ROCKVILLE PINK BANK DEMOLITION UPDATE (PHOTOS)

The shameful disgrace that is the demolition of the historic Suburban Trust Building in Rockville continues to unfold at a snail's pace. One might describe the slow destruction of the "Pink Bank" as a death by a thousand cuts. Here is where things stand right now at the site of this rare example of New Formalist architecture in the DC area, at 255 N. Washington Street:

A full moon caught in the
background, just left of
center in the photo

ROCKVILLE DECLARES SNOW EMERGENCY + HOW MANY INCHES OF SNOW TO EXPECT

The City of Rockville has declared a snow emergency, as a major winter storm approaches the city. A snow emergency means residents should remove vehicles from streets by 6 PM tonight. If there is not adequate space to do so, residents are asked to park on the even-numbered side of the street. These non-mandatory requests are meant to make it easier for snowplow drivers to navigate streets, and speed up the snow removal process.

What is mandatory, is the city's snow-shoveling law:

Snow must be removed from sidewalks, steps, driveways, parking spaces and similar paved areas for public use (including access ramps and curbs) within 48 hours after a snowfall of three to 10 inches and within 72 hours after a snowfall of more than 10 inches. When clearing paved areas, provide a safe, unobstructed, passable path 36 inches wide.

Residents are asked to avoid driving during the storm, if possible. If you have a non-emergency weather-related issue to report to city police, call 240-314-8900. For emergencies, obviously, call 911.

Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley has declared a snow emergency for the state, as well.

ROCKVILLE FORECAST

Heavy snow is expected to begin falling during the evening rush hour tonight. Current projections are for 3-6" tonight, and 4-8" Thursday, for a total of up to 10". The high today will be 30-32 F, and the high Thursday will be 34 F.

HOOTERS OF ROCKVILLE VALENTINE'S DAY SPECIAL

Hooters of Rockville is offering diners a special deal for Valentine's Day this Friday: get 2 10-piece orders of Hooters' famous wings for only $14. No coupon is necessary, and the offer applies to dine-in customers only. Andrew Pudduck, vice president of marketing for Hooters, said, "we simply love our guests and know that between our legendary wings, relaxed atmosphere and Hooters Girl hospitality, Hooters is the perfect place to enjoy a satisfying Valentine’s Day meal at a great value."

COOKIE DOUGH OREOS REVIEW (VIDEO)

Cookie Dough Oreos have arrived in Montgomery County! I found a bag at Giant, and here's my review. 

BUDGET THE TOPIC AT TONIGHT'S ROCKVILLE MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEETING

Citizens can get a preview of the Rockville FY-2015 city budget at tonight's Mayor and Council meeting. City staff will present the highlights of the proposed budget, and the mayor and council will vote on two resolutions: one on taxation, and one amending the zoning ordinance with "technical and clarifying revisions."

The meeting will be held in the council chambers at City Hall tonight at 7:00 PM, and can also be viewed on Rockville Channel 11 on Comcast.

DUNCAN BLASTS MONTGOMERY COUNTY DECISION TO BOOT ROCKVILLE BIOTECH STARTUPS

Former Rockville mayor and past Montgomery County executive Doug Duncan yesterday blasted county officials for evicting biotech startups from a Rockville facility, a decision made to clear the way for a federal cybersecurity center at the Shady Grove property.

Duncan and biotech executives condemned the decision, saying it sends a negative message to firms who might consider moving to the county's I-270 life sciences corridor, one of the few bright spots in a stagnant county economy.

The firms currently housed at the William Hanna Center for Innovation will be kicked to the curb in June. Duncan is a current candidate for his old job as county executive.

REDI ASKS CITY OF ROCKVILLE TO BE ON HOOK FOR PROPERTY LEASE

Rockville Economic Development, Inc., a public-private partnership that helps launch and expand Rockville businesses, is asking the city to take on additional financial responsibility as it leases an unidentified property. Mayor Bridget Newton said she was first informed of the request last Friday. “This isn’t something that they’ve known about, or I’ve known about, for a while," Newton said Monday. "I’d like to see us be as helpful as we can."

REDI Chairman Ray Whalen appeared before the Mayor and Council Monday evening to seek changes to the Memorandum of Understanding the city has with the organization. Whalen said this property transaction will be the first major financial obligation REDI has taken on. REDI currently receives over $500,000 annually from the city, Whalen said. His concern is that REDI would be unable to pay back the cost of the 3-year rent, plus fees, should the city suddenly defund the organization.

Councilmembers Tom Moore and Beryl Feinberg expressed some concern about the request, seeking more time and detail. "For us to just agree in the space of six hours," Moore said, "this is fast." Moore added that the vagueness of just what the city's obligation would be, and the short notice of the issue, was "giving us heartburn up here."

“If you were to go ahead and do this…how much would the city be on the hook for?” Moore asked. City attorney Debra Yerg Daniel also asked for clarification of REDI's definition of partial defunding. Would a $10,000 cut to REDI's budget trigger an obligation for the city regarding the lease, for example? “We’d figure things out. I don’t where the line is," Whelan said. "We’ve never really looked at that from that perspective.”

While Whelan said he could not provide definitive numbers on paper that evening, he assured the council that "we certainly know the ballpark." “This has come to us so late," Feinberg said. "I pause a little bit when it says 'other obligations not included in payroll'…there’s no specificity to it," she added. "Personally, I have no problem with it," Newton said, but she and the council adjourned to Executive Session in the Blue Crab conference room, to obtain legal advice from city counsel. Upon restarting the public session later, Newton informed Whalen that she and the council were not prepared to make a decision on the matter Monday night.