Black Friday at Westfield Montgomery Mall 2021

Westfield Montgomery Mall will be closed today, Thanksgiving Day 2021. The mall will open for Black Friday tomorrow morning at 7:00 AM, and close at 10:00 PM. Stores that have their own outside access may have different hours, so call ahead. Have a hearty Thanksgiving dinner tonight, to fortify yourself for shopping Friday.

Black Friday deals will include 20% off regularly-priced items at Windsor, 60-70% off women's coats at Macy's, 30% off entire purchase at Soma Intimates, 25% off everything at White House | Black Market, 40-50% off everything at Express, 50% off everything at Fabletics, 40% off everything at Gap, 40% off your purchase at Banana Republic, and 30% off your purchase at Pandora.

Santa Claus will be in the house from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM on Black Friday. Make your reservations for photos with Santa online, and to learn more details about pet photos, and the Sensitive Santa's special appearances for those with sensory concerns or who need extra time for photos on December 5 and 12, from 9:30-10:30 AM both days.

Give yourself a boost while shopping with the limited-edition holiday treats at Auntie Anne's on Level 2. Snowball Nuggets are pretzel nuggets tossed in powdered sugar. The Peppermint Chocolate Frost is an iced beverage topped with whipped cream and peppermint sprinkles. A must-try!

BioTec USA opening Montgomery Mall location

BioTec USA, a skin care clinic offering a range of products and spa services, is expanding to Montgomery County. A new location will be in Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. Founded by Science Director Tanya Gospodinova, BioTec has an existing location in the Foxhall area of Northwest Washington, D.C. Look for BioTec soon on Level 2 next to Avalon, right outside of Nordstrom.

Trump endorses Dan Cox in Maryland governor race

Republican candidate Delegate Dan Cox has received President Donald Trump's "Complete and Total Endorsement" in the 2022 race for governor of Maryland. Trump declared Cox "MAGA all the way," after speaking with him by phone while Cox was visiting the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis on Monday. He called Cox a "tough lawyer and smart businessman."

The Trump endorsement was another opportunity for the 45th president to roast current Gov. Larry Hogan (R) almost as much as touting Cox's MAGA bona fides. Trump's statement blasted Hogan as a "RINO," or Republican-in-name-only, who "has been terrible for our Country." Hogan has been highly critical of Trump, and briefly entertained the idea of running against him in 2020.

Trump praised Cox as an advocate for low taxes, election security, veterans, school choice, and 2nd Amendment rights, and for opposing further pandemic lockdowns of schools and businesses. Last year, Cox sued Hogan over coronavirus restrictions in a case that was ultimately dismissed, but which raised Cox's statewide name recognition.

Cox expressed his "sincere gratitude" to Trump for the endorsement in a livestream on Facebook Monday evening. He is competing against Maryland Labor Secretary Kelly Schulz, Montgomery County attorney Robin Ficker, Nottingham resident Minh Thanh Luong, and Baltimore County attorney Joe Werner in the Republican primary.

Rockville City Hall to reopen in January 2022

Rockville City Hall will reopen to the public on January 3, 2022, City Manager Rob DiSpirito announced. The building has been closed since March 14, 2020, due to the coronavirus pandemic. “I strongly believe that employee collaboration and level of service to customers will benefit by reopening all city offices, including bringing employees back on site at City Hall,” DiSpirito said in an email that informed city employees of the planned reopening.

Photo courtesy City of Rockville

Melina sets opening date, menu in Rockville (Photos)

Just one day after I gave you an exclusive first look at the stunning interior of Melina at 905 Rose Avenue at Pike & Rose, the owners announced the official opening date of the modern-casual Greek restaurant. Melina will open this coming Monday, November 22, 2021. Menus have now also been posted on the website; here are three sample dishes:

Beef Tartare

Roasted Heirloom Carrots

Slow-roasted Lamb Neck Kleftiko

Top photo: Robert Dyer; menu photos courtesy Melina

Rockville Taco Bamba giving away 50 coffee tumblers Friday to celebrate breakfast launch

Taco Bamba is now open at 9:00 AM for breakfast at 1627 Rockville Pike at Congressional Plaza. To celebrate the launch of a new, all-day breakfast menu, the restaurant will be giving away free coffee with any purchase until noon every day. This Friday, tomorrow, November 19, 2021, Taco Bamba's Rockville location will also be giving away 50 free coffee tumblers, to the first 50 customers who purchase any breakfast item.

Photos courtesy Taco Bamba

First look: Melina Greek restaurant at Pike & Rose (Photos)

Wow. The window coverings have been removed at Melina, the new modern Greek restaurant from the founders of CAVA at 905 Rose Avenue at Pike & Rose, and it's one of the more impressive dining rooms seen in recent years. A plant-forward menu is reflected in abundant greenery throughout the space, and classical statues recall the staggering cultural legacy of ancient Greece. Light sconces share space with a more recent cultural icon on the walls, a Zorba the Greek poster - not from the movie, but of the 1946 book cover.

Melina will certainly be a fine lunch or dinner spot to impress clients if you are working in the offices upstairs at 909 Rose Avenue, as well as for date nights. Stay tuned for an opening date, which is going to be soon, judging from the ready-to-go appearance of the dining room and bar.