Bethesda Actually

Can anyone answer this question from a reader:

Message Body:
Hi,

Was on Bethesda Ave last night and saw that the Italian pottery store has closed down. It was totally empty and pad locked. Any idea why it closed and what will be going in that space?

Also, saw that the Paper store is moving across the street, any idea what’s going to go into its current space?

Thanks!

Hi Raj & Tom – My friends and I run a recreational sports league in DC and are expanding to Bethesda this summer. We were hoping you would share this information with your readers?

This is our blurb (below) that we’ve been posting, feel free to use it or edit it as you see fit.

Thanks!
Gautam

If you like specials on quality beers; an excuse to make endless ball jokes; or building a social network  after-hours, then DC Bocce is perfect for you.   We are pleased to announce that we are offering a new location in Bethesda this summer!

Visit http://www.dcbocce.com to register for the season, which begins the week of July 21st, and to find out more information about the League.

The Summer Season runs for eight weeks including a play-off tournament & two end-of-season events. There are weekly contests, giveaways, and food and drink specials.  And at the end of the season, the final four teams from the play-off tournament receive a cash prize to donate to a charity of their choice.

This is your chance to get in on a game that is enjoyed by players of all ages and abilities in a league that makes tossing around heavy balls totally fun.  Register yourself individually or with a team today!

Subject: I need more Essie in my life!

Message Body:
There hasn’t been an Essie entry for quite some time. I live for Essie’s writing. When can I expect another post like the one on Earthday? Now that was a classic!

We will see what we can do!

Hi friends — just a fun observation I wanted to pass on. I was walking through Bethesda yesterday and spotted Chef Andre wearing his Spain soccer shirt heading into Jaleo to watch the Spain v Portugal game. I couldn’t watch the game there but will try and catch a match later in the tournie at Jaleo – nevertheless it was good to see one of Spain’s sons flying the flag in Bethesda!

Friends, another big World Cup game and if you want to watch Brazil v Chile in Bethesda a good venue could be Tommy Joe’s which seems to have agreed to show all Brazil games and has become a bit of a hang out for joga bonito futbol fans.

Brazil will feel pretty good about their chances and they should have more than enough talent to get past a skillfull and attack minded Chile side that showed against Spain that they may not have enough to go toe to toe with the big teams in this World Cup.

Will you get a chance to watch the game and if so where in Bethesda are you planning on checking it out?

“It’s about time,” said shopping mall developer Peter Framson, principal of Bethesda-based Green Light Retail.

The Washington Post notes that:

Framson said 15 years ago the agency never responded to his proposal to license a dry cleaning drop-off service at three stations.

As we all know the Metro system in our region is constantly challenged financially. Shortages of money impact service at a time when ridership is up and the authorities are forced to demand more from those using metro train and bus on a regular basis. The whole approach to public transportation funding has been crying out for a change in thinking in recent years.

Well, finally we may see the authorities start to think a bit outside the box and attempt to raise money in a way that does not rely on going to riders and demanding more cash.

Some of the top retailers in the area are starting to push proposals that would see retail outlets/ booths etc. being set up in select metro stops. The thought is that these outlets will work in much the same way as small booths etc. work in shopping malls – taking advantage of the high volume of passengers in the area. One idea that seemed interesting was to have a thematic aspect to each metro stops retail outlet — Woodley Park would showcase the Zoo for instance.

This got your friends at Bethesda Actually thinking — what would the right retail concept be for Bethesda metro station? Leave your thoughts below and we will write a follow up piece with the best ideas!

This is very important and a valuable contribution to a national challenge.

Friends, just received a reminder from a member of the Bethesda Actually community noting that tomorrow Metro is hiking its base bordering fare 1.95 – up 18%. Obviously this will hit people in the pocket a bit at a time when everyone is watching their bottom line carefully. One concern here at Bethesda Actually is that the cost of Metro seems to be rising at a time when the service is under performing — let’s hope that dynamic changes soon.

It’s been an exciting time the last couple of weeks as World Cup fever has gripped soccer fans across the U.S. and more locally in Bethesda too, and with the U.S. through to the last 16 it doesn’t look to be abating any time soon!

But as life goes on outside the soccer bubble, I just wanted to remind you all that Five Finger Discount, a Variety Funk and New Swing outfit, are set to play Veterans Park this evening.  6 – 8pm at the corner of Woodmont and Norfolk Avenues