Bethesda Magazine: May-June 2017

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THE FOOD AND RESTAURANT ISSUE MAY/JUNE 2017

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MAY/JUNE 2017 MADE IN MOCO | OODLES OF NOODLES | BEHIND THE SCENES AT STRATHMORE

Your guide to local farms, breweries, wineries and more

BethesdaMagazine.com

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he ranking of Lakewood Country Club as course; a new state-of-the-art tennis Air Structure among the “Best of the Best” by the readers to complement the existing, permanent facility; an of Bethesda Magazine fulfilled a key aspect Aquatic complex with separate areas for the Club’s of Lakewood’s Mission Statement “...a premier fullyoungest members to the most dedicated swimmers; service, family-orientated, diverse private country and dining that focuses on healthy lifestyle offerings club, providing members and to traditional Club favorites. their families with exceptional Yes, Lakewood Members have golf, dining, recreation and social a wealth of recreational, dining amenities and facilities.” and social Club events to enjoy, There are several key points whether with the family - such as related to the Club’s Mission the Memorial Day, Independence Statement that are worth pointing Day and Labor Day celebrations out. First, the Club has created - to special adult-themed events a solid reputation for being where Members are encouraged Lakewood’s new tennis facility, covering four extremely Family-Friendly, to invite guests to enjoy the outdoor Har-Tru clay courts, features the very beginning with its facilities, unique experiences. latest in Air-Structure technology dining environment and its Located just west of I-270 casual lifestyle. Second, it is a very on Glen Mill Road, bordered diverse Club. It has individuals from broad multiby Wootton Parkway and just minutes from Shady cultural backgrounds representing the same type of Grove and Darnestown Roads, the site was selected diversity that is present across the Washington, D.C. by the Club’s founding members as having wonderful metropolitan area! Finally, it is firmly committed rolling terrain and breathtaking views with the many to providing its Membership with some of the scenic elevation changes set among the grounds. highest quality amenities: a Rees Jones premier golf

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To kick-start the Club’s strong golf beginnings, none other that “Slammin’ Sam” Snead was not only part of the original ground-breaking ceremony, but he also hit the first official golf shot on the course at the same time!

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The prices of our homes, included features, plans, specifications, promotions/incentives, neighborhood build-out and available locations are subject to change without notice. Stated dimensions, square footage and acreage are approximate and should not be used as a representation of any home’s or homesite’s precise or actual size, location or orientation. There is no guarantee that any particular homesite or home will be available. No information or material herein is to be construed to be an offer or solicitation for sale. Not all features and options are available in all homes. Unless otherwise expressly stated, homes do not come with hardscape, landscape, or other decorator items. Community maps, illustrations, plans and/or amenities reflect our current vision and are subject to change without notice. Maps not to scale. Some amenities may not yet be constructed. Builder reserves the right to change the size, design, configuration and location of amenities not yet constructed and does not warrant the suitability thereof for any use or for any person. There is no guarantee that any particular homesite, home or common area will offer a view or that any particular view will be preserved. Views may also be altered by subsequent development, construction, and landscaping growth. Any photographs or renderings used herein reflect artists’ conceptions and are for illustrative purposes only. Photographs or renderings of people do not depict or indicate any preference regarding race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, handicap/physical disability, familial status, or national origin. A link to a third party website does not imply endorsement of that site nor any ability to control that site’s privacy practices. Marketing promotions/incentives, if any, are subject to conditions or restrictions and are subject to change without notice. No warranty or guarantee is made regarding any particular area public school/school district or that any particular public school/school district will service any given community.

Schools/school districts may change over time. Builder does not warrant the suitability of any trail for any use or for any person. Trails may be dangerous—use at your own risk. You must visit a Winchester Homes New Home Gallery to purchase a home. Please consult a New Home Advisor for specific price and other information for each community. Please see the actual purchase agreement for additional information, disclosures, and disclaimers relating to any home, homesite and/or the features thereof. A Broker/Agent must register their client in person on client’s first visit at each community for a Broker/Agent to receive a commission or referral fee, if available.

Our name and the logos contained herein are registered trademarks of TRI Pointe Group, Inc. and/or its subsidiaries. Winchester is a registered trademark and is used with permission. MHBR No. 57. © 2017 Winchester Homes Inc., a member of the TRI Pointe Group. All rights reserved.

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May/June 2017 | Volume 14 Issue 3

contents

P. 160

124 Made in MoCo

160 Oodles of Noodles

168 Secrets of Servers

Farm to table. Locally grown. Artisanmade. Those may be hip buzzwords, but what do they mean in Montgomery County? We dig into what’s made and grown here.

Seven local dishes you have to taste for yourself

They never know what their shifts will bring, but they pull out all the stops to boost tabs, turn tables and make their guests happy

BY CAROLE SUGARMAN

Photo of Fritz Glenn taken at Rocklands Farm by Laura Chase McGehee

BY DAVID HAGEDORN

COVER

16 MAY/JUNE 2017 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

BY NEVIN MARTELL

PHOTO BY STACY ZARIN-GOLDBERG

THE FOOD AND RESTAURANT ISSUE

contents

FEATURES 210 Brave New World

At 18, she’s busy with cheerleading, homework and hanging out with friends—things her parents weren’t sure she’d ever do

When a Bethesda couple took over the Politics and Prose bookstore in 2011, some wondered if they could keep the Chevy Chase, D.C., institution afloat. Six years later, business is booming.

BY CINDY RICH

BY STEVE GOLDSTEIN

18 MAY/JUNE 2017 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

222 All Rise Wynton Marsalis brings the most ambitious show of the season to Strathmore. Can a synchronization of musicians, singers and crew pull it off?

BY STEPHANIE SIEGEL BURKE

232 Bringing Him Home

246 Bethesda Interview

Potomac physician Rob Freishtat was volunteering at a Haitian hospital when he first set eyes on a toddler named Luke. That’s when life changed for both of them.

NBC4 sports anchor and reporter Carol Maloney talks about why she doesn’t like the teleprompter, getting Jayson Werth to talk to her on camera, and that time she tried to dunk

BY BARA VAIDA

BY BETHANY RODGERS

PHOTO BY LIZ LYNCH

192 Being Delaney Dunigan

P. 210

W E ’ L L T R E AT YOU LIKE F A M I LY. . .

M AY B E E V E N BETTER

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contents

DEPARTMENTS 263

26 | CONTRIBUTORS

home

325

dine

264 | HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS

326 | REVIEW

Mix and match textures and natural materials for a simple summer refresh

Community, the Woodmont Triangle diner, has issues

266 | CHILD’S PLAY

330 | TABLE TALK What’s happening on the local food scene

Can’t-miss arts events

Sport courts, pools and activity zones are the new craze in landscape design. Three area homes score big with kids of all ages.

42 | ARTS CALENDAR

286 | CLOSET CONTROL

Where to go, what to see

Tips to reimagine a place to get ready and organize your clothes

33

good life

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

38 | BEST BETS

53

banter

292 | HOME SALES BY THE NUMBERS

people. politics. books. columns.

56 | FIGURATIVELY SPEAKING Golf by the numbers

305

News you may have missed

66 | BOOK REPORT New books by local authors, literary events and more

72 | SUBURBANOLOGY ‘The help’: Why does the separation of “us” and “them” still exist?

BY APRIL WITT

Get dinner wrapped up with burritos

338 | DINING GUIDE

357

etc.

358 | SHOP TALK

health

Patterned workout pants to give you a leg up.

Plus, a stylist’s picks for summer parties.

306 | BE WELL

62 | QUICK TAKES

336 | COOKING CLASS

A Bethesda doctor finds inspiration from working with elderly patients

362 | WEDDINGS

308 | ‘THE LUCKIEST UNLUCKY PERSON’

366 | GET AWAY

Jaiwen Hsu was 11 when he found out the pain in his knee was more than a soccer injury. Now the Walt Whitman senior class president wants to help young people who are battling cancer like he did.

318 | WELLNESS CALENDAR

76 | HOMETOWN

A special day on the bay

Your cheat sheet for a weekend away

369 | DRIVING RANGE You needn’t cross the Atlantic for authentic Shakespeare theater. Just head to the Shenandoah Valley.

374 | PETS How insurance can help with vet bills

376 | FAMILY PORTRAIT

Uncovering the history of a black community on River Road

BY STEVE ROBERTS

Snapshot of local lives

AD SECTIONS 2017 FACES 82

PROFILES: ATTORNEYS 175

LONG & FOSTER AD SECTION 255

20 MAY/JUNE 2017 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

BUILDERS & ARCHITECTS SHOWCASE 274

COMPASS AD SECTION 301

DENTIST FINDER 322

PHOTO BY MICHAEL VENTURA

24 | TO OUR READERS

P. 330

Experienced Bankers. Exceptional Service.

Local Decision Makers to Help You Succeed.

L to R: Anne Kline, Revere Bank, SVP, Relationship Manager; Yee Yee Tun, Revere Bank, VP, Bethesda Branch Manager; Brad Rozansky, Long & Foster

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Revere Bank's recent expansion makes banking even more convenient. With their responsive, personalized service, I can get a deal done quickly. Their team of experienced professionals

”

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❱❱ ONLINE EXTRAS ❱❱ Go behind the scenes of our cover shoot at Rocklands Farm.

❱❱ Watch a local filmmaker’s Oscar-

Enter for a chance to win a

Session at Stone Ridge Summer CampUs The Mini or Mighty Gators program from July 5-7 is for rising preschoolers, kindergarteners or first-graders. Hands-on activities will engage little campers’ intellectual and creative minds.

STARTING

JUNE 1

nominated documentary short, Joe’s Violin, at joesviolin.com.

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ROCKLANDS FARM PHOTO BY LAURA CHASE MCGEHEE

Explore past issues and stories using our searchable archives.

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to our readers

THE MAKERS

IT’S HARD TO IMAGINE now, but the primary industry in Montgomery County in its early days was farming. Even Bethesda and Chevy Chase were the home of many farms (including slave plantations where Columbia Country Club, Westfield Montgomery mall and Westland Middle School stand today).

That began to change after the Civil War and especially after World War II, when the demand for housing skyrocketed and many farms (especially in the lower county) were sold to residential developers.

Today, out of 540,000 county residents in the civilian workforce, 490 list “farming, fishing and forestry” as their occupations, according to the U.S. Census. That’s less than 1 percent of the workers. (In Bethesda and Chevy Chase, only eight people claim those occupations.)

The number of farmers in the county these days is still small—but it’s growing. Nearly 100 more residents list “farming, fishing and forestry” as their occupation than just 15 years ago.

The renaissance started in 1980, when the county council set aside 90,000 acres—about one-third of all the county land—as an agricultural reserve that was off limits to development.

Today, as writer Carole Sugarman chronicles in “Made in MoCo” (page 124), there’s a vibrant and growing agricultural and “maker” scene in the county, thanks to financial incentives the county offers and a hardy group of entrepreneurs like the Markoff brothers at Calleva Farm in Dickerson and Greg and Anna Glenn at Rocklands Farm in Poolesville. (That’s Greg and Anna’s son Fritz on the cover of the magazine.)

The county is now home to 540 working farms, growing fruits and vegetables, and producing dairy products and meat. There are also five wineries (including one at Rocklands), four breweries and a new distillery, Twin Valley in Rockville.

Increasingly, county residents are starting to enjoy the fruits (literally and figuratively) of the makers.

Montgomery-made food and alcohol are now available at numerous farmers markets, roadside stands, stores 24 MAY/JUNE 2017 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

and restaurants, and through Community Supported Agriculture, or CSAs. (I recently bought a bottle of 1812 bourbon from Twin Valley Distillers at the Bethesda Central Farm Market.)

In addition, the makers are starting to get more sophisticated about attracting consumers to their locations with special events, tours and tasting rooms. My wife, Susan, and I go to two of the farm-to-table communal dinners at Calleva every summer.

For Sugarman, researching and writing the story was the culmination of years of interest in the local food scene.

“As a journalist…and as a member of the Montgomery County Food Council, I feel strongly about generating awareness and interest in local products,” she says. “There are so many stories and passionate people out there— among them a Zimbabwe-born woman growing horned melons at her farm in Gaithersburg; a full-time teacher at Montgomery Blair High School and farm owner who raises vegetables for area restaurants and runs a CSA with the help of at-risk adolescents; and five local women who switched careers simply because they loved to make chocolate.”

Sugarman adds: “After living in Montgomery County for nearly 30 years, I never realized how big, how close and how many interesting people and farms there are in our agricultural reserve. What also surprised me is the untapped potential—more connections could be made between food producers and consumers in the county.”

My hope is that Sugarman’s story will help our readers make those connections—and to enjoy the bounty that is “Made in MoCo.” Please email me your thoughts on Sugarman’s story and the May/June issue at steve.hull@bethesdamagazine.com.

STEVE HULL Editor & Publisher

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Do you wish for a marriage that is more respectful and fun?

contributors

Has it been a while since you felt free from anxiety or stress?

Are you worried about your teenager’s eating behaviors or exercise habits?

CAROLE SUGARMAN LIVES IN: Chevy Chase IN THIS ISSUE: Wrote about Montgomery County farms and food products. “Not far from the traffic and shopping centers of lower Montgomery County lies another world of barns, fields and farmers, one that I definitely enjoyed exploring.”

WHAT SHE DOES: Contributing editor at Bethesda Magazine, and a member of the Montgomery County Food Council, an independent nonprofit that works to improve the environmental, economic, social and nutritional health of the county’s food system. During almost 10 years as food editor of Bethesda Magazine, she regularly scouted out local food artisans.

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THE APPEAL OF LOCAL FOOD: “I love the sense of community and connection it creates, as well as the idea of supporting people and businesses close to home. I’ve thought from time to time about bagging journalism and opening a bakery.”

FAVORITE SPORTS EVENT: “The Olympics, hands down. For some reason, I can stare at judo or javelin-throwing for hours, as long as a gold medal is involved.”

HOW SHE LIKES TO STAY ACTIVE: Running outdoors and hiking. “It’s great to get my heart pumping, but I have to avoid activities that demand any level of coordination.”

DREAM JOB: Owner of a small shop that sells only s’mores and hot chocolate, but offers them in dozens of flavor combinations.

26 MAY/JUNE 2017 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

COURTESY PHOTOS

parenting skills • affairs & trust issues anxiety & depression • work/life balance self-esteem & self-worth • sex & intimacy divorce & separation decisions eating disorders • pregnancy & infertility remarriage • aging parents • LGBTQ issues military & veterans

PREVIOUS FARM TRIPS: As a longtime food reporter at The Washington Post, she wrote about grape tomatoes in Florida, cattle in Colorado, peas grown for Gerber in Michigan, satellite farming in Iowa, a dairy operation in Paradise, Pennsylvania, and more. She also covered food product manufacturing, watching as everything from hot dogs and orange juice to Fig Newtons and Necco candy hearts were being made.

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EDITORIAL EDITOR

Steve Hull DESIGN DIRECTOR

Maire McArdle MANAGING EDITOR

Rebecca Scherr SENIOR EDITOR

Cindy Rich ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Kathleen Seiler Neary DEPUTY ART DIRECTOR

Laura F. Goode DESIGNER

Jenny Ragone BETHESDA BEAT MANAGING EDITOR

Julie Rasicot BETHESDA BEAT WRITERS

Andrew Metcalf, Bethany Rodgers, Joe Zimmermann

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Many of our companions’ skin problems can be difficult to diagnose and manage. That’s why Friendship Hospital’s board-certified dermatologists, Dr. Darcie Kunder and Dr. Fiona Lee, receive referrals from veterinarians all over the East Coast.

WEB PRODUCER

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David Hagedorn CONTRIBUTING EDITORS

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Sandra Fleishman, Steve Wilder EDITORIAL INTERN

Patrick Basler DESIGN INTERNS

Drs. Kunder and Lee received the highest-level training in this specialized field of medicine and taught at a premier veterinary college before joining the Friendship team. With great expertise and compassion, Drs. Kunder and Lee will properly diagnose and treat disorders of the skin, from flea allergies to autoimmune disease. They’ll give you the answers – and the relief – you and your companion need.

Call 202.363.7300 today to make your appointment with Dr. Kunder or Dr. Lee.

Leslie Katz, Jared Scroggins CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Caralee Adams, Jennifer Barger, Stephanie Siegel Burke, James Michael Causey, Dina ElBoghdady, David Frey, Steve Goldstein, Christine Koubek, Nevin Martell, Laurie McClellan, Brian Patterson, Amy Reinink, Steve Roberts, Charlotte Safavi, Jennifer Sergent, Miranda S. Spivack, Bara Vaida, Mark Walston, Carolyn Weber, Kathleen Wheaton, April Witt PHOTOGRAPHERS & ILLUSTRATORS

Edgar Artiga, Anne Bentley, Skip Brown, Heather Fuentes, Erick Gibson, Lisa Helfert, Alice Kresse, Liz Lynch, Laura Chase McGehee, Tai Randall, Jared Scroggins, Amanda Smallwood, Mary Ann Smith, Michael Ventura, Stacy Zarin-Goldberg Bethesda Magazine is published six times a year by Kohanza Media Ventures, LLC. © 2009-2017 Letters to the editor: Please send letters (with your name, the town you live in and your daytime phone number) to letters@bethesdamagazine.com.

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

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

good life

OFF TO THE RACES PHOTO BY ROBERT KELLER

AS SOON AS THE Kiplinger estate gates open for the Potomac Hunt Races, carloads of horse lovers pour in to tailgate—many of them rail-side for the best viewing. Now in its 65th year, the charity event, benefiting families of fallen military personnel, features eight races (some with jumps, some flat) and ends with a pony race for children.

Much of the entertainment is geared toward families, with a stick-horse race for kids, a petting zoo and a climbing wall. As

for what to wear, dress for the weather but anything goes, from jeans and boots to sundresses and fancy hats. Bring your own food and libations, or buy from vendors on-site.

Potomac Hunt Races, Kiplinger estate, 14401B Partnership Road, Poolesville, May 21, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. (races start at noon), $40 per vehicle, $225 for rail-side parking spot, potomachuntraces.com. —Caralee Adams BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM | MAY/JUNE 2017

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PHOTO BY ERICK GIBSON

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MAY/JUNE 2017 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

A DAY IN THE COUNTRY SCATTERED THROUGHOUT THE SOUTH Mountain Region in Frederick County are beautiful old barns. Usually closed to the public, these private farm buildings are living history lessons, portals into Maryland’s agricultural past.

On June 10, the 11th annual Barnstormers Tour and Plein Air Paint-Out will give visitors the chance to time travel, sending them back to the early years of the barns with demonstrations on blacksmithing, antique farm tools, quilting and more. Guests drive their own cars to the nine barns, exploring at their pace. Guides will be available at each location to

answer questions. The farms will also feature local artists creating paintings of the barns, and their work will be for sale in a show the same day.

The tour is from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and costs $15; it’s free for children 16 and younger. Tickets with a map of the barns can be purchased at the Frederick Visitor’s Center in advance or at the Garver farm (12401 Glissans Mill Road, Mt. Airy) on June 10. The free art show, also at the Garver farm, is from 3 to 6 p.m. More information is at frederickcountylandmarksfoundation.org.

—Patrick Basler

BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM | MAY/JUNE 2017

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MAY/JUNE 2017 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

UNDER A FULL MOON

PHOTO BY SKIP BROWN

THE SCENIC CHESAPEAKE & OHIO Canal National Historical Park is a special setting in the evening and at night. Seeing a full moon just before the sun has fully gone down—whether from a kayak on the water or from the towpath alongside—can be memorable.

The park closes to the public at sunset, so for a longer after-dark stay in the park, join a hike with the Capital Hiking Club (capitalhikingclub.org), which has a permit to be in the park at night for its moonlight hikes.

Open to all, the 4-mile hikes usually happen every five weeks, from March to November, on the Fridays closest to full moons. This year, because of trail construction,

the hikes will begin in June. Anywhere from a dozen to a hundred hikers show up with a flashlight to join the kidand dog-friendly two-hour trek. After a brief history lesson, the leader takes hikers on the flat and fairly easy towpath until reaching Great Falls, where they follow the Olmstead Island boardwalk out to watch the cascading water glow in the moonlight.

The Capital Hiking Club’s moonlight hikes are free and don’t require a reservation. Meet at the parking lot across from Old Angler’s Inn in Potomac at 8:15 p.m.; the hike is from 8:30 to 10:30 p.m.

—Patrick Basler BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM | MAY/JUNE 2017

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BEST BETS

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

BY STEPHANIE SIEGEL BURKE

A LIVING LEGEND Even at 90 years old, Tony Bennett is still selling out concert halls and thrilling audiences. The legendary crooner first rose to prominence in the 1950s and ’60s with hits “Rags to Riches” and “I Left My Heart in San Francisco.” He’s earned 17 Grammys, including one for Cheek to Cheek (his 2014 album with Lady Gaga) and one for MTV Unplugged: Tony Bennett (which won for Album of the Year in 1995 and reignited his career among Gen Xers). Frank Sinatra called him the “best singer in the business.” See why when Bennett headlines Strathmore’s annual spring gala, which also includes a cocktail reception, dinner and post-concert dessert.

9 p.m., $86-$176 for performance only, $1,250 for full gala program, The Music Center at Strathmore, strathmore.org

May 20

TEXTS AND THE CITY What do Seinfeld, Abraham Lincoln, Jewish cooking and manic-depressive poet Robert Lowell have in common? They’re all subjects of books by authors who will attend the Gaithersburg Book Festival. The annual event celebrates all things literary and includes writing workshops for children and adults, author presentations, live music and poetry performances. Notable authors include mystery writer Laura Lippman, cookbook author Joan Nathan, psychiatry professor Kay Redfield Jamison, biographer Sidney Blumenthal, and novelists Jami Attenberg and Jane Chang. Activities for children include storytime, crafts, performances and book signings.

10 a.m. to 6 p.m., free, Gaithersburg City Hall, gaithersburgbookfestival.org 38 MAY/JUNE 2017 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

May 11

THE STORY BEHIND THE STORY With the 2014 podcast Serial, listeners were captivated by the 12part story of Adnan Syed, a Baltimore teenager who was convicted of the 1999 murder of his high school girlfriend. The series, which was downloaded more than 175 million times, won a Peabody Award, providing legitimacy to podcasts as a new and modern form of storytelling.

It also raised questions about the case that led to a judge overturning the conviction and ordering a new trial. At Backstage with the Creators of Serial: Binge-Worthy Journalism, co-creators Sarah Koenig and Julie Snyder will share stories from behind the scenes of the podcast and explain what went into making it.

8 p.m., $30-$75, The Music Center at Strathmore, strathmore.org

TONY BENNETT PHOTO COURTESY OF STRATHMORE; BOOK FESTIVAL PHOTO COURTESY OF CITY OF GAITHERSBURG

May 6

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good life

BEST BETS May 27-29

HOMETOWN TRADITION

Hometown Holidays, Saturday and Sunday, 2 to 10 p.m.; Memorial Day ceremony and parade, Monday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., free, Rockville Town Center, rockvillemd.gov

May 27

WHOOPING IT UP When it comes to entertainment, Whoopi Goldberg has pretty much done it all. She’s one of the few entertainers to win an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony award, plus a Golden Globe for good measure. Known for her stand-up comedy and both dramatic and comedic acting roles, she’s also a prolific producer and writer. With her signature blend of humor and outrageous personality, the pop culture icon will share her unique views and commentary at Strathmore.

She’ll also go unscripted, answering audience questions.

8 p.m., $65-$130, The Music Center at Strathmore, strathmore.org

June 2-3

MAKERS MARKET URBNmarket brings its Etsy-flavored shopping experience back to Park Potomac with a curated collection of more than 30 mostly local crafters, artisans and vendors selling handmade and vintage items. Expect one-of-a-kind jewelry, organic bath products, colorful linens and stylish housewares. Music, a beer garden and kids activities lend a festival atmosphere to the two-day event, which takes place outdoors, rain or shine, in the center of the shopping area.

Friday, 3:30 to 8:30 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., free, Park Potomac, urbnmarket.com

40 MAY/JUNE 2017 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

June 21 through Aug. 13

ROCKING DOWN THE RABBIT HOLE From Grace Slick to Tom Petty, many rock ’n’ roll greats have been inspired

by Lewis Carroll’s classic Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. But Imagination Stage in Bethesda reimagines the story as a rock show for children and families in Wonderland: Alice’s Rock & Roll Adventure. The famous trip down the rabbit hole takes a modern, musical turn with this adaptation that casts familiar characters as rock musicians and pits Alice against the Jabberwocky in a battle of the bands. $15-$30, Imagination Stage, imaginationstage.org

WHOOPI GOLDBERG PHOTO COURTESY OF STRATHMORE; WONDERLAND PHOTO COURTESY OF IMAGINATION STAGE; PARADE PHOTO BY THOMAS BELL PHOTOGRAPHY

The Rockville Memorial Day parade has been a tradition since 1944, and while much has changed since then, the spirit and patriotism of the event remains. More than 20,000 spectators are expected to attend the parade, which will feature several floats and more than 60 groups, including marching bands, dance troupes and drill teams. The event caps off the weekend Hometown Holidays festival, which includes four stages of live music, the Taste of Rockville and family-friendly activities.

MONICA GARCIA HARMS Principal

Family Law Attorney

FANCY FLIERS The annual Wings of Fancy Live Butterfly & Caterpillar Exhibit at Brookside Gardens in Wheaton features hundreds of live butterflies and caterpillars from around the world. The insects fly freely among plants and flowers inside the South Conservatory. Here are four things to know about the exhibit:

THE JOURNEY: The butterflies come from the United States, Malaysia, the Philippines, Australia, Kenya, El Salvador, Colombia, Costa Rica and Ecuador.

Before they’ve hatched, they are packed carefully into boxes and delivered to Brookside by UPS or FedEx.

SPECIAL APPEARANCE: North American butterfly pupa are displayed in a specially built cabinet. Visit during morning hours for your best chance to see a butterfly emerge from its pupa and prepare to fly.

HOW IS CHILD SUPPORT CALCULATED?

In Maryland, child support is generally calculated based on the Maryland Child Support Guidelines, which focus on the parents’ incomes rather than the children’s actual expenses, unless it is an “above guidelines” case.

The Guidelines utilize the “income shares model” meaning that children of divorced parents are entitled to the same level of financial support as children of intact families. An “above guidelines” case is when the combined income of the parents exceeds $180,000 per year. In this scenario the Court may use its discretion in setting the amount of child support, rather than relying solely on the Guidelines.

Other expenses considered are direct payments made for the benefit of the child, including the cost of work-related childcare, health insurance for the child, extraordinary medical expenses and certain additional expenses for the child (e.g., private school).

Stein Sperling’s family law team understands that few areas of the law are as personal or fraught with emotion as matters concerning family. These issues require an attorney who is sensitive to your needs and the emotional impact of family matters, yet is also practical in helping you achieve the best possible outcome for you and your child.

PLAYING DEFENSE: Butterflies protect themselves from predators in different ways. Look for butterflies with large fake “eye spots” on their wings to make them appear big and fierce. Other butterflies have leaf-like wings to blend in with their surroundings.

ISTOCK

HIDDEN COLORS: The big blue morpho butterflies are only blue on the top side, which is visible when they fly. When they land, they fold their wings above their bodies and show the brown underside.

Wings of Fancy, daily through Sept. 17, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; $8 ages 13 and older, $5 ages 3-12, free for ages 2 and under; montgomeryparks.org/brookside/wings_ of_fancy.shtm n

25 West Middle Lane • Rockville, Maryland 20850 301-340-2020 • www.steinsperling.com Monica Garcia Harms co-chairs the Family Law department at Stein Sperling. Her thorough knowledge and understanding of her clients’ circumstances and needs distinguish her approach to the practice of family law. Monica represents clients in complex matters including divorce, contested custody, support and property allocation.

BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM | MAY/JUNE 2017

41

good life arts & entertainment

CALENDAR pop-rock quintet Mayday Parade has produced five studio albums full of hearton-sleeve lyrics. The fifth album, Black Lines, was released in October 2015. 7:30 p.m. $25. The Fillmore, Silver Spring. 301960-9999, www.fillmoresilverspring.com.

May 18 BSO: MOVIE AND MUSIC—E.T. THE EXTRATERRESTRIAL IN CONCERT. Watch the film on a giant high-definition screen as conductor Jack Everly leads the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra in performing John Williams’ Academy Award-winning score.

8 p.m. $35-$99. The Music Center at Strathmore, North Bethesda.

301-581-5100, www.bsomusic.org.

May 18

Rock singer and jazz artist Storm Large comes to AMP by Strathmore on May 6 and 7.

THE MERSEY BEATLES. The tribute band from Liverpool celebrates the 50th anniversary of Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band by performing the full album and other iconic hits. 8 p.m. $30-$55. AMP

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

May 20 CARMINA BURANA. The National Philharmonic is joined by Strathmore Children’s Chorus for a concert of Makris’ Alleluia, Tchaikovsky’s politically charged 1812 Overture and Orff’s rousing Carmina Burana. 8 p.m. $23-$78. Children ages 7-17 can attend for free with a paying adult. The Music Center at Strathmore, North Bethesda. 301-581-5100, www.strathmore.org.

May 21

May 6-7 STORM LARGE. The rock singer and jazz artist first attracted national attention as a contestant on CBS’s Rock Star: Supernova.

She debuted in D.C. with Pink Martini at the Kennedy Center in 2011 and tours with her own band, Le Bonheur. 8 p.m. $30-$45.

AMP by Strathmore, North Bethesda. 301581-5100, www.ampbystrathmore.com.

May 7 MATT HAIMOVITZ AND CHRISTOPHER O’RILEY. Haimovitz, a cellist, and O’Riley, a pianist, perform four Beethoven sonatas.

7:30 p.m. $31-$41. Bender JCC of Greater Washington, Rockville. 301-881-0100, www.benderjccgw.org.

May 14 MAYDAY PARADE: A LESSON IN ROMANTICS 10TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR. Since forming in 2005, the Florida

42 MAY/JUNE 2017 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

May 25-26 ROY AYERS. After 40 years in the music business, the vibraphonist/vocalist is among the best-known jazz/R&B artists on the music scene. 8 p.m. $45-$55.

Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club, Bethesda. 240-330-4500, www.bethesdabluesjazz.com.

COURTESY OF STRATHMORE

MUSIC

SUNDAY AFTERNOON CONCERT SERIES: JAMES MABRY. The blues guitarist and vocalist brings to life songs stretching from the Mississippi Delta to the juke joints of Kansas City. 2 p.m. Free. Glenview Mansion Conservatory, Rockville.

240-314-8660, www.rockvillemd.gov.

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good life

On June 3, the kids festival Imagination Bethesda includes live music and hands-on activities. See page 48 for details.

May 26

AUDRA MCDONALD. A winner of six Tony Awards, two Grammy Awards and an Emmy Award, McDonald will perform songs from her career. 8 p.m. $45-$105. The Music Center at Strathmore, North Bethesda.

301-581-5100, www.strathmore.org.

June 2

BETTY. The original pop rock band fronted

by Alyson Palmer, with sisters Elizabeth and Amy Ziff, returns to its home turf 30 years later. Its 2013 song “Rise” is a call to action against gender-based violence.

8 p.m. $45; $35 Montgomery College students and alumni. Montgomery College Cultural Arts Center, Silver Spring. 240-5675775, www.montgomerycollege.edu/cac.

June 2

June 3

BSO: GERSHWIN AND PROKOFIEV. It’s all about Paris in the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra program, with Ravel’s Le Tombeau de Couperin; Prokofiev’s Violin Concerto No. 2, with Ukrainian-Israeli violinist Vadim Gluzman; Messiaen’s Les offrandes oubliées; and Gershwin’s An American in Paris. 8 p.m. $35-$99. The Music Center at Strathmore, North Bethesda. 301-5815100, www.bsomusic.org.

June 9

GLADYS KNIGHT. The seven-time Grammy winner returns to Strathmore; her eighth solo album, Where My Heart Belongs, offers gospel and inspirational songs. $58$145. The Music Center at Strathmore, North Bethesda. 301-581-5100, www.strathmore.org.

June 9-18

THE MIKADO. The Victorian Lyric Opera Company presents a fully staged performance, with orchestra, of Gilbert and Sullivan’s comic opera. 8 p.m.

Fridays-Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays. $28; $24 seniors; $20 students. F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre, Rockville. 240-3148690, www.vloc.org.

DANCE May 20 31ST ANNUAL WASHINGTON SPRING BALL. Many of those attending the Folklore Society of Greater Washington ball, which features English country dancing, come dressed up, often in period clothing.

7-11 p.m. Dances are taught from 2:30-5 p.m. at a pre-ball practice session. $33$45; $16.50-$19 students. Silver Spring Civic Building, Silver Spring. www.fsgw.org

THEATER & TALKS Through May 7 OR,. Round House Theatre calls this 2009 work a “madcap comedy.” It involves a 1660s spy turned up-and-coming playwright racing to deliver a play but trying to save the life of King Charles II that same night. 7:30 p.m. Tuesday-Wednesday; 8 p.m. Thursday-Friday; 2 and 8 p.m.

Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday. $36-$65. Round House Theatre, Bethesda. 240-644-1100, www.roundhousetheatre.org.

May 12-28 AN AMERICAN DAUGHTER. In this comic and moving tale about the pitfalls that

44 MAY/JUNE 2017 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

await political appointees, Dr. Lyssa Hughes seems perfect to be U.S. surgeon general until a chance remark sets off a media feeding frenzy. The Arts Barn partners with Montgomery Playhouse. Recommended for ages 15 and older. 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays. $20. The Arts Barn, Gaithersburg. 301-258-6394, www.gaithersburgmd.gov.

May 12-27 THE FANTASTICKS. The Kensington Arts Theatre presents its version of the 1960 off-Broadway production that played 17,162 performances before closing in 2002, the longest-running musical in history. “Try to Remember” is the most famous song from this story about two fathers who create a feud, a wall and a bandit to get their children to fall in love.

8:15 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 2 p.m.

Sundays. $17-$25. Kensington Town Hall, Kensington. 240-621-0528, www.katonline.org.

May 19-June 10 THREE SISTERS. Chekhov’s classic is about three sisters transplanted from their beloved Moscow to a provincial Russian town and their dream that a return will transform their lives. 8 p.m. Fridays and

COURTESY OF IMAGINATION BETHESDA

WASHINGTON PERFORMING ARTS: MEN, WOMEN & CHILDREN OF THE GOSPEL CHOIRS. WPA’s gospel choirs present world-premiere works by American folk/ blues musician Toshi Reagon (daughter of Sweet Honey in the Rock founder Bernice Johnson Reagon) and Stanley Thurston, WPA director of gospel programs. 8 p.m. $35-$75. The Music Center at Strathmore, North Bethesda. 301-581-5100, www.strathmore.org.

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good life Saturdays; 2 p.m. May 28 and June 4. $22-$25. Silver Spring Stage, Silver Spring. 301-593-6036, www.ssstage.org.

June 7-July 2 HOW I LEARNED WHAT I LEARNED. Actor Eugene Lee brings to life the solo show by late Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright August Wilson. The play explores Wilson’s days as a struggling young writer in Pittsburgh and how the neighborhood inspired his cycle of plays about the African-American experience. See website for times. $36$65. Round House Theatre, Bethesda. 240644-1100, www.roundhousetheatre.org.

ART Through May 12 GROUP SHOW. Included are Barbara Bell’s watercolor “In Plain Sight”; Coriolana Simon’s photos “In the Antique Style,” reinterpreting 17th-century Dutch still lifes; Sara Leibman’s “Seasons of Trees,” in oil; and Jennifer Kahn Barlow’s “Life’s Most Delicious Moments,” oil paintings of sweet treats. Gallery hours are 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday; 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Thursday. Free. Glenview Mansion Art Gallery, Rockville. 240-3148660, www.rockvillemd.gov.

Through Jan. 28 RONI HORN. The four-decade retrospective of the internationally known American multimedia artist fills the museum’s 9,000 square feet of gallery space. This is believed to be Horn’s first solo showing in the Washington, D.C., area. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Thursday-Sunday.

Free; visits must be scheduled online.

Glenstone, Potomac. 301-983-5001, www.glenstone.org.

May 9-June 3 TEXTURES IN GLASS: JILL TANENBAUM. The artist uses glass powders, reactive and iridescent glass, paint and copper to create pieces that resemble paintings or fabrics. Gallery hours are noon-6 p.m.

Tuesday-Saturday. Opening reception 6-9 p.m. May 12. Free. Waverly Street Gallery, Bethesda. 301-951-9441, www.waverlystreetgallery.com.

May 18-Sept. 1 JURIED STUDENT EXHIBITION. The annual event showcases the best work of Montgomery College Visual Arts and Design students over the past year.

Works are displayed in the galleries in and around the Cafritz Arts Center. Gallery hours are 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday.

Opening reception 5-7:30 p.m. May 18.

Free. King Street Gallery, Montgomery College Cafritz Foundation Arts Center, Silver Spring. cms.montgomerycollege. edu/arts-tpss/exhibitions.

May 19-21 GRAHAM BERRY WATERCOLOR WORKSHOP: EVERYDAY PEOPLE IN EVERYDAY PLACES. The British watercolor artist leads a three-day workshop, with the goal of each participant completing three paintings. 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. each day. $350. Artists & Makers 2, Rockville. 240-437-9573, www.artistsandmakersstudios.com.

June 6-July 9 PRIVATE MOMENTS. Sandra Sedmak Engel uses encaustics and oils in paintings that offer an intimate glimpse into those moments when no one is watching. Gallery hours are noon-6 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday.

Opening reception 6-9 p.m. June 9. Free.

Waverly Street Gallery, Bethesda. 301-9519441, www.waverlystreetgallery.com.

June 7-July 1 BETHESDA PAINTING AWARDS. The annual event invites painters from the area to compete for $14,000 in prize money, with the top prize of $10,000 for best in show. The eight finalists are on display.

Gallery hours are noon-6 p.m. WednesdaySaturday. Opening reception 6-8 p.m. June 9. Free. Gallery B, Bethesda. 301-2156660, www.bethesda.org.

CHILDREN AND FAMILIES Through May 21 ALADDIN AND THE WONDERFUL LAMP. The play is based on the original 1889 fairy tale about a boy and his love, Princess Adora, a genie in a lamp and an evil magician. Recommended for all ages.

Check the website for days and times. $19.50. Adventure Theatre MTC, Glen Echo. 301-634-2270, www.adventuretheatre-mtc.org.

Through May 28 THE JUNGLE BOOK. In the rewrite by Britain’s Greg Banks—reimagined at Imagination Stage—the adventure aims closer to Rudyard Kipling’s 1894 stories about Mowgli, the boy raised by wolves in

46 MAY/JUNE 2017 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

the jungles of India. Plus, there’s a moon that lights up, monsoon rain effects and a Bollywood beat. Five actors play 16 parts, transforming with animal headdresses and their voices. Recommended for ages 4 and older. 1:30 and 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays; also 7 p.m. May 20. $12-$30.

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

May 2 PEPPA PIG LIVE! PEPPA PIG’S BIG SPLASH! Life-size puppets and costumed characters present a singing, dancing adventure from the British animated TV show for preschoolers. 7 p.m. $29-$59; $149 for VIP tickets, with an after-party. Children 1 year old and younger need a special free ticket. The Music Center at Strathmore, North Bethesda. 301-581-5100, www.strathmore.org.

May 4-June 11 CINDERELLA. The costumes are elaborate in this 45-minute puppet musical.

Recommended for ages 5 and older. 11 a.m. Thursdays and Fridays; 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. $12.

The Puppet Co. Playhouse, Glen Echo.

301-634-5380, www.thepuppetco.org.

May 5-6 FABULOUS CHINESE ACROBATS. A professional troupe of young Chinese acrobats performs stunts and demonstrates coordination, balance, flexibility and strength while an interpreter offers information about Chinese culture, customs, history and school life. 11 a.m. Friday. 1 p.m. Saturday. $15 Friday; $25 Saturday ($15 Montgomery College students). Montgomery College Cultural Arts Center, Silver Spring. 240-567-5775, www.montgomerycollege.edu/cac.

May 5-6 HIP HOP SNOW WHITE. A high-energy, modern-day version of the Brothers Grimm story, including “Snow” and her seven “Crew” battling an evil queen and finding Prince “Cool.” Recommended for ages 4 and up. 7:30 p.m. Friday; 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday. $22; $12 youth. The Arts Barn, Gaithersburg. 301-258-6394, www.gaithersburgmd.gov.

May 6 BISCUIT. National touring company ArtsPower bases its new musical on books by Alyssa Satin Capucilli about a small yellow dog who loves exploring, making friends and sometimes stirring

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up mischief. Recommended for ages 4 and up. 11 a.m. $7 adults, $6 seniors, $4 students and children. The Robert E. Parilla Performing Arts Center, Montgomery College, Rockville. 240-567-5301, www.montgomerycollege.edu/pac.

May 6, 20 and June 3, 17

STORM LARGE {Chanteuse of Pink Martini }

SAT & SUN, MAY 6 & 7

GARRY TALLENT SHUN NG

{E Street Band bassist}

SUN, MAY 14

THE{Four MERSEY BEATLES lads from Liverpool} THU, MAY 18

CORKY SIEGEL’S CHAMBER BLUES FRI & SAT, MAY 26 & 27

Bria Skonberg Quartet Thu, June 8

Hot Peas ‘N Butter {Kids Pajama Jam Party}

Sun, June 18

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AMPbySTRATHMORE.COM

FAMILY JAZZ SESSIONS. Events include singing, playing instruments and music appreciation. May 6: “Ethel Waters: Down in the Water.” May 20: “Improvisation: Makin’ It Up as You Go Along.” June 3: “Ain’t Got Nothin’ but the Blues.” June 17: “Ella Fitzgerald: The First Lady of Song.”

11 a.m. Recommended for ages 3-8.

Children under 7 must be accompanied by an adult. $10 in advance, $12 at the door. The Mansion at Strathmore, North Bethesda. 301-581-5100, www.strathmore.org.

May 25 LUMINOSITY: MARYLAND CLASSIC YOUTH ORCHESTRAS’ GRAND FINALE CONCERT. Among the pieces the young musicians will perform is “Symphonic Blues #6” by Corky Siegel, who blends blues and classical music. He will be the featured guest artist. 7:30 p.m. $15-$25.

The Music Center at Strathmore, North Bethesda. 301-581-5100, www.strathmore.org.

June 3 IMAGINATION BETHESDA. The 23rd annual children’s street festival features 20 local businesses and arts organizations celebrating children and the arts. Bethesda Urban Partnership’s event includes hands-on arts and craft activities, music and entertainment stages, face painters, balloonists, a stiltwalker and free giveaways. 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

Free. Elm Street and Woodmont Avenue, Bethesda. www.bethesda.org.

June 16-Aug. 14 JUNIE B. JONES IS NOT A CROOK. Based on the books by Barbara Park, this 60-minute show centers on what happens when Junie B. Jones loses her new mittens to “stealers” and has to investigate.

Recommended for all ages. Check website for dates and times. $19.50. Adventure Theatre MTC, Glen Echo. 301-634-2270, www.adventuretheatre-mtc.org.

48 MAY/JUNE 2017 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

June 24-July 30 RATON EN MOVIMIENTO. The new bilingual, interactive version of Mouse on the Move—about two adventurous mice— is performed in Spanish and English.

Recommended for ages 1-5. 10 a.m.

Saturdays and Sundays. $14. Imagination Stage, Bethesda. 301-280-1660, www.imaginationstage.org.

FESTIVALS/SEASONAL May 4 PENFED FOUNDATION 13TH ANNUAL NIGHT OF HEROES GALA. The event includes dinner, an awards program, and silent and live auctions to benefit the PenFed Foundation, which supports active military, veterans and their families. 6 p.m. $1,000 for individual dinner ticket, more for sponsorship options. Trump International Hotel, Washington, D.C. 703-838-1302, penfedfoundation.org/2017gala.

May 6-7 A-RTS ROCKVILLE ARTS FESTIVAL. The festival transforms Rockville Town Square into an outdoor art gallery, with 160 artists, music and food vendors. 11 a.m.6 p.m. Saturday; 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday.

Free. Rockville Town Square, Rockville.

301-637-5684, www.a-rts.org.

May 6 KENTLANDS DAY. The day includes a car show, kids activities, a Taste of Kentlands, live entertainment and a parade. 10 a.m.3 p.m. Free. In and around Kentlands Market Square, Gaithersburg. 301-5913899, www.kentlandsday.org.

May 6 MONTGOMERY COUNTY GREENFEST. The third annual event features an electric vehicle car show; workshops on home energy options, water conservation at home and other topics; and exhibits by local nonprofit environmental groups. Plus music and food. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Free.

Bohrer Park, Gaithersburg. 301-258-6350, www.montgomerycountygreenfest.org.

May 13-14 BETHESDA FINE ARTS FESTIVAL. More than 130 artists and artisans from around the country will participate. The event

Voted Best Financial Advisor by readers of Bethesda Magazine 2010, 2012, 2014 & 2016 in the heart of Woodmont Triangle also includes live music, kids activities and food from Bethesda restaurants. 10 a.m.6 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday.

Free. Along Norfolk, Auburn and Del Ray avenues, Bethesda. www.bethesda.org.

Winner

May 17

BEST OF BETHESDA PARTY. Sample food from 22 restaurants featured in Bethesda Magazine’s 2017 Best of Bethesda issue, and catch live music by the 19th Street Band. 6:30-10 p.m. $65. Park Potomac, Potomac. www.BethesdaMagazine.com.

May 20

ARMED FORCES DAY TOUR. The docentled tour highlights the changes in American medicine over the past 150 years, with a special focus on military medicine.

Reservations recommended. 1 p.m. Free.

National Museum of Health and Medicine, Silver Spring. 301-319-3303, www.medicalmuseum.mil.

May 29

GAITHERSBURG MEMORIAL DAY OBSERVATION. The city of Gaithersburg’s event includes a wreath-laying ceremony.

Participants are invited to fill out a remembrance card and bring a 4-by-6 photograph for a book honoring those who served. A map depicting the World War II invasion beaches of Normandy, France, will be displayed; U.S. Navy Capt. Sam Edelstein left the map to his son, Gaithersburg resident Frederick Edelstein. 11 a.m. Free. Christman Park, Gaithersburg. 301-258-6350, www.gaithersburgmd.gov.

June 3-4

WASHINGTON FOLK FESTIVAL. Storytellers, craftspeople and five stages of music and dance performances will help celebrate the area’s folk traditions. Noon-7 p.m. Free.

Glen Echo Park, Glen Echo. 301-634-2222, www.fsgw.org.

David B. Hurwitz

CFP®, CRPC®, CRPS®, RICP® Private Wealth Advisor

June 3-4

AFI SILVER DOCS. The documentary film festival includes screenings at AFI’s theater in Silver Spring and a few other D.C.-area venues. Prices vary. AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center, Silver Spring.

301-495-6700, afi.com/afidocs. n

To submit calendar items, or to see a complete listing, go to BethesdaMagazine.com.

Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and CFP (with flame design) in the U.S. Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. Member FINRA and SIPC. © 2016 Ameriprise Financial, Inc., All rights reserved.

6400 Goldsboro Road, Suite 550 Bethesda, MD 20817 Direct: (301) 263-8509 Email: david.b.hurwitz@ampf.com davidbhurwitz.com

BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM | MAY/JUNE 2017 49

SPECIALAdvertising ADVERTISING SECTION Special Section

culture watch Junie B. Jones is Not a Crook

Carmina Burana

Adventure Theatre MTC Jun. 16-Aug. 14, 2017 Sat. & Sun. at 11am, 2pm, & 4:30pm When Junie B. Jones, with her two bestest friends in the world, loses her new furry mittens to some “stealers,” she has to investigate. But Junie B. might have something she forgot to return, too.

Bring pencils, notebooks, backpacks, and scissors for our Junie B. Jones school supplies drive benefitting Montgomery County’s A Wider Circle.

Tickets are $19.50 each.

NATIONALPHILHARMONIC.ORG OR 301-581-5100

ADVENTURETHEATRE-MTC.ORG OR 301-634-2270

National Philharmonic Co-presented with Strathmore Sat., May 20 at 8pm Featuring Marlissa Hudson, soprano Strathmore Children’s Chorus National Philharmonic Chorale Piotr Gajewski, conductor.

Program includes Makris’ “Alleluia,” Tchaikovsky’s “1812 Overture” (with chorus) and Orff’s “Carmina Burana”.

Summer Dance Camps (ages 3-18) Joy of Motion Dance Center Jun. 26-Aug. 25 Keep your child’s mind and body active all summer long in one of our dance camps! Choose from a variety of dance styles and experience levels. Full and halfday camps available. Register today! Three locations: Bethesda, Friendship Heights, and DC. JOYOFMOTION.ORG OR 202-813-9505

BRILLIANT BUTTERFLIES & COLORFUL FLOWERS!

Wings of Fancy Live Butterfly and Caterpillar Exhibit

Brookside Gardens South Conservatory 1500 Glenallan Ave., Wheaton, MD 20902 Apr. 26-Sep. 17, 10am-4pm daily As you enter the South Conservatory, you are surrounded by hundreds of brilliant live butterflies from North America, Costa Rica, Africa and Asia soaring among colorful flowers and going about their business of drinking nectar and looking for others of their kind.

You will learn about butterflies’ amazing metamorphosis, the important role they play in healthy ecosystems, and how to ensure these beautiful insects thrive in your own garden.

Brookside Gardens offers additional opportunities to explore the beautiful butterflies through birthday parties, photography and art classes, school groups visits, and after-hours fun.

Tickets may be purchased at the Visitors Center or at the Conservatory gift shops. $8 ages 13+, $5 ages 3-12, free ages 0-2.

WWW.BROOKSIDEGARDENS.ORG OR 301-962-1400

Experience Something Extraordinary! CultureSpotMC.com CultureSpotMC.com is a service of the Arts & Humanities Council of Montgomery County

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@CultureSpotMC

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CultureS

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Heritage Days

Heritage Montgomery Jun. 24 & 25 from noon-4pm Join in celebrating the 20th anniversary of Heritage Days Weekend!

Over 30 sites throughout Montgomery County will be open with FREE admission highlighting local history, culture, and nature – African American heritage, railroads & streetcars, farming & farm animals, heritage food traditions, and much more. Pack a picnic and stop in at area parks, museums, and historic sites featuring live music, children’s games & crafts, site tours, cooking demonstrations – fun for all ages. Free admission.

HERITAGEMONTGOMERY.ORG OR 301-515-0753

The Mikado, by Gilbert & Sullivan The Victorian Lyric Opera Company Jun. 9, 10, 16, & 17 at 8pm Jun. 11 & 18 at 2pm This fully-staged operetta with orchestra is set in a 1920’s London hotel. Enjoy a free pre-show lecture at 7pm (6/10) and community activities at 12:45pm (6/11).

VLOC.ORG OR 301-576-5672

Summer Creative Writing Workshops The Writer’s Center Tues.- Sun. Calling aspiring and published authors! Develop your craft in the literary community at The Writer’s Center. Workshops vary in length, level of rigor, and genre. Online classes are also available.

WRITER.ORG OR 301-654-8664

DOOLITTLE & DUE PROCESS

Two Great Shows!

Thurgood

Olney Theatre Center Jun. 21-Jul. 23; Wed.-Sun. Full performance schedule on website.

One of the most romantic scores of all time, featuring standards like “I Could Have Danced All Night” and “The Street Where You Live,” takes on new life in an intimate reimagining of the Tony® Award-winning classic “My Fair Lady.” Flower-seller Eliza Doolittle wages a romantic battle with uppercrust Henry Higgins, with surprising results in this production by Alan Souza, whose “Camelot” the Chicago Tribune called “genuinely revisionist... fascinating and fresh.”

Tickets start at $38. Box Office Hours are Wed.-Sun., 12pm-6pm.

Olney Theatre Center Jul. 19-Aug. 20; Wed.-Sun. Full performance schedule on website.

“You do what you think is right and let the law catch up.” So said Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall, who changed the face of American jurisprudence. He argued and won the Brown v.

Board of Education decision, ending racial segregation in the schools, after a long and strategic journey that began with ending the “separate but equal” mandate in Maryland law schools. Spend an evening with the late Justice at this one-man show.

MC.com Tickets start at $38. Box Office Hours are Wed.-Sun., 12pm-6pm.

OLNEYTHEATRE.ORG OR 301-924-3400

OLNEYTHEATRE.ORG OR 301-924-3400

My Fair Lady

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people. politics. current events. books. columns.

banter

MIXING IT UP

A former Landon lacrosse player who makes electronic music in his bedroom gets a nod from around the globe

PHOTO BY HEATHER FUENTES

BY JOE ZIMMERMANN

IN HIS BETHESDA BEDROOM, Tommy Shull was watching a YouTube video in which Don Diablo—a Dutch DJ and one of the 18-year-old’s favorite electronic dance music producers— played music for a crowd of thousands. The lyrics started playing alongside a beat eerily familiar to Tommy. It sounded just like one he made a few months earlier.

“I was like, ‘OK, it’s a remix to a popular song.

That doesn’t mean it’s mine,’ ” he recalls. “And then I heard the drop and I’m like, ‘OK, what the heck is going on? He just played my song.’ ” Tommy ran downstairs to tell his parents, who could see their son’s excitement.

The world of electronic music relies on collaboration and borrowing (DJs remix pop songs BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM | MAY/JUNE 2017

53

banter

or play songs of other DJs), but Tommy, a senior at the Landon School, didn’t think he was at that level of recognition.

Tommy grew up around music. His grandmother was a concert pianist, his grandfather a concert violinist, and his father instilled in him a love for the Grateful Dead. Tommy had taken guitar lessons and was interested in rock, but in late middle school an older student who drove him to school introduced him to a new genre. Tommy realized he could make songs—just like the ones he heard on the radio—right on his own computer.

By ninth grade, Tommy started experimenting with music, getting modest numbers of plays on his SoundCloud account. Over the next few years, he

went from fiddling around with production software in his spare time to performing under the name Shoolz in regional clubs and at colleges across the country. Last August, he opened at a club in Towson for $500. He made $2,000 in February for playing at a fraternity party at Elon University.

His parents have loaned him thousands of dollars for studio equipment, and he’s saved up through a job waiting tables at Lock 72 Kitchen & Bar in Potomac Village. He’s given up his spot playing attack on Landon’s nationally ranked lacrosse team, but remains connected to the sport he’s played since second grade as a team manager.

After graduation, Tommy plans to

attend the Icon Collective Music Production School in Burbank, California, for a year. His dream is to become a world-touring DJ. If that doesn’t work out, he still wants to be involved in music production.

Tommy enjoys seeing the effect his music has on people, through crowds at a show or SoundCloud comments online. Recently, during a friend’s set at The Fillmore in Silver Spring, he played a few songs to swaying throngs of people.

He says he wants his music to lift people up and let them lose themselves in the moment. “That’s pretty cool,” he says.

“Like, I’m making someone else’s life better right now because of something I made in my bedroom.” n

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WEDDINGS

CO R P O R AT E

MAY/JUNE 2017 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

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&

MAJOR

EVENTS

301.652.1515 ridgewells.com

4/3/17 10:59 AM

banter

BY PATRICK BASLER

FIGURATIVELY SPEAKING GOLF BY THE NUMBERS Montgomery County is home to at least 25 golf courses, including one club with early members such as John D. Rockefeller, Walter Chrysler and William Randolph Hearst, who paid $1,000 for lifetime memberships. That’s Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, host to major championships. Another local course, TPC Potomac at Avenel Farm, will host Tiger Woods’ Quicken Loans National June 29 through July 2. Some of the area’s most exclusive clubs are right in our backyard, but there are also MCG public courses for students, amateurs and those who play footgolf, a sport in which players kick a soccer ball into a cup. Here’s a look at golf by the numbers.

370,700

Rounds of golf played at MCG public courses in 2016

1946

Year the first public course opened (Sligo Creek Golf Course in Silver Spring)

56

STOP

Year Montgomery County hosted the U.S. Open at Congressional Country Club

16

Cost of a 45-minute lesson with an MCG Academy certified instructor

10-20 MILLION

Gallons of water saved by hand-watering and irrigation programs at public courses

$50,000 Value of MCG course access given to county public schools

3,310

Rounds of footgolf played on MCG courses in 2016

Private courses

9

INFOGRAPHICS BY AMANDA SMALLWOOD

2011

$75

Public courses

(run by MCG)

MAY/JUNE 2017 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

Sources: MCG, Montgomery County Revenue Authority, Montgomery County Geographic Information Systems

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10th & 11th Floors Suite 500 Bethesda, MD 20814 Rockville, MD 20850 Robert Meredith John Allen Branch Manager Branch Manager 301-657-6300 301-556-2300

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Potomac 12505 Park Potomac Avenue Suites 200 & 420 Potomac, MD 20854 Rhonda Viapiano Branch Manager 301-279-6400

banter

caption

ART WITH HEART

When a Bethesda boy found out a family friend was sick, he decided he had to do something

AT 9-YEAR-OLD Nico Borrelli’s house in Bethesda, artwork is everywhere. There’s a framed drawing of fruit in the dining room, and a portrait of the family dog, Otto, in the living room. A chalk pastel of a landscape or an animal hangs on the wall of each bedroom and bathroom.

“Ever since he was little, Nico loved to draw and paint,” says his mother, Wendy. He got an easel from Santa for his second Christmas. In preschool, he was obsessed with drawing tiny monkeys with a felt-tip pen, and his teachers would tell Wendy that they had never seen a kid his age with such strong fine motor skills. “By the time he was 4, I could tell it was his thing,” Wendy says.

In the spring of 2016, the green bin with a frog face in Nico’s room was overflowing with papers from his classes at Artworks Fine Art Studio in Bethesda.

Wendy took a photo of each and made a book of her son’s drawings, and she and Nico started to talk about what to do with the originals. Around the same time, Nico learned that a family friend, 1-year-old Brooks Cabe, had 58

been diagnosed with cancer. Brooks’ older brother, Max, and Nico’s younger brother, Luca, both 4, were best friends at the Bethesda Community School.

When Nico asked why Max was at their house so much, Wendy explained that Brooks was very sick and spending a lot of time at the hospital with his parents.

“Luca’s friend Max is really nice. I felt bad for him that he has this baby brother that he never got to play with,” says Nico, a third-grader at Bethesda Elementary School. He decided he wanted to have an art show and give the money he earned to Brooks. Wendy asked the toddler’s parents, Amanda and Erich, who live in Bethesda, if they were comfortable with the idea.

“I thought it was amazing that somebody so young would want to make such an impact,” Amanda says.

Together, the two families decided to donate the proceeds from the art show to Children’s National Health System in Washington, D.C., in Brooks’ name, to help fund a study to improve and customize cancer treatment for children.

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“Art with Heart” was held on a Sunday last August. Family, friends, teachers and neighbors of both families came to the Battery Park community clubhouse to see nearly 100 of Nico’s drawings, which were matted and framed thanks to donations from area frame shops. Kids brought their change purses, and adults wrote checks to buy the art for whatever amount they wanted to donate. “It was really overwhelming,” says Wendy, a high school teacher. “People were blown away by his work and his heart.”

For the Cabes, the art show was a chance to get out and socialize after five months of living in a virtual bubble,

PHOTO BY LIZ LYNCH

BY CARALEE ADAMS

Nine-year-old Nico Borrelli donated the proceeds from his art show to Children’s National last year, where family friend Brooks Cabe (right) is undergoing cancer treatment.

Amanda says. Their son was diagnosed with lymphoblastic lymphoma, a type of blood cancer, in March 2016, and they had been taking him to Children’s National for steroid and chemotherapy treatments at least once a week, sometimes daily. When they weren’t at the hospital, they stayed home to avoid germs because Brooks’ immune system was so vulnerable. For a while, they kept Max out of preschool as a precaution.

They had groceries delivered to their house. Friends dropped off meals and gift bags on their doorstep. People they didn’t know heard about Brooks through Facebook and left messages of support.

“We’ve been carried through with our family, friends and [the] prayers of strangers,” says Amanda, a corporate accountant who is now a stay-at-home mom.

The day of the show, Amanda was relieved to see her boys reconnecting with friends. “They fell back into their old games on the playground,” she says.

“Brooks loved being with people—he grabbed a cookie and walked around with chocolate all over his face.”

Nico initially thought he might raise $100, but his parents set a goal of $1,000 on a Children’s National fundraising page and surpassed it. In the end, between

online donations and money collected at the show, Nico raised $2,500. “I felt really happy and confident that Brooks would get better,” he says.

These days, Brooks is in the maintenance phase of his treatment—he’s receiving steroids and chemotherapy once a month—and his mom says he’s doing “incredibly well.” Nico’s art bin is filling up again, so he’s thinking about having another show this year, maybe to help Brooks, or to benefit an animal shelter or buy art supplies for children in need. “Nico gets it,” says his father, Vince. “It’s sweet how he understands how to help others.” n

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banter Whitman sophomore Nima Padash (left) met John Noble through Wise Elders, an oral history and mentoring project.

OLDER AND WISER

A program helps Walt Whitman students get to know their elderly neighbors

THE FIRST TIME THEY met, 15-yearold Nima Padash asked 79-year-old John Noble all about the jobs he’d held, including his work as a hospital orderly, a newspaper reporter and a government executive. The second time, Nima got more personal. How did losing his father at a young age impact Noble? Did he pass on his independent streak to his sons?

What else does he hope to do in his life?

At first, some of the questions stumped him, Noble says. But over time he found himself becoming more reflective, reminiscing with the teen about pivotal moments in his life and the wisdom he’s gained from past mistakes. “If I look back, I lived my life unconsciously,” he said. “It was a series of intuitive actions as I went along.” He explained that he wished he’d sought counsel from others before making big decisions.

“I feel like I’m in a therapy session,” he told the teen with a laugh.

Nima, a sophomore at Walt Whitman High School in Bethesda, and Noble, a retiree, were one of five pairs 60

participating in this year’s Helen Pelikan Wise Elder Program. The oral history and mentoring project, established in 2009, is sponsored by Bannockburn Neighbors Assisting Neighbors, a “village” system to support older residents aging in place. Teen volunteers, who earn 25 student service learning hours for participating, conduct a series of interviews with the elders and prepare a presentation on one aspect of their lives.

“The idea of Wise Elders is that young kids and older people can learn a lot from one another,” says Miriam Kelty, who coordinates the program with neighbor Marianne Ross. Both have lived in Bannockburn since the ’60s. “With families dispersed, there are limited opportunities in a lot of situations for older people to meet with kids, and for kids to know their grandparents.”

Often, the elders try to pass on life lessons, Kelty says, and in turn they get a glimpse into the busy lives of teenagers, sometimes learning about their favorite music and how they use technology.

MARCH/APRIL MAY/JUNE 2017 2017 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

(The teens record audio of the interviews on their smartphones, a new concept for many of the elders.) Some of the pairs form lasting connections. In 2011, Kelty and her young Wise Elders partner bonded over a love of art and got together to make pottery. The teen later became a lifeguard at the neighborhood pool, and the two chatted throughout the summer. When she was applying for college, the teen asked Kelty for advice on the admissions process.

After Nima’s family moved to Bannockburn from Potomac in 2014, his mother, Mehrnaz Neyzari, thought Wise Elders would be a good way for him to get to know the roots of his new neighborhood. “He came back the first day and said, ‘I just met the coolest person,’ ” she recalls. “He was really pumped up.”

Noble was nervous about what Nima might share during his presentation at the Bannockburn Community Clubhouse in February. He and his wife, Diane, have lived in the Bethesda neighborhood since the early ’70s—he knew

PHOTO BY LIZ LYNCH

BY CARALEE ADAMS

their friends would be in the audience watching. But Nima was a good listener, Noble says, and he trusted the teen with his story. For 10 minutes, Nima showed photos of Noble, including one of the Breathe new life man on horseback as a child and another into your outdoor lifestyle. one of him running in a triathlon. Noble, who was born in Argentina to American Transform your outdoor area with everything from parents, was raised in the Midwest and outdoor kitchens and pergolas, to fence, gates, shower had a successful career in both the prienclosures, and much more. Our structures are crafted in vate and public sectors. “I thought it was low maintenance AZEK, an advanced vinyl material that looks just like natural wood. To schedule a free design amazing how when he grew up, people consultation, call 800-343-6948 or tried so many different jobs,” Nima said. visit walpoleoutdoors.com “With life now, kids focus on one thing.”

The teen recounted the story of when Noble injured his eye while tending sheep in Oregon and decided to stay 9545 River Road, Potomac with his flock rather than seek medical care. Noble, then 20, was living on WW23310_Arlington.BethesdaMag2017.indd 1 1/27/17 a ranch for six months during college.

“That’s very noble of him,” Nima said, drawing laughs from the crowd. “He had a duty. He stayed with it.” After Nima’s presentation, Noble told the audience that he appreciated the teen’s positive spin. “It’s embarrassing to see a messy life presented in such an organized fashion,” he said, adding that he treasured the Wise Elders experience.

Looking back on the process, Nima, I.A. Donoso & Associates is renowned for its expertise in advising now 16, says he appreciated the opportuemployers, public entities, start-ups and individual investors in nity to gain a different perspective on life. navigating the complex U.S. immigration visa process. Our mission “The lesson is to slow down and take my is to provide superlative services which are tailored and responsive time to think about what [I’m] doing,” he says. Going into the project, he thought it to the needs of our clients. would be odd to have long, in-depth conversations with someone he’d just met.

SUCCESSFULLY ADVISED THOUSANDS OF CLIENTS “I didn’t think I’d actually like the TO RESOLVE THEIR U.S. IMMIGRATION NEEDS. person I was interviewing, but I really like Mr. Noble,” he says. “Toward the end of our time together, we were no VISAS | PERM LABOR CERTIFICATIONS | INVESTOR GREEN CARDS longer strangers.” Despite the age differ301.276.0653 ence, they’re planning to stay in touch.

They’ve talked about going to nearby EB5@DONOSOLAW.COM Sycamore Island on the Potomac River, DONOSOLAW.COM where Noble is a member, for a day of hiking or canoeing. n TM

7:54 PM

Guiding Your Dreams to Reality.

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QUICK TAKES

News you may have missed

BY ANDREW METCALF, BETHANY RODGERS AND JOE ZIMMERMANN

MARCH OF THE PENGUINS After more than a decade, Silver Spring’s beloved penguins, depicted rushing to work through a Metro station, have returned to a wall under the Metro rail bridge on Colesville Road. Commissioned by Montgomery County, a weather-resistant aluminum replica of the original 100-foot-long painted plywood mural was hung in March. The original was removed during construction of Silver Spring’s transit station.

OUT OF THIS WORLD NO MORE ROCKIN’ ROOFTOPS?

LOCATION, LOCATION It took about a day to slowly move a 1943 Dutch colonial home in the Chevy Chase neighborhood of Martin’s Additions just over 50 feet to its new location on the same street. The move, facilitated by a motorized steel frame, allows builders to construct a new home on the adjacent lot while saving the 74-year-old house, which will be renovated.

WHAT A HOOT Construction of the perpetually delayed Purple Line could face a new snag from an unexpected source. Owls and their nesting sites have come between the Maryland Transit Administration and its plan to clear 43 acres of trees by early spring. The area near the Georgetown Branch Trail is protected during nesting season, which could push back construction on the transit line another five months.

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MAY/JUNE 2017 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

Some Westbard residents want to ground plans to put rooftop decks on townhomes in their Bethesda neighborhood. The homeowners argue that the decks could be noisy and allow people to peer into their neighbors’ yards. They support a zoning change proposed by Montgomery County Councilmember Marc Elrich that would include the decks in the overall height of townhomes, which could limit the construction of decks by developers.

ILLUSTRATIONS BY MARY ANN SMITH

Two students from Bullis School in Potomac have sent bacteria on a mission to space. Amanda Kay, 17, and Skylar Jordan, 16, created one of 21 student-designed science experiments that hitched a ride to the International Space Station in February.

The teens, both planning to pursue careers in science, competed against hundreds of others for the privilege of putting their science project on a rocket.

Voorthuis Opticians has relocated to a new location within Westfield Montgomery Mall!

We are now located on the second floor of the Nordstrom wing.

MD Bradley Shopping Center 301.718.9300 Montgomery Mall 301.469.9058 Westwood 301.652.6490 Wildwood 301.530.6266

VA Court House Square 703.683.3822 DC Connecticut Avenue 202.833.9455 Foxhall Square 202.363.5087 Mazza Gallerie 202.244.7114

We look forward to seeing you in our new store!

banter

From left: Film subjects Kokoe Tanaka-Suwan and Brianna Perez, director/producer Kahane Cooperman and producer Raphaela Neihausen

Bethesda-raised filmmaker Kahane Cooperman directed an Oscar-nominated documentary and shared an unlikely duo’s remarkable story Brianna Perez with Joe Feingold

BY PATRICK BASLER

KAHANE COOPERMAN WAS driving in New York City to her job at The Daily Show, where she’d worked as a producer for more than a decade. During that commute in 2014, she heard an ad about a radio station’s musical instrument drive for public school students.

That ad would take her on a quest to meet a 91-year-old Holocaust survivor from the Upper West Side of Manhattan, a young violinist from the nation’s poorest congressional district, and by chance, Denzel Washington.

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Two years later, the documentary filmmaker who grew up in Bethesda sat nervously on the edge of her living room couch, facing the TV alongside her husband, 10-year-old daughter and coproducer Raphaela Neihausen, awaiting word from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Then she heard she was headed to the Oscars.

“You think you’re going to be cool, calm and collected, but that just does not happen,” she says of learning about the nomination at her home in New Jersey.

MAY/JUNE 2017 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

“Every cliché reaction happens—you scream, you get a little teary-eyed, you can’t believe it, your hand covers your mouth. It’s a really surreal moment.”

Cooperman watched the awards show as a teenager, and up until even a few months ago she never thought she would be in that limelight. As a student at Walt Whitman High School, she was focused on her budding journalism career as editor of the school newspaper, The Black & White.

But it wasn’t just her journalism

PHOTO COURTESY OF ACADEMY OF MOTION PICTURE ARTS AND SCIENCES; PHOTO BY BOB RICHMAN

VISIONS OF GOLD

PHOTO COURTESY OF ACADEMY OF MOTION PICTURE ARTS AND SCIENCES; PHOTO BY BOB RICHMAN

experience that led to her storytelling talent. She credits her mom’s “embarrassing” habit of talking to everybody she met: If Cooperman wanted ice • Arbitration & Mediation • Estate Planning & Administration cream, she would have to wait for her • Business Startups • Family Law mom to finish talking to the ice cream • Commercial & Construction Litigation • Intellectual Property • Commercial Leasing • Land Use & Zoning man; if she wanted to go home from the • Corporate & Business Law • Legal Issues for Medical Practices grocery store, she had to wait for her • Creator’s & Artist’s Rights • Legal Issues for Restaurant Owners mom to wrap up her conversation with • Education Law • Partnership Planning the cashier. Her mom’s interest in people • Elder Law • Real Estate Law • Employment Law & Litigation • Representing Community Associations transferred to her own interactions.

That curiosity is what led Cooperman to the story that would become Selecting the right attorney can be difficult, but when you call McMillan Metro, Joe’s Violin, which debuted at the Tribeca you’ll discover how simple the process can really be.

Film Festival last year. Cooperman fell in love with the story of Holocaust survivor Count on us to answer your questions, make sure you understand the legal process, and offer sensible strategic advice. Let us show you how our focused approach can Joe Feingold and violinist Brianna Perez, help you achieve the right outcome. from the Bronx. The documentary she directed and produced answered the 7811 Montrose Road, Suite 400 • Potomac, MD 20854 question she had asked while in her car (301) 251-1180 • mcmillanmetro.com two years earlier: How could one musical instrument, one object, bring together two total strangers in one of the biggest cities in the world?

In February, Cooperman took 14-year-old Brianna—who brought her violin—to the Oscars. During 75107 an McMillan & Metro Businesses Ad.indd 1 3/17/17 interview session after the nominees’ luncheon, they met Denzel Washington, who asked Brianna to perform a song for him.

In Hollywood’s Dolby Theatre, the big moment came when Netflix’s The White Helmets, a documentary about the war in Syria, was announced as the winner of the “Best Documentary Short.” Disappointed that she wouldn’t be taking home the golden statue, Cooperman was proud that in this divided nation her film was reaching more people and telling the story of immigrants and people from two different worlds.

At the end of her film, as an Uber picks up Joe, and Brianna waves goodbye, an American flag on the car flutters in the wind. It was the perfect ending to a story that Cooperman says sums up the American experience. “You’re passing by a million strangers, a million windows and a million doors, and you know there’s a million stories there,” she says. “And if everyone took a moment, you can probably find commonality with COO K I N G C L AS S E S - B E T H E S DA almost anybody.” ■

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WHERE LEARNING IS DELICIOUS

A SUMMER OF G O O D TA S T E LACADEMIECLASS.COM

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BOOK REPORT

Bethesda’s Sally Mott Freeman dug into the mystery of what happened during WWII to her father, Bill, an intelligence officer who worked in the White House; his brother, Benny, an anti-aircraft officer; and their youngest brother, Barton, who was taken prisoner in the Philippines.

The three brothers have died, so Freeman talked with veterans, read diaries and traveled to archives around the world for her book The Jersey Brothers: A Missing Naval Officer in the Pacific and His Family’s Quest to Bring Him Home (Simon & Schuster, May 2017). “At its core, it’s a story about a family caught in turmoil,” Freeman says.

“We all know what people are like when times are good. What are they like when they are facing a crisis? It’s not only about what happens on the front [lines], but also about how families behave.”

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Wendy Kiang-Spray’s The Chinese Kitchen Garden: Growing Techniques and Family Recipes from a Classic Cuisine (Timber Press, February 2017) gives tips on how to grow 38 Chinese vegetables and includes traditional recipes for everything from dumplings to stir-fries.

Arranged by season, the book features colorful photos and the author’s experiences as a child and as a parent. “Woven throughout the book are bits and pieces I heard growing up, stories about cooking, growing food, people, tales from my culture,” says the Rockville resident who works as a counselor at Rockville High School. “I think it’s going to be a very useful book if you want to grow vegetables and if you like to try to cook Asian vegetables.

But for me, it’s a highly personal book, too.”

MAY/JUNE 2017 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

Anthony Franze writes thrillers late at night and edits during his daily commute on the Metro.

“I’ll occasionally miss my stop, but it’s a system I’ve had for several years,” says Franze, a Chevy Chase resident who is a lawyer in the Appellate and Supreme Court practice of Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer in Washington, D.C. His third novel, The Outsider (Minotaur Books, March 2017), is a “fish-out-ofwater story” about a poor kid, Grayson Hernandez, who just graduated from a low-ranked law school and finds himself unexpectedly thrust into one of the most elite legal jobs in the country as a Supreme Court law clerk, Franze says. The page-turning element: Hernandez learns that someone who works at the court may be implicated in a string of murders.

What is good pain versus bad pain? When is pain truly unavoidable? How do we make the best of the situation when we’re in pain? Those are some of the questions that Dr. Aneesh Singla addresses in his new book, Why It Hurts: A Physician’s Insights on the Purpose of Pain (IdeaPress, May 2017). “Pain is really a warning signal. It points to the direction of the problem,” says the Bethesda pain specialist.

That signal can bring about a change to prevent further injury—it can be as simple as staying off an ankle if it is sprained.

The book explains the importance of getting to the root causes of pain, and on a deeper level, it is about healing, resilience and hope for those living with chronic pain.

ALL BOOK COVERS FILE PHOTOS; PHOTO COURTESY OF MERI-MARGARET DEOUDES

BY CARALEE ADAMS

What’s on your bedside table?

MERI-MARGARET DEOUDES IS president and CEO of the Bethesda-based nonprofit EarthShare, which forms partnerships between the private sector and nearly 600 environmental groups—including The Nature Conservancy and the Anacostia Watershed Society—developing employee engagement programs to support the organizations.

Deoudes says Thomas Friedman has a way of writing that helps readers understand the most complicated issues. That’s one of the reasons she likes his book Hot, Flat, and Crowded: Why We Need a Green Revolution— and How It Can Renew America (Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2008).

Because there is so much important science connected with climate change and

environmental work, advocates sometimes forget how to make the case in a way that resonates with everyday Americans, Deoudes says.

“We need to speak in simple language to help them understand how big the issue is and what we need to do to move the needle.”

Climate change has become part of a broader social justice issue, says Deoudes, who lives in Bethesda. Friedman, also a Bethesda resident, writes about participating in the green movement as a “personal virtue,” and draws parallels to the call to action in the civil rights movement. “The book made me think about choices that I was making that might be better for my family and how that might make it better for the environment overall,” Deoudes says.

Meri-Marga ret Deoudes

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WHAT BETHESDA’S READING Barnes & Noble BETHESDA

DEBORAH TANNEN. You’re the Only One I Can Tell: Inside the Language of Women’s Friendships is the latest book by the bestselling author and Georgetown University linguistics professor.

Tannen will talk about the book and sign copies. 7 p.m. Free.

Politics and Prose, Washington, D.C., 202-364-1919, politics-prose.com.

May 4 SCOTT WESTERFELD. The author of 18 books for adults and teens is best known for the young-adult series Uglies and Leviathan.

He will talk about and sign his newest work for teens, Spill Zone, a graphic novel. 7 p.m.

Free. Montgomery County Public Libraries, Bethesda branch, 240-777-0970, montgomerycountymd.gov/library.

May 10 SCOTT SIMON. The host of NPR’s Weekend Edition Saturday will talk about and sign copies of My Cubs: A Love Story, his take on the relationship between the baseball team and the city of Chicago, where he was born.

7 p.m. Free. Politics and Prose, Washington, D.C., 202-364-1919, politics-prose.com.

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HARDCOVER NONFICTION

May 3

BN.COM

Barnes & Noble NATIONWIDE/bn.com

1. Lincoln in the Bardo, George Saunders 2. Heartbreak Hotel (Alex Delaware Series, #32), Jonathan Kellerman 3. Norse Mythology, Neil Gaiman 4. Exit West, Mohsin Hamid 5. Milk and Honey, Rupi Kaur 6. The Girl Before, JP Delaney 7. Refugees, Viet Thanh Nguyen 8. A Divided Spy, Charles Cumming 9. Bone Box (Peter Decker and Rina Lazarus Series, #24), Faye Kellerman 10. A Horse Walks Into a Bar, David Grossman

1. Norse Mythology, Neil Gaiman 2. Dangerous Games, Danielle Steel 3. The Cutthroat (Isaac Bell Series, #10), Clive Cussler, Justin Scott 4. Milk and Honey, Rupi Kaur 5. Silence Fallen (Mercy Thompson Series, #10), Patricia Briggs 6. Lincoln in the Bardo, George Saunders 7. Heartbreak Hotel (Alex Delaware Series, #32), Jonathan Kellerman 8. The Girl Before, JP Delaney 9. Echoes in Death (In Death Series, #44), J.D. Robb 10. Humans, Bow Down, James Patterson, Emily Raymond

1. Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis, J.D. Vance 2. Unshakeable: Your Financial Freedom Playbook, Tony Robbins 3. Portraits of Courage: A Commander in Chief’s Tribute to American Warriors, George W. Bush 4. Thank You for Being Late: An Optimist’s Guide to Thriving in the Age of Accelerations, Thomas L. Friedman 5. The Lost City of the Monkey God: A True Story, Douglas Preston 6. The Undoing Project: A Friendship That Changed Our Minds, Michael Lewis 7. Born to Run, Bruce Springsteen 8. Dear Ijeawele, or a Feminist Manifesto in Fifteen Suggestions, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie 9. Make Your Kid a Money Genius (Even If You’re Not): A Parent’s Guide for Kids 3 to 23, Beth Kobliner 10. Insane Clown President: Dispatches From the 2016 Circus, Matt Taibbi

1. Unshakeable: Your Financial Freedom Playbook, Tony Robbins 2. Portraits of Courage: A Commander in Chief’s Tribute to American Warriors, George W. Bush 3. Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis, J.D. Vance 4. Big Agenda: President Trump’s Plan to Save America, David Horowitz 5. Killing the Rising Sun: How America Vanquished World War II Japan, Bill O’Reilly, Martin Dugard 6. The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck; A Counterintuitive Approach to Living a Good Life, Mark Manson

1. A Man Called Ove, Fredrik Backman

(Fiction and Nonfiction)

EVENTS CALENDAR

PAPERBACK

LITERARY

HARDCOVER FICTION

Deborah Tannen

DATA PROVIDED BY:

2. Hidden Figures: The American Dream and the Untold Story of the Black Women Mathematicians Who Helped Win the Space Race, Margot Lee Shetterly 3. Lilac Girls, Martha Hall Kelly 4. Milk and Honey, Rupi Kaur 5. On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons From the Twentieth Century, Timothy Snyder 6. A Dog’s Purpose, W. Bruce Cameron 7. I Am Not Your Negro: A Companion Edition to the Documentary Film Directed by Raoul Peck, James Baldwin 8. The Zookeeper’s Wife: A War Story, Diane Ackerman 9. All the Missing Girls, Megan Miranda 10. Big Little Lies, Liane Moriarty

MAY/JUNE 2017 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

7. The Book of Joy: Lasting Happiness in a Changing World, Dalai Lama, Desmond Tutu, Douglas Abrams 8. Hidden Figures: The American Dream and the Untold Story of the Black Women Mathematicians Who Helped Win the Space Race, Margot Lee Shetterly 9. Dodge City: Wyatt Earp, Bat Masterson, and the Wickedest Town in the American West, Tom Clavin 10. The Magnolia Story, Chip and Joanna Gaines, Mark Dagostino 1. The Shack: Where Tragedy Confronts Eternity, William Paul Young 2. Milk and Honey, Rupi Kaur 3. Big Little Lies, Liane Moriarty 4. A Man Called Ove, Fredrik Backman 5. Hidden Figures: The American Dream and the Untold Story of the Black Women Mathematicians Who Helped Win the Space Race, Margot Lee Shetterly 6. The Zookeeper’s Wife: A War Story, Diane Ackerman 7. A Dog’s Purpose, W. Bruce Cameron 8. Lilac Girls, Martha Hall Kelly 9. You Are a Badass: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life, Jen Sincero 10. The Handmaid’s Tale, Margaret Atwood

PHOTO BY STEVEN VOSS

TOP-SELLING BOOKS as of March 14 at the Barnes & Noble Bethesda, compared with Barnes & Noble stores nationwide and at bn.com

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banter Political journalist Jonathan Allen with his kids, Asher, 5, and Emma, 3

THE NEXT PAGE After co-authoring his second book about Hillary Clinton, Bethesda native Jonathan Allen is ready for some family time ON A WARM SATURDAY morning in February, political journalist Jonathan Allen takes a break from nonstop deadlines. He stands in front of the stove in his 1890s Capitol Hill row house and pours pancake batter into a hot pan.

His kids, Asher, 5, and Emma, 3, dart through the kitchen, out the open door and onto the deck. Everyone looks forward to Dad’s breakfasts—on this day, perhaps no one more than Allen. He’s in 70

the final stretch of reviewing text for his second book, Shattered: Inside Hillary Clinton’s Doomed Campaign, and he can almost taste a saner schedule.

After writing 2014 New York Times best-seller HRC: State Secrets and the Rebirth of Hillary Clinton, Allen and his co-author, Amie Parnes, are hoping for similar success with Shattered, scheduled for an April release. But his son, for one, hopes he’s done with this book

MAY/JUNE 2017 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

business. “Asher said, ‘Daddy, don’t write another book,’ ” says Allen, the head of community and content for politics website Sidewire and a columnist for Roll Call. “I don’t think I’ll do another right away.” He and Parnes, who had worked together at Politico, got the contract for the second book nearly three years ago.

On Nov. 7, Allen says, they were writing about how Clinton won the presidency; two days later, they were writing about

PHOTO BY LIZ LYNCH

BY MELANIE D.G. KAPLAN

how she lost the election.

Allen, 41, grew up in Bethesda and graduated from Walter Johnson High School, his mother’s alma mater. From the time he was a child, he’s been relentless with questions and had a knack for memorization: baseball statistics, kings of England, names of capital cities.

Allen’s father, Ira, who covered the White House for United Press International during the Ronald Reagan years, once took his son to an Orioles game and then directly to the University of Maryland, where he was teaching a journalism class. Seven-year-old Jonathan sat in the back, took notes on his dad’s lecture and scored eight out of 12 on a class quiz. At home in their Ayrlawn neighborhood, Allen, his younger sister, Amanda, and their parents devoured books, newspapers, magazines and political shows such as Meet the Press.

“He picked up politics from me yelling at the TV,” Ira says, noting that Allen’s love of journalism came more from osmosis than any encouragement from his father.

In high school, Allen was captain of the It’s Academic team, as well as a jock and a thespian. As a senior, he pitched a complete game in baseball (a comefrom-behind victory over a far superior team), piled up with his teammates to celebrate, and ran into Walter Johnson just in time to have his makeup applied for the school musical Dames at Sea. He wrote for the school newspaper, The Pitch, and made $7.50 per article covering local sports for The Gazette. Politics was barely on his radar—he read The Washington Post’s Thomas Boswell religiously and wanted to be a sports writer.

After graduating from the University of Maryland in 1998, Allen became a reporter for the now-defunct Prince William Journal and then spent several years at Congressional Quarterly, where he met his wife, Stephanie, who was a researcher. They married in 2005. “The cool thing about covering Congress is

that there’s no better place to interact with your sources,” Allen says. “You have 535 people making policy for the country, and they’re all available to you on a daily basis.” In 2008 he won the National Press Club’s Sandy Hume Memorial Award for Excellence in Political Journalism and the National Press Foundation’s Everett McKinley Dirksen Award for Distinguished Reporting of Congress, both for a cover story about congressional earmarks.

After serving as Politico’s White House bureau chief, Allen moved to Bloomberg in 2014 as a White House reporter, and within a few months became the D.C. bureau chief. Shortly after HRC came out in February of that year, he and Parnes were doing an interview on Sirius XM’s POTUS channel when they got the call that the book had debuted at No. 6 on the Times best-seller list. Unless I do something really horrible in my life, that will be the lead of my obit, Allen remembers thinking.

These days, Allen has cut back on his working hours, but he still stumbles down to the living room every morning before sunrise, opens a Diet Coke and begins writing his morning newsletter for Sidewire. With his second book almost behind him, he’s hoping to spend more time with his family—Nationals games with his father and son are high on the to-do list. Not surprisingly, in a family of scholars, Asher has already memorized the first 18 presidents in order. Emma has started singing “We Shall Overcome,” which Allen says he may have been playing in the car.

A guest commentator who often appears on TV and radio shows, Allen still has moments of childlike joy himself, such as doing interviews at the same NBC studio in Washington, D.C., where he went for It’s Academic. “I remember as a kid how cool it was to go there,” he says, recalling photos of politicians and celebrities lining the walls. “Doing Meet the Press felt like a big moment.” ■

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banter | SUBURBANOLOGY

BY APRIL WITT

‘THE HELP’

YEARS AGO I BOUGHT an old house in a beachside community that had been developed when Jim Crow laws codified racial segregation throughout the South.

As the new homeowner, I discovered a slide bolt on the swinging door that separated the dining room and the kitchen.

It could only be locked—or unlocked— from the dining room, leaving whoever slept in the teensy bedroom off the kitchen a literal outsider. Then it dawned on me: That’s where the maid slept.

I’ve never forgotten that slide bolt— and not just because it made that house feel like a three-bedroom time capsule.

I can’t forget because I constantly see reminders—even in liberal suburbia—of the enduring human impulse to divide the world into an “us” and a “them.”

The smart, lively young woman who cares so tenderly for my sister’s toddler twins recently asked if she could tell people that she’s a distant relative. In Poland, where she grew up, she was an accountant. Now, as a nanny, great conversations with the young mothers she meets at parks and playgrounds abruptly come to an end when the other women realize she’s being paid to watch kids who are not her own. The young mothers drift away to talk to someone who seems more like them.

The skilled contractor I hire to

open my pool each year and to keep its mechanical equipment running smoothly tells me that I am one of his few customers who offers him coffee, water and something to eat. He has spent days sweating through big summer projects in the backyards of Bethesda or Potomac McMansions for homeowners who never offer him a glass of cold water. Maybe some people are like that congressman who spent so much money decorating his office like the set of Downton Abbey.

They get a little success in life and start to think they’re Lord Grantham. And that, I guess, makes them think of their pool contractor, no matter how honest or reliable, as just the help.

I laughed out loud when I stumbled across a letter to Miss Manners earlier this year from a woman wondering when or if it was appropriate to offer a contractor some muffins that were a few days old. She wanted to do the right thing, she

72 MAY/JUNE 2017 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

wrote. She just wasn’t sure what it was.

It’s not that complicated, I wanted to tell the letter writer. Just treat anyone who comes to your home the way you would want to be treated. But, of course, it is complicated.

Home and family are, in theory, our private sanctuaries. Yet homeowners—especially parents—who work long hours depend on a host of others to help run their lives even reasonably smoothly. A lawyer I know struggles to avoid resenting the woman she pays to tutor her middle schooler. She sees the tutor and her daughter laughing, heads tilted together as they take a break to watch a cat video on Reddit. She is paying an outsider to take on some parental responsibilities, and that pains her. She wonders if it pains her daughter, too. The lawyer would like to be the one laughing with her daughter, instead of logging the billable hours that pay the

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banter | SUBURBANOLOGY

tutor and clothe the child and keep that big suburban roof over her head.

It’s complicated because a lot of us were raised to believe that being an American means being egalitarian. While the two sisters from El Salvador who I hire to clean my home are mopping floors and scrubbing the toilets, I stay on my feet, picking up, sorting mail and folding laundry. I’d be embarrassed to let them do all the work. I recently met a woman who feels the same kind of awkwardness that I do about being waited on, but deals with it differently. She leaves her townhouse, which is on the border of Rockville and Potomac, whenever her maid comes to clean. “I feel I’m in the way,” she tells me.

“I don’t feel as free in my own house when she’s there.”

Georgia Ruggiero, 35, an aesthetician who rents a townhouse in Silver Spring, goes to some wealthy clients’

homes to do their makeup before big events and sometimes ends up socializing with them. Her clients spend summers on Martha’s Vineyard or in the Hamptons. They invite her to go places that she could never afford on her own. So sometimes, when she can afford it, she picks up the dinner check.

“I don’t want to feel like a charity case, not that they would ever treat me that way,” she says. “I want to be friends. I don’t want to feel unequal.”

I was thinking about all this when I met Patty Greenwald, a retired fund-raiser for a nonprofit, who was visiting downtown Bethesda with a friend. Greenwald, 70, has owned her home near Chevy Chase, D.C., for 35 years. She has the same repairmen and helpers year after year.

She can’t imagine not offering a beverage to anyone who comes to her house to help. Even if they don’t accept, “I think

“A bikini is like a barbed-wire fence.

It protects the property without disturbing the view.”

they appreciate that I offer,” she says.

I asked her how she thought the election of President Donald Trump affects these issues. Not that much, she said. If there are mass deportations, of course, this area “will be hard hit in terms of loss of workers.” But the underlying impulse toward an “us” and “them” is ageless, she says. “People who don’t offer water to somebody working hard in hot weather didn’t offer water before Trump was president, and they wouldn’t offer water if Hillary was president. That’s who they are as people. It’s a failure to connect.

They are not seeing the people working in their home or yard. They are looking past them.”

I’ve lived in Bethesda long enough to have forged a network of contractors, tradesmen and other helpers who I like, trust and admire. I’d trust any one of them with the key to my suburban

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sanctuary. Still, I like to be home when they work because I always learn something from talking to them, whether it’s about my home’s mechanical systems or about life. I know their political views, and they know mine. I know who is going through a divorce or illness. I know how much happier the roofer’s youngest daughter is in her new school.

They know, among other things, that in the privacy of my own home, when I think no one is listening, I sometimes sing silly, made-up songs to my dogs. I dread the day my heating and cooling contractor, who I’ve known for 17 years, retires—and not just because he knows how my home’s steam-heating system works. He’s a good man. The last time he was here, I was making food to take to a friend whose son is very ill. The contractor asked the child’s name and said he would pray for him. I’m sure he did.

Like most homeowners, I’ve hired the wrong person a time or two. Last year I went a few rounds with a tradesman who allowed his unlicensed nephew to do some work in my home that was bad enough to flunk the initial county inspection. The uncle eventually redid the work correctly. I plied him with coffee, water and snacks as he worked. When he left, we shook hands. Even though I’d caused him heartburn with the county, he told me I was OK. He divides customers into two camps: those who offer him something to drink and those who don’t.

Lately, I’ve been mentally dividing the people who help me around the house into two camps, as well: those who voted for Donald Trump and those who are at risk of being deported by his administration.

When the Salvadoran sisters who clean my home arrive, I always start the

visit by serving them coffee. We all chat and drink a cup. I never thought to ask their immigration status until recently.

If they don’t show up for a scheduled appointment, they told me, it will be because they have been taken.

They are trying to figure out what to do. So are their customers who have bothered to ask whether they are here legally. They show me texts that a customer in Kensington has begun sending, warning them where immigration agents have been spotted in Montgomery County.

I want to help the sisters. I want to do the right thing. I’m just not sure what it is. So I do something uncomplicated. I pour more coffee. n April Witt (april@aprilwitt.com) is a former Washington Post writer who lives in Bethesda.

BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM | MAY/JUNE 2017

75

banter | HOMETOWN

BY STEVE ROBERTS

THE ‘LOST COLONY’

Uncovering the history of a black community on River Road

76

Harvey Matthews Sr. at Macedonia Baptist Church

members of Macedonia Baptist have been up in arms, staging protests, testifying at hearings and attracting TV cameras. They don’t know if any of their own ancestors were buried there, but that’s not the point.

Their struggle to recognize and respect the graveyard is, in a sense, a struggle to reclaim their own history.

Sitting in the church basement, in a fellowship hall named for his aunt and uncle, Matthews says he was raised on a small farm where the Whole Foods Market now stands. “We didn’t have an actual playground to play in, so the cemetery was a popular place,” he recalls. “People like

MAY/JUNE 2017 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

to tell us the cemetery didn’t exist, but I know the cemetery was there. So now I’m hollering foul.”

Members of the church would like the site to be turned into a park or museum, telling the history of the “lost colony,” one that begins after the Civil War and the emancipation of the slaves who worked on nearby plantations. Historian Bill Offutt says “the roots of this community” can probably be traced to those slave families; land records from 1873 reveal the sale of 2-acre plots to two blacks, John Burley and Nelson Wood, for $200 apiece. When Matthews, now 72, was

PHOTO BY SKIP BROWN

“I CALL RIVER ROAD the ‘lost colony,’ ” says Harvey Matthews Sr. “I lived there, I was raised there, I went to school there, but it’s gone and forgotten. All those whites who live in the surrounding area don’t have any knowledge of the black folks who lived there, and people need to know about that.”

This “lost colony” in Bethesda flourished for almost a hundred years, between Little Falls Parkway and Kenwood, until developers pushed out the last few families in the early 1960s. The only remaining vestige is a small church, Macedonia Baptist, tucked between a towering apartment building and a Bank of America branch. You can drive by it countless times, as I did for years, and never know it’s there.

Sometimes called Crow Hill, the “colony” might have stayed lost except for one thing—a black cemetery that once existed across River Road from the church. It was paved over many years ago, but now the owners of the property along Westbard Avenue want to build a new parking structure on the site. The

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banter | HOMETOWN growing up, about 33 black families lived in the area and most owned their land.

Two of those families, the Dorseys and the Clippers, are remembered in local street names.

Land ownership was possible because work was plentiful. Many men toiled in the granite quarries that dotted the area, while others built roads, hauled trash or clerked in stores. The women were maids, nannies and cooks in Kenwood and other white neighborhoods. Matthews’ father drove a sanitation truck and his mother and sister worked at a small grocery and luncheonette that became Talbert’s, a beer and wine store that’s still there today.

The family kept horses and pigs, and Matthews’ father was an expert trainer of hunting dogs. He’d load up his dogs and kerosene lanterns, and at night he’d go hunting for raccoons on open land now occupied by Walt Whitman and Winston Churchill high schools. He’d also trap muskrats in Little Falls creek and sell the hides. Every house had its own garden and as Matthews puts it, “If you lived on River Road, you knew every bean that came out of the ground, because that’s what we ate.”

As a child Harvey attended a “colored school” in Crow Hill, but after desegregation in 1954, he shifted to a white school in Somerset and became the only black player on a local baseball team. After games, he and his teammates would eat at places in downtown Bethesda, like Drug Fair or the Little Tavern, but racial discrimination still infected local businesses.

“I could go into the Little Tavern with my friends,” he recalls, “and they would sit up at the counter with those little stools that spun around and order those teeny burgers, you’d get a bag of them for a dollar.” But the counterman insisted that “that little black boy” had to go outside to eat his food. “That was my first experience with racial differences between a black man and a white man.”

“I always called Bethesda ‘Lily White Bethesda,’ because the only blacks you could find were down River Road,” 78

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Matthews says. (Today African-Americans make up 19 percent of Montgomery County but less than 4 percent of Bethesda, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.)

Still, the kids from Crow Hill made regular expeditions to the center of town, using the railroad tracks (now the Capital Crescent Trail) as their route. One favorite stop was a plant on Bethesda Avenue that made Fritos. “The guys who worked there used to give us these big greasy bags” of hot chips, which were usually empty long before the explorers returned to River Road, Matthews says.

Young Harvey was always looking for ways to make extra money: setting pins at a bowling alley (where blacks were allowed to work but not play), cleaning the Bank of Bethesda at night (where his grandfather was a clerk and teller) and caddying at the Kenwood Country Club. After high school he followed his father into sanitation work, became a union official, settled in the Petworth section of Washington, D.C., and raised six children. But he is still angry at what happened to his old neighborhood.

Crow Hill survived two World Wars and a crushing Depression, but there was one foe it could not overcome.

Greed. Rev. Olusegun Adebayo, the pastor at Macedonia Baptist, tells me that during the late 1950s unscrupulous buyers would get local men “drunk on cheap liquor” and trick them into signing away their property. “Back then they didn’t have any rights that the white man was bound to respect,” he says. “They were very vulnerable, and one by one they lost their land.”

As the community dissolved, so did the memories. “History has been stolen from us,” says Matthews. “We’re Lily White Bethesda now, but there was a little black community there that nobody knows nothing about.”

Now they do. n Steve Roberts teaches politics and journalism at George Washington University. Send ideas for future columns to sroberts@gwu.edu.

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Outside the office, David is busy visiting bookstores, book clubs and working on his third novel. David says, “In an odd way, the books have made me a better lawyer.

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One of the great perks about living in an affluent and cosmopolitan area is access to medical care from experts at the top of their profession. An excellent example is Dr. Gail Linn.

Along with her longtime practice, Dr. Linn is very active in the profession and a regular speaker on audiology issues. She has led initiatives and worked with the American Speech Language Hearing Association, National Institutes of Health, Institute of Medicine, EPA, FCC and the Maryland Academy of Audiology, among others.

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Zohra Salon is a sophisticated yet comfortable salon with a loyal team of international stylists who share their unique skills amongst each other. Each utilizes only the finest products and techniques to provide the best results.

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Belina Boutique is a contemporary women’s boutique located in Wildwood Shopping Center in Bethesda. The boutique was founded in 2003 by a mother-daughter team, Betty Barati and Sherri Hatam, with a mission to provide a highly personalized shopping experience for clients.

Belina offers a carefully edited selection of apparel and accessories from both known and young, emerging designers.

“We understand that women have many options when it comes to shopping, and we have a commitment to provide our clients with the latest styles and trends and topnotch service,” says Sherri. “For an added convenience, we also offer complimentary wardrobe advice and off-hours personal shopping appointments.”

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Along with Adam Goozh, who runs the Renovations Division, and a team of employees who are among the most talented and passionate in our industry, the company has built home after

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“We are full-service builders and our expertise is unmatched in the industry,” says Leibovitz. “Our clients, including friends and family, are the biggest testament to an enduring theme that everyone at Sandy Spring Builders goes by, ‘We are your builder for life.’”

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The Face of

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We want to understand the most important factors in making a move. We are straight shooters and talk to our clients and colleagues the way we would want professionals to talk to us. We believe we have discovered the “secret sauce” to helping agents maximize production while consistently delivering exceptional customer service and results to their clients. Combining smart people, cutting-edge technology, clever marketing and best practices, we have created a brokerage that is second to none.

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“We’re an IT consulting group, providing managed services and cloud services to small and medium-sized organizations,” says Freidkin. “But at our heart, what we really do is help people use technology to grow and succeed.”

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reconstruction and minimally invasive cosmetic surgery with emphasis on liposuction and facial rejuvenation. She is an accomplished fellow of the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery and the American College of Mohs Surgery.

“It’s my goal to help people feel comfortable and confident with their look and achieve an appearance that positively impacts their lives.”

301-358-5919 www.maraghdermatology.com

ADAM FREEDMAN

Dr. Sherry Maragh | Shady Grove Dermatology, Laser & Vein Institute

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The Face of

Cosmetic & Implant Dentistry

MICHAEL VENTURA

Dr. Jason A. Cohen “At our practice, our patients embrace the artistry that goes into the care we provide,” says Dr. Cohen. “We preserve, protect and enhance dental health, while also offering a caring and gentle atmosphere.”

Born and raised in Montgomery County, Dr. Cohen attended the University of Michigan and then the University of Maryland School of Dentistry. He completed his residency at the Baltimore Veterans Administration Medical Center. The practice’s commitment to constant Continuing Education allows their office to Treat Your Family Like Family, providing treatment with the care, skill and judgment that they would only want for themselves and their families.

From the front desk to the clinical experience and any follow-ups, their goal is to make your dental visit a great experience.

301-656-1201 www.cosmeticdds.com

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The Face of

Custom Homes Doug Monsein, Founder | Douglas Construction Group (DCG)

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process are fundamental: 1. Exceptional communication before, during and after construction.

2. A stress-free product selection process.

3. Quality resources and reliable trade partners.

4. Integrity, passion and pride – standard in every home built by the DCG Team.

301-983-6947 www.dcghomes.com

HILARY SCHWAB

Doug Monsein spent his early post-college years working in the field for a regional construction company, honing his profession and passion for building homes. In 1999, he started DCG, blending his business acumen with his knowledge of the sticks and bricks side of construction.

DCG is the only company voted Best Green Builder – twice – in Bethesda Magazine’s “Best of Bethesda” Readers’ Poll.

With over 140 new homes built, DCG is deeply committed to environmentally friendly home considerations and building practices, with a focus on green initiatives. Pillars of the DCG

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The Face of

Dental Implants

HEATHER FUENTES

Israel Puterman, DMD MSD | Dental Implants and Periodontics When you need specialized care, you deserve a doctor with the highest level of expertise. In addition to being a periodontist, Dr. Israel Puterman completed an additional residency in implant dentistry, making him one of the most highly qualified dental implant surgeons in the country.

Treating the simplest to the most complex cases involving implants, gum grafting and bone grafting, Dr. Puterman emphasizes the least invasive techniques to achieve superior results. In addition, he provides IV sedation, so that you

can rest comfortably during any procedure.

Repeatedly voted by his peers as a Washingtonian “Top Periodontist,� his goal is to provide world-class periodontics and implant dentistry in the gentlest and most relaxing of atmospheres. Read his rave reviews and see what his patients say.

301-652-0939 info@implantsdc.com www.implantsdc.com

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The Face of

Eye Care & Fashion Eyewear The face of eye care is changing – and Dr. Rachel Cohn is leading the way. “I’m an optometrist with a passion for fashion, too. I think that’s why people really like us,” she says.

Blending the latest eye care technology and comprehensive eye exams with an eyewear boutique, Wink has become a go-to practice for people who want unique frames that are perfectly fitted to their face and prescription.

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Located in Potomac, Wink offers a complete selection of handpicked eyeglasses and sun wear from eyewear designers around the world.

“Glasses should flatter but also match your personality,” says Dr. Cohn. “Try on lots of them and have fun with it!”

301-545-1111 www.wink.net

TAMZIN B. SMITH PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHY

Dr. Rachel Cohn | Wink Eyecare Boutique

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The Face of

Family Law

COURTESY PHOTO

Feldesman Tucker Leifer Fidell LLP “The future is the most important asset we help protect in divorce,” says Jonathan Dana, managing partner.

“We focus on long-term priorities, like protecting children’s best interests and financial resources.”

There is life after divorce, and the most responsible divorce lawyers ensure clients facing divorce are favorably positioned for their future. The Family Law Group of Feldesman Tucker has the experience, compassion, knowledge, and skills to understand– and secure–what you will need in the years ahead.

Recognized as a Tier One “Best Law Firm” by Best Lawyers, many FTLF attorneys have been recognized as top in their fields by Bethesda Magazine, Washingtonian, Super Lawyers and Best Lawyers.

The firm has offices in Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia.

301-232-1252 www.feldesmantucker.com

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The Face of

Great Rates for Everyone James Schenck is often heard saying he has the best job in the world. “My job is to deliver the best rates to our members through Best-In-Class Member Experiences.”

Simply, PenFed is about people helping people.

Unlike banks, which are driven by shareholders, as a member-owned credit union, PenFed is driven by giving back to its members. Translation: PenFed’s mission is to pay the most on deposits, while charging the least on loans.

PenFed provides a full spectrum of financial services including award-winning credit cards, consumer loans, high-yielding deposits and lowinterest-rate auto and home loans. While PenFed is known for its unwavering commitment to our Nation’s Defenders, military service is not required to join.

PenFed Credit Union is federally insured by NCUA and an Equal Housing Lender.

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ADAM FREEDMAN

James Schenck, President & CEO | PenFed Credit Union

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The Face of

Healthy Senior Living

HEATHER FUENTES

Dr. Gary Wilks, Arielle Lacy, Natalie Gish & Kevin Gillman, Team Members | Maplewood Park Place According to Dr. Wilks, medical director and primary care physician, “Having personal physicians involved – who know residents well – provides special insights for our Wellness Team. This holistic approach helps each resident reach their unique potential for healthy living.”

Licensed Social Worker Arielle facilitates in-home services and transitions and helps residents adapt to challenges. “I want everyone to maximize their wellness potential, and live happily with healthy functionality.”

Fitness expert Natalie builds health into everyday routines

through group exercise and personal training. “We do whatever is needed to help champion personal well-being.”

Kevin and our rehab team provide skilled therapies that maximize independence and community integration; “We work on a variety of skills to help with everything from grocery shopping and theatre visits, to dancing and playing billiards.”

301-530-0500 www.MaplewoodParkPlace.com

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The Face of

Home Mortgages Deb Levy Team | NMLS ID: 481255 Deb Levy and Lisa Bennett

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led to over $2 billion in mortgages throughout her 30-year career, with thousands of repeat clients. Recommended by area Realtors and builders for her responsiveness, she listens to what borrowers want and identifies the right mortgage to finance their dreams. Member FDIC. 301-332-7758 www.debbielevy.com EagleBank NMLS ID: 440513

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“Nobody wants a mortgage. What people want is deeper: home for their family, nest egg, lifestyle, entertainment, a creative project, a sanctuary,” says Deb Levy. “Why home ownership is important and how owning a home can leverage other dreams is critical to know.”

A mortgage should never be treated as a stand-alone transaction; it’s part of a greater picture of financial planning.

Deb’s finesse and being part of a bank make a difference, and her personal care and attention to the needs of her clients have

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The Face of

Home Renovations

MICHAEL VENTURA

Matt Covell | STRUCTURE. As HGTV and other media continue to feed America’s fascination with home renovation, the D.C. area has become widely recognized as a hotbed of renovation talent. Among the exciting young builders currently leading this talented pack is Bethesda native Matt Covell, founder of the boutique firm, STRUCTURE. Covell has developed a reputation for highly creative projects that shine with undeniable style, quality and attention to detail. Proving you can ‘live large’ without having to live

in a large home, Covell creates inventive, functional space and beauty within even the most restrictive and dated old homes.

With his eye for efficiency and artistic love for building, Covell is quickly gaining a reputation as the face of a new generation of skilled home renovators in our area.

240-994-1520 www.structurecustomhomes.com

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The Face of

Inheritance Disputes Bill Goldberg & Mike Goecke | Lerch, Early & Brewer

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listen to your situation, identify your goals and craft a strategy for your success. Whether entering into a discreet and confidential settlement agreement or forcefully advocating in court, Mike and Bill help you navigate the difficult emotional and legal challenges that are part of inheritance disputes.

301-986-1300 mjgoecke@lerchearly.com wagoldberg@lerchearly.com www.lerchearly.com

LISA HELFERT

Is your family headed for conflict? More often than you think, disputes arise among siblings, relatives, or step-relatives over money or property that is (or should be) distributed under wills or trusts. What are the obligations of trustees and personal representatives? Did someone unduly influence your mother? Have you been accused of mishandling funds?

Trust and estate litigators Mike Goecke and Bill Goldberg help you honor your loved one’s intentions while protecting your interests. They carefully

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The Face of

Integrative Medicine & Primary Care

MICHAEL VENTURA

(L-R) MaryLynn Gonsalves, CRNP; Kisha Davis, MD; Mozella Williams, MD; Nicole Farmer, MD; Catherine Goodyear, PA; Binetou Fall, MD | Casey Health Institute At Casey Health, our exceptionally personalized integrative healthcare is designed to address your health concerns, and provide you with the care, tools and support for lasting health and wellness. We’re innovative, collaborative and focused all on you, our patient.

Casey Health’s primary care physicians offer complete, whole-person care. Along with your primary care physician, patients also develop a relationship with a team of healthcare providers to balance traditional medicine with

evidence-based complementary treatments.

Think of us as your team–all under one roof, to help care for you, to listen to you and partner with you in restoring your health and vitality. Be healthy, stay well, love living.

Medical Offices: 301-664-6464 Wellness Center: 301-355-2030 www.caseyhealth.org

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The Face of

Invisalign Dr. Andrew Orchin & Dr. Jill Bailey | Orchin Orthodontics

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orthodontic specialists and their amazing team at Orchin Orthodontics.

Visit www.orchinorthodontics.com; read the practice’s online reviews at Yelp, Google, Healthgrades, etc.; and give the office a call to find out more about the affordable excellence of Orchin Orthodontics!

202-686-5100 www.orchinorthodontics.com

MICHAEL VENTURA

Famous for making people smile in Bethesda, Chevy Chase and Washington, D.C., Drs. Orchin and Bailey are certified orthodontic specialists who are experts in moving teeth and creating healthy, functional and beautiful smiles using Invisalign.

Dr. Bailey and Dr. Orchin are in the Top 1 percent of all dentists in the world treating smiles with Invisalign. Did you know that it isn’t Invisalign treating you? The success of your treatment relies solely on the expertise of the doctor using Invisalign. Trust your care with these leading

2017 FACES

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The Face of

Luxury Penthouse Living

MICHAEL VENTURA

Palisades of Bethesda Service Team Members These are the friendly faces of The Palisades Apartments and Penthouses in downtown Bethesda. The service team members are the people you’ll see daily, maintaining our community and servicing your needs around the property. They are on-call for emergencies 24 hours a day.

The Palisades is an oasis in the concrete of downtown Bethesda. Apartments are equipped with en-suite washer/ dryers, closet systems and limited access entry–plus all

utilities are included! The Palisades Penthouses at 4835 offer a step up in lifestyle with maid service, premium parking and distinctive floor plans. Their signature finishes and layouts are the most breathtaking in the area.

Stop by and say hello to any of our team!

844-235-8173 www.penthousesbethesda.com

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The Face of

Luxury Real Estate Jill Schwartz, Vice President | Realtor® DC/MD/VA Compass Sports & Entertainment Division

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exquisite properties and buyers with discerning tastes. I offer in-depth knowledge and an understanding of the demands of elite clientele.”

Cell: 301-758-7224 | 301-298-1001 www.jillschwartzgroup.com Compass is a licensed real estate brokerage that abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. Information is compiled from sources deemed reliable but is not guaranteed. All measurements and square footages are approximate. This is not intended to solicit property already listed. Compass is licensed as Compass Real Estate in DC and as Compass in Virginia and Maryland. 5471 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 300, Chevy Chase, MD 20815 | 301.298.1001

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As one of the top producing real estate agents in Maryland and a founding member of Compass’ Sports & Entertainment Division, Jill has built one of the most successful teams in the area, the Jill Schwartz Group, and has contracted over $100 million in real estate transactions. Jill is defined by the convergence of boldness and passion. This dynamic blend is reflected in every aspect of her business as she caters to a variety of clients, from her neighbors in Bethesda to high-profile clientele in D.C. “Real estate experiences should exceed expectations,” she says. “I offer an international network of real estate brokers, sellers with

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The Face of

Maker Education

HILARY SCHWAB

(L – R) Merita Zajmi, Nic Ryba, Liz Bullock and Sean Smith | Science Department, Green Acres School Green Acres has always been a “maker school,” where, since 1934, students have benefited from gardening, woodworking and quilting programs. Today, experiential learning includes robotics, block coding, 3D printing, prototyping and engineering design.

The maker curriculum–integrated in every grade level– emphasizes risk-taking, innovation and the value of failure through the mantra, “build, test, redesign.” With cutting-edge equipment, a campus designed for hands-on and outdoor learning, and small classes, staff bring to life the maker

philosophy so intrinsic to the school’s progressive roots.

“When students fulfill their desire to learn, create concrete representations of learning, and work creatively and collaboratively to solve challenges, they experience deep fulfillment, purpose and joy,” says science teacher Sean Smith. “Students learn that obstacles and failures are valuable experiences that help them succeed.”

301-881-4100 www.greenacres.org

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The Face of

Making a Difference, One Child at a Time I believe we make a difference in each child that comes through WCC by laying the foundation for a lifelong love of learning. Children are playful by nature. Play builds a strong sense of self confidence. It’s especially critical for preschoolers to develop naturally in their play. Our preschool prepares children to work with others cooperatively and approach learning with joy, but also nurtures happier people who will not lose their love of play. This is why our

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programs are designed to inspire children to learn through play and the thrill of discovery. Classrooms are warm, nurturing and exciting, and that makes learning fun. I always tell families that is the process – not the product. This is why we make a difference, one child at a time.

301-229-7161 www.wccbethesda.com

MICHAEL VENTURA

Executive Director Libby Dubner King Westmoreland Children’s Center (WCC)

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The Face of

Neck Lifts and Facelifts

COURTESY PHOTO

Sheilah A. Lynch, M.D., Board Certified Plastic Surgeon Men and women of varying ages are often frustrated by the changes to the contour and appearance of their neck. Changes with age may include loose skin and muscle, and sometimes excess fat, which is often genetic. The traditional facelift with prolonged recovery has been largely replaced by the neck lift along with the addition of fat transfer to the under eye hollows to replace lost volume and to the cheeks for lift.

Dr. Lynch is a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon with nearly 20 years of experience in private practice

devoted solely to cosmetic plastic surgery. She completed Plastic Surgery training at Brown University and specialty fellowship training in Cosmetic and Breast Surgery at Georgetown University. Her other interests include breast augmentation, reduction and lifts and body contouring, including liposuction, tummy tucks and arm lifts.

301-652-5933 www.lynchplasticsurgery.com

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The Face of

Neurosurgery Johns Hopkins Medicine

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Following any consultation and throughout the course of treatment, our team works with your physicians to determine the best care plan for you. Most neurosurgical operations are performed at Suburban Hospital.

To learn more about our services, please call us or visit our website.

301-896-6069 www.hopkinsmedicine.org/neuro/bethesda

KEITH WELLER

Get the expertise of Johns Hopkins neurosurgeons without the drive to Baltimore. Neurosurgeons Shih-Chun (David) Lin, MD, Ph.D.; Quoc-Anh Thai, MD; and Jeff Jacobson, MD; are available to evaluate neurosurgical patients at their Bethesda office at 4927 Auburn Ave. The doctors offer comprehensive, tailored treatment for all neurosurgical conditions, including minimally invasive treatments for spinal disorders, and provide personalized care before and after surgery.

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The Face of

New Development

MICHAEL VENTURA

The Babbington Team | Margaret Babbington, Carrie Babbington Hillegass, Michael Sumner, Colleen O’Brien, Megan Meekin, Jeff Chreky Native Washingtonian Margaret Babbington brings a top performing record as a Realtor to buyers and sellers, coupled with a real passion for local communities. Her team is a diverse group of local Realtors, with backgrounds in marketing and education, architecture and design. “We see every transaction from all angles,” she says. “We have a rare perspective on our market, and we want to help you find your place in it.”

Based in downtown Washington D.C. and Chevy Chase, the team knows neighborhoods in and around

the nation’s capital extremely well. They offer expertise, empathy and knowledge for first-time buyers and sellers to experienced property owners, savvy investors and developers.

The team is achieving big wins in neighborhoods poised for renovation and new development across the changing D.C. landscape.

240-460-4007 www.babbingtoninc.com

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The Face of

Non-Surgical Rejuvenation Drs. Elizabeth Tanzi, Geeta Shah & Tania Peters Capital Laser & Skin Care

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the latest non-surgical technology, Capital Laser & Skin Care provides maximum benefit with little recovery time.

“Here, you will always be treated as a unique individual where your results mean as much to us as they do to you,” says Dr. Tanzi. “Your friends, family and coworkers will notice the difference in your look, but only you will know why.”

301-798-9699 www.CapitalSkinLaser.com

TONY LEWIS JR

Capital Laser & Skin Care is the vision of world-renowned cosmetic dermatologist Dr. Elizabeth Tanzi – a place where men and women can experience the rejuvenating benefits of the most advanced, non-surgical aesthetic treatments, customized to their needs.

Along with board-certified dermatologists Dr. Geeta Shah and Dr. Tania Peters, Dr. Tanzi understands the most natural-looking results come from a personalized approach.

Combining talented physicians, advanced techniques and

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The Face of

One-To-One Classrooms

COURTESY PHOTO

Fusion Academy Fusion is a revolutionary private middle and high school where positive relationships unlock academic potential. All courses are one-to-one: one student and one teacher per classroom. This allows teachers to customize curriculum and teaching for each student’s individual strengths, interests and learning style. Our supportive campus environment includes a state-ofthe-art recording studio, mixed-media art studio and a Homework Café® where students complete all homework. From algebra to yoga and everything in between, we have classes available at essential, college prep and honors levels to meet your student’s academic goals, whatever they may be.

Looking for a summer school that won’t ruin summer fun? Learn more at www.FusionSummerClass. com. Fusion has campuses in Alexandria, Tyson’s Corner, Washington D.C., and coming soon to Rockville and Loudoun! www.FusionAcademy.com

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The Face of

Outdoor Adventure Camps Valley Mill Camp

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skills to excel in life. Some campers have even become U.S. Olympians! Many campers come back to Valley Mill as counselors – an invaluable resource of tradition, athletic skills and a deep understanding of the camper experience. They often grow up, have children and send them to Valley Mill. It’s truly a family tradition – for generations of area families.

301-948-0220 www.valleymill.com

FRANCIS FOWLER

Valley Mill Camp was founded 60 years ago

by May and Bob McEwan. May loved sports, especially kayaking and canoeing, and was also a synchronized swimmer, marksman, horsewoman and naturalist. Bob was an actor, teacher and excellent storyteller. The strengths and talents the McEwans began with are mirrored in programs at Valley Mill today.

Valley Mill’s spirit of adventure lives on, as our campers develop the self confidence and teamwork

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The Face of

Preschool & Kindergarten

TONY LEWIS JR

Geneva Day School Encouraging a lifelong love of learning in children ages two years old through Kindergarten is what Geneva Day School is all about. Our extremely low student–teacher ratio allows us to offer individualized programs, small group activities and lots oneon-one attention to each student. Our experienced, nurturing and dedicated staff, along with engaging and developmentally appropriate programs are foundational in helping each child grow into confident, happy learners.

Classes offer a broad curriculum with thematic units incorporating literacy, handwriting, STEAM, sensory activities, art, music and movement, environmental education, cooking, field trips, daily outdoor play and more. We have rolling admissions, a strong parents’ association and welcome our families to participate in school activities. We invite you to schedule a personal tour and see for yourself.

301-340-7704 | www.genevadayschool.org

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The Face of

Primary Education An educator of young children for more than 30 years, Scott Lawrence became Head of School in 2016. His professional experience includes leading the Lower School at Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart and teaching and administrative roles in schools in Connecticut and New York.

He joins Primary Day nearly 75 years after it was founded to provide the finest education for the most important years of Pre-K, Kindergarten, first and second grades. “This is a school like no other,” says Lawrence.

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“A unique, joy-filled environment where children enjoy accomplishments and forge relationships that last a lifetime.”

Small classes focus on reading, mathematics, STEM, world languages, physical education, music and art.

“Children are full of energy, curiosity and potential during this magical time, and we tap all to the fullest.”

301-365-4355 www.theprimarydayschool.org

MICHAEL VENTURA

Scott Lawrence, Head of School | The Primary Day School

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The Face of

Real Estate Margie Halem Margie Halem Group of Long & Foster Real Estate

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Clients depend on Margie and her team for market knowledge, exceptional service and a highly effective, tech-savvy approach to buying and selling real estate. Concentrating her efforts on the District, Bethesda, Potomac and Rockville markets, Margie has established an impressive record since 1985.

Her knowledge and commitment to evaluating each client’s needs and finding them the ideal property has earned her many accolades from Washingtonian, Bethesda Magazine’s Best of Bethesda Readers’ Poll, Real Trends, The Wall Street Journal, National Association of Realtors and Long & Foster.

Besides her passion for the industry, Margie is deeply committed to the community, playing significant roles in numerous charities as a chair, member, sponsor or volunteer, including the Autism Speaks National Walk, Open Your Heart Campaign for the American Heart Association and more.

C: 301-775-4196 O: 301-907-7600 www.margiehalemgroup.com licensed in MD, VA, D.C.

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The Face of

Recovery for Teens and their Families Gale Saler, LCPC, CRC-MAC, CAI-II, CIP, Founder/CEO | NorthStar Academy

240-669-9094 www.northstaracademy-metrodc.com

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ADAM FREEDMAN

Other leadership: Alan Zametkin, MD – Consulting Psychiatrist, Lonetta Mason, M-NPM – Vice President of Operations, Leah Simmons, LCSW-C – Clinical/Program Director Serving Metro Washington, D.C., NorthStar Academy is a transitional therapeutic program designed to meet the behavioral health needs of our community’s struggling teens. In our unique recovery environment, NorthStar’s team works with teens whose mental health and/or substance use concerns have stalled family, social, and academic integration and success.

NorthStar’s day treatment/partial hospital program offers wraparound therapeutic and educational services for teens who are currently unable to flourish in a mainstream school setting.

Our after-school/intensive outpatient program is for students able to engage in school but requiring structured clinical support.

Standard outpatient programming completes our comprehensive step-down approach.

NorthStar has achieved CARF International’s Gold Seal, Aspire to Excellence accreditation utilizing the following evidence-based best practices: positive youth development, adolescent therapeutic community and transitional family therapy.

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The Face of

Refined Residential Assisted Living

HILARY SCHWAB

Susan Rodgers, Founder & RN The Cottage at Curry Manor and Capital City Nurses Nestled amidst a residential neighborhood in the Bradley Hills section of Bethesda, the family owned Cottage at Curry Manor is the pinnacle of Refined Residential Assisted Living. World class personal care is provided to residents in need of help with their activities of daily living. Delicious home-cooked meals and creative activities are offered in this traditional, non-institutional residence. The Cottage is a unique place for senior living.

Susan Rodgers, RN, a 40-year pioneer in Maryland homecare, gives families the peace of mind that their loved ones receive the best assisted living experience in the industry. The Cottage is designed for aging seniors with personal care needs, but who wish to pursue the things in life that make them happy and engaged.

301-365-2582 www.thecottagehomes.com

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The Face of

Smile Makeover Despina M. Markogiannakis, DDS | Smiles of Chevy Chase

301-652-0656 info@SmilesOfChevyChase.com www.SmilesOfChevyChase.com

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TONY LEWIS JR

Located in Friendship Heights, Dr. Markogiannakis gives her patients a healthy, beautiful smile. Voted a “Top Dentist” by her peers in Washingtonian magazine, “DrOogle” has also named her the number one dentist in Chevy Chase.

“The first thing most people notice is your smile,” she says. “We see so many people who hide their smiles because of misalignment, discoloration and decay. The tragedy is, we can change that and make things so much better in as little as two weeks.”

Dr. Marko personalizes treatments for each patient, blending cosmetic dentistry, restorative dentistry, Botox therapy and preventative care. She also combines conservative approaches to making smiles beautiful while helping patients with all aspects of dental health and function. The first step is a smile makeover consultation with Dr. Marko.

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The Face of

Westbrook Neighborhood Homes Dana Rice Compass Real Estate

TONY LEWIS JR

Specializing in the unique collection of “Westbrook” neighborhoods (Westmoreland Hills, Westgate, Brookdale, Green Acres, Crestview, among others), Dana Rice is a familiar and trusted resource in Bethesda and Chevy Chase real estate. “Homes in these neighborhoods are well-built, and extremely desirable for their proximity to Friendship Heights and D.C.,” says Rice. “My team lives and works here, which makes a huge difference as we serve our clients.”

From small bungalows to expansive custom new homes, through Bethesda, Chevy Chase and D.C., Dana Rice brings a depth of community knowledge that makes a difference to sellers and buyers alike.

With unmatched marketing insight, an on-staff stager, interior designer and a roster of go-to experts, the Dana Rice Group brings concierge service to each client.

Office: 301-298-1001 Direct: 202-669-6908 www.compass.com/agents/dc/dana-rice

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Those may be hip buzzwords these days, but what do they mean in Montgomery County? What’s really grown and made here?

One giant clue is right in our bucolic backyard—the Montgomery County Agricultural Reserve, created in 1980 to protect our agrarian heritage. What could have ended up as mini-mansions and shopping centers is now home to 93,000 rural acres, almost a third of the county’s total land area. There are an additional 4,000 acres of farmland that are not part of the reserve.

Commodity crops—such as corn, soybeans and wheat—horse farms and horticulture operations make up the largest chunk, but there’s an increasing array of farms producing food that people eat.

From families who’ve worked the land for generations to a growing crop of career changers and young newcomers, Montgomery County farmers are selling their fresh wares at on-farm stands, through Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) programs and, to some extent, to area restaurants and retailers, and at farmers markets. It’s also easy and fun to get the lay of the land yourself; a host of places and activities that allow the public to engage with our rural reserve are a short drive away. When it comes to beer, wine and packaged goods, the county is also making inroads, as former lawyers, bankers and others turn their talents and passions to small-batch food and beverage production.

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PHOTO BY LAURA CHASE MCGEHEE

Farm to table. Locally grown. Artisan-made. Craft-brewed.

BY CAROLE SUGARMAN BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM | MAY/JUNE 2017

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THE DAIRY FARMER Since it opened in 2013, Woodbourne Creamery has racked up a lot of “first” and “only” claims to fame. In a county where the number of dairies has decreased dramatically (from 275 in 1949 to four today), Woodbourne was the first all-new operation to open in 60 years. It’s the only farm in the county that makes its own ice cream, and when it opened, it was North America’s only grass-fed dairy with a robotic milking device. In addition, co-owner and Chevy Chase native John Fendrick is the first and only Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School graduate from the Class of 1982 to live in an 1803 farmhouse in Germantown, run an information technology firm, and start raising dairy cows as a way to spend quality, teachable time with his sons when they were growing up.

Gemini, a Guernsey like the other 65 cows at the Mt. Airy dairy, ambles into the milking parlor, a computer identifies the chip in her ear tag, and a camera and laser-guided hydraulic arm attaches cups to her four teats. She’ll spend the next 10 minutes or so getting milked while a control panel displays the volume and flow rate of each teat, her output compared with the herd average and other data.

Gemini’s milk flows into a cooling tank along with the contributions of her cow colleagues and then through a pipeline to a pasteurizer, a cylindrical vat that Fendrick’s wife, Mary, monitors.

However, Woodbourne Creamery’s creamline milk is not homogenized, so when it’s bottled, the cream rises to the top. In an adjacent room, Mary also oversees the ice cream-making operation, which sometimes includes flavors from ingredients grown at the couple’s adjacent Rock Hill Orchard (the ginger ice cream, made from homegrown ginger, is divine). She runs the farm store and gives tours, too—robot included.

Woodbourne Creamery and Rock Hill Orchard’s on-farm market sells its milk, ice cream, homegrown produce and more; other offerings include pick-your-own produce and flowers, farm tours and fall hayrides.

Woodbourne Creamery milk is sold at the Bethesda Central Farm Market and at Butchers Alley in Bethesda.

Total land in Montgomery County

316,800 acres Percentage of land in farms 1949 2012 67.4 % 21.3% Source: USDA Census of Agriculture

28600 Ridge Road, Mt. Airy, 301-831-7427, rockhillorchard.com 126

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PHOTO BY ERICK GIBSON

Lemon, ­a Guernsey cow, lives at Woodbourne Creamery in Mt. Airy.

The dairy’s milk is sold at Bethesda Central Farm Market and at Butchers Alley in Bethesda.

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THE NEW FARMER With a jump start from Montgomery County’s New Farmer Project, Tanya Doka-Spandhla is growing vegetables for African dishes on a farm in Gaithersburg. Launched in 2012, the county project has provided training and mentoring to rookie farmers, and matched them with landowners looking to lease agricultural space.

Doka-Spandhla, who was part of the 2014 class of farmers, has developed a wordof-mouth following at her Passion to Seed Gardening farm, and customers drop by on weekends to buy horned melons, spider flower leaves, pumpkin leaves and other vegetables.

When she’s not farming, Zimbabwe-born Doka-Spandhla works for an IT company in Rockville.

4920 Griffith Road, Gaithersburg, passiontoseedgardening.com

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PHOTOS BY LAURA CHASE MCGEHEE

THE CHEF FARMER The row of arugula sprouting from the hoop house dirt at Chocolates and Tomatoes Farm in Poolesville already has a final destination: Kensington’s Frankly…Pizza!

Farm owner Mark Mills dedicates a portion of his 5-acre farm to growing greens for the restaurant, and he customizes vegetable plantings for Ricciuti’s in Olney, The Turn House in Columbia, Vasili’s Kitchen in Gaithersburg and Bassett’s in Poolesville. And along with three other area farmers, Mills grows produce for Manna Food Center in Gaithersburg, which is dedicated to eliminating hunger in the county.

Mills has a distinct advantage in this endeavor. A former caterer who worked at numerous restaurants in his home state of North Carolina, he later served as kitchen manager and corporate trainer for Ted’s Montana Grill in Arlington, Virginia.

In 2013, he received a pastry degree from L’Academie de Cuisine in Gaithersburg. He worked as a pastry chef at the Blue Duck Tavern in the District’s Park Hyatt Hotel. In 2014, he started the farm, which is now certified organic.

“I’ve spent over a quarter of a century in restaurants,” Mills says. “I know the mindset of the chef and purchasing manager. It’s easy for me to walk into a kitchen.”

He isn’t just growing 100 varieties of vegetables (including about 30 different heirloom tomatoes). He’s also getting his hands dirty in chocolate, making handcrafted candies that often incorporate his farm produce. Think yellow tomato jam enrobed in dark chocolate, carrot caramels, even chocolates filled with hopsinfused ganache. Mills says they taste like an IPA in chocolate form.

Produce and chocolates are sold at the Olney Farmers & Artists Market, and Mills’ chocolates can be special ordered. CSA memberships are available. chocolatesandtomatoes.com

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PHOTO BY LAURA CHASE MCGEHEE

THE URBAN FARMERS There’s something sprouting around the metallic HVAC units on the roof of the downtown Bethesda building that houses Equinox gym. It’s kale, spinach and chard, grown by Up Top Acres, a rooftop farm company 130

founded in 2014 by three graduates of the District’s Woodrow Wilson High School.

Their Bethesda locale—a project started in collaboration with Bethesda Green, the local environmental incubator, and Federal Realty Investment Trust, the developer that owns

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the building—is now in its second full growing season.

Last year, the farm harvested radishes, salad greens, scallions, tomatoes and more, produce that was sold to Jaleo restaurant across the street.

The rooftop planting space is now three times the size of the

original plot, and this summer a large portion of it will be taken up by hot peppers—jalapeños, Scotch bonnets, habaneros and Thai chilies. Coming soon: Up Top Acres hot sauce.

Up Top Acres’ Bethesda produce will be available in Jaleo dishes again this year,

Number of MoCo farms 540 Farms that produce food for people 219

and through its CSA. At press time the company was finalizing plans for sales at farmers markets.

Up Top also runs farms atop two buildings in the District’s Navy Yard area, and grows microgreens and herbs on top of Oyamel, a restaurant in Penn Quarter. uptopacres.com

OPPOSITE: PHOTO COURTESY UP TOP ACRES; PEACHES PHOTO COURTESY KINGSBURY’S ORCHARD

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THE PEACH FARMER Glenglo, Victoria and Sugar Giant. Those are just a few of Gene Kingsbury’s favorite peach varieties. And Candy Crisp is the apple of his eye.

On 55 acres in Dickerson, Kingsbury’s Orchard features 6,000 fruit trees, growing about 50 varieties of peaches (including the exclusive Kingsbury Pride), plus 20 types of apples, along with Asian pears, cherries, apricots, nectarines and plums.

Five years ago, after retiring from the Federal Aviation Administration, Kingsbury came back to work full time on the farm, which was started by his great-great-grandparents in 1907. It was Kingsbury’s great-grandfather who first started growing peaches during the Depression, an uncommon crop at the time in this area.

The century-old dairy barn, now used for storage, needs a paint job and a roof replacement, but it adds historic grit to the vista of fruit trees marching up a gentle hill. Kingsbury remembers milking cows in the adjacent milking parlor as a kid, when his parents managed a Holstein herd along with the orchard. Nowadays, the only on-farm animals are pets—10 head of cattle, a dog and a donkey named Jack.

Kingsbury’s Orchard runs an on-site farm market that opens June 10.

19415 Peach Tree Road, Dickerson, 301-972-8755, kingsburysorchard.com BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM | MAY/JUNE 2017

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The unexpected March snowfall didn’t stop the Savages (from left: Bruce, Sandra, Colin, Cory and Cody) from their work on the farm.

ANIMAL FARMS IN MOCO NUMBER OF FARMS

Dairy

4

PRODUCTION

656 cows

Hogs/pigs

16

192 hogs/pigs

Goats

56

732 goats

Beef

70

1,205 cows

Poultry

98

4,063 chickens

Source: USDA Census of Agriculture

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THE FAMILY FARMERS

Montgomery County farmer, ran a dairy operation on his grandmother’s farm with his brother Kevin until 2013, when he decided to branch out into livestock. And the Savage’s sons— Cody, 23, Cory, 21, and Colin, 15—are an integral part of the operation, helping with the feeding, fieldwork and hay delivery. The family of five lives together in a house next to their farm market shop and produces most of the food they consume. Farming is “a seven-day-a-week job,” Bruce Savage says. “The cows don’t take a day off.”

R.B. Savage & Sons’ farm market store sells the family’s beef, pork and chicken, as well as bacon and country sausage, the latter made from an old recipe passed down from Sandra’s family. It also stocks eggs from their hens, homegrown vegetables and other products. The family sells its meats at three county farmers markets: Shady Grove, Potomac Village and the Common Ground Market in Beallsville.

23035 Mt. Ephraim Road, Dickerson, 301-370-7111 or 301-370-6442

PHOTO BY ERICK GIBSON

The roosters are cock-a-doodling in the Savage family’s backyard, as hens, a few turkeys and a duck amble about. “They all get along fine,” Sandra Savage says of the lively poultry pack.

Sandra and Bruce Savage and their three sons also get along just fine, raising hogs, broilers and 170 head of cattle on several plots in the county, plus 1,000 acres of commodity crops such as hay, corn and soybeans.

Bruce Savage, a fourth generation

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Average farm size in MoCo 118 acres Number of farms smaller than 50 acres 375 (69.4 %)

Butler, Shirley and Carol 1964 in ip, Sk g do d an

THE MULTIGENERATIONAL FARMERS Butler’s Orchard may be known for its festivals and field trips, but it’s foremost a family affair. Three generations of Butlers work on the 300-acre farm, and they all live on the property or within a five-minute drive.

“We have a very close family,” says Hallie Butler-Van Horn, purchasing manager and granddaughter of co-founder Shirley Butler, who still works in the office and walks her dog every day on the farm.

In 1950, Shirley and George Butler bought the farm’s original 37 acres, and their children Susan and Wade have stayed with it. Last year, Susan Butler retired from the family farm, but not from agriculture; she runs the neighboring Waters Orchard with her husband. Wade serves as Butler’s farm manager, and his children, Hallie, Tyler and Ben, all have managerial roles.

As for the future, a fourth generation of Butlers is busy germinating.

Hallie has a young daughter, and at press time, her brother Tyler and his wife had one on the way.

Butler’s Orchard hosts numerous events, offers pick-your-own fruits and vegetables, and runs a large farm market.

22222 Davis Mill Road, Germantown, 301-972-3299, butlersorchard.com 134

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Right next to Kingsbury’s Orchard, at the corner of Darnestown and Peach Tree roads, sits the Lewis Orchards farm market, a busy place with a loyal following and retail roots that began decades ago as a shed. Owners Robert and Linda Lewis live on the adjacent farm, which was started in 1888 by Robert’s great-grandparents, who farmed hay and cattle. In 1932, Robert Lewis’ grandmother was one of the founders of the Montgomery Farm Women’s Cooperative Market in Bethesda.

The fourth generation Lewis farm has grown into one of the county’s largest produce operations, wholesaling about 40 percent of its goods to other stands, such as Norman’s Farm Market and Potomac Farm Market. The property includes 30 acres of fruit trees, 100 acres of sweet corn, and 100 acres of pumpkins; about 35,000 tomato plants go in the ground each year, along with cucumbers, squash, eggplant, green beans and more. And it looks like Lewis produce will be growing even more plentiful. In November, the couple bought an additional 400 acres in Montgomery County, close to White’s Ferry.

Lewis Orchards’ farm market opens in June.

18901 Peach Tree Road, Dickerson, 301349-4101, lewisorchardfarmmarket.com

BUTLER’S PHOTO COURTESY; APRICOTS FILE PHOTO

THE PROLIFIC PRODUCE FARMERS

Another New Farmer Project participant with a niche product is Russ Testa of Your Chef’s Table farm in Brookeville.

Testa graduated from culinary school in 2012 and did part-time stints as a personal chef. Frustrated over the inability to find locally grown ingredients for clients, he started his own farm, joining the New Farmer Project in 2014.

Eager to connect farming with cooking, Testa came up with the idea of meal kits, made with items he raises on his farm. Like the popular Blue Apron or HelloFresh meal delivery services, Testa’s kits include preportioned packages of ingredients—such as chicken, Brussels sprouts, kale, chard, bok choy—and a recipe.

Your Chef’s Table farm meal kits and produce are available at the Brookeville Beer Farm Market, Olney Farmers & Artists Market, St. Camillus Church in Silver Spring and at Testa’s on-farm market.

19715 Zion Road, Brookeville, 202-236-4085, yourchefstable.net

PHOTO BY MICHAEL VENTURA

BUTLER’S PHOTO COURTESY; APRICOTS FILE PHOTO

THE MEAL-KIT FARMER

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Diners turned out for a Calleva Dirty Dinner on a cool summer night. The menu, including unlimited wine, featured locally grown ingredients.

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Fill up your calendar with these events and fun places to visit

AGRICULTURAL HISTORY FARM PARK This 455-acre county park has it all— fields, farm animals, an orchard, and the outbuildings and former homestead of the Magruder-Bussard family, which lived there at the turn of the 20th century. 18400 Muncaster Road, Derwood, 301-563-7523, montgomeryparks.org/parks-and-trails/ agricultural-history-farm-park

BUTTON FARM LIVING HISTORY CENTER Located within Seneca Creek State Park, Button Farm’s exhibits and buildings illustrate life on a 19th century slave plantation. The farm grows heirloom crops and raises heritage breeds of animals.

16820 Black Rock Road, Germantown, buttonfarm.org

CALLEVA DIRTY DINNERS The popular dinners at this 165-acre farm feature dishes made from produce grown on-site, and meats and eggs from animals raised on the nearby farm, plus local wines and live music. This year’s dinners are scheduled for June 24, July 29 and Aug. 26. 19120 Martinsburg Road, Dickerson, 301-216-1248, calleva.org

PHOTO BY MICHAEL VENTURA

KING BARN DAIRY MOOSEUM What do you call a cow that can’t give milk?

A Milk Dud. This and other dairy jokes can be found on the website of the dairy heritage museum, which houses interactive exhibits, educational programs and a restored barn on a historic farm. South Germantown Recreational Park, 18028 Central Park Circle, Boyds, 301-528-6530, mooseum.org

MONTGOMERY COUNTY AGRICULTURAL FAIR Animal exhibits, carnival rides, funnel cakes

and more have made the fair a perennial favorite since 1949. This year’s deep-fried fun goes from Aug. 11-19. Montgomery County Agricultural Fairgrounds, 501 Perry Parkway, Gaithersburg, 301-926-3100, mcagfair.com

MONTGOMERY COUNTY FARM TOUR AND HARVEST SALE This year marks the 28th annual weekend event, when local farms welcome the public for hayrides, produce purchases, tours and more. To find farms participating on July 22 and 23, plus maps, visit montgomerycountymd.gov/farmtour.

RED WIGGLER COMMUNITY FARM A certified organic farm where people with and without disabilities grow food, Red Wiggler welcomes field volunteers, runs a CSA, leads farm tours, and hosts a Farm to Fork Dinner (June 17) and the annual Harvest Celebration (Sept. 16).

Ovid Hazen Wells Park, 23400 Ridge Road, Germantown, 301-916-2216, redwiggler.org

ROCKLANDS FARM “Know your food, know your farmer.

It’s a big part of our ethos,” says Rocklands Farm co-founder Greg Glenn, who grew up in Bethesda. There’s a farm market store and tasting room that sells Rocklands’ meats, wine and local products; a happy hour; trivia night; live music every Friday night; and food truck fare Friday nights, Saturday and Sunday.

Rocklands also runs a CSA and summer camp; offers field trips and tours; holds dinners for wine club and CSA members; and rents the picturesque spot for weddings. 14525 Montevideo Road, Poolesville, 301-825-8075, rocklandsfarmmd.com

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Il Pizzico chef-owner Enzo Livia buys milk from Woodbourne Creamery in Mt. Airy for his house-made gelato. The milk’s high butterfat content and the fact that it’s not homogenized makes for a gelato with a better consistency and mouthfeel, he says.

15209 Frederick Road, Rockville, 301-309-0610, ilpizzico.com 138

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A big believer in Montgomery County products, Tony Conte, chef-owner of Inferno Pizzeria Napoletana, buys salad greens from Potomac Valley Organics in Damascus and goat cheese from Cherry Glen in Boyds. During certain times of the year, he picks up produce weekly from Lewis Orchards in Dickerson. Among his past finds and creations: cantaloupe for caponata, watermelon and green tomatoes for marmalades, and corn, onions, peppers, potatoes, tomatoes, zucchini and yellow squash for pizza toppings. This winter, Conte used Lewis Orchards’ eggs for an egg truffle pizza, and he turned Lewis’ butternut squash into a caponata served with burrata, crushed hazelnuts and olive oil.

12207 Darnestown Road, Darnestown, 301-963-0115, inferno-pizzeria.com

Pistachio, chocolate and hazelnut gelato at Il Pizzico

INFERNO AND IL PIZZICO PHOTOS BY MICHAEL VENTURA

What’s landing on restaurant tables in our area is rarely from a farm in Montgomery County. “Locally grown” is more likely to mean from southern Pennsylvania or other parts of Maryland, areas with smaller populations, larger farms, and more established marketing and distribution infrastructures.

“I do not deal with a lot of Montgomery County producers,” says Ype Von Hengst, co-founder and executive chef of the restaurant Silver in Bethesda and the Silver Diner chain, which promotes locally sourced ingredients. “I would like to, but none of them can supply me with the quantity I need.”

Buying from traditional wholesalers, restaurants have gotten accustomed to products that are easy to order, consistent, affordable and delivered to their doors, services that small farmers may find difficult to provide.

Some connections have been made, however. Marc Grossman, the owner of The Farm at Our House in Brookeville (Our House is a residential job-training and skills building center for at-risk adolescents), sells produce to Black’s Bar & Kitchen, Black Market Bistro, Il Pizzico and Ricciuti’s restaurants—and delivers it personally, at night.

“It’s a lot of work,” says Grossman, who’s a full-time teacher at Montgomery Blair High School in Silver Spring. “People don’t fully understand what’s involved.”

Those who spend the time or money say it’s worth it. “In my opinion, the product tastes better,” says James Ricciuti, chefowner of Ricciuti’s, who has been buying Montgomery County produce for 25 years. “That’s the primary reason we do this.”

Inferno Pizzeria Napoletana turns Lewis Orchards’ butternut squash into a caponata served with burrata, crushed hazelnuts and olive oil.

Ricciuti’s first opened in Laytonsville in 1992, right in the county’s agricultural reserve, and chef-owner James Ricciuti became accustomed to farmers dropping by with produce. When the restaurant moved to Olney in 1997, he furthered his commitment to local farmers, purchasing produce from Chocolate and Tomatoes Farm in Poolesville, Blueberry Gardens in Ashton, The Farm at Our House in Brookeville, pork and beef from very small producers nearby, and microgreens seedlings from the horticulture program at Sherwood High School in Sandy Spring. In addition, the restaurant’s kitchen is supplied with a small amount of produce grown on the restaurant’s property, and from Ricciuti’s home garden in Brookeville.

3308 Olney Sandy Spring Road, Olney, 301-570-3388, ricciutis.com

Chocolates and Tomatoes Farm in Poolesville grows specific patches of arugula and spinach for Frankly…Pizza!’s Frank Linn, who uses both greens as a pizza topping (and the arugula for salad, as well). Linn also grows basil, peppers and tomatoes on the roof of the Kensington restaurant.

10417 Armory Ave., Kensington, 301-832-1065, franklypizza.com

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FARMERS MARKETS

SUPERMARKETS When Mark Weiner was growing up in Garrett Park in the 1960s, he remembers his father buying produce from farms in Rockville and Silver Spring to stock their Garrett Park Market, currently the location of Black Market Bistro.

Now, as produce buyer for Dawson’s Market in Rockville, “I’ve come full circle from when I was 4,” Weiner says.

While the number of close-in farms has declined drastically since he was a kid, Weiner still tries to buy as much Montgomery County produce as he can, including from Chocolates and Tomatoes Farm in Poolesville, Red Wiggler Community Farm in Germantown, The Farm at Our House in Brookeville and Passion to Seed Gardening in Gaithersburg. Dawson’s also works with Rock Terrace School in Rockville, a specialeducation school with a large garden that provides produce and herbs to the store.

Dawson’s stocks the area’s largest variety of MoCo produce. Other markets that buy from farmers in the county: Butchers Alley in Bethesda carries Woodbourne Creamery milk, MOM’s Organic Market stocks salad greens from Potomac Valley Organics in Damascus and vegetables from Inverness Farm in Dickerson, Grosvenor Market in Rockville buys from Lewis Orchards in Dickerson, and Whole Foods Market gets produce periodically from Homestead Farm in Poolesville and Kingsbury’s Orchard in Dickerson. Cherry Glen goat cheese, made in Boyds, is widely available.

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For a list of farmers markets in the county, see montgomerycountymd.gov/ agservices/agfarmersmarkets.html. For more information about the Common Ground Market, see thecommongroundmarket.com.

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DAWSON’S MARKET COURTESY PHOTO; CARROTS PHOTO BY MAIRE MCARDLE

Dawson’s Market

Montgomery County has the most farmers markets in Maryland, according to the Maryland Farmers Market Association. (It’s tied with Baltimore City, which also has 19.)

Yet it’s hard to find produce that’s grown here, at least at farmers markets in the lower part of the county. “I can’t recall ever having a single Montgomery County [produce] farmer apply [for a space],” says Mitch Berliner, co-founder of Central Farm Markets, which includes the markets in Bethesda and Rockville.

Montgomery County farmers say it’s tough to break into local farmers markets, where larger operations have established legacy slots and return every year. Small operations may not have the time and labor required to drive to a market and man a booth. Plus, MoCo farmers can’t compete on price with other farm enterprises.

“Farming in Montgomery County is more expensive than farming in places like Pennsylvania—the taxes, the cost of land and services,” says Caroline Taylor, executive director of the Montgomery Countryside Alliance. “And by that alone, [Montgomery County] products may be a bit more expensive.”

There’s a higher level of participation at up-county markets, closer to where the farmers work and live. In fact, Taylor and small farmers in the Montgomery County Agricultural Reserve launched the Common Ground Market in Beallsville last year, and it’s all farmers from MoCo.

A California-inspired menu highlighting simple dishes and specialties from our wood-fire grill.

AT PIKE & ROSE DINNER, LUNCH & WEEKEND BRUNCH 11825 GRAND PARK AVE. • NORTH BETHESDA (301) 881-2381 • SUMMERHOUSESM.COM Photo Credit: underabushel.com

Seasonally-inspired artisan pizzas highlighting sustainable and locally grown ingredients.

AT PIKE & ROSE DINNER & WEEKEND BRUNCH 11825 GRAND PARK AVE. • NORTH BETHESDA (301) 770-8609 • STELLABARRA.COM Photo Credit: underabushel.com

COMMUNITY SUPPORTED AGRICULTURE

PHOTO BY MICHAEL VENTURA

Community Supported Agriculture subscriptions, in which consumers pay up front for a share of future harvests, is a popular model for Montgomery County’s small farms. The arrangement gives farmers the early-season cash they need, and offers them a guaranteed market when the crops are ready. And some CSAs require pickup at the farm, eliminating transportation costs. Members get a weekly supply of fresh farm products and a real connection to their food.

“I always stuck with the CSA model,” says Michael Protas, owner of One Acre Farm in Boyds, who’s entering his eighth season. Protas, who graduated from Winston Churchill High School in Potomac and lives in Rockville, says he likes the community aspect of it. “Over the years, I’ve developed relationships with people—as opposed to selling to a grocery store and never seeing who eats my food.”

For the Montgomery Countryside Alliance’s list of CSAs run

by Montgomery County farmers, as well as those who have pickup locations here, see mocoalliance.org/communitysupported-agriculture.html.

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4/10/17 1:37 PM

CELEBRATING 12,784 DAYS OF AWARD-WINNING KITCHEN DESIGNS

CHEERS TO

YEARS

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ON-FARM AND ROADSIDE STANDS

PHOTO BY MICHAEL VENTURA

Homestead Farm, Butler’s Orchard, Heyser Farms and Lewis Orchards are among the larger establishments in our area with popular on-farm markets.

Selling their own produce (and sometimes fill-ins from other farms), on-farm stores let farmers sell directly to consumers on their own turf, meaning no lugging tomatoes somewhere else, and no marked-up prices.

Montgomery County has a vibrant community of on-farm and close-to-farm markets. During the fall, Comus Market, owned by David Heisler, stocks more than 30 varieties of pumpkins and squash, all grown on the Dickerson farm.

In the summer, the produce stand at Pleasant Valley Farm in Laytonsville sells sweet corn that’s grown and picked on-site, as well as home-raised beef and pork. Small stands dot the county’s agricultural reserve, too, so you never know when you’ll come upon a table of homegrown beans.

Down-county, roadside stands such as Potomac Farm Market, owned by Potomac native Steve Magassy, sell produce from his farms in Poolesville and Potomac, as well as from Montgomery County growers such as Lewis Orchards in Dickerson. Norman’s Farm Market, which operates three close-in roadside locations, has its own farm in Howard County, and also buys produce from farms in Pennsylvania and Virginia, and from Lewis Orchards.

For a list of on-farm markets in Montgomery County, see montgomerycountymd.gov/agservices/resources/files/publications/latest_ farm_directory/seventhcutfarmdirectorydesignasof72016.pdf.

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10:00 AM – 1:00 PM. AT NORTH BETHESDA MARKET 11414 ROCKVILLE PIKE ▪ 301.984.5252 SEASONS52.COM

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It’s rare to hit the jackpot like Honest Tea, the Bethesda-based company started in 1998 by Seth Goldman and Barry Nalebuff. In 2011, Coca-Cola purchased the current top-selling U.S. organic bottled tea company, which generated $178 million in sales in 2015. Goldman still runs the company as an independent business unit of the beverage behemoth.

It’s probably safe to say that no other food entrepreneurs in the county are making millions. Growth is tricky; selling at farmers markets or to a few stores is often more sustainable than scaling production, given the costs to manufacture, distribute, market and get shelf space in supermarkets.

Nevertheless, the following companies are examples of those that have achieved a level of success measured by their longevity, distribution or both.

LA PASTA THE PRODUCT: Fresh pastas and sauces THE FOUNDERS: Henrique Cogo and former caterer Alexis Konownitzine YEAR INTRODUCED: 1994, in a former Marvelous Market bakery facility DISTRIBUTION: La Pasta’s Silver Spring plant now employs 40 people and turns out a host of colorful ravioli, tortellini, gnocchi and other pastas, as well as a line of sauces, sold nationally to hundreds of retailers and restaurants. The owners are in the process of annexing more space and buying more equipment to double capacity.

SECRET TO SUCCESS: “We try to sell the healthiest product we can make,” Konownitzine says. When buyers are choosing among products, “sometimes we just have the best recipe,” he says. “And sometimes we get lucky.” lapastainc.com

THE PRODUCT: Small batch ultrapremium ice cream (more than 17 percent milkfat) THE FOUNDER: Former Jazzercise teacher Susan Soorenko YEAR INTRODUCED: 2002, as a scoop shop in McLean, Virginia. Soorenko opened a second shop in Silver Spring in 2005, and then the Silver Spring plant in 2009.

DISTRIBUTION: Over the years, the company’s sales focus shifted from restaurants to supermarkets. The ice cream is now sold in about 250 stores along the East Coast, including Safeway, Giant and Whole Foods, and is still served at more than 100 restaurants in the D.C. area.

SECRET TO SUCCESS: Soorenko says she never “had a plan B,” was always tenacious, and doesn’t cut corners when it comes to maintaining quality. moorenkos.com 146

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COURTESY PHOTOS

MOORENKO’S ICE CREAM

These two companies are headquartered in Montgomery County but went elsewhere to make their products, due to the lack of contract packers, which manufacture and package food for companies that don’t have their own facilities.

CHARMEDBAR THE PRODUCT: Three varieties of fruit and nut bars that are free of gluten, grain, soy, dairy and refined sugar and don’t contain genetically modified organisms. Sweetened with honey, they contain nuts, nut butters and dried unsweetened fruit and seeds.

THE FOUNDERS: Gaithersburg friends Debbi Ascher and Jen Burnstein, both of whom grew up in Montgomery County.

YEAR INTRODUCED: 2013. The bars were made in a commercial kitchen in Gaithersburg.

DISTRIBUTION: CharmedBar products are now manufactured in Spokane, Washington, and are available nationwide in hundreds of stores, including major chains. The women have done segments on local TV stations, and appeared on two Food Network shows.

SECRET TO SUCCESS: “We hold the belief that we can do anything,” Ascher says.

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DRESS IT UP DRESSING THE PRODUCT: Stylishly labeled salad dressings with drawings of women in foodaccessorized clothing, such as a skirt made of apple slices or a belt with a beet as a buckle.

THE FOUNDER: Chevy Chase resident and former filmmaker Sophia Maroon YEAR INTRODUCED: 2012 DISTRIBUTION: Dress It Up Dressing is now sold in more than 100 stores in nine states.

First made at a co-packing plant in Pennsylvania, the dressings are now produced in Wisconsin. Distribution will increase this summer, when the dressings are launched on the West Coast following new packaging and expanded flavors (from four to seven varieties).

SECRET TO SUCCESS: “The incredible community of people who have bought a jar of dressing and given it to a friend, saying ‘try this!’ ” Maroon says. “They’re like my secret army of brand ambassadors, and they’re very effective.” dressitupdressing.com

12220 Wilkins Avenue Rockville, MD 20852 301-231-8998

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Switching careers, the following local women turned to chocolate.

They all share a passion for the product, and derive satisfaction in delivering delight.

It was when she was buying $500 shoes that Sarah Dwyer knew something was wrong. “You can always tell a person who’s unhappy in their job because they have great shoes,” says the former Bethesda banker. “You want something in your life that you like.” For Dwyer, that meant quitting work and attending Le Cordon Bleu in Paris before launching Chouquette in 2010.

Her company has since grown to include 10 part-time staff members (including some with developmental and physical disabilities), and her chocolatecovered caramels topped with local and seasonal designs are sold in about 70 stores throughout the mid-Atlantic region, including the White House Historical Association gift shop. “Selling certificates of deposits never made me as happy as selling $15 boxes of chocolate,” Dwyer says. chouquette.us

BETHESDA CHOCOLATES, HEATHER GIULI The milk chocolate-colored building on Woodmont Avenue in Bethesda is eye candy for what lies inside: caramels, turtles, pretzel bars, barks, raspberry bites and more.

Opened in late 2016, Bethesda Chocolates is owned by Heather Giuli, a former Capitol Hill legislative assistant who’s also a wife, mother and lifelong chocoholic.

Now that her kids are older, the Bethesda resident says she has more time to “pursue other passions,” namely making chocolate—which she learned from a chocolatier in Virginia Beach. “Who doesn’t love chocolate?” Giuli says. “It feels like a gift every day to work with it.”

8003 Woodmont Ave., Bethesda, 240-483-0877 148

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BETHESDA CHOCOLATES PHOTO BY SKIP BROWN; CHOUQUETTE PHOTO COURTESY

CHOUQUETTE, SARAH DWYER

DANZIGER DESIGN DANZIGERDESIGN.COM 301 365 3300

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DEAR COCO, RACHELLE FERNEAU One of the best things about owning your own company is being able to tailor your products toward things you’re passionate about, says Rachelle Ferneau, whose specifications call for handcrafted chocolates that are vegan-friendly, gluten-free and kosher, contain certified organic and non-GMO ingredients, and come in recyclable packaging. “We eat cleanly and avoid artificial ingredients at home,” says Ferneau, a Potomac resident who worked in human resources administration in her native California before relocating to the Washington, D.C., area in 1999. A self-taught pastry chef, Ferneau was making kosher, dairy-free baked goods, but switched to chocolate in 2012, enamored with its versatility and eager to make it accessible to people with food allergies and other dietary needs.

Available at Williams-Sonoma and Balducci’s stores, as well as other shops nationwide, and online at dearcoco.com.

As the one-woman show behind The Chocolatier’s Palette, Jill Sandler of North Bethesda gets to enjoy making fudge while being the creative director, as well. That’s resulted in more than 80 unique flavor combinations and seasonal specialties, including blueberry lavender, pistachio cardamom rosewater, strawberry balsamic, tomato basil, spiced mango and more. After years of giving the treats to friends and family, Sandler—who used to moonlight as a singer with a band, and currently works part time for the federal government—created her company in 2014. It was a good move. “I could talk about my fudge all day…so I must be in the right career,” she says.

Available at Central Farm Markets (Bethesda, Pike and Mosaic), at the NIH Community Market and online at thechocolatierspalette.com.

ZIVAARA, PUJA SATIANI In making the shift from law to confections, attorney Puja Satiani studied like she was taking the (chocolate) bar exam. The Silver Spring resident enrolled in the pastry program at L’Academie de Cuisine in Gaithersburg and trained at L’Ecole du Grand Chocolat in southeastern France and the Chocolate Academy in Chicago. She visited cacao production in the Dominican Republic, and stayed at a cacao farm in the jungles of Belize. And now as a chocolatier, she’s spreading the word. “The focus [of Zivaara] is to help people understand what cacao is and what it can be used for,” she says. That means chocolates with unusual sweet and savory combinations, products such as cacao nib rub and cacao nib brittle, and even skin care items such as cocoa butter lip balm and chocolate orange body oil.

Available at select stores in Bethesda, Silver Spring and Potomac, and online at zivaara.com.

Contributing Editor Carole Sugarman lives in Chevy Chase and is a member of the Montgomery County Food Council, an independent nonprofit organization that works to improve the environmental, economic, social and nutritional health of the county's food system.

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CHOCOLATIER’S PALETTE PHOTO BY LAURA CHASE MCGEHEE; DEAR COCO AND ZIVAARA COURTESY

THE CHOCOLATIER’S PALETTE, JILL SANDLER

Photography by John Cole

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What do the breweries in Montgomery County have to offer? So much that you’ll go for a growler and stay for hours. To suss out the best brews in our area, we spent a day visiting the county’s four operations with Dave Birks, a beer aficionado who is the general manager of Downtown Crown Wine and Beer in Gaithersburg.

BREWERY THE BROOKEVILLE BEER FARM

WAREDACA BREWING COMPANY

7 LOCKS BREWING

DENIZENS BREWING CO.

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THE SETTING

THE SEATING

THE FLIGHTS

DAVE’S FAVES

Four 4-ounce beers for $8.75, seven for $15.25

Ridiculous: Super smooth with a fluffy head, this nitro stout beautifully balances roasty, chocolate and coffee flavors. (This was the best beer of the day, Dave says.)

A former nursery turned into a farm brewery, the cupola-topped building on a country corner boasts a tasting room with a view of the brewing room. Family friendly and great for dogs, it has an energetic vibe, especially on Saturdays, when a farmers market and rotating cast of food trucks are on-site.

A large circular bar is the prime location for grabbing a drink inside, and there are four large communal high-top tables, as well. The outside patio is packed with picnic tables.

Situated on a working horse farm, there’s lots of open space for little ones and dogs to run around. On Saturdays during the warmer months, kids can pet and ride ponies for a nominal charge.

Rough-hewn tables with benches and a corner full of couches are the indoor options, while the gravel patio offers picnic tables.

$2 per 5-ounce taster

Situated in an industrial park warehouse, this no-frills operation feels like the backroom of a frat house.

A mishmash of tables— plus cornhole sets and oversize Jenga—are scattered around the concrete-floored space.

A bar serves as a dividing line between the hangout area and the brewing equipment.

$8 for five 4-ounce pours

There is a two-level taproom with an array of tables, but you really want to be out on the patio at one of the picnic tables, where dogs are welcome (water bowls are filled regularly, and treats can be purchased). The brewery is very family friendly.

Choose a seasonal, hoppy or malty flight, with four 4-ounce beers for $9.

Just off Georgia Avenue, the brewery embraces its urban setting with an aesthetic forged out of concrete and metal. The atmosphere is electrified by the frequently large crowds and cranked tunes.

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Interdependence: With a strong pineapple aroma and the bold flavor of grapefruit rind, this IPA uses tropical tones to curb the underlying bitterness.

Beecher: Redolent with the scent of lemon verbena, this is an easygoing, light IPA, so you can enjoy more than one without fatiguing your palate.

Reveille: Forged with locally roasted Mayorga coffee, the dark stout has the rich intensity of a freshly pulled espresso.

Wilkins Honey Ale: Nitrogen carbonation adds body and a fluffy head—like a Guinness—to the svelte sipper, which delivers a hit of the hive without being residually sweet.

Belgian Dubbel: True to style, it’s rich with the flavors of dates, raisins and figs, though it isn’t overly dessert-y.

Big Red Norm: Preceded by a whiff of caramel, the ruddy-hued American ale is slightly sweet, with a clean finish and subtle bitterness.

Southside Rye: A very drinkable IPA with a faint tropical taste, a juicy component and a hint of spice on the back end.

BY NEVIN MARTELL

THE FOOD

THE STAFF

THE TOUR

THE LOCAL TWIST

THE DETAILS

A small market carries packaged snacks and nonalcoholic drinks, while a small oven on wheels behind the bar turns out personal-size pizzas.

Friendly, outgoing and knowledgeable, they served us right away and told us the stories of the beers we were drinking.

Nothing formal is available, but you can score one if you ask and the staff has time. During our visit, we ran into co-owner Phil Muth, who showed us around.

The farm brewery grows its own hops and also produces blueberries, raspberries and shiitake mushrooms that it uses in its beers (yes, you read that last one correctly).

20315 Georgia Ave., Brookeville; 301260-1000; brookevillebeerfarm.com

There are snacky nibbles, such as Maryland cheeses from Cherry Glen Goat Cheese Co. and Bowling Green Farm, and Virginia salami and hummus. Or you can pack your own picnic.

Chatty and friendly, they shared interesting tidbits about the farm’s history, the beers we were drinking and the Maryland brewing scene.

There’s a free tour around 3:30 p.m. every Saturday. If staff members are available at other times, they are also willing to show guests around.

The Little Dam honey wheat beer uses the farm’s honey, while other beers include fruit from Butler’s Orchard in Germantown, and rosemary, thyme, Thai basil and other herbs raised in the brewer’s garden.

4017 Damascus Road, Laytonsville; 301-774-2337; waredacabrewing company.com

Food trucks, such as El Pollo Submarine and The Rolling Brick, are regularly scheduled, or you can bring your own bites.

Though the brewery wasn’t busy, staffers were slow to serve us, and they seemed unengaged once they did.

As long as employees have the time, they can accommodate visitors on a case-bycase basis.

Bourbon-barrel hard cider from Silver Spring’s Great Shoals Winery is on tap, as is D.C.-made Thunder Beast root beer. This autumn, 7 Locks plans to brew fall harvest ale featuring Maryland hops.

12227 Wilkins Ave., Rockville; 301-841-7123; 7locksbrewing.com

A full menu of betterthan-average pub fare includes carnitas-stuffed pupusas, a curried chicken sandwich, a quinoa burger and Indian-spiced chickpea wedges.

The place was slammed when we showed up in late afternoon, so it took a minute to belly up to the bar, but servers were helpful and efficient once we got there.

Complimentary tours are available on Saturdays at 3 p.m., though the staff says a walk-through can usually be arranged.

They have aged sour beers in barrels from Catoctin Creek Distilling Co. in Purcellville, Virginia.

1115 East West Highway, Silver Spring; 301-557-9818; denizensbrewingco.com

Wednesdays and Thursdays, 3-8 p.m.; Fridays, 3-9 p.m.; Saturdays, noon-9 p.m.; Sundays, noon-7 p.m.

Opened: September 2016 Production: 8-10 beers on tap; they have produced 30 different beers since opening

Thursdays and Fridays, 4-8 p.m.; Saturdays, 1-8 p.m.; Sundays, 1-6 p.m.

Opened: December 2015 Production: 700 31-gallon barrels in 2016

Wednesdays and Thursdays, 4-9 p.m.; Fridays, 4-11 p.m.; Saturdays, 1-11 p.m.; Sundays, 1-6 p.m.

Opened: November 2015 Production: 22 different beers in 2016

Mondays through Thursdays, 4-11 p.m.; Fridays and Saturdays, noon-1 a.m.; Sundays, noon-10 p.m.

Opened: July 2014 Production: 1,554 31-gallon barrels in 2016

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“This is my new toy,” says Edgardo Zuniga, the 46-year-old owner of Twin Valley Distillers, Montgomery County’s first and only distillery. He gestures toward the 600gallon still with a batch of bourbon in it.

“I’ve been posting pictures of it on Instagram all night long.”

Zuniga bought the large silver tank on eBay for $2,600 last August, drove a truck to West Virginia to pick it up, and custommodified it with help from a welder. It’s the centerpiece of his blink-and-you’ll-miss-it operation—only about 2,750 square feet— hidden on the flip side of a company that specializes in marble and granite products.

The tasting room is sparse—just some used barrels, a Maryland state flag and a wooden paddle used for stirring the mash. There’s also the couch where Zuniga catches a few hours of sleep here and there, as distilling 154

often requires pulling all-nighters. In the back of the distillery, which started production in the spring of 2014, there are pallets piled with grain, barrels waiting to be filled, and a smaller still.

Zuniga used to be the chef-owner of Blue Mountain Café in Rockville, which closed in 2006. As a hobby, he made limoncello, a strong, citrusy Italian liqueur. That’s what inspired him to open Twin Valley, named after the street he lives on in Silver Spring with his wife and two children. “People told me I was crazy when I started the company,” he says.

“They asked me, ‘What do you know about distilling?’ I always told them, ‘I’m a chef, so I have a perfect nose, a perfect palate, and I work like a horse.’ ” Bourbon accounts for most of his business. He also produces rye, vodka, rum, gin and other spirits. He only uses Maryland

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grains—rye, barley and oats. RB Savage & Sons Farm in Dickerson feeds the spent grains to its livestock.

Perhaps the most intriguing product is Black Joe coffee liqueur. The silky and sweet sipper that could perk you up like a doppio espresso is made with beans from Mayorga Organics—just down the road—as well as Madagascar vanilla. Recently, Zuniga released more flavored spirits, including sweet tea-infused whiskey and a dulce de leche liqueur.

An hourlong tour and tasting of three spirits is $15, or free for anyone who buys a bottle ($29-$64). Bottles also are available in county liquor stores.

711 E. Gude Drive, Rockville, 240-421-1115, twinvalleydistillers.com

PHOTO COURTESY TWIN VALLEY DISTILLERS

BY NEVIN MARTELL

Montgomery County may not have the same cachet as Napa or France’s Loire Valley, but it’s home to a burgeoning winemaking scene that aims to impress. Four wineries vie for oenophiles’ affections with reds and whites that use local grapes and other fruit. Here’s where you can find the varietal—and the experience—for you.

BY NEVIN MARTELL

Five years ago, TJ Fleming’s résumé didn’t include anything related to winemaking. “I had no experience other than I liked to drink it,” says the former middle school science and math teacher. The vineyard manager and winemaker has helped Rocklands’ co-founder Greg Glenn go from a small plot of grapes on the organic farm and making wine in his basement to a fullfledged winery.

The 34-acre farm devotes 6.5 acres to vines growing nine grape varietals, including cabernet franc, merlot, petit verdot and chardonnay. Last year, the operation produced 3,500 cases of a dozen different wines, plus a couple of fruity dessert wines and a dry-hopped hard cider.

Standouts include the 2016 Monocacy, which is billed as a vinho verde-style traminette. It’s crisp and dry with a pinch of pear, making it perfect for drinking on a summer day. The 2015 Honey Blossom vidal blanc is rich with tropical tones and citrus notes, including pineapple and mandarin—another wine built for warmer months.

But the wines are only half the equation for visitors. The tasting room includes a small but well-curated market that sells organic eggs and produce, humanely raised meats and locally crafted gourmet goods. After sampling the wines and stocking up on dinner ingredients, guests can stroll the working farm to go up-close and personal with the livestock. Chickens have free range, friendly tabby cats can be found napping in cozy nooks, and there are pens of surprisingly friendly heritage pigs.

Wednesdays and Thursdays, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.; Fridays through Sundays, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.

14525 Montevideo Road, Poolesville, 301-825-8075, rocklandsfarmmd.com

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Matt Cimino’s Ph.D. in plant biology from the University of Maryland led to a career in counterterrorism as a forensic biologist. After 10 years, he wanted a career change. What started as a passion project of making hard ciders in his father’s garage on the Eastern Shore turned into the job switch Cimino was looking for.

Friends and family raved about his ciders, and he expanded his portfolio to include a variety of wines. The business became licensed in 2011. The 47-year-old winemaker has lost count of the number of wines and ciders he produces, but last year he sold 3,200 cases.

The best place to try the wine is the tasting room at Heyser Farms’ market in Silver Spring’s Colesville Park neighborhood. (There’s only a small sign to mark the winery’s existence, so keep your eyes peeled.) Cimino transformed a walk-in cooler at the back of the space—it’s no longer

refrigerated—into a speakeasy with a short bar and a few high-top tables. You can linger there for a sip session and to purchase bottles, as well as to sample a cheese plate and chocolate fondue.

Cimino aims to buy Maryland-grown grapes and fruit, which have led to some of his most surprising successes. He used a load of strawberries to craft a wine that’s dry, not too sweet and slightly effervescent (nothing like the saccharine sweet Boone’s Farm Strawberry Hill you may have guzzled in college). Another favorite is a pleasantly tart blackberry wine with a restrained sweetness and a gentle tang.

Mondays through Saturdays, 11 a.m.-6 p.m., between Memorial Day and Columbus Day. Hours are more limited the rest of the year.

14526 New Hampshire Ave., Silver Spring, 410-849-9616, greatshoals.com

PHOTO BY MICHAEL VENTURA

ROCKLANDS FARM WINERY & MARKET

GREAT SHOALS WINERY

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THE URBAN WINERY

Tuesdays through Thursdays, 4-10 p.m.; Fridays, 4-11 p.m.; Saturdays, 1-11 p.m.; Sundays, 1-8 p.m.

949 Bonifant St., Silver Spring; 301-585-4100; theurbanwinery.com

SUGARLOAF MOUNTAIN VINEYARD Attending a wedding in Napa Valley can inspire the urge to become a winemaker.

That’s how the first Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard owners decided to give it a try. They transformed the onetime Angus cattle farm into a vineyard in 2004—and according to tasting room manager Jennifer Reed, they were the 12th vineyard to open in Maryland (now there are 80). Over the years, the ownership has changed—it’s now helmed by Emily Yang of Clarksburg—and the plantings have increased to 22 acres and include five red (cabernet sauvignon and Malbec among them) and five white (pinot grigio and petit manseng included) varietals. Winemaker Manolo Gomez usually makes four red wines, four whites and a rosé each year.

The very strawberry rosé offers refreshment and a hint of flowers on the nose. The cabernet franc—with its peppery finish and rich tannins—is best broken out during nonna-style Sunday suppers of ragù-sauced pasta, while the dryly sweet white blend Penelope pairs well with fruity desserts.

Wine isn’t the only draw. The calendar features plenty of events to lure people to the northern reaches of the county. There’s often live music, and the annual Mother’s Day festivities and Grape Stomp Festival over Labor Day weekend are popular.

Wine enthusiasts gather in the tasting room, with its low ceiling and concrete floor, grab a seat out on the patio, or spread a blanket close to the vines. Though cheese and snacks are available, some visitors bring their own food to eat outside.

Daily, noon-6 p.m.

18125 Comus Road, Dickerson; 301-605-0130; smvwinery.com ■

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PHOTO COURTESY SUGARLOAF WINERY BY KATIE MAIN/KATIE MAIN PHOTO & DESIGN

You won’t see fields lined with rows of grapevines at this winemaking venture in downtown Silver Spring. You’ll find a rustic tasting room where wine bottles are incorporated into the bar design as well as the light fixtures that dangle overhead. Georgia Callis, co-owner and winemaker, works in the window-fronted, brick-lined barrel room in the back.

The space is inspired by her childhood basement in Silver Spring, where her father taught her how to make wine.

“I remember standing in a bucket crushing grapes,” she says.

Callis and her husband, Damon, made that family tradition their livelihood when they opened The Urban Winery in June 2015. Sourcing grapes from throughout Maryland and California—the winery used 12 tons of them last year—Callis crafts about 20 wines.

A favorite with the regulars is the 2015 Silver Spring white made with a combination of East and West Coast grapes. With a pointed crispness and a bounty of citrus notes, it finishes with a touch of tartness. The most interesting and innovative varietal is the 2016 merlot, aged for four months in a bourbon barrel from D.C.’s One Eight Distilling. It boasts a strong vanilla scent, and you can taste a touch of oak and the spirit’s fire as the wine lingers on your palate.

There’s also food available: The Mediterranean-inspired bites, such as Greek meatballs and stuffed grape leaves, are based on Georgia’s family recipes.

OODLES OF NOODLES Montgomery County is a treasure trove of slurp-worthy dishes— be they curly, straight, fat or thin. These seven dishes will take you on a culinary tour of the Philippines, China, Japan, Korea and Thailand—and they’re only a car ride away.

BY DAVID HAGEDORN | PHOTOS BY STACY ZARIN-GOLDBERG

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ASIAN-FUSION HOT POT AT LITTLE DIPPER HOT POT HOUSE The second outpost of Kevin Lui’s Little Dipper Hot Pot House opened in Rockville Town Square in February (the other is in Falls Church, Virginia). This concept takes the traditional Chinese hot pot, in which diners cook vegetables and proteins in a shared pot of broth that’s simmering at the center of the table, and turns it into a fast-casual concept for individual enjoyment. Each diner chooses one of six options (tomato, spicy mala, miso, Thai, curry and veggie) that’s bubbling hot and set atop a small burner at a diner’s place setting. Four of the six dippers are made with pork and chicken-based broth, and two are made with vegetable broth. All pots teem with glass noodles (the miso dipper, with Japanese udon noodles, is the exception), vegetables (such as mixed mushrooms, cabbage, radishes,

scallions, kabocha squash, taro, tomatoes, bok choy, corn and lotus root) and other toppings, among them soft tofu, tofu fish balls and imitation crab stick. Except for the already fiery mala dipper, diners choose the level of heat desired and a protein to dip (lamb, beef, pork or seafood). Offered on the side are rice or noodles and, for extra zip and flavor, a variety of sauces: chili soy sauce, sesame, fermented soy, spicy chili oil or Chinese barbecue. The whole affair is delightfully interactive, packed with flavor and thoroughly satisfying. (Dippers are $11.99 at lunch, $13.99 at dinner.)

101 Gibbs St. Unit A, Rockville, 301-605-7321, facebook.com/littledipperhotpot

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GRANDMA’S NOODLES AT PETER CHANG ROCKVILLE

SHRIMP RICE NOODLE CREPE AT HOLLYWOOD EAST CAFE At Hollywood East Cafe in Wheaton, rice noodle crepes that are made to order are a Chinese specialty. A cook spreads a thin batter of rice flour and water onto a cloth that’s stretched over a steamer and cooks it for two to three minutes until the noodle sheet is ready for toppings, explains the restaurant’s owner, Janet Yu. The best-seller, made with steamed shrimp wrapped up in the noodle and served in a pool of ginger-laced sweet soy sauce ($3.95), is available Saturdays and Sundays on the dim sum cart. Other varieties are special order. Hong Kong diners crave the triple flavor noodle crepe ($3.75), spread with plum sauce, sweet soy sauce and peanut sauce, cut into bite-size pieces and sprinkled with sesame seeds, Yu says.

“It reminds them of their childhood because kids there buy them at window stalls on the way to school. They come in a wax paper bag with two sticks stuck in them to use as chopsticks.” If the Chinese are all about the noodle, Americans, Yu says, are all about the fillings. That’s why the latter are crazy for the shrimp crepe or one that’s rolled with roast pork. Another favorite is a crispy fried breadstick rolled into the crepe and cut into crunchy sushi-size pieces ($3.75).

11160 Veirs Mill Road, Wheaton, 240-290-9988, hollywoodeastcafe.com

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There aren’t many noodle dishes to be found on the menu at Peter Chang Rockville, but one is not to be missed.

Grandma’s noodles ($7) originate in Shanxi, a province in northern China.

The region is known for the wheat that’s grown there, which is why noodles are the main dish for the locals instead of rice. Chef Peter Chang, a Bethesda resident whose flagship restaurant, Q

by Peter Chang, was set to open on East West Highway in Bethesda this spring, says noodle history in China dates back more than 2,000 years, and this particular dish is one of the five oldest. “We name them ‘grandma’s noodles’ because the methodology that goes into making them comes from the villages there years ago and has been passed down over generations,” Chang says in Chinese, with his daughter, Lydia, translating.

The fresh noodles, wide like fettuccine and served at room temperature, have a distinctive chew to them, just barely on the right side of being undercooked. The dish’s most important ingredient is chopped fresh garlic, sprinkled on top of the noodles in addition to Chinese black vinegar, chili flakes, ground Sichuan peppercorns, sesame oil, soy sauce, scallions and chopped cilantro—all meant to be tossed together at the table. “A final splash of hot oil combines all the flavors into one,” Chang says.

20A Maryland Ave., Rockville, 301-838-9188, peterchangrestaurant.com

Peter Chang, pictured with Grandma’s noodles

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SOFT-SHELL CRAB PAD THAI AT THAI TASTE BY KOB “Here, we are into what Thai food is supposed to taste like originally,” says Max Prasertmate, the general manager of Thai Taste by Kob in Wheaton. “You won’t find our food in other restaurants, and some of the dishes you won’t even find in Thailand because they are family dishes, comfort food that we cook and eat at home.” Prasertmate’s aunt, Phak Duangchandr, is the chef. Both are Burtonsville residents.

Duangchandr’s pad Thai—the ubiquitous sautéed rice noodle dish with fried egg, meat, vegetables and peanuts—is nothing like what Americans are used to. “It starts with the noodles,” Prasertmate says. “Normally they use dried rice sticks that are softened in water and then stir-fried. I don’t like those noodles because they are too thick and dry and often broken. In Thailand, lots of companies make noodles, so we don’t need to use dried. I found a supplier in D.C. that makes fresh noodles for us.” They’re stickier, have some chew to 164

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them and absorb more sauce. Sometimes customers who aren’t used to fresh noodles think they’ve gotten the wrong dish.

Duangchandr boils the noodles and then stir-fries them with egg, bean curd, preserved radish, scallions and a sauce made with tamarind pulp and palm sugar that imparts sweet and sour notes.

The dish is garnished with shredded carrots, cabbage, chopped peanuts and lime wedges to add acid. The one that’s served with fried soft-shell crab ($15.99), perched like a crown on top of the plate, is magical. Be sure to experiment with the condiments, all house-made.

Among them: chili powder, roasted chili garlic vinegar, Thai chilies in fish sauce, and jalapeños in vinegar.

11315 Fern St., Wheaton, 301-942-0288, thaitastewheaton.weebly.com

Elisa Choi cuts the noodles so they are easier for diners to eat.

JJA JANG MYON AT MOA KOREAN RESTAURANT Silver Spring resident Elisa Choi emigrated from South Korea to the United States in 1980, raised a family and pursued a career as a real estate agent. In 2011, she realized a dream by opening her own restaurant, a gem that’s located in an industrial park-like strip in Rockville. She really learned how to cook when she got married, she says, but came by the skills naturally—her mother and grandmother had a restaurant in Seoul.

A standout noodle dish is the Korean specialty jja jang myon ($11.99). Choi rolls out a circle of fresh noodle dough (made from wheat flour, water and a bit of salt), runs it through a machine to turn it into thin, spaghetti-like strands, and boils them for several minutes. Meanwhile, she reheats a sauce of sweet black bean paste, pork, onions, squash, potatoes and cabbage, and thickens it with potato starch. She turns the noodles into a wide bowl, tops them with the sauce and walks to the dining room, where she serves diners the noodles.

“You have to really get in there with the chopsticks to make sure all the vegetables and meat are mixed in with the noodles,” she says. She mixes and coats the noodles, then lifts long strands and snips them with kitchen shears so they’re easier to eat. Banchan, the assortment of small pickled items or salads that accompany Korean food, includes spicy, quick-pickled radish kimchi, a kimchi of chayote squash, onion and cucumber, and bright yellow half-moons of sweet pickled radish—perfect foils for the richness of the noodles’ sauce.

12300 Wilkins Ave., Rockville, 301-881-8880, moakoreanrestaurant.weebly.com BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM | MAY/JUNE 2017

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UDON TEMPURA AT SUSHIKO

FILIPINO PANCIT BIHON AT KUYA JA’S LECHON BELLY At the Rockville pop-up that Javier Fernandez runs out of his sister’s wholesale bakery, Gwenie’s Desserts, savory Filipino specialties include his version of pancit bihon.

Noodles were introduced to the Philippines by the Chinese; the word “pancit” is derived from the Hokkien (a Chinese dialect) phrase pian i sit, meaning “conveniently cooked” or fast takeout food. Most pancit dishes are made with thin rice noodles called pancit bihon or thicker egg noodles (lo mein) called pancit Canton.

To make his pancit bihon ($11), Fernandez fires up a wok, scrambles an egg and adds shrimp, sliced chicken, balls of poached whitefish mousse, onions, carrots, shiitake mushrooms, snow peas, bean sprouts, homemade longanisa (pork sausage) and dried rice noodles that have been softened in water for 30 minutes. Once the ingredients have been warmed through, he cooks the pancit with shrimp broth (made with shrimp shells, dried bonito flakes and fish sauce), sweet ginger and garlic-infused soy sauce. Fried onions, chopped scallions and thin nori (dried seaweed) strips are sprinkled on top.

“I add lots of veggies and pad Thai influences with the bean sprouts and egg. I want you to get a lot of stuff with every bite,” Fernandez says.

Fridays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.

12113 Nebel St., Rockville, 301-237-4823, facebook.com/kuyajaslechonbelly 166

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Udon is the unsung hero of Japanese noodles—long, thick, white wheat noodles that are distinctly more al dente than ramen. The three essential components of udon soup are fish or seafood-based broth, tare (a concentrated flavoring sauce), and noodles (preferably fresh).

At Sushiko, chefs (and brothers) Piter and Handry Tjan offer a luxuriant bowl of dashi broth made with kombu (seaweed) and bonito flakes, filled with udon, bok choy, kamaboko (cured fish cake), carrots, asparagus and napa cabbage; and a tare of kaeshi, which is a blend of soy sauce, sake and Japanese sugar that the brothers age for 3½ years. On top of the broth rest two large, butterflied tempura shrimp, their panko crust disintegrating into the broth to help thicken it. (Half portion, $8; full portion, $15) What makes Sushiko’s udon superior to most you might find in the D.C. area are the noodles, which are imported from the same company (Nishiyama Seimen Co. Ltd. in Sapporo, Japan) that supplies the noodles for owner Daisuke Utagawa’s D.C. ramen restaurants Daikaya, Bantam King and Haikan. “Most of the udon in Japan are made with 100 percent wheat flour, but these days many companies add rice and chemicals. Ours are from Japan,” Handry says. “Nishiyama uses specific wheat flour and seawater from Hokkaido prefecture that make them a little chewier and sweeter than other kinds of udon.”

5455 Wisconsin Ave., Chevy Chase, 301-961-1644, sushikorestaurants.com n

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secrets of servers They never know what their shifts will bring, but they pull out all the stops to boost tabs, turn tables and make their guests happy

BY NEVIN MARTELL PHOTOS BY ERICK GIBSON

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Bartender and server Israel Curvelo at Kapnos Kouzina in downtown Bethesda on a Friday night

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DAVID NELSON IS GOING full tilt on a Friday night. Weaving at a practiced speed walk through Kapnos Kouzina, the Greek restaurant in downtown Bethesda from Top Chef stars Mike Isabella and George Pagonis, the 33-year-old server makes a beeline to a table next to the front window. There he recommends a glass of syrah and makes a quick detour to a server station to input the order.

Then he’s off to deliver dessert menus to a father and son, and to greet a party of seven that’s being seated.

A moment later, he’s back to the first table to check if the woman likes the 170

wine, which had been delivered by a drink runner. She does. There’s a stop at the two-top to take dessert orders—yes, he would be happy to see if the kitchen would modify one. A longer pause follows at the large table in order to make cocktail recommendations (“You can’t go wrong with the classics,” he tells one gentleman) and to take an appetizer order. This all takes less than five minutes—and Nelson will be keeping up this frantic pace for another 2½ hours.

With 13 years of experience, Nelson has high hopes for the night. He is overseeing five tables, where he could serve

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about 40 customers over the course of his five-hour shift. Ideally, that would yield about $250 in tips. But in order to achieve that goal, while keeping his customers and his colleagues happy, he’ll need to use every trick and technique in the book.

SERVERS ARE THE FRONT line of a restaurant and a crucial part of the dining experience. There’s an adage in the hospitality industry: “Good service can make up for bad food, but there’s no amount of great food that can make up for bad service.” What may look like a simple, straightforward job

In March, Kapnos Kouzina server David Nelson (left) worked a five-hour shift on a Friday night. He oversaw five tables near the front of the restaurant and served a total of 24 guests. The dinner rush kept him and other employees on the floor moving until about 10 p.m.

of delivering food and good service is far more nuanced, requiring a slew of skills and an array of tactics that many customers may never realize are being deployed.

A server’s work begins before arriving at the restaurant. “Physical appearance is a huge part of how people decide to tip you, how they’re going to treat you, and their attitude toward you,” says Nelson, who wears the restaurant’s uniform of a forest green button-up shirt, waist apron and jeans. “I want my shirt pressed and tucked in, and my beard trimmed.”

Rivka Alvial, a 26-year-old server at

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At Kapnos Kouzina, the average dining time for a party of two is about an hour. A four-top takes about 90 minutes, and a group of eight can take two hours or longer. From taking food and drink orders to finding ways to boost tabs, servers use the tricks of the trade to increase their earning potential and impress their guests.

The Daily Dish in Silver Spring, believes that self-confidence is key, so she spends extra time on her hair and makeup, especially on the busier nights. “If I feel attractive, the shift goes a lot better,” she says. “That benefits the customer.”

Once service staff arrives at the restaurant, there’s a pre-shift meeting with the management team to learn which tables they will be tending. On this Friday night at Kapnos, Nelson serves tables near the front of the restaurant by the host stand.

Before guests arrive, he surveys each table to make sure they were set properly, the glasses polished and the silverware shined. Then he straightens each table and chair so they are positioned at perfect right angles. “People might not notice,” 172

Nelson says, “but they will feel like something is off if it’s not done right.”

Specials are another topic at pre-shift meetings. These dishes often are created because the chef wants to get rid of an ingredient, highlight a seasonal component, or obtain feedback when the item is being considered for the regular menu.

“That’s why I make the special the first food item I mention, so it’s at the forefront of their mind,” says Norman Taney, 68, a bartender at The Dish & Dram in Kensington who has been in the hospitality industry for more than four decades, including time as a server.

Alvial chooses her words wisely to increase the chances of a sale. “I say ‘buttery’ or ‘delectable,’ things [that] will

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captivate someone’s attention.”

Even if servers aren’t under orders from the kitchen, there’s a simpler and selfish reason for them to spike sales: The higher the tab, the higher the tip. If there’s one secret to ratcheting up the check, it’s booze. “Because you can only fit so much food in people, but they can drink and drink and drink,” Nelson says.

That’s why every server has ways of boosting bar sales. Nelson recently had a party of women celebrating a birthday.

Four were sharing a bottle of rosé that ran dry right before they finished their entrées. He brought out a second bottle before they asked for it and said, “Ladies, I don’t know how late you plan on continuing this party, but I do have the next

bottle if you are ready for it.”

Though they declined, it initiated a conversation around whether they should have more wine. Three women ended up ordering individual glasses, which added $60 to the tab. This meant roughly $12 more in tips for Nelson.

It’s all about the subtle art of suggestion for Gabriella Geerman, 32, the general manager of Sushiko in Chevy Chase. “If they ask for a vodka tonic, I ask them if they want Grey Goose or Belvedere,” says Geerman, who worked as a server for eight years over the course of nearly two decades in the hospitality industry. “That way, they don’t even think about drinking the rail liquor, which costs less.”

Another method of boosting overall sales is “turning and burning” tables, which means getting guests in and out as quickly as possible. At Kapnos, the average dining time for a party of two is usually an hour, while a four-top takes about 90 minutes. Parties of eight or more take two-plus hours.

That’s why Nelson angles to get as many two-tops as possible in his

section, giving himself a high chance of rotating through the largest number of guests. He doesn’t like large parties. “They can take up a table for a whole evening, which kills your total take-home.”

Lingering at the end of a meal can slow down turn times, as well. If guests are wavering about whether to have coffee or a post-dinner drink, Nelson will suggest a nearby coffee shop or bar where they can continue their evening.

Though Nelson sometimes wants to move his guests along to increase his earning potential, he is resolute about remaining polite and patient. “The graciousness has to be there, and you have to seem as if you’re being as accommodating as possible,” he says.

For Juan Guerrero, a 52-year-old server at Normandie Farm Restaurant in Potomac with more than 30 years of experience, this means memorizing his regulars’ preferences. “Some people—before they even sit down at their table— I’m coming back from the bar with a drink,” he says. “Sometimes

they’ll be surprised that I remembered what they like, but they’ve been ordering the same thing for 10 years with me.”

All the tab boosting, table turning and old-fashioned hospitality can pay off. Nelson has been making between $50,000-$60,000 annually for the past several years. At press time, Nelson was headed to Arroz, another Isabella restaurant that opened at the Marriott Marquis in D.C. this spring.

SERVERS HAVE PET PEEVES when it comes to customers. “There are some people who are genuinely allergic to gluten, and I always want to make sure we deal with them safely, but most people aren’t actually gluten sensitive,” says Zak Tawes, a 30-year-old server at Founding Farmers in Potomac. “That can be tedious to deal with.”

Substitutions are another request that can drive servers crazy. “Sometimes guests delete and add so many

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secrets of servers components that they are creating a completely new dish,” says a server at a Rockville restaurant who prefers to remain anonymous. “This is a huge headache for the kitchen, so the chef will get annoyed with me if I honor their request without clearing it with them first. Even if they say they’re OK with it, they’re not really OK with it. They obviously didn’t design the dish to be the way the customer asked for it to be done.”

Since servers interact with both guests and everyone else on the restaurant staff, they can be hit with abuse from all sides.

“Some customers don’t treat you like a waiter; they think you’re a slave,” Guerrero says. “I don’t like when customers don’t respect me, and I hate when a customer calls me like this.” He works his index finger in a “come here” motion, as a parent might summon a misbehaving child. When he encounters such customers, Guerrero sends over a colleague in order to avoid a confrontation.

“I try to be as nice as possible in bad situations and show it’s not getting to me,” says Shauna Carson, a 38-year-old server and bartender at Finnegan’s Wake Irish Pub in Rockville Town Square who has been working in the industry for 17 years.

All the female servers interviewed agreed that the toughest customers are the drunks, especially those who get physical. “I’ve gotten groped a few times,” Alvial says. “You feel disgusting, even though there’s nothing you did to ask for that treatment.” When that happens, she calls over another staffer to get the guest to settle up, out the door and into a cab. “They never come back,” she says. “No matter how drunk they were, I think they know not to.”

One server at a North Bethesda restaurant who asked to remain anonymous remembers a manager who began screaming obscenities at him in front of guests and co-workers. He had to stand there and take the abuse for several

minutes. “Servers aren’t respected,” he says. “They are at the bottom of the totem pole to a lot of people, but on the forefront of the restaurant experience.

It’s unfortunate.”

BACK AT KAPNOS, IT’S 10 p.m. and the Friday night rush has subsided. Most of the tables are empty, though the bar is still going strong. The lights are dimmer and the music, though audible now, is turned down.

Nelson does a quick tally. He served 24 guests and made $180 in tips. That’s initially disappointing, but he takes a pragmatic long view. “I don’t look at the days or even the weeks,” he says. “I look at the months. And as long as I’m hitting my goals overall, I’m happy. Even tonight, I was earning $30 an hour for what I consider an easy shift.” n Nevin Martell is a food writer based in Washington, D.C.

DULLES ROCKVILLE SPRINGFIELD

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The McKeon Law Firm See page 185

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Lewis & Tompkins, P.C. Lewis & Tompkins, P.C. is a civil litigation firm specializing in medical malpractice and personal injury claims. The firm was established in 1952 and represents victims of negligence in Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia. Led by the husband/wife attorney team of Sharon Lewis Tompkins and David Tompkins, the firm has been awarded the highest ratings for civil personal injury attorneys by SuperLawyers, AVVO.com and Martindale Hubble.

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DARREN HIGGINS

What can I do if a driver with no auto insurance hits me?

One of the most frequent reasons for seeking an attorney after an automobile, pedestrian or bicycle collision is finding out the other driver had no insurance. Most car insurance plans provide coverage for accidents involving uninsured drivers and even hit-and-run collisions. Combined with a thorough investigation to find insurance, our firm ensures that our clients receive all of the benefits entitled to them under various automobile insurance plans, including accidents involving hit-and-run, uninsured or underinsured drivers.

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Jeffrey N. Greenblatt, Esq. JOSEPH GREENWALD & LAAKE My family law practice involves representing people in situations that are often fraught with emotion. I function as the shield and lightning rod, protecting my clients, and striving to ensure my client receives what she or he is entitled to, and is not taken advantage of by the other side or by the system.

What is the trend I’m hearing about called Gray Divorce?

The fastest growing divorcing population is 50+, and one in every 10 involves a 65-year-old. Marital misery aside, there are logical reasons for this trend. First of all, there’s no longer any stigma about divorce. Couples who have opposite opinions about retirement can seize the opportunity to create separate, happier lives. With the increasing life span, couples are no longing willing to stay in an unhappy marriage for the decades to come. There are financial challenges, but with a high percentage of women who have been working, these challenges are no longer insurmountable. No matter who initiates, both may eventually discover a fresh start was worth the division of assets. I have developed an interest and expertise in this area, and advise individuals to get their own legal representation and work toward an amicable settlement.

HILARY SCHWAB

DARREN HIGGINS

Is it true that there’s no more waiting period for Maryland divorces?

Under certain specific circumstances, Maryland residents can divorce without the customary and mandatory oneyear separation. One of the conditions is that there are no minor children of this marriage. However, fast does not mean simple: Each party should have proper representation because they must submit a signed settlement agreement with no issues left outstanding. Alimony, property distribution and property possession must all be resolved. After the filing and the response, a court date is assigned. Both parties must be present at the hearing. Paperwork then winds its way through the system and a divorce should be granted within a few weeks.

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Anthony F. Cavanaugh, John T. Farnum LINOWES AND BLOCHER LLP

How can my business best protect itself against litigation?

Good risk management when structuring a deal or negotiating a contract is the best protection against litigation. Our litigation and bankruptcy group is often called upon to review a transaction or agreement with a litigator’s perspective. That insight allows our clients to best structure their deals to mitigate against potential future disputes. We look at every clause because, not only is “the devil is in the details,” but also in boilerplate language that’s often overlooked.

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For more than 60 years, Linowes and Blocher has been a trusted advisor to businesses in the region, particularly in the areas of land use, real estate and lending. The firm offers smart, innovative approaches to modern legal challenges.

7200 Wisconsin Ave. Bethesda, MD 20814 301-654-0504 www.linowes-law.com

TONY LEWIS JR

Does Linowes and Blocher have attorneys that specialize in litigation and bankruptcy?

We do, because even the most carefully run businesses cannot always avoid disputes.

Since the firm has represented the region’s premier developers, property owners and business owners for decades, we’ve developed a deep understanding of their businesses and particular needs. Our litigation and bankruptcy group offers the same deep understanding of our clients’ needs in the areas of dispute resolution and bankruptcy.

We represent our clients in a variety of complex commercial matters. For example, we represent property owners in disputes involving the enforcement and termination of purchase and sale agreements and management agreements. We also represent real estate developers in court reviews of zoning board decisions and commercial landlords, and tenants in disputes arising out of complex leases. More generally, we’ve litigated commercial disputes involving issues of fraud, breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, accounting, cost allocations, unfair trade practices, personal services and agency.

In bankruptcy proceedings across the U.S., we represent financial institutions, commercial landlords, developers, investors and other parties in enforcing their creditors’ rights.

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HILARY SCHWAB

MCMILLAN METRO, P.C.

I have many legal questions as I worry about protecting my family and assets as my parents age and as my business evolves. How many law firms do I need?

Selecting a law firm is a huge decision. When you find a firm that is a good fit, it makes sense to go back there first if you need advice or a referral related to a new legal issue. Our firm has highly experienced attorneys with expertise in the areas most likely to affect your life: estate planning; family law matters such as divorce, separation and child custody; elder law and business law needs such as forming or selling a business, drafting contracts or creating a succession plan.

Legal issues seldom exist in a vacuum. A divorce may force the restructuring of a family business, which can drive a need to re-think your will or trust. As you help your parents cope with Medicaid, you may realize that you need to update or create your own advance medical directives and powers of attorney. Whatever your initial need is—from estate planning to a non-disclosure agreement for employees—you should feel comfortable consulting with that same law firm for advice or a referral if a new issue arises.

The size of the firm matters too. McMillan Metro is large enough to include attorneys with expertise covering a wide array of areas but small enough that you can expect quick responses and timely solutions. Within our firm, we can refer you to an attorney with the expertise you require which saves you from having to work with multiple firms.

Based in Potomac, McMillan Metro has served the individual and business needs of clients for more than 25 years. Our clients count on us for personal service and strong strategic thinking. Our approach yields successful solutions cost-effectively, and we are proud of the repeat business and referrals we receive from our clients.

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Stein Sperling Bennett De Jong Driscoll PC: Family Law Team

What are the differences between physical custody, shared residential custody and legal custody?

Physical custody, also sometimes referred to as residential custody, provides the legal right and obligation to provide a home for the child and to make the day-to-day decisions for the child. Shared residential custody is also commonly known as “joint custody,” and refers to a timesharing schedule where the children spend a significant number of overnights with each parent. Legal custody involves the legal right and obligation to make long-range decisions regarding the child’s health, education, religion and other significant decisions.

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Stein Sperling’s Family Law team understands the personal and financial difficulties individuals face when going through separation and divorce. With over 100 years combined experience handling issues of separation, divorce, custody and the distribution of marital property, our attorneys utilize a sensitive approach together with the determination and expertise needed to achieve clients’ objectives. Our attorneys are also experienced in adoptions and prenuptial agreements.

25 West Middle Lane Rockville, MD 20850 301-340-2020 www.steinsperling.com

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How does the court decide who gets custody of children?

The court looks at what is in the best interests of the child when making custody determinations. There are a number of different factors the court evaluates that include, but are not limited to, fitness of the parents, preference of the child, relationship established between the child and each parent, and age and number of children. The court may also look at potential disruption of the child’s social and school life, geographic proximity of the parental homes, capacity of parents to communicate and reach shared decisions, willingness of parents to share custody and the demands of parental employment. With so many factors to consider in a custody dispute, the depth of Stein Sperling’s family law team can provide the necessary experience and sensitivity at a crucial time.

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Stein Sperling Bennett De Jong Driscoll PC : Estates + Trusts Team There are many places online or companies that offer estate plan templates I can just plug into. Since I know what I want to happen with my assets, isn’t that just as good?

Although some may view estate planning as singularly dealing with the disposition of property after death, it actually encompasses far more. Estate planning is a dynamic process taking into account personal, financial, health and family goals throughout a client’s lifetime as well as after death.

While you may only be considering setting up your estate plan to provide for your family after death, you will also want to include ways to protect assets for your own use, whether pre-retirement, post-retirement or in preparation for a period of incapacity or illness.

Stein Sperling’s Estates + Trusts team provides a depth of experience and broad range of services that include the organization and development of estate plans, assistance in the administration of trusts and estates and working with clients step-by-step through the probate process. Our experience and backgrounds—along with patience, understanding and a listening ear—are the qualities that highlight our approach.

As you begin your journey into your estate plan, make sure that your unique circumstance, not a template, define the process and plan so it reflects all your needs now and after death.

Stein Sperling’s Estates + Trusts team takes the initiative to educate clients about estate planning options that are available to meet their goals, working closely with them through the various personal, financial, health and tax changes that affect their estate plans over time. Our clients include a wide range of individuals, families, entrepreneurs and businesses requiring sophisticated estate, trust and tax-related legal services.

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Hostetter Strent LLC

Can I move out of state or out of the country with my children after the divorce?

Relocating out of state with your children is permitted if both parents agree or there is a court order. When a parent objects to relocation, the Maryland courts will look to what is in the best interests of the children.

Factors relevant to a relocation decision include the children’s connections to Maryland, their relationship with each parent, the distance of the new potential home from the other parent, the working relationship of the parents with each other, and whether or not a new time sharing arrangement would be good for the children. At Hostetter Strent, we can help evaluate whether relocation makes sense in your particular case and how to find the best new situation for your children following divorce, whether local or not.

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Our practice is domestic relations law—divorce, property distribution, alimony, custody and child support. We can assist at any stage in relationships—a prenuptial or a domestic partnership agreement, a post-nuptial agreement or divorce settlement. We are well versed in all methods of dispute resolution and prepared to engage in any of these to help you achieve your goals.

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What should I look for when hiring a family law lawyer?

Look for someone who listens. You want an attorney who is knowledgeable about Maryland law, appears regularly in court, is known by judges and has worked well with other firms. Your attorney should have the skills to litigate the case if necessary, but also the judgment and discretion to know when other dispute resolution methods would be more effective. You should feel like your attorney cares about you. You want to feel like you and your lawyer would be a good team.

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Geoffrey S. Platnick, Scott M. Strickler SHULMAN ROGERS Geoffrey Platnick and Scott Strickler are shareholders within the Shulman Rogers Family Law Practice Group, a U.S. News & World Report First Tier Family Law Firm.

Both are Peer Review Rated as AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell, the highest level of professional excellence for attorneys.

How do you prepare differently for mediation versus litigation?

The best way to settle any case, inside or outside the courtroom, is to be better prepared than the other side. We believe in strategic rather than reactive thinking whether preparing for mediation or trial, recognizing that every case is different and that a tactical approach is critical. Every decision made on behalf of clients must be calculated to achieve their ultimate goals, and being prepared for litigation enables a client to feel confident in approaching an alternative dispute resolution process like mediation. Resolving a case in mediation makes it possible to include terms that are outside of the court’s authority, including structuring financial settlements in tax-advantageous ways or including specific provisions for children such as college funding or life insurance coverage.

HILARY SCHWAB

How do I choose an attorney to represent me in my financially complex divorce?

Ask lots of questions! Your attorney should be able to explain different strategies and approaches to the identification and valuation of businesses and other assets, the purposes and tactics involved in your financial statement preparation and ways to use the tax code to maximize alimony, child support and other financial outcomes for you and your family.

Most financially complex divorce cases will involve expert witnesses in different disciplines, from forensic accountants and business valuation professionals to vocational rehabilitation experts, and your lawyer should be able to identify the areas in which such expertise will be necessary.

12505 Park Potomac Ave. Potomac, MD 20854 301-231-0924 www.ShulmanRogers.com BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM | MAY/JUNE 2017

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Ignacio Donoso MANAGING ATTORNEY, I.A. DONOSO & ASSOCIATES, LLC I. A. Donoso & Associates, a leading business immigration law firm, helps investors successfully navigate the U.S. visa process.

We are also recognized for our expertise in visa strategies for skilled workers, researchers and exceptional artists, athletes and business people. We provide clients with successes that result from rigorous analysis and creative solutions.

A Japanese colleague wants to partner with me in a new real estate venture. How difficult will it be for him to get a visa to come to the U.S., and how long will he be able to stay?

Despite the bad news we are hearing every night about immigration policies, visas for investors are not being restricted or held up. The United States has the most vibrant economy in the world, in part because our government encourages foreign investment.

It takes three or four months to process a temporary treaty investor visa. The individual receives a short-term visa at first, for one to two years, renewable in two-year increments up to five to seven years. For business owners and managers who are citizens of our closest allies, extensions can be arranged almost indefinitely. If your partner decides he or she wants to move here permanently, my firm can facilitate the green card process.

4800 Montgomery Lane, Suite 640 Bethesda, MD 20814 301-276-0653 www.donosolaw.com 184

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MICHAEL VENTURA

For a key high-tech position in my company, we’re looking to hire a foreign student who graduated from a U.S. university. What bureaucracy will we encounter?

We can help you sort out your options. There are visas for temporary skilled workers and those with extraordinary ability in their field. For artists, athletes, engineers and financial analysts of distinction, there are O-1 visas. Another type, the H-1B visa, requires a sponsor, a job that requires specialized skills and a salary minimum set by the U.S. Department of Labor. There is a lottery every April for the H-1B visas, in which 85,000 names are drawn from a pool of approximately 230,000 applicants.

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Shelly D. McKeon, Esq. THE MCKEON LAW FIRM The McKeon Law Firm offers a personal approach and customized solutions for all types of family law matters. Shelly McKeon has been recognized as a top lawyer by Washingtonian magazine, included in Maryland Super Lawyers and received Martindale-Hubbell’s highest rating.

What factors are considered when dividing assets in a divorce?

The first step is to determine which property owned by the parties is marital. One or both individuals may have had property and investments prior to marriage and, depending on how the property was handled, it might not be divided in a divorce. Also, even if an asset acquired during the marriage is titled in one name only, it can still be considered marital property. Retirement funds are a marital asset as well.

After that the court will take into account factors such as the length of the marriage, age and health of the parties, the financial circumstances of each and even, if relevant, the cause of the breakdown of the marriage, when determining how the assets will be divided between the parties. We make sure our clients understand what they are entitled to as their fair share of the marital assets.

Is getting a divorce as expensive as I fear?

When facing a divorce, the cost of legal representation is a significant concern. In reality, fears about cost are often short sighted. Working with an experienced family law attorney can help you become educated about your rights and available options. This allows you to make informed decisions in either settlement or litigation. Costly mistakes tend to happen when people who are divorcing attempt a do-it-yourself approach. If their mistakes can be fixed at all, they have to spend money to do it. Think of working with a family law attorney as a worthwhile investment in your future.

TONY LEWIS JR

17 B Firstfield Road, Suite 101 Gaithersburg, MD 20878 3 Bethesda Metro Center, Suite 700 Bethesda, MD 20814 301-417-9222 www.mckeonlawfirm.com BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM | MAY/JUNE 2017

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Gary D. Altman PRINCIPAL ATTORNEY, ALTMAN & ASSOCIATES Altman & Associates offers comprehensive and individuallytailored estate planning solutions to residents of Maryland, D.C., Virginia and New York. Unlike firms that dabble in estate planning, Altman & Associates has an exclusive focus on estate law.

11300 Rockville Pike, Suite 708 Rockville, MD 20852 301-468-3220 www.altmanassociates.net

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Do I need an estate plan if I don’t qualify for estate taxes?

With state and federal exemption rates in the multi-millions of dollars, some people think they don’t need estate planning. However, that couldn’t be further from the truth! Comprehensive estate planning transcends wealth.

It accounts for a multitude of very personal decisions that will impact you while you’re alive and your heirs after you’re gone. Who will make medical and financial decisions for you if you’re incapacitated? Who will care for your children? To whom do you want your assets allocated, and how and when do you want them distributed? If you don’t make these decisions, a court will make them for you, causing your loved ones unnecessary emotional and financial stress.

Fait & DiLima, LLP With an approach that emphasizes compassion, Fait & DiLima provide exceptional representation to individuals who face the challenges brought on by family law disputes in Maryland and the District of Columbia. Fifty years of combined experience has earned this accomplished firm numerous accolades among peers and clients.

1 Church Street, Suite 800 Rockville, MD 20850 301-251-0100 www.fdfamilylaw.com 186

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DARREN HIGGINS

How do I prepare for divorce?

Educating yourself on what to expect from your legal counsel, the divorce process and what documents to gather is a wise way to get started.

Fait & DiLima utilize a client-centered approach that encompasses extensive family law litigation, mediation and creative settlement negotiation experience. Every client is treated with empathy and compassion in consideration of the sensitive nature of family law matters. We suggest anyone interested in finding out more about the divorce process read our book, “Divorce in Maryland­—The Legal Process, Your Rights, and What to Expect.” Not every case has all issues in conflict, but educating yourself can eliminate a lot of stress.

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Rhian McGrath, Elizabeth Weisberg, Christopher Roberts, Deborah Reiser, Deborah Webb, Jessica Blumberg, and Erin Kopelman

Lerch, Early & Brewer The divorce and family law attorneys at Lerch, Early & Brewer are respected as among the best in Maryland and the District of Columbia. U.S. News ranked the practice as “Top Tier for Family Law” in the Washington area based on their experience in all areas of divorce law: litigation, mediation and collaborative processes; plus prenuptial, postnuptial and domestic partnership agreements.

TONY LEWIS JR

When should I see a divorce lawyer?

You should make an appointment with a divorce lawyer when you are thinking about a divorce or you suspect your spouse may be considering separation. It is important that you become aware of your rights and responsibilities, and how separation or divorce could affect your children, your finances and your standard of living. In addition, there are do’s and don’ts for people considering divorce. Contacting an attorney early in the process can help you avoid missteps.

When should I go to court for a divorce?

In the vast majority of divorce and family law cases, settlement is preferable to litigation for many reasons: it is less expensive, less emotionally draining, there are more options for resolution and the couple, rather than the court, decides on the outcome. That said, you may not be able to reach an agreement, so make sure you work with an attorney who is skilled both in negotiation and litigation so you can draw upon his or her bargaining and trial experience, if needed.

3 Bethesda Metro Center, Suite 460 Bethesda, MD 20814 301-986-1300 www.lerchearly.com

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Delaney McKinney, LLP

Will ending my unhappy marriage damage our children?

Most often it’s not the divorce itself that inflicts serious damage. Harm to children largely comes from exposure to their parents’ conflict in the months or years leading up to the separation, during the divorce process and in the years that follow. Social scientists call the results of childhood exposure to adult conflict “negative child outcomes.” These include a range of problems from underachievement to psychological problems to substance abuse. On the other hand, if parents commit to shielding the children from adult issues, the children can thrive after divorce. In fact, many children do better with divorced parents than with two chronically unhappy parents in a corrosive marriage.

5425 Wisconsin Ave., Suite 401 Chevy Chase, MD 20815 301-913-5236 www.delaneymckinney.com

KAREN ELLIOTT GREISDORF

At Delaney McKinney, we help clients transition through the difficulties that result from separation, divorce and custody issues. Guided by compassion, creativity and years of experience, we believe in achieving results through negotiated settlements and alternatives to litigation whenever possible, and if not, through goal-oriented, responsible litigation.

Rismiller Law Group, LLC The attorneys of Rismiller Law Group focus on the practice of family law, as well as trust and estates, civil and criminal litigation and business planning and formation. Our pledge is to provide effective legal representation to our clients in a culture of respect, dedication and compassion.

51 Monroe Place, Suite 1406 Rockville, MD 20850 301-340-1616 www.rismillerlaw.com 188

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HILARY SCHWAB

Selecting the right attorney feels daunting and overwhelming.

Where do I begin?

It’s critical to take the time to explore options. Ask friends and colleagues for recommendations. Once you have a short list of names, conduct your own research. Are you more comfortable with a small or large firm? Check out the qualifications of each recommended attorney, review their websites and profiles. Once you have narrowed your list to two or three, schedule a meeting with each attorney. Ask about their philosophy and approach.

Do they feel consistent with your goals? Does the attorney clearly explain the process and outline a strategy that you’re comfortable with? Trust your instincts to decide what is right for you.

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Offit Kurman Attorneys at Law Offit Kurman is uniquely qualified to work with you in the area of family law matters including divorce settlement negotiations and litigation, alimony, custody and child support issues, prenuptial and postnuptial agreements, same sex marriages and cohabitation agreements, classification and valuation of marital property, adoption, guardianship, international matrimonial law and Hague International child abduction cases. We have offices throughout the mid-Atlantic, from Virginia, throughout Maryland, to Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

How will the new Maryland divorce law affect me?

New legislation permits parties to obtain a divorce on the ground of mutual consent without a separation period, provided there is a written settlement agreement and no minor children born of this marriage. This permits couples to obtain a divorce more quickly and easily, even if they are still living under the same roof.

Other new legislation permits parties to obtain a divorce without requiring a third-party corroborating witness to testify about the grounds for divorce, allowing couples to obtain their divorce more privately and easily.

JAMES KIM

What is it like for a divorcing client to work with our office?

The family law attorneys at Offit Kurman work diligently to provide our clients with peace of mind throughout the process of separation, divorce, custody, support and division of assets. By exploring all your divorce issues in depth, we are fully prepared to confidently achieve the best outcome. Recognizing that parents make decisions that affect the entire family, we stress creative parenting arrangements; our goal is for court orders that benefit the children. When possible, we employ alternatives to litigation, including mediation, the collaborative divorce process or arbitration. As part of a full-service firm, our family law attorneys work seamlessly with seasoned members of the firm’s other practice groups to comprehensively deal with a variety of issues that may affect you and your family during the divorce process and in the future.

4800 Montgomery Lane, 9th Floor Bethesda, MD 20814 240-507-1719 www.offitkurman.com BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM | MAY/JUNE 2017

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Law Offices of Elling & Elling With more than 50 years of combined experience, the Law Offices of Elling & Elling have developed an expertise in family law, especially custody, support and property matters; personal injury; criminal law; and serious traffic violations.

Our firm is convinced that most legal problems have common sense solutions, which the Elling attorneys follow, with readiness to litigate if necessary.

443 N. Frederick Ave. Gaithersburg, MD 20877 301-921-4455 www.ellingandelling.com

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How does your firm approach each case?

We can best describe what we offer our clients in three words: negotiation or litigation. Whether a client has a family law matter, has been injured as a result of an accident or has received a criminal or a serious traffic charge, the end result is to always satisfy the client’s objectives. Our firm is equally comfortable with negotiation and litigation. Negotiation is typically the preferred first step, in which we always think outside of the box arriving at successful outcomes. We know what a good agreement looks like. However, if negotiation isn’t the answer, we have litigated numerous cases over the past decades.

Kuder, Smollar, Friedman & Mihalik, PC Kuder, Smollar, Friedman & Mihalik helps families in D.C., Maryland and Virginia reach the best solutions to their most difficult domestic relations issues. In addition to offering creative solutions that include negotiation, mediation and Collaborative Law, the attorneys are experienced litigators who are prepared to go to court when necessary.

1350 Connecticut Ave. NW, Suite 600 Washington, D.C. 20036 202-331-7522 www.ksfmlaw.com 190

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TONY LEWIS JR

Do I need a CPA in addition to a divorce lawyer?

Domestic and family law issues can have a huge impact on federal, state and local income taxes in areas such as tax-deductibility of alimony, tax filing status, dependency exemptions, transfers of property and tax deductibility of attorney’s fees. Our attorneys are experienced in advising our clients of possible tax consequences and ensuring advantageous tax positions. For very specific and complicated tax issues, we work closely with Certified Public Accountants and forensic accountants to ensure the best results for our clients.

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Being Delaney Dunigan At 18, she’s busy with cheerleading, homework and hanging out with friends—things her parents weren’t sure she’d ever do

BY CINDY RICH | PHOTOS BY LISA HELFERT

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DELANEY DUNIGAN USUALLY TAKES the bus to school, but she was running late one morning, so her father, Mark, gave her a ride. “I’m dropping you off,” he said as they pulled up in front of Walter Johnson High School in Bethesda.

“No, you’re coming in,” Delaney told him.

“Mom said not to,” Mark said.

“Well Mom’s not here.”

He parked his Dunigan Landscaping truck and went inside with his daughter, who insisted on introducing him to everyone who worked in the main office.

As she and her father walked down the hallway toward Delaney’s classroom, they saw a young couple leaning against a locker making out. “Oh my God, Dad, you don’t have to see this,” she said. “You can go now.”

It was classic Delaney. In elementary school, she once told a group of teachers that she couldn’t believe her dad was picking her up because he usually sat around in his underwear all day drinking beer. She uses air quotes when she talks, and does the dab—the dance move that went viral last year—when you wouldn’t expect it. She calls her 11-year-old brother Patrick’s friends her “boys,” and gives them pep talks during their basketball games. “The thing about my boys is to keep them in line,” she’ll say. When Mark was coaching in a tournament three years ago, Delaney stood up during a timeout, in front of hundreds of people, and told her dad to stop yelling at the kids and 194

calm down. A few moms cheered her on from the bleachers.

Mark didn’t know anyone with Down syndrome when he was growing up in Montgomery County, except a few kids he’d seen in high school who seemed lonely and isolated, so he wasn’t expecting much from Delaney. He wasn’t even sure if she’d talk. Nobody at the hospital gave him and his wife, Emily, a list of places to go for help or told them their baby girl had a great life ahead of her.

A neonatologist handed Emily his own copy of Babies with Down Syndrome, and someone scribbled down the phone number for the Montgomery County Infants and Toddlers Program.

“You never know,” a doctor said of Delaney’s future.

Now 18, Delaney grabs her wireless speaker when friends come over, blasts Taylor Swift’s “Shake It Off,” and starts singing and dancing in the living room of the family’s Kensington home. She’s on two cheerleading teams, acts in plays at Imagination Stage and gives speeches on behalf of Best Buddies. It’s hard to get her off her iPhone, and lately she’s been begging her mom to let her join Instagram. She’s tried to get out of things she doesn’t feel like doing, like getting up to get a glass of water, by saying, “I can’t do that—I have Down syndrome.”

A few months ago, Delaney got upset one night when her parents laughed at a comment she’d made, but sometimes they can’t help it. “You have to

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understand something,” Mark told her.

“When you were born, we didn’t know how much you were going to do, and how much you would say, and how funny you would be. So me laughing right now is a really good thing.”

A CONVERSATION WITH DELANEY tends to jump around a lot. She’ll go from talking about a friend who went to see Adele without her, to the spicy chicken at Chipotle (which her dad thought she liked but she doesn’t) to how she wants to live at home forever.

“Stay on topic, honey,” Mark says after she starts to tell a story about the time she stepped on a bee because he let her go outside without shoes on.

“I’m trying,” she says. “Delaney, stay on topic. Stay on topic.”

There are certain subjects that keep coming up. She doesn’t like bees, thunderstorms or big dogs who jump, except for her family’s black Lab, Dewey, so she’s been practicing ways to deal with her anxiety. “I breathe in and I breathe out. And count to 10,” she says. She’s been through two open-heart surgeries—about half of babies born with Down syndrome have a heart defect—but she’s so afraid of needles that it can take five adults to get her blood drawn. “It just freaks me out, and then I kick everyone,” she says. “They have to pin me down.”

Delaney also likes to talk about her phone. It drives her crazy when she gets stuck in group text threads she can’t get

out of, or when friends message her while she’s trying to sleep or away with her family. “If I’m at the beach, I cannot use my phone,” she says. “I’m like, ‘guys, vacation time, goodbye.’ Like seriously, I can use my phone at bedtime, but not during the day because I want to go to the beach, enjoy myself, relaxing, the ocean, having a good time, building sandcastles with my brother, hanging out with Mom and going surfing.”

Even though she’s a senior in high school, Delaney doesn’t like to be far from Emily. She’ll FaceTime her mom from upstairs and give her hugs while they’re standing in line at Giant. Delaney has friends with Down syndrome who go to sleepaway camp in the summer, but she doesn’t want to. It bothers her when Emily goes out, even for a few hours. “I’m leaving after dinner and I’ll be home before you should be off your phone,” her mom tells her, sometimes days in advance. Still, Delaney often starts to cry.

For Emily, 51, the tears are a reminder that even though her daughter often acts like other girls her age—she’ll talk about her “on and off” boyfriend or the drama at school—in many ways she isn’t. She can make herself a sandwich, but she can’t use the oven or the stove. She often recites her schedule aloud. “I’m waking up, I’m going to school, I’m going to come home from school, and I’m going to take a shower,” she’ll say. She’ll call almost anyone she has in her contacts list just to say hello. “A typical teenager loves to use the phone and text and FaceTime friends, but a typical teenager does not text and FaceTime her mother’s friends,” Emily says with a laugh.

Emily realizes how lucky she is that Delaney is so affectionate—“It’s a gift,” she says—and that she and Mark have always had their families nearby to support them. She knows that many parents of children with special needs have a harder time than they do. But lately Emily’s been filling out benefit forms from the state’s Developmental Disabilities Administration, and she’s starting to worry about what happens next.

Delaney’s happy in Walter Johnson’s Learning for Independence (LFI) program, where she’s been working on her

Delaney calls Emily her “first favorite.” She likes to make her mom laugh: If Emily’s had a long day, she might get a text from Delaney, who’s in the same house, filled with wine glass emojis.

typing skills and recently read a modified version of To Kill a Mockingbird; she can stay in the program for three more years.

But other moms have told Emily that it’s hard for adults with disabilities to find jobs after high school because there aren’t many places that will hire them.

Emily knows two young men with Down syndrome who live together in Rockville and have a caregiver helping them for just a few hours at night, but it’s hard for her to picture Delaney living on her own.

What would she do in an emergency?

“It would be amazing if she got an apartment with a friend,” says Emily, who works part time as a crossing guard and recently got her real estate license, “but she’s still young to me. I don’t see it happening for maybe another seven years.”

Then again, nobody knows what Delaney might do. Emily still remembers the

woman who said her daughter may never jump because some kids with Down syndrome can’t. That’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard, she thought. So she went out and bought a mini-trampoline and let Delaney start practicing. An elementary school speech teacher told Emily that Delaney had probably gone as far as she could, that she wouldn’t be able to speak clearly, and conversations would always be hard for her.

Last June her daughter gave a speech at the Race4Respect in D.C. in front of about a thousand people.

EMILY WENT IN FOR her first sonogram when she was 16 weeks pregnant, and halfway through the procedure the technician walked out of the room.

Something’s wrong, Emily thought.

At 32, she was enjoying her first

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Among Delaney’s favorite things to do with her father: go swimming, ride bikes at the beach and cuddle up for Modern Family. “Delaney’s got a better social life than I’ll ever have,” Mark says. “I’m ‘Delaney’s dad.’ ”

pregnancy. She could eat whatever she wanted and her clothes would just expand, and she loved the idea that there was a baby growing inside of her. She and Mark, who’d started dating in high school at Walter Johnson and married in 1993, had been trying to conceive for four years. She didn’t want him to know she was concerned about whatever the technician had just seen.

Looking back, Emily says, the tech probably noticed the hole in Delaney’s heart, but when they asked what was going on, she said she couldn’t tell them anything—only the doctor could. Emily was already scheduled for a triple screen, a blood test offered to pregnant women in their 15th to 20th week to look for signs of neural tube defects and other 196

chromosomal abnormalities. “They probably said, ‘Let her have her blood test done, and then her doctor will talk to them,’ ” she says.

A few days later Emily was sitting in her cubical at work when her office phone rang. “Your AFP is low, you have the chance of having a baby born with Down syndrome,” she remembers the obstetrician saying. (The level of alpha-fetoprotein, or AFP, in a mother’s bloodstream typically increases during certain weeks of pregnancy.) “You need to come into my office—we have to talk about whether you want to terminate [the pregnancy] or not.”

He didn’t ask if it was a good time for her to talk, Emily says. He just said it. He gave her a statistic she doesn’t remember—a one in something chance—and that was it. “I just was like, ‘Oh my gosh, OK, OK, well, what do I do next? We’re not going to terminate the baby, so do I

MAY/JUNE 2017 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

have to make an appointment with you for something?’ ” she says.

Emily left work early and called a friend who’s an OB-GYN. “What does this mean?” she asked. “It’s most likely a false positive—that happens a lot,” the woman said. “Don’t worry,” friends told her.

At her appointment the following week, Emily’s doctor recommended an amniocentesis. “I don’t want to risk having a problem happen from the amnio when there might not be a problem to begin with,” she told him. “Refuses amnio,” she saw him write on his paperwork.

For the next five months, Emily tried to come to terms with the fact that she might be carrying a child with Down syndrome. None of our friends have had a baby born with special needs, she’d think. We’re the ones. “She got prepared for Delaney; I went the other direction,” says Mark, now 52. “I prayed every day it wouldn’t happen—I didn’t think it was going to happen.”

During a trip to Bethany Beach that

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summer, Emily was on the beach with friends when a child she didn’t know started playing with her ponytail. “I turn around and it’s this cute little boy with blond hair, and he has Down syndrome,” she says. She was two months from her due date. “Then we saw the little guy again on the boardwalk.”

That night, she and Mark went for a walk, and she told him she’d been getting some signs. “Everything’s going to be fine—we have a healthy baby,” he responded.

“I just want you to prepare yourself,” she said, “in case.”

Delaney and her classmate Vicky, pictured at Walter Johnson’s homecoming in October, like to call themselves sisters.

Delaney has known her friend Gina (left) since she was a baby; she and Theresa (center) have been close since preschool.

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THE NAIL POLISH DRAWER in Delaney’s bedroom is just about full. “One hundred and fifty-one,” she says, as if this isn’t the first time she’s been asked how many bottles she has. “I’m kidding.”

She likes to alternate colors, which can mean two or three polishes on the same hand at once. Emily thinks her daughter might enjoy working in a nail salon one day, but worries about her inhaling the fumes.

“Here’s all my dresses. These are my Girl Scout vests, and all my cheerleading stuff,” Delaney says as she looks through her closet. On her wall is a fabric tackboard covered with pictures and keepsakes: a ticket stub from a Hannah Montana concert; a photo booth strip from the Down Syndrome Network’s winter dance; her varsity letter—a big green W—which she earned playing on Walter Johnson’s bocce ball team. She also has framed photos of her family and a wooden sign from her parents that reads: “I love you to the moon and back.”

There’s a pink karaoke machine on Delaney’s desk, which she turned on 10 minutes ago because she was in the mood to sing Katy Perry’s “Roar.” “Sometimes for my birthday party I’m like, ‘Hey guys, come in, settle in, take your shoes off or whatever,’ and then we go upstairs and then we’re hangin’ out and talking.

Talk about boys a little bit, talk about girls, kinda like friendship updates,” she explains. “Then we start saying, ‘Hey,

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Delaney and Patrick like watching movies together and jumping on the family’s trampoline. “She’s beautiful, and she’s the sweetest sister in the world,” Patrick says.

you guys wanna do a band in my room?’

We sing…I do a little bit of guitar.”

Delaney often says one of her favorite things to do is sleep, because that’s what teenagers do. She loves when friends spend the night and watch her favorite movie, Miracles from Heaven, which is based on a true story about a 10-year-old girl with a rare disorder who’s miraculously cured after a freak accident. She’s seen it at least 15 times.

Whenever Delaney talks about her friends, she’ll make comments—without being asked—about whether they have special needs or not. “One of my 200

friends, her name is Theresa, she has Down syndrome, with me,” Delaney says. “That’s OK, ’cause we’re different.”

She’s always been sensitive about it, her mom says. Delaney has talked about wanting to babysit children with special needs, or work with them in a school—she says her brother, Patrick, can be the teacher and she’ll be his assistant. When Delaney sees someone with disabilities, she’ll usually walk right up and start a conversation. “She does things that maybe we all want to do,” Emily says.

Emily’s never forgotten the moment an older girl approached Delaney, with good intentions, and told her something she’d never heard before. Her daughter had just started third grade when the girl came up to her at the Labor Day parade in Kensington, put her hands on Delaney’s shoulders and said, “You have Down syndrome, just like me.”

“No I don’t,” Delaney said.

Teachers at Kensington Parkwood Elementary School, where Delaney was in a mainstream classroom, had recently asked Emily if her daughter knew about her condition and suggested that maybe it was time to tell her. But Emily told them she wasn’t ready. “Mom, what is she saying?”

Delaney asked at the parade. She knew the girl from the neighborhood; their families were friendly. “Why is she saying that?”

MAY/JUNE 2017 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

I can’t believe this is happening, Emily thought. “It’s OK,” she told the girls, not knowing what else to say. “Don’t worry.”

When they got home, Emily waited to see if Delaney would bring it up again, hoping, in a way, that she wouldn’t. A week passed. “I’m lying with her and we’re reading, and all of a sudden, out of the blue, she says, ‘Mom, do I have Down syndrome?’ ” Emily says.

Yes, Emily told her, you do. Then she wanted to know why. “Well, you were born with it,” her mom said. “What is it?” she asked. “Will it go away?”

Emily held back tears as she answered.

She knew if her little girl saw her crying she might think Down syndrome was a bad thing. “You’re perfect,” she told her.

“You’re you. You’re Delaney.”

THE FIRST THING EMILY noticed, right after the doctor said “it’s a girl,” was the shape of her baby’s pinkie finger.

Within seconds of seeing Delaney, she told everyone in the hospital room that her daughter had Down syndrome, then repeated aloud: “I love her. I love her. I love her.”

“There’s nothing wrong with this baby,” the doctor told her.

“She has Down syndrome,” Emily said. “I can tell.”

Nurses ran tests on the 6-pound, 9-ounce newborn and the doctor continued to examine her. About an hour later, he told Emily she was right: Her baby had trisomy 21. The most commonly occurring chromosomal condition, also known as Down syndrome, trisomy 21 affects about one in every 700 babies born in the U.S., according to the National Down Syndrome Society. People who have the disorder, which is caused by an error in cell division that results in an extra copy of chromosome 21, are at an increased risk for congenital heart defects, respiratory, vision and hearing problems, Alzheimer’s disease, childhood leukemia and other medical conditions. In the early ’80s, the life expectancy for someone born with Down syndrome was 25 years; now it’s 60.

“I just remember people waiting outside the hospital room, not knowing

what to say when they came in,” Emily says through tears. It was almost as if nobody thought they should congratulate her. “I felt bad for them.”

She knew Mark was struggling. He walked around in a daze, leaving the hospital the day after Delaney arrived to go home and check on the dog. A neighbor came outside for news about the baby. “What’s the matter?” she asked. He didn’t know until then that the woman had a grandchild with Down syndrome, and she was the second person he’d met in two days—a friend of his sister’s, who has a daughter with the condition, had already shown up at the hospital. “I felt like I was on an island by myself, when the reality was we were surrounded by it,” Mark says.

When he returned to the hospital the following morning, he handed Emily a manila envelope he’d found in the couple’s mailbox. “We’re gonna be OK,” he said.

“I know,” she replied. “What’s changed

your mind?”

A woman Emily worked with had dropped off a copy of “Welcome to Holland,” an essay by Emily Perl Kingsley, the mother of a child with Down syndrome. “You’re on a plane and you’re heading to Italy and you’ve planned this trip your whole life—you have all the stuff you need for Italy, and then you end up landing in Holland and you’re like, wait a second, I’m not equipped for this.

I don’t have any information. How will I get around Holland?” Emily explains.

“Then you realize there are tour guides, and beautiful things like Rembrandt, and tulips…and you can get through Holland, and it’s a beautiful place, too.”

For the next few days, doctors kept a close eye on Delaney, and a cardiologist told the couple when she was less than a week old that the faint murmur he’d heard in her chest was the result of a life-threatening heart defect.

Delaney would need surgery to correct

the problem—called atrioventricular canal defect—but they didn’t want to operate until she weighed 11 pounds.

“It was crushing,” Emily says, “but it was almost like you’re on autopilot. Doctors start coming in and telling you what has to happen, and you just don’t know. You have no idea, so you just go with it. Then you read that a lot of people with Down syndrome are born with this, and it’s a common surgery, and you let the doctors take the reins. And you take notes.”

Later that week, a nurse came into Emily’s room to check on her around 4 a.m. and saw that she was falling apart.

“Talk to me,” the woman said.

“I just want her to be happy,” Emily told her. “I just want her to have friends.”

“You are feeling what every first-time parent feels,” the nurse said. In that moment, Emily realized that she wasn’t the scared new mom of a baby with Down syndrome. She was just a scared new mom.

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A FEW HOURS BEFORE Walter Johnson’s homecoming dance in the fall, Delaney and two of her girlfriends are taking pictures in the Dunigans’ living room. “All right, my girlies,” she says as they pose. Delaney sits down on the couch and puts her arm around Gina, a friend she’s known since both were babies. It was Gina’s mom, Liz Baldini, who visited Mark and Emily at the hospital 18 years ago, never having met them before, just to let them know they weren’t alone.

“Ready to see cute boys tonight?”

Delaney asks.

Last year, a young man named Reilly took Delaney and Gina to homecoming, as friends, and showed up with flowers for both of them. Tonight a bunch of Delaney’s classmates are meeting at Pizzeria Da Marco in Bethesda—the parents are sitting at a different table—then heading to the school dance. When Delaney was shopping for her dress, a sleeveless scoop-neck with a white top and pink bottom, it bothered her a little that people would be able to see the scar from her second heart surgery—at 6, she shocked Emily by saying, “Thank you for saving me,” when the surgeon walked in—but she’s over that now.

“Mom, I think I may stay out a little bit late,” she says in the car on the way to dinner.

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“You can stay as long as you want, sweetie,” Emily tells her.

These are the kind of nights Delaney’s parents weren’t sure would ever happen.

There were too many unknowns. Her heart problems showed up as soon as she got home from the hospital in September 1998. A close friend of Emily’s, who happened to be a doctor, came over to meet Delaney when she was a week old and noticed that her lips were turning a bluish-gray. The cardiologist had warned Emily and Mark that there might be times their daughter needed extra oxygen. “This is what they’re talking about,” her friend said. They quickly put Delaney in the car.

“When you walk in those doors, don’t say anything but ‘I have a blue baby,’ ” he told Emily as they rushed to the hospital.

“Don’t say: ‘I think it’s happening but I’m not sure.’ You say nothing else.”

After that, Emily was scared to take her eyes off her daughter. “We went to Children’s ER, Georgetown’s ER, Suburban, Holy Cross, Shady Grove—it just depended on where I was,” she says.

They saw specialist after specialist and kept hearing things about Delaney’s poor muscle tone. It wasn’t just her arms and legs that doctors were concerned about—they didn’t know how well she would be able to formulate

MAY/JUNE 2017 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

words or chew her food. “It was a wave of negativity from the time she was born,” says Mark, who still treasures the times Delaney would nap on his chest while he watched Redskins games.

Mark did the family’s Christmas shopping in the gift shop at Shady Grove hospital that year, where 3-month-old Delaney was spending a week. She spiked a 104-degree fever, and doctors thought she might have meningitis; it turned out to be early signs of congestive heart failure. After Delaney’s first heart surgery in February 1999, she went from drinking an ounce of formula and falling asleep to polishing off a 3-ounce bottle. She cried more because she finally had energy.

“I just remember sitting there thinking, this is a miracle—everything the cardiologist said would happen, happened,” Emily says.

The following September, Mark and Emily invited more than a hundred people over for Delaney’s first birthday. They took pictures of a moment they’d been waiting to celebrate: their daughter sitting up on her own, which she’d just started doing, rubbing her hands in the cake.

AT A GIRL SCOUTS meeting earlier this year, Delaney decided she wanted to sing Andra Day’s ballad “Rise Up,”

CHEERLEADING PHOTOS BY LISA HELFERT

Delaney cheers at high school football games, Best Buddies walks and Special Olympics events.

She’s also performed at nearby colleges.

Annie Arditti asked Delaney to be an ambassador for Best Buddies last year.

PHOTOS COURTESY ANNIE ARDITTI, MAGGIE HICKEY, COLLEEN HATCHER

which was played during the closing ceremony of the 2015 Special Olympics World Games. She met Day at a Special Olympics kickoff event on the National Mall two years ago, and they took a photo together that later appeared in Down Syndrome World magazine. The song has been one of her favorites ever since.

And I’ll rise up, High like the waves, I’ll rise up, In spite of the ache, I’ll rise up, And I’ll do it a thousand times again.

Emily often gets emotional when she hears Delaney sing that song, she says, and it hit her that day—like it does once in a while—just how far her daughter has come. Therapists from the county’s Infants and Toddlers Program told her and Mark that Delaney would do all the things most babies do—it was just going to take some extra time. But they weren’t sure what to believe. At 27 months, she took her first steps on their front sidewalk. “I held her hands and let go and off she went,” Emily says.

Wherever Emily went with Delaney, whatever they were doing, she talked to

Delaney met Maggie Hickey, a junior at Walter Johnson, through Best Buddies in middle school. They’ve been friends ever since.

her. She and Mark had received a letter when Delaney was a newborn from a woman in Florida, a friend of Mark’s cousin, whose son had Down syndrome.

Anything you’re doing, say it aloud, the woman wrote. “I was obsessed,” Emily says, “so much so that when I went grocery shopping without Delaney I was still talking to the cart.”

After a year in the county’s Preschool Education Program, which provides services for 3- to 5-year-olds with educational disabilities, Delaney started spending more time at home with her mom. A former preschool teacher, Emily had decided to start a small preschool in her house for a few neighborhood children so that Delaney could also be with typical kids her age. Delaney went to kindergarten at Rock View Elementary in Kensington, where she spent most of the day with special education students.

When the family moved at the end of that year, Emily asked the county to let Delaney repeat kindergarten in a regular classroom. By then she was running around, talking more, learning her letters and showing an interest in reading.

At the open house that summer, a few days before school started, Emily asked Delaney’s new teacher at Kensington Parkwood if she knew she had a child

Delaney spent a day on Capitol Hill in January to advocate on behalf of the National Down Syndrome Society.

with Down syndrome in her class. She didn’t want the woman to be caught off guard. “I asked for her,” the teacher said.

For a while, Delaney’s classmates didn’t seem to notice anything different about her. A classroom aide helped her with writing and art projects, and everyone played together at recess. “It’s like this little cushioning of a couple years where nobody has a clue—everybody’s seen as equal,” Emily says. After school, Delaney would come home and watch Finding Nemo, her afternoon treat, and when she misbehaved one day, Emily threatened to take it away. “If you do that again, you’re not watching Nemo,” she said. She’d never punished Delaney before. “It worked,” she says with a smile. “I remember saying to Mark, ‘She understands consequences!’ I remember celebrating that.”

ON A SUNDAY MORNING in October near the football field at Georgetown Prep in North Bethesda, a young man named Josh is reciting the Special Olympics athlete’s oath. He’s here for the Inspiration Walk, which raises money for the Montgomery County chapter of Special Olympics Maryland.

“Let me win,” he says slowly, the crowd repeating after him. Delaney mouths the

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being delaney dunigan words. “But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.”

As the runners and walkers get ready for the 2K, Delaney and the other JOY cheerleaders, who are part of the Special Olympics Montgomery County competitive squad, make their way to the field to line up along the rope. “Girls, let’s spread out a little bit so we [don’t] hit each other with our poms,” a coach says. Players from the Georgetown Prep football team are volunteering at the race—jogging alongside the athletes to help them get to the finish line—and Delaney recognizes one of them, a boy her dad used to coach, and gives him a fist bump. “I know him,” she proudly tells a friend.

“Come on, T. You got ’em, number 9!” she yells before the race has even started. She’s here to cheer on athletes with special needs, but she’s focused on the varsity quarterback. “Run fast, like you’re in shape!”

Events like this used to be tough for Delaney. Almost every time she’d cheer

in public she’d fall apart at the end and cling to Emily. But over time she’s developed more confidence. She puts on her navy and gold uniform for practice at least once a week—and a different outfit for her Shockwaves team—and hangs her medals near her hair bows in her bedroom. “All the JOY cheerleaders go to competitions,” she explains. “They say: ‘Introducing the one and only JOY cheerleaders,’ and we get up and we go crazy.”

After the run, Delaney and her friends pose for photos with the football players and start making their way toward the parking lot. There’s a DJ playing music under a small tent, so before she leaves, Delaney stops to do a few moves. At first she dances with her cheerleader friends, like she usually does, as parents gather around. Then a football player, still in his Prep jersey, walks toward Delaney with his hands pumping in the air and starts dancing next to her. She’s beaming, her mouth wide open, as if she can’t believe what’s happening. When the boy’s teammates

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realize what he’s doing, they run over and start dancing, too, along with a handful of field hockey players from Quince Orchard High School who are also volunteering. Pretty soon the music is blasting and there’s a group of teenagers dancing together to hip-hop music as if they’ve known each other for years.

Emily knows it shouldn’t be such a big deal that the Prep boys and the Quince Orchard girls are dancing with Delaney and her friends. But it is, she says. Because nobody planned it—it just happened—and for a few minutes they were all the same. So much of Delaney’s life revolves around activities designed for young people with disabilities, and Emily’s grateful that there’s so much out there, but it was nice to see her daughter having fun with kids she wouldn’t typically hang out with.

Ever since she started seventh grade at Tilden Middle School in Rockville, Delaney’s been in special education classrooms. It’s not what her parents wanted.

They felt strongly that she would benefit from being around typical peers for as long as possible—“You shoot high,” Emily says—but they realized when she was in elementary school that she probably wouldn’t pass algebra or do well enough on assessment tests to leave high school with a diploma, so they’d taken her off that track. When she got to North Bethesda Middle School for sixth grade, teachers were adapting assignments to fit her skill level, but even with help from paraeducators she would come home from school overwhelmed. She’d gotten used to the safe bubble of a small elementary school where everybody knew her. The hallways were bigger in middle school, and at times she could barely get from one class to the next before the bell rang. One night, Delaney looked in the mirror and told her mom she didn’t want to have Down syndrome anymore.

Nobody else in the whole school had it.

“The LFI program at Tilden and WJ is probably the best thing that’s ever

happened to her,” Mark says. “We fought it. I fought it. I didn’t think she’d like to be in a contained class with kids with special needs like her, but she loves it.”

Emily and Mark saw changes in their daughter as soon as she got to Tilden.

Suddenly, Delaney was helping other kids read and follow directions. “You need to go get your binder,” she’d say.

Her anxiety lifted. The school had a Best Buddies program—which encourages friendships between students with and without disabilities—and Delaney became fast friends with a sixth-grader named Maggie, who quickly got a glimpse of what she was in for. When Maggie’s mom took the two of them to paint pottery, they arrived to find out the place was closed, and Delaney heard her new friend using a tone she didn’t approve of. “Maggie, if you keep being sassy,” Delaney told her, “we’re gonna put you in the trunk.”

DELANEY PUT HER NOTES on the lectern and stood onstage last May to talk

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“There are many words people use to make people happy. But there are some words people use to hurt people…one of those words is the R-word,” she said.

“I was bullied with words that hurt my feelings, so I can tell you: Words can hurt. Words have power, the power to hurt and the power to help. The R-word—no, the old R-word, sorry— hurts many people. And it has for many years. The new R-word, ‘respect,’ can help people be good to each other.”

Delaney had been asked to speak at the school, where Patrick is now a fifthgrader, to help raise awareness about “R-word: Spread the Word to End the Word,” a campaign supported by Special Olympics, Best Buddies and other organizations that encourages people to sign a pledge to stop saying the

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being delaney dunigan R-Word. “We need [to] embrace everyone’s differences. We can all learn from each other and start always respecting others—the world will be a better place for everyone,” she continued.

A few kids called Delaney names when she was younger; one boy pushed her from behind and kicked her feet as she was walking up the stairs in sixth grade because he didn’t think she was moving fast enough. “I’m not going there anymore—I’m not going up those stairs,” she’d say. As a mother, Emily can’t stand it when someone uses the R-word. She heard a comedian say it a few years ago when she was at a show with friends, and still regrets not telling the woman how offensive it was.

Sometimes Emily wonders if her daughter understands why she’s out giving speeches—and how much her words matter. “There are a lot of people with Down syndrome that have trouble speaking, that can’t express their feelings,” she’ll tell her. “You’re a voice

for them.” Delaney does get nervous sometimes. After speaking to about a hundred high school volunteers about Best Buddies last fall, she buried her head in Emily’s chest and started to cry. “I did horrible,” she said. “No, you didn’t—you did so great,” Emily told her. Five minutes later, Delaney and her friends were doing the Whip/Nae Nae. In ways, she’s been performing her whole life. As a little girl, she’d sing in shows with her cousins at Capon Springs resort in West Virginia, where her family vacations in the summer. In 2014, she sang “The Star-Spangled Banner” before one of Patrick’s meets at Connecticut Belair Swim & Tennis Club, the same pool where she used to finish a 50-meter freestyle and a 50-meter backstroke when she was on the swim team. For the past few years, she’s been a member of the Pegasus Ensemble at Imagination Stage; she recently played three different roles in A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

It was Delaney’s touching rendition

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of “Hello” during a talent show at Walter Johnson last spring that led to her taking on a bigger role with Best Buddies. She was halfway through the ballad, belting it out like she’d seen Adele do, when she stopped to wave to her mom and dad. Then she kept going.

“It was the cutest thing I’ve ever seen,” says Annie Arditti, who oversees Best Buddies programs in 20 Montgomery County high schools and two middle schools. “By the end of it, you almost couldn’t get her off the microphone.”

As program manager for Best Buddies Maryland, Arditti looks for teens with a good stage presence who can share their stories as an ambassador for the organization. After meeting Delaney once, Arditti turned to her supervisor and said, “We need her.”

MARK AND EMILY KEPT waiting for Patrick to hit that age when having a sister with Down syndrome might embarrass him. They’d planned on enrolling him in a

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He asked his dad if doctors could fix Delaney—if they could give her an operation so she wouldn’t have Down syndrome— but it never seemed to bother him that she was different than the kids he knew. “I was like, ‘no, Patrick, this is just the way she’s gonna be.’ And he was like, ‘OK,’ and that was kind of it,” Mark says. “He’s always just been great with her.”

Even though they’re seven years apart,

basketball and lacrosse games. “Bye, love you guys,” she said as she left.

“I would say this,” Delaney says.

“Those are Patrick’s friends—but when I see them, they’re my boys.”

Emily’s seen the community embrace her daughter over the past few years, she says. Patrick’s friends don’t have to respond to Delaney’s messages on Snapchat, but they do. Her cheerleading coaches don’t have to come to her birthday parties, but they do. Emily used to know every person her daughter spent time with, but it’s not like that anymore. At a school football game last fall, there were kids saying hello to

Every trip has a purpose—at Wegmans in Germantown, Delaney might focus on using a grocery list and figuring out how much money she’ll need at the register.

“Her independence and her maturity, responsibility have grown,” says Emilia O’Connor, an LFI teacher and Best Buddies co-sponsor who’s worked with Delaney since she was a freshman and cites her biggest strength as her social skills. “She used to be very reliant on other people to kind of help her through a process. Now, once she kind of knows the process, like, ‘oh, this is my list and I need to go look for these items,’ she’ll take charge of that.”

Some of O’Connor’s former students at Walter Johnson have gone on to the Graduate Transition Program at Montgomery College, a two-year certificate program designed to offer a college experience for adults with special needs, or the college’s Challenge Program, which provides unique enrichment courses—from “The Science of Cooking” to “How the U.S. Government Works”—to help adults Delaney that Emily had never seen with disabilities function more indebefore. This is real life, she thought. This pendently. George Mason University in is how it’s supposed to be.

Fairfax, Virginia, has a four-year postsecondary program called Mason LIFE, DELANEY’S PARENTS HAVE TOLD which includes residential housing for her that if she doesn’t want to go to col- students with disabilities. Delaney’s friend lege, she’ll have to get a job. “A lot of Theresa, a junior at The Academy of the women around here don’t work,” she said Holy Cross, recently told her that she’s to Mark. “Why do I have to?” planning to go away to college and live “If you marry someone who makes on campus. “I think she’s having these good money, you can stay home,” he said. conversations with Theresa, and The“Well OK then,” she replied. resa’s helping her see that she can do it,” Delaney often reminds people that Emily says. she’s 18 now—“I’m an adult,” she’ll say— Sometimes Mark thinks Delaney really but she doesn’t talk much about life after could get married one day; other times he high school. She’s comfortable where she can’t imagine her anywhere but home. “I is. She has her class schedule laminated don’t know if I want her with Emily and I, on her binder, right above her Best Bud- just the three of us, or I really want her to dies sticker, and she knows where she try to venture out,” he says. “I worry about has to be and when. Four days a week she that—I don’t know yet.” leaves Walter Johnson after computer For now, Delaney’s focused on more class and takes a school bus to her job at pressing issues. Where she’s going for the Bethesda Health and Rehabilitation dinner after cheerleading practice. Justin Center, where she walks the hallways Bieber’s latest haircut. The homework greeting and talking to residents. Then she forgot to do. “Oh crap,” she says she returns to school for English and PE. when she realizes it. n On Fridays, she and her classmates go out in the community: Red Wiggler Com- Senior Editor Cindy Rich can be reached munity Farm, Great Falls, Union Station. at cindy.rich@bethesdamagazine.com.

“A TYPICAL TEENAGER LOVES TO USE THE PHONE AND TEXT AND FACETIME FRIENDS, BUT A TYPICAL TEENAGER DOES NOT TEXT AND FACETIME HER MOTHER’S FRIENDS,” EMILY SAYS WITH A LAUGH. the two hang out together and watch movies, jump on the trampoline, and try to get Alexa, their voice-controlled Amazon speaker, to tell jokes. “He laughs, he tickles me, I tickle him back. He’s a cute little brother,” Delaney says, “but he’s 11 now and he’s growing up. I call him Buzz. That’s his nickname, Buzz Lightyear.”

Emily told Patrick years ago that it’s OK to get upset if Delaney does something that bothers him and that he doesn’t have to let her off the hook. He doesn’t like it when she talks over him. She gets annoyed if he’s using the downstairs TV when she wants it. “Patrick, Mommy doesn’t want you on the Xbox, it’s time for homework, sweetie,” she’ll tell him.

“That’s when the fireworks [go] off,” Delaney says.

When Patrick had to write a rap song for an English assignment in January, he asked his teacher if Delaney could come in and perform it with him. “She’s hilarious,” he says of his sister, “her attitude and sassiness.” They practiced at home, and the next morning Delaney stood in front of a room full of fifth-graders, posing as her brother’s backup singer. She knows many of the kids in Patrick’s class from 208

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Former journalists Lissa Muscatine and Bradley Graham were seen as unlikely successors.

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P&P owners Lissa Muscatine and Bradley Graham speak with author Howard Norman (left), who read from My Darling Detective at the bookstore in April.

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ON NOV. 10, TWO days after Donald Trump defeated Hillary Clinton to become the 45th president of the United States, Politics and Prose, the popular independent bookstore in Upper Northwest D.C., was in mourning.

Many on the staff were distraught—for themselves and for co-owner Lissa Muscatine, whose association with Clinton goes back decades. “There was so much distress,” Muscatine says. She and her husband, Bradley Graham, opened the door to their small office on the main floor and invited staff to share doughnuts and discontent. There was a strong desire to do something, and during an all-hands meeting later, Muscatine, who was raised in a politically active family in Berkeley, California, suggested holding a series of teach-ins, a format of discussions and debate that grew out of Vietnam-era anti-war protests. The theme would be democratic principles that appeared to be threatened.

On Jan. 8, the first teach-in on civil liberties drew an unprecedented overflow crowd of more than 500 to the store, with another 5,000 watching online.

The second teach-in on women’s rights, held on Inauguration Day, resulted in another overwhelming turnout. Politics and Prose, without “pussy hats,” signs or confrontation, had become the place for discourse, like the old Roman forum.

Though Graham and Muscatine had long since been accepted by the staff and the community—the latter the lifeblood of an independent bookstore—these events seemed like an embrace of the owners and a pact of kinship.

The announcement in 2010 that the store was for sale was an event. Journalist/novelist Jim Lehrer compared

putting Politics and Prose on the block to “selling the Washington Monument.”

Thirteen-year veteran Heidi Powell, manager of the much-praised children’s department, said many customers mistakenly believed the store might close.

Yet the sale in 2011—the purchase price was $2 million—and transition went smoothly.

Record sales have been achieved in each of the past five years, Graham says. For the first time, P&P is actively considering opening branch stores, in Northeast and Southwest D.C.—an idea repeatedly rebuffed as too stressful and unnecessary by the two brilliant and feisty women who made their store into a revered “third place,” a refuge apart from home and the workplace. Carla Cohen was irascible but lovable and she lived and breathed books—and the store— and envisioned P&P as a kind of literary salon. Barbara Meade is more practical and very much the embodiment of the informed reader. Sole proprietors since 1984, they decided to sell after Cohen became ill with cancer—she died in October 2010—and were keenly aware of the need to find owners who would treat their shop like custodians of a precious family heirloom. As they were fond of saying, “We have built a community, and the community has built the store.”

Graham and Muscatine might be viewed as unlikely successors. Both journalists, they met in 1988 at The Washington Post. He was a veteran foreign correspondent editing on the international desk, and she was on the Maryland desk. Beginning in 1993, Muscatine became a significant figure in Hillaryland, a speechwriter and confidante who worked for Clinton in the

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White House and at the State P&P holds more that he’d missed the deadline than 450 author for applications by almost Department, and Graham events each year. took a buyout from the Post in In March, Mohsin three weeks. He phoned sale coordinator Richard Goldberg 2008. “Most people aren’t born Hamid made an appearance to read into bookselling,” says Eileen from his book Exit in October 2010, hoping, he says, “that he’d say it was too Dengler, executive director West. late.” Goldberg invited him to of the New Atlantic Indepenfill out the lengthy questiondent Booksellers Association, a regional trade group. “Brad and Lissa naire, which probed applicants’ vision for the store, asked about favorite books and are people who believe in words.”

Graham read in the Post about the so on. Muscatine was dubious, humorstore being for sale and remembers ing her husband as if he’d announced he hoping they would find someone to pre- was running for president. serve it. Thoughts of being that someone did not occur to him. But former Post AFTER A FAILED SALE attempt in colleague Valerie Strauss and other 2006, Meade and Cohen were not taking friends nudged him to make a bid. a successful bidder for granted. Only Graham came from a business family. 20 of the original 50 interested parties There was money from his paternal submitted the required questionnaires; grandfather, who founded the Illinois six were selected to be interviewed. To Baking Co. on the success of the ice his surprise, Graham was among them. cream cone, and his father, who owned Preparing to leave their Bethesda home a profitable plastic packaging enterprise, for his interview, Graham asked Muscaand he had earned an MBA years ago, tine if she wanted to come along. Why which, he jokes, helped in “filling out my not? she thought. The panel, including expense reports.”

Meade and Cohen’s husband, David, Months passed before Graham finally seemed keenly interested in what Musyielded to his entreaters, only to discover catine had to say. “Afterwards, it was 214

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conveyed to me that they thought I was OK, but they really liked Lissa,” Graham says, laughing. It didn’t hurt that Muscatine was chair of the board of trustees of Sidwell Friends School, and that Meade and her three siblings graduated from the school. Meade says she felt strongly that “there had to be a woman involved” in the ownership. More interviews and a request for a business plan memo ensued. “It was a long process,” Graham says, “occurring about the same time as the Arab Spring, so I joked that several Arab regimes came and went during this decision period.”

As he waited to see if his offer was accepted, Graham visited the owners of other bookstores—among them: R.J. Julia Booksellers in Madison,

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Connecticut; Village Books in P&P sells Two finalists were chosen.

Graham and Muscatine were Bellingham, Washington; and more than just books. Other Books & Books in South Florida. merchandise up against the EDENS group, Harvard Book Store owner Jeff typically has a which developed Union Mayersohn bluntly asked Graham, higher markup Market and the Mosaic Disthan that of “Would you be ready to lose your books. trict in Fairfax, Virginia. In March 2011, the couple and entire investment?”

Mayersohn’s purchase in recestheir twins, Wynne and Cole, sion-era 2008 caused some to question were on a college visit to Harvard when his sanity. E-books were taking off and Graham’s phone rang. It was Goldberg.

Amazon was killing independents at an “Really?” his family heard him ask. “Oh alarming rate. Two years later, “I was my God,” Graham exclaimed, turning having too good a time,” Mayersohn to his family as they stood on a street says, so he didn’t discourage Graham. in Cambridge, Massachusetts. “We’ve He provided a nuts-and-bolts tutorial got it.” and relayed some lessons learned at the so-called “bookstore school,” a training WHEN HEAD BOOK BUYER Mark course by Florida’s Paz & Associates. LaFramboise arrived at P&P for his job Graham was also encouraged by veteran interview in 1997, he was chatting with owners who’d been through several pre- general manager Ron Tucker near the dictions of doom and had demonstrated store’s front entrance as well-known that great service could inspire loyalty. author and amateur sportsman George Several reassured him that if any inde- Plimpton ambled in. “Excuse me, genpendent store could survive, it would be tlemen,” Plimpton said. “Would it be all P&P, due to its deep community roots. right if I signed copies of my biography 216

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of Truman Capote?”

LaFramboise grinned at Tucker.

“Yeah,” he said, “I could work here!”

Few touring authors bypass P&P; in fact, the only prominent absentee anyone could recall in recent memory was Bruce Springsteen, who was promoting his memoir, Born to Run, in 2016. But when you hold 450 author events annually, even The Boss isn’t much of a loss. The new owners were keenly aware of P&P’s reputation, locally and nationally; both were customers, and Graham had read there from his Donald Rumsfeld biography. They knew that beloved institutions are like comfort food, so customers would be skeptical of a radical alteration in the menu and that too much change too quickly could be ruinous. Their stewardship came with a “very big responsibility to the community,” Muscatine says. “For me, this bookstore is a place to reflect, have discourse and interact with others—the antidote to the homogenization of mass

communication. You see the pride and proprietary interest with which members of the community treat this store.”

“You do feel a certain weight when you take over a treasured enterprise like P&P,” says the 64-year-old Graham.

“When you acquire an iconic business, you have to treat it with respect,” Mayersohn adds. “But you also have a kind of Greek chorus commenting on what you do—so you have to be aware that your actions will be scrutinized.”

So Graham and Muscatine had a motto: “Don’t screw it up.”

The new owners decided to hold off on any changes, and then to proceed gradually. They eliminated the general manager position and held all-staff meetings twice a year; smaller group sessions were more frequent.

Graham and Muscatine, 62, met with every staff member individually.

Over the next two or three years, the store’s floor plan was altered. A nearly

40-year-old inventory point-of-sale system was replaced. A number of “architectural” updates were made— walls were taken down and a structural column was removed—to improve the flow of the 14,000-square-foot store (retail occupies 8,000 square feet) and to increase the space available for author events and display tables. The cash registers were moved to one side, and the mammoth information desk was reduced in size by almost two-thirds.

“We thought of the large desk as a statement—‘we’re here to help you,’ ” Meade says, “so I might not have reduced it so much. But it is true that info desk staff would sometimes be so busy socializing that they ignored the customers.” Meade, now 81, stayed on as an adviser for 18 months after the sale and still takes an active interest in the store.

Graham, who ran the business side while Muscatine was drawn to the sales floor, determined that the revenue

stream needed more tributaries. “Sideline” items—nonbook merchandise such as greeting cards, calendars and book lights—were increased because they typically have a higher markup than the 40 percent on books. Author Susan Coll was the first new hire in 2011, tasked with expanding the store’s programming, including readings, classes on writing, poetry and literary studies, trivia nights and group trips to England, France and even South Africa. Coll says this created some tension “between those who think a bookstore should just be a bookstore and those who believe you need to do more to keep the lights turned on.” Book buyer LaFramboise, one of the strict constructionists, says, “My bias is toward books. But I realize in order to maintain a viable business, we have to offset the [low] markup on books.”

Graham admits to two false starts.

Their first trip model, using a local travel

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agency, was too structured and The renovated including the flagship venue at coffee shop is expensive. “We then switched on the lower 14th and V streets NW, believagencies and developed a series level of P&P. It ing the expansion stretches the of trips that were more economi- offers breakfast, staff. Graham remains happy lunch and cal and less structured,” he says. dinner, as well with the arrangement, although “They sold out.” A second mis- as beer and he and Busboys founder Andy step was hiring an outside firm wine.

Shallal are currently discussing to redesign the website. “After its future. Graham and Muscaworking with this firm many months, tine also are looking at opening a second we ran into technical difficulty trying to or third P&P store, with eyes on the implement its plan and ended up instead Union Market area in Northeast D.C. using in-house staff to change the look of and the Wharf development in Southour website,” Graham explains. west. Barnes & Noble in Bethesda Row Early last year, P&P purchased two will close at the end of the year, and in 2,000-square-foot condos at the corner April Graham told Bethesda Beat they of Nebraska and Connecticut avenues “would definitely look at the possibility” to use as classroom space. Events were of opening a store in Bethesda. added at partner venues such as the hisOne real crowd-pleaser, according to toric Sixth & I synagogue, which offers customers, is the renovated coffee shop greater capacity. “Carla would love downstairs. Christened The Den, it is what they’ve done with programming,” now operated by P&P after years of being Meade says. But she’s less enthusiastic contracted out. Matt Carr, the owner of about the P&P ministores added in 2015 nearby Little Red Fox, serves as manager. to three Busboys and Poets locations, Graham and Muscatine are in the 218

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bookstore virtually every day; Graham is usually in their office sorting out the numbers, while Muscatine often roams the sales floor. She now takes a role in book-buying so she handles orders from W.W. Norton & Co. After six-plus years, Graham says they finally planned a twoweek vacation this spring.

Rick Atkinson, the Pulitzer Prizewinning military historian (and a former Washington Post reporter), has read at the store from all six of his books, beginning in 1989. “Brad and Lissa both come out of the newspaper business, so they know what it feels like to have something they care about under existential threat,” he said in an email. “They’ve obviously built on the very solid core business. More than ever the store feels like a port in a storm, a village green, a bastion of civil discourse at a time when such bastions seem rare.”

IN 1999, DURING AN author event— no one at P&P can agree on who was

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brave new world reading, but, oddly, they are certain it was nonfiction—a customer in the audience suffered a heart attack and died.

The customer’s daughter later wrote a note to Meade and Cohen saying that her father would have been happy to know he died at Politics and Prose.

Former employee Hannah Depp, who left P&P after six years in 2016, says the store operated more “organically” in the past. “Under Brad and Lissa, it’s a bit more Washington—let’s create a committee to do something,” says Depp, who departed when offered the position of operations director at WORD bookstore in Brooklyn. During the transition, she adds, “customers were more nervous than staff ” about P&P’s future. Now it’s as if the store is experiencing a rebirth, Depp says.

Several developments have improved the outlook for independent booksellers, says Oren Teicher, the CEO at the American Booksellers Association (ABA). “The

‘buy local’ movement has had a significant impact,” he says. “The cost of technology has come way down, so stores can afford more sophisticated payroll and inventory systems. And publishers have improved their replenishment systems so that stores can get a book a customer wants within a day or two.” Graham cites some other factors: The closing of the Borders chain in 2011 removed a huge competitor. The popularity of e-books has leveled off. Publishers also provide marketing money to stores to help sell books, and have offered better terms for bill-paying.

A February 2015 report by the ABA said the number of member independent bookstores had increased 27 percent since 2009. Amazon, with a market share of close to 70 percent in e-books and about 64 percent in printed books, remains the chief threat, and the online behemoth has begun opening brick-andmortar stores. The expansion of P&P’s reach under new ownership is a shrewd

way to counter Amazon, Teicher says.

Overall, Graham estimates more than $500,000 has been invested in the store since he and Muscatine took ownership. Sales have risen 50 percent over the past five years to more than $10 million a year, but expenses have also increased, with more to come. Graham cites rent hikes and a prospective minimum-wage increase to $15 an hour. P&P employs 80 full-time employees and about 40 parttime workers.

“Owning this store was never a dream or fantasy of ours because it never would have occurred to us,” Muscatine says.

“It turns out it’s a lot of people’s fantasy, though they don’t realize how hard it is.

It’s been this full immersion into this world that we barely knew, but now represents really everything we care about.” ■ Steve Goldstein is a freelance writer and editor. To comment on this story, email comments@bethesdamagazine.com.

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All Rise

Wynton Marsalis brings the most ambitious show of the season to Strathmore. Can a synchronization of musicians, singers and crew pull it off?

BY STEPHANIE SIEGEL BURKE | PHOTOS BY EDGAR ARTIGA

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Conductor William Eddins (left) is one of the key players in Strathmore’s most ambitious production of the 2016-2017 season, All Rise. During dress rehearsal, composer and trumpeter Wynton Marsalis (right) interrupts Eddins to say the violins should sound “scratchier.”

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T

THE REHEARSAL FOR STRATHMORE’S

biggest production of the 2016-2017 season is going smoothly—for the most part. During a break between movements, conductor William Eddins chastises the choir for seeming distracted.

“Tomorrow,” he says, “I want all eyes on me.”

During the show, most eyes will be on Wynton Marsalis, the famed trumpeter and composer who wrote the jazz symphony All Rise, the most complicated and expensive of 47 productions Strathmore will put on this season. The show includes the 15-piece Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, 62 musicians from the National Philharmonic, 10 soloists from New York’s Chorale Le Chateau and a 135-person choir with singers from Baltimore’s Morgan State University and the Choral Arts Society of Washington.

Then there are the dozens of people who are responsible for planning—from the size of the orchestra and choir to how they’ll all fit onstage— and logistics, like keeping track of sheet music and shuttling performers around North Bethesda.

The two shows, both sold out on a Friday night and Sunday afternoon in February, have been 15 months in the making. On the Tuesday before, Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra arrived from New York; the musicians stayed at the Cambria Hotel & Suites in Rockville. That morning, a truck delivered their instruments, microphones and black suits. Several days earlier, 100 pounds of sheet music made its way via FedEx from New York to Strathmore. In the concert hall, lead stage technician William Kassman, who has worked at the music center since it opened in 2005, has added platforms where the musicians will play. He has pushed a black Steinway Model D grand piano onto an industrial equipment elevator that took it to the stage level. He has arranged chairs and music stands, and moved risers into place.

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THE DAY BEFORE OPENING night, Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra are in the center of the stage surrounded by National Philharmonic musicians, rehearsing different parts of the 12-movement symphony. In the middle of a song, Marsalis signals Eddins and the musicians to stop. The violins don’t sound right.

They should be “scratchier.” A violinist runs her bow over her strings, producing a discordant buzz. “That’s exactly it,” Marsalis says. She smiles and explains how she created the sound. The music starts again. The National Philharmonic players are in awe of Marsalis and the jazz musicians. “I have never seen so many happy orchestra players, and orchestra musicians are notoriously unhappy,” says National Philharmonic principal violist Julius Wirth.

Eddins keeps an eye on an analog clock on the right edge of the stage. Strict union rules prohibit the musicians from practicing more than 150 minutes a day, including a 20-minute break.

In the wings, production manager Shari Moxley checks a digital clock. With so many groups involved in this production, Strathmore hired her as a freelancer to coordinate all of them. Petite but authoritative, she’s organized and efficient, with clipboard in hand. She’s tracking times and schedules, talking with Eddins and choral director Damien Sneed, and communicating with the music center’s technical crew.

More than 100 members of the Morgan State University Choir are set to arrive on two buses.

They can warm up in the concert hall seats, Moxley says. Warm-ups also are happening in the Comcast Circles Lounge, off the lobby, where Sneed plays a rippling version of “Amazing Grace” on the piano while the voices of 10 soloists from Chorale Le Chateau soar. Sneed worked with the chorale in New York for four weeks, in addition to making weekly trips to help the other choirs “interpret the spirit of the work,” he says.

He coached them to express a tone and feeling that would reflect All Rise’s blend of gospel, jazz, blues, swing and classical music.

At 7 p.m., it’s time for the run-through, the first time the musicians and singers perform the full piece together. Choir members join the musicians seated onstage and take their places on the risers. At the back of the concert hall, 226

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Clockwise from above: Shari Moxley was hired as a freelance production manager to coordinate the moving pieces of the show; the Chorale Le Chateau soloists traveled from New York a few days before rehearsal; lead audio technician Caldwell Gray adjusts sound levels; choral director Damien Sneed helps the choirs warm up; lead stage technician William Kassman placed the chairs, risers, music stands and piano on the stage.

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Above: Allen McCallum, the director of front-of-house operations, greets 55 ushers and gives them assignments. Left: An usher seats patrons on opening night.

Opposite from top: National Philharmonic principal violist Julius Wirth says he’s never seen so many happy orchestra players; two horn players, who sit in Wynton Marsalis’ section, warm up before the show.

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lead audio technician Caldwell Gray sits in the dark behind a massive sound board equipped with hundreds of dials and switches. “We can sweeten the sound a bit,” he says, listening and adjusting the levels. For Gray, All Rise is one of the simpler productions he’s worked on. Unlike rock concerts or theatrical performances, which can require microphones, amplifiers or other tools to project sound, All Rise uses just a few small microphones and the acoustics of the concert hall. “It’s a little unusual to have a jazz orchestra and a symphony orchestra together on stage, but this is a standard largeorchestra-with-chorus arrangement,” he says. “This is what the room is made for. It was built to be all about Wagner and Mahler and Beethoven. It’s a hugely reverberant space.”

IT’S OPENING NIGHT, a few

hours before the concert begins, and programming manager Sarah Farmer is on the move. She’s responsible for logistics, including booking the housing and travel arrangements for the artists, issuing contracts and payments, and scheduling rehearsals. She’s winding through hallways and stairways on her way to check on the volunteers.

In a storage room, Judy Doctor and Jean Williams set up a cellphone check for the Morgan State choir members.

Farmer wants the college students, who are used to having their digital devices with them at all times, to understand: No phones are allowed onstage. Then Farmer is off, up some stairs and down in an elevator to stock tables outside the dressing rooms with bags of chips and bottles of water. “We’re always moving for shows,” she says, and this production is one of the busiest. “Some days I’ll check my Fitbit and see I’ve walked like 4 miles.”

In the upstairs lobby, an army of ushers wearing blue, button-down Strathmore shirts chat as they wait

for Allen McCallum, the director of front-of-house operations, to call their names and provide assignments. Fiftyfive of them—all volunteers—will man doorways and aisles, take tickets and show patrons to their seats.

Eight minutes until showtime.

There’s a flurry of activity as violin and viola players line up cases on a ledge backstage and jazz musicians stroll from a couch near the dressing rooms out to the stage. Among them, Marsalis walks from his dressing room through the wing, carrying his trumpet, entering from stage left. He’s smiling and relaxed, dressed in a crisp black suit. He takes his seat in the middle of the stage.

TWO AND A HALF HOURS

later, back in the wing, Marsalis congratulates the singers and musicians with handshakes. There’s a sense of elation. “He’s so gracious,” says National Philharmonic double bass player Barbara Fitzgerald. “It’s amazing to be in the midst of these fantastic world-class musicians.”

After the lights come on and the audience filters out, the stage is cleared for the next day’s performance by the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra.

Kassman rides with the risers as the platform that’s holding them is lowered like an elevator below the stage. He rolls the piano off the stage and into a wing, stacks chairs and removes music stands. It takes about 30 minutes. The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra will play a concert in Pennsylvania Saturday night before they and all of the key players—musicians and otherwise— return to Strathmore Sunday for the final performance of All Rise.

“To be part of that kind of work is really inspiring,” McCallum says.

“When you go into the hall and you see that kind of performance on that scale, you realize that you’ve been a small part of it. Art exists on the stage, but there’s a lot of pieces that come together to make it happen.”

Stephanie Siegel Burke is a freelance writer and editor based in Bethesda.

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Wynton Marsalis (left) wrote All Rise as a piece that crosses genres of jazz, blues, classical and international music. (Above) After the show, which lasted two and a half hours, the trumpeter congratulated singers and musicians backstage.

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Bringing Him Home Potomac physician Rob Freishtat was volunteering at a Haitian hospital when he first set eyes on a toddler named Luke. That’s when life changed for both of them.

BY BARA VAIDA | PHOTOS BY LISA HELFERT JAMIE FREISHTAT REMEMBERS the first photograph she saw of her son Luke. He was 2 years old, tiny, sitting on a hospital bed with metal railings and surrounded by green walls. His stomach was swollen and seemed to fall between his knees, almost like a statue of Buddha. His skin was discolored and his hair was orange. Freishtat, a pediatrician, could tell that Luke was malnourished. She could also see his large, sweet brown eyes staring at the camera.

The photo had been texted to Jamie by her husband, Rob, who was on his seventh volunteer trip to a hospital about 150 miles north of Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Rob, chief of emergency medicine at Children’s National Health System in D.C., was conducting rounds at Hôpital Sacré Coeur in March 2013 when he stopped by Luke’s bed. The toddler was hooked up to an IV drip for hydration. Nurses had tried coaxing him into drinking milk or eating peanut butter for protein, but he only wanted Tampico, a sweet fruit

drink. They told Rob that the boy had been abandoned. In Haiti, it’s not uncommon for families who can’t afford to feed their children to leave them at a hospital in the hopes that someone else will take care of them.

“Rob called me that night and said, ‘I found him— the child we are going to adopt,’ ” Jamie says.

Rob hadn’t traveled to Haiti that week because he wanted to adopt. He and Jamie had two sons at home in Potomac and a busy life juggling their careers with the boys’ school and sports schedules. He’d gone there because he and his wife wanted to try to save lives. They’d started making trips to Haiti soon after a magnitude 7.0 earthquake devastated the country three years earlier, leaving 300,000 people injured and at least 220,000 dead. But something happened when Rob saw Luke. He’d met so many adorable children in Haiti, but this was different. “Love at first sight,” his son Max calls it. Rob can’t explain the connection, BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM | MAY/JUNE 2017

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but he felt like he already knew the boy, and minutes after they met, Luke clung to him and wouldn’t let go.

ON THE EVENING of Jan. 12, 2010, Rob and Jamie watched in horror as scenes of destruction flashed across their television screen. About 70 percent of the buildings, including homes, in Portau-Prince had been reduced to rubble; survivors were walking around dazed and crying. It looked like bombs had been dropped on miles and miles of the city and countryside.

“If we could have jumped through the TV to help, we would have,” Jamie says.

The two had met as kids at Robert Frost Middle School in Rockville, but didn’t know each other well until they were students at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. After marrying in 1997, they bought a home near their families, who live in Gaithersburg. Rob, a specialist in lung diseases, began a fellowship in emergency medicine at Children’s National; Jamie joined a local pediatric practice. During his fellowship, Rob volunteered to teach advanced lifesupport techniques at hospitals in Egypt and Belarus. Through his work overseas, he understood the need to ration when supplies were low, and he’d dealt with making difficult decisions about which patients should and could be treated with limited resources. “We both, Jamie and I, kind of at the same time just said to each other, we could do something, we could have an impact,” he says.

After talking to colleagues and searching online, Rob found The CRUDEM Foundation, a Ludlow, Massachusettsbased nonprofit that funds Hôpital Sacré Coeur, a Catholic hospital in the tiny town of Milot, Haiti. Hundreds of earthquake victims had been sent there from Port-auPrince. He and Jamie booked an eight-day stay in Haiti, using their own money for plane tickets, and flew into Cap-Haitien, a city on the country’s northern coast, in early April 2010. On the way to Milot, their car bounced along unpaved roads and they saw miles of square cement 234

homes, shanties, ravines, wild goats and stray dogs. Trash was strewn near people’s homes. At the hospital, much of the patient care was being conducted in open-air tents or cement buildings without doors. There were about 500 patients and 72 beds. Volunteer physicians and nurses slept on military-issue cots on the hospital’s grounds.

It rained almost constantly during Rob and Jamie’s time at Hôpital Sacré Coeur.

Staff and visitors tracked mud into the makeshift pediatric unit where doctors were treating children suffering from severe blood and bone infections. Some patients had to have limbs amputated.

Jamie was so absorbed in the work that she didn’t have time to get upset. Though the situation was heartbreaking, she and Rob were used to seeing children with serious injuries, so they put their emotions aside to focus on their patients.

They knew the young people they were helping would be going back to Port-auPrince. “It was so hard because we knew we were sending them to a place that was literally rubble,” says Jamie. “It wasn’t until I left that I cried.”

Despite the pain they were witnessing, Rob and Jamie found Haiti inspiring. Villagers cooked pots of rice and beans for strangers. (Haitian hospitals don’t provide food for patients; their families are expected to feed them.) School children came to sit with orphans to give them comfort, and sang to patients and visitors. “We just fell in love with the people of Haiti,” Rob says. He became friends with one of his translators, who helped him communicate with the young people he was treating—most Haitians speak Creole, though the official language is French. “These are people that have nothing. I mean nothing,” Rob says. “They live in a tiny home with dirt floors with 12 or 13 people. They have a hole in their roof.

Yet if they had one thing to give, they would give it to you or their neighbor.”

Rob and Jamie vowed to return.

“After having met the people we met, we knew that somehow, in some way, they were going to be part of our lives,”

MAY/JUNE 2017 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

says Jamie, now 45. “We were never leaving there for good.”

When they got home to Potomac, they found themselves noticing things that hadn’t bothered them before, like the way people get annoyed about standing in line for coffee. What are you complaining about? Rob would think.

They talked to their sons—Nate, then 10, and Max, then 8—about Haiti, and both boys offered to ask friends and relatives to donate to Haitian relief organizations. A family friend who teaches social studies at Cabin John Middle School in

Jamie Freishtat and her husband, Rob, both doctors, adopted their son Luke from Haiti in December 2015. Luke barely spoke any English when he arrived but quickly picked up the language.

Potomac invited Rob to speak to students about his work, and the teacher later incorporated a project about Haiti into his curriculum and spearheaded a fundraising drive to help build a well for Hôpital Sacré Coeur.

Rob started working on a plan to bolster the hospital’s pediatric services. Haiti was in desperate need of skilled pediatric care—the country’s main medical school in Port-au-Prince was heavily damaged by the earthquake, and thousands of health care workers were injured or killed. He put out a call to doctors, nurses and

medical assistants at Children’s National to gauge their interest in joining him on his next trip, and nine people said they wanted to go. He and Jamie decided to forgo upcoming vacation plans and to use that money instead to help get more resources to Haiti. “There is some guilt, this feeling of why? Why me? And why them?” Jamie says. “Then, what can I do to change the world there? I was always racking my brain: What can I do?”

Before the 2010 trip, Rob and Jamie had talked about having a third child but hadn’t made a decision. Afterward, they

thought maybe they’d adopt an orphan from Haiti.

IT’S A THURSDAY in December, and Luke Freishtat is having a busy afternoon. After a full day of preschool, he rode his Big Wheel up and down the driveway, had a sword fight with a neighbor using plastic foam swim noodles, and played on the swing set in his family’s backyard. Then he hung out in the basement with Max, 14, and a few friends before running upstairs for a snack. Now the animal crackers are

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bringing him home Luke first met his brothers, Nate (left) and Max, at the orphanage in Port-au-Prince where he lived for two years before coming to the U.S.

making him thirsty, so the 5-year-old asks Rob for some water.

“You know where to get water,” his dad says, nodding his head toward the sink.

Luke looks at Rob quizzically. “You don’t get it from the sink,” he says.

“You don’t?” Rob asks.

“Not at BRESMA,” Luke says.

BRESMA (Brebis de Saint Michel de L’Attalaye) is the name of the orphanage in Port-au-Prince where Luke spent two years before coming to the U.S. He lived there with about 60 other children who didn’t have much to do all day but play with one another and a few toys. His bed was near where the babies slept, and he liked to cuddle and rock them. Sometimes the kids watched videos on television or sat under a tree outside, but there was no room for them to run around and no view of the world beyond the orphanage walls. Luke charmed the staff, who nicknamed him 236

“El Presidente” because he liked to lead the kids games and give tours to anyone who visited.

“You are right, Luke, you don’t want to have water from the sink in BRESMA, but here it is safe, right?” Rob explains.

“Here, you have water from the sink every day, right?”

“Yeah,” Luke says. “Well, there is one sink here, and then one downstairs and two upstairs. That is a lot of sinks.” Then the little boy goes back to laughing with his friend.

More than a year has passed since the Freishtats brought Luke home from Haiti. He spoke hardly any English when he arrived—they communicated with him using Google’s Translate app and Jamie’s high school French skills— but being around his family and school helped Luke pick up the language quickly.

At first, Luke was terrified of the family’s chocolate Labrador, Brownie. Dogs

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aren’t kept as pets in Haiti—they’re often dangerous. “[Luke] was clawing up Jamie because he was so deathly afraid,” says Rob, 45. But within a day he was petting her. His first few nights home, Luke slept with Rob and Jamie, but then he wanted to sleep in his own room down the hall.

“I have a lot of books,” he says with a smile when asked what he likes most about his bedroom. Among his favorites are Green Eggs and Ham and We’re Going on a Bear Hunt, he says, which his parents read to him at night. On his bed is a giant pillow with his name on it.

Luke hasn’t asked Rob and Jamie about his biological parents, though he has recently noticed that his skin is brown and theirs is white. They realize that one day they’ll have to tell him what happened, that a neighbor or a family member—they aren’t sure who it was— brought him to a hospital when he was a toddler, wrote “Louiken Jean, 2 Ans” on

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a form (ans is French for years), left and never returned.

It was several days later that Rob saw the boy in his hospital bed, suffering from a protein deficiency, and texted his wife the photo that made her heart melt.

He and Jamie had talked about adopting a child from Haiti on and off for a few years. They’d realized the saying they heard was true: You don’t leave Haiti without wanting to bring every child home with you. But despite returning to the impoverished country as a doctor, Rob had never taken the next step toward adoption. That night, he went to the head of the hospital to ask if adopting Luke was even a possibility, and the man assured him that it was. Rob knew Hôpital Sacré Coeur wouldn’t be able to care for Luke for long, and he was worried about where the boy would go next—he didn’t want Luke to end up in an orphanage with poor living conditions.

As Rob tried to figure out what to do, Debbie Harvey, who lives in Haymarket, Virginia, and operates a Haitian orphanage, happened to visit the hospital. The two had met at a luncheon in Virginia weeks earlier and talked about their mutual love for Haiti and their concern about the well-being of the children. Rob introduced Harvey to Luke and asked if her orphanage, Kay Anj D’ayiti (Angel House of Haiti), could take Luke temporarily. “The second I saw Luke and Rob together, I knew it was meant to be,” Harvey says. “It was like they’d known each other forever. I was going to do anything I could for them.”

Slowly, Luke’s condition started to improve. He finally started drinking milk. The nurses took a special interest in making sure he was eating, and a hospital nun brought him hard-boiled eggs from her own chickens. After eight days in Haiti, Rob had to get back to his job at Children’s National, where 238

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Clockwise from top: When Rob saw Luke for the first time, the toddler was in a hospital bed, malnourished and dehydrated; Jamie (not pictured) and Rob brought Luke home from Haiti in December 2015, about two years after they began the adoption process; Jamie got to know Luke during visits to Haiti and struggled to say goodbye to the boy whenever she had to leave; Nate, Max, Rob and Jamie spent time with Luke at the BRESMA orphanage in Haiti—each time they came to see him, Luke would ask, “This time will I go on the airplane?”

PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE FREISHTAT FAMILY

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Luke was afraid of the family’s dog, Brownie, when he first met her—dogs aren’t kept as pets in Haiti—but within a day he was petting her.

he oversees planning and budgets, manages staff, and serves as lead physician of the emergency department, treating patients with everything from viruses to gunshot wounds.

When he got home that March, Rob couldn’t stop talking about Luke and showing Jamie, Nate and Max the photos and videos on his phone. The boys, who had learned so much about Haiti through their parents’ stories, were excited to meet him. Jamie started looking into how to adopt from Haiti, and a relative gave her the name of an adoption lawyer. Soon she was focusing her energy on Luke, a boy she hadn’t met but already felt was hers.

“I wanted to get him to the U.S. and out of Haiti,” Jamie says. “I thought because the situation was so dire there, and there are so many children without families, that it wouldn’t take too long 240

to adopt. I knew there’d be paperwork and legal issues, but I thought maybe it would be six to nine months to get him here.” She had no idea that it was just the beginning of a long and painful journey.

IN THE CHAOS after the 2010 earthquake, news outlets reported that there were thousands of homeless children wandering the streets of Haiti. Many American families were struck by the images they saw on TV and wanted to help. The administration of President Barack Obama responded by briefly lifting visa requirements for Haitian children who were already in the process of being adopted. In the four months after the earthquake, more than 1,100 children were airlifted to the U.S. before their adoption proceedings had been completed, according to The New York Times. Then controversy erupted

MAY/JUNE 2017 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

after 12 Haitian orphans ended up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, without permanent homes. Additionally, a dozen American missionaries faced kidnapping charges after they allegedly tried to take Haitian children out of the country without proper documentation.

Amid all of this, Haiti temporarily halted most international adoptions and moved to change its laws to comply with the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption. The convention aims to reduce child trafficking and ensure that the 95 participating countries follow a set of strict ethical standards.

Before Haiti toughened its laws in 2014, U.S. adoption agencies could directly match prospective parents with children in any Haitian orphanage. Now, in order for a Haitian child to be adopted internationally, that child must be living in one of 70 orphanages that are licensed

by Haiti’s department of welfare, known as the Institute of Social Well-Being and Research (IBESR), according to Diana Boni, program coordinator for All Blessings International, one of 20 agencies now licensed to conduct Haitian adoptions.

Boni helped Jamie and Rob adopt Luke.

Because of the extreme poverty and weak government infrastructure, there are varying estimates of the number of orphans living in the country. According to the Lumos Foundation, a Londonbased child advocacy organization, about 32,000 children are residing in more than 700 orphanages in Haiti.

(Many of those children aren’t technically orphans because one parent is still alive.) Of those children, about 5,000 are in IBESR-sanctioned orphanages and can be legally adopted, according to Boni.

Prospective parents can no longer “choose” a child outside of an orphanage, the way Rob and Jamie did. Under the new laws, IBESR decides which child or children a family can adopt, and parents must work through an agency that follows the rules of the Hague convention.

Boni says the costs range from about $25,000 to $30,000.

Because the Freishtats started the process before Haiti changed its laws, they were able to move forward with Luke’s adoption. They filled out a lengthy application that included detailed information about their finances and health.

They gathered written recommendations from family and friends, went through criminal background checks and submitted fingerprints to the FBI. “I had no idea what people who adopt have to go through,” Jamie says. “Our house had to be inspected by the fire department.

Someone came to measure the room that was going to be Luke’s to make sure it is big enough. And through all of this you are thinking it’s so ironic, because right then Luke was living in an orphanage with all these kids in a tiny room.”

IBESR is hindered by infrastructure problems that slow the adoption

process. The agency has no computer system or email access. Files are in paper form. Everything must be typed and hand-delivered. Boni had told Rob it might take 18 months to adopt Luke, but the administrative labyrinth, in addition to the shifting adoption laws, lengthened the process. “It was the hardest period of my life,” Jamie says. “The waiting, the not knowing when he would be ours.”

JAMIE, NATE AND MAX met Luke at BRESMA in late-December 2013, about nine months after Rob first saw him in the hospital. Rob had arranged to have the boy sent to Kay Anj, operated by Harvey and her family. But Kay Anj isn’t licensed to handle international adoptions, so All Blessings had helped move Luke to BRESMA that November. Rob had already visited Luke several times, and had brought him photos of Jamie, Nate and Max so he could see their faces every day.

When Jamie jumped out of the van and ran to scoop Luke into her arms, he hugged her right back. “I had fallen in love with him when I saw the photo of him, but to see him in person and to put my arms around him, I mean that is something like no other feeling in the world,” she says. “It was no different than the feeling I had with both my other children.” Max jumped in to hug Luke, too, and the three cried together.

Jamie remembers thinking that she was going to be so attached to Luke that she wouldn’t be able to leave Haiti.

Initially, Luke was a little shy. “If Rob went to the bathroom, and we were in a common room together, we would try to distract him, because the moment he realized Rob was gone, he would yell, ‘Papa, Papa!’ ” Jamie says. “It took him a little while to have the same comfort level with us that he already had with Rob.” All five stayed together in a small

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bringing him home guesthouse for prospective adoptive families and played with the Matchbox cars, Play-Doh, bubbles and other toys the Freishtats had brought. They were allowed to take Luke to the grocery store and a small hotel down the street that had a pool and a restaurant, as long as someone from the orphanage went with them.

At dinner, Max saw Luke trying to eat butter straight out of the dish because he didn’t know he wasn’t supposed to. The boy was so surprised and confused by the cold feel of ice cream on his tongue that he said in French, “It’s hot, hot, hot!” The 3-year-old scared Jamie when he started to jump into the hotel’s tiny pool, not realizing he’d have to swim.

For four days, they slowly got to know each other. Rob’s friend from Milot helped translate so they could understand one another, and Jamie used her limited French—she knew words like “cookie” and “bathroom”—to talk to Luke. What

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everyone remembers most from the trip was the little boy’s infectious laugh. When it was time to go home, Jamie tried not to cry in front of Luke, and she and Rob promised him that they would be back to get him. As the family opened the front gate to leave BRESMA, she could hear Luke wailing behind her.

ONCE THE FREISHTATS formally started the Haitian adoption process on Dec. 17, 2013, there was nothing more they could do but wait. From time to time they’d get an email from All Blessings to let them know there had been progress, or to request an additional document.

At holiday gatherings and family parties, Jamie would think about how Luke should be there, too. To cope with the waiting, she and Rob got to know other parents adopting from BRESMA through a private Facebook page. Jamie would call her sister-in-law and her

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parents, sometimes daily, to share her angst and hopefulness that Luke would be in the U.S. soon.

“Here’s the problem: There was no communication with Luke’s orphanage.

None,” Jamie says. “No phone calls, no FaceTime. Nothing. I would ask families that were going to BRESMA to take pictures and video of Luke for me. Then I would analyze every square inch of that photo. This is your child, but you have no control over anything.”

Rob visited Luke four times in 2014, and Jamie joined him on two of those trips. She gave Luke a pillowcase and quilt she’d had made for him—decorated with photos—so he could feel like he was sleeping next to his family every night. Then, on Dec. 17, 2014, one year after the application was filed, Boni called Rob to say, “Congratulations, you are officially matched with Luke. I am assuming you are accepting the match?”

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bringing him home “I kind of chuckled,” Rob recalls.

When a child is matched with prospective parents in Haiti, those parents spend 15 days with the child for a socialization and bonding period before the adoption can move forward. The Freishtats immediately booked tickets to Haiti and brought Nate, Max and Jamie’s parents with them. Everyone stayed in the guesthouse. A social worker from IBESR came to observe their interactions.

“Children just sort of wandered about, with little in terms of toys or play space,” says Jamie’s father, George Abramowitz, “but Luke was just this happy guy.” After another painful goodbye, the Freishtats went back to waiting.

In 2015, Luke’s paperwork was sent to Haiti’s immigration, state and justice departments, and each took weeks to evaluate it. Boni let Rob know whenever there were problems. In Haiti, most children are born at home and a family member goes to a judge to have a birth certificate recorded by the government.

But Luke didn’t have a birth certificate.

Harvey, the director of the Kay Anj orphanage, had connections to local government officials who helped create one for him. The document, signed by a judge, declared him an orphan. Rob and Jamie chose to make Luke’s birthdate Sept. 2, 2011, so that he would miss the kindergarten cutoff date and get an extra year of preschool. (In Montgomery County, children who aren’t 5 years old by Sept. 1 start kindergarten the following school year.)

Then there was another delay. Someone at IBESR didn’t like the way the documents had been signed and asked for the judge to re-sign them, but the judge had died. It took about six weeks for All Blessings to convince IBESR that a prosecutor’s signature attesting to the integrity of the documents was good enough. “My child is sitting in that orphanage every day while this is happening,” Jamie says. “And it was just like banging your head against the wall.”

In June, when all the necessary agencies had signed off on Luke’s adoption, 244

Haiti’s state department ran out of ink and couldn’t print Luke’s passport. “I was beside myself when I heard that,” Rob says. “I was going to go to Staples, buy some ink and deliver it myself. But I was told that wouldn’t work because it was really about people deciding that they didn’t want to work that week.”

Finally, on July 30, 2015, the department printed Luke’s Haitian passport.

He was now legally Rob and Jamie’s, but only in Haiti—his adoption also had to be approved in the U.S. Because it had been two years since Rob and Jamie completed their U.S. application, they had to update their paperwork and undergo another criminal background check.

Over the next four months, the Freishtats visited Luke two more times.

Each time he saw them, Luke would ask, “This time will I go on the airplane?”

“No, honey, we love you very much, but not this time,” Jamie would say.

“By Thanksgiving that year, I remember just being in despair, thinking when is this going to happen? Will it ever happen?” she says.

Then, on Dec. 3, 2015, Rob got a call from Boni. The adoption had been approved.

A YEAR AFTER BRINGING his son home, Rob is packing for another trip to Haiti. On the floor in the family’s home office are suitcases filled with T-shirts, shorts, dresses, kids clothes, flip-flops and soccer balls that the Freishtats either purchased or received as donations from friends, family and Rob’s colleagues at Children’s National. The clothes are for Rob’s translator friend and the staff at Hôpital Sacré Coeur. Rob is also taking a mobile pediatric critical-care unit, including an ultrasound machine. Nate, who wants to be a doctor like his parents, helped his dad put medications in the bags and has been begging to join him on a trip.

“I bring whatever I can when I go,” Rob says. “This time the hospital was out of AAA batteries, so I’m bringing down a bunch of AAA batteries.”

MAY/JUNE 2017 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

Rob continues to lead volunteer medical teams in Haiti twice a year, always using his vacation time. Eventually, he says, he and Jamie plan to take Luke there so he can stay connected to the culture.

They’re expecting him to have questions about where he was born and how he came to be a part of their family. “We are fortunate in that we live in a diverse community with lots of friends of different backgrounds, so it isn’t unusual to see different colors and faces wherever we are, but it is something, as he becomes a teenager, that is going to be far more of an issue,” Rob says.

Jamie still marvels at the far-reaching impact of the couple’s first trip to Haiti in 2010. At their temple, some of the teenagers who’ve baby-sat Luke during services have told Jamie that they love him so much that they plan to adopt from Haiti. Nate’s school, Sidwell Friends in D.C., arranged a trip to the Kay Anj orphanage in March 2014, and several girls from the Upper School have since gone back with their parents. Max, now an eighth-grader at Cabin John Middle School, joined Nate on the Sidwell trip and became friends with some of the orphans he met there. Now he writes them letters about what’s going on in the U.S., and Harvey brings the letters with her to Kay Anj. “It makes me happy, how this has spread,” Jamie says.

For Luke, everything is different than it was at BRESMA. At his preschool, about a mile from his house, there’s a huge courtyard where kids can ride bikes, jump rope and play hopscotch. Classroom walls are filled with students’ artwork. At the end of a school day in December, he proudly shows his mom the picture he drew of an animal in a cave, and tells her that he learned what hibernation means. He says goodbye to his friends and his teacher, then politely holds the front door for the kids and adults behind him.

“Mom, tomorrow is ninja pizza day, my favorite day,” he says, skipping on his way home. n Bara Vaida is a health writer based in Washington, D.C.

interview

NAME Carol Maloney AGE 44 WHAT SHE DOES Sports reporter and anchor for NBC4 LIVES IN Kensington

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A CONVERSATION WITH

CAROL MALONEY The NBC4 sports anchor and reporter talks about why she doesn’t like the teleprompter, getting Jayson Werth to talk to her on camera, and that time she tried to dunk

BY BETHANY RODGERS | PHOTO BY EDGAR ARTIGA

CAROL MALONEY CAN’T WAIT to show off her face-plant. She’s leaning forward in the kitchen of her Kensington home, talking about carpal tunnel syndrome’s toll on her dribbling skills, when she breaks off midstream and snatches her cellphone from her dining table. “Did you see my dunk?” she asks.

She pulls up her Instagram account and hits “play” on a video from a Washington Wizards media day in February. The clip begins as Maloney, a former college basketball player, makes a running start across the court. After her approach, she hits the trampoline and swims toward the basket with arms outstretched and a smooth, midair dolphin kick. For a second, the dunk—a feat the 5-foot-3 athlete has had on her bucket list for years—looks possible. Even probable. Then…gravity. A headfirst dive into a mat. Four days with a stiff neck and the inability to look around without fully rotating her body.

“I almost killed myself,” she says. There’s no evidence that the crash shook her, though—she’s smiling the entire time during the video, including the moment when she’s flat on her back staring up at the Verizon Center ceiling.

Maloney, 44, says she’s never been a flashy reporter. It’s not uncommon to find her whipping on lipstick just minutes before she goes on the air for NBC4; she’d rather spend every last second on her stories. She was raised in the Midwest in a parochial neighborhood where she knew almost everyone, and Kensington reminds her a little

bit of her tight-knit community in Des Moines.

Neighbors here are familiar with her makeup-free face, she says, and they offer to look after her poodles, Buddy and Boo, when she’s out of town with her husband, Justin Carmody, and their two kids.

After graduating from Drake University in Des Moines in 1995, Maloney spent about three years reporting at local TV stations in Iowa, jobs that gave her experience shooting her own video, editing her own packages and chasing a few tornadoes.

(Her parents hated the storm-chaser phase of her career, she says, but for her it was an “adrenaline rush.”) In 1998, she left Iowa for a larger station in Denver, and after three years there she moved to the D.C. area to work at Comcast SportsNet in Bethesda, where she covered the Wizards, Capitals, Orioles and Nationals for the next 11 years.

NBC4 hired Maloney in 2015 as a full-time sports anchor and reporter—she’d already freelanced for the station—but so far her jobs haven’t impressed her sons, Donnie, 13, and Jimmy, 11.

“They’re not starstruck at all, I think because I work in [this field]. They see me sitting with Bryce Harper, so they don’t think it’s as cool,” Maloney says with a smile. “I’ve made them come to my work so much that maybe they’re just sick of it. They like the vending machine.”

Bethesda Magazine spoke with Maloney at her home a couple days after she’d returned from Florida, where she was covering the Washington Nationals’ spring training.

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How did you become interested in sports?

I’m one of seven kids. I’m No. 6, so I grew up playing outside sports. I was just out there trying to get into my older brothers’ and sisters’ games. We’d play softball in the backyard. We played basketball. I played six sports in high school. (I count cheerleading.) I ran track and played basketball in college. I watched a lot of sports with my family.

When did you realize you wanted to be a journalist?

I grew up knowing that I wanted to be a reporter. I used to tell on my brothers and sisters all the time—I was like the ultimate tattletale. I loved to tell people stuff they didn’t know, even if it got other people in trouble. By the time I was 15, I was already a little reporter. Also, my dad used to play racquetball with the sports guy at the NBC station in town. So I guess since I knew somebody who did it, or my dad did, I thought, I could probably do that.

I knew there weren’t a lot of women sportscasters. I only had a couple of people to look up to. Lesley Visser was doing Monday Night Football at the time, and then eventually Hannah Storm broke into [the] NBA. Other than that, there were no women doing any kind of play-by-play or color or sideline, and so I didn’t really know it was something that I could even do.

Once I was in college and playing, I got to meet a lot of women players who were calling women’s games. I did my internships, and even my [journalism] adviser said, ‘You should be a sports reporter because you love sports so much.’ It was a really great time because it was right when women were getting hired. Jobs just kind of fell in my lap, probably jobs that plenty more men were qualified for. But I took it so seriously—I always made sure [to] prove I was worthy of the job.

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What teams did you cheer for growing up?

The Bulls. The Cubs. The Packers. I had some family in Kansas City, [so] the Chiefs. I was totally a bandwagon jumper; I went for the good teams. It was Michael Jordan’s heyday, so [that] was appointment television. My grandmother would come over, or we would go to her house [for] every Bulls game. That was a pretty big moment, when I was able to interview him when he played for the Wizards. I was really nervous for that.

You must have been obsessing over your questions.

My first question to Michael Jordan, my knees were knocking. I didn’t normally get like that with interviews, but it was someone you grew up watching. His skills were kind of declining, and Jerry Stackhouse was his teammate and was kind of leading the way for the Wizards early. So I said, ‘You had Scottie Pippen as a sidekick for so long. How does it feel now for you to be Jerry Stackhouse’s sidekick?’ I swear he looked at me and for a second I thought he was going to be like, ‘Security! Get this 20-something girl out of my face with her tough question.’

He actually gave me a good answer—he gave Jerry a lot of praise for leading the way. But I did say to the photographer, ‘Make sure you pull back so you can see me.’ And I meant to put the picture of me and Michael Jordan on a T-shirt for my dad. I still have the tape.

So with Michael Jordan I was nervous, and then last week I was nervous with Jayson Werth, the Nationals outfielder.

He won the World Series with the Phillies, and in baseball terms he’s a veteran.

He’s turning 38. He’s all hair. You think he’s all surly and not media-friendly, and it’s actually the opposite. He’s a really good guy once he gets to know you and trust you, but he doesn’t do on-camera interviews. He hasn’t done them for

MAY/JUNE 2017 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

years. We were having this conversation in the dugout and I was giving him grief and he said, ‘Come to spring training and you can interview me there.’

On the first day I said, ‘Hey, I’m here!

Remember when we talked in June, you said I come to spring training, I get all my questions?’ He said, ‘No, I’m not TVready. I don’t want to do TV.’ And the PR lady said, ‘You’re going to make that poor girl cry.’ So the final day, I didn’t know I was going to interview him until I [was] outside waiting, and here he comes. I thought of some questions, and I knew I was going to keep them serious. He wouldn’t want to do fluff. He wouldn’t want to talk about his beard—he would take his mic off. So I thought of four or five really good baseball questions. We talked about how what happens this next year will define his entire career.

I’m talking to him about pressure, while I’m feeling pressure. Because I know he’s such a tough cookie that if I ask the wrong question, he’ll leave.

To do your job, do you have to get over wanting to make your idols like you?

Yes. I am a pleaser by nature, so I want everyone to like me. I don’t mind asking a tough question, but I think it’s OK to be liked, too. I’m not out there to make anyone look bad, but if there’s a tough question to be asked—like, Do you feel like your job is on the line?—I can ask that. I think the thing about women that is the advantage is that we’re really sympathetic listeners by nature. Sometimes I’ll even say, ‘Listen, I know this is a difficult question, and you might not want to talk about it right now, but it’s probably what fans are wondering so I feel like I have to ask.’ So that softens it right away.

Did you ever struggle with being camera shy?

I think [being on-air] came naturally [for me], but you have to get comfortable. It

does take [repetition] to be the same person on camera that you are when you’re not on camera. I think it took me a good couple years to really be conversational. I had a really good mentor who said, ‘Don’t stick to the script because you won’t even be paying attention.’ So if you put something on a prompter, I would say 99 times out of 100 it does not come out that way. And I am a little dyslexic, so I don’t like to read the prompter word-for-word because then I’ll mess myself up because I’ll switch words. It’s better if I just go with notes and what’s in my head. When you’re on camera, you have to pretend that you just burst into the kitchen, and your friend is sitting there, and you want to tell them all about this thing. ‘You’ll never guess what Bryce Harper said today! He’s practicing his swings with a barbed-wire-covered bat!

He said if zombies ever come to D.C., he’s got us covered!’ You want to say it in a way you’d be excited about.

How did you end up in the D.C. area?

My contract was up in Denver. I was young, getting all the assignments no one else wanted, which I didn’t mind.

But then the weekend position opened up and they hired somebody else, and the person they hired to do weekends had once been in Iowa at a smaller station than the one I was at. And I remember being like: He’s going to leapfrog me? I’ll never forget, because it was a woman news director. She goes, ‘This market’s not ready for a female in a main sports role.’ I wasn’t mad. I was like, ‘I’m so glad you were honest.’ I told her, ‘My contract is up this summer. I’ll go to a big market and get big-market experience so that when the market is ready, then I’ll come back.’ Because I love Denver. I have lots of family there, so I never thought I would be gone for long. I left and said, ‘I’ll be back in three years, everybody.’

And then I [got here] and fell in love.

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How did you meet your husband?

I met him at Houston’s, the restaurant.

There was one in Rockville. I had just gotten back from Orioles spring training, and he said, ‘My mother loves your Orioles coverage.’ I hugged him. I was at Comcast SportsNet. I [had gone] from being at the NBC station in Denver, which everybody watched. Not that I need or want or ask for the attention, but I moved here and I was working my heart out and it didn’t seem like we had a lot of people watching us. No one ever said, ‘Oh, you’re the lady from Comcast.’

He was like the first person. So I was like, ‘Yay, somebody’s watching us!’

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Can you root openly for local teams or is that against the rules?

I shouldn’t. I’m not supposed to. Do not emotionally invest in your teams was rule No. 1, but I totally am and I don’t know how to hide it. I just want a parade, some parade. Please, it’s our time. I was almost in tears when the Caps lost last year. I was sick to my stomach. I always think the dream of hoisting the championship trophy is possible. I was in Denver when the Broncos won and the Avs [Colorado Avalanche] won the Stanley Cup. I see what it does for the community and how it brings them together, and I just want that for this area. I think it would inspire a whole new generation of sports fans, and what I do would be a lot more relevant.

Do you feel like it’s your role to keep the hope alive?

A little bit. Another example was Game 5 of the Nats and Dodgers at Nats Park [last year]. They had a five-game series against the Dodgers. I think they won two games—they just needed one more game to win—and then they lost two straight.

It was Game 5: You win or you go home.

I asked [Nationals manager] Dusty Baker his thoughts and he said, ‘I woke up and packed for Chicago.’ [If they won], they

were going to play the Cubs the next day.

We’re all believing it’s possible that the Nats are going to win and play the Cubs in the second round—and then they didn’t.

So my postgame report was: ‘This stinks.

I’m moving to Cleveland. We’ll never win anything. I’m done believing.’ I literally said it like I was saying it. And then I said, ‘I heard those sentiments word-for-word from fans walking out tonight.’

The anchors said they were shocked because they thought I was saying it, and I said, ‘No, I’m quoting the fans who were leaving tonight. That’s how distraught they are.’ I said, ‘But we’ll get over it. We’ll lick our wounds and we’ll start believing in next year. Pitchers and catchers report in 160 days and hope will spring eternal again.’

So, you do want to put your finger on the temperature of the moment, but then also give [viewers]: ‘Pitchers and catchers will report in no time, and we’ll still believe again because this team is good. And it will be our time. It’s coming. They’re knocking on the door.’ I do believe that.

I read that George Michael [the longtime NBC4 sportscaster who died in 2009] repeatedly tried to hire you, but the timing was never right. What was the story there?

He’s still a voice in my head. The first time I talked to him, he called me in Denver way before I knew I was going to leave. He called me out of the blue and said, ‘Carol, this is George Michael.

I’ve been watching you, and we have a position open. I’m going to give you a four-year deal, no outs, but this much money.’ And he was like, ‘I saw that skirt you wore yesterday. Burn it. And don’t ever say, “They won two-zip.” Don’t ever say zip.’ Of course I knew who he was—I loved his show. But I was so thinskinned, it hurt my feelings. But I did everything he said.

I did end that first conversation with George: ‘Sounds like you should buy my

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ticket, except for I’m under contract for one more year.’ Then a year later he called and said, ‘OK, well, there’s a window where we can get you here.’ And I said, ‘George, I’m sorry, I should have checked with you. I figured you were good.’ I just had signed a contract that week. And he said, ‘Oh, where?’ I said Comcast SportsNet in D.C. And he was like, ‘We’re never going to be friends,’ and hung up.

Then I would see him on the field and I would give him little things, like I just wanted to tell him how much I appreciated him. So we stayed friends. He would heckle me. I remember one time he was squeegeeing behind me on a live shot when I was on Comcast SportsNet. Then, when I was six months pregnant with Jimmy, freelancing, he called and said, ‘OK, we need a little help. You’re

just freelancing.’ And I said, ‘Yes, but I’m six months pregnant.’ And it was the same thing…click. Then I didn’t know that he was sick, so it was really sad. As much as the business has changed, he was so good at telling stories. We still talk about, what would George do?

Knowing that he thought I was worthy of working with him helped—it boosted my confidence. It’s kind of a running joke with my friends. I think it’s something I’ve said too many times: ‘Hey, you went to ESPN and you have an $8 million contract, but I had George Michael try to hire me three times. So there.’

You’ve said you never want to work on a national network. Why? I grew up with dreams of being like a big-time Monday Night Football or NBA

[sportscaster]. And I [have] friends that have gone national. But as soon as my kids were born, I knew immediately.

I think time is more important than money and status. I know friends who have gone on to find that balance—I’m just not one of those people. I wanted to stay home with them. I went part time.

I wanted to put my career on the back burner. I didn’t give it up, but I put it on the back burner so I could be home with them on sick days and [for] coaching [their teams], and preschool.

When did you realize it was time to work full time again?

I remember that moment as clear as day.

I was at the pool. I didn’t know anyone there. My kids were totally safe and swimming with their friends, and I was

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interview

bored to death. I didn’t have a magazine.

I didn’t have anything to do or anyone to talk to. [The kids] came over, and they were hungry, and I said, ‘OK, let’s go to the concession stand.’ And they said, ‘No, we just need money.’ It was a moment where, my babies just want money now. They don’t need me to go order for them. They don’t need me to feed them [or] clean up after them, and I remember thinking, OK, it’s time. I can work a little more. I could’ve dropped them off at the pool and not been there.

What is it like to watch your sons get into sports? Are there sports you do or don’t want them to play?

I let them both play flag football one year—my husband really wanted them to try it. And they were one-and-done.

Both of them tried it when they were like 9, 10. Peewee. And it was so hard for me. But I thought: If you try it now, and you get hit, and you don’t play later, then that would be good. Or maybe you could learn the right techniques of tackling if you do. But now my son is 13 and he’s going to try and bulk up. He wants to play football next year, so I’m going to let him. I’m going to hold my breath the whole time, but I’m going to let him. I wish I could get them to be golfers. I want them to play a sport they could play their whole life, and I wish I would have golfed when I was little.

I love golf, but they play soccer in the fall. They play basketball in the winter.

They’re both going to be on baseball teams coming up.

But you know how some families are

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really into the kids’ sports? We’ve never been that family, surprisingly, since my husband played football and I played basketball. We just do it for fun. I do say I want them to be in some activity, so when Jimmy had some time between sports he started taking this parkour class. He loves it. It’s funny because I just see what the professional life is for an athlete, and it looks so hard and demanding. I’m not sure I would necessarily want that for them as a mother. I would obviously be thrilled for them if that was their dream, but I would probably be just as thrilled if they were a fifth-grade math teacher. ■ Bethany Rodgers is a reporter for Bethesda Beat, Bethesda Magazine's daily online news briefing.

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FRESH 5 bedroom, 4.5 bath Colonial with renovated kitchen, baths, gleaming hardwood floors, and painted inside and out. Family room with walls of glass overlooking beautiful 2 acre lot backing to park land. Finished, walkout lower level to rear yard and salt water pool.

$1,129,000

Private and Serene! Gorgeous sunny and elegant Colonial on 2 acres off the rustic Glen Mill Road! Beautiful architectural details, formal living and dining rooms, private library/office, 2 family rooms with fireplaces, 4 huge bedrooms, 3.5 baths, gourmet kitchen with breakfast nook, luxury master bath, master walk-in closet. Wine cellar, exercise room, 2nd family room and storage area downstairs. 10505WhiteCloverTerracePotomac.com.

Debi Edwards 301.412.9759 / Debora.Edwards@LNF.com

Potomac

$1,395,000

Lovely and spacious 6 bedroom Williamsburg Colonial sited on a 3.5 acre lot on a private cul-de-sac in desirable Potomac Falls. Features include hardwood flooring throughout the main and upper levels, main level master suite and laundry, and generous screened porch.

This sprawling Darnestown estate features a main house with over 12,000 sq. ft. of living space, main level master suite and elevator, PLUS 2 separate guest houses, PLUS a 6-stall horse barn, all situated on over 10+ serene acres at the end of a quiet cul-de-sac.

LongandFoster.com 4700 Sangamore Road, Bethesda, Maryland | 301.229.4000

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Everywhere You Want To Be

1 Pettit Court, Potomac | $1,250,000

10009 Gable Manor Court, Potomac Patio home | $969,000 Margie Halem Recognized by

THE WALL STREET JOURNAL as one of America’s Top Real Estate Agents

10903 Lamplighter Lane, Potomac $1,179,000

Back row: Lyn Moritt, Leslie Fitzpatrick, Lisa Frazier, Lori Silverman Front row: Ashley Townsend, Ying Chen, Margie Halem, Harrison Halem, Amy Gordon

301.775.4196 1 Chancelet Court, North Bethesda $869,000

Licensed in MD | DC | VA • MargieHalem@LongandFoster.com Please view our listings at www.MargieHalemGroup.com.

#1 Billion Dollar Bethesda Gateway Office 301.907.7600 (O)

RECENTLY SOLD by SONDRA & PAM

Top 1% of Long & Foster Agents in the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Area

7809 Winterberry Place, Bethesda

8604 York Manor Way, Potomac

Top-Producing Team in the Billion-Dollar Bethesda Gateway Office Sondra Mulheron Pam Schiattareggia 301.785.9536 301.802.7796 smulheron@LNF.com pam.scat@LNF.com www.HomesbySondraandPam.com Successfully Helping Buyers and Sellers Since 2003 Bethesda Gateway Office | 4650 East West Highway, Bethesda, Maryland | 301.907.7600

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Wendy

Wendy Banner & The Banner Team www.BannerTeam.com

Potomac / Potomac Farm

$3,495,000

Potomac / Potomac Falls

$2,395,000

Potomac / Greenbriar Preserve

$2,199,000

NEW ON MARKET! Custom-built masterpiece offers unparalleled living from your own private oasis one minute from Potomac Village. Sited on a professionally landscaped and privately gated 2+ acre lot, this home boasts rich finishes, grand entertaining spaces inside and out, 6 bedrooms, 4 full baths and 2 half baths and a 3-car garage!

PRICED TO SELL! Timeless estate built in ‘96 with awardwinning 2.68 acres with pool and waterfall! Updated chef’s kitchen, elegant main level library, master bedroom suite with sitting room. Finished 3rd floor and amazing views!

Full walk-out lower level features wine cellar, game and rec areas. 6 bedrooms, 5 full and 2 half baths. 3-car garage.

NEW ON MARKET! Beautiful home built by NV homes in 2006 on premium lot backing to conservation area!

Featuring hardwood floors throughout the main level, and a gourmet kitchen with Viking appliances. You’ll love the main level library, owner’s suite and luxurious bath.

Finished lower level with full walk-out.

Potomac / Glen Echo Heights

Bethesda / Burning Tree

Potomac / Great Elm Estates

$1,995,000

$1,890,000

$1,800,000

BRAND NEW home by Rollingwood Builders is now staged!

Located on flat and usable lot with 6,900+ sq. ft. on 4 levels.The ideal floor plan features wide plank hardwood floors, expansive designer kitchen open to the family room, serene screened porch with a fireplace and more!

Immediate Delivery.

Renovated and expanded home on rare lot featuring a stunning yard with pool, hot tub, firepit, an Ipe wood deck and flagstone patio. Features a gourmet kitchen with high ceilings open to family room, a main level bedroom suite, 5-6 bedrooms, 4.5 baths and a finished, walk-out lower level.

Custom-built, Mediterranean style Villa privately situated on 3 sprawling acres located near Potomac Village. This incredible estate is suitable for grand entertaining or casual living. In-ground pool adjacent to separate guest house/ studio 3 car garage. Fully finished walkout lower level. Tree house conveys! 6 bedrooms, 6 full and 2 half baths

Potomac / Avenel

Potomac / Potomac

Chevy Chase / Chevy Chase Park

$1,550,000

$1,499,000

$1,495,000

NEW ON MARKET! Gorgeous home with outstanding view of the 7th tee of the TPC golf course and lake.

Features 2-story great room, gourmet chef’s kitchen and private library. Full walk-out lower level includes a large family room, hardwood floors, a guest bedroom/office, 2 bathrooms and a wine cellar. Great opportunity and value!

NEW ON MARKET! Renovated in 2015, this custom, Rixeybuilt home is walking distance to Potomac Village! Main level master suite with NEW bath and separate sitting room. Pella windows. Walkout lower level includes a recreation room, wine cellar, gym, and in-law suite. Updated 3-zone HVAC.

Gorgeous detached Colonial with 3 finished levels and designer touches throughout. This home is complete with 5 bedrooms and 4.5 baths featuring cathedral ceilings, a wood burning fireplace, and an updated sun filled kitchen.

Spacious lower level includes a rec room, office space and a yoga/fitness studio. 2 car garage with organizing system.

Darnestown / Spring Meadows

Potomac / Inverness Forest

$1,219,000

Darnestown / Rive Gauche Estates $1,100,000

Well maintained, all-brick Colonial on quiet street with wooded views. Loaded with natural light with tall windows and high ceilings. Newly refurbished gourmet kitchen, refinished hardwood floors and crown molding throughout. Finished lower level with bedroom and bath, stone fire place in family room. Don’t miss!

Incredible opportunity close to Potomac off River Road.

Traditional Colonial estate sited on a 5 acre lot was built by Cullinane in 1982 awaits your renovations! This home offers 6 bedrooms, 6 full baths, 1 half bath and a spacious kitchen with 2 islands and separate breakfast area. Unfinished lower level with fireplace and access to a 2-car garage!

$ 1,285,000

Custom home situated on finished 2 acre lot. Professionally landscaped yard with plenty of entertainment featuring a fire pit, hot tub and more. Gourmet Kitchen with topof-the-line appliances, center island and breakfast room overlooking the yard. Owner’s suite offers expansive walkin closet and luxurious bathroom. Must see!

301.365.9090 | Wendy@BannerTeam.com 4650 East West Highway, Bethesda, Maryland | 301.907.7600

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Bethesda Gateway Office Sales Volume of Nearly $1.2 Billion in 2016 Bethesda / Glen Echo Heights $2,495,000

Bethesda / Carderock Springs $1,850,000

Stunning new build on level, 14,000 sq. ft. lot. Cedar shake and stone exterior, 10+ foot ceilings, 2-car garage.

Five bedrooms, 5 full baths, top-of-the-line appliances, upscale finishes with all the bells and whistles.

Kris Feldman 301.806.8240 KrisFeldman@LNF.com

Fabulous, upgraded 5 bedroom, 4.5 bath Mitchell/Best Colonial.

Open floor plan with 6,225 sq. ft, of beautiful living space. High ceilings, 4 fireplaces, 3-car garage.

Magnificent wooded, fenced corner lot with expansive hardscaping.

Maureen Cappadona 301.215.6815 Mo@LNF.com

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Bethesda / Glen Echo Heights

$2,199,000

Chevy Chase / Sec. 3

$1,525,000

Bethesda / 7 Locks Road

$2,295,000

New Home! Immediate delivery of this stunning, prairiestyle home with over 7,000 sq. ft. of finished space! Five bedrooms, 5.5 baths, 2 fireplaces, elevator, screened porch.

Paula Nesbitt / The Banner Team 240.731.3369 Paula@BannerTeam.com

Gorgeous Arts & Crafts home, renovated top to bottom.

Stunning gourmet kitchen open to family room, hardwood floors, fabulous wraparound deck. Four bedrooms, 3.5 baths including master suite, and a 2-car garage.

Damian Buckley 202.438.6080 / Damian@LNF.com

Three gorgeous, secluded, close-in lots, all buildable, approximately 6/10 acre each. Price is for all three purchased together. Please call for details.

Debbie Cohen 202.288.9939 debbiecohen@msn.com

Bethesda / Edgemoor

Bethesda

Potomac

$1,595,000

Lovely, classic, expanded Colonial just 2 blocks to Bethesda Row. Large, open main level with gourmet kitchen, breakfast room and family room. Screened porch, garage.

5 bedrooms, 4.5 baths including private master suite.

Jane McGuire 301.806.5216 / JaneBMcguire@gmail.com

$1,200,000

Expand, renovate or custom build your luxury estate! Large rambler on exquisite, wooded lot with stream and pond.

FIve parcels with 6.63 private, rolling acres combined in prestigious neighborhood just one mile to Potomac Village.

Sharyn Goldman 301.529.7555 / Sharyn.Goldman@LNF.com

UNDER CONSTRUCTION Columbia Heights

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Chevy Chase, D.C.

Kenwood Park

Golf course views from this classic Kenwood Park home with wall of windows overlooking Kenwood Country Club!

Large living/dining room with vaulted ceiling, family room, 2 fireplaces. Four bedrooms, 2.5 baths, patio, 2-car garage.

Jane McGuire 301.806.5216 / JaneBMcguire@gmail.com

$950,000

Wonderful, renovated Colonial at 5456 Nebraska Ave. Three large bedrooms, 3.5 baths, finished 4th level studio or office, 2 porches, spacious lower level, 2-car garage.

Ingrid Dallaire 301.455.6962 / Ingrid.Dallaire@LNF.com

BRAND NEW, beautiful, light-filled, 3 bedroom, 3 bath condos. Western red cedar exterior, floor-to-ceiling windows, custom finishes. Short stroll to Metro, The Coupe, shopping and more.

Paula Nesbitt The Banner Team 240.731.3369 Paula@BannerTeam.com

Derwood

$699,900

Huge Dutch Colonial on two breathtaking acres. Gracious foyer, high ceilings, first-floor bedroom/library and family room. Updated kitchen, finished lower level, large deck and 3-car garage. Also for rent. Owner/agent.

Mary Bajwa 202.528.6867 / Mary.Bajwa@LNF.com

BethesdaGatewaySales.com | LongandFoster.com 4650 East West Highway, Bethesda, Maryland | 301.907.7600

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interior design. architecture. home sales.

PHOTO BY STACY ZARIN-GOLDBERG

home

Pamela Sofola drew inspiration from favorite boutiques to design this closet in her Potomac home.

For more cool closets, turn to page 286.

BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM | MAY/JUNE 2017

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MIXED FEELIN FEELINGS

BY CAROLYN WEBER

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1. FRINGE BENEFIT

2. TREE SPIRIT

3. CARVED FOR ATTENTION

Accessories such as this woven cotton pillow with fringe detailing can add an extra layer of subtle texture to a leather chair or velvet sofa. The 14-by-20-inch blue and green stonewashed patchwork dhurrie lumbar pillow retails for $29.99 at World Market in Rockville (301-816-2480; worldmarket.com).

A petrified tree stump in the center of a living room is sure to start a conversation. This hulking coffee table measures 44 inches wide by 30 inches deep and 17 inches high.

Part of the Clayhill collection, it’s priced at $2,099 at Arhaus in Rockville (301-230-2973; arhaus.com).

Inspired by the flowers of Myanmar, this intricately hand-carved lotus bed can anchor a room. Crafted of tropical wood, it is available in twin through king sizes, painted or natural finish, with prices ranging from $1,698 to $2,298 at Anthropologie in Chevy Chase (301-652-1056; anthropologie.com).

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ALL COURTESY PHOTOS

Don’t know which interior design trend to try this summer? Two that go hand-in-hand are gaining a lot of attention: textures and natural materials. Here are some treasures that incorporate both elements.

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4. FLOWER POWER

5. GOOD BEADS

6. FOR HAPPY FEET

These contemporary vases with a graphic teardrop design complement seasonal flowers or are beautiful on their own. This watertight, smooth glazed stoneware collection comes in three sizes, which range in price from $59.99 to $99.95 at Crate & Barrel in Spring Valley (202-364-6100; crateandbarrel.com).

Light fixtures often provide an unexpected opportunity to add texture to a space. This one combines industrial style and earthy charm with handmade beads of recycled paper clay draped on a wrought iron frame. The clay bead dome pendant is 30 inches in diameter and priced at $3,195 through Restoration Hardware in Georgetown (202-625-2771; rh.com).

A wavy, tufted pattern reminiscent of sand and water makes this modern bathroom rug a summer pick even for homes that aren’t at the beach. The marbled blue bath mat is 100 percent cotton, 21-by-34 inches in size, and available for $34.95 at Pier 1 in Rockville (301-230-9028; pier1.com).

Carolyn Weber lives in Silver Spring and frequently writes about architecture and home design.

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PHOTO BY MICHAEL VENTURA

Child’s Play Sport courts, pools and activity zones are the new craze in landscape design. Three area homes score big with kids of all ages.

BY CAROLYN WEBER

BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM | MAY/JUNE 2017

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HOOP DREAMS FOR THE FIRST FEW years, Jeannie and Chris Rhee rarely used the backyard at their Chevy Chase, D.C., home. At 70-by80 feet, the size was ample, but a steep slope and overgrown cypress trees made it a less-than-ideal spot for their two small children to play. As the boys, Oliver and Linus, now 13 and 9, grew, their parents wanted to give them an outdoor activity area to enjoy with friends. The Rhees agreed that a backyard makeover would be a worthy investment.

They hired Bernie Mihm of Poolesvillebased Fine Earth Landscape, and he recommended a two-tiered, two-phase plan. First, he regraded the yard and installed a flagstone patio and formal garden just off of the home’s deck. A year later he built a pool, which is a level below the ornamental garden and accessible via three stone steps.

The Rhees maximized the space in the lower yard with a 15-by-30-foot pool, the largest that would fit and still allow for the required distance from the property line.

The pool is equipped with an automatic cover (a great safety feature) and is heated.

“This gives them at least another month of use on either end of the season,” Mihm says.

A basketball hoop for the pool was another top priority for the Rhees. “My son complained that he couldn’t play basketball at home because we don’t have a driveway or a garage,” Chris says. Jeannie didn’t care for the look of the plastic hoop versions, so Chris found an aesthetically pleasing option online at Dunnrite Pool Products. A sleeve is set permanently into the pool deck’s concrete, and the metal pole slides into it.

When the family hosts poolside parties, they can easily stow it away.

The project, which cost about $150,000, scored big points with the kids. “They love it, and it’s a surefire way to get them away from the screens,” Chris says.

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There isn’t a blade of grass in this lowmaintenance yard. Landscape architect Bernie Mihm used evergreens for yearround screening, and crepe myrtle trees and rose shrubs for seasonal color.

Opposite page: The surface surrounding the pool is Pennsylvania flagstone, and the steps leading to the pool feature flagstone treads and natural stone risers to match the retaining wall.

PHOTOS BY HILARY SCHWAB

BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM | MAY/JUNE 2017

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COURTESY OF LANDIS GARDEN DESIGN; PHOTOS BY LEAH ROBERTS

When designing the landscape, Tomi Landis focused closely on Kate and Andrew’s style. She took cues from the home’s midcentury modern furnishings and incorporated horizontal lines and an eclectic mix of colors and materials, including cedar, ipe, stones, mulch and pavers.

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MADE IN THE SHADE A THICK GREEN LAWN may be a priority for some homeowners, but not for Kate and Andrew. When the couple from California (who did not want their last name to be used) decided to improve the shady backyard of their ranch-style home in Chevy Chase’s Somerset neighborhood, that didn’t mean eliminating the mature maple tree and tall stand of bamboo.

“From the beginning, the backyard was a headscratcher,” says Kate, who has lived in the home for four years with her husband. They didn’t want to plant grass, but they did want a comfortable space for playing—their children are 7 and 3—and entertaining.

The couple contacted Tomi Landis of D.C.-based Landis Garden Design, whose sustainable landscapes they had admired on Houzz.com. “We told her we were on a budget and didn’t want a lawn, and she was enthusiastic about both of those challenges,” Kate says. Landis devised a solution for the 1,800-squarefoot yard by dividing it into three “outdoor rooms.”

“It’s small, but dividing it actually makes it feel and appear larger,” Landis says.

The first activity zone is the deck, which is located off an existing screened porch. The couple splurged on ipe, a very hard, long-lasting wood, and included two L-shaped benches at the corner. “The kids are on the deck a lot,” Kate says. “It’s like a big, flat stage that they can use for anything—art projects, plays, jumping rope or just kicking the ball around.”

The second activity zone, which is located adjacent to the deck, is a fire pit that’s defined by a ground cover of Delaware river rock, and the third is a play area that’s dedicated to the children and features a swing set with a soft mulch surface underneath. Square flagstone steppers create transitions between the spaces, and two 8-by-8-foot cedar panels add privacy, a strong design element that further defines the zones. The yard is topped off by string lights that create a “ceiling” and a festive atmosphere at night.

The family dines on the screened porch and enjoys the view during spring, summer and fall. When they have company, the children can swing and slide while the adults visit on the deck or porch. “They feel independent, but we can keep an eye on them,” Kate says. “It’s a wonderful place for kids and adults to coexist.”

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COURT OF APPEAL DARYLE AND BETH BOBB’S backyard in Rockville has become a neighborhood hot spot.

The sport court they installed a few years ago is the main draw for their children and friends, who spend many evenings and weekends playing games or just hanging out there.

“We didn’t want a pool, or a court that was limited to just tennis,” says Daryle, whose four children, ages 9 to 19, enjoy a range of activities. The answer for this family was a court on which multiple sports could be played. The 34-by-50-foot design on the home’s half-acre lot accommodates half-court basketball, shortcourt tennis, badminton, volleyball, roller/deck hockey, soccer and shuffleboard.

The court, which is monogrammed with a B, has turned into more than a sports zone where the family Olympics are held. “It’s the social center of our backyard—well, actually of the whole house,” says Daryle, who likes to have cookouts on the deck overlooking the court where the kids play.

The sport court system consists of interlocking modular polypropylene tiles on a base of 4-inch-thick concrete. “The surface is fantastic,” Daryle says. “It has plenty of shock absorbency and is easy on the knees.” According to the installer, Scott Kidd of Sport Court of Washington, D.C., a residential multipurpose court like this typically ranges from $35,000 to $45,000, based on size and complexity.

A lot goes into the construction, including grading the land, building retaining walls, pouring concrete, installing fencing, painting game lines, putting up lights and even doing the landscaping.

The Bobbs are planning to move next door later this year, and already have ordered a new backyard court. “But this one needs to be 10 feet larger to accommodate our newest sport, pop tennis,” Daryle says. n Carolyn Weber lives in Silver Spring and frequently writes about architecture and home design.

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Two retaining walls made of 6-by-6-inch pressure-treated timbers double as bleachers for the sport court.

PHOTO BY MICHAEL VENTURA

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SHOWCASE BUILDERS & ARCHITECTS

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STUDIO Z DESIGN CONCEPTS, LLC

COURTESY OF STUDIO Z DESIGN CONCEPTS

BIO

8120 Woodmont Ave., Suite 950, Bethesda, MD 20814 301-951-4391 | www.studiozdc.com

Studio Z Design Concepts, LLC is an award-winning architectural firm specializing in custom and luxury residential architecture, historical restorations, and largescale renovations. Studio Z provides complete services for our clients on custom and speculative homes. Our success is built on a balance of client expectations, well executed architecture and market sensitive investment.

THE PROJECT: Studio Z has always been about our built environment enhancing a client’s lifestyle. As a team of architects, it’s our responsibility to understand our client’s diverse activities and develop a plan that unifies function, financial commitment and aesthetics into a family home that compliments their personalities. The evolution of a typical Studio Z house leads 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 property’s natural characteristics enables us to maximize a client’s experience throughout their home. By working naturally with a site’s contours and seamlessly transitioning to exterior spaces, our clients 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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BUILDERS & ARCHITECTS

MERIDIAN HOMES, INC. BIO

4938 Hampden Lane, #330, Bethesda, MD 20814 301-652-4440 | info@meridianhomesinc.com www.meridianhomesinc.com

At Meridian Homes, we specialize in luxury home renovations and custom home building. Our mission is to create exceptional residences that exceed expectations. Our highly personalized design process and careful management of every project has earned us a reputation over many years for outstanding client service and solid, beautiful craftsmanship.

Our clients loved their Potomac neighborhood. They didn't want to move, but their home was outdated and the layout was not conducive to the needs of a growing family. So, they moved to a temporary home while we demolished the existing structure and built a lovely new home in its place. Number one on our clients’ wish list was a spacious, open kitchen and breakfast area. A butler's pantry was designed to be the transitional space between the kitchen and a large dining room. New bathrooms throughout the home were a pleasant upgrade from the outdated, small bathrooms to which they were accustomed.

A fully finished basement with a kitchen and large recreation room became the place where the entire family would spend time together. The piece-de-resistance was the outdoor sport court where the kids could spend hours playing with their friends. Our clients are overjoyed with their new home!

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COURTESY OF MERIDIAN HOMES, INC.

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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; committing to place 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: Among a sloped streetscape of traditionally styled houses, GTM and the owners of this custom home sought to subtly depart from the norm with a “distilled” traditional design. From the front, a modest two-story vernacular house form– rendered in stone, slate and steel, devoid of unnecessary ornament–presents itself to neighbors with and an understated appeal. As the sloped lot descends to the rear yard, however, the full four-level home is exposed as a dynamic expression of glass expanse, overlooking the wooded Archbold Park. A consistent theme of natural “contemporary” styling is evident throughout the exterior and interior spaces. Each room enjoys an uninterrupted sunlit view to the exterior, capitalizing on the wooded parkland vistas to the north. Further unifying the interior features of this custom home include an artful open stairwell with a tower of glass penetrating each floor level, and uniquely warm heartwood walnut plank flooring set against flush wall trim mouldings.

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BUILDERS & ARCHITECTS

MARK IV BUILDERS, INC. BIO

1 Tomlinson Court, Cabin John, MD 20818 240-395-0400 | www.markivbuilders.com

MARK IV Builders is a luxury home remodeling company, serving the D.C. Metro region. We stay on schedule by keeping a supervisor on-site every day until your job is done. With over 30 years of experience, we deliver only exceptional quality, beautiful and functional home remodels.

When homeowners love their location but have outgrown their home, MARK IV Builders helps transform the house, inside and out. By keeping a supervisor on-site every day you never have to wonder what’s happening next and you’re sure to receive quality care and attention from design concept through to building completion.

This house in Potomac was transformed from a dark, cramped, and segmented space into a beautiful, award-winning spacious retreat. With over 2,200 feet remodeled, these homeowners chose to add a second story, a fully-finished basement, and a beautiful outdoor living space to entertain and socialize with friends.

Recognized for timeliness, customer service and quality home remodeling, MARK IV specializes in comprehensive home remodeling, creating a home that you’ll love for many years to come.

For luxury, custom-designed home remodeling, customers choose the exceptional quality from a builder that stays on schedule–MARK IV Builders.

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COURTESY OF MARK IV BUILDERS, INC.

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MID-ATLANTIC CUSTOM BUILDERS BIO

11611 Old Georgetown Road, 2nd Floor, Rockville, MD 20852 301-231-0009 ext. 235 | www.MidAtlanticCustomHomes.com

Mid-Atlantic Custom Builders brings more than 37 years of homebuilding expertise to carefully craft luxury homes in Bethesda and Chevy Chase. Offering spectacular design innovations, the company has been awarded the highest honors by industry experts, homeowners and trade partners alike for their service, quality and value.

COURTESY OF MID-ATLANTIC CUSTOM BUILDERS

THE PROJECT: This luxurious 6-bedroom home is built in Bethesda’s Sumner community with a wealth of unique features and design innovations. The open-concept floorplan includes a gourmet kitchen with an oversized island and a spacious family room with custom built-in bookcases. Our signature Owner’s Suite and resort-style Spa Bath is the home’s retreat, with soft lighting, rich finishes, and luxury at every turn. In addition to its beauty, this high-performance home maximizes comfort, savings, and value with our Energy$mart program, providing lower energy costs and higher efficiency through advanced technology and construction techniques.

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BUILDERS & ARCHITECTS

GILDAY RENOVATIONS BIO

9162 Brookville Road, Silver Spring, MD 20910 301-565-4600 | www.Gilday.com

With over 36 years of experience, Gilday offers clients a collaborative design-build process that blends the expertise of architects, interior designers, master builders and project managers under one roof. Our process allows us to deliver award-winning projects on time and on budget–guaranteed.

The Gilday team had the privilege of creating a new kitchen for a modern-style, midcentury residence designed by architect Winthrop Faulkner, who was well-known for his contemporary design in Northwest Washington. To meet the needs of our client, we envisioned a kitchen with an open floor plan streaming with natural light and garden views.

To begin the process, we eliminated the dumbwaiter and laundry room that provided space for a walk-in pantry and modern banquette with cubist-inspired built-ins above. Next, we added custom, white cabinetry, a large waterfall-edged island with a primary sink, and a secondary prep sink on the window counter tightening the work triangle and allowing the kitchen to function undisturbed by traffic flow. To strengthen the connection with the south-facing garden, we enlarged the dining room window creating symmetry with the kitchen window and increasing natural light. The result was a clean-lined, light-filled kitchen that joined beauty with functionality.

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COURTESY OF GILDAY RENOVATIONS

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CHASE BUILDERS BIO

8750 Brookville Road, Silver Spring, MD 20910 301-588-4747 | www.chasebuilders.com

Chase Builders Inc. is an award-winning builder in the D.C. Metro area. Every Chase Builder’s home is custom-designed and built with top-quality, 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.

COURTESY OF CHASE BUILDERS

THE PROJECT: Completed last year, this stunning Chevy Chase custom home brings an open floor plan that was built with the lifestyle of the client in mind. Its spectacular features include live sawn oak floors; masonry fireplaces in the kitchen, family room and music room; and linear drains and floor heating in every bathroom.

Featured in the kitchen is a custom designed stainless hood, inset cabinetry and high-end appliances. Other features include a screened porch with heaters and masonry fireplace, exposed wood beams in the family room and an indoor sport court. Our clients worked with us from the very beginning of the project to create an inviting, warm home and gathering place for their family and friends.

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SHOWCASE

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

BUILDERS & ARCHITECTS

O'NEILL DEVELOPMENT BIO

11 Russell Ave., Gaithersburg, MD 20877 301-840-9310 | www.oneilldev.com

O’Neill Development has 40 years of experience in construction, remodeling and historic restoration. We stress client, architect and builder teamwork, and provide full service during all phases–preconstruction assistance in architect selection, budgeting, design development and problem solving; careful management and constant client dialogue during construction; and prompt thorough aftermarket service.

Since 1975, O’Neill Development has been successfully completing projects in the Metro area and Eastern Shore. Projects include complex remodeling, historic restorations as well as large and small new construction. With a desire to promote resource-efficient building, O’Neill has built four homes using the “Passive House” approach, including this region’s first accredited passive house and the first “passive” modular house. In all projects, O’Neill values strong three-way collaboration among client, builder and architect, and feels fortunate to have teamed with so many devoted clients and gifted architects. Shown is an example of a challenging remodel. Working with the owner and their North Carolina architects, O’Neill removed the rear half of the older masonry house and seamlessly extended and modernized the entire home. Also shown is a Classic “Chevy Chase” style home built on a challenging infill lot. Careful attention was given to insure it harmoniously blended with the existing streetscape.

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COURTESY OF O'NEILL DEVELOPMENT

THE PROJECT:

S HO WCAS E

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

BU IL DERS & ARC HITEC T S

R&R CUSTOM HOMES BIO

4905 Del Ray Ave., Suite 502, Bethesda, MD 20814 301-913-0085 | www.RandRcustomhomes.com

With 50+ years of experience, R&R delivers high quality, one-of-a-kind custom homes and renovations. Working directly with the owners on only a handful of select projects, we guide you through the entire process–acquiring property, designing your home with the area’s top architects (yours or ours), financing your project and managing high-quality construction, while ensuring elegance, craftsmanship and value. Our goal is to create long-lasting relationships with our customers.

COURTESY OF R&R CUSTOM HOMES

THE PROJECT: Working with the customer and acclaimed architect Studio Z Design Concepts, R&R Custom Homes transformed the challenging site of steep slopes, protected forest, stream valley buffers and rock outcroppings into a 2.3 acre serene setting from which to build. This spectacular, true Arts & Craft, shingle-style, 9,400-square-foot residence contains unique features desired by the owner including a 600-gallon saltwater aquarium in the foyer, a 1st-floor English pub with stone fireplace, rough sawn vertical and horizontal beams and wine cellar, an outdoor screened living area with wood burning fireplace and kitchen, a 5-car garage for collectables and a stateof-the-art golf simulator and hockey practice area in the lower level.

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BUILDERS & ARCHITECTS

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, highend 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.

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COURTESY OF GLICKMAN DEIGN BUILD

THE PROJECT:

BETHESDA NORTH BETHESDA

Luxury lifestyle PRESENTED BY NURIT COOMBE

NURIT COOMBE

301-346-5252

RE/MAX ELITE SERVICES

6519 OLD FARM LANE NORTH BETHESDA 6 BED/6 FULL, 2 HALF BATH Offered at $2,395,000

6616 MILLWOOD ROAD BETHESDA 6 BED/4.5 BATH Offered at $1,889,000

11539 CUSHMAN ROAD NORTH BETHESDA 6 BED/5 FULL, 2 HALF BATH Offered at $2,395,000

6215 6215 POINDEXTER LANE NORTH BETHESDA 5 BED/4 FULL, 2 HALF BATHS Offered at $2,395,000

6111 ROSELAND DRIVE NORTH BETHESDA 6 BED/6 FULL, 2 HALF BATH Offered at $2,495,000

6 SEDGWICK LANE NORTH BETHESDA 7 BED/7.5 BATH Offered at $2,649,000

6510 TILDEN LANE NORTH BETHESDA 5 BED/4.5 BATH Offered at $2,250,000

6120 ROSEMONT CIRCLE NORTH BETHESDA 6 BED/6 FULL, 2 HALF BATH Offered at $2,195,000

NURIT COOMBE RE/MAX ELITE SERVICES 6101 EXECUTIVE BLVD. NORTH BETHESDA, MD 20852 CELL: 301-346-5252 OFFICE: 301-463-7500 NURIT@TEAMNURIT.COM

home

Closet CONTROL Tips to reimagine a place to get ready and organize your clothes BY JENNIFER BARGER

going glam co-founder Katherine Kallinis Berman and her husband moved into their Bradley Hills home in Bethesda two years ago, one of the things that excited her most was the space she would design as her walk-in closet. “Originally, it was a blank room, but I worked with my builder, Carole Sherman [of Bethesda Too], and we made it into a glam space where I could hang both work and weekend clothes, and where I could see all my shoes and bags,” Berman says. A built-in island holds her candy-colored collection of Hermès Birkin bags; an enviable assortment of designer heels and flats fill an open shelving section at the back of the jumbo walk-in. “There’s even a mirrored lit vanity if I want to do my makeup,” Berman says. Like the baker, many local women and men are craving boutique-like dressing rooms in their homes. Here are some of the design and organizing tricks they use to make their closets as good-looking as their wardrobes.

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PHOTOS BY STACY ZARIN-GOLDBERG

WHEN GEORGETOWN CUPCAKE

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home

wise GUYS

TAKE INVENTORY

Taking stock of your wardrobe ensures you’ll have a place to put each and every item you own—and pieces that you use regularly can be in plain view.

That makes getting dressed for your day at the office (or dinner out) much easier. “I don’t believe in the one in, one out rule,” says designer Vincent Sagart of Poliform/Sagart Studio in the District. “If you have 80 pairs of shoes, you need to have space to store them.” That’s why Ugo Fasano and husband Manuel Morquecho of Friendship Heights tallied up their pants, shirts and other items after they called on him in 2013 to transform a den off of their master bathroom into a walk-in closet. Doing the clothing and accessory math enabled Sagart to determine how many sliding shelves to install for the couple’s shoes, how much space they needed for hanging garments, and whether they’d like a drawer to hold their dozens of ties. A tip for women: Count the number of bags and dresses you own.

Consider lots of cubbies for a large bag collection, or more long-hang spaces for dresses or coats.

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PHOTOS COURTESY OF POLIFORMDC.COM

BE SMART WITH ART

Art can brighten any room of the house, especially a closet or dressing room— provided there’s wall space. Some people surround themselves with family photos, while others decorate with framed fashion sketches. “Art should be everywhere in the house,” says Fasano, who hung a small oil painting by Brazilian artist Adelio Sarro. “In the dressing room, it’s particularly nice because it’s the first room you see when you wake up every morning.”

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home

like a shop

HIDE OUT

PHOTOS BY STACY ZARIN-GOLDBERG

If you’re devoting significant square footage to a closet, adding cabinets or islands will help in the long run.

“You’re not going to be able to have everything perfectly folded and organized, so it’s nice if there are one or two places you can store things out of sight,” says Sherman of Bethesda Too. Her company specializes in new-build homes with jumbo hers (and good-size his) closets, usually with an island that has drawers and space to fold clothes.

In women’s closets, she includes vanity tables that have outlets and well-lit makeup mirrors. “It’s nice to take all that getting ready into a private space, a sanctuary,” Sherman says.

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MAKE IT PERSONAL

Incorporate interesting light fixtures or poufs from your favorite boutiques. When Pamela Sofola outfitted the 324-square-foot walk-in closet at her new Potomac home, she brought in an art deco-style crystal chandelier and gleaming white cabinetry. Then she filled the shelves with some of her Miu Miu and Saint Laurent shoes, displaying them like art objects. “I wanted it to feel like I was walking into a really cute store,” says Sofola, who’s scheduled to open a Capitol Riverfront boutique in the fall, aptly named A Beautiful Closet. “I also like to organize everything by color and type, which makes it both look pretty and work well.” ■

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home | BY THE NUMBERS

Data provided by

FEBRUARY’S MOST EXPENSIVE

at A peek rea’s f the a some o pensive x most e sold recently s house

HOME SALES

SALE PRICE: SALE PRICE:

$3.7 million LIST PRICE: $3.9 MILLION

Address: 6219 Kennedy Drive, Chevy Chase 20815 Days on Market: 59 Listing Agent: Margot Wilson, Washington Fine Properties Bedrooms: 4 Full/Half Baths: 6/2

$2.7 million LIST PRICE: $2.8 MILLION

Address: 8604 York Manor Way, Potomac 20854 Days on Market: 54 Listing Agent: Wendy Banner, Long & Foster Real Estate Bedrooms: 6 Full/Half Baths: 6/3

SALE PRICE:

$2.7 million LIST PRICE: $2.8 MILLION

$3.7 million LIST PRICE: $5 MILLION

Address: 9001 Durham Drive, Potomac 20854 Days on Market: 232 Listing Agent: Marc Fleisher, TTR Sotheby’s International Realty Bedrooms: 5 Full/Half Baths: 6/2

LIST PRICE: $2.5 MILLION

SALE PRICE:

LIST PRICE: $3 MILLION

SALE PRICE:

Address: 12220 Stoney Creek Road, Potomac 20854 Days on Market: 473 Listing Agent: Mary Magner, Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage Bedrooms: 7 Full/Half Baths: 9/0

MAY/JUNE 2017 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

$2.5 million Address: 5612 McLean Drive, Bethesda 20814 Days on Market: 0 Listing Agent: Michael Bowers, Long & Foster Real Estate Bedrooms: 6 Full/Half Baths: 7/1

$2.8 million

292

SALE PRICE:

$2.4 million LIST PRICE: $2.7 MILLION

Address: 6404 Highland Drive, Chevy Chase 20815 Days on Market: 83 Listing Agent: Elizabeth Lavette, Washington Fine Properties Bedrooms: 6 Full/Half Baths: 4/1

COURTESY PHOTOS

SALE PRICE:

Address: 6913 Nevis Road, Bethesda 20817 Days on Market: 33 Listing Agent: Bradley Rozansky, Long & Foster Real Estate Bedrooms: 6 Full/Half Baths: 6/2

thef leishergroup

THE FLEISHER GROUP PRESENTS

6810 Barrett Road, Bethesda MD 20817 Welcome to this extraordinary custom craftsman influenced colonial designed by award-winning architect Sutton Yantis, and constructed by acclaimed Sandy Spring Builders. Containing over 9300 finished square feet of unparalleled finishes, materials and expert workmanship, this fabulous home is ideal for full scale entertaining as well as comfortable family living. A dramatic center hall entry foyer with 10 foot ceilings and exotic stenciled hardwood floor introduces a sensational floor plan traditional in its function but open and its design. From the elegant formal living and dining rooms with custom millwork, to the stunning gourmet kitchen highlighted with oversized center island and professional appliances, to the adjoining sun-filled family room with corner fireplace and volume ceiling featuring ornamental plaster moldings, no detail has been compromised in presenting this home of distinction. Complementing the exceptional main level is an exquisite library with double French door entry, fireplace and fully paneled and customized mahogany built-in cabinetry and bookcases. The upper level is adorned with five bedrooms including a deluxe master bedroom suite with luxury bath as well as a sun-filled office/library with picture palladium window. Further enhancing the home's appeal is a finished lower level complete with informal media/theater area, recreation/game room that doubles as interior sport center as well as a separate guest bedroom with bath. An inviting wraparound front porch provides for peaceful outdoor relaxation and entertaining while the pool size backyard is defined with play area and is professionally landscaped with specimen plantings. Ideally located in very close in Bradley Hills and adjoining the Edgemoor community, this one of kind home is convenient to the walking path and access to the vibrancy of downtown Bethesda, the Crescent Bike Trail and the Metro. Price upon request.

MARC FLEISHER 5454 Wisconsin Avenue, Chevy Chase Maryland 20815 +1 202 438 4880 cell +1 240 235 0181 office marc@thefleishergroup.com May June 6810 Barrett Lane.indd 1

4/5/2017 3:57:41 PM

home | BY THE NUMBERS

SALE PRICE:

SALE PRICE:

SALE PRICE:

SALE PRICE:

LIST PRICE: $2.4 MILLION

LIST PRICE: $2.2 MILLION

LIST PRICE: $2.2 MILLION

LIST PRICE: $2 MILLION

Address: 5876 Marbury Road, Bethesda 20817 Days on Market: 333 Listing Agent: Marc Fleisher, TTR Sotheby’s International Realty Bedrooms: 6 Full/Half Baths: 6/1

Address: 5509 Roosevelt St., Bethesda 20817 Days on Market: 312 Listing Agent: Cheryl Leahy, Long & Foster Real Estate Bedrooms: 5 Full/Half Baths: 5/1

Address: 1 Kittery Court, Bethesda 20817 Days on Market: 111 Listing Agent: Cheryl Leahy, Long & Foster Real Estate Bedrooms: 6 Full/Half Baths: 5/2

Address: 6403 Connecticut Ave., Chevy Chase 20815 Days on Market: 149 Listing Agent: Alan Dalton, RE/MAX Allegiance Bedrooms: 5 Full/Half Baths: 5/1

SALE PRICE:

SALE PRICE:

SALE PRICE:

SALE PRICE:

LIST PRICE: $2.3 MILLION

LIST PRICE: $2.1 MILLION

LIST PRICE: $2 MILLION

LIST PRICE: $2.4 MILLION

Address: 3311 Cummings Lane, Chevy Chase 20185 Days on Market: 92 Listing Agent: Jennifer Knoll, TTR Sotheby’s International Realty Bedrooms: 5 Full/Half Baths: 5/1

Address: 8003 Kentbury Drive, Bethesda 20814 Days on Market: 80 Listing Agent: Kevin Kehoe, Fairfax Realty Advantage Bedrooms: 6 Full/Half Baths: 5/1

Address: 6800 Connecticut Ave., Chevy Chase 20815 Days on Market: 606 Listing Agent: William Burr, TTR Sotheby’s International Realty Bedrooms: 6 Full/Half Baths: 6/1

Address: 6817 Hillmead Road, Bethesda 20817 Days on Market: 153 Listing Agent: Marsha Schuman, Washington Fine Properties Bedrooms: 4 Full/Half Baths: 3/0

$2.3 million

$2.2 million

Selling

modern mASterPieCe

Edgemoor. Exceptional new home by Chase Builders with 6 bedrooms and 6.5 baths, backyard veranda with graceful southern charm, finished lower level, 2-car garage, and elevator. $2,549,000 Eric Murtagh – 301.652.8971 Karen Kuchins – 301.275.2255

$2.1 million

$2 million

the

$2 million

$2 million

$2 million

AreA’S FineSt ProPertieS

elegAnCe & Style

Chevy Chase Village. Stately period home with grand entry hall, gracious living room & dining room, first floor study with fireplace, 3 finished levels, 5 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 2-car attached garage and charming wrap-around porch.

Laura McCaffrey - 301.641.4456

viSit uS BetheSdA/Chevy ChASe 7032 WiSConSin Avenue Chevy ChASe, md 20815 301.656.1800

294

$2 million

MAY/JUNE 2017 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

lASting imPreSSion

Chevy Chase. Stunning 4 level, 6 bedroom, 4.5 bath period home with sleek redone kitchen, veranda, maple floors, sunroom, library, lower level rec room and wine cellar, spacious back yard, deck, picturesque landscaping. $1,925,000 Laura McCaffrey - 301.641.4456

AmeriCAn originAl

Chevy Chase. Updated and stately colonial with generous spaces including 5 bedrooms and 2.5 baths over 4 stunning finished levels full of light; flagstone patio, mature landscaping and attached garage. $1,144,000 Noel Fisher - 301.919.1379 Eric Murtagh - 301.652.8971

FriendShiP heightS 4400 JeniFer St nW WAShington, dC 20015 202.364.1700 WWW.everSCo.Com

Deb Levy and Lisa Bennett

iSO your dream home?

Finding it can be much like dating: exciting, and likely frustrating.

Then, perhaps in an instant, you find the perfect one.

But matching with the perfect mortgage loan is not as simple as swiping left or right.

When it comes to this life-changing financial investment, put your trust in a local mortgage expert to guide you through the process and catch “the one.” and make your experience fun along the way.

Deb Levy vice President/Senior Mortgage banker

LiSa bennett Loan Consultant

| 301.332.7758 deblevy@eaglebankcorp.com

NMLS# 482234 | 202.292.1582 lbennett@eaglebankcorp.com

NMLS# 481255

Service | Mortgage Options | Local Bank | Home Lending Team ReLOcaTiOn SpeciaLiSTS • We Lend in eveRy STaTe

MD | DC | va | www.debbielevy.com All loans are subject to credit approval and not all borrowers will quality. Loan rates and terms are affected by credit score, down payment, occupancy and other financial considerations, and are subject to change at any time. EAGLEBANK’S NMLS #440513

home | BY THE NUMBERS

SALE PRICE:

SALE PRICE:

LIST PRICE: $2 MILLION

LIST PRICE: $1.8 MILLION

Address: 9821 Carmelita Drive, Potomac 20854 Days on Market: 125 Listing Agent: Kara Sheehan, Washington Fine Properties Bedrooms: 6 Full/Half Baths: 5/2

Address: 4109 Rosemary St., Chevy Chase 20815 Days on Market: 103 Listing Agent: Cheryl Kurss, Compass Bedrooms: 4 Full/Half Baths: 3/1

$1.9 million

BE IN THE KNOW

$1.8 million

SALE PRICE: SALE PRICE:

$1.9 million LIST PRICE: $1.9 MILLION

Address: 10130 Darmuid Green Drive, Potomac 20854 Days on Market: 164 Listing Agent: Catherine Johnson, Long & Foster Real Estate Bedrooms: 5 Full/Half Baths: 5/2

$1.8 million LIST PRICE: $1.8 MILLION

Address: 8718 Irvington Ave., Bethesda 20817 Days on Market: 4 Listing Agent: Jeremy Lichtenstein, RE/MAX Realty Services Bedrooms: 6 Full/Half Baths: 5/1

SALE PRICE: SALE PRICE:

$1.8 million LIST PRICE: $1.7 MILLION

Address: 5138 Newport Ave., Bethesda 20816 Days on Market: 1 Listing Agent: Cheryl Leahy, Long & Foster Real Estate Bedrooms: 5 Full/Half Baths: 4/1

$1.7 million LIST PRICE: $1.8 MILLION

Address: 4418 Fessenden St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20016 Days on Market: 21 Listing Agent: Barak Sky, Long & Foster Real Estate Bedrooms: 4 Full/Half Baths: 4/1

SALE PRICE: SALE PRICE:

$1.8 million LIST PRICE: $1.8 MILLION

BETHESDA

Address: 6205 Brookside Drive, Chevy Chase 20815 Days on Market: 16 Listing Agent: Carole Egloff, W.C. & A.N. Miller Realtors, a Long & Foster Co. Bedrooms: 4 Full/Half Baths: 4/1

BETHESDA MAGAZINE’S DAILY NEWS DISPATCH

SALE PRICE:

296

LIST PRICE: $1.7 MILLION

Address: 8707 Bradmoor Drive, Bethesda 20817 Days on Market: 95 Listing Agent: Jeremy Lichtenstein, RE/MAX Realty Services Bedrooms: 5 Full/Half Baths: 4/1

SALE PRICE:

$1.8 million LIST PRICE: $1.9 MILLION

MAGAZINE.COM

$1.7 million

Address: 8011 Aberdeen Road, Bethesda 20814 Days on Market: 48 Listing Agent: Marina Krapiva, Evers & Co. Real Estate Bedrooms: 4 Full/Half Baths: 4/1

MAY/JUNE 2017 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

$1.6 million LIST PRICE: $1.1 MILLION

Address: 2608 Dapple Grey Court, Olney 20832 Days on Market: 221 Listing Agent: Robert Lucido, Toll MD Realty Bedrooms: 5 Full/Half Baths: 5/3 Note: Some sale and list prices have been rounded off.

FORUM PROPERTIES, INC REAL ESTATE

LUXURIOUS ESTATE-STYLE HOME ON MAJESTIC 2.66 ACRE SITE. LOCATED ONE BLOCK FROM CONGRESSIONAL COUNTRY CLUB. 9212 River Road, Potomac, MD 20854

PAUL E. BICIOCCHI FORUM PROPERTIES INC. paulbiciocchi@hotmail.com

301-518-6999 NEW CONSTRUCTION POTOMAC FALLS. THE MOST BEAUTIFUL NEIGHBORHOOD! 8601 Nutmeg Ct. Potomac, MD 20854

ONE BLOCK FROM BETHESDA/POTOMAC LINE, FOUR LEVEL CLASSIC COLONIAL HOME IN MCAULEY PARK. 9509 Purcell Drive, Potomac, MD 20854

Forumpropertiesinc.com

CLASSIC GEORGIAN COLONIAL, BLOCKS FROM THE BETHESDA/POTOMAC LINE IN MCAULEY PARK. 8617 White Post Ct. Potomac, MD. 20854

home | BY THE NUMBERS

REAL ESTATE TRENDS

BY ZIP CODE

FEBRUARY 2016

FEBRUARY 2017

20015 (Upper NW D.C.) Number of Homes Sold 8 Average Sold Price $987,113 Average Days on Market 41 Above Asking Price 3 4 Below Asking Price Sold Over $1 Million 2

6 $1 Mil. 19 4 2 2

20016 (Upper NW D.C.) Number of Homes Sold Average Sold Price Average Days on Market Above Asking Price Below Asking Price Sold Over $1 Million

5 $2 Mil. 112 0 5 5

6 $1.9 Mil. 7 4 2 5

14 $1.2 Mil. 83 3 10 9

8 $1.2 Mil. 43 0 4 3

20814 (Bethesda) Number of Homes Sold Average Sold Price Average Days on Market Above Asking Price Below Asking Price Sold Over $1 Million

20815 (Chevy Chase) Number of Homes Sold Average Sold Price Average Days on Market Above Asking Price Below Asking Price Sold Over $1 Million

12 $1.5 Mil. 91 2 7 7

15 $1.7 Mil. 122 1 13 14

20816 (Bethesda) Number of Homes Sold Average Sold Price Average Days on Market Above Asking Price Below Asking Price Sold Over $1 Million

7 $1.1 Mil. 61 2 4 3

10 $1.1 Mil. 47 4 4 7

24 $1.2 Mil. 113 4 18 11

23 $1.4 Mil. 97 3 17 14

20817 (Bethesda) Number of Homes Sold Average Sold Price Average Days on Market Above Asking Price Below Asking Price Sold Over $1 Million

298

FEBRUARY 2016

FEBRUARY 2017

FEBRUARY 2016

FEBRUARY 2017

20832 (Olney)

20855 (Rockville)

Number of Homes Sold 14 6 Average Sold Price $498,253 $709,371 Average Days on Market 47 65 Above Asking Price 1 3 11 3 Below Asking Price Sold Over $1 Million 0 1

Number of Homes Sold 3 4 Average Sold Price $678,333 $458,475 Average Days on Market 91 39 Above Asking Price 0 0 3 2 Below Asking Price Sold Over $1 Million 0 0

20850 (Rockville)

20877 (Gaithersburg)

Number of Homes Sold 14 13 Average Sold Price $593,988 $705,846 Average Days on Market 70 93 Above Asking Price 0 1 Below Asking Price 13 10 Sold Over $1 Million 0 1

Number of Homes Sold 8 7 Average Sold Price $402,375 $400,257 Average Days on Market 86 68 Above Asking Price 1 1 Below Asking Price 7 3 Sold Over $1 Million 0 0

20851 (Rockville)

20878 (North Potomac/Gaithersburg)

Number of Homes Sold 5 6 Average Sold Price $354,000 $385,665 Average Days on Market 16 45 Above Asking Price 3 4 Below Asking Price 1 2 Sold Over $1 Million 0 0

Number of Homes Sold 15 15 Average Sold Price $587,702 $603,409 Average Days on Market 125 96 Above Asking Price 3 3 Below Asking Price 11 12 Sold Over $1 Million 0 0

20852 (North Bethesda/Rockville)

20879 (Gaithersburg)

Number of Homes Sold 9 12 Average Sold Price $632,333 $687,775 Average Days on Market 70 59 Above Asking Price 5 2 4 6 Below Asking Price Sold Over $1 Million 2 3

Number of Homes Sold 6 5 Average Sold Price $343,050 $360,600 Average Days on Market 102 43 Above Asking Price 0 1 5 3 Below Asking Price Sold Over $1 Million 0 0

20853 (Rockville)

20882 (Gaithersburg)

Number of Homes Sold 10 10 Average Sold Price $444,990 $463,810 Average Days on Market 100 37 Above Asking Price 0 6 Below Asking Price 8 1 Sold Over $1 Million 0 0

Number of Homes Sold 10 12 Average Sold Price $523,700 $599,911 Average Days on Market 177 135 Above Asking Price 0 4 Below Asking Price 10 8 Sold Over $1 Million 0 1

20854 (Potomac)

20886 (Gaithersburg)

Number of Homes Sold Average Sold Price Average Days on Market Above Asking Price Below Asking Price Sold Over $1 Million

MAY/JUNE 2017 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

18 $1.1 Mil. 118 4 14 6

24 $1.2 Mil. 74 4 17 9

Number of Homes Sold 2 7 Average Sold Price $431,250 $481,414 Average Days on Market 104 92 Above Asking Price 0 0 Below Asking Price 1 7 Sold Over $1 Million 0 0

R

MES

home | BY THE NUMBERS FEBRUARY 2016

FEBRUARY 2017

FEBRUARY 2016

FEBRUARY 2017

FEBRUARY 2016

FEBRUARY 2017

20895 (Kensington)

20903 (Silver Spring)

20906 (Silver Spring)

Number of Homes Sold 13 19 Average Sold Price $721,970 $652,271 Average Days on Market 57 70 Above Asking Price 3 0 Below Asking Price 8 13 Sold Over $1 Million 1 2

Number of Homes Sold 3 5 Average Sold Price $365,828 $390,060 Average Days on Market 107 61 Above Asking Price 0 2 Below Asking Price 3 3 Sold Over $1 Million 0 0

Number of Homes Sold 26 22 Average Sold Price $337,782 $355,518 Average Days on Market 53 40 Above Asking Price 8 7 Below Asking Price 16 10 Sold Over $1 Million 0 0

20901 (Silver Spring)

20904 (Silver Spring)

20910 (Silver Spring)

Number of Homes Sold 13 20 Average Sold Price $446,462 $425,290 Average Days on Market 106 54 Above Asking Price 0 6 Below Asking Price 13 13 Sold Over $1 Million 0 0

Number of Homes Sold 11 13 Average Sold Price $373,468 $417,086 Average Days on Market 70 47 Above Asking Price 2 5 Below Asking Price 8 6 Sold Over $1 Million 0 0

Number of Homes Sold 15 9 Average Sold Price $546,673 $600,722 Average Days on Market 67 17 Above Asking Price 3 5 Below Asking Price 12 2 Sold Over $1 Million 0 0

20902 (Silver Spring)

20905 (Silver Spring)

20912 (Takoma Park)

Number of Homes Sold 18 22 Average Sold Price $379,411 $422,311 Average Days on Market 46 75 Above Asking Price 2 4 Below Asking Price 13 12 Sold Over $1 Million 0 0

Number of Homes Sold 12 5 Average Sold Price $470,192 $570,800 Average Days on Market 141 117 Above Asking Price 0 1 Below Asking Price 10 3 Sold Over $1 Million 0 0

Number of Homes Sold 9 10 Average Sold Price $386,917 $455,880 Average Days on Market 55 71 Above Asking Price 1 1 Below Asking Price 6 5 Sold Over $1 Million 0 0

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fitness. wellness. medicine.

PHOTO BY HEATHER FUENTES

health

Walt Whitman senior Jaiwen Hsu was 11 when a doctor discovered a cancerous tumor in his leg. For his story, turn to page 308.

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health | BE WELL

CARING FOR THE ‘OLD-OLD’ A Bethesda doctor finds inspiration from working with elderly patients

BY KATHLEEN SEILER NEARY

WHEN ONE OF DR. GARY WILKS’ patients told him she felt isolated because she could no longer drive, they stopped talking about her high blood pressure and turned the conversation to her social life. The 85-year-old woman had just moved into a senior living community. After much cajoling, Wilks says, she agreed to start going to an aquatics class, where she eventually made new friends and felt better because she was exercising.

“It’s much easier to just focus on the blood pressure—it can take a lot longer to explore how they’re really feeling overall,” says Wilks, a geriatrician who’s been practicing in the Bethesda area for 18 years. “There’s no easy prescription pad for that.”

Wilks, 55, lives in Bethesda with his wife, Madeline, a family doctor practicing in D.C. (they met during their medical residencies), and their son and daughter, both in high school.

In 2008, Wilks and another geriatrician, Dr. Roy Fried, created Premier Senior Care, a small practice that treats patients at senior living and assisted living communities, including Maplewood Park Place in Bethesda. They also make house calls. “There are so few geriatricians that we’ve really focused on what is called, in an unscientific term, the ‘old-old,’ ” says Wilks, whose interest in the field stemmed in part from his close relationship with his grandparents.

The average age of Wilks’ patients is 86, and he typically sees 11 or 12 a day, about half as many as a doctor treating younger patients. “A lot of people think geriatrics is just really sad,” he says, but some of his patients are 90 years old and still working or playing golf. “A lot of people are very frustrated about what they can’t do anymore, but working with patients and trying to reframe what they’re faced with—it’s amazing their resiliency.

They can still find things that give them joy.” n Associate Editor Kathleen Seiler Neary can be reached at kathleen.neary@bethesdamagazine.com.

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IN DR. WILKS’ OWN WORDS...

HIDDEN DANGER “A new patient came in saying his main problem was that he was feeling really tired the last few months. It turns out he started taking something because he had soreness in his shoulder, not realizing that [the medication] had interactions with other medicines he needed. He was extremely ill, extremely anemic and he was in renal failure, all from an ‘innocent’ over-the-counter medication. A little while longer, it’s not an exaggeration to say, he could have died.”

PHOTO BY TAI RANDALL

Dr. Gary Wilks with a 92-year-old patient at Maplewood Park Place in Bethesda

QUALITY OF LIFE

TOUGH DECISIONS

HISTORY LESSONS

SAYING GOODBYE

“A big part of geriatrics is palliative care, taking care of people’s chronic illnesses.

What can we do to make you comfortable? Not necessarily what can we do to just make you live longer, because you might live longer if we take this avenue of care, but what will your life look like? We want to prolong people’s quality of life as they define it, whether it’s a few months or a few years.”

“I’ll say, ‘this test from the cardiologist or the neurologist [is] suggesting you have certain procedures done, and [that] might lead to a surgical intervention.’ What are the ramifications of that? Do we even know that this is worth doing in someone who is 88?

That’s one of the challenging things about geriatrics: Frequently we’re extrapolating data based on young adults, and then it’s being applied to people who are much older.”

“[My kids] definitely do not

“Attending a patient’s funeral is often a very profound experience. It’s wonderfully gratifying. Sometimes I’m surprised that I’m at a funeral and people call out, ‘Oh you’re Dr. Wilks, I’ve heard so much about you, thank you.’ I thought I was doing a small part— sometimes you don’t realize that your role has been bigger than you ever imagined.”

want to be doctors after hearing their mom and dad talk about various ailments at the dinner table too much. They do love hearing some of the stories that my patients have told me.

When a 90-year-old woman tells you that she actually went to graduate school and got a degree in chemistry? Back when she was [young], for a girl to be one of two or three girls majoring in chemistry at a university, that’s just fantastic.

It’s inspiring.”

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health

‘The

Luckiest Unlucky Person’ Jaiwen Hsu was 11 when he found out the pain in his knee was more than a soccer injury. Now the Walt Whitman senior class president is helping young people who are battling cancer like he did.

BY DINA ELBOGHDADY

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PHOTO BY SKIP BROWN

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J

JAIWEN HSU, A SOCCER player since kindergarten, had suffered his share of bruises and pulled muscles. So when his left knee started hurting a few weeks into soccer season, his parents didn’t think much of it. They figured their 11-year-old son had yet another sports injury that would heal if he stayed off the field for a week or two. But it didn’t.

The dull pain lingered on and off for weeks, causing an occasional limp. Jaiwen’s mother, Jeng, kept massaging his leg when it ached. Maybe he twisted the knee, she thought. Maybe he bumped it when he fell off his bike, or hurt it roughhousing with friends.

She’d never considered anything 310

more alarming than that when she took Jaiwen to get an X-ray in October 2010.

His knee felt fine that day. The newly minted sixth-grader at Thomas W. Pyle Middle School in Bethesda didn’t want to miss class, but his mom insisted he get checked. So they sat in an orthopedist’s office and waited for a doctor to examine the images in another room.

“Frankly, I was getting annoyed.

We thought he had forgotten us,” Jeng says. “But as soon as he came back, I knew something was definitely wrong.

His whole demeanor had changed.

That’s when he told me, ‘We see something troubling.’ That’s when he said he thought it was a malignant tumor.”

MAY/JUNE 2017 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

Mindful of Jaiwen’s presence, the conversation took place in hushed tones in a corner of the room. “I asked if malignant means cancerous, and he said yes.”

Jaiwen looked to his mother for an explanation, but she didn’t know what to say. “I was trying so hard not to break down,” Jeng says. The doctor pulled up side-by-side X-rays of Jaiwen’s legs. “I was numb. I couldn’t tell what he was looking at.”

The lesion that Dr. Christopher M. Farrell saw at the lower end of Jaiwen’s thighbone looked like a cloudy mass, Jeng says. He also spotted a small fracture near the knee. Farrell placed Jaiwen’s leg in a brace, gave him crutches and told

PHOTO BY SKIP BROWN

health

COURTESY HSU FAMILY

From left: Kaiwei, Jaiwen, Kailin, Jaimie, Jeng and Jim Hsu

him not to bear any weight on the left side. Doing so could further fracture the bone or break it, and possibly cause the cancer cells to spread.

Farrell then told Jeng to rush her son to Suburban Hospital for an MRI. It was a Friday, and the doctor had already scheduled an appointment for Jaiwen on Monday with specialists at Children’s National Health System in Washington, D.C. “My thought was: If we caught it early, we could save him,” Farrell says.

As Jeng watched Jaiwen hobble to the car, she could no longer hold back the tears. “He walked into that office a regular kid on his own two legs,” she says. “Everything had changed in that one hour.”

Clockwise from top left: Jaiwen surfing in Hawaii as a little boy; before he was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, Jaiwen (pictured here at age 7) was an avid soccer player; Jaiwen had quiet moments during his cancer treatment at Children’s National; doctors removed the lower portion of Jaiwen’s left thighbone in January 2011 and replaced it with titanium rods and an expandable, spring-like module.

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health Once he settled into the back seat, he asked his mother one question: “Am I going to die?”

NOW A SENIOR AT Walt Whitman High School in Bethesda, Jaiwen likes to describe himself as “the luckiest unlucky person.” He’s lucky because he’s alive to tell his story. At 18, he’s class president for the third year in a row. He paints and writes fiction. A self-described foodie, he’s determined to find the world’s best burger, eat it and then make one that’s even better. He has a close-knit group of friends, a girlfriend named Annie, and a passion for raising money to support the hospital that he credits with saving his life.

He’s unlucky, of course, because of

Dr. Robert Henshaw, the orthopedic oncologist who treated Jaiwen and still oversees his care. “These days, with the combination of effective chemotherapy and proper surgery, we’re able to cure probably close to two-thirds of the patients,” he says.

Jaiwen and his parents didn’t know any of that when they showed up at Children’s National for his first appointment more than six years ago. His mom had refused to do any research that weekend for fear of what she might learn.

His father, Jim, a Microsoft salesman, had just returned from a business trip to Milan, jet-lagged and shell-shocked.

Weighing on Jaiwen’s mind that Monday was the three-day outdoor education trip his class would embark on without

“He walked into that office a regular kid on his own two legs,” says Jeng Hsu, Jaiwen’s mother. “Everything had changed in that one hour.” the tumor, a rare type of cancer called osteosarcoma. According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), roughly 1,000 people are diagnosed with osteosarcoma each year in the United States, and about 45 percent of them are under the age of 20. The disease accounts for less than onetenth of a percent of the nation’s nearly 1.7 million new cancer cases annually.

For younger patients, osteosarcoma typically develops in bones around the knee. “The cells in growing bones are turning over rapidly, so they’re more susceptible to developing the genetic mutations that cause malignant bone tumors,” says Dr. Kevin Cullen, director of the University of Maryland’s Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center in Baltimore.

Forty years ago, osteosarcoma patients typically died in two years, says 312

him the following day. “I’d been looking forward to it for five years,” he says. “My siblings had all done it.”

After reviewing the MRI, doctors immediately recognized Jaiwen’s tumor as a classic case of osteosarcoma, a diagnosis they later confirmed with a biopsy. They started him on chemotherapy the following week. They had caught the cancer early, and the goal was to kill as much of the tumor as possible with 10 rounds of chemotherapy, then surgically remove the diseased bone and reconstruct the leg in January 2011.

Nine more rounds of treatment would follow, stretching through May. Just like that, cancer had upended Jaiwen’s life. Jeng assured her son—as she had in the car the previous week—that he would pull through it, grow stronger and put the whole saga behind him.

But to this day, the diagnosis continues

MAY/JUNE 2017 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

to factor into major decisions, such as where he’ll go to college. (He wants to stay close to his doctors.) His parents worry about medical bills, job security and access to reliable health insurance, as well as the emotional toll the entire experience has taken on their son.

During the early days of his treatment, Jaiwen refused to leave his bed at times and kept friends at a distance. Hospital psychologists couldn’t get through to him. “Every time they met with him, he’d say he was fine,” Jeng says. “It was almost as if he was hiding inside himself.” The only time Jaiwen seemed happy was when he was home during off-chemo weeks or on the weekends, when his sister Kailin and brother, Jaimie, would return from the University of Maryland in College Park to visit him. Jaiwen is close to his siblings, including his other sister, Kaiwei, who was a sophomore at Walt Whitman, and struggled to say goodbye to them on Sundays before resuming chemotherapy.

“He couldn’t sleep [the night before],” his mom says. “The way he put it is that if he went to sleep, he’d have to wake up and go back to the hospital again.”

In a poem he wrote about a year ago, Jaiwen unpacked the sense of dread that overcame him as he lay in his hospital bed during the early days of treatment.

But as all my doctors come and go, they leave without a smile.

The day to leave is not today, and won’t be for a while.

The only thing that I can do is live life day by day.

Cancer is a scary word, that mom said not to say.

FOR THE FIRST THREE months, Jaiwen and his family split their time between Children’s National and their home in Bethesda. When Jaiwen went in for treatment, Jeng slept on a recliner in his hospital room, sometimes for six days in a row. Jim visited after work. When Jaiwen was home, he went to school when he could, his leg in a brace, determined to stay on track academically. His

PHOTO BY SKIP BROWN

mother, a paraeducator who at the time worked with special needs students at Pyle, tutored him and made sure he did his homework.

In January 2011, Jaiwen’s medical team replaced about half of his left femur, or thighbone, and the knee joint with a prosthesis. “That marked the start of my second battle,” he says. “I had to learn to walk again.” A few weeks after surgery, test results showed that the chemotherapy had killed 40 percent of his tumor, far less than doctors had hoped.

Rattled by the tumor’s resistance to treatment, the family began rethinking their options.

Jaiwen works Instead of doing nine more with his physical rounds of chemotherapy, therapist, Boris they decided to enroll Jaiwen Cicmil, three times a week. in a clinical trial at Children’s National with the same team of experts using a more potent mix of drugs.

The trial did not guarantee success—it posed an increased risk of hearing loss and other side effects, and required 20 additional rounds of chemotherapy, instead of nine. Jaiwen balked. He’d already pushed through extreme bouts of nausea. He’d dutifully sat on the recliner as doctors pumped drugs into his body, spreading a cold sensation into his chest and messing with his sense of taste.

Before his mother shaved his head, clumps of his hair would collect on his pillow and fall onto the books he was reading.

“It was like running a race and being Jaiwen never made it back to Pyle that within clear view of the finish line only to year; the school allowed him to continue see it move 10 miles away from you,” Jaiwen his studies at home. Instead, he began says. “I was doing my work, improving in the clinical trial and set his sights on physical therapy, eating my food, staying starting seventh grade cancer-free. His strong. I thought, There has to be a mis- mom took a medical leave from her job, take. How could they be asking more of me? and the family fell into a routine again, The anger set in pretty fast after that.” going to and from the hospital. Jaiwen

focused on physical therapy and made a friend named Shazzy, a leukemia patient close to his age who had a similar treatment schedule. “She would eat her dinner in my room with my mom and me, and cajole me out of bed to do my PT,” he says. “A lot of times we would talk about life outside the hospital.”

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health

In August, more than 10 months after his diagnosis, Jaiwen completed his last round of chemotherapy and walked out of Children’s National without crutches.

A few weeks later, tests confirmed that the treatment had worked, and there’s been no sign of cancer since. His parents say they never entertained the thought of a different outcome. Neither did Jaiwen.

“Most important to me at that point was the final discharge,” he says. “It meant no more chemo, no more hospital.”

The Saturday before school started, the family threw a party to celebrate the good news, but Jaiwen developed a fever that night that sent him to the emergency room. Soon he was back in Room 412, the specter of a 48-hour stay looming. He chugged water, determined to get better. His fever broke Sunday afternoon, and doctors sent him home with antibiotics earlier than planned.

“The first thing I said when I got home is: ‘Mom, I’m not packed for school yet,’ ” Jaiwen recalls. “In that second, it seemed that everything was back to normal.”

ON A FEBRUARY AFTERNOON this past winter, Jaiwen leans into his crutches and pushes open the door at 314

NovaCare Rehabilitation in Bethesda.

He’s here three times a week for an hour of physical therapy, a reminder that even 5½ years later, things aren’t quite back to normal yet.

“Hey, what’s with the two crutches?” his physical therapist, Boris Cicmil, asks as Jaiwen blows past him with remarkable agility. “I said only one crutch everywhere except school.”

“I like to cheat,” Jaiwen says.

A series of setbacks has kept Jaiwen on crutches for the past year, unable to bear weight on his left leg without pain.

Cicmil’s goal is to wean Jaiwen off the crutches, one at a time, by this fall, when Jaiwen starts his freshman year at the University of Maryland.

“He just has to push through the pain,” says Cicmil, who has been working with Jaiwen for two years. “There’s no way around it.”

The pain depletes Jaiwen’s energy, and the crutches interfere with his everyday life. He can’t carry his laundry to the basement, which he concedes is not all bad.

Placing his dishes in the sink is tough, and dodging probing questions from strangers when he’s in a rush gets tricky. “People will see my crutches and ask, ‘Is that a

MAY/JUNE 2017 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

soccer injury?’ ” he says. “If I don’t know them, I usually nod. But sometimes I dig myself into a hole when they start asking how it happened or what position I play.

It gets a little out of hand.”

Despite the constant reminders of what he’s been through, Jaiwen says he doesn’t worry too much about cancer.

The five-year relative survival rate is 67 percent for children and adolescents diagnosed with osteosarcoma from 2006 to 2012, up from 46.5 percent for those in the same age group diagnosed from 1975 to 1977, according to the ACS. He has passed the five-year mark, and doctors consider him cured of the cancer. “I don’t think I’ll relapse,” he says, having done plenty of research on the topic. “If anything, it would be a different form of cancer later in life.”

His parents continue to wonder about the long-term effects of chemotherapy, and they’re still dealing with what seem like never-ending medical bills. “I have insurance through work,” Jim says. “But if something happens to my job, that would be a problem.”

“There’s physical therapy to worry about, doctors to see and more surgery,” Jeng adds.

PHOTOS BY HEATHER FUENTES

Jaiwen hopes to help cure cancer, and plans to work in the advocacy field. He’s already helped to raise $120,000 for Children’s National.

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health When doctors removed the lower portion of Jaiwen’s left femur, they replaced it with titanium rods and an expandable, spring-like module that would enable them to lengthen those rods. The plan was to keep stretching the prosthesis as Jaiwen got taller so his left and right legs would be even. Once Jaiwen stopped growing, they would operate to swap the current prosthesis for a permanent one.

But that goal has proved elusive. Jaiwen’s left leg remains about 2 inches shorter, a discrepancy his medical team is struggling to correct. At the start of seventh grade, he began going to MedStar Washington Hospital Center in D.C. every few months to get the prosthesis stretched. Doctors would fasten a coil around his leg. A machine would heat the coil, allowing the spring to lengthen the prosthesis, which pulled the muscles and ligaments around it.

“The doctor would look at his face to judge how much pain he was in and how much more he could tolerate,” Jeng recalls. “We’d get 2 millimeters of length on average.”

In July 2013, nearly two years into these procedures, the module stopped working and doctors implanted a new one. But the most serious disruption came a year later, when Jaiwen developed a condition in which his breastbone began sinking into his chest. Surgeons inserted a metal rod to push the breastbone out, and a series of rare complications followed—pain, inflammation, emergency room visits, and more surgeries, all of which delayed any work on his leg for a year. “While we were waiting for all this, he had a big growth spurt,” says Henshaw, Jaiwen’s orthopedic oncologist. As his right leg grew, doctors fell even further behind on stretching his left leg.

The lengthening procedures resumed

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as Jaiwen was about to start his junior year at Walt Whitman in August 2015, only to have the module fail again six months later. Once the new one was installed, his medical team got more aggressive. They put Jaiwen under general anesthesia and stretched the prosthesis again, this time unencumbered by his pain threshold. With his muscles relaxed, his prosthesis lengthened three times the usual amount. “We were ecstatic,” Jeng says. The outcome encouraged the medical team to repeat the process two months later, and the results were similar. Since then, he’s been unable to fully straighten his left knee, which is why he’s on crutches and in physical therapy with Cicmil.

Toward the end of each session, Cicmil takes out the dynamic extension splint, an ominous-looking white plastic device with Velcro straps and a knob.

He slaps it over Jaiwen’s thigh and lower

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leg and turns the knob, more than once.

“Just 10 minutes,” he tells Jaiwen.

“Just 10 minutes?” Jaiwen groans, pressing himself deeper into the treatment table.

JAIWEN SAYS HE HAS two goals in life: get rid of the crutches—Cicmil recently took one away—and help cure cancer.

But he doesn’t foresee a future in science or medicine. “I see myself more in the advocacy field,” he says, which is why he’ll attend business school at Maryland, also his parents’ alma mater. “Research needs a lot of funding. I want to play a prominent role in getting that funding.”

Three years ago, Jaiwen launched an annual event called Walk Away Cancer to raise money for the Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders at Children’s National. Hundreds of students, faculty and community members gather at Whitman’s athletic field on a Saturday in

October for music and games, as well as insights from children who speak about their battles with cancer. The money raised—$120,000 so far—supports pediatric care and research at the hospital, where Jaiwen’s sister Kailin is doing her medical residency. Kaiwei, now a senior at Maryland, serves as executive director of Terp Thon, the university’s studentrun philanthropy group, which raises money for the hospital through an array of minimarathons. Every March, Terp Thon’s fundraising efforts culminate in a 12-hour dance marathon, where the group unveils how much it has raised for the year. At this year’s gathering, Jaiwen spoke about his own journey and about the kids he saw at the hospital, many of whom were younger than he was and had to stay even longer. He talked about Shazzy, as he often does.

“She gave me hope. She motivated me.

And she showed me the good in a situation

Two things in life that once gone, never come back.

Time and opportunity.

when I only saw emptiness,” Jaiwen said in front of an audience of more than a thousand. “We talked about life after cancer and all the things we would do.” After Jaiwen was discharged from the hospital for the final time, Shazzy developed complications and slipped into a coma.

He continued to visit her and left her bedside hours before she died. She was 15.

“I cried,” Jaiwen told the crowd. “I cried when I hugged her little brother and when I hugged her little sister and her mother.

All because of the stupid cancer.”

Jaiwen says he no longer questions why he’s still alive when his friend isn’t.

He’d rather focus on what he can do with the time he has. “Because I survived,” he says, “it became my duty to try to make a difference and inspire people.” ■ Dina ElBoghdady spent more than two decades as a journalist at several newspapers, most recently The Washington Post.

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BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM | MAY/JUNE 2017

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health wellness

CALENDAR COMPILED BY SANDRA FLEISHMAN

May 7 TAKOMA PARK SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL 5K CHALLENGE. Proceeds benefit programs—at Takoma Park, Piney Branch, Rolling Terrace and East Silver Spring elementary schools and Takoma Park Middle School—that focus on pedestrian safety and on walking for health and fitness. 8 a.m. for 5K run/walk; 9 a.m. for 1-mile fun run; 9:15 a.m. for quartermile run for ages 8 and younger. $15-$25; $12 for 1-mile fun run; $10 for quarter-mile run. Takoma Park Community Center, Takoma Park. www.tkpk5k.com.

RUNNING/WALKING Through May 9 KENWOOD CHERRY BLOSSOMS AND SPRING FLOWERS SEASONAL WALK. The Seneca Valley Sugarloafers Volksmarch Club has mapped out a 10K walk on the Capital Crescent Trail and through the Kenwood neighborhood that is suitable for strollers but not wheelchairs; and a 5K walk that requires driving to a different starting point and is suitable for strollers and wheelchairs. 7 a.m.6 p.m. Free. Instructions at Starbucks Coffee, The Shops at Sumner Place, Bethesda. www. sugarloafers.org.

May 6 LA MILLA DE MAYO (THE MAY MILE). The 1-mile run/walk, sponsored by the city of Gaithersburg and the Montgomery County Road Runners Club, benefits the Dolores C. Swoyer Camp Scholarship Fund, which helps pay summer camp fees for underprivileged children. The race includes quarter-mile and half-mile fun runs for ages 12 and younger.

Music, food, salsa dancing and Cinco de Mayo festivities follow. 5:30 p.m. for fun runs; 6 p.m. for the 1-mile. One-mile fees: $19 for ages 12 and older; $10 for ages 5-11; $5 for those under 5. The fun runs are free. Girard Business Center, Gaithersburg. www.gaithersburgmd.gov/leisure/specialevents/la-milla-de-mayo.

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May 7 RESCUE 1 RUN 8K. The race loops through part of the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Rescue Squad’s coverage area. Proceeds benefit the squad. 8 a.m. An ambulance chase fun run for kids begins shortly after the 8K. Fees for 8K: $43 before May 5; $50 in person on race weekend. $10 for fun run. BethesdaChevy Chase Rescue Squad, Bethesda. www. rescue1run.com.

May 7 MARK’S RUN 5K. The race is held in memory of Landon School alumnus Mark Ferris, who struggled with heart disease complicated by diabetes. Proceeds benefit the Mark Ferris ’94 Memorial Scholarship Fund and the Joslin Diabetes Center. 8 a.m. for 5K; 8:20 a.m. for 1-mile fun run. $25; $15 for fun run.

Landon School, Bethesda. www.marksrun.org.

May 7 RUN ROCKVILLE 5K RUN/WALK AND STROLLER DERBY. Proceeds benefit Baby’s Bounty MC, a nonprofit that provides safety, health and wellness essentials to at-risk infants up to 6 months of age who are born into poverty, homelessness, abuse, neglect and other disadvantaged situations.

8 a.m.; stroller derby, with prizes for best decorated stroller and most creative finish line celebration, 9 a.m. $30 (stroller derby free with 5K registration); $15 stroller derby alone. Montgomery College, Rockville. www. runrockville.com.

MAY/JUNE 2017 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

May 13 WOOD ACRES JOGFEST. The Wood Acres PTA uses the proceeds from the 5K, 1-mile fun run and quarter-mile and half-mile tot trots to help pay for Chromebooks and other academic support. 8 a.m. for 5K; 8:30 a.m. for 1-mile fun run; 9 a.m. tot trots. $25 ($30 at packet pickup), $15 for fun run, $10 for tot trots. Wood Acres Park, Bethesda. www. woodacrespta.org/index.php/activities/jogfest.

May 13 KIDS ON THE RUN. The morning offers several races on paved trails based on children’s ages. A 100-meter toddler trot is for ages 4 and younger. Youths 17 and younger can participate in a 2K kids marathon, 1-mile or half-mile race. For the marathon, participants must run 1 mile each day for any 25 days by May 7; the final 2K (1.2 miles) will be run on race day. 8:30 a.m. (toddler trot); 8:40 a.m. (half-mile); 8:55 a.m. (1 mile); 9:10 a.m. (kids marathon). $9 if postmarked by May 2; $15 if after May 2. Bohrer Park, Gaithersburg. www. mcrrckidsontherun.org.

May 14 HOPE FOR HENRY RUN; A 5K TO MAKE A KID’S DAY. Proceeds pay for gifts and parties for children hospitalized with cancer or other serious illnesses and to support professionals working with patients and families. The Hope for Henry Foundation honors Henry Strongin Goldberg, who was 7 when he died in 2002. 8:30 a.m.; 9 a.m. for 1-mile fun run. $35; $30 for 1-mile fun run on Walt Whitman High School’s track. Walt Whitman High School, Bethesda. www.hopeforhenry.org.

PHOTO BY BRIAN BUTTERS, COURTESY OF MCRRC

Kids on the Run includes several races on paved trails in Gaithersburg on May 13.

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health May 14 RUN AWARE. The 5K trail run goes over hills and near streams; runners can get wet and muddy. 8 a.m. for 5K; a 1K junior participation run (for Montgomery County Road Runners Club members younger than 18) starts at 8:05 a.m. $10 ages 18 and older; $5 younger than 18; free for members of MCRRC. Cabin John Regional Park, Bethesda. www.mcrrc.org.

May 21 RUN FOR THE ANIMALS. Proceeds support the Poplar Spring Animal Sanctuary. Choose the 5K, 1-mile run/walk or 1.7-mile walk that your pet can join. 8:30 a.m. $28-$30 in advance; $35 race day. Wheaton Regional Park, Wheaton. www.animalsanctuary.org.

May 29 MEMORIAL 4-MILE. The race includes a 4-mile run and a 1-mile run for youths. 8 a.m. for 4-mile; 8:05 a.m. for 1-mile. $10 ages 18 and older; $5 younger than 18; free for members of the Montgomery County Road Runners Club. Rock Creek Valley Elementary School, Rockville. www.mcrrc.org.

June 3 COLLEEN’S BA 5K AND 1-MILE FUN RUN/ WALK. The event is in memory of Colleen

Mitchel, who was born with liver disease (biliary atresia) and died at age 19 of complications while awaiting another transplant. Proceeds benefit BA research in the pediatric liver center at Johns Hopkins Children’s Center in Baltimore. 9 a.m.; fun run follows. $25; $60 for families of three or more; $20 for students and members of the military. Start/finish line is on Beach Drive at Connecticut Avenue, Kensington. www. colleensba5k.org.

June 17 RUN FOR ROSES. The 5K is for women only, and finishers receive a long-stemmed rose.

Kids 12 and younger can run in a quartermile or half-mile fun run. 8 a.m. 5K; 7:45 a.m. for fun runs. Fun runs are free; see the website for 5K fees. Wheaton Regional Park, Wheaton. www.mcrrc.org.

June 24 SUDS & SOLES 5K. The city of Rockville and Montgomery County Road Runners Club sponsor this downtown run and post-race party—with samples from local breweries for adults, and activities for kids.

Proceeds benefit the Rockville Recreation and Parks Foundation and MCRRC’s youth and beginning running programs. 7 p.m.; 7:05 p.m. fun run. 5K fees: $35 for adults

over 21; $20 for ages 10-20; $15 for ages 9 or younger (includes a KidZone pass). $10 for ages 5-9 and free for ages 4 and younger for short fun run and KidZone pass only. Rockville Town Square, Rockville. www. mcrrcsudsandsoles.org.

SCREENINGS/CLASSES/ WORKSHOPS May 2 and June 7 HEALTHY COOKING SERIES. May 2: What to look for in buying seafood, and recipes pairing fish with fresh ingredients. June 7: Using springtime vegetables and fruits in healthy “clean” (unprocessed) dishes. 6-8 p.m. $25 for one class; $45 for both. Suburban Hospital, Bethesda. Registration required.

301-896-3939, events.suburbanhospital.org.

May 3 LOOK GOOD, FEEL BETTER. Women undergoing cancer treatments learn makeup techniques, wig care and other beauty tips. 6-8 p.m. Free. Shady Grove Adventist Aquilino Cancer Center, Rockville.

Registration required. 800-542-5096, www. adventisthealthcare.com.

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massages. 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Free. Holy Cross Hospital Professional and Community Education Center, Silver Spring. 301-7548800, holycrosshealth.org.

EAT WELL FOR HEALTH: NUTRITION & COOKING CLASS. 6 p.m. Free. Registration required; each class has a separate registration list. Adventist HealthCare Washington Adventist Hospital, Takoma Park.

301-891-6105, www.adventisthealthcare.com.

May 23 MEDICAL MUSEUM SCIENCE CAFÉ: “THE MALARIA PROJECT: AMERICA’S SECRET MISSION TO COMBAT MALARIA DURING WORLD WAR II.” Public health journalist Karen Masterson discusses the government’s hunt for a cure as malaria devastated American troops in the early years of World War II. 6-7 p.m. Free. National Museum of Health and Medicine, Silver Spring. 301-319-3303, www. medicalmuseum.mil.

May 8 ACTIVE AGING EXPO. The city of Gaithersburg’s ninth annual event includes educational talks, fitness demonstrations, facials, massages, manicures and preventive screenings. There also will be a caricature artist, temporary tattoos and a photo booth.

9 a.m.-2 p.m. Free. Donations requested of a canned good for Manna Food Center. Activity Center at Bohrer Park, Gaithersburg. 301258-6380, www.gaithersburgmd.gov.

June 4 BECOMING A FATHER. Expectant and new dads will learn about basic baby care, adjustments to life with a child and what it means to be a father. Babies welcome. 1-4 p.m. $30. Holy Cross Resource Center, Silver Spring. Registration required. 301-754-7000, holycrosshealth.org.

May 18 2017 DIABETES SYMPOSIUM. Suburban Hospital offers information on how to make a meaningful change in your diabetes. 6-6:30 p.m. registration and light refreshments.

6:30-8 p.m. Free. Suburban Hospital, Bethesda. Registration required. 301-8963939, events.suburbanhospital.org.

June 10 SKETCHING AT THE MEDICAL MUSEUM— MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY. Museum staff introduce historic medical illustrations from the archives, and then participants can try their hand at creating illustrations of specimens and artifacts. Bring sketchbook and pencils. 10 a.m.-noon. Free. National

May 20 ANNUAL WOMEN’S HEALTH EVENT. A fun and informative program, with health screenings (usually blood pressure, vision and/or bone density), lectures and seated

DENTIST

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Museum of Health and Medicine, Silver Spring. Reservations recommended. 301319-3312, www.medicalmuseum.mil.

June 14 14TH ANNUAL MEN’S SYMPOSIUM. An expert panel of Suburban Hospital physicians will discuss how to improve men’s heart health and well-being. 6-6:30 p.m. registration and light refreshments.

6:30-8 p.m. Free. Suburban Hospital, Bethesda. Registration required. 301-8963939, events.suburbanhospital.org.

SUPPORT GROUPS May 2 and June 6 BREAST CANCER SUPPORT GROUP. 6:30 p.m. Free. Hope Connections for Cancer Support, Bethesda. 301-634-7500, www.hopeconnectionsforcancer.org.

May 11 and June 8 PARKINSON’S DISEASE SUPPORT GROUP. For patients, caregivers and family members. 12:05-12:55 p.m. Free.

Adventist HealthCare Rehabilitation, Silver Spring. 301-445-3191, www. adventisthealthcare.com.

To submit calendar items, go to www.Bethesda Magazine.com. n

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Dental School: University of Michigan Services Include: Cosmetic Dentistry, Whitening, Tooth Colored Fillings, Porcelain Veneers, Crowns, Inlays, Onlays, Nightguards, Invisalign, Implants, Pediatric Dentistry, Digital Impressions and X-rays

350 Fortune Terrace Rockville, MD 20854 301-279-2600 www.stevenjanowitzdds.com

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dine

A vanilla shake at Bethesda’s Community restaurant also comes in a version spiked with crème de menthe and crème de cacao. For our review, see the next page.

BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM | MAY/JUNE 2017

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dine | REVIEW

A giant matzo ball is intended for sharing in soup-for-two.

Fried chicken is paired with cheddar-andchive waffles at Community.

COMMUNITY ISSUES

Restaurateur Mark Bucher’s diner concept in Bethesda needs tweaking

BY DAVID HAGEDORN | PHOTOS BY STACY ZARIN-GOLDBERG

A SERVER MAKES HIS way to me holding a wide, shallow bowl of soup with a softball-size matzo ball. He’s doing his best to keep the liquid—golden chicken broth flecked with noodles and neatly diced carrots, celery and onions— from sloshing and spilling as he sets it down in front of me. The $14 soup— impressive in appearance and, it turns out, flavor—is meant for two. I’m given a large spoon and two bowls, but soon discover the serving bowl is too shallow to ladle soup out of it. And that it would have made more sense to offer two smaller (and more tender) orbs than one ginormous one.

The soup is a metaphor for what ails Community, the eatery that opened in December in Woodmont Triangle’s swanky new 7770 Norfolk luxury apartment building—things look good on the 326

outside, and sometimes taste good, but haven’t been thought through. Another example: A lunchtime Reuben comes towering with excellent corned beef, sauerkraut and a cloak of melted Swiss cheese atop a slice of toasted rye bread slathered with Thousand Island dressing, and with four toasted rye triangles on the side. The sandwich ($24) is meant for two but who wants to deconstruct that messy morass and reconstruct their own sandwiches?

I had high hopes for Community. Its owner, Mark Bucher, is an experienced restaurateur who founded and sold the BGR burger chain and co-owns Medium Rare, a steak frites restaurant with two outposts in Washington, D.C., and a third that debuted in March next door to Community. He has a nose for trends and seemed a natural to cash in on the restaurant industry’s current diner

MAY/JUNE 2017 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

revival and offer a more upscale version of the traditional, and much beloved, Tastee Diner just across the street.

But Bucher gives highfalutin airs and prices to diner food, which is supposed to be guileless. And do families with children want to eat dinner in a nightclub-dim room with a disco ball whirling away? Take away the smoke and mirrors—a vapid puff pastry lobster version of Pop-Tarts is served in a clunky retro toaster; wan creamed spinach arrives in a coffee mug; prime rib comes from a tableside cart—and what you have is a mediocre bistro, not a diner.

Chef Todd Harrington of the nowdefunct Central Michel Richard restaurant in Las Vegas helped Bucher develop the menu and recipes for Community, but now only a kitchen manager oversees daily operations rather than a

Community

7776 Norfolk Ave., Bethesda; 301-272-9050, communitybethesda.com FAVORITE DISHES: Fried chicken and waffles, tomahawk veal chop Parmesan, buttermilk pancakes, grasshopper adult milkshake PRICES: Appetizers: $8 to $17; Entrées: $14 to $32; Desserts: $9 LIBATIONS: A nicely curated craft cocktail list that includes generous pours of well-made classics; specialty cocktails available in single serving or a punch bowl that serves four to six, among them the I’ll Have What She’s Having (gin, lemon, maraschino liqueur, mint) and the Friends with Benefits (rum, lime, cucumber, strawberry); a daily slushy called a “slurpdee,” such as a Pina Colada or bourbon-laced Arnold Palmer; and delicious adult milkshakes with booze, such as a Grasshopper and a White Russian.

A wine list (no vintage years offered) features about 25 selections that are pricey, starting at $32 per bottle for a German Riesling and reaching to $73 for Washington State Syrah and $75 for French Champagne.

Server Claire Russell is shown with the restaurant’s lobster version of Pop-Tarts.

The pastries are brought to the table in a toaster.

SERVICE: It can sometimes take a while to get your food at Community, which is generally due to a staffing problem rather than ineptitude.

Overall Rating:

C+

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The light-filled interior at Community offers 72 seats, including swivel stools at the counter.

A Reuben meant for two requires diners to assemble their own sandwiches.

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chef. That might explain the execution problems the restaurant has.

Still, there are bright spots at Community, which seats 72 inside and has additional seating outside. The 3,000-square-foot space is light-filled from picture windows facing Norfolk and Fairmont avenues. The designer, Philadelphia architect Richard Stokes, gets all the midcentury modern diner references right, down to the orangeand-blue Howard Johnson’s color palette, Formica-covered peninsula counters with orange-and-green plaid swivel stools, brass hourglass wall sconces, globe pendant lights, and colonial stone walls commingling with wood paneling.

Beverages include classic cocktails (old-fashioneds, whiskey sours and the like), specialty cocktails (I’m partial to

Community’s fluffy buttermilk pancakes are as big as their plate.

Red velvet cake is a good choice for dessert.

the I’ll Have What She’s Having, with gin, lemon, maraschino liqueur and mint), slushy boozy Slurpee riffs called slurpdees (down a whole Hurricane at your own risk) and adult milkshakes that recall after-dinner drinks of yore. The vibrantly green Grasshopper, a vanilla shake spiked with crème de menthe and crème de cacao, is a perfect stand-in for dessert.

Prime rib that was cold at dinner and served with a ramekin of chemicaltasting, beef-flavored jus, comes to life at lunch in a sandwich dressed with fresh horseradish cream, caramelized onions and pickled peppers. A ham, roast turkey, bacon and cheddar cheese club presses all the buttons you want from that abundant sandwich. Fried chicken and waffles (two chicken pieces at lunch, four at dinner)

delivers meat that is nicely brined and moist, the coating pleasingly crunchy; the waffles, enhanced with cheddar cheese and chives, are tender but crisp. Fluffy buttermilk pancakes are terrific, and as wide as the dinner plate they come on, a design flaw given that syrup can flow off them onto the table. The cheeseburger is thick and juicy, its dry-aged beef imparting a nice tang to the patty, but Community really needs to lose the ubiquitous frozen shoestring french fries and figure out how to make them fresh.

Tomahawk veal chop Parmesan, offered at dinner, is so ample it almost fills the plate. The breading is crisp, the meat is tender, and the marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese conspire to make one bite leave you wanting another. It’s as pretty to look at as it is delicious. Plump

crab cakes are nicely rife with jumbo lump crab and devoid of fillers, but the accompaniment of too finely chopped coleslaw, reminiscent of KFC’s, does it no favors.

Pass up the sickeningly sweet blueberry cobbler made in house and go for one of the desserts from outside vendors.

Red velvet cake with cheesecake-like frosting is a standout. Smith Island cake, which Bucher has specially made by a French baker, looks inviting with its eight layers of vanilla cake, but one forkful reveals that its caramel filling is gritty and its chocolate glaze treacly. And so it goes at Community, where good looks don’t necessarily translate into good taste. n David Hagedorn is the restaurant critic for Bethesda Magazine.

BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM | MAY/JUNE 2017

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dine | TABLE TALK

BY DAVID HAGEDORN

THE GRADUATES

If you recently enjoyed a terrific meal in the D.C. area, it’s quite possible that a graduate of L’Academie de Cuisine had a hand in preparing it. The prestigious Gaithersburg cooking school, founded in 1976 by chef Francois Dionot, has had more than 4,000 students complete its year-long program and acquire a Certificate in Culinary or Pastry Arts. Here’s a sampling of grads who are working in our area (their graduation year is indicated).

“One thing I remember Francois telling us is, ‘Pissed-off cooks make pissed-off food.’ ” —Melanie Parker

1999 David Collier, pastry chef at 1789 Restaurant, Washington, D.C.

1999 & 2002 Melanie Parker, pastry chef at Black’s Bar & Kitchen, Bethesda

2000 2000 Barry Koslow, executive chef at Pinea in the W Hotel, Washington, D.C.

Frank Linn, chef/ owner of Frankly…

Pizza!, Kensington

2001

“L’Academie de Cuisine set me on the path of opening my own restaurant, Masseria, at Union Market of Washington, and being awarded a Michelin star. Francois taught me the importance of giving back, so I’m happy to teach classes every quarter at L’Academie and provide my restaurant to students for their externship program.”

—Nicholas Stefanelli

Amy Brandwein, chef/owner of Centrolina, Washington, D.C.

2002

“Aaron was obsessed with making the perfect omelet. He’d [come] home from class and immediately start making omelets and dumping them in the trash as they were not ‘Aaron perfect.’

I must have bought 10 dozen eggs by the time he made it right. We laughed watching him do this so seriously for a week until, all of a sudden, it came out as he wanted it to. When he made it in class at L’Academie, Francois was very pleased.”

—Jackie Silverman, mother of Aaron Silverman, chef/owner of Rose’s Luxury and Pineapple and Pearls 330

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2004

Nicholas Stefanelli, chef/owner of Masseria, Washington, D.C.

Alonso Roche, chef/co-owner of Bold Bite and TapaBar, Bethesda

2014 Cecile Mouthon, pastry chef at Bread Furst, Washington, D.C.

L'Academie de Cuisine

“The knowledge imparted by Francois and [his brother and fellow instructor] Pascal Dionot during my time at L’Academie is put to use every day in my kitchen. Mise en place, respecting the product, technique—L’Academie gave me a solid base to create, with the only limit being my imagination.”

1992

Peter Smith, executive chef at The Sovereign, Washington, D.C.

—Peter Smith Jeff Heineman, chef/owner of Grapeseed, Bethesda

1992

1994

Jeff Eng, executive chef at Tower Oaks Lodge, Rockville

1994 Damian Salvatore, Salvatore, chef/co-owner of Persimmon, Bethesda; Sal’s Italian Kitchen, Cabin John; and Wild Tomato, Cabin John

1995 Katsuya Fukushima, executive chef of Bantam King, Daikaya Izakaya and Haikan, Washington, D.C.

1994 Jonathan Krinn, chef/owner of Clarity Restaurant, Vienna, Virginia

1997 1997 Joe Raffa, executive chef of José Andrés’ ThinkFoodGroup, Washington, D.C.

Susan Limb, co-owner of Praline Bakery & Bistro, Bethesda

2005

2005

Aaron Silverman, chef/owner of Rose’s Luxury, and Pineapple and Pearls, Washington, D.C.

Victor Meneses, chef at Ruta del Vino, Washington, D.C.

2008 Tyler Stout, chef at Macon Bistro & Larder, Washington, D.C.

ILLUSTRATION BY AMANDA SMALLWOOD; CHEF PHOTO ILLUSTRATIONS BY JARED SCROGGINS

2012 Ashley Ott, pastry chef at Junction Bakery & Bistro, Alexandria, Virginia

2010 2010 Jenna Meyer, general manager of Sugo Osteria, Potomac

2010

Aggie Chin, pastry chef at Mirabelle, Washington, D.C.

Joshua Jarvis, pastry chef at Restaurant Eve, Alexandria, Virginia

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A NOSE FOR WINE NATALIE MATTHEWS—the assistant general manager and wine director of Black’s Bar & Kitchen in Bethesda since April 2016—used to get in trouble at the dinner table of her family’s Bowie, Maryland, home because she insisted on smelling everything before she ate it. That idiosyncrasy came in handy when she decided to turn a fascination with wine into a career as a sommelier.

In 2011, Matthews took a job as a server at Seasons 52 restaurant in North Bethesda. Master Sommelier George Miliotes, then the director of beverage and hospitality for parent-company Darden Restaurants, saw promise in Matthews. “By the end of the wine training, I informed him I was coming for his job,” she says with a laugh. After a dream trip to California’s Napa and Sonoma counties in 2013, Matthews started her trek toward becoming a master sommelier.

It’s a long and expensive process that requires being invited to apply to each of four levels of examinations administered by the Court of Master Sommeliers, established in 1977 to create industry-wide standards for professional wine service.

(The exams for the four sommelier levels—introductory, certified, advanced and master—cost more than $3,000 total; accessing the wine that needs to be studied and tasted along the way costs considerably more.)

Matthews, 28, passed the introductory exam in 2014 and the certified sommelier exam in 2015. She is now studying to become an advanced sommelier. “I don’t know of any advanced sommeliers in Montgomery County—certainly no master sommeliers,” says Dave McIntyre, who lives in Silver Spring and is the wine columnist for The Washington Post and a certified sommelier. “The county distribution system is such a mess, apparently ambitious somms don’t want to work here.”

At Black’s, Matthews did away with two-thirds of the wine list she inherited, rewriting and reformatting it to bring it in line with the tastes of her Bethesda clientele, whom, she notes, like their California pinot noir, cabernet sauvignon, chardonnay and sauvignon blanc. “There’s a heavy emphasis on domestic wines, but a good representation of the Old World and South America,” she says. “My goal is to have something for those who know what they like and for those who want to jump out there and experience something new.”

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NATALIE’S PICKS

Here are four wines from the list at Black’s Bar & Kitchen (prices are per bottle at the restaurant): DeToren “Fusion V” Stellenbosch, South Africa 2014 ($129): “This red blend is my personal favorite for sentimental reasons—it’s the first wine I drank that exposed me to the enjoyable world of wine.”

PHOTO BY MICHAEL VENTURA

Charly Thévenet, “Grain & Granit,” Régnié, Cru Beaujolais, France 2014 ($72): “Natural and unfiltered Gamay, vinified and produced naturally without pesticides, herbicides or fungicides. Ripe red and black fruit, wildly herbaceous, floral, whiff of dried animal skin notes.”

Vie di Romans “Dessimis,” Friuli Isonzo, Italy 2014 ($90): “This wine is produced in an oxygen-free environment to preserve color and full aromatics. End result: a full-bodied pinot grigio with pear, candied apple, fresh lemon and ginger notes.”

Gaia “14-18h,” Agiorgitiko Rosé, Nemea, Greece 2015 ($40): “This rosé has hints of dried strawberry, watermelon, sea salt, white pepper, and lime zest with refreshing acidity.”

BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM | MAY/JUNE 2017

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dine | TABLE TALK KAPNOS

IN A BASKET

If you’re in the market for a perfect hostess gift, head to Bethesda’s Kapnos Kouzina and shop its Greek pantry, with shelves of intriguing imported Greek food items, many of which are used in the restaurant’s dishes.

Better yet, let them do the choosing for you.

Their woven jute Greek Pantry Basket ($65) includes:

> 1 jar of Attiki-brand

> > > >

>

Kapnos Kouzina, 4900 Hampden Lane, Bethesda, 301-986-8500, kapnoskouzina.com

334

recipe KAPNOS CHICKEN HILOPITES

2 to 3 servings

This recipe from George Pagonis, executive chef and partner of Kapnos, Kapnos Kouzina and Kapnos Taverna, uses hilopites, small squares of pasta made with trahana (an ancient Greek food created by mixing wheat with milk or yogurt to create a porridge that’s then dried and broken into granules).

INGREDIENTS 2 (6-ounce) skin-on, boneless chicken breasts 1 tablespoon canola oil 1 medium white onion, diced 3 garlic cloves, minced ½ teaspoon salt 1 pinch Aleppo (may substitute cayenne pepper) 1 pinch ground black pepper 1 cup dry white wine 1 (14½-ounce) can whole plum tomatoes 1 dried bay leaf 1 cup chicken stock 8 ounces hilopites pasta ¼ cup heavy cream (optional) 1 to 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice Grated Mizithra or Romano cheese, as desired 1 tablespoon minced fresh chives

MAY/JUNE 2017 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

DIRECTIONS 1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Season the chicken breasts on both sides with salt and pepper. In an ovenproof sauté pan over medium-high heat, heat the oil until it begins to smoke. Sear the chicken breasts on both sides until golden brown, starting with the skin side first. Transfer the chicken to a small baking sheet and cook for 20 to 25 minutes until cooked through (165 degrees internal temperature). Remove from the oven and let the chicken rest for 5 minutes.

2. While the chicken is baking, return the sauté pan to the heat over medium. Sauté the onion and garlic until translucent, 5 to 10 minutes. Add the ½ teaspoon salt, Aleppo and black pepper. Add

the wine and cook for 5 minutes until the alcohol has evaporated.

Add the tomatoes and bay leaf and cook for 10 minutes to reduce by one-quarter. Remove and discard the bay leaf and use a stick blender to purée the sauce until smooth. Add the chicken stock and hilopites and bring to a simmer. Cook, stirring constantly, for 10 minutes, until the pasta is al dente and the sauce is creamy.

When almost done, add the cream, if using, and 1 tablespoon lemon juice, more if desired.

Cook for 1 minute. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Transfer to a serving plate. Slice the chicken widthwise into ¾-inch slices, place them atop the pasta, and sprinkle them with cheese and chives.

PHOTO BY MICHAEL VENTURA

>

wildflower and thyme honey 1 jar of Sarantisbrand orange jam 1 bag of hilopites (square wheat pastina) 1 package of ouzo (anise-flavored) candies 1 can of Palirria-brand peas in tomato sauce 1 can of Palirria-brand imam (eggplant baked in tomato sauce) 1 bottle of Petrina-brand extravirgin olive oil made with olives from the village of Petrina, at the foothills of the Taygetos Mountains.

(This lush oil is used on nearly every dish at all three Kapnos locations.)

&

COMINGS GOINGS Bethesda’s Bold Bite is moving from its Fairmont Avenue spot to a Cordell Avenue location formerly occupied by Smashburger. In its new space, Bold Bite will be open for dinner, something it was unable to do before because it shared a kitchen with its sister restaurant next door, TapaBar.

Silver Spring’s much-beloved Quarry House Tavern, which closed due to a fire in March 2015, will reopen this spring at its original location at the corner of Bonifant Street and Georgia Avenue.

Quarry House had been in a temporary location on Georgia Avenue since the fire, but it closed in February.

Joe McGuinness, who owned Chads (previously Chadwicks) in Friendship Heights for 18 years, retired earlier this year and

sold the restaurant to a group that includes Maury Povich, Tony Kornheiser, Gary Williams and Alan Bubes.

The fast-casual chain Chipotle shut down operations of all its ShopHouse Asian Kitchen outlets in March, including locations in Bethesda, North Bethesda and Silver Spring. Korean fast-casual chain Bibibop is taking over the spaces and plans to convert them by early summer.

After a 13-year run, Adega Wine Cellars & Café in Silver Spring closed in February.

French bistro Ev & Maddy’s shuttered at Rockville Town Square earlier this year.

RECENTLY OPENED: Check out our Dining Guide for details on Alatri Bros. (Bethesda), Faryab Afghan Restaurant (recently reopened in Bethesda), Little Dipper Hot Pot House (Rockville), Lincoln’s Bar-B-Que (Silver Spring), Medium Rare (Bethesda) and Millie's (NW D.C.). n

Mon Ami Gabi is an authentic turn-of-the-century Parisian bistro serving French Classics like Steak Frites, Onion Soup Au Gratin, Trout Amandine and Escargots de Bourgogne.

In the Heart of Bethesda Row 7239 Woodmont Avenue (301) 654-1234

MONAMIGABI.COM

® Restaurants

©2017 Lettuce Entertain You

BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM | MAY/JUNE 2017

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BY BRIAN PATTERSON L’Academie de Cuisine | www.lacademie.com

All Wrapped Up Roll out the burritos for a Cinco de Mayo fiesta or dinner any night of the week

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12

13

14

16

Steak Burrito Buffet DIFFICULTY LEVEL

ON THE CLOCK

SERVINGS

1 hour

8

Ingredients PICO DE GALLO 3 Roma tomatoes—center removed and diced 1 shallot, diced 1 jalapeño, seeds removed and diced 1 tablespoon chopped basil Salt and pepper, to taste GUACAMOLE 2 avocados, skin and pits removed Juice of 2 limes Salt and pepper, to taste

Directions PICO DE GALLO 1. Combine all ingredients and refrigerate for an hour.

GUACAMOLE 2. Mash the ingredients in a mixing bowl. Keep covered or use right away.

FLANK STEAK WITH ONIONS AND PEPPERS 3. Toss meat with spices in a bowl.

4. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 2 tablespoons of canola oil to the pan.

5. Add half of the steak to the pan, and toss to cook for about 5 minutes.

FLANK STEAK WITH ONIONS AND PEPPERS 1 flank steak, about 2 pounds, cut into thin strips against the grain 1 teaspoon ground cumin

7. Remove steak from pan.

1 teaspoon dried oregano

8. Add onions to pan and toss to cook until softened.

½ teaspoon salt

9. Add red bell peppers to pan and cook for one minute.

½ teaspoon cayenne pepper ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper ½ teaspoon garlic powder ½ teaspoon onion powder 4 tablespoons canola oil, divided PHOTOS BY STACY ZARIN-GOLDBERG

6. Remove steak from pan and repeat with second half of meat, adding 2 tablespoons of oil if needed.

2 onions, cut into thick slices 2 red bell peppers, cut into strips TORTILLAS AND FILLINGS 12 flour tortillas (at least 10 inches in diameter) Sour cream Shredded cheddar cheese Black beans

10. Return steak to pan and toss with the onions and peppers, cooking for another minute.

TO ASSEMBLE 11. Warm the tortillas, one at a time, in a skillet over low heat.

12. Lay the tortilla flat on a work surface. Arrange desired fillings on tortilla (filling should total about half a cup).

13. Roll once to enclose the fillings. Fold side edges toward the center to enclose, and then roll once more.

14. Place the burrito back into the warm skillet, seam side down.

15. Allow the burrito to sit in the pan on each of four sides for about 1 minute per side.

16. Serve immediately, one at a time. (Alternately, after step 13, arrange several burritos in a single layer in a casserole dish and heat in an oven at 400 degrees for about five minutes to warm through.) ■ BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM | MAY/JUNE 2017 337

dine

DINING GUIDE

CHECK OUT THE ONLINE VERSION OF THE DINING GUIDE AT BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

BETHESDA 4935 BAR AND KITCHEN 4935 Cordell Ave., 301-951-4935, www.4935bar andkitchen.com. The restaurant offers a sleek, modern interior and a young chef-owner serving French and Indian fusion dishes such as spicy chicken confit and tandoori pork chops. The popular upstairs private party room is now called “The Loft at 4935.” L D $$$

AJI-NIPPON 6937 Arlington Road, 301-654-0213. A calm oasis on a busy street, where chef Kazuo Honma serves patrons several kinds of sushi, sashimi, noodle soups, teriyaki and more. Try a dinner box, which includes an entrée, vegetables, California roll, tempura and rice. L D $$

ALATRI BROS. (EDITORS’ PICK) (NEW) 4926 Cordell Ave., 301-718-6427, alatribros.com.

The folks behind Olazzo and Gringos & Mariachis bought Mia’s Pizzas and revamped it with a new name and décor. They kept the Naples-style pies that come from a wood-burning oven, but added small plates and healthy options. Sit in the cheery dining room with green, gray and white accents or under an umbrella on the patio.  L D $$

AMERICAN TAP ROOM 7278 Woodmont Ave., 301- 656-1366, www.amer icantaproom.com. Here’s a classic grill menu featuring sliders, wings and craft beer. Entrées range from BBQ Glazed Meatloaf Dinner with whipped potatoes and green beans to the lighter Crabmeat Omelet. ❂  R L D $$

&PIZZA 7614 Old Georgetown Road, 240-800-4783, www.andpizza.com. Create your own designer pizza from a choice of three crusts, three cheeses and eight sauces or spreads. Toppings for the thin, crispy crusts range from the usual suspects to falafel crumbles, fig marsala and pineapple salsa.

This location of the hip, fast-casual chain has limited seating. L D $

BACCHUS OF LEBANON 7945 Norfolk Ave., 301-657-1722, www.bacchus oflebanon.com. This friendly and elegant Lebanese staple has a large, sunny patio that beckons lunch and dinner patrons outside when the weather is good to try garlicky hummus, stuffed grape leaves, chicken kabobs, veal chops and dozens of smallplate dishes. ❂ L D $$

BANGKOK GARDEN 4906 St. Elmo Ave., 301-951-0670, www.bkkgar den.com. This real-deal, family-run Thai restaurant turns out authentic cuisine, including curries, soups and noodle dishes, in a dining room decorated with traditional statues of the gods. L D $

THE BARKING DOG 4723 Elm St., 301-654-0022, barkingdogbar.com.

A fun place for young adults, with drink specials nearly every night and bar food such as quesadillas and burgers. Salsa dancing on Tuesdays, trivia on

Wednesdays, karaoke on Thursdays and a DJ and dancing Fridays and Saturdays. ❂ L D $

Key

BARREL + CROW 4867 Cordell Ave., 240-800-3253, www.barreland crow.com. Contemporary regional and southern cuisine served in a comfortable setting with charcoal gray banquettes and elements of wood and brick. Menu highlights include Maryland crab beignets, shrimp and grits croquettes and Virginia trout. ❂ R L D $$

BEEFSTEAK

Price designations are for a threecourse dinner for two including tip and tax, but excluding alcohol.

7101 Democracy Blvd. (Westfield Montgomery mall), 301-365-0608, beefsteakveggies.com. The fastcasual spot from chef José Andrés is heavily focused on seasonal vegetables for build-your-own bowls and salads (or pick one of their suggested combinations).

Toppings such as poached egg, chicken sausage and salt-cured salmon are also in the lineup. L D $

$ $$ $$$ $$$$ b  B R L D

BENIHANA 7935 Wisconsin Ave., 301-652-5391, www.beni hana.com. Experience dinner-as-theater as the chef chops and cooks beef, chicken, vegetables and seafood tableside on the hibachi. This popular national chain serves sushi, too. The kids’ menu includes a California roll and hibachi chicken, steak and shrimp entrées. J L D $$

BETHESDA CRAB HOUSE 4958 Bethesda Ave., 301-652-3382, www.bethes dacrabhouse.net. In the same location since 1961, this casual, family-owned dining spot features jumbo lump crabcakes, oysters on the half shell and jumbo spiced shrimp. Extra large and jumbo-sized crabs available year-round; call ahead to reserve. ❂ L D $$

BETHESDA CURRY KITCHEN 4860 Cordell Ave., 301-656-0062, www.bethesda currykitchen.com. The restaurant offers lunch buffet and Southern Indian vegan specialties, served in a spare and casual setting. There are plenty of choices from the tandoor oven, as well as vegetarian, seafood and meat curries. L D $

BGR: THE BURGER JOINT 4827 Fairmont Ave., 301-358-6137, www.bgrthe burgerjoint.com. The burgers are good and the vibe is great at this frequently packed eatery next to Veterans Park. Try the veggie burger, made with a blend of brown rice, black beans, molasses and oats. ❂ J 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 grilled pita and the signature BLZ Chicken Medley, with a grilled, marinated chicken thigh, drumstick and wing basted in a zesty sauce. ❂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. The Dinner Bistro Fare,

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up to $50 $51-$100 $101-$150 $151+ Outdoor Dining Children’s Menu Breakfast Brunch Lunch Dinner

served daily from 5 to 6:30 p.m., offers a choice of appetizer, main course and dessert for $35. ❂ R L D $$$

BLACK’S BAR & KITCHEN (EDITORS’ PICK) 7750 Woodmont Ave., 301-652-5525, www.blacks barandkitchen.com. Customers count on the impeccable use of fresh and local ingredients and enjoy dining on the expansive patio. The bar draws crowds for happy hour. ❂ R L D $$$

BOLD BITE 7940 Norfolk Ave., 301-951-2653, boldbite.net, 202donuts.com. Made-to-order hickory-smoked burgers and salads top the menu at this casual spot. Also here is 202 Artisanal Donut Co. with rotating flavors of doughnuts and locally roasted joe.

At press time, Bold Bite was preparing to move to a new location at 4903 Cordell Ave. J B L D $

BRICKSIDE FOOD & DRINK 4866 Cordell Ave., 301-312-6160, www.brickside bethesda.com. Prohibition-era drinks meet Italian bar bites and entrées. Dishes range from fried pork and waffles to short ribs. Try one of the colorfully named punches, which include Pink Murder Punch and Snow Cone Punch. ❂ R L D $$

CADDIES ON CORDELL 4922 Cordell Ave., 301-215-7730, www.caddies oncordell.com. Twentysomethings gather at this golf-themed spot to enjoy beer and wings specials in a casual, rowdy atmosphere that frequently spills onto the large patio. ❂ J R L D $

CAFÉ DELUXE 4910 Elm St., 301-656-3131, www.cafedeluxe. com. This local chain serves bistro-style American

comfort food in a fun and noisy setting with wood fans and colorful, oversized European liquor posters. Menu options include burgers, entrées, four varieties of flatbread and mussels served three different ways. ❂ J R L D $$

CAVA MEZZE GRILL 4832 Bethesda Ave., 301-656-1772, www.cava grill.com. The guys from Cava restaurant have created a Greek version of Chipotle. Choose the meat, dip or spread for a pita, bowl or salad.

Housemade juices and teas provide a healthful beverage option. ❂ L D $

CESCO OSTERIA 7401 Woodmont Ave., 301-654-8333, www. cesco-osteria.com. Longtime chef Francesco Ricchi turns out Tuscan specialties, including pizza, pasta and foccacia in a big, jazzy space. Stop by the restaurant’s Co2 Lounge for an artisan cocktail before dinner. ❂ L D $$

CHEF TONY’S 4926 St. Elmo Ave., 301-654-3737, www.cheftonys bethesda.com. Chef-owner Tony Marciante focuses on Mediterranean seafood tapas, offering dishes ranging from fish and seafood to chicken, steak and pasta. Desserts include Drunken Strawberries and Classic Creme Brulée. J R L D $$

CITY LIGHTS OF CHINA 4953 Bethesda Ave., 301-913-9501, www.bethes dacitylights.com. Longtime Chinese eatery serves familiar Szechuan and Beijing fare, including six types of dumplings and seven handmade noodle

dishes. Red walls and chocolate-colored booths give the place a sharp look. L D $$

COMMUNITY RESTAURANT & LOUNGE 7776 Norfolk Ave., 301-272-9050, communitybethesda.com. Mark Bucher, founder of the BGR burger and Medium Rare chains, describes Community as “a Miami Beach-Palm Beach coffee shop of the ’40s with American comfort classics” and a sophisticated cocktail menu. The expansive street-level space in the 7770 Norfolk luxury apartment building is filled with color and light—orange chairs, wood paneling, floor-to-ceiling windows. No time to sit down? A walk-up window sells coffee and doughnuts. See our review on page 326. ❂ J L D $$

COOPER’S MILL 5151 Pooks Hill Road, 301-897-9400, coopersmillrestaurant.com/bethesda. The restaurant showcases a modern, stylish menu with stone-oven flatbreads, homemade tater tots and locally sourced produce. Local beers on draft and by the bottle, plus regional bourbon and gin.

Happy hour and private dining are offered. B R L D $$

THE CORNER SLICE 7901 Norfolk Ave., 301-907-7542, www.thecorner slice.net. New York-style pizza, available by the slice or as a 20-inch pie. Specialty pizzas include the spinach-artichoke white pie with ricotta, mozzarella and parmesan and the Buffalo Chicken Pie with blue cheese and hot sauce. ❂ L D $

CRAVE 7101 Democracy Blvd., Suite 1530 (Westfield Montgomery mall), 301-469-9600, cravebethesda. com. Minnesota-based chainlet offers an eclectic melting pot of American dishes, including bison burgers, lobster-and-shrimp flatbread and kogi beef tacos. The restaurant is also known for its extensive selection of wine and sushi. J L D $$

DAILY GRILL One Bethesda Metro Center, 301-656-6100, www.dailygrill.com. Everyone from families to expense-account lunchers can find something to like about the big portions of fresh American fare, including chicken pot pie and jumbo lump crabcakes. ❂ J B R L D $$

DON POLLO 7007 Wisconsin Ave., 301-652-0001, www.donpollo group.com. Juicy, spiced birds and reasonable prices make this Peruvian chicken eatery a go-to place any night of the week. Family meals that serve four or six people available. L D $

DUCK DUCK GOOSE 7929 Norfolk Ave., 301-312-8837, www.ddgbethes da.com. Thirty-five-seat French brasserie owned by chef Ashish Alfred. Small plates include steak tartare, and squid ink spaghetti with Manila clams and Fresno chilies. Among the entrées, look for updates of French classics, such as dry-aged duck with Bing cherries, and halibut with scallop mousse and puff pastry. ❂ L D $$

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MoCo LOCAL

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dine FARYAB AFGHAN CUISINE 4917 Cordell Ave., 301-951-3484. After closing for more than a year, Faryab reopened in 2017 and serves well-prepared Afghani country food, including Afghanistan’s answer to Middle Eastern kabobs, vegetarian entrées and unique sautéed pumpkin dishes, in a whitewashed dining room with native art on the walls. D $$

FISH TACO 10305 Old Georgetown Road (Wildwood Shopping Center), 301-564-6000, fishtacoonline.com. This counter-service taqueria features a full roster of seafood as well as non-aquatic tacos, plus margaritas and other Mexican specialties.

JLD$

FLANAGAN'S HARP & FIDDLE 4844 Cordell Ave., 301-951-0115, www.flanagans harpandfiddle.com. This stylish pub features live music several days a week, Tuesday night poker and Monday quiz nights. In addition to traditional stews and fried fish, Flanagan's offers smoked ribs, salmon and traditional Irish breakfast on weekends. ❂ J B L D $$

GARDEN GRILLE & BAR 7301 Waverly St. (Hilton Garden Inn), 301-6548111. Aside from a breakfast buffet featuring cooked-to-order omelets, waffles, fruit and more, the restaurant offers an extensive menu, from burgers to crabcakes, short ribs and pasta dishes.

J B D $$

GRAPESEED (EDITORS’ PICK) 4865 Cordell Ave., 301-986-9592, www.grapeseed bistro.com. Chef-owner Jeff Heineman, who develops each dish on the frequently updated menu to pair with a specific wine, also offers small plates.

Charcuterie offerings include house-made and artisan meats. L 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 and plenty of tequila.

Voted “Best New Restaurant” by readers in 2015.

LD$

GUAPO’S RESTAURANT 8130 Wisconsin Ave., 301-656-0888, www.guapos restaurant.com. This outpost of a local chain has everything you’d expect: margaritas and chips galore, as well as a handful of daily specials served in festive Mexican surroundings. Perfect for families and dates. J R L D $

GUARDADO’S 4918 Del Ray Ave., 301-986-4920, www.guardados. com. Chef-owner Nicolas Guardado, who trained at Jaleo, opened this hidden gem devoted to LatinSpanish cooking in 2007 and has developed a following with tapas specialties like shrimp and sausage, stuffed red peppers and paella. J L D $

GUSTO ITALIAN GRILL 4733 Elm St., 240-396-6398, gustoitaliangrill.com.

The fast-casual have-it-your-way concept comes to

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Italian fare, with flatbread, pasta and salad as the base options; meatballs, porchetta, grilled chicken and steak as protein pile-ons; toppings such as artichoke hearts, pancetta and Tuscan corn; and several sauces and dressings. Gusto Stix (rolled flatbread with fillings such as cheese, pepperoni and/or mushrooms), gelato pops and cool chandeliers add fun. ❂ J L D $

HANARO RESTAURANT & LOUNGE 7820 Norfolk Ave., 301-654-7851, www.hanaro bethesda.com. The restaurant’s modern dark woods combined with a light-filled dining room brighten its corner location, and the menu includes sushi and Asian fusion main courses such as pad Thai and galbi (Korean ribs). The bar offers a daily happy hour. ❂ L D $$

HECKMAN’S DELICATESSEN & BAR 4914 Cordell Ave., 240-800-4879, www.heckmans deli.com. The deli features all the staples, plus a dinner menu with chicken-in-a-pot and stuffed cabbage. Menu offers long lists of ingredients to build your own salads, sandwiches and egg dishes.

Sweets include rugelach, black-and-white cookies and homemade cheesecake. ❂ J B L D $

HIMALAYAN HERITAGE 4925 Bethesda Ave., 301-654-1858, www.himala yanheritagedc.com. The menu includes North Indian, Nepali, Indo-Chinese and Tibetan cuisines, featuring momos (Nepalese dumplings), Indian takes on Chinese chow mein and a large selection of curry dishes. L D $

HOUSE OF FOONG LIN 4613 Willow Lane, 301-656-3427, www.foonglin. com. The Chinese restaurant features Cantonese, Hunan and Szechuan cuisine, including chef’s recommendations, low-fat choices and lots of traditional noodle dishes. L D $$

HOUSE OF MILAE 4932 St. Elmo Ave., 301-654-1997. The Kang family, who own Milae Cleaners in Bethesda, bring simple Korean dishes to their first food foray. Chef “M&M” Kang prepares home-style fare such as bulgogi, galbi and bibimbap. The kids’ menu has one item: spaghetti, made from the recipe of owner Thomas Kang’s former college roommate’s mother.

JLD$

THE IRISH INN AT GLEN ECHO 6119 Tulane Ave., 301-229-6600, www.irishinn glenecho.com. This historic tavern has been a family home and a biker bar, but its incarnation as the Irish Inn has been delivering smiles and hearty food since 2003. Traditional Irish music on Monday nights and The 19th Street Band on every other Wednesday night, plus live jazz on Thursday nights. ❂ J R L D $$

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 readers in 2017. ❂ R L D $$

JETTIES

LE PAIN QUOTIDIEN

4829 Fairmont Ave., 301-769-6844, www.jetties dc.com. The only suburban location of the popular Nantucket-inspired sandwich shop, which has five restaurants in Northwest Washington, D.C. Aside from the signature Nobadeer sandwich (roasted turkey and stuffing with cranberry sauce and mayonnaise on sourdough), look for large salads and an innovative children’s menu. ❂ J L D $

KADHAI (EDITORS’ PICK) 7905 Norfolk Ave., 301-718-0121, www.kadhai. com. This popular Indian restaurant formerly known as Haandi serves a variety of traditional chicken, lamb and seafood dishes, plus rice and vegetarian dishes and a selection of breads. An extensive lunch buffet is offered daily. ❂ L D $$

KAPNOS KOUZINA (EDITORS’ PICK) 4900 Hampden Lane, 301-986-8500, www.kapnos kouzina.com. This is chef Mike Isabella’s first foray into Maryland and the second outpost based on Kapnos, his D.C. restaurant that spotlights Greek spreads, salads, small plates and roasted meats.

Not to be missed are the pyde, puffed pillows of bread. They are best as spread-dipping vehicles; crusts for topped, pizza-like flatbreads; or sandwich casings for souvlakis. ❂ R L D $$

7140 Bethesda Lane, 301-913-2902; 10217 Old Georgetown Road (Wildwood Shopping Center), 240752-8737, www.lepainquotidien.com. New Yorkbased Belgian-born bakery/restaurant chain with farmhouse vibe, featuring organic breads, European breakfast and dessert pastries, savory egg dishes, soups, Belgian open-faced sandwiches, entrée salads, wine and Belgian beer by the bottle. ❂ JBRLD$

LE VIEUX LOGIS 7925 Old Georgetown Road, 301-652-6816, www.levieuxlogisrestaurantmd.com. The colorful exterior will draw you into this family-run Bethesda institution, but classic French dishes such as Dover sole meunière and mussels in a white wine broth will keep you coming back. ❂ D $$$

LEBANESE TAVERNA 7141 Arlington Road, 301-951-8681, www.lebanese taverna.com. This branch of this long-lived local chain is an elegant spot for dipping puffy pita bread into hummus and baba ghanoush. The rest of the traditional Lebanese mezze are worth a try, too, as are the slow-cooked lamb dishes. Voted “Best Middle Eastern Restaurant” by Bethesda Magazine readers in 2016. ❂ J L D $$

LOUISIANA KITCHEN & BAYOU BAR

LA PANETTERIA 4921 Cordell Ave., 301-951-6433, www.lapanet teria.com. La Panetteria transports diners into a quaint Italian villa with its impeccable service and Old World atmosphere, serving such Southern and Northern Italian classic dishes as homemade spaghetti and veal scaloppine. L D $$

4907 Cordell Ave., 301-652-6945, www.louisiana bethesda.com. The popular Bethesda institution offers a Cajun- and Creole-style menu, complete with divine fried items. The pain perdou and beignets remain a great way to start a Sunday morning. B R L D $

“I’ll have two desserts and a Mimosa please.”

Start with a drink. Then add an appetizer and an entrée. Or two appetizers. Or an entrée and dessert.

Or two desserts.

It’s up to you.

Sundays – 11:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. $31

lafermerestaurant.com 301-986-5255 BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM | MAY/JUNE 2017 LaFerme_Ads_3.375_4.625_v2F.indd 1

6/8/16 5:23 PM

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dine LUKE’S LOBSTER 7129 Bethesda Lane, 301-718-1005, www.lukes lobster.com. This upscale carryout features authentic lobster, shrimp and crab rolls; the seafood is shipped directly from Maine. Try the Taste of Maine, which offers all three kinds of rolls, plus two crab claws.❂ L D $

MAKI BAR 6831 Wisconsin Ave. (Shops of Wisconsin), 301907-9888, www.makibarbethesda.com. This tiny 30-seat Japanese restaurant and sushi bar offers 60-plus kinds of maki rolls, categorized as Classic (tuna roll), Crunch Lover (spicy crunch California roll) and Signature (eel, avocado, tobiko, crab), along with sushi, sashimi, noodle bowls and rice-based entrées. L D $$

MAMMA LUCIA 4916 Elm St., 301-907-3399, www.mammalucia restaurants.com. New York-style pizza dripping with cheese and crowd-pleasing red sauce, and favorites like chicken Parmesan and linguini with clams draw the crowds to this local chain. Gluten-free options available. ❂ L D $$

MEDIUM RARE (NEW) 4904 Fairmont Ave., 301-215-8739, mediumrarerestaurant.com. A prix fixe menu that comes with bread, salad, steak and fries is the sole option at this small chain outpost (there are two Medium Rares in D.C.). Desserts cost extra.

Weekend brunch also features a prix fixe menu.

D $$

MOBY DICK HOUSE OF KABOB 7027 Wisconsin Ave., 301-654-1838, www.mobys kabob.com. This kabob takeout/eat-in mainstay was one of the first kabob places in the area. It makes its own pita bread. The menu includes a variety of salads and vegetarian sandwiches and platters. L D $

MODERN MARKET 4930 Elm St., 240-800-4733, www.modernmarket. com. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner daily, this Bethesda Row eatery is part of a Denver-based chain. The focus is on seasonal, from-scratch fare and ingredients such as nitrate- and hormonefree bacon. Sandwiches, soups, salads and pizza dominate the menu. ❂ J B R L D $

MOMO CHICKEN & GRILL 4862 Cordell Ave., Bethesda, 240-483-0801, www. momofc.com. Skip the breasts, and head for the wings or drumsticks at Bethesda’s first Korean fried chicken spot. Options such as seafood pancakes, bulgogi and bibimbap are part of the extensive offerings, all served in a hip space with framed record albums gracing the walls. ❂ J L D $$

MON AMI GABI

7239 Woodmont Ave., 301-654-1234, www.mon amigabi.com. Waiters serve bistro classics such as 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 readers in 2015. Live jazz Tuesday and Thursday nights. ❂ J R L D $$

SUSHI • SALADS • PASTA • PIZZA BURGERS • STEAK • SEAFOOD WESTFIELD MONTGOMERY MALL • 301.469.9600 • CRAVEAMERICA.COM

$4 HAPPY HOUR • KIDS EAT FREE EVERY DAY • 1/2 PRICED SUSHI TUESDAY 1/2 PRICED BOTTLES OF WINE WEDNESDAYS

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MORTON’S, THE STEAKHOUSE 7400 Wisconsin Ave., 301-657-2650, www.mor tons.com. An ultra-sophisticated steak house serving pricey, large portions of prime-aged beef and drinks. The restaurant is known for a top-notch dinner experience but also offers lunch and a bar menu. L D $$$

MUSSEL BAR & GRILLE 7262 Woodmont Ave., 301-215-7817, www.mus selbar.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, a list that was voted “Best Craft Beer Selection” by readers in 2015. ❂ R L D $$

NOT YOUR AVERAGE JOE’S 10400 Old Georgetown Road, 240-316-4555, www. notyouraveragejoes.com. This Massachusettsbased chain’s moderately priced menu offers burgers, big salads and stone-hearth pizzas, plus entrées including Anything But Average Meatloaf. ❂ J L D $$

OAKVILLE GRILLE & WINE BAR (EDITORS’ PICK) 10257 Old Georgetown Road (Wildwood Shopping Center), 301-897-9100, www.oakvillewinebar.com.

Fresh California food paired with a thoughtful wine list in an elegant, spare setting may not sound unique, but Oakville was one of the first in the area to do so, and continues to do it well. L D $$

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. Founded by brothers Riccardo and Roberto Pietrobono, it was voted “Best Italian Restaurant” by readers in 2016. ❂ L D $$

ORIGINAL PANCAKE HOUSE 7700 Wisconsin Ave., Store D, 301-986-0285, www. ophrestaurants.com. Try one of dozens of pancake dishes, as well as eggs and waffles galore.

JBL$

PASSAGE TO INDIA (EDITORS’ PICK) 4931 Cordell Ave., 301-656-3373, www.passageto india.info. Top-notch, pan-Indian fare by chef-owner Sudhir Seth, with everything from garlic naan to fish curry made to order. Voted “Best Indian Restaurant”

by Bethesda Magazine readers in 2016. ❂ R L D $$

PASSIONFISH BETHESDA 7187 Woodmont Ave., 301-358-6116, passionfish bethesda.com. The second location of Passion Food Hospitality’s splashy seafood restaurant features stunning coastal-themed décor and an extensive menu of shellfish, caviar, sushi, chef’s specialties and fresh catches of the day. Voted “Best Happy Hour” by Bethesda Magazine readers in 2017. J L D $$$

PAUL 4760 Bethesda Ave., 301-656-3285, www.paul-usa. com. Fifth-generation, family-owned French bakery becomes an international chain, with locations in close to 35 countries. Aside from breads and pastries, look for soups, sandwiches and quiche. ❂BLD$

PENANG MALAYSIAN & THAI CUISINE & BAR 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.persim monrestaurant.com. Owners Damian and Stephanie Salvatore’s popular restaurant offers casual fare from salads to sandwiches to meat and seafood entrées in a bistro setting featuring a lively bar, cozy booths and bright paintings on the walls. ❂ R L D $$

PINES OF ROME 4709 Hampden Lane, 301-657-8775. Local celebrities and families gather at this down-home Italian spot for traditional pasta, pizza, fish and seafood at prices that are easy on the wallet. The white pizza is a hit, and don’t forget the spaghetti and meatballs. L D $

PI PIZZERIA 7137 Wisconsin Ave., 240-800-3822, www.pipizza.com. St. Louis-based chain serving thin-crust pizza and deep-dish cornmeal-crust pizza, the latter of which has a thick layer of tomato sauce on top. Customize your own or go for the specialty pies, such as the Southside classic deep pie with Berkshire sausage, mozzarella, onions, green peppers and mushrooms. L D $

PIZZA TEMPO 8021 Wisconsin Ave., 240-497-0000, www.pizza tempo.us. Pizza with a twist, which includes toppings such as sujuk (Mediterranean beef sausage), pistachio mortadella and spicy beef

franks, plus a wide selection of pides (boat-shaped pizzas). Salads, wraps, panini and entrées also available. Limited seating; delivery within about a 3-mile radius. L D $

PIZZERIA DA MARCO (EDITORS’ PICK) 8008 Woodmont Ave., 301-654-6083, www.pizzeria damarco.net. Authentic Neapolitan pizzas fired in a 900-degree Italian brick oven range from the Siciliana with eggplant confit and black olives to the Solo Carne with sausage, pepperoni and salame.

Salads, antipasti and calzones available, too. ❂LD$

POSITANO RISTORANTE ITALIANO 4940-48 Fairmont Ave., 301-654-1717, www. epositano.com. An authentic Italian, family-run restaurant popular for private events, large and small. Colorful rooms are decorated with Italian landscapes, copper pots and hanging plants, and the outdoor patio is one of the most beautiful in the county. ❂ L D $$

PRALINE BAKERY & BISTRO 4611 Sangamore Road, 301-229-8180, www. praline-bakery.com. This sunny restaurant offers a tempting bakery takeout counter, full dining service and a patio. The food, which includes chicken pot pie and pralines, is French with an American accent. ❂ J B R L D $$

RAKU (EDITORS’ PICK) 7240 Woodmont Ave., 301-718-8680, www.raku asiandining.com. Voted “Best Restaurant in Bethesda” by the magazine’s readers in 2017, this casual restaurant has bamboo walls that do little to dampen the noise, but the menu satisfies with everything from sushi to kung pao chicken. ❂ L D $$

REDWOOD RESTAURANT & BAR 7121 Bethesda Lane, 301-656-5515, www.redwood bethesda.com. The upscale wine bar features fresh, local food and California-centric wines. Redwood features a frequently changing menu and in-season farmers market dinners. ❂ J R L D $$

RICE PADDIES GRILL & PHO 4706 Bethesda Ave., 301-718-1862, ricepaddies grill.com. This cute copper-and-green eat-in/carryout makes quick work of Vietnamese favorites such as pork, beef and vegetable skewers infused with lemongrass and the classic beef noodle soup known as pho. L D $

ROCK BOTTOM RESTAURANT & BREWERY 7900 Norfolk Ave., 301-652-1311, www.rock bottom.com. India Pale Ales and specialty dark brews are among the award-winning beers crafted in-house at this cavernous yet welcoming chain, which offers a vast menu. The burgers are the real deal. ❂ J L D $$

RUTH’S CHRIS STEAK HOUSE 7315 Wisconsin Ave., 301-652-7877, www.ruths chris.com. A dark and clubby feel makes this elegant chain popular with families as well as the happy-hour crowd. Don’t skip the fresh seafood choices, which include Caribbean lobster tail and barbecued shrimp. D $$$

SALA THAI 4828 Cordell Ave., 301-654-4676, www.salathai dc.com. This Thai mainstay cooks the classics and offers diners a nearly panoramic view of Woodmont Avenue through huge, curved windows. Live jazz Friday and Saturday evenings. L D $$

we’ve moved re-designed menu more seating

now open for Dinner new location 4903 cordell ave bethesda (301) 951-2653

be bold live bold @BOLDBITE BOLDBIPICS www.boldbite.net

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dine SAPHIRE CAFÉ 7940 Wisconsin Ave., 301-986-9708. A relaxing spot for tasting everything from Maryland-style crab soup to Argentine skirt steak, Saphire pumps it up a notch on Friday and Saturday nights with drink specials and DJs. Tiki bar open Wednesdays through Saturdays. ❂ L D $

SATSUMA 8003 Norfolk Ave., 301-652-1400, satsumajp. com. Bethesda’s first yakiniku (Japanese barbecue) restaurant has built-in grills at each table. Diners select a cut—short rib, chuck rib, skirt or tongue— and prepare it themselves. There’s also an extensive sushi and sashimi menu, as well as interesting cooked dishes. L D $$

SHANGHAI BAO KITCHEN 7101 Democracy Blvd. (Westfield Montgomery mall), 301-365-8866, www.shanghaiveggies.com.

A fast-casual concept offering steamed, then panfried buns (bao) with pork or vegetable fillings, and chicken or shrimp dumplings that share the bill with create-your-own rice noodle or garlic-rice bowls loaded up with veggies, proteins, toppings and sauces. L D $

SHANGHAI VILLAGE 4929 Bethesda Ave., 301-654-7788. Owner Kwok Chueng prides himself on personal attention and recognizing regulars who have been stopping in for his classic Chinese cooking for more than 25 years.

Order the secret recipe Mai Tai. L D $

SHANGRI-LA NEPALESE AND INDIAN CUISINE 7345-A Wisconsin Ave., 301-656-4444, www.shan grilabethesda.com. Northern Indian and Nepali specialties such as butter chicken and fresh flatbreads known as naan shine here. The extensive menu ranges from soups and salads to tandoori and kabobs.J L D $

SHARE WINE LOUNGE & SMALL PLATE BISTRO 8120 Wisconsin Ave. (DoubleTree Hotel), 301-652-2000, www.doubletreebethesda.com/ dining.aspx. Share some buffalo chicken sliders or avocado bruschetta, or go for main courses ranging from Yankee pot roast to cedar plank-roasted salmon. B L D $$

SILVER 7150 Woodmont Ave., 301-652-9780, eatatsilver. com. Upscale, tonier version of the homegrown Silver Diner chain, with modern takes on American classics and an emphasis on healthy, local and organic ingredients. Sleek interior takes its cue from the 1920s. ❂ J B R L D $$

SMOKE BBQ BETHESDA 4858 Cordell Ave., 301-656-2011, www.smokebbq. com. Pulled pork, beef brisket, smoked chicken, ribs and all the fixin’s, plus starters including smoked tomato soup and fried pickles served in a friendly, casual space. Delivery available for orders over $15. J L D $

SOUTH STREET STEAKS 4856 Cordell Ave., 301-215-8333, www.southstreet steaks.com. Even transplanted Philadelphians will admire the cheesesteaks at this local chain’s third location. The shop also offers chicken cheesesteaks, hoagies (that’s Philly-talk for cold subs) and sandwiches called “Phillinis,” a cross between “Philly” and “panini.” J L D $

STROMBOLI FAMILY RESTAURANT 7023 Wisconsin Ave., 301-986-1980, www.strom bolisrestaurant.com. In addition to a large selection of delectable hot Italian sandwiches called

stromboli, this proud family restaurant/carryout features pizzas, subs and pastas at reasonable prices. L D $

SUMA RESTAURANT AND BAR 4921 Bethesda Ave., 301-718-6378, www.suma bethesda.com. Seasonal modern American cooking from chef Gene Sohn, formerly of Mussel Bar & Grille. Dishes include spicy sesame soy wings, deviled eggs with goat cheese, and challah-crusted fried chicken. Also find pizza, including one with duck confit sausage and caramelized onions. The outdoor patio is spacious and inviting. ❂ R L D $$

SWEETGREEN 4831 Bethesda Ave.301-654-7336, sweetgreen. com. The sweetgreen fast-casual chain—with its focus on local and organic ingredients— concentrates on salads (devise your own, or pick from a list) and soups. Look for eco-friendly décor and a healthy sensibility. ❂ L D $

TAKO GRILL 4914 Hampden Lane (The Shoppes of Bethesda), 301-652-7030, www.takogrill.com. Longtime, popular sushi destination relocated to the space formerly occupied by Hinode Japanese Restaurant.

Look for the same traditional sushi menu, plus some new options, such as griddle-cooked teppanyaki at lunch, and more varieties of yakitori at dinner. L D $$

TANDOORI NIGHTS 7236 Woodmont Ave., 301-656-4002, www. tandoorinightsbethesda.com. Located in the heart of downtown Bethesda, the restaurant serves traditional Indian fare ranging from tandoori chicken, marinated in yogurt and spices, to a biryani flavored with saffron, nuts and raisins. ❂ L D $$

TAPABAR (EDITORS’ PICK) 4901-A Norfolk Ave., 240-483-4004, www.tapabar bethesda.com. This small-plates spot shares a kitchen with its sister eatery, Bold Bite. Find reasonably priced tapas—from tomato, garlic and olive oil on toasted bread for $2 to a smoked octopus dish for $12—alongside main entrées such as Spanish seafood risotto. L D $$

TAPP’D BETHESDA 4915 St. Elmo Ave., 240-630-8120, www.tappd bethesda.com. Beer-centric gastropub offering 40plus beers on tap, 100-plus bottles and beer flights.

Food menu includes standard American fare: soups and salads, char-grilled wings, beer-battered onion rings, burgers, brats and mains such as crab cakes, barbecue ribs and beer-can chicken pot pie. Top it off with a root beer float. ❂ J L D $$

TARA THAI 7101 Democracy Blvd. (Westfield Montgomery mall), 301-657-0488, tarathai.com. Thai cuisine goes high style at Bethesda Magazine readers’ pick for “Best Thai Restaurant” in 2016. With colorful murals of ocean creatures looking on, diners can try dishes ranging from mild to adventurous. L D $$

TASTEE DINER 7731 Woodmont Ave., 301-652-3970, www.tastee diner.com. For 80 years, this crowd-pleasing if slightly sagging spot has served up everything from breakfast to burgers to blue-plate specials such as steak and crab cakes to crowds of loyal customers.

Open 24 hours. J B L D $

TAYLOR GOURMET 7280 Woodmont Ave., 301-951-9001, www.taylor gourmet.com. The sandwich shop offers a menu of upscale takes on Philadelphia hoagies, sandwiches and salads made with top-notch ingredients. Check

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out the eggroll appetizer of mozzarella, provolone, hot capicola, Genoa salami, peppers and red onion.

LD$

TIA QUETA 4839 Del Ray Ave., 301-654-4443, www.tiaqueta. com. This longtime family and happy-hour favorite offers authentic Mexican food such as moles and fish dishes, as well as the usual Tex-Mex options.

Menu includes American and Mexican beers. ❂ J L D $$

TOMMY JOE’S 7940 Norfolk Ave., 301-654-3801, www.tommy joes.com. This Bethesda institution is now in the space formerly housing Urban Heights. The second-floor, window-filled corner location suits its sports bar persona, and the vast rooftop is ideal for outdoor drinking and snacking. Fare includes wings (Poho-style, grilled and smoky, are a good option), burgers, crab cakes and ribs. Chunky brisket chili, on its own or on nachos, is a winner. ❂ 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.

D $$

TYBER BIERHAUS 7525 Old Georgetown Road, 240-821-6830, www. tyberbierhausmd.com. Czech, German and Belgian brews served in an authentic beer-hall setting, furnished with the same benches as those used in the Hofbrau brewhouse in Munich. Pub menu features mussels, hearty sandwiches, schnitzel and goulash. R L D $$

UNCLE JULIO’S 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 “Best Kid-Friendly Restaurant” by Bethesda Magazine readers in 2017. ❂ J R L D $$

VILLAIN & SAINT 7141 Wisconsin Ave., 240-800-4700, villainand saint.com. Listen to live music while digging into salt-roasted beets or slow-smoked pork ribs at this hip bar, courtesy of chef Robert Wiedmaier’s RW Restaurant Group. Delightfully dated décor includes lava lamps and photos of late great rock stars.

The menu is divided into hearty dishes (villain) and vegetarian options (saint). ❂ R L D $$

VINO VOLO 7247 Woodmont Ave., 301-656-0916, www.vino volobethesdarow.com. This wine bar and shop features a rustic café serving small plates, cheeses and cured meats, salads, sandwiches, pizza and a few entrées. For dessert, there’s bourbon bread pudding, gelato or sorbetto. ❂ L D $$

VÜK 4924 St. Elmo Ave., 301-652-8000, vukpinball. com. VÜK owner (and MOM’S Organic Market CEO) Scott Nash consulted restaurateur Mark Bucher for the only thing offered on the short menu of his Bethesda pinball arcade other than Trickling Springs Creamery’s soft-serve ice cream: thin-crust New York-style pizza and thick-crust Sicilian pizza sold by the slice or as whole pies: cheese, sausage, pepperoni and mushroom/onion. L D $

WILDWOOD ITALIAN CUISINE 10257 Old Georgetown Road (Wildwood Shopping Center), 301-493-9230, www.

wildwooditaliancuisine.com. The eatery, owned by the adjacent Oakville Grille & Wine Bar, serves up thick-crusted Sicilian-style pizza, pasta and entrées in a casual atmosphere. ❂ L D $$

WILDWOOD KITCHEN (EDITORS’ PICK) 10223 Old Georgetown Road (Wildwood Shopping Center), 301-571-1700, www.wildwoodkitchen rw.com. Chef Robert Wiedmaier’s attractive neighborhood bistro serving fresh and light modern cuisine. Entrées range from Amish chicken with a scallion potato cake to grilled Atlantic salmon with creamy polenta. L D $$

WOODMONT GRILL (EDITORS’ PICK) 7715 Woodmont Ave., 301-656-9755, www. hillstone.com. Part of the Houston’s chain, the eatery offers such classics as spinach-andartichoke dip and its famous burgers, but also house-baked breads, more exotic dishes, live jazz and a granite bar. ❂ L D $$$

YAMAS MEDITERRANEAN GRILL 4806 Rugby Ave., 301-312-8384, www.yamasgrill. com. A friendly staff serves gyros, souvlaki, lemon chicken and other Greek specialties at this sunny café. Dinner entrées include Greek-style chicken and vegetarian mousaka. ❂ J L D $

YUZU 7345-B Wisconsin Ave., 301-656-5234, yuzu bethesda.com. Diners will find authentic Japanese dishes, including sushi, sashimi and cooked tofu, vegetable, tempura, meat and fish dishes, prepared by sushi chef and owner Yoshihisa Ota. L D $$

CABIN JOHN FISH TACO 7945 MacArthur Blvd., 301-229-0900, www.fish tacoonline.com. See Bethesda listing. ❂ J L D $

SAL’S ITALIAN KITCHEN (EDITORS’ PICK) 7945 MacArthur Blvd., 240-802-2370, salsitalian kitchen.net. Persimmon and Wild Tomato owners Damian and Stephanie Salvatore replaced their Asian concept Indigo House with a return to their roots. Find traditional Italian fare, such as bruschetta, risotto balls, Caprese salad, meatball subs, fettuccine Alfredo, chicken cacciatore and shrimp scampi. ❂ 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 Neighborhood Restaurant” by Bethesda Magazine readers in 2017. ❂ J L D $

CHEVY CHASE ALFIO’S LA TRATTORIA 4515 Willard Ave., 301-657-9133, www.alfios.com.

This Northern Italian classic on the first floor of The Willoughby of Chevy Chase Condominium has been feeding families and casual diners for more than 30 years. Look for traditional pasta, veal and chicken dishes (plus pizza), served in an Old World environment. J L D $$

THE CAPITAL GRILLE 5310 Western Ave., 301-718-7812, www.capital grille.com. The upscale steak-house chain, known

for its He-Man-sized portions and extensive wine list, is located in The Shops at Wisconsin Place.

Entrées also include chicken, lamb chops, salmon and lobster.

L D $$$$

CLYDE’S 5441 Wisconsin Ave., 301-951-9600, www.clydes. com. The popular restaurant features a frequently changing menu of American favorites and a collection of vintage airplanes and cars, as well as a model train running on a track around the ceiling. ❂ J R L D $$

FISH TACO 7015 Wisconsin Ave., 301-652-0010, fishtaco online.com. See Bethesda listing. ❂ J L D $

LA FERME (EDITORS’ PICK) 7101 Brookville Road, 301-986-5255, www.la fermerestaurant.com. This charming Provencestyle restaurant serving classic French cuisine is a popular choice for an intimate dinner. Cognac Le Bar at La Ferme, a bar within the restaurant, opened in fall 2016. The bar serves small plates, and cocktails include the French 75, with cognac, simple syrup, lemon juice and champagne. ❂ R L D $$$

LIA'S (EDITORS’ PICK) 4435 Willard Ave., 240-223-5427, www.chefgeoff. com. Owner Geoff Tracy focuses on high-quality, lowfuss modern Italian-American fare at this modern space with a wine room. Pizzas, house-made pastas and fresh fish please business lunchers and dinner crowds. Voted “Best Restaurant in Chevy Chase” by readers in 2017. ❂ J R L D $

MANOLI CANOLI RESTAURANT 8540 Connecticut Ave., 301-951-1818, www.manoli canoli.com. Italian and Greek specialties abound at a fun family eatery that features a large prepared foods section, dishes made with olive oil from owner Stavros Manolakos’ family farm in Greece and homemade mozzarella on pizza and subs. ❂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. There’s also a sushi bar with an extensive menu. A fountain sparkles on the outdoor patio. ❂ L D $$

POTOMAC PIZZA 19 Wisconsin Circle, 301-951-1127, www.potomac pizza.com. This cheery, casual dining room provides a break from the ultra-posh shopping surrounding it. In addition to pizza, subs and pastas are popular.

Beer and wine available. ❂ J L D $

SUSHIKO (EDITORS’ PICK) 5455 Wisconsin Ave., 301-961-1644, www.sushiko restaurants.com. Known as one of the Washington, D.C., area’s most respected sushi restaurants, Sushiko offers a wide range of sushi and other dishes. Kōbō, a restaurant within the restaurant, allows eight people to dine on 12- to 15-course tasting menus. ❂ L D $$

FROM L O C A L FA R M

to

LOCAL TABLE Cooper’s Mill isn’t local because of its zip code, it’s local because it’s tailored with Bethesda in mind.

Here, dishes are packed with hometown flavors from locally sourced ingredients. Pair any meal with a Maryland brewed craft beer and gather in our private dining room to make our home feel like your own.

This is Cooper’s Mill—where being local defines us.

Happy Hour every weekday 4:30 to 7:30

Eat local. Eat well. Visit CoopersMillBethesda.com.

TAVIRA 8401 Connecticut Ave., 301-652-8684, www.tavira restaurant.com. Fish stews and several versions of bacalhau (salted cod) figure prominently on the menu of this intriguing Portuguese restaurant, which manages to be charming and attractive despite its location in an office building basement. L D $$

@CoopersMillMD

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dine

GARRETT PARK BLACK MARKET BISTRO (EDITORS’ PICK) 4600 Waverly Ave., 301-933-3000, www.black marketrestaurant.com. Sublime American bistro fare served in a restored Victorian building next to railroad tracks; the building once served as a general store and still houses a post office. Entrées range from swordfish to a burger and pizza, including several vegetable options. ❂ J R L D $$

KENSINGTON THE DISH & DRAM 10301 Kensington Parkway, 301-962-4046, www. thedishanddram.com. The owners of The Daily Dish in Silver Spring serve comfort food made with local ingredients in a 2,800-square-foot space in Kensington. Steak frites, Maryland crab soup, burgers and house-made desserts are on the menu.

J L D $$

FRANKLY…PIZZA! 10417 Armory Ave., 301-832-1065, www.frankly pizza.com. Owner Frank Linn turns out high-quality pizza in a rustic brick-and-mortar restaurant. The menu offers wood-fired pies topped with home-cured meats and tomato sauce made from an 80-year-old family recipe. Wines and homemade sodas served on tap, too. ❂ L D $

K TOWN BISTRO 3784 Howard Ave., 301-933-1211, www.ktown bistro.com. Try filet mignon, duck breast à l’orange, chicken marsala and other classic continental dishes from this family-run eatery owned by Gonzalo Barba, former longtime captain of the restaurant in the Watergate Hotel. L D $$

NORTH POTOMAC/ GAITHERSBURG &PIZZA 258 Crown Park Ave. (Downtown Crown), 240-4998447, www.andpizza.com. See Bethesda listing. ❂ LD$

ASIA NINE 254 Crown Park Ave. (Downtown Crown), 301-3309997, www.asianinemd.com. Pan Asian restaurant with a first location in Washington, D.C.’s Penn Quarter offers dishes from Vietnam, China, Thailand and Japan. Specialties include grilled lamb chops served with mango-soy coulis and miso honey duck breast drizzled with a sake butter sauce. R L D $$

ATHENS GRILL 9124 Rothbury Drive, 301-975-0757, www.athens grill.com. This casual, friendly, family-run restaurant specializes in authentic Greek cooking, using recipes handed down through generations.

Specialties such as rotisserie chicken, chargrilled salmon with a lemon dill sauce and lamb kabobs are cooked on a hardwood grill. L D $

BARKING MAD CAFE 239 Spectrum Ave., 240-297-6230, www. barkingmadcafe.com. Cooking from a wood hearth and selecting vegetables, herbs and edible flowers from its aeroponic (grown in air/mist but without soil) organic garden, Barking Mad Cafe has a corner spot in Watkins Mill Town Center. Look for made-

from-scratch brunch, lunch and dinner sweets and savories, such as breakfast pizza, watermelon salad and farro salad. ❂ R L D $$

BONEFISH GRILL 82 Market St., 240-631-2401, www.bonefishgrill. com. While fresh fish cooked over a wood fire is the centerpiece of this upscale Florida chain, the steaks, crab cakes and specialty martinis make it a fun option for happy hour and those with hearty appetites. R L D $$

BUCA DI BEPPO 122 Kentlands Blvd., 301-947-7346, www.bucadi beppo.com. The Kentlands outpost of this national chain serves huge, family-style portions of Italian specialties from fresh breads to antipasti and pasta dishes amid a sea of Italian kitsch. Desserts include Italian Creme Cake and Tiramisu.

J L D $$

COAL FIRE 116 Main St., 301-519-2625, www.coalfireonline. com. Homemade crusts fired by coal and topped with your choice of toppings and three different sauces: classic, spicy and signature, which is slightly sweet with a hint of spice. Salads, sandwiches and pasta also available, plus a full bar. ❂LD$

COASTAL FLATS 135 Crown Park Ave. (Downtown Crown), 301-8698800, www.greatamericanrestaurants.com. First Maryland locale for Great American Restaurants, a Fairfax-based chain. Seaside-inspired décor extends to the menu, which offers lobster and shrimp rolls, fried grouper and Key lime pie. Steaks, pasta and burgers also served. ❂ J R L D $$

COPPER CANYON GRILL 100 Boardwalk Place, 240-631-0003, www.ccgrill. com. Large portions of American classics such as salads, ribs and rotisserie chicken prepared with seasonal ingredients at family-friendly prices are the bill of fare at this spacious and casual chain restaurant. J L D $$

DOGFISH HEAD ALEHOUSE 800 W. Diamond Ave., 301-963-4847, www.dogfish alehouse.com. The first Maryland outpost of the popular Rehoboth Beach brewpub, the restaurant is packed with revelers and families clamoring for the Dogfish Head brews, burgers, pizzas and ribs. Check out the burger of the week. ❂ J L D $$

DON POLLO 9083 Gaither Road, 301-990-0981, www.donpollo group.com. See Bethesda listing. ❂ L D $

FIREBIRDS WOOD FIRED GRILL 390 Spectrum Ave., 301-284-1770, gaithersburg. firebirdsrestaurants.com. Part of a chain, this restaurant in the Watkins Mill Town Center cooks steaks and seafood over a wood-fired grill. Designed to look like a Colorado lodge, the eatery tends toward classic fare for entrées (surf-and-turf, salmon, burgers) and dessert (chocolate cake, Key lime pie, carrot cake). ❂ J L D $$

GROWLERS 227 E. Diamond Ave., 301-519-9400, www.growlers restaurant.com. This turn-of-the-century building in downtown Gaithersburg is now a brewpub with regular and seasonal house brews and a full menu, including pizzas, burgers, sandwiches and entrées such as Cajun rigatoni and steak frites. Live music Wednesday through Saturday. ❂ J R L D $

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GUAPO’S RESTAURANT 9811 Washingtonian Blvd., L-17, 301-977-5655, www.guaposrestaurant.com. See Bethesda listing. ❂JRLD$

HERSHEY’S RESTAURANT & BAR 17030 Oakmont Ave., 301-948-9893, www.hersh eysatthegrove.com. Fried chicken that tastes like it was made by an aproned elder is served up in a clapboard building constructed in 1889. Besides the fab fried chicken, Hershey’s serves up warm rolls, inexpensive prices and live music. ❂ J B R L D $$

INFERNO PIZZERIA NAPOLETANA (EDITORS’ PICK)

12207 Darnestown Road, 301-963-0115, inferno-pizzeria.com. Tony Conte, former executive chef of Washington, D.C.’s Oval Room, goes casual with his first restaurant, an authentic Neapolitan pizzeria offering sophisticated toppings such as shaved truffles and garlic confit. Cozy dining room seats 39, with a tiled, wood-burning pizza oven as the centerpiece. D $

IL PORTO RESTAURANT 245 Muddy Branch Road, 301-590-0735, www.il portorestaurant.com. A classic red-sauce menu, elegant murals of Venice and an authentic thin-crust pizza are hallmarks of this friendly, unfussy Italian restaurant tucked in the Festival Shopping Center.

Fried calamari and the white pizza are among customer favorites. ❂ L D $

JOE’S CRAB SHACK 221 Rio Blvd., 301-947-4377, www.joescrabshack. com. This is one of four Maryland locations of the chain, which offers blue crabs from April through August and other varieties year-round, as well as chicken and burgers for landlubbers. Popular with families and young couples. ❂ J L D $$

LE PALAIS 304 Main St., No. 100, 301-947-4051, www. restaurantlepalais.com. Chef-owner Joseph Zaka trips lightly through the dishes of Brittany and Burgundy, adding a modern twist here and there.

Entrées include duck pot-au-feu and cassolette of lamb. D $$$

THE MELTING POT 9021 Gaither Road, 301-519-3638, www.the meltingpot.com. There’s nothing like dipping bits of bread, vegetables and apples into a communal pot of hot cheese to get a date or a party started. The Melting Pot chain also offers wine, oil or broth to cook meat tableside and chocolate fondue for dessert. J D $$

NOT YOUR AVERAGE JOE’S 245 Kentlands Blvd., 240-477-1040, www.notyour averagejoes.com. See Bethesda listing. ❂ J L D $$

OLD TOWN POUR HOUSE 212 Ellington Blvd. (Downtown Crown), 301-9636281, www.oldtownpourhouse.com. One of the eateries from Chicago’s Bottleneck Management restaurant company, this place features more than 90 local and international brews on tap. Classic American cuisine is served in a setting with copperinlaid bars and high ceilings. ❂ L D $$

PALADAR LATIN KITCHEN & RUM BAR 203 Crown Park Ave., 301-330-4400, www. paladarlatinkitchen.com. This Cleveland-based chain covers the spectrum of Latin cuisine, with dishes from Cuba, the Caribbean and Central and South America. From Brazil, there’s feijoada stew; from Cuba, ropa vieja; and from Jamaica, jerk

chicken. Bar selections includes 50 varieties of rum, 15 tequilas and six types of mojitos. ❂ J R L D $$

POTOMAC VILLAGE DELI 625 Center Point Way, 301-299-5770, www.potomacvillagedeli.com. Traditional Jewish deli in the Kentlands, offering all-day breakfast and all the classics, from bagels, smoked fish, knishes, matzo ball soup, corned beef, pastrami and chopped liver to overstuffed combo sandwiches, Reubens, subs, wraps, burgers, salads, pizza and New York cheesecake. J B L D $$

QUINCY’S BAR & GRILLE 616 Quince Orchard Road, 301-869-8200, quincys bar.com. Energetic neighborhood pub with a sports bar atmosphere, Quincy’s also has an extensive menu with wings, pizza, build-your-own burgers and chicken sandwiches, plus entrées including Guinness-braised brisket. Live music is also a big draw. L D $

RED HOT & BLUE 16811 Crabbs Branch Way, 301-948-7333, www. redhotandblue.com. You’ll find generous portions of hickory-smoked barbecue, plus burgers, salads and wraps, and a Southern attitude at this chain popular for its office party takeout and its family-friendly, kitschy roadhouse décor. J L D $

RUTH’S CHRIS STEAK HOUSE 106 Crown Park Ave. (Downtown Crown), 301-9901926, www.ruthschris.com. See Bethesda listing.

D $$$

SARDI’S POLLO A LA BRASA 430 N. Frederick Ave., 301-977-3222, www.sardis chicken.com. Yes, there’s charbroiled chicken, but don’t miss the other Peruvian specialties, especially the ceviche and Salchipapas, a true Peruvian street food of thinly sliced pan-fried beef hot dogs mixed with french fries and served with condiments.

LD$

TANDOORI NIGHTS 106 Market St., 301-947-4007, www.tandoori nightsmd.com. See Bethesda listing. ❂ L D $

TARA THAI 9811 Washingtonian Blvd., L-9, 301-947-8330, www.tarathai.com. See Bethesda listing. ❂ L D $$

TED’S BULLETIN 220 Ellington Blvd. (Downtown Crown), 301-9900600, www.tedsbulletin.com. First Maryland location of the modern diner chainlet from the folks at Matchbox Food Group. Boozy milkshakes, homemade pop tarts and the Cinnamon Roll As Big As Ya Head (served weekends only) are among the specialties. ❂ J B R L D $$

TED’S MONTANA GRILL 105 Ellington Blvd. (Downtown Crown), 301-3300777, tedsmontanagrill.com. First Maryland location of billionaire and bison rancher Ted Turner’s restaurant chain, which uses bison as the showpiece in a humongous selection of dishes, including burgers, meatloaf, nachos and chili.

Soups, salads, American classics and spiked milkshakes also available at this saloon-style eatery. ❂ J L D $$

THAI TANIUM 657 Center Point Way, 301-990-3699, www.thai taniumrestaurant.com. Authentic Thai food laced with lots of chilies and garlic as hot as you like. Try one of the Thai street food dishes, such as roasted pork with Thai herbed sweet sauce and noodle

soups. ❂ J L D $ TOMMY JOE’S 311 Kentlands Blvd., 301-569-4247, www. tommyjoes.com. This second branch of a popular Bethesda bar and restaurant offers bar food (burgers, salads) and entrées such as filet mignon.

There’s a dance floor inside; the outdoor patio has 18 tables and a lounge area with a sofa. ❂ J L D $$

EXPERIENCE AUTHENTIC ITALIAN

UNCLE JULIO’S 231 Rio Blvd. (RIO Washingtonian Center), 240-6322150, www.unclejulios.com. See Bethesda listing. ❂ J R L D $$

VASILI'S KITCHEN 705 Center Point Way, 301-977-1011, www. vasiliskitchen.com. Tan and brown décor lends a cozy vibe to the 124 seats inside this 4,700-squarefoot Kentlands restaurant (another 100 seats are on the patio). The owners ran the popular Vasili’s Mediterranean Grill in another Kentlands location for more than a decade before closing it to focus on Vasili’s Kitchen. The Mediterranean menu is heavy on seafood dishes. ❂ J D $$

THE WINE HARVEST, THE KENTLANDS 114 Market St., 301-869-4008, www.thewine harvest.com. Stop by this popular Cheers-like wine bar locally owned by the Meyrowitz family for a glass of wine or a Belgian beer. The menu includes salads, sandwiches and cheese plates. ❂ L D $

YOYOGI SUSHI 328 Main St., 301-963-0001. A no-nonsense neighborhood sushi place with bright fish tanks, it offers the familiar sushi, teriyaki, tempura dishes, plus seaweed salad, soup, green tea and red bean ice cream. L D $

NOW OFFERING HaPPY HOUR aND WEEKEND BRUNCH aT PIKE & ROSE Open 11 am – 10 am | CarlucciosUSA.com 11826 Trade Street , North Bethesda MD 240-669-4694 @CarlucciosUS

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. ❂ R L D $$

ATTMAN’S DELICATESSEN 7913 Tuckerman Lane (Cabin John Shopping Center & Mall), 301-765-3354, cabinjohn.attmansdeli. com. This landmark Baltimore deli has run a second location in Potomac since 2013. The menu offers the same legendary corned beef, pastrami and other deli specialties. Third-generation owner Marc Attman is at the helm. J B L D $

BROOKLYN’S DELI & CATERING 1089 Seven Locks Road, 301-340-3354, www. brooklynsdelimd.com. From chopped liver to chicken soup, Brooklyn’s serves all the deli specialties, plus more. Think hot pastrami with cole slaw and Russian dressing on pumpernickel. ❂ J B L D $

ELEVATION BURGER 12525-D Park Potomac Ave., 301-838-4010, www. elevationburger.com. Fast-food burgers go organic

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dine and grass-fed at this Northern Virginia-founded chain. Veggie burgers, chicken sandwiches, grilled cheese and a BLT available, too. Shake flavors range from banana to Key lime and cheesecake. ❂LD$

GREGORIO’S TRATTORIA 7745 Tuckerman Lane (Cabin John Shopping Center & Mall), 301-296-6168, www.gregoriostrattoria. com. Proprietor Greg Kahn aims to make everyone feel at home at this family-owned restaurant serving a hit parade of traditional Italian favorites, with all the familiar pasta, pizza, chicken, veal and seafood dishes; the gluten-free menu offers pizza, cheese ravioli and quinoa pastas. J L D $$

THE GRILLED OYSTER CO. (EDITORS’ PICK) 7943 Tuckerman Lane (Cabin John Shopping Center & Mall), 301-299-9888, www.thegrilled oystercompany.com. This Chesapeake-style seafood eatery features small plates, salads, sandwiches and entrées. The sampler of four grilled oysters— with ingredients such as coconut rum and cucumber relish—showcases the namesake item. ❂ J R L D $$

HUNTER’S BAR AND GRILL 10123 River Road, 301-299-9300, www.thehunters inn.com. At this Potomac institution and popular English hunt-themed spot, try a big salad or hamburger for lunch and a traditional pasta dish or filet mignon for dinner with the family. ❂ J R L D $$

LAHINCH TAVERN AND GRILL 7747 Tuckerman Lane (Cabin John Shopping Center & Mall), 240-499-8922, www.lahinchtavernand grill.com. The menu of this sister restaurant to The Irish Inn at Glen Echo commingles Irish standards (traditional sausage roll, shepherd’s pie, bangers and mash, lamb stew) with fare such as Alaskan halibut. Lahinch is a coastal town in Ireland’s County Clare. J R L D $$$

LOCK 72 KITCHEN & BAR (EDITORS’ PICK) 10128 River Road, 301-299-0481, lock72.com.

Well-known chef Robert Wiedmaier’s RW Restaurant Group runs this upscale American pub (formerly called River Falls Tavern). Entrées include crab cakes, fish tacos, grilled bronzino, a New York strip steak and steak frites. ❂ R L D $$

MIX BAR AND GRILLE 9812 Falls Road, 301-299-3000, www.mixbarand grille.com. This casual spot serves charcuterie and cheese plates, brick-oven flatbreads and other light fare. The space is modern and hip, with tall, white banquettes, Plexiglas chairs, five big-screen TVs, and a 20-seat bar. Look for lots of wines by the glass and beers on tap. L D $$

MOCO’S FOUNDING FARMERS 12505 Park Potomac Ave., 301-340-8783, www.we arefoundingfarmers.com. Farm-inspired fare in a modern and casual setting; this is the sister restaurant to the phenomenally popular downtown D.C. Founding Farmers. Bethesda Magazine readers chose it as “Best Restaurant in Potomac,” "Best Bar" and "Best Brunch" in 2017. Try the warm cookies for dessert. ❂ B R L D $$

NORMANDIE FARM RESTAURANT 10710 Falls Road, 301-983-8838, www.popovers. com. This fine-dining French restaurant, open since 1931, strives to preserve its classical heritage while embracing new traditions. Dinner entrées run from seafood to beef and lamb. The restaurant offers quick service, a casual café option and a violinist at afternoon tea. ❂ J R L D $$

O’DONNELL’S MARKET 1073 Seven Locks Road, 301-251-6355, www. odonnellsmarket.com. This market, from the family that ran O’Donnell’s restaurants in Montgomery County for decades, features a 10-seat bar for lunch and happy hour (11:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.).

The menu includes a raw bar, salads and many O’Donnell’s classics, among them a lump-filled crab cake sandwich, salmon BLT, seafood bisque and crab gumbo. ❂ L $

OLD ANGLER’S INN 10801 MacArthur Blvd., 301-365-2425, www.old anglersinn.com. Open since 1860 and known for its refined American food and beautiful fireplaces and grounds, it features live music on weekends.

Signature cocktails include hard cider sangria and a pumpkin pie martini. Voted “Best Outdoor Dining”

by Bethesda Magazine readers in 2017. ❂ R L D $$$

POTOMAC PIZZA 9812 Falls Road, 301-299-7700, www.potomac pizza.com. See Chevy Chase listing. J L D $

RENATO’S AT RIVER FALLS 10120 River Road, 301-365-1900, www. renatosatriverfalls.net. The Italian restaurant offers fish dishes among its menu of pastas and classics such as penne with eggplant, and chicken parmigiana. Traditional Italian desserts include tiramisu, profiteroles and cannolis. ❂ J L D $$

SUGO OSTERIA 12505 Park Potomac Ave., 240-386-8080, www.eat sugo.com. The Greek guys who own Cava Mezze and Cava Mezze Grill partner with Mamma Lucia restaurants to serve Italian small plates, meatballs, sliders, pizza and pasta. Chef specialities include blue crab gnocchi and charred octopus. ❂ R L D $$

TALLY-HO RESTAURANT 9923 Falls Road, 301-299-6825, www.tallyho restaurant.com. A local fixture since 1968, the eatery serves an expansive diner-style menu with Greek and Italian specialties. Choose from options ranging from burgers and deli sandwiches to pizza, calzones and dinner entrées. ❂ J B L D $

THE WINE HARVEST 12525-B Park Potomac Ave., 240-314-0177, www.thewineharvest.com. See Gaithersburg listing. ❂LD$

ZOËS KITCHEN 12505 Park Potomac Ave., Suite 120, 240-3281022, www.zoeskitchen.com. The first Maryland outpost of a Birmingham, Alabama, fast-casual chain, Zoës features Mediterranean dishes such as kabobs, hummus and veggie pita pizzas. It specializes in takeout dinner for four for under $30. ❂JLD$

ROCKVILLE/ NORTH BETHESDA A & J RESTAURANT (EDITORS’ PICK) 1319-C Rockville Pike, 301-251-7878, www. aj-restaurant.com. Northern dim sum is the specialty at this hard-to-find cash-only spot in the Woodmont Station shopping center. Warm-colored walls surround the crowd digging into thousand-layer pancakes and fresh tofu. R L D $

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AL CARBÓN 200 Park Road, 301-738-0003, www.alcarbon restaurant.com. Serving authentic Latin American fare across the street from the Rockville Metro station, this unassuming roadhouse has a loyal following for its arepas, empanadas, tapas and more. Try one of the natural juices including mango and tamarindo. ❂ B L D $

AMALFI RISTORANTE ITALIANO 12307 Wilkins Ave., 301-770-7888, www.amalfi rockville.com. A family-run, red-sauce Italian restaurant with specialties including white pizza and lasagna. Lots of antipasti choices, too. The gazebo is a charming spot to dine during the summer.

J L D $$

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. Chef’s specials include pineapple fried rice and grilled salmon. L D $

&PIZZA 11626 Old Georgetown Road (Pike & Rose), 240621-7016, www.andpizza.com. See Bethesda listing. ❂ L D $

BOB'S SHANGHAI 66 305 N. Washington St., 301-251-6652. Dim sum and rice and noodle dishes are the specialties at this popular eatery offering Taiwanese, Shanghai and Sichuan cuisine. It’s also one of the area’s top destinations for soup dumplings, where you can even watch the chefs making them in a glassenclosed booth. R L D $

BOMBAY BISTRO 98 W. Montgomery Ave., 301-762-8798, www.bom baybistro.com. Bombay Bistro opened in 1991 as one of the first Indian restaurants in the area to combine high style, reasonable prices and a fresh take on traditional Indian, and it has been packed ever since. House specialties include tandoori lamb chops and shrimp and scallops masala. J L D $$

BONCHON CHICKEN 107 Gibbs St., Unit A (Rockville Town Square), 301637-9079, www.bonchon.com. International fried chicken franchise with Korean roots serves up wings, drumsticks and strips with soy-garlic or spicy hot garlic sauce, plus other traditional offerings such as bulgogi, bibimbap and scallion seafood pancakes. L D $

BRIO TUSCAN GRILLE 20 Paseo Drive, 240-221-2691, www.brioitalian. com. Look for a wide range of Tuscan dishes served in a handsome setting. House specialties run from the traditional, such as lasagna Bolognese al forno, to the modern, including grilled chicken and quinoa salad. ❂ J R L D $$

CARLUCCIO’S CAFFE, RESTAURANT AND ITALIAN MARKET 11826 Trade St. (Pike & Rose), 240-669-4694, www.carlucciosusa.com. Part of a British chain, Carluccio’s occupies 4,600 square feet, offering full-service breakfast (pannetone French toast, eggs Benedict), lunch and dinner with a wide range of soups, antipasti, pastas, salads and entrées. There is also an onsite market for items such as salumi, cheeses, salads and olive oil. ❂ J B R L D $$

CAVA MEZZE (EDITORS’ PICK) 9713 Traville Gateway Drive, 301-309-9090, www. cavamezze.com. The dark and elegant Cava offers small plates of everything from fried Greek cheese,

octopus and orzo in cinnamon tomato sauce to crispy pork belly and macaroni and cheese. There are martini specials, too. ❂ R L D $$

CHINA BISTRO 755 Hungerford Drive, 301-294-0808. Extensive Chinese menu features many familiar favorites, but this is the place to go for dumplings. With tender dough wrappers and chock-full interiors, these beauties come 12 to an order and with 16 different filling choices. Fresh, uncooked dumplings are also available for carryout. L D $

CHUY’S 12266 Rockville Pike (Federal Plaza), 301-6032941, www.chuys.com. Drawing inspiration from New Mexico, Mexican border towns, the Rio Grande Valley and Texas’s deep south, Chuy’s is part of a family-friendly chain that serves up a Tex-Mex experience. Colorful food meets colorful décor, where “If you’ve seen one Chuy’s, you’ve seen one Chuy’s” rings true—eclectic collectibles give each location its own flare. Free chips are served out of a car trunk display. L D J $

CITY PERCH KITCHEN + BAR 11830 Grand Park Ave. (Pike & Rose), 301-2312310, www.cityperch.com. Located above the entrance to the iPic Theaters at Pike & Rose, City Perch offers creative, seasonal American cuisine in a rustic, inviting space. The menu includes rawbar selections, small plates, shareable salads and entrée options such as grilled shrimp and Long Island duck. ❂ R L D $$$

CUBAN CORNER 825 Hungerford Drive, 301-279-0310, www. cubancornerrestaurant.com. Pork and empanadas shine at this small space brimming with ethnic pride (there’s a tribute wall to famous Cuban-Americans).

Don’t skip the Cuban coffee or the Cuban sandwich, a sub bursting with ham, pickles and tangy mustard.

LD$

DEL FRISCO’S GRILLE 11800 Grand Park Ave. (Pike & Rose), 301-8810308, delfriscosgrille.com. This is the Texasbased chain’s second location in the area. Look for upscale takes on American comfort foods, such as filet mignon meatloaf and short rib stroganoff, plus trendy items such as kale and Brussels sprouts salad, deviled eggs, flatbreads and ahi tuna tacos.

Plenty of burgers, sandwiches and salads, too. ❂ R L D $$

DON POLLO 2206 Veirs Mill Road, 301-309-1608, www.don pollogroup.com. See Bethesda listing. L D $

EAST PEARL RESTAURANT 838-B Rockville Pike, 301-838-8663, www.east pearlrestaurant.com. Choose from many options of Hong Kong cuisine, including familiar dishes featuring chicken, beef, poultry, pork and even duck, as well as those for adventurous tastes. Try the soups ranging from egg drop to seafood with bean curd. L D $

EL MARIACHI RESTAURANT 765-D Rockville Pike, 301-738-7177, www.el mariachirockville.com. Serving Tex-Mex and South American food in a bright, pleasant space made lively with colorful art. In addition to the usual enchiladas, tacos and burritos, look for Peruvian seafood and Cuban beef specialties. L D $

EL PATIO 5240 Randolph Road, 301-231-9225, www.elpatio international.com. This bustling café with pretty green umbrellas on the patio serves up the

traditional meat-heavy dishes of Argentina, as well as pizzas and freshly made baked goods. Look for mouth-watering empanadas, beef tongue and sausage specialties. ❂ J B L D $

57th

FAR EAST RESTAURANT 5055 Nicholson Lane, 301-881-5552, www.fareast rockvillemd.com. Owned and operated by the same family since 1974, this classic Chinese restaurant greets customers with two royal stone lions out front and sticks to the familiar Chinese-American basics. Check out the daily specials and dim sum menu. L D $$

FINNEGAN’S WAKE IRISH PUB 100 Gibbs St. (Rockville Town Square), 301-3398267, finneganswakerockville.com. Irish pub with a nice selection of bourbons, whiskeys and Irish beers and a very limited bar menu offering such fare as bangers and mash, poutine (french fries, gravy and cheese curds), a chicken club sandwich, fish and chips, wings and a burger. L D $

FLOR DE LUNA 11417 Woodglen Drive, 240-242-4066, www. flordelunamd.com. Latin American fare includes tamales and lomo saltado (a stir-fry of beef and peppers) at this 75-seat restaurant near Whole Foods Market. Tacos, nachos and quesadillas are also in the lineup. Finish off your meal with the tres leches (three milks) cake. ❂ J R 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. Three-dollar pasta dishes available on Monday nights and half-price bottles of wine on Tuesdays. ❂ J R L D $$

Pizza, Pasta, & More!

GORDON BIERSCH 200-A E. Middle Lane (Rockville Town Square), 301340-7159, www.gordonbiersch.com/restaurants.

The national brewpub chain prides itself on house beers and friendly service. The shiny bar is boisterous, and the menu includes bar favorites with some barbecue and Asian touches, small plates, salads, pizza and flatbreads. J L D $$

GRAND FUSION CUISINE 350 East Fortune Terrace, 301-838-2862, grand fusionrestaurant.com. Diners will find something for everyone seeking a taste of the Asian continent, a full sushi bar, and Chinese, Malaysian and Singaporean specialties. Chef’s specials include Crispy Eggplant in Spicy Orange Sauce and Double Flavored Shrimp. ❂ L D $

HARD TIMES CAFÉ 1117 Nelson St., 301-294-9720, www.hardtimes. com. Good American beer selections, hearty chili styles ranging from Cincinnati (cinnamon and tomato) to Texas (beef and hot peppers), and hefty salads and wings bring families to this Wild Weststyle saloon for lunch and dinner. L D $

HELEN’S 11120 Rockville Pike, 202-483-4444, helensonthepike.com. Caterer Helen Wasserman serves her signature Asian-American fusion cooking at her 30-seat jewel box eatery (with two large outdoor patios), formerly Addie’s. Dumplings, cheese wontons with guacamole, salmon in phyllo, grilled lamb chops with herbed yogurt, and lump crab cake with shrimp sauce are highlights. ❂ J R L D $$

4916 Elm Street (301) 907 – 3399

www.MammaLuciaRestaurants.com

5 Other Local Locations Dine In, Carryout, & Delivery

Weekly Deals

Starting at 3pm

Monday: Buy 1 Pasta Entrée, Get 1 $3.99 (Dine-in, Carryout, & Delivery)

Tuesday: Buy 1 Large Pizza, Get 1 $2.99 (Carryout & Delivery)

Wednesday: ½ Price Bottles of Wine (Dine-in Only)

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dine HINODE JAPANESE RESTAURANT 134 Congressional Lane, 301-816-2190, www. hinoderestaurant.com. Serving traditional Japanese cuisine since 1992. All-you-can-eat lunch and weekend dinner buffet offers 40 types of sushi, 14 hot foods and a salad bar. Check out the patio with full bar service. L D $$

IL PIZZICO 15209 Frederick Road, 301-309-0610, www. ilpizzico.com. Setting aside the strip mall location and lack of pizza (il pizzico means “the pinch” in Italian), chef-owner Enzo Livia’s house-made pasta dishes, gracious service and extensive wine list of mainly Italian wines make even a weeknight meal feel special. L D $$

JOE’S NOODLE HOUSE 1488-C Rockville Pike, 301-881-5518, www.joes noodlehouse.com. Chinese ex-pats and many other customers consider the Szechuan specialties (soft bean curd with spicy sauce and hot beef jerky) among the area’s best examples of gourmet Chinese cooking. L D $

LA BRASA LATIN CUISINE 12401 Parklawn Drive, 301-468-8850, www.labrasa rockville.com. A bold, yellow awning marks the unlikely industrial location of the popular La Brasa.

Customers rave about the rotisserie chicken, lomo saltado (Peruvian marinated steak), Salvadoran pupusas and Tres Leches. ❂ L D $

LA CANELA (EDITORS’ PICK) 141-D Gibbs St. (Rockville Town Square), 301251-1550, www.lacanelaperu.com. Sophisticated, modern Peruvian cooking shines in a regally furnished dining room in a yellow stucco building graced with curvy black ironwork. The menu includes artfully prepared seafood, pork, chicken and beef dishes. ❂ L D $

LA LIMEÑA RESTAURANT 765 Rockville Pike, 301-424-8066, lalimena restaurant.com. Diners can choose dishes such as beef hearts, tripe and homemade pastries in this tiny but well-appointed eatery. Desserts include passion fruit mousse and vanilla flan. And of course, there’s rotisserie chicken to go. L D $

LA TASCA 141 Gibbs St., Suite 305 (Rockville Town Square), 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, including Paella Mixta with chicken, shrimp, chorizo, scallops, mussels, squid and clams. ❂ R L D $$

LEBANESE TAVERNA CAFÉ 1605 Rockville Pike, 301-468-9086; 115 Gibbs St. (Rockville Town Square), 301-309-8681; www. lebanesetaverna.com. A casual and pleasant family spot for lunch or dinner after shopping on Rockville Pike, the café is a more casual offshoot of the local Lebanese Taverna chain, serving hummus, pita, falafel, chicken and lamb kabobs. J L D $

LIGHTHOUSE TOFU & BBQ 12710 Twinbrook Parkway, 301-881-1178. In addition to the numerous tofu dishes ranging from Mushroom Tofu Pot to Seafood Beef Tofu Pot, diners at this Korean stalwart can try barbecue, stirfried specialties and kimchee, the national dish of pickled cabbage. L D $

LITTLE DIPPER HOT POT HOUSE (NEW) 101 Gibbs St. (Rockville Town Square), 301-6057321. An offshoot of an Asian restaurant in Virginia, this 90-seat restaurant serves individual fondue-

style meals. Pick a pot base (including miso and curry), the level of spiciness, the protein and the starch (either rice or noodles), and cook your food right at your table in a bowl of hot stock. J 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. ❂ L D $$

MATCHBOX VINTAGE PIZZA BISTRO (EDITORS’ PICK)

1699 Rockville Pike, 301-816-0369, www.matchbox rockville.com. Look for mini-burgers, a “ginormous meatball” appetizer and thin-crusted pizza with toppings including herb-roasted chicken and portobella mushrooms or fire-roasted red peppers and Spanish onions served in a super-cool space in Congressional Plaza. ❂ J R L D $

MELLOW MUSHROOM 33-A Maryland Ave. (Rockville Town Square), 301294-2222, mellowmushroom.com. Bright retro décor adorns this 200-seat branch of the popular pizza chain, including a wall with more than 1,000 Coke bottles. The lineup: craft beers and over-thetop pies (including one with roasted red potatoes, bacon, caramelized onions, cheddar and mozzarella cheeses, ranch dressing and sour cream). ❂JLD$

MICHAEL’S NOODLES 10038 Darnestown Road, 301-738-0370, www. michaelsnoodles.com. Extensive Taiwanese menu at this popular strip mall eatery includes dim sum, mixed noodle dishes, noodle soup and unusual specialties, such as Shredded Chicken with Jelly Fish and Stewed Pork Intestine and Duck Blood.

LD$

MI RANCHO 1488 Rockville Pike, 240-221-2636, www.mirancho texmexrestaurant.com. You’ll find a boisterous party atmosphere every night at a place where customers can count on standard Tex-Mex fare at good prices.

The outdoor patio, strung with colorful lights, is the place to be in nice weather. ❂ L D $

MISO FUSION CAFÉ 33-E Maryland Ave. (Rockville Town Square), 240614-7580, www.misofusioncafe.com. This 65-seat Korean-Japanese fusion restaurant features: yakatori (grilled marinated skewers of chicken, beef, shrimp); ramen bowls; katsu (breaded, deep-fried cutlets) bowls with rice, vegetables, scallions and egg; chicken, beef or pork katsu stuffed with mozzarella cheese and other fillings; and Korean BBQ of chicken, sliced beef, teriyaki salmon and spicy pork belly. L D $

MOA 12300 Wilkins Ave., 301-881-8880, moakorean restaurant.weebly.com. A welcoming Korean restaurant in the midst of an industrial stretch.

Try the seafood pancake appetizer—a satisfying, crispy frittata bursting with squid, clams, shrimp and scallions. Dol Sot Bibimbap, a mix of rice, vegetables and protein in a hot pot, is a customer favorite. L D $

MODERN MARKET 1627 Rockville Pike (Congressional Plaza), 301603-2953, www.modernmarket.com. See Bethesda listing. ❂ J B R 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

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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 with Mediterranean blue accents on a busy street, Mykonos Grill turns out legs of lamb and fresh seafood expected at any good Greek restaurant. ❂ L D $$

NAGOYA SUSHI 402 King Farm Blvd., Suite 130, 301-990-6778, nagoyasushimd.com. Cheery yellow walls decorated with shelves of Japanese knickknacks greet customers who come for the large selection of sushi at this unassuming sushi spot in King Farm.

L D $$

NANTUCKET’S REEF 9755 Traville Gateway Drive, Rockville, 301-2797333, www.nantucketsreef.com. This casual New England-style eatery offers a wide range of reasonably priced seafood dishes, including raw and baked oysters, stuffed cod, fried Ipswitch clams, seafood tacos, tuna and salmon salads, and lobster items. Signature cocktails are made with Nantucket Nectars juices. ❂ R L D $$

NICK’S CHOPHOUSE 700 King Farm Blvd., 301-926-8869, www.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 crab cakes. Signature steaks include slow-roasted prime rib weighing 10 to 32 ounces. Separate bar menu. ❂ L D $$

NIWANO HANA JAPANESE RESTAURANT 887 Rockville Pike, 301-294-0553, www.niwano hana.com. Clean Asian décor and elegant wooden screens greet diners at this friendly and busy sushi spot located in Wintergreen Plaza. There are the usual sushi rolls, plus creative options such as a Spicy Scallop Roll with mayonnaise and chili peppers, noodle dishes, teriyaki and yakitori. L D $$

ORIGINAL PANCAKE HOUSE 12224 Rockville Pike, 301-468-0886, www.oph restaurants.com. See Bethesda listing. J B L $

OWEN’S ORDINARY 11820 Trade St. (Pike & Rose), 301-2451226, owensordinarymd.com. This Americanstyle restaurant, barroom and beer garden from Neighborhood Restaurant Group boasts 50 rotating drafts and more than 150 types of bottled beer. The 175-seat restaurant serves salads, burgers, beef, pork and fondue entrées, and those looking to grab a drink can make the most of the space’s 60-seat beer garden. ❂ R L D $$

PALADAR LATIN KITCHEN & RUM BAR 11333 Woodglen Drive, 301-816-1100, paladarlatin kitchen.com. See Gaithersburg listing. ❂ J R L D $$

PETER CHANG (EDITORS’ PICK) 20-A Maryland Ave. (Rockville Town Square), 301838-9188, peterchangarlington.com. Chef Peter Chang’s only restaurant in Maryland showcases his Szechuan specialties in an apricot-walled dining space. Garnering a cult-like following over the years, Chang is best known for dishes such as dry-fried eggplant, crispy pork belly and duck in a stone pot.

L D $$

PHO 75 771 Hungerford Drive, 301-309-8873. The restaurant is one of the Washington area’s favorite spots for the Vietnamese beef noodle soup known as pho. Soup can be customized with bean sprouts, Thai basil, chilies, lime, and hot and hoisin sauces.

Beverages include interesting options such as Iced Salty Pickled Lemon Juice. L D $

PHO 95 785-H Rockville Pike, 301-294-9391. Pho, the Vietnamese beef noodle soup, is king here. Other offerings include fat rice-paper rolls of shrimp, noodles and herbs with a sweet and spicy peanut sauce, Grilled Lemon Grass Chicken and Grilled Pork Chop and Shredded Pork Skin. L D $

PHO HOA BINH 11782 Parklawn Drive, 301-770-5576, www.pho hoa.com. This pleasant pho restaurant offers the full gamut of variations on the beef noodle soup, plus about a dozen grilled entrées. The Adventurer’s Choice features “unusual” meats, including tendon, tripe and fatty flank. The Vietnamese iced coffee is divine. L D $

PHO NOM NOM 842 Rockville Pike, 301-610-0232, www.phonom nom.net. As the name suggests, the specialty is pho, but there are also grilled dishes, noodles and the Vietnamese sandwich known as banh mi. House specials include Vietnamese beef stew and pork and shrimp wontons. L D $

PHOLUSCIOUS VIETNAMESE GRILL 10048 Darnestown Road, 301-762-2226, www. pholuscious.com. This casual restaurant and bar is home to traditional Vietnamese cooking, with fresh ingredients, minimal use of oil and many herbs and vegetables. The menu features pho, noodle dishes, rice plates and lots of protein dishes. Beverages include bubble tea, smoothies, beer and wine.

L D $$

PIZZA CS 1596-B Rockville Pike, 240-833-8090, www. pizzacs.com. Authentic Neapolitan pies are offered in a sub-shop atmosphere. Choose from a list of red and white pizza options, or build your own pie with herbs, cheeses, meats and vegetables. ❂ J L D $

POTOMAC PIZZA 9709 Traville Gateway Drive, 301-279-2234, www. potomacpizza.com. See Chevy Chase listing. ❂ JLD$

QUENCH 9712 Traville Gateway Drive, 301-424-8650, www. quenchnation.com. Urban bar scene in the suburbs, with unique cocktails and contemporary American cuisine. Lots of starter options to try, plus salads, entrées, sandwiches and burgers, and three Asian dishes including pad Thai. ❂ J R L D $$

QUINCY’S SOUTH BAR & GRILLE 11401 Woodglen Drive, 240-669-3270, quincys bar.com. See North Potomac/Gaithersburg listing. ❂LD$

ROCKLANDS BARBEQUE AND GRILLING COMPANY 891-A Rockville Pike, 240-268-1120, www.rock lands.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, jalapeño, fish eggs and vegetables) to a Philadelphia Roll (smoked salmon, cream cheese and avocado). J L D $

VIETNAMESE NOODLES AND GRILL

SADAF HALAL RESTAURANT 1327-K Rockville Pike, 301-424-4040. An elegant alternative to the run-of-the-mill kabob places dotting Rockville Pike, Sadaf is pristine, with lace curtains and glass mosaic tiles in front. In addition to kabobs, it offers Persian curries and fish dishes. ❂ JLD$

SAM CAFÉ & MARKET 844 Rockville Pike, 301-424-1600, www.samcafe market.com. Fill up on the kitchen’s juicy skewered meats or interesting entrées, including pomegranate molasses stew and marinated grilled salmon, then have a gelato and check out the hookahs. ❂ LD$

SAMOVAR 201 N. Washington St. (Rockville Town Square), 240-671-9721, www.samovarrestaurant.com.

Chicken Kiev, plov (a lamb-and-rice dish) and borscht are among the long list of Russian and central Asian dishes here. Infused vodkas and Russian and Ukrainian beers are available. A framed wolf pelt adorns one wall. J R L D $$

SEASONS 52 (EDITORS’ PICK) 11414 Rockville Pike, 301-984-5252, www. seasons52.com. A fresh, seasonal menu featuring items under 475 calories. Choose from flatbreads including Blackened Steak & Blue Cheese and Grilled Garlic Pesto Chicken to entrée salads to meat and seafood dishes. Nightly piano music. ❂ L D $$

SEVEN SEAS 1776 E. 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.

LD$

SHEBA RESTAURANT 5071 Nicholson Lane, 301-881-8882, www.sheba rockville.com. The menu features authentic Ethiopian cuisine with lots of vegetarian and vegan options. House specialties include Dulet Assa, chopped tilapia mixed with onion, garlic and jalapeño and served with a side of homemade cheese. L D $

10048 Darnestown Road Rockville, MD 20850

301.762.2226 WWW.PHỞLUSCIOUS.COM SHOP OUR MARKET

SEAFOOD BUTCHER BAKERY RAW BAR CATERING COUNTER

SIDEWALK DINING

SICHUAN JIN RIVER 410 Hungerford Drive, 240-403-7351, www.sichuan jinriver.com. Customers find terrific Sichuan cuisine served in a no-frills setting. Take the plunge and try something new with the authentic Chinese menu, including 23 small cold plates. L D $

SILVER DINER 12276 Rockville Pike, 301-770-2828, www.silver diner.com. Customers flock to this trendy diner that still offers tableside jukeboxes. 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. Chef and owner Sudhir

1073 SEVEN LOCKS ROAD POTOMAC, MD 20854 301.251.6355

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dine Seth, who also owns Bethesda’s Passage to India, serves up small plates and dishes that reflect the history of culinary influences on India. Try the allyou-can-eat lunchtime buffet. ❂ J R L D $$

STANFORD GRILL 2000 Tower Oaks Blvd., 240-582-1000, www.the stanfordgrill.com. From the Blueridge Restaurant Group, owner of Copper Canyon Grill restaurants, comes this 300-seat American eatery on the ground floor of an office building. Salads, burgers, steaks and seafood, plus sushi, with an eye toward highquality. ❂ R L D $$

STELLA BARRA PIZZERIA 11825 Grand Park Ave. (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.

Look for crisp crusts with chewy centers topped with butternut squash and candied bacon or housemade pork sausage and fennel pollen. Italian wines available. ❂ R L D $$

SUMMER HOUSE SANTA MONICA (EDITORS’ PICK)

11825 Grand Park Ave. (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 D $$

SUPER BOWL NOODLE HOUSE 785 Rockville Pike, 301-738-0086, www.superbowl noodlehouse.com. Look for a large variety of Asian noodle dishes in super-size portions, plus a big selection of appetizers. Also, bubble tea and desserts, including Sweet Taro Root Roll and Black Sugar Shaved Ice. ❂ L D $

SUSHI DAMO 36-G Maryland Ave. (Rockville Town Square), 301340-8010, www.sushidamo.com. A slice of New York sophistication, this elegant restaurant offers sushi à la carte or omakase, chef’s choice, plus beef and seafood entrées and an impressive sake list. L D $$

SUSHI HOUSE JAPANESE RESTAURANT 1331-D Rockville Pike, 301-309-0043. A tiny, plain restaurant serving a large selection of fresh sushi, including sushi and sashimi combinations. Lunch specials for under $7. It’s popular, so be prepared to wait. L D $$

SUSHI OISHII 9706 Traville Gateway Drive, 301-251-1177, www. sushioishii.com. This charming sushi bar in the Traville Gateway Center offers friendly service and 24 specialty sushi rolls, bento boxes and a few grilled items, including beef, poultry and seafood teriyaki. L D $$

TAIPEI TOKYO 14921-D Shady Grove Road (Fallsgrove Village Center), 301-738-8813; 11510-A Rockville Pike, 301-881-8388; www.taipei-tokyo.net. These sister restaurants offer a sizable roster of Chinese, Japanese and Thai dishes. The Fallsgrove Village location is the younger and sleeker of the two, with full sit-down service. The older sister, opened in 1993, is more like a noodle shop/cafeteria.

L D $$

TARA ASIA 199-D E. Montgomery Ave., 301-315-8008, www. taraasiarestaurantrockville.com. A pan-Asian offshoot of the Tara Thai family, Tara Asia is dominated by a floor-to-ceiling mosaic and has an 82-item menu that spans the cuisine from Japan to Thailand and the tiny islands in between. L D $$

TARA THAI 12071 Rockville Pike, 301-231-9899, www.tarathai. com. See Bethesda listing. ❂ L D $$

TEMARI CAFÉ 1043 Rockville Pike, 301-340-7720. Deep-fried oysters, classic rice balls, ramen noodle soup, sushi and sashimi and comic books to peruse while you await your order set this Japanese restaurant apart from the rest. L D $$

THAI FARM 800 King Farm Blvd., 301-258-8829, www.thaifarm restaurant.com. A tastefully modern dining room soaked in a soothing yellow light. The usual suspects are on the menu here, but chef’s suggestions include an intriguing broiled fish wrapped in banana leaf and stir-fried duck. L D $$

THAI PAVILION 29 Maryland Ave., Unit 308 (Rockville Town Square), 301-545-0244, www.thaipavilionrestaurant.com.

The soaring ceilings decorated with red chandeliers shaped like giant, stationary spinning tops give the feel of a modern museum. When the menu says spicy, believe it. ❂ J L D $$

THAT’S AMORE 15201 Shady Grove Road, 240-268-0682, www. thatsamore.com. This local chain focuses on familystyle portions of classic Neapolitan dishes such as lasagna and chicken Parmesan in a more elegant setting than might be expected. Good for groups and large families. J L D $$

TOWER OAKS LODGE 2 Preserve Parkway, 301-294-0200, www.clydes. com/tower. Here is Clyde’s version of a lodge in the mountains. Well-prepared food runs the gamut of American desires, from burgers to fish, plus a raw bar. Check out the twig sculpture spanning the ceiling of The Saranac Room. J R L D $$

TRAPEZARIA 11 N. Washington St., 301-339-8962, www.thetrap ezaria.com. This down-to-earth and hospitable Greek/Mediterranean restaurant serves top-notch and unfussy small plates and entrées. Choose among a variety of dips, vegetarian mezze, souvlaki, sausages and more-involved fish and lamb dishes.

Save room for the baklava. L D $$

URBAN BAR-B-QUE COMPANY 2007 Chapman Ave., 240-290-4827; 5566 Norbeck Road, 301-460-0050, urbanbbqco.com. Urban BarB-Que Company, a tiny joint run by a couple of local friends, has a winning formula and features fingerlicking ribs, burgers and wings, plus salads, chili and smothered fries. Staff is friendly, too. J L D $

VILLA MAYA 5532 Norbeck Road (Rock Creek Village Center), 301-460-1247. Here you’ll find all the traditional Mexican and Tex-Mex favorites from quesadillas to fajitas that are sure to please the whole family.

R L D $$

THE WOODSIDE DELI 4 N. Washington St., 301-444-4478, www.the woodsidedeli.com. A second location of the venerable Silver Spring eatery and caterer that

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has been dishing up matzo ball soup since 1947.

Choose from a wide selection of sandwiches, burgers and entrées. This one has a pickle bar. ❂ JBRLD$

YEKTA 1488 Rockville Pike, 301-984-1190, www.yekta. com. Persian cuisine, including a selection of beef, chicken and lamb kabobs, is served in a beautiful dining room. Try a dessert such as frozen noodle sorbet or saffron ice cream. Check out the adjacent market after polishing off your kebab. L D $$

YUAN FU VEGETARIAN 798 Rockville Pike, 301-762-5937, www.yuanfu vegetarian.com. From tea-smoked “duck” to kung pao “chicken,” the whole menu is meatless, made from Chinese vegetable products. There is a large selection of chef’s specials, including Pumpkin Chicken with Mushrooms in a hot pot and Baby Abalone in Tomato Sauce. L D $

SILVER SPRING 8407 KITCHEN BAR 8407 Ramsey Ave., 301-587-8407, 8407kb.com.

This sleek space across from the Silver Spring Metro prides itself on stellar service and fromscratch preparations, such as house-smoked salmon and home-cured charcuterie. Signature craft cocktails are a specialty. R L D $$

ADDIS ABABA 8233 Fenton St., 301-589-1400. Authentic Ethiopian-style vegetables and fiery meats are served atop spongy bread in communal bowls.

Traditional woven tables and a roof deck add to the ambience. There’s a weekday lunch buffet, too. ❂ RLD$

ALL SET RESTAURANT & BAR 8630 Fenton St., 301-495-8800, www.allset restaurant.com. American cuisine with a focus on New England specialties. Look for clams, oysters and lobster, plus crab cakes and rockfish, and beef and vegetarian options. The snazzy space is also the setting for clam bakes and fried chicken on Sunday nights. ❂ J R L D $$

AMINA THAI 8624 Colesville Road, 301-588-3588. See Rockville/North Bethesda listing. L D $

AZÚCAR RESTAURANT BAR & GRILL 14418 Layhill Road, 301-438-3293, azucar restaurant.net. The name means sugar, and it fits: The 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 $$

BETE ETHIOPIAN CUISINE 811 Roeder Road, 301-588-2225. Family-run Ethiopian restaurant with a modest dining room but some exemplary cooking. Don’t miss the vegetarian sampler, and in nice weather, opt for eating outside in the lovely, shaded back patio. ❂ J B L D $$

BIBIM 923 Sligo Ave., 301-565-2233, www.bibim923. com. Korean fare is served in a charming, 65-seat neighborhood restaurant, with outdoor seating for 50. Start with scallion or kimchi pancakes and crunchy, lightly coated chicken wings, then go for the house specialty: bibimbap, an abundant mealin-a-bowl dish of rice, vegetables, fried egg, various

protein add-ons and gochujang (red chili paste). Sip on a nice selection of bourbons and soju, Korea’s beloved distilled rice spirit. ❂ 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. L D $

CAVA MEZZE GRILL 8515 Fenton St., 301-200-8666, cavagrill.com. See Bethesda listing. ❂ 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. Its less-formal bistro seating is first-come, first served. D $$

COPPER CANYON GRILL 928 Ellsworth Drive, 301-589-1330, www.ccgrill. com. See Gaithersburg listing. ❂ J R L D $$

CRISFIELD SEAFOOD RESTAURANT 8012 Georgia Ave., 301-589-1306, www.crisfield seafood.com. With its U-shaped counter and kitschy, oyster-plate-covered walls, this landmark seafood diner has customers lining up for the Eastern Shore specialties such as oysters and crabmeat-stuffed lobster that it has served since the 1940s. L D $$

CUBANO’S 1201 Fidler Lane, 301-563-4020, www.cubanos restaurant.com. The brightly colored tropical dining room and the authentic Cuban cooking evident in dishes such as ropa vieja (shredded beef in onions, peppers and garlic) and fried plantains keep customers coming back. ❂ L D $$

THE DAILY DISH 8301 Grubb Road, 301-588-6300, www.thedaily dishrestaurant.com. A neighborhood favorite serving seasonally inspired, locally sourced comfort food, including bar bites and brunch dishes. Full-service catering is available, too. ❂ J R L D $$

DENIZENS BREWING CO. (EDITORS’ PICK) 1115 East West Highway, 301-557-9818, denizens brewingco.com. The bright-orange building houses Montgomery County’s largest brewery, featuring core beers and seasonal offerings, along with drafts from other regional breweries. Menu of snacks, sandwiches and salads includes vegetarian options.

There is a large outdoor beer garden and indoor seating overlooking the brewery. ❂ D $

EGGSPECTATION 923 Ellsworth Drive, 301-585-1700, www. eggspectations.com. This Canadian import features fresh and creative egg plates in an elegant yet casual dining room complete with a fireplace and colorful Harlequin-themed art. It also serves great salads, dinners and dessert. ❂ B L D $$

EL AGUILA RESTAURANT 8649 16th St., 301-588-9063, www.elaguila restaurant.com. A cheery bar and generous plates of Tex-Mex favorites such as enchiladas and Salvadoran seafood soup make this eatery popular with families and others looking for a lively night out. ❂ L D $

EL GAVILAN 8805 Flower Ave., 301-587-4197, 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 pork-filled pupusas. J L D $

EL GOLFO 8739 Flower Ave., 301-608-2121, elgolforestaurant. com. Friendly, home-style Latin service is the hallmark, as attested to by the many Salvadorans who stop in for lunch and dinner. Pupusas, soups and beef dishes such as carne asada as well as more adventurous choices can be found in the charming, raspberry-colored dining room. ❂ JRLD$

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ETHIO EXPRESS GRILL 952 Sligo Ave., 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 lots of vegetables (the spicy lentils and yellow split peas are especially good). L D $

Free Beignets With the Purchase of a Brunch Entree.

Present this ad. Offer is subject to availability and change.

FENTON CAFÉ 8311 Fenton St., 301-326-1841. An out-of-the-way crêperie serving 31 kinds of sweet crêpes and 16 varieties of savory crêpes. Savory versions range from cheese and ham to roasted eggplant with zucchini, bell pepper, sundried tomato, garlic and onion. B L D $

FIRE STATION 1 RESTAURANT & BREWING CO.

MD 355 at Watkins Mill Road, Gaithersburg

8131 Georgia Ave., 301-585-1370, www.firesta tion1.com. A historic firehouse made over as an eatery serves 21st-century pizza, sandwiches, meat, seafood and vegetarian entrées. Try the Cuban sandwich with seasoned pork, chipotle mayo, Dijon mustard, pickles and Swiss cheese on a ciabatta roll. L D $

THE GREEK PLACE 8417 Georgia Ave., 301-495-2912, www.thegreek place.net. Here are big portions of better-thanaverage food at reasonable prices. The bifteki pita sandwich, a seasoned ground lamb and beef patty with tzatziki, tomatoes and red onions, is especially good. L D $

GUSTO ITALIAN GRILL 8512 Fenton St., 301-565-2800, gustoitaliangrill. com. See Bethesda listing. ❂ J L D $

HEN QUARTER 919 Ellsworth Drive, 240-247-8969, www. henquarter.com. An outpost of a restaurant in Alexandria, Virginia, Hen Quarter focuses on Southern fare, such as shrimp and grits, and chicken and waffles. The space includes rustic décor and garage windows that roll back for open-air views of Downtown Silver Spring’s fountain. The bar pours 75 types of bourbon and other whiskeys, as well as craft beer and wine. ❂ J R L D $$

ITALIAN KITCHEN 8201 Fenton St., 301-588-7800, www.italiankitchen md.com. Casual, attractive pizzeria with bar seating also turns out homemade sandwiches, calzones, salads and pasta dishes. Pizza and paninis are top notch. L D $

JEWEL OF INDIA 10151 New Hampshire Ave., 301-408-2200, www. jewelofindiamd.com. Elegant décor and excellent northern Indian cuisine make this shopping center restaurant a real find. Diners will find a good selection of curries, and rice and biryani dishes.

L D $$

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dine KAO THAI 8650 Colesville Road, 301-495-1234, www.kao thairestaurant.com. This restaurant turns out topnotch curries, noodle dishes and vegetarian options, plus house specialties, such as Siam Salmon with Spicy Thai Basil Sauce and Thai Chili Tilapia. Dishes are cooked medium spicy. ❂ L D $$

LA CASITA PUPUSERIA & MARKET 8214 Piney Branch Road, 301-588-6656, www.la casitapupusas.com. Homemade pupusas, tamales and other Salvadoran specialties are available, plus a full breakfast menu and a small selection of grocery items. B L D $

LA MALINCHE 8622 Colesville Road, 301-562-8622, www.la malinchetapas.com. Diners will find an interesting selection of Spanish and Mexican tapas, plus a full Saturday and Sunday brunch featuring huevos rancheros, variations of tortillas Espanola and more. R L D $$

LANGANO ETHIOPIAN RESTAURANT 8305 Georgia Ave., 301-563-6700. Named for the popular Ethiopian vacation spot, Lake Langano, this longtime restaurant offers fine Ethiopian cuisine such as doro wat (spicy chicken stew) and tibs (stewed meat) in a cozy white- and red-accented dining room. Lunch specials on weekdays. L D $

LEBANESE TAVERNA CAFÉ 933 Ellsworth Drive, 301-588-1192, www.lebanese taverna.com. See Rockville listing. J L D $

LINCOLN’S BAR-B-QUE (NEW) 931 Ellsworth Drive, 301-578-1660, lincolnsbbq. com. Next to the fountain in the heart of downtown Silver Spring, Lincoln’s serves up all manner of barbecue. While smoked meats are the headliners, you’ll also find a Frito pie appetizer—cheese, chili, jalapeños and onions on Frito chips—served in a cut-open Frito bag. To-go goods, including sauces and spices, are for sale here too. J L D $$

MAMMA LUCIA 1302 East West Highway, 301-562-0693, www. mammaluciarestaurants.com. See Bethesda listing. ❂ L D $$

MANDALAY RESTAURANT & CAFÉ 930 Bonifant St., 301-585-0500, www.mandalay restaurantcafe.com. The modest dining room is packed most evenings with families and large groups who come for the Burmese food, a cross between Indian and Thai. L D $

MCGINTY’S PUBLIC HOUSE 911 Ellsworth Drive, 301-587-1270, www.mcgintys publichouse.com. Traditional Irish pub and restaurant features corned beef and cabbage, live music and dancing. Early-bird special, three-course menu for $15, from 5 to 7 p.m. ❂ J R L D $$

MI RANCHO 8701 Ramsey Ave., 301-588-4872, www.mirancho texmexrestaurant.com. See Rockville listing. ❂ LD$

MIX BAR AND GRILLE 8241 Georgia Ave., #200, 301-326-1333, mixbar andgrillesilverspring.com. Modern American bistro with an older sibling; similar menu, plus a selection of ceviche. See Potomac listing. ❂  R L D $$

MOD PIZZA 909 Ellsworth Drive, 240-485-1570, www.mod pizza.com. First Maryland location of this Bellevue, Washington-based chain offers design-your-own fast-

casual pies (hence, Made on Demand, or MOD).

Pizzas, cooked at 800 degrees for three minutes, can be topped with a choice of nearly 40 sauces, cheeses, meats, spices and veggies. ❂ L D $

MRS. K’S RESTAURANT 9201 Colesville Road, 301-589-3500, www.mrs ks.com. Here’s an elegant, antique-filled option for special occasions and brunch. This historic restaurant beckons a younger crowd with the Wine Press, a European-style wine bar downstairs, which has its own more casual menu. ❂ R L D $$$

NAINAI’S NOODLE & DUMPLING BAR 1200 East West Highway, 301-585-6678, www. nainaisnoodles.com. Sisters Joanne and Julie Liu serve homemade noodles and dumplings in this lovable fast-casual eatery that shares a kitchen with their Scion restaurant next door. Focus on the noodles, and bring a photo of your “Nainai” (grandmother in Chinese) to tack on the bulletin board. L D $

NOT YOUR AVERAGE JOE'S 8661 Colesville Road, 240-839-3400, www.not youraveragejoes.com. See Bethesda listing. ❂ J L D $$

OLAZZO (EDITORS’ PICK) 8235 Georgia Ave., 301-588-2540, www.olazzo. com. See Bethesda listing. ❂ J L D $

ORIENTAL EAST RESTAURANT 1312 East West Highway, 301-608-0030, www. orientaleast.com. Be prepared to wait for a table and maneuver around carts filled with dumplings, noodles and spare ribs at this popular dim sum restaurant that caters to families and groups on weekends. L D $

PACCI’S NEAPOLITAN PIZZERIA (EDITORS’ PICK) 8113 Georgia Ave., 301-588-1011, www.paccis pizzeria.com. This stylish eatery turns out top-notch pizzas from a wood-burning oven. Choose from red or white pizza selections, plus four kinds of calzones. ❂ J (upon request) L D $

PACCI’S TRATTORIA & PASTICCERIA 6 Old Post Office Road, 301-588-0867, paccis trattoria.com. Diners will find a range of classic Italian dishes, including homemade meatballs and sausage, from the owner of Pacci’s Neapolitan Pizzeria, also in Silver Spring. L D $$

PARKWAY DELI & RESTAURANT 8317 Grubb Road, 301-587-1427, www.theparkway deli.com. Parkway features a bustling back dining room that makes this popular spot so much more than a deli. Longtime waitresses greet regular customers and kids with hugs during busy weekend breakfasts. All-you-can-eat pickle bar. ❂ B L D $

PETE’S NEW HAVEN STYLE APIZZA 962 Wayne Ave., 301-588-7383, www.petesapizza. com. Sporting more stylish décor than its other locations, this Pete’s offers the same 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 $

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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 crab Reuben to spicy yogurt chicken. J R L D $$

SERGIOS 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 DoubleTree Hotel. Ravioli with asparagus and cheese in a tarragon sauce is popular. L D $$

THE SOCIETY RESTAURANT & LOUNGE 8229 Georgia Ave., 301-565-8864, www.societyss. com. A sleek and modern atmosphere catering to a nightlife crowd, Society offers fare with a Caribbean accent. Check out the rooftop seating and daily drink specials, which include $25 beer buckets. ❂ L D $$

SUSHI JIN NEXT DOOR 8555 Fenton St., 301-608-0990, www.sushijinnext door.com. The eatery is spare, clean and modern, and offers terrific udon noodle soup and impeccable raw fish. Choose from 11 appetizers and seven soups and salads. L D $$

SWEETGREEN 8517 Georgia Ave., 301-244-5402, www.sweet green.com. See Bethesda listing. L D $

TASTEE DINER 8601 Cameron St., 301-589-8171, www.tastee diner.com. See Bethesda listing. ❂ J B L D $

THAI AT SILVER SPRING 921-E Ellsworth Drive, 301-650-0666, www.thaiat silverspring.com. The Americanized Thai food is second to the location, which is superb for peoplewatching on the street below. A modern and stylish dining room with a hip bar in bold colors and good service add to the appeal. ❂ L D $$

URBAN BAR-B-QUE COMPANY 10163 New Hampshire Ave., 301-434-7427, urban bbqco.com. See Rockville listing. L D $

URBAN BUTCHER (EDITORS’ PICK) 8226 Georgia Ave., 301-585-5800, www.urban butcher.com. Hip, eclectic setting is the backdrop for this New Age steak house, with its home-cured salamis, sausages and other charcuterie, plus meat dishes made from local animals of yesteryear breeds. There’s a lounge, bar, meat curing room, retail counter and dining area. R D $$

URBAN WINERY 949 Bonifant St., 301-585-4100, www.theurbanwin ery.com. Silver Spring residents Damon and Georgia Callis open the first and only urban winery in the midAtlantic area. Tasting facility offers craft wines made with local and international grapes, and customers can even create their own wines (by appointment).

Light menu includes artisan cheese, charcuterie and smoked seafood platters, plus Greek mezze. D $

FINE ITALIAN FOOD MADE FRESH DAILY

VEGETABLE GARDEN 3830 International Drive (Leisure World Plaza), 301598-6868, vegetablegarden.com. The popular vegan, vegetarian and macrobiotic Asian restaurant features a wide variety of eggplant and asparagus dishes, plus vegetarian “beef,” and “chicken” dishes often made with soy and wheat gluten. L D $$

VICINO RISTORANTE ITALIANO 959 Sligo Ave., 301-588-3372, vicinoitaliano.com.

A favorite neighborhood red-sauce joint that hasn’t changed in decades, Vicino features some fine seafood choices in addition to classic pasta dishes.

Families are welcome. ❂ L D $ $

THE WOODSIDE DELI 9329 Georgia Ave., 301-589-7055, www.thewood sidedeli.com. See Rockville listing. J B L D $

UPPER NW D.C. AMERICAN CITY DINER 5532 Connecticut Ave. NW, 202-244-1949, www. americancitydiner.com. Retro diner complete with blue-plate specials such as Salisbury steak and stuffed peppers; malts and egg creams. Diners can catch a classic movie free with dinner. ❂ J B L D$

ARUCOLA 5534 Connecticut Ave. NW, 202-244-1555, www. arucola.com. The restaurant serves authentic Italian cuisine in a casual setting, with a changing menu that includes creative treatment of traditional dishes, homemade pasta and pizza from the woodburning oven. ❂ L D $ $

BLUE 44 5507 Connecticut Ave. NW, 202-362-2583, www. blue44dc.com. The menu features classic American favorites infused with the flavors of Italy and France, including ratatouille, pork schnitzel and bouillabaisse. ❂ J R L D $$

BUCK’S FISHING AND CAMPING 5031 Connecticut Ave. NW, 202-364-0777, www. bucksfishingandcamping.com. Diners can enjoy a seasonal menu that changes daily, and offers hip takes on comfort food such as roast chicken (locally raised) in an artsy-chic setting. D $$$

CAFÉ OF INDIA 4909 Wisconsin Ave. NW, 202-244-1395, www. cafeofindiadc.com. Here’s a cute corner café with two levels of dining and an extensive menu that includes vegetarian and tandoori entrées, dosas, samosas, tikkas, curries and kabobs. ❂ L D $$

CHADS FRIENDSHIP HEIGHTS 5247 Wisconsin Ave. NW, 202-362-8040, chadsdc. com. A group that includes Gary Williams, Maury Povich, Tony Kornheiser and Alan Bubes bought this neighborhood hangout in 2017 and renovated it while maintaining its Cheers-like atmostphere. It offers a full menu beyond bar food, including salads, steaks, seafood and sandwiches. ❂ R L D $$

COMET PING PONG (EDITORS’ PICK) 5037 Connecticut Ave. NW, 202-364-0404, www. cometpingpong.com. Landmark fun spot where you can play ping-pong or admire local art while you wait for your wood-fired pizza. Choose from over 30 toppings to design your own pie. ❂ R L D $

DECARLO’S RESTAURANT 4822 Yuma St. NW, 202-363-4220, www.decarlos restaurant.com. This is a family-owned

neighborhood staple, with a traditional Italian menu and upscale/casual atmosphere. Signature dishes include agnolotti, veal scallopini, broiled salmon and hand-made pasta. ❂ L D $$

Catering available anytime for any occasion Private parties | Family style dinners | Opera Night

THE GRILLED OYSTER CO. 3701 Newark St. NW (Cathedral Commons), 202362-1719, www.thegrilledoystercompany.com. See Potomac listing. ❂ J R L D $$

GUAPO’S RESTAURANT

BEST PATIO IN BETHESDA IS NOW OPEN

4515 Wisconsin Ave. NW, 202-686-3588, www.guaposrestaurant.com. See Bethesda listing. ❂ R L D $$

½ Price Wine Monday and Tuesday

JAKE’S AMERICAN GRILLE 5018 Connecticut Ave. NW, 202-966-5253, www. jakesdc.com. Burgers, steaks and sandwiches are served in a restaurant named after the owner’s grandfather, an accomplished Navy test engineer.

Check out the Boiler Room, a sports bar in the basement. J R L D $$

JETTIES 5632 Connecticut Ave. NW, 202-364-2465, www.jettiesdc.com. See Bethesda listing. J L D $

LE CHAT NOIR 4907 Wisconsin Ave. NW, 202-244-2044, www.le chatnoirrestaurant.com. This cute, cozy neighborhood bistro is run by French restaurateurs, who cook traditional fare such as steak frites, bouillabaisse and braised lamb cheeks. R L D $$

LE PAIN QUOTIDIEN 4874 Massachusetts Ave. NW, 202-459-9141, www.lepainquotidien.com. See Bethesda listing. ❂ JBRLD$

LUNCHBOX 5535 Wisconsin Ave. NW, Suite 018, 202-2443470, www.voltlunchbox.com. The Washington remake of chef Bryan Voltaggio’s defunct Frederick restaurant offers specialties including the Southern Banh Mi with crispy chicken and pickled vegetables, and B’More with pepper-crusted pit beef. L D $

MACON BISTRO & LARDER (EDITORS’ PICK) 5520 Connecticut Ave. NW, 202-248-7807, macon bistro.com. Southern and French cuisine converge at this airy, charming restaurant in the historic Chevy Chase Arcade. Appetizers include raclette and fried green tomatoes, and steak frites is offered alongside short ribs with grits for main courses. ❂ R D $$

MAGGIANO’S LITTLE ITALY 5333 Wisconsin Ave. NW, 202-966-5500, www.mag gianos.com. The restaurant features old-style Italian fare that’s a favorite for large groups and private celebrations. Check out the signature flatbreads and specialty pastas, including lobster carbonara.

J R L D $$

MASALA ART (EDITORS’ PICK) 4441-B Wisconsin Ave. NW, 202-362-4441, www. masalaartdc.com. Here is fine Indian dining featuring tandoor-oven specialties and masterful Indian spicing. Start off by choosing from a selection of nine breads and 17 appetizers. L D $$

MILLIE'S (NEW) 4866 Massachusetts Ave. NW, 202-733-5789, milliesdc.com. This eatery in the Spring Valley neighborhood may be from up north—it’s the second location of a popular Nantucket restaurant—but its flavors are distinctly south-of-the-border. The menu offers coastal takes on tacos, quesadillas and salads that are as summery as the bright, nautical décor of the dining room. ❂ J R L D $$

7945 Norfolk Ave. Bethesda, MD 301.657.1722

www.bacchusoflebanon.com

PARTHENON RESTAURANT 5510 Connecticut Ave. NW, 202-966-7600, www. parthenon-restaurant.com. This is a neighborhood eatery taken up a couple notches, with an extensive menu full of authentic selections familiar and exotic, including avgolemono (egg/lemon soup), tzatziki, moussaka, dolmades and souvlaki. ❂ L D $$

PETE’S NEW HAVEN STYLE APIZZA 4940 Wisconsin Ave. NW, 202-237-7383, www.petesapizza.com. See Silver Spring listing. ❂ JLD$

RANGE (EDITORS’ PICK) 5335 Wisconsin Ave. NW, Suite 201, 202-8038020, www.voltrange.com. Celebrity chef Bryan Voltaggio’s extravaganza, featuring multiple open kitchens, seats 300 and offers an enormous wine list. L D $$$

SATAY CLUB ASIAN RESTAURANT AND BAR 4654 Wisconsin Ave. NW, 202-363-8888, www. asiansatayclub.com. The restaurant prides itself on providing a comfortable/casual setting with a menu that spans Japanese sushi, Chinese moo-shi vegetables, Thai curries and Vietnamese spring rolls. L D $

TANAD THAI 4912 Wisconsin Ave. NW, 202-966-0616, www. tanadthaicuisine.com. The extensive menu ranges from noodles, rice and curries to vegetarian entrées, and even a Thai lemonade cocktail. House specialties include pad Thai and Drunken Noodles. ❂ L D $$

TARA THAI 4849 Massachusetts Ave. NW, 202-363-4141, www.tarathai.com. See Gaithersburg listing. ❂ L D $$

TERASOL (EDITORS’ PICK) 5010 Connecticut Ave. NW, 202-237-5555, www. terasolartisans.com. This charming French café offers soups, salads, quiches and a few entrées, along with jewelry and pottery from local artisans.

Live music on Fridays and Saturdays. ❂ B L D $

WAGSHAL’S RESTAURANT 4855 Massachusetts Ave. NW, 202-363-5698, www.wagshals.com. Longtime popular deli expands grocery and carryout section, and adds a casual sit-down restaurant in the Spring Valley Shopping Center. Same high-quality fare, including the overstuffed sandwiches. L D $ n

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shopping. beauty. weddings. pets. travel. history.

PHOTO BY SKIP BROWN

etc.

Amy Pascal of Potomac started an online boutique to sell workout pants. For more, turn to the next page.

BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM | MAY/JUNE 2017

357

etc.

SHOP TALK

A FEW YEARS BACK, Amy Pascal became as obsessed with bright patterned workout pants as she was with her strength and cardio routine. “I would pick up these super-vibrant tights when I was at the Jersey shore,” says the 60-something Potomac resident.

“I stopped wearing all other exercise clothing, because the brighter things expressed my individuality.”

358

After other women repeatedly stopped her in the locker room at Gold’s Gym in North Potomac, she decided to start a company that sold the same sort of polyester and spandex beauties she’d been picking up at the beach. Her online boutique, called Lavaloka (inspired by the idea that lava is hot and so are the clothes), launched last November.

Using the same Colombian factory

MAY/JUNE 2017 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

that makes the leggings she used to buy, Pascal works with its designers to tweak and change colors and patterns. Popular combos include a black and brown python design ($89) and capris with skulls and roses ($74). “They’re playful, because your workout is serious,” she says. “Wearing something fun like this can motivate you to move and change your mood.”

The bold prints “hide everything,”

PHOTO BY SKIP BROWN

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE

BY JENNIFER BARGER

RAYS OF LIGHT

Go easy on styling when planning your summer party outfits. Here are some of the bright and effortless accessories we love.

Bethesda designer Tatyana Gunatilake uses lush silks, like this bird print, to create her TGLine clutches. It’s a nice contrast to a solid-color dress, and sure to inspire conversation. $65, etsy.com/shop/tgline

Pascal says. “People think they have flaws, but these patterns are so distracting.

A Wonder Woman print won’t call attention to a body part you don’t like.” Still, when it comes to pairing them with tops, she recommends solid colors. Pascal sells the yoga-to-CrossFit-ready bottoms on her website, lavaloka.com, and at Fleet Feet Sports in Gaithersburg and Sculpt Studio in Bethesda. ■

COURTESY PHOTOS

PHOTO BY SKIP BROWN

Put on your dancing shoes with these comfy flat sandals that are dressed up in a silver leather and embellished with faux gems. $128, Ann Taylor, Westfield Montgomery mall, Bethesda, 301-3650771; Mazza Gallerie, Washington, D.C., 202-244-1940, anntaylor.com

These light-yet-dramatic ball-style earrings sway when you dance, and bring a dose of disco glam to maxi dresses or printed tops. $24.99, Current Boutique, 7220 Wisconsin Ave., Bethesda, 301-222-1114, currentboutique.com

Julie Vos’ preppychic necklaces add elegance to flowing party dresses and look particularly apropos at a beach wedding. $355, Julia Farr, Washington, D.C., 202364-3277, juliafarrdc.com

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etc.

SHOP TALK

STYLIST OF THE PARTY

What’s this season’s “party look” for women? I’m liking dresses that are delicate with a lot of flow. They can be either tea length or maxi, often with a bohemian feel or a floral print. As far as colors go, things are more muted this year—think baby blues or pale pinks. It can all look very feminine, especially if there’s some lace or silk involved.

What about men? How can they look stylish and fresh? I try to get guys not to be so matchy-matchy when they go to events, and to leave the dark suit at the office. A lighter brown or blue suit 360

looks great, especially if you put it with a coordinating shirt and tie. And if it’s a less formal event, I love a guy in a sport coat with driving loafers and jeans.

Accessories in hot months are hard to choose. Any tips? In warmer months, I pare down the accessories, especially since having metal on your skin can be aggravating when it’s hot outside. Long, layered necklaces are going to be big this year, as opposed to statement necklaces. And a nice cuff can be good, too. I like the ones by D.C.-area jeweler Sophie Blake.

MAY/JUNE 2017 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

Etiquette once frowned upon guests wearing white and black to weddings.

Is that still the case? That depends on the mood and theme of the event. If it’s a nighttime formal affair, you can wear black. But I generally steer clients away from white. You can do cream or natural instead.

Where do you and your clients shop for party clothes in the Bethesda area?

Reddz Trading has interesting jewelry and accessories. And I like the selection of dresses at Morley by names like Mara Hoffman and Haute Hippie. n

COURTESY OF A LITTLE BIT OF WHIMSY PHOTOGRAPHY

For nearly a decade, Chevy Chase stylist and personal shopper Robin Fisher has been helping locals dress for work, weekends, and weddings and parties galore.

Drawing on her background in the retail sector (she worked as a buyer and a designer for Macy’s and Joe Boxer, among others), Fisher applies her chic-yet-practical approach for women and men. Here’s the scoop on how you can be one of the best-dressed at special events this summer.

Connect with LEADING WOMEN PHYSICIANS devoted to EXERCISE, NUTRITION, WELLNESS, INSPIRATION, LIFE!

NUTRITION

WELLNESS

EXERCISE

LadyDocsCornerCafe.com Rafat Abbasi, M.D., FACOG Infertility • (301) 897-8850 Susan H. Barton, M.D. Gastroenterology and Hepatology • (301) 417-9528 Avneet K. Bawa, M.D., FAAP Potomac Valley Pediatrics • (301) 990-6333 Deepali Bhanot, D.M.D. Pediatric Dentistry • (301) 528-8685 Emily Cook, PhD, LCMFT Individual, Couple, and Family Therapy www.emilycooktherapy.com Julie Fox, M.D. Internal Medicine • (301) 681-3667

Sheri Hamersley, M.D., FACOG Maternal Fetal Medicine • (301) 315-2227 Kalpana Helmbrecht, M.D., FACOG Obstetrics and Gynecology • (301) 414-2300 Julia Korenman, M.D. Gastroenterology and Hepatology • (301) 340-3252 Rebecca Mahayag, LCSW-C Psychotherapy • www.rm-counseling.com Malini Narayanan, M.D., FAANS Neurosurgeon, Brain and Spine www.drmalininarayanan.com

Miriam Graham, D.P.T. Physical Therapy • www.restoremotion.com

Aruna Nathan, M.D. Internal Medicine and Life Style Medicine www.drarunanathan.com

Holly Gross, M.D. Ophthalmology • (301) 610-2020

Carolyn Baier O’Conor, M.D. Family Medicine • (301) 738-0300

Chitra Rajagopal, M.D. Hematology and Oncology • (301) 279-7510 Reshma Rathod, P.T. Physical Therapy • www.restoremotion.com Rachel Schreiber, M.D., FAAAAI Adult & Pediatric Allergy/Immunology (301) 545-5512 Marsha Seidelman, M.D. Pulmonary and Internal Medicine • (301) 681-7200 Cara Simmonds, M.D., FACOG Gynecology • (301) 414-2300 Ann Marie Stephenson, D.O., MBA Gastroenterology and Hepatology • (301) 251-9555 Thu Tran, M.D., FACOG Obstetrics and Gynecology • (301) 424-1698 Linda Yau, M.D., FACP Internal Medicine • www.foxhallinternists.com

etc.

WEDDINGS

THE DRESS: Megan wore an Amsale ivory gown, which she bought at Garnish Boutique in Baltimore.

“It was very much a princess feel, which is what I was going for,” she says. She also wore a tiara headband that had a decorative string draping down her back.

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BY KATHLEEN SEILER NEARY

Beauty on the Bay A local couple plans a wedding weekend complete with a crab feast, a sand ceremony and flip-flops for everyone THE COUPLE: Megan Miles, 28, grew up

PHOTO BY MICHAEL BENNETT KRESS

in Bethesda and went to Walter Johnson High School. She’ll be graduating from the University of Maryland School of Medicine in May and joining MedStar Union Memorial Hospital in Baltimore as an orthopedic surgery resident. Jed Kurry, 32, grew up in Chevy Chase and graduated from Gonzaga College High School in D.C. He’s a fire protection engineer for the U.S. State Department and a volunteer firefighter for the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Rescue Squad. They live in Baltimore.

HOW THEY MET: Megan and Jed volunteered at the B-CC Rescue Squad as teenagers. “I always remember looking at Jed as that ‘cute older boy,’ ” she says.

“I was way too nervous to talk to him then, so I never got a chance to really get to know him.” It wasn’t until 2010, when Jed had graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park, and Megan was a college senior, that they started dating.

A mutual friend at the squad invited them out to set them up, not realizing they had known each other for six years. The couple had their first date a few weeks later at Black’s Bar & Kitchen in Bethesda.

THE PROPOSAL: Jed had always

wanted to see the sun rise in the east and set in the west on the same day—an idea he’d come up with while working as a lifeguard on a beach one summer—so

he decided to propose on June 21, 2013, the day of the year with the most daylight hours. While vacationing at his family’s house on the Jersey Shore, he woke Megan and told her he wanted to watch the sunrise on the beach. “We were sitting in our pj’s on the big lifeguard chairs,” she says. “It was just beautiful.” Back at the house, Jed told Megan to pack her bags.

He wanted to surprise her by flying to Los Angeles and proposing on the beach that evening, but a delayed flight foiled his plan. (They ended up seeing the sun set from their airplane window as they were landing in L.A.) On the beach in Santa Monica the next day, as the sun set over the ocean, Jed asked Megan to marry him.

THE WEDDING: Megan and Jed were married on June 25, 2016, at Herrington on the Bay in North Beach, Maryland, about 30 miles south of Annapolis. “We got engaged on the beach, that’s where we always vacation. We wanted to get married outside along the water,” Megan says.

NUMBER OF GUESTS: 110 PLANNING TIME: Megan started medical school soon after they got engaged, so the couple decided not to get married for a while—they waited until her two-week break the summer before her fourth year. “We wanted to have a wedding weekend, where everyone was invited to

the rehearsal dinner, we had activities Saturday and then we had a brunch on Sunday,” she says. Guests stayed at the waterfront resort, which has a small private beach. “We originally were thinking about doing our wedding in the Caribbean, and we felt like this was a similar feel to everyone taking a vacation together.”

THE CEREMONY: Jed took care of planning the evening ceremony next to the water. Jed’s sister, who was living in Santa Monica, where Jed and Megan had gotten engaged, brought sand from the beach there, and Jed got sand from the Jersey Shore. “He did a sand ceremony where he combined the sands and wrote a speech,” Megan says. Jed’s niece and nephew walked down the aisle, and the little boy wore a chalkboard sign that read, “Jed here comes your girl.”

THE DÉCOR: Megan wanted a mostly white wedding, so tables had white tablecloths and simple orchid centerpieces. White, mint and lavender paper lanterns hung from the ceiling.

THE FOOD: Megan can’t have gluten, so the menu featured all gluten-free fare, including crab cakes and filet mignon for dinner. They ordered their cake—which had edible purple orchids and alternating layers of almond and lemon flavor—from the Happy Tart, a gluten-free bakery in Alexandria.

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WEDDINGS

took dance classes before the wedding, which Megan says was a nice break from the stress of planning a wedding while going to med school. “One time we were disagreeing about what we wanted to spend money on in the car and we went in to the dance class and we just laughed the whole time,” she says. “It put everything into perspective.” They learned moves for their first dance, which was to “Mango Tree” by the Zac Brown Band.

DANCE, DANCE, DANCE: Justin Timberlake’s “Can’t Stop the Feeling!”

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became the couple’s wedding anthem. The DJ played the song while the couple was being announced, and a second time at the end of the night, but Megan missed it so she asked him to play it again. “We had a running joke that this is the song that I loved and couldn’t stop dancing to,” Megan says. “I even got my husband to dance for a little bit—he does not dance.”

THE FAVORS: The couple gave out wooden mallets—engraved with their names—at the crab feast the night before the wedding. Guests got flip-flops and pint glasses at the reception.

MAY/JUNE 2017 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

THE HONEYMOON: Right after the wedding, Jed and Megan took a six-day “mini-moon” to Folly Beach in South Carolina with their dog. For their 12-day honeymoon this April, they planned to go snorkeling and scuba diving while staying at a resort in the Cook Islands in the South Pacific.

VENDORS: Cake, The Happy Tart; catering, Herrington on the Bay; DJ, Crow Entertainment; flowers, Maryland Bay Blossoms; hair and makeup, Alison Harper & Company; photographer, Michael Bennett Kress; stationery, Kindly R.S.V.P. Designs. n

PHOTOS BY MICHAEL BENNETT KRESS

LESSONS LEARNED: The couple

For Affordable Accommodations, a Cooked to Order Breakfast Buffet, and a Garden Sleep System® bed for your overnight comfort, your guests will have to look no further than the Hilton Garden Inn Bethesda.

Book 25 rooms or more and enjoy the benefits listed below.

• Complimentary Breakfast for Bride and Groom • Congratulation Message on the Hotel Lobby Screen • One Complimentary room (1 night stay) • Refreshments and light snack for bridal group while getting ready for the ceremony (Caters to 10 people) • Hilton Honors Group Planner Points

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BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM | MAY/JUNE 2017

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GET AWAY

BY CHRISTINE KOUBEK

Nemacolin Woodlands Resort includes Mystic Rock golf course (a second course is set to open in July) and a new hot tub next to a fire pit.

NEMACOLIN WOODLANDS RESORT, a popular 2,000-acre golf and spa destination in southwestern Pennsylvania, has invested $50 million in property enhancements since 2015.

In addition to resortwide room and rental home renovations, new perks include an adults-only pool and bar, a 32-person hot tub next to a fire pit, a 50-foot free-fall ride in a harness on the QuickJump attraction, and a second Pete Dye-designed golf course—Shepherd’s Rock, opening in July—that offers spectacular views from atop the Allegheny Mountains.

The resort’s 320 accommodations are found in five distinct types of lodging: Falling Rock, a luxury boutique hotel inspired by legendary American architect Frank Lloyd Wright; the Parisian-themed Chateau Lafayette (with a new presidential suite that cost $1 million to create); The Lodge, an English Tudor-style hotel; plus townhomes and luxury vacation homes.

Also on-site: a five-star restaurant, a luxury spa, fly-fishing, zip-lining, off-roading in a Jeep, a wildlife nursery (check out the two-toed sloth) and more.

Rates begin at $259 per night.

Nemacolin Woodlands Resort, 1001 Lafayette Drive, Farmington, Pennsylvania; 866-399-6957, nemacolin.com

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PHOTOS COURTESY OF NEMACOLIN WOODLANDS RESORT

THE MOUNTAINS ARE CALLING

ANTIQUES ABOUND

BELLE GROVE PHOTO BY MORGAN HOCKENSMITH; COURTESY OF FAMILY FISHING ADVENTURES

SET ON THE BANKS of the Rappahannock River, Belle Grove Plantation Bed & Breakfast—the birthplace of President James Madison—is a haven for history buffs and antiques aficionados. Michelle Darnell and her husband, Brett, opened the plantation home as a B&B in 2013, and it has garnered much recognition, including a spot on TripAdvisor’s 2017 list of the Top 25 B&Bs and Inns in the U.S. The couple has meticulously decorated the public rooms and four suites in period antiques that reflect the eras of the mansion’s former occupants, beginning with James Madison’s mother’s family, the Conways, who owned the property for most of the 1700s.

Interior gems are numerous, including a 1720 highboy with a secret drawer that former owners might have used to hide valuables from the redcoats, an 1854 Chickering piano, and four 1800s settees that were used in the movie Lincoln. The home’s second story balconies and outdoor garden areas look out over the river or the 694-acre property’s wheat, soy and corn fields.

Events at Belle Grove that are open to visitors who are not staying overnight include 45-minute mansion tours, antebellum afternoon teas and Civil War reenactments.

Room rates begin at $150 per night and include breakfast in the formal dining room or on the riverside balcony. Note: Another Belle Grove Plantation, the former home of James Madison’s sister, is located in Middletown, Virginia, and is not a B&B. Belle Grove Plantation Bed & Breakfast, 9221 Belle Grove Drive, King George, Virginia; 540-621-7340, bellegroveplantation.com

FISH TALES SET SAIL ON THE colorful 35-foot Sea Dragon for a fishing outing fashioned for families. Chris Hendershot and Samantha Polizzi launched Family Fishing Adventures last summer to take anglers along the Chesapeake Bay and Spa Creek. The 90-minute trip begins with a nickname for each passenger (think Big Tuna or Sea Dog Sophia). Capt. Chris—aka Capt. Reel— teaches kids how to use bait, lures and a fishing rod and reel, and where to drop (and later retrieve) crab traps. He also shares tidbits on Maryland’s fishing culture, tips on identifying marine life, and ideas for helping to preserve and protect the Chesapeake Bay. While the outings are kid-oriented, parents and teens can fish, too.

Daily sailings May 6 through Labor Day at 9:15 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1:45 p.m. and 4 p.m. Weekend sailings continue through October. Reserve in advance. $20, $16 for kids age 5 and under.

Family Fishing Adventures, Annapolis City Marina, 410 Severn Ave., Annapolis; 410-279-8325, familyfishingadventures.com/ffa n BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM | MAY/JUNE 2017

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May 13, 10am – 6pm May 14, 10am – 5pm Auburn & Norfolk Avenues in Bethesda’s Woodmont Triangle

The Bethesda Fine Arts Festival will feature 120+ booths of contemporary fine art and fine craft, jewelry and furniture along with live music and Bethesda’s best restaurants.

Produced by

Sponsored by

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DRIVING RANGE

Just as in the bard’s day, the audience is up close—even on stage—for a performance of Love’s Labour’s Lost at the American Shakespeare Center’s theater in Staunton, Virginia.

Shakespeare

in the Shenandoah

You needn’t cross the Atlantic for

PHOTO BY LAUREN D. ROGERS

authentic Elizabethan-style drama. Just head southwest.

BY LAURIE MCCLELLAN

“DOWN WITH CAESAR!” reads the sign in the protester’s hand. I’m trying to reach the front door of the American Shakespeare Center (ASC), but some Romans—whose togas look suspiciously like bedsheets—are blocking the way.

I soon realize the picketers are, in fact, a high school Latin club, and they’re just getting into the right frame of mind to watch Julius Caesar. But their rabble-rousing presence turns out to be a good omen. At this theater, I discover, everyone has a chance to become part of the action.

Truth be told, I’ve come here on a quest. Just as some fans seek to visit every Major League Baseball stadium, my goal is to see every Shakespeare play performed live and to visit every major Shakespeare theater from Stratford, Ontario, to Stratford-uponAvon, England, the bard’s birthplace.

You have to cross an ocean to view a replica of the Globe Theatre, Shakespeare’s famous outdoor venue in London. Yet the world’s only re-creation of his company’s indoor theater is tantalizingly close—less than 160 miles from Bethesda in the historic BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM | MAY/JUNE 2017

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mountain town of Staunton, Virginia.

I start my pilgrimage by joining a onehour tour of ASC’s theater, called the Blackfriars Playhouse after its famous namesake. Guide Liz Bernardo explains that the original Blackfriars in London was built in a former monastery, and its name refers to the black robes worn by the monks. Shakespeare’s theater troupe, the King’s Men, began using Blackfriars for winter performances in 1608. Staunton’s version was completed in 2001 as a permanent home for the theater troupe that formerly toured as Shenandoah Shakespeare Express.

Walking into the theater is like entering a time capsule. A rustic wooden balcony rises over the small stage, and wrought-iron chandeliers studded with electric candles illuminate seats and stage alike. The exact level of illumination, we learn, is designed to mimic the brightness of the original Blackfriars at 2 o’clock on a sunny afternoon.

Besides precisely re-creating the look of the stage that Shakespeare walked across, Staunton’s Blackfriars also strives 370

to reproduce the period’s staging conditions. In Elizabethan times, the audience and actors could see each other (before modern electricity there was no easy way to light the stage while darkening the audience), so this theater follows suit.

Suddenly, I understand why T-shirts in the gift shop display the cheeky slogan, “We do it with the lights on.”

Continuing her tour, Bernardo leads us through a side door for a behindthe-scenes look at how ASC’s plays are produced. First stop is the costume shop, where plastic bins carry labels such as “eye patches” and “horns.” Unfortunately, we won’t get a chance to examine the dismembered head—today it’s out for repairs. We continue on to the armory, bristling with realistic swords and daggers; take note of props and dressing rooms; and finally step through a curtained doorway onto the stage itself.

In Shakespeare’s day, rich theatergoers brought their own chairs and plopped them right onstage, claiming the best spots to see and be seen. You can enjoy the same privilege at Blackfriars

MAY/JUNE 2017 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

today, our guide says, pointing out a dozen stools where brave audience members can sit during a show.

Historians aren’t sure how much the actors in 1608 interacted with the people sitting onstage, Bernardo continues, but the soliloquies in Richard III and Hamlet may have been addressed to them. She also gives us a cautionary tip: If you sit on the stage in this Blackfriars, the actors will consider you fair game and may talk to you during the performance.

I’m not ready to enjoy that audience perk but come evening, I am careful to arrive at the theater a half-hour before Julius Caesar starts in order to enjoy another one: music. In the 1600s, musicians played instruments before, during and after the play. In Staunton, the actors themselves do the singing and playing, and given that they’re not appearing in Julius Caesar! The Musical, I’m impressed by how well the cast can sing. Their instruments range from the classical (cello and trumpet) to the kitschy (ukuleles, an accordion and, perhaps for that actor who never got

SKETCH PHOTO BY LAURIE MCCLELLAN; ACTORS PHOTOS BY TOMMY THOMPSON; PERFORMANCE PHOTO BY LAUREN D. ROGERS

DRIVING RANGE

SKETCH PHOTO BY LAURIE MCCLELLAN; ACTORS PHOTOS BY TOMMY THOMPSON; PERFORMANCE PHOTO BY LAUREN D. ROGERS

American Shakespeare Center actors perform Love’s Labour’s Lost.

Opposite page: Actors in The Two Gentlemen of Verona, and a sketch of costumes for The Winter’s Tale

around to music lessons, a cowbell).

Many of the contemporary songs, which come before the play starts and at intermission, wink at the play’s plot sequence. The actor playing Marc Antony belts out a creditable version of “The Times They Are A-Changin,’ ” and an actress—will she be stabbing Caesar later in the evening?—follows up with Mary Chapin Carpenter’s “I Feel Lucky.”

Quirky and entertaining, the musical prelude gives me a chance to make my Blackfriars theatrical debut. I stride onstage and order a beer from the bar that pops up when the play’s not in progress. Then I find my seat on a long bench, which thankfully is equipped with comfortable backrests. (Be forewarned: The benches in the balcony have no backrests.

For true comfort, you may want to get a ticket near the stage for a Lord’s Chair, which looks like a miniature throne.)

Soon, the singers exit the stage and an actor delivers the first line of the play. At his words, some theatergoers scramble into seats near the front. (An unusual rule at this modern-day Blackfriars holds that

after the first words of the play are spoken, you’re free to claim any empty seat.)

With the lights on and the people around me sipping wine and munching Gummi Bears, the performance in this intimate 300-seat theater feels relaxed and lively at the same time, like seeing Shakespeare performed in your living room.

The lack of real sets—actors may add a simple chair or table to the scene when needed—reinforces the illusion. The barebones staging puts the focus squarely on the young cast members, who hail from points all across the U.S. and fizz with energy.

Soon, I notice that some of the Roman senators are being played by women.

In Shakespeare’s day, the program explains, small casts meant that actors took on multiple roles. Although Blackfriars doesn’t re-create the Elizabethan custom of having all of the female roles played by men (real women didn’t routinely appear on the English stage until 50 years after Shakespeare’s death), the theater does try to capture the same spirit by sometimes casting women as men, and vice versa.

By the time Caesar is buried, Marc Antony has triumphed on the battlefield and the actors have taken their bows, I’m eager to see what kind of fun this cast might have with a comedy. Happily, Blackfriars makes that kind of bingewatching possible by staging an average of four to six plays during each repertory season. On many weekends, you can catch three different plays over two days.

With four seasons per year, Blackfriars will mount 15 different productions in 2017, including Shakespeare, other classics and the modern comedy Goodnight Desdemona (Good Morning Juliet).

If you’re filling a weekend with multiple shows, you’ll find plenty to do between curtain calls in Staunton (which, incidentally, is pronounced “Stanton”), a friendly town in the Shenandoah Valley. The Blackfriars Playhouse sits at one end of a walkable downtown that’s chockablock with restaurants and shops, including many selling vintage and home goods.

Staunton itself is known for its architecture, and with more than a thousand historic buildings, makes an outstanding

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IF YOU GO

AMERICAN SHAKESPEARE CENTER Take the backstage tour (weekdays at 2 p.m. and Saturdays at 11 a.m., $7) for an engaging introduction to the Blackfriars Playhouse.

Tickets to plays range from $21 to $49. americanshakespearecenter.com APPALACHIAN PIECEWORK Staunton has more than a dozen specialty shops, but people who love fine crafts shouldn’t miss this one. Proprietor and “utilitarian folk artist” Laurie Gundersen spins her own yarn on spinning wheels in the store, weaves place mats and scarves, and restores vintage textiles and quilts. appalachianpiecework.com 372

THE BY & BY When the weather is nice, you can have breakfast or lunch in the back garden of this laidback coffee shop. In the evenings it turns into a beer garden with live music and movies. thebyandby.us DOWNTOWN STAUNTON VISITORS CENTER Start your visit here by picking up maps, information about special events and free tokens to ride the trolley around town. visitstaunton.com FRONTIER CULTURE MUSEUM Plan to spend at least three hours walking around this sprawling outdoor park. Kids will enjoy meeting the farm animals at each homestead, and costumed interpreters explain the exhibits and answer questions. frontiermuseum.org THE PAMPERED PALATE CAFÉ Sandwiches are the specialty at this local lunch favorite. If the first floor looks crowded, head to the upstairs seating area, and you can look out

MAY/JUNE 2017 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

over the town’s main street while you eat. thepamperedpalatecafe.com STONEWALL JACKSON HOTEL Built in 1924, this elegant historic hotel stands next to the Blackfriars Playhouse.

A Shakespeare package starts at $185, depending on the season, and includes play tickets and breakfast for two. stonewalljacksonhotel.com WOODROW WILSON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM Tour the house where Wilson was born in 1856, then pop into the museum for a look at his restored 1919 Pierce-Arrow limousine. woodrowwilson.org ZYNODOA A farm-to-table restaurant with a Southern accent, Zynodoa is the most stylish place in town to get dinner before a show. The cheese biscuits that arrive with your drinks are alone worth a visit. zynodoa.com

ILLUSTRATION BY MARY ANN SMITH

STAUNTON IS 150 MILES southwest of the Beltway. You can also reach the town via Amtrak. Trains stop in downtown Staunton, a few blocks from the Blackfriars Playhouse and within easy walking distance of the attractions listed below, except for the Frontier Culture Museum.

PHOTO BY LAURIE MCCLELLAN

place to just stroll around and admire the stately homes. President Woodrow Wilson was born in one a few blocks from the theater. His home and presidential library make an inviting stop for history lovers.

Visitors who want to stay in a Shakespearean mood can get another 17th-century fix at the Frontier Culture Museum, a short drive from downtown.

The outdoor museum showcases the types of homesteads that emigrants from different countries left behind when they moved to the American frontier.

According to the museum, some 120,000 people left England for its first North American colony, Virginia, in the 1600s. (Virginia is named for Queen Elizabeth I, Shakespeare’s most important patron, who was known as the Virgin Queen.)

The half-timbered farmhouse representing Elizabethan England is not a replica, but rather an authentic home dating to 1630 that originally stood in

Worcestershire, England. The house was taken apart, shipped to Staunton in 1992 and then put back together again at the museum in 1993. Woolly white sheep graze in the farm’s meadow, hissing geese with neon-orange beaks wander its gravel path and ducklings float past on a little stream. Squint a little and you can imagine yourself in the English countryside of four centuries ago. Other exhibits at the museum include a 1700s Irish cottage, a German farmhouse, a West African village and Shenandoah Valley homes from the 1820s and 1850s.

The next morning I’m eating a bagel sandwich in the garden of the By & By coffee shop next door to the Blackfriars Playhouse when I hear someone speaking in what sounds like Shakespearean English. With the theater clearly in my line of sight, I can actually hear the bard’s words floating through the air.

Glancing over at the next table, I’m relieved to spot an actress from the night before, script propped open in front of

East Beverley Street runs through the heart of Staunton and includes the By & By cafe.

her, sipping coffee and practicing her part.

Turns out I wasn’t daydreaming in iambic pentameter—although in Staunton, steeping yourself in Shakespeare is so much fun that it just might happen. n To date, writer Laurie McClellan has seen 24 of Shakespeare’s 38 plays performed live. She credits theater buddy Kristin Frey with dreaming up the Shakespeare quest.

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PETS

BY CARALEE ADAMS

OUCH

JUSTIN BALCHUN’S DOG, DODGE, a 7-year-old Lab mix, loves to run around and jump off a dock to go swimming in the St. Mary’s River on weekends. So when the dog began to limp and whine two years ago, the Gaithersburg resident brought his pet to the veterinarian. The vet referred Balchun to an orthopedic specialist, who ran tests and determined that Dodge needed surgery to repair a ruptured knee ligament.

“I was relieved to know it could be fixed,” says Balchun, 32, owner of Balchun Construction. “I knew he had to have it. I had no hesitation.”

The decision to go ahead with Dodge’s surgery was easy, Balchun says, in part because he had followed his vet’s recommendation and purchased a pet insurance policy for $40 a month when the dog was 6 months old. Once Balchun met the deductible—$125 per incident or illness—his insurance company, Trupanion, reimbursed him for $3,500 of the $4,550 he’d paid for office visits, X-rays and the operation.

According to the American Pet Products Association, about 68 percent of households in the U.S., or about 85 million homes, have a pet. In 2016, about 25 percent of the approximately $67 billion spent on pets went to medical care. The costs add up: CT scans run from $450 to $1,000; chemotherapy for a dog who has cancer can cost several thousand dollars.

If your dog eats something he shouldn’t— like a sock or some sugar-free gum—you could end up with high vet bills.

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Darryl Rawlings, CEO of Seattlebased Trupanion, says owners aren’t always aware of the costs of diagnostic tests, hospital stays or surgery for an animal. According to Kristen Lynch, executive director of the North American Pet Health Insurance Association (NAPHIA), only 1 to 2 percent of pets— more dogs than cats—are covered by insurance. Rawlings says that percentage is rising. “Since the industry is relatively new in North America, many pet owners don’t know that medical insurance for pets exists in the first place—and most don’t expect their pet will ever get a costly injury or illness,” he says.

Some pet insurance plans cover accident and illness. Others are accident only, and there are also policies that include wellness care, such as vaccines.

Premiums average about $36 a month for a dog for accident and illness plans, according to NAPHIA, but the cost depends on your deductible, the reimbursement percentage, plan limits and the animal’s health profile.

“It’s important to understand what you can afford and look for a plan that has the type of coverage you think you would use the most,” says Janet Ruiz, spokesperson for the New York-based Insurance Information Institute. Some dog breeds are more likely to develop certain health problems—German shepherds are prone to hip dysplasia, dachshunds to intervertebral disc disease—so pet owners should look closely to see if a plan covers preexisting or congenital conditions.

MAY/JUNE 2017 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

Health problems were the last thing Cristina Vaughan’s family imagined when they got their golden retriever, Lucas, last spring. But at 3 months old, the dog started limping, and they didn’t know why. “It was like having a very old dog in a puppy body,” says Vaughan, who lives in Bethesda with her husband and three teenagers.

The breeder offered to take the dog back, but Vaughan’s family had already fallen in love with him. Last November, Lucas had a complex surgery to remove excess cartilage between the joints on both of his elbows, the result of a developmental defect called fragmented coronoid process. The family’s pet insurance policy, which they’d purchased when Lucas was 2 months old, paid for 90 percent of the tests, surgery and follow-up treatment, including Lucas’ weekly therapy sessions on an underwater treadmill, saving them thousands of dollars. Four months later, Lucas is back to himself again.

“You wouldn’t consider, as a parent, going without health insurance for a child,” Vaughan says. “I wouldn’t want to have to make the decision of not treating a dog because we couldn’t afford it.” n

ILLUSTRATION BY JARED SCROGGINS

How pet insurance can help with painful vet bills

ImaginationBethesda2017.pdf

1

3/30/17

12:17 PM

Saturday, June 3 • 10am-3pm Bethesda Urban Partnership presents

A Children's Street Festival Celebrating the Arts!

FREE live entertainment, creative activities, face painters, roving performers, balloonists and more!

Imagination Bethesda takes place at the corner of Woodmont Avenue and Elm Street in downtown Bethesda.

Produced by Sponsored by

Free parking is available at the Woodmont Avenue-Edgemoor Lane, Bethesda Avenue-Elm Street and Bethesda-Woodmont Avenue garages.

For more information, call 301-215-6660 or visit www.bethesda.org.

etc.

BY JOE ZIMMERMANN

From left: Matt Jr., Brendan, Michelle, Shawn, Matt, twins Maggie and Jude, and Joe.

FAMILY PORTRAIT IN A RECENT POST on her new blog, Mamma Bear, Michelle Flynn says she’s knee-deep in “family 2.0.” She and her husband, Matt, who was her childhood crush, live in Bethesda with their six children. The older kids, Matt Jr., 14, Shawn, 13, and Joe, 11, are close in age, but the younger ones—Brendan, 2, and twins Jude and Maggie, born in October—came along much later.

A LONG STORY: Matt and Michelle, both 40, met in first grade at St. Jane de Chantal in Bethesda. At Walter Johnson High School, they went to freshman dances as a couple, and they even took family vacations together as their parents were friends.

They officially started dating when they were both students at the University of Maryland, and they married four years later. “Our worlds are very much shared to begin with,” Michelle says.

IT’S A GIRL: The couple waited until each child was born to learn the baby’s sex. Maggie was born five minutes before Jude, and when the doctor handed her to Matt, he says, “For the first time, I got to say, ‘It’s a girl!’ ” PITCHING IN: Now that the twins are here, the older boys help change diapers and baby-sit. Matt says the babies have taught their brothers more than he and his wife ever could about what it means to take care of someone.

WRITE AWAY: The twins arrived early, at 30 weeks. Michelle started sharing funny stories on Facebook to relieve the stress of being in the neonatal intensive care unit. That led her to start her Mamma Bear blog, where she posts anecdotes about raising twins and being a mom.

grandmother’s old house, just down the street from St. Jane de Chantal, where Shawn and Joe are third-generation students.

Michelle runs an after-school program there. Their siblings’ families are all close by; her parents are a half-mile away, and his parents are two blocks away.

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MAY/JUNE 2017 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

DOWN TIME: Matt, a software engineer, estimates that he and Michelle will have some free time in about six years. Matt Jr. wrestles at Walter Johnson, Shawn plays football, Joe swims, and all three play baseball. Somehow the family manages to have dinner together every night. n

PHOTO BY LIZ LYNCH

HOME TEAM: In 2010, Matt and Michelle moved into her

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