Remember the pedestrian flags for crossing Connecticut Ave in Chevy Chase? How’s this for an upgrade? From a press release:

Mayor Vincent C. Gray and representatives from the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) will demonstrate how a newly installed pedestrian HAWK signal (High-Intensity Activated crossWalK) works and discuss where other HAWK signals will be installed to make the District a safer and more walkable city.

WHERE: Connecticut Avenue and Northampton Street NW

BACKGROUND: The HAWK signal is designed to help pedestrians safely cross busy streets. While it appears differently to motorists, for pedestrians, this signal operates similar to other push-button-activated traffic signals in the District. It stops traffic with a red signal, allowing pedestrians to cross with a walk display. At certain locations, the signal can detect the presence of pedestrians waiting to cross and automatically activate.

Example of a HAWK system courtesy of DDOT

5502 Connecticut Avenue, NW

Back in Sept. 2012 we learned that Core 72, Women’s Activewear Boutique, would be opening in the former Full of Beans space (which moved around the corner) in Chevy Chase. They had their grand opening last Saturday. You can see the brands they stock here. The store looks great:

Thanks to a reader for sending the photo above from the Chevy Chase Pavilion in Friendship Heights (5335 Wisconsin Avenue, NW.) Washingtonian reports:

The original Frederick location of the sandwich shop boasts a menu that’s both moderately priced and family-friendly—think a $4.50 grilled cheese sandwich and fruit cups alongside more grown-up options like a wedge salad with barbecue chicharrones and a slow-cooked pork shoulder sandwich with pickled cabbage and cilantro.

You can see their full menu here. Chef Voltaggio opened RANGE in the Chevy Chase Pavilion back in Dec. 2012.

5333 Connecticut Avenue, NW

The 5333 Connecticut Neighborhood Coalition says:

The proposed 263-apartment building will stretch down the side streets of Military and Kanawha,
creating substantial parking, traffic, light, and pedestrian safety issues.

• The proposed structure will be the tallest building in Chevy Chase at grade and will have the highest population density.

• The proposed building contains 263 units in 299,000 gross square feet.

• The 263 units will house approximately 500 residents.

• There will be 173 parking spaces for 263 units and no guest spaces.

• The building height from grade on Military Road to the top of the penthouse level will be 125 feet.

Check out a rendering here.

Photo courtesy of Rosa Mexicano

From an email:

Rosa Mexicano Penn Quarter is rolling out a $15 Lunch Crunch complete with all their house favorites on one plate. Starting January 15th on weekdays from 11:30am-4:00pm, guests can enjoy the following perfectly portioned lunch “tray” complete with a sweet finish

Guacamole en Molcajete: Signature green goodness with warm house-made tortilla chips
Baja Fish Tacos: Line-caught crispy local fish with jalapeño tartar sauce
Tortilla Soup: Pasilla chile, grilled chicken, avocado and crema
Flan de Rosa: Vanilla-espresso flan served on a warm, ancho chile brownie

The special is also available for $12 at Rosa Mexicano Chevy Chase.

Click to enlarge

This rental is located at 4701 Connecticut Avenue, NW:

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The listing says:

“This unit has a huge, private patio/garden and is located in walking distance to the Van Ness Metro! Parking included!Convenient to Rock Creek Park. Unique floorplan with modern kitchen (double fridge, double dishwasher), dining-room with marble flooring, pergo floors in living areas. Glassblock walls. Renovated bathrooms & powder-room.”

This 2 bed/2 bath is going for $2,400/Mo.

5471 Wisconsin Avenue

When I was checking out RANGE opening in 5335 Wisconsin Avenue, NW I also saw a sign for a new Tex-Mex restaurant near the Friendship Heights metro. Mic Cocina’s website says:

“Welcome to Mi Cocina where everything we offer is hand-crafted and made fresh daily using authentic Mexican cooking techniques and the finest ingredients available. From our famous, homemade salsa to our mouthwatering, hand-dipped enchiladas, you can taste the freshness and quality in every bite. Relax in our comfortable stylish surroundings with one of our legendary Mambo Taxis® served by our family of warm, friendly and professional staff. It’s our honor to serve you!”

You can see their menu here. They have a lot of locations in Texas – has anyone ever eaten at one?

5335 Wisconsin Avenue, NW

Lots of folks have been eagerly anticipating the new restaurant, RANGE, from chef Bryan Voltaggio opening up in the Chevy Chase Pavilion by the Friendship Heights metro. I was able to attend a media preview last night and felt like I was launched into the future:

From a press release:

RANGE encompasses 14,000 square feet where the open kitchen design allows the 300 seats a view and ample interaction with the team of chefs. The kitchen stations include charcuterie, bakery, raw bar, rotisserie, wood fired hearth, dessert and candy, and coffee bar. Voltaggio’s approach promotes the use of whole animals such as Border Springs Farm lambs and Roseda Black Angus Farm steers that are butchered on-site and featured in a collection of offerings that include alternative cuts like shoulders, legs, and offal. Local game, fowl and the freshest seafood straight from the Chesapeake also grace the menu to meet all appetites. One menu is presented throughout the restaurant and highlights seasonal ingredients sourced from the Mid-Atlantic region prepared through classic and progressive techniques.

Check out the menus:

RANGE_MENU

RANGE_Beverage_Menu

RANGE_Dessert_Menu

More photos after the jump. (more…)

This house is located at 3229 Military Road, NW:

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The listing says:

“Terrific Value!! Large Brick Colonial with four real bedrooms and two full baths up!! Many original features, natural wood trim, foyer, fireplace, large living room, separate dining room, LL family room, side porch, garage and off street parking, Lafayette School district. Blocks to Connecticut Ave shopping & dining and hiker biker trails in Rock Creek Park,”

You can see more photos here.

This 4 bed/2.5 bath is going for $625,000.

This rental is located at 5311 Connecticut Avenue, NW:

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The listing says:

“Square footage per tax record. CONN AVE AT CORNER OF JOCEYLN ST HANDSOME WARDMAN TOWNHOUSE CONVERTED TO 6 UNITS IN 1980 TERRIFIC CHARACTER WITH 9 FT CEILINGS PARQUET FLOORS, WASHER DRYER. Excellent location, vacant ready to move in, 1BR/1BA with a fireplace. Kitchen updated (newer countertop, sink and faucet, & base cabinets).”

This 1BR/1BA with a fireplace is going for $1,700/Mo.

This rental is located at 5236 Nebraska Avenue, NW:

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The listing says:

“Adorable, charming & sunfilled w/inviting screened front porch, tiered back garden & slate patio, parking pad, original moldings, details, curved doorways & built-ins, huge windows thru out, sleek modern kitchen, hardwood flrs, neutral carpeting, many closets, lots of storage & more! Close to bus, metro & shops!”

This 3 bed/2.5 bath is going for $3,700/Mo.

5502 Connecticut Avenue, NW

From their Web site:

Changing lifestyles and attitudes toward fitness apparel among women have created a demand for more versatile, fashion-conscious technical activewear that offers both functional performance and style appeal.

To meet this demand and bring more diversity to the Washington, DC women’s market, Core72 will offer distinctive, stylish, high performance apparel and accessory lines from a range of manufacturers, all higly acclaimed in the outdoor industry but with limited distribution in our area. Core72 will offer products in the running, yoga/pilates, travel/lifestyle and cycling categories with a seasonal focus on standup paddling, swimming and/or skiing.

Full of Beans children’s clothing has moved around the corner to 3813 Livingston St, NW:

This rental is located at 3017 Military Road, NW:

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The listing says:

“Charming brick Colonial! 3BR/1BA, detached Garage, hardwood floors, lush level lot, & Sunroom. Deep front and back yard so house is nicely situated back from road…Nearby parkland, Metrobus stop, friendship heights metro, shops. Basement is separate and not included in rent.”

This 3 bed/1 bath is going for $3,800/Mo.

5335 Wisconsin Avenue, NW

Back in Feb. 2012 we learned that Bryan Voltaggio would be opening a new restaurant, Range, in the Chevy Chase Pavilion by the Friendship Heights metro.

The project is moving forward and they’ve recently applied for a liquor license which says:

“This is a new restaurant serving American style cuisine. Total Occupancy Load is 566.”

Don’t forget in addition to the restaurant there will also be a bakery and retail shop.

There is still major construction going on inside the Chevy Chase Pavilion but you can see from a rendering it will be on the top floor. Updates as construction progresses.

This house is located at 5327 Reno Road, NW:

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The listing says:

“New Price! Addition & renovation in 2008, approx. 4000 total sq ft features huge gourmet kitchen, large sitting room or main floor 2nd master bedroom, private library or office, custom detailing thru-out, LL au pair living area. Interior & exterior living spaces intertwine ideal for entertaining. Large rear balcony & relaxing patio. Walk to Chevy Chase shops, theatre, restaurants, schools, METRO.”

You can see more photos here.

This 5 bed/4.5 bath is going for $1,499,999.