Thursday, February 21, 2013

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.

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

LAY'S SRIRACHA POTATO CHIP REVIEW (VIDEO)

Lay's Sriracha potato chips are in stores now. Sriracha on a chip? Yes! Watch my review. Sriracha is the new habanero - and the newest chip from Lay's in its Do Us a Flavor contest. You can also watch my Lay's Chicken & Waffles review.

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.

E. MIDDLE LANE WATER WORK, DUBALL PILE TESTING IN ROCKVILLE TOWN CENTER THIS WEEK

Workers will drill 9 auger-cast piles at the Duball construction site in Rockville Town Center this week.  Today and tomorrow, work related to the waterline along E. Middle Lane will occur, according to the East Rockville Civic Association.

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

DUBALL CONSTRUCTION UPDATE - ROCKVILLE TOWN CENTER (PHOTOS)

Excavation is underway at the former site of the parking lot along E. Middle Lane.  This is an early step in the construction of the Duball project.

The building is a fairly good design, and fits well with the original Foulger-Pratt office building constructed years ago across the street.

But the downside is that the approval of this project officially spelled the doom of Rockville's traditional Hometown Holidays celebration.

First, the carnival rides vanished.  Now the concert "venue" (a.k.a. the parking lot) is gone, too.  That means no more Rick Springfield, REO Speedwagon, etc., performing at the event.  We're told it will be more of a "street fair."

Is a street fair Rockville? Urbanization has not been kind to the "hometown" concept.  Will this mean vendors and bad wedding bands one weekend in May each year? 

City residents are awaiting word on just what Hometown Holidays will consist of this year, and going forward.

In the meantime, here is a photo gallery of all the action going on at the Duball construction site:

Monday, February 18, 2013

EAST DUMPLING HOUSE TO OPEN IN ROCKVILLE (PHOTOS)

Exciting news from Courthouse Center at 12 N. Washington Street: A new restaurant, East Dumpling House, is coming soon, a short walk for residents in the town center and nearby neighborhood.

FRESH PIZZERIA CLOSED IN ROCKVILLE? (PHOTOS)

Fresh Pizzeria on Rockville Pike was closed when I arrived during regular Sunday business hours yesterday.  The store was dark, and tables were stacked.  There was a large sign in the front window announcing the space is For Lease.

I don't have any official announcement, but it appears Fresh Pizzeria may have closed.