The following stories have been hand-selected by the Assignment Desk at News4:
HOSPITAL EXPANSION HITS A SNAG
Suburban Hospital’s long-stalled plans to expand and update its Bethesda campus were dealt another blow Friday when a Montgomery County hearing examiner recommended that the Board of Appeals send the plans back to the hospital for further revisions, largely agreeing with neighborhood complaints. In a much-awaited, 162-page report made public after business hours, Hearing Examiner Francoise Carrier said Suburban had made a compelling case for its need to expand, and therefore she did not recommend outright rejection. Nonetheless, several major aspects of its current proposal would harm the surrounding neighborhood unnecessarily and don't fit the Bethesda/Chevy Chase master plan, she wrote. (Washington Business Journal)
DUPONT NEIGHBORS BEAT DOWN HOTEL PLAN
After decades of litigation and public disputes, the Tabard Inn has defeated a proposal for a nearby boutique hotel in Dupont Circle that innkeepers and neighbors said would block the sunshine. Neighborhood activists and the owners and supports of the Tabard Inn have been locked in combat with developer Morton Bender since the early 1990s. Bender wants to build a Gatsby-style hotel he has called "N Street Follies." Because of historic preservation and other city zoning laws, Bender's designs required approval from neighbors, including the Tabard. (Washington Examiner)
GARDEN PESTS BEWARE
Marauding deer have been the bane of homeowners in Loudoun for some time, as increasing populations of ever-more bold Bambis help themselves to home gardeners' carefully nurtured produce, finding a tasty meal right under their noses. Many a home gardener coming out early in the morning to view the growing produce or flowers have seen the tender new shoots snapped off as if with scissors. (Leesburg Times)
YOUNG YOGIS
The yoga instructors at Ananda Shala put a lot of faith in karma. Last week, as a kickstart to the studio's summer program, owner Aimee Firor McBride offered free classes to children ages 3 to 13. McBride and fellow instructor Sandy Morrell said they aren't concerned about losing money. (Frederick News Post)
