See's Candies closes at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

See's Candies has closed at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. Their space has been cleared out, although they left an odd artwork at the back of the store. Christmas is not officially over yet, as it ends on the Epiphany feast of January 6 or on Candlemas on February 2, depending on how you count it. But we can agree that the holiday gift-buying season is over, so seasonal tenant See's Candies departs for another year.

Maryland to open new I-95 Express Toll Lanes ahead of holiday travel

The Maryland Transportation Authority announced that it will open a new stretch of Express Toll Lanes on northbound I-95 tomorrow, Wednesday, December 18, 2024. A variable toll charged to drivers who use the lanes will provide a way around traffic congestion, which is expected to be heavy around next week's Christmas and Chanukah holidays. The new Express Toll Lanes run for 6.5 miles along the northbound side of the interstate between White Marsh Boulevard (MD 43) and Mountain Road (MD 152).

Completed Express Toll Lanes all the way to MD 24 (Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway), along with new ramps connecting I-695 to the northbound ETL, are expected to open to traffic by the end of 2027. The first section of ETL opened in 2014. MDTA recommends obtaining an E-ZPass, to save up to 77% over toll charges you might otherwise receive via Pay-by-Plate or video tolling.

“The northbound I-95 Express Toll Lanes extension project provides travelers with a more reliable travel experience while easing congestion on our highways,” MDTA Executive Director Bruce Gartner said in a statement. “Through innovation and safety, this project represents our commitment to modernize Maryland’s infrastructure and enhance mobility options.”

Christmas tree installed at Rockville Town Square ahead of lighting on Dec. 6

The Christmas tree is up at Rockville Town Square, but it's not lit yet. That will officially happen this coming Friday, December 6, 2024 from 6:00 to 9:00 PM in the town square. Mr. MoCo himself, Alex Tsironis, will be your host for the evening. King Teddy will perform live music in the square, and there will be food, drinks, activities for the whole family, and a chance for selfies with Santa Claus.

Black Friday 2024 at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

The biggest shopping day of the year at Westfield Montgomery Mall is tomorrow, November 29, 2024. Black Friday hours at the mall this year will be 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM. In contrast to past years, the Black Friday deals are not listed on the mall's website. Westfield advises you to instead download their app from the Google Play or Apple store, which it says will display the deals available Friday. 

Santa's Workshop now open at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Santa's Workshop has been transported south to Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda, and you are invited to enter through Christmas Eve, December 24. Inside, children are invited to write letters to Santa, enjoy Mrs. Claus’ weekly story time, and create gingerbread crafts in Comet’s Craft Room. LEGO mini-build classes will be held, and a gift-wrapping station will be manned by the Girl Scouts, Hope Connections and Sleep in Heavenly Peace. Look for Santa's Workshop on Level 1 of the mall, near J.Crew.

See's Candies opens for the holidays at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

See's Candies has opened at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda, and you know what means: the holidays are just around the corner. The candy brand is an annual fixture in malls across the country, with its seasonal pop-up gift shop. My recent experience in trying their candy is that they have not only maintained the quality they are known for, but may have even improved upon it. Sample a Whitman's Sampler assortment after a See's Candies box, and you'll see what I mean. Good God, Whitman's has gone downhill in recent times.

Like many great things in America, See's Candies comes from California. The company was founded in Los Angeles in 1921, and many of their candies still use Mary See's original recipes. They've found maybe their best spot in the mall yet this year, right next to GameStop on Level 1 in the Old Navy/The Cheesecake Factory wing of the mall. Talk about one-stop shopping! Fill the kids' wish list at GameStop, and then go right next door to load up on See's gift boxes for the adults and whole family.

Calendar kiosk opens at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda (Photos)

It's almost that time of year again: Time to replace your wall calendar. The seasonal calendar kiosk at Westfield Montgomery Mall is just what the doctor ordered. Popular calendar subjects this year include perennial favorites like Taylor Swift and Star Wars, as well as timely presidential candidates President-Elect Donald Trump and Vice-President Kamala Harris. Not to be outdone are the retro Muhammad Ali, Rocky, and Rainbow Brite selections. I've already got my 2025 calendar; find yours at the calendar kiosk on Level 1 of the mall, by Forever 21.

Rockville Lunar New Year celebration set for February 17, 2024

Save the date for the City of Rockville's annual Lunar New Year celebration this coming Saturday, February 17, 2024 from 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM, at Rockville High School at 2100 Baltimore Road. Celebrate the good luck of the Year of the Dragon with live cultural performances, interactive displays, craft activities for kids, and to-go snack boxes (while supplies last). Admission is free. The event is co-sponsored by the Asian Pacific American Task Force.

See's Candies closes at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Nothing says Christmas is over like the departure of See's Candies at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. In recent years, they haven't lingered for long, clearing out right after Christmas. See's still hasn't subscribed to the idea that Christmas officially ends on January 6. That hasn't stopped them from prospering - their profits increased by $10 million over 2021 by the end of the 2022 holiday season.

Holiday festivities get underway at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda (Photos)

The holiday shopping season is officially underway at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. Live performances, celebrity guests and holiday sale offers greeted shoppers at the popular retail center yesterday, as mall owner Westfield held a special holiday launch event six days before Black Friday. The Jingle Lounge is now open, with special beverages and a place to relax between stores, or while you're waiting for someone else to finish shopping. A special wine bar at the lounge hosted by Windridge Vineyards will be open again today, November 19, 2023.  

The Jingle Lounge

One of Santa's elves
caught on camera

Abe Lincoln from the
Racing Presidents of the
Washington Nationals

In this age of high crime, you can
trust Honest Abe to carry your
shopping bags to the car

He always was a little more cautious
after Fort Stevens...

Wine bar today only!

See's Candies returns to Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

The signs of holiday shopping season are many at Westfield Montgomery Mall ahead of the official Black Friday start, from decorations to Santa's photo area to holiday pop-up shops. Among the most-anticipated of the latter each year at the Bethesda mall is See's Candies. 102 years after its founding by the See family in Los Angeles, many of their candies still use Mary See's original recipes. Look for See's this year on Level 1, next to T-Mobile.

Montgomery Mall gets ready for holiday shopping season (Photos)

The elves are busy at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. Christmas trees and other holiday decor are popping up all over the building, as the mall prepares for the biggest shopping season of the year.  Santa Claus will be arriving at the mall on November 16, 2023, but you can start making reservations online now. And the Jingle Lounge will be back for a second year.

The shopping season will officially start with a bang on Saturday, November 18, from 3:00 - 8:00 PM, with the Home for the Holidays Concert & Tree Lighting celebration. Special guests and performers will include Instagram stars The Holderness Family, Rudolf, Olaf, "Ice Princesses," Abe Lincoln and Teddy Roosevelt from the Washington Nationals, Rockapella, the Gay Men's Chorus of DC, the Maryland Youth Ballet in Nutcracker mode, and - of course - Old Saint Nick himself. Windridge Vineyards will host a holiday pop-up wine bar in the Jingle Lounge. The whole event is free, and you can RSVP online now.

Maryland Congressman Jamie Raskin to speak at Montgomery County Juneteenth event

Maryland Congressman Jamie Raskin (D - 8th District) will be the headlining speaker at what is shaping up to be the biggest Juneteenth event in Montgomery County for Monday, June 19, 2023. The Bethesda African Cemetery Coalition's Juneteenth Observance event will be held by the site of the desecrated Moses African Cemetery, next to 5214 River Road in Bethesda (behind the McDonald's), from 2:00 - 5:00 PM on Monday. Raskin will be the first U.S. Congressperson to personally visit the cemetery site. BACC representatives have sought Raskin's support for the cemetery cause, so his remarks on Monday will be heard with great interest.

Also appearing at the event will be Maryland Delegate Lorig Charkoudian (D - District 20), historian and author C.R. Gibbs, and Harvey Matthews, an official with Macedonian Baptist Church and a former resident of the lost African-American community that existed for about a century on River Road in Bethesda. The performing talents of Evergreen Productions and the Walt Whitman Drumline will be on display at this very special commemoration of Black history in Bethesda.

Botanero offering Passover meals to go in Rockville

Botanero at 800 Pleasant Drive in the King Farm Village Center in Rockville is offering a Passover Meal for Two for pickup on April 5 and 6 at the restaurant. The meal includes wine-braised brisket, chicken matzo ball soup, purple cabbage salad with cabernet vinaigrette, stuffed chicken breast with apricot glaze, carrot and sweet potato tzimmes, and flourless chocolate cake for dessert. It will serve 2 or 3 people, and provide some leftovers as well. You can order more than 1 for a bigger group.

The cost is $85.00 per 2-person meal. Orders must be placed by Monday, April 3, 2023. You can place your order online, and also include additional a la carte items from the Botanero menu for an extra cost, if you wish. 

City of Rockville announces change in trash collection schedule for Presidents Day today

The City of Rockville announced a change in trash collection plans for today, February 20, 2023. There will be no trash or recycling collection today, Presidents Day. All collections will slide forward one day this week. So if your collection day is today, it moves to tomorrow, Tuesday, February 21, for this week.

This was a late change in schedule made by Montgomery County's Division of Solid Waste Services, the City said in a statement. "This is a change to what was previously reported in [the City's official newsletter] 'Rockville Reports' and on other city communication channels," the statement concluded.

Christmas tree at Rockville Town Square (Photos)

Here is a look at the Christmas tree at Rockville Town Square for 2022. The tree was officially lit last month with city officials on hand, and with performances by King Teddy, the Richard Montgomery High School Choir, and students from the Dawn Crafton Dance Connection school of dance, which is located in the Town Square development. Santa Claus also made an appearance. This year's tree has a green, blue and white color scheme. 

Toys R Us at Macy's experience improves over early launch at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda (Photos)

No one will mistake the Toys R Us at Macy's pop-up for the full-blown Toys R Us experience of childhoods past. But the special section at the Macy's at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda has greatly improved over its initial launch earlier this fall. There's a much wider selection of toys, and the shelves are filled and more-neatly organized than the "Clearance section at ROSS!!!" vibe the space initially had.