ROBBERY ON HURLEY AVENUE LAST FRIDAY

A robbery was reported last Friday, March 8, in the 800 block of Hurley Avenue in Rockville, according to crime data.

No further details are available at this time, but I will post them as soon as they are released.

"TEAM ROCKVILLE" TAKES FIELD EARLY IN 2013 CITY ELECTION, PIERZCHALA RUNNING FOR MAYOR

Slates are back in Rockville city politics. Whether voters still obey them, will be just one intriguing outcome of the November 5 Mayor and Council elections.

The first slate - "Team Rockville" - has already gone public: Councilmember Mark Pierzchala is running for mayor, and Councilmember Tom Moore, Virginia Onley, Julie Palakovich Carr and Beryl L. Feinberg are in the race for the four council seats.

Two questions have been answered: Will there be slates? And will Pierzchala run for mayor?

But others remain, before one can get a true sense of the dynamics of this race.

Will John Hall run for mayor? Will Mayor Phyllis Marcuccio run for reelection? And will the council vote on the Rockville Pike plan before, or after the election?

Former councilmember Anne Robbins is also expected to run, and would be a formidable challenge to the lesser-known candidates on the "Team Rockville" slate. Robbins is skeptical of smart growth, having noted that advocates have been talking about "getting people out of their cars" since the 60s, with little results.  She brought an independent streak to the council, referring to herself as "the Lone Ranger" during a contentious council meeting over a decade ago.

Pierzchala won election primarily on his strong work on behalf of the College Gardens neighborhood as a citizen, and diligent attendance and engagement at city meetings. Once on the council, he has pivoted to take an aggressive pro-development stance, and has helped organize two summits on Rockville's future.

Tom Moore is a first-term councilmember who often sides with Pierzchala on issues. He recently made news beyond the city limits when he questioned the use and storage of data collected by license plate readers onboard Rockville police cruisers.

Virginia Onley is the only other member of the slate who has name recognition at this early stage, having run for council previously. If I recall correctly, Onley is one of the relatively few candidates smart enough to use the Citizens Forum during the election season, as a free platform to reach voters. It's surprising more candidates don't utilize that forum. Larry Giammo made hugely-effective use of it during his successful campaign for mayor.

Now, of course, the other question is, who else will throw their hat into the ring?

Drew Powell and Dion Trahan are two former candidates still actively engaged in city politics and government, but there are certainly others who could make a run, as well. Stay tuned.

If there's a Rockville citizen you think would be a great mayor or councilmember, feel free to put his or her name in the comments section below (there is an option to post anonymously, if you wish).

NASCAR 2013 PREVIEW SPECIAL EDITION USA TODAY MAGAZINE REVIEW (VIDEO)

Is NASCAR popular in Rockville? I don't think anyone has done a poll. But with Danica Patrick winning the pole position, there will be many tuning in for the Daytona 500 this Sunday.  Are you one of them?

Here's my video review of a handy publication by USA Today's Sports department, NASCAR Preview.

It features stories that will bring you up to speed (pun intended) by their NASCAR writers, Nate Ryan and Jeff Gluck; driver biographies; a complete guide to every Sprint Cup track; Twitter handles for every driver who has one; specs for the brand-new Gen 6 race cars; schedules, trivia, Fantasy NASCAR advice, and more.

FIRE EXTINGUISHED AT KARMA ACADEMY ON WATTS BRANCH PARKWAY

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue responded to a multiple alarm blaze on Watts Branch Parkway this morning in Rockville.

MCFRS Public Information Officer Scott Graham described the fire as "heavy," but reported no injuries.

Firefighters successfully put out the flames, and Graham says investigators are now looking into the cause of the fire, which was at the Karma Academy, he said.

702 ROCKVILLE PIKE DEVELOPER TO HOLD PUBLIC MEETING ON REDEVELOPMENT PLAN

A public meeting regarding the redevelopment of 702 Rockville Pike will be held on Tuesday, March 5, at 6:30 PM in the Mayor & Council chambers at Rockville City Hall.

The redevelopment concept will be detailed, and questions will be fielded from the public.

This project dates back for many years, as I recall.

ROCKVILLE LUNAR NEW YEAR PARADE 2013, FEATURING MISS VIETNAM DC, CATHERINE HO

Tomorrow morning, Saturday, February 16, 2013, is one of the best events of the year in Rockville: the Lunar New Year Celebration and Parade.

The event runs from 10:30 AM - 3:00 PM, and the parade begins at 11:00 AM.

Starring in the parade will be Miss Vietnam DC, Catherine Ho (who was also a runner-up at the Miss Maryland USA pageant), and her Royal Court.  Miss Chinese America is also scheduled to appear.

There will also be dragon and lion dancers, an Asian street market, street performances, gallery exhibitions, and arts and crafts for children.

Join your neighbors, and attendees from around the region, in celebrating the Year of the Snake at Rockville Town Square tomorrow!

KING CAKES ARRIVE AT GIANT

King Cakes have arrived at Giant Food stores just in time for Mardi Gras. Here are some photos of mine. I got this on Saturday, and have eaten 2 pieces; that's why this cake is not a complete ring - sorry! Great Mardi Gras colors on the frosting, and raspberry filling inside. But where are the beads this year, Giant?

TACO BELL NEW CANTINA BELL STEAK BURRITO REVIEW (VIDEO)

Taco Bell is taking Chipotle head-on with its new Cantina Bell Steak Burrito. How does the newest creation of Chef Lorena García stack up to Chipotle? Watch my video review and find out. The new burrito is available now at Taco Bell in Rockville.

LITTLE DEBBIE BE MY VALENTINE CAKES ARRIVE AT GIANT - VIDEO REVIEW EXCLUSIVE!

Little Debbie Be My Valentine cakes have hit the shelves at Giant in Rockville early for Valentine's Day.

Watch my exclusive video review to find out how they rate.

DC RESTAURANT WEEK 2013 IN ROCKVILLE

Enjoy DC Restaurant Week 2013 without leaving Rockville!

Chef Geoff's Rockville (menu not online yet) and La Tasca Rockville (click for menu) are participating in the popular prix fixe event February 4-10.

Lunch will be $20.13, and dinner $35.13.

I will pass along the Chef Geoff's menu as soon as it is posted. But having dined at other Chef Geoff's locations during past Restaurant Weeks, the menu is usually quite generous - virtually the entire menu was available. Which makes it one of the best RW deals.

BONCHON CHICKEN OPENING IN ROCKVILLE TOWN SQUARE

Some of the best fried chicken in America is served by a restaurant chain of Korean origin.

Now BonChon is bringing that famous chicken to Rockville Town Square!

Definitely looking forward to this grand opening.