Wednesday, February 3, 2010

what's up the pike: oh, this again . . .

Snow People, Colesville at Second/Wayne

- Half of the Georgian Confidential team is moving out, leaving just one upset tenant-blogger trying to right the wrongs at the recently-renovated apartment building I grew up in. "As much as I've thought this place was a mess, I'm going to miss you, my readers and fellow neighbors," writes blogger SS_Samurai in their farewell post.

- Further Up The Pike, the Howard County Council has approved an ambitious redevelopment plan for Columbia Town Center, including up to 5,500 new homes and millions of square feet of office and retail space around the Mall in Columbia. It's a plan that promises to make downtown Columbia - which is already a major selling point for many who move to East County - an even more vibrant regional destination.

Meanwhile, the State Highway Administration wants to widen Howard County's portion of The Pike from four lanes to six. I'm skeptical about whether it'll eliminate the line of "Choose Civility" bumper stickers idling on Route 29 outside my neighborhood during evening rush hour.

- Tyler Cowen, awesome food blogger who unfortunately lives in Virginia, made the trip up to Wheaton recently to review Antipuqueño Restaurant on Ennalls Avenue. "This place is a total wreck and mess when it comes to service, décor, and organization," he writes. "They also serve the best pupusas I’ve eaten in the U.S., ever." (Thanks to Good Eatin' for the heads-up.)

- Well, it's been thirty-five years since the Lyon sisters disappeared after eating lunch at Wheaton Plaza, setting off a national search that was never resolved. It's a shame that this is the only way we mark time at the mall, which was built in 1959 and turned 50 (!!!) last year. You'd think Westfield would want people to know that their mall is eligible to be a historic landmark.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

I had no idea the mall was that old and have just lost a bet on that ... I wonder what Wheaton would be today had it never existed.

Cilla said...

whatsupwheaton,
You might want to drop in at Elbe's Beer and wine on Univ. Blvd. There, on the wall near the cash register, are aerial photos of the area before Wheaton Plaza was built. Elbes (not the actual family name) still own and operate the business and you may be able to chat with the elder generation. You will most certainly encounter one of the two brothers who primarily run the store these days. This is a great place to learn about the history of Wheaton from folks who have had a front tow seat for 55+ years.