The Battle Of Bethesda, Told Through Newly Revealed Civil War Accounts – Almost 150 years ago, Bethesda was the setting of a newly discovered Civil War skirmish that happened at about the site where the Bethesda Metro Station is today. There weren’t many casualties and the event didn’t last more than a day, but the fight did pit a Confederate general moving south on what is now Wisconsin Avenue toward the Union fortifications of Tenleytown. According to several recently published battlefield diaries, the Union army moved about 800 troops to meet the rebels and they met smack in the middle of what we know as downtown Bethesda. According to one history, the Confederate force had a cannon, but the Union had the help of some local civilians who came out “to get a shot at a Reb.” [Washington Post]
New Skateboard Sign Isn’t Permitted – That huge skateboard hanging over Bethesda Scooters and Boards (4825 Fairmont Ave.) isn’t legal because the owners never got a permit for it from Montgomery County. The county issued the store a citation after somebody complained about it. Owner Kaare Wieneke said he won’t move it unless the community wants it moved, or the county builds the kids of Bethesda a skate park. [Bethesda Beat]
Westfield Montgomery Teams Up To Fundraise For Women’s Health – Westfield Montgomery and nonprofit Bright Pink have organized the first-ever VIPink weekend on May 3 and May 4 at the mall on to raise funds and awareness about early detection of breast and ovarian cancer in young women. Shoppers who buy a $10 VIPink Card will get 20 percent discounts from nearly 70 mall retailers. All proceeds from card sales will benefit Bright Pink. [VIPink Weekend]
Census Looking For Help Doing Surveying Test – The U.S. Census Bureau wants the 2020 nationwide census to go as quickly and as easily as possible. To make that happen, the bureau is doing a 2014 Census Test this sumer in Montgomery County and D.C. to try out methods and new technologies. The test will happen from June 23 to Sept. 25 — and it pays. The Census Bureau is looking for 1,000 people to fill temporary field staff positions at $18-$20 an hour. [Montgomery County]
Flickr photo by Elliott Plack
