Bethesda Magazine: May-June 2015

bethesdamagazine.com

FOOD & RESTAURANT issue May/June 2015 $4.95 May/June 2015 $4.95

may/june 2015 Food & Restaurant issue

Too Busy to Cook?

45

options for delicious meals to go PLUS:

BethesdaMagazine.com

The chefs who are remaking our restaurant scene

chevy chase | gaithersburg | kensington | potomac | rockville | silver spring | upper NW Dc

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STAYING AHEAD OF THE CURVE.

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BETHESDA, MARYLAND

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When Surf’s Up, Never Paddle Out Alone In Financial Whitewater!

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Subject to errors, omissions and changes without notice. See Sales Manager for details.

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May/June 2015 | Volume 12 Issue 3

contents p. 88 Ashwini Persaud sells flavorful vegan soups at the Bethesda Central Farmers Market.

the food & restaurant issue Don’t feel like cooking? From roast chicken and delivery sushi to delicious finds at farmers markets and food trucks, we found 45 options for easy meals to go.

114 | here come the chefs

With rents rising and tastes changing, a new wave of restaurant chains is remaking the Bethesda-area dining scene

By Steve Goldstein

By Carole Sugarman

COVER: photo by michael ventura; props and styling by Çaya cagri of cottage monet;

128 | 99 years of beer

Hank Dietle’s Tavern on Rockville Pike is one of Montgomery County’s last true roadhouses. Craving something authentic among the strip malls and chains, young hipsters have discovered Dietle’s. Can they help keep the beloved dive bar alive?

Photos and text by April Witt

photo by lisa helfert

88 | dinner is ready

food styling by darline thomas; shot on location at dawson’s market, rockville

16 may/june 2015 | BethesdaMagazine.com

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F I N E P RO P E RT I E S I N T E R N A T I O N A L

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contents

p. 146 Like many parents, Lisa Hartigan was nervous about handing over the keys to her teenager.

features Twenty years ago this July, Potomac resident Irma Goff lost her husband and three daughters in one of the most horrific murder cases in Montgomery County history.

After all the media coverage ended, she and her son, Scott, had to do something many people couldn’t fathom: go on with their lives.

By Cindy Rich

Most teens can’t wait to get their license.

But teaching kids how to drive can be one of the scariest—and most frustrating— phases of parenting.

By Julie Rasicot

156 | preparing for battle

When Nina Pham, the first person to contract Ebola on American soil, arrived at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda last October, the nation was transfixed and terrified. Here’s what was happening behind the scenes.

By Amy Reinink

170 | on the edge

Rockville’s American Dance Institute is pushing its suburban audience in new directions—and gaining an international reputation in the dance world

By Lisa Traiger

178 | bethesda interview

Montgomery County’s Michael Mayer and Dick Scanlan talk about their roads to Broadway and beyond

By Margaret Engel

photo by liz lynch

136 | ‘by you living, they live’ 146 | driving us crazy

18 may/june 2015 | BethesdaMagazine.com

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#W Y D L E R BR OTH E R S TR E N D I N G

WYDLER BROTHER S

D OW N TO E A R T H H E AD I N T H E C LO UDS

N OT ON SOC I AL ME D I A

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contents

departments 201

24 | To Our Readers

home

202 | house appropriations

26 | Contributors

A bed is the centerpiece of any bedroom, and the latest looks range from earthy wood tones to whimsical painted models

32 | From Our Readers

37

p. 324

good life

204 | Master Plan

art. festivals. day trips. hidden gems.

How three couples created the master bedrooms of their dreams

44 | Best Bets 12 Can’t-miss arts events

216 | at home with laura evans

48 | ARTS Calendar

The Fox 5 TV anchor enlivens a new home with fresh paint and fine art

Where to go, what to see

236 | home sales by the numbers

245

p. 69

health

246 | Be Well Emergency medicine physician Tara Coles treats everything from earaches to heart attacks, and rarely has time to sit down

people. politics. books. columns.

When a young mother of three was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma, her family and friends set out to help. They had no idea the impact they would have.

62 | Figuratively Speaking

262 | ‘We had to do something’

59

banter

News you may have missed

As her father’s mental and physical health declined, the writer found herself in the very confusing and complicated world of eldercare

72 | Book Report

272 | wellness Calendar

MCPS food by the numbers

68 | Neighborhood NOTES

New books by local authors, literary events and more

80 | Suburbanology Bethesda’s Sam Tahmasbi hopes to parlay his food truck into a restaurant one day

By April Witt

295

dine

For Liz Winchell, owning a pottery studio is about more than creating ceramics

Long & Foster Ad Section 187

What’s happening on the local food scene

302 | Cooking Class 304 | Dining Guide

Builders & architects showcase 222

From gingham prints to rosy cheeks, spring has sprung

328 | Weddings A sparkling beginning

332 | Get Away 334 | Driving Range

296 | Table Talk

A road trip through history reveals West Virginia’s other wild side

340 | Pets Acupuncture for your pet

342 | Flashback Trolley companies once lured riders with extravagant new amusement parks

By Steve Roberts

AD SECTions

324 | Shop Talk

Your cheat sheet for a weekend getaway

Mastering grilled salmon

84 | Hometown

323 etc.

Ask the beauty experts 275

344 | Family Portrait Snapshot of local lives

banter photo courtesy of Matt carmody; gingham trench coat courtesy photo

249 | saving shira

20 may/june 2015 | BethesdaMagazine.com

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Dedicated Women Bankers.

It’s Monumental.

Front Row L-R: Shahnaz Tabibi, SVP, Non-Profit Banking Division; Kathleen S. Mayer, SVP, Area Business Development Officer; Martha Foulon-Tonat, EVP, Chief Administrative Officer; Mariana Phifer, SVP, Loan Administration; Lena Marcellino, SVP, Corporate Secretary & Director of Marketing Back Row L-R: Karen Grau, EVP, Chief Financial Officer; Tracy Berriman, EVP, Chief Operating Officer; Sharon Cantrell, SVP, Senior Commercial Lender

Meet the women on Monument Bank’s executive and senior management team.

Like all our dedicated local bankers, they bring strength, knowledge, and experience to our customers and communities. Their leadership exemplifies our commitment to personalized service and corporate citizenship.

301.841.9600 Bethesda | Rockville | Silver Spring

LEADERS IN COMMUNITY BANKING

monumentbank.com

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Member FDIC NMLS ID #409012

4/6/15 11:52 AM

What’s online @ bethesdamagazine.com enter our

GIVEAWAYS 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 MAGAZINE.COM up at www.BethesdaMagazine.com.

May 1 Enter for a chance to win a Wolf Gourmet “Countertop Convection Oven” from Appliance Distributor Unlimited

MAGAZINE.COM

»digital edition

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»download

the May/June issue on your tablet. To purchase digital issues or a subscription, download the free Bethesda Magazine app on iTunes or Amazon.

»what’s online

Beginning May 8, you can view photos from our Best of Bethesda Party.

Get your tickets to the May 7 event at www.BethesdaMagazine.com/ BestofBethesdaParty

»archives

JUNE 1 Enter for a chance to win 20 Megaformer classes, valued at $560, at Sculpt Studio in Bethesda

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 and Twitter to learn about community news, special offers and contests. Follow us on Instagram to get the scoop on happenings in the Bethesda area at instagram.com/bethesdamag.

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22 may/june 2015 | BethesdaMagazine.com

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Perspective deepens trust Chevy Chase Trust and Larry Fisher welcome Dean Smith.

Lawrence P. Fisher II

W. Dean Smith

“After more than 40 years advising individuals and families, endowments, and foundations, I’m pleased to join the team at Chevy Chase Trust. This is a firm with a thoughtful approach to investment and planning services — and a culture that puts clients first.” – Dean Smith You need only meet a few of our people to know what draws clients and experts alike to Chevy Chase Trust.

See what can happen when more than eighty talented professionals help you pursue your investing and planning potential. To learn more, contact Stacy Murchison at 240.497.5008, or Dean Smith at 240.497.5030, or visit ChevyChaseTrust.com.

INV E ST M E N T MA N AGEMEN T

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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

4/6/15 11:35 AM

to our readers

dinner is ready For busy Bethesda-area residents, “not cooking” doesn’t always mean dining at a restaurant. It could also mean getting takeout or having food delivered.

My wife, Susan, and I are no exceptions. We dine out often, but probably once a week we pick up food on the way home or order online for delivery. A while back we ordered so often from Himalayan Heritage in Bethesda that I knew the name and backstory of the delivery person.

(She is from Montreal.)

You can get takeout from virtually every restaurant in the Bethesda area—and get food delivered from many of them. You also can get prepared dinners at numerous food markets, large and small, and at the many farmers markets in Montgomery County.

With literally hundreds of takeout choices, it’s difficult to know where to go. So we gave Food Editor Carole Sugarman an ample budget and simple instructions: Go out and find the best carryout the area has to offer.

During a 10-week stretch this winter, Sugarman didn’t cook dinner once. She sampled more than 100 dishes from 60 different restaurants, markets and food trucks. That included eating carryout barbecue on Valentine’s Day (which she described as “good, but not particularly romantic”), scouting farmers markets during the most frigid days in January, and dashing in and out of restaurants and markets. “My trunk and backseat were often stacked with frozen lasagnas, pierogis, blintzes, dumplings, barbecue,” she says. “The smell of pizza in my car was especially easy to detect.”

Did she miss cooking? “Eventually, yes,” Sugarman says. “It was so nice just to prepare a piece of salmon on the grill pan, served with some simple couscous. But now that I’m back in the kitchen, I’m thinking about what delivery service

I’ll be calling on soon.” Sugarman’s guide—called “What’s For Dinner?”—begins on page 88.

On a morning in late March, two things happened at adjacent Bethesda restaurants that epitomized two trends that are altering the local restaurant scene. At Pitzze Table, a popular pizza place, county sheriff’s deputies arrived and closed the restaurant for failing to pay rent. Meanwhile, representatives of Robert Wiedmaier’s RW Restaurant Group were next door at Markham’s Bar and Grill, negotiating the final details of a takeover of that space.

Pitzze and Markham’s are recent casualties in what increasingly looks like a losing war for independently owned restaurants. Battered and bruised by rising rents, many local restaurants are closing or just barely hanging on. This trend is particularly unfortunate because the locally owned restaurants generally have strong ties to the community and are, of course, one of a kind.

That’s the bad news. The good news is that local, chef-driven restaurant groups are moving in. Besides local ownership, these chef-driven restaurants share an important element: Each is unique, with its own concept, chef and menu.

Almost without exception, these restaurants are enriching the local food scene. Writer Steve Goldstein examines these trends in “Here Come the Chefs,” beginning on page 114.

I hope you enjoy our Food & Restaurant issue.

Please send me an email with your thoughts at steve.hull@bethesdamagazine.com.

Steve Hull Editor-in-Chief & Publisher

24 may/June 2015 | BethesdaMagazine.com

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contributors

Margaret “Peggy” Engel Lives in: Bethesda Hometown: Chagrin Falls, Ohio In this issue: Writes about Dick Scanlan and Michael Mayer, two Montgomery County natives who are now major forces on Broadway. “They have shaped so many blockbuster musicals that I thought it was important that their early training at Wildwood Summer Theatre, the Jewish Community Center in Rockville and the Montgomery County Chorus be acknowledged.”

Lives in: Chevy Chase Hometown: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania In this picture: Shows early excitement over mealtime.

In this issue: Ate carryout every night for weeks, with similar enthusiasm, to put together the cover package on easy meals to go.

On her nightstand: Here Lies Jim Crow: Civil Rights in Maryland by C. Fraser Smith and Buried in the Bitter Waters: The Hidden History of Racial Cleansing in America

by Elliot Jaspin.

Favorite local takeout foods: Vegetarian lasagna to cook at home from Vace’s Italian Delicatessen and oysters, bluefish and figs from Pescadeli.

What she does: Food editor of Bethesda Magazine.

How she got her start: First as assistant to former Washington Post Food Critic Phyllis Richman, then as a longtime reporter at the newspaper.

Favorite part of putting together this issue’s cover package: Discovering or revisiting wonderful mom-and-pop shops, local food artisans and independently owned restaurants.

Best finds: Party platters of sushi that can be delivered, Dawson’s vegan macaroni and cheese, Gemelli’s Italian Market and Brazilian empanadas from Grandma Vera’s Bakery.

Most useful lesson learned: The best way to reheat takeout pizza (see page 90). “It’s changed my life with leftovers,” Sugarman says.

April Witt Lives in: Bethesda Hometown: Arlington Heights, Illinois In this issue: Writes the Suburbanology column about her favorite waiter-turned-food-truck-chef; photographs a father and daughter coping with his deteriorating physical and mental health; and writes and photographs the photo essay on Hank Dietle’s Tavern. “I don’t even drink beer,” she says, “but I fell in love with the funky culture of Hank Dietle’s.

People sit around telling the stories of their lives instead of fixating on their cellphone screens.”

What she does: She’s a veteran journalist who spent decades writing for newspapers such as The Miami Herald and The Washington Post before she picked up her first camera.

How she got her start: Earned a master’s degree in journalism from Northwestern University, then worked as a reporter for a small newspaper in Biloxi, Mississippi.

Up next: Preparing for a two-week exhibit this summer of some of her photos, a portrait series, at an art gallery in Berlin.

Favorite local takEout food: Falafel Salad from Bistro LaZeez.

baby photo courtesy of carole sugarman; engel photo by mark berndt; self-portrait by april wit t

Carole Sugarman

What she does: Directs the Alicia Patterson Foundation, which gives grants to journalists for in-depth reporting. She and her twin sister wrote Red Hot Patriot, a one-woman play about Molly Ivins starring Kathleen Turner. Their new play, Erma Bombeck: At Wit’s End, premieres this October at Arena Stage in the District.

26 May/june 2015 | BethesdaMagazine.com

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Lynda O’Dea*, a lifelong resident of Bethesda & Chevy Chase, is the top individual agent

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editorial Editor-in- Chief

Steve Hull

Design Director

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managing Editor

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Carole Sugarman Deputy Art Director

Laura F. Goode designer

Emma Gray Bethesda beat editor

Andrew Metcalf

Web producer

Laura Kottlowski Contributing Editors

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

The hospital you trust for primary care is expanding its specialty and urgent care services.

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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.

Contributing Writers

Leah Ariniello, Stephanie Siegel Burke, Ann Cochran, David Elfin, Brooke Lea Foster, David Frey, Steve Goldstein, Christine Koubek, Christine MacDonald, Maura Mahoney, Nevin Martell, Nigel F. Maynard, Gabriele McCormick, Samantha Miller, Virginia Myers, Kathleen Seiler Neary, Maria Leonard Olsen, Brian Patterson, Archana Pyati, Amy Reinink, Steve Roberts, Rita Rubin, Charlotte Safavi, Jennifer Sergent, Bara Vaida, Mark Walston, Carolyn Weber, Kathleen Wheaton, April Witt Photographers & Illustrators

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

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

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28 May/June 2015 | BethesdaMagazine.com

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

30 May/June 2015 | BethesdaMagazine.com

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Your Senior Real Estate Specialists in MD, DC & VA Are you thinking about downsizing?

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from our readers

INSPIRED BY JOHN SACKETT

Cindy Rich’s March/April article, “Here for a Reason,” about John Sackett, the 58-year-old president of Advensaid, “This story warms my heart and tist HealthCare Shady Grove Medical Center who has cystic fibrosis (CF), has eases my fear .... CF Mom.” generated more than 17,000 page views A doctor responds on BethesdaMagazine.com. Readers, Thank you for bringing adult stem cell especially those who have loved ones therapy to the attention of Bethesda with CF, commented online that they Magazine readers in your March/April connected with the article. R.T. wrote, 2015 article “Too Good to be True?”

“My wife is 65 and has CF. She has lost Respectfully, though, I must disagree 2 siblings to CF, and she is my hero.” that this article fairly characterizes this Barb78 commented, “Great story—CF revolutionary medical treatment. patients get a lot of experience in hosAs a board-certified physician pracpitals. It’s great that he can use his perticing in pain management and physical spective to help all patients in the hospital! My son is 14 with CF, and it’s very medicine and rehabilitation for nearly 1 ” And 3/23/15 PM decades, I became interested and hard to be bethesda_ad.pdf a patient so often.

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extensively trained in proven regenerative therapies—specifically injection therapies—over the last 25 years. My goal has always been to provide safe, advanced, minimally-invasive, nonpharmacological options to patients whose conditions did not respond to conventional treatments.

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32 may/june 2015 | BethesdaMagazine.com

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from our readers

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also helps orthopedic surgery patients heal faster and more effectively, including patients who have undergone knee, hip, shoulder rotator cuff or other repair. For the right candidate, stem cell and platelet injection therapies can help reduce pain, improve or restore function, and promote a better quality of life.

The debate over adult stem cell therapy for musculoskeletal treatment is very active and bringing light to that debate in the article is helpful. I presented this well-respected, peer-reviewed material, including scientific outcome studies that examined over 1,000 patients over the course of four years, but the author chose to diminish its value. Although the clinical research “gold standard” continues to involve multi-million dollar, multi-year, double-blind controlled trials, these studies are rare due to cost. In the absence of the double-blind clinical studies, outcome studies like these provide great insight into effectiveness and safety without the expense of traditional clinical trials. In fact, outcome studies are widely accepted and represent 80 percent of the research behind common orthopedic procedures, according to a recent article published in British Journal of Medicine (February 2015).

Stem cell therapy represents a new frontier in medicine. And, contrary to what the article alluded, stem cell therapy is not “science fiction.” It represents a new era in high quality medical care.

Dr. Mayo Friedlis Medical Director, StemCell ARTS Chevy Chase, Maryland www.stemcellarts.com

correction

In “Top Teens” in the March/April issue, the last name of Celine Nakpil was misspelled due to an editing error.

Bethesda Magazine welcomes letters to the editor.

Please email your letter to letters@bethesda magazine.com and include your daytime phone number.

Bethesda Magazine reserves the right to edit letters for length and clarity.

34 may/june 2015 | BethesdaMagazine.com

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

good life

photo by Meaghan Torvund

Stumble on beautiful ruins Completed in 1868 by the Seneca Sandstone Co., the Seneca stonecutting mill provided stone for hundreds of Washington area buildings, including the red stone for the Smithsonian Castle. Today the dilapidated remnants of the mill, which ceased operations in 1901, lie on the Seneca Creek Greenway Trail in Seneca Creek State Park in Gaithersburg. “The roof is gone,” says Garrett Peck, a historian and the author of The Smithsonian Castle and the Seneca Quarry. “But this is a building that’s probably the better part of an acre; it’s one of a kind in this world.”

Hikers can park at the Seneca Aqueduct on Riley’s Lock Road and walk up the stairs, turning right onto the towpath that crosses the aqueduct. They should then take the towpath to the right that leads toward the stonecutting mill. In a few hundred feet, they’ll see the Romanesque ruins of the Seneca stonecutting mill amid thick rose brush. Just north of the ruins, hikers also will see dozens of large blocks of Seneca sandstone that once stood in the District’s Lafayette Square. Says Peck: “It looks like something out of ancient Rome.”

—Katharine Keane

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good life

Tucked inside a small stone cottage at Glen Echo Park, you’ll find Paul Swartwood’s Glen Echo Glassworks studio. A Maryland native and graduate of Salisbury University, Swartwood worked for Simon Pearce, a renowned glass company, before becoming a resident artist at Glen Echo in 2009. He has since added more glassblowing classes, giving the community more opportunities to learn the 2,000-year-old art form.

“Glassblowing is such an immediate process, it demands all your attention,” he says. “It’s a chance to forget everything else and focus your mind.” One-day workshops take place two Sundays per month and admit only six students to ensure a hands-on experience. After a safety demonstration, students learn how to gather the molten glass from the furnace and use special rods to apply and fuse color to their creations.

Each student leaves the workshop with a piece to take home, usually something small, such as a bowl or tumbler. Swartwood also offers more advanced five-week classes, and the space functions as a working artist studio—visitors can stop in to watch Swartwood and visiting artists create intricate vases, wine bottles and other pieces between noon and 4 p.m. on Saturdays, or by appointment. For more information, visit glenechopark.org.

–Katharine Keane

photo by katharine keane

learn the ancient art of glassblowing

38 may/june 2015 | BethesdaMagazine.com

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W E L C O M E

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good life

Built in 1828, Cove Point Lighthouse is the oldest continuously operating lighthouse on the Chesapeake Bay. It sits on a 7-acre point of land in Calvert County, Maryland, on one of the narrowest parts of the Chesapeake— from the observation deck, visitors can see the Calvert Cliffs (well-known for their shark teeth fossils) and across the bay to the Eastern Shore. The keeper’s home was enlarged in 1925, making it

a duplex that could house two keepers and their families. The 40-foot-high light tower and the adjacent keepers’ cottage were restored in 2012, and visitors can now rent either one side or both sides of the cottage (each side sleeps eight) year-round. The lighthouse and cottage are steps from a private beach, where fossils from the Calvert Cliffs often wash ashore.

“You see lots of freighters coming up

and down the bay,” says Vanessa Gill, director of development at the Calvert Marine Museum, which manages the property. “Fishermen are there in the morning, crabbing and fishing right out front.” Proceeds benefit the Calvert Marine Museum in Solomons, Maryland, and an endowment for the lighthouse’s continued care. For more information, call 410-326-2042.

—Mary Clare Glover

photo by Ferrell McCollough

spend the night in a lighthouse

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See a world-class orchestra

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Discover Bethesda’s Street Art

photo by michael ventura

On the wall outside of Nando’s Peri-Peri in downtown Bethesda, the bright colors and bold strokes of South African urban artist Kilmany-Jo Liversage call the attention of passersby. The mural took seven days to complete and is one of the elements in a three-part series that was unveiled at the November 2011 opening of the restaurant.

Nando’s Project Manager Ryan Welch says the piece tends to produce a strong reaction. “That’s the great thing about art,” he says, “it’s experimental.”

Bethesda may not be a place you’d expect to find a wave of urban art, but that’s exactly what’s happening. In 2012, Union Hardware co-owner David Goldberg unveiled a rendition of Vincent van Gogh’s “Starry Night,” composed of recycled doorknobs and other hardware, on the side of his storefront on Norfolk Avenue. Leonard Greenberg, founder of local real estate firm Greenhill Capital, has also introduced murals to several of his buildings. One, on the side of the structure that houses Bold Bite on Fairmont Avenue, is an optical illusion of a billowing piece of paper that gives way to a streetscape. “We want to make sure Bethesda has a sense of place and uniqueness,” says Stephanie Coppula, director of marketing and communications at the Bethesda Urban Partnership.

“Outdoor art makes the downtown a hometown.”

–Katharine Keane

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good life

best bets

Our picks for the best things to see and do in May and June

By Stephanie Siegel Burke

May 1

For Beatles fans, the multimedia concert RAIN, A Tribute to the Beatles could be the next best thing to seeing the Fab Four in person. More than a cover band, RAIN recreates the entire Beatles experience—with music, costumes and visuals—from their 1964 American debut on The Ed Sullivan Show through their breakup in 1970.

8 p.m. at The Music Center at Strathmore, $48-$88, www.strathmore.org

May 9

Through May 25

Over the Rainbow Follow Dorothy, Toto and the gang on their journey down the Yellow Brick Road as Adventure Theatre MTC stages a modern take on The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, a world premiere that is suitable for all ages.

Adventure Theatre MTC, $19, www.adventuretheatre-mtc.org

Story of Her Lives With a film and television career spanning decades and a collection of awards including an Oscar and a Kennedy Center Honor, Shirley MacLaine is one of Hollywood’s most famous actresses. She recounts her life story during An Evening with Shirley MacLaine.

Known almost as much for her outspokenness and eccentric beliefs—especially concerning reincarnation—as she is for her acting, MacLaine promises to entertain.

8 p.m. at The Music Center at Strathmore, $35-$85, www.strathmore.org

May 27-June 21

Modern Media Lucy Kirkwood’s well-received satirical play, NSFW (Not Safe for Work), skewers the world of men’s and women’s magazines. After a writer at a men’s magazine gets fired for publishing explicit photos of an underage girl, he discovers that women’s magazines may not be much better in their objectification of women.

The show, which debuted in London, gets its American premiere at Round House Theatre.

Round House Theatre, $25-$50, www.roundhousetheatre.org

May 29-30

Everything is Illuminated Members of the local contemporary dance company Christopher K. Morgan & Artists perform in Limited Visibility, in which dancers use various light sources, including halogen lamps, fluorescent lights and paper lanterns, to reveal private things about themselves.

8 p.m. at American Dance Institute, $16.25-$31.25, www.americandance.org

Cyllavon Tiedmann ( Rain ); Courtesy of The Music Center at Strathmore ( Maclaine ); Courtesy of Round house Theatre ( NSFW )

Make it Rain

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good life

best bets The Beat Goes On June 3-27

Best in Show The annual Bethesda Painting Awards gives local artists a chance to compete for $14,000 in prizes. You can view the finalists’ paintings at Gallery B in downtown Bethesda. Judges will choose as many as four winners, all residents of Maryland, Virginia or Washington, D.C. Open from noon to 6 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays in June, Gallery B, free, www.bethesda.org

June 3-July 5

Chuck Brown, the iconic Washington, D.C., musician credited with creating gogo, died in 2012. Although the “Godfather of Go-Go” is gone, The Chuck Brown Band is still going strong. The band brings its take on the District’s homegrown, funkinfused sound, characterized by pounding, syncopated percussion, to AMP by Strathmore.

8 p.m. at AMP by Strathmore, $25, www.ampbystrathmore.com

June 17-21

Through the Lens Catch new, independent documentaries from around the world at the five-day AFI Docs film festival.

Screenings occur at the AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center in Silver Spring, and at several locations in downtown Washington, D.C. “Spotlight Screenings” take advantage of the festival’s location in the nation’s capital, pairing films with panel discussions that include filmmakers, policymakers, interest groups and other leading voices.

Various show times and prices, AFI Silver Theatre, www.afi.com/afidocs

Space Exploration In two concurrent exhibitions at VisArts in Rockville, artists explore how objects relate to their space and surroundings. In the Gibbs Street Gallery, Greg Braun creates a site-specific installation that shapes space with light, shadow and sculpture. In the Common Ground Gallery, Rob Hackett’s three-dimensional mixed-media sculpture sets up a powerful interaction between the created object and the space around it.

Open from noon to 4 p.m. Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays and noon to 8 p.m. Fridays, VisArts, free, www.visartsatrockville.org

Get Out and Play Bethesda Fine Arts Festival More than 100 artists and artisans from around the country, including some locals, set up shop in the streets of Bethesda to sell their creations at this two-day event. Come for the art and stay for the live entertainment by area bands and performers.

10 a.m. to 6 p.m. May 9 and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

May 10, Auburn, Norfolk and Del Ray avenues, Bethesda, free, www.bethesda.org

Festival season has arrived. Here are three you don’t want to miss.

Rockville Hometown Holidays New Orleans’ Dirty Dozen Brass Band headlines Rockville’s Hometown Holidays festival, which includes 32 performances on four stages over two days. Artists hail from eight states and the District; genres include country, folk, rock, funk, soul, blues, world and reggae. The festival also features the Taste of Rockville and a Memorial Day parade.

2 to 10 p.m. May 23 and 24 and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 25, Rockville Town Center, free, www.rockvillemd.gov

Imagination Bethesda This annual children’s street festival features dozens of handson crafts and creative activities.

Performances by top children’s entertainers and face-painting keep the 12-and-under crowd happy.

10 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 6, Auburn and Norfolk avenues, Bethesda, free, www.bethesda.org

Courtesy of bethesda Urban Partnership ( bethesda Painting Awards ); Courtesy of Afi Docs

June 12

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Springtime party.

A fresh season brings delicious possibilities.

Featuring farm-to-table ingredients and stylish presentations, every party is another chance to create something wonderful.

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good life

arts & entertainment

calendar Compiled by Cindy Murphy-Tofig Legendary soul singer Aretha Franklin performs May 13 at The Music Center at Strathmore.

doors open 90 minutes before showtime. $20. AMP by Strathmore, North Bethesda.

301-581-5100, www.ampbystrathmore.com.

May 9 Bach in the Middle: The Cöthen Concertos. The evening will include J.S. Bach’s “Brandenburg” Concerto No. 5 in D Major, his Violin Concerto in A minor, Orchestral Suite No. 2 in B minor and Partita in D minor for Unaccompanied Violin. 8 p.m. $35; $30 seniors; $15 students. Cultural Arts Center, Montgomery College, Silver Spring, 301-362-6525, www.bachsinfonia.org.

May 13 Aretha Franklin. The legendary singer has commanded stages for nearly 50 years. 8 p.m. $65-$195. The Music Center at Strathmore, North Bethesda, 301-581-5100, www.strathmore.org.

May 1 Jayme Stone. The banjoist pays tribute to folklorist Alan Lomax by re-imagining roots music. 8 p.m.; doors open 90 minutes before showtime. $40. AMP by Strathmore, North Bethesda. 301-581-5100, www.ampby strathmore.com.

May 3 Augustin Hadelich and Joyce Yang. The program for violinist Hadelich and pianist Yang includes works by Stravinsky, Schumann and Franck. 7:30 p.m. $40; $35 seniors; $30 younger than 30. Gildenhorn/Speisman Center for the Arts’ Kreeger Auditorium, Jewish Community Center of Greater Washington, Rockville, 301-8810100, www.jccgw.org.

May 2 Psycho Killers. The Talking Heads tribute band takes you back to the 1980s.

8 p.m.; doors open 90 minutes before showtime. $18. AMP by Strathmore, North Bethesda. 301-581-5100, www.ampby strathmore.com.

May 7 Tchaikovsky’s First Piano Concerto. Pianist Lukáš Vondrácek performs Tchaikovsky’s enchanted work. Presented by the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. 8 p.m. $45$105. The Music Center at Strathmore, North Bethesda, 301-581-5100, www.bsomusic.org.

May 2-3 Mozart’s Jupiter Symphony. The optimistic, triumphant work was Mozart’s last symphony. Presented by the National Philharmonic. 8 p.m. May 2 and 3 p.m. May 3. Free pre-concert lecture at 6:45 p.m. May 2 and 1:45 p.m. May 3. $28-$84; children ages 7-17 free with the purchase of adult tickets. The Music Center at Strathmore, North Bethesda, 301-581-5100, www.strathmore.org.

May 7 Omer Avital Quintet. The jazz bassist and his ensemble give off a jazz club vibe infused with a little Middle Eastern influence. 8 pm.; doors open 90 minutes before showtime. $32. AMP by Strathmore, North Bethesda. 301-581-5100, www.ampbystrath more.com.

May 9 Sunliner. The trio blends folk, country and blues into its own roots-rock sound. 8 p.m.;

May 16 Bach Goes Berserk. Pianist Haskell Small performs works by Bach, plus his own original compositions. Presented by Washington Conservatory of Music. 8 p.m. Free; donations accepted. Westmoreland Congregational United Church of Christ, Bethesda, 301320-2770, www.washingtonconservatory.org.

May 19 and 23 Gaithersburg Chorus Spring Concert. The all-volunteer chorus will perform selections from its repertoire. 7:30 p.m. May 19 at Rosborough Cultural Arts Center, Asbury Methodist Village, Gaithersburg; 6 p.m. May 23 at City Hall Concert Pavilion, Gaithersburg. Free; donations accepted. 301-258-6350, www.gaithersburgmd.gov.

May 23 Strauss’ Four Last Songs. In addition to the Strauss work, the performance will include Schumann’s Symphony No. 2 and Weber’s Der Freischütz Overture. 8 p.m.

Presented by the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. 8 p.m. $32-$95. The Music Center at Strathmore, North Bethesda, 301-581-5100, www.bsomusic.org.

Photo by Mat thew Jordan Smith/Rca Records

MUSIC

May 16 Debussy and Don Juan. The concert includes a performance of Debussy’s shimmering La Mer and Strauss’ passionate Don Juan. Presented by the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. 8 p.m. $32-$95. The Music Center at Strathmore, North Bethesda, 301-5815100, www.bsomusic.org.

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good life

Urban [ur buh n] adjective - living in a city Nest [nest] noun - resting place; home Urban Nest - the perfect city home Priced perfectly, perfectly sized for city living

May 28 A Tribute to John Williams. The American composer created music for Schindler’s List and The Poseidon Adventure, and movies in the Star Wars and Harry Potter series. Presented by the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. 8 p.m. $50-$110. The Music Center at Strathmore, North Bethesda, 301581-5100, www.bsomusic.org.

May 30 Fauré’s Requiem. Faure’s poignant work is paired with Brahms’ Serenade No. 2. Presented by the National Philharmonic. 8 p.m.

A free pre-concert lecture will take place at 6:45 p.m. $28-$84; children ages 7-17 free with the purchase of adult tickets. The Music Center at Strathmore, North Bethesda, 301-581-5100, www.strathmore.org.

June 5 Orchestra in a Piano: The Art of the Transcription. Pianist Michael Adcock will perform various orchestral works transcribed for piano. Presented by Washington Conservatory of Music. 7:30 p.m.

Free; donations accepted. Westmoreland Congregational United Church of Christ, Bethesda, 301-320-2770, www.washington conservatory.org.

June 6 Jubilation Day Gospel Extravaganza. The ninth annual festival celebrates the music that gave rise to jazz, R&B and rock ’n’ roll. Local and regional choirs and chorus groups will perform. 4 p.m. Free. Concert Pavilion, Gaithersburg, www.gaithersburgmd.gov.

June 6 Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony. In addition to the famous symphony, the program will include Sibelius’ Symphony No. 7 and Shostakovich’s Cello Concerto No. 1.

Presented by the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. 8 p.m. $32-$95. The Music Center at Strathmore, North Bethesda, 301-581-5100, www.bsomusic.org.

June 6 Amadou Kouyate. The West African musician plays the kora, a 21-string harp. 8 p.m. $25; $12 for ages 18 and younger. The Arts Barn, Gaithersburg, 301-258-6394, www. gaithersburgmd.gov.

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June 10 My Soul Sings! The Strathmore Children’s Chorus spring concert explores the power of the American spiritual. 7:30 p.m. $20. The Music Center at Strathmore, North Bethesda, 301-581-5100, www.strathmore.org.

June 11 Bernstein’s Candide. Leonard Bernstein’s operetta follows eternal optimist

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QuinTango heats up the Arts Barn in Gaithersburg on May 29.

Jayme Stone’s Lomax Project May 1

Psycho Killers Candide and his unexpected life lessons.

Presented by the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. 8 p.m. $50-$110. The Music Center at Strathmore, North Bethesda, 301-5815100, www.bsomusic.org.

June 21 Brubeck Brothers. Drummer Dan Brubeck and composer-bass trombonist-electric bassist Chris Brubeck—sons of the late jazz pianist and composer Dave Brubeck—highlight jazz as an art form. 8 p.m.; doors open 90 minutes before showtime. $35-$45. AMP

by Strathmore, North Bethesda. 301-5815100, www.ampbystrathmore.com.

DANCE May 1-3 Spring Dance Concert. The Montgomery College Rockville Dance Company performs original works by students, faculty and area choreographers. 8 p.m. May 1 and 2; 2 p.m. May 3. $10; $8 seniors; $5 students.

The Robert E. Parilla Performing Arts Center, Montgomery College, Rockville, 240-5675301, www.montgomerycollege.edu/pac.

Photo Courtesy of Quintango

May 29 Tango Festival. The ensemble QuinTango performs a concert of tango music followed by a dance party. 7 p.m. at the Arts Barn; the dance party follows at Kentlands Mansion, Gaithersburg. $35; $60 per couple; dance instruction and refreshments included; 301-258-6394, www.gaithersburgmd.gov.

THEATER May 1-3 To Kill a Mockingbird. Lawyer Atticus Finch seeks the truth about racial injustices in his small-town community. Based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel. Presented by Rockville Little Theatre. 8 p.m. May 1 and 2; 2 p.m. May 3. $22; $20 for seniors and

students. F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre, Rockville. 240-314-8690, www.rlt-online.org.

May 8 Sheng Wang. Stand-up comedian Sheng Wang’s act is based on personal experiences and observations. 8 p.m.; doors open 90 minutes before showtime. $25. AMP by Strathmore, North Bethesda, 301-581-5100, www.ampbystrathmore.com.

May 8-24 Brighton Beach Memoirs. Neil Simon’s semiautobiographical look at growing up in 1930s Brooklyn garnered a Tony Award for actor Matthew Broderick in 1983. Produced by Sandy Spring Theatre Group. 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 2 p.m.

Sundays. $20; $12 for ages 14 and younger. The Arts Barn, Gaithersburg, 301-2586394, www.gaithersburgmd.gov.

May 8-9, 15-17, 22-24, 29, 30 Chess. The lives of an American chess star, his Hungarian-American assistant and a Russian chess champion are complicated when the assistant falls for the Russian chess player. Presented by Kensington Arts Theatre. 8:15 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 3 p.m. Sundays. $25; $20 for students, seniors; $17 for Kensington residents and children.

Kensington Town Hall/Armory, Kensington, www.katonline.org.

May 20 Dolley Madison, Presidentress.

The one-woman play details the first lady’s life. Recommended for ages 12 and older. 1 p.m. $20; $12 ages 14 and younger. The Arts Barn, Gaithersburg. 301-258-6394, www. gaithersburgmd.gov.

June 12-28 The Wedding Singer. Wedding singer Robbie Hart is brokenhearted until he meets Julia, a waitress who is engaged to be married. Can he win Julia’s heart before her big day? Produced by Damascus Theatre Company. 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays;

Talking Heads tribute band May 2

Omer Avital Quintet May 7

Sheng Wang comedy May 8

Sunliner

Sarah Siskind & Travis Book May 9

The Duhks May 14

Tribute to

“Sassy” Sarah Vaughan feat. Indigo Love May 15

AliceMayGerrard 20 & 21 The Amigos Band with Dom Flemons May 28

Mark Nadler CD release party May 29

Cravin’ Dogs with The Oxymorons May 30

Ramblin’June Jack Elliot 3 www.AMPbyStrathmore.com

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ART

display photography, jewelry, paintings, sculpture and other works at the outdoor arts festival. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. May 2 and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 3. Free. Rockville Town Square, Rockville, 301-637-5684, www.a-rts.org.

Glen Echo Park, 301-634-5380, www.thepuppetco.org.

May 16 BSO Music Box: In the Treetops.

The rain forest comes to life through the sounds of exotic birds and monkeys. Presented by the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. Suitable for ages 6 months to 3 years.

10 and 11:30 a.m. $15. The Music Center at Strathmore, North Bethesda, 301-581-5100, www.bsomusic.org.

Through May 2 Cadence. Photographer Barbara French Pace’s exhibit features the rhythmic patterns in life—such as rolling dunes—and how they remind us to slow down. Gallery hours are noon-6 p.m.

Tuesday-Saturdays. Free. Waverly Street Gallery, Bethesda, 301-951-9441, www. waverlystreetgallery.com.

May 5-June 6 Birds of the Deep Water. Evelyn Jacob’s digital photography focuses on egrets, herons and other waterfowl. Gallery hours are noon to 6 p.m. Tuesday-Saturdays. Opening reception from 6 to 9 p.m. May 8 and an artist talk at 2 p.m. May 30. Free. Waverly Street Gallery, Bethesda, 301-951-9441, www.waverlystreetgallery.com.

Through May 31 If the Shoe Fits. Learn about the sole in this exhibit on footwear, including shoe design, sculpture and a shoe-painting workshop. Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesdays and noon to 4 p.m. Sundays. Free. The Mansion at Strathmore, North Bethesda, 301-5815109, www.strathmore.org.

May 8 and June 12 Bethesda Art Walk. Various galleries in downtown Bethesda open their doors on the second Friday of every month. 6 to 9 p.m.

Free. 301-215-6660, www.bethesda.org.

Through May 29 Sinbad: The Untold Tale. Sinbad the Sailor tries to keep his daughter safe from a sorceress, but when a cloud makes all of the adults fall asleep, Sinbad’s daughter must enlist the help of a street orphan she despises. Recommended for ages 5-12.

Imagination Stage, Bethesda, 301-2801660, www.imaginationstage.org.

June 6-July 26 Phyllis Jaffee. Jaffee’s exhibit will examine the cruciform as more than a religious symbol. Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesdays and noon to 4 p.m. Sundays. Free. The Mansion at Strathmore, North Bethesda, 301-5815109, www.strathmore.org.

June 6 BSO Music Box: All Around the Globe. Come celebrate cultures from around the world. Presented by the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. Suitable for ages 6 months to 3 years. 10 and 11:30 a.m. $15. The Music Center at Strathmore, North Bethesda, 301-581-5100, www.bso music.org.

Through May 31 Flood Redux. Painters Arlette Jassel, Michael Ross and David Molesky share their visions of changes in Earth’s oceans as a result of human excess. Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesdays and noon to 4 p.m. Sundays. Free. The Mansion at Strathmore, North Bethesda, 301-5815109, www.strathmore.org.

May 2-3 A- RTS Rockville Town Square Arts Festival. About 175 artists will

CHILDREN AND FAMILIES May 7-June 21 Cinderella. This production of the classic tale is set in 17th-century France.

Recommended for kindergartners through sixth-graders. 10 and 11:30 a.m. Thursdays and Fridays; 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. $10. The Puppet Co.,

Dozens of artists will display their works at the A-RTS Rockville Town Square Arts Festival on May 2-3.

June 24-Aug. 9 Double Trouble. Ten-year-old twins Lottie and Lisa are being raised separately by their divorced parents and meet unexpectedly at summer camp. Adventures abound when they switch places before returning home. Will their parents discover the switch, and be convinced that the girls belong together? Suitable for ages 5-10.

10:30 a.m. Tuesdays-Fridays; 11 a.m., 1:30 and 4 p.m. Saturdays; and 1:30 and 4 p.m.

Sundays. No performance July 4. $12-$30.

Imagination Stage, Bethesda, 301-2801660, www.imaginationstage.org.

SEASONAL May 2 Kentlands Day. The free event will include a car show, kids’ activities, live entertainment, a parade and a Taste of Kentlands.

10 a.m. Free. In and around Kentlands Market Square, Gaithersburg, www.kentlandsday.org.

May 16 Strut Your Mutt. The ninth annual event features a dog parade, training shows, adoption information, contests and kids’ activities. Organized by the Rotary Club of Bethesda-Chevy Chase. 10 a.m. $25 per dog (includes doggie goody bag, parade entry,

PHOTO Courtesy of The city of rockville

2 p.m. Sundays. $22; $12 for ages 14 and younger. The Arts Barn, Gaithersburg, 301258-6394, www.gaithersburgmd.gov

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good life dog contest entry and a T-shirt). Woodmont Triangle, Bethesda, www.strutyourmutt bethesda.org.

May 17 I Have a Voice. The Jewish Social Services Agency’s annual gala will feature a performance by blind musical savant Rex Lewis-Clack, and will honor Mimi Brodsky Kress of Sandy Spring Builders. 6 p.m. $400. North Bethesda Marriott Conference Center, Bethesda, 301-610-8370, www.jssa.org.

May 25 Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony. The wreath-laying ceremony begins at 9 a.m. in the plaza at Rockville Town Square. The parade begins at 10:30 a.m. and travels along North Washington Street, Beall Avenue, Maryland Avenue and East Montgomery Avenue. Free. www.rockvillemd.gov.

June 14 Celebrate Gaithersburg in Olde Towne. The street festival will offer live entertainment and activities for all ages.

Noon to 5 p.m. Free. Near the intersec-

tion of Summit and East Diamond avenues, Gaithersburg, www.gaithersburgmd.gov.

FARMERS MARKETS

Pike Central Farm Market. Offerings include fresh fruits and vegetables, baked goods and other delectables. 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturdays. 5992 Executive Blvd., North Bethesda, www.centralfarm markets.com.

FRESHFARM Market. Offerings include produce, eggs, breads and pastries, honey and preserves. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays.

Ellsworth Drive, between Fenton Street and Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring, www.fresh farmmarkets.org.

Bethesda Central Farm Market.

The year-round market’s offerings include baked goods, fruits and vegetables, seafood and some meats. 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Sundays. Bethesda Elementary School, Bethesda, www.centralfarmmarkets.com.

Kensington Farmers Market. Yearround offerings include artisan breads, seafood, prepared foods and produce. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays. At the historic Kensington train station, Kensington, www.explore kensington.com.

Fulks Corner Farmers Market.

Offerings include jams and jellies, produce, fruit butters and meats. 12:30 to 6 p.m. Thursdays. At the corner of Route 355 and Fulks Corner Avenue, Gaithersburg, www.gaithersburgmd.gov.

Main Street Farmers and Artists Market. The year-round market offers meats, fruits and vegetables, cut flowers, honey and eggs, plus jewelry, knitted items, woodworking items and other work by craftspeople. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays.

Main Street Pavilion, Gaithersburg, www. gaithersburgmd.gov.

Rockville Farmers Market. Choose from fresh produce, cut flowers, honey, baked goods and other selections. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays, beginning May 16. www. rockvillemd.gov. n To submit calendar items, or to see a complete listing, go to BethesdaMagazine.com.

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Special Advertising Section

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The Writer’s Center Jun. 13 Why do you want to get published? How do you envision the process? This day-long seminar offers insight into how both selfpublishing and traditional publishing work and will help you determine what’s right for you. You’ll hear from editors, publicists, agents, and authors. Featuring Bob Bausch whose seventh novel, Far as the Eye Can See (by Bloomsbury Press, 2014), was an Editor’s Choice by The New York Times. The paperback will be published this year. $150 NonMembers, $125 Members WRITER.ORG/PUBLISHNOW OR 301-654-8664

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Syncopations: Music from the African Diaspora Coral Cantigas Jun. 6, 7pm Bethesda United Methodist Church 8300 Old Georgetown Road Guest Artist: Heritage Signature Chorale Discover the influence of the African culture in the rhythms, styles, and poetry of the Americas.

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Summerstock Camps 2015 Lumina Studio Theatre Jun. 22-Aug. 8 (4 camps) your chance Do you dream of being onstage? Find to be on your place in the spotlight at Lumina! Let the stage! the actor in you come out to play, form friendships, exercise your imagination, and create memories to last a lifetime at one of Lumina’s camps for youth ages 8-18. Each camp culminates in fully produced performances at the Silver Spring Black Box with lights, sets, and costumes. All that’s missing is YOU! Check out our website for specific camp details.

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Season Finale Spanish Nights Maryland Classic Youth Orchestras May 20, 7:30pm Young Artists, Symphony, and Philharmonic Featuring newly commissioned works in honor of the 10th Anniversary of The Music Center.

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people. politics. current events. books. columns.

banter

Documentary filmmakers Alexis Irvin and Chip Hiden at Denizens Brewing Co., near their apartment in Silver Spring

Filmmakers on tap Two local beer-lovers turn their passion for craft brews into an award-winning documentary

By Maura Mahoney

In 2011, filmmakers Chip Hiden and Alexis Irvin were traveling all over the country to screen The Dream Share Project, their documentary about people forging successful

photo by mike olliver

careers while still pursuing their dreams. Along the way, they began noticing breweries and beer bars in many of the small towns they visited. These establishments seemed relatively new and to have “a real cult following,� Hiden says. >>

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banter

Scout’s Honor

How a Kensington teen helped clothe thousands of Afghani children

By Maura Mahoney

After reading a newspaper story, Kensington’s John Ferry decided that he wanted to use his Eagle Scout project to help kids living in poverty in Afghanistan. Through a friend of his mother’s, he found out that Army Maj. Kenton Barber, who was stationed there, had contacted his wife, Julie Schwartz Barber, in Northern Virginia to enlist her help with an informal shoe collection.

John got in touch with the Army major, telling him he wanted to join forces by organizing a clothing drive.

A sophomore at Walter Johnson High School, John got local businesses to donate boxes and bins, set up collection sites at local schools, churches, stores and a retirement home—and succeeded beyond his wildest dreams. He wound up with 68 boxes of clothes that weighed more than a ton.

The next challenge: how to get them to Afghanistan. Maj. Barber found out about the Denton Program, a joint operation of the State and Defense departments, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency and the U.S.

Agency for International Development, which ships humanitarian donations via military cargo planes on a spaceavailable basis. According to John, the application took six weeks to be approved, and an inspection of the items took four weeks after that. In January, John finally was able to bring everything to Joint Base Andrews in Prince George’s County. Upon arrival in Afghanistan, Afghan Boy Scouts in Kabul helped repack some of the boxes that had been damaged in transit, and then members of PARSA, a community service organization, put them on a truck for Bamiyan, an area in the country where the poorest refugees live in caves.

John was awarded the 2014 National Capital Area Council‘s Glenn A. and Melinda W. Adams National Eagle Scout Service Project of the Year Award. Now 16, he is still a Boy Scout with Troop 463 in Garrett Park. What did John learn from the project? “There’s a whole lot of people in our community and even over in Afghanistan who will help you if you just ask,” he says.

Photo by mike olliver Photo by mike olliver

“We’d see all these other businesses that seemed to have sprung up around the brewery or taproom, like art galleries or restaurants.”

Hiden points to brewpubs such as Natty Greene’s Pub & Brewing Co., which played a role in the revitalization of downtown Greensboro, North Carolina.

Because Hiden and Irvin both love beer (the 27-year-olds can walk to Denizens Brewing Co. from their apartment in Silver Spring), they wound up stopping in at these breweries and beer bars and meeting the people involved in the business.

“We’d learn about their passion and inspiration, and began to think there might be a story here,” Hiden says.

The result is Blood, Sweat, and Beer, a documentary that had its world premiere at the DC Independent Film Festival in March, where it won an award for the best film from Washington area filmmakers.

Hiden and Irvin originally planned to tell the tale of the growth of this industry—they filmed interviews in 14 different states with brewery owners, beer writers and representatives from different trade groups.

But once they got into the filming, they realized they wanted to focus on the personal stories behind the startups and their impacts on local communities. The film follows three 23-year-olds struggling to start The Brew Gentlemen Beer Co. in Braddock, Pennsylvania, as well as Danny Robinson, who opened a brewery in Ocean City, Maryland, only to face a crushing lawsuit over the name of his establishment. Both stories dramatize the idealism and challenges inherent in starting a craft beer business. “We called the movie Blood, Sweat, and Beer for a reason,” Hiden says. “It almost enhances the flavor of the beer when you realize how much goes into making it.”

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By David Frey

Figuratively Speaking School Lunches by the numbers

Every school day, thousands of Montgomery County students depend on Montgomery County Public Schools for their nutrition. It’s an enormous undertaking.

Here’s a look at the MCPS food and nutrition program by the numbers.

Number of meals served per day:

“You guys are truly heroes. You have one of the hardest jobs.”

35,000 65,000 4,000 breakfasts

—Michelle Obama, to MCPS Food Services Field Manager Elaine Shen, Barboursville, W.Va., Middle School Cafeteria Manager Mary Cook, and New York City Department of Education chef Chris D’Orazi as they appeared together on ABC’s The Chew

Number of Students who Qualify for reduced - Price meals:

TOTAL

beverages

15 million

$51.2 million Last year’s shopping budget included:

$2.2 million

on whole-grain bread

That’s 15.1 percent more students than the entire student population in D.C. Public Schools.

» candy » donuts » honey buns » Carbonated

5,000

after-school dinners

Food service budget:

54,099

Items banned from school vending machines:

lunches

Number of meals served in a school year:

44,124 9,975

Number of Students who Qualify for Free meals:

after-school snacks

$1.4 million on produce

Items sold in vending machines may have no more than:

35%

57,000

½-pint milk cartons

10%

calories from fat

Saturated fat

35%

.5 grams

Sugar

On any given day, MCPS goes through:

trans fat

30,709

slices of wholegrain pizza

27,953

packages of sliced apples

21,000 salads

Sources: MCPS, DCPS, ABC

62 May/June 2015 | BethesdaMagazine.com

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banter

Falling for Michelle

Silver Spring teacher Michelle Ray’s hit book is now an E! TV show When Michelle Ray went

to see the Shakespeare Theatre Company’s modern dress version of Hamlet in Washington, D.C., in 2007, she couldn’t stop thinking about Ophelia, Hamlet’s sweet and innocent romantic interest. “I loved the interpretation,” she recalls, but she says watching Ophelia go insane and kill herself didn’t feel believable. “It seemed like the behavior of another era,” she says. So Ray, a reading teacher at Eastern Middle School in Silver Spring, decided to retell the story from Ophelia’s point of view. Her young adult novel, Falling for Hamlet,

was published in 2011. In it, Ophelia is an empowered, strong-willed teenager who conducts her relationship with the prince of Denmark via text while navigating the paparazzi.

A few months after the book was published, Ray was amazed to learn that it had been optioned by a production company. In March, the E! television network began airing The Royals, its first scripted TV series. Inspired by Falling for Hamlet, the show is a contemporary drama about a fictional English royal family and the corrupting effects of power, wealth and desire. It stars

By Maura Mahoney

Elizabeth Hurley and Joan Collins. It’s all very soapy and salacious, and quite a long way from Shakespeare’s original—and even Ray’s version.

Although Ray has not been involved in the production, she has kept up on the progress of the show by reading about it online and through friends who do TV publicity. “It’s been hilarious and pretty thrilling to watch it unfold, even from afar,” she says. “The funniest part is my students who have seen the trailers with all the people in their underwear. They’re rather scandalized.”

photo by Mike Olliver ( Ray ); Courtesy of barnes & Noble ( Book ); Courtesy of The royals ( cast )

Texting plays a big role in Falling for Hamlet

by Michelle Ray (left), who set her take on a Shakespeare classic in modern times. Below: the cast of the TV show based on the book includes model/actress Elizabeth Hurley (middle in red dress).

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Children deserve a healthy future.

Which is why we’re dedicated to doing what’s right.

Doing what’s right means providing the best care today while creating better health for a lifetime. So we’re developing safer therapies for cancer, pioneering less invasive approaches to surgery and advocating for children with mental health challenges. Our goal: a legacy of health for every child.

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The Idealist

The head of the Harwood Institute on changing the culture of American politics

BY Jackie Judd

Did something happen to you as a child that put you on this path?

When I was born in 1960, I was misdiagnosed with cystic fibrosis.

Ultimately the doctors could not figure out what was wrong, but I was sick for quite a while. There was a point at which the doctor turned to my mom and said, ‘Face it, he’s a lemon.’ Very early on I came to know

what it feels like to be invisible, to feel like you are not seen or heard, that your voice doesn’t matter.

You’ve said that your parents were important role models. How so?

My parents helped start a synagogue in upstate New York. My father was part of the urban renewal commission in Saratoga Springs and was one of the lone voices trying to protect people being displaced. He helped revive and grow the NAACP in our community.

My mom started the first halfway house in our community. [There] was an expectation that this is the way you engage in life and the community. Judaism also was central to our home; the notion that community is really valuable, that there is mutual responsibility.

Is there one coach, professor or mentor who stands out?

When I was 8, I had a coach named Ray Rivers who by all societal accounts came from the wrong side of the tracks.

Mr. Rivers was the first adult, outside of my home, who made me see that I could have confidence in my abilities and that it was OK to hope. I was a scrappy player and he encouraged me at every turn.

How did the idea for the Harwood Institute come about?

I started working in earnest on campaigns when I was in junior high school.

My heroes were Bobby Kennedy and Mo Udall, and I later worked for the Mondale for President campaign. I saw politics as a really noble endeavor. But what I was

photo by Mike Olliver

By the time Bethesda’s Rich Harwood was 23 years old, he had worked on 20 political campaigns.

“All the candidates I worked for were decent people who wanted to do the right things,” he says. “But their campaigns were not. The campaigns were largely about striking fear into people’s hearts, into dividing people.”

When Harwood was 27, he founded the Harwood Institute for Public Innovation. The nonprofit teaches organizations and communities how to engage all voices in decision-making.

Nearly 30 years later, the Harwood Institute, which is based in downtown Bethesda, has 10 employees and has worked with organizations such as AARP, United Way and Goodwill Industries International.

Harwood spoke with Bethesda Magazine about his childhood, his greatest mentor and one of his most memorable clients.

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doing wasn’t helping people. Instead, I sat in the back room of a campaign headquarters and devised a formula for distributing street money to precinct leaders to increase voter turnout, or had to review TV ads that would spin half-truths to the media, or create policy proposals we knew we wouldn’t support later on. Toward what end? Simply to get someone elected? I wanted to build something that people could believe in.

What does the Harwood Institute do?

We develop public innovators who can help bring communities together to solve problems and change how communities work. I’m as interested in shifting the civic culture as I am in solving problems because we can’t solve the problems in most communities given the ways in which we work together. Too many group leaders are inward looking; they are fighting for their own survival and their own organizations, as opposed to

the communities they are serving. Our mission is to help people turn outward and adopt a different set of practices.

Tell me about what you did in Newtown, Connecticut, after the school shooting in December 2012.

I got a call from the mayor of Newtown to ask if I would design and then lead the process of the community deciding whether to reopen the Sandy Hook Elementary School. I had to figure out how do you even hold a conversation about this and create the right environment where people will talk about it and it won’t break down into finger-pointing, acrimony and political grandstanding? How do you move people through this discussion, and how do you see whether you can reach any kind of agreement? Ultimately, the town decided to demolish the school and build a new one. The Newtown experience reflected the institute’s principles at work in the most tragic of situations.

What is your vision of the ideal community?

The ideal community is a place for people to be seen and heard, where there is a healthy debate, often with dissonance and sometimes acrimony, where there is a competition of ideas so we can sort out what it is we really value and how we move forward. So to me, the ideal community is something that is very dynamic, noisy and has a strong public spirit.

We have so many political leaders trying to win some short-term game that may or may not have much to do with what matters to people in their daily lives. The good news is, there is a deep yearning among Americans to come back into community life, to reengage and be builders again. This is not about sitting in a circle holding hands and singing Kumbaya—it’s the tough work of community and public life. n

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By andrew metcalf

Neighborhood NOTES 270

News you may have missed

MD 200

4

95

rockville 200

I-95

I-270 270

5 3 bethesda

2

I-495

silver spring

chevy chase M

1 495

M

I-495

1

Clean Up on Aisle 2

A silver BMW crashed through the front glass window of the Rite Aid store in Bethesda’s Westbard Shopping Center in March. No one was hurt, but several cans of peanuts and Pringles were damaged.

2

At Least They’re Honest

Two men broke into the Chevy Chase home of an elderly couple in February and made off with $10,000 in cash and rare silver coins. According to police, the robbers told the couple: “We respect you.

It’s just that the economy sucks.” The men were later arrested.

3

Riding High

David Goldberg, the owner of Union Hardware on Wisconsin Avenue in Bethesda, came up with a unique way to clear snow from the sidewalk in front of his business. Goldberg created a snow plow using a motorized toilet—a YouTube video of him using it in February went viral. “It shocked the hell out of me,” Goldberg says of his 15 minutes of Internet fame.

4

All That Glitters

In March, Montgomery County’s HazMat team responded to the Rockville

Memorial Library after a “glitter bomb” went off inside. Firefighters determined there was no danger after a brief investigation of the prank. The incident closed nearby roads for about an hour.

5

We Have Heart

Good news for Silver Spring: The city was named the most caring suburb in the country by the real estate website Movoto, which ranked suburbs using statistics such as the crime rate, number of mental health professionals and pet shelters per capita, and the percentage of workers who carpool.

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495

Great ideas should see the light of day.

95

I-95 From left to right: Joe Pascual, Justin Wade, Drew Powell, Matt Carmody

Almost Famous

495

Making a splash in the brave new world of web TV

BY Maura Mahoney

photo courtesy of Mat t carmody

Walter Johnson High

School grad Matt Carmody has worked steadily in films and television for the past 20 years, including a lead role in Ponderosa, a “prequel” to the classic TV series Bonanza, and guest parts on NCIS, CSI: NY and CSI: Miami. Four years ago, a lighthearted jaunt gave his career a boost.

An amateur poker player who has a weekly game with friends, Carmody drove to Las Vegas to play in the World Series of Poker. He had participated in the tournament in 2007, finishing in 79th place and winning $5,000. After winning nothing in each of the next three years, he hit the jackpot in 2011.

“I figured I’d be knocked out in a couple of hours,” he says. “Three

days later I’m sitting at the final table. It was surreal.” He finished in third place and won more than $250,000.

Carmody used his earnings to start a television production company called Westbrook Pictures and in February, the company released season one of Man Jam, a comedy web series co-written

by Carmody and Boyd Vico (who got his start writing for The Soup).

It revolves around four friends in their 30s who play music together.

The series, which consists of six five-minute episodes (a typical length for the brave new world of webisodes), follows the guys as they struggle with marriage, divorce, work and friendship, and stars actors Drew Powell (Gotham, The Mentalist), Justin Wade (Hot in Cleveland, Franklin & Bash), Joe Pascual (Lincoln Heights) and Carmody. All of the cast members are friends in real life.

According to Carmody, thousands have watched the series online so far, and Tubefilter, a web television trade blog, called the show the “best web series poker money can buy.” The second season was scheduled to begin shooting in April. You can watch season one at manjamtheseries.com.

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The Write Stuff

Why one local power player self-published a 623-page book about fatherhood

By Maura Mahoney

which he self-published in December.

The book, or, more accurately, tome, weighs in at 623 pages. “Apparently I had a lot to say,” Rosenblum says.

He describes it as “more of an encyclopedia than a book you’d read cover to cover.” In it, Rosenblum expounds on everything from “aardvarks” to “zyzzyva”—and nearly 3,000 other topics in between. He printed 1,500 copies. “My motivation really wasn’t to make money on this,” he says. “If anyone gets a chuckle out of this, great, I’ve done my job. If it makes them ponder a little bit, or feel that they got some good advice, even better.”

In keeping with the spirit of the book, Rosenblum asked friends to write mock blurbs for the back cover.

In one of them, Lanny Davis, the former White House special counsel

to President Bill Clinton, commented: “Larry Rosenblum is one of the funniest friends I have known over the years—or so he tells me.” U.S. Rep. Chris Van Hollen of Kensington writes: “Don’t read this book. It could be dangerous to your physical and mental health. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.” Rosenblum’s kids also wrote in the foreword that the book “might actually come in handy someday if we ever get around to reading it ourselves.”

Rosenblum is now working on his second book, Sure Dad, That’s How it Happened, a collection of “mostly” true, self-deprecating anecdotes from his life.

If his kids ever get around to reading either book, he says, “They’ll hear my voice come through loud and clear.

That, to me, is a pretty cool legacy.”

Photo by mike olliver

Larry Rosenblum of Boyds

seems like a pretty serious guy. A CPA, he was also treasurer of County Executive Ike Leggett’s most recent election campaign. But it turns out that there’s a lot more to Rosenblum than crunching numbers.

“I discovered kind of late in life that I enjoy writing,” he says. About 20 years ago, Rosenblum began writing his family’s annual holiday letter, turning the typical year-end summaries of family life into spoofs. “One year we won the lottery, another we rode in a spaceship, my daughter was a cheerleader at the Super Bowl…ridiculous stuff,” he says.

A few years after starting that tradition, Rosenblum had a nightmare in which he was hit by a truck. He recalls waking up and feeling like there was so much he wanted to tell his children.

So he decided to write it all down.

And write he did—for the next decade and a half.

His kids, Sam, now 28, and Amy, now 31, were teenagers then, and Rosenblum, 60, says they remember him carrying a notepad everywhere and stopping at red lights—or sometimes midsentence—to scribble down his thoughts. The end result? Sure Dad, You Know Everything: A Father’s Whimsical Guide to His Children (And Then Some), a collection of humorous musings and tidbits of serious advice,

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hot list

Your guide to Bethesda area happenings — from hot to not By andrew metcalf

Maryland politics just got a whole lot more interesting: In March, Sen. Barbara Mikulski announced her retirement, creating a vacuum that Montgomery County Rep. Chris Van Hollen hopes to fill. With Van Hollen vacating his District 8 seat, a slew of local politicians are stepping up in hopes of succeeding him.

Finding a parking spot near Bethesda Row has finally gotten easier. The Capital Crescent Garage added 960 spaces to the area at the corner of Woodmont and Bethesda avenues.

Marriott International announced that it plans to move its corporate headquarters out of the suburban office park the company currently occupies on Fernwood Road in Bethesda to a more Metro-accessible location in order to help attract younger workers. Montgomery County officials still have time to woo the company into finding a new location here—Marriott’s lease expires in 2022.

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An early morning March fire destroyed two longtime Silver Spring restaurants—Quarry House Tavern, a beloved dive bar, and Indian restaurant Bombay Gaylord.

At press time, the future of the two restaurants was uncertain.

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book Report

By Maura Mahoney

What’s on your bedside table?

Colman McCarthy’s Teaching Peace: Students Exchange Letters with Their Teacher (Vanderbilt University Press, 2015) was inspired by a conversation with Harper Lee, the author of To Kill a Mockingbird. McCarthy and Lee were receiving honorary degrees at Spring Hill College in Alabama in 1997, and McCarthy, the co-founder of the District’s Center for Teaching Peace and a volunteer teacher at B-CC, asked Lee whether she was still writing. She replied that she writes back to schoolchildren every day. McCarthy’s new book is a collection of students’ letters and his responses.

By Garrett Park’s David O. Stewart, Madison’s Gift: Five Partnerships That Built America (Simon & Schuster, 2015) studies the important relationships that James Madison, the country’s fourth president, had with Alexander Hamilton, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, James Monroe, and Madison’s wife, Dolley. The book also covers key events in Madison’s public life, including the writing of the Constitution, the adoption of the Bill of Rights and the War of 1812. “Madison tends to get short shrift,” Stewart says, “but for the first 25 years of our nation, he was there for everything.”

thriller by A.X. Ahmad, an Indian-American novelist who often teaches at the Bethesda Writer’s Center. It’s the second in his series about Ranjit Singh, a former Indian army captain now making his way in America, and aside from a taut plot and some great characters, the book also offers a fascinating glimpse into South Asian expat life in New York.”

Chevy Chase resident Allan Topol has a new thriller out, his 11th novel, called The Washington Lawyer (SelectBooks, 2015). The book tells the story of hotshot attorney Andrew Martin, who is asked by a senator to help him cover up a murder.

When the homicide victim’s twin sister begins to investigate the crime, she uncovers both Chinese espionage and a plot that would expose some of Washington, D.C.’s most influential power players.

Topol is a senior counsel at the D.C. law firm of Covington & Burling.

John McQuaid, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist who lives in Silver Spring, says his kids helped inspire his book, Tasty: The Art and Science of What We Eat (Scribner, 2015).

McQuaid’s daughter prefers bland comfort foods while his son likes spicy food, and McQuaid began to wonder why. “Taste has always been a kind of second-class sense,” he says, “because it’s been tied to the body, overeating and gluttony—all the things which lead us astray—as opposed to more exalted senses like vision and hearing, which allow us to appreciate great works of art. But it’s actually quite complex.”

Photo courtesy of Gary Krist; Book covers courtesy of Barnes & Noble

The Washington Post called Empire of Sin: A Story of Sex, Jazz, Murder, and the Battle for Modern New Orleans (Crown) by Bethesda’s Gary Krist one of the best books of 2014.

We wondered what Krist has been reading lately. Here’s what he had to say: “I’ve been kept up late for two nights now by The Last Taxi Ride (Minotaur Books, 2014), a ferociously readable literary

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What Bethesda’s Reading

Café Muse. The monthly literary program includes open readings and featured readers. In May: Keyne Cheshire, an associate professor at Davidson College who translates ancient poetry, and poeteditor Barbara Goldberg.

7 p.m. Free. Friendship Heights Village Center, Chevy Chase, 301-6562797, www.wordworksdc. com/cafe_muse.html.

May 16

Photo Courtesy of Barbara Goldberg

Gaithersburg Book Festival. More than 100 authors are expected for the sixth annual event, which will feature signings and panel discussions. Featured authors include The Washington Post’s Fred Bowen and Ellen McCarthy, Jeffery Deaver, Sarah McCoy and David O. Stewart. 10 a.m.

Free. On the grounds of Gaithersburg City Hall, www.gaithersburgbook festival.org.

June 1

Café Muse. The monthly literary program includes open readings and featured readers. In June: poets Brandel France de Bravo and Anne Higgins.

7 p.m. Free. Friendship Heights Village Center, Chevy Chase, 301-6562797, www.wordworksdc. com/cafe_muse.html.

Hardcover Fiction

May 4

Barnes & Noble Nationwide/www.bn.com

Barnes & Noble Bethesda 1. The Girl on the Train, Paula Hawkins 2. All the Light We Cannot See, Anthony Doerr 3. A Spool of Blue Thread, Anne Tyler 4. The Whites, Richard Price (as Harry Brandt) 5. The Buried Giant, Kazuo Ishiguro 6. The Nightingale, Kristin Hannah 7. Leaving Berlin, Joseph Kanon 8. Mightier Than the Sword, Jeffrey Archer 9. Gray Mountain, John Grisham 10. Prodigal Son, Danielle Steel

1. The Girl on the Train, Paula Hawkins 2. NYPD Red 3, James Patterson, Marshall Karp 3. All the Light We Cannot See, Anthony Doerr 4. A Spool of Blue Thread, Anne Tyler 5. Endangered, C.J. Box 6. The Assassin, Clive Cussler, Justin Scott 7. Last One Home, Debbie Macomber 8. The Nightingale, Kristin Hannah 9. Mightier Than the Sword, Jeffrey Archer 10. The Buried Giant, Kazuo Ishiguro

Hardcover Nonfiction

LITERARY events CALENDAR

Data provided by:

1. The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing, Marie Kondo 2. Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End, Atul Gawande 3. Dead Wake: The Last Crossing of the Lusitania, Erik Larson 4. Believer: My Forty Years in Politics, David Axelrod 5. Yes, Please, Amy Poehler 6. Guinness World Records 2015, Guinness World Records 7. Red Notice: A True Story of High Finance, Murder, and One Man’s Fight for Justice, Bill Browder 8. What If? Serious Scientific Answers to Absurd Hypothetical Questions, Randall Munroe 9. Goddesses Never Age: The Secret Prescription for Radiance, Vitality, and Well-Being, Christiane Northrup 10. The Innovators: How a Group of Hackers, Geniuses, and Geeks Created the Digital Revolution, Walter Isaacson

1. Dead Wake: The Last Crossing of the Lusitania, Erik Larson 2. The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing, Marie Kondo 3. Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End, Atul Gawande 4. Every Day I Fight, Stuart Scott, Larry Platt 5. American Sniper: Memorial Edition, Chris Kyle, Scott McEwen, Jim DeFelice 6. Money Master the Game, Tony Robbins 7. Killing Patton, Bill O’Reilly, Martin Dugard 8. Yes, Please, Amy Poehler 9. StrengthsFinder 2.0, Tom Rath 10. 17 Carnations: The Royals, the Nazis and the Biggest Cover-Up in History, Andrew Morton

Paperback (Fiction and Nonfiction)

Barbara Goldberg

Top - selling books as of March 20 at the Barnes & Noble in Bethesda compared with Barnes & Noble stores nationwide and at www.bn.com

1. The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics, Daniel James Brown 2. Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption, Laura Hillenbrand 3. The Sixth Extinction: An Unnatural History, Elizabeth Kolbert 4. Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns), Mindy Kaling 5. Orphan Train, Christina Baker Kline 6. American Sniper (Movie Tie-In Edition): The Autobiography of the Most Lethal Sniper in U.S. Military History, Chris Kyle, Scott McEwen, Jim DeFelice 7. Still Alice, Lisa Genova 8. Alan Turing: The Enigma: The Book That Inspired the Film The Imitation Game, Andrew Hodges 9. ISIS: Inside the Army of Terror, Michael Weiss, Hassan Hassan 10. Remember Me Like This, Bret Anthony Johnston

1. Fifty Shades of They: Insights That Bring Life to Your Relationships, Ed Young 2. A Work in Progress, Connor Franta 3. Paper Towns, John Green 4. The Beauty Detox Power, Kimberly Snyder 5. The Art of Work, Jeff Goins 6. Thrive, Arianna Huffington 7. And the Good News Is . . ., Dana Perino 8. I Hate Myselfie, Shane Dawson 9. The Five Love Languages, Gary D. Chapman 10. The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics, Daniel James Brown

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Eyes on the Sky Lots of kids like airplanes.

But Ryan Ewing likes them more than most.

Ask Ryan Ewing to describe himself, and the freshman at The Heights School in Potomac will say, “I’m a normal teenager. I go to school, I wear braces—I just happen to have a thing for airplanes.” Does he ever. The Bethesda resident has about 40 airplane models, thousands of aviation photos and an aviation memorabilia collection that includes vintage and new airline magazines, vintage and new pins, “kiddie” plastic wings, and decks of airline playing cards.

Every Saturday, Ewing heads to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, where he provides information to airline passengers as part of the Travelers Aid program there. At 15, he is the airport’s youngest Travelers Aid volunteer, and has amassed more than 200 hours with the program.

In February 2013, Ryan began an online publication called Airline Geeks, which covers topics such as airline safety, announcements of new airline routes, and airline industry trends, all written by Ryan and a team of young aviation enthusiasts from around the country. According to Ryan, the website has attracted as many as 50,000 monthly visitors, and has nearly 10,000 Twitter followers.

Ryan has taken a few flying lessons at Montgomery County Airpark in Gaithersburg, but a lack of free time (“I do have to go to school and do homework,” he says) and poor eyesight have forced him to channel his aviation passion into these projects and pastimes instead. Where did this obsession come from? Ryan’s not sure. “I didn’t catch the aviation bug,” he says. “I was born with it.”

Photo by Mike Olliver

BY Maura Mahoney

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banter

Bethesda Metro 2.0

Two visions for how to inject life into Bethesda’s Metro plaza

By Andrew Metcalf

Proposal 1

Now, as Montgomery County planners begin rewriting the Bethesda Downtown Plan, two developers are eyeing the plaza. A decision on what to do with the space would likely not be made until the County Council approves the Bethesda Downtown Plan, which isn’t expected until 2016.

In the meantime, here’s a look at the plans—and why they may or may not succeed.

Proposal 2

Another Bethesda Lane?

An Urban Park

Developer: Brookfield Office Properties

Developer: Clark Enterprises

The plan: The New York City-based developer’s plan involves constructing a high-rise where the brick hardscape and fountains are now. Two retail alleyways— similar in size to Bethesda Lane, the pedestrian-only street in Bethesda Row—would surround the building and guide pedestrians into a new park where the ice rink used to be.

At a community meeting in February, Brookfield officials said that the park could be used for movies, concerts or other performances.

The plan: Bethesda-based Clark, which is headquartered next to the plaza, has partnered with national architectural firm Cooper Carry to create a plan that would involve large green spaces. The proposal includes two concepts. One has interactive features such as movable seating, bocce ball courts, ping-pong tables and fountains that children can play in. The other design puts more emphasis on passive features like shade structures and pedestrian walkways. Both designs include large lawns for movies or shows, trees and sculptures to provide shade, and architectural columns.

Why it could happen: Brookfield has a long-term ground lease on the property with the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, which gives it development rights to the land.

Why it might not: Currently, the Bethesda Downtown Plan does not allow high-rises in the plaza. Brookfield is asking for the zoning to be changed. A different proposal by the Meridian Group to build a high-rise on the site was rejected in 2009 by the Montgomery County Planning Board, which ruled that the master plan didn’t envision a large building there.

Why it could happen: Residents have repeatedly asked planners for more parks and green space in downtown Bethesda.

Why it might not: Clark doesn’t have the rights to develop the land. The company is hoping the idea can gain support from the public and possibly influence Brookfield to sell the development rights or pursue a similar plan.

Renderings courtesy of Brookfield office properties and Clark Enterprises

At the intersection of Old Georgetown Road and Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda’s Metro plaza was originally intended to be a public park and community gathering spot. But the space, which currently consists of a pair of fountains, an escalator, a yellow sculpture and a patch of grass that used to be an ice rink, has never fulfilled its potential or taken full advantage of its central location.

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banter

What we learned from Joshua Starr

Advice for the next superintendent

By Julie Rasicot

1. Be clear on your marching orders.

When Starr was hired in 2011, board members said they weren’t looking for a change agent. And yet, three and a half years later, some members of the school board reportedly thought he wasn’t moving fast enough to solve persistent problems such as the achievement gap between whites and Asians and other minority students.

Theresa Daem, executive director of the National Association of School Superintendents, says a new superintendent would do well to make sure that performance expectations and goals are clear. “How can a person be successful if you don’t know the criteria you will be judged by to be successful?” she says.

2. Get to know your district. During his first year, Starr embarked on a “listening tour,” visiting schools and meeting often with students and parents to hear their concerns—a smart move, education experts say. Visibility is important, says Daniel Domenech, a former superintendent of Fairfax County Public Schools and executive director of AASA, The School Superintendents Association. He says new superintendents should think of themselves as running for office every year. “Always keep in mind that you work for the school board, and the board that hires you is not always the board that’s going to be there,” he says.

3. Don’t be the smartest person in the room. Some school board members thought Starr could be “haughty” and dismissive of their concerns. Other

people thought he could be too much of a technocrat, unable to clearly articulate his message. That can be a big negative, especially in a district like Montgomery County. “This is a very high-visibility area. You get huge coverage you usually don’t get anywhere else,” Domenech says. “If you don’t have the skills and training to be a good public speaker and communicator, you’re going to be in trouble.”

4. Read the tea leaves. Trying to satisfy everyone is an impossible task. Still, it’s important to keep track of the public mood, especially on emotional issues like changing school start times and dealing with district employees accused of inappropriate conduct toward students. And that’s where Starr seems to have lost his stride—critics thought he was too willing to drop the idea of dramatically changing start times because it proved too expensive and said he did not react quickly enough to the abuse issue. Domenech says that in a district like Montgomery County keeping the job may be tougher than getting it in the first place. “Be sure that at no time, 51 percent of the people are angry with you because then it’s over,” he says.

“You’re out.” n

Photo by Michael Ventura

Montgomery County Public Schools is about to get its second new chief in four years.

Running a system the size of MCPS—with 202 schools, 154,000 students and nearly 23,000 employees—requires a specific skill set, one that a majority of Board of Education members apparently found lacking in Joshua Starr. The superintendent left Feb. 16 shortly after learning that he would not be offered another fouryear term.

Starr’s tenure has taught us a few lessons—good and bad—about trying to run the state’s largest school system while also juggling the demands of teachers, parents and politicians. With those challenges in mind, here’s some advice for the next person to move into the superintendent’s office in Rockville.

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banter | suburbanology

by april witt

A movable feast There’s a form of etiquette in Iranian culture—tarof—that requires hosts to feed guests with gracious insistence.

Sam Tahmasbi, 39, chef-owner of Saffron Food Lovers food truck, is teaching me about tarof one delicious morsel after another.

The chef and one assistant are in the stainless-steel galley kitchen in the back of Saffron Food Lovers, preparing for a lunch-hour rush. They ready fresh salad with homemade dressing, steam rice in chicken stock with saffron, thread thick chunks of lamb, beef, chicken and tomatoes onto long skewers ready to grill, and stack small containers of yogurt sauce made from Sam’s mother’s recipe.

I sit sideways in the driver’s seat of the truck, watching Sam pirouette from stove to oven and back again. Every few minutes he brings me some Persian delicacy, redolent of saffron, that I must eat—or risk dishonoring my host.

“I made this for you,” he says as he unmolds a baked rice, yogurt and saffron dish called tahchin, revealing its golden crust before cutting it into neat squares.

“You cut it like a cake!” he says.

Sam—an elegantly-mannered perfectionist—spent years as a waiter at white-tablecloth restaurants in Montgomery County. It pains him to see me balancing a plastic container of his subtle cuisine on my knees. Suddenly he grabs a huge and empty cooking pot, turns it upside down, wedges it next to me, and covers it with a white dish towel. “A white tablecloth,” he says triumphantly.

Cooking and hospitality come naturally to Sam, who grew up in Iran. His mother and her mother were expert cooks. His father’s family ran a small hotel with two catering halls for weddings. “I always helped them at home or in the hotel,” he says. “Sometimes I think I can’t do anything else. I grew up

working with food. It’s in my body.”

Sam left Iran in 2002 and settled in Bethesda, where he still lives with his wife and daughter. He gravitated to food service, always cobbling together two or three jobs at once to work 80-hour weeks. Initially he worked days as a Starbucks barista, nights at Picasso Grill in Potomac, where he agreed to start as a busboy. “I didn’t know what ‘busboy’ meant,” he recalls. “After a month, I told them I think I have more knowledge than cleaning tables.” He waited tables at Picasso Grill until its rent tripled and the restaurant closed. Then he worked in the catering department at Balducci’s on Old Georgetown Road in Bethesda. He was a longtime popular server at two top Bethesda restaurants that are also now

illustration by claudine hellmuth

Bethesda’s Sam Tahmasbi hopes to parlay his food truck into a restaurant one day

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banter | Suburbanology

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closed: Rock Creek and Assaggi Mozzarella Bar. Everywhere Sam worked, he watched and learned.

Undeterred by the vagaries of the restaurant business, Sam dreamed of opening his own. He longed to introduce diners here to Iranian food beyond kebabs: from the Persian version of Russian dishes such as beef and chicken stroganoff, which are popular across Iran, to the African-influenced dishes from the south of Iran.

A friend once said Sam should start with a food truck. “What is a food truck?” Sam recalls asking.

That was six years ago. Today, legions of culinary hopefuls are finding new ways to do rolling food service that have nothing to do with the trucks that used to serve microwaved hot dogs at construction sites. Frank Noto III, 28, of Rockville attended culinary school before buying a wood-burning pizza oven that he hauls from office parks to children’s parties to turn out pizzas that are handmade from scratch. His truck, Fat Frankie’s Pizza, is one of more than 100 full-time food trucks now licensed to operate in Montgomery County.

In 2013, Sam bought a 30-year-old truck with help from a friend and had it rebuilt with a custom kitchen and a wood-clad exterior. It looks like a cottage—complete with shutters and a roof—on wheels.

Saffon Food Lovers is licensed in the District. Sam’s planning to expand into Montgomery County and buy a second food truck—a few more steps on the path to owning a traditional restaurant.

Mobile cuisine is not all sweet dreams and saffron. The generator once failed when Sam’s truck was loaded with hundreds of dollars worth of food. With no way to keep the food hot or cold on the truck, Sam called his wife and told her to invite everyone they knew to their place for an impromptu party.

“I check the Weather Channel about 100 times a day,” Sam says. Last winter, the truck’s pipes froze more than once,

forcing Sam to spend more than $1,000 on new plumbing. When it rains or snows, the kitchen floor can get dangerously slippery. “If I break something on my body, everything is done,” he says.

To support his family while he builds his business, Sam works nights at an upscale District restaurant. After his shift ends—whether it is 9 p.m. or midnight—he begins preparing for the next day on the food truck. He cuts up chicken, beef and lamb to marinate for the next day’s kebabs. He slow roasts whole legs of lamb for a dish that always sells out. He soaks vats of rice so the kernels are fluffy, not sticky, when he steams them the next day. It’s not unusual for him to still be cooking at 1:45 a.m.

He rises by 5:30 on weekdays to continue preparing. Sometimes he sees his daughter, now 9, for 30 minutes or an hour before she leaves for school. When they part, Sam says they say, “ ‘See you tomorrow.’ That’s just the way it is for now. I’m a little bit far from what I want.”

By 11:15 one recent morning, the Saffron Food Lovers food truck is parked on Connecticut Avenue in Northwest Washington. If it’s a very busy day, he and his assistant will serve 120 lunches— more than some restaurants do with kitchen staffs of 15.

Sam’s efforts aren’t lost on customers such as Smruti Radkar, 35, a lawyer for the University of the District of Columbia. “The food is amazing,” she says.

“When we see his truck is here, there’s no question where everyone in my office is eating lunch. If he opens a restaurant, I’d be a regular.”

For now, Sam’s food is served in white plastic foam containers. He hands them out a side window of the truck and then—improbably—makes a small, formal bow before saying: “I hope everything is to your liking.” n April Witt (aprilwitt@hotmail.com) is a former Washington Post writer who lives in Bethesda.

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banter | hometown

by steve roberts

A Teacher After All

All Fired Up owner Liz Winchell says pottery can be a wonderful outlet for people who are struggling. “It’s art therapy,” she says.

When she was in college,

Liz Winchell wanted to be a special education teacher. But she has dyslexia, a learning disability that impairs her capacity to read and write, and her professors at New England College in New Hampshire were brutally candid.

“It didn’t work out,” she says. “I did my student teaching and my kids in the fourth grade had a better reading level than I did. So I failed my student teaching. They said, ‘You’re not going to be a teacher.’ ” They were wrong.

Today, at 42, Winchell runs All Fired Up, a studio on Elm Street in the center of Bethesda where folks can

walk through the door, paint a piece of pottery, and go home later with a work of art. The disability that plagued her in college now gives her a keen insight into how to reach customers on their own terms.

“Everybody learns differently so you have to tap into how they learn best,” she says. “I see it all the time in the store here. When kids come in, sometimes I can explain it to them verbally and they get it. Sometimes I see questions in their minds. They don’t really understand what I’m saying. So I say, ‘Let’s walk through this.’ You go step-by-step, and allow them to comprehend, so they have the tools to do it right.”

Winchell had a happy childhood, living on Chevy Chase Boulevard off Wisconsin Avenue and climbing trees in Norwood Park. But in second grade at Somerset Elementary her dyslexia began to show up.

“When it came to story time in class, everyone had to get up and read a story,” Liz remembers. “I just looked at the pictures and told the story, without reading it. I did a lot of things to cover up the fact that I wasn’t reading.”

Her disability had emotional as well as practical effects. As we talk at a work table in the back of her studio, she says, “There were lots of times when I felt stupid, when I didn’t feel worthy.”

Photo by Liz Lynch

For Liz Winchell, owning a pottery studio is about more than creating ceramics

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Her parents—her father ran a direct-mail business, her mother had a master’s degree in child development—removed her from Somerset and enrolled her in a special program at The Center School in Chevy Chase, which is now closed. There, teachers understood that while most students can remember a word after a few repetitions, dyslexics take far longer.

One gym exercise was devoted to learning the words a lot, Liz recalls: “As we did jumping jacks, we would spell and say out loud, ‘A LOT.’ We would repeat this over and over 20 times. At the end of the week, we had five new words added to our memory banks.”

Winchell’s father thought she could never finish high school—a fear he only revealed years later. For ninth grade, she was sent to Landmark

School in Beverly, Massachusetts, a pioneer in teaching learning disabled students. She no longer felt stupid or unworthy since all the other students “were on the same page and on the same level.”

“It doesn’t become an ugly thing,” she says of her dyslexia, “it becomes who you are and you embrace that.”

After college, she moved to Seattle.

Art had always been her refuge, a way to express her feelings when words failed, so one day, when she saw a paint-your-own pottery place, she stopped in.

“I made a mug and I loved it, it was the coolest thing,” Liz says.

When she returned home, she got a job at a ceramics studio called Made By You. Within six months she was managing the place, and when

the owner decided to sell, recalls Winchell, “I said, ‘This is for me, it’s exactly what I should be doing.’ ” That was 11 years ago. Today her renamed enterprise has two locations—the other is in Cleveland Park—and she’s selling much more than ceramics. Parents bring kids who are struggling in school or dealing with divorce. Adults come who are battling depression or loneliness.

“It’s a place of healing in a way,” says Winchell. “That sounds weird, but it is.

It’s art therapy. Everyone who comes in has a story and you have to figure out how to help them.”

One boy visits every year and makes his father a birthday present—a plate with his handprint on it. After 9/11, a man painted three tiles with planes crashing into buildings. An older fellow

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came with a group of senior citizens and painted a nude woman on a platter.

“The people from the retirement community called and told me not to bring the platter back,” laughs Liz. “His wife was really upset.”

The most powerful stories come from wounded veterans. For six years, Winchell taught classes at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center, where many patients were learning to use a prosthetic device after losing a limb.

The classes were so successful that the medical staff started requiring the veterans to attend them.

“It was more beneficial than the occupational therapy they were doing,” Winchell says. “You’re painting an object, you’re thinking about your wife who can’t be with you, you’re doing something for someone, and that has a lot more impact than just doing the exercises with your hands and legs.

There’s sort of a mission.”

She ordered special ceramics for the classes—Apache helicopters, Humvees—and some soldiers would gravitate directly to those models.

“They’d say, ‘Oh, I’m putting my unit on there, I know exactly how I’m going to paint this,’ ” says Winchell. “Other guys would come in and say, ‘I don’t want to look at those, I never want to see an Apache helicopter again in my life.’ ” The classes ended last year, a victim of enhanced security that makes it increasingly difficult for outsiders to visit military hospitals, but Liz’s voice still breaks when she talks about the soldiers. “Sorry,” she whispers, “I’m very emotional, I’m pregnant.”

So it’s not just the customers at All Fired Up who have a story to tell. The owner does too. A story about a girl who never gave up on herself, and became a teacher after all. n Steve Roberts teaches journalism and politics at George Washington University. Send ideas for future columns to sroberts@gwu.edu.

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It’s dinnertime.

table props and styling by Çaya cagri of cottage monet; food styling by darline thomas; shot on location at dawson’s market, rockville

Everyone’s hungry, but nobody wants to go out to eat, and the last thing you want to do is cook.

That’s where we come in.

Welcome to our carryout guide, which is packed with ideas to make it easier to get dinner on the table. From sushi places that deliver to farmers market finds to our picks for pizza, pasta and more—we’ve got you covered.

What’s for Dinner?

By Carole Sugarman

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what’s for dinner?

A Slice oF tradition After trying takeout from a couple of artisan pizza parlors, we’ve come to the conclusion that wood-fired pies taste better when eaten at the restaurant. Like temperamental sports cars, they require careful maintenance, and their blistered, pillowy crusts often deflate in transit.

Plus, since they’re cooked so briefly, they cool too quickly. So for pizza to go, we prefer the sturdier stuff, cooked in gas or electric deck ovens.

Vace

Giuseppi’s Pizza Plus

Best slice

Best sausage

Pete’s New Haven Style Apizza Most family friendly

If it’s not a whole pie you’re after, the venerable Vace always has a selection of slices with five different toppings (plain cheese, pepperoni or mushroom, plus white pizza with either spinach or onions). With thin crusts and vibrant-tasting tomato sauce, these triangles, at $2.25 each, reheat well at home (see below). But some people just can’t wait. The last time we were there, a guy bought a couple of slices and scarfed them down in his car.

At most pizza joints, sausage toppings are nothing special. That’s certainly not the case at Giuseppi’s, a 25-year-old family-owned operation that jazzes up Italian-style pork sausage with an additional shot of spices, including fennel, black pepper and garlic. We liked the chewy crust and oozy cheese, too. Also good to know: Giuseppi’s offers halfcooked pies to go. We finished off one at home, and it really did taste freshly baked.

The crust is not too doughy and not too crisp, and the sauce and cheese are not too thin and not too thick. As Goldilocks would say, “It’s just right.” This is pizza the whole family will enjoy, whether it’s a simple “Margarita” pie for the kids, or a specialty version such as the “Merritt Parkway”—with prosciutto, Kalamata olives, caramelized onions, basil and extra-virgin olive oil—for the grown-ups. And if there are any leftovers, you can follow Pete’s reheating instructions on the box and easily replicate the taste a second time.

4705 Miller Ave., Bethesda, 301-654-6367, www.vaceitaliandeli.com

335 Kentlands Blvd., Gaithersburg, 301-869-1111; 199-L E. Montgomery Ave., Rockville, 301-424-0413, www. giuseppispizza.net. Delivery available.

4940 Wisconsin Ave. NW, Washington, D.C., 202-237-7383; 962 Wayne Ave., Silver Spring, 301-588-7383, www.petesapizza. com. Delivery available.

hot flash What’s the best way to reheat leftover slices?

Microwaving may be the fastest, but it’s also the quickest way to kill a crisp crust. Ovens and toaster ovens do the trick, but tend to dry things out.

We found that reheating on the stove top wins hands down. It’s recommended on numerous websites and blogs, and there are directions on the delivery boxes for Pete’s New Haven Style Apizza.

Here’s what you do: Place slices in a skillet (no oil needed), cover and cook over low-medium heat for three to five minutes, until crust is crisp and cheese is hot and melted. According to the Pete’s box, this method works best because “stove top-covered skillet reheating most closely resembles the original method of baking the pizza: with a hot, solid surface underneath and very hot air above.”

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a

Mike Manos (left) and son Louie Manos stick with tradition at Continental Pizza in Kensington.

Continental Pizza Best old - fashioned joint With no website or advertising, and a Facebook page created by loyal customers, Continental Pizza continues to serve the same pizza and subs it has been making since 1967.

“If you’re doing something this long, and doing it right, why change anything?” says Louie Manos, son of original owner Mike Manos, 86, who still comes to work in the morning. The pizzas aren’t hip, but they’re more than satisfying, including the “Continental Special,” which is topped with mushrooms, sausage, pepperoni and onions, and comes with a cookiedough texture crust. The prices are yesteryear, too. Most of the small pies, which can feed two people easily, cost $8.

10532 Connecticut Ave. (Kensington Shopping Center), Kensington, 301-949-9797.

Carryout menu available at the shop.

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what’s for dinner?

The Pecking Order

The stylish takeout packaging at Nando’s Peri-Peri stands out.

Roast chicken is a carryout standby. Here are some of our favorite places to pick up the poultry, and why we like them.

Nando’s Peri-Peri

Whole Foods Market

Best packaging

Best supermarket version

Founded in South Africa in 1987 by Portuguese-born Fernando Duarte, Nando’s has grown into an international chain with more than 1,000 locations. From the restaurants’ colorful African décor to chicken that’s electrified by sauces made with peri-peri, otherwise known as the African Bird’s Eye chili pepper, Nando’s is a fast-casual eatery with a bold personality. The clever marketing extends to the carryout packaging—cardboard boxes with swirly black designs that include the chain’s whimsical rooster logo, and attractive brown bags to match. Side dishes come in Chinese-style takeout cartons printed with messages such as, “We’re at your peck and call.”

Most supermarket rotisserie birds are pretty pedestrian, but Whole Foods’ herb-coated flock is upper class. The Bell & Evans chickens—showered with an herbes de Provence-like mixture of rosemary, thyme, parsley, salt, garlic, black pepper and paprika—retain their juiciness, pair well with any side dish, and also taste good cold.

Available at Whole Foods Markets in Bethesda, Silver Spring, Chevy Chase, Gaithersburg and Rockville

Yamas Mediterranean Grill Best side dishes The homey Greek baked chicken is lovely and lemony, but the side dishes are beyond ordinary, particularly the gigantes, giant Greek lima beans cooked in tomato sauce, basil, chopped onions and fresh garlic. The comforting concoction pairs well with the wedge-cut roasted potatoes, perfumed with garlic, lemon and oregano. Virtuous veggies also include tomato-and-onion-laced green beans and a mixed roast of zucchini, eggplant, red pepper and onions that’s tossed into a pasta salad with orzo, feta and pine nuts.

4806 Rugby Ave., Bethesda, 301-312-8384, www.yamasgrill.com

Nando’s Peri-Peri, with locations in Tenleytown, Bethesda, Silver Spring and Gaithersburg, also offers online ordering at www.nandosperiperi. com.

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Peruvian Taste Test Peruvian chicken places have popped up everywhere in our area, but when buying the birds in Bethesda, these two popular options are often compared. We tasted them side by side.

The contestants: Chicken on the Run and Don Pollo The similarities: Both places share co-owner Carlos Ramirez and use the same beer-based brine and spiced marinade for their chickens.

The differences: Chicken on the Run turns its birds in a brick oven; Don Pollo uses a stainless steel oven.

Don Pollo is newer and bigger with better parking, and is slightly more expensive.

The results: In a breast-to-breast, leg-to-leg, wing-to-wing comparison, the Chicken on the Run parts had a noticeably stronger kick, with moister meat and more flavorful skin. Don Pollo cooks a perfectly acceptable bird, but it just shows how the same recipes can turn out differently, depending on who’s making them and where.

A Bright Future is Closer Than You Think

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what’s for dinner?

Pasta Playoff

Who needs to labor over lasagna when Italian delis have already done the work? We compared meat lasagnas from four local establishments. All were previously frozen, and all but one provide four or so generous servings.

PLACE

ADDRESS

PRICE

COMMENTS

1st

Manoli Canoli

8540 Connecticut Ave., Chevy Chase, 301-951-1818, www.manolicanoli.com

$15.95

Best all-around flavor, meaty, welcome addition of fresh basil and parsley

2nd

Cornucopia*

8102 Norfolk Ave., Bethesda, 301-652-1625 (no website)

$15.99

Lotta ricotta, plus Romano and mozzarella (cheesy in a good way); top-notch traditional version

Vace

4705 Miller Ave., Bethesda, 301-654-6367, www.vaceitaliandeli.com

$15

Very bland, noodles tasted soft and mushy

$11.95

Looked appetizing, but the interior was soupy and unappealing

3

rd

(tie) Vignola Gourmet 11612 Boiling Brook Place, Rockville,

301-770-4523, www.vignolagourmet.com

*Cornucopia’s lasagna is made according to the store’s specifications by a shop in South Philadelphia’s Italian Market area. It comes in a microwave-safe container and feeds two to three people. All other lasagnas in the taste test are made in-house, come in aluminum tins and provide four generous servings.

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fig 1: Soba Noodle Bowl with Chicken An exotic blend of ingredients just waiting to be explored.

1: Soy-Miso Broth

4: Chicken

2: Soba Noodles

3: Spinach

5: Oversized Spoon

eat adventuRously with our

new bRoth bowls ©2015 Panera Bread St. Louis MO 63127. All Rights Reserved.

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4/7/15 11:37 AM

what’s for dinner?

Sushi in Reel Time

Remember when Chinese restaurants and pizzerias were the only places that delivered? These days, a growing number of Japanese eateries are delivering dinner to your door, reflecting a surge in the popularity of sushi. The places that follow also sell sushi, sashimi and roll assortments on party platters, an easy and attractive option for an impromptu dinner gathering. All you need to do is place them on the table—there’s no worrying about keeping the food hot.

En Bistro & Sushi

Opened in February 2014 by Billy Ye, a Shanghaiborn chef who also has worked at Japanese restaurants in Toyko and Washington, D.C., En Bistro & Sushi offers sushi and Chinese dishes. More than half of the tiny restaurant’s business is carryout and delivery, and Ye also does lots of catering, often for golf tournaments, conventions and bar and bat mitzvahs. Delivery is available within 3 miles of the restaurant, with a $20 minimum order. Party trays range from $55 to $80.

9945 Falls Road, Potomac, 301-983-8600, www.enbistro.com

Maki Maki

“Keep calm and enjoy,” says the message on the website of this Bethesda standby, which is made possible by the restaurant’s easygoing service. True to its name, the menu offers more than 50 types of maki. Delivery is available within 3 miles of the restaurant, with a $20 minimum order. Party trays range from $65 to $95.

8023 Wisconsin Ave., Bethesda, 301-913-9888, www.makimakisushi.com

Sushi Oishii

Chef Billy Ye at En Bistro & Sushi creates sushi and Chinese dishes.

This neighborhood spot offers a lengthy and inventive array of rolls, and Yelpers gush about Ricky Weng, the sushi chef. Online ordering is easy and efficient. For some quirky entertainment, check out the website’s magic popcorn video. Delivery is available within 5 miles of the restaurant, with a $25 minimum order. Party trays range from $49.80 to $79.80.

9706 Traville Gateway Drive, Rockville, 301-251-1177, www.sushioishii.com

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Should You Tip? Most people know they should tip for home delivery, but should you tip when picking up carryout? It depends on who you ask.

Washington Post food critic Tom Sietsema “My gut instinct is 15 percent or more for carryout, depending on the complexity of the order. This might sound like a lot; I err on the side of overtipping, partly because I used to be a server, but also because I know what often goes on behind the scenes of a restaurant when carryout orders are placed: Someone is taking the order, someone is passing it along, someone is making sure it’s packaged correctly with napkins and utensils and such. I want to acknowledge the effort, even though I might not see who’s responsible for all of it—and even though I’m not getting the kind of service (drink refills, etc.) I might if I were seated at a table. In general, I think a few bucks is fine for an order of $10 or less, $5 is appropriate for an order of $30 or less.”

Alisia Kleinmann, founder and CEO of industree, a Bethesda-based restaurant industry group “I do it on a case-by-case basis. I’m more likely to at mom-and-pop shops, where they’ll really appreciate it.”

Frank Shull, chief operating officer and partner, RW Restaurant Group “If I pick it up, no. What bothers me is how a lot of carryout places now have a tip line on the credit card bill. Even at Chipotle, if you charge your burritos and water, there’s space for a tip. I tip high on delivery—20 percent. Drivers don’t make much.”

Chevy Chase resident Georgia Guhin, who often orders carryout food “Every Sunday night we get carryout from Raku. On a $35 bill, we give them $5. My husband goes to Starbucks every morning, and he tips 50 cents on his $3.35 coffee. If I get a takeout sandwich someplace and I see there’s a tip jar, I’ll put in a dollar or two. The staffs put out a lot of effort. There’s no reason why they shouldn’t be compensated, especially since their hourly wages are so low.”

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what’s for dinner?

Top Hits at Whole Foods Who knew? General Tso’s vegan “chicken” sells like gangbusters at Whole Foods Markets in lower Montgomery County. Here’s what else customers are gobbling up from among the 150 prepared foods at each local store, where choices can differ depending on the demographics. Aside from the most popular picks among shoppers, we also asked store staffers for their favorites.

Bethesda

Chevy Chase

Rockville

Silver Spring

Kenwood Station, 5269 River Road, 301-984-4860

4420 Willard Ave., 301-657-1520

11355 Woodglen Drive, 301-984-4880

833 Wayne Ave., 301-608-9373

Top three: Macaroni and cheese General Tso’s vegan “chicken” Asian peanut noodle salad

Top three: General Tso’s vegan “chicken” Chicken salad Rotisserie chicken

Top three: General Tso’s vegan “chicken” Rustico Romano chicken Grilled salmon

Top three: Teriyaki salmon Rustico Romano chicken General Tso’s vegan “chicken”

Staff favorite: Breakfast (cinnamon French toast, cagefree scrambled eggs, huevos rancheros, plus other items)

Staff favorites: Charcuterie meats such as mortadella, soppressata and Milano salami from artisan salami producer Creminelli

Staff favorite: Niman Ranch applewood smoked ham

Staff favorite: Vegan chocolate mousse

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Did you know?

Staff members at the Silver Spring store come from every continent except Antarctica.

Customers can find a range of prepared dishes at Whole Foods Market.

photo From Whole Foods MarketÂŽ

In the Bethesda store, the area where the prepared foods and salad bar are located used to be the strike zone of the Brunswick River Bowl bowling alley.

Kentlands 316 Kentlands Blvd., 301-258-9500 Top three: Cornmeal-crusted cod Grilled salmon Beef stew Staff favorite: Pulled chicken chipotle salad (offered as a special)

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Do review the menu and decide what to order to avoid dithering on the phone when calling ahead for carryout. If you’re indecisive, online ordering (if it’s available) may be a better bet because you can take as long as you want.

»

Do order items that reheat well if you like food piping hot, since most dishes will have cooled by the time you eat them. That means sticking with foods with a high moisture content, such as soups, sauced items, braised meats and many Chinese, Thai and Indian dishes. And, of course, you’ll always be safe with salad and sushi.

»

Do be very clear about any special instructions when ordering either carryout or delivery.

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»

Do keep your device handy after ordering so the restaurant or delivery service can reach you if there are updates, changes or questions about your order.

»

Don’t expect great results when ordering items such as fried appetizers, tempura or french fries for carryout or delivery. Fried foods don’t travel well.

»

Don’t expect a fast turnaround time when ordering carryout pizza on a Friday night.

Popular places are crazy busy between 5 and 8 p.m. Think about having a pizza night earlier in the week, or order before or after those hectic hours.

»

Don’t be surprised if you have a long wait when requesting delivery during rush hour. We had swifter service when ordering for delivery after 7 p.m.

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SUMMER SIZZLES. Strathmore has your summer covered.

SUMMER

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DISCOVER STRATHMORE

COLORS OF THE CARIBBEAN Supported by Dede & Marvin Lang

Sun, June 7, 11am FREE

Annual family-friendly open house full of free music, dance, and hands-on activities celebrating the vibrant diversity and rich cultural heritage of the Caribbean.

Free Summer Outdoor Concerts Wednesday evenings July 1–August 12, 7pm

Pack a picnic and join us on the lawn for music from No BS! Brass Band, Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen, The Railsplitters, and more.

Backyard Theater for Children Thursdays in July, 9:30 & 11am

Concerts that are educational and entertaining with great bands including Secret Agent 23 Skidoo and Play Date.

BOZ SCAGGS, MELISSA ETHERIDGE, AND MORE!

Easy Me t

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

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what’s for dinner?

How Dawson’s Does It 7 a.m. Refrigerated overnight, each metal tray on the salad bar is affixed

7:20 a.m. Cook Juan Guevara readies a cooked tray of vegan macaroni

8:30 a.m. Bakery manager Shane Harrigan scores a slab of coconut

8:35 a.m. Guevara’s grilled lemon asparagus is ready for sale in the

9:25 a.m. To keep shelf lives accurate, deli counter steward Chris Laieke

10:15 a.m. Trays of food for the hot bar are reheated to 165 degrees

with a piece of masking tape that shows the date the item was cut or prepared. Raw fruits and vegetables have the longest shelf life, dishes containing protein the shortest, and mixed salads are somewhere in the middle. In determining shelf life, the store also accounts for the three to four days the food may be stored in customers’ refrigerators.

pecan blondies. Brownies and vegan carrot cake are made in the market’s Richmond store and transported frozen to Rockville; cookies are made on-site.

doesn’t mingle different batches of the same dishes. Those with little food remaining are sold in the market’s “grab and go” section. Staff can buy the oldest food items for 25 cents each or 25 cents a pound.

and cheese for the chiller. For food safety and to maintain shelf life, prepared food items are fully cooked, then blast-chilled to a temperature below 40 degrees in a matter of minutes to preserve quality and taste. Items that aren’t put out immediately for sale will be refrigerated, and dishes for the hot bar will be reheated quickly later.

cold case. The store opens at 9 a.m.

in the convection oven.

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Supermarkets are doing a lot of cooking these days, luring shoppers with enticing displays of prepared food. For a look at how one store stocks its deli case and its hot and cold food bars, we spent five hours in the kitchen at Dawson’s Market in Rockville, where a rotating staff of 18 works from 6:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.

More than 100 food items are sold each day from a roster of over 1,000 recipes, and each dish and its ingredients must be properly labeled. Suffice it to say, there are lots of moving parts.

7:30 a.m. Guevara places steamed and dressed asparagus on the grill.

8:25 a.m. Boxes of organic salad mix, spinach, kale, apples and more arrive at the loading dock, and receiver Larry McCullough checks to ensure that the deliveries match the invoices. The market receives meat and produce deliveries six days a week, and though the kitchen and market order separately, both operations use the same suppliers.

9 a.m. Food prep steward Juan Ramires, who has finished rinsing

kale leaves, dries them in an enormous salad spinner. The prepared foods department goes through 20 cases of kale each week.

9:20 a.m. Lin Thet, an independent contractor who owns Fresh Sushi Express Inc. in Rockville, buys fish and then prepares and serves sushi at Dawson’s, sharing sales profits with the market.

10:50 a.m. Food runner Leon Budd places trays on the hot food bar, which opens at 11 a.m. The temperature of the water underneath each tray is kept at about 180 degrees, but can be higher for denser items.

Noon. People start arriving for the lunch rush, including customer Bruce Perry, who comes every day. At 7 p.m., when the price of the hot food bar drops from $8.49 a pound to $4.99 a pound, Perry sometimes returns for dinner.

The kitchen also has two combination ovens that convection cook and steam, two regular Vulcan ovens, a 12-burner stove and two additional kettle-size burners.

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what’s for dinner?

Linda’s Luncheonette owner Linda Jo Kushner serves modern diner food in Montgomery County.

Meals on Wheels Food trucks are an obvious choice for portable meals. But items such as crepes, gourmet hot dogs and sandwiches with fillings that turn bread to mush need to be eaten ASAP. Barbecue, on the other hand, is completely forgiving, reheating nicely in the microwave. However, that’s not the only option. Here are some of our favorite operators who cater to later.

Hardy’s BBQ One of Corries Hardy’s trucks is a permanent fixture in the parking lot of the Montgomery Farm Women’s Cooperative Market in downtown Bethesda, but it’s only open when he fires up his outdoor pit smoker on Fridays and Saturdays.

It’s too bad he can’t be doing business in Bethesda all week long, since Hardy’s smoked meats, slow cooked over hickory, oak and maple wood, are the best around. Ditto for the homemade sauces, particularly the mustard-based Florida Gold. If you call ahead, Hardy and his wife, Roxie, will assemble a family meal

pack (see “catering services” on the website for details), which includes pulled meats by the pint, ribs, wings and whole chickens.

7155 Wisconsin Ave., Bethesda, 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Fridays, 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays, www.hardysbbq.com, @hardysbbq divine, 240-893-3182

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BC S Barbecue Since 2011, the historic Bethesda Community Store has been offering pulled meat sandwiches and other barbecue items from a kitschy log cabin lookalike stationed in its parking lot. A Southern Yankee BBQ smoker at its side, fueled by red oak, turns out big slabs of meaty ribs, plus chickens that stay moist and smoky under their blackened skins.

Traditional renditions of potato salad, coleslaw and cornbread taste like old-fashioned picnic fare. Beyond side dishes that can be ordered in family- or party-size containers, BCS also sells smoked brisket and pulled chicken and pork by the pound.

8804 Old Georgetown Road, Bethesda, 301-564-1009, www.bethesdacommunity store.com

Go Fish!

In addition to ready-to-cook crabcakes and salmon burgers, longtime seafood truck operator Missy Carr sells deconstructed lobster rolls (the lobster meat served separate from the roll), and fish taco and shrimp taco kits that are assembled right before eating. The kit containers come with two flour tortillas, cooked seafood (seasoned mahimahi or shrimp) and individual lidded cups of lime-cilantro slaw, cheddar-jack cheese and chipotle aioli.

They’re a good catch. www.gofishtruck.com, @gofishtruckdc

Linda’s Luncheonette Silver Spring resident Linda Jo Kushner and her colorful polka-dot truck have been cheerfully delivering modern diner food to Montgomery County customers for the last two years. Kushner will pack her homey offerings in easy-to-reheat packaging, such as putting the sloppy Joes filling in a container apart from the bun, or selling separated family-size portions of turkey meatloaf, mashed potatoes, salads, and macaroni and cheese.

“We want customers to have comfort food the way they like it,” she says. www.lindasluncheonette.com, @LLuncheonette BethesdaMagazine.com | may/june 2015 105

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what’s for dinner?

Great Wall, Kam Sam and Meixin supermarkets

Dinner in a Pocket

Every culture has dough-pocket food. Rockville’s plethora of ethnic markets carry extensive selections of these last-minute dinners in their freezer cases. Here are some pockets and places to explore.

Kielbasa Factory Moti’s Market pierogi

Dumplings, Buns and Eggrolls

European Delight

Blintzes and Borek

Pelmeni

Aside from a slew of sausages, this endearing Polish grocery has freezers full of pierogi, with mushrooms and sauerkraut among the fillings, as well as the more familiar potato and cheese.

Formerly called KosherMart, this shopping center supermarket stocks at least seven brands of frozen blintzes, with every imaginable filling (think vegetables with mushroom sauce), as well as a sizable selection of borek, those savory Turkish phyllo pastries often stuffed with spinach and feta.

1073 Rockville Pike, 240453-9090, Rockville, www.kielbasafactory.com

4860 Boiling Brook Parkway (Randolph Hills Shopping Center), Rockville, 301-468-0400, www.motismarket.com

In addition to freshly prepared foods such as stuffed cabbage, beet salad and soups, European Delight carries several kinds of frozen dumplings, including Russian pelmeni. With thinner dough than pierogi, pelmeni can be boiled or panfried, and served in a broth or with sour cream.

1488 Rockville Pike, Rockville, 301-230-9371

Stock your freezer for a dim sum dinner from any of these trip-worthy Asian markets, which are located within a couple blocks of each other.

Great Wall, the most eyecatching of the stores, has the largest selection.

Great Wall Supermarket, 700 Hungerford Drive, 240-3140558, Rockville, www.gw-super market.com; Kam Sam Supermarket, 300 N. Washington St., Rockville, 301-315-9558; Meixin Supermarket, 460 Hungerford Drive, Rockville, 301-279-0110

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what’s for dinner?

Pho from Wagshal’s Delicatessen (left) and a mixed-vegetable salad from Gemelli’s Italian Market

often devised from whatever local farmers have delivered, and there’s always lovely smoked tomato soup, roasted Amish chickens, macaroni and cheese, and beet and kale salads.

Small Pleasures

5035 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington, D.C., 202-248-6346, www.littleredfoxdc.com

Five specialty markets that offer plenty of options for delicious meals to go

Opened in February 2014 by Maurizio and Monica Calcagno, this traditional Italian market offers fresh pastas, sauces, sausages, frozen entrees, calzones, subs and marinated salads. The Calcagnos also make their own burrata and mozzarella, and a small grocery section carries olive oils, vinegars, coffee, condiments and a nice selection of Italian wines. There’s indoor and outdoor seating, so you can enjoy an espresso and a just-filled cannoli before heading home.

Wagshal’s Delicatessen By evening, this deli known for its lunchtime sandwiches has transitioned to a dinner depot. If you find chicken stew on the hot food bar, get it; with carrots, Brussels sprouts, and soft pieces of poultry, it’s like a home-cooked meal.

Refrigerator cases stock ready-made salads and assemble-your-own pho, plus all kinds of appetizers. The 90-year-old Wagshal’s institution also runs a small market in the same shopping strip as the deli that carries top-quality meats and seafood, and a new barbecue carryout, Pitmasters Back Alley BBQ, in an alley behind the shopping strip. And at press time, the deli was expanding into the space next door, with plans to offer more grab-and-go items.

4855 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, D.C., 202-363-5698, www.wagshals.com

The Broad Branch Market You’ve got to love a corner grocery that sells lint rollers and laundry detergent along with organic quinoa and candy

necklaces. The Broad Branch Market has all that and more, including a good-sized selection of homemade salads and main courses, plus fresh meat, seafood and produce. A fun place to explore, find a gift or grab some dinner, the market—and its adjacent ice cream and candy shop—is an after-school gathering place, and a neighborhood fixture. A market in various incarnations since 1919, it was bought and renovated in 2008 by Tracy Stannard and John Fielding, who expertly updated it for the 21st century.

5608 Broad Branch Road NW, Washington, D.C., 202-249-8551, www.broadbranchmar ket.com

Little Red Fox

The kitchen team headed by Executive Chef Anne Alfano at this charmingly rustic market whips up creative seasonal specials that just seem to click. Among the side-dish winners this past winter were slices of butternut squash layered with pomegranate seeds, dill and feta, and turnips roasted and swirled with pesto. The market offers at least four dinner options every day after 3 p.m.,

Gemelli’s Italian Market

12169 Darnestown Road (The Shops at Potomac Valley), Gaithersburg, 240-2467674, www.gemellisitalianmarket.com

Parkway Deli & Restaurant

The comforting fare at this venerable deli hits the spot on a rainy day. The hot food carryout counter is always stocked with roast chicken, matzo ball soup, stuffing, chili and vegetables; the mashed potatoes are terrific and chunky, and the creamy macaroni and cheese has lots of kid appeal. Better yet is the extensive carryout menu with items made to order, and the mesmerizing dessert counter will be difficult to resist. And yes, you can carry out pickles from the restaurant’s pickle bar—for $3.79 a pound.

8317 Grubb Road, Silver Spring, 301 587-1427, www.parkwaydeli.com

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A Tale of Two Markets

“It’s a soap opera. It could be a reality show,” says Tom

Spencer, owner of Potomac Grocer, of the saga between his market and the one across the street.

The drama unfolded last fall, when Jeff Grolig, owner of the 16-year-old River Falls Market in Potomac, was undergoing a messy divorce. Before Grolig’s shop—which sold seafood and prepared foods—closed abruptly in October, three of his top staffers, including the executive chef, went to work at Potomac Grocer. The general manager and lead prep cook soon followed.

Then in December, Jim McWhorter, vice president of business development for Coastal Sunbelt Produce, and his wife, Yasmin Abadian, a Potomac real estate agent, took over Grolig’s lease and reopened the shop as The Market at River Falls. Four of those staffers who had gone to work at Potomac Grocer returned, as well as about a dozen other original employees, and it was back to business as usual. The general manager stayed at Potomac Grocer.

But since recipes traveled as well as staff back and forth across River Road, the result is that the two high-quality markets now sell many of the same or similarly prepared foods.

Nonetheless, there are differences. Potomac Grocer has a sparser feel; The Market at River Falls seems cozier and more fully stocked.

Potomac Grocer sells sandwiches and boutique cheeses; The Market

offers sushi and more fresh produce.

It’s probably too early to tell how it will all shake out, as McWhorter and Abadian have plans to host special events and expand catering. At press time, they had added more salads, local products and organic items, and were awaiting a beer and wine license. But the proprietors of both markets agree that there’s room for two specialty stores in a town that boasts one of the highest per capita incomes in the country.

We did compare the taste of a few items from the markets, but didn’t find significant differences. We slightly preferred our scoop of The Market’s Crunchy Vegetable Salad, with its more generous addition of cranberries, raisins and sunflower seeds, over the same salad from Potomac Grocer. And The Market’s chicken tenders, with their somewhat darker and crisper coating and creamier, less-sweet honey-mustard dipping sauce, won by a bite.

Both markets produce comparable crabcakes and salmon cakes, but those from Potomac Grocer had the edge, with more seafood and less filler.

Potomac Grocer, 10107 River Road, Potomac, 301-299-4200, www.potomacgrocer.com; The Market at River Falls, 10124 River Road, Potomac, 301-765-8001, www.marketriverfalls.com

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what’s for dinner?

Local Flavor Fledgling food artisans are increasingly selling their wares at farmers markets, and some offer delightful and unexpected dinner options. Most of these items are available frozen (or can be frozen), so you can stock up for easy, last-minute meals. While you’re at a market, grab fresh ingredients for a salad, which pairs well with these options.

Grandma Vera’s Bakery brazilian empanadas

Sexy Vegie Vegan Soups

Growing up in Potomac, Nathaniel Port would help out at his grandmother’s restaurant, Vera’s Bakery & Cafe in Severna Park, where he learned how to make her native Brazilian specialties. Port speaks fondly of his late grandma, and he’s done her proud. Replicating her fantastic dough recipe, he makes pretty, buttery empanadas packed with fillings such as corn, hearts of palm, Gruyere and smoked Gouda, or shredded jerk chicken, onions and tomatoes.

The fresh spinach, potatoes, onions and Parmesan empanada sells well to parents, who tell Port it’s a hit with their finicky and normally veggie-averse kids.

Add Ashwini Persaud to the list of artisan food producers who have ditched their office jobs for the kitchen. Persaud, a 10year employee of Morgan Stanley on Wall Street, now makes vegan soups, stews and patties that are smartly jazzed up with a spunky name and logo. The flavors aren’t timid, either, whether it’s a Moroccan stew thick with chickpeas and portobello mushrooms, or an Army-green lentil soup simmered with cumin and coconut milk. Aside from several seasonal soups, Persaud sells a changing array of vegan patties, such as sweet potato and kale, or curried potato and chickpea.

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Les Caprices de Joelle Quiche

Southern Cross Bakery Australian meat pies

Joelle Coats’ waffles sell like hotcakes during the morning at farmers markets, but it’s also worth thinking about buying one of the Belgian caterer’s rich and cheesy quiches for dinner, particularly the spinach version that’s made with Asiago, fontina, provolone and Parmesan. Although small, a single pie can feed two, especially with a side of Coats’ veggiepacked pureed leek soup, one of her top sellers.

“your happy campers” HEADQUARTERS www.les-caprices.com. Markets: Kensington, Chevy Chase/Broad Branch, Bethesda Central, Shady Grove

Through Facebook and by word of mouth, Aussies living everywhere from Pennsylvania to southern Virginia have discovered John and Julianne Clarke’s Southern Cross Bakery. The Clarkes, who live in Kensington, started the business last year as a “bit of fun,” plus they couldn’t find a decent meat pie or sausage roll in America, according to John. The pies’ delicate crusts hide chicken and bacon, minted lamb, chicken curry or bacon and egg; the oneperson portions are homey and satisfying, even for those who don’t hail from Down Under. “We have a very dedicated band of locals who come back week after week,” John Clarke says. “Part of our mission is to get Americans to eat meat pies.” southerncrossbakery.com. Market: Kensington

Guide to Farmers Markets Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

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Bethesda Central: 7600 Arlington Road (at Bethesda Elementary School) Wednesdays, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., beginning May 6 Shady Grove: 9601 Broschart Road, Rockville

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what’s for dinner?

Dinner on Your Doorstep If you’re in the mood for a full-course meal, plenty of restaurants and delivery companies are willing to bring one to your home. With advances in technology and mobile devices, it’s never been easier. Spend a couple of minutes on a computer or cellphone, and then all you have to do is wait for the doorbell to ring.

We ordered meals for two from five delivery services—three online, two via phone apps—and found all to be mostly glitchfree, both in the ordering and the delivery. (That’s not to say that unpredictable traffic and weather won’t cause problems.) The selection of restaurants and the fees among the services vary (although there is some overlap), and the newer websites and apps tend to offer more bells and whistles.

Ordering Online

Waiter on the Way This pioneering Gaithersburg firm, which opened in 1989, was the first food delivery company in Maryland and one of only a handful in the country at the time.

Waiter on the Way drivers pick up food from about 60 restaurants in Montgomery County, most of which are located in Rockville, Gaithersburg and Germantown.

About half of the company’s delivery business is now last-minute catering for office luncheons and meetings.

Restaurant: Paladar Latin Kitchen & Rum Bar, North Bethesda Online ordering experience: The company called after we placed our order to say that the payment method we selected (by personal check) was no longer accepted, and a credit card number was needed. While we were on the phone, we alerted the caller that the online order said the food was coming from the Paladar in Gaithersburg, not North Bethesda, which was much closer to us. It’s unclear whether a change was made, but our order arrived 15 minutes late; the driver was very apologetic.

Rules and fees: $10 minimum order, $5.99 delivery fee, service fee (6 percent of both the food total and the delivery fee). Higher minimum orders and a $9.99 delivery fee, plus a service fee, may apply for residents who live outside the delivery area of restaurants on the roster.

Cost: $54.95 for food, $9.65 for fees, $3.52 tax, plus tip How to order: www.waiteronthe waymd.com, call 866-546-7854 or fax 301-869-0604

Takeout Taxi This longtime delivery service, once a franchise operation, has an independently-owned location in Kensington that serves Montgomery County and Northwest Washington, D.C. Using contract drivers, the company makes about 1,500 deliveries a week, half of which go to Bethesda locations.

Restaurant: Trattoria Sorrento, Bethesda Online ordering experience: The online ordering format is identical to Waiter on the Way, but with more Bethesda restaurants (as many as 60) included.

Our order arrived 15 minutes earlier than the requested time, and the company called 10 minutes before delivery to say the food was on its way.

GrubHub Inc. Founded in 2004, GrubHub operates in more than 800 U.S. cities, with a list of approximately 30,000 restaurants. Unlike Waiter on the Way and Takeout Taxi, GrubHub does not have a fleet of delivery drivers; it acts as an ordering intermediary, and the restaurant (or a third party) delivers your food. The behemoth’s brands include Seamless, DiningIn and Restaurants on the Run (other online delivery services), plus Allmenus and MenuPages, both of which are menu listing sites.

Restaurant: Brickside Food & Drink, Bethesda Online ordering experience: There’s a selection of more than 60 restaurants in our area, accompanied by GrubHub and Yelp reviews, lots of filter choices, and lists of the most popular dishes at each restaurant. A cheerful confirmation email was received after ordering, plus a subsequent text message: “Our crystal ball estimates your delivery time between 8:10 p.m. and 8:20 p.m.” It arrived earlier, at 7:55.

Rules and fees: $15 minimum order, $5.99 delivery fee, service fee (9 percent of food total)

Rules and fees: Depending on the restaurant, minimum order requirements range from none to $25. Delivery fees are up to the restaurant; some don’t charge.

Cost: $41.85 for food, $9.76 for fees, $2.51 tax, plus tip

Cost: $38.85 for food, $8.32 for fees, $2.33 tax, plus tip

How to order: www.mealstoyou.com, call 301-571-0111 or fax 301-571-0132

How to order: www.grubhub.com; iOS and Android apps are also available.

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Ordering by app

Postmates Launched in 2011, this San Francisco company promises its contract drivers will deliver anything from food to flowers to first-aid supplies within an hour, while you track their location via GPS. Postmates became available in the Washington area in late 2013, and what makes it so different from other local services is the scope of the delivery area. We ordered dinner from a restaurant in downtown’s Penn Quarter.

Restaurant: Zaytinya in Washington, D.C. App ordering experience: Fun! After placing the order at 4:40 p.m., we tracked “Siarra,” our courier (whose picture appeared on the bottom of the Google map), minute by minute before and after she picked up the order at 5:15.

The promised delivery time was 5:40, but “Luke” from the company’s San Francisco headquarters called to say that Siarra

was running late. It was rush hour and raining. When the app indicated “delivery in two minutes,” Google showed Siarra about two blocks away.

Rules and fees: It can be expensive.

Delivery fees, which start at $5, are determined by the distance from pickup to drop-off. There also is a service fee totaling 9 percent of the food charge.

Cost: $31.50 for food, $23.12 for fees, $3.15 tax, plus tip How to order: Free iOS and Android apps available on www.postmates.com

Eat24 In February, Yelp bought Eat24, an online food delivery site established in 2008 with about 20,000 restaurants in 1,500 cities.

Not surprisingly, each restaurant includes its Yelp star rating and reviews, and you can sort choices by “top-rated” and other filters.

Each menu item includes how many people have ordered it. Like GrubHub, Eat24 depends on restaurants (or third parties) to do the deliveries, so there is some overlap in the selection of dining establishments offered by the two services.

Restaurant: Bethesda Curry Kitchen App ORdering Experience: Most of the restaurants listed in our zone were for placing pickup orders; fewer provided delivery. A confirmation email included links to order status. Our order arrived 15 minutes late; South Street Steaks, next door to Bethesda Curry Kitchen, handled the third-party delivery.

Rules and fees: Minimum orders range from $10 to $20; delivery fees range from free to $6.49 Cost: $35.98 for food, no fees, $2.16 tax, plus tip How to order: eat24.com/mobile/ n

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Chef Robert Wiedmaier at Wildwood Kitchen, the Bethesda restaurant he opened in 2012

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e the Chefs

With rents rising and tastes changing, a new wave of restaurant chains is remaking the Bethesda-area dining scene by steve goldstein | photos by skip brown

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At W i l d w o o d K i t c h e n ,

Robert Wiedmaier is drawing on a napkin. “All my kitchens are designed this way,” he says, scrawling a square. “My saucier stands there, my poissonier is there, and so on. We can all see each other, taking cues like a great band. I’m the orchestrator, I designed the menu, the melody. These guys have to play the songs for me.”

Wiedmaier owns RW Restaurant Group, a mini-empire of restaurants in Maryland, the District and Virginia. A Kensington resident, he grew up in Germany and has been a fixture in the Washington dining scene for three decades.

Chef Cliff Wharton at Urban Heights in Bethesda

Before the 1999 opening of his flagship, Marcel’s, in the District’s West End neighborhood—now widely regarded as one of the best restaurants in D.C.—Wiedmaier was executive chef at the Watergate Hotel, where he worked under renowned French chef Jean-Louis Palladin.

“I love to cook,” Wiedmaier says.

“I studied books, I knew everything about the great chefs. You have to have total conviction. That’s why I lost my first wife. She said, ‘You’re never home, you love cooking more than me.’

I said, ‘Yes, I do.’ ”

In recent months, Wiedmaier has been planting his flag deeper into the Bethesda area. Adding to the three restaurants he already owns here (Mussel Bar & Grille in Bethesda, Brasserie Beck Kentlands and Wildwood Kitchen), Wiedmaier is opening Urban Heights, which will be helmed by former Ten Penh chef Cliff Wharton, in the former Roof Bethesda on Norfolk Avenue. Spiffy cocktails and an Asian-inspired menu aim to draw customers in a way the short-lived Roof never could. “It’s a great venue, and we’re going to do it right,” says RW Restaurant Group partner Frank Shull.

Wiedmaier has also taken over The Tavern at River Falls in Potomac, as well as the former Markham’s Bar and Grill on Wisconsin Avenue in Bethesda, which will be called Villain & Saint and feature live music, American craft beer and “great bar comfort food,” Shull says.

Wiedmaier is among a wave of Washington area chefs adding energy and creating buzz in Montgomery County. Chef Jeff Tunks, whose company Passion Food Hospitality owns seven Washington-area restaurants, and Mike Isabella, of downtown D.C.’s Graffiato, both plan to open their first Bethesda restaurants this summer. When you add the already-established mini-empires of restaurateurs including Jeff Black, Damian and Stephanie Salvatore, Roberto and Ricardo Pietrobono, and Bryan Voltaggio, you have an expanding group of local chefentrepreneurs shaping the dining scene in and around Bethesda.

This wave is part of a larger transformation that is affecting what, where and how we eat. Throughout the Bethesda area, two trends have emerged: In addition to the mini-empires by name chefs, we’re seeing an explosion of national chains. At Rockville’s Pike & Rose, for example, more than a dozen restaurants have opened in recent months, none of them locally owned. They include ubiquitous brands such as Starbucks and Chipotle, as well as higher-end boutique chains such as Stella Barra Pizze-

One of Jeff Black’s three restaurants in Montgomery County, Black’s Bar & Kitchen in Bethesda bustles during happy hour.

ria and Summer House Santa Monica, both owned by the Chicago-based Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises.

Driving both trends is the challenge of ballooning rents. National chains are backed by deep corporate pockets, while the mini-empires are able to use economies of scale to maximize buying power and minimize risk. Brand-name chefs such as Voltaggio and Isabella can also negotiate more favorable deals because landlords covet them for the cachet.

The trends have notable differences.

While national chains build cookie-cutter restaurants where the vibe and menu are the same everywhere, chef-driven chains create different restaurants in each locale, where the decor, food and cocktails are carefully targeted for the community.

Take Jeff Black, whose six Washingtonarea restaurants include the sleek Black’s

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Bar & Kitchen on Woodmont Avenue in Bethesda, the homey Black Market Bistro in Garrett Park, and the funky Republic in Takoma Park. “I want to serve different food,” Black says. “I want to be in the fabric of the neighborhood.”

Whether you believe Bethesda has the chops to be the next Aspen, as Fortune magazine suggested in January, or is a dining desert devoid of distinction, as dining critics Tom Sietsema of The Washington Post and Todd Kliman of Washingtonian magazine both maintain, few would argue that we enjoy a vibrant and dynamic restaurant scene. Wendy Seher, senior vice president of leasing at Federal Realty Investment Trust, which owns Bethesda Row, says her firm is constantly “tweaking and pruning” its mix of shops and restaurants to stay with or ahead of the styles.

One thing is certain: Bethesda’s dining

scene is undergoing a major evolution, one that reflects current food trends and Twitter attention spans. And one large question looms: In the world of celebrity chefs and fast-casual lunch spots on every corner, is there still an audience for longstanding and beloved independents such as Trattoria Sorrento, Grapeseed and Bacchus of Lebanon?

“H e r e t h e y co m e!” says Chris

Meers as he watches the first moviegoers trickle out of Landmark Bethesda Row from the circular bay windows at Mon Ami Gabi—the headwaters of what shortly will be a river of hungry and thirsty folks flowing onto Woodmont Avenue. Meers, a graduate of BethesdaChevy Chase High School who grew up on subs at Blimpie on East West Highway, opened Mon Ami Gabi in March

2001, a French bistro concept from Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises.

Mon Ami Gabi was in the vanguard of a massive redevelopment of parts of four blocks by Federal Realty, which curried 360,000 square feet of restaurant and retail space into what it calls a “secret sauce” blend of eateries, shops and attractions, including Barnes & Noble, the adjacent movie theater and a glitzy Apple store. The resulting “critical mass” of Bethesda Row, as Seher puts it, allowed Federal Realty to shape a neighborhood, right down to obtaining Montgomery County’s OK to place outdoor tables at the curb.

Now, on a typical Saturday night, nearly 200 moviegoers walk 20 yards before peeling off to Mon Ami Gabi for steak frites or chicken paillard. Everyone else fans out, some heading toward a

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new headline

Since 1991, the DeSimone family has run Trattoria Sorrento on Cordell Avenue in Bethesda. From left to right: Melinda, Carlo, Giovanni and Maria DeSimone.

giovanni desimone

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bursting Raku, where the no-reservation crowd tries to sweet-talk Milly, the petite and patient hostess, or looks vainly for the owner, Marcel, who might bestow a favor.

Meanwhile, on the other side of Old Georgetown Road, at Trattoria Sorrento on Cordell Avenue, Giovanni DeSimone would love to have 200 hungry customers streaming by his door. “We got something good here,” he says. “If parking were easier on this side of town, they would come.” When Carlo, his father, opened the restaurant in 1991, he was certain the public would be drawn to homemade Italian food at reasonable prices in a gracious setting. After all, Cordell and its adjoining streets in Woodmont Triangle were the epicenter of eating out in Bethesda. Now, not so much.

Saturdays are dependable, and the monthly opera night is solid, but weekday evenings are slow. Carlo, Giovanni and his sister, Melinda, greet customers they’ve known for years who appreciate the restaurant’s Old World style.

The newcomers, he says, are more impatient. DeSimone recalls customers lingering over lunch, sipping a cocktail or sharing a bottle of wine. “We get people in for occasions,” he says. “That’s when they slow down and take their time. Otherwise they’re eating for fuel.” The DeSimones own the building, so it’s easier for them because they don’t have to pay rent.

Other independently-owned restaurants nearby struggle to make a 5-percent to 7-percent profit.

Jeff Heineman, the genial chef-owner of the 15-year-old Grapeseed, would love to see more retail tenants in Woodmont Triangle. “Federal offers a more cohesive feel and look, and a guaranteed mix of retail and restaurants, which is a flaw over here; there’s no retail, so no reason to come unless you’re eating,” Heineman says. Yet he is unwilling to forgo his current rent—“in the $30s per square foot”— to plant his Grapeseed among the national brands on the other side of town.

For restaurateurs, building miniempires helps protect against the vagaries of a single market and aids in negoti-

In January, Stephanie and Damian Salvatore opened their third restaurant, Indigo House, in Cabin John. Stephanie says the evolving restaurant scene has forced them to adapt.

“You have to keep up on your renovations, your food, your creativity and your service,” she says.

ations with vendors. “I pay what is known as ‘net-7,’ which means you give me an invoice and you get a check within seven days,” Jeff Black says. “Most restaurants pay net-30 or 60, so everyone wants to sell to me. We get the lowest possible price for the best possible product.”

Wiedmaier agrees that having a large restaurant portfolio gives him leverage.

“The more restaurants you have, the bigger your buying power,” he says. “I spend almost $1 million a year on fish alone.

My chefs text each other, and if one sees scallops for $7.99 a pound, he tells the

other chefs. If we all buy, we can save a dollar a pound.”

Bacchus of Lebanon owner Zaid Barsoom, who has been serving mezze for 27 years out of his restaurant on Norfolk Avenue in Bethesda, has no such bargaining power. When his patio is open, Barsoom is busy, but the drop-off in cold weather is steep. “The reason I’m able to survive this long is I do everything myself—I’m the owner, the manager, the chef and waiter,” he says. “I even go and get my own supplies, which saves me 20 to 30 percent. If I (continued on page 122)

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here come the chefs

The attractive woman waiting in line at Sweetgreen in Bethesda is decked out in Lululemon, carrying a Kate Spade purse and a shopping bag from Lucy. She orders a “Rad Thai” salad, a bit pricey at $11.35, but tasty and only 375 calories. She picks up her biodegradable flatware and complimentary water and sits at a table.

On most weekdays after 2:30 p.m., students from Whitman, Bethesda-Chevy Chase and Stone Ridge begin to charge in. “I take my daughter there all the time,” confesses Stephanie Salvatore, coowner of Persimmon in Bethesda. “Then we go across the street to Georgetown Cupcake for dessert.”

It’s impossible to analyze the changing restaurant scene in Bethesda without acknowledging the 800-pound gorilla commanding the prime table: fast-casual restaurants, the segment of eateries that fall between fast food and fine dining. Sweetgreen, Five Guys, Noodles & Co., Cava, Nando’s Peri-Peri, ShopHouse, Le Pain Quotidien and Chop’t are ubiqui-

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Fast casual is the trend that’s eating everybody’s lunch tous, dependable, hardy perennials—stick them in any soil and they will grow. For the consumer, familiarity breeds contentment.

Francis Namin, owner of the popular Food Wine & Co. and the fast-casual chicken joint Don Pollo, both on Wisconsin Avenue in Bethesda, has opened two new fast-casual spots in the last two years: City Burger in downtown Bethesda and Fish Taco in Cabin John. He expects to multiply those units, but not Food Wine & Co. “The pace of our life has changed,” he says. “Extra time has been taken away. That’s why fast casual is growing. I’m not saying sitdown restaurants will fade away completely.”

According to a February 2015 report in The Washington Post, London-based research firm Euromonitor International found that the national market for fast casual has grown by 550 percent since 1999, more than 10 times the growth seen in the fast-food industry over the same period. Americans spent more than $21 billion at

By Steve Goldstein

fast-casual restaurants last year, the firm said in the Post report. “We noticed this incredible thing at the start of the recession,” Bonnie Riggs, a restaurant industry analyst with market research firm NPD Group, told the Post. “Traffic in the restaurant industry was negative for two years in a row, which we had never seen before. Quick service was flat; full service was flat. But fast casual was growing in the double digits even during the height of the recession.” According to the Post report, NPD Group estimates that fast casual will grow in the double digits through 2022, while traditional restaurants and fast food will see growth rates of around half a percentage point.

Federal Realty’s Stuart Biel, part of the leasing team that works on Bethesda Row, says, “It’s all about finding a balance. Fast casual has exploded and people are used to that speed and price point.

We’re excited about D.C. chefs like [Mike] Isabella and Robert [Wiedmaier], but I don’t see fast casual going away.”

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here come the chefs

Bacchus of Lebanon owner Zaid Barsoom says low overhead has helped his Bethesda restaurant survive. “I do everything myself—I’m the owner, the manager, the chef and waiter,” he says.

(continued from page 119) didn’t do all of these things, I’d be long gone.” Barsoom says he considered moving to Bethesda Row in 2006, when he was planning to remodel. “It was about double my rent to go to the other side,” he says. “Then Federal signed a lease with Lebanese Taverna.” He would have liked to have relocated. In 2009, he says, “I could feel the shift of business over there when Bethesda Row was finished.”

But Barsoom is optimistic. His restaurant is across the street from Urban Heights, which Barsoom believes might help business along Norfolk Avenue.

Roberto Pietrobono, co-owner of Olazzo and Gringos & Mariachis, both in Woodmont Triangle, thinks the new residential construction nearby may portend a

renaissance. “I want to look out my door and see tall buildings,” he says.

He’s already getting his wish. Last year, a first wave of high-end, high-rise apartment buildings, including Bainbridge Bethesda and Gallery Bethesda, began leasing apartments, drawing scores of empty nesters and young professionals.

And more development is on the way.

In fact, landlords and developers say Woodmont Triangle will look very different five years from now. All the restaurateurs need to do is hang on until then.

It’s lunchtime at Wild Tomato in Cabin John, and flatware is clattering.

Damian and Stephanie Salvatore opened the popular neighborhood bistro in 2011, and then launched sister restaurant Indigo

House a few doors away in January. The Salvatores admit they knew nothing about the business when they opened their first restaurant, Persimmon, in 1998 on Wisconsin Avenue in Bethesda, using $80,000 in savings. Stephanie pushed Damian, a B-CC High School graduate, to rush because they were running out of money.

“Bethesda seemed like a small town,” Stephanie says, “and Damian seemed to know everybody. We thought one restaurant was enough.” They grew up quickly as Bethesda boomed. About 10 years ago, Federal Realty asked if they wanted to move Persimmon to Bethesda Row. “I thought we were in a great place, with the neighborhood right behind us, so we stayed,” she says.

But national brands were eating up business. Although she stresses that Persimmon offers a personal dining experience—both she and Damian love to engage with diners—Stephanie understands the dimension the chains offer. So they overhauled Persimmon in 2012 to make it more casual, getting rid of the white tablecloths and adding cozy booths, bright paintings on the walls and a larger bar. Wild Tomato and Indigo House reflect the more casual feel of a neighborhood bistro, as well.

Stephanie says Bethesda’s evolving restaurant scene has challenged her and Damian to stay current. “You have to keep up on your renovations, your food, your creativity and your service,” she says. “It forces you to deal with change.”

The new guard of chef-entrepreneurs is smart about its audience, and knows how to create a restaurant that appeals to it.

Mike Isabella’s 160-seat Kapnos Kouzina will occupy the former site of Vapiano on Bethesda Row. He says he has been eyeing the area for years. “We’re offering a concept they don’t have,” he says. “Family-style plates, casual food and great cocktails—a good late-night place.” In an effort to make the space more inviting, he’s moving the front door to face Woodmont Avenue. Waving his tattooed arms animatedly, Isabella says, “There’s money out there, and people serious about food.”

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If this all sounds a bit Darwinian, it is.

Think of Bethesda as a laboratory, where the formula is always changing and only the right blends move up the food chain.

The tables will keep turning as Bethesda’s demographics will continue to entice restaurant operators. “The one downside for operators is that the barrier for entry is daunting,” says Lloyd Goldstein, president of local boutique real estate firm HMS Retail in North Potomac. Goldstein says his own client, Tucanos Brazilian Grill, a small national chain, has declined to enter the fray as the rent is just too expensive. “It’s a great market,” he says, “but if you don’t hit a home run, you could get clobbered.”

Stuart Biel, a leasing agent at Federal Realty, says he wants home runs, but the proprietor doesn’t have to be a heavy hit-

ter. “It’s more about what category we need rather than whether the restaurant has one unit, or 10,” he says. “If they have the chops to be successful…and if it’s going to fill in something that’s missing. If we have an opportunity to bring in something that is a better fit for the customer, that’s what our job is about.”

What will the Bethesda dining scene look like in 10 years? Chef’s tables in the kitchens? Many more takeout options?

Whatever the trend, it will be represented in Bethesda. Ty Neal, co-founder and CEO of the Matchbox Food Group, which owns Matchbox and Ted’s Bulletin restaurants, says he is “actively” looking for a location in Bethesda. (His company has already opened a Matchbox in Rockville and a Ted’s Bulletin in Gaithersburg’s Downtown Crown). “It’s an

incredible market,” Neal says.

Wendy Seher, who oversees about 70 East Coast properties out of 87 that Federal Realty owns, lives in Bethesda and is proud of what her firm has wrought.

After two years of construction that swallowed two surface parking lots, the February opening of a 960-slot underground garage on Woodmont Avenue was a huge relief to her tenants and their customers.

Asked about potential redevelopment in Woodmont Triangle, Seher replies, “We don’t have plans for there. We think we have plenty to do to keep a critical mass in Bethesda Row. I want to continue to raise the level.” n Steve Goldstein is a freelance writer and editor. To comment on this story, email comments@bethesdamagazine.com.

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Hank Dietle’s Tavern on Rockville Pike is one of Montgomery County’s last true roadhouses. Craving something authentic among the strip malls and chains, young hipsters have discovered Dietle’s. Can they help keep the beloved dive bar alive? text and photos by april witt

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John Watro, 85, of Chevy Chase, has been a Dietle’s fan since the 1960s. He stops in afternoons for two beers and a couple of games of pool that anyone can join. “You find the full spectrum of individuals here,” he says.

The only way to be certain that time is passing inside Hank Dietle’s

Tavern is to watch the afternoon sun move across the battered old bar, highlighting holes in the worn linoleum floor, sliding across the old men playing pool—painting them for a moment in shadow and light—then moving on to turn the scarred plywood booths a glowing gold. Otherwise, Hank Dietle’s seems suspended in time.

The black barstools, with stuffing spilling out at split seams, never change, although a few have disappeared over the years, perhaps to the basement of a sentimental drunk.

The liquor license on the office wall is numbered 001, supposedly because it was the first license issued in the county after Prohibition.

On the front porch outside you can still see the remnant of a hitching post, back from when Rockville Pike was two lanes through farmland and customers might ride over on a horse.

Posted beer prices don’t seem to change much, either, in part because someone has tacked an old price list over a window to keep the sun’s glare off the pinball machines.

Even the stories don’t vary much year to year, like the one about the patron who was sitting in a booth minding his beer when a stuffed fishing trophy fell off the wall and landed on his table. “I don’t remember ordering the tuna,” he quipped.

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The view from the barstools includes the tavern’s carryout menu: $8 for a six-pack-to-go.

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“This place is Groundhog Day,” says Amanda Plummer, 24, a former student at Wellesley College in Massachusetts who tends bar at Dietle’s part time.

Hank Dietle’s Tavern occupies a small cottage-style structure that was built in 1916 as a general store that sold groceries, animal feed, candy and beer. Outside its front door, Rockville Pike came to epitomize decades of suburban sprawl, with snarled traffic and no character. Inside, the tavern is all character and characters: an egalitarian boys’ club whose regulars have nicknames such as “Bug Man” and “Meatball.” The graffiti etched into the battered booths can be politically incorrect: Fat-bottomed girls make the world go round. Scientists with federal jobs drink alongside workmen with gnarled hands and paint-spattered clothes. They share a fierce loyalty to their favorite bar that keeps them coming back.

“This is home base,” Eric Cantor, 42, a private Pentagon contractor who lives in nearby Garrett Park, says one recent Friday night. “I’ve been coming here since I was 21. My very first legal beer, I had here. I know almost every face I see here.”

The tavern opens at 9 a.m. Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. on Sundays. In the 1970s, the bar was crowded in the morning with retirees drinking beer. These days, morning drinkers are scarce enough that bartender and artist Liz Altman, 24, has time to sit on a barstool and sketch, write short stories, or read a novel. “This isn’t a normal bar,” says Altman, who favors black nail polish and biker boots. “There are weird characters, but that’s fine. I enjoy the company here.”

Early afternoons, regulars such as Peter Carlson, 55, who works a morning shift as an exterminator, begin to wander in. Carlson, known here as “Bug Man,” orders a pitcher of beer and plays arcade games while talking

Bartender Liz Altman of Rockville reads voraciously—Truman Capote is a favorite—and writes short stories in between serving beer.

Dietle’s draws an eclectic mix of people, young and old, who come to drink beer, talk and unwind.

about his late mother and the liberal congregation at his church, which he’s attended even longer than he’s been coming to Dietle’s. Both are come-asyou are, and he appreciates that.

By midafternoons, several older regulars have arrived and taken up their favorite place in a booth or at the pool table, like actors in a play returning to their mark on stage.

After work hours, younger people come in. Newcomers marvel that the tavern has just one television screen—30 fewer than the sports bars down the road—and customers aren’t

talking on their cellphones or texting.

They’re talking to each other.

Chris Jacques, 29, a photographer with Syke Associates in Bethesda, says he and his friends gravitate to Dietle’s because it isn’t anything like the area’s swanky cookie-cutter bars serving overpriced cocktails. “It’s the best dive bar I’ve ever been to,” he says. “It’s dingy. It’s easy. It’s home.”

Marie Casso, 32, of Bethesda knows what to expect. She’s been coming here for years, most recently with her fiance and a group of other University of Maryland graduates. “It’s one of a kind

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“You don’t have to come here long before everybody knows your name, ” exterminator Peter “Bug Man” Carlson says.

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in the area,” says Casso, who does online training for Geico.

On a recent Friday night, Dietle’s rocked its classic mix of drywallers and documentary filmmakers. A group of employees from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission gathered around a table.

A panhandler sat at the bar. And nobody cared who did what, just as long as they didn’t make trouble.

Plummer, the former Wellesley student, sees Dietle’s as an oasis amid the posturing and image-management rampant elsewhere in the Washington area. “Most places, people put on a happy face and are not going to say anything too telling,” she says. “Oh my God, the things people say here. People tell me their life stories. I don’t feel judged here, and other people don’t feel judged the way you do in other parts of Montgomery County.”

Like an old-timer, she’s already collecting stories, such as the one about the man whose motorcycle caught fire in the parking lot. “A lot of customers tried to put it out with beer,” she says. After someone trotted out a fire extinguisher, covering the bike with foam, “this guy just drove off on his motorcycle. That is so Dietle’s.”

Some fans worry that the nearby Pike & Rose development, which is transforming Rockville Pike and increasing land values, will spell doom for Dietle’s. But Tony Huniak, 55, who owns the tavern but not the land beneath it, jokes that he’ll be dead before his lease runs out.

For now, old-timers and newcomers alike bask in the faint glow of the tavern’s neon sign—Hank Dietle’s Cold Beer—a beacon to the unpretentious and parched. n April Witt (aprilwitt@hotmail.com) is a former Washington Post writer who lives in Bethesda.

Part-time bartender Amanda Plummer of Kensington says her job isn’t just to pour beer and clear tables. She listens to people tell their stories. “This is the only place I’ve heard someone make the case that President Obama is a Muslim—and they believed it!” she says. “I hear conspiracy theories inside of conspiracy theories.”

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When the popular blues band, The Nighthawks, plays Dietle’s, the pool table is jammed against the wall to make space for a makeshift dance floor. Tom Blackburn (far right) laughs as he leads a woman in the West Coast Swing. Blackburn, 62, and his wife, Eileen, were first-timers at the tavern one recent Sunday. “It is definitely a throwback to the ’50s,” he says.

Marie Casso (center) of Bethesda explored bars in the District for a few years after graduating from the University of Maryland. Now she and her fiance, Michael Wierzbic (second from right), and friends are Dietle’s regulars.

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‘By you living, Ithey live’

Twenty years ago this July, Potomac resident Irma Goff lost her husband and three daughters in one of the most horrific murder cases in Montgomery County her son, Scott, had to do something many people couldn’t fathom: go on with their lives.

By Cindy Rich | photos by michael ventura

Photo courtesy of scot t goff

history. After all the media coverage ended, she and

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Opposite page: The Goff family, from left: Andrea, Scott, Irma, David, Alyse and Sheri, at Alyse’s bat mitzvah in 1993.

Irma Goff and her son, Scott, were out of town when the rest of their family was murdered in 1995.

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It’s a little early for dinner, but Irma Goff really wants her 2½-year-old grandson, Darren, to have some of her homemade matzo ball soup. The toddler loves his grandma’s matzo balls—he eats things at her house that he would never touch at home.

“One…two…three!” she says, lifting him onto the granite countertop in her kitchen. Irma picks up her grandson at preschool on Fridays, when she works a half day, and they spend the afternoon together. Five Guys for lunch, trips to the grocery store. She keeps one of Darren’s toy bins at the bottom of her pantry so he can play next to her while she’s cooking. She’ll baby-sit at a moment’s notice.

She’s heard friends say it’s great being a grandparent because you get to enjoy the kids and then give them back. But she doesn’t like giving Darren back.

“Is this Bubbie’s special soup?” she asks. She’s taught him the word “knaidel,” which is Yiddish for matzo ball, and she’s feeding it to him fast.

“Let him breathe,” her son, Scott, says with a laugh. At 37, he’s used to the way his mom insists on feeding everyone. He goes over to her house in Potomac with his wife, Amy, and Darren a few times a week, and they can’t get out the door without having a meal. “Have more,” Irma will say to Scott. “You didn’t eat anything.”

She sends him home with leftovers to take to work for lunch, then has to remind him to bring back her Tupperware.

You would never know from spending time with Irma and Scott that there’s anything different about them. There’s nothing in their voices or demeanor that hints at the depth of the tragedy they’ve endured. Irma wears a necklace she had made with five diamond studs that used to belong to her daughters, and keeps the girls’ bat mitzvah dresses in her closet.

But the old family photos are in albums in the basement, not framed in her living room. It would be too hard for her to see them all the time.

“I had a great husband. I had a beauti-

ful family. I had it all,” she says. “A lot of people don’t know what they have until they lose it—I always knew what I had.”

Her life now is a happy one, she says.

But it isn’t the one she envisioned. Married at 21, she had four children—three girls and a boy—in seven years, while helping her husband, David, a podiatrist, run two offices. “I was blessed with energy,” she says. She used to wonder how the whole family would fit around the table for Friday night Shabbat dinners

once her kids had children of their own.

She’d always imagined one of her daughters getting married at the family’s home, a gray and white Tudor on Twining Lane in Potomac, walking down the staircase in a wedding gown. Then one night, without any warning, all of that was taken away.

The last name Goff is probably familiar to anyone who lived in Montgomery County 20 years ago and was old enough to watch the news. On July 20,

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Top: Irma, who is known among friends for her great cooking, enjoys hosting Friday night Shabbat dinners with her husband, Dale Morton (right), at their home in Potomac. Before serving the meal, she lights two candles and guests recite traditional prayers. Scott (left, holding his son, Darren) goes over to his mom’s house with his wife, Amy, nearly every week for Shabbat dinners; Dale’s son, Kris Morton (center), often joins them.

Right: Irma calls her grandson, Darren, “an absolute delight.” “He barely eats at home,” his dad, Scott, says.

“But he’ll eat at Irma’s house.”

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1995, a month before what would have been Irma’s 25th wedding anniversary, her husband and their three daughters— Andrea, 22, Sheri, 19, and Alyse, 15—were murdered by a painter’s assistant inside the family’s Potomac home. The painter, Mark Aldridge, whose wife was expecting a child, was also killed. Aldridge, who’d worked for Irma and David before, had hired an Ecuadoran day laborer, Bruman Alvarez, to help him with the Goffs’ house. Irma had seen Alvarez when he did work at the couple’s Silver Spring office, and asked Aldridge not to bring him to her home. “I have three daughters— I don’t need any strange men around,” she’d said. But Aldridge needed help and brought an assistant anyway.

According to news reports, Alvarez, who was 20 at the time, sexually assaulted Alyse, then a rising sopho-

rently an inmate at Western Correctional Institution in Cumberland, Maryland.

“Montgomery County experienced one of its most heinous crimes,” Carol Nehrling, the county’s police chief at the time, said after the tragedy. “This community has been shocked, angered and saddened by the brutal slayings. …It is an overwhelming scene to look at.”

Irma and Scott were staying at the family’s condo in Ocean City when it happened. Scott, a rising senior at Churchill, was working at the beach for the summer, cashiering at a grocery store, and Irma was visiting. The Goffs had a place on 103rd Street, and the family spent a few weeks there every summer. They had their favorite spots: Thrasher’s French Fries, Candy Kitchen, Old Pro Golf. The kids would wake up to Irma’s home-cooked breakfasts, and every day, just before 3

“She didn’t want the hoopla, the sensationalism—she wanted to be left alone,” Scott says. “And I think she did that more for my sake, so I could live my life as normally as I could.” more at Winston Churchill High School, while Aldridge was away from the house briefly. When Aldridge returned, surprising Alvarez, his assistant killed him.

Alvarez killed Alyse, and murdered David, Andrea and Sheri when each of them arrived home that day. He called 911 from the home that night and was arrested after police arrived—he originally claimed that Aldridge was responsible for the other killings, and that he had then killed Aldridge. “He came prepared to do what he was gonna do to Alyse. The others just happened,” Irma says. Alvarez has been in prison ever since; he is cur-

p.m., Scott’s sisters would run upstairs to watch General Hospital. “Since there were six of us, the last ones to shower never had any hot water,” Scott says.

That night, a Thursday, Scott and his mom had gone to see a Sylvester Stallone movie. They were asleep at the condo when the phone rang around 2 a.m. Scott picked it up. “There were five bodies found at your house,” he remembers a police officer saying. “You need to come home.”

Irma, now 66, has boxes filled with letters and condolence cards, symbols of the outpouring of support she received after losing nearly her entire family. Her

daughter Andrea, an artist, had just graduated from Washington University in St. Louis and was headed to law school at George Washington University. Sheri, a nutrition major at the University of Maryland, was working at Nordstrom at Montgomery Mall, where Irma often shopped with her girls. Alyse, who ran cross-country for Churchill, had been busy with swimming and tennis camp.

“One of the things I insisted on—I did not want an O.J.,” says Irma, who chose not to pursue the death penalty for Alvarez. “It was right after O.J. Simpson. I did not want a three-ring circus. So I did a plea bargain and he got five consecutive lifetime sentences, with no chance of parole, and a sixth for what he did to my youngest daughter.”

The crime made headlines across the country. Strangers reached out to Irma; she even heard from the White House.

Washington Bullets owner Abe Pollin honored her and Scott at an NBA game.

She received copy after copy of Harold Kushner’s When Bad Things Happen to Good People. Everywhere she went, someone seemed to recognize her: When she and Scott were walking on the beach a few weeks after the murders, she noticed people pointing at them. The attention made her uncomfortable.

She said no to interview requests from the media, and later to suggestions that she write a book. In the last 20 years, Irma has spoken publicly about the tragedy only once before, in a television interview with NBC4’s Wendy Rieger in February 2012. “She didn’t want the hoopla, the sensationalism—she wanted to be left alone,” Scott says. “And I think she did that more for my sake, so I could live my life as normally as I could.”

Today, Scott, a University of Maryland graduate, works at BAE Systems in D.C., as a defense contractor for the Navy. He and Amy live in Potomac with Darren, who’s named for David—it’s Jewish custom to honor a deceased relative by using the first letter of his or her name—and the family dog, Maccabee. His mom,

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Photos courtesy of scot t goff

who’s an office manager for Rockville dentist Martin Abel, is remarried: She met her husband, Dale Morton, a pharmacist, through a mutual friend, and they married in the fall of 2000. They spend part of the winter at their house in Florida; Dale jokes with Irma that she shops so much for everyone in the family—he has five grandchildren of his own—that she’s wearing out the strips on her credit cards. Scott talks to Irma on the phone nearly every morning on his way to work. “That’s just the relationship we have,” he says. “I’m busy on the weekends, and if I don’t get a chance to give her a call, Monday morning she’ll call and say: ‘I haven’t talked to you all weekend—what’s going on?’ ” When Scott tells people he meets now about what happened to his dad and sisters, they usually say they’re sorry. It’s OK, he’ll tell them, it happened 20 years ago. It’s more unpleasant for other people to talk about it than it is for him, he says. His family is always in the back of his mind: He likes it when someone posts a photo on Facebook of one of his sisters for “Throwback Thursday”; once in a while he’ll say something and realize he sounded like his dad.

He doesn’t let himself dwell on the horror of it all. He never really has.

In the months after the murders, his mom decided that the two of them had to keep going, that they had no other choice. “He was my reason for living,” Irma says of Scott.

Although she was too depressed to eat—she went down to a size 0—Irma went back to work at her husband’s office 11 days after he died; another doctor came in to see his patients. When she was growing up in Washington, D.C., Irma often heard her mother repeat an old saying: “I cried because I had no shoes, until I saw a man who had no feet.”

Irma’s father escaped Poland just before World War II, and lost his parents and some of his sisters in the Holocaust. Her mother’s expression stuck with her, she says. She knew she couldn’t lie in bed

Top left: Scott and his sisters at their uncle’s wedding in 1983.

Bottom left: Irma with Scott, Andrea (in her mother’s arms) and Sheri at the beach in Ocean City, where the family used to go every summer. Top right: One of Scott’s favorite pictures is this early 1990s photo of three generations of Goffs. His grandpa, Phil (center), took him to his Saturday baseball games when his dad, David, had to work.

and pull a blanket over her head—she still had a 17-year-old son.

“We had each other, and it was always: ‘Don’t shut down,’ ” says Scott, whose gold and platinum wedding band is made from the rings his parents used to wear.

“If we stopped living, he kills two more people. We weren’t letting him win.”

A police officer knocked on the door of the Goffs’ condo in Ocean City about five minutes after the phone call.

Scott had already awakened his mom.

What could have happened, he remembers thinking. Nobody would give them any details. Soon, he and his mom were sitting in a police cruiser on their way home from Ocean City. “At every county

line, we had to get out and switch police cars, and we did that all the way back to Rockville,” he says. “It took forever.”

Scott doesn’t recall who it was that actually told him that his father and sisters were dead. But he remembers being driven to a courthouse in Rockville, and seeing uncles, aunts and cousins there, and the wife of the painter. He remembers crying, and calling his boss at the grocery store to say he wouldn’t be coming into work for a while. And spending the night, and the weeks and months that followed, with family friends. His house, where he and his sisters watched The Cosby Show together, where he and his dad argued over who was going to mow the lawn, was a crime scene now. There were news crews outside.

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‘by you living, they live’ Bashert, Irma would say later in Yiddish. The English translation: It was fate.

So many people came to the funeral that when the first car arrived at Mount Lebanon Cemetery in Adelphi, where Irma’s parents are buried, the last car was still leaving the synagogue in Silver Spring. Irma was so hysterical that family members and friends had to hold on to her. “It was a mass grave—four coffins,” she says. “I thought for sure the earth was gonna swallow me up that day.”

At the service, a friend described Irma’s life with David as “Camelot.” They were together all the time. “It was David and the children, and David and the office.

We were 24 and 7,” Irma says. “We never fought—I was always right.” Later, patients would say to Irma, “God doesn’t give you more than you can handle.” He didn’t have to be so generous to me, she’d think.

Irma and David met in traffic school in Montgomery County after both had

gotten speeding tickets. She’d graduated from Northwood High School in Silver Spring; David had gone to Springbrook High in Silver Spring. They were both in college at the University of Maryland. “He used to go around telling everybody that I stuffed my phone number in his pocket,” Irma says, “and I used to go around telling everybody it was love at first sight.”

They married in 1970 and bought their first house in the White Oak area of Silver Spring, where they lived before moving to Potomac in 1986, when Scott was going into third grade. David saw patients six days a week; Irma managed his home office—greeting and helping clients, keeping the books—and took care of the kids. “The girls had him wrapped around their little finger—he never said no,” she says.

The only boy, Scott was the troublemaker—playing “leap frog” on the podium in synagogue, fighting with his

sisters. “I was outnumbered 3-to-1,” he says. When a Magic Marker exploded on the mauve carpet in the basement, he cut the stain right out of the rug. Irma, who calls herself “Lysol Lily,” once got so frustrated with the mess in his room that she pulled the clothes out of his drawers and dumped them on the floor. “Well, guess who put it away?” she says with a laugh.

When Irma decided to move back to her home on Twining Lane four months after the murders, some people questioned why she would want to be there. “That house didn’t do anything to me,” she’d say.

For her, the house was a comfort.

That’s where her bed was, her furniture, her memories. That’s where she would entertain 60 people for Rosh Hashana.

She had two refrigerators in her kitchen, and her middle daughter, Sheri, liked to cook with her. The family almost always sat down together for dinner—Scott could eat two of his mom’s pinwheel

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steaks covered in barbecue sauce. “Take what you want, but eat what you take,” she’d tell her kids.

“Just seems like a dream,” Irma says of the tragedy. “It just doesn’t seem real.”

Through the years, friends encouraged Irma to get professional help, but she never did. “What was a therapist gonna tell me? They were gonna walk back in the door tomorrow? That was the only thing I wanted to hear,” she says.

Her son never has, either. “I had him, he had me. He was my strength—I was his.”

When Scott moved into a dorm in College Park, Irma called someone at the University of Maryland and asked if her son could bring a car to school with him. By that time, she had started four scholarships at the university in honor of David and her daughters, including one for a Churchill graduate. She’d never asked anybody for special treatment, she says, but she was living alone

and wanted to make sure Scott could get home in an emergency. “The only thing he had that nobody else had was a car on campus freshman year,” Irma says. She called Scott once when she couldn’t find their dog, Sunny. “I went up and down the street—she had gone in and laid in my walk-in closet.”

Irma stayed on Twining Lane for six years, even getting remarried there five years after the murders, something she’d always hoped to see one of her daughters do. Then in 2001, she and Dale, who enjoys boating, bought a house on the South River in Annapolis. “I cried so bitterly the day I left,” she says.

She taught in the English department at South River High School—she has a degree in education—before moving back to Montgomery County in 2004 and later buying a brick contemporary off Falls Road in Potomac, where she and Dale live now. In her sitting room, she has

a painting of three girls and a boy playing by the ocean. She left most of the artwork in her old beach condo when she sold it, she says, but she wanted to bring that one with her.

Scot t keeps his sports memorabilia—a framed Wizards jersey, autographed Maryland basketballs—in a small room in the Potomac home that he and Amy bought last fall. He met Amy, an account executive for a marketing and advertising firm, on JDate in 2008.

His last name didn’t stand out to her— she was 13 when Scott’s family members were killed—but her mom told her what had happened. Scott and Amy dated for a while before they ever talked about it. “I knew—and he must have known I knew,” says Amy, who graduated from Rockville’s Richard Montgomery High School.

“If he wanted to tell me, he could’ve told me. I think there was an understanding.”

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‘by you living, they live’

Scott’s dad had a similar sports room in the family’s basement on Twining Lane— sort of a man cave, Scott says—which he filled with team posters and baseball cards in plastic sleeves. “Literally, he would pin stuff on the walls,” Scott says. “I took pictures before we took it down—there was no wall space left.”

Some of his dad’s sports trinkets are still in moving boxes—he hasn’t finished unpacking yet—but he already has a few things on a shelf: a commemorative Coke bottle from the Baltimore Orioles’ 1983 World Series win; baseballs bearing every

says. “It would’ve been nice to see how he would’ve been with Darren.”

He often wonders what his relationships with his father and sisters would be like now. He and his dad had started going to Bullets games together. “We’d leave with three minutes to go because we had to get out of the parking lot,” Scott says, laughing. “I never saw the end of a game.”

He felt like he was becoming friends with his sisters as they all got older—he’d even started hanging out with Sheri and her girlfriends. Nowadays, he finds himself noticing pictures of his friends with their

“What was a therapist gonna tell me? They were gonna walk back in the door tomorrow? That was the only thing I wanted to hear,” Irma says. player’s signature from Scott’s days in Little League, when David coached his son’s Potomac Boys Club team. When Scott was very young, his dad saw patients on Saturdays and had to miss most of his games, but his grandfather, Phil, came instead. “My dad worked very hard for us,” Scott says.

“As he got more and more established in his practice, he was able to cut back some hours and spend more time with us.” One of Scott’s favorite photos is a picture of the three generations of Goff men: his grandfather, his father and him. “In the Jewish religion, the mourning process never stops,” he says. “You visit the graves and you don’t forget—and that’s what keeps their memory alive. And by you living, they live.”

Now that he’s a father himself, Scott says, he wishes his dad was around to see him playing with his son, to talk to him about dad stuff. He’s close with his stepfather and his father-in-law, but it’s not quite the same. “It’s kind of a longing for that connection. …I sort of miss being able to share that with him,” he

siblings. “I take a moment and I pause and I think: What would it have been like?”

Scott says. “Just me, my sisters and our spouses—if we only had two kids each, that’s 16 people you have a life with.”

A month after the tragedy, Scott returned to Churchill for the start of his senior year.

He played on the baseball team, hung out with friends from his youth group, went to the prom. Later, he and his mom went on trips together. If there were times that she broke down, which he’s sure there were, she never let him see it. “Her therapy was me: taking care of me, providing for me, sending me to college, throwing my 18th birthday party, feeding me, feeding the world,” he says. “I led my life—and that’s what she wanted. So whatever she did, she did right.”

I r m a h a s s e e n interviews with crime victims who can’t let go of their anger. She’s tried not to let that happen to her. “If you’re bitter and angry, it dominates you—it’s not good to teach your kids,” she says. She doesn’t spend much time think-

ing about Bruman Alvarez. “He was sick. A normal person doesn’t do that. It’s no different than having, God forbid, a cancer.”

There are events that bring her back to that time, like the day in December when a small plane crashed into a Gaithersburg home and a father lost his wife and two young sons. But like that man, who was at work when the crash occurred, there was nothing she could have done to prevent the death of her loved ones. She doesn’t have any guilt, she says, and that’s part of why she was able to go on. She knows parents who’ve lost children to an addiction and how they struggle with what they might have done differently, but she’s never had to face that. What happened to her was random. “There’s no shoulda, woulda, coulda,” she says. “My children, my husband came first—I didn’t do anything without them.”

Lots of Irma’s friends have daughters who’ve had weddings in the last few years. Although she tries not to dwell on what might have been, special occasions like that sometimes make her think of her own girls—who they might have married, how many children they might have had. “You put something in a drawer, you close the drawer. Every once in a while, you gotta open the drawer and see what’s in the drawer,” she says. “Very often when it’s quiet, I open up a box. I visit. I always talk to them, I always think about them and wonder.”

Despite her loss, a loss that she says can be difficult for her to explain, she’s had plenty of joy over the years. She smiles when she talks about the time she created a YouTube video, called “Irma’s Kitchen,” on how to make her famous mandel bread, a Jewish biscotti her children loved. Or the time little Darren pointed out a crumb in her house and called it “schmutz,” a word she uses all the time. Life does go on, she’s learned. And while she’s too superstitious to talk about it, she’ll soon have something new to smile about: Scott and Amy are expecting another baby in May. n Senior editor Cindy Rich can be reached at cindy.rich@bethesdamagazine.com.

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D Chevy Chase mom Lisa Hartigan runs through the range of emotions experienced by parents teaching their teens to drive.

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nse. e c li ir e th t e g to it a w ’t n a c s n e Most te e th f o e n o e b n a c ve ri d to s id But teaching k . g n ti n re a p f o s e s a h p — g n ti ra scariest—and most frust

y z a r C s U g n i v Dri by ju li e ra sic ot

photos by liz lynch

“Ca n I d r i v e?” my 16-year-old

daughter asked eagerly.

It was late on a Sunday afternoon last June when Emily and I were about to return home to Silver Spring from a family party in Severna Park. The 45-mile trip would take us along Route 50 and the Beltway, both roads certain to be congested with returning beach traffic. Emily had logged hours of practice on the busy roads near our home and deftly handled a nearly empty Intercounty Connector on a Sunday morning, but this would be her first attempt at driving in heavy traffic on a multi-lane highway.

Suddenly I envisioned the road ahead morphing into a deathtrap filled with hurtling hunks of metal, bent on cutting off our aging Volvo wagon and sending us careening into the side of the Severn River Bridge. I took a deep breath and handed over the keys.

Get ting A Driver’s license has long been considered a rite of passage for

teens. The flip side—teaching your teen to drive—is arguably one of the most difficult roles of parenting. Parents who’ve been through the experience often shudder as they recall the anxiety inherent in turning over the family car to their child.

“You’re putting your life in their hands,” Potomac parent Linda Johnson says bluntly, recalling her experiences teaching her daughter, now 18, how to drive and most recently, her son, 17, who got his license in January. “You’ve got to give up that control.”

Whenever the subject comes up, one couple I know instantly finds themselves transported back to that scary moment a few years ago when they feared for their lives as their novice teen driver blindly drove the family car off an exit ramp and into oncoming traffic on I-95.

Lisa Hartigan of Chevy Chase recalls how she blithely assumed that a trip to Maryland’s Deep Creek Lake would provide her daughter, 16-year-old Hailey, with a couple of hours of easy highway

driving practice—that is, until the road they were on unexpectedly narrowed and became lined with concrete barriers as they passed through a small town.

“We were in a luge,” Hartigan says.

“I totally thought she’d be taking off the mirrors. It was petrifying.”

As teens often do, her daughter remembers differently. “It wasn’t as dramatic as she makes it sound,” Hailey scoffs.

F o r m o s t f a m i l i e s, the process of teaching a teen to drive officially begins with a trip to a Motor Vehicle Administration branch for a learner’s permit, the first step in Maryland’s graduated-licensing system.

The requirements for getting a driver’s license have changed dramatically since the days when most baby boomers were learning to drive. Growing up in Connecticut, I remember trying to stay awake through driver’s education class taught after school by our physical education teacher. My in-car lessons con-

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Trying to fit all those practice hours into their busy lives may be one reason that the number of teens who apply for a license as soon as they are legally able has dropped in recent years. In 2012, for example, just 28 percent of 16-year-olds held driver’s licenses nationwide, a sharp decrease from the nearly 41 percent of 16-year-olds who held licenses in 1996, according to Federal Highway Administration statistics.

“It’s become an elongated process,” says Tom Pecoraro, founder of Rockvillebased I Drive Smart, one of several companies offering driver’s education in the Bethesda area. To fit in all the require-

I Drive Smart driving instructor Tom Cosens has worked with thousands of area teens—and their parents. “Mainly, parents are just scared to death,” he says. “They don’t know what to do.”

ments, some students will take a driver’s education class, go off to college and wait until they come back home to take the test, he says.

Today’s teens also might not feel the same urgency to drive that older generations did because so much of their social lives occur online—and they also know that today’s helicopter parents are often more than willing to serve as chauffeurs. Some may even be waiting out the restrictions that apply to teens under 18.

Susie Zimmermann says her older son, Alex, was eager to drive while his younger brother, Ben, now 19, was in no rush to learn, partly because he could

photo by michael ventura

sisted of driving around our small town, mostly with my mom, while running errands. That might explain why neither my older brother nor I passed our driving tests the first time.

Today’s teens face a more onerous challenge. The adoption by all states and the District of Columbia of graduated driver licensing in recent decades means that most teenage drivers are required to spend more time driving supervised— and under rules that may limit the number of passengers and nighttime driving—before becoming fully licensed.

That’s a good thing, experts say, because it increases the amount of experience that teen drivers receive, reducing the chances that they will be involved in an accident during their first few years of driving. After all, it’s well known—and terrifying to us parents—that car crashes are the leading cause of death for U.S. teens.

The adoption of graduated licensing is changing that dynamic. A March 2014 report by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety found that “substantial reductions occurred in fatal and nonfatal crash risk among teenage drivers” after states implemented graduated driver licensing beginning in the mid-1990s.

In Maryland, the graduated-licensing system requires new drivers to progress through three levels of licensing: a learner’s permit, a provisional license and a full driver’s license. Teens can apply for a learner’s permit when they are 15 years and 9 months old as long as a parent or guardian co-signs their application. Before receiving a permit, they must pass a vision screening and a computerized test based on the Maryland Driver’s Manual.

Once teens get a permit, they must hold it for nine months before applying for a provisional license. They also must complete a state-approved driver’s education course—involving 30 hours of classroom instruction and six hours of behind-the-wheel training—and log a minimum of 60 hours of practice driving with a supervising adult, while maintaining a conviction-free driving record.

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walk from their Bethesda home to Walt Whitman High School for classes and other activities. Plenty of friends had access to cars, too.

Even when prodded to take the driver’s seat, Ben was reluctant. “He was perfectly happy sitting on the passenger’s side,” Zimmermann says.

enough tension to rival the Cold War. I can clearly recall a father’s angry reaction last fall as he hopped out of the passenger seat of an SUV that had pulled in next to us at Homestead Farm in Poolesville. “When your mother and I tell you to stop, you stop!” he yelled as his teenage daughter climbed out of the driver’s seat.

My husband and I each spent our first few lessons with Emily driving in circles around the parking lot of Montgomery Blair High School. It’s pretty easy to remain calm when the only thing the car can hit is a curb. But after an hour or two, we all grew bored of going in circles and began venturing onto neighborhood roads.

photo by michael ventura

That was not the case with my daughter. After Emily turned 15, she’d regularly report to us how many months, then days, remained until she could apply for a learner’s permit. Once she had her permit in hand, we began our lessons.

It probably makes sense to develop a

comprehensive plan for teaching your child to drive; after all, it is one of the most important skills that teens will ever learn.

Teen Driver Source, a website produced

by The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Research Institute, provides just such a plan, with specific objectives and progress reports that can be updated online. It’s an impressive program, if a bit unrealistic for today’s busy parents and teens to complete.

Most parents I know have adopted the same tactics that our parents used: Put your child behind the wheel and then dispense advice and wisdom honed from years on the road. It’s a simple process, but one that can become fraught with

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driving us crazy

I thought I did well at remaining calm, loosely holding onto the passenger armrest with my right hand while casually keeping the left free to grab the wheel if necessary. But Emily disagrees, pointing out how often I would press my right foot onto a nonexistent floor brake if I thought she was going too fast.

Linda Johnson knows all about using that phantom brake, remembering how she employed it often while teaching her own Emily. “I’m not really a screamer,” she says, “but I had one hand on the wheel and my foot on a pretend brake, kind of clutching myself.”

When it came time to teach her son, Adam, she was prepared. “I learned to sit on my hands,” she says. “I did not want him to know I was scared to death.” Turns out Adam was much more relaxed and confident than her daughter had been, which in turn helped Johnson relax. “I was pleasantly surprised,” she says.

After driving with roughly 3,000 teens during his nine years as an in-car instructor for I Drive Smart, Tom Cosens has gotten pretty good at remaining

Sixteen-year-old Hailey Hartigan is confident behind the wheel. “My success in driving comes from me,” she says.

tigan pulls onto Tuckerman Lane from a parking lot in Potomac. Cosens folds both hands as if he’s praying and places them just below his chin, his forearms resting on his chest. His arms will remain in that position for nearly the whole two hours of Hailey’s in-car instruction, the second of three sessions she needs to complete before taking her driver’s test.

Cosens is a retired patrol officer who put in 21 years with the Montgomery County police department and 30 years total as a cop. I Drive Smart, which is

Though teens learn the rules of the road in driver’s ed classes and practice driving skills during in-car sessions with instructors, Cosens points out that parents “bear the brunt” of teaching their teens to drive.

And he often hears about the tensions that arise, especially once a teen starts taking driver’s ed classes. Parents will often tell him: “I’ve been doing this for 30 years and my child is criticizing me.”

I know that I occasionally sounded like a hypocrite when I was teaching Emily, telling her to slow down and obey the speed limit when I’d often hit the gas if we were running late. And there were times when I’d refuse to let her drive, knowing that I could get us to our destination faster.

Still, it annoyed me when she would say that I wasn’t supposed to be passing on the right or that I shouldn’t have sped up to make it through a yellow light.

Hailey’s mom thinks she’s done a fine job of teaching her daughter to drive, but Hailey holds her own opinion. “I think she kind of winged it,” she says. “My success in driving comes from me. It’s pretty easy to pick up.”

Cosens says there are some common mistakes that parents make, such as

calm. He also has one big advantage over us parents: His side of the training car does have a foot brake.

On a frigid day in late February, Cosens settles into the front passenger seat and I sit in the back of the company’s eggyolk-colored Ford Fiesta as Hailey Har-

more expensive than other local driving schools, only hires active-duty or retired police officers as instructors.

He’s talked to many parents during his years as an instructor. “Mainly, parents are just scared to death,” he says. “They don’t know what to do.”

photo by Liz lynch

Tom Cosens of I Drive Smart has at least one big advantage over parents: His side of the training car does have a foot brake.

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driving us crazy

License to Drive So your teen is the proud owner of a provisional driver’s license.

That means you can just hand over the keys, right?

The author’s daughter, Emily Daly, shows off her Wrong. new driver’s license.

Under state law, teens under 18 who hold a provisional license are subject to driving restrictions. One of the most important: For the first five months, teen drivers are prohibited from transporting anyone under age 18 unless the person is a “directly related” family member, such as a sister or brother, or another family member who lives at the same address.

Some parents tend to ignore the law restricting passengers for the first five months of driving. It’s too convenient to have their teen help with carpool driving, they say, pointing out that only kids they know are allowed in the car.

As for teens, they may tell parents they are obeying the law and yet still offer friends a lift.

But those restrictions are in place for a reason. Statistics show the “crash risk is particularly high during the first months of licensure” for newly licensed teens, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Plus, the “presence of teen passengers increases the crash risk of unsupervised teen drivers. This risk increases with the number of teen passengers.”

That’s why parents should stay involved, especially during those early months, says Buel Young, a spokesman for the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration: “Parents hold the keys. You can control where they go.”

Teen drivers must hold a provisional license for 18 consecutive months without incurring a traffic violation before receiving a full driver’s license. If your teen receives a speeding ticket or other violation, the 18-month waiting period starts again.

—Julie Rasicot parent to stop yelling even though “the parent’s voice was barely raised, if at all.”

T h e l a s t h a l f - h o u r of Hailey’s session focuses on parallel parking and backing into a parking space. Failing to complete these two tasks in the time allotted for each means instant failure on the driving test, Cosens explains to Hailey before she practices parking in front of Cabin John Middle School.

The test of parking skills often trips up teens, and some question why it’s so important to learn to parallel-park when they can just drive around and find another space.

They are missing the point, Maryland

MVA spokesman Buel Young says. Testing whether a prospective driver can parallel- or reverse-park allows a state examiner to “assess an individual’s ability to control the vehicle,” he says.

Both Young and Pecoraro remind parents and teens that successfully demonstrating those parking skills and passing the driving test only prove that a new driver has the minimum skills necessary to operate a car.

“I was a cop for 25 years. I’ve been around cops my entire life and this is what I’ve asked them: Have you ever [handled] a fatal parallel-parking wreck?

Never,” Pecoraro says.

But for many young drivers, that’s the

Photo Courtesy of julie rasicot

allowing teens to drive the same routes repeatedly instead of exposing them to all types of traffic and road conditions.

He advises parents to begin teaching their teens as early as possible by pointing out how to handle traffic situations as they themselves are driving.

A 2010 study by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety in Washington, D.C., examined the nature and quality of parental supervision while teens are learning to drive. The goal: to help parents become better driving mentors. The study followed 50 North Carolina families with teens holding learner’s permits and included the installation of cameras in family cars to record interactions between parents and teens.

Video clips from the cameras showed that parents were much more likely to comment on a teen’s handling of the car than they were to provide “higher order” instruction about visually scanning the road ahead, checking for hazards or anticipating the behavior of other drivers, according to the study.

Cosens focuses on that type of instruction as Hailey drives around Potomac and Rockville, while also testing her knowledge of the rules of the road. “I tell kids, ‘When you drive, you become one with this car. You have to understand the car and know how to make it do what you have to do,’ ” he says.

Hailey is relaxed as she cruises along neighborhood streets, chatting with Cosens about her driving experience and asking questions about her upcoming driver’s test. The scene isn’t quite the same when she’s with her mom or dad, she says.

“My mom does a lot of yelling and my dad is quieter, but I can see out of the corner of my eye, he’s clutching the side of the door and every time I make a turn, he holds on tighter,” Hailey says.

My daughter often accused me of yelling during our lessons, though I thought I was calmly offering advice. Turns out I probably was. The AAA study found that parents rarely yelled at teens in the video clips. In fact, the study said there were a number of instances when a teen told a

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most difficult part of the test. Pecoraro says that proves the driving test is a good indicator of basic fundamentals, but not much else. “When you get your license,” he says, “that’s when, really, the learning starts.”

The day of Emily’s driver’s test at the White Oak MVA branch finally arrived last September. We’d made it through the trip home from Severna Park and many other drives without any mishaps. And she’d repeatedly practiced her parking skills on our street and in local lots. Though nervous, she felt she was ready. Just as importantly, so did I. Young dismisses the belief that it’s easier to pass the driver’s test at some MVA locations than others. “That is a perception,” he says. “While the courses are different” at each location, “the requirements are the same. The examiners have a script they follow.”

In addition to evaluating parking skills, the test is full of other potential minefields. Fail to ask the examiner to put on a seat belt or to stop completely at the stop sign in the testing lot? “They will fail you right off the block,” Cosens says.

“Some fail before they even get out into traffic,” Young adds.

After the examiner took my place in the passenger seat, I watched Emily as she confidently completed the parking tests and headed out onto the road.

About 20 minutes later, she returned triumphant, wearing a big smile.

She was brimming with a newfound sense of freedom. I was proud, yet full of trepidation. I began to picture many anxious nights ahead, waiting up until she got home safely.

Z immermann says she can still remember how she felt watching her older son drive away in the family car for the first time after getting his license.

“It’s a huge leap of faith,” she says.

“Watching him pull out of the driveway, I thought, OK, I’ve just now lost all control.” n Julie Rasicot is a senior editor at Bethesda Magazine.

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Preparing F Dr. Tara Palmore, deputy epidemiologist at the National Institutes of Health’s Clinical Center, was a key member of the team that cared for the first Ebola patient to arrive at the Bethesda facility.

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g For Battle When Nina Pham, the first person to contract Ebola on American soil, arrived at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda last October, the nation was transfixed and terrified.

Here’s what was happening behind the scenes.

By Amy Reinink Photos by hilary schwab

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14, Palmore knew this would throw her schedule into a tailspin.

“I watched him walk to the cab and thought, ‘Nooo!’ ” Palmore says. “I knew I’d be spending a lot of quality time, and at least one overnight, at the hospital, and I know how disruptive that could be to family life.”

Palmore spent the day scrambling to find a baby sitter to spend the night on Oct. 16, when the patient, 26-year-old Nina Pham, was scheduled to arrive. As Palmore drove her kids to school in the morning, she explained why she wouldn’t be around that evening.

“Mom’s not going to be here tonight because a special patient is coming very

late tonight,” Palmore told them. “But you’re going to have Jess, your favorite baby sitter.”

The car was silent for a beat.

“Mom, is it going to be an Ebola patient?” her first-grader asked.

Palmore paused, and then said yes, it would be. It jarred her that she couldn’t shield her kids from that knowledge.

Palmore dropped off the children at school and headed back home to pack an overnight bag. It was the start of an exhausting but exhilarating week and a half for Palmore and the dozens of other NIH employees charged with a Herculean task: Take a woman with a deadly virus and cure her.

photo by hilary schwab

Dr. tara palmore watched

her husband carry his suitcase from the front steps of their home in Northwest Washington to a waiting cab with a sinking feeling in her stomach. Her husband was heading out of town on a business trip, and Palmore wanted to call out and tell him to stay.

It was 6:30 a.m. on Oct. 15, 2014. Palmore, the deputy epidemiologist at the National Institutes of Health’s Clinical Center, had learned via a text message moments earlier that a Dallas nurse— the first person to contract Ebola in the United States—would be coming to the Bethesda campus for treatment. With three children ranging in age from 7 to

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Right: Pham is helped off an ambulance before boarding a plane from Texas to Frederick, Maryland.

photo by Chip Somodevilla for get ty images

photo by hilary schwab

Ebola patient Nina Pham’s room in the Special Clinical Studies Unit was equipped with an elaborate airflow system and painted with epoxy paint that’s easy to disinfect.

as the ebola outbreak rocked West Africa in early 2014 and began to spread overseas in the summer, a small army of nurses, doctors, engineers and other NIH staffers prepared to fight the disease at home. And as the nation fixed its attention on Nina Pham in October 2014, those same NIH employees worked around the clock to care for her. The biggest victories along the way stemmed from seemingly minor details such as changes and upgrades in equipment and personal protective gear for clinicians, and the checking and rechecking of the pipes above the unit where she was treated.

Though there are now more than 50 Ebola treatment centers in the United

States with biocontainment capabilities and stringent training requirements for clinicians, there were only three such facilities in August 2014, according to a White House press release. The NIH’s Special Clinical Studies Unit (SCSU) was one.

Emory University Hospital in Atlanta and the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha were the others.

The SCSU occupies 4,000 square feet on the fifth floor of the NIH’s Clinical Center, the largest hospital in the country devoted to clinical research. In addition to receiving care, every patient there is participating in a clinical study. At any given time, there are roughly 1,500 clinical research studies underway, with dozens of areas of research, ranging from cancer and AIDS to depression and eye problems. Research at the Clinical Center led to the first cure of a solid tumor with chemotherapy, the first chemotherapeutic cures for childhood leukemia and Hodgkin’s disease, and the

use of AZT as the first treatment for HIV/ AIDS. The SCSU opened in 2010 to provide support to Fort Detrick, an infectiousdisease research lab in Frederick, in case a worker there contracted a serious disease.

It consists of four patient rooms with a total of seven beds, and was built to house people in need of isolation. A special airflow system prevents potentially contaminated air from leaving the patient’s room. Access is by key card only.

The only individuals to have stayed in the SCSU as of last summer were healthy volunteers or patients participating in clinical studies, such as influenza trials. But on Aug. 8, NIH Director Francis Collins sent an email to staff, saying they should begin preparing for a possible Ebola patient.

because ebola is transmitted via direct contact with infected blood or bodily fluids, rather than through the air,

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the staff began to discuss how to retrofit their facilities to meet the demands of the disease. Laura Lee, special assistant to the deputy director for clinical care for patient safety and clinical quality, says waste management quickly emerged as a major cause for concern.

Enter Donna Phillips, director of the NIH’s Division of Facilities, Operations and Maintenance. Phillips has worked at NIH for 23 years. She oversees roughly

400 employees who manage all facilities on the main NIH campus and also remote campuses, including those in Frederick, Poolesville and even one in Montana. She handles an average of 250 trouble calls per day—anything from broken pipes to issues with directional airflow in infectious-disease units.

In the second week of August, Dr. David Henderson, deputy director for clinical care at the Clinical Center, called Phil-

lips to his office to talk about preparing the SCSU for an Ebola patient. From that point on, they held an early-morning meeting every day to discuss potential facility changes. Phillips also attended daily meetings with other staff members and fielded requests from nurses, housekeepers and other departments. Then she headed back to her deputies and planned modifications.

One concern expressed by clinicians was that Ebola patients can produce up to

photos by hilary schwab

Director Donna M. Phillips (left) of the Division of Facilities, Operations and Maintenance reviews plans with colleagues Donald Edwards (middle) and Michael McClain. Phillips oversees the roughly 400 employees who manage all NIH facilities and handles an average of 250 trouble calls per day.

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photos by hilary schwab

Debbie Gutierrez, senior nurse manager of the Special Clinical Studies Unit, was concerned for the safety of her staff. “It’s like when your teenager goes away to college— you worry about them,” she says.

5 liters of vomit and diarrhea per day. Staff had to consider how to safely transfer waste without splashing or spilling it. In August 2014, Phillips and her team installed two new autoclave machines in the SCSU. The pressure chambers are used to sterilize infectious materials with steam. Previously, clinicians would have to transport waste to autoclaves elsewhere in the Clinical Center, or in nearby Building 14A on campus.

The project required 3,000 feet of piping,

welded ductwork, electrical conduits and two new exhaust fans.

In early September, Phillips worked with a contractor to design a special funnel that would slowly drain fluids from a continuous dialysis machine into a waste bag designed to be placed in an autoclave machine. “It was incredibly cool, and it speaks to the way that nobody stepped away from a challenge throughout this whole process,” Lee says.

Staff also made several modifications to equipment. For example, the standard short and squat trash cans in the SCSU were replaced with taller models that nurses could reach more easily. Another change involved personal protective equipment (PPE). Workers had noticed

that the ties securing the back of their shrouds were too long. Staff began cutting them before donning the protective gear, leaving only about a quarter inch of material to eliminate the risk of dangling.

Lee, who started at NIH 25 years ago, says her job was to “channel her inner Eeyore,” or to constantly imagine worstcase scenarios in order to take measures to prevent them. In early September, Lee staged a daylong drill that simulated what it would be like to care for an Ebola patient.

A nurse served as the “patient,” and health care workers donned full protective gear.

“We spent an afternoon putting together the pieces into one long stream of care, and watching for what happened at the junctures in the process,” Lee says.

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Lee noticed that there was a vulnerable moment when the trash cart was transferred from the patient’s room to the autoclave machine down the hall. “It was just one step, but if you didn’t do it precisely right, there was a chance for contamination,” she says.

To address the issue, Phillips and her team built lighter, more maneuverable autoclave transport carts that could be pushed directly into the autoclave machines, eliminating the need for a nurse to lift a bag of waste from the cart and place it into the machine.

“Honestly, I don’t know if Donna Phillips slept for a month,” says Maureen Gormley, the Clinical Center’s chief operating officer.

on sept. 28, the team got a trial run.

An American physician who had been exposed to the virus via a needlestick injury while volunteering in Sierra Leone arrived at the SCSU for observation. Thus began daily 3 p.m. “huddles,” or meetings, to review policies and procedures. Dozens of people filled a large conference room in the SCSU, which became standing room only as everyone from nurses to engineers crowded in for the hourlong meetings.

“I’m talking about medical staff, individ-

uals from the office of the director, different groups within nursing, materials management, epidemiology, housekeeping, engineers, lab medicine—everyone,” says Debbie Gutierrez, senior nurse manager for the SCSU. Gutierrez says clinicians spoke openly about their concerns. “I was constantly worrying about my staff, and worrying about the patient,” Gutierrez says. “It’s like when your teenager goes away to college—you worry about them. You wonder if they are eating properly, getting enough sleep or going to class on time. Being able to talk with my peers in the daily huddles helped a great deal. We shared concerns we normally wouldn’t share—little things like, ‘The staff needs more water.’ ” After the patient was declared Ebolafree and discharged on Oct. 7, the team started preparing for what they all viewed as inevitable, especially after they learned in early October that two Dallas nurses had been exposed to Ebola while caring for a patient there. “We were completely fixated on what was going on in Dallas,” Lee says. “We had a feeling we’d likely be called upon to help, and we were excited and privileged to provide care to one of our own—to someone who risked her life caring for others.”

“We were completely fixated on what was going on in Dallas,” Lee says. “We had a feeling that we’d likely be called upon to help, and we were excited and privileged to provide care to one of our own.”

early in the morning of Oct. 15, NIH staff learned that they would, indeed, be called upon to help: Nurse Nina Pham would arrive late the next day. Pham had contracted Ebola at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital while caring for Thomas Duncan, a Liberian man who died of the disease at the hospital.

Immediately, weekend plans were postponed. Baby sitters were scheduled, and families were prepared. On Oct. 16, a Thursday, Collins sent an email to all NIH employees, letting them know that Pham was on her way to Bethesda.

To ease the fears of a workforce worried about exposure to the deadly virus, Palmore posted a 12-page white paper with information about Ebola on NIH’s public website, and spoke at two town hall meetings for staff. “There was some anxiety and fear about Ebola, especially among the nonclinical staff,” Palmore says.

According to an NIH newsletter, one staff member at a town-hall style question-and-answer session asked why Pham was being moved from Texas to NIH. “We are a biomedical research institution,” Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of NIH’s National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said in response, according to the newsletter. “Very little research has been done on these patients due to the cataclysmal nature of treating them. We have almost a moral responsibility to step to the plate on this.”

For Justin Cohen, chief of communications at the Clinical Center, the morning of Wednesday, Oct. 15, brought an onslaught of phone calls and emails from the news media, medical professional societies and the general public.

Cohen had come to NIH from the Environmental Protection Agency in 2013, and had hired new team members shortly after arriving. Though staff members had covered events such as Hurricane Sandy and handled media relations for organizations including the U.S. Marine Corps in their previous jobs, the six team members had never confronted a major event like this together.

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preparing for battle

In addition to responding to incoming media requests, Cohen and his team spent Oct. 15 and 16 preparing photos and footage for reporters who wanted to illustrate what the SCSU looked like inside, how clinicians put on and take off protective gear, and what the Ebola virus looks like under a microscope. That meant working around the schedules of the SCSU clinicians. “We couldn’t just barge into the SCSU while our experts prepped it for a patient,” Cohen says.

“The SCSU is an extremely sensitive space. It was a delicate dance: With no time to spare, the communications team was scrambling to create materials media worldwide would clamor for—and yet somehow not interfere with the Clinical Center’s obvious top priority, which is providing the best patient care possible.”

Team members also spent most of Oct.

15 and 16 making the rounds of the long line of satellite trucks parked in front of the Clinical Center, running wiring, suggesting spots to do stand-ups, and guiding reporters to the cafeteria and restrooms. Several communications staffers from other parts of the NIH campus volunteered to help.

Cohen stationed them by entrance points to the campus and the Clinical Center.

In order to provide privacy for Pham when she arrived, all news trucks were asked to leave the campus by 8 p.m. on Oct. 16, and not return until 5 a.m. the next day. It was then, Cohen says, that preparing for Pham’s arrival gave way to waiting.

“To some degree, we had to be agile, and to be able to make real-time decisions and judgments,” Cohen says. “At some point, we could only gird ourselves for what was coming.”

around 11 p.m. on oct. 16, the team of NIH workers that would be welcoming Pham gathered in the common area of the SCSU to wait. The television was tuned to CNN. “We could see which exit the ambulance was passing on 270, so we could tell when it was time to go downstairs and get in our suits,” Palmore says. “It was surreal. The CNN helicopter feed is usually not part of our work flow.”

Cohen watched the same footage from the office of the director of the Clinical Center. “I’m a communications professional, and I have a tremendous regard for the media,” Cohen says. “But personally, I was just praying that the patient’s comfort was not being hindered by the frenzy of it all.”

When the ambulance reached Rockville, the team walked downstairs to meet its patient. A quiet, eerie scene unfolded

nih photo by bill branson

Pham, surrounded by family members and NIH staff, is all smiles during an Oct. 24 press conference announcing that she was free of the Ebola virus.

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preparing for battle

as the ambulance approached the Clinical Center’s west ambulance entrance around midnight. Though satellite trucks were stationed nearby at the NIH Metro stop’s Kiss and Ride lot, the campus itself was nearly silent.

Lee recalls seeing Dr. Richard Davey, a deputy clinical director at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease Division of Clinical Research; Dr. John Gallin, director of the NIH Clinical Center; and Fauci watching and waiting from 50 feet away, in white coats but without PPE. Lee watched as two doctors, two nurses and two EMTs, all in full protective gear, wheeled a stretcher that appeared to be covered by a huge plastic bag. Inside, there was a small figure wearing a mask.

“That scene is seared in my brain,” Lee says. “There was a feeling of knowing we’ve done all we can do to prepare.” Palmore and several nurses from the SCSU greeted Pham warmly and walked alongside the stretcher. “The thing I remember the most is that everyone was cheerful and upbeat,” Palmore says. “It was long past all of our bedtimes, but we were all just excited that we had this patient, and excited that we were going to be able to take care of her.”

The work of containing the virus began immediately. Phillips had staffed every door and elevator along Pham’s path with operations and maintenance personnel, and in some cases, NIH police officers. She had nearly a dozen mechanics standing by in the event of an elevator malfunction.

Once Pham and the team started moving, Phillips made a radio call to freeze all other staff members along the route in place. “I kept asking myself, along the route, what can break? What can stop them from moving along?” Phillips says.

In less than 10 minutes, Pham was in her room in the SCSU.

few front-line scsu employees went home that night. Palmore helped the NIH firefighters who had driven Pham’s ambulance take off their PPE, helped disinfect the stretcher, and watched the first

shift of nurses start providing care.

When things settled down at around 4 a.m., Palmore tried unsuccessfully to sleep in her office. She decided to stay up and keep working.

Meanwhile, Cohen checked into a room at the Hyatt in downtown Bethesda to catch a couple hours of sleep on his own dime before a 6:30 a.m. all-hands meeting that he and his staff were helping to organize. Cohen says the last email of the night came in at 2:30 a.m., and the first of the morning arrived at 4 a.m.

“I remember very vividly pulling up to the Hyatt and seeing a long line of TV trucks that had just been at the hospital waiting to check into the hotel,” Cohen says. Though he and the reporters didn’t talk shop in the hotel lobby, he says seeing them underscored the work ahead for the communications staff. He knew that there would be dozens of satellite trucks lined up in front of the Clinical Center in the morning, poised to provide live updates at regular intervals throughout the day.

Before falling asleep, Cohen texted his team members to ask if they could come in early for the 6:30 a.m. meeting. “I thought, ‘I wouldn’t blame anyone if they wanted to pretend not to see my text,’ ” Cohen says. “Instead, the replies I got were, ‘Why don’t I come even earlier?

Maybe I can be helpful.’ ”

at first glance, the room in which Pham was treated is unremarkable: a hospital bed, cabinets for equipment, and monitors for patient vitals. It’s the mostly unseen details—the elaborate airflow system that prevents air from escaping the patient’s room, the epoxy paint that’s especially easy to disinfect—that set it apart.

Ann Marie Matlock, the Clinical Center’s nursing department service chief for medical surgical specialties, had overhauled the nursing schedule to account for the intensive care an Ebola patient would need. Two nurses in full PPE had to be in the room with the patient at all times.

One nurse provided care, while the other

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watched for breaches in protocol. Phillips and her staff added windows to each door to allow nurses who weren’t in full PPE to observe from outside, ready to fetch gear or handle other requests from the nurses in the room. A closed-circuit video camera enabled staff at the nursing station to observe the patient, too.

“The number of hours someone can be in gear is two,” Matlock says. “We had to set up the nurse staffing plan accordingly.” Each eight- to 12-hour shift, therefore, required four nurses. Matlock says she scheduled a rotation of 20 to 25 nurses per week, with 80 to 100 more trained to step in if a second patient arrived.

All the nurses who work in the SCSU have experience in intensive care or infectious disease. When the SCSU is not treating a patient, the nurses work in other parts of the Clinical Center. According to NIH staff, not a single SCSU nurse shied away from caring for Pham.

Nurses began their shifts by donning protective gear in the hallway of the SCSU under the direction of a person called a WatSan, which is short for “water and sanitation.” The WatSan narrates each step of putting on and taking off protective gear, which includes a helmet-like head covering that provides ventilation for the caretaker, who is wearing a cumbersome face mask and hood.

“You literally have a person standing in front of you when you put your garb on and take it off, and you do not move until the WatSan tells you to move,” Lee says.

“The WatSan tells you to put on your right bootie, then your left bootie, and so on.”

When the nurses’ shifts were over and they were ready to leave Pham’s room, they took off the outer layer of their protective gear, including shoe covers, their second pair of gloves and their impermeable gowns—all under direct observation of another nurse. Then they walked into an anteroom—a sort of middle ground to prevent contamination—to remove the rest of their gear under the watchful eyes of a WatSan before entering the hallway.

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preparing for battle

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Though health care privacy laws prevent NIH employees from disclosing information about Pham’s care, Ebola patients generally are treated for symptoms. They receive intravenous fluids to hydrate and balance electrolytes, their oxygen status and blood pressure are monitored carefully, and they are treated for other infections should they occur.

This February, Pham told The Dallas Morning News that she also received four experimental treatments: plasma from Ebola survivor Dr. Kent Brantly; TKMEbola, which blocks the virus’ genes from making copies; brincidofovir, which stops the virus from making copies of itself by blocking enzymes used in replication; and ZMapp, three antibodies that neutralize Ebola. It is not clear whether she received these treatments at the NIH or in Texas.

While Pham was being cared for, Phillips, like Lee, tried to imagine every possible worst-case scenario in order to prepare for it. “Our bad day would be water—if a fire sprinkler goes off, or if a pipe above the SCSU bursts,” Phillips says.

Phillips assigned staff to monitor the pipes, and trained them to quickly shut off any valves. “We are still monitoring them 24 hours a day, seven days a week for any leaks or other problems so we can proactively address them,” says Phillips, noting that the SCSU remains ready to accept Ebola patients at any time. NIH did in fact receive another Ebola patient in March.

in communications, the phone was ringing off the hook—not just from reporters, but from members of the public wanting to wish Pham well.

Cohen says he and his staff spent much of their time outside, walking from news truck to news truck. “Everyone wanted to get a shot of the hospital, but we had to be careful that we weren’t showing any patients in the footage,” Cohen says. “It was really a logistical challenge to protect patients’ privacy in a bustling space while also being as helpful and forthcoming as possible with the legions of media.”

As news updates occurred, Cohen and his team also pulled together press conferences on short notice. In one of the most important press briefings, when doctors announced that Pham was Ebola-free on Oct. 24, Cohen noticed that the large blue backdrop bearing the NIH logo looked unstable.

“I looked at it and thought, ‘Boy, that looks a little wobbly,’ ” he says. Almost immediately after that thought, the backdrop started to fall backward. Another member of the communications staff stepped behind the backdrop and physically held it up for the entire hourlong press briefing. “There were scores and scores of reporters from around the country, and it was live on TV,” Cohen says. “So you can imagine how awful it would be for the backdrop to just collapse on people.”

While nurses and other clinicians cared for Pham, another team worked to make sure her family felt comfortable and safe.

That task fell mostly to Jessi Kesler, a member of the Clinical Center’s Hospitality Services Department who served as an ambassador to Pham’s family. Among her first duties: finding them a comfortable place where they were close to Pham but out of the public eye. That meant the standard waiting rooms were out.

Kesler worked with Gormley, the Clinical Center’s COO, on Oct. 16 to find an office in an isolated corner of the Clinical Center, close to the SCSU. Then, on Oct. 17, Phillips and her team converted the office into a waiting room, removing the desks and cabinets and moving in couches and armchairs.

“I think it was the fastest office move in the history of the NIH,” Gormley says.

“From the time we identified the office and talked to the occupants, it must have been a few hours.” Housekeeping cleaned the room’s carpets and blinds, and Kesler gave the family a key.

Kesler also dealt with the mountain of mail, cards, flowers and gifts Pham received from strangers, including a batch of get-well cards on construction paper

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from a Bethesda elementary school.

“It was a strange challenge: How do you handle volumes of mail being sent to an individual who can’t receive the mail because she’s in isolation?” Gormley says.

“You don’t want to give it to her family, because it’s someone else’s mail. You don’t want to withhold it from her. But then, you don’t want to pass along something that hasn’t been vetted, in case someone had a response that was not positive.”

A social worker spoke to Pham about whether she wanted to receive the mail.

In the end, Kesler and the social worker went to the mail room and sorted the couple hundred letters and cards, plus packages and boxes, themselves. It took both of them to carry it all up to the SCSU.

by oct. 21, pham’s condition

had been upgraded from fair to good.

After five consecutive negative tests, she was declared Ebola-free on Oct. 24. At a press conference that afternoon, accompanied by her mother, sister and NIH caregivers, Pham was smiling and looking healthy.

As joyous as that occasion was, many NIH employees say there’s another that sticks out in their memories.

It was the day after Pham arrived at the SCSU. While Pham had communicated with her family via FaceTime and phone, she hadn’t physically seen them yet.

So on Oct. 17, the nursing staff arranged for Pham’s family to stand on a glass walkway across a courtyard from her room.

Nurses called into Pham’s room to tell her to look out the window, and then watched as she locked eyes with her family. Kesler saw them wave to each other, and draw hearts on the window with their fingers. n Amy Reinink is a frequent contributor to the magazine who also writes for Runner’s World and other outdoor publications. To comment on this story, email comments@ bethesdamagazine.com.

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on the edge Rockville’s American Dance Institute is pushing its suburban audience in new directions—and gaining an international reputation in the dance world By Lisa Traiger

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Among the avant-garde offerings this spring: Local contemporary dance company Christopher K. Morgan & Artists will perform Limited Visibility on May 29 and 30.

Photo Courtesy of ADI

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On weekday afternoons, the American Dance Institute hums with the sound of piano music. Children practice plies and pirouettes in the high-ceiling studios of the ballet school and dance theater located off Rockville Pike.

But if you happen by the studio at other times, you might see the former warehouse in an entirely different light.

In the early morning and late at night, established and up-and-coming choreographers work on dance projects through an incubator program that’s gaining an international reputation. ADI selects a handful of dance artists annually and provides them with studio space, technical support that includes a full-time crew, and, maybe the most important, time to incubate new works before they are premiered at high-visibility venues in places such as New York City.

When the program is in session, choreographers along with dancers in yoga pants and woolly socks can be found working out lifts and refining steps. A choreographer and a lighting designer may be talking intensely about the placement of light elements, while a circle of dancers and a composer consult with another choreographer about timing.

Fifteen years after opening its doors, the American Dance Institute (ADI) has evolved from a ballet academy that was founded to offer classes for students ranging from preschoolers to preprofessional dancers. ADI continues to expand

and change, offering the incubator program and a progressive contemporary dance series that is attracting a growing audience.

The story of how this world-class ballet academy transformed into a cutting-edge venue and an incubator for rising choreographers is one of artistic commitment, strategic planning and the generosity of a behind-the-scenes financial angel.

A D I wa s f o u n d e d by retired professional ballet dancers Pamela and Michael Bjerknes—Pamela was hired by Mikhail Baryshnikov to dance with the American Ballet Theatre (ABT) in New York, and Michael was a mainstay at the Joffrey Ballet in the early 1980s.

“It was always in our master plan to have a theater, and the other part of that was our dedication to the process of choreography,” Pamela says. The original design for the building included an expansive lobby, unusual for most ballet schools, and a 40-foot by 30-foot studio that now serves as the 145-seat black-box Solange MacArthur Theater.

Solange MacArthur was the in-thewings cheerleader and occasional financial angel behind much of ADI’s evolution. MacArthur, a granddaughter of insurance magnate John D. MacArthur, who founded the MacArthur Foundation, danced with Pamela in the ABT’s corps de ballet in the 1970s. MacArthur

and the Bjerkneses became friends while living in New York, and they would talk long into the night about how the couple would one day open their own studio for young ballet students.

All three had stopped performing years before the Bjerkneses opened ADI in 2000. MacArthur was the first to quit ballet, going to medical school to become an anesthesiologist. Michael Bjerknes, who graduated from college at 16 with a degree in math, earned an MBA in 1997 after his professional dance career ended, putting the degree to use in sales and consulting for General Electric. Pamela left the ABT stage in 1984, when her son was born, but continued to teach.

By 1995, the couple had moved to the Washington area, and had three young children. Pamela opened Ballet Ecole, a modest dance studio for beginners ages 8 to 12, in Glen Echo Park’s Hall of Mirrors. Five years later, the couple found the right location—a spacious warehouse one block off Rockville Pike—to fulfill their dream of opening a larger studio. MacArthur helped ADI pay for the lease and a $1.5 million renovation of the building. “Solange was always behind the scenes, an anonymous donor,” Pamela explains, declining to reveal how much money MacArthur contributed.

When ADI opened for classes, it drew mostly young aspiring ballerinas from Rockville, Bethesda and Potomac.

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New York-based Brian Brooks Moving Company is one of several dance companies that has taken advantage of ADI’s incubator program.

Photo Courtesy of ADI; Photo by Liz Lynch ( Willis )

Executive Director Adrienne Willis targets audiences interested in new experiences.

In 2008, Michael Bjerknes died of colon cancer at 51. The studio, at the behest of MacArthur, a longtime member of the board of directors, shifted direction.

MacArthur believed that ADI had potential to grow beyond its focus on dance training , to become a home for world-class contemporary dance. She invited Adrienne Willis, whom she knew from their work together at the nonprofit Veterans for America, to revamp the programming and oversee the financial side of the organization. Another husband-and-wife ballet couple, Runqiao and Erin Du, who had recently retired from The Washington Ballet, took over the school and its preprofessional training program. Pamela Bjerknes retreated from her involvement in running the studio and performance series, but continues to teach daily classes.

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In 2012, as Willis’ plan began to take hold, MacArthur died. Today, the theater

bears MacArthur’s name—her pointe shoes are displayed in the lobby—while the programming reflects the adventurous streak exhibited by Michael Bjerknes and MacArthur for new works that push the envelope of contemporary dance.

The institute’s incubator program grew from a similar concept that Michael Bjerknes had initiated years earlier by offering ADI’s studios for free to area choreographers when classes weren’t in session. “We had watched many ballet choreographers struggle over the years

with not enough space and time for their creative process,” Pamela Bjerknes says of the idea.

Under the Bjerkneses’ watch, though, most of the productions featured either students from the ballet school or apprentice companies from big New York names such as Alvin Ailey, Paul Taylor and the American Ballet Theatre, plus an occasional modern dance troupe from the Washington area.

Today, Willis sees the incubator as the element that sets ADI apart from other

Photo by Liz Lynch

Willis drafted a five-year plan to expand the institute’s programming to attract audiences beyond the families and friends who attended performances by ballet students. Her plan was at the core of the institute’s two-pronged focus: grow the ballet school’s enrollment, and present contemporary dance that isn’t offered at other venues in the Washington area.

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Retired professional ballerina Pamela Bjerknes founded ADI with her husband, Michael Bjerknes, in 2000.

dance studios and performing arts presenters. In the dance field, she says, it’s rare to find the kind of support provided by the program to help nurture choreographers through to the premieres of their projects.

Dan Hurlin, the director of artistic initiatives at ADI, Ruth Moe, the performance series director, and Kit McKay, the artistic liaison, scour the country for the most forward-thinking choreographers, dancers, composers and set designers, who are then housed in nearby

hotels and provided with meals and transportation.

With a technical director and crew on hand, the groups can experiment with their works and finetune such special effects as a shower of leaves, a rainstorm and puddles, or a complex lighting design.

Last spring, Potomac native and nationally acclaimed choreographer John Jasperse, who performed in musical theater at Thomas S. Wootton High School in Rockville, participated in the incubator program. An independent New York-based artist, Jasperse runs a pickup company, a loose collection of part-time and itinerant dancers who work with him on a projectby-project basis.

The avant-garde choreographer says the incubator program, which gathers performers in one location for one to two weeks of intensive work, helped solve two problems: trying to organize regular rehearsals and finding affordable rehearsal space in New York.

“At this point in developing new work, I’m working with many people who have other part-time jobs, which is very common throughout the dance world,” Jasperse says. “It’s a very chaotic development structure.”

Participating in the incubator enabled Jasperse to get all his dancers together for two weeks of intensive work to complete Within between, with an original score by composer Jonathan Bepler. Following its preview at ADI, Within between pre-

miered at New York Live Arts from May 28-31, 2014.

Jasperse says he wouldn’t have been able to fully realize his artistic vision without the incubator program. “It was incredible how much work we got done in that two-week period,” he says.

During Willis’ first season, beginning in the spring of 2011, she scheduled contemporary companies from New York, among them Jane Comfort & Co. and Doug Elkins Choreography, Etc., both helmed by midcareer artists. ADI saw ticket sales increase by 300 percent, according to Julianna Evans, director of public relations and marketing.

In 2012, with nine weekends of professional performances from out-oftown artists, ticket sales grew another 25 percent. And they continue to grow under Willis’ strategy of presenting performances by younger, edgier, out-oftown artists along with more established midcareer choreographers who have received critical acclaim. Fourteen weekends of performances were scheduled for the season running from last September through June, and many Saturday night shows sold out in advance, Willis says.

The institute’s programming has moved far from the familiar and comfortable 20th-century dance masters and ballet recital material that audiences were accustomed to before Willis arrived. The choreography is conceptual, and choreographers are less worried about being liked as they experiment with new ways to structure, present or invent movement. It’s decidedly challenging, and always thought provoking, according to Evans and Willis.

Comfort was one of the first artists scheduled for Willis’ new dance series in 2011. She and her troupe have returned to ADI in subsequent seasons and she, along with other choreographers, advises

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on the edge

Hurlin on selecting incubator artists.

“What ADI has done,” Comfort says, “is instead of curating for the masses, they decided to curate for the audience they dreamed of. They just assume that their audience is really intelligent and sophisticated.”

To counter the notion that modern dance can be scary, hard to understand or simply inaccessible to suburban audiences, Willis plans a preperformance talk by a local university dance instructor and a post-performance wine reception at which audiences can meet the artists, share opinions and ask questions about the works. Choreographers say they receive important feedback when they chat with audiences after a performance.

Runqiao Du, one of the school’s directors, says some of ADI’s biggest fans come from the nearby senior adult living com-

munities. “We were all very surprised by how engaged those folks were,” he says.

“They write us letters about how it was interesting, how it made them think.”

With five performances scheduled for this spring, Willis is continuing to push her suburban audience to try new dance experiences. For his second incubator project, avant-garde dance-theater artist David Neumann premiered I Understand Everything Better in late March, a multidisciplinary piece incorporating innovative technology, weather reports, and personal narratives filtered through classical Japanese dance-theater elements. The Brooklyn, N.Y.-based Urban Bush Women was to present Walking with ’Trane on April 17 and 18, a suite of dances paying tribute to jazz pioneer John Coltrane. Also, Christopher K. Morgan & Artists, a Rockville-based

troupe, is reworking Morgan’s 2012 Limited Visibility for performances on May 29 and 30.

Morgan, who was previously affiliated with CityDance Ensemble in North Bethesda, says he’s noticed that audiences seem comfortable with performances that go beyond the traditional.

“I’ve met a fair number of people who have some history of experiencing cutting-edge work, and ADI is a great gift in reconnecting them to that,” he says.

Today, ADI continues to evolve.

Concerns over financial constraints led to an announcement in late March that the ballet school would close after its summer session. “We did a needs assessment,” says Willis, “and we found that there are a lot of very good schools in our area and even though we did well, grow-

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DR. RACHEL COHN’S

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ing from 75 to 300 students, we don’t want to compete with other schools.”

In a letter to parents, the Dus said ADI was negotiating with another area dance studio that was interested in opening a satellite school in ADI’s space. Beginning in September, the couple will move into new roles as co-directors of ADI’s new Future Artists Scholarship Fund, a program that will provide financial assistance to young dancers from across the country to study at the schools of their choice. Willis says that these scholarships will be directed to students in areas that do not have large ballet institutions. “We want to give back to the field,” she says.

Though there have been many changes over the years, Pamela Bjerknes doesn’t believe the institute has strayed from its original mission. “When we built the studio, literally from day one, we planned for a theater and performances,” she says.

“I think Michael and Solange would be happy with the new programs and initiatives, the upgrades to the space, and the ability to attract both faculty and artists that make this space come alive.”

Willis says she was surprised by the quick success of her plan to grow audiences. “I thought this was going to be a five-year project to fill the space,” she says, noting that her lack of background in dance helped her understand how to connect audiences with avant-garde works.

“The preshow talks have really helped.”

Jennifer Lane of Rockville, who holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in dance and is the principal of Westbrook Elementary School in Bethesda, almost never misses a performance at ADI. Attending one provides a weekend cultural fix, but it’s also something more, she says. “They’re always educating their audience in a very respectful way and allowing people to grow as consumers of art,” she says. “That’s a really fabulous thing.” n Lisa Traiger writes about dance, theater and the performing arts from Rockville.

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Lyricist Dick Scanlan (left) and director Michael Mayer, shown here in Times Square, have been friends for 40 years.

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interview

Making their Mark

Montgomery County’s Michael Mayer and Dick Scanlan talk about their road to Broadway and beyond

photo by april saul

By Margaret Engel

Times Square is only a little more than 200 miles from Bethesda, but it can be an elusive destination for people hoping to strike it big on Broadway. Director Michael Mayer and lyricist Dick Scanlan, award-winning talents who grew up in Montgomery County, have conquered the Great White Way and are frequently sought after by producers of Broadway musicals.

The two have been friends since they met 40 years ago at age 15 while singing in the Montgomery County Chorus, now known as the Montgomery County Youth Chorus. Mayer, who attended Woodward High School, and Scanlan, a student at Thomas S. Wootton High, bonded when they were cast as members of the street gang Jets in Wildwood Summer Theatre’s disco production of West Side Story in 1978. The Bethesda theater company, which was founded in 1965 by Walter Johnson High School students, is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.

Both men went on to great acclaim.

Scanlan, 55, a three-time Tony Award nominee, helped Motown Records founder Berry Gordy write the script for Motown: The Musical, a smash hit now touring worldwide. Scanlan also

wrote the script for a new version of The Unsinkable Molly Brown, which is likely headed for Broadway after its Denver premiere last fall. And he and actress Sherie Rene Scott wrote the Broadway musical Everyday Rapture and created Whorl Inside a Loop, a theater project inspired by their teaching experience at the Woodbourne Correctional Facility in Sullivan County, New York.

Mayer, 54, who won a Tony Award for Spring Awakening, has directed a string of Broadway blockbusters, including American Idiot, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Arthur Miller’s A View from the Bridge, and a Las Vegas-themed Rigoletto at the Metropolitan Opera. He’s also directed stars including Neil Patrick Harris, Robin Wright, Colin Farrell, Billie Joe Armstrong, Harry Connick Jr., Kristin Chenoweth and F. Murray Abraham on the stage, in film or in TV dramas and comedies.

In 2002, Mayer and Scanlon collaborated on Thoroughly Modern Millie, a hit on Broadway and in London’s West End. The two men, both of whom now live in Manhattan, spoke with Bethesda Magazine about their childhood love of local record stores and the early influences on their careers.

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interview

Books American Pastoral by Philip Roth, Fraud by Anita Brookner, Middlemarch by George Eliot, Bleak House

by Charles Dickens, The Counterfeiters by André Gide, Act One by Moss Hart, the novels of Agatha Christie

Bewitched

TV shows Bewitched, Brideshead Revisited and TCB, a 1968 Motown special on NBC Broadway show Angels in America. “I used to show up at 7:59 p.m., buy a standing room ticket for $15 and see it for the umpteenth time because I knew it would be the seminal theatergoing event of my life.” theater “The New Amsterdam Theatre is the most beautiful in New York.

And I love the Harvey at the Brooklyn Academy of Music.”

atre The New Amsterdam The

Dick, you say that your mother helped you determine your career choice when she bought you a Motown record at Dart Drug in Bethesda.

Dick: There were two things my mother did. She forced me to see The Sound of Music movie before I started kindergarten because the entire Ursuline Academy [a Catholic school where his mother taught physical education] was going. Usually when Ursuline Academy would go on a field trip, if I didn’t want to go, I stayed at the convent with the nuns. But in this case, even the most decrepit nun, even if one was in an iron lung, was going to see The Sound of Music.

Then, about a year later, we were at Dart Drug and there was a Supremes Greatest Hits, Volume 1 and 2, a double album set. I had no idea who the Supremes were. I just was intrigued by the girls in the dresses on the cover.

And it was on sale, two albums for the price of one. My mother guessed it was a good deal, so she bought it.

Michael, when you won a Tony Award for Spring Awakening, you mentioned in your acceptance speech a present your parents had given you.

Michael: It was very significant, and I think it was from a Korvette’s [a discount department store]. The Judy at Carnegie Hall album was on sale. I was obsessed with Judy Garland ever since I saw The Wizard of Oz, which was the truly most transformative experience of my young life. I woke up one morning and there [the album] was on my pillow.

My parents had an important, though small, collection of original Broadway cast recordings, which I devoured once I understood how to use the stereo. That included Carousel, Man of La Mancha, Fiddler on the Roof, West Side Story and Hair.

Dick: My parents didn’t have a record player until I saw The Sound of Music.

They saw my response. I was a different

person when the movie ended. I literally found my future. My parents were book fanatics, and they made a decision that a record had the same value as a book. They had a policy that if any of their five children wanted a book, they bought it. They just extended that to records and bought me a cheap record player.

What were your favorite places to find music?

Michael: Waxie Maxie’s at Congressional Plaza had show albums there.

Davis Library [in Bethesda] had a great, great show tune collection. I used to steal albums from them, I have to confess. After a while, I just took them.

I had to have them.

Dick: For me, it was, hands down, Record Town at Wildwood Shopping Center. [My mother] would just drop me off. Maybe, not always, she would give me a blank check and I was allowed to buy one record. When I first started to go, I couldn’t fill out the check. The woman who owned Record Town would be behind the counter, smoking. She’d fill it out. Then they began ordering records for me. She would call the house to say to come in.

It would be such a big deal to go get it.

They understood that I took it very seriously. They weren’t like, ‘Oh, how cute that the little kid loves records.’

And when I was flipping through, particularly the show tunes, the Supremes and the Beatles sections, it was probably not a good idea to talk to me because I was in my trance.

Even though I was looking at the same records I looked at every time, they were endlessly fascinating to me.

Michael: Isn’t that true, Dick? I would look through the same ones, over and over again. I remember so vividly when I found the album of On a Clear Day You Can See Forever. That blue cover, with the words and the

Bewitched cast from Wikimedia Commons; new amsterdam theatre by Jarrod doll on Flickr

Dick’s Favorites

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clouds disappearing in the distance? I was so intrigued by the cover art that I took it home. I signed it out [from the library]. Did you do this, Dick, where you would listen to the show over and over and read the synopsis?

Dick: Yes, over and over.

Michael: I started to feel like I was actually seeing the show. I’d have almost a visual experience in my head, completely substantiated only by the two or three photographs of the original production.

Dick: In black and white, usually.

One of the first four records that my parents bought me was My Fair Lady.

It’s all about language and the power of language to transform a life. I learned it all phonetically because I was 5 years old. So I was just memorizing these words based on the sounds. I would ask my parents what certain words meant.

I have to think that had a profound impact on my relationship to language.

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So you met when you both sang in the Montgomery County Chorus?

Dick: We were second tenors. The Montgomery County Chorus purportedly had the best singers in all the county high schools.

And then you both were in a show produced by Wildwood Summer Theatre.

Michael: They were doing West Side Story. Dick and I saw each other at the audition and we both got cast as Jets.

We were in rehearsal together, constantly, all summer long and we just became inseparable.

Dick: There’s usually one or two people in a company that you recognize has a shared view of what’s happening in the room. You realize that they’re sizing people up exactly as you are. They’re figuring out who the really smart person BethesdaMagazine.com | may/june 2015 181

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is, who is quiet, who is the one who talks all the time, what the director’s real abilities are or aren’t, etc. And remember, we already knew each other. But this was going through an experience that was intense, as rehearsals always are.

Michael, you once said this was the all-orthodontia version of West Side Story. Is that true?

Michael: I don’t remember!

Books American Pastoral by Philip Roth, Angle of Repose by Wallace Stegner, Middlemarch by George Eliot, anything by Agatha Christie Favorite TV shows The Danish series Borgen, The Wire, Girls, Orange is the New Black

West Side Story

Favorite Broadway shows West Side Story, Carousel, A Chorus Line, Sweeney Todd Favorite theaters “Right now, my favorite is the Belasco, because we’re having such a good time with Hedwig there, plus it’s gorgeous.”

Belasco Theatre

Dick: It probably was true, but more than that, it was the disco version.

Michael: We made it a current time period, which was 1978. So we all had big hair. And we all wore those leisure suits.

Dick: Made out of polyester. We did it at the Rockville Mall. There were so many stores that had [left], including the police department. Apparently the Rockville Mall wasn’t up to their standards, so they left for other digs.

We took over the whole office suite and transformed it into a theater. It was very peculiar. We rehearsed at that little Episcopal church across from Wildwood Shopping Center. But the actual production was where the police department had been.

Michael: In the basement, that is.

What did you think of the arts opportunities that were available when you were growing up?

Michael: Gosh, back in the day we had things like County Chorus and a dance class in high school that I could take instead of phys. ed. There was a multidisciplinary special program at Walter Johnson. It was Mr. Caputo, the band teacher from Woodward, an acting teacher from another school and the chorus teacher from W.J. Everyone did everything: music theory, singing, dancing and acting.

Dick: I definitely availed myself of

what the Montgomery County schools offered, but even more impactful was the training I got at the Jewish Community Center of Greater Washington.

That was really sort of my artistic home. They had a thriving theater department and music theater department. The theater felt to me very professional and very elegant.

Do you think today’s students have the same opportunities that you had?

Dick: Well, my nephew graduated from Magruder High School probably eight years ago, and he’s an actor who’s been Helen Hayes Award nominated three times. He’s done a lot at the Signature and at the Kreeger theaters.

At Ford’s Theatre, he did The Laramie Project. When he came with me to the national Thespian Festival, his drama teacher from high school was there. So I think it still exists. But in general, arts training in schools has greatly diminished since we were teenagers.

And that’s just such a tragedy.

Every study indicates that arts training improves students’ academic performance. So forget the nourishment for their souls and the way it teaches an individual kid that they are somebody, and that who they are is unique and matters.

The skills you need to acquire proficiency in art really help you in anything you do.

Dick, you’ve talked about the number of Montgomery County people who are in the theater arts in New York.

Dick: There’s a startling number of people from the Washington area who are doing theater. Montgomery County remains an affluent community, which means a lot of kids are growing up with adults around them who have achieved big dreams. When you see that, you’re more empowered to give credence to your dreams, right?

Michael: I don’t know, Dick. I won’t name names because some of them are still living in Montgomery County. A

Books courtesy of Barnes and Noble; West Side story photo from wikimedia commons; Belasco theatre by ralph daily on flickr

Michael’s Favorites

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few of them were far more talented than I was and came from the same kind of families that we did. But they were sort of afraid to risk it. I kept hearing, ‘What are you going to major in?’ I would hear, ‘I definitely want to do theater, but I’m going to major in whatever. That’s what I’m going to fall back on.’ Neither Dick nor I ever cottoned to that. There was no such thing as a fallback plan.

Dick: I have to credit my father. He was adamant. He believed the moment you start allowing for failure as a possibility in such a competitive field, it’s going to happen. You’ve got to go into it as if it’s going to work. And you’ll figure out what to do if it doesn’t.

Dick, when you met Motown Records founder Berry Gordy in 2010, you did something out of character that changed your life in a dramatic way.

Dick: I was at the Tony Awards ball, and a producer introduced me to this little man. It was very loud. I honestly didn’t hear the name of the man he introduced me to. I shook the man’s hand and smiled. As I turned away, I looked at the face I had just seen and took a few years off it and I played the tape of the name, which came out like mumble, mumble. I thought, Oh, my God, and turned around. I tapped him on the shoulder and said, ‘Excuse me.

Did he just say you’re Berry Gordy?’

And he looked at me like I was a little nuts and I absolutely lost it.

Michael: Did you freak out?

Dick: I freaked out. And you know, I never do that.

Michael: You really don’t.

Dick: I literally said to Berry, ‘I am Tony-nominated tonight because of the impact you had on my aesthetic.

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interview

listening to the music you created.’ I said, ‘I’m actually embarrassed saying this to you because I’m talking about how you changed my life. You changed the world, literally. You absolutely shifted the way white people look at black people in this country.’

If you hadn’t overreacted, do you think you would have been asked to write the script for Motown: The Musical?

Dick: At the time, I had no idea there was any Motown musical looming. It was absolutely that encounter—because of my passion, not just for the music, but the impact that the music had.

Now your life has changed forever because of Motown.

Dick: Absolutely. They say: Don’t work with your friends and don’t work with your heroes. I’ve done both. I’ve worked with Michael and I’ve worked with Berry. Both have been beautiful, rich, fun experiences that have made Michael and I better friends. And Berry remains as much of a hero to me as he was.

Michael, have you broken those rules?

Michael: Working with Arthur Miller was [breaking] one of those ‘don’t work with your heroes’ [rules]. If I hadn’t, it would have been a terrible loss for me.

Death of a Salesman was the first play I ever read in my life. My parents had a big play collection. [Death of a Salesman] had an orange binding and had that little house on the side. It looked interesting. And ‘death.’ That was such a provocative word for me when I was young. Anything that was macabre.

It wasn’t that kind of story, as it turns out. So meeting [Miller] all those many years later was extraordinary. He was also incredibly kind and generous and open and excited. He was already well into his 80s, but he had this great theatrical vitality and was very energized by the thought of someone doing A View From the Bridge in a non-naturalistic way. It was very, very cool.

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interview

Let’s go back to 2002 and your production of Thoroughly Modern Millie. Was that the first time that you two collaborated during all those years after Wildwood?

Dick: It was, but Millie was many years in the making. We actually began talking about Millie in 1993.

Michael: But honestly, we worked our asses off on that show.

Were you surprised that you created such a hit?

Michael: I think a surprise happens more quickly. The process was so long. Certainly by the time we were actually deep into the first production, at La Jolla [Playhouse in California], I would say that both of us thought the likelihood of it becoming a hit on Broadway‌

Dick: We did, and we also worked our asses off on our friendship. One of the triumphs of Millie —the only people who know are those who lived it—is that Millie had a very arduous road to Broadway, particularly the La Jolla chapter.

You have a room full of strong personalities and talented people. In that room, you have these two virtually lifelong friends. And then you have [composer] Jeanine Tesori, who would become a familylike friend. It’s not uncommon in situations like that, because of the close relationships, things actually turn very ugly. People start blaming. People start undermining. And we didn’t do that.

Dick: Was a slim possibility.

Michael: Right.

Dick: It was hard to figure out how to express dissatisfaction with each other’s work in a way that could still honor and further the incredible friendships that existed. We got to opening night on Broadway with a show that was so strong and did so well and with friendships that were deeper and richer.

Michael: It cemented something in us. We are forever changed as artists and as friends because of that. n Margaret Engel and her twin, Allison, wrote the play Red Hot Patriot: The Kick-Ass Wit of Molly Ivins, which starred Kathleen Turner. Their play Erma Bombeck: At Wit’s End will premiere this fall at Arena Stage in Washington, D.C.

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® ®

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

-Bethesda WELCOME PAGE May-Juen.indd 1 Untitled-22 1

1

#

In Bethesda In the Washington Metro Area In the Mid-Atlantic Region Independent Real Estate Company in the Nation Seller of Luxury Homes in the Mid-Atlantic Region

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!

ight R t s Ju

How You Can Get the

Home You Want With the

Budget You Have

If you’re starting to feel like Goldilocks, trying one house after another and having trouble finding the one that fits you “just right,” you may want to consider an alternative method to get the home of your dreams. Prospective buyers who love the charm of older homes or want to live in an established neighborhood, but who are not so crazy about aging appliances or outdated designs, have another option to buying as-is. With a renovation loan like those offered by Prosperity Home Mortgage, LLC (NMLS#75164), you can buy an existing home and get it renovated—all before move-in day.

How a renovation loan can turn an existing house into your dream home From the Federal Housing Administration’s (FHA) 203(k) program to Fannie Mae’s HomeStyle Renovation loans, there are numerous lending options that allow buyers to wrap the costs of renovation into their home purchase loan. You simply apply for a renovation loan based on the price of a home plus the estimated cost of renovations based on contractor bids. You can also work with a full-service mortgage banker like Prosperity, which offers both the FHA and Fannie Mae renovation loans through its “House-To-Home” Renovation program.

The advantage to a renovation loan is that you pay for your renovation over the entire term of the loan rather than out-of-pocket or with other more costly financing. The work can be done before you move into the property and your home will be the way you want it as soon as you get settled.

What updates are allowed with renovation loans The financing program chosen will determine what types of renovations are allowed and how much can be spent. With the FHA 203(k) program, for example, you cannot use the loan for luxury items like a pool or hot tub, but you can replace kitchen counters and cabinets, install new flooring or upgrade your heating and air conditioning system. The standard FHA 203(k) program requires a minimum renovation cost of $5,000 and can go above $35,000 to cover more expensive structural repairs and additions.

®

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The FHA 203(k) program requires you work only with licensed contractors and you also have to coordinate with a U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD)approved consultant to review contractor bids. Additionally, the maximum loan amount, including the renovations and the purchase price, must fit the FHA loan limits for your area, and you must qualify for the loan based on the total amount you’re borrowing, not just the purchase price.

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The Fannie Mae HomeStyle Renovation program, a conventional loan product, functions in a similar fashion to the FHA 203(k) loan, but it typically requires a larger down payment and a stronger credit profile. With the Fannie Mae program, you can finance any type of renovation as long as it is permanently attached to their property and adds value. Borrowers are limited to the maximum conforming loan limits in their area, but you can finance improvements of up to 50 percent of the completed home value.

Fannie Mae allows borrowers to make a down payment as low as five percent on the total loan balance for primary residences. This type of financing also is available for investors and second-home transactions, but those require a higher down payment. The lender will also need to evaluate the creditworthiness of the contractors who renovate your home.

Where to find more information on renovation loans If you are interested in buying and renovating an existing home, Long & Foster Real Estate offers multiple divisions that can help you find, finance and insure your home. Representatives of Prosperity Home Mortgage are available in most Long & Foster offices in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast region to assist prospective buyers with financing. A professional Realtor can work with first-time buyers and more experienced buyers, including investors, for a smooth transition. In addition, Long & Foster agents have a range of contractors they can recommend to provide service to buyers and sellers before and after they buy a home.

Five steps to help you get your dream home with a renovation loan

1.

Work with your Long & Foster agent to find your new home and determine what improvements you’d like to make.

2.

Contact licensed contractors to get quotes for any eligible updates. Consider reaching out to the Home Service Connections team for suggestions—their preferred service providers often offer special pricing or discounts to buyers working with Long & Foster.

3.

4.

Submit all information, including contractor quotes, to your renovation mortgage consultant.

Work with your renovation lender to get an appraisal on your new home and find out its post-renovation value.

5.

Proceed to the loan closing and let the renovations begin.

What can you update with a renovation loan?

From simple design updates to more complex home system changes, here are a few of the upgrades you could make with a renovation loan. ●

Install new flooring or carpets

●

Add new appliances

●

Update your new home’s kitchen or bathrooms

●

Upgrade electrical, plumbing or heating systems

●

Replace the roof, siding or windows

*The information contained in this article is not intended to be and does not constitute financial or investment advice. Please note this article is only to be used as a guide and is not allinclusive. Should events arise that require changes to your credit, income or assets, your mortgage consultant can discuss how these changes may affect your loan application process and eligibility. Not all borrowers will qualify. Licensed by the NJ Department of Banking and Insurance. Licensed by the Delaware State Bank Commissioner. Also licensed in District of Columbia, Maryland, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia. NMLS ID #75164 (NMLS Consumer Access at http://www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org/).

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Bethesda Office

240.497.1700 BethesdaAvenuelnfre.com LongandFoster.com

Billion Dollar Office

® ®

Bethesda

$1,995,000

Coming soon by Bo-Bud Construction. Five bedroom, 5.5 bath luxury new construction with 6,000 sq. ft. of living space on 17,481 sq. ft. lot. Whitman district. Highend finishes, and professional grade appliances.

Jill Chodorov 202.390.9800

Bethesda

$1,799,000

Stunning new home by Mid-Atlantic Builders, open concept, gourmet kitchen to family room with gas fireplace, elegant master suite, 5 bedrooms, 5 full baths, energy saving features, close to Merrimack Park.

Laura Quigley 240.753.2208

Bethesda

$1,299,000

Escape to a Bethesda urban/suburban oasis in this lightfilled, 6 bedroom, 5.5 bath home with open, airy floor plan and soaring ceilings! Backs to trees, ideally located just blocks to Balduccis! Location–easy access to DC/VA! Linda Lizzio 202.997.1664

Bethesda North $2,495,000

Bethesda

Exquisite New England style home in desirable Luxmanor boasts nearly 6,400 finished sq. ft., 5 bedrooms and 5½ baths all superbly crafted with exceptional appointments synonymous to a JEFFCO Home! Its rear yard oasis affords a unique lifestyle with its pool, spa, fabulous outdoor kitchen and abundant grassed areas to enjoy your favorite sport.

Lois Robins 301.526.3424

$1,100,000

Beautifully renovated contemporary. Outdoor patio, upper level deck and private back yard. Brand new bathrooms with high end finishes, fully renovated kitchen, 2 fireplaces, skylights. 5 bedrooms and 3 baths.

Chana Sky 240.447.7000

Bethesda North $1,295,000 Elegant 3,500 sq. ft. end unit townhome with 5 bedrooms, 4½ baths, 4 levels plus elevator.

10’ ceilings, marble kitchen with Viking appliances. Faces park and has expansive westerly views. Adjacent to Strathmore Hall and Grosvenor Metro.

Surrey Bailey 301.257.2202

Potomac

$2,199,000

Spectacular home in Rapley Preserve. Two-story grand entrance. Large sunlit rooms. Beautiful open floor plan with attention to every detail. Amazing master suite with fireplace, large closets and tremendous bathroom.

Adam Gelb 301.922.2922

Chevy Chase

$2,395,000

Potomac

$2,350,000

New construction in Chevy Chase. This beautiful 5 bedroom home is built by Potomac Heritage Homes.

Call for more information on this rare opportunity to own a brand new home in a wonderful location.

Adam Gelb 301.922.2922

Stunning custom French Colonial built in 2008 with the finest materials, expert workmanship and meticulous attention to detail. Circular drive, open floor plan, soaring ceilings, sun filled, over 10,000 sq. ft. on 3 levels.

Jamie Coley 202.669.1331

Potomac

Potomac

$1,475,000

Merry Go Round Farm. Beautiful 5 bedroom home in serene setting. Interiors are flooded with light on all three levels. Decks wrap three sides of the home and overlook the lake. Excellent craftsmanship.

Adam Gelb 301.922.2922

$1,365,000

Gorgeous 5 bedroom updated Colonial just minutes to the Village. The perfect place for parties with large entertaining spaces and a finished walkout lower level inside; fabulous pool and deck in private rear yard.

Cindy Souza 301.332.5032

7700 Old Georgetown Road #120, Bethesda, MD

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Creig Northrop Realtor®

11620 Rockville Pike Rockville, MD 20852 office: 301.770.0760 | northropteam.com ® ®

direct: 301-761-5997

Sandy Spring $1,450,000

Gaithersburg $1,400,000

Bethesda $1,200,000

Silver Spring $650,000

North Bethesda $479,900

Gaithersburg $425,000

Silver Spring $295,000

North Bethesda $275,000

Gaithersburg $274,900

1518LakeNorwoodWay.com

14012WagonWay.com

12618FlackStreet.com

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7300WarfieldRoad.com

11800OldGeorgetownRoad1531.com

11750OldGeorgetownRoad2431.com

5825MarburyRoad.com

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Bethesda Gateway Office

301.907.7600 LongandFoster.com BethesdaGatewaySales.com ® ®

Over $1.18 Billion in Sales for 2014

Bethesda/Parkwood

$1,849,000

Beautiful new home backing to Rock Creek Park!

5 bedrooms, 5½ bathrooms, 10’ ceilings. Open floor plan — perfect for entertaining. Gourmet kitchen leads to a maintenance-free deck and useable yard.

Paula Nesbitt 240.731.3369 paula@bannerteam.com

Bethesda

Bethesda

$5,295,000

Potomac

$1,290,000

Stunning, brand new European-inspired masterpiece with majestic curb appeal on 1.2 acres in prestigious Lybrook/Burning Tree Estates. Formal gallery, spectacular custom kitchen, caterer’s kitchen, dream pool with pool house/office.

Jill Schwartz 301.758.7224 Jill@JillSchwartzGroup.com

Add your modern touches to this sun-filled, 4-level contemporary on private 3/4 acre lot. Soaring ceilings, walls of windows, 2 family rooms, 2 stone fireplaces, large deck.

Jill Schwartz 301.758.7224 Jill@JillSchwartzGroup.com

$1,125,000

Columbia Heights, D.C. from the mid-$700s

Bethesda

Updated home with gourmet kitchen, 2-story great room with soaring fieldstone fireplace, den/guest bedroom with built-in maple cabinetry, dramatic master suite, deck overlooking private yard. Close to Grosvenor Metro!

Paula Nesbitt 240.731.3369 paula@bannerteam.com

Gorgeous 2 and 3 bedroom condos in a prime Columbia Heights location! Totally renovated and expanded with new systems, windows, plumbing, gourmet kitchens and outdoor space.

Fabulous Colonial on premium lot backing to parkland.

2-story family room with floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace, 6 bedrooms, 4 full baths including huge master with luxury bath, finished walkout lower level.

Paula Nesbitt 240.731.3369 paula@bannerteam.com

Karpa-Owens Team 301.215.6907 sharon.owens@LNF.com

Bethesda

Potomac

$815,000

$899,000

N. Bethesda

$1,395,000

$669,000

Stunning Westbard Mews townhome, beautifully renovated with 4 bedrooms, 3½ baths, formal living and dining rooms and bright lower level with bedroom, full bath, fireplace and walkout to patio.

Stunning, sun-filled 5-level home near Cabin John Park with updates throughout. Sunroom, top-level master suite addition, dramatic formal entertaining spaces, fabulous, fenced, level corner lot.

Bright and open 4 bedroom, 3.5 bathroom townhome with deck and patio overlooking green space. Close to Metro, shopping, restaurants and Strathmore. Easy commute to Bethesda, DC and Virginia.

Jill Schwartz 301.758.7224 Jill@JillSchwartzGroup.com

Paula Nesbitt 240.731.3369 paula@bannerteam.com

Paula Nesbitt 240.731.3369 paula@bannerteam.com

4650 East West Highway, Bethesda, MD

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Licensed in MD | DC | VA MargieHalem@LongandFoster.com Please view our listings at MargieHalemRealtor.com.

301.775.4196

® ®

Everywhere You Want to Be

Lyn Moritt 301.452.4925 Lyn@halemgroup.com A former geography teacher for National Geographic, Lyn was also an organizer of student competitions in space science for NASA. She has been selling real estate for 11 years.

Lisa Frazier 301.922.7888 Lisa@halemgroup.com A native Washingtonian, Lisa is an accredited home staging professional with over 20 years of marketing and sales experience. In 2012 she was named one of “DC’s Finest Young Professionals” by the Cystic Fibrosis foundation.

Ying Chen | 240.508.7819 Ying@halemgroup.com Raised in Beijing, China, Ying is a CPA and a Certified International Property Specialist. She shares her knowledge of real estate and taxes with clients ranging from 1st-time buyers to relocating foreign nationals.

Harrison Halem | 301.802.9281 Harrison@halemgroup.com A recent graduate of the University of Arizona, Harrison has a B.S. degree in Regional Development. His primary focus is working with first-time buyers.

Kendall Unikel | 301.318.1074 Kendall@halemgroup.com Kendall is a native Washingtonian and graduate of the Stone Ridge School.

She has a Bachelor’s degree in finance and worked for four years in the Wealth Management Division of Smith Barney.

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

Amy Gordon 240.994.5889 Amy@halemgroup.com Amy worked for several nationally known organizations including the Ritz Carlton Hotels and the Dallas Cowboys before beginning a career in real estate. Her expertise, warmth and infectious laugh have earned her multiple repeat clients.

Lori Silverman 301.928.3366 Lori@halemgroup.com Lori has over 20 years of real estate experience and is licensed in Maryland, the District of Columbia and Virginia. When not selling homes, she is dedicated to caring for the elderly.

Potomac $2,568,000

Voted one of the DC area’s Best Realtors by Readers of Bethesda Magazine

Magnificent, brick and stone, French country estate on lush 2.78 acres. Gourmet kitchen, custom library, 4 fireplaces, finished lower level with all amenities.

Breathtaking Infinity pool, scenic vistas.

#1 Billion Dollar Bethesda Gateway Office | 301.907.7600

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Stunning New Home in Bethesda CC CHURCHILL CLASSICS

Top 1% of Long & Foster Agents in the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Area

DESIGN BUILD RENOVATE

One-of-a-Kind Views from Spectacular New Home 10006 Woodhill Road, Bethesda $2,425,000

Sondra Mulheron 301.785.9536 smulheron@LNF.com

Pam Schiattareggia 301.802.7796 pam.scat@LNF.com

Breathtaking views of golf course and lake from this exceptional new custom home by Churchill Classics and Studio Z architects on premier half-acre lot. Over 6,500 square feet of upgraded features including 6 bedrooms, 5 1/2 baths, gourmet kitchen, owner’s suite with private balcony, walkout lower level, screened porch, oversized deck and much more!

www.HomesbySondraandPam.com Bethesda Gateway Office 301.907.7600 ®

v

a c at i on

r e n ta l s

Your Vacation Destination Starts Here

Vacations are a special time to relax and get away from it all. That’s why you want to make sure your vacation is the best it can be — by relying on the experience and expertise of the Long & Foster Vacation Rental team. When you’re ready to get away, call our vacation property experts at your desired destination.

Annapolis, MD 410.260.2802 Avalon / Stone Harbor, NJ 800.967.7796

Bethany Beach / Fenwick Island, DE 800.562.3224

Ocean City, NJ 609.398.6762

Deep Creek Lake, MD 800.336.7303

Rehoboth / Dewey / Lewes, DE 800.272.2828

Longport, NJ 609.822.3339

Sea Isle City, NJ 800.648.9316

Margate / Ventnor, NJ 609.428.7795

Smith Mountain Lake, VA 866.395.2038

Ocean City, MD 800.843.2322

Wildwood Crest, NJ 609.729.8840

Find your next vacation at

®

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LFVacations.com 800.226.8095

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Wendy Banner

301.365.9090 | BannerTeam.com

& The Banner Team

® ®

Bethesda

$3,850,000

Potomac

$3,695,000

Builders’ own home in Burning Tree featuring every conceivable amenity thru out 13,000 on 4 levels, including elevator, billiard room, home theater, exercise room, spa, sauna, wine cellar, a 4-car garage and much more. 7 bedrooms, 8 full and 3 half baths.

Beautiful home located in desirable location Camotop with gorgeous swimming pool, lighted tennis court and approximately 13,000 finished square feet. Perfect for entertaining, 8 bedrooms, 9 full and 3 half baths, 3-car garage.

Potomac

Potomac

301.365.9090 Info@BannerTeam.com BannerTeam.com Licensed in MD, DC & VA Over $100 Million Sold & Settled in 2013 & 2014 Top Teams in the Nation by the Wall Street Journal Top Team in the #1 Office of Long & Foster in 2010-2014

$2,395,000

$1,999,500

Spectacular French Country home near Potomac Village on private 2.2 acre lot. Customized floor plan offers amenities galore, high-end finishes, embassysized rooms and more! The exterior boasts a flagstone terrace, owner’s deck and a 3-car garage.

Elegant and stately colonial on quiet cul-de-sac in Avenel on landscaped 2 acre lot includes 6 bedrooms, 7 full and 2 half baths. Features 2 story great room, main level guest suite and owners’ suite with his/hers full baths.. Expansive walkout lower level!

Bethesda

Bethesda

$1,999,000

$1,895,000

New price! Elegant Georgian setback on private 3/4 ac with 5 fireplaces, great room and main level library. Two upper levels with 6 bedrooms including owner suite.

Walkout lower level with fenced yard and terrace.

Wendy Banner & Amy Michaels 301.807.5990

Colonial in Avenel with 7,500 sq. ft. of living/ entertainment space. Features main level owner’s wing with study and separate sitting room, 5 bedroom suites, 2-story living room, walls of windows and a walkout lower level.

NEW ON THE MARKET

NEW ON THE MARKET

Potomac

$1,495,000

Sun-filled brick rambler with contemporary flair, open floor plan with over 8,200 finished square feet, on sprawling 2 acre landscaped lot with cleared/flat custom iron fenced yard, In-ground swimming pool, multiple patios and sunken terrace, Koi pond and 2-car garage.

Bethesda

$1,399,000

Updated brick colonial featuring sweeping views of the TPC golf course at Avenel! Upgrades include all new windows/doors, new HVAC system, renovated owner’s bath, maintenance free deck and whole house generator!

4 bedrooms, 3 full and 1 half baths, 2-car garage.

4650 East West Highway, Bethesda, Maryland | 301.907.7600

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Elegant Eco-Chic Living Real Experience. Real Relationships. Real Estate.

301.758.7224 ● JillSchwartzGroup.com JillSchwartzGroup@gmail.com LEED AP, ECO-Broker, MD & DC

3120 Pershing Drive, Arlington | $3,350,000

11501 Twining Lane, Potomac | $1,290,000

8710 Fernwood Road, Bethesda $5,295,000

5113 Westbard Avenue #2, Bethesda | $824,900

Over $30 million in Listings and Sales #3 Team Agent in 2014 Bethesda Gateway Office 301.907.7600

®

Buying a home?

Congratulations to our

MORTGAGE ORIGINATORS 1% TOP In America 2014

1

Brookland Sales 3527 12th Street NE, Washington, DC 20017

Capitol Hill Sales 721 D Street SE, Washington, DC 20003

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Chevy Chase Sales 20 Chevy Chase Circle NW Washington, DC 20015

Michelle Davis, NMLSR: 192538 | (301) 807-2005

Chevy Chase Miller Sales 5518 Connecticut Ave. N.W. Washington, DC 20015

Chevy Chase/Uptown Sales 4400 Jenifer St NW Washington, DC 20015

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Greg Scholl, NMLSR: 71793 | (240) 601-9448 Joseph Dean, NMLSR: 1121579 | (301) 641-1241

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Georgetown Sales 1680 Wisconsin Ave NW Washington, DC 20007

Contact a mortgage consultant near you in Washington, D.C., & experience our dedication to extraordinary customer service!

Spring Valley Miller Sales 4910 Mass. Ave., N.W. #119 Washington, DC 20016

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Readers’ Pick, A Top Vote Getter, Best Mortgage Broker

Logan Circle Sales 1529-A 14th Street NW, Washington, DC 20005

Woodley Park Sales 2300 Calvert St., N.W. Washington, DC 20008

Brad Katzen, NMLSR: 202934 | (301) 943-9316 Hunter Church, NMLSR: 1134236 | (571) 359-3949

Renovation Loan Specialist Serving all of D.C.

Josh Dreeben, NMLSR: 194933 (301) 938-0991

1. Mortgage Executive Magazine, Winter 2015 Edition. (Access at http://mortgageexecutivemagazine.com/MEM2015Winter/) All first mortgage products are provided by Prosperity Home Mortgage, LLC. (877) 275-1762. Prosperity Home Mortgage, LLC products may not be available in all areas. Not all borrowers will qualify. Licensed by the NJ Department of Banking and Insurance. Licensed by the Delaware State Bank Commissioner. Also licensed in District of Columbia, GA, MD, NC, PA, SC, TN, VA and WV. NMLS ID #75164 (NMLS Consumer Access at http://www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org/) ©2015 Prosperity Home Mortgage, LLC. All Rights Reserved. (04/15) #MC151014 Expires 12/15

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Chevy Chase Office 202.363.9700 20 Chevy Chase Circle, NW, Washington, D.C.

Woodley Park Office 202.483.6300 2300 Calvert Street, NW, Washington, D.C.

® ®

Wesley Heights, D.C.

$2,525,000

Stunning 5 bedroom, 4.5 bath expanded Colonial with over 5,500 sq. ft. of living space! Multiple skylights and walls of glass provide wonderful light throughout.

Gourmet designer kitchen, fabulous family room and master wing additions, plus attached 2-car garage.

Roby Thompson 202.255.2986

Berkley, D.C.

$2,595,000

Exquisite 6,000+ sq. ft., 6 bedroom, 5.5 bath custom stone mansion with awesome floor-plan. Huge gourmet kitchen with barrel vaulted brick ceiling, large adjoining family room, sumptuous master suite, hardwood floors, custom tile-work, elevator, 2 car garage and so much more.

Roby Thompson 202.255.2986

Chevy Chase

$1,795,000

Chevy Chase

$1,775,000

Sophisticated, tastefully renovated brick home. 6 bedrooms, 6.5 baths. Granite eat-in kitchen, high ceilings, wood floors, fireplaces, sunroom, closets, storage. Finished lower level with laundry, office, full bath. Large 2-car garage. Convenient to D.C., Friendship Heights Metro.

Kathleen Ryan 240.418.3127

This renovated, vintage 1928 home, in the Town of Chevy Chase boasts 6 bedrooms, 4.5 baths, 1st floor family room, formal living and dining rooms, side porch, wonderful master bedroom suite, lower level au-pair suite, lovely private garden and an extraordinary light filled conservatory that will delight you. Walk to Metro.

Cheryl Kurss 301.346.6615

Cathedral, D.C.

Bethesda

$985,000

Park Avenue elegance at the Westchester! Grand 3 bedroom, 3 bath apartment with large dining room and huge kitchen — great for large-scale entertaining, plus a library, closets galore and wonderful built-ins. Third bedroom and bath off kitchen — perfect as maid’s room. Co-op fee includes taxes and utilities.

Stan Watters 202.674.4081

$1,995,000

New Construction! Stunning luxury seven bedroom, five and a half bathroom, four level home ideally located in Landon Woods. Features include, a large master suite, an open floor plan, custom millwork, high-end appliances, a fireplace and attached two-car garage.

Susan Fagan 202.246.8337

Capitol Hill, D.C. $875,000

Bethesda

$1,949,000

Brand New. Stunning luxury six bedroom, five and a half bathroom, four level home ideally located in Landon Woods. Features include, a large master suite, an open floor plan, custom millwork, high-end appliances, two fireplaces and attached two-car garage.

Susan Fagan 202.246.8337

ChevyChaseWoodleyPark 2015 May-June.indd 1 Untitled-22 1

Historic gem only steps to the Capitol, Supreme Court and Union Station. This stately 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath, Victorian, semi-detached, 3-level home has been renovated and updated and now boasts, new kitchen, gas fireplace, hardwood floors and French doors leading to a brick patio and large sunny back yard.

Cheryl Kurss 301.346.6615

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$1,695,000

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Cheryl Kurss 301.346.6615

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Bethesda All Points May-June 2015.indd 1 Untitled-22 1

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interior design. architecture. home sales.

home

photo by angie seckinger

Creating the master bedroom of your dreams, page 204.

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home | house appropriations

Sleep on It

1

A bed is the centerpiece of any bedroom, and the latest looks range from earthy wood tones, to whimsical painted models, to sophisticated upholstered pieces

By Carolyn Weber

2

1 / Loran Headboard

A patterned headboard can make a colorful focal point in a neutral bedroom. The square Loran style (and curvy Elsie model) comes in dozens of colorful, global-inspired upholstery options like the blue and red fern motif of the Prasana print. Twin through California king sizes are priced from $329.99 to $499.99. Available through World Market in Rockville (301-8162480; www.worldmarket.com).

2 / Chevron Bed

With a bold chevron pattern expressed in natural, sustainable wood, this modern headboard serves up two trends in one. A rustic, yet elegant piece, the Chevron Bed is available in queen size for $999 and king size for $1,099 at Crate and Barrel in Spring Valley (202-364-6100; www.crateandbarrel.com).

3 / Barrister Bed

Sip your morning coffee while relaxing in a giant version of a wingback chair. The Barrister Bedâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s soft headboard is tufted, and nail-head trim adds a vintage vibe to the modern platform base. Available in ivory- or charcoal-colored velvet and queen and king sizes; prices range from $4,649 to $5,299 at Arhaus in Rockville (301-230-2973; www.arhaus.com).

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3

4

5

4 / Quincy Bed

The dramatic curves and turned legs of the four-post Quincy Bed put an updated twist on classic Sheraton style. A wide selection of stains and paint colors are available, and sizes range from twin to California king. $1,899 to $2,299 at Ethan Allen in Rockville (301-984-4360; www.ethanallen.com).

5 / Fiona Bed Luxe

Sweet and simple, reminiscent of a Swedish antique, the Fiona Bed Luxe comes in two stylesâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;with a solid-wood headboard ($2,555) or with a cane insert ($2,700).

Maker Redford House offers the bed in 28 paint or stain finishes, including this fresh robinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s-egg blue. Order it through Urban Country in Bethesda (301-654-0500; www.urbancountrydesigns.com).

Carolyn Weber lives in Silver Spring and frequently writes about architecture and home design.

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Master Plan Soothing color palettes, hidden laundry hampers, cozy seating areasâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s how three local couples created the master bedrooms of their dreams

photo by darren higgins

By Charlotte Safavi

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Fresh Start Erin and Ali Fardshisheh moved into their home in Bethesda’s Landon Woods neighborhood in 2012. “We’d gotten together at law school in Miami—we actually met on the first day of our first class,” Erin Fardshisheh says. “A lot of our stuff was from our separate apartments, and it wouldn’t have worked here. We wanted to start fresh in our new home.” The couple enlisted Bethesda-based interior designer Erica Burns to help them refurbish their house, including the master bedroom, in a youthful but timeless style. “The aim was to give the room a clean, classic look, while warming it up,” Burns says.

To add warmth and texture, Burns covered the walls in dove-gray grass cloth. The next step was to select an accent color to enliven the neutral background. “The only color my husband and I agree on is purple,” Erin says. “We even used it as a contrast color in our wedding.” Burns upholstered the headboard in a soothing, earthy plum shade. The room’s overall palette—mostly shades of gray and purple—meets in the fabric that covers the plaid bench at the base of the bed. The bedding is a clean hotel white, with subtle black piping, and the monochromatic textured carpet echoes the trellis diamond pattern on the bed’s headboard, adding depth and interest to the space without busyness.

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It was important to Ali that the laundry hampers were hidden and had a permanent place in the room. Burns designed two laundry boxes on casters that tuck neatly beneath a stone-topped console and can be wheeled to the laundry room, which is on the same floor as the master bedroom.

“They’re made of plywood and wrapped in the same linen as the drapes,” Burns says. Above them hangs a gallery wall of the couple’s wedding photos in wrought-iron frames. “The idea behind the gallery is that it can change as their family grows,” Burns says.

Roman shades provide privacy without blocking natural light, and crisp white curtains have blackout linings for weekend sleep-ins.

The nightstands have a whitewashed finish, which adds textural contrast.

photos by Tonya Teran

The couple wanted the room to incorporate masculine and feminine elements. “The lamps are delicate and feminine in form, as are the white curtains and curved chests,” Burns says, “while the plaid bench and textured grass cloth nod to the masculine side.” Wrought iron accents, including the lamp bases and curtain rods, are also more rugged in feel.

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Restful Retreat

Christi chose a gray and golden-yellow color palette.

“I love the combination,” she says. “It’s elegant, soothing and relaxing, yet cheery.” A brass sunburst mirror tops a gray tufted-velvet headboard tall enough for both husband and wife. The bolster pillow’s geometric fabric is repeated in both the bench and the desk chair.

photo by angie seckinger

Most people would love to have a more spacious bedroom, but empty nesters Christi and Jim Summers had the opposite problem: They wanted their 428-square-foot bedroom to feel more cozy and intimate. The couple moved from Southern California to their home in Potomac’s Avenel neighborhood in 2013. “The room was not only large, but it had these heavy moldings, grandiose and over-the-top,” says interior designer Roxanne Lumme. “To make it an inviting retreat, we needed to bring it down to a more realistic scale.”

One of the biggest challenges was finding furniture that fit husband and wife. “I’m small,” says Christi, “but my husband’s 6-foot-5.” Here’s how Lumme helped them turn the space into one of their favorite rooms in their new home.

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photo by angie seckinger

To make the room feel more intimate, Lumme divided the space into several zones: a sleeping area centered around a king-size bed, a seating area for lounging, and a desk area around a secretary. A large carpet connects them underfoot. “The rug has a geometric pattern to break up all the blank wall and ceiling space with some movement,” Lumme says.

Meanwhile, paneling was removed from behind the bed, and the walls and moldings were painted in an ivory hue. “I really wanted to take the emphasis off the millwork and onto the softer furnishings we’d brought into the room,” Lumme says. She also painted the barrel ceiling a satin gray and added a sculptural light fixture, which helps to fill the void created by the 10½-foot ceiling.

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photos by angie seckinger

The room has three corner windows as well as 8-foot-tall French doors. Lumme chose tone-on-tone patterned curtains and hung them from unfussy rods, neither of which competed with the room’s ornate moldings.

To suit the room’s scale, chests were used as nightstands.

“Finding the right size armchairs was important,” Lumme says of the two they chose from CR Laine. The chairs, along with an ottoman and floating tables, make up the seating area. “They have a higher back than average,” Lumme says, “making them perfect for him, as he’s so tall, and they also sit deep, allowing her petite frame to curl up in them.” A console holds two reading lamps, and an oversize mirror helps bounce natural light around the space.

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Fashionably Late

A former fashion editor at Marie Claire and Self magazines in New York, Lauren Shapiro had lived in her Chevy Chase home with her husband and their son and daughter, now both teenagers, for 15 years. Though Shapiro had done some remodeling over the years, she put off doing the master bedroom. “It was a dark, uninviting bedroom, with a poorly laid out and dated bathroom,” she says.

Shapiro came across Kensington-based interior designer Regan Billingsley in a local design publication and did some online research of her work. Billingsley had also lived in Manhattan, and when she and Shapiro met, they clicked right away. “Lauren used to be in fashion, so she has that sophisticated New York aesthetic,” Billingsley says. “She wanted the space to be neutral and sleek, with a savvy hint of glamour, a little sheen, but cozy.”

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photo by Raquel Langworthy; produced and styled by Charlotte Safavi

Shapiro’s father is a rare-book collector. “We have so many books,” she says.

Billingsley brought in Kensington-based cabinetmaker Pieter Boogaerts to create a wall of built-in bookshelves with a window seat. “I wanted the bookshelves to be multifunctional,” Billingsley says, “a place to house the TV (not visible here) as well as the book collection and other decorative accents, but I also wanted comfortable seating by the window.” The unit’s lower cupboards store odds and ends, including DVDs and instruction manuals.

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“The room used to have a cold harshness about it, with high-contrast white moldings and putty paint,” says Billingsley, who decided to warm everything up with creamy colors. The soothing palette of soft off-white and beige extends to the furniture, which Shapiro says is “neither too masculine, nor too feminine, with clean, classic lines.” Patterns are deliberately faint, reading as solid from afar. In the window seat area, the Roman shade has a muted stripe and the pillows feature a petite floral-geometric print. To add variety and visual interest, Billingsley mixed textures: There’s a tailored, plush chenille headboard, velvet accent bed pillow, leather-topped bench, and a fluffy mohair throw at the base of the bed.

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“There was this huge 1980s power-couple double shower that took up so much room,” Shapiro says of the former bathroom, which was covered in green marble. In its place, she opted for a separate glassed-in shower and freestanding bathtub. By Landis Architects/Builders, the bathroom includes a simple, eye-catching black tile border on the floor, which Billingsley designed.

photos by Raquel Langworthy; produced and styled by Charlotte Safavi

A tall custom storage unit between the bathroom’s two sinks eliminates the need for cabinets underneath. “Overall, we went with warm grays and crisp whites in the bathroom to create a fresh, timeless look,” Billingsley says of the bathroom, which has subway ceramic-tile wainscoting, Carrara marble floors, and exposed chrome pipes.

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home

at home with

Laura Evans The Fox 5 TV anchor enlivens a new home with fresh paint and fine art

By Jennifer Sergent | photos by michael ventura

L a u ra E va n s a n d h e r h u s b a n d, lobbyist Mike Manatos, were happy in the Huntington Terrace home they shared with their three young children.

But in 2011, Manatos’ brother told them that his neighbors wanted to downsize and were looking to sell their contemporary split-level in Bethesda’s Lynbrook neighborhood. Evans, the 5 p.m. news anchor and consumer reporter for Fox 5 DC, remembers going to see the home reluctantly. “I had no interest,” she says.

That all changed when she saw the spacious rooms and the wooded backyard that was visible through a twostory wall of windows in the family room. The owners loved the idea of passing along their home—where they’d lived since the ’70s and raised two sons—to a young family. “They loved this home,” Evans says. “It was meaningful for them to leave it in good hands.”

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Artist Doug Schneider’s “Ghost” decoupage dominates the family room of Fox 5 TV anchor Laura Evans’ Bethesda home, where she is pictured with (left to right) Lucas, Drew, husband, Mike, and Sienna.

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A sculpture by Kevin Christenson, one of Evans’ high school friends, anchors the home’s foyer. Evans recently featured zigzag studio’s deer pillow (shown in the foreground) on her “Laura’s Likes” segment on Fox 5.

But the 1950s-era house wasn’t quite ready for prime time. There was a dated half wall of glass blocks separating the dining and living rooms, as well as old tile covering the risers of the stairs. The light-colored hardwood floors didn’t feel right, either, and a living room window was inexplicably covered by heavy-duty trash bags and hidden behind a piece of fabric.

“What I wanted to do when we moved in was make the biggest splash with the least amount of money,” Evans says. For help with the interior, she called on her friend and Fox 5 colleague Will Thomas, the 11 p.m. news anchor. “Will and I had worked together on my old house, and Will has a good eye for these things,” Evans says.

Thomas first stopped by to see the house before Evans and Manatos moved in. The couple was planning to have the

floors stained a darker color, and Thomas immediately recognized that the glassblock wall and another awkward wall should come down before the flooring people reached those sections of the house. “If you wait to take it down, you can’t patch the floor to be the same color,” Thomas says.

The result is a serene, free-flowing space connecting the living and dining areas. Thomas also helped Evans pick a bold color palette for the rest of the house. “The quickest way to make an impact—and to do it somewhat economically—is with paint,” he says.

In the foyer, living room and dining area, Evans and Thomas chose gray to match the darkest veins of the existing marble tile in the entry. “A lot of times, the dark colors can really give you a lot of ‘wow’ factor,” Thomas says.

The same applies to the outside of the house, where Evans called on Amy Tulacro of Bethesda-based Tulacro Development to revamp the façade. “We went really dark with the trim,” Tulacro says.

“Because we weren’t changing the [light gray] house color, we wanted some differentiation.” Tulacro also suggested that Evans replace the three garage doors with opaque glass and a dark metal grid.

The effect modernizes the exterior and lightens the visual weight of the doors.

Back inside, Thomas and Evans decided on a pale, yellowish green for the walls of the family room—a fun, vibrant backdrop for the space where everyone spends most of their time. Because they weren’t ready to splurge on new furniture, Evans shopped retailers such as HomeGoods, overstock.com and Pottery Barn for a rug and for colorful pil-

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When Evans first saw the home, she fell in love with the floor-to-ceiling windows in the family room. In the living room, below, hangs “Serenity,” an oversize painting of a Buddha figure by Vietnamese artist Le Nhu Ha.

lows and throws to splash across the two sofas and love seat.

Her biggest investment is the art, which was amassed with guidance from Evans’ father, San Francisco contemporary art dealer Larry Evans. From a gallery wall of family photographs in the family room to more valuable paintings in the living and dining rooms, and a dramatic sculpture in the entry, artwork can be found in every room of the house.

“I feel like it makes the house feel more lived in, more warm,” Evans says. One of her favorite pieces is “Serenity,” an oversize painting of a Buddha figure by Vietnamese artist Le Nhu Ha—a 40th birthday present from her father.

She also owns several collage-like decoupage paintings by San Francisco artist Douglas Schneider, whom her father also represents. A painting BethesdaMagazine.com | May/June 2015 219

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home home

A secretary passed down from Mike Manatos’ grandmother stands in the dining room; “Late for Church,” by Bay Area artist Jim Gingerich, hangs beside the window.

Bottom: The home office displays framed photos from presidential administrations during which members of the Manatos family have served as staff and lobbyists.

that Schneider gave Evans on her 30th birthday is displayed prominently over the dining room sideboard. It includes grapes, because Evans grew up in California; sheet music, because she’s played piano all her life; row houses, which signify neighborhoods in D.C.; and a photo of her as a young girl on a swim team. “I think people are afraid of art, but when you know a little bit more about the artist and what they put into it, it becomes more meaningful to you,” she says.

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cover the bright red walls of the office Evans shares with her husband. One large frame contains photographs of Manatos family members, who have been in the lobbying business since the Kennedy administration, posing with presidents and congressmen. Another frame contains the front page of The Washington Post on the day after Sept. 11, 2001, when Evans was among the first reporters to arrive at the Pentagon.

The room had been painted red by the previous owners. “There’s something

about a red room I find very cozy, warm and invigorating,” Evans says. “I’ve had one in each of the last three homes I’ve owned, so it fit perfectly into my scheme when we bought the home.”

Another perfect fit: The house had a zip line out back that the kids—Sienna, 9, Drew, 7, and Lucas, 5—now use all the time, especially with their three cousins who live across the street. Manatos’ parents also just moved in two doors down.

“It’s a big fat Greek village,” Evans says, “and we love it!”

Evans plans to make further design tweaks in the future, but the house already works well for the family. With its floorto-ceiling windows facing the woods, she says, it’s the first home she’s owned on the East Coast that reminds her of growing up out West: “I’m from California, and this is like being in Tahoe.” n Jennifer Sergent is a home and design writer based in Arlington. To comment on this story, email comments@bethesda magazine.com.

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anthony wilder design/build, inc. bio

Courtesy of anthony Wilder Design/build, INC.

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

Our award-winning firm provides clients with an unparalleled experience in remodeling excellence. As a design/build firm, we are with you every step of the way, managing every critical project detail on your behalf. We make it our mission to ensure that the final outcome enhances your lifestyle and exceeds your expectations. AWDB is committed to the thoughtful integration of architecture, construction, interior design and landscaping. From custom homes to interior renovations, we make each project spectacular and special.

the project: Inspired design delivers universal appeal throughout this Bethesda whole-home renovation and addition; a spacious floor plan and carefully-selected materials effortlessly merge substance with style.

The new layout improves function while preserving character; newly arched room openings enhance traffic flow, and thoughtful use of trimwork establishes a striking architectural aesthetic.

A succession of large windows with cased openings and standard

profiles bathe the new kitchen and family room with natural light.

Playful design takes advantage of treetop views â&#x20AC;&#x201C; in the master bedroom addition, dormers are integrated into a dramatic vaulted ceiling and windows on three walls create unobstructed views while maintaining privacy.

Completing the transformation, a curved entry invites visitors into this charming home, and sets an elegant and sophisticated tone.

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GTM ARCHITECTS bio

7735 Old Georgetown Road, Suite 700, Bethesda, MD 20814 240-333-2000 | www.gtmarchitects.com

Established in 1989, GTM Architects is an award-winning design firm that offers architecture, planning and interior design services. The firm commits to placing the needs of our clients and their projects first. Our team possesses a breadth of knowledge, a wealth of experience and a wide array of skill-sets, developed and fine-tuned over our many years in practice.

courtesy of gtm architects

the project: Disguised as a center-hall Colonial home among its historic neighbors in Chevy Chase, this new home successfully appears as though it was “always there.” The owners wanted a new home with which they could age-in-place as their large family grew-up. Inspired by the vernacular tradition of house additions and renovations over time, the owners sought a design solution to replicate that exterior appearance. A ground floor master bedroom suite and other modern-day floor plan conveniences occupy the irregular appendages of this unique “L” shaped floor plan. The handsome exterior and inviting entry portico provide shelter from a busy front street – to a serenely landscaped rear yard. This house achieves a decades-old appearance through the selective use of whitewashed brick; aged copper, slate roof and time honored traditional detailing.

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Design Builders Inc. bio

8315 North Brook Lane, #205, Bethesda, MD 20814 301-875-2781 | www.DesignBuildersMD.com

Design Builders, Inc. is a design build firm that specializes in screened porches, additions and outdoor living spaces. They have proudly constructed over 300 outdoor living spaces in the Washington, D.C. metro area since 2006. Their work emphasizes quality, efficiency, fun, and swift communication.

courtesy of Design Builders Inc.

the project: Premium Zuri decking and wrought iron handrails are just two of the many features that make this Maryland screened porch so unique. Constructed in a close-quarters community with large single family homes, it utilizes black railings that curve outward along a rounded deck profile to enhance the sense of space one perceives when inside.

Motorized retractable screens turn the Zuri deck into a fully-enclosed, bug protected entertainment area at the push of a button. To achieve the versatility of a true four season outdoor living space, an outdoor fan and multiple infrared heaters were installed to its ceiling as well.

An army of lighting elements ensure that this deck can be used at any time of day. Multiple skylights allow light into the screen room during the day, while sconce lighting, mounted pillar fixtures, ceiling lights and illuminated stained glass railing heads provide visibility on even the darkest nights.

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Studio z design concepts, lLC bio

8120 Woodmont Ave., Suite 950, Bethesda, MD 20814 301-951-4391 | www.studiozdc.com

Studio Z Design Concepts has always been about our built environment enhancing a client’s lifestyle. As a team of architects, it’s our responsibility to understand and improve our client’s diverse activities and develop a plan that unifies function, financial commitment and aesthetics into a family home that compliments their personalities.

courtesy of Studio Z Concepts, LLC

the project: The evolution of a typical Studio Z house has led us to explore a variety of architectural styles, tailored to meet the personalities of individual clients. While the architecture styles may vary, our philosophy of integrating architecture with a properties’ natural characteristic enables us to maximize a client’s experience throughout their home. By working naturally with a site’s contours or seamlessly transitioning to exterior spaces, it allows our clients to enjoy a unique experience both inside and out. While our work is predominantly in the D.C. metro area, we have been fortunate to work on projects in Colorado, Connecticut, South Carolina and the coastal beach areas.

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GLICKMAN DESIGN BUILD bio

14516 Pebblewood Drive, North Potomac, MD 20878 301-444-4663 | www.GlickmanDesignBuild.com

Metro D.C.-based Glickman Design Build has completed hundreds of remodeling projects, including additions, kitchens, bathrooms, in-law suites, and accessible and multi-generational homes. The firm has won numerous design awards and most recently received the 2015 “Best of Houzz Award” for “Remodeling and Home Design.” Their work has been featured in a variety of national and local publications.

Maximizing the beautiful backyard views from the kitchen of this colonial-style home in Olney was just one of the goals of this gorgeous kitchen renovation.

The homeowners had visions for their perfect kitchen and every detail was addressed. An updated, yet classically-styled kitchen complete with plenty of storage, high-end finishes, attention to details and additional eating space were all on the must-have list.

A relocated window and new window seat provide the homeowners access to great views and additional storage. Taller cabinets, a full pantry with pull-out drawers, a larger island and a decorative glass cabinet all create an impressive look while adding the functionality the homeowners desired. One-of-a-kind, meticulously chosen Bordeaux granite tops create a sense of elegance, while a furniture-like refrigerator and dishwasher ensure a high-end and seamless look.

The larger island provides an ideal alternative eating space. The homeowner’s couldn’t be more thrilled with their classically-styled yet updated, new space.

courtesy of Glickman Design Build

the project:

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Sandy Spring Builders bio

4705 West Virginia Ave., Bethesda, MD 20814 301-913-5995 | www.sandyspringbuilders.com

Sandy Spring has been in business for over 30 years, remodeling and building award-winning homes that are distinguished by exceptional beauty and craftsmanship. Their homes are well built, well designed, and make a lasting impression. Bethesda Magazine’s readers have consistently selected Sandy Spring as “Best Builder” in the annual Best of Bethesda Readers’ Poll.

courtesy of sandy spring builders

the project: This warm and inviting shingle-style home was designed to meet our client’s needs and lifestyle. The collaboration between the owner, Sandy Spring Builders and Studio Z Design Concepts was a process that resulted in a spectacular home with wonderful features, including a breathtaking stair tower, open and spacious kitchen and breakfast room, beautiful millwork throughout, and a resort-like backyard. In addition to its beauty, the home is functional and fits wonderfully in the well-established neighborhood. Our clients enjoy all the great qualities of living in Bethesda, and they are also able to escape the suburban experience by retreating to their backyard hidden gem!

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Chase Builders Inc.

bio

8750 Brookville Road, Silver Spring, MD 20910 301-588-4747 | www.chasebuilders.com

Chase Builders is an award-winning builder in the D.C. metro area.

Every Chase Builder’s home is custom-designed and built with topquality, luxury features. Although they differ in style, floor plan, size and features, our unique homes have this in common — they are thoughtfully designed and well-built.

Built last year, this beautiful Chevy Chase home brings an open floor plan with luxury finishes on every floor. Our clients worked with us from the ground up to create a gathering place that is inviting to friends, family and life’s every day events. Featured in the kitchen is a custom marble island top as well as a showcase designer hood. The dining and living room share a fireplace with a uniquely crafted dual-sided granite mantel and surround. Other features include heated flooring and heated towel rack in the owner’s bath, detailed trim work throughout every level, custom built-ins, marble bathroom tile and polished nickel hardware.

courtesy of chase builders

the project:

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michael harris homes bio

9111 Old Georgetown Road, Bethesda, MD 20814 301-978-3618 | www.michaelharrishomes.com

Award-winning Michael Harris Homes is recognized for its uncompromising attention to designing unique homes, which provide the ideal balance between innovative design and modern convenience.

Our homes interpret the best in classic American architecture with a tireless emphasis on authentic detailing, quality craftsmanship and personal customer service. The results are homes of lasting value, distinction and timeless appeal.

courtesy of michael harris homes

the project: Michael Harris Homes’ latest development, Bethesda Mews, comprises approximately 10 acres at the intersection of Old Georgetown Road and Cedar Lane, a block from the National Institutes of Health headquarters and just minutes from downtown Bethesda. This prized location will offer 29 elegant single-family homes, with nearly a third of the community remaining as undisturbed, mature forest. A meandering stone wall along Old Georgetown Road leading to an interior garden and mews will define the neighborhood and establish its uniqueness. The homes at Bethesda Mews will skillfully pair timeless, traditional exteriors with interiors clearly created for contemporary life. These refined and well-crafted residences will feature kitchens equipped with Viking® appliances and fittings and fixtures by WATERWORKS® and Kohler®. Bethesda Mews will be formal, yet in an understated way, to reflect the tasteful, reserved character of this unparalleled neighborhood.

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Manion + Associates, Architects Thomas Manion, AIA, founded the firm over 30 years ago. Manion + Associates, Architects has become an awardwinning, full-service architectural firm. They provide comprehensive design solutions that integrate architecture, interior design and exterior environments. Their relationship with clients is the measure of the firm’s success.

the project: The project began with a small existing stone cottage sited on a steep hill overlooking the Potomac River and the C&O Canal. The lower level contains an in-law suite with direct access to the outside. A new entry and grand stair was created at the mid level along with a master bedroom suite complete with an adjacent porch surrounded by gardens. To maximize the views of the river and canal, the upper level was transformed into the new living room, dining room and kitchen.

courtesy of Manion + Associates, Architects

bio

7307 MacArthur Blvd., Suite 216, Bethesda, MD 20816 301-229-7000 | www.manionandassociates.com

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Merrick Design and BuIld Inc. bio

courtesy of Merrick Design and Build, Inc.

3923 Plyers Mill Road, Kensington, MD 20895 301-946-2356 | merrickremodel.com

At Merrick Design and Build Inc., we want to make your space the best that it can be. We work with you to design and build your project, from the smallest to the largest detail, to ensure a successful project that is delivered on time and on budget.

the project: Derrick and Denise had been dreaming of a larger kitchen for many years. They enjoy entertaining but found it difficult with their tiny, closed off kitchen. Derrick came to Merrick with a clear vision of what he wanted, down to the smallest detail. It is those details that make this project really shine! They include a pot filler, double spice racks for plenty of flavor and a high-performance gas range. The design also incorporated the existing brick wall by making it an accent feature. A contemporary door on a track, decorative lighting, a separate coffee station with wine storage and a microwave drawer all add function and style to this great kitchen. The space is perfect for Derrick and Denise with a laid back transitional feel that they and their guests will enjoy.

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by the numbers

Data provided by

February’s Most Expensive

Home Sales

Courtesy of Marc Fleisher / Long & Foster

Courtesy of Marc Fleisher / LONG & FOSTER

20814

(Bethesda)

20015 (Upper NW D.C.)

5627 Oldchester Road List Price: $2.5 million Sale Price: $2.3 million Days on Market: 121 Listing Agent: Carolyn Sappenfield, RE/MAX Realty Services Bedrooms: 5 Full/Half Baths: 5/1

20817 (Bethesda)

7013 Winterberry Lane List Price: $2.2 million Sale Price: $2 million Days on Market: 436 Listing Agent: Marc Fleisher, Long & Foster Real Estate Bedrooms: 4 Full/Half Baths: 4/1

Courtesy of Washington Fine Properties

20815

(Chevy Chase)

3815 Bradley Lane List Price: $4.35 million Sale Price: $3.75 million Days on Market: 229 Listing Agents: William F. X. Moody, Robert Hryniewicki, Nancy Taylor Bubes, Washington Fine Properties Bedrooms: 6 Full/Half Baths: 7/1

5222 42nd St. NW List Price: $1.58 million Sale Price: $1.53 million Days on Market: 270 Listing Agent: Marco Stilli, TTR Sotheby’s International Realty Bedrooms: 5 Full/Half Baths: 5/1

20016 (Upper NW D.C.)

2818 University Terrace NW List Price: $2.75 million Sale Price: $2.75 million Days on Market: 0 Listing Agent: William Abbott, TTR Sotheby’s International Realty Bedrooms: 6 Full/Half Baths: 6/1

20816 (Bethesda)

4230 Silverwood Lane List Price: $1.8 million Sale Price: $1.8 million Days on Market: 414 Listing Agent: Donna Walsh, Good Deeds Real Estate Bedrooms: 5 Full/Half Baths: 4/1

20832 (Olney)

120 Brimstone Academy Court List Price: $1.1 million Sale Price: $1.1 million Days on Market: 180 Listing Agent: Robert Lucido, Toll MD Realty Bedrooms: 4 Full/Half Baths: 3/1

20850 (Rockville)

212 Long Trail Terrace List Price: $1.1 million Sale Price: $1.1 million Days on Market: 12 Listing Agent: Mahin Ghadiri, Weichert Bedrooms: 5 Full/Half Baths: 4/2

20851 (Rockville)

2204 Stanley Ave. List Price: $385,000 Sale Price: $399,000 Days on Market: 61 Listing Agent: Sheree Cramer, Long & Foster Real Estate Bedrooms: 3 Full/Half Baths: 2/0

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The Fleisher Group Long & FosTer reaL esTaTe, Inc.

ClassiC Custom-Built GeorGian Colonial ď&#x201A;§ estate settinG With Pool and tennis Court

Potomac. Welcome to this truly outstanding custom home originally built by acclaimed builder Roger Schmidt and features renovations completed in 2014. A traditional center hall floor plan is ideal for both full-scale entertaining and comfortable family living. The home features high ceilings, exquisite plaster crown mouldings, custom millwork, seven fireplaces, and fabulous oversized picture and palladian windows throughout.

From the dramatic step-down great room with a fieldstone fireplace and wet bar, to the spectacular English library with oak-paneled walls and a fireplace, to the wonderful master bedroom suite with domed ceiling and luxurious dressing room and bath, no detail has been compromised in presenting this home of distinction. The country club setting is enhanced by multi-tiered deck, heated swimming pool, lighted tennis court, pool house/ cabana, columned pergola, and extraordinary landscaping. A long private drive with a circular front entry introduces this classic Georgian colonial which represents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Offered at $3,495,000.

thef leishergroup Marc Fleisher

www.thefleishergroup.com 202.364.5200 x 2927 (O) 202.438.4880 (C)

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by the numbers 20852 (North Bethesda/Rockville)

26 Hollyberry Court East List Price: $893,000 Sale Price: $870,000 Days on Market: 7 Listing Agent: Kellyann Dorfman, Washington Fine Properties Bedrooms: 6 Full/Half Baths: 3/1

20853 (Rockville)

14504 Briarwood Terrace List Price: $499,000 Sale Price: $490,000 Days on Market: 3 Listing Agent: Delilah Dane, Redfin Corp.

Bedrooms: 4 Full/Half Baths: 3/1

20854 (Potomac)

13304 Beall Creek Court List Price: $1.5 million Sale Price: $1.45 million Days on Market: 269 Listing Agent: Katherine Lorenz, Long & Foster Real Estate Bedrooms: 6 Full/Half Baths: 4/1

20855 (Rockville)

6713 Applewood Place List Price: $699,500 Sale Price: $699,500 Days on Market: 101 Listing Agent: Robert Kerxton, Long & Foster Real Estate Bedrooms: 5 Full/Half Baths: 3/1

Sale Price: $375,000 Days on Market: 30 Listing Agent: Darin Rich, RE/MAX Realty Group Bedrooms: 3 Full/Half Baths: 2/1

20882 (Gaithersburg)

20877 (Gaithersburg)

131 Fairbanks Drive List Price: $529,990 Sale Price: $531,945 Days on Market: 126 Listing Agent: Jay Day, Keller Williams Excellence Bedrooms: 5 Full/Half Baths: 3/1

20878 (North Potomac/Gaithersburg) 308 Beckwith St. List Price: $849,900 Sale Price: $870,000 Days on Market: 5 Listing Agent: Jeffrey Wilson, Washington Fine Properties Bedrooms: 5 Full/Half Baths: 3/1

20879 (Gaithersburg) 20051 Mattingly Terrace List Price: $374,950

25231 Bonny Brook Lane List Price: $749,900 Sale Price: $749,900 Days on Market: 237 Listing Agent: John Bayley, Keller Williams Realty Centre Bedrooms: 5 Full/Half Baths: 4/1

20886 (Gaithersburg)

8205 Gallery Court List Price: $599,900 Sale Price: $616,001 Days on Market: 109 Listing Agent: Audrey Primozic, Weichert Bedrooms: 5 Full/Half Baths: 4/1

20895 (Kensington)

3911 Baltimore St. List Price: $735,000 Sale Price: $715,000 Days on Market: 7 Listing Agent: Mark Hudson, McEnearney Associates

8926 Abbey Terrace Potomac, MD 20854 Offered at: $1,975,000

See coleyreed.com for info, pics & tours.

Real estate counselors for exceptional properties.

888.907.6643 (Direct) 240.497.1707 (Office) ColeyReed@gmail.com www.ColeyReed.com ColeyReedHomes on

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Mid-Atlantic Custom Builders, a nationally recognized, award-winning homebuilder, brings thirty-five years of innovative home design and building experience to Bethesda real estate.

We offer a variety of home plans, customized to fit your needs, ready to build on your lot or ours.

Visit our website to learn more about us and to see our inventory of move-in-ready homes.

Quality Craftsmanship | Design & Innovation | Spa Baths & Gourmet Kitchens Energy$mart® Program | Peace of Mind For more information, contact Mike Rubinfeld at (301) 231-0009 ext. 235 or mrubinfeld@midatlanticbuilders.com MidAtlanticCustomHomes.com

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by the numbers 20903 (Silver Spring)

Bedrooms: 4 Full/Half Baths: 2/1

10501 Sweetbriar Parkway List Price: $549,900 Sale Price: $549,900 Days on Market: 74 Listing Agent: Michael Taylor, Cummings & Co. Bedrooms: 4 Full/Half Baths: 3/0

20896 (Garrett Park)

406 Waverly Ave. List Price: $1 million Sale Price: $1 million Days on Market: 435 Listing Agent: Todd Harris, Long & Foster Real Estate Bedrooms: 4 Full/Half Baths: 2/0

20904 (Silver Spring)

330 Springbook Drive List Price: $1.38 million Sale Price: $1.35 million Days on Market: 230 Listing Agent: Carmen Fontecilla, Weichert Bedrooms: 8 Full/Half Baths: 6/2

20901 (Silver Spring)

10701 Margate Road List Price: $539,000 Sale Price: $539,000 Days on Market: 7 Listing Agent: Helen King, Weichert Bedrooms: 4 Full/Half Baths: 3/1

20905 (Silver Spring)

20902 (Silver Spring)

508 Hermleigh Road List Price: $595,000 Sale Price: $565,000 Days on Market: 205 Listing Agent: Barbara Ciment, Long & Foster Real Estate Bedrooms: 5 Full/Half Baths: 3/0

Selling

PerFeCt hArmony

Somerset. Gracious home has large living room w/ fireplace, formal dining room, 6 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, study, family room opening to expansive deck overlooking lovely gardens. $2,195,000 Ted Beverley 301.728.4338 Patricia Lore 301.908.1242

the

16428 Oak Hill Road List Price: $785,900 Sale Price: $790,000 Days on Market: 12 Listing Agent: John Radcliffe, Weichert Bedrooms: 5 Full/Half Baths: 5/2

20906 (Silver Spring) 15611 Coolidge Ave. List Price: $639,900

Sale Price: $609,050 Days on Market: 137 Listing Agent: Jay Day, Keller Williams Excellence Bedrooms: 5 Full/Half Baths: 4/1

20910 (Silver Spring)

8728 First Ave. List Price: $799,000 Sale Price: $825,000 Days on Market: 6 Listing Agent: Elizabeth Brent, Keller Williams Capital Properties Bedrooms: 3 Full/Half Baths: 2/1

20912 (Silver Spring)

43 Philadelphia Ave. List Price: $459,000 Sale Price: $460,000 Days on Market: 54 Listing Agent: Daniel Metcalf, Long & Foster Real Estate Bedrooms: 3 Full/Half Baths: 1/0 Note: Some sales and list prices have been rounded off.

AreA’S FineSt ProPertieS

SPring delivery

Martin’s Addition. Beautiful high–end home with four exquisite finished levels, splendid details & top-ofthe-line appliances. Highly customised residence perfect for entertaining. $2,069,000 Eric Murtagh 301.652.8971 Drew Gibbons 301.538.0477

viSit uS BetheSdA/Chevy ChASe 7032 WiSConSin Avenue Chevy ChASe, md 20815 301.656.1800

luxury edition

Chevy Chase. Expansive & grand, five year-old home w/designer features on four finished levels includes chef’s kitchen, owner’s suite & media room. Near downtown Bethesda & Metro. $1,915,000 Eric Murtagh 301.652.8971 Karen Kuchins 301.275.2255

enChAnting

Chevy Chase. Featuring three beautiful levels with high-end finishes and dream kitchen, this home has classic Chevy Chase charm, ideally located close to Brookville market and La Ferme. $1,895,000 Eric Murtagh 301.652.8971 Marina Krapiva 301.792.5681

FriendShiP heightS 4400 JeniFer St nW WAShington, dC 20015 202.364.1700 WWW.everSCo.Com

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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

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by the numbers

Real Estate Trends (by zip code )

February 2014

February 2015

February 2014

February 2015

19 $1 Mil. 57 3 14 9

17 $1 Mil. 114 4 12 6

Number of Homes Sold 13 13 Average Sold Price $417,415 $368,154 Average Days on Market 71 88 Above Asking Price 4 1 Below Asking Price 9 10 Sold Over $1 Million 0 0

20016 (Upper NW D.C.)

20818 (Cabin John)

20854 (Potomac)

Number of Homes Sold 11 14 Average Sold Price $1.2 Mil. $1.5 Mil. Average Days on Market 43 37 Above Asking Price 4 3 Below Asking Price 5 3 Sold Over $1 Million 7 9

Number of Homes Sold 1 0 Average Sold Price $650,000 N/A 117 N/A Average Days on Market 0 N/A Above Asking Price Below Asking Price 0 N/A 0 N/A Sold Over $1 Million

Number of Homes Sold 17 16 Average Sold Price $1.1 Mil. $868,750 Average Days on Market 151 101 Above Asking Price 1 2 Below Asking Price 14 13 Sold Over $1 Million 6 3

20015 (Upper NW D.C.) Number of Homes Sold 4 Average Sold Price $1.4 Mil. Average Days on Market 17 Above Asking Price 1 Below Asking Price 2 Sold Over $1 Million 4

20817 (Bethesda) 10 $1.2 Mil. 69 6 3 7

Number of Homes Sold Average Sold Price Average Days on Market Above Asking Price Below Asking Price Sold Over $1 Million

February 2014

February 2015

20853 (Rockville)

20812 (Glen Echo)

20832 (Olney)

20855 (Rockville)

Number of Homes Sold Average Sold Price Average Days on Market Above Asking Price Below Asking Price Sold Over $1 Million

Number of Homes Sold 9 6 Average Sold Price $469,222 $630,833 Average Days on Market 91 109 Above Asking Price 2 1 Below Asking Price 5 3 Sold Over $1 Million 0 1

Number of Homes Sold 5 4 Average Sold Price $520,262 $561,125 Average Days on Market 80 180 Above Asking Price 0 0 Below Asking Price 4 3 Sold Over $1 Million 0 0

20850 (Rockville)

20877 (Gaithersburg)

Number of Homes Sold 11 11 Average Sold Price $567,091 $464,727 Average Days on Market 63 44 Above Asking Price 2 3 9 7 Below Asking Price Sold Over $1 Million 1 1

Number of Homes Sold 7 3 Average Sold Price $382,600 $289,967 Average Days on Market 48 72 Above Asking Price 3 0 3 2 Below Asking Price Sold Over $1 Million 0 0

20851 (Rockville)

20878 (North Potomac/Gaithersburg)

Number of Homes Sold 2 7 Average Sold Price $290,950 $328,571 Average Days on Market 26 67 Above Asking Price 0 2 Below Asking Price 1 2 Sold Over $1 Million 0 0

Number of Homes Sold 12 18 Average Sold Price $636,950 $626,158 Average Days on Market 46 101 Above Asking Price 0 2 Below Asking Price 10 14 Sold Over $1 Million 0 0

1 $1 Mil. 7 0 1 0

0 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

20814 (Bethesda) Number of Homes Sold 7 8 Average Sold Price $760,811 $1.1 Mil. Average Days on Market 40 36 Above Asking Price 2 3 4 4 Below Asking Price Sold Over $1 Million 1 4

20815 (Chevy Chase) Number of Homes Sold 17 12 Average Sold Price $1.1 Mil. $1.3 Mil. Average Days on Market 74 72 Above Asking Price 3 1 Below Asking Price 10 9 Sold Over $1 Million 12 7

20816 (Bethesda) Number of Homes Sold 9 3 Average Sold Price $1.3 Mil. $1.5 Mil. Average Days on Market 78 172 Above Asking Price 1 1 Below Asking Price 7 1 Sold Over $1 Million 3 3

20852 (North Bethesda/Rockville)

20879 (Gaithersburg)

Number of Homes Sold 8 6 Average Sold Price $637,628 $540,169 Average Days on Market 32 66 Above Asking Price 2 1 Below Asking Price 5 5 Sold Over $1 Million 1 0

Number of Homes Sold 3 5 Average Sold Price $346,000 $332,380 Average Days on Market 105 73 Above Asking Price 1 1 Below Asking Price 2 3 Sold Over $1 Million 0 0

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20882 (Gaithersburg)

20903 (Silver Spring)

Number of Homes Sold 3 4 Average Sold Price $554,833 $619,179 Average Days on Market 90 65 Above Asking Price 0 0 Below Asking Price 2 2 Sold Over $1 Million 0 0

Number of Homes Sold 2 3 Average Sold Price $350,000 $431,300 Average Days on Market 28 85 Above Asking Price 1 0 Below Asking Price 1 3 Sold Over $1 Million 0 0

20886 (Gaithersburg)

20904 (Silver Spring)

Number of Homes Sold 6 3 Average Sold Price $418,742 $450,634 Average Days on Market 91 67 Above Asking Price 2 1 Below Asking Price 3 1 Sold Over $1 Million 0 0

Number of Homes Sold 8 6 Average Sold Price $437,572 $665,500 Average Days on Market 76 166 Above Asking Price 0 0 Below Asking Price 7 6 Sold Over $1 Million 0 1

20895 (Kensington)

20905 (Silver Spring)

Number of Homes Sold 12 10 Average Sold Price $493,483 $458,390 Average Days on Market 77 71 Above Asking Price 1 0 Below Asking Price 8 10 Sold Over $1 Million 0 0

Number of Homes Sold 6 6 Average Sold Price $408,817 $485,833 Average Days on Market 56 81 Above Asking Price 0 3 Below Asking Price 6 2 Sold Over $1 Million 0 0

20896 (Garrett Park)

20906 (Silver Spring)

Number of Homes Sold 1 2 Average Sold Price $675,000 $769,000 Average Days on Market 3 225 Above Asking Price 0 1 Below Asking Price 0 0 Sold Over $1 Million 0 1

Number of Homes Sold 20 21 Average Sold Price $378,785 $386,700 Average Days on Market 38 73 Above Asking Price 5 2 Below Asking Price 10 18 Sold Over $1 Million 0 0

20901 (Silver Spring)

20910 (Silver Spring)

Number of Homes Sold 19 12 Average Sold Price $459,836 $424,158 Average Days on Market 66 51 Above Asking Price 3 2 Below Asking Price 13 8 Sold Over $1 Million 0 0

Number of Homes Sold 8 10 Average Sold Price $575,347 $585,375 Average Days on Market 52 62 Above Asking Price 1 3 Below Asking Price 5 7 Sold Over $1 Million 0 0

20902 (Silver Spring)

20912 (Silver Spring)

Number of Homes Sold 22 23 Average Sold Price $377,264 $393,957 Average Days on Market 35 83 Above Asking Price 6 1 Below Asking Price 11 20 Sold Over $1 Million 0 0

Number of Homes Sold 5 5 Average Sold Price $533,800 $360,200 Average Days on Market 20 42 Above Asking Price 3 0 Below Asking Price 1 3 Sold Over $1 Million 0 0

Information courtesy of MRIS as of March 13, 2015. Listing information should be independently verified. MRIS is real estate in real timeâ&#x201E;˘, enabling real estate professionals to list and sell more than $100 million in real estate each day in Maryland, Washington, D.C., Virginia and markets in Pennsylvania and West Virginia. MRIS powers MRIShomes.com, the only real estate home search site in the Mid-Atlantic brought to you by the Multiple Listing Service. Visit MRIShomes.com or text MRIS2Go to 87778 to download the MRIS Homesâ&#x201E;˘ app for real-time local listings. Note: Some sales and list prices have been rounded off.

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fitness. wellness. medicine.

photo by liz lynch

health

These bracelets are part of a campaign to save a young motherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s life.

To read about her journey, and the family and friends who made it their mission to help her, go to page 249.

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health | be well

Anything Can Happen Emergency medicine physician Tara Coles treats everything from earaches to heart attacks, and rarely has time to sit down

BY Leah Ariniello

Breathe. That one simple action is what helps Bethesda resident Tara Coles stay sane.

Coles, 45, is an emergency medicine physician. She works for MEP, a Germantown-based company that staffs emergency rooms, including the one at Adventist HealthCare Shady Grove Medical Center in Rockville, and has been treating ER patients for more than 10 years. She works eight- to nine-hour shifts—sometimes so nonstop that it’s hard for her to fit in a bathroom break.

“It’s very sensory overload, it’s very tactile, it’s very loud, it’s very everything,” she says.

The job requires Coles to handle it all—the woman with a dog bite, the man having a stroke, the toddler with an unexplained injury. She deals with a steady stream of rashes, fevers, asthma attacks, sore throats, nosebleeds, bug bites, fractures and cuts.

“The ER is an interesting place, because one minute you are dealing with a broken toe, and the next minute someone rolls in the door having a major heart attack,” Coles says. “You get these life-and-death moments filled with emotion and drama, and then you go back to an earache.”

After work, Coles goes home to her husband, John, and her four children—Zoe, 10, twins Phoebe and Noah, 8, and Lila, 4—which she says can sometimes feel as chaotic as the ER. At work or at home, she’s learned that taking a few deep breaths helps her stay calm and focused. “There’s no glory in running around like a chicken with your head cut off,” she says.

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Q“

The unexpected:

The ‘Q’ WORD:

“Some of the quieter shifts are when there’s a big game on, like the Super Bowl. …In the ER, you never say the ‘Q’ word, though, or that it’s ‘really quiet.’

We’re a very superstitious bunch, and it means that you’ve screwed everybody and it’s going to be the shift from hell because you said the ‘Q’ word.”

“We see a lot of random, crazy stuff. There was a girl that came into an ER where I was training, a 17-year-old, somewhat overweight, with stomach pains who ended up delivering a 4-pound baby in the ER. She didn’t know she was pregnant.”

On the power of medicine:

“

The challenges:

“When I was pregnant with my first child, a sudden infant death syndrome baby came in. For me, it’s just so unexpected and catches my deepest fears as a person and a mother.”

“I can treat someone having a massive heart attack, where 50 years ago they would have just died, and…days later they are discharged from the hospital healthy. That is a pretty unbelievable feeling.”

The drive home: “Sometimes my body is buzzing and I feel like I’ve just been at a Metallica concert. I’ve probably been in a fight or flight state for hours, so I consciously slow my heart rate down and go from head to toe and try to relax every muscle.”

Photo by michael ventura

The other side:

“Sometimes it feels like: Wow, the world is struggling too much and the world is not good to itself and people are not good to each other.

Then there are also moments of transcendence. You see people taking care of their family members with such love and devotion, or going the extra mile so that people feel loved and safe.”

What she’s learned:

“The car is a no-phone zone.

Kids need to know this stuff when they are young, because by the time they are teenagers they have formed habits and it’s too late. I’ve identified my lines in the sand: You don’t go swimming without an adult nearby; you don’t eat mushrooms or berries while hiking. I have an awareness of certain things some people may never think about.”

Leah Ariniello lives in Bethesda and frequently writes about health. To comment on this story or suggest subjects, email comments@bethesdamagazine.com.

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Photo from Istock; photo courtesy of shira klein ( inset )

health

Saving Shira When a young mother of three was diagnosed with Hodgkinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lymphoma, her family and friends set out to help. They had no idea the impact they would have.

By Brooke Lea Foster In an effort to find a stem cell donor for Shira, her loved ones held swabbing drives on her behalf.

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Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

That’s why Corbin found herself organizing a stem cell donor drive at Temple Beth Ami in Rockville in 2012. Like Shira, about 70 percent of cancer patients who need a stem cell transplant do not have a suitable donor in their family.

Instead, they rely on the National Marrow Donor Program, through which potential donors can provide a cheek swab and become a member of a bone marrow donor registry.

“I hope I’m the one,” one woman told Corbin.

“I wasn’t planning to come today, but now I think this was meant to be,” said another. Comments like these gave Corbin faith—maybe fate had sent some-

one to the donor table that morning.

Corbin was hurt when people went out of their way to avoid her. “So many people need donors, not just my daughter,” she’d call out after people who were rushing by. “You might be a match for someone else.”

Some people just fear the unknown, she told herself. She thought about how different it would be if the people passing by were in her shoes, if their child needed a transplant and an act of kindness could save her. Before Shira got sick in December 2010, she was home with her baby boy, shuttling her older kids to ballet and soccer, worrying about what to make for dinner every night. Suddenly she was a young mother fighting for her life.

Photo by liz Lynch

e

Every time she approached

strangers to ask if they knew about donating stem cells, Beth Corbin wondered if that was the moment that would change everything. Would it be this Rockville lawyer or this Bethesda teacher who could save her daughter’s life? Shira, the always smiling Shira, who was captain of the cheerleading squad during her senior year at Bethesda’s Walter Johnson High School and now, at 35, had three young children and an increasingly grim prognosis: After several rounds of failed chemotherapy treatments, Shira Corbin Klein’s last shot at getting better was a stem cell transplant.

Otherwise, she likely would die of

Shira’s mother, Beth Corbin (left), and her cousin, Wendi Sager, helped create a grassroots campaign to find her a stem cell match. They called it “Smiles 4 Shira.”

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“

“It was just so unbelievable that someone so young, so healthy, could have cancer,” Corbin says.

“

Photo Courtesy of Shira Klein

Co r b i n a n d h e r h u s b a n d,

Ken, were vacationing in Florida with Shira, her husband, Justin, and their three children—Rylie, then 7, Brayden, 4, and Lucas, 11 months—when Shira felt a lump in her neck. It was just after Christmas, and everyone was happy to be in the sunshine. They were so busy going to the beach and the pool that Shira didn’t think much of it—a weird virus, she assumed—but when her neck swelled with a lump the size of a tennis ball the day they were supposed to travel home, she forced herself to have it checked out. At the hospital, not far from where her family was vacationing, she and Justin talked about where they would have lunch that day and the New

Shira (left) and her mother, Beth Corbi n, on Mother’s Day in 20 14.

Year’s Eve party they would be going to when they got home. Two hours later, doctors told Shira they suspected she might have lymphoma, a cancer that develops in the lymphatic system, which is part of the body’s immune system.

Shira felt the room spin. How are my kids going to grow up without a mommy?

Then her thoughts shifted to Justin: Both of his parents had died of cancer when he was younger. How could the world be so cruel?

Corbin’s phone rang while she was at the hotel watching Shira’s children.

“Oh, come on,” she said to Justin when he delivered the news. Corbin thought he was joking. “It was just so unbelievable that someone so young, so healthy,

could have cancer,” she says now.

Shira and Justin flew home to New Jersey with the children the following day, New Year’s Eve. Corbin, who had packed only summer clothes when she left her Rockville home a week earlier, went with them, while Shira’s dad went back to check on the family’s office furniture business, Global Distributors in Bethesda. When she arrived home, Shira refused to go to the hospital right away, as doctors had advised. Instead, she showered, got dressed and brought her kids into her bed to snuggle. “I didn’t know if I was going to be in the hospital indefinitely,” she says.

When she got to the hospital, nurses reassured her that Hodgkin’s lymphoma,

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Volunteers at stem cell donor drives handed out swabbing kits.

that the cells would settle into her bone marrow and produce more healthy red blood cells. But the procedure didn’t work—she went into remission and quickly relapsed. She had one last chance at getting better: She had to find healthy stem cells from someone else.

When Shira learned that she would need stem cells from a donor to save her life, her loved ones rushed to help. Many went to have their cheeks swabbed. Her younger sister, Dara, was not an exact match; neither were her parents or Justin. Her mother and father both were a half-match, meaning there were enough similar attributes to try a transplant, but there were also enough dissimilarities

that her body might mistake the cells as invaders, causing Shira to get sicker. At the time, using stem cells from one of her parents seemed too risky.

Without knowing much about stem cell transplants, Shira’s relatives and closest friends set out on a mission: They’d hold swabbing drives until they found a match. They called their grassroots campaign “Smiles 4 Shira,” and when they started out, they had no idea how many lives they would change.

One night in September

2012, Shira’s cousin Wendi Sager held a meeting at her Bethesda home to talk about organizing local swabbing drives

Photos by liz Lynch

which was Shira’s ultimate diagnosis, was “a good kind” of cancer to have because cure rates tend to be high. Most common in people under 35, Hodgkin’s causes cells in the lymphatic system to grow abnormally, and in later stages can impact the body’s ability to fight infection. Identifying the disease in its early stages can be tricky since the symptoms, which include fatigue, night sweats and loss of appetite, can be attributed to other things. “Of course I was tired,” Shira says, referring to her three young children. “I didn’t feel out of the ordinary.”

Shira started chemotherapy a week after she got home from Florida and continued the treatments for six months, into the middle of 2011. Over the next few years, she would go through a round of intense chemo, the cancer would disappear, and just as she started to put the nightmare behind her, a PET scan would reveal that it was back.

Doctors tried radiation, as well as a stem cell transplant using Shira’s own cells, a procedure that has proved successful in helping patients with lymphoma or leukemia. Shira’s stem cells were harvested and frozen before she was given high doses of chemotherapy to eradicate the cancer. When the cancer was gone, doctors injected Shira’s healthy stem cells back into her blood with hopes

Shira’s loved ones were on a mission: They would hold swabbing drives until they found a match for her.

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health

for Shira. Sager, a former lawyer who is now a stay-at-home mom, grew up playing with Shira. Their families lived a few miles apart in the Bethesda area, and they’d get together for dinner on weekends. In the summer, they would cram into a beach house in Ocean City, all the kids sharing space on the floor.

Shira’s cousins, her mother, and her four best friends spent the evening coming up with a plan to find a donor. They held a conference call with the Gift of Life Bone Marrow Foundation and learned how to run a swabbing drive and how to send samples out for processing. They made a list of places that might be willing to hold a drive, including the Maryland School for Jewish Education, Equinox in Bethesda and B’nai Israel Congregation in North Bethesda.

A friend offered to host a drive at her home in Potomac.

“It sent all of us into crisis mode,” Sager says. “We’d finally found a way to help.”

Deciding to ask the public for help wasn’t easy for Shira. She had tried for nearly two years to keep her illness from neighbors and acquaintances. “I didn’t want it in my kids’ ears all the time,” she says. Shira had told her mother that with three kids, she had no choice other than to get up every morning and live her life like she was always going to be there—her children needed to see that their mom was OK. After one of her treatments, when she was feeling particularly low, Justin brought Rylie to the hospital to see her. The little girl had to wear a face mask so she didn’t spread any germs to her mom. Shira sat and painted her daughter’s nails, and was feeling like herself again by the time Rylie left. “As a mom, you don’t want your kids to see you weak,” she says.

When her hair fell out, Shira let Rylie come wig shopping with her—she got a new wig and let her daughter pick out pink hair extensions. While undergoing treatment, Shira would drop off her kids at school in the morning, and then rest in bed all day so she’d have

Shira had told her mother that she had no choice other than to get up every morning and live her life like she was always going to be there.

Apissi coriorrum explit eliqui tem que et quam,

the energy to sit with them when they got home. “She didn’t want to fail at being a mom, no matter how bad she was feeling,” says Emily Wexler, one of Shira’s best friends from Walter Johnson. When Shira had to stay in the hospital, she helped with homework via FaceTime and ordered groceries for her family online.

She had decided not to dwell on being sick. In high school, she was the “mama bear,” friends say, the first to drop what she was doing if a friend needed something. Even while she was going through chemo, she insisted on hearing about her friends’ lives when they called to check in, rather than talking about her own. But privately, Shira says, she wrestled with an unsettling truth: She could die a young woman in her 30s. Her children could grow up without a mother; her college sweetheart, Justin, could become a widower. When Shira’s mind wandered to dark places, which happened when the kids weren’t around, she’d pull herself together with a simple mantra she and Justin shared: “You’re here right now. No one is telling you you’re not going to be here tomorrow. Move forward and live in the moment.”

She’d realized that if people knew she was a mother just hoping to watch her kids grow up, graduate from high school and walk down the aisle at their wed-

dings, then a complete stranger might be willing to swab a cheek and potentially be her match. Justin wrote an appeal to the community and posted it on his wife’s Facebook page: “What I need to achieve requires the commitment and participation of everyone I know, everyone they know, and everyone they know. I am reaching out for help to give Shira, the love of my life, the mother of my three beautiful children, Rylie (9), Brayden (6) and Lucas (2) a second lease on life,” he wrote. “I am asking you all to test yourself to see if you are a match for Shira—and if not, your efforts may just help someone else’s mom, daughter or friend who like Shira is fighting every day. The test is simple. It requires taking a Q-tip and swabbing your cheek— putting it in a package and sending it off to be tested. I need your help TODAY; not tomorrow, not next week, but today.”

It was Justin’s letter that inspired the meeting at Sager’s house and ultimately led to the swabbing drives organized on Shira’s behalf and the creation of Smiles 4 Shira. Shira’s friends and family in Bethesda and Rockville took the letter as a rallying cry.

S m i l e s 4 S h i ra h e l d its first D.C.-area drive at the Maryland School for Jewish Education in Rockville, where Sager’s kids were enrolled in Sunday

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school. Sager did the swabbing, and Shira’s mom did the talking. Beth Corbin was dividing her time between home and New Jersey. She would drive to Shira’s house and spend weeks there helping with her grandchildren, who call her Mimi. She’d massage Shira’s feet while she was in the hospital, read her magazines to help her pass the time. When Shira’s kids had tough questions—When is Mommy coming home? Is she going to be OK?—it was often Corbin struggling to answer them. Even with all of that, Corbin continued to work remotely for Global Distributors, checking emails after she got the kids fed, bathed and off to sleep.

“If she needed me, I just went,” Corbin says. She was amazed at her daughter’s resilience, often telling her: “Shira, you have so much strength.”

2015-03_BethesdaMag.pdf 1 3/9/15 By the end of the first swabbing event

Corbin was amazed at her daughter’s resilience, often telling her: “Shira, you have so much strength.” in Maryland, Shira’s family and friends had collected swabs from more than 100 people. “It was amazing to see how open people were to swabbing,” Sager says.

Later it was learned that three of the people they swabbed that day were a match for somebody else. These drives might not only save Shira’s life, they realized, but others, as well.

“Finding a match for Shira became a 2:41 PM full-time job for many of us,” says Robyn

Churilla, a close friend of Shira’s who lives in Bethesda. Early on, one of Shira’s relatives or best friends was at every donor drive, but after a few months, word traveled to unexpected places. People Shira didn’t even know held swabbing drives in California and Texas. Sager put together a form letter, with information about swabbing, to send to anyone who wanted to hold a drive. Dr. Mark Taff, a Bethesda dentist, said he would

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put swabbing kits at the front desk of his office. An old high school friend offered to donate money and arrange for a photo of Shira and her kids to appear on billboards around the country, accompanied by the words “Save Our Mommy.”

“There’s just something about Shira.

She’s beautiful, her kids are beautiful,” Churilla says. “It made people see themselves in her and want to help.”

Over time, Smiles 4 Shira volunteers had swabbed more than 10,000 people in 23 states and the District of Columbia, but Shira still didn’t have a match. The group had found matches for 110 other people, a development Shira found comforting. All of their work had paid off.

Shira asked her cousin Wendi and her friends to keep holding drives. “I think it made her feel good to know that something good was coming out of her illness,” Churilla says.

During the next several months, eight patients received stem cell transplants because of matches made through Smiles 4 Shira drives. “We’d call Shira whenever a match was made, or to let her know another drive had been scheduled, but we tried not to bother her with the small stuff,” Sager says. Shira often was busy undergoing treatment—hoping to keep the cancer away while she waited for a transplant—or using whatever energy she had to take Rylie to dance class or watch Brayden’s basketball or baseball games. “She was always a mom first, a sick person second,” Corbin says. As weeks turned to months, it was tough for loved ones to remain optimistic.

“It was an incredible feeling to know that we were making matches for other people, but we still hadn’t found one for Shira,” Sager says.

In March 2013, more than two years after Shira’s diagnosis, her doctors told her she needed a transplant right away.

“All my daughter, Rylie, wanted in life was to be my match,” Shira says. “But I didn’t want her to live with that pressure. What if it didn’t work?” Even if one of Shira’s kids was a match, doctors don’t like to use a child’s stem cells in a transplant for an adult because a significant amount of blood must be drawn from a donor dur-

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Shira’s mom donated her stem cells.

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Shira had her transplant two years ago.

Photo Courtesy of Smiles 4 Shira

ing the procedure. There might also be a psychological impact: If the transplant wasn’t successful, Shira didn’t want her daughter to blame herself for not saving her mother’s life. Fortunately, doctors had another idea.

Corbin knew that her stem cells were a half-match for her daughter. She had lived the last few years on standby: If at any point Shira needed her stem cells, Corbin was ready to donate them.

“She would have done anything for me,” Shira says. When Shira’s doctor called Corbin to explain that they were going to try using her stem cells and mix them with a stranger’s umbilical cord blood, a relatively new procedure, Corbin was elated and anxious. What if her stem cells weren’t enough to help her daughter?

Corbin, who occasionally called Shira’s friends in tears when she was

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overcome with emotion, wanted to be at her best when she donated her stem cells. She took vitamin supplements, started eating better, eliminating flour and sugar, and worked out. “I wanted to be the healthiest I could be, so when they harvested my cells, they’d be strong,” Corbin says. “I don’t know if it made a difference, but it felt good to know I was doing what I could to be strong for Shira.”

In May 2013, Corbin went to New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center in New York City to donate her stem cells while Shira settled into a hospital room and began another round of chemo to ready her body for the transplant. “It was a pretty easy procedure,” Corbin says. She’d given herself an injection in each leg for five nights to prepare for the stem cell harvest. A couple of nights she slept on a cot next to Shira’s bed. On the day of the harvest, doctors drew her blood over the course of a few hours. Doctors warned that she might be tired afterward, but Corbin wanted to walk around Manhattan and

do some shopping. “I felt great after,” she says. “Even if you’re a stranger and giving cells to somebody, I can’t imagine it not being one of the most amazing things you can do for someone. To have that ability to save someone’s life—it is a miracle.”

When she got back to Shira’s house in New Jersey later that night, Corbin’s grandchildren seemed to understand how important the day had been. Rylie asked her younger brother: “Brayden, do you have something to say to Mimi?” The boy shook his head, so Rylie cut in.

“You should tell Mimi thank you. She just gave Mommy life a second time.”

The boy smiled and said, “Thanks, Mimi, for saving my mom.”

It was the first time Corbin had ever cried in front of Shira’s children. She was careful to hide her tears so she wouldn’t worry them. But at this moment, Corbin felt more hopeful than ever. After years of kissing Shira’s boo-boos as a little girl, and holding her hand after chemo, she’d actually made her daughter better. Shira, just maybe, was going to be OK.

Shira and Wendi Sage her cousin, r, at Sage son’s bar m itzvah in M r’s arch.

T h i s pa st T h a n k s g i v i n g,

Shira and her family celebrated at her New Jersey home. “I can’t tell my mother that I love her enough,” Shira says. Corbin, who felt the happiest and most carefree that she’s felt on any holiday in years, drove up from Bethesda with Shira’s dad; Dara and her family flew in from Florida. In Shira’s kitchen, everyone used gel markers to write what they were thankful for on the sliding glass doors. “For good health,” one note said. “Stem cell therapy,” read another.

“My family.”

Shira had just found out that she was still “clean,” or cancer-free, after 18 months. She says her doctors don’t want to declare her cured, but the transplant seems to have worked. In a letter of thanks, Shira recently told her mother: “How wonderful it is that it was you that saved me.” n Brooke Lea Foster is a contributing writer for Psychology Today. To comment on this story, email comments@bethesda magazine.com.

family Photo Courtesy of Delete Blood Cancer; bar mitzvah photo by www.bradleyimages.com

Shira, pictured with her husband, Justin, and kids, was honored at the Delete Blood Cancer Awards Breakfast in 2014.

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As my fatherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mental and physical health began to decline, I found myself in the very confusing and complicated world of eldercare

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Author Ann Cochran knew she had to find help for her elderly father, Gene Peters.

o somethingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; by ann cochran | photos by april witt

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I

I first started to realize that my dad’s mind was in decline when he began having trouble with the concept of time. He was 88 years old and residing close to our home in Cabin John, at Victory Terrace, a lovely Potomac apartment building for seniors living independently. I’d ask him to come over at noon, and he’d come at 11, or 10. Since he was always early, I thought he was anxious about missing something.

His cognitive unraveling happened over the course of a year, starting about two years ago. When he showed up at our house at 4 a.m. one morning, he insisted that he was supposed to be there.

Unfazed by our blaring security alarm, he said we asked him to come for breakfast.

True, but at 9.

He hadn’t driven at night for a year.

Neither the empty lobby of his apartment building, nor the deserted streets on the drive over, nor our dark house alerted him that something was off. Soon after that night, Dad agreed to sell his car.

Looking back, I realize now that I resisted adding up the signs, like the discovery that he hadn’t refilled his prescriptions in weeks, or seeing that he had rubbed toothpaste all over his face, or the deterioration in his cooking. My father, Gene Peters, always loved to cook.

Dad was known for his Christmas beef bourguignonne as well as eggplant parmigiana. His homemade biscotti graced dessert tables at the weddings of both of my sons, and his recipe was featured in Relish, a Sunday newspaper magazine.

After a half-day outing together last summer, I walked Dad into his apartment and found a pot of cooled chicken soup on his stove. Despite my many warnings about food safety, he didn’t understand why this could pose a problem. Gradually, his dishes weren’t what they used to be. He could no longer make even the most familiar meatloaf.

My solution was to take each prob-

lem as it came and figure out a way to resolve it. In January 2013, worried about what he was eating when he wasn’t at my house or my brother’s, I called Meals on Wheels. Volunteers began delivering lunch and dinner Monday through Friday. For about $200 a month, we had peace of mind.

But even with the daily deliveries, he saved milk and food and let it go bad. I now regret my impatience in dealing with the situation. “Come on, Dad,” I’d say, “can’t you see this milk is expired? Here’s the date.” My intention was instructive encouragement: You can do it! Realistically, I’m afraid I only badgered him.

Reasoning that all he needed were better strategies, reminders and tools, I bought him new calendars, clocks, watches and a phone with oversize numbers. I also started to call him well in advance of when I planned to pick him up. I’d call again when I was leaving my house, 10 minutes away. Sometimes it worked. Other times, his concerned neighbors would notice him sitting for an hour in the lobby or outside on a bench.

In the fall of 2013, Dad had an accident at my house. I should have put him in the shower—instead, I cleaned him up while he sat on our powder room toilet. My husband, Chuck, and one of my sons were around, but this was my responsibility. I hoped Dad would continue to clean himself up while I ran to get sweatpants from Chuck’s closet, but when I returned, I saw that he didn’t have the dexterity or strength to do much. I held my breath and my tears and got to work.

Shortly after that, while I was putting away groceries at his apartment, I asked him to heat a frozen meal. Watching him struggle with the microwave was painful. I had put dots of red nail polish on the “start” and “2 minute” buttons, but I finally realized my strategies were futile.

We had to do something.

M y r e l at i o n s h i p w iTH M Y

father is complicated. My mother died suddenly of a brain aneurysm when she was 50, leaving all of us traumatized.

Having worked as an accountant for RCA his whole career, my dad sought a transfer overseas after my mom died.

Even from Israel, Dad stayed close to my brother and me, and to our children. We vacationed together in Israel, Italy and Spain. But when he remarried just after he retired, he got wrapped up in his new life and we didn’t see him very much.

When Dad moved to Maryland about eight years ago, it was in part to separate from his wife and in part because my brother, my husband and I had encouraged him to be near us as he aged.

Although I was doing right by him, I resented his indifference over the previous two decades, and I felt burdened

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Cochran’s father, Gene, now resides at J’ Rose Assisted Living, a group home in Aspen Hill, where he shares a room with Victor, one of the home’s caregivers.

by his need for financial support. He admitted that he had lost money in several real estate transactions, and soon after we started to help pay his bills, we discovered that he had let his excellent health insurance lapse. Prayer and determination eventually helped me transition from serving him out of obligation to caring for him with love.

I’ve heard stories from friends and neighbors about their elderly parents fighting help. That was one area where we were lucky—Dad never questioned or resisted anything we did to help him.

Due to a heart problem he had years earlier, my brother, Phil, and I already had the necessary legal documents in place: a power of attorney for financial matters, a power of attorney for health care decisions and an advanced medical directive.

Attorney William Fralin, president of

The Estate Planning & Elder Law Firm, P.C., which has offices in Bethesda, says having those documents helps caregivers avoid the need to petition for guardianship. “That last resort process can cost $2,000 to $5,000,” he says. “No one wants to go there if they can avoid it.”

Our first step was to find a caregiver.

Fortunately, we didn’t have to look far. A man who’d done similar work for a friend of ours was available. My dad knew both men well, and the instant comfort was worth $25 an hour. We began with four hours of help three days a week. A cheerful soul, Pong took Dad shopping and on all kinds of errands, including some medical appointments, always ending with lunch at Corner Bakery Cafe or some other favorite restaurant. For additional help with medication management and meals, we increased the weekly pay of the

trusted woman who had been coming to clean and do Dad’s laundry ever since he moved to Potomac.

With those crucial documents in a folder and some caregiving in place, I started the search for a long-term plan.

I discovered that we would have found support if we wanted Dad to remain in his apartment or move in with my brother or me. A nonprofit called The Senior Connection in Silver Spring matches seniors with volunteers who do food shopping and escort them to medical appointments free of charge. Volunteers also check on seniors by phone, make in-person visits and help pay bills.

There are doctors and nurse practitioners who make house calls, and in Montgomery County there are 47 companies that offer home health care.

“The need is there and the demand is

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Cochran says she takes solace in knowing that her dad is in a good place, where the staff is cheerful and kind and he receives plenty of attention.

increasing,” says Shaun Toomey of Capital City Nurses, the oldest home care agency in Maryland. Susan Rodgers, a registered nurse who established Capital City Nurses 40 years ago, says, “Having cared for my dad in my home, I experienced firsthand the physical and emotional needs of caring for a family member. It’s not easy, no matter what your background is.”

Financial planner Clark Kendall of Kendall Capital in Rockville often helps people determine the feasibility of aging in place. “If a senior stays in their home, you should factor in the cost of eventual full-time care,” he says. “For 40 hours a week, that’s about $40,000 a year. Roundthe-clock care at $120,000 exceeds the cost of most assisted living and skilled nursing facilities.”

For a while, my brother talked about having Dad live with him and his family in Falls Church. But because he and his wife travel often for work, it didn’t make sense. I got an estimate for how

much it would cost to make my lowerlevel bathroom handicapped-accessible, but I knew I didn’t have the emotional makeup to care for my father. Guilt and shame piled onto my resentment.

After weighing our options, Phil and I concluded that assisted living would be best for Dad and for us. Since our father had no assets left and only Social Security income, we thought he should qualify easily for Medicaid. Knowing nothing about the process, we made an appointment to tour the Methodist Home (now called Forest Hills) on Connecticut Avenue in Washington, D.C., which offers assisted living, long-term nursing care and memory care, which is the industry term for facilities for people with dementia and Alzheimer’s.

The administrator was kind in the face of our ignorance. Medicaid is complex, but one thing is clear: It pays for skilled nursing facilities, but not for assisted living or help in the home. Clearly, we needed some help navigating this process.

The world of eldercare can feel like an Alice in Wonderland experience, and not in a fun way. I started attending a support group at my church, as well as lectures at Sibley Memorial Hospital in Northwest Washington and at local assisted living facilities. Each presented an opportunity to learn more and to ask questions as my dad’s condition worsened.

One valuable lesson I learned is that I am, in fact, a caregiver. I’d thought that title (and halo) should be reserved for people caring for a family member in their home, not at a distance. I was wrong.

During a panel discussion about caregiving at my church, I heard about Debra Levy Eldercare Associates, a Silver Spring firm that helps family members navigate the complicated world of caring for older people. Owner Susy Murphy’s hourly fee of $145 was well worth it.

She educated me on the basics of Medicaid and Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits. Then she explained the typical cost of care in our area. Assisted living averages about $3,400 per month.

Usually, Medicaid comes into play when a person is already in a skilled nursing facility and is running low on money and assets. Although programs exist to offset the cost of home care or facilities for lowincome seniors, the wheels of bureaucracies turn slowly, and nothing is clear-cut.

Murphy directed me to a regional VA office in Camp Springs in Prince George’s County, where the director is known to be savvy and helpful. My dad, a World War II veteran, was eligible for a benefit called the Aid & Attendance Pension that was created to help wartime veterans and their surviving spouses pay for help with the activities of daily living. The VA estimates that it takes about a year to process an application, but the award is paid retroactively to the application date.

Almost a year after I applied, the VA granted my dad a small amount of money, significantly less than he was qualified to receive. I made another long

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drive from Cabin John to Camp Springs for help in trying to correct the oversight.

A while back, a therapist friend recommended an attorney who charged $2,000 for VA cases. That seemed exorbitant. Now, considering the time I’ve spent on the matter, I could kick myself for not scheduling that appointment.

Elder law attorneys, especially those accredited by the VA, have done hundreds of applications; I was doing one. “Having a file full of approvals means you’ve learned what is successful,” says Fralin, the elder law attorney. “As the veteran’s advocate, my goal is to get the application exactly right—on the first try.”

We didn’t have time to wait for the VA to revise its decision, so we continued our search for a place for Dad. My brother and I and our spouses were splitting Dad’s current expenses, bracing ourselves for what was coming.

In 2014, Rodgers, the founder of Capital City Nurses, opened The Cottage at Curry Manor in Bethesda. She calls it “refined residential living.” Monthly fees range from $8,500 to $12,000; the daytime ratio is three staffers for every eight residents.

I couldn’t resist visiting, in case I won the lottery. I wish I could give Dad luxury like that: a gorgeous home, gourmet meals, art classes and monthly massages.

Given our budget, Murphy suggested that we look into group homes. In addition to offering the most affordable type of care, group homes provide stability and close attention in a homey setting; there are currently 160 in Montgomery County.

I knew most group homes wouldn’t offer the activities of a luxury property or large facility, but Dad’s interest in such things had become almost nonexistent.

Murphy gave me the name of a referral agency called Loving Decisions in Bethesda. Based on Dad’s condition, our budget and current availability, Loving Decisions recommended J’ Rose Assisted Living in Aspen Hill, which I visited right before Christmas 2013.

Cochran visits her dad often. It’s hard for him to have conversations with her, she says, but he enjoys looking at photos.

I felt so good about it that I stopped there. The house was clean and cheerful, large enough, and the owner and staff exuded kindness. When we brought Dad, he told us he was ready to move in.

I lamented that I hadn’t taken this step sooner. When I left him there the first night, all I could feel was relief. It helped that Dad exhibited no anxiety. He was probably thinking that it was about time this happened. Although he never admitted he was struggling, he agreed he needed help from the minute I mentioned it.

Dad’s $2,500-a-month fee for a shared room is as low as it gets for assisted living in this area. The owner, Rose Jayaraman, hires kind and respectful people.

Two caregivers are present at all times, and the house is licensed for a maximum of five residents. Dad’s roommate, Victor, is one of the home’s devoted caregivers, so we lucked out. The comings-and-goings of five families creates more stimulation and activity than Dad would have had in my home or my brother’s. When we visit, we can be his daughter and son, not harried helpers trying to get things done.

More than a year ago, a neurologist diagnosed Dad with mild dementia and aphasia, a language disorder. He seems to know what he wants to say, but can’t

find the words. Conversations are difficult, but he loves looking at photos and videos and doing FaceTime sessions with his grandchildren and their children. He can’t cook anymore, but he loves to eat, so our visits always involve food: We take him out when he is up to it, or we bring favorite foods in. My brother whips up breakfast some Sunday mornings, just like Dad used to do for us.

Although Dad’s home does not provide dedicated memory care, geriatric professionals say group homes are a good place for seniors with dementia. “Small group homes provide constant, attentive, personalized care,” says Carol Kaplun, nurse care manager at Iona Senior Services in the District. “You can’t beat this level of assistance for moderate and advanced memory care.”

J’ Rose will likely be Dad’s home until the end, unless he develops a medical problem or condition that requires nursing care, such as a feeding tube. If we have to move him to a skilled nursing facility, we will be facing expenses of $7,000 or more per month.

The guilt I feel over not caring for my father in my own home, as my mother did for her parents, may never relax its grip entirely. But I take solace in knowing that

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By Ann Cochran

Finding Help The following list is a combination of people and organizations the writer found while helping her father and, later, while doing research for this article. Of course, there are many more resources in the Washington area for helping seniors, and many of the people and organizations on this list can point you toward them. Consider this list a starting point.

Care Managers Robin Henoch, Always Best Care, Potomac, 301-637-0233, www.abc-midmontgomery.com.

Susy Murphy, Debra Levy Eldercare Associates, Silver Spring, 301-593-5285, www.caremanager.com.

Carol Kaplun, IONA Senior Services, Washington, D.C., 202-895-9448, www.iona.org.

Care Management Associates, Bethesda, 301-320-9617, cmacares.com.

Elder Law Attorneys William Fralin, The Estate Planning & Elder Law Firm, P.C., Bethesda, 301-214-2229, www.chroniccareadvocacy.com.

Cheryl Chapman Henderson, Law Offices of Cheryl Chapman Henderson, LLC, College Park, 301-220-4463, www.hendersonlaw 4god.com.

Morris Klein, Attorney at Law, Bethesda, 301-652-4462, www.morrisklein.com.

Long-Term Care Insurance Brokers Mark Gottlieb, Paladin Advisor Group, Columbia, Md., 301-332-4337, www.plan member.com/paladin.

Ed Hutman, Baygroup Insurance, Monkton, Md., 301-871-8100, www.baygroupinsurance. com.

Kim Natovitz, The Natovitz Group, Bethesda, 301-581-7333, www.natovitz.com.

Additional Resources Montgomery County Aging and Disability Resource Unit, Rockville, 240-777-3000, www.montgomerycountymd.gov/HHS/.

This office helps seniors, people with

disabilities and caregivers by identifying appropriate resources.

Montgomery County Long Term Care Ombudsman Program, Rockville, 240-7773369, www.montgomerycountymd.gov/hhs/.

This office advocates for residents living in nursing homes and licensed assisted living facilities, including group homes.

The Senior Connection, Silver Spring, 301962-0820, www.seniorconnectionmc.org. This nonprofit matches seniors with volunteers who take them food shopping or do it for them, accompany them to medical appointments, call, visit and help with bill paying.

The Aging Life Care Association (formerly The National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers), 520-881-8008, www.caremanager.org. This association certifies care management professionals.

The website guides you to local care managers; you also can search by area if a parent lives elsewhere.

Guide to Retirement Living SourceBook, which covers suburban Maryland, D.C. and Northern Virginia, is published by Greater Washington Publishing, LLC. It has many feature articles on topics about aging, as well as listings of metropolitan area resources and housing options.

Montgomery County Seniors’ Resource Guide, published by The Beacon Newspapers, has information for seniors and their families and caregivers, from adult day services to housing options to information for veterans.

Iona Resource Guide, published by Iona Senior Services, a senior service and information organization in Washington, D.C., has information on adult day services, care management, assisted living options, hospice services, support groups and more.

Iona Senior Services Information and Referral Line, 202-895-9448, www.iona.org.

Loving Decisions, 301-571-5399, www. lovingdecisions.com. A Bethesda-based referral service for residential assisted living.

Jewish Council for the Aging of Greater Washington, free senior helpline, 301-255-4200, www.accessjca.org.

Meals on Wheels America, www.mowaa.org/ findameal. This national organization supports more than 5,000 community-based senior nutrition programs. Its website provides contact information for local meal delivery programs.

Maryland Legal Aid Bureau, www.mdlab.org/ get-help-services/elder-rights. Elder law services for low-income Maryland residents over 60.

Mom’s Meals, www.momsmeals.com. Mom’s Meals is a national provider of meals that are shipped to the person in need.

You can download a list of attorneys who are accredited by the Department of Veterans Affairs and receive continuing education at www.va.gov/ogc/apps/accredita tion/index.asp.

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he’s in a good place. Whether my father is conscious of it now or not, I hope that on some level he feels good about putting his trust in us. I expect my husband and I will have strong opinions about where and how we grow older, and I hope our children and their spouses will be sympathetic.

Fralin calls people who have been through this heart-wrenching process “True Believers.” He says most people who experience this firsthand with parents or in-laws make it a priority to get their own affairs in order.

“Preparing ourselves and our adult children for our senior years requires psychological as well as financial planning,” Rodgers says. “Our generation firmly wants to be in control and not have decisions made for us.”

My wise and sensible husband bought

long-term care insurance for us when we were in our mid-50s. It gives us peace of mind, and it’s a gift to our children. These insurance policies may seem pricey, but they can pay out more than $1 million in benefits. Insurance broker Kim Natovitz, founder and president of The Natovitz Group in Bethesda, says a couple in their 50s should expect to pay an annual premium of $4,000 to $5,000; a couple in their 60s will pay $6,000 to $8,000 per year.

As another gift to each other and our children, Chuck and I set up a program with our banker, Chad Gerber at SunTrust, that automatically updates our investment and retirement accounts and stores insurance policies, wills, advanced medical directives and any other documents and instructions we want to include, such as my long list of computer IDs and passwords

that my sons tease me about.

My dad was a loving father who always had a good job, but poor financial decisions in his older years had a major impact on him and his family. I learned a lot from him, but the final lesson is a sad one: I can’t let my last act be this tough for my own children. Should something happen to my husband or me, all our kids have to do is open the Valentine’s Day cards we sent them this year, in which we provided the SunTrust ID and password that will lead to all the information they’ll need. This gesture may be financial and logistical, but it feels like love to me. n Ann Cochran (ann@annpcochran.com) is a writer based in Cabin John. She divides her time between magazine and newspaper features and corporate communications.

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wellness

calendar Compiled by Cindy Murphy-Tofig

May 17 Run for the Animals. The event includes a 5K, plus a 1-mile or 1.7-mile walk that dogs can join. Proceeds benefit the Poplar Spring Animal Sanctuary in Poolesville. 8:30 a.m. Wheaton Regional Park, Wheaton. $28 before April 20; $30, April 20May 16; $35 on race day. www.animal sanctuary.org.

May 25 Memorial 4 Mile. Start your holiday with a run in Rockville. 8 a.m.; a 1-mile fun run starts at 8:05 a.m. at Rock Creek Valley Elementary School, Rockville. $10; $5 younger than 18; free for members of Montgomery County Road Runners Club. www.mcrrc.org.

RUNNING/WALKING EVENTS May 3 Res1cue Run 8K. 8 a.m. Proceeds benefit the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Rescue Squad.

8:15 a.m. Ambulance chase fun run for ages 8-12 (8:30 a.m. for ages 7 and younger).

Race starts at 5020 Battery Lane, next to the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Rescue Squad station. $35 before April 15; $50 after April 15; $10 for fun runs. www.res1cuerun.com.

May 3 Mark’s Run 5K. 8 a.m. The race is held in memory of Landon School alumnus Mark Ferris. Proceeds benefit the school’s Mark Ferris Landon Scholarship Fund and the Joslin Diabetes Center in Boston. A 1-mile fun run begins at 8:05 a.m. Landon School, Bethesda. $25; $15 for fun run. www.marks run.org.

May 9 Kids on the Run and Kids Marathon. The noncompetitive races are open to children 17 and younger. A 100-meter Toddler Trot (ages 4 and younger) starts at 8:30 a.m. Half-mile run begins at 8:40 a.m.; 1-mile run starts at 8:55 a.m. For the Kids Marathon, participants keep a log to show they ran one mile a day for 25 days; the final two kilometers (1.2 miles) will be run

during the event. Bohrer Park, Gaithersburg. $14 by May 4 ($9 if you don’t want a T-shirt); $20 after May 4 (T-shirts while supplies last). www.mcrrckidsontherun.org.

May 9 Wood Acres Jogfest. 8 a.m. The 5K winds through the Wood Acres and Springfield neighborhoods in Bethesda. A 1-mile run begins at 8:30 a.m. and quarter- and half-mile fun runs begin at 9 a.m. Wood Acres Elementary School, Bethesda. $25; $16 for the fun runs. www.woodacrespta.org.

May 9 rocket run 5k. 8:30 a.m. Proceeds help support the athletic department at Richard Montgomery High School. The race includes a 1-mile Rocket Blast and a quarter-mile Comet Dash. Races are open to all ages.

8 a.m. for Rocket Blast; 9:30 a.m. for Comet Dash. Richard Montgomery High School, Rockville. $30 ($35 at packet pickup, $40 race day) for 5K; $14 ($20 on race day) for Rocket Blast or Comet Dash. Register at www.rocketrun5K.org.

May 10 Run Aware 5K. Prepare to get muddy on a cross-country run along the trails. 8 a.m.; a 1K starts at 8:05 a.m. Cabin John Regional Park, Rockville. $10; $5 younger than 18; free for members of Montgomery County Road Runners Club. www.mcrrc.org.

SCREENINGS/CLASSES/ WORKSHOPS May 2 and 16 Living With Loss. Explore various reactions to loss and ways of coping. 9 a.m.

May 2 at Robert A. Pumphrey Funeral Home, Rockville; 9 a.m. May 16 at Robert A. Pumphrey Funeral Home, Bethesda. Free. 301652-2200, www.montgomeryhospice.org.

May 2-June 6, May 21-June 25 and May 22-June 26 Postnatal Yoga/Pilates for Moms and Babies. The six-session class incorporates mom-baby postures and massage designed to tone, strengthen and stretch both mother and baby. 11:15 a.m.

Saturdays, May 2-June 6, and 11 a.m. Thursdays, May 21-June 25, at Destination Maternity, Westfield Montgomery mall, Bethesda; 11 a.m. Fridays, May 22-June 26, at Holy Cross Resource Center, Silver Spring. $50.

301-754-8800, www.holycrosshealth.org.

May 5, 12 and 19 Managing Anger: A Parent’s Guide.

The three-session class will help you examine the reasons why you get angry, and learn how to change your thoughts, words and actions. Parents will also learn how to help children cope with their own anger.

7:30 p.m. Parent Encouragement Program, Kensington. $95; $85.50 for PEP members.

301-929-8824, www.pepparent.org.

Photo Courtesy of MCRRC/Ken trombatore

Kids on the Run will take place on May 9.

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May 7 Remembering Mom and Dad. The workshop is for adults who have lost a parent or both parents. 7 p.m. Montgomery Hospice, Rockville. Free and open to Montgomery County residents. 301-921-4400, www.montgomeryhospice.org.

discipline and helping your child regulate feelings. For parents of children ages 2½-5, and who have already completed Parenting Preschoolers class. 9 a.m. Saturdays. Parent Encouragement Program, Kensington. $225; $202.50 for PEP members. 301-929-8824, www.pepparent.org.

May 9 Women’s Health Event. Participate in health screenings and lectures, plus receive a seated massage. 10 a.m.; registration begins at 9:30 a.m. Holy Cross Hospital Professional and Community Education Center, Silver Spring. Free. 301-754-8800, www.holy crosshealth.org.

May 21, May 28 and June 4 Managing Anger: A Parent’s Guide.

The three-session class will help you examine the reasons why you get angry, and learn how to change your thoughts, words and actions. Parents will also learn how to help children cope with their own anger.

7:30 p.m. Temple Micah, Washington, D.C. $95; $85.50 for PEP members. 301-9298824, www.pepparent.org.

May 31, June 16 and 25 Comfort Measures for Labor. The three-hour class teaches participants relaxation and breathing techniques, massage and other techniques to cope with labor. 9:30 a.m.

May 31 and 6:30 p.m. June 16 at Holy Cross Hospital Professional and Community Education Center, Silver Spring; 6 p.m. June 25 at Destination Maternity, Westfield Montgomery mall, Bethesda. $40 per couple. 301-7548800, www.holycrosshealth.org.

May 26-June 30 Moms on the Move. The six-session class combines yoga and Pilates and focuses on building strength. For women who are at least six weeks post-delivery. Women participate without babies. 5:30 p.m. Tuesdays.

Destination Maternity, Westfield Montgomery mall, Bethesda. $50. 301-754-8800, www.holycrosshealth.org.

June 6 Journey Toward Intimacy. This allday class teaches couples to talk to each other and encourage one another in exploring connection and passion. Participants should bring a bag lunch. 9 a.m. Parent Encouragement Program, Kensington. $30; $27 for PEP members. 301-929-8824, www.pep parent.org.

May 31 and June 27 Sibling Class. The class helps children prepare for their new roles as big brothers or

June 11 Transition to Wellness. The workshop is designed to help breast cancer

May 11 and 18 ‘But They’re Hurting Each Other!’

Dealing With Sibling Conflict. The two-session class will help you understand the causes of sibling rivalry, when to step in and ways to help your children get along better. For parents of children ages 4-12.

Parent Encouragement Program, Kensington. $65; $58.50 for PEP members. 301-9298824, www.pepparent.org.

May 16-June 6 More Tools for Parenting Preschoolers. Increase your stockpile of techniques for setting limits, using positive

big sisters. Designed for children ages 3-10; children must be accompanied by an adult.

Classes are 2 p.m. May 31 or 10 a.m. June 27.

Holy Cross Hospital Professional and Community Education Center, Silver Spring. $15.

301-754-8800, www.holycrosshealth.org.

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health patients transition to life after breast cancer.

6 p.m. Holy Cross Hospital Professional and Community Education Center, Silver Spring.

Free. 301-754-7278, www.holycross health.org.

June 11 Look Good, Feel Better. Female cancer patients learn about skin care, makeup applications and hair/wig techniques in this hands-on workshop. 7 p.m. Holy Cross Hospital Professional and Community Education Center, Silver Spring. Free. 301-754-8800, www.holycrosshealth.org.

Ongoing Knit ting, Stitch & Chat. Learn how to knit, or hone your skills, while also reducing stress. 10 a.m. Fridays. Hope Connections for Cancer Support, Bethesda. Free.

301-634-7500, www.hopeconnections forcancer.org.

Pink Ribbon Pilates. The class is designed to help breast cancer patients regain strength and mobility in affected shoulders and arms. 12:30 p.m. Wednesdays. Hope Connections for Cancer Support, Bethesda. Free.

301-634-7500, www.hopeconnectionsfor cancer.org.

SUPPORT GROUPS

Support groups are free unless otherwise noted.

May 7 and June 4 Blood Cancers Support Group. For people with leukemia, myeloma, lymphoma and other blood cancers. 6:30 p.m. Hope Connections for Cancer Support, Bethesda. 301634-7500, www.hopeconnectionsforcancer.org.

May 19-June 23 Afternoon Grief Support Group.

The six-week group is for anyone grieving the death of a loved one. 1:30 p.m. Tuesdays. Faith United Methodist Church, Rockville. $25. 301921-4400, www.montgomeryhospice.org.

May 20 and June 17 Ovarian and Gynecological Cancer Support Group. For patients and survivors.

6:30 p.m. Holy Cross Hospital Professional and Community Education Center, Silver Spring.

301-754-9124, www.holycrosshealth.org.

May 20-June 24 Loss of a Child Support Group. For parents grieving the death of a child. 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays. Montgomery Hospice, Rockville. $25. 301-921-4400, www.montgomery hospice.org.

May 21-June 25 Parent Loss Support Group. For adults who have experienced the death of one or both parents. 6:30 p.m. Thursdays.

Montgomery Hospice, Rockville. $25. 301921-4400, www.montgomeryhospice.org.

Ongoing Discovering Motherhood—Adjusting to Your New Role. For new moms who may feel overwhelmed. 10:30 a.m. Mondays. No meeting on Memorial Day. Great Beginnings Children’s Store, Gaithersburg. 800542-5096, www.adventisthealthcare.com.

Caregiver Support Group. Caregivers receive help in managing the stress of a cancer diagnosis and treatment, plus guidance on enhancing their own well-being. 6:30 p.m.

Tuesdays and noon on Thursdays. Hope Connections for Cancer Support, Bethesda. 301634-7500, www.hopeconnectionsforcancer.org.

Advanced Cancer Support Group.

For people whose cancer has metastasized. 2 p.m. Thursdays. Hope Connections for Cancer Support, Bethesda. 301-634-7500, www.hopeconnectionsforcancer.org. n To submit calendar items, go to www.Bethesda Magazine.com.

Saturday, July 4th Potomac, md 8:00 am

can’t be with us on July 4th?

Presented by

Register for the Virtual 5K at AutismSpeaks5K.org and run/walk your 5K wherever your travels take you!

For more information: autismSpeaks5k@autismSpeaks.org (202) 955-3111 274 may/june 2015 | BethesdaMagazine.com

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Special Advertising Section

Ask the Beauty Experts

A. Dean Jabs, MD, PhD, FACS Cosmetic Surgery Associates

James Kim

See Profile page 285

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Albert Takem, MD Dr. Takem’s Weight Loss & Wellness 8401 Connecticut Ave., Suite 102 866-533-2548 info@drtakemsweightloss.com www.drtakemsweightloss.com www.facebook.com/drtakemsweightloss

What can I do now to get back into a bikini this summer?

If you find yourself with extra winter weight, the good news is you can lose it just as you’ve gained it. The number one thing you must do is get serious about losing that excess weight. Losing weight fast takes effort and a good strategy. Reducing calories is a surefire way to help burn fat. That’s what I do with my clients: help them reduce as many calories as possible, while keeping them satisfied, healthy and active. New studies have shown that people who attempt weight loss with face-to-face support are more successful than people who do it alone. Summer is just around the corner, so make a decision to get into your bikini now. Then find the right support you need to shed that extra weight!

I don’t think being thin is what makes women beautiful. There is something that happens, however, when women who are above their normal range lose weight that is just short of magic. It’s as if the weight has been burdening them not just physically but emotionally, and when they lose it they free themselves of more than just fat. They begin to glow and shine because they feel so good about themselves.

They have a tighter tummy and smaller hips after weight loss, but it’s their attitude of confidence that makes them irresistibly beautiful. I guess it’s a feeling of accomplishment and pride women feel when they fit into their skinny jeans again. You’ve seen that woman who walks into a room and lights it up. It’s not her thinness that catches your eye; it’s her joy that radiates around her. I think being happy with one’s self equals beautiful.

James Kim

PHTOTO CREDIT GOES HERE

Is it true that thin equals beautiful?

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Special Advertising Section

Dr. Roberta F. Palestine & Associates The Dermatology Center & Rockledge MedSpa 6410 Rockledge Drive, Suite 205, Bethesda, MD 20817 301-968-1200 | info@dermskin.com | www.dermskin.com Three locations: Bethesda, Germantown & Northwest D.C.

hilary schwab

What can I do to get ready for swimsuit season?

Summer is coming up and there are several procedures that can help you look your best at the beach or pool. For those looking to get rid of unwanted fat in areas that are diet- and exercise-resistant, there are non-invasive fat reduction methods such as CoolSculpting and Vanquish. These treatments reduce fat in “trouble zones” without surgery or downtime – you can even be treated during your lunch break and go right back to work! Common areas of treatment include the abdomen, back, thighs and arms.

Exilis is another fat reduction method that is also used to tighten loose skin in the arms, neck, abdomen and thighs. Another popular procedure this time of year is laser hair removal, not only for legs, but the bikini area, underarms, back, arms or other areas with unwanted hair. It is important that the appropriate laser be used to treat your particular skin and hair color. For many people,

it’s the spider veins on their legs that lead to avoiding swimsuits and summer clothes. Fortunately, these can be treated with a procedure called sclerotherapy.

How can IPL slow down the aging process?

Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) gently heats the upper layers of your skin, stimulating collagen growth and restoring a youthful glow to your skin. The targeted light energy will also eliminate many of the fine blood vessels that cause redness and the unwanted melanin responsible for mottled pigmentation. With regular IPL treatments, your skin will be smoother, tighter and more vibrant.

We’ve seen remarkable results with this treatment where people actually look younger in the pictures taken 10 years after their “before” picture. In addition to treating the face, IPL also can help refresh sun-damaged skin on the chest, hands, arms and neck.

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Special Advertising Section

Val Banda (head colourist), David Cohen (artistic director), Robyn Graney (coordinator)

David Cohen & Val Banda David’s Beautiful People 12121 Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD 20852 301-881-2540 | www.davidsbeautifulpeople.com

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.

hilary schwab

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!

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Ask the Beauty Experts Margaret Sommerville, MD, FAAD Chevy Chase Dermatology, LLC 5530 Wisconsin Ave., Suite 830 Chevy Chase, MD 20815 301-656-SKIN (7546) www.chevychasedermatology.com www.facebook.com/chevychasedermatology

What are your thoughts on anti-aging skincare?

Many formulas now contain growth factors that “fertilize” skin promoting natural repair and regeneration. Plant-derived stem cell extracts and collagen-boosting peptides are also popular ingredients. I still consider retinoids, such as Retin A, Refissa or Renova, and broad-spectrum sunscreens with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide the pillars of any anti-aging skincare routine. For adequate protection, sunscreens must be reapplied every two hours while outdoors. Tinted formulas containing zinc oxide and antioxidants such as Intellishade SPF 45 are ideal, since they provide light, natural coverage and are easy to reapply throughout the day. At our practice, we offer a well-researched and carefully edited menu of skincare products that are elegant, ultra-hydrating and provide immediate benefits in appearance while awaiting long-term results.

Mike Olliver

What are the most popular, no downtime treatments in your practice?

Botox and Dysport, fillers, collagen induction therapy with micro-needling, sapphireabrasion, and light-based treatments are very popular. I see amazing results with clients that have continued with the maintenance of Forever Young BBL™ (IPL) treatments over several years. These treatments have been shown to restore the gene expression pattern of aged human skin to resemble youthful skin. They can reverse common signs of skin aging such as dark spots, hyperpigmentation, rough texture and broken capillaries on the face, neck, chest and hands. With several maintenance treatments per year, we can potentially prevent further aging of the skin. Of course, if the wrinkles are pronounced, fractional laser resurfacing devices can help. Fillers have come a long way with many different options now available. At our Chevy Chase practice, we focus on natural results, without the “over-filled,” artificial look so prevalent in reality TV shows. Looking youthful means looking natural and we must show restraint in our treatments and respect our patients’ unique beauty and features.

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Special Advertising Section

Gail Cohen

Salon Central 10317 Westlake Drive, Bethesda, MD 20817 301-767-1077 | saloncentral@gmail.com | www.saloncentralbethesda.com

Four tips to keep your hair looking healthier: 1. Stop fighting Mother Nature and work with the hair you have, whether it’s thin, thick or curly. Our experts can help manage any hair type.

2. Trimming at a minimum of every two months is key to eliminating split ends and ensuring healthy hair growth.

Our stylists will guide you in managing your hair at home, offering a wide range of products for every season.

3. Leave the color changes to us. Beware of inexpensive do-it-yourself kits! Our professional products are much healthier for your hair and we’ll help you in choosing the perfect color for your skin tone.

4. Be careful when using hot tools like flat irons and curling irons. Limit usage to a couple times a week and always use professional products for heat styling protection.

Oh no, I’m turning grey! What are my options?

You have several options. Semi-permanent hair color will help blend grey that will rinse out on tone, and permanent color for more stubborn greys. Great news – we even offer color that is ammonia- and odor-free.

If you have an abundance of grey hair, we recommend warmer colors with golden or red tones. This works well against grey hair, which can be dull-looking and makes your skin appear pale and washed-out. Our color experts know never to go too light or too dark, especially with grey hair. A color within three shades of your natural hair color ensures a natural result.

We take your individual features, your lifestyle and your personality into consideration before any service. Getting to know you is vital to creating a beautiful, customized look that works for your specific needs and is effortlessly stylish.

james kim

What are some easy hair care tips to keep my hair looking its best?

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Ask the Beauty Experts Betty Barati & Sherri Hatam, Owners Belina Boutique 10215 Old Georgetown Road Bethesda, MD 20814 301-897-2929 www.BelinaBoutique.com

How can I freshen up my wardrobe for spring?

There are four key pieces that you need in your closet this spring: 1. White skinny jeans. We prefer a distressed pair. Vintage washes and distressed jeans are a key trend.

2. Neutral blouses in silks and knits are a wardrobe staple.

3. A faux leather jacket is always great to have in your closet. It is versatile enough to wear from season to season.

4. A statement necklace, like a beautiful druzy pendant that can add just the right amount of spark to your look. We have so many one of a kind pendants for you to choose from.

These pieces look great together and work so well with everything else that you already own.

Hilary Schwab

What are some spring and summer trends I should be looking for?

For spring tones, think pretty pastels and neutral colors. You can’t go wrong with white, beige and blush tones. These colors are the basis of any wardrobe and they mix and match with everything. Accent these soft colors with monochromatic accessories for a soft, spring look.

Don’t be afraid to try new silhouettes in your pants this season. Seventies-inspired flared jeans are on trend. These figure-flattering pants look great with pumps or wedge shoes and can easily take you from day to night.

If we had to pick a single trend for our clients to try this season, it would be “fringe.”

A little fringe adds movement to any of your outfits. From jackets to blouses to accessories, we can’t get enough of this trend. Come visit us, and let us help you fill your wardrobe out for the seasons.

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Special Advertising Section

Jason A. Cohen, DDS 5530 Wisconsin Ave., Suite 560 Chevy Chase, MD 20815 301-656-1201 drcohen@cosmeticdds.com www.cosmeticdds.com

We have options. With techniques like resin bonding, porcelain veneers, all-porcelain crowns and In-Office Whitening, there are a variety of treatments that will give us a great success. One or a combination of these techniques may be in order, and they are generally non-invasive and can be virtually pain-free. For instance, natural-looking composite resin or thin tooth-colored shells of porcelain can easily fill spaces, cover stains and restore misshapen teeth, and provide years of a bright and shiny smile.

Every circumstance is unique, and together we can decide what options are right for you. I pride myself on being particularly conscientious and meticulous. Our office focuses on sensible plans for each individual, and on not over-treating patients. By providing comprehensive care, we are able to look at the causes of your dental problems, and the most practical ways to address these situations.

tony lewis jr

What can you do for my chipped, discolored teeth?

Rachel Cohn, Optometrist Wink Eyewear Boutique 1095​Seven Locks Road Potomac, MD 20854 301-545-1111 drcohn@wink.net www.wink.net

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

Do these glasses make my butt look big?

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Ask the Beauty Experts Jennifer Parker Porter, MD, FACS Chevy Chase Facial Plastic Surgery, LLC 8401 Connecticut Ave., Suite 107 Chevy Chase, MD 20815 301-652-8191 concierge@chevychaseface.com www.ChevyChaseFace.com

How do you make sure my nose will turn out the way I want after rhinoplasty?

My area of expertise is in the field of rhinoplasty, and it’s a very fine surgery of millimeters.

I don’t operate to achieve some pre-existing standard of beauty. I always want to restore and maintain a nose shape, size and position that complements the proportions of your face. In our initial consultation, we’ll use MIRROR® imaging technology that ensures we can create a look that fits your face and aesthetic individuality. We can also perform eyelid surgery, facelift, brow lift and other cosmetic procedures during the rhinoplasty procedure.

What can you do for bad acne scars?

hilary schwab

We offer a variety of non-surgical solutions for acne scars, and some work remarkably well.

For instance, the Time Machine Procedure™ is great for resurfacing and tightening, which helps acne scars to improve from a texture and tone standpoint. It’s quick and down time is minimal. The procedure rebuilds collagen in your skin, which improves acne scars. For acne scars, typically more than one treatment is needed. The procedure is also great for patients that desire tightening of the skin.

Other non-surgical solutions we offer include microdermabrasion, Dermapen® and chemical peels. These work well for all skin types. Finally, BBL™ can help to improve acne scars that are red. Treatment will always vary by patient, based on your unique aesthetic concerns, anatomical needs, facial structure and goals. If you’re frustrated with your skin or any visible signs of aging, we can help combat them for a rejuvenated, younger-looking appearance.

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Special Advertising Section

The South Moon Under Team Wildwood Shopping Center 10241 Old Georgetown Road, Bethesda, MD 20814 301-564-0995 | bethesdamanager@southmoonunder.com www.southmoonunder.com

Traveling is hard on hair and skin, especially with dry airplane air and changes in climate. Whether you’re going on a road trip or jet-setting to a romantic getaway, here are a few beauty essentials you should always have. Find it all at South Moon Under: 1. A good dry shampoo extends your blowout 1-3 days – a must when you have better things to do than style your hair.

2. Pale winter skin? Tan towels come to the rescue for tropical getaways that require showing a little skin.

3. Hair gets frizzy, nails chip, and lips chap. A mini-emergency kit can be life-changing.

4. Find a perfume you love, and pick up a small travel-size bottle to have it on the go.

5. Hydration keeps a tan going and skin looking bright and radiant.

Pick up a chic water bottle that is both good for the environment and keeps your water cold at the beach.

Courtney Chapman at South Moon Under

hilary schwab

Got any travel advice for my beauty routine?

Tiffany Wood

Independent Hair Stylist at Lux Studios 4711 Montgomery Lane Bethesda, MD 20814 301-907-6810 Studiomonroe11@yahoo.com Facebook: Studio Monroe/Tiffany Wood

I believe in this area, perhaps more than anywhere, people want a look that will easily and conveniently complement their own personal style and way of life. Most importantly, they want and need a mutually trusting and confident relationship with their stylist.

I have built a loyal client base over the last 10 years by listening to my clients very carefully and approaching their hair needs with this in mind, as any stylist should. I strive to create both a professional and personal relationship where my clients can contact me directly or through the salon. Some of my most popular services are color, blow drys, men’s and women’s cuts, highlights and Keratin treatments.

I love the fact that I can help create a small population of women and men that feel great about themselves and project positive energy everywhere they go.

James Kim

What’s the key to success in making people look beautiful in Bethesda?

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Ask the Beauty Experts

A. Dean Jabs, MD, PhD, FACS Cosmetic Surgery Associates 6430 Rockledge Drive, Suite 100, Bethesda, MD 20817 301-493-4334 | www.cosmeticplastics.com

What can you do for patients who are starting to look older, but don’t want anesthesia or a hospital stay?

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 non-invasive tightening (Ulthera) to complete mini-facelifts (QuickLift™) including the eyes, we have it all in one convenient location. We have a strong commitment to natural enhancements, working with your natural facial characteristics and improving any elements you’re displeased with on your face and neck.

We might recommend a QuickLift™, which is a mini-facelift outpatient procedure that takes only a few hours and offers a more youthful appearance for men and women. Results are quite natural looking with no hospitals, no need to put you to sleep and faster recovery.

We perform QuickLifts and other outpatient procedures in our new state-of-the-art, 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, non-invasive ultrasonic skin tightening (Ulthera), SmartLipo laser liposuction, facelifts, eyelids and brow lifts, as well as body contouring and breast augmentation.

James kim

I don’t like what I see in the mirror lately. I look older than I feel. Can you help?

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Special Advertising Section

Mary Farber, Owner & Lead Instructor Sculpt Studio 4900 Auburn Ave. Bethesda, MD 20814 support@sculptpilatesstudio.com www.sculptstudio.com

What’s not beautiful about defined arms, sculpted abs and a tighter booty? We are the only studio in Bethesda teaching the Lagree Fitness Method on these amazing machines called the Megaformers. The workout is unlike any other; a 50-minute intense, muscle trembling, sweaty session that combines cardio, strength, core, endurance, flexibility and balance in every move.

Beyond body beauty and leaner, tighter silhouettes, I’ve had clients tell me that they’re sleeping better (Beauty sleep? Check!), that they no longer suffer from back pain and that they are running faster and longer and being stronger in everything they do. There’s a lot of mental battling during class and pushing through those blocks makes a beautiful person. It takes a good attitude and strong mind to do this work out and not feel defeated, but those who stick to it feel stronger and more powerful because of it.

Keep strong and sculpt on!

Mike Olliver

How are you and Sculpt Studio making Bethesda more beautiful?

Spencer G. Hornstein, DDS, MAGD Dentistry of Bethesda 10401 Old Georgetown Road., Suite 204 Bethesda, MD 20814 301-530-2700 www.dentistryofbethesda.com

I think experience, listening and planning are key to successful cosmetic dental procedures. Whether it’s a single tooth or full mouth reconstruction, look for a dentist who’s done many such procedures and will spend time with you planning for your individual needs. Each person presents a new set of circumstances. I value the time we spend together before the work begins.

My goal is to create and care for your very best smile. We’ve done many smile makeovers through our years serving Bethesda. We provide compassionate care for all family members, and have spent the past 23 years honing our techniques to improve care for special needs patients, too. Our practice is designed to make all patients feel comfortable, whatever each individual situation warrants. Our Old Georgetown Road location makes accessibility and parking simple.

For a list of our comprehensive services, find us online at www.dentistryofbethesda.com.

hilary schwab

How do you choose the right dentist for cosmetic procedures?

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Ask the Beauty Experts

Special Advertising Section

Patty Hong & Eva Byrum Kindle & Boom 180 Halpine Road, Rockville, MD 20852 301-770-0404 | kindleandboom@me.com | www.kindleandboom.com

tony lewis jr

What can I do to get the most out of a consultation and receive the best salon experience?

Patty: My goal is to make each and every guest feel important and know that I truly care about them! Communication is key.

There’s different lingo we tend to use without really understanding what they mean. So during a consultation, I recommend bringing in pictures of hairstyles with a similar hair texture to your own (fine, medium, coarse, straight, wavy or curly). Although the newest trends may seem important, my goal is all about bringing out the best in you. I want to help achieve a look that’s flattering and fitting just for you. It comes with understanding face shapes and how certain cuts bring balance to them. By “fitting,” I mean your lifestyle and your personality. The function and purpose of your hair in your current lifestyle is important.

These are a few things to address during your consultation so that we really connect and have a great experience!

How can you use hair extensions to enhance my style?

Eva: There’s really no other way to add length and volume, and they’re particularly helpful for thinning hair. Some clients have thinning hair from hereditary conditions, diseases or medical treatments. Working with them to make them feel beautiful is one of the most rewarding aspects of my job. Extensions are also a great way to add a splash of vibrant color like red or hot pink to hair. The best part is that if you get tired of it you can simply remove it without having your color redone. Style magazines all feature models and stars with amazing hair. Extensions are their secret to these drop-dead gorgeous looks.

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Ask the Beauty Experts

Special Advertising Section

Patrick A. Murray, DDS, PC 15200 Shady Grove Road, Suite 340 Rockville, MD 20850 301-330-4600 pmurraydds@comcast.net www.shadygrovedentalcare.com

The majority of folks can benefit from simple tooth whitening or â&#x20AC;&#x153;bleaching.â&#x20AC;? It is a simple oxidative process that can lighten the color of your teeth and can be done at your convenience at home. It is a safe and predictable process which is worthy of your consideration to improve your smile with very little effort!

Simple custom trays can be made on models of your teeth and can be reused over and over. The tooth bleaching material is safe and predictable; and most definitely will whiten and brighten a majority of cases. You should give some serious consideration to speaking to your dentist about tooth whitening. Who deserves it more?

Darren higgins

With spring and summer just around the corner, what can I do to improve my smile without spending a lot of money and not enduring a lot of effort and dental pain?

Duane J. Taylor, MD Le Visage ENT & Facial Plastic Surgery, LLC The Champlain Building 6410 Rockledge Drive, Suite 650, Bethesda, MD 20817 301-897-5858 www.levisageface.com

Though the cosmetic appearance of your nose may be something you have always wanted to change, having a thorough evaluation of the functional symptoms (blocked nose, puffy face /eyes, nasal congestion) will serve you well. Chances are if your nose is blocked and congested and you only address the cosmetic problems those same symptoms will be there after your cosmetic-only surgery. Allergies, irritants, septal deviation, nasal polyps or enlarged turbinates are all things that can affect the aesthetic appearance of your face and not just your nose. A thorough history and exam and medical treatment (if warranted) of these problems prior to your cosmetic surgery will give you a more fulfilling appreciation of how you look and feel. Depending on the problem, sometimes the functional and aesthetic problems can be managed surgically at the same time.

hilary schwab

I would like to change the way my nose looks, but I am also concerned about my puffy eyes and constantly stuffy nose.

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Special Advertising Section

Ask the Beauty Experts Lux Studios 4711 Montgomery Ave. Bethesda, MD 20814 301-907-6810 lux4711@gmail.com www.yourlux.com

Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the best way to protect my professional color at home?

Stylist Jacky K. Simon: There are several steps you can take. First, use the right products. This means quality shampoos, conditioners, etc., all designed to protect colortreated hair. Many even have sunscreens to prevent fading hair color caused by the sun.

Also, wash your hair less. Most people can get away with washing every other day â&#x20AC;&#x201C; less if your hair is on the dry side.

Deep condition more. I recommend clients use one deep conditioner every three to five shampoos. Use cooler water when you wash your hair. Hot water opens up the hair follicles, which can make color fade faster.

Lastly, use less heat. Too much heat can damage and dry out hair, and moisturized, healthy hair holds your color better.

hilary schwab

What new trends can we expect in 2015 with haircuts and color?

Stylist Kenny West: We are seeing a softer, looser look in haircuts. Unlike in the past where everything was straight and smooth, we are now seeing softer waves, curls and more overall texture to the hair. There are also a lot of disconnected cuts seen on both women and men.

Regarding color, we are seeing a trend toward more women asking for Balayage highlights. Though the technique has been around in France since the 1970s, we can see the look now on celebrities and models as well as in all other professions. The women of today are breaking free of foil highlights and opting for a softer, cooler and more organic way to add a sun-kissed look to their hair with Balayage. I have many years of experience in applying Balayage and my clients love it!

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Special Advertising Section

Dogan Set & Bella Moda Team

Hair grows faster after a haircut, true or false?

False. Hair growth is through follicles – not the ends of hair from where it’s cut. Your hair actually grows about half an inch every month.

It may look like it’s growing faster because you’re cutting off split ends that are breaking your hair, giving the illusion that it’s not growing. Hair grows at different speeds and every head has its unique shape, which can make a difference in our hair growth process.

Our stylists recommend a haircut every six to eight weeks with conditioning treatment in the salon or at home. This will leave you with beautiful long hair rather than damaged stringy hair. Prom/ wedding season is here and having healthy long or short locks will increase volume, longevity and the ability to work through your hair for a beautiful glamorous curl look or elegant updo. This is our favorite season where we can use our creativity. Beauty is our fashion!

Hilary Schwab

Bella Moda Salon - Turkish Owned 10118 River Road Potomac, MD 20854 301-983-5545 bellamodasalonspa@gmail.com www.bellamodasalon.com

Larry Greenbaum, DDS

I want to make my smile better, but how will I know what the results will look like?

We do smile designs and setups that will show you, in your mouth and in the mirror – not on a screen – exactly what your teeth will look like before we start any procedure. You'll be able to see what your smile will become beforehand, with the correct color, contour and function.

We first take an impression with the new design, and the lab sends an overlay back so you can look at it in your own mouth. My patients appreciate that they can actually see what they're going to get.

We have other advantages for your smile design, too. We do all forms of bleaching and can use porcelain only crowns so no dark lines will show at your gum line. Also, we do tissue-contouring services that can make the fit of your restoration look very natural in shape and size.

Darren higgins

5480 Wisconsin Ave., Suite 208 Chevy Chase, MD 20815 301-652-6011 larrygreenbaumdds@gmail.com www.larrygreenbaumdds.com

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Ask the Beauty Experts Wendy M. Musolf, DDS, LLC 5530 Wisconsin Ave., Suite 710 Chevy Chase, MD 20815 301-986-4814 wendy@musolfdds.com www.musolfdds.com

Over the years my teeth have worn down and gotten shorter and shorter.

Is there anything I can do to make them look better?

I believe in the concept of complete dentistry, which means looking at all aspects of health in your mouth. There are several options that you may have to lengthen or recontour your teeth. Depending on the amount of wear to your teeth, we can make crowns or veneers or a combination of each. Sometimes it is as simple as a placing a white filling over the top of the tooth. It is important to find out why you have so much wear and how your teeth are functioning together. If you don’t address the functional aspects of your teeth, all your new work may fracture and break over time.

Is it true that I don’t need to floss my teeth? That I can just use mouthwash and my toothbrush?

Mike Olliver

Mouthwashes are good at reducing the amount of bacteria in your mouth but do not remove bacterial plaque from your teeth enough to allow your tissues to be healthy.

Proteins in your saliva allow the sticky bacterial plaque to attach to your teeth. You need to “scrape” or mechanically remove the bacterial plaque off of your teeth. The best way to do this is brushing at least two times per day and flossing thoroughly at least once a day. This regular home care and regular visits to your dentist will keep your smile beautiful and healthy!

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Ask the Beauty Experts Danny Sayag

Special Advertising Section

Barbara Lee, stylist and Danielle Pierre, client

New Wave Salon & Spa 1776 East Jefferson St., Suite 111, Rockville, MD 20852 301-231-4844 newwavesalonandspa@gmail.com www.newwavesalon.com

Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve had the same look for the past five years and need a change. How can I re-invent and update my hairstyle?

Hilary Schwab

We can re-invent your style by changing the cut, color and texture of your hair. First, we evaluate your face shape and personal style and then we can recommend a haircut that will enhance your features and work with your daily hair styling routine.

If hair texture is a concern, we can suggest treatments that will ensure easy daily styling. We can also offer multiple options in hair color techniques to enhance your style. These can range from semi-permanent, to demi, to permanent color and from highlights to bayalage.

We have a highly experienced team of stylists that love doing re-inventions, updates and makeovers. We welcome walk-ins and offer complimentary consultations.

Sagi Levi & Naz Rahimi

Oxygen Salon and Day Spa 1677 Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD 20852 301-881-5052 | oxygenhairsalon@gmail.com Facebook/OxygenSalonandDaySpa.com www.oxygensalonanddayspa.com

What are the hottest trends in haircuts and colors this season?

darren higgins

At Oxygen Salon and Day Spa we consider ourselves to be leaders in our industry, with the superior ability to bring the latest cutting-edge styles to our clients. This season we are seeing a big return to the grunge era of the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;90s with a touch of glam, says Naz. Textured cuts and longish styles snipped to tussled bobs with a lot of layering, mixed with slices of color, give this look tons of flavor. But this lived-in, urban surfer look really comes to life with a touch of blonde, says Sagi. Blonde hair is still a favorite in 2015, from dark or light blonde to all-out platinum, blondes are popping up everywhere. By using modern hair coloring techniques, such as ombre and Balayage, we are able to customize a standout signature look for those blondes looking to make a statement.

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Ask the Beauty Experts

Special Advertising Section

David Green, MD, F.A.A.D. Specializing in Cosmetic & Dermatologic Laser and Varicose Veins 4800 Montgomery Lane, M50, Bethesda, MD 20814 301-907-7250 | VaricoseVein@LaserDerm.net | www.LaserDerm.net

What are varicose veins and is there any danger in closing or removing them?

Varicose veins – unlike normal veins – are non-functional because they pool – rather than transport – blood, causing them to distend and protrude. Fortunately, when varicose veins develop, adjacent normal veins assume their function.

Therefore, varicose veins don’t contribute to normal venous circulation and their removal does no harm. In fact, treatment eliminates venous insufficiency that such veins may produce benefiting the circulatory system.

James Kim

When should I consider seeking treatment and what’s the best method to remove them?

The sooner varicose veins are treated the better. Untreated, they may become larger, more numerous and associated

symptoms may increase. Swelling, pain, cramping, fatigue and alteration in skin color and texture are often signs of venous insufficiency that result from varicose veins. By eliminating them sooner rather than later varicose veins have less opportunity to progress. With treatment, side effects and complications may be prevented or halted.

Treatments can be performed in-office as an outpatient procedure with no downtime. Any symptoms associated with varicose veins usually diminish or disappear after treatment. We offer a full range of treatments including endovenous ablation, sclerotherapy, phlebectomy and laser. I not only treat legs and thighs but I am one of a few who treat unwanted and unsightly veins of the hands, feet, chest and face, including prominent veins of the eyelids and temples. I also see lots of patients who come to me because of persistent veins in spite of having been “treated.”

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restaurants. cooking. food. drinks.

photo by michael ventura

dine

Ethio Express Grill serves fast-casual Ethiopian fare.

See story, page 297.

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dine

table talk

BY CAROLE SUGARMAN

In an era of fancier restaurant desserts, the cookie had crumbled in recent years. But no more. In fact, local cookie monsters are regularly gobbling up the venerable treats at Bethesda-area restaurants. Here are six places to appreciate this cool-again comfort food.

Summer House Santa Monica serves 12 varieties of cookies.

Black’s Bar & Kitchen

Executive Pastry Chef Melanie Parker bakes an assortment of old-time favorites, such as sugar, chocolate chip and peanut butter cookies. Available on the Lunch Express menu; ask for them at dinner. 7705 Woodmont Ave., Bethesda, 301-652-5525, www.blacksbarandkitchen.com

Comet Ping Pong

Order a single chocolate chip cookie, or double the pleasure with an ice cream sandwich made with the cookies and filled with your choice of Moorenko’s ice cream or Dolcezza gelato. Another option: vanilla or cinnamon ice cream sandwiched between two gingersnap cookies. 5037 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington, D.C., 202-364-0404, www.cometpingpong.com

Macon Bistro & Larder

Macon Bistro’s nice-and-naughty combo features warm chocolate chip cookies and milk, spiked with 1½ ounces of Bulleit Rye. 5520 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington, D.C., 202-248-7807, www.maconbistro.com

MoCo’s Founding Farmers

Shortbread, macaroon, chocolate chunk, peanut butter and snickerdoodle cookies are served warm and can be accompanied by a glass of soy, almond or regular milk at this Potomac eatery. 12505 Park Potomac Ave., Potomac, 301-340-8783, www.wearefoundingfarmers.com

Praline Bakery & Bistro

Choose from 14 kinds of cookies all made with butter from a Maryland dairy. Flavors include lemon ginger, chocolate espresso and almond sable.

4611 Sangamore Road, Bethesda, 301-229-8180, www.praline-bakery.com At MoCo’s Founding Farmers in Potomac, cookies are served warm.

Summer House Santa Monica

Summer House sells about 500 cookies each weekend night; varieties include salted butter pecan, apple oatmeal and bacon-chocolate chip.

11825 Grand Park Ave., Pike & Rose, Rockville, 301-881-2381, summerhousesm.com

photo of MOCO’S founding farmers cookies by Michael Ventura; photo of summer house SANTA MONICA cookies by UnderaBushel.com

Cookie Comeback

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Ethio Express Grill owners Yisak Fiseha (left) and Selam Gebreyes

Ethiopian Goes Fast Casual Just when you thought that purveyors of every cuisine had borrowed Chipotle’s fast-casual set-up, here comes Ethio Express Grill, a Silver Spring restaurant that may be the first to do it with Ethiopian fare. Opened in November, Ethio serves up bright, fresh (and sometimes fiery) flavors in a clean, spare space.

Owners: Selam Gebreyes and Yisak Fiseha, who were born and raised in Ethiopia. The couple lived in Silver Spring for six years before moving to Clarksburg in 2013. They’re both software engineers.

photos by Michael Ventura

Concept: Ethiopian food that’s

fast, reasonably priced, healthy and simplified, making it more accessible to a wider audience.

The menu: Choose among five bases (injera, pita, spaghetti, mixed greens or brown rice), four proteins (grilled beef, chicken,

lamb or tofu), five sauces (hot, mild, Koch Kocha, yogurt honey or white balsamic) and 11 toppings (choose up to four, which include spicy lentils, yellow split peas and collard greens).

The upshot: People from all ethnic groups and different demographics are coming to the restaurant, Fiseha reports. At press time, Yelpers had given it a cumulative five-star rating.

952 Sligo Ave., Silver Spring, 301-844-5149, ethioexpress grill-hub.com BethesdaMagazine.com | MAY/JUNE 2015 297

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dine | TabLe Talk

First Taste Food Editor Carole Sugarman checks out new eateries

Banana Leaf: Chef/owner Raj Perera, who also owns a restaurant in New York City with the same name, oversees this no-frills ethnic eatery featuring Sri Lankan food.

Takeaway: Worth a visit if only to sample an unfamiliar cuisine. Where else in our area can you get string hoppers (thin and lacy rice noodle pancakes) and lamprais (stuffed, baked banana leaves)?

5014 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington, D.C., 202-506-7554, www.bananaleafnewyork.com

Bethesda Barbecue Company: Chef Dennis Friedman turns his formal Elm Street restaurant, Newton’s Table, into a more-casual eatery focusing on a timelier trend: barbecue.

Silver Spring resident Bill Glasser, a former writer and producer for the canceled crime-solving show America’s Most Wanted, had two missions in mind: He wanted to come up with an American version of “peasant pocket comfort food.” And he hoped to honor the heroic actions of “people who put others before themselves,” such as military service members, first responders, police and firefighters.

The result, five years in the making, is Herogies, shield-shaped dough pockets that are a verbal play on pierogi, but that look and taste more like deep-fried empanadas.

Glasser had a custom mold created, and devised eight fillings (six savory and two sweet) for the 3½-inchwide pastry pockets. So far, “gourmet

cheeseburger”—a mixture of ground beef, three cheeses, caramelized onions, dill pickle and a sauce with hints of ketchup, mustard and mayonnaise—is the only flavor available at a few local restaurants.

The glib Glasser, who’s worked as a comedy writer and on-air radio personality, has big plans for his unusual product, which has garnered much press attention. He says he’d like to see it become a “ubiquitous finger food” that’s sold at sports stadiums, on military bases, in bars and even at rest stops on the New Jersey Turnpike.

Herogies are available at Fire Station 1 restaurant, 8131 Georgia Ave., Silver Spring, and The Barking Dog, 4723 Elm St., Bethesda. For more information, see Glasser’s entertaining website, www.herogies.com.

Takeaway: So far, the meats broadcast blandness; where there’s fire, there’s not enough smoke.

4917 Elm St., Bethesda, 301-718-0550, bethesdabbq.com

Crave: The Minnesota chainlet opens its first Mid-Atlantic locale, in a big space with a humongous menu of modern American dishes, plus sushi.

Takeaway: Crave bites off more than it can chew; needs focus and better execution.

Westfield Montgomery mall, 7101 Democracy Blvd., Bethesda, 301-469-9600, cravebethesda.com

Bill Glasser Photo by Mike Olliver; Crave photo courtesy of Crave Bethesda

Food Find

Bill Glasser with a plate of his Herogies at Fire Station 1 in Silver Spring

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ccgrill_bethesda_may_jun_2015_Layout 1 4/8/15 3:56 PM Page 1

Chef prepared. Always fresh.

We invite you to sit back, relax, and enjoy our delicious food. take comfort in knowing that all our food is made by us in-house daily. serving only the highest quality ingredients, our menu features locally sourced products complimenting our Chef’s unique take on classic american comfort food. in March of 2015, our Gaithersburg location was certified green by the Green restaurant association. *first Certified Green restaurant in Gaithersburg, Md

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dine | TabLe Talk

&

comings goings ▲

Among the growing number of eateries at North Bethesda’s Pike & Rose will be Carluccio’s, a U.K.-based chain that serves three meals daily and includes a market selling imported Italian goods.

A new mixed-use development at 275 N. Washington St., adjacent to Rockville Town Square, will house three Asian concepts: Lavande Patisserie (a French-Asian café); Kung Fu Tea (tea drinks from a New York-based chain); and Quickway Japanese

▲

▲

▲

At the end of 2015, Mark Bucher, founder of BGR The Burger Joint restaurants, plans to open Community, a New York-style coffee shop serving breakfast all day, in Bethesda.

It will be on the ground floor of a new luxury apartment building at the corner of

Hibachi (a local fast-casual franchise), all shooting for spring openings.

Norfolk and Fairmont avenues.

▲

Robert Wiedmaier’s RW Restaurant Group has taken over the Tavern at River Falls in Potomac and is opening Urban Heights in the former Roof Bethesda. The group also has announced that its new restaurant in the former Markham’s Bar and Grill in Bethesda will be called Villain & Saint.

The big news in closings was the shuttering of Parker’s American Classic, a fixture on Bethesda Avenue for nearly 25 years. At press time, the restaurant was finalizing plans for a new location. Tara Thai, next door to Parker’s, also closed. The eatery plans to move to Westfield Montgomery mall this fall. Other closings include Bethesda’s Pitzze Table and Silver Spring’s Bombay Gaylord and Quarry House Tavern, which were damaged by fire. n

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BethesDA MAGAzine invites yoU to the

best of bethesda Party 2015 presented by

e

eat • drink • celebrate MAy 7, 2015 | 6-9:30 pM At piKe & Rose sponsors

BEST OF 2015 Untitled-6 1 house ad final.indd 1

food & drink Aggio Brasserie Beck Denizens Brewing Co. Gringos & Mariachis Jaleo Macon Bistro & Larder MoCo’s Founding Farmers Mon Ami Gabi Mussel Bar and Grille Redwood Urban Butcher Whole Foods Market 202 Donut Co. 4935 Bar and Kitchen

live music the 19th street Band

tickets & info www.BethesdaMagazine.com BeneFitinG the shARinG MontGoMeRy FUnD

party planning by

4/14/151:38 1:36PM PM 4/14/15

dine CookinG CLASS

By Brian Patterson Lâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Academie de Cuisine | www.lacademie.com

Grilling 2.0 Raise the bar for weekend barbecues by mastering the technique for grilling salmon and other delicate proteins. Serve the fish with roasted red pepper coulis for an extra pop of flavor.

Difficulty Level

On the Clock

1 hour Individual Servings

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Grilled salmon

Ingredients

Vegetable oil for cleaning the grill 6 boneless, skinless salmon filets, about 6 to 8 ounces each 2 teaspoons of salt 1 teaspoon of pepper 1 pinch of cayenne pepper ¼ cup olive oil 1. Make sure the grate is clean before preheating the grill for 15 minutes. After preheating, lubricate the grate by rubbing it with a towel moistened with vegetable oil.

photos by michael ventura

2. Dry the surface of the salmon by patting it with clean paper towels. Season the salmon filets on both sides with salt, pepper and cayenne. Brush lightly with olive oil.

Roasted Red Bell Pepper Coulis

Ingredients

»

1. Roast the peppers by placing them on the grate of a gas stove with the flame on high. Once one side is blackened, rotate the peppers until their entire surface is blackened. Transfer the peppers to an airtight container. Once they have cooled, peel off the charred skin and remove their seeds.

2. Bring one cup of stock to a boil and reduce to a simmer. Add the roasted pepper flesh to the stock. Simmer for 10 minutes.

4. Cook for one minute, then use a pair of tongs to lift each piece of fish. Rotate the fish 90 degrees and place it back on the grate.

Continue cooking for one minute without moving the fish.

3. Purée the mixture in a blender until the peppers are liquefied. Return the sauce to a small pot and cook over low heat. Adjust the consistency by simmering to thicken or adding stock to thin. Season with salt and pepper. Makes about one cup of sauce.

6. For salmon that is approximately 2 inches thick, cook about 10 minutes more. The fish is done when traces of white protein (albumin) appear between the flakes; also, there should be just a trace of undercooked flesh in the center of the filet.

for grilling fish

Keep the grate clean by scrubbing it with a quality, stiff grill brush.

2 large firm red bell peppers 1 cup chicken stock Salt and pepper to taste

3. Reduce the flame to medium heat. Place the filets skin side down on the hot grate. Don’t move the fish or press down on it. If flames flare up, douse them with water.

5. Flip each piece, douse any flare-ups, reduce the heat to low, and close the lid or place a cover over the grill.

tips

A coulis of roasted peppers is colorful and low fat. To make one, vegetables—usually cooked—are puréed to the consistency of a sauce. Liquid, such as stock, is added to adjust the consistency.

»

Before cooking, preheat the grill. Heavy steel or iron grates are preferable to stamped aluminum or flimsy wire grates.

»

Keep the fish portion size reasonable; don’t try to grill a massive portion because it becomes more fragile and delicate as it cooks.

»

Have utensils on hand before grilling, including tongs; a thin, flexible spatula; and a plate for the cooked food. Keep a cup of water handy to douse flare-ups.

»

Do not use previously frozen fish for grilling—it will stick and fall apart.

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Dining Guide

Check out the online version of the DINING GUIDE at BethesdaMagazine.com.

Bethesda 100 Montaditos

4922 Elm St., Bethesda, 240-396-6897, us.100montaditos.com/home. As its name proclaims, the Spanish-founded chain features 100 varieties of montaditos—mini sandwiches served on rolls. Ranging in price from $1 to $2.50, the sandwiches sport fillings from authentic (Serrano ham, manchego cheese, chorizo) to American (Philly cheesesteak, hot dogs and burgers). ❂ L D $

4935 Bar and Kitchen

4935 Cordell Ave., 301-830-8086, www.4935bar andkitchen.com. Former Tragara Ristorante space gets a major redo, with 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 sushi, noodle soups, teriyaki and more.

L D $$

American Tap Room

7278 Woodmont Ave., 301- 656-1366, www.americantaproom.com. Classic grill menu featuring sliders and wings, from Thompson Hospitality, the owners of Austin Grill. ❂  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.bkk garden.com. This real-deal, family-run Thai restaurant turns out authentic cuisine in a dining room decorated with traditional statues of the gods. L D $

Bel Piatto Pizza

7812 Old Georgetown Road, 301-986-8085, bel piatto-pizzeria.com. Entrées, calzones, strombolis and salads, along with a large selection of pizzas.

LD$

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. J L D $$

Bethesda Barbecue Company

4917 Elm St., 301-718-0550, bethesdabbq.com.

Chef Dennis Friedman turns his upscale Newton’s Table into a down-home barbecue spot, with bacon pops, biscuits and sandwiches, plus platters with smoked pulled pork, chicken, sliced brisket and ribs. Hot smoked salmon, grilled fish and salads for those who don’t fancy finger-lickin’ fare.

JLD$

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 jumbosized crabs available year-round; call ahead to reserve them. ❂ L D $$

Bethesda Curry Kitchen

4860 Cordell Ave., 301-656-0062, www.bethesda currykitchen.com. Former Saveur India chef-owner Anil Kumar moves across town with a new 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 $

Bistro LaZeez

8009 Norfolk Ave., 301-652-8222, www.bistro lazeez.com. Reasonably priced Mediterranean cuisine served in a small, attractive space. Don’t miss the signature BLZ chicken and the grilled pita. ❂JLD$

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. ❂ L D $$$

Black’s Bar & Kitchen (Editors’ Pick)

7750 Woodmont Ave., 301-652-5525, www. blacksbarandkitchen.com. Bethesda Magazine readers voted Black’s “Best MoCo Restaurant” and “Best Happy Hour” in 2014. Customers count on the impeccable use of fresh and local ingredients. ❂ 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 bloodorange lemonade. L D $

Key Price designations are for a three-course dinner for two including tip and tax, but excluding alcohol. $ $$ $$$ $$$$

b  B R L D

up to $50 $51-$100 $101-$150 $150+ Outdoor Dining Children’s Menu Breakfast Brunch Lunch Dinner

Bold Bite

4901-B Fairmont Ave., 301-951-2653, www.bold bite.net. Designer hot dogs from the Venezuelan Roche brothers, with a menu that won “Best Menu Design” from the magazine’s editors in 2013.

JLD$

Brasserie Monte Carlo

7929 Norfolk Ave., 301-656-9225, www.brasserie montecarlo.com. French-Mediterranean dishes and a mural of a Monte Carlo landscape transport diners to Monaco. ❂ R L D $$

Brickside Food & Drink

4866 Cordell Ave., 301-312-6160, www.brickside bethesda.com. Prohibition-era drinks meet Italian bar bites and entrées. ❂ R 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. ❂ 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. J L D $

Cesco Osteria

7401 Woodmont Ave., 301-654-8333, www. cesco-osteria.com. Longtime chef Francesco Ricchi relocates from Cordell Avenue, turning out his Tuscan specialties in a bigger, jazzier space. ❂ L D $$

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dine Chef Tony’s

Daily Grill

4926 St. Elmo Ave., 301-654-3737, www.chef tonysbethesda.com. Chef-owner Tony Marciante focuses on Mediterranean seafood tapas in what was formerly called Visions Restaurant. J R L D $$

City Burger 7015 Wisconsin Ave., 301-652-0010, www.city burgeronline.com. Simple and 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, half-smokes and fries, plus homemade milkshakes and ice cream also served. White-tiled 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 relocates to a different stretch of Bethesda Avenue, serving the same menu of familiar Szechuan and Beijing dishes. Red walls and chocolate-colored booths give the place a darker, sharper look. L D $$

CRAVE 7101 Democracy Blvd., Suite 1530 (in Westfield Montgomery mall), 301-469-9600, cravebethes da.com. Minnesota-based chainlet offers something for everyone, with its eclectic melting pot of American dishes, including bison burgers, duck confit flatbread and kogi beef tacos. Decorated in yellow, gold and wood tones, the restaurant is also known for its extensive selection of wine and sushi.J L D $$

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.don pollogroup.com. Juicy, spiced birds and reasonable prices make this Peruvian chicken eatery a go-to place any night of the week. Locations in Rockville and Hyattsville, too. L D $

Faryab Restaurant (Editors’ Pick)

4917 Cordell Ave., 301-951-3484, farandaway cycling.com/Faryab/. Faryab serves well-prepared Afghani country food, including Afghanistan’s answer to Middle Eastern kabobs, vegetarian stews and unique sautéed pumpkin dishes, in a whitewashed dining room with native art on the walls and attentive service. 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 and 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 B L D $$

Food Wine & Co. (Editors’ Pick) 7272 Wisconsin Ave., 301-652-8008, www.food

wineandco.com. American fare at a stunning bistro in the old Uno Chicago Grill space. L D $$

Garden Grille & Bar

(in the Hilton Garden Inn), 7301 Waverly St., 301654-8111. Aside from a breakfast buffet featuring cooked-to-order 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 $$

Geppetto

10257 Old Georgetown Road, 301-493-9230, www.geppettorestaurant.com. Sicilian-style pizza served in a casual atmosphere inside bustling Wildwood Shopping Center, plus classic Italian sandwiches and red-sauce dinners. ❂ J L D $$

Geste Wine & Food

4801 Edgemoor Lane, 301-718-1675, www.geste beerwine.com. Pizza, panini, subs and salads, plus a small retail area with reasonably priced bottles of wine. L D $

Grapeseed American Bistro + Wine Bar (Editors’ Pick)

4865 Cordell Ave., 301-986-9592, www.grape seedbistro.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.

L (Tuesday-Friday) D $$$

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, dark booths and plenty of tequila. Starters include duck nachos and bacon-wrapped jalapenos, and the taco selection nears 15 different choices. Voted “Best New Restaurant” by the magazine’s readers in 2015. L D $

Guapo’s Restaurant

LIVE WITHOUT REGRET. SURROUND YOURSELF WITH LAUGHTER. ENJOY YOUR STEAK ON A 500º SIZZLING PLATE.

Announcing a new Ruth’s Chris nearby!

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 nico.com. Chef-owner Nicolas Guardado, who trained at Jaleo, opened this hidden gem devoted to Latin-Spanish cooking in 2007 and has developed a following with tapas specialties like shrimp and sausage, stuffed red peppers and paella. J L D $

Hanaro Restaurant & Lounge

7820 Norfolk Ave., 301-654-7851, www.hanaro bethesda.com. Modern dark woods and lots of light brighten the corner location, and the menu includes sushi and Asian fusion main courses. The bar offers a daily happy hour and is open on Fridays and Saturdays until 2 a.m. ❂ L D $$

Hard Times Café

Gaithersburg | 301.990.1926 | 106 Crown Park Ave. Bethesda | Washington DC (2) | Arlington | Tyson’s Corner | Fairfax

4920 Del Ray Ave., 301-951-3300, 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 Weststyle saloon for lunch and dinner. Owner Greg Hourigan is a fixture in the community. ❂ J L D $

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Heckman’s Delicatessen

4914 Cordell Ave., 240-800-4879. www.heckman sdeli.com. The latest attempt at bringing corned beef to Bethesda features all the deli 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 eggs. Sweets include rugelach, black-and-white cookies and homemade cheesecake, and on a sour note, deli owners are relatives of the founder of the old Heckman’s Pickles firm in the District.

❂JBLD$

Himalayan Heritage (Editors’ Pick)

4925 Bethesda Ave., 301-654-1858, www. himalayanheritagedc.com. Indian, Nepalese and Indo-Chinese fare, featuring momos (Nepalese dumplings) and Indian takes on Chinese chow mein. L D $

House of Foong Lin

4613 Willow Lane, 301-656-3427. www.foong lin.com. With a (slightly) new name but the same Cantonese, Hunan and Sichuan cuisine, Bethesda’s longtime Foong Lin restaurant has relocated to the old Moon Gate space. 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 in the old Plaza del Sol space. Chef “M&M” Kang prepares home-style fare such as bulgogi, galbi and bibimbap; also look for the Korean-style sushi known as kimbab. The kids’ menu has one item:

spaghetti, made from the recipe of owner Thomas Kang’s former college roommate’s mother. 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 $$

Jetties

4829 Fairmont Ave., 301-951-3663, www.jetties dc.com. The only suburban location of the popular Nantucket-inspired sandwich shop, which has four 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. ❂ JL D $

Kadhai (Editors’ Pick)

7905 Norfolk Ave., 301-718-0121, www.kadhai .com. The popular Indian restaurant formerly known as Haandi has relocated to the old Uptown Deli space. L D $$

La Panetteria

4921 Cordell Ave., 301-951-6433, www.la panetteria.com. For more than 25 years, La Panetteria has transported diners into a quaint Italian villa with its impeccable service and Old World atmosphere, serving such 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 Bethesda institution, but classic French dishes such as Dover sole meunière will keep you coming back. D $$

Lebanese Taverna

7141 Arlington Road, 301-951-8681, www.lebanese taverna.com. The latest 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 Mediterranean Restaurant” by Bethesda Magazine readers in 2014. J L D $$

Louisiana Kitchen & Bayou Bar

4907 Cordell Ave., 301-652-6945, www.louisiana bethesda.com. Former Louisiana Express chef José Blanco and veteran waiter Carlos Arana continue the tradition of the popular Bethesda institution in a larger, spiffier setting. The prices and Cajunand Creole-style menu are pretty much the same, the fried items are still divine and the pain perdou and beignets remain a great way to start a Sunday morning. B R L D $

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dine Luke’s Lobster

7129 Bethesda Lane, 301-718-1005, www.lukes lobster.com. An upscale carryout with authentic lobster, shrimp and crab rolls; the seafood is shipped direct from Maine. ❂ 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. ❂ J L D $$

Matuba Japanese Restaurant

4918 Cordell Ave., 301-652-7449, www.matuba-sushi.com. Detail-oriented sushi chefs and attentive service perk up this otherwise plain white-and-blond-wood Japanese restaurant that has been doing a steady business in downtown Bethesda for 30 years. L D $$

Max Brenner Chocolate Bar

7263 Woodmont Ave., 301-215-8305, www.max brenner.com. It’s sweets-only at the newest location of this international chain. 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. There are also “Fast Max” items to go, and a retail section offers fashionably packaged bonbons, praline wafers and caramelized nuts rolled in hazelnut cream and cocoa powder. $

Met Bethesda

7101 Democracy Blvd., Unit 3200 (in Westfield Montgomery mall), 301-767-1900. www.met bethesdamd.com. Boston-based restaurateur Kathy Sidell’s fifth restaurant—and first outside of Boston—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 stone floors, an open kitchen and roomy booths. L D $$

Mia’s Pizzas (Editors’ Pick)

4926 Cordell Ave., 301-718-6427, www.miaspizzas bethesda.com. Mia’s wood-burning oven turns out Naples-style pies with a variety of toppings; homemade soups and cupcakes in a cheery dining room with yellow, green and orange accents. ❂ J L D $$

Moby Dick House of Kabob

7027 Wisconsin Ave., 301-654-1838, www.mobys online.com. This kabob takeout/eat-in mainstay was one of the first kabob places in the area. It makes its own pita bread. 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. Framed record albums grace the walls, and glass shelves are stacked with yesteryear radios, fans, typewriters, movie projectors and Coke bottles. ❂ J L D $$

Mon Ami Gabi

7239 Woodmont Ave., 301-654-1234, www.mon amigabi.com. Waiters serve bistro classics such as 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. D $$$

Mussel Bar & Grille

7262 Woodmont Ave., 301-215-7817, www.mussel bar.com. Kensington resident and big-name chef Robert Wiedmaier serves his signature mussels, plus wood-fired tarts, salads and sandwiches. Wash them all down with a choice of 40 Belgian beers, which won “Best Craft Beer Selection” by the magazine’s readers in 2013 and 2015. ❂ R L D $$

Nest Cafe

4921 Bethesda Ave., 301-718-6378, www.nestwine barcafe.com. Nest offers simple salads, pasta and pizzas. Among the best eats, however, are the crispy calamari and artichokes appetizer and the mussels and fries entrée. ❂ J R L (Wednesday-Saturday) 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 it does it well. ❂ J L D $$

Olazzo (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. Voted “Best Italian Restaurant” and “Best Fried Calamari” by our readers in 2014. ❂ L D $$

Original Pancake House

7700 Wisconsin Ave., Store D, 301-986-0285, www.ophrestaurants.com. Dozens of pancake dishes, as well as eggs and waffles galore. Named “Best Breakfast” by the magazine’s readers in 2014. ❂ J B L $

Panas Gourmet Empanadas

4731 Elm St., 301-657-7371, www.panasgourmet. com. Baked, not fried, empanadas with a modern twist—think chicken pesto, smoked eggplant and chipotle steak. L D $

Parva Cocina & Tequila Bar

7904 Woodmont Ave., 301-312-6488, www.the parva.com. With more than 70 tequilas and an extensive menu of Tex-Mex dishes, the eatery formerly called The Parva has re-branded itself from its Latin fusion days. All three varieties of the ceviche are lively, and so is the bar scene. R D $$

Passage to India (Editors’ Pick)

4931 Cordell Ave., 301-656-3373, www.passage toindia.info. Top-notch, pan-Indian fare by chefowner 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 2014. ❂ R L D $$

Penang Malaysian Cuisine

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 $$

Persimmon (Editors’ Pick)

7003 Wisconsin Ave., 301-654-9860, www.persimmonrestaurant.com. Chef-owner Damian Salvatore’s popular restaurant has reopened, with more casual décor, lower prices and less formal fare. ❂ L D $$

Pines of Rome

4709 Hampden Lane, 301-657-8775. Local celebrities and families gather at this down-home Italian spot for traditional food at prices 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., 240-497-0003, 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 $15,000 Italian brick oven. ❂ 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. Two former White House pastry chefs opened this sunny restaurant with 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. The magazine’s editors voted its desserts the prettiest around in 2013. ❂ 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 2014 and “Best Bethesda Restaurant” in 2013, 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. An upscale wine bar featuring fresh, local food and California-centric wines in the heart of Bethesda Lane. Voted “Best Private Dining Room” by the magazine’s readers in 2013 (in a tie), Redwood features a frequently changing menu and in-season farmers market dinners. The interior décor makes the most of recycled redwood and “green” materials. ❂ 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 like pork, beef and vegetable skewers infused with lemongrass and the classic beef noodle soup known as pho. L D $

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Rock Bottom Brewery 7900 Norfolk Ave., 301-652-1311, www.rock bottom.com. The award-winning beers are crafted in-house and the menu is vast at this cavernous yet welcoming chain. 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. 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. ❂ J 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 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. shangrilabethesda.com. Northern Indian and Nepali specialties such as butter chicken and fresh flatbreads known as naan shine here.

JLD$

Share Wine Lounge & Small Plate Bistro

8120 Wisconsin Ave. (in the 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 $$

Smoke BBQ Bethesda

4858 Cordell Ave., 301-656-2011, www.smoke bbqbethesda.com. Pulled pork, beef brisket, smoked chicken, ribs and all the fixin’s, plus starters including smoked tomato soup, fried pickles and brisket chili, served in a friendly, casual space. Delivery available for orders over $15. J L D $

South Street Steaks 4856 Cordell Ave., 301-215-7972, www.south streetsteaks.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 $

Steamers Seafood House 4820 Auburn Ave., 301-718-0661, www.steamers seafoodhouse.com. Steamers brings Bethany Beach to Bethesda, especially if diners sit on the wraparound porch in warm weather with a bucket of crabs and some beer.❂ 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.

LD$

sweetgreen 4831 Bethesda Ave.301-654-7336, sweetgreen. com. Founded in 2007 in Washington, D.C., by three newly graduated Georgetown students, the sweetgreen fast-casual chain—with its focus on local and organic ingredients—has expanded rapidly. The menu concentrates on salads (devise your own, or pick from a list) and soups, plus tart frozen yogurt. Look for ecofriendly décor, a healthy sensibility and a hip buzz. ❂ L D $

A FESTIVAL OF FOOD, FILM AND FUN

Friday-Sunday, May 15-17 GET DETAILS at westfield.com/montgomery

7101 Democracy Blvd., Bethesda, MD 20817 • 301.469.6000

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dine Tandoori Nights

7236 Woodmont Ave., 301-656-4002, www.tandoori nightsbethesda.com. Indian cuisine returns to the former Delhi Dhaba space. ❂ L D $$

Tastee Diner FRESH CLASSICS FROM SCRATCH

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 like steak and crabcakes. Open 24 hours.

JBLD$

Taylor Gourmet

7280 Woodmont Ave., 301-951-9001, www.taylor gourmet.com. Upscale takes on Philadelphia hoagies and sandwiches. Italian flavors and top-notch ingredients. L D $

The Barking Dog

4723 Elm St., 301-654-0022, www.thebarkingdog online.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 $

Voted one of the most kid friendly restaurants by the readers of Bethesda Magazine

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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. The non-beef burgers are good, too. ❂ J L D $

The Corner Slice

7901 Norfolk Ave., 301-907-7542, www.the cornerslice.net. New York-style pizza, available by the slice or as a 20-inch pie. ❂ L D $

Tia Queta

4839 Del Ray Ave., 301-654-4443, www.tiaqueta. com. This longtime family and happy-hour favorite offers authentic Mexican food like moles and fish dishes, as well as the usual Tex-Mex options. ❂ J L D $$

Tommy Joe’s Restaurant

4714 Montgomery Lane, 301-654-3801, www. tommyjoes.com. Hot wings and drink specials abound at this friendly restaurant/bar/nightclub featuring 20 big-screen TVs for game time. ❂ J 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 each month feature a four-course meal and a performance for $50 per person. D $$

Tyber Bierhaus

7528 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, familiar entrées, and some schnitzel and goulash, too. R L D $$

Uncle Julio’s Rio Grande Café

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 $$

Union Jack’s

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 crabcakes. DJ and dancing weekends until 2:30 a.m. ❂ J L D $$

Vino Volo

7247 Woodmont Ave., 301-656-0916, www.vino volobethesdarow.com. First non-airport location for the wine bar and shop that also features a rustic café serving small plates, salads, sandwiches, pizza and a few entrées. ❂ L D $$

Wildwood Kitchen (Editors’ Pick)

10223 Old Georgetown Road (in the Wildwood Shopping Center), 301-571-1700, www.wildwood kitchenrw.com. Attractive neighborhood bistro serving fresh and light modern cuisine from wellknown chef Robert Wiedmaier. L D $$

Woodmont Grill (Editors’ Pick)

7715 Woodmont Ave., 301-656-9755, www.hillstone.com. Part of the Houston’s chain, offering such classics as spinach and artichoke dip and the famous burgers, but also house-baked breads, more exotic dishes, live jazz and a granite bar. ❂ J L D $$$

Yamas Mediterranean Grill

4806 Rugby Ave., 301-312-8384, www.yamasgrill. com. Gyros, souvlaki, lemon chicken and other Greek specialties at this friendly and sunny café. ❂JLD$

Yuzu

7345-B Wisconsin Ave., 301-656-5234, yuzu bethesda.com. 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 $$

CABIN JOHN 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 nonaquatic tacos, plus margaritas and other Mexican specialties. The eco-chic décor is casual and attractive, and there are rolls of paper towels on every table to sop up sauce-stained fingers. Don’t miss the bread pudding. ❂ J L D $

Indigo House

7945 MacArthur Blvd. (in MacArthur Plaza), 301312-6737. 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. Narrow space features striking mural and long bar that’s inviting for drinks and sushi. ❂ L D $$

Wild Tomato (Editors’ Pick)

7945 MacArthur Blvd., 301-229-0680, www.wild tomatorestaurant.com. A family-friendly neighborhood restaurant from Persimmon owners Damian and Stephanie Salvatore, serving salads, sandwiches and pizza. Voted “Best Fish Tacos” by our readers in 2014. ❂ J L D $

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CHEVY CHASE Alfio’s La Trattoria

4515 Willard Ave., 301-657-9133, www.alfios.com.

This Northern Italian classic located 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), all served in an Old World environment. J L D $$

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.

L D $$$$

Clyde’s

5441 Wisconsin Ave., 301-951-9600, www.clydes. com. 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 warm and charming Provence-style restaurant is a popular choice for an intimate dinner or a celebration in one of several private rooms or on the heated patio terrace.

Perhaps that’s why the magazine’s readers voted it the “Most Romantic Restaurant” in 2014 and editors named it “Best Restaurant for Ambience” in 2013. Classic French cuisine from onion soup to sweetbreads. ❂ R L D $$$

Lia’s (Editors’ Pick)

4435 Willard Ave., 240-223-5427, www.chefgeoff. com. Owner Geoff Tracy focuses on high-quality, low-fuss modern Italian-American fare at this funky and modern space with a wine room. Pizzas, house-made pastas and fresh fish please business lunchers and dinner crowds. The magazine’s readers chose it as “Best Chevy Chase Restaurant” in 2013. ❂ J R L D $

Manoli Canoli Restaurant

8540 Connecticut Ave., 301-951-1818, www. manolicanoli.com. Italian and Greek specialties 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. ❂JLD$

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. A fountain sparkles on the outdoor patio.

Sushi bar. ❂ 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. ❂ JLD$

Sushiko (Editors’ Pick)

5455 Wisconsin Ave., 301-961-1644, www.sushiko restaurants.com. Washington, D.C.’s oldest and most respected sushi restaurant, opened in Glover

Park in 1976, continues its tradition in a bigger, sleeker suburban outpost. ❂ 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 (except Saturday and Sunday) 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. ❂ 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 bringing smiles to faces and hearty food to bellies since 2003. Traditional Irish music on Monday nights and The 19th Street Band on every other Wednesday night. ❂ J R L D $$

KENSINGTON Frankly…Pizza!

10417 Armory Ave., 301-832-1065, www. frankly-pizza.com. Frank Linn turns his mobile pizza kitchen into a rustic brick-and-mortar restaurant, featuring Amish-crafted tables, salvaged wood and an old church pew. The menu offers the same high-quality, wood-fired pies topped with home-cured meats and tomato sauce made from an 80-year-old family recipe. Homemade sodas and wines served on tap, too. ❂ L D $

K Town Bistro

3784 Howard Ave., 301-933-1211, www.ktown bistro.com. Beef Wellington, duck breast à l’orange and other classic continental dishes from this 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. A casual sports bar serving American bar food, including wraps, burgers, salads and ribs, and brunch on weekends, which spills out onto a 50-seat patio. ❂JRLD$

Sub*Urban Trading Co.

10301 Kensington Parkway, 301-962-4046, www. suburbantrading.com. Earthy, neighborhood bistro and market in a small strip shopping center 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.

Coffeehouse atmosphere in the front area; back dining room offers rustic vibe. R L D $$

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dine

NORTH POTOMAC/ GAITHERSBURG Asia Nine (New)

254 Crown Park Ave., 301-330-9997, www.asia ninemd.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 in Goshen Plaza specializes in authentic Greek cooking, using recipes handed down through generations. Specialties like rotisserie chicken, chargrilled salmon with a lemon dill sauce and lamb kabobs are cooked behind the counter 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, crabcakes and specialty martinis make it a fun option for happy hour and those with hearty appetites. Bethesda Magazine readers selected it as the “Best Gaithersburg Restaurant” in 2013.

R L (only on Sundays) D $$

Brasserie Beck Kentlands

Good Comfort Food at our Friendly Neighborhood Restaurant A Place to Relax and Enjoy with Friends and Family Business Meetings • Social Events • Private Event Rooms • Daily Specials • Free Parking Established in 1978 10123 River Road, Potomac 301.299.9300 www.thehuntersinn.com

311 Kentlands Blvd., 301-569-4247, brasserie beck.com. Chef Robert Wiedmaier and his RW Restaurant Group have opened the first suburban locale of their highly successful downtown restaurant. Like its District sister, the Belgian-inspired brasserie focuses on raw oysters, mussels, artisan cheeses and charcuterie, plus hearty main courses such as beef carbonnade and braised pork shank.

Spacious, blue-accented interior and outdoor patio are conducive for drinking European beers, too. ❂ 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 amid a sea of Italian kitsch. 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. L D $

Coal Fire

Kentlands Square, 116 Main St., 301-519-2625, www.coalfireonline.com. Homemade crusts fired by anthracite coal and topped with your choice of three different sauces, plus toppings. Salads, sandwiches and pasta also available. Full bar. ❂ L D $

Copper Canyon Grill

100 Boardwalk Place, 240-631-0003, www.ccgrill. com. Large portions of American classics like salads, ribs and rotisserie chicken at family-friendly prices are the bill of fare at this spacious chain restaurant. J L D $$

Coastal Flats

135 Crown Park Ave. (Downtown Crown), 301-8698800, www.greatamericanrestaurants.com. First Maryland locale for Great American Restaurants, a Fairfax-based chain that owns about a dozen res-

taurants in Northern Virginia, including Sweetwater Tavern, Artie’s, Jackson’s, and two other Coastal Flats. 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 $$

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. ❂ 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. ❂ R L D $

Guapo’s Restaurant

9811 Washingtonian Blvd., L-17, 301-977-5655, www.guaposrestaurant.com. See Bethesda listing. ❂JRLD$

HaKuBa Restaurant

706 Center Point Way, 301-947-1283, hakuba kentlands.com. An elegant, modern Japanese sushi spot that also serves fresh fish and teriyaki and tempura dishes. Wood stools and a silver bar elevate the décor. Dollar-sushi happy hours Monday through Thursday; sake bottles half-price on Mondays. L 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 thincrust pizza at a friendly, unfussy Italian restaurant tucked in the Festival Shopping Center. L D $

Joe’s Crab Shack

221 Rio Blvd., 301-947-4377, www.joescrabshack. com. This is one of three 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., Suite 1, 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.

D $$$

Not Your Average Joe’s

245 Kentlands Blvd. (in Kentlands Square Shopping Center), 240-477-1040, www.notyouraverage joes.com. Massachusetts-based chain serving creative casual cuisine. ❂ J L D $$

Old Town Pour House (New)

212 Ellington Blvd. (in Downtown Crown), 301963-6281, www.oldtownpourhouse.com. One of the eateries from Chicago’s Bottleneck Management restaurant company, Old Town Pour House features a massive beer menu with more than 90 local and international brews on tap. Classic American cuisine, with options including chili, chowder and fried chicken, served in a setting with copper-inlaid bars, dark woodwork and high ceilings. ❂ L D $$

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TAVIRA Paladar Latin Kitchen & Rum Bar

11333 Woodglen Drive, 301-816-1100, www. paladarlatinkitchen.com. This small Clevelandbased 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, curry shrimp and jerk chicken. The extensive bar selection includes 50 varieties of rum, 15 tequilas and six types of mojitos, plus sangria, margaritas and specialty cocktails.❂ 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. Hickory-smoked barbecue and a Southern attitude at a 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 $$

Romano’s Macaroni Grill

211 Rio Blvd., 301-963-5003, www.macaronigrill. com. Standard Italian-American fare served in a lively, family-friendly setting. Pastas, pizzas and house-label wine. ❂ J L D $$

Ruth’s Chris Steak House

106 Crown Park Ave. (Downtown Crown), 301-9901926, www.ruthschris.com. With more than 9,000 square feet, this location of the world’s largest upscale steak house chain offers the same prime steaks, barbecued shrimp, specialty cocktails and dark elegance offered at the company’s other 130plus restaurants. Same “Sizzle, Swizzle and Swirl” Happy Hour, too, this one served in a larger bar and lounge. D $$$

Sardi’s Pollo a La Brasa

430 N. Frederick Ave., 301-977-3222, www.sardis chicken.com. Yes, there’s chicken, but don’t miss the other Peruvian specialties, especially the ceviche.

LD$

Tandoori Nights

106 Market St., 301-947-4007, www.tandoori nightsmd.com. Downtown martini lounge meets modern curry palace in the Kentlands. A feast for the eyes as well as the palate, Tandoori Nights specializes in marinated meats baked in the eponymous clay oven. ❂ L D $

Tara Thai

9811 Washingtonian Blvd., L-9, 301-947-8330, www.tarathai.com. See Bethesda listing. ❂ L D $$

Ted’s Bulletin (New)

220 Ellington Blvd. (in Downtown Crown), 301990-0600, 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 weekend-only Cin-

namon Roll As Big As Ya Head are among the specialties. ❂ J R L D $$

Portugese & Mediterranean Cuisine

Thai Tanium

Prefix Menu*

The Melting Pot

Tasting of Portugal *

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. ❂JLD$ 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 $$

3 Course Meal $25 Dinner $15 Lunch Sunday-Thursday

3 Course Meal $33 Dinner $20 Lunch 7 Days a Week • Open Table Diners' Choice Winner 2014 •

Fine Dining •

The Wine Harvest, The Kentlands

114 Market St., 301-869-4008, www.thewine harvest.com. Popular Cheers-like wine bar locally owned by the Meyrowitz family, with salads, sandwiches and cheese plates. It also has a Potomac location. ❂ L D $

Private Dining • Parties & Events •

Vasilis Mediterranean Grill

353 Main St., 301-977-1011, www.vasilisgrill.com.

With soaring white pillars and a spate of inviting outdoor tables, the 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 $

Yoyogi Sushi

328 Main St., 301-963-0001. A no-nonsense neighborhood sushi place with bright fish tanks, offering the familiar sushi, teriyaki, tempura and green tea or red bean ice cream. L D $

Live Entertainment Conveniently located with free parking Call for reservations 301-652-8684 8401 Connecticut Ave. Chevy Chase, MD 20815 * Restrictions Apply

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 $$

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. Happy Hour held Monday through Friday. ❂ R L D $$

Attman’s Delicatessen

7913 Tuckerman Lane (in the Cabin John Shopping Center & Mall), 301-765-3354, attmansdeli. com. After getting its start on Baltimore’s Corned Beef Row in 1915, the landmark Attman’s Deli made an historic move and opened a second location in Potomac in July 2013. The menu at the nearly century-younger sibling offers the same legendary corned beef, pastrami and other deli specialties. Third-generation owner Marc Attman is at the helm. J L $

Benny’s Bar & Grill

7747 Tuckerman Lane (in the Cabin John Shopping Center & Mall), 301-299-3377. www.ben nysbargrill.com. Familiar American favorites and old-time cocktails served amidst 1940s-era décor.

L D $$

Normandie Farm Prix Fixe 3 Course Menu $28.00

Sunday –Thursday Evenings 301.983.8838 popovers.com

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dine 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. ❂ 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, salads and grilled cheese available, too. ❂ L D $

Gregorio’s Trattoria

7745 Tuckerman Lane (in the Cabin John Shopping Center), 301-296-6168, www.gregorios trattoria.com. “Our food is like a warm hug with spaghetti sauce” is the slogan for this familyowned restaurant, where proprietor Greg Kahn aims to make everyone feel at home. The extensive menu reads like 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 spaghetti and penne. J L D $$

Mix Bar and Grille

9812 Falls Road, Potomac, 301-299-3000, www. mixbarandgrille.com. The former Bezu restaurant has been transformed into a more casual concept, serving charcuterie and cheese plates, brick-oven flatbreads and other light fare. The space was gutted and renovated into a modern, hip and totally different-looking dining room, with Plexiglas chairs, tall white banquettes, oak walls made from old whiskey barrels, five big screen TVs, cobalt blue light fixtures 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 and as “Best Potomac Restaurant” in 2013. ❂ B R L D $$

Normandie Farm Restaurant

10710 Falls Road, 301-983-8838, www.popovers. com. A fine-dining French restaurant, open since 1931, that strives to preserve its classical heritage while embracing new traditions. It offers quick service and crayons for children, a casual café option and a violinist at afternoon tea. ❂ J R L D $$

Old Angler’s Inn

10801 MacArthur Blvd., 301-299-9097, 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. ❂ R L D $$$

Potomac Pizza

9812 Falls Road, 301-299-7700, www.potomac pizza.com. See Chevy Chase listing. L D $

ze and Cava Mezze Grills partner with Mamma Lucia restaurants to serve Italian small plates, meatballs, sliders, pizza and pasta. Bethesda Magazine readers chose Sugo as the “Best New Restaurant” in 2013. ❂ R (only on Sundays) L D $$

Tally- Ho Restaurant

9923 Falls Road, 301-299-6825, www.tallyho restaurant.com. A local fixture since 1968 serving a diner-style menu with Greek and Italian specialties. ❂ J B L D $

The Grilled Oyster Company

(Editors’ Pick) 7943 Tuckerman Lane (in the Cabin John Shopping Center), 301-299-9888, www.thegrilledoys tercompany.com. Chesapeake-style seafood eatery, featuring small plates, salads, sandwiches and entrées. Happy Hour from 3 to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday in the bar only. Named “Best New Restaurant” by Bethesda Magazine readers in 2014. ❂JRLD$

Hunter’s Bar and Grill

10123 River Road, 301-299-9300, www.thehunters inn.com. A Potomac institution and a popular English hunt-themed spot for a big salad or hamburger lunch with friends or a filet mignon dinner with the family. ❂ J R L D $$

The Tavern at River Falls (Editors’ Pick)

10128 River Road, 301-299-0481, www.thetavern atriverfalls.com. Well-known chef Robert Wiedmaier’s RW Restaurant Group focuses on American cuisine. ❂ J L D $$

The Wine Harvest

12525-B Park Potomac Ave., 240-314-0177, www. thewineharvest.com. The second location of the popular Gaithersburg wine bar. See Gaithersburg listing. ❂ L D $

Zoës Kitchen

12505 Park Potomac Ave., Suite 115, 240-3281022, www.zoeskitchen.com. First Maryland outpost of a Birmingham, Ala., fast-casual chain, Zoës features Mediterranean dishes such as kabobs, hummus and veggie pita pizzas. Specializes in takeout dinner for four for under $30. ❂ J 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, more bread, less dumplings, is the specialty at this hard-to-find spot tucked in the Woodmont Station shopping center. Warm-colored walls and modern lighting surround the young crowd as they dig into thousand-layer pancakes and fresh tofu.

Named “Best Dim Sum Brunch” by the magazine’s editors in 2014. L D $

Renato’s at River Falls

Al Carbon

Sugo Osteria & Pizzeria

Amalfi Ristorante Italiano

10120 River Road, 301-365-1900, www.riverfalls market.com. The classic Italian restaurant has added more wine and greatly improved fish dishes to its menu of pastas and classics such as osso bucco and linguini with clams and eggplant parmigiana. ❂ J L D $$ 12505 Park Potomac Ave., 240-386-8080, www. eatsugo.com. The Greek guys who own Cava Mez-

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 and more. ❂BLD$ 12307 Wilkins Ave., 301-770-7888, www.amalfi rockville.com. A family-run, red-sauce Italian res-

taurant with specialties like white pizza and lasagna. The gazebo is a charming spot to dine during the summer. J L D $

Amina Thai Restaurant

5065 Nicholson Lane, 301-770-9509. Pleasant and bright, Amina Thai is run by a husband-andwife team and bills itself as the first Muslim Thai restaurant in the area, using only halal meats and serving familiar Thai dishes. L D $

Benjarong Thai Restaurant

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. L D $

Blue Star

11417 Woodglen Drive, 301-881-6800, www.blue starkosher.com. Subtitled “House of Beef, Burgers, BBQ,” this strip shopping center eatery is under the kosher supervision of the Rabbinical Council of Greater Washington. A beef rib- and brisketheavy menu includes all the traditional barbecue favorites, minus the pork. Family friendly atmosphere. L D $

Bombay Bistro

98 W. Montgomery Ave., 301-762-8798, www. bombaybistro.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. J L D $

Bonchon Chicken

107 Gibbs St., Unit A, 301-637-9079 and 301-6379379, 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. Red, black and white color scheme encompasses a bar, tables and booths. L D $

BRIO Tuscan Grille

20 Paseo Drive, 240-221-2691, www.brioitalian. com. Look for Tuscan specialties served in a handsome setting. ❂ J R L D $$

Cava (Editors’ Pick)

9713 Traville Gateway Drive, 301-309-9090, www. cavamezze.com. The dark and elegant Cava offers small plates of fried Greek cheese, octopus and orzo in cinnamon tomato sauce and martini specials. ❂ R L D $$

Chef Geoff’s

12256 Rockville Pike (in the Towne Plaza), 240621-3090, www.chefgeoff.com. Geoff Tracy branches out with his fourth eponymous restaurant featuring contemporary cuisine and something for everyone. ❂ J R L D $$

City Perch Kitchen + Bar

11830 Grand Park Ave., 301-231-2310, www. cityperch.com. Located on a perch above the entrance to the iPic Theaters at Pike & Rose, City Perch offers creative, seasonal American cuisine in a rustic, inviting space. The brainchild of Sherry Yard, a former pastry chef for Wolfgang Puck and now the vice president of culinary direction for iPic Entertainment, the menu includes raw-bar selections, small plates, shareable salads and entrée options such as rotisserie-cooked lamb shoulder and black sea bass. There are thoughtful cocktail offerings, too. ❂ R L D $$$

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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 CubanAmericans). Don’t skip the Cuban coffee or the Cuban sandwich, a sub bursting with ham, pickles and tangy mustard. L D $

Del Frisco’s Grille

11800 Grand Park Ave. (at Pike & Rose), 301-8810308. delfriscosgrille.com. This is the Texas-based chain’s second location in the metropolitan area, and the first restaurant to open in the new Pike & Rose development. Look for upscale takes on American comfort foods, such as veal meatloaf and short rib stroganoff, plus trendy items like kale and Brussels sprouts salad, deviled eggs, flatbreads and ahi tuna tacos. Plenty of mainstream burgers, sandwiches and salads, too. ❂ R L D $$

East Pearl

838-B Rockville Pike, 301-838-8663. www.east pearlrestaurant.com. Hong Kong cuisine, including familiar dishes, as well as those for adventurous tastes. L D $

ous, and the menu includes bar favorites with some barbecue and Asian touches.❂ J R L D $$

Grand Fusion Cuisine

350 East Fortune Terrace, 301-838-2862, grand fusionrestaurant.com. Something for everyone seeking a taste of the Asian continent, a full sushi bar, and Chinese, Malaysian and Singaporean specialties. ❂ L D $

Hard Times Café

1117 Nelson St., 301-294-9720, www.hard times.com. See Bethesda listing. J 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. L D $$

Il Pizzico

15209 Frederick Road, 301-309-0610, www.il pizzico.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 make even a weeknight meal feel special. L D $$

El Mariachi Restaurant

Joe’s Noodle House

El Patio

La Brasa Latin Cuisine

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 $ 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 (New)

101 Gibbs St., Unit C, 301-296-6682. 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 brings an impressive background to his restaurant, having cooked at Washington, D.C.’s Komi, Blue Duck Tavern and the former Palena. J L D $$

Far East Restaurant

5055 Nicholson Lane, 301-881-5552, www.fareast rockvillemd.com. This classic Chinese restaurant greets customers with two royal stone lions out front and sticks to the familiar Chinese-American basics. Check for daily specials. 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 on Monday nights, half-price bottles of wine on Tuesdays and ladies’ night on Thursdays with half-priced alcoholic drinks. ❂ J R L D $$

Gordon Biersch

200-A E. Middle Lane, Rockville Town Square, 301340-7159, www.gordonbierschrestaurants.com.

The national brewpub chain prides itself on house beers and friendly service. The shiny bar is boister-

1488-C Rockville Pike, 301-881-5518, www.joes noodlehouse.com. Despite the bare-bones service and dingy interior, 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 $ 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 $

La Canela (Editors’ Pick)

141-D Gibbs St., Rockville Town Square, 301251-1550, www.lacanelaperu.com. Sophisticated, modern Peruvian cooking shines in a yellow stucco building graced with curvy black ironwork. ❂LD$

the

grilled oyster co.

La Limeña Restaurant

765 Rockville Pike, 301-424-8066. Diners can choose dishes such as beef hearts, tripe and homemade pastries in this tiny but well-appointed eatery. And of course, there’s rotisserie chicken to go. L D $

La Tasca

141 Gibbs St., Suite 305, Rockville Town Square, 301-279-7011, www.latascausa.com. The Rockville location of this regional chain strives to keep things interesting with 45 tapas dishes and six kinds of paella. ❂ J 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 at Congressional Plaza or Rockville Town Square, Lebanese Taverna 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 numerous tofu dishes, diners at this Korean stalwart can try barbecue, stir-fried special-

The Grilled Oyster Company is a regionally inspired fresh seafood & raw bar 7943 Tuckerman Ln. Potomac, Md 20854 TheGrilledOysterCompany.com

301-299-9888

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dine ties and kimchee, the national dish of pickled cabbage. L D $

Mamma Lucia

12274-M Rockville Pike, 301-770-4894; 14921-J Shady Grove Road, 301-762-8805; www.mamma luciarestaurants.com. See Bethesda listing. ❂ J L D $$

Matchbox Vintage Pizza Bistro

(Editors’ Pick) 1699 Rockville Pike, 301-816-0369, www.match boxrockville.com. Mini-burgers and thin-crusted pizza 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 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. L D $

Mi Rancho

1488 Rockville Pike, 240-221-2636, www.mi ranchotexmexrestaurant.com. A boisterous party atmosphere every night at a place serving standard Tex-Mex fare at good prices. The outdoor patio, strung with colorful lights, is the place to be in nice weather. ❂ J L D $

Moa

12300 Wilkins Ave., 301-881-8880. moakore anrestaurant.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. 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. mykonosgrill.com. An authentic Greek taverna with whitewashed walls on a busy street, Mykonos Grill turns out legs of lamb and fresh seafood expected at any good Greek restaurant. ❂ J 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 at this unassuming sushi spot in King Farm. L D $$

Nantucket’s Reef

9755 Traville Gateway Drive, Rockville, 301-2797333, www.nantucketsreef.com. Located in the former Stella’s restaurant, 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, fish and shrimp tacos, tuna and salmon salads, and several lobster items. The décor is bright and nautical. Signature cocktails are made with Nantucket Nectars juices. ❂ J L D $$

Nick’s Chophouse

700 King Farm Blvd., 301-926-8869, www.nicks chophouserockville.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 crabcakes. Separate bar menu. ❂ J 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. Niwano Hana serves the usual sushi rolls, plus more creative options such as a Spicy Scallop Roll with mayonnaise and chili peppers, noodle dishes, teriyaki and yakitori, as well as a special crêpe for dessert. L D $$

Old Kimura Sushi

785 Rockville Pike, Unit D, 301-251-1922, www. oldkimura.com. A small restaurant serving an extensive sushi menu, along with noodle soups, rice dishes and tempura. L D $$

Original Pancake House

12224 Rockville Pike, 301-468-0886, www.oph restaurants.com. See Bethesda listing. J R L $

Pho 75

771 Hungerford Drive, 301-309-8873. 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. 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. 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 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. L D $

Pizza CS

1596-B Rockville Pike, 240-833-8090, www.pizza cs.com. Authentic Neapolitan pies offered in a sub-shop atmosphere. ❂ 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. ❂ 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 allAmerican pork ribs, smoked chicken, brisket and lamb cooked exclusively over red oak and hickory. ❂ JLD$

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, jalapeno, fish eggs and vegetables) to a Philadelphia Roll (smoked salmon, cream cheese and avocado). J L D $

Sadaf Halal Restaurant

1327-K Rockville Pike, 301-424-4040. An elegant alternative to the run-of-the-mill kabob places dotting the Pike, Sadaf is pristine, with lace curtains and glass mosaic tiles in front. In addition to kabobs, it offers Persian curries and fish dishes. ❂ JLD$

Sam’s Café & Market

844 Rockville Pike, 301-424-1600, www.samcafe market.com. After filling up on the kitchen’s juicy skewered meats, have a gelato and check out the hookahs. ❂ J L D $

Seasons 52 (Editors’ Pick)

11414 Rockville Pike, 301-984-5252, www.seasons 52.com. A fresh, seasonal menu featuring items under 475 calories. Nightly piano music. Voted “Best Rockville Restaurant” in 2013. ❂ 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. J L D $

Sheba Restaurant

5071 Nicholson Lane, 301-881-8882, www.sheba rockville.com. Authentic Ethiopian cuisine, with lots of vegetarian and vegan options. L D $

Sichuan Jin River

410 Hungerford Drive, 240-403-7351, www.scjin river.com. Terrific Sichuan cuisine served in a nofrills setting. Take the plunge with the authentic Chinese menu. L D $

Silver Diner

12276 Rockville Pike, 301-770-2828, www.silver diner.com. Shiny new digs replace the local chain’s first location a few traffic lights away. The latest food trends (think quinoa coconut pancakes) share company on the enormous menu with diner staples such as meatloaf and mashed potatoes.

JBRLD$

Spice Xing

100-B Gibbs St., Rockville Town Square, 301-6100303, www.spicexing.com. Started by Sudhir Seth, chef and owner of Bethesda’s Passage to India, this location offers lower prices, smaller plates and dishes reflecting the history of culinary influences on India. ❂ J R L D $$

Stella Barra Pizzeria (New)

11825 Grand Park Ave. (at Pike & Rose), 301-7708609, www.stellabarra.com. Adjacent to its sister restaurant, Summer House Santa Monica, Stella Barra is an artisan pizzeria with a hip, urban vibe (there’s even a real bicycle on the wall). Look for crisp crusts with chewy centers topped with butternut squash and candied bacon or house-made

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pork sausage and fennel pollen. Italian wines by the glass and bottle. ❂ L (weekends only) D $$

Summer House Santa Monica (New) (Editor’s Pick) 11825 Grand Park Ave. (at Pike & Rose), 301-8812381, 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 (starting Memorial Day) D $$ Super Bowl Noodle

785 Rockville Pike, 301-738-0086. www.super bowlnoodlehouse.com. Asian noodle dishes in super-size portions. ❂ 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 fresh sushi. 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. Charming sushi bar in the Traville Gateway Center offering friendly service and 24 specialty sushi rolls, bento boxes and a few grilled items. ❂ L D $$

Taipei Tokyo

14921-D Shady Grove Road (Fallsgrove Village Center), 301-738-8813; 11510-A Rockville Pike, 301-881-8388; www.taipei-tokyo.net. These sister restaurants offer a sizable roster of Chinese, Japanese and Thai dishes. Opened in 2003, the Fallsgrove Village location is the younger and sleeker of the two, with full sit-down service. The older sister, opened in 1993 across from White Flint Mall, 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, dominated by a floor-to-ceiling mosaic and an 82-item menu that spans the cuisine from Japan to Thailand and the tiny islands in between. ❂ J L D $$

Tara Thai

12071 Rockville Pike, 301-231-9899, www.tarathai. com.com. See Bethesda listing. ❂ L D $$

Ted’s 355 Diner

895 Rockville Pike, 301-340-0088, www.teds355. com. The former Broadway and Hollywood diners get reincarnated again, this time by Virginia pizza restaurateur Ted Thedorou. J B R L D $$

Temari Café

1043 Rockville Pike, 301-340-7720. Deep-fried oysters, classic rice balls 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.thai farmrestaurant.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. thatsamore.com. This local chain focuses on family-style portions of classic Neapolitan dishes like lasagna and chicken Parmesan in a more elegant setting than might be expected. Good for groups and large families. J L D $$

The Dough Roller

403 Redland Blvd., #3160, (in the King Farm Village Center), 301-869-4584, www.doughroller restaurants.com. Grab a pizza slice and dream of boardwalk breezes at the first inland outpost of Ocean City’s popular pizza and pancake chainlet.

In addition to pizza, this locale features most of the sandwiches, burgers and other items, including pancakes served all day, on the menus at the four Ocean City locations. J B R L D $

The Original Ambrosia Restaurant

12015 Rockville Pike, 301-881-3636, www.theo riginalambrosia.com. When Ambrosia Restaurant lost its lease after 30 years, the original employees opened this location, which features an eclectic menu of breakfast, gyros, pizza, crabcakes and soups. J B L D $

4865 Cordell Ave Bethesda 301-986-9592 www.grapeseedbistro.com

Bacchus of Lebanon 28th Anniversary

Half price wine Monday and Tuesday BETHESDA’S BEST OUTDOOR DINING! 7945 Norfolk Avenue Bethesda, MD 301.657.1722 www.bacchusoflebanon.com

The Potomac Grill

1093 Rockville Pike, 301-738-8181, www.the potomacgrill.com. A spacious, nautical-themed restaurant with a fireplace, Potomac Grill specializes in seafood but also features serious steaks, burgers and salads. Look for daily specials featuring a catch of the day and several desserts of the day. J R 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. ❂ J R L D $$$

Tower Oaks Lodge

2 Preserve Parkway, 301-294-0200, www.clydes. com/tower. The Clyde’s version of a lodge in the mountains. Well-prepared food runs the gamut of American desires, from burgers to fish. J R L D $$

Trapezaria

11 N. Washington St., 301-339-8962, thetrapezaria. com. Down-to-earth and hospitable Greek/Mediterranean restaurant dishes out top-notch and unfussy small plates and entrées. Choose among a variety of dips, vegetarian mezze, souvlaki, sausages, simple broiled items, 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, www.ilove ubq.com. Urban Bar-B-Que Company, a tiny joint run by a couple of local friends with a winning formula, features finger-licking ribs, burgers and wings and a friendly staff. J L D $

Upscale Casual Dining 4935 Cordell Avenue | Bethesda, Maryland 301-951-4935 | www.4935barandkitchen.com

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dine Urban Burger Company

5566 Norbeck Road, 301-460-0050, www.ilove ubq.com. Urban Bar-B-Que’s Black Angus burgers were so popular, its owners decided to open another location in 2007. The full-service restaurant also offers killer fries, salads and wings. ❂ JLD$

Villa Maya

5532 Norbeck Road (in the Rock Creek Village Center), 301-460-1247, www.villamayarestaurant. com. Traditional Mexican and Tex-Mex food for the whole family. ❂ J R L D $$

Woodside Deli

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 dishing up matzo ball soup since 1947. This one has a pickle bar. ❂ J B R L D $

Yekta

1488 Rockville Pike, 301-984-0005, www.yekta. com. Persian cuisine served in a beautiful dining room. 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. 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 fromscratch preparations, such as house-smoked salmon and home-cured charcuterie. It tied for “Best Silver Spring Restaurant” in 2013. J R L D $$

Addis Ababa

8233 Fenton St., 301-589-1400 or 301-589-1999.

Authentic Ethiopian-style vegetables and fiery meats served atop spongy bread in communal bowls. Traditional woven tables and a roof deck add to the ambience. ❂ 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 to stop for lunch, if only to try the eggplant fries. ❂ LD$

All Set Restaurant & Bar (New)

8630 Fenton St., 301-495-8800, www.allsetres taurant.com. American cuisine with a focus on New England specialties. Look for clams, oysters and lobster in various guises, local seafood hits like crab cakes and rockfish, plus items for beef eaters and vegetarians. Snazzy space is also the setting for clam bakes and fried chicken on Sunday nights. ❂ J L D $$

Asian Bistro Café

8537 Georgia Ave., 301-589-0123, www.asian bistrocafe.com. A bevy of choices, from Japanese sushi to Chinese noodles and vegetarian dishes.

LD$

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. ❂ J R L D $$

Azúcar Restaurant Bar & Grill

14418 Layhill Road, 301-438-3293, azucar restaurantmd.com. The name means sugar, and it fits. A colorful Salvadoran spot decorated in bright purple and orange with Cubist-style paintings.

The pork-stuffed corn pupusas are stars. Also look for more elegant dinners, including fried whole trout. L D $$

Blair Mansion Inn

7711 Eastern Ave., 301-588-1688, www.blair mansion.com. The graciously restored, 19th-century mansion (formerly the residence of Abigail and Charles Newman) is best known for its participatory mystery dinner theater shows, but it also serves dinner à la carte for private events. J L 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.cris fieldseafood.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. J 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. ❂ J L D $$

Da Marco Ristorante Italiano

8662 Colesville Road, 301-588-6999, www.damarco restaurant.com. This full-service restaurant has been a fixture in Silver Spring for years, with an intimate ambience for classic Italian pasta suppers. J L D $$

Denizen’s Brewing Co.

1115 East West Highway, 301-557-9818, denizens brewingco.com. The bright-orange building on East West Highway houses Montgomery County’s largest brewery, featuring core beers and seasonal offerings, along with drafts from other regional breweries. As for the grub, the former BBQ Bus food truck goes brick-and-mortar, with sandwiches, picnic plates, chili and four sauces. Large outdoor beer garden and indoor seating that overlooks the brewery is conducive for celebrations and private events. ❂ 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 and dinners. ❂ J 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 popular with families and others looking for a lively night out. ❂ JL$

El Gavilan 8805 Flower Ave., 301-587-4197. gavilanrestau rant.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 porkfilled pupusas. Live music on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday. J L D $

El Golfo 8739 Flower Ave., 301-608-2121, elgolfo restaurant.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, raspberry-colored dining room. ❂ JRLD$

Ethio Express Grill (New) 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-theway crêperie serving 31 kinds of sweet crêpes and 16 varieties of savory crêpes. B L D $

Fire Station 1 Restaurant & Brewing Co. 8131 Georgia Ave., 301-585-1370, www.fire station1.com. A historic firehouse has been given a makeover as an eatery serving 21st-century pizza, sandwiches, meat, seafood and vegetarian entrées. J R L D $

Jackie’s Restaurant (Editors’ Pick) 8081 Georgia Ave., 301-565-9700, www.jackies restaurant.com. This lovable eatery serves modern American cuisine in a former-auto-repair-shopgone-1960s-hot-pink. The Sidebar is a cocktail lounge; Jackie’s Back Room has live music and private parties. The restaurant tied for “Best Silver Spring Restaurant” in 2013. R D $$

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. ❂ L D $$

Kao Thai 8650 Colesville Road, 301-495-1234, www.kaothai restaurant.com. This recently expanded restaurant turns out top-notch curries, noodle dishes and vegetarian options, plus house specialties, such as Siam Salmon with Spicy Thai Basil Sauce. ❂ L D $$

La Casita Pupuseria & Market 8214 Piney Branch Road, 301-588-6656, www.la casitapupusas.com. Homemade pupusas, tamales and other Salvadoran specialties, plus a full breakfast menu and a small selection of grocery items. B L D $

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tasteediner.com. A 1930s-era lowbrow classic open 24 hours and featuring friendly service and typical diner food. ❂ J B L D $ Thai at Silver Spring, 921-E Ellsworth Drive, 301-6500666, www.thaiatsilverspring.com. The Americanized Thai food is second to the location, which is superb for people-watching 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 $$ Thai Derm, 939 Bonifant St., 301-589-5341, www. thaidermusa.com. This local favorite serves homeLacoMelza Ethiopian Cafe style food Ave., in a pleasantly modest dining room 7912Thai Georgia 301-326-2435.

Traditional Ethioff a quiet street near downtown. menu inopian cuisine served in a modernThe andlarge attractive L D $like pad Thai and savory-sweet setting.

J Rdishes cludes noodle salads. Lunch specials daily. ❂ L D $

La Malinche

8622 Colesville Road, 301-562-8622, www.la The Big Greek Café, 8223 Georgia Ave., 301-587malinchetapas.com. Interesting selection of Span4733, www.biggreekcafe.com.

Owned by the ish and Mexican tapas, plus a full Saturday andMarmaras brothers, family operated the decadesSunday brunchwhose featuring huevos rancheros, variaold Golden FlameEspanola restaurant, café serves a hit tions of tortillas andthe more.

RLD parade of$$ Greek specialties, including a top-notch LD$ chicken souvlaki pita. ❂ J Restaurant Langano Ethiopian

8305 Georgia Ave., 301-563-6700. Named for the The Classics (Editors’ Pick), 8606 Colesville Road, popular Ethiopian vacation spot, Lake Langano, 301-588-7297, The restauthis longtime www.theclassicsdc.com. restaurant offers fine Ethiopian cuirant steaks andchicken seafoodstew) served sinefeatures such asgreat doro wat (spicy andwithout pomp meat) in a basic diningand room.

Serious tibsthe (stewed in a white cozy whitered-accentedand dining room.

LunchAmerican specials on weekdays.

D $$$ drinks fresh seasonal fare.

LD$ The Daily Dish, 8301 Grubb Road, 301-588-6300, www.

Lebanese Taverna Café thedailydishrestaurant.com. A neighborhood favor933 Ellsworth Drive, 301-588-1192, www.lebanese itetaverna.com. serving seasonally inspired, locally See Rockville listing. ❂ sourced J L D com$ fort food. Full-service catering, too. ❂ J R L D $$

Mamma Lucia

1302 East Place, West Highway, 301-562-0693, www.

The Greek 8417 Georgia Ave., 301-495-2912, mammaluciarestaurants.com.

See Bethesda www.thegreekplace.net.

Big portions of better-than-averlisting. J L D $$ age food at reasonable prices. The bifteki pita sandwich, Restaurant Café aMandalay seasoned ground lamb and beef & patty with tzatziki, to930 Bonifant 301-585-0500, matoes and redSt., onions, is especially www.mandalay good. ❂ J L D $ restaurantcafe.com. The modest dining room is packed most evenings families large The Society Lounge, 8229with Georgia Ave.,and 301-565-8864, groups who come for the Burmese a cross www.societyss.com.

Former collegiatefood, and professionbetween Indian and Thai. L D $

m a rk etp l ace

❁

585-5800, www.urbanbutcher.com. Hip, eclectic setting provides the backdrop for this New Age steak house, with its home-cured salamis, sausages and other charcuterie, plus imaginative meat dishes made from local animals of yesteryear breeds. Space includes a lounge, bar, meat curing room, retail counter and dining area. B D $$ Vegetable Garden, 3830 International Drive (in Leisure World Plaza), 301-598-6868, www.vegetable gardensilverspring.com. The popular vegan, vegetarian and macrobiotic Asian restaurant features a wide variety of eggplant and asparagus dishes, plus vegMcGinty’s Public House etarian “beef,” and “chicken” dishes often made with 911 Ellsworth Drive, 301-587-1270, www.mcgintys L D $$ Irish pub and restausoy and wheat gluten. publichouse.com.

Traditional

rant features corned beef and cabbage, live muVicino Ristorante Italiano, 959 Sligo Ave., 301-588sic and dancing. Early-bird special, three-course 3372, vicinoitaliano.com. A favorite neighborhood redmenu for $15, from 5 to 7 p.m. Happy Hour from 3 sauce joint that hasn’t changed in decades, D $$ to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday. ❂ J R Lfeaturing some fine seafood choices in addition to classic Mi Rancho pasta dishes. Families welcome. ❂ L D $ 8701 Ramsey Ave., 301-588-4872, www.mirancho Woodside Deli & Restaurant, 9329 Georgia texmexrestaurant.com.

See Rockville listing. Ave., 301-589-7055, ❂ J L D $ www.thewoodsidedeli.com. Famous for its matzo ball soup, terrific clubs and Reuben sandMrs. K’s Restaurant wiches since 1947. J B L D $ 9201 Colesville Road, 301-589-3500, www.mrsks. com. An elegant, antique-filled option for special occasions and sublime 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. ❂ J R L D $$$ Aggio, 5335 Wisconsin Ave. NW (in the Chevy Chase Nainai’s Noodle & Dumpling BarLocated Pavilion), 202-803-8020, www.volt-aggio.com.

1200 East West Highway, 301-585-6678, www. in the former private party room at Range, this fornainaisnoodles.com. Sisters Joanne and Julie Liu mal and sophisticated space is celebrity chef Bryan serve homemade noodles and dumplings in this Voltaggio’s “restaurant within a restaurant.”

Look for lovable fast-casual eatery that shares kitchen modern takes on Italian standbys like space with their Scion restaurant nextsteak door.FlorenFocus tine, prawns with and polenta pasta carbonara, and on the noodles, bringand a picture of your “Naiinventive combinations such as to lentils charred nai” (grandmother in Chinese) tack with on the bulL D $ wheat berries or beef cheek octopus and sprouted letin board. with farro and bone marrow. D $$$

Upper NW D.C.

Olazzo

8235 Georgia Ave., 301-588-2540, www.olazzo.

American City Diner, 5532 Connecticut Ave. NW, 202com. Thewww.americancitydiner.com.

Silver Spring location of the Bethesda 244-1949, Retro diner restaurant draws crowds to its dark and intimate

Unrivaled Italian Tradition and Authenticity

Sorrento trattoria

4930 Cordell Avenue, Bethesda 301-718-0344 www.trattoriasorrento.com

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and pizza from the wood-burning oven. ❂ J L D $ Blue 44, 5507 Connecticut Ave. NW, 202-362-2583, www.blue44dc.com. Classic American favorites in the old Senor Pepper space. ❂ J R L D $$ Buck’s Fishing and Camping, 5031 Connecticut Ave. NW, 202-364-0777, www.bucksfishingandcamping. com. Hip takes on comfort food such as roast chicken (locally raised) and “camp” steak, with fun twists that include grilled chorizo and tempura squash blossoms, in an artsy-chic setting. D $$$ Café of India, 4909 Wisconsin Ave. NW, 202-244-1395, space with classic Italian-American fare and Tueswww.cafeofindiadc.com.

Cute L corner D $ café with two day martini specials. ❂ J levels of dining. Features an extensive menu, includOriental Restaurant ing vegetarianEast and Tandoori entrées, dosas, samosas, 1312 East West Highway, 301-608-0030, www. tikkas, curries and kabobs. ❂ L D $$

orientaleast.com. Be prepared to wait for a table

and maneuver around carts filled dumplings, Chads Friendship Heights, 5247with Wisconsin Ave. noodles and sparewww.dcchadwicks.com. ribs at this popular dim sum NW, 202-362-8040, Neighrestaurant that caters to families and groups on borhood hangout sometimes compared to Cheers, weekends. Chinese standards for dinner, plus tripe but with a full menu beyond bar food, including saland jellyfish. L D $ ads, steaks, seafood and sandwiches. ❂ J R L D $$

Pacci’s Neapolitan Pizzeria (Editors’ Pick)

Comet Ping Pong (Editors’ Pick), 5037 Connecticut 8113 Georgia Ave., 301-588-1011, www.paccis Ave. NW, 202-364-0404, www.cometpingpong.com. pizzeria.com.

This stylish eatery turns out topLandmark fun spot you can play ping-pong or notch pizzas fromwhere a wood-burning oven.

D$ ❂ J (upon request) admire local art whileLyou wait for your wood-fired L (weekends only) D $ pizza. ❂ RTrattoria Pacci’s & Pasticceria

6 Old PostRestaurant, Office Road,4822 301-588-0867, paccistrat DeCarlo’s Yuma St. NW. 202-363toria. com. Classic Italian dishes, including home4220, www.decarlosrestaurant.com. Family-owned made meatballs and sausage, from the owner of neighborhood staple, with traditionalL Italian menu Pacci’s Pizzeria, also in Silver Spring. D $$ and upscale/casual atmosphere. Signature dishes Parkway Deliveal & Bolognese, Restaurant include agnolotti, broiled salmon and 8317 Grubbpasta.

Road,❂ 301-587-1427, www.theparkway L D $$ hand-made deli.com. Voted “Best Deli” for 2014 by Bethesda

MagazineHotpot, readers, 4445 Parkway featuresAve., a bustling Eurasian Wisconsin 202-966backwww.eurasianhotpot.com. dining room, around for decades, that makes 7088, The extensive Vietthis popular so much more deli.noodle Longnamese menuspot features pho, eggthan andarice time waitresses greet regular and kids soups, vermicelli dishes, entréecustomers salads, broken and with hugs during busy weekend breakfasts. Allfried rice entrées and choices for vegetarians. You you-can-eat pickle bar. ❂ B L D $ can also devise your own soup by choosing among Pete’smeat, Newvegetables Haven Style Apizza broths, and starches.

Then you do 962 WayneinAve., 301-588-7383, www.petesa the cooking hotpots brought to the table. ❂ L D $ pizza.com. Sporting more stylish décor than its

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dine other locations (see Upper NW D.C.), Pete’s fourth and latest restaurant offers the same crunchycrusted 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

631 University Blvd. East, 301-445-7300, saman thasrestaurante.com. This white-tablecloth, LatinSalvadoran 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 $$

Scion

1200 East West Highway, 301-585-8878, www. scionrestaurant.com. A contemporary American eatery from sisters Joanne and Julie Liu, who also own a popular Dupont Circle restaurant with the same name and Nainai’s Noodle & Dumpling Bar in Silver Spring. Look for everything from wasabi Caesar salad to lobster reuben to spicy yogurt chicken. R L D $$

Sergio’s Ristorante Italiano

8727 Colesville Road, 301-585-1040. A classic red-sauce Italian restaurant that manages to feel special, with soothing wall murals and high-quality service, despite a basement location inside the Double Tree Hotel. Ravioli with asparagus and cheese in a tarragon sauce is popular. L D $$

Sligo Café (New)

923 Sligo Ave., 301-565-2233, sligocafe.com.

Neighborhood restaurant serving modern takes on comfort food, like French onion soup topped with a gratin of macaroni and cheese, or shrimp and smoked Gouda black pepper grits. Interesting craft cocktails and rotating selection of local craft brews. ❂ R L D $$

Sushi Jin NEXT DOOR

8555 Fenton St., 301-608-0990, www.sushijin nextdoor.com. Spare, clean and modern, with terrific udon noodle soup and impeccable raw fish. 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. A 1930s-era lowbrow classic open 24 hours and featuring friendly service and typical diner food. ❂ J B L D $

Thai at Silver Spring

921-E Ellsworth Drive, 301-650-0666, www.thai atsilverspring.com. The Americanized Thai food is second to the location, which is superb for people-watching 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 $$

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 savorysweet salads. Lunch specials daily. ❂ 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. ❂ J L D $

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. D $$$

The Daily Dish

8301 Grubb Road, 301-588-6300, www.thedaily dishrestaurant.com. A neighborhood favorite serving seasonally inspired, locally sourced comfort food. Full-service catering, too. ❂ J R L D $$

The Greek Place

8417 Georgia Ave., 301-495-2912, www.thegreek place.net. 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. ❂ J L D $

The Society Lounge

8229 Georgia Ave., 301-565-8864, www.societyss. com. Former collegiate and professional basketball player Jason Miskiri opened this restaurant and lounge with a Caribbean accent. ❂ L D $$

Urban Bar- B - Que Company

10163 New Hampshire Ave., 301-434-7427, www. iloveubq.com. A fast and friendly spot to meet for smoked meats, especially the ribs. See Rockville listing. J L D $

Urban Butcher (Editors’ Pick)

8226 Georgia Ave., 301-585-5800, www.urban butcher.com. Hip, eclectic setting provides the backdrop for this New Age steak house, with its home-cured salamis, sausages and other charcuterie, plus imaginative meat dishes made from local animals of yesteryear breeds. Space includes a lounge, bar, meat curing room, retail counter and dining area. B D $$

Vegetable Garden

3830 International Drive (in Leisure World Plaza), 301-598-6868, vegetablegarden.co. 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, featuring some fine seafood choices in addition to classic pasta dishes. Families welcome. ❂ L D $

Woodside Deli & Restaurant

9329 Georgia Ave., 301-589-7055, www.the woodsidedeli.com. Famous for its matzo ball soup, terrific clubs and Reuben sandwiches since 1947.

JBLD$

Upper NW D.C. Aggio (Editors’ Pick)

5335 Wisconsin Ave. NW (in the Chevy Chase Pavilion), 202-803-8020, www.volt-aggio.com. Located in the former private party room at Range, this for-

mal and sophisticated space is celebrity chef Bryan Voltaggio’s “restaurant within a restaurant.” Look for modern takes on Italian standbys like steak Florentine, prawns with polenta and pasta carbonara, and inventive combinations such as lentils with charred octopus and sprouted wheat berries or beef cheek with farro and bone marrow. D $$$

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. Classic movies free with dinner. ❂ J B L D $

Arucola

5534 Connecticut Ave. NW, 202-244-1555, www. arucola.com. Authentic Italian in a casual setting, with a changing menu that includes creative treatment of traditional dishes, homemade pasta and pizza from the wood-burning oven. ❂ J L D $

Blue 44

5507 Connecticut Ave. NW, 202-362-2583, www. blue44dc.com. Classic American favorites in the old Senor Pepper space. ❂ J R L D $$

Buck’s Fishing and Camping

5031 Connecticut Ave. NW, 202-364-0777, www. bucksfishingandcamping.com. Hip takes on comfort food such as roast chicken (locally raised) and “camp” steak, with fun twists that include grilled chorizo and tempura squash blossoms, in an artsy-chic setting. D $$$

Café of India

909 Wisconsin Ave. NW, 202-244-1395, www.cafe ofindiadc.com. Cute corner café with two levels of dining. Features an extensive menu, including vegetarian and Tandoori entrées, dosas, samosas, tikkas, curries and kabobs. ❂ L D $$

Chads Friendship Heights

5247 Wisconsin Ave. NW, 202-362-8040, chadsdc. com. Neighborhood hangout sometimes compared to Cheers, but with a full menu beyond bar food, including salads, steaks, seafood and sandwiches. ❂ J 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. ❂ R L (weekends only) D $

DeCarlo’s Restaurant

4822 Yuma St. NW. 202-363-4220, www.decarlos restaurant.com. Family-owned neighborhood staple, with traditional Italian menu and upscale/ casual atmosphere. Signature dishes include agnolotti, veal Bolognese, broiled salmon and handmade pasta. ❂ L D $$

Eurasian Hotpot

4445 Wisconsin Ave., 202-966-7088, www.eurasian hotpot.com. The extensive Vietnamese menu features pho, egg and rice noodle soups, vermicelli dishes, entrée salads, broken and fried rice entrées and choices for vegetarians. You can also devise your own soup by choosing among broths, meat, vegetables and starches. Then you do the cooking in hotpots brought to the table. ❂ L D $

Guapo’s Fine Mexican Cuisine

4515 Wisconsin Ave. NW, 202-686-3588, www. guaposrestaurant.com. See Bethesda listing. ❂ R L D $$

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Jake’s American Grille

5018 Connecticut Ave. NW, 202-966-5253, www. jakesdc.com. Burgers, steaks and sandwiches in a restaurant named after the owner’s grandfather, an accomplished Navy test engineer. J R L D $$

Jetties

5632 Connecticut Ave. NW, 202-364-2465. www. jettiesdc.com. See Bethesda listing. J L D $

Le Chat Noir

4907 Wisconsin Ave. NW, 202-244-2044, www.le chatnoirrestaurant.com. Cute, cozy neighborhood bistro run by French restaurateurs, with traditional fare like steak frites, bouillabaisse and braised lamb cheeks. R L D $$

LUNCH BOX

5535 Wisconsin Ave. NW, Suite 018, 202-2443470, www.voltlunchbox.com. A Washington remake of the defunct sandwich and salad restaurant in Frederick from chef Bryan Voltaggio.

Specialties include the Southern Bahn Mi (crispy chicken, pickled vegetables, liver mousse and cilantro mint on a baguette) and B’More (peppercrusted pit beef, scallion-bacon jam and Tiger sauce). The rustic setting is Voltaggio’s third spot in the Chevy Chase Pavilion, which also houses his Range and Aggio restaurants.

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. Raclette and fried green tomatoes share space on the appetizer menu, and steak frites is offered alongside short ribs with grits for main courses. ❂ R D $$

Maggiano’s

5333 Wisconsin Ave. NW, 202-966-5500, www. maggianos.com. Old-style Italian fare that’s a favorite for large groups and private celebrations.

J L D $$

Masala Art (Editors’ Pick)

4441-B Wisconsin Ave. NW, 202-362-4441, www. masalaartdc.com. Fine Indian dining featuring tandoor-oven specialties and masterful Indian spicing. L D $$

Murasaki Japanese Cuisine and Sushi Bar

4620 Wisconsin Ave. NW, 202-966-0023, www. murasakidc.com. Wide variety of specialty sushi rolls plus full menu, including teriyaki, tempura, noodle soup and other authentic Japanese dishes in tastefully understated décor. ❂ L D $$

Parthenon Restaurant

5510 Connecticut Ave. NW, 202-966-7600, www. parthenon-restaurant.com. 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. ❂ J L D $$

Pete’s New Haven Style Apizza

4940 Wisconsin Ave. NW, 202-237-7383, www.petes apizza.com. New Haven-inspired pizza with crusts that are crunchy on the outside, chewy on the inside.

Salads, pasta and panini also served. ❂ J L D $

Range (Editors’ Pick)

5335 Wisconsin Ave. NW, Suite 201, 202-8038020, www.voltrange.com. Celebrity chef Bryan Voltaggio’s extravaganza, featuring multiple

ENDLESS OPPORTUNITIES TO

EXPLORE, LEARN & CREATE

open kitchens, 300 seats and an enormous wine list. The restaurant was chosen for “Best Cocktail” in 2014 by the magazine’s editors. L D $$$

Rosa Mexicano

5225 Wisconsin Ave. NW, 202-777-9959, www.rosa mexicano.com. Upscale Mexican chain known for its tableside-prepared guacamole and stylish decor. J R L D $$

Satay Club Asian Restaurant and Bar

4654 Wisconsin Ave. NW, 202-363-8888, www. asiansatayclub.com. Comfortable/casual with a menu that spans Japanese sushi, Chinese moo-shi vegetables, Thai curries and Vietnamese spring rolls. L D $

Tanad Thai

4912 Wisconsin Ave. NW, 202-966-0616, www. tanadthaicuisine.com. Extensive menu includes noodles, rice, curries and vegetarian entrées, and even a Thai lemonade cocktail. ❂ L D $$

Tara Thai

4849 Massachusetts Ave. NW, 202-363-4141, www. tarathai.com. One of the aqua-accented eateries in the locally based chainlet. Look for an extensive Thai menu with vegetarian options; sushi available, too. ❂ L D $$

Terasol (Editors’ Pick)

5010 Connecticut Ave. NW, 202-237-5555, www. terasolartisans.com. Charming French café offering soups, salads, quiches and a few entrées, along with jewelry and pottery from local artisans.

Live music on Fridays and Saturdays. ❂ JBLD$n

Are you looking for a Spanish or Latin cuisine theme for your wedding?

We can help you!

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May 9, 10am – 6pm May 10, 10am – 5pm Auburn & Norfolk Avenues in Bethesda’s Woodmont Triangle

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S h o p Ta l k

By samantha miller

Check out

Gingham The playful pattern gets a modern update this season with oversize checks and feminine silhouettes Polo Ralph Lauren Scarf $68 at Ralph Lauren in Chevy Chase and ralphlauren.com

Coach Trench Coat $575 at Coach in Westfield Montgomery mall and coach.com

Talbots Espadrille Flats $90 at Talbots in Chevy Chase and talbots.com

all gingham items are courtesy photos

Joie Cashmere Sweater $298 at Clover in the Kentlands

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Lori’s favorites

Getting that

Rosy Glow As much as we love a dramatic

smoky eye or red lips, few trends exude youthfulness quite like flushed cheeks.

Several designers—including Tory Burch and Jason Wu—sent fresh-faced models down the spring runways, confirming what many minimalists already know: The “natural” beauty trend is here to stay. We asked Silver Spring makeup artist Lori Nansi, who works often with Bethesda-area brides, how to create the look of just-pinched cheeks.

“There’s a huge misconception about choosing a blush based solely on skin tone,” Nansi says. “Most blushes are versatile, and it’s more about finding the right pigment.”

Nansi says that most women only need one or two shades of blush in their makeup bag, and she says peach and pink-mauve are universally flattering. Women with darker complexions should look for brighter, more saturated shades, while those with lighter skin can opt for a softer version. “I haven’t met a client yet who didn’t look good in one of these color families,” says Nansi.

Diane von Furstenberg Top $298 at Nordstrom in Westfield Montgomery mall and nordstrom.com

How to apply blush To create the illusion of glowing skin, Nansi advises layering cream and powder blush, followed by highlighter.

Laura Mercier Crème Cheek Color in Rosebud $25 at lauramercier.com

Bobbi Brown Pot Rouge in Fresh Melon $27 at Bluemercury in Bethesda and bluemercury.com

MAC Powder Blush in Well Dressed $22 at MAC in Chevy Chase and maccosmetics.com

Step 1. Once you’ve applied foundation, use your fingertips to lightly dab cream blush on the apples of your cheeks.

Step 2. Using a powder blush in the same color family, blend the product along your cheekbone and up toward the hairline.

Remember to tap excess powder from your brush beforehand.

Lucy Paris Skirt $68 at Bloomingdale’s in Chevy Chase and bloomingdales.com

Step 3. To complete the look, apply highlighter just above the apples of your cheeks, where the sun naturally hits. If you have oily skin, Nansi suggests using a powder illuminator.

NARS Blush in Orgasm $30 at Bloomingdale’s in Chevy Chase and bloomingdales.com

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S h o p Ta l k

Fig. 2 owner Claudia Smith is known for designing stationery that mixes pops of neon, bold patterns and typography.

Behind the Brand: Fig. 2 Design Studio Before launching stationery company Fig. 2 in 2010, Bethesda’s Claudia Smith was a graphic designer, doing work for clients such as nonprofits and government agencies.

But after hitting a plateau in her career, Smith decided to trade her 9-to-5 job for something less traditional—and more colorful.

Her first collection debuted at the 2011 National Stationery Show. Known for mixing pops of neon, bold patterns and typography, Smith’s work has been featured in Martha Stewart Weddings and Brides Magazine, along with several lifestyle blogs. “I’m always looking for colorful ways to send thank-yous and ‘just because’ notes,” wrote Design*Sponge founder Grace Bonney of Fig. 2’s stationery. “So these are definitely going in my collection.”

Smith, a self-proclaimed neat-freak, named her company after the photo captions in a textbook—think Fig. 1, Fig. 2 and so on. “Captions seem like such a small detail, but a lot of what I do

is in the detail,” says Smith. “Even my to-do lists are organized.”

To create her texture-rich designs, Smith employs a number of techniques, including screen printing, foil stamping, letterpress and dip dye. In addition to stationery, the brand offers festive gift wrap and notebooks. Smith works out of the basement in her Wood Acres home, which she recently converted into a candy-colored studio. Most of Fig. 2’s products are printed at vendors throughout northern Maryland, and a portion of proceeds from her “Letters for Love” greeting card collection benefits Sweaters and Sustenance, a Washington, D.C., charity that provides meals and winter clothes to the city’s homeless. n Fig. 2 Design Studios, Bethesda, 240-608-2344, www.fig2design. com. Wedding invitations available at Taylor Street Paper in Chevy Chase, 301-775-3043, www.taylorstreetpaper.com.

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Imagination Bethesda takes place at the corner of Woodmont Avenue and Elm Street in downtown Bethesda.

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Free parking is available at the Woodmont Avenue-Edgemoor Lane, Bethesda Avenue-Elm Street and Bethesda-Woodmont Avenue garages.

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A Sparkling Beginning Megan Wright and Justin Kondos wanted their wedding to reflect their fun-loving personalities, and so it did—from a surprise fireworks display to whimsical hand-painted signs that welcomed guests during the April 2014 ceremony and reception at a Virginia resort.

The couple: Megan, 27, grew up in Potomac and graduated from Connelly School of the Holy Child in Potomac.

Justin, 27, is originally from Odenton, Maryland, but lived in Yorkshire, England, and Alice Springs, Australia, during his childhood. Justin works as a technology consultant for Red Hat Inc. in Chevy Chase and Megan is a registered client service associate with UBS Financial Services Inc. in Washington, D.C. The couple lives in Bethesda.

The wedding: The wedding and reception were held April 12, 2014, at Lansdowne Resort in Leesburg, Virginia.

Where they met: The couple met and hit it off at a holiday party in Georgetown just before Christmas in 2010.

First date: Their first date was on New Year’s Eve, a week after they met.

Justin and his friends had purchased tickets for a party at the Madhatter Bar in Washington, D.C., and Justin invited Megan as his date. They danced and celebrated all night; the highlight for Megan was their first kiss after the countdown to midnight.

The proposal: Justin proposed during dinner in a private wine cellar on the Greek island of Santorini.

Wedding theme: The theme colors were light coral and champagne.

Number of guests: 150 What made the event so special: “We wrote the entire ceremony ourselves, and read our own vows,” Megan says. The couple’s harpist played a new, cheery version of “Over the Rainbow” for the bridal party processional and guests tossed flower petals as the couple left the ceremony. Megan surprised Justin by giving his nephew, the ring bearer, a cute sign to wear that proclaimed “Uncle Justin, here comes your girl!” as he walked down the aisle.

Favorite moment: The couple surprised their guests with a fireworks display—no one else knew it was planned except Megan’s parents. “The fireworks blew all our guests away. We introduced the bridal party at the end of the cocktail hour, which was held outside on the terrace, while our guests waved sparklers. All our friends and family thought sparklers were the ‘big

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surprise’ for our entrance,” Megan says.

“But we actually had a fireworks technician waiting out on the golf course grounds. Once we made it through the sparkler tunnel, we shared a kiss, which cued the amazing fireworks. It was a fairy-tale ending to the ceremony and cocktail hour, and a perfect way to kick off the reception.”

Cost- cutting tips: Wedding decorations included handmade items purchased from small shops on the website Etsy. Hand-painted wooden signs directed guests to the ceremony, which added to the personalized feel of the wedding.

Something to laugh about: Though the couple had taken a few ballroom dance classes before the wedding, Megan froze and forgot most of the steps during their dance.

Justin managed to cover for her before anyone noticed.

Gown: Megan wore a strapless, floating tulip-and-rose lace ball gown from Vera Wang that she bought at The Bridal Salon at Saks Jandel in Chevy Chase.

Photography: Justine Ungaro Photography The honeymoon: Bora Bora Pearl Beach Resort & Spa, Bora Bora The details: Flowers were provided

by Nosegay in Washington, D.C.; catering, Lansdowne Banquet Services; the cake, Cakes Plus in Laurel; wedding day coordination, Natalie Seng; invitations, Precious Invitations; programs, ECR Designs; hair and makeup, Stylist to Go; rentals, Superlative Events and DC Rentals; and music, Doug Segree and Dan Huynh from Premier DJ Services.

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G e t Away

By Christine Koubek

Since the Embassy Row Hotel near Dupont Circle opened in 1970, it has been a neighborhood hangout and a home away from home for politicians and celebrities—Hillary Clinton, Peyton Manning and Danny Glover are just a few of those who have graced its halls. The hotel’s recent $15 million renovation was inspired by all things D.C.: The restaurant serves its daily special in bowls that were made by students and faculty of the Corcoran School of Art at The George Washington University; the coffee is from Compass Coffee, a startup by two ex-Marines who now live in the District’s Shaw neighbor-

hood; and if you book the “SOME Suite,” one percent of the parlor suite’s revenue is donated to So Others Might Eat, a nonprofit that serves the District’s poor and homeless.

Each of the hotel’s 231 guest rooms is decorated in a gorgeous palette of blues and buttery yellows, and many have accent pillows embroidered with iconic D.C. landmarks. The lobby offers a mix of places to socialize, including couches and chairs for the laptop crowd, a cushy three-season patio overlooking Embassy Row, and Station Kitchen & Cocktails, a coffee shop by day and a bar serving

small plates at night. The hotel’s crowning feature is the rooftop, which is home to a pool, bar and terrace with sweeping views of the city. Rooftop access is free to guests, and available to anyone else with a $25 day pass (or free after 5 p.m.).

Room rates start at $179 per night (embassyrowhotel.com, 202-265-1600). If you book in May, make sure to check out the schedule of Passport DC, a monthlong festival that includes open houses at more than 50 embassies, cultural events and performances—many within walking distance of the hotel. For more information, visit culturaltourismdc.org.

Photo Courtesy of Embassy Row Hotel

Check IN

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Go Now! An outdoor spa garden offers a springfed pool and private cabanas. Inset: heated lounges in the spa

Photos Courtesy of The Omni Homestead Resort; istock ( apple blossom ); and Hersheypark

Outdoor Oasis Soak in a historic hot spring mineral bath and relax amid lush gardens at The Spa at The Omni Homestead. The Homestead completed a $30 million resortwide renovation in 2013, including the new spa and an adults-only outdoor spa garden, where you’ll find a naturallypressurized deluge shower, spring-fed pool and whirlpool, private poolside ca-

Hersheypark in Hershey, Pennsylvania, offers visitors plenty of attractions, including 12 outdoor roller coasters and a water park.

banas, and a river reflexology walk over smooth stones. Access to the spa garden is complimentary with any 50-minute or longer spa service (available in one of the 28 new treatment rooms, which includes one family suite). Day passes also are available: $40 Sunday-Thursday; $55 Friday and Saturday; thehomestead. com/spa-garden.

Gettysburg has more to offer than Civil War battlefields. The region’s rich apple heritage and booming hard cider industry are celebrated each May, when more than 20,000 acres of apple trees are in full bloom. This year’s 60th annual Apple Blossom Festival—May 2-3 at the South Mountain Fairgrounds— features hard cider and wine tastings, orchard tours, live music, crafters, and a chance to taste everything from apple sundaes to apple dumplings. A petting zoo, puppet shows and a kiddie train are a few of the perks on tap for youngsters. Children under 12 admitted free; $5 admission for ages 12 and older. For more information, visit appleblossomfestival.info.

Thrill Ride

When Hersheypark’s 13th roller coaster, Laff Trakk, debuts Memorial Day Weekend, it will be the first indoor, spinning glow-coaster in the United States. The family-friendly ride pays tribute to iconic fun houses from Hersheypark’s past, with 1,400 feet of track that zips past neon characters and passes through glow-in-the dark frames and a lighted tunnel. Fourperson coaster cars rotate in response to the size of each rider, providing a different experience with each trip. Laff Trakk is included in the admission price, which ranges from $24.95 to $61.95 based on age (children 2 and under admitted free). For more information, visit hersheypark.com.

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Photos courtesy of West Virginia Department of Commerce

A paddler enjoys the tranquility of a lake in Seneca State Forest.

A visit to historic Arthurdale is an essential part of a West Virginia road trip.

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Belching black smoke, a coal-burning train takes passengers on a scenic ride to Bald Knob in West Virginia’s Cass Scenic Railroad State Park.

driving ra n g e

journey Back to

1900

A road trip through history reveals West Virginia’s other wild side

By Sue Eisenfeld

I had already experienced natural West Virginia—hiking and cross-country skiing its state and national parks, birdwatching in its national wildlife refuges and white-water-rafting its rivers. And I’d already done artsyfoodie-spa West Virginia, with its high-end art galleries, chichi coffee shops and mineral springs.

But I had never really explored the historic past of a state where turn-ofthe-century immigrant families from Italy, Hungary, Poland and Switzerland were once lured by plentiful hard work. I had never plunked myself down in the epicenter of its most valuable homegrown resources—coal and timber, which built the infrastructure of our nation—where companies once bought and logged wildernesses so vast that they could never imagine running out of trees.

Craving a different kind of experience, my husband, Neil, and I embarked on a journey through the West Virginia that once was—the prosperous and the terrible—where steep mountain passes and subterranean mines still bear witness to a hardscrabble existence.

We returned from our road trip with a new appreciation for the only state that exists solely within the Appalachians, the only state to secede from another state during the Civil War, and a state that’s as proud as it ever was of the long road it has traveled. These are the historic spots we visited.

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Visitors learn about the dangers of mining at the Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine.

Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine

Stop by for a fountain drink at The Cass Country Store in Cass Scenic Railroad State Park.

Seneca State Forest’s “pioneer cabins” offer guests a rustic living experience.

was like back then (with schoolbooks and lessons from that era), while the Exhibition Coal Mine Museum shows off its collection of miners’ lamps, tools, equipment and clothing. A handout lists the hundreds of products we still use today that stem, in some way, from coal—including paint thinner, clothing dyes, electrical insulation and baking powder.

Cass Scenic Railroad State Park Black smoke belches out of the locomotive smokestack as the “fire man” manually shovels 4½ tons of coal— that’s six shovels-full every 30 seconds for four hours—into the firebox. The coal heats up 7,000 gallons of water until it boils so that the steam can power the train. This is the way it was

Photos courtesy of West Virginia Department of Commerce

After spending 25 minutes underground on an open-air “mantrip” (trolley) in the dark and narrow passageway of the Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine, I am really glad to see sunlight. We’ve just learned how men risked their lives blasting coal out of the earth, chopping the carbon resource out of seams for less money than they could live on. And we now know the difference between “blackdamp” (an asphyxiant that can kill you by sucking the air right out of you) and “firedamp” (a flammable, explosive gas).

Our tour leader, a former miner, gives us the lowdown on what it was like to spend daylight hours underground, paid not by the hour, but rather only for each 1-ton cart resulting from the day’s work.

(That is, provided someone didn’t cheat and attach his name to your cart and take credit for it.)

Aboveground, a walk through the re-created 1900s-era mining town— composed of authentic but plain, whitewashed and weatherboarded buildings—shows the different classes and how people lived. Comparing the “bachelor’s shanty” (which is no larger than my small galley kitchen) with the standard coal company house for families, and the “super’s house” (a downright mansion), it’s no wonder a miner who worked his way up to superintendent was hated so much by his men.

Our guide, a coal miner’s daughter, explains that by the time a man reached that level, the mine usually transferred him to another mine where he didn’t know anyone. There, he could be as strict and unfair as he wanted to be, thus assuring his good standing with the company, as none of his subordinates were his friends.

The Pemberton Coal Camp Church and Helen Coal Camp School offer more glimpses of what day-to-day life

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Photos courtesy of West Virginia Department of Commerce

done in 1901, when immigrant workers laid these tracks and the same Shay locomotives carried logs down the mountain to the mill in Cass, and this is the way it’s still done today in the nation’s only surviving lumber company town, which the state purchased and made into a park, starting in 1961.

As the train winds its way up 11 miles to Bald Knob, a retired railroad man teaches us about the history of logging and railroads in West Virginia.

Our first stop is Whittaker Station, the site of a Hungarian railroad laborers’ camp in 1900 and a place where visitors can now view a re-created 1940s logging camp. We then chug our way up to the panoramic view at Bald Knob, the third highest point in the state, at 4,700 feet. (An alternate train route goes to Old Spruce, a 1902 ghost town once known as the “highest and coldest town east of the Mississippi.”)

The ride is noisy, sooty and cold (even in August)—and unforgettable, even for non-train-buffs. Not only does the train manage several steep hairpin switchbacks, but it sustains an 11-percent-grade ascent. (For a comparison, the maximum grade allowed on U.S. highways is 7 percent.) Visitors with reservations can get off at various points to spend the night in converted cabooses.

Back at the depot, Neil and I grab a quick bite at The Last Run Restaurant— a no-frills burger-and-grilled-cheese kind of place located in the 1902 Cass Company Store—before heading out to self-tour the restored company town of Cass. It’s an unpopulated enclave of simple, two-story, white logging company houses (now open and available for vacation rentals) connected by wooden walkways, along with a hotel, a Masonic lodge, a church and a jail.

Seneca State Forest “Pioneer Cabins” It’s a bit nerve-racking to have to light a match every time you want to

Visitors to Helvetia will find reminders everywhere of the Swiss who settled the village in 1869.

turn a light on, but the propane lights count among the luxury amenities at Seneca State Forest’s “pioneer cabins.”

In addition, our cabin offers a kitchen with a propane refrigerator, a fireplace, a woodstove, a fully stocked woodshed and a screened-in porch overlooking a lake.

The cabins don’t have running water or flushing toilets, but Neil and I consider this a small price to pay for the experience of going back in time.

(There are coin-operated showers and real bathrooms at the visitors’ center a couple miles away for those who aren’t so crazy about roughing it.)

Built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) for recreation between 1934 and 1938, eight rustic cabins line the similarly CCC-engineered Seneca Lake. At four acres, it’s a small pond, really, where we take out a canoe and paddle in the setting sun on our first evening. Then we pump water from the well near the cabin, pull out our propane stove, make a quick dinner on the porch—beans and rice with dehydrated veggies—and do the things it seems we only do when we’re “away from it all”: read, talk, play games.

Later, snuggling under colorful quilts and wool Army blankets, we sleep the kind of sleep you only get when surrounded by fresh mountain air.

The cabins are a perfect place to base yourself before and after a trip to nearby Cass (17 miles away), or when partaking in surrounding attractions. The park offers 23 miles of trails for hiking and biking, as well as 10 campsites.

Helvetia While many residents of West Virginia can probably trace their history back to some European ancestor who came over to find work mining, timbering or building railroads in the 1800s, those who live in Helvetia are still living the life, descended from the Swiss who settled the village in 1869. Having spent a summer in Switzerland in my teens, I have a particular interest in exploring this odd little Swiss outpost.

The road to Helvetia (pronounced hell-vay-sha), population 25, is narrow, winding and precipitous. We spend at least an hour behind an overloaded coal truck (which is listing to one side and going well beyond the speed limit)

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as drivers coming from the opposite direction zoom past at breakneck speed, as if they are being paid by the load.

One turns off into a mine, another at a railroad, while we continue through the steep mountains with second- or thirdgrowth forest at every view. We also pass the occasional run-down house, trailer or bar—desolate properties that are seemingly on the edge.

Then, finally, like a black-and-white movie morphing into color, we come to a low, lush, green valley with a river running through it, and a town in Technicolor—complete with flower boxes of reds and pinks and oranges; a baby-blue house; a yellow painted store and decorative Germanic stencil art at every turn.

The moniker, Helvetia, comes from the Latin name for Switzerland,

Confederatio Helvetica—or the Swiss Confederation. In the Helvetia Village Historic District, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, visitors can find a church, an inn, a post office, a community hall, a cultural museum and other buildings. Our destination for the day is the Hutte Swiss Restaurant, located at “the intersection” (there’s only one).

Upon arrival, I almost expect our waitress—who is wearing early-1900s period farm wife attire—to speak in the Swiss-German accent I remember from my travels. But her voice imparts instead a native West Virginia twang, with all its colorful extra letters and syllables, setting off a cross-cultural explosion in my head. We happily feast on Helvetia cheese; bratwurst; the best sauerkraut I’ve ever experienced (sweet

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and tangy); hot applesauce; a potato pancake not unlike Jewish latkes; homemade split-pea soup that’s to die for; and peach cobbler with a unique Marshmallow Fluff-like topping.

Down the road, we purchase two Helvetia Shepherds wool scarves at the Helvetia General Store, made from sheep raised and sheared in this very valley. We then visit the historic cemetery, where some grave markers are carved in German. We vow to return to this charming little hamlet and, next time, stay the night.

Arthurdale Also known as “Eleanor’s Little Village,” Arthurdale was FDR’s first New Deal homestead community and is an essential part of any West Virginia

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Tour Stops ›› Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine www.beckley.org 304-256-1747

›› Cass Scenic Railroad State Park www.cassrailroad.com 304-456-4300

›› Seneca State Forest www.senecastateforest.com 304-799-6213

›› Helvetia

www.helvetiawv.com

›› Arthurdale

www.arthurdaleheritage.org 304-864-3959

Photo courtesy of West Virginia Department of Commerce

A homestead house in Arthurdale built by the federal government under President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal.

historic road trip. At its genesis, Eleanor Roosevelt was moved by the plight of company-town families who were deeply in debt to their employers for their houses and provisions.

Many were compelled to borrow “scrip” (substitute legal tender, redeemable only at company stores) at high interest rates, which they could never repay.

During the Great Depression, when many such families were unable to feed their children, the government purchased land from a man named Richard Arthur, built 165 homestead houses and selected residents based on applications with strict criteria.

Arthurdale—now a National Historic District—was Eleanor’s pet project, created with the hope of returning families to self-sufficiency.

Families residing in Arthurdale were responsible for their own rent and expenses, but they worked in the cooperative industries and businesses that were started there. Men forged iron, built furniture, worked at the automotive service station and farmed, while women were involved in spinning and

weaving, making clothing, rugs, aprons and tablecloths to sell.

Arthurdale Heritage, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation of this experimental community, provides us with our own private tour, including stops at the New Deal Homestead Museum, a forge, a service station, a dance hall (where one young Arthurdale resident reportedly got to dance the Virginia Reel with Eleanor herself ) and one of the original homes.

Afterward, we take a self-guided driving tour through the town, which is still inhabited today (as privately owned homes), playing “I spy” to locate the three house types that were constructed between 1933 and 1937 in this charming, but ultimately failed, attempt at a more equitable distribution of wealth. n Sue Eisenfeld of Arlington writes about history, travel and nature. She is the author of Shenandoah: A Story of Conservation and Betrayal (University of Nebraska Press, 2015). Find her at www.sueeisenfeld.com.

Got extra time? Consider adding these stops to your road trip itinerary.

›› Thomas Located just 3 miles from the headwaters of the Potomac River, Thomas was once a coal company town. Much of its history is preserved in the 48 properties in the City of Thomas Commercial Historic District, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. You can pick up a copy of the “Self-Guided Walking Tour/Map and Information” from any number of businesses in Thomas or download it at historicthomaswv.com. It’s a .7-mile leisurely walk that takes about 45 minutes.

›› Thurmond One of West Virginia’s 69 ghost towns, Thurmond—once a boomtown in the coal and railroad heyday—is now preserved and managed by the National Park Service as part of the New River Gorge National River. For more information, visit www.nps.gov and ghosttowns.com.

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Pets

By Alexandra Nowicki

Sticking it to pain Shortly after Denise Unterman of Takoma Park adopted Honeybee last fall, she noticed that the 5-year-old mixed-breed dog was limping on her hind legs and often very stiff after long periods of lying down. So Unterman took Honeybee to a Rockville veterinary practice, where the dog was diagnosed with arthritis stemming from hip dysplasia.

Honeybee’s condition didn’t require surgery, Unterman learned, but something needed to be done to ease her discomfort. Unterman’s vet at Pet Dominion recommended trying acupuncture, a practice normally used to treat humans.

Unterman says she noticed a dramatic improvement in Honeybee’s condition after the first treatment, which was combined with laser heat therapy. After three treatments over five weeks, much of the dog’s arthritis pain was eliminated, Unterman says.

“She bounces around, she doesn’t favor her bad leg,” Unterman says. “She doesn’t look like a dog who has arthritis.”

Local vets say that acupuncture for animals, which stems from the ancient Chinese practice, is rapidly gaining popularity among pet owners as a way to treat pain, neurological disorders and gastrointestinal disorders in dogs and cats.

The treatment, offered by area vets since

the 1980s, involves the insertion of small needles to ease discomfort by stimulating the body’s natural reactions. In 2014, the American Veterinary Medical Association voted to begin formally working with the American Academy of Veterinary Acupuncture (AAVA) as an ally organization.

Nicole Karrasch, an anesthesiologist and acupuncturist at Friendship Hospital for Animals in Friendship Heights, believes that acupuncture is becoming more popular because pet owners are doing more to keep their pets alive longer. Older pets are more likely to suffer from ailments and diseases that seem to be responsive to acupuncture.

Karrasch says that acupuncture can be a less invasive form of treatment and produce fewer negative side effects than pain medications. But acupuncture can’t be used in place of surgery, she says: “It can be a good supplemental treatment.”

Acupuncture also can be helpful in treating behavioral problems such as anxiety disorders, phobias and elimination disorders, like house-soiling. Often, the treatment will be used in conjunction with medications or behavioral classes, says Christina Zeoli, an associate veterinarian and acupuncturist at Pet Dominion, where acupuncture sessions cost $50 to $100.

Some clients may shy away from the treatment because they think it is

“some weird holistic approach,” Zeoli says. However, she points out that the practice is based on knowledge of anatomy and physiology. Several veterinary schools and organizations, such as the AAVA and the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society, certify vets in the practice of acupuncture—it’s smart for pet owners to ask about certifications before beginning any treatment.

“It’s very safe, that’s the big benefit.

There are hardly any side effects,” Zeoli says.

Last fall, Allen Malman’s 8-year-old calico, Midge, became the first cat to be treated with acupuncture at Pet Dominion. The cat was treated for a limp in her front leg and severe constipation, says Malman, a Bethesda resident.

On treatment days, Malman dropped Midge off at Pet Dominion in the morning to help the cat acclimate to being away from home. In the afternoon, she was placed in an exam room where classical music was playing.

After eight sessions, Midge no longer needed monthly treatments for constipation and was able to move as she had before developing a limp. “It seems to be an effective treatment,” Malman says.

“We have been very happy.” n Alexandra Nowicki is an editorial intern.

illustration by goodloe byron

More pet owners are trying acupuncture for their cats and dogs

340 may/june 2015 | BethesdaMagazine.com

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Our Seventeenth Summer of Fun & Affordable Family Entertainment!

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The Bethesda Big Train baseball team came to fruition through the passion and charitable work of the Bethesda Community Baseball Club. Upon seeing that the area’s softball and baseball fields were in disarray, this group quickly took to the task of improving them for the community’s youth. After raising the money to fix the parks, the organization erected Shirley Povich Field to give the Bethesda Big Train a place to call home. A summer collegiate baseball team, the Big Train delights fans with the sounds of summer: the crack of the bat, the smack of a fastball hitting the catcher’s mitt, and the buzz of a cell phone politely vibrating. The team members also aspire to be role models for the region’s younger generation, showing them that they can play baseball at a high level while still putting college, their studies, and their right to wear sweatpants to class first. Today the club participates in the Cal Ripken League and has won the league’s championship three seasons in a row, giving locals and fans plenty to cheer about while enjoying family fun out under the summer’s warm evening sky.

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etc. f l a s h b ac k

BY MARK WALSTON

step right up In 1891, the first trolley line came to Bethesda, with open cars tootling up Wisconsin Avenue, taking a left at Old Georgetown Road, then heading crosscounty to eventually reach Rockville.

One of the original termini of the trolley was near the site of the present-day Bethesda communities of Sonoma and Oakmont, and there along the tracks rose a sparkling enticement for trolley riders: Bethesda Park. Shortly after its opening in the summer of 1891, the park became one of the area’s most vibrant amusement parks—“Queen of the Pleasure Grounds,” the marketers touted.

Local entrepreneurs Richard Drum and John Beall spearheaded the park’s construction. Beall, a director of the trolley company, was one of Bethesda’s largest landowners and a real estate developer whose properties ran along the newly laid tracks.

The park opened on July 4, 1891, amid a shower of fireworks, and soon a bevy of attractions beckoned revelers, including a roller coaster, Ferris wheel, photo gallery, magic lantern exhibits and a fancy park café managed by Alexandre Fortin, White House chef under the Arthur and Cleveland administrations.

Visitors could surround themselves in exotic flora, stroll through a menagerie

exhibiting live panthers and other wild animals, or watch hot-air balloons ascend. National acts appeared regularly during the summer: Wichita Jack thrilled audiences with his Wild West show; Prince Leo proved why he was “King of the Tight Rope Walkers”; Professor Hampton’s dog circus delighted.

Bethesda Park was not the only trolley-line amusement park summoning crowds to the area. Also in 1891, twin brothers Edward and Edwin Baltzley opened the National Chautauqua at Glen Echo, a sprawling complex intended to be a “center of liberal and practical education, especially among the masses of people.” A trolley line brought knowledge-seekers from D.C. straight to the Chautauqua entrance.

The enterprise couldn’t find its audience and lasted less than two years. The Baltzleys then rented the property to the Glen Echo Co., which transformed it into an amusement park. In 1903, the company began to expand the park when it purchased property owned by the Washington Railway and Electric Co., which operated the trolley line running from Union Station to the park’s gate. At its peak in 1920, the park drew 400,000 visitors a year. (By 1968, dwindling crowds and mounting upkeep forced the park’s closure. Today,

the property is operated by the National Park Service as a cultural arts center.)

During the 1890s, along Connecticut Avenue, the newly constructed trolley from D.C. carried fun-seekers out to Chevy Chase Lake, a pocket of an amusement park. Rowboat rentals, music in the bandstand provided by the United States Marine Band under the direction of John Philip Souza, shaded picnic spots, bowling alleys, a large dance pavilion and thousands of tiny flickering lights reflecting off the water’s surface made a festive scene. The streetcar line stopped running in 1935, and the park closed shortly thereafter.

Bethesda Park’s reign as the queen of the pleasure grounds was short lived.

On Sept. 29, 1895, a hurricane ripped through the Bethesda area, demolishing buildings, downing electric lines, cutting off telegraph and telephone service, and halting the trolleys. The storm completely destroyed the park; what the winds didn’t demolish, the toppling trees crushed. All that remained standing unscathed were the stone entrance pillars on Wisconsin Avenue, which were eventually torn down as well. n Mark Walston is an author and historian raised in Bethesda and living in Olney.

Photo illustration by alice kresse

In the late-19th and early-20th centuries, trolley companies lured riders with sparkling amusement parks

342 may/june 2015 | BethesdaMagazine.com

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By Kathleen Seiler Neary

family portrait

What they inherited with the house: “We didn’t get it inspected and then about a year later the heater went out, the roof was leaking,” Nicole says. “But Dan’s parents are absolutely lovely and were so helpful to us.” There’s a grand piano in the house that Dan’s parents and siblings played. “Nobody really knows how to get it out,” Nicole says. “So when we bought the house, we knew it was coming with it.”

How time stands still: On occasion, Dan has mindlessly walked into the house and up to his old room, now daughter Georgia’s room. “He still refers to the houses around us as the house of the person that lived there when he was growing up,” Nicole says.

Where they take the kids: “We eat out quite a bit in downtown Bethesda,” says Nicole, who calls Redwood Restaurant and Bar a favorite. “We love to sit on the patio. You can have a nice dinner and the kids can run around and you can see them.” The family also goes to Imagination Stage.

Looking ahead: The house has been in the Levine family for 46 years. “At a very emotional level I feel attached to the house,” Nicole says. “It would be kind of cool to see if one of our kids would buy it.” n

photo by skip brown

Nicole and Dan Levine moved from Washington, D.C.’s Mount Pleasant to Bethesda’s Woodhaven neighborhood in 2007, when they bought the home Dan grew up in from his parents. Their two children (Georgia, 9, and Charlie, 7) attend Burning Tree Elementary School, just as Dan did. Dan oversees technology services for the Advisory Board Company in Washington, and Nicole is the chief business development officer for nonprofit Polaris, also based in Washington.

344 MAY/JUNE 2015 | BethesdaMagazine.com

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