What's happening at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda for holiday shopping season 2022 (Photos)

The countdown to Black Friday 2022 is on at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. Many favorite holiday decorations have been brought back, alongside some new ones we haven't seen before. An elf was seen testing Santa's chair, to make sure everything is just right for Father Christmas when he arrives. Here are some of the exciting events and new features the mall has planned for 2022:

Jingle Lounge

A new Christmas-themed seating area called the Jingle Lounge has been set up, with upscale white chairs, sofas and tables, near Talbots on Level 1. Nutcrackers stand guard, and a pillow promises "Christmas cheer here." From November 18 to December 24, the Jingle Lounge will offer pizza delivery from Frank Pepe's Pizza, and cocktails, along with scheduled activity events.

Jingle Lounge

Jingle Lounge

Jingle Lounge

Mario Lopez

Speaking of events, the mall will start the holiday shopping season with a bang this coming Sunday, November 20, with Mario Lopez hosting a Home for the Holidays Kickoff Concert from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM. The concert is free, but you are being asked to RSVP online. By RSVPing, you also could win a meet-and-greet with Mario Lopez. Consider making a generous donation when you RSVP, as 100% of the proceeds will go to the Children's National Medical Center, and the Seacrest Studios at CNMC.

Westfield has partnered with CNMC. The company will match donations up to $10,000 during the holiday campaign, so your $10,000 donation would turn into $20,000-worth of benefit for the hospital. Find the concert in the Center Court on Level 1.

If you can't get out of bed for Sunday's concert, keep your pajamas on and head to the mall on Saturday, November 26 for a Holiday Pajama Party with the legendary Geoffrey the Giraffe from Toys R Us, which has a shop inside Macy's this holiday season. Take a selfie of yourself in your pajamas and tag @WestfieldMontgomery on social media for a chance to win a $250 gift card from Macy's. RSVP online, and you could win a free children's birthday party performance by Zucchini the Great. The pajama party will be held in the Center Court on Level 1 .

Windsor to reopen today at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Windsor had to close early yesterday at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda "due to unforeseen circumstances," according to a note posted on their storefront. The note did not explain what those circumstances were. It did say that Windsor will reopen this morning at 11:00 AM, and operate until the usual Sunday closing time of 5:00 PM.

PIckpocket strikes at Pike & Rose in Rockville

Montgomery County police responded to a report of a pickpocket incident at Pike & Rose on Friday night, November 11, 2022. The theft was reported at a bar in the 11900 block of Grand Park Avenue.

Tesla opens new gallery in Rockville (Photos)

Tesla has opened a new gallery location in Rockville. What's particularly interesting is the location: 1300 Rockville Pike. This is where upstart Tesla competitor Rivian was operating out of earlier this year. Unlike Rivian, which never posted signage or other visible signs of its presence, the new Tesla facility has signage. Behind the large glass windows is a welcoming showroom, with Tesla vehicles on display inside and out in front of the building.

This location is so new, it doesn't even appear on the Tesla website yet. Tesla has an existing Rockville area gallery and service facility at 52 Derwood Circle. Rivian has closed its operations here on the Pike, and will be relocating its Montgomery County operations to another site. Unlike Rivian, it appears Tesla will be able to fully capitalize on this high-profile location on one of Maryland's busiest highways.

Stop Work order issued at Ritchie Center in Rockville

The City of Rockville has posted a Stop Work order at the former La Limena space at the Ritchie Center on Rockville Pike. "You can not do any work w/o approved plans/permit," reads a handwritten note by a City code enforcement inspector. A valid demolition permit from the City is posted in the window, issued back in August. "*DEMO DOES not include," the inspector's note adds.

Maryland Governor-elect Wes Moore announces transition team leaders, meets Larry Hogan in Annapolis

Maryland Goveror-elect Wes Moore (D) held his first press conference yesterday, to announce the leaders of his transition team. "We are going to move fast, we're going to be bold, we're going to be fearless," Moore told reporters assembled at the University of Maryland in College Park Thursday. He also met with currrent Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R) at the State House in Annapolis, privately and then later at a joint press conference.

Moore said his transition team is moving forward under the principles his campaign had promised were "going to be north stars" in a Moore-Miller administration. "That this was going to be an administration that looks like the state of Maryland.," Moore recalled. "That this was going to be an administration that was going to be transparent. That this was going to be an administration that was inclusive."

The governor-elect announced that his running mate, Lieutenant Governor-elect, Aruna Miller, would be the chair of his transition team. Miller said that Prince George's County Executive Angela Alsobrooks, Downtown Partnership of Baltimore President Shelonda Stokes, Moore campaign treasurer Mary Tydings, and former Howard County Executive Kenneth Ulman will serve as co-chairs of the transition. The transition director will be Cleo Hirsch, who directed the COVID-19 response for Baltimore City Public Schools. 

HIrsch said the geographical location for a physical transition headquarters has not been determined yet, but that the campaign has utilized a hybrid of virtual and in-person operations all year. Miller announced that the public can submit feedback to the incoming administration, apply for jobs or learn more about the transition team in the coming weeks at MooreMillerMD.com.

A steering committee was also announced at the press conference. Members from across the state include Montgomery County State Senator Susan Lee, former Maryland governor Parris Glendening and Ocean City Mayor Rick Meehan. Miller said that town hall meetings will be held with online participation during the transition.

See's Candies opens at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda, Lily Pulitzer deals with "maintenance issues"

See's Candies has opened at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. The seasonal candy store has a variety of chocolate assortments in gift boxes. There are also Christmas-themed gift bags on display. Look for See's Candies on Level 1 of the mall, next to Journeys.

Lily Pulitzer was temporarily closed at the mall yesterday. According to a sign posted at the store, the closure was due to "maintenance issues." No reopening date was specified on the message.