GALLERY BETHESDA TO HOST OKTOBERFEST ON OCTOBER 25

One concern that has been brought up repeatedly during the Bethesda Downtown sector plan process has been public space - and rightfully so. But some public spaces are already in the works from private developers, and one will get its first real public test on Saturday, October 25. That's when the Gallery Bethesda luxury apartments at 4800 Auburn Avenue will host an Oktoberfest from 2:00-5:00 PM, on the pedestrian plaza outside the tower.

Live music, pumpkin carving and other activities are planned. Food and - most importantly - the beer will be provided by the Gallery's ground floor convenience store (Aria Beer Wine & Deli), and a second caterer.

Bratwurst, hot dogs, soft pretzels with cheese or mustard dipping sauce, and German potato salad are among the early items on the menu. Sausages will be grilled outdoors on the plaza. Beers currently expected to be on the list are Hofbrau Original Lager, Warsteiner Original, Warsteiner Oktoberfest, Warsteiner Dunkel, Beck's, Beck's Octoberfest, Beck's Light, Beck's Dark, and Fat Tire Tour de Fall. Stay tuned for any additions or changes, as this is an early list.

Let's hope for good weather that day. The green space on the opposite side of the plaza will be appropriately decorated for October, including hay bales.

The Oktoberfest is the latest event in what has been a promising fall season for the Gallery. A giant public art mural was recently completed across from the plaza by local artist Jordann Wine. With the first residents having moved in earlier this year, the building is now 80% occupied, according to Property Manager Manuel Majano. Majano and the rest of the Gallery Bethesda staff were celebrating another milestone last Friday, as well. The Donohoe-developed and constructed Gallery Bethesda was named Best Washington/Baltimore Green Apartment Community that day.

The award, bestowed by prominent commercial real estate research firm Delta Associates, recognized the Donohoe Companies, the building's property management firm Vantage Management, and its architect, WDG Architecture. When you consider how many buildings have gone up in the District and Baltimore alone over the last few years, this is indeed an impressive distinction.