westfield Montgomery Mall.

Naples 45 will be located by the future dining terrace and ArcLight Cinemas, currently under construction. The Bethesda location will be the only one outside of NYC, except for their Disneyland and Disney World restaurants.

The pizzeria specializes in Neapolitan pizza. That style relies on a lean, fine dough containing only flour, yeast, salt and water. The thin crust features a crispy, thin exterior, and a slightly-chewy, soft interior. Is it authentic? Naples 45 is one of only 3 NYC pizzerias to win the La Vera Pizza Napoletana certification, for authentic Neapolitan preparation, ingredients and cooking methods. They were similarly awarded the Ospitalità Italiana certification for those reasons.

Still not convinced? Tony Gemignani, World Champion Pizza Maker - and official U.S. Ambassador of Neapolitan Pizza (as bestowed by the city of Naples, Italy, no less) - says real Neapolitan pizza should use Caputo flour and San Marzano tomatoes. And, by golly, Naples 45 uses both.

Here's a great video showing the actual Naples 45 Disney World location, that will let you see the cooking process and restaurant firsthand. I don't know about you, but I'm ready for a slice of this pizza.

If you're on a dinner-and-a-movie visit there after the ArcLight Cinemas open - and somebody in the group isn't a pizza person - there are also plenty of pasta, seafood, meat and salad dishes on the menu.

This is another strong statement by Westfield about boosting food offerings to the level expected at a top flight mall. Westfield Montgomery Senior Marketing Director Christa Allen says the mall is committed to "continuing to bring unique dining options to the table.” If they can add something special in the Legal Sea Foods space, like a Great American Restaurants Group restaurant (Coastal Flats, Jackson's Mighty Fine Food, etc.), that would arguably make Montgomery Mall an equal to Tysons Corner.

Monday, February 3, 2014

82 STEAK OUT OPEN AT ROCKVILLE TOWN SQUARE

The place to be for dinner tonight in Rockville is the Grand Opening of 82 Steak Out in Rockville Town Square. Get French-style steak frites and fries, as well as a salad, for only $18.82. You can get some of the usual steakhouse sides for $6.82 each, and desserts (including a brownie sundae!) for $7.82. You can check out the complete menu here.

101 Gibbs Street, #C, 240.428.1295.

ROCKVILLE SNOW FORECAST - WEATHER

The snow forecast for Rockville is insignificant today. Expect a mix of rain and snow between early morning and mid-afternoon. Temperatures are forecast to remain above freezing throughout the day. Clouds will give way to clear skies by 8:00 tonight, but temperatures will drop below freezing - expect them to be in the upper twenties overnight.