Kabuto Japanese Steak & Sushi Bar posts "Coming Soon" signage in Rockville (Photos)

A long-awaited addition to Rockville's exploding Asian dining scene is finally showing further signs of life - and a modified name. It was nearly ten months ago when I broke the story that the owners of Kabu Japanese Steakhouse in Laurel had leased space for a new location in Foulger-Pratt's Rockville Metro II building at One Choice Hotels Circle. Since then, not much has happened besides the occasional appearance of a step ladder inside the space.

Now some significant work seems to be underway inside, and "coming soon" signage has been put up in the windows. The new year brings a new name for the restaurant, which will now be known as Kabuto Japanese Steak & Sushi Bar. For folks coming off the Metro at the end of the day, Kabuto will be the first restaurant choice they'll encounter walking into Rockville Town Center - Location, location, location!

Rockville construction update: Canopy by Hilton/bluemercury at Pike & Rose (Photos)

The new Canopy by Hilton is just about ready to open at Pike & Rose. A new bluemercury location is also under construction in the ground floor of the hotel.

bluemercury

bluemercury

bluemercury

bluemercury's corner spot on
the ground floor at Rose and
Grand Park Avenues

Darnestown woman vanishes leaving courthouse in Rockville

A woman who left the District Court of Maryland courthouse at 191 E. Jefferson Street in Rockville around 9:00 AM yesterday hasn't been seen since. Montgomery County police say Diva Sada Anita Marshall, 28, is African American, approximately 5’5″ tall, and weighs 128 pounds. She has black hair and brown eyes.

Police and her family are concerned for her welfare, as she functions at a middle-school level. Detectives are asking anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Diva Sada Anita Marshall to call the Montgomery County Police Department’s non-emergency number at 301-279-8000.

Rockville construction update: The Red Door Salon & Spa at Pike & Rose (Photos)

The signage for The Red Door Salon &Spa has been installed and lit at 934 Rose Avenue at Pike & Rose. It is located on two levels at the bottom of the new Canopy by Hilton hotel and 930 Rose condo building. The spa and the hotel are both expected to open soon.

Ranked voting for Montgomery County elections advances in Annapolis

A bill that would drastically change Montgomery County's election process could be voted on in Annapolis as early as this week. MC 19-18/HB 173 would allow the Montgomery County Council to implement Ranked Choice Voting for County elected offices. It leaves all of the decisionmaking on how to implement instant runoff voting in the hands of the Council, ranging from how the ballots would be designed, to where they would be counted (in each precinct, or at a central location).

Ranked Choice Voting allows voters to rank a first choice, second choice, for each elected office on the ballot. Proponents say it allows the majority to prevail. A winning candidate who doesn't have an actual majority of votes can be bumped in favor of a second-place finisher, who has received more second and third place votes than the winner.

Is this good or bad? There seems to be no definitive study or consensus opinion. Some say it gives a boost to third party candidates. The Cato Institute says it "actually neuters third parties." Republicans have fought it in Maine; College Republicans in Virginia just endorsed it this month. The lack of cohesive response might suggest that ranked voting is indeed fair to all, and being focused on dozens of major local issues, I'm not prepared to condemn something I haven't had time to study in great detail.

But, the skeptic - which any good journalist should be - would naturally have to ask, "Why is the Council pushing for this?" What problem is it addressing? There have been no disputed elections in Montgomery County. There have been no spoiler victories, no GOP victories, and no third-party victories.

Ranked voting might have stopped Donald Trump from gaining primary and general election victories, but Trump was crushed by Hillary Clinton in Montgomery County, and this bill only applies to County offices. We know that Montgomery County Democratic turnout was low in June 2014, but the low turnout was mainly the result of incumbents' desire to hold the Democratic primary while many voters were at the beach.

At this point, I would just like to hear ranked voting proponents answer what specific problem in Montgomery County elections this bill is solving. For example, how the outcome of County races in 2014 would have changed with ranked voting, and what benefit that change would have had. If these types of Montgomery County-specific questions cannot be answered, it would not speak well for the bill, or garner public support for Council action if it passes.

AT&T Store closes on Rockville Pike (Photos)

A short-lived AT&T Store has abruptly closed at 1600 Rockville Pike. For whatever reason, AT&T has trouble finding permanent locations for their stores in Rockville. My assumption is that their next destination is Montrose Crossing. But until then, they are directing customers to their Bethesda store at 4957 Elm Street - hardly a convenient alternative for Rockville customers.

Rockville's Choice Hotels breaks ground in Ocean City

When you come into Ocean City on the Route 50 bridge this summer, you may well see signs of your hometown hotel giant's newest Maryland property. Choice Hotels, which is headquartered in Rockville, broke ground yesterday on the 133-room Cambria Hotel Ocean City at 309 N. 1st Street. The hotel is scheduled for delivery in the summer of 2019.

Located on a bayfront lot that LoopNet termed a "trophy location" when it was on the market, the Cambria Hotel Ocean City will have private balconies overlooking the Isle of Wight Bay, an indoor/outdoor infinity pool, poolside cabanas, a tiki bar, outdoor fire pits, local art collections, 2,200 SF of meeting space, a business center and - best of all - a rooftop restaurant/bar with a panoramic view of Assateague Island, Isle of Wight Bay and the Atlantic Ocean.

"The groundbreaking of the Cambria Hotel Ocean City property represents another important milestone for the brand, as we continue to seek opportunities in markets that provide the distinct upscale and cultural experiences modern travelers desire, such as those offered in the vibrant beach town of Ocean City," Janis Cannon, SVP, upscale brands at Choice Hotels, said in a statement yesterday.

Rendering courtesy Choice Hotels/Fisher Architecture