Bethesda Actually

The Washington Post ran this article today about problems of overcrowding in Maryland schools – with Montgomery County bearing the brunt as the state’s largest school system.  As 200,000 Maryland students headed back to school, growth in classroom size has been pitched against funding difficulties meaning school’s have been unable to hire more teachers, leaving parents understandably anxious.

Concerning Bethesda:

At Ashburton Elementary School in Bethesda, enrollment has grown to 770 this year from 650 last year, mostly in kindergarten and first grade. Principal Charlene Eroh Garran said that she had hired two veteran teachers and two rookies in the past month and had to find new space in the school to accommodate all the students, but she was optimistic that things would work out. Any more and she’ll have to call in the trailers, she said.

Meanwhile, Superintendent Jerry D. Weast, who is retiring in June, undertook a “back-to-school-tour” yesterday marking the final of his 12 years as Superintendent.  He began the day at Bethesda’s Walter Johnson High School.

Read the full article here.

Our friends at Nest DC currently have this fantastic craftsman home available for rent in Bethesda.  Nest is a terrific, socially responsible property management company with a strong community focus.  Check out the listing below (and visit them at their website):

Bethesda at it’s best.  Forget rentals having the worst track record for elegance.  Honestly, with so many questions about buying – the rental world is a good temporary landing if you aren’t quite sure it’s the right time to jump into the market and inventory for great rentals has never been better.  We have an absolutely gorgeous custom craftsman home that was built just a few years ago with hardwood flooring, tons of windows, incredible light, 5 large bedrooms and 5 bathrooms.  The kitchen features ceiling height cabinetry, a built-in banquette and booth-style dining area for cozy breakfasts and dinners. The formal dining room offers lots of space for larger occasions and the main family room is open and inviting.  Suburban living just minutes to DC – it really is the best Nest has to offer. Please contact Lisa Wise for more information. 1-202-390-1513.

Friends,

As you know we have featured the PeriPoint building and the Gallery Neptune on several occasions. We love the building and believe it to be a true Bethesda landmark – perhaps even the most unique and original building in town.  The values of its owners have been infused into this Green building, and we’re very proud to be able to keep you informed of the next stage in PeriPoint’s evolution.

Gallery Neptune has now concluded seven years of finely produced exhibitions featuring the superb talent of artists in the mid Atlantic region. Moving ahead, the education program at Studio Neptune is expanding beyond ages 6-14 by offering select classes for high school students and adults.

Elyse (who co-owns the building with her husband Michael) will continue teaching and is excited by the prospect of identifying the right tenants to build on their work and take PeriPoint to the next level.

In this special three part series, we will showcase the opportunities available for the right tenants at PeriPoint.  We firmly believe this landmark building is a must-see for restauranteurs and others seeking a stunning space in Bethesda.  Just follow the coming articles then pay a visit to PeriPoint.  Here’s a visual taste of what you can expect from the coming series, and what you will discover when you visit the real thing.

PeriPoint is located at 5001 Wilson Lane Bethesda, MD 20814-2455 (corner of Old Georgetown Road).  See map below:

For more info drop Raj an email at rajlaw@yahoo.com

My full contact info:
Raj Purohit

Weichert Realtors 7200 Wisconsin Ave Bethesda

Direct 240-486-3921

Work 301 656 2500

EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY

Dropped into Raku for sushi on Saturday afternoon around 5pm.  First time in a long time but I got the craving and will definitely be heading back soon!  It was very busy, despite being post-lunch/pre-dinner, and the food was great.  Nice staff, very helpful, professional and friendly.  All in all 45 minutes well spent!

This fantastic collection of photographs was taken by 23-year-old self-taught photographer Verónica Magán on a recent visit to Bethesda.  Each picture captures the “common things” around our streets, from brick walls to sidewalks and doors, framing these objects that we so often take for granted, or simply don’t notice, in a new light.

Verónica, from Venezuela, got to know Bethesda’s streetscene while visiting her boyfriend who works here.  In true DC fashion, most days were spent shopping and visiting museums.  But after a tiring tourist trek they decided to spend the last weekend in Bethesda, which inspired Verónica to create this album.

“While getting to know the colorful streets and restaurants, I noticed the beauty hidden in the “common” things, the things you take for granted when you go by the streets of Bethesda,” she said.

“Every feature of the city has a beautiful detail: the sidewalks, the walls, the benches, the corners, drains… they are all made of different materials and colors that bring Bethesda to life. I guess I could say I felt Bethesda through its textures, so I decided to photograph it.”

And the results are fantastic!  All the pictures were taken using a 30-year-old Pentax KC 1000 with a 35mm ASA400 film.  “I couldn’t think of a better camera to capture the mixture of modern and traditional spirit I found in Bethesda. I’ll be back next Christmas to find new inspiration on a new season,” she added.

Thanks very much to Verónica for allowing us to publish her work.  To see her full set, click here.

Around $4.4 million has been earmarked for improving intersections near Bethesda’s National Naval Medical Center.  The intersections are expected to receive significantly increased traffic as thousands of jobs are relocated following closings and realignments of other military facilities.  More here.

Just to build on Raj’s post a couple of days ago, Gov. Martin O’Malley has actively promoted the Purple Line light rail in his bid for re-election.  The Purple Line is a 16-mile project that would connect Bethesda to New Carrollton via Silver Spring at a cost of almost $1.7 billion.  Full article here.

A week or so ago we mentioned Bistro Lazeez.  Their website is not yet up and running, although we are assured it is “coming soon”.  In the meantime here are some great reviews (on the whole – a few people were not so impressed, but for the most part feedback looks extremely positive).

Have you been to Bistro Lazeez?  If so let us know what you thought!

Our good friends over at Bethesda Central Farm Market are holding their first annual “Bake Bethesda a Pie” contest, inviting amateur bakers to submit two pies which will be judged by some of Washington’s top food professionals.  Applicants must enter before August 31st.  Here’s all the info you will need to take part.  Good luck!

BETHESDA CENTRAL FARM MARKET HOLDS FIRST ANNUAL “BAKE BETHESDA A PIE” CONTEST

–It’s your turn to show off what you can do with a pie! —
–Prizes include gift certificates to local restaurants, shops and BCFM–

Bethesda, MD…. August 4, 2010…Bethesda Central Farm Market, located at the Elm Street parking lot between Wisconsin and Woodmont Avenues on Sundays from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. and at Bethesda Row on Thursday afternoons from 3-7 p.m. is holding its first annual “Bake Bethesda a Pie” contest.

To enter, contestants must be amateur bakers. All applications include a $5 fee  that will benefit Manna Food Bank. For an application, go to www.bethesdafarmmarket.com and enter before August 31, 2010. A separate entry form is required for each pie entered; bakers may submit up to two pies. Entries may be e-mailed to moserdebra@aol.com or turned in at the information tent at the Sunday market. For complete details and contest rules, click on www.bethesdacentralfarmmarket.com

The contest will be judged on Sunday, September 5 at 11 a.m. at the market by some of Washington’s top food professionals: Bonnie Benwick, Assistant Food Editor, Washington Post; Carole Sugarman, Food Editor, Bethesda Magazine; Nancy Hickman, Manager, Buzz Bakery Arlington, and Deann O’Brien, Gazette Newspapers. Prizes will be awarded for both fruit and savory pies. First place is $100 gift certificate, second place wins $50 gift certificate and third place is a $25 gift certificate. All prizes can be redeemed at participating local restaurants, shops and at the Bethesda Central Farm Market.

###

Many of you will doubtless have wandered past The Chase (condos now for sale) and seen the sign, but I thought I’d flag it anyway.  The top left corner says 85% sold out.  Does anyone have any insight into this building?  Here are some previous reviews.  They go back a few years but could be helpful in some aspects.