Bethesda Magazine: March-April 2016 by MoCo360

Extraordinary Teens | Home Prices by Neighborhood | Picky Eaters bethesdamagazine.com

march/april 2016 $4.95

march/april 2016 30 Great places to live | Extraordinary teens | Home prices by neighborhood

30 Great Places to

LIVE BethesdaMagazine.com

March cover_FINAL.indd 1

2/15/16 10:24 AM

THE BMW OF ROCKVILLE

SKY’SSALES THE LIMIT EVENT

Unleash your inner enthusiast. >> The 2016 BMW 2 Series Convertible

Liberation is an art form. >> The 2016 BMW Z4 Roadster

One-look wonder. >> The 2016 BMW 4 Series Convertible

Push your senses to the limit. >> The 2016 BMW 6 Series Convertible

For over 30 years, BMW has been perfecting the open-top experience. Designed from the ground up to have the top down, our Convertibles are designed to make every single drive an indulgence. And the fun doesn’t have to stop when the warm season ends- we’re pleased to offer xDrive, which makes our Convertibles ideal performers year round. To truly top it off, we include up to 4 years/50,000 miles no cost maintenance so you can keep on smiling.

1300 Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD 20852

855.551.6421 | bmwrockville.com Driven By Passion Special lease and finance offers available from BMW of Rockville through BMW Financial Services. ©2015 BMW of North America, LLC. The BMW name, model names, and logo are registered trademarks.

Untitled-2 1

2/3/16 4:05 PM

FOR CURRENT LISITINGS VISIT

www.JaneFairweather.com

URBAN LIVING 2 BLOCKS FROM DOWNTOWN

4819 WELLINGTON DR. BETHESDA, MD 20815 5BR/5.5BA | $2,194,500 Sandy Spring Builders does it again! This 4,715 SF Craftsman features: 10’ ceilings on the 1st floor, a modern floor plan and an ELEVATOR to all four, luxurious levels. Plus you’ll find high-end appliances, quality crafted moldings, and contemporary flooring and finishes. A 2-car garage opens to a Mud Room with built-ins and elevator access. Step inside and you’ll immediately see why this home is as beautiful as it is convenient.

THE JANE FAIRWEATHER TEAM

4709 Maple Avenue | Bethesda, Maryland 20814

301-530-HOME | www.JaneFairweather.com (4663)

Untitled-2 1

301-718-0010

2/3/16 4:17 PM

Untitled-2 1

2/3/16 4:09 PM

WHO’ S

WATCH I NG O U T

FOR YOUR INTERESTS? The Sandy Spring Private Client Group When you first meet with us, we learn where you’ve come from, where you are, and where you want to go—before we offer advice. And once we do, you’ll have peace of mind knowing our advice is helping you make timely, informed decisions. Our team of experts works with you, at your speed, on every aspect of private banking—from wealth management to legacy planning. Add a new dimension to your financial plan.

From here. For here.

private banking | wealth planning | investment management | risk management | trust & fiduciary

800.399.5919 • sandyspringbank.com/pcg

Untitled-2 1

2/3/16 4:28 PM

BETHESDA, MARYLAND

STAY CLOSE. MOVE UP. BEAUTIFULLY SITUATED in a wooded oasis, Grosvenor Heights is Bethesda’s newest neighborhood. Come discover this distinctive community within walking distance to Metro, the Shops at Wildwood, Rock Creek Park, and moments from so much more.

GrosvenorHeights.com

Model Home Open Daily 11AM – 6PM

Off-Site Sales by Wendy Banner, Long & Foster

5315 Merriam Street, Bethesda, MD 20814

New Elevator Townhomes with Rooftop Terraces from $1.1 million 301-530-7600 EYA Marketing LLC MHBR #7084 and #5697

Untitled-6 1 EYA_GH_BM_M6 021116.indd 1

2016

Winner Voted Best New Townhome Community & Custom Builder

10 New Elevator Single Family Homes with Entertainment Terraces from $1.495 million 301-365-9090 Prices subject to change without notice. Renderings for illustrative purposes only.

2/11/16 12:51 PM 2/11/16 12:05

Win the race against knee and hip pain

THE GOLD STANDARD IN JOINT SURGERY The Shady Grove Difference: • The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® for hip and knee replacement • MAKOplasty® robotic surgery for less pain and shorter stays • Care plans designed for faster recovery • Dedicated orthopedic unit with private rooms and specialized nurses

Conquer your pain. Visit www.AdventistSGMC.com/ortho

Untitled-2 1

2/3/16 4:25 PM

“Diversification” Is How We Roll!

How do your “financial” eggs roll? Are they nestled within a lush grassy portfolio or spoiling along a deteriorating market hill slide? At SPC Financial®, we believe a wise person only puts “diversified” eggs together in one basket… unless of course their eggs are chocolate! If your “financial” eggs are at risk of tax spoilage and rolling away from your finish line, allow our team of CFP® practitioners & CPA licensed professionals the opportunity to help you load your

basket with a balanced assortment of “tax efficient” legacy, survivor, retirement, estate & income tax planning, college funding, portfolio management, asset preservation, portfolio & risk management / insurance, investment techniques & guided strategies. For more information on our “tax” *efficient, basket of diversified** investment products & services, contact one of our SPC Wealth Advisors @ 301-770-6800 or visit us at www.spcfinancial.com.

RJFS & SPC Financial, Inc., do not provide tax or legal advice. *Tax services & analysis are provided by the related firm Sella & Martinic, LLC through a separate engagement letter with clients. Sella & Martinic, LLC is independent of RJFS. **Diversification does not ensure a profit or guarantee against a loss.

3202 Tower Oaks Blvd., Suite 400 Rockville, MD 20852-4216

Untitled-2 1

— SECURITIES OFFERED THROUGH —

Raymond James Financial Services, Inc. Member FINRA/SIPC

301-770-6800 www.spcfinancial.com

2/3/16 4:27 PM

tep inside The Palisades of Bethesda and you will immediately be surrounded by indescribable luxury and charming sophistication. Boasting a premier location on the corner of Cordell and Woodmont Avenues, this beautiful new

high-rise promises to offer a living experience that far exceeds expectations. Only The Palisades provides the perfect blend of convenience, comfort and residential services.

Reader’s Pick, Best Luxury Apartment

WORLD-CLASS

ADDRESS

IN DOWNTOWN BETHESDA • ALL INCLUSIVE UTILITIES • FIOS/COMCAST AVAILABLE • NO AMENITY FEES • 24-HOUR CONCIERGE SERVICE • 24-HOUR FITNESS CENTER W/ TRAINER & TOWEL SERVICE • 24-HOUR BUSINESS CENTER W/ INTERNET • 24-HOUR RESIDENT LOUNGES W/ CABLE TV & WI-FI • 3 BLOCKS FROM THE BETHESDA METRO • PRIVATE ELEVATOR ACCESS TO PENTHOUSE APARTMENT(S) • WASHER/DRYER IN-SUITE • FURNISHED APARTMENTS AVAILABLE

888.560.0383 thepalisadesapts.net 4835 Cordell Avenue • Bethesda, MD 20814

Untitled-2 1

2/3/16 4:23 PM

Introducing

Untitled-8 2

2/11/16 2:48 PM

The 24 penthouse apartments at Pallas were developed exclusively for those requiring something more from a rental residence. • • • • •

24/7 In-house services arranged by NYC’S Abigail Michaels Concierge Dedicated premium Pallas parking space Pallas wellness package provided through NAVA Health & Vitality Center Private elevator access to penthouse floor Ample penthouse customization opportunities* And many more exclusive services that allow you to truly live above and beyond

*Some limitations apply

The24atPallas.com | 877.766.6898

Untitled-8 3

2/11/16 2:48 PM

BETHESDA CONDOMINIUMS WITH A HEIGHTENED SENSE OF DISTINCTION THEL AURENRESIDENCES.COM 301.830.3634

MOVE IN SPRING 2016

Untitled-1 2

2/9/16 1:53 PM

5454 Wisconsin Ave., Chevy Chase, MD. Each office is independently owned and operated. Equal Housing Opportunity project. Developed by 1788 Holdings / Persimmon Capital Partners.

Untitled-1 3

2/9/16 1:53 PM

Sales and marketing by The Mayhood Company. Equal Housing Opportunity project. Developed by 1788 Holdings / IHP Capital Partners

Untitled-7 2

2/10/16 11:10 AM

F I N D T H E C O M F O R T A N D E L E G A N C E O F A N E S TAT E H O M E. WI T H T H E A M E N I T I E S O F A R E S O R T. A L L I N A CO N D O M I N I U M. AND ALL RIGHT HERE IN BETHESDA.

JOIN OUR NEW RESIDENTS M O V I N G I N N O W. TO S C H E D U L E A N A P P O I N TM E N T TO TO U R O U R M O D E L R E S I D E N C E, C A L L 240-762-6520.

Untitled-7 3

2/10/16 11:11 AM

Exquisite Diamonds Exceptional Prices

A family tradition for over 60 years.

Untitled-20 1

2/11/16 5:29 PM

Pictured (L to R): Stephen Clagett, Portfolio Administrator; Sally Mullen, Client Services Specialist; David Clark, Vice President, Financial Advisor; Stefanie Krzeminski, Client Services Specialist; Robert Collins, Managing Director; Steve Cimino, Client Services Specialist; Kristian Price, Chief Operating Ofﬁcer; Jordan VanOort, CFA®, CFP®, Vice President - Investments; Frank Byskov, CFA®, CFP®, Portfolio Administrator

Retirement Planning Estate Planning Strategies Educational Planning

Robert J. Collins

of Collins Investment Group has been named a Barron’s Top 1000 Financial Advisor for 2009-2013 and Top 1200 for 2014 and 2015

Access to Lending Services Through Wells Fargo Affiliates

One Democracy Center 6901 Rockledge Drive Suite 730 Bethesda, MD 20817 301.915.9630

Give us a call or visit us on the web at collinsinvestmentgroup.com to learn how we can work with you to help you start achieving your ﬁnancial goals.

collinsinvestmentgroup.com

Barron’s Top 1000 Advisors and Barron’s Top 1,200 Financial Advisors: The rankings are based on data provided by thousands of advisors and financial services firms. Factors included in the rankings were assets under management, revenue produced for the firm, regulatory record, quality of practice and philanthropic work. Investment performance isn’t an explicit component. Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network and its affiliates do not provide legal or tax advice. Any estate plan should be reviewed by an attorney who specializes in estate planning and is licensed to practice law in your state. Investment and insurance products: NOT FDIC-Insured, NO Bank Guarantee, MAY Lose Value. Investment products and services offered through Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network (WFAFN), member SIPC, a registered broker-dealer and a separate non-bank affiliate of Wells Fargo & Company. Collins Investment Group is a separate entity of WFAFN.

Untitled-28 1

2/10/16 5:07 PM

March/April 2016 | Volume 13 Issue 2

contents

Big yards are part of the allure of Potomac’s Merry-Go-Round Farm.

On the Cover People look for different things when they’re choosing a home. Some care most about big yards or an easy commute; others want a new home or a close-knit community. Here are some of the Bethesda area’s most desirable places to live.

206 | building boom The number of new luxury apartments, condos and townhomes in the Bethesda area is dizzying. To simplify the options, here’s a guide to the features and prices of the residences that recently opened or are coming soon.

212 | home sales trends Home sales by neighborhood over the last five years

cover: Photo of John Bailey Butswinkas, Chevy Chase, by Skip Brown

photo by Skip Brown

180 | 30 Great Neighborhoods

16 march/april 2016 | BethesdaMagazine.com

FOB_ToC.indd 16

2/15/16 11:09 AM

F INE PRO PE RTIE S I N T E R N A T I O N A L

Untitled-10 1

2/5/16 4:28 PM

contents

features 112 | Top Teens

Meet the winners of our seventh annual Extraordinary Teen Awardsâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;12 of Montgomery Countyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best and brightest students, chosen from more than 100 nominees. From a teen working to prevent suicides among young people to a book lover who has distributed more than 9,000 books to children in need, these students shine both in and out of the classroom. By Caralee Adams and Amy Reinink

126 | Potomac Powerhouse

Frank Islam says that building and living in one of the largest houses in the country is proof that the American dream is still alive By Steve Goldstein

140 | Rising Above

Nichole Land has faced countless challenges in her young life, none greater than the night in July 2014 when police raided her home and took her parents away. But she has persevered and flourished. By Amy Reinink

152 | in the Boys Club

House Majority Leader Anne Kaiser of Silver Spring is thriving in the male-dominated Maryland Legislature By Miranda S. Spivack

Montgomery County Police Chief Tom Manger on wearing a body camera, handling terrorist threats and his best moment as a dad and a cop By David Frey

P. 112

Dalal Tambal, one of the 2016 Extraordinary Teens

Photo by michael Ventura

160 | Bethesda Interview

18 march/april 2016 | BethesdaMagazine.com

FOB_ToC.indd 18

2/8/16 3:20 PM

W E â&#x20AC;&#x2122; L L T R E AT YOU LIKE F A M I LY. . .

M AY B E E V E N BETTER

INTRODUCING OUR NEW BROKERAGE: WYDLER BROTHERS REAL ESTATE MD 301.463.7800 | DC 202.774.9800 | VA 703.270.0011 WYDLERBROTHERS.COM

Untitled-2 1

2/3/16 4:20 PM

contents P. 254

Three-year-old Zephyr is a picky eater.

departments health

24 | To Our Readers

251

26 | Contributors

252 | Be Well

32 | From Our Readers

Bethesda podiatrist Paul Ross says our feet need some love, too

254 | Picky, Picky

good life

Getting young kids to eat healthy and diverse foods is a major source of stress for parents. Are they worrying too much?

art. festivals. day trips. hidden gems.

46 | Best Bets

262 | Eyes wide open

Can’t-miss arts events

Not sleeping through the night? Join the club. Insomnia is pervasive, and leaves many struggling for solutions.

50 | ARTS Calendar Where to go, what to see

A trip to Nelson County, Virginia

270 | wellness Calendar

banter

people. politics. books. columns.

60 | Figuratively Speaking The Great Outdoors, by the numbers

70 | Neighborhood NOTES News you may have missed

283

dine

84 | suburbanology Why don’t more of us talk to strangers?

292 | Cooking Class

Bethesda’s Steve Shapiro was so outraged by Maryland’s partisan redistricting that he’s taken his legal challenge all the way to the Supreme Court

332 | Get Away Your cheat sheet for a weekend getaway

334 | Driving Range Good libations and beautiful scenery in and around Nelson County, Virginia

How to make walnut cinnamon baklava

340 | pets

294 | Dining Guide

A Rockville rescue group matches senior citizens with aging cats that need a home

By april witt

88 | Hometown

A couple says “I do” on the front stoop where they shared their first kiss

An accomplished chef draws from his Italian roots at Inferno Pizzeria Napoletana What’s happening on the local food scene

New books by local authors, literary events and more

328 | Weddings

284 | dine review

288 | Table Talk

80 | Book Report

By Steve Roberts

P. 334

323 etc. 324 | Shop Talk Makeup artist Sunny Oh shares her tips on rehabbing your beauty routine for spring. Plus, bow ties with a twist.

342 | Flashback Native Americans lived and thrived in what is now Montgomery County for more than 10,000 years before the Europeans arrived

344 | Family Portrait Snapshot of local lives

AD SECTions Home makeover Guide 93

long & Foster ad section 171

Real estate Agents profiles 233

Ask the beauty experts 275

summer Camp ad section 310

zephyr photo by liz lynch; winery photo courtesy

20 march/april 2016 | BethesdaMagazine.com

FOB_ToC.indd 20

2/10/16 3:42 PM

MODEL GR A ND OPENING

A Model of Perfection Introducing Bethesda Mews, an enclave of just 29 exquisite single-family homes in the heart of Bethesda. These designs thoughtfully pair timeless, detailed exteriors with spacious and open f loorplans, ideal for grand entertaining or casual daily life. Superior Craftsmanship Uncompromised Luxury Interior Gardens and Mews 3 Acres of Forested Open Space Convenient to I- 495 and I-270

F ROM $1.45 M ILLION 301.978.3618 | L E A RN MORE: L I V E A TB ETHESDA M EWS BT.COM MODEL IS L OCATED AT: 5518 A LTA VISTA ROA D, B ETHESDA , MD 20814 Subject to errors, omissions and change without notice. See Sales Manager for details.

Untitled-5 1

MHBR # 3552

2/5/16 2:36 PM

What’s online @ bethesdamagazine.com enter our

GIVEAWAYS STARTING

march 1 Our daily news briefing features stories about the community, restaurants, Montgomery County politics and more. Get the Bethesda Beat daily newsletter in your inbox by signing up at BethesdaMagazine.com.

Enter for a chance to win a

MAGAZINE.COM ❱❱ digital edition

Subscribers get free access to the digital edition of Bethesda Magazine at BethesdaMagazine.com/digital. Use your email address as your log-in. To purchase digital issues or a subscription, download the free Bethesda Magazine app on iTunes or Amazon.

❱❱ online Extras

Don't miss our behind-the-scenes video interviews with this year’s Extraordinary Teen winners.

Check out our slide show of the picky eaters we photographed for the kids nutrition story.

$500 shopping spree! Kick off your spring with a new look that’s classic, current and contemporary with a $500 shopping spree at the Just Perfect Collection! www.justperfectcollection.com Corby, Mazza Gallerie Wear It Well, Bethesda Row Sequel, Shops at Wildwood Hadlee, Shops at Wildwood

STARTING

april 1

❱❱ archives

Explore past issues and stories using our searchable archives.

❱❱ social scene

Share photos from community events by emailing them to website@BethesdaMagazine.com, and we’ll post them to our gallery page.

❱❱social media

Find us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to learn about community news, special offers, local happenings and contests.

❱❱ newsletters

Sign up to receive emails from Bethesda Beat and to receive special offers from local businesses. Gmail users: Make sure to add Bethesda Magazine as a contact to ensure that you receive our emails.

Enter for a chance to win a

$250 gift certificate

from Wildwood Kitchen by Robert Wiedmaier—Bethesda’s go-to restaurant for local, sustainable, modern cuisine influenced by 23 countries surrounding the Mediterranean. To enter, go to BethesdaMagazine.com/giveaways

22 march/april 2016 | BethesdaMagazine.com

FOB_ToC.indd 22

2/8/16 3:26 PM

Food for thought Urban population growth is outpacing suburban growth for the first time since WWII. Downsizing baby boomers and millennials find cities attractive for their live, work and play lifestyles. People in cities spend 40% more on food outside the home than those living elsewhere. Outsourced food services are spawning new investment opportunities. Ordering out is in. Cooking in is out.

To find out more about some of our other investment themes, call Stacy Murchison at 240.497.5008.

INV E ST M E N T MA N AGEMEN T

Untitled-5 1

F I N A N C I A L & E STATE PLAN N I N G

F I DUCI ARY & TRUST

FAM I LY W E ALTH S ERVIC ES

2/5/16 2:33 PM

to our readers

Neighborhood Appeal When I first moved to the Washington area in 1989, I lived for a year in Friendship Heights, D.C. I loved the hustle and bustle of the neighborhood, and the two-block walk to the Metro station. I spent the next 12 years in Chevy Chase Section 5, where I was drawn to the neighborliness and community spirit. My two sons and I marched every year in the Fourth of July parade that winds its way up and down the few streets in the neighborhood—and ends with participants singing patriotic songs. Twelve years ago I moved to the Rollingwood section of Chevy Chase, where our house overlooks Rock Creek Park—and where I feel like I’m living far from the hustle and bustle. Most nights I hear an owl hooting in the trees behind us. I loved all three neighborhoods for different reasons, at different times in my life. It was because of my experiences that I decided to organize our cover story on great neighborhoods based on the elements people are looking for when they’re deciding where to live. Our story presents desirable neighborhoods in 10 categories, including “Big Yards,” “Access to the Outdoors” and “Community Amenities.” The story begins on page 180.

One of the things that makes life interesting and exciting (and sometimes scary) is that you never know when something is going to happen that will change the course

of your life, for good or bad. In 2013, something very good happened to me. That fall I started mentoring Nichole Land, who was a senior at the time in the University of Maryland’s communications program at The Universities at Shady Grove (USG). I am a member of the USG Board of Advisors, and we are encouraged to mentor a scholarship student each year. I thought I would be able to help Nichole figure out a career path and make some contacts. Little did I know how much Nichole would inspire me. In our first meeting, Nichole told me her story. She was the second oldest of nine kids. Her family didn’t have much while she was growing up, so they relied on government assistance and the generosity of nonprofit groups in Montgomery County. At one point, Nichole lived with 11 other members of her family in a two-bedroom, onebathroom apartment in public housing in Silver Spring. Her twin brothers are autistic, and other brothers got in trouble with the law. For much of her life, Nichole was like the second mother to her younger siblings. Nichole worked her way through Montgomery College (it took her eight years) and was able to get her bachelor’s degree at USG thanks to a full scholarship from the USG Kendall Scholars Program. During our first meeting, she told me that she had two goals: to give back to the community that had provided so much to her family, and to get her own apartment. Nichole’s first job after USG

was as a constituent relations assistant for Interfaith Works, from which she and her family had received much of their clothing when she was growing up. She now works at Montgomery College. She moved into her apartment in Rockville last June. Nichole was appointed recently to the USG Board of Advisors, and she is a member of the alumni association board of governors at Montgomery College. She is invited often to tell her story to potential donors, students and government officials. Nichole’s determination, compassion and optimism have inspired me since the day I met her. I thought her story would inspire our readers, as well. Our profile of Nichole begins on page 140. My experience with Nichole convinced me of the transformative power of mentoring (both for the mentee and the mentor). With that in mind, I recently co-founded MentorPrize, a nonprofit that matches people who are interested in mentoring with area nonprofits that are looking for mentors. To learn more about MentorPrize, go to www.mentorprize.org. I hope you enjoy this issue of Bethesda Magazine.

Steve Hull Editor-in-Chief & Publisher

24 march/april 2016 | BethesdaMagazine.com

FOB_toourreaders.indd 24

2/15/16 11:42 AM

McEnearney ® ASSOCIATES, INC. REALTORS

Bethesda, MD

$1,650,000

Forest Hills, DC

L SA

Andy Hill 301.646.3900 Sue Hill 202.262.4961 $1,830,000

Chevy Chase, MD

$734,000

$1,760,000

$730,000

Kelly Joyce Perry 301.906.1775 www.KellyKellyKelly.me

L SA

Patty Rhyne-Kirsch 301.213.5542 www.PattyKirsch.com Chevy Chase, MD

$299,000

L SA

Bret Brown 202.409.4338 www.BretBrownHomes.com

Katherine Martin 202.494.7373 www.HerndonMartin.com Palisades, DC

$790,000

Kensington, MD

CT RA

$749,000

Glover Park, DC

Mark Hudson 301.641.6266 www.MarkHudsonGroup.com Kensington, MD

North Bethesda, MD

L SA

Tom Wiliams 202.255.3650 www.TomWilliamsRealtor.com

Joan Caton Cromwell 202.441.8912 www.JoanCromwell.com

$1,300,000

L SA

Bret Brown 202.409.4338 www.BretBrownHomes.com Kensington, MD

L SA

$1,545,000

Susan Leavitt 703.855.2267 www.SusanLeavitt.com

Chevy Chase, MD

$1,375,000

$675,000

CT RA

Dave Kolakowski 301.445.8525 www.LivingInMetroDC.com

Mary Beth Taylor 301.526.4949 www.PropertiesByMaryBeth.com

PREFERRED LENDER

Untitled-2 1

2/5/16 10:46 AM

contributors

Joanne Meszoly Lives in: Dickerson, Maryland Hometown: Bethesda In this issue: Wrote about chronic insomnia. “This sleep disorder is often fueled by anxiety and stress, and I worried that tackling this subject would spark my own sleep issues.” Best sleep ever: When she was an undergrad at Bucknell University. “I slept on a paper-thin mattress, but when I cracked my window I’d fall asleep to the sound of a train whistle and railway cars trundling over the tracks.”

Claudine Hellmuth Lives in: Washington, D.C. Hometown: Orlando, Florida In this issue: Illustrated the Suburbanology column How she got her start: Hellmuth graduated from the Corcoran College of Art in 1997 and has been working professionally as an illustrator ever since. Her client list includes Capitol Records and The Saturday Evening Post. She has been featured in The New York Times and appeared on The Martha Stewart Show, HGTV, the DIY Network and HSN.

Family life: Meszoly lives on a small farm with her husband, three kids, five horses, five sheep, five barn cats and a border collie. “The farm is a second job, and driving to the grocery store is a pilgrimage. But we can visit our neighbors on horseback, and are treated to unfettered sunsets.”

How she illustrates: Hellmuth first creates preliminary sketches on an iPad using the Adobe Illustrator Draw app and a stylus, then opens them in Adobe Photoshop and adds patterns (polka dots!), color and photo elements. Family life: Hellmuth lives with her husband, Paul, and three “very spoiled pets”—their cats, Mabel and Brian, and their dog, Maggie.

David Hagedorn Lives in: Lanier Heights, D.C. Hometown: Gadsden, Alabama In this issue: Reviewed Inferno Pizzeria Napoletana in Gaithersburg and wrote Table Talk. “In my Table Talk column, I drank bubble tea up and down Rockville Pike and stuffed myself with éclairs and crab cakes.” What he does: A former chef, Hagedorn writes about food, travel and design for such publications as The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post and The Local Palate. He is the restaurant critic for Arlington Magazine and Bethesda Magazine, and has written cookbooks for notable chefs including Todd Gray and Cathal Armstrong. He is currently writing Rasika: Flavorful Recipes from a Groundbreaking Indian Restaurant, with Ashok Bajaj and chef Vikram Sunderam. How he got his start: In 2005, Hagedorn left a 25-year career in the restaurant business to become a writer, vowing his first piece would appear either in The New York Times, The New Yorker, or The Washington Post. The Post it was.

Hellmuth photo by stacey maloney; all others courtesy

How she got her start: A year of journalism school at the University of South Carolina, then a job as a reporter at a community newspaper in Potomac.

26 march/april 2016 | BethesdaMagazine.com

FOB_contributors.indd 26

2/5/16 2:15 PM

BETHESDA REAL ESTATE.COM

The TOP TEAM at Long & Foster’s top office . . . Bethesda Gateway Lynda O’Dea, a lifelong resident of Bethesda & Chevy Chase, along with her daughter Christina provide a unique combination of skills that help clients successfully navigate the complex real estate sales process. With expertise in business & technology, traditional & online marketing, home staging & interior design — clients receive added-value services to help maximize value, minimize stress, & make the process more efficient & enjoyable. Call 240 988-4400 for a no-obligation discussion about how we can best help you!

FOR SALE! $2,250,000 11548 Springridge Rd

SOLD! $2,500,000 5610 Wisconsin Ave #1102

SOLD! $1,669,000 5016 Cedar Croft La

SOLD! $1,895,000 10706 Burbank Drive

Visit BethesdaRealEstate.com for all active listings, solds + market stats! LYNDA O’DEA*

240 988-4400

Long & Foster, 4650 East West Hgwy Bethesda, MD 20814 301 907-7600 *DBA Lynda O’Dea Teubner

Untitled-3 1

2/5/16 10:59 AM

editorial Editor-in- Chief

Steve Hull

Design Director

Maire McArdle

managing Editor

Mary Clare Glover senior Editor

Cindy Rich

Associate Editor

Kathleen Seiler Neary Deputy Art Director

Laura F. Goode

Associate art director

Emma Gray Pitt

Bethesda beat Managing Editor

Julie Rasicot

Bethesda beat Writers

Aaron Kraut, Andrew Metcalf Web producer

Laura Kottlowski Restaurant Critic

The hospital you trust for primary care is expanding its specialty and urgent care services. You already know Friendship offers comprehensive, quality care for your companion. Now we’re adding to our family of services and to our building with new specialties, state-of-theart facilities and technology, and more board-certified specialists. From orthopedic surgery to acupuncture, your companion will have access to the best and most

David Hagedorn

Contributing Editors

Eugene L. Meyer, Cindy Murphy-Tofig, Louis Peck, Carole Sugarman

advanced veterinary care all under one, new ruff…er…roof. And that means more convenience for you, too. Whether you need us for primary or advanced care, Friendship has you covered from head to tail.

Copy Editors

Sandra Fleishman, Steve Wilder EDITORIAL Interns

Renee Klahr, Joseph Zimmermann design Intern

Debbie Rappaport Contributing Writers

Stephanie Siegel Burke, Christopher Clausen, David Frey, Steve Goldstein, Christine Koubek, Katherine Lewis, Maura Mahoney, Nevin Martell, Gabriele McCormick, Samantha Miller, Brian Patterson, Steve Roberts, Lisa Rabasca Roepe, Kelly Seegers, Jennifer Sergent, Miranda S. Spivack, Mark Walston, Carolyn Weber, Kathleen Wheaton, April Witt Photographers & Illustrators

Skip Brown, Erick Gibson, Lisa Helfert, Claudine Hellmuth, Darren Higgins, Alice Kresse, Liz Lynch, Mike Olliver, Hilary Schwab, Jordan Silverman, Mary Ann Smith, Michael Ventura, Stacy Zarin-Goldberg, Bethesda Magazine is published six times a year by Kohanza Media Ventures, LLC. © 2009 Letters to the Editor: Please send letters (with your name and the town you live in) to letters@bethesda magazine.com.

4105 Brandywine Street, NW Washington, DC 20016

202.363.7300

Story ideas: Please send ideas for stories to editorial @bethesdamagazine.com.

Visit to learn more: www.friendshiphospital.com www.facebook.com/friendshiphospital

Open 24/7 365 days

Bethesda Magazine 7768 Woodmont Ave., #204, Bethesda, MD 20814 Phone: 301-718-7787/ Fax: 301-718-1875 BethesdaMagazine.com

28 march/april 2016 | BethesdaMagazine.com

FOB_Masthead.indd 28

2/10/16 11:45 AM

HELPING LOCAL BUSINESSES SUCCEED

Monument Bank

makes a difference.

“

Planning our third medical office in Chevy Chase, we knew we would use Monument Bank. For eight years, they have come through for us with a full array of products and services. Monument Bank continues to finance our growth and help us build state-of-the-art offices. There is no question that they are a bank that makes a difference.

”

G. Vike Vicente, MD Eye Doctors of Washington Washington DC, Maryland, Northern Virginia

301.841.9600 Bethesda | Rockville | Silver Spring

LEADERS IN COMMUNITY BANKING

monumentbank.com

Untitled-5 1

Member FDIC NMLS ID #409012

2/5/16 2:48 PM

Fall In Love With Your Reflection P u bl i sh i n g Publisher

Steve Hull

Vice President of Publishing and associate publisher

Susan E. Hull

sales & Marketing Director

Sandra Palestine Burley

CoolSculpting® is a breakthrough procedure that safely and effectively eliminates stubborn fat without surgery or downtime. You’ll feel great from every angle.

Advertising Account Executives

Arlis Dellapa, Paula Duggan, Jennifer Farkas, Penny Skarupa, LuAnne Spurrell Ad Production Coordinator

Meghan K. Murphy

Associate Ad Production Coordinator

Sarah Hogue

Marketing Associates

Cara Hedgepeth, Ashlyn Mason Customer Service Manager

BEFORE Procedure by Bruce Van Natta, MD

8 WEEKS AFTER COOLSCULPTING® TREATMENT

Onecia Ribeiro

Finance Manager

Jill Trone

advertorial Writers

Ann Cochran, Jim Mahaffie

Other non-surgical services include: Injectables (Botox® Cosmetic, Juvéderm® XC and Juvéderm® Voluma® XC), Sclerotherapy, Thermi Aesthetics,® Skincare and Permanent Make-up. Call us today to schedule your complimentary consultation. Center for Plastic Surgery

G. Wesley Price, MD • James H. French, Jr., MD Samir S. Rao, MD • C. Coleman Brown, MD and James R. Bruno, MD Chevy Chase, MD 20815 • 301.652.7700 Annandale, VA 22003 • 703.560.2850 info@cpsdocs.com • www.cpsdocs.com

advertorial photographers

Stephanie Bragg, Shawn Heifert, Tony Lewis Jr., Mike Olliver, Hilary Schwab Subscription price: $19.95 To subscribe: Fill out the card between pages 192 and 193 or go to BethesdaMagazine.com. For customer service: Call 301-718-7787, ext. 205, or send an email to customerservice@bethesdamagazine.com. For advertising information: Call 301-718-7787, ext. 220; send an email to advertising@bethesdamagazine.com; or go to BethesdaMagazine.com. For information on events and reprints: Call 301-718-7787, ext. 207; or send an email to marketing@bethesdamagazine.com. Bethesda Magazine 7768 Woodmont Ave., #204 Bethesda, MD 20814 Phone: 301-718-7787 Fax: 301-718-1875 BethesdaMagazine.com

30 march/april 2016 | BethesdaMagazine.com

FOB_Masthead.indd 30

2/9/16 4:28 PM

GalantiGroup_0216.pdf

2/5/16

3:08 PM

OVER $50,000,000 SOLD IN 2015 Coming Soon:

Bethesda 2014 era Arts & Crafts Walk Score: 93 Call for details!

CMY

Market Expertise and Experience Get Better Results • Avi’s Listings Sold 39.5% Faster than Average • Avi’s Listings Sold-to-List Ratio is 99.8% (1.7% Higher than Average)

• 12-Years Experience in Residential Real Estate Sales All listings in Bethesda-Chevy Chase 2014-2015.

AVI GALANTI www.galantigroup.com | 301.906.4996 | avi@galantigroup.com

301.298.1001 | www.compass.com | 5471 Wisconsin Ave., 3rd Floor, Chevy Chase, MD 20815 Compass is licensed as “Compass Real Estate” in the District of Colombia

Untitled-6 1

2/5/16 3:42 PM

JTCC

from our readers

Summer Tennis Camp June 20 - August 26 Weekly Sessions, Mon-Fri, Ages 4 to 18

YMCA Bethesda-Chevy Chase Glenn Gerbino 301.530.3725 glenn@jtcc.org

YMCA Silver Spring Tim Johnson 301.585.2120 tim.johnson@ymcadc.org

Call Today or Register Online

Spots are Limited!

https://easytoenroll.ymcawashdc.org

Salang Limited-edition jewelry handmade in Italy of semi-precious stones www.SalangOnline.com

Senator Van Hollen? Readers reacted to Louis Peck’s story about U.S. Rep. Chris Van Hollen (“Van Hollen Rising,” January/February 2016) in letters and in comments posted on BethesdaMagazine.com. It should be pointed out that Mr. Van Hollen robustly supported the Obama deal with Iran, enabling this terrorist country to obtain $150 billion to continue its development of nuclear weapons and obtain ICBMs, which they have continued to test. More recently, the IAEA has discontinued its so-called inspections, which were worthless anyway. Van Hollen has done our country enough harm as a congressman. Sending him to the Senate would be rewarding his behavior. Michael Emmer, M.D. Bethesda “I think he’s terrific. Thoughtful, very civil, courteous, and most importantly for me: a progressive who knows how to be effective; how to create bipartisan support for issues. His leadership position in the U.S. House demonstrates that his peers agree. When he talks to constituents, he LISTENS. He is not one of those elected officials constantly checking over the person’s shoulder to see if there is someone ‘better’ he should be talking to. What a concept: listening to your constituent—and giving a real reply. I can’t wait for him to be my next U.S. Senator.” —posted by Diana “This is a lot of words to show he’s never held a job in the private sector—and disappointing that you didn’t spend more time on the most formidable challenger he’d face in the GOP, Chrys Kefalas—both a Gov. Ehrlich and Attorney General Holder aide!” —posted by Tim

“To me, Van Hollen doesn’t offer fairness with various policies and legislation, it seems he just votes along the Obama party-line...how is that fair?” —posted by Barry

The Other Holocaust Survivors “As a fifth-generation American Jew whose ancestors came here before the Holocaust, during the Cossack pogroms of Jews in the Pale of Settlement, each of these stories (“The Other Survivors,” January/February 2016) brought tears to my eyes. Many people know of the suffering of the Jews during the Holocaust, not many know how grateful Jews are for this incredible country we live in now, America. God bless the United States. Please also remember though, that many of the new immigrants of the wars of today speak as little English as the people written about in this article, yet these people built lives for themselves and their children are assimilated, extremely productive members of society. The number of contributions made by American Jews to the dominance of this country can easily be replicated by Mexican, Syrian and Central American immigrants. Give them a chance, give them a place in our American Paradise and they too shall thrive.” –posted by Alex

photo by liz lynch

The Best Tennis in Montgomery County is taught by the JTCC at YMCA Bethesda-Chevy Chase & YMCA Silver Spring

32 MARCH/APRIL 2016 | BethesdaMagazine.com

FOB_fromourreaders.indd 32

2/11/16 5:06 PM

What sets us apart? Everything. See every Sub-Zero and Wolf product in its natural environment at The Living Kitchen. Skip appliance row and get hands-on with the complete line of Sub-Zero and Wolf products as you move from one full-scale kitchen vignette to the next. Once youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been inspired by all that your new kitchen can be, our specialists will help you turn your dreams into a reality.

Chantilly, VA 703.263.2300 Additional Locations:

Baltimore, MD 410.789.8000

Gaithersburg, MD 240.650.6000

Takoma Park, MD 301.608.2600 & York, PA 717.845.6500

Contact your nearest ADU showroom for current Sub-Zero and Wolf promotions. Visit adu.com for details.

Untitled-2 1 Page Ad Updated 01.indd 1 ADU BM Full

2/3/16 11:35 3:58 PM 2/2/16 AM

H AV I N G

EVERYTHING

NEARBY means getting right back to

WHERE YOU WANT TO BE

Shopping, dining, and Metro just minutes from your door. Another benefit

Untitled-6 2 Spread_M5 021116.indd 1 EYA_Corp_BM

2/11/16 12:53 PM

NOW SELLING ROCKVILLE

Westside at Shady Grove Metro Townhomes from the Upper $500s SILVER SPRING

Chelsea Heights Townhomes from the $700s

BETHESDA

Grosvenor Heights Elevator Townhomes from $1.1 Million

BETHESDA

Montgomery Row Townhomes from the $700s

EYA.com of Modern Townhome Living.â&#x201E;¢ EYA MARKETING LLC RENDERINGS FOR ILLUSTRATIVE PURPOSES ONLY. PRICES SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE. MHBR 7634, 7035, 7084, 7092, 4987

Untitled-6 3

2/11/16 12:53 PM 2/11/16 10:54

READERS’ PICK Best Burger: BGR Best Salon in Potomac: ZOHRA Best Place for Kids’ Parties: MY GYM

READERS’ PICK RUNNER-UP Best Restaurant in Potomac: THE GRILLED OYSTER Best Deli: ATTMAN’S DELI

Seven Locks Road at Tuckerman Lane | Owned & Managed By @ShopCabinJohn | ShopCabinJohn.com

Untitled-28 1

2/10/16 5:03 PM

art. festivals. culture. day trips. hidden gems.

good life

photo by skip brown

Glimpse Pastel Petals D.C.’s Tidal Basin, famous for its cherry blossoms, is a springtime destination. But some say the 1,000-plus cherry trees that form a delicate pink canopy over the streets of Chevy Chase’s Kenwood neighborhood are even more magnificent, typically peaking a few days after those downtown, in late March or early April. The Yoshino cherry trees (the same variety as most of the trees at the Tidal Basin) were planted in Kenwood in the 1930s and ’40s. “What’s great about the cherry blossoms is they are so quick and fleeting that you have to drop everything to go and enjoy them,” says Bethesda resident Evelyn Sahr, who considers admiring the trees in Kenwood by foot or bike—even by car at night when the

colors are different—a favorite family tradition. “It’s just magical.” Adjacent to the Kenwood Golf & Country Club, the neighborhood is bordered by River Road, Little Falls Parkway and Goldsboro Road. Parking is limited within Kenwood, so leave your car in a nearby neighborhood and enter on Brookside Drive or via the Capital Crescent Trail. On Kenwood’s medians and near its small playground, you’ll find families picnicking, kids selling lemonade and everyone snapping pictures amid the beautiful backdrop of spring. Residents have one request to keep the trees healthy: No climbing, please. —Caralee Adams BethesdaMagazine.com | March/April 2016 37

GOOD LIFE.indd 37

2/4/16 12:34 PM

good life

38 March/April 2016 | BethesdaMagazine.com

GOOD LIFE.indd 38

2/4/16 12:36 PM

Watch a Rocket Soar One by one, the model rockets get their turn. The announcer chants “five, four, three, two, one” and presses a button. If it’s all systems go, a rocket blasts off and the crowd waits to see: How far will the rocket fly? Will the parachute open? The liftoff location is a field in Greenbelt—just outside NASA’s Goddard Visitor Center—where spectators turn their heads skyward every few minutes as the next mini-mission launches. Typically, 50 to 100 children come with rockets that are 1-foot to 1 1/2-feet tall and reach an altitude of 60 to 600 feet. Eddie Goldberg, 10, of Bethesda has launched two rockets he made with his Cub Scout troop. “His second time was much better than last year, when we lost it in the trees,” says his father, Steve Goldberg. To launch your own rocket, purchase a kit, an engine (with a power rating of D or lower) and a parachute or streamer, then assemble. “You learn about the laws of physics, the electronics and what ignites the rockets,” says Ed Pearson, a member of the National Association of Rocketry Headquarters Astro-Modeling Section, which organizes the free launches at Goddard. Launches are held on the first Sunday of the month at 1 p.m., but can be canceled by strong winds or thick fog. Goddard Space Flight Center, ICESat Road at Greenbelt Road, Greenbelt, 301286-8981, www.nasa.gov/content/goddard-visitor-center-events-and-programs

Photo by michael ventura

—Kathleen Seiler Neary

BethesdaMagazine.com | March/April 2016 39

GOOD LIFE.indd 39

2/4/16 12:36 PM

good life

swim and Slide and 6-year-old Camille, are all about the slides and diving boards. “The big slides are the best because they’re so fast,” Shafer says. The leisure pool and slides are open mostly on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and weekends for two-hour blocks (check the website for hours), and lanes for swimming laps are often available. Admission for county residents is $4 to $6 (out-ofcounty visitors are charged an additional $1.50 to $3). Germantown Indoor Swim Center, 18000 Central Park Circle, Boyds; 240-777-6830; www.montgomerycountymd.gov/rec/thingstodo/ aquatics/germantown.html —Christine Koubek

Photo by skip brown

You don’t have to check into an indoor water park hotel for an early spring swim with the kids. The 60,000-squarefoot Germantown Indoor Swim Center has something for all ages. A pair of three-story serpentine slides and two diving boards are popular with tweens and teens. Younger kids can cruise down four smaller slides—including a curvy tube—that are carved into a faux mountain, then swim around the 1½-foot to 3½-foot-deep leisure pool while dodging the water that’s being spilled from colorful buckets above. Toddlers have a clamshell-shaped slide and a 6-inch-deep wading circle with sprays they can stomp. There’s a perk for parents: A hot tub that accommodates a dozen adults overlooks the slides, allowing you to relax and watch your kids (those who can swim on their own). Christy Shafer of Gaithersburg says her kids, 8-year-old Lukas 40 March/April 2016 | BethesdaMagazine.com

GOOD LIFE.indd 40

2/10/16 3:30 PM

8x10.5 (Bethesda Magazine)

Large enough to know how. Small enough to know you. We didn’t get to be the area’s largest community bank by thinking small. We got here by thinking deeper about your business needs. Thinking of ways to help you succeed that others can’t (or won’t). Because your success is our success. That’s what community is all about. But enough about us. Let’s talk about your business.

EagleBankCorp.com 301.986.1800 MD | VA | DC

EB_EagleBrushHead_57822.indd 4 Untitled-9 1

6/4/15 4:31 PM 2/10/16 1:22 PM

good life

There are few greater phrases in the English language than “free chocolate,” but that’s exactly what you’ll receive at the end of the kid-friendly tours (also free) of the Gaithersburg factory of SPAGnVOLA (pronounced “spang-vola”). Run by the husband-wife team of Eric and Crisoire Reid—he’s the president and CEO, she’s the co-owner and head chocolatier—the company crafts high-end chocolate and confections. The Willy Wonka-esque operation is located in the subterranean space below

the couple’s boutique. One small room features sturdy steel vats, in which roasted cacao beans and cane sugar are mixed to create chocolate. The process actually begins thousands of miles away in the Hato Mayor province of the Dominican Republic—Crisoire’s homeland—at the couple’s 450-acre mountain farm, where cacao beans are grown. In the compact kitchen area in Gaithersburg, guests learn how these raw materials are hand-poured into molds and packed with fillings to create bonbons galore, including a variety of chocolate-covered caramels, and boozy

truffles that are amped up with Kentucky bourbons. “Visitors get to try the pure dark chocolate and chocolate ganache,” Eric says. “That’s definitely the fun part.” After the tour wraps up, you can purchase more treats in the shop upstairs, ensuring a sweet ride home. The half-hour tours are Saturdays and Sundays from 2 to 5:30 p.m. Reserve a space on the company’s website, spagnvola.com. SPAGnVOLA, 360 Main St., Gaithersburg; 240-654-6972. n —Nevin Martell

photo by michael ventura

Tour a Chocolate Factory

42 March/April 2016 | BethesdaMagazine.com

GOOD LIFE.indd 42

2/4/16 12:38 PM

Five Ideas for a Splendid Spring How to make the most of the season? With a party, of course. Whether it’s a big event or a small soirée, we’ve got you covered. Your guests will love you for hosting a gathering in their honor.

1 23 45

Wind winter down with a Saturday night bash featuring a buffet of comfort food. Truffle Macaroni and Cheese, anyone?

Oh, spring, we’ve missed you! Welcome the Spring Equinox on March 20 with a Sunday brunch featuring our freshest farm-to-table cuisine.

Gather up the ladies to toast Women’s History Month. What’s better than cocktails, conversation and letting someone else do the cooking?

CORPOR ATE

WEDDINGS

Untitled-2 1 Ridgewells_BethesdaMagCreative_Q1_61905.indd 1

CE LE B R ATIONS & MA JOR E VE NTS

Everyone is Irish on St. Patrick’s Day. You supply the Guinness and we’ll whip up our lucky Corned Beef with Stout Mustard on Irish Soda Bread.

Plan an ultra-fabulous Mother’s Day luncheon on May 8. Invite several families over for an all-out celebration of your favorite moms.

301.652.1515

ridgewells.com

2/5/16 5:02 10:50PM AM 2/4/16

Coming up at SEASON

2015 2016

PATTY GRIFFIN, SARA WATKINS & ANAÏS MITCHELL USE YOUR VOICE Tue, March 1

FLAMENCO VIVO POEMA DE ANDALUCÍA Fri, March 4

ANNAPOLIS SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

JOSÉ-LUIS NOVO, CONDUCTOR LYNN HARRELL, CELLO Sun, March 6, Matinee

THE PEKING ACROBATS Thu, March 24

METROPOLITAN OPERA RISING STARS Fri, April 1

JOHNNY MATHIS

THE 60 ANNIVERSARY CONCERT TOUR TH

Wed, April 6

PATTI LABELLE Thu & Fri, April 7 & 8

LAUGHTER AND REFLECTION WITH

CAROL BURNETT

A Conversation Where the Audience Asks the Questions Fri & Sat, April 15 & 16

SFJAZZ COLLECTIVE

THE MUSIC OF MICHAEL JACKSON & ORIGINAL COMPOSITIONS Wed, April 27

ANA MOURA Thu, April 28

AIR PLAY Fri, May 6

ACADEMY OF ST MARTIN IN THE FIELDS JOSHUA BELL, DIRECTOR & VIOLIN Fri, March 18

Easy Me t

by Lisa Marie Mazzucco, Air Play, Patti LaBelle, Carol Burnett by Randee St Nicholas, Ana Moura

Clockwise from left: Flamenco Vivo by Lois Greenfield, Patty Griffin by David McClister, Joshua Bell

NOW HM

O R E .O

y parking tar en

ess • Compli m acc ro

5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda, MD 20852 | 301.581.5100 | STRATHMORE.ORG

Strathmore_BethesdaMag_MarApr.indd 1 Untitled-2 1

2/1/16 9:26 PM 2/3/16 4:30 PM

World & DC Premieres!

I AM ANNE HUTCHINSON/ I AM HARVEY MILK

STARRING KRISTIN CHENOWETH & ANDREW LIPPA Sat & Sun, April 23 & 24

Superstar Kristin Chenoweth joins Grammy and Tony Award-nominated composer Andrew Lippa for the world premiere of I Am Anne Hutchinson and the DC premiere of I Am Harvey Milk, an emotional, musical celebration that threads together the stories of two American icons.

STRATHMORE.ORG/IAM

L–R: I Am Harvey Milk by Matthew Murphy, Andrew Lippa, Harvey Milk, Kristin Chenoweth

5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda, MD 20852 | 301.581.5100 | STRATHMORE.ORG/IAM

THE EDDIE LOUNGE REUNION TOUR {Fringe Fest cabaret}

Thu, March 3

KNEEDELUS

MID-ATLANTIC BLUEGRASS BAND CONTEST WITH CHRIS JONES AND THE NIGHT DRIVERS Sun, March 20

Sponsored by DC Bluegrass Union

OMAR SOSA {Afro-Cuban jazz)

Sat, April 16

SECRET SOCIETY {Back by popular demand!}

A LIVE COLLABORATION BETWEEN KNEEBODY + DAEDELUS Thu, March 10

ANAT COHEN QUARTET

TRIBUTE TO CHARLIE BYRD

LOSTON HARRIS

FEATURING ETHAN IVERSON

WITH CHUCK REDD & FRIENDS Fri & Sat, March 11 & 12

Sat, March 26

Thu, May 5

CHRIS CONZ & LUCA SESTAK

Fri, April 1

{Boogie woogie beats}

Fri, March 18 at AMP Free, reservations required

Sat, March 19 at Glenstone

MY BRIGHTEST DIAMOND {Dreamy indie pop}

Sat, March 19

Thu, March 24

THE FELICE BROTHERS AN EVENING WITH

MOLLY RINGWALD Fri, April 8

ANACOSTIA DELTA:

THE LEGACY OF DANNY GATTON Sat, April 9

Fri, April 29

BILLY HART

{Versatile jazz drums}

Big Pants & Hot Flashes

Julia Scotti & Kevin Meaney

with host Rahmein Mostafavi Fri, May 13 Co-presented with Cool Cow Comedy

STRAWBS

HERO & HEROINE LIVE {Prog rock legends}

Wed, May 18

www.AMPbyStrathmore.com | 301.581.5100 | 11810 Grand Park Avenue | North Bethesda, MD 20852 At Pike & Rose on Rockville Pike |

Strathmore_BethesdaMag_MarApr.indd 2 Untitled-2 1

On Metro’s Red Line, White Flint station

2/1/16 9:26 PM 2/3/16 4:31 PM

best bets

Our picks for the best things to see and do in March and April By Stephanie Siegel Burke

March 19

SHINE ON Shara Worden is an avant-garde indie-pop singer-songwriter who performs as My Brightest Diamond. That’s a long but fitting description for this classically trained performer who has written an opera, led a marching band and played with musicians including David Byrne, Sufjan Stevens, The Decemberists, The National and Bon Iver. She returns to rock and electronic music with her latest album, This Is My Hand. 8 p.m., Amp by Strathmore, $25-$35, www. ampbystrathmore.com

March 10

THE LEGEND OF JESSIE JAMES

March 4

SING A SONG The Bernard/Ebb Songwriting Awards are a bit like Bethesda’s version of American Idol. Songwriters from Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C., enter original songs into the competition for a chance to win $10,000. In the first round, a jury of 10 music professionals, including Strathmore CEO Eliot Pfanstiehl, D.C. Jazz Festival Executive Director Sunny Sumter and Gypsy Sally’s owner David Ensor, narrowed the field down to nine top performers. The finalists perform their songs live for a three-judge grand prize jury, which will name the winner for best songwriter and best young songwriter (under 18). 8 p.m., Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club, $10-$15, www.bethesda.org

March 18-19

COMFORT & COMPANY In this world premiere at Rockville’s American Dance Institute, choreographer Jane Comfort bases her newest work on the idea that a city is a stage and everyone is involved in a dance as they move through life. As dancers progress through the “crowd,” they perform solos and duets before being swept back into the throng. To convey an urban environment, 20 community members will join dancers onstage in the last scene. 8 p.m., American Dance Institute, $30, www.ameri candance.org

Jessie James Decker is a busy lady. She’s a country singer and reality-TV star, not to mention a fashion designer for the clothing line Kittenish and a mom of two toddlers. Inspired by singers such as Jessica Simpson and Shania Twain, Decker’s 2015 single “Lights Down Low” hit No. 1 for top country songs on iTunes when it was released last summer. Decker, who stars with her husband, New York Jets wide receiver Eric Decker, on the E! television show Eric & Jessie: Game On, is packing up her family and hitting the road for a tour this spring, including a stop at the Fillmore. 8 p.m., Fillmore Silver Spring, $20, www.fillmoresilverspring.com

my brightest diamond photo courtesy of asthmatic kit ty records; photo courtesy of Jessie james decker; comfort & Company photo courtesy of American dance institute

good life

46 march/april 2016 | BethesdaMagazine.com

GOOD LIFE_bestbets.indd 46

2/5/16 3:25 PM

WAIT TILL YOU SEE OUR SUNROOF.

Two pools. Two cool. LEASE NOW Flats8300.com | 888.703.7931

Untitled-28 1

2/10/16 5:09 PM

good life

best bets April 7-8

With a career spanning more than half a century, Patti LaBelle is a pop music trailblazer. From her start fronting 1960s girl group The Bluebelles, she went on to pioneer the 1970s disco sound with hit “Lady Marmalade” and continued on to a successful solo career. Her gospel-tinged soaring vocals earned her a spot on Rolling Stone magazine’s 100 Greatest Singers, and she inspired a generation of soul-singing pop divas from Christina Aguilera and Alicia Keys to Beyoncé and Nicki Minaj. The two-time Grammy winner even crossed over to Broadway and television. But nothing beats the original. LaBelle graces the Strathmore stage for a two-night engagement. 8 p.m., Strathmore, $65-$150, www. strathmore.org

March 30-April 24

RAISE THE ROOF Cat on a Hot Tin Roof is one of Tennessee Williams’ most iconic plays. The story about a Southern family hiding secrets from one another and themselves was made even more famous by the 1958 film starring Elizabeth Taylor and Paul Newman. Helen Hayes Award winner Mitchell Hébert directs the classic at Round House Theatre in Bethesda. Local actress Alyssa Wilmoth Keegan stars as Maggie, and Gregory Wooddell, who recently starred in Round House’s production of Stage Kiss, plays Brick. Round House Theatre, tickets start at $39, www.roundhousetheatre.org

April 15-17

CELEBRATING THE WRITTEN WORD Book lovers get up close and personal with writers at the Bethesda Literary Festival. The annual festival features more than 20 free events, including readings and signings by authors, journalists and poets. Highlights include readings by political commentator Cokie Roberts, author and Washington Post columnist Alexandra Petri, novelist and Post columnist David Ignatius, New York Times best-selling author Kate Alcott and novelist Thomas Mallon. Various times and locations, free, www. bethesda.org

April 15-16

FUNNY LADY One of the preeminent comedians of the 20th century, Carol Burnett comes to Strathmore for two unscripted evenings when she answers audience questions. The format is a throwback to The Carol Burnett Show, which ran from 1967 to 1978. The iconic variety show often began with an impromptu questionand-answer session with the audience. The clever comedian paved the way for comic actresses such as Tina Fey and Amy Poehler. But Burnett was also a star of film and stage, with roles in movies such as Annie and Noises Off and Broadway shows including Once Upon a Mattress. A winner of six Emmys and two Golden Globes, she was honored earlier this year with a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Screen Actors Guild. 8 p.m., Strathmore, $65$175, www.strathmore.org

labelle photo courtesy of strathmore; burnett photo by randee st. nicholas; cat on a hot tin roof photo courtesy of round house theatre

LADY MARMALADE

48 march/april 2016 | BethesdaMagazine.com

GOOD LIFE_bestbets.indd 48

2/5/16 3:26 PM

All Together Now Galleries around the area this spring are featuring group shows by local and regional artists. Here are some you don’t want to miss. ARTISTS & MAKERS STUDIOs April 1-28 Artists & Makers Studios in Rockville hosts its inaugural Victims’ Rights Art Exhibit to coincide with National Crime Victims’ Rights Week. Artists who have survived crime, their families and loved ones, and those who have lost loved ones to crime share their thoughts and feelings through art and the written word. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, free, artistsandmakersstudios. com GLENVIEW MANSION ART GALLERY April 3-22 Twelve area artists display works in the mixed-media exhibition Collaborations at Glenview Mansion in Rockville. Susan Feller, Peggy Fleming, Nancy Frankel, Rebecca Hirsh and other artists show altered photographs, assemblage and everything in between in a show that pushes the envelope. 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday; 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday; free, www.rockvillemd.gov WASHINGTON ARTWORKS April 1-30 Work by Washington ArtWorks resident artists is on display all month, after opening April 1 in Rockville. But during the first weekend, 70 resident artists open their doors to the public for Open Studio Weekend: A Festival of the Arts, which also includes live music and food trucks. Opening reception 6-9 p.m. April 1; Open Studio Weekend, April 2-3, noon to 5 p.m.; gallery hours: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. MondayThursday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; free, www. washingtonartworks.com BethesdaMagazine.com | march/april 2016 49

GOOD LIFE_bestbets.indd 49

2/10/16 11:48 AM

good life

arts & entertainment

calendar Compiled by Cindy Murphy-Tofig

March 16 REDHOT & BLUE. Yale’s oldest coed a cappella group performs songs from the American songbook and jazz standards. 1 p.m. $20; $12 ages 18 and younger. The Arts Barn, Gaithersburg. 301-258-6394, www.gaithersburgmd.gov.

Shai Wosner and Jennifer Koh

March 18 ACADEMY OF ST. MARTIN IN THE FIELDS WITH JOSHUA BELL. Bell, the celebrated violinist and music director of Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, leads the orchestra through Mozart’s Violin Concerto No. 4 in D Major, K218, and Mendelssohn’s Hebrides Overture, Op. 26, and Symphony No. 4, Op. 90, “Italian.” 8 p.m. $55-$175. The Music Center at Strathmore, North Bethesda. 301-581-5100, www.strathmore.org.

March 5 BRAHMS’ GERMAN REQUIEM. The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra performs Ein deutsches Requiem, which Brahms wrote after the deaths of his mother and of his friend, composer Robert Schumann. 8 p.m. $35-$99. The Music Center at Strathmore, North Bethesda. 301-581-5100, www.bso music.org. March 6 “ESSENCES” WITH VIOLIST MARCUS THOMPSON. The evening will include Cantus in Memoriam Benjamin Britten by Arvo Pärt, Carmen Suite for Strings and Four Percussionists by Rodion Shchedrin, and Elena Ruehr’s Concerto for Viola and Strings, commissioned by the New Orchestra of Washington. Presented by the New Orchestra of Washington. 7 p.m. $40; $20 youth and students. Jewish Community Center of Greater Washington, Rockville. 301-348-3779, www.neworchestraof washington.org/feature/essences. March 12 DAVID RUSSELL. The Grammy-winning classical guitarist is scheduled to perform

March 12 ALL-BEETHOVEN. Conductor Markus Stenz leads the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra for Beethoven’s Leonore Overture No. 2, Piano Concerto No. 1 and Overture and Incidental Music to Egmont. 8 p.m. $35-$99. The Music Center at Strathmore, North Bethesda. 301581-5100, www.bsomusic.org. March 13 JENNIFER KOH & SHAI WOSNER. Violinist Koh and pianist Wosner explore the influence Beethoven had on contemporary composers, performing his Sonata in E-Flat Major, Op. 12, No. 3, and Sonata in G Major, Op. 96. The duo also performs a work by contemporary composer Anthony Cheung that’s a companion piece to Sonata in G Major, Op. 96. 7:30 p.m. $41; $36 seniors; $31 younger than 40. Jewish Community Center of Greater Washington, Rockville. 301-348-3779, www.jccgw.org.

March 19 HASKELL SMALL. The pianist-composer is a prizewinner in the Johann Sebastian Bach International Piano Competition and a faculty member at the Washington Conservatory of Music. His program will include Bach’s Partita in C minor, “Pratirupa” by John Tavener and improvised works. 8 p.m. Free; donations welcome. Westmoreland Congregational United Church of Christ, Bethesda. 301-320-2770, www.washingtonconservatory.org. April 2 EDVINAS MINKSTIMAS. The top honoree at the First Tchaikovsky International Competition for Young Musicians is scheduled to perform works by Schumann, Liszt and Piazzolla. 8 p.m. Free; donations welcome. Westmoreland Congregational United Church of Christ, Bethesda. 301-320-2770, www.washingtonconservatory.org. April 2 and 3 HAYDN’S LORD NELSON MASS. The National Philharmonic pairs the memorable work with Duruflé’s Requiem. 8 p.m. April 2 and 3 p.m. April 3. $29-$89; free for children ages 7-17 with a paying adult. The Music Center at Strathmore, North Bethesda. 301581-5100, www.strathmore.org.

courtesy photo

MUSIC

works by Welsh composer Stephen Goss, J.S. Bach and Spanish composers Francisco Tárrega and Federico Mompou. 8 p.m. $44; $22 students ages 18-22; free for younger than 18 when accompanied by a paid ticket holder. Westmoreland Congregational United Church of Christ, Bethesda. 301-6546403, www.marlowguitar.org.

50 march/april 2016 | BethesdaMagazine.com

GOOD LIFE_artCalendar.indd 50

2/8/16 3:36 PM

I . A M A FI L M M AKE R A N D A N A RTS A DVOCATE I . H O N K W H E N I L AU G H B UT IT D O ES N â&#x20AC;&#x2122;T STO P M E I . WE A R I . GO R M A N

BECAUSE I CAN IGORMAN.COM | 1133 20TH ST. NW

igorman_Fall2015_AdCampaign_Bethesda.indd 2 Untitled-15 1

9/30/15 10:33 PM 2/11/16 4:59 PM

good life Flamenco Vivo

April 9 BANDINI-CHIACCHIARETTA DUO. Musicians Giampaolo Bandini (guitar) and Cesare Chiacchiaretta (bandoneon) present a program that includes works by Argentine tango composer Astor Piazzolla. 8 p.m. $28; $14 for students 18-22; free for younger than 18 when accompanied by a ticket holder. Westmoreland Congregational United Church of Christ, Bethesda. 301-6546403, www.marlowguitar.org. April 10 ORLI SHAHAM. The celebrated pianist’s program includes Partita in B-Flat Major, BWV 825 by Bach and Impromptu in G-Flat Major, Op. 90, No. 3, among other works. 7:30 p.m. $41; $36 seniors; $31 younger than 40. Jewish Community Center of Greater Washington, Rockville. 301-3483779, www.jccgw.org. April 19 HILARY HAHN. The violinist’s performance will include commissioned works by Antón García Abril. Presented by Washington Performing Arts. 8 p.m. $50$65. The Music Center at Strathmore, North Bethesda. 301-581-5100, www. strathmore.org.

DANCE March 4 FLAMENCO VIVO: POEMA DE ANDALUCÍA. The dance company transports the audience to the Andalusian provinces of Spain. 8 p.m. $28-$72. The Music Center at Strathmore, North Bethesda. 301-581-5100, www.strathmore.org. March 12 and 13 ROCKVILLE CIVIC BALLET’S SPRING PRODUCTION. Details on the work that will be performed are pending. 7:30 p.m. March 12, 2 p.m. March 13. $17; $13 seniors and children 12 and younger. F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre, Rockville, 240-314-8690, www.rockvillemd.gov/theatre.

THEATER Through March 6 ROBIN HOOD. The classic tale of a man who stole from the rich and gave to the poor is presented by Victorian Lyric Opera Company. 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, 2 p.m. Sundays. $28; $24 seniors; $20 students. 240-314-8690, www.vloc.org. March 18-19 BETHESDA FILM FEST. A showcase for local budding documentary filmmakers, the fourth annual film festival shows five short documentaries, all by filmmakers from Maryland, Virginia and the District. There will be three separate screenings of the program, each followed by a panel discussion with the filmmakers. 7 and 9 p.m. March 18, and 8 p.m. March 19. $10. Imagination Stage, Bethesda. 301-2156660, www.bethesda.org. April 1-17 QUILTERS. The musical, presented as a series of tales, follows seven pioneer

women through the trials of frontier life. 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays. $22. The Arts Barn, Gaithersburg. 301-2586394, www.gaithersburgmd.gov/leisure/arts/ theater-at-the-arts-barn. April 8-10 MURDER AT THE MANSION: A WEDDING TO DIE FOR. Audience members will have a buffet of sweets while watching a murder mystery set during a wedding reception. 8 p.m. April 8 and 9; 2 p.m. April 10. $35; $60 per couple. Kentlands Mansion, Gaithersburg. 301-258-6425, www.gaithersburgmd.gov. April 20-24 CONFERENCE OF THE BIRDS. Based on the poem by 12th-century Persian poet Farid ud-Din Attar, the play follows birds that embark on a journey to seek their king. But one by one, citing different excuses, the birds drop out in this exploration of spiritual questions. 8 p.m. April 20-23, 2 p.m. April 24. $10; $8 seniors; $5 students.

photo by angelica escoto/courtesy of strathmore

April 23 JULIA BOGORAD AND LYDIA ARTYMIW. Flautist Bogorad and pianist Artymiw perform in memory of Hope Bogorad, Julia Bogorad’s mother and the inspiration for a solo piano piece the late Czech composer Bohuslav Martinu wrote in 1941. 8 p.m. Free; donations welcome. Westmoreland Congregational United Church of Christ, Bethesda. 301-320-2770, www. washingtonconservatory.org.

52 march/april 2016 | BethesdaMagazine.com

GOOD LIFE_artCalendar.indd 52

2/8/16 3:41 PM

Untitled-2 1

2/3/16 4:19 PM

good life The Robert E. Parilla Performing Arts Center, Montgomery College, Rockville. 240-5675301, www.montgomerycollege.edu/pac. April 23-24 I AM ANNE HUTCHINSON / I AM HARVEY MILK. Tony winner Kristen Chenoweth stars in the world premiere of I Am Anne Hutchinson, an oratorio by Tony- and Grammy-nominated composer Andrew Lippa. Part theater piece and part choral work, it tells the story of a 17th-century woman put on trial for insubordination to the church for forming women’s study groups. The piece is presented with Lippa’s oratorio I Am Harvey Milk about the first openly gay man to hold public office in California, from his childhood to his assassination in 1978. Chenoweth and Lippa perform together in this Washingtonarea premiere. 8 p.m. April 23 and 4 p.m. April 24. $49-$99. The Music Center at Strathmore, North Bethesda. 301-581-5100, www.strathmore.org. April 29-May 8 OUR TOWN. Thornton Wilder shows smalltown America from 1901 to 1913 through the lives of regular citizens. Presented by Rockville Little Theatre. 8 p.m. Fridays

and Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays. $22; $20 seniors and students. 240-314-8690, www.rlt-online.org.

distance and landscape. Gallery hours noon-4 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays, noon-8 p.m. Fridays, noon-4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Free. VisArts at Rockville, Rockville. 301-3158200, www.visartsatrockville.org.

April 29-May 29 A LESSON FROM ALOES. The Athol Fugard play centers on a farewell dinner that a white Through April 10 CATHY COOK: CRANES IN MOTION. Afrikaner gives for a black activist friend in Cook’s exhibit is a collection of different 1963 South Africa. Presented by Quotidian Theatre Company. 8 p.m. Fridays and media projects that document and explore Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays. $30; $25 seniors; the lives and dynamics of cranes in order to $15 students. The Writer’s Center, Bethesda. understand the species. Gallery hours noon-4 www.quotidiantheatre.org. p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays, noon-8 p.m. Fridays, noon-4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Free. VisArts at Rockville, Rockville. 301-3158200, www.visartsatrockville.org.

ART

Through April 10 Through March 5 CALLA THOMPSON: YOU AND ME, YOU 2016 ART INVITATIONAL. The seventh AND I. Thompson’s photography critically annual invitational includes sculpture, jewelry, examines contemporary culture. Gallery hours paintings and prints, plus works in glass, noon-4 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays, noonceramics and other media. Gallery hours 8 p.m. Fridays, noon-4 p.m. Saturdays and noon-6 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays. Free. Sundays. Free. VisArts at Rockville, Rockville. Waverly Street Gallery, Bethesda. 301-951301-315-8200, www.visartsatrockville.org. 9441, www.waverlystreetgallery.com. Through March 20 RACHEL HAMEL: NECESSARILY INVISIBLE. Hamel’s small sculptural paintings play with the concepts of place,

March 5-31 JOSEPH HOLSTON—WORKS ON PAPER. The Takoma Park painter and printmaker’s noted works include his painting “Letter

Now You Can Wear Those Skinny Jeans, Even If You Don’t Have Skinny Genes We offer fat reduction treatments for abdomen thighs back

upper arms under the chin

Schedule your consultation today!

Dr. Roberta Palestine and Associates BETHESDA 6410 Rockledge Dr. Suite 205 Bethesda, MD 20817 301.968.1200

SIBLEY 5215 Loughboro Rd. NW Suite 140 Washington, DC 20016 202.244.4550

GERMANTOWN 19735 Germantown Rd. Suite 210 Germantown, MD 20874 301.444.0153

www.dermskin.com

Readers’ Pick,

Best Dermatology Practice 2016

54 march/april 2016 | BethesdaMagazine.com

GOOD LIFE_artCalendar.indd 54

2/8/16 3:42 PM

From Birmingham Jail” and a collection of paintings, etchings and drawings called “Color in Freedom: Journey Along the Underground Railroad.” Gallery hours 10:30 a.m.-7 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays, noon-5 p.m. Sundays. Free. Marin-Price Galleries, Chevy Chase. 301-718-0622, www. marin-price.com. March 11 and April 8 BETHESDA ART WALK. Various galleries in downtown Bethesda open their doors on the second Friday of every month. 6-9 p.m. Free. 301-215-6660, www.bethesda.org.

CHILDREN AND FAMILIES Through March 13 JACK AND PHIL, SLAYERS of GIANTs inc. In this contemporary spin on Jack and the Beanstalk, Jack enlists his friend Phil on a trip to the pawnshop to trade in Jack’s grandfather’s watch. The boys get magic beans, and the adventure begins. Suitable for ages 5 and older. 1:30 and 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. $12-$35. Imagination Stage, Bethesda. 301-2801660, www.imaginationstage.org.

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE CULKIN SCHOOL OF TRADITIONAL IRISH DANCE

Through April 10 BEAUTY AND THE BEAST. The romantic tale of a beauty and her true love comes to life in a great forest in Russia. Suitable for ages 5 and older. 10:30 a.m. Thursdays and Fridays, 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. $12. The Puppet Co. Playhouse, Glen Echo. 301-634-5380, www.thepuppet co.org. March 5-20 FIDDLER ON THE ROOF JUNIOR. Tevye the milkman tries to protect his daughters from a changing world in this hour-long adaptation of the Broadway musical. 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. $15; $12 ages 14 and younger. The Arts Barn, Gaithersburg. 301-258-6394, www. gaithersburgmd.gov/leisure/arts/theater-atthe-arts-barn. March 5, March 19 and April 2 SATURDAY FAMILY JAZZ SESSIONS. Jazz instrumentalist Seth Kibel leads kidfriendly classes on improvisation (March 5), rhythm (March 19) and swing (April 2). Recommended for ages 4-10. 11 a.m. $10. The Mansion at Strathmore, North Bethesda. 301-581-5100, www.strathmore.org. March 6 ALEXANDER WHO’S NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT GOING TO MOVE. This could be worse than a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day for Alexander. The family has

The Culkin School of Traditional Irish Dance at the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade at Rio Washingtonian Center in Gaithersburg

to move because his dad has taken a job in a new city, and Alexander does everything he can think of to keep from moving. The musical is based on the book Alexander Who’s Not (Do You Hear Me? I Mean It!) Going to Move by Judith Viorst. Recommended for ages 5 and older. 11 a.m. $7; $6 seniors; $4 students and children. The Robert E. Parilla Performing Arts Center, Montgomery College, Rockville. 240-567-5301, www. montgomerycollege.edu/pac. March 12 PETER AND THE WOLF. The fairy tale is brought to life through Prokofiev’s music, Bob Brown Puppets and the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. $18-$30. The Music Center at Strathmore, North Bethesda. 301-581-5100, www. bsomusic.org April 13-May 22 LOOKING FOR ROBERTO CLEMENTE. A fly ball transforms Sam into a Little League pitching star. His friend Charlie is rejected from the team because she’s a girl, so she forms her own team. As their baseball season winds down, the friends learn about heroism through the off-the-field actions of their baseball hero, Roberto Clemente. 1:30 and 4:30 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. $12$35. Imagination Stage, Bethesda. 301-2801660, www.imaginationstage.org. April 14-May 29 SLEEPING BEAUTY. The romantic story of a sleeping princess and a prince destined to find her is recommended for ages 3½ and older. 10:30 a.m. Thursdays and Fridays, 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. $12. The Puppet Co.

Playhouse, Glen Echo. 301-634-5380, www. thepuppetco.org. April 17 TRAIN DAY. Experience Gaithersburg’s history with the railroad by seeing model train displays, exploring a caboose and rail car, or taking pictures with a 1918 steam locomotive. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Free; donations appreciated. Gaithersburg Community Museum, Gaithersburg. 301-258-6160, www.gaithersburgmd.gov. April 24 ROCKVILLE SCIENCE DAY. The 27th annual science day will include handson exhibits and demonstrations in chemistry, robotics, astronomy, biology and the environment. Noon-5 p.m. Free. Montgomery College, Rockville. www. rockvillescience.org.

SEASONAL Through mid-March SKATING AT THE SQUARE. Lace up and glide across the outdoor rink in Rockville Town Square. 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Sundays, noon-10 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, noon-11 p.m. Fridays and 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturdays. $9 for a two-hour session; $8 children and seniors; $4 skate rental. Rockville Town Square, Rockville. 301-5451999, www.rockvilleiceskating.com. Through March 25 ICE SKATING AT VETERANS PLAZA. Take a spin around the outdoor skating rink. 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Sundays, noon-10

BethesdaMagazine.com | march/april 2016 55

GOOD LIFE_artCalendar copy.indd 55

2/10/16 11:52 AM

good life p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, noonmidnight Fridays and 10 a.m.-midnight Saturdays. $9 for a two-hour session; $8 children and seniors; $4 skate rental. Veterans Plaza, Silver Spring. 301-5881221, www.silverspringiceskating.com.

Nationally Recognized Program for the Treatment of Eating Disorders The Center for Eating Disorders at Sheppard Pratt offers highly specialized, comprehensive care for children, adolescents, and adults with eating disorders. As a national leader in evidence-based treatment since 1989, The Center offers a unique continuum of treatment options for individuals and families impacted by anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder and other forms of disordered eating. Call for a free phone assessment today. This program accepts insurance.

410.938.5252 eatingdisorder.org Baltimore, Maryland ●

March 12 ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARADE. Celtic dance groups, bagpipe bands, clowns and other parade participants turn Grand Corner Avenue into one big party. After the parade, stay for live entertainment at Lakefront Plaza through 1 p.m. Sponsored by the City of Gaithersburg and the Harp & Shamrock Society of Gaithersburg. 10 a.m. Free. Rio Washingtonian Center, Gaithersburg. 301258-6350, www.gaithersburgmd.gov. March 19 BREAKFAST WITH THE BUNNY. Enjoy a light continental breakfast, a magic show, crafts, an egg hunt and a chance to meet the Easter Bunny. 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. $14; $12 for Rockville residents; registration required. Thomas Farm Community Center, Rockville. 240-314-8600, www.rockvillemd.gov. March 19, 20, 25, 26 and 28; April 1, 2 and 3 BUNNYLAND. Race rubber duckies, hunt for eggs, hop in inflatables and take a hayride down the bunny trail as part of springtime fun at Butler’s Orchard. 9 a.m.4 p.m. $7; $9 for children. Butler’s Orchard, Germantown. 301-972-3299, www.butlers orchard.com. April 24 PAWS IN THE PARK. The 17th annual dog walk and festival includes a 1-mile walk, demonstrations, a kissing booth, children’s activities and a pet-oriented market. The Montgomery County Humane Society event raises money to help abandoned and homeless animals in Montgomery County. Noon-4 p.m. $20; $45 maximum per family in advance; $25 and $55 maximum per family at the gate. Bohrer Park at Summit Hall, Gaithersburg. 240-252-2555, www. mchumane.org. April 30 MONTGOMERY COUNTY GREENFEST. The inaugural event last year featured exhibits by local environmental nonprofit groups, an electric vehicle car show and workshops on home energy options, water conservation at home and other topics. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Free. Takoma Park Community Center, Takoma Park. www.montgomery countygreenfest.org. n To submit calendar items, or to see a complete listing, go to www.BethesdaMagazine.com.

56 march/april 2016 | BethesdaMagazine.com

GOOD LIFE_artCalendar.indd 56

2/8/16 3:43 PM

people. politics. current events. books. columns.

banter

High-Wire Networking Potomacâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Yanik Silver arranges adventures for entrepreneurs

photo by erick gibson

By Steve Goldstein

Want to hang out with Virgin honcho Richard Branson on his private island? Or take a ride in a Russian fighter jet to the edge of space? How about learning how to play polo at an exclusive club in Buenos Aires? Then meet Yanik Silver, the Potomac man behind

such adventures. The 42-year-old son of Russian immigrants is a serial entrepreneur, digital marketing guru and Peter Pan-ish leader of Maverick1000 and Maverick Business Adventures, which provides thrills beyond the usual bucket list for other intrepid, wellheeled entrepreneurs. BethesdaMagazine.com | march/april 2016 57

BANTER_M.indd 57

2/8/16 2:18 PM

banter

Silver, right, with billionaire Richard Branson

health care firm Lifematters is a member, as is Melinda Wittstock, founder and CEO of Verifeed, a Washington, D.C., company that analyzes the dynamics of social media. A recent business retreat in Detroit featured a daylong business seminar with Ari Weinzweig, co-founder of Ann Arbor, Michigan-based Zingerman’s, the deli turned mail-order monster; a day of “impact” that was spent volunteering with Superhero Training Academy, a local nonprofit for disadvantaged youths; and a day in the boxing-centric city that included getting into the ring for instruction from highly regarded hometown junior middleweight Tony Harrison. Silver views the adventure trips as part bonding and part entrepreneurial networking. The group has gone scuba diving in Iceland and raced cars off-road in Mexico. A favorite jaunt for members was a 2012 trip to Moscow, where the Mavericks boarded a train to the Sokol air base in the city of Nizhniy Novgorod. There they flew in legendary MiG fighter jets to the edge of space at 60,000 feet, experiencing stomachchurning maneuvers during the flight. Virgin’s Branson became a mentor to Silver after the two met in 2007 at a business seminar. He has hosted the Mavericks several times on his private

Silver plunges 30,000 feet in a tandem High Altitude Low Opening, or HALO, skydive.

Necker Island in the British Virgin Islands. “My goal,” Silver says, “is to get these entrepreneurs out of the conference room.” Silver’s own dream adventure? He owns ticket number 144 on Branson’s waiting list for a $250,000 ride to outer space via Virgin Galactic, which is currently testing its new spaceship after pilot error caused a test flight crash in 2014. n

photos courtesy of yanik silver

“I’m good at helping entrepreneurs add impact to what they do, at providing a kind of sandbox that connects these people, and at instigating mayhem,” Silver says, chuckling at his playful use of “mayhem” while relaxing in the late-1990s, 4,000-square-foot brick home where he lives with his wife, Missy, and children, Zack, 10, and Zoe, 8, and hosts a steady stream of Maverick houseguests. Silver realized he was interested in business at age 14, when he began to help his father sell medical equipment. After attending Paint Branch High School in Burtonsville, Silver graduated with a bachelor’s degree in marketing from the University of Maryland in College Park. His first business venture was a marketing course he developed for cosmetic surgeons. When he was in his late 20s, he used the proceeds from course sales to create what he calls “instant sales letters,” a fill-in-theblanks template for marketers. “It’s what I call a fish product,” he says, referring to the popular adage that it is better to teach someone how to fish than to just gift wrap the catch of the day. His “fish product” was a big catch, providing the impetus for creating SureFire Marketing, an Internet publishing company, and then Maverick1000, which Silver describes as a “global collective of exceptional entrepreneurs that could change the world.” Part networking club and part social and philanthropic organization, the collective focuses on helping young entrepreneurs start their own businesses, Silver says. He has recruited some 130 members—men and women with a minimum net worth of $1 million who pay monthly dues of $1,500, which includes the organization’s annual threeday business retreats. Scott Thompson, founder of the Bethesda-based home

58 march/april 2016 | BethesdaMagazine.com

BANTER_M.indd 58

2/10/16 11:54 AM

48 INSPIRED APARTMENT HOMES DESIGNED WITH WELL-BEING IN MIND

CALL 301.242.0569 WWW.THESTORIES.COM INTRODUCTORY PRICING NOW AVAILABLE

84241_GS_The Stories_Ad_FINAL.indd 1 Untitled-2 1

2/2/2016 3:04:15 PM 2/5/16 10:43 AM

banter

By David Frey

Figuratively Speaking The Great Outdoors by the numbers

With about one-quarter of Montgomery County off-limits to development, it’s easy to find a place to spend time outdoors, whether to take a stroll in a park or hike a woodland trail. The county is home to thousands of acres of parkland and more than 200 miles of trails, plus creeks, rivers and lakes—and the biggest tree in Maryland.

“To be able to bike for miles beneath the canopy of tall trees as you hear the creek tinkling alongside you without having to go too far from the city is pretty awesome.”

Number of “Maryland Champion Trees” in Montgomery County:

—Kevin H., Los Angeles, California, on Yelp, writing about the Rock Creek Trail, Aug. 25, 2013

236.9 Miles of trails:

93,000 3

Rock Creek Trail

10.2 miles Rachel Carson Greenway Trail

(Anacostia, Patuxent, Potomac) Number of Montgomery County parks:

417

30 feet

Number of “National Champion Trees” in Montgomery County:

THREE

Number of rivers:

Longest trail: 18.6 miles

Longest natural surface trail:

Circumference of largest tree (American sycamore, Dickerson Conservation Park, the largest tree in Maryland)

Kentucky coffeetree

common pawpaw

Brookeville

McCrillis Gardens, Bethesda

spicebush Little Bennett Regional Park, Clarksburg

“...we’re in awe of what these trees have lived through, what they’ve been through. It’s a testament to history.” Total acres of parkland: 36,076

Miles of Marked canoe trails:

5.4

Total acres of parkland: Dog parks: 5

60 march/april 2016 | BethesdaMagazine.com

BANTER_M.indd 60

36,076

—Washington Grove resident Joli McCathran, member of the Maryland Big Tree Program, on parks: big trees Dog 5like the American sycamore in Montgomery County, the largest tree in Maryland, in The Washington Post, Nov. 28, 2011

infographics by amanda smallwood

Acres in Montgomery County Agricultural Reserve:

Sources: MONTGOMERY COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PARKS, MONTGOMERY COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION; MONTGOMERY COUNTY CHAMPION TREE PROGRAM

2/10/16 11:57 AM

Preparing for the future? Let’s have that conversation. Planning your family’s future is too important to treat lightly. That’s why you should evaluate a Financial Advisor based on what they can do for their clients. The guidance they provide, the insight they’re equipped with, the level of service and excellence they offer. So contact us and find out how we can help you prepare for the years ahead.

CENTRAL MARYLAND COMPLEX Bethesda 7272 Wisconsin Avenue Suite 400 Bethesda, MD 20814 Robert Meredith Central Maryland Complex Manager 301-657-6300

Untitled-2 1

Bethesda 7500 Old Georgetown Road 10th Floor Bethesda, MD 20814 Rhonda Viapiano Branch Manager 301-961-1800

JOB INFORMATION 8247098/603323232

PROJ. NO.:

Rockville 702 King Farm Blvd. Suite 500 Rockville, MD 20850 John Allen Branch Manager 301-556-2300

TRIM SIZE:

SPECIFICATIONS 8.5" × 11"

Frederick 30 West Patrick Street Suite 700 Frederick, MD 21701 Rob Tinsley Branch Manager 301-663-8833

Potomac 12505 Park Potomac Avenue Suite 420 Potomac, MD 20854 Timothy Kane Branch Manager 301-279-6400

NOTES

2/3/16 4:22 PM

banter

Spellbound By Maura Mahoney

Potomac’s Bob Linn knows how to make words count. The soft-spoken financial adviser deals with numbers for a living, but it’s his ability to recall thousands of letter combinations that landed him in Perth, Australia, last November with the U.S. national team to compete at the World Scrabble Championship. “More mathematicians than editors play high-level Scrabble,” says Linn, who has played in five world championships since 2003 and placed 54th out of 130 participants in Perth. In the

Scrabble stratosphere, employing strategy and being able to quickly calculate the total number of points for a given word is more important than knowing its definition. Invented in 1933 by unemployed architect Alfred Mosher Butts, Scrabble is found in three out of every five American homes, and some 2 million copies are sold every year in the United States. But for Linn, Scrabble is more than just a game. The highly competitive 72-year-old started playing regularly in the early 1980s and reached expert

Potomac resident Bob Linn travels to 10 or 12 Scrabble tournaments a year.

level a year or so after wandering into a Scrabble club in Chevy Chase, D.C, and beating one of the best players there. “I’ve always been a game player,” says Linn, who also plays tennis and bridge and has competed in ping-pong and paintball tournaments. “I was captain of the University of Maryland’s chess team; I understand game theory.” Linn’s wife, Gail, an audiologist, says that when she first met Linn in 1997, she didn’t want him to know that she wasn’t very good at spelling, “and I already had two master’s degrees

Photo by mike olliver

For Potomac’s Bob Linn, mastering the art of Scrabble isn’t just a game

62 march/april 2016 | BethesdaMagazine.com

BANTER_M.indd 62

2/8/16 2:23 PM

PUT YOUR HOME IN A

CASE NEIGHBORHOOD SERIES

Whether it’s catching up with lifelong friends you’ve made through your kids’ activities, exercising on the canal or parking on Bethesda Avenue, Bethesda is much more than a place, it’s a state of mind. Case knows Bethesda because its our home too. For more than 50 years, we’ve been remodeling Bethesda one home at a time.

Untitled-2 1

2/3/16 4:08 PM

banter

at that point!” After participating in Scrabble tournaments for about five years, she now teaches tips for playing Scrabble in local retirement communities, plays games online at night to relax, and accompanies Linn to international tournaments two or three times a year. We recently asked Bob Linn about life as a Scrabble whiz.

So, what drew you to Scrabble? I like games. I like words. And I like competition.

Readers’ Pick, Best Podiatrist

Dr. Paul Ross

Doctor of Podiatric Medicine

Bethesda Medical Building 8218 Wisconsin Avenue Suite P-14 Bethesda, Maryland 20814 301.656.6055

www.paulrossdpm.com

How do you prepare for tournaments? I make up index cards with word categories. I have cards reviewing games that I played—words I didn’t see on the rack, or forgot about, or want to remind myself [about]. I put them on the car dashboard, look at them when I’m at a stoplight. I look at them if I’m waiting in line. I’m always early for appointments, so I look at them then. Here’s a card with the word ‘latrine.’ Those letters also make four other seven-letter words: ‘retinal,’ ‘reliant,’ ‘trenail,’ ‘ratline.’ I also wrote a mnemonic phrase on the card that reminds me of the possible eight-letter words I can build. There’s a ‘C’ in the phrase, so ‘latrine’ must be able to form a word with ‘C’—‘clarinet.’ ‘Latrine’ plus a ‘G’ makes six words: ‘altering,’ ‘alerting,’ ‘relating,’ ‘triangle,’ ‘tanglier’ and ‘integral.’ So the idea is finding a seven-letter word and knowing what the sevenletter words in [that word] are. But if I can’t play a seven, [I have] a phrase to remind me or help me know the eightletter word possibilities. Do you play online? Hardly ever. I use the computer just to study. Do you have tips for players looking to improve their skills? Start memorizing the two-letter and the three-letter word lists. Use the free

Scrabble download word site, zyzzyva.net.

How many tournaments do you travel to per year? Ten or 12. When you travel abroad, what do you do besides compete in tournaments? I’ll take Gail sightseeing for a week. Then she’ll go home and I’ll stay for a week and play in a tournament. We get to see the country, be together, and it helps me with the time changes. You don’t want to be falling asleep in a tournament. In high-level Scrabble, if you lose concentration for five seconds, it’s like somebody takes a mallet and hits you in the head. You didn’t see something in your rack, in your letters; you didn’t see something on the board you should have seen. I want to be awake and alert and on the right time zone. What’s the most you’ve ever won in prize money? There are some big prizes for the winners of the big tournaments, but I’ve never won those. I’ve won maybe $300 to $500 at a tournament. Placing 54th seems like a decent showing at the world championship. I feel that it was actually poor. I came in 31st once, which was the best I’ve done. But for me it’s not really about where I place. I was happy about [some of the words I played that were] difficult and interesting to find and fit. But I missed some words I shouldn’t have. Sometimes you get bad letters, sometimes you get good letters, but missing a word you should know? That’s where I give myself a bad mark. So the fun is in challenging yourself? Yeah. Look, my philosophy of life is, if you’re going to spend any time at all doing anything, why not try to be the best at it? Otherwise, why bother? n

64 march/april 2016 | BethesdaMagazine.com

BANTER_M.indd 64

2/9/16 4:31 PM

VOTED BEST KITCHEN DESIGN FIRM 2016.

BY YOU.

Interior Design by Haus Interior Design Potomac, Maryland

CULINARY | CLOSETS | HOME OFFICES | ENTERTAINMENT

www.BeautifulRosenKitchens.com

Showroom: 12223 Nebel Street, Rockville | 240.595.6732 Voted best Kitchen Design Firm by the readers of Bethesda Magazine, 2011, 2016.

RCK-A-16-001_BethesdaMag_8x10'5c_v05.indd 1 Untitled-2 1

2/2/16 9:08 AM 2/3/16 4:17 PM

trending

Try Before You Buy!

( The good and the bad )

Let’s hope the arrival of March brings the end of lingering frustration over how long the county took to clear neighborhood roads after January’s historic snowstorm. Residents waiting to be plowed out inundated the county with calls and grew frustrated by the lack of real-time updates on the county’s online snow removal map.

Will this year bring a hike in property taxes? County officials are likely to be grappling with that possibility as they deal with budget woes brought on by many issues, including declining tax revenue and the state’s loss in a state Supreme Court income tax case that will cost the county millions in coming years.

Offered exclusively through Exit Latham Realty. Call today to schedule a tour or book your stay at TidewaterVacations.com

William “Skipper” Marquess 410-924-3212

Skipper@ExitLathamRealty.com

Angela Eade 443-786-7220

inquiries@tidewatervacations.com Exit Latham Realty 410-822-2152 29 E Dover St. Easton, MD 21601

illustrations by mary ann smith

▼ ▼

Those hankering for an O’Donnell’s famous rum bun or another taste of Gifford’s Ice Cream are in luck: The O’Donnell family, which ran seafood restaurants locally for nearly a century, recently opened a seafood market in Potomac. And a Friendship Heights chocolatier and the former owner of the Gifford’s Ice Cream chain are planning to produce and sell the popular ice cream.

▼

Magnificent income producing waterfront estate on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Five en suites, heated pool, dock and sandy beach. $3,900,000

▼

“Savoir Faire”

Need a sugar fix? You won’t have to grab a Hershey’s bar at the checkout counter now that two Bethesda candy shops catering to adults have opened: Lolli and Pops in Westfield Montgomery mall imports its sophisticated candies from such far-flung places as Madagascar and Japan, while Bethesda Row’s Sugarfina offers treats including Dom Pérignon champagne gummy bears.

Montgomery County Public Schools in February put an end to questions of who will head the school system by announcing the appointment of Jack R. Smith to the position. Smith, a former superintendent of Calvert County Schools, comes to the county after serving as the interim state superintendent of schools. His selection follows a wild year in which Superintendent Joshua Starr’s contract was not renewed and the school board botched its first attempt to replace him.

▼

By andrew metcalf

66 march/april 2016 | BethesdaMagazine.com

BANTER_M.indd 66

2/15/16 11:21 AM

Untitled-9 1

2/5/16 4:25 PM

banter

From one mom to another A Silver Spring mom helps start a nonprofit to distribute used kids clothing and gear By Stephanie Siegel Burke

Maya Ammons, pictured here with her daughter Halle, helped start ShareBaby, a nonprofit that distributes baby items to children and expectant mothers who are living in area shelters.

they all had too much baby stuff. Some new moms don’t have that luxury. Many local families are struggling to provide the basics, says Jermaine Lemons, in-kind resource specialist at The National Center for Children and Families in Bethesda, a ShareBaby partner agency. A 2015 count of Montgomery County’s homeless population found that 159 families, including 318 children, lacked

permanent homes, according to a report by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments. “There is a real need in our backyard,” Ammons says. “One ZIP code over, there are kids who don’t have money for clothes.” ShareBaby works with 13 shelters across Maryland, including five in Montgomery County, to provide clothing, furniture and supplies such as

Photo by michael ventura

When 85 families crowded into My Gym Kentlands one day last November, they came for more than a playdate. They also brought bags of kids clothes, toys and other items to donate to ShareBaby, a nonprofit based in Kensington and Baltimore that distributes the donations to children and expectant mothers who are living in local shelters. The organization was founded in 2014 by Silver Spring resident Maya Ammons and Kristin Finkelstein and Kate Mumaw, both of Baltimore. The friends, all in their early 30s, were chatting over lunch one day about the amount of baby items—from bedding and gear to toys and clothing—they had acquired. Finkelstein and Mumaw each had two children under age 3 at the time, and Ammons had a 2-yearold daughter and was pregnant with her second child. The women realized

68 march/april 2016 | BethesdaMagazine.com

BANTER_M.indd 68

2/8/16 2:27 PM

bottles, formula and bedding to needy families. The deliveries to shelters are customized to fit the needs of each family. For example, a mom with twin infant sons received a bag of baby clothes for boys, including matching holiday outfits. “Each child gets a tailored bag,” Ammons says. “It takes a lot of time, but I know a mom is going to get this and love it.” For the needy families, receiving the donations means one less concern at a time when they have even bigger worries, such as providing enough food, finding housing and work, and staying healthy, Lemons says. ShareBaby asks “our mothers what is it that they need, and nine times out of 10 they get exactly what our mothers need,” he says. “These items take a load off. It’s one less thing to worry about.” In 2015, ShareBaby provided more than 32,000 items and distributed over 10,000 diapers. In Montgomery County, Ammons and ShareBaby Chief Development Officer Monique Yuan of Bethesda handle all collections and distribution. A team of volunteers helps with sorting items throughout the year. The organization rents storage space for donations in Kensington and is planning to open offices there in February. “Our goal is to support all shelters in Maryland,” Ammons says. Another ShareBaby goal is to bring new parents together to build community networks. That’s why collection drives are held at places such as My Gym or neighborhood playgrounds. The idea is that families can drop off their donations and stay to play and meet new friends, according to Ammons. “We want to create a network,” she says. “Everyone wants to do good. We’re trying to make it easy on everyone to give and to receive.” n BethesdaMagazine.com | march/april 2016 69

BANTER_M.indd 69

2/8/16 2:27 PM

banter

By Aaron Kraut

Neighborhood NOTES 1

News you may have missed 3

1. Snow Central Much of the snow removed from roads, sidewalks and public parking lots in Montgomery County after January’s historic storm ended up in the massive parking lot of the Montgomery County Agricultural Fairgrounds in Gaithersburg. Dump trucks dropped enough snow to create several hills with 20-foot peaks.

2. Free From McMansionization

3. Death of ‘The Beast’

Neighbors pooled together $2 million to buy, renovate and resell a 1940s Cape Colonial in Bethesda to prevent a home builder from purchasing the property and replacing the house with a “McMansion.” But buyers have been scarce, and the price for the Bradley Woods renovated home had dropped nearly $300,000 to $2.1 million at press time.

“The Beast,” a machine at the Shady Grove Processing Facility and Transfer Station that reduces Christmas trees to mulch, caught fire in January while doing its thing. The fire was extinguished quickly, but the $1 million mulcher must be replaced.

4. So Long, Jackie’s Downtown Silver Spring is losing Jackie’s, the restaurant that became a staple of the community’s funky south side. Restaurateur Jackie Greenbaum says she’s closing the restaurant and its sister next door, Sidebar, at the end of March to focus on her new Italian eatery, Little Coco’s, on 14th Street in Washington, D.C.

5. Making the Lorax Proud More than 100 students encircled a tree at Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School on a cold January morning to protest Pepco’s plans to cut it down. Students, who later took shifts missing class in hopes of saving the tree, gave up their protest after Pepco explained that the dying tree could fall on nearby power lines.

illustration by mary ann smith

70 march/april 2016 | BethesdaMagazine.com

BANTER_M.indd 70

2/10/16 11:58 AM

Inside your house there’s only one season. Comfort. When your house feels more comfortable, so do you. Put away the blankets, sweaters and coats and feel the difference that BGE HOME can make with a new high-efficiency Heating and Cooling system.

1-888-BGE-HOME

www.bgehome.com

HEATING • AIR CONDITIONING PLUMBING • ELECTRICAL Priority Scheduling from our Local Service Office

BGE HOME is not the same company as BGE, a regulated utility. MD HVAC #01-7302, MD Master Electrician #12501, MD Master Plumber/Gas Fitter #02-6739, WSSC #70751

Untitled-2 1

2/3/16 4:04 PM

banter

Open House Local homeowners cash in on popularity of Airbnb By Cari Shane

listings in the Bethesda area. On average, Kersey hosts about two dozen guests per year; her 2015 earnings weren’t available. She lives in a master suite on the first floor and uses the back door to enter her home, which is located about five blocks from the Silver Spring Metro station. Guests use the front door to access the upstairs bedrooms and bathrooms. “I had three paleontologists from Italy here to disassemble a dinosaur from the National Geographic building and bring it back to Milan, a divorced father with two daughters who wrote me a poignant letter about how my suggestion to take his daughters to Chinatown and Georgetown helped their relationship” and other interesting guests, Kersey says. “I think I’ve made a difference in people’s lives.” On the weekends, when she is not working as a news editor for WETA’s NewsHour, Kersey says she interacts with those guests who are interested. “I have driven practically every international guest to the Lincoln Memorial at night so I can take photos for them,” she says. Some who list on Airbnb have no interaction with their renters. Mark and Nancy Gross don’t usually meet the guests who stay in their 4,000-square-foot Bethesda home

Susanne Kersey says using Airbnb to rent out spare bedrooms in her Upper Northwest D.C. home has helped her afford to keep the house after she retires.

because the couple, with two kids in college, only rent it when they are going away on vacation. Mark Gross, 57, says his business partner at their courier company gave him flak about strangers possibly riffling through closets while the couple is away. But, Gross says, “We’re basically trusting of anyone who can afford to stay here.” The Grosses require guests to stay a minimum of four nights, which earns the couple about $2,000. They rely on Airbnb’s vetting process, which includes a verified ID from hosts and guests, as well as a link to their

Photo by mike olliver

Susanne and Franklin Kersey were raising their now-grown daughters in their Upper Northwest D.C. home when Franklin died in 2008. Susanne was left with two private school tuitions to pay, plus a “stiff mortgage” on their colonial home. Six years later, she was having trouble making ends meet, so she decided to rent the empty bedrooms on the top floor of her house. In February 2014, she began listing three bedrooms as one rental on Airbnb.com, the international accommodations website. Kersey, 62, says she earned $15,000 in 2014 by charging guests $99 per night to stay at her house. “If I didn’t have an Airbnb rental in my house, I probably wouldn’t be able to retire and keep my house,” she says. “I thought my cleaning lady was crazy when she told me I should have people stay for the night. But it’s been an adventure.” Kersey is among a growing number of Bethesda-area residents who list rooms or sometimes entire homes on Airbnb. Founded in 2008, Airbnb describes itself on its website as “a community built on sharing,” offering places to stay in more than 190 countries. The website handles billing arrangements and keeps 3 percent of the booking price set by the host. In January, there were about 350 Airbnb

72 march/april 2016 | BethesdaMagazine.com

BANTER_M.indd 72

2/10/16 11:59 AM

social-media profiles. “It’s like found money,” Gross says of the rental income. “We travel more because we have more money to spend.” Since the couple began renting in the summer of 2014, they have hosted seven groups of guests who “appreciated the opportunity to hang out privately in our home as a family during a family celebration,” he says. Despite the financial benefits, Gross says he had to persuade his wife that the couple should become Airbnb hosts. “I find it stressful,” Nancy Gross, 53, says. “Sometimes people arrive on the day

we’re leaving, and I still need to clean the house, lock things in closets, empty the fridge.” Silver Spring’s Adam Dunn has no such qualms. Since late 2014, he has rented out the private one-bedroom basement of the secluded house he grew up in and now shares with his girlfriend and his father. Initially, “our only reservation was, would anyone stay here?” says Dunn, 32, who charges $75 per night. A year later, Dunn says the experience of hosting dozens of guests has been “amazing.”

The family’s open-door policy allows guests to enter the main house and to enjoy the vegetable garden “and grab some greens if they would like,” Dunn says. “Turns out one particular guest wrote about gardening and chatted us up with some great soil and planting tips.” While it is technically illegal for homeowners to rent rooms or their entire homes under Montgomery County’s current zoning code, the county hasn’t enforced the law. The county council is expected to approve legislation this spring that would make such rentals legal. n

BethesdaMagazine.com | march/april 2016 73

BANTER_M.indd 73

2/8/16 2:28 PM

banter

Basic Black Stand-up comedian Lewis Black riffs on Donald Trump and growing up in Silver Spring

When acerbic comedian Lewis Black returned to his alma mater, Springbrook High School in Silver Spring, for a benefit performance in 2007, his first joke was X-rated. “The faculty onstage were shocked,” says Joe Lee, onetime owner of Joe’s Record Paradise in Silver Spring and a former classmate who attended the show. “He knew exactly what he was doing...we hated high school.” The performance was typical Black: aggressive, provocative and targeted at people or institutions he wants to

knock down a peg or two. Lee remembers the Class of ’66 pals constantly criticizing their fellow students and what they perceived as narrow-minded oppression by authority figures. “I think I inspired his act,” Lee says. A regular on The Daily Show, Black, 67, grew up in Silver Spring and attended the University of Maryland, the University of North Carolina and the Yale School of Drama. While working as the playwright in residence at the West Bank Cafe Downstairs Theater Bar in New York City, he began doing

stand-up comedy and discovered that he preferred stand-up to playwriting. Since then, Black has released Grammy Award-winning comedy albums, performed on an Emmy Award-nominated HBO stand-up comedy special, and written three New York Times best-sellers. Last year he voiced the character “Anger” in the animated film Inside Out. He also is active with charities, including the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and actor Michael J. Fox’s work in battling Parkinson’s disease.

courtesy photo

By James Michael Causey

74 march/april 2016 | BethesdaMagazine.com

BANTER_M.indd 74

2/8/16 2:29 PM

The perfect look for your location. Black will bring his “The Emperor’s New Clothes: The Naked Truth” tour to the Warner Theatre in Washington, D.C., on April 28 and 29. Black spoke with Bethesda Magazine recently from his tour bus en route to meeting his 97-year-old parents, Jeannette and Sam, in Atlantic City. ON LOCAL CUISINE IN THE ’50s AND ’60s: “You went to Hot Shoppes in

Silver Spring, where the fanciest thing was french fries and gravy. It was the meal of choice. Or Gifford’s Ice Cream. It was old-school ice cream. Weile’s, in Langley Park, was new school—they had sprinkles.” ON SILVER SPRING TODAY: “It’s highly

polished and nothing like it was in my youth. I go on a rant about it for about seven minutes in my act. When I was growing up, it was an idyllic middleclass community with the middle-class values everyone says they want,” Black says. ON CLASS REUNIONS AT SPRINGBROOK: “I haven’t done well at

reunions. I get too irritated with the control freaks who are playing the music and running the thing.” He particularly dislikes playing icebreaker games at reunion parties. “There’s no need for it. The people want to get together and reminisce. I mean, it would be like, ‘Who came the furthest?’ and who gives a s---?” ON HIS MOM, A SUBSTITUTE TEACHER AT SPRINGBROOK: Black

says his younger brother, Ronald, refused to attend when their mom was in the classroom. However, Black couldn’t come up with a way to miss class. Luckily, his mother could handle herself. “She wasn’t pushed around like other substitute teachers. That would have been terrible for me. Instead, it was like the wrath of God was in the room,” he says.

HIS PARENTS’ INFLUENCE: Black says his parents, always political, were against the Vietnam War from its early days. His father, an engineer who helped develop naval mines to guard coastlines, found a small way to protest the war. “He didn’t mind making them because they were a defensive weapon,” Black says. “But when we mined the Mekong [a strategic river], we were using them as an offensive weapon, and my father said, ‘F--- this,’ and retired.” His dad took classes at Montgomery College and turned to painting. Black now features his father’s work in the sets for his tour shows. ON THE PERSONAL NATURE OF HIS WORK WITH THE MICHAEL J. FOX FOUNDATION: “My uncle died of

Parkinson’s, and I was invited to play golf [in fundraisers] with Michael a few times,” Black says. “I think that he’s put together a remarkable organization. Even though we have the National Institutes of Health, we’re not going to fund [research] the way it should be funded.” ON MIXED FEELINGS WORKING WITH THE ACLU: Black agreed to be

the organization’s voting rights ambassador. However, he won’t endorse everything the ACLU does. “They really go down a lot of blind alleys. I mean, they’ll defend some schmuck deciding to f--- a chicken in public or whatever,” Black says. “We don’t have time. Let him get a public defender to defend his right to f--- the chicken.” ON DONALD TRUMP: The early success of Trump’s presidential campaign is “one of the most appalling things I’ve watched in my lifetime,” Black says. He is also horrified by Trump’s call for registering Muslims in the U.S. “Enough’s enough. I don’t know why the Republican Party can’t police itself and tell him he’s gone too far. If the party had any integrity...well, I guess they wouldn’t be Republicans.” n

Walpole offers style for your lifestyle, urban or suburban, and available in low maintenance Azek cellular PVC in a variety of colors. This advanced material looks just like natural wood. To schedule a free at-home design consultation, call 800-343-6948 or visit walpolewoodworkers.com TM

MD - Potomac • VA - at Merrifield Garden Centers in Merrifield, Fairfax, and Gainesville • Serving MD, DC & VA All projects shown crafted with AZEK® cellular PVC

BethesdaMagazine.com | march/april 2016 75 WW22189_ArlBethMarch2016.indd 1

BANTER_M.indd 75

1/27/16 1:25 PM

2/10/16 3:36 PM

banter

A Painter at Heart After a high-powered federal career, Patsy Fleming is drawn back to her art

Interesting lives seldom follow a straight path, but Patsy Fleming’s life has had sharper turns than most. Seemingly destined for a medical career, like many members of her prominent African-American family in Detroit, Fleming instead took up painting, then veered off from art to a 25-year career in federal government in Washington, D.C.—during which she rose to the post of AIDS czarina in the Clinton administration—before she returned to her lasting passion. Fleming, now retired, paints in an appealingly disheveled studio in her home on Massachusetts Avenue in Bethesda—where she has lived since a divorce in the 1960s—and favors 3-foot-square canvases. At 80, following double knee replacements, she moves easily and exudes youthful vitality. She paints two or three times a week for three to four hours per session, mainly using acrylics, and exhibits perhaps once a year at the co-op Foundry Gallery in the District. “I love my studio,” she says, pointing at canvases in varying stages of

completion. “I spend lots of time here, not only painting, but also reading, eating, thinking and trying to understand where my painting is going. I am grateful to have the space that is all mine. It is my sanctuary.” Her work is in private collections and has been exhibited in Edinburgh, Scotland; St. Petersburg, Russia; and many U.S. cities, including New York, Philadelphia, Los Angeles and Washington, D.C. Fleming developed her interest in art at Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, New York, where she was taking premed courses, following in the footsteps of her father and other male family members who were doctors. A boyfriend suggested that she try an art class, and Fleming soon began studying art history and studio art, discovering an ardor as well as an aptitude for painting. Medicine receded into the background. “From the minute I picked up the brush,” she says, “my heart changed its mind.” After graduating from Vassar with a degree in zoology and a minor in art,

Fleming married and moved to the District for her husband’s new job. After they divorced, and with three young children to support, she worked as a researcher at Howard University before being recruited by the Congressional Black Caucus. Staff positions with a series of congressmen followed, including one with Rep. Ted Weiss, a New York Democrat who chaired the oversight committee of the Department of Health and Human Services. Fleming was assigned to a subcommittee and chosen to work

Photo by michael ventura

By Steve Goldstein

76 march/april 2016 | BethesdaMagazine.com

BANTER_M.indd 76

2/10/16 12:00 PM

Artist Patsy Fleming’s work has been exhibited around the world.

on issues dealing with HIV and AIDS. “I had no particular expertise,” Fleming says. “One of my three sons is gay, but I was thrown into it and quickly got to know all the players.” Fleming ultimately held other government jobs and then worked in the Clinton administration, where she last served as director of national AIDS policy from 1994 to 1997. During those years, she made time in her hectic work schedule to refine her art through classes at the Yellow Barn in Glen Echo. “I paint with fearlessness, and let

the painting move in a direction that I respond to,” says Fleming, who now paints abstracts in bright colors. “A big blank canvas is a challenge, but also a doorway to excitement and delight. I love the feel of my brush in the acrylic paint; it is seductive, sexy.” Painting releases Fleming’s sense of “crisis” over the world’s problems, such as drug abuse, violence against women, environmental degradation and war. She expresses her turmoil over these issues in paintings dominated by red and black. “I paint with

empathy and vitality to escape our continual state of crisis,” she says. Her years of dealing with political and social issues are also reflected in how she paints. “Color and line are my vehicles for the expression of memory, imagination and a lifetime of witness,” she says. She’s ready, though, to move on to brighter topics. “I love the sun and the water, so I’m going to do more paintings with yellows and blues and get away from red, orange...that kind of intensity,” she says. n

BethesdaMagazine.com | march/april 2016 77

BANTER_M.indd 77

2/10/16 12:00 PM

banter

A comedy class led Kate Symes to the top of D.C.’s improv scene.

The art of Improv Chevy Chase resident is making a scene at D.C. clubs By Mary Rekosh

of each match-up. Here are some of Symes’ behind-the-scenes insights:

Do you ever get nervous or freeze onstage? When I first started, I definitely got nervous. After my first improv class— which was an eight-week session at DC Improv taught by the amazing Shawn Westfall—there was a graduation performance. I made the mistake of inviting a bunch of co-workers, and realized right before I went onstage that I didn’t want them all to see me make a fool of myself. Luckily, everything went smoothly and I didn’t crash and burn. Six years later, it’s just adrenaline that I feel when I’m performing. Now my “home base” is Washington Improv Theater, where I learn something new every day from Artistic Director Mark Chalfant. As for freezing up, the great thing about improv is that there’s always

something more you can say or do. You really can’t go wrong, because there’s no script. If you think about it, we are all improvising all day, every day. For some reason, the idea of doing it onstage and trying to be funny seems scary, so occasionally people do freeze in a scene, but there’s always some way for the team to move past it.

What do you do when a performance isn’t going the way you planned or the audience isn’t responding? When you’re new to improv, if the audience isn’t laughing or you’re confused about a scene, it can make you panic. Some actors react by reverting to shock humor or cheap comedy, which works for a quick laugh, but doesn’t improve the overall situation. I teach my students to react honestly in the moment. Comedy is found in truthful things, and the audience finds humor in what’s relatable. So if you mine the

Photo by Jordan silverman

Kate Symes wasn’t planning to spend most of her evenings on a stage soliciting laughs when she moved to Chevy Chase from Portland, Oregon, in 2009, fresh out of law school and about to start a job at Thomson Reuters, a multinational mass media and information firm. But she decided to take an improvisational comedy class to try something new and meet people outside of the office—and she quickly became hooked. Seven years later, Symes, 39, is a staple on the D.C. improv scene. She performs at the Washington Improv Theater under the guidance of Artistic Director Mark Chalfant and also teaches classes. One of Symes’ comedy teams, Going to the Movies Alone, recently beat more than 60 others to win the Washington Improv Theater’s 2015 Improv Smackdown Tournament—a March Madness-style competition in which audiences determine the winner

78 march/april 2016 | BethesdaMagazine.com

BANTER_M.indd 78

2/8/16 2:30 PM

scene for what’s true and relatable, you’ll win them over.

What makes somebody a good improv comedy actor? You need to be comfortable with being your authentic self onstage because you’re going to be best when you’re embodying characters who are a shade of the real you. Mimicking another comedian or some other style will seem forced, and this will make the audience nervous and uncomfortable for you. This is the worst. You want to put the audience at ease right away with your confidence; hold their hand and show them that you’ve got this— it’s OK. I’m fine up here. In fact, I’m having fun. Curiosity is also an important quality because your experiences inform the material that you have to draw from. The more you know about the world, the more you have to play with. So you want to read books, watch movies, travel, talk to lots of different people. You’ve been gathering material for improv for your whole life, including that embarrassing summer camp experience when you were a kid. It becomes funny when you’re willing to become a little vulnerable and share that with the audience. Being a team player is key. There’s a basic tenet in improv called, “Yes, and…,” which means that when another actor presents an idea, you agree and expand on it. For example, if a teammate calls you “Dr. Smith,” you are now Dr. Smith in that scene. You can influence the trajectory of the scene by deeming yourself Dr. Smith the proctologist, or whatever floats your boat, but you’re agreeing to [being] Dr. Smith and to taking that ball farther down the field with the group. This means that you have to really listen to what your fellow actors are saying; not just hear it, but really listen with all of your senses. n

The Perry offers stunning 1-, 2-, and 3-bedroom apartments for rent in Potomac, MD, a prime location featuring unique shops and award-winning dining options. FEATURES: •Stylish gourmet kitchens with glass backsplash and brushed nickel •Granite countertops •Stainless steel Energy Star® appliances •Rich wood-look flooring in kitchen, entry and living areas •Crown molding in kitchen, entry and living areas •Keyless apartment entry COMMUNITY AMMENITIES:

•Full-sized washer and dryer in each apartment home •USB outlets •Private balconies in select apartments •Verizon FiOS •Comcast •Nest programmable thermostat

Dog Spa / Pool / Party Patio / Business Center / Meeting Room / Club Room / Zen Garden

START YOUR NEW YEAR WITH REBATES

Maryland customers can now cozy up to additional savings with Washington Gas rebates on high-efficiency natural gas furnaces, water heaters and programmable thermostats. Visit WashingtonGasRebates.com/bethesda for details.

This program supports EmPOWER Maryland.

BethesdaMagazine.com | march/april 2016 79

BANTER_M.indd 79

2/9/16 4:32 PM

banter

book Report By Maura Mahoney

Diane Rehm

LITERARY events CALENDAR

DIANE REHM. The legendary radio host discusses her book, On My Own (Knopf, 2016), which details her husband’s death after a battle with Parkinson’s disease and her adjustment to life without him. 7 p.m. $20; $35 for admission ticket and book; $50, two tickets and one book. Sixth and I, Washington, D.C. www.sixthandi.org.

March 19 DEAR CLASS: TRAVELING AROUND THE WORLD WITH MRS. J. Local author Jane Stein talks about her book, in which Mrs. J visits more than a dozen countries and writes letters to her class about her adventures. 11 a.m. Free. Montgomery County Public Libraries, Gaithersburg branch. www.montgomerycountymd.gov/library.

April 24 KENSINGTON DAY OF THE BOOK FESTIVAL. The event celebrates the International Day of the Book with local authors, artists, booksellers and literary groups, plus live music and children’s activities. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Free. Old Town Kensington. www. dayofthebook.com.

In Just Another Southern Town: Mary Church Terrell and the Struggle for Racial Justice in the Nation’s Capital (Oxford University Press, 2016), Kensington’s Joan Quigley recounts an unsung chapter of the civil rights movement: a battle to end segregation in Washington, D.C. In January of 1950, Mary Church Terrell, 86, and her companions were refused service at Thompson’s Restaurant, located a few blocks from the White House. So Terrell, a former suffragette and one of the country’s first college-educated AfricanAmerican women, took the restaurant to court. Three years later, the Supreme Court invalidated the segregation of restaurants and cafés in the nation’s capital. “This story had everything I was looking for,” says Quigley, who has both a legal and a journalism background. “I just kept wanting to learn more.”

Kensington resident and design consultant Paige Rien is releasing a new book, Love the House You’re In: 40 Ways to Improve Your Home & Change Your Life (Roost Books, 2016) in March. Rien, who was one of two designers on HGTV’s Hidden Potential for five seasons, and also appeared on a couple of episodes of HGTV’s Curb Appeal, says she wrote the book because people often feel overwhelmed by the pictures of home perfection on social media. She decided to create a “hybrid of a guide and workbook” to help readers make their homes work for them with easily digestible steps. According to Rien, “You will love your house by getting to know yourself, coming to know and accept your house and its limitations, and most importantly, learning when you can trust yourself.”

Travel writer and former NPR foreign correspondent Eric Weiner’s new book, The Geography of Genius: A Search for the World’s Most Creative Places from Ancient Athens to Silicon Valley (Simon & Schuster, 2016), describes his journeys around the globe, exploring the history of ancient Athens, Renaissance Florence, the golden age of Calcutta and today’s Silicon Valley, to illustrate how certain urban settings are conducive to ingenuity. The Silver Spring resident argues that there have been “genius clusters” throughout history, which tend to be cities where competition and rivalries flourish and where there is an openness to the outside world through immigration and the importation of ideas. “If it takes a village to raise a child,” Weiner says, “it takes a city to raise a genius.”

rehm photo courtesy; Courtesy of Oxford University press; Courtesy of penguin random house; courtesy of simon & Schuster

March 2

80 march/april 2016 | BethesdaMagazine.com

BANTER_M.indd 80

2/8/16 2:34 PM

Untitled-1 1

2/9/16 1:52 PM

banter

Let’s find your path out of the darkness.

What Bethesda’s Reading Top- selling books as of Jan. 25 at the Barnes & Noble Bethesda, compared with Barnes & Noble stores nationwide and at www.bn.com

AT SHEPPARD PRATT

The Retreat at Sheppard Pratt is a haven of hope. Our renowned physicians and therapists provide intensive, psychiatric care in a nurturing residential Maryland setting. Our discreet, self-pay program treats all manner of mental health and behavioral disorders and can help you better cope with life stressors. Stays, in our 16 private suites, last from three weeks to several months, with the full service and attention you expect. Here, you come to understand yourself with new insight, so you can begin to heal and grow. To speak with a professional, call 410.449.2831.

Paperback (Fiction and Nonfiction)

Hardcover Nonfiction

AT SHEPPARD PRATT

Hardcover Fiction

Barnes & Noble Bethesda

Data provided by:

Barnes & Noble Nationwide/www.bn.com

1. All the Light We Cannot See, Anthony Doerr 2. The Girl on the Train, Paula Hawkins 3. Rogue Lawyer, John Grisham 4. Fates and Furies, Lauren Groff 5. The Nightingale, Kristin Hannah 6. The Japanese Lover, Isabel Allende 7. The Guilty (Will Robie Series, #4), David Baldacci 8. Go Set a Watchman, Harper Lee 9. Avenue of Mysteries, John Irving 10. The Force Awakens (Star Wars) (B&N Exclusive Edition), Alan Dean Foster

1. The Force Awakens (Star Wars), Alan Dean Foster 2. The Girl on the Train, Paula Hawkins 3. All the Light We Cannot See, Anthony Doerr 4. Rogue Lawyer, John Grisham 5. See Me, Nicholas Sparks 6. The Guilty (Will Robie Series, #4), David Baldacci 7. The Nightingale, Kristin Hannah 8. The Magic Strings of Frankie Presto, Mitch Albom 9. Cross Justice, James Patterson 10. Go Set a Watchman, Harper Lee

1. Between the World and Me, Ta-Nehisi Coates 2. The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing, Marie Kondo 3. Humans of New York-Stories, Brandon Stanton 4. The Wright Brothers, David McCullough 5. The Witches: Salem, 1692, Stacy Schiff 6. Star Wars: The Force Awakens Visual Dictionary, Pablo Hidalgo 7. Destiny and Power: The American Odyssey of George Herbert Walker Bush, Jon Meacham 8. Thing Explainer: Complicated Stuff in Simple Words, Randall Munroe 9. Why Not Me?, Mindy Kaling 10. SPQR: A History of Ancient Rome, Mary Beard

1. The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing, Marie Kondo 2. Spark Joy, Marie Kondo 3. Fresh Start: The New You Begins Today, Joel Osteen 4. Star Wars: The Force Awakens Visual Dictionary, Pablo Hidalgo 5. Thomas Jefferson and the Tripoli Pirates, Brian Kilmeade, Don Yaeger 6. Between the World and Me, Ta-Nehisi Coates 7. Killing Reagan, Bill O’Reilly, Martin Dugard 8. Crippled America: How to Make America Great Again, Donald J. Trump 9. The Witches: Salem, 1692, Stacy Schiff 10. The Pioneer Woman Cooks, Ree Drummond

1. Brooklyn, Colm Toibin 2. I Am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban, Malala Yousafzai, Christina Lamb 3. The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics, Daniel James Brown 4. The Big Short: Inside the Doomsday Machine, Michael Lewis 5. Yes Please, Amy Poehler 6. Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption, Bryan Stevenson 7. The Best American Short Stories 2015, T. Boyle 8. The World Almanac and Book of Facts 2016, Sarah Janssen 9. Steve Jobs, Walter Isaacson 10. A Man Called Ove, Fredrik Backman

1. The Revenant: A Novel of Revenge, Michael Punke 2. Brooklyn, Colm Toibin 3. The Martian, Andy Weir 4. 13 Hours: The Inside Account of What Really Happened in Benghazi, Mitchell Zuckoff 5. The Big Short: Inside the Doomsday Machine, Michael Lewis 6. Radiant Angel (John Corey, Series #7), Nelson DeMille 7. I Am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban, Malala Yousafzai, Christina Lamb 8. The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love That Lasts, Gary Chapman 9. The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom, Don Miguel Ruiz 10. Alexander Hamilton, Ron Chernow

82 March/April 2016 | BethesdaMagazine.com

BANTER_M.indd 82

2/8/16 2:38 PM

BETHESDA LIVING, ELEVATED. NOW LEASING SIGNATURE APARTMENTS

SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT AT OUR LEASING GALLERY Designed by award-winning FXFowle Architects, with interiors by internationally renowned firm Cecconi Simone, 7770 Norfolk is itself a work of art. Positioned in the heart of the Woodmont Triangle, these exceptional apartment residences mingle with the bevy of entertainment options in a neighborhood where acclaimed restaurants and premier retailers pulse with energy for an exceptional hybrid of vibrant activity and local heritage.

LIVE7770NORFOLK.COM 301.246.8195

Untitled-4 1

2/9/16 4:26 PM

banter | suburbanologY

by april witt

Alone Together There wasn’t a vacant seat when I boarded the Metro in Bethesda early one morning more than a year ago. I stood in the aisle watching dozens of suburbanites crowd in after me, determined to get to work as quickly and efficiently as possible. There were delays on the Red Line, and no one was willing to let this train leave without them. I’d never seen a Metro train leave Bethesda this packed. I tried lifting my iPhone to snap a photo, but my arms were pinned to my sides in the crush. Somewhere over the District line the train stopped between stations. A garbled announcement over the intercom was inscrutable. Minutes passed. Too many minutes passed. People began visibly sweating. My mind wandered to disaster movies about being trapped somewhere awful. My instinct was to crack a joke. “Anybody seen Das Boot?” I wanted to say, referring to the German movie in which doomed sailors are stranded in a damaged submarine. I didn’t say it. I didn’t say a word. Nobody did. It would have been nice to commiserate. I’ve lived in places like Mississippi, where people chat with strangers all day long—on buses and trains, in line at the grocery store, bank or movies. Bethesda

isn’t one of those places. On the stranded Metro car, people who probably live in the same or adjoining ZIP codes stared into the distance, avoiding eye contact with one another. The longer we waited, the grimmer our silence. When at last the train moved, I wanted to cheer in relief. I didn’t. Nobody made a sound. Finally rushing off the train, I confided to a stranger that I feared I would have lost my composure if we’d been trapped underground much longer. “Me, too,” he said. “I think everybody felt that way.” Hearing him say that made me feel better. All this time later, I still puzzle at the silence on that train. So I was intrigued recently to come across a 2014 academic article titled “Mistakenly Seeking Solitude.” The authors, University of Chicago

researchers, conducted experiments on trains and buses, and in taxicabs to study why strangers in close quarters often don’t speak to one another. Study participants typically predicted that commuting in solitude would be pleasanter than talking with random strangers. They were wrong. Participants who spoke with strangers—either of their own accord or because researchers asked them to—reported having more pleasurable commutes. “Humans may indeed be social animals,” the researchers wrote, “but may not always be social enough for their own well-being.” The degree to which we’re willing to talk to strangers is cultural and varies greatly from place to place. In Bethesda, unlike places I’ve lived in the Midwest and South, strangers typically don’t start

illustration by claudine hellmuth

Why don’t more of us talk to strangers?

84 march/april 2016 | BethesdaMagazine.com

BANTER_suburbanology_1.indd 84

2/4/16 3:11 PM

IMAGINE LIFE IN Paradise “NOW is the best time to buy a home in Florida”

Your Southwest Florida Real Estate Connection

BARRY ROSENFELD

Member - INSTITUTE for LUXURY HOME MARKETING

CRS, GRI, GREEN 1185 Immokalee Road, Suite 300 Naples, FL 34110

Cell: 239.631.9352 Office: 239.449.2793 Brosenfeld@JohnRWood.com

NaplesHomes4U.com Untitled-5 1

2/8/16 1:07 PM

banter | Suburbanology a conversation with me in public places. I’ve wondered what’s different here. Are people who choose to purchase big expensive suburban homes—as opposed to a condo in the city—trying to buy some privacy? To satisfy my curiosity, I walked around town recently talking to strangers about talking to strangers. Everybody I asked said they are less likely to converse with strangers in Bethesda—and the District—than in other places they’ve lived or worked. A Metro police officer who works throughout the region said commuters on the Orange Line in Fairfax and Arlington, Virginia, are by far the most likely to make eye contact with him, smile and exchange pleasantries. Carly Roner, 23, lives in Rockville and works in Bethesda in business administration. In her native Peru, strangers who meet on the street often have extended conversations. “It’s very friendly,” she said. Here, strangers occasionally ask her

for directions, but those interactions are brief. “Here, you ask a question and that’s it, gotta go,” she said. “People are focused on what they are doing and their work.” Travis Hite, 33, a research scientist at a Bethesda-based startup, said this area is friendlier than the District, where he lives with his wife and infant. Still, the entire region is far less friendly than where he grew up. “In southwest Virginia, you couldn’t not talk to people,” he said. “If you ask someone how they are doing, you get an hourlong conversation. Here, if you say, ‘How are you doing?’ you get back, ‘Fine. How are you?’ And that’s the end of it.” Hite sees a connection between people’s habit of not chatting with strangers and this region’s unusually intense focus on work. He misses the friendliness of southwest Virginia. Still, he said, “It’s more efficient here.” Efficient. That word kept coming up. I was pondering it minutes later when

Eddie Fernandez, MD

Khanh Q. Nguyen, DO, RPVI Corporate Medical Officer

Zayed Meadows Director of Vascular Technicians

This team makes this problem go away. Period. Center for Vein Restoration is nationally recognized as the leader in the treatment of vein disease and varicose veins. Our physicians and clinical teams are dedicated to relieving leg pain, treating the vascular cause of severe leg wounds, and eliminating unsightly veins. And with nearly all procedures covered by insurance, we offer more treatment options than most other vein clinics. No hospital. No stitches. No downtime.

Connecticut, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington DC (800) FIX-LEGS / (800) 349-5347 / www.centerforvein.com

I spotted a woman sitting alone in the center of a long communal table at Le Pain Quotidien in Bethesda Row. I sat near her, even though there were plenty of other empty seats. She looked surprised. Melanie Eisner, 34, is a licensed clinical social worker who recently opened an office in Bethesda. She was eating lunch at the communal table—which, in theory, is a place to interact with strangers—because she liked the lighting there, she said. She had her laptop open and was writing something work-related. She’d been at the table for 45 minutes, and I was the first stranger, other than a waitress, to speak to her. I asked Eisner, who grew up in Rockville, what she thought about the inefficiency of talking to strangers and the consequences of being so efficient that we often don’t. “I think people feel very isolated and alone in general,” she said. “They think they are the only ones. They don’t realize so many people feel the same way. It’s the rare person who has this wonderful sense of community. “In Bethesda, people are raising kids. They are trying to get them into the right activities that will help them get into the right schools. It’s all about efficiency. They don’t feel like they have time to get to know some stranger. There is a huge hierarchical thing here, a merciless striving to get to the next level in the hierarchy. I work with kids who are 11 and worried that if they get a B, they don’t get into the college of their choice.” After I finished interviewing Eisner, neither of us got much work done. We sat for a long time in the sunny restaurant drinking green tea and chatting about things like life and love. She told me about a blog I might like on the creative process. I told her about a book I like on the same topic. It was a very inefficient conversation. And I felt happy. n April Witt (aprilwitt@hotmail.com) is a former Washington Post writer who lives in Bethesda.

86 march/april 2016 | BethesdaMagazine.com

BANTER_suburbanology_1.indd 86

2/10/16 5:38 PM

ROCK THE ROLL

Or the wrap, special, salad, noodles, cone, pint, latte. With so many food and bev choices here, every hankering will be satisfied. Especially the one for a good time.

ROCKVILLETOWNSQUARE.COM JUST ONE BLOCK OFF ROCKVILLE PIKE: EAST MIDDLE LANE | MARYLAND AVENUE | GIBBS STREET

COMING SOON: FINNEGAN’S WAKE IRISH PUB, IT’SUGAR, MISO FUSION CAFE, MELLOW MUSHROOM, SAMOVAR Untitled-19 1

2/11/16 5:24 PM

banter | hometown

by steve roberts

Steve Shapiro’s fight against gerrymandering has put him at odds with fellow Maryland Democrats.

Engineering Democracy Steve Shapiro is an engineer and thinks like one. Parts of a machine should fit together and work smoothly. If they don’t, the machine stops working. And he fears the mechanism of democracy is badly broken. Shapiro focuses on one moving part: congressional districts. They are so seriously misshapen in so many places,

he says, that they violate the rights of individual voters and snarl the whole political system. “I think redistricting is so central to how our democracy is going to work,” he tells me from across a small conference table, deep in the library of American University’s Washington College of Law. “That decision, that process, largely chooses who our

delegates or members of Congress are going to be.” In most states Republicans are the guilty party when it comes to gerrymandering. In Maryland, however, Democrats are in control, and Shapiro was living in his hometown of Silver Spring in the early 1990s when the party carved out a congressional district that looked like

Photo by liz lynch

Bethesda’s Steve Shapiro was so outraged by Maryland’s partisan redistricting that he’s taken his legal challenge all the way to the Supreme Court

88 March/April 2016 | BethesdaMagazine.com

BANTER_hometown.indd 88

2/4/16 12:48 PM

THE FINISHING TOUCH ON BETHESDA

The Darcy Style Guide Logo

Discover apartment residences that offer a living experience that’s new and distinctive. Live in a vibrant community surrounded by exciting restaurants retail, and prime entertainment. Schedule your personalized tour today.

FlatsAtBethesdaAvenue.com 888.647.0476

Tagline BETHESDA MAGAZINE BETHESDA MAGAZINE Reader’s Pick, Readers’ Pick, Best New Luxury Condo A Top Vote Getter,

LOVE WHERE YOU

Best New Luxury Apartments

Colors Darcy Bethesda Mag December 2015 outlines.indd 1 Untitled-28 1

12/4/2015 11:27:14 AM 2/10/16 5:06 PM

banter | hometown “two separate blobs with a rope between the two.” Even though he’s a loyal Democrat, Shapiro was profoundly offended by the map, which he felt violated basic principles of fairness. “But of course nothing was going to be done,” he recalls. “The politicians who had control over the process had a reason for doing that.” He was right—the Democrats were determined to protect their own lawmakers. But Shapiro had found a cause. Two decades later, the engineer was living in the Westhaven neighborhood of Bethesda and serving as his party’s precinct chair. After the Democrats concocted another contorted map following the 2010 census, he joined a campaign to block it through a referendum. When the referendum failed, Shapiro turned to another remedy—the courts. “I got to thinking: This has to be unconstitutional,” he recalls. “Let’s take a try at it. The

worse that could happen is that it fails.” Shapiro was an amateur lawyer, but his engineering background had taught him how to solve problems. And the digital revolution had given him the tools he needed to draft a lawsuit. “Before the Internet it would have been very hard for someone without legal training to do it,” he says. The engineer’s suit, Shapiro v. McManus, was tossed out by a federal district court judge in April 2014. He was not deterred, but he needed a partner with Supreme Court experience. He found one after an old football buddy introduced him to Michael Kimberly, an attorney who has filed over 100 briefs in appellate courts. Kimberly was impressed with Shapiro’s argument and agreed to draft an appeal, but says he was “taken aback” by his new client’s forcefulness. “Most of the time my clients are very deferential,

but Steve was quite different,” he says. “He has a real sense of investment in this case.” Their brief argued that the district judge had made a mistake and the case should have been heard by a three-judge panel. Last June the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to take the case. The issue so consumed Shapiro that he retired from the federal government after 33 years and enrolled as a law student at American University last September. Kimberly argued the case two months later, with his client in the audience. Ironically, that same week, Shapiro had been studying the issue of federal court jurisdiction in his civil procedure class. In December the Supreme Court ruled unanimously in Shapiro’s favor and ordered the case to be re-argued later this year. “I was certainly gratified but not terribly surprised,” the engineer told me. After all, he’d done his homework. The first-year law student was in the

TTR Sotheby’s International Realty

A TRADITION OF TRUST

NOW WITH THE MOST TRUSTED BRAND*

Since 1991, with your trust, I have built an exceptional record of high sales prices with low days on market for listing clients, and a remarkable reputation for winning negotiation on behalf of buyers. Through changing markets, at all price points, and throughout the Washington Metropolitan Region. (*Source: Lifestory Research, 2015)

Home. Let’s Get There Together

23 years selling real estate has taught me a lot of things – like what a home really means to you. Whether you’re looking for your first, or selling a family home of more than half a century, I’m here to help. You bring your dreams; I’ve got the resources, skills, and experience to get us there. Together.

Chevy Chase Brokerage 5454 Wisconsin Avenue, Chevy Chase MD 301 967 3344 | ttrsir.com

Barbara Nalls | barbaranallshome.com 240 602 9035 | bnalls@ttrsir.com

90 March/April 2016 | BethesdaMagazine.com

BANTER_hometown.indd 90

2/11/16 11:02 AM

Untitled-2 1

2/3/16 4:15 PM

middle of exams when we talked, and he looked a bit bleary-eyed. At 55, he’s old enough to be the father of many classmates. “The type of work is exactly what I expected,” notes Shapiro, who has never married. “What’s surprised me is the amount of it. Most days I work till 1 or 2 in the morning.” The engineer’s crusade is critical. Election winners have always used their power to manipulate districts, but highly sophisticated computer programs make the problem much worse. The Washington Post rates Maryland and North Carolina as the most gerrymandered states in the country. One of four Maryland voters is a registered Republican, but the GOP holds only one of the state’s eight congressional seats. For example, liberal-leaning communities like Bethesda and Chevy Chase are in the 8th district, currently represented by Democrat Chris Van Hollen. But his territory

goes to the Pennsylvania line, roping in conservative areas like Emmitsburg. In Shapiro’s view, a district like that violates the First Amendment, which guarantees “the right of political association.” For voters such as the Republicans of northern Maryland, he says, “the impact of their political activities is going to be intentionally diminished.” The Supreme Court has always declined to overrule congressional districts, and Shapiro’s suit still faces long odds. But his determination is shaped by his family history. He believes so strongly in democratic principles because his grandparents fled tyranny in Eastern Europe before settling in Baltimore early in the 20th century. “My grandparents,” he notes in his quiet, firm voice, “all came from countries where they didn’t have congressional districts.” Shapiro’s father studied law and

“Always wear a good bra. Sometimes the only support you get is from your underwire.”

moved his family to Silver Spring’s Hillandale neighborhood after taking a job as a patent examiner for the federal government. The son graduated from Springbrook High and earned an engineering degree from Tufts in 1982; he joined the Coast Guard as a civilian employee and eventually became a commissioned officer. After 9/11 he served as a civilian expert in port security for different government agencies. Shapiro never lost his love of politics, inculcated during long Sunday dinners around his grandparents’ tables in Baltimore. He never forgot that they came to America seeking the liberty they lacked back home. His lawsuit represents them all. n Steve Roberts teaches politics and journalism at George Washington University. Send ideas for future columns to sroberts@gwu.edu.

CELEBRATING 2 YEARS AS BETHESDA’S ONLY MEGAFORMER STUDIO

Nima Patel

8 out of 10 women wear the wrong bra! Do you?

As close as you can get to a custom-made bra

BOOK A CLASS

T O D AY !

Readers’ Pick Best Lingerie Store

WWW.SCULPTSTUDIO.COM 240.600.0730

4407 S. Park Ave., Chevy Chase, MD sylenedc.com • 301-654-4200 • Free parking 92 March/April 2016 | BethesdaMagazine.com Sylene BM March 2016.indd 1

BANTER_hometown.indd 92

1/5/16 4:33 PM

2/4/16 12:50 PM

S p e c ial A d verti s in g Section

istock

Ho m e M a k e o ve r G ui de Remodelling advice and ideas from architects, builders, interior and kitchen designers, landscapers, financing experts and more BethesdaMagazine.com | March/April 2016 93

2016 B Home Makeover Guide.indd 93

2/15/16 10:44 AM

Home Mak eover G uide

Sp ecial A dver t i s ing Se c tio n

E xp e rt Adv ice D eb Levy, V P / Sen i o r M o rt g a ge Br o ker EagleBank | NMLS ID: 481255 Office: 202-292-1581 | Mobile: 301-332-7758 deblevy@eaglebankcorp.com | www.debbielevy.com

Member FDIC

Renovating a home is fun but worth the frustration. You’ll want to budget 20 percent over the time to completion and at least 20-25 percent over the budget. Two factors come to play when renovating: first, we’re more than likely working with older homes that need to be modernized for the renovations to work; and, second, there’s the “while we’re doing this, let’s add that” factor. Always be sure to check in with a lender regarding finances multiple times throughout the process. There are many ways to finance home improvements, so please feel free to call and discuss what makes sense for you. You’ll want to have a financial game plan before you start. Keep in mind that not all renovations translate to a dollar-for-dollar increase in value. Some improvements are specific to your taste. Be sure to consult with your local real estate agent to see what renovations have the most impact for value.

Je ss e W ert je s JW Home Improvement 703-899-3129 | jwimprovements.com Exterior Paint: Spring is the perfect time to update the color scheme of your home. The average paint job can last a number of years so be sure it’s done right. Touch up painting can also extend the life of previous painting projects. Fresh coats of paint produce a “like new” appearance of your home. Weather Stripping: Weather stripping and caulking are important to maintaining an energy efficient home. Replacing door sweeps and weather stripping are relatively inexpensive. You may want to hire a handyman for proper installation. Sealing around windows and doors: Caulking around windows and doors will prevent air drafts from entering your home. A silicone or butyl caulking is best for the exterior.

kaz M a l ac h o w s ki Falcon Construction 301-294-3100 | contact@falconconstruction.us | www.falconconstruction.us

Do I need an architect? It depends on the scope of the project. While a major remodel or new construction will almost always require an architect to translate your vision into a set of plans, smaller scale projects can be managed by the contractor and homeowner.

courtesy photos

What is one of the biggest pitfalls people incur when hiring a contractor? Hiring a contractor who comes in with the lowest bid. While not necessarily indicative of the quality of work that a contractor can achieve, reputation should play a larger role in your selection of a contractor. Sometimes contractors will lowball a bid in order to secure the project, then overload the client with change orders, which will be costly and make working with such a contractor more strenuous. Procuring references from architects or past clients is a more coherent method of assessing if a contractor is right for your project.

94 March/April 2016 | BethesdaMagazine.com

2016 B Home Makeover Guide.indd 94

2/10/16 12:31 PM

Ho m e Makeo v er Guid e

S p e c i a l A d v e r t i s i ng S ecti o n

Ex pert A d vi ce M er id i an H o mes, In c. 301-652-4440 | info@meridianhomesinc.com | www.meridianhomesinc.com Remodeling your home is a huge investment. How do you choose a homebuilder who will be your trusted partner throughout the entire process? Word of mouth is often the best way. Ask your friends and colleagues whom they used to renovate their homes. Then, do research by checking out websites, photo galleries, blogs and other online resources. Once you have narrowed down your choices, set up consultations and ask lots of questions. Understand how each builder sets up fee structures. Remember, cheaper is not always better. Hire a professional homebuilder who will provide outstanding client service and high-quality, solid construction. Make sure that the homebuilder you ultimately hire fully understands your expectations from the start. When your completed remodeling project is just what you wanted, you will be thankful you took the time to do plenty of research upfront.

R u ss Gl ickm an Glickman Design Build 301-444-4663 | GlickmanDesignBuild.com The kitchen has always been the heart of the home and now the brains as well, with the emergence of smarter appliances, fixtures and design practices. Here are smart upgrades to consider for your kitchen: A home for electronics. Homeowners are increasingly incorporating charging stations into island countertops or tucking them into a cabinet drawer. There are also freestanding stations that can be kept out on the countertop. Appliances that cut down on guesswork. Convection steam ovens are gaining in popularity. Also cooking appliances with Wi-Fi capability, such as wall ovens allowing you to preheat the oven from another part of the house. Streamlined islands. Adding an induction cooktop to the island creates a second workstation. These cooktops are particularly suited for island installations, since their smooth tops are relatively easy to keep clean.

B asem S aa h MLA , ASLA

Courtesy Photos

American Plant 301-762-6301 | basem@afpgarden.com www.houzz.com/pro/aplandscape/american-plant When considering any type of new garden wall or edge treatment, remember that with that comes an unspoken reflection of your intent. Edges and boundaries can be considered hard, as in a stone wall, soft as in a shrub hedge or fluid, with clear openings that suggest that passing across is both inviting and encouraged. Stone walls can give the impression that â&#x20AC;&#x153;this is our property, and you cannot passâ&#x20AC;? while a softer border of shrubs leaves a less severe message. Depending on your needs, a low iron fence, or a wide border of perennials can give two very different visual impressions of the same message. Likewise, a two-foot high row of boxwoods means one thing, but a five-foot high row is perceived as something entirely different. Best Advice: know your intentions for that edge before you begin. BethesdaMagazine.com | March/April 2016 95

2016 B Home Makeover Guide.indd 95

2/10/16 12:32 PM

Home Mak eover G uide

Sp ecial A dver t i s ing Se c tio n

kit c hen & Bath S how c as e

Jack R osen C ustom K itc h ens

Voted â&#x20AC;&#x153;Best Kitchen Design Firm 2016â&#x20AC;? by the readers of Bethesda Magazine, Jack Rosen Custom Kitchens, Inc. continues to be one of the most celebrated kitchen design firms in the Washington, D.C. area. Offering award-winning designs and fine cabinetry for culinary, closets, home offices and entertainment with outstanding service.

Courtesy photos

12223 Nebel St., Rockville, MD 20852 240-595-6732 | BeautifulRosenKitchens.com

96 March/April 2016 | BethesdaMagazine.com

2016 B Home Makeover Guide.indd 96

2/10/16 12:32 PM

Ho m e Makeo v er Guid e

S p e c i a l A d v e r t i s i ng S ecti o n

K it c hen & b ath S ho wca s e

By Sagatov Design + Build

AR CH I T E CT URA L C ERAMI CS By Donald Lococo Architects

By Mary Douglas Drysdale

Courtesy photos

6807 Wisconsin Ave., Chevy Chase, MD 20815 301-718-8343 | sales@architecturalceramics.com architecturalceramics.com From the rustic charm of a country kitchen with green ceramic backsplashes and slate floors, to the stunning white thassos marble bathroom with floral waterjet mosaics, to the colorful cement backsplash in a modern farmhouse, Architectural Ceramics brings the widest variety of tiles and designs for any home or space. BethesdaMagazine.com | March/April 2016 97

2016 B Home Makeover Guide.indd 97

2/10/16 12:33 PM

Home Mak eover G uide

Sp ecial A dver t i s ing Se c tio n

Build e rs & architects Showcas e

ART D esign Build

ART Design Build has been making dreams come true in your neighborhood since 1994. An award-winning design/build firm that takes pride in turning your house into a beautiful, dynamic home. ART Design Build has dedicated accessible project managers on every job ensuring a precise on-time finish at or under budget. Our creative design department is unrivaled in their quality and expertise. Pictured are our 2015 award winners. Email or call us when you are ready to transform your life!

courtesy photos

4309 Lynbrook Drive, Bethesda, MD 20814 301-656-6500 | artdesignbuild.com

98 March/April 2016 | BethesdaMagazine.com

2016 B Home Makeover Guide.indd 98

2/10/16 12:33 PM

Ho m e Makeo v er Guid e

S p e c i a l A d v e r t i s i ng S ecti o n

Bu il ders & a rchitects S ho w c a s e

A NTH O NY W I L DER

courtesy photos

7913 MacArthur Blvd., Cabin John, MD 20818 301-907-0100 | anthonywilder.com

The Anthony Wilder team inspires clients to create homes that reflect the life they dream of. The collaborative, intimate nature of our design/build process results in uniquely individual projects, ensuring harmony in both form and function. Anthony Wilder clients are family; our success is driven by their inspiration.

BethesdaMagazine.com | March/April 2016 99

2016 B Home Makeover Guide.indd 99

2/10/16 12:33 PM

Home Mak eover G uide

Sp ecial A dver t i s ing Se c tio n

Photo: Erik Kvalsvik

Build e rs & architects Showcas e

ÂŠ Anice Hoachlander

ÂŠ Maxwell McKenzie

MU S E AR CH I T E CTS

7401 Wisconsin Ave., Suite 500, Bethesda, MD 20814 301-718-8118 | office@musearchitects.com musearchitects.com Muse Architects, established in 1983, is an office with extensive experience in residential and interior design projects, as well as expertise in sustainable design for all project types. The work of Muse Architects has received more than 160 design awards and has been reviewed in more than 200 architectural books and periodicals. 100 March/April 2016 | BethesdaMagazine.com

2016 B Home Makeover Guide.indd 100

2/10/16 12:34 PM

Ho m e Makeo v er Guid e

S p e c i a l A d v e r t i s i ng S ecti o n

Bu i l ders & ar chite c ts S ho wc a s e

AFTER

S A N D Y SP RI NG B U L DER S

BEFORE

Courtesy photos

4705 West Virginia Ave., Bethesda, MD 20814 301-913-5995 | info@sandyspringbuilders.com sandyspringbuilders.com Sandy Spring Builders is a full-service company. Our projects range from detailed kitchen and bath remodels to whole house renovations and additions. Working collaboratively with our clients, we provide a more creative and personalized process resulting in an extremely well-built, â&#x20AC;&#x153;liveableâ&#x20AC;? home. Our exceptional customer service makes us your Builder for Life. BethesdaMagazine.com | March/April 2016 101

2016 B Home Makeover Guide.indd 101

2/10/16 12:34 PM

Home Mak eover G uide

Sp ecial A dver t i s ing Se c tio n

Build e rs & architects Showcas e

TH E BL O C K B UI L DER S G ROU P

The Block Builders Group is an award-winning custom home builder, building custom homes and renovations in D.C., Maryland, Virginia and Delaware. We have been providing our clients with a standard of excellence, a commitment to top quality craftsmanship, unparalleled customer service and integrity since 1990.

courtesy photos

7758 Wisconsin Ave., Suite 206, Bethesda, MD 20814 240-497-0707 | www.blockbuildersgroup.com

102 March/April 2016 | BethesdaMagazine.com

2016 B Home Makeover Guide.indd 102

2/11/16 11:06 AM

Ho m e Makeo v er Guid e

S p e c i a l A d v e r t i s i ng S ecti o n

Bu il ders & architects S ho w c a s e

MARYLAND SU NROOM S

courtesy photos

2902 Back Acre Circle, Mount Airy, MD 21771 301-829-1313 | marylandsunrooms.com

Maryland Sunrooms is a Four Seasons Sunroom franchise that has built and serviced Sunrooms, Patio Rooms and Conservatories in Maryland for nearly 20 years. The Four Seasons Sunroom has the most comprehensive line of sunroom styles and related products available today. You will enjoy your project for many years to come!

BethesdaMagazine.com | March/April 2016 103

2016 B Home Makeover Guide.indd 103

2/10/16 12:35 PM

Home Mak eover G uide

Sp ecial A dver t i s ing Se c tio n

O ut door living S how cas e

Capitol Hards c apes

Capitol Hardscapes can create curb appeal that will enhance the beauty and increase the value of your home. Founded on providing superior customer service and personal attention, we bring the heart of a gardener, the eye of an artist and the discipline of an architect to each project we undertake.

courtesy photos

Bethesda, MD 301-887-1880 | capitolhardscapes.com

104 March/April 2016 | BethesdaMagazine.com

2016 B Home Makeover Guide.indd 104

2/10/16 12:35 PM

S p e c i a l A d v e r t i s i ng S ecti o n

Ho m e Makeo v er Guid e O u tDo o r L ivin g S ho wc a s e

AMERI C A N PL A NT

courtesy photos

7405 River Road, Bethesda, MD 20817 301-762-6301 | houzz.com/pro/aplandscape/american-plant

American Plant Landscape Design/Build offers the same innovative spirit and customer service our nurseries are known for. Our design team provides creative, site and client sensitive landscape design solutions. Our beautiful, functional and unique landscape designs transform outdoor garden spaces into extensions of the home.

BethesdaMagazine.com | March/April 2016 105

2016 B Home Makeover Guide.indd 105

2/10/16 12:36 PM

Home Mak eover G uide

Sp ecial A dver t i s ing Se c tio n

o ut d oor l i v ing s how c as e

L O NG F E NC E A N D H OME

Through top-quality products, top-quality people, and world-class customer service, Long Fence and Home has proudly served the DMV region for the last 70 years, with a strong focus on windows, roofing, siding and doors.

Courtesy photos

10236 Southard Drive, Beltsville, MD 20705 1-800-417-LONG (5664) | longfenceandhome.com

106 March/April 2016 | BethesdaMagazine.com

2016 B Home Makeover Guide.indd 106

2/10/16 12:36 PM

S p e c i a l A d v e r t i s i ng S ecti o n

Ho m e Makeo v er Guid e O u tdo o r l ivin g S ho wc a s e

F I N E EARTH L ANDSCA PE

courtesy photos

301-983-0800 www.FineEarth.com

Fine Earth Landscape is an award-winning design/build company serving D.C., Maryland and Northern Virginia. We have built our reputation over the past 40 years working with clients and their friends. It gives us great pleasure providing excellent personalized service when constructing beautiful hardscapes and choosing attractive plantings.

BethesdaMagazine.com | March/April 2016 107

2016 B Home Makeover Guide.indd 107

2/10/16 12:36 PM

Home Mak eover G uide

Sp ecial A dver t i s ing Se c tio n

R es o urce Gui de A.I.R.

An eco-friendly landscape management company that saves property managers/ owners from the harmful effects of gasoline-powered equipment and synthetic chemicals. We use battery-powered equipment and natural, organic products. Our services: landscaping, design, construction, natural, organic lawn care and snow and ice. 240-772-1639 contactair.today

The Alexander Group, Inc. Founded in 1986 by Alex Dean, the Alexander Group celebrates 30 years serving Washington D.C. homeowners. A leader in residential green building/remodeling since its inception, the Alexander Group has won more than 60 awards for its high impact, energy efficient designs.

dedication to quality has built our stellar reputation. 301-762-6301 houzz.com/pro/aplandscape/ american-plant

Anthony Wilder Design/Build

ART Design Build has been making dreams come true in your neighborhood since 1994. An award-winning design/build firm that takes pride in turning your home into a beautiful, efficient house. Email or call us when you are ready to transform your life! Years of experience in architecture and construction complement our mission of creating unique spaces that are decidedly different because they reflect individual identity. We make sure all elements of design and construction come together cohesively in both form and function.

301-656-6500 artdesignbuild.com

THE BLOCK BUILDERS GROUP

301-907-0100 anthonywilder.com

Architectural Ceramics

The Block Builders Group is an awardwinning custom home builder, building custom homes and renovations in D.C., Maryland, Virginia and Delaware. We have been providing a standard of excellence, a commitment to quality craftsmanship, unparalleled customer service and integrity since 1990.

301-230-3040 alexandergroup.net

American Plant landscape

ART Design Build

Architectural Ceramics deemed “where the architects and designers shop” is a family owned and operated tile and stone company for 30+ years. AC’s colorful cement wall tiles give this modern farmhouse kitchen the perfect accent for its backsplash.

240-497-0707 www.blockbuildersgroup.com

BOWA

Our landscape division offers experienced, personalized design and building services that transform even a difficult space into a paradise. From masonry to aquascaping, our in-house professionals get the job done. Attention to detail and

With a focus on delivering remarkable client experiences, BOWA specializes in

Courtesy photos

301-718-8343 architecturalceramics.com

108 March/April 2016 | BethesdaMagazine.com

2016 B Home Makeover Guide.indd 108

2/10/16 12:37 PM

Ho m e Makeo v er Guid e

S p e c i a l A d v e r t i s i ng S ecti o n

Res o u r ce G u ide luxury renovations ranging from master suites and kitchens to whole-house and whole-condo remodels. The 2016 “Best of Bethesda Readers’ Pick” winner – call us to get started on your design!

Case Design/Remodeling

renovations and she lends in all 50 states. 202-292-1581 | Mobile: 301-332-7758 debbielevy.com Member FDIC

301-657-3947 bowa.com

Falcon Construction

Capitol Hardscapes Founded in 1961, Case Design/Remodeling, Inc. in Bethesda and Falls Church provides full-service residential remodeling with a focus on Value, Design and Respect. With a commitment to community and its homeowners, Case offers inspirational design, quality craftsmanship and superior service. 301-229-4600 casedesign.com Capitol Hardscapes is a family-owned company founded on providing superior customer service and personal attention. We bring the heart of a gardener, the eye of an artist, and the discipline of an architect to each project we undertake.

Chapel Valley Landscape Company

Falcon Construction was founded and incorporated by European craftsmen in Maryland in 1989. Over the years, we have established excellent working relations with the most renowned architectural firms in the Washington area and have developed a very satisfied customer base. 301-294-3100 falconconstruction.us

301-887-1880 capitolhardscapes.com

Fine Earth Landscape

Carnemark design + Build An elegant, welcoming entrance, a private outdoor sanctuary, an inviting social gathering space — whatever your unique needs, call on Chapel Valley. For more than 45 years we’ve helped discerning home owners create beautiful and functional outdoor living spaces.

From whole house remodels to kitchen, addition, bath, and condo renovations, Carnemark creates design + build solutions that flow — meeting practical needs in contemporary life through a client-responsive and environmentally sensitive process.

Courtesy photos

301-657-5000 Carnemark.com

301-924-5400 chapelvalley.com

Fine Earth Landscape is an award-winning design/build company serving D.C., Maryland and Northern Virginia. We have built our reputation over the past 40 years working with great clients and their friends with excellent personalized service.

Deb Levy EagleBank

301-983-0800 FineEarth.com

Deb Levy has a tireless passion for real estate. Excelling in the borrowing needs of high net-worth individuals, Deb understands the need for personal attention for unusual situations. Her specialty is new construction, home

Glickman Design Build

Glickman Design Build is a high-end home

BethesdaMagazine.com | March/April 2016 109

2016 B Home Makeover Guide.indd 109

2/11/16 4:53 PM

Home Mak eover G uide

Sp ecial A dver t i s ing Se c tio n

Re so urc e Gu id e design, remodel and build company with a focus on creating homes for life. They have been recognized with over 40 national and local awards for design, craftsmanship, customer satisfaction and business ethics.

Johnson’s Landscaping Service

1-800-417-LONG (5664) longfenceandhome.com

301-444-4663 GlickmanDesignBuild.com

Maryland Sunrooms

Hughes Landscaping

Johnson’s Landscaping Service, Inc. is a family-owned and operated, full-service landscaping company serving residential and commercial clients of Montgomery County and Northwest D.C. since 1960. Bethesda Magazine’s “Readers Pick,” runner up, Best Landscaping Company For 2015 Since 1983, Hughes Landscaping has delivered thoughtful designs, quality materials and the highest standards of craftsmanship to create beautiful, functional outdoor spaces for clients across the Washington Metropolitan Area. Voted one of the “Top Vote Getters” in the 2015 “Best of Bethesda Readers Poll.”

Long Fence and Home has proudly served the DMV region for the last 70 years, with a strong focus on windows, roofing, siding and doors.

301-640-5456 JohnsonsLandscaping.com

JW Home Improvement

Maryland Sunrooms is a Four Seasons Sunroom franchise that has built and serviced Sunrooms, Patio Rooms, and Conservatories in Maryland for nearly 20 years. The Four Seasons Sunroom has the most comprehensive line of sunroom styles and related products available — give us a call! 301-829-1313 MarylandSunrooms.com

Meridian Homes

301-330-4949 HughesLandscaping.com

JW Home Improvement prides itself on offering homeowners superior craftsmanship, world-class service and competitive pricing. Our founder, Jesse Wertjes, has built quality and service into every aspect of the business so that the customer is “wowed” each and every time. 703-899-3129 office@jwimprovements.com jwimprovements.com

Voted “Best Kitchen Design Firm 2016” by the readers of Bethesda Magazine, Jack Rosen Custom Kitchens is one of the most celebrated design firms in the area. Offering award winning designs and fine cabinetry for culinary, closets, home offices and entertainment with outstanding service.

At Meridian Homes, we’re proud of our reputation for outstanding client service and solid, beautiful craftsmanship. Our passion for creating exceptional residences has earned us many awards over the 20 years we have served the Washington, D.C. area. 301-652-4440 info@meridianhomesinc.com meridianhomesinc.com

LONG FENCE AND HOME Muse Architects

240-595-6732 info@rosenkitchens.com BeautifulRosenKitchens.com Through top-quality products, top-quality people, and world-class customer service,

By carefully analyzing the site and the owner’s program, Muse Architects extends what is best about the existing conditions while mitigating

Courtesy photos

Jack Rosen Custom Kitchens, Inc.

110 March/April 2016 | BethesdaMagazine.com

2016 B Home Makeover Guide.indd 110

2/11/16 4:53 PM

Ho m e Makeo v er Guid e

S p e c i a l A d v e r t i s i ng S ecti o n

Reso u r ce G u id e its problems. Through this process we look to design a home that looks as if it has always been there. 301-718-8118 office@musearchitects.com musearchitects.com

and advice, tight construction management and thorough after-market service. 301-840-9310 oneilldev.com

301-913-5995 sandyspringbuilders.com

The Sharper Cut

Sandy Spring Builders O’Neill Development

Specializing in custom homes, remodeling & passive house building. Active in Metro Area and Eastern Shore. Bringing 40 years’ experience to preconstruction budgeting

17th Annual

Sandy Spring Builders is a full-service company. Our projects range from detailed kitchen and bath remodels to whole-house renovations and additions. Working collaboratively with our clients, we provide a more creative and personalized process resulting in an extremely well-built “liveable” home.

A landscape design and build firm that specializes in creating lifestyles for our clients in a phased approach based on proper design. We integrate experience and expertise, gained from a broad range of disciplines, to translate desires and inspirations into reality. 301-782-2980 sharpercut.com

April 15-17, 2016 The Bethesda Urban Partnership invites you to celebrate the diversity of literature with novelists, journalists, poets, children’s events and writing contest winners. All events take place throughout downtown Bethesda and are FREE!

Courtesy photos

Cokie Roberts, Joanne Cronrath Bamberger, Kate Alcott, David Ignatius and more!

For a complete schedule, call 301-215-6660 or visit www.bethesda.org. BethesdaMagazine.com | March/April 2016 111

2016 B Home Makeover Guide.indd 111

2/10/16 12:40 PM

Top Teens Meet the winners of our seventh annual Extraordinary Teen Awardsâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;12 of Montgomery Countyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best and brightest students, chosen from more than 100 nominees. From a teen working to prevent suicide to a book lover who has distributed more than 9,000 books to children in need, these students shine both in and out of the classroom. By Caralee Adams and Amy Reinink Photos by michael Ventura

112 March/April 2016 | BethesdaMagazine.com

FEATURES_TOP TEENS_M.indd 112

2/8/16 12:13 PM

Jeffrey Cirillo S e n i o r, Wa lt e r J o h n s o n High School

Suicide is not an easy topic to discuss. But Jeffrey Cirillo believes high schools should do more to make teenagers aware of mental health issues and create a supportive culture so students know where to go for help. After a fellow Walter Johnson High School (WJ) student committed suicide on New Year’s Day last year, Jeffrey organized the Reaching Out Campaign and the Reaching Out Club at the school to take on the issue and link students with helpful resources. “I felt that someone needed to do something,” says the 17-year-old senior from North Bethesda, who looked at the gap between what research says about the need for enough school psychologists, education on mental illness and school suicide-prevention policies, and what was actually being done. Within WJ, Jeffrey and other club members met with Principal Jennifer Baker and pushed successfully for a formal plan that includes procedures for handling at-risk students and the appointment of a suicideprevention coordinator. They also filled the hallways with posters featuring a local help line for students in crisis. To advocate for broader change, Jeffrey presented to the Montgomery County Board of Education, urging it to make the health curriculum on depression and anxiety more relevant to students. He also lobbied the board for additional school psychologists and cohesive school policies to prevent suicide. “[Jeffrey] is the epitome of a leader,” says Nicole McCarn, a psychology teacher of Jeffrey’s and the Reaching Out Club sponsor. “He really wants to create real change.” Jeffrey says he will always care about suicide prevention and will likely be an advocate in college. “It’s not something I chose. But a lot can change in a single powerful experience,” he says. “Now it’s a part of who I am and what I do.” With a 4.0 GPA, Jeffrey is an accomplished member of the debate team and plans to study political science or international relations in college. BethesdaMagazine.com | March/April 2016 113

FEATURES_TOP TEENS_M.indd 113

2/8/16 12:13 PM

Stephanie Quintero S e n i o r, S t. A n d r e w ’s e p i s co pa l s c h o o l

During a family trip to South America five years ago to visit relatives, Germantown resident Stephanie Quintero learned that an English program for kids in the small village of La Mesa, Colombia, was being cut. Stephanie, then 12, and her older brother, Chris, wanted to help. They enlisted their mom, Martha Galvis, a teacher, to join them in developing a oneweek English class for the elementary school-age children. About 30 students came the first year during summer vacation—and students have been coming every year since—to improve their language skills, play games and deepen friendships. “We learned a lot, too—it wasn’t just one-sided,” says Stephanie, who has traveled to La Mesa five times to run the class and is now a 17-year-old senior at St. Andrew’s Episcopal School in Potomac. That was the beginning of Chicos and Kids, a nonprofit that she and Chris founded. Stephanie has expanded it to include a small network of young volunteers, primarily through her school, to mentor children from refugee families in Montgomery County. She also organized a toy and coat drive, and hosted a holiday party for the families. “I couldn’t live with the fact that I had so many opportunities, and see other children in my community not succeed and have a different destiny or future,” says Stephanie, whose parents emigrated from Colombia. Because of her volunteer work, Stephanie has been selected to participate in leadership events and conferences in Washington, D.C., New York and London, and was a finalist for the 2015 Peace First Prize, which recognizes young people ages 8 to 22 for their contributions as peacemakers. As for her future, Stephanie has an interest in medicine, sparked by a Johns Hopkins cancer research internship during school breaks. If she doesn’t become a neurosurgeon, she is considering international relations or human rights law. “She tackles every challenge and goes above and beyond,” says Ginger Cobb, the head of the Upper School at St. Andrew’s. “She is the change we need in the world. She gives me so much hope.” 114 March/April 2016 | BethesdaMagazine.com

FEATURES_TOP TEENS_M.indd 114

2/8/16 12:15 PM

Grace Myers

S e n i o r, Wa lt W h i t m a n H i g h S c h o o l

While volunteering at a food bank at the Pope Francis Outreach Center in Southeast Washington, D.C., in 2014, Grace Myers noticed a problem. Families formed a long line to get their food, and Grace saw that there were dozens of kids in line with their parents, looking bored. She thought about the way books entertained and comforted her as a child growing up in Bethesda and set out to collect kids’ books from yard sales and Craigslist.com, and through donations. She has since acquired and distributed more than 9,000 books to people visiting the outreach center, with the ultimate goal of increasing childhood literacy in the area. “Kids get really excited about them, and it makes me feel good to know that I can give them a piece of the kind of childhood I had,” she says. It was a project she undertook quietly, without fanfare or the need for praise— typical of the 18-year-old senior, says Kari Wislar, her counselor at Walt Whitman High School. Wislar says Grace’s laid-back, unassuming style is a “breath of fresh air” in a school packed with achievers. “She’s a quiet, under-the-radar kid, but when people take the time to get to know her, they’re blown

away,” Wislar says. “She has a solid sense of self, and is refreshingly centered.” With a GPA of 3.94, Grace is an editor of The Whitman Journal of Psychology. Additionally, her love of neuroscience led her to intern at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center last summer, reviewing and editing pre-publication reports from doctors at the center about their clinical trials. She hopes to study neuroscience at Georgetown University or Vanderbilt

University. If she’s close to home, she plans to continue distributing books at the Pope Francis Outreach Center. If she ends up farther away, she hopes to continue community service with an eye toward increasing literacy. “This girl has such a mature intellect,” says Whitman English teacher Todd Michaels. “She’s confident in that intellect, but never arrogant—at her age, that’s a difficult needle to thread.”

BethesdaMagazine.com | March/April 2016 115

FEATURES_TOP TEENS_M.indd 115

2/15/16 9:00 AM

Maya Sterling S e n i o r, B e t h e s da - C h e vy C h a s e H i g h Sc h o o l

The Pennies for Patients program at Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School was floundering. Most classes that participated in the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society fundraiser had raised $60 to $100 apiece, at best. That is, until Maya Sterling decided the school could do better. As a freshman, her encouragement led her English class to raise $1,200—typically, the whole school only brought in about $5,000. During her sophomore year, she singlehandedly organized a silent auction that raised $8,300. And as a junior she got the rest of the school in on the act, raising $14,600 through bake sales, restaurant nights and other activities. Teachers and administrators say the Chevy Chase senior attacks every class and activity with the same energy and tenacity. Two years ago she pioneered Baronpalooza, a schoolspirit event that was so popular it has become an annual occurrence. Since taking over as business manager of The Tattler, B-CC’s school newspaper, as a junior, she has helped to dig the paper out of debt. “She has sold more one-page ads in her short tenure as business manager than The Tattler had seen in the [previous] decade,” says newspaper adviser David Lopilato. Fluent in Spanish, Maya helped add a Spanish-language section to the paper this year. She was also instrumental in creating a newsmagazine television show for MCPS-TV, a cable channel for Montgomery County Public Schools. Maya, 17, is also part of the school’s International Baccalaureate program and co-chair of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Committee in the Student Government Association (SGA). “I’m just enthusiastic about the things I care about,” says Maya, who will attend Vassar College. “My spirit animal is a squirrel who’s got to find those nuts.” “Charismatic, energetic and full of ideas” is how SGA sponsor Tim Gilmore describes her. “I’m starting now to recruit the five people I’ll need to replace Maya next year,” he says. 116 March/April 2016 | BethesdaMagazine.com

FEATURES_TOP TEENS_M.indd 116

2/8/16 12:18 PM

Nick Blasey

S e n i o r, L a n d o n S c h o o l

Nick Blasey was a 13-year-old competitive skier when his older cousin and mentor, Kevin Dyer, was paralyzed in an automobile accident in December 2010. Nick flew into action, organizing a solo ski-a-thon in which he skied more than 100 runs at a Pennsylvania resort and raised $13,000 to buy Kevin a rehabilitation bike. Nick, a Bethesda resident, began working soon after with SPINALpedia.com, a Potomac-based online mentor network and instructional video database for spinal cord patients. SPINALpedia.com co-founder Josh Basile says it isn’t unusual for family members of newly paralyzed people to rush into action and then slowly fade away. But Nick, now a senior at Landon School, redoubled his efforts over time. He spent his weekends speaking about SPINALpedia.com at expos and adaptive sports events. Three years ago, he organized what has become an annual event at Landon in which students and faculty volunteer to spend a day in a wheelchair to gain an understanding of the

daily challenges and accessibility issues. During the summers of 2014 and 2015 he participated in George Mason University’s Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program for bioengineering, teaming up with other students to design a sensor-equipped walking assistance device and sensor-equipped crutches that function better on stairs. Working with Kevin, he designed a prototype for a wheelchair seat riser in 2014. Why is he so dedicated? “Because at the end of the day, I don’t want people to see Kevin in a wheelchair,” Nick says. “I just want them to see Kevin.” Now 18 and director of community outreach for SPINALpedia. com, Nick plans to major in biomedical engineering at Dartmouth College. He is still a skier, as well as a rock climber and a member of Landon’s rugby team. He’s also an AP Scholar with a résumé full of extracurricular activities. “Nick models a genuine humility that’s rare for someone his age,” says Landon humanities teacher John Botti. “His kindness, humanity and passion are not for artifice; they are essential parts of who he is.” BethesdaMagazine.com | March/April 2016 117

FEATURES_TOP TEENS_M.indd 117

2/8/16 12:18 PM

Joseph Kaperst

S e n i o r, Wa lt W h i t m a n H i g h S c h o o l

Joseph Kaperst was out of his element. As a freshman in a computer science class at Walt Whitman High School in 20122013, the Bethesda teen struggled to grasp concepts that the rest of the class already seemed to know. He eventually taught himself the concepts by breaking them down in a way he could understand. “I knew that if I gave it my all and was still struggling, other kids were probably struggling, too,” says Joseph, now 17. “And I figured my way of learning wasn’t unique to me.” So when Joseph’s younger sister took the same course the following year, he started to develop a computer programming curriculum based on his ideas. In 2014, he started a Washington, D.C., chapter of CoderDojo, an international computer programming club for kids—though most chapters are run by adults. He recruited his sister and some friends, and they began teaching computer science to kids as young as 6 at regular club meetings. On busy Saturdays, 25 to 30 kids have attended the free workshops at locations that include the Tenley-Friendship Library and the startup incubator 1776. Joseph applied his skills during an internship last summer with the U.S. National Library of Medicine’s Lister Hill National Center for Biomedical Communications in Bethesda. He successfully used computational methods to cull research literature that shed light on the role of copper in Parkinson’s disease. “This was practically a graduate-level project,” says Tom Rindflesch, an information research specialist at the center and Joseph’s internship supervisor. “Not only is he intellectually gifted, but he is mature, grounded and kind.” Joseph has a 4.0 GPA and is co-captain of the Congress Team within Whitman’s Speech & Debate Team. He plans to study computer science and education at Stanford University.

118 March/April 2016 | BethesdaMagazine.com

FEATURES_TOP TEENS_M.indd 118

2/8/16 12:19 PM

Dalal Tambal S e n i o r, J o h n F. K e n n e dy High School

It was the week of John F. Kennedy High School’s first home basketball game this past December and senior Dalal Tambal knew that school spirit was flagging. So Dalal, 18, the president of Kennedy’s Student Government Association (SGA), dispatched SGA members to every class to encourage students to attend the game and wear all black in a “blackout” to show support. Since roughly half of the school’s students are in or have been in the English for Speakers of Other Languages program, she also sent students fluent in Spanish to connect with other Spanish speakers. She went from table to table at lunch to talk up the game, put up posters throughout the school, and promoted it via social media. “It’s by far the best turnout I’ve seen at a basketball game here,” says SGA sponsor Katherine Young. “She created this amazing sense of school spirit and camaraderie.” That level of energy, positivity and desire for inclusiveness defines everything the Silver Spring teen does, Young says, whether it’s organizing a dance, designing “Fear the Cavs” T-shirts as an SGA fundraiser, or volunteering for one of the causes she supports. Sharon Fitzgerald, lead tutor-trainer at George B. Thomas Sr. Learning Academy in Silver Spring, says Dalal, an academy volunteer, is particularly gifted at communicating with students from a variety of backgrounds and cultures. That may be because Dalal, the daughter of Sudanese immigrants, grew up speaking Arabic and regularly travels to visit family in Qatar, Bahrain, Sudan and Dubai. “I know what it’s like to feel like you don’t fit in, and I want to make sure everyone feels like their opinions matter,” Dalal says. Dalal is in Kennedy’s Leadership Training Institute, a program that requires students to take several AP classes and participate in community service events. She hopes to attend the University of Maryland or Towson University. “It’s really fun to be involved with school activities,” Dalal says. “I want everyone to experience what it’s like to be part of the community.” BethesdaMagazine.com | March/April 2016 119

FEATURES_TOP TEENS_M.indd 119

2/8/16 12:20 PM

Ari Goldbloom-Helzner S e n i o r, M o n tg o m e ry B l a i r H i g h S c h o o l

Ari Goldbloom - Helzner can be as passionate about spending 14 hours at a math team competition as he is about playing the lead in a school musical. The 17-year-old from Bethesda says he loves applying math to solve real-world problems, as he did last year as part of a five-person team from Montgomery Blair High School in the Moody’s Mega Math Challenge. At 7 a.m., students are given a topic to analyze quantitatively such as the economic pros and cons of going to college, and tasked with producing a 20-page research paper by 9 p.m. “You have to have a lot of energy to do it,” says Ari, who describes the experience as exhilarating and rewarding. Last March, his team placed 13th out of about 1,100 that participated in the national competition. In the science, math and computer science magnet program at Blair, Ari elevates the conversation in calculus and statistics classes by asking probing questions, says math teacher David Stein. “He’s not just working through problems to do well on tests, but he tries to understand why,” Stein says. “He seeks out difficult problems. …That makes him a pretty unique kid in a lot of ways.” Some might find Ari’s fascination with music, alongside math, unusual, too, but not Sara Josey, Ari’s AP music theory teacher, who says both disciplines require the use of logic. “Ari is a stellar musician and has a beautiful voice,” says Josey, who is the teacher sponsor of InToneNation, a student-run a cappella group in which Ari serves as musical director. “He really comes alive on stage.” Ari has performed in several school and community productions. When Blair put on six shows of Fiddler on the Roof last year and one of the leads dropped out, Ari played the role of the father for three nights and a younger character for three nights—a challenge to keep straight. He doesn’t rule out auditioning for a Broadway production someday, but will attend Brown University and keep his options open, taking courses in theater and applied math. 120 March/April 2016 | BethesdaMagazine.com

FEATURES_TOP TEENS_M.indd 120

2/8/16 12:21 PM

Clara Ferrari

J u n i o r, H o lto n - A r m s S c h o o l

When Clara Ferrari had to choose a woman to research for her eighth-grade history project, Clara Barton seemed as good a choice as any. They share the same first name, after all. After visiting the Clara Barton National Historic Site, just a few blocks from her home in Bethesda’s Bannockburn neighborhood, she became fascinated by the woman who established the American Red Cross at age 60. “She never gave up, no matter what,” says Clara, now 16. “She faced so much discrimination based on her age and gender. …She always wanted to help people, and that’s something I really want to do.” Clara became the youngest volunteer guide at the historic Glen Echo house, quickly mastering the material needed to give 45-minute tours. “We were all blown away by how much she knew and how passionate she was about the subject matter,” says National Park Service Ranger Kevin Patti. Over two years, Clara logged more than 650 community service hours at the site before it closed for renovations last fall. Although she misses sharing Clara Barton’s life with visitors, the Holton-Arms junior keeps busy. She is an editor for the school paper, Scribbler, acts in school plays and co-founded a knitting club at school that makes items for people in need. She also sings in the Children’s Chorus of Washington’s concert chorus and its elite chamber ensemble that performed in France last summer. A strong student carrying a heavy load of AP classes, she is described by her teachers as genuinely curious. Clara has ruled out a career in nursing because she’s “not good with blood and gore.” She may study law, criminal justice or public policy. “I don’t know who I’d be if it weren’t for Clara Barton,” she says. “Otherwise, I can imagine I would have spent my summers just watching Netflix. …I’m so lucky to have found something I’m so passionate about early on.” BethesdaMagazine.com | March/April 2016 121

FEATURES_TOP TEENS_M.indd 121

2/8/16 12:21 PM

Lucie Henein

S e n i o r, R i c h a r d M o n tg o m e ry High School

Lucie Henein has always loved animals. She’s owned cats, dogs, hamsters, fish, birds, a bunny and even a leopard gecko. Lucie has handled chickens at the barn where she rides horses, and she’s met a range of farm animals at an animal sanctuary that she raised money for. In the classroom, the 17-year-old senior is a “brilliant” student who is hardworking with a never-ending curiosity, says science teacher Virginia Azuree. Lucie wants to combine her passion for animals with her aptitude for science and become a veterinarian, specializing in equine surgery. “Every single aspect of her life has been dedicated to doing that,” says Lucie’s school counselor, Evan Anderson. “It’s not like she says: ‘I think I want to become a vet.’ It’s: ‘I know I want to be a vet and this is what I am doing to make it happen.’ ” Lucie, who lives in Germantown and attends Richard Montgomery for its International Baccalaureate program, spends countless hours focusing on animals. She interned at the Biomedical Research Institute in Rockville, where she’s hoping to get the results of a study she worked on about canine bladder worm published in a scientific journal. She works part time at Kentlands Veterinary Hospital in Gaithersburg, has volunteered at a horse camp, and is president of Tails for Change, a program at school that raises awareness about animal abuse and supports animal shelters. Some Saturday nights, Lucie and her mom volunteer to sit with premature or sick horses in the Foal Watch program at a Virginia Tech equine hospital in Leesburg. “I learn something new every time I’m with an animal,” says Lucie, who has a 3.94 GPA and plans to study animal science in college. “Animals are just a pleasure to be around. They have this innate innocence about them.” 122 March/April 2016 | BethesdaMagazine.com

FEATURES_TOP TEENS_M.indd 122

2/8/16 12:23 PM

Alice Felker

S e n i o r, S to n e R i d g e S c h o o l o f t h e S ac r e d H e a rt

As a sophomore, Alice Felker was playing in an elite USA Field Hockey Futures Program tournament when an injury changed the course of her life. A concussion—her fourth—resulted in doctors advising her to quit contact sports. Extremely disappointed, Alice threw her passion and energy into her work with Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart’s chapter of Best Buddies. Under Alice’s leadership, the chapter grew from a couple dozen members to 85 and was named Maryland Chapter of the Year in 2014-2015. Alice, 18, says her forced departure from field hockey steered her toward her true passion: advocating for the inclusion of students with disabilities. “I think there’s something really vital about interacting with people who are different from you, and I want all students to experience that joy,” Alice says. Best Buddies Maryland Operations Coordinator Elizabeth Stoner liked Alice’s imaginative event ideas—such as “Buddies Give Back,” in which Stone Ridge students performed charity work with their buddies—but was even more impressed by her step-by-step plans to enact those ideas. “A lot of kids I work with have enthusiasm, but Alice has the maturity and planning skills to match,” Stoner says. Kathleen Glynn-Sparrow, associate director of college counseling at Stone Ridge, says Alice’s GPA is “absurdly high” for the school. Alice is also senior class president and on the school’s swimming and track teams. The Bethesda teen researched and wrote a 30-page proposal for integrating students with disabilities into Catholic school classrooms, and presented it to Catherine Ronan Karrels, Stone Ridge’s head of school. Alice plans to study education and business in college, and hopes to found her own inclusive Catholic school in the future. “Let me assure you: She is serious, and will absolutely accomplish this worthy endeavor,” Glynn-Sparrow says. “This kid is for real.” BethesdaMagazine.com BethesdaMagazine.com || March/April March/April 2016 2016 123 123

FEATURES_TOP TEENS_M.indd 123

2/8/16 12:23 PM

Sabrina Epstein S e n i o r, B u l l i s S c h o o l

When she was 15, Sabrina Epstein flew alone to China to meet up with other youths in a volunteer service program. She spent a month helping orphaned children with special needs. The Bullis School senior says the trip taught her to be more understanding and patient, and prompted her to do something to share the experience with others after she returned home to Bethesda. During her junior year, Sabrina partnered with a friend and the nonprofit organization Kids Enjoy Exercise Now (KEEN) to co-found a club that pairs Bullis volunteers with teenagers who have developmental disabilities. About 20 students and their buddies meet every other Sunday at Tilden Middle School in Rockville to dance, do yoga, play soccer and get to know one another. “It’s special to see those relationships carry throughout the year,” says Sabrina, who has also organized school assemblies to raise awareness about disability issues, such as avoiding the use of the term “retarded.” Sara Romeyn, one of Sabrina’s teachers and adviser for the KEEN club, says she was impressed by Sabrina’s vision to establish a program in which students could form longterm friendships. “She is very caring, very kind, and she’s super mature,” Romeyn says. “There is a real depth of commitment.” Sabrina, now 17, is also president of the National Honor Society (NHS) chapter at Bullis and director of communication for the Model United Nations Club. Lisa Vardi, an adviser for both groups and one of Sabrina’s teachers, says Sabrina is trying to restructure the NHS to give students a larger voice in the chapter’s activities. Vardi has traveled with Sabrina to Model UN conferences, including one in the Netherlands, and says Sabrina cares about what is happening in the world. “Sabrina leads by example,” Vardi says. “She has a calm, confident demeanor, yet is very humble in what she does.” Sabrina plans to study psychology and business in college. n 124 March/April 2016 | BethesdaMagazine.com

FEATURES_TOP TEENS_M.indd 124

2/8/16 12:24 PM

It’s Good to Be

FIRST Potomac Highlands promises high-end luxury townhomes in a highly sought-after location. With only 23 exquisite homes to choose from, you’ll want to be prepared. Each 3-level garage townhome will be imbued with the stylish sophistication that only Camberley by Winchester can offer. It’s coming soon. Will you be ready? Become a VIP today and be first to get the latest updates and offers.

WinchesterHomes.com/LuxuryVIP

Opening in 2016! Luxury Townhomes from the low $1 millions • Minutes from top Montgomery County Schools • Close to shopping and dining at Westfield Montgomery • Backs to Cabin John Stream Valley Trail • Community tot lot and nearby park • Convenient to I-495 and I-270 For more information, please contact New Home Specialist Amy Dooling. (240) 517-1050 | Amy.Dooling@whihomes.com Seven Locks Road, Potomac, MD 20854

©2016 Winchester Homes, a member of the TRI Pointe Group. Prices, offers and financing subject to change without notice. Please see a New Home Advisor for details. Rates, terms and availability of all financing programs are subject to change without notice. Mortgage Lender License 21610. TRI Pointe Connect, LLC Corporate NMLS ID 125049. Winchester is a registered trademark and is used with permission. MHBR #57

Untitled-5 1

2/5/16 2:39 PM

Potomac Po w Frank Islam says that building and living in one of the largest houses in the country is proof that the American dream is still alive By Steve Goldstein

126 march/april 2016 | BethesdaMagazine.com

FEATURES_frank islam.indd 126

2/10/16 3:45 PM

Philanthropist Frank Islam stands in front of the Potomac mansion known as Norton Manor that he shares with his wife, Debbie Driesman. Islam came from India as a teenager and became a self-made multimillionaire.

photo by michael ventura

o werhouse

BethesdaMagazine.com | March/April 2016 127

FEATURES_frank islam.indd 127

2/10/16 3:45 PM

wife, Megan—to see if they registered the gaffe. Softly, he muttered, “It’s not a basement.” The Islam residence, christened “Norton Manor” for its Potomac street name, has, in the words of its designer, a “lower level entertainment space” fea turing an entry hall, a lounge, a wine room, and a large room called “the bar.” That night in July of last year, about 65 guests were arrayed at round tables in the lounge, dining on Norton Manorembossed china while surrounded by 13 murals, including five of familiar Washington landmarks such as the U.S. Capitol and Lincoln Memorial, and one depicting the United States Institute of

Peace, where Islam and his wife, Debbie Driesman, are patrons. Eleven painters worked for nearly six months to adorn the lower level, which alone accounted for several million dollars in construc tion costs. Islam, 64, and Driesman, 62, both relatively new to philanthropy and politi cal activism, desired a space in their 47,000-square-foot home where they could comfortably seat 70 or more guests for fundraising events, and also host poli ticians, visiting dignitaries or the boards of the Washington institutions on which they serve. Islam says Norton Manor cost upwards of $60 million, but he is coy about the precise amount. He’s more

photo by timothy bell

The clatter of cutlery ceased at the lavish fundraising dinner for Democratic presidential candidate Hil lary Clinton as host Frank Islam stood at a podium and urged his guests to give generously to “the next president of the United States.” He sat beaming as the microphone was passed to Clinton’s stand-in, a Democratic congressman from Florida named Patrick E. Murphy. Suddenly, Islam winced, his broad smile wilting like the lettuce on his forgotten salad. Murphy had just referred to the grand lower level of Islam’s Potomac mansion as a “basement.” Islam looked at his tablemates—the candidate’s brother, Tony Rodham, and Rodham’s

128 March/April 2016 | BethesdaMagazine.com

FEATURES_frank islam.indd 128

2/10/16 3:46 PM

photo by michael ventura

forthcoming about the koi in the magnificent pool on the house’s south side: 150 of those beauties priced at about $200 a pop. Who is Frank Islam? He is a self-made multimillionaire who immigrated to America from India as a teenager and has taken a deep dive into the pool of Washington influencers. He isn’t well known, except among the politicians and institutions that have received his largesse. Since 2007, he and Driesman, the daughter of a Canadian mechanic, have contributed nearly $1 million to candidates and their campaigns, according to Federal Election Commission records. Islam doesn’t have children—or hobbies. He takes pleasure in his business

investments, and the investments he makes in people. He is known mostly for the house, which he calls the “Pride of Potomac,” and seems both pleased and a little bit resentful of this, as if newspaper legend William Randolph Hearst’s sole claim to fame was his sprawling San Simeon estate above California’s coast. Recently, Islam pointed out that Wikipedia has misstated the size of Norton Manor, thus lowering its ranking on the list of largest American homes. Critics of the home’s extravagance simply do not understand that, as Islam contends, the house is merely a tool; he sees the mansion as his means put to a good end. “We use the home for

Left: A Barry Entner-designed chandelier hangs over the north terrace hall. The rug, which contains the initials of Islam and Driesman, is one of 12 hand-knotted designs created for Norton Manor. Above: Driesman says the double staircase was her husband’s idea. It winds below an 800-pound crystal chandelier and serves as a dramatic welcome to the three-level mansion, whose rotunda in the front hall is similar to the one at the U.S. Capitol.

propagating and promoting the goodwill message to our community. And we employed a lot of people when the economy wasn’t doing well.” By dint of hard work, an unshakable belief in his ability to succeed, and the interest of an early benefactor, Frank

BethesdaMagazine.com | March/April 2016 129

FEATURES_frank islam.indd 129

2/9/16 1:41 PM

Top left: The conservatory is the couple's favorite room–a place where he reads and she watches the History Channel on TV and plays mahjong with friends. Bottom left: The breakfast room features another Barry Entner-designed chandelier and painted walls.

Fakhrul Islam has, in his own words, made the American dream his reality. Although he has an investment group, Islam’s main occupation these days is making success accessible to others by promoting his views in blogs and books and—most notably—by financially supporting political candidates who share his vision. Recently he has been hosting a series of dinners for Clinton. Although he is an active donor, Islam says he deplores the current campaign finance system and favors public financing and

strict spending limits. Local Democratic Rep. Chris Van Hollen, whose Senate candidacy is receiving support from Islam and Driesman, is well-versed in the view from Norton Manor. “Frank is very engaged in the details of public policy,” Van Hollen says. “If you look at his writing and his blog, that sets him apart from most of those involved in the political world.” Islam is a contributor to the Huffington Post, and also writes occasional columns and articles for Foreign Policy,

the International Business Times and India’s Economic Times. He hosts his own TV show, Washington Current Review on MHz Networks, and is called upon frequently to speak in a variety of business, education and nonprofit venues. He is the author of Working the Pivot Points: To Make America Work Again and Renewing the American Dream: A Citizen’s Guide for Restoring Our Competitive Advantage. Friends say Islam has a big heart to go with his big smile—that he can be

photos by timothy bell

Right: Norton Manor’s lower-level entertainment space includes an entry hall, lounge, wine room and a large room called “the bar.”

130 March/April 2016 | BethesdaMagazine.com

FEATURES_frank islam.indd 130

2/9/16 1:41 PM

photo by michael ventura

approachable and engaging, very much a regular guy. When Warnock Studios, the contractor for much of the decorative painting in the house, emailed clients to say that another job had been delayed, leaving the company’s employees without work, Islam agreed to provide a new project. “Frank and Debbie were the only ones who even responded,” says owner Tom Warnock. “They absolutely went out of their way.” Friends also say Islam likes to be in control, whether massaging a business

deal or a magazine profile. (He provided his own list of suggested questions and answers before an interview with Bethesda Magazine.) And he “does not suffer fools,” in the words of William Askinazi, his attorney and friend. “I’ve never seen Frank lose his temper,” Askinazi says. “But he gets impatient and angry if people fail him.” “I’m a perfectionist,” Islam says. “One thing that bothers me are people who don’t deliver on commitments either substantively or in a timely manner.”

In theater, they call it deus ex machina—god from the machine—an event that resolves a problem for the protagonist. Islam’s deus was Wolfgang Thron, a German immigrant and wellregarded mathematics professor at the University of Colorado. While traveling in India in 1969, Thron visited Aligarh Muslim University, near the arid provincial town of Azamgarh in Uttar Pradesh, where Islam lived with his parents, three brothers and two sisters. Thron was looking for exceptional students, and

BethesdaMagazine.com | March/April 2016 131

FEATURES_frank islam.indd 131

2/9/16 1:42 PM

The game room has white leather walls studded in art nouveau patterns and a painted ceiling. For large dinner parties, it sometimes serves as a buffet room.

his gaze fell upon the teenage Islam, who was already enrolled at the college where Islam’s father and grandfather had studied. “Thron believed I was a person who, given the opportunity to succeed, would benefit others,” Islam recalls. Nervously, Islam informed his father that he had been invited to go to America with Thron. “My father ruffled my hair and said, ‘You have an opportunity that I never had—it’s time to close the door on despair and open the door to prosperity,’ ” Islam says. “My mother wiped the tears flowing down my father’s face.” Thron hosted his charge while he finished high school in Boulder, Colorado, in 1969 and arranged for Islam to attend the University of Colorado. Years later, Islam and Driesman endowed a university scholarship in Thron’s name (he died in 2001) to benefit students in the math department. “Without his help and support,” Islam says, “I would not be where I am today.” The University of Colorado in Boulder was, like the city around it, not very diverse in the 1960s and 1970s. Southeast Asians, never mind Muslims, were rare. Islam became part of an ethnic coterie and shared an apartment with

a Pakistani grad student named Jawaid “Jay” Bashir. “We spoke the same language, ate the same food, grew up in the same social environment, so it didn’t take long to become friends,” Bashir says. Islam was the only Indian Muslim in the group, but he wasn’t very religious. “He was very focused on his studies,” Bashir says. “Whatever he was doing, he was very focused on it—he knew what he wanted to do.” What Islam wanted to do was build his own business, and he told Bashir more than once, “If they can do it, I can do it.” After he received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in computer science from the University of Colorado in the mid-1970s, Islam entered the nascent information technology field and eventually landed at a Toronto firm called Multiple Access, where he met Debbie Driesman in 1977. “I thought he was an interesting guy,” Driesman says, blushing at the recollection of meeting someone who was unlike anyone she knew in rural Ontario. A dinner after work led to serious dating. Driesman’s parents were unhappy that she was seeing a Muslim, but the couple persisted, and in 1979 moved to Pittsburgh. “Frank wanted to

In 1994, Islam came home elated one day. “Well, I bought a company,” he told a surprised Driesman, adding that the decision was final. The firm was QSS Group of Lanham, a federal government IT services company. Islam had used a bank loan and savings to make the $45,000 purchase. Driesman was less than pleased. “I wasn’t hurt, but I was... put out that he committed our savings without telling me,” she says. Islam says his mind was made up. “I felt as if I had asked her that she might say no, and I didn’t want to take a no,” he says. “She came from a family that was risk averse. I decided not to tell her.” QSS struggled at first. “I didn’t make any money for two years,” Islam says. “I was on Debbie’s payroll, including health insurance.” Driesman stayed at CSC, rather than joining her husband at QSS. “We wouldn’t have worked well together,” she says. “He doesn’t always listen to my opinion. We talk about things over coffee in the morning, but that’s different than being in the same workplace.” Islam and a solid management team eventually turned QSS around, growing the contractor to more than 2,000 employees and about $300 million in annual revenue. “He grew QSS in the aerospace industry, and he was proactive,” says Carroll Collins, who worked

photo by timothy bell

go back to the States, and he found a company that would hire us both and do the immigration paperwork,” she says. Not long after settling in, the pair eloped. The office of the justice of the peace had closed by the time they arrived, so the wedding took place in Pittsburgh’s night court. In 1982, the couple moved to Greenbelt, Maryland, to work for Computer Sciences Corp. (CSC), a government contractor. After six years, Islam switched to another contractor, where he was able to do more program management. “That gave him the background to run a company,” Driesman says, “and he met other business owners—and was more convinced that he could do what they were doing.”

132 March/April 2016 | BethesdaMagazine.com

FEATURES_frank islam.indd 132

2/9/16 1:42 PM

Untitled-2 1

2/5/16 10:53 AM

potomac powerhouse

Frank Islam is reluctant to discuss the cost of Norton Manor, but he’s forthcoming about the koi pond on the mansion’s south side. It’s stocked with 150 koi, at about $200 each.

the United States and around the world. Always a keen student of U.S. history, Islam says, “I believe in American exceptionalism and understand that it stems from the intersection of politics and the private sector. That is why I am involved

in political activities.” Bashir, who reconnected with his college friend in the 1990s, says wealth hasn’t changed Islam much. “Sometimes he may come across as [flaunting] his money, but he wants people to know he

photo by geoffrey hodgdon

for the company. “It became obvious it was a good company when it was sold.” Driesman says running QSS was a test of Islam’s will. “He wants to prove to himself that he’s as good, or better, than other people,” she says. “And part of that is not having other people tell him what to do.” Islam became even more motivated when some CSC co-workers doubted his prospects of running a successful company. “Some of those coworkers later worked for him,” says his wife with a smile. In December 2006, Perot Systems Corp. bought QSS for $250 million in cash. A grateful Islam says he showed his gratitude by distributing about $40 million to 75 managers. A good chunk of the rest of the proceeds allowed the newly wealthy immigrant to establish a private foundation that supports educational, cultural and artistic causes in

Come Join The Fun! Join us at Summer at Sandy Spring and come explore our 14o acres of possibilities! We offer exciting and engaging summer options for age 3 through high school.

June 20 -August 12

www.summeratsandyspring.org 134 March/April 2016 | BethesdaMagazine.com

FEATURES_frank islam.indd 134

2/10/16 3:46 PM

We Make Your Home Beautiful.

Photograph Courtesy of © Thibaut Inc.

Custom Draperies

Hunter Douglas Shades

Reupholstery

The Area’s

Premier

Showroom for

Photograph Courtesy of © Thibaut Inc.

Custom Draperies, Hunter Douglas

Shades, Slipcovers, Reupholstery,

Bed Ensembles,

Wall Paper, Fabrics, Trims, Pillows and

Furniture Reﬁnishing.

Slipcovers

5414 Randolph Road • Rockville www.RockvilleInteriors.com • 301.424.1900 Come and See our Custom Workroom at our Store.

Untitled-27 1

2/10/16 5:02 PM

potomac powerhouse came from meager beginnings,” Bashir says. “He says this is the only country where you can do this.” Says Askinazi: “It’s very important to Frank that people understand his passion for this country.” By his own account, Islam has given $750,000 to the United States Institute of Peace, where Acting Development Director Cheri Carter says he’s “the first person I think of” when she needs financial support for an event. Islam estimates annual outlays of a total of between $1.5 million and $1.7 million for the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, the National Symphony Orchestra, The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the Shakespeare Theatre Company and other boards and councils on which he or Driesman serve. Islam also has donated $2 million to Aligarh Muslim University near his hometown to establish a school

of management, and endowed a chair of innovation and entrepreneurship. “One of the legacies I hope to leave behind,” he says, “is to create many more Frank Islams.”

At 8 a.m. on June 29, 2008, a warm Sunday with temperatures ticking up toward 90 degrees, fire engines began converging on Norton and River roads in Potomac. There were no sirens, because there was no fire. Yet. Within a few hours, about 50 volunteers from the Rockville Volunteer Fire Department, the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Rescue Squad and other area departments began placing excelsior bales and wooden pallets into a 1960s-era ranch-style home and setting them ablaze, room by room. Fire personnel ran training drills in the burning house until midafternoon. Scores of neighbors and the merely curious gathered

Age 3-Grade 8

to watch, among them Driesman, who chatted with fire incident commander Jim Vagonis, whose day job is running a maintenance company that takes care of Islam’s property. “Debbie created a lot of goodwill with the donation of the house,” Vagonis says. The rancher burned to the ground, leaving nothing to demolish or haul away for the new property owners. What rose from the ashes was Islam’s American dream. The sprawling neoclassical house—which has about the same floor space as the average Giant supermarket—has many features that resemble the White House, including east and west wings. The estate includes a main residence with nearly 32,000 square feet of living space; a five-bedroom, 7,000-square-foot guesthouse; and a teahouse, spread over roughly 9½ acres. The three-level mansion features 14 bedrooms, 22 bathrooms, a movie

Located in North Bethesda, in the heart of the Luxmanor neighborhood

Growing leaders for life. Stone Ridge congratulates

ALICE FELKER '16

Join us for

Discovery Day! Sunday, April 24, 1-3 PM Experience our academic programs in action, meet our exceptional teachers, students, and parents, and witness the joy of learning at Green Acres School. For parents and students | www.greenacres.org

Bethesda Magazine Extraordinary Teen Empowering leaders to serve with faith, intellect, and confidence.

www.stoneridgeschool.org Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart is a Catholic, independent, college preparatory school for girls, Grades 1-12, with a co-educational Preschool, Pre-Kindergarten, and Kindergarten, located in Bethesda, Maryland. Northern Virginia bus transportation available.

136 March/April 2016 | BethesdaMagazine.com

FEATURES_frank islam.indd 136

2/9/16 1:43 PM

theater and a gym. It has 60 chandeliers, the showstopper being an 800-pound cascade of crystal that hangs from a dome above the double staircase in the front hall—a rotunda similar to the one at the U.S. Capitol. Islam says family members—all of his siblings are now in the U.S.—occupy the extra bedrooms every couple of months. He doesn’t use the gym, preferring to walk the perimeter of the grounds; two circuits equal 1 mile. The couple’s favorite room is the conservatory, where Islam consumes autobiographies and books on history while Driesman watches History Channel programs. She has a standing Friday morning date to play mahjong there with a dozen friends. The movie theater is used sparingly. Driesman cooks for herself when Islam is out; otherwise, a chef from Elif Catering Service prepares their meals, or their driver takes them in a Cadillac

Escalade to Renato’s, Rasika, The Oval Room or The Bombay Club. Three fulltime security guards are on duty, and the maintenance contractor comes weekly. “Frank wanted the double staircase,” says Driesman, who was the on-site project manager and design arbiter for Norton Manor. “He also wanted office space and a large entertainment space.” The house is four times the size of their previous custom home on Palatine Drive in Potomac, and construction took more than twice the 2½ years that had been projected. The construction cost also was twice the estimate. Big houses can create big issues: a clash between sprinkler heads and ornate plasterwork, a late decision to expand the rooms at the back of the house, and eight months to complete the dome. Islam and Driesman hired a team of architects, landscape architects and decorators to design the house and gardens, then fired them all

because, Islam says, “they did not share our vision.” Gibson Builders, the District firm responsible for construction, recommended D.C. interior designer Skip Sroka and GTM Architects of Bethesda to complete the project. Move-in day was in June 2013. In 2014, Norton Manor—described by Sroka as “an American palace”—was the main attraction of that year’s Potomac Country House Tour. More than 1,000 visitors, in Driesman’s recollection, trooped through the grandeur of rooms filled with scenic murals, ornate marble fireplaces, handblown glass chandeliers and gilded plaster ceilings, as well as a replica of the Resolute desk that was first used in the Oval Office by Islam’s hero, President John F. Kennedy. The tour wended its way through manicured landscapes that incorporated pavilions, fountains, mature trees, 1,600 boxwoods and a shrub-bordered lawn inspired by

DISTINCTIVE CLASSIC + HEALTHIER CHOICES

SIL.Bethesda_Magazine_7x4.625_FINAL.indd 1

FEATURES_frank islam.indd 137

2/5/16 9:58 AM

BethesdaMagazine.com | March/April 2016 137

2/9/16 1:46 PM

potomac powerhouse

the Rose Garden at the White House. And, of course, the koi pool, which lends itself to head-shaking wonder. Head shaking and tongue wagging of other kinds started almost immediately as the lamps were lit on Norton Manor’s pavestone driveway. Photo features in magazines and newspapers drew comments on social media such as “a waste of money,” Driesman recalls, or noted the home’s total occupancy: two. Neighbors have benefited from an increase in property values, and mostly have become accustomed to the parade of cars in the winding driveway. “It’s a big place for a couple of people. I think it was a goal for them, almost like a mission,” says Bashir, a regular visitor. Driesman does have a regret, she says. She wishes the driveway was wide enough to permit two-way traffic. Islam says the couple hosted 14 events

in 2014, and more in 2015 due to the Clinton soirees, one of which featured former President Bill Clinton. Guests have included Vice President Joe Biden, Democratic Sen. Al Franken of Minnesota and nearly all of the region’s Democrats, including former Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley, Sens. Tim Kaine of Virginia and Ben Cardin of Maryland, and Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett. Last May they held a large dinner for the Wilson Center, a highly respected think tank based in Washington, D.C. Islam serves on its National Cabinet. “Frank and Debbie are enormously curious, enormously generous,” says Jane Harman, a former U.S. representative from California who now serves as Wilson’s director, president and CEO. “Frank lives large, but behaves in a modest way.” At the dinner, Islam introduced the guest speakers—Harman and Republican

WE’RE BUILDING OUR

FUTURE TO INCLUDE YOU

Sen. Susan Collins of Maine. Though he takes speech lessons before each of his events from former local television reporter I.J. Hudson, and though his remarks are crafted by Ed Crego, his book and blog ghostwriter, Islam was still tense, as if these are moments beyond his control. His pride showed as he swept his eyes across the room, the long-ago teenager from a dusty provincial town in India watching his guests dine on Norton Manor china and flatware in a room much too grand to be called a basement. Collins rose from her seat, a twinkle in her eye. “When they told me that 75 people would be at this dinner, I thought: Where will they all sit?” she said. “Little did I know.” n Steve Goldstein is a freelance writer and editor. To comment on this story, email comments@bethesdamagazine.com.

IntroducIng gardensIde

the upcoming addition to Ingleside at King Farm.

Artist Rendering Projected opening date 2019/2020.

Ingleside at King Farm is often considered the model for sophisticated retirement living. Gardenside, our upcoming addition, represents our stylish and engaged vision for the future. These new residences will offer open and elegant floor plans and maintenance-free living for discerning people 62 years of age or better. Gardenside will provide an independent, engaged lifestyle with opportunities for personal growth, upscale amenities and the security and peace of mind that comes with five-star rated onsite health services. Visit us for a personal tour. Your future awaits. Priority reservations are now being accepted! Call (240) 398-3842 to secure a great plan for your future!

An Ingleside Community

701 King Farm Blvd. • Rockville, MD • www.inglesidekingfarm.org Ingleside at King Farm is a not-for-profit continuing care retirement community

Ingleside at King Farm is expanding with the proposed building of 125 new independent living apartments, 32 private assisted living memory support suites, and a Center for Healthy Living subject to approval by the Maryland Department of Aging.

138 March/April 2016 | BethesdaMagazine.com

FEATURES_frank islam.indd 138

2/9/16 1:47 PM

I want to look as

I am NOT ready

YOUNG as I feel!

for surgery!

Absorbable PDO threads are now available in the MD/VA/DC area for nonsurgical lifting. 

European technique



Minimal downtime



Threads reabsorb



Long-lasting results



No incision - Just needles

Liliana Manrique, M.D. NewEraLift.com (703) 638-0091

Untitled-5 1

2/8/16 1:09 PM

Rising A Nichole Land has faced countless challenges, none greater than the July 2014 night when police raided her home and took her parents away. But she has persevered and flourished.

By Amy Reinink | photos by michael ventura

140 march/april 2016 | BethesdaMagazine.com

FEATURES_nichole land.indd 140

2/12/16 2:27 PM

BethesdaMagazine.com | march/april 2016 141

FEATURES_nichole land.indd 141

2/15/16 9:11 AM

n Nichole L and woke at 5 a.m . on July 17, 2014, to the sound of her front door being kicked in. She saw a sea of flashlights, heard a chorus of shouts: “Get your hands up! Don’t touch anything!” Montgomery County police had entered the small four-bedroom Rockville home she shared with her parents and several of her eight siblings as part of a marijuana investigation involving one of her brothers. When they arrived, they found Land’s autistic twin brothers, Derrick and Darnell, who were 22 at the time, locked in an empty room in the basement. Police handcuffed everyone in the family, Land says. Officers took her parents, John and Janice, into custody, charging them with two counts of abuse of vulnerable adults and two counts of false imprisonment. They took the twins with them, too. The house was condemned for violations such as nonfunctioning smoke detectors, Land says. A sign duct-taped to the door read: Do Not Enter. Just weeks earlier, Land, then 29, had started a new job as a constituent relations assistant at Interfaith Works, a nonprofit organization that helps the county’s poor and homeless residents. It seemed like her life was on track. She was about to earn her bachelor’s degree from a University of Maryland program

at The Universities at Shady Grove (USG), making her the first college graduate in her immediate family. She’d been living at home with her parents, helping to care for her younger brothers and sisters, and had finally saved money for an apartment. Now her parents, whom Land had always viewed as her providers and protectors, were under arrest. Land gathered her younger siblings, who ranged in age from their late teens to mid-20s, and drove them to a nearby hotel to await news about her mom and dad. She used the money she’d been saving to pay for a hotel room, and later to bail her parents out of jail. She tried to avoid the news reports, but couldn’t help reading the headlines about her parents imprisoning her brothers in a “dungeonlike” room. She felt powerless as she thought about how the media was getting it wrong, how nobody understood what her family had really been through to keep her brothers safe and healthy. She thought about how close she was to attaining her dreams, and what this meant for the future.

A year later, Land is sitting in her neat, bright apartment overlooking the Twinbrook Metro station in Rockville. She’s placed grapes and quartered muffins on the kitchen counter to offer guests, along with bottles of cold water. Land has big brown eyes and speaks with a calm, measured voice that hints at the time she spent as a customer service representative for a real estate company. She’s wearing a dress with a brown floral pattern and turquoise trim, and delicate turquoise earrings to match. “The view is amazing,” she says with a smile. “I love watching people coming and going as they start and finish their days. And it’s quiet. I love the quietness here.”

142 march/april 2016 | BethesdaMagazine.com

FEATURES_nichole land.indd 142

2/12/16 2:31 PM

Nichole Land, whose family relied on public assistance when she was growing up, moved into her own apartment last summer. It's a milestone she's worked years to achieve.

BethesdaMagazine.com | march/april 2016 143

FEATURES_nichole land.indd 143

2/12/16 2:31 PM

Land, pictured here with her mother, Janice, likes being able to invite her family over for dinner or just to hang out.

For Land, being here represents a milestone she’s worked years to achieve. Growing up, her family relied on government assistance and help from local nonprofits. At one point they lived in a public housing project in Silver Spring— 12 people in an apartment with two bedrooms and one bathroom. Land’s father, John, was and still is a building service manager for Montgomery County Public Schools, and her mother, Janice, stayed home with the children. Groceries came from Manna Food Center; beds from A Wider Circle. At a young age, Land, the second oldest, was doing chores and learning how to change diapers and feed a baby. She’d go with her mother to school conferences for her siblings when her father had to work. “I’m the oldest of the family, but she’s the one who’s like a second mom

to them,” says her sister, Chastity Jones, who became pregnant as a teenager and moved out of the family home when Land was in elementary school. Her responsibilities grew when her twin brothers, born when Land was 9, were diagnosed with autism as toddlers. Land says she and her siblings were constantly monitoring them to make sure they weren’t running away or “tearing something apart.” She recalls watching in amazement as her mom worked to ensure that they stayed in the right schools, aftercare programs and summer camps, took them to appointments with specialists, and somehow remained patient when caring for them. “My mom was like Superwoman to me,” Land says. “She had so much to balance with such a large family, but she always got it done. And she fought

to get every ounce of help possible for the twins.” By the time Land was an upperclassman at Richard Montgomery High School in Rockville, a few of her younger brothers had started skipping school and getting into trouble. Her frustration and sadness over their choices spurred her to work harder and to steer herself in the opposite direction. She earned a place on the honor roll, made the decision not to drink or smoke, and started to dream about college. But she suffered from crippling shyness, which she says came from feeling different from her classmates. “When I was at home, I was happy,” Land says. “I started to feel like I was two separate people—the person I was at home, and the mute, introverted girl in school who had so much shame.” Land lived with her parents as she worked to put herself through Montgomery College, and later USG. She’d go to classes, put in a shift at work, then come home and help with her younger brothers and sister. But she always held onto the hope that one day she’d have a home of her own, a sense of independence. An apartment like the one she’s in now. After her parents were arrested (the charges were later dropped), Land found herself driving to work each day with her trunk full of clothes, not knowing where she’d sleep each night. In her eyes, her family was being vilified unfairly as they worked to take care of one another and the twins under difficult circumstances. “I felt as if someone was trying to rob me of everything I had worked for,” Land says. “I was so close. I had a new job. I could see myself getting my diploma at the end of the summer. It felt like in that one day, everything had been stripped away.”

Land, now 31, was in fifth grade at Stedwick Elementary School in Montgomery Village when she started to feel different. She and the other kids who

144 march/april 2016 | BethesdaMagazine.com

FEATURES_nichole land.indd 144

2/12/16 2:31 PM

speaking photo courtesy

received free or reduced-price lunch stood in a separate line in the cafeteria. She noticed that the clothes her mother would lay out on her bed periodically weren’t new. “My mom always had a way to get us the things we needed,” she says. “I didn’t know all the resources she reached out to in order to provide for us, or all the nameless, faceless people lifting us up behind the scenes.” Land still remembers the time a neighbor led her and her siblings around the neighborhood to pick up trash—implying that her family had left wrappers and soda cans lying around—while other kids got to keep playing. “I think certain homeowners looked down on non-homeowners, especially those in government housing programs,” Land says. Despite her family’s challenges, there were happy times, too, Land says. She recalls cookouts at her aunt’s house, trips to the pool, family kickball games, and busy Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, when relatives would come over to enjoy a big meal. Her parents routinely loaded the whole family into their van and went on day-trips to the beach or the museums and monuments. “I always felt a lot of joy and love from my family,” she says. At Richard Montgomery, Land did well in her classes but struggled socially and didn’t have many friends. It was hard for her to speak in class. She usually ate lunch in her math classroom, until a teacher encouraged her to try sitting with her peers. Though her parents were usually too busy with their younger kids to worry about Land’s report cards, she began to think of herself as a good student—an identity she wanted to keep. “In a way, it’s something that made me special,” Land says. “When I did well in school, it felt good, and I wanted to do more. I also wanted to set an example for my younger brothers and sister.” After graduating from Richard Montgomery in 2002, Land started taking classes at Montgomery College. She

At a Universities of Shady Grove event last April, Land spoke about the impact the Kendall Scholarship has had on her life.

worked to help pay her way—first at Barnes & Noble, then Starbucks, then at a data-entry temp job. Her transition to college life was rough, she says. She didn’t know she could apply for financial aid until she’d been in school a couple of years, so she relied on her own earnings and help from her grandfather. She accidentally registered for a course she never took, and found that class on her transcript later with a failing grade. She chose a major based on fleeting interests—astronomy and business—without thinking about long-term goals. On the last day of her English 101 class, she learned that she’d failed the competency exam. “I held it in until I got home,” she says. “When I got there, I broke down and cried. I was so ashamed and so embarrassed.” She took the course again the following semester and passed.

Over the next eight years, Land earned two associate degrees, in computer applications and general studies. In 2010, she got into the University of Maryland College Park program at USG, where students can earn a degree from nine colleges in the University System of Maryland. But she also was offered a full-time job in a call center at a real estate company, and accepted that instead. She didn’t know how she’d pay for school—and she knew the job would give her the insurance benefits she needed. She quickly became unhappy in the job, though, and realized she’d never progress beyond the call center if she didn’t find a way to continue her education. In 2011, Land received a letter that altered the course of her life. It came from Sonia Lopez, whose family lived next door to Land’s when both girls

BethesdaMagazine.com | march/april 2016 145

FEATURES_nichole land.indd 145

2/12/16 2:32 PM

rising above were in fourth grade. The friends had kept in touch after Lopez moved away, and Lopez was writing to invite Land to visit her in San Francisco. Land had never been on a plane—or left the East Coast. Normally, she says, she would have politely declined the request—too much money, too much time away from her responsibilities at home—but this time, something made her say yes.

A r r i v i n g at D u l l e s International Airport alone for her flight to San Francisco in September 2011, Land felt exhilarated. Planning the trip, getting on a plane, traveling to an unfamiliar place— it was all so far outside of her comfort zone. If I can do this, I can do anything, she thought. Even the flight itself was transformative, Land says. She told the people sitting near her that it was her first time in the air, and they all clapped for 2015-03_BethesdaMag.pdf 1 3/9/15 her when the plane landed. During long

625

talks with Lopez in San Francisco, she decided she would apply to USG again. Six months later, she was accepted. “I knew my life was going to change for the better,” she says. “I just had no idea how I was going to pay for it.” Land applied for the USG Kendall Scholars Program, which would cover her tuition and fees, and pair her with a mentor in her field of study. In her essay, she wrote about the trip to visit Lopez, and how the experience boosted her confidence and sparked her sense of adventure. “I wrote about how before that trip I felt stuck, and how I felt too afraid of what would happen if I lost my steady paycheck,” Land says. “After the trip, I dropped the what-ifs and took the leap to change my life.” A month later, she learned that she’d been named a USG Kendall Scholar. She could go through school in two years, 2:41 PM rather than taking a class or two each

semester as work allowed. “That moment, finding out I’d gotten that scholarship, is a highlight of my life,” she says. This time, her goals were clear: She wanted to major in communications. A creative writing class at Montgomery College had reminded her that she’d always loved English. And she wanted to find a job that would allow her to give back, preferably at one of the nonprofits that had given to her family when they needed help. “I wanted to feel a connection to the work I do. I wanted to feel like what I do at work every day has meaning,” she says. Those who know Land well watched in awe as she pursued her dreams. “She just had a quiet determination to finish her education,” says her grandfather, John Land III. By 2014, Land was just a few credits away from earning her degree in communications from the University of Maryland at College Park.

Membership starts at

$39

YOU ARE AS

STRONG AS YOU MAKE YOURSELF

CARDIO

STRENGTH

CMY

ZUMBA BODYPUMP PILATES SPIN HIIT

CALL OR VISIT US NOW 8325 GRUBB ROAD SILVER SPRING, MD 20910 (301) 587.4447 WWW.ROCKCREEKSPORTSCLUB.COM

146 march/april 2016 | BethesdaMagazine.com

FEATURES_nichole land.indd 146

2/12/16 2:32 PM

She attended her graduation at The Universities at Shady Grove in May 2014, and planned to finish her last required course that summer. When she interviewed for a job at Interfaith Works, she talked about how the organization had helped her own family make ends meet. She got the job and started on June 3, 2014. She’d spent years working to save $5,000 to get her own place. Then the police kicked in her family’s front door.

The morning her parents were arrested, Land called work to say she’d had a family emergency and wouldn’t be able to come in. She was petrified that one of her colleagues would see the news, and wondered whether she’d lose her job if someone found out. She’d just started taking a Spanish class, the last course she needed, but dropped it to focus on her family. That left

F I V E

S T A R

her another $2,000 in debt, because her scholarship would not pay for a dropped course, and she couldn’t get a refund. As the days wore on, and more of her savings went to pay for hotel rooms for her siblings and her parents, she felt a heaviness in her chest. Though her grandfather helped with expenses, Land bore the brunt of the financial burden herself. She’d come so far, only to feel like she was back at the starting line. And it felt so unfair that her family was being cast in a terrible light. Land wished everyone could know the whole story—that ever since her brothers had aged out of special education classes in high school when they were 21, her mom had been working to find appropriate adult programs for them, and that they were locked in the basement for their own safety because they had a tendency to run away or play with valves and switches. Two of Land’s uncles, both contractors,

S E N I O R

L I V I N G

helped get the house back up to code, and the family returned within a couple of weeks. Her twin brothers were moved to a specialized residential facility later that month—the same place her mother had been trying to get them into, Land says. But while things felt more stable, a sense of uncertainty about what would happen to her parents weighed on her. “Home didn’t feel the way it used to,” Land says. “Knowing what the neighbors saw, and being exposed in that way, it just never felt the same.” Land called friends, relatives and members of the family’s church, Pleasant Grove Christian Community Church in Damascus, to update them on her parents’ case, hoping to save her mom and dad from the stress of having to do it. “I saw Nichole serve as the rock for her family when things were challenging,” says church member Peta Thomas. “Whenever her mom needed help,

C O M M U N I T Y

The Five Star Difference • Lushly landscaped park-like setting • Swim year-round in the indoor pool • Executive, sous and pastry chefs • In-home washers and dryers • Secure parking underground

Live more for less than you imagined.

hat a pleasant surprise to live in a luxury rental apartment that is such an extraordinary value. Our residents enjoy exceptional chef-inspired cuisine, personal service and all sorts of engaging social activities. A Lifestyle 360 wellness program further enriches their lives. Sound appetizing? Call today for a private tour. www.fivestarpremier-chevychase.com

Formerly known as Classic Residence by Hyatt

8100 Connecticut Avenue Chevy Chase, MD 20815 (301) 915-9217

BethesdaMagazine.com | march/april 2016 147

FEATURES_nichole land.indd 147

2/12/16 2:32 PM

rising above whether it was a shoulder to cry on or help going through paperwork, Nichole was there.” A few days before her parents were scheduled to appear in court in December 2014, Land was driving with her mother and heard her phone ping to signal a new email. It was from her father’s attorney, and the subject line read, “Good news.” Land froze, wondering what the rest of the message said. She pulled the car over and they read it together: All charges against her parents had been dropped. “My mom and I were just screaming and screaming,” Land says. “It felt like a huge weight had been lifted off my back.” They rushed home to tell Land’s father. At church that Sunday, Land and her parents stood in front of the congregation to say that their prayers had been answered. Land spent the next several months working to rebuild her savings. Last May, she paid back the $2,000 she owed

to the University of Maryland and was told The Washington Post in December awarded her diploma. On June 6, 2015, 2014, “You had two struggling parents who were doing the best they could. They she moved into her apartment. Recently, Land was appointed to a were failing, but they weren't committing position on the USG Board of Advisors. a crime.”) She combats those moments by That means she'll be mentoring another reminding herself that she doesn’t want to Kendall Scholar, just as she was mentored let one moment in time define her. “That herself. [Editor’s note: Bethesda Magazine experience made me more vulnerable, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher Steve Hull but it also made me more sympathetic,” is a board member who served as Land’s she says. “It helped me realize that there’s mentor.] Unofficially, Land is also men- more to each person than their set of toring her younger sister, Keisha, who is circumstances.” beginning her studies at Montgomery These days, she’s no longer shy. She College. Last fall, at USG’s request, Land shared her story at a Philanthropy testified before the county’s state legis- Week event held by The Community lative delegation on the importance of Foundation in Montgomery County. USG. In January, she started a new job at When she talks about her journey, she has a simple theme, she says: No matter Montgomery College. Land still struggles with anxiety sur- what you’ve been through in the past, rounding what happened two summers it’s possible to live a good life. n ago. Loud noises in the night leave her trembling, and she often wonders what Amy Reinink is a frequent contributor to people think of her and her family. (A the magazine who also writes for Men's CapCityBethesdaMagazineAd1-16_3.25 12/9/15 1:57 PM Page 1 lawyer who has practiced disabilities law Health and other publications.

Classes • Birthday Parties • Open Gym • Competitive Team • Camps

Continuous Quality Year after Year.

It’s Not Just Gymnastics, It’s Gymtastic!

VISIT OUR WEBSITE TO SIGN UP FOR CLASSES AND CAMPS!

WWW.GOSILVERSTARS.COM

™ Assistance with Activities of Daily Living ™ Alzheimers and Dementia Care

Two Great Locations!

™ Diabetes, Cardiac and Cancer Care

2701 Pittman Drive, Silver Spring, MD 301-589-0938 14201 Woodcliff Ct, Bowie, MD 301-352-5777

™ Hospice Support ™ Medication and Care Management ™ Skilled Nursing Care

Exceptional Home Care Since 1976. ag.com www.castlelasert

301.652.4344 www.capitalcitynurses.com MD RSA #R399

148 march/april 2016 | BethesdaMagazine.com

FEATURES_nichole land.indd 148

2/15/16 11:50 AM

Untitled-2 1

2/3/16 4:23 PM

GATHER ARound And Enjoy THE FLAVoRS oF

For 100 years Balducci's has been inspiring home cooks with the season's best and freshest foods. From the highest quality produce and meats to restaurant-quality Chef Prepared catering for any holiday celebration.

Quinoa, Feta and Spinach Salad RECIPE ON BALDUCCIS.COM

Westport | GreenWich | balduccis.com (866) 278-8866

WILDWOOD 0316.indd 2

2/11/16 5:35 PM

SPRING 2016

south moon under BETHESDA | SHOPS AT WILDWOOD SOUTHMOONUNDER.COM

A contemporary womanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s boutique, offering everything a woman needs in her closet from casual to cocktail.

WILDWOOD 0316.indd 3

#SOUTHMOONUNDER

Now open in Wildwood Shopping Center 10259 Old Georgetown Road, Bethesda 240-743-4328 or 703-851-0727 Open Monday through Saturday 10 to 6 and Sunday 12 to 5

2/11/16 5:35 PM

152 march/april 2016 | BethesdaMagazine.com

FEATURES_anne kaiser.indd 152

2/4/16 5:11 PM

In the Boys Club House Majority Leader Anne Kaiser of Silver Spring is thriving in the male-dominated Maryland state legislature By Miranda S. Spivack | photos by liz lynch

BethesdaMagazine.com | march/april 2016 153

FEATURES_anne kaiser.indd 153

2/10/16 3:37 PM

M a ry l a n d H o u s e M a j o r i ty Leader Anne Kaiser rarely misses her weekly poker game in Annapolis. It’s a chance for her to chat with longtime friends, catch up on the gossip and unwind after long and often tense days during the three-month legislative session that begins each January. Kaiser is usually the only woman playing, but she hardly notices—she’s used to the boys club atmosphere that still permeates the state legislature, and she’s busy concentrating on her cards. Kaiser is steady and cautious when it comes to poker, colleagues say, not a big risk taker, at least not without adequate preparation. If she’s still in the hand after other players have folded, that’s a sure sign things are going her way. Bluffing is not her style. “If she stays in, nine times out of 10 you are going to lose,” says Prince George’s County Del. Jay Walker, a regular in the weekly games, which cross county and occasionally party lines. Poker night isn’t the only time Kaiser, a Montgomery County Democrat, plays her cards carefully and often wins. The Rockville High School alum has managed to make her way into the leadership circle in Annapolis, a rarity among lawmakers who represent a county often viewed as too privileged and too liberal. The fact that Kaiser, a lesbian, is a leader in a Maryland State House long dominated by a well-entrenched cadre of mostly white men from rural communities makes her even more unique. Kaiser, who lives with her wife, Nancy Lineman, in Silver Spring’s Calverton neighborhood, helped shepherd samesex marriage legislation in 2012 that led to a referendum legalizing the union later that year. “I became a Democrat because of civil rights,” Kaiser says. “Thirty years later, I was fighting for my own civil rights.” Despite her ascension to power in

Kaiser, a Rockville High School alum, is the first woman from Montgomery County to be tapped as majority leader in the Maryland House of Delegates. the Maryland capital, Kaiser, 48, who was raised in a Republican household, is not a show horse. Many county residents probably don’t recognize her name. Yet the self-described “policy nerd” has been a steady presence in Annapolis for more than a decade—in 2014, she became the first woman from Montgomery County to be tapped as house majority leader— and she is considered one of the rising stars in the General Assembly.

When Kaiser was 5 years old, she read books about Abraham Lincoln and Thomas Jefferson over and over again. “I was just fascinated from the beginning, without really knowing what politics meant,” she says. She thought that when someone ran for office, there

was a footrace down the aisles of the U.S. Senate chamber, a place she had seen on television. Looking back, she says, she started becoming sensitive early on to the way boys might be treated differently from girls. Kaiser’s father and two older brothers were cleaning the roof of their Rockville house one day, and she wanted to climb up there, too. But her father said no, that she was too small. “You won’t let me up there because I am a girl,” Kaiser remembers telling him. He insisted it was because of her size, but at 7 years old, she kept pressing him. In 1984, during her sophomore year in high school, Kaiser had what she calls the start of a “political awakening.” Her father, Jesse, was going to vote Republican in a local race, and her

154 march/april 2016 | BethesdaMagazine.com

FEATURES_anne kaiser.indd 154

2/10/16 3:38 PM

mother, Marian, was voting Democratic. Because her parents’ votes were going to cancel each other out, they decided not to bother going to the polls. So Kaiser lectured them. “I gave them my rights and responsibilities speech, and compared it to Nazi Germany and why voting matters,” she says. Kaiser’s parents ended up casting their ballots. Eventually, her father switched parties and became a Democrat so he could vote for his daughter when she ran for a spot on the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee in 1998, a move that helped launch her political career. Eighteen years later, Kaiser is spending her days trying to improve public education in Maryland, corralling votes

for Democratic priorities in the legislature and encouraging women to get into politics. The job of majority leader, to which she was appointed in late 2014 by House Speaker Michael Busch, a Democrat from Anne Arundel County, requires her to patiently line up support, make deals, and do whatever it takes to guarantee a majority for the legislative leadership’s issue du jour. In the past year, that has included figuring out ways to end-run Republican Gov. Larry Hogan on budget and education issues without seeming obstructionist. It’s an unlikely position for a lawmaker who, by her own admission, is reserved and a bit socially awkward. “I am basically a shy person,” Kaiser says. She would rather give a speech in front

of 500 people than mingle at a small gathering. “I am not comfortable with small talk.” Still, since she was first elected to the House of Delegates in 2002, Kaiser has knocked on thousands of doors in an attempt to woo voters in District 14, which comprises parts of Silver Spring, Olney and Damascus. Along the way, she’s earned Busch’s trust and has become one of his key advisers, especially on education. After realizing that many students were arriving at community colleges in need of remedial math classes, Kaiser and former state delegate John L. Bohanan Jr. urged Busch, himself an expert on education, to push for a law requiring Maryland high school students to take four courses—one each

BethesdaMagazine.com | march/april 2016 155

FEATURES_anne kaiser.indd 155

2/4/16 5:13 PM

year—that involved computation. “It was going to have an impact on curriculum throughout the state,” Kaiser recalls. The law went into effect across Maryland in 2014, and is a rare example of the state dictating detailed standards to local school districts. “I take what she tells me as gospel,” Busch says. In Annapolis, despite a style that she attributes to shyness but some say makes her come off as brusque, Kaiser has managed to win friends and influence colleagues, generally by studying hard. She first takes a broad look at an issue to figure out what needs to be done, who needs to be persuaded and how to fend off any opponents, she says. Kaiser works with her small staff to compile detailed, 3-inch-thick briefing books on whatever matter is before her. Few in the General Assembly are as well prepared, her colleagues say. Longtime friend and fellow poker player Justin Ross, a former delegate from Prince George’s County who is now a lobbyist, says legislators know it’s hard to dislodge Kaiser in a debate because she anticipates the questions. She doesn’t need to call on her staff to help. “She’s no pushover,” Ross says. It doesn’t hurt, he and others say, that Kaiser also has a wicked sense of humor, and can leaven serious moments with amusing comments. Del. Ariana Kelly, a Bethesda Democrat, says Kaiser also has been successful in Annapolis because she has mentored female lawmakers, as well as newcomers to the House of Delegates, both men and women. “She took us under her wing, taught us the do’s and don’ts of Annapolis that wouldn’t necessarily be obvious to us coming from Montgomery County,” Kelly says. “Not every senior legislator takes that amount of time to nurture new legislators.” Among the advice Kaiser has given to new lawmakers: Plan your lunch order ahead of time during a legislative session so you don’t miss any key moments during a debate, don’t hog the microphone during a press

conference (even now, Kaiser prefers to stand to the side and work from a script) and don’t try to pass a major bill in the first few years of your term. “I convey to people that they need a level of patience,” Kaiser says. “You can’t hit a home run in your first two or three years—it’s as if you have a Wiffle bat in a major league game. You need to show dignity and walk off when you strike out. But then, eventually, you do get a chance.” Ross says Kaiser also has risen in the Annapolis power structure because she has embraced one of the less pleasant aspects of politics: the importance of following the money. Kaiser has become a prodigious fundraiser for other Democrats in Maryland, crisscrossing the state to appear at events for colleagues and political hopefuls. That kind of support can help her when or if she has higher ambitions in the legislature (maybe the first female house speaker?) or when she’s looking for help on a bill. “When I first met Anne, being in leadership did not cross her mind,” Ross says. “She realizes you can do a lot more good when you are in charge.”

Kaiser was 16 when her older brother Phil pointed out to her that the honors classes at Rockville High School largely consisted of white, middle-class students from Earle B. Wood, the middle school Kaiser had attended, and not from Edwin W. Broome, the other feeder school, which had a less affluent population with more minority students. It seemed, she felt, inherently unfair, a form of de facto segregation at a time when Montgomery County schools had long been racially integrated. When she arrived at the University of Chicago as an undergraduate in 1986, she began to realize that what she had seen in high school had broader implications—that education policy was at the heart of equal rights and civil rights debates in the United States.

Not long after Kaiser helped shepherd samesex marriage legislation in 2012, she married her longtime partner, Nancy Lineman. “It was the fundamental core issue that could solve a lot of problems,” she says. The great equalizer, if done right, she believed. She studied both public policy and education policy at the University of Michigan, earning two master’s degrees before returning home to Rockville to begin working on Capitol Hill for Rep. Neal Smith, a Democrat from Iowa. She later worked for Maryland state Del. Hank Heller (D-Montgomery) before running for the House of Delegates in 2002. In Annapolis, she joined the House Ways & Means Committee, serving on subcommittees that dealt with revenue, children and families, and education. She showed up well prepared at meetings, asking pointed questions that often drew praise from colleagues, and finally, in 2007, attained the chairmanship of the education subcommittee, where she

156 march/april 2016 | BethesdaMagazine.com

FEATURES_anne kaiser.indd 156

2/4/16 5:14 PM

could begin to more directly shape legislation. In one of her early victories, she successfully pushed for a law that gave schools more leverage over bullying, even if the behavior didn’t occur during school hours. “We said that if kids are being tormented and don’t want to come to school, that creates a negative atmosphere in schools,” she recalls. “As long as it affects the school atmosphere, we said the schools have a right to punish.” The measure won praise from national anti-bullying organizations, propelling Maryland to the top of a list of states that were taking steps to insulate children from such harassment. In 2010, Kaiser successfully managed a group of bills that helped restructure state financing and steer more funds toward public school systems, especially those that were growing rapidly, such as Montgomery

County’s. In 2011, she worked with colleagues on a measure that requires school athletic programs to more closely screen for concussions when athletes are injured during competitions. She was able to get support for those bills, she says, because she quickly figured out that “concussions and bullying are not partisan issues.” That same year, Kaiser served as the House floor manager for a contentious bill that made it easier for illegal immigrants to get in-state college tuition in Maryland. She overcame intense opposition during what she calls her “political coming-out party.” “People were worried I would not be able to handle myself on the House floor—that the debate would get ugly,” she says. Kaiser parried questions from colleagues for more than three hours, and the bill was eventually enacted. “You

can be doing good work all these years and finally someone notices. It was my ninth year, and finally people are paying attention to me.”

Justin Ross says Kaiser played a crucial role in winning over reluctant Democrats like him to support samesex marriage in 2012. Ross was for civil unions and did not want to get mired in a fight with religious leaders, many of whom he represented in Prince George’s County, where a good number of white and African-American lawmakers were reluctant to endorse same-sex marriage. Kaiser eventually wore him down by being patient, he says, by telling him she knew that when it came time for a vote, he would “do the right thing.” She didn’t hector him or put on the hard sell, he says: “She just kept talking. And talking.”

BethesdaMagazine.com | march/april 2016 157

FEATURES_anne kaiser.indd 157

2/4/16 5:15 PM

in the boys club Not long after same-sex marriage became legal in Maryland, Kaiser married Lineman, her longtime partner, and the couple moved into a brick split-level house in Silver Spring. Their neighborhood is a “mini-United Nations,” Lineman says, and more families with children are starting to move in. Kaiser and Lineman haven’t decided whether to start a family of their own—for now they’re content with their cocker spaniel mix and three cats. They also spend time mentoring a 16-year-old girl who lives with a foster family in nearby Beltsville. They’ll meet her for lunch or take her to a museum or a concert at the University of Maryland, where Kaiser teaches a course on women in politics. In 2013, they got tickets for the teen to hear first lady Michelle Obama’s commencement address at Bowie State University. “She has grown more comfortable with us, and we have helped her see a bigger world out there,” Kaiser says.

Lineman, a former assistant state’s attorney in Prince George’s County who now works in communications at Montgomery College, says she and Kaiser complement one another. “She’s the reasonable voice. She doesn’t overwhelm people with her approach,” says Lineman, 40, who calls herself the “intense one” in the marriage. She says Kaiser, while very attentive to details at work, is less focused when it comes to doing chores at home. After the couple returned from a recent trip, Kaiser left her suitcase packed for more than a week. “It would not occur to Anne to move it or unpack it,” Lineman says. (Kaiser, who is vacuuming the couple’s home on a recent day, notes that Lineman has never taken her own clothes to the dry cleaner. They both laugh.) Kaiser does the laundry; her wife can repair a sink or wallpaper a bathroom. “She’s the mountain. I’m the weather,” Lineman says.

Michael Busch has no plans to retire from the speakership anytime soon, and Kaiser demurs when asked about her ambitions. Meanwhile, she’s trying to recruit more women to run for office. While women make up 52 percent of the population in Maryland, the number of females in the General Assembly has decreased in recent years. In 2005, 67 of the 188 state legislators were women. Last year, the number was 60. At a gathering of young Democratic women in Silver Spring last summer, Kaiser urged the attendees to get involved. “I knew when I was 5 that I wanted to run for office,” she said. “Leap in at every opportunity.” n Miranda S. Spivack, a longtime Bethesda resident, is a former Washington Post reporter and editor who often writes about Maryland politics.

Maria Sotomayor, MD General & Cosmetic Dermatology Dr. Maria Sotomayor is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Dermatology and specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of skin disorders in adults and adolescents. Her cosmetic dermatology practice includes Botox® and Juvederm®.

“I find that the combination of general and cosmetic dermatology is the key to achieving youthful, healthy, beautiful skin at any age. My care philosophy is delivering quality, timely care. Getting to know patients over time is paramount to giving them exactly what they are looking for.” She joined The GW Medical Faculty Associates with research interests in skin disorders, skin cancer and dermatological surgery, psoriasis treatment and clinical trials. 4920 Elm Street, Suite 250 Bethesda, MD 20814 240.483.0555

The GW Medical Faculty Associates

22nd & I Street, NW, 2nd Floor Washington, DC 20037 202.741.2600 for more information or to book an appointment, visit: gwdocs.com/BethesdaDerm

158 march/april 2016 | BethesdaMagazine.com

FEATURES_anne kaiser.indd 158

2/10/16 3:39 PM

YOU should be working with the Waterfront Experts!

WATERFRONT

Edgewater - South River $950,000

WfffATERFRONT

Arvfgfgfdnold - Severn River Charlie Buckley $1,200,000

Associate Broker

WATERFRONT

Annapolis - Chesapeake Bay $1,800,000

WATERFRONT Riva - South River $1,349,000

WATERFRONT

Edgewater - South River $1,890,000

WATERFRONT

Annapolis - South River $3,495,000

Reid Buckley | Joe Bray | Brad Kappel Licensed REALTORSÂ®

WATERFRONT

Crownsville - Maynadier Creek $1,549,000

WATERFRONT

Annapolis - South River $2,200,000

WATERFRONT

Annapolis - Severn River $4,750,000

See all Waterfront Homes & Live Videos at

www.WaterfrontHomes.org 410.266.6880 #1 in Waterfront Home Sales for 22 years Equal Housing Opportunity - BOM: 410.266.5505 | 102 Old Solomons Island Rd. Annapolis, MD 21401

Untitled-5 1

2/11/16 11:16 AM

name Tom Manger AGE 61 Grew up in Baltimore, Silver Spring Lives in Rockville

160 march/april 2016 | BethesdaMagazine.com

FEATURES_interview.indd 160

2/4/16 3:06 PM

interview

A Conversation with

Tom manger By David Frey | photo by SKIP BROWN Montgomery County Police Chief Tom Manger is usually quick with a joke or a story. But on a December afternoon, the chief is somber. For the past six days, 24-year-old Officer Noah Leotta has been in a coma. While making a traffic stop in Rockville, Leotta was struck by a suspected drunken driver. Leotta’s parents are preparing to give the orders to take him off life support. By the next day, Manger knows, Leotta will be dead. “This is the most difficult part of this job,” Manger says. “I’ve had to deal with the death of a number of officers since I’ve been a chief. To see the profound sadness that these families go through losing a son, a husband, it’s just heartbreaking, and it never leaves you. It just never leaves you.” Manger sits in his office at Montgomery County police headquarters in Gaithersburg, where he oversees a force of more than 1,200 officers. His service pistol rests on his hip next to his smartphone. A body camera is clipped to his uniform near his badge. “I’ve been wearing one since June,” Manger says. He’s among 80 officers on the force who are taking part in a pilot program of police cameras that began earlier in 2015 after allegations

of improper force in places such as Baltimore and Ferguson, Missouri, heightened the scrutiny of police across the country. “I’ve always contended: 99 percent of the time, cops are doing exactly what they’re supposed to do the way they’re supposed to do it,” Manger says. “For that 1 percent that aren’t, shame on them. This camera ought to either correct that behavior or hold folks more accountable. And that starts with me.” Manger is animated when he speaks, a reminder that he once was a part-time actor. That’s how he met his wife, Jacqueline, an actress who shared the stage with him in the 1998 American Century Theater production of the musical Lady in the Dark in Arlington, Virginia. “That seems like ages ago,” says Manger, 61. For the past 39 years, he’s been a cop. Manger grew up in Baltimore and Silver Spring, then spent 27 years as a Fairfax County police officer, including six as chief of police, and 12 years as Montgomery County police chief. He and Jacqueline live in Rockville with their son, Jack, 14, and daughter, Jesse, 12. Bethesda Magazine spoke to Manger in December and again several weeks later. BethesdaMagazine.com | March/April 2016 161

FEATURES_interview.indd 161

2/10/16 12:02 PM

interview

Restaurant First Watch

▼

Places to go with his kids Bethesda Big Train baseball games, Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club, Cheeburger Cheeburger

▼

TV cop show Does Dexter count?

▼

Items on his nightstand The remote for my DVR so I can watch Pardon the Interruption with my son right before we call it a night

You were inspired by Watergate, and your father worked for Agnew? That must have made for some interesting conversations. I grew up in Baltimore City until I was 14 years old. My father had gotten to know Mr. Agnew when they were in the service in World War II, and [they] had remained friends. When Agnew was elected to be governor of the state of Maryland, he came to my father and said, ‘I’ve got a staff position.’ My dad

was working three jobs, barely cobbling together a living. Mr. Agnew was going to give him a job that would pay more than those three jobs put together. But it wasn’t a political job—my dad ran the mail room. He ran the fleet for the governor’s office. He was just good at that kind of stuff. When Mr. Agnew became vice president, my father did essentially the same thing for the vice president’s office. I tell you, any success that I have had is due to my mother and father. They taught me that honesty is everything. We had a pretty sharp focus on integrity in my house. I think that’s why I had a keen interest in Watergate. Back then, I had no political awareness at all in terms of Republicans and Democrats.

Can you give an example of your parents teaching you about honesty? I was a freshman at the University of Maryland. I had designs of being a walk-on for the University of Maryland basketball team. I would go to Cole Field House when I didn’t have classes in the afternoon and get involved in pickup games. One day, I was in a pickup game with [future Hall of Famer] Moses Malone. Probably that practice taught me the most that I had no business playing basketball. I played for an hour or so and I went back and grabbed my stuff, and somebody had stolen my wallet out of my bag. When I got home, I told my parents. My father at dinnertime said, ‘You’ve got to report it to the police.’ He made me get in the car, and we drove to the College Park police station. I walked up to the front desk with my father standing next to me. The officer takes the report. I said, ‘One of the things in my wallet was my driver’s license.’ He said, ‘I’ll run your driving record, and that way when you go to the Department of Motor Vehicles they’ll just issue you a new license.’ What I had forgotten was I had

remote photo from Istock; all others courtesy

Manger’s Favorites

What made you want to be a cop? What really caught my interest back in high school and during my years in college was Watergate. I was reading The Washington Post every day and following it like a soap opera. I was just riveted to the investigative reports that Woodward and Bernstein were doing. It got me very conscious of the injustices of the world. These two guys were trying to shine a light on something that was wrong. When I started at the University of Maryland, I was a journalism major, and I was working in a newspaper office part time. I was a teenager just trying to make some money to afford to go to college. I got disillusioned with some of it. It almost seemed the reporters were driving the agenda. I thought maybe there was another way for me to right all the wrongs. I took a criminal justice class, and that really clicked with me. My dad worked for Vice President [Spiro] Agnew’s office back then. Once or twice the vice president came over to our house for dinner. When he came over, there was a Secret Service detail all around our house. I remember taking our dog out. I’m 16, 17 years old. There’s a couple Secret Service agents standing in our backyard. I’m sure the agent standing in our backyard on a rainy evening in Silver Spring was thinking, Ain’t this a great job. But as a kid, I was thinking, This is pretty cool!

162 march/april 2016 | BethesdaMagazine.com

FEATURES_interview.indd 162

2/4/16 3:06 PM

2016

Winner BEST CUSTOM BUILDER

Update Your Status You deserve to live brilliantly, and Sandy Spring Builders can help. Voted Best Builder by Bethesda Magazine since 2008, Sandy Spring is an integrated, full-service group that knows how to bring your dream home to life. Whether youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re in the market for a new home or a renovation, we are sure to fit your budget and lifestyle.

www.sandyspringbuilders.com â&#x20AC;˘ 301.913.5995 Image courtesy of KochFoto. 160201-SSB_UpdateYourStatus.indd 1 Untitled-2 1

2/1/16 12:11 PM 2/3/16 4:29 PM

interview

gotten a ticket for tailgating about a year earlier [from] a Montgomery County police officer. To tell you how long ago it was—the fine was $15. I walked up to the Silver Spring station on Sligo Avenue, paid $15 and that was that. I said, ‘I’m not telling my parents about it.’ The guy runs my driving record and he turns around and says, ‘Oh, I see you’ve got a ticket there, huh?’ So I have to tell my father now that I’ve got a ticket. My dad says to me, ‘I’m taking your driver’s license for six months. It’s not because you got that ticket. It’s because you lied.’ The lesson learned, and the lesson I try to pass on to my kids, was: Everybody makes mistakes. We’re not perfect. But you’ve got to take responsibility and you’ve got to be honest.

What was your first job as a cop? I graduated from the University of Maryland in 1976. A buddy of mine had told me that Ocean City, Maryland, would hire summer cops. I applied and was a cop from Memorial Day to Labor Day in 1976. I will tell you, it taught me very little about how to be a police officer, but what it taught me was that this was the right profession for me. I loved every minute of it. I look back on it and think, Oh, my Lord, there were so many opportunities for me to do some very stupid things. I had two weeks’ training and I had a gun and a badge. I thank God every day that I knew what I didn’t know and I didn’t make too many mistakes. What did you learn then that you still find useful today? You get a lot of training to do a lot of different things, but there’s nothing more important than your ability to communicate effectively. I remember the first time I was dispatched to a domestic dispute. You’ve got a man and woman just screaming and hollering at each other. I’m a 21-year-old kid. 164 march/april 2016 | BethesdaMagazine.com

FEATURES_interview.indd 164

2/4/16 3:07 PM

Voted Best Financial Advisor I’ve never been married. I barely had a girlfriend. I didn’t know how to handle this stuff. But you know, it all came down to the ability to talk to people who are in crisis. Whether it is handling a domestic violence situation or a homeless guy who’s fallen down on the sidewalk because he’s drunk; whether it was someone dealing with mental health issues, or a crime victim who was just traumatized; the ability to effectively communicate is the most important tool a police officer has. I learned that quickly as a young cop. That kept me safe in so many situations that could have gotten out of control. I’m not getting dispatched to domestic disputes anymore, but I will tell you, I’m dealing with conflicts multiple times a day.

by readers of Bethesda Magazine 2010, 2012 & 2014

Winner

What’s it like to handle an unruly suspect? Arresting someone who doesn’t want to be arrested is not pretty. It’s pretty disturbing to watch. But it doesn’t mean the officer is doing anything wrong. If it’s a kid, if it’s a woman fighting male cops, it’s even worse. But we’re getting critiqued on social media for everything we do. They show part of the video and cops are roundly criticized for being brutal or using too much force. I will tell you, of all the arrests I’ve made and traffic stops and citations I’ve written, it wasn’t a personal thing for me. It was just me doing my job. Post-Ferguson, [it’s] been really tough in terms of people making sweeping criticisms against the police based on really awful things that have occurred [around] the country. I think people are painting police with a broad brush based on, really, the actions of a small number of cops across the country. Can you give an example of a time when you’ve personally had to handle an unruly suspect? I assisted with an arrest shortly after

David B. Hurwitz

CFP®, CRPC®, CRPS®, RICP® Private Wealth Advisor 6400 Goldsboro Road, Suite 550 Bethesda, MD 20817

Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc., Member FINRA and SIPC.

Direct: (301) 263-8509 Email: david.b.hurwitz@ampf.com david.b.hurwitz.com

BethesdaMagazine.com | March/April 2016 165

FEATURES_interview.indd 165

2/4/16 3:07 PM

interview

Bethesda Magazine Readers’ Pick

“Top Vote Getter, BEST PLACE TO BUY GLASSES” Comprehensive Pediatric and Adult eye examinations through state of the art eye care technology ANNE ET VALENTINE • KILSGAARD • LAFONT • LINDBERG LUNOR • OLIVER PEOPLES • PAUL SMITH • RAY BAN • ROBERT MARC

1095 Seven Locks Road | Potomac, Maryland 20854 | 301. 545.1111

www.wink.net

Rest easy.

In an uncertain world, The Meltzer Group provides something that is difficult to come by: peace of mind. Whether it is individual life insurance, estate planning, property and casualty insurance, or an employee benefits package and retirement plan services for your business, The Meltzer Group

The Meltzer Group has got you covered.

has got you covered. Call us today.

301-581-7300 www.meltzer.com

I got here 10, 11 years ago. I was off duty in the summertime, wearing shorts and a T-shirt. I had my wife and two children in the car with me. I was driving by Fallsgrove shopping center in Rockville when I see two of my cops in a knock-down, drag-out fight in the middle of the road. I threw the car in park and told my wife, ‘Take the van.’ I jumped out and I ran up. I don’t know if these guys knew who I was or not. I had my badge out and I made the brilliant statement, ‘Hey, do you guys need help?’ They obviously did need help. This guy was down in the street, fighting violently. This wasn’t a Rodney King situation where they were wailing away on him with a baton because the guy’s fighting. These guys were getting him under control in a controlled manner. But I can tell you, to every car that drove by, it looked awful. Sometimes that’s the way the job looks. When my wife drove by with the kids—my children were very young at the time—I think it was my son who looked out the window and said, ‘Mommy, what’s Daddy doing?’

What specific changes have you made in training policies since Ferguson? Some of these changes started postFerguson, but a lot of the changes started for us around 2008, when we really overhauled our use-of-force policy. Like giving officers crisis intervention training, dealing with folks more effectively who have mental illness. Our cops have more tools in their tool belt right now to understand things to say to that person, things not to say, and better strategies on how to approach it. Over half of our police officers have gone through this crisis training, and it has really reduced the number of uses of force with folks with mental illness because we’re more effectively able to de-escalate those situations. A post-Ferguson example I would

166 march/april 2016 | BethesdaMagazine.com

FEATURES_interview.indd 166

2/10/16 3:02 PM

MARK SCHWEIGHOFER give you is teaching our cops not to create that moment where deadly force is needed to be used. A good example is the Tamir Rice case in Cleveland, where you have this little kid who appears to be waving a real gun. The cops who respond to this all drive right up close to the kid. My question would be: Why did the officer put himself in a position where he was in danger? Why did he have to get so close? What we’re teaching our officers is: Don’t put yourself in the situation where deadly force is the only choice you have. If you can put time and distance, slow things down, de-escalate it, that’s the approach you need to take.

Have there been times during your tenure when a cop went too far? Absolutely. We’ve sustained excessive force complaints against officers on a number of occasions, but none of those involved deadly force. Since I’ve been chief here, we’ve used deadly force 39 times. I believe 13 of those cases involved somebody’s death. But we have had cases where an officer discharged a firearm that did not result in death, and we determined that the officer should not have discharged that firearm. We’ve had cases where officers have used force, whether it’s a baton or Taser or even just his hands, where force was deemed to be excessive. We don’t have a lot of these cases, but we do get complaints about brutality. We investigate every one. What have you learned in your pilot program with police cameras? That this is a good direction to go. I think it’s going to demonstrate to the public that my cops are doing the right thing the right way, day in and day out. These cameras are going to help us show the public how difficult and challenging a job these cops have. So often what you get on social media is the last couple minutes of an incident,

Principal Tax Law Attorney

FBAR THE FOUR-LETTER WORD YOU NEED TO KNOW

The IRS continues to focus on individuals with offshore assets. Many people are unaware of the need to disclose certain foreign assets and the staggering penalties that can apply for failure to do so. For example, if you are a U.S. citizen or resident who owns or has signing authority over any foreign bank account with an aggregate balance over $10,000, you may be required to file a Foreign Bank Account Report (FBAR). In addition to back taxes and interest on unreported income associated with such accounts, civil penalties can reach the greater of $100,000 or 50% of the aggregate balance of the foreign account(s) each year for a period of six years. In some cases, the civil penalties can exceed the value of the account. Criminal penalties can be as high as $500,000 in fines and 10 years in prison. Given the stakes, it is important for individuals to get into compliance. In some cases, it may be possible to avoid penalties entirely. In others, it may be possible to pay a significantly reduced amount. Because the issues are complex, it is essential to consult with a qualified tax attorney in regard to the disclosure of offshore assets. David De Jong, Mark Schweighofer and Eric Rollinger are principals of Stein Sperling’s tax department. Mark has extensive experience assisting clients in this area and is well qualified and willing to advise on such matters. If you have any questions about foreign asset disclosure, please contact Mark at (301) 838-3233.

301-340-2020 • www.steinsperling.com BethesdaMagazine.com | March/April 2016 167

FEATURES_interview.indd 167

3/8/16 11:41 AM

interview but you miss the five minutes that led up to it. I’m hopeful that a year from now we’ll have 900 of these cameras out.

You still make a lot of traffic stops yourself. Do people recognize you? Most of the time I think people think it’s some old cop who stopped them. I stopped one guy, he was doing like 25 miles over the speed limit. He had a big smile on his face and said, ‘You’re the chief, aren’t you?’ But it doesn’t happen that often. I’ll tell you what does happen. When I’m out with my family, at the grocery store, going to The Home Depot, people recognize me all the time. It’s really unique to Montgomery County. I’m not sure if it’s because Chief [Charles] Moose during the sniper case had such a high profile and people pay more attention to who the police chief is in Montgomery County. I gotta tell you, I was police chief in Fairfax for six years and a cop in Fairfax for 27 years and I can count on one hand the number of times anybody recognized me anywhere. What are the differences between being chief in Fairfax and Montgomery counties? The relationship between the county council and the executive is more adversarial here than it was in Fairfax. In Virginia, you didn’t have a union to negotiate with. Here, you have a very strong union and a strong collective bargaining law that we have to comply with. But there are a lot more similarities. You’ve got a very sophisticated public and a demanding public. They expect a high caliber of service from their government, including the police. I’m very proud of the professionalism both departments have. How do you deal with the number of cultures and languages represented in Montgomery County? We deal with it every day. The outreach

that we do is relentless. But we are only as good as the last contact we had with the public. Montgomery County is too diverse to make any generalizations about our relationship with the public. Whether it’s the new immigrants who live here, whether it’s the AfricanAmerican community, the Latino community, the Muslim community, we have to look at all the different segments of our community and ask ourselves: What is our relationship with that segment of our community? For one-third of our population, English is their second language. We’ve gotta have cops who speak their languages. We’re building diversity up on our force. It’s not just about racial diversity. You want a diversity of faiths. You want a police department that’s reflective of the community we’re serving. In Montgomery County, that’s a tall order. When I got here, only about 3 percent of our police officers were Latino. I’ve been able to double that number, and I’ve added an additional 75 or 100 officers who speak Spanish. We’ve got a Spanish instructor at our police academy. We have officers who speak any language you can think of. It’s good that we’ve got the diversity we have, but we’ve got to continue paying attention to that. We’ve made great progress in terms of the diversity of our department, but we’ve still got a ways to go.

How can you prevent the sort of lonewolf attack we saw in San Bernardino from happening here? We work very closely with our federal partners. I’ve got officers who are on federal task forces, and we’re plugged into the intelligence community, both in Baltimore and D.C. But I can tell you, the San Bernardino shooting reminded us that if you’ve got somebody who’s flying under the radar, who is a lone wolf, those are tough to prevent. I think we’re at a point today where government agencies understand the

importance of information sharing. I can tell you [that] 10, 15 years ago, it wasn’t what it is today. I’ve got folks plugged into task forces with federal agencies. That ensures that I’m kept abreast of what kinds of things are going on in this region and in Montgomery County. I think some people would be surprised at the number of cases that the federal government and the Montgomery County Police Department investigate that might have some nexus to terrorism or to organized crime, or just somebody with mental health issues who might be radicalized and may engage in criminal behavior— how many of these kinds of cases we are able to deal with either early on or stop before they get too far. These are the things that really keep me awake at night. It’s absolutely still possible for lone wolves to get involved in a mass shooting like in San Bernardino. That’s where you have to engage the public. If you see something, say something. People really need to take that to heart.

How many terrorist threats do you hear about in a year? It’s not hundreds, but it’s more than a dozen. A lot of the threats that we hear about are vague. A lot of them are just information, and you look into it and it’s not as concerning as it might have been. But the D.C. region is clearly a high-valued target for a terrorist attack. I’m not saying it was someone who was here from ISIS, but we’ve had folks that were planning either shootings or some kind of attack and we’ve been able to intervene on a number of those cases. It’s not a large number, but even if it’s just five or six, that’s five or six times that you’ve gotten somebody the help they needed if you’re dealing with a mental health issue, or charged somebody with possession of bombmaking materials. You feel like, well, we caught this one. Let’s hope we catch the next one.

168 march/april 2016 | BethesdaMagazine.com

FEATURES_interview.indd 168

2/4/16 3:08 PM

Looking for a Financial Meet Jay. For the past 15 years, Jay has been proud to be a part of the D.C. community. Consultant Jay is equally proud of his 21 years with Schwab, where he has learned that who’s into values like straight talk and accountability have a place in wealth management. he knows that trust anchors any good relationship. If you find this modern accountability? And approach to wealth management compelling, stop by the Schwab Bethesda branch or give Jay a call.

Jay Reilly, CFP® VP, Sr. Financial Consultant Bethesda 301-941-9801

Wealth Management at Charles Schwab

PLANNING | PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT | INCOME STRATEGIES | BANKING

For a full list of branches in the DC area, visit Schwab.com/DC Brokerage Products: Not FDIC Insured • No Bank Guarantee • May Lose Value

There are eligibility requirements to work with a dedicated Financial Consultant. Branch located at: 7401 Wisconsin Ave., Bethesda, MD 20814 Wealth management refers to products and services available through the operating subsidiaries of The Charles Schwab Corporation of which there are important differences including, but not limited to, the type of advice and assistance provided, fees charged, and the rights and obligations of the parties. It is important to understand the differences when determining which products and/or services to select. The Charles Schwab Corporation provides a full range of securities, brokerage, banking, money management and financial advisory services through its operating subsidiaries. Its broker-dealer subsidiary, Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (member SIPC), offers investment services and products, including Schwab brokerage accounts. Its banking subsidiary, Charles Schwab Bank (member FDIC and an Equal Housing Lender), provides deposit and lending services and products. ©2016 The Charles Schwab Corporation. All rights reserved. (0715-4593) ADP87105-00

Untitled-2 1

2/3/16 4:10 PM

interview Can you give an example in which an officer intervened in a serious plot? If you’re asking, have we locked up the terrorist who was getting ready to blow up a bomb in the White House or something, the answer would be no. But we’ve also had people who have had the intention of doing some pretty bad things. Who knows if we didn’t intervene as quickly as we did how far it [would] have gone? Would it have resulted in an incident where you have people who were killed or harmed or something more serious? We have had cases where we’ve intervened with people who are clearly in the process of being radicalized. We’ve served search warrants where we’ve recovered bomb-making materials. We’ve seized guns from people who by law weren’t allowed to possess them. Are you seeing an increase in gang activity in Montgomery County? We’ve seen an uptick, but I’m not sure if that’s a long-term trend. A lot of the times it’s just temporary. You’ve got a big influx of unaccompanied minors from Central America that have come to Montgomery County. A lot of these kids feel very isolated. At home, at school. So where does this kid turn? The gang will give him a home. The gang will make him feel protected. Do you think marijuana should be legalized? My feeling is decriminalization was a step in the right direction, but I think legalization is problematic. You know what? If you’re 50 years old and you wanna go home and get high after work, as long as you don’t go out and drive, who cares? But the fact is, there’s enough scientific evidence that shows that marijuana for anybody under the age of 22, it impacts your brain development. I really worry about the young folks. I think legalization sends the wrong message to them.

After officer Leotta’s death, you were outspoken about the need for tougher drunken driving laws. Will you be active in lobbying for new laws? I plan to spend time in Annapolis. I’m going to be working with chiefs in Baltimore, Baltimore County, Anne Arundel [County]. We’re going to get chiefs and county executives and delegates from all over the state to ask to strengthen our drunk driving laws. I think this whole community and the county executive and county council have all rallied around the tragic death of Officer Noah Leotta and are willing to help us strengthen drunk driving laws. I’m not talking about people who are first-time offenders. I’m talking about the people who have been arrested two, three, four times. We had a guy recently who was on his seventh drunk driving arrest. And do you know, the judge did not even sentence him to jail? Repeat offenders need to see the inside of a jail cell. This individual who [allegedly] struck and killed my officer has been arrested for drunk driving before. The maximum penalty for vehicular manslaughter is 10 years, and the recommended sentence for a first-time offender is two to four years. He’d likely do less than two. I gotta tell you, that doesn’t sound like justice to me. You recently spoke at a gun control rally in Rockville. Do you support more gun control legislation? What I support is anything we can do legislatively or otherwise that will reduce gun violence. When you start talking about gun control, that raises passion and emotion on all sides of the gun issue. I have no problem with the Second Amendment. What I do have a problem with is the number of people who are gunned down every year by firearms, the number of guns that are in the hands of criminals, the number of guns that find their way into the hands of people with mental illness. I have a problem with the fact that these guns are being used to commit crimes,

and we have more and more people it seems being killed each year because of the easy availability of guns to just about anybody, anywhere, anytime. I think there are some very common sense things that don’t restrict lawabiding citizens from having a firearm. Start off with universal background checks. I think most people will agree that makes good common sense. Every time we have some kind of gun crime in Montgomery County, we seize the gun. We seize upwards of 800 to 1,000 guns a year. We’re talking about two or three a day that my cops are taking off the street. We trace the gun back to who bought it, and the owner says, ‘Oh yeah, that gun was stolen from me a couple years ago.’ Or, ‘I lost that gun a while back.’ That’s their story. Why wouldn’t we want to have a law in place that requires every gun that’s lost or stolen to be reported to the police?

What has been the best moment in your career? The day that the arrest was made in the D.C. sniper shooting. I was in Fairfax then. The relief everyone felt was just unbelievable. It was like a thousand pounds had been taken off my shoulders. I could finally breathe again without it hurting. I got home. I was exhausted and as elated as I had been in three weeks. My son had just learned to walk, and I grabbed him by the hand and went out our front door. I just walked a block down the street and a block back. I was out holding my son’s hand and I was safe walking him up and down. That was a moment I’ll never, ever forget. The freedom. Things are safe again. Life is back to normal. It was all coming together in that moment for me. As a dad, as a police chief, as a member of the public. n David Frey (www.davidmfrey.com) lives in Gaithersburg and has written for Sunset magazine, the San Francisco Chronicle and other publications.

170 march/april 2016 | BethesdaMagazine.com

FEATURES_interview.indd 170

2/4/16 3:08 PM

® ®

to Long & Foster® Real Estate’s exclusive “Showcase of Homes”

As the home of the best-trained, best-equipped agents in the industry, we are positioned to provide unsurpassed service and expertise to today’s real estate clients from contract to closing and beyond. No matter what your real estate goals are, Long & Foster agents can help you take advantage of historic real estate opportunities. Enjoy browsing the following pages, and when you’re ready to take the next step, we welcome you to contact one of our sales offices or expert sales associates. Readers’ Pick— Best Real Estate Agency

In Bethesda In the Washington Metro Area In the Mid-Atlantic Region Family-Owned & -Operated Real Estate Company in the Nation Seller of Luxury Homes in the Mid-Atlantic Region

*Source: Information is based on data supplied MRIS and its member Association(s) of REALTORS, who are not responsible for its accuracy. Does not reflect all activity in the marketplace. October 1, 2014 – September 30, 2015. Percentages are rounded to the nearest whole number. Information contained in this report is deemed reliable but not guaranteed, should be independently verified, and does not constitute an opinion of MRIS or Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc. ©2015 All rights reserved.

-Bethesda WELCOME PAGE Mar-Apr.indd 1 Untitled-7 1

2/11/16 10:38 AM 2/11/16 2:29 PM

Long & Foster Leads the Way in Luxury Real Estate in 2015 Long & Foster represents clients on 2015’s most expensive single-family residence sales in the Nation’s Capital, as well as the Virginia and Maryland suburbs of D.C.

In 2015, Long & Foster sold the Washington, D.C., area’s most expensive single-family residence — Fessenden House. Fessenden House, a 20,000-square-foot estate in Washington, D.C., sold for $18 million in less than six months. Listed in April and under contract by September, the property’s sale marked the highest recorded purchase of a single-family residence in D.C. in 2015. Fessenden House also ranked as the third most expensive single-family home ever sold in the Nation’s Capital, as of January 2016.

Highest Priced Home Sold in Northern VA Riverview Manor, McLean, Va. Sold by Marianne Polk and MaryAnn Martell for $8.3 million

Long & Foster represented both the buyer and seller in the sale of Fessenden House. The property was listed for $22 million by Nancy Itteilag of Long & Foster’s Foxhall office with global marketing by Christie’s International Real Estate, of which Long & Foster is the exclusive affiliate in the greater Washington area. Rima Tannous of Long & Foster’s Chevy Chase/Uptown office represented the buyer in the sale.

Highest Priced Home Sold in Suburban MD Cripplegate Road, Rockville, Md. Buyer Agent Lynda O’Dea Purchased for $6.15 million

Second Most Expensive Home Sold in Suburban MD Iron Gate Road, Potomac, Md. Sold by Marc Fleisher for $5.5 million

Find your agent at LongandFoster.com

866.677.6937

-Bethesda TOP SALES Mar-Apr.indd 1 Untitled-7 1

2/11/16 10:40 AM 2/11/16 2:29 PM

Long & Foster Welcomes Zelda Heller!

— Another Leading Real Estate Professional Zelda Heller, a leading real estate professional in the

metropolitan market,” said Larry “Boomer” Foster, president

Washington, D.C., area, has joined the Bethesda, Md.,

of Long & Foster Real Estate. “Zelda brings an enormous

office of Long & Foster Real Estate. Heller brings over

amount of talent and expertise to Long & Foster, and she

25 years of experience in helping local buyers and sellers

embraces our company’s values of integrity, honesty,

with luxury real estate, new construction, condominiums

innovation and good old-fashioned customer service —

and general residential sales, and she is well respected in

qualities that have helped Long & Foster and our clients

the local real estate market.

to achieve tremendous success in real estate.”

“I’m thrilled to become part of the Long & Foster family and take advantage of everything the family-owned company offers its agents, especially the brokerage’s exclusive affiliation with Christie’s,” said Heller. “My own real estate expertise, as well as the powerful Long & Foster brand and

Contact Zelda at Long & Foster’s Bethesda Office

202-257-1226 Cell ZeldaHeller@ZeldaHeller.com 240-497-1700 ex. 12702 Office

its technology and marketing support, create a winning combination for my clients, and I’m confident that by joining Long & Foster, I’ll be able to further build my business and better support home buyers and sellers in our ever-changing and growing market.” Since earning her real estate license in 1989, Heller has risen to the top of her field. Specializing in the Washington, D.C., and Maryland markets, she has consistently ranked as a top residential agent nationwide. Additionally, she is known for her condo expertise, having set the regional record by listing and selling the most expensive condo in the Washington area. In total, Heller has sold over a $1 billion worth of real estate with $80 million in sales in 2015 alone. “It’s an honor to have Zelda join our team of distinguished real estate professionals in the greater Washington

Long & Foster is the exclusive affiliate of

20985 Heller Bethesda MarApr.indd 1 Untitled-7 1

2/11/16 10:41 AM 2/11/16 2:29 PM

Bethesda Gateway Office BethesdaGatewaySales.com | LongandFoster.com

Over $1.2 Billion in Sales for 2015 • The #1 Real Estate Office in the DC Area Once Again!

Bethesda/Glen Echo Heights

$2,395,000

Bethesda/Glen Echo Heights

$2,145,000

NEW HOME! 2016 delivery of this stunning, prairie-style home on a quarter-acre lot with over 7,000 square feet of finished space! 5 bedrooms, 5½ baths, 2 fireplaces, elevator, screened porch and more!

NEW HOME! Gorgeous Arts and Crafts home on a 12,000 square-foot lot. Over 7,000 square feet of living space featuring tray ceilings, 6 bedrooms, 4 full plus 2 half baths, 2 fireplaces, patio, screened porch and more!

Paula Nesbitt 240.731.3369 Paula@BannerTeam.com

Bethesda

$1,395,000

Large, contemporary Colonial with open floor plan featuring a 2-story foyer and upper hallway overlooking the 1st floor. Huge, updated kitchen with family room spans the entire back of the home. Six bedrooms, 5 baths including bedroom and bath on main floor and finished lower level. Damian Buckley 202.438.6080/ Damian@LNF.com

Bethesda

$1,098,000

Bethesda

® ®

$1,629,000

Exquisite 10-year-young brick and stone Tudor with 4 finished levels and 2-car garage. Five bedrooms, 4½ baths, 1st-floor library with built-ins, 2 laundry rooms, walkout lower level with rec room and guest suite. Stunning interior finishes and custom details. Sharyn Goldman 301.529.7555 Sharyn.Goldman@LNF.com

Potomac

$775,000

Charming 3 bedroom, 4 bath Colonial on beautiful, quiet street in popular, close-in Sumner, just over the Maryland/D.C. line. Renovated gourmet kitchen, updated baths, 2-car garage. Freshly painted and move-in ready! Michael Matese 301.806.6829 Mike@MichaelMatese.com

Beautiful contemporary townhome with lovely courtyard entry and rear deck, all overlooking Potomac Pond! Convenient, 1-level living with 2 bedrooms, 2½ baths, high ceilings, wood floors, living room with stone fireplace, great screened porch, attached 2-car garage. Mary Ann Corette 202.256.5501/ 240.793.8523 CoretteM@aol.com

Silver Spring

Gaithersburg

Bethesda $560,000 Fabulous 2 bedroom, 2 bath condo in The Christopher. Bright, open floor plan features renovated kitchen with gas cooking and breakfast bar, renovated baths and enormous double balcony. Garage parking. Steps to shops and restaurants, movies, library. Metro across the street. Jonathan Karpa 240.888.4067 Jonathan.Karpa@ LNF.com

$319,900

Charming 4 bedroom, 2 bath brick rambler on tree-lined street convenient to shops, restaurants and 2 metros! Beautiful hardwoods on main level, stainless appliances in kitchen. Lower level family room, bedroom plus den/ office and full bath. Deck overlooking large, fenced backyard. Susan Fitzpatrick 240.793.8523/ Sue@LNF.com

$164,800

Spacious 3 bedroom, 2 bath condo featuring updated kitchen and baths and private balcony with wooded views. Master bedroom with attached bath and walkin closet. Oversized Thompson windows, washer/dryer, separate storage unit. Close to 270, Costco, Lakeforest. Susan Fitzpatrick 240.793.8523 Sue@LNF.com

4650 East West Highway, Bethesda, Maryland | 301.907.7600

Bethesda Gateway 2016 Mar-Apr.indd 1 Untitled-7 1

2/11/16 10:44 AM 2/11/16 2:30 PM

Wendy Banner

& The Banner Team ® ®

301.365.9090 | Wendy@BannerTeam.com | www.BannerTeam.com

POTOMAC

$2,995,000

POTOMAC

$2,050,000

POTOMAC

$1,795,000

Potomac Falls. National Grand Award for Outdoor Living Space in ‘09! Incredible mouldings throughout, wine cellar, walkout lower level, 6 fireplaces, main level library, chef’s kitchen, owner’s suite with sitting room, marble bath and fireplace. Spectacular views from deck and covered porch overlook pool.

Potomac Ranch. Enjoy unparalleled living from this stunning custom built home set on lush and sprawling 2+ acre lot in Potomac. No detail has been left untouched throughout the ideal floor plan offering rich finishes, banquet sized entertainment spaces, 4 fireplaces, hardwood floors and walkout lower level.

Avenel. Stately Colonial in award-winning Avenel community on 2 acre lot! The ideal floor plan features high ceilings, hardwood floors, 2-story great room, main level guest suite and walkout lower level entertainment spaces galore. Professionally landscaped lot with 2 patios, circular driveway and 3-car garage.

POTOMAC

BETHESDA

$1,465,000

$1,450,000

$1,830,000

Churchill Reserve. Brick and stone Colonial on quiet cul-de-sac! Features 6800+ sq. ft., open floor plan and spacious gourmet kitchen with granite counter tops open to the family room with fireplace. Luxurious owner’s suite with sitting room, his/hers walk-in closets and ensuite bath. Walkout lower level with rec and media rooms. Landscaped lot with sportcourt and deck

Avenel. Updated Colonial on quiet cul-de-sac in Avenel! Ideal floor plan filled with light boasts hardwood floors, 2-story family room open to renovated chef’s kitchen with granite counter tops and top-of-the-line appliances, main level study, walkout lower level and more! Landscaped 0.45 acre lot with deck, lush front yard and 2-car garage.

Avenel. Sun-filled, renovated home sited on 2+ acres in Avenel. Boasts sunroom and family room additions, main level owner’s suite with separate entrance, paneled library and a spacious gourmet kitchen fit for entertaining! Other amenities include a walk-up lower level, circular driveway and 3-car garage

POTOMAC

N BETHESDA:

$1,265,000

Updated home on private cul-de-sac set back off main road! Features renovated gourmet kitchen with granite counter tops and stainless steel appliances, hardwood floors, updated baths and more! Landscaped lot with deck and 2-car garage.

$1,099,000

McAuley Park. Updated home in sought-after MacAuley Park sited on .5 acre lot with swimming pool! Featuring a chef’s kitchen with Viking, SubZero and Thermador appliances, renovated baths, sunroom addition and a beautiful, walk-up lower level with hardwood floors.

$449,900

White Flint Station. Stunning condo with 2 garage parking spots in North Bethesda. Steps from Metro, Pike & Rose, Harris Teeter and more! Features hardwood floors, soaring ceilings, gourmet kitchen with granite counter tops and stainless steel appliances, laundry room, 2 bedrooms and 2 full baths. Amenity rich community with pool, gym, party room and more!

4650 East West Highway, Bethesda, Maryland | 301.907.7600

Wendy Banner 2016 Mar-Apr.indd 1 Untitled-19 1

2/11/16 4:52 PM 2/11/16 5:25 PM

10603 Rivers Bend Court, Potomac $2,295,000 Magnificent Toll Brothers estate home with 4-car garage.

10302 Lloyd Road, Potomac $869,000 Expansive rambler on private, treed acre adjacent to parkland.

IN M CO ! ON SO

301.775.4196 #1 Billion Dollar Bethesda Gateway Office | 301.907.7600 (O) Licensed in MD | DC | VA | MargieHalem@LongandFoster.com Please view our listings at www.MargieHalemGroup.com.

11513 Twining Lane, Potomac $1,498,000 Decorator showcase on 1 acre with pool in sought-after community.

Margie Halem Recognized by THE WALL STREET JOURNAL as one of America’s Top Real Estate Agents

Greta Nicoletti presents: u 8,000 total sq. ft. home

(6,800 finished sq. ft.) u To be built on almost 1/2 acre

(20,953 sq. ft.) property u Renowned “Laurence Cafritz Builders”

(www.CafritzBuilders.com) u Studio Z Architects custom design u Winter View of the Potomac River u Centrally located in Bethesda,

close to DC

Call Greta for more information on plans and options.

Laurence Cafritz Builders

Greta Nicoletti 301.910.2696 cell

$2,795,000 u• To be built: 2016

GretaHomes@gmail.com #1 Independent Agent ®

Untitled-7 1

u u

www.GretaHomes.com Top 1% Nationwide

Bethesda Office 240.497.1700

2/11/16 2:31 PM

00,000

mporary imming na, too!

4701 Sangamore Road Bethesda, MD 301.229.4000

Miller Bethesda All Points Office

#1 W.C. & A.N. Miller Realtors® Office • #10 Long & Foster Office for 2014 SHARRON COCHRAN 301.351.4517 • SCochran@LNF.com www.SCochran.com

Congratulations to Susan Sanford and Her Extraordinary Team!

• Realty Alliance Award Recipient, Top 5 Percent North America • SRES (Seniors Real Estate Specialist) • Staging, marketing, and negotiation expert

Let my experience work for you! Licensed in MD, DC & VA

LYNN A. STEWART

301.580.4552 • Lynn@LynnStewartSells.com Licensed in DC, MD & VA

• Helping you open your next door • Call me to start planning your move • Senior Residential Specialist (SRES) with a focus on “Right-Sizing” • Certified Negotiation Expert (CNE) & Top Producing Listing Agent • Bethesda Residential Specialist & Expert Buyers Agent in MD & DC • Local Resident & Neighbor

ELAINE LEW ZAIDAN 301.613.0780 • elaine4ahome@gmail.com Licensed in MD & DC

I am a native Washingtonian, born and raised in Montgomery County. I have been a Realtor since 1996, and enjoy a reputation for my professionalism, honesty, and personal service. Whether you’re looking to purchase, sell, or relocate, I will apply my 20 years of experience towards realizing your real estate goals.

MARY LOU DELL

301.404.5554

●

MaryLouDell@aol.com

I’d love to work with you. Call me when you’re ready to buy or sell. And watch me periodically News on Now TV at Noon talking about our local real estate market. Licensed in MD & DC

Susan Sanford

VP, Managing Broker ssanford@LNF.com Direct: 301.320.8300

• Luxury Market Specialists • The #1 Miller Flagship Office • A Top Long & Foster Office Companywide • Award Winning Top Producing Agents • Serving DC MD VA Buyers and Sellers • An Executive Approach to Real Estate • Relocation Services

Call Susan today!

ANNE & LAURA EMMETT Anne: 301.466.2515 • Anne.Emmett@LNF.com Laura: 202.422.6374 • Laura.Emmett@LNF.com Licensed in DC, MD & VA

#2 Team Miller Bethesda Office • Anne & Laura call Bethesda home! It is our pleasure to work with our friends and neighbors. • We are a full service real estate team and can guide you through complex transactions. We take pride in maximizing profit and minimizing stress! • Gibson Island Real Estate Expertise • Anne, M.A.E., Stanford University; Laura, J.D., Georgetown University

TED DUNCAN

301.785.7966 • Ted.Duncan@LongandFoster.com Licensed in DC & MD #4 Individual Agent Miller Bethesda Office #9 Individual Agent Companywide #6 Individual Agent Companywide (volume) • Exceptional knowledge and ability serving Sellers and Buyers • Unparalleled home pricing • Outstanding Negotiator • Service well beyond expectations

ELLEN COHEN

VICKI PORTER

Always There for YOU!

Cell or Text 240.462.6000 ecohen@LNF.com • www.EllenCohen.com Moving up, down OR away Contact me for Potomac, Silver Spring, Gaithersburg, Bethesda, Rockville & DC homes for sale. • Certified Residential Specialist • Licensed to represent Sellers & Buyers in MD-DC-VA • Long & Foster Gold Club Hall of Fame • Seniors RE Specialist

301.325.2965 • Vicki.Porter@LNF.com Licensed in DC, MD & VA Innovative Marketing Expert Your Montgomery County Expert raised in Bethesda ● Helping buyers and sellers make their real estate dreams come true! ● SRES (Senior Real Estate Specialist) experienced in down-sizing ● Call Vicki for the real estate results you desire! ● ●

www.VickiPorter.net

MICHAEL MILLER

WALSH RICHARDS

202.365.9008 ● michaelrmil@msn.com Licensed in DC & MD It is an honor to work with clients buying or selling at all price points. As your agent I will be committed to providing you with compassionate, personalized service and expertise throughout all aspects of the sales process. Please call to confidentially discuss your real estate needs.

301.706.3151 ● Walsh.Richards@LongandFoster.com Licensed in DC, MD & VA ● ●

●

Results driven Native Washingtonian committed to finding you the perfect home. Professional and personal level of service Over 45 years of diverse commercial and residential real estate experience to help you throughout the selling and buying process.

Call Our Award-Winning Managing Broker Susan Sanford to find out why top producing and new agents join our office and choose to stay! 301.320.8300 | ssanford@longandfoster.com

Bethesda All Points 2016-Mar-Apr.indd 1 Untitled-7 1

2/11/16 10:48 AM 2/11/16 2:31 PM

Potomac Village Office 301.299.6000 | 301.983.0060 10200 River Road, Potomac

Potomac, Maryland

$2,895,000

Potomac, Maryland

Cabin John Office 301.469.4700

7719 Tuckerman Lane, Potomac

$1,399,900

Potomac, Maryland

® ®

$3,699,000

Exquisite custom contemporary home on a fabulous 2.0 acre in prestigious Palatine. Eight bedrooms, 10 baths, 6-car garage, pool, wine cellar, game room, home theatre, gym, sauna, elevator, and attached apartment. Chris Koons-Byrne 240.672.6628 / 301.983.0060 (O)

Expanded and renovated with separate building for professional office/in-law suite. Home features 4 bedrooms, 5 full baths, hardwood floors, 3 fireplaces, stunning new master bath and much more. Teresa Burton 240.286.7493/ 301.469.4700 (O)

Timeless design with European influences in the heart of Potomac. Features include gourmet kitchen, caterer’s kitchen, large heated swimming pool. Abundance of living space for family living and elegant entertaining. Mandana Tavakoli 703.408.0073/ 301.983.0060 (O)

Potomac, Maryland

$1,998,000

$3,895,000

$2,495,000

Fabulous custom-built home in Merry Go Round Farm. Open floor plan with gourmet kitchen. Six bedrooms, 6 full baths and 2 half baths. Full bar, media and exercise room. Enjoy hiking, tennis and equestrian trails. Jennifer Chow 301.213.5364/ 301.983.0060 (O)

New Potomac Falls estate on 2+ acres! Soaring ceilings, grand entrance hall, five bedrooms, eight full baths and two half baths! Peg Mancuso 301.996.5953/ 301.299.6000 (O) Peg.Mancuso@gmail.com

Distinctive Georgian Colonial beautifully sited on 2.2 acres on cul-de-sac in prestigious Falconhurst with 5 bedrooms, 6.5 baths, 10-ft ceilings, custom millwork, 4 fireplaces, lovely pool. Superb location. Close to Village! Pamela Powers 202.253.0754/ 301.983.0060 (O)

Chevy Chase, Maryland

Gaithersburg, Maryland

Potomac, Maryland

$1,035,000

$974,500

$2,400,000

Magnificent views of Rock Creek Park! This spacious home offers one-level living, 4 bedrooms, 3 baths, newly finished hardwoods, fireplace in family room, walk-out lower level, beautiful garden, 2-car garage. Pamela Powers 202.253.0754/ 301.983.0060 (O)

Totally updated, nestled on a quiet cul-de-sac in the Lakelands! Newly renovated chef’s kitchen, butler’s pantry, hardwoods, 4 bedrooms, 4.5 baths and walk-out lower level. Truplace.com/42510. Gail Lee 301.602.8188/ 301.299.6000 (O)

Custom English manor home! Superior craftsmanship, designer chef’s kitchen, 4 bedrooms, 5.5 baths, soaring ceilings, 7 fireplaces, private 2+ acre lot, wooded views. Barbara Small 301.325.7508/ 301.469.4700 (O) Chris Brown 301.928.2479

Potomac, Maryland

$1,495,000

Estate home with Old World quality. Formal living, dining, great and first floor owners’ suite. Six bedrooms, 6 baths, 2 powder rooms, portico to 3-car garage. Peg Mancuso 301.996.5953/ 301.299.6000 (O) Peg.Mancuso@gmail.com

$2,385,000

1995 Maryland Suburban Builders “Custom Home of the Year”. An elegant custom with soaring ceilings, 6 bedrooms, 6 full baths, 2 half baths. 2.38 acre spectacular lot. Walk-out lower level, 3 car garage. Krystyna Litwin 301.332.7615/ 301.983.0060 (O)

$1,779,000

Elegant, fully renovated home sited on 2/3rds of a private acre fenced lot. Highlights include a sensational gourmet kitchen, dramatic foyer, large screened porch and a 46’x20’ in-ground pool with spa and pool house. Krystyna Litwin 301.332.7615/ 301.983.0060 (O)

LongandFoster.com

Potomac_Village_Mar-Apr16.indd 1 Untitled-19 1

2/11/16 4:51 PM 2/11/16 5:26 PM

WHEN BUSINESSES DO GOOD, THE COMMUNITY PROFITS. As members of Community Profits Montgomery, the following businesses have committed to give at least 2% of their pre-tax earnings back to the community or $100,000 to nonprofits serving Montgomery County. To learn more, or to join in our pledge, visit CommunityProfitsMontgomery.org

Welcome New member:

Melanie Folstad

www.mafcu.org

COMMUNICATIONS FOR A CHANGE

in partnership with

BM_FPad_0316.indd 1

2/8/16 11:22 AM

30 great neighborh o People look for different things when theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re choosing a home. Some care most about big yards or an easy commute; others want a close-knit community. Here are some of the Bethesda areaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most desirable places to live. By David Frey

180 March/April 2016 | BethesdaMagazine.com

features_neighborhoods.indd 180

2/11/16 10:39 AM

photo by skip brown

h oods

Historic homes and tree-lined streets help give Chevy Chase Village its charm.

BethesdaMagazine.com | March/April 2016 181

features_neighborhoods.indd 181

2/15/16 12:07 PM

great neighborhoods

mature trees

fort sumner When Tammy Gruner Durbin looks out the window of her home office, she sees trees. “A lot of fabulous trees,” says Durbin, a real estate agent whose family has called Fort Sumner home for 15 years. “The trees create the whole ambiance of the neighborhood. …A lot of the houses are set back from the street, so the trees really are unencumbered.” Located in south Bethesda, Fort Sumner takes its name from the Civil War fort that stood there until 1956, when it was torn down to make room for homes. (Fifteen different builders contributed a mix of housing styles, including colonials and Cape Cods.) Neighbors gather for block parties and an annual Halloween parade. At Christmas, luminarias light up the sidewalks. Residents also appreciate Fort Sumner’s location—the Capital Crescent Trail and C&O Canal towpath are each within a half mile, and they can bike to Georgetown in 30 minutes.

Washington Grove “A town within a forest” is how Washington Grove’s first mayor, Roy McCathran, described this community. Nearly a century and a half after its founding as a Methodist revival camp, the nickname still fits. This small incorporated town outside Gaithersburg was once the Washington Grove Camp Meeting Association. Over time, wooden Victorians replaced canvas tents, but more than half of the acreage is still forest. “The rumor is that you could not remove a tree when you built a tent or cottage site in the town,” says volunteer Mayor Joli McCathran, whose husband, Ken, is the founding mayor’s grandson. “We’ve spent a great deal of time trying to stay who we are.” Two 50-acre groves—oaks in the East Woods, tulip poplars in the West Woods—flank 226 homes, many of them the original gingerbread cottages. The historic homes front walkways, not streets. Instead of a pool, a lifeguard-patrolled swimming hole attracts kids in the summer. In the early 2000s, the town fought off a neighboring development project, preserved the meadow in a conservation easement—and planted 100 more trees.

garrett park When businessman Henry Copp created Garrett Park in the 1880s, he envisioned a neighborhood of beautiful homes and stately trees. His dream came true in the form of maples intertwining over streets lined with gingerbread Victorians. In the 1970s, because trees and architecture are so ingrained in Garrett Park’s character, the town government formed a historic preservation committee and an arboretum committee to protect them. Together, the old homes and mature trees give a sense of history to this small town, where residents still pick up their mail (and swap paperbacks) at the post office and walk to dinner at the popular Black Market Bistro, located in the old general store by the train tracks. Residents help ensure that the trees stay healthy, says Marian Green, who has lived in Garrett Park since 1959. “They make a great deal of difference to people.”

photo by skip brown

▼

neighborhoods with

182 March/April 2016 | BethesdaMagazine.com

features_neighborhoods.indd 182

2/8/16 4:21 PM

“

The trees absolutely create the feeling of the neighborhood.” —Tammy Gruner Durbin, Fort Sumner resident

Tall trees form a canopy over the streets of Fort Sumner.

BethesdaMagazine.com | March/April 2016 183

features_neighborhoods.indd 183

2/11/16 10:41 AM

â&#x20AC;&#x153;

great neighborhoods

Mohican Hills had this rolling, wooded landscape that really appealed to the designers of modern houses. Houses were being built into sloping lands, so it was a very evocative place for folks to live and take advantage of the natural landscape.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x201D;Clare Lise Kelly, preservation planner and architectural historian

184 March/April 2016 | BethesdaMagazine.com

features_neighborhoods.indd 184

2/8/16 4:23 PM

photo by skip brown

Boxy modern homes are set into the landscape in Mohican Hills.

▼

neighborhoods with

contemporary homes

mohican hills When people think about architecture around Washington, D.C., “they think colonial,” says real estate agent Michael Shapiro. “What I try to tell people is there’s actually a lot of midcentury houses here.” Wander through Mohican Hills, about a mile and a half from Glen Echo, and you’ll find lots of angular modern homes with big windows and gently sloping roofs tucked amid the trees and hillsides. “What people were doing in Mohican Hills was ahead of its time,” Shapiro says. “Architects built these houses with a lot of glass and set them into the landscape to connect the indoors and outdoors.” Winding streets curve past wooded lots where the low-slung houses look out over forested hills. Some of those midcentury modern houses have been replaced by a mix of architectural designs, but many remain in place, preserved in all their Mad Men style, and finding new generations of admirers.

bradley park When the construction company Matthews-Schwartz teamed up with modern architect Eason Cross to build Bradley Park in Bethesda in 1966, they faced a challenge. As in the group’s other neighborhoods, Mohican Hills and Wynkoop, the rolling landscape made it difficult to find places suitable for construction. “But they were known for designing houses on properties that had been considered challenging,” says Clare Lise Kelly, a preservation planner and architectural historian with the Montgomery County Planning Department. The work of the designer and builders paid off: Cross won the 1967 Best Residential Design award from the American Institute of Architects and House & Home. Some of the original houses have been torn down and replaced, but many are still there: boxy homes with big eaves, balconies and lots of glass, surrounded by hills and trees. As these homes turn 50, they’re just starting to be seen for their historic value, says Kelly, who recently wrote Montgomery Modern, a book examining buildings like these. “They’re distinctly designed houses,” Kelly says. “When you’re looking out through those big windows, it feels like nature is coming into your living space.”

DRumaldry Homes built in the ’70s often don’t receive much attention. That’s a shame when it comes to Drumaldry, a unique neighborhood of 104 homes with wood siding and shake-shingle roofs near Wyngate in Bethesda. Architect Nicholas A. Pappas designed Drumaldry homes in the California style in the early 1970s, using lots of glass and clean lines. “People are looking for simpler and cleaner,” says Andy Coelho, an architect who lives in Drumaldry. “Modern houses have that look. I think it’s getting more and more popular.” The houses are close together, but each has a brick fence for privacy. Pin oaks planted throughout the neighborhood create a sense of unity. Walking paths connect to nearby neighborhoods. “It was such an intentional design for the way people live,” says Barbara Nalls, a real estate agent who lives there. “I don’t know why people don’t appreciate that more.” Inside, houses have high ceilings, lots of windows and open floor plans. “All of that gives a real sense of space and light that belies the size of the house,” Nalls says. BethesdaMagazine.com | March/April 2016 185

features_neighborhoods.indd 185

2/11/16 10:43 AM

The future of real estate has arrived in Maryland.

In January 2015, Compass opened our first DC office. Now, Chevy Chase marks our sixth Metro area office. compass.com

1st

Real estate brokerage with a mobile agent app

Trent & Co

Who We Are Number of employees in marketing, PR, technology, and strategy

Total Maryland sales volume in 2015*

150M

Lines of code written by our 30+ engineers

1M+ Erich Cabe Team

Untitled-6 2

2/8/16 5:32 PM

15K

Square feet of space at our Chevy Chase office

The Koitz Group

Ferris, Peter, Levin & Margolis

1B+

Total transaction volume by Compass agents in the DC Metro area*

Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re proud to open our doors in Chevy Chase. Visit us online at compass.com

*This includes but is not limited to all closed transactions from 1/1/2015 to 11/30/2015 of all curent Compass agents Compass is a licensed real estate broker and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only. Information is compiled from sources deemed reliable but is subject to errors, omissions, changes in price, condition, sale, or withdraw without notice. No statement is made as to accuracy of any description. All measurements and square footages are approximate. Exact dimensions can be obtained by retaining the services of an architect or engineer. This is not intended to solicit property already listed. Compass is licensed as Compass Real Estate in DC and as Compass in Virginia and Maryland. Compass DC office 202.491.1275

Untitled-6 3

2/8/16 5:33 PM

great neighborhoods

access to the outdoors carderock springs Nature is practically part of the blueprint of Carderock Springs. This Bethesda neighborhood of some 400 homes was constructed in the 1960s according to a modernist ideal: The built environment should meld seamlessly with the natural landscape. “Carderock Springs is for people who like clean lines and nature,” says Jonas Carnemark, an architect who moved to the neighborhood so he could live among modern homes tucked amid the trees. (The Carderock Springs National Historic District protects 275 modernist homes.) Streams meander through the neighborhood. A network of trails leads residents on easy strolls or adventurous rides on their mountain bikes. The C&O Canal is a few minutes away by bike. Still, residents don’t have to leave home to feel immersed in the outdoors—some don’t even have to look out their windows. Several houses have atriums with trees growing right up through the floor. Each home is situated so residents look out at nature, not at their neighbors.

woodside park When Andy Alderdice walks a quarter-mile from her home in Woodside Park to the Sligo Creek Trail, she can’t believe she’s just blocks away from downtown Silver Spring. “You get back in the woods there and you don’t know where you are,” says Alderdice, a real estate agent and fifth-generation Washingtonian who lived in Potomac for 35 years before downsizing in Woodside Park. Developed in the 1920s, Woodside Park was designed to have a parklike feel, with meandering streets and tall trees. Nowadays, popular spots such as the AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center are close at hand. “We can walk to The Fillmore [music hall]. We can walk to fantastic restaurants. The Metro is two blocks away,” Alderdice says. When residents want to leave “city life” behind, she says, they head to one of several neighborhood parks. “Everybody’s out walking,” she says. “Everybody’s out running.”

rollingwood The curving roads of Rollingwood in Chevy Chase nestle up against Rock Creek Park, making the iconic park an easy escape from the suburbs into nature. “You’re about as close to Rock Creek Park as anywhere you’re going to find in the Bethesda area,” says real estate agent Lise Howe. Since Rollingwood was built in the 1930s and ’40s, this neighborhood has matured into a quiet subdivision of more than 800 homes. Tall hardwoods along the streets and flowering fruit trees in yards give it shade and color. “It’s tucked away so people really don’t focus on it, but it’s just charming,” Howe says. Parts of Beach Drive close to traffic on weekends and cyclists and runners take over. Rock Creek Park follows its namesake waterway for miles. Horseback riding at Meadowbrook Stables is close at hand. So is Meadowbrook Local Park, which neighbors still remember as “Candy Cane City” for its old red-and-white-striped playground equipment.

photo by skip brown

▼

neighborhoods with

188 March/April 2016 | BethesdaMagazine.com

features_neighborhoods.indd 188

2/8/16 4:24 PM

“

Carderock Springs is for people who like clean lines and nature.” —Jonas Carnemark, resident

A network of trails winds through Carderock Springs, making it an ideal spot for walking and cycling.

BethesdaMagazine.com | March/April 2016 189

features_neighborhoods.indd 189

2/8/16 4:25 PM

great neighborhoods

The historic colonial and Victorian homes of Chevy Chase Village have made this an iconic neighborhood.

190 March/April 2016 | BethesdaMagazine.com

features_neighborhoods.indd 190

2/8/16 4:25 PM

neighborhoods with

—Barbara Nalls, real estate agent

▼

chevy chase village

▼

Eyeing the wooded hills beyond the District line, the founders of Chevy Chase Village envisioned an escape from city life: a village of stately colonial-style and Victorian homes on wide, tree-lined boulevards. That vision still shapes this iconic village, which was established in 1890 and is the oldest of the neighborhoods that make up Chevy Chase. Leafy streets are lined with an array of late-19th- and early-20th-century architectural styles, from colonial to Craftsman, Tudor to Italian Renaissance. “Our own house is about 100 years old,” says Sondra Geller, who has lived with her husband, Alan, in the same 1918 home for 44 years. One of the wealthiest communities in the country, Chevy Chase Village draws some of Washington’s most well-known figures—including congressional candidate and former TV news anchor Kathleen Matthews and her husband, Chris, host of MSNBC’s Hardball with Chris Matthews, and syndicated columnist George Will— and it’s also home to families who have lived in the village for decades (and sometimes generations). Residents say this village—which has its own police force and board of managers—maintains a strong sense of community. “I know everyone on the block,” Geller says. “I even know the names of their dogs.”

old town kensington

Victorian and Craftsman homes dominate the core of Old Town Kensington, a national historic district where preservation codes help the neighborhood maintain its character. Houses with wraparound porches and stained-glass windows sit on large lots along leafy streets. Resident Deborah Eckert says she thinks of her family as stewards of their 1909 foursquare, located in a part of town known as the Pitchfork. “There’s a sense that you’re continuing something on,” Eckert says. “It’s almost like we’re taking care of the house and keeping it preserved for the next family.” Lots of shops and restaurants are close at hand, including Frankly…Pizza!, K Town Bistro and Gala Artisan Jewelry & Gifts. Though it’s not far from the District, Eckert says, Old Town Kensington feels like a different world from the high-stress nation’s capital, just as it did when it was built in the 1890s as a summer refuge from Washington’s heat.

▼

“

I love the way the homes are built in Chevy Chase Village: the way light and lifestyle are incorporated. You get more of a feeling they were built for people rather than efficiency.”

beautiful historic homes

photo by skip brown

rockville’s west end

The elegant Victorian homes that line the West Montgomery Avenue Historic District are a testament to this neighborhood’s turn-of-the-century roots. In the 1890s, Washington lawyer Henry Copp made the most of the newly arrived B&O Railroad and established “Peerless Rockville” as a commuter haven away from the city. “I love the historic feel of the neighborhood,” says resident Karen KeigherWimer, who moved to Rockville’s West End with her husband in 2011. Since its founding, bungalows, Cape Cods and other styles have joined the streetscape, but it’s the Victorians—with their towers, turrets and distinctive bay windows—that still dominate the neighborhood. “It’s very walkable,” Keigher-Wimer says. “We walk into Rockville Town Center and go out to dinner. We shop or see a movie. That’s one of the draws of the West End—you have all that right there.” BethesdaMagazine.com | March/April 2016 191

features_neighborhoods.indd 191

2/11/16 10:44 AM

great neighborhoods

access to Metro

“

king farm A half-mile from the Shady Grove Metro stop sits King Farm, a development of single-family homes, condos, townhouses, apartments and a senior living center tucked away off Route 355 in Rockville. A shuttle bus takes commuters from their front doors to the Metro turnstiles. I-270 is minutes away. That convenience is only one of the draws, says King Farm Citizens Assembly President Gail Sherman. “It’s a diverse community,” she says, “and you always have the opportunity to get involved in something.” Warm weather means movies on the lawn, outdoor concerts and swimming at the two community pools. Throughout the year, there are parties for kids, happy hours for grown-ups and bus trips to New York. Residents might move in because of the Metro, Sherman says, but it’s the community they fall in love with. “I’ve been here almost 13 years, so obviously I love it,” she says. “People who come here want to stay here.”

People who come here want to stay here.” —Gail Sherman, King Farm resident

crestview The wide, winding streets of Crestview—between River Road and Massachusetts Avenue in Bethesda—have the feel of a cozy suburban neighborhood. Cape Cods, colonials and Victorian-inspired homes stand amid tidy yards on leafy boulevards. Kids play outside. Runners and dog walkers pass on the streets. Within walking distance, though, sits the Friendship Heights Metro stop, offering easy access for commuters leaving the suburbs for the city. “That’s a very hot spot,” real estate broker Donna Evers says. “You can walk to the movies and restaurants and shopping, too.” The proximity to Friendship Heights puts residents just minutes away from popular spots such as Nordstrom Rack, World Market, The Cheesecake Factory and Range. Back at home, the spacious houses, wide lawns and canopied streets create an oasis, making it easy for those residents to forget how close they live to the city.

chevy chase, D.C. Chevy Chase, D.C. residents enjoy the convenience of having three Metro stops within walking distance. Depending on where they live, residents can hop on the Red Line from Van Ness-UDC, Tenleytown-AU or Friendship Heights. That’s a big draw, especially for millennials, says real estate broker Donna Evers. “Young people want to be able to use the Metro. It’s a fast, easy way to get where you want to get.” The closer a house is to a Metro stop, Evers says, the higher the price. But it’s not just about the Metro. For an increasing number of residents, living in Chevy Chase, D.C. means a car-free lifestyle. “When we say ‘walkability,’ we really mean it,” Evers says. “The convenience of going out your front door at night and walking to the movies is a real treat.”

photo by michael ventura

▼

neighborhoods with

192 March/April 2016 | BethesdaMagazine.com

features_neighborhoods.indd 192

2/11/16 11:38 AM

King Farmâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cozy streets are just a half-mile from the Shady Grove Metro stop.

BethesdaMagazine.com | March/April 2016 193

features_neighborhoods.indd 193

2/8/16 4:26 PM

great neighborhoods

big yards merry- go - round FARM The Merry-Go-Round Farm neighborhood in Potomac was developed in the early 1990s with the idea of creating a place of tastefully designed homes on spacious lots. Many of the houses on this historic farm reflect the architecture of a century ago, and in some cases, these Victorians and Arts and Crafts-style homes back up against 140 acres of communal green space, giving residents a sense of spaciousness that extends well past their property lines. “You’re in your own little wonderland,” says Erin Buckingham, who lives there with her husband, Tom, and their 14-year-old triplets, Summer, Brooke and Cameron. “When you turn into the farm on weekends, it’s kind of like you’re on your own little vacation.” Winding lanes are popular for cycling. Trails meander through the forest. Many residents board horses at the historic farm. “You would never think you’re 15 miles out of D.C.,” Buckingham says.

Lots allow for wide lawns and big, beautiful homes in Potomac’s Merry-Go-Round Farm neighborhood.

chevy chase view When Chevy Chase View was established as a special taxing district in 1924, its founders vowed in the charter to preserve the wide open spaces that drew them to this spot in Kensington. Today, those open spaces remain, thanks to big lots and town requirements that houses sit back farther than usual from the lot line. “It was meant to have these open vistas,” says Jana Coe, Chevy Chase View’s town manager and its only paid employee. “You drive through and get this incredible vista of big trees,” she says. “The homes are in your peripheral vision at first. As you pass them, you look and see how different they are.” The big yards fill up with kids playing in the summer. When neighbors gather for the annual street picnic and kids flock to the nearby swim-and-tennis club, Chevy Chase View has a smalltown feel. Getting to downtown D.C. is easy, though—the closest ramp to the Beltway is just a mile away.

luxmanor Every October, Stephen Vaccarezza fills his sprawling Luxmanor front lawn with so many Halloween decorations that people drive by just to see them. “Having a big lot is great because my husband uses the whole front area,” his wife, Donna, says. Tucked away off Old Georgetown Road, the North Bethesda neighborhood is full of spacious yards, perfect for ballgames and outdoor birthday parties, and popular with wandering deer. Since Morton and Ernestine Luchs bought the Riley farm in 1926 and later subdivided it as Luxmanor, housing styles have come and gone. Today, many of the old ramblers are being torn down and replaced by large homes inspired by colonial and Victorian designs that capitalize on the large lots. “There are some real hidden treasures here, with tennis courts and swimming pools in the backyard,” Donna Vaccarezza says. Residents enjoy easy access to the Beltway and I-270, and can walk to the restaurants, shops and iPic Theaters at nearby Pike & Rose, where there’s a farmers market on Saturday mornings.

photo by skip brown

▼

neighborhoods with

194 March/April 2016 | BethesdaMagazine.com

features_neighborhoods.indd 194

2/11/16 10:46 AM

“

You would never think you’re 15 miles out of D.C.”

—Erin Buckingham, Merry-Go-Round Farm resident

BethesdaMagazine.com | March/April 2016 195

features_neighborhoods.indd 195

2/8/16 4:26 PM

great neighborhoods

“

For somebody looking for accessibility, affordability and quality of life, you can’t beat this.” —Lynn Tapiero, Wildwood Manor resident

196 March/April 2016 | BethesdaMagazine.com

features_neighborhoods.indd 196

2/8/16 4:26 PM

neighborhoods with

▼

access to the beltway/ Interstate 270

photo by skip brown

▼

Bethesda’s Wildwood Manor has a small-town feel with easy access to I-270 and the Beltway.

wildwood manor Lynn Tapiero says her Wildwood Manor neighborhood is a commuter’s dream. It’s located in Bethesda where I-270 and I-495 meet. Old Georgetown Road cuts through it, connecting to Rockville Pike. Democracy Boulevard intersects the neighborhood, too. If there’s congestion on one route, Tapiero uses another. “Wherever the traffic backs up, I can still get home,” she says. Some residents leave the car behind altogether and walk or bike to the nearby Grosvenor-Strathmore Metro station. For all its commuter convenience, Wildwood Manor still has a small-town feel. Families gather each year for a Halloween party in the park, and the annual Fourth of July parade culminates in a potluck dinner at Wildwood Manor Pool. Neighbors stay connected through a Listserv and an active civic association. The nearby Grosvenor Market serves as a community grocer. Wildwood Shopping Center, a collection of stores and boutiques that includes Balducci’s, Le Pain Quotidien, Starbucks and Bluemercury, is within walking distance, and Westfield Montgomery mall isn’t much farther. “For somebody looking for accessibility, affordability and quality of life, you can’t beat this,” Tapiero says.

south kensington The winding streets of South Kensington put residents within minutes of the Beltway, making it a top choice for those who drive to work. “Residents here don’t have that big commute,” says real estate agent Gary Ditto, a South Kensington resident. “You just don’t have to fight the traffic.” It’s not just I-495 that’s close by. Connecticut Avenue cuts through the neighborhood, offering another major route into D.C. So does Beach Drive, which carries drivers into the city along scenic Rock Creek. Kensington has a MARC stop for rail commuters, and residents who work in Bethesda can get to the office by bike. Rock Creek Park is a nice place to escape from the daily grind. “I go down there either biking or running or walking all the time,” Ditto says.

old farm Stretching alongside I-270, just off Montrose Road in Rockville, Old Farm is a cozy community of mostly brick homes on winding tree-lined streets that offer residents fast access to the highway. “It has easy commuting upcounty and down, into D.C. and into Virginia,” says real estate agent Maryanne Fiorita. It’s one of four neighborhoods in the Greater Farmland Civic Association, a community of 981 homes along the interstate that gathers for an annual Fourth of July parade that ends at the Old Farm pool. The development company Kettler Brothers built Old Farm as a neighborhood of colonials in the mid-1960s on ground that “ever so imperceptibly felt the hoof beats of Col. Jeb Stuart’s cavalry horses passing,” or so claimed a brochure for the project. Stuart’s horses are long gone, but the neighborhood is still a popular choice for residents who have a journey to work every day. BethesdaMagazine.com | March/April 2016 197

features_neighborhoods.indd 197

2/11/16 10:48 AM

great neighborhoods

198 March/April 2016 | BethesdaMagazine.com

features_neighborhoods.indd 198

2/8/16 4:27 PM

▼

—Gretchen Koitz, real estate agent

▼

“

Wyngate is not just one size fits all. It allows for a whole variety of residents.”

▼

n eighborhoods with

photo by skip brown

Old ramblers are giving way to grand new homes in Bethesda’s Wyngate neighborhood.

new homes wyngate It’s hard to find a neighborhood that’s transforming faster than Wyngate. For years, builders have been eyeing ramblers, Cape Cods and small colonials in this neighborhood on the north side of Bethesda, where prices haven’t soared as high as they have in other parts of town. One by one, these modest, aging homes are being torn down and replaced by grand, four- and five-bedroom homes that maximize the lot size—and double the price. Families can still get an older home for less than $700,000, says real estate agent Gretchen Koitz, “but you also have the larger new homes.” Many of the buyers of the new homes are Wyngate residents who have outgrown their existing homes. It’s a family-friendly neighborhood where kids can walk to the elementary school. “It’s not just one size fits all,” Koitz says. “It allows for a whole variety of residents.”

east bethesda Many of East Bethesda’s older homes are being replaced by new ones as more and more newcomers discover the neighborhood. Big new houses— some contemporary, others with Victorian or Craftsman touches—are popping up next to Cape Cods, colonials and bungalows. One by one, gabled six-bedroom houses with chef’s kitchens and Jacuzzis are edging out modest cottages from the early and mid-20th century. “East Bethesda has an urban feel with a suburban lifestyle,” says Brittany Barsky Allison, a real estate agent who lives in the neighborhood. “A lot of people are moving out of the city. They want to keep the walkability, and they want a low-maintenance property.” When Lisa McCabe moved to East Bethesda in 2002, she found a neighborhood with the laid-back feeling of a small town, where residents meet for block parties and kids can walk to school. “It’s a walking neighborhood,” she says. “You tend to know your neighbors because lots of people are out.”

crown “Crown is the new kid on the block,” says real estate agent Jacque Grenning. This 182-acre Gaithersburg development is approved for up to 2,250 residences, including luxury apartments, townhouses, and singlefamily homes, some with cathedral ceilings and rooftop terraces. Many of the streets, such as Ellington Boulevard and Salk Circle, are named after artists and scientists. Crown was built to be walkable, and it has a bevy of restaurants in the nearby commercial area—called Downtown Crown—including Paladar Latin Kitchen & Rum Bar, Ted’s Montana Grill, and Coastal Flats. “It tends to draw a lot of people because of the nightlife,” Grenning says. They also come for the amenities. The Retreat community center offers an outdoor pool, climbing tower and fitness center. LA Fitness, Starbucks and Harris Teeter are close by. Less than a half-mile away sits the RIO Washingtonian Center, with more shops, restaurants and a movie theater—plus swan-shaped paddleboats and a carousel for kids. BethesdaMagazine.com | March/April 2016 199

features_neighborhoods.indd 199

2/8/16 4:27 PM

great neighborhoods

200 March/April 2016 | BethesdaMagazine.com

features_neighborhoods.indd 200

2/8/16 4:28 PM

“

▼

I remember when I moved there, two neighbors brought over warm chocolate chip cookies. That’s just the epitome of Section 5.”

▼

neighborhoods with

The Chevy Chase Section 5 neighborhood delights in Fourth of July revelry, with a parade and lots of red, white and blue.

photo by ashley kavanaugh

▼

— Laura McCaffrey, real estate agent

organized events Chevy chase section 5 Every Fourth of July, families in Chevy Chase’s Section 5 neighborhood gather for a parade straight out of small-town America. Participants dress in red, white and blue, decorate their bicycles and horses, and take their places behind a firetruck. As they march from one of the neighborhood’s historic farmhouses, they sing patriotic songs to neighbors’ applause. The parade ends on Underwood Street, with food, moon bounces and pony rides. “All the things you want when you’re 10 years old,” says resident Ashley Kavanaugh, who is also the Section 5 town manager. That family atmosphere lasts all year, says real estate agent Laura McCaffrey, a former resident. “I call it Mayberry,” she says. “The houses are close together, so it’s very neighborly. When you’re driving down the street, there are always kids outside on their bikes, or playing basketball or street hockey.” Neighbors gather at a fall block party in September for one last celebration before the temperatures drop.

Bannockburn How many neighborhoods in the country boast their own theater production? This year marks Bannockburn’s 60th consecutive Spring Show, when residents young and old take the stage for a musical spoof that is written and produced by locals. “The writing all comes from the neighborhood, and there are such brilliant artists there,” says resident Michelle Jaconi. “I love Bannockburn. It is absolutely everything I ever wanted in a place to raise a family. It has this artistic spirit and history where people love bucking authority.” The clubhouse is the soul of Bannockburn. It hosts an annual crafts fair, Halloween parties, ice cream socials, dinners for newcomers, dance classes, New Year’s potlucks and a cooperative nursery school. But for many residents, it’s the proximity to D.C. and the C&O Canal that they notice first. “The co-op, the clubhouse, the Spring Show and everything that goes along with it really seals the deal,” says real estate agent Greta Nicoletti.

kenwood When this neighborhood of about 300 homes in Chevy Chase was created in 1929, developers planted 1,200 Yoshino cherry trees, which still draw tens of thousands of visitors every April. But even though Kenwood is famous for its cherry blossoms, for many residents, the real entertainment comes in May, when neighbors take the stage in the annual talent show. Residents enjoy a seated dinner at the Kenwood Country Club before watching their neighbors sing, dance and play instruments. It’s one of many events the Kenwood Citizens Association organizes during the year for residents of this stately neighborhood, which, if not for the cherry trees, might be famous for its distinctive Georgian-style, brick colonial and wooden contemporary homes. Residents take part in Halloween haunted houses, Thanksgiving turkey trots and Christmas Eve caroling. To escape the crowds, they can take to the Capital Crescent Trail, just minutes away, and slip into nature. BethesdaMagazine.com | March/April 2016 201

features_neighborhoods.indd 201

2/8/16 4:28 PM

“

great neighborhoods

It’s kind of a nice hidden secret.” —Anne Killeen, who grew up in River Falls

202 March/April 2016 | BethesdaMagazine.com

features_neighborhoods.indd 202

2/8/16 4:28 PM

photo by skip brown

The River Falls clubhouse is the hub of this Potomac neighborhood’s social life, with swimming, tennis and “dive-in” movie nights.

▼

neighborhoods with

community amenities

river falls For many residents, life in River Falls revolves around the community clubhouse. “The swim-and-tennis club is really the hub of the neighborhood,” says Anne Killeen, a real estate agent who grew up in River Falls and raised her three children there. Neighbors in this tree-lined Potomac community, built in the ’60s and ’70s, get together for everything from swim meets, tennis matches and yoga classes to “dive-in” movie nights, dance parties and progressive dinners. Residents gather for Memorial Day picnics, Fourth of July parades and doggie swims. “There’s always something interesting going on,” Killeen says. Three different community associations oversee recreation, civic matters and common areas. Location is another perk: The C&O Canal is a 10-minute stroll away. In light traffic, you can get to The Kennedy Center in 10 or 15 minutes. Says Killeen: “It’s kind of a nice hidden secret.”

kentlands David Pier has played on the Kentlands men’s over-35 basketball team, and he’s also played guitar in the Kentlands Acoustic Jam band. “It was an opportunity to meet people I probably never would have met,” Pier says. There’s always something going on in this Gaithersburg neighborhood. The clubhouse hosts swim meets, tennis matches and concerts. At the Carriage House, the historic Kentlands Mansion and the refurbished barn, residents enjoy the performances of jazz bands, chamber musicians and nationally recognized folksingers. Summer brings outdoor concerts, theater performances and magic shows. The Kentlands is built in the New Urbanism style that encourages walkability, and its colonial-inspired homes and condos—brick buildings on small lots—are within minutes of shops and restaurants. “I like the fact that you’re really close to a lot of things,” Pier says.

timberlawn Unless you’re looking for it, you might not find Timberlawn, a community of single-family homes and townhouses in North Bethesda. “Most people simply drive past the area on the way to somewhere else,” says Marc Luger, a real estate agent and former Timberlawn resident. But the people who live there know what it has to offer. Residents have access to a pair of swimming pools and tennis courts. The 13.7-acre Timberlawn Park features two soccer fields, a basketball court and a playground. The park even has a network of walking trails. Set back from Old Georgetown Road, the neighborhood was built in the 1980s. Many of the homes are large colonial-style houses on roomy lots along winding roads and cul-de-sacs. The Grosvenor-Strathmore Metro station and entrances to I-495 and I-270 are less than a mile away. “It’s a great area for commuters,” Luger says. It’s also within walking distance of North Bethesda Market, where popular spots include Whole Foods and Seasons 52. n BethesdaMagazine.com | March/April 2016 203

features_neighborhoods.indd 203

2/8/16 4:29 PM

Special Advertising Section

culture watch Graduation Ball

Summerstock Theater Camps

Maryland Youth Ballet Mar. 12 at 1pm & 5pm and Mar. 13 at 1pm Robert E. Parilla Performing Arts Center Montgomery College, Rockville, MD This spring, Maryland Youth Ballet invites you to an exciting concert of classical and contemporary ballet. The program features Graduation Ball - a delightful ballet about a girl’s school hosting a dance with visiting cadets set to the lively, well known music of Strauss. Also presenting Eric Hampton’s Meadow and a new contemporary ballet by Christopher Doyle. Three unique ballets that are sure to entertain, enrich, and engage audiences of all ages! Tickets: In Advance Online-Adults $20; Children $15 At the Door-Adults $25; Children $20

Lumina Studio Theatre Jun.– Aug. Shine in the spotlight during Summerstock 2016 and enjoy the thrill of performing! Lumina’s dedicated directors help each camper develop characters and gain valuable performance skills as they work together towards the final production. Make new friends, play theatre games and make this a summer memory to treasure. A variety of camps for ages 8+. All camps culminate in a performance at the Silver Spring Black Box Theater. LUMINASTUDIO.ORG OR 301-565-2281

MARYLANDYOUTHBALLET.ORG OR 301-608-2232

SHINE IN THE SPOTLIGHT!

Efflorescence: The Magic of Music Meets the Passion of Youth

Backpack Journalism Summer Camps

MCYO of Strathmore Sun., Mar. 20 at 3pm & 7pm The Music Center at Strathmore The regions’ finest youth orchestra presents two concerts: a 3pm concert featuring Prep Strings, Young Artists, and Chamber Ensemble, and a 7pm concert featuring Chamber Strings, Symphony, and Philharmonic performing an original new orchestral exploration of Wagner’s Ring. MCYO.ORG OR 301-581-5100

THE REGION’S TOP YOUTH ORCHESTRA

Montgomery Community Media Session 1: Jun. 27-Jun. 28 & Jul. 5-Jul. 8 from 10am-4pm Session 2: Jul. 18-19 & Jul. 25-29 from 10am-4pm Looking for something for your budding journalist to do? Spend 2 weeks this summer with Montgomery Community Media and become a “Backpack Journalist.” MYMCMEDIA.ORG OR 240-630-0614

Summer Camps at Glen Echo Park Glen Echo Park Partnership for Arts and Culture Jun. 6– Sep. 2 Sign your kids up for a SUMMER of FUN! Camps & workshops for kids and teens (4-19) in visual & performing arts, plus environmental education, magic performance, and more! GLENECHOPARK.ORG/CAMPS OR 301-634-2226

@CultureSpotMC

CultureSpot_BethMag_MarApr.indd Untitled-2 1 1

facebook.com/ CultureSpotMC

Find all these events and more at CultureSpotMC.com

2/3/16 4:03 9:14 PM AM

Idyllic Gallery and Studio Tour

Crossing Borders: On Our Way To Cuba

Countryside Artisans of Maryland Fri.–Sun., Apr. 15, 16 & 17 from 10am–5pm i·dyl·lic (adj): pleasing or picturesque in natural simplicity; extremely peaceful, © Tina Brown happy, and enjoyable. The Countryside Artisans invite you to join them on their Spring Gallery and Studio Tour. Meet the artists and enjoy their work in the beautiful settings that inspire them every day! Choose from 14 galleries and studios representing 40+ fine visual, sculptural, and textile artists as you wind your way through historic Montgomery, Frederick, and Howard counties on this free, self-guided, driving tour. Brochure, map and info about the artists can be found on their website. COUNTRYSIDEARTISANS.COM

Becoming Sugar Plum

AN ORIGINAL FAIRYTALE BALLET

Metropolitan Ballet Theatre World Premiere Mar. 18 at 7pm Mar. 19 at 12pm & 4pm Mar. 20 at 12pm & 4pm Before she ruled the Kingdom of Sweets as the Sugar Plum Fairy, she was the sweet Princess Plum. One mystical dream, one dangerous journey, and one very courageous dance leads the Princess to her destiny as an admired, kind ruler. You’ll meet the beautiful fairies from Fairyland, the unpleasant King Dross and creatures from the Bitter Land, and the worried prince from the Land of Sweets. It is brave Princess Plum’s fate to bring these lands together. Tickets start at $19 and group discounts are available. MBTDANCE.ORG OR 301-762-1757

Coral Cantigas Sat., Mar. 12 at 7pm First Congregational United Church of Christ, 945 G Street, NW Cantigas sings works of contemporary Cuban composers and reverent Santeria chants, and explores connections between English and Spanish poetic traditions in two works inspired by Shakespeare and Cervantes. CANTIGAS.ORG or 301-230-1361

Haydn’s Lord Nelson Mass and Duruflé’s Requiem National Philharmonic Sat., Apr. 2 at 8pm & Sun., Apr. 3 at 3pm Danielle Talamantes, soprano National Philharmonic Chorale Stan Engebretson, conductor NATIONALPHILHARMONIC.ORG OR 301-581-5100

Robin Hood, by De Koven, Clement, and Scott The Victorian Lyric Opera Company F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre Feb. 25-27, Mar. 4 & 5 at 8pm Feb. 28 & Mar. 6 at 2pm This orchestra-accompanied operetta includes a special $12 preview (2/25), a free pre-show lecture at 7pm (2/27), and free family activities starting at 12:45pm (2/28)! VLOC.ORG

33rd Shades of Spring Art Show & Sale The Art League of Germantown Apr. 27– May 1 Artist demonstrations dominate this new festival style ALOG program at the BlackRock Center for the Arts including drawing, painting, photography, jewelry, fiber arts and ceramics. ALOG.ORG OR 301-528-2260

Adult Education Classes Live & Learn Bethesda We are a non-profit organization that provides adult education classes at the Bethesda-Chevy MC.com Chase Regional Services Center. We are conveniently located in downtown Bethesda adjacent to the Bethesda Metro and the Montgomery County parking garage. Give us a call or visit us online to view our current catalog or register for classes. LIVEANDLEARNBETHESDA.ORG OR 301-740-6150

Experience Something Extraordinary! CultureSpotMC.com CultureSpotMC.com is a service of the Arts & Humanities Council of Montgomery County

CultureSpot_BethMag_MarApr.indd Untitled-2 1 2

MC.com

2/3/16 4:03 9:14 PM AM

BUILDING BOOM

The number of new luxury apartments, condos and townhomes in the Bethesda area is dizzying. To simplify the options, here’s a guide to the features and prices of the residences that opened in the last 12 months or are coming soon. By Aaron Kraut and Andrew Metcalf

Cheval

4825 MONTGOMERY LANE ADDRESS: 4825 Montgomery Lane DEVELOPER: 4825 Montgomery Lane LLC DETAILS: This five-floor condominium building near the Bethesda Metro station was completed last year. There are four units in the building, each taking up an entire floor above a ground-floor parking garage. One of the units, a three-bathroom, 1,504-squarefoot space, was sold in 2015 for $2.35 million, according to real estate records.

8008 Wisconsin ADDRESS: 8008 Wisconsin Ave. DEVELOPER: Toll Brothers City Living DETAILS: Toll Brothers City Living bought this project in December, according to a local real estate newsletter, and in January announced it would convert it from a 14-story, 140-unit apartment building to a 14-story, 100-unit luxury condominium. Toll Brothers City Living hopes to begin construction on the building in the summer of 2017. It’s at the former site of the Ranger Surplus store. The project will require additional approvals from the county Planning Department.

CHEVAL ADDRESS: 4990 Fairmont Ave. DEVELOPER: Duball LLC DETAILS: Construction is scheduled to start on the project formerly known as 4990 Fairmont early this year, and move-ins could begin late in 2017. The 17-story, 71-unit, mostly glass tower will feature an aboveground parking garage, about 3,000 square feet of street-level retail and one-, two- and three-bedroom units ranging from 950 to

more than 2,500 square feet. Penthouses will have individual rooftop areas accessed via staircases within the units. At press time, prices weren’t available.

HAMPDEN ROW ADDRESS: 4915 Hampden Lane DEVELOPER: Toll Brothers City Living DETAILS: Construction is underway on the corner of Hampden Lane and Arlington Road and is expected to be finished late this year. Toll Brothers City Living is adding to downtown Bethesda’s market of new luxury condominiums with this seven-story, 55-unit building of one-, two- and threebedroom units ranging from $400,000 to more than $4 million. The building will include parking, a 24-hour concierge and a rooftop terrace.

QUARRY SPRINGS ADDRESS: 8101 River Road DEVELOPER: 1788 Holdings

DETAILS: The first phase of this project, almost 50 units in two buildings, opened last year, and the first residents moved in last October. Condos from 2,200 to more than 4,500 square feet are priced from $1.5 million to $4 million. The development, on the site of the former Stoneyhurst Quarries, will feature walking trails and a three-tiered waterfall with a stream once complete. The already completed clubhouse at the center of the site has a fitness center, yoga studio, spa and pool. Residents looking to access the clubhouse won’t have to venture outside, as private underground tunnels connect occupants of each building to the recreation space. The developer is holding off on construction of the project’s second phase, 50 units in two buildings on the other side of the property, until most units in the first phase are sold.

STONEHALL ADDRESS: Intersection of Woodmont Avenue and Battery Lane DEVELOPER: Duball LLC DETAILS: Construction is in the early stages on the nine-story, 46-unit building and expected to be completed early next year. Two-bedroom units start in the $800,000s, three-bedroom units start at $1.7 million, and penthouse units start at $2.3 million. The building will feature a rooftop terrace, and the site is located across the street from a Harris Teeter grocery store that’s scheduled to open later this year in the Flats 8300 apartment project. Quarry Springs

Courtesy of duball; courtesy swedroe architects

Condominiums Bethesda

206 March/April 2016 | BethesdaMagazine.com

Features_condos list.indd 206

2/10/16 3:45 PM

Octave 1320

Gaithersburg downtown crown ADDRESS: Diamondback Drive at Copley Street DEVELOPER: Michael Harris Homes/ Streetscape Partners

THE DARCY ADDRESS: 7171 Woodmont Ave. DEVELOPERs: PN Hoffman and StonebridgeCarras DETAILS: The Darcy and its companion apartment building, the Flats, officially opened last June. Several of the pricier units in the nine-story, 88-unit building have sold for at least $2.5 million. Prices start at more than $600,000. The units have 9-foot ceilings, and some have private balconies with views of the bustling Bethesda Row area. A private parking area was built into the 1,250-space Montgomery County garage below, and PassionFish Bethesda, a seafood restaurant, opened on the building’s first floor late last summer.

THE LAUREN ADDRESS: 4934 Hampden Lane Courtesy promark real estate services; 7770 photo by andrew metcalf

DEVELOPER: 1788 Holdings DETAILS: Construction on this eightstory, 35-unit building is expected to be complete in March. The building will include 28 residences ranging from $1.5 million to $4.5 million, plus a 5,700-square-foot, three-bedroom penthouse, which, at $10.5 million, could become the most expensive condominium ever sold in the Washington, D.C.-area market. In addition to the 29 regularly priced units, there are six income-restricted affordable housing units as well as five guest suites available for purchase to those who have already bought a marketrate condo. Residents will have access to a basement wine lounge that can double as a party venue or conference room. Directaccess elevators will lead to units that feature 9- and 10-foot ceilings and homeautomation systems that allow a unit’s thermostat, electronic equipment and shades to be controlled with an iPad.

DETAILS: Michael Harris Homes and Streetscape Partners, which built the wellregarded Symphony Park townhome community at Strathmore, are teaming again to develop a three-building luxury condo community with about 140 units. Built with a “postindustrial” design, the condos will feature a factory brick exterior and oversize windows and loft spaces inside. Each of the units, which will have either one or two bedrooms, will include a balcony, terrace or rooftop patio. Construction is due to be completed in 2017 and prices will range from the low $300,000s to the $500,000s.

rockville 930 ROSE ADDRESS: 930 Rose Ave., Pike & Rose DEVELOPER: Federal Realty Investment Trust DETAILS: This 11-story, 104-unit luxury condominium project, under construction at Pike & Rose, will sit atop a 10-story Canopy by Hilton hotel. The complex will include a rooftop resident lounge and outdoor terrace with grills, a dog walk and a fitness area. Residents also will have access to many of the hotel amenities,

including the cafe, lounge and garden terrace. Entertainment options at Pike & Rose, including the iPic Theaters and Summer House Santa Monica restaurant, are within easy reach. Units start at $315,000 and range from 585-squarefoot studios to 2,350-square-foot threebedroom penthouse residences. Units feature panoramic views, Italian cabinetry and customizable finishes and appliances.

Silver Spring OCTAVE 1320 ADDRESS: 1320 Fenwick Lane DEVELOPER: ProMark Real Estate Services DETAILS: This nine-story, 102-unit project, which is a short walk from the Silver Spring Metro station, was completed last fall. One-bedroom units in the converted office building average 500 square feet, and twobedroom units average 800 square feet, with prices starting at a little more than $200,000. Despite the relatively small size of the units, each features 9-foot ceilings. Some units have sliding bedroom doors to conserve space, and the building has firstfloor common areas, basement storage space, a fitness center and a rooftop lounge with views of Bethesda and Washington, D.C.

Apartments Bethesda 4831 West Lane Address: 4831 West Lane

7770 Norfolk

Developer: SJG Residential DETAILS: Originally pitched in 2008 as a six-story, 48-unit building near Bethesda Row, this project expanded in 2014 into a plan for a seven-story, 120-unit building. Located between Woodmont Avenue and Arlington Road, the building would be about 950 feet from the Bethesda Metro station. Rental rates and interior design features have not been released.

7001 Arlington at Bethesda Address: 7001 Arlington Road Developer: Associated Estates DETAILS: Units in this mid-rise building start at $2,070 per month for a 623-squarefoot studio and go up to $3,796 for a twobedroom, 1,345-square-foot apartment. The five-story project, which was completed at the beginning of 2015, began move-ins last BethesdaMagazine.com | March/April 2016 207

Features_condos list.indd 207

2/11/16 11:34 AM

7770 Norfolk Address: 7770 Norfolk Ave. Developers: The JBG Companies, Ross Development & Investment, CIM DETAILS: Last year this project switched from apartments to condos and then back to apartments after the developers decided the condos were selling too slowly. The 17-story, 244-unit building in Woodmont Triangle is nearly complete. Units range from 450 to 1,900 square feet, and amenities include a fitness center and rooftop lounge. The building also will be home to Community, a new diner concept from the founder of BGR The Burger Joint restaurants. Leasing was scheduled to begin in February, but as of press time rents had not been listed.

Developers: StonebridgeCarras and PN Hoffman DETAILS: Developers completed the Lot 31 project near Bethesda Row in the summer of 2015. It includes the Flats apartment building and The Darcy condo project. The Flats features 162 high-end apartment units with monthly rents that range from $2,300 to $6,600. The units have premium shelving, hardwood flooring, movable kitchen islands and stainless steel appliances. Floor plans include one-, two- or three-bedroom units that range from 581 to 1,437 square feet. Amenities include a rooftop retreat with a lounge, outdoor fire pit and bar. Pallas at Pike & Rose

Developer: StonebridgeCarras DETAILS: This 359-unit, nine-story apartment building will include a groundfloor Harris Teeter grocery store and a Starbucks. The building is scheduled to start leasing in January. Units range from studio to three-bedroom apartments, plus available townhouses and penthouses. The units feature granite countertops, laminate wood flooring and stainless steel appliances. As of press time, the building hadn’t released rental rates. Amenities include a rooftop pool, club room with billiards and full bar, and a rooftop demonstration kitchen.

Flats at Bethesda Avenue Address: 7170 Woodmont Ave.

DETAILS: The developer of this 16-story, 221-unit building applied for demolition and building permits in January in order to start construction. The Rugby is the sister building of Gallery Bethesda, which opened in 2014 in Woodmont Triangle. Donohoe hopes to complete the 240,000-square-foot Rugby project in 2017. It will include 14,520 square feet of ground-floor retail and an underground parking garage. Like Gallery Bethesda, most units will feature 9- or 10-foot ceilings, balconies or terraces and luxury finishes.

Address: 11550 Old Georgetown Road

Developer: Kettler

Address: 8300 Wisconsin Ave.

Developer: Donohoe

Pallas

Address: 100 Commerce Lane

Flats 8300

The Rugby Address: 4850 Rugby Ave.

North Bethesda

Element 28

DETAILS: This 15-story apartment building has been rising on a small piece of real estate along busy Old Georgetown Road since early last year. The 101-unit building will include a rooftop green area, fitness center and wine cellar. It’s expected to be completed this fall, but Kettler had not released rents as of press time. Features include private terraces, wood-plank flooring, stone-tiled showers and white granite countertops.

fill a 6,100-square-foot retail space on the building’s ground floor. The developer has not yet listed rents, but amenities include a cyber café, club room and fitness center.

Developer: Federal Realty Investment Trust

St. Elmo Apartments Address: 4922 St. Elmo Ave. Developer: The Lenkin Co. DETAILS: The Montgomery County Planning Board approved a sketch plan for this 16-story, 210-unit apartment building in February 2015. The project would add another tower to a Woodmont Triangle block where two other apartment buildings—7770 Norfolk and the Bainbridge Bethesda—have been built over the past three years. This project has not broken ground, and the developer has not detailed a construction time line.

Solaire Bethesda

DETAILS: Rockville-based developer Federal Realty has been handling moveins since last June and completed this building’s 19th-floor penthouse level in November. In addition to offering sweeping views, the 319-unit building features a rooftop lounge, soundproof music rooms and private garden plots. Rents range from $1,795 for a 650-square-foot studio to more than $8,875 for a three-bedroom, 1,900-square-foot penthouse apartment. The building is located in Federal Realty’s burgeoning Pike & Rose development, within close walking distance of iPic Theaters and restaurants such as Summer House Santa Monica and City Perch Kitchen + Bar.

Gables Pike District

Address: 7100 Wisconsin Ave.

Address: Executive Boulevard at Old Georgetown Road

Developer: Washington Property Company

Developer: Gables Residential

DETAILS: Expected to be completed sometime this summer, Solaire Bethesda is being built at the former location of Eastham’s Exxon Service Center. The 12-story, 139-unit building will include studios and one-, two- and three-bedroom units ranging in size from 610 to 1,442 square feet. True Food Kitchen, a chain that specializes in healthy food, has signed on to

DETAILS: Construction on this threebuilding, 476-unit apartment complex formerly known as Gables White Flint is expected to begin in 2017. The complex will sit on 5 acres between Old Georgetown Road and a realigned Executive Boulevard. The road realignment is key to the project because Executive Boulevard currently runs diagonally through the center of the site.

courtesy image

spring. The 140 units include espresso-color kitchen cabinets, tile backsplashes and quartz countertops. The building is steps from the Capital Crescent Trail and includes a bocce ball court and bicycle storage area.

208 March/April 2016 | BethesdaMagazine.com

Features_condos list.indd 208

2/11/16 11:37 AM

Galvan at Twinbrook

The Terano Address: 5720 Fishers Lane Developer: The JBG Companies

The project, which includes 31,000 square feet of retail, received planning board approval last year, and the construction of a parking garage, the first phase of the project, is scheduled to begin early this year.

DETAILS: Montgomery County and Rockville city leaders attended the ribbon-cutting for this new building near the Twinbrook Metro station in September. At that point, 67 percent of the building’s 214 units had been leased, according to JBG officials. Amenities at the five-story building include a gym, dog washing room, yoga studio and outdoor pool. Rents range from $1,645 per month for one-bedroom units to more than $3,000 for two-bedroom loft units. Apartments include eight two-level lofts that feature exposed brick walls and private entrances. Other units feature 9-foot ceilings, premium cabinetry and double-sink bathrooms.

Rockville

Bainbridge Shady Grove Metro

Galvan at Twinbrook Address: 1801 Chapman Ave. Developer: The JBG Companies

photo of galvan by andrew metcalf; photo of The perry courtesy

courtesy image

DETAILS: A 356-unit apartment building across from the Twinbrook Metro station, Galvan started leasing late last year. It features one- and two-bedroom units that range from $1,620 to $2,920 per month. Apartments come with 9-foot ceilings, balconies and granite countertops. Building amenities include a lounge with billiards and a poker table, and an outdoor terrace with a fireplace, grilling stations and a pool. The ground-floor Safeway opened in December, and restaurants including Capriotti’s Sandwich Shop, Pie 360 and Dunkin’ Donuts are scheduled to open.

The Stories at Congressional Plaza Address: 1628 E. Jefferson St. Developers: Federal Realty Investment Trust, Smart Living 360 DETAILS: The model unit at this apartment building for residents 55 and older opened Jan. 1. The building features 48 units plus a fitness center, a theater room, and a club room with a full kitchen. The rental units are designed for older residents, with slipresistant tiles on bathroom floors and bright under-counter task lighting. The building is behind the Congressional Plaza shopping center, home to The Fresh Market, The Container Store and the soon-to-be added Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th. Rents range from $2,500 for a one-bedroom, 746-square-foot apartment to $3,600 for a three-bedroom, two-bathroom, 1,429-square-foot apartment.

Address: 15955 N. Frederick Road Developer: The Bainbridge Companies DETAILS: Residents began moving into this six-story apartment building in 2015. It includes 417 units with hardwood-style vinyl plank flooring, granite countertops and full-size washers and dryers. The apartments range from one-bedroom units that start at $1,485 to three-bedroom units that start at $2,505. The building offers a courtyard with a fire pit, bike storage, a club room with billiards and a swimming pool.

the area around Adventist HealthCare Shady Grove Medical Center into a science-focused employment center with walkable neighborhoods. Once complete, the apartment complex will contain 690 residential units, 3,500 square feet of retail space and amenities such as a lap pool, exercise facility and a lounge space. Units in the completed four-story building range from 553-square-foot studios to 1,268-square-foot, two-bedroom apartments. Studios start at $1,385. Two-bedroom units start at $1,950. Units feature stainless steel appliances, “spa-inspired” bathrooms and dark hickory wood-plank flooring.

Potomac The Perry Address: 12430 Park Potomac Ave. Developer: Foulger-Pratt DETAILS: This five-story, 297unit building is tucked into a larger development being built by Foulger-Pratt. Scheduled to be completed this spring near the Potomac-Rockville border, the building includes one-, two- and threebedroom units that range in price from $1,700 to $4,600. Apartment features include glass kitchen backsplashes, The Perry

The Upton Address: 44 Maryland Ave. Developer: Duball LLC DETAILS: The 15-story, 263-unit building offers studios, one-bedroom and twobedroom units, some of which feature floorto-ceiling windows and 9-foot ceilings. Rents range from $1,498 for a 500-squarefoot studio to $2,875 for a two-bedroom, two-bathroom 1,152-square-foot unit. The building is within walking distance of the shops and restaurants of Rockville Town Square. Amenities include a pool, rooftop grills, and a World of Beer restaurant that is scheduled to open this year on the ground floor.

stainless steel appliances and Nest programmable thermostats. The building has a business center, fitness center and pool. It’s also within walking distance of shops and restaurants, including MoCo’s Founding Farmers.

Silver Spring Central

Mallory Square

Address: 8415 Fenton St.

Address: 15251 Siesta Key Way

Developer: Grosvenor Americas

Developer: The Bozzuto Group DETAILS: Bozzuto completed the first building of this two-building mixeduse complex early last fall. It’s the first build under the Great Seneca Science Corridor Master Plan, which looks to turn

DETAILS: The old red-brick Baptist church at the corner of Wayne Avenue and Fenton Street is gone now, and this new building is rising in its place. Grosvenor Americas demolished the church last summer to make way for Central—a 243-unit mid-rise

BethesdaMagazine.com | March/April 2016 209

Features_condos list.indd 209

2/11/16 11:38 AM

has not started, but demolition is underway. The project will include more than 15,000 square feet of ground-floor retail, and the planned Purple Line light rail would run just a few feet from the building’s curb.

Falkland North Address: 16th Street at East West Highway

apartment building with 16,000 square feet of ground-floor retail space directly across from the new Silver Spring Library. The developer is also constructing a new church and a day care center next to the apartment building. The project is expected to be completed in 2017. Rents have not been released.

Core Address: 8621 Georgia Ave. Developer: Foulger Pratt and Willco DETAILS: The 16-story, 292-unit apartment project in the middle of Silver Spring’s central business district broke ground in December near the intersection of Georgia Avenue and Colesville Road. The project includes ground-floor retail space and is just blocks from the Silver Spring transit center and the new Silver Spring Library. The developers have not yet released rents or details regarding amenities.

Ripley East Address: Corner of Georgia Avenue and Bonifant Street Developer: Diamondback Investors DETAILS: This building will join two other recently completed high-rises in the Ripley District near the corner of Georgia Avenue and Bonifant Street. Plans for the 200-foot-tall, 360-unit building received key approvals from the Montgomery County Planning Board in December. Construction

GROSVENOR HEIGHTS

Developer: The JBG Companies

ADDRESS: 5430 Grosvenor Lane

DETAILS: One of Silver Spring’s largest proposed development projects, Falkland North includes a plan for five buildings with up to 1,250 residential units at a prime location across from the Silver Spring Metro station. The proposal calls for the demolition of 450 existing low-rise apartments at the site, which JBG purchased for a reported $98 million in 2013. The five buildings, as currently proposed, would range in height from six to 15 stories and would be built in three phases. The proposal also includes a roughly 7,500-square-foot dog park, a pedestrian promenade for farmers markets, and about 96,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space on the ground floors of the buildings.

DEVELOPER: EYA

Upper Northwest D.C. 5333 Connecticut ADDRESS: 5333 Connecticut Ave. NW Developer: Calvin Cafritz Enterprises DETAILS: This building opened last year near Chevy Chase Circle on Connecticut Avenue. There are 261 units, including studios, one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments ranging from 435 to 1,078 square feet. Rents start at $2,100, with twobedroom, two-bathroom units starting at $3,300. Apartments feature hardwood floors and stainless steel appliances. The building has a rooftop deck with a pool and grill area as well as a dog walking area.

Townhomes Bethesda BROOKES RIDGE ADDRESS: 6450 Brookes Lane DEVELOPER: Halco Homes

Grosvenor Heights

Third-floor master bedrooms will include two closets and views of the tree canopy and nearby Potomac River. Prices start at $1.9 million. The townhomes are built on a private cul-de-sac that includes a restored 1930s manor house at the end of the block.

DETAILS: The secluded 11-townhome community just off Sangamore Road and half a mile from the C&O Canal is scheduled to be completed this spring. Each of the townhomes will be four floors with a two-car garage, in-unit elevator and rooftop terrace.

DETAILS: Move-ins are expected this year for the first luxury homes completed at this 142-townhome project on 33 acres surrounding the historic Grosvenor Mansion. Townhomes start at $1.1 million and feature private elevators, three- and four-bedroom floor plans, rooftop terraces, two-car garages and brick-and-cedar exteriors that are meant to fit in with the wooded environment. The project will also include 10 single-family detached homes along Fleming Avenue that will start at $1.5 million and are being constructed by Bethesda-based Sandy Spring Builders.

GOLDSBORO PLACE ADDRESS: 6789 Goldsboro Road DEVELOPER: 6789 Goldsboro LLC DETAILS: This 19-townhome project is slowly progressing through the county’s development approval process after first being pitched in the fall of 2014. If approved, the three-level townhomes would be built near a stream on the site of a long-vacant white ranch-style house that once was home to 1940s movie star Ilona Massey.

MONTGOMERY ROW ADDRESS: 10435 Fernwood Road DEVELOPER: EYA DETAILS: Construction is in the early stages at this community of 168 townhomes in the middle of a corporate office park. Three townhome models, each three or four levels, will range in size from 1,700 to 2,600 square feet and cost from $749,000 to $1.1 million. First move-ins are expected by the end of the year, though the entire project is expected to take three years to complete. The three townhome models, named Burch, Calvin and Daniel, will have two-car garages on the entry-level floor and rooftop terraces.

chevy chase CHEVY CHASE LAKE ADDRESS: Chevy Chase Lake Drive

courtesy of diamondback investors; Courtesy of EYA

Ripley East

210 March/April 2016 | BethesdaMagazine.com

Features_condos list.indd 210

2/11/16 12:46 PM

DEVELOPERs: Housing Opportunities Commission of Montgomery County and EYA DETAILS: This 62-townhome project with an approximately 200-unit apartment building to be built later obtained its final development approvals last summer. The townhomes would be up to 50 feet tall and built in eight rows along Chevy Chase Lake Drive, separated by four newly constructed private alleys on the site of 68 soon-to-bedemolished garden apartments. At press time, prices weren’t available.

CREEKSIDE ADDRESS: 9213 Kensington Parkway DEVELOPER: Nova-Habitat Inc. DETAILS: The Chevy Chase-based developer is planning 16 three- and four-story townhomes and four single-family home lots on a site sandwiched by the Capital Beltway and Rock Creek Park. The project obtained a required rezoning approval last July, and the developer hopes to prove during the county’s development approval process that it can provide a project that blends into its forested surroundings.

Courtesy of calatlantic homes; tower oaks courtesy

courtesy of diamondback investors; Courtesy of EYA

ADDRESS: Chevy Chase Lake Drive

Middleburg model starts at $567,990 and the Leesburg model starts at $495,990. Just under half of the 80 townhomes had been sold at press time.

Tower Oaks

CROWN WEST ADDRESS: Sam Eig Highway at Fields Road DEVELOPERS: Pulte Homes, M/I Homes, KB Home and Wormald DETAILS: The 134 four-story, 1,900-squarefoot-plus townhomes from Pulte Homes start at $531,990, and about 60 percent had been sold as of press time. The same percentage was true of the 130 three-story, roughly 2,000-square-foot townhomes from M/I Homes, which start at $649,990. The 85 townhomes from KB Home will be even larger, at 3,359 square feet and four floors, and more expensive, starting at $923,529. Fifty-three of those townhomes had been sold as of press time. Crown West also includes 49 single-family detached homes.

CROWN EAST ADDRESS: Sam Eig Highway at Fields Road DEVELOPER: Westbrook Development Partners

CalAtlantic Homes offers two models in its Downtown Crown townhomes.

DEVELOPER: Westbrook Development Partners DETAILS: This neighborhood will have about 400 multifamily homes, but there is no start date.

rockville TOWER OAKS ADDRESS: Preserve Parkway DEVELOPERs: EYA and Boston Properties DETAILS: Bethesda-based EYA’s latest project consists of 194 townhomes, 112 condo units and 30 single-family detached homes on 40 mostly wooded acres in the Tower Oaks section of Rockville. The developers hope to get all approvals from the city of Rockville by the end of this year, with the goal of beginning construction in 2018 and finishing the final phase of the project in 2024 or 2025. If approved, the townhomes would be three and four stories and situated around a 7,000-square-foot community center with a pool, fitness center and grocery store. Twenty to 25 townhomes would be set aside as moderately priced dwelling units. As of press time, prices for the townhomes weren’t available.

WESTSIDE AT SHADY GROVE METRO ADDRESS: 16658 Crabbs Branch Way DEVELOPER: EYA

Gaithersburg DOWNTOWN CROWN ADDRESS: Sam Eig Highway at Fields Road DEVELOPER: CalAtlantic Homes DETAILS: CalAtlantic Homes is offering 80 two-floor, three-bedroom townhomes in this neighborhood of the Crown development, which is also home to a Harris Teeter grocery store, restaurants and an LA Fitness. The

DETAILS: Sales are anticipated to begin in 2017 on the approximately 430 homes in this neighborhood of Crown, though there is no firm date for the start of construction. The homes will be a still unspecified mix of apartment units, townhomes and singlefamily detached homes.

CROWN CENTRAL ADDRESS: Sam Eig Highway at Fields Road

DETAILS: Construction and sales started in May 2015 for the 407-townhome project on 45 acres of what used to be Montgomery County government warehouses near the Shady Grove Metro station. Ranging from 1,678 to 2,427 square feet with three or four bedrooms, the townhomes will start at $570,000, and each will include a rooftop terrace and private two-car garage. The project will include a clubhouse, swimming pool, fitness center, dog park and walking paths to the Metro station. n

BethesdaMagazine.com | March/April 2016 211

Features_condos list.indd 211

2/15/16 12:20 PM

by the numbers

Data provided by MRIS. Statistics generated Jan. 19, 2016. Information deemed reliable, but not guaranteed.

Home Sales Trends in more than 450 Neighborhoods

Are housing prices continuing to rise? In what neighborhoods are homes selling the fastest? The following chart answers these questions and more, including: the number of sales for single-family homes, average prices and average number of days on the market in more than 450 Bethesda-area neighborhoods from 2011 to 2015. The neighborhoods included had at least five total sales during the last five years and at least one sale last year. The totals for each

ZIP code reflect all sales in that ZIP code, not just the totals for the selected neighborhoods. Also, real estate agents entering sales data into MRIS are not required to follow a standard nomenclature; where possible, we combined subdivision names to account for misspellings and inconsistencies. Real estate agents may also enter sales into the MRIS database retroactively. As a result, some of the historical data may vary from that published in previous years. Note: Some numbers have been rounded off.

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2014

2013

$570,000

$653,500

$659,400

$1,111,667 $916,771

$570,000

$653,500

$659,400

$1,111,667 $916,771

74 43

2015

2012

Average DoM

2014

2011

2013

Average close price

2012

Subdivision

2011

no. of homes sold

GLEN ECHO 20812 Glen Echo 20812 Total

BETHESDA 20814 Alta Vista

$675,625

$842,495

$925,278

$925,429

Alta Vista Gardens

$852,313

$856,240

$837,875

$1,035,000 $1,105,418

$998,680

103 62

Battery Park

$717,741

$824,750

$981,929

$1,100,345 $1,336,222

Bradley Hills

$1,642,875

$1,535,714

$1,320,591 $1,394,400 $2,220,667

Bradley Village

$1,377,183

$985,000

$1,772,917 $1,080,000 $1,224,000

Cedarcrest

$670,000

$555,000

$750,000

7 65

$770,000

$783,500

Columbia Forest

$1,058,000

$1,296,500

$1,232,174 $1,218,333 $1,617,819

119 21

Edgemoor

$2,359,438

$2,190,000

$2,470,364 $3,209,286 $2,045,714

109 24

English Village

$853,400

$1,449,833

$1,099,875 $958,333

$1,206,500

177 95

Glenbrook Knolls

$625,000

$865,000

$784,800

$900,500

$780,142

Glenbrook Village

$799,657

$739,234

$792,278

$965,233

$857,125

Glenwood

$887,833

$664,000

$928,700

$940,400

$794,303

Greenwich Forest

$875,483

$1,409,667

$765,333

$1,104,625 $1,260,000

Grosvenor Woods

$947,833

$951,500

$983,333

$1,021,250 $1,072,500

108 60

132 11

Locust Hill Estates

$770,556

$855,000

$1,040,000 $731,950

$918,988

303 124 18

Lone Oak

$1,020,000

$978,500

$938,667

$1,327,000

$1,327,500

Longmeadow

$760,000

$705,000

$625,000

$637,500

NA 10

Maplewood

$732,346

$654,833

$712,900

$919,967

$645,750

Maplewood Estates

$640,000

$662,200

$701,300

$839,000

$759,042

$784,333

Maplewood Manor

$597,500

$777,000

$734,900

Meadowbrook Village

$821,333

$857,000

$755,000

$1,160,000 $1,000,000

NA 95

212 March/April 2016 | BethesdaMagazine.com

HOME_BTNexpanded.indd 212

2/11/16 5:14 PM

Extraordinary Expansion and Renovation Breathtaking One Acre Lot with Pool & Extensive Landscaping BETHESDA. Welcome to this very special home featuring multiple additions and renovations conducted at different times by award winning architects Tom Manion and Mark Kramer. Combining contemporary design with traditional elements this exceptional home is ideal for both full scale indoor/outdoor entertaining as well as comfortable family living. The expansive main level with over 5500 finished square feet features an extraordinary gourmet chef's kitchen, sun filled breakfast/morning room, sensational family room with vaulted ceiling, dramatic screened porch and unique master suite with sitting room, dressing room and luxury bath. The exquisite use of exotic materials including granites and hardwoods is found throughout the carefully and expertly crafted interior. Further enhancing the home's appeal is an elevator, two car built in garage and extensive decking and outdoor entertaining spaces. The home is delightfully perched on a gentle knoll in a private setting and overlooks a plethora of lush landscaping featuring specimen plantings and mature trees. Ideally located in the heart of Old Bannockburn, this one of a kind home awaits its very lucky future owners. Offered at $3,395,000.

Marc Fleisher

www.thefleishergroup.com 202.364.5200 x 2927 (O) 202.438.4880 (C)

Untitled-5 1

2/8/16 1:06 PM

by the numbers 2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

2015

average DoM

2014

2013

2012

2011

average Close Price

2015

2014

2013

2012

Subdivision

2011

No. of Homes Sold

North Bethesda

$883,333

$887,167

$657,007

$886,667

$1,582,963

North Bethesda Grove

$577,000

$804,343

$873,036

$780,375

$850,611

103

Page Hill

$858,167

$655,000

$1,500,000 $860,667

NA 109 4

Parkview

$600,000

$580,200

$658,500

$686,800

$685,667

179 65

$826,500

Parkwood

$719,393

$749,165

$768,429

$809,286

Pt Bethesda Out Res 1

$540,000

$975,000

$533,500

$1,420,250 $1,737,000

Rosedale Park

$916,500

West Chevy Chase Heights 6

$941,780

$882,000

$853,864

$1,130,833

$987,675

$1,177,818 $1,193,000 $1,395,000

$953,600

177

102 55

61 12

Westboro

$738,813

$822,317

$1,112,699 $1,311,250 $1,070,643

Wheatley Hills

$1,340,000

$1,020,000

$1,218,333 NA

NA 12

$1,255,500

Whitehall Manor

$1,570,000

$1,074,667

$1,816,667 $1,050,500 $2,290,000

166 50

Wildwood Estates

$666,000

$658,950

$861,000

NA NA 34

Wildwood Manor

$657,222

$709,750

$907,393

$754,200

$762,000

195 193 197 165 198 $979,884

$911,864

$1,062,399 $1,048,599 $1,083,446

48 51

20814 Total

121

CHEVY CHASE 20815 Bradley Hills

$1,256,500

$1,164,125

$1,649,000 $1,525,000 $1,271,250

Brookdale

$815,000

$925,000

$968,067

120 33

$950,000

$1,164,000

Chevy Chase

$1,321,469

$1,436,383

$1,396,733 $1,304,196 $1,495,232

Chevy Chase Commons

$1,585,000

$1,530,000

$1,875,000

NA NA 14

Chevy Chase Gardens

$1,215,778

$1,500,000

$1,045,000 $1,194,167 $1,202,857

Chevy Chase Manor

$1,040,833

$1,217,400 $834,375

$1,363,272

NA 50

$1,193,083

Chevy Chase Park

$1,050,000

$1,118,333

$964,663

Chevy Chase Section 3

$1,007,500 $1,128,450 $1,394,500

$999,500

NA NA 5

Chevy Chase Section 5

$2,350,000

$1,595,000 $1,159,853 $1,275,571

NA 24

Chevy Chase Terrace

$845,000

$1,424,600

$1,417,300 $1,316,071 $1,473,761

Donnybrook Estates

$557,000

$664,875

NA NA 20

Drummond

$2,150,000

$2,650,000 NA

$2,675,000

NA 0

NA 106

$863,000

$625,500 $912,417

Dunlop Hills

$892,564

$809,125

$850,000

124 16

117

Kenwood

$2,178,350

$2,514,615

$2,427,634 $2,145,406 $1,985,000

Martinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Additions

$1,013,750

$1,335,677

$1,269,094 $1,109,264 $1,430,683

120

Meadowbrook Village

$785,000

$737,616

$675,000

$825,000

$1,288,000

124 6

North Chevy Chase

$780,000

$736,878

$863,154

$758,500

$844,070

160 57

Norwood Heights

$756,167

$1,313,750

$1,307,500 $1,607,800

$1,409,167

Park View Estates

$751,667

$695,000

$845,000

$933,750

$957,000

107 12

$915,000

74 3

Parkcrest

$748,745

$737,500

$840,000

184 57

NA 0

Pinehurst Village

$910,500

$680,000

$956,714

$1,001,400 $1,083,500

Pt Bethesda Out Res 2

$739,667

NA NA NA 46

40 35

$896,267

107

Ridgewood Village

$1,203,898

$1,025,000

$1,290,833 $1,168,400 $949,500

209 43

Rock Creek Estates

$764,500

$562,000

$630,000

NA 51

$829,000

Rock Creek Forest

$633,151

$601,496

$664,571

$811,860

$722,476

Rock Creek Knolls

$530,000

$745,000

$740,333

$638,500

$699,429

169 65

$762,500

Rolling Hills

$693,000

$629,000

Rollingwood

$1,118,214

$1,026,467

$1,084,031 $1,307,688

$775,000

NA 197 54

$1,363,722

Somerset Heights

$1,402,350

$1,308,750

$1,276,058 $2,206,364 $1,803,346

Springhill

$871,000

$665,000

$723,750

$1,026,200

Town of Chevy Chase

$969,500

$881,250

$1,231,029 $1,311,523 $1,309,771

116 24

$694,125

214 March/April 2016 | BethesdaMagazine.com

HOME_BTNexpanded.indd 214

2/10/16 3:13 PM

Deb Levy and Lisa Bennett

They say the kitchen is the hearT of the homeâ&#x20AC;Ś Trust your instincts when you find the right house. Trust us to find the perfect mortgage financing to make the house your home. Service | mortgage options | Local Bank | home Lending Team Deb Levy, Vice President/Senior mortgage Banker NMLS# 481255

| 202.292.1581 | deblevy@eaglebankcorp.com

Lisa Bennett, Loan Consultant NMLS# 482234

| 202.292.1582 | lbennett@eaglebankcorp.com

ReLocatioN SpeciaLiStS â&#x20AC;˘ We LeNd iN eveRy State

mD | DC | Va | www.debbielevy.com

Untitled-4 1

2/9/16 4:25 PM

by the numbers 2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

2015

average DoM

2014

2013

2012

2011

average Close Price

2015

2014

2013

2012

Subdivision

2011

No. of Homes Sold

Village of Chevy Chase

$1,705,833

$1,627,000

$1,099,250 $1,894,619 $1,779,132

228 76

West Chevy Chase

$1,086,714

$943,083

$1,942,500 $1,809,000 $1,260,073

$1,228,546 $1,288,414 $1,285,593

61 64

20815 Total

227 229 253 258 255 $1,161,880 $1,243,502

BETHESDA 20816 Brookdale

$1,095,000

$915,667

$815,000

$896,250

$1,143,750

Brookmont

$1,401,715

$1,056,544

$982,463

$1,133,333 $1,236,250

143 100 108

Crestview

$729,000

$685,738

$733,083

$843,900

$753,333

Fairway Hills

$721,643

$692,000

$742,900

$759,335

$1,195,722

Fort Sumner

$862,500

$990,000

$1,156,667 $1,215,833 $966,750

Glen Cove

$535,000

$855,000

NA 23

$1,094,000 $730,000

50 0

Glen Echo Heights

$1,130,741

$1,029,496

$1,164,902 $1,239,910 $1,242,417

Glen Mar Park

$899,651

$754,250

$919,095

$1,123,364 $1,250,667

Greenacres

$950,375

$769,091

$763,800

$655,500

$894,833

High Point

$974,800

$917,500

$761,667

$923,500

$887,333

Mass. Ave. Hills

$996,272

$1,041,675

$892,500

$890,786

$1,169,667

Pt Bethesda Out Res 2

$1,087,500

$1,095,000

$1,468,355 $1,051,750 $1,454,500

100 342 132 27

Springfield

$964,333

$945,077

$958,000

$969,600

$989,500

Sumner

$1,050,033

$1,031,689

$1,094,063 $1,138,588 $1,064,045

Sumner Park

$1,675,000 $1,426,500 $1,531,667

NA NA 4

24 21

Tulip Hill

$1,392,500

$1,432,300

$1,262,750 NA

$1,576,000

140 186 6

NA 95

Westgate

$849,000

$886,250

$791,667

$947,333

$974,050

Westhaven

$709,000

$775,000

$1,031,667 $947,500

NA 119 43

Westmoreland Hills

$1,196,272

$1,191,750

$1,262,780 $1,309,118 $1,263,522

Westwood

$926,000

$986,250

$1,070,667 $1,093,875 $1,027,833

$1,022,173

$777,333

NA 18

Woodacres

$875,954

$849,857

$865,788

Yorktown Village

$918,250

$1,011,700 $915,554

20816 Total

155 165 202 172 164 $1,021,094 $957,463

$961,180

$1,030,859 $1,092,490 $1,133,544

50 56

BETHESDA 20817 Al Marah

$1,060,000

$1,081,250

$1,004,143 $1,170,840 $1,050,000

198 175 42

382

Alta Vista

$655,000

$802,577

$956,250

$794,667

$833,889

$982,813

109 31

Alta Vista Terrace

$966,107

$856,500

$984,350

Arrowood

$1,300,000

$1,252,500 $1,055,000 $1,162,625

NA 14 20

NA 204 39

145

Ashburton

$617,727

$654,550

$662,093

$690,250

$690,454

Ashleigh

$1,013,733

$926,793

$1,233,000

107 NA 143 NA 38

Avenel

$1,329,988

$1,293,000

$1,291,417 $1,566,727 $1,486,581

128 189 65

147

Ayrlawn

$854,333

$998,564

$918,270

$1,046,071 $1,111,965

Bannockburn

$828,591

$1,095,727

$1,141,842 $971,277

Bannockburn Estates

$1,109,714

$1,233,333

$1,043,333 $1,301,250 $1,231,000

Bannockburn Heights

$2,100,000

$1,129,333

$1,378,583 $901,000

Bradley Hills

$1,021,980

$864,500

$936,889

Bradley Hills Grove

$2,317,667

$1,666,420

$2,141,728 $2,637,697

$973,146

91 315

$2,146,333

$1,511,333 $1,560,417

178 36

$1,893,318

199 29 25

202 85

161

Bradley Manor

$1,030,000

$1,177,000

$797,500

$1,121,733 $1,063,333

126

Bradley Park

$1,020,800

$836,250

$1,094,563 $1,305,800

NA 83

101

Bradley Woods

$665,000

$1,328,333

$1,185,750 $1,770,000 $1,734,423

156

Bradmoor

$873,767

$829,654

$1,054,015 $970,583

107 36

$987,385

216 March/April 2016 | BethesdaMagazine.com

HOME_BTNexpanded.indd 216

2/10/16 3:13 PM

BETHESDA $2,649,000

BETHESDA $1,895,000

JAN M. EVANS +1 301 873 3596

LINDSAY LUCAS +1 301 467 4090

Spectacular renovated Avenel home on 2+ acres with 8,000+ sq ft, 5 BR, 4.5 BA plus finished guest/pool house. Main home features separate living, dining and family rooms with hardwood throughout, plus a handsome library with marble fireplace. Finished walk-out lower level with home theatre, exercise room, wet bar, stone hearth and fireplace. Gorgeous stone patio and pool.

CHEVY CHASE $1,924,000

Timeless, sun-drenched center hall colonial on one of the prettiest streets in the Village. Beautifully integrated updates including a stunning modern addition, detached 2-car garage and magical studio.

Fabulous new home by Castlewood Custom Builders. Nearly 7,000 sq ft on 4 finished levels. 7 BR, 5.5 BA, chef’s kitchen opens to coffered ceiling family room and oversized stone patio. First floor study, mudroom with built ins. Spectacular master suite with 2 walk in closets. Fourth floor loft and finished basement. All within walking distance to schools and parks.

BETHESDA $2,950,000

BARBARA NALLS +1 240 602 9035

6 BR, 5.5 BA home with hardwood and marble floors, luxurious formal rooms, paneled library, gourmet kitchen with island and stainless steel appliances, 2 wine coolers, and 4 fireplaces. Complete with finished basement, pool, and 3-car garage.

BERKLEY, DC $1,760,000

BETHESDA $1,650,000

KIRSTEN WILLIAMS +1 202 657 2022 FRANK SNODGRASS +1 202 257 0978

TOM RILEY +1 301 351 3897

Contemporary home with over 5,700 sq ft of finished space and stunning views of the Reservoir. 5 bedrooms, 5.5 baths, a spacious kitchen, multiple decks all offering spectacular views, 3 wood-burning fireplaces, an elevator, and a top-floor master suite.

DAVE DESANTIS +1 202 438 1542

Rare new home opportunity in close-in Bethesda designed by Hayden Design & Build. Classic 6 BR, 4.5 BA colonial home with incredible detail throughout. High walk score with convenient access to Walter Reed Military Hospital, NIH, and Metro.

BETHESDA $1,798,800

GEORGETOWN, DC $3,200,000

ANNE MARIE DRECHSLER +1 301 980 6687

MICHAEL RANKIN +1 202 271 3344

Beautiful colonial on quiet, park-like setting on deadend street. Minutes to commuter routes, shops, and restaurants. Custom solid wood cabinetry and granite tops in baths and kitchen. Toto toilets in all baths. Spectacular master suite. Includes adjacent lot.

ttrsir.com

Untitled-9 1

Volta place is a historic landmark in the heart of Georgetown that features an elevator, high ceilings, hardwood floors, and elegant moldings throughout. There is an attached guesthouse with a bedroom and full bath. Garage parking.

PHILLIPS PARK, DC $4,100,000

Built in 2015, this Greek Revival is an original Phillips Park home designed by Jones & Boer Architects. Encompassing more than 6,500 square feet, this home offers six bedrooms, a chef’s kitchen with La Cornue range, and generously proportioned public rooms with high ceilings.

MICHAEL RANKIN +1 202 271 3344

SILVER SPRING $619,900

Beautifully expanded 4 BR, 2 BA Cape Cod in the center of Woodmoor. Updated kitchen, stainless steel appliances, rec room and family room. Close to 3 schools and recreational amenities.

TOM RILEY +1 301 351 3897

CHEVY CHASE $649,000

Exceptional opportunity for real equity. Well-loved original owner home in beautiful Rock Creek Forest. Largest original model with 2-story brick addition ready for your vision and finishing touches.

BARBARA NALLS +1 240 602 9035

SILVER SPRING Price Upon Request

A must-see signature craftsman-shaker restoration by the Design Build Group. Beautifully detailed inside and out, this move-in ready home backs up to Pine Crest Park in the sought-after Woodmoor community.

TOM RILEY +1 301 351 3897

©MMXVI TTR Sotheby’s International Realty, licensed real estate broker. Sotheby’s International Realty and the Sotheby’s International Realty logo are registered service marks used with permission. Each Ofﬁce Is Independently Owned And Operated. Equal housing opportunity. All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Price and availability subject to change. Date Source: MRIS (Sales, 12/1/12+, Legal Subdivision: Georgetown)

2/10/16 1:23 PM

by the numbers 2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

2015

Average DOM

2014

2013

2012

2011

Average Close Price

2015

2014

2013

2012

Subdivision

2011

No. of Homes Sold

Burning Tree

$2,010,000

$1,595,000

$1,977,000 $1,912,500 $2,775,000

190 320 162 167 162

Burning Tree Estates

$817,800

$882,667

$979,020

$1,146,143 $881,167

$858,000

Burning Tree Manor

$772,500

$720,000

$797,500

Burning Tree Valley

$1,504,286

$1,056,410

$1,925,000 $1,289,513 $1,232,143

Carderock Springs

$788,880

$809,370

$839,011

Charred Oak Estates

$891,265

$828,459

$1,074,975 $935,800

$852,095

Cohasset

$767,917

$756,750

$900,864

Cong. Country Club

$904,250

$876,500

$1,001,643 $927,833

$1,129,967

135 71

153

$925,804

$1,043,363

106 66

$1,029,250 $873,989 $943,750

Cong. Forest Estates

$1,535,000

$753,500

Country Club Village

$720,000

$1,155,000

$1,043,125 $1,587,750

$842,500

$1,403,750 $1,083,750 $847,625

123

238 NA 126 88

100

112 99

Courts of Wyngate

$840,000

$763,900

$822,333

$841,333

Devonshire

$704,833

$647,000

$1,036,333 $1,314,950 $693,750

Edgewood

$783,500

$831,250

$1,212,500 $837,000

$1,007,500

English Village

$1,176,950

$1,062,063

$1,294,143 $1,276,786 $1,697,375

114 66

Fernwood

$628,750

$726,395

$743,569

$714,650

$709,926

Flint Hill

$1,012,500

$2,150,000

$2,250,000

140 0

NA NA 57

Foggys Pasture

$759,000

$923,500

$1,100,000 $1,160,000 $1,492,500

176

Georgetown Village

$448,189

$562,929

$594,450

$603,071

$763,329

Green Tree Manor

$709,238

$710,440

$757,980

$769,917

$816,319

Greenwich Forest

$730,833

$1,124,080

$937,700

$1,084,569 $2,038,000

Hendry Estates

$812,120

$864,800

$924,292

$652,415

$895,625

Hillmead

$842,500

$1,030,400

$925,500

Huntington Terrace

$1,028,615

$1,005,294

$1,088,111 $928,758

$852,286 $882,750

$1,291,923

Kafauver Tract

$910,000

$1,819,500

$1,451,000 $2,662,500 $1,760,000

487 467 128 66

Kenwood Park

$925,778

$1,048,875

$1,108,846 $1,286,061 $1,338,783

Landon Woods

$1,012,714

$1,389,615

$1,189,286 $1,495,885 $1,506,000

108 21

Locust Ridge

NA NA NA 49

$1,347,500

$1,332,667

Longwood

$885,000

$1,567,100

$1,126,333 $1,025,000 $1,600,000

952 98

Lybrook

$863,750

$1,583,333

$1,830,000 $1,404,363 $1,783,300

185 161 48

122 6

300 277

Mary Knolls

$830,625

$784,500

$1,300,500 $973,125

Marymount

$471,667

$584,984

$942,500

NA 32

NA 116 5

Mass. Ave. Forest

$892,500

$1,010,000

$1,255,000 $951,500

$790,000

135 35

Merrimack Park

$792,917

$797,357

$1,155,000 $752,250

$1,135,000

19 57

NA 74

Oakmont

$746,250

$589,500

$837,500

$1,013,333 $1,299,000

122

Oakwood Knolls

$1,004,667

$874,222

$1,149,406 $1,233,842 $1,163,414

Pineview

$2,013,333

$1,544,975

$1,737,500 $1,735,622 $1,410,000

Potomac Outside

$962,000

$1,147,700

$1,183,221 $1,476,167 $1,356,045

212 153 64

Pt Bethesda Out Res 1

$1,262,500

$704,000

$1,277,622 $1,543,412 $1,018,238

144 83

149 92

117 3 112

Smithfield

$1,137,667

$1,246,250

$1,075,000 $1,195,000 $1,199,000

127 105 6

Sonoma

$1,048,638

$822,967

$955,400

$971,588

$763,780

$1,044,750

Stratton Woods

$671,000

$657,000

$673,167

$669,250

The Palisades

$1,298,889

$1,155,000

$1,726,333 $1,357,500

$1,262,240

107 64

$875,000

Wildwood Hills

$595,000

$804,333

Wilson Knolls

$904,125

$745,450

$845,400

$2,042,500 $790,000

18 9

NA 55

NA 30

Woodburn

$1,023,723

$1,382,000

$793,000

$687,667

$814,667

140 23

Woodhaven

$962,667

$1,126,667

$881,200

$1,057,417

$1,164,444

218 March/April 2016 | BethesdaMagazine.com

HOME_BTNexpanded.indd 218

2/10/16 3:13 PM

Untitled-1 1

2/12/16 10:50 AM

by the numbers

$875,342

$882,358

2015

$1,041,063 $1,108,354 $1,123,807

2014

$926,429

$961,648

2013

$834,617

2012

$709,772

356 408 460 391 453 $967,630

2011

2015

average DoM

2014

2013

2015

2012

2014

2011

2013

Wyngate 20817 Total

2012

Subdivision

average Close Price

2011

No. of Homes Sold

71 61

CABIN JOHN 20818 Cabin John Gardens Coop

$571,000

NA NA NA 14

Cabin John Park

$916,156

$1,305,357

$1,068,369 $1,077,896

$1,045,738

148 62

Pt Bethesda Out Res 2

$750,000

$1,500,000

$540,000

$961,500

$540,000

$878,178

$1,241,543

$899,477

$954,224

$1,005,710

48 110 65

20818 Total

$585,843

307 9 38

95 59

ROCKVILLE 20850 Bealls Sub

$407,000

$497,500

NA NA NA 10

Burgundy Hills

$326,500

$296,520

$290,000

$356,750

NA 2

Burgundy Knolls

$270,124

$301,667

$343,238

$352,417

$374,375

131 56

College Gardens

$555,400

$578,402

$611,467

$563,550

$613,800

Croyden Park

$281,200

$359,400

$310,500

$441,500

$413,455

Darnestown Outside

$632,000

$585,000

$435,000

$535,000

159 298 NA 7

67 56

Englands 2nd Add To Rckv 0

$350,000

$399,167

NA NA NA 62

116

Fallsgrove

$933,375

$942,893

$992,278

$987,909

$1,015,250

105 55

Fallsmead

$790,000

$713,000

$750,000

$776,333

$730,000

Glen Hills

$761,030

$895,000

$954,000

$862,000

$1,049,900

100 93

Glen Park

$597,000

$634,167

$658,333

$736,250

$709,980

106 106 34

Harriett Park

$252,800

$211,750

$339,667

$303,994

$435,667

Hunting Hills Woods

$836,333

$780,625

$762,500

$768,000

NA 25

King Farm

$776,600

$745,700

$551,882

$571,430

$673,600

127 58

190 67

King Farm Watkins Pond

$785,100

$817,500

$830,211

$840,000

$827,688

Lakewood Estates

$975,000

$1,022,250

$949,667

$1,011,333 $936,000

103 156

Lakewood Glen

$973,333

$790,000

$905,500

$895,000

NA 14

Lincoln Park

$234,375

$299,250

$266,484

$233,833

$285,125

110 99

Maryvale

$200,818

$227,571

$254,337

$262,364

$298,289

New Mark Commons

$532,500

$598,625

$625,721

$594,500

$601,445

110 24

Piney Glen Village

$1,116,667 NA

$1,247,000

NA NA 39

Potomac Highlands

$1,250,000

$835,000

$781,974

$790,000

Potomac Oaks

$872,500

$856,333

$870,625

$924,375

$836,750

101 58

NA 24

NA 31 36

139 29

Pt Rockville Twn Res 1

$576,380

$590,896

$656,389

$581,041

$615,300

108 49

Pt Rockville Twn Res 3

$3,300,000

$723,200

$506,588

197 NA NA 20

Rockdale

$277,500

$338,500

$372,000

NA 13

NA 5

Rockshire

$629,335

$618,444

$637,945

$665,915

$646,786

Rockville Estates

$540,000

$562,968

$618,450

$609,188

$624,590

Rockville Park

$332,375

$400,250

$374,500

$427,990

$403,000

Rose Hill

$896,500

$905,000

$935,083

$904,625

$860,000

110 63

$471,333

$504,188

184 108 71

Roxboro

$430,580

$382,500

$624,167

Travilah Grove

$1,050,000

$1,203,000 $1,210,000 $1,250,000

105 NA 2

Watts Branch Meadows

$649,000

$550,000

$757,667

$541,642

$571,090

5 183 63 53

NA NA 19

West End Park

$553,831

$548,800

$563,567

101 91

Willows of Potomac

$1,007,600

$1,010,400

$1,143,125 $1,053,808 $1,094,727

$548,333

$551,667

$600,550

$599,113

$603,750

181 186 212 218 224 $659,560

$624,511

$639,062

$656,678

$635,725

68 54

Woodley Gardens 20850 Total

220 March/April 2016 | BethesdaMagazine.com

HOME_BTNexpanded.indd 220

2/10/16 3:14 PM

SNOW over it? Did this last storm push you over the edge? Frustrated waiting for a plow & sick of your aching back?

Dreaming of turnkey living and an easier lifestyle without the shovel & the snowblower? If you are ready to come & go as you please, without digging out, hunkering down or climbing stairs, Cindy Souza can help you! With decades of combined experience & numerous distinguished sales awards, plus a thorough knowledge of the DC & MoCo condo market, The Souza Group of Long & Foster Real Estate can find just what your looking for! Call 301-493-9878 today.

The Souza Group of Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc

Untitled-5 1

2/5/16 2:45 PM

by the numbers 2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

2015

average DoM

2014

2013

2012

2011

average Close Price

2015

2014

2013

2012

Subdivision

2011

No. of Homes Sold

NORTH BETHESDA/ROCKVILLE 20852 Bethesda Park

$132,000

$170,948

NA NA NA 32

Franklin Park

$327,257

$360,533

$364,040

$393,267

$380,100

Heritage Walk

$909,485

$986,766

$1,155,750 $769,500 $466,978

$459,846

NA 25

114 33

112 0

Hungerford

$415,471

$461,415

$442,455

Luxmanor

$1,277,108

$944,938

$1,122,000 $1,151,077 $1,087,079

Montrose

$580,000

$554,400

$600,000

$594,000

$619,750

Montrose Park

$400,000

$405,000

$434,580

$388,380

NA 7

Montrose Woods

$701,000

$688,429

$729,222

$755,571

$688,750

$804,333

$852,667

North Farm

$776,000

$749,750

$837,800

Oaks at North Bethesda

$1,220,000

$1,575,000 $1,424,000 $1,439,690

NA 72

Old Farm

$709,606

$735,753

$786,953

$767,697

$810,544

Old Georgetown Estates

$1,238,750

$872,500

$735,000

$875,000

$1,226,000

147 33

133

Randolph Farms

$298,000

$345,667

$373,000

$379,350

$382,500

162 21

Randolph Hills

$308,744

$343,544

$363,473

$374,553

$373,183

$720,222

$718,263

Tilden Woods

$651,929

$662,454

$714,118

Timberlawn

$844,000

$1,102,500

$1,004,500 $1,038,750 $1,225,000

Windermere

$920,000

$956,250

$1,005,600 $1,150,000 $963,600

122 153 162 154 146 $599,266

$609,829

$636,577

47 44

20852 Total

$614,844

$653,400

POTOMAC 20854 Avenel

$1,309,390

$1,341,523

$1,665,452 $1,402,316 $1,672,015

163 108 93

128

Beallmount

$975,000

$1,200,000

$1,095,000 $1,149,500 $1,212,500

185 107 149 26

180

Beallmount Grove

$1,757,000

$1,080,000 $1,378,000 $1,580,000

574 NA 59

120 25

Bedfordshire

$796,813

$777,164

$813,000

Bells Mill Estates

$1,123,333

$1,189,100 $1,244,167 $1,225,083

NA 5

$942,242

$903,900

Bells Mill Village

$743,000

$881,000

$750,387

$822,500

Blenheim

$1,350,000

$1,000,000

$1,375,000 $1,191,000

$753,297

Bradley Farms

$3,100,000

$2,042,500

$4,050,000 $1,650,000 $2,062,500

137 51

349 36

NA 72

330 147 723 248 515

Camotop

$1,850,000

$2,293,750

$2,100,000 $2,900,000 $1,540,000

488 399 243 301 229

Clagett Farm

$1,200,000

$1,216,000

$1,325,500 $1,325,400 $1,252,600

Copenhaver

$875,254

$816,346

$861,875

$804,436

$846,667

Darnestown Outside

$1,297,800

$665,583

$1,127,187 $1,424,559 $1,021,667

219 167 93

232

East Gate of Potomac

$835,081

$898,250

$924,333

$994,833

$844,864

Falconhurst

$3,007,143

$2,151,000

$2,737,500 $2,660,000 $1,845,000

Falls Bend

$736,000

$825,000

$802,500

210 216 250 492 281 NA 13

NA 6

Falls Farm

$904,777

$972,500

$934,167

$940,000

$1,069,000

127 21

Falls Orchard

$675,000

$645,000

$722,333

$657,500

Fallsberry

$915,000

$1,007,500 $1,112,500 $681,000

NA 7

Fallsmead

$725,750

$719,986

$726,250

$815,125

$788,875

Fallsreach

$853,750

$911,684

$924,583

$873,025

$832,886

141 96

Fallswood

$702,500

$672,500

$653,500

$680,000

NA 85

Fawcett Farms

$1,187,667

$1,176,000

$1,004,168 $2,484,000 $951,225

Fawsett Farms Manor

$1,090,000

$1,146,000

$1,215,333 NA

116 145 93

$1,130,200

NA 114

Fox Hills

$791,448

$816,779

$819,774

$799,725

$804,329

Fox Hills West

$760,143

$829,667

$791,529

$792,600

$825,000

Glen Mill Knolls

$1,100,000

$860,000

$1,187,250 $1,378,100 $1,280,000

148 63

106 112 160

222 March/April 2016 | BethesdaMagazine.com

HOME_BTNexpanded.indd 222

2/10/16 3:16 PM

Untitled-4 1

2/9/16 4:25 PM

by the numbers 2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

2015

Average DOM

2014

2013

2012

2011

Average Close Price

2015

2014

2013

2012

Subdivision

2011

No. of Homes Sold

Glen Mill Village

$1,188,500

$955,000

$1,078,750 $1,150,000

158 NA 21

417

Glen Oaks

$898,667

$879,429

$978,000

$927,571

$698,755

Glen Park

$630,750

$570,000

$700,000

Great Falls Estates

$1,872,500

$1,393,333

$2,736,250 $2,387,000

$872,286

$721,250

168 166 43

$1,317,000

50 162

Greenbriar Preserve

$1,643,333

$1,675,000

$1,610,333 $1,425,000 $1,400,000

Heritage Farm

$1,103,500

$980,000

$1,125,833

NA 15

117 55

$968,333

Highland Stone

$646,429

$663,577

$704,400

$696,969

$672,470

Hollinridge

$872,725

$710,000

$869,500

NA NA 88

Horizon Hill

$665,119

$671,727

$679,454

$693,573

$704,818

Inverness Forest

$740,667

$749,310

$840,214

$820,188

$897,333

108 35

Kentsdale Estates

$1,566,250

$1,200,000

$1,884,575 $1,610,625 $1,119,333

134 51

116 248 19

Lake Normandy Estates

$837,627

$775,667

$958,972

Lake Potomac

$1,365,833

$1,220,000

$1,200,000 $1,618,000 $1,323,400

155 85

121 139 127 262 19

$860,057

$840,500

Marwood

$1,900,000

$2,133,000

$1,760,000 $2,060,000 $1,897,500

Mass. Ave. Highlands

$1,116,667 $1,102,450 $1,137,500

NA NA 8

Mazza Woods

$1,600,000

$2,021,000 $1,550,000 $1,219,667

NA 77

517 285 68 29

McAuley Park

$1,475,000

$1,283,333

$1,394,364 $1,292,753 $1,215,625

$1,792,500

$1,857,500

$1,550,000 $1,776,667 $1,977,000

266 269 51

100 357

Montgomery Square

$642,167

$633,250

$632,436

$650,000

Merry Go Round Farm

$637,355

53 29

Normandy Hills

$1,064,667

$1,090,000 NA

$1,000,000

NA 130 36

NA 12

Oldfield

$647,500

$779,875

$872,828

$857,333

$784,667

128 26

Orchard Ridge

$724,850

$731,125

$740,000

$794,755

$777,143

Palatine

$2,159,199

$1,900,000

$2,030,578 $1,680,000 $1,265,000

166 154 27

Palatine Sub

$1,800,000 $1,460,667

NA NA NA 184 85

Pine Knolls

$1,141,875

$958,400

$954,875

$1,026,063 $977,143

Piney Glen Farms

$1,220,000

$990,000

$1,448,750 $1,570,333 $1,392,500

108 64

358 159

171 56

289 336 89

Piney Glen Village

$1,020,073

$957,953

$1,079,697 $1,040,311 $1,086,625

115 34

Potomac

$1,650,000

$1,721,250 $811,667

$1,060,833

NA 383 67

$813,682

189 26

Potomac Commons

$736,125

$753,200

$796,608

Potomac Crest

$1,142,333

$1,020,000

$1,286,000 $1,136,667 $1,100,000

$799,243

150 158

Potomac Falls

$1,845,000

$2,271,000

$2,103,056 $2,099,000 $3,017,500

167 149 83

157 103

Potomac Glen

$1,250,000

$1,220,000 $1,071,667 $960,000

103 NA 21

101 55

Potomac Manor

$1,955,000

$1,945,600

$1,373,333 $1,666,250 $1,890,000

Potomac Outside

$1,386,641

$1,171,178

$1,419,962 $1,439,870 $1,307,652

114 103 101 110 107

Potomac Ranch

$1,200,000

$2,190,000

$1,555,000 $1,143,500 $1,075,000

123 127 133 72

350 178 41 101

Potomac View Estates

$1,391,667

$1,308,333

$1,424,667 $1,780,833 $1,354,397

202 70

Potomac Village

$1,114,000

$1,092,364

$1,066,143 $1,265,400 $1,125,438

Potomac Woods

$608,238

$690,500

$648,750

$675,090

127

NA 50

$631,075

Potomac Woods East

$697,500

$780,000

$733,500

$692,500

$713,983

Red Coat Woods

$775,000

$857,500

$825,000

$850,000

107 24

Regency Estates

$599,824

$600,474

$644,007

$652,507

$672,937

Regent Park

$627,500

$672,854

$743,286

$631,250

$635,028

25 62

River Falls

$1,179,333

$1,120,588

$1,191,286 $1,162,976 $1,232,367

River Oaks Farm

$1,333,333

$1,518,000

$1,280,000 NA

248 91

NA 37

$1,665,000

Rivers Edge

$1,200,000

$1,055,000

$1,190,215 $1,734,167 $998,000

Roberts Glen

$870,000

$749,500

$605,000

149 78

Saddle Ridge

$1,126,000

$1,416,500

$1,151,750 $1,550,000 $1,675,000

$776,875

$742,150

133 164 41

224 March/April 2016 | BethesdaMagazine.com

HOME_BTNexpanded.indd 224

2/10/16 3:16 PM

SERV ING THE BETHESDA COMMUNIT Y FOR OV ER 35 Y E ARS

Timeless designs built to last.

V I S I T OU R S HOW RO OM I N G A I T H E R S BU RG , M D

Untitled-2 1

~ CountryCasualTeak.com

2/3/16 4:14 PM

by the numbers

$527,667

$601,667

$650,000

$1,495,000

$1,675,000

$1,732,500 $2,133,750 $1,545,000 $715,000

$628,933

Timberwood of Potomac

$652,500

$790,000

Travilah Meadows

$830,000

$1,450,000 $1,016,667 $1,028,500

$750,000

157 22

2015

42 39

2014

2013

2011

Saddlebrook Stoney Creek Farm

2012

2015

average DoM

2014

2013

2012

2011

average Close Price

2015

2014

2013

2012

Subdivision

2011

No. of Homes Sold

NA 113 116 40

NA 7

124 147

NA 13

181 37

Willerburn Acres

$856,833

$768,000

$1,035,384 $949,000

$766,571

109 109 8

Williamsburg Gardens

$850,000

$1,044,000

$993,700

$1,442,750

227 310 46

231

$845,000

Willowbrook

$703,333

$723,333

$825,750

$806,600

$675,000

176

Windsor Hills

$851,667

$934,650

$961,667

$921,800

$950,440

Winterset

$1,400,000

$1,043,000

$1,224,333 $980,000

$1,023,333

394 418 500 468 479 $1,067,313

$1,016,328

$1,142,067 $1,093,763 $1,057,961

96 85

101 101 80

20854 Total

NORTH POTOMAC/GAITHERSBURG 20878 Ancient Oak

$618,163

$570,912

$557,762

Belvedere

$1,151,500

$1,180,833

$1,465,000 NA

$595,722

$644,000

$1,257,500

213 66

134 NA 114

Big Pines Village

$820,000

$868,000

$1,050,667 $980,000

$935,000

Bondbrook

$562,500

$816,000

$612,500

$445,000

$690,333

164 62

177 27

NA 63

Brownstown Estates

$469,000

$400,500

$492,500

NA 14

Crown Pointe

$899,230

$910,579

$971,000

NA 325 476 NA 54

2015

Winner Readersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Pick, Best Nursery/Garden Center

lifestyle boutique Beltway 7405 River Road Bethesda, MD 20817 301.469.7690 Bethesda-Chevy Chase 5258 River Road Bethesda, MD 20816 301.656.3311 Landscape Design|Build 7405 River Road Bethesda, MD 20817 301.762.6301 americanplant.net

226 March/April 2016 | BethesdaMagazine.com

HOME_BTNexpanded.indd 226

2/10/16 3:17 PM

$598,333

$797,500

$717,250

$725,000

$651,625

190 49

$821,278

$630,750

$708,233

$795,278

$905,465

127 150 88

2015

Darnestown Hills Darnestown Outside

2014

2013

2012

2011

2015

Average DOM

2014

2013

2012

2011

Average Close Price

2015

2014

2013

2012

Subdivision

2011

No. of Homes Sold

120

190 152

Diamond Courts

$428,000

$465,867

$421,389

$430,010

NA 65

103 107 46

Dufief

$581,033

$517,773

$622,578

$616,200

$577,760

Dufief Mill

$683,000

$682,769

$712,750

$728,824

$705,100

Dufief Mill Brook

$735,000

$705,000

$737,725

$765,000

NA 42

$672,150

$731,231

$1,009,950

NA 88

NA 188

Dufief Mill Estates

$657,500

$698,333

$677,700

Farmlands

$982,667

$1,047,600 NA

Fernshire Farms

$482,400

$507,300

$495,643

$507,000

$430,000

Gaithersburg Outside

$457,500

$295,000

$428,750

649 NA NA 7

Gaithersburg Town

$525,000

$471,250

$445,000

$513,000

NA 12

Haddonfield

$838,700

$850,000

$902,500

$844,750

$905,000

16 26 91

232 100 22

111

Highlands Of Darnestown 6

$729,167

$632,100

$644,583

$696,667

$712,190

121 150

Kentlands

$741,408

$729,164

$718,077

$857,592

$771,140

Kentlands Gatehouse

$877,000

$722,900

$858,750

$819,222

$982,000

Kentlands Hill District

$726,750

$735,550

$750,250

$746,429

$756,550

Kentlands Upper

$908,000

$750,000

$944,000

$911,667

$825,000

120 1

Lakelands

$770,450

$733,248

$755,029

$852,625

$780,940

Selling

the

AreAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S FineSt ProPertieS

everS & Co. iS PleASed to

WelCome

high Style

Bethesda/Greenwich Forest. An exciting light-filled home built by PKK Builders with four fabulously finished levels and a dramatic floor plan with gourmet kitchen, MBR suite with sitting room, huge yard and sweeping views. $1,899,000 Eric Murtagh- 301-652-8971 Karen Kuchins- 301-275-2255

viSit uS BetheSdA/Chevy ChASe 7032 WiSConSin Avenue Chevy ChASe, md 20815 301.656.1800

KAtherine hoFFmAn 301.526.3565 KhoFFmAn@everSCo.Com

grAnd trAditionS

Town of Chevy Chase. Impressive 1920s manor w/ dramatic spaces has been renovated from top to bottom. Formal LR & DR, 5 BR, 6.5 BA, dazzling Kit, 3-car garage, and inviting deck. $2,499,000 Eric Murtagh 301.652.8971 Karen Kuchins 301.275.2255

FriendShiP heightS 4400 JeniFer St nW WAShington, dC 20015 202.364.1700 WWW.everSCo.Com

BethesdaMagazine.com | March/April 2016 227

HOME_BTNexpanded.indd 227

2/10/16 5:14 PM

by the numbers 2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

2015

average DoM

2014

2013

2012

2011

average Close Price

2015

2014

2013

2012

Subdivision

2011

No. of Homes Sold

Lakelands Great Seneca

$584,750

$565,000

$609,950

$625,000

$596,875

Mills Farm

$496,800

$567,600

$547,706

$572,290

$536,082

103

NA 9

Mission Hills

$611,000

$626,975

$585,000

$655,000

Mountain View Estates

$580,000

$575,355

$651,478

$850,000

$565,000

212 101 87

Natalie Estates

$790,000

$807,500

$1,008,000 $937,000

NA 60

Orchard Hills

$591,475

$562,667

$581,801

$590,000

$621,500

165 40

45 85

42 8

Owens Glen

$650,000

$606,667

$739,500

$692,000

$775,000

170 179 3

Parklands

$525,472

$633,333

$560,000

NA NA 26

100 83

Parkridge Estates

$605,000

$590,467

$620,500

NA 8

174 NA 84

Pheasant Run

$439,880

$451,700

$510,167

$491,556

$505,811

Potomac Chase

$650,900

$627,235

$683,885

$646,653

$635,609

Potomac Grove

$766,625

$733,900

$712,250

$739,333

$736,127

104 72

Potomac Ridge

$520,893

$522,875

$614,500

$615,250

$600,771

Quail Run

$860,833

$739,500

$685,760

$837,500

$753,833

Quince Haven

$668,000

$606,500

$673,120

$694,500

$687,488

Quince Orchard Estates

$580,167

$552,500

$635,000

$586,000

$629,500

Quince Orchard Knolls

$592,449

$564,895

$561,633

$589,529

$550,120

105 43

Quince Orchard Manor

$438,545

$443,857

$454,155

$478,900

$459,765

123 42

Quince Orchard Park

$513,388

$568,650

$569,550

$547,714

$599,250

Quince Orchard Valley

$499,400

$480,982

$453,463

$447,514

$454,794

$365,000

Relda Square

$400,000

$324,775

$328,950

NA 16

Roberts Landing

$1,100,000

$1,087,500

$1,390,000 $1,270,000

202 NA 6

Rollinmead

$800,000

$897,000

$977,500

$974,800

NA 284 199 58

115

Stonebridge

$702,650

$747,750

$826,184

$801,864

$788,914

Washingtonian Village

$447,500

$480,000

$533,333

$535,000

$482,688

128 93

Washingtonian Woods

$679,483

$692,330

$644,925

$671,127

$677,287

Watkins Mill Town Center 0

$471,466

$648,655

$620,000

NA NA 54

118 95 232

West Riding

$443,000

$428,530

$474,000

$453,300

$450,000

129 50

Westleigh

$572,067

$629,703

$645,824

$658,667

$633,164

Willow Ridge

$723,625

$620,000

$784,738

$727,500

$814,619

Woodlands

$955,984

$860,000

$900,000

$841,000

142 NA 4

296 318 379 326 381 $649,616

$643,965

$681,540

$683,623

$666,193

70 82

20878 Total

4 61

KENSINGTON 20895 Byeforde

$636,125

$697,500

$773,600

$696,576

$726,250

Chevy Chase View

$788,667

$834,471

$882,583

$966,441

$940,478

124 73

157 23 53

114

Garrett Park Estates

$510,883

$525,073

$569,492

$582,231

$619,411

Homewood

$427,682

$408,188

$444,809

$499,177

$449,533

Ken Gar

$290,000

$301,000

$371,143

$414,500

135 NA 80

Kensington

$649,825

$726,875

$757,670

$649,745

$685,035

110 59

Kensington Estates

$737,300

$726,182

$709,154

$764,909

$705,500

Kensington Heights

$418,647

$461,615

$469,377

$479,582

$499,877

141 67

Kensington Knolls

$435,730

$330,367

$409,083

$580,000

$451,667

Kensington Terrace

$476,500

$564,167

$461,000

$493,000

$479,900

Kensington View

$362,250

$607,500

$355,000

$503,365

$442,940

218 60

Larchmont Knolls

$725,000

$860,000

$750,000

$780,000

$859,950

Newport Hills

$406,071

$372,478

$402,375

$409,506

$423,000

156 35

228 March/April 2016 | BethesdaMagazine.com

HOME_BTNexpanded.indd 228

2/10/16 3:17 PM

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

2015

average DoM

2014

2013

2012

2011

average Close Price

2015

2014

2013

Subdivision

2012

2011

No. of Homes Sold

North Kensington

$350,096

$367,000

$385,400

$395,445

$504,279

123 202 28

Oakland Terrace

$460,250

$368,500

$330,333

$415,181

$389,150

Parkwood

$631,670

$685,068

$680,647

$759,754

$780,592

Rock Creek Highlands

$733,000

$839,775

$827,857

$765,408

$754,063

Rock Creek Hills

$736,069

$832,086

$846,991

$875,100

$843,604

Rock Creek Palisades

$364,570

$396,397

$439,282

$450,694

$446,977

116 49

White Flint Park

20895 Total

$572,750

$510,500

$641,867

$573,722

$604,313

207 218 235 243 286 $537,844

$581,912

$591,315

$621,175

$610,582

76 66

$710,950

$607,067

$924,031

$803,464

$810,071

$710,950

$607,067

$924,031

$803,464

$810,071

59 22

$414,625

$372,083

$403,125

$424,875

$415,167

GARRETT PARK 20896 Garrett Park 20896 Total

SILVER SPRING 20902 Arcola

Blueridge Manor

$353,000

$390,000

$301,000

$413,633

NA 162 2

Cameron Heights

$315,500

$311,771

$294,857

$373,567

$379,127

Carroll Knolls

$296,310

$314,524

$369,830

$369,426

$376,196

Chestnut Hills

$270,000

$283,317

$266,944

$288,986

$316,750

7735 Old Georgetown Road, Suite 700 Bethesda, Maryland

w w w . g t m a r c h i t e c t s . c o m

Readers’ pick, “best architect for custom Homes”

BethesdaMagazine.com | March/April 2016 229

HOME_BTNexpanded.indd 229

2/10/16 3:20 PM

by the numbers 2015

2013

2014

2012

2011

2015

2014

2013

$291,667

$334,400

$352,340

$383,924

$365,318

$457,000

$503,283

$402,461

$408,750

$431,738

226 46

2015

3 2

2014

2012

average DoM

Chestnut Ridge Manor

2012

2011

2013

average Close Price

College View

Subdivision

2011

No. of Homes Sold

Conn. Ave. Estates

$239,307

$250,150

$264,908

$276,082

$282,900

Conn. Ave. Hills

$254,419

$305,153

$367,000

$355,960

$340,386

224 25

Conn. Ave. Park

$233,337

$283,333

$331,500

Connecticut Gardens

$307,750

$294,040

$320,577

$328,006

$356,340

185 77

Evans Parkway

$365,000

$396,325

$440,000

$421,083

$382,333

124 50

NA NA 21

Forest Estates

$430,636

$402,033

$431,562

$456,140

$449,057

Forest Glen

$362,500

$438,333

$487,000

NA NA 3

Forest Glen Homes

$354,333

$404,333

$428,750

$375,000

$404,500

Forest Grove

$460,000

$458,333

$525,000

$659,300

$525,250

179

Forestvale

$404,375

$433,100

$422,100

$465,800

$428,188

Glen Haven

$305,000

$322,250

$346,950

$338,083

$345,000

Glenfield Manor

$386,500

$398,333

$364,444

$423,150

$429,675

112 47

Glenmont Forest

$217,550

$260,000

$268,167

$342,250

$304,181

Glenmont Village

$216,375

$200,000

$262,633

$258,225

NA 35

Glenview

$318,000

$378,850

$423,000

$488,750

$460,636

104 107 31

Grays Estates

$425,000

$538,333

$595,000

133 NA NA 109 0

Hammond Wood

$432,000

$354,417

$393,550

$377,883

NA 8

Highland Woods

$254,967

$228,750

$289,667

$310,000

$317,700

125

Kemp Mill

$506,667

$534,700

$537,000

$571,481

NA 154 75

240 67

Kemp Mill Estates

$370,710

$358,434

$398,469

$440,669

$441,180

Kemp Mill Farms

$437,250

$589,425

$495,000

$497,875

255 NA 138 9

56 42

Kemp Mill Forest

$480,000

$522,500

$514,347

$507,300

$479,333

206 44

151 153 66

Kemp Mill Hills

$352,500

$410,000

$395,467

$325,000

NA 74

Kensington Heights

$235,667

$344,500

$405,000

$375,950

$340,000

108 5

Kingswell

$259,800

$242,875

$282,000

$332,063

$365,250

McKenney Hills

$360,063

$393,318

$377,750

$466,833

$489,533

Montgomery Highland

$307,500

$277,450

$292,500

$396,500

NA 38 14

134 28

Northbrook Estates

$307,667

$417,000

$372,786

$453,000

$445,780

Oakland Terrace

$327,500

$378,250

$405,333

$425,333

$477,000

139 145 69

Parkway

$370,000

$372,667

$391,600

$424,375

NA 56

Plyers Mill Estates

$355,000

$385,000

$405,875

$416,000

NA 39

Pt Wheaton Out Res 2

$390,000

$362,258

$391,178

NA NA 7

Rock Creek Palisades

$522,000

$580,668

$620,000

$587,000

113 NA 5

Springbrook Forest

$473,333

$567,700

$536,225

$486,750

$564,000

108 81

114 123 55

Stephen Knolls

$336,332

$312,450

$355,714

$331,500

$453,333

Weismans

$231,584

$219,143

$201,675

$289,357

$272,400

Westchester

$382,750

$362,167

$420,000

$387,500

$414,500

Wheaton Crest

$242,279

$306,400

$347,833

$344,767

$319,688

Wheaton Forest

$271,900

$260,600

$316,929

$397,300

$346,484

Wheaton Hills

$285,822

$284,324

$302,768

$315,587

$352,167

102 66

Wheaton View

$323,000

$394,750

$315,000

$393,184

$397,333

103 82

292 314 321 321 378 $319,865

$339,982

$367,572

$387,662

$390,354

74 66

$448,346

$444,055

$466,723

$561,607

20902 Total

SILVER SPRING 20910 Blair

$462,958

230 March/April 2016 | BethesdaMagazine.com

HOME_BTNexpanded.indd 230

2/10/16 3:21 PM

Capitol View Park

$522,955

$422,714

$440,351

$484,756

$553,297

110 79

Carroll Springs

$337,000

$520,000

$522,975

$467,500

$515,000

106 22

Dilles / Linden

$356,667

$337,450

$805,000

$540,000

NA 65

Downtown Silver Spring

$619,000

$534,264

$532,500

$570,000

140 34

NA 63

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

2015

Average DOM

2014

2013

2012

2011

Average Close Price

2015

2014

2013

2012

Subdivision

2011

No. of Homes Sold

121

168 32

Forest Glen

$457,200

$524,917

$548,633

$560,750

$496,000

Forest Glen Knolls

$360,000

$427,500

$467,500

NA 12

Forest Glen Park

$405,129

$412,225

$517,500

$475,000

$453,250

Forest Glen Station

$683,846

$799,000

NA NA 0

McNeills

$672,500

$449,000

$506,400

$612,333

$598,833

Montgomery Hills

$399,248

$481,000

$531,167

$619,300

$571,400

120 81

NA 175

North Woodside

$505,363

$466,000

$556,000

$572,250

$515,188

Northmont

$419,800

$430,980

$456,250

$409,975

$454,155

120 34

P & B / Linden

$315,000

$305,000

$420,000

$390,000

NA 219 108 147 11

Rock Creek Forest

$431,667

$522,917

$538,275

$529,700

$559,000

Rosemary Hills

$524,563

$506,208

$577,500

$573,778

$542,250

Rosemary Knolls

$420,000

$353,709

$493,317

NA 25

NA 51

Saratoga Village

$265,500

$485,000

$561,667

$462,500

$522,500

Seven Oaks

$617,071

$678,833

$494,250

$633,500

$596,500

Luxury Homes Coming Soon to Potomac Just 5 miles from Potomac Village, these exclusive estate homes are set on acreage homesites surrounded by wooded preserve offering unparalleled tranquility and privacy. Schedule your appointment today! • Estates homes that include 4 bedrooms, 3½ baths up to 7 bedrooms, 7½ baths • Available first-floor in-law suite • 2- to 4-Car, side-entry garages • Wootton School District • Walking distance from the C&O Canal and Potomac River.

NVHomes.com/Potomac | 202.695.3131 | Brokers Warmly Welcomed

Prices, financing and availability subject to change without notice. See a Sales and Marketing Representative for details. MHBR No. 56.

BethesdaMagazine.com | March/April 2016 231

HOME_BTNexpanded.indd 231

2/10/16 3:21 PM

by the numbers 2013

$493,022

$456,583

$564,500

$487,018

$656,405

$450,000

$432,833

$430,000

NA NA 81

2015

2012

13 1

2014

2011

2015

2014

2013

12 0

2015

9 0

2014

2012

average DoM

Silver Spring

2012

2011

2013

average Close Price

Sixteenth St. Village

Subdivision

2011

No. of Homes Sold

Sligo Park Hills

$465,500

$469,374

$544,571

$558,896

$611,864

South Woodside Park

$472,200

$629,417

$621,000

$588,380

$697,667

141 29

Takoma Park

$425,000

$459,333

$460,100

$512,629

$610,000

Wheaton Out Res 1

$551,667

$433,386

NA NA NA 97

Woodside

$570,502

$600,720

$594,565

$609,006

$608,426

Woodside Forest

$595,750

$602,523

$540,263

$624,581

$603,138

NA 3

Woodside Hills

$404,280

$425,000

$499,333

$262,000

Woodside Knolls

$438,306

$540,000

$469,000

NA 42

NA 5

Woodside Park

$658,518

$642,654

$762,136

$716,371

$706,883

108 60

186 212 202 203 222 $508,326

$508,840

$536,385

$559,221

$590,488

72 56

$876,667

NA 7

NA 9

$1,042,500

NA 200 11

NA 7

20910 Total

Upper NORTHWEST D.C. 20015 American University Park

$706,500

$757,500

Barnaby Woods

$850,000

$1,410,000 NA

Chevy Chase

123 135 153 133 145 $884,146

$977,073

$987,273

$1,065,001 $1,095,099

Hawthorne

$899,500

$738,083

$970,500

$1,001,917 $768,220

115 41

125 144 162 139 157 $884,392

$963,471

$986,425

$1,062,278 $1,079,864

41 47

20015 Total

232 March/April 2016 | BethesdaMagazine.com

HOME_BTNexpanded.indd 232

2/10/16 3:22 PM

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

2015

2014

average DoM

2013

2012

2011

average Close Price

2015

2014

2013

2012

Subdivision

2011

No. of Homes Sold

Upper NORTHWEST D.C. 20016 American University Park

$885,631

$903,819

$962,521

$1,063,812

Chevy Chase

$991,667

$895,220

$1,033,257 $1,105,054 $1,012,375

$998,341

Spring Valley

$1,545,318

$1,512,763

$1,468,217 $1,753,267 $1,618,429

Wakefield

$734,250

$740,000

$1,002,500 $1,111,200

Wesley Heights

$1,684,688

$1,559,683

$1,456,719 $1,586,911 $1,632,846

131 131 49

210 199 189 222 220 $1,220,520 $1,281,776

$1,258,420 $1,437,144 $1,409,413

56 64

20016 Total

80 49

*Subdivision name reflects listing information as entered into MRIS by real estate agents.

About MRISHOMES.COM Data for this section was provided by MRIS— your local Multiple Listing Service (MLS).Those in the market for a new home can search for available properties on MRIShomes.com, the only home search website in the Mid-Atlantic region powered by MRIS. Directly connected to the same database that real estate agents use to manage their listings, MRIShomes.

Special Advertising Section

com provides immediate access to up-to-date information about each property for sale or rent in your area. With a new simplified search, results can be narrowed down based on walkability, school ratings, community information and demographic data. Home searches can even be based on drive time to and from work. Browse large, high-resolution photos for homes that catch your eye. To search based on specific

details, such as community rules, just click on More Options. Share, rate and comment on listings directly with your agent, friends and family using the new Mozaic feature. Register for a free MRIShomes.com account and be notified when a new listing that meets your criteria hits the market.

Profiles | Real Estate Agents

hilary schwab

What brings you the most satisfaction in your work? The buying and selling process can be stressful. Where to live, what type of home to buy, quality of construction and loan approval are some of the many logistics. Guiding clients through the process, ensuring the best terms possible and helping them make a solid investment gives me great satisfaction. Leading as opposed to pushing through a transaction is a personal philosophy that has served me well over the past 35 years. How would clients describe you? Extremely service oriented, resourceful and honest. I only have one gear – 110 percent. My $400,000-price buyers and sellers get the same effort as multi-million dollar clients. Being born and raised in Bethesda allows me to provide folks with in-depth market knowledge and market trends. Working construction during college summers taught me about what's “behind the walls.” Buyers appreciate my knowledge and experience. “Call Paul!”

Paul E. Biciocchi Broker/Owner

Forum Properties, Inc. Pinnacle Office Center 10411 Motor City Drive., Suite 500 Bethesda, MD 20817 301-518-6999 paulbiciocchi@hotmail.com www.forumpropertiesinc.com

BethesdaMagazine.com | March/April 2016 233

HOME_BTNexpanded.indd 233

2/10/16 3:25 PM

Profiles | Real Estate Agents

Special Advertising Section

“We specialize in the luxury real estate market and provide our clients with the utmost in service.”

Long & Foster Bethesda Gateway 4650 East West Highway Bethesda, MD 20814 240-988-4400 Lynda@BethesdaRealEstate.com BethesdaRealEstate.com LegendaryHomes.com *DBA Lynda O’Dea Teubner. Licensed in DC, MD & VA

What makes you different than others in your profession? We’re a mother-daughter team. My daughter and I offer a multi-generational perspective which allows us to authentically relate to all of our clients, from firsttime buyers to the highest tax brackets. Both of us were raised in Bethesda-Chevy

Chase so there isn’t much we don’t know and love about our community! We bring expertise in technology plus traditional and online marketing, home staging and interior design, delivering added-value services to our clients helping them maximize value and minimize stress, while making the process more enjoyable and efficient. What is the one thing that your clients should know about you? As the top team at Long and Foster's top office at Bethesda Gateway, we strive to provide all of our clients with the utmost in service, whether working with first-time homebuyers, large families, busy executives or downsizers moving in town from larger homes. I’ve also personally renovated and designed many properties and I understand the process from start to finish, so I can help with every conceivable detail – including unsolicited decorating advice!

tony lewis jr

Lynda O’Dea*

What made you decide to get into your line of work? Real estate and interior design were at first a personal passion of mine. I was a marketing executive, and realized that I had developed skills that could dramatically enhance a professional career in real estate. I had technology experience that enabled me to offer a higher level of online exposure for my listings, which is where the action is today. Getting listings in front of potential buyers exactly when they’re searching is a hugely important advantage that we provide through our two leading websites.

234 march/april 2016 | BethesdaMagazine.com

2016 B Real Estate Agents.indd 234

2/9/16 10:46 AM

Special Advertising Section

Profiles | Real Estate Agents

“I remember the old Bethesda and today, Bethesda’s not just an interesting place to dine or shop – it’s a true downtown and a great place to live, work and play.”

The Jane Fairweather Team

hilary schwab

Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage 4709 Maple Ave. Bethesda, MD 20814 301-530-4663 jane@janefairweather.com www.janefairweather.com

What brings you the most satisfaction in your work? Success and awards have taken a back seat lately to the pride and wonder I have in seeing Bethesda turn into one of the most awesome places to live in the entire country. I like to think that, along with many other community leaders, I had a part in that. With my husband David and my team, we’ve spent an enormous amount of time and effort volunteering and working with various organizations to improve our community. I remember the old Bethesda and today, Bethesda’s not just an interesting place to dine or shop – it’s a true downtown and a great place to live, work and play. What makes you different than others in your profession? Wonderful communities don’t just happen. Lots of people share real commitment to making a place great. Over the

years I have served on many boards and worked as a volunteer for many local organizations such as Montgomery County’s Economic Advisory Council, Rotary Club, the Chamber of Commerce, and the B-CC Rescue Squad. I also served on the boards of Imagination Stage and Bethesda Green. We encourage and recognize young people who have given their time and energy, too. Every year we present our Community Service Scholarship Award to three deserving students from Walt Whitman, Bethesda-Chevy Chase and Walter Johnson high schools. As an art lover, I'm working with Bethesda Urban Partnership to bring public art to the Metro Bus bay, Capitol Crescent Trail walls and nearby buildings. As a dog lover, I founded the Strut Your Mutt Festival, whose proceeds benefited the B-CC Rescue Squad and the B-CC Rotary Foundation. We’re helping to make Bethesda an incredible place to live.

BethesdaMagazine.com | march/april 2016 235

2016 B Real Estate Agents.indd 235

2/8/16 11:13 AM

Profiles | Real Estate Agents “We got more done in two weeks with Andy than we did in several months with others.”

Special Advertising Section

What is the one thing that your clients should know about you? I’m a proud, 5th generation Washingtonian with strong community roots. Raised in Bethesda with five siblings, I attended Whitman and the University of Maryland, and have also lived in Potomac and Silver Spring. I’m grateful for wonderful friends I’ve made through real estate and, even after settlement, remain a trusted resource. What brings you the most satisfaction in your work? Results! There is nothing more satisfying than seeing a client realize their dream. And real estate is never boring. A current project is a new condo building in downtown Silver Spring – Octave 1320 – which will be ready for occupancy this spring. The building will be comprised of one- and two-bedroom condos starting in the mid $200Ks, a block from the Silver Spring Metro. There will be great amenities such as a fitness room, sky lounge, roof deck, with a washer/dryer and storage unit for every condo. How would your clients describe you? I’ll let my clients do the talking: “Andy helped me find and buy my first house over 15 years ago, and she’s been my Realtor ever since. I’ve used her both as a buyer and seller. Each time she’s provided outstanding customer service. I love her smart, professional demeanor, and warm, friendly personality.” “Andy showed us only houses that we would take seriously. We got more done in two weeks with Andy than we did in several months with others.” “We’re a military family and move around a lot so we have experience with Realtors! Andy is professional, knowledgeable and caring. I would absolutely recommend her to friends and family.”

Andy Alderdice 4701 Sangamore Road Bethesda, MD 20816 301-466-5898 andy4homes@gmail.com www.andy4homes.com

hilary schwab

W.C. & A.N. Miller Realtors, a Long & Foster Company

236 march/april 2016 | BethesdaMagazine.com

2016 B Real Estate Agents.indd 236

2/8/16 11:13 AM

Special Advertising Section

Profiles | Real Estate Agents

“I have an outstanding reputation with over 200 online 5-star reviews.”

John Young & Jeff Lim-Sharpe The ‘Metro DC For Sale’ Team

courtesy photo

RE/MAX Excellence Realty 10230 New Hampshire Ave., Suite 200 Silver Spring, MD 20903 301-445-5900 Direct: 301-REALTOR (301-732-5867) john@metrodcforsale.com www.metrodcforsale.com

What made you decide to get into your line of work? My mother was a successful Realtor who took her career to the top—eventually working with Michael Jackson as a client. I learned from the best and share many of the same qualities that made her an accomplished salesperson. After a 10-year career in pharmaceutical sales and management, I decided it was time to follow in her footsteps. What makes you different than others in your profession? I have extensive knowledge from hundreds of home sales and also know the correct steps to profit from investment properties. I am a GREEN/eco-knowledgeable agent that’s been featured and quoted in The Washington Post. I’ve worked hard to build a real estate team with Jeff LimSharpe that focuses on client satisfaction and exceeding expectations.

How would your clients describe you? I have an outstanding reputation with over 200 online 5-star reviews. Here are just a few recent highlights: “John took care of everything – including meeting contractors/handymen when we were too busy to be present for repairs. When challenges arose, John was calm and reassuring, but also realistic about the different potential outcomes. He expertly managed the steps around putting our house on the market, negotiating with buyers’ agents and made sure we got the best deal possible. We ended up being under contract in just four days, getting seven offers and selling for almost $30,000 more than our asking price.” “John Young is the most proficient Realtor in the industry today. John first listens to understand your needs, then exercises his very impressive and masterful skill set to find you a buyer or a new home.”

BethesdaMagazine.com | march/april 2016 237

2016 B Real Estate Agents.indd 237

2/8/16 5:25 PM

Profiles | Real Estate Agents “Coming through for clients who fear that daunting task of listing their current home in order to buy, we thrive on making it less stressful and more fun!”

Special Advertising Section

What brings you the most satisfaction in your work? Managing a simultaneous sale and purchase for our clients. Coming through for clients who fear that daunting task of listing their current home in order to buy, we thrive on making it less stressful and more fun! What makes you different than others in your profession? Staging! Many agents outsource this very important and valuable piece or leave it up to the homeowner. As part of our services, we find it crucial to present the house in a way that buyers can visualize the property as their own. We use items already owned and bring in what is necessary to get the highest value (sometimes staging an entire house). That first impression (online photos for most) goes miles; we’ve got to grab the buyers’ attention immediately. How do you employ new technology to help your clients? One of the main reasons we joined Compass was for their keen emphasis on technology. Their impressive investments have guaranteed excellent customer service: apps like Compass’ own to Homesnap; and online profiles to hit every subset of buyers online from Facebook to Instagram to Pinterest. What's an example of a time when you helped a client that you’re particularly proud of? We had clients with a lot of clutter and kids who did not want to move. Getting them organized and set up for success on their sale included leaving a gift in each room for the kids to find so it became a fun process for everyone. Having the kids help with picking out their rooms culminated in something positive and manageable rather than traumatic and painful.

Trent Heminger & Mary Noone 5471 Wisconsin Ave. Chevy Chase, MD 20815 Direct: 240-461-3928 Mary@TrentandCo.com www.compass.com

michael ventura

Trent & Co. Compass

238 march/april 2016 | BethesdaMagazine.com

2016 B Real Estate Agents.indd 238

2/8/16 11:15 AM

Special Advertising Section

How do you employ new technology to help your clients? My smartest technology move was paying tuition for Kevin Koitz (my son and partner) to attend Stanford University. He was instrumental in developing KoitzGroup.com, which was one of the first agent-driven sites with an integrated IDX. Being an early innovator has helped us tremendously in bringing value to our clients.

Profiles | Real Estate Agents “If you haven’t worked with Gretchen before, let me tell ya: Always listen to whatever she says.”

What’s an example of a time when you helped a client that you’re particularly proud of? I was representing clients who had contracted for a house prior to putting their current house on the market. We got it de-cluttered and staged and sold it right away – only to have an appraiser value it at substantially under the sales price. Because it was an FHA loan, the “bad” appraisal was going to stick with the property for six months and my clients were looking at the possibility of not being able to close on their new home. I was able to find their buyers a different type of loan and get the house reappraised at the sales price. Whew!! How would your clients describe you? I’ve been fortunate enough to work with some really exceptional people and was especially grateful to have one of them say, “If you haven’t worked with Gretchen before, let me tell ya: Always listen to whatever she says. She hasn’t been wrong yet and we would possibly follow her to the end of the earth if she told us we’d like living there. :)” What are your interests outside of work? No skydiving or Ironman marathons, but I do enjoy family, friends, yoga, travel, and hiking and skiing in my “happy place” – Telluride, Colorado.

Gretchen Koitz

michael ventura

Principal, The Koitz Group Vice President, Compass 5471 Wisconsin Ave., 3rd Floor Chevy Chase, MD 20815 301-586-9236 Direct: 301-442-8122 gk@koitzgroup.com www.koitzgroup.com BethesdaMagazine.com | march/april 2016 239

2016 B Real Estate Agents.indd 239

2/8/16 11:16 AM

Profiles | Real Estate Agents

Special Advertising Section

What is your professional and educational background? I grew up at the Hidden Valley ski resort in Pennsylvania, and after graduating from college, I owned the ski and snowboard school there for 10 years. During our summers I'd go to New Zealand and train instructors at various ski resorts in the Southern Hemisphere. I helped start a mortgage company in the late '90s, then came to realize that my actual passion (besides climbing and skiing mountains) was buying and renovating homes. I got my real estate license in 2002 to give me more freedom with that business. When a friend’s mother was unhappy with her Realtor, she asked me to sell her home, and I reluctantly agreed. She was so happy that she started recommending me. That began a thriving referral based business. What makes you different than others in your profession? We owe everything to our clients. Without them, we wouldn’t be in business. Instead of trying to do as many transactions as possible, my team focuses on making our clients top priority each and every deal. My personal mission is to put our clients’ goals first and maintain that relationship beyond the settlement table. Referrals and repeat business I receive from my past customers are the most rewarding part of this profession. How do you employ new technology to help your clients? We are a white-glove, hands-on company that fully embraces and leverages technology. Our team retains professional photographers, provides virtual tours, site/ floor plans, and uses best-in-class strategies for boosting our visibility within the top real estate websites. Our methods ensure potential buyers visit our listings first. We incorporate technology into everything we do – and we consider it a fundamental necessity for marketing in today’s era of real estate sales. What are your interests outside of work? My wife and I live in Tulip Hill with two high-energy boys. That pretty much consumes any free time!

Compass 5471 Wisconsin Ave., 3rd Floor Chevy Chase, MD 20815 Office: 301-586-9236 Direct: 202-320-6469 erichcabe@gmail.com www.ecrealtor.net

Darren higgins

“My personal mission is to put our clients’ goals first and maintain that relationship beyond the settlement table.”

Erich Cabe

240 march/april 2016 | BethesdaMagazine.com

2016 B Real Estate Agents.indd 240

2/8/16 11:16 AM

Special Advertising Section

Profiles | Real Estate Agents

What is the one thing that your clients should know about you? That I’m proud to work in such a broad range of areas and price points, because everyone’s home is important to them. I’m also enormously flattered so much of my business comes from referrals. I really do care about my clients, their hopes and dreams. Even after 23 years in the business I still have those 3 a.m. moments, worrying about a client. Joining TTR Sotheby’s was the best thing I’ve done to get a good nights sleep in years! What brings you the most satisfaction in your work? Knowing that I did a good job for my client. There are lots of moving parts to this business; every negotiation is nuanced and made up of many subtle interactions. I love it. I’m a big fan of everyone walking away happy, but I like to know that my client’s priorities, whether price or terms, carried the day. I also get a lot of satisfaction out of making it all look easy. I am good natured with my clients, but behind the scenes, I like things to run very, very smoothly. How would your clients describe you? A client once wrote a recommendation calling me her “house-buying big sister.” I love that. I’ve won some pretty big awards, but I don’t know how I could top that. What are your interests outside of work? I’m passionate about sustainability. I tend food gardens that contribute a sizable amount to what we eat. I also have five daughters. They’re in their twenties now, but you never stop being a mom and they’ll always be a large focus.

Barbara Carnemark Nalls Vice President

tony lewis jr

TTR Sotheby’s International Realty 5454 Wisconsin Ave. Chevy Chase, MD 20815 301-967-3344 Direct: 240-602-9035 barbaranalls@gmail.com

“I’m a big fan of everyone walking away happy, but I like to know that my client’s priorities, whether price or terms, carried the day.” BethesdaMagazine.com | march/april 2016 241

2016 B Real Estate Agents.indd 241

2/8/16 11:16 AM

Profiles | Real Estate Agents

Special Advertising Section

Shiva Zargham Senior Partner @ Real Living | At Home A Residential Real Estate Brokerage Firm 4600 N. Park Ave., Suite 100 Chevy Chase, MD 20815 301-652-0643 11 Dupont Circle, Suite 650 Washington, DC 20036 202-518-8781 2420 Wilson Blvd., #101 Arlington, VA 22201 703-390-9460 Direct: 240-893-4195 shiva@shiva-re.com www.shivazargham.com

What is your professional and educational background? I began my career as a Certified Public Accountant and then started a successful fashion boutique.

It brings me tremendous joy when I succeed in helping my clients find a new place to call home or when they realize the full potential of their property.

What made you decide to get into your line of work? I love real estate because it combines everything that I am passionate about. It is the cross-section of design, finance and marketing. It is entrepreneurial, personal and creative. Every transaction is as unique as the properties and people involved.

What makes you different than others in your profession? I am a visual person with a passion for design. When I am on a listing presentation, I am already eyeing what I can reposition and what I can bring to enhance the space to achieve the highest price. Real estate transactions can be complicated with unexpected bumps along the way. It is important to follow a well-defined process, problem solve, and build relationships to achieve success for your clients. Multiple clients have told me, that I am caring and mild, but have a fighter’s instinct.

What brings you the most satisfaction in your work? I get to meet my clients at an important junction in their lives, one where they are making a huge decision, and need a trusted advisor to help them navigate their options.

hilary schwab

“It brings me tremendous joy when I succeed in helping my clients find a new place to call home or when they realize the full potential of their property.”

242 march/april 2016 | BethesdaMagazine.com

2016 B Real Estate Agents.indd 242

2/8/16 11:17 AM

Special Advertising Section

Profiles | Real Estate Agents

“I'm always completely accessible and my client receives my highest degree of service and professionalism.”

Margie Halem

courtesy Photo

Margie Halem Group, Long & Foster Real Estate 4650 East West Highway Bethesda, MD 20814 Office: 301-907-7600 Direct: 301-775-4196 Margie@LNF.com www.MargieHalemGroup.com

What makes you different than others in your profession? I have a strong work ethic, and I also care very deeply about my clients. Every interaction and transaction is a personal involvement for me. That's just my nature. Whatever the price range, I'm always completely accessible and my client receives my highest degree of service and professionalism. I am also a valuable resource for my clients for everything they need when buying, selling, moving and renovating. What made you decide to get into your line of work? I started fresh out of college at the age of 22 in a small Georgetown boutique firm. My sister Lori encouraged me, as she knew from when I was young that I had an obsession for houses, organization and business. I’m proud to say that I’ve been making families happy ever since.

How do you employ new technology to help your clients? The Margie Halem Group is a dedicated, hardworking team. We have a marketing specialist that keeps us on the cutting edge of today’s latest social media and marketing trends. Our emphasis on networking becomes a big asset in marketing a home for a seller as well as finding homes for buyers. What are your interests outside of work? I’m very committed to helping in the community through volunteer activities and support. I’m an Ambassador to Montgomery County for Autism Speaks, raising awareness and promoting education. As chair of the American Heart Association’s 2016 “Open Your Heart” campaign, I’m helping to raise funds to battle heart disease and stroke. I’m also an active member of my sisterhood at Temple Beth Ami.

BethesdaMagazine.com | march/april 2016 243

2016 B Real Estate Agents.indd 243

2/8/16 11:17 AM

Profiles | Real Estate Agents

Special Advertising Section

What is the one thing that your clients should know about you? I value all of my clients, so regardless of your price point, you will always receive the same level of professional service, respect and attentiveness from me. I believe everyone deserves a great Realtor regardless of your income level and housing needs.

What is your professional and educational background? I graduated from College Du Leman High School in Switzerland, have a bachelor’s degree in political science from St. Mary’s College in California and a master’s in international law and communications from American University. I have over 20 years of banking experience, including positions with First American Bank, Chevy Chase Bank and Fannie Mae. Having lived on three continents, I have a solid understanding of how to work with people of widely different backgrounds and needs. How would your clients describe you? Here’s what one client said: “Ben’s professionalism, drive for excellence and outstanding reputation set him apart. He listens carefully to clients and works diligently to meet their wants and needs, never pushing them to make choices that aren’t well suited for them. Buying or selling a home can be highly emotional. Ben’s kindness, compassion and good humor put everyone at ease, no matter how stressful the situation.”

Compass 5471 Wisconsin Ave., #300 Chevy Chase, MD 20815 240-731-9919 jack@compass.com www.jackwanghomes.com www.compass.com

michael ventura

Jack W. Wang

Ben Fazeli Long & Foster Bethesda Gateway 4650 East West Highway Bethesda, MD 20814 Office: 301-907-7600 Direct: 202-253-2269 ben.fazeli@LNF.com

darren higgins

What makes you different than others in your profession? As a Realtor, I believe in and work hard to build long-lasting, trusting relationships with my clients. The key to that is being genuinely helpful, informative, honest and vested in my clients’ real estate needs. I’ve had many clients turn to me because they were not happy with their existing Realtor for one reason or another. I am happy to say that I was able to help every single one of them find the homes they were looking for or get their homes sold in a timely manner.

244 march/april 2016 | BethesdaMagazine.com

2016 B Real Estate Agents.indd 244

2/8/16 11:18 AM

Special Advertising Section

What is the one thing that your clients should know about you? My experience and expertise in the region’s real estate market, in conjunction with my specialties of second home purchasing and relocation services, have made me one of the area’s top Realtors. I take a personal and professional interest in the success of every transaction, and I’m known for conscientious practices, assertive negotiation skills and a passion for assisting every buyer or seller. Last year was a great year! I listed and sold Bethesda’s most prominent listing, The Fernwood Estate, for $4,995,000 and received the “2015 Realtor Award” from Washingtonian magazine.

Profiles | Real Estate Agents “My experience and expertise in the region’s real estate market, in conjunction with my specialties of second home purchasing and relocation services, have made me one of the area’s top Realtors.”

What makes you different than others in your profession? I’m one of the “Top Individual Agents” in our Bethesda Gateway Office with over $1 billion in sales. For many years I’ve consistently been the leading luxury agent in Potomac, Bethesda and the greater Washington area. With an exceptional start-to-finish marketing approach for buyers and sellers, I continue to meet and exceed my clients’ expectations. Extensive referrals from past clients continue to guarantee my spot as a leader in the local real estate market. I believe that luxury real estate experiences should exceed expectations. I keep company with a large international network of real estate brokers, sellers with exquisite properties and buyers with discerning tastes. I offer a wealth of in-depth knowledge about the local real estate market and an understanding of the demands of an elite clientele.

Jill Schwartz courtesy photo

Long & Foster Real Estate 4650 East West Highway Bethesda, MD 20814 301-907-7600 Direct: 301-758-7224 JillSchwartzGroup@gmail.com www.JillSchwartzGroup.com BethesdaMagazine.com | march/april 2016 245

2016 B Real Estate Agents.indd 245

2/8/16 11:18 AM

Profiles | Real Estate Agents

Special Advertising Section

How would your clients describe you? Here’s what a few of them had to say: “Vicki is wonderfully responsive and knows the D.C. area extremely well.” “I was trying to manage the sale long distance, she took my place in handling all of the many on-site activities. We couldn’t possibly have had a better experience.”

Vicki L. Porter

“Vicki, the dedication and expertise you showed in selling my house were truly exemplary! You have worked intelligently, resourcefully and steadily to present my house in the best possible way.”

4701 Sangamore Road Bethesda, MD 20817 301-229-4000 Direct: 301-325-2965 vicki.porter@lnf.com www.VickiPorter.net

What makes you different than others in your profession? From our top-notch blog website Bethesda365.com to our exciting new marketing tools, such as virtual staging, we stay on the cutting edge. The old expression “two heads are better than one” rings true. We apply our unique strengths and respective talents to any given situation. What made you get into your line of work? Brian: “It’s in my blood. I was born into a real estate family. From my grandfather on down, a long tradition of local knowledge, integrity and personal service was passed down to me.” Amy: “I started my career as an investor and loved the process of finding ‘diamonds in the rough.’ Ultimately I became a manager and training director for a national real estate franchise. Some call it a ‘sales business’ but I feel it’s more like teaching. I enjoy helping people navigate through each unique sale to a rewarding settlement.”

hilary schwab

Brian & Amy Maury Maury Real Estate 4800 Hampden Lane, Suite 200 Bethesda, MD 20814 Office: 301-229-3652 Brian (Direct): 301-325-4914 Amy (Direct): 301-832-0864 brian@brianmaury.com amy@amymaury.com Bethesda365.com

jordan silverman

“Vicki has been helpful, responsive, patient and ready to work with us and the buyers through the entire process. She's been a delight to work with.”

Miller Realtors A Long and Foster Company

246 march/april 2016 | BethesdaMagazine.com

2016 B Real Estate Agents.indd 246

2/8/16 11:19 AM

Special Advertising Section

Profiles | Real Estate Agents

What made you decide to get into your line of work? I have no fear of working long, hard hours. I like diverse challenges every day. Finding solutions to challenges not only satisfies me but serves my clients. I’ve always been about sales – I love to negotiate; it’s my forte. Not a lot of jobs meet all these criteria but selling your home is certainly one of them.

hilary schwab

What is your professional and educational background? I started selling real estate in 1992 – four years after graduating with a degree in physics. Physics to Realtor? Absolutely! It’s the ability to find creative solutions, provide market analyses, understand and use the myriad of data available for pricing and negotiating, and the perseverance to obtain desired results. Combine this with my theater minor and all the subjective aspects are combined. This blend of nerd and performer allows me to exceed expectations on every transaction! What makes you different than others in your profession? Successful Realtors achieve the same results – we guide our clients to sell and buy homes. How I accomplish that is the difference. Though I have been in the business for almost 25 years, I never go into a meeting or conversation expecting I know all the answers. I listen – closely – and find the solution that will satisfy the needs and desires of the parties involved. I have found that transactions happen more smoothly because I listen first.

“I’ve always been about sales – I love to negotiate; it's my forte.”

How would your clients describe you? Dedicated, trustworthy, creative, honest, a great listener, detailed – and fun!

Ted Duncan

darren higgins

WC & AN Miller Realtors A Long & Foster Company 4701 Sangamore Road Bethesda, MD 20816 301-229-4000 Direct: 301-785-7966 Ted@lnf.com www.TedDuncan.lnf.com BethesdaMagazine.com | march/april 2016 247

2016 B Real Estate Agents.indd 247

2/8/16 11:19 AM

Profiles | Real Estate Agents

Special Advertising Section

What makes you different than others in your profession? Our extensive knowledge of the real estate market combined with our passionate commitment to our clients’ success is unparalleled in the industry. Our goal is 100 percent client satisfaction with the relationship, the process and, most importantly, the end result. How do we achieve this? We take a steadfast approach to ensuring that we match each client with the perfect home. We offer the highest level of personal attention, treating each client as a family member and each home as if it were our own. We understand that owning real estate may be one of the largest and wisest investments one makes, so it is important that we approach each relationship with enthusiasm, expertise and integrity. We offer a full-service team that will carefully and thoughtfully guide buyers and sellers through each step in the buying and/or selling of a home.

Realtor®

W.C. & A.N. Miller/Long & Foster Christie's Great Estates 4701 Sangamore Road Bethesda, MD 20816 301-229-4000 Direct: 301-580-4552 Lynn@LynnStewartSells.com www.lynnstewartsells.com

jordan silverman

What is the one thing that your clients should know about you? I have tremendous resources to help downsizing families. I provide professional organizers, movers, art and antique dealers and contractors, etc., all who can help efficiently with a smooth scale-down of your family home prior to going on the market.

Lynn A. Stewart

Jacqueline Band-Olinger & Jill Balow Greystone Realty, LLC 3833 Farragut Ave. Kensington, MD 20895 Office: 301-244-4705 Jacqueline (Direct): 301-928-4669 jolinger@greystonerealty.net Jill (Direct): 301-233-5596 jbalow@greystonerealty.net www.greystonerealty.net

tony lewis jr

What brings you the most satisfaction in your work? I am known as Bethesda’s premiere Senior Real Estate Specialist and I've worked hard to gain that status. My goal is always to help my clients. Whether a first-time condo buyer or selling the family home of 40 years, my goal is to listen to your needs, execute a plan and provide the best solutions and service. It can take two months and sometimes two years but the satisfaction I receive at the end of our journey together is seeing you happily settled into the next phase of your life.

248 march/april 2016 | BethesdaMagazine.com

2016 B Real Estate Agents.indd 248

2/8/16 11:20 AM

F INE PRO PE RTIE S I N T E R N A T I O N A L

Untitled-10 1

2/5/16 4:28 PM

Untitled-10 1

2/11/16 3:49 PM

fitness. wellness. medicine.

photo by liz lynch

health

Many young kids like pizza, pasta and chicken nuggets but barely touch their vegetables. Are parents worrying too much about what their children eat? For more, see page 254.

BethesdaMagazine.com | March/April 2016 251

HEALTH_opener.indd 251

2/4/16 3:01 PM

health | be well

Happy Feet Podiatrist Paul Ross says our feet need some love, too

Bethesda podiatrist Paul Ross recently saw a new patient who said his feet had been hurting for two years and he was tired of it. “A lot of people come here thinking it’s normal that their feet should be sore at the end of the day. And I say, ‘No, it’s not normal—it means you’re having a problem,’ ” Ross says. In addition to a classic case of flatfoot, the man had a plantar fascia problem—heel pain from inflamed tissue on the bottom of the foot—and an issue with his Achilles tendon, all from wear and tear. Ross told him he needed orthotics for his shoes. “I just saw him yesterday and he said, ‘I don’t know why I didn’t come to you sooner, because in 48 hours my pain was gone,’ ” says Ross, who’s practiced at the same Wisconsin Avenue location for 35 years and also has an office in Springfield, Virginia. “I hear that all the time.” Ross, 61, has had issues with his own feet over the years. To keep them in good shape, he inspects them daily and opts for footwear that’s comfortable, supportive and fits well with his orthotics. Rather than wearing the same shoes every day, he rotates three or four pairs, including custom-made brown leather slip-ons. He won’t wear flimsy flexible shoes, such as thin flip-flops, unless he’ll only be walking around for five or 10 minutes. A native of New York state who learned about the profession from his two brothers, both podiatrists, Ross sees patients of all ages—about 30 percent male and 70 percent female, a breakdown he attributes to women wearing shoes with higher heels. He tells patients to think of 3-inch stilettos as “limousine shoes,” to be worn from the house to the limo and into dinner. “You’re not really walking in them, you’re just showing them,” he says. “You have one pair of feet, and they have to last a lifetime.”

In his own words... Meet your feet “Everybody should look at their feet on a daily basis. Do you see any friction spots, irritation spots, something that doesn’t look like you saw it before? You look at your face every day so you see—hey, what’s that spot on my face? We never look at our feet.”

Photo by justin tsculas

BY kathleen seiler neary

Associate Editor Kathleen Seiler Neary can be reached at kathleen.neary@bethesdamagazine.com. 252 march/april 2016 | BethesdaMagazine.com

HEALTH_BeWell_M.indd 252

2/4/16 4:12 PM

Home treatment “Good hygiene is important. You want to be sure that you apply some type of cream on a daily basis. If you can’t get down to massage it in, then I would just want you to take a ball—tennis ball, golf ball—and just roll your foot over it just to get some deep massage into your foot, which also increases circulation into the area. Stretching of calves always helps the foot, as well. If you’re hurting on a daily basis, soak your feet in warm water and add some salt.”

Support system

Tough terrain Photo by justin tsculas

“Our problem isn’t our feet. Our problem is the surface that we’re asking them to walk on. I always tell everybody, ‘If I could wrap your feet with some leather straps and [say] let’s all go live in the forest, I [would] have to find something else to do.’ ”

“I always think of the foot as the square peg, and the ground being the round hole. It just doesn’t fit properly. An insert inside the shoe is going to redistribute the weight more evenly on the bottom of the foot to allow that foot to function better. Just because you don’t have a symptom doesn’t mean you’re not gonna benefit by having something inside your shoe. And it doesn’t have to be something that we make. It can be a Dr. Scholl’s over-thecounter—just some gentle support.”

On the surface “The general population that doesn’t have any foot problems, you’re probably OK to go barefoot at home. If you’re home and you’re on your feet five or six hours on the hardwood floor, probably not the best idea. If you’re in your kitchen and it’s a tile or marble kind of thing and you’re standing cooking, it’s probably not great barefoot. But if you have carpet, that’s great—softer, more shockabsorbing surfaces.”

A good inve$tment “It’s worth it to pay more for better shoes. That doesn’t mean you have to pay more because they’re designer. It means you’re paying more for structure and material. It’s especially worth it for athletic shoes. Usually shoe manufacturers have a lower-end and a higherend brand or model. And that’s not just because they’re different colors—it’s because the materials are different, the structure is more high-tech.” n

BethesdaMagazine.com | march/april 2016 253

HEALTH_BeWell_M.indd 253

2/4/16 4:12 PM

Picky, Picky Getting young kids to eat healthy and diverse foods is a major source of stress for parents. Are they worrying too much? By Nevin Martell | Photos by liz lynch

254 march/april 2016 | BethesdaMagazine.com

health_kids nutrition_2.indd 254

2/5/16 10:37 AM

Four-year-old Sawyer started saying "no" to healthy foods, including many he'd eaten before, at the age of 2.

BethesdaMagazine.com | March/April 2016 255

health_kids nutrition_2.indd 255

2/5/16 10:38 AM

“

Just one more bite,

I shout as I race after my 2-year-old son, Zephyr, who is sprinting away from the dinner table. I’m holding a small rocket ship fork that’s spearing two pieces of cubed avocado, praying that they don’t fall off and stain something. It looks like it’s going to be one of those nights. Sometimes my son will sit still for most of a meal and eat almost everything on his plate. Other times, this happens. In an attempt to hide my agitation, I’m wearing an exaggerated smile that’s intended to be reassuring but probably isn’t. Zephyr doesn’t see my look, though, because he makes a beeline to the couch and burrows his head between the pillows, where he erupts into a jumble of giggles and joyful shrieks. Peering back at the table, I take small consolation in the fact that he ate all of his tater tots—dipped in plenty of ketchup, of course—but there’s still a green mound of avocado waiting for him. “Come on out, just for a second,” I say. “If you finish your dinner, we can watch some of Star Wars together.” His head stays buried as he continues to laugh. I stand over him, powerless and totally defeated. Welcome to dinner at my house.

Most kids will happily eat french fries, buttered noodles, chicken nuggets or mac ’n’ cheese, but turn up their noses at a carrot stick, a steamed broccoli floret or a spoonful of chili. I call it “the battle of the beige.” Their refusal to consistently eat—or at least

”

sample—a variety of foods can be frustrating and worrisome for parents. Mothers and fathers can become consumed with guilt over their inability to coax their little ones into noshing on anything more than pizza and a cheese stick at mealtime. Some feel as if they’ve failed as parents. It might be even harder for me, since I’m a professional food writer. I’m so proud of my adventuresome palate and willingness to try almost any new food (so far I’ve drawn the line at anything that’s still alive) that I’ve made a career out of it. My wife, Indira, and I both cook, and we also eat out regularly, in part to expose Zephyr, now 3, to interesting new foods. He’s scarfed down squid ink pasta, pickled ramps and chicken empanadas, but pasta with Parmesan and fries are still his two favorites. We had such high hopes. Zephyr’s first foods were all flavor-rich, homemade purées—curried carrots, mint-accented pineapple mango, beets and strawberries with a touch of basil—followed by a rainbow of solids a few months later. He generally ate everything until he was around 2, and then he stopped. Friends and family members had warned me that this probably would happen, but I had misguidedly believed our situation would be different. Feeling depressed about our current state of affairs, I turned to fellow food writer April Fulton. The senior blogger for National Geographic’s “The Plate” lives in the Woodside neighborhood of Silver Spring with her husband and two

children, 12-year-old Caleb and 4-yearold Sawyer. “You’re so excited because they eat everything you give them. You think, ‘Oh, my God, I’m the best parent ever,’ ” she says. “But then you find out that you’re just fooling yourself, because they are going to start saying ‘no’ at 2.”

256 march/april 2016 | BethesdaMagazine.com

health_kids nutrition_2.indd 256

2/10/16 5:12 PM

Zephyr, now 3, used to eat everything his parents made for him, including homemade curried carrot and beet purées and chicken empanadas. Then he stopped wanting to try new foods. Now he prefers pasta and fries.

Her kids love mostly beige food, too, which has been difficult for her to reconcile. “As a person who thinks about food all the time, cooks a lot and wants to try new and exciting cuisines, it’s been disappointing over the years that their enthusiasm has not matched mine,” she says. I feel your pain, sister.

Aja Pittman, a pediatric nurse turned stay-at-home mom, despairs that her 4-year-old, Carson (his name has been changed to protect his privacy), won’t eat any vegetables. She has resorted to all-out bribery, offering her son a Lego Minifigure or extra iPad time if he tries one new piece of produce. At first, that

tactic worked. “But after a while, he didn’t care,” says Pittman, who lives in Bethesda with her husband and two children. “He just wouldn’t eat them. He might eat green beans and butter, but only if there’s the promise of candy afterward—and that kinda negates the vegetables.” As some parents sadly come to realize,

BethesdaMagazine.com | March/April 2016 257

health_kids nutrition_2.indd 257

2/10/16 5:11 PM

Caleb, 12, likes beigecolored foods such as chicken nuggets and pasta, which has been difficult for his mom, food writer April Fulton, to reconcile.

stubbornness at the dinner table is a trait that many kids learn to perfect, especially in the late-toddler to preschool years. Whether they’re being enticed with treats or threatened with a timeout—the proverbial carrot-and-stick approach—some won’t open their mouths to do anything but say, “No!” It’s a common issue. A 2008 study published in the Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics followed mothers of 2-year-olds to 4-year-olds and found that approximately 1 in 3 described their child as a picky eater. Dan Kelly of Silver Spring, director of restaurant and hospitality recruiting for VSAG, which helps staff restaurants such as Founding Farmers in Potomac and Bethesda’s Cafe Deluxe, has a 13-year-old daughter and 9-year-old triplets. His son, Liam, regularly eats little more than Pop-Tarts, pizza, hot dogs and corn dogs, though he ate everything that was put in front of him until he was about 4. Kelly and his wife, Pamela, will try insisting that he eat just a few green beans before he can leave the table, but he’ll sit there for hours without

taking a bite. “He has an iron will,” Kelly says. “If we take away dessert or threaten to send him to bed, he still doesn’t care.” Some parents try to find a pragmatic middle ground. “Our philosophy is that if it’s on your plate, you have to try it,” says Alison Jovanovic, a mother of two— Mckinley, 10, and Dejan, 7—who lives in Silver Spring and works as a social studies education program coordinator at the University of Maryland. “We don’t require them to finish it, though—they have to eat half of the plate to be excused.” Unpredictability is a constant hurdle at

“

For many parents, the biggest food-related concern is whether or not their little ones are getting the nutrients they need. At annual checkups, pediatricians often talk about percentiles—how a child’s height and weight compare with those of other boys or girls of the same age. Those numbers can send parents into a frenzy. Why isn’t my son taller? Is he too skinny? Is that because he only eats Cheerios and Go-Gurt? Am I messing up this parenting thing? Stop stressing in the moment and consider the big picture, says Shilpa Maheshwari, a registered dietician and licensed nutritionist who owns Smart Simple Nutrition in North Potomac and makes house calls to children in the Bethesda area. “Parents a lot of time will look at how their children ate that day and think they didn’t get enough nutrition,” Maheshwari says. “You want to look at a week. If they have three or four balanced meals over the course of a week, they’re

He has an iron will,” Dan Kelly says of his son, Liam, who’s 9. “If we take away dessert or threaten to send him to bed, he still doesn't care.

258 march/april 2016 | BethesdaMagazine.com

health_kids nutrition_2.indd 258

the dinner table. One week, a child may love something; the next week, you give him the same thing and he looks at you like you’re an alien with six heads who just handed him a plate of mud. “The worst part is you never know when it’s going to happen,” says Melinda, a Bethesda mom whose 8-year-old son, Stephen (not their real names), used to be “obsessed” with broccoli and eat “plates and plates of it.” One day, he simply stopped eating the cruciferous vegetable, leaving her with a fridge full of it.

”

2/5/16 10:39 AM

Phoebe Hur (left), 4, likes pizza, carrots with hummus and vegetarian chili, and is always willing to try new foods. But her 6-year-old sister, Lucy, is pickier—she eats mostly oatmeal and eggs. Surprisingly, Lucy's parents say, she'll also eat seaweed.

getting their nutrition. As adults, we look at what they’re eating and think they’re not getting enough. They are. Remember, their stomach is the size of a fist.” Ideally, Maheshwari says, children should eat three to five servings of vegetables a day and another four of fruit. Don’t worry, that’s not as much as it seems. A simple rule for children under 5 is that a serving is one tablespoon per year of age. So a serving for a 3-year-old would be three tablespoons, which means they should eat between nine and 15 tablespoons of vegetables over the course of a day. To put that in perspective, nine tablespoons is a little more than half a cup; 15 tablespoons is just under a cup. Divide that amount among three meals and a snack or two, and you’re looking at just a few bites per sitting. “We’re so used to supersizing everything in this society, so we think

they need to eat a lot,” says Maheshwari, a mother of three. “They really don’t.”

Clever moms and dads have figured out all sorts of ways to pack nutrients into their children’s meals. For Brett and Rachel Gellman of Silver Spring, who run the food blog “DMV Dining,” the recent purchase of a Vitamix blender was a game changer in their efforts to get their 3-year-old son, Asher, to eat greens and dairy. They make him smoothies with plenty of fruit, but also add milk, spinach and kale, which turn the mixture green. “It’s just a funnylooking shake to him,” Rachel says. Roman Grinev, a nutrition consultant who owns Harmony Wellness in Rockville and works with children there, suggests blending greens and adding them to marinara sauce or using them

as a thickener for soups. You might even mix blended sweet potatoes into the sauce for mac ’n’ cheese. “It adds nutrients without really changing the flavor,” says Grinev, who has an 11-year-old son. “They’ll never know they’re there.” You can also give a food a cooler name. When I initially tried to get Zephyr to eat a mandarin orange, he refused. Then I told him it was a “Batman orange.” He snatched it out of my hand and ate the whole thing in a single, very messy bite. I’m not the only one resorting to wordplay. In order to get her son to try steak for the first time, Aja Pittman referred to it as “bear meat.” Parents and experts say you need to turn eating into a game sometimes. “We’ll resort to the helicopter or rocket ship flying food into her mouth,” says Silver Spring mom Michelle Mosher,

BethesdaMagazine.com | March/April 2016 259

health_kids nutrition_2.indd 259

2/5/16 10:40 AM

picky, picky

who has a 3-year-old daughter, Zadie. “Sometimes she’ll get into it and pick up the spoon to fly it herself.” Grinev suggests creating shapes out of fruits and vegetables and letting your children move them around like puzzle pieces. “As long as they’re not throwing food, there’s nothing wrong with them playing with their food,” he says. All of these tactics require parents to tap into their imagination, which can be aggravating. “A lot of parents hate having to do this; they just want to eat,” Maheshwari says. “But at this stage, children are growing and learning so much. They’re experiencing new textures, flavors and temperatures, so they get a little overwhelmed and don’t want to sit at a table eating. If you make it fun and creative, it will become more pleasurable for them and less of a battle for you.”

foods, especially vegetables and fruit. “Green vegetables Cara Hur calls her 10-yearare the hardest sell,” Voltagold son, Jacob, her "star eater." Jacob doesn't have a sweet gio says, “so I ask them to tooth, his mom says. peel the asparagus, shuck the He would rather have an peas and clean the spinach. avocado than a candy bar. If they’re touching it, feeling it, and seeing it, it’s less scary when it’s a finished product.” Even if the kids don’t end up eating what they’ve helped make, Voltaggio or his wife will make sure they eat something. “Gone are the days of ‘eat your Brussels sprouts or go to bed hungry,’ ” he says. “They have to eat something, so you may have to have an alternative on hand. If it’s beige or has hidden vegetables, so be it. Just don’t take the rejection too hard.” Cara Hur of Silver Spring decided to start using the meal delivery service Blue Apron a couple of nights a week to feed her three children: Jacob, 10, Lucy, 6, and Phoebe, 4. “It takes the emotion out of the preparation,” she says. “If they Even former Top Chef star Bryan don’t like it, they don’t blame me, they Voltaggio, who owns Range in Chevy blame Blue Apron.” Chase, D.C., and Volt in Frederick, among others, has to fight to get his If there’s a simple strategy three children—Thacher, 8, Piper, 4, and for winning the battle of the beige, it’s Ever, 2—to eat the meals he cooks for probably persistence. According to them. “They’re interested in what I do Maheshwari, studies have shown that and they love it, but that doesn’t mean a child has to taste and turn down a they give me the respect I deserve when new food 15 times before you can truly I put food in front of them,” he says. “I’m consider it a rejection—and once you just Dad, who is putting something for- offer it, you should wait four to six days before offering it again. eign and new in front of them.” “Keep offering new foods and don’t To get them to try unfamiliar or previously rejected foods, Voltaggio and freak out when they don’t take them,” his wife, Jennifer, enlist the children as April Fulton says. “If you keep offering little sous chefs when they’re cooking. them, they may eventually try them. A 2013 study published in the Journal of Whereas if they see you reacting in Nutrition Education and Behavior dem- a negative manner, they’ll know they onstrated that cooking with children (the have the power and they’ll never let test subjects were all in the fourth grade) that go.” Sometimes it’s not about the increases their openness to eating healthy food itself, but how it’s prepared, so

260 march/april 2016 | BethesdaMagazine.com

health_kids nutrition_2.indd 260

2/5/16 10:40 AM

Grinev recommends serving it in different forms. For example, your children might not like soft roasted carrots, but they might like them when they are raw and crispy. In all likelihood though, parents— especially first timers—are being too hard on themselves. “If your children are growing and following their own growth curve, that’s all that matters,” says Maheshwari, who recommends providing a gummy multivitamin if you’re really concerned about their diet. Still, experts say the best way for kids to get the nutrients they need is through food, so healthy eating should remain a priority. Pittman takes a practical view of the challenge to get her son, Carson, to eat vegetables. “He will grow up and he will eventually eat these foods,” she says. “He won’t like every food, but he won’t not eat vegetables as a 40-year-old. This won’t last forever.”

The Gellmans’ son, Asher, recently ate steak—and loved it. Cara Hur’s son, Jacob, has become a die-hard sushi fan. And Michelle Mosher’s daughter enjoys spicy Indian food, as well as the spaghetti with anchovy sauce that her Italian grandmother makes every Christmas. Listening to these parents discuss their triumphs and techniques filled me with hope and inspiration. So on a recent evening, I brought Zephyr’s yellow plastic step stool into the kitchen and decked him out in his miniature apron. “What are you making?” he wanted to know. “We are making awesome ’adillas,” I replied. “Can you help me sprinkle on the cheese, please?” More shredded cheddar ended up in his mouth than on the tortillas, but I didn’t mind. Next we stirred the black beans on the stove. (Unbeknownst to him, I had already spiced them with five types of chili peppers and thrown in some

sautéed prosciutto for good measure.) Finally, he helped mash the avocados and squirt some lemon juice into the mix. After a quick bake in the oven, I sliced up a bean-and-cheese quesadilla and complemented it with a big scoop of guacamole. I brought the plate out to Zephyr and stood back, trying not to look too anxious. He picked up a triangle of tortilla and dragged it through the guac. He paused for a second to examine his dinner; I held my breath. Then he tentatively nibbled it. “Do you like it?” I asked hesitantly. “It’s good, Poppa,” he said with a smile. Then he took another bite. n Nevin Martell is a D.C.-based food and travel writer, and author of the travelogue-memoir Freak Show Without a Tent: Swimming with Piranhas, Getting Stoned in Fiji and Other Family Vacations. He can be found on Twitter and Instagram @nevinmartell. Please call or e-mail Clare Cahill to schedule a tour: clare.cahill@wccbethesda.com

“The Beginning is the Most Important Part of the Work” —Plato

Beauvoir, the National Cathedral Elementary School is an independent elementary school for grades Pre-Kindergarten – Third Grade. For more information, please visit us online at: www.beauvoirschool.org. 3500 Woodley Road, NW · Washington, DC 20016 · www.beauvoirschool.org

BethesdaMagazine.com | March/April 2016 261

health_kids nutrition_2.indd 261

2/10/16 5:10 PM

eyes wide

open Not sleeping through the night? Join the club. Insomnia is pervasive, and leaves many

By joanne meszoly

illustration from istock

struggling for solutions.

262 march/april 2016 | BethesdaMagazine.com

HEALTH_insomnia.indd 262

2/5/16 3:31 PM

BethesdaMagazine.com | march/april 2016 263

HEALTH_insomnia.indd 263

2/5/16 3:31 PM

It takes me a few moments to get my bearings, to recognize that I’m in bed and in the dark. My husband, Martin, is beside me, breathing heavily, obviously asleep. Down the hallway, my kids—Cayden, 10, Hadley, 8, and Brynn, 5—slumber soundly. Even the dog is silent and sacked out. I am tired but unable to sleep. Awake again. Don’t look at the clock, I think. Inevitably, I’ll calculate how much time is left to sleep, and despair as it whittles away. What time does it feel like? I don’t hear traffic, so it’s not yet 5 a.m. Maybe it’s 4 or 4:30. Four-thirty would be good—that would mean I’ve had a solid block of sleep, with time for a little more. I’ll go with 4:30. Slowly, I roll over to peek at the glowing digits on the bedside clock. 1:18. 1:18? It’s only 1:18? Damn. I run through a mental list of sleeping tips: Stay relaxed, calm and positive. Don’t dwell on insomnia. Acknowledge it and move on. Try to fall asleep, but don’t think about trying to fall asleep. Unfortunately, in the middle of the night, it’s hard to think about anything else. I can go downstairs and watch TV or stay in bed and read; my husband bought me a tiny light that clips onto a book to help me trudge through these dark hours. Sometimes reading helps to knock me out, other times it doesn’t. Eventually—often fatigued from reading—I’ll shut off the light, close my eyes, and wait to slip away. But I can’t fool myself into sleeping, and all my stressful thoughts move in, pushing any pleasantries from my mind. Work meetings and deadlines, minor house chores or massive renovations that our old farmhouse needs but we can’t afford. Doctors’ appointments for the kids, car repairs and other speed bumps that disturb the flow of the workday. And darker thoughts, like the worry that sleep deprivation is harming my health, or that

certain illnesses might run in our family. Troubling thoughts flood everything, washing away the happy, positive ones. What’s left? At best, a catnap.

I didn’t always struggle with sleep. In fact, I slept for seven or eight undisturbed hours every night in my 20s and early 30s. Until 2004, when I was 33 and my father started displaying signs of confusion and forgetfulness. Through months of doctors’ appointments, Dad swore he was fine, but I knew he wasn’t. I started awakening each night—never consciously thinking about him, just roused, as though someone had nudged me. For five weeks,

the morning well rested. But then it resurfaces, and I can’t figure out why. It’s incredibly frustrating and debilitating, not to mention lonely. But I’m not alone. “I would love to know what it’s like to have a good night’s sleep,” says Bethesda resident Michele Wendell, a mother of two who works part time creating educational training materials for businesses. Wendell, age 39, who was diagnosed with insomnia in 2002, has undergone countless sleep studies and followed several different treatment plans. She has trouble staying asleep, as do I, and doesn’t recall a specific trigger. One study found that Wendell awakens a dozen times a night, and in the past,

Don't look at the clock, I think.

Inevitably, I'll calculate how much time is left to sleep, and despair as it whittles away.

I subsisted on a few hours of sleep cobbled together every night. I had a job as a staff writer for a monthly magazine and struggled through work in a haze, sometimes ducking into the bathroom to rest my head on a stall wall and doze. Then my doctor prescribed medication for insomnia. Three months later, my dad was diagnosed with early-onset dementia, and once that awful news sank in, I slept soundly again without any medication. For a couple of years I was fine. Then my insomnia returned and became a persistent condition. Sometimes it lies dormant—an ironic but accurate term— and I sail through the night and reach

she’s used a mini tape recorder to help track her sleep disruptions. When sleep eludes her now, she uses that time to tidy the house or prep her kids’ school bags for the next day. “I’ve learned to deal with it,” she says, “but I know I get sick more easily. And I’m more run-down because of it.” For John Barron III, a financial and regulatory analyst who grew up in Chevy Chase, insomnia was intermittent until he made the decision nine years ago to improve his health. At age 38, he decided to stop drinking alcohol and, as a result, his sleep suffered. “I didn’t start having significant troubles at night until my mid-20s, around that age when

264 march/april 2016 | BethesdaMagazine.com

HEALTH_insomnia.indd 264

2/5/16 3:32 PM

you start to have ‘real’ responsibilities,” the D.C. resident says. “I’d be physically exhausted, but I couldn’t turn off my mind, and drinking wine would help me relax and sleep. When I decided to quit drinking, everything changed. That’s when I realized that my insomnia was a problem.” The National Institutes of Health estimates that as many as 70 million Americans have trouble sleeping. And nearly one out of five adults has chronic insomnia, which is generally defined as difficulty sleeping—to the point that it impairs daytime activities—at least three times a week for three months or more. Insomnia sufferers may have difficulty falling asleep (sleep onset), staying asleep (sleep maintenance) or both. My problem is with sleep maintenance; I fall asleep quickly but awaken an hour or two later. Sometimes I get 30-minute snippets of slumber, but other nights I can’t get back to sleep at all. Over the last 10 years, I’ve gone to my primary care physician repeatedly and tried both over-the-counter sleep aids—Tylenol PM, Advil PM and melatonin supplements—and prescription sleep medications. I’ve met with a psychologist to determine if stress or anxiety factor into my insomnia. (They do.) I’ve tried to identify stress and anxiety triggers, and used relaxation techniques, such as meditation, to try to foster good sleeping habits. I’ve also undergone a study at a sleep center— I arrived in the evening and spent the night in what looked like a sparse hotel room as experts monitored my brainwave activity and sleeping patterns. A technician stuck electrode sensors to my skin and put a belt around my chest to monitor my breathing. It was an awkward night, but that’s how I learned that I don’t have sleep apnea, a common disorder in which you pause between breaths while you’re sleeping.

SIX tips for better sleep

No matter what type of sleep therapy you seek, “sleep hygiene” will be on the menu. The term describes various habits and practices that promote better quality sleep. Here are some of these time-honored tenets. n Restrict caffeine consumption after noon. Caffeine can stay in the system for five to six hours after ingestion, so avoid coffee, soda and other caffeinated beverages in the afternoon and evening. n Power down. Remove the TV, laptops, cellphone and other devices from the bedroom, and stop using those things two hours before you go to bed. n Create a restful sleeping environment, including a quiet, darkened room. Most people find that cooler temperatures are more conducive to sleep. n Try going to bed at the same time each night (weekends, too), and establish a wind-down routine. For example: take a bath, drink caffeinefree tea, meditate, read or listen to music. n Avoid big meals two hours before bedtime. Food consumption triggers metabolic activity, so experts say it is best to refrain from eating late at night. n Incorporate exercise into your daily routine. Studies have shown that people who exercise sleep better at night than those who don’t.

Some of the treatments I’ve tried have helped—prescription medications, including Ambien, have yielded the best results—but I still struggle with insomnia, sometimes for weeks or months at a time. Friends and family are perplexed by it, probably because it’s difficult to understand if you haven’t had it. Take a warm bath and drink a cup of tea, some people suggest, and when you’re tired enough, you’ll sleep. One person told me I’m “too busy not to sleep at night,” as though this debilitating wakefulness is a matter of choice.

S t u d i e s s h ow t h at insomnia affects the immune system—people who sleep less than six hours a night

are more likely to get sick—and it also takes a toll on the psyche. In the past, the military has used sleep deprivation as an interrogation tool because it promotes confusion and is emotionally debilitating. (In 2004, a British TV channel aired a reality show called Shattered, in which contestants competed to stay awake; the winner endured 178 hours without sleep. Several participants suffered from hallucinations and one contestant dropped out.) “Most people don’t understand how frustrating it is to be tired—completely exhausted—but unable to fall asleep,” says Kirsten Stade of Takoma Park, who has tried everything from prescription medications to meditation and herbal

BethesdaMagazine.com | march/april 2016 265

HEALTH_insomnia.indd 265

2/5/16 3:33 PM

eyes wide open

supplements. Stade, 42, works as an advocacy director for a national nonprofit. “And it’s so difficult when you get tired during the day. I can remember times where I was almost nodding off at my desk, and I’d wonder, ‘Why can’t I do this at bedtime?’ ” Experts suggest that chronic insomnia is more common in women, though researchers are uncertain whether this reflects a prevalence or reporting rates. What is certain is that the disorder is widespread, tricky to diagnose and even tougher to treat, because it is often entangled with other ailments—physical injury, biological changes, hormonal imbalances and mental health disorders. “The majority of [the] time, insomnia is a secondary condition to something else,” says neurologist Samuel Potolicchio, who lives in Bethesda. “On a general level, a difficulty in initiating sleep tends to be associated with a general anxiety disorder, whereas frequent awakening can be a manifestation of depression. But there are certainly cases that fall outside those parameters.” Potolicchio, who established a D.C.area sleep center in the 1980s and is now a professor of neurology and a sleep specialist at George Washington University, has been treating patients with insomnia and other neurological disorders for 40 years. “We know that there are primary forms of insomnia, and we recognize that there are genetic components. And we know that various neurotransmitters are involved, such as serotonin and dopamine, but they all orchestrate sleep in a complicated way. We aren’t at a point where we can identify a neurochemical imbalance. We can’t say, ‘Oh, you are deficient in this,’ or, ‘You need more of that.’ I wish that we could.” The overuse of cellphones, laptops and other electronic devices can also contribute to sleep issues. “Many people don’t carve out enough ‘dark’ time to get sleep on a consistent basis,” says neurologist Helene Emsellem, the medical director at The Center for Sleep

& Wake Disorders in Chevy Chase. “We communicate nonstop via cellphones, and there is no longer a definitive end to the workday. That takes a toll on sleep.” Spending too much time with electronics isn’t always a direct cause of insomnia, but all those texts and emails can increase stress levels. Experts at the National Sleep Foundation recommend ceasing all work, emails and phone calls (even to family and friends) two hours before bedtime, since those things stimulate the brain when it should be winding down.

I’ve had an on -again, off-again relationship with Ambien since 2004. It helps when my insomnia is at its worst. But when I use it for several days in a row, it becomes a psychological crutch—something I need for my bedtime routine.

and Drug Administration lowered the recommended dose, due to the risk of “next day impairment.” Still, Ambien and other sedativehypnotics, such as Lunesta and Sonata, are hugely popular among the sleep deprived. And that’s the problem with all of these prescription drugs: According to FDA labeling, they are intended for short-term use, but some people rely on them for much longer. Why? One reason is that many general practitioners don’t have time to fully evaluate a patient’s sleep problems and make a diagnosis, so it can be difficult to get a treatment plan. Patients who want to see a specialist may have to wait a long time. “It took me a few months to get into a sleep center, and that was just to meet with a practitioner, not for a sleep study,” Stade recalls. Experts say chronic insomnia can be

“Most people don't understand how frustrating it is to be tired— completely exhausted—but unable to fall asleep.”

—Kirsten Stade of Takoma Park

Prescription sleep aids have been around for decades, but in the mid1990s, Ambien (zolpidem) became the poster child for sleep in a pill form. The drug acts on gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a neurotransmitter that reduces the activities of certain brain cells and helps induce sleep. It is widely dispensed—once at an estimated rate of 40 million prescriptions a year. But reports have circulated recently about patients who eat, shop or even drive after taking Ambien and have no memory of doing so. In 2013, the Food

resolved with minimal or no medication, but that it’s a marathon, not a sprint. And one of the first steps is to change the individual’s behaviors and perceptions about sleep. Jeffrey Mann, a clinical psychologist at the Capital Institute for Cognitive Therapy in the District, treats insomnia patients with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), a treatment that addresses psychological and behavioral processes to identify negative patterns and redirect the patient toward healthier behaviors and beliefs. For example, when they’re

266 march/april 2016 | BethesdaMagazine.com

HEALTH_insomnia.indd 266

2/5/16 3:33 PM

unable to fall asleep, insomniacs tend to stay in bed for hours, which creates a negative association with bed and may cause anxiety about falling asleep. Whether insomnia is the primary or secondary disorder, Mann says, “people set themselves up for a catastrophic sleep prophecy by believing: I must get eight hours of sleep. Or: I can’t function without eight hours of sleep. This sleep vigilance creates more anxiety about bedtime.” Therapists use CBT to dispel negative thoughts about bed, while teaching the patient to reduce nighttime stimuli and engage in better wind-down practices. “If you have insomnia, you have to change your habits,” Mann says. “If you are reading a book in the afternoon, don’t lie in bed to read. Time spent in bed not sleeping makes the problem worse.” Neurologists agree on this approach.

“Behavioral therapy sounds chicken soup-ish, but it goes a long way to divert negative thinking,” says Emsellem, who uses CBT to treat patients. She also uses other tools, such as a sleep log, which enables a patient to document when he or she is falling asleep and awakening. “You’d be surprised how people will have insomnia for years, but then they can’t tell me how much they’ve slept or when,” she says. Potolicchio notes that CBT is a long process that can work if patients are amenable to therapy. “Many studies have shown that it is probably just as good as any sleeping pill,” he says. Emsellem and Potolicchio agree that certain types of insomnia are more difficult to treat, specifically cases in which patients fall asleep but are unable to maintain it. Many prescription drugs are designed to help initiate sleep, not

sustain it. For those who wake up often, psychologists and neurologists may suggest setting a late bedtime and an early alarm, based on the window of time that the patient is getting the bulk of his or her sleep. (I was advised to go to sleep late and wake up earlier.) “If a person has sleep maintenance problems and is only sleeping four hours, that’s where we’ll start,” Potolicchio says. “Consolidate the sleep and expand on it like an accordion.” The challenge is to resolve insomnia without compounding it. “I tell people that sleep is a lot like love,” Mann says. “If you are trying to fall in love, it’s probably not going to happen.”

Insomnia seems to be a bit like weight loss: The pool is packed with diet plans and success stories, but individual results vary. As a poor sleeper, I found

BethesdaMagazine.com | march/april 2016 267

HEALTH_insomnia.indd 267

2/10/16 2:55 PM

eyes wide open

it impossible to approach this subject without querying other sleep sufferers in search of a solution that I’ve missed. John Barron has managed his insomnia with better sleep hygiene and lifestyle changes: cutting back on caffeine, exercising regularly, and refraining from text messaging at night. This regimen works most of the time, but on occasion he takes a prescribed medication called trazodone, which is known to induce drowsiness. Over the years, Kirsten Stade has had the most success with low doses of Ambien, though she recently replaced her prescription with a combination of herbal remedies, and contacted another sleep center for an appointment. She’s sleeping well now, and wonders whether that’s because of the herbal supplements or a placebo effect.

Michele Wendell found help when she was diagnosed with narcolepsy, a chronic neurological disorder in which sleepwake cycles are irregular. The disorder causes excessive daytime sleepiness and, for some, insomnia. “Most people get sleep studies at night, but three years ago a doctor suggested doing a daytime study,” Wendell says. “During intervals of the day, I’d lay down and take a nap, and they’d see how fast you fall asleep and how deeply. I fell asleep within one to two minutes, which is abnormally fast, and they also discovered that I nod off a lot during the day.” Wendell now takes a medication to treat narcolepsy, and it has helped reduce her insomnia episodes. She also uses CBT techniques to fall asleep, but at times still struggles with sleep maintenance. “Learning my natural sleep patterns has helped me

create a schedule that optimizes what little sleep I get,” she says. I haven’t found a silver bullet cure, but I’ve realized that effective treatment requires a long-term commitment. And there’s some solace in knowing that there are others who face similar challenges. “I’ve often thought that it would be nice if we had an insomnia network,” Stade says, “like a blinking light. Some indication to let others know when we are up.” I would respond to that blinking light. It would be reassuring to know that, as I lie awake while others sleep soundly, I am really not alone. n A longtime former resident of Bethesda, Joanne Meszoly (www.joannemeszoly. com) now lives in Dickerson, where she blogs about farm life.

Register Now Seize this rare opportunity to learn about the latest advances in women’s health from renowned Johns Hopkins faculty physicians. • Three Presentations • Lite Refreshments

Tuesday, April 19, 2016 9 to 11 a.m. Bethesda Hyatt 1 Bethesda Metro Center Bethesda, MD 20814

For registration and information, call 410-955-8660 or visit hopkinsmedicine.org/awomansjourney/gwa

A Woman’s Journey is grateful for the generous support of our corporate and media sponsors. 268 march/april 2016 | BethesdaMagazine.com

HEALTH_insomnia.indd 268

2/5/16 3:34 PM

Sibley Memorial Hospital Suburban Hospital Johns Hopkins Community Physicians

Find a physician:

855-JHM-3939 jhmdc.org

When you need cardiac surgery, you want an experienced team who achieve great results. Suburban Hospital was among only 14 percent of the nation’s hospitals to be rated “high performing” in cardiac bypass surgery in the U.S. News and World Report Best Hospitals for Common Care ratings. And our surgical outcomes have consistently met or exceeded those at other hospitals in the nation and region in every parameter measured by a national database.* Johns Hopkins Community Physicians Heart Care, Sibley Memorial Hospital and Suburban Hospital are part of Johns Hopkins Medicine, working together to give you more options for cardiac care in the Washington, D.C. area. Discover what’s possible. *Information based on Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) national cardiac database

Untitled-1 1

2/11/16 10:23 AM

health

wellness

calendar Compiled by Cindy Murphy-Tofig

walk courses. 8:30 a.m. $25 for the 5K and 1-mile before March 1; $30 through March 30; $35 April 1 through race day. For the 5-mile: $30 before March 1, $35 March 30 through race day. $100 cap on families, $5 off per registration for area school groups. Stonegate Elementary School, Silver Spring. www.bensrun.org. April 24 PIKE’S PEEK 10K. The race begins near the Shady Grove Metro, winds downhill on Rockville Pike and ends near the White Flint Metro. 7:50 a.m.; 9:30 a.m. for 50-meter tot trot; 9:45 a.m. for 1K. $50; $15 for 1K or 50-meter tot trot. Race start is on Redland Road, Rockville. www.pikespeek10k.org.

SCREENINGS/CLASSES/ WORKSHOPS

RUNNING/WALKING March 5 SENECA CREEK TRAIL MARATHON AND 50K. The races go along the Seneca Creek Greenway Trail and parallel trails. 7 a.m. $35; $25 for members of Montgomery County Road Runners Club. Seneca Creek State Park, Gaithersburg. www.senecacreek greenwayrace.com. March 20 PIECE OF CAKE 5K and 10K. Celebrate the birthday of the Montgomery County

Road Runners Club. After the races, the club’s annual meeting is held, followed by cake. 8 a.m. for 5K; 8:15 a.m. for 10K. A 2.8K for youth will begin at 7:45 a.m.; a quartermile and half-mile fun run will begin about a minute later. $10; $5 younger than 18; free for members of Montgomery County Road Runners Club. Seneca Creek State Park, Gaithersburg. www.mcrrc.org. April 23 BEN’S RUN. Proceeds from the sixth annual race will benefit the oncology and bone marrow units at Children’s National Medical Center. Choose the 5K, 5-mile or 1-mile run/

March 2 LOOK GOOD, FEEL BETTER. Cosmetologists teach makeup tips, wig care and other beauty techniques to women undergoing cancer treatments. 6-8 p.m. Free. Aquilino Cancer Center, Adventist HealthCare Shady Grove Medical Center, Rockville. 800-5425096, www.adventisthealthcare.com. March 2 and April 6 BIG BROTHER & BIG SISTER CLASS. Siblings ages 3-9 will watch a video, hear a story and talk about the family’s upcoming new addition. 5:30-6:30 p.m. $15; $5 for each additional child. Adventist HealthCare Shady Grove Medical Center, Rockville. 800542-5096, www.adventisthealthcare.com. March 2 and April 6 EAT WELL FOR HEALTH: NUTRITION AND COOKING CLASS. Learn how different foods can affect your body,

photo by Dan Reichmann/Courtesy of Mcrrc

The Montgomery County Road Runners Club will celebrate its birthday with the Piece of Cake 5K and 10K on March 20.

March 2-16 MANAGING ANGER: A PARENT’S GUIDE. Learn how to change your thoughts, words and actions so that you can get more positive outcomes. The class will also cover how to help your children manage their anger. 7:30-9:30 p.m. Wednesdays. $98. Parent Encouragement Program, Kensington. 301929-8824, www.pepparent.org.

270 march/april 2016 | BethesdaMagazine.com

HEALTH_Calendar.indd 270

2/8/16 2:14 PM

We’re Your New Neighbors We listen. We team. Together, we heal. At Casey Health, we offer integrative health and wellness programs to address: fatigue, insomnia, digestive issues, chronic pain, hypertension, anxiety, weight gain, back pain, headaches and diabetes, to name a few.

ALL UNDER ONE ROOF • Integrative Primary Care • Chiropractic • Health Coaching • Acupuncture • Behavioral Health

• Yoga Therapy • Naturopathy • Reiki • Nutrition • Massage Therapy

• Wellness Workshops FIR (Open to the Public) YOGA ST CL FREE!ASS • Yoga • Mindfulness • Physicians’ Kitchen • Community Night Every Monday

WWW.CASEYHEALTH.ORG 800 SOUTH FREDERICK AVENUE | GAITHERSBURG, MD 20877 | 301.664.6464

Untitled-2 1

We accept most major insurances.

2/3/16 4:09 PM

health

March 7 PLANNING FOR SAFE TEEN DRIVING. Learn about common problems for young drivers and strategies parents and teens can use to safely get through this stage. The class is for parents with or without their teens. 7:30-9:30 p.m. $33; $16.50 for teens. Parent Encouragement Program, Kensington. 301-929-8824, www.pepparent.org. March 12 CAN DO KIDS FAIR. Children practice hammering nails, sewing on a button, vacuuming and other skills. Designed for 3- to 10-year-olds with their parents. 2:30-4:30 p.m.; PEP members may come one hour earlier. $15 per person; $50 maximum per family. Parent Encouragement Program, Kensington. 301-929-8824, www.pepparent.org. March 12 and 19 SAFE SITTER. The babysitting class, for ages 11-13, covers basic first aid, child care skills and handling emergencies. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. $95. Bethesda-Chevy Chase Regional Services Center, Bethesda. 301-896-3100, www.suburbanhospital.org.

DENTIST

Kids show off their practical skills at the Can Do Kids Fair on March 12.

March 14 and April 18 BABY CARE BASICS. Learn how to care for your newborn during those first few weeks. 7-9:30 p.m. $40 per couple. Adventist HealthCare Shady Grove Medical Center, Rockville. 800-542-5096, www. adventisthealthcare.com.

FINDER

Your Guide to Leading Dentists in the Bethesda Area

March 16 LEARN TO UNDERSTAND YOUR ANGER. Understand what triggers your anger, how anger affects your health and what you can do to manage it. 7-9 p.m. $20. Suburban Hospital, Bethesda. 301-8963100, www.suburbanhospital.org.

Special Advertising Section

GENERAL DENTISTRY, Cosmetic dentistry

Dr. Cheryl F. Callahan

Dr. Jason A. Cohen

Cheryl F. Callahan, DDS and Associates

Jason A. Cohen, DDS

15225 Shady Grove Road, Suite 301 Rockville, MD 20850 301-948-1212 www.cherylcallahandds.com

Dental School: University of Michigan Services Include: Cosmetic Dentistry, Whitening, Tooth Colored Fillings, Porcelain Veneers, Crowns, Inlays, Onlays, Nightguards, Invisalign, Implants, Pediatric Dentistry, Digital Impressions and X-rays

photo courtesy of parent encouragement program

and which ingredients can support your health. 6-7 p.m. Free; registration required. Adventist HealthCare Washington Adventist Hospital, Takoma Park. 301-891-6105, www. adventisthealthcare.com.

5530 Wisconsin Ave., Suite 560 Chevy Chase, MD 20815 301-656-1201 www.cosmeticdds.com

Dental School: University of Maryland Dental School Expertise: Treating Your Family Like Family. Our practice focuses on General, Cosmetic & Implant Dentistry. Our goal is to preserve, protect and enhance your dental health by creating a caring and gentle atmosphere where the level of treatment is second to none.

272 march/april 2016 | BethesdaMagazine.com

HEALTH_Calendar.indd 272

2/11/16 12:56 PM

photo courtesy of parent encouragement program

Special Advertising Section

DENTIST

FINDER

Your Guide to Leading Dentists in the Bethesda Area

GENERAL DENTISTRY, Cosmetic dentistry

Dr. John J. Higgins

Dr. Steven Janowitz

John J. Higgins, DDS PA 5648 Shields Drive Bethesda, MD 20817 301-530-8008 www.johnjhigginsdds.com

Dental School: Georgetown University Expertise: Provide patients with excellent care and health education in a contemporary and comfortable atmosphere

Steven Janowitz, DDS

350 Fortune Terrace Rockville, MD 20854 301-279-2600 www.stevenjanowitzdds.com

Expertise: My goal is to provide exceptional dental care in a very comfortable setting, using modern technology and assisted by an experienced, highly skilled and compassionate staff that is like family. I am excited to come to work every day at my dream office.

GENERAL DENTISTRY, Cosmetic dentistry

dr. Jay Samuels

Dr. Deborah Tabb

Jay H. Samuels, DDS PA

Bethesda Family Dentistry

11140 Rockville Pike, Suite 510 Rockville, MD 20852 301-881-4200 www.drjsamuels.com

Dental School: University of Maryland School of Dentistry Expertise: We are a full service general and cosmetic dental practice specializing in individual oral health care. Using the latest dental technology, we help our patients achieve the smiles of their dreams. We combine the Art and Science of Dentistry ... with a Smile!

10215 Fernwood Road, Suite 415 Bethesda, MD 20817 301-493-4204 www.BethesdaFamilyDentistry.com

Dental School: Medical College of Virginia Services Include: Comprehensive Restorative & Preventive Dentistry for Children and Adults, Crowns, Implants, Invisalign, Sleep Apnea Appliances, Teeth Whitening, Removable Dentures, Root Canals, and Periodontal Surgery

pediatric DENTISTRY, orthodontics

Periodontics, Dental Implants

Dr. Amy Light

Dr. Roy Eskow

Amy Light, DMD & Associates Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics

Bethesda Dental Implant Center

9812 Falls Road, Suite 118 Potomac, MD 20854 301-983-9804 www.AmyLight.com

Dental School: The University of Pennsylvania Expertise: The doctors in our practice are Board Certified specialists in both Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics. We have the unique ability to meet all dental needs for children â&#x20AC;&#x201D; toddler through young adulthood. We create healthy, beautiful smiles for a lifetime.

5626 Shields Drive Bethesda, MD 20817 301-493-6200 www.bethesdadentalimplantcenter.com

Dental School: University of Maryland School of Dentistry Expertise: We provide state of the art periodontal therapy in a comfortable and caring environment. 30 years experience in dental implant surgery, periodontics, oral medicine, dental sleep apnea. Paramount is building a quality relationship with each and every patient. BethesdaMagazine.com | march/april 2016 273

HEALTH_Calendar.indd 273

2/8/16 10:57 AM

health March 1 and April 5, 12:30-2 p.m. March 21 and April 18. Hope Connections for Cancer Support, Bethesda. 301-634-7500, www. hopeconnectionsforcancer.org. The Fatherhood 101 workshop on March 19 is designed for new and expectant dads.

March 19 GOOD WORK! RAISING RESPONSIBLE, CONTRIBUTING, COOPERATIVE KIDS. PEP founder Linda Jessup helps parents learn how to teach children the importance of contributing to the household. 2 p.m. $33. Parent Encouragement Program, Kensington. 301-929-8824, www.pepparent.org. March 19 FATHERHOOD 101. The workshop will help new and expectant dads meet the challenges of fatherhood. 1-3:30 p.m. $20. Adventist HealthCare Shady Grove Medical Center, Rockville. 800-542-5096, www. adventisthealthcare.com. March 21 LOOK GOOD, FEEL BETTER. Cosmetologists teach makeup tips, wig care and other beauty techniques to women undergoing cancer treatments. 10 a.m.-noon. Free. Adventist HealthCare Washington Adventist Hospital, Takoma Park. 800-5425096, www.adventisthealthcare.com. March 21 A BABY, MAYBE? Learn about nutrition and exercises for a healthy pregnancy, plus lifestyle changes and budgeting for baby. The session also includes a tour of Holy Cross Hospital’s maternity center. 7-9 p.m. Free. Holy Cross Professional and Community Education Center, Silver Spring. 301-754-8800, www.holycrosshealth.org. April 9 and 16 TO YOUR HEALTH! The two-day health fair, Holy Cross Hospital’s 12th annual, will include free screenings, health education lectures and hands-on exhibits. April 9 screenings will include breast exams, Pap tests, fasting diabetes glucose and fasting lipid profile; April 16 will have wellness activities for the whole family. 8 a.m.noon April 9, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. April 16. Free. Holy Cross Professional and Community

March 9-April 20 CHILD, ADOLESCENT AND TEENAGER GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP. The six-week group is for 4-year-olds through teens who have experienced the death of a parent or sibling. Note: No class March 30. 6-7:30 p.m. Wednesdays. $25. Montgomery Hospice, Rockville. 301-921-4400, www.montgomery hospice.org. March 10 and April 14 YOUNG ADULT GROUP. Peers can find support for the unique challenges of having cancer as a young adult. 6:30-8 p.m. Hope Connections for Cancer Support, Bethesda. 301-634-7500, www.hopeconnectionsfor cancer.org.

Education Center, Silver Spring. 301-7548800, www.holycrosshealth.org. April 30 SAFE SITTER. The class, for 11to 13-year-olds who plan to start babysitting, covers first-aid techniques, child care safety and how to handle emergencies. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. $65. Holy Cross Resource Center, Silver Spring. 301-7548800, www.holycrosshealth.org.

SUPPORT GROUPS Support groups are free unless otherwise noted. Ongoing CAREGIVER GROUP. Caregivers receive support and explore ways to cope with the stress of a loved one’s cancer diagnosis. 6:30-8 p.m. Tuesdays and noon-1:30 p.m. Thursdays. Hope Connections for Cancer Support, Bethesda. 301-634-7500, www. hopeconnectionsforcancer.org. Ongoing ADVANCED CANCER SUPPORT GROUP. Patients whose cancer has metastasized can speak frankly about their cancer and its meaning in their lives. 2 p.m. Thursdays. Hope Connections for Cancer Support, Bethesda. 301-634-7500, www.hope connectionsforcancer.org. March 1, March 21, April 5 and April 18 BREAST CANCER GROUP. For patients at different stages of treatment. 6:30-8 p.m.

March 14-April 18 EVENING GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP. For anyone grieving the death of a loved one. 6:30-8 p.m. Mondays. $25. Brightview Assisted Living, Rockville. 301-921-4400, www.montgomeryhospice.org. March 14, March 28, April 11 and April 25 OVARIAN/GYNECOLOGICAL CANCERS GROUP. The group gives women with similar diagnoses a chance to connect. 12:30-2:30 p.m. Hope Connections for Cancer Support, Bethesda. 301-634-7500, www.hopeconnectionsforcancer.org. March 15-April 19 AFTERNOON GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP. For anyone grieving the death of a loved one. 1:30-3 p.m. Tuesdays. $25. Saint Mark Presbyterian Church, North Bethesda. 301921-4400, www.montgomeryhospice.org. March 16 BETTER BREATHERS CLUB. For people with chronic lung disease, such as lung cancer, asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. 6:30 p.m. Suburban Hospital, Bethesda. 301-896-3100, www. suburbanhospital.org. March 21 PROSTATE CANCER SUPPORT GROUP. For patients, family members and friends. 7 p.m. Suburban Hospital, Bethesda. 301-8963939, www.suburbanhospital.org. n To submit calendar items, go to www.Bethesda Magazine.com.

joey boylan/istock

March 19 MULTICULTURAL HEALTH DISPARITIES CONFERENCE: DIVERSITY IN ACTION. The ninth annual conference looks at the disproportionate effects of cardiovascular health issues and other diseases in different racial and ethnic communities. The event will include health lectures and information about resources. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Free. Holy Cross Professional and Community Education Center, Silver Spring. 301-754-8800, www. holycrosshealth.org.

274 march/april 2016 | BethesdaMagazine.com

HEALTH_Calendar.indd 274

2/8/16 2:16 PM

Special Advertising Section

Ask the Beauty Experts

A. Dean Jabs, M.D., Ph.D. Cosmetic Surgery Associates www.cosmeticplastics.com

James kim

See profile page 279

BethesdaMagazine.com | March/April 2016 275

2016 B Beauty Experts.indd 275

2/8/16 12:27 PM

Ask the Beauty Experts

Special Advertising Section

I’m so frustrated trying to tell my stylist what I want. They don’t listen or don’t get what I asked for. For instance, I asked to not cut my hair short, yet I wound up with short hair! A picture is worth a thousand words. So try bringing a picture in of what you want. Many times it’s a problem of semantics or just using the wrong wording. Other times, it’s, “But this is what I thought you said.” With a picture or photo, there is no misunderstanding and you both have a backup. Also, if you don’t want your hair cut too short, have the stylist cut it dry. Hair shrinks after it is dried. With dry cuts, there’s no shrinkage and it’s exactly what you both see. My hair is supposed to be highlighted but it’s now blond! This can happen at some salons but don’t worry, there are multiple solutions. First, we can add low-lights to even the hair color out for you. You can also convert to an Ombre, which provides gradual shading or gradation of hair that evens out the color. We can also dry wrap some of the hi-lights and tone down or deposit color into the rest of the hair too. Don’t worry – it’s a problem that can be fixed. We have 40 years of experience giving our clients the cut and color that works for them. We deliver the experience and talent to complement and enhance your hair type, facial shape, skin tones and lifestyle, and we’re known for our color, hair designs, extensions and smoothing treatments. Come see us for all your hair needs and let us show you what experience, strict training standards and dedication can do for you.

David Cohen 12121 Rockville Pike Rockville, MD 20852 301-881-2540 www.davidsbeautifulpeople.com

hilary schwab

David’s Beautiful People

276 March/April 2016 | BethesdaMagazine.com

2016 B Beauty Experts.indd 276

2/8/16 12:27 PM

Ask the Beauty Experts

Special Advertising Section

Jennifer Whitman, PA-C Amy Waters, PA-C Roberta Palestine, M.D. Brenda Pellicane, M.D. hilary schwab

The Dermatology Center and Rockledge Med Spa 6410 Rockledge Drive, #205 Bethesda, MD 20817 301-968-1200 www.dermskin.com

Can you help me get rid of my double chin? We offer two state-of-the-art, nonsurgical ways to treat submental fullness (a/k/a the “double chin”). The first is the Cool Mini applicator from CoolSculpting, a non-invasive procedure that uses controlled cooling to freeze fat cells without damaging skin. Each treatment takes about 45 minutes and results are typically achieved in one or two treatments. After the treatment, you can resume normal activities immediately. The other non-surgical treatment we utilize to combat double chins is Kybella. This involves an injection of deoxycholic acid, which is a molecule found in the body that naturally aids in the breakdown of dietary fat. Each treatment takes about 15-20 minutes and most patients see results with two to four treatments. We also offer traditional liposuction and can help you decide which treatment is best for you during the consultation process. Schedule a consultation today – call 301-968-1200.

I would like to have a skin resurfacing treatment done, but I can’t take a lot of time off work. Can you help? Yes! We offer Halo, the world’s first and only hybrid fractional laser. Halo produces wonderful results without the downtime associated with typical skin resurfacing lasers. Over time, your skin can lose its youthful glow due to sun exposure and your body’s natural aging process. Previous lasers couldn’t effectively remove this damage because they were either too shallow or too deep. Halo eliminates years of damage by precisely targeting the right depth to restore the luminous glow you used to have. With Halo, we can treat a variety of skin conditions including discoloration, sun damage, melasma, uneven skin tone, enlarged pores, scars, fine lines and other visible signs of aging. We address each patient’s specific needs and customize a treatment plan accordingly. Schedule a consultation today – call 301-968-1200.

BethesdaMagazine.com | March/April 2016 277

2016 B Beauty Experts.indd 277

2/9/16 12:19 PM

Ask the Beauty Experts

Special Advertising Section

I hear that you’re masters of color trends and techniques. Tell me how you do it? Hair color is a major part of helping our guests find their most “beautiful you”— which starts with mastering techniques. Color is an art form and a science. Our 34 stylists, 3 of whom are Certified Master Colorists, continually receive training on the newest methods. From the most classical techniques to the latest trends, like Balayage, Ombre, creative coloring and beautiful grays, we understand the science of color. Guests bring in photos (usually of celebrities) and we pull off the look—customized for their skin tone and hair type. Progressions meets every guest’s needs and adds value by bringing years of knowledge and ability to their color. How do you make sure I’ll love the results? The key is personalization— there’s no one-size-fits-all color here. We want our guests to look and feel beautiful, of course, but we also want their color to work for their day-to-day life. Before the service even begins, our colorists do an in-depth consultation. We talk about what your goals are and recommend the best techniques to achieve them, but we go beyond today’s appointment. We develop a maintenance plan tailored to your lifestyle and budget, so you know what to expect with re-growth and which high quality brands will preserve your color (we even offer ammonia-free color or color for sensitivity challenges). We want you to LOVE your color, until you’re ready for a seasonal change. We make color an experience. During the service itself, you can add a manicure, shoulder massage or brow tint to maximize your time. Afterwards, you can request a complimentary makeup touch up, trying out shades to compliment your new hue, pulling your look together. You’ll walk out with a look that pops, and you’ll feel like your best self has been revealed.

Cindy Feldman, Owner 12211 Nebel St. Rockville, MD 20852 301-231-8757 www.progressions.com

hilary schwab

Progressions salon, spa, store

278 March/April 2016 | BethesdaMagazine.com

2016 B Beauty Experts.indd 278

2/8/16 12:28 PM

Ask the Beauty Experts

Special Advertising Section

A. Dean Jabs, M.D., Ph.D. james kim

Cosmetic Surgery Associates 6430 Rockledge Drive, #100 Bethesda, MD 20817 301-493-4334 www.cosmeticplastics.com

I don’t like what I see when I look in the mirror and I look older than I feel. Is there anything you can do to help? So many of us feel younger than we look. If this is how you feel, we can help you regain some of your youthful appearance. Most women feel this way because of facial aging. Complaints are usually centered around the eyes, jowls and neck. We have many ways to help, from skin care to injectables, to complete mini-facelifts (S-lift). We have it all in one convenient location. We have a strong commitment to natural enhancements, working with your natural facial characteristics, improving any elements you’re displeased with on your face and neck.

Is a hospital stay and general anesthesia required for most rejuvenating procedures? We might recommend an S-lift, which is a mini-facelift that is an outpatient procedure. It takes only a few hours and offers a more youthful appearance for men and women. Results are quite natural looking with no hospitals, no anesthesia and a fast recovery. We perform S-lifts and other outpatient procedures in our new, state-of-theart, certified office on the ground floor of the Westmoreland Building on Rockledge Drive, with maximum convenience and discretion. Other services include skin care, Fraxel laser resurfacing, Forever Young BBL from Sciton, SmartLipo laser liposuction, facelifts, eyelids and brow lifts; as well as breast augmentation, breast lifts and breast reductions.

BethesdaMagazine.com | March/April 2016 279

2016 B Beauty Experts.indd 279

2/8/16 12:29 PM

Ask the Beauty Experts

How can I reduce the frizz in my curly hair? Curly hair is drier than other types of hair, so your hair probably needs hydration. Moisturize it daily, applying a leave-in conditioner or oil such as coconut oil. Frizz is created when, as with most curly hair, the cuticle is open from lack of moisture. Wet hair is never frizzy, because water fills the open hair cuticles. Another solution for fighting frizz is the Deva cutting technique, a revolutionary method created for curly hair by New York stylist Lorraine Massey. Most traditional techniques address straight hair. This exclusive Deva cut, in which hair is cut dry, requires special training that members of New Wave Salon and Spa have received. Curly hair’s spring factor can be misinterpreted while wet. That’s why we cut curly hair in its natural dry state, curl by curl, sculpting each client’s hair according to his or her individual curl pattern, whether wavy or corkscrew.

Rachel Cohn Optometrist

Wink Eyewear Boutique 1095Seven Locks Road Potomac, MD 20854 301-545-1111 drcohn@wink.net www.wink.net

Danny Sayag, Owner New Wave Salon and Spa 1776 East Jefferson St., Suite 111 Rockville, MD 20852 301-231-4844 www.newwavesalon.com

tony lewis jr

Do these glasses make my butt look big? For a lot of us, picking out the right glasses is almost as much fun as jean shopping. But finding the right eyewear is one of the most important purchases we make. Glasses are one of the first things people notice. Face it – nobody is talking to our jewelry, handbags or jeans! The right glasses can make you look sexy and smart, and the wrong frame can be distracting and make us look old. The most flattering frames play against your facial contours. If your face is round, choose a frame that has some angles. If square, choose softer angles. Don’t be afraid of color – it can add life to your face – and please don’t think you have to match your glasses to your clothes. My staff is the best at helping you find your perfect frame. Try on lots of them. It’s certainly easier that trying on a pair of jeans.

tamzin b. smith portrait photography

Special Advertising Section

280 March/April 2016 | BethesdaMagazine.com

2016 B Beauty Experts.indd 280

2/10/16 12:43 PM

Ask the Beauty Experts

Special Advertising Section

Ravi Dahiya, M.D. Courtesy Photo

Potomac Facial Plastic Surgery 110 South Washington St. Rockville MD 20850 301-340-7377 www.potomacfacialplastics.com

How do you achieve looking natural results when performing rejuvenation procedures like a facelift or â&#x20AC;&#x153;minilift?â&#x20AC;? To achieve natural appearing results, it is important to first fully understand how the face ages. There are several layers to our face including the skin, fatty tissue below that, and then a layer of supportive tissue that includes muscles and fascia. All of these layers are subject to changes as we age. However, surgeons have traditionally simply pulled the deeper supportive tissues up, creating a very tight look. At Potomac Facial Plastic Surgery, our approach is to address all three layers in the aging process. I believe that a well done face or neck-lifting procedure should be complemented by adding volume in moderate amounts. By also improving skin texture at the same time we are able to create a much better

result and one that looks completely natural. We refer to this approach as 3D rejuvenation. Our patients simply love the results. What is the latest in technology that benefits your patients? This is a very exciting time in cosmetic surgery because there are so many options that we can offer to our patients. For example, the number of safe and effective dermal fillers has never been more abundant. There are numerous temporary fillers, of course, but now there is a reliable long-term filler known as Bellafill. I have been thrilled with the results. Bellafill feels natural and is FDA approved to last at least 5 years. Laser technology has also improved substantially. It allows me to provide skin treatments that can dramatically reduce wrinkles and sun damage with much less downtime than ever.

BethesdaMagazine.com | March/April 2016 281

2016 B Beauty Experts.indd 281

2/8/16 12:29 PM

Magazine

Best of Bethesda

Restaurants

Barrel and Crow Cava Mezze Founding Farmers Gringos & Mariachis Lebanese Taverna Macon Bistro & Larder Mon Ami Gabi Olazzo PassionFish Bethesda Raku Range River Falls Tavern Silver Spring Mill Bakery Summer House Santa Monica Urban Butcher

Details

May 12, 6:30-10 p.m. at Park Potomac Games and Giveaways Live Music by The 19th Street Band

Early Bird tickets on sale March 17 @ BethesdaMagazine.com

Free Parking

Benefiting the Autism Speaks 5K

Sponsors

vertical house ad_NEON.indd 1

2/15/16 1:13 PM

restaurants. cooking. food. drinks.

photo by stacy zarin-goldberg

dine

Burrata cheese over a persimmon purĂŠe at Inferno Pizzeria Napoletana; to read our review of the new restaurant, see page 284.

BethesdaMagazine.com | march/april 2016 283

DINE_opener.indd 283

2/5/16 10:34 AM

dine | review

CONTEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S INFERNO

An accomplished chef draws from his Italian roots at a new refined pizzeria BY david hagedorn | photos by stacy zarin - goldberg

Tony Conte opened Inferno Pizzeria Napoletana last year.

Inferno Pizzeria Napoletana

12207 Darnestown Road, Darnestown, 301-963-0115, inferno-pizzeria.com FAVORITE DISHES: Burrata with persimmons; roasted sunchokes with smoked hazelnuts; shaved vegetable salad; Pizza Bianca; prosciutto pizza; vanilla soft-serve with stewed apples. The chef uses seasonal produce, so dishes mentioned may not always be available.

LIBATIONS: Six bottled beers; six wines by the glass or bottle (one sparkling; three whites; two reds); Sprecher sodas from Wisconsin; mineral water; espresso/cappuccino

SERVICE: Staff is affable and well-informed. PARKING: Plenty of free parking

Overall Rating:

B+

PRICES: Appetizers, $10 to $13; pizzas, $10 to $23

284 march/april 2016 | BethesdaMagazine.com

DINE_review.indd 284

2/15/16 9:35 AM

A seasonal salad of shaved winter vegetables

Prosciutto pizza with tomatoes, arugula and buffalo mozzarella

Guests enjoy good service in Inferno’s warm, rustic interior.

Wood-roasted sunchokes

O b s e rv i n g To n y Co n t e in his open kitchen gently using his knuckles to coax a resistant ball of dough into the shape of a pizza makes the case that his life, as he likes to say, has come full circle. The 44-year-old chef garnered multiple-star acclaim during an eight-and-ahalf-year stretch at the Oval Room, the Washington, D.C., Valhalla of fine dining near the White House, but he started out with a high school job at Di Matteo’s, a pizzeria in his hometown of Hamden, Connecticut.

In October, Conte opened Inferno Pizzeria Napoletana, a 40-seat pizzeria in Darnestown. It shares space with a California Tortilla franchise in a boxshaped building between a CVS and a Capital One bank. That setting doesn’t exactly signal refinement, but what you find inside does. The tables are made from reclaimed walnut. The lightly stained wood flooring isn’t wood at all; it’s ceramic tile. Some of the walls are the color of lobster bisque; others are made of overlapping stone

slabs. One is a textural panel connoting flames—a nod to the pizzeria’s name (“hell” in Italian) and the intense heat of its white-tiled, wood-burning pizza oven. Rimmed porcelain pizza plates were made locally by Amber Kendrick of Cloud Terre pottery. Other serving vessels are from Bernardaud, maker of fine French china. Conte attended the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York, and worked in New York City for four years under renowned chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten before moving to D.C. Though he excelled in the rarified world of fine dining, he recently chose Tony over tony, like the philosophy professor in Atlas Shrugged who shifts to making

BethesdaMagazine.com | march/april 2016 285

DINE_review.indd 285

2/5/16 3:23 PM

dine | review

Pumpkin panna cotta

Ice cream with apples

hamburgers. Another advantage of giving up the big city rat race: Conte, his wife, Kim, and their two boys live only two miles from the pizzeria. Conte’s father and paternal grandparents are natives of Pontelatone, a municipality 25 miles north of Naples. Food-centric pictures from there adorn Inferno’s walls. Those roots are what make this chef tick and are the real source of his passion. The menu at Inferno is brief—five appetizers, seven pizzas and three des-

serts. The former and latter offerings in particular reflect Conte’s fine-dining background. They would pass muster in any highbrow eatery. A piled-high salad of shaved winter vegetables yields a new discovery with each bite. Triangles of butternut squash mingle with ribbons of kale and chard, shreds of Brussels sprouts, and slices of parsnip, celery root and Asian pear, all dressed in a zesty charred serrano pepper vinaigrette and topped with toasted pumpkin seeds. A sizable orb of creamy burrata cheese rests on a dreamy purée of persimmons that tastes like roasted marshmallow, thanks to the wood-fired oven. The cheese is crowned with slices of persimmons, some pickled and some caramelized, and an arc of dried speck (smoked prosciutto). The depth, textures and richness of the dish, with the speck adding a smoky note, provoke smiles. Sunchokes, otherwise known as Jerusalem artichokes, are popping up on many a menu of late. (They taste somewhat like artichokes but are actually tubers from a species of sunflower.) Conte’s are woodroasted and served with smoked toasted hazelnuts, mint, pickled ramps, togarashi (a Japanese red chili-based spice blend) and dollops of Parmesan-laced dressing to create a perfect amalgam of crunch, spice, acid, sweetness, salt and smoke. In addition to their sophistication, these dishes show ingenuity; Conte does all the cooking with the pizza oven and a combination steamer and convection oven. Conte has applied for certification for

his pizza as Vera Pizza Napoletana (true Neapolitan pizza) through VPN Americas, an organization with strict guidelines. Pizza must be cooked in 90 seconds or less in an 800- to 900-degree wood-burning oven. Only certain types of wheat flour, yeast, tomatoes, cheese, salt and olive oil are acceptable. Conte spent a week studying with VPNA in Los Angeles before opening Inferno, but if what he deems the best way to make his pies doesn’t meet the group’s approval, so be it, he says. He still strives to perfect his dough, limited to four allowable ingredients. “Flour, salt, water and yeast. Done. The end. There’s nothing to it,” he says. Except there is, which is why Neapolitan pizza aficionados love to debate who has the best crust and why. (Other D.C.area VPNA members include 2 Amys in Washington and Pupatella in Arlington, Virginia.) Inferno’s 11-inch, thin, crisp-bottomed pies bear the hallmark air bubble blisters of Neapolitan dough. I would prefer the pies had more blisters and were less brown, but that didn’t stop me from eating every bit every time. Top-notch toppings outfit all the pizzas. The standouts: the Prosciutto (di Parma) with tomatoes, arugula and buffalo mozzarella; the Funghi Misti (with beech, cremini, hen-of-the-wood mushrooms) topped with smoked, mozzarellalike scamorza cheese and garlic-bacon oil; and the cheese-rich Pizza Bianca with flecks of white truffles—$23 and worth it. Throw carbs to the wind and order dessert, be it the lush vanilla soft-serve ice cream in a Mason jar with stewed apples and shards of rosemary-specked pie crust, a barely set pumpkin-coconut panna cotta with pecan brittle and ovencandied pumpkin, or brown-butter chocolate chip cookies that prove the miracle of under-baking. Inferno, it turns out, is heavenly. n David Hagedorn is the restaurant critic for Bethesda Magazine.

286 march/april 2016 | BethesdaMagazine.com

DINE_review.indd 286

2/5/16 3:24 PM

Untitled-15 1

2/11/16 5:01 PM

dine

table talk BY david hagedorn

Customers can shop at O’Donnell’s Market in Potomac, choosing from the array of seafood, meats and pastries in the glass display cases, or dine in at the market’s granite bar.

O’Donnell’s restaurants began in Washington, D.C., in 1922 and were Montgomery County institutions beginning in 1956. Three years ago, Bill Edelblut, the grandson of the business’s founder, closed the last of them and retired. But retirement didn’t suit him, so in December the Bethesda resident opened O’Donnell’s Market off Seven Locks Road in Potomac. The aroma of rum buns, a specialty of the restaurants, strikes you when you walk in the door. A display case with pristine fish

and seafood—super-fresh organic salmon, red snapper and garnet-colored tuna— inspires instant ideas for dinner. The market houses a bakery, an abundantly stocked salad bar, cases of prepared foods and highquality meat, such as Bell & Evans chicken and Aspen Ridge beef. In the back is an attractive granite bar for wine tastings and in-house dining from a menu that features O’Donnell’s classics, such as seafood bisque and salmon BLT. I took home a rich dip made with crab-

meat, cream cheese and butter; an ovenready pan with two, five-ounce signature crab cakes long on lumps and short on filler; perfectly cooked and peeled giant shrimp with a zesty cocktail sauce; bright green broccoli rabe sautéed with roasted garlic; and some totally decadent cauliflower mac ’n’ cheese. That resulted in a blissful dinner and easy cleanup—a win-win for any household. 1073 Seven Locks Road, Potomac, 301-2516355, www.odonnellsmarket.com.

photo by goran kosanovic

NEW MARKET, OLD FAVORITES

288 march/april 2016 | BethesdaMagazine.com

DINE_table talk.indd 288

2/11/16 11:31 AM

comings goings Emma Perez, owner of the popular La Limeña Peruvian (and partially Cuban) restaurant in the Ritchie Center on Rockville Pike, announced plans to open a similar but larger outpost in the former Potomac Grill space, also on the Pike. Among notable closings, Parva Cocina & Tequila Bar on Bethesda’s Woodmont Avenue was shuttered in January.

At Chevy Chase Pavilion, Aggio, the upscale Italian restaurant by chef Bryan Voltaggio inside the American eatery Range, closed in December.

Pohoryles is moving his Montgomery Lane sports bar to the space, partnering with the RW Restaurant Group on the project.

So did the Asian-Filipino restaurant Urban Heights, which chef Robert Wiedmaier and his RW Restaurant Group opened on Norfolk Avenue in Bethesda in April 2015. Tommy Joe’s owner Alan

Beloved restaurateur Jackie Greenbaum announced in January that she would close Jackie’s in Silver Spring in March, after an 11-year run. Its adjacent bar, Sidebar, will also close.

Food Find: Lavande Patisserie BACKGROUND: Andrew Liang and his mother, Julie Yi, both Gaithersburg residents, opened Lavande Patisserie in November on North Washington Street, near Rockville Town Square. The clean, bright, modern bakery sells all the French favorites, including pain au chocolat, canelés and one of the best almond croissants to be had—buttery, chock full of almond paste and delightfully caramelized. That they serve Compass Coffee indicates that high quality is the order of the day. Four composed sandwiches are also available. THE CHEF: Romain Cornu, 25, who emigrated from France five years ago and now lives in Rockville, is the pastry chef and maître chocolatier.

Romain Cornu is the pastry chef at Lavande Patisserie

photo by goran kosanovic

THE GOODS: Cornu’s work, evidenced by the stunning pastries lined up in display cases, is clearly top-notch, but the standouts here are the éclairs. They are long and thin, neatly piped with a star-tip and well crisped. He slices off the top third of each, fills them generously and decorates them lavishly. Ingredients are the very best, including flour imported from France, Valrhona 64-percent cocoa content Manjari chocolate and Sicilian pistachios. TASTE TEST: The chocolate truffle éclair ($4.95), filled with chocolate mascarpone and topped with chocolate mascarpone rosettes, chocolate truffles and chocolate shavings, is a boatful of pleasure—rich but not too sweet. Another winner, teeming with verdant pistachio mascarpone and strawberry yuzu filling, is crowned with fresh raspberries, tiny piped meringue swirls and a dusting of raspberry powder ($4.95). WHERE TO BUY: Lavande Patisserie, 275 N. Washington St., Rockville, 301-424-6100, www.lavandepatisserie.com. BethesdaMagazine.com | march/april 2016 289

DINE_table talk.indd 289

2/5/16 4:33 PM

dine | TabLe Talk

BUBBLING OVER The craze for bubble milk tea—the sweetened iced tea and tapioca beverage created in Taiwan in the ’80s—hasn’t exactly hit Starbucks proportions in the United States, but you’d never know it if you explore on and just off Rockville Pike. Basic bubble tea is black or green tea, condensed milk and ice shaken vigorously and poured over large, purple-black tapioca beads known as boba. Possible add-ons include flavorings (think honeydew, coconut, coffee), jellies and pudding. A small bubble milk tea will run in the $4 range. Here are six places, from south to north, where we dipped a wide-mouthed straw in: SnowBots

Ki No Spoon

A large chalkboard colorfully lists the wide range of options at this hip, contemporary shop where high-quality ingredients (organic matcha powder; sugar imported from Hokkaido, Japan; fruit purées for flavorings) result in extra-creamy bubble teas. 1701 Rockville Pike, Rockville, 301770-3593, snowbotsdc.com.

This is really a Japanese ramen joint, so the bubble tea—made out of sight in the kitchen— seems like an afterthought. The milk tea had too much ice, too few boba and was way too sweet. 891 Rockville Pike (Wintergreen Plaza), Rockville, 301-296-6212.

Bubble Tea Café

This store specializes in tea and ginseng products, so it’s not surprising that the high-quality green or black tea used in the bubble teas shines through, even when flavored with passion fruit and chock full of boba. 825 Rockville Pike (Wintergreen Plaza), Rockville, 301-838-8680, www.tenren.com.

Ten Ren Tea The chocolate bubble tea was almost chai-like because the black tea was, nicely, the forward flavor. Nice balance of sweetness, ice and boba, which are smaller than you find at other places. Fifteen straightforward flavors; few topping options. 130 Rollins Ave., Rockville, 301-770-1688.

Asia Taste Tapioca Jumbo Jumbo Café Twenty flavoring choices and three topping options, shaken by hand. Coconut bubble milk tea was watery, with annoying bits of melted ice floating on top. 15192 N. Frederick Road, Rockville, 301738-9798. Another location, Jumbo Jumbo Café Bubble Express, is at 765 Rockville Pike (Ritchie Center), Rockville, 301-545-1708.

Kung Fu Tea Part of an international chain, this Rockville spot is ultra bright, fun and offers lots of choices, including customizing the amount of sweetness and ice. Winter melon green tea has an intense tea flavor, isn’t overly sweet and is good to the last boba. 275 N. Washington St., Rockville, 240-630-0900, www.kfteausa.com.

290 march/april 2016 | BethesdaMagazine.com

DINE_table talk.indd 290

2/5/16 4:34 PM

photo by goran kosanovic; snow cream photos courtesy snowbots

Don’t Miss This SnowBots’ bubble teas, honeydew green milk tea with strawberry jelly (left) and mango yogurt with honey boba

SnowBots says it is the first spot in Maryland to offer snow cream—a combination of shaved ice and ice cream made from a whole-milk base, where a large frozen disk (with flavors such as strawberry, mango or taro) is shaved into a mound of creamy, fine, cotton-candy-like crystals. Choose from 20 toppings (brownies, Fruity Pebbles, mochi, jellies) and drizzles (caramel, condensed milk). The roasted black-sesame snow cream with Oreos and lychee jellies was a super-fun taste sensation. n

BethesdaMagazine.com | march/april 2016 291

DINE_table talk.indd 291

2/11/16 11:32 AM

dine

By Brian Pat terson and Sidney Jones Lâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Academie de Cuisine | www.lacademie.com

Golden

Goodness Pour a sweet honey syrup over layers of crunchy nuts and thin pastry for a flaky treat

292 March/April 2016 | BethesdaMagazine.com

DINE_cooking class.indd 292

2/5/16 3:20 PM

Walnut Cinnamon Baklava Difficulty Level

On the Clock

Servings

1Â˝ hours 10-12 Ingredients

1. To make the honey syrup, combine ingredients and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Reduce heat to low and simmer for one hour. Discard the orange.

7. Spread the ground walnut mixture in an even layer over the phyllo.

For the honey syrup 1/2 cup sugar 1 1/2 cup honey 3 cups water 1 whole orange, cut in half

For the walnut cinnamon filling 4 cups whole shelled walnuts 4 tablespoons cinnamon

For the flaky layers 1 16 oz. (12x17-inch) box phyllo dough, thawed overnight in the refrigerator 1 lb. butter, clarified* *Cut the butter into large cubes and cook in a pan over low heat until thoroughly melted. Water will cook off in the form of steam, and foam will rise to the surface. Continue cooking until there is no more steam and the foam just begins to turn tan. Remove from heat and strain through a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth.

photos by stacy zarin-goldberg

Find It Local Banner Bee honey, which is produced in Maryland, is sold at Dawsonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Market in Rockville; Baklava Couture in Kensington; at farmers markets in Olney and Downtown Silver Spring; and at www.bannerbees.com.

Directions

2. To make the filling, pulse the walnuts in a food processor to the consistency of coarse cornmeal. Stir in the cinnamon. 3. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. 4. Brush a 9x12-inch baking pan that is at least one-inch deep with melted clarified butter. 5. Using a knife and a ruler or straight edge, cut the sheets of phyllo dough to fit the bottom of the pan. Cover the dough with a lightly dampened towel to keep it from drying out while assembling the baklava. 6. Place a sheet of phyllo in the pan and brush it liberally with clarified butter. Repeat with seven more sheets.

8. Top the nut mixture with eight layers of phyllo, brushing each sheet with clarified butter. 9. With a very sharp knife and a straight edge as a guide, cut all the way through the layers of phyllo and walnut mixture into diamond shapes, approximately one inch on a side. (Optional: Stick a clove into every other diamond shape, for flavor and decoration; remove the clove before eating.) 10. Bake for 20-25 minutes. 11. Remove from the oven, and pour the warm honey syrup over the hot pastry. 12. Let set for at least 30 minutes before serving. Use a small spatula to remove the slices more easily.

BethesdaMagazine.com | March/April 2016 293

DINE_cooking class.indd 293

2/5/16 3:21 PM

dine

Dining Guide

Check out the online version of the DINING GUIDE at BethesdaMagazine.com.

Bethesda 4935 Bar and Kitchen

4935 Cordell Ave., 301-951-4935, www.4935barand kitchen.com. The restaurant offers a sleek, modern interior and a young chef-owner serving French and Indian fusion dishes such as spicy chicken confit and tandoori pork chops. The popular upstairs private party room is now called “The Loft at 4935.” L D $$$

Aji-Nippon

6937 Arlington Road, 301-654-0213. A calm oasis on a busy street, where chef Kazuo Honma serves patrons several kinds of sushi, sashimi, noodle soups, teriyaki and more. Try a dinner box, which includes an entrée, vegetables, California roll, tempura and rice. L D $$

American Tap Room

7278 Woodmont Ave., 301- 656-1366, www.american taproom.com. Here’s a classic grill menu featuring sliders, wings and craft beer offered by Thompson Hospitality, the owners of Austin Grill. Entrées range from BBQ Glazed Meatloaf Dinner with whipped potatoes and green beans to the lighter Crabmeat Omelet. ❂  R L D $$

&pizza

7614 Old Georgetown Road, 240-800-4783, www.andpizza.com. Create your own designer pizza from a choice of three crusts, three cheeses and eight sauces or spreads. Toppings for the thin, crispy crusts range from the usual suspects to falafel crumbles, fig marsala and pineapple salsa. This location of the hip, fast-casual chain has limited seating. L D $

Bacchus of Lebanon

7945 Norfolk Ave., 301-657-1722, www.bacchus oflebanon.com. This friendly and elegant Lebanese staple has a large, sunny patio that beckons lunch and dinner patrons outside when the weather is good to try garlicky hummus, stuffed grape leaves, chicken kabobs, veal chops and dozens of small-plate dishes. ❂ L D $$

Bangkok Garden

4906 St. Elmo Ave., 301-951-0670, www.bkkgarden. com. This real-deal, family-run Thai restaurant turns out authentic cuisine, including curries, soups and noodle dishes, in a dining room decorated with traditional statues of the gods. Dishes range from mild to very hot. L D $

The Barking Dog

4723 Elm St., 301-654-0022, barkingdogbar.com. A fun place for young adults, with drink specials nearly every night and bar food such as quesadillas and burgers. Salsa dancing on Tuesdays, trivia on Wednesdays, karaoke on Thursdays and a DJ and dancing Fridays and Saturdays. ❂ L D $

BARREL and CROW

4867 Cordell Ave., 240-800-3253, www.barreland crow.com. Contemporary regional and southern cuisine served in a comfortable setting with charcoal gray banquettes and elements of wood and brick. Menu highlights include Maryland crab beignets, shrimp and grits croquettes and Virginia mackerel. ❂ R L D $$

Benihana

7935 Wisconsin Ave., 301-652-5391, www.benihana. com. Experience dinner-as-theater as the chef chops and cooks beef, chicken, vegetables and seafood tableside on the hibachi. This popular national chain serves sushi, too. The kids’ menu includes a California roll and hibachi chicken, steak and shrimp entrées. J L D $$

Bethesda Crab House

4958 Bethesda Ave., 301-652-3382, www.bethesda crabhouse.net. In the same location since 1961, this casual, family-owned dining spot features jumbo lump crabcakes, oysters on the half shell and jumbo spiced shrimp. Extra large and jumbo-sized crabs available year-round; call ahead to reserve them. ❂ L D $$

Bethesda Curry Kitchen

4860 Cordell Ave., 301-656-0062, www.bethesda currykitchen.com. The restaurant offers lunch buffet and Southern Indian vegan specialties, served in a spare and casual setting. There are plenty of choices from the tandoor oven, as well as vegetarian, seafood and meat curries. L D $

BGR: The Burger Joint

4827 Fairmont Ave., 301-358-6137, www.bgrthe burgerjoint.com. The burgers are good and the vibe is great at this frequently packed eatery next to Veterans Park. Try the veggie burger, made with a blend of brown rice, black beans, molasses and oats. ❂JLD$

Bistro LaZeez

8009 Norfolk Ave., 301-652-8222, www.bistrolazeez. com. Reasonably priced Mediterranean cuisine served in a small, attractive space. Don’t miss the grilled pita and the signature BLZ Chicken Medley, with a grilled, marinated chicken thigh, drumstick and wing basted in a zesty sauce. ❂ J L D $

Bistro Provence (Editors’ Pick)

4933 Fairmont Ave., 301-656-7373, www.bistro provence.org. Chef Yannick Cam brings his formidable experience to a casual French bistro with a lovely courtyard. The Dinner Bistro Fare, served daily from 5 to 6:30 p.m., offers a choice of appetizer, main course and dessert for $35. ❂ R L D $$$

Black’s Bar & Kitchen (Editors’ Pick)

7750 Woodmont Ave., 301-652-5525, www.blacks barandkitchen.com. Bethesda Magazine readers voted Black’s “Best Happy Hour” in 2016. Customers count on the impeccable use of fresh and local ingredients and enjoy dining on the expansive patio. ❂ R L D $$$

Blaze Pizza

7101 Democracy Blvd. (Westfield Montgomery mall), 240-630-8236, www.blazepizza.com. One of the new breed of fast-casual pizza concepts, Blaze features build-your-own pies with a choice of nearly 30 toppings and six sauces. Pizzas are “fast-fire’d” for 180 seconds, resulting in thin, super-crisp crusts. Wash them down with the blood-orange lemonade. L D $

BOLD BITE

4901-B Fairmont Ave., 301-951-2653, boldbite.net, 202donuts.com. Made-to-order hickory-smoked burg-

Key Price designations are for a threecourse dinner for two including tip and tax, but excluding alcohol. $ $$ $$$ $$$$ b  B R L D

up to $50 $51-$100 $101-$150 $151+ Outdoor Dining Children’s Menu Breakfast Brunch Lunch Dinner

ers and salads top the menu at this casual spot. Also here is 202 Artisanal Donut Co. with rotating flavors of doughnuts and locally roasted joe. J B L D $

Brickside Food & Drink

4866 Cordell Ave., 301-312-6160, www.brickside bethesda.com. Prohibition-era drinks meet Italian bar bites and entrées. Dishes range from fried chicken and waffles to lobster ravioli. Try one of the colorfully named punches, which include Pink Murder Punch and Snow Cone Punch. ❂ R L D $$

Caddies on Cordell

4922 Cordell Ave., 301-215-7730, www.caddies oncordell.com. Twenty-somethings gather at this golf-themed spot to enjoy beer and wings specials in a casual, rowdy atmosphere that frequently spills onto the large patio. Bethesda Magazine readers voted Caddies “Best Place for a Guys’ Night Out” in 2015. ❂ J R L D $

Café Deluxe

4910 Elm St., 301-656-3131, www.cafedeluxe.com. This local chain serves bistro-style American comfort food in a fun and noisy setting with wood fans and colorful, oversized European liquor posters. Menu options include burgers, entrées, four varieties of flatbread and mussels served three different ways. ❂ J R L D $$

Cava Mezze Grill

4832 Bethesda Ave., 301-656-1772, www.cava grill.com. The guys from Cava restaurant have created a Greek version of Chipotle. Choose the meat, dip or spread for a pita, bowl or salad. Housemade juices and teas provide a healthful beverage option. ❂ LD$

Cesco Osteria

7401 Woodmont Ave., 301-654-8333, www. cesco-osteria.com. Longtime chef Francesco Ricchi

294 march/april 2016 | BethesdaMagazine.com

DINE_Dining Guide.indd 294

2/11/16 11:26 AM

turns out Tuscan specialties, including pizza, pasta and foccacia in a big, jazzy space. Stop by the restaurant’s Co2 Lounge for an artisan cocktail before dinner. ❂ L D $$

Chef Tony’s

4926 St. Elmo Ave., 301-654-3737, www.cheftonys bethesda.com. Chef-owner Tony Marciante focuses on Mediterranean seafood tapas, offering dishes ranging from fish and seafood to chicken, steak and pasta. Desserts include Drunken Strawberries and Classic Creme Brulée. J R L D $$

City Burger

7015 Wisconsin Ave., 301-652-0010, www.cityburger online.com. Inexpensive quarter-pound burgers made from all-natural, antibiotic-free beef from the owners of Food Wine & Co., Beer Wine & Co., Don Pollo and Fish Taco. Hot dogs and half-smokes, plus homemade milkshakes and ice cream available. Space seats about 15, but geared for takeout. L D $

City Lights of China

4953 Bethesda Ave., 301-913-9501, www.bethesda citylights.com. Longtime Chinese eatery serves familiar Szechuan and Beijing fare, including six types of dumplings and seven handmade noodle dishes. Red walls and chocolate-colored booths give the place a sharp look. L D $$

COOPER’S MILL

5151 Pooks Hill Road (Bethesda Marriott), 301897-9400, coopersmillrestaurant.com/bethesda. Hotel restaurant showcases a modern, stylish menu with stone-oven flatbreads, homemade tater tots and locally sourced produce. Local beers on draft

and by the bottle, plus regional bourbon and gin. B R L D $$

The Corner Slice

7901 Norfolk Ave., 301-907-7542, www.thecorner slice.net. New York-style pizza, available by the slice or as a 20-inch pie. Specialty pizzas include the spinach-artichoke white pie with ricotta, mozzarella and parmesan and the Buffalo Chicken Pie with blue cheese and hot sauce. ❂ L D $

CRAVE

7101 Democracy Blvd., Suite 1530 (Westfield Montgomery mall), 301-469-9600, cravebethesda. com. Minnesota-based chainlet offers an eclectic melting pot of American dishes, including bison burgers, duck confit flatbread and kogi beef tacos. The restaurant is also known for its extensive selection of wine and sushi.J L D $$

Daily Grill

One Bethesda Metro Center, 301-656-6100, www.dailygrill.com. Everyone from families to expense-account lunchers can find something to like about the big portions of fresh American fare, including chicken pot pie and jumbo lump crabcakes. ❂ J B R L D $$

Don Pollo

7007 Wisconsin Ave., 301-652-0001, www.donpollo group.com. Juicy, spiced birds and reasonable prices make this Peruvian chicken eatery a go-to place any night of the week. Family meals that serve four or six people available. Locations in Rockville and Gaithersburg, too. L D $

Flanagan’s Harp & Fiddle

4844 Cordell Ave., 301-951-0115, www.flanagans harpandfiddle.com. This stylish pub features live music several days a week, Tuesday night poker and Monday quiz nights. In addition to traditional stews and fried fish, Flanagan’s offers smoked ribs, salmon and traditional Irish breakfast on weekends. ❂ J L D $$

Food Wine & Co. (Editors’ Pick)

7272 Wisconsin Ave., 301-652-8008, www.foodwine andco.com. Upscale American fare that includes a farmstead cheese and charcuterie bar, an oyster bar, salads and sandwiches, and entrées ranging from pan-roasted rockfish to a risotto made with local pumpkin, smoked pearl onion and wild mushroom, all served in a stunning bistro. L D $$

Garden Grille & Bar

7301 Waverly St. (Hilton Garden Inn), 301-654-8111. Aside from a breakfast buffet featuring cooked-toorder omelets, waffles, fruit and more, the restaurant offers an extensive menu, from burgers and other sandwiches to crabcakes, short ribs and pasta dishes. J B D $$

Grapeseed American Bistro + Wine Bar (Editors’ Pick)

4865 Cordell Ave., 301-986-9592, www.grapeseed bistro.com. Chef-owner Jeff Heineman, who develops each dish on the frequently updated menu to pair with a specific wine, also offers small plates and a 10-seat wine-room table. Charcuterie offerings include house-made and artisan meats. L D $$$

MEET OUR

IN-HOUSE BUTCHER.

IT’S NOT THAT WE DON’T TRUST ANYONE ELSE. WELL, THAT’S EXACTLY WHAT IT IS.

There’s an ar t to carving a steak. The way it’s trimmed affects not only the appearance, but the flavor as well. It’s a skill we take so seriously, we employ our own master carver. He’s on site every day, monitoring each steak as it ages for 21 days, then carefully preparing each one. What can our knife-wielding ar tisan create for you?

Meet one of our master butchers, Aramis Velazquez

5310 Western Ave, Chevy Chase, MD · 301 718 7812 1861 International Dr, McLean, VA · 703 448 3900 thecapitalgrille.com

BethesdaMagazine.com | march/april 2016 295

DINE_Dining Guide.indd 295

2/11/16 11:26 AM

dine Gringos & Mariachis (Editors’ Pick)

4928 Cordell Ave., 240-800-4266, www.gringos andmariachis.com. The owners of the popular Olazzo Italian restaurants in Bethesda and Silver Spring trade in the red sauce for salsa at this hip taqueria with edgy murals and plenty of tequila. Starters include duck nachos, and the taco selection nears 15 choices. Voted “Best New Restaurant” by the magazine’s readers in 2015. L D $

Guapo’s Restaurant

8130 Wisconsin Ave., 301-656-0888, www.guapos restaurant.com. This outpost of a local chain has everything you’d expect: margaritas and chips galore, as well as a handful of daily specials served in festive Mexican surroundings. Perfect for families and dates. J R L D $

Guardado’s

4918 Del Ray Ave., 301-986-4920, www.guardados. com. Chef-owner Nicolas Guardado, who trained at Jaleo, opened this hidden gem devoted to LatinSpanish cooking in 2007 and has developed a following with tapas specialties like shrimp and sausage, stuffed red peppers and paella. J L D $

GUSTO ITALIAN GRILL

4733 Elm St., 240-396-6398, gustoitaliangrill.com. The fast-casual have-it-your-way concept comes to Italian fare, with flatbread, pasta and salad as the base options; meatballs, porchetta, grilled chicken and steak as protein pile-ons; toppings such as artichoke hearts, pancetta and Tuscan corn; and several sauces and dressings. Gusto Stix (rolled flatbread with fillings such as cheese, pepperoni and/or mushrooms), gelato pops and cool chandeliers add fun. ❂ J L D $

Hanaro Restaurant & Lounge

7820 Norfolk Ave., 301-654-7851, www.hanaro bethesda.com. The restaurant’s modern dark woods combined with a light-filled dining room brighten its corner location, and the menu includes sushi and Asian fusion main courses such as pad Thai and galbi (Korean ribs). The bar offers a daily happy hour. ❂ L D $$

Heckman’s Delicatessen & BAR

4914 Cordell Ave., 240-800-4879, www.heckmans deli.com. The deli features all the staples, plus a dinner menu with chicken-in-a-pot and stuffed cabbage. Menu offers long lists of ingredients to build your own salads, sandwiches and egg dishes. Sweets include rugelach, black-and-white cookies and homemade cheesecake. ❂ J B L D $

Himalayan Heritage

4925 Bethesda Ave., 301-654-1858, www.himalayan heritagedc.com. The menu includes North Indian, Nepalis, Indo-Chinese and Tibetan cuisines, featuring momos (Nepalese dumplings), Indian takes on Chinese chow mein and a large selection of curry dishes. LD$

House of Foong Lin

4613 Willow Lane, 301-656-3427. www.foonglin. com. The Chinese restaurant features Cantonese, Hunan and Szechuan cuisine, including chef’s recommendations, low-fat choices and lots of traditional noodle dishes. L D $$

House of Milae

4932 St. Elmo Ave., 301-654-1997. The Kang family, who own Milae Cleaners in Bethesda, bring simple Korean dishes to their first food foray. Chef “M&M” Kang prepares home-style fare such as bulgogi, galbi and bibimbap; also look for the Korean-style sushi known as kimbap. The kids’ menu has one item:

spaghetti, made from the recipe of owner Thomas Kang’s former college roommate’s mother. J L D $

Jaleo (Editors’ Pick)

7271 Woodmont Ave., 301-913-0003, www.jaleo.com. The restaurant that launched the American career of chef José Andrés and popularized Spanish tapas for a Washington, D.C., audience offers hot, cold, spicy and creative small plates served with outstanding Spanish wines. Voted “Best Small Plates” by Bethesda Magazine readers in 2014 and 2015. ❂ R L D $$

JAMAICAN MI CRAZY

7101 Democracy Blvd. (Westfield Montgomery mall), 301-469-6000. www.jmccurbside.com. Food truck operator Naya Radway adds a Caribbean vibe to Westfield’s dining terrace with a counter-service eatery. The daughter of Jamaican parents, Radway features family recipes for jerk chicken, curry chicken, stewed oxtail and more. L D $

Jetties

4829 Fairmont Ave., 301-769-6844, www.jetties dc.com. The only suburban location of the popular Nantucket-inspired sandwich shop, which has five restaurants in Northwest Washington, D.C. Aside from the signature Nobadeer sandwich (roasted turkey and stuffing with cranberry sauce and mayonnaise on sourdough), look for large salads, a soup bar and an innovative children’s menu. ❂ J L D $

Kabob Bazaar

7710 Wisconsin Ave., 301-652-5814, www.kabob bazaar.com. The younger sister of a popular Arlington restaurant with the same name offers kabobs in every protein possible, plus lots of vegetarian side dishes. Music on Saturdays and Sundays. ❂ L D $

Kadhai (Editors’ Pick)

7905 Norfolk Ave., 301-718-0121, www.kadhai.com. This popular Indian restaurant formerly known as Haandi serves a variety of traditional chicken, lamb and seafood dishes, plus rice and vegetarian dishes and a selection of breads. An extensive lunch buffet is offered daily. ❂ L D $$

La Panetteria

4921 Cordell Ave., 301-951-6433, www.lapanetteria. com. La Panetteria transports diners into a quaint Italian villa with its impeccable service and Old World atmosphere, serving such Southern and Northern Italian classic dishes as homemade spaghetti and veal scaloppine. L D $$

Le Vieux Logis

7925 Old Georgetown Road, 301-652-6816, www. levieuxlogisrestaurantmd.com. The colorful exterior will draw you into this family-run Bethesda institution, but classic French dishes such as Dover sole meunière and mussels in a white wine broth will keep you coming back. ❂ D $$$

Lebanese Taverna

7141 Arlington Road, 301-951-8681, www.lebanese taverna.com. This branch of this long-lived local chain is an elegant spot for dipping puffy pita bread into hummus and baba ghanoush. The rest of the traditional Lebanese mezze are worth a try, too, as are the slow-cooked lamb dishes. Voted “Best Middle Eastern Restaurant” by Bethesda Magazine readers in 2016. ❂ J L D $$

Louisiana Kitchen & Bayou Bar

4907 Cordell Ave., 301-652-6945, www.louisiana bethesda.com. The popular Bethesda institution offers a Cajun- and Creole-style menu, complete with divine fried items. The pain perdou and beignets remain a great way to start a Sunday morning. BRLD$

Luke’s Lobster

7129 Bethesda Lane, 301-718-1005, www.lukes lobster.com. This upscale carryout features authentic lobster, shrimp and crab rolls; the seafood is shipped directly from Maine. Try the Taste of Maine, which offers all three kinds of rolls, plus two crab claws.❂ L D $

Maki Bar (New)

6831 Wisconsin Ave. (Shops of Wisconsin), 301-9079888, www.makibarbethesda.com. This tiny 30-seat Japanese restaurant and sushi bar tucked under Trader Joe’s offers 60-plus kinds of maki rolls, categorized as Classic (tuna roll), Crunch Lover (spicy crunch California roll) and Signature (eel, avocado, tobiko, crab), along with sushi, sashimi, nigiri, noodles bowls (ramen, udon) and rice-based entrées. L D $$

Mamma Lucia

4916 Elm St., 301-907-3399, www.mammalucia restaurants.com. New York-style pizza dripping with cheese and crowd-pleasing red sauce, and favorites like chicken Parmesan and linguini with clams draw the crowds to this local chain. Gluten-free options available. ❂ L D $$

MATUBA JAPANESE RESTAURANT

4918 Cordell Ave., 301-652-7449, www. matuba-sushi.com. Longtime Bethesda Japanese eatery goes more casual, with counter service and carryout added to the traditional seating area. Sushi a la carte, rolls and entrées all available. L D $$

Max Brenner Chocolate Bar

7263 Woodmont Ave., 301-215-8305, www.max brenner.com. Chocoholics and dessert lovers will have a field day with the restaurant’s milkshakes, coffee drinks, hot chocolate, crêpes, waffles, fondue, ice cream and chocolate pizza. A retail section offers bonbons, praline wafers and caramelized nuts rolled in hazelnut cream and cocoa powder. ❂ $

Met Bethesda

7101 Democracy Blvd., Unit 3200 (Westfield Montgomery mall), 301-767-1900. www.metbethesdamd. com. Boston-based restaurateur Kathy Sidell’s restaurant offers seasonal American cuisine cooked over a wood-burning grill. Look for oak-fired prime rib-eye steak, grilled avocados stuffed with Maryland crab and an extensive martini selection, served in snazzy surroundings with an open kitchen. L D $$

Mia’s Pizzas (Editors’ Pick)

4926 Cordell Ave., 301-718-6427, www.miaspizzas bethesda.com. Mia’s Pizzas’ wood-burning oven turns out Naples-style pies with a variety of toppings, plus homemade soups and cupcakes. Sit in the cheery dining room with yellow, green and orange accents or under an umbrella on the patio. ❂ J L D $$

Moby Dick House of Kabob

7027 Wisconsin Ave., 301-654-1838, www.mobys kabob.com. This kabob takeout/eat-in mainstay was one of the first kabob places in the area. It makes its own pita bread. The menu includes a variety of salads and vegetarian sandwiches and platters. L D $

MOMO Chicken + Jazz

4862 Cordell Ave., Bethesda, 240-483-0801, www. momofc.com. Skip the breasts, and head for the wings or drumsticks at Bethesda’s first Korean fried chicken spot. Options such as seafood pancakes, bulgogi and bibimbap are part of the extensive offerings, all served in a hip space with framed record albums gracing the walls. ❂ J L D $$

Mon Ami Gabi

7239 Woodmont Ave., 301-654-1234, www.mon amigabi.com. Waiters serve bistro classics such as

296 march/april 2016 | BethesdaMagazine.com

DINE_Dining Guide.indd 296

2/11/16 11:26 AM

escargot, steak frites and profiteroles in a dark and boisterous spot that doesn’t feel like a chain. Voted “Best Place for a Couple’s Night Out” by the magazine’s readers in 2015. Live jazz Tuesday and Thursday nights. ❂ J R L D $$

Morton’s, The Steakhouse

7400 Wisconsin Ave., 301-657-2650, www.mortons. com. An ultra-sophisticated steak house serving pricey, large portions of prime-aged beef and drinks. The restaurant is known for a top-notch dinner experience but also offers lunch and a bar menu. L D $$$

Mussel Bar & Grille

7262 Woodmont Ave., 301-215-7817, www.musselbar. com. Kensington resident and big-name chef Robert Wiedmaier serves his signature mussels, plus woodfired tarts, salads and sandwiches. Wash them all down with a choice of 40 Belgian beers, a list that was voted “Best Craft Beer Selection” by the magazine’s readers in 2015. ❂ R L D $$

Naples Ristorante E Pizzeria E Bar

7101 Democracy Blvd. (Westfield Montgomery mall), 301-365-8300, www.naplesbethesda.com. Neapolitan-style pizzas from three wood-fired ovens are served at this large, light and airy addition to the mall’s dining terrace. Owned by the Patina Restaurant Group, which operates about 70 eateries nationwide, Naples also offers Italian wines, small plates, pasta dishes and entrées. L D $$

NOT YOUR AVERAGE JOE’S

10400 Old Georgetown Rd., 240-316-4555, www. notyouraveragejoes.com. Massachusetts-based

chain does a total redo, inside and out, of the old Hamburger Hamlet, transforming it into an urban, rustic setting. Moderately-priced menu offers burgers, big salads and stone-hearth pizzas, plus entrées like Vietnamese salmon and Anything But Average Meatloaf. ❂ J L D $$

Oakville Grille & Wine Bar

(Editors’ Pick)

10257 Old Georgetown Road, 301-897-9100, www. oakvillewinebar.com. Fresh California food paired with a thoughtful wine list in an elegant, spare setting may not sound unique, but Oakville was one of the first in the area to do so, and continues to do it well. L D $$

PASSIONFISH bethesda

7187 Woodmont Ave., 301-358-6116, passionfish bethesda.com. The second location of Passion Food Hospitality’s splashy seafood restaurant (the first opened in 2008 in Reston, Virginia) features stunning coastal-themed décor and an extensive menu of shellfish, caviar, sushi, chef’s specialties and fresh catches of the day. J L D $$$

PAUL

4760 Bethesda Ave., 301-656-3285, www.paul-usa. com. Five-generation, family-owned French bakery becomes an international chain, with locations in close to 35 countries. Aside from breads and pastries, look for soups, sandwiches and quiche. ❂ B L D $

Olazzo (Editors’ Pick)

Penang Malaysian & THAI Cuisine & BAR

Original Pancake House

Persimmon (Editors’ Pick)

7921 Norfolk Ave., 301-654-9496, www.olazzo.com. This well-priced, romantic restaurant is the place for couples seeking red-sauce classics at reasonable prices. Founded by brothers Riccardo and Roberto Pietrobono, it was voted “Best Italian Restaurant” by the magazine’s readers in 2016. ❂ L D $$ 7700 Wisconsin Ave., Store D, 301-986-0285, www. ophrestaurants.com. Try one of dozens of pancake dishes, as well as eggs and waffles galore. J B L $

Passage to India (Editors’ Pick)

4931 Cordell Ave., 301-656-3373, www.passageto india.info. Top-notch, pan-Indian fare by chef-owner Sudhir Seth, with everything from garlic naan to fish curry made to order. Elegant ivory screens shield diners from street noise. Voted “Best Indian Restaurant” by Bethesda Magazine readers in 2016. ❂ R L D $$

4933 Bethesda Ave., 301-657-2878, www.penang maryland.com. At this Malaysian spot decorated with exotic dark woods and a thatched roof, spices run the gamut of Near and Far Eastern influence, and flavors include coconut, lemongrass, sesame and chili sauce. L D $$ 7003 Wisconsin Ave., 301-654-9860, www.persimmon restaurant.com. Owners Damian and Stephanie Salvatore’s popular restaurant offers casual fare from salads to sandwiches to meat and seafood entrées in a bistro setting featuring a lively bar, cozy booths and bright paintings on the walls. ❂ R L D $$

Pines of Rome

4709 Hampden Lane, 301-657-8775. Local celebrities and families gather at this down-home Italian spot for traditional pasta, pizza, fish and seafood at prices

L!ve

h g u La

EAT BethesdaMagazine.com | march/april 2016 297

DINE_Dining Guide.indd 297

2/11/16 2:24 PM

dine that are easy on the wallet. The white pizza is a hit, and don’t forget the spaghetti and meatballs. L D $

Pizza Tempo

8021 Wisconsin Ave., 240-497-0000, www.pizza tempo.us. Pizza with a twist, which includes toppings such as sujuk (Mediterranean beef sausage), pistachio mortadella and spicy beef franks, plus a wide selection of pides (boat-shaped pizzas). Salads, wraps, panini and entrées also available. Limited seating; delivery within about a 3-mile radius. L D $

Pizzeria da Marco (Editors’ Pick)

8008 Woodmont Ave., 301-654-6083, www.pizzeria damarco.net. Authentic Neapolitan pizzas fired in a 900-degree Italian brick oven range from the Siciliana with eggplant confit and black olives to the Solo Carne with sausage, pepperoni and salame. Salads, antipasti and calzones available, too. ❂ L D $

Positano Ristorante Italiano

4940-48 Fairmont Ave., 301-654-1717, www. epositano.com. An authentic Italian, family-run restaurant popular for private events, large and small. Colorful rooms are decorated with Italian landscapes, copper pots and hanging plants, and the outdoor patio is one of the most beautiful in the county. ❂ L D $$

Praline Bakery & Bistro

4611 Sangamore Road, 301-229-8180, www. praline-bakery.com. This sunny restaurant offers a tempting bakery takeout counter, full dining service and a patio. The food, which includes chicken pot pie and pralines, is French with an American accent. ❂ J B R L D $$

Raku (Editors’ Pick)

7240 Woodmont Ave., 301-718-8680, www.raku asiandining.com. Voted “Best Sushi” by the magazine’s readers in 2016, this casual restaurant has bamboo walls that do little to dampen the noise, but the menu satisfies with everything from sushi to kung pao chicken. ❂ L D $$

Redwood Restaurant & Bar

7121 Bethesda Lane, 301-656-5515, www.redwood bethesda.com. The upscale wine bar features fresh, local food and California-centric wines. Redwood features a frequently changing menu and in-season farmers market dinners. ❂ J R L D $$

Rice Paddies Grill & Pho

4706 Bethesda Ave., 301-718-1862, ricepaddies grill.com. This cute copper-and-green eat-in/carryout makes quick work of Vietnamese favorites such as pork, beef and vegetable skewers infused with lemongrass and the classic beef noodle soup known as pho. L D $

Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery 7900 Norfolk Ave., 301-652-1311, www.rock bottom.com. India Pale Ales and specialty dark brews are among the award-winning beers crafted in-house at this cavernous yet welcoming chain, which offers a vast menu. The burgers are the real deal. ❂ J L D $$

Ruth’s Chris Steak House

7315 Wisconsin Ave., 301-652-7877, www.ruths chris.com. A dark and clubby feel makes this elegant chain popular with families as well as the happy-hour crowd. Don’t skip the fresh seafood choices, which include Caribbean lobster tail and barbecued shrimp. D $$$

Sala Thai

4828 Cordell Ave., 301-654-4676, www.salathai dc.com. This Thai mainstay cooks the classics and offers diners a nearly panoramic view of Woodmont

Avenue through huge, curved windows. Live jazz Friday and Saturday evenings. L D $$

Saphire Café

7940 Wisconsin Ave., 301-986-9708. A relaxing spot for tasting everything from Maryland-style crab soup to Argentine skirt steak, Saphire pumps it up a notch on Friday and Saturday nights with drink specials and DJs. Tiki bar open Wednesdays through Saturdays. ❂ L D $

Satsuma

8003 Norfolk Ave., 301-652-1400. satsumajp.com. Bethesda’s first yakiniku (Japanese barbecue) restaurant has built-in grills at each table. Diners select a cut—short rib, chuck rib, skirt or tongue—and prepare it themselves. There’s also an extensive sushi and sashimi menu, as well as interesting cooked dishes. L D $$

Shanghai Bao Kitchen (New)

7101 Democracy Blvd. (Westfield Montgomery mall), 301-365-8866, www.shanghaiveggies.com. A fast-casual concept from Ivan Liang, owner of Bob’s Shanghai 66 in Rockville. Steamed, then pan-fried buns (bao) with pork or vegetable fillings, and chicken or shrimp dumplings share the bill with create-yourown rice noodle or garlic-rice bowls loaded up with veggies, proteins, toppings and sauces. L D $

Shanghai Village

4929 Bethesda Ave., 301-654-7788. Owner Kwok Chueng prides himself on personal attention and recognizing regulars who have been stopping in for his classic Chinese cooking for more than 25 years. Order the secret recipe Mai Tai. L D $

Shangri -La Nepalese and Indian Cuisine

7345-A Wisconsin Ave., 301-656-4444, www.shangri labethesda.com. Northern Indian and Nepali specialties such as butter chicken and fresh flatbreads known as naan shine here. The extensive menu ranges from soups and salads to tandoori and kabobs.J L D $

Share Wine Lounge & Small Plate Bistro

8120 Wisconsin Ave. (DoubleTree Hotel), 301-652-2000, www.doubletreebethesda.com/ dining.aspx. Share some buffalo chicken sliders or avocado bruschetta, or go for main courses ranging from Yankee pot roast to cedar plank-roasted salmon. B L D $$

SILVER

7150 Woodmont Ave., 301-652-9780, eatatsilver. com. Upscale, tonier version of the homegrown Silver Diner chain, with modern takes on American classics and an emphasis on healthy, local and organic ingredients. Sleek interior takes its cue from the 1920s. ❂ J B R L D $$

Smoke BBQ Bethesda

4858 Cordell Ave., 301-656-2011, www.smokebbq bethesda.com. Pulled pork, beef brisket, smoked chicken, ribs and all the fixin’s, plus starters including smoked tomato soup and fried pickles served in a friendly, casual space. Delivery available for orders over $15. J L D $

SOUP UP BETHESDA

5001 Wilson Lane, 301-986-4744, soupup.us. Jamaican-born Donna Henry branches out from a stall at D.C.’s Union Market to a 46-seat fast-casual eatery in the PeriPoint building. No dairy, butter, oil, preservatives or additives are used in her soups. The menu also includes spring rolls, salads and rice bowls. ❂ L D $

South Street Steaks

4856 Cordell Ave., 301-215-8333, www.southstreet steaks.com. Even transplanted Philadelphians will admire the cheesesteaks at this local chain’s third location. The shop also offers chicken cheesesteaks, hoagies (that’s Philly-talk for cold subs) and sandwiches called “Phillinis,” a cross between “Philly” and “panini.” J L D $

Stromboli Family Restaurant

7023 Wisconsin Ave., 301-986-1980, www.strombolis restaurant.com. In addition to a large selection of delectable hot Italian sandwiches called stromboli, this proud family restaurant/carryout features pizzas, subs and pastas at reasonable prices. L D $

sweetgreen

4831 Bethesda Ave.301-654-7336, sweetgreen.com. The sweetgreen fast-casual chain—with its focus on local and organic ingredients—concentrates on salads (devise your own, or pick from a list) and soups. Look for eco-friendly décor and a healthy sensibility. ❂ LD$

Tako Grill

4914 Hampden Lane (The Shoppes of Bethesda), 301-652-7030, www.takogrill.com. Longtime, popular sushi destination relocates to the space formerly occupied by Hinode Japanese Restaurant. Look for the same traditional sushi menu, plus some new options, such as griddle-cooked teppanyaki at lunch, and more varieties of yakatori at dinner. L D $$

Tandoori Nights

7236 Woodmont Ave., 301-656-4002, www.tandoori nightsbethesda.com. Located in the heart of downtown Bethesda, the restaurant serves traditional Indian fare ranging from tandoori chicken, marinated in yogurt and spices, to a biryani flavored with saffron, nuts and raisins. ❂ L D $$

Tastee Diner

7731 Woodmont Ave., 301-652-3970, www.tastee diner.com. For 80 years, this crowd-pleasing if slightly sagging spot has served up everything from breakfast to burgers to blue-plate specials such as steak and crab cakes to crowds of loyal customers. Open 24 hours. J B L D $

Taylor Gourmet

7280 Woodmont Ave., 301-951-9001, www.taylor gourmet.com. The sandwich shop offers a menu of upscale takes on Philadelphia hoagies, sandwiches and salads made with top-notch ingredients. Check out the eggroll appetizer of mozzarella, provolone, hot capicola, Genoa salami, peppers and red onion. LD$

Tia Queta

4839 Del Ray Ave., 301-654-4443, www.tiaqueta. com. This longtime family and happy-hour favorite offers authentic Mexican food such as moles and fish dishes, as well as the usual Tex-Mex options. Menu includes American and Mexican beers. ❂ J L D $$

Tommy Joe’s Restaurant

4714 Montgomery Lane, 301-654-3801, www.tommy joes.com. Hot wings, loaded potato skins and sliders, along with drink specials, abound at this friendly restaurant/bar/nightclub featuring 20 big-screen TVs for game time. ❂ L D $$

Trattoria Sorrento (Editors’ Pick)

4930 Cordell Ave., 301-718-0344, www.trattoria sorrento.com. This family-run Italian favorite offers homemade pastas, baked eggplant and fresh fish dishes. Half-price bottles of wine on Wednesdays. Opera dinners at 6 p.m. on the first Sunday of

298 march/april 2016 | BethesdaMagazine.com

DINE_Dining Guide.indd 298

2/11/16 11:27 AM

bring this ad and get a

4915 St. Elmo Ave., 301-652-2561, www.union jacksbethesda.com. This authentically decorated British-style pub is partially below street level. English dishes such as Welsh rarebit cozy up to burgers, salads and crab cakes. DJ and dancing on weekends until 2:30 a.m. ❂ L D $$

Villain & Saint

7141 Wisconsin Ave., 240-800-4700, villainand saint.com. Listen to live music while digging into salt-roasted beets or slow-smoked pork ribs at this hip bar, courtesy of chef Robert Wiedmaier’s RW Restaurant Group. Delightfully dated décor includes lava lamps and photos of late great rock stars. The menu is divided into hearty dishes (villain) and vegetarian options (saint). ❂ R L D $$

Vino Volo

7247 Woodmont Ave., 301-656-0916, www.vino volobethesdarow.com. This wine bar and shop features a rustic café serving small plates, cheeses and cured meats, salads, sandwiches, pizza and a few entrées. For dessert, there’s bourbon bread pudding, gelato or sorbetto. ❂ L D $$

Wildwood Italian Kitchen

10257 Old Georgetown Road (Wildwood Shopping Center), 301-493-9230, www.oakvillewinebar.com. The owners, menu, décor and chef are the same, but the former Geppetto restaurant just gets a name change. The longtime eatery, owned by the adjacent Oakville Grille & Wine Bar, serves up thick-crusted Sicilian-style pizza, pasta and entrées in a casual atmosphere. ❂ L D $$

Wildwood Kitchen (Editors’ Pick)

10223 Old Georgetown Road (Wildwood Shopping Center), 301-571-1700, www.wildwoodkitchen rw.com. Chef Robert Wiedmaier’s attractive neighborhood bistro serving fresh and light modern cuisine. Entrées range from Amish chicken with a scallion potato cake to grilled Atlantic salmon with creamy polenta. L D $$

Woodmont Grill (Editors’ Pick)

7715 Woodmont Ave., 301-656-9755, www. hillstone.com. Part of the Houston’s chain, the eatery offers such classics as spinach-and-artichoke dip and its famous burgers, but also house-baked breads, more exotic dishes, live jazz and a granite bar. ❂ L D $$$

Yamas Mediterranean Grill

4806 Rugby Ave., 301-312-8384, www.yamasgrill. com. A friendly staff serves gyros, souvlaki, lemon chicken and other Greek specialties at this sunny café. Dinner entrées include Greek-style chicken and vegetarian mousaka. ❂ J L D $

Fish Taco

7945 MacArthur Blvd., 301-229-0900, www.fish tacoonline.com. This counter-service taqueria from the owners of Bethesda’s Food Wine & Co. features a full roster of seafood as well as non-aquatic tacos, plus margaritas and other Mexican specialties. The eco-chic décor is casual and attractive. Don’t miss the bread pudding. ❂ J L D $

Indigo House (Editors’ Pick)

7945 MacArthur Blvd., 301-312-6737, www.indigo houserestaurant.com. Sake-steamed clams, tamarind pork buns and tea-smoked duck breast are among the choices at this hip Pan-Asian eatery from Persimmon and Wild Tomato restaurateurs Damian and Stephanie Salvatore. There’s a long bar that’s inviting for drinks and sushi. ❂ L D $$

DONU

OFF E

don’t get sold out, oder on-line

www.202donuts.com While supplies last one per customer per visit available at:

4901 b fairmont ave

Wild Tomato (Editors’ Pick)

7945 MacArthur Blvd., 301-229-0680, www.wild tomatorestaurant.com. A family-friendly neighborhood restaurant from Persimmon and Indigo House owners Damian and Stephanie Salvatore, serving salads, sandwiches and pizza. ❂ J L D $

CHEVY CHASE Alfio’s La Trattoria

4515 Willard Ave., 301-657-9133, www.alfios.com. This Northern Italian classic on the first floor of The Willoughby of Chevy Chase Condominium has been feeding families and casual diners for more than 30 years. Look for traditional pasta, veal and chicken dishes (plus pizza), served in an Old World environment. J L D $$

THE Capital Grille

5310 Western Ave., 301-718-7812, www.capital grille.com. The upscale steak-house chain, known for its He-Man-sized portions and extensive wine list, is located in The Shops at Wisconsin Place. Entrées also include chicken, lamb chops, salmon and lobster. L D $$$$

Clyde’s

5441 Wisconsin Ave., 301-951-9600, www.clydes. com. The popular restaurant features a frequently changing menu of American favorites and a collection of vintage airplanes and cars, as well as a model train running on a track around the ceiling. ❂ J R L D $$

La Ferme (Editors’ Pick)

7101 Brookville Road, 301-986-5255, www.la fermerestaurant.com. This charming Provencestyle restaurant serving classic French cuisine is a popular choice for an intimate dinner or a celebration in one of several private rooms or on the heated patio terrace. ❂ R L D $$$

Lia’s (Editors’ Pick)

Union Jack’s

CABIN JOHN

4870 Bethesda Ave., 301-656-2981, www.uncle julios.com. Loud and large, this Tex-Mex eatery packs in families and revelers fueling up on fajitas, tacos and more. Kids love to watch the tortilla machine. Voted “Most Kid-Friendly Restaurant” by the magazine’s readers in 2015. ❂ J R L D $$

donut

with the purchase of one of our espresso bar drinks

local

Uncle Julio’s Rio Grande Café

freE Glazed fresh

7525 Old Georgetown Road, 240-821-6830, www. tyberbierhausmd.com. Czech, German and Belgian brews served in an authentic beer-hall setting, furnished with the same benches as those used in the Hofbrau brewhouse in Munich. Pub menu features mussels, hearty sandwiches, schnitzel and goulash. R L D $$

7345-B Wisconsin Ave., 301-656-5234, yuzu bethesda.com. Diners will find authentic Japanese dishes, including sushi, sashimi and cooked tofu, vegetable, tempura, meat and fish dishes, prepared by sushi chef and owner Yoshihisa Ota. L D $$

Tyber Bierhaus

Yuzu

each month feature a four-course meal and a performance for $60 per person. D $$

4435 Willard Ave., 240-223-5427, www.chefgeoff. com. Owner Geoff Tracy focuses on high-quality, lowfuss modern Italian-American fare at this modern space with a wine room. Pizzas, house-made pastas

(corner of norfolk)

(301) 951-3653

offer expires march 10th, 2016

TAVIRA Portugese & Mediterranean Cuisine Prefix Menu* 3 Course Meal $25 Dinner $15 Lunch Sunday-Thursday Tasting of Portugal* 3 Course Meal $33 Dinner $20 Lunch 7 Days a Week • Open Table Diners' Choice Winner 2015 •

$20 off any dinner check of $50 or more with this coupon. Not valid with other offers or Prix Fixe Menu. One coupon per table. Not valid on holidays. Offer expires 4/30/2016.

Fine Dining • Private Dining • Parties & Events • Live Entertainment

Conveniently located with free parking Call for reservations 301-652-8684 8401 Connecticut Ave. Chevy Chase, MD 20815 * Restrictions Apply

BethesdaMagazine.com | march/april 2016 299

DINE_Dining Guide.indd 299

2/11/16 11:27 AM

dine and fresh fish please business lunchers and dinner crowds. ❂ J R L D $

Manoli Canoli Restaurant

8540 Connecticut Ave., 301-951-1818, www.manoli canoli.com. Italian and Greek specialties abound at a fun family eatery that features a large prepared foods section, dishes made with olive oil from owner Stavros Manolakos’ family farm in Greece and homemade mozzarella on pizza and subs. ❂ J L D $

Meiwah Restaurant

4457 Willard Ave., 301-652-9882, www.meiwah restaurant.com. This modern restaurant on the second floor of a Friendship Heights office building offers top-quality Chinese dishes that are hard to beat. There’s also a sushi bar with an extensive menu. A fountain sparkles on the outdoor patio. ❂ L D $$

Potomac Pizza

19 Wisconsin Circle, 301-951-1127, www.potomac pizza.com. This cheery, casual dining room provides a break from the ultra-posh shopping surrounding it. In addition to pizza, subs and pastas are popular. Beer and wine available. ❂ J L D $

Sushiko (Editors’ Pick)

5455 Wisconsin Ave., 301-961-1644, www.sushiko restaurants.com. Known as one of the Washington, D.C., area’s most respected sushi restaurant, Sushiko offers a wide range of sushi and other dishes. A chef’s nine-course tasting menu includes seven original small dishes, a sushi course and dessert. ❂ L D $$

Tavira

8401 Connecticut Ave., 301-652-8684, www.tavira restaurant.com. Fish stews and several versions of bacalhau (salted cod) figure prominently on the menu of this intriguing Portuguese restaurant, which manages to be charming and attractive despite its location in an office building basement. L D $$

GARRETT PARK Black Market Bistro (Editors’ Pick)

4600 Waverly Ave., 301-933-3000, www.black marketrestaurant.com. Sublime American bistro fare served in a restored Victorian building next to railroad tracks; the building once served as a general store and still houses a post office. Entrées range from swordfish to a burger and pizza, including several vegetable options. ❂ J R L D $$

GLEN ECHO Irish Inn at Glen Echo

6119 Tulane Ave., 301-229-6600, www.irishinn glenecho.com. This historic tavern has been a family home and a biker bar, but its incarnation as the Irish Inn has been delivering smiles and hearty food since 2003. Traditional Irish music on Monday nights and The 19th Street Band on every other Wednesday night, plus live jazz on Thursday nights. ❂ J R L D $$

KENSINGTON Frankly…Pizza!

10417 Armory Ave., 301-832-1065, www.franklypizza. com. Owner Frank Linn turns out high-quality pizza in a rustic brick-and-mortar restaurant. The menu offers wood-fired pies topped with home-cured meats and tomato sauce made from an 80-year-old family

recipe. Wines and homemade sodas served on tap, too. ❂LD$

K Town Bistro

3784 Howard Ave., 301-933-1211, www.ktown bistro.com. Try filet mignon, duck breast à l’orange, chicken marsala and other classic continental dishes from this family-run eatery owned by Gonzalo Barba, former longtime captain of the restaurant in the Watergate Hotel. L D $$

Savannah’s American Grill

10700 Connecticut Ave., 301-946-7917. This casual sports bar serves American bar food, including wraps, burgers, salads and ribs, and brunch on weekends. Diners can enjoy their meals outside on a 50seat patio. ❂ J R L D $

Sub*Urban Trading Co.

10301 Kensington Parkway, 301-962-4046, www. suburbantrading.com. Earthy, neighborhood bistro and market features creative seasonal dishes. Think cured duck leg sandwich with shaved onions and fig preserves, roasted sausage and rice-stuffed shallots, vegetable pot-au-feu, plus homemade sweets. R L D $$

NORTH POTOMAC/ GAITHERSBURG Asia Nine

254 Crown Park Ave. (Downtown Crown), 301-3309997, www.asianinemd.com. Pan Asian restaurant with a first location in Washington, D.C.’s Penn Quarter offers dishes from Vietnam, China, Thailand and Japan. Specialties include grilled lamb chops served with mango-soy coulis and miso honey duck breast drizzled with a sake butter sauce. R L D $$

Athens Grill

9124 Rothbury Drive, 301-975-0757, www.athens grill.com. This casual, friendly, family-run restaurant specializes in authentic Greek cooking, using recipes handed down through generations. Specialties such as rotisserie chicken, chargrilled salmon with a lemon dill sauce and lamb kabobs are cooked on a hardwood grill. L D $

Bonefish Grill

82 Market St., 240-631-2401, www.bonefishgrill.com. While fresh fish cooked over a wood fire is the centerpiece of this upscale Florida chain, the steaks, crab cakes and specialty martinis make it a fun option for happy hour and those with hearty appetites. R L D $$

Boulevard Tavern

311 Kentlands Blvd., 301-569-4247, thetaverns.com/ boulevard-tavern. Brasserie Beck Kentlands was revamped into a more casual American tavern with an expansive menu including chicken wings, burgers, Maryland crab cakes and mussels. The restaurant also offers a mixture of American and Belgian craft beers and a larger outdoor dining area that sometimes hosts live music. ❂ R L D $$

Buca di Beppo

122 Kentlands Blvd., 301-947-7346, www.bucadi beppo.com. The Kentlands outpost of this national chain serves huge, family-style portions of Italian specialties from fresh breads to antipasti and pasta dishes amid a sea of Italian kitsch. Desserts include Italian Creme Cake and Tiramisu. J L D $$

Burma Road

617 S. Frederick Ave., 301-963-1429, www.burma road.biz. A good place to sample pickled tea leaf

salad and other Burmese specialties. House specials include Three Cup Chicken Casserole and Sizzling Shrimp and Scallop in Hot Garlic Sauce. L D $

Coal Fire

116 Main St., 301-519-2625, www.coalfireonline.com. Homemade crusts fired by coal and topped with your choice of toppings and three different sauces: classic, spicy and signature, which is slightly sweet with a hint of spice. Salads, sandwiches and pasta also available, plus a full bar. ❂ L D $

Coastal Flats

135 Crown Park Ave. (Downtown Crown), 301-8698800, www.greatamericanrestaurants.com. First Maryland locale for Great American Restaurants, a Fairfaxbased chain. Seaside-inspired décor extends to the menu, which offers lobster and shrimp rolls, fried grouper and key lime pie. Steaks, pasta and burgers also served. ❂ J L D $$

Copper Canyon Grill

100 Boardwalk Place, 240-631-0003, www.ccgrill. com. Large portions of American classics such as salads, ribs and rotisserie chicken prepared with seasonal ingredients at family-friendly prices are the bill of fare at this spacious and casual chain restaurant. J L D $$

Dogfish Head Alehouse

800 W. Diamond Ave., 301-963-4847, www.dogfish alehouse.com. The first Maryland outpost of the popular Rehoboth Beach brewpub, the restaurant is packed with revelers and families clamoring for the Dogfish Head brews, burgers, pizzas and ribs. Check out the burger of the week. ❂ J L D $$

Growler’s

227 E. Diamond Ave., 301-519-9400, www.growlers restaurant.com. This turn-of-the-century building in downtown Gaithersburg is now a brewpub with regular and seasonal house brews and a full menu including pizzas, burgers, sandwiches and entrées such as Cajun rigatoni and steak frites. Live music Wednesday through Saturday. ❂ J R L D $

Guapo’s Restaurant

9811 Washingtonian Blvd., L-17, 301-977-5655, www.guaposrestaurant.com. See Bethesda listing. ❂JRLD$

Hershey’s Restaurant & Bar

17030 Oakmont Ave., 301-948-9893, www.hersheys atthegrove.com. Fried chicken that tastes like it was made by an aproned elder is served up in a clapboard building constructed in 1889. Besides the fab fried chicken, Hershey’s serves up warm rolls, inexpensive prices and live music. ❂ J R L D $$

INFERNO PIZZERIA NAPOLETANA

12207 Darnestown Road, 301-963-0115, inferno-pizzeria.com. Tony Conte, former executive chef of Washington, D.C.’s Oval Room, goes casual with his first restaurant, an authentic Neapolitan pizzeria offering sophisticated toppings such as shaved truffles and garlic confit. Cozy dining room seats 39, with a tiled, wood-burning pizza oven as the centerpiece. See review page 284. D $

Il Porto Restaurant

245 Muddy Branch Road, 301-590-0735, www.il portorestaurant.com. A classic red-sauce menu, elegant murals of Venice and an authentic thin-crust pizza are hallmarks of this friendly, unfussy Italian restaurant tucked in the Festival Shopping Center. Fried calamari and the white pizza are among customer favorites. ❂ L D $

300 march/april 2016 | BethesdaMagazine.com

DINE_Dining Guide.indd 300

2/11/16 11:27 AM

Bacchus of Lebanon Joe’s Crab Shack

221 Rio Blvd., 301-947-4377, www.joescrabshack.com. This is one of four Maryland locations of the chain, which offers blue crabs from April through August and other varieties year-round, as well as chicken and burgers for landlubbers. Popular with families and young couples. ❂ J L D $$

Le Palais

304 Main St., No. 100, 301-947-4051, www. restaurantlepalais.com. Chef-owner Joseph Zaka trips lightly through the dishes of Brittany and Burgundy, adding a modern twist here and there. Entrées include squab with chestnuts, prunes and wild mushrooms, and cassolette of lamb. D $$$

The Melting Pot

9021 Gaither Road, 301-519-3638, www.the meltingpot.com. There’s nothing like dipping bits of bread, vegetables and apples into a communal pot of hot cheese to get a date or a party started. The Melting Pot chain also offers wine, oil or broth to cook meat tableside and chocolate fondue for dessert. J D $$

Not Your Average Joe’s

245 Kentlands Blvd., 240-477-1040, www.notyour averagejoes.com. See Bethesda listing. ❂ J L D $$

Old Town Pour House

212 Ellington Blvd. (Downtown Crown), 301-9636281, www.oldtownpourhouse.com. One of the eateries from Chicago’s Bottleneck Management restaurant company, this place features more than 90 local and international brews on tap. Classic American cuisine is served in a setting with copper-inlaid bars and high ceilings. ❂ L D $$

Paladar Latin Kitchen & Rum Bar

203 Crown Park Ave., 301-330-4400, www. paladarlatinkitchen.com. This Cleveland-based chain covers the spectrum of Latin cuisine, with dishes from Cuba, the Caribbean and Central and South America. From Brazil, there’s feijoada stew; from Cuba, ropa vieja; and from Jamaica, jerk chicken. Bar selections includes 50 varieties of rum, 15 tequilas and six types of mojitos. ❂ J R L D $$

Potomac Pizza

625 Center Point Way, 301-977-9777, www.potomac pizza.com. See Chevy Chase listing. J L D $

Quincy’s Bar & Grille

616 Quince Orchard Road, 301-869-8200, quincys bar.com. Energetic neighborhood pub with a sports bar atmosphere, Quincy’s also has an extensive menu with wings, pizza, build-your-own burgers and chicken sandwiches, plus entrées including Guinness-braised brisket. Live music is also a big draw. L D $

Red Hot & Blue

16811 Crabbs Branch Way, 301-948-7333, www. redhotandblue.com. You’ll find generous portions of hickory-smoked barbecue, plus burgers, salads and wraps, and a Southern attitude at this chain popular for its office party takeout and its family-friendly, kitschy roadhouse décor. J L D $

Rio Grande Café

231 Rio Blvd., 240-632-2150, www.unclejulios.com. See Bethesda listing under Uncle Julio’s. ❂ J R L D $$

Ruth’s Chris Steak House

106 Crown Park Ave. (Downtown Crown), 301-9901926, www.ruthschris.com. See Bethesda listing. D $$$

Sardi’s Pollo a La Brasa 430 N. Frederick Ave., 301-977-3222, www.sardis chicken.com. Yes, there’s charbroiled chicken, but don’t miss the other Peruvian specialties, especially the ceviche and Salchipapas, a true Peruvian street food of thinly sliced pan-fried beef hotdogs mixed with french fries and served with condiments. LD$

Tandoori Nights 106 Market St., 301-947-4007, www.tandoori nightsmd.com. See Bethesda listing. ❂ L D $

Tara Thai 9811 Washingtonian Blvd., L-9, 301-947-8330, www. tarathai.com. Thai cuisine goes high style at Bethesda Magazine readers’ pick for “Best Thai Restaurant” in 2016. With colorful murals of ocean creatures looking on, diners can try dishes ranging from mild to adventurous. ❂ L D $$

Ted’s Bulletin 220 Ellington Blvd. (Downtown Crown), 301-9900600, www.tedsbulletin.com. First Maryland location of the modern diner chainlet from the folks at Matchbox Food Group. Boozy milkshakes, homemade pop tarts and the Cinnamon Roll As Big As Ya Head (served weekends only) are among the specialties. ❂ J R L D $$

TED’S MONTANA GRILL 105 Ellington Blvd. (Downtown Crown), 301-3300777, tedsmontanagrill.com. First Maryland location of billionaire and bison rancher Ted Turner’s restaurant chain, which uses bison as the showpiece in a humongous selection of dishes, including burgers, meatloaf, nachos and chili. Soups, salads, American classics and spiked milkshakes also available at this saloon-style eatery. ❂ J L D $$

Thai Tanium 657 Center Point Way, 301-990-3699, www.thai taniumrestaurant.com. Authentic Thai food laced with lots of chilies and garlic as hot as you like. Try one of the Thai street food dishes, such as roasted pork with Thai herbed sweet sauce and noodle soups. ❂ J L D $

WINTER SPECIAL 2 course dinner for $20 Sunday to Thursday January 1 to March 31 7945 Norfolk Avenue Bethesda, MD 301.657.1722 www.bacchusoflebanon.com

Unrivaled Italian Tradition and Authenticity

Sorrento trattoria

4930 Cordell Avenue, Bethesda 301-718-0344 www.trattoriasorrento.com

4865 Cordell Ave Bethesda 301-986-9592 www.grapeseedbistro.com

the

grilled oyster co.

Vasilis Mediterranean Grill 353 Main St., 301-977-1011, www.vasilisgrill.com. With soaring white pillars and a spate of inviting outdoor tables, this Greek restaurant serves the usual souvlaki and gyros as well as more interesting dishes such as grilled branzini (sea bass) and lamb chops. ❂ J L D $

The Wine Harvest, The Kentlands 114 Market St., 301-869-4008, www.thewine harvest.com. Stop by this popular Cheers-like wine bar locally owned by the Meyrowitz family for a glass of wine or a Belgian beer. The menu includes salads, sandwiches and cheese plates. There’s also a Potomac location. ❂ L D $

Yoyogi Sushi 328 Main St., 301-963-0001. A no-nonsense neighborhood sushi place with bright fish tanks, it offers the familiar sushi, teriyaki, tempura dishes, plus seaweed salad, soup, green tea and red bean ice cream. LD$

Ziki Japanese Steak House 10009 Fields Road, 301-330-3868, www.zikisteak house.com. This large steak house on a busy corner charms patrons with its fountains, stone Buddhas and geisha mannequins. Food offerings include sushi, as well as meats cooked on a tableside hibachi. J L D $$

Readers’ Pick, Top Vote Getter Best Restaurant in Potomac

A 20 Top Vote 16 Getter

The Grilled Oyster Company is a regionally inspired fresh seafood & raw bar 7943 Tuckerman Ln. Potomac, Md 20854 301-299-9888 3701 Newark St., NW Washington, DC 20016 (in the new Cathedral Commons) TheGrilledOysterCompany.com

BethesdaMagazine.com | march/april 2016 301

DINE_Dining Guide.indd 301

2/11/16 11:28 AM

dine

POTOMAC Amici Miei

1093 Seven Locks Road, 301-545-0966, www.amici mieiristorante.com. Chef Davide Megna and manager/ partner Roberto Deias have created an upscale Italian neighborhood gathering place, with wood-fired pizzas, homemade pastas and creative salads. ❂ R L D $$

Attman’s Delicatessen

7913 Tuckerman Lane (Cabin John Shopping Center & Mall), 301-765-3354, cabinjohn.attmansdeli.com. This landmark Baltimore deli has run a second location in Potomac since 2013. The menu offers the same legendary corned beef, pastrami and other deli specialties. Third-generation owner Marc Attman is at the helm. J B L D $

Brooklyn’s Deli & Catering

1089 Seven Locks Road, 301-340-3354, www. brooklynsdelimd.com. From chopped liver to chicken soup, Brooklyn’s serves all the deli specialties, plus more. Think hot pastrami with cole slaw and Russian dressing on pumpernickel or grilled marinated chicken breast, avocado, tomato and mayonnaise on grilled sourdough. ❂ J B L D $

Elevation Burger

12525-D Park Potomac Ave., 301-838-4010, www. elevationburger.com. Fast-food burgers go organic and grass-fed at this Northern Virginia-founded chain. Veggie burgers, chicken sandwiches, grilled cheese and a BLT available, too. Shake flavors range from banana to key lime and cheesecake. ❂ L D $

Gregorio’s Trattoria

7745 Tuckerman Lane (Cabin John Shopping Center & Mall), 301-296-6168, www.gregoriostrattoria.com. Proprietor Greg Kahn aims to make everyone feel at home at this family-owned restaurant serving a hit parade of traditional Italian favorites, with all the familiar pasta, pizza, chicken, veal and seafood dishes; the gluten-free menu offers pizza, cheese ravioli and quinoa pastas. J L D $$

The Grilled Oyster Co. (Editors’ Pick)

7943 Tuckerman Lane (Cabin John Shopping Center & Mall), 301-299-9888, www.thegrilled oystercompany. com. This Chesapeake-style seafood eatery features small plates, salads, sandwiches and entrées. Named “Best New Restaurant” by Bethesda Magazine readers in 2014. ❂ J R L D $$

Hunter’s Bar and Grill

10123 River Road, 301-299-9300, www.thehunters inn.com. At this Potomac institution and popular English hunt-themed spot, try a big salad or hamburger for lunch and a traditional pasta dish or filet mignon for dinner with the family. ❂ J R L D $$

Mix Bar and Grille

9812 Falls Road, Potomac, 301-299-3000, www.mix barandgrille.com. This casual spot serves charcuterie and cheese plates, brick-oven flatbreads and other light fare. The space is modern and hip, with tall, white banquettes, Plexiglas chairs, five big-screen TVs, and a 20-seat bar. Look for lots of wines by the glass and beers on tap. L D $$

MoCo’s Founding Farmers

12505 Park Potomac Ave., 301-340-8783, www.we arefoundingfarmers.com. Farm-inspired fare in a modern and casual setting; this is the sister restaurant to the phenomenally popular downtown Founding Farmers. Bethesda Magazine readers chose it as “Best Restaurant in Montgomery County” and

for “Most Inventive Cocktails” in 2015. Try the warm cookies for dessert. ❂ B R L D $$

Normandie Farm Restaurant

10710 Falls Road, 301-983-8838, www.popovers. com. This fine-dining French restaurant, open since 1931, strives to preserve its classical heritage while embracing new traditions. Dinner entrées run from seafood to beef and lamb. The restaurant offers quick service, a casual café option and a violinist at afternoon tea. ❂ J R L D $$

O’Donnell’s Market (New)

1073 Seven Locks Road, Potomac, 301-251-6355, www.odonnellsmarket.com. This market, from the family that ran O’Donnell’s restaurants in Montgomery County for decades, features a 10-seat bar for lunch and happy hour (11:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.). The menu includes a raw bar, salads and many O’Donnell’s classics, among them a lump-filled crab cake sandwich, salmon BLT, seafood bisque and crab gumbo. ❂L$

Old Angler’s Inn

10801 MacArthur Blvd., 301-365-2425, www.old anglersinn.com. Open since 1860 and known for its refined American food and beautiful fireplaces and grounds, it features live music on weekends. Signature cocktails include hard cider sangria and a pumpkin pie martini. ❂ R L D $$$

Potomac Pizza

9812 Falls Road, 301-299-7700, www.potomac pizza.com. See Chevy Chase listing. L D $

ROCKVILLE/ NORTH BETHESDA A & J Restaurant (Editors’ Pick)

1319-C Rockville Pike, 301-251-7878, www. aj-restaurant.com/main.html. Northern dim sum is the specialty at this hard-to-find spot in the Woodmont Station shopping center. Warm-colored walls surround the crowd digging into thousand-layer pancakes and fresh tofu. R L D $

Al Carbon

200 Park Road, 301-738-0003, www.alcarbon restaurant.com. Serving authentic Latin American fare across the street from the Rockville Metro station, this unassuming roadhouse has a loyal following for its arepas, empanadas, tapas and more. Try one of the natural juices including mango and tamarindo. ❂ B L D $

Amalfi Ristorante Italiano

12307 Wilkins Ave., 301-770-7888, www.amalfi rockville.com. A family-run, red-sauce Italian restaurant with specialties including white pizza and lasagna. Lots of antipasti choices, too. The gazebo is a charming spot to dine during the summer. J L D $$

American Tap Room

36-A Maryland Ave. (Rockville Town Square), 301- 838-4281, www.americantaproom.com. See Bethesda listing. ❂  R L D $$

Renato’s at River Falls

Amina Thai Restaurant

River Falls Tavern (Editors’ Pick)

Benjarong Thai Restaurant

10120 River Road, 301-365-1900. The Italian restaurant offers fish dishes among its menu of pastas and classics such as osso bucco and linguini with clams and eggplant parmigiana. Traditional Italian desserts include tiramisu, profiteroles and cannolis. ❂ J L D $$ 10128 River Road, 301-299-0481, www.thetaverns. com/river-falls-tavern. Well-known chef Robert Wiedmaier’s RW Restaurant Group took over this upscale American pub—formerly called The Tavern at River Falls—in 2015. Entrées include crab cakes, fish tacos, grilled bronzino, a New York strip steak and steak frites. ❂ R L D $$

Sugo Osteria & Pizzeria

12505 Park Potomac Ave., 240-386-8080, www.eat sugo.com. The Greek guys who own Cava Mezze and Cava Mezze Grill partner with Mamma Lucia restaurants to serve Italian small plates, meatballs, sliders, pizza and pasta. Chef specialities include blue crab gnocchi and charred octopus. ❂ R L D $$

Tally-Ho Restaurant

9923 Falls Road, 301-299-6825, www.tallyho restaurant.com. A local fixture since 1968, the eatery serves an expansive diner-style menu with Greek and Italian specialties. Choose from options ranging from burgers and deli sandwiches to pizza, calzones and dinner entrées. ❂ J B L D $

The Wine Harvest

12525-B Park Potomac Ave., 240-314-0177, www. thewineharvest.com. See Gaithersburg listing. ❂LD$

Zoës Kitchen

12505 Park Potomac Ave., Suite 120, 240-328-1022, www.zoeskitchen.com. The first Maryland outpost of a Birmingham, Alabama, fast-casual chain, Zoës features Mediterranean dishes such as kabobs, hummus and veggie pita pizzas. It specializes in takeout dinner for four for under $30. ❂ J L D $

5065 Nicholson Lane, 301-770-9509. Pleasant and bright, Amina Thai is run by a husband-and-wife team and bills itself as the first Muslim Thai restaurant in the area, using only halal meats and serving familiar Thai dishes. Chef’s specials include pineapple fried rice and grilled salmon. L D $ 885 Rockville Pike, 301-424-5533, www.benjarong thairestaurant.com. This Thai food stalwart has a reputation for above-average food served in a gracious setting reminiscent of an upscale country home. Try Thai-style fried bananas with ice cream for dessert. L D $

Bombay Bistro

98 W. Montgomery Ave., 301-762-8798, www.bombay bistro.com. Bombay Bistro opened in 1991 as one of the first Indian restaurants in the area to combine high style, reasonable prices and a fresh take on traditional Indian, and it has been packed ever since. House specialties include tandoori lamb chops and shrimp and scallops masala. J L D $$

Bonchon Chicken

107 Gibbs St., Unit A (Rockville Town Square), 301637-9079, www.bonchon.com. International fried chicken franchise with Korean roots serves up wings, drumsticks and strips with soy-garlic or spicy hot garlic sauce, plus other traditional offerings such as bulgogi, bimbimbop and scallion seafood pancakes. L D $

BRIO Tuscan Grille

20 Paseo Drive, 240-221-2691, www.brioitalian.com. Look for a wide range of Tuscan dishes served in a handsome setting. House specialties run from the traditional, such as lasagna Bolognese al forno, to the modern, including grilled chicken and quinoa salad. ❂ J R L D $$

CavA MEZZE (Editors’ Pick)

9713 Traville Gateway Drive, 301-309-9090, www. cavamezze.com. The dark and elegant Cava offers

302 march/april 2016 | BethesdaMagazine.com

DINE_Dining Guide.indd 302

2/11/16 11:28 AM

small plates of everything from fried Greek cheese, octopus and orzo in cinnamon tomato sauce to crispy pork belly and macaroni and cheese. There are martini specials, too. ❂ R L D $$

City Perch Kitchen + Bar

11830 Grand Park Ave. (Pike & Rose), 301-231-2310, www.cityperch.com. Located above the entrance to the iPic Theaters at Pike & Rose, City Perch offers creative, seasonal American cuisine in a rustic, inviting space. The menu includes raw-bar selections, small plates, shareable salads and entrée options such as rotisserie-cooked lamb shoulder and black sea bass. ❂ R L D $$$

Cuban Corner

825 Hungerford Drive, 301-279-0310, www. cubancornerrestaurant.com. Pork and empanadas shine at this small space brimming with ethnic pride (there’s a tribute wall to famous Cuban-Americans). Don’t skip the Cuban coffee or the Cuban sandwich, a sub bursting with ham, pickles and tangy mustard. LD$

Del Frisco’s Grille

11800 Grand Park Ave. (Pike & Rose), 301-881-0308, delfriscosgrille.com. This is the Texas-based chain’s second location in the area. Look for upscale takes on American comfort foods, such as veal meatloaf and short rib stroganoff, plus trendy items such as kale and Brussels sprouts salad, deviled eggs, flatbreads and ahi tuna tacos. Plenty of burgers, sandwiches and salads, too. ❂ R L D $$

The Dough Roller

800 Pleasant Drive, #160, (King Farm Village Center), 301-869-4584, www.doughrollerrestaurants.com. Grab a pizza slice and dream of boardwalk breezes at the first inland outpost of Ocean City’s popular pizza and pancake chainlet. Besides pizza, this locale features sandwiches, burgers and other items, including pancakes served all day. J B R L D $

East Pearl

838-B Rockville Pike, 301-838-8663, www.east pearlrestaurant.com. Choose from many options of Hong Kong cuisine, including familiar dishes featuring chicken, beef, poultry, pork and even duck, as well as those for adventurous tastes. Try the soups ranging from egg drop to seafood with bean curd. L D $

El Mariachi Restaurant

765-D Rockville Pike, 301-738-7177, www.el mariachirockville.com. Serving Tex-Mex and South American food in a bright, pleasant space made lively with colorful art. In addition to the usual enchiladas, tacos and burritos, look for Peruvian seafood and Cuban beef specialties. L D $

El Patio

5240 Randolph Road, 301-231-9225, www.elpatio international.com. This bustling café with pretty green umbrellas on the patio serves up the traditional meat-heavy dishes of Argentina, as well as pizzas and freshly made baked goods. Look for mouth-watering empanadas, beef tongue and sausage specialties. ❂ J B L D $

Ev & Maddy’s

101 Gibbs St., Unit C (Rockville Town Square), 301296-6682. Owned by Olney residents Patrick and Eunice Pak, this unpretentious French bistro serves beef bourguignon, lamb sausage, hanger steak and other traditional dishes with a modern twist. Executive Chef Patrick Pak sports impressive credentials, having cooked at Washington, D.C.’s Komi, Blue Duck Tavern and the former Palena. J L D $$

La Canela (Editors’ Pick)

Far East Restaurant

5055 Nicholson Lane, 301-881-5552, www.fareast rockvillemd.com. Owned and operated by the same family since 1974, this classic Chinese restaurant greets customers with two royal stone lions out front and sticks to the familiar Chinese-American basics. Check out the daily specials and dim sum menu. L D $$

Fontina Grille

801 Pleasant Drive, 301-947-5400, www.fontina grille.com. A trendy spot with its curvy maple bar and wood-burning pizza oven, Fontina Grille is a favorite gathering place for the King Farm neighborhood. Pizza, pasta and salads are the main attractions. Two-dollar pasta dishes available on Monday nights and half-price bottles of wine on Tuesdays. ❂ J R L D $$

Gordon Biersch

200-A E. Middle Lane (Rockville Town Square), 301340-7159, www.gordonbiersch.com/restaurants. The national brewpub chain prides itself on house beers and friendly service. The shiny bar is boisterous, and the menu includes bar favorites with some barbecue and Asian touches, small plates, salads, pizza and flatbreads. J L D $$

Grand Fusion Cuisine

350 East Fortune Terrace, 301-838-2862, grand fusionrestaurant.com. Diners will find something for everyone seeking a taste of the Asian continent, a full sushi bar, and Chinese, Malaysian and Singaporean specialties. Chef’s specials include Crispy Eggplant in Spicy Orange Sauce and Double Flavored Shrimp. ❂ L D $

Hard Times Café

1117 Nelson St., 301-294-9720, www.hardtimes.com. Good American beer selections, hearty chili styles ranging from Cincinnati (cinnamon and tomato) to Texas (beef and hot peppers), and hefty salads and wings bring families to this Wild West-style saloon for lunch and dinner. L D $

Hinode Japanese Restaurant

134 Congressional Lane, 301-816-2190, www. hinoderestaurant.com. Serving traditional Japanese cuisine since 1992. All-you-can-eat lunch and weekend dinner buffet offers 40 types of sushi, 14 hot foods and a salad bar. Check out the patio with full bar service. L D $$

Il Pizzico

15209 Frederick Road, 301-309-0610, www. ilpizzico.com. Setting aside the strip mall location and lack of pizza (il pizzico means “the pinch” in Italian), chef-owner Enzo Livia’s house-made pasta dishes, gracious service and extensive wine list of mainly Italian wines make even a weeknight meal feel special. L D $$

Joe’s Noodle House

1488-C Rockville Pike, 301-881-5518, www.joes noodlehouse.com. Chinese ex-pats and many other customers consider the Szechuan specialties (soft bean curd with spicy sauce and hot beef jerky) among the area’s best examples of gourmet Chinese cooking. L D $

La Brasa Latin Cuisine

12401 Parklawn Drive, 301-468-8850, www.labrasa rockville.com. A bold, yellow awning marks the unlikely industrial location of the popular La Brasa. Customers rave about the rotisserie chicken, lomo saltado (Peruvian marinated steak), Salvadoran pupusas and Tres Leches. ❂ L D $

141-D Gibbs St. (Rockville Town Square), 301-2511550, www.lacanelaperu.com. Sophisticated, modern Peruvian cooking shines in a regally furnished dining room in a yellow stucco building graced with curvy black ironwork. The menu includes artfully prepared seafood, pork, chicken and beef dishes. ❂ L D $

La Limeña Restaurant

765 Rockville Pike, 301-424-8066. lalimena restaurant.com. Diners can choose dishes such as beef hearts, tripe and homemade pastries in this tiny but well-appointed eatery. Desserts include passion fruit mousse and vanilla flan. And of course, there’s rotisserie chicken to go. L D $

La Tasca

141 Gibbs St., Suite 305 (Rockville Town Square), 301279-7011, www.latascausa.com. The Rockville location of this regional chain strives to keep things interesting with 45 tapas dishes and six kinds of paella, including Paella Mixta with chicken, shrimp, chorizo, scallops, mussels, squid and clams. ❂ L D $$

Lebanese Taverna Café

1605 Rockville Pike, 301-468-9086; 115 Gibbs St. (Rockville Town Square), 301-309-8681; www. lebanesetaverna.com. A casual and pleasant family spot for lunch or dinner after shopping on Rockville Pike, the café is a more casual offshoot of the local Lebanese Taverna chain, serving hummus, pita, falafel, chicken and lamb kabobs. J L D $

Lighthouse Tofu & BBQ

12710 Twinbrook Parkway, 301-881-1178. In addition to the numerous tofu dishes ranging from Mushroom Tofu Pot to Seafood Beef Tofu Pot, diners at this Korean stalwart can try barbecue, stir-fried specialties and kimchee, the national dish of pickled cabbage. LD$

Mamma Lucia

12274-M Rockville Pike, 301-770-4894; 14921-J Shady Grove Road, 301-762-8805; www.mamma luciarestaurants.com. See Bethesda listing. ❂ L D $$

Matchbox Vintage Pizza Bistro

(Editors’ Pick)

1699 Rockville Pike, 301-816-0369, www.matchbox rockville.com. Look for mini-burgers, a “ginormous meatball” appetizer and thin-crusted pizza with toppings including herb-roasted chicken and portobella mushrooms or fire-roasted red peppers and Spanish onions served in a super-cool space in Congressional Plaza. ❂ J R L D $

MemSahib

4840 Boiling Brook Parkway, 301-468-0098, www. memsahibrestaurant.com. Patrons eat the Indian country way, with their hands. MemSahib offers a buffet lunch, including such dishes as tandoori chicken and vegetable samosas and pakoras, and a six-course prix fixe dinner while belly dancers entertain customers. L D $$

Michael’s Noodles

10038 Darnestown Road, 301-738-0370, www. michaelsnoodles.com. Extensive Taiwanese menu at this popular strip mall eatery includes dim sum, mixed noodle dishes, noodle soup and unusual specialties, such as Shredded Chicken with Jelly Fish and Stewed Pork Intestine and Duck Blood. L D $

Mi Rancho

1488 Rockville Pike, 240-221-2636, www.mirancho texmexrestaurant.com. You’ll find a boisterous party atmosphere every night at a place where customers can count on standard Tex-Mex fare at good prices.

BethesdaMagazine.com | march/april 2016 303

DINE_Dining Guide.indd 303

2/11/16 11:28 AM

dine The outdoor patio, strung with colorful lights, is the place to be in nice weather. ❂ L D $

Moa 12300 Wilkins Ave., 301-881-8880. moakorean restaurant.weebly.com. A welcoming Korean restaurant in the midst of an industrial stretch. Try the seafood pancake appetizer—a satisfying, crispy frittata bursting with squid, clams, shrimp and scallions. Dol Sot Bibimbap, a mix of rice, vegetables and protein in a hot pot, is a customer favorite. L D $

Mosaic Cuisine & Café 186 Halpine Road, 301-468-0682, www.mosaic cuisine.com. A diner with a soft European accent. Try the fresh Belgian waffles for breakfast. For those with hefty appetites, the waffle sandwiches are worth the trip, but don’t overlook the homemade soups or light dinner entrées. J B R L D $$

Mykonos Grill 121 Congressional Lane, 301-770-5999, www.mykonos grill.com. An authentic Greek taverna with whitewashed walls with Mediterranean blue accents on a busy street, Mykonos Grill turns out legs of lamb and fresh seafood expected at any good Greek restaurant. ❂ L D $$

Nagoya Sushi Japanese Restaurant 402 King Farm Blvd., Suite 130, 301-990-6778. Cheery yellow walls decorated with shelves of Japanese knickknacks greet customers who come for the large selection of sushi at this unassuming sushi spot in King Farm. L D $$

Nantucket’s Reef 9755 Traville Gateway Drive, Rockville, 301-2797333, www.nantucketsreef.com. This casual New England-style eatery offers a wide range of reasonably priced seafood dishes, including raw and baked oysters, stuffed cod, fried Ipswitch clams, seafood tacos, tuna and salmon salads, and lobster items. Signature cocktails are made with Nantucket Nectars juices. ❂ R L D $$

Nick’s Chophouse 700 King Farm Blvd., 301-926-8869, www.nickschop houserockville.com. Aged Angus beef cooked over an open fire is the specialty at this upscale spot, but seafood lovers can get their fill from big crab cakes. Signature steaks include slow-roasted prime rib weighing 10 to 32 ounces. Separate bar menu. ❂ L D $$

Niwano Hana Japanese Restaurant 887 Rockville Pike, 301-294-0553, www.niwano hana.com. Clean Asian décor and elegant wooden screens greet diners at this friendly and busy sushi spot located in Wintergreen Plaza. There are the usual sushi rolls, plus creative options such as a Spicy Scallop Roll with mayonnaise and chili peppers, noodle dishes, teriyaki and yakitori. L D $$

Old Kimura Sushi 785 Rockville Pike, Unit D, 301-251-1922, www.old kimura.com. A small restaurant serving an extensive sushi menu, along with noodle soups, rice dishes and tempura. Dinner specials include grilled fresh eel served over rice and sushi and sashimi combinations. L D $$

The Original Ambrosia Restaurant 12015 Rockville Pike, 301-881-3636, www.the originalambrosia.com. Look for an eclectic menu of breakfast, gyros, pizza, crabcakes and soups at this family-owned eatery. Traditional Greek dishes include spanikopita, stuffed grape leaves, mousaka and shish kabob. J B L D $

Original Pancake House

12224 Rockville Pike, 301-468-0886, www.oph restaurants.com. See Bethesda listing. J B L $

Paladar Latin Kitchen & Rum Bar

11333 Woodglen Drive, 301-816-1100, paladarlatin kitchen.com. See Gaithersburg listing. ❂ J R L D $$

Peter Chang

20-A Maryland Ave. (Rockville Town Square), 301838-9188. Chef Peter Chang’s only restaurant in Maryland showcases his Szechuan specialties in an apricot-walled dining space. Garnering a cult-like following over the years, Chang is best known for dishes such as dry-fried eggplant, crispy pork belly and duck in a stone pot. L D $$

Pho 75

771 Hungerford Drive, 301-309-8873. The restaurant is one of the Washington area’s favorite spots for the Vietnamese beef noodle soup known as pho. Soup can be customized with bean sprouts, Thai basil, chilies, lime, and hot and hoisin sauces. Beverages include interesting options such as Iced Salty Pickled Lemon Juice. L D $

Pho 95

785-H Rockville Pike, 301-294-9391. Pho, the Vietnamese beef noodle soup, is king here. Other offerings include fat rice-paper rolls of shrimp, noodles and herbs with a sweet and spicy peanut sauce, Grilled Lemon Grass Chicken and Grilled Pork Chop and Shredded Pork Skin. L D $

Pho Hoa Binh

11782 Parklawn Drive, 301-770-5576. www.pho hoa.com. This pleasant pho restaurant offers the full gamut of variations on the beef noodle soup, plus about a dozen grilled entrées. The Adventurer’s Choice features “unusual” meats, including tendon, tripe and fatty flank. The Vietnamese iced coffee is divine. L D $

Pho Nom Nom

842 Rockville Pike, 301-610-0232, www.phonom nom.net. As the name suggests, the specialty is pho, but there are also grilled dishes, noodles and the Vietnamese sandwich known as banh mi. House specials include Vietnamese beef stew and pork and shrimp wontons. L D $

PHOLUSCIOUS VIETNAMESE GRILL

10048 Darnestown Road, 301-762-2226, www. pholuscious.com. This casual restaurant and bar is home to traditional Vietnamese cooking, with fresh ingredients, minimal use of oil and many herbs and vegetables. The menu features pho, noodle dishes, rice plates and lots of protein dishes. Beverages include bubble tea, smoothies, beer and wine. L D $$

Pizza CS

1596-B Rockville Pike, 240-833-8090, www. pizzacs.com. Authentic Neapolitan pies are offered in a sub-shop atmosphere. Choose from a list of red and white pizza options, or build your own pie with herbs, cheeses, meats and vegetables. ❂ J L D $

Potomac Pizza

9709 Traville Gateway Drive, 301-279-2234, www. potomacpizza.com. See Chevy Chase listing. ❂ JLD$

Quench

9712 Traville Gateway Drive, 301-424-8650, www. quenchnation.com. Urban bar scene in the suburbs, with unique cocktails and contemporary American cuisine. Lots of starter options to try, plus salads, entrées, sandwiches and burgers, and three Asian dishes including pad Thai. ❂ J R L D $$

Quincy’s South Bar & Grille

11401 Woodglen Drive, 240-669-3270, quincys bar.com. See North Potomac/Gaithersburg listing. ❂LD$

Rocklands Barbeque and Grilling Company

891-A Rockville Pike, 240-268-1120, www.rocklands. com. John Snedden has perfected the art of barbecue since he first opened Rocklands in Washington, D.C., in 1990. This location serves all-American pork ribs, smoked chicken, brisket and lamb cooked exclusively over red oak and hickory. ❂ J L D $

Rolls ‘N Rice

1701 Rockville Pike (Shops at Congressional Village), 301-770-4030, www.rollsnrice.com. This Asian café serves more than 25 varieties of rolls, from a volcano roll (spicy tuna, white fish, salmon, tomato, jalapeño, fish eggs and vegetables) to a Philadelphia Roll (smoked salmon, cream cheese and avocado). JLD$

Sadaf Halal Restaurant

1327-K Rockville Pike, 301-424-4040. An elegant alternative to the run-of-the-mill kabob places dotting Rockville Pike, Sadaf is pristine, with lace curtains and glass mosaic tiles in front. In addition to kabobs, it offers Persian curries and fish dishes. ❂ J L D $

Sam’s Café & Market

844 Rockville Pike, 301-424-1600, www.samcafe market.com. Fill up on the kitchen’s juicy skewered meats or interesting entrées, including pomegranate molasses stew and marinated grilled salmon, then have a gelato and check out the hookahs. ❂ LD$

Seasons 52 (Editors’ Pick)

11414 Rockville Pike, 301-984-5252, www. seasons52.com. A fresh, seasonal menu featuring items under 475 calories. Choose from flatbreads including Blackened Steak & Blue Cheese and Grilled Garlic Pesto Chicken to entrée salads to meat and seafood dishes. Nightly piano music. ❂ L D $$

Seven Seas Chinese Restaurant

1776 East Jefferson St., 301-770-5020, www.seven seasrestaurant.com. An elegant restaurant popular with politicians and local chefs and known for its fresh seafood and impeccable service. Specials include the paper hot pot, meals using ancient Chinese herbs and afternoon tea. Sushi, too. L D $

Sheba Restaurant

5071 Nicholson Lane, 301-881-8882, www.sheba rockville.com. The menu features authentic Ethiopian cuisine with lots of vegetarian and vegan options. House specialties include Dulet Assa, chopped tilapia mixed with onion, garlic and jalapeño and served with a side of homemade cheese. L D $

Sichuan Jin River

410 Hungerford Drive, 240-403-7351, www.sichuan jinriver.com. Customers find terrific Sichuan cuisine served in a no-frills setting. Take the plunge and try something new with the authentic Chinese menu, inlcuding 23 small cold plates. L D $

Silver Diner

12276 Rockville Pike, 301-770-2828, www.silver diner.com. Customers flock to this trendy diner that still offers tableside juke boxes. The latest food trends (think quinoa coconut pancakes) share company on the enormous menu with diner staples such as meatloaf and mashed potatoes. J B R L D $

Spice Xing

100-B Gibbs St. (Rockville Town Square), 301-6100303, www.spicexing.com. Chef and owner Sudhir

304 march/april 2016 | BethesdaMagazine.com

DINE_Dining Guide.indd 304

2/11/16 11:28 AM

Seth, who also owns Bethesda’s Passage to India, serves up small plates and dishes that reflect the history of culinary influences on India. Try the allyou-can-eat lunchtime buffet. ❂ J R L D $$

STANFORD GRILL

2000 Tower Oaks Blvd., 240-582-1000, www.the stanfordgrill.com. From the Blueridge Restaurant Group, owner of Copper Canyon Grill restaurants, comes this 300-seat American eatery on the ground floor of an office building. Salads, burgers, steaks and seafood, plus sushi, with an eye towards highquality. ❂ L D $$

Stella Barra Pizzeria

11825 Grand Park Ave. (Pike & Rose), 301-770-8609, www.stellabarra.com. Adjacent to its sister restaurant, Summer House Santa Monica, Stella Barra is an artisan pizzeria with a hip, urban vibe. Look for crisp crusts with chewy centers topped with butternut squash and candied bacon or house-made pork sausage and fennel pollen. Italian wines available. ❂ L D $$

Summer House Santa Monica

(Editors’ Pick)

11825 Grand Park Ave. (Pike & Rose), 301-881-2381, summerhousesm.com. An airy, light and stunning space sets the scene for modern American cuisine with a West Coast sensibility. Dishes include Beach Bum Ceviche, Santa Monica Cobb Salad, plus sushi, tacos, sandwiches and steak frites. Do not miss the bakery counter. ❂ J R L D $$

Super Bowl Noodle

785 Rockville Pike, 301-738-0086. www.superbowl noodlehouse.com. Look for a large variety of Asian noodle dishes in super-size portions, plus a large selection of appetizers. Also, bubble tea and desserts, including Sweet Taro Root Roll and Black Sugar Shaved Ice. ❂ L D $

Sushi Damo

36-G Maryland Ave. (Rockville Town Square), 301340-8010, www.sushidamo.com. A slice of New York sophistication, this elegant restaurant offers sushi à la carte or omakase, chef’s choice, plus beef and seafood entrées and an impressive sake list. L D $$

Sushi House Japanese Restaurant

1331-D Rockville Pike, 301-309-0043. A tiny, plain restaurant serving a large selection of fresh sushi, including sushi and sashimi combinations. Lunch specials for under $7. It’s popular, so be prepared to wait. L D $$

Sushi Oishii

9706 Traville Gateway Drive, 301-251-1177, www. sushioishii.com. This charming sushi bar in the Traville Gateway Center offers friendly service and 24 specialty sushi rolls, bento boxes and a few grilled items, including beef, poultry and seafood teriyaki. L D $$

Taipei Tokyo

14921-D Shady Grove Road (Fallsgrove Village Center), 301-738-8813; 11510-A Rockville Pike, 301881-8388; www.taipei-tokyo.net. These sister restaurants offer a sizable roster of Chinese, Japanese and Thai dishes. The Fallsgrove Village location is the younger and sleeker of the two, with full sitdown service. The older sister, opened in 1993, is more like a noodle shop/cafeteria. L D $$

Tara Asia

199-D E. Montgomery Ave., 301-315-8008. www. taraasiarestaurantrockville.com. A pan-Asian offshoot of the Tara Thai family, Tara Asia is dominated by a floor-to-ceiling mosaic and has an 82-item menu that spans the cuisine from Japan to Thailand

dishing up matzo ball soup since 1947. Choose from a wide selection of sandwiches, burgers and entrées. This one has a pickle bar. ❂ J B R L D $

and the tiny islands in between. L D $$

Tara Thai

12071 Rockville Pike, 301-231-9899, www.tarathai. com.com. See Gaithersburg listing. ❂ L D $$

Temari Café

1043 Rockville Pike, 301-340-7720. Deep-fried oysters, classic rice balls, ramen noodle soup, sushi and sashimi and comic books to peruse while you await your order set this Japanese restaurant apart from the rest. L D $$

Thai Farm

800 King Farm Blvd., 301-258-8829, www.thaifarm restaurant.com. A tastefully modern dining room soaked in a soothing yellow light. The usual suspects are on the menu here, but chef’s suggestions include an intriguing broiled fish wrapped in banana leaf and stir-fried duck. L D $$

Thai Pavilion

29 Maryland Ave., Unit 308 (Rockville Town Square), 301-545-0244, www.thaipavilionrestaurant.com. The soaring ceilings decorated with red chandeliers shaped like giant, stationary spinning tops give the feel of a modern museum. When the menu says spicy, believe it. ❂ J L D $$

That’s Amore

15201 Shady Grove Road, 240-268-0682, www.thats amore.com. This local chain focuses on family-style portions of classic Neapolitan dishes such as lasagna and chicken Parmesan in a more elegant setting than might be expected. Good for groups and large families. J L D $$

Timpano Italian Chophouse

12021 Rockville Pike, 301-881-6939, www.timpano chophouse.net. A chain steak house with an Italian accent, Timpano is a favorite of wheeler-dealer business lunchers and nighttime diners looking for a high-quality steak or well-prepared pasta. ❂ L D $$$

Tower Oaks Lodge

2 Preserve Parkway, 301-294-0200, www.clydes. com/tower. Here is Clyde’s version of a lodge in the mountains. Well-prepared food runs the gamut of American desires, from burgers to fish, plus a raw bar. Check out the twig sculpture spanning the ceiling of The Saranac Room. J R L D $$

Trapezaria

11 N. Washington St., 301-339-8962, www.thetrap ezaria.com. This down-to-earth and hospitable Greek/Mediterranean restaurant serves top-notch and unfussy small plates and entrées. Choose among a variety of dips, vegetarian mezze, souvlaki, sausages and more-involved fish and lamb dishes. Save room for the baklava. L D $$

Urban Bar- B - Que Company

2007 Chapman Ave., 240-290-4827; 5566 Norbeck Road, 301-460-0050, urbanbbqco.com. Urban BarB-Que Company, a tiny joint run by a couple of local friends, has a winning formula and features fingerlicking ribs, burgers and wings, plus salads, chili and smothered fries. Staff is friendly, too. J L D $

1488 Rockville Pike, 301-984-1190, www.yekta.com. Persian cuisine, including a selection of beef, chicken and lamb kabobs, is served in a beautiful dining room. Try a dessert such as frozen noodle sorbet or saffron ice cream. Check out the adjacent market after polishing off your kebab. L D $$

Yuan Fu Vegetarian

798 Rockville Pike, 301-762-5937, www.yuanfu vegetarian.com. From tea-smoked “duck” to kung pao “chicken,” the whole menu is meatless, made from Chinese vegetable products. There is a large selection of chef’s specials, including Pumpkin Chicken with Mushrooms in a hot pot and Baby Abalone in Tomato Sauce. L D $

Silver Spring 8407 Kitchen Bar

8407 Ramsey Ave., 301-587-8407, 8407kb.com. This sleek space across from the Silver Spring Metro prides itself on stellar service and from-scratch preparations, such as house-smoked salmon and homecured charcuterie. Signature craft cocktails are a specialty. R L D $$

Addis Ababa

8233 Fenton St., 301-589-1400. Authentic Ethiopian-style vegetables and fiery meats are served atop spongy bread in communal bowls. Traditional woven tables and a roof deck add to the ambience. There’s a weekday lunch buffet, too. ❂ R L D $

Adega Wine Cellars & Café

8519 Fenton St., 301-608-2200, www.adegawine cellars.com. This light and bright blond wood dining room serves creative sandwiches and allows customers to choose from a small selection of wines by the bottle to take home. A fine place for lunch, if only to try the eggplant fries. ❂ L D $

A.G. Kitchen

931 Ellsworth Drive, 301-588-9480, www.ag kitchen.com. Cuban-born Manhattan chef and restaurateur Alex Garcia goes casual at this colorful Latino eatery with a creative menu of foot-long baconwrapped hot dogs with jalapeno, papaya and sweet pickle relish; a Gaucho burger topped with crispy onions and guava barbecue sauce; and crispy Cuban seafood sliders with pineapple slaw. For the less adventurous, there’s Brazilian-style roast chicken, tacos, Cubanos and paella. ❂ R L D $$

All Set Restaurant & Bar

8630 Fenton St., 301-495-8800, www.allset restaurant.com. American cuisine with a focus on New England specialties. Look for clams, oysters and lobster, plus crab cakes and rockfish, and beef and vegetarian options. The snazzy space is also the setting for clam bakes and fried chicken on Sunday nights. ❂ J L D $$

AMINA THAI

Villa Maya

5532 Norbeck Road (Rock Creek Village Center), 301460-1247. Here you’ll find all the traditional Mexican and Tex-Mex favorites from quesadillas to fajitas that are sure to please the whole family. R L D $$

The Woodside Deli

Yekta

4 N. Washington St., 301-444-4478, www.the woodsidedeli.com. A second location of the venerable Silver Spring eatery and caterer that has been

8624 Colesville Road, 301-588-3588. See Rockville/ North Bethesda listing.

Asian Bistro Café

8537 Georgia Ave., 301-589-0123, silverspringasian bistro.com. A bevy of choices, from Japanese sushi and soups to Chinese noodles and vegetarian dishes are offered at this bustling downtown eatery. Try one of the Chinese or Japanese lunch specials. L D $

BethesdaMagazine.com | march/april 2016 305

DINE_Dining Guide.indd 305

2/11/16 11:29 AM

dine Austin Grill

919 Ellsworth Drive, 240-247-8969, www.austin grill.com. Fun and friendly service welcomes families and couples to this noisy, colorful Tex-Mex favorite. Finish off a meal with Margarita Bites, cake “bites” soaked in tequila, flash fried and served with salted honey-lime dipping sauce. ❂ J R L D $$

Azúcar Restaurant Bar & Grill

14418 Layhill Road, 301-438-3293, azucar restaurant.net. The name means sugar, and it fits. A colorful Salvadoran spot decorated in bright purple and orange with Cubist-style paintings. The porkstuffed corn pupusas are stars. Also look for more elegant dinners, including fried whole trout. L D $$

BETE ETHIOPIAN CUISINE

811 Roeder Road, 301-588-2225. Family-run Ethiopian restaurant with a modest dining room but some exemplary cooking. Don’t miss the vegetarian sampler, and in nice weather, opt for eating outside in the lovely, shaded back patio. ❂ J B L D $$

The Big Greek Café

8223 Georgia Ave., 301-587-4733, www.biggreek cafe.com. Owned by the Marmaras brothers, whose family operated the decades-old Golden Flame restaurant, the café serves a hit parade of Greek specialties, including a top-notch chicken souvlaki pita. LD$

The Classics (Editors’ Pick)

8606 Colesville Road, 301-588-7297, www.the classicsdc.com. The restaurant features great steaks and seafood served without the pomp in a basic white dining room. Serious drinks and fresh seasonal American fare. Its less-formal bistro seating is first-come, first served. D $$

Copper Canyon Grill

928 Ellsworth Drive, 301-589-1330, www.ccgrill.com. See Gaithersburg listing. ❂ J R L D $$

Crisfield Seafood Restaurant

8012 Georgia Ave., 301-589-1306. www.crisfield seafood.com. With its U-shaped counter and kitschy, oyster-plate-covered walls, this landmark seafood diner has customers lining up for the Eastern Shore specialties such as oysters and crabmeat-stuffed lobster that it has served since the 1940s. L D $$

Cubano’s

1201 Fidler Lane, 301-563-4020, www.cubanos restaurant.com. The brightly colored tropical dining room of greens, blues and reds and the authentic Cuban cooking evident in dishes such as ropa vieja (shredded beef in onions, peppers and garlic) and fried plantains keep customers coming back. ❂ L D $$

The Daily Dish

8301 Grubb Road, 301-588-6300, www.thedaily dishrestaurant.com. A neighborhood favorite serving seasonally inspired, locally sourced comfort food, including bar bites and brunch dishes. Fullservice catering is available, too. ❂ J R L D $$

Denizens Brewing Co. (Editors’ Pick)

1115 East West Highway, 301-557-9818, denizens brewingco.com. The bright-orange building houses Montgomery County’s largest brewery, featuring core beers and seasonal offerings, along with drafts from other regional breweries. Menu of appealing snacks, sandwiches and salads includes vegetarian options and toast made with spent grains from the brewing process. There is a large outdoor beer garden and indoor seating overlooking the brewery. ❂ D $

Eggspectation

923 Ellsworth Drive, 301-585-1700, www. eggspectations.com. This Canadian import features

fresh and creative egg plates in an elegant yet casual dining room complete with a fireplace and colorful Harlequin-themed art. It also serves great salads, dinners and dessert. ❂ B L D $$

El Aguila Restaurant

8649 16th St., 301-588-9063, www.elaguila restaurant.com. A cheery bar and generous plates of Tex-Mex favorites such as enchiladas and Salvadoran seafood soup make this eatery popular with families and others looking for a lively night out. ❂ L D $

El Gavilan

8805 Flower Ave., 301-587-4197, gavilanrestaurant. com. The walls are bright, the music’s upbeat, the margaritas are fine and the service is friendly. The usual Tex-Mex fare is here, as well as Salvadoran specialties such as tasty cheese- or pork-filled pupusas. Live music on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday. JLD$

El Golfo

8739 Flower Ave., 301-608-2121, elgolforestaurant. com. Friendly, home-style Latin service is the hallmark, as attested to by the many Salvadorans who stop in for lunch and dinner. Pupusas, soups and beef dishes such as carne asada as well as more adventurous choices can be found in the charming, raspberrycolored dining room. ❂ J R L D $

Ethio Express Grill

952 Sligo Ave., Silver Spring, 301-844-5149, ethiogrill.com. Ethiopian food goes fast-casual in this counter service eatery that offers your choice of carbohydrate bases (i.e., injera, rice, pasta), plus grilled meats (or tofu), sauces and a host of vegetables (the spicy lentils and yellow split peas are especially good). L D $

Fenton Café

8311 Fenton St., 301-326-1841. An out-of-the-way crêperie serving 31 kinds of sweet crêpes and 16 varieties of savory crêpes. Savory versions range from cheese and ham to roasted eggplant with zucchini, bell pepper, sundried tomato, garlic and onion. BLD$

Fire Station 1 Restaurant & Brewing Co.

8131 Georgia Ave., 301-585-1370, www.firestation1. com. A historic firehouse made over as an eatery serves 21st-century pizza, sandwiches, meat, seafood and vegetarian entrées. Try the Cuban sandwich with seasoned pork, chipotle mayo, Dijon mustard, pickles and Swiss cheese on a ciabatta roll. L D $

The Greek Place

8417 Georgia Ave., 301-495-2912, www.thegreek place.net. Here are big portions of better-than-average food at reasonable prices. The bifteki pita sandwich, a seasoned ground lamb and beef patty with tzatziki, tomatoes and red onions, is especially good. L D $

GUSTO ITALIAN GRILL

8512 Fenton St., 301-565-2800, gustoitaliangrill.com. See Bethesda listing. ❂ J L D $

ITALIAN KITCHEN

8201 Fenton St., 301-588-7800. www.italiankitchen md.com. Casual, attractive pizzeria with bar seating also turns out homemade sandwiches, calzones, salads and pasta dishes. Pizza and paninis are top notch. LD$

Jewel of India

10151 New Hampshire Ave., 301-408-2200, www. jewelofindiamd.com. Elegant décor and top-notch northern Indian cuisine make this shopping center restaurant a real find. Diners will find a good selection of curries, and rice and biryani dishes. L D $$

Kao Thai

8650 Colesville Road, 301-495-1234, www.kao thairestaurant.com. This restaurant turns out topnotch curries, noodle dishes and vegetarian options, plus house specialties, such as Siam Salmon with Spicy Thai Basil Sauce and Thai Chili Tilapia. Dishes are cooked medium spicy. ❂ L D $$

La Casita Pupuseria & Market

8214 Piney Branch Road, 301-588-6656, www.la casitapupusas.com. Homemade pupusas, tamales and other Salvadoran specialties are available, plus a full breakfast menu and a small selection of grocery items. B L D $

LacoMelza Ethiopian Cafe

7912 Georgia Ave., 301-326-2435. One of Silver Spring’s many Ethiopian eateries, Lacomelza serves traditional cuisine from doro wat (chicken legs with spicy sauce) to the ground beef mixture of kitfo in a modern and attractive setting decorated with Ethiopian art. R L D $

La Malinche

8622 Colesville Road, 301-562-8622, www.la malinchetapas.com. Diners will find an interesting selection of Spanish and Mexican tapas, plus a full Saturday and Sunday brunch featuring huevos rancheros, variations of tortillas Espanola and more. R L D $$

Langano Ethiopian Restaurant

8305 Georgia Ave., 301-563-6700. Named for the popular Ethiopian vacation spot, Lake Langano, this longtime restaurant offers fine Ethiopian cuisine such as doro wat (spicy chicken stew) and tibs (stewed meat) in a cozy white- and red-accented dining room. Lunch specials on weekdays. L D $

Lebanese Taverna Café

933 Ellsworth Drive, 301-588-1192, www.lebanese taverna.com. See Rockville listing. J L D $

Mamma Lucia

1302 East West Highway, 301-562-0693, www. mammaluciarestaurants.com. See Bethesda listing. ❂ L D $$

Mandalay Restaurant & Café

930 Bonifant St., 301-585-0500, www.mandalay restaurantcafe.com. The modest dining room is packed most evenings with families and large groups who come for the Burmese food, a cross between Indian and Thai. L D $

McGinty’s Public House

911 Ellsworth Drive, 301-587-1270, www.mcgintys publichouse.com. Traditional Irish pub and restaurant features corned beef and cabbage, live music and dancing. Early-bird special, three-course menu for $15, from 5 to 7 p.m. ❂ J R L D $$

Mi Rancho

8701 Ramsey Ave., 301-588-4872, www.mirancho texmexrestaurant.com. See Rockville listing. ❂ LD$

MIX BAR AND GRILLE

8241 Georgia Ave., #200, 301-326-1333, mixbar andgrillesilverspring.com. Modern American bistro with an older sibling; similar menu, plus a selection of ceviche. See Potomac listing. ❂  R L D $$

MOD Pizza

909 Ellsworth Drive, 240-485-1570, www.mod pizza.com. First Maryland location of this Bellevue, Washington-based chain offers design-your-own fast-casual pies (hence, Made on Demand, or MOD). Pizzas, cooked at 800 degrees for three minutes, can be topped with a choice of nearly 40 sauces, cheeses, meats, spices and veggies. ❂ L D $

306 march/april 2016 | BethesdaMagazine.com

DINE_Dining Guide.indd 306

2/11/16 11:29 AM

Mrs. K’s Restaurant 9201 Colesville Road, 301-589-3500, www.mrs ks.com. Here’s an elegant, antique-filled option for special occasions and Sunday brunch. This historic restaurant beckons a younger crowd with the Wine Press, a European-style wine bar downstairs, which has its own more casual menu. ❂ R L D $$$

Nainai’s Noodle & Dumpling Bar 1200 East West Highway, 301-585-6678, www. nainaisnoodles.com. Sisters Joanne and Julie Liu serve homemade noodles and dumplings in this lovable fast-casual eatery that shares kitchen space with their Scion restaurant next door. Focus on the noodles, and bring a picture of your “Nainai” (grandmother in Chinese) to tack on the bulletin board. LD$

Olazzo 8235 Georgia Ave., 301-588-2540, www.olazzo.com. See Bethesda listing. ❂ J L D $

Oriental East Restaurant 1312 East West Highway, 301-608-0030, www. orientaleast.com. Be prepared to wait for a table and maneuver around carts filled with dumplings, noodles and spare ribs at this popular dim sum restaurant that caters to families and groups on weekends. Chinese standards for dinner, plus tripe and jellyfish. L D $

Pacci’s Neapolitan Pizzeria (Editors’ Pick) 8113 Georgia Ave., 301-588-1011, www.paccis pizzeria.com. This stylish eatery turns out top-notch pizzas from a wood-burning oven. Choose from red or white pizza selections, plus four kinds of calzones. ❂ J (upon request) L D $

Pacci’s Trattoria & Pasticceria

6 Old Post Office Road, 301-588-0867, paccis trattoria. com. Diners will find a range of classic Italian dishes, including homemade meatballs and sausage, from the owner of Pacci’s Neapolitan Pizzeria, also in Silver Spring. L D $$

Parkway Deli & Restaurant

8317 Grubb Road, 301-587-1427, www.theparkway deli.com. Parkway features a bustling back dining room that makes this popular spot so much more than a deli. Longtime waitresses greet regular customers and kids with hugs during busy weekend breakfasts. All-you-can-eat pickle bar. ❂ B L D $

Pete’s New Haven Style Apizza

962 Wayne Ave., 301-588-7383, www.petesapizza. com. Sporting more stylish décor than its other locations, this Pete’s offers the same crunchy-crusted New Haven-style pizzas, plus pasta, panini and salads. This branch is the only one so far to offer fried calamari. J L D $

Pho Hiep Hoa

921-G Ellsworth Drive, 301-588-5808, phohiep hoa.com. Seventeen kinds of Vietnamese soup called pho can be customized to taste in this upbeat restaurant overlooking the action in the downtown area. L D $

Samantha’s

Sergios Ristorante Italiano

8727 Colesville Road, 301-585-1040. A classic redsauce Italian restaurant that manages to feel special, with soothing wall murals and high-quality service, despite a basement location inside the DoubleTree Hotel. Ravioli with asparagus and cheese in a tarragon sauce is popular. L D $$

The Society Lounge

8229 Georgia Ave., 301-565-8864, www.societyss. com. A sleek and modern atmosphere catering to a nightlife crowd, Society offers fare with a Caribbean accent. Check out the rooftop seating and daily drink specials, which include $25 beer buckets. ❂ L D $$

Sushi Jin NEXT DOOR

8555 Fenton St., 301-608-0990, www.sushijinnext door.com. The eatery is spare, clean and modern, and offers terrific udon noodle soup and impeccable raw fish. Choose from 11 appetizers and seven soups and salads. L D $$

sweetgreen

8517 Georgia Ave., 301-244-5402, www.sweet green.com. See Bethesda listing. L D $

Tastee Diner

8601 Cameron St., 301-589-8171, www.tastee diner.com. See Bethesda listing. ❂ J B L D $

Thai at Silver Spring

631 University Blvd. East, 301-445-7300, samanthas restaurante.com. This white-tablecloth, Latin-Salvadoran spot in an industrial neighborhood is popular because of its welcoming attitude toward families with young children. The steak and fish specialties are good. L D $$

921-E Ellsworth Drive, 301-650-0666, www.thaiat silverspring.com. The Americanized Thai food is second to the location, which is superb for peoplewatching on the street below. A modern and stylish dining room with a hip bar in bold colors and good service add to the appeal. ❂ L D $$

BethesdaMagazine.com | march/april 2016 307

DINE_Dining Guide.indd 307

2/11/16 11:29 AM

dine Thai Derm

939 Bonifant St., 301-589-5341, www.thaiderm usa.com. This local favorite serves home-style Thai food in a pleasantly modest dining room off a quiet street near downtown. The large menu includes noodle dishes like pad Thai and savory-sweet salads. Lunch specials offered daily. ❂ L D $

Urban Bar-B-Que Company

10163 New Hampshire Ave., 301-434-7427, urban bbqco.com. See Rockville listing. L D $

Urban Butcher (Editors’ Pick)

8226 Georgia Ave., 301-585-5800, www.urban butcher.com. Hip, eclectic setting is the backdrop for this New Age steak house, with its home-cured salamis, sausages and other charcuterie, plus meat dishes made from local animals of yesteryear breeds. There’s a lounge, bar, meat curing room, retail counter and dining area. R D $$

URBAN WINERY

949 Bonifant St., 301-585-4100, www.theurban winery.com. Silver Spring residents Damon and Georgia Callis open the first and only urban winery in the Mid-Atlantic area. Tasting facility offers craft wines made with local and international grapes, and customers can even create their own wines (by appointment). Light menu includes artisan cheese, charcuterie and smoked seafood platters, plus Greek mezze. D $

Vegetable Garden

3830 International Drive (Leisure World Plaza), 301598-6868, vegetablegarden.com. The popular vegan, vegetarian and macrobiotic Asian restaurant features a wide variety of eggplant and asparagus dishes, plus vegetarian “beef,” and “chicken” dishes often made with soy and wheat gluten. L D $$

Vicino Ristorante Italiano

959 Sligo Ave., 301-588-3372, vicinoitaliano.com. A favorite neighborhood red-sauce joint that hasn’t changed in decades, Vicino features some fine seafood choices in addition to classic pasta dishes. Families are welcome. ❂ L D $ $

The Woodside Deli

9329 Georgia Ave., 301-589-7055, www.thewoodside deli.com. See Rockville listing. J B L D $

Upper NW D.C. American City Diner

5532 Connecticut Ave. NW, 202-244-1949, www. americancitydiner.com. Retro diner complete with blue-plate specials such as Salisbury steak and stuffed peppers; malts and egg creams. Diners can catch a classic movie free with dinner. ❂ JBLD$

Arucola

5534 Connecticut Ave. NW, 202-244-1555, www. arucola.com. The restaurant serves authentic Italian cuisine in a casual setting, with a changing menu that includes creative treatment of traditional dishes, homemade pasta and pizza from the wood-burning oven. ❂ L D $ $

Blue 44

5507 Connecticut Ave. NW, 202-362-2583, www. blue44dc.com. The menu features classic American favorites infused with the flavors of Italy and France, including ratatouille, pork schnitzel and bouillabaisse. ❂ J R L D $$

Buck’s Fishing and Camping 5031 Connecticut Ave. NW, 202-364-0777, www. bucksfishingandcamping.com. Diners can enjoy a seasonal menu that changes daily, and offers hip takes on comfort food such as roast chicken (locally raised) in an artsy-chic setting. D $$$

Café of India 4909 Wisconsin Ave. NW, 202-244-1395, www. cafeofindiadc.com. Here’s a cute corner café with two levels of dining and an extensive menu that includes vegetarian and tandoori entrées, dosas, samosas, tikkas, curries and kabobs. ❂ L D $$

Chads Friendship Heights 5247 Wisconsin Ave. NW, 202-362-8040, chadsdc. com. This neighborhood hangout is sometimes compared to Cheers, but it also offers a full menu beyond bar food, including salads, steaks, seafood and sandwiches. ❂ R L D $$

Comet Ping Pong (Editors’ Pick) 5037 Connecticut Ave. NW, 202-364-0404, www. cometpingpong.com. Landmark fun spot where you can play ping-pong or admire local art while you wait for your wood-fired pizza. Choose from over 30 toppings to design your own pie. ❂ R L D $

DeCarlo’s Restaurant 4822 Yuma St. NW, 202-363-4220, www.decarlos restaurant.com. This is a family-owned neighborhood staple, with a traditional Italian menu and upscale/casual atmosphere. Signature dishes include agnolotti, veal Bolognese, broiled salmon and handmade pasta. ❂ L D $$

Guapo’s Fine Mexican Cuisine 4515 Wisconsin Ave. NW, 202-686-3588, www.guapos restaurant.com. See Bethesda listing. ❂ R L D $$

Jake’s American Grille 5018 Connecticut Ave. NW, 202-966-5253, www. jakesdc.com. Burgers, steaks and sandwiches are served in a restaurant named after the owner’s grandfather, an accomplished Navy test engineer. Check out the Boiler Room, a sports bar in the basement. J R L D $$

Jetties 5632 Connecticut Ave. NW, 202-364-2465. www.jetties dc.com. See Bethesda listing. J L D $

Le Chat Noir 4907 Wisconsin Ave. NW, 202-244-2044, www.lechat noirrestaurant.com. This cute, cozy neighborhood bistro is run by French restaurateurs, who cook traditional fare such as steak frites, bouillabaisse and braised lamb cheeks. R L D $$

LUNCHBOX 5535 Wisconsin Ave. NW, Suite 018, 202-244-3470, www.voltlunchbox.com. The Washington remake of chef Bryan Voltaggio’s defunct Frederick restaurant offers specialties including the Southern Bahn Mi with crispy chicken and pickled vegetables and B’More with pepper-crusted pit beef. L D $

Macon Bistro & Larder (Editors’ Pick) 5520 Connecticut Ave. NW, 202-248-7807, macon bistro.com. Southern and French cuisine converge at this airy, charming restaurant in the historic Chevy Chase Arcade. Appetizers include raclette and fried green tomatoes, and steak frites is offered alongside short ribs with grits for main courses. ❂ R D $$

Maggiano’s LITTLE ITALY

5333 Wisconsin Ave. NW, 202-966-5500, www. maggianos.com. The restaurant features old-style Italian fare that’s a favorite for large groups and private celebrations. Check out the signature flatbreads and specialty pastas, including lobster carbonara. J L D $$

Masala Art (Editors’ Pick)

4441-B Wisconsin Ave. NW, 202-362-4441, www. masalaartdc.com. Here is fine Indian dining featuring tandoor-oven specialties and masterful Indian spicing. Start off by choosing from a selection of nine breads and 17 appetizers. L D $$

Murasaki Japanese Cuisine and Sushi Bar

4620 Wisconsin Ave. NW, 202-966-0023, www. murasakidc.com. The restaurant offers a wide variety of specialty sushi rolls plus a full menu, including teriyaki, tempura, noodle soup and other authentic Japanese dishes served in a tastefully understated décor. ❂ L D $$

Parthenon Restaurant

5510 Connecticut Ave. NW, 202-966-7600, www. parthenon-restaurant.com. This is a neighborhood eatery taken up a couple notches, with an extensive menu full of authentic selections familiar and exotic, including avgolemono (egg/lemon soup), tzatziki, moussaka, dolmades and souvlaki. ❂ L D $$

Pete’s New Haven Style Apizza

4940 Wisconsin Ave. NW, 202-237-7383, www.petes apizza.com. See Silver Spring listing. ❂ J L D $

Range (Editors’ Pick)

5335 Wisconsin Ave. NW, Suite 201, 202-803-8020, www.voltrange.com. Celebrity chef Bryan Voltaggio’s extravaganza, featuring multiple open kitchens, seats 300 and offers an enormous wine list. L D $$$

Satay Club Asian Restaurant and Bar 4654 Wisconsin Ave. NW, 202-363-8888, www.asian satayclub.com. The restaurant prides itself on providing a comfortable/casual setting with a menu that spans Japanese sushi, Chinese moo-shi vegetables, Thai curries and Vietnamese spring rolls. LD$

Tanad Thai

4912 Wisconsin Ave. NW, 202-966-0616, www. tanadthaicuisine.com. The extensive menu ranges from noodles, rice and curries to vegetarian entrées, and even a Thai lemonade cocktail. House specialties include pad Thai and Drunken Noodles. ❂ L D $$

Tara Thai

4849 Massachusetts Ave. NW, 202-363-4141, www. tarathai.com. See Gaithersburg listing. ❂ L D $$

Terasol (Editors’ Pick)

5010 Connecticut Ave. NW, 202-237-5555, www. terasolartisans.com. This charming French café offers soups, salads, quiches and a few entrées, along with jewelry and pottery from local artisans. Live music on Fridays and Saturdays. ❂ B L D $

WAGSHAL’S RESTAURANT

4855 Massachusetts Ave. NW, 202-363-5698, www. wagshals.com. Longtime popular deli expands grocery and carryout section, and adds a casual sitdown restaurant in the Spring Valley Shopping Center. Same high-quality fare, including the overstuffed sandwiches. L D $ n

308 march/april 2016 | BethesdaMagazine.com

DINE_Dining Guide.indd 308

2/11/16 11:29 AM

Do people consider you

DEDICATED, DEPENDABLE, CONSCIENTIOUS, ADVENTUROUS, AND CARING? Then VOLUNTEER at

Cabin John Park Volunteer Fire Department And use your strengths to help others. Become a Firefighter, EMT, Swift Water Member, Tactical Services Tech, or Paramedic Visit our website

WWW.CJPVFD.ORG Or call our Membership Coordinator:

301-252-5314

Untitled-2 1

2/3/16 4:11 PM

Special Advertising Section

summer camps Camp

Type

Gender

Ages Location

Website

Phone

American Volleyball Camp

Day & Overnight

Coed

9 - 18

Washington, D.C.

americanvolleyballcamps.com

202-885-3031

Barrie Day Camp

Day

Coed

4 - 14

Silver Spring

barrie.org/camp

301-576-2816

Beauvoir Summer Program

Day

Coed

3 - 11

Washington, D.C.

beauvoirschool.org

202-537-6485

Camp Arena Stage

Day

Coed

8 - 15

Washington, D.C.

arenastage.org/camp

202-600-4046

Camp Horizons

Overnight

Coed

6 - 16

Harrisonburg

camphorizonsva.com

540-896-7600

Camp JCC

Day

Coed

4 - 21

Rockville

jccgw.org/camp

301-348-3883

Camp Olympia

Day

Coed

3.5 - 15

Rockville

camp-olympia.com

301-926-9281

Camp Rim Rock

Overnight

Girls

6 - 16

Yellow Spring, W.Va.

camprimrock.com

347-746-7625

Cub Creek Science Camp

Overnight

Coed

7 - 17

Rolla, Mo.

MoScienceCamp.com

573-458-2125

ESF Summer Camps at Georgetown Prep

Day

Coed

4 - 16

N. Bethesda

esfcamps.com/georgetownprep

301-493-2525

Georgetown Prep

Day

Coed

8 - 15

N. Bethesda

gpcamps.org

301-214-1213

Good Counsel Summer Camps

Day

Coed

3 - 17

Olney

olgchs.org/camps

240-283-3200

Green Acres School Summer Camp

Day

Coed

3 - 12

N. Bethesda

greenacres.org

301-468-8110

Headfirst Camps

Day

Coed

3 - 13

Multiple

headfirstcamps.com

202-625-1921

Imagination Stage Summer Camp

Day

Coed

4 - 18

Bethesda

imaginationstage.org

301-280-1660

KidsCo

Day

Coed

4 - 14

Multiple Md. Locations

KidsCoOnline.com

301-740-9600

Lowell School Summer Programs

Day

Coed

3 - 14

Washington, D.C.

lowellschool.org

202-577-2006

Mercersburg Summer

Overnight

Coed

7 - 17

Mercersburg, Pa.

mercersburgsummer.com

717-328-6225

Oneness-Family School Summer Programs

Day

Coed

2 - 11

Chevy Chase

onenessfamilyschool.org

301-652-7751

Pros to YouTennis Summer Sports Camp

Day

Coed

all ages Bethesda , Potomac

prostoyou.com

800-654-9972

Round House Theatre Summer Camps

Day

Coed

5 - 18

Bethesda, Silver Spring

roundhousetheatre.org

301-585-1225

Silver Stars Gymnastics

Day

Coed

3.5 - 15

Silver Spring, Bowie

gosilverstars.com

301-589-0938

Spy Camp

Day

Coed

10-13

Washington, D.C.

spymuseum.org/spycamp

202-654-0933

Stone Ridge Summer Campus

Day

Coed

4 - 16

Bethesda

stoneridgesummercampus.org

301-657-4322

Strathmore Summer Art Camps for Kids & Teens

Day

Coed

6 - 16

N. Bethesda

strathmore.org/artcamp

301-581-5190

Summer at St. Patrick's

Day

Coed

3 - 14

Washington, D.C.

stpatsdc.org/summer_programs

202-342-2813

Summer at the Academy Enrichment Camp

Day

Coed/All Girls

12 - 18

Kensington

academyoftheholycross.org

301-942-2100

Summer at the Academy Sports Camp

Day

All Girls

6 - 17

Kensington

academyoftheholycross.org

301-942-2100

Summer at Sandy Spring

Day

Coed

3 - 17

Sandy Spring

summeratsandyspring.org

301-774-7455

Summer at WES

Day & Overnight

Coed

4-14

Bethesda

w-e-s.org/summer

240-482-0160

Summer Musical Theater Camp

Day

Coed

6 - 12

Glen Echo

adventuretheatre-mtc.org/camps

301-251-5766

Summer Stock at the Academy - Performing Arts Institute

Day

Coed

12 - 17

Kensington

academyoftheholycross.org

301-942-2100

Valley Forge Summer Camps

Day Overnight

Coed All Boys

6 - 15 9 - 17

Wayne, Pa.

vfmac.edu/camp

601-989-1262

Valley Mill Camp

Day

Coed

4 - 14

Darnestown

valleymill.com

301-948-0220

Westmoreland Children's Center

Day

Coed

2-5

Bethesda

wccbethesda.com

301-229-7161

WIS Passport to Summer

Day

Coed

3 - 16

Washington, D.C.

wis.edu

202-243-1791

YMCA Bethesda-Chevy Chase/Ayrlawn Center

Day

Coed

4 - 15

Bethesda

ymcadc.org

301-530-3725

310 march/april 2016 | BethesdaMagazine.com

_B Summer Camps Chart_0316.indd 310

2/12/16 11:04 AM

Field Trips

Horses

Water sports

Special Advertising Section

Essential information on Specialties

Volleyball training for youth, middle school, and high school

●

On-site swimming, horseback riding, sports, overnights, special event days, arts and crafts, nature, outdoor living skills, martial arts, dramatics, music, and CIT program.

●

Outdoor swimming pool/swimming lessons, outdoor education and adventure, comprehensive early childhood camp program

Camp Arena Stage is dedicated to the personal and creative growth of our campers, and includes over 75 activities including acting, a cappella, stage combat, filmmaking, newspaper, costume design, hip-hop dance, pick-up sports, musical theater, rock band, sculpture, improve, and Chinese brush painting!

●

Horseback riding, swimming, soccer, tennis, gymnastics, basketball, track and field, and more

●

We encourage campers to be creative and independent, have fun and make friendships that last a lifetime. Activities include aquatics, sports, outdoors adventures, horseback riding, performing/visual arts and more.

Horseback riding, aquatics with private lake and two pools, sports, performing arts, arts and crafts

● ●

summer camps

Come to Camp JCC to experience art, sports, theater, traditional day camp, daily swimming and more!

Spend the day with over 300 animals including lemurs, foxes, and wallabies! Other activities include archery, pottery, survival skills, and culinary science! Make friends and memories to last a lifetime! ●

●

Expanded specialty camps for 2015 — Way more than a typical day of camp! 1-9 week options-extended day available! Please visit website for our extensive offerings!

GPCamps offers the following sports: Basketball, golf, soccer, lacrosse, field hockey, wrestling, baseball, football

Join us for the fun! Camps include baseball, basketball, field hockey, football, lacrosse, soccer, softball, volleyball, wrestling, robotics, environmental adventure, programming, theatre, choral/visual arts, and video production. After-care available.

●

Daily, on-site swimming instruction; Create your own path in science & Technology, Sports, Music and Art.

●

At Headfirst Summer Camps, our mission is to inspire each camper’s personal best, while unleashing the power of play to grow and discover their gifts.

More than 100 1, 2, 3, & 4-week camps in drama, dance, musical theatre, and filmmaking ●

Soccer, sports, swimming, arts & crafts, and traditional camp activities

●

Horsemanship program, outdoor adventures program, onsite swimming pool, newly expanded weekly teen offerings, and extended programs into August including an Aquatics camp.

●

Adventure camp, theatre workshop, dance workshop, young writers camp, swim clinics

●

Exciting outdoor adventures, outdoor swimming, yoga, creative movement, and a comprehensive early childhood camp program.

●

The weekly camp includes tennis and sports activities, arts and crafts, dailing swimming and ProsToYou Tennis gear!

1-Week and Multi-Week camps for youth and teens. Focus on acting, playwriting, storytelling, design and more. Inspire creativity and explore your imagination!

Gymnastics

Spy Camp is filled with top secret briefings & activities that put spy skills to the test. Recruits will hone their tradecraft, learn from real spies, and run training missions.

●

Choose your own adventure from over 45 classes including: makerspace tech lab, moviemaking, rocket science, improv, jewelry making, fine arts, sculpture, dance, a cappella, musical theater, guitar lessons, swimming, diving, soccer, field hockey, basketball, volleyball camps, Adventure Camps and more! Strathmore campers get an integrated arts experience in set in a working art gallery on a vibrant arts campus. Week-long programs for kids and teens available in July and August.

●

Sports, swimming, arts, theatre, language immersion, science and more! Preparation course for the High School Placement Test (HSPT) used for Archdiocese of Washington Catholic high school admissions.

Choose from field hockey, soccer, softball, lacrosse, basketball, and volleyball

●

Swimming, academics, STEM, creative arts, adventure, basketball, LEGO®, yoga, soccer, theatre, coding, sustainable farming, video production, community service and volunteerism, rocketry, fishing, cooking, and so much more!

●

Nine sessions that include archery, robotics, cooking, sculpture, animation and video game development, basketball, hiking, improv and sketch comedy, dance, and more!

Celebrating 38 years, it will be an unforgettable summer as they take their final bow in a musical theater show! Two weeks of singing, dancing, costumes, props and acting.

Hone your performing arts skills; classes include singing, dancing, improvisation, filmmaking, and acting.

●

Valley Forge Summer Camp is a special place where campers grow, discover new abilities, and develop friendships that will last a lifetime. Your child will learn new skills, gain confidence, and participate in activities that will assist them in becoming successful in all they do. Valley Forge offers a co-ed day camp and adventure and fitness sleep-away camps for boys ages 9-17. For both camps, families can mix and match their camp weeks to best meet their family’s summer schedule.

●

Kayaking, canoeing, swimming, horseback riding, rock climbing, archery, air rifle, gymnastics and more. Transportation provided.

A variety of age appropriate activities. Each theme oriented session includes water play, special events, special projects and music. Outdoor playground space and well-equipped pre-school classrooms, along with a low teacher to child ratio.

●

Specialty camps, languages

●

25+ different camps a week — travel camps, aquatics, sports, arts, science, teen, specialty

BethesdaMagazine.com | march/april 2016 311

_B Summer Camps Chart_0316.indd 311

2/12/16 11:05 AM

summer Camps

E G A T S A N E R A P M CA

le ages 8 – 15

y camp for young peop A multi-arts summer da

Hosted in Bender Arena on the campus of

American University

ADVANCED HITTER BLOCKER July 18-20

ALL-SKILLS August 1-4 HITTER SETTER LIBERO July 23-24 July 30-31

MIDDLE SCHOOL July 18-20 SERVE & PASS July 21-22

Serving July 29

PROSPECT July 21-24

O Y IN T IS T R A E H T D IN F FOUR-WEEK INTENSIVE JUNE 27 — JULY 22, 2016 TWO-WEEK SESSION JULY 25 — AUGUST 5, 2016

VISIT WWW.ARENASTAGE.ORG/CAMP | 202-600-4064

Head Coach Barry Goldberg

6 time Patriot League Coach of the Year 2013 NCAA Regional Coach of the Year 15 NCAA tournament appearances - Sweet 16 in 2013 27 seasons at American University

www.americanvolleyballcamps.com

Big Summer Birthday Bash i ne Onl ration is t Reg egins 1 B ary u Jan

Session 1: June 20–July 8 Session 2: July 11–29 Last Call!: August 1–5

Ages 2 3/4–14 8:00 am–3:15 pm Aftercare Available

Lowell's “Eight Acres in the City” offers an expansive, relaxed camp with experienced teachers and caring counselors who understand child development and love to have fun. Highlights include: Celebrating 50 years of summer fun! Newly expanded tween/teen offerings Academic Enrichment • STEAM offerings Horseback Riding • On-site swimming Spanish • Go-Karts End of summer Birthday Bash

Summer Programs Open House Sunday, March 13, 2016 1:00 pm–3:00 pm

1640 Kalmia Road, NW Washington, DC 20012 (202) 577-2006

www.lowellschool.org 312 march/april 2016 | BethesdaMagazine.com

_B Summer Camps_0316.indd 312

2/12/16 11:54 AM

summer Camps Located On VFMAC Campus 1001 Eagle Road Wayne, PA 19089

OVERNIGHT CAMP June 19 - July 22 One Week or Multiple Week Options

SUMMER CAMP

2016

REGISTRATION NOW OPEN FITNESS PAINTBALL FIELD TRIPS MEALS

*ENRICHMENT ACTIVITIES OFFERED*

OPEN TO BOYS AGES 9 - 17 CONTACT US AT OUR CAMP OFFICE:

Tel: 610.989.1262 | summercamp@vfmac.edu | vfmac.edu/camp

” T I O D T ’ E N T A D I R D O I IF “ WITH AN ELAB S E M O C Y R O T S R E V O C KIDS TO SPY CAMP

R U O Y D N E S

BOOK NOW. EARLY BIRD RATES THROUGH 4/15/16 SESSION 1: AUGUST 1, 2016 - AUGUST 5, 2016 SESSION 2: AUGUST 8, 2016 - AUGUST 12, 2016 SPYMUSEUM.ORG/SPYCAMP

“THE GIRLS RATED IT A 10 ON A SCALE OF 0 TO 5!” — LINDSEY M. BethesdaMagazine.com | march/april 2016 313 PRINT-BethesdaMagazine-HP4C-2016-03.indd 1 _B Summer Camps_0316.indd 313

1/27/16 2:56 PM 2/10/16 11:12 AM

summer Camps

•Accredited by the ACA since our first summer in 1983 •Staff to camper ratio is 1:5 or better •Highly trained and qualified staff •Camp medical staff on site 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Camp Horizons Summer Camp... Endless Adventure and Fun!

Camp Horizons – a premier coed sleep-away summer camp in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia offers a safe, supportive community in which campers can feel comfortable embarking on new adventures and developing friendships that will last a lifetime. Discover: Ages 6-8 • Journey: Ages 9-11 • Explorer: Ages 12-16 Add to your summer fun with our specialty camps! Equestrian • Adventure • Leadership

Visit CampHorizonsVA.com for details.

HARRISONBURG, VA USA • 540.896.7600 • CAMPHORIZONSVA.COM

PERFORMING ARTS

New Bethesda Location!

KidsCo

Day Camp

Soccer Camp

On-The-Run

KidsCo Jr.

Day Trip Camps

301-740-9600 www.KidsCoOnline.com

Young artists spend summer days immersed in an actual gallery on an arts campus, surrounded by the beauty and power of creativity.

AQUATICS HORSEBACK RIDING ARTS & CRAFTS SPORTS

TEEN ART CAMP Mon–Fri, July 25–29, 9am–3pm For students entering grades 7–10

KIDS ART CAMP

VOTED “BEST OVERNIGHT CAMP”

Multiyear winner by a leading Family Magazine!

CAMP RIM ROCK.COM INFO@CAMPRIMROCK .COM · 347-RIM-ROCK

Mon–Fri, August 1–5 & 8–12, 9am–3pm For students entering grades 1–6

TUITION $425 PER WEEK

STRATHMORE.ORG/ARTCAMP

5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda, MD 20852

314 march/april 2016 | BethesdaMagazine.com

_B Summer Camps_0316.indd 314

2/10/16 11:13 AM

summer Camps

2016 summer cAmp Camps for Ages 4-18

Creativity Today Innovation Tomorrow

Acting

1, 2, 3 or 4-week options! Register now for Winter/Spring 6 and 14-week classes!

musicAl theAtre dAnce filmmAking eArly childhood

www.imaginationstage.org | 301-280-1660

Theatre for All Ages!

Untitled-1.indd 1

_B Summer Camps_0316.indd 315

12/5/14 10:12 AM BethesdaMagazine.com | march/april 2016 315

2/10/16 5:17 PM

summer Camps Summer at E N G A G E • W O N D E R • C R E AT E

TRADITIONAL DAY CAMPS FOR CHILDREN AGES 3-13

June 20 - August 5, 2016 Expert Instructors • Field Trips • Early Arrival • Extended Day Delicious Lunches • Swimming • Academic Programs • Sports Spanish • Mandarin • Art, Music & More! For more information, visit www.stpatsdc.org/summer_programs 202.342.2813 | 4700 Whitehaven Parkway, NW Washington, DC 20007

Gallop to the beat of Summer fun! Co-Ed Instructional Sports Program Camp:

June 15 - August 21 Spring break camp: April 6-10

Open house dates: March 5, 19, April 9, 23 2 week minimum Ages 3 1/2 - 15

EXPRESS

YOURSELF!

ROUND HOUSE THEATRE SUMMER CAMPS Grades K-6

Grades 7-12

in Silver Spring

in Bethesda

Door to Door Transportation Extended Care Available

Activities Include: • Horseback Riding • Basketball • Swimming

• Football • Gymnastics • Soccer

• Tennis • Mountain Biking • Games and more!

Camp Olympia 5511 Muncaster Mill Road, Rockville, MD 20855

www.camp-olympia.com • 301-926-9281

316 march/april 2016 | BethesdaMagazine.com

_B Summer Camps_0316.indd 316

2/10/16 11:14 AM

summer Camps

Day Camp

AGE 4–8 Way more than a typical day at camp!

SUMMER

Sports Camp

AGE 6–14 The best multi-sports experience around!

Senior Camp

AGE 9–15 Experiences they’ll never outgrow!

LEADERSHIP EXPLORATION AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM (LEaD) AGE 15-16 Day, Sports, and Specialty camps for boys and girls, ages 4–16

JUNE 15 – AUGUST 14 AT GEORGETOWN PREP IN NORTH BETHESDA, MD

Discover your unique leadership abilities and prepare to be a part of the next generation of ESF leaders!

Specialty Major Camps

GRADES PREK–9 Choose from a variety of hands-on experiences!

Tech Camps

GRADES 2–12 Camps ranging from Game Design to Robotics!

EVE

MORNE TECH

Club OT and Specialty Clinics AGE 3–15 The fun and learning continues!

301.493.2525 | esfcamps.com/GeorgetownPrep BethesdaMagazine.com | march/april 2016 317

_B Summer Camps_0316.indd 317

2/10/16 5:20 PM

summer Camps Washington International School

Olympic athletes have been preparing for the last four years to compete in the 2016 Olympics in Rio this summer, but all you have to do to participate in the gold medal action is to apply for Camp JCC!

Apply Today! Session Dates Session 1 | June 27-July 8 (no camp July 4) Session 2 | July 11-July 22 Session 3 | July 25-August 12 Questions? Please email us at campjcc@jccgw.org or call 301.348.3883. For more information visit

jccgw.org/camp

PASSPORT TO SUMMER

2016

Specialty Camps | August Camps

Language Immersion: French, Spanish, Chinese & ESOL Ages 3 to 16 | June 27–August 12 www.wis.edu/summercamp | 202.243.1791

JCC of Greater Washington 6125 Montrose Road | Rockville, MD 20852 jccgw.org | 301.881.0100

Visit us online to learn more!

WASHINGTON EPISCOPAL SCHOOL

summer camp for boys and girls Pre-K - Grade 8

9 Weeklong SeSSionS June 13 - August 12, 2016

There’s something for everyone and new camp offerings each week. Learn more and register at

www.w-e-s.org/summer

WASHINGTON EPISCOPAL SCHOOL

5600 Little Falls Parkway, Bethesda, MD 20816 | www.w-e-s.org | 301-652-7878

301-652-7878

318 march/april 2016 | BethesdaMagazine.com

_B Summer Camps_0316.indd 318

2/12/16 11:55 AM

summer Camps Use promocode BETHESDA10 to receive 10% OFF enrollment for 2016 Mercersburg Summer Programs! *this promotion does not apply to any ESL+Language program. Promo code is only valid for new 2016 registrations. Promo code cannot be added to currently enrolled participants.

It’s not

CAMP ...

CA P ...

CAMP ...

just

...and more!

It’s not just CAMP... It’s not just CAMP...

BethesdaMagazine.com | march/april 2016 319

_B Summer Camps_0316.indd 319

2/10/16 11:15 AM

summer Camps

Valley Mill Day Camp www.valleymill.com Spring & Summer Call 301-948-0220 Kayaking Swimming Rock Climbing Horseback Riding and more..

Transportation Provided

2016 Open House Sunday, March 13

Visit us for a Camp Tour 2/21, 3/6, 3/20, 4/17 and 5/6. From 11am to 4pm

All Open Houses are from 1 to 3pm on the Barrie Campus 13500 Layhill Road, Silver Spring

Voted Best of DC 2014

15101 Seneca Rd Darnestown MD

Visit barrie.org/camp for more information Ages four to fourteen 301.576.2816 for more information.

Our Lady Of GOOd COunseL HiGH sCHOOL

2016 Summer Programs ATHLETICS

Baseball Basketball Field Hockey Football Lacrosse

Soccer Softball Volleyball Wrestling

X-PLORE

Robotics Programming Environmental Adventure

FALCON SUMMER ARTS Choir/Visual Digital Video Production Theatre

Learn more at

olgchs.org/camps

THE YMCA EXPERIENCE INSPIRES, EDUCATES, AND MOTIVATES JOIN US WHERE ADVENTURE NEVER ENDS • PRESCHOOL • SPORTS • SUMMER DAY CAMPS • BEFORE SCHOOL &AFTER SCHOOL • GYMNASTICS • DANCE • PARENT CHILD PROGRAMS

• BIRTHDAY PARTIES • MUSIC • NO SCHOOL DAY CAMPS • MARTIAL ARTS • FAMILY EVENTS

YMCA AYRLAWN PROGRAM CENTER SO MUCH MORE THAN A GYM. 5650 Oakmont Avenue Bethesda, MD 20817 301.530.8500 www.ymcadc.org www.facebook.com/YMetroDC

www.twitter.com/YMCADC

320 march/april 2016 | BethesdaMagazine.com

_B Summer Camps_0316.indd 320

2/12/16 12:04 PM

summer Camps

2016

JUN E 20 –A UG UST 5

AGE S 3–1 1

HALF & FULL DAY OPTION S

SUMMER PROGRAM Featuring our Fantastic Playground and Outdoor Pool! Creating Adventures and Lasting Memories. Swimming, Outdoor Adventures, Languages, Music, Cooking, Golf, STEM, Soccer, Science, Field Trips and MUCH, MUCH more.

For more information visit www.beauvoirschool.org/summer 3500 Woodley Road, NW • Washington, DC 20016

Bethesda, MD Washington, DC Oakton, VA  DAY CAMPS

 SCIENCE & ENGINEERING CAMP  MULTI-SPORT CAMP

Boys & Girls | Ages 3-13

registration now open - find out more at headfirstcamps.com

Summer Musical Theater

training Program

Grades 6–12 | 3 Week Sessions in Wintergreen Plaza

Summer musical

Theater camp

Grades 1– 6 | 2 Week Sessions in Glen Echo Park

Musical Theater Center Call 301.251.5766 or visit www.adventuretheatre-mtc.org to register.

BethesdaMagazine.com | march/april 2016 321

_B Summer Camps_0316.indd 321

2/10/16 5:24 PM

Bethesda Arts & Entertainment District presents the

BERNARD/EBB SONGWRITING AWARDS

LIVE CONCERT

“It’s about the words and music”

Friday, March 4, 8pm Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club 7719 Wisconsin Avenue Bethesda, MD *Doors open at 6pm, dinner menu available.

Songwriting Awards Finalists

Young Songwriter Finalists

Jason Byrd Justin Jones Connaitre Miller Mike Ounallah Frank Solivan Cecilia Sugarman

Maddy Clark Madison Gestiehr Eli Pafumi

Finalists will perform their original songs. Don’t miss this opportunity to enjoy live music by talented, regional songwriters. $12,500 in prize money will be awarded at the close of the show.

Tickets: $10 & $15 Purchase tickets at www.bethesda.org.

*This award was created by Cathy Bernard. It is named in honor of Fred Ebb, her uncle and renowned American songwriter. Ebb is the creator of Broadway hits such as Cabaret and Chicago and iconic songs including New York, New York.

BWSongwriting-BethMagAd2016.indd Untitled-5 1 1

2/5/16 2/5/16 11:52 2:48 PM AM

shopping. beauty. weddings. pets. travel. history.

photo by stacy zarin-goldberg

etc.

Makeup artist Sunny Oh talks fresh looks for spring. For more, see page 324.

BethesdaMagazine.com | march/april 2016 323

ETC_opener.indd 323

2/4/16 4:49 PM

The Makeup Maven In more than a decade as a makeup artist, Sunny Oh has beautified hundreds of brides, models and ordinary women. Based at Bethesda’s DSharpe Style, the beauty pro also specializes in cosmetic bag reboots, where she suggests which products to pitch, buy or keep for a streamlined and sleek face. Here’s how she recommends rehabbing your own routine for spring. What’s the first thing I should change about my beauty routine come spring? “First, you’ll want to up the SPF in your foundation or face cream, because the sun is coming back out. For blushers, put aside the golds, glitters and bronzes you used during the holidays. And lighten up your lip and eye shadow palettes to suggest a more natural, bare look.” Are there any cosmetics trends this season? “The trend is toward a natural, glowing face. I’m seeing luminous, flushed cheeks and pink lips. On the bolder side, blue is a favorite on the eyes and adds a splash of color.” How do I figure out which colors go with my skin tone? “One of my favorite tricks is to have a client pinch their index finger, because the color that results from blood rushing to the surface is the best tone for your blush. Once you’ve figured out a good color, apply blusher starting at the apples of your cheeks, and then, with added pressure and circular motions, move upward toward your temples.” How can I make my eyes look bigger and better? “The in thing now is strong, brushed-up brows framing natural-looking eyes and curled lashes. Use a lightly colored brow gel or wax to tame eyebrow hairs and a light powder to fill in patchy areas. A great daytime effect? Apply TIGI eyeshadow base on the lids and a neutral shadow to add depth and color.” DSharpe Style, second floor of Lux Studios, 4711 Montgomery Lane, Bethesda, 301-987-6810, dsharpestyle.com

Makeup artist Sunny Oh recommends a lighter palette for a natural spring look.

324 march/april 2016 | BethesdaMagazine.com

ETC_shoptalk_E.indd 324

2/8/16 2:07 PM

etc. S h o p Ta l k

By Jennifer Barger

Shades of Spring

Pantone’s colors of 2016 lean toward the pastel; no wonder celebrity manicure guru Deborah Lippmann’s at-home, gelalternative polish sets (topcoat not shown) come in icier shades such as “Get Lucky” this spring. $45 at Varnish Lane in Friendship Heights

The season’s au naturel face gets amped up with brighter, 1970s-groovy eye color such as Nars “Cressida” Dual-Intensity Eyeshadow. $29 at Bluemercury in Gaithersburg and Bethesda (Wildwood Shopping Center and Bethesda Row)

Arbonne Intelligence CC Cream pulls triple beauty duty, serving as a makeup base, moisturizer and sunblock. Botanicals and pigments power its four shades. $40 at DSharpe Style in Bethesda

For a splash of spring’s on-trend pinkish red, slick on Clinique’s Pop Glaze Sheer Lip Colour + Primer in “Fireball.” $18 at Macy’s in Westfield Montgomery mall

Warmer temperatures signal brighter, lighter makeup hues and routines. Here are some products that will freshen up your face.

courtesy photos

photo by stacy zarin-goldberg

Tom Ford’s Shade and Illuminate cream in Lavish Pink evokes a natural flush; the easy-toapply formula makes contouring cheeks simple. $80 at Neiman Marcus in Friendship Heights

BethesdaMagazine.com | march/april 2016 325

ETC_shoptalk_E.indd 325

2/8/16 2:09 PM

etc. S h o p Ta l k

Tiffany Rogers loosens up bow tie style with unexpected fabrics, prints and designs at her business, Knot by TIFFA.

Back in 2010, Tiffany Rogers wanted to buy her pal Cory Thompson a bow tie. “But I didn’t like the ties I was seeing—they were all stripes and polka dots, nothing very special,” she says. So Rogers, who has both an education and work background in apparel, decided to make a tie herself. The resulting cerulean-blue silk number went over so well that Rogers—with a little help from Thompson— launched the natty neckwear line Knot by TIFFA. “I did a lot of pattern research, looking at different shapes and styles,” says Silver Spring-based Rogers, 30, whose fashion background includes a stint with designer Tracy Reese. In the end, she zeroed in on shapes including the butterfly (a wider

style), the slim, straight batwing and the cheeky diamond tip, which tends to look artfully askew when tied. But what really differentiates Knot by TIFFA products is the fabric—think punchy blue-and-white gingham, are-wein-Portland? flannel plaids and Hawaiianinspired tropical prints. Rogers makes all the ties herself in her apartment work space. “It’s a lot of sewing!” she laughs. She estimates that she sells up to 50 ties a week for $35-$60 each, via her website and frequent appearances at local craft fairs. The limited-edition styles are named for some of Rogers’ favorite pop songs— the “Hound Dog” in a red-and-white check, the “Diamonds Are Forever” in snowy brocade. “Tiffany was always that

person who knew what the latest cool bands were,” says Thompson, who helps Rogers with finances and marketing from his home in New York City. “It’s sort of a melding of her fashion background and her love of music.” Customers range from millennial guys who pair the bow ties with casual shirts and vests to older gentlemen who don the more traditional print ties with suits. “Either way, you get a lot of attention when you wear a bow tie,” says Rogers, who also works as the accountability associate at the Fair Labor Association in D.C. “People always comment on them. They’re the ultimate icebreaker.” n Knot by TIFFA, www.knotbytiffa.com

photo by darren higgins

Behind the Brand: Knot by TIFFA

326 march/april 2016 | BethesdaMagazine.com

ETC_shoptalk_E.indd 326

2/11/16 1:00 PM

-Joseph Craig English

ROCKVILLE TOWN SQUARE

FINE ARTS FESTIVAL MAY 7-8, 2016 160 Master Artisans

* new * Local Wine & Craft Beer Tasting

Live Musical Entertainment

www.a-rts.org Produced by

Untitled-2 1

2/3/16 3:57 PM

etc. weddingS

The Next Step Sara Hirschler and Jonathan Purtle chose a place close to their hearts to get married—the front stoop where they shared their first kiss

The wedding: Sara and Jonathan wanted a simple wedding with a small group of friends and family. On April 26, 2015, they were married in a noon ceremony in front of their apartment building in Philadelphia, which was followed by a reception in their 1,100-square-foot third-floor apartment. How they met: The couple met in 2008 while both lived in the same eight-unit brownstone in the Fairmount neighborhood of Philadelphia. “We were on our way to the basement where they stored the recycling,” Sara says. They introduced themselves, and later hung out with other building tenants. “Pretty much everyone was young and into getting to know one another and socializing. We created this tradition of having beers out on

the front stoop after work every week.” Sara and Jonathan became friends and later spent time at a local festival and at neighborhood kickball games. The First date: Later that year, Jonathan salvaged old windows that someone on their street had thrown away and invited Sara over to paint the windowpanes. A few months later, when they got home from a friend’s birthday party, they had their first kiss, on their building’s front stoop. The proposal: In October 2014, the couple biked to one of Sara’s favorite places, Wissahickon Valley Park in Philly, to go for a hike. On a rock outpost that overlooks the creek, they sat down with thermoses of tea and soup. “He just casually removed this awesome ring from his pocket and proposed,” Sara says. “It was amazing.” Number of guests: 35 What made the event special: “The fact that we got to co-create it,” Sara says. The couple sat in a park a few weeks before the wedding date and planned out the details. “Having us be in charge and not having any kind of pressure or feeling of, oh we should do this. It was just, ‘How do we want this to look? What

do we want?’ Everything was open to our interpretation,” she says. Favorite moments: Sara and Jonathan got ready in separate rooms, then walked down the stairs of their apartment building together. “It was a magical moment to open the doors and walk out of our building, which was this pretty mundane activity that we’ve done every day since we’ve lived there. But here we are, we’re getting married and all of our closest friends and family are right there,” Sara says. She also loved playing paddleball with Jonathan during the ceremony. “We’re both very playful and not ashamed that we both like to goof around and have fun, and the paddleball brought us both into that element of who we are,” she says. “The way we play, you win by going for as long as possible.” They got about 25 hits. Favorite detail: At the beginning of the ceremony, their friend who officiated asked all the guests to introduce themselves and explain how they know Sara and Jonathan. “It brought everyone closer,” Sara says. Cost- cutting tips: “Do it on your front stoop,” Sara says. “Think about the things that really matter. Spend on the things that you think are going to

Photos by albert yee photo

The couple: Sara Hirschler, 31, grew up in Bethesda and graduated from Montgomery Blair High School’s Communications Arts Program in Silver Spring. She is the marketing and membership manager at the Fairmount Park Conservancy in Philadelphia. Jonathan Purtle, 32, is a professor of public health at Drexel University. They live in Philadelphia with their 5-month-old son, Theo.

328 March/April 2016 | BethesdaMagazine.com

ETC_wedding.indd 328

2/11/16 5:01 PM

BethesdaMagazine.com | March/April 2016 329

ETC_wedding.indd 329

2/5/16 3:19 PM

etc. weddingS

be special rather than on things that people feel obligated to incorporate.” Instead of buying fancy stationery, the couple sent an email to invite guests three weeks before the date. Sara did her own hair and makeup, and friends made her bouquet and flower crown. Jonathan wore a velvet suit he’d bought a few years earlier. Something to laugh about: “When I was reading my vows, there was a bumblebee that flew pretty close to my face,” Sara says. “Jon blew on the bumblebee. He was stepping in and saving the day.” Reception details: Sara’s mom and sister helped organize and move furniture around in the couple’s apartment. “It was definitely a tight squeeze,” Sara says. Her mom brought a one-layer dark-and-white chocolate mousse cake from Stella’s Bakery in Rockville and added a cake topper that resembled the couple. She also transported empanadas from Panas Gourmet Empanadas in Dupont Circle. Brunch foods from some of their favorite Philly spots—High Street on Market and Federal Donuts—were also served. A classical guitarist the couple had met in Rittenhouse Square played at both the ceremony and the reception.

The honeymoon: The couple considered a trip they had taken a month before the wedding, to Olympic National Park in Washington, to be their honeymoon. the photos: Albert Yee, a photographer who is a friend of Sara’s and Jonathan’s, took the photos of their wedding day. n

Photos by albert yee photo

The Gown: Sara bought two dresses from Anthropologie and one from Forever 21 the week before her wedding day. On the morning of the wedding, she settled on an Anthropologie knee-length fit-and-flare cotton dress that had a scalloped hem and a lace overlay with pineapples in the design.

330 March/April 2016 | BethesdaMagazine.com

ETC_wedding.indd 330

2/11/16 5:02 PM

www.HerringtonOnTheBay.com ď Ł 410-741-5101

Untitled-2 1

2/3/16 4:16 PM

etc. G e t Away

By Christine Koubek

The Art- inspired Quirk Hotel opened last September in the heart of Richmond’s arts district on revitalized West Broad Street. Owners Ted and Katie Ukrop transformed a historic Italian Renaissance-style building that once was a department store into a 74-room hotel featuring high ceilings, original ironwork, a coffee bar with locally roasted beans, and guest rooms in a warm palette of gray, walnut brown and a Benjamin Moore pale pink called “Love and Happiness.”

Four penthouse-level terrace suites have floor-to-ceiling windows and a private balcony. A rooftop bar with glass walls and sweeping views of the city opens in April. Maple & Pine, the hotel’s restaurant, is presided over by chef David Dunlap, who previously worked at The Inn at Little Washington in Virginia. Works by local and national artists provide focal points throughout the hotel, both in guest rooms and public spaces, and in the Quirk Gallery, located off the hotel

lobby, near an intriguing Susie Ganch piece made entirely of recycled coffee lids arranged to mimic historic trade routes in the Atlantic Ocean. In addition to art, Quirk Gallery’s gift shop sells books, stationery, handmade jewelry and ice buckets in the hotel’s “Love and Happiness” color. Rates begin at $199 per night. 201 W. Broad St., Richmond, Virginia; 804-340-6040; www.destinationhotels. com/quirk-hotel

photos courtesy of quirk hotel

Check In to a Work of Art

332 MARCH/APRIL 2016 | BethesdaMagazine.com

ETC_Get Away.indd 332

2/11/16 12:58 PM

Explore a National Park

photos courtesy of the inn at Bowman’s hill, National park service & The Adventure Park at Virginia Aquarium

Live the Suite Life The Inn at Bowman’s Hill, a nine-time AAA four-diamond award winner in New Hope, Pennsylvania, sits on 5 gorgeously manicured acres next to a wildflower preserve that’s awash in vibrant colors during the spring. Each of the four rooms and four suites at the inn features a king-size featherbed, fireplace and opulent bathroom. The Penthouse Suite—one of two newer suites at the hotel—has a shower that earned a spot on USA Today’s 2015 list of the “10 Hottest Hotel Showers for Two.” The suite’s oversize bathroom includes a two-person steam shower with multiple showerheads and a corner heated whirlpool tub with a ceiling that features 300 fiber-optic stars. Slightly more formal, the “General Washington” is the inn’s other new suite. It features leather reading chairs and a heated whirlpool tub beneath windows overlooking the grounds. Additional inn perks include a gourmet fireside breakfast, swimming in the outdoor heated pool (opens in March) and an in-suite couple’s massage. Inn rates range from $395 to $895 per night. 518 Lurgan Road, New Hope, Pennsylvania; 215-862-8090; www.theinnatbowmanshill.com

The National Park Service, which was created on Aug. 25, 1916, through an act of Congress signed by President Woodrow Wilson, is celebrating its centennial with events and a #FindYourPark social-media program for sharing personal park adventures. Though many parks offer free admission year-round, take advantage of no-fee entry at all 400-plus spots during National Park Week, April 16-24. Spring events in the midAtlantic region include the Valley Forge Revolutionary 5-mile Run in Pennsylvania, West Virginia’s Wildflower Weekend at New River Gorge and hundreds of other opportunities. Search www.findyourpark.com for listings by state. Kids can participate in Junior Ranger programs and earn badges for hikes, art projects and even dressing up as a Continental soldier. In addition, the White House’s Every Kid in a Park initiative (www.everykidinapark.gov) offers a free National Park pass, good through Aug. 31, for all fourth-graders and their families to experience our country’s natural treasures.

Find Beachside Adventure With a new oceanfront hotel and two new adventures nearby, Virginia Beach is a good option for a close-to-home spring break. Don a jumpsuit for a free-fall adrenaline rush at indoor iFLY Virginia Beach (www.iflyworld.com/virginia-beach), which opened last year. Vertical wind tunnels (in giant tubes) create wind speeds that give you the sensation of skydiving. Opened in 2014, The Adventure Park at Virginia Aquarium (virginiabeachadventurepark.com) has multiple zip lines and aerial trails through the forest that vary in difficulty for thrill-seekers ages 5 and older. A harness and two hooks ensure that you’re tethered to a cable at all times. Rest on cushy semicircular sofas overlooking Virginia Beach’s boardwalk at the Hilton Garden Inn (www.hiltongardeninnvirginiabeach.com). The hotel, which opened in 2014, features 167 large oceanfront rooms and suites, an indoor/outdoor pool separated by a rising glass door, and Lager Heads, a beachside pub-style restaurant with a patio. Rates from $179 per night. BethesdaMagazine.com | MARCH/APRIL 2016 333

ETC_Get Away.indd 333

2/5/16 2:53 PM

etc. Driving Ra n g e

Full Nelson

Locavores will find good libations and beautiful scenery in and around Nelson County, Virginia BY AMY BRECOUNT WHITE

photo by tessa shebaylo

I still remember the time I

ducked behind a wine-tasting tent at the Boar’s Head Inn in Charlottesville to spit out a vintage that was utterly unpalatable. It happened nearly 30 years ago, but the bad taste so soured my impression of Virginia wines that I avoided them for decades. My, how times (and regional viticulture) have changed. On a recent return trip to the area, I find myself sipping a delightful 2014 Viognier, a varietal that rose to fame in the Rhone Valley but more recently became Virginia’s signature grape. “It’s more of a classical take on a French-style Viognier with really nice peach and apricot flavors on the front of your palate,” explains Nick Dovel, head of tasting at Pollak Vineyards (www.pollakvineyards.com), whose picturesque terrace (located 15 miles west of Charlottesville) overlooks rolling vines with a stony-faced mountain as the backdrop. I nod, because I do so enjoy the poesy of a good wine description, then move on to sample the staff favorite, a 2012 Petit Verdot. Once again, Dovel’s narration doesn’t disappoint. “It has really nice notes of campfire and leather and smokiness in there,” he says of the fullbodied red. “It’s a good steak wine.” Behind him, I spy a succession of bottles bearing both local and national medals around their necks. 334 march/april 2016 | BethesdaMagazine.com

ETC_driving range.indd 334

2/8/16 3:13 PM

Veritas Vineyard & Winery is part of an array of craft beverage destinations along â&#x20AC;&#x153;Nelson 151,â&#x20AC;? a 15-mile stretch of Route 151 in Nelson County, Virginia.

BethesdaMagazine.com | march/april 2016 335

ETC_driving range.indd 335

2/8/16 3:13 PM

etc. Ever since Thomas Jefferson planted his first vines at Monticello, would-be vintners in these parts have been seeking the ideal grapes and growing techniques for our fickle climate. It seems they’ve finally found them. Wine producers aren’t the only ones beckoning those with discerning palates to partake of small-batch beverages made close to home. In recent years, the number of craft breweries in Virginia has grown to more than 100, according to Virginia Tourism (www.virginia.org/ craftbeer). The state is also now home to 12 craft distilleries. That trend was evident on this visit to the Rockfish Valley, which lies at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains, not far from Wintergreen Resort. Heading southwest from Pollak Vineyards, I cross the county line from Albemarle into Nelson County, where I find another five wineries, three breweries, a distillery and a cidery, all tucked into a 15-mile stretch of road and operating under the micro-appellation “Nelson 151.” (That’s shorthand for Route 151 in Nelson County.) As it turns out, the sunrise side of the ridge also creates ideal growing conditions for apples, hops and grain.

At Hill Top Berry Farm &

Winery (www.hilltopberrywine.com), which Kimberly Allen Pugh co-owns with her husband, Gregory, mead is the drink of choice. If you’re imagining a syrupy-sweet, medieval-strength hangover, think again. “[Mead] is older than any other form of alcohol,” Pugh explains of the beverage, which predates the Vikings. Though it’s made by fermenting yeast and water with honey, Hill Top’s concoctions aren’t overly sweet, and they offer surprising

flavor profiles. Some feature local fruits, such as wild persimmons, or seasonal infusions, such as cranberry. To give the aptly named “Dragon’s Breath” its kick, the farm grows its own jalapeño and cayenne peppers and smokes them with locally gathered hickory wood. (Pugh likes to add this particular blend to Bloody Mary mix for a tangy twist.) My visit to Nelson 151 coincides with the weekend of Festy (www.thefesty. com), an annual musical camp-in sponsored by Devils Backbone Brewing Co. (www.dbbrewingcompany.com ), where I meet up with friends a short time later. Sidling up to the Western-style bar at the microbrewery’s Basecamp Brewpub and Meadows, I’m advised to sample the “Trail Angel Weiss,” a citrusy ale that proves perfect for a fall day. My two friends play corn hole nearby while I sip, watching the intermittent clouds cast shadows on the ridge and savoring the rare leisure of having no cell service, the sweet scent of barbecue and the twang of country music wafting on the breeze. The experience is made doubly carefree by our wise decision to splurge on a car service (Monticello Wine Tour & Coach Co., www.monticellowinetour. com)—a must if you’re visiting the area without a designated driver. Parts of Route 151 are narrow and winding, as confirmed by one large, abandoned SUV we notice sandwiched between two trees. Our next stop is Bold Rock Hard Cider (www.boldrock.com), where a gleaming production facility is on display just behind the tasting room glass, and a small museum charts the history of cider-making. We each order a flight—four slim glasses nested in rustic wooden carriers—and settle into Adirondack chairs, heeding the

bartender’s instructions to start with the drier end of the spectrum, working our way toward the sweeter ciders. We disagree on which is best—it’s a tie between the Virginia Apple or the IPA (a hopped cider)—but all enjoy the tartness. I generally stick to wine and beer (I’m a lightweight), but my friends are curious about the newest addition to Nelson 151—Silverback Distillery (www.sbdis tillery.com), which opened in August of 2014 and boasts the tagline, “We put the gin in Virginia.” Soon, we are learning the origin of its moniker, a playful nickname bestowed upon the owner by his daughters. “It was my wife’s idea, and she’s the lead distiller,” says proprietor Denver Riggleman III, who co-owns the craft distillery with his wife, Christine. The eco-friendly operation runs on geothermal and soon-to-be-installed solar power, using local grains and filtered water from the Rockfish River. Silverback’s Strange Monkey gin, whose bouquet features anise and Moroccan bitter orange peel, was one of 10 worldwide gins to receive a doublegold ranking at the 2015 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. “We wanted something soft that has a lot of citrus and finishes easy,” Riggleman imparts, adding that gin isn’t the only option (they also make vodka, and they have bourbon and rye maturing in barrels). Showing off the still, he teaches me a new term, “angel’s share,” which refers to the percentage of alcohol that evaporates during the production process. Visitors are allowed up to four tastes, with options ranging from a straight pour of the hard stuff to a delicious Moscow Mule made with peppery ginger beer and the distillery’s Beringei vodka (so named for the scientific term

blue mountain brewery courtesy photo; afton mountain vineyards courtesy photo; pollack vineyards photo courtesy

Driving Ra n g e

336 march/april 2016 | BethesdaMagazine.com

ETC_driving range.indd 336

2/8/16 3:14 PM

Blue Mountain Brewery grows its own hops for its beers.

Afton Mountain Vineyards looks out over Appalachian valleys.

Pollak Vineyards is a familyowned winery on 98 acres.

BethesdaMagazine.com | march/april 2016 337

ETC_driving range.indd 337

2/11/16 12:54 PM

etc. Driving Ra n g e

if you go

House and seasonal beers are on tap at Wild Wolf Brewing Co.

Here are the worthwhile way stations in the neighborhood of Nelson 151 B l u e M o u n ta i n B r e w e ry

shared by all Mountain and Eastern Lowland gorillas).

The next day, after a solid night’s sleep, I refocus on wine and head to Afton Mountain Vineyards (www. aftonmountainvineyards.com), where Tuscan-style buildings are perched on a ridge, enjoying 360-degree views as far as the eye can see. If I were a grape, I’d want to grow here. That supreme sense of breathing room is enhanced by a glass of their Festa di Bacco, a super-Tuscan red—and the fact that the winery puts a limit on large groups and requires reservations. This is all by design, explains Elizabeth Smith, who owns and operates the vineyard with her husband, Tony. “We all work hard to have these amazing products,” that are meant to be savored, she says. “It’s not the party scene.” Really, it’s all about the ambiance. “We see ourselves as stewards of this area,” Smith continues, noting that the businesses that make up Nelson 151 are currently fighting the proposed Atlantic Coast Pipeline, which would run natural gas lines through Nelson County, potentially disrupting the landscape and ecosystem. Having sampled my share of the local offerings and unspoiled beauty, I

do wonder what will happen as Nelson 151 rises in popularity. There’s already some tension in paradise between those who favor the party bus/bachelorette approach to luring clientele and winemakers like the Smiths who hope to cater to more-discriminating palates and, perhaps, deeper pockets. Many proprietors bristle upon hearing their neck of the woods referred to as “Alcohol Alley,” a dubious nickname they would prefer to lose. Come midday, it is something of a mob scene at the popular Veritas Vineyard & Winery (www.veritaswines.com) up the road, complete with stretch limos and buses. With at least 10 people in line ahead of me and more groups pouring in, I decide it’s not worth my wait. I’ll try them again on a weekday. As I head back toward Arlington with a stash of Dragon’s Breath mead, Strange Monkey gin and Flying Fox Vineyard’s Cabernet Franc (yet another good find), I envision myself suavely sharing these libations with friends while telling the story of how I met their makers. Good stories and booze often go hand-in-hand. Arlington writer Amy Brecount White found her immersion in Nelson 151 to be both spiritually and spirits-tually renewing.

For less than $10, a beer flight brings 10 different suds, from pale ale to porter, in 2.5oz. pours. Pair them with a brat or sausage and sauerkraut for lunch. The brewpub menu also includes kid-friendly and gluten-free options, plus a tasty kombucha tea for nondrinkers. Free brewery tours offered noon to 4 p.m. on Saturdays. www.bluemountainbrewery.com

Basic Necessities

A stopping point for artisanal cheeses, olives and other organic provisions, this charming market-café serves takeout or eat-in breakfast and lunch most days, plus dinner on Friday and Saturday. Reservations recommended. www.basicnecessities.us

T h e B l ac k b u r n G a l l e ry

Opened in the past year, the gallery showcases 19 regional sculptors, painters, photographers, textile artists and jewelry makers, nine of whom reside in Nelson County. Don’t miss owner and photographer Kevin Blackburn’s stunning natural scenes. www.theblackburngalleryva.com

Ca r d i n a l Po i n t V i n e ya r d & W i n e ry

Need a rest after a day of imbibing? At Cardinal, you can spend the night in a renovated 19th-century farmhouse with a stunning vineyard and mountain views. The house offers five bedrooms, three full baths, a full kitchen, a screened side porch and a pool. Sleeps 10; rates average $586 per night. www.cardinalpointwinery.com

Ed i b l e L a n d s ca p i n g

Want to eat really local—as in grown in your own backyard? You’ll find a choice selection of fruit-bearing trees and bushes at this nursery,

338 march/april 2016 | BethesdaMagazine.com

ETC_driving range.indd 338

2/8/16 3:16 PM

beer photo by walter melara; map by mary ann smith

where Asian persimmons are a specialty. They ship bare root plants, too. www.ediblelandscaping.com

$140-$175 per night includes full breakfast. www.lebleuridge.com, www.lechicpicnic.com

Le Bleu Ridge Bed and Breakfast

This small, friendly tasting room (the vineyard is down the road) is not to be missed, and a good place to stock up if you’re partial to Cabernet Franc or Pinot Gris. www.flyingfox vineyard.com

The comfy B&B just off Route 151 pampers guests with lavender goat milk soap, tubes of lip balm and belly-filling breakfasts. Catering to the picnic crowd, co-owner Danielle Savard also offers carryout lunches—think paté, crepes and macarons—at Le Chic Picnic, which operates from a trailer on the property.

Fly i n g F ox V i n e ya r d

T h e M a r k A d dy I n n

Housed in a beautiful old home, the inn offers antiques-appointed rooms (including

a few that are pet-friendly) and fine dining in a picturesque setting. $139 to $279 per night; check website for package deals. www.mark-addy.com

W i l d Wo l f B r e w i n g Co.

Canine friends are welcome in brewmaster Danny Wolf’s biergarten, which is often hopping with live music and trivia nights. The brewpub even sells gourmet dog treats (aka “brewers biscuits”) made with spent grain from the brewing process. www. wildwolf beer.com n

BethesdaMagazine.com | march/april 2016 339

ETC_driving range.indd 339

2/8/16 3:16 PM

etc. Pets

By Maura Kelly Lannan

Old Friends

A Rockville rescue group matches seniors with aging cats who need a home Marcy George helped launch Seniors for Seniors Cat Rescue to match aging cats with senior citizens. Last year, the nonprofit found homes for 144 cats.

per week. George, a retired civil engineer technician, says cats ease loneliness in seniors, which can help lower their blood pressure, and that tasks such as changing a litter box or feeding a cat can give senior citizens a purpose. “There’s something about having to take care of something that really makes a difference for them,” George says. George, the director of the rescue, and Rishi met about five years ago while George was volunteering at a cat rescue in Montgomery County and Rishi was there visiting. They noticed that some agencies preferred to place kittens, not older cats, in new homes and were reluctant to allow senior

citizens to adopt because of their age. “It’s an absolutely ridiculous reason,” says George, who has four cats and a dog of her own. “I was so sad—I felt a sense of helplessness for these senior cats.” While volunteering, George agreed to foster a 10-year-old black cat after its owner had a baby and the cat started causing problems. She brought the cat to an adoption event and found it a home. “I realized it could be done,” she says. That’s when George partnered with Rishi, who runs a nonprofit social service organization in Silver Spring called Rishi’s Vaisnava Center, to start their own rescue. (Seniors for Seniors’

photo by stacy zarin-goldberg

When Carolyn and John VanDyck’s two cats died within a month of each other last year, the couple was without a cat for the first time in almost 50 years. They wanted to adopt a new one, but were worried they wouldn’t be able to care for a cat as they got older. What if they got sick? “I wouldn’t have thought of this when I was 50, or even 60,” says Carolyn, 73, a retired librarian who lives in Silver Spring. “We have many elderly friends, and it becomes an issue. Life can change very fast.” She and John, 79, mentioned the concern to their vet, Dr. Elise Geldon of Liberty Falls Veterinary Clinic in Potomac, who told them about Rockvillebased Seniors for Seniors Cat Rescue, a nonprofit that aims to place older cats with senior citizens. If someone adopts a cat and isn’t able to care for it, Seniors for Seniors will take the animal back. That was important to the VanDycks, so last March they adopted two 8 1/2-year-old cats—Toby, who has white fur, and his sister, Sweet Pea, an orange tabby. “I just find them serenity-producing,” Carolyn says. “Just petting a cat in your lap, you can feel yourself relaxing.” Started in 2011 by Marcy George and Radhika Rishi, Seniors for Seniors Cat Rescue found homes for 144 cats last year, averaging nearly three adoptions

340 March/April 2016 | BethesdaMagazine.com

ETC_pets.indd 340

2/11/16 12:58 PM

current nonprofit status is linked to the organization, according to George.) “Everybody is obviously more eager to adopt a younger pet so that they don’t lose their pet so quickly. [But] the older pets are honestly some of the best pets,” says Geldon, who treats some of the cats in George’s care. “They certainly are going to have a better chance of adoption going through Marcy because she works hard to get them adopted.” George keeps up to 20 cats at her Rockville home in a cattery, a 330-square-foot room in the basement that has a door to the outside. When the windows are open to let in fresh air, thick screens keep the cats from clawing their way out. Cats climb along shelves and play on rug-lined towers. Some stay in tiered cages while they get used to being with other cats. Even with volunteers helping to feed the cats, clean the cages, change the litter boxes and process adoption applications, George spends 40 to 45 hours a week operating the program. She once matched an 11-year-old cat with an 84-year-old Olney resident whose dog had died; the woman knew she wouldn’t be able to walk a new dog. One of George’s volunteers, retired respiratory therapist Diane Tattersall of Rockville, adopted a 9-year-old shorthaired orange tabby from the rescue last October. In January, George placed a cat with a 93-year-old Kensington woman. It costs about $30,000 a year to operate the rescue, George says. Half of that comes from donations, the other half from fees. Adoption costs range from $65 to $125, depending on the cat’s age, and there’s an intake fee of $300 for owners who leave their cats. George ensures that the cats are vaccinated and spayed or neutered, and new owners sign a contract stating that if they can’t care for the cat, they can bring it back. (That’s happened with five cats so far.) She’ll also match mature cats with younger owners. “The idea is to place older cats with older people, but a good placement is a good placement,” says

George, who has two sons (including one who is allergic to cats) and three young granddaughters. George says she gets calls every day from shelters in Maryland, North Carolina and South Carolina about cats that are in danger of being euthanized. She’ll take one or two if she has room and thinks she can place them. Purebred, long-haired and declawed cats are the easiest to place, though she sometimes takes in a cat simply because she likes it—or because she doesn’t have one of that color. While many of the cats stay in the cattery, some are placed in foster homes while awaiting adoption. Dina Vizzaccaro of Alexandria, Virginia, brought her mother’s 7-year-old black cat, Shadow, to George’s house in December. Vizzaccaro had tried to keep Shadow after her mother’s death, but he couldn’t get along with the cats she already had. She was turned down by four other cat rescues before she found George. “I think what Marcy’s doing is so special because he’s not a difficult cat, he’s not a bad cat. He’s just a cat whose mom died and he needed a home,” she says. While the VanDycks read the newspaper and drink coffee in the morning, Toby and Sweet Pea often watch birds or squirrels from the couple’s screenedin deck. The cats follow John and Carolyn around at home and sit on their laps in the evening as they watch television. Toby enjoys playing with a toy mouse at bedtime, and Sweet Pea likes to sleep next to Carolyn. John, a retired auditor, thinks senior citizens are the best match for older cats. “They are home during the day and can enjoy each other,” he says. “They provide sort of a calming environment and they take off the rough edges. If you treat them right, they will treat you right.” n Maura Kelly Lannan is a former reporter for The Associated Press, Chicago Tribune and other publications. She lives in Potomac with her husband and three children. BethesdaMagazine.com | March/April 2016 341

ETC_pets.indd 341

2/5/16 3:36 PM

etc. f l a s h b ac k

BY MARK WALSTON

The First Settlers In 1608, Captain John Smith, one of the founders of the Jamestown settlement in Virginia, sailed with a small crew up the Potomac River on an adventure to explore the uncharted waters. “The river,” Smith wrote, “maketh his passage downe a low pleasant valley overshadowed in manie places with high rocky mountain from whence distill innumerable sweet and pleasant springs.” They sailed as far as the Little Falls of the Potomac, north of the present-day Chain Bridge, where the river was no longer navigable, the way blocked by a stretch of rapids, falls and swift water where the Potomac transitioned from a free-flowing stream to a tidal estuary. Wrote Smith, “having gone so high as we could with the bote, we met diverse savages in canowes, well loaden with flesh of beares, deere, and other beasts whereof we had part.” Thus, Smith and his intrepid band became the first Europeans to meet the original inhabitants of what would become Montgomery County—settlers who had arrived more than 10,000 years before him. Native American tribes had crossed the Alleghenies, eventually settling in the Potomac River valley. Here, over

thousands of years they traversed the ancient forests in search of game, which was abundant. They established hunting camps throughout the area, like the one discovered on the property of the National Institutes of Health, a site more than 3,000 years old, littered with broken arrowheads and the flinty flakes left from the manufacture of new ones, where bands stopped to fashion points to replace those lost in the hunt. The Native Americans fished the waters, netting thousands of shad at a time as the shimmering little fish made their run down the river (an annual tradition along the Potomac until the fish disappeared in the 20th century). They gathered wild fruits and nuts. Eventually, more than 2,000 years before Smith’s appearance in the county, they abandoned their nomadic life and settled in small agricultural villages built along the river’s edge north of the village of Potomac. They lived communally in long houses of bark and sapling, set beside cultivated fields of corn and beans, which they harvested and cooked together, the original succotash—a Native American word for “broken corn kernels.” Here they buried their dead, undisturbed

until 1937, when amateur artifacts hunters Roy and Nicholas Yinger unearthed 73 graves at a village site near the community of Seneca—and destroyed the archeological record forever. The trails worn through the forests by the Native Americans would become the paths followed by European pioneers in the 17th century, paths that eventually morphed into the likes of River Road and Rockville Pike/Wisconsin Avenue. Trade at first was brisk between the newcomers and the original settlers; beaver pelts were in popular demand, due to a European mania for beaver-fur fashions during the 1600s, leading to the near extinction of the animal from overhunting. (Reintroduction efforts in the 20th century would help the beaver return to the county.) The natives gradually would be pushed back across the Alleghenies by settlers who, with land grants in hand, cleared the forests to cultivate a plant, introduced by the Indians, that became the basis of the county’s economy: tobacco. Thus, the Native Americans’ sharing of their culture became their undoing. n Mark Walston is an author and historian raised in Bethesda and living in Olney.

Photo illustration by alice kresse

Native Americans lived and thrived in what is now Montgomery County for more than 10,000 years before the Europeans arrived

342 March/April 2016 | BethesdaMagazine.com

ETC_flashback.indd 342

2/5/16 3:22 PM

Bethesda-spark.pdf

2/1/16

1:18 PM

Before we feature any story, we make sure to dig, question, examine, and explore it. So when you tune in, you get the perspective

you need to make sense of whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s happening outside your window, around the country, and across the globe. We understand a lot can happen in a day, and most of it canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be summed up neatly within the margins.

CMY

More to every story

Listen every afternoon on WAMU 88.5

Untitled-11 1

2/11/16 3:52 PM

etc.

By kathleen seiler neary

Ravi (top left) and Rupal Shah live in Silver Spring with their triplets (from left) Ariya, Dhilan and Jasmin.

family portrait

Against the odds: When the Shahs were going through fertility treatments, a doctor said there was a 20 percent chance they’d have multiples. “So we were gearing ourselves up to have twins,” says Ravi, 34, a senior billing and revenue analyst for Neustar in Sterling, Virginia. When an ultrasound showed triplets, they were shocked. “I’d never met a triplet before in my life.” Tight squeeze: The SUV crossover the couple bought before the triplets arrived wasn’t big enough, so they traded it in for a minivan. Their stroller was unwieldy. “It wouldn’t fit in a regular

elevator,” says Rupal, 37, an enterprise applications manager for SocialCode in the District. “It had to be in a hospital-size elevator.” Little celebrities: When they were babies, Rupal says, “People literally would stop us: ‘Can we take a picture?’ ” No two alike: Jasmin, the leader of the pack, takes a singing class; Dhilan, who loves soccer, is her sidekick. “He never does anything without her,” Rupal says. Ariya enjoys Bollywood dancing and doing her own thing. “On ultrasounds, you would see Dhilan and Jasmin kicking each other and Ariya just hanging out by herself. That trend kind of stayed through the years.” Vacation to remember: When the triplets were 18 months old, the family flew to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. “Random passengers would help us out, holding a baby as we were trying to sit down,” Ravi says. Looking back, Rupal says with a laugh, they wouldn’t make that trip again. n

photo by liz lynch

When their triplets—daughters Ariya and Jasmin, and son Dhilan—were born at Holy Cross Hospital in Silver Spring in 2011, Rupal and Ravi Shah quickly realized they were outnumbered. “We’re always playing zone. It’s never man-on-man,” says Ravi, a Winston Churchill High School alum. When the Silver Spring parents get an occasional break, they savor calm, quiet meals. “That’s our favorite thing to do,” Rupal says, “eat slowly.”

344 march/april 2016 | BethesdaMagazine.com

ETC_Family Portrait.indd 344

2/11/16 12:59 PM

What’s Important To You… Is Important To Us.

e understand your busy lifestyle. So whether you buy, lease or service your vehicle at Chevy Chase Acura Nissan, we will always respect you and your time. That’s why we now offer “Accelerated Service” to help get you in, out and back on the road quickly. So you can get back to the things that are most important to you.

Readers’ Pick, Best Car Dealership for Service

“We make friends through sales…and keep them through service!”

7725 Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda • 301-656-9200 • www.ChevyChaseCars.com

Untitled-28 1

2/10/16 5:08 PM

Arlington-Beth-Mar-Apr2016 _BALTMAG12/04 12/30/15 3:10 PM Page 1

YOU ALWAYS KNOW A STUART KITCHEN. SINCE 1955, WE’VE BEEN FIRST CHOICE FOR THE BEST KITCHEN IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD. COME VISIT OUR SHOWROOMS. EVERYTHING YOU NEED FOR THE ROOM YOU’LL LOVE THE MOST IS HERE IN ONE PLACE. AND, YOU’LL UNDERSTAND WHY SO MANY PEOPLE SAY, “NOTHING ADDS MORE VALUE TO YOUR HOME.” FIND OUT MORE ABOUT STUART KITCHENS BY VISITING OUR WEBSITE. CLICK WWW.STUARTKITCHENS.COM AND YOU’LL FIND USEFUL INFORMATION ABOUT OUR CABINETS, CAPABILITIES AND MUCH MORE. WWW.STUARTKITCHENS.COM

Untitled-2 1

2/11/16 10:30 AM