Bethesda Magazine - January/February 2025 Digital Edition
Discover unparalleled elegance at Sophia, downtown Bethesda’s new gem. Soaring above the city’s skyline, Sophia offers curved balconies and stunning views, not only from the rooftop pool, but also curated floor plans ranging from cozy studios to expansive penthouse apartment homes. This is the perfect place for those seeking the most modern amenities, unparalleled comfort and a sociable, welcoming community. Call today to schedule your tour of Sophia.
A duo of naturally inspired luxury apart ment communities where a truly balanced lifestyle takes form. Start a carefree lease on life nestled among l ush l andscaping wit h an i ncomparable front yard a t Strathmore S quare. Relax in your sophisticated residence with European finishes, private terraces, entertainment-focused living spaces, an d f loo r-to-ceiling wi ndows o verlooking the p ark. Close to Strathmore M usic Center and Rock Creek Park , Rockville Pike a nd I-495/I-270, yet tucked away in a neighborhood to call your own, home to world-class arts and culture.
“I give to honor my parents and their love of learning, which is carried forward by all those who receive their scholarship.’’
ERICA WEBBER MONTGOMERY COLLEGE FOUNDATION DONOR
WHY I GIVE
y parents led by example. They didn’t lecture my two brothers and me about the important role education played in their lives. Rather, we watched as they registered for course after course at Montgomery College, and we listened as they regaled us with stories about what they were learning. They loved taking classes at MC alongside students who were sometimes 30 or 40 years younger than them. An unending thirst to continue learning was their fountain of youth.
After they passed, my brothers and I could have selected from numerous organizations to support and honor their memory.
We decided on MC because their experiences as students there were so positive. We knew our parents would be honored to know that their legacy would continue by providing others with access to the same educational opportunities they enjoyed. This led us to create the Adrian and Arthur Webber Memorial Endowed Scholarship.
Last year my husband David and I had lunch with a group of their scholarship recipients. We were humbled as they shared their appreciation for the scholarship they received and we sat in awe when they shared the obstacles they had to overcome to pursue their education.
I give to honor my parents and their love of learning, which is carried forward by all those who receive their scholarship.
I hope you will join me.
ERICA WEBBER
Erica Webber
BETHESDA Best of
56
Editors’ Picks
Our choices of local arts, dining, entertainment, shopping and kid-friendly fun
90
Readers’ Picks
The votes are in—see the results of our annual poll in more than 190 categories
a haven for injured birds of prey.
FEATURES
140 Bethesda Interview: Steven Ginsberg
The Athletic’s executive editor on sports and journalism BY MIKE UNGER
146 Giving a Hoot
Injured owls, hawks and ospreys have a home at a bird rescue in Boyds BY CARALEE ADAMS
156 Collaborating for a Cure
A local mom created the Lilabean Foundation to support pediatric brain cancer research BY AMY
HALPERN
164
Celebrations of the Year
Four fabulous events to remember BY DANA GERBER AND KRISTEN SCHOTT
PAGE 146 Owl Moon Raptor Center is
PHOTO BY MDREE
PHOTOGRAPHY
PAGE 170
This Rockville couple’s two-day celebration
32 BEST BETS
Sasha Velour to perform at Strathmore
DEPARTMENTS
203 Dining
204 TABLE TALK
Eat A Lao in Rockville and Scratch Kitchen in Olney
208 REVIEW: RUTA
The new Bethesda spot serving up Ukrainian fare
219 Good Life
220 SHOPPING
The latest trends in fashion
222 MADE IN MOCO
Totally cute crochet patterns
224 TRAVELER’S NOTEBOOK
Must-visit destinations within driving distance
228 DRIVING RANGE
A girl-gang getaway in Washington, Virginia
234 HEALTH & WELLNESS
Cannabis is having a senior moment
240 WHAT I KNOW
Susan Lacz of Ridgewells Catering
Advertising Sections
Profiles: Test of Time
Best of the Best
Long & Foster
Profiles: Look Good, Feel Good
Summer Camps
Private Schools
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Coming in the March/April issue:
With
also profile the
A Lot of Our Favorite Things
IF I TOOK ORDERS FROM MY INSTAGRAM FEED, I WOULD HAVE FOLLOWED A RECENT TREND AND HOSTED AN OPRAH-INSPIRED “FAVORITE THINGS PARTY” DURING THE HOLIDAYS TO GIFT MY FRIENDS WITH MY TOP ITEMS. I prefer to share this Best of Bethesda issue, which is packed with recommendations. I am so excited to reveal the winners of our Best of Bethesda Editors’ Picks (page 56) and Readers’ Picks (page 90). Our Editors’ Picks section is filled with discoveries (the cruffins at Junction Bistro, Bar & Bakery; Korean food at Cheesesteak Mike’s) and old gems (Dream Wizards game store; Montgomery County Recreation’s Club Friday events). It would be easy to create a checklist of places to go and things to do just from that section—but there are a bunch of other recommendations: This year we expanded our annual Readers’ Picks poll and it includes more than 190 categories. See what more than 11,600 voters chose as the best in everything from bagels to wedding cakes. Think of it as a favorite things party with thousands of people. This issue also includes our Celebrations of the Year (page 164), highlighting two weddings, a bar mitzvah and a birthday party. When someone turns 100, they deserve to be celebrated, and Chevy Chase’s Buddy Prensky got a Caribbean-themed block party from his family and neighbors in Rollingwood. It sounds like it was a blast (and more meaningful than a favorite things event).
After the magazine ran a photo essay on Second Chance Wildlife Center in Gaithersburg several years ago, we learned about another local animal rescue facility. This one focuses on raptors and is run by Suzanne Shoemaker out of her house in Boyds. The COVID-19 pandemic and other factors pushed back plans for a story, so we were thrilled when it all came together with photographer Louis Tinsley and writer Caralee Adams teaming up to spend a day at the center with Mayo, Wink, McKenzie and other well-loved birds. Luckily, I’ve never had to bring an injured bird to Owl Moon Raptor Center, but I’m mesmerized when I spot a giant bird as I’m driving—or in my backyard. “Beautiful hawk this morning on your fence,” my next-door neighbor texted me not long ago, and I quickly ran to look out my window. Don’t miss our piece on the dedicated crew at Owl Moon that rehabilitates these creatures (“Giving a Hoot,” page 146).
I hope you enjoy reading about the best things in the Bethesda area in this issue. Please email me if you have any feedback or ideas for stories at Kathleen.Neary@BethesdaMagazine.com.
KATHLEEN NEARY EDITOR
CONTRIBUTOR SPOTLIGHT
DENA COOPER CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA
BACKGROUND: Originally from Fredericksburg, Virginia, Cooper is a freelance illustrator who specializes in multimedia portraits mixing digital pencil drawings with watercolor. Her work has appeared in The New York Times, Bust magazine and Women’s Wear Daily.
IN THIS ISSUE: Cooper created the portrait illustration of Ridgewells Catering owner Susan Lacz for “What I Know” (page 240).
FAVORITE MOCO HANGOUT: “I’ve always been drawn to Silver Spring. ... I’ve heard great things about the creative atmosphere, specifically the culturally diverse restaurants, colorful murals around town and the AFI Silver Theatre.”
WHAT SHE DOES FOR FUN: “I love to travel with my husband. We like to dream up elaborate itineraries that explore the essence of a place, and when we go, we completely unplug and take it all in.”
CONTRIBUTOR SPOTLIGHT
TOM PETERSON KENSINGTON
BACKGROUND: Originally from rural Minnesota, Peterson’s career in journalism has taken him to positions in five U.S. time zones. “After ending a full-time career editing, I’m getting back to writing,” he says.
IN THIS ISSUE: Peterson wrote about older adults using marijuana in “Cannabis’ Senior Moment” (page 234).
FAVORITE MOCO HANGOUTS: “The underrated gems of Wheaton’s food scene.”
WHAT HE DOES FOR FUN: “Photography, skiing (and praying for snow), and grandkid chasing.”
FROM LEFT:
PHOTO BY JIMELL GREENE; PHOTO BY MICHELLE OLIVE; COURTESY PHOTOS
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EDITORIAL
BETHESDA MAGAZINE EDITOR
Kathleen Neary
BETHESDA MAGAZINE MANAGING EDITOR
Amy Orndorff
BETHESDA MAGAZINE ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Jillian Lynch
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RESTAURANT CRITIC
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COPY EDITORS
Elisabeth Herschbach, Steve Wilder
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Caralee Adams, Jennifer Barger, Rachel Pomerance Berl, Stephanie Siegel Burke, Christine Koubek Flynn, Dana Gerber, Amy Halpern, Dawn Klavon, Nevin Martell, Buzz McClain, Jacqueline Mendelsohn, Kristen Schott, Renee Sklarew, Mike Unger, Carolyn Weber
PHOTOGRAPHERS & ILLUSTRATORS
Skip Brown, Dena Cooper, Jimell Greene, Lisa Helfert, Hannale Lahti, Deb Lindsey, Lindsey Max, Brendan McCabe, Jason Schneider, Scott Suchman, Louis Tinsley, Joseph Tran, Michael Ventura
PUBLISHER
Jennifer Farkas
PUBLISHING
DIRECTOR OF ADVERTISING OPERATIONS
Amélie Ward
SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE
LuAnne Spurrell
ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES
Jeni Hansen, Mel Korobkin, Peter Scott
DIRECTOR OF MARKETING & EVENTS
Stacy Cantor
SALES & MARKETING COORDINATOR
Mariam Bukhari
DIGITAL PRODUCER
Josephine Jack
CUSTOMER SERVICE MANAGER
Onecia Ribeiro
INTERN
Jane Maginnis
ADVERTORIAL EDITOR
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ADVERTORIAL WRITERS
Jennifer Beekman, Ann Cochran, Betty Siegel
ADVERTORIAL PHOTOGRAPHERS
Heather Fuentes, Tony Lewis, Hilary Schwab, Michael Ventura
FOUNDERS & ADVISERS
Steve and Susan Hull
TODAY MEDIA
PRESIDENT/CEO
Robert F. Martinelli
SECRETARY-TREASURER
Richard Martinelli
DIGITAL
DIRECTOR OF DIGITAL STRATEGY
Greg Mathias
ASSOCIATE DIGITAL PUBLISHER
Sabrina Sucato
DIGITAL PRODUCER
James Maley
CIRCULATION
SENIOR AUDIENCE DEVELOPMENT MANAGER
Lisa Bennett
ADMINISTRATION
CONTROLLER AND DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
Donna Kraidman
ACCOUNTING MANAGER
Nicole Jones
ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE/LOGISTICS MANAGER
Jennifer Schuele
STAFF ACCOUNTANT
Nancy Nyce
JUNIOR STAFF ACCOUNTANT
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Patricia Rothermel
LOGISTICS COORDINATOR
David Smith
IN MEMORIAM
CHAIRMAN Angelo R. Martinelli (1927–2018) VICE PRESIDENT Ralph A. Martinelli (1962–2019)
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Coming up at
Yamato:
The Drummers of Japan
人の力 “Hito no Chikara”—
The Power of Human Strength
Thu, Jan 23
Explosive Japanese Taiko drumming In partnership with The Embassy of Japan.
Co-presented with Washington Performing Arts
Sasha Velour’s
The Big Reveal Live Show!
Sat, Jan 25
Drag superstar at her most playful and entertaining
In partnership with Capital Pride.
Strathmore and Baltimore Symphony Orchestra Present Lunar New Year
Tue, Jan 28
Welcome the year of the Snake with a heartwarming celebration of music and community
Hamid Rahmanian’s
Song of the North
Fri, Jan 31
Shadow puppets offer a fresh take on a centuries-old Persian poem
Patti LuPone
A Life In Notes
Thu, Feb 6
Personal reflections through song
Music Center Birthday Bash
Sat, Feb 8
Celebrate 20 years of the Music Center with a day of free concerts and activities!
Lalah Hathaway
Sat, Feb 22
Five-time Grammy winner fusing soul, R&B, and jazz
clockwise from top: Yamato by Hiroshi Seo, Lalah Hathaway by Justin Sission, The Music Center by Judy Davis, Patti LuPone by Douglas Friedman, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Sasha Velour by Greg Endries, Song of the North by Richard Termine
32
Fire-breathing fun at Adventure Theatre MTC
36
Brides say “I do” to gowns on a mission.
WHAT PEOPLE ARE TALKING ABOUT
Interior designer and author Lorna Gross, pictured in her North Bethesda office, talks event planning in her new book. PAGE 27
March 30–31, 2025
March 30–31, 2025
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5 QUESTIONS for Lorna Gross
BY CARALEE ADAMS
Growing up in a small Louisiana town, Lorna Gross says she always knew she was “a creative,” but wanted to make sure she could pay her bills. She went to the University of Maryland to study business, earning a bachelor’s degree and an MBA.
Gross later discovered that working in the corporate world didn’t make her happy. “It just wasn’t something that was feeding my spirit,” she says. She returned to college for interior design, and in 2006 opened Lorna Gross Interior Design in North Bethesda, specializing in high-end residential interior design. Gross has since added public speaker, lifestyle authority and author to her credentials. Her book, Entertaining by Design: A Guide to Creating Meaningful Gatherings, was released in October by The Collective Book Studio.
The idea for the book came to Gross during the COVID-19 pandemic, when people were separated and lonely, she says. “When I thought about the moments in my life that had the strongest human connection, it was always around a dining table,” she says. Building on her love of hosting gatherings and designing beautiful spaces, Gross says she hopes the book is a guide that makes entertaining easier, so everyone can do it.
This interview has been lightly edited for clarity and length.
1 What are the essentials of a good gathering? Good food. Some botanicals—not necessarily flowers. Eucalyptus is great because people enjoy the smell of it. Botanicals bring warmth and beauty at the same time. I’m going to come back to the cliche: It’s you. It’s your spirit. Even if you only have potpies, put your potpie on your good china, and all of a sudden you have a great occasion—if you show up in the right spirit.
2 What are some ideas for hosting a Super Bowl party? People shouldn’t feel as if they can’t have [fans of] more than one team present. You want to just make sure that everyone feels welcome. Have finger food, but also at least one dish that you can put in a slow cooker. It could be chili or Italian meatballs or something people feel is a little bit more special. Have two areas: [one for] serious game people on the sofa in front of the TV—it’s quiet in that side. The other side, people are chitchatting, glancing at the game every so often, near the buffet area. On the ends
PHOTO
BY
LOUIS TINSLEY
of the [kitchen] counter, have either tins with popcorn or snack treats for people who just want to grab something really quick. You want to make sure you are accommodating all the different ways that people like to enjoy game day.
3 Ideas for a Valentine’s Day gathering? The most important thing that you can do, if it’s a sit-down meal, is make sure that everyone has a name card. That is the way that you can make people feel as if they’re valued and remembered. For Galentine’s Day, the coolest thing you can do is [write] on the back [of the name card for each guest], ‘Sally, I love you because of the way you smile.’ People may remember the elements from your gathering, and they may remember a few food items, but they’ll never forget—Maya Angelou’s quote—‘the way you make them feel.’ Gatherings are less about perfection and more about connection.
4 Any entertaining disasters of your own? Sometimes people will show up early because they’ve confused the time. I’ve had my sweats and workout clothes on. I’ll just be like, ‘Oh, sit down and you can have a little snack.’
5 What do people overlook when hosting? Sometimes they’re too busy to make connections with everybody. You have to leave yourself the time to be able to, in some way, touch base with everyone who is there. Some people aren’t coming for the food. They are coming to see you.
People Watching
BY CARALEE ADAMS
Elizabeth Sullivan was the first woman to cross the finish line of the Army Ten-Miler in October, with a time of 56 minutes, 58 seconds.
“There was a mixture of exhaustion and kind of relief to be done running, but also excitement because I felt like I had pushed myself really hard and ran faster than I thought I was able to,” says Sullivan, 24, who lives in Bethesda. The Washington, D.C., road race had about 8,000 female runners this past fall. Sullivan competed in track and crosscountry at her Rhode Island high school and ran for four years at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis. Now a medical student at the Uniformed Services University in Bethesda, she squeezes in workouts whenever she can, logging about 40 miles a week. “I love challenging myself and continuing to set goals with running,” she says.
A podcast created by two juniors at Montgomery Blair High School in Silver Spring was selected in September as a finalist among nearly 2,000 entries in NPR’s Student Podcast Challenge. Lila Shaw, 16, of Takoma Park, and Riley MacArthur, 16, of Rockville, submitted Paper Dolls, a podcast about fashion and self-expression that they produced in their journalism class. It was the perfect excuse to approach students and interview them about their cool styles, Lila says. “We looked for anybody who had seemed to have put thought and effort into their clothing as a way of showing us their personality,” Riley says. NPR’s Tamika Smith interviewed Lila and Riley about the experience for a story that aired on WAMU in the fall. Listen to the 10 high school finalists at npr.org/2024/08/30/g-s1-19902/ student-podcast-challenge-2024-finalists.
CLOCKWISE
Montgomery Blair High School juniors Lila Shaw, left, and Riley MacArthur
When Patricia McGann was principal at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School in Bethesda from 2005 to 2018, she wrote weekly notes to families about parenting issues. “I saw how much parents needed to be encouraged ... to trust themselves,” says McGann, 72, who lives in Bethesda and has five kids and 15 grandkids. In retirement, she sorted through the notes she’d saved to write Steadfast Parenting: How to Raise Children of Character (Rowman & Littlefield, August 2024). Too often, parents feel pressure for their kids to be on the best team or get the best grades, McGann says, while it’s better to focus on the process and for parents to create a loving relationship with their child. Her message to parents: “You can do this if you just stop worrying about what everyone else is doing.”
For more than 30 years, Chevy Chase’s Christy Bowe has been working as a news photographer covering Capitol Hill and the White House, chronicling major events and capturing intimate moments along the way. In her book History in the Making: A Focus on Five U.S. Presidents (Brown Books Publishing Group, November 2024), Bowe shares her photos along with her impressions on covering Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Barack Obama, Donald Trump and Joe Biden. She wrote about her career as a photojournalist in her 2021 book, Eyes That Speak: One Woman News Photographer’s Journey With History Makers (SheaDean Publishing). “Because of this contentious couple of years we’ve had in this election cycle specifically, we kind of lost sight of the human side of the people that sit in the Oval Office,” says Bowe, 69. “With the pictures, I’m showing the emotions that the men in the office display.”
After Adam Zuckerman’s dad died in 2023, he says he helped his mom with the estate transition and then wanted to share his experience with others. “I ended up making a website. I thought it would just be a few blog posts,” says the 44-year-old attorney and entrepreneur who has an MBA and lives in Potomac. “The next thing I knew, my inbox was full. ... We were building out a company to help people across the country.” Zuckerman founded his company, Buried in Work, in November 2023 and offers some free resources (guides, directories, checklists) and products for sale (card games to prompt meaningful stories or conversations about end-of-life wishes), in addition to services such as workshops and individual consulting. Beginning in September, he started weekly podcasts with guests discussing everything from advanced directives to hospice care to hiring a “coffin confessor” to speak at your funeral.
Adam Longo, a TV journalist with local roots, recently took a new job with 7News (WJLA-TV), co-anchoring the weekday morning news from 4:30 to 7 a.m. It’s a change in schedule for the North Potomac resident who came from CBS affiliate WUSA9, where he worked afternoons and evenings.
“The alarm clock goes off in the morning [at 2 a.m.] and it’s pretty hurtful for the first five minutes, and then you get into it,” says the University of Maryland graduate who grew up in Stafford County, Virginia. “It’s a different feeling than working the night shift, [when] the crescendo and energy sort of builds,” Longo says. “When you’re doing a morning show, you come in and hit the ground running.” With his afternoons free now, Longo says he enjoys working out (he’s a triathlete and marathoner) and spending more time with his three kids, ages 10, 12 and 14.
A North Bethesda couple has opened a mobile barbershop that allows clients to make appointments for any time of day or night. After cutting hair in various shops, Matthew Diggs, 34, opened The Showroom with his wife, Amye Diggs, 29, who helps manage the business. The pair bought a 1969 camper and transformed it into a barbershop that can be taken to clients upon request. It’s convenient for people who work odd hours or want some privacy when they get their hair cut, says Amye, a 2013 graduate of Richard Montgomery High School. (Matthew graduated from Damacus High School in 2008.) They book special events and weddings, but also at times have taken The Showroom to homeless shelters and job fairs where they provide free services for the community.
Have an idea for People Watching? Email editorial@BethesdaMagazine.com.
READING LIST
These were the most requested books at the Montgomery County Public Library system in October 2024.
Fiction
1 The Boyfriend Freida McFadden
2 Demon Copperhead Barbara Kingsolver
3 Tom Lake Ann Patchett
4 The Women Kristin Hannah
5 Remarkably Bright Creatures Shelby Van Pelt
6 The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store James McBride
7 The God of the Woods Liz Moore
8 We Solve Murders Richard Osman
9 Sandwich Catherine Newman
10 James Percival Everett
Nonfiction
1 The Demon of Unrest: A Saga of Hubris, Heartbreak, and Heroism at the Dawn of the Civil War Erik Larson
2 On Call: A Doctor’s Journey in Public Service Anthony Fauci
3 Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones James Clear
4 Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI David Grann
5 Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis J.D. Vance
6 The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness Jonathan Haidt
7 Elon Musk Walter Isaacson
8 Maybe You Should Talk to Someone: A Therapist, Her Therapist, and Our Lives Revealed Lori Gottlieb
9 Educated: A Memoir Tara Westover
10 Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents Isabel Wilkerson
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JANUARY/FEBRUARY
MUSIC
Jan. 3
The Princess Bride in Concert
Follow Westley, Buttercup, Inigo Montoya and other beloved characters from this classic 1987 fairy tale adventure-comedy on the big screen while the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra plays the musical score at The Music Center at Strathmore in North Bethesda. The fan-favorite film stars Cary Elwes and Robin Wright, and features memorable appearances by Mandy Patinkin, Wallace Shawn, Andre the Giant, Billy Crystal and Carol Kane. bsomusic.org
Jan. 17
Sa-Roc
Known for her thoughtful, personal and socially conscious lyrics, the rapper and Washington, D.C., native performs at BlackRock Center for the Arts in Germantown. Stick around for the after-party with DJ OSO Fresh. blackrockcenter.org
Jan. 23
Yamato: The Drummers of Japan
This group from the village of Asuka in Nara Prefecture, Japan, comes to The Music Center at Strathmore for an energetic taiko drumming performance that includes 40 drums onstage as well as other traditional Japanese instruments, choreographed movement and vocalizations. strathmore.org
Jan. 31
Hamid Rahmanian’s Song of the North After moving to the United States from Iran, artist Hamid Rahmanian wanted to use his creative talent to showcase his Iranian culture. Part of a multiyear project that includes several productions based on the centuriesold epic Persian poem Shahnameh, this show at The Music Center at Strathmore uses nearly 500 shadow puppets, nine performers, a musical score and theatrical lighting to tell the story of a knight who falls in love with an enemy princess. strathmore.org
Feb. 6
Patti LuPone
In a concert reflecting a career that has spanned decades, the Tony- and Grammyaward winning singer and actress performs songs from the shows that made her famous and tunes meaningful to her life at The Music Center at Strathmore. Between musical numbers, she recounts personal stories from her life and times as an actress starring in films and in Broadway and television productions. strathmore.org
Feb. 18
Finneas
COMMUNITY EVENTS
Jan. 18
Say it Loud, Play it Loud
Celebrate the life of Martin Luther King Jr. with a day of film, art and music at BlackRock Center for the Arts in Germantown. The lineup includes “pay what you can” movies, and a free screening of Leslie Shampaine’s documentary Call Me Dancer. The event also features gallery installations by Rebecca Marimutu and Dunnie Onasanya, spoken word performances, a vinyl record fair and DJs throughout the building. It ends with a concert by bass player and composer Mohini Dey (ticket purchase required). blackrockcenter.org
Jan. 18-19
MLK Day of Service
Billie Eilish’s brother and frequent musical collaborator, Finneas O’Connell, is a prolific songwriter and producer. He’s also highly decorated, winning 10 Grammy Awards. While he also has worked with such pop stars as Justin Bieber, Halsey, Drake and Nicki Minaj, he’ll be promoting his solo album For Cryin’ Out Loud! when he stops by The Fillmore Silver Spring fillmoresilverspring.com
Participate in volunteer projects that help older adults and people who are sick, hungry or otherwise in need during the annual MLK Day of Service, organized by the Montgomery County Volunteer Center. Service projects at several community centers occur on Saturday and a volunteer fair at the Bethesda North Marriott Hotel & Conference Center is on Sunday. montgomerycountymd.gov/ volunteercenter/volunteers/mlk.html
Feb. 1
Rockville Lunar New Year Celebration
The Lunar New Year is one of the most important holidays for many Asian cultures. Celebrate the Year of the Snake with a free community event presented by the City of Rockville at Rockville High School and featuring performances, such as a lion dance, displays and crafts. rockvillemd.gov
Feb. 7
Valentine’s Day Family Ice-Skating Night
Make it a family date night on ice at the White Oak Community Recreation Center. The free event for all ages features skating on synthetic ice brought in for the event, games, music and snacks. Skates will be available to use. montgomerycountymd.gov/rec/calendar.html
THEATER
Jan. 15-Feb. 16
What the Constitution Means to Me
As a high school student, Heidi Schreck participated in constitutional debate competitions to win money for college. Her autobiographical play—a Pulitzer Prize finalist and two-time Tony Award nominee—starts there and goes on to explore how the U.S. Constitution affected her and other women in her family. The show will hit the stage at Round House Theatre in Bethesda. roundhousetheatre.org
Jan. 25
Look Both Ways: A Tale Told in Ten Blocks
Based on Jason Reynolds’ book of the same name, this show follows a group of middle school students on their walk home from school. Created by the Kennedy Center Theater for Young Audiences, the play includes puppetry, dance, music and audience participation. Meant for age 10 and older, the production is part of the Saturday Morning Children’s Series at the Robert E. Parilla Performing Arts Center on Montgomery College’s Rockville campus. montgomerycollege. edu/events/robert-eparilla-performing-artscenter/saturday-morningchildrens-series.html
Feb. 7-March 30
Dragons Love Tacos
Robby learns lessons about friendship and what happens when you feed dragons spicy salsa. (Spoiler alert: It makes them breathe fire.) Based on the children’s book of the same name, this show at Adventure Theatre MTC in Glen Echo is appropriate for all ages. Look out for special events, such as “dress like a dragon day” and a taco truck at some performances. adventuretheatre-mtc.org
Feb. 13-March 30
Waitress
In this musical based on the 2007 film of the same title, waitress Jenna is stuck in an unhappy marriage and a small town, and dreams of something more. The production at Olney Theatre Center is a regional premiere of the show, with music and lyrics by Grammy Award winner Sara Bareilles. According to the theater’s website, the show would be rated PG13 if it were a movie. olneytheatre.org
COMEDY/ VARIETY
Jan. 24
Sonja Morgan
If you ever wondered what it’s like to hang out with Bravo’s Andy Cohen or how it feels to be a reality TV star, check out the Sonja in Your City improv/comedy/cabaret show at The Fillmore Silver Spring. The Real Housewives of New York City personality promises to answer audience questions in this unfiltered live show. fillmoresilverspring.com
Jan. 25
Sasha Velour
The drag superstar (you may have seen her in Season 9 of RuPaul’s Drag Race and featured on HBO’s We’re Here) performs a show at The Music Center at Strathmore based on her book The Big Reveal: An Illustrated Manifesto of Drag. The show will include stories from her life and references to the history of drag. Expect spectacular costumes, lip-synching performances, camp and some surprises. strathmore.org
HOLY HUMOR
A Jew, a Muslim and a Christian walk into a comedy club. If it sounds like the setup to a joke, well, it sort of is. On Feb. 2, members of the Interfaith Comedy troupe will perform at Give A Hoot Comedy Club located inside La Mexicana restaurant in Gaithersburg. Stand-up comedians of different faiths will poke fun at their own religions (no one else’s).
Interfaith Comedy founder Carmiya Weinraub (pictured above) says the comedy is clean and the idea is to use humor to foster understanding and combat bias. The target audience is adults. The group’s first comedy show was in 2022; the February performance will be its 20th.
—Stephanie Siegel Burke
In addition to Weinraub, the show’s lineup includes Shahryar Rizvi, Sofia Javed, Anna Tirat-Gefen, Jason Fliegel, Aure Stewart and Nikkie Knowles. Three of the comedians live in Montgomery County. Together, the comedians scheduled to perform represent the Muslim, Jewish, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and nondenominational Christian faiths. The comedy set is followed by a Q&A session in which audience members can pose questions to the comedians. giveahootcomedy.com/shows/283766; interfaithcomedy.com
—S.S.B.
Shine On
After
two sisters from Potomac died in a house fire while on vacation,
a community came together to honor them
BY RACHEL POMERANCE BERL
When Lewis Wiener spoke at his daughters’ funeral, he begged friends not to shy away from his family—or from mentioning the girls.
Say their names, he urged. Jillian was 21 and Lindsay was 19 when they died in a house fire during the Potomac family of five’s August 2022 vacation. According to news reports, the fire started in an outdoor kitchen illegally constructed in the Noyac, New York, rental home as overloaded circuits shut down smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, which lacked battery backup. (The homeowners were sentenced in November.)
“Tell us stories … keep them with us,” Alisa, 59, the girls’ mother, recalls her husband saying at the funeral. Lewis, a prominent attorney devoted to public service and former president of Washington Hebrew Congregation, died of pancreatic cancer in April.
His message propelled another set of sisters at the funeral that day. Longtime Washington Hebrew members and Potomac residents Jessica Isen, 48, and Jaime Swanson, 45, wanted to perpetuate memories of Jillian and Lindsay in a way that would uplift their whole community. Their idea: candlesticks to spread light in the girls’ names while ushering in the weekly Sabbath.
“There’s a lot of pain in this. There’s a lot of trauma in this. But the idea that we are bringing light into the world just resonated with me,” Alisa says. The ritual of lighting candles for Shabbat, the Jewish period of rest from sunset on Friday to sunset on Saturday, is meant to bring a sense of holiness and peace into the home. Alisa lit Shabbat candles with her husband and children, and fondly remembers lighting them with her grandmother.
To create the candlesticks, Isen and Swanson enlisted Zachary Oxman, 56, a Bethesda-based sculptor whose family has long been involved with Washington Hebrew, which houses some of his artwork.
As Isen and Swanson described the tragedy, and the strength and love in the Wiener family’s story, Oxman says he “really felt strongly this underlying pull to have these [candlesticks] visually and emotionally embracing.” The day after meeting Oxman and seeing his initial design, Alisa marveled at the “memory” that randomly surfaced on her iPhone—a photo of Jillian and Lindsay, their arms around each other and upward as if to indicate a limitless, jubilant future. It looked to Alisa like the essence of Oxman’s candlesticks.
Members of Washington Hebrew raised more than $100,000 to produce the first 1,000 candlesticks, which became available for purchase last summer through its gift shop. Crafted of solid
stainless steel, the sculpture—which holds two candles—sells for $180 (the number 18 symbolizes life in Judaism). Funds go toward restocking the candlesticks, which are gifted to incoming members and leaders of Washington Hebrew. In that sense, the project honors Lewis’ dedication to fostering synagogue membership and leadership. Etched into the rims of the candlesticks are the girls’ Hebrew names—Sarah Rachel for Jillian, and Ester Chanah for Lindsay.
Graduates of the Holton-Arms School in Bethesda, Jillian was a rising senior at the University of Michigan and Lindsay a rising sophomore at Tulane University in New Orleans when they died. Their “memories are a blessing, and they are still shared throughout the community,” Swanson says.
The candlestick project also reflects the Wieners’ plea to overcome discomfort for the sake of Jillian and Lindsay’s memory. Isen and Swanson initially questioned whether candlelight made an appropriate tribute, given the fire that killed the girls. “Fire is light,” Oxman says. “We’re not going to dismiss the power of this symbol that is so important in Judaism. … This is bigger than that.” Oxman considers the piece a metaphor that “helps us reconcile with the complexities of being human” and the will “to find good in things, while not denying the pain.”
That’s the way Alisa and her son, Zach, 26, move forward. An MBA student in Chicago, Zach competes in Ironman races in memory of his father and his sisters, who were his best friends. For Alisa, visits from her daughters’ friends have given her a meaningful connection.
“You make yourself vulnerable, you get so much back,” Alisa says of how their community has anchored them. “We carry Jillian and Lindsay and Lew with us. We still view ourselves as a family of five.”
BY LINDSEY
PHOTO
MAX
Zachary Oxman, left, created candlesticks in memory of Alisa Wiener’s daughters. After seeing Oxman’s design, Wiener, right, noticed similarities in a photo of the girls.
Gowns on a Mission
An affordable bridal boutique weds designer brands with a religious cause BY
MEG DRENNAN
Some area brides are saying “yes” to one of Montgomery County’s most unusual bridal boutiques.
Located in a large World War II-era house on a rural road in Dickerson, wedding dress shop Brides for Haiti boasts beautiful dresses without the sticker shock, and the proceeds go to support a church community that has been devastated by natural disasters in Haiti.
“Wedding dresses are extremely expensive. For me to spend that much money on something I will wear once when people can’t afford a roof over their heads or to buy food really bothered me,” says Cynthia Faris, 28, of Leesburg, Virginia. “I wanted to find a way to have the money go to a place for a good cause.”
Brides for Haiti is a fundraising arm of St. Mary’s Parish in Barnesville. Since 2011, the boutique has raised more than $278,000 to support St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Carcasse, Haiti. The churches have a “twinning” relationship, in which they create a global connection through service and fellowship.
St. Mary’s Parish has supported a range of educational and health projects in Haiti, such as funding a new primary school, paying teacher salaries, and building a new well, says Jack Reid, 66, of Dickerson, St. Mary’s Haiti twinning and projects coordinator.
The Montgomery County church is currently helping St. Joseph’s construct a
new church to replace the one destroyed by Hurricane Matthew in 2016, says Reid, who works closely with the local pastor in Carcasse.
“I see this work as part of my faith,” says Susan Jamison, 69, of Poolesville, a member of St. Mary’s Parish who helped establish Brides for Haiti after starting up other similar shops in the past.
About 40% of dress sales go to support the church in Haiti, according to Reid. The rest covers business expenses, such as advertising, credit card fees and commissions to the staff—Jamison, her daughter Laura Wright, their longtime friend Patty Bohr, and Caroline Jarecky.
The boutique is brimming with hun -
dreds of dresses in shades of white, ivory and cream that hang from portable clothing racks. Seemingly every silhouette imaginable is on display, from the classic A-line, to a Bridgerton-esque empire, a formfitting mermaid and a sleek sheath. The shop has dresses in sizes 0 to 36.
“Everything is gorgeous. I tried on a few dresses and found one, first stop. I am a happy camper,” says Samantha Stevens, 27, who lives in West River, Maryland. For her big day, she chose a white satin slip dress with a short train and a shoulderlength veil. “I love the idea of the proceeds going to help people in Haiti.”
The boutique sells dresses by a variety of designers, including Casablanca Bridal,
Bride Justine Van Ness, left, tries on a dress with Laura Wright of Brides for Haiti.
Allure, Justin Alexander, Maggie Sottero, Mon Cheri and Christina Wu. Its priciest dress was a Pnina Tornai that typically would cost $24,000 but sold for $999 at Brides for Haiti. New York City’s Kleinfeld Bridal, home of the TV show Say Yes to the Dress, donated the gown several years ago.
Mady Fincham, 20, of Charles Town, West Virginia, visited Brides for Haiti with her mom and sister in July, as she prepared for her August wedding. “A friend recommended it. It was my first stop, first dress. I am very excited,” she says.
Most dresses at Brides for Haiti cost $499 to $599, and nothing is more than $999. Almost all the gowns are new samples donated by other bridal boutiques that update their inventory on a regular basis. Jamison says Brides for Haiti purchases some plus size dresses to fill gaps in inventory, and the shop accepts a hand-
ful of previously worn gowns.
“It’s also affordable for Mama’s pocketbook,” says Mady’s mother, Amy Fincham, 47, also of Charles Town, West Virginia. “I didn’t think this would be our only shop. I was impressed.”
The shop is only open on Saturdays by appointment, in part because it shares
the space with Jamison’s son’s law office. “We can close the doors to the rooms with dresses and no one knows it doubles as a bridal boutique,” Jamison says.
She wants brides to have fun and feel beautiful while choosing a dress, she says.
“A lot of shops pick dresses for girls,” says Wright, 39, of Poolesville, as she sorts lace veils. “We let them show us. They look at the racks first. Then we get a sense of their style and go from there. It’s a lowpressure environment.”
During a Saturday appointment, Jamison fluffs out a long train for a bride and her entourage to see, and Wright holds up a full-length mirror for a better look, while another bride-to-be finds her dress at Brides for Haiti.
“This is it!” the young woman, named Hannah, gushes. “Quick! Take a picture. I want to send it to my grandmother!”
Explore local restaurants and shops, nearby trails
local event. Fill your
Fitzgerald Auto Mall
DOTTIE FITZGERALD, VICE PRESIDENT
"You have to stick with something to make a real difference. It's not about getting something in return—it's about doing what's right. When you're truly committed, that's when you make a lasting impact."
16 locations in the greater D.C. region 301-881-4000
FitzMall.com
For more than half a century, the Fitzgerald Auto Mall brand has been a trusted name in the Washington Metropolitan area, and Vice President Dottie Fitzgerald has been integral to that legacy from the very beginning. The younger sister of founder Jack Fitzgerald, who began selling cars at a Washington, D.C. Ford dealership in the 1950s, Dottie's journey in the automotive industry began alongside her brother when he opened his first dealership in 1966 in downtown Bethesda.
Dottie was Jack's first hire, joining the founding team at what would later become Colonial Dodge. From day one, with the support of many dedicated co-workers, Dottie immersed herself in learning every aspect of the business, from answering phones to handling bookkeeping. "If someone doesn't take the time to teach you, it's because they don't have a vested interest in your growth," she says. "But I was fortunate that, throughout my early career, someone always took the time to mentor me and help me learn the next job."
A passionate advocate for education, especially for aspiring automotive professionals, she honored the guidance of her mentors by paying it forward. In 1978, she joined and eventually chaired the Montgomery County Students Automotive Trades Foundation (ATF), which gives local high school students hands-on experience in the automotive field, preparing them for successful careers in the industry.
In January 2022, Fitzgerald made a historic transition to employee ownership (ESOP), which Dottie had long championed as a way to ensure the company's continued success while preserving its commitment to longtime employees.
"With employee ownership and leaders like Rob Smith and David Jenkins—who've been with us since they were kids—I have complete faith in the future of the business," Dottie says. "We've always focused on sustainability because we believe deeply in our no-haggle, no-hassle
approach to selling cars. The current team has an intuitive understanding of our values, but they're also young enough to adapt to the changes ahead, like the rise of electric vehicles."
With day-to-day operations in capable hands, Dottie has shifted her focus to community outreach, strengthening ties with local organizations, public relations and philanthropy. "Jack and I were raised to give back," she says. "Not with money, because we didn't have much, but through service."
One of Fitzgerald's earliest and most impactful initiatives was its Child Car Seat Inspection Program, launched in 1999 to promote child safety. Since then, the dealership has checked more than 51,000 car seats. "We started hosting monthly events, and when two children survived a severe crash just a day after attending one of our safety checks, it truly cemented our commitment to the cause."
Fitzgerald was also an early supporter of "Operation Outreach," a program that places books in schools to teach students the value of kindness through stories about animals. A lifelong "dog person" and animal lover, Dottie also helped establish Fitzgerald's longstanding partnership with the Humane Rescue Alliance (HRA), built on a shared dedication to animal welfare and rescuing and rehoming animals. Through this collaboration, now more than a decade old, Dottie has hosted monthly pet adoption events at the dealership that have already placed more than 3,000 pets in forever homes. This year, she is once again supporting HRA, which is launching an innovative program that will address the rising cost of veterinary care by bringing mobile veterinary services to underserved areas. "You have to stick with something to make a real difference," Dottie says. "It's not about getting something in return—it's about doing what's right. When you're truly committed, that's when you make a lasting impact."
And that's the FitzWay.
MICHAEL VENTURA
TONY J. LEWIS
Gilday Renovations
KEVIN GILDAY, PRESIDENT
Besides leading in industry best practices, Gilday Renovations has published articles that help homeowners make the best renovation decisions.
The gilday.com website provides a rich source of information about all aspects of the renovation process.
9162 Brookville Road
Silver Spring, MD 20910
301-565-4600
kevingilday@gilday.com
Gilday.com
What makes a company able to sustain vitality and relevance over time? With Gilday Renovations, it is the company’s ability to adapt to a changing market and stay true to its original vision of providing an exceptional renovation experience for clients.
This is central to the success of Gilday Renovations. For more than 40 years, they have fine-tuned their internal systems and creative processes in pursuit of the next level of “better” with the support of a talented staff of designers and builders.
From the beginning, Kevin Gilday was personally involved in every aspect of the design and construction process. He implemented a team approach which supports a platform to explore creative design solutions and a seamless
customer experience. Today, this process is generally known as “design-build.”
As the demand for Gilday Renovations grew, the company took on more designers and craftsmen to produce larger and more complex projects. They became organized at all levels around an integrated project management system to ensure accuracy and consistent communication throughout all phases of the renovation process. The result is award-winning design concepts that are buildable and on budget.
Kevin remains personally involved. When you work with Gilday Renovations, be assured that the company owner will be guiding your home renovation project to a successful conclusion.
Chevy Chase Cars
JOHN F. BOWIS, PRESIDENT & OWNER
“To this day, excellent service and customer satisfaction are the backbone of our dealership.”
7725 Wisconsin Ave.
Bethesda, MD 20814
301-657-4000
ChevyChaseCars.com
The history behind Chevy Chase Cars has all the hallmarks of a great American success story: a self-made immigrant spends his life savings to pursue his dream. Through hard work, determination and resilience, the young entrepreneur grows his company into one of the most successful dealerships in the country.
Eighty-five years later, Chevy Chase Cars is the oldest retail business in Bethesda that has operated continuously in the same location.
Established in 1939 by Art Bowis in what was then the sleepy little town of Bethesda, Chevy Chase Cars is now run by Art's grandson, John Bowis. "When my grandfather purchased this property, there wasn't much out here except for a farm across the street," says John. Shortly after Art opened his dealership, World War II began, and General Motors stopped building new cars. Art kept his business afloat by traveling up and down the East Coast, buying used cars
to sell and using spare parts to repair customers' cars. By the time the war had ended, he had built strong relationships and established a solid reputation in the community. "To this day, excellent service and customer satisfaction are the backbone of our dealership," says John. In 1990, John took the reins from his father, Fred Bowis, who built their iconic five-story building and grew the company through smart business strategies and brilliant marketing.
As a family business with deep roots in the community, Chevy Chase Cars has raised funds for numerous local charities, including more than $1 million for The Children's Inn at NIH. "Community and family are very important to us," says John. "Over the years, we've had multiple people from about 30 different families work on our team. We have a dozen employees who've been with us for 20, 30, even 50 years. My grandfather would be proud."
MICHAEL VENTURA
James McDonald Associate Architects, PC
JAMES MCDONALD, PRESIDENT
James McDonald Associate Architects (JMA) specializes in creating custom homes and remodels that reflect each client's unique vision and lifestyle. With an emphasis on collaboration, functionality and timeless design, the firm's personalized approach has fostered a loyal client base, delivering homes that remain both beautiful and livable for years to come.
10135 Colvin Run Road, Suite 200 Great Falls, VA 22066
703-757-0036
JamesMcDonaldArchitects.com
At James McDonald Associate Architects (JMA), the goal is simple: to make realizing your dream home the most rewarding experience. With more than 20 years of experience and a diverse portfolio that spans a wide range of budgets, styles and market segments, the team has mastered the art of tailoring each project to the unique wishes and needs of the client while staying within budget.
From initial concept to project completion, the firm works hand-in-hand with clients, involving them in every step of the design process. "Bringing the client's vision to life is at the heart of everything we do," says JMA president James McDonald. This client-centric service is key to the firm's longevity, with many returning clients and referrals.
JMA prides itself on its versatility and adaptability—as the residential market
evolves, so does the firm's approach to design. Over the last decade, changing client needs and styles have driven the firm to innovate with new custom solutions that embrace modern living and timeless design. Committed to creating homes that are as functional and comfortable as they are beautiful, JMA focuses on designing homes that both fit the homeowners' lifestyles—each project is shaped in collaboration with the client—and the distinctive features of the land.
Today, JMA homes are notable for their emphasis on light and space, with high ceilings, large windows and thoughtful details that stand the test of time.
"The best compliment I can get is that we've designed a home that truly captured our client's dreams and vision," says McDonald.
DMV Property Management
LAN YIN & JIM ROY
Affordability Through Efficiency
7315 Wisconsin Ave., Suite 110W
Bethesda, MD 20814
Lan Yin
202-210-2560
Jim Roy
301-254-7253
DMVPM.com
DMV Property Management combines affordability, efficiency and decades of real estate expertise. In fact, affordability through efficiency is the company’s motto. Unlike traditional property management companies that charge 6-10 percent of monthly rent, DMV Property Management offers premium services for just $100 per month—with no long-term commitments. Additional services are available as needed.
“For just $100 a month, you can hand over the stress and time-consuming tasks of property management to professionals,” says Lan.
With access to high quality, reasonably priced contractors, they promptly and effectively address potential or current issues, saving their clients thousands of dollars. Jim Roy and Lan Yin each bring more than 23 years of hands-on
experience as landlords and more than 25 years as Realtors. Their outstanding Google reviews from both landlords and valued tenants reflect their commitment to excellence.
By streamlining operations, they maintain high service standards while keeping costs low. Guiding tenants through simple fixes over the phone saves landlords money and provides tenants with quicker solutions.
“Switching to the right manager can save you time, money and headaches,” Jim says. “Our success starts with effective marketing and careful tenant screening and continues with necessary repairs.”
DMV Property Management ensures the safeguarding of clients’ interests at every step. A short call is all it takes to determine if their management style aligns with a landlord’s needs.
McMillan Metro Faerber, P.C.
Specializing in estate planning, business, family, employment and real estate law, McMillan Metro Faerber has been recognized by the prestigious national rating service “Super Lawyers” for 18 years. Five McMillan Metro Faerber attorneys were recognized as Washington, D.C. “Super Lawyers” for 2024, while two were honored as “Rising Stars.”
7811 Montrose Road Suite 400 Potomac, MD 20854 301-251-1180
McMillanMetro.com
Familiar faces throughout Montgomery County, the attorneys at McMillan Metro Faerber embody their well-established firm’s philosophy of building relationships, supporting local businesses and individuals, and giving back wherever possible. In addition to providing exceptional legal counsel across a wide variety of practice areas, they are well known for participating in myriad community events and fundraisers.
Supported by a roster of passionate attorneys, McMillan Metro Faerber tailors legal solutions to each client’s unique circumstances. And with more than three decades of experience to its name, they are proud to offer fair fees, clear communication and client-first services, resulting in longterm relationships with clients of all sizes in Bethesda and the wider DMV region.
“We know how to navigate the landscape,” says partner Michael Faerber, “and when we combine our love of the community with our knowledge of its laws, we find that we are best suited to serve the legal needs of our fellow residents.”
Choosing a lawyer doesn’t need to be intimidating. Whether representing a business in need of commercial litigation or an individual looking for estate planning advice, the attorneys at McMillan Metro Faerber are available to guide residents of the DMV every step of the way–with warmth and compassion. They welcome your call for an initial consultation–or just meeting you to say hello at a future community event.
Anthony Wilder
ARCHITECTURE / CONSTRUCTION / INTERIORS
ANTHONY WILDER, FOUNDER
ELIZABETH WILDER, PRESIDENT
We create spaces that transcend the ordinary. —Anthony Wilder
7913 MacArthur Blvd.
Cabin John, MD 20818
301-907-0100
AnthonyWilder.com
The creative and energetic 50-plus person team has an inspirational work home with Anthony Wilder, the founder of his eponymous full-service residential architecture, construction and interior design firm, and his wife, Elizabeth Wilder, its president.
“At Anthony Wilder Design/Build, we create spaces that transcend the ordinary,” says Anthony Wilder. “From architecture to exquisite interiors, to detailed craftsmanship, each project reflects our passion for unforgettable, functional and sustainable living spaces. We allow our clients to live their dreams.”
Since its founding in 1990, the firm has received many awards and honors for artful, exquisitely built residential projects in and around the Washington, D.C. area. The firm is also known for
being a great place to work. The office—originally a 1930’s fire station in Cabin John, MD—was renovated with a bright, open configuration intended to encourage maximum collaboration among the design-build team members.
The architects, designers, master craftspeople, managers and staff work together under this one roof, which benefits the process from conception to completion on custom home, addition, and renovation projects.
“We work hard and we have fun. When you have a creative culture, some of the usual workplace rules give way to allow people to play to their strengths,” says Elizabeth Wilder, president. “It is in our company DNA to truly care about each other, our clients and our community. We expect a lot and we give a lot in return.”
Family & Nursing Care
SANDY KURSBAN, FOUNDER & OWNER
Founded in 1968 by Sandy Kursban, Family & Nursing Care is a leading resource for home care services in the Mid-Atlantic region. Honored with its ninth consecutive National Business Research Institute Circle of Excellence Award in 2024, 98 percent of surveyed clients would recommend Family & Nursing Care to friends and family.
1010 Wayne Ave., Suite 1100 Silver Spring, MD 20910 301-588-8200
FamilyNursingCare.com
Family & Nursing Care founder Sandy Kursban's close relationship with her maternal grandparents inspired her lifelong passion for helping older adults age with dignity. Reflecting on her grandfather's loss of independence, she recalls, "There were only two options at the time: 'convalescent homes' or moving in with family."
But as more women entered the workforce, leaving fewer at-home caregivers, Kursban recognized the need for a better solution. In 1968, she founded Family & Nursing Care, pioneering the agingin-place movement and revolutionizing how families care for aging loved ones.
Today, Family & Nursing Care stands as one of the mid-Atlantic region's oldest, largest and most respected providers of in-home care for seniors. Over the past 56 years, the company has helped tens of thousands of families by connecting them with compassionate, experienced
Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) who assist with daily activities and offer companionship, allowing older adults to thrive in the comfort of their own homes.
Kursban has woven her passion for growth, innovation and excellence into the company's culture. Her son, Neal, now serves as CEO—her daughter, Mindy, as the company's attorney—but Kursban continues to extend her impact through the Family & Nursing Care Foundation she established in 2008. The Foundation awards grants to community partners helping low-income seniors access inhome care and provides scholarships for CNA certification.
"My dream when I started the company was to provide older adults and their families peace of mind through competent, devoted home care," Kursban says. "The Foundation allows us to expand this care to more people than ever."
Hopkins & Porter Construction, Inc.
RAY HORNSBY, PRESIDENT
High quality design and construction for more than 47 years.
12944-C Travilah Road, Suite 204
Potomac, MD 20854
301-840-9121
HopkinsAndPorter.com
Based in Potomac, Md., Hopkins & Porter Construction, Inc., was started by its two principals, Guy Hopkins Semmes and Michael Porter Denker in 1977. Incorporated in 1982, it has grown from a two-man organization to one that has built an amazing reputation in the market for high quality design and construction for more than 47 years.
Hopkins & Porter provides a fullservice custom design/build experience specializing in creative remodeling and functionally beautiful additions. Professionalism and client service is the top priority. Attention to detail is of utmost importance, and handling everything from start to finish creates clarity in design and budgeting. This ensures even the most complex projects are efficient and hassle free. Listening carefully to clients and developing solutions for both function and beauty is the goal.
A full-time handyman service is maintained for the benefit of new and existing clients. This division supports the active extended warranty provided. The office staff supports the design, sales, production and administration departments.
Hopkins & Porter has been led by President Ray Hornsby for more than nine years. Having been with the company as a key employee since 1986, the transition to owner was a natural step. Ray believes that remodeling is a service, not a product. “Our tagline, ‘it’s the way we care,’ reflects that,” he says. “Every member of the team—from design through product selections to construction— makes every attempt to ensure the client experience is wonderful. It’s just the way Hopkins & Porter cares about each and every client.”
GTM Architects
"Each project is an opportunity to create lasting spaces that inspire, enrich, and truly stand the test of time.”
7735 Old Georgetown Road, Suite 700 Bethesda, MD 20814
240-333-2000
Ask@gtmarchitects.com GTMArchitects.com
FROM LEFT, FRONT: RICK CONRATH, NCARB; GEORGE MYERS, AIA, NCARB; JIM MYERS
BACK: DAVID KONAPELSKY, AIA, NCARB; JEFF WHITMAN, RA; LUKE OLSON; ROBIN MENGE, LEED AP; STEVE MULHOLLAND, AIA LEED AP; STEVEN SORRELL, CID, LEED AP
Established in 1989 by George Myers, GTM Architects was founded with a vision to inspire transformative change by cultivating lasting relationships and delivering tailored architectural solutions that reflect each client’s unique aspirations. Originating in the historic charm of Kensington, Md., the firm embraced a personalized, smalltown ethos. In 2004, GTM transitioned to Bethesda, Md., marking a new chapter of growth, evolving influence and unwavering pursuit of excellence.
Now celebrating 35 years, GTM Architects has become an industry leader with more than 70 professionals across three locations—Bethesda, Washington, D.C., and a newly opened office in Frederick, Md. Licensed in most U.S. states, GTM has completed thousands of projects and has earned more than 150 prestigious awards, solidifying its national reputation for excellence in design.
Specializing in single-family and multifamily residential, commercial interiors, retail, restaurant and recreational projects, GTM blends creativity, innovation, and functionality in every design. GTM Principal Mark Kaufman shares, “Each project is an opportunity to create lasting spaces that inspire, enrich and truly stand the test of time.”
Founder George Myers attributes the firm’s enduring success to its relationships and core values. “Our philosophy is to treat people the way we would want to be treated,” he says. “This mindset has fostered long-term partnerships and a loyal, talented team. Work with good people, and success follows.”
As GTM celebrates this milestone anniversary, it remains steadfast in its mission to craft beautiful and empowering spaces that stand the test of time while helping clients bring their visions to life. Learn more at gtmarchitects.com
Holy Cross Health
HARTAJ POWELL , MD, MPH, FACOG, MEDICAL DIRECTOR DEPT. OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY
NANCY NAGEL, MSN, RN, VP, WOMEN & CHILDREN’S SERVICES
Holy Cross Health is Maryland's leading maternity care provider, providing compassionate, expert care at Holy Cross Hospital and Holy Cross Germantown Hospital. A trusted provider for generations of families in greater Washington, D.C., Holy Cross Health offers a full range of services, including Level III NICU, specialized high-risk pregnancy care and private labor and delivery rooms.
Nancy Nagel, vice president of Women & Children's Services at Holy Cross Health, recalls being called into a patient's room recently by two beaming grandparents eager to show her photos from when their daughter was born at Holy Cross and thrilled to celebrate their granddaughter's birth in the same hospital.
For generations, families in greater Washington, D.C., have trusted Maryland's leading provider of maternity care to share in life's most cherished milestones. "It's the best stamp of approval," says Nagel.
Holy Cross Health welcomes approximately 9,000 babies annually—more than any health system in Maryland—offering a full continuum of care that ensures families receive advanced, compassionate support at every stage.
Holy Cross Hospital's Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) is the region's go-to for critically ill newborns. For highrisk pregnancies, its Perinatal Diagnostic Center, High-Risk Perinatal Center—a Maryland Institute of Emergency Medical Services System Level IIIB referral center with 24/7 access to leading maternal-fetal specialists—and an Antepartum Unit provide unmatched expertise. Holy Cross Germantown Hospital features a Level II NICU with seamless access to the Silver Spring NICU if needed. Holy Cross Hospital's partnership with Children's National further elevates their expert care, bringing top specialists to families.
With all-private labor and delivery rooms and comfortable maternity suites, Holy Cross Health combines medical excellence with a family-centered approach, continuing a legacy of care that generations have counted on.
"It's humbling that families entrust us with their loved ones," says Dr. Hartaj Powell, medical director, Obstetrics and Gynecology. "We lean into that responsibility with honor."
Greater Washington Community Foundation
ANNA HARGRAVE, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR MONTGOMERY COUNTY
Montgomery County Office: 301-495-3036
Info@thecommunityfoundation.org
TheCommunityFoundation.org
Since 1973, the Greater Washington Community Foundation has ignited the power of philanthropy to address critical community needs, directing $1.7 billion in charitable investments toward building an equitable, just, and thriving region. Now, through the Together, We Prosper campaign, The Community Foundation is working to increase economic mobility to help close the region’s racial wealth gap.
One key initiative is Brilliant Futures, a children's savings pilot program providing up to $1,000 in annual deposits from kindergarten through 12 th grade to 400 students at two schools in priority Montgomery and Prince George's county neighborhoods. The program will help students build assets that can be redeemed when they graduate for further education and training, homeownership, entrepreneurship or retirement.
Join The Community Foundation in helping families move from stability to mobility, creating opportunities for all and fostering a prosperous community.
Founded in 1894, Fisher Lumber is Montgomery County’s go-to source for building supplies—from lumber, doors and windows, to tools, millwork and hardware. Known for its quality products, great service, and commitment to the community, Fisher Lumber reflects the spirit of president and owner Donald Hershey. “Don’s work ethic inspires me every day,” says Tim Allen, general manager. “He’s never off-duty, and his dedication to every employee and customer is at the forefront of everything he does.”
The iconic retailer offers a refreshing alternative to the “big box” stores, with a loyal, congenial staff happy to address concerns, answer questions, or just lend a friendly ear. They pride themselves on the integrity and service that have been the cornerstone of the Fisher Lumber business for more than 100 year —and likely will be for 100 more.
Lerch, Early & Brewer, Chtd.
With 75 lawyers and 75 years of experience in Maryland, the District of Columbia and Northern Virginia, Lerch Early can help you rise to any challenge. Our attorneys guide you to make sound, informed, practical business decisions and help individuals and families navigate life's demands by providing reliable, straightforward, practical, goal-driven advice.
7600 Wisconsin Ave., Suite 700 Bethesda, MD 20814
301-986-1300
LerchEarly.com
For 75 years, Lerch, Early & Brewer attorneys have served generations of families and business owners looking to care for their loved ones, transact business and secure legacies.
Starting as a small Washington, D.C. law firm in 1950, Lerch Early is now a full-service firm with more than 75 attorneys serving clients all over the region in real estate, land use, commercial and SBA lending, employment and labor, community associations, corporate, tax, litigation, trusts and estates and family law. Its attorneys and staff strive to improve our community and profession through numerous pro bono and community service efforts. Its leaders encourage all voices to be heard, believing that diverse perspectives and backgrounds make us stronger.
On Feb. 1, 2025, the firm will celebrate its 75th anniversary. Throughout the past seven decades, Lerch Early’s core values—including being technically excellent, engaged with clients, always ethical, strongly committed to community involvement and invested in each other’s successes—have defined the firm’s culture and reputation.
“This landmark anniversary represents our dedication and commitment to those who make our business possible—our clients,” says Ruth Katz, managing partner. “As we celebrate this milestone, we want to thank everyone who has been a part of our journey. Here's to the next 75 years of continued growth and success.”
We look forward to helping you rise to your next challenge.
Bethesda Magazine
Since 2004, Bethesda Magazine has been a trusted source of journalism that provides readers with a strong mix of stories to make the community a better place to live, work and thrive. Readers turn to Bethesda Magazine to stay informed and entertained, both through the print magazine and website.
4520 East West Highway, Suite 612 Bethesda, MD 20814
301-718-7787
BethesdaMagazine.com
As Bethesda Magazine proudly celebrates its 20th anniversary, it stands as a testament to the power of quality local journalism, meaningful community engagement and entrepreneurial vision. Co-founded by Steve and Susan Hull in 2004, the magazine began as a leap of faith—a bold idea to provide the Montgomery County community with a publication that celebrated its people, businesses and diverse culture. Today, it has flourished into a trusted resource and an integral part of the county’s identity.
“When Steve and Susan started the magazine, they knew this was a special area, with residents and business leaders who were invested in the community where they live and work,” says Jennifer Farkas, who joined the magazine in 2007 and was named publisher in 2024.
Last year also marked 10 years of
Bethesda Magazine's daily online news briefing. The digital newsroom has become a cornerstone of real-time, local news. Farkas says its 2014 launch was a major milestone for Bethesda Magazine, “allowing us to expand our service by covering the daily news and breaking stories that matter to the community.”
The company entered an exciting new chapter in 2024 with its acquisition by Today Media, a family-owned business with 45 years of expertise in the media industry. The partnership promises to further enhance Bethesda Magazine’s commitment to informing, connecting and inspiring the community through trusted journalism.
As Bethesda Magazine celebrates 20 years, it looks to the future with excitement and gratitude for the ongoing trust and support of the community it serves.
MICHAEL VENUTRA
The Karen Rollings Real Estate Team
KAREN ROLLINGS, REALTOR/ASSOCIATE BROKER
eXp Realty's The Karen Rollings Team is an award-winning real estate group dedicated to providing unrivaled, personalized service to home buyers and sellers across the Washington, D.C. metro area and Delaware. With more than 40 years of experience and 4,000plus homes sold, Karen Rollings leads a team of skilled agents committed to delivering outstanding results.
eXp Realty
3410 N. High St. Olney, MD 20832
O: 301.924.8200
C: 301.928.4862
KarenRollings.eXpRealty.com
The Karen Rollings Team with eXp Realty is a leading real estate group serving Maryland, Washington, D.C., Virginia and Delaware. With a successful career spanning four decades—and more than 4,000 homes sold—Karen Rollings has built her reputation on trust, dedication and exceptional service. She's surrounded herself with a team of skilled, client-focused agents who share her passion for delivering innovative solutions and unparalleled customer care. Whether guiding first-time buyers, managing complex estate sales or assisting homeowners downsize, The Karen Rollings Team supports clients at every stage to help them achieve their real estate goals with confidence and ease.
Specializing in everything from 1031 exchanges to waterfront condos and historic properties, The Karen Rollings Team works closely with some of the
Washington Metropolitan area's top law firms to ensure clients make the best, most informed decisions for their families and future.
Karen understands that a home is often the most significant investment in a person's life, and her mission is to exceed clients' expectations with personalized service and unmatched attention to detail. From charming rowhomes in Baltimore to oceanfront condos in Ocean City, historic neighborhoods in Mount Pleasant, and picturesque Brookeville, The Karen Rollings Team is ready to use its extensive market knowledge to help you find—or sell— your perfect place.
"When you choose The Karen Rollings Team, you're choosing decades of expertise, proven results and a team of experienced agents who genuinely care about helping you every step of the way," says Karen. "Let us take you home."
MAGGIE ROLLINGS KRICHBAUM DALILA CAMPOS
MICHELLE PLAYER
MONDA WEBB THERESA KAUFMAN
JUANITA PERRY
KEVIN DALY
RICH REYNOLDS KEKE BROOKS SARITHA SUPPOGU DANIEL LINARES JEREMY ROLLINGS
KAREN ROLLINGS
THE CROFFLES AT DONUTCHEW CROSS A CROISSANT WITH A WAFFLE. SEE MORE ON CROISSANT MASHUPS ON PAGE 62.
BETHESDA Best of
242 great places to go, things to do and more, as chosen by our editors and readers
BY CARALEE ADAMS, STEPHANIE SIEGEL BURKE, ASHLYN
CAMPBELL, AMANDA CHERRIN, MEG DRENNAN, CHRISTINE KOUBEK FLYNN, ELIA GRIFFIN, DAVID HAGEDORN, DAWN KLAVON, ALYSSA LANGER, ALICE LEVITT, JILLIAN LYNCH, NEVIN MARTELL, AMY REININK, STEVE SIMON, CAROLE SUGARMAN AND KARA THOMPSON
PHOTO BY DEB LINDSEY
CSA Subscription Most Versatile
Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) programs—in which members invest in farm shares upfront and then receive fresh produce weekly throughout the growing season—are not new, but family-owned Norman’s Farm Market’s 28-week CSA subscription stands out thanks to its flexibility. Some programs offer prefilled boxes, sometimes with home delivery. Norman’s customers pick out their own goodies at one of four pickup locations—Bethesda, Potomac and two in Chevy Chase. Each pickup is held on a different day, so if you can’t make your usual stop, head to another one to scoop up your produce. Choose from among three sizes of shares; at $38.50 per week, the smallest
share option includes nine produce items (the large share is $58.95 per week and the jumbo share is $87.50 per week, for larger quantities of produce). There’s also a new eight-week option for those who don’t want to commit to the full 28 weeks (prices are slightly higher), plus members can opt in to honey and egg share add-ons. If you’re going out of town, rather than just forgoing your prepaid produce, members can double up another week (or have a friend make the pickup). Norman’s sources its produce from its farm in Woodbine, Maryland, and from other local farms.
normansfarmmarket.com
PHOTO
B est Korean Food Hiding in a C heesesteak Joint
Walking up to this unassuming corner carryout, it would be easy to get the wrong idea. Though Cheesesteak Mike’s does sell a beloved Philly cheesesteak, the best dishes are in the Korean section of the menu dubbed Mike’s Touch of Seoul. Get your meal to go or sit down to savor it at their sister spot round the back, Mike’s Pub, a tiny no-frills roadhouse. At the takeout joint, start with fried chicken wings glossy with a sweet and spicy glaze that crackles when you
take a bite, the crunchy coating giving way to tender, juicy meat. Then move on to heartier mains, such as galbi (short ribs) dappled with sesame seeds and scallion ringlets, and griddled bulgogi, thin slices of steak nicely caramelized at the edges that are laid over rice and topped with a sunny-side up egg that creates an umami-rich sauce.
10222 New Hampshire Ave., Silver Spring, cheesesteakmikes.com
Best Secret Milk Bread Spot
A few blocks from the heart of downtown Silver Spring is a micro-bakery boasting big flavors. Morning My Day specializes in milk bread, an enriched white bread that serves as the foundation for Japanese-style egg salad sandwiches and fruit sandwiches. The shop is powered by the husbandand-wife team of Allen Yu and Wendy Xue, who started dating in middle school in China’s Shaanxi province, where they grew up. Both are now 35. He handles the baking, she’s the decorator, and all the work is done in the nano-size open kitchen of their 700-squarefoot shop, charmingly decorated by a museum’s worth of colorful sketches by their 6-year-old son, Michael. The self-taught couple opened Morning My Day in late 2023 and they’re now turning out an impressive lineup of Insta-ready polychromatic pastries—featherweight three-tier chiffon cakes with whipped cream-mascarpone frosting, braided purple yam rolls, green matcha buns, burnt Basque cheesecakes, hypnotically curvaceous Swiss rolls, a rainbow of macarons. The pilgrimage-worthy Japanese milk bread comes in dainty cubes and perfectly rectangular loaves, with the fruit milk bread sandwiches packaged to show their insides plumped up with attractively arranged grapes, strawberries or mangoes. Bites can be complemented with a broad range of espresso drinks, boba teas, slushies, sparkling teas and more.
TOP PHOTO BY JOSEPH TRAN; RIGHT PHOTO BY BRENDAN M C CABE
YOUNG OH, LEFT, AND HER SON JOE OH AT CHEESESTEAK MIKE’S
GLUTEN-FREE BRUNCH FARE AT BURTONS INCLUDES A BURGER (FRONT), CRABCAKE BENEDICT (BACK) AND DOUGHNUTS WITH CINNAMON AND POWDERED SUGAR (BOTTOM).
Best Allergy-Friendly Brunch
Navigating restaurants can be difficult for people with food allergies. Burtons Grill & Bar in Gaithersburg’s Kentlands Market Square is part of a national chain that serves plenty of dishes made without common allergens, and others that can be altered upon request. When the Gaithersburg location, which opened in 2022, added brunch to its offerings in December 2023, it included gluten-free and allergy-friendly choices. “Gluten-free brunch items are challenging to find because [brunch] is so heavy with floured items,” says Denise Herrera, Burtons’ co-founder and vice president of food and beverage. She and her team “put the brunch menu together being mindful to have something for everybody, but also [being]
mindful of the allergy-friendly needs.” Almost all of the brunch items either have a glutenfree counterpart—such as the eggs Benedict with a gluten-free English muffin, or the brunch burger with a gluten-free bun—or are naturally gluten-free, such as the bag of doughnuts or the short rib hash. Other substitutions can often be made to accommodate food allergies. Brunch is on Saturdays and Sundays from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Perched atop the 9-acre lake at Gaithersburg’s Rio shopping center, The Lake House at Copper Canyon debuted in October. The covered, weather-dependent dining barge is an extension of Copper Canyon Grill. At the alfresco area, which is outfitted with festive strings of lights, guests can savor picturesque views of the lake and the lively boardwalk while sipping craft cocktails and dining on upscale cuisine. The 58-seat Lake House offers a streamlined version of Copper Canyon Grill’s menu; you’ll find hearty salads and entrees such as signature woodfired rotisserie chicken, rainbow trout and crabcake sandwiches. Landlubbers take note: The seasonally open Lake House sits on a tethered barge, so it’s stationary.
100 Boardwalk Place (Rio), Gaithersburg, ccgrill.com/gaithersburg
Deviations on a Croissant Most Delicious
The croissant-cross craze continues. A host of trendy hybrids are being configured with the versatile buttery dough.
LEFT: BREADS UNLIMITED SELLS A CROISSANTDOUGHNUT MASHUP.
BELOW: JOSE MOLINA (LEFT), CEO AND OWNER OF BREADS UNLIMITED, AND HIS SON ROBERTO, THE BAKERY’S BUSINESS MANAGER
CROISSANT + DOUGHNUT
When the original Cronut debuted in 2013 by pastry chef Dominique Ansel at his eponymous bakery in New York City, it became a viral sensation. Other bakeries continue to put their spin on Ansel’s invention, which he’s still selling (via mail order, too). Locally, we like the rendition at Breads Unlimited,
made with equal parts croissant dough and doughnut dough that turns out a fried product both flaky and cakey. Glazed, or glazed and drizzled with chocolate icing, they’re super popular—especially on weekends, when the bakery often sells out.
Another croissant coupling to go viral is the crookie—a croissant that is sliced, filled with chocolate chip cookie dough, and topped with more cookie dough before baking. Jerome Colin, owner of Tout de Sweet Pastry Shop in Bethesda, came up with a less heavy and more complicated version by rolling thin sheets of chocolate chip cookie and croissant doughs together into a cylinder, slicing it into rounds, then adding a disk of cookie dough atop each halfway through baking. The result is a buttery muffinshaped treat swirled with chocolate chips and capped with a cookie hat.
7831 Woodmont Ave., Bethesda, toutdesweetshop.com
CROISSANT + BAGEL
Compared to a sandwich on a croissant, a sandwich on a cro’gel— Fresh Baguette’s croissant dough baked into a bagel shape and sprinkled with everything bagel seasoning—provides a flatter, more even foundation for layering meats, cheeses and other ingredients. It’s also easier to eat and less bready.
Others apparently agree, as the cro’gel is a hit not only at the bakery’s stores, but among Fresh Baguette’s wholesale accounts, such as area coffeehouses, that make sandwiches with it as well.
Towering and elegant, the cruffin at Junction Bistro, Bar & Bakery a not-too-sweet take on croissantmeets-muffin. Here, croissant dough is twisted into deep muffin tins, baked, and then piped inside with jam or fruit and pastry cream and rolled in castor sugar. The flavors change seasonally; this winter, the two offerings from the restaurant, a mini-chain operated by the local Rex Management Lifestyle & Restaurant Group, are strawberry cream and Nutella. Creamy, fruity, buttery and flaky, the cruffin has it all.
This colossal combo of a croissant pressed into a waffle iron and then crowned with flavored cream, nuts, fruit, syrups and more is dubbed a croffle and was first made fashionable in South Korea. In our area, the Donutchew chain offers a variety of options; we especially like the Banana Nutella, spread with a layer of Nutella, then topped with piped banana cream and sliced bananas. The whole shebang is a decadent dessert, but you can also order it plain. Waffles made with croissant dough should have been born that way.
DONUTCHEW’S CROISSANT-WAFFLE COMBOS COME TOPPED WITH FLAVORED CREAMS AND OTHER GOODIES.
THE NUTELLA CRUFFIN AT JUNCTION BISTRO, BAR & BAKERY
Best New Spot for Worry-Free Ordering
For vegans, food lovers with dietary restrictions or anyone looking to get their superfoods fix, Rooted3 is practically heaven on earth—right in Bethesda’s Woodmont Triangle. The fast-casual eatery was opened by mother-daughter duo Melissa Peppe and Molly Gibson, who live in Chevy Chase, in January 2024. The menu is free of common food allergens— milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, crustacean shellfish, wheat, soybeans and sesame—and everything is organic, plant-based and anti-inflammatory. You’ll find bowls and salads along with barbecue cauliflower bites and smoothies packed with superfoods (raw cocoa nibs, kale, blueberries, sunflower butter, turmeric). On Saturday and Sunday, brunch includes rare gluten-free bagels (pick from onion, plain, everything, tomato-basil and French toast) and wheatless waffles crowned with housemade whipped cream, fruit and maple syrup. On a sunny day, relax on Rooted3’s serene alleyway patio and sip an organic cocktail.
4916 Cordell Ave., Bethesda, rooted3.com
Best New
Hit the mother lode at A Lil’ Sumthin’ Sweet Dessert Cafe: enticing cakes, pies, cookies, brownies and ice cream (with endless toppings) await you under one downtown Silver Spring roof. Sample 14 milkshake flavors, ice cream nachos (your choice of ice cream and three toppings accompanied by crunchy waffle cone chips), frozen yogurts, parfaits, soft serve, waffle bowls and hand-scooped ice cream.
All cookies are not created equal, thanks to Potomac couple Esther and Damola St. Daniels. They opened Potomac Cookie Co. in May and sell 12 kinds of cookies daily that are full of locally sourced ingredients. At around $5.75 each, the massive mounds of gooey goodness come in flavors including chocolate chip, decadent Biscoff, s’mores and black bear (chocolate cookie stuffed with white and milk chocolate). Consider cupcakes or a brookie too at this Kentlands Market Square destination in Gaithersburg.
109A Market St., Gaithersburg, potomaccookie.com
Splurge on Swiss chocolate at Läderach Chocolatier Suisse, an upscale sweet shop in Bethesda’s Westfield Montgomery mall. We’re crazy about the eye-popping FrischSchoggi, priced-per-pound slabs of handcrafted chocolate heaven in more than 20 flavors; the blackberry, coconut, caramel and cornflakes versions top our list. The Switzerland-based company also offers more than 30 varieties of pralines and truffles, as well as seasonal creations to blow your diet and blow your mind.
7101 Democracy Blvd., Suite 2212 (Westfield Montgomery mall), Bethesda, laderach.com
A LIL’ SUMTHIN’ SWEET DESSERT CAFÉ SELLS ICE CREAM WITH TONS OF TOPPINGS. BELOW: OWNER
CAMILLA SMITH, LEFT, AND HER DAUGHTER, MANAGER CHYLER SMITH, ALSO OFFER COOKIES, PIES AND OTHER TREATS.
Best Elevated Burritos
Tex-Mex cuisine used to be the star of the D.C. area’s Mexican food scene, and though fajitas are undeniably delicious, they are hardly the whole enchilada. These days, elevated taquerias in growing numbers are showcasing burritos beyond Chipotle—think flavorful meats, pinto beans, Mexican rice and freshly diced pico de gallo, all expertly wrapped in a thick flour tortilla.
San Franciscans needing a taste of home finally got their fix in July, when the owners of Cielo Rojo turned the restaurant’s Takoma Park location into San Pancho, a taqueria straight out of the California city’s Mission District (Cielo Rojo moved to a new space nearby). According to co-owner Carolina McCandless, who grew up in Cabin John, a patron-favorite filling at San Pancho is the barbacoa, beef slow-cooked with chilies and spices. You can order it in a regular burrito—an imported Sonoran tortilla stuffed with rice, beans, pico de gallo, and heaps of cilantro and onions—but we recommend that you upgrade to a super, which adds guacamole, sour cream and a melted Oaxacan cheese blend.
7056 Carroll Ave., Takoma Park, sanpanchoburritos.com
Ixtapalapa Taqueria has been treating Gaithersburg residents to authentic Mexican burritos bursting with slowroasted meats and housemade mole since 2017. You can opt for the Burrito Clasico or ditch the tortilla for a bowl. Regardless
of presentation, the burrito comes with beans, rice, crema and a classic protein such as carne asada steak or something more adventurous: lengua (beef tongue) or tripa (small intestine). Our favorite filling is the al pastor, pineapple-marinated pork that is so flavorful it will transport you to the streets of Mexico City.
411 N. Frederick Ave., Gaithersburg, ixtataqueria.com
In July, local chain Little Miner Taco moved its Montgomery County eatery from Pike & Rose to Rockville Town Square, and though the cherry red-and-white space offers a bold new look, the restaurant’s famed birria de res—beef slow-braised with spices and peppers shipped from Mexico—hasn’t changed a bit. Owner Kathy Voss credits Little Miner Taco for helping to introduce the area to a Southern California delicacy: the Loaded Fries Burrito, which features your protein of choice along with crispy potatoes, queso, chipotle aioli and salsa verde. Order it with the birria for the full experience.
39 Maryland Ave. Suite A, Rockville, littleminertaco.com
PHOTO BY SCOTT SUCHMAN
CHORIZO BREAKFAST
BURRITO AT SAN PANCHO
Best New Spot for Bespoke Noodles
The latest from Gaithersburgbased Ivea Restaurant Group is a new franchise of Kajiken, a Japanese-born aburasoba noodle chain. Edward Wong, the founder of Ivea, introduced the concept to the United States in Baltimore in 2022, adding locations in New York, California, Illinois and, as of July, Rockville.
Ramen faithful, take note: Aburasoba is a relative of the noodle-filled soup bowls, but without the broth. The wheatbased pasta is thicker and more al dente than ramen. In
place of long-stewed soup, the noodles are coated in chili oil, soy sauce and other “secret” ingredients, says Rockville manager Jasper Li.
For customers, the fun is in constructing bowls. Diners can add chicken curry or Old Bayseasoned shrimp to their base of noodles, then customize the dish with more toppings that range from cheddar cheese to pickled plums. Most bowls cost $14.50.
1701 Rockville Pike, Suite A7, Rockville, kajikenus.com
Best New Pizza Parlor With Creative Cocktails
In April, Richard Weiner, a Bethesda mortgage broker for more than 30 years, opened No Regrets Pizza Co. in North Bethesda to sell square Roman-style pizzas (a lighter cousin to Detroit-style). At lunchtime, No Regrets trades in slices—both Roman and New York-style. But at dinnertime, the New York pies are available only for takeout. Instead, Neapolitan and Roman pizzas— with toppings such as soppressata, pears and even housemade mashed potatoes—are available, along with fresh-made pastas. “We transform into a beautiful sit-down, fullservice restaurant,” Weiner says. That includes unique cocktails. The New Fashioned, for example, features bourbon that’s infused with pistachio butter, flavored with cardamom, and served smoking.
5454 Nicholson Lane, Suite 180, North Bethesda, noregretspizza.com
OLD BAY EBI NOODLE BOWL AT KAJIKEN
Best Value
Happy Hour
Remember when happy hours were easy on the wallet and didn’t end at 6 p.m.? Grab a seat at La Catrina Bar & Lounge’s vast wraparound bar and settle in for real deals, such as $4 street tacos, $5 margaritas and $5 cervezas served in chilled glasses. Happy hour runs from 3-9 p.m., Tuesdays through Fridays. The venue’s colorful namesake, La Catrina, is the famous skeleton lady who has become a symbol of Dia de los Muertos, an annual festival in Mexico and elsewhere in Latin America that honors the deceased. At the two-story Woodmont Triangle spot, La Catrina’s iconic painted visage appears everywhere, from neon-colored skulls perched on the bar to vibrant paintings on the walls. The eclectic vibe feels like you’ve been transported to Mexico. On Fridays, a full mariachi band, complete with trumpets, plays at 7 p.m.
Sometimes new ventures just don’t click, prompting restaurateurs to reevaluate and pivot.
When Alexandria, Virginia-based Common Plate Hospitality opened The Grove in Potomac’s Cabin John Village in November 2023, it was an upscale Mediterranean eatery with dishes that came with foamy flourishes and fancy prices, with entrees topping out at $48. The owners closed for a week in the spring and resurfaced as The Grove Bar & Grill, with an American menu that showcases a tabletop Ferris wheel of shoestring fries with five seasonings and a trio of dipping sauces. Expect chicken wings, burgers, sandwiches (including a French dip) and predictable entrees (roast chicken, steak frites) mostly in the mid-$20 range.
7747 Tuckerman Lane (Cabin John Village), Potomac, thegrovemd.com
Deniz and Celal Gulluoglu opened the second location of their D.C.-based Levantine eatery Ala in March 2024, taking over the space that housed Positano in Bethesda. In July, they posted on Instagram, “We’re upgrading our menu and training our staff to bring you an even better dining experience. Stay tuned for new flavors and dishes that you won’t want to miss!” Where the original menu took a more traditional approach to appetizers and entrees, the new one puts greater emphasis on hot and cold mezze, going from 17 of those small plates meant for sharing to 29 of them. Among the new dishes are fried dolmades (stuffed grape leaves), crab and pineapple fattoush salad, and duck prosciutto with crispy rice lavash.
4948 Fairmont Ave., Bethesda, ala-dc.com
FRIED DOLMADES
PHOTO BY NINA PALAZZOLO
for Karaoke and a Meal Best Spots
Reserve a private karaoke room for your posse at Hulu Skewer House, complete with boozy beverages and upscale dining. Opened in December 2022, Hulu offers an array of all-you-can-eat Chinese barbecue skewers and customizable hot pots, with bases such as tom yum or pork bone soup. Wash your meal down with an expertly crafted Manhattan, margarita or cosmopolitan. Hulu’s six karaoke rooms come in three sizes: Three hold up to eight people each ($50 per hour), two up to 11 each ($75 per hour) and the VIP room can fit up to 30 ($100 per hour). Reservations are a must.
1488 Rockville Pike, Rockville, huluskewer.com
You and your backup singers can dine and drink to your heart’s content while singing your heart out in the main dining area or in private rooms at Nosh Grill House. Opened in May 2023, Nosh is a contemporary all-you-can-eat Asian fusion and Chinese barbecue restaurant with four private karaoke rooms with tableside grills (you do the grilling). The private rooms are for two to 20 people and cost $60 or $80 per hour (the room fee is waived Sunday through Thursday if you spend $50 per person on food and drinks). Or choose from hundreds of thousands of songs to perform right from your table in the main section of the restaurant. Curated cocktails offer a bit of liquid courage for performing your favorite karaoke classic.
12 N. Washington St., Rockville, noshgrillhouse.com
CHOOSE A PRIVATE ROOM OR THE MAIN DINING SECTION FOR A MEAL WITH
PHOTO BY DEB LINDSEY
KARAOKE AT NOSH GRILL HOUSE.
PHOTO BY JOSEPH TRAN
TEENS IN THE STONE BRANCH
ART PROGRAM AT KENSINGTON’S COMPASS ART CENTER
Best New Place Where Everyone Can Be Creative
There’s a different creative thing happening on every floor of Compass Art Center in Kensington. Adults paint in classes, teens sketch anime drawings, professionals give talks in a gallery exhibition.
Founder and director Glen Kessler, 48, of North Potomac, opened the center in April to expand a master level painting program he started in 2013. Kessler, a professional artist and university level art teacher for more than 20 years, was drawn to the artistic community in Kensington, which is home to several other art studios and holds the annual Paint the Town Labor Day Show.
Compass Art Center fills a three-story building and is home to Young Masters Art Studio, which offers art classes for kids ages 5-13; the Stone Branch Art Program, which teaches art classes for teens; the Compass Atelier, which teaches adult painting classes; the Compass Gallery, which features monthly art shows; the Wheaton Arts Parade Gallery 2, which features exhibits that run for two months; Compass Art Studios, which provide space for working artists; and Kensington Art Therapy, which offers art therapy for kids and adults. The center is open to the public seven days a week; check the website for hours.
THE WORK FROM STRATHMORE PROGRAM OFFERS COWORKING SPACE WITH CONCERTS RANGING FROM STEEL DRUMS TO SITAR STRINGS.
Best Immersive Local History Experience
You can see chickens and hogs, along with clotheslines hung with wet laundry in the yard of the historic Oakley Cabin in Olney— but only if you use your smartphone. Last spring, Montgomery County launched the Oakley Cabin Augmented Reality (AR) Experience, a pilot project that allows visitors to learn about the historic site. Once part of the Oakley plantation, the cabin first housed enslaved laborers, and after emancipation it was home to African American tenant families. The house dates back to the 1830s or ’40s and was inhabited as a private residence until the 1970s. The cabin is open to the public and staffed with docents only about 14 days a year, so the AR experience is meant to give visitors a peek inside the structure and teach about the lives of the people who lived there, even when the cabin is closed or unstaffed.
Visitors can use a smart device to scan a series of QR codes posted around the site to see digital 3D objects overlaid with the actual environment. For some of the codes, a virtual tour guide explains the history of the cabin. Others launch images of animals you can virtually place around the yard, or even a virtual model of the cabin that enables you to look inside. The AR experience, created through a collaboration of the county’s parks and technology departments and the University of Maryland, is available in seven languages and could be expanded to other historic sites in the county.
Once a month, The Music Center at Strathmore hosts Work From Strathmore, a free opportunity to work remotely in the airy cafe seating area of its lobby. Coffee, pastries and Wi-Fi are also free, and Strathmore books musicians who have graduated from its 10-month Artist in Residence professional development program to perform from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. In October, the sound of sitar strings by Baltimore musician Snehesh Nag melded with the click-clack of computer keys.
Tables that accommodate six or eight metal chairs encourage coworking. The atrium also has tables tucked away for more privacy. Banks of outlets are available via extension cords.
The events started in April 2024 and are intended to help people connect to Strathmore and to other remote workers, says Lauren Campbell, Strathmore’s vice president of education and community engagement. The harmonious remote-work experiences take place on the first Monday of each month from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Remote workers can bring lunch or order delivery; Strathmore’s cafe does not sell food during the events. Registration on Strathmore’s website is requested but not required.
5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda, strathmore.org
PHOTOS COURTESY MONTGOMERY PARKS, MNCPPC
for a Shopping Outing in One Place Best New Boutiques
Park in one place at Potomac’s Cabin John Village shopping center and hit two new clothing boutiques that pride themselves on offering personalized customer service and distinctive items not available in traditional department stores.
Apricot Lane Boutique is a franchise known for its trendy, colorful and fun clothing, including high-quality tops and premium denim brands such as Paige, AG and Frame, says Stacey Galkin, sales stylist. There are sweaters with bling and bows, faux-fur-trimmed vests, roomy fleece jackets and boho-chic long skirts, along with an array of leisurewear. The store also sells dresses, from the shiny and sparkly for elegant parties to short ones with ruffles made of hot-pink floral fabric. Shoppers can complete their outfits with an assortment of the boutique’s handbags and jewelry.
7951 Tuckerman Lane, Suite C (Cabin John Village), Potomac, apricotlaneboutique.com
Inside Jurisdiction , a white neon sign reads “We Are All Beautiful,” reflective of the store’s inclusive philosophy, says attorney and owner Jessica Markham, 44, of Potomac. The independent store sells items in all sizes (including plus) and aims to make people of different gender identities and expressions feel welcome, all while appealing to varying budgets. It also features accessories and gifts from women-, Black-, and queerowned businesses. The boutique carries classic items (such as blazers and wide-leg trousers by Oat New York) for women who “need to look put together in an office-casual environment,” Markham says, along with some cocktail attire. Many items cost less than $100, although the store does feature high-end pieces from Suncoo, a Parisian line.
7937 Tuckerman Lane, Suite A (Cabin John Village), Potomac, jurisdictionclothing.com
Best New Place to Gear Up for a Bike or Ski Outing
Whether your jam is a weekend bicycle ride along the C&O Canal or heading to the slopes in Aspen or Massanutten, you can get outfitted for your adventure at Bethesda Bike and Ski. The shop, which opened in August in downtown Bethesda, is operated by co-owners Bruce Thompson and Jeff Labow. They are selfdescribed “seasoned veterans” of the bike industry who both worked at Big Wheel Bikes, the store that Bethesda Bike and Ski replaced. “We wanted to combine our love of snow sports and cycling, but also keep ourselves busy through the winter,” Labow says. The shop sells, rents, services and repairs bicycle, ski and snowboard equipment. Its bicycle lines include Specialized and Brooklyn, and K2 and Line are among the brands of ski equipment. The store also offers lessons, workshops and 30-mile bike rides on Sunday mornings (weather permitting), and plans to offer shuttles to ski resorts in the winter.
BETHESDA BIKE AND SKI CO-OWNERS BRUCE THOMPSON, LEFT, AND JEFF LABOW WITH CUSTOMER JILL KOLAKOWSKI
AND
Best New Vintage Shops
Vintage shops can be cool curated spaces offering products from bygone eras that are sometimes quirky, and often boasting quality and affordable luxury. These two vintage stores opened recently, and both are home to one-of-a-kind shopping experiences.
After working in the corporate world for 20 years, Kelly Swanstrom pivoted. In April 2023, she started selling vintage items at Olney Antique Village, then moved her business to Poolesville in September 2024, opening Sugar Pea Vintage, a store and interior design studio.
Swanstrom, 45, who lives in Poolesville, says she thinks of her cozy shop, located in a house that dates to 1820, as her portfolio. She might meet with potential interior design clients on the stylish sofa facing an old fireplace in one of the store’s rooms or help retail customers pick out small gift items. Swanstrom stocks a curated selection of sculptural decor, charming antique pieces, rustic architectural salvage, recent finds she buys at auctions, plus a few collectibles— not strictly vintage wares, she says. Sugar Pea Vintage is open Fridays through Sundays from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
OPPOSITE: HEIRLOOM OWNERS RACHEL PETRUCCELLI (LEFT) AND ROSINA AGUIAR
A SAMPLE OF THEIR VINTAGE ITEMS
Sisters-in-law Rachel Petruccelli and Rosina Aguiar opened their shop, Heirloom, in October 2023. The Darnestown store fills a white building and feels like a carnival of thoughtfully selected clothing, furniture, decor, kitchenware and media. Items for sale change often; in October the shop featured an array of blue-and-white ceramic chinoiserie pieces, timeless tops and dresses, a kaleidoscope of groovy glass candleholders and drinkware, and vintage finds from luxury brands, such as a set of Hermès napkin rings.
Aguiar, 54, of McLean, Virginia, started Hit the Motherlode in May 2016, which is an Instagram account that features her six kids and vintage finds from auctions, estate sales and other sources. Petruccelli, 44, of Darnestown, has been thrifting and reselling items on sites such as eBay for many years, she says. The store is open Thursdays from 2 to 6 p.m., and Fridays and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. 14111 Seneca Road, Darnestown, shop-heirloom.myshopify.com
Best Specialty Game Stores
These four shops offer options for gamers to play at home or at in-store competitions.
BEST NEW GAME STORE FOR ALL AGES
Mind Games at Westfield Montgomery mall is part of a chain that stocks “anything that gets your mind going,” says Heather Alvarado, assistant store manager of the Bethesda location, which opened in the summer. There are classic board games (Scrabble, Yahtzee, Clue, Catan), shuffleboard and table tennis sets, Rubik’s Cubes, playing cards, video games, DIY models, science kits and jigsaw puzzles. Some days the store is full of kids who enjoy the hands-on car racing tracks or displays of battery-operated barking dogs, Alvarado says, and other times it’s mostly adults who like to buy collectibles such as Funko Pop vinyl figures and Pokemon trading cards.
Play More Games in Gaithersburg sells board games, trading cards (Magic: The Gathering and Pokemon), miniature models and role-playing games (Dungeons & Dragons)—but not video games. In the back of the store, customers gather around long tables on weeknights from 6-10 p.m. to play Magic (Tuesdays and Fridays), board games (Thursdays) and D&D (Fridays). It’s typically $8 to play, but can go up to $40 for Magic depending on the prizes. “With online [games], you have to do it through cameras, and you don’t have that personal connection—and that’s what people really seem to be after,” says owner Rick Hubley II, who established the store in 2015.
42 Bureau Drive, Gaithersburg, playmoregamestore.com
PHOTO BY JIMELL GREENE
PLAY MORE GAMES IN GAITHERSBURG HOSTS GAME NIGHTS.
BEST VINTAGE AND RETRO GAME STORE
Dice City Games specializes in the high-end collectible side of gaming with vintage cards and retro video games. Owner Jimmy Cooney says store employees have expertise in curating, authenticating and buying collectibles. Cooney opened the store in 2017 to foster community through play and provide a place for common ground where everyone is welcome, he says. Dice City hosts meetups for board games and Dungeons & Dragons, and tournaments for Magic: The Gathering and Pokemon. There are games Tuesday through Friday from 6:30-9:30 p.m. and all day on weekends ($10-$15 per person, with higher prices for special events).
At Dream Wizards, a fixture in Rockville since 1978, there is something going on every weeknight (except Monday) and on weekends during the day. The spacious, independent store caters to non-video game customers. The store sells board games, trading cards and miniature hobby game pieces. Its events calendar includes Pokemon; Yu-Gi-Oh!; Lorcana; Magic: The Gathering; Flesh and Blood; Digimon; Star Wars: Unlimited; and miniature tabletop games such as Warhammer 40,000. Fees are about $10 per person (higher on prize nights). When there aren’t events, people are welcome to drop in to play games with their friends for free, says manager Doug Maclure: “We have the floor space that lets us cater to different audiences.”
11772 Parklawn Drive, Rockville, dreamwizards.com
Best Expansive New Park
For families feeling a bit of cabin fever, Pleasant View Park , which opened in Gaithersburg in September, offers wide-open spaces to play, relax and enjoy the outdoors. With a bike track, playground, a paved path, fitness equipment and a community garden, there is plenty to see and do. The 9.5-acre park’s large central grassy field—a perfect spot to kick a ball, play tag, or spread a picnic blanket—gives kids (and adults) room to stretch their legs. The bike track has berms, banks, ramps and even a ridethrough barrel, drawing cyclists of varying abilities. A half-mile paved path encircles the perimeter. A playground with rocket-themed equipment reflects the location’s past as part of the U.S. Army’s Nike missile system . 10901 Darnestown Road, Gaithersburg, gaithersburgmd.gov/recreation/ parks-fields/pleasant-view-park
Lowest Commitment
for a Luxe Gym Experience
Getting into a fitness or wellness routine can be difficult, and the hefty gym membership fees often don’t make it any easier. That’s why we are fans of The St. James Performance Club’s Courted Recovery Suite, where individuals can book appointments for a la carte services such as cryotherapy, infrared sauna, cold plunging, compression (for legs, hips, arms), percussion tools (portable massage devices) and IV infusions. The spa-like atmosphere offers eucalyptus-scented towels, reclining and heated chairs, and plenty of privacy. For those who want to take advantage of these services regularly, it may be more cost-effective to opt into The St. James’ unlimited recovery services package for $140 a month.
6828 Wisconsin Ave., Bethesda, thestjames.com
Best Ways to Try the Stretching Trend
These studios, which recently opened in the area, offer an individualized stretching experience with equipment you might see in a physical therapy office or at a massage therapist.
While most people know they should stretch, many don’t take the time or do a good job at it, says Mike Grossman, owner of StretchLab in Chevy Chase and Bethesda. One-on-one sessions with a trained “flexologist” can help clients— from high school athletes to older people with mobility impairments— with targeted, deep stretches to help them feel better, he says. It also has locations in Gaithersburg and Olney. The cost for a 25-minute session ranges from about $40 to $65.
4906 Hampden Lane, Bethesda; 8525 Chevy Chase Lake Terrace, Suite 304, Chevy Chase; 113 Market St., Gaithersburg; 18304 Village Center Drive, Olney; stretchlab.com
Carla Butler, general manager at Stretch Zone in Bethesda, says many clients who come in with lower back, shoulder, knee and foot pain find relief through stretching. She recommends sessions once or twice a week (an hour total) to increase range of motion, prevent injury and improve overall well-being. Stretch Zone operates in Bethesda, Gaithersburg and Potomac. Fees for 30-minute sessions are about $55.
5400 Westbard Ave., Suite 280, Bethesda; 251 Kentlands Blvd., Gaithersburg; 7901 Tuckerman Lane, Suite 485, Potomac; stretchzone.com
STRETCHLAB IN CHEVY CHASE
CRYOTHERAPY AT THE ST. JAMES
Newest Game Plan for MoCo Students
AN ALBERT EINSTEIN
HIGH SCHOOL FLAG FOOTBALL PLAYER PASSES THE BALL.
There are two new ways to play ball for students in Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS), which has added pickleball and girls flag football to its high school roster. Both sports came to the district after interest in them spiked, MCPS Systemwide Athletics Director Jeff Sullivan says. MCPS became one of the first school districts in the country to add these sports, according to the district. The new options make playing a sport more accessible—it gives girls an opportunity to play football, and pickleball is part of an MCPS program that aims to have a 50/50 ratio of students with and without disabilities, Sullivan says. Junior Edita Kentale, one of the co-captains for the Gaithersburg High School girls flag football team, says the new sport shows “women can also do anything.”
montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/athletics
Best Way to Work Up a Sweat
If you’re looking to fire up your workout routine, head to Hotworx in Bethesda. This boutique fitness studio, part of a national chain, holds its classes in eight small saunas. Their classes combine heat, infrared energy and exercise to maximize the calories burned and minimize the time spent on each workout. Choose from 30-minute isometric programs, such as hot yoga and hot Pilates, or 15-minute high-intensity interval workouts, such as cycling. Instructors teach live classes remotely via a TV screen in the saunas, each of which accommodates up to three people. Clients register through an app and can access the studio 24 hours a day, Mondays through Saturdays, and the studio is staffed during the day. Additionally, a resistance training area offers weights, bands and other equipment to complement the classes. The first workout is free.
Want to play golf on the iconic Old Course at St. Andrews in Scotland? In golf simulators at the PGA Tour Superstore in Kensington, customers can be transported to their choice of more than 300 courses from around the world to practice virtually. Along the back of the store, there are five practice bays (for up to four people to play) with video replays to help golfers analyze and improve their swing. “On the weekends, we have a lot of families come in,” says Liliana Rivera, sales manager. “We see definitely an influx of people during the winter months.” The practice bays are available to rent (reserve online in advance or walk in) for 30 minutes ($19.99) or 60 minutes ($29.99). An annual membership ($299) includes a daily session in the practice bays using your own clubs. The store also has a studio for lessons and a place to try out new equipment with hitting bays that measure golfers’ ball speed, spin rate and total carry.
5100 Nicholson Lane (White Flint Plaza), Kensington, pgatoursuperstore.com
TAMARA MCNEALY’S DOG, DARBY, SNIFFS AROUND PET WANTS.
Most Enticing New Treats for Pets
Take your dog on a “sniffari” at Rockville’s Pet Wants, then stroll the King Farm pocket park outside its doors. Owner Anita Terzic-Kostadinova says pets are welcome to sniff around the store and sample treats to find their favorite. “We always love seeing dogs’ confidence grow as they can run around and sniff,” Terzic-Kostadinova says.
She and her husband, Peter Kostadinov, opened their Pet Wants franchise store in April 2024 after developing a devoted following of dog (and human) customers while selling Pet Wants brand dog food at farmers markets, primarily the Kentlands Main Street Farmers Market, for more than three years. She was inspired by the Pet Wants brand as she searched for food and treats that were agreeable to the couple’s two Shiba Inus, Yoshi and Kimi, who are prone to skin and digestive issues. Her husband encouraged her to “go with something I already did for myself and our dogs, and loved,” Terzic-Kostadinova says.
Pet Wants is a chain that offers small batch, freshly made dry dog food under the Pet Wants private label. According to TerzicKostadinova, the food has no soy, corn, wheat or byproducts. Other popular items include dehydrated chicken jerky, freeze-dried beef liver and unique chews such as collagen braids. Their offerings also include holistic skin care products for dogs, and bags of pumpkin-cranberry biscuits made by Terzic-Kostadinova herself. Pet Wants offers free delivery in Montgomery County for orders over $29.
302 King Farm Blvd. #140, Rockville, petwants.com/
PHOTOS BY HANNELE LAHTI
Nights Out for Kids
Sitters can be hard to find, but parents need a break every now and then. For your next date night, we’ve got you covered with our breakdown of the best Kids’ Nights Out in the area.
FOR TODDLERS
The Tot Space, an activity center that opened in September in Rockville, offers a monthly Parents’ Night Out for kids ages 3-6. The three-hour sessions (6-9 p.m.) include arts and crafts, music and movement, story time and games, plus playtime with musical instruments, dress up, Lego bricks and sensory toys. Each session is centered around a different theme; past themes have included Kidchella (like the Coachella music festival in California but for little ones), Pumpkin Patch Palooza and Totsgiving. Pizza and snacks are included in the flat rate of $69 per child. Kids must be potty-trained.
1321A Rockville Pike, Rockville, thetotspace.com
FOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOLERS
Activities at the monthly Kids’ Night Out sessions run by Kids After Hours are meant for kindergarteners through fifth graders and include arts and crafts, movies with popcorn, dance parties, gym games such as dodgeball and line tag, and tabletop games such as Uno and Connect 4. They’re held from 6:30-9:30 p.m. on a variety of Fridays for $25 per child. With locations at 25 schools around the county, there’s probably one near you. Kids don’t need to be currently enrolled in that school or afterschool program to attend a Kids’ Night Out at the location. kidsafterhours.com/school-year-programs/kids-night-out
FOR TWEENS
Activities such as laser tag, glow-in-the-dark kickball and DJ dance parties are designed to appeal to kids in grades three through six at Montgomery County Recreation’s Club Friday, which runs on select Fridays from October through the spring at five community centers around the county. Registration is for the season; participants can attend as many sessions as they like at the selected site for $60-$95. Sports, trivia, party games, billiards, pingpong, video games and crafts are also part of the lineup, depending on the location. Snacks such as pizza and chips are provided. activemontgomery.org (On the website, click on “search” and then click on “activity search” and then type R03002 into the “activity number or keyword search” box.)
FROM LEFT: PHOTO COURTESY MY GYM POTOMAC; COURTESY KIDS AFTER HOURS
FOR MIXED-AGE SIBLINGS
Big kids as well as their younger siblings, ages 3 to 9 years old, are welcome at My Gym’s Parents’ Night Out, generally held monthly at the Potomac activity gym. The events, from 6-9 p.m., include supervised games and activities, such as relay races, a ball pit, a trampoline, a rock climbing wall, balance beams and other gym equipment, and pizza is served. Each month there’s a different theme, such as ninja night or pajama party. The cost is $49 per child. Kids must be potty-trained.
Kids age 6 and older with artistic flair can enjoy an art project and movie night at the Amazing Art Studio, a paintyour-own-pottery space in Gaithersburg. On the first and third Friday of each month, Kids’ Night Out events feature a family-friendly movie and coordinating project—think the 2023 animated film Migration matched with painting a ceramic duck, or Disney’s 2012 film Brave with a painted canvas that says “Be Brave.” There’s also popcorn, pizza and a sweet treat for dessert. Each session runs from 6-8 p.m. and costs $38 per child.
115 Crown Park Ave., Gaithersburg, amazingartstudio.com/calendar
Best Local Parenting Instagrammer
Being a new parent is hard. But bad days don’t make you a bad mom or dad.
Supportive messages like this reflect the tone of Sharon Mazel’s Instagram account, @sharonmazel, which has nearly 300,000 followers. Mazel is an author, parenting coach and mom of four who makes succinct daily posts about navigating life with children through cheerful infographics. The topics of Mazel’s posts range from how to trim baby’s nails to things that are no longer easy when you’re a parent (privacy in the bathroom, among others).
Mazel, 53, of Silver Spring, started the account in early 2020 to share evidencebased, easily digestible information for parents feeling overwhelmed by the volume of tips available in the digital age. Mazel also shares her wisdom via local talks and her 2023 book, Bite-Sized Parenting sharonmazel.com
READERS' PICKS
This year, more than 6,500 people voted in the nomination round of our online readers’ poll and more than 11,600 people voted in our elimination round. We named winners in more than 190 categories. The winners and finalists are listed in order of the number of votes they received.
Food & Drink
BAGEL
Bethesda Bagels
Call Your Mother
Ize’s Deli & Bagelry
Goldberg’s NY Bagels
BAKERY
Tatte Bakery & Cafe
Fresh Baguette
Stella’s Bakery
Breads Unlimited
BAR/RESTAURANT TO WATCH A GAME
Caddies on Cordell
Quincy’s Potomac Bar & Grille
The Barking Dog (tie)
Tommy Joe’s (tie)
BEER SELECTION
World of Beer
BabyCat Brewery
Dog Haus
Gilly’s Craft Beer & Fine Wine
BREWERY
Lone Oak Farm Brewing Co.
BabyCat Brewery
7 Locks Brewing
Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery
BRUNCH
MoCo’s Founding Farmers
Java Nation
Silver
Tatte Bakery & Cafe
BURGER
Five Guys
Woodmont Grill
Clyde’s Tower Oaks Lodge
Black’s Bar & Kitchen
BUSINESS LUNCH SPOT
Woodmont Grill
MoCo’s Founding Farmers
Summer House Santa Monica
Mon Ami Gabi (temporarily closed)
CARIBBEAN RESTAURANT
Colada Shop
Cubano’s
BEST DATE NIGHT
RESTAURANT: JULII
Negril
Island Pride Jamaican Restaurant
CHINESE RESTAURANT
Bob’s Shanghai 66
Far East Restaurant
Q By Peter Chang
House of Foong Lin
COCKTAILS AND ZERO-PROOF DRINKS
Gringos & Mariachis
MoCo’s Founding Farmers
Aventino
Summer House Santa Monica
COFFEE SHOP
Java Nation
Quartermaine Coffee Roasters
Filicori Zecchini
Ceremony Coffee Roasters
DATE NIGHT RESTAURANT
Julii
Woodmont Grill
Melina
Raku
DESSERT MENU
Seasons 52
MoCo’s Founding Farmers
Summer House Santa Monica
Black’s Bar & Kitchen
DOG-FRIENDLY RESTAURANT/BAR
Java Nation
Caddies on Cordell
Silver
FAMILY-FRIENDLY RESTAURANT
Silver Diner
Uncle Julio’s
Clyde’s
Fish Taco
FARMERS MARKET
Bethesda Central Farm Market
Norman’s Farm Market
Kensington Farmers Market
Montgomery Farm Women’s Cooperative Market (tie)
Olney Farmers and Artists Market (tie)
FOOD TRUCK
Call Your Mother
Pita on the Plaza
Corned Beef King
Silver and Sons Barbecue
HAPPY HOUR
Gringos & Mariachis
King Street Oyster Bar
BlackSalt
Caddies on Cordell
ICE CREAM SHOP
Sarah’s Handmade Ice Cream
Carmen’s Italian Ice & Cafe
Jeni’s Ice Creams
Dolcezza
INDIAN RESTAURANT
Bombay Bistro
Kadhai
Passage to India
Commonwealth Indian Restaurant
ITALIAN RESTAURANT
Il Pizzico
Olazzo
Gregorio’s Trattoria
Pines of Rome
JAPANESE RESTAURANT
Raku
Kusshi Sushi
Sushiko
Rakugaki
LATIN RESTAURANT
Gringos & Mariachis
Guapo’s
Casa Oaxaca
El Mariachi Restaurant
MEDITERRANEAN/MIDDLE
EASTERN RESTAURANT
Cava Mezze
The Big Greek Cafe
Lebanese Taverna Cafe
Melina
MEXICAN RESTAURANT
Uncle Julio’s
Gringos & Mariachis (tie)
Guapo’s (tie)
Casa Oaxaca
OUTDOOR DINING
Old Angler’s Inn
Millie’s
Summer House Santa Monica
MoCo’s Founding Farmers
OVERALL RESTAURANT IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY/ UPPER NW D.C.
D’Ann Melnick is a skilled negotiator who thrives in the fast-moving world of real estate in our region. She excels at using out-of-the-box tactics to get her buyers’ offers accepted in competitive situations and knows exactly how to prepare and price a home for sale to maximize both profits and terms for her sellers.
With over 20 years of experience, D’Ann blends deep market knowledge with Southern hospitality, offering an exceptional experience tailored to each client’s unique needs. D’Ann is also passionate about giving back to the community she calls home and volunteers with several local non-profits.
Finalist Best Real Estate Agent
DAY SPA
Woodhouse Spa—North Bethesda
Blu Water Day Spa
Ohana Wellness
Aveda Bethesda Salon and Spa
GYM
Life Time
Onelife Fitness
The St. James Performance Club
Equinox Bethesda
NAIL SALON
Sandy Nails
Blu Water Day Spa
Acqua Nails
The Nail Bar
PERSONAL TRAINER
Lisa Platnik
Nicole Forster
Kim Teri
Tiffany Nesfield
PILATES STUDIO
Pulse Fitness (tie)
Solidcore (tie)
Club Pilates
RTR Pilates
PLACE FOR KIDS HAIRCUTS
Tiny HeadQuarters
Cartoon Cuts
7 Locks Barber
Hair Cuttery
PLACE FOR MEN’S HAIRCUTS
7 Locks Barber
Jack the Clipper
Wildwood Manor Barber Shop
Bradley Barber Shop
SALON IN BETHESDA
Bella Bethesda Salon
Denise Sharpe Style
Jack the Clipper
Aveda Bethesda Salon and Spa
SALON IN CHEVY CHASE
Salon Roi
Dessange Paris
Gleaming Goddess Hair Lounge
SALON IN GAITHERSBURG/ NORTH POTOMAC
Rooted Hair Co.
O’Hair Salon
Salon Perez
Shear Reflections
SALON IN NORTH BETHESDA/ ROCKVILLE
Progressions Salon Spa Store
Kindle & Boom
Jenn Shin Studios (tie)
Oasis Hair Salon (tie)
SALON IN POTOMAC
Zohra Salon
Ricky Alessandro Salon
Bella Moda
Salon M
SALON IN SILVER SPRING
Alchemy Salon
Salon Zoma
Fiona Nail Lounge
SALON IN UPPER NW D.C.
PR at Partners
Salon Familia
Violet Salon
Salon Macomb
YOGA STUDIO
PureFire Yoga
CorePower Yoga
Grace extendYoga
ZUMBA STUDIO
Z Sweat Dance and Fitness
Onelife Fitness
Life Time
The St. James Performance Club
Home & Garden
ARCHITECT FOR CUSTOM HOMES
GTM Architects
Ileana Schinder
Anthony Wilder Design/Build
Studio Z Design Concepts
ARCHITECT FOR HOME RENOVATION
GTM Architects
Ileana Schinder
Anthony Wilder Design/Build
Jendell Construction
BUILDER FOR CUSTOM HOMES
Sandy Spring Builders
Douglas Construction Group
Anthony Wilder Design/Build
Welty Homes
BUILDER FOR HOME RENOVATION
Sandy Spring Builders
Douglas Construction Group
Jendell Construction
Structure
CONTRACTOR FOR OUTDOOR LIVING SPACES
Fine Earth Landscape
Great American Landscapes
Anthony Wilder Design/Build
Jendell Construction
CUSTOM DRAPERIES/ WINDOW TREATMENTS
Rockville Interiors
Yi’s Interiors
The Shade Store
Budget Blinds
ELECTRICIAN
Silco Electric
Christa Tichy
F.H. Furr
Power Plus
FURNITURE STORE
Room & Board
Urban Country
BEST ZUMBA STUDIO: Z SWEAT DANCE AND FITNESS
GARDEN CENTER/NURSERY
American Plant
Johnson’s Florist & Garden Centers
Good Earth Garden Market
Potomac Garden Center
HOME STAGING FIRM
Town & Country Staging
Wowed! Home Staging
JS Home Design
Sub | Urban Staging and Design
HVAC COMPANY
Davis & Davis Air Conditioning & Heating
GAC Services
Don Hoffacker’s Air Conditioning & Heating
Eli’s Heating & Air Conditioning
INTERIOR DESIGNER
Wendy Danziger
Dara Beitler
Todd Howard Ezrin
Bart Goldstein
KITCHEN DESIGN FIRM
Jack Rosen Custom Kitchens
Jendell Construction
Case Architects & Remodelers
Anthony Wilder Design/Build
LANDSCAPING COMPANY
Fine Earth Landscape
Good Earth Garden Market
Great American Landscapes
Backyard Bounty
LUXURY APARTMENTS
Crescent at Chevy Chase
The Palisades of Bethesda
The Elm
The Barrett and The Claude
LUXURY CONDOMINIUMS
The Ritz-Carlton Residences
Somerset House
Lionsgate Condominiums
The Lauren
LUXURY TOWNHOME COMMUNITY
The Brownstones at Park Potomac
Tower Oaks
Quarry Springs
Potomac Highlands
MORTGAGE BROKER
Deb Griffin
Brendan McKay
Jonathan Okun
Amy Bass
PLUMBER
Leahy Plumbing & Heating
Acker & Sons
George the Plumber
Vito Services
REAL ESTATE AGENT
Wendy Banner
Shiva Zargham
Carolyn Sappenfield
D’Ann Melnick
REAL ESTATE BROKERAGE
Compass
Long & Foster Real Estate
TTR Sotheby’s International Realty
Northgate Realty
REAL ESTATE TEAM
The Banner Team
Cara Pearlman Group
The Jane Fairweather Team
The Carolyn Homes Team
Health & Wellness
AUDIOLOGY PRACTICE
Potomac Audiology
The Centers for ENT Care— Feldman ENT Division
Chevy Chase ENT
Bethesda Audiology Center
CHIROPRACTOR
Daniel Kraus
Liza Moskowitz
LIFE-CHANGING HELP FOR EATING DISORDERS AND BODY IMAGE ISSUES
I’m Jennifer Rollin, LCSW-C, and I’m excited to announce that I won Best of Bethesda 2025, Individual Therapist!
Together with my team at The Eating Disorder Center in Rockville, we specialize in eating disorder and body image therapy for teens and adults.
You don’t have to continue to feel so trapped.
Full recovery is possible.
Take the first step by calling 301-246-6856 or visiting our website at www.theeatingdisordercenter.com
Winner, Best of Bethesda, Individual Therapist
Casi McFarland
John Park
CONCIERGE MEDICAL PRACTICE
One Medical
MDVIP
Sue Kanter, MD
Bethesda Internal Medicine Partners
COSMETIC SURGEON
Dr. Ronald Perlman
Dr. Philip Schoenfeld
Dr. C. Coleman Brown
Dr. Jennifer Parker Porter
DERMATOLOGY PRACTICE
Capital Laser & Skin Care
Chevy Chase Dermatology Center
Chevy Chase Cosmetic & Dermatology Center
Maragh Dermatology, Surgery & Vein Institute
EYE DOCTOR
Dr. Rachel Cohn
Dr. Harry Huang
Dr. Laurie Wenger
Dr. Brooks Brown III
GENERAL DENTISTRY PRACTICE
Jason A. Cohen, D.D.S.
Capital Dental
Spring Valley Dental
Family & Cosmetic Dentistry
HOSPITAL EMERGENCY ROOM
Suburban Hospital
Sibley Memorial Hospital
Adventist HealthCare Shady Grove Medical Center
MedStar Montgomery Medical Center
HOSPITAL FOR BIRTHING
Sibley Memorial Hospital
Holy Cross Hospital
Adventist HealthCare Shady Grove Medical Center
MedStar Montgomery Medical Center
INDIVIDUAL THERAPIST
Jennifer Rollin
Taylor Allie
Deb Griffin
The Face of Home Lending
“I am here to make the dream of homeownership meaningful and enjoyable for each and every one of my customers.”
— Deb Griffin, Senior Home Lending Advisor, Chase
Buying a home or refinancing can seem overwhelming. So much has changed since I started in the industry. Technology has made the process simpler and streamlined. However, remaining the same is the customer experience; the personal understanding, listening and working with our borrowers to find a loan for their new home. Our lending specialties include the professionally employed, self-employed borrowers, low-to-moderate income program, vacation home financing, condominium and co-op lending and first-time home buyer programs.
Deb Griffin | NMLS ID 481255 1401 New York Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20005 202.702.3262 | bit.ly/chasedebbie
Sari Meltzer Schifrin
Ashley Bucci
IN-HOME HEALTH CARE SERVICE
Family & Nursing Care
Synergy HomeCare
Comfort Home Care
Advanced Nursing & Home Care
MARRIAGE/FAMILY THERAPY PRACTICE
The Counseling Center Group
Washington Psychological Wellness
Monarch Wellness & Psychotherapy
Georgetown Psychology
MEDICAL AESTHETICS
PRACTICE/PLACE
Capital Laser & Skin Care
Plastic Surgery Institute of Washington
Chevy Chase Facial Plastic Surgery
Renu by Dr. Schoenfeld
NUTRITIONIST
Lauren Eden
Jen Silverman
Daisy Miller
Julia Oliver
OB-GYN PRACTICE
Capital Women’s Care
Foxhall OB-GYN Associates
Rockville Gynecology
Reiter, Hill & Johnson
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY PRACTICE
The Point Occupational Therapy
Canyon Kids Occupational Therapy
Young & Well
OrthoBethesda
ORTHODONTICS PRACTICE
Bethesda Orthodontics
Rad Orthodontics
Gerlein Orthodontics
EJL Dental
Finalist Winner
Readers’ Pick,
Deb Griffin & Lisa Bennett, Home Lending
ORTHOPEDIC PRACTICE
OrthoBethesda
Washington Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine
Shady Grove Orthopaedics
Montgomery Orthopaedics
PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY PRACTICE
DC Pediatric Smiles
Harmony Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics
EJL Dental
Pediatric Dentistry at North Bethesda
PEDIATRICIAN
Dr. Amy Kaplan
Dr. Dana Kornfeld
Dr. Jeffrey Greenberg (tie)
Dr. Paul Weiner (tie)
PHYSICAL THERAPY PRACTICE
ProAction Physical Therapy
Point Performance
Elevated Strength Rehab
Bethesda Physical Therapy
PODIATRIST
Dr. Lee Firestone
Dr. Adam Spector
Dr. Franklin Polun
Dr. Mark Levy
SENIOR LIVING COMMUNITY
Maplewood Park Place
Riderwood
Ingleside at King Farm
Kensington Park
THERAPIST FOR CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS
Emily Rizzo
Claire Weinberg
Bonnie Zucker
Leda Kaveh
URGENT CARE CENTER
MedStar Health Urgent Care
Patient First
PM Pediatric Care
Kaiser Permanente
VEIN CARE PRACTICE
MedStar Health Vein Centers
Center for Vein Restoration
Maryland Vein Centers
LaserDerm & Vein Centers of Maryland
Kids & Schools
ART CLASSES
Glen Echo Park
VisArts
Red Panda Art Studio
Amazing Art Studio
CHILDREN’S THEATER
Imagination Stage
Round House Theatre
Adventure Theatre MTC
BlackRock Center for the Arts
DANCE STUDIO
Maryland Youth Ballet
Bethesda Dance Center
Bella Ballet
Dawn Crafton Dance Connection
INDOOR PLAY SPACE
My Gym—Potomac
The Little Towns Children’s Museum
ZavaZone
Sky Zone
KIDS SWIM LESSONS
YMCA Bethesda-Chevy Chase
Goldfish Swim School
Bender JCC of Greater Washington
Fins Swimming
MARTIAL ARTS SCHOOL
Kicks Karate
East West Tae Kwon Do
Master Lee’s Martial Arts
Black Belt Martial Arts Center
MUSIC CLASSES
Bach to Rock
Levine Music
School of Rock
International School of Music
PLACE FOR KIDS PARTIES
My Gym—Potomac
The Little Towns Children’s Museum
Red Panda Art Studio
Silver Stars Gymnastics
PRESCHOOL
B’nai Israel Schilit Nursery School
Geneva Day School
Bradley Hills Presbyterian Church Nursery School
Christ Episcopal School
PRIVATE SCHOOL FOR ACADEMICS
Bullis
St. Jane de Chantal Catholic School
McLean School
Christ Episcopal School
PRIVATE SCHOOL FOR ARTS/MUSIC
Bullis
St. Jane de Chantal Catholic School
McLean School
Christ Episcopal School
PRIVATE SCHOOL FOR BOYS SPORTS
Georgetown Preparatory School
Bullis
Landon School
Our Lady of Good Counsel High School
HOPE IS THE BEST MEDICINE —
Dawn Leonard, MD
Breast Surgical Oncologist
Mark S teve s, M D S urgical Oncologist
Dom inic A. Smith, MD O ncologist
Sheela Modin, MD Radiation Oncologist
With a focus on healing the body and uplifting the spirit, we’re here to give you the strength and hope to fight. Because hope isn’t just a feeling –it’s part of the care we provide.
Ro o pa Gupt a , MD Oncologist
James Bridges, MD Radiation Oncologist
LET’S MAKE IT HAPPEN. Make an appointment today.
READERS’ PICKS KIDS & SCHOOLS | THINGS TO DO
EUGENE ROGERS CONDUCTS THE NATIONAL PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA AT STRATHMORE: BEST LIVE MUSIC VENUE AND BEST PERFORMING ARTS THEATER/VENUE
PRIVATE SCHOOL FOR GIRLS SPORTS
Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart
Holton-Arms School
Bullis
St. Jane de Chantal Catholic School
PRIVATE SCHOOL WITH PROGRAM FOR NONTRADITIONAL LEARNERS
McLean School
The Diener School
Bullis
Connelly School of the Holy Child (tie)
The Siena School (tie)
PRIVATE SCHOOL WITH RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION
Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School
Georgetown Preparatory School
St. Jane de Chantal Catholic School
Christ Episcopal School
PRIVATE SCHOOL— LOWER SCHOOL
Bullis
McLean School
Christ Episcopal School
St. Mary’s Catholic School
PRIVATE SCHOOL— UPPER SCHOOL
Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School
Bullis
Georgetown Day School
Landon School
SUMMER ADVENTURE CAMP
(DAY)
Calleva
Valley Mill Camp
Geneva Summer Camp for
Young Children
Barrie Camp
SUMMER ARTS CAMP (DAY)
VisArts
Creative Summer at Holton-Arms School
Geneva Summer Camp for Young Children
Barrie Camp
SUMMER DAY CAMP
Green Acres Camp
Valley Mill Camp
Geneva Summer Camp for Young Children
Barrie Camp
SUMMER OVERNIGHT CAMP
Camps Airy & Louise
Capital Camps
Camp Tall Timbers
Camp Ramah
SUMMER SPORTS CAMP (DAY)
Bullis Summer Programs
Landon Summer
Top Rank Soccer Academy
GP Sports Camps
TUTORING FIRM
PrepMatters
Gold Signature Writers
Capital Learners
Learning Essentials
YOUTH SPORTS PROGRAM
MSI Soccer
Top Rank Soccer Academy
Koa Sports
Silver Stars Gymnastics
Things to Do
ANNUAL FESTIVAL
Taste of Bethesda
Bethesda Row Arts Festival
Montgomery County Agricultural Fair
Kentlands Under the Lights
LIVE MUSIC VENUE
The Music Center at Strathmore
The Fillmore Silver Spring
Hank Dietle’s Tavern
Caddies on Cordell
PERFORMING ARTS THEATER/VENUE
The Music Center at Strathmore
Olney Theatre Center
Round House Theatre
Imagination Stage
PRIVATE GOLF COURSE
Congressional Country Club
Woodmont Country Club
Lakewood Country Club
Bethesda Country Club
PUBLIC GOLF COURSE
Falls Road Golf Course
Blue Mash Golf Course
Needwood Golf Course
Sligo Creek Golf Course
TRIVIA NIGHT
Quincy’s Potomac Bar & Grille
BabyCat Brewery
Caddies on Cordell
7 Locks Brewing
PHOTO BY ELMAN STUDIO
Jack Alexander, Bill Montrose, Mark Rittenberg, Robyn Funkhouser, Rick Kelly, Sam Farnum, Zach Dubin, Tyke Papanicolas, Greg Gosnell
Weddings & Events
CATERER
Ridgewells Catering
GoinGrazy
Spilled Milk Catering
Signature Caterers
EVENT PLANNER
Save the Date
Event Planning DC
Jamie Kramer Events
Michele Hodges Events
FLORIST
Bethesda Florist
Edge Floral Event Designers
Kensington Flowers and Decor
Sophie Felts Floral Design
HAIRSTYLIST
Salon Nader
Abby Morganstein
Salon Gabor
Suzanne Matthews Salon
HOTEL FOR OUT-OF-TOWN GUESTS
Marriott Bethesda Downtown
Hyatt Regency—Bethesda
Bethesda North Marriott Hotel & Conference Center
Canopy by Hilton
MAKEUP ARTIST
Emily Cosmetics
Valerie Hammer Makeup Artistry
Mimi Tran
Fancy Faces by Ashley
PHOTOGRAPHER
Michael Bennett Kress Photography
Eli Turner
Danielle Sara Photography
Alison Tremblay
PLACE FOR A WEDDING RECEPTION
Woodmont Country Club
The Mansion at Strathmore
Woodend Sanctuary & Mansion
VisArts
PLACE FOR BAR/ BAT MITZVAH
Woodmont Country Club
Glen Echo Park
Pinstripes
Lakewood Country Club
PLACE TO BUY A WEDDING DRESS
Love Couture
Anthropologie
David’s Bridal
Fairytale Brides
PLACE TO BUY AN ENGAGEMENT RING/WEDDING RINGS
Boone & Sons Jewelers
Tiffany & Co.
Mervis
Kaufmann Jewelers
TRANSPORTATION SERVICE
RMA Worldwide
Barwood Taxi
Atlantic Valet
First Choice Transportation
VIDEOGRAPHER
Washington Talent Agency
Alejandro Cartagena—Alpha Class
Studios
WEDDING CAKES
Stella’s Bakery
Creative Cakes
Classic Bakery
Breads Unlimited
BEST HOTEL FOR OUT-OF-TOWN GUESTS: MARRIOTT BETHESDA DOWNTOWN
Best Salon in Chevy Chase, 2022
No Amenity Fees
24-Hour Concierge Service
24-Hour Fitness Center
24-Hour Business Center with Internet
Resident Lounges with Cable TV and Wi-Fi
Three Blocks from the Bethesda Metro
Private Elevator Access to Penthouse Apartments
Washer/Dryer in Suite
Dog Washing Station
24-Hour EV Charging Stations
Furnished Apartments Available
Sandy Spring Builders, LLC
2025, 2024, 2022 2020, 2018, 2016: Winner, Builder for Custom Homes
Sandy Spring Builders is the premier custom homebuilder in the Washington, D.C. area. For more than 40 years, they have built new and done large-scale renovations of award-winning homes, bringing their client’s vision to life. They have won Bethesda Magazine’s Best of Bethesda award for “Best Builder” every year since its inception, and myriad other awards. They are full-service custom builders, and their expertise is unmatched in the industry. They are your builder for life.
2025, 2021: Readers’ Pick, Winner, Contractor for Outdoor Living Spaces
2019: Readers’ Pick, Winner, Outdoor Living Area Builder
Joel Hafner and Bernie Mihm, Co-Owners
301-972-8810 | FineEarth.com
In business for nearly 50 years, Fine Earth Landscape offers the experience, reliability and resources to meet your landscape needs as we create beautiful outdoor environments that will delight you. Our landscape architects and designers offer a cohesive vision, from initial plan to completion, from choosing the right plants for you to designing and building extensive hardscape projects. Our depth of knowledge includes everything from plantings and plant maintenance to patios, water features, retaining walls, site grading and layout and swimming pool design/construction.
From Left: Ann Schruben, Heather Armstrong, Georgette King, Jacob Hafner, Joel Hafner, John McCarthy, Bernie Mihm, Mark Smith, Melinda Boswell
Malech Law
2024: Finalist, Family Law Practitioner 2022: Winner, Family Law Practitioner
7910 Woodmont Ave., Suite 1430 Bethesda, MD 20814
Lloyd Malech has represented clients in Bethesda and surrounding areas for more than 25 years, combining empathy and excellence in his family law practice. With extensive experience in divorce, child custody, modifications, enforcement and other family-related matters, Lloyd and his team are dedicated advocates for families. At Malech Law, we understand that every family is unique, providing personalized attention to address today’s challenges while guiding families through life’s most difficult transitions.
Malech Law: Family Law Re-envisioned.
CarePlus Inc.
2024, 2022: Finalist, In-Home Health Care
7361 Calhoun Place #301 Rockville, MD 20855
301-740-8870 CarePlusInc.com
For more than 30 years, CarePlus has delivered compassionate, personalized home care to the aging community. Their services include flex care, skilled nursing, specialized programs and more to support residents’ needs. Additionally, CarePlus partners with senior living communities as a trusted preferred provider. Recognized for excellence, CarePlus has been honored as a Best of Bethesda top vote-getter for Best InHome Health Care in 2022 and 2024, reflecting their dedication to enhancing lives throughout Montgomery County.
Servicing the D.C Metro area and Southern Florida 301-983-6222
SaveTheDateLLCEvents.com
SAVE The DATE, offers event services focusing on guiding clients throughout the planning process. Clients not only enjoy their event but what it takes to get there. Our award-winning company has collaborated on weddings, mitzvahs and other celebrations throughout the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.
We offer tiered and customized services to our clients. From intimate social gatherings to large corporate events, we educate our clients by providing them with the tools for successful budget-friendly events.
Capital Laser & Skin Care
2025, 2024, 2022, 2020, 2018: Winner, Dermatology Practice
2025, 2024, 2022, 2020: Winner, Place for Medical Aesthetics 2023, 2019: Top Doctor
Capital Laser & Skin Care is the premiere aesthetic dermatology practice in the Washington, D.C. metro area. We are an award-winning dermatologic laser center dedicated to delivering the most advanced and natural-looking treatments in a welcoming environment. Board-certified dermatologists Dr. Geeta Shah, Dr. Tania Peters and Dr. Elizabeth Tanzi use state-of-the-art technology, years of clinical experience and dedication to a patient-centered approach to truly customize each treatment plan to maximize outcomes and patient satisfaction.
Andy Alderdice
2025: Finalist, Real Estate Brokerage, Long & Foster 2024, 2022, 2020: Winner, Real Estate Brokerage for Luxury Homes, Long & Foster 2019: Finalist, Real Estate Agent
7373 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 1700 Bethesda, MD 20814
301-466-5898
Andy4Homes.com
We are thrilled to be included in Bethesda Magazine’s Best of the Best. We know there are many Realtors to choose from to represent you; we never stop striving to be even better and our clients agree. With a combined experience of more than 50 years, we are proven and continue to grow and change with the market. We are always at the forefront of new technology, support, marketing and negotiation strategies. Integrity. Experience. Commitment. Local.
Chevy Chase Facial Plastic Surgery
2025, 2024, 2022, 2020: Finalist, Medical Aesthetics Practice/Place
2025: Finalist, Cosmetic Surgeon, Dr. Jennifer Parker Porter 2023, 2021: Winner, Cosmetic Surgeon, Dr. Jennifer Parker Porter
7201 Wisconsin Ave., Suite 515 | Bethesda MD 20814
301-652-8191
Led by Dr. Jennifer Parker Porter, a double boardcertified facial plastic surgeon with more than 26 years of experience, Chevy Chase Facial Plastic Surgery is known for its dedication to patient care. The practice offers advanced surgical and non-surgical treatments, including rhinoplasty, facelifts and skin tightening, focusing on natural results and personalized attention. As a trusted destination for aesthetic excellence, they provide cutting-edge techniques in a welcoming environment to help patients achieve their goals with precision and expertise.
Altman & Associates
2025: Winner, Trusts and Estates Attorney 2023: Finalist, Estate Attorney
11300 Rockville Pike, Suite 708 Rockville, MD 20852
301-468-3220 AltmanAssociates.net
I am grateful for this recognition and the community’s trust in our estate planning law firm. Practicing estate planning for nearly 35 years is more than a career; I love to do it. My staff and I are committed to a highly personalized approach designed specifically for each client, family and associated businesses. We believe in a collaborative approach and listen carefully to the goals and wishes of clients and prospects. Everyone should have legal documents that address the “what if” scenarios and not be left to chance.
Drs. Ensor, Johnson & Lewis
2025: Finalist, Pediatric Dentistry Practice
2025, 2024, 2020: Finalist, Orthodontics Practice 2018: Winner, Orthodontia Practice
11810 Parklawn Drive, Suite 101
Rockville, MD 20852
301-881-6170 info@ejldental.com EJLDental.com
Drs. Ensor, Johnson and Lewis provide top-tier dental and orthodontic care to residents of Rockville, Bethesda, and Kensington. Their skilled team offers personalized care using the latest technology for all ages, from infants to adults. Services include pediatric dentistry by Drs. Lewis, Ensor and Patel, orthodontics by Dr. Johnson, and restorative, cosmetic and preventive care by Drs. Matelis and Staub. The EJL team is dedicated to building lasting relationships with compassionate, expert care for the entire community.
Your Dog’s Friend is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization. Our mission is to help keep dogs out of shelters by educating and supporting their humans. Our services include training classes for dogs of all ages at our facility in North Bethesda/Rockville and online; free webinars; free personalized guidance; and referrals to trusted dog professionals. In all that we do, we remain committed to force-free methods of training that are effective and fun.
Douglas Construction Group
2025: Finalist, Builder for Home Renovation 2025, 2022, 2020, 2018, 2016: Finalist, Builder for Custom Homes 2023, 2021, 2019, 2017, 2015: Finalist, Builder 2014 and 2012: Winner, Green Builder
8429 Fox Run | Potomac, MD 20854 301-983-6947 | Doug@dcghomes.com | DCGHomes.com
We have been building and renovating unique homes for our neighbors for more than 25 years and we recently completed our 235th home! Our mission is simple: to provide our clients with an extraordinary home building experience. Our dedication to client care and dependable communication provides peace of mind throughout the entire process. You will be confident knowing our unwavering attention to detail, award-winning craftsmanship and commitment to advanced building techniques result in a comfortable and beautiful living space that you will be proud to call home.
Erin Kopelman
2025: Winner, Family Law Attorney, Erin Kopelman
2024, 2022, 2020: Finalist, Family Law Practitioner, Erin Kopelman
2018: Winner, Family Law Practitioner, Erin Kopelman
Lerch, Early & Brewer
7600 Wisconsin Ave., Ste. 700 Bethesda, MD 20814
301-347-1261
LerchEarly.com/Attorneys/Erin-L-Kopelman
Erin Kopelman is a divorce attorney who handles cases involving domestic relations and family law, including divorce, custody, child support, property settlement, alimony, post-judgment issues, prenuptial agreements and postnuptial agreements in Maryland and the District of Columbia. She is a fierce advocate for those she represents in negotiations and in the courtroom. Erin is straightforward and communicative, making sure her clients have the information to make the best decisions for themselves and their children.
Harmony Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics
2025: Finalist, Pediatric Dentistry Practice
2024: Winner, Orthodontics Practice
2022: Finalist, Orthodontics Practice
4818 Del Ray Ave.
Bethesda, MD 20814
301-664-4220
HarmonyBethesda.com
Harmony Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics is a unique practice where board-certified pediatric dentist Heather Sholander and board-certified orthodontist Madeleine Goodman collaborate to provide comprehensive oral health care. We strive to set a new standard of care by integrating technology, research, and experience. Our comprehensive approach to oral health promotes lifelong well-being. We foster a caring, nurturing environment where long-term relationships with families and our team thrive.
Dana Rice Group
2025: Winner, Compass, Real Estate Brokerage 2024, 2022, 2020: Finalist, Compass, Real Estate Brokerage for Luxury Homes 2018-2023: Finalist, Real Estate Team 2023, 2021: Finalist, Real Estate Agent
Complementary staging? Done. Need someone to grab your mail? Absolutely. The dog needs a bath? Why not! Dana Rice Group isn’t your typical real estate team. With savvy and smart agents and an on-staff designer, you have a full-service team dedicated to you from search to settlement. And a bit of fun thrown in. Tap into the expertise of Dana Rice Group for yourself. And who knows, your dog might end up a little cleaner, too.
Feldman Hearing Studio prides itself on optimal customer service in a friendly atmosphere. We are committed to bringing you the latest technology with a customer service experience above all others. Our audiologists are committed to providing the best service possible. We thank you for choosing us for all your hearing and hearing aid needs.
The Feldman Hearing Studio Audiology Team
Welty Homes
2025, 2024, 2017: Finalist, Builder for Custom Homes
301-530-4364
info@weltyhomes.com
WeltyHomes.com
Socials: @weltyhomes
Welty Homes has been a leading custom home builder in the Washington D.C. area for 40-plus years. We pride ourselves on the pursuit of unparalleled quality and unwavering integrity in each and every project. From inception to completion, Welty Homes is committed to transforming dreams into reality, crafting residences that reflect not just bricks and mortar, but the full essence of home. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our clients and Bethesda Magazine for recognizing our commitment to excellence.
Family & Nursing Care
2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2013; Winner In-Home Care Service 2021, 2020: Finalist, In-Home Care Service
1010 Wayne Ave., Suite 1100
Silver Spring, MD 20910
301-588-8200
FamilyNursingCare.com
Since 1968, Family & Nursing Care has helped tens of thousands of families by providing access to caregivers who help older adults with activities of daily living—including bathing, dressing, mobility assistance, errands, meal prep, light housekeeping, medication reminders, companionship and more.
As a leading resource for private duty home care services, Family & Nursing Care’s mission is to help older adults maintain their independence and quality of life as they age.
HOME
Bray & Scarff
2025: Winner, Place to Buy High-End Appliances 2007: Finalist, Kitchen Design Store
Bray & Scarff, established in 1930, has been a trusted name in the Washington D.C. and Baltimore areas for more than 90 years. As the leading local, independent appliance retailer, we pride ourselves on employing factory-trained experts who provide personalized service and guidance. Our commitment to excellence includes a price match guarantee and a streamlined repair process, ensuring customers receive the best value and support. With more than 20,000 kitchens installed, our in-house designers and installers work diligently to turn dream kitchens into reality.
GTM Architects
2025, 2020, 2018, 2016: Winner, Architect for Custom Homes 2025: Winner, Architect for Home Renovation 2024, 2022: Finalist, Architect for Custom Homes 2023, 2015, 2013, 2012, 2010, 2008: Finalist, Architect 2021, 2019, 2017: Winner, Architect
7735 Old Georgetown Road, Suite 700 Bethesda, MD 20814 240-333-2000 | ask@gtmarchitects.com GTMArchitects.com
Founded in 1989 by George Myers, GTM Architects delivers award-winning, customized architectural and interior design solutions, blending creativity, precision and functionality. Now celebrating 35 years of transformative design, GTM’s 70-plus professionals across Bethesda, Washington, D.C., and Frederick, Md., have completed thousands of projects nationwide. Specializing in residential, commercial, multifamily, retail and hospitality design, GTM’s success stems from a commitment to delivering exceptional client service and innovative design. “We see each new architectural project as an opportunity to create lasting spaces that inspire and enrich the lives of those who experience them.”
International School of Music
2024: Finalist, Music School 11325 Seven Locks Road Potomac, MD 20854 4701 Sangamore Road Bethesda, MD 20816
301-365-5888 ISMW.org
The International School of Music brings together a community of dedicated, world-class faculty that offers personalized lessons in all instruments and voice to students of all ages. ISM’s teaching methods are student-centered and focused on individual learning styles and personal artistic goals to help each student reach their full musical potential. With a flexible curriculum, ISM students get to explore music they are passionate about whether they play classical, rock, pop, jazz, folk and more.
Bruno | Brown Plastic Surgery
2025, 2021, 2015: Readers’ Pick, Finalist, Cosmetic Surgeon 2023, 2021, 2019: Top Doctor
5454 Wisconsin Ave., Suite 1210 Chevy Chase, MD 20815
301-215-5955 BrunoBrownPlasticSurgery.com
At Bruno | Brown Plastic Surgery, Drs. Bruno, Brown and Yalamanchili combine award-winning expertise with a personal touch to help you look and feel your best. Our AAAHC-certified onsite operating room ensures the highest safety standards, added privacy and convenience for your procedure. Specializing in mommy makeovers, deep plane facelifts, and facial rejuvenation, we deliver stunning, natural results. With a reputation for excellence, our team is dedicated to helping you achieve your aesthetic goals.
Margie Halem
2024, 2021: Finalist, Real Estate Team 2023: Winner, Real Estate Agent 2010–2021: Finalist, Real Estate Agent
The Halem Group of Compass 301-775-4196 margie@compass.com TheHalemGroup.com
The Halem Group is led by Margie Halem and is a highly experienced and successful real estate team specializing in the DMV. Their expertise and impressive track record of more than 1 billion in career sales make the Halem Group a compelling choice for anyone looking to buy or sell in the DMV. Whether a first-time buyer, senior seller, builder or investor, The Halem Group makes time for everyone and is committed to providing top-notch white glove service.
Dr. Carolynn Young opened Rockville Gynecology in 2010 to advance innovative, comprehensive, patient-centered gynecologic care for all women. This gyn-only practice specializes in personalized medicine with cutting-edge solutions that transform patients’ lives. A uterine fibroid expert, Dr. Young is the only surgeon locally to perform Sonata, a minimally invasive outpatient treatment for heavy bleeding from fibroids. By offering genetic testing to individualize care and optimize health, Rockville Gynecology champions the power of prevention.
From Left: Nadine Flaharty, CNM; Tosha Luchtefeld, NP; Sarah Rose, MD; Carolynn Young, MD; Joanne Villena- Practice Manager; Meagan Slate, MD; Kate Skillin, PA
Counseling Center of Maryland
2025: Winner, Marriage/Family Therapy Practice 2024: Winner, Therapist for Children & Adolescents, Brooke Shafer 2023: Finalist, Therapist for Children and Adolescents 2021, 2019: Winner, Marriage/Family Therapy Practice 2020, 2018: Winner, Child Psychologist
8030 Woodmont Ave., Third Floor Bethesda, MD 20814
301-742-2282
CounselingCenterOfMaryland.com
The Counseling Center Group is dedicated to helping you build a life you love to live. Our highly specialized therapists are trained in areas such as DBT, EMDR, and CBT and are committed to providing short-term therapy treatments designed to achieve positive, long-lasting results. Each member of our team operates with that core value in mind and can work with you one-on-one or in group therapy in a supportive and collaborative environment.
In her role as Wealth Adviser at Chevy Chase Trust, Claire leads a team of seasoned financial professionals dedicated to providing clients with expert guidance in investment management, financial and liquidity planning, trust administration and philanthropic strategies. She ensures seamless coordination with her clients’ legal, accounting and other advisors to deliver a comprehensive and customized approach. Claire’s clear communication style instills confidence as she helps clients craft strategies to achieve their unique financial goals.
SENIORS
Gurvy Travel
2025: Winner, Travel Agent
Bethesda, MD 240-461-8361 escape@gurvytravel.com
Gurvy Travel offers personalized travel planning focused on creating unforgettable experiences. While guided couples’ trips and exclusive Suitcase Gals getaways for women over 40 are specialties, they are just part of the diverse services I provide. Unlike AI-based services, Gurvy offers professional, hands-on assistance to ensure your trip is tailored to your needs and stress-free. Whether it’s a luxury retreat or custom adventure, call Gurvy for a complimentary consultation about your travel plans.
Maplewood Park Place
2010-2025: Winner, Senior Living Community 2008: Finalist, Senior Living Community
9707 Old Georgetown Road Bethesda, MD 20814 301-850-1950 MaplewoodParkPlace.com
Big-city opportunities. Small-town charm. There’s a quaint, suburban neighborhood inside the Capital Beltway calling your name. Welcome to Maplewood Park Place, a right-sized community where residents are empowered to make meaningful connections. As the only residentowned community in the area, we pair an intimate atmosphere with countless opportunities for a vibrant, independent lifestyle, including our 20 clubs and committees. That’s what we call living that’s just right.
9210 Corporate Blvd., Suite 210 Rockville, MD 20850
Office: 240-477-5226 Fax: 240-477-5806
A finalist for Bethesda Magazine’s Best Local Wealth Management Firm, Key Wealth Managers has been nationally recognized for excellence in wealth management and financial planning. Our team of advisors—each under 45 and parents themselves—treats every client like family, crafting personalized strategies to build, grow and protect your wealth. With a focus on simplifying complex financial decisions, we’re dedicated to helping you achieve your goals and secure your family’s future for generations to come.
At The Palisades of Bethesda, we offer indescribable luxury and charming sophistication. Boasting a premier location on the corner of Cordell and Woodmont Avenues, this beautiful high-rise community offers a living experience that far exceeds expectations and delivers customer service that is second to none. The Palisades of Bethesda provides the perfect blend of convenience, comfort and residential services that you’ve been looking for.
Heller Coley Reed of Long & Foster Real Estate
2024, 2022, 2020: Winner, Real Estate Brokerage for Luxury Homes, Long & Foster
2024: Top Producer
2021: Finalist, Best Real Estate Team
2019: Winner, Real Estate Team
2017: Winner, Real Estate Agent, Jamie Coley
7373 Wisconsin Ave., 17th floor
Bethesda, MD 20814
Leigh Reed: 301-674-2829
HellerColeyReed.com
Heller Coley Reed of Long & Foster Real Estate is a highly successful team with more than $2.5 Billion in sales. Led by Jamie Coley, Leigh Reed and Zelda Heller, they prioritize building strong relationships with their clients. With decades of experience and a genuine passion for real estate, they will expertly guide you through the buying or selling process. Trust them with your most valuable asset—your home!
Rad Orthodontics
2025, 2024, 2020, 2018, 2016: Finalist, Orthodontics Practice
2022: Winner, Orthodontics Practice
7201 Wisconsin Ave., Suite 500
Bethesda, MD 20814
301-381-5662
RadSmile.com
David Rad, DMD, MS, is a highly attentive orthodontist and understands the art of straightening teeth for beautiful smiles that last a lifetime. His goal is to exceed patient expectations with personal attention and expert care that provides value well beyond a nice smile. He makes certain the patients are treated like family and uses the highest precision systems to deliver a superior level of orthodontic care at every visit and consultation.
Established in 1927, Leahy Plumbing & Heating is a family-owned business proudly operated by its thirdgeneration owner, John Leahy. With nearly a century of experience, we specialize in providing residential plumbing service and repairs throughout Bethesda and Montgomery County. As your neighborhood plumber, we are committed to delivering exceptional service and maintaining the trust and satisfaction of our customers. We are grateful for our loyal customers and thank you for once again voting us Best of Bethesda’s Best Plumber.
Geoffrey S. Platnick of Strickler, Platnick & Hatfield
2024: Finalist, Family Law Practitioner, Geoffrey Platnick Strickler, Platnick & Hatfield, P.C. 2022: Finalist, Family Law Practitioner, Geoffrey Platnick
1201 Seven Locks Road, Suite 360-7A Potomac, MD 20854
240-617-0404 | ModernFamilyLawFirm.com
Geoffrey Platnick (“Geoff”) is managing partner of Strickler, Platnick & Hatfield in Potomac, which concentrates its practice exclusively in family law in Maryland and the District of Columbia. As an exceptionally skilled litigator and negotiator, Geoff’s singular focus is achieving his clients’ goals. He is respected for his creative problem-solving and strategic approach to complex divorce, custody and other family law disputes as well as his relentless focus on achieving his clients’ objectives in a manner that suits their unique needs.
The Banner Team
2025: Winner, Real Estate Team
2024, 2021, 2019: Finalist, Real Estate Team
7373 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 1700
Bethesda, MD 20814
Direct: 301-365-9090
Long & Foster Office: 240-497-1700
Info@bannerteam.com
The Banner Team at Long & Foster is driven by a passion for real estate and community. With 14 dedicated agents, they guide clients through a seamless buying and selling experience. Their commitment extends beyond real estate with their Pay It Forward program, donating a portion of every commission to local charities and hosting community events. Focused on delivering exceptional service, the Banner Team is truly a team behind every transaction.
Wendy Banner
2025: Winner, Real Estate Agent
7373 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 1700
Bethesda, MD 20814
Direct: 301-370-5076
Long & Foster Office: 240-497-1700
Wendy@bannerteam.com
With more than 35 years of experience in the Washington, D.C. area, Wendy Banner offers a personalized approach to real estate. Specializing in luxury and upper-bracket properties, Wendy has built a dedicated team of professionals. Ranked consistently among the top producers, Wendy and The Banner Team focus on providing clients with thoughtful guidance, whether buying, selling, or building new construction. Wendy is committed to making every real estate experience as smooth and successful as possible.
Front row: (left to right) Ilene Gordon, Mireille Pioppo, Pat Karta, Wendy Banner, Julia Fortin, Gail Gordon, Ashley Vonada
Back row: (left to right) Emily Moritt, Makenzie Powell, Michelle Teichberg, Steve Schuck, Mary Bunch, Greg Schuck, Jody Aucamp
Carolyn Sappenfield
2025, 2024, 2023, 2021, 2019: Finalist, Real Estate Team
Exceptional Service. Proven Results. TTR Sotheby’s International Realty
4809 Bethesda Avenue Bethesda, MD 20814
C: 240.353.7601
O: 301.516.1212
Carolyn@CarolynHomes.com
CarolynHomes.com
Ranked in the top 1 percent of agents nationwide with more than $600 million in career sales, Carolyn Sappenfield and her team deliver exceptional service and the maximum net return in every transaction. As lifetime Washington, D.C. area residents, they leverage deep local market knowledge and a vast network to ensure a seamless process. The team’s success is built on integrity, problem-solving and client dedication. Their business thrives on repeat clients and referrals, reflecting their proven track record and long-lasting client relationships.
Apex Vets in Silver Spring is the premier choice for emergency and specialty veterinary care in Montgomery County and the DMV. Independent and locally owned and operated by skilled and compassionate veterinarians, we believe in stateof-the-art diagnostic and treatment options. At Apex Vets, your dogs and cats are treated by a dedicated expert team who deeply values the trust of local families. Open daily for emergency walk-ins from 7 a.m. to midnight, with 24-hour nursing care.
Christ Episcopal School
2025, 2023, 2020, 2018, 2016: Finalist, Private School with Religious Affiliation
2025, 2023, 2022, 2020, 2018: Finalist, Private School (Lower School)
2025, 2021, 2019: Finalist, Private School for Music/Arts 2025, 2019: Finalist, Private School for Academics 2023: Finalist, School Principal, Nicole Stone
109 S. Washington St. | Rockville MD 20850 301-424-6550 | CESRockville.org
At Christ Episcopal School, we nurture potential, one student at a time. Our small classes allow teachers to work closely with each student while providing a rich, well-rounded curriculum that fosters curiosity, creativity and critical thinking. Rooted in a warm, values-oriented community, we cultivate kindness, respect and a lifelong love of learning. When our students graduate, they are academically confident, well-rounded individuals who attend top area high schools, prepared to lead with character and compassion.
Gathering, and the shared experience of delicious food, is the heart of what we do. For more than 96 years,our talented chefs and visionary event designers at Ridgewells Catering have built a legacy on bringing people together to create unforgettable memories and extraordinary experiences. From intimate family dinners to epic galas, for the milestone celebrations, traditions and all of life’s most precious moments—our team is with you every step of the way.
St. Jane de Chantal
2025: Finalist, Private School for Girls Sports
2025: Finalist, Private School for Arts/Music
2025, 2024, 2023, 2022: Finalist, Private School with Religious Affiliation 2025: Finalist, Private School for Academics 2023: Finalist, School Principal (Elizabeth Hamilton) 2021: Finalist, Private School That Did the Best Job With Distance Learning 2020, 2019: Finalist, Private School (Lower School) 2020: Winner, Private School With Religious Affiliation 2016, 2014: Bethesda Magazine Finalist, Private Schools for Grades K-8
2014: Finalist, Private School Head & Private School with a Religious Affiliation
Through proud traditions and a close, caring community, De Chantal has been educating students for more than 70 years with strong values and academic excellence. De Chantal is the school where your child will grow in spirit and mind, the school where your child will be known and loved, and the school where you can be involved.
As a finalist for Bethesda Magazine’s Top Individual Advisor, Keyan Abrishamkar is a nationally recognized leader in wealth management and financial planning. Honored by Forbes/Shook Research as a top advisor in Maryland in 2021, 2022 and 2024, Keyan is celebrated for his personalized approach to client relationships. He views each client as family, building deep connections and crafting tailored strategies to help them achieve financial confidence and long-term success. Dedicated to simplifying financial decisions and preserving wealth for future generations, Keyan’s expertise and genuine care make him a trusted partner for those seeking a brighter financial future.
Ashley Bucci Therapy
2025: Finalist, Individual Therapist
P.O. Box 542
Cabin John, MD 20818
202-580-9518
AshleyBucciTherapy.com
Instagram: @AshleyLoreBucci
Ashley Lore Bucci owns Ashley Bucci Therapy and has over a decade of clinical social work experience. Ashley specializes in working with clients through all forms of loss or transitions, working individually with women and girls ages 16 years +, and facilitating relationship therapy with co-parents, romantic relationships, families, friends, roommates, and co-workers. Ashley currently offers outdoor and in-home therapy options near Glen Echo, MD, and virtual therapy to MD, DC, VA, & CO residents.
The St. James Performance Club Bethesda
2025: Finalist, Gym
2025: Finalist, Cycling Studio
2025: Finalist, Zumba Studio
2025: Finalist, Boot Camp/CrossFit Gym
6828 Wisconsin Ave. | Bethesda, MD 20815
240-507-5366 | TheStJames.com/Bethesda
At The St. James Performance Club, we believe everyone has an athlete within. Our approach combines athletic training principles with personalized programs to help you discover and develop your true capabilities. Whether you’re building strength, burning off the excess, or focusing on recovery, you’ll train like an athlete while progressing at your pace. Because performance isn’t just about looking good—it’s about feeling your best and reaching your highest potential.
Calleva’s summer camps and year-round outdoor adventures serve ages 5-17 with nature immersion experiences that range from day camps to weeklong wilderness trips for teens. Campers are outdoors all day, experiencing the rivers, trails and forests that surround Washington, D.C. Activities include kayaking, rock climbing, horseback riding, mountain biking, rafting, backpacking, and fishing. Pickup-point transportation included for day camps. Calleva River School provides weekend instruction and excursions for families and adults.
Kenwood Animal Hospital and Canine Clubhouse
2025: Finalist, Pet Day Care
5439 Butler Road Bethesda, MD 20816
301-654-3000 KenwoodVet.com
Nestled in the heart of Bethesda, Md., our hospital has been a beacon of compassionate pet care since the 1930s. Our services are provided by our wonderful veterinarians and a legacy of family ownership that spans decades.
At Kenwood, we believe in holistic veterinary care that honors the triad of our community: pet owners, our staff and the pets we love. Every visit is met with the highest levels of kindness, respect and professional care.
PETS
Sari Meltzer Schifrin, LCSW-C, Eating Disorders Therapist
2025: Finalist, Individual Therapist
Bethesda, MD
240-391-8118
SariMeltzer.com
Sari is a licensed clinical social worker who specializes in treating eating disorders and healing people’s relationships with food, body, anxiety, mood and traumatic experiences. Using cognitive behavioral therapies (CBT, DBT, CPT, ACT) and the therapeutic relationship, Sari helps individuals challenge thoughts, manage distress and lead lives aligned with their values. Sari is LGBTQIA+ affirming and practices with a Health at Every Size informed approach to treatment. Sessions are available in person in Bethesda and virtually throughout Maryland, Washington, D.C., and Virginia.
11300 Rockville Pike, Suite 105 Rockville, MD 20852
240-477-1010
Dr. Gail Linn and daughter Dr. Tricia Terlep achieve consistent best results by always using Real Ear measurements—the gold-standard of hearing aid fitting. Measurements that allow us to precisely see what the hearing aid is delivering to the eardrum while considering the acoustic properties of each unique ear canal. Without it, there is no way to know whether a hearing aid is providing the amplification across the appropriate frequencies to correct the hearing loss.
Bethesda Interview
A CONVERSATION WITH
Steven Ginsberg
THE EXECUTIVE EDITOR OF THE ATHLETIC ON THE THREADS OF GREAT JOURNALISM, THE POPULARITY OF WOMEN’S SPORTS, AND THE HEARTBREAK OF BEING OF A FAN
BY MIKE UNGER
On
any given fall Sunday, you can usually find Steven Ginsberg on the sectional in his living room with his laptop open and the TV on. Like tens of millions of people around the country (and the globe) he’s a huge football fan, but for the executive editor of The Athletic, Sundays are hardly a day of rest.
In a fractured media world, The Athletic has become the website fans turn to for information on the players, teams and issues that fuel their devotion. Founded as a startup in 2016, it was purchased by The New York Times Co. six years later. In January 2023, Ginsberg became its first executive editor.
“A football Sunday for me generally starts
early, to make sure all of our coverage is set,” he says. “I tend to watch football for most of the afternoon and evening. I have the NFL package, so I can watch a lot of the games, and also RedZone. We publish stories after most games and then bigger takeaway pieces as the night goes on, so [there’s] a lot to do on Sundays.”
At first glance, Ginsberg was a curious choice. A lifer at The Washington Post, he covered business and transportation as a reporter, then led some of the paper’s political coverage. It wasn’t until he became managing editor there in 2022 that sports fell under his realm. But aside from a reporter’s doggedness and an editor’s eye for detail, he possesses perhaps the most important asset for the job: a rabid passion for sports.
FROM: Onancock, Virginia LIVES IN: Chevy Chase, D.C AGE: 52 COLLEGE: Bachelor’s degree in government from the University of Virginia OCCUPATION: Executive editor of The Athletic. Previously worked 28 years for The Washington Post in a variety of roles FAMILY: Wife, Amy Joyce; sons Sam, 17, and Jonah, 14
PHOTOS BY LISA HELFERT
Steven Ginsberg and his wife, Amy Joyce, watch a game with their sons Sam (left) and Jonah in their living room.
“ I LOVE BEING A REPORTER. I LIKE WRITING. BUT THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEAD COVERAGE AND HAVE BROADER IMPACT WAS APPEALING. ”
—STEVEN
GINSBERG, ON MAKING THE SWITCH TO EDITOR
It’s been an enduring affair. When he was a toddler, his family moved from New Jersey to the tiny town of Onancock on Virginia’s Eastern Shore, where he grew up a displaced fan of the New York Yankees and the Giants. (He’s also a fair-weather Knicks fan, he admits.) After three decades living in Washington, he’s become a backer of the Nationals and Capitals as well.
While none of those allegiances impacts his work at The Athletic, which has a newsroom of about 500 people spread across this country and England (where football has a whole different meaning), they are an unshakable part of him. Watching sports is an important portion of his workday, which usually begins with a morning soccer-focused Zoom from the basement of his Chevy Chase, D.C., home with the United Kingdom-based staff and ends with him doing the critical work of monitoring sports at night. On Oct. 13, after watching the resurgent Washington Commanders fall to the Baltimore Ravens with his fatherin-law, he ended his day on that sofa in the living room. His wife, Amy Joyce, a former Post writer and editor who opened Wonderland Books in downtown Bethesda in December, and their two sons joined him to see his beloved Giants drop a snoozer of a game to the Cincinnati Bengals.
“It was brutal, like so many Giants games,” he says. “I am only happy that my dad wasn’t alive to see it.”
Spoken like a true fan.
Bethesda Magazine spoke with Ginsberg on the front porch of his home in October. The interview has been lightly edited for clarity and length.
Were you the type of kid who was always reading the sports section?
I was. The first great journalism I read was Sports Illustrated. My uncle got us a sub-
scription when I was 8, 9, 10, something like that. I loved Sports Illustrated. We got The New York Times in my town, but you got it two days late by mail. But at that time, The Virginian-Pilot was a really good paper from Norfolk, and they had a good sports section, so we read that, too.
Do you have an early memory of when one of your teams broke your heart?
Like any good sports fan, I have a lot of those. The Yankees lost to the Dodgers [in the 1981 World Series], and I remember being pretty heartbroken about that. My dad lived and died by the New York Giants, and so my first 13 years we died a lot. When I was 14, they won the Super Bowl. That was amazing. But at that time in Virginia, you never saw your team. You couldn’t follow them closely. So a Yankees game or a Giants game was an intermittent thing for us. If they made the postseason, you put all your energy into that. And then if they lose, it breaks you apart.
When did you start becoming interested in journalism?
In high school, there’s this thing in Virginia called Model General Assembly, where they sort of fake the general assembly, and high school students do it. When I was a freshman, I went as a reporter. And when I came back, I wrote something that said, ‘That was really great. I love being a reporter.’
When I was a junior in high school [in 1989], we took a class trip to the Soviet Union. This was an unbelievable adventure that my government teacher organized. I’ve never met anyone else who ever did that. When we came back, she asked me to write the story for a local paper about the trip, which I did. From that, [I learned] the power of not just telling people something that happened, but taking them someplace they can’t go and
sharing a story they wouldn’t have known. I really love that.
You started at The Washington Post as a copy aide in 1994, just a few months after you graduated from college. What did that job entail?
At that time, there were five editions of the Post that printed every night. The newsroom was on the fifth floor, and the printing presses were on the third floor, so five times a night I would go to the third floor, get the newspapers, and bring them to the fifth floor and pass them around.
Probably the most stressful job I ever had was I had to put in the lottery numbers. You had to watch TV at like 10:58 p.m. or something and get the numbers off TV and then plug them in. You can’t get the numbers wrong.
How do you go from that type of job to becoming a reporter at the Post?
It wasn’t easy. When I started there in 1994, there was a workplace column that they were taking [Associated Press] copy from once a week. I switched to the business desk and answered phones dayside. When I got there in ’95, I asked the editor, ‘Can I take a shot at writing one of these columns?’ And this guy, Vince Rinehart, was just terrific about it and gave me a chance to do it and worked with me on it.
And from there, they asked me to do a career track column for twentysomethings, I think because I was the only twentysomething there. After three years, I still had to somehow become a part of the newsroom, so I applied for a summer internship—and I didn’t get it. So I stayed one more year, applied again, and didn’t get it. So I planned
PHOTO COURTESY STEVEN GINSBERG
to go do something else. But in April, the person who runs the internship program called me and said, ‘One of the interns has carpal tunnel and can’t make it, and it’s too late to get anyone else. Do you want to have the spot?’ This is after being there four years. I was able to hang on after that and ended up staying 28 years.
You covered business, government and transportation as a reporter at the Post. What were some of your biggest scoops?
I had a couple. I broke news about Eli Lilly coming to Prince William [County], which at that time was a huge thing. Most of the news I feel like I broke was on the transportation beat. At that time, they were rebuilding the Wilson Bridge, the Springfield mixing bowl, the ICC, the Purple Line, all of those projects.
The Purple Line—talk about a perpetual story. Yeah, there was a point where I counted up how many Post reporters had covered the Purple Line, and it was in the teens. I was the latest in a long line.
Why did you decide to make the switch to editor?
I was asked to do it. It’s not something I was ever really thinking about. I love being a reporter. I like writing. But the opportunity
to lead coverage and have broader impact was appealing. One thing I loved right from the get-go is working with other reporters and helping them hopefully do better work. That I didn’t know going in, but it was immediate. I fell in love with that.
Over the course of your career, you have been involved with seven Pulitzer Prize-winning projects. Do one or two of them stand out?
I’ve been very lucky. The Post is filled with super-talented people. As an editor, you get a chance to be part of it. The big one that we did at the end was about the Jan. 6 insurrection. The stories we did on Roy Moore, the would-be senator [from Alabama]. It was a great time to be at the Post.
If you look at those Pulitzer-winning projects or any successful project, what do they have in common journalistically?
I think there’s a few things. One, you need reporters who are relentless. You can’t get some of the way there, right? You have to go all the way. You want a framework that takes you beyond the kind of narrow, specific thing. On the Jan. 6 one, we felt like we had to [report on] everything that happened before, during and after it. Not just answering the specific questions within it, but the totality of it. Is this part of something bigger?
Steven Ginsberg (center, with microphone) speaks at The Washington Post’s 2018 Pulitzer Prize celebration while his sons watch.
You were the senior politics editor from 2011 to 2017. That was a period of drastic change in American politics. What was it like to be covering politics during such a radical shift?
It was awesome. It was also a time of radical change at The Washington Post . In 2013, Jeff Bezos bought the Post, and what people don’t realize is that before he came, we had a very small political staff. At that time, it was maybe 20-ish people. After he came, that more than doubled.
So politics itself was changing, but I was able to hire a bunch of people and build out a staff to go at it. There was something really great about that because you’re not forcing people to do something different and trying to get them to think differently, you’re bringing on a staff built for the moment and adding to it.
It’s important to come to politics with the knowledge you have, but it’s also really important to be open-minded. I always felt like whatever people in America are thinking, whatever candidate is going to be most in touch with that will win. So the most important thing is to figure out what people in America are thinking. We traveled a lot. At one point we had reporters from everywhere in the country, including Alaska. I think that gives you a natural understanding of the country that you can’t get if you don’t live it. We have people from rural areas, urban areas, suburban areas, different backgrounds, you name it. We brought together the best from a lot of different perspectives. And then you try and create the right conversations every day and go get the stories.
The sports section came under your purview when you became managing editor in 2022. Did your experience in politics help you in sports in any way? Do you see any similarities between sports and politics? I’ve always been fascinated by the stories of America, and I’ve always mostly seen them through politics and sports. [Those are] two very different prisms. I think sometimes because there’s a winner and loser in both, everyone thinks they’re kind of the same. There are some parts that are similar. If someone has a debate in politics or a game in sports, some of the coverage looks similar, but you’re going at it in different ways. You’re asking different questions. You have more license with sports. If a coach has a bad game, a player has a bad game, you say that they had a bad game in a way that’s harder to do in politics. There are more stats. There’s more accountability, really. And you can talk more directly to the audience in sports.
Was it hard to leave the Post?
Yeah. It’s hard to leave people that you’ve been working with and have known your whole life. I met my wife there. But I still live here and I still see them and talk to them. Professionally, it wasn’t that hard. I was ready for a new challenge.
What was it about the opportunity at The Athletic that you found so intriguing?
Well, I was a subscriber. I loved The Athletic. I thought it was one of the more inspired startups that’s come along. I’ve
always had a little bit of startup envy. A startup inside The New York Times is pretty special. You kind of, in my mind, get the best of both worlds: the startup culture, but with all the resources and institutional knowledge of The New York Times
You started as executive editor of The Athletic in January 2023. Six months later, the company laid off 20 journalists. In the note that you sent to the staff you said, ‘The goal was to broaden coverage to meet audience interests with a shift away from having one beat reporter for each sports team.’ Why the shift?
It was a continuation of a shift that had been going on for a while. The Athletic had covered I don’t know how many colleges and teams, but pretty much all of them. There were some that were not working, so this was an effort to figure out which ones really work and which ones don’t. We felt it was important to prioritize the ones that were. We still cover around 100 teams. It’s not like we’ve pulled out of local news. We’re very committed to the beats. At the end of the day, the foundation of The Athletic is built on that, but it’s not worked in every market. So sometimes you have to acknowledge that.
What’s it like working with such supremely talented veteran sports journalists as Ken Rosenthal and Jayson Stark?
It’s fantastic. They’re very competitive, and I love that. Our baseball team has 20, 30 of the best sports reporters in the
Ginsberg at
country. And when someone like Ken or Jayson or Tyler Kepner works with one of our beat reporters, when we all team up, I don’t think anyone can come close to us. So as editors we’re always trying to figure out where can we get the right combinations to do the story nobody’s doing.
When you look at your metrics, what is the top sport people click on?
It’s football, football and football. College, pro and Premier League. It’s no secret that the NFL is the biggest sport in the U.S. and the Premier League is the biggest soccer league in the world. And we cover both intensely. But that said, I think we have top-notch coverage of the NBA, NHL, MLB, college sports. We’re able to get a pretty good audience for all of them, but the NFL just has more fans.
Women’s sports are experiencing quite a renaissance right now. Are you seeing an increased audience demand for coverage of women’s sports? Are you boosting the resources you put toward covering them? Yeah. The Athletic has a great tradition in women’s sports. We intentionally cover them in the same way we cover any other sports. We don’t pile them all into a women’s sports group. We cover the WNBA the same way we cover the NBA, with a team of reporters. We cover women’s hockey, women’s soccer, basketball, golf, tennis, and we’ve been doing that for a long time. We continue to grow it. Caitlin Clark and the WNBA has obviously been the big story for basically a year now. And so we put more resources toward that. We cover women’s soccer, including the NWSL and some in the U.K. We’ve seen what everyone’s seen: There’s just a lot of interest in it.
Steven
work, watching soccer in his kitchen in Chevy Chase, D.C.
What do you like about living in this area?
My wife and I are both from small towns. And even though we’re in the nation’s capital, it feels very small town. When we came to look at this house all those years ago, there was a lemonade stand in the middle of the street and kids on their bikes. ... It feels very small town even though it’s in the middle of the city. My wife and I go to Buck’s [Fishing & Camping restaurant] all the time. That’s a favorite. We go to Bethesda a lot. I often go to Bethesda Bagels on a weekend and get home before everyone wakes up with hot bagels.
Are your kids big sports fans?
They’re huge sports fans. They’re both big baseball fans, but Sam, the oldest one, also watches golf, tennis and the NFL in that order. Jonah is more NFL first, then baseball. But the one that they’re both obsessed with is soccer. They watch Premier League soccer every weekend. I’ll come in sometimes and they’ll be watching a third league South American soccer game with two teams that I’ve never heard of.
What do you think of this area’s fandom?
You have to grade it on a curve a little bit because the teams have been so bad. The football team [was] sort of unrootable. I know that the fans around here are so hungry for a good team, and they seem to have one now. So I think when that happens, they’ll be as rowdy and as excited as any fans anywhere. The Nats’ fans are great. The Capitals are great. The Wizards have been tricky.
What does a winning team bring out in a community?
Sports are one of the, in my view, last shared things that we all do together. ... It’s a way for people to come together to have a shared experience. When you have a run like the Nats did, it’s special. We went to the parade. My kids are Nats fans, so for us personally, it was a magical run. I think for the community it felt like a moment when the region came together, and that’s something that really only sports can do.
Mike Unger is a writer and editor who grew up in Montgomery County and lives in Baltimore.
Building or Renovating? Keep These Provisions in Mind
Building a custom home or renovating your current one is a major investment that requires careful planning and consideration. From selecting the right contractor and architect to defining the project’s scope and specifying materials, every step you take is crucial to ensuring that your dream home becomes a reality. A well-drafted construction contract is a key element of this process— it sets clear expectations and responsibilities for both the homeowner and contractor, safeguarding your interests.
Below are some of the most important considerations when negotiating a construction contract:
1. Timeline and Deadlines: Establish a clear timeframe, specifying the start date and the expected date for substantial completion. Consider including incentives for finishing on time and liquidated damages for delays—these penalties, stated as a daily cost, can help cover the financial impact if the project runs past the agreed deadline.
2. Materials and Selections: Clearly outline the materials, fixtures, finishes, and color choices. Also, plan for contingencies in case certain items are unavailable or delayed. Having a strategy for substitutions can help avoid unnecessary setbacks.
3. Cost and Payment: Specify the total contract price, any required deposit, and breakdowns for overhead and administrative fees. Clearly define the schedule for progress payments and include detailed procedures for change orders. Outline the conditions that must be met before making the final payment to the contractor.
4. Warranty Coverage: Detail the warranty offered by the contractor, including what is covered, for how long, and any limitations. A clear warranty clause protects you against defects or issues that might arise after completion.
5. Indemnification Clause: Include an indemnification provision requiring the contractor to compensate and protect the homeowner from any losses or damages due to the contractor’s negligence or work performed on the property.
6. Termination Rights: Provide for the possibility of contract termination if the contractor fails to meet their obligations. A well-defined termination clause protects you from being stuck with a contractor who breaches the agreement.
7. Additional Legal Considerations: Include clauses that cover attorney fees in the event of contract disputes, specify which state’s laws govern the agreement, and establish the venue and jurisdiction for any potential legal issues.
By paying close attention to these elements, you can create a construction contract that not only protects your investment but also helps to ensure a smooth and successful building or renovation project.
Principal Real Estate & Business Law
ANDREW SCHWARTZ
Andrew L. Schwartz is a business, real estate and employment law attorney. He focuses his practice on commercial transactions, employment law, real estate, and
BY CARALEE ADAMS | PHOTOS BY LOUIS TINSLEY
GIVING
PEOPLE CALL OWL MOON RAPTOR CENTER AT ALL HOURS ASKING WHAT DO WITH AN INJURED OWL, HAWK OR OSPREY THEY’VE FOUND. SOMETIMES THE BIRD IS BY THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. Sometimes it’s struggling in a swimming pool or near a nest from which it just fell. Suzanne Shoemaker, 69, runs the operation out of her home in Boyds and answers day or night, then walks the caller through the rescue.
As a licensed master wildlife rehabilitator, Shoemaker instructs people on how to safely contain the bird and minimize contact until a volunteer transporter can bring it in for treatment.
Shoemaker, who founded the center in 2002 and serves as its executive director, has long been enamored with raptors. In 2014, she registered Owl Moon as a nonprofit organization dedicated to saving injured, sick and orphaned birds of prey and returning them to the wild. “They’re just such interesting animals. They have a lot of charisma,” Shoemaker says.
Last year was Owl Moon’s busiest ever, with staff and volunteers helping more than 600 birds. Many were starving baby ospreys, as an influx of industrial fishing boats scooped up fish in the Chesapeake Bay, making it hard for ospreys to get enough to feed their babies, Shoemaker says. Development and traffic are also putting more raptors in danger as wildlife and humans try to share limited
resources, she says. With demand for care increasing, Owl Moon is outgrowing its space and looking for a new location in order to expand. The center operates out of Shoemaker’s 555-square-foot basement, which houses the clinic treatment room, food prep room, cage room, laundry and storage. Out back, on the property’s 1 acre of usable land, there is a barn with a surgery and X-ray room, plus kennels for large birds. There are also three mews, enclosures where some birds recover and others that are used for educational purposes stay long term.
The center has found support for its work through grants from foundations and individual donors, and it maintains a deep roster of volunteers. Shoemaker says many share her fascination with raptors and feel an instant connection with an owl’s warm and cuddly, somewhat human-like appearance. Their sharp beaks and talons can make it tricky to treat them, but after so many years, Shoemaker says she’s able to predict their behavior and has become a little numb to the pain of an occasional bite.
The effort is worth it when a rehabilitated bird is released, Shoemaker says. “There’s nothing like it. You do feel their spirit,” she says. “It’s just really nice to see them where they are supposed to be, doing what they are supposed to do.”
a HOOT
Suzanne Shoemaker, founder and executive director of Owl Moon Raptor Center, holds McKenzie, a broad-winged hawk who can’t be returned to the wild due to an injury that caused her to lose her left eye.
WHEN A BIRD ARRIVES AT OWL MOON RAPTOR CENTER, staff evaluate it and develop a treatment plan. Eye injuries are common. This adult osprey, Mayo, is being given antibiotic drops to prevent infection after sustaining a talon puncture wound near her eye. She was likely attacked by a bald eagle, leaving her eye swollen and bloody when she was found in the town of Mayo, Maryland, not far from Annapolis. Most birds are given the last name of the person who rescued them— Mayo was an exception.
“Life is tough out there on the bay for these guys. There are a lot of territorial bouts that go on, and especially during nesting season there is competition for food,” Shoemaker says. “Eagles try to steal the food from the osprey, and the osprey have to give it up lots of times because they are the better fishermen. The eagles have the size advantage.”
THE CLINIC KEEPS A COLLECTION OF FEATHERS FROM BIRDS that have died to implant into others whose feathers are badly damaged. The feathers are labeled by species, age and sex (female raptors are usually about 30% larger than males) to match with birds of the same characteristics. Once a bird’s broken feather is trimmed, a wooden dowel is inserted and glued into the feather shafts of both the remaining portion of the broken feather and the top end (or quill) of the replacement feather. This keeps it in place until the bird naturally molts the feather out in the spring.
THE CENTER’S LAUNDRY ROOM IS FULL OF TOWELS used to wrap birds during treatment and to provide comfort while they recover in cardboard boxes with small holes. During the rehabilitation process, care is taken to minimize human interaction with the birds to keep stress levels as low as possible. Here, Shoemaker holds a juvenile osprey that was found submerged in a horse-watering trough in Fulton, Maryland. He died four days later, possibly from pneumonia.
MALIA HALE, 55, OF SILVER SPRING HOLDS MAYO, who has been in the center’s care for weeks. Hale started as a volunteer at the center in 2016 and is now the clinic director. She is one of two paid employees. (Shoemaker does not take a salary.)
SHOEMAKER SECURES MAYO WHILE CATHARINE REEVES of Bethesda mists the osprey to cool her down before a test flight. Reeves, 63, has been a volunteer at the center since 2021 and serves on the board of directors. “I have a real love of birds. I learn something new about every time I come out here,” says the retired lawyer who cleans at the center, prepares food and sometimes transports injured birds. Owl Moon has about 50 volunteers who log about 10,000 total hours in a year, according to Shoemaker. “We can’t do this without the help of citizens and volunteers,” Shoemaker says. “There are a lot of good people out there—we appreciate them.”
HALE ATTEMPTS A TEST FLIGHT WITH MAYO IN A FIELD across the street from the center. The bird is tied to a braided nylon line as it tries to fly a limited distance to get back into condition. Practice flights are repeated often until the bird is ready to start hunting. The first time Mayo was released, she was knocked into the water by another bird that had taken over the territory. Staff from the center retrieved her and readmitted her for a few days to recover. Mayo was successfully released later in another location—on high ground where she had an advantage over other birds.
VOLUNTEERS CHRISTIAN ALIFERIS (LEFT), 24, OF VIENNA, VIRGINIA, and Claire Hartwig, 21, of Gaithersburg are gutting, cutting and preparing mice to be fed to the birds at the center. Each cup is filled, weighed and tracked for the individual patient. Many of the mice are surplus donated from a nearby laboratory and stored in the center’s freezer. Other food for the birds includes fish and quail. Aliferis recently graduated from Northern Virginia Community College and is pursuing his bachelor’s degree in zoology. Hartwig, who started as an intern and continues to volunteer, says she’s interested in a possible career in science communications, especially to dispel myths about wildlife in order to better protect them.
GENIUS, AN EMACIATED REDSHOULDERED HAWK FLEDGLING, is held as staff prepare to feed him a liquid diet. Food is reintroduced slowly to try to avoid overwhelming the bird’s digestive system. Despite the center’s efforts, Genius’ condition was so dire that he died within a few days.
TOP: THE CENTER SET UP AN X-RAY AND SUGERY ROOM in the barn last year. It purchased a portable X-ray machine that is used almost daily to assess birds for fractures and make treatment decisions.
BOTTOM: BIRDS OFTEN COME IN WITH INJURIES TO THEIR WINGS and broken feathers. Some fly into windows; others become tangled in fishing lines. Staff try to repair and recondition them before release back into the wild.
SHOEMAKER (RIGHT) IS WORKING ON LEMAY, an adult osprey who had an injury to her right wrist joint. Tracey Callahan, 54, a volunteer who lives in Havre de Grace, Maryland, assists. Shoemaker says volunteers at the center come from as far as Pennsylvania and St. Mary’s County in Maryland, and others transport injured birds from great distances.
AFTER BEING TREATED, BIRDS ARE MOVED INTO MEWS where they can start flying again in an enclosed space. Some with serious wounds stay more than a year. Wink, a beloved great horned owl, has been at the center for five years. He has only one eye, so it would not be safe to return him to the wild, Shoemaker says.
THREE BARRED OWLS PERCH IN ONE OF THE MEWS as they regain their strength before being released into the wild. Owls often become injured when they fall out of their nest or sometimes get blown out of a nest during storms. If they break a leg or a wing, Shoemaker says the center often can treat the fracture and it heals in a few weeks. Staff and volunteers do all they can to rehabilitate the birds that come into the center, but many times the injuries are too severe for the birds to be reintroduced to the outdoors. Some are euthanized, and others are used for educational programs in the community or at a zoo if they are pain-free and have the right temperament.
Caralee Adams is a freelance writer based in Bethesda.
for aCURE COLLABORATING
A Silver Spring family turns a diagnosis into a foundation that raises millions for pediatric brain cancer research
BY AMY HALPERN
BY
The Giroux family at their Silver Spring home, from left: Braden, Mike, Nicole and Lila
PHOTO
SKIP BROWN
t was September 2009, and Nicole and Mike Giroux knew something was amiss. For days, their 15-month-old daughter, Lila, was having trouble standing, even though she had started walking a couple of months earlier. Her breathing had become labored. Mike noticed that she was balling up her little hands into tight fists. Suspecting a respiratory problem, a pediatrician told the couple to take Lila for a chest X-ray, Nicole says, but the imaging came back normal. Even a trip to the emergency room at Holy Cross Hospital, near their Silver Spring home, didn’t yield definitive answers. A physician there predicted that Lila was anemic, Mike says, and ordered her little body to be pumped full of vitamins via IV. But by the next morning, she was doing even worse.
“It’s definitely not anemia, I’ll tell you that,” Mike remembers saying to his wife.
The couple decided to take Lila back to the pediatrician. But on the way, they recall agreeing: We know this is something more serious.
While Mike drove toward the doctor’s office, Nicole called the neurosurgery department at Children’s National Hospital in Washington, D.C. They’d met with a doctor there months earlier, shortly after concerns surfaced that the circumference of Lila’s head was larger than typical. The verdict at the time was nothing alarming, Nicole says. Now, though, the department’s receptionist suggested they bring Lila in for imaging right away.
and a treatment plan to be put into effect. Nicole says that the diagnosis was “completely terrifying” and made worse because the doctors didn’t know how exactly to classify the tumor.
The doctors ended up recommending a “concoction of chemotherapies” rather than a “standard protocol,” Nicole says. “There was no proof of concept … no data.” They just thought that combination would work best based on what they knew at the time, she says.
Frightened by the unknown and fearing the worst, Nicole made a pledge to Mike the night they brought their daughter home from the hospital following the surgery: She would dedicate herself to raising the money necessary to advance research and treatments for pediatric brain cancer. “I don’t want anyone else to feel the way I feel right now,” she recalls telling Mike as they tucked Lila into bed that night. She told him that one day she would “make a difference [and] change outcomes,” if not for their family, then at least for others.
Today, Lila is a thriving 16-year-old sophomore at Connelly School of the Holy Child in Potomac. Braden, 19, is a freshman at Wake Forest University in North Carolina. Mike, now 50, is director of defense and intelligence programs at Cribl, an IT and data security company, and Nicole, 50—a former event planner—is a game changer in the world of pediatric brain cancer research.
‘Where the federal funding is lacking, organizations like Lilabean are filling the gap.’
—Nicole Giroux, executive director of the Lilabean Foundation
After a CT scan and an MRI, the couple received a diagnosis: Their little girl had a cancerous tumor that had spread to multiple locations in her brain and spine. Surgery was scheduled for the next day, so the couple hurriedly arranged for their two mothers to take care of their 4-year-old son, Braden.
The Girouxs didn’t leave the hospital for a week. After Lila was discharged, the family endured another couple of weeks waiting for the final pathology report
As executive director of the Lilabean Foundation, the nonprofit she and Mike founded three years into Lila’s cancer journey, Nicole’s mission has been to help fund research into pediatric brain cancer and to encourage collaboration among institutions around the world so new discoveries and treatments can get to market faster. “We’ve seen great advances … [especially] in the last [few] years because of the collaborative research that’s going on,” she says.
Using the nickname the Girouxs gave Lila as a baby, the Lilabean Foundation has provided the scientific community with more than $6 million since its inception in 2012, according to Nicole. “Where the federal funding is lacking,” she says, “organizations like Lilabean are filling the gap.”
The Lilabean Foundation “identified the issue that if researchers keep working in [silos], we cannot overcome the complex problems” involved in pediatric brain cancer research, adds Jena Lilly, executive director of the Children’s Brain Tumor Network (CBTN), which she says has received nearly $1.5 million in funding from the foundation since 2017. Thanks in part to the Lilabean Foundation’s collaborative efforts, the CBTN has nearly 5,900 patients
Lila’s cancer fight began when she was 15 months old and led her family to create the Lilabean Foundation, which continues to raise millions to help fund research into pediatric brain cancer.
enrolled in its studies, Lilly says. When the program began 11 years ago, it had 120.
More than 5,000 children in the U.S. are diagnosed with pediatric brain cancer each year, according to the Californiabased Pediatric Neuro-Oncology Consortium Foundation (PNOC). That translates into more than 13 children a day getting a brain cancer diagnosis. It is the leading cause of disease-related death among children and young adults ages 0-19, according to the CBTN, which estimates the median age of death from a brain tumor is only 9 years old. It is second only to leukemia as a cause of pediatric malignancies, according to the National Institutes of Health.
Yet pediatric brain cancer receives only about 1% of federal research funding, according to PNOC, and treatments designed for childhood brain cancer lag well behind those for adult versions of the disease. The Children’s Cancer Foundation reports that pediatric cancers, especially involving cancers of the brain, lag nearly two decades behind their adult counterparts.
Dr. Brian Rood, medical director of the Brain Tumor Institute at Children’s National Hospital, says he suspects that the overlap in biological drivers in adult brain cancer and pediatric versions is less than 10%.
“There are many unique things about pediatric cancer that are completely different from adult cancers that warrant completely different lines of investigation,” he says. But “the pharmaceutical industry, which is a profit-driven industry, is going to develop drugs where there is a market for those drugs, [and] pediatric cancer is thankfully rare.”
Rood is one of the Lilabean Foundation’s three scientific advisers. He’s also Lila’s neuro-oncologist. By and large, he says, “adult cancers are the result of an accumulation of DNA damage from our lifestyles … and the fact that our genomes are mutable, and given enough years, you’re going to get a mutation someplace, whereas in pediatrics, the general theme is developmental pathways going awry.”
Lila’s pathology report showed that she had infiltrating glioma, a type of tumor that causes glial cells—the cells that normally
‘It’s this incredibly impactful organization that is focused on the thing that matters most to us, and that there’s such a critical need for.’
—Alyssa Zachmann, whose 9-year-old daughter, Kasey, was diagnosed with medulloblastoma more than three years ago
help the central nervous system work—to grow out of control. It’s one of more than 120 known molecular types of pediatric brain cancer, Rood says.
Within weeks of her diagnosis, a port was placed in the toddler’s chest and Lila began years of on-and-off chemotherapy to shrink the masses that were inoperable. When her cancer progressed in 2015, she qualified for a clinical trial of an oral chemotherapy drug that stopped the tumor from growing. And in 2019, when her can-
cer progressed again, she was eligible for an FDA-approved combination of drugs that stabilized her situation once more. Both treatments involved pills, rather than IVs, with far fewer side effects than traditional chemotherapy or radiation. According to the American Cancer Society, most side effects of chemotherapy on children with brain cancer are short-term and include nausea, fatigue and hair loss. But radiation comes with an extensive list of long-term side effects, including loss of
brain function, emotional issues, seizures and hair loss that can be permanent, depending on the dose, according to The Brain Tumor Charity, a global fundraising organization based in the United Kingdom.
“We are over the moon that she never had to do radiation, because she’d be a very different girl,” Mike says.
Lila says she was at a sleepaway camp this past summer for kids with pediatric brain cancer. “A lot of people couldn’t walk, so they were in wheelchairs; a lot of people were visually impaired,” she says.
Today, Lila’s cancer is considered stable, and she is not on any cancer treatments. She goes back for scans a couple times a year, but unlike when she was a kid and needed anesthesia for the procedure, she now listens to her favorite pop and Christian music, and sometimes relaxes so much she falls asleep in the machine. “I’ve been doing it for so long that I’ve just been getting used to the routine,” Lila says. “I’m just happy to be here and grateful to be healthy.”
Braden says her positive attitude has helped her handle the ups and downs of living with cancer and also inspired those around her. “[She] never let all the unfair things she had to do just because of a bad draw weigh her down or ruin her mood. She accepted it for what it was and powered through,” he says. She “not only changed my life for the better … but many other people as well, and obviously, with the foundation, so much good has come out of it.”
The Lilabean Foundation was never just about Lila’s tumor, but rather about eradicating all types of pediatric brain cancer, Nicole says. “A lot of organizations … will fund a specific type of research for the specific type of brain cancer,” but the Lilabean Foundation has a broader vision, she says.
The organization’s website presents nearly two dozen “hero stories” of children with different types of brain cancer. Several are in the throes of treatment, oth-
ers are in remission, and some are children who have died—a few before the Lilabean Foundation existed. What ties the children together—other than brain cancer itself—is their families’ hope that their child’s story will encourage people to contribute money to research that will one day help find a cure for the disease.
“I don’t see our involvement in [the Lilabean Foundation] ever changing, you know, until a cure for pediatric brain cancer is found,” says Chevy Chase’s Alyssa Zachmann, whose 9-year-old daughter, Kasey, has had a hero story on the foundation’s website since shortly after she was diagnosed with medulloblastoma more than three years ago.
Medulloblastoma is the most common type of cancerous brain tumor in children, according to the Mayo Clinic, which estimates that 30% of kids who are diagnosed with it will die within five years. The Medulloblastoma Resource Network estimates that 75% of medulloblastomas occur
in children younger than the age of 10.
When Kasey was diagnosed, people asked the Zachmanns for an organization they could donate to that would help the family. “Then we found Lilabean,” Alyssa says. “It’s this incredibly impactful organization that is focused on the thing that matters most to us, and that there’s such a critical need for.”
Kasey’s diagnosis came shortly before she started kindergarten. The little girl underwent surgery, then chemotherapy and radiation that doctors hoped would keep the cancer at bay, but it reoccurred less than a year later. She then participated in two clinical trials that the Zachmanns say were not successful. Since November 2023, Kasey has been on what her dad, Joe, calls “a somewhat absurd cocktail of random adult chemotherapies.”
“Thankfully for Kasey, it provides stability,” Alyssa says. “Her tumors are not currently growing, but it’s not meant to cure the cancer, and at some point it’s going to
stop working, or her body is going to just sort of not be able to tolerate it anymore.”
The Zachmanns say they have started to see in Kasey the effects of the disease and the impact of years of intense treatment. The fourth grader tires easily, needs help getting on and off the school bus and takes the elevator rather than the stairs at school. “She probably isn’t going to learn how to ride a bike, things that require balance,” Alyssa says.
As a third grader, Kasey was able to keep up with the other students in her after-school dance program and perform with them at their recital, but this school year the instructors had to create a separate arrangement for Kasey that was simpler and with fewer physical requirements. “It’s just … a lot harder for her to move and get around,” Alyssa says.
Some progress has been made in terms of less toxic treatments for children, Rood says, but significant funding is needed for the pace to really speed up, and it will likely not come from the federal government or the pharmaceutical industry.
“We’ve done all that we can do with radiation. … We’ve [used chemotherapy drugs] in different combinations, we’ve played with the [dose and] dosing schedules,” he says. “We’ve done pretty much everything we can do and we’ve walked right up to that line of unacceptable toxicity and our survival rates still are not significantly greater than they were 20 or 30 years ago.”
Nicole says several pharmaceutical companies have pledged in recent years to pursue pediatric cancer drug development, and in the past year, two drug regimens have been approved by the FDA for use in one type of the disease: pediatric low-grade glioma. “A cure is what we want … but we’re not going to get right to a cure,” she says. “First we’ve got to get to understanding the disease better, and the biology, and then, you know, the molecular underpinnings to get more specialized treatments.”
By the time of Kasey Zachmann’s diagnosis, the Lilabean Foundation had grown from a grassroots organization hosting events in the Girouxs’ backyard to one whose annual Fall Ball—its gala fundraiser held every November for the past 13 years— has outgrown the event space in many of
Chevy Chase’s Kasey Zachmann, 9, (top left) was diagnosed with medulloblastoma three years ago. She is pictured with her sister, Zara, and parents, Joe and Alyssa.
the region’s country clubs. (Its 2024 Fall Ball was held for the first time in Washington, D.C., with 500 people in attendance, a hundred more than the previous year.)
At the 2023 Fall Ball, Alyssa and Joe took home an award for courage in Kasey’s honor. The award was named in memory of a 3-year-old Maryland boy who died of brain cancer in 2013. At the 2024 event, Kasey’s story was part of a video focusing on families’ ongoing struggles with the disease. “I can’t go 30, 40 more years and [see this disease] continue to ravage kids and families like this,” Joe says. “What I need is for that to not be the reality anymore.”
In 2023, the foundation raised more than $1.2 million and added nearly 800 first-time donors to its roster, according to the organization’s 2023 impact report. Nicole expects 2024 numbers to be even higher. “There’s
been a lot of blood, sweat and tears over the past 13 years, and I absolutely feel confident that it’s made a difference,” she says.
Braden says he still doesn’t think childhood brain cancer gets the attention it deserves, but he believes the Lilabean Foundation has been as impactful in raising awareness as it has been in raising research funding for the disease.
“Every single year is more money being raised, more [is] being done … to hopefully help these children and provide better treatment options,” he says. “More people are starting to realize, you know, the weight of the issue.”
Amy Halpern has worked in print and television news and as the associate producer of an Emmy Award-winning documentary. She lives in Potomac.
CELEBRATIONS YEAR of the
Four parties to remember
A global love story years in the making, a two-day celebration by a couple that met at a boxing class, a technology-themed bar mitzvah party, and a 100th birthday bash that paid tribute to a WWII veteran’s love of the Caribbean
PHOTO BY MOLLYE MILLER
Camilla Schick and Nick Schifrin celebrated their marriage at Woodend Sanctuary & Mansion in Chevy Chase.
NEWSWORTHY NUPTIALS
Four years after their plans for an elaborate celebration were derailed by the pandemic, a pair of journalists threw a fete that paid tribute to their global love story BY DANA GERBER
THE COUPLE: Camilla Schick, 40, is a foreign affairs producer for CBS News. She grew up in London. Nick Schifrin, 44, is the foreign affairs and defense correspondent for PBS News Hour. He grew up in Los Angeles. They live in Washington, D.C., with their two children, a son, age 3, and a daughter, age 1, and their English cocker spaniel, Lyla.
HOW THEY MET: Camilla and Nick met in 2014 while working as journalists in Jerusalem. Even though they were both dating other people at the time, they always felt
a spark, they say. Later on, in 2017, they were both single, but Camilla was living in London and Nick was in D.C. “I finally mustered up the courage to pursue Cam across the Atlantic,” says Nick, who flew to England for their first date, where they took in the beauty of the Lake District. The pair then started a long-distance relationship, meeting in cities all over the world for the next 18 months—Tel Aviv, Istanbul, Athens—before she moved to the U.S. to be with him in 2018. “It definitely made it more epic,” Camilla says of their globetrotting beginnings.
THE PROPOSAL: Nick proposed in May 2019 in Paris, on the street where Camilla had lived as a baby. “I was in a really bad mood that day because I had a work project that was hanging over me,” Camilla says. “I thought, ‘Well, if he can deal with me in a really foul mood and he still wants to marry, then this is a win-win situation.’ ”
THE ORIGINAL PLAN: Later in 2019, Camilla and Nick became husband and wife in front of a small group of friends and family on the balcony of Del Mar, a restaurant in D.C. That day was mostly for paperwork
purposes, with a more elaborate celebration planned for 2020 in the U.K. But once the pandemic took hold, the big event had to be postponed twice and then canceled. Even after Camilla and Nick’s two children came along, they never gave up the idea of a full-blown wedding reception— even if it meant throwing one closer to home. “The wedding had morphed from being sort of like, ‘Everyone’s here for the start of our marriage,’ to four years
into our marriage and being like, ‘We just want a really big party to see all of our family and friends,’ ” Camilla says.
THE CEREMONY: On July 13, 2024, the couple tied the knot again in front of about 100 guests in the lush outdoor grove at Woodend Sanctuary & Mansion in Chevy Chase. “It’s really special because of how natural it feels, how idyllic it feels, how serene it feels, even though you’re five minutes from the local highway that takes you right into D.C.,” Nick says. Their son served as the ring bearer. The master of ceremonies, a friend of the couple, had also attended their 2019 nuptials. “She talked about how everybody in the audience, the friends, the family, had supported us through long distance, through the kids, through the waiting, for that moment—this moment,” Nick
recalls. “The ability to have her say that and to look out over the audience was overwhelming.” But it was seeing their kids in the front row, the groom says, that turned “an individual rite of passage into a celebration of family.”
COCKTAIL HOUR: After the ceremony came cocktail hour by the portico, where Camilla and Nick danced to the theme song of the children’s show Bluey with their kids, who were taken home shortly after. But there were soon fears of more early departures when word came that then-presidential candidate Donald Trump had been shot at a Pennsylvania rally. “We thought a third of our guests were going to leave” because so many were journalists, Camilla says. Thankfully, only one had to dash off to work.
THE FOOD: Dinner was served under a tent next to the mansion, and much like their courtship, the meal had plenty of global flair—from the Mexican-inspired mezcal margarita signature cocktail, to the Maryland influence of the mini-crabcake
hors d’oeuvres, to the roasted baby lamb chops entree, an homage to the Middle East, where they met. The pair opted for a dessert bar instead of a wedding cake, and the selection of treats—such as chocolate mousse shots and cherry empanadas— proved to be a hit. “The whole thing was devoured,” says the bride.
THE MUSIC: For their first dance, the couple did a choreographed waltz to the song “Audition (The Fools Who Dream)” from the movie La La Land. “It wasn’t perfect, but it was fun,” says the groom. They then danced the night away with their guests in the mansion’s Great Hall as the DJ spun unexpected mashups, such as a combo of “Shake It Off” by Taylor Swift and Queen’s “We Will Rock You.” “It just kept the dancing going really effectively,” Nick says.
THE OUTFITS: Camilla first tried on her 1930s-style gown by Parisian designer Laure de Sagazan in 2020—but it wasn’t love at first fitting. “I was like, not interested in this dress,” she recalls. But four
years later she found herself drawn to the style, and its lightweight material was wellsuited to the summer date. “I felt like it was a bit more classy and a bit more mature to be wearing something that was silken lace,” she says. Nick, meanwhile, donned a tan suit with a white linen shirt.
SPECIAL TOUCHES: On each reception table— along with bouquets of black-eyed Susans, coral celosia and green eucalyptus—stood signage bedecked with illustrations of the places Nick and Camilla had visited over the course of their relationship. And as a twist on the traditional guest book, loved ones snapped photos of themselves with a Polaroid camera, writing messages alongside them in a book.
VENDORS: Catering, Catering by Seasons; DJ, DJ D-Mac & Associates; florals, Wildly Native Flower Farm; photographer, Mollye Miller Photography; planners, Kristi Hartig and Melissa Stone of Glow Weddings and Events; venue, Woodend Sanctuary & Mansion.
RINGSIDE SEATS
She attended a boxing class he taught. Three years later they tied the knot in a two-day celebration that honored his Ugandan and her Chinese-Vietnamese culture. BY DANA
GERBER
THE COUPLE: Tiffany Chau, 34, works as a training and communications specialist at a life sciences company, and is also the founder of a wellness consulting firm. She grew up in Silver Spring. Spencer Nabeta, 43, is an information technology professional and a boxing instructor. He grew up in Silver Spring. They live in Rockville with Serene, their toddler daughter.
HOW THEY MET: The pair met at Title Boxing Club in Kensington, where Spencer is an instructor. Tiffany started attending his Sunday morning classes regularly in the summer of 2020. “I felt like I had a really good workout when I went to his classes,” Tiffany remembers. They followed each other on Instagram, and Spencer invited her to come weightlifting with him. She took him up on it, and afterward they had dinner together at Silver Diner in Rockville, where they bonded over their shared experience of being the children of immigrants—his parents are from Uganda, and hers are Chinese-Vietnamese. “I remember [it] being refreshing to share that,” Spencer says.
THE PROPOSAL: Spencer proposed to Tiffany on their “babymoon” at the Hummingbird Inn in Goshen, Virginia, ahead of the birth of their daughter in 2022. Out at dinner one night, he told the restaurant’s staff about his plan to pop the question. “After dinner, they brought out what she thought was dessert, but it was a ring. And the waiter was recording it. I got down on one knee—and she blacked out,” Spencer jokes. For Tiffany, the proposal came at just the right time. “During that dinner, I had intended to talk to him about engagement as next steps, but I didn’t know when to bring it up,” she says. “He knew what was in my heart and mind before I needed to say it.”
THE CELEBRATIONS: “It was decided very early on that we needed two separate days to do this,” Tiffany says, because the couple wanted to include traditions from both of their cultures in the festivities. So on Dec. 1, 2023, in front of about 180 guests, they said “I do” at the Winslow in Baltimore, an industrial-style venue festooned with bluetoned tablescapes, string lights hanging from the vaulted ceiling, and plenty of lush foliage that achieved the bride’s “indoor greenhouse courtyard” vision. “The unveiling was astounding. We were speechless,” the groom says of the decor. After a ceremony officiated by one of Spencer’s friends, guests boogied their way into the reception area by table number. “Everybody got a chance to kind of shine,” Tiffany says. During the reception, traditional Ugandan dancers performed for the guests, and Spencer’s sisters and cousins surprised the couple with a dance to the theme from Mission: Impossible. For their
Prenups: Who Needs ‘Em?
A prenuptial agreement is like an insurance policy; you hate dealing with it and you hope never to have to use it, but if you wind up needing it, you are very glad to have it. Nobody wants to contemplate the end of a marriage before it has even begun. However, having a prenup in place protects against unforeseen problems by anticipating and resolving certain potential eventualities. This can help in removing anxiety and providing comfort and certainty in a variety of contexts going into a marriage. A few examples follow.
This Is Your Spouse’s Second Marriage. Someone who has said “I Do” before may have strings attached – like it or not. How will your partner finance ongoing alimony payments to his or her first spouse? Does your intended spouse own property with a former spouse or owe a duty of child support? A prenup can address how these expenses will be paid.
You or Your Partner Have Children from a Previous Relationship. Couples with children from previous relationships often use prenups to earmark marital and non-marital assets for those children. In most states, including Maryland, property acquired during the course of a marriage is considered “marital property” and, in the absence of a prenup, is subject to broad-brush rules with regard to asset division at the time of divorce or death. Use of an effective and enforceable prenup can proactively address these issues and significantly mitigate conflict between the children and step-parent – now and in the future.
You Bring Significant Assets, or Your Spouse Brings Significant Debt, to the Marriage. People who have established their careers and have – or one day will have – significant assets (business interests, savings, retirement or other investments, family inheritance, real property, etc.), may need to consider the degree to which it is important to designate those assets as separate from shared marital property. Similarly, your partner may bring to the marriage substantial debts (education loans, outstanding mortgage debts, etc.). In either case, a prenup is a crucial mechanism for preemptively addressing how these matters will be handled, and can establish clear rules for distinguishing what is marital and what is non-marital, without comingling.
You Have Relationship Baggage. Whether your parents divorced or you yourself have been unlucky in love in the past, designing a prenup can bring important comfort to the already anxiety-provoking process of preparing for marriage. As a legal contract, a prenup may give you - and your partner - added confidence, comfort and security as you prepare to walk down the aisle.
To establish a prenuptial agreement, it is recommended that each person retain their own lawyer to represent their individual interests. An experienced family law attorney is helpful in anticipating sources of conflict or disagreement given their detachment from the emotions of the impending marriage. In addition, attorneys who practice in areas of estate planning, tax and business law can add helpful perspective, as each of these professionals will encourage unique and case specific considerations based on their areas of practice. As a full service firm, our clients are able to benefit from the breadth of talent of our attorneys in each of these practice areas.
Monica Garcia Harms chairs the Family Law department at Stein Sperling Bennett De Jong Driscoll PC. Her thorough knowledge and understanding of her clients’ circumstances and needs distinguish her approach to the practice of family law. Monica represents clients in complex matters including pre and post nuptial agreements, divorce, contested custody, support and property allocation. She can be reached via email at mharms@steinsperling.com.
first dance, the newlyweds slowed things down, swaying to “Cruisin’ ” by Smokey Robinson. Their daughter, meanwhile, “hung out until she wasn’t hanging out anymore, and fell asleep on the couch in our break room at the venue,” Tiffany says.
The next day, the newlyweds welcomed about 140 guests to the China Garden Han Gong restaurant in Rockville for a multicourse Chinese banquet with a jazz quartet. A pair of lion dancers, accompanied by the sounds of a drum and cymbals, started off the feast with a bang. “They essentially ward off evil and help bring luck to whatever space they’re dancing in,” Tiffany says. “We walked in, and they came in behind us, kind of like our bodyguards.”
THE FOOD: At the Winslow, guests dined on hors d’oeuvres such as lentil cauliflower fritters and duck spring rolls before diving into a surf and turf entree of bistro filet and Atlantic salmon, or the vegetarian option, Indian spiced eggplant. The meal at China Garden was also a sumptuous spread, from a roast pig platter to smoked cod to a dessert of sesame balls and red bean jelly cake. “It’s like, lavish, luxurious ingredients,” Tiffany says.
THE OUTFITS: For the ceremony at the Winslow, the bride wore a strapless mermaid gown, while Spencer sported a cobalt-blue suit with matching suede shoes. “It was a nice, I think, reflection of our styles,” Tiffany says. Later in the reception, the newlyweds changed into traditional Ugandan garb: for Tiffany, a golden-hued garment called a busuuti, and for Spencer, a white robe called a kanzu. The bride’s white dress made another appearance at the beginning of the banquet on the second day, but she soon traded it for a vibrant red cheongsam, a traditional Chinese garment that she paired with gold bangles and some Nike sneakers, while Spencer donned a black suit.
VENDORS: Band, Elijah Jamal Balbed Quartet; cake, Cakes by Joanna; caterer, Copper Kitchen; Chinese banquet, China Garden Han Gong; decorations and florals, Assembly by K; DJ, Caroli Mpoza; dress, Azazie; lion dancers, Hung Ci Lion Dance Troupe; performers, Jolly Cultural Dancers; photographer,
Private Rentals
GLEN ECHO PARK
Finalist, Best Place for a Bar/Bat Mitzvah, 2025 Winner, Best Place for a Wedding Reception, 2023
ISLAND MEMORIES
A Caribbean-themed 100th birthday party filled a Chevy Chase block with family and friends BY KRISTEN SCHOTT
THE CENTENARIAN: Buddy Prensky, 100, was born on July 16, 1924, in Manhattan. He grew up in Brooklyn and joined the U.S. Navy in 1943, serving as a communications sonar officer on the USS Otterstetter during World War II. He married Rhona Perlov in 1951, studied pharmacy at George Washington University and later opened Riggs Manor Pharmacy in Hyattsville, Maryland. The couple and their three kids—David, Jay (who is deceased) and Gail—settled in Chevy Chase in 1959. Rhona died in October 2023 after 72 years of marriage, and Buddy lives on in their family home in the Rollingwood neighborhood.
THE PLAN: For years, the family had tossed around the idea of a 100th birthday block party for Buddy. “As he got closer to 100, it became more serious,” says David, 73, a retired attorney. “It was the one thing he latched onto for a while.” Following Rhona’s death, Buddy, who has dementia that has progressed over the last few years, according to his children, fell into a depression. But the thought of a shindig
lifted his spirits, they said. So Gail, 67, and the creator of The Jüdische Kulturbund Project (JKP), which raises awareness about Jewish artists in Germany during the 1930s, 1940s, and contemporary creatives today, enlisted North Bethesda-based Jamie Kramer Events to plan the gathering. The party occurred on July 13, 2024.
THE THEME: The Caribbean inspiration stemmed from Buddy’s passion for St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands, one of the locations the USS Otterstetter passed through during WWII. “He worked very hard all his life, but the one thing that gave him real joy was being on the water,” David says. He loved it so much that he and Rhona honeymooned on the island and eventually bought a condo there. (It’s still in the family.) “It’s fair to say they spent half their life there,” Gail says. Kramer and her vendors brought the theme to life via whimsical elements such as palm tree balloon installations: Plush Decorations used 112 balloons in the design.
THE BLOCK PARTY PREP: Kramer’s no stranger to block parties. “It’s a popular request,” says the veteran event planner. It takes a bit of work—obtaining permits, posting signs, adhering to certain hours—but it’s not that hard, she says. Kramer always uses popup tents to ensure efficiency during setup and breakdown. And she follows her own advice: Invite all the neighbors so they don’t get annoyed. This event was easier than most, she says, because the entire community was more than happy to honor Buddy.
THE SPECIAL GUESTS: About 120 people attended, some from as far as California and St. Thomas. Among the notable guests was U.S. Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Dist. 8). Raskin recognized Buddy for his 100 years of “devotion to family, friends, community and country.” Beth Klein, executive director of the National Capital Council of the Navy League, presented a plaque com-
memorating Buddy’s service in the Navy. Gail says she thinks it meant a lot to her father that he got to spend time with his great-grandson Felix, 3, of Pittsburgh.
THE MUSIC: Kramer hired Caribbean Vibe Steel Drum Band, which she had seen on the Today show years ago, to perform everything from Caribbean music to contemporary hits. They provided the music as everyone sang “Happy Birthday.” For Gail, the band was a highlight because it reminded Buddy of St. Thomas.
THE FOOD TRUCKS: Gail and David wanted a smattering of food trucks to provide a range of cuisines, from Asian to Mexican. Crowd-pleasing slices were served by Pizza Llama, a connection of Gail’s. “It was such a novelty for many people—a fun way to eat,” she says of the trucks.
THE CAKE: David is a longtime fan of Arlington, Virginia-based Pastries by Randolph (he likes to pick up their challah before Friday visits with Buddy). So he tapped the bakery to make a massive sheet cake, complete with a photo of Buddy in front of his condo on St. Thomas.
THE LASTING MEMORIES: Buddy was comfortably situated under a shady tree for the party, and friends and family visited with him throughout the day. “Buddy acted like he knew everybody and was so happy,” says David, who loved how engaged his dad was. “It was like he was holding court: People sat with him and came by. It was everything we’d hoped for.”
VENDORS: Balloon installations, Plush Decorations; cake, Pastries by Randolph; catering (food trucks), Sweet Chili Asian Cuisine, Pizza Llama and Surfside; digital photo gallery, GuestPix; hotel block, Marriott Bethesda Downtown; invitations, Paperless Post; music, Caribbean Vibe Steel Drum Band; planning and design, Jamie Kramer Events; staff and bartending, Prestige; tents and rentals, Sammy’s Rental; video booth, Dan Goldman Events.
Dasha Nikolenko, a dedicated real estate agent with Long & Foster’s One Bethesda office, is passionate about helping clients achieve their dream of homeownership. She strives to make every real estate journey smooth and stress-free, offering personalized support for both buyers and sellers. From home preparation to de-cluttering and addressing individual client needs, Dasha goes above and beyond to ensure a seamless and enjoyable experience.
Before transitioning to real estate, Dasha built a successful career as a classical musician, specializing in flute performance. She earned a Bachelor of Music from the Peabody Conservatory at Johns Hopkins University and a Master of Music from the Yale School of Music. Her artistic background has honed her meticulous attention to detail, creativity, and work ethic—qualities that now empower her to navigate the complexities of the real estate market. Having lived in the area for over 20 years, Dasha brings a deep understanding of the local community and housing market to her clients.
Outside of work, Dasha treasures time with her husband, two children, their family dog, and parrot. She enjoys staying active with hiking and workouts, volunteering at her kids’ school, and sharing her musical talents by playing flute at her neighborhood church. Her dedication to her clients, community, and family is at the heart of her work, making her a trusted and reliable partner in helping others find their perfect homes.
PICTURE PERFECT
A local photographer enlisted her ‘friendors’ for her son’s bar mitzvah with photo-worthy results BY KRISTEN SCHOTT
THE TEEN: Jack Spiegel, 14, lives in Gaithersburg. He has a sister, Dalia, 12. His parents are Rachael Spiegel, a photographer who specializes in bar and bat mitzvahs, and Ryan Spiegel, a state delegate for District 17.
THE MOTHER: Rachael has been a photographer since graduating from Syracuse University in 2002. She snapped her first mitzvah in 2003 and eventually decided to focus on this rite of passage. “Out of everything I photograph, it brings me the most joy,” says Rachael, whose mother was a mitzvah planner. She has captured 239 bar and bat mitzvahs—but didn’t want to photograph Jack’s, preferring to be in the moment.
THE PREPARATION: Because she starts booking three years out for work, Rachael had to set the date for Jack’s bar mitzvah just as early, settling on Dec. 16, 2023. She quickly began tapping vendors—aka the “friendors” she works with regularly. Among them: Mickey Rubinstein, head designer and shop manager with DaVinci Florist; Glynis Keith, catering manager at Catering by Seasons; and planner Dana Nestel, founder of The Write Occasion. A vendor Rachael didn’t already know was the photographer. A friend recommended Ricardo Reyes, and Rachael was sold. “His lighting was spot-on, and he captured moments beautifully,” she says.
THE SERVICE: The bar mitzvah was held at Shaare Torah, a synagogue in Gaithersburg. It started at 9 a.m., and was led by Rabbis Annie Lewis and Yosef Goldman. A kiddush luncheon with the congregation was held afterward.
THE RECEPTION: The Julia P. Bindeman Suburban Center of Washington Hebrew Congregation in Potomac was the venue for the reception, attended by 80 adults and 70 of Jack’s friends. (He’s a student at Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School in Rockville.) Rachael and Ryan wanted the celebration’s focus to be on Jack, his personality and his Judaism, rather than a theme. The design aesthetic was inspired by Jack’s passion for coding and STEM. Ali Weitzman, founder of MitzvahLogos, came up with a logo and pixel pattern that was the basis for the decor and blue-and-green color scheme. The floor decal, “Jack” signage and pillows featured Weitzman’s graphics. (Rachael created layouts for the menu, escort cards and invitations based on Weitzman’s design.)
THE CENTERPIECES: Rubinstein used metal geometric pieces that were spray-painted
gold and connected together. They achieved an element important to Jack—that guests could see each other across the tables—and were mixed with structural florals such as parrot tulips, green cocculus, green echeveria and green dianthus.
THE MUSIC: NYX Entertainment & Events provided the tunes and the emcee. “At a mitzvah, you have two sets of people on the dance floor,” Rachael says. “The adults and the kids, both of whom like completely different things. So to be able to select music and play for two audiences at the same time is difficult.” NYX impressed all the kids, including Jack. “It was really nice to have all my friends together and be able to dance and celebrate and have a fun space,” he says.
THE GAMES: A 14-foot foosball table allowed the kids to play games (and made the nondancers in the crowd happy). Other fun came by way of Skee-Ball and a photo booth.
THE PHOTO MONTAGE: For Rachael, putting together a slideshow of Jack was a highlight. It took about a year to pull her favorite photos and then about 120 finalists. Only Rachael saw it before the party, where it was displayed on a large LED screen.
THE MENU: Much like the music, the food at a mitzvah varies for the kids and the adults, says Keith. And flexibility is key, considering how far in advance the planning begins and how much tastes change in that time—particularly if you’re 11 going on 13. Because the Spiegels keep kosher and Jack is a pescatarian, Catering by Seasons went with a kosher-style menu with no meat or shellfish. The food could “be enjoyed by all the guests,” Keith says. Adult appetizers ranged from edamame dumplings to fig tarts. The youths snacked on cheese quesadillas, pretzel bites, and chips and guac. And a hummus bar was created specifically for Jack’s party. For the main course, adults enjoyed roasted salmon with a grilled vegetable tart, and Jack and his buddies chose from a falafel station and pasta bar. Napkins bearing two of Jack’s favorite sayings—“Hexagons are the bestagons” and “Everything is soup”—nodded to the man of the hour.
THE DESSERTS: No one can resist a s’mores and cookie station. Guests of all ages selected their cookie flavor and then topped it with sweets such as Hershey’s chocolates and certified kosher vegan marshmallows. Each treat was torched on-site by the catering staff.
THE FUTURE MITZVAH: Naturally, Rachael is already planning Dalia’s bat mitzvah, set for Dec. 13, 2025. The team? All the same. “I was thrilled with every vendor we worked with,” Rachael says.
VENDORS: Catering, Catering by Seasons; decor, florals and rentals, DaVinci Florist;
design, Rachael Spiegel Bar & Bat Mitzvah Photography; DJ, lighting and LED screen, NYX Entertainment & Events; games, Snap Entertainment; green screen, Washington Talent; hotel block, Gaithersburg Marriott Washingtonian Center; invitations, Greenvelope; logo, branding and favors, MitzvahLogos; photographer, Ricardo Reyes Photography; photo montage, Rachel Dabbah; planning and custom napkins, The Write Occasion; venues, Shaare Torah (ceremony) and Julia P. Bindeman Suburban Center of Washington Hebrew Congregation (reception).
Meagan Buckley and Reid Buckley Real Estate Advisors
We are thrilled to be a part of The Best Of Bethesda 2025 Issue and look forward to working with you in the upcoming year! We love living and selling homes in the DC Metro area but especially in our hometown of Bethesda!
The Sanford Group delivers a personalized and client-focused real estate experience, consistently exceeding expectations. With a deep commitment to helping clients make confident decisions, they serve all areas of the DC Metro region, licensed in MD, DC, and VA. Whether buying or selling, clients benefit from their local expertise and a trusted advisory approach.
Ilene Gordon, Mireille Pioppo, Pat Karta, Wendy Banner, Julia Fortin, Gail Gordon, Ashley Vonada Back row: Emily Moritt, Makenzie Powell, Michelle Teichberg, Steve Schuck, Mary Bunch, Greg Schuck, Jody Aucamp
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Get organized with stylish storage items.
195
Browse the prices of recently sold homes.
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO CREATE A BEAUTIFUL SPACE
A Bethesda couple’s children feed their dog in the newly remodeled green-hued butler’s pantry of their home in the Sumner neighborhood. PAGE 188
STOW IT
It’s a new year, with new opportunities to get organized using stylish storage products for the home BY
CAROLYN WEBER
1 Hang Ups
It’s wall art! It’s a coat rack! When this rack isn’t keeping jackets and dog leashes off the floor, it masquerades as artwork. The StoneWon Designs Co. hardwood piano key hook rack comes in two sizes— six hooks and 20 hooks. $200 and $300 at West Elm, 951 Rose Ave. #104 (Pike & Rose), North Bethesda, 301-230-7630, westelm.com
2 Gear Grouping
Sporting equipment can overwhelm a hall closet or garage space. Keep golf clubs in check with the GoSports premium wooden golf bag organizer and storage rack. It’s 46 inches wide and comes in a brown or black finish. $199.99 at Dick’s Sporting Goods, 2 Grand Corner Ave. (Rio), Gaithersburg, 301-947-0200, dicksportinggoods.com
3 Triple Stack
When storage is at a premium in a small bathroom, this Farrah natural rattan cane three-tier storage tower can hold all sorts of supplies, from towels to toilet paper. It is handmade and measures 36-inches-high-by-18-inches-wide. $149.99 at World Market, 12266 Rockville Pike (Federal Plaza), Rockville, 301-816-2480, worldmarket.com
4 Full Charge
It looks like a handsome little accessory catchall, but the Courant Catch:3 Classics wireless charging tray is much more. This chic charging station is a must-have modern convenience that’s compatible with iPhone 8 and up and covered in Italian pebble-grain leather in five color choices. $175 at Pottery Barn, 4750 Bethesda Ave., Bethesda, 301-654-1598, potterybarn.com
5 Storage Star
Update a closet or reimagine a small bedroom as a dressing area with these customizable shelves. The Beam modular storage builder features steel frames in a wide range of heights and widths for endless design options. Choose from shelf, door and drawer inserts in four stained wood options and white painted maple. This configuration is $4,428 at Room & Board, 7236 Woodmont Ave. (Bethesda Row), 866-407-6252, roomandboard.com
Touch of Glass
For decades, Yvonne Craver traveled for her job as a forensic accountant, and along the way she collected dozens of pieces of fine contemporary art glass. But the glass sat in the shadows of her traditional 1990s townhouse in the Friendship Heights neighborhood of Washington, D.C.
When Craver was getting ready to retire, she decided she wanted her house “to be me.” So she hired Mark McInturff of McInturff Architects in Bethesda to transform her main floor into a bright contemporary space as fluid as blown glass.
The 675-square-foot area used to be a dark rectangle with a small walled-off kitchen at one end and a boxy fireplace at the other. A powder room jutted out next to a staircase along one of the long ends of the room. McInturff turned the space into an open floor plan and added clean lines along with curving walls topped with soffits.
Jeff, Mark’s son, served as project designer. The two had recently visited Italy where they tried glassblowing at a Murano glass factory. The fluid profiles of the walls were inspired by “the molten nature of glass and how to work with it,” the elder McInturff says.
Acadia Contractors of Cabin John laid out full-scale plans on the floor to guide the exacting construction, which was mostly completed in 2020, with finishing touches added in 2022.
The serpentine walls conceal the powder room (not pictured)
A contemporary art glass collection inspires a room in Friendship Heights
BY WENDY A. JORDAN
with a big swoop, form shallow waves on the other walls, and meld with the niches and cabinetry. The design enables people to “see and enjoy the collection from anywhere in the room,” Mark McInturff says.
To brighten the space and create a neutral palette for the colorful art pieces, the oak floor was refreshed with a blond finish. The walls and ceiling are Benjamin Moore Super White (OC-152). Redesigned with white slats, a white metal rail, and dark gray carpeting, the stair area visually expands the art-filled room.
Also brightening the main floor are soffit lights that lend a glow and recessed lights that illuminate the niches. All the illumination, by WAC Lighting, is on dimmer switches.
Seattle-based glass artist Richard Royal created the custom piece for the central niche over the vent-free gas fireplace by Spark Modern Fires. Glass inserts by Dulles Glass protect the table-height niches from wine glass rings or other stains.
Washington, D.C.-based designer AnnMaria Baldine produced the silk rug. All the furniture is from Design Within Reach and Roche Bobois.
The entire sculptural space celebrates the glass collection that means so much to Craver: “I can’t say enough about how much I love it.”
TRAUDEL LANGE
What sets you apart from other agents?
I am devoted to my clients & do everything in my power to earn their trust. In return, they receive a premium level of service, consistent communication, & a results-driven strategy that together yield the target end-result. When you list with me, you can rest assured that your home is in the best hands.
How can you help buyers in this challenging market?
Securing a home in this challenging market with low inventory & higher interest rates requires skill to make it happen. I will be vigilant in looking out for the buyers’ best interests & guiding them to a smooth settlement.
What advice would you give to someone looking to navigate the market today or in the near future?
Work with an experienced, honest agent who is there to safeguard your best interests & helps you accomplish your ultimate goal of selling or buying a home.
Best career advice you’ve ever received?
Have your client’s best interest in mind!
WENDY LORD
Wendy Lord is an experienced and dedicated real estate agent who is committed to providing a positive buying or selling experience for each of her clients. With a background in commercial lending and asset management, she brings over 30 years of expertise to her role as a Seniors Real Estate Specialist. Wendy strives to provide the best personalized service to each and every one of her clients along their real estate journey, whether it is buying, selling, or both. Her personalized marketing plan is tailored to each home, including social media, print ads, and a strong referral network to streamline the process. She collaborates with a range of partners, including financial experts, title companies, renovation/repair contractors, downsizing and organizing professionals, and estate sales specialists. As a long-term resident of Maryland, Wendy is actively involved in the community, serving on the Board of the Fox Hills West Citizens Association. In her leisure time, she enjoys tennis, golf, skiing, and taking walks with her neighbors, embracing her neighborhood where she and her son reside.
Keen
Tyler Jeffrey, left, and Adam Tarosky with their daughter Zoe, 6, and son Owen, 8, in their Bethesda kitchen
GREEN on
Soothing shades of nature are taking center stage in kitchens as the coolest new neutrals for cabinetry
BY CAROLYN WEBER
GREENER PASTURES
Livable luxury is how Tyler Jeffrey would describe the style of his recently remodeled kitchen and butler’s pantry. When he and his husband, Adam Tarosky, and their two small children moved to a 60-year-old brick colonial in the Sumner neighborhood of Bethesda in 2019, they knew it had the potential to become a chic family home. “It had a great layout and was big but didn’t look massive, and that appealed to us,” Jeffrey says. The price was within their budget and left funds for improvements and updates.
Over the next few years they completed a series of small remodeling projects, but saved the kitchen for last. “It was good enough, and we wanted to live with it for a while and take our time with that renovation,” Jeffrey says. In 2022, they assembled their dream team, including Nadia Subaran of Aidan Design in Silver Spring, Sally Steponkus of D.C.based Sally Steponkus Interiors, and Impact Remodeling and Construction, also in D.C., to start planning the reinvigoration of the kitchen and butler’s pantry.
The natural surroundings and views of the backyard inspired Subaran to use a soft green called Eucalyptus from Kreamer, Pennsylvania-based Wood-Mode Fine Custom Cabinetry on the island. Subaran says she is doing more green kitchens lately. “People are choosing greens with browngray undertones, which have richness and depth and work well with natural elements like wood and stone,” she says. Jeffrey, 40, a real estate agent with Sotheby’s International Realty in Northwest D.C., concurs. He sees a lot of houses and knows the market well. “These are not the hunter greens of the 1990s; they are more subdued earthy shades, which are easily transferable to fabrics and rugs,” he says. The metal accents—the faucet, drawer hardware and light fixtures— are all brass-toned. Subaran and Jeffrey agree that brass has become a kitchen staple. “Brass is here to stay, but not the shiny stuff. It’s duller and more brushed,” he says.
PHOTO BY JOSEPH TRAN
The existing butler’s pantry felt disconnected from the kitchen and the rest of the house. “It was sort of a dead zone,” Jeffrey says. “Plus we had a 5,500-square-foot house with no coat closet.” They dedicated one side of the rectangular space to closets and converted the other side to a wet bar with a full-size refrigerator. Jeffrey and Tarosky say they enjoy entertaining, so this is an ideal amenity and provides plenty of useful storage.
While the kitchen is light and airy, the pair wanted an edgier style in there, so they went all in on green. The cabinets, also in Eucalyptus, tie into the kitchen island, and Steponkus color-matched the paint that was used on the trim and closet doors. The walls and ceiling are covered in a showstopping geometric wallpaper. “I chose this paper because it was handsome, a little glammy and unexpected in such a traditional house,” Steponkus says. “The clients are young, cool, handsome dads with little kids, and making their bar a little extra special seemed necessary.”
MOODY HUES
When Meg and John Lazerow’s 1936 stone-and-brick home in Bethesda’s Greenwich Forest neighborhood needed a refresh, they turned to interior designer Sara Swabb of Storie Collective in Georgetown. “They wanted to preserve the original character, but add modern pieces and color,” says Swabb, who created a serene and sophisticated vibe with new furnishings, paint, fabrics and finishes.
Swabb presented the homeowners with two whole-house color story options, and they chose the warm palette of muted jewel tones. “I love green, but looking at a green paint chip is very different than seeing it when all the elements come together and it reads much more like a neutral,” Meg says. Swabb’s design captured the moody atmosphere that Meg had in mind, with elements of art deco, her favorite design era, mixed in.
The Lazerows, both 47, weren’t planning to overhaul the kitchen initially, but when the surrounding rooms were redone, it looked dated in comparison. Swabb and her team modified the layout slightly to be better suited for both cooking and socializing. Removing a secondary island and enlarging the main island to 6 by 6½ feet improved the flow and function. The stained white oak island contains a sink, dishwasher, storage, icemaker and counter seating, and is topped with soft gray marble that also graces the wall behind the range.
The kitchen’s existing recessed panel cabinets were high quality, so they kept them and had them repainted in Farrow & Ball’s Treron (No. 292), a deep muted green with gray undertones, and added new brass hardware. “Green is having a moment right now; we’re seeing different shades from deep forest to sage and olive tones trending,” says Swabb, who likes to pair it with soft whites and wood elements. The designer uses greens to infuse a home with a sense of calm.
“We wanted a massive breakfast nook to host friends and family,” Meg says. To enhance the existing eating area, the designer eliminated a built-in desk, added an arch to define the nook, and painted the walls and ceiling in the elegant Treron color. She outfitted the nook with cushy sofa-like banquette seating, velvetcovered side chairs and two trestle tables. The tables can be split apart for different configurations and to make sure that no one gets trapped in the middle of the long banquette. “It has the comfortable feel of an English kitchen, but there’s also a little drama,” Meg says.
Swabb replaced the old square opening between the kitchen and the family room with a gracious arch
BY ROBERT
PHOTO
RADIFERA
The Eucalyptus-colored cabinetry continues into the adjacent butler’s pantry.
with a wood inlay, stained to match the refinished floors. Glass partitions on either side create a visual divide, signaling a transition to the family room and reminding people to step down. “These are the kinds of details which we wouldn’t have conceived of ourselves,” Meg says.
INTO THE WOODS
To those who know her, it’s probably no surprise that Meghan Chapple has green cabinets in her kitchen. It suits her personality and her Silver Spring home, which is nestled on a woodsy lot near the park surrounding Sligo Creek in the Woodside Forest neighborhood. “What sold me were
Above: Meg and John Lazerow used a deep muted green on the cabinets. Below: The breakfast nook at the Bethesda home.
the six towering old oak trees you can see through the back windows,” she says. Trees are visible from almost every room of the 2,700-square-foot mid-century splitlevel she purchased three years ago.
But Chapple, 51, who works in the environmental sustainability field, wanted even more of a sense of connection within the home to the outdoors and to friends and family. She wanted her kitchen to be the centerpiece of the house, a gathering place to entertain loved ones and occasionally host professional colleagues when working on policy issues.
The house had a formal dining room and separate kitchen, and both were cramped. Chapple wanted to remove the wall between them for a combined kitchen and dining area with sight lines to the wooded backyard. Contractor Geoff Rackstraw of GT Rackstraw Contractors in Silver Spring got to
work making structural changes. He removed the dividing wall and installed a center support beam and a vertical beam to support it. The new plan also called for removing a front bay window and replacing it with a smaller doublehung window to create symmetry on the front focal wall.
Chapple enlisted the help of friend and designer Colleen Quinn of RedBird ReDesign in Silver Spring. “Meghan had a vision early on of using some color, so we were excited to bring the outdoors in with green cabinets,” Quinn says. The designer specified a shade called Parlor Green from Crystal Cabinet Works in Princeton, Minnesota. “It’s a rich saturated tone, but it’s not overwhelming,” she says.
Meghan Chapple’s green kitchen was inspired by the woods around her home.
Quinn balanced the color by using stained alderwood for the new 5-by-6-foot center island that anchors the layout. It has storage on three sides and is the perfect spot for breakfast or homework. It’s topped with a quartz material that resembles poured concrete. The bamboo floors in the former kitchen were replaced with oak and stained to match the existing hardwood flooring throughout the first level. A wood table that belonged to Chapple’s grandmother defines the dining area. “We mostly eat at the island, so the table still functions as a formal dining room,” Chapple says.
For a clean look and to avoid blocking the light, Quinn didn’t use wall cabinets in the kitchen. To compensate for fewer cabinets, she stole some square footage from the living room to create a storage pantry and also added a freestanding glass-front china cabinet to display dishes and glassware. The hutch, also in the Parlor Green color, cleverly conceals the new vertical support post. Rackstraw, a master carpenter, modified the back of the hutch to fit around the post. “If you look very closely, you’ll notice that the shelves on one side are shallower than the other,” Quinn says.
The designer added some textural elements to the scheme for an organic look and feel. She ran the backsplash of 4-inch square white zellige-style tiles all the way up the wall for a dramatic focal point. With uneven edges and surfaces, the tiles look handmade. Quinn and Chapple didn’t want to use metal or wood for the exhaust hood, so they opted for a plaster finish applied to a wood base. “It’s not a smooth finish, so it almost feels like pottery,” Quinn says.
With plenty of windows to view the surrounding trees and a palette of soft green and natural materials, Chapple’s dream of a serene retreat was realized. “When I can’t be out there, this is the next best thing.”
HARNESS THE ENERGY —AND THE MONEY— UNDER YOUR HOME
Maryland is the first state to offer Geothermal Residential Energy Credits (GRECs) to homeowners. Combined with large tax rebates from the state of Maryland, the Federal government and your utility company, your GeoThermal system could cost you almost nothing! The credits and rebates work together, turning your upfront investment into practically free comfort and energy savings. Make the switch to sustainable, affordable heating today. Join one of our 20-minute workshops, learn about the available tax and utility rebates, and leave with a certificate detailing your home’s GREC score—incentives that may cover the cost of the entire GeoThermal system.
The hutch’s Parlor Green color matches the kitchen cabinets.
Lauren Davis m +1 202 549 8784, ldavis@ttrsir.com, laurendavisteam.com
Bethesda Brokerage, 4809 Bethesda Avenue, o +1 301 516 1212
With over 16 years of expertise and unrivaled access to the best inventory, our team brings intimate local market knowledge right to your doorstep. Strategic, thoughtful, and professional, we’re dedicated to making your real estate journey exceptional.
Robert Crawford m +1 202 841 6170, rcrawford@ttrsir.com
Tyler Jeffrey m +1 202 746 2319, tjeffrey@ttrsir.com
Abby Schulten m +1 203 293 3379, aschulten@ttrsir.com
Bethesda Brokerage, 4809 Bethesda Ave, o +1 301 516 1212
Chevy Chase Brokerage, 5101 Wisconsin Ave NW, Suite 100, o +1 301 967 3344
HOME SALES
A peek at one of the area’s most expensive recently sold houses
Address: 10120 Counselman Road, Potomac 20854 Days on Market: 38
Listing Agency: Long & Foster Real Estate, Bedrooms: 8
Full/Half Baths: 7/2
SALE PRICE:
$3.8 million
LIST PRICE: $3.95 MILLION
Address: 3025 University Terrace NW, Washington, D.C. 20016
Days on Market: 40
Listing Agency: TTR Sotheby’s International Realty Bedrooms: 6
Full/Half Baths: 6/1
SALE PRICE: $3.35 million
LIST PRICE: $3.3 MILLION
Address: 7803 Glenbrook Road, Bethesda 20814
Days on Market: 10
Listing Agency: Keller Williams Capital Properties
Bedrooms: 6
Full/Half Baths: 6/1
SALE PRICE: $3.33 million
LIST PRICE: $3.35 MILLION
Address: 12118 Hanson Farm Drive, North Potomac 20878
Days on Market: 26
Listing Agency: Toll MD Realty
Bedrooms: 6
Full/Half Baths: 7/1
SALE PRICE: $3.25 million
LIST PRICE: $3.4 MILLION
Address: 11807 Forum Hill Court, Potomac 20854
Days on Market: 111
Listing Agency: Long & Foster Real Estate
Bedrooms: 7
Full/Half Baths: 7/2
SALE PRICE:
$3.2 million
LIST PRICE: $3.38 MILLION
Address: 7207 Selkirk Drive, Bethesda 20817
Days on Market: 18
Listing Agency: Compass
Bedrooms: 6
Full/Half Baths: 6/2
SALE PRICE: $3.1 million
LIST PRICE: $3 MILLION
Address: 12029 Evening Ride Drive, Potomac 20854
Days on Market: 6
Listing Agency: Compass
Bedrooms: 6
Full/Half Baths: 7/2
SALE PRICE: $3 million
LIST PRICE: $2.9 MILLION
Address: 4828 Quebec St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20016
Days on Market: 7
Listing Agency: TTR Sotheby’s International Realty
Bedrooms: 5
Full/Half Baths: 4/1
SALE PRICE: $3 million
LIST PRICE: $3.2 MILLION
Address: 5509 Lambeth Road, Bethesda 20814
Days on Market: 28
Listing Agency: TTR Sotheby’s International Realty
Bedrooms: 7
Full/Half Baths: 5/1
SALE PRICE: $2.8 million
LIST PRICE: $2.8 MILLION
Address: 5019 Klingle St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20016
Days on Market: 0
Listing Agency: None listed
Bedrooms: 5
Full/Half Baths: 5/1
SALE PRICE: $2.69 million
LIST PRICE: $2.7 MILLION
Address: 12334 Woody Lane, Gaithersburg 20878
Days on Market: 0
Listing Agency: None listed
Bedrooms: 6
Full/Half Baths: 6/1
SALE PRICE: $2.61 million
LIST PRICE: $2.8 MILLION
Address: 12506 Sycamore View Drive, Potomac 20854
Days on Market: 117
Listing Agency: Century 21 New Millennium
Bedrooms: 6
Full/Half Baths: 6/2
SALE PRICE: $2.58 million
LIST PRICE: $2.7 MILLION
Address: 4525 Grant Road NW, Washington, D.C. 20016
Days on Market: 124
Listing Agency: Compass
Bedrooms: 6
Full/Half Baths: 6/1
SALE PRICE: $2.51 million
LIST PRICE: $2.6 MILLION
Address: 6909 Anchorage Drive, Bethesda 20817
Days on Market: 101
Listing Agency: Realty Advantage
Bedrooms: 5
Full/Half Baths: 5/1
REAL ESTATE TRENDS
20015
20814 (Bethesda)
20816 (Bethesda)
20815
20817 (Bethesda)
20832 (Olney)
20855 (Rockville)
20895 (Kensington)
20850 (Rockville) Number
20877 (Gaithersburg)
20901 (Silver
20851 (Rockville)
20878 (Gaithersburg/North Potomac)
20902 (Silver Spring)
20852 (North
20879 (Gaithersburg)
20903 (Silver
20853 (Rockville)
20882 (Gaithersburg)
20910 (Silver Spring)
20854 (Potomac)
20886 (Gaithersburg)
20912 (Takoma Park)
Information courtesy of Bright MLS, as of Nov. 15, 2024. The Bright MLS real estate service area spans 40,000 square miles throughout the mid-Atlantic region, including Delaware, Maryland, Washington, D.C., and parts of New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia. Bright serves approximately 100,000 real estate professionals who in turn serve over 20 million consumers. For more information, please visit brightmls.com. This information includes single-family homes sold from Oct. 1, 2024, to Oct. 31, 2024, as of Nov. 15, 2024, excluding sales where sellers have withheld permission to advertise or promote. Information should be independently verified. Reports reference data provided by ShowingTime, a showing management and market stats technology provider to the residential real estate industry. Some sale and list prices have been rounded.
Capital Laser & Skin Care
ELIZABETH TANZI, MD, FAAD
GEETA SHAH, MD, FAAD
TANIA PETERS, MD, FAAD
Voted the "Best Dermatology Practice" by Bethesda Magazine readers since 2018, Capital Laser & Skin Care specializes in cosmetic and non-invasive treatments to enhance and maintain skin health and beauty. Drs. Geeta Shah, Tania Peters and Elizabeth Tanzi have been named Bethesda Magazine "Top Doctors" since 2019.
5471 C2 Wisconsin Ave., Suite 200 Chevy Chase, MD 20815
301-798-9699
CapitalSkinLaser.com
Q What is your favorite treatment to recommend as we kick off the new year?
A DR. ELIZABETH L. TANZI: The Genius RF device for a youthful, natural look around the eyes. This treatment combines radiofrequency and microneedling to gently stimulate collagen production over time, with just one to two days (or less) of recovery. After two to three sessions, you'll notice a reduction in fine lines and a refreshed, lifted appearance around the eyes.
A DR. GEETA SHAH: This time of year, I love focusing on skin rejuvenation and resurfacing. One of my top picks is the BroadBand Light (BBL)/MOXI Laser combination treatment because it helps even out skin tone, improves fine lines and texture and gives the skin a healthy, radiant glow—with little to no recovery.
Another favorite is the Profractional laser for smoothing and tightening the skin around the eyes and reducing lines and wrinkles around the mouth. With some recovery time (up to a week), now is a great time to undergo this treatment and allow your skin to heal.
A DR. TANIA PETERS: Sofwave and CoolSculpting. Sofwave targets skin laxity, and I especially love it for enhancing the jawline area. CoolScultping is great for improving body contours and smoothing stubborn bulges in areas like the belly, waist, back and under the chin. Both treatments are non-invasive with minimal downtime and typically deliver the best results in two sessions, four to six months apart. Since the full effects of both develop over several months, starting them early in the year ensures you'll see visible results by summer.
RENU by Dr. Schoenfeld
PHILIP SCHOENFELD, MD, FACS, FACIAL PLASTIC SURGEON 5454 Wisconsin Ave., Suite 1625 Chevy Chase, MD 20815
301-652-7368
RenuDC.com
Q What makes you the most proud about how your practice has evolved?
A It has been an honor to be named a top doctor by this magazine and others, both for general and professional audiences. I am devoted to my Washington, D.C.-area patients, and also those who travel from surprisingly great distances to come to me for sophisticated surgical procedures as well as for subtle rejuvenation.
Through continuing education and years of practice I have become most adept at rhinoplasty, facelifts, eyelid surgery, facial fat transfer and hair restoration. I consider myself a practitioner of artful medicine and have developed skills in the placement of injectables to achieve the most natural, beautiful results.
At RENU, we also offer skin treatments such as dermaplaning and chemical peels, and even massage therapy.
Moirai Wellness
JENNIFER DUFFIE
“Our coaching services provide tools for addressing the root causes of discomfort and dysfunction in your life, setting you on a course for personal growth.”
A Transformational coaching helps you define your ultimate purpose, overcome obstacles, find clarity in decision-making and feel motivated and empowered. We help high-achieving professionals managing heavy responsibilities slow down and prioritize their well-being. We address the mind, body and spirit, with a focus on work, personal relationships and physical health. In addition to transformational coaching, Moirai Wellness also offers grief support, detox protocols and thermotherapy—taking healing to a whole new level.
TONY J. LEWIS
North Bethesda Periodontal Group
KHALID CHOUDHARY, DDS, MS & JOAN HOWANITZ, DDS, MS
11921 Rockville Pike, Suite 407 | Rockville, MD 20852
240-483-0775 | contact@northbethesdaperio.com
NorthBethesdaPerio.com
Q Why is periodontal health so important?
A People forget that oral health is closely related to their general health and can significantly impact how they feel. Periodontal disease can affect your whole body and can lead to tooth loss. People with periodontal disease are at higher risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and pregnancy complications. As far as looking good goes, healthy gums are vital to a great smile!
Q What makes you different from other periodontists?
A We strongly believe in a team approach to care for our patients. Our surgeons work closely with referring restorative doctors, dental specialists and lab technicians to provide optimal treatment and care. Utilizing the latest technologies, we perform minimally invasive procedures whenever possible. Everything we do is guided by accuracy, safety, comfort and recovery.
Woodhouse SpaNorth Bethesda
2 Paseo Drive North Bethesda, MD 20852
240-317-3114
NorthBethesda.WoodHouseSpas.com
Q What makes Woodhouse Spa of North Bethesda a goto destination for relaxation and rejuvenation?
A Woodhouse Spa of North Bethesda offers an unparalleled luxury spa experience with 18 treatment stations, including a Vichy shower and a soaking tub room. Every detail, from lavish, pampering treatments to the signature Woodhouse aroma, is meticulously designed to provide exceptional care and help you feel your best, inside and out.
For more than eight years, Woodhouse Spa of North Bethesda has been a sanctuary for our guests, indulging them in treatments like the Woodhouse Hydrafacial, Glacial, CryoAesthetics and Signature Calming Retreat. Guests can also enjoy rejuvenating massages, body treatments, restorative sleep therapies and nail services.
With the essence of a destination spa, Woodhouse Spa of North Bethesda offers the experience of a destination spa without the travel.
DAIVA KASTECKAITE (OWNER), MICHAEL HOK, ALICIA BELTRAN, JEANIE WU, EVELINE ZUBRUTE, ROI BARNARD, FATIMA ALAOUI, EVELYN ARAUJO, FOUZIYA TOUDERT, LIDA MALDONADO, MARIA CABRERA, NILA VASQUEZ, BLANCA SANCHEZ, ROSI GUERREIRO, LIZ CRUZ, RADHA SUBBA, DEANA CASTRO
Salon Roi
4601 North Park Ave., Unit 15-C Chevy Chase, MD 20815
301-652-4601 salonroi@yahoo.com SalonRoiDC.com
Q How is Salon Roi a “cut above” other salons?
A Salon Roi has been a beacon of style and beauty for more than five decades. From exceptional hairstyling to manicures, pedicures, waxing, skin and body treatments, our salon is a one-stop destination for comprehensive beauty care. We’re known for staying at the forefront of the latest trends and techniques and for creating a welcoming and inclusive environment where everyone feels at home.
We pride ourselves on our skilled and educated team. Stylists provide the latest styles while ensuring that the health of the hair is never compromised. And whether coming for a quick haircut or a full day of pampering, everyone receives the highest level of care. Our commitment is that every client leaves Salon Roi feeling confident and beautiful.
Belmont Plastic Surgery
JULES FELEDY, MD
5530 Wisconsin Ave., Suite 814 | Chevy Chase, MD 20815
301-654-5666 2071 Richmod Hwy | Stafford, VA 22554 540-891-0040
BelmontPlasticSurgery.com
Q What is your approach to patient care?
A We believe in the power of listening to our patients and partnering with them to achieve their unique goals. Clear, open, and honest communication is at the heart of our approach, ensuring that every patient feels heard and supported from consultation through recovery.
Q How does your work contribute to overall well-being?
A We understand that every patient has their own vision for how they want to look and feel. Life is too short to not be comfortable in your own skin. Whether you are addressing the effects of weight loss, undergoing reconstruction after cancer or trauma, or simply looking to refresh your appearance, our mission is to enhance your natural beauty and restore confidence, comfort, and a renewed sense of self.
Meet the mother-son duo bringing the zing of Lao food to Rockville.
YOUR GUIDE TO EATING AND DRINKING WELL
Taste Honduran pupusas in Olney.
plate of
different fillings—potato,
A
Ukrainian varenyky with
sauerkraut, chicken and short ribs—is paired with borscht at Ruta in Bethesda. PAGE 208
Laos Love
Flavors and textures explode with my first bite of the Rice Me Up salad at Eat A Lao. Puffed rice, peanuts and chunks of curried fried rice provide crunch, makrut lime leaves and lime juice offer tang, and cured pork sausage adds funkiness, a flavor hallmark of Laotian cooking. Add the sweetness of ginger, herbaceousness of fresh mint and cilantro, and heat from chile peppers, and you get one palate-jolting dish.
Eat A Lao, which opened in October, is tucked away in the Sunshine Square shopping center off Rockville Pike, in the same strip as Duck Donuts. The 42-seat restaurant, decorated in a contemporary style, is co-owned by Rockville residents Angkana Rumphan, 66, and her son, Ing Rumphan, 40. She’s the chef; he runs the place and helps with cooking. The menu features dishes from Laos, Vietnam and the Rumphans’ native Thailand. “ ‘Eat A Lao’ is a play of words, inviting people to have a Laotian meal, eat out with friends and family and laugh, be loud,” Ing says.
Angkana immigrated to the D.C. area in 1992 to cook at the Thai Embassy in Washington. After that, she was the chef at Duangrat’s in Falls Church, Virginia, from 1995 to 2007, then Thai Pavilion in Rockville from 2007 to 2018. She’s also the talent behind the terrific Kiin Imm Thai Restaurant in Rockville, which also has a location in Vienna, Virginia. (Ing co-owns both Kiin Imms.)
With her latest culinary venture, Angkana is taking the opportunity to explore a love for Laotian food nurtured from childhood; her father hails from Vientiane, Laos’ capital. Many Lao ingredients are similar to Thai ones, among them galangal, lemongrass, makrut lime leaves, chiles, fresh herbs (cilantro, culantro and mint, for example) and a fermented fish sauce called padaek that is funkier than its Thai counterpart. “Lao cooks don’t add much sugar to food,” Ing says. “And don’t use much coconut milk.”
Other must-have dishes at Eat A Lao include tender grilled pork ribs with tamarind glaze and toasted rice powder; Way of the North, a warm salad (usually known as laab or larb) made with minced pork, pork liver, pork blood, lime leaves and fried shallots; 4,000 Islands curry (pork ribs, masala curry paste and pickled garlic); and creme brulee made with pandan, a greenhued plant that, in powder or extract form, is used as a vanillalike flavoring. Come for the cheeky menu names (Crying Out Lao, Nom Nom Nom, Ribs in Piece), stay for the great eats.
Eat A Lao , 1327 Rockville Pike, Units I, J and K, Rockville, 301-909-9181, eatalao.com
—David Hagedorn
PHOTOS BY BRENDAN MCCABE
Angkana Rumphan, left, co-owns Eat A Lao with her son, Ing.
Starting From Scratch
Bernie Rousseau, a Potomac resident and co-owner of Scratch Kitchen in Olney, was one of 20 food business owners to be awarded a $5,000 grant this past July by OpenTable and Regarding Her, a nonprofit organization of women who run food- or beverage-related businesses. (Disclosure: I was one of the judges for these awards.) In addition to receiving the grants, awardees also became Regarding Her Scholars, accessing a 10-week Zoom course aimed at helping them grow their businesses. It covered subjects such as creating and maintaining profit and loss statements, managing food costs and devising marketing strategies.
Rousseau, 42, is also an IT consultant who co-owns Scratch Kitchen with her ex-husband, Vital Correia, 46. The restaurant was meant to be a project for their oldest child, Angelina, to co-own and run. But on the February morning in 2022 that Rousseau and Correia were to sign the lease on the space, they learned that Angelina, who was in Boston at the time, had died, having accidentally overdosed on a fentanyl-laced pill. Devastated, the business partners/exes decided to go ahead with the Latinfusion restaurant as a tribute to their daughter, who was 22. They opened in September 2022.
Scratch Kitchen seats 22 inside and 40 outside and is open for breakfast and lunch seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Many menu items were created by Dixi Ramos and Maryuri Mejia, the Latina women who run the kitchen. Don’t miss the Honduran pupusas with shredded pork and cheese or with refried beans and cheese, and the arroz chaufa (Peruvian fried rice). Rousseau, who is half Puerto Rican, half Italian, refers to the business as Latina-owned.
Rousseau spent her grant money on a few different things. “I hired an architect to remap the seating arrangement, growing it from six seats to 22,” she says. She also redesigned the menu’s graphics, ordered a new tent for off-site outdoor catering events and is building booths to make the space more aesthetically pleasing.
“Even though the Regarding Her dollars don’t seem big, they make all the difference,” Rousseau says. “Equally as important as the money is the camaraderie and help of successful women who are giving so much to others.”
Meat holubtsi—cabbage rolls stuffed with beef and cooked in a tomato sauce—at Ruta Ukrainian Restaurant in Bethesda
AtRuta Ukrainian Restaurant, which opened in Bethesda in August, I’m all about the red and green when it comes to borscht, the Slavic soup commonly made with beets.
Ruta offers two kinds: one a chunky broth red from beets and rife with potatoes, cabbage and chunks of braised beef, the other, also with potatoes but no beets, verdant from sorrel and spinach and punctuated with chopped hard-boiled eggs. Both are hearty cold-weather friends I’d be happy to hang out with all year long. The red version, tangy from vinegar and earthy from porcini mushroom stock, comes with pampushka, a yeast roll topped with chopped garlic and dill; sliced black bread accompanies its green sister soup. Sour cream is on hand to up the richness factor of both soups.
This is Ruta’s second location, the first having opened in Washington’s Capitol Hill neighborhood in 2023. Director of operations and co-owner Ruslan Falkov, 33, who lives in Germantown, served as chief of staff at the Ukrainian Embassy in Washington from 2017 to 2022. Arlington resident Mykola Yudin, 34, is the executive chef. He was the executive chef for Myastoriya, a chain of meat-centric restaurants in Ukraine, before taking a sous-chef job at the D.C. location of Ruta when it debuted. When the opening chef left six months in, Yudin took his place.
Ruta is named after a yellow flower that, according to Ukrainian legend, turns bright red on Ivana Kupala, a Slavic summer solstice celebration. A faux flora wall featuring the red flowers borders Ruta’s 28-seat patio in Woodmont Triangle. Inside,
FAVORITE DISHES: The Patriot cocktail (layers of blue curacao and yellow pineapple juice that represent the Ukrainian flag); holubtsi (stuffed beef cabbage); red borscht; sorrel-based green borscht; assorted varenyky (dumplings); chopped herring on black bread; Ukrainian honey cake
PRICES: Starters: $8 to $22; Entrees: $18 to $42; Desserts: $14 to $15
LIBATIONS: Ruta’s beverage list includes eight signature cocktails ($9 to $14) that highlight Ukrainian horilka (similar to vodka), brandy and honey liquor. Among the cocktails: Night on Ivana Kupala (horilka, triple sec, grapefruit juice), Drunk Cherry (horilka and preserved cherries) and Himars (brandy, peach schnapps, club soda). One of the four zero-proof offerings ($7 to $10) is kvass, a fermented rye drink. There are two draft beers ($5 and $11) and two Ukrainian bottled beers ($7 and $8). The unremarkable nine-bottle wine list includes two sparkling, three white and four red ($28 to $36), all available by the glass ($10 to $13) but none from Ukraine. Co-owner Ruslan Falkov says he plans to add eight Ukrainian selections once the way has been cleared by Montgomery County’s Alcohol Beverage Services. Villa Tinta, Beykush and Stakhovsky wineries will be among those represented.
SERVICE: Attentive and knowledgeable
Ruta’s Odesa forshmak tops bread with a mixture of minced herring, onions, apples and hard-boiled eggs.
the 2,000-square-foot restaurant seats 56, including a 12-seat bar. The decor, with its bright orange upholstered side chairs and exposed brickwork, has a contemporary feel. Several walls—and the wooden salt and pepper shakers on each table—display Ukrainian refugee artist Nina Shostakovska’s hand-painted floral designs in the folk art style known as petrykivka. Ukrainian artists are also responsible for portraits of Ukrainian leaders and poets displayed throughout.
Many of Ruta’s signature cocktails, which lean toward sweetness, feature the Ukrainian horilka, a grain- or potato-based spirit similar to vodka. The Patriot, in which horilka, blue curacao and pineapple juice separate into the colors of the Ukrainian flag, is a good way to start a meal.
The fare at Ruta is rib-sticking stuff. It’s a nobrainer to start with an assortment of plump (but could be plumper) varenyky (dumplings), the four varieties stuffed with shredded braised short rib, mashed potatoes, chicken or sauerkraut. All are
topped with sauteed onions and served with sour cream. A good strat egy is to order the tsvikli, a delicious, bold salad of grated beets and fresh horseradish, and use it as a condi ment, because all of the varenyky could stand to have their seasoning bumped up. (A little salt and pepper would go a long way.) Still, they satisfy the dumpling craving, even if the two chef special varieties—one filled with salmon, the other with crabcake—do not; they are bland and stodgy.
Another shareable appetizer is Odesa forshmak, minced herring mixed with chopped onions, grated apples and hardboiled eggs and piled onto brown bread. Beef tartare misses the mark. The disk of handchopped beef filet lacks any seasoning and can’t be saved by the side of cold hollanda-
Ruta’s executive chef, Mykola Yudin, left, with Ruslan Falkov, director of operations and co-owner
The Patriot cocktail, with horilka, blue curacao and pineapple juice
ise sauce or the Parmesan shavings that top it. Deruny (potato pancakes), though, are delightful, loaded with onion flavor and served with sour cream and dreamy creamed sauteed mushrooms.
Diners in the D.C. area would be hardpressed to find a better version than Ruta’s of holubtsi—fat cabbage rolls filled with ground beef and chicken, rice, carrots and onions and cooked in a tangy tomato sauce enriched with heavy cream. A vegetarian version loaded with mushrooms is just as good, if not better, the earthiness of the fungi imbuing the dish with umami. Mushrooms also star in lokshyna, long, flat egg noodles tossed with shiitake and button mushrooms sauteed with soy sauce, truffle oil, white wine and cream and topped with shaved Parmesan. Rounding out the meat options: beef stroganoff (a little stingy on the beef and served over a surfeit of kasha instead of noodles), fall-
Slices of cake alternate with sweet cream cheese in Ruta’s Ukrainian honey cake.
off-the-bone spareribs in barbecue sauce, and bigos, a stew of sauerkraut, Ukrainian kovbasa sausage and braised pork. Cod in white wine and cream sauce is the only fish entree and a plain-Jane one at that. A persistent issue is the food being served tepid rather than piping hot.
Ukrainian honey cake—thin, delicate layers of moist cake interspersed with cream cheese frosting and topped with honeycomb crunch—is the best dessert at Ruta. Falkov says they tried a hundred
different recipes to get it right. Other winners are chunky apple strudel wrapped in an ultrathin, flaky crust and served with vanilla ice cream, and Kiev cake, layers of crispy meringue sandwiched with buttercream, covered with chocolate and dusted with ground mixed nuts.
Ruta is a charming place that does a good job of offering an underrepresented cuisine to diners in the Bethesda area. With some adjustments, it could do a great one.
bpinnock@shulmanrogers.com
Summer Camps
Barrie School
On-site swimming, canoeing, sports, archery, arts, nature, outdoor living skills, STEM, karate, science, theatrics, music and leadership training.
Bullis Summer Programs
Campers can choose from a wide variety of options including day camp, athletic camps, leadership training (CIT program), and unique specialty camps such as Aviation, Wilderness & Adventure, Theater Performance camp, Fencing, STEM-based programs, and many more!
Camp Olympia
Established over 66 years ago, Camp Olympia offers swimming twice a day, sports, horseback riding, hiking, tennis, basketball, soccer, volleyball and more!
Camp Tall Timbers
Voted Best of Bethesda 2015, 2017, 2019, 2020 & 2021, finalist in 2024. ACA accredited. Variety of sessions offered & activities. Specialties: aquatics, equestrian, sports programs, challenge & great outdoors, archery, arts and more. Overnight Coed 7-16
MD summer-programs.bullis. org 301-983-5741
Creative Summer at Holton-Arms
Create your own summer: We offer classes in the arts, crafts, dance, music, outdoor exploration, sports, swimming, tennis, theater, academics, and more. Bus Service and Aftercare available.
Green Acres Camp
Swimming at our on-campus pool; Create your own path in science, technology, sports, music, art and more while exploring our 15-acre campus!
Essential information on Summer Camps 12
CAMP TYPE GENDER AGES LOCATION WEBSITE & PHONE
McLean School
With full-day and half-day sessions for kindergarten through grade 12, campers of all ages are sure to increase their edge in reading, writing, math, science, and beyond.
Day Coed 5 - 18 Potomac, MD summeredge.org 240-395-0679 l
Montgomery County Recreation
Specialties include art, dance, leadership, music, performing arts, sports, STEAM, therapeutic recreation and more.
Our Lady of Good Counsel High School
Archery, Art, Baseball, Basketball, Cheerleading, Circus, Coding, Culinary, Dungeons & Dragons, Field Hockey, Flag Football, Football, Forensics, Lacrosse, Multi-activity Jr. Camp, Robotics, STEM, Soccer, Softball, Intro to Theatre, Musical Theatre, Volleyball and Yoga. After care and lunch available.
Day Coed 3.5 - 18
Located throughout Montgomery County mocorec.com/camp 240-777-6840
Day Coed 4 - 17 Olney, MD olgchs.org/camps 240-283-3218
Panda Programmer
Our camp offers a perfect blend of coding, creativity, and fun! Students create games and animations using Scratch. Robotics, Python and JavaScript are available for advanced students. Kids will thrive with expert guidance, outdoor adventures, games, and even ukulele lessons
Stone Ridge CampUs
Choose your own adventure from over 45 classes including: musical theater, STEM, basketball, soccer, painting, cartooning, jewelry making, sculpture, dance, cardboard boat regatta, cooking, swimming, diving, Adventure Camps and more!
Day Camp with full day and half day options available Coed 5-13
Valley Mill Camp
Valley Mill Camp offers a diverse range of activities including rock climbing, kayaking, canoeing, paddleboarding, swimming, gymnastics, pioneering skills, arts and crafts, archery, basketball and soccer, ensuring an engaging and adventurous experience for campers ages 4-14.
Day Coed 4 - 17
Three camp locations: Bethesda, MD, Gaithersburg, MD and Silver Spring, MD pandaprogrammer.com 443-267-2632
Day Coed 4-14
Bethesda, MD stoneridgesummer campus.org 301-657-4322 ext. 5001 l
Darnestown, MD valleymill.com 301-948-0220 l l
Summer 2025 is just around the corner...
Stone Ridge
Full-Day Weekly Summer Programs for Ages 4–18 June 16–July 25, 2025
Rising Pre-K–Grade 1: Dive into weekly programs packed with wacky activities, water or pool play, science experiments, games, songs, and amazing arts and crafts.
Gator Grab Bag (Rising Grades 2–8): Pick your favorites from a wide variety of on‑campus classes in arts, sports, STEM, swimming, cooking, and more.
Reformation mini “Rosetta” shoulder bag, $248 at Reformation, 4823 Bethesda Ave. (Bethesda Row), 240-589-5240, thereformation.com
at Reformation, 4823 Bethesda Ave. (Bethesda Row), 240-589-5240, thereformation.com
Hooked on Cuteness
A Gaithersburg woman crochets creative critters
King Porkington, Clementine the Fox and Kippie the Penguin are just a few friends from the marvelous menagerie Jacki Donhou has created—and you can make them, too. The Gaithersburg mom started Dear Jacki Stitchery to sell her amigurumi pattern designs. Amigurumi is a Japanese word meaning knit or crocheted stuffed toy, and Donhou has dreamed up dozens of charming designs for other crochet crafters to follow.
“They all have a different special place in my heart,” Donhou, 46, says of the 95 colorful characters she has brought from imagination to reality over the years, including Maple the Kitty and Willa the Koala. Murph the Troll, Donhou says, is modeled after her husband, Chris, with whom she has two daughters and a son. Chris and Murph are tall with thick, curly hair.
“She has such a creative mind,” says pattern tester and customer Christina Krieger of Peoria, Arizona. “The patterns are easy to follow and she documents everything with pictures, so someone new to amigurumi can easily follow along.”
Donhou started crocheting in 2012 as a stay-at-home mom in Seattle with a bit of spare time. She learned how to crochet by watching tutorials on YouTube and admired the amigurumi. “I found these little amigurumi monsters, and after making one or two of them, which happened to be not pretty at all, I was totally hooked.”
She honed her craft for two years, then came up with her first pattern: Fairlee the Unicorn. More amigurumi patterns followed, as well as the opening of an Etsy online store. Depending on the design, patterns run between $2.47 and $5.46. The
BY DAWN KLAVON
more complicated the pattern in the types of stitches and details, the higher the price. In the past decade, Donhou estimates she has sold about 1,500 patterns a year.
In 2020, Donhou started working on a book of patterns, which took about 18 months to write, she says. Cute creatures introduced in the book such as Tillie the Lamb, Weatherly the Unicorn and Garrick the Dragon offer challenging projects for every level of skill.
“I didn’t feel like there were enough amigurumi crochet books out there,” she says. “At that point, since I did so much in my craft to better myself, I needed to write a book.”
Donhou and her family moved to Gaithersburg in 2021 when her husband took a job as a technical engineer with the ABC News Bureau in Washington, D.C. Her
book Yarn Cake Amigurumi: 15 Cute Crea tures to Crochet was published in October 2023 by GMC Publications. The book features patterns and step-by-step photos for 15 creatures to crochet. Krieger helped test patterns for the book and says it takes her four to five hours to create Donhou’s smaller-size amigurumi animals (about 4 inches tall) and eight to 10 hours of craft time to complete the larger critters (about 9 inches tall). The amigurumi community has three standard levels of skill, which Donhou posts on each pattern: beginner, intermediate or experienced.
“They’re fun and challenging and complex enough that for experienced amigurumi makers, they’re still a blast to make,” Krieger says.
Donhou doesn’t market adorable amigurumi animals in their finished form, just the patterns for crafters to create their own versions. The digi tal downloads are available through
her Etsy site and on the websites Ravelry and Amigurumi.com. Customers receive PDFs of patterns, as well as information on yarn, hook size, colors and more.
“She pours herself into her patterns, and I feel like they’re a reflection of her,” says Gaithersburg customer Elizabeth Bush. “Each of her patterns has a little touch that makes it a little bit extra—in a good way.”
Donhou’s hobby has turned into a full-time gig. Her Crocheted Mythical Creatures: 15 Makes From Legends, Folklore and Fairytales, is scheduled Crochet Christmas: 25 Festive is due out in July. She also intends on teaching classes beginning in January.
Her sample creatures, created during the pattern process, are distributed to friends and family.
“It just makes me feel so warm inside that somebody enjoys something that I made that they can re-create,”
Donhou says.
Opposite: Jacki Donhou works in her Gaithersburg home studio.
Right: Lionel the Giraffe
The grounds of a 500-acre estate in Somerset County, New Jersey, include the Pendry Natirar hotel and spa, a farm and a Tudor-style mansion.
Traveler’s Notebook
Three unique destinations for your next trip
BY CHRISTINE KOUBEK FLYNN
ESCAPE TO A COUNTRY ESTATE
Swanky hotel Pendry Natirar, which opened in October, is set on a 500-acre estate with rolling hills and scenic trails in Somerset County, New Jersey. It’s located along the north branch of the Raritan River. (Natirar is Raritan spelled in reverse.) The property consists of a 1912 Tudor-style mansion that was once home to Moroccan royalty, an adjacent hotel and luxury spa, and a 10-acre sustainable farm.
Each of the hotel’s 46 studio guest rooms and 20 suites includes dark wood and mossy green finishes, a Nespresso coffee machine and a marble bathroom with a walk-in rain shower. Suites also feature an elegant soaking bathtub and patio. Relax by the fire in the mansion’s great room, grab a book from the library or play a game in the billiards room— then savor afternoon tea or an evening cocktail in Ladd’s Tavern.
Ninety Acres, the estate’s distinguished farm-to-table restaurant, is home to a cooking school offering classes taught by local
chefs using ingredients from the on-site farm. The curriculum includes classes on vegan and gluten-free cooking, and courses on basic skills and advanced culinary techniques, with recipes ranging from global cuisines to family-friendly meals. Head out of the kitchen for a sustainable farm tour or a lesson on making cocktails, soaps or candles with herbs from the farm.
A 19,000-square-foot spa incorporates estate-grown jasmine, eucalyptus and rose geranium in its menu of services, which includes facials, massages and body treatments. Be sure to leave extra time to enjoy the spa’s tranquility room. An outdoor pool, tennis courts, guided hikes, rental bikes and Paintbox Kids’ Club (for ages 5-12) round out the many ways to enjoy the property, which is less than a four-hour drive from Bethesda. Rates begin at $476.
Pendry Natirar, 400 Natirar Drive, Peapack, New Jersey, 908-2542300, pendry.com/natirar
A scenic view of the estate from a room at Pendry Natirar hotel in Somerset County, New Jersey
Scallops at Ninety Acres, Pendry Natirar’s farm-to-table restaurant
HOP INTO A BEER BATH
The inspiration for BierBath Beerspa and Alehouse in Sykesville, Maryland, began when one of its three owners tried a beer bath in Iceland. He discovered the wellness practice—which involves taking a therapeutic soak in craft beer ingredients—was popular in several European countries as a ritual to detoxify, rejuvenate and nourish the skin and hair.
While there are a few other beer spas in the U.S., BierBath, which opened in December 2023, is the only one in the midAtlantic and the only beer spa in the states that has a spa and alehouse.
The convivial alehouse, marked by warm yellow walls and subtle nods to its rubber ducky logo, has the requisite bar, plus a lounge seating area featuring cast-iron tubs converted into mini sofas. Family-friendly board games line a nearby shelf.
As for the spa, two soaking rooms offer a large tub ($100 for one person; $180 for two). A third room has two tubs ($210 for two people; $240 for four peo-
ple). All have house music piped in, or the option of pairing your phone with a Bluetooth speaker to enjoy your own playlist as you kick back in a warm soak with hops, barley and Epsom salts. Swimsuits are required.
After a 40-minute soak, enjoy 10 minutes (or less, if you prefer) in the infrared sauna, followed by a refreshing rain shower. All baths include beer, wine, sangria or another beverage to imbibe as you unwind.
The rotating craft beer selection features an array of local, national and international brews. Order a flight of local
suds to discover breweries you might wish to visit in the area. (If available, try Ghost of the Ice Cream Man, a stout from Monocacy Brewing Co. in Frederick, Maryland.) The food menu is a cut above typical pub fare with dishes such as German bratwurst topped with rich truffle sauce, tangy Dijon wine mustard and caramelized onions, or the chivito Uruguayan sandwich stuffed with bacon, honey smoked ham, seasoned short rib and melted mozzarella.
BierBath, 1213 Liberty Road B-4, Sykesville, Maryland, 443-398-8189, bierbath.com
The beer baths at BierBath in Sykesville, Maryland, include a 40-minute soak and a complimentary drink.
THIS JUST IN
Books and classic typewriters fill the shelves behind the check-in desk at The Publisher Hotel, a handsome hideaway occupying the previous site of Fredericksburg, Virginia’s oldest newspaper, The Free Lance-Star. Opened in July in the city’s historic downtown, the new build’s 98 guest rooms and suites are appointed with leather headboards, sitting areas, comfortable working desks, complimentary Illy coffee and mini refrigerators. Deluxe king or two queen rooms boast a lovely balcony with outdoor seating. A handful of suites offer separate dining and living areas.
The on-site restaurant Five Chophouse & Bar is open for breakfast, brunch, weekday happy hour and dinner. Start the day with a pudgy stack of blueberry pancakes or crabcake Benedict, then return for a dinner of tempting small plates (think croquettes, duck wings, seared octopus) or steak prepared with a rub of your choosing.
Nearby attractions include scenic river walks, craft breweries, history tours, boutique stores and more. Rates start at $375 per night. Valet parking is $22 per day.
The Publisher Hotel, 711 William St., Fredericksburg, Virginia, 540-518-2624, thepublisherhotel.com
The Publisher Hotel in Fredericksburg, Virginia, is on a site that was once home to TheFreeLance-Star newspaper.
The deluxe guest rooms at The Publisher Hotel feature balconies (above) and leather headboards and a workspace (below).
PHOTOS COURTESY THE PUBLISHER HOTEL
ESSAY AND SHORT STORY CONTEST
ENTRY DEADLINES:
SHORT STORY – JANUARY 7, 2025
ESSAY – JANUARY 14, 2025
Bethesda Urban Partnership and Bethesda Magazine will honor writers at the Local Writer’s Showcase on March 14, 2025. For eligibility and rules, please visit www.bethesda.org or www.moco360.media
AWARDS
First place: $500 and published in Bethesda Magazine Second place: $250 / Third place: $150 / Honorable Mention: $100
All winners, selected from local counties, will be published on the MoCo 360 Media and Bethesda Urban Partnership websites and will be honored at a special event during the Local Writer’s Showcase on March 14.
High School winners receive: First place: $250 and Bethesda Magazine will print the first place Essay and Short Story. Second place: $150 / Third place: $75 / Honorable Mention: $50
For more information, please call 301-215-6660, ext. 117 or 301-718-7787.
BLUE RIDGE BLISS
A spacious rental house is the perfect backdrop for a girl-gang getaway
BY ADRIENNE WICHARD-EDDS
Guests relax at a firepit at the Blue Rock Inn in Washington, Virginia.
The texts started circulating last spring. “Excited to see all of you after so long!” said one friend on the thread.
“I’m so looking forward to this,” gushed another.
“Is anyone bringing cigarettes?” someone joked.
No one in the group smokes, but we all felt like we were getting away with something delicious and precious—a weekend together, far from the responsibilities of jobs and families, at a beautiful property in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Our destination: the Farmhouse at Blue Rock, a chic and modern rental adjacent to the Blue Rock Inn in Washington, Virginia.
My five traveling companions and I met in January 2018, drawn together by a shared goal to do good in our careers, households and communities. We’ve referred to ourselves as the “Salon” ever since.
We are athletes, artists, veterans, Ph.D.s, teachers and administrators— compassionate leaders who have learned it can be lonely for women at the top of their field. We have traveled the world (one of us in the cockpit) and cultivated vast networks around the D.C. area. We are moms who have experienced many stages of parenting and partnership.
For more than two years, we met bimonthly, setting aside whole afternoons—and sometimes whole weekends— to convene. But as this trip falls into place, I realize we haven’t been in the same room together since March 2020, when the pandemic drove us into isolation.
Finally, the June day arrives when we are able to gather, spilling into the vast, open floor plan of the Farmhouse to clink glasses, hug each other and fill in the blanks. We share snacks at the giant dining table and sprawl on stylish couches. We marvel at the views of the horse pastures and rolling hills.
We have missed each other.
This is my second trip to the Blue Rock Inn, which opened its doors in October 2021. I visited for dinner in 2022 and was surprised by how sophisticated and fresh the property felt. The spaces, designed by creative studio Lumber & Light, were clean
and modern—not a doily in sight. I made a mental note to return for an overnight stay.
I had originally thought to book a romantic weekend in one of the inn’s five beautifully appointed rooms, but now here I am next door in a house full of women and my heart is just as full. While snagging the five-bedroom Farmhouse did require some scheduling acrobatics, the weekend is our own. We have the entire 3,700-square-foot residence to ourselves.
Salon gatherings are always driven by intention, and this one is no different. Most of us are recent empty nesters or on the cusp of having kids leave for college. We are wanting to reflect more deeply on what that transition looks like in our lives—both per-
sonally and professionally.
To ground us, we call on Cara Cutro of Abracadabra Massage & Wellness in nearby Sperryville. Cutro, a warm and intuitive mom herself, is experienced in all aspects of the healing arts—from massage, Reiki and acupuncture to tarot reading. She agrees to bring her skills and equipment to us, arriving at the Farmhouse with a dozen crystal singing bowls, the largest of which has the weight and heft of a prizewinning pumpkin.
Cutro stations herself in a corner of the second-floor bedroom suite and arranges the bowls in a semicircle around her. We lie down on yoga mats in a human Tetris formation, slip on eye masks and cocoon ourselves in blankets to prepare for our private sound bath.
One of the goals of a sound bath, Cutro explains, is to help participants enter a state of deep relaxation between wakefulness and sleep, where our brains pro-
FROM TOP LEFT: PHOTOS BY DEB LINDSEY; PHOTO BY JENNIFER CHASE; BOTTOM
PHOTO BY TYLER BARRIO
Clockwise from left: The Blue Rock Inn’s main building; the private dining room at Blue Rock; the restaurant’s soba noodle hot pot; a guest room at the inn
duce the electrical impulses called theta waves that promote learning and solidify memories. “This is where you do a lot of your healing,” she says. “You’re not asleep, but there’s something really restorative about it.”
Conjuring resonant tones from each bowl, she immerses us in what she describes as a “powerful form of nonverbal communication.” By the end of the hour, we all understand what that means. Most of us skate just above or below the surface of sleep. (“Every new tone was like tasting different flavors,” one friend observed.)
Afterward, Cutro notes that the acoustics of the space had a softening effect on the bowls’ sounds, but didn’t dampen their impact. “What a perfect place to have a retreat,” she says.
Once we flicker back awake, we disperse to our rooms—each of which has an en suite bath stocked with plush towels and Molton Brown products—and lazily
If You Go
WHERE TO STAY
dress for dinner at the inn. We end up driving to the main building (it’s a short walk away, but no one is interested in tromping through the grassy field in heels), arriving just before sunset to watch the sky turn pink above the mirror-glass pond out back.
Blue Rock’s restaurant is a go-to for locals, many of whom are lounging at patio tables, seeming to smile at their good fortune that this culinary gem landed in their laps. Situated just a few miles down the road from the five-star Inn at Little Washing-
The main building of the Blue Rock Inn (bluerockva.com) contains five rooms starting at $199 per night. Vacation rentals of the property’s 3,700-square-foot Farmhouse (which sleeps 10) start at $1,200 per night with a two-night minimum. Three new buildings on the 80-acre property will soon bring the total number of rooms and suites to 19—good news to those hoping to visit after fall 2025.
WHERE TO EAT AND DRINK
Dinner at the Blue Rock Inn’s on-site restaurant helmed by Chef Bin Lu is a must. Blending locally sourced and exotic ingredients, his five-course tasting menu is an ever-changing culinary adventure.
The prix fixe dinner at Three Blacksmiths (threeblacksmiths.com) in Sperryville is a singular experience with one nightly seating (Wednesday through Sunday) and space for 20 in the intimate dining room. For a more casual bite, The Black Twig (theblacktwigdiner.com) is a diner and bar housed in the iconic red Sperryville Schoolhouse.
About a mile from Sperryville’s main drag, you’ll find Pen Druid Fermentation (pendruid.com) just off of Route 522/Sperryville Pike, with its sweeping countryside views and a rotating selection of beers and ciders on tap, plus a bin with natural wines from D.C.’s Domestique. Check the brewery’s Instagram (@pendruidbrewing) before visiting and try to plan your visit when Sumac (sumac-va.com), the wood-fired kitchen out back, is serving small plates from its “wildly local” seasonal menu.
ton, Blue Rock is also a special occasion destination worthy of an intimate dinner or milestone life event.
Chef Bin Lu is the driving force, having arrived here in 2020 after nearly five years as head chef at D.C.’s Pineapple & Pearls, which earned two Michelin stars during his tenure. He ventured to Rappahannock County after chasing a rumor about an inn in Virginia farm country that was being renovated and was under new ownership. (Nick Dowling, the property’s owner of record, prefers to stay out of the spotlight.)
Cara Cutro with her sound bathing gear
“I was able to dig up the name and old website,” says Lu, now the front-facing partner for both the inn and the restaurant. “I sent a cold email to the old business, and there just happened to be someone on the other side. Everything went from there.”
At Blue Rock, he offers a seasonally driven tasting menu—$138 for five courses, with an $89 wine pairing and a handful of optional add-ons—in the 35-seat main restaurant and on the weather-permitting outdoor patio. A small adjoining tavern for inn guests (and occasionally walk-in diners) serves a more casual, a la carte menu.
Our six-course meal in the cozy private dining room begins with Lu’s crackling five-spice fried chicken. It’s accompanied by a warm mushroom tea—a rich, savory broth that we sip from coupe glasses.
I would have been totally content had dinner ended there, but I would have missed out on the complex and memorable flavor combination that was the salad course. Chef Lu’s heirloom tomato carta di musica—a crisp flatbread studded with produce from local farms—is smoky and fresh.
The delicate ‘nduja ravioli that follows is balanced with a tangy kohlrabi choucroute—a slaw—and a puddle of beurre blanc. The presentation of grilled monkfish choux farcis is as much artistry as it is a love letter to seasonal cooking.
Between savory bites, our dinner conversation is structured and intentional, with prompts floated for discussion: What’s the biggest thing you’re wrestling with? Name something that surprised you about yourself this year. What’s your unfair advantage? Can you cite a recent experience, book, film, etc. that taught you something new?
As a table of ladies who normally pass plates of dessert until one polite forkful remains, we show no restraint in demolishing our individual “black and white” chocolate tarts, complete with berries and olive oil gelato.
“I’ve been to a good number of local restaurants,” says one friend whose husband is a restaurateur, “and I’m hard-pressed to
think of a meal I’ve enjoyed as much as this.” It’s not an empty compliment.
We spend the rest of the weekend checking out nearby attractions such as the Marketplace in Sperryville’s River District. The building has been converted to a food hall and market for local artisans and vendors and houses local art galleries.
A tip from Chef Lu sends us out to spend a brilliant, blue-skied afternoon at Pen Druid, a brewery and cidery in Sperryville. The owners employ a style of fermentation that relies on native yeast to craft their beers and ciders, eight of which are on tap the day of our visit. Their taproom also sells a handful of bottles of natural wine curated by D.C. wine shop Domestique.
The real draw for me, however, is hidden in a field out back. Sumac is an “experimental kitchen” run out of a ramshackle trailer behind Pen Druid’s taproom, with a chalkboard menu and an underground fan base whose members know to order ahead.
We hardly mind lingering on the porch while waiting for an order of smoked-andseared cauliflower served with mulberry “ketsup,” scallions, peanuts and a native plant entertainingly called “spicebush.” Also delicious is Sumac’s take on shrimp and grits, dressed with fava beans, cucumbers and coriander berries. And it takes very lit-
tle encouragement from Chef Dan Gleason to give in to a slice of cherry-and-serviceberry clafouti with peach leaf ice cream.
It’s some of the best—and fanciest—food I’ve ever eaten at a picnic table.
Clearly, we aren’t the only ones impressed by this hidden treasure. A few months after our stay, Sumac lands on The New York Times’ 50 favorite restaurants list of 2024.
A winding drive home to the D.C. area includes a stop at Patty O’s Café & Bakery (the casual sibling of Chef Patrick O’Connell’s Inn at Little Washington), where the texts start pinging in again.
“Wish we had another week to spend in that farmhouse.”
“Ladies, I’d like to introduce you to our delicious friend, the monkfish.” Someone has found an image of the gruesome, saw-fanged sea creature that looked much more docile on our plates the night before.
“We could have enjoyed the company and conversation for many more days.”
It feels like there is never enough time with this group. We always leave wanting more. Then again, our weekend sojourn was a reminder that any of us can call on others in the group for personal wisdom, professional advice and solace at any moment.
Adrienne Wichard-Edds is a writer and smallbusiness owner based in Arlington, Virginia. Find her online at theessaycoaches.com.
TOP LEFT
PHOTO COURTESY PEN DRUID;
BOTTOM
PHOTO BY TYLER
BARRIO
Above: Sperryville’s Pen Druid offers beers, ciders, wines and countryside views. Right: Blue Rock’s farmhouse sleeps 10.
More Girlfriend Getaway Spots
Find serenity watching the sunset over the water at the spacious Chesapeake Mansion (tremezzostay.com/chesapeakemansion), a waterfront estate just outside of St. Michaels, Maryland. Situated on 30 acres, the 12,000-square-foot Colonial manor can accommodate up to 12 guests. Enjoy an outdoor heated pool, private dock and wide grassy lawn with Adirondack chairs. Rates begin around $1,100 per night.
For an agrarian kind of luxury, Madeline Farms (madelinefarms. com), a working farm in Luray, Virginia, is home to a renovated 120-year-old farmhouse that can accommodate up to 12. Rates begin around $770 per night. Guests are invited to feed the animals, collect eggs and harvest crops—or sit on the porch and watch nature do its thing.
The Farmhouse at Waterperry Farm (waterperryfarm.com/ the-guesthouses) near Charlottesville, Virginia, sleeps 10 and includes a pool, tennis court and outdoor kitchen. Rates begin at $2,150 per night with a required two-night minimum. Guests also enjoy access to pickleball courts, a fishing pond, walking trails and firepits. Garden tours, yoga classes and a private chef can be booked for an additional fee.
Grab up to a dozen friends and stage a full takeover of the five-suite Wellspring Manor & Spa (wellspringmeetings.com), a luxury bed-and-breakfast on 7 wooded acres in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, where the pampering includes massage and skincare treatments and customized menus designed by the on-site catering staff. See the website for rates.
Cannabis’ Senior Moment
Older adults are weeding out the stigma
of marijuana
BY TOM PETERSON
Mahjong, quilting, amateur radio, shuffleboard—Leisure World in Silver Spring has more than 80 clubs for its thousands of 55-andolder residents. Among the official groups: Cannabis 101.
Envisioning a smoky room with Cheech and Chong movies looped on the VCR? Sorry to harsh your buzz.
The club is educational, not social, according to Carminetta Verner, 90. She helped found the group after she started using cannabis to help her deal with pain and insomnia caused by a rare autoimmune disease. The club addresses only medical marijuana use, which was legalized in Maryland in 2014. In 2022, Maryland voters approved adult use, also known as recreational, marijuana.
People older than 65 are the fastest-growing group of marijuana users, according to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health. In 2007, 0.4% of seniors reported using marijuana in the previous year. By 2016, the number rose to 2.9%, and in 2022— the most current figures available—it reached 8.4%.
The surge in use by an age group with more health concerns than younger users means that educating the older generation on using cannabis safely is key. With 89% of Americans 65 and
older taking prescription medications, according to a CDC report, older adults are more likely to risk a drug interaction. Blood thinners, protease inhibitors and some sedatives might be affected, according to the Mayo Clinic, which calls medical marijuana “generally considered safe.”
Older adults most often look to marijuana to manage pain or arthritis, according to a 2020 study by the American Geriatrics Society. Others use it to help them sleep or deal with anxiety or depression. For seniors undergoing cancer treatments, marijuana might stimulate their appetite and reduce nausea.
Cannabis can address multiple problems that otherwise may require numerous medications, often with their own adverse effects or conflicts with other drugs, doctors say.
“I’ve had patients who come in with 10 to 15 different medications in their medication list and then over the course of 18 months to two years, I can get them down to two or three medications,” says Dr. Patricia Frye, medical director at Takoma Park Integrative Care and author of The Medical Marijuana Guide: Cannabis and Your Health.
About six years ago, Verner co-sponsored an educational meeting that drew more than 200 Leisure World residents. After that, the club grew steadily. It now meets quarterly and has about 75 members. Verner says members, through presentations from medical professionals and vendors, learn about cannabis: the plant, ways to use it, dosing, products and dispensaries. She stresses that older adults should consult with health care professionals before starting any treatment.
“Leisure World is a senior community with many people in their late 80s or 90s who still believe the ‘mistruths’ that were spread worldwide about the cannabis plant,” Verner says. “That’s why education about the plant is crucial.”
Rabbi James Kahn of Silver Spring, 45, has battled cannabis stereotypes and misunderstandings for decades. His grandfather, wheelchair-bound with severe multiple sclerosis, “tried everything already and had been addicted to pain pills at one point, and finally was open and desperate enough to be open to trying cannabis.” He asked Kahn, then in high school, to find some marijuana.
“By the time we saw the impact [on] my grandfather, we became not just pro cannabis ... but we really as a family always had a kind of a social justice bent,” Kahn says. “It became kind of an issue of right and wrong. It was unjust that he couldn’t get access to cannabis.”
The Kahn family founded Takoma Wellness Center, a medical marijuana dispensary in Northwest D.C. in 2013. Kahn, the chief strategic officer at the center, has presented educational sessions on medical marijuana at Leisure World.
Like Verner, Kahn says education is vital, especially since prescriptions are no longer required. “So, you know, for example, cannabis makes you high? Well, that’s not always the case,” he says. “There are other cannabinoids that are nonpsychoactive that can give you some of the benefits of cannabis—such as pain relief—without making you inebriated.”
Many seniors in the Leisure World club favor gummies or other edibles because they are easy to use, Verner says. Edibles, however, take longer to have an impact, which could lead users to ingest more while waiting for the initial dose to work and cause unwanted effects, doctors say.
Frye helps patients choose the best method for taking cannabis and finding the correct dose, often through tinctures or gradually determining the effective strength of gummies. Doctors who specialize in cannabis can also help patients find the right balance of cannabidiol (CBD), which does not cause the traditional “high,” and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
“You start with a small amount and then you wait and see how that goes,” Frye says.
Cannabis also has a role in the final stage of the aging process. “Cannabis can be a really wonderful medicine to use for end of life or palliative care,” Frye says. “We can manage pain and anxiety with cannabis in a way that patients can … have more quality time and interaction with their families and friends.”
As
and drives positive
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My Father’s Greatest Gift
Since 1987, Susan Lacz has been the CEO of Ridgewells Catering , a 96-year-old, highend event planning and food service business based in Bethesda So it’s a good thing she is passionate about entertaining and loves to cook. The business’ tagline is “Passion for Celebration.” Lacz, who lives in Chevy Chase, says she is always up for a pickleball game. She has two sons: Nathan Gersten, 33, serves as director of operations for Ridgewells and Ayden Niemann, 22, is a senior in college. She says she learned her caring management style years ago when she was taken for a “loop.”
My father, John [Lacz], was my mentor. Early on, he ran a very successful planning, architectural and engineering firm in New Jersey. When I first bought [Ridgewells], I made him my chair of the board. And I remember, as a little girl in Jersey, Dad said, ‘Hey, we’re going to take
a loop, Susie.’ I go, ‘OK, what’s the loop?’ And he would have a [car] trunk full of gifts—poinsettias or scotch, I don’t even know what it was—and we’d go to the Paterson Housing Authority and drop off a case of this, and then we’d go and drop off another case of that.
He was a very hands-on manager, a hands-on owner, a hands-on person—and he really cared about his employees. He really felt it was important that his employees were solid in their positions. He was just a really great mentor for me, with his leadership and his business acumen. I would go to him a lot during some tough times. He helped me and molded me into who I am today. That’s not to say I haven’t got a bit of my mother in me, too.
During COVID, it was a devastating time for everybody in the world, but the hospitality business got just clobbered. So I
would do a ‘loop’ with my own kids. It was Mother’s Day week, and I baked all these breads—banana bread, breakfast bread—and I bought tulips. My younger son, Ayden, and I went to every mother’s [who worked for Ridgewells] house and delivered bread and tulips. He did the loop with me, and he knew how important it was for me to do that.
Everywhere I went I would be crying, because I hadn’t seen anyone in so long, and I care. I care for the employees—it’s because of them I’m still here and why I’m successful. It’s not me. It’s them.
I want my sons to see who I am and they remember me as, ‘Oh my gosh, my mom was always giving back. She was always caring.’ And I hope that at some point they give back as well.
