Over 20 car windows smashed in theft rampage at Rockville apartment complex (Photos)

One or more thieves smashed windows on over 20 vehicles at a Rockville apartment complex early yesterday morning, April 29, 2023. Residents of Halpine View on Twinbrook Parkway say that the cars were broken into between 1:00 and 4:00 AM Saturday. The most common item stolen from the vandalized cars was the vehicle's airbag. Honda Civics were the primary target in the theft spree, which resembles a similar rampage at a Bethesda condo earlier this month.

Given that thieves are willing to break the windows even if you've locked your car, how can you keep your airbag from being stolen? Police and insurance industry experts recommend installing an anti-theft device on your steering wheel, such as The Club. Thieves who see such a device attached are likely to move on to the next car.

Rockville apartment broken into

Montgomery County police responded to a report of a burglary at an apartment building in Rockville yesterday morning, April 28, 2023. The burglary was reported at an apartment on Upper Rock Circle, off of Shady Grove Road, at 8:26 AM Friday. Officers responded to the scene found evidence of forced entry at the apartment.

LaserAway opens in Rockville

LaserAway has opened at 926 Rose Avenue, in the ground floor of the Canopy by Hilton hotel at Pike & Rose. This was previously the location of Taylor Gourmet.  LaserAway is a laser hair removal practice with locations in 24 states and the District of Columbia. It also offers botox treatments, tattoo removal, photofacials, dermal fillers, Thermage skin tightening, Coolsculpting fat removal, Clear + Brilliant laser treatments and other skincare services. 

RASA Indian restaurant opens in Rockville

RASA, a fast-casual Indian restaurant, has opened at 12033 Rockville Pike in the Montrose Crossing shopping center. The local chain's founders are natives of Montgomery County, but this is their first Maryland location. It replaces Slapfish at the Federal Realty development. RASA is open from 10:30 AM to 10:00 PM seven days a week.

Montgomery County now collecting durable medical equipment at Shady Grove Transfer Station

Do you have medical equipment you no longer need, and is just taking up space in your home? Now it can be put to use for less-fortunate residents in need of it. Montgomery County is now collecting durable medical equipment at the Shady Grove Transfer Station at 16101 Frederick Road (MD 355) in Derwood. "Gently-used" wheelchairs, canes, shower chairs, and other commonly-used medical equipment will be accepted, and will be refurbished and donated to residents who need it. The new initiative has been made possible by the Montgomery County Department of the Environment's entry into the Maryland Department of Aging’s Durable Medical Equipment (DME) Re-Use program.

Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich

“There is an ongoing need for medical equipment in our County,” Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich said in a statement. “Many of us have medical equipment in our basements, garages or attics that is no longer used, but is too good to throw away. This program helps our County’s efforts to reduce, reuse and recycle, while providing critical assistance to those in need. I encourage everyone to donate if they have any equipment that can still be used. This program isn’t just helping our planet—it is also helping our neighbors.”

Technicians from Maryland DME Re-Use take the donated equipment to a 56,000-square-foot facility located in Cheltenham in Prince George's County. There, it is sanitized, repaired and stored for future distribution. Equipment that is beyond repair will be broken down for parts that are saved and later used, rather than going into the trash.

To find out more about Maryland DME Re-Use, including collection site locations, acceptable donations or how to apply to receive durable medical equipment, go to dme.maryland.gov, call 240-230-8000 or email dme.mdoa@maryland.gov.

Lush opens temporary location at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

The tenant musical chairs game continues at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. Lush has opened a temporary store location at the mall. The cruelty-free and ethically-sourced bath, bodycare, skincare and haircare boutique will be here while construction is completed on its new space. It looks pretty posh for a pop-up shop. Find the temporary Lush store next to 2 the 9s, on Level 2 of the mall.

Nordstrom reducing window displays "to lessen our environmental impact" at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Nordstrom at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda says it is increasing its efforts to be more environmentally-sensitive. One step it is now taking "to lessen our environmental impact" is to reduce the number of window displays. At one window inside the mall, trash is now part of the display. "This display was partially sourced from our store's recyclable waste," a sign explains. 

This is apparently such a new development that there has not even been any company-wide announcement or press release about it yet. The window display initiative does not appear on the chain's environmental sustainability webpage. It's certainly an unusual tack for an upscale department store.