Wednesday, February 5, 2014

ROCKVILLE RESIDENT CRITICIZES CITY "COMBAT SPORTS" CLASSES HE SAYS "ENHANCE VIOLENCE"

Dr. Maynard Moore, a Rockville resident affiliated with the National Association of Recreational Equality, asked the Mayor and Council Monday to add recreational sports programs that promote cooperation, rather than competition.  Referring to Sunday's Super Bowl, Moore said "we can be thankful that apparently no one was seriously hurt. This spring the City of Rockville will be providing classes for teaching...'defeat others' combat sports," sports he said may be "conducive to aggression."

Referring to football, soccer, basketball and hockey, Moore cited research that suggests such competitive, "opponent-oriented" sports are "enhancing violence among young people," and may lead to bullying.

Moore did not suggest the city cancel the traditional sports classes, but asked the Mayor and Council to add one or two classes that would "foster cooperation, rather than aggression," such as bankshot basketball.

Mayor Bridget Newton said the city already has three bankshot basketball facilities.

ROCKVILLE NAMES NEW HEAD OF PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT

Timothy J. Chesnutt, former director of the Jacksonville, North Carolina Parks and Recreation Department, will fill that position now in Rockville. Chesnutt was hired by Rockville City Manager Barb Matthews, who announced the news Monday.

Chesnutt succeeds longtime director (and former City Hall podium turner) Burt Hall.

“I have long known Rockville is a special place," Chesnutt said. "The Recreation and Parks Department has a reputation for providing quality, innovative and responsive services and programs, and I am honored to be chosen to be a part of this exceptional team. I look forward to working with the City Manager, the outstanding staff of the Recreation and Parks Department, the Mayor and Council, and the greater Rockville community to carry on a tradition of excellence.”

BILL TO STUDY NEW MD-VA POTOMAC RIVER BRIDGE ADVANCES IN VA HOUSE

The Virginia House Transportation Committee voted Tuesday to send a bill requiring further study of a new Potomac River crossing to the House Appropriations Committee. Bill HB-1244 would require the Virginia Department of Transportation to review the results of an ongoing demand study for a new bridge. The study area is between existing crossings at Point of Rocks (US 15) and the Harry Nice Bridge (US 301). A new crossing would be constructed within that area.

Historically, new Potomac River bridges had been planned at several locations. Most notable were those to connect the unbuilt Rockville Freeway to the Fairfax County Parkway at Riverbend Park, and the unbuilt Outer Beltway (I-370 extension) to VA 28. Other bridges were considered at Arizona Avenue in the District, and in relation to the George Washington Parkway. Failure to build some - or all - of these crossings is a major factor in today's congestion on the American Legion Bridge in Bethesda, and on I-495 and I-270. A recent Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments study concluded that about a quarter of all traffic on the American Legion Bridge is heading to or from the Dulles area.

If the study shows a need for a new crossing (duh!), the bill requires VDOT to furnish recommendations for specific crossing sites to the Virginia General Assembly, and VA Secretary of Transportation, by December 1, 2015.

HB-1244 is co-sponsored by Del. Thomas Davis Rust and J. Randall Minchew. There is some urgency regarding the bill, as the House Appropriations Committee has only three meetings scheduled before all non-budget House bills must be finished.

A new crossing has been endorsed by U.S. Sen. Mark Warner (D-Virginia).

ROCKVILLE ICE/WEATHER UPDATE (PHOTO)

It is currently 32° in Rockville. Expect rain or freezing rain intermittently over the next few hours, but this further precipitation shouldn't stick once the temperature increases.

Temperatures will remain above freezing all day, and the Winter Storm Warning expires at 10:00 AM this morning.

We're not thawed out yet, though, as you can see on this Ride On sign.

Tuesday, February 4, 2014

NAPLES 45 RISTORANTE E PIZZERIA OPENING AT WESTFIELD MONTGOMERY MALL

People in DC are always talking about New York City pizza being the best. Well, they'll be delighted to know that we're getting an actual New York City pizzeria here in Montgomery County: Naples 45 Ristorante e Pizzeria will open later this year at Westfield Montgomery Mall.

Naples 45 will be located by the future dining terrace and ArcLight Cinemas, currently under construction. The Bethesda location will be the only one outside of NYC, except for their Disneyland and Disney World restaurants.

The pizzeria specializes in Neapolitan pizza. That style relies on a lean, fine dough containing only flour, yeast, salt and water. The thin crust features a crispy, thin exterior, and a slightly-chewy, soft interior. Is it authentic? Naples 45 is one of only 3 NYC pizzerias to win the La Vera Pizza Napoletana certification, for authentic Neapolitan preparation, ingredients and cooking methods. They were similarly awarded the Ospitalità Italiana certification for those reasons.

Still not convinced? Tony Gemignani, World Champion Pizza Maker - and official U.S. Ambassador of Neapolitan Pizza (as bestowed by the city of Naples, Italy, no less) - says real Neapolitan pizza should use Caputo flour and San Marzano tomatoes. And, by golly, Naples 45 uses both.

Here's a great video showing the actual Naples 45 Disney World location, that will let you see the cooking process and restaurant firsthand. I don't know about you, but I'm ready for a slice of this pizza.

If you're on a dinner-and-a-movie visit there after the ArcLight Cinemas open - and somebody in the group isn't a pizza person - there are also plenty of pasta, seafood, meat and salad dishes on the menu.

This is another strong statement by Westfield about boosting food offerings to the level expected at a top flight mall. Westfield Montgomery Senior Marketing Director Christa Allen says the mall is committed to "continuing to bring unique dining options to the table.” If they can add something special in the Legal Sea Foods space, like a Great American Restaurants Group restaurant (Coastal Flats, Jackson's Mighty Fine Food, etc.), that would arguably make Montgomery Mall an equal to Tysons Corner.

Monday, February 3, 2014

82 STEAK OUT OPEN AT ROCKVILLE TOWN SQUARE

The place to be for dinner tonight in Rockville is the Grand Opening of 82 Steak Out in Rockville Town Square. Get French-style steak frites and fries, as well as a salad, for only $18.82. You can get some of the usual steakhouse sides for $6.82 each, and desserts (including a brownie sundae!) for $7.82. You can check out the complete menu here.

101 Gibbs Street, #C, 240.428.1295.

ROCKVILLE SNOW FORECAST - WEATHER

The snow forecast for Rockville is insignificant today. Expect a mix of rain and snow between early morning and mid-afternoon. Temperatures are forecast to remain above freezing throughout the day. Clouds will give way to clear skies by 8:00 tonight, but temperatures will drop below freezing - expect them to be in the upper twenties overnight.