Thursday, March 7, 2013

ASSAULT AT ROCKVILLE HOTEL, DRUG ARREST AT WOOTON HIGH SCHOOL - NIGHTS WATCH: ROCKVILLE CRIME REPORT

According to recent crime data, an assault was reported at the Quality Suites Hotel in Rockville, and a drug arrest was made at Wooton High School, both last Friday.  Disorderly conduct was reported at the Twinbrook Recreation Center last Sunday.

Here's a list of incidents around Rockville between March 1-4:

Friday, March 1:

Assault. Quality Suites Hotel, Piccard Drive.

Drug arrest. Wooton HS.

Theft. 400 block College Parkway.

Theft from vehicle. 400 N. Washington Street.

Saturday, March 2:

Robbery. XX block Congressional Lane.

Theft from vehicle. 200 block N. Adams Street.

Sunday, March 3:

Disorder. Twinbrook Recreation Center.

Theft from vehicle. 1900 block Henry Road.

Monday, March 4:

Assault. 400 block Redland Boulevard.

Theft. 500 block Elmcroft Boulevard.

Drug arrest. 12600 block Twinbrook Parkway.

Theft from vehicle. 14500 block Southlawn Lane.

Drug arrest. 1600 block E. Gude Drive.

Burglary. 300 block Crabb Avenue.

Theft from vehicle. 600 block Hungerford Drive.

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

ROCKVILLE SNOW UPDATE - WINTER STORM SATURN

Well, so far the weather experts have been dead wrong on Winter Storm Saturn. Rain starting at 5 PM yesterday? Never happened. 1-3" of snow last night? Nope. Now they're telling us the worst is still to come today. I don't have much faith in these "experts."

Roads are slick but quite passable at this hour.

Schools and the federal government are closed. The Maryland state government is on liberal leave.

Almost all Metrobus routes are running, but some are on "limited" schedules. That means more waiting than usual at bus stops.

Forecast remains the same, with snow accumulation of 5-6" by tomorrow, while other models say anywhere from 3-12".

Stay tuned here and at @RockvilleNights on Twitter for updates.

Tuesday, March 5, 2013

NEW GIANT APP LETS YOU SELF-CHECKOUT WITH YOUR SMARTPHONE (PHOTOS)

Grocery shopping just got faster and easier at Giant.

Giant has a new smartphone app for iPhone and Android that can replace the self-scanner device you may have used in the store previously.

The Scan-It Giant app helps you with your shopping list, scans each item via your smartphone camera, and then checks you out when you're done.  Best of all, app users get special deals beyond the sales and Bonus Card prices.

In Rockville, the service is currently available at the Giant on Hungerford Drive by N. Washington Street, and at the Montrose Crossing Giant further down Rockville Pike.

HOW MANY INCHES OF SNOW WILL ROCKVILLE GET FROM WINTER STORM SATURN?

Rockville is under a Winter Storm Watch right now. The sun is shining, but there's a wintry chill in the air.

Winter Storm Saturn is on its way to the DC area.

How many inches of snow will end up falling on Rockville tonight and on Wednesday?

The average prediction is 5-6 inches. Some forecasters say it could be as many as 8-12.

But here's an intriguing prediction: the now-famous Euro Model is saying the DC area will receive a 1-3" accumulation. This contradicts the majority of forecasts. Yet it is intriguing because the Euro Model was dead-right about the hurricane last fall.

The fact is, nobody knows. But conditions are right for up to a foot of snow.  And it is supposed to be a wet, heavy snow. That means more effort to shovel and plow for humans and machines.

Even though the Euro Model sounds unlikely, you can't rule out the data from a model that has been accurate so many times.

The fact that temperatures will rise above freezing on Wednesday could certainly reduce the potential total accumulation.

But that ice and slush will freeze solid after dark again, so watch out.

Today, expect light showers by 5:00 PM, changing over to snow after dark.  Accumulation of 1-2" possible tonight. Winds gusting to 30 MPH.

Wednesday, heavy showers and heavy snow. Accumulation of 5-12" possible through Thursday morning. Winds will gust to 35 MPH. Visibility could be affected if snowfall is heavy, due to winds.

Metro and Metrobus are total wildcards in recent years, in contrast to their past practice of operation during all but the worst snows in prior decades.

Stay tuned here and at @RockvilleNights on Twitter for updates throughout the storm!

Monday, March 4, 2013

ROCKVILLE MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEETING TONIGHT AT 7 PM

The Rockville Mayor and Council will meet tonight at 7:00 PM at Rockville City Hall.

A discussion with the city Board of Supervisors of Elections, and the establishment of a Financial Advisory Board are among items on tonight's agenda.

Saturday, March 2, 2013

CHEETOS MIX-UPS CHEEZY SALSA MIX REVIEW (VIDEO)

There's been a mix-up at the Cheetos factory, but Chester Cheetah isn't complaining.  That's because the result is new Cheetos Mix-Ups Cheezy Salsa Mix! How hot is it? How do they rate? Watch my video review to find out.

Bags of this just arrived at Giant this week.

Friday, March 1, 2013

FREE BEER TASTING IN ROCKVILLE TONIGHT!

Tonight, March 1, 5-8 PM, meet George Humbert of Pub Dog Brewing Company at Gilly's Craft Beer and Fine Wine in Rockville. 

Try 4 of Pub Dog's most popular beers, and hear from the brewmaster himself.

Gilly's Craft Beer and Fine Wine. 2009 Chapman Avenue, Rockville.