PETER CHANG RESTAURANT TO OPEN AT ROCKVILLE TOWN SQUARE

Federal Realty has landed a big name in Chinese cuisine at its Rockville Town Square development. Peter Chang will return to the DC area, opening an eponymous new Chinese concept in Rockville's town center. While Federal Realty did not announce the restaurant's location, it appears Chang won't be taking over one of the obvious vacant spaces. Chang's business partner, Gen Lee, told the Washington Post's Tim Carman that the new restaurant will replace Taste of Saigon.

While the restaurant will be only 3100 square feet in size, Chang's Duck in Stone Pot and Grandma's Steamed Pork Belly will be among his legendary dishes to make the Rockville menu. Peter Chang will be open late, from 11:00 AM to 1:00 AM, according to a Federal Realty press release.

While Rockville Town Square is still having some struggles - several tenants (e.g. Cosi) have vacated in recent months - the overall trend has been Federal Realty better matching its mix of tenants to Rockville's demographics. That includes better catering to the burgeoning Asian population in the city (although if Taste of Saigon is really moving out, there won't be a net gain in that department).

Stay tuned for more information as it comes in.

ROCKVILLE GAS STATION ROBBER GETS 12 YEARS IN SLAMMER

A Germantown man who robbed several gas stations and stores in Rockville and the Aspen Hill area was sentenced to 12 years in prison Monday. Duane James, 53, pled guilty to a spree of 7 robberies in  Rockville and Silver Spring, according to U.S. Attorney Rod Rosenstein. In each case, James wore a ski mask.

Among the businesses victimized by James were the Rockville Shell station, Twinbrook Shell gas station, and Bel Pre Beer and Wine. James also bagged $10,000-worth of jewelry from The Gold Spot store.

James was sentenced yesterday by Chief U.S. District Judge Deborah K. Chasanow, and federal prosecutors received assistance from the ATF and Montgomery County Police in the case.

Photo: Montgomery County Police

HERR'S OLD BAY CHEESE CURLS REVIEW (VIDEO)

Old Bay Seasoning is an essential for Maryland natives, as well as newcomers. The only question today, is what food can you not find it being added to around our great state? Herr's Foods of Pennsylvania has been one of the most prolific creators of Old Bay-licensed snacks in recent times. If you're a cheese puff fan like me, you'll probably want to start with their Herr's Old Bay Seasoned Cheese Curls. Herr's and Bachman have arguably the best cheese curls on the market, so expectations are high for this product.

How does the flavor combination turn out? Watch my review and find out!

ROCKVILLE PIKE PLAN PUBLIC HEARINGS SET

The Mayor and Council will hold 4 public hearings on the new Rockville Pike draft master plan this fall. Their dates are September 29, October 27, November 17 and December 8. These hearings will be agenda items during the regularly-scheduled Mayor and Council meetings on those dates. To testify, call 240-314-8280 before 4:00 p.m. on the date of the hearing in question.

UNCORKED WINE FESTIVAL POPS ON AUGUST 23 IN ROCKVILLE

$15 will get you a souvenir wine glass, and samples of some of Maryland's best local wines, at the Uncorked Wine Festival on Saturday, August 23, from noon to 6 PM at Rockville Town Square. Six bands will perform on two stages, and you can learn a thing or two from live cooking demonstrations. Read more about the performers here, or order your tickets online now.

ROBBERY ON FISHERS LANE + MORE - NIGHTSWATCH: ROCKVILLE CRIME UPDATE

Here's a roundup of crimes reported across Rockville on August 10, according to crime data:

Theft from vehicle. 700 block Carr Avenue.

Theft. 100 block Virginia Avenue.

Assault. 15900 block Somerville Drive.

Robbery. 5700 block Fishers Lane.

MONTGOMERY COUNTY BRT BACKFIRE AT COUNTY FAIR

The latest gaffe in the effort to sell a skeptical public on Bus Rapid Transit was a photo op that backfired at the Montgomery County Fair. After several years of claiming BRT vehicles would be futuristic, and more like railcars than buses, a BRT vehicle presented to media at the fair looked...exactly like a bus! Inside and out, the vehicle resembled the Metro buses we ride all over the DC area today. Just how this would help overcome the lower ridership potential of buses versus rail was not explained.

I'm also curious - who paid to transport this vehicle to the fair, and for all of the display materials and signage? It would be very costly to do so. Was this lobbying by a company for the theoretical fleet contract? An organization (financially backed by whom?)? Or was it paid for by the taxpayers?

The media blitz contained no mention of the 155 homes and businesses that would be condemned between Olney and Wheaton alone to build the BRT line along Georgia Avenue. What would be condemned in Rockville and Bethesda for a line that duplicates the Red Line, and dumps downtown DC-bound commuters short of the DC-MD line?

Signage promoted "Rapid Transit" (note they dropped the "bus" part), but the vehicle screamed "bus."  At a speed of 12 miles in 50 minutes, they may want to consider dropping the "Rapid" term, as well. While there was no indication of who paid for the BRT vehicle, there was also no indication of how the BRT system will be paid for.

Overall, there seems to be a much more compelling need to finance 8-car trains for Metro with some of the $5 billion that would be spent on BRT. We know Metro - as with rail transit in general - would have higher ridership than BRT. Increased capacity on the Red Line would be far more effective in accommodating current and future development in downtown Bethesda, and along Rockville Pike. It would also avoid the currently-planned seizure of automobile lanes for BRT, which would reduce auto capacity on that congested corridor by 33%.

Rail transit, and a new Potomac River crossing, would have far greater impact on economic development and job creation than BRT.