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The Washington Post (specifically, the Going Out Gurus) are reporting that the Wheaton Mall complex Westfield Shoppingtown Wheaton is getting a Montgomery Cinema ‘N’ Drafthouse. It will be slightly larger than its Arlington sister at 32,000 square feet and will show a variety of films – including first run films (at $8.50 – $9), some middle-of-the-road films (for $6 and under), and will even offer $1 movie nights from time to time.

The current P & G Theater will close in April and re-emerge in “late summer” as the Montgomery Cinema & Drafthouse. And in addition to movies, the facility will have stand-up comedy and broadcast sports events, among other things.

All that having been said, I’d still rather go to AFI to see a movie and forego the truant-ridden Wheaton area. Ever since El Pollo Rico burned down, I’ve had no reason to trek up there (and, frankly, less of a reason for being).

Speaking of theaters…
I got an email a short time ago from someone who had their purse emptied during a movie at our esteemed Majestic Theater. It must have been a real stealth operation, as the perp got into the purse, took out the cash, and returned the wallet to its normal place with credit cards and such intact. Keep your eyes peeled.

And back on the subject of beer…
If any of our friends at the Hook & Ladder Brewery are listening, I encourage you to email me. We’re all looking forward to the opening and I’m more than happy to shill for you guys as time draws nigh.

For anyone with the means and the time, I highly recommend a trip to Austin for SXSW. While I did hear some great music, in the interest of full disclosure, I went for the Interactive part of the conference, but it was most excellent. One of the highlights was a keynote interview with Mark Zuckerberg, the founder of Facebook. And if you read the article, the highlight wasn’t what he had to say. What’s SXSW without a little drama?

Rock Band Progress
Thanks to the efforts of Silver Spring Singular, among others, we may have found an answer to our search for a Rock Band Forum in DTSS. Will find out more about the progress nest week. *fingers crossed*

About that Bathroom
One of the things that’s been taking up my free time (another reason for the sparse recent posts) is redoing the downstairs bathroom in our 1923 bungalow. It’s been a slow process, but I’m doing it myself and it’s certainly costing less than having someone else come in and do it. But I’m now concerned with security going to and from the bathroom, and I’m wondering if I can get the county to subsidize my bathroom safety to the tune of $65,000. To be fair, Ike didn’t ask for this – his security detail thought it would be a good idea. And if I’m in a hurry to shed some weight, I certainly wouldn’t want community activists accosting me on my way to the head. Maybe they’re scared Seth Hurwitz will rear his anticompetitive head and demand an open RFP process.

The market is coming! The market is coming!
According to the Fresh Market Web site, the downtown market starts up again on April 19. Anyone know when, officially, the turf is supposed to be ripped up and contruction started on the new civic building? Inquiring yoga-on-the-green minds want to know.

And speaking of things starting up for the season…
Set your TiVos. Battlestar Galactica fires up the FTL drives on April 4.

Funny – I don’t feel tardy. But I have been slacking on this. Just a temporary setback, I assure you. Between remodeling the bathroom and a new commute to King Street metro in Alexandria, time is scarce. But until I have time for something more substantial, here are a few things to think about:

1. Any home improvement project will require at least three trips (in one day) to Strosnider’s. Between shearing off the trap under the sink and ripping everything off the wall for electrical work, you might as well just suck it up.
2. The full County Council voted yesterday to approve funding for the Fillmore, but that is by no means the end of it. Everyone voted in favor except for Roger Berliner (who voted nay), Valerie Ervin (who had to leave the meeting early), and Marc Elrich (who abstained). Come on, Marc. What’s up with that? Thanks to Singular for pointing out some IMP hypocracy, too.
3. I was driving up Georgia to head East on the Beltway when a sign in front of the Christ Lutheran Church of the Deaf caught my eye: It said “Silent Auction.” No joke. Unfortunate that I couldn’t get out of rush hour traffic to snap a photo.
4. Ghar-E-Kabab is damn tasty. Give it a whirl. Great pakora, chana masala, and butter chicken.
5. National Public Radio can have their no-good NoMa (hit a homa) space. They really sort of belong in Washington, DC, anyway. Could you hear Lakshmi Singh say “from NPR in Silver Spring, MD”? Mmm… I could. Lakshmi. Wait – where was I? Oh yeah…
6. I also highly recommend Tuesday nights at Olazzo for $5 martinis. Have I already mentioned that? And any other night for random revelry is great, but I think we should pack the bar every Tuesday. Who’s with me?

Unfortunately, I won’t be at Olazzo this Tuesday, as I’m heading out to SXSW in Austin. First time and I’m pretty psyched. More to post upon my return (or maybe if I get some good stuff out there, of course). IMP can suck it.

Catch ya later, Bill and Ted.

UPDATE: Silver Spring Daily Photo was gracious enough to hop out of the car and snap a photo of the Silent Auction sign. (Many thanks!) Looks like the auction applies the larger church (Calvary Lutheran), but I say the gag still stands.