Bethesda Magazine: May-June 2019 by MoCo360

FOOD & DRINK ISSUE BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

MAY/JUNE 2019

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MAY/JUNE 2019 FOOD & DRINK ISSUE

A Z Z I P T A E GR BethesdaMagazine.com

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Photos are for illustrative purposes only. Features, finishes, and prices are subject to change without notice. | MHBR #7084 EYA LLC, through its various development affiliates, builds homes in the Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, DC metropolitan area. References to “EYA” refer to EYA LLC. EYA Marketing LLC markets, advertises, and sells each EYA affiliated property as agent for the seller. | Grosvenor Heights is being developed by 5400 Grosvenor LLC. No representations regarding the development, construction or sale of any portion of the Grosvenor Heights community is made by EYA LLC or any EYA affiliate except 5400 Grosvenor LLC. Sales by EYA Marketing LLC, agent for 5400 Grosvenor LLC.

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2018 HIGHEST CAPITAL REGION SALES WFP REPRESENTED 60% OF THE TOP 25 SALES

2018 HIGHEST MONTGOMERY COUNTY SALES WFP REPRESENTED

TOP 10 SALES

2019 WFP HIGHEST MONTGOMERY CNTY CONTRACTS WFP REPRESENTED YTD

TOP 5 SALES

May/June 2019 | Volume 16 Issue 3

contents P. 142

La Ferme bartender Mark Butcher

128 pizza Perfect

142 Staying Alive

156 Vineyard Haven

Our desire for pizza is as strong as ever, but our taste in it has become more sophisticated. These 10 local pizzerias have captured our attention.

How six Bethesda-area restaurants have stood the test of time

These Maryland wineries are worth a visit

BY STEVE GOLDSTEIN

BY JEFF HEINEMAN

BY DAVID HAGEDORN

12 MAY/JUNE 2019 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

COVER: Pizza from Frankly...Pizza! Photo by Stacy Zarin Goldberg

PHOTO BY LAURA CHASE DE FORMIGNY

FOOD & DRINK ISSUE

contents

P. 184

164 Preparing for the Worst When it comes to keeping students safe from an armed assailant, local schools say hiding in a locked classroom is no longer the only option

176 Well-Traveled From swimming with sharks to hiking volcanoes, some people take vacations to another level BY DAVID GOLDSTEIN

BY JULIE RASICOT

14 MAY/JUNE 2019 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

184 Bethesda Interview

194 Two of Everything

204 Learning the Truth

Chef José Andrés and his wife, Patricia Fernandez de la Cruz, talk about raising their daughters, cooking at home and José’s crazy schedule

For parents of multiples, life can be doubly—or triply— exhausting

Dorie Hightower thought she knew everything about her family. Then she took a DNA test.

BY CAROLE SUGARMAN

BY MARGARET ENGEL

BY MIKE UNGER

PHOTO BY MICHAEL VENTURA

FEATURES

Steve Wydler Associate Broker / VA, DC & MD 703.348.6326 Khaki Guy Laces Up “Best Realtor” Arlington Magazine Dartmouth, Vanderbilt JD

Hans Wydler Associate Broker / DC, MD & VA 301.640.5701 Suit Guy Buckles Down “Best Realtor” Bethesda Magazine Yale, Harvard MBA

Compass is a licensed real estate broker and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only. Information is compiled from sources deemed reliable but is subject to errors, omissions, changes in price, condition, sale, or withdraw without notice. No statement is made as to accuracy of any description. All measurements and square footages are approximate. Exact dimensions can be obtained by retaining the services of an architect or engineer. This is not intended to solicit property already listed. Compass is licensed as Compass Real Estate in DC and as Compass in Virginia and Maryland. 5471 Wisconsin Ave, Suite 300, Chevy Chase, MD 20815 | 301.298.1001

contents

DEPARTMENTS

P. 62

home

219

24 | CONTRIBUTORS

220 | HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS

292 | REVIEW

A roundup of home goods in a trendy wood finish

Julii, a new French Mediterranean restaurant at Pike & Rose, turns heads

222 | THE GREEN SCENE

296 | TABLE TALK

Creating environmentally friendly landscapes with sustainable gardening

What’s happening on the local food scene

good life

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

34 | BEST BETS Can’t-miss arts events

38 | ARTS CALENDAR Where to go, what to see

banter

291

dine

22 | TO OUR READERS

A Potomac couple puts their personal stamp on an older house, updating it to harmonize with their style and its pastoral setting

317

238 | HOME SALES BY THE NUMBERS

Must-haves for the next time you travel. Plus, a new line of hair care products from a Potomac dermatologist.

people. politics. current events. books.

50 | FIGURATIVELY SPEAKING The Bicycle Master Plan by the numbers

54 | QUICK TAKES News you may have missed

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

62 | HOMETOWN On a former dairy farm in Boyds, injured service members help train dogs for disabled veterans BY STEVE ROBERTS

300 | DINING GUIDE

228 | SOUTHERN CHARM

253

health

etc.

318 | SHOP TALK

322 | WEDDINGS

254 | BE WELL A personal trainer helps older clients— including some in their 90s—reach their full potential

256 | THE ART OF GIVING Five years ago, John Myers went to the doctor thinking he had the flu and found out that his kidneys had failed. The Rockville grandpa never imagined that an acquaintance would save his life.

264 | HARD HABITS TO BREAK People who suffer from body-focused repetitive behaviors struggle for relief

272 | WELLNESS CALENDAR

An animal lover and a Lord of the Rings buff marry by the water on a scorching day in June

326 | GET AWAY Your cheat sheet for a weekend away

328 | DRIVING RANGE Visit some of Virginia’s lesser-known Civil War sites

334 | FLASHBACK A Bethesda farm woman overcame family hardships to build a thriving quarry business

335 | PETS Why some people walk their cats

AD SECTIONS 2019 FACES 65

LONG & FOSTER AD SECTION 212

16 MAY/JUNE 2019 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

SHOWCASES: BUILDERS & ARCHITECTS 244

ASK THE EXPERTS: SENIORS & AGING 276

PHOTO BY LIZ LYNCH

336 | OUTTAKES

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Serving Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Frederick, Howard, Montgomery, and Prince George’s Counties, and the District of Columbia

What’s online @ BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

enter our

❱❱ ONLINE ARCHIVES Explore past issues and stories using our searchable archives.

❱❱ JOB BOARD

GIVEAWAYS STARTING

MAY 1

Job Board by Bethesda Magazine is a new online resource that connects area employers with Montgomery County job seekers. Learn more at BethesdaMagazine.com/JobBoard.

Enter for a chance to win

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Annabel Burch-Murton Realtor® DC/MD/VA 202.285.7166 Annabel@BurchMurton.com

❱❱ DAILY NEWSLETTER Get local news delivered right to your inbox by signing up for the free Bethesda Beat daily newsletter. The newsletter contains headlines from the most recent Bethesda Beat stories. Sign up for the newsletter at BethesdaMagazine.com.

$250 to local restaurants

The winner will receive gift cards for some of the area’s hottest dining spots: Jaleo, Matchbox, MoCo’s Founding Farmers, Morton’s and Stella Barra Pizzeria.

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18 MAY/JUNE 2019 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

Dinner at City Perch and a movie at IPIC

Follow Bethesda Beat at @BethesdaBeat

The winner will receive a night out at Pike & Rose: dinner for two at City Perch Kitchen + Bar (a three-course meal of locally sourced fare) and two tickets for Premium Plus seating at IPIC theaters. The package is valued at $250.

Find Bethesda Beat at facebook.com/BethesdaBeat

To enter, go to BethesdaMagazine.com/giveaways

❱❱ STAY CONNECTED

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. 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

Enter for a chance to win

COURTESY PHOTOS

Experience. Excellence. Accountability.

Bethesda Beat is Bethesda Magazine’s local news site. Each weekday, Bethesda Beat publishes an average of eight news stories covering local politics and government, development, crime, schools and restaurants. Read Bethesda Beat at BethesdaMagazine.com.

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We Know Bethesda Bethesda Knows Us $2.6 Billion in sales Over 4,100 transactions in Bethesda alone

Nearly

1 in 3 homes bought and sold by a Long & Foster | Christie’s agent

Discover your home at longandfoster.com/luxury

22354-Bethesda May-June Spread.indd 7

Long & Foster crossed the Potomac River in 1974 and has been a mainstay in Bethesda and Montgomery County ever since. Our affiliation with Christie’s International Real Estate opened the door to a global audience of high-net worth individuals and discerning buyers and sellers of luxury real estate. This combination allows our agents to better serve the luxury market, making our position both unique and strong in Bethesda. It’s a community we are dedicated to serving, and after 45 years of helping residents with all of their real estate needs, our commitment to the area has never been stronger.

4/8/19 4:29 PM

22354-B

Bringing More Luxury Buyers and Sellers Together in Montgomery County, Maryland

30.0% 12.6%

WFP

9.2%

Compass

6.0%

TTR RE/MAX RS

3.1%

Source: Information included in this report is based on data supplied by BRIGHTMLS and its member Association(s) of REALTORS, who are not responsible for its accuracy. Does not reflect all activity in the marketplace. January 1, 2018 – December 31, 2018, as of January 29, 2019. Luxury is defined as homes priced $1 Million and above. Information contained in this report is deemed reliable but not guaranteed, should be independently verified, and does not constitute an opinion of BRIGHTMLS or Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc. ©2019 All rights reserved. Christie’s International Real Estate in select areas.

4:29 PM

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to our readers

SLICE OF LIFE GROWING UP IN DANBURY, Connecticut, in the 1960s, Friday night dinner almost always meant takeout pizza from The Pizza Shop, which was next to the railroad tracks and shook mightily whenever a train rumbled by. The Pizza Shop was no-frills and, truth be told, kind of grungy. But more than 50 years later I can recall the wonderful smell of the place and the taste and consistency of the “plain” pizza we ordered. Apparently I’m not alone in my nostalgia: A recent post on The Pizza Shop in a Facebook group called “You know you lived/live in Danbury, Ct if...” elicited more than 200 comments. Danbury is just a 90-minute drive from Manhattan, and is very much subject to the city’s gravitational pull. When I lived in Danbury, people watched New York television news shows and rooted for New York sports teams. Every morning, hundreds of people would take the two-hour train ride to their jobs in the city. Not surprisingly, the pizza at The Pizza Shop— and virtually every other pizza joint in Danbury—was New York style, with a thin crust and a light layer of tomato sauce. We weren’t aware at the time that the pizza was New York style or, in fact, that there were different styles. Pizza was pizza. My pizza awakening occurred while I was a student at the University of Connecticut, when friends from southern Connecticut introduced me to New Havenstyle pizza, which is drier and thinner than New York style, but not all that different. (For reasons I will never understand, New Haven-style enthusiasts think it’s a good idea to put clams on pizza. It’s not.) When I moved to D.C. after graduating from college, I ate Chicago-style deep-dish pizza for the first time and then discovered the wonders of Neapolitan pizza when Mia’s Pizzas opened in Bethesda in 2006. Today, there are dozens of styles of pizza (mostly regional) and an incredible array of toppings that pizza 22 MAY/JUNE 2019 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

lovers can choose from. And pizza is more popular than ever. On average, Americans eat 23 pounds of pizza a year, according to the website thepizzajoint.com. Once a pizza backwater, the Bethesda area is now home to many excellent pizza restaurants. In this, our 15th annual Food and Drink issue, we asked our restaurant critic, David Hagedorn, to write about the 10 best pizza restaurants in Montgomery County and Upper Northwest D.C. Hagedorn and our editorial team came up with a list of candidates, and then (with difficulty) narrowed the list to the top 10. Hagedorn’s choices are dominated by Neapolitan and Neapolitan-influenced places, including Inferno Pizzeria Napoletana in Darnestown, which many people, including Hagedorn, believe is one of the best overall restaurants in the area. Our picks also include VÜK in Bethesda, a New York-style pizzeria where slices are served on white paper plates (as New York-style pizza should be); Pete’s New Haven Style Apizza in Upper Northwest; and Comet Ping Pong in Upper Northwest, which, according to owner James Alefantis, serves “American East Coast style,” whatever that may be. Our story on the best pizza restaurants begins on page 128 and is followed by features on local eateries that have stood the test of time and Maryland wineries that are worth visiting. I hope you enjoy our Food and Drink stories and the rest of the issue. Thanks for reading Bethesda Magazine.

STEVE HULL Editor & Publisher

Chevy Chase | $1,995,000

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Kensington | $1,375,000

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Catalina Schrader 301.922.3099 www.mcenearney.com

Tom Williams 202.255.3650 www.tomwilliamsrealtor.com

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Handsome, polished 4-level colonial in popular Town of Chevy Chase. Updated kitchen & baths, main level family room & finished lower level. Easy walk to downtown Bethesda amenities & Metro.

Beautifully updated and maintained Colonial located in desirable Rock Creek Hills. Main level offers living & dining rooms, family room, eat-in kitchen, sunroom, stone patio, and dining terrace.

Beautifully expanded and completely renovated in 2008, this Colonial boasts a 3-story rear addition. 5 bedrooms, 3 full baths, open family room/gourmet kitchen with 9.5-ft ceilings, & 2nd floor laundry.

Potomac | $1,075,000

Bethesda | $1,045,000

Bethesda | $919,000

Anslie Stokes Milligan 202.688.0111 www.thestokesgroup.com

Lynn Raskin 202.253.0100 Katherine Martin 202.494.7373

Dave Kolakowski 301.445.8525 www.livinginmetrodc.com

Stunning custom-designed contemporary home on a private wooded lot. Living rooom with curved wall of windows. Renovated kitchen with adjoining family room. Beautiful master with spa bath.

Elegant first floor unit at the Edgemoor at Arlington. This gorgeous 1,539-SF condo offers a country kitchen, 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1 garage space, & ADA features. Low monthly fee. Owner/Agent.

Beautiful 4 level home in the Springfield neighborhood of Bethesda. 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, eat-in kitchen, enclosed porch with wood-burning stove, finished lower level, & large flagstone patio.

Kensington 3804 Howard Avenue, Kensington, MD 20895 I Spring Valley 4315 50th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20016 14th Street 1803 14th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20009 I DC +1 202.552.5600 I www.McEnearney.com Alexandria I Arlington I Leesburg I McLean I Middleburg I Vienna

DAVID HAGEDORN

JULIE RASICOT

STACY ZARIN GOLDBERG

LIVES IN: Lanier Heights in Washington, D.C.

LIVES IN: Silver Spring

LIVES IN: Olney

IN THIS ISSUE: Wrote about how local public and private schools are training staff and students to deal with active assailants as part of efforts to improve school safety.

IN THIS ISSUE: Photographed the cover image and local spots for the pizza story. “I am a firm believer in the saying: ‘There’s no such thing as bad pizza.’ I consider myself a pizza connoisseur, considering the high frequency and mass amounts of pizza I consume. I happen to be the world’s worst cook—pizza is often my go-to.”

IN THIS ISSUE: Went to a zillion pizza places and wrote about them for the cover story; reviewed Julii, the North Bethesda French Mediterranean bistro backed by the founders of CAVA; and covered the local food scene in the “Table Talk” column. WHAT HE DOES: Restaurant critic for Bethesda Magazine and Arlington Magazine; freelance writer covering food, travel and design; frequent contributor to The Washington Post; and cookbook writer for notable chefs. WHAT HE DID: Had a 20-year career as a chef and restaurateur before becoming a writer in 2005. FANTASY HOUSEHOLD ITEM: A Lacanche Saulieu range in white and stainless steel with four burners, a flat top and two ovens. “It’s a work of art, but it might as well be a Picasso, because at $14,000 I’m just as likely to acquire one as I am the other.”

WHAT SHE DOES: Deputy editor of Bethesda Magazine and former managing editor of Bethesda Beat, the magazine’s online news service. MOST UNFORGETTABLE TRIP: Alaskan cruise with her husband and two daughters. “I’d hoped we’d get the chance to see the calving of a glacier. We finally saw a massive chunk break off. When it hit the water, it created waves that gently rocked our cruise ship, even though we were a mile away.” PATH NOT TAKEN: “I’ve always wanted to be a marine biologist, but the science was intimidating, and a love of reporting and writing proved the stronger pull.”

WHAT SHE DOES: Owns Stacy Zarin Goldberg Photography and spends her days taking pictures of architecture and interiors, food, and the region’s elite, including celebrity chefs and industry leaders. She’s a frequent contributor to The Washington Post, and her work has appeared in Martha Stewart Living, Vogue, Dwell, Architectural Digest and more. FULL HOUSE: She lives with her husband, Adam, a police officer who’s part of a K-9 unit; kids, Maddie, 6, and Dylan, 4; police dogs Leo and Leroy; and Rosie, a 12-week-old rescue mutt. FAVORITE PIZZA: “All pizza, but I can always go for the classic margherita—slightly crispy crust and cheesy.”

24 MAY/JUNE 2019 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

DAVID HAGEDORN PHOTO BY CHARLES BLAYDES; ALL OTHERS COURTESY PHOTOS

contributors

Christina O’Dea

Lynda O’Dea

Lifelong residents of Bethesda, Lynda O’Dea & her daughter Christina help buyers & sellers navigate the often complex real estate sales process. With expertise in business, technology, marketing & online advertising, plus staging & interior design — clients receive added-value services to maximize value & minimize stress, helping make the process more enjoyable. Give us a call to arrange a confidential no-obligation conversation!

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Visit our websites LegendaryHomes.com & BethesdaRealEstate.com For more information, call Lynda O’Dea at 240 988-4400

Long & Foster, LFC at Bethesda, 7161 Woodmont Ave, Chevy Chase, MD 20815 (240) 800-5155

EDITORIAL EDITOR

Steve Hull SENIOR EDITOR

Cindy Rich ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Kathleen Seiler Neary DEPUTY EDITOR

Julie Rasicot CONSULTING ART DIRECTOR

Sylvia Gashi-Silver DEPUTY ART DIRECTOR

Laura F. Goode ASSOCIATE ART DIRECTOR

Jenny Fischer BETHESDA BEAT MANAGING EDITOR

Lloyd Batzler BETHESDA BEAT REPORTERS

Caitlynn Peetz, Dan Schere, Charlie Wright WEB PRODUCER

Ellyse Stauffer RESTAURANT CRITIC

David Hagedorn CONTRIBUTING EDITORS

Eugene L. Meyer, Louis Peck, Carole Sugarman COPY EDITORS

Sandra Fleishman, Steve Wilder EDITORIAL INTERN

Setota Hailemariam DESIGN INTERN

Sharon Lopilato CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Caralee Adams, Jennifer Barger, Stephanie Siegel Burke, James Michael Causey, Amanda Cherrin, Dina ElBoghdady, Margaret Engel, Michael S. Gerber, Steve Goldstein, Janelle Harris, Melanie D.G. Kaplan, Rachael Keeney, Christine Koubek, Laurie McClellan, Melanie Padgett Powers, Amy Reinink, Steve Roberts, Charlotte Safavi, Kelly Sankowski, Mike Unger, Mark Walston, Carolyn Weber, Adrienne Wichard-Edds, April Witt PHOTOGRAPHERS & ILLUSTRATORS

Edgar Artiga, Skip Brown, Laura Chase de Formigny, Erick Gibson, Stacy Zarin Goldberg, Lisa Helfert, Alice Kresse, Deb Lindsey, Josh Loock, Liz Lynch, Amanda Smallwood, Mary Ann Smith, Michael Ventura Bethesda Magazine is published six times a year by Kohanza Media Ventures, LLC. Â© 2009-2019 Letters to the editor: Please send letters (with your name, the town you live in and your daytime phone number) to letters@bethesdamagazine.com. Story ideas: Please send ideas for stories to editorial@bethesdamagazine.com. Bethesda Magazine 7768 Woodmont Ave., #204, Bethesda, MD 20814 Phone: 301-718-7787/ Fax: 301-718-1875 BethesdaMagazine.com

MAY/JUNE 2019 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

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39,0

$1,5

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

good life

ANSWERS UNCORKED Washington Spirit forward Mallory Pugh with fans at the Maryland SoccerPlex

CATCH THE SPIRIT PHOTO COURTESY OF WASHINGTON SPIRIT

FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS MIGHT be reserved for high school football, but at the Maryland SoccerPlex, Saturday nights are for soccer—and the Washington Spirit. The club, which participates in the National Women’s Soccer League, plays regular season games from April through October at the Germantown sports complex’s Maureen Hendricks Field, which has seating for 4,000 fans. One section of the stands is filled by the Spirit Squadron, the team’s officially recognized fan club (or supporters’ group, as they’re called in soccer culture), which brings drums, flags and banners to the games, as well as sheets with written chants so fans in nearby sections can join in on the cheers. Fans can stay after games and ask players for autographs or selfies, a common request lately, says Aubrey Bledsoe, the Spirit goalkeeper and 2018 team MVP.

“It means so much just to have all the local families and community out there supporting us. The environment that they create is definitely a motivating influence for the games,” Bledsoe says. “It doesn’t get better than a game at night, under the lights, a lot of fans cheering loudly and helping us to win.” The Washington Spirit plays home games at the Maryland SoccerPlex at 7 or 7:30 p.m. on select Saturdays. Tickets start at $20 or $25 depending on the game. Maureen Hendricks Field at Maryland SoccerPlex; mailing address: 18031 Central Park Circle, Boyds; 301-591-0927; tickets. washingtonspirit.com/#/event-list —Setota Hailemariam BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM | MAY/JUNE 2019

good life

BRONCS AND BREWS

spring and fall Saturdays, the stables and brewery pair up for the guided ride around the 230-acre property, followed by self-guided sipping of a flight of beers at the brewery. Visitors can enjoy the beers on the patio overlooking the farm’s rolling hills, by the firepits or at the bustling indoor bar. The single-file trail rides are for all levels of participants—the horses don’t (or at least are not supposed to) trot or canter. Expect a peaceful jaunt through fields, forests and streams, with glimpses of wild fowl and horses out to pasture. The outings accommodate up to

MAY/JUNE 2019 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

eight riders and last about an hour, including waiver-signing, helmet-fitting, saddling up and basic instruction from experienced equestrians. True Brew Trail Rides at Waredaca Brewing Co. are at 3 p.m. on most Saturdays from late March through May, and September through November. $60 for a trail ride and flight of five beers ($50 for ride only). Registration in advance required. 4017 Damascus Road, Laytonsville; 301-7742337; waredacabrewing.com/events —Aviva Goldfarb

PHOTO BY SKIP BROWN

PREPARING TO MOUNT THEIR horses for a True Brew Trail Ride at the stables next to the Waredaca Brewing Co. in Laytonsville, nervous first-timers might wish they had downed their flight of beers first for some liquid courage. But better to “ride first, drink later,” as the Waredaca website advises—sobriety on horseback is important for safety, and bathrooms are about an hour away at trail’s end. The third-generation family-owned Waredaca horse farm, which added its brewery in 2015, is a 45-minute drive from downtown Bethesda. Most

Bal

Annual Spring Gala

MATTHEW MORRISON WITH SHOSHANA BEAN Sat, May 4

CHICK COREA & BÉLA FLECK Fri, May 10

YOUSSOU NDOUR Wed, May 29

2019

Coming up at EL GRAN FESTIVAL DE MUSICA CUBANA FEATURING

JUAN DE MARCOS

AND OTHERS FROM THE BUENA VISTA SOCIAL CLUB

Sat, June 29

PILOBOLUS Tue, July 9

SPRING SUMMER

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ACTS OF FAITH REMIX TOUR

Wed, June 26

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

Strathmore_BethesdaMag_MayJune.indd 1

3/22/19 4:55 PM

good life

BEST BETS

Our picks for things to see and do in May and June BY STEPHANIE SIEGEL BURKE

May 8-June 9

DRAMA QUEENS The story of Mary Stuart, the 16th-century monarch who battled with cousin Queen Elizabeth I for power over England, has inspired many artistic representations, including the 2018 film Mary Queen of Scots. More than 200 years earlier, German playwright Friedrich Schiller wrote his version of events in the play Mary Stuart. Olney Theatre Center presents a new adaptation of Schiller’s play, whittling the original cast of 20 characters down to a company of six who will play multiple parts as both men and women, highlighting the gender politics of the piece. Mary and Elizabeth were two of the most powerful women of their time, yet they were surrounded by controlling men trying to achieve their own agendas.

May 4

FUNNY BUSINESS Even though her Instagram handle is @girlwithnojob, Claudia Oshry has made a career on social media out of being unemployed and funny. The former New York University student began blogging about her fashion company internship, but she changed the blog’s name to Girl With No Job after she was fired and also started Instagram and Facebook accounts. Three million followers later, Oshry has turned Girl With No Job into a full-time gig that includes getting paid by businesses to post about their products, an online entertainment news show, a podcast, and the “Dirty Jeans Tour,” a live comedy show that comes to The Fillmore Silver Spring in May. 7:30 p.m., $25-$75, The Fillmore Silver Spring, fillmoresilverspring.com

May 25-27

BEACH PARTY Feel the sand between your toes without crossing the Bay Bridge by kicking off summer at Rockville’s Hometown Holidays. The annual event returns with three days of festivities. On Saturday and Sunday, enjoy four stages of live music, rides, bounce houses and the Taste of Rockville food festival. A highlight of the event is the “beach,” a parking lot covered by tons of sand where kids can dig and build sandcastles and grown-ups can enjoy adult beverages. Memorial Day ceremonies start at 9 a.m. on Monday, followed by a parade in and around Rockville Town Square. Hometown Holidays features a full schedule of live music. Southern Avenue performed at last year’s event.

34 MAY/JUNE 2019 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

Noon to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; 9-11:30 a.m. Monday, free, Rockville Town Square, rockvillehometownholidays.com

COURTESY OF THE FILLMORE; COURTESY OF OLNEY THEATRE; HOMETOWN HOLIDAYS PHOTO BY MIKE DOBBINS

$54-$74, Olney Theatre Center, olneytheatre.org

good life

BEST BETS June 29

GIRL POWER The Balad of Mu Lan comes to Bethesda’s Imagination Stage, combining elements of martial arts, traditional Peking opera, and musical theater with themes of honor and courage. Based on a traditional Chinese folk tale, the story tells of Mu Lan, a young girl who goes to battle in place of her father after China orders one man from each family to join the army fighting against invaders. Mu Lan befriends her fellow soldiers and (spoiler alert) ultimately saves the day and proves that girls can do anything. The show premiered at the Honolulu Theatre for Youth in 2017. Original playwright and director Alvin Chan and original musician Matt Mazzella join this production, which includes a revamping of the original music and a larger cast to incorporate more martial arts talent and live percussion. Recommended for ages 4 and older.

CUBAN RHYTHMS According to legend, a certain kind of magic, luck and serendipity led to the creation of the Buena Vista Social Club, the landmark 1997 album that helped introduce the world to the sounds of 1940s and ’50s Cuban music. Musicians from Mali were supposed to join a group of Cuban musicians to record an album, but when the Africans couldn’t obtain visas, the Cuban group had to improvise, creating a multigenerational orchestra that included some performers who had retired long ago. The album, recorded over six days in a vintage 1950s Cuban recording studio, sold millions of copies worldwide. Strathmore hopes to rekindle that magic at El Gran Festival de Musica Cubana, a concert that will bring together veteran musicians from the Buena Vista Social Club and other celebrated Cuban performers. 8 p.m., $78-$128, The Music Center at Strathmore, strathmore.org Juan de Marcos González will be one of the performers at El Gran Festival de Musica Cubana.

$15-$35, Imagination Stage, imaginationstage.org

June 29

LET IT GLOW The city of Gaithersburg lights up the night in two ways at SummerFest, its annual celebration of our country’s independence. Despite taking place several days before July 4, the event will feature a spectacular fireworks display and a glow-in-the dark after party. First up is a street festival featuring live music, food vendors, craft beer tastings from local breweries, strolling entertainers and kids activities, including inflatable amusements, face painting, balloon twisting and lawn games. The fireworks start at dusk. After that, get your glow sticks ready for the SummerGlo After Party, where the music continues and LED-illuminated hula-hoopers, jugglers and stiltwalkers entertain the late crowd. 5-11:30 p.m., free, Bohrer Park at Summit Hall Farm, gaithersburgmd.gov n

36 MAY/JUNE 2019 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

COURTESY OF IMAGINATION STAGE; COURTESY OF STRATHMORE; COURTESY OF CITY OF GAITHERSBURG

June 26-Aug. 11

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good life arts & entertainment

CALENDAR COMPILED BY JENNIFER BEEKMAN

May 4 Matthew Morrison, who starred in the TV show Glee, will join Broadway performer Shoshana Bean at Strathmore on May 4.

MATTHEW MORRISON WITH SHOSHANA BEAN. Strathmore’s Annual Spring Gala will feature Morrison—a Tony, Emmy and Golden Globe awards nominee and McKinley High’s beloved glee club director, Mr. Schue, from the TV show Glee—and fellow Broadway star Bean. The two will collaborate for a night of Broadway’s biggest hits and American songbook classics. 9 p.m. $58-$98. Member ticket discounts are not available for this event. The Music Center at Strathmore, North Bethesda. 301-581-5100, strathmore.org.

May 5 ALEXANDER STRING QUARTET AND JOYCE YANG. The internationally acclaimed ensemble, which was formed in 1981, is joined by Grammy Award-nominated pianist Joyce Yang for an evening of Schumann and Brahms, and brand-new work by American composer Samuel Adams. 7:30 p.m. $31-$46. Bender Jewish Community Center of Greater Washington, Rockville. 301-881-0100, benderjccgw.org.

May 10

May 2 BETHESDA BLUES & JAZZ YOUTH ORCHESTRA: FEATURING THE SULLIVAN FORTNER TRIO. A jazz pianist and winner of the 2016 Lincoln Center Award for Emerging Artists and 2015 Cole Porter Fellowship from the American Pianists Association, Sullivan Fortner will perform a set with the Bethesda Blues & Jazz Youth Orchestra. Then the piano maestro will take the stage with The Sullivan Fortner

Trio. 7 p.m. $25-$50 ($20 food/beverage minimum not included). Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club, Bethesda. 240-3304500, bbjlive.com.

May 2 BSO: AN AMERICAN IN PARIS. A screening of the 1951 classic film starring Gene Kelly and Leslie Caron will be accompanied by the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra’s live performance of Gershwin’s majestic film score. 8 p.m. $35-$90. The Music Center at Strathmore, North Bethesda. 301-5815100, bsomusic.org.

38 MAY/JUNE 2019 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

May 11 NATIONAL PHILHARMONIC: BERNSTEIN & BEETHOVEN PART I. The National Philharmonic will be joined onstage by internationally acclaimed pianistcomposer Michael Brown for theatrical performances of two iconic pieces of classical music: Bernstein’s Symphony No. 2 and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5 in C minor. 8 p.m. $42-$88. The Music Center at Strathmore, North Bethesda. 301-5815100, strathmore.org.

PHOTO BY NATHAN JOHNSON

MUSIC

STOKLEY OF MINT CONDITION. Multifaceted Grammy-nominated R&B vocalist, songwriter, producer and multiinstrumentalist Stokley Williams has toured with such legendary performers as Prince, Janet Jackson and Alicia Keys. 7 and 10 p.m. $65-$85 ($20 food/ beverage minimum not included in ticket price). Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club, Bethesda. 240-330-4500, bbjlive.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. 7200 Wisconsin Ave, Suite 500, Bethesda, MD 20814 | 301.304.8444

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Come Together

good life May 12 SPRING IS IN THE AIR. In its season finale concert, the Mount Vernon Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra, formed by AmericanIsraeli and Peabody Conservatory cello faculty artist Amit Peled, will present familiar works by Haydn, Vivaldi and Tsintsadze. 2 p.m. Free; reservations required. Bender Jewish Community Center of Greater Washington, Rockville. 301-8810100, benderjccgw.org.

May 15 AIR WORKSHOP: SEÁN HEELY. In the “Following the Fiddle” workshop, the U.S. National Fiddle Champion and Strathmore’s Artist in Residence shares insight into the violin’s centuries-long journey as a storyteller of Celtic history and culture. All instrumentalists— regardless of experience—are invited to participate in learning a tune on their own fiddles. (Solo performances by Heely will be May 8 and 22.) 7:30 p.m. Free; registration required. The Mansion at Strathmore, North Bethesda. 301-5815100, strathmore.org.

May 17

Upcoming Shows

Deval Mahal

{Thunderous modern soul}

Wed, May 8

Davina & the Vagabonds {Get ready to get down!}

Fri, June 7

Darrell Scott {Star country songwriter}

Thu, June 13

KIDS PAJAMA JAM

MOONA LUNA {Bilingual kindie rock} Father’s Day! Sun, June 16, Matinee

Amy Helm

{Rollicking modern hymns}

Thu, June 27

Pike & Rose | N. Bethesda, MD Red Line–White Flint Metro

AMPbySTRATHMORE.COM

STRATHMORE CHILDREN’S CHORUS: CURRENT MUSIC. Featuring performances of works written for children’s choirs by living composers. The program includes the National Philharmonic Chorale Singers. 7:30 p.m. $15-$25. The Music Center at Strathmore, North Bethesda. 301-5815100, strathmore.org.

May 19 MCYO OF STRATHMORE: TRIP THE LIGHT FANTASTIC. The season finale concerts by Maryland Classic Youth Orchestras of Strathmore include pieces by Beethoven, ˇ Strauss and Offenbach. See Dvorák, website for full program details. 2 and 7 p.m. $15-$25. The Music Center at Strathmore, North Bethesda. 301-5815100, strathmore.org.

May 21 EVGENY KISSIN. Washington Performing Arts presents the two-time Grammy Awardwinning Russian pianist in a solo recital. 8 p.m. $50-$135. The Music Center at Strathmore. 301-581-5100, strathmore.org.

May 24 DAVE HOLLISTER. The former member of top ’90s R&B group Blackstreet will announce his latest album release and perform new songs, along with old fan favorites. 8 p.m. $59.50-$79.50 ($20 food/beverage minimum not included). Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club, Bethesda. 240-330-4500, bbjlive.com.

40 MAY/JUNE 2019 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

May 24 PVYO SPRING GALA. The Potomac Valley Youth Orchestra celebrates its 28year history in this concert featuring its wide range of ensembles. 7 p.m. See website for prices. The Music Center at Strathmore, North Bethesda. 301-5815100, strathmore.org.

May 29 YOUSSOU NDOUR. Part of Strathmore’s “Windows” series, which explores diverse cultures and perspectives, this performance features Ndour—a Senegalese Grammy Award-winning singersongwriter deemed “African rock’s great global star” by The New York Times—and his energetic band, Super Étoile. 8 p.m. $38-$87. The Music Center at Strathmore. 301-581-5100, strathmore.org.

May 31 BSO OFF THE CUFF. Classical pianist André Watts joins the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra for a performance and discussion of Beethoven’s last completed concerto, popularly known as “Emperor” and widely considered one of the composer’s greatest works. 8:15 p.m. $35-$75. The Music Center at Strathmore, North Bethesda. 301581-5100, bsomusic.org.

May 31 TOOTS AND THE MAYTALS. The Jamaican musical group was instrumental in popularizing reggae in the 1960s and ’70s. 8 p.m. $36-$131. The Fillmore, Silver Spring. 301-960-9999, fillmoresilverspring.com.

June 1 WASHINGTON BALALAIKA SOCIETY: 30TH ANNIVERSARY. The celebratory evening offers a 60-piece orchestra performing classical pieces, including Mussorgsky’s The Great Gate of Kiev, Rossini’s William Tell Overture and Andreyev’s Balalaika Waltz. 8 p.m. $15-$25; free for children younger than 12. F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre, Rockville. 240-314-8690, fscottfitzgerald.showare.com.

June 7 DAVINA & THE VAGABONDS. The group’s retro bluesy sound features vocalist Davina at the piano, a rich horn section, stand-up bass and drums. 8 p.m. $17.50-$37.50. AMP by Strathmore, North Bethesda. 301581-5100, ampbystrathmore.com.

June 7 WPA: GOSPEL CHOIRS. Strathmore’s 2018-19 season finale showcases the music of Washington Performing Arts’ Men and Women of the Gospel and the

Children of the Gospel choirs, which have performed at the National Cathedral and the White House. 8 p.m. $55-$75. The Music Center at Strathmore, North Bethesda. 301-581-5100, strathmore.org.

June 12 and 26 TREY SORRELLS. The jazz saxophonist, who has performed with such iconic acts as the Chuck Brown Band, is a Strathmore Artist in Residence. His original sound combines R&B, funk and hip-hop. 7:30 p.m. $17. The Mansion at Strathmore, North Bethesda. 301-581-5100, strathmore.org.

June 13 DARRELL SCOTT. The four-time Grammynominated singer-songwriter has written chart-topping songs in almost every genre, including for such popular country musicians as Brad Paisley, the Dixie Chicks and the Zac Brown Band. 8 p.m. $28-$40. AMP by Strathmore, North Bethesda. 301581-5100, ampbystrathmore.com.

June 14 BIG100 THROWBACK BASH. D.C.’s classic-rock radio station will take the

audience back to the 1960s with a Jim Morrison celebration featuring The Doors tribute band, Wild Child. 8 p.m. $17. The Fillmore, Silver Spring. 301-960-9999, fillmoresilverspring.com.

June 15 BSO: WEST SIDE STORY. Celebrate the 10time Oscar-winning classic with a hi-def screening of the remastered film, while the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra plays the score. 8 p.m. $35-$75. The Music Center at Strathmore, North Bethesda. 301-5815100, bsomusic.org.

THEATER, TALKS AND FILM May 3-12 ROCKVILLE LITTLE THEATRE: SHERLOCK’S VEILED SECRET. When a case of blackmail puts the life of the retired Sherlock Holmes in danger, Violet Sheridan must come up with a plan to save him. 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays. $22; $20 for students and seniors ages 62 and older. F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre, Rockville. 240314-8690, fscottfitzgerald.showare.com.

May 16-19 MACBETH. A modern take on Shakespeare’s tale of one man blinded by his ruthless political ambition. Check website for schedule and prices. The Highwood Theatre, Silver Spring. 301-5870697, thehighwoodtheatre.org.

May 17-June 9 THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST. Oscar Wilde’s classic comedic play is about two young men living in London and the extent to which they’ll go to balance their double lives. See website for schedule and prices. Silver Spring Stage, Silver Spring. 301-593-6036, ssstage.org.

May 31-June 9 FOOTLOOSE. Follow Ren McCormack’s fight to overturn a law banning dancing in his town, in this rendition of the popular film of the same name. Check website for schedule and prices. The Highwood Theatre, Silver Spring. 301-587-0697, thehighwoodtheatre.org.

June 5-30 A DOLL’S HOUSE, PART 2. Deemed by Washington Post theater critic Peter

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BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM | MAY/JUNE 2019 41

good life Marks in 2017 as “the breakthrough play that Broadway has been waiting for...” the eight-time Tony Award nominated drama is a quirky and clever “sequel” to Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen’s 1879 masterpiece. See website for schedule and prices. Round House Theatre, Bethesda. 240-644-1100, roundhousetheatre.org.

Bethesda’s Gallery B will display paintings by Catherine Levinson from May 1 to 25.

June 7-9

June 26 IYANLA VANZANT. Celebrating the updated 25th-anniversary edition of her bestselling book, Acts of Faith, the host of Iyanla: Fix My Life on the Oprah Winfrey Network shares her words of wisdom and encouragement on her “Acts of Faith Remix Tour.” 8 p.m. $38-$90 ($90 ticket includes autographed copy of Acts of Faith). The Music Center at Strathmore, North Bethesda. 301-581-5100, strathmore.org.

June 27-July 7 L’HOMME CIRQUE. World-renowned high-wire dancer—and Cirque du Soleil veteran—David Dimitri preforms his own one-man circus. The act features a high-wire crossing at 150 feet above the ground, human cannon launch and more. Check website for schedule. $20-$30 ($75 VIP). Strathmore Campus (outdoors and in a tent), North Bethesda. 301-581-5100, strathmore.org.

ART May 1-25 COLOR IN MAY. Local artist Catherine Levinson, who studied painting at the Museu de Arte Moderna in Rio de Janeiro, is known for hard-edge painting with vibrant colors. Noon-6 p.m. WednesdaysSaturdays. Opening reception 6-8 p.m. May 10. Free. Gallery B, Bethesda. 301215-6660, bethesda.org.

May 11 RICHARD DANA: ARTIST TALK AND TOUR. Learn about the artist’s sources of inspiration and his creative process in an in-depth talk and tour of his exhibition, Here and Where. 3-5 p.m. Free; reservations required. VisArts at Rockville, Rockville. 301-315-8200, visartscenter.org.

June 1-July 31 32ND BIENNIAL EXHIBITION OF THE CREATIVE CRAFTS COUNCIL. Showcasing handmade jewelry, ceramics, textiles and woodwork from Washington, D.C.area artisans. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays; 10 a.m.9 p.m. Wednesdays; noon-4 p.m. Sundays. Opening reception 7 p.m. June 6. Free. The Mansion at Strathmore, North Bethesda. 301-581-5100, strathmore.org.

June 2 DUNNIE ONASANYA: HAND-PAINTED AND JEWELED DEKA MASKS. The VisArts studio artist’s work often references symbolism of her faith and African culture. Create your own Onasanya-inspired jeweled “DEKA mask”—originating from Ghana and symbolizing protection. Noon-3 p.m. $20. VisArts at Rockville, Rockville. 301-315-8200, visartscenter.org.

June 5-29 BETHESDA PAINTING AWARDS EXHIBITION. Works by the finalists in this year’s Bethesda Painting Awards will be on display. The competition was established by philanthropist and community activist Carol Trawick in 2005, and invites artists from Maryland, Washington, D.C., and Virginia to compete for a top prize of $10,000. Opening reception 6-8 p.m. June 14. Noon-6 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday. Free. Gallery B, Bethesda. bethesda.org.

June 15 and 22 LOOM BUILDING AND WEAVING. Teens and adults will learn the skills required to craft their own loom and create a monogrammed wall hanging in this two-

42 MAY/JUNE 2019 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

part workshop. All tools and materials are included. Recommended for ages 13 and older; no experience required. 1-2 p.m. June 15; 1-3 p.m. June 22. $150. The Mansion at Strathmore, North Bethesda. 301-581-5100, strathmore.org.

Ongoing EXHIBIT AT STUDIO B. Artists Linda Button (drawing and oil painting), Judy Gilbert Levey (oil and studio painting), Shanthi Chandrasekar (drawing, painting and mixed media) and Sara Leibman (painting and mixed media) create, showcase and sell their work onsite. 1-6 p.m. TuesdaysFridays and by appointment. Receptions with the artists 6-8 p.m. May 10 and June 14. Studio B, Bethesda. 301-215-7880, bethesda.org.

Ongoing EXHIBIT AT TRIANGLE ART STUDIOS. The gallery displays work by Jill Newman (needle-felting), Maruja Quezada (painter of landscapes, still lifes, portraits and figures), Barbara Siegel (oil painter and illustrator) and Clare Winslow (printmaking, painting and mixed media). 1-5 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Receptions with the artists 6-8 p.m. May 10 and June 14. Triangle Art Studios, Bethesda. 301-2156660, bethesda.org.

CHILDREN AND FAMILIES May 4-27 HOMEFRONT STREET CARS. A special exhibit of streetcars and a look at the impact of World War II on the home front. Noon-5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. $10; $8 for children ages 2-17 and seniors ages 65 and older. National Capital Trolley Museum, Silver Spring. 301-384-6088, dctrolley.org.

May 9-June 23 CINDERELLA. This production of the fairy tale, set in 17th-century France, was acclaimed at the 1997 National Puppet

COURTESY OF CATHERINE LEVINSON

HOW THE OTHER HALF LOVES. Presented in partnership with Montgomery Playhouse, this production of beloved British comedic writer Sir Alan Ayckbourn’s hilarious tale of matrimonial mayhem is full of his trademark wit, sharp dialogue and surprising plot twists. Recommended for ages 15 and older. 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays. $20; $18 for students ages 15-21. The Arts Barn, Gaithersburg. 301-258-6394, gaithersburgmd.gov.

Festival. Recommended for ages 5 and older. 10 and 11:30 a.m. Thursdays and Fridays; 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. $12. The Puppet Co., Glen Echo Park, Glen Echo. 301-634-5380, thepuppetco.org.

May 10-19 SHREK THE MUSICAL JR. Based on the Oscar-winning film and hit Broadway musical. Tag along with Shrek and friends on their mission to rescue a princess and find true acceptance. 7:30 p.m. Fridays; 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. $15. The Arts Barn, Gaithersburg. 301-258-6394, gaithersburgmd.gov.

May 18 SATURDAY FAMILY JAM SESSIONS. Join woodwind specialist Seth Kibel and learn about the origins of blues in this session, titled “Ain’t Got Nothin’ but the Blues.” Young music lovers will then create their own original blues tune. Recommended for children ages 3-8. 10:15 a.m. $10 in advance; $12 at the door; free for children

ages 2 and younger. The Mansion at Strathmore, North Bethesda. 301-5815100, strathmore.org.

June 22 ROPE RUGS FOR FAMILIES. Children can work on their fine-motor skills—and learn the over-under weaving technique— while creating a functional art piece. Recommended for families with children ages 4-7. Each ticket includes one child and accompanying adult. 11 a.m.-noon. $12. The Mansion at Strathmore, North Bethesda. 301-581-5100, strathmore.org.

May 3-5 LANDON AZALEA FESTIVAL. Azaleafilled gardens, carnival rides, games and boutiques—selling everything from vintage goods to men’s and women’s apparel, household items, jewelry, art and more— take over the school’s campus for the 65th annual event. The festival also includes plant and flower sales, food and live entertainment. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. Landon School, Bethesda. landon.net.

May 4-5

DANCE June 9 LIGHT SWITCH DANCE THEATRE: POP-UP DANCE WORKS. The first of a series of new, experimental dance/performance art works by local and national artists. 7 p.m. Free; $10 donation suggested. VisArts at Rockville, Rockville. 301-315-8200, visartscenter.org.

Sign-Up Today!

SEASONAL AND FESTIVALS

THE ROCKVILLE ARTS FESTIVAL. The streets of Rockville Town Square will be closed to traffic and turned into an outdoor art gallery, with more than 100 artisans from around the country selling their work. The seventh annual event, managed by VisArts at Rockville, will also highlight local entertainment. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. Rockville Town Square, Rockville. rockvilleartsfestival.org.

“The most satisfying and subversive musical ever to come out of Britain.”– The New York Times

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good life May 11-12 BETHESDA FINE ARTS FESTIVAL. More than 120 artists from across the country come to display and sell their original pieces. Also offers live entertainment, children’s activities and food from local restaurants. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. Free. Woodmont Triangle (along Norfolk, Auburn and Del Ray avenues), Bethesda. 301-215-6660, bethesda.org.

May 15 BEST OF BETHESDA PARTY. Bethesda Magazine’s sixth annual event presents food from 2019 Best of Bethesdawinning restaurants, specialty cocktails, wine and beer with live music by the 19th Street Band. 6-9 p.m. See website for prices. Bethesda North Marriott Hotel & Conference Center, Rockville. bethesdamagazine.com.

May 16-June 13 BETHESDA SUMMER CONCERTS. Weekly live shows featuring a variety of musical genres. Food and drinks available for purchase. 6-8 p.m. Thursdays. Free. Veterans Park (corner of Norfolk and

Woodmont avenues), Bethesda. 301-2156660, bethesda.org.

May 19 ISRAEL FEST. The Montgomery County Jewish community comes together for this annual celebration in honor of Israel’s independence. Activities for the whole family include performances by Israeli musicians, Israeli folk dancing, kosher food and Israeli arts and crafts. 1:304:30 p.m. Free. Bender Jewish Community Center of Greater Washington, Rockville. 301-881-0100, benderjccgw.org.

June 1 IMAGINATION BETHESDA. Activity tents— hands-on arts and crafts, dancing, photo booths and more—will line downtown Bethesda streets for this children’s festival celebrating the arts. Includes face painting and live music. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Free. Elm Street and Woodmont Avenue, Bethesda. 301-215-6660, bethesda.org.

June 1-2 39TH WASHINGTON FOLK FESTIVAL. The popular celebration of diverse traditional music allows local musicians, storytellers, dancers and craftspeople to represent

cultures from around the world. The festival, presented by the Folklore Society of Greater Washington and the Glen Echo Park Partnership for Arts and Culture, includes seven performance sites within the park. Noon-7 p.m. Free. Glen Echo Park, Glen Echo. fsgw.org.

June 27

YAPPY HOUR. Presented by Montgomery Parks and Bethesda Urban Partnership, the event features a pop-up dog park, live music, food and drinks. 6-8 p.m. Free. Elm Street Park, Bethesda. 301-215-6660, bethesda.org.

June 29-30

HERITAGE DAYS. Explore Montgomery County while learning about local history, culture and nature during the 22nd annual festival hosted by Heritage Montgomery. Programs, which are held at various sites across the county, include art exhibits, biking, hiking and walking tours—many venues also offer music, activities for children and food. Noon-4 p.m. Free. Check website for map of events. 301515-0753, heritagemontgomery.org. n

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

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banter BETHESDA’S HUNGRIEST PIG Cabin John Regional Park’s talking trash receptacle has been intriguing visitors for decades

PHOTO BY LAURA CHASE DE FORMIGNY

BY ELLEN L. BERG

WHEN ERICA SMITH VISITED Cabin John Regional Park as a child growing up in Bethesda in the late 1960s, she was always excited and a bit frightened as she approached the tiny brick house with the crooked roof and twisted chimney pipe near the miniature train station. Her destination: the building’s vacuum-powered trash receptacle with the fiberglass pig face that spoke. “Hi, kids, I’m Porky the Litter Eater, and I sure like to eat,” a voice would

BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM | MAY/JUNE 2019

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2013 | 2016 | 2017 | 2019

say in a deep timbre when Smith pushed a button on the building. Park visitors can still hear that voice today when they use the trash receptacle. Press the button and Porky snorts and grunts, and then invites visitors to bring trash to its circular mouth, where a powerful suction pulls it in. Sounding like a ’50s TV announcer, Porky suggests, “You can find me paper, and cardboard, and soft drink cans, but never, never feed me bottles or broken glass. Glass gives me a stomachache.” Children began feeding Porky after the trash receptacle was installed when the park opened in 1966, fulfilling the vision of Frank Rubini, associate director of parks for the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) from 1957 to 1971. According to Jim Thomas, the first park manager at Cabin John, Rubini attended a national conference on parks and came home with the concept of the vacuumpowered “paper eater” with an animal head, an idea that had been gaining interest through the marketing efforts of a manufacturer. Rubini saw the potential: A charismatic garbage collector like Porky could ask children to “Find me some paper now, and watch me gobble it up,” turning young visitors into park stewards instead of potential litterbugs. While Porky became the iconic litter eater of Montgomery County—and is the only one still entertaining county park visitors—he was not the first. After Rubini’s return from the conference, M-NCPPC employees first built Billy the Litter Eater, a vacuum-powered trash receptacle with a goat face, and installed it near the snack bar in Wheaton Regional Park in 1965. Porky was installed the following year. Making Billy and Porky was a team effort, according to former M-NCPPC exhibits specialist Dan Rhymer. He modeled the animal heads from clay

MAY/JUNE 2019 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

based on designs by his wife at the time, Kay Anglim Crane. Rhymer then made plaster casts for the fiberglass heads. Park carpenters and electricians collaborated on the mechanics, building sheds as airtight as possible to house the vacuum pumps and provide space for trash accumulation. According to Thomas, Porky’s voice was provided by Ted Gurney, a caretaker at Wheaton Regional Park. Though the recording remains the same, it now emanates from a digital message repeater. Porky has been refurbished by teams of park employees multiple times over the decades, including receiving a new paint job and shed improvements this past winter. Smith, who now lives in Germantown, recalls worrying that she might be sucked into the mouth of the pig along with her trash. Porky’s low-tech interior is actually much less hazardous than kids might fear. Originally, trash was sucked in and collected on a burlap tarp in the bottom of the shed. These days, debris falls into a bin in the small building. Smith overcame her fears, making regular visits to feed paper and trash to Porky. Her feelings for Porky, which she describes as “a weird affection, mixed with apprehension,” mimic those of other visitors to Cabin John, where Porky is still gobbling his way into people’s hearts, reminding them that “I’m hungry…hungry…hungry.” Some people didn’t follow the rules when it came to feeding Porky. Pete Gochman, who grew up in Chevy Chase and visited Porky in the 1970s, confesses that “as a troublemaker kid, I probably shoved rocks, sticks and anything else that was handy in Porky’s mouth. I think many kids did this as well.” As a result, Gochman jokes that even as an adult, “Porky sort of scares me, and I don’t like turning my back to him. …He looks like the type to hold a grudge.” ■

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BY SETOTA HAILEMARIAM

FIGURATIVELY SPEAKING THE BICYCLE MASTER PLAN BY THE NUMBERS

Montgomery County’s Bicycle Master Plan, approved by the county council in November 2018, calls for an expansive network of bike paths and aims to increase cycling rates and improve safety conditions for cyclists. The 25-year plan, which provides for only a partial completion of the proposed network, aims to complement about 260 miles of existing bike trails, separated and conventional lanes and bike-friendly shoulders in the county. Nearly 100 miles of bikeways would be built in the county’s Rural West policy area encompassing Poolesville and Barnesville— the most of any of the county’s 38 specifically defined geographical areas. In the plan, “bikeway” refers to any path that can accommodate a bicycle, including trails and roads. A “sidepath” is a bikeway that is physically separated from traffic. Here’s a look at the master plan, by the numbers.

$3.1 BILLION Approximate cost of the plan, but various factors could increase the cost significantly

1,100

356

Approximate total number of miles of the proposed network’s trails, bike lanes and other cycling paths

Miles of bikeways to be completed during the 25-year plan

23 Number of miles of bikeways in the planning or design stages (does not include bikeways that are part of certain active or pending projects)

240,354

18.6 Number of miles of the longest existing trail, Rock Creek Trail, which runs from the District line to Rock Creek Regional Park, north of Rockville

10 Minimum width in feet of trails and sidepaths (8 feet in areas with environmental/historic constraints)

80,000 Approximate number of daily vehicle trips on New Hampshire Avenue near the Beltway, the busiest road on which a proposed bikeway would be built. A sidepath would run along each side from the Beltway into Prince George’s County.

Sources: Montgomery County Planning Department; Division of Transportation Engineering, Montgomery County Department of Transportation; Montgomery County Parks Department website; and Montgomery County Council website

MAY/JUNE 2019 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

INFOGRAPHICS BY AMANDA SMALLWOOD

20 Approximate number of miles of the longest planned trail, which would stretch from Westlake Drive in Bethesda to the intersection of Darnestown and Dickerson roads in Dickerson

Number of cyclists who were counted on the Capital Crescent Trail, the county’s most popular trail, just south of Bethesda Avenue from Feb. 24, 2018, to Feb. 24, 2019

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banter After receiving an unexpected Facebook message from a college friend, Frank Inserra learned more about his father’s life during World War II.

PAYING TRIBUTE Chuck Sullivan brings together local musicians for concerts honoring artists of all genres

CHUCK SULLIVAN’S SPACIOUS home in East Bethesda, known as “the band house,” is a magnet of sorts for local musicians—as many as 50 may show up to rehearse for tribute concerts that he and several volunteers organize. A string section can sometimes be found practicing upstairs, while other musicians downstairs play guitars, drums and bongos available in a room covered with posters from nearly 30 tribute concerts that have been held over the years. “It’s inspiring and a huge hang,” Sullivan, 64, says of the gatherings, at which older artists have discovered young talent and new bands have formed. “We rarely get to just talk with our fellow musicians, and it’s a real bonding experience in a party atmosphere.” About 15 years ago, Sullivan, a drummer, and Ronnie Newmyer, a bass guitarist and longtime bandmate, cofounded BandHouse Gigs to produce concerts honoring musicians and bands from Joni Mitchell to David Bowie to the 52

Rolling Stones. The twice-yearly shows are held at area venues such as The Fillmore in downtown Silver Spring and The Barns at Wolf Trap in Vienna, Virginia. The next concert will be a 50th anniversary tribute to Woodstock in August at the Warner Theatre in Washington, D.C. “We didn’t have a mission statement, ambition or a goal. It just sort of morphed,” Sullivan says of BandHouse Gigs. He is the business manager for the organization, which operates as a notfor-profit enterprise and puts together groups of veteran local musicians and rising young stars for the concerts. As many as 60 musicians may participate in a given show. Sullivan, a homebuilder, and Newmyer, who runs a music production company and lives in Silver Spring, grew up in Bethesda and have played in the local band Soul Crackers since 1981. They came up with the idea for BandHouse Gigs when they were invited to perform in a 2004 tribute to guitarist Nils

MAY/JUNE 2019 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

Lofgren, who is from Garrett Park and is a longtime member of Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band. The enthusiasm of the crowd convinced Sullivan and Newmyer that there was a demand for such concerts. They created BandHouse Gigs and put on their own successful concert the next year honoring the roots rock group The Band. The organization has sold out every show since. As BandHouse Gigs grew, the men recruited David Sless of Silver Spring to be the technical director, Daniel Schwartz of Bethesda to be production manager and Rockville’s Greg Hardin

PHOTO BY MICHAEL VENTURA

BY CARALEE ADAMS

PHOTO BY MICHAEL VENTURA

Drummer Chuck Sullivan (left) and bass guitarist Ronnie Newmyer at Sullivan’s East Bethesda home, known as “the band house.”

to serve as stage manager. Each show relies heavily on volunteers and, over the years, Sullivan’s wife, Susanna, daughter, Lisa, 27, and 23-year-old son Michael, also a drummer, have pitched in. Proceeds from ticket sales cover costs, including paying the musicians and producing CDs of the live shows. The organization also donates to Hungry for Music, a nonprofit that provides musical instruments to low-income children, and Hope Line, a nonprofit initiative to help with addiction treatment. Pulling together the area’s best musical talent for the concerts is like forming

an “all-star team,” says Newmyer, 65, artist liaison for BandHouse Gigs. “The thing that really felt like magic was not just that we were doing a tribute to someone whose music we loved—it was the degree of camaraderie among the musicians,” he says. The concerts are held in April and August and take up to four months to plan. While writing the liner notes for the CD of a show honoring singer-songwriter Steve Winwood, Sullivan became such a fan that he spent three years writing About Time: The Unsung Genius of Steve Winwood, which he self-published

in 2018. For Sullivan, playing on the same stage as younger musicians has helped ease the sting of hearing from some bar managers that patrons didn’t want to see a band like Soul Crackers, with musicians who looked like their parents. “It’s been cool to meet a lot of young musicians and talk to them as equals. Instead of them looking at me as the old guy or me looking at them as the young person, we are just musicians,” Sullivan says. “I don’t know where else that exists, frankly. To have a 17-year-old on stage with a 70-year-old is pretty remarkable.” n

BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM | MAY/JUNE 2019

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QUICK TAKES

News you may have missed BY THE BETHESDA BEAT STAFF

ON POINT

VEGETABLE RESCUE A food delivery service that sells fruits and vegetables that have been rejected by grocers as too ugly has expanded into Montgomery County. Imperfect Produce was co-founded in 2015 by Ben Simon, a Silver Spring native who ran a nonprofit food recovery network while he was a student at the University of Maryland. San Francisco-based Imperfect Produce, which is now in 15 markets, has repackaged more than 40 million pounds of produce in nearly four years. Simon estimates the company will handle 200,000 to 300,000 pounds annually from its Rockville warehouse— everything from misshapen peppers to scarred oranges and twin mushrooms.

Sixteen-year-old Justin Haddad of Bethesda added one more medal to his collection after winning gold at the 2019 USA Fencing Junior Olympic Championships in February. Justin won six round-robin bouts and six elimination matches before defeating a fencer from San Diego at the competition in Denver, which drew 2,000 participants. Days later, he was on a U.S. team that won gold at the Junior and Cadet Pan American Championships in Colombia. Justin, a junior in the math-science magnet program at Montgomery Blair High School, practiced fencing for four years in London before he moved to the U.S., where he joined the DC Fencers Club in Silver Spring in 2013.

SERVICE DOG ENLISTED Sully, the yellow Labrador retriever assigned as a service dog to former President George H.W. Bush, has received a transfer to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center’s Facility Dog Program. The 2½-yearold, trained by the nonprofit America’s VetDogs to fetch items and summon help, will assist wounded veterans during rehabilitation at the military hospital in Bethesda. Sully is named after Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger, the airline pilot who safely landed a passenger jet in the Hudson River in 2009 after both engines lost power. Bush, a World War II Navy pilot before entering politics, died last November.

A historic pet cemetery in Aspen Hill, said to hold the remains of about 50,000 animals and two dozen pet owners, is expected to become the new home of the Montgomery County Humane Society, now based in Rockville. The pet rescue and adoption nonprofit is asking Montgomery County planners for permission to add a new building for offices and kennels at Aspin Hill Memorial Park, which was the site of a boarding kennel in the 1920s. (The memorial park is said to be named for an English kennel.) Pets buried at the cemetery include seven dogs of former FBI director J. Edgar Hoover, and canine star General Grant from the Our Gang comedy films that were produced from the 1920s into the ’40s.

MAY/JUNE 2019 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

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Dr. Chand Khanna treats dogs who have cancer through a network of veterinary hospitals across North America.

GOING FOR THE CURE

A local veterinarian treats dogs with experimental drugs in the hopes of helping canines and people with cancer

FOR MORE THAN 15 years, veterinarian Chand Khanna researched advanced childhood cancer at the National Cancer Institute at NIH in Bethesda, earning credit for identifying a key protein that caused tumors to metastasize after studying comparable diseases in dogs. 56

Still, he was troubled that he had never cured a patient’s cancer—he had only learned more about why the disease spread. Three years ago, that paradox prompted him to change careers. “The reason I left NIH is that I struggled to answer the question: What did I

MAY/JUNE 2019 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

do to influence the outcome for a single patient, human or animal, with cancer?” says Khanna, who had been a senior investigator in pediatric oncology. “I was motivated to deliver the innovations to patients.” These days, Khanna is just as likely

PHOTO BY LIZ LYNCH

BY REBECCA J. RITZEL

Find your OH spot. to be found presenting his research at a global conference as he is to be treating dogs such as Da Vinci, a 12-year-old hound mix suffering from a type of blood vessel cancer, at the Regional Veterinary Referral Center in Springfield, Virginia. As the chief science officer for Ethos Vet, Khanna treats ill canines with experimental small molecule inhibitors and immunotherapies through a network of North American veterinary hospitals. His ultimate goal is to improve cancer treatments for people. Khanna, 51, a Chevy Chase resident and a dog owner, emphasizes that his patients are beloved pets with naturally occurring cancers, not animals infected with a disease for the purpose of scientific research. His work, however, troubles some animal rights activists and some cancer researchers who want more resources devoted to human studies. But even immunologist Jim Allison, who shared the 2018 Nobel Prize in Physiology and Medicine for his advances in immunotherapy, has acknowledged that results from treating dogs “could be useful” because the canine genome is so well mapped. “For almost every cancer that occurs in a human…there is a version that occurs in the dog,” Khanna says. Khanna, a Canadian and American dual citizen, earned his doctorate in veterinary medicine from the University of Saskatchewan in Canada. A residency at the University of Minnesota introduced him to the world of comparative oncology—studying cancer in animals to better understand the disease in humans—and he went on to earn a Ph.D. in pathobiology at the university. “Before my residency, I had never even thought of becoming a research veterinarian,” he says.

After graduating from the University of Minnesota in 1997, he got a job at NIH and was soon running the comparative oncology program while also moonlighting as a local veterinarian. In 2015, Khanna gave up his NIH post to spend more time collaborating with global researchers and the pharmaceutical community on cancer treatments. When Khanna asks dog owners to consider using a trial drug to treat their pets, he explains that most human patients receive trial drugs as a last resort after previously proven treatments fail. By that time, the body is already weakened, and cancer cells may have already been mutated by chemotherapy and/or radiation. But when Khanna treats a dog with cancer, he has the option of prescribing a new drug first, and tracking a genuine response to the new treatment. The most promising trial he’s working on now—in collaboration with an Israeli startup—seeks to stop the recurrence and metastasis of osteosarcomas, common pediatric tumors. He’s hoping that within a year or two he’ll have enough data to prove the drug works. In a human trial, the same study could take longer, he says. Despite his world-renowned stature in comparative oncology, Khanna’s medical expertise no longer holds much weight in the home he shares with his wife, Kristen, and two teenage children after he misdiagnosed oral cancer in one of the family’s dogs several years ago. “My first reaction was, ‘OK, she needs a biopsy,’ ” Khanna recalls. His wife was skeptical and took the dog to her own vet, who diagnosed an easily treatable tooth infection. “That was it,” Khanna says, cracking a smile. “Now she doesn’t let me even cut our dog’s nails.” n

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BOOK REPORT

While writing the second edition of The Founding Farmers Cookbook: 100 Recipes from the Restaurant Owned by American Family Farmers (Andrews McMeel Publishing, March 2019), Nevin Martell often spent a day sitting in a booth and observing at one of the local eateries in the Founding Farmers restaurant chain. He also interviewed key players from the business side and the kitchen, and then tried to convey the language and vibe of an enterprise known for its hearty comfort food. “My job was to translate the restaurant’s vision into a voice that tells their story well and makes it appealing and understandable to the reader,” says the Silver Spring food writer, who co-wrote the book with Founding Farmers.

Hena Khan’s Under My Hijab (Lee & Low Books, February 2019) is a picture book aimed at children ages 4 to 10. The Rockville author says she wrote it to answer the many questions that arise about the Muslim practice of women covering their heads and necks in public, such as: “Do you sleep with that on? Do you wear it all the time?” The book illustrates how a variety of women wear the hijab as they go about their daily lives: baking bread, working as a doctor and walking in the woods. “I wanted to give girls who have women in their lives who wear it, or wear it themselves, a chance to be reflected positively … to celebrate them as individuals who can be strong and independent and fashionable,” says Khan, who was inspired to write the book by family and friends who wear the hijab.

MAY/JUNE 2019 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

When people think of the Secret Service, they may only think of the agents who serve as presidential bodyguards. But after the Civil War, the agency mobilized a covert war against white supremacists, as Chevy Chase’s Charles Lane writes in his new book, Freedom’s Detective: The Secret Service, the Ku Klux Klan and the Man Who Masterminded America’s First War on Terror (Hanover Square Press, April 2019). “The big discovery for me was the connection between the issue of race in America and the formation of federal law enforcement institutions,” says Lane, an op-ed columnist and editorial board member at The Washington Post. “The question of destroying the Ku Klux Klan in the South to protect the black vote was absolutely fundamental to the organization of the Justice Department and the Secret Service.”

David Rowell is an amateur drummer and a big-time music fan. The deputy editor of The Washington Post Magazine is also curious about musicians. In his book Wherever the Sound Takes You: Heroics and Heartbreak in Music Making (University of Chicago Press, March 2019), the Silver Spring writer asks musicians what they gain from making music and why they are devoted to a chosen instrument. He spent time with struggling musicians who performed on street corners and in small clubs, as well as rock legends such as Peter Frampton. Hearing their stories, which are crafted into eight chapters, enabled Rowell to discover a common theme: “Music satisfies something in us that no other art form or experience can.”

ALL BOOK COVERS FILE PHOTOS

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banter

READING LIST

LITERARY

DATA PROVIDED BY

The top-selling books in our area. Data is based on books sold at Politics and Prose’s Connecticut Avenue location in Upper Northwest D.C., from Feb. 26 to March 12, 2019.

EVENTS CALENDAR

Note: Author event sales may influence the presence of some titles on these lists.

May 2

May 4 SANDRO GALEA. In Well: What We Need to Talk About When We Talk About Health, Galea—a physician who is the dean and Robert A. Knox Professor at the Boston University School of Public Health—says Americans focus on the wrong things when it comes to health. The author will sit down with NPR’s Rhitu Chatterjee to discuss ways of improving health care in this country. Book signing to follow. 6 p.m. Free. Politics and Prose, Washington, D.C. (Connecticut Avenue location). 202-3641919, politics-prose.com.

HARDCOVER FICTION 1.

The Border, Don Winslow

The Collected Schizophrenias, Esmé Weijun Wang

Landfall, Thomas Mallon

Henry and Clara, Thomas Mallon

Is This How You See Me?, Jaime Hernandez

The Lost Girls of Paris, Pam Jenoff

Lost Children Archive, Valeria Luiselli

An American Marriage, Tayari Jones

Dead Men’s Trousers, Irvine Welsh

Be With Me Always, Randon Billings Noble

Where the Crawdads Sing, Delia Owens

The Friend, Sigrid Nunez

Black Leopard, Red Wolf (The Dark Star Trilogy), Marlon James

’Til The Well Runs Dry, Lauren Francis-Sharma

The Immortalists, Chloe Benjamin

The Maze at Windermere, Gregory Blake Smith

Circe, Madeline Miller

Gingerbread, Helen Oyeyemi

10. Unsheltered, Barbara Kingsolver

HARDCOVER NONFICTION

CHILDREN’S

Bending Toward Justice: The Birmingham Church Bombing that Changed the Course of Civil Rights, Doug Jones

1. 2.

Lovely War, Julie Berry

Madame Fourcade’s Secret War: The Daring Young Woman Who Led France’s Largest Spy Network Against Hitler, Lynne Olson

Star Wars: Queen’s Shadow, E.K. Johnston

Under My Hijab, Hena Khan

Hunting LeRoux: The Inside Story of the DEA Takedown of a Criminal Genius and His Empire, Elaine Shannon

The Everlasting Rose (The Belles Series, No. 2), Dhonielle Clayton

On the Come Up, Angie Thomas

Say Nothing: A True Story of Murder and Memory in Northern Ireland, Patrick Radden Keefe

Drawn Together, Minh Lê

Trailblazer: A Pioneering Journalist’s Fight to Make the Media Look More Like America, Dorothy Butler Gilliam

Dread Nation, Justina Ireland

Good Night, Gorilla, Peggy Rathmann

Putin’s World: Russia Against the West and with the Rest, Angela Stent

Educated, Tara Westover

The Heartbeat of Wounded Knee: Native America from 1890 to the Present, David Treuer

The Threat: How the FBI Protects America in the Age of Terror and Trump, Andrew G. McCabe

10. Becoming, Michelle Obama

10. 111 Places in Washington That You Must Not Miss, Andrea Seiger

May 18 GAITHERSBURG BOOK FESTIVAL. Celebrate the world of literature at the 10th annual event, which attracts authors, poets and songwriters from across the country. Programming for all ages— including writing workshops, a Children’s Village, author events, book discussions and signings—is designed to foster an interest in reading, writing and literary conversation. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Free. Olde Towne Gaithersburg. 240-805-1508, gaithersburgbookfestival.org.

PAPERBACK

MAY/JUNE 2019 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

Great White Shark Adventure, Fabien Cousteau, James O. Fraioli

10. Goodnight Moon, Margaret Wise Brown ALL BOOK COVERS FILE PHOTOS

DUSTIN LANCE BLACK. In his memoir, Mama’s Boy: A Story from Our Americas, the writer of the Oscar-winning screenplay for Milk reflects on his life as a gay man raised in a conservative Mormon household and his family’s journey to staying together despite their differences. Book signing to follow discussion. 7 p.m. Free. Politics and Prose, Washington, D.C. (Connecticut Avenue location). 202-3641919, politics-prose.com.

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banter | HOMETOWN

BY STEVE ROBERTS

PUPPY LOVE

On a former dairy farm in Boyds, injured service members help train dogs for disabled veterans IN 1995, RICK YOUNT was a young social worker in Morgantown, West Virginia, managing foster care cases and going through “a bad time” in his personal life. So two friends bought him a golden retriever puppy for Christmas, named Gabriel in honor of the season. Every morning the dog would look so 62

dejected that one day Rick finally relented and took Gabe with him. “I couldn’t say no to a puppy,” he says, “because of the way he was manipulating me.” Shortly after arriving at work, Rick received an emergency call. An 11-yearold boy needed to be picked up and transported to a foster home. With Gabe still in the car, Yount recalls finding a child in deep distress: “He’s just sobbing, it’s heartbreaking. We couldn’t console him at all.” But after driving for a while, Rick noticed that “it kind of abruptly went quiet” in the back seat. “I looked in the rearview mirror. What I saw was this 4-month-old golden puppy with his head in this kid’s lap. And that’s how I discovered animal-assisted therapy. It

MAY/JUNE 2019 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

started then.” Now 57, Yount runs Warrior Canine Connection, a program that employs injured service members to help train dogs for disabled veterans. These service dogs perform a variety of practical tasks, from pulling wheelchairs and opening doors to calming nerves, but the process of training them produces another benefit—healing emotional wounds, not just physical ones. The program’s training facility is a former dairy farm in Boyds—Yount also lives there with his wife and three young daughters—but Rick works closely with the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, where researchers are studying new treatments

PHOTO BY LIZ LYNCH

Dogs in the Warrior Canine Connection program do everything from pulling wheelchairs and opening doors to calming nerves.

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banter | HOMETOWN Rick Yount and his dog Jessi

For every symptom of PTSD, I could find a real tangible way how the training of dogs could be used to mitigate it.” I ask for examples. “Emotional numbing,” he quickly replies. “To train a dog you have to sound happy, or at least pretend to sound happy. So that process of reinforcing and praising the dog is pulling out positive emotions from somebody whose [feelings] have been blunted because of their trauma. “Isolation is killing so many veterans,” Yount continues. “They don’t get out, their homes become a bunker. Training a service dog requires that you teach it to be comfortable in malls, grocery stores, everywhere. If you take a dog out in public and try to isolate yourself, you can’t, because the dog is such a natural magnet that they create these social interactions.” Rick moved to California in 2004 to continue his experimental work at a veterans’ hospital and formally started Warrior Canine Connection four years later. He tells the story of an early participant, a hard-bitten Marine who was so traumatized that he refused to speak. The vet sat in the same chair every day, so one morning Rick took the seat next to him and brought along an 8-month-old puppy named Vegas, Gabe’s grandson. The dog “starts nudging him on his leg” but the Marine turns away. Vegas goes

MAY/JUNE 2019 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

“back and forth four or five times” and finally “puts his paws on the Marine’s leg and gives him a kiss on the cheek. The Marine didn’t smile, but he almost did.” Not only did the vet wind up training Vegas, but he also recovered enough to get married, have a family and earn a master’s degree in social work. “People were treating him as a consumer of mental health services, and we treated him like a contributor,” Yount recalls. “Sometimes you have to trick people into treatment in the most kind, loving way.” Yount moved back here nine years ago to be closer to Walter Reed. Warrior Canine Connection trains about 70 service dogs a year, with more than 500 vets playing some role in that process. Gabe lived to 15, and when it was time to put him down, Rick invited many of the vets who had cycled through the training program to pay the dog a final visit. “Each of them spent about 20 minutes on the floor with him, saying goodbye,” Yount says. “Then Gabe looked me straight in the eye, he was fully conscious, and it was like he was saying to me, ‘You’d better not forget what I taught you.’ ” He hasn’t. n Steve Roberts teaches politics and journalism at George Washington University and lives with a sweet chocolate Lab named Ella. Send ideas for future columns to sroberts@gwu.edu.

COURTESY PHOTO

for the “invisible wounds of war,” such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). After a dispute over management styles, Warrior Canine Connection briefly lost its contract with Walter Reed in 2017, but Yount says the program has been in good standing for the last year. As we’re talking, a golden retriever named Cooper lolls at our feet and a half-dozen other dogs bound playfully around a pen outside. “The healing power of the humananimal bond is very powerful,” Yount says. So is the “warrior ethos, the core value system in the military community,” which motivates service members to serve and support each other. Warrior Canine Connection is “a good fit” because it taps into both impulses, he says. The vets who participate are “doing it for a fellow vet, they’re not thinking about themselves. It’s mission, mission, mission.” Rick’s own mission began in Ambridge, a “very blue collar” town in Western Pennsylvania where his father worked in a steel mill. He was the first person in his family to attend college, but he dropped out after arguing with an English teacher and found work helping “very delinquent young men” who had failed out of other treatment programs. “It was my first social work job,” he tells me. “It was like a calling, I found that I had a knack for that.” He moved to Morgantown for a relationship and finished his degree at West Virginia University before that day a puppy changed his life. At first, Yount’s focus was using dogs to help troubled children, like the boy in the back seat of his car, but then two of Gabe’s offspring became service dogs for wounded veterans, including a quadriplegic who had fought in Vietnam. At the same time, a growing number of service members were coming home from Iraq and Afghanistan with searing psychological scars. “The idea just kind of jumped in my head,” Yount says. “Who better to train service dogs for veterans than fellow vets?

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2019 FACES In the following pages meet more than 60 business people and professionals who are the faces of leadership in our community. Andy & Jessie Alderdice

Israel Puterman, DMD, MSD

The Babbington Team | Compass

Jan M. Evans

Bee America

Jason A. Cohen, DDS

Blue Dog Boarding & Daycare

Jeffrey N. Greenblatt

107

Bouaze Pierre Tailoring

Joehl Law

101 119

Brodsky Renehen Pearlstein & Bouquet

122

Johns Hopkins Medicine | Suburban Hospital

Capital City Nurses

112

Joseph Greenwald & Laake PA

Cara Nazareth Therapy

Kendall Capital Management

72 124 97

Chevy Chase Pediatric Dentistry

120

Law Firm of Andrea Hirsch

CIRCA Jewels

121

Maplewood Park Place

104

The Coleman Group Real Estate

126

Margie Halem Group | Compass

115

Courted Spa at The St. James

103

Ntiva, Inc.

Olde Towne Pet Resort (Boarding)

Dana Rice | Compass

125

Olde Towne Pet Resort (Day Camp)

Darcy A. Shoop, LLC

Curio Wellness

Orchin Orthodontics

111

David Bulitt

123

Palisades of Bethesda

114

Deb Levy

108

The Pels Law Firm

127

Douglas Construction Group

Potomac Audiology

Erich Cabe | Compass

Sandy Spring Builders, LLC

The Siena School

Feldesman Tucker Leifer Fidell LLP Feldman Jackson

102 88

STRUCTURE.

Geneva Day School

113

Studio Z Design Concepts, LLC

Georgetown Hill Early School

106

SugarPop Aesthetics

109 75 118

Green Acres School

TaylorMade Experience

Health for Life

Trent & Co | Compass

Hecht & Associates, LLC

Valley Mill Camp

105

Westmoreland Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Center

116

Wink Eyecare Boutique

100

House to Home Solutions, LLC Ingleside King Farm IPIC & City Perch Kitchen + Bar

110 66 117

YMCA Bethesda-Chevy Chase

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HILARY SCHWAB

2019 FACES

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2019 FACES

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The Face of

Engaged Living Ingleside King Farm Ingleside at King Farm believes in experiencing an engaged life. Multitudes of opportunities allows residents to remain truly engaged—physically, mentally, socially, emotionally, spiritually and environmentally. Through diverse wellness programs, fitness classes, multiple, stylish dining options, and thought-provoking and entertaining events, the community provides an environment that supports active lifestyles both on campus and beyond. The unique location in a great, walkable Rockville neighborhood offers easy access to parks,

shopping, restaurants, Metro and the Nation’s Capital. Residents Stuart and Renee Shaw note: “There’s transportation available to take residents to different venues and loads of classes to take. Something’s always going on including trips, lectures, classes and other activities. The people at Ingleside at King Farm are very engaging and it’s important that everyone’s opinion is heard.” 240-398-3842 www.ikfmd.org

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2019 FACES

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2019 FACES

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The Face of

Event Management, Fundraising & Friendraising

HILARY SCHWAB

Christina Serrano Taylor & Team | TaylorMade Experience After a decade of producing a wide variety of events and raising millions of dollars for a myriad of good causes, Christina and her team have hit their stride. These are strong, talented women who can manage any project with top-notch results. “We are in the business of realizing our clients’ vision from start to finish, while alleviating the stress and burden of event management,” says Taylor. Corporate clients are impressed with TME’s unparalleled attention to detail and impeccable delivery

of successful, memorable experiences. Nonprofits also benefit from TME’s distinct ability to plan beautiful gatherings while understanding the importance of budget, effective fundraising and donor engagement. “Building long-lasting relationships with our clients, their guests, donors, and fans is our top priority,” says Taylor. 240-603-8913 TaylorMadeExperience.com

BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM | MAY/JUNE 2019

2019 FACES

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COURTESY PHOTO

(L-R): Bottom: Margaret Babbington, Ali Morgan, Jeff Chreky, Carrie Hillegass Top: Julia Gallagher, Michael Sumner, Kevin Hughes, Alex Povich, Michelle Munro

MAY/JUNE 2019 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

2019 FACES

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The Face of

New Development The Babbington Team | Compass 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, DC 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.babbingtonteam.com

BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM | MAY/JUNE 2019

2019 FACES

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The Face of

Over 200 Years of Experience in Divorce Law Pat Dragga, Rama Taib-Lopez, Jeffrey Hannon, Allison McFadden, Darin Rumer, Reza Golesorkhi, Anne Grover, Stephen Friedman, P. Lindsay Parvis and Jeffrey Greenblatt (not pictured: David Bulitt and Amanda Frett) | Joseph Greenwald & Laake PA Joseph, Greenwald & Laakeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Family Law practice group has recently grown, now boasting over 200 years of combined experience in representing clients in domestic matters in Montgomery County. The firmâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s attorneys are seasoned in all aspects of family law, including divorce, alimony, property distribution, custody and child support. Their attorneys will walk you through your options, protect your interests and guide you

MAY/JUNE 2019 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

every step of the way. They are the voice that you need, negotiating on your behalf and advocating for you in court. Regardless of the complexity of the case or your financial situation, Joseph, Greenwald & Laake has a family law attorney perfectly suited to handle your case. 240-399-7900 | www.jgllaw.com

2019 FACES

HILARY SCHWAB

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2019 FACES

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The Face of

All DC, Chevy Chase, and Bethesda Real Estate As one of the region’s top-producing agents, Erich Cabe knows that a home’s presentation is critical. That’s why he and his team focus on preparing and staging each home and creating a customized marketing plan for every listing. “Buyers tour a property twice—first online and then in person,” says Cabe, who offers his clients complimentary staging consultations, HD video tours and premier placement on real estate websites. “The experience of walking into a home, whether virtually or in person, is

MAY/JUNE 2019 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

extremely important. So much about buying a home is the way it makes you feel.” Whether buying or selling, Cabe’s clients appreciate his attention to detail, outstanding negotiating skills and collaborative approach. “We form partnerships with our clients,” Cabe says. “Our goal is to exceed expectations.” 202-320-6469 www.erichcabeteam.com

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Erich Cabe | Compass

2019 FACES

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The Face of

Architecture

HEATHER FUENTES

Paul Davey & Mark L. Giarraputo | Studio Z Design Concepts, LLC For more than 25 years, Studio Z Design Concepts has helped changed the face of Bethesdaâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;one home at a time. An award-winning architectural firm specializing in custom and luxury residential architecture, historical restorations and large-scale renovations, Studio Z provides complete architectural services for homeowners and builders on custom and speculative homes. The firmâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s success is built on a balance of client

expectations, well-executed architecture, market sensitive investment and a personalized approach to each and every client. Builder-friendly and budget-conscious, Studio Z maintains a deep respect for all the details that make your house feel like a home. 301-951-4391 www.studiozdc.com

BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM | MAY/JUNE 2019

2019 FACES

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The Face of

Artisanal Honey Chris White, Beekeeper | Bee America

MAY/JUNE 2019 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

taste of honey from 18th- and 19th-century America. Bee America also offers iconic regional honeys including Orange Blossom, Tupelo, Creamed Thistle and a signature honey, Tulip Poplar. They offer natural, honey-based skin care products and create beautiful, custom honey gifts for all occasions and corporate gift lists. 301-229-2780 www.bee-america.com

DARREN HIGGINS

Bee America is a local honey company that’s passionate about preserving the future of honeybees and their place in the world. “We treat our bees with compassion—not chemicals—and practice sustainable apiary management,” says White. “Our customers are confident that they receive the best tasting, most pure honey.” A unique line of artisanal honeys, The American Heritage Collection, features historical blends. The collection celebrates the spirit and traditions in our nation’s story by replicating the

2019 FACES

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The Face of

Audiology Experience

DARREN HIGGINS

Gail Linn, Au.D. | Potomac Audiology Dr. Gail Linn not only offers highly experienced services like real ear measures through her practice, Potomac Audiology has an important presence among other medical professionals and audiology organizations. They participate in important research with NIH, and the latest study focuses on how to educate patients to use hearing aids more effectively. Dr. Linn is regularly called upon to speak and present at industry events, and was invited to speak at the Institute of Medicine. Audiology students from area schools

train under her tutelage, as well as other students from around the country. For the past 12 years, Dr. Linn has served on the Maryland Academy of Audiology Board of Directors. The family practice includes Dr. Linnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s daughter, Dr. Tricia Terlep and Triciaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s husband Vince, who is Director of Operations. 240-477-1010 www.potomacaudiology.com

BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM | MAY/JUNE 2019

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The Face of

Bespoke Clothing Bouaze Pierre | Bouaze Pierre Tailoring

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rare and only created from the finest fabrics and materials from around the world. With his tailoring services, Mr. Pierre is excited to deliver artistry, quality, craftsmanship, and purpose. Available by appointment only. 1-866-928-2661 www.bouazepierre.com

COURTESY PHOTO

Bouaze Pierre is a highly accomplished master tailor whose work has been described as a blend of triumph and fashion creativity. His diverse collection of fashionwear is considered exclusive and ideal for today’s wedding, social and business events. “I’m happy to help my clients realize their own fashion creativity,” he says. Mr. Pierre’s bespoke garments are extremely

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2019 FACES

The Face of

The Best Dog Boarding Care

HEATHER FUENTES

Janet Sidebottom Blue Dog Boarding & Daycare Blue Dog Boarding & Daycare offers dog boarding, daycare and dog spa grooming services for your beloved companion. “We know your pooch is a part of your family,” says owner Janet Sidebottom. “We treat them with special care throughout their stay with us.” Recognized for excellence by local publications for several years, Blue Dog goes above and beyond for pet owners. Dogs enjoy the companionship of the staff and meet up with other fun-loving furry friends. Owners are able to watch their dog on webcams on an iPhone, iPad or computer. Located in Kensington, Blue Dog offers a free first day of dog daycare for nervous first-time boarders— a great way to ease your pet into Blue Dog and meet and greet the Daycare attendants. 301-217-0010 www.dogboarding.net

BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM | MAY/JUNE 2019

2019 FACES

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The Face of

Bethesda’s Best Builder For over 30 years, Phil Leibovitz and Mimi Brodsky Kress have been building and renovating award-winning homes throughout the Washington-area. Sandy Spring Builders has been chosen “Best Builder” in the Best of Bethesda Readers Poll every year since its inception. Their team of dedicated employees are among the most talented and passionate in the industry. Whether a new home or renovation, each project is built with great pride. “We are

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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.’” 301-913-5995 www.sandyspringbuilders.com

MICHAEL BENNETT KRESS

Phil Leibovitz & Mimi Brodsky Kress | Sandy Spring Builders, LLC

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2019 FACES

The Face of

Boarding

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Olde Towne Pet Resort There’s no place like home—but with the love and attention the Olde Towne Pet Resort team devotes to pets in its care, a stay there is as close as it gets. “Your pets are part of your family, and our family too,” says Olde Towne Pet Resort owner Leah Fried Sedwick. “We designed our resorts with your pet’s well-being in mind. That care includes 24/7 staffing, premier spacious suites, and features such as webcams, sound proofing, filtered auto-fill water dishes and hospital-grade air system. We offer a choice of activities such as day camp, swimming and cardio to help keep them engaged and fit.” From thoughtful creature comforts to extra cuddle time, every stay at Olde Towne Pet Resort is just like being at home…maybe even better. 888-475-3580 www.otpets.com

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The Face of

Bradley Hills Real Estate When you think of buying or selling in the neighborhoods of Bradley Hills Elementary, think Trent & Co. Both Mary and Trent live and work in South Bradley Hills and are active in its association, supporting events and donating time and resources. As parents of kids attending Bradley Hills, they are actively involved in school events, donation drives and movie nights. As a result, they have helped many BH families move from a bursting first home to the larger next

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one, transitioning everyone flawlessly and expeditiously. Their strategies getting homes ready for market with custom staging and leveraging equity help clients make this shift with less stress and more success. Whether youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re moving out, moving up or moving in, this dynamic duo delivers success in home buying or selling! O: 301-298-1001 | C: 240-461-3928 www.trentandco.com

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Trent Heminger and Mary Noone | Trent & Co, Compass Real Estate

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The Face of

Cannabis Cultivation

COURTESY PHOTO

Chris Holshouser | Curio Wellness As the leading medicinal cannabis brand in Maryland, Curio Wellness is devoted to the highest safety and hygienic standards. It all starts with cultivation, led by Curio’s Director of Cultivation, Chris Holshouser. Chris brings two decades of experience running one of the largest greenhouses in the country to his role with Curio and its state-of-the art grow and production facility. Curio’s commitment to quality has not gone unnoticed. The national cannabis review website,

Leafly, named Curio Wellness “Best Flower Products” in Maryland. While accolades are nice, Chris and the Curio team take the most pride in cultivating a healthier way of life for patients through their products, which are available at dispensaries in the Bethesda area and more than 60 locations throughout the state. curiowellness.com

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The Face of

Cannabis Wellness Beth and Julie opened the Health for Life Dispensary in Bethesda in 2018 with the goal of creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. They offer privacy for patients who want to explore the healing benefits of medical cannabis for treating many ailments. The sisters first started helping patients in Arizona in 2013. They want to spread the word with amazing stories of people whose lives were improved from using cannabis and CBD for help with pain, sleep, arthritis, migraines, and more

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serious conditions such as epilepsy and cancer. Employees are trained to educate patients about all the benefits of cannabinoids and help put in place an individualized treatment plan. They look forward to seeing you in Bethesda or other locations in White Marsh and Baltimore. 240-760-2420 healthforlifedispensaries.com

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Beth Stavola & Julie Winter | Health for Life

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The Face of

Collaborative Divorce

ERICK GIBSON

Darcy A. Shoop | Darcy A. Shoop, LLC Darcy Shoop concentrates her practice in family law and is one of the D.C. area’s most experienced Collaborative Divorce attorneys. Although a skilled and experienced litigator, her practice is dedicated to settlement advocacy including traditional negotiation, mediation and Collaborative Law. “In an effort to manage the high financial and emotional costs of divorce, I assist my clients in identifying and achieving goals that are future focused and child-centered. Divorce is an incredibly stressful and often heartbreaking

experience. I want my clients to retain control over their lives while achieving durable resolutions of the issues most important to them.” She has been a passionate leader in the development of Collaborative Law throughout the region, and has been featured in Bethesda Magazine and Washingtonian’s “Top Lawyers” editions. 301-340-7950 www.darcyshoop.com

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The Face of

Commercial Technology Support Steven Freidkin, Chief Executive Officer | Ntiva, Inc.

703-891-0131 www.ntiva.com

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LISA HELFERT

“All businesses need what we do. Having the right technology in place is mission-critical for growth and success of every organization,” says Steven Freidkin. “After 20 years of providing IT services in the area, we’ve seen the positive impact that technology can have.” “Those same businesses now face some unique challenges,” he said. “Technology changes so fast that it’s difficult to keep up, especially with cyber security. This is a serious issue that needs to be proactively addressed—nobody is immune from attacks.” The company offers a wide range of IT services including cloud, telecom, security and consulting. Ntiva recognizes that outstanding customer service is the core of their success and have put a huge emphasis on nurturing their business relationships. “As you grow, we grow,” says Freidkin.

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The Face of

Community Health

TONY J. LEWIS

LISA HELFERT

YMCA Bethesda-Chevy Chase The YMCA now offers a new and revitalized best-inclass facility. The Y is designed with maximal natural light, upgraded systems and sustainability features for the future. The new Y is a community driven dynamic facility, which includes increased wellness programming such as the YMCA Diabetes Prevention Program. With an abundance of spaces, exemplified by amazing pools, whirlpool and new saunas, YMCA BCC is the venue to learn, grow and thrive. All this is made possible by

volunteers and donors who have a passion for helping others – preserving a legacy spanning generations. The YMCA has served Montgomery County for 70 years by focusing on youth development, healthy living and social responsibility; principles that will continue to be the “Why” for the next 70. 301-530-3725 www.ymcadc.org

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The Face of

Complex Family Law Darryl Feldman, Anne Marie Jackson, Rebecca C. Shankman, Marc A. Isaacs, John S. Dame | Feldman Jackson

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The attorneys are consistently recognized among the top family law professionals in the Metro area. With a reputation for integrity, judgment and skill, they offer clients compassion, guidance, advocacy, and most importantly, a sense of control over their future. Feldman Jackson helps their clients manage change with integrity. 301-715-8110 www.FeldmanJackson.com

ERICK GIBSON

At Feldman Jackson, the entire practice concentrates on family law. “Routinely, our cases involve complex financial and valuation issues related to a party’s or family’s assets and business interests, as well as issues regarding custody of children,” says Darryl Feldman. “While a negotiated settlement is almost always preferable,” Anne Marie Jackson points out, “we strategically pursue litigation if that is the best way to achieve our client’s goals or protect their interests.”

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The Face of

The Concierge Realtor

TONY J. LEWIS

Jan M. Evans, Vice President | Realtor® DC/MD/VA TTR | Sotheby’s International Realty Buying or selling a home should be one of the most exciting times in your life. But it’s not a one-step process. Homebuyers, sellers and family executors can be easily overwhelmed by all the details. This is where Jan makes a difference. As a Concierge Realtor, Jan uses decades of experience to manage all your needs, from finding that perfect new home to marketing and staging a seller’s present one. There are many details in downsizing or

dealing with trust and estate issues, plus you’ll most likely need to find homes for a lifetime of beloved collectables and furniture. Jan does just that. Jan’s expertise puts the excitement into buying or selling by removing the stress, putting all the pieces together and making it happen for you. O: 301-967-3344 | C: 301-873-3596 janevans.ttrsir.com

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The Face of

Cosmetic & Implant Dentistry Dr. Jason Cohen’s patients embrace the artistry that goes into his dentistry. His practice offers a caring and gentle atmosphere, and aims to preserve, protect and enhance their patients’ dental health, while Treating Your Family Like Family. This integral philosophy allows patients to receive the most optimal care for their individual needs and desires. Ranging from simple aesthetic bonding to complex implant dentistry, Dr. Cohen’s office utilizes digital radiography and photography to ensure the most ideal aesthetic results. In addition, Dr. Cohen and his teams’ commitment to continuing education enables them to provide the most current, state-of-the-art, comprehensive care for his patients. Practicing in the area since 2003, Dr. Cohen lives in Bethesda with his wife Stacy and sons Corey and Blake. 301-656-1201 www.cosmeticdds.com

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MICHAEL VENTURA

Dr. Jason A. Cohen

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The Face of

Couples Therapy

MICHAEL VENETURA

Cara Nazareth, MS, LCMFT | Cara Nazareth Therapy When your relationship is in distress, you deserve a therapist who’s specifically trained to understand complicated relationship dynamics. As a licensed marriage and family therapist, Cara is passionate about helping couples at every stage of life repair past hurts and deepen their connection. “Many couples worry that seeking counseling means their relationship is doomed. This isn’t always the case. Relationships are hard, and skill-building is at the heart of couples counseling. Nearly all of us need to learn healthy

relationship skills. We’re born with the ability to connect with others, but that doesn’t mean we’re automatically experts at being close.” Cara invites you to schedule a complimentary phone consultation. “It’s an opportunity to discuss what brings you to therapy and how I can help.” 240-560-2261 www.caranazareth.com

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The Face of

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

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2. 3. 4.

vision and dream home. An organized and stress-free product selection process allows their clients to thoroughly enjoy the homebuilding experience. Quality trades and vendors dedicated to upholding DCG’s high expectations. Deep commitment to green building practices from the “Best Green Builder,” as voted by the readers of Bethesda Magazine in the Best of Bethesda Readers Poll.

301-983-6947 www.dcghomes.com

LISA HELFERT

Doug Monsein spent his post-college years with a regional construction company, honing his profession and passion for building homes. In 1999 he started DCG, blending his business acumen with knowledge of the sticks and bricks side of construction. With over 160 new homes built in the Bethesda area, DCG provides an extraordinary experience, proud that past clients are their best ambassadors. Pillars of the DCG custom-build process are fundamental to every project: 1. Exceptional communication before, during and after construction, built around their client’s

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Day Camp

STEPHANIE BRAGG

Olde Towne Pet Resort Play is better with friends! Olde Towne Pet Resort welcomes dogs of all types and sizes to full or halfday Day Camp. To ensure safety and fun, each dog is carefully evaluated and separated by temperament and size. “Whether your dog is the leader of the pack, a wallflower or something in between, they’ll benefit from the socialization and human interaction they’ll find inside our Day Camp,” says Ron Hallagan, CEO of Olde Towne Pet Resort. “We know that your dogs are part of your family, and our family, too. With staff engagement, inside and outside play options, and additional activities such as swimming, cardio and grooming available, our goal is to have you pick them up completely tuckered out with a smile on their face.” 888-475-3580 www.otpets.com

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The Face of

Democracy in Action Green Acres School

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engaged citizenship. “We offer a unique environment for students to internalize a deep sense of responsibility—to themselves, all peoples and the earth,” says Brown. “We’ve been doing this for almost 85 years, and raising kids with these qualities is more vital today than ever.” 301-881-4100 www.greenacres.org

HILARY SCHWAB

“We believe education is the engine of social change and that schools should model mini-democracies,” says Head of School Neal M. Brown, Ed.D. “Children here know their voices matter and see themselves as agents of change in the world.” After investigating in science class how plastics affect our oceans, students launched a Marine Biology Club. The group recently proposed a plan to “phase out” plastic straws at school. They educate the school community about eco-friendly practices and are one of many examples of how Green Acres inspires

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The Face of

Dental Implants

TONY J. LEWIS

Israel Puterman, DMD, MSD 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 a three-year residency in Implant Dentistry, giving him rare expertise in all aspects of dental implants. Treating the simplest to the most complex cases involving implants, gum grafting, bone grafting and laser periodontics, Dr. Puterman emphasizes the least invasive techniques to achieve superior results. Additionally, he

provides IV sedation, so that you can rest comfortably during any procedure. Repeatedly voted by his peers as a Washingtonian â&#x20AC;&#x153;Top Dentist,â&#x20AC;? his goal is to provide worldclass periodontics and implant dentistry in the gentlest and most relaxing of atmospheres. Read his rave reviews online and see what his patients say. 301-652-0939 www.implantsdc.com

BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM | MAY/JUNE 2019

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The Face of

Divorce Litigation For almost two decades, Hecht & Associates has been one of the preeminent divorce litigation firms in Montgomery County. “While we strive to dissolve marriages in a manner that avoids the courtroom, agreements between spouses are challenging and litigation is sometimes the only way to resolve custody, support, property and other disputes,” says Spencer Hecht. “A litigator who is knowledgeable and focused on protecting your interests is invaluable when you’re experiencing

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challenges of a broken home and beginning a new chapter.” Divorce litigation is a balance between real-life issues and making a presentation to the court that best describes what’s best for children and financially equitable. It involves attention to detail, ability to take different approaches at appropriate stages and a measured perspective to achieve the right results. 301-587-2099 | www.hechtassociates.com

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Spencer M. Hecht | Hecht & Associates, LLC

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The Face of

Divorce Settlement & Mediation

STEPHANIE WILLIAMS

Law Firm of Andrea Hirsch Separation and divorce are personal, emotional events that strike the very core of our wellbeing. The lawyer who helps you navigate this often painful process must know the law, but also be sensitive and empathetic to what you’re going through. The Law Firm of Andrea Hirsch focuses on out-of-court settlement processes such as mediation, attorney negotiation and collaborative practice. “We believe that in most cases this is the best way to find

shared solutions with a focus on the future, while avoiding the expense and emotional turmoil of protracted litigation,” she says. A seasoned negotiator and mediator, Ms. Hirsch is co-founder and principal of the Collaborative Practice Center of Greater Washington. Her practice is located at the center’s offices at Dupont Circle. 202-480-2160 www.andreahirschlaw.com

BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM | MAY/JUNE 2019

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The Face of

Dyslexia Education The Siena School serves bright college bound students with language-based learning differences in grades four through 12. Siena trains its students in reading, writing and organization. The multisensory curriculum is designed to nurture and explore students’ incredible strengths and creativity. As one parent recently noted, “I continue to be amazed and grateful at how clearly the teachers see our child’s gifts and identify ways to address their challenges.”

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Siena relies on the latest research to help best understand how its students think and learn. It offers consistent approaches to teaching strategies and skills to help the students thrive, while preparing its graduates for mainstream college programs. Siena offers a summer school and workshop series to assist students and educators from the broader community. 301-244-3600 | www.thesienaschool.org

HILARY SCHWAB

The Siena School

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The Face of

Experience and Integrity in Real Estate

JAMES KIM

Andy & Jessie Alderdice, Realtors | Long & Foster All Points Close relationships with clients have always worked for this top producing and trusted mother and daughter team during their 38+ combined years of real estate experience. Not much has changed even with the successes they’ve had, notably voted as “A Top Vote Getter” for Best Real Estate Agent in the 2019 Best of Bethesda Readers Poll. “We don’t take on too many clients at one time, so listing clients and buyers work directly with us,” says Andy. The 5th and 6th generation

Washingtonians bring deep local knowledge, experience and strong community connections gained from being born and raised in area neighborhoods. Licensed in the District, Maryland and Virginia, Andy and Jessie provide realistic information on property values, market insights and smart opinions on what buyers and sellers can expect in the area. 301-466-5898 | www.Andy4homes.com

BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM | MAY/JUNE 2019

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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 Dispute Resolution

DARREN HIGGINS

Virginia B. Joehl | Joehl Law “Divorce is not just a legal event, but a social, financial and emotional one, as well,” says Virginia Joehl. She and associate Jennifer Silverman focus on high-conflict family law matters. In addition to active litigation, they handle negotiation and mediation, drafting settlement agreements and parenting plans, and conducting custody mediations. Compassionate counselors and zealous advocates for their clients, they approach every case with dedication and sensitivity. “We encourage reasonable resolution to family law

matters, but the best settlements are negotiated from a position of strength,” she says. “We thoroughly prepare your case, advise you every step and allow you to make informed decisions throughout the process.” “While we always work to reach an amicable resolution, you’ll never be pressured into accepting a settlement you do not want.” 301-605-7887 www.vbjlaw.com

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(L-R): Jennifer Davison, Katherine O’Rourke, Emily Baker, Daniel Bousquet, Marina Barannik, Sarah Zimmerman, Jonathan Dana, Elizabeth Selmo, Molly Saxon, Alice Newhall Ahearn

The Face of

Family Law The Family Law Group of Feldesman Tucker Leifer Fidell (FTLF) delivers sophisticated, team-based representation to secure clients’ futures so they can move forward with a sense of well-being and confidence. Preserving your assets and protecting your future, FTLF family lawyers know from deep experience the importance of protecting children, safeguarding financial assets and preserving dignity at every stage of separation and divorce. Through negotiation, Collaborative Law, mediation or litigation they develop

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successful strategies for meeting clients’ needs today and in the years ahead. Named a Tier 1 Family Law firm by U.S. News-Best Lawyers; our lawyers are repeatedly recognized by Bethesda Magazine, Washingtonian and Northern Virginia Magazine, Super Lawyers and Best Lawyers. FTLF family lawyers serve the entire metro area. Bethesda Office: 301-232-1252 www.feldesmantucker.com

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Feldesman Tucker Leifer Fidell LLP

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The Face of

Full Spa Service

COURTESY PHOTO

Courted Spa at The St. James A place to rejuvenate—mind, body and spirit. With a focus on self-renewal and a proactive approach to living well, Courted’s expert staff educates, delivers results and fosters relationships through every stage of clients’ lives. It’s an oasis where you can reflect, change course or simply gain a new perspective. 703-239-6910 www.courted.com

BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM | MAY/JUNE 2019

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The Face of

Fun & Fabulous Senior Living At Maplewood Park Place – Bethesda’s award-winning, continuing-care, resident-owned retirement community – fun awaits around every corner. Whether you’re a globetrotter or a local trend setter, Maplewood Park Place is your doorway to fun and fabulous senior living. • Fun entertainment, like parties, concerts, happy hours, pocket billiards, and cultural excursions to Arena Stage, the Kennedy Center and beyond. • Fun learning, through book clubs, seminars, workshops, arts classes, college courses and a “Share Your Passion” community forum.

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• • •

Fun staying in shape, with Tai Chi, Zumba, yoga and balance classes. Fun in making connections with a spirited mix of residents and friendly staff. Fun eating, featuring five-star cuisine, festive holiday meals and catering. Plus, recent remodeling added a renovated restaurant, all-new bistro and two new bars. Dine formally or casually.

301-530-0500 www.maplewoodparkplace.com

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Maplewood Park Place

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The Face of

A Fun Summer

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Valley Mill Camp “Valley Mill campers can achieve anything they set their minds to,” says Evelyn McEwan, whose parents Bob and May founded the camp in 1956. Combining closeness to home with the atmosphere of an away camp, Valley Mill provides ample space for a vigorous camp program for boys and girls. Through kayaking, canoeing, gymnastics, horseback riding, archery and air rifle and more, “Valley Millers” spend their days outdoors, learning about self-sufficiency and resilience. Those qualities translate into self-confidence in all

walks of life. Some Valley Millers have gone on to compete in kayaking and canoeing on national and Olympic teams. Many children attend Valley Mill year after year, finding deepened experiences each time. Counselors are chosen for their character and values, and are excellent role models for campers. 301-948-0220 www.valleymill.com

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The Face of

The Future Georgetown Hill Early School

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and community. When walking through their hallways, children see many familiar faces as the organization leads the country with a less than 10 percent turnover rate. Their whole-child approach to learning is evident as their happy teachers create happy children, and in return happy parents. 301-310-5105 www.GeorgetownHill.com

HILARY SCHWAB

Love Where They Learn: With over 40 years of experience and 40,000 little footsteps walking through their door, Georgetown Hill Early School is leading the child care industry with a play-based, joyful approach to preschool learning. Their P.L.A.N. curriculum is research-based and time-tested, all revolving around a child- and family-first environment. Georgetown Hill Early School is a non-profit organization and believes in giving back to their families

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The Face of

Gray Divorce

HILARY SCHWAB

Jeffrey N. Greenblatt | Joseph Greenwald & Laake PA You’ve had more years to accumulate assets but less time left to make up for the financial losses occasioned by divorce. ”Gray Divorce” creates a unique set of challenges, including increased expenses for two households, changes in tax liability and division of pensions. Prior estate planning becomes useless, and in Maryland, alimony is neither automatic nor deductible by the payor. Offering more than 40 years of experience with emphasis helping well-established individuals through

this difficult time, Jeffrey N. Greenblatt represents clients in the areas of divorce, alimony, complex marital property and pension divisions, business valuations, and Separation Agreements. He is a renowned family law attorney backed by his team of peers with expertise in estate planning, accounting and valuations to protect and secure his clients’ financial future. 240-399-7894 www.jnglaw.net

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The Face of

Home Lending Deb Levy, Senior Home Lending Advisor | Chase | NMLS ID: 481255 financing decisions.” Her team’s lending specialties include selfemployed borrowers, low-to-moderate income program, vacation home financing, condominium and co-op lending and first-time homebuyer programs, too. “If you’re looking for a mortgage or financing solutions, I’ll guide you every step of the way, from application through closing.” 301-332-7758 www.homeloan.chase.com/deb.levy

All home lending products are subject to credit and property approval. Rates, program terms and conditions are subject to change without notice. Not all products are available in all states or for all amounts. Other restrictions and limitations apply. Home lending products offered by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. ©2019 JPMorgan Chase & Co.

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COURTESY PHOTO

Deb Levy began her career with Chase in 1985 while attending University of Maryland. As a native Washingtonian, she and her family are personally invested in this community and see it as a wonderful place to live. “Buying a home or refinancing is overwhelming, she says. “So much has changed since I started in the industry. Technology has made things simpler and streamlined. However, always remaining the same is the customer experience; personal understanding, listening and advising our clients for their important home

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The Face of

Home Renovations

MICHAEL VENTURA

Omar Shawqi & Matt Covell | STRUCTURE. One of the most exciting young building and remodeling firms in the area, STRUCTURE., is leading a new generation in home construction. At the core of the team are Matt Covell and Omar Shawqi, renovation specialists who bring a fresh take on home aesthetics and a soulful, creative approach to how home improvement is experienced. Rising talent in the local building scene, they have built a reputation for high quality and highly customized projects that shine with undeniable

style. Thanks to this reputation, STRUCTURE. was among the top vote getters for Best Builder in Bethesda Magazineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 2019 Best of Bethesda Readers Poll. With more and more STRUCTURE. signs appearing in yards across the area, home envy is becoming more prevalent with Covell and Shawqi working next door! 240-994-1520 www.structurecustomhomes.com

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The Face of

Home Solutions Daniel was born and raised in Montgomery County where he has spent over two decades working in every facet of home construction. He created House to Home Solutions, a full-service Design-Build-Remodel firm, to apply his expertise in creating luxury kitchens, bathrooms and entire home renovations for his clients. What makes him and his team successful? Their approach: “We know that our clients are looking for creativity, exceptional communication and a stress-free

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experience. At House to Home Solutions we begin with focusing on a deep understanding of our customer’s vision and successfully translating that into highly functional and aesthetically pleasing outcomes,” says Carrero. This partnership with their clients has earned them excellent reviews and numerous Customer Service and Quality Awards. 301-762-6621 | www.HousetoHomeSolutions.com

ERICK GIBSON

Daniel A. Carrero, President | House to Home Solutions, LLC

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The Face of

Invisalign

HILARY SCHWAB

Dr. Andrew Orchin & Dr. Jill Bailey | Orchin Orthodontics We’re looking at you Bethesda! Do you want a beautiful smile, straight teeth and a healthy bite? Dr. Bailey and Dr. Orchin are certified orthodontic specialists who are experts in moving teeth and are in the top one 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

the leading orthodontic specialists and their amazing team at Orchin Orthodontics. Visit 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

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The Face of

Leadership in Home Care Capital City Nurses

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Caregiver Academy. We create an environment of compassion, respect and professionalism that attracts caregivers who have similar values and who wish to be part of something greater than themselves. Contact us today to learn more about what makes Capital City Nurses stand out as the leaders in home care. 301-652-4344 www.capitalcitynurses.com

HILARY SCHWAB

Leadership in home care begins with creating a culture of excellence. We know that families want to feel confident that they’ve made the right choice in home care for their parents or loved ones. Our finely crafted philosophy, the “Capital City Nurses Way,” reflects our dedication to training, communicating with clients and families and making a genuine, personal connection with everyone we serve. Our caregivers receive ongoing training and coaching through our

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The Face of

A Lifelong Love of Learning

HILARY SCHWAB

Geneva Day School Whether conducting an experiment from behind a lab mask, gazing through a microscope or peering into a book, Geneva Day School students, aged two through kindergarten, turn a fresh face to a lifelong love of learning. “Just as astronomer Edwin Hubble stated man explores the universe using his five senses and calls it Science, our students learn by looking, touching, hearing, smelling and tasting; this is our Science. We create lots of opportunities to explore the world,” states Director Suzanne Funk about the school’s innovative, age-appropriate programming.

Defined by ideal student-teacher ratio, a thematicallyinspired curriculum includes literacy, art, music and movement, environmental education, field trips and outdoor play. Voted Best of Bethesda three times in the Bethesda Magazine Readers Poll, the school’s approach to STEAM is a formula that places student scientists/authors/explorers first! 301-340-7704 www.genevadayschool.org

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The Face of

Luxury Penthouse Living These are the friendly faces of The Palisades Apartments and Penthouses in downtown Bethesda. The service team members are the people youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;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 entryâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;plus all

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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

MICHAEL VENTURA

Palisades of Bethesda Service Team Members

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The Face of

Luxury Real Estate

COURTESY PHOTO

Margie Halem Group | Compass Real Estate | Private Client Team Consistently recognized as one of the top agents in the metro area and among the top one percent nationwide, Margie Halem consistently delivers the highest level of service and professionalism. A member of The Private Client Team at Compass, Margie is part of a nationwide team of client-driven, results-oriented luxury real estate professionals of the utmost integrity. “I’m very hands-on and attentive,” Margie says. “Involved in all aspects of every transaction, which is unique for a top-producing

agent. I personally negotiate every transaction, in addition to coordinating staging, decorating, repairs and photography.” Margie creates a luxury real estate experience, as evidenced by her work with notable properties and VIPs. Completely accessible, she is a valuable resource for anything and everything they may need in their journey. 301-775-4196 www.margiehalemgroup.com

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Making a Difference, One Child at a Time Libby absolutely loves her job. Bringing a sense of wonder to a child is magical for her. “I’m a strong believer in early childhood education and I’m truly committed to our children, families and the community.” “Children learn best by direct hands-on experience. The need to actively explore and manipulate materials and toys; discovering answers, relationships, skills and concepts for themselves. We lay the foundation for a lifelong love of learning in every child that comes through

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WCC. Children are naturally playful, and that play builds strong self-confidence.” WCC programs inspire children to learn through play and the thrill of discovery. Classrooms are warm, nurturing and exciting, which makes learning fun. At the three locations along Massachusetts Avenue, preschoolers develop a love of play, exploring and lifelong friendships. 301-229-7161 www.wccbethesda.com

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

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Member Rewards

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IPIC & City Perch Kitchen + Bar At IPIC and City Perch Kitchen + Bar, the more you visit, the more they reward you at the restaurant-and-theater brand at Pike & Rose. When you join IPIC ACCESS, visits are enhanced with a number of benefits. Get priority access and member-only discounts to blockbuster movies. Celebrate your birthday at IPIC and come see a movie with your membership privileges. Receive 10 percent off chef-driven cuisine and handcrafted cocktails from Master Mixologists.

Think that sounds good? It gets even better for the most loyal IPIC ACCESS members. Receive special invitations for exclusive showings and private dining events at City Perch, too. Before you book your next movie ticket or next reservation, become a member and make the experience Exclusively Yoursâ&#x201E;˘. www.IPIC.COM/Membership

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The Face of

SugarPop Aesthetics is a chic beauty studio that specializes in custom, high quality semi-permanent makeup, waxing, lash treatments and anti-aging skin care services. “I recognized the absence of African-American beauty professionals that also had a background in micropigmentation, skin care and makeup,” says Chastity Evans. “I decided to open a studio that meets everchanging demands of the beauty industry, but also provides and focuses on all skin types.” SugarPop understands the skin, its layers, tones,

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texture and how to maintain a healthy balance. They strive to educate clients about individualized skincare. Best of all, they offer the most natural looking microblading in the D.C., metro area. “We want to empower women with beauty services that build confidence and improve self image and self esteem. We all deserve to feel good about ourselves!” 202-849-7075 | Direct: 571-235-0760 SugarPopAesthetics.com

HEATHER FUENTES

Microblading & All Things Beauty Chastity Evans | SugarPop Aesthetics

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The Face of

Neurosurgery

MICHAEL VENTURA

Johns Hopkins Medicine | Suburban Hospital Johns Hopkins neurosurgeons (L to R) Jared Marks, MD and Shih-Chun (David) Lin, MD, Ph.D bring the quality and expertise of Johns Hopkins to the greater Washington area. Patients are seen at their Bethesda office at 6420 Rockledge Drive, Suite 4920 and, if needed, most surgeries are performed at Suburban Hospital. The doctors practice patient-centered care treating the patient and not just the signs and symptoms. They offer comprehensive, tailored treatment for neurosurgical conditions,

including minimally invasive treatments for spinal disorders, and promote personalized care before and after surgery. Following any consultation and throughout the course of treatment, the team works with your physicians to determine the best plan for you. To learn more about their services please call or visit the website. 301-896-6069 www.hopkinsmedicine.org/neuro/bethesda

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The Face of

Pediatric Dentistry Dr. Karen Benitez, DDS | Chevy Chase Pediatric Dentistry

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“They kick back, relax and are introduced to all of my dental toys in their language,” says Dr. Karen. “Did I mention our ample toy selection?” “Consideration of your child’s unique needs is our core philosophy,” says Dr. Karen. “It is palpable, personal and loving because I cannot help but feel you are family!” 301-272-1246 www.chevychasekids.dentist

HILARY SCHWAB

Chevy Chase Pediatric Dentistry has created an inviting and engaging pediatric dental environment to meet your child’s unique needs. Upon entering, vibrant colors welcome them and immediately the little patients sneak away into their little utopia: the kid’s nook. They are greeted by name every step of the way to our exam area where they select their favorite toothbrush, toothpaste, vitamins and animal to polish their teeth. These decisions help kids gain confidence that the entire experience involves them.

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Precious Jewelry & Watches Lee Siegel | CIRCA Jewels

TONY J. LEWIS

Lee Siegel is an expert jewelry and watch buyer with over 25 years of experience. He specializes in valuing diamonds, precious gemstones, antique to contemporary jewelry and vintage to modern-day timepieces. Lee is a Graduate Gemologist from the prestigious Gemological Institute of America (GIA) and holds a diploma in rough-diamond grading. This professional experience has helped Lee cultivate a trustworthy reputation and loyal clientele in the greater Washington, DC metro area. Lee takes great pride in educating his clients so they can make a sound decision when selling their jewelry, diamonds and watches. In addition to working with individual clients, Lee works closely with the trusts and estate sector, assisting families and individuals on how to sell their inherited jewelry and watches. 240-482-1581 www.circajewels.com

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Brian K. Pearlstein, Managing Partner & Edouard J.P. Bouquet, Partner

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For the past 67 years, the firm has maintained a sustained commitment to excellence in the practice of divorce and family law. Brian and Ed offer diverse backgrounds, and their ability to creatively tailor strategies on behalf of clients, combined with a conscientious approach and love of the law, have made them among the most sought-after family law attorneys in Maryland and D.C. Calm and steady guides in challenging times, they offer a combined 60 years of

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experience as counselors and litigators specializing in complex and high-conflict issues. Both are extremely effective advocates in complicated matters, valuation of businesses/professional practices, real estate, stocks and property disputes, and domestic and international custody and support matters thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s garnered them a reputation as top divorce lawyers in the area. 301-869-1700 | www.brpfamilylaw.com

TONY J. LEWIS

Representation in Divorce & Separation Brodsky Renehen Pearlstein & Bouquet

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A Top Divorce Lawyer & Author

HILARY SCHWAB

David Bulitt | Joseph Greenwald & Laake PA Married to a therapist and a father of four daughters, David Bulitt brings unique perspective to every client’s case. A skilled mediator and litigator, he has maintained the highest rankings on national, regional and local top divorce lawyer lists. Much of his work involves direct discussions and negotiations with opposing counsel, both with regard to children and finances. “People should have the opportunity to make their own decisions,” David says, “and not have to leave their family’s future up to a judge.”

With two published fiction novels under his belt, David’s next project, co-authored with his wife, a family theraapist, will be published on Valentine’s Day, 2020. “We just figured that what the two of us have learned about saving a marriage could fill a book—and it did,” he says. 240-399-7888 www.davidbulitt.com

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The Face of

Wealth Management Are you a Middle-Class Millionaire®? Kendall Capital Management (KCM) specializes in providing financial planning and investment management services for people like you—with assets of more than $500,000 in the D.C. metro area. Led by Clark Kendall, the KCM team offers a diverse range of financial services expertise. A fee-only, fiduciary financial adviser, they do not receive commissions for recommending specific investments. “We sit on the same side of the table with you in order to serve your

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best interests,” says Kendall. “Our client’s success is not a destination; it’s a journey and we’re here to help our clients reach their goals.” Look for Kendall’s newest book, Middle-Class Millionaire: Surprisingly Simple Strategies to Grow & Enjoy Your Wealth, and contact the firm to find out more. 301-838-9110 www.KendallCapital.com

STEPHANIE BRAGG

Kendall Capital Management

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The Face of

Westbrook Neighborhood Homes

TONY J. LEWIS

Dana Rice | Compass Real Estate 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. O: 301-298-1001 | D: 202-669-6908 www.compass.com/agents/dc/dana-rice

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Your Partners in Real Estate The Coleman Group Real Estate | Compass Real Estate

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Their philosophy is simple, but essential for clients: “We’re committed to helping you navigate through the buying and selling process, taking the time to make sure you always know the advantages and disadvantages of each decision along the way.” Dennis Coleman, Team Leader: 301-996-9344 Bethesda Office: 301-304-8444 www.TheColemanGroupRealEstate.com

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The choice of The Coleman Group ensures that you will have dedicated, caring and committed professionals helping you buy, sell or invest in real estate. They have been helping people “On the Move” since 1985. The Coleman Group services the entire metro area from Washington, D.C. to the suburbs throughout Montgomery County, as well as Northern Virginia. They bring the combined expertise of over 70 years and more than $750 million sold. From the moment you contact them you will find them attentive, knowledgeable and anticipating your every need.

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Back row: Dale Poskus, Nancy Pollack, Christian Arndt, Maria Leonard Olsen Front row: Alvaro Llosa, Jon Pels, Kerry Edwards Not pictured: Brian West, Justin Sadowski, Katerina Newell, Evelyn Mitchell

The Face of

Zealous Trial Advocacy

HILARY SCHWAB

Jon D. Pels, Esq. | The Pels Law Firm The Pels Law Firm, located in downtown Bethesda, specializes in complex civil litigation and handles a wide array of matters including personal injury, employment discrimination, electronically stored information, criminal defense, high-end asset divorce and business law. With the knowledge, experience and resources found at a larger firm, Pels offers clients the personalized attention and tailored service one would expect from a boutique practice.

The firmâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s proven trial strategies have been applauded by such publications as A Plaintiff Lawyerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Guide to Proving Liability. Its team of lawyers, led by battle-tested and results driven trial lawyer Jon Pels, who was named Maryland Trial Lawyer of the Year in 2007 by the Maryland Trial Lawyers Association, hail from top 10 law schools. Additional information is available at PelsLaw.com. 301-986-5570 | www.pelslaw.com

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PHOTO BY DEB LINDSEY

A young diner at Pizza CS in Rockville

Pizza

perfect

OUR DESIRE FOR PIZZA IS AS STRONG AS EVER, BUT OUR TASTE IN IT HAS BECOME MORE SOPHISTICATED. THESE 10 BETHESDA-AREA PIZZERIAS HAVE CAPTURED OUR ATTENTION.

PHOTOS BY GETTY IMAGES

BY DAVID HAGEDORN

OULD IT BE THAT the best restaurant in Montgomery County is a pizzeria? The answer is yes to just about anyone who has been to chef and owner Tony Conte’s Inferno Pizzeria Napoletana in Darnestown. It wasn’t that long ago that we could only choose from one kind of pizza: New York-style pies baked in a deck oven (the long, rectangular stacked ovens you often see in pizzerias) with pre-shredded cheese right out of a bag. Now, Neapolitan-influenced pizzas baked in wood-fired ovens reign supreme, even though they were introduced to the D.C. area barely 30 years ago and not in Montgomery County until Mia’s Pizzas opened in 2006. Here we highlight some of our favorite pizza joints, most of which veer toward Naples more than Gotham.

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Chef Tony Conte started making Neapolitan-influenced pizza at his Darnestown restaurant in 2015. His egg and black truffle pie features a poached egg in the center.

INFERNO PIZZERIA NAPOLETANA high-end, four-star dining, but he gave that all up for dough— pizza dough. He comes upon his love of Neapolitan-influenced pizza naturally—his father and paternal grandparents were from a municipality just north of Naples. Conte opened Inferno Pizzeria Napoletana in 2015, and diners have lined up since day one to nab the 44 seats in his Darnestown restaurant, where the hours are “5 p.m. until the dough runs out.” (Inferno’s closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.) Conte also brings his finesse and impeccable taste to the starters and desserts on his menu—there are good reasons he was nominated for a James Beard Foundation award for the best chef in the Mid-Atlantic region in 2018. When it comes to pizza, Conte is at his most refined with his egg and black truffle pie, its crust ringed with big, charred, airy bubbles of dough. In the center, a poached egg quivers, waiting to be broken open so its bright orange yolk can mingle with crushed San Marzano tomatoes, melted fontina and smoked scamorza cheese and an abundance of sliced black truffles. That’s four-star eating in an 11-inch circle. Inferno Pizzeria Napoletana, 12207 Darnestown Road, Darnestown; 301-963-0115; inferno-pizzeria.com 130

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PHOTOS BY STACY ZARIN GOLDBERG

CHEF TONY CONTE MADE a name for himself in the world of

NEAPOLITAN

VS.

NEAPOLITAN PIZZA,

The primavera pie

PIZZERIA DA MARCO

PHOTO BY STACY ZARIN GOLDBERG; BASIL PHOTO BY GETTY IMAGES

PIZZERIA DA MARCO’S OWNER, Alessandro Ferro,

came to the U.S. from Italy 20 years ago and to Gaithersburg from Las Vegas, where he worked in fine-dining restaurants at the Venetian and Wynn hotels, 10 years ago. A trip to 2Amys Neapolitan Pizzeria in D.C. changed the course of his life, inspiring him to go into the pizza business. “I loved the simple Neapolitan way to interpret pizza. The roots of my Italian traditions are very important to me,” he says. He opened Da Marco in Bethesda in 2011 after installing a 5,000-pound imported Italian oven. Ferro pays homage to his fine-dining roots at his 180-seat (including the patio and back room) restaurant, insisting on tablecloths. With spring upon us, it’s the right time to partake in Da Marco’s primavera pie, a white pizza loaded with colorful veggies: grape tomatoes, strips of roasted red, yellow and green bell peppers, mushrooms, fresh basil leaves, and thin (lengthwise) al dente slices of bright green zucchini. An elegant touch here is that instead of the shakers of sawdustlike cheese found on the tables of most pizzerias, servers at Da Marco grate fresh Parmesan cheese onto your pizza if you wish. Pizzeria Da Marco, 8008 Woodmont Ave., Bethesda; 301-654-6083; pizzeriadamarco.net

usually about 11-inches in diameter, has a puffy cornicione (crust) and its dough is very thin in the center. It is baked between 750 and 900 degrees in a wood-burning oven for 90 seconds or less. It is soupy in the center and meant to be eaten with a knife and fork. Crushed or chopped fresh or highquality canned Roma tomatoes take the place of cooked tomato sauce. (The Italian San Marzano variety of tomato is used most often.) The cheese is fresh mozzarella, either made from buffalo milk or fior di latte (“flower of milk”) from a cow. What you typically find, however, is Neapolitan-influenced pizza that bends the rules according to the chef’s personal preferences. An Italian organization called the Associazione Vera Pizza Napoletana (AVPN) awards the designation of “real Neapolitan pizza” according to stringent guidelines. No Maryland restaurant has such certification, according to the website of VPN Americas, a branch of AVPN.

NEW YORK

NEW YORK-STYLE PIZZAS

are generally big—more than 14 inches—and typically baked in deck ovens. The deck is the stone base of the oven where pizzas are placed. The temperature is between 500 and 600 degrees. Like Neapolitan pizza, the dough is pulled thin and has a puffy crust, but it’s usually made with coarser flour, and with sugar and oil in the dough. Tomato sauce is cooked and oregano-forward. The cheese is usually a mix of shredded whole milk mozzarella and shredded part-skim milk mozzarella. (Grande block mozzarella is the brand that’s often singled out.) The most important characteristic of New York-style pizza? The bottom crust has to be firm but pliant so you can pick it up and fold it inward before eating. (And it should be sold by the slice in addition to whole pies.)

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VÜK who’s also the CEO of the grocery chain MOM’s Organic Market and a collector of pinball machines, “but the broker showed me a former pizzeria [Pizza Pass] with a great kitchen with a Bakers Pride deck oven.” Local restaurateur Mark Bucher, co-owner of Medium Rare, signed on to help once Nash agreed that VÜK would serve the thin-crust, New Yorkstyle pizza Bucher grew up with in New Jersey. Bucher brought an expert from New York to train VÜK’s cooks. The aroma of the pies at VÜK (which stands for vertical up kicker, the spring-loaded pinball launcher) takes you back to the pizza joints of your youth. The pizza menu here is brief: plain, pepperoni, sausage, veggie or white. (Another option is Sicilian crust.) A perfect afternoon is playing pinball, listening to rock music, drinking a beer and putting back a few slices of plain pizza swiped with oregano-specked tomato sauce, loaded with cheese and built for the one-handed fold familiar to New York pizza aficionados. VÜK precooks and blots sausage and slices of pepperoni before putting them on pizzas for baking, Nash says, to get rid of the orange grease found on inferior pies. VÜK, 4924 St. Elmo Ave., Bethesda; 301-652-8000; facebook.com/vukpinball 132

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Aside from the pizza slices-—which are built for the one-handed fold—diners come to VÜK for the pinball.

PHOTOS BY DEB LINDSEY

“I JUST WANTED TO do pinball,” says VÜK owner Scott Nash,

MAKING A GREAT PIE We asked owners of our featured restaurants: “What is vital for a perfect pizza?” Here are some of our favorite responses.

➤ Ruth Gresser, Pizzeria Paradiso “Someone who knows what they’re doing at the oven. Cooks work their way up through the various stations of our kitchen, and the oven is the last station to get to. They have to enjoy the thrill of moving 13 pizzas around and having them come out perfect.” ➤ Tony Conte, Inferno Pizzeria Napoletana “All phases need to come together—perfect fermentation of the dough, perfect hydration, the temperature in the room, the quality of the products and a good bake.” A Hot Mess pizza

FRANKLY. . . PIZZA!

PHOTO BY STACY ZARIN GOLDBERG

FRANK LINN IS A madman. That’s the word he uses to describe

his obsession with pizza, especially the dough. His customers are crazy, too—for those 11-inch pies. They’ve flocked to the 40-seat (plus 22 outside) Kensington pizzeria since Linn opened it in 2014, just as they had to the food truck of the same name he operated for two years. His pizza is Neapolitan-like in that the dough is made with only four ingredients—Caputo 00 (double-zero), an Italian brand of very finely milled bread flour; water; yeast; and salt—and comes out of the oak-fired oven with lots of leopard-spot charring. Linn puts cooked tomato sauce on his pizzas instead of the crushed, uncooked tomatoes usually found on Neapolitan pies, and rejects serving pies with soupy centers that require a fork and knife. “I want you to be able to pick up a slice and fold it,” he says. We like the Hot Mess, named after a customer who came to the food truck years ago looking like one and wanting something with bacon and heat. Linn’s creation is a white pizza made with Berkshire pork bacon that he cures, smokes and sautés. He adds caramelized onions for sweetness and Gruyere for nuttiness, in addition to mozzarella and Romano cheese. Heat comes from jalapeños he roasts, peels, brines and slices. “It’s a hot mess because you’re supposed to suffer a little bit,” he says. We’re happy to. Frankly…Pizza!, 10417 Armory Ave., Kensington; 301-832-1065; franklypizza.com

➤ James Alefantis, Comet Ping Pong “It’s about flavor and texture, that little bit of gooeyness between the crust of the bread and the sauce and the cheese, where you feel the aliveness of it all. It’s a living thing, made with yeast. We hand-make each one and treat it like it’s a little present for the guest. It brings you back to the moment of the best pizza of your childhood.” ➤ Ankur Rajpara, Pizza CS “Passion in what you’re doing—crafting the dough, how to manipulate it, to open it up, to make adjustments according to the seasons. It’s more of a craft than a process, which is why I went back to Naples to be certified as a pizzamaker by the APN, the Associazione Pizzaiuoli Napoletani.” ➤ Alessandro Ferro, Pizzeria Da Marco “The dough. And the weather. On more humid days, the dough is wetter and chewier. On days with perfect humidity, the dough is perfect. My mom would say, ‘The dough is nervous today’ when the weather wasn’t cooperating.” ➤ Frank Linn, Frankly…Pizza! “The dough is definitely a focal point; it’s the platter everything else is placed on. Pizza is its own plate. Everything must come together to make a great pie—sweet, salt, chew. Char and crispness are important. I’ve traveled around a lot and haven’t had a lot of great pizza.”

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ALATRI BROS. Bros. in Bethesda. Restaurateurs and brothers Roberto and Riccardo Pietrobono (proprietors of Olazzo and Gringos & Mariachis) were chef Melissa Ballinger’s landlords. She owned and operated the 55-seat (plus 25 outside) restaurant, which was called Mia’s Pizzas, from 2006 until she retired and passed the business on to the Pietrobonos in 2016. Wilber Melendez, one of the pizzaiolos who helms the oak-burning oven at Alatri Bros., honed his craft under Ballinger’s tutelage, and Ballinger honed hers working with chef Ruth Gresser at Pizzeria Paradiso in Washington, D.C., in the ’90s. Gresser was an early adapter of Neapolitan-style pies in the Washington area. Our go-to pizza at Alatri Bros. is the Meatball Pie, topped with a generous layer of cooked tomato sauce, lots of mozzarella cheese and three large, halved chicken meatballs. The hand-rolled baked orbs—made with ground chicken thighs, onions, garlic, oregano, basil, red chili pepper flakes, milk and Parmesan cheese—are light and toothsome. (Pork meatballs are available, too.) That pizza and a Caesar salad add up to a perfect meal. Alatri Bros., 4926 Cordell Ave., Bethesda; 301-718-6427; alatribros.com 134

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Pizza chef Wilber Melendez makes a Meatball Pie, topped with cooked tomato sauce, mozzarella and halved chicken meatballs.

PHOTOS BY DEB LINDSEY

THE CIRCLE OF LIFE is achieved through pizza at Alatri

OUT-OF-THE-ORDINARY PIZZAS

There are many pizzas with interesting combinations of ingredients at the 10 places we've featured, but unconventional pies captured our attention at several other pizza restaurants:

The Di Mare

PIZZERIA PARADISO

PIZZERIA PARADISO PHOTO BY STACY ZARIN GOLDBERG; LITTLE BEAST PHOTO BY DEB LINDSEY; OTHER PHOTOS COURTESY

IN FEBRUARY, PIZZERIA PARADISO chef

and owner Ruth Gresser was nominated for a James Beard Foundation award for outstanding restaurateur in the United States, one of 20 semifinalists in that category who “demonstrate creativity in entrepreneurship and integrity in restaurant operations.” Gresser, who opened her fifth outpost of Pizzeria Paradiso in Upper Northwest D.C.’s Spring Valley neighborhood in December, is a pizza pioneer; she introduced the now ubiquitous style of wood-fired Neapolitan pizza at the original Paradiso in D.C. in 1991. Gresser makes darn good pizza. Our current fave is the Di Mare (9- or 12-inch), spread with spicy garlic pesto (leeks, Grana Padano cheese, elephant garlic, crushed red pepper, olive oil), inshell mussels, shrimp, spinach leaves, red onions and more Grana Padano cheese. Gresser’s crust is puff y and breadlike with few charred spots, because unlike most other Neapolitan pie-makers, she uses American bread flour instead of fine Italian flour, adds oil to the dough and bakes at a lower temperature (650 degrees instead of 750 or higher). We’ve found it’s best to remove all the mussel meats from their shells before you start eating, instead of as you go along. Pizzeria Paradiso, 4850 Massachusetts Ave., Washington, D.C.; 202-885-9101; eatyourpizza.com

Matchbox’s prosciutto, fig and blue cheese pizza This white pizza is baked with roasted garlic purée, mozzarella, dollops of blue cheese and dried figs, then topped with prosciutto slices, peppery arugula and drizzles of honey laced with black pepper. It’s a delectable balance of sweet and tang, crunch and saltiness. (Add crushed red pepper flakes for a hit of heat.) Matchbox, 1699 Rockville Pike, Rockville; 301-816-0369; matchboxrestaurants.com M&N’s Pizza’s palak paneer pizza Owner Menoj Mehta uses uncommon toppings—he even has a menu section labeled “Whacky Pizzas.” We love the boldly flavored palak paneer offering, which is based on the popular Indian dish of the same name. (Palak is spinach; paneer is a fresh cow’s milk cheese pressed into a solid block.) Creamed curried spinach serves as the pizza’s sauce, which is topped with red onions, mozzarella and feta cheese, and cubes of paneer before being baked. 7750 Old Georgetown Road, Bethesda; 301-656-6262; mandnspizza.com Little Beast’s BBQ pork pizza Chef Naomi Gallego is on fire at this jam-packed-from-day-one Upper Northwest D.C. café that opened last September and features Neapolitan-style pizzas. The one we crave is made with pork butt that’s been cured, braised for more than six hours, shredded and then baked on a pie with a smoky molasses barbecue sauce, tiny cubes of butternut squash, pickled shallots and scallions. 5600 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington, D.C.; 202-741-4599; littlebeastdc.com Potomac Pizza’s Mexican pizza The Mexican pizza makes perfect sense, especially if you think of the crust as a pizza version of a flour tortilla. It’s spread with refried beans, tomato salsa, guacamole, Monterey Jack and cheddar cheese, and then baked and topped with shredded iceberg lettuce and diced tomatoes. Absolutely ask for the optional pickled jalapeños. 19 Wisconsin Circle, Chevy Chase, 301-9511127; 9812 Falls Road, Potomac, 301-2997700; 9709 Traville Gateway Drive, Rockville, 301-279-2234; potomacpizza.com BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM | MAY/JUNE 2019

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PIZZA CS Rockville Pike since 2011, takes the guesswork out of wondering how big their pizzas are by putting a diagram of the 11-inch size on the menu. CS stands for “come sempre” in Italian, meaning “like always,” signaling that owners Ankur Rajpara and Jonathan Allen are dedicated to putting out a consistent product and following the strictures of real Neapolitan pizza, down to the dough, the cheese, the tomatoes and the oven—in their case, a Stefano Ferrara oak-fired brick beauty made in Italy. What comes through the most in CS’s pizzas is the tang in the dough that results from a 48-hour fermentation. It is said the test of a Neapolitan pizzeria is the quality of its simplest pie: the margherita, made only of dough, tomatoes, buffalo mozzarella and fresh basil. CS’s is superlative, but we adore the Burrata Margherita that stars burrata (cheese made with mozzarella and cream) instead of buffalo cheese. Burrata elevates the already noble margherita by adding extra richness and luxuriance. (Save room for dessert pizza, a thin crust baked to cracker crispness and slathered with Nutella. Add a scoop of JJ Hoffman’s Creamery ice cream—salty caramel if they have it.) Pizza CS, 1596-B Rockville Pike, Rockville; 240-833-8090; pizzacs.com 136

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Families fill Pizza CS in Rockville (top). The restaurant’s Burrata Margherita features a cheese made with mozzarella and cream.

PHOTOS BY DEB LINDSEY

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The New Haven, a version of clam pizza

PETE’S NEW HAVEN STYLE APIZZA JOEL MEHR, CO-OWNER of Pete’s New Haven Style Apizza

(pronounced “ah-beets,” he explains, which is a southern Italian working-class pronunciation of “pizza”), learned about New Haven pizza from his co-owner wife, Alicia, who hails from a town just north of the Connecticut city. The pies are typically thin crust, not perfectly round, tomato sauce-y and sometimes cheeseless. Before opening the first Pete’s Apizza in D.C. in 2008 (now closed), he talked the owner of a pizzeria close to New Haven into letting him work there for a few weeks. At Mehr’s light-filled, 70-seat (plus 40 outside) Friendship Heights location, which opened in 2010, many pies are available by the slice and all are offered in 10-, 14- and 18-inch sizes. The de rigueur choice here is the New Haven, Mehr’s version of the clam pizza invented by Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana, which opened in New Haven in 1925. It’s a white pizza featuring shucked Rappahannock littleneck clams, lots of cheese (pecorino Romano and “mootsa-rell,” in New Haven-speak), garlic, oregano and extra virgin olive oil—then more olive oil and oregano after it’s baked. Pete’s New Haven Style Apizza, 4940 Wisconsin Ave. NW, Washington, D.C.; 202-237-7383; petesapizza.com 138

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Upper Northwest D.C. is a lot of things: an 80-seat (plus 40 outside) pizzeria, a place to play Ping-Pong, a space for art exhibitions and late-night concerts, and a beloved gathering spot for families. Owner James Alefantis refers to Comet’s pizza as American East Coast style. It’s baked in a wood-burning oven A slice of the with dough similar to a Neapolitan- Ca-Lamb-ity J’s style pizza, but the tomato sauce deserves a special mention. Alefantis continues a tradition started by Comet’s original chef and co-owner, Carole Greenwood, when the place opened in 2006. (Greenwood is no longer part of the business.) At the end of every summer, Toigo Orchards in Shippensburg, Pennsylvania, sends truckloads of end-of-season plum tomatoes to a facility in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, that bottles a year’s supply of sauce that’s made according to Greenwood’s original recipe. As good as that sauce is, there’s none to be found on the pizza that intrigues us the most at Comet. That would be the Ca-Lamb-ity J’s, a white pizza that features house-made cinnamon- and cumin-imbued lamb sausage, mozzarella cheese, whipped feta cheese, olive oil, garlic, dollops of tzatziki (cucumber and yogurt dip) and a sprinkling of pickled red onions. It’s a Greece-y pizza we can get behind. Comet Ping Pong, 5037 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington, D.C.; 202-364-0404; cometpingpong.com

PETE'S PHOTO BY STACY ZARIN GOLDBERG; COMET PHOTOS BY DEB LINDSEY

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roasted in the wood-fired oven and then cubed, smoked mozzarella cheese, fontina cheese, fresh basil leaves, and lots of extra-virgin olive oil, all of which adds up to a harmonious blend of herbal notes, smokiness and tartness.

Pacci’s Pizzeria, 8113 Georgia Ave., Silver Spring; 301-588-1011; paccis pizzeria.com n David Hagedorn is the restaurant critic for Bethesda Magazine.

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MAY/JUNE 2019 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

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Spring—which North Potomac resident Spiro Gioldasis opened in 2010—really special isn’t the pizza. Sure, they churn out perfectly lovely 11-inch Neapolitaninspired pies from their bright-red, oak-fired Wood Stone oven, but what makes the clientele truly loyal is the friendly service and pleasant setting. In warm weather, you can’t beat the 50-seat outdoor patio. Bistro lights, umbrellas, fabric swags, tiled tabletops and palm trees with verdant fronds wafting in the breeze create a relaxed environment that seems more like a side street off an Italian piazza than steps away from the hustle and bustle of Georgia Avenue. The Parmigianella pizza is a standout here. Its perimeter has plenty of puffed and charred dough bubbles, and its sauce is simply a purée of uncooked San Marzano tomatoes. The toppings are eggplant

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Persimmon bartender Zaki Azzeddine

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STAYING ALIVE How six Bethesdaarea restaurants have stood the test of time BY STEVE GOLDSTEIN

PHOTOS BY LAURA CHASE DE FORMIGNY

ver the past two decades, the Bethesda area has undergone a radical transformation of its restaurant scene. Sit-down restaurants have come and gone. Fast-casual eateries such as CAVA, Sweetgreen and Fish Taco popped up all over, a result of changing tastes, limited time and a cup of frugality. In Bethesda, rising rents shortened the life of new ventures and drove out longtime establishments that could not afford to stay. At least a dozen Bethesda restaurants have shuttered in the past two years. In Woodmont Triangle, the upscale diner Community closed before its first birthday; the burger joint that replaced it lasted two months. Oakville Grille & Wine Bar and Wildwood Italian Cuisine, sister restaurants in the Wildwood Shopping Center, closed in mid-February. The long-empty space on Elm Street that once housed RĂ RĂĄ Irish Pub and later Noodles & Co. is slated to be filled by Lotus Grill and Bar, an Indian/Mexican eatery, and Italian fast-casual Prima will be replacing Taylor Gourmet. To borrow BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM | MAY/JUNE 2019

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an old joke about the weather: If you don’t like the restaurant choices, wait a week. Some independent establishments in the Bethesda area have withstood the taste of time, continuing to fill tables and prosper. They may never earn Michelin stars, but they have earned the loyalty of even the most fickle foodies. We wondered what their secrets are, and how they’ve managed to weather food trends, economic downturns and other vicissitudes of restaurant life. Here, we highlight six of the survivors. The list is much longer, of course, but this group shares many essential qualities that contribute to success. All rely on loyalty, repeat customers and successive generations; all are in the business because they love it—it isn’t a hobby. It’s unlikely that the current foodscape will stay intact for very long, especially with ever-increasing rents. But four of these six restaurants don’t have to worry about rent—they own their buildings. “The failure of 90 percent of the restaurants is due to renewing the lease, or a lease that is too expensive compared with your receipts,” says Alain Roussel, the owner of La Ferme in Chevy Chase. “Lots of people have big expectations, and if the numbers don’t click and you’re working only for the landlord, that’s a bad deal.” The logo at La Ferme is a rooster, a national symbol of France. Chosen, Roussel says, because the rooster “is proud, but not arrogant.” This attitude is shared by the other long-standing restaurants: Never take your customers for granted or allow yourself to believe that you’re too good for them. “Don’t spit in the soup,” Roussel says with a laugh, using a French expression meaning don’t be disdainful of what you have. 144

The Bethesda Crab House, which opened in 1961, is a tourist destination in the summer. Yen Lee, now the general manager, started as a busboy 25 years ago.

MAY/JUNE 2019 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

BETHESDA CRAB HOUSE

en Lee first encountered his future boss, Donny Vechery, in a high school fistfight—and they don’t remember what they were fighting about. Lee doesn’t recommend that approach, but after a 25-year career at the Bethesda Crab House—rising from busboy to general manager—he concedes that, yeah, it worked for him. The crustacean corner at the west end of Bethesda Avenue was opened in 1961 by Henry Vechery, Donny’s dad, and immediately benefited from being the first licensed alcohol retailer in Montgomery County. Takeout beer accounted for

CRABS PHOTO BY SKIP BROWN

a high percentage of revenue until the mid-1980s, Lee says. That was about the time that going out to eat crabs became widely popular, instead of just a shore thing. The street was unpaved and had an industrial feel. “It was a bit like the Wild West,” Lee says. “Henry tossing drunks out was a daily routine.” Donny Vechery, who had been general manager of the restaurant, took over as owner about five years ago. (He also owns The Surfing Crab in Lewes, Delaware, and is getting ready to open

Steamin’ Blues in Rehoboth.) Lee and Donny became acquainted during a brawl at Georgetown Prep “because we were drunk and stupid,” Lee says, laughing. Fisticuffs led to friendship, and Donny hired Lee as a busboy in 1993. Lee says business has been steady during his time, and the restaurant is busiest from April through September. In the summer, the Bethesda Crab House is a tourist destination and draws business folks with expense accounts who are staying in nearby hotels. A typical check for a party of four is more than $200. Over the last three years, the restaurant has been remodeled because, as Lee puts it, “it was looking like a real s**t hole.” Dinner is far busier than lunch. “Nobody wants to go back to work smelling like seafood and beer,” Lee says. Beer is still the standard beverage, but more diners are choosing wine. “I don’t agree with people eating crabs and drinking wine,” Lee says, “but they do it.” Asian patrons make up an increasing percentage of the restaurant’s customer base, so Lee is now advertising in local Chinese-language newspapers. The crab house provides the “shore experience” without having to cross the Bay Bridge, he says, and crabs are an affordable luxury. Because the restaurant is known to vendors as a prompt payer, Lee can

count on a consistent supply and high quality. “When we need crabs for big days like Father’s Day, we get them,” he says. Many of the restaurant’s local competitors have folded. The Vecherys own the structure, but they pay rent to other family members who own the land. Lee says his biggest challenge these days is attracting younger diners who are willing to work for their food with a wooden mallet. Mega-restaurateur José Andrés is a big fan of the Bethesda Crab House and holds an annual holiday party there for his chefs. Washingtonian Red Auerbach, the legendary former coach of the Boston Celtics, used to come in all the time. Another regular was Norman Rales, patriarch of the family that owns Danaher Corp. (Rales’ son Mitchell and Mitchell’s wife, Emily, are the founders of the Glenstone Museum in Potomac.) When Lee had surgery a decade ago, Norman Rales came to visit him in the hospital bearing a plush new bathrobe. Rales had his quirks, though. No matter how many guests he brought to the restaurant, his tip was always the same: a silver dollar and a $5 bill, which the staff accepted as a joke. “Then one day in 2012 he came in and left a silver dollar and a $100 bill,” Lee recalls. “He died two days later.”

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La Ferme in Chevy Chase is popular for anniversaries, birthdays and family celebrations. Bartender Mark Butcher, shown posing for a selfie with a guest he knows, has worked at the restaurant off and on since it opened 34 years ago.

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LA FERME

lain Roussel is the personification of the word bonhomie, meaning “good-natured man” in his native French. He is a chef, a restaurateur and a motorcycle enthusiast—not necessarily in that order—and in his 34 years running La Ferme he has identified three keys to success: First, own the property; second, have as few partners as possible; and third, have a plan B. Roussel always travels with backup plans during his many motorcycle trips, ready for the inevitable breakdowns and bad weather. In the restaurant business, he has learned to adapt, which means avoiding trends such as “farm to table,” which he says is expensive and limiting, and embracing a DIY approach to much of the maintenance and repairs. Roussel attended culinary school in Lille, France, his hometown, and rose to kitchen prominence at the famed Maxim’s in Paris before becoming head chef at a new Maxim’s in Mexico City. American headhunters lured him to Washington, D.C., in 1982, and after a couple of years toiling in this area, he and two partners each contributed $30,000 to open La Ferme in 1985. The partnership was necessary at the time, Roussel says, but it ultimately created friction and stress. One partner was fired in 1985; the other died in 1999.

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Roussel realized they couldn’t afford new equipment for the restaurant, so he combed local newspapers to locate top-tier used kitchen appliances. He also did away with the costly—and, for him, superfluous—position of executive chef. La Ferme is widely regarded as a local institution, and a place that is popular for anniversaries, birthdays and family celebrations. Roussel notes that the restaurant is a destination—“you don’t just walk by, you have to find us”—but he has an attractive amenity in the onsite parking lot. He cites other positives: “Consistency in our product, less than 5 percent turnover in staff, and 80 percent repeat customers.” He changes roughly 20 percent of the menu every two months, but the classics, such as chateaubriand and calf ’s liver, are evergreens. In the first two years running La Ferme, there were some legal headaches for Roussel. He was forced to sue to obtain the liquor license from the owners of Brook Farm Inn of Magic, the restaurant formerly located on the site. When the initial 17-month lease expired, Roussel and his partners bought the building for $450,000. Facing mounting repair and renovation costs, he did the tiling, electric work and plumbing himself—even cleaning the grease out of the drains. “I’m a chef, but I learned all the trades,” Roussel says proudly. In 1989, Hurricane Hugo forced the restaurant to shut down for a week. Nearly two decades later, the recession cut revenues by 25 percent for several years, he adds. Roussel embraces the perception that La Ferme is a favorite of the blue-hair set. “When we opened, these people were in their 40s. We hear all the time, ‘You are my mother-in-law’s favorite place.’ When they have a family celebration, they come here,” he says. In 2016, Roussel debuted a separate bar area that’s been a hit with the younger demographic and routinely reaches capacity on weekends. “I should have opened it 20 years ago,” he says.

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Old Angler’s Inn, which serves American cuisine with a modern twist, is within sight of the Potomac River. Some members of the kitchen staff have worked at the restaurant for 30 years.

OLD ANGLER’S INN

he biggest challenge for the owners of Old Angler’s Inn was living up to its former reputation—then trying to live it down. The English-style country inn has been a private residence, a grocery store and even a post office since it opened 148

as a traveler’s hostelry in 1860, close to the C&O Canal and within sight of the Potomac River. Thanks to a celebrated 1961 incident in which proprietor Olympia Reges ousted a group of canal hikers—including then-Supreme Court Justice William Douglas, Secretary of

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the Interior Stewart Udall and a U.S. senator—the restaurant on MacArthur Boulevard in Potomac became known for its snobbishness. Reges, a Macedonian immigrant who ran the inn from 1957 until her death in 2005, was outraged that the rain-drenched hikers

were ruining her new carpet. “I run this place to make money,” she told them, as reported in The Washington Post, “not to serve tramps.” Washington-area real estate attorney Mark Reges, who assumed control of the inn after his mother’s death, says her actions brought instant fame, and diners came from near and far to eat and to shake Mrs. Reges’ hand. “She knew

what she had, so she immediately raised prices,” he says with a laugh. “That snobbishness worked wonderfully for my mother.” After her husband died in 1980, Olympia Reges gradually withdrew from day-to-day operations, and with her went some of the mystique. “No marketing was done, and we lost business to the new suburban restaurants,” her son explains. Revenue in the high season fell from $400,000 a month to $180,000 to $200,000, he says. A long uphill battle to restore the inn’s prominence and clientele ensued. Reges says he wasn’t intending to take over, but by the time the estate was settled the 2008 recession hit, the real estate market tanked, “and a once valuable property wasn’t any longer, so we had to sit tight.” “So we ran it as a restaurant and we stumbled, we made mistakes, and by investing every dime we made in the place, we gradually made it work. It was a struggle, but worth every minute because we made a lot of friends,” he says. Mark’s wife, Sara, who grew up in Potomac, called on her network of friends to help support the inn. But the big difference-maker was opening a casual beer garden behind the inn to

cater specifically to hikers and bikers enjoying the canal towpath. The garden draws hundreds of visitors on a typical Saturday from April through November. In the front, there’s a patio where diners can eat by the firepit in cold weather. Reges runs the back of the house and supervises the menu, which now features fare such as slow-cooked Tuscan beef, crab imperial with red pepper, and mussels steamed in beer and spiced with harissa. The inn has always been favored by older customers, some of whom have had difficulty climbing the spiral staircase to the upstairs dining room. “Now we’re attracting a younger clientele,” Reges says. He describes the current menu as American cuisine with a modern twist, and proudly notes that some members of the kitchen staff have been at Old Angler’s for 30 years. His four sons, ranging in age from 21 to 28, have all worked at the restaurant, and Reges says he’d like to begin transitioning the operation of the inn to them “sooner rather than later.” Would his mother approve of the more egalitarian establishment? “I’d hope so,” Reges says. “She was a businesswoman first and foremost, but she would appreciate the adaptability to the circumstances.”

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PERSIMMON

amian Salvatore went to high school less than a mile from Persimmon, the unpretentious mainstay on Wisconsin Avenue that he opened nearly 21 years ago. The owner/chef, known for serving four-star meals at relatively modest prices, explains his restaurant’s continuing appeal this way: Do what you know. Cook what you like to eat. Don’t worry about what you don’t know. And be lucky as hell. Add to that: Marry someone who believes in you, who will be your muse and steady right hand. Stephanie Salvatore is passionate about the restaurant, even as she laughingly admits that she “didn’t know what a persimmon was,” and Damian volunteers that her tenacity is why the eatery has persevered. It was Stephanie who pushed to open on Memorial Day weekend in 1998 because they were down to $42 in savings. Sink or swim. They stayed afloat. 150

“We stayed in our lane,” Stephanie says. “We didn’t pretend that we knew anything. You learn to trust yourself.” Adds Damian: “Once we hit our stride, it’s just been straight ahead.” That stride quickened after Washington Post critic Phyllis Richman praised Salvatore’s “grown-up food” in 1998 and the average number of dinner customers per night jumped from about 30 to 140. The menu at Persimmon features duck confit, ravioli and lamb dishes, as well as burgers. “Great food without the pretense,” says Damian, a 1983 graduate of Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School who was first in his class at L’Academie de Cuisine in Bethesda. “We never did trendy,” Stephanie says. A 2012 remodeling added a full bar and took away some of the formal ambiance. They tweaked the menu to make it more casual and bistrolike, but customers demanded lamb and ravioli, so a bit of un-tweaking followed.

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Persimmon’s location away from the heart of Bethesda means little foot traffic, but rent is less than Bethesda Row. The popularity of fast-casual is a constant challenge. “People say they want the independents,” Damian says, “but if they keep choosing fast-casual instead, that’s what they’re going to be left with.” Diners now have more restaurants to choose from, and Damian says he was “sweating” when True Food Kitchen opened two blocks away. But his numbers have actually risen since. “Maybe

it’s bringing more people to this side of town,” he says. The recession was “scary,” Damian says. “We had all these people coming in, and then it was one-quarter of that number.” Last July’s increase in the minimum wage for employees is currently affecting the restaurant’s bottom line. Given the rise of wholesale food prices, some restaurants have reduced the size of their portions. “We will just make less money,” Damian says. “Part of our signature is good value. We can’t mess

with that.” Les Morgenstein, one of Damian’s high school buddies, remembers working with him at the old Chevy Chase Deli, but he didn’t envision his friend as a future chef. A successful Hollywood producer, Morgenstein immortalized his old friend by naming a lead (and evil) character “Damon Salvatore” in The Vampire Diaries TV series. Says Morgenstein: “Damian certainly wasn’t as twisted as Damon, but he was a bit of a rebel and kind of a badass.”

Damian and Stephanie Salvatore opened Persimmon nearly 21 years ago. When they remodeled the Wisconsin Avenue restaurant in 2012, they added a full bar and took away some of the formal ambiance.

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Marcel The is general manager of Raku in downtown Bethesda. The restaurant features a Japanese fusion-style menu.

RAKU

he west side of Woodmont Avenue between Bethesda Avenue and Elm Street is radically transformed from 20 years ago. Every storefront has changed but one: Raku. A glance through the restaurant’s large windows invariably reveals a packed house of animated faces displaying a wide range of chopstick skills. Observing the sweet signs of success, it is hard to imagine that Raku almost perished in its infancy. It opened in Bethesda in 1997 under the direction of 152

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Mark Miller, a restaurateur known locally for Red Sage, a hip Southwestern eatery in D.C. near the National Press Building. Miller had financial support from local philanthropist Diana Goldberg, and conceived Raku as an Asian diner. The menu was quick food, prepared early and elsewhere. Diners didn’t bite. On the verge of shutting down, Miller’s share was acquired by Marcel The and Masaru Homma, two guys who’d been working at Sushi-Ko in Glover Park. Goldberg remained as silent backer and partner. Without her, says The,

Raku’s revival would have foundered. The Indonesian-born The (pronounced “tay”), the son of a chef, changed the food concept to a Japanese fusionstyle menu featuring sushi, fresh main dishes and hot noodle bowls. This was unlike many Japanese restaurants—and it found a niche. “We still struggled for a while,” says The, but Goldberg stayed the course. In 2000, Washington Post critic Phyllis Richman gave Raku a rave, and the restaurant saw a huge bump in business. The paltry kitchen was renovated and expanded, and Homma and 10 line cooks and sushi chefs were able to turn out quality meals for some 400 diners a night

in a 90-seat restaurant. The genial The was on the floor a lot, chatting up customers and offering free desserts. Fresh seafood was flown in. Instead of offering a menu that was 80 percent sushi—which hadn’t yet caught fire—Raku went 50/50 with “kitchen food,” as The calls it. Asian sandwiches, such as banh mi, didn’t catch on and were scrubbed. Diners at Raku are accustomed to sitting cheek by jowl, making friends (or not so much) as they share one another’s conversations. “I was asked by Federal Realty multiple times to expand to a vacancy next door [where Tandoori Nights is now],” The says. He notes that

former neighbor Levante did very well for a time, then almost doubled its space and slowly, inexorably went out of business. “Size matters,” says The, adding that he plans to reduce the number of seats in a future renovation. Table spacing “is the biggest complaint we get,” he admits. In dollars per square foot, the Raku in Bethesda is the most profitable when compared with larger branches in D.C.’s Cathedral Heights and Dupont Circle. In Japanese, one meaning of Raku is “comfortable,” a word that sums up the look of folks leaving the restaurant.

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Roberto Montesinos runs Tia Queta, a Mexican restaurant in Bethesda, with his wife, Mary Ellen Lee, and their son Andrew.

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TIA QUETA “Survivors? That’s us!” Mary Ellen Lee exclaims. Tia Queta, a traditional Mexican restaurant tucked into the northeast end of downtown Bethesda on Del Ray Avenue, is all about familia. It is run by Roberto Montesinos, his wife, Mary Ellen Lee, and their son Andrew, and families are their customers. In the past few months, the eatery has hosted christenings, a funeral and a Jewish shiva. After graduating from American University, Roberto worked at several restaurants, including the old Rio Grande on Rockville Pike. When he opened his own place in 1980, he hoped his wide network of foodie friends would support him. They did. He also reckoned that there was a mostly unfulfilled yearning for traditional Mexican dishes— real chiles rellenos, seafood, and sauces like mole. Right again. After a slow start, the restaurant began to do a steady business. Friends helped with word-of-mouth recommendations, and soon it was the grown-up kids of the first patrons,

MAY/JUNE 2019 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

and then their kids. “We’ve served lots of three-generation families, and some fours,” says Lee, who’s Irish. She fell for Mexican food—and then for Roberto. In the early ’90s, the couple’s landlord, who was ill, offered to sell them the building—a major reason they’re still operating. “We couldn’t pay the rent in Bethesda now,” Lee explains. Tia Queta looks modest from the outside, but the main dining room seats 60, a back room for parties can accommodate 75, and the roof deck—as rare as free parking spaces in Bethesda—can hold about 60 patrons. “In warm weather, the big draw is the roof,” Andrew says, adding that special-event bookings are key to keeping the restaurant profitable. Tia Queta’s location is not ideal in present-day Bethesda; foot traffic is light at best. The restaurant’s current challenge is dealing with what’s going on around it. “The past six years there’s been construction in our immediate area,” Andrew says. “They close the street or put bags on the meters to prohibit parking, and they’ve broken gas and water lines.” According to Lee, Tia Queta’s lunch business has taken a big hit. “With all the new residential going up, we’ll be OK if we can live through the construction,” she says. Many of Andrew’s friends from D.C.’s Sidwell Friends School and Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee—now highly paid professionals—come to help out on Cinco de Mayo. “Our customers may not know that the waiter that day is a lawyer or a CPA,” he says, laughing. Several years ago, during jury selection in a D.C. courtroom, a prospective juror signaled the judge when the panel was asked if they knew anyone involved in the case. “I think one of the lawyers was my server at a Mexican restaurant in Bethesda,” she said. “Oh really,” the judge said. “Well, you are dismissed—and how were the margaritas?” n Steve Goldstein is a freelance writer and editor and the former bureau chief in Moscow and in Washington, D.C., for The Philadelphia Inquirer.

The Fine Art of Bathroom Design arriving this spring

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VINEYARD HAVEN These Maryland wineries are worth a visit BY JEFF HEINEMAN

W PHOTO BY RYAN SMITH

INERIES IN MARYLAND HAVE BEEN

Big Cork Vineyards in Rohrersville, Maryland

around since Colonial times. The Colonial governors started growing grapes for winemaking in the 1600s, with European varietals being planted along the St. Maryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s River in southern Maryland. The indigenous American grapes were unsuitable to use as they made fairly bitter wines. It took years to find European grapes that would thrive and produce good wines in the mid-Atlantic, a struggle that continues to this day. As the locals tried, often in vain, to keep pinot grigio alive through our winters and to get cabernet sauvignon to ripen fully, Marylanders tended to plant hybrids, grapes crossbred to be more suited to our fickle climate. Chambourcin, a red grape, and vidal blanc are the hybrids that now dominate the plantings in Maryland. Wines from these grapes are abundant, as are non-grape fruit wines and sweet dessert versions made with berries and the hybrid grapes. Additionally, many wineries sourced grapes from as far away as California in order to produce wines with known varietals in commercially viable quantities. Over time, winemakers sought out and found microclimates and terroirs

suited to the more familiar grapes, and now local wineries produce cabernet sauvignon, merlot, chardonnay, chenin blanc and some outstanding cab francs and petit verdots. The 2010 Maryland Winery Modernization Act allowed wineries to sell on- and off-premises, changed production standards and enabled sales with a Maryland state license, leading to a fourfold increase in the number of wineries in the state, from 25 in 1999 to more than 100 today. Most of the wineries you can visit today came into being after the law was passed; more wineries opened after another law was passed in 2013 allowing tastings and bottle sales at farmers markets. Wineries that predate the laws have added tasting rooms to their existing operations, and newer wineries have been built from the ground up with tasting rooms and banquet facilities. These range from a small, yet charming, converted room in a dairy barn to a modern cork-themed facility on a hilltop that would feel at home in the Napa Valley. Here are eight wineries within an hourâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s drive of Bethesda that are worth visiting.

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SUGARLOAF MOUNTAIN VINEYARD ugarloaf Mountain Vineyard in Dickerson has figured out which grapes work best in this region. The hybrids the winemakers still plant are blended smartly, and they have moved on from the sweet wines that are so prevalent at Maryland wineries. If they would only refurbish and upgrade their small, dated tasting room, it would make for a first-class visiting experience. The first vines at Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard were planted in 2004 and wines were first produced two years later. I remember those early vintages as thin and green, with the best wines the product of purchased California fruit. The rich soil at the base of Sugarloaf Mountain is a wonderful site for grapes, and the wines have grown up. They are not going to fool you into believing you are sipping a first-growth Bordeaux, but these are quality wines and represent a good value overall. Owner Emily Yang studied wine at the University of Adelaide in Australia and took over at Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard in 2014. Manolo Gomez has been head winemaker since 2012. HIGHLIGHTS: The oaked and unoaked chardonnays are true to what chardonnay should be—bright and full-bodied without a ton of malolactic fermentation, which saps the bright, tart flavors. We also drank a reserve bottling of the vineyard’s 2013 chardonnay, which showed that these wines can age nicely; it’s bursting with fruit and has a soft mouthfeel. The whites, Penelope and Siren, showed the best uses for the hybrid grapes. Blended with several grapes to complement any one grape’s features and help mask weaknesses, they are lovely offerings. Sugarloaf doesn’t offer a multitude of wines, and only three reds—a cab franc and two Bordeaux-style blends; this allows a focus on making quality wines as the vineyard dictates. The cab franc was as good as any around, with big peppery flavors and just enough tannins to provide a firm backbone, and the EVOE! is a clear winner, a full-bodied cab and petit verdot blend with nice oak and soft tannins. PRICES: Tastings are $10; bottles range from $19.95 to $42.95. FOOD: Cheese and crackers are available, and food trucks are present on weekends starting in May. EXTRAS: Live music on Saturdays and Sundays, April through October. 18125 Comus Road, Dickerson; 301-605-0130; smvwinery.com 158

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PHOTOS BY KATIE MAIN OF KATIE MAIN DESIGN AND PHOTO

BLACK ANKLE VINEYARDS

A Left: Highlights at Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard include the EVOE!, a full-bodied cab and petit verdot blend.

PHOTO COURTESY OF BLACK ANKLE VINEYARDS

Below: At Black Ankle Vineyards in Mount Airy, all of the grapes are grown on the estate.

GPS workout is in store for those heading to Black Ankle Vineyards, but the benefits of the journey are many. After you follow a winding road between New Market and Mount Airy, the winery unfolds as a sprawling collection of buildings surrounded by rolling vineyards. It is as beautiful as it is serene. Black Ankle first planted in 2003, and then showed great patience by waiting until 2006 to make wine for the market. The tasting room opened in 2008. The winery has all the trappings of newer wineries, with green practices such as solar panels on the tasting room roof, organic fertilizing and herbicide-free vineyards. With 100 percent of the grapes grown on the estate, Black Ankle produces some of the best wines in Maryland. Cobbled together from clay, straw, vines and sticks, the trippy tasting room feels a bit like a Hobbitâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s glen. But it is well equipped to handle an influx of guests on a nice evening or

weekend, with many tables and multiple tasting bars. There is live music and a meadow out front to occupy the kids if you choose to make this a family outing. HIGHLIGHTS: The $15 flight includes four wines. The gruner veltliner is bright with pear and apple flavors, and finished with a light spice note. It was followed by a chardonnay with nice, bold citrus fruit and a judicious use of oak that lends a subtle creaminess. The Passeggiata XI is a blend of 11 different grapes that delivers one clear flavor and is approachably light on the palate without being thin. The Feldspar III is a Bordeaux-style blend with powerful fruit flavors, firm body and soft tannins, yielding a smooth, long finish. PRICES: Tasting are $15; bottles range from $34 to $125. FOOD: Local cheeses, salamis, crackers and breads are available. EXTRAS: Live music on Friday evenings; special member tastings. 14463 Black Ankle Road, Mount Airy; 301-8293338; blackankle.com

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ROCKLANDS FARM WINERY ocklands Farm Winery in Poolesville bears visiting over and over. What started as hobby winemaking in 2005 has grown into a symbiotic farm, vineyard and production facility. It is great to see so many family members and friends focusing on their “Feed. Nourish. Engage.” mantra and producing excellent products across the board. Dr. Greg Glenn Sr. purchased the 34-acre farm in 2003 to escape the urban sprawl of Bethesda, and soon planted his first grapes. In 2010, Greg Glenn Jr. took over with fellow Virginia Tech graduate Shawn Eubank and started to evolve Rocklands Farm Winery into the enterprise it is today. Vegetable crops gave way to animals and more grape vines when winemaker TJ Fleming came on board. The tasting room, in the basement of a converted barn, is rustic and appointed with the same bare wood that dominates many tasting rooms. Director of Operations Sara Siegel, the guide for our tasting, knows everything about the farm and the players. Rocklands Farm Winery still relies heavily on the ubiquitous American appellation, meaning it sources its grapes from assorted areas of the U.S. I would hope its commitment to local will lead it to segue into more Maryland and even more Montgomery County appellations. HIGHLIGHTS: The whites are crisp and clean, with a lovely Monocacy featuring a seyval blanc-valvin muscat blend that’s juicy and ripe without being overly sweet. The skillfully blended White Oak is a bright wine, with the chardonnay, gruner veltliner and chardonel combining to offer scents of fresh orange blossom on the nose. And the Honey Blossom vidal blanc bursts with fresh fruit and is delightful on the palate. Reds were consistently good, as well; the ever popular chambourcin is clean and light without the mustiness that is so common elsewhere. The Montevideo blend is constructed with tasty cherry notes and a touch of pepper at the end. PRICES: Tastings are $14; bottles range from $22 to $45. FOOD: Local charcuterie and cheese and crackers are available; food trucks are on-site on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. EXTRAS: Live music on Friday evenings; special dinners on occasion in the winery. 14531 Montevideo Road, Poolesville; 301-825-8075; rocklandsfarmmd.com

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PHOTOS COURTESY OF ROCKLANDS FARM WINERY

LOEW VINEYARDS

NEW MARKET PLAINS VINEYARDS

Left: Rocklands Farm Winery is on a 34-acre farm in Poolesville and has a rustic tasting room in a converted barn.

PHOTO BY HOWARD SUMNER

Above: The old farm buildings at New Market Plains Vineyards were repurposed for use at the winery.

ew Market Plains is an up-and-comer on the Maryland winery scene. The vineyards are located at the former estate of Nicholas Hall Sr., the co-founder of the town of New Market. The farm has remained in the family since the 1760s. The current owners, Howard and Susan Wilson, make wines primarily from European vinifera grapes, which are more difficult to grow in our climate than the hybrids so common in Maryland. Howard has dabbled in grape growing on the farm since 1995 and is a former president of the Maryland Grape Growers Association. He planted commercially for the first time in 2012 and has been making wines since 2014. The old farm buildings have been repurposed for winery use and are quite rustic. A party of six would take up the entire tasting room. HIGHLIGHTS: The wines here are clearly from young vines and are not yet able to produce fruit that’s as full-flavored as more established plants. But the quality of the juice in these wines is high. I especially liked the Rich Forest chardonnay with its judicious use of oak to round it out nicely. The winery offers one red, Hogshead, a delightful Bordeaux-style blend that’s light now but should develop nicely in future vintages. For dessert, Trop Elyts is a “muscat blanc orange port-style wine” that is simultaneously a slightly thick port style and a refreshing orange muscat—and worth a taste. PRICES: Tastings are $10; bottles are $25 to $47.50. FOOD: Cheese and crackers are available. EXTRAS: Picnic areas and live music on Fridays from spring into the fall. 11111 W. Baldwin Road, New Market; 240-674-2859; newmarketplains.com

ill Loew started planting in 1982, and the first bottle at Loew Vineyards was sold in 1986. Most of the grapes here are hardy cold-weather hybrids from the 1980s plantings. You can find chancellor, Marechal Foch, reliance and vidal blanc, all of which were popular in the early days of Maryland winemaking. There are also a few wines with local honey, strawberry, blackberry and other fruits blended in semisweet and sweet styles. The tasting room is old school, barely a shed cut into the hillside. We visited early on a cold day and we may have surprised Bill’s granddaughter, Rachel Lipman, who came down from the main house to fire up the space heater. We drank our first tastes in gloves as Lipman told stories about making her own blends of wine and growing up at the winery. HIGHLIGHTS: Two Consenting Grapes features vidal blanc and reliance grapes in a simple, juicy-tasting summer sipper. Chancellor and Marechal Foch come together pleasantly in Classic Red to create a peppery, medium-bodied wine without any of the “foxy” wild animallike notes often found in red hybrid varietals. The chancellor shows up blended with cabernet franc in Harvest Red Reserve, a big round blend that can stand up to a cold-weather meal. Among the fruit-based wines, the Honey & Grape is a properly balanced sweet wine we are told is a long family tradition, and the blackberry flavored Country Classic would be refreshing lightly chilled as the weather warms up. Loew Vineyards is a family business with Maryland staples from yesteryear. Lipman says she has a few surprises up her sleeve on the wine front that she will introduce after she perfects her clandestine blends and earns her grandfather’s approval. PRICES: Tastings are $8; bottles range from $15 to $26. FOOD: Cheese and crackers are available. EXTRAS: Some local crafts are on sale. 14001 Liberty Road, Mount Airy; 301-8315464; loewvineyards.net

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HIDDEN HILLS FARM AND VINEYARD

BIG CORK VINEYARDS

ig Cork is the class of the field. The facilities are new and first-rate, the brand already established and the wines delicious. The drive is the longest from Bethesda—almost to West Virginia, but worth it. The winery is large and modern, situated on a remote hilltop. Parking is ample, and the building is striking from its wide-open interior and witty cork furnishings to its welcoming views and its cork wall art depicting the winemaker. There is a cigar lounge on one side and space for the kids on the other. The tasting bar is spacious, and many groups take their selections (poured into Riedel tumblers) to their own tables. The site was first planted by Dave Collins in 2011, and the first wines were produced in 2013. That first vintage of 2013 petit verdot won the Maryland Governor’s Cup Best in Show in 2015. Big Cork has kept up the pace ever since. HIGHLIGHTS: The 2017 chardonnay has sweet pear flavors and a crisp finish, while the viognier has honey citrus and subtle floral notes. The reds I tried were a malbec with its inky color and ripe fruit, and a barbera that tasted like a pinot noir with amped-up dark plum flavors. PRICES: Tastings are $10; bottles range from $21 to $56. FOOD: Assorted local cheeses and charcuterie are available. EXTRAS: Music on weekends; a bed and breakfast is on-site. 4236 Main St., Rohrersville; 301-302-8032; bigcorkvineyards.com

Big Cork Vineyards is situated on a remote hilltop. There’s music on weekends, and local cheeses and charcuterie are available.

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idden Hills planted its first grapes six years ago, after the owners decided to forego farming hay for their horse farm and boarding enterprise. They have been planting 2 acres of grapes a year, with a goal to have 20 acres under vine. They have decided not to rush their young vines into production, so for now you’ll be drinking mostly California wines. Unlike other new local wineries, which usually use local grapes only, Hidden Hill sources most of its grapes from the Golden State. Regardless of the source, the wines are delightful and well made. All tastings are done by reservation. The lane to the winery winds through a few small vineyards and ends at a lovely hilltop home, where small signs direct you to the lower level entrance by the pool. You enter what feels more like a handsome basement of a private home than a winery tasting room. Classic movie posters cover the walls, and the furniture, including the six stools at the tasting bar, is sumptuous. HIGHLIGHTS: There are two wines made with Hidden Hills fruit: The rosé is Provençal in style, both crisp and fresh, and the chambourcin has great body for the grape and isn’t harmed by the off-flavors that are often encountered in it. The vidal blanc, made from grapes grown in Cumberland, Maryland, offers fresh pear flavors, is juicy on the palate and has a creamy finish. Hidden Hills doesn’t have its own facility yet, so all of the wine is produced at Maryland Winecellars in Westminster. Of the wines made from California fruit, the cabernet franc is bold and peppery, complementing food nicely rather than overpowering it. PRICES: Tastings are $10; bottles range from $25 to $36. FOOD: Charcuterie and local cheeses are for sale and presented in ample portions. EXTRAS: There are occasional special events, such as March Madness parties. 7550 Green Valley Road, Frederick; 301-660-8735; hiddenhillsfarmandvine yard.com

TOP PHOTO BY TURNER PHOTOGRAPHY; BOTTOM PHOTO BY RYAN SMITH

LINGANORE WINECELLARS

inganore Winecellars is a happening place. The tasting room is spacious, the facilities are modern, and tastings are inexpensive and comprehensive. Linganore has even added a craft brewery, Red Shedman, adjacent to the winery. Linganore may make more fruit-based wines than anyone in the state. The winery encompasses more than 200 acres in Frederick County, grows all the grapes it uses, and obtains all its fruit from local vendors. Of the 34 wines offered, more than 20 are designated as sweet or fruit wines. HIGHLIGHTS: The Aperture chambourcin was a nice version of the varietal, and the petit verdot was fruit forward albeit a bit thin on the midpalate. The chambourcin blend of its Retriever Red was slightly sweet, heavy and showed some of the ubiquitous foxy flavors of the grape, finishing with scents of fresh cheese. PRICES: Tastings are $8 or $10; bottles range from $15 to $50.

FOOD: Cheese and cracker plates, and blocks of

cheese are available. EXTRAS: Live music every Thursday to Sunday, from April to mid-October. There are often food trucks, and there’s an extensive list of special events, such as wine release parties and special dinners. 13601 Glissans Mill Road, Mount Airy; 301-831-5889; linganorewines.com n

Jeff Heineman was the chef-owner of Grapeseed restaurant in Bethesda for 17 years. He helps build restaurants as a project manager for Wallace Consulting & Construction in Highland, Maryland.

The 19th Street Band: Best of Bethesda Award Recipients.

ith a first glance at their event calendar, The 19th Street Band has lots to offer. Annual Summer Tours to Ireland & Winter Cruises to the Caribbean! There’s never a dull moment with this contagious, magnetic, foot-stomping, Sam Hill of a good-time band, guaranteed to deliver every time they hit the stage. Performing at the Iowa Irish Festival in August and currently recording their second album, The 19th Street Band means business, capping around 200 shows each year. You will be left wanting more every time. This band Rocks!!!!

https://19thstreetband.com • Facebook.com/19thstreetband.officialpage • Twitter & Instagram: @19thstreetband BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM | MAY/JUNE 2019

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Preparing for the Worst When it comes to keeping students safe from an armed assailant, local schools say hiding in a locked classroom is no longer the only option BY JULIE RASICOT PHOTOS BY SKIP BROWN Teacher Karen Quintiere and her students practice how to respond to a possible attack at Silver Springâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Eastern Middle School.

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AT 9 A.M. ON A late February morning, English teacher Karen Quintiere is standing in front of her first-period class of seventhgraders talking about what would happen if a gunman was stalking the halls of Eastern Middle School. On a large projector screen behind her is a PowerPoint presentation titled “Eastern Middle School Active Assailant Scenarios.” The presentation is about a new safety protocol, “Lockdown with Options,” that Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) is adopting to help prepare schools to handle an incident involving an armed assailant, something Quintiere tells her students she never had to think about while attending public school in Montgomery County as a child. “This is a serious thing, and unfortunately it’s part of our world today,” she says. “Bottom line, what you all should keep in mind at all times—anyone who ever came into this room to do anyone harm would have to get through me first, and they’re not going to get through. So, any anxiety you are feeling, it’s normal, and this is a scary thing.” A veteran teacher at the Silver Spring school, Quintiere says the protocol— one of several emergency procedures used by MCPS—is designed to help teachers and students figure out what to do if administrators couldn’t provide direction if an incident occurred. As her students listen quietly, she explains that the training was adapted by the Montgomery County Police Department and MCPS from a national model called “Avoid, Deny, Defend.” The PowerPoint presentation depicts some possible scenarios in which teachers and students would have to decide how to respond after school officials called for a Lockdown with Options, including whether to flee the building. One scenario puts students and a teacher in a classroom that isn’t near a stairwell or exit. The class doesn’t

hear gunshots, but it hasn’t received additional instructions from officials. In that situation, the training advises the class to lock down the room, barricade the door with furniture and prepare to defend themselves. Another scenario asks students to consider what they would do if they are in a hallway when they hear faint gunshots in a distant part of the school. In this case, students are advised to go into the nearest classroom or office and follow lockdown procedures. If a room is not available, students are to run to the nearest exit and keep running until they can’t see the school. Quintiere tells her students that she has long thought about what she’d do in a crisis, “where would I put people, where would I hide, what weapons would be at my disposal. These are all things that go through almost every teacher’s head at this school.” Noting the awkward layout of her narrow rectangular classroom, she points out how she has already moved a bookshelf to block a door leading to an adjoining classroom, how she would herd the kids through another door that leads into a book storage room where they would crouch behind tall metal shelves lined with textbooks and paperbacks, even how she would squirt hand sanitizer in front of the classroom door, hopefully causing an intruder to slip as she prepared to tackle the person. “As a last resort, if we had no other choice, then we move to defend. That means that we’re fighting,” she tells the class. “Again, fighting means me first, that anyone coming in here is going to deal with me first. So it would not come to you because I would take that person down.” But if an intruder did get past her, “we would be looking at what we would use as weapons.” As Quintiere speaks, students raise their hands with suggestions and

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questions. Some point to a bookshelf packed with large, heavy literature textbooks that they could grab and use as weapons. One suggests the students could escape by jumping out the narrow windows at the back of the classroom, but Quintiere reminds the class that those windows lead to an inner courtyard where they could be trapped. Another student asks what she should do if she came out of the bathroom and found the nearest classroom door locked. “You go back into that bathroom and you hide yourself as best you can and you find anything you can use as a weapon,” Quintiere advises. She answers each question with authority—in the way she urged fellow teachers to respond when

Quintiere has talked to her students about “Lockdown with Options,” a new safety protocol that MCPS is adopting to help prepare schools for an incident involving an armed assailant.

they received their own training two days earlier with county police officers. “Even if you don’t feel confident, [the students] have to think that you are a badass,” she says after the 30-minute classroom training session. “They have to think that even though I am a 48-yearold woman, I will kick anyone’s butt who comes into that room, and I will risk my life. To me, that’s part of the job now. You have to be willing to risk your life.”

NO TEACHER OR ADMINISTRATOR wants to consider that they might have to involve their students in fending off an armed intruder. But for local public and private schools, training teachers and students for such a scenario has

become as important to school safety as securing buildings and fostering trust so that students feel comfortable reporting anything that’s troubling. The proactive approach—such as the training used by MCPS and the ALICE (Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, Evacuate) training employed by some local private schools—expands beyond the traditional practice of locking doors, turning off lights and taking cover in rooms while waiting for help to arrive. By providing the active-shooter training to staff and students, MCPS is adopting an approach that may soon be required by law in all Maryland public schools, officials say. The Maryland Safe to Learn Act of 2018 authorizes the state Department of

Education to adopt regulations regarding the use of age-appropriate active-shooter drills, and officials say they expect such drills will be added to those already practiced in schools. Adoption of the “Avoid, Deny, Defend” model, currently used in other school districts and many workplaces across the nation, marks a sea change in the way educators are being trained to respond to school threats. For MCPS, the change in protocol comes in the wake of the Feb. 14, 2018, mass shooting at a high school in Parkland, Florida, and a deadly shooting about five weeks later at Great Mills High School in St. Mary’s County, Maryland. Along with proposals to arm teachers, the approach is fueling heated conversations

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Each MCPS high school has a school resource officer, an armed police officer trained to serve in a school. Montgomery County police Officer Dana Shoup is assigned to Walt Whitman in Bethesda.

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across the country about how far schools should go to keep kids safe. “For years, lockdown has been a typical response for schools. But as it has evolved over the years, that’s not enough, especially if you’re in a contained area,” says David Buerger, director of safety and security at Bullis School in Potomac, which has instituted an enhanced lockdown protocol similar to the “Avoid, Deny, Defend” approach. “For a normal type of threat, that’s fine, but if it is an active person threatening to do harm to students or adults, you really need to have some type of alternative in place.” While some private schools are including drills in the training, MCPS mostly is educating staff and students through discussions, acknowledging that drills could cause needless anxiety—

Ed Clarke, director of school safety and security for MCPS, inside the screening room that serves as the central hub for monitoring school cameras

though a few schools are conducting actual drills, according to officials. No matter the format, school administrators say the training focuses on developing situational awareness by asking staff and students to consider their surroundings— thinking ahead about how to escape or barricade a room and what items could be used to defend themselves. At St. Jane de Chantal School in Bethesda, staff received ALICE training that included how to punch and disarm someone who has a gun, as was required of all Catholic schools by the Archdiocese of Washington, according to Principal Elizabeth Hamilton. “I first thought, ‘Oh God, this is terrible,’ ” Hamilton says of the fall training that taught staff to be aggressive rather than to cower. “It was the best day, because we really did learn

a lot about dealing with an active shooter, and they changed our whole mindset on how to handle it.” MCPS implemented the Lockdown with Options training in high schools beginning last fall. Middle schools were expected to receive the training early this spring, followed by elementary schools. Training for elementary schools, which was being developed at press time, was expected to focus mainly on explaining to younger students that they must follow their teacher’s instructions during an attack, says Ed Clarke, who became the MCPS director of school safety and security in December. During the student training, school counselors and school resource officers are available for those who may be feeling distressed. In addition to increasing situational

awareness, the goal is to empower staff and students. “We certainly don’t want to raise the level of anxiety for teachers, staff or parents,” says Clarke, a retired county police captain who is serving his second stint as the MCPS school security chief and most recently was executive director of the Maryland Center for School Safety for five years. “So it’s about building confidence, giving options.”

AT EASTERN MIDDLE SCHOOL, staff watched a 30-minute training video on Feb. 25 featuring Lt. Brian Dillman of the county police department’s Special Operations Division. The message was clear: A traditional lockdown can be effective in some cases, but teachers also must be prepared to take action. “We have a culture now that has no idea of

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their situational awareness, has no idea what’s going on around them because they spend most of their lives looking at a 5-inch screen,” Dillman says in the video. He advises teachers to flee with students if it’s the best and safest option, even if they have to leave behind some students who are not in the classroom at the time, noting that MC PS is developing a reunification protocol for when a crisis ends. “I’d much rather you explain [that decision] rather than [say], ‘Well, I insisted they stay here,’ and now that person is dead as a result of that decision,” Dillman says in the video. When going into a lockdown is the

started teaching around the time of the 1999 massacre at Columbine High School in Colorado, says getting permission to act was reassuring. “I’m glad they’re doing this because I think about this all the time,” she says. “It’s good to have a plan and to have thought it through, and to have more ability to take control.” The safety protocol has drawn mixed reactions from students, parents and educators across the school district, with some worried about creating a culture of fear among students who’ve grown up in an era of school shootings and emergency drills. Schools already are required to hold at least six drills

from a whole other set of parents who are like, ‘This is so traumatizing for my kids and I don’t want this happening.’ ” Some parents have said they want to keep their kids home on the day of training, and that they don’t want their children “to feel like they have to defend themselves against a gunman,” Huebner says. Clarke says MC PS officials are informing parents about the training through emails and messages on the MCPS website so they know what to expect. Five community meetings on school security organized by MCPS and the MCCPTA were held in February and March, but drew few attendees.

“We certainly don’t want to raise the level of anxiety for teachers, staff or parents,” says Ed Clarke, director of school safety and security for MCPS. “So it’s about building confidence, giving options.” best course, teachers should position themselves and students against a wall where they can’t be seen and be ready to fight if an attacker breaches the door. “It’s about positioning. It’s about being able to grab the gun, fight the perpetrator,” Dillman says. “There’s nothing fair about the way you fight because this is a fight for your life. It’s strikes to the head, to the throat, to the groin area, and taking the gun.” After watching the training video, some staff members said they were worried that they would be held culpable if they made the wrong decision. “It’s a different way of thinking,” says Melanie Wilson Martinez, who teaches sixthgrade special education students at Eastern. “I’m still trying to get around [the idea of ] running without knowing where my guys are.” English teacher Michelle Ray, who

annually, including those for severe weather and fire. “Everybody is anxious about this, right, and people deal with anxiety in different ways, so we’ve seen the gamut in responses from the parent community,” says Gillian Huebner, the parent of a student at Albert Einstein High School in Kensington and chair of the school climate and safety committee of the Montgomery County Council of Parent-Teacher Associations (MCCPTA). “The whole school system is aware of how just uncomfortable this is for everybody, including the staff who have to carry it out.” After the Parkland shooting, Huebner says, MCCPTA officials heard from parents, some of whom worked in the security sector, who were “furious that MCPS hadn’t upgraded the drills to include Lockdown with Options…and now that they’re doing it, you’re hearing

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Mercedita Roxas-Murray, president of the Walt Whitman High School Parent Teacher Student Association, says it’s important for teachers and students to talk about what they should do if an attack occurs—even if the likelihood is small. “I’d rather they be prepared for something to never happen than to be unprepared for something that does happen,” she says. After the training at Eastern Middle School, students and teachers discussed how it could be tailored to their school, says Principal Matt Johnson. Students “liked the idea that the adult in that classroom has a plan and everybody’s a part of it,” he says. Only one student at Eastern, which has an enrollment of about 1,000, visited a school counselor to talk about the training in the days after it was held, Johnson says. At Thomas W. Pyle Middle School

An unmarked police cruiser, with lights flashing, is parked on the upper school campus of the Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School in Rockville.

in Bethesda, a handful of students approached counselors after the February training, according to Principal Chris Nardi, who says a previous program on suicide prevention drew more visits to counselors. He says the school took a different tack with the student training. Seeking to quell anxiety, staff called it “Unexpected Events” training, and discussed drills for reacting to severe weather emergencies before segueing into options for dealing with an attack. Grace McGuire, a sophomore at Walt Whitman, says she wishes the training had provided answers tailored to her school about what students should do and where they should go. She also was bothered that her teacher seemed to agree with every suggestion from students, such as pulling the fire alarm if a shooter is seen—which county police say not to do. “There were ideas [from students] that would make it more dangerous for students, and the teacher was kinda like, ‘Yeah, that’s a good thing to do,’ ” she says. Sarah Craven, Grace’s mother, questioned the value of spending class time to train students, noting that Parkland had conducted active-shooter drills before the 2018 attack. Published reports say those drills took the form of a traditional lockdown. “My gut

reaction is a general weariness of this and also a profound sadness of what has happened in our society, that this is how we’re focusing our school time and our taxpayer dollars,” Craven says. “By doing this preparedness, are you creating anxiety and fear where there wasn’t before? Did it have any impact with Parkland or not?”

“ATTENTION STUDENTS AND STAFF members. This is a practice Lockdown with Options active assailant alert drill. I repeat, this is a practice Lockdown with Options active assailant alert drill,” Principal Joey Jones announces over the intercom system at Robert Frost Middle School one morning in April. “Here’s the scenario: There’s an intruder in the building by Room 109. Students, staff and visitors must go to the nearest safe area immediately.” Students and staff at the Rockville school were told about the drill in advance, and Jones had notified parents through email and phone messages. MCPS is planning to use the experience at Frost as a model for how the drill should be run in schools, and expects to develop a video from footage taken by students on the school’s Frost Byte News team. Jones, Clarke and Cedric Boatman, a

MCPS cluster security coordinator, join other staff as they quickly move through the eerily silent halls, checking to see how teachers and students are responding— whether they’ve fled from the school or locked down in a classroom, barricading the door and moving out of sight. Checking a hallway on the lower level, they find that classrooms near where the supposed intruder would have entered are now locked down. Paper covers the door windows. As Jones rattles the locked doorknobs, not another sound can be heard. Heading upstairs, staff members can see by looking through exterior doors that a number of classes left the building and have gathered on a school field. Moving along a hallway on the main floor, three administrators stop outside the band room, noticing that the paper that’s supposed to cover the door windows is skewed, leaving open a gap of about an inch. Peering into the gap, they see a classroom of children sitting in the dark. They also notice that the room is just a couple dozen feet from an exit door. “They should’ve actually gone outside,” Jones says. “Yeah, because the door’s right there,” replies Jennifer Cooper, assistant school administrator. They note that a substitute teacher who may not know about the

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preparing for the worst safety protocol is in charge that day. Minutes later, Jones and the staff members overseeing the drill gather for a debriefing. The group agrees that while the school performed well overall, the drill revealed some issues: A few teachers in classrooms with doors leading outside chose to lock down instead; the kitchen staff should have left, but kept working behind locked doors; and two substitute teachers did not follow protocol. Substitutes must receive Lockdown with Options training, they note. After the debriefing, Jones, who was recently named Maryland Middle School Principal of the Year by the Maryland Association of Secondar y School Principals, says he disagrees with those who think that holding drills will do more harm than good. “If we don’t do these drills, we will not know the little detail situations that we have to address,” he says. “I think it actually lowers anxiety having more knowledge and information about the situation. Certainly it’s a little uncomfortable when you are preparing and in the middle of it, but after you see the benefits of it you know you are doing the right thing.”

ON A CRISP BLUE-SKY day in late February, an off-duty Montgomery County police officer sits in a parked cruiser with its blue and red emergency lights flashing in the driveway of the Annette M. & Theodore N. Lerner Family Upper School Campus at the Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School (CESJDS) in Rockville. Anyone approaching the school, which serves grades six through 12, can’t help but notice the cruiser—or the cement bollards that line the front of the building like soldiers standing at attention. That’s the point, says Rabbi Mitchel Malkus, the head of school at CESJDS, which also has a lower school that serves children in prekindergarten through grade five on a different campus. “It’s real security, and it’s a deterrent because people see it and notice it,” he says, pointing out that the officers hired by the school and stationed at the two

Christina Conolly, shown during a meeting at MCPS headquarters, is the school system’s director of psychological services. She is coordinating with Ed Clarke on the district’s comprehensive approach to school safety.

campuses also patrol the grounds. Aware that the campuses of the Jewish school could be a high-profile target for an anti-Semitic or anti-Israel assailant, Malkus says school officials regularly consult with a task force of experts, including the security director for the Israeli Embassy in Washington, D.C., to keep abreast of what additional security may be required in light of world events. “Every time there’s a shooting, you get a call. Or anytime there is a terrorist event anywhere in the world, parents reach out with concerns,” he says. “We’re constantly thinking about what’s changed in the situation, what might we still need to do in terms of enhancements.” Along with emergency preparedness, securing facilities is a major focus of school safety around the county. Today’s students at local private and public schools attend classes in buildings that are most likely equipped with cameras and other security enhancements. Parents and visitors can no longer enter schools freely throughout the day. Access is often controlled and funneled through a locked set of doors, and visitors are required to show identification before gaining entry. The Safe to Learn Act establishes statewide standards and guidelines regarding public school safety and includes funding—even for nonpublic schools—to increase law enforcement coverage and

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secure schools more effectively. The law includes measures to improve emergency management at schools and better serve students dealing with mental health issues as well as identify students who may present safety threats. Last October, the state launched a tip line, 1-833-MD-BSAFE, for anonymously reporting threats or concerns about other students. MCPS is in the midst of a multiyear strategic plan involving school safety and security enhancements; an estimate of past and projected spending for staffing and instruction is more than $100 million, officials say. Efforts to improve school security are ongoing, including a systemwide modernization of the access control systems that use cameras at school entrances and an upgrade of the visitor management system. Visitors now must present identification that is screened and cross-referenced with sex offender registries by a computer system that also prints paper badges with photos to be worn at all times on school premises. The district is not planning to install metal detectors in schools, officials say. More than 170 of the district’s 206 public schools now have secure vestibules with one or two sets of locked doors that only allow access to one area of the school, according to MCPS. At Eastern, for example, visitors who are buzzed into the front doors face another

set of locked doors and can only access the main office, where they must use the visitor management system before advancing into the school. New schools are designed with secure vestibules, but creating such entranceways at older buildings often requires retrofitting, which is underway at numerous schools in the county. All other doors at schools, including those in portable classrooms, are supposed to remain locked at all times once the school day begins. Staff and students are instructed not to let visitors into any school buildings and to direct them to the main entrance, but officials acknowledge that it can be difficult for students to ignore requests when others want to enter through locked doors. Many schools have posted signs on exterior doors directing visitors to the main entrance for admission. The school system has long employed closed-circuit TV cameras to monitor activity outside and within high schools and middle schools, with middle schools averaging 70 to 80 cameras per school and high schools more than 100, according to MCPS. Cameras are expected to be installed at all 134 elementary schools by the end of the 2019-2020 school year, officials say. Also, more than 800 MCPS buses are equipped with interior cameras. State law requires each public school to undergo a safety evaluation by June 15, 2019, and MCPS officials are working with public safety experts to develop new safety plans for each school. Determining the best way to secure the district’s 414 portable classrooms—a longstanding concern for MCPS staff and parents—will be included in those plans, officials say. Other measures include improvements in the screening, hiring and training of school security staff, as well as the allocation of staff at secondary schools. Security staff are assigned to high schools and middle schools, with as many as nine posted to a high school depending on its size and needs, according to MCPS. At Whitman, for example, five security staffers monitor about 2,100 students.

Congratulations to Montgomery College’s 2019 Honorary Degree Recipients The Montgomery College Foundation congratulates Montgomery College’s 2019 honorary degree recipients and thanks them for their significant impact on and contributions to the College and the local community.

Mindi Jacobson

Sheila Johnson

Catherine Leggett

Executive Director FutureLink

Co-Founder of Black Entertainment Television

Senior Vice President of Human Resources International City/ County Management Association

Co-Founder and CEO of Salamander Hospitality Vice Chairman of Monumental Sports and Entertainment

Isiah “Ike” Leggett

Elias Woldu

Former Montgomery County Executive

Entrepreneur and Community Activist

montgomerycollege.edu/foundation David Sears Senior Vice President for Advancement and Community Engagement david.sears@montgomerycollege.edu 240-567-7492 BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM | MAY/JUNE 2019

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preparing for the worst Each MCPS high school is assigned a school resource officer (SRO)—an armed police officer trained to serve in schools— who is on duty each weekday and is also responsible for handling issues at the middle and elementary schools in that cluster when necessary. The officers park their cruisers out front. By the beginning of the 2018-2019 school year, districts were required under state law to assign an SRO to every school or demonstrate that “adequate local law enforcement coverage” will be provided. The county police department says its current staffing enables sufficient coverage, and there are no plans to assign officers to middle and elementary schools. “We just don’t have enough officers,” says county police Capt. Liz Hattenburg, who oversees the school resource officer program as director of the Community Engagement Division.

LAST OCT. 12, STUDENTS at Walter Johnson High School approached school resource officer Shaté Jackson with some startling news: On Oct. 5, a former student had posted a Snapchat photo of himself carrying an AR-15 rifle and displaying the words “school shooter” along with threatening statements directed at the school. Within days, county police tracked down and arrested Luis Amilcar Cabrera of Rockville, then 18, and charged him with one count of threatening mass violence. Cabrera pleaded not guilty to the charge in December and was found guilty in March in Montgomery County Circuit Court. He was scheduled to be sentenced June 7, according to court documents. “It actually is a perfect example of how it works and how we want it to work,” Hattenburg says. “The kids felt comfortable speaking to the SRO about something that bothered them. The SRO contacted our investigators, and they took it from there.” Building relationships and creating a culture in which students respect themselves and others can be more effective at keeping schools safe than

turning them into fortresses, officials say. “We could add many more cameras, we could add metal detectors if they were called for down the road, but…making sure there’s a relationship in that building with other adults, that’s where we’re going to be most successful,” Clarke says. Establishing those relationships has become more critical as schools deal with threats posted on social media. “What we try to encourage to the students is if you see something, say something, do something, to get them to come forward to a trusted adult in that building.” MCPS is also promoting cyber civility through programs implemented in all grades, as well as issuing guidelines for the use of social media by staff, officials say. The MCCPTA’s Gillian Huebner also reminds parents that they have a responsibility when it comes to their children’s use of social media. “There’s some parenting malpractice out there when it comes to not monitoring what our kids are doing online,” she said during a school security meeting in February.

THE DAY AFTER THE Parkland shooting, the threat of school violence hit close to home when Clarksburg High School senior Alwin Chen was arrested for bringing a loaded Glock 19 handgun to school, sparking fear among parents and students. Attorneys representing Chen, who later pleaded guilty to carrying a handgun on public school property, maintained he brought the gun to school to protect himself and others against a potential school shooter. In April 2018, he was sentenced to three years in prison, with all but four months suspended, plus five years of supervised probation. While such incidents incite fear about school shootings, MCPS statistics show that of the nearly 1,400 reported “serious” incidents that required police involvement during the 2016-2017 school year (the most recent statistics available), 106 involved weapons or a facsimile of a weapon. About one-third of the incidents were in the categories of disruptive behavior, fighting, physical assault/attack, sex-related, and physical or verbal threats.

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More than 130 incidents involved drugs. School officials say paying attention to students’ mental health is a major key in preventing school violence and helping to identify students who may be susceptible to harming themselves or others. Under the Safe to Learn Act, public school districts in the state were required by September 2018 to name a coordinator for mental health services who is tasked with ensuring that students who exhibit troubling behavior receive wraparound services that may range from crisis intervention to legal aid, whether through school or community services. In addition, districts must establish a behavioral threat assessment team to identify and intervene with students who may pose a threat to school safety. MCPS is taking a comprehensive approach to students’ mental health by developing a “physical, social and psychological well-being” framework that encompasses some programs already in place in schools, says Christina Conolly, director of psychological services. Programs focusing on suicide prevention—now taught in all middle and high schools—conflict resolution, and restorative justice, which emphasizes the repair of harm caused by a person’s behavior, are important tools because data shows that many school assailants were bullied and were suicidal, Conolly says. MCPS is also working on incorporating concepts such as recognizing the signs of suicide into its curriculum—for example, discussing the topic during lessons on Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet.

ON FEB. 28, PRINCIPAL Elizabeth Hamilton is preparing to conduct a drill that will test how students in grades 4 through 8 at St. Jane de Chantal School handle evacuating the building when warned about an intruder. After last fall’s active-shooter training, Hamilton instructed teachers to talk to students about what to do if there is an attack. All classes also read author Julia Cook’s I’m Not Scared… I’m Prepared!, a children’s book that presents the concepts of the ALICE training in a nonfearful manner.

Students reacted well to the story, embracing the idea of fighting off an intruder, which staff referred to as a “wolf,” Hamilton says. “I don’t think the kids are afraid. They see it as a game because you don’t talk to them about an active shooter, you talk to them about a bad man.” At 1:15 p.m. sharp, Hamilton addresses the school over the intercom. “Excuse the interruption, but we have an emergency and there is a wolf around the school,” she announces. Kindergarten through third-grade classes are instructed to lock down in their classrooms—locking doors, turning off lights and barricading doors with whatever is available— while grades 4 through 8 are to run to a designated area outside. The halls soon fill with teachers and children running through doorways and into the bright sunshine. Although the students are silent while in the building, many talk and laugh as they make their way to the designated spot. “What were you told not to do?” Hamilton sternly asks the group of 200 or so students when she catches up with them. “Talk,” one student replies. “Or laugh and scream. If that had been a true emergency, someone could have gotten hurt,” Hamilton says. Seventh-grade teacher Ian MacInness admonishes students to take the practice more seriously and to focus on their surroundings. “We never know when something might happen,” he says. Hamilton then dismisses the students, who quietly head back to the school. The principal, who’s run the school for 31 years and is a former student, says she knows it’s important to be prepared. But she wonders if she should remind her staff to maintain perspective. She recalls how she and her classmates regularly used to duck and cover in preparation for an atom bomb attack. “We act like it’s really going to happen,” she says. “You have to settle everybody down. We never got hit with a bomb in all those years.” n Julie Rasicot, who lives in Silver Spring, is the deputy editor of Bethesda Magazine.

OUR FIRM IS GROWING

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WELLTRAVELED From swimming with sharks to hiking volcanoes, some people take vacations to another level. Meet seven local residents who want to discover the world beyond their doorsteps. BY DAVID GOLDSTEIN

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Melissa Berkoff at 2,000 feet in the Dolomites, a mountain range in northeastern Italy

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MELISSA BERKOFF AND SAM FLEMING of Silver Spring

have raced motorcycles all around the globe, climbed the Dolomites in northeastern Italy and gone scuba diving off the Galapagos Islands. They rarely shy away from adventure. Planning their 2015 trip to the Galapagos, off the coast of Ecuador, Berkoff, 47, suggested, “Hey, there’s a 15,500-foot volcano that we can hike up while we’re in Quito.” “We’ve already got bags full of scuba diving gear,” replied Fleming, her longtime partner, “and now you want to bring backpacks, layers and boots to go on a volcano hike?” “Well, I mean we’re there,” Berkoff said. But Fleming, 52, who grew up in Chevy Chase, is no stick-in-the-mud. The license plate on his 2011 Mustang GT reads, “Memmori,” short for Memento Mori, which is Latin for remember you must die. And they do remember. Constantly. Next year they plan to scuba dive at the Wall of Sharks, a section of the Pacific Ocean in French Polynesia where hundreds of gray sharks gather to feast. “It’s like a lot of sharks,” says Berkoff, who can hardly contain her excitement. Then she adds an

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Berkoff reached the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania.

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YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN YOU’RE GOING ON A SCUBA DIVING TRIP AND THEN YOU’VE GOT TO THROW DOWN ON A 15,000-FOOT VOLCANO.

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afterthought: “I’m pretty sure there are no great whites.” Berkoff and Fleming have been to more than 30 countries. Do they ever take a trip just to sightsee? “We did go to Italy once and just did tourist stuff,” Fleming says, “but that’s because Melissa broke her foot.” Their day jobs are at Fleming-AOD, a health care consulting firm he owns in Silver Spring. Fleming’s office is a blend of brag wall (lots of motorcycle trophies and awards) and photographic travelogue—like one of Berkoff swimming with a manta ray during a diving trip to Indonesia. They’ve had a willing enlistee to their penchant for risk and reward—20-year-old Hiyori Yoshida, who Fleming became the legal guardian of five years ago. She and Fleming were diving at night in shark-infested waters off Australia when they experienced an unforgettable moment. After marveling at the undersea phenomena known as bioluminescence—the flickering cadence of light, like stars beneath the waves, that some marine creatures produce—they surfaced, Fleming says, “to stare into the depths of the Milky Way.” Fleming’s wanderlust began when he was 5 years old and his parents took him on an African safari. The world was suddenly much bigger than his leafy Washington, D.C., suburb, and more adventures followed. For Berkoff, who grew up in Bethesda, the globe-trotting was triggered by the Jack London books she read as a child. “That made me want to go to the

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Melissa Berkoff (left), Hiyori Yoshida and Sam Fleming in the Dolomites

Arctic,” she says. “It just sounded so exotic and really appealing.” She especially wanted to see Kodiak Island off the Alaskan coast, home to some of the largest bears on Earth. Berkoff left home at 16, worked for a few months to pay for her trip, and headed north. She eventually earned her GED diploma and became a certified BMW motorcycle technician. She met Fleming in 1992 at Daytona International Speedway in Florida. Soon, motorcycle magazines were sending them to tracks around the world to roadtest new bikes. “An editor asked if I was Barbara Wiss (center, wearing blue hat) at available to go to Spain, Italy, Portugal the Barranco Wall on and France and Australia and Britain,” Mount Kilimanjaro Fleming says. Berkoff and Fleming acknowledge that danger can lurk in what they do, and they’ve paid a price. Like the time they misjudged a rock climb in Mexico and had to rappel 700 feet at night with just a single headlamp. Or when a stingray’s barb pierced Fleming’s forearm during a dive in Australia. “It was like being stabbed with a Phillips-head screwdriver that is serrated and dipped in poison,” he says. Between them, they’ve probably endured more than a dozen injuries and surgeries. Elbows, necks, shoulders, ankles, feet. So they train hard. “Because,” Berkoff says, “you never know when you’re going on a scuba diving trip and then you’ve got to throw down on a 15,000-foot volcano.” Berkoff, shown near a manta ray, was 85 feet below sea level off the coast of Komodo, Indonesia.

BARBARA WISS TAKES RISKS, she says, “but very calculated risks.” Like climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, the snowcapped African peak that Ernest Hemingway made legendary. Kilimanjaro rises more than 19,000 feet above sea level. Wiss, a retired financial policy analyst for the Treasury Department, had to stop her ascent about 4,000 feet short of her goal because of dangerous weather. Still, despite the high winds and blizzard conditions, she relished the experience. It was one more piece in her mosaic of journeys to places where the sunrise is never the same. At 68, Wiss has toured Vietnam by bicycle and South Africa on horseback, gone on safari in Tanzania and, unexpectedly, peeled potatoes for a New Zealand hotel. She and her uncle were touring New Zealand in 1990 when he broke both legs in a car accident. While he recuperated, she offered to work at the lodge where they were staying in exchange for room and board. Wiss helped in the kitchen and waited tables, but her stint as a waitress was brief. “I was a failure and was abruptly dismissed midmeal by the lodge owner,” she says. But the owner recognized her pluck and good nature and made her “the social director at breakfast, cocktails and dinner for the next eight days.” Wiss, who is single and usually travels with a friend or as part of a group, hopes to visit Morocco in the fall but generally doesn’t map out her ports of call. She will hear about a trip to a faraway locale BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM | MAY/JUNE 2019

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that strikes her fancy, or a friend might suggest a trek to some latitude where she’s never been. “I really rely on serendipity,” says Wiss, who lives in Bethesda. “I just say, ‘Yes.’ ’’ Wiss’ love of travel began when she spent a few months abroad during college in the early 1970s and experiencing Europe on $10 a day became the young backpacker’s philosophy. She traveled sporadically during the 1980s and ’90s. Fast-forward to 2008, when Wiss took off for Singapore, Cambodia and Vietnam. Arriving in the city most locals still call Saigon, she says, “All you saw were people who looked different than you. It was a memory that I will never forget. I was the one who looked different.” Since leaving the Treasury Department in 2017, Wiss has often been halfway out the door: India, France, Africa. “The world is such a big place,” she says. “It is an opportunity to see things differently…and appreciate diversity as well as value commonality.” Last year she went to Paris for a course in flower arranging. “I love arranging flowers, not that I have any skill,” Wiss says. “But it makes me happy.” She gave away her creations as gifts to the concierge at her hotel and saleswomen at boutiques she visited. Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro had been her ambition since she was 40 and met a 60-year-old woman who had reached its

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THE WORLD IS SUCH A BIG PLACE. IT IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO SEE THINGS DIFFERENTLY... AND APPRECIATE DIVERSITY AS WELL AS VALUE COMMONALITY.

Wiss went to Humayun’s Tomb in India (above). She traveled to Paris for a course in flower arranging (left).

summit. “I thought, ‘What a fabulous goal,’ ” Wiss says. The mountain in Tanzania is one of the Seven Summits, the highest peaks on each of the seven continents. It’s also the easiest to scale—ropes and technical equipment are not required. She trained for months nonetheless, hiking parts of the Appalachian Trail, Sugarloaf Mountain in Dickerson, Catoctin Mountain Park and the ankle-twisting Billy Goat Trail in Great Falls. Wiss, who calls herself “a gypsy,” says that on Kilimanjaro, “I learned that I can really do more than I think I can, and also to ask for help when I needed help.” Upon her retirement, she embarked on what she refers to as her “year of irrational exuberance.” It has lasted 2½ years, but who’s counting?

Larry and Debbie Abramson took a 13-month tour of 28 countries across five continents; one stop was the Taj Mahal in India (right).

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WHEN LARRY AND DEBBIE ABRAMSON

got married in 1985, they had a handshake deal: He agreed they would buy a house; she agreed they would go to Nepal. They bought the house in 1986. A year later, after saving comp and vacation time from their jobs as social workers, the Silver Spring couple packed up for two months in the Himalayas. That was merely a prelude. They have traveled a lot since then, and a few years ago Larry completed a six-year quest to hike all 2,178 miles of the Appalachian Trail. In January 2017, the Abramsons embarked on a 13-month tour of 28 countries across five continents. “It’s hard to believe we were gone for a year and we have the audacity to say it wasn’t enough time,” Larry says with a laugh. Larry is 62. Debbie’s 61. Their two grown sons were excited that their parents ignored convention and took off. Family and friends were both skeptical and envious. The couple’s original plan had been to undertake their mammoth adventure after they retired and had fewer obligations. But sometimes the fates conspire. Larry was 29 when his mother died at 50. His best friend died at the same age. So did a neighbor, and a co-worker. He began to wonder whether they should rethink how they had choreographed their lives. “I kind of said to myself, ‘You know what? I am not doing a straight line to 66,’ ” Larry says. When he suggested that they hit the road earlier than planned, his wife took some persuading. “I kept saying, ‘Wait until we’re retired,’ ” Debbie says. “He just kind of pounded away. ‘What if we can’t do it? What if we aren’t able to do the hiking and carry our backpacks?’ He wore me down, but once

I made up my mind, then I was all in.” They spent a year planning. “I’m usually the risk-taker, and Debbie points out the potential hazards in any decision,” Larry says. Now she was game for going just about anywhere, like Turkey and Myanmar, two spots high on the political unrest chart. Larry was the wary one. He had done some countryhopping after college. With more mileage under his belt, he knew of the potential pitfalls. They each made a Top 10 list. Turkey remained Debbie’s number one. It spelled intrigue. New Zealand led Larry’s list. They quit their jobs with no assurances of being rehired, rented their house and packed their bags. The couple visited some of the new Seven Wonders of the Modern World: the Taj Mahal in India, the Colosseum in Rome, and Machu Picchu, the 15th-century Inca sanctuary high in the Andes Mountains of Peru. They swam alongside dolphins in Hawaii, played on the world’s highest Frisbee golf course in Ecuador, and hiked the Giant’s Causeway, a strange volcanic rock formation and World Heritage Site in Northern Ireland. They biked parts of the Canadian Rockies, backpacked the Grand Canyon, and rode a hot-air balloon in India. They saw bears and howler monkeys, raging rivers and glorious sunsets, and “an unbelievable amount of rainbows.” When they returned home in February 2018, Debbie’s employer rehired her. She is a supervisor of care managers at the Jewish Social Service Agency in Rockville. Larry took a new job as a consultant at the University of Maryland Center for Transition and Career Innovation for Youth with Disabilities. Where to next? Larry smiles. “We’re in the negotiation phase,” he says. BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM | MAY/JUNE 2019

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Roussel at Easter Island off the coast of Chile

“ Roussel hopped on a fully loaded bike used by a traveling vendor in Kerala, India.

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WE TRAVEL GENERALLY ON THE SMALLEST ROADS WE CAN FIND ON A MAP, IF THERE IS A ROAD ON THE MAP, IF WE HAVE A MAP.

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the unpredictability of the road, it’s a visit to India three years ago. Roussel is the owner of La Ferme, the venerable French country restaurant in Chevy Chase. When he’s not standing over a hot sauté pan, he’s usually astride his BMW. That’s where he was in the spring of 2016 when he and a friend from France biked through the Indian subcontinent during the Holi festival, a Hindu religious celebration also known as the festival of colors. Followers paint their faces—some even paint their dogs, Roussel says—in an array of bright colors to celebrate the triumph of good over evil. Roussel and his friend stopped along the road one day, awed by a vast field of cow dung that had been arranged in neat brick

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IF THERE IS ONE TRIP THAT CAPTURES ALAIN ROUSSEL’S love of traveling, motorcycles and

piles. The mayor of a nearby village appeared, clad all in white, and urged them to join him and the locals for three days of merrymaking. A wrestling match, a fair amount of whiskey, and more escapades followed. Whether it’s crisscrossing America or navigating treacherous mountain passes in the Himalayas, “we travel generally on the smallest roads we can find on a map, if there is a road on the map, if we have a map,” Roussel says. “Sometimes we don’t. We just follow the sun.” They do get lost. During one of his many trips to India, Roussel and his friend took a road in Rajasthan that, unknown to them, led to a wild elephant reserve. “We were stopped by a guy who did not speak English, but was pretty convincing that we would be in great danger if we had continued,” Roussel says. Roussel, 67, is a classically-trained chef from Lille, France, near the Belgium border. He settled in Washington, D.C., in 1982 by way of Mexico City, where he ran the kitchen for an outpost of Maxim’s, the legendary Parisian restaurant. His first long trip was down through Mexico and Central America to Panama in 1985. He has since driven throughout South America, toured many of America’s national parks, and biked through the Yukon, Alaska, Canada’s Atlantic provinces, and parts of North Africa and Europe. Nearly 50 states and about 50 countries in all. Roussel and his wife of 43 years, Marinette, live in Chevy Chase and have two grown sons. Neither shares their father’s wanderlust. Marinette used to ride with her husband, until they went on a motorcycle trip to South America that involved some difficult roads in Bolivia and a small accident in Argentina. “She decided from now on, whenever you go on those trips, you are on your own,” Roussel says. Still, they’ve shared other travel experiences, like a 34-day walk on the 500-milelong Camino de Santiago, the route of a medieval pilgrimage through the Pyrenees. Among Roussel’s favorite destinations: India, Machu Picchu, and Salar de Uyuni, the legacy of prehistoric Bolivian lakes that left behind a breathtaking 4,200-square-mile expanse of bright white salt, where land and sky become indistinguishable. “You don’t see the horizon,” he says.

Burson visited China, where she took a ride in a rickshaw (right).

DON’T TELL PHYLLIS BURSON that she can’t do something, like packing off to China or South America. She’ll go ahead and do it, just to prove you wrong. The 79-year-old Bethesda psychologist has been dealing with naysayers most of her adult life. “I’m persistent,” she says. “People tell me I’m stubborn, which is probably a good thing in the sense that if you want me not to do something, tell me that I won’t be able to do it and then I’ll probably do it.” Why all the raised eyebrows? This is, after all, a woman who, in addition to being a psychologist, is a certified personal trainer and a massage therapist. She speaks fluent Spanish, and her French and German are passable. Along with China and South America, she’s been to Europe, Africa and Southeast Asia. She has also climbed a glacier in Alaska and rolled down the dunes in the Sahara. When her husband died in the 1990s, Burson took off for Peru on her own to adopt two orphans. She has another adopted daughter from Chile. All three are now adults, and sometimes one will accompany her on her trips. It’s an impressive profile, all the more so because Burson is blind. She was born with partial sight, but had lost her vision completely by the time she was 30 and in graduate school. It happened slowly. “When I lost my sight, it was a very long process,” she says. “I got very angry and depressed. Eventually, you sort of get over it.” She has spent a lifetime not letting her disability disable her spirit. Burson likes to remind herself of what her late husband, a nuclear physicist who was partially blind himself, used to say when people questioned him about his impairment: “I can see an atom as well as anybody else.” Burson takes guided tours when she travels. She reads a lot about her destination and then relies on others to describe the

scene. Her other senses also kick in to help her form an impression. She has met a lot of interesting people along the way. At the zoo in Geneva, Switzerland, she was relaxing on a bench when a stranger sat down next to her. The woman turned out to be an opera star, and she invited Burson to her home for tea and black forest cake. Another time, in London, Burson and her traveling companion befriended a man whose wife worked for the queen. Burson often volunteers at training centers for the blind in the cities she visits. She says she seems to constantly exceed the expectations of others. During a trip to Germany with her late husband, they toured a nuclear reactor. “We walked on all these catwalks,” she says. “People were always worried, of course, because there are all these places where I could trip.” She revels in her accomplishments, and on the cusp of her ninth decade says, “I hope to have more.” ■

David Goldstein is a former political and investigative reporter in Washington, D.C., for McClatchy Newspapers and The Kansas City Star. BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM | MAY/JUNE 2019

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A CONVERSATION WITH

JOSÉ ANDRÉS AND PATRICIA FERNANDEZ DE LA CRUZ The Bethesda couple talks about raising their daughters, cooking at home and José’s crazy schedule BY CAROLE SUGARMAN | PHOTO BY MICHAEL VENTURA

JOSÉ ANDRÉS HAS A lot on his mind—overseeing more than 30 restaurants nationwide and mobilizing disaster relief feeding efforts—so he tends to focus on the big picture. Details are not his forte. Forgetful, he’s been known to leave the house without his shoes on (and do the grocery shopping anyway) and also to misplace things, including his car. “Someone could make a living picking up everything José loses,” his wife, Patricia Fernandez de la Cruz, says. At the couple’s Bethesda home, she tries to leave her husband’s footwear by the front door as a reminder, a gesture that seems to reflect her role as the “organized and sensible person in my family,” as José refers to her in We Fed an Island: The True Story of Rebuilding Puerto Rico, One Meal at a Time, his 2018 book about the aftermath of Hurricane Maria. In the book’s acknowledgements, the chef and humanitarian calls his wife “caring, loving and the best friend a nutjob like me can have.” Married for 24 years, José and Patricia, who’s known as Tichi, have three daughters, Carlota, 20 ; Ines, 18; and Lucia, 15. All three went to The Woods Academy in Bethesda, and Ines and Lucia now attend Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart, also in Bethesda. Carlota, a 2017 Stone Ridge graduate, is a sophomore at New York University. The family lives in a contemporary home with a comfortable and earthy interior (and an inviting kitchen with dark wood cabinets, lots of natural light, and a counter filled with bowls of fruits, 184

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vegetables and freshly marinated olives). In the front yard, they grow potatoes, carrots, cauliflower and other produce in raised beds. They also do their own composting and maintain two beehives. José, 49, is originally from Asturias in northwestern Spain; Patricia, 48, is from Cadiz in the southwest. The two met in Washington, D.C. If he seems spontaneous, frenetic and philosophical, she appears sensible, calm and nurturing. They finish each other’s sentences and needle each other like many couples who’ve been married for a long time. While getting their photo taken, José jokes that the picture will finally alert Patricia’s male tennis coach to the fact that she’s married, a comment she isn’t thrilled about. Andrés has come a long way since serving as an admiral’s chef in the Spanish navy in 1987, then working at the world-renowned (and now closed) Catalonian restaurant El Bulli before moving to New York City to cook in 1991. By 1993, he was heading up the kitchen at Washington, D.C.’s new Jaleo restaurant, pioneering the tapas trend that would become popular nationwide. The second Jaleo opened in Bethesda in 2001, and after that, new restaurants, awards and humanitarian efforts followed at a fast clip. In 2006, he and partner Rob Wilder launched ThinkFoodGroup, an umbrella company that now encompasses the restaurants, a catering business, a food truck, educational efforts, a packaged food line and more. In 2010, after a catastrophic earthquake in Haiti, Andrés

NAME Collin Martin AGE 24 WHAT HE DOES Major League Soccer player GREW UP IN Chevy Chase

José Andrés and his wife, Patricia Fernandez de la Cruz, inside their Bethesda home

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interview and ThinkFoodGroup founded World Central Kitchen, a D.C.-based nonprofit that helps feed vulnerable populations and empowers communities through social enterprise, jobs, education, and training in cleaner, safer ways to cook. The organization has provided meals for victims and rescue workers after volcanic eruptions in Guatemala and Hawaii, an earthquake in Indonesia and wildfires in California, as well as for furloughed federal workers, hungry Venezuelans, and migrants in the Mexican city of Tijuana hoping to enter the United States. In March, Andrés opened Mercado Little Spain, a 35,000-square-foot food hall in New York City, and his fifth Jaleo restaurant, this one at the Disney Springs entertainment complex in Florida. This fall, he’ll find out if he’s won the 2019 Nobel Peace Prize. He was nominated last fall by then-U.S. Rep. John Delaney of Maryland. “We don’t talk much about it,” his wife says. “It’s so big that we don’t think it is real.” Earlier this year, Andrés appeared with Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, attended the State of the Union address as a guest of Democratic Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, toured a farm in Puerto Rico with Bill and Hillary Clinton, and introduced a best picture nominee at the Academy Awards. Nonetheless, he remains humble, noting that he’s been inspired in part by his father, who died last November. “My father was always feeding everybody in his old days. He would never see much of a reason not to be doing a big pot of paella,” Andrés says. “Whether we were 20 or 100, he saw the meaning of bringing people together over a plate of food. Family, or people you don’t know. It’s kind of the same thing.” And then there’s Patricia. A gift given to her by artist, author, internationally known chef and family friend Jacques Pepin says it all. On the bottom of Pepin’s framed drawing of pears is a note that reads, “Dear Patricia: Congratulations on raising such a great husband.” During a joint interview at the couple’s 186

home, and in a subsequent conversation with Patricia, they talked about everything from raising children in Bethesda to how José’s work has affected their family. Where did you first meet? José: Do you remember? Patricia: I do remember. José: What do you remember? Patricia: We met at Café Atlantico, the restaurant, when it used to be in Adams Morgan. How did that happen? Were you fixed up? Patricia: No, it was just a fun place where all my friends would go. And José’s partner [at Jaleo], Roberto Alvarez, was one of the owners. José would also go there after work. Actually, I was waiting in the line with a friend because there were always long lines to get into Café Atlantico. And José came with a friend and he was like, ‘Do you want to come in?’ We said, ‘Sure.’ So we go in, and then we say, ‘Thank you!’ And we went to look for our friends. José: She left me alone. She used me. [Laughter.] Patricia: Then we ended up all meeting each other. José: I saw her dancing many times before. She was always running with these other boys…and so, when I saw an opportunity to make my move, I did. Patricia: José was really fun since the beginning. José: And you see, she talks in the past because it’s not the case anymore. Patricia: When he gets grumpy, I remind him how fun he used to be. José: Well, somebody has to play the dwarfs; they are all equally important. I’m Grumpy. How long did you date? José: We are still dating. Patricia: A year and a half. My dad had passed away in September 1994, and then we got married in September 1995. Actually, we married here, a civil marriage first, then we went to Spain to do a religious wedding, the real wedding with

MAY/JUNE 2019 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

friends. But because of my dad’s passing, we did a small wedding, which was nice. What were you doing here in Washington? Patricia: I came because my uncle used to work for the Spanish Embassy. The plan was to be here for six months, study some English, then get back. But I ended up staying here. I took some classes, went to Montgomery College. Then I finished at University of Maryland University College. Meanwhile, I was working for my embassy, the commercial office. In the process, I met José. Why did you move to Bethesda? Patricia: My kids used to go to The Woods Academy. José: My wife told me, ‘That’s the school we want.’ It has the values we like, the size we like. She liked that school a lot. Patricia: Our kids were already going to that school [before they moved to Bethesda 12 years ago]. José: They were going there before we moved here? Patricia: Yes. José: Right, because I used to take them to school every morning. [Laughter.] Anyway, she wanted to make sure we were close to the school. I grew up in a place where I would walk to school every day. And for me, that was very important. I have a feeling that every single child should grow up in a small community. It’s so funny. You would think that in big communities, you are more protected. But in small communities, you feel more in sync with the community. The first time in my life I felt really alone was in the heart of Manhattan when I was 21. So did they walk to school? José: Oh yeah, every day. And did they feel part of that small community? Patricia: Yes, just the fact that they could walk to school helped them with independence, helped them with… José: Finding mushrooms… Patricia: Finding mushrooms on the way.

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interview José: In Bethesda. Oyster mushrooms, in the woods. Are there still mushrooms in the woods? José: Sometimes they show up. Don’t tell anybody. Do you like living here in Bethesda? Patricia: It’s been great living here in Bethesda. It is so easy to access D.C. and everything that D.C. has to give you, but at the same time being in a little bit more quiet space. Is there anything you don’t like about it? Patricia: There is something I don’t like about it, which is we cannot walk everywhere. We do not have walkways [sidewalks]. José: In America, we need to do more to make sure places are walkable. Where I grew up, every morning we would go for bread. Every day that we needed fish, we would walk to the fish place. I think that’s beautiful. So what do you do here in Bethesda as a family on the weekends? José: Well, it has changed over the years. Patricia: When my kids were little, we used to go all the time to Imagination Stage. José: That was huge. I think that was very important. I think that is one of the best theaters in the country. It takes a village to make something like that happen. I like to go eat crabs at Bethesda Crab House. Patricia: But don’t tell anyone. Where do you shop for food? José: We like to go to Potomac Village. Patricia: The two places [Potomac Grocer and The Market at River Falls]. We don’t shop only in one place. We kind of go to different places. José: Farmers markets. The one in Bethesda. How often do you go there? José: Every Sunday. I buy eggs. 188

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Patricia: We have boxes of onions and potatoes. José: And things like mozzarella, the beans when they have them, the bread. Patricia: Lots of fruits, vegetables, cheeses. The cheese guy is fantastic. Do you go out to eat much at restaurants in Bethesda? José: We don’t. Patricia: We used to go out. We were just talking the other day [about] how we haven’t been going out that often lately because José is traveling. When he comes [home], we usually do more dinners at home than going out. Do you go out to lunch at all in Bethesda? Patricia: I’m running around all day. I don’t have much time usually to stop for lunch. Sometimes I just go to Jaleo. Jaleo Bethesda is almost like my other dining room. Do you cook a lot at home? Patricia: José cooks. I feed my family. Which is different. And then José comes, and he’s like, ‘So, what are you making here?’ [She gestures toward him.] José: Don’t touch me. Patricia: You are so funny. How were my vegetables yesterday? José: Terrible. Patricia: You ate them all. Is she a good cook? Patricia: I have no idea how to cook. José: After 25 years. That’s great. That’s going to be good for this story. How about you, José, do you cook at home? Patricia: He loves to cook at home. I saw on Instagram that you recently made sea urchin. José: For Jacques Pepin. He was in town. But what about when you’re just cooking for your family? José: They like sea urchin, too. Patricia: We love sea urchin, absolutely.

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interview Do you often bring ingredients home from your restaurants? José: Sometimes, but I like to shop. Because you want to know the real price that things cost for everybody. It’s very hard to understand what’s happening in the world if you are away from the world. If I want to talk about fighting hunger in America, the average family—how much they spend—I need to understand that, because if not, you are not in reality. What’s he like to live with? Patricia: When José is at home, after a few days it’s like: When is your next trip? And then when he leaves, it’s like: When is he coming back? Because when he’s away, my house is quiet. And then he comes back, it’s really fun. But I need to regroup. He’s still fun? Patricia: He’s still fun. José: Grumpy, but fun. Patricia: Grumpy, but fun. Do you worry about him when he’s gone? Patricia: Sometimes I do. Especially because I know the trips take a lot out of him emotionally. How have the trips affected him? Patricia: He was always someone who didn’t focus on the day-to-day little things. He always focused on the bigger things, but now, even more. He’s like, ‘Why do you worry about that? There are more important things.’ I totally share with him how if you can, you need to help. At the same time, I feel like I’m the balance between that and our family life. I try to keep him in touch with his family. He is totally the salt of my life. He makes my life more tasty. Also, he makes my life more crazy. When he’s away and you talk, what kinds of stories has he shared with you? Are there any that have really stuck with you? Patricia: When we talk, sometimes it’s

a very short call just to let me know he’s fine. If he has more time, he’ll tell me about someone he has met that made an impact. In Puerto Rico, it was Lola, the daughter of a food truck owner. Lola was 9, and she would stay in the line making sandwiches the whole day. She wouldn’t eat until everyone else was done. Especially he talks about the kids he meets, and tells my kids about them—those who show generosity, or courage, or resiliency. What are the most common misconceptions the public has about feeding people in disaster areas? José: I don’t think there are misconceptions. With World Central Kitchen, we created something that is necessary, and I think we’ve shown that by inviting all the professional chefs and cooks to the task of feeding people in an emergency, we’ve done a better job. Because we understand the urgency. Actually, chefs, we have proven we are good at that. I say this in the humblest way.

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In your work, you see the two extremes of feeding people—those spending a lot of money eating at your restaurants and those affected by disasters, hunger and poverty. I think it would be really hard to get both those things in your head. José: No, on the contrary. It’s always been part of human society. They are two different things. Patricia, how are you and your daughters involved in World Central Kitchen and the restaurants? Patricia: What happens between José’s professional and personal life are kind of intertwined. We try to give him support and to be with him. So he will sometimes have people at home from the office, or work related, and we are here to receive them, and to help in any way. And then, it’s very funny, because my kids, when they go out, they’ll be texting José, ‘Oh, I ate this, I ate that, I just bought this.’ They are always talking about food and things they just tried.

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I see you had Thanksgiving in Puerto Rico. [Hurricane Maria hit the island on Sept. 20, 2017; the family traveled there that November.] Patricia: We all went. And [in 2018, after the Paradise, California, wildfire] two of my daughters and José went to California for Thanksgiving. Ines had surgery, she had her tonsils and adenoids out. We stayed here, and the three of them went. Can you share any details about your trip to Puerto Rico after the hurricane? Patricia: It was an amazing trip. It was very intense, physically and emotionally. But also it was very eye-opening for us. By then, José had spent two months in Puerto Rico. We could put faces to all the names and stories José was telling us about. Preparing [Thanksgiving] dinner and delivering it, and then sharing dinner that night with a lot of volunteers, it looked like a wedding, with maybe 10 or 20 long, long tables with people who came from different parts of Puerto Rico. People got to share their stories. We were crying the rest of the night. I realized at that moment how the work that World Central Kitchen had done was not only feeding people, but by having all these Puerto Ricans volunteer and help themselves it created a strong community, it empowered them, it gave them dignity. Do your daughters embrace all of this? Patricia: Yes, they have grown up knowing that it’s very important to give back. When we decided on the schools they went to, it was with a purpose. [The Woods Academy and Stone Ridge] are both schools that embrace values and social responsibility. I feel like Bethesda is an intense place to raise children. José: You mean, competition of who you 192

are? Yes, we are very conscious of that. I don’t blame Chevy Chase or Bethesda. That’s humanity, meaning you need to show that ‘more is more.’ Patricia: We are lucky to live where we live…it offers many options and opportunities in terms of schools, sports, outdoor spaces, museums. …I remind my kids that with opportunities come responsibilities, so they have to be aware of that. They should take advantage of it and enjoy it, but be smart, conscious and responsible. How have your lives changed since you’ve become so well known? José: We’re known, but we are just one more family. I’m one more guy. Patricia: I don’t see changes. I actually feel like there are more responsibilities. Do people recognize you on the streets of Bethesda, or when you’re walking around elsewhere? Is that annoying? José: One of the reasons maybe we don’t go out so often—because me, I like to eat—is sometimes a little bit that. Yes, [privacy] has become a little bit more of an issue over time. But again, we are like any other family with [the] same dreams, and the same… Patricia: Problems. José: And the same issues. Did you see this coming with José—how involved he would get in all these social and disaster relief efforts? Patricia: With José, you never know what is coming. You have to be open to whatever comes. It’s really fun, interesting, exhausting. He’s always thinking outside the box. He has so much energy, but we don’t. My girls and I are human— and he’s not. We get tired. He has a great team at World Central Kitchen, but what is great is that José has the leadership to

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move a lot of people. He gets these crazy ideas that no one thinks [are] going to go anywhere. But we can all get together and do great things. His capacity is that he can do so many things at the same time. Most of the time that’s said about women. In my marriage, it’s the opposite. José is the one who multitasks. I can only do one thing. Tell me what your typical day is like. Patricia: There is no really typical day. We just try to get some time together. We also love to have friends over. So your schedules are probably always crossing? Patricia: I’m more flexible. José has, who knows what he has tomorrow? Do you know, José? José: What? Patricia: He checks his calendar once in a while, and thank goodness you have Satchel [his assistant], who reminds you. What did you do today? I know you were at America Eats Tavern [in D.C.] this morning. José: Yes, running the restaurant, making decisions, looking for ways to improve it. So what else do you have today? José: More restaurants. Today I’m going to speak to the [D.C.] mayor [Muriel Bowser] and all her team, about life I guess. Patricia: Then you have a presentation for the book. José: Today? I do? Patricia: Yes. n Contributing editor Carole Sugarman is a longtime food writer and former Washington Post reporter who first wrote about José Andrés more than 20 years ago. The Bethesda Interview is edited for length and clarity.

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Twins Amelia and Oliver are a year old.

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Two of Two of Everything Everything For parents of multiples, life can be doubly—or triply—exhausting BY MARGARET ENGEL PHOTOS BY LIZ LYNCH

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THREE WRIGGLING, WET KIDS are playing in the tub at Christine Riley and Toby Conlon’s Silver Spring home, splashing water everywhere. It’s bath time for the couple’s year-old twins, Amelia and Oliver, and their 3-year-old brother, Emerson. Riley, a nurse practitioner in cardiac care at D.C.’s Children’s National Medical Center, demonstrates the smart low-tech system she’s devised to accomplish this nightly task. She lifts the twins, one at a time, and moves them to a white laundry basket that’s submerged in the partially-filled bathtub. It’s a plastic corral that allows the toddlers to sit upright and still leaves space for their older brother to bathe next to them. In a sweet gesture, Emerson leans over to help wet his sister’s hair for her shampoo.

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Downstairs, Conlon, an administrator at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, is preparing the bottles that help calm his children after the excitement of the bath. The family’s aging black mutt, Mr. Darcy, pads around on a first floor now decorated with high chairs, toy boxes and baby gates. “We had to figure out a way to get three toddlers in and out of the bathtub in one operation,” says Riley, 37. “Invention is the byword around here.” Problem-solving skills, endurance, and family and friends have helped Riley and Conlon navigate their first year as parents of multiples. Twins run in Riley’s family—a pair of aunts on her father’s side are twins; so are two great-uncles on her mother’s side. Still, the couple was stunned when their obstetrician

Clockwise from above: Christine Riley and Toby Conlon at home with twins Oliver (left) and Amelia; Riley came up with a lowtech system—using a laundry basket-—to bathe the babies at night; the Silver Spring couple, pictured with Oliver, Amelia and their 3-year-old son, Emerson, was shocked when they found out they were having twins.

told them that two more babies would be joining their then 1-year-old son. “I’ll never forget that ultrasound,” Riley says. “All the color drained from my husband’s face.” The demands of twins require an army of extra hands, even with a parttime nanny. During the early months, Riley’s mother, Jo Anne Zujewski, and her husband came over all the time. Her sister, who lives in England, stayed with her for three weeks. An aunt visited from North Carolina, and her father traveled from Washington state. Her mother’s college roommate even flew in from Florida. Most of these baby minders come back regularly to help. Riley, who recently traveled to Malaysia to train nurses, maps out weekly child care schedules around the couple’s jobs and BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM | MAY/JUNE 2019

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SEeing double BY MARGARET ENGEL

Writer Margaret Engel (left) and her twin sister, Allison, at the Twins Day Festival last summer

a hoot, with a Double Take parade, a group photo, a Royal Court crowning and a talent show. There were huge lines to get into the booths at the Twins Research patio, where Allison and I filled out surveys, provided DNA samples, got photographed, endured taste tests (to see if twins tasted sweet and sour items the same way) and had our fingerprints taken. Researchers from the FBI and West Virginia University conducted facial recognition and fingerprint studies— twins’ prints can be a challenge because they are often nearly identical— and hospital representatives studied aging. (Twins volunteer for the studies after signing release forms.) We were rewarded with $115 cash and swag, like $30 face creams from Olay. After talking to dozens of people, our own unscientific conclusion was that multiples tend to talk alike and use the same hand gestures, frequently live together (or close by) and often have identical careers. We ran into pairs of English teachers, American Airlines crew members, Procter & Gamble product managers, biomedical engineers and sports coaches, all identical twins. Waiters Keoki and Cory Talley of Niles,

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Ohio, used to work each other’s shift to give themselves extra vacation time. After two years, they got caught, and now they have to work the same shift. As twins roamed the festival grounds meeting other sets of twins, we heard the same question repeatedly: “Are you Twin A or Twin B?” Twin A is the firstborn. Twin B is supposedly less dominant. Many twins finished each other’s sentences and walked with identical gaits. We saw octogenarian twins being greeted by hipster twins they knew from past festivals. There were “most alike” and “least alike” competitions for various ages, all judged by twins. I convinced Allison to enter the “most alike” contest with me, even though we’re hardly mirror images, so we could meet other pairs. As predicted, we didn’t win, but we did receive a “participation” ribbon. We got to meet Verna and Viola Mueller, 86-year-old Mennonite twins from Willow Street, Pennsylvania, who handed out copies of their motto: “You can only make a good impression once, but we make it twice.” Also at the festival were 25 pairs of twins who volunteered to join the wedding party of two sets of identical

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THE WORLD’S LARGEST gathering of twins and triplets occurs just 19 miles southwest of our hometown of Chagrin Falls, Ohio, yet my identical twin, Allison Engel, and I had never attended, despite the fact that we’re extremely close. We finally managed to get there last August, when we showed up for the 43rd annual Twins Day Festival in Twinsburg, Ohio. It was an eye-popping extravaganza of 1,466 sets of multiples, nearly all dressed identically to their siblings. Except for look-alike coats handed down from our two older sisters, we stopped dressing alike as toddlers. (We’re 67.) To blend in at the festival, we’d found matching blouses at Macy’s and straw hats on Canal Street in Manhattan. I live in Bethesda, and Allison divides her time between California and Iowa, but we talk almost daily and were together in New York City a few weeks before the festival. In the 90-degree Ohio heat, that was enough of a costume for us. We didn’t dress according to the year’s game theme (think Scrabble tiles, Twister mats, Rubik’s cubes), but it was a delight to see the hundreds who did. Twins arrived from Australia, China, India, Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Iceland, Congo, Israel and Romania, among other countries, and shopped for T-shirts that read: “I love my womb mate” or “I’m the favorite.” We ran into 37-yearold identical twin broadcasters from Baltimore, both wearing Orioles jerseys, and 55-year-old ministers—dressed as H.G. Wells time travelers—who laughed at the same time. The entire weekend festival was

twins. The wedding couples, who met at the 2017 festival, married while we were there, in front of Twinsburg’s town hall. We saw twins who showed up despite one of them having a broken leg, and several instances of one twin pushing another in a wheelchair. Twins Carolyn Harden and Katherine Dill attended even though Carolyn had left the hospital a day earlier after giving birth to her first child. The 31-year-olds have attended the gathering every year since they were 8 days old. “Everyone here understands the strength of our bond,” said Dill, of Garfield Heights, Ohio. “It is undeniable. It’s the most special part of our lives.” We agree. When we were in elementary school, Allison and I took part in a study on extrasensory perception at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland. One twin would hold a playing card, and the other, who was floors below, had to guess which card it was. We had a very high score. We shared the same best friends growing up and still have some of the same friends as adults. We married very similar men and we both have two children, a boy and a girl. Together, we’ve written four books, three plays, and several magazine and newspaper articles. Like many twins, we’ve sent our mother (and each other) the same cards and bought the same coats, purses and shoes, all unplanned. Unlike moms today, my mother didn’t know she was having twins. Two minutes after Allison was born, the doctor blurted out, “Oh my God, there’s another one.”

Laura Kayton, a mom of twins, helps set up for a consignment sale in March.

Emerson’s part-time day care. “You have to clean and cook when they go down for a nap,” says Conlon, 40. “To get our groceries, I use Instacart to have them delivered every three days. We’re up to 4 to 5 gallons of milk for the week.” Zujewski, a Bethesda oncologist, likens it to a basketball defense. “We try not to ever have three on one, although we’ve done it. A two-babiesto-one-adult pattern means we can all somewhat keep up with the demands.” Riley says one twin is always crying— that’s just the norm. “I once looked at the living room rug and said, ‘I’m going to lie down and just die of exhaustion.’ ” At one point her father told her, “Welcome to motherhood, the world’s most competitive sport.” But she’s happily lowered her expectations of motherhood in order to stay sane. “I’ve been able to opt out of all that,” she says. “Here’s my take: Oh, you have your 2-year-old child in Mandarin classes? I have three kids under 3 and they’re all breathing.”

LAURA KAYTON IS GETTING ready for some 500 parents of multiples to take over Roberto Clemente Middle School in Germantown. The occasion is the Montgomery County Parents of Multiples’ (MCPOM) twice-ayear consignment sale, where families buy and sell clothing, furniture and equipment (playpens, high chairs, bathtubs) for infants and children. The Saturday sale is so popular and filled with items that parents aren’t allowed to bring their own strollers into the school. Kayton, the Clarksburg mother of 5-year-old twins Brody and Ella, is president of MCPOM. “It’s a wild day,” she says. Young twins often congregate around the toy bins to try things out. Because of the crowd, volunteers typically leave their own children at home. “Parents show each other how the equipment works. There’s a lot of learning going on. Everyone saves money buying things other babies have outgrown. It’s one big help session because, honestly, no one else knows what you’re truly going through.”

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Top left: Families buy and sell clothing, furniture and equipment for infants and children at the twice-a-year consignment sale. Bottom left: Two-year-old twins play with some of the merchandise at the sale.

Kayton, 37, has registered 50 new parents in the last year, bringing the group’s membership to more than 250 families. Many members, especially those who don’t have relatives close to home, consider it a lifeline. “My husband and I joined MCPOM because there were no twins in our families,” says Celandra Deane-Bess, 43, a senior wealth planner for PNC who lives in Silver Spring. They are the parents of 8-year-old fraternal twins Franklyn and

James, and their older brother, Montayo, who’s 10. “We needed to talk through the academic challenges and get their helpful resources for the burden of having to buy two of everything.” The group also sponsors holiday parties, spa outings, dads’ nights, a lending closet for preemie clothing, and monthly information sessions to help stressed-out parents. Among the topics they’ve discussed: sleep issues with sameage babies, making sure twins are treated

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as individuals, and how frustrating it can be when people ask if their children are the result of in vitro fertilization (IVF). “Infertility is a very hard thing,” Kayton says. “Asking something like that is a little too personal. It’s just not any of your business.” Over the last four decades, there’s been a sharp rise in the number of multiple births in the United States. National figures show a 76 percent increase in the rate of twin births from 1980 to 2009, and a 400 percent increase in the incidence of higher order multiples, chief ly triplets, according to federal health data distributed by Tennessee-based Multiples of America. The rise in multiples has been tallied by the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services, which recorded 478 sets of twins in 2000. By 2014, that number had grown to 522 sets. Nationally, the number of plural births is just over 2 percent of all births recorded. In Maryland, the most recent state health figures show plural births at 3.5 percent of total births in 2017, with the largest percentages among women ages 35 to 39 (4.7 percent) and women over 40 (6.2 percent). “There are so many twins nowadays that you forget it used to be something quite sp e cial,” says Faith Ostrow Gershowitz, an identical twin who grew up in Potomac and happened to have six sets of twins on her cul-de-sac long before twins were everywhere. At 57, she and her twin sister, Renee Ostrow Brodsky, still share the same tastes in music and sports, along with a dislike of spicy foods and black pepper. “My twin is my best friend,” Gershowitz adds. “I feel sorry for singletons.” Dr. Joseph Doyle, an OB-GYN who specializes in reproductive endocrinology and infertility at Shady Grove Fertility in Rockville, attributes the increase in multiple births to parental age, women

Celandra Deane-Bess and her husband, Montayo Bess, joined the Montgomery County Parents of Multiples group after they had fraternal twins Franklyn (far left) and James (far right), now 8. Their older son, Montayo (center), is 10.

delaying children to pursue their careers, and Maryland’s required insurance coverage for infertility treatments, including intrauterine insemination, IVF and frozen embryo transfers. In the last four years, the increase has stopped for triplets and slowed slightly for twins, he notes, as better freezing techniques and improved chromosomal testing have allowed doctors to implant fewer embryos. “We spend an inordinate amount of time counseling our patients that singletons are the healthiest way to go,” Doyle says. “We see patients who say, ‘How does a celebrity have a baby at 47? How do so many of them have twins?’ But we’re trying to minimize birth risk. We don’t want patients to use financial considerations or age to have them be more aggressive than is medically recommended. “For 40-year-olds, we generally transfer in two embryos,” Doyle explains, noting the lower success rate for older mothers. “For the majority of those mothers under 35, it’s just one embryo now. …It sounds good to have two and be done, but we want to get more healthy deliveries.”

PARENTS OF OLDER MULTIPLES talk of their joy and exhaustion, but their early emotions were often terror and fear. More than half of twins, triplets and quadruplets are born prematurely, according to the March of Dimes, which can mean complicated deliveries and stressful stays in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). “The actual birth was surreal,” says 68-year-old Jeffrey Jay of Bethesda, whose triplets were born on Halloween in 1991 at Georgetown University Hospital. “There were at least 30 people in the delivery room and, yes, some were in costumes.” Kayton’s twins, born four weeks early, spent a month in the NICU at Holy Cross Hospital in Silver Spring, a fairly standard stay for premature twins. But the experience was anything but ordinary for their parents. The couple visited for hours each day, but since Kayton was recovering from a cesarean section, she wasn’t allowed to drive. “I had to get rides every day from friends and family,” she says. “My husband came from work at lunchtime, and we’d often come back again at night.” She remains grateful for all the help from the NICU staff. “They get your babies healthy for you to take home,”

she says, “and then it’s a whole new set of things to learn.” For moms of multiples, breastfeeding can be a challenge. Kathleen McCue, owner of Metropolitan Breastfeeding in Bethesda, has 20 lactation consultants who are experienced in teaching tandem nursing—feeding two babies at once— and even the “triple nipple,” a rotation of breast A, breast B and a bottle for triplets. Jay’s wife, Molly Peter, studied such a feeding plan for their triplets, “but I ended up just feeding the one that was crying,” she says. She tracked the feedings to make sure none of the babies was shortchanged. To feed multiples, mothers who are breastfeeding sometimes supplement with formula or donor milk, or purchase pasteurized breast milk. Having multiples can mean an abundance of bottles, with continual washing, warming and storing. “You turn over your kitchen counters to bottles drying on racks,” Riley says. McCue even gives hormones to nonbiological lesbian mothers so they can pump their breast milk to supplement their partner’s supply. She provides mothers of multiples with stronger hospital-grade breast pumps to increase production. “Now that the Affordable

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two of everything Care Act covers lactation, we’re seeing a lot more moms of twins seeking us out,” she says. Metropolitan Breastfeeding’s partner service in Bethesda, Metropolitan Doulas, is now thinking about duplicating the monthly meet-ups it holds in Northwest D.C. at the Bethesda location, across from Imagination Stage. “Parents need a place to connect with others and share experiences,” says Nikki Wray, owner of Metropolitan Doulas, which sends caregivers to homes to help parents and newborns. Many doulas report that new parents of multiples are nearing a breaking point when they arrive, overwhelmed by both a lack of sleep and worry over the fragility of their tiny babies. Schools are also impacted by the rise in multiples. Most public and private schools in the area try to separate siblings of the same age in order to help

them develop as individuals. There’s no requirement that schools do this, but educators cite studies that show gains in independence when multiples are placed in different classrooms. “We separated our twins for this first year of pre-K, and it was a phenomenal decision,” Kayton says. “My son and daughter have grown so much. She was mothering him a lot, and she couldn’t do that as much being in separate classes.” In recent years, a handful of states have passed a twins law to give parents the right to decide whether their children are placed in the same classroom or not. Maryland doesn’t have such a law, but Montgomery County Public Schools administrators say student populations are usually large enough to separate twins or keep them together, depending on what the school and parents think is best. The costs associated with child-rearing,

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day care, school and college multiply with multiples. “We expected there might be volume discounts” for double car seats, changing tables and beds, recalls DeaneBess, but “we still had to pay twice for everything.” Diaper costs, baby-sitting fees and planning for college educations are daunting, she says. “The bills in their early years are etched in my memory.”

JEFFREY JAY IS THE father of triplets Noah, Lilly and Isaac, now 27, and an older son, Lightning, who’s 31. The Bethesda psychologist was able to trim his workload when the kids were young in order to share the caregiving load with his wife, Compass real estate agent Molly Peter. “Birth is a miracle in and of itself,” Jay says. “But it’s a hyper miracle with triplets. It was a party that never ended. We slept in shifts, the living room became a playground, and we had this

huge triple stroller. Living in Mohican Hills, it was a huge effort just to push it up and down our driveway.” As babies, the triplets usually were awake by 5 a.m., with at least two crying at a time, and the couple learned that the best way to calm them was to take them for a group walk. “When the weather in Montgomery County was good, we were at Cabin John and Wheaton regional parks,” Jay says. “But in bad weather, we’d be up as usual at 6 a.m. So, we’d go to White Flint or Montgomery mall—us and the geriatric walkers, running down the halls.” Life with triplets meant constantly getting stopped by strangers and being peppered with questions—What are their names? How old are they?—whenever they were in grocery stores or restaurants. Although the triplets developed distinct personalities early on, they were all gregarious children who enjoyed the

outdoors, basketball and music. They’ve remained close. Isaac Jay, now a television writer in Los Angeles, says his strongest bonds are to his triplet brother and sister. Post-college, all four siblings lived near one another in Brooklyn, New York, and got together for weekly basketball games. They live in different areas now, but they text constantly and take trips together. “Nothing’s better than growing up with an entire posse,” Isaac says. His mother says stressing the triplets’ individuality helped them connect, rather than compete. “We never went for the dressing alike or the rhyming names,” Peter, 65, recalls. Triplets were both a thrill and a source of bone-weary exhaustion. “For six years, we didn’t sleep. It was very rough. But now we’re the parents of four incredible adults. One extra pregnancy and you get a bonuspack family.” That extra pregnancy was

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also a physical feat. The babies weighed a total of 15 pounds at birth. The day before the delivery, a friend snapped a photo of Peter from the side. “My stomach was horizontal,” she says. For Christine Riley, who’s still in the throes of parenting small children, the endearing moments make up for the tough ones. “It’s really fun to witness the connection they have with each other,” she says of her twins. “Most babies are in parallel play with other babies until they’re 2,” but her 1-year-olds chatter with each other and throw things to each other across their cribs. “They recognize each other in a way that is much more connected. It’s striking. They’ll hand each other a toy or food on their plates.” n Bethesda resident Margaret Engel is a journalist and playwright, as is her identical twin, Allison Engel.

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Learning

the Truth

Dorie Hightower thought she knew everything about her family. Then she took a DNA test.

PHOTO BY MICHAEL VENTURA

BY MIKE UNGER

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PHOTO BY MICHAEL VENTURA

Dorie Hightower at home in Silver Spring

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DORIE HIGHTOWER ALWAYS BELIEVED that she

inherited many of her most treasured characteristics from her father. Edward Caplan was a longtime journalist, described in his 2001 obituary as a “crusty copy desk chief for the old Milwaukee Journal.” His daughter gravitated toward writing, and worked in media relations for much of her career, including a decade at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda. Music was another shared passion. He delighted in playing the piano. The guitars propped on stands around Hightower’s Silver Spring home aren’t just decorative; she regularly strums them, and sings, too. Hightower also thought she got her dad’s sense of humor, and the resemblances seemingly didn’t end there. Both were nearsighted. “People would say, ‘You look so much like your mother,’ and I would say, ‘I think I look like my dad,’ ” she says. “Our eye shape, I thought, was similar.” In December 2017, Hightower sat in front of her computer and opened a Facebook message from a cousin on her father’s side of the family. She hadn’t seen Darcy, who lives in Los Angeles, since junior high school, but the two had reconnected online. Like millions of Americans, Darcy had taken a DNA test through Ancestry.com. One piece of information in the results baffled both women: A man named Gary, whom neither of them knew, was listed as a first or second cousin. Hightower wondered if her father might have had a child that no one in the family knew about, but that seemed far-fetched. “My parents were newlyweds at the time,” she says. “Most people

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don’t have affairs that early into their marriage. And he was very dedicated to my mom.” As the two of them contemplated the possible explanations, Darcy sent her cousin another note: The website was having a sale. For $79, Hightower could have her DNA tested, too. “So I was like, what the hay?” she says. Hightower, now 65, had heard of Ancestry.com but didn’t know much about it. When the cigar box-size test kit arrived, she spit into the plastic tube, sealed it, shook it to make sure her saliva mixed with the stabilizing solution, placed it in the collection bag and dropped the package in a mailbox. The whole process took five minutes, if that. When the results were posted to her account about a month later, Hightower glanced at her iPhone and was utterly perplexed. Among her close family matches—meaning people who shared 25 percent of her DNA—were a woman’s name she’d never seen, a bunch of men’s initials, and someone with a screen name she didn’t recognize. She wondered, who are these people? DEFINING DNA IS EASIER than pronouncing what

those letters stand for. Deoxyribonucleic acid is the genetic code in humans and almost all living organisms. Human DNA is made up of 23 pairs of chromosomes, each of which contains hundreds to thousands of genes. Scientists have been researching DNA for decades, but using it to explore familial lineage didn’t become popular on a consumer level until after the Human Genome Project finished mapping the full sequence of human genes in the early 2000s. “People have always wanted to understand who they are and where they come from,” Jennifer Utley, Ancestry’s director of research, says in an email. “In the last few decades, the interest in family history has been explosive because of the accessibility of information such as historical records and online tools that facilitate both family tree building and learning the stories of your ancestors. If you add the cutting-edge advances of genetics—which used to be extremely expensive—you’ll find that people find this emerging technology to be compelling.” Ancestry has more than 10 million people in its consumer DNA network. When someone takes a DNA test through Ancestry, the company adds that person’s genetic code to its online collection of family history records, which it says is the largest in

the world. Its scientists use the raw data to estimate the person’s ethnicity and to identify potential relatives who’ve taken an Ancestry test, a process that can take up to eight weeks. When an email notifies the customer that the results are available, that person can log on to his or her private page to see a list of possible relatives and, if desired, to begin constructing a family tree. Ancestry isn’t the only company offering services like these. Millions more have taken tests through other companies, including 23andMe, whose DNA test was named Time magazine’s Invention of the Year in 2008. More than a decade later, the price of that test has dropped from hundreds of dollars to as little as $99. The low cost of DNA tests has prompted an explosion in the number of people taking them. The testing is affordable for sure, but is it worth it?

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AT FIRST, HIGHTOWER TRIED to downplay the

startling new information. “Besides having these strangers who I was connected to, I was not connected to anybody on my father’s side,” she says. According to the company, she wasn’t related to Darcy—or to the mysterious Gary, who turned out to be one of Darcy’s distant cousins. “I knew nothing about the accuracy of these tests. I thought it was bogus.” Convinced there had been a mistake, Hightower pushed the results to the back of her mind and went about living her life. Retired now, she spends much of her time on artistic pursuits. She takes guitar lessons, sings in a choir, designs and sews her own clothing, and hosts a monthly jam session with friends who play everything from rock music to blues. Hightower, who lost her husband, Jim, to cancer five years ago, texted her 30-year-old daughter, Lindsey, and 33-year-old son, Jesse, and spoke to a few friends about the test, but remained highly skeptical of the results. Days later, she got a message through her Ancestry account from someone claiming to be her half sister. The woman, Karen, who didn’t want her real name used in this story, had been researching how the two could be related. Hightower told Karen that she’d been busy with other things and hadn’t had a chance to closely examine anything on Ancestry.com. Leave me alone, she thought. I don’t need another pen pal.

Opposite page: Dorie Hightower with her father, Edward, when she was a teenager. This page: Hightower’s parents, Sorrell and Edward Caplan

In the meantime, Hightower and Darcy asked a mutual first cousin to take a test. When that woman’s results came back, Darcy was listed as a close relative. Hightower was not. “That’s when I got a little emotionally wrung out,” Hightower says. “[Before that], I thought this was some kind of quack thing. I didn’t know how accurate DNA testing is.” About a month after receiving her results, Hightower called Ancestry’s customer service number to inform the company that it had screwed up her test. Her reaction wasn’t uncommon. “Ancestry recognizes that the information we provide to our customers can be surprising and, at times, lifechanging,” Utley says. “[We work] hard to help our customers understand that some of what they learn about themselves might be unexpected.” The company says it measures hundreds of thousands of DNA markers with 99 percent accuracy. When Hightower’s request for a free second test was politely declined by Ancestry, she begrudgingly ponied up the money for a redo. But she never sent it back. Before she could, she emailed an older cousin on her mother’s side. I got some really weird test results, she wrote. Do you or your brother know anything about this? A minute later, her phone rang. “Your father couldn’t have kids,” her cousin blurted out. ABOUT TWO YEARS AGO, a man named Kevin

Wigell took a DNA test and discovered that he’s 49 percent Jewish. The 61-year-old was floored. “My father is Catholic. As far as I knew, my mother was Methodist,” he says. Wigell had decided to take the test after his BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM | MAY/JUNE 2019

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Hightower and her dad, Edward, shared a passion for music. He played the piano; she takes guitar lessons and sings.

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It was a mystery that Dorie Hightower would soon help solve. Following the bombshell from her cousin that her father’s childhood osteomyelitis—a bone infection—had likely rendered him infertile, Hightower got in touch with Karen, the woman who had claimed to be her half sister. After studying her DNA matches for countless hours, as well as the matches she had in common with those matches, Karen had concluded that she and her half siblings listed on Ancestry.com were the product of a sperm donor named Robert (not his real name). She’d hired an Ancestry genealogist who specializes in cases of “misattributed parents” to help her figure it all out. “[My mom] was shocked and in disbelief,” says Hightower’s son, Jesse. Hightower later called another person identified by Ancestry as a relative—a half sister, Nancy (her name has been changed), who lives in the Pacific Northwest. “It was kind of like a blind date,” Hightower says of the call. “Her voice sounded kind of familiar, like a friend of mine’s who lives here. That was weird. We were interested in what each other had done for careers and how many kids we had. We were looking for things we had in common. ...All three of us were brought up Jewish and we all married non-Jewish men. We’re all fairly short. They’re shorter than I am. I’m 5’3. They’re like 5’1.” When she laid her head on her pillow that night, Hightower wanted to scream. Initially she felt anger toward both her father and her mother, who died in 2017. Next came sadness. “There’s so many mixed emotions because you don’t really know who you are anymore,” she says. “I was left with questions about why they never shared this with me. Did my mom even share this with my dad, or did she just sneak off and get pregnant without telling him? I don’t know.” For the thousands of people who continue to discover through these tests that their familial backgrounds aren’t what they thought they were, a new reality can be jarring, says Philip Cohen, a sociology professor at the University of Maryland and an expert on how family influences identity. “We don’t exactly know how much of the shaping that families do for us is genetic,” the Takoma Park resident says. “If our parents make us who we are, that’s literally by making us who we are and also by shaping us after we’re born and developing.

PHOTO BY MICHAEL VENTURA

daughter, who’d undergone successful surgery to treat Crohn’s disease, was contacted by 23andMe because the company wanted to collect her DNA for a study on the condition. When her results came back, she was listed as one-quarter Ashkenazi Jew, which sparked her father’s curiosity. “There was no history of Jews in our family,” says Wigell, who lives outside of Pittsburgh. “How I got to be 50 percent Ashkenazi Jew was a total mystery to me.”

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PHOTO BY MICHAEL VENTURA

People kind of have an intuitive feel for that, which is probably more important than the science. But they don’t really know. When you find out something like your biological parents are not who you thought they were, it can change your sense of your own story.” Karen told Hightower some of the details she’d learned about their biological father. She found his obituary in a newspaper and sent it to Hightower, who shared it with a friend in Boston who is fascinated by genealogy. The woman went to the archives at Robert’s alma mater, and pulled photos of him from old yearbooks. The man had raised several children of his own, and a few of them, like Hightower, are singers. Two had taken an Ancestry DNA test, so she messaged one of them through the company’s website. “I will be honest and tell you that I’m the only one of my siblings who has any interest in this matter,” the man replied. “My sisters are totally weirded out by this news, and my brother couldn’t care less. So you are corresponding with the only [person] who will give you any information, and I’m not going to be much help since my sibs don’t want me giving out much detailed information. I hope you understand; we know who our father and mother were, and my sibs don’t particularly care to meet any people that may have been conceived using our father’s...genetic material.” The response upset Hightower, who was less interested in getting to know Robert’s kids than in learning more about his personality. “I also think it would be nice to have more information for health reasons,” she says. “I was [recently] diagnosed with hypertension. They said that’s genetic. I think some of it’s from my mother, but it would be nice to know.” Even if one branch of her suddenly burgeoning family tree had no interest in meeting her, Hightower was eager to get to know another. Karen and Nancy weren’t her only new half siblings. There was another: Kevin Wigell. The retired engineer had taken an Ancestry test after his 23andMe test revealed surprising results. Nowhere was the name of his father, Wayne, who died in 1974. With his mother suffering from dementia, there was no one he could turn to for a definitive answer. “I started getting emails from Dorie, and she was asking me these weird questions like, where was I born and who was my mother’s OB-GYN back then,” he says. “I kind of dismissed her as an internet kook.”

But Wigell couldn’t stop thinking about his father’s poor health. The man had suffered from diabetes and tuberculosis, and Wigell wasn’t born until seven years into his parents’ marriage. “That’s when this started making sense,” he says. He pauses to chuckle—it’s the laugh of a man who still can’t believe what he’s about to say is true. “There was absolutely no resemblance between me and Wayne.” (When placed side by side, photos of Wigell and Robert when they were both roughly high school age look strikingly similar: their cheekbones, the cut of their chins, even the look in their eyes.) After taking some time to process the news, Wigell agreed to meet Hightower in Howard County, where he and his wife would be traveling to attend the Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival in May 2018. “It’s hard to put into words,” he says of that first encounter. “We gave each other a big,

Hightower visited her half brother, Kevin Wigell, in the Pittsburgh area last June.

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learning the truth

warm, tight hug. Imagine meeting your sibling for the first time after 60-some years.” Siblings. That’s what the four of them now consider themselves. Last July, they all met at Karen’s house, where Nancy was visiting to watch her son play at a bluegrass festival. Hightower arrived at the get-together at the same time as Wigell, his wife, and one of their daughters. When Karen opened the door, Nancy was already there. Hugs abounded. Over the next five hours, they laughed and shared stories about their lives and the journeys they’d taken to discover the truth about their bloodlines. They marveled over their good fortune to live at a time when technology allowed them to find each other. Karen brought

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out a cake that read: “A remarkable day through the magic of DNA.” Around 5 p.m., Wigell suggested that they all go out for pizza, but Hightower was exhausted. She had been too excited to sleep the night before. “It really felt like a family reunion,” she says. “The husbands thought that we had some mannerisms and gestures in common. We all walk with our feet facing out.” THE BROTHER THAT HIGHTOWER grew

up with hasn’t taken a DNA test, so there’s no way of knowing if he and Dorie have the same biological father. She says he isn’t interested in a new family—but she is. Hightower has gotten together with Wigell at his home in Pennsylvania, and would like to visit Nancy. She continues

MAY/JUNE 2019 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

to check Ancestry.com from time to time to see if someone else has gotten tested and popped up as a half sibling. All of this has changed the way Hightower thinks of family, but it hasn’t fundamentally altered the way she remembers the man who raised her. She still looks back fondly on baseball games he took her to in Milwaukee, and trips to Wrigley Field in Chicago, where he taught her how to keep a scorecard. She warms at memories of watching the Marx Brothers on TV with him. From Caplan, she received “unconditional love.” He was, she says, a wonderful father. ■ Mike Unger is a writer and editor who grew up in Montgomery County and lives in Baltimore.

Special Advertising Section

culture watch The Cat in the Hat

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Greatest Hits

Heritage Days Weekend

HISTORY CULTURE NATURE

Heritage Montgomery Jun. 29 - 30 from 12-4 PM Join in celebrating the 22nd anniversary of Heritage Days Weekend! Over 35 sites throughout Montgomery County will be open with FREE admission highlighting local history, culture, and nature – African American heritage, trains and trolleys, farming & farm animals, historic preservation projects, 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 & hikes, exhibits & demonstrations – fun for all ages! HERITAGEMONTGOMERY.ORG | 301-515-0753

Six Degree Singers Jun. 1 at 7:30 PM @ Bradley Hills Presbyterian Church Jun. 2 at 4:30 PM @ Hughes Methodist Church Celebrate a decade of singing with the Six Degree Singers! Their 2019 Spring Concert Series, Greatest Hits, features favorite choral numbers from their past 10 years together including contemporary, renaissance, world, folk, and jazz! Six Degree Singers will record their second album this summer featuring the music from this program! SINGSIX.COM | 240-650-0625

Gilbert & Sullivan’s Princess Ida The Victorian Lyric Opera Company Jun. 7, 8, 14 & 15 at 8 PM Jun. 9 & 16 at 2 PM Instead of honoring her childhood betrothal, Princess Ida founds a women’s university. Her intended infiltrates the castle disguised as a maiden. What could go wrong? VLOC.ORG | 240-314-8690

National Philharmonic @ Strathmore Presents Bernstein & Beethoven, Part I, May 11 at 8 PM Michael Brown, piano, Piotr Gajewski, conductor Bernstein, Symphony No. 2 “The Age of Anxiety” Beethoven, Symphony No. 5 in C minor Bernstein & Beethoven, Part II, Jun. 1 at 8 PM Piotr Gajewski, conductor Bernstein, Chichester Psalms Beethoven, Symphony No. 9 in D minor “Choral” KIDS 7-17 FREE | FREE PARKING

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NATIONALPHILHARMONIC.ORG | 301-581-5100

Creative Voices + Cultural Happenings at CultureSpotMC.com CultureSpotMC.com is a service of the Arts & Humanities Council of Montgomery County

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4/2/19 11:14 AM

Wendy Banner and The Banner Team

Sold &301.365.9090 Listed in River Falls | Potomac info@BannerTeam.com www.BannerTeam.com 4650 East West Highway Bethesda, Maryland 301.907.7600

NEW ON MARKET

Bethesda/Parkview

$749,000

Charming, sun-filled home located within steps of NIH and Walter Reed! Featuring dramatic ceiling in the living SOLD room, separate dining room and overall open floor plan with 4 bedrooms, 2 full baths and covered parking.

NEW ON MARKET

Potomac/Fox Hills

$895,000

Potomac/Fallsreach

$919,900

Updated full and 1 half is the home you have been waiting for—beautifully 10508colonial Bridle with Lane4 bedrooms, 81092 River Falls Drive This renovated baths on stunning lot with stone patios, updated inside and out! Renovated gourmet kitchen, FOR SALE Potomac Potomac $1,415,000 updated baths including a luxurious gardens, | $1,695,000 and delightful screened porch. |Renovated owner’s bath. kitchen open to family room with fireplace. Walk-out Freshly painted, updated roof and siding, level walklower level with NEW carpet. 2-car garage. Amazing out with wet bar and bonus room, deck off main level Contact Michelle Teichberg, 301.775.7263 Successfully Helping Buyers and Sellers since 2003Value! overlooks fenced backyard.

Top-Producing Team Bethesda Gateway Office 301.907.7600

Sondra Mulheron 301.785.9536 smulheron@LNF.com

Pam Schiattareggia 301.802.7796 pam.scat@LNF.com

www.HomesbySondraandPam.com NEW ON MARKET

North Potomac/Hidden Ponds

$1,250,000

Spacious 4-bedroom, 4.5-bath home on gorgeous lot with private backyard. Main level open floor plan with large sunroom. Elegant owner’s suite with sitting area, fireplace and luxurious new bathroom. Entertain or exercise in completely finished lower level.

Potomac/Avenel

$1,319,000

All-brick home with 4 bedrooms, 4 full and 1 half baths set on a cul-de-sac in Avenel. Features a spacious family room with floor-to-ceiling fireplace, sunlit solarium, and garden room overlooking the patio and private yard. Unwind or work out in the fully-finished lower level.

NEW ON MARKET

Bethesda/Sumner

$1,525,000

Spacious and bright Colonial with 5 bedrooms, 4 full and 1 half baths that features a spectacular lanai-covered pool, spa and waterfall in a very private garden setting. Steps away from the Capital Crescent Trail and shops.

Contact Gail Gordon, 301-529-8527 For special homes close-in to downtown Bethesda and Chevy Chase,

call your neighborhood specialist, Murtagh Properties!

NEW ON MARKET

Bethesda/Landon Woods

$1,725,000

Potomac/Persimmon Tree Estates $1,735,000

$2,450,000

Potomac/Potomac Falls

Potomac/Avenel

$2,150,000

Fabulous 2009, four-level home close to Whitman and Inviting home on flat 1-acre lot complete with mature Impeccable custom home with 6 bedrooms, 6 full and 3 Pyle Schools. Open floor plan with huge gourmet eatplantings, gardens, and large patio with 40’ pool! half baths on flat 1/2-acre lot in the gated community of in kitchen open to the family room and NEW deck. Thoughtful spaces and details such as reclaimed wood, Rapley at Avenel. Superior craftsmanship with 4402 Elm Street, $2.375M 7402 Meadow Lane, $2.195M 3405Preserve Rolling Court, $2.994M Featuring 7 bedrooms, 5.5 baths and a walk-out lower 5 fireplaces, striking home office, and floor-to-ceiling stunning 2-story living room, pristine gourmet kitchen, Exceptional Offering. Extraordinary Location. Chevy Chase Elegance. Redefined Exquisite New Build. Breathtaking level. windows stream natural light. 6 bedrooms, 5.5 baths and main level owner’s suite, wineInteriors. cellar, elevator and more! finished lower level offer plenty of room for family and guests.

NEW ON MARKET

Potomac/Rapley

NEW ON MARKET

$2,595,000

NEW ON MARKET

Potomac/Potomac Farm Estates

$2,995,000

Stunning Country French home on serene 2-acre lot in Renovated and expanded colonial with 5 bedrooms, 7 full Unparalleled elegance combined with chic style in close gated village of Rapley Preserve at Avenel. Custom built and 2 half baths on 2-acre lot with heated pool. Glorious in Potomac. This custom masterpiece with gated entry Wisconsinstone Avenue features • Chevy Chase, 20815 with over 8000 sq. ft. features301.656.1800 6 bedrooms, 6 full,• www.murtaghproperties.com 3 half kitchen with vaulted ceilings• 7032 and floor-to-ceiling grand formalMD rooms and open modern spaces. A baths, gourmet kitchen, morning room, family#1 room, fireplace. Main level owner’s suite with NEW luxurious gourmet country kitchen, sun-filled conservatory, library, Group LNF-Christie’s International | Bethesda/Chevy Chase Office library and spacious entertaining areas. Walk-out lower bath. Separate in-law suite, walk-out lower level, 2 office, billiard room, 6 bedrooms, 4 full and 2 half baths level includes rec room, gym, theater, guest suite. Relax screened porches, stone patio, deck, elevator and 4-car complete the main house. Stroll through enchanting on the veranda overlooking the pool and private yard. garage! English gardens and multiple entertaining spaces. Contact Ilene Gordon: 301-440-1060

longandfoster.com longandfoster.com

Bethesda All Points Office A Top Long & Foster Office for 2018

A destination office for top producing luxury market agents and their clients!

4701 Sangamore Rd, Suite L1, Bethesda, Maryland | 301.229.4000 ANNE & LAURA EMMETT

Anne: 301.466.2515 • Anne.Emmett@LNF.com | Laura: 202.422.6374 • Laura.Emmett@LNF.com

y n, h. el

Bethesda

$3,450,000 Bethesda

Amazing Edgemoor-Area Home with large formal rooms and outdoor space for entertaining & SIX bedrooms and office on the upper level. Gorgeous, level 30,646 square foot lot. Walk to Metro and Bethesda Row.

Offered for $3,950,000

Stunning estate, reflecting a magical merging of inspiration and architecture. Nestled a short walk from Potomac Village, this home offers impressive appointments beginning with the grand foyer’s staircase framed by hand-crafted wrought iron to the outdoor living space, perfect for relaxing under the night sky. A gourmet kitchen, paneled library, main level bedroom suite, lower level with recreation and media room. 12,000+ square feet, includes 8 bedrooms, 7 full plus 2 half baths, 6 fireplaces and 3-car garage.

3 f h n, e!

e y A y, s g

• Offering our Luxury Clients specialized Christie’s Internation Real Estate Marketing • A Top Producing Long & Foster Office with Award Winning Agents • An Executive Approach to Real Estate • Serving the DC MD VA area • Relocation Services Interested in joining our team? Call Susan today for a confidential Susan Sanford interview to find out why topVP, Managing Broker producing and new agents join her ssanford@LNF.com office and choose to stay. Office Direct: 301.320.8300

BEAUTIFUL ELEGANCE IN POTOMAC

d d g.

$2,850,000

Classic Edgemoor Home! Built in 1923, features 5,8847 interior s.f. on four levels. Five bedrooms & six bathrooms, gracious formal rooms with high ceilings. Picturesque 12,240 square foot lot. Walk to Metro & Bethesda Row.

Congratulations to Susan Sanford and her Extraordinary Team!

Hamid Samiy • 202.714.1300 • Hamid.Samiy@LNF.com

Top producing agent of Long & Foster | Christie’s Bethesda All Points Office

ANDY ALDERDICE

301-466-5898 • andy4homes@gmail.com • andy4homes.com

3 Neighborhood Specialist – MD, DC & VA 3 Client First Approach 3 Expert Contract Negotiator 3 Strategic Sales Consultant

Call for a complimentary price evaluation of your home. c 202.365.3222 LydiaBenson@StanfordAlumni.org

LEIGH ADAMS SLAUGHTER Licensed in DC, MD & VA • 202.420.1820 LeighSlaughter@LNF.com • LeighSlaughter.com

• Trust • Convenience • Experience • Results • Discreet

longandfoster.com

KENSINGTON $1,699,000 One of the largest homes in Chevy Chase View can now be yours.

Built in 2008 and improved over the years with a gorgeous chef’s kitchen, beautiful built-ins, high-end finishes, level rear yard with deck and low-maintenance landscaping that gardeners and non-gardeners will love and appreciate!

VICKI PORTER

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

www.VickiPorter.net

SHARRON COCHRAN 301.351.4517 • SCochran@LNF.com www.SCochran.com

• Realty Alliance Award Recipient, Top 5 Percent North America • SRES (Seniors Real Estate Specialist) • Staging, marketing, and negotiation expert Let my experience work for you! Licensed in MD, DC & VA

WALSH RICHARDS

301.706.3151 • Walsh.Richards@LongandFoster.com Licensed in DC, MD & VA • Results driven • Native Washingtonian committed to finding you the perfect home • Professional and personal level of service • Over 50 years of diverse commercial and residential real estate experience to help you throughout the selling and buying process

Sold & Listed in River Falls | Potomac

10508 Bridle Lane Potomac | $1,695,000

SOLD

8109 River Falls Drive Potomac | $1,415,000

FOR SALE

Successfully Helping Buyers and Sellers since 2003 Top-Producing Team Bethesda Gateway Office 301.907.7600

Sondra Mulheron 301.785.9536 smulheron@LNF.com

Pam Schiattareggia 301.802.7796 pam.scat@LNF.com

www.HomesbySondraandPam.com

For special homes close-in to downtown Bethesda and Chevy Chase,

call your neighborhood specialist, Murtagh Properties!

4402 Elm Street, $2.375M Exceptional Offering. Extraordinary Location.

7402 Meadow Lane, $2.195M Chevy Chase Elegance. Redefined

3405 Rolling Court, $2.994M Exquisite New Build. Breathtaking Interiors.

301.656.1800 • www.murtaghproperties.com • 7032 Wisconsin Avenue • Chevy Chase, MD 20815 #1 Group LNF-Christie’s International | Bethesda/Chevy Chase Office

longandfoster.com

Bethesda Gateway Office 2018 Sales of Nearly $1.2 Billion BethesdaGatewaySales.com | LongandFoster.com 4650 East West Highway, Bethesda, Maryland | 301.907.7600

Potomac

$5,795,000

Kensington | Rock Creek Hills

$1,695,000

Bethesda

$1,449,000

Exquisite 11,000 sq. ft. estate on 2+ glorious acres in the heart of Potomac. Incredible outdoor oasis: picturesque gardens, custom pool with cabana, 2 bedroom guest house, full outdoor kitchen. An entertainer’s paradise! Mary Magner | 301-785-1601 | mary.magner@LNF.com

Beautiful new home being built by Potomac Heritage Homes. Stunning chef’s kitchen with grand island opens to screened porch with gas fireplace. Four en suite BRs up, finished lower level. Expected completion Sept. ‘19. Erin Demeria | 240-687-3681 | Erin.Demeria@LNF

Magnificent renovation with a professional-grade kitchen, open family room with deck and sunroom overlooking lush forest. High ceilings, wood floors, updated owner’s suite. Quiet cul-de-sac in perfect, walkable location! Linda Lizzio | 202-997-1664 | linda.lizzio@LNF.com

Sold for Full Price!

Award-Winning Bay Forest at Bethany Beach

Bethesda

$999,999

Ocean View, DE

$570,000

Ocean View, DE

$525,000

Meticulously maintained Colonial on 18,000+ sq. ft. lot in one of Bethesda’s most sought-after neighborhoods. Six bedrooms, 3 full baths, 2-car garage, 1st-floor family room with fireplace and walkout to beautiful, treed backyard. Yvette Dowell | 240-687-6044 | yvette.dowell@LNF.com

NEW CONSTRUCTION. Open floor plan with 4 BRs, including 1st-floor master, 2nd-floor family room, 2-car garage. Resort-style living with 2 pools, 2 community centers, basketball/pickleball court, walking trails, marina. Cindy Souza | 301-332-5032 | cindy.souza@LNF.com

Time for the beach house! Open floor plan with 4 BRs including 1st-floor master, 2nd-floor family room, screened porch. Resort-style living with 2 pools, 2 community centers, basketball/pickleball walking trails, marina. Cindy Souza | 301-332-5032 | cindy.souza@LNF.com

Rockville

Gaithersburg

$700,000

Stone front townhome in sought-after Tower Oaks. Three finished levels, 2-car garage, private backyard with treed views. Easy commute! Mary Magner | 301-785-1601 | mary.magner@LNF.com

longandfoster.com longandfoster.com

$695,000

Stately all brick 5BR Colonial on picturesque, nearly 2-acre wooded lot. Upscale updates, fabulous entertaining with grand rooms, luxurious master suite. Cindy Souza | 301-332-5032 | cindy.souza@LNF.com

$850,000

Almost 70 acres in Montgomery County Agricultural Reserve awaiting buyer with vision! Minutes to Olney, Laytonsville. Public water available. Call for details. Cindy Souza | 301-332-5032 | cindy.souza@LNF.com

High Knoll Estate High Knoll Estate is located on Virginia’s Eastern Shore. At the edge of the water stands a 4500 sq. ft. elegant, custom-built home designed by architect Lewis A. Rightmier, offering exquisite vistas throughout the entire home. Overlooking the water is over 1500 sq. ft. of gorgeous flagstone patio with an in-ground pool and cabana. The warmth of 4 fireplaces will keep you comfortable in the off-season. There is also a 4-car garage and a climate-controlled kennel with outdoor runs. The home was entirely renovated in 2018. The home has over 6.5 acres and 718 feet of waterfrontage, none of which is in a flood zone. There is approximately 94.5 more contiguous acres with 2600 feet of waterfront available. High Knoll overlooks The Eastern Shore Yacht and Country Club and is only 8 miles to an airport. This property offers great privacy, recreational use or potential as a luxurious family compound. The entire estate features 23 subdivided lots, including 9 waterfront lots and a pond. Let’s schedule your private tour today!

16104 Country Club Way is offered exclusively at $1,550,000 Approximately three (3) hours from most major Mid-Atlantic cities

Let’s schedule your private tour!

Eastern Shore of Virginia The Eastern Shore of Virginia offers tens of thousands of acres of protected land and beaches for public and private use. If you need a change or are looking for a serene escape, come visit us today for a tour of the shore, and let

• Exceptional Dining Experiences • Pro Signature Golf Courses • Unspoiled Beaches • Miles of Hiking Trails • Peace and Quiet

us find your dream home!

Now that the real estate market is back, there is no better time to invest. Where else can you find waterfront acreage with gorgeous homes at this price point? Nowhere! The Eastern Shore of Virginia is located approximately three (3) hours from all of the major Mid-Atlantic cities, including Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., Baltimore and Richmond. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to own your piece today. Call The McGoldrick Team today for more information about this hidden gem and many others available. The McGoldrick Team of Long and Foster Nikki McGoldrick 757-990-2652 (Serving MD and VA) John McGoldrick 757-710-3771 (Assoc. Broker) Office 757-336-5100 www.LongandFoster.com/NikkiMcGoldrick 6426 Maddox Blvd, Chincoteague Island, VA 23336

longandfoster.com

410.266.6880 YOU should be working with the Annapolis Waterfront Experts!

Joe Bray, Reid Buckley & Steven ArcĂŠ Licensed REALTORS

Annapolis, MD

$265,000

Annapolis, MD

$439,900

Annapolis, MD

$549,000

Annapolis Area Waterfront

$999,000

Annapolis Area Waterfront

$1,289,000

$1,495,000

Annapolis Area Waterfront

$1,750,000

Annapolis Waterfront

$2,595,000

$2,650,000

Chesapeake Bay Waterfront

$4,200,000

Annapolis Waterfront

$6,000,000

Immaculate 1-BR condo in water-privileged community includes deep-water slip at community marina! Beautifully updated, move-in condition. Community pool & super convenient location. Watch the LIVE video at www.WaterfrontHomes.org.

Desirable waterfront community that offers deep-water slips and Chesapeake Bay access! 4-BR home has lots of natural light and a spacious yard. Lower level in-law suite with separate entrance. Watch the LIVE Video at www.WaterfrontHomes.org.

Annapolis Area Waterfront

Waterfront home on 3+ acres with 100+ feet of sandy beach. Expansive views, private pier, and gated community. Exquisite gourmet kitchen with no detail overlooked! Easy DC commute. Watch the LIVE Video at WaterfrontHomes.org.

Annapolis Waterfront

Waterfront all-brick colonial on 1.73 acres. Private, deep water pier, waterside pool, and mature landscaping. Luxurious main-level master suite and stunning water views throughout the home. Walk-out lower level. Watch the LIVE video at www.WaterfrontHomes.org.

Completely updated 1-BR condo with water views! Ground-level end-unit just steps from the waterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s edge. Gated community has waterside pool, marina, and tennis courts. Fantastic Eastport location close to everything. Watch the LIVE video at www.WaterfrontHomes.org.

Waterfront home in gated community has water views and beautiful updates. Traditional floor plan with walls of windows, main-level master suite, and gourmet kitchen. Community marina, pool and tennis. Watch the LIVE Video at www.WaterfrontHomes.org.

Waterfront retreat with private, protected multi-slip pier and multiple decks. Gorgeous kitchen and deluxe master bedroom suite with waterside balcony. Take in the water views from the hot tub! Watch the LIVE video at www.WaterfrontHomes.org.

Exquisite waterfront manor home in gated community on 2+ acres! Perfection throughout with no detail overlooked. Heated waterside pool and incredible Chesapeake Bay views. Absolutely stunning! Watch the LIVE video at www.WaterfrontHomes.org.

Waterfront home with private, deep water pier and incredible views! Recently updated throughout. Open floor plan is perfect for entertaining. Walk-out lower level and peaceful waterside gazebo. Watch the LIVE video at www.WaterfrontHomes.org.

Incredible waterfront setting with over 5,000 finished square feet. Waterside pool with pool house, private deep-water pier with boat lift, and unobstructed water views all the to the Chesapeake Bay! Incomparable details throughout. Watch the LIVE Video at www.WaterfrontHomes.org.

Stately 6-bedroom home includes exceptional finishes inside and out. Water views from almost every room, a 20 x 40 foot pool, 8 foot water depth at private pier. Private 2.5 acre setting with 400 feet of waterfrontage. Watch the LIVE video at www.WaterfrontHomes.org.

www.WaterfrontHomes.org 410-266-6880 (Direct) | Charlie@WaterfrontHomes.org

By appointment at 320 6th Street, Annapolis, MD 21403 | 410-260-2800 (BOM)

longandfoster.com

$479,000

Gated waterfront condominium community on the Chesapeake Bay with marina, pool, tennis, and restaurant! 2-BR townhome has remodeled kitchen and spacious master suite. Watch the LIVE Video at www.WaterfrontHomes.org.

FINE EARTH LANDSCAPE Design/Install

Readers’ Pick, Best Landscaping Company

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SERVING THE DC AREA FOR 40 YEARS Professional Landscape Design, Beautiful Plantings Patios, Terraces and Walkways, Masonry and Wood Walls Decks, Pergolas and Arbors, Ponds and Waterfalls

DC/MD/VA: 301-983-0800

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Winner of over 100 Regional and National Awards

interior design. architecture. home sales.

PHOTO BY ANGIE SECKINGER

home

A Potomac coupleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s remodeled home includes this family room, which features salvaged barn doors leading to the dining room. For more, turn to page 228.

BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM | MAY/JUNE 2019

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home | HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS

2 1

GO WITH THE GRAIN

Cerused wood gets its unique finish from a staining or waxing process that highlights the natural grain. The stylish wood is everywhere right now, from cabinets to flooring to furniture.

1. SHELF LIFE

2. FAUX REAL

3. THE DARK SIDE

Stylish storage is the key to keeping entry halls and mudrooms neat and organized. You can mix and match pieces from the new Livingston collection, which features a coastal casual look thanks to gray washed wood. This four-piece arrangement—a bench, two towers and a bridge—is $2,994 at Pottery Barn in Bethesda (301-654-1598; potterybarn.com).

Get the best of both worlds with a product that looks like wood but is actually a durable porcelain tile. Use it on kitchen, bathroom or mudroom walls or floors, or even around a fireplace. The Ballad style comes in six colors, and standard pricing for 8-by-48-inch tiles is $8.67 per square foot at Architectural Ceramics in Rockville (301-251-3555; architecturalceramics.com).

Cerused wood finishes don’t just come in gray. The Decorage sideboard from Bernhardt is made from solid ash and quartered white oak veneers, and has a “cerused mink” finish and a stainless steel frame and base. It measures 75 inches wide by 34 inches high by 20 inches deep and is $3,666 at Sheffield Furniture and Interiors in Rockville (301-881-6010; sheffieldfurniture.com).

220 MAY/JUNE 2019 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

ALL COURTESY PHOTOS

BY CAROLYN WEBER

4 5

4. IN THE ROUND

5. A CUT ABOVE

6. INTO THE WOODS

A distinctive wood finish can add interest to an otherwise simple piece of furniture. This table’s curvy base is made of reclaimed pinewood stained a rustic gray and juxtaposed with a round white marble top that’s 48 inches in diameter. Find the Luca dining table for $2,698 at Arhaus Furniture in Rockville (301-230-2973; arhaus.com).

The chic curved handles on this knife set are made of richly grained ash pakkawood, and acrylic covers on both sides of the magnetic block protect the knives but let the grain veneer show through. The Schmidt Brothers bonded ash seven-piece knife set retails for $299.99 at Crate and Barrel in D.C.’ s Spring Valley neighborhood (202-3646100; crateandbarrel.com).

Move over, all-white kitchens—the natural look is back. A special wire-brush finish reveals the grain and gives these cabinets a warm, modern look. The Unica cabinetry from Downsview Kitchens, in white oak with 1-inch-thick doors, is priced at $2,000 to $2,300 per linear foot through Stuart Kitchens in Bethesda (240-223-0875; stuartkitchens.com). n

Carolyn Weber lives in Silver Spring and frequently writes about architecture and home design. BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM | MAY/JUNE 2019

221

PHOTO COURTESY OF SUSAN CARLE

home

222 MAY/JUNE 2019 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

Susan Carle grows kale, cucumbers and other produce in her backyard. The Bethesda gardener incorporated a rain garden to collect water, keeping it out of local waterways.

the green scene Creating environmentally friendly landscapes with sustainable gardening BY AMANDA CHERRIN

BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM | MAY/JUNE 2019

223

home

minded millennials and young couples who appreciate the cost savings in terms of time, money and natural resources. “You are using products that require fewer resources. It’s cheaper to grow food than buy it. Also, sustainable gardens are lower maintenance,” he says. Another perk of sustainable gardening practices is establishing a closer relationship with food, says Natalie Carver, the director of horticulture at Love & Carrots. The D.C-based gardening firm has installed more than 700 gardens in the area, including more than 50 at Montgomery County homes and the one at Raiser’s Spring Valley residence. “In this

224 MAY/JUNE 2019 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

consumer culture, people want to reconnect with their roots,” she says.

ONCE RAISER AND HER husband, David Perlin, their children, and three dogs were settled into their new home, she wanted to put down roots outside. With Love & Carrots’ assistance, Raiser set about turning the home’s traditional flower garden into a fruit- and vegetableproducing powerhouse capable of feeding her three kids, ages 7, 10 and 13. The first step in the exterior makeover was replacing the nonnative bushes and flowers with three raised garden beds supported by wood frames. Strategically

PHOTOS COURTESY OF SKYE RAISER

WHEN SKYE RAISER MOVED from Chevy Chase’s Kenwood neighborhood to Spring Valley in Northwest Washington, D.C., in 2017, her blueberry, raspberry and blackberry plants made the trip across the border with her family of five. Also uprooted for the move were her goumi bushes, berry-producing plants native to this area that were an integral part of the sustainable garden she hoped to re-create outside her new home. Over the past 10 years, sustainable gardening practices have become increasingly popular with local gardeners like Raiser. In fact, landscape architect and designer Basem Saah estimates that almost half of his clients at American Plant, a garden center in Bethesda, request that sustainability be incorporated into the design of their gardens. “Sustainability isn’t one thing; it’s a mindset,” Saah says. “It’s part of the movement toward reusing and not taking resources. People want to feel that they are contributing by not depleting the earth.” Saah says creating a truly sustainable garden often involves the use of primarily organic soil and fertilizer, and the replacement of grass lawns, which require lots of water and pesticides to maintain, with drought-resistant succulents, ornamental grasses and rock gardens. Sustainability also means incorporating resource-friendly techniques such as the use of rain barrels, which collect water for gardening, and planting native species that require fewer natural resources to thrive in the mid-Atlantic region, such as dogwood, redbud, Queen Anne’s lace and goldenrod. “It’s an economic way of living,” Saah explains. He says sustainable gardening is especially popular with environmentally

Above: Skye Raiser and her kids, Ava, Monty and Thea (in front of her mom), grow lettuce, bok choy and garlic (opposite) in their sustainable garden. They eat the produce they grow, including the food they picked in one day, shown here.

placed in the sunniest area of the property, the beds are now home to more than 30 different species of edible plants, including lettuces, zucchini, peppers, broccoli, snap peas and chard. “We cut the produce and eat it right away,” says Raiser, who says she relies solely on her garden to produce salads for her family during peak season. “The flavor is so much tastier than what you get in the store—it’s like a different

species. I never imagined how delicious freshly picked vegetables could be.” In addition to the vegetable beds, the transplanted goumi bushes sit in front of the house alongside a Japanese maple, a fig tree and a trellis crawling with blackberry vines. Clay pots filled with herbs surround the perimeter of the dwelling, growing thyme, rosemary and oregano that season the family’s meals, in addition to sage and mint that

Raiser uses to prepare fresh lemonade and home-brewed tea. Love & Carrots’ coaching program, which offers private biweekly lessons from a staff member, allows Raiser to work and learn alongside the professionals and assist with the installation and maintenance of her garden. “I like to get my hands in the dirt with them,” she says of Love & Carrots’ team. “I am right there geeking out with them over different varieties of plants.” In addition to working with individual gardening enthusiasts, Love & Carrots partners with local businesses to help urban gardens flourish. Its current projects include the installation and maintenance of a 5,200-square-foot urban farm for The Pearl, an apartment building in downtown Silver Spring. From April through November, 30 residents enjoy the fruits of the labor when they receive a monthly basket of produce that was grown on-site. Backyard Bounty, a Silver Springbased firm, is designing a garden that will

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PHOTOS COURTESY OF SUSAN CARLE

Above and right: To create a more sustainable backyard, Susan Carle worked with Montgomery Countyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s RainScapes program to install a rain garden, which helps nurture the native plants in her Bethesda yard.

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be installed in the Town of Chevy Chase’s Zimmerman Park. Scheduled to debut this fall, the Lee Dennison Sustainable Garden will display native plants, trees and shrubs, along with sustainable techniques such as permeable pathways created with pavement that is designed to allow rainwater to filter below the surface and saturate the ground. In addition to honoring the memory of a longtime resident and gardener, the garden is an effort to expose residents to the sustainable gardening practices that its namesake embraced. “Sustainable gardening starts with being a steward of the environment in your own garden,” says Edamarie Mattei, founder of Backyard Bounty.

MONTGOMERY COUNTY HAS also embraced the sustainability movement through the Department of Environmental Protection’s RainScapes program, which provides rebates to residents and local businesses that use techniques designed to reduce stormwater runoff by collecting or absorbing rainwater that might otherwise make its way into local water sources like the Potomac River and Chesapeake Bay. Projects that may be eligible for rebates include pavement removal, the use of rain barrels and the installation of rain gardens, which are depressed garden beds that allow rainwater to collect and deeply saturate the soil. Bethesda resident Susan Carle worked with the RainScapes program to install a rain garden in her backyard six years ago. Carle, whose sustainable living practices include composting, driving an electric car and having solar panels on the roof of her family’s Craftsman-style home, turned to RainScapes to help support the creation of a more sustainable backyard. According to Carle, an American University law professor and vice dean, when it rains, the garden becomes “a big puddle” that is slowly absorbed into the earth, nurturing the native plants growing there—including black-eyed Susans, witch hazel and sedum—instead of running into local waterways.

Going Green Five easy ways to make your garden more sustainable

Go native

Start by growing produce and native plants such as azaleas and black-eyed Susans that thrive easily in this climate. “If 75 percent of your plants are native, then you are getting the best wildlife value,” says Backyard Bounty’s Edamarie Mattei, explaining that local insects feed on native plants.

Do no harm

Avoid plants that are invasive or potentially harmful to native plants. Mattei recommends steering clear of plants such as barberry and burning bush.

Harvest rain

Installing a rain barrel, which can be purchased at home and gardening stores, can be an easy way to reduce the amount of public water needed for your gardening and to collect stormwater that might otherwise pollute local water sources. Plus, rain barrels may qualify for a rebate through Montgomery County’s RainScapes program.

Start small

For gardeners with limited space, Natalie Carver of Love & Carrots recommends growing herbs such as basil, cilantro and rosemary. “You can grow them in a small space and use them for cooking,” she says.

Try natural treatments

For increased sustainability, American Plant’s Basem Saah recommends choosing organic fertilizer when possible and creating natural bug repellent sprays with chili oil or lemon juice to manage pests.

Carle surrounded her rain garden with eight large vegetable beds filled with mustard greens, kale, beans, cucumbers, eggplants, butternut squash and garlic, and she works with Love & Carrots to maintain her “dream garden.” “Gardening is very rewarding,” says Carle, who spends as much time as possible working in her garden with her pointer-retriever dog, Season. “When I want to relax, I go out to my garden to weed.” Sustainable gardening practices also support the local ecosystem and the animal species that are native to the region. “Gardens are the way to give a hand to nature,” says Adriana Delgado, owner of AlmaVerde, a RainScapesapproved gardening firm based out of her Northwest D.C. home. Backyard Bounty also is approved by the program. According to Delgado, native plants sustain pollinators, including monarch butterflies, bees and hummingbirds, in addition to the insects that become food for local species of birds, which are then consumed by their predators, and so on up the food chain. In addition to attracting pollinators, native plants such as coneflower and milkweed (a favorite of monarch butterflies) also reduce the need for potentially ecosystemharming pesticides because the plants are acclimated to the environment and its pests. These days, when Raiser and her family look at their front yard through their floor-to-ceiling windows during warmer months , they see a lively pollinator garden of sunflowers and butterfly bushes swarming with bees and insects. And Raiser’s crops have done well, too. In fact, she describes her peak season haul as so prolific that she doesn’t need to buy produce at the grocery store. “It feels good to know what’s going into my family’s food,” she says. “It gives me so much satisfaction.” ■ Amanda Cherrin lives in Chevy Chase and is a former reporter for Sports Illustrated.

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Rick and Kristy Schultz bought a Potomac home (opposite) and remodeled it in two phases. The bold new front facade features a balustrade with classic Chippendale-style fretwork for added Southern flair.

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Southern

Charm A Potomac couple puts their personal stamp on an older house, updating it to harmonize with their style and its pastoral setting

PHOTO BY ANGIE SECKINGER; BEFORE PHOTO COURTESY

BY CAROLYN WEBER

BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM | JULY/AUGUST | MAY/JUNE 2019 2016

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PHOTO BY LAURA CHASE DE FORMIGNY

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PHOTO BY ANGIE SECKINGER

ON A QUIET LANE in Potomac, past barns, horses grazing in fields and over a little bridge, the home of Rick and Kristy Schultz sits nestled among mature trees. The gracious two-story residence is welcoming and boasts an architectural presence befitting a large rural property. But it hasn’t always looked this way. Rick, who works in private wealth management, and Kristy, a homemaker, bought the house for $1.8 million in 2010 and then spent considerable time, effort and resources remaking it. “We were living in Darnestown, but our kids were in private school in Potomac, so we wanted to be closer in,” Kristy says. They toured many newer houses, but were dissatisfied with all of the “cookiecutter” designs. When they found the

Cape Cod tucked into a private wooded lot of more than 2 acres, the search was over. “The location was unbeatable,” Rick says. “It’s like a little preserve right in the middle of Potomac.” The quaint house w a s built in 1988, and it needed a lot of work to accommodate the new owners and their three growing children. The original 6,500-square-foot floor plan divided the space into small rooms, and the house lacked light, views and a connection to the pool and the trees. “The surroundings are so attractive, but we couldn’t really see them from inside,” Rick says. The couple never considered razing the house, but a major renovation was always in the cards. “It was too cute to tear down—although it would have

Opposite page: Rick and Kristy Schultz in their family room Above: Designer Kristin Peake created a serene living room with pale hues and sophisticated furnishings. She used grass cloth wallpaper for texture in the foyer, and a runner on the stairs softens the space visually and acoustically.

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home Top right: The mudroom offers plenty of storage space for the whole family. Bottom rIght: An area rug, ceiling pendant and four comfortable chairs make the master bedroom sitting area a peaceful place to relax with a book or laptop.

been quicker,” Kristy says with a laugh. They lived in the house for a year before embarking on a two-phase, $1.6 million remodeling project that was completed in 2014. Kristy grew up in Potomac, and Rick is originally from New York City, but the Schultzes both have an affinity for all things Southern. “ We love everything from the people, to the food, the culture and the weather,” says Kristy, who graduated from Tulane University in New Orleans. They are big country music fans, all three children now attend universities in the South, and they’ve even purchased a second home in Charleston, South Carolina. So the directive was clear when the couple enlisted Jim Rill of Rill Architects in Bethesda to articulate their vision of a Southern country home with a sense of history and character. “It’s an amazing lot that deserved an amazing piece of architecture,” Rill says. “The front facade needed more drama, something that would give it a visual impact on arrival.” Rill replaced the original stoop with a two-story entry portico that features Tuscan columns and a balcony, reminiscent of the Greek Revival style. To add some visual depth to the exterior and complement the environment, the siding was painted a rich blue, and the shutters and new double front doors were stained in warm wood tones. Rill also expanded the home with first- and second-floor additions and porches that bridge the gap between indoors and out. Even though the house is larger 232 MAY/JUNE 2019 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

PHOTOS BY ANGIE SECKINGER

A wall of windows floods the breakfast room addition with natural light. Architect Jim Rill mixed picture windows featuring large expanses of glass with traditional grid pattern windows in a nod to the original house.

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Above: The new family room is at the center of the home, with a strong connection to the kitchen, dining room, rear porch and pool. A large sectional sofa sits in the center, and custom drapes on a continuous rod dress the walls of windows. Left: The new master bathroom is a spalike retreat with wallto-wall natural materials, a window and a skylight. In the wet room, a textured tile floor with lots of grout lines prevents slips, and a strip drain keeps water in the shower area.

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PHOTOS BY ANGIE SECKINGER

now, at just over 11,000 square feet, the couple says it feels like a comfortable family home. The renovation team, which included builder Conrad Zink of Bethesda-based Zink Construction, made a conscious effort to keep the scale of the new parts consistent with the existing house. The Schultzes wanted all the bells and whistles of a new home—a gourmet kitchen, luxurious master suite, and plenty of entertaining areas—while avoiding an overblown look and feel. “We didn’t want to overdo it,” Rick says. “We wanted to keep it cozy.” The formal living room and Rick’s

office remained in the front of the house, but Rill opened up the heart of the home with generous but informal living spaces. He replaced the original rear patio area with a new family room, which is open to the new kitchen and expanded dining room and provides easy access to the backyard pool. The central location of the family room makes it a natural gathering area. “We use it every day, and have fires in there every weekend,” Kristy says. The family room is two steps down from the main floor, which creates a courtyard effect. The offset allowed for a 9-foot coffered ceiling with wood

beams. A new breakfast room adjacent to the kitchen features a stained beadboard ceiling that soars to 18 feet at its peak. “When you move through a home, it’s nice to not have everything the same height,” Rill says. “There’s a rhythm, it’s not stagnant.” Custom finishes and natural materials resonate throughout the house, adding character and creating cohesion between old and new spaces. The original brick fireplace in the former family room was refaced with natural stone and incorporated into what is now the kitchen. In addition to the wood ceiling

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for each. They visit often during the school year and are at home in the summer, so they also enjoy hanging out downstairs in an informal living area that was created by renovating the former attached garage. The room, which also serves as a pool house, is outfitted with a TV, a beverage refrigerator and a large sectional sofa, as well as a bathroom and laundry area. A detached new three-car garage sits behind the house. During the renovation, Kristy made most of the initial interior design choices herself, but after about three years she was ready for some help. “I just wanted it to be done,” she says. She turned the task over to Kristin Peake of Kristin Peake Interiors in Rockville. “I saw her work in magazines and admired it, so Rick hired her as a surprise Christmas gift,” Kristy says. A good working relationship has blossomed into a great friendship, and Peake has since designed the interior of the family’s vacation home in Charleston. Peake redesigned the Potomac house with a calm palette of cream, gray,

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Enhanced outdoor living and entertaining spaces and easy access to the pool were priorities in the renovation. Two pairs of French doors in the family room lead to a pergolatopped terrace that overlooks the L-shaped backyard pool.

brown and pale blue shades. Soft gray walls and upholstery in natural tones in the redecorated living room create a sophisticated backdrop for the Schultzes’ artwork and family photographs. “You can never go wrong with neutrals,” Peake says. “They are easy to live with and enable you to change accessories seasonally.” After five years in their renovated house, the Shultzes still feel like they got it just right. They converted a dark house into an expansive, light-filled home while also enhancing the quaint appeal and setting. The new size and layout works for hosting parties or just spending a quiet evening at home. “It took a lot of time and effort, but it was worth it,” Rick says. “We really enjoyed being part of the process.” n

PHOTO BY ANGIE SECKINGER

embellishments, there are distinctive details in the wood flooring, including borders and inlays, a herringbone pattern in the breakfast room, and a painted fleur-de-lis motif in the dining room. To add some history, pay homage to country life and to have a little fun, Kristy also incorporated rustic elements, such as installing barn doors in the dining room that were salvaged from a North Carolina tobacco farm. The use of natural materials continues upstairs in the master bathroom, which was gutted, expanded and reinvented with a subtle, elegant design inspired by boutique hotels and spas. It has three zones—the vanities, a water closet, and a wet room with a shower and bathtub. The space is finished with honed natural stone floors and horizontal cedar planks on the walls and ceiling, which add woodsy charm and resist moisture. The master suite encompasses one side of the second floor, and the other wing is devoted to the three children, with individual bedrooms and bathrooms

SERVING THE BETHESDA COMMUNITY FOR MORE THAN 40 YEARS

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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 n rece tly s house

HOME SALES

SALE PRICE:

$2.1 million SALE PRICE:

$3.6 million LIST PRICE: $3.6 MILLION

Address: 4837 Loughboro Road NW, Washington, D.C. 20016 Days on Market: 1 Listing Agency: Washington Fine Properties Bedrooms: 6 Full/Half Baths: 5/1

LIST PRICE: $2.3 MILLION

Address: 5009 39th St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20016 Days on Market: 12 Listing Agency: Washington Fine Properties Bedrooms: 6 Full/Half Baths: 4/1

SALE PRICE:

$2.1 million LIST PRICE: $2.3 MILLION

Address: 7412 Nevis Road, Bethesda 20817 Days on Market: 142 Listing Agency: Long & Foster Real Estate Bedrooms: 5 Full/Half Baths: 5/2

SALE PRICE:

$2.7 million

SALE PRICE:

LIST PRICE: $3 MILLION

$2 million

Address: 5415 Mohican Road, Bethesda 20816 Days on Market: 254 Listing Agency: TTR Sotheby’s International Realty Bedrooms: 5 Full/Half Baths: 5/0

Address: 12620 Tribunal Lane, Potomac 20854 Days on Market: 13 Listing Agency: Long & Foster Real Estate Bedrooms: 6 Full/Half Baths: 5/3

LIST PRICE: $2 MILLION

SALE PRICE:

$1.9 million LIST PRICE: $2 MILLION

$2.5 million LIST PRICE: $2.6 MILLION

Address: 7609 Glenbrook Road Bethesda 20814 Days on Market: 47 Listing Agency: Compass Bedrooms: 5 Full/Half Baths: 4/2

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SALE PRICE:

$1.8 million LIST PRICE: $1.8 MILLION

Address: 6234 29th St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20015 Days on Market: 54 Listing Agency: Long & Foster Real Estate Bedrooms: 6 Full/Half Baths: 4/1

COURTESY PHOTOS

SALE PRICE:

Address: 11206 Albermyrtle Road, Potomac 20854 Days on Market: 74 Listing Agency: RE/MAX Elite Services Bedrooms: 6 Full/Half Baths: 5/3

Thinking about buying or selling? Settle for nothing less than Exceptional Service and Proven Results. Call the Carolyn Homes Team today! ! ITY N U RT PO P O RE RA

D! U FO

5 BEALL SPRING COURT, POTOMAC List Price: $1,495,000

8140 STACEY ROAD, ALEXANDRIA Sold Price: $1,240,000

8+ Acre Equestrian Estate Just 4 Miles to Potomac Village

Custom Build on ½ Acre Lot in Waynewood ES District

Y BU

5610 WISCONSIN AVE #1006, CHEVY CHASE Sold Price: $1,900,000 Luxury Urban Living in sought after Somerset House

NEW CONSTRUCTION DIVISION N!

U CT

TIO CA

TE DIA E M IM

SPE

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I OM

5618 OLD CHESTER ROAD, BETHESDA List Price: $2,345,000

8303 WHITMAN DRIVE, BETHESDA List Price: $1,850,000

4318 ROSEDALE AVENUE, BETHESDA List Price: $1,945,000

Luxury New Build with two Master Suites & three-car Garage

Gorgeous Custom Home on Deep Lot with no thru Street

Amazing Custom Home in East Bethesda, steps from Lynbrook Park & BCC HS

We work with all the Leading Builders in the Bethesda Market l Custom Build/Design Consultations l Off-marketing Lot Opportunities l Custom Marketing Programs Designed to reach specific Markets l 14+ years Experience in New Construction l

THE CAROLYN HOMES TEAM

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240.353.7601 • Carolyn@CarolynHomes.com

home | BY THE NUMBERS Address: 4400 West Virginia Ave., Bethesda 20814 Days on Market: 166 Listing Agency: RE/MAX Realty Services Bedrooms: 6 Full/Half Baths: 5/1

SALE PRICE:

$1.8 million LIST PRICE: $1.8 MILLION

Address: 8710 Rayburn Road, Bethesda 20817 Days on Market: 75 Listing Agency: Long & Foster Real Estate Bedrooms: 5 Full/Half Baths: 5/1

SALE PRICE:

$1.7 million LIST PRICE: $1.8 MILLION

Address: 5531 30th Place NW, Washington, D.C. 20015 Days on Market: 31 Listing Agency: Compass Bedrooms: 5 Full/Half Baths: 3/1

SALE PRICE:

$1.8 million LIST PRICE: $1.8 MILLION

Address: 3822 Livingston St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20015 Days on Market: 57 Listing Agency: TTR Sotheby’s International Realty Bedrooms: 4 Full/Half Baths: 3/1

SALE PRICE:

$1.7 million LIST PRICE: $1.7 MILLION

Address: 6020 Dellwood Place, Bethesda 20817 Days on Market: 155 Listing Agency: Keller Williams Realty Bedrooms: 6 Full/Half Baths: 6/1

SALE PRICE:

$1.8 million LIST PRICE: $1.8 MILLION

Samia Gouda, Realtor Welcome to a magnificent Bethesda Estate, located on a private cul-de-sac, overlooking the C & O Canal parkland, where the luxury and the quality of the custom built-construction are evident in every detail. The perfect scale of the stately rooms with high ceilings, palladium windows, hardwoods and tiled flooring on all four levels offer space well suited for large scale entertaining, as well as more casual family living. From the formal two-story marbled foyer to the more casual family room with cathedral ceiling, Palladium Pella windows and floor to ceiling two-story fireplace, luxury and comfort combine for an ideal living. 6 BR’s, 6FBA’s, 1HBA with 3 car garage, natural gas generator, new irrigation system, new roof and much more! All on a 2.3 acres lot with permits for an additional guest home, pool house or home office! 240

$1.7 million LIST PRICE: $1.7 MILLION

Address: 7405 Honesty Way, Bethesda 20817 Days on Market: 38 Listing Agency: Long & Foster Real Estate Bedrooms: 6 Full/Half Baths: 5/1

SALE PRICE:

$1.6 million LIST PRICE: $1.8 MILLION

Address: 139 Hesketh St., Chevy Chase 20815 Days on Market: 87 Listing Agency: Compass Bedrooms: 5 Full/Half Baths: 4/1

SALE PRICE:

$1.6 million LIST PRICE: $1.7 MILLION

Address: 9924 Potomac Manors Drive,

Where inspired living meets fine design.

Bethesda $2,975,000

SALE PRICE:

Taking Your Home to Heart

4 President Club 4 Life Member Multi Million

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www.samiagouda.com 301-718-4100 301-509-2270

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MAY/JUNE 2019 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

7770 NORFOLK AVE BETHESDA MD 20814 LIVE7770.COM . 301-652-7340

Rockville 20854 Days on Market: 118 Listing Agency: The ONE Street Co. Bedrooms: 5 Full/Half Baths: 5/2

SALE PRICE:

$1.6 million LIST PRICE: $1.5 MILLION

Address: 21 Grafton St., Chevy Chase 20815 Days on Market: 6 Listing Agency: Compass Bedrooms: 4 Full/Half Baths: 2/2

SALE PRICE:

$1.6 million LIST PRICE: $1.7 MILLION

Address: 8317 Kerry Road, Chevy Chase 20815 Days on Market: 309 Listing Agency: Washington Fine Properties Bedrooms: 5 Full/Half Baths: 5/2

Days on Market: 276 Listing Agency: Compass Bedrooms: 6 Full/Half Baths: 4/1

SALE PRICE:

$1.6 million LIST PRICE: $1.6 MILLION

Address: 5908 Rolston Road, Bethesda 20817 Days on Market: 297 Listing Agency: Rory S. Coakley Realty Bedrooms: 6 Full/Half Baths: 6/1

SALE PRICE:

$1.6 million LIST PRICE: $1.6 MILLION

Address: 9721 Beman Woods Way, Potomac 20854 Days on Market: 71 Listing Agency: Washington Fine Properties Bedrooms: 4 Full/Half Baths: 3/1

SALE PRICE:

$1.5 million LIST PRICE: $1.5 MILLION

Address: 8002 Overhill Road, Bethesda 20814

SALE PRICE:

$1.5 million LIST PRICE: $1.4 MILLION

Address: 10621 Barn Wood Lane, Potomac 20854 Days on Market: 77 Listing Agency: Washington Fine Properties Bedrooms: 5 Full/Half Baths: 5/1

SALE PRICE:

$1.4 million LIST PRICE: $1.4 MILLION

Address: 5022 Newport Ave., Bethesda 20816 Days on Market: 11 Listing Agency: Compass Bedrooms: 5 Full/Half Baths: 4/1 Note: Some sale and list prices have been rounded.

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REAL ESTATE TRENDS BY ZIP CODE

FEBRUARY 2018

FEBRUARY 2019

20015 (Upper NW D.C.) Number of Homes Sold Average Sold Price Above Asking Price Below Asking Price Sold Over $1 Million

9 $1.1 Mil. 6 2 3

6 $1.4 Mil. 1 4 4

20016 (Upper NW D.C.) Number of Homes Sold Average Sold Price Above Asking Price Below Asking Price Sold Over $1 Million

11 $2 Mil. 3 6 9

14 $1.7 Mil. 3 7 12

6 $1 Mil. 3 3 1

13 $1.1 Mil. 5 7 6

20814 (Bethesda) Number of Homes Sold Average Sold Price Above Asking Price Below Asking Price Sold Over $1 Million

20815 (Chevy Chase) Number of Homes Sold Average Sold Price Above Asking Price Below Asking Price Sold Over $1 Million

10 $1.1 Mil. 1 8 3

13 $1.1 Mil. 3 9 7

20816 (Bethesda) Number of Homes Sold Average Sold Price Above Asking Price Below Asking Price Sold Over $1 Million

9 $1.2 Mil. 2 6 4

10 $1.2 Mil. 4 4 6

11 $1.1 Mil. 0 10 5

27 $1 Mil. 5 17 12

20817 (Bethesda) Number of Homes Sold Average Sold Price Above Asking Price Below Asking Price Sold Over $1 Million

20818 (Cabin John) Number of Homes Sold Average Sold Price Above Asking Price Below Asking Price Sold Over $1 Million

242

2 $1.6 Mil. 0 2 1

1 $1.4 Mil. 0 1 1

FEBRUARY 2018

FEBRUARY 2019

FEBRUARY 2018

FEBRUARY 2019

20832 (Olney)

20877 (Gaithersburg)

Number of Homes Sold 11 5 Average Sold Price $509,726 $546,060 Above Asking Price 3 1 Below Asking Price 7 4 Sold Over $1 Million 0 0

Number of Homes Sold 8 5 Average Sold Price $399,125 $383,580 Above Asking Price 1 2 Below Asking Price 5 3 Sold Over $1 Million 0 0

20850 (Rockville)

20878 (North Potomac/ Gaithersburg)

Number of Homes Sold 12 12 Average Sold Price $756,008 $602,718 2 1 Above Asking Price Below Asking Price 9 8 3 2 Sold Over $1 Million

Number of Homes Sold 7 17 Average Sold Price $612,821 $610,494 2 2 Above Asking Price Below Asking Price 5 12 0 1 Sold Over $1 Million

20851 (Rockville)

20879 (Gaithersburg)

Number of Homes Sold 12 4 Average Sold Price $409,150 $421,725 Above Asking Price 7 2 Below Asking Price 3 0 0 0 Sold Over $1 Million

Number of Homes Sold 5 8 Average Sold Price $509,800 $382,438 Above Asking Price 1 2 Below Asking Price 3 6 0 0 Sold Over $1 Million

20852 (North Bethesda/Rockville)

20882 (Gaithersburg)

Number of Homes Sold 11 11 Average Sold Price $869,091 $552,591 Above Asking Price 2 6 Below Asking Price 6 4 Sold Over $1 Million 2 1

Number of Homes Sold 5 5 Average Sold Price $548,980 $657,800 Above Asking Price 1 0 Below Asking Price 4 5 Sold Over $1 Million 0 0

20853 (Rockville)

20886 (Gaithersburg)

Number of Homes Sold 23 20 Average Sold Price $451,043 $516,038 Above Asking Price 10 5 Below Asking Price 11 9 Sold Over $1 Million 0 0

Number of Homes Sold 2 2 Average Sold Price $438,750 $527,500 Above Asking Price 1 0 Below Asking Price 0 1 Sold Over $1 Million 0 0

20854 (Potomac)

20895 (Kensington)

Number of Homes Sold Average Sold Price Above Asking Price Below Asking Price Sold Over $1 Million

22 $1.1 Mil. 4 13 11

27 $1.1 Mil. 3 15 14

Number of Homes Sold 9 12 Average Sold Price $622,167 $627,750 Above Asking Price 2 2 Below Asking Price 4 9 Sold Over $1 Million 1 1

20855 (Rockville)

20901 (Silver Spring)

Number of Homes Sold 13 8 Average Sold Price $543,000 $584,613 Above Asking Price 2 1 Below Asking Price 11 5 Sold Over $1 Million 0 0

Number of Homes Sold 17 17 Average Sold Price $506,291 $498,762 Above Asking Price 6 4 Below Asking Price 9 10 Sold Over $1 Million 0 0

MAY/JUNE 2019 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

FEBRUARY 2018

FEBRUARY 2019

FEBRUARY 2018

FEBRUARY 2019

FEBRUARY 2018

20902 (Silver Spring)

20904 (Silver Spring)

20906 (Silver Spring)

Number of Homes Sold Average Sold Price Above Asking Price Below Asking Price Sold Over $1 Million

23 16 $405,213 $461,916 5 4 15 8 0 0

8 9 $471,400 $518,278 2 3 6 5 0 0

11 17 $420,000 $410,464 3 4 7 10 0 0

20903 (Silver Spring)

20905 (Silver Spring)

20910 (Silver Spring)

Number of Homes Sold Average Sold Price Above Asking Price Below Asking Price Sold Over $1 Million

4 4 $425,500 $371,975 2 1 2 2 0 0

10 5 $517,918 $501,000 2 1 6 4 0 0

FEBRUARY 2019

12 8 $590,967 $556,031 3 2 9 5 0 0

Information courtesy of Bright MLS, as of March 18, 2019. The Bright MLS real estate service area spans 40,000 square miles throughout the mid-Atlantic region, including Delaware, Maryland, Washington, D.C., and parts of New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia. As a leading Multiple Listing Service (MLS), Bright serves approximately 85,000 real estate professionals who in turn serve more than 20 million consumers. For more information, visit brightmls.com. Note: This information includes single-family homes sold from Feb. 1, 2019, to Feb. 28, 2019, as of March 18, 2019, excluding sales where sellers have withheld permission to advertise or promote. Information should be independently verified. Reports reference data provided by ShowingTime, a showing management and market stats technology provider to the residential real estate industry. Some sale and list prices have been rounded.

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BUILDERS & ARCHITECTS

4938 Hampden Lane, #330, Bethesda, MD 20814 301-652-4440 | info@meridianhomesinc.com www.meridianhomesinc.com

BIO

MERIDIAN HOMES, INC. At Meridian Homes, we specialize in luxury 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 fell in love with the tranquil lake and charming gazebo on this incredible property, but they knew that the old house that stood there needed significant updating and expansion to accommodate their young family. In order to meet their needs, we gutted the existing house and built additions that were designed to blend seamlessly with the original structure. The newly renovated home features a beautiful master suite with a beverage center and a luxurious spa-like bathroom. The expansive kitchen has marble countertops and a striking royal blue island and opens to the family room. Rustic stone flooring and a fireplace are the highlights of the new dining room, and the study leads to a covered porch overlooking the lake. The fully finished lower level has a charming built-in custom playhouse tucked under the stairs, and for the adults, a gym with a mirrored wall and artificial grass underfoot! 244

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4705 West Virginia Ave., Bethesda, MD 20814 301-913-5995 | www.sandyspringbuilders.com

BIO

SANDY SPRING BUILDERS Sandy Spring Builders is the premier custom homebuilder in the area. We are an integrated, full-service team with 40 years of experience in bringing our client’s vision to life. Our well-built homes make a lasting impression, proven by our vast portfolio and myriad awards including being selected multiple times as “Best Builder” in the Bethesda Magazine Best of Bethesda Readers Poll.

PHOTOS BY MICHAEL BENNETT KRESS

THE PROJECT: This stunning home in the close-in Edgemoor neighborhood, was originally built by Sandy Spring Builders in 2008 with an authentic French Country theme. Six containers of antiques from Paris were built into the home at that time. When the house was sold, the new owners loved much about the house, but wanted a more contemporary interior. Already having a relationship with Sandy Spring and the design team, the new owner hired us all for this amazing transformation. The exterior facade remains mostly the same, especially the front. Once you enter the house, the major transformation begins. French beams and finishes were removed throughout, floors were raised, rooms were reconfigured. The rear glass was modernized – all creating a crisper, sleeker, more modernstyle home. Perfect for displaying the clients beautiful art collection and a wonderful setting to entertain large groups of people. The end result in not only functional, it is magnificent. BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM | MAY/JUNE 2019

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301-FOXHALL [301-369-4255] | www.foxhallhomes.com

BIO

FOXHALL HOMES Foxhall Homes, with over 50 years of homebuilding expertise, has been recognized for consecutive years as among the best by the Montgomery County Chapter of Custom Builders (MBIA). Known for exceptional quality of design and craftsmanship, Foxhall Homes prides itself on its keen attention to detail and boutique-style customer service.

The challenge of this project was to design a spectacular Craftsman-style home with highly sought-after features on a tight lot in the superbly located and very walkable neighborhood of Glenbrook Village in Bethesda. In collaboration with distinguished architect Claude C. Lapp, we created an outstanding openconcept plan that boasts 4 finished levels consisting of 6 bedrooms, 6.5 baths, spacious chef’s eat-in kitchen, luxurious owner’s suite with 2 walk-in closets, 2nd floor laundry room, ambient sound system, mudroom with built-in cubbies, two-car garage and many energy saving efficiencies throughout. On the lower level, one finds the home’s 2nd fireplace, a fitness room and built-in wet bar. One of the hallmarks of the architect’s design is the unique diamond-shaped coffered ceiling in the family room. This home is finished with exquisite details that can be found in the inset cabinetry, millwork, field-finished floors, as well as upscale hardware, lighting and bath fixtures throughout. 246

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GTM ARCHITECTS 240-333-2000 | www.gtmarchitects.com

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 wealth of experience, and a wide array of skill-sets, developed and fine-tuned over our 30 years in practice.

BIO

7735 Old Georgetown Road, Suite 700, Bethesda, MD 20814

PHOTOS BY MICHAEL BENNETT KRESS

THE PROJECT: This eclectic blend of traditional architectural form and proportion has been interpreted as Transitional style. The four-square centerhall front arrangement has a certain contemporary flair with its low slung, deep eaves and hip roof form. The achromatic field of white lap siding and bronze finished accoutrements, such as windows, gutters and downspouts, enhance the transitional façade without unnecessary decoration. Behind the front façade is a gracefully contemporary interior design. Progressing from the front entry foyer—past the sculptural open staircase to the open-concept Kitchen, Family Room and Breakfast area—views to the rear yard are ever-present with an abundance of natural light. The ground floor features a Master Suite of rooms, well-appointed with custom features including the cove-lit master bath and curb-less shower with concealed shelving. The rear yard serves as an ideal venue for outdoor entertaining. Swimming pool, spa, outdoor kitchen, fire-pit seating areas, covered porches and an outdoor double-sided fireplace complete the outdoor package. BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM | MAY/JUNE 2019

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9162 Brookville Road, Silver Spring, MD 20910 301-565-4600 | www.gilday.com

BIO

GILDAY RENOVATIONS With over 40 years of experience, Gilday Renovations provides its clients with a highly collaborative designbuild process that seamlessly blends the expertise of its award-winning integrated team of architectural designers, interior designers and master builders, led by principals Kevin Gilday and Tom Gilday.

This kitchen renovation preserved the architectural integrity of the space while advancing it to todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s design standards. It was originally designed by noted architect Winthrop Faulkner who introduced modernism to Cleveland Park. Although under-stated and elegant, Faulknerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mid-century style kitchen did not meet the current needs for a family of five. The renovation maintained the integrity of the open floor plan, improved functionality in the kitchen work space and streamlined the visual profile. Our designers specified minimalist, flat-paneled cabinetry, a long, sleek island with a primary sink and a secondary sink on the window counter. Updated appliances include professional-grade wall oven, steam oven and cooktop. The existing floors were darkened to contrast the white and bright color scheme. The result is a crisp clean-lined visual statement that softens the friction between nature and architecture in a high-performance family kitchen that embraces natural light and garden views throughout the seasons. 248

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7550 Wisconsin Ave., Suite 120, Bethesda, MD 20814 301-657-5000 | www.carnemark.com

BIO

CARNEMARK DESIGN + BUILD From condo conversions to whole-house remodels, CARNEMARK design + build creates solutions that flow— meeting the practical needs of contemporary life. Using a client-responsive and eco-sensitive process, abstract ideas turn into clean, sensible designs built with careful craftsmanship. For more than 30 years, Washington-area clients have enjoyed the award-winning combination of function and beauty we’ve helped bring home.

PHOTOS BY ANICE HOACHLANDER

THE PROJECT: The owners of this four-bedroom condo in one of D.C.’s most famous complexes couldn’t pass on the chance to move up. Never mind that CARNEMARK had just completed their first renovation—a smaller unit on a lower floor. The fourth-floor views clinched the deal. Like most condos, the landmark building came with its share of challenges, including obtrusive structural columns, surprise ductwork and curved exterior walls. So the careful work soon began to transform the outdated, choppy floor plan into a minimalist living space with maximized views. Bedrooms and bathrooms became both streamlined and accessible. In the kitchen, a simple palette of walnut and white cabinetry conceals appliances while providing ample storage. The peninsula extends into an open dining and living area, where the same luxury vinyl flooring contrasts against white walls. A rectangular punch made in the void of a bulky column becomes clever display space that also helps the owners keep their eyes on their panoramic prize. BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM | MAY/JUNE 2019

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8750 Brookville Road, Silver Spring, MD 20910 301-588-4747 | www.chasebuilders.com

BIO

CHASE BUILDERS 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.

Recently completed in early spring of 2019, this stunning new 6 bedroom/5.5 bath home in Chevy Chase has many quality and luxury features including a grand open floor plan, exposed wood beams, four levels and much more! Every house we build is unique in its tile work, exceptional trim detail, and finishes including designer lighting, premium countertops and crisp paint colors. This spec home features a gorgeous Robert Abbey dining room chandelier, top of the line stainless Thermador appliances and Brookhaven cabinetry by Wood-Mode. Built with the homeowner in mind, our goal with every project is to create an inviting, spectacular home where friends and family can gather for many years to come.

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11611 Old Georgetown Road, 2nd Floor, Rockville, MD 20852 301-231-0009, ext. 302 | MidAtlanticCustomHomes.com

BIO

MID-ATLANTIC CUSTOM BUILDERS Mid-Atlantic Custom Builders brings 40 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 service, quality and value.

COURTESY PHOTOS

THE PROJECT: With 7 bedrooms and stunning, open spaces throughout, this breathtaking design in Bethesda’s Woodhaven neighborhood is a shining example of the luxurious, personalized homes that Mid-Atlantic Custom Builders creates. The vast main level features an open kitchen, breakfast nook and living area, as well as a formal dining room, a study and a guest suite. The spacious, second-floor owner’s suite is enhanced by a signature spa bath. The lower level features two additional bedrooms, a bonus room and a recreation room for even more family time. In addition to its beauty, this High-Performance Home maximizes comfort, savings and value with Mid-Atlantic Custom Builders’ Energy$martSM program, providing lower energy costs and higher efficiency through advanced technology and construction techniques.

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fitness. wellness. medicine.

PHOTO BY DEB LINDSEY

health

Peter Francis, right, started RenewMe Fitness to help clients ages 50 and older be able to function better. For more, turn the page.

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health | BE WELL

OLDER AND STRONGER A personal trainer helps clients—including some in their 90s—reach their full potential BY KATHLEEN SEILER NEARY | PHOTO BY DEB LINDSEY

AFTER A WOMAN IN her 60s had surgery to remove a cyst next to her spinal cord that had paralyzed her from the neck down, she progressed from a wheelchair to walking with two canes with the help of physical therapy. When she was discharged from PT, she wasn’t at the level of function she needed to be. “Her job required her to travel all over the world and give talks, and she couldn’t get on and off the plane, put the luggage up, walk up stairs with a suitcase,” says Peter Francis, owner of RenewMe Fitness, a Montgomery County business that provides in-home personal training for people 50 and older. He worked with the woman on improving her gait and balance, sometimes loading a suitcase with 40 pounds of weights so she could practice carrying it on stairs. More than a year and a half after surgery, the woman was going on long jogs. Francis says many of his clients are deemed “functional” by a physical therapist when they really aren’t, partly because of limited insurance coverage. He and his staff of nine trainers help clients move around their homes better and practice techniques for tasks such as filling a dog bowl or carrying groceries. Francis, 28, who lives in North Bethesda, thought he wanted a career as a physical therapist working with highlevel athletes. He’d played lacrosse and football at Rockville High School, and club lacrosse at Salisbury University in Maryland, and had gone through a few rounds of PT after injuries. While

majoring in exercise science in college, Francis showed up on the first day of an internship and his client was a woman in her 80s. What am I supposed to do with her? he thought. She can’t do anything. He coached her on some exercises and she fixed her form. As he worked with a mix of people, he felt he was having a bigger impact on older patients than on athletes. After college, Francis worked as a PT aide and decided he wanted to do more to help patients reach their full potential. So he got certified by the National Strength and Conditioning Association and the Functional Aging Institute and started RenewMe Fitness in 2016. “We see stroke, Parkinson’s, MS, joint replacements, 90-plus-year-olds—our oldest is 103,” he says. RenewMe also offers training for small groups in rented space at 202 Strong in Rockville. Francis’ own parents signed up, and the workouts have made it easier for his mother to garden and play on the ground with his 19-month-old son. When Francis was in third grade, his grandfather, who had Parkinson’s disease, died of pneumonia. “I see these elderly clients, especially with Parkinson’s, and I imagine them as my grandparents,” he says. “All of a sudden they’ve got this debilitating disease that is decreasing their function and decreasing their quality of life, and I just want to do everything I can to improve their quality of life so they can enjoy their families and the things that they love doing.” n

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IN HIS OWN WORDS... FUN AND GAMES “We sometimes dance with people because that’s side-toside moving, it’s forward moving and backwards moving, and changing direction—and we can mask it by dancing, but it’s really good exercise for them in a really structured way. We play games, like passing or tapping a balloon. We can be walking down the hallway behind them and then they have to turn and take a ball from the right, pass it to us on the left—they’re still walking, but their eyes are moving and not really fixed on one thing.”

IN REAL LIFE “A physical therapy clinic is a very safe setting—clear floors, single-level things, the steps are clean and have little grippies, and there’s a very sturdy railing on both sides that [clients] can hold onto. Whereas in a client’s home, there might be carpeting, the stairs might be a little higher or shorter, a little less deep, or their stairs may curve. A lot of people have clutter all over their homes. We can see their home, and train and condition their bodies to tolerate their home, their driveway, their garage.”

Peter Francis, owner of RenewMe Fitness, works with people ages 50 and older in their homes, including this 86-year-old client.

NEVER TOO OLD “We’ve gotten three clients [out] of hospice. It’s pretty amazing the benefits of exercise, no matter how old you are. There’s not enough personal trainers out there that want to train this less functioning or less able population. No one wants to look at Instagram pictures of an 85-year-old woman. They don’t care that you can pick up a 10-pound ball off the ground and walk across the room and put it back down. We’re trying to let people know that we shouldn’t forget about this population, and we shouldn’t write them off because they’re in a walker and a wheelchair.”

WALKING ISN’T ENOUGH

GAINING STRENGTH “Over the span of nine months, [one of our trainers helped] put 15 pounds of muscle on a 94-year-old woman with dementia who could barely walk down the hall with a walker. Now [she is] able to walk across the cobblestone walkways that are around her whole building, without any assistive devices. The family was like, ‘This is amazing.’ ”

“People say, ‘Oh, I exercise, I walk every day.’ That is not going to help you get up and down off the chair, in or out of bed, or in or out of a car. By doing compound movements with resistance—moving more than one joint at the same time—you can improve function. If you’re sitting and doing a knee extension, you’re only moving one joint, but if you’re to hold a weight and squat down, your ankle joint is moving, your knee joint is moving, your hip joint is moving. You have to stabilize your core, you have to use your glutes, your hamstrings, your quads, your balance in your feet.”

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health

The Art of

Giving Five years ago, John Myers went to the doctor thinking he had the flu and found out that his kidneys had failed. The Rockville grandpa never imagined that an acquaintance would save his life. BY MIKE UNGER PHOTOS BY LAURA CHASE DE FORMIGNY

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Michael at the opening of the current show at Adventure Theatre

John Myers at the Amazing Art Studio in Gaithersburg

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A GREEN RUBBER “DONATE LIFE” bracelet rests on John Myers’ left wrist, just below the bulging section of his forearm where needles used to pierce him during dialysis. Protruding from under his skin, the bulge is an arteriovenous fistula, a surgically fused artery and vein placed there to allow a sufficient flow of blood to and from the dialysis machine. He’ll have the fistula for the rest of his 258

life, a constant reminder of how perilously close he came to dying. When Myers began doing dialysis at home about six months after his kidneys failed suddenly and inexplicably, it sometimes took him a half hour to properly insert a needle into his “super vein,” as he calls it. If it hurt too much, he knew he wasn’t doing it right. He’d do two days of dialysis, then take a day off. Sitting on

MAY/JUNE 2019 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

the couch in the Rockville house where he and his wife, Julya, raised their three children, he’d nap or watch movies for three hours while a machine performed the blood-cleansing function his kidneys no longer could. Unless he received a transplant, this would be his lifelong sentence. Without a new kidney, he relied on dialysis to live. “Why this happened to me is some-

Julya opened the Amazing Art Studio in Gaithersburg just a few months before John’s kidneys failed suddenly in 2014. Married for 28 years, the Rockville couple works together at the studio.

thing I can’t answer,” Myers, 58, says one evening this February while sitting at a table at Gaithersburg’s Amazing Art Studio, which Julya owns. He’s speaking both of his mysterious illness and its spirit-lifting, albeit slowto-unfold, postscript. His story, which is really their story, is a testament to both the wonders of modern medicine and the power of community. John isn’t an

artist, but he’s worked with Julya since she got into the business in 2000 (she had a Rockville location before opening the studio in Downtown Crown), so he’s a member of a tight-knit group of studio owners and suppliers that rallied around the couple when he got sick. “I’ve always been one to go out of my way to help people,” John says. “I can change a tire, I can help you move, but a kidney…” “How do you say thank you?” Julya interjects. She often finishes his sentences or dishes out a good-natured dig while he’s talking. More than three years after Myers received the gift that restored a normal life, the two are still a bit shocked by how it all happened. The woman who offered to donate one of her kidneys was only an acquaintance. Sometimes John struggles to find the right words to describe his emotions, a problem his wife doesn’t seem to have. “If you ever wondered if people cared about you or loved you, we don’t have that question anymore,” she says. “Yeah, they cared.”

MYERS WASN’T FEELING GREAT when he took his year-old granddaughter trick-or-treating on Halloween in 2014, but he didn’t think it was anything serious. He’d vomited, but he didn’t have a fever and he wasn’t achy. Three days later, when he couldn’t shake what he and Julya thought was just a nasty bug, she encouraged him—strongly—to get checked out. His doctor was able to squeeze him in right before closing at 4:30. She ran some blood tests and prescribed anti-nausea medication. The next morning, Julya was driving John to the Gaithersburg studio, which she’d opened just a few months earlier, when he received a call from the physician. “You need to go to the hospital, they’re

going to check you in. Your kidneys are failing,” he remembers her telling him. For a healthy guy whose only previous medical scare occurred when he had his appendix removed as a child, the call was unnerving. Still, Myers was determined not to jump to any dire conclusions. He insisted on stopping by the studio to unload a kiln before going to Shady Grove Medical Center in Rockville. When he got to the hospital, he quickly learned how bad things were. “They said, ‘Your kidneys aren’t failing—they’ve failed,’ ” Julya recalls. “If we would have waited another 24 hours, my whole life story would have been different because he wouldn’t have been here. We were that close to him not surviving. So we were thankful, not crushed.” Doctors couldn’t pinpoint the cause of John’s kidney disease—he’d been given a clean bill of health at a checkup the previous year—though they theorized it might have stemmed from a virus. They feared he could fall into a coma at any time, so they inserted a port into his jugular and began dialysis that night at the hospital. “The vascular surgeon was playing ‘Hotel California,’ ” he recalls. “I said, ‘Dude, you’re ruining this song for me for the rest of my life.’ ” Myers remained hospitalized for 10 days, during which he was in a “fog.” When he finally was released, his life— and Julya’s—were drastically different. The next morning, he went to a DaVita dialysis center in Rockville, near the hospital. “The first day you look around and say, ‘Wow, these are my peeps now,’ ” he says. “Then when you walk out, you think, ‘I don’t know how people do this.’ ” The kidneys’ main function is to remove waste and excess fluid from the body, a process replicated by hemodialysis, during which a patient’s blood is extracted, cleaned by a machine, and then returned to the body. It’s an

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exhausting but largely pain-free procedure that required Myers to go to the center three times a week for four-hour sessions. He sat in a recliner while he watched TV or read a book, but the treatment proved so draining that keeping his focus was difficult. He’d often nod off. A tech would check on him every 15 minutes. According to the National Kidney Foundation, the average life expectancy

they met at a Montgomery County bowling alley three decades ago, the two have been virtually inseparable. They’ve been married for 28 years. Myers worked in the restaurant industry and the newspaper distribution business, but after Julya started her business he became a mainstay in it. He’s always helping out, whether he’s glazing and firing the pottery or answering customers’ questions about the paintings, mosaics or stone-

“I’ve always been one to go out of my way to help people,” John Myers says. “I can change a tire, I can help you move, but a kidney...” for a person on dialysis is five to 10 years, although many people can live 20 to 30 years. Even after Myers got his fistula and started doing dialysis at home, a more convenient option, his was hardly an enviable existence. “Poor John Myers, I feel so bad for him. Yet another infection in one of his access points,” Julya posted on Facebook about a month after they started home dialysis. “Back to the dialysis center again last Tuesday & Wednesday - then on Thursday - eight tries with sharps in 3 different locations before he can have dialysis. His arm looks like a pin cushion - one of the few times I've ever heard him complain.” “After [dialysis], you’re just wasted,” says Myers, who was usually too tired to go to the studio with his wife. Ever since 260

ware projects they’re creating. With much of Julya’s time spent caring for John, they had to cut back the hours at the Rockville art studio, which she eventually had to close in 2015. Their lives fell into a taxing routine. After working a full day at the studio, Julya would come home, start dinner (John was on a restrictive low-potassium, lowsodium diet), and help her husband with dialysis. Although he could stick himself, he needed someone to ensure that the machine was functioning properly. A transplant was his only ticket out. Myers’ name was added to the national transplant list in December 2014, joining more than 100,000 others at the time. Most were waiting for a kidney. Doctors estimated that it would take five or six

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years before a kidney from a deceased donor became available, and told Myers that his best shot was to find a living donor who would offer a kidney specifically to him. The human body harbors two kidneys but only needs one, making living donation possible. In 2018, there were 21,167 kidney transplants in the U.S., according to the United Network for Organ Sharing, the Richmond, Virginia-based nonprofit that manages the nation’s organ transplant system under contract with the federal government. Of those, 6,442 involved living donors. In Maryland, 440 kidney transplants were performed last year, 129 with living donors. Dr. Dorry Segev, director of the Epidemiology Research Group in Organ Transplantation at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, says kidneys from living donors are far preferable to those from deceased individuals. “We estimate a deceased donor kidney will last 10 to 20 years, while one from a living donor will last 20 to 40,” he says. “I would much rather have a living donor with [a] nonmatching blood type than a deceased donor with a matching blood type.” While it’s no longer necessary for a donor’s blood type to match a recipient’s, doctors prefer that it does. Julya’s blood type and human leukocyte antigen—essentially proteins on human cells that play a role in the regulation of the immune system—didn’t match her husband’s, so she was dubbed a donor of last resort. Because their father has kidney disease, John’s children are viewed as having a higher risk of developing it, so they weren’t tested. “I am not the kind of person to go out and say, ‘I need a kidney,’ ” Myers says. But his wife is.

FOR YEARS, JOHN AND Julya have been active members of the Contemporary Ceramic Studios Association (CCSA), an industry trade organization

she went, she called Julya. “We were just astounded,” Julya recalls. “The relief [of ] finding out that somebody was reaching the stage where transplant was a possibility was a big deal for both of us, because up until that point it was just a thought. I remember when I told John, he teared up. The thought that somebody would be willing to do that is so overwhelming you can’t even begin to relate to it. It’s like winning the lottery.”

PHOTO COURTESY

Myers and his donor, Marti Strehlow, after the surgery

for art studio owners all over the world. Julya has served on its board of directors, and they’re both regulars at its annual convention and other events. When John got sick, she shared their story with the couple’s network of CCSA friends. “John and Julya are kind of royalty in our business,” says Bonnie Karet, a former studio owner in Florida. “They’re just naturally very giving and helpful. John taught countless people how to load kilns and talked them through all kinds of issues.” Karet asked for donations to help the couple with increased labor costs at the studio due to John’s absence and the mounting medical bills, and she quickly raised $3,600. When Julya posted a long message on her Facebook page in January 2015 about kidney donation, several people contacted the Johns Hopkins Comprehensive Transplant Center in Baltimore, where John was being treated,

to inquire about donating. Marti Strehlow, 47, was one of them. A Wisconsin native, she and her husband, Mark, own two studios in the Badger State. They got to know John and Julya about a dozen years ago, but only saw them once or twice a year at CCSA events. The couples were more friendly acquaintances than anything. Still, something about Julya’s post touched Strehlow. She went for an initial blood test, and when her results came back compatible with Myers’, she told her family about her plan. “It wasn’t a big decision in my eyes,” Strehlow says. “I have a husband and kids, too, and if that happened to one of us, I’d want someone to step up, so I figured this was my chance.” Strehlow had to undergo more tests— physiological and psychological—to ensure that she was a viable donor, so in August 2015 she flew to Maryland for appointments at Johns Hopkins. Before

DOCTORS HAVE TWO MAJOR requirements for living donors: They can’t be at high risk for developing kidney disease, and they have to be healthy enough to withstand the surgery, a roughly threehour procedure during which one kidney is removed laparoscopically. A donor’s biggest risk is dying from complications caused by the surgery, but with three deaths in every 10,000 cases, according to Segev, the chances of that are extremely low. Because donors generally see a doctor once a year after the surgery and closely track their kidney function, “We suspect they actually become more healthy than if they had not donated,” he says. When Johns Hopkins informed Strehlow that she was a viable donor, she didn’t hesitate to give the green light. The transplant surgery was scheduled for February 2016, but it had to be delayed because Myers developed an infection. It was rescheduled for April 15, but as that date approached, Myers was retaining fluid, which was compressing one of his lungs and increasing his heart rate. His weight, once 190 pounds, had dropped to 155. “I really started going downhill as it came close to the transplant time,” he says. “If I hadn’t gotten [it], I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t be here.” Michael Harbridge works for Royal Brush, an art supply company headquartered in Indiana, and knows the

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health Myerses and Strehlows through CCSA. When he heard that his friend Marti was donating a kidney to his friend John, he cried—and wondered what he could do to help. A frequent traveler, he’s accumulated hundreds of thousands of airline miles, which he was thinking of cashing in to take his family to Paris. Instead, he bought round-trip flights for the Strehlows and one of Marti’s friends for the surgery. Strehlow flew in with her husband the weekend before the second scheduled surgery—her friend was going to fly in the following week—and the Myerses took them to the museums in downtown D.C. The resident of Wausau (population around 40,000) had never been to the Washington area. “I was more nervous about being out in D.C. than the actual kidney part,” she says. Steve Prichett owned Chesapeake

Ceramics in Baltimore at the time. He calls John “the sweetest, most caring person in the world.” “I had elementary school-age kids at the time, and they would raise money for Habitat for Humanity,” Prichett says. “I’d bring the box into the shop, and John always put in bills—not change,” he says. “My kids would be thrilled.” When he learned that the transplant date had been set, Prichett reserved an Airbnb for the Strehlows in Baltimore’s Mount Vernon neighborhood, near Johns Hopkins. The morning of the surgery, Myers had a persistent cough that concerned his doctors enough that they contemplated postponing again. But after determining it was “nothing a healthy kidney couldn’t clear up,” Myers recalls a doctor saying, the transplant started. After removing Strehlow’s kidney, doctors inserted the organ, roughly the

size of a fist, into Myers’ lower abdomen while leaving the nonfunctioning kidneys in place. (That’s standard procedure.) It was sewn to blood vessels that are easy for surgeons to access, and connected to his bladder. Myers awoke around 5 p.m. in the intensive care unit. His body held one healthy kidney—“my woman part,” he jokes—and he wasn’t coughing anymore. “I felt fantastic,” he says, his face lighting up. “Of course, there were a lot of drugs involved, too.” Strehlow’s initial post-surgery memory is not as pleasant. “We found out that I’m allergic to almost all pain meds,” she says. “Nobody knew that before. They don’t want you throwing up, so they give you anti-nausea stuff. Then they gave me more pain meds, so I was throwing up again. I’m only a Tylenol girl now.” The next morning, she managed to

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stop into Myers’ hospital room. His eyes welled and they hugged, as tightly as they could. “When we walked around D.C. with them, he was just gray. He didn’t have any color. He couldn’t walk far. He had no energy, you could tell he was ill,” Strehlow says. “After surgery, he had color. You don’t realize how sick somebody is until you see them looking better. It was truly instantaneous.” “I wanted to take the pain away for her, but I couldn’t,” Myers says. “Having somebody else’s kidney in me is no big deal, but the actual act of giving somebody a body part left me in awe of Marti.” After a week of recovery in Baltimore, Strehlow flew home. It took about two months until she felt 100 percent again. Aside from three small scars on her abdomen, she has no lasting effects from the procedure. “I’m healthier than I’ve ever been,” she says. According to Segev, more than 95 percent of people who receive a kidney from a living donor are expected to be doing well a year later. Myers’ transplant was three years ago. He will have to take anti-rejection medicines for the rest of his life, and he still gets a little more tired than he once did, but he’s as healthy and happy today as he was before he got sick. How do you repay someone who has made such a monumental sacrifice for you? The Myerses have heaped praise on Strehlow, who asks for none, both privately and publicly. But sometimes the simplest messages speak the loudest. Almost a year after the transplant, John and Julya’s oldest daughter, Marcia, got married. “It was a big, beautiful wedding,” Julya says. “John walked her down the aisle and cried a lot. When they were having their first dance, I snapped a picture of them and texted it to Marti.” Below the photo she typed, “Thank you for this moment.” ■

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Hard Habits to Break People who suffer from body-focused repetitive behaviors struggle for relief BY MICHAEL S. GERBER PHOTOS BY LISA HELFERT

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Ellen Crupi, pictured at home in Bethesda, suffers from a disorder defined by repeated hair pulling.

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ELLEN CRUPI CAN EASILY recall when she first pulled out a strand of her long dark hair in the same way some people might remember their first kiss or losing their first tooth. She was 12 years old and in gym class at her suburban Rhode Island middle school, waiting for teams to be chosen. She was not particularly popular or good at sports, so it wasn’t her favorite time of the school day. “I was probably just playing with my hair to calm myself down, and I pulled a piece out. I don’t know why,” says

of four decades of fearing that someone would discover her secret. Crupi was usually able to hide her habit by styling her hair so her bald spots weren’t noticeable. Even when she wasn’t actively pulling, she was thinking about whether someone would notice the bald spots. When she told one of her closest friends in college about pulling out her hair, the news ended the friendship. More than 30 years later, the memory of being called “disgusting” by her friend is so vivid that she remembers exactly where

DECADES AFTER LEARNING ABOUT the disorder, Crupi calls herself a “recovering trichster,” using the nickname adopted by people who are dealing with trichotillomania. Researchers estimate that as many as 3.6 percent of adults suffer from the disorder, and it is thought to be more common in women than men. Experts say that young children usually grow out of it, but preteens and teens who start pulling their hair often continue into adulthood. Like Crupi, most people with trichotillomania say

Pulling out her hair became a coping mechanism for Crupi, a way to tackle anxiety or even boredom, and nothing she was too concerned about at first. the 54-year-old Crupi, who lives in the Westgate neighborhood of Bethesda. “Ever since that moment, I was hooked. I just felt a zing.” Pulling out her hair became a coping mechanism for Crupi, a way to tackle anxiety or even boredom, and nothing she was too concerned about at first. It wasn’t until a few weeks later, when the hairdresser cutting Crupi’s hair discovered bald spots behind her ears and showed them to her mother, that she realized she might have a problem. With her mother and the hairdresser looking down at her, she quickly thought up an excuse. Her friend Anne put gum in her hair, she told them. “That’s when I learned there was something wrong with me,” she says. It was the beginning 266

she was (Armand’s Chicago Pizzeria in College Park) and what she was wearing (velvet pants and an “ugly” sweater). It wasn’t long after, in a psychology course she was taking at the University of Maryland, that Crupi learned about trichotillomania, a disorder defined by repeated hair pulling that results in significant hair loss. It was the first time she realized that her habit was actually a mental disorder and that there might be other people like her who were suffering from the same feelings of shame, anxiety and frustration. Despite the revelation, she felt she had learned her lesson about disclosing her condition when she opened up to her friend, so Crupi didn’t tell anyone other than her husband until a few years ago.

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they first pulled around age 12 or 13, according to experts. Trichotillomania falls under the broader category of body-focused repetitive behavior (BFRB) that also includes dermatillomania (skin picking), onychophagia (nail biting) and other similar disorders. A person doesn’t necessarily have one of these conditions just because they nervously chew their nails or pluck a hair. But when behaviors begin to interfere with daily life and cause distress, clinicians diagnose them as BFRBs. Although the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders lists trichotillomania under Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders, experts say there are distinct differences between OCD and BFRBs,

and that treatments and medications for OCD don’t work reliably for people with trichotillomania or related diagnoses. People who pull their hair or pick their skin to the point of causing physical or psychological harm also don’t necessarily have a deep-seated emotional problem or history of trauma. “None of those sort of…Freudian-type notions seem to hold up,” says Charles Mansueto, founder of the Behavior Therapy Center of Greater Washington in Silver Spring and one of the few experts on body-focused repetitive disorders. “It doesn’t seem to be associated with trauma or abuse, sexual or physical, and doesn’t seem any more likely to result from those kinds of other conditions. It seems to come much more seductively into the lives of people who are together, and sometimes people who aren’t so together.” Mansueto began researching trichotillomania more than three decades ago. Researchers at the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) in Bethesda were studying OCD and searching for subjects, and several people came forward wondering if their hair-pulling habit qualified them to participate. At the time, Mansueto was studying nonpharmacological treatments for OCD, and his colleagues at NIMH asked him to work with these research subjects as well. He presented the results of his research at a conference in San Francisco, where he met Christina Pearson, the founder of the Trichotillomania Learning Center, now known as The TLC Foundation for Body-Focused Repetitive Disorders. Pearson asked him to serve on the fledgling organization’s scientific advisory board, telling him, “We need scientists and doctors to work with us because we’re sufferers,” says Mansueto, who continues to serve on the board. While there are more researchers interested in studying BFRBs, the number remains small, TLC Executive

Director Jennifer Raikes says. The foundation recently raised more than $2.5 million to fund the BFRB Precision Medicine Initiative, a study involving more than 300 participants at four sites. Researchers hope to identify genetic and biological patterns that will help determine why some people respond to certain treatments better than others. “Not a lot of research money has gone into this field. That is why we have so many of these questions,” Raikes says. “We’ve been trying to change that.”

While supporting research has been a priority of TLC from the beginning, its core mission has always focused on the people who suffer from trichotillomania and similar disorders. With the growth of the organization and the power of the internet to connect people and raise awareness, those living with a BFRB now have access to more resources than Crupi was able to find decades ago while searching microfiche in her university’s library. “From the start, we knew the science was important, but really, so much of the

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suffering from these disorders is from shame and isolation,” Raikes says. “It’s never going to be fun to have missing hair and have scars all over the body… but by bringing people together there’s so much healing that can happen right now, regardless of where the field is in terms of treatment.”

MELISSA, A BETHESDA RESIDENT who asked that her real name not be used, knows very well the fear and embarrassment commonly felt by people suffering from trichotillomania. “I didn’t like being in pictures; I would tense up every time anyone said ‘eyebrows,’ ” she says. A couples therapist in her mid-20s, Melissa would like to be open about her continuing struggles with the disorder but worries that could damage her career. “Unfortunately, there is still a stigma around this,” she says. “It feels a lot easier for people to come forward and say, ‘I have anxiety.’ ” Like Crupi, Melissa began pulling out her hair during middle school, leaving bald spots on her scalp and eyebrows. She doesn’t recall any of her friends mentioning the missing hair, but she remembers being ashamed nonetheless. Her parents hoped visits with a psychiatrist would help her stop. “I was put on some medication—not quite sure what—that I hated, and I didn’t think it helped,” she says. Once she started high school, Melissa stopped pulling out her hair and thought she had put the behavior behind her. “I would occasionally pull, but honestly just thought of it as a bad habit,” she says. In graduate school, she began pulling again, which she attributes to stress and long hours of studying and reading. Experts say people with BFRBs, unlike those diagnosed with OCD, don’t feel compelled to do something they don’t want to do. Instead, they enjoy the physical sensation created by their behavior—the “zing” that Crupi described 268

feeling as a young girl. For some people, engaging in the behavior provides a way to soothe themselves when they’re stressed or tired—even though it ultimately results in negative feelings. “It interferes with my ability to get my assignments done,” explains Derek, a 20-year-old University of Maryland kinesiology major from Bethesda who asked that his real name not be used. He finds himself pulling hairs from his scalp while sitting at his desk in his dorm room or studying in the library. He says his mom remembers him pulling “a little bit” when he was a preschooler, but it wasn’t until high school that the habit became more obsessive. “I say to myself, ‘Stop doing that.’ And I get a little upset and angry,” he says. Derek is participating in a research study at American University in Washington, D.C., that is testing methods to help people with trichotillomania, including a therapy developed by Mansueto and his colleagues called comprehensive behavioral treatment, or ComB. The therapy focuses on recognizing and addressing the triggers that cause people to engage in BFRBs. For example, sufferers may find that they are more likely to pull, pick or bite at specific times—like when they are watching TV or sitting in a car—or when they are feeling particular emotions. Like Derek, Melissa noticed herself pulling more when she was anxious about taking an exam or writing a paper for school. Crupi says boredom or exhaustion are her triggers—she eventually recognized that the plucking would get worse while she was watching TV or reading at night. Before making those connections, though, Crupi tried all sorts of treatments. When she told her husband about her disorder, he suggested that she should see a psychiatrist. The doctor prescribed Prozac, which didn’t help curb the hair pulling, Crupi says. She tried other methods, like wearing Band-Aids on her

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fingers—the sensation of the Band-Aids on her scalp was supposed to serve as a reminder not to pull—or holding a pencil to keep her hand occupied. Those failed when her young daughters, now teenagers, would ask if she had hurt herself, or why she needed to hold a pencil while driving. Hypnosis and acupuncture didn’t help, either. While she never pulled out so much hair that she had to wear a wig or use makeup to draw on her eyebrows, as some people with trichotillomania do, her behavior exacted a heavy emotional toll. “I always had this feeling that I’m not good enough. Part of that was because I couldn’t control the hair pulling, and that led to thinking I’m not good enough at other things,” Crupi says. About 10 years ago she discovered the Behavior Therapy Center of Greater Washington through the TLC website. She signed up for group therapy, joining about eight other people with BFRBs. In addition to providing the support of peers, the group therapy sessions introduced her to ComB, the method developed by Mansueto and his colleagues. It was the first time she felt good about a treatment plan, and the first time she found one that she felt worked. “It was the best thing ever,” Crupi says. But because she still lacked the complete awareness of what triggered her to pull and no longer had a group of peers to encourage her, she relapsed soon after the group sessions ended. She tried to find another group to join, but at the time the center didn’t have enough people interested in participating to offer the therapy again. Crupi continued to pull out her hair, having become more adept at hiding the behavior from her children by pulling from all over her scalp to avoid creating noticeable bald spots. She didn’t tell her daughters about her disorder, forbidding her husband from doing so when he suggested it. She surreptitiously dropped hair

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behind the bed when she pulled at night, making sure she was the one to clean up the bedroom so her family wouldn’t notice. When someone commented on her habit of playing with her hair or chewing on a strand—something she often did after pulling one from her scalp—she would immediately withdraw and assume she was being judged, even if the person was making an innocent observation. Mansueto says others often underestimate the shame and isolation felt by people with body-focused repetitive behaviors. Most people pull a hair, bite a nail or pick at dry skin every so often, without experiencing any of the negative emotions described by people with BFRBs. “It’s such a human thing; we’re all nibblers and biters and scratchers and pullers,” Mansueto explains. “When I’m watching a football game that I really care about, I need popcorn there or I’ll start nibbling on my cuticles.” But the difference between his nailbiting and what his patients go through can be stark, he says. BFRBs can stress or end relationships and careers. “It’s really much more tragic than it seems, because people’s lives have been altered,” he says. “It seems like just another thing like nailbiting, but this really ruins lives.”

NEARLY FOUR DECADES AFTER the first time she pulled out a strand of hair, Crupi was still searching for ways to stop when she read about Keen, a bracelet and smartphone app designed to help people with BFRBs. Created by a Minnesota woman with trichotillomania and her husband, Keen works by recognizing the arm motions associated with the behavior and vibrating to alert the user. In some ways, the smart bracelet is similar to less technological methods such as wearing Band-Aids because it doesn’t stop someone from pulling out a hair or chewing on a cuticle; it simply makes users aware of the behavior. The app tracks each time the bracelet is activated, letting users measure their progress at

curbing their behavior. Crupi started using Keen in 2017 and immediately began recognizing the triggers, such as boredom or exhaustion, that she says lead to her pulling. “I started to notice what was going on and I started to notice what I was feeling,” she says. Keen is among a number of available technologies claiming to help people with BFRBs, including Slightly Robot, a bracelet that works in a similar way as Keen, and apps such as TrichStop or SkinPick. Mansueto is quick to point out that no single treatment seems to work for everyone. Products like Keen are only part of the solution, he says. “[People] see a device and they think it’s going to be a magic device,” he says. While increasing awareness of behaviors and measuring progress can be important, there are other pieces of the puzzle that need to be addressed, he says. How well Keen works may be better known soon; in 2018, NIMH awarded a $300,000 Small Business Innovation Research grant to its creators, who are partnering with a leading trichotillomania researcher at Marquette University in Wisconsin to study the device’s effectiveness. Crupi typically wears a bracelet on just one arm. She says she is nearly 100 percent “pull-free” and has opened up to her daughters and her friends about her disorder. She now works as the director of business development and awareness for HabitAware, the Minneapolis-based company that sells Keen. She also has become more confident and passionate about sharing her story and helping to reduce the stigma associated with bodyfocused repetitive behaviors. “Before, I would hide. I would never want anyone to know what my disorder is because I was embarrassed,” she says. “Now I’m loud and proud.” n Michael S. Gerber is a writer and consultant in Washington, D.C. BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM | MAY/JUNE 2019

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CALENDAR COMPILED BY JENNIFER BEEKMAN opening ceremony; 8:30 a.m. 6K; 9:30 a.m. 1K/toddler sprint; 10 a.m. closing ceremony. $20-$45. Westfield Montgomery mall, Bethesda. defeatdipg.org.

May 27 FALLEN SOLDIERS MEMORIAL 5K, 10K & HALF. This scenic course travels alongside the Potomac River. Held in partnership with the Wounded Warriors in Action Foundation. 8 a.m. half-marathon; 8:30 a.m. 10K; 9 a.m. 5K. $25-$65 (race registration does not include park entrance fee). Great Falls Park, Potomac. bishopseventregistrations.com.

May 27

RUNNING/WALKING May 4 HOPE FOR HENRY 5K TO MAKE A KID’S DAY. Benefits the Hope for Henry Foundation, striving to incorporate fun into the lives of seriously ill children and their families through innovative programming. 7 a.m. See website for fees. Walt Whitman High School, Bethesda. hopeforhenry.org.

May 4 LA MILLA DE MAYO (THE MAY MILE). The event includes a 1-mile run/walk, and quarter- and half-mile fun runs for children. Free Cinco de Mayo festivities will follow. The event is put on by the City of Gaithersburg and the Montgomery County Road Runners Club, and proceeds go toward the Dolores C. Swoyer Camp Scholarship Fund. 5:307:30 p.m. Check website for event schedule and fees. Olde Towne, Gaithersburg. gaithersburgmd.gov.

May 5 RESCUE 1 RUN 8K AND FAMILY FUN WALK. Hosted by and benefiting the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Rescue Squad. After April 28, online registration will be closed and participants can sign up on race day in person. 8 a.m. 8K (fun walk to follow). $50 8K; $25 fun walk

ages 13 and older; $13 fun walk ages 12 and younger. Bethesda-Chevy Chase Rescue Squad, Bethesda. rescue1run.com.

May 11 WOOD ACRES JOGFEST. The Wood Acres Elementary School PTA fundraiser features a 5K through the Wood Acres and Springfield neighborhoods with 1-mile, half- and quartermile fun runs to follow. 8 a.m. 5K; 8:30 a.m. fun runs. See website for fees. Wood Acres Park, Bethesda. woodacrespta.org.

May 12 RUN AWARE. A challenge for all your senses as you traverse the hills and streams of Cabin John Regional Park on this true crosscountry run. 8 a.m. 5K; 8:05 a.m. Junior Participation 1K (Montgomery County Road Runners Club members younger than 18). $10 ages 18 and older; $5 younger than 18; free for MCRRC members. Cabin John Regional Park, Bethesda. mcrrc.org.

May 26 DEFEAT DIPG SUPERHERO SPRINT & 6K. Proceeds of the event—which includes a 6K walk/run, 1K walk/run, toddler sprint and Superhero Central race village with games and entertainment—benefit the Michael Mosier Defeat DIPG Foundation and the fight against childhood brain tumors. 8 a.m.

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MEMORIAL 4 MILE. Includes a 4-mile race that is part of the Montgomery County Road Runners Club’s low-key race series, and a 1-mile fun run for younger participants (a MCRRC youth running series event). Sameday registration only. 8 a.m. 4-mile; 8:05 a.m. 1-mile. $10 for ages 18 and older; $5 younger than 18; free for MCRRC members. Rock Creek Valley Elementary School, Rockville. mcrrc.org.

June 1 COLLEEN’S BA 5K AND 1-MILE FUN RUN/ WALK. Commemorating the life of Walter Johnson graduate Colleen Mitchel, who was born with liver disease (biliary atresia) and died in 2013 at age 19 while awaiting her third liver transplant. Proceeds benefit the Colleen Mitchel Memorial Fund and research at the Johns Hopkins Pediatric Liver Center. 9 a.m. $25-$40; $20 active military and students ages 5-22; $60 for families of three or more. Start/finish line is at the corner of Connecticut Avenue and Beach Drive, Kensington. colleensba5k.org.

June 9 DASH THROUGH THE DIRT 5K, 10K & HALF. Benefiting the EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) Warrior Foundation, a nonprofit offering support to the EOD community through a variety of services. 7:30 a.m. halfmarathon; 7:45 a.m. 10K; 8 a.m. 5K. $25$65. Carderock Recreation Area, Potomac. bishopseventregistrations.com.

June 15 RUN FOR ROSES. The women-only 5K race is part of the Maryland Road Runners Club

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of America’s 30th Annual Women’s Distance Festival Grand Prix Series. All finishers receive long-stem roses and certificates. See website for more information about team participation. 7:45 a.m. quarter- and half-mile for boys and girls ages 12 and younger; 8 a.m. 5K. See website for fees. Wheaton Regional Park, Wheaton. mcrrcrunforroses.org.

JUNE 22 SUDS & SOLES 5K. Proceeds help the Rockville Recreation and Parks Foundation and the Montgomery County Road Runners Club’s youth and beginning running programs. The course takes runners through Rockville Town Square; post-race festivities to follow. 7:30 p.m. $50; $55 on race day; $25-$35 ages 10-20; $15-$25 younger than 10; $10 KidZone ages 5-9; $5 KidZone ages 4 and younger. Courthouse Square, Rockville Town Center, Rockville. mcrrcsudsandsoles.org.

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May 7-June 18 FREEDOM FROM SMOKING. Participants in this eight-session program presented by Suburban Hospital will be guided through a step-by-step plan to quit smoking. 6-7:30 p.m. Tuesdays (and Thursday, May 30). Free; registration required. Johns Hopkins Health Care and Surgery Center, Bethesda. 301-8963939, events.suburbanhospital.org.

May 8 REMEMBERING MOM AND DAD. A workshop for adults grieving the loss of a parent or parents. 7-8:30 p.m. Free; registration required. Montgomery Hospice, Rockville. 301-921-4400, montgomeryhospice.org.

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Dental School: University of Maryland, Baltimore College of Dental Surgery Expertise: At our office we love what we do. We believe dentistry should be painless, functional and esthetic. We are committed to exceptional personalized care and use the latest technology to help you achieve a healthy beautiful smile.

GENERAL DENTISTRY, COSMETIC DENTISTRY

DR. JOHN J. HIGGINS John J. Higgins, DDS PA 5648 Shields Drive Bethesda, MD 20817 301-530-8008 www.johnjhigginsdds.com

May 8 and June 12 DIABETES SUPPORT AND CONTINUING EDUCATION. Get tips on how to navigate life with diabetes and meet others who understand the challenges. Suburban Hospital WellWorks program. Healthy refreshments are served. 6:30-8:30 p.m. Free; registration required. Suburban

Dental School: Georgetown University Expertise: Provide patients with excellent care and health education in a contemporary and comfortable atmosphere

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health Hospital, Bethesda. 301-896-3939, events. suburbanhospital.org.

May 16 WIDOWED PERSONS SOCIAL CLUB. Meet and socialize with others who have lost their life partner. 3-4:30 p.m. Free; registration required. Oasis at Macy’s Home store, on the second floor, Westfield Montgomery mall, Bethesda. 301-469-4976, or email washingtonmetro@oasisnet.org.

May 22 A BABY? MAYBE? Holy Cross Hospital’s preconception health planning program offers advice on how to prepare for a healthy pregnancy, nutrition, exercise and lifestyle changes and budgeting for a baby. 7-9 p.m. Free. Holy Cross Health Conference Center, Silver Spring. holycrosshealth.org/communityhealth-special-events.

May 29-June 26 YOGA FOR CANCER SURVIVORS. Open to cancer survivors and their caregivers, to help build strength, flexibility and balance while restoring your body and spirit. No prior experience necessary. 6:30-7:45 p.m. Wednesdays. $40 (scholarships available);

registration required. Johns Hopkins Health Care and Surgery Center, Bethesda. 301-8963939, events.suburbanhospital.org.

June 13 16TH ANNUAL MEN’S HEALTH SYMPOSIUM. Health experts from Suburban Hospital and Johns Hopkins Medicine discuss and answer questions about prostate health. 6-6:30 p.m. registration and refreshments; 6:30-8 p.m. symposium. Free; registration required. Kenwood Golf and Country Club, Bethesda. 301-896-3939, events.suburbanhospital.org.

June 14 SURVIVORSHIP WORKSHOP: INTRODUCTION TO YOGA AND MEDITATION. Participants will learn various types of breathing and meditation exercises. Open to all cancer survivors. 10 a.m.-noon. Free; registration required. Shady Grove Adventist Aquilino Cancer Center, Rockville. 240-826-2010, adventisthealthcare.com.

Ongoing KNOW YOUR NUMBERS. Meet with a Suburban Hospital HeartWell nurse for free guidance on heart health. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesdays at Benjamin Gaither Center,

Gaithersburg. 9 a.m.-noon Wednesdays at Holiday Park Senior Center, Wheaton; 10 a.m.-noon Wednesdays at Margaret Schweinhaut Senior Center, Silver Spring. Free. 301-896-3939, events. suburbanhospital.org.

SUPPORT GROUPS

Support groups are free unless otherwise noted.

May 5, 19 and June 2, 16 POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION SUPPORT GROUP . Facilitated by a Postpartum Support International trained listener. 6-7:30 p.m. Free. Holy Cross Resource Center, Silver Spring. 240-432-4497, holycrosshealth.org.

May 15 EPILEPSY SUPPORT GROUP . For people of all ages with epilepsy (family and friends also welcome). The day’s discussions will focus on epilepsy’s effects on memory. 6-7:30 p.m. Free; registration required. Holy Cross Health Conference Center, Silver Spring. 301-7548800, holycrosshealth.org. n To submit calendar items, go to BethesdaMagazine.com.

TWINS. TWO MORE REASONS WHY WE SHOULD SUPPORT JOEY, A HERO WOUNDED IN SERVICE TO OUR COUNTRY. Will you help thank those who have answered the call?

THEY GAVE 100% so WE GIVE 100% combatsoldiersrecoveryfund.org 274 MAY/JUNE 2019 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

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BE PART OF THE JOURNEY: SHADYGROVE.UMD.EDU 9 Universities. 1 Campus. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the Power of 9.

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Family & Nursing Care's Caregiver Services

Neal Kursban CEO, FAMILY & NURSING CARE

What factors should adult children consider when looking for help for their aging parent? Seventy-five percent of those who call us need help within 48 hours, which indicates they are facing some kind of crisis with their aging parent. Adult children, most of whom have busy, full lives themselves, need support not only for the physical demands of their parent, but also for the emotional side of dealing with an aging parent. We pride ourselves on our unique Client Services Manager (CSM) model. The CSM assigned to each case acts as the primary point of contact for all home care needs, both practical and emotional. Whether you need to make sure health care professionals are kept informed of your loved oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s status changes or you just need an understanding voice at the end of a long day, our Client Services Managers are there for you. 276

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1010 Wayne Ave. Suite 1100 Silver Spring, MD 20910 301-588-8200 www.familynursingcare.com

TONY J. LEWIS

What do your clients appreciate most about you? How do you know? We survey our clients annually, and we are humbled that 97 percent reported that they would recommend us to a friend or family member. We believe that we owe these high marks to our caring and compassionate staff, all of whom are expertly trained in helping families navigate their crises. In addition, 94 percent of clients relayed that their caregiver was a good match for their needs. Annually, only the top four percent of caregivers who apply pass our rigorous screening process. Because of this, we have 1,300+ best-of-the-best caregivers with diverse skills and training to make the right match.

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Brandon Williams EXECUTIVE CHEF, FIVE STAR PREMIER RESIDENCES

ERICK GIBSON

How do you keep 300 people with varied tastes happy in an independent living community like Five Star? When trying to keep 300 people happy I just think “WWGD?” or what would grandma do? My grandma always said to keep it simple and remember that good food comes from the soul. If you care about what you’re doing, whether it’s meatloaf or Lobster Newberg, people will enjoy what you’re serving. At Five Star, the flexible dining program allows residents to eat breakfast, lunch and dinner on their own schedule. Meals are served restaurant style and the menu offers multiple entrees each day. That means if you’re in the mood for Chilean sea bass, spaghetti and meatballs, a chicken Caesar salad or a Reuben Panini, you have choices. A Dining Services Committee meets monthly. It is comprised of residents who propose new ideas for menu additions or other suggestions. Customizing dishes is one way to increase satisfaction. We offer low sodium, sugar free, dairy free and gluten free options. As the dining staff gets to know each resident, they can offer suggestions. One thing that never changes are the crab cakes; they are one of my specialties. What influences have resulted in the creativity you need for this position? If any of us ate at the same restaurant every night, no matter how great, we would get tired of the food. That’s why keeping things fresh and different is important for our residents. My background gave me a solid start and great creativity. After graduating from Stratford University's culinary program, I worked with Jose Andres at Jaleo in Bethesda and went on to serve as executive chef at a catering company. That led me to Five Star Premier Residences of Chevy Chase, where I’ve enjoyed being Executive Chef for 10 years.

8100 Connecticut Ave. Chevy Chase, MD 20815 301-907-8895 www.fivestarpremier-chevychase.com

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David Gibson COMFORT KEEPERS

What do we do to help? A Comfort Keepers coordinator will work with the family to design a plan of care that meets the client’s needs and budget. Then the Interactive Care Coordination team works together to make sure your loved one gets the care they need. They assign an appropriate Comfort Keeper and make frequent supervisory visits to make sure your loved one is happy. The human touch is the most important thing, but we fully embrace the use of technology to enhance the care we deliver. Through the scheduling system on our website, in a feature called “Family Room,” family members can see the current schedule, the Comfort Keeper who is with their loved one and any care notes. They can also communicate with the coordination team. All of our clients also get a grandPad tablet. We use this tablet to regularly video chat with both the client and Comfort Keeper. The client can also use this tablet to video chat with family members, play games, listen to music and see pictures shared with them by their family. Finally, we make sure all of our clients get a Safety Choice emergency button so they can easily get help when they are alone and need assistance. We work as a team to make sure your loved one can remain safe, healthy and happy in their own home. 278

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414 Hungerford Drive, #448 Rockville, MD 20850 301-945-7606 davidgibson@comfortkeepers.com www.ComfortKeepers.com/Montgomery-MD

TONY J. LEWIS

What are the signs that a loved one may need assistance? Some signs of failure to cope with what health care professionals call the Activities of Daily Living include skipping meals, weight loss, confusion about the date, expired food in the refrigerator, isolation, bruises or scrapes from falling, lapses in personal hygiene, dressing oddly, forgetting appointments or medicine, and reluctance to go upstairs.

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James Harrington DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS DEVELEOPMENT BAYWOODS OF ANNAPOLIS What are the main considerations to keep in mind when choosing a Continuing Care Retirement Community? One of the first things should be the location. Is it a priority to be close to family? Then decide if itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s important to be near the waterfront, shopping, cultural activities, historic areas, colleges and sports activities, and, of course, high quality medical facilities. Secondly, think about the size of the community, choosing one that will serve all of your needs without being too large. Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll want to be able to access all the services without feeling overwhelmed. It should feel like a friendly neighborhood. The people make up the community, not the bricks and mortar. Ask around to find out if the place has a good reputation in the community. Ask about the types of health care and programs on site. Tour the campus and meet with other residents that live there, and ask direct questions of them. Last but not least, choose a community that will provide a good return on your investment.

TONY J. LEWIS

What are the advantages of a continuing care retirement community that is a co-op? BayWoods of Annapolis is one of only two Maryland continuing care retirement communities that is a co-op. Our ownership structure is distinctive: residents are cooperative owners of the property, which is resident-owned and resident-run, with tax advantages and equity ownership. Owners can pass shares on to their heirs.

7101 Bay Front Drive Annapolis, MD 21403 443-837-1208 www.baywoodsofannapolis.com BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM | MAY/JUNE 2019 279

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Gracie Roy, RN, Director of Nursing (left); Maimouna Fofana, Certified Nursing Aide (right); Sam Lish with his mother, Frances

Samuel R. Lish PRESIDENT AND CEO, ADVANCED NURSING + HOME SUPPORT

How are you positioned for the rapidly increasing number of seniors that need care? To prepare for the future, Advanced has grown to provide services through the entire continuum of care, from companion and respite care to skilled care with specialties in ALS, MS, Parkinson’s and memory care. Advanced Nursing + Home Support is able to handle every client’s care needs, and able to be there when those needs change. We use a team approach for every client. From the initial contact to a comprehensive needs assessment with our clients and their families, we design a very specific plan of care with the best interests of our clients and their families in mind. We make the best possible match of care providers, for both needs and personalities, and our staff works diligently to deliver care that allows our clients to thrive in place and live with dignity, fulfillment and purpose. 280

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15800 Crabbs Branch Way Suite 205 Rockville, MD 20855 240-430-1500 www.advancedhomesupport.com

HILARY SCHWAB

As a leader in the home health care industry, how did you get started? I founded Advanced 25 years ago when my father needed home care services. Later, when my mom was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, I knew who to turn to for help: the Advanced team of caregivers we had screened, hired and trained. I know firsthand how stressful and frustrating it can be to navigate home health care for a loved one, and I know that Advanced is truly a committed partner in care. It isn’t just a business—it’s personal. My goal was to create a company that provides expert care and exceptional service at every level. I believe in deep connections in my work and personal life and restoring dignity to those in need of care.

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Chelsea Almeida EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR BRIGHTVIEW BETHESDA WOODMONT For seniors, what are the advantages of city living versus moving to a campus type of environment? Today’s seniors are active and involved. They don’t want to sit in a chair and rock the day away. Most of our new residents are downsizing to be close to friends and family in a vibrant, convenient, accessible location. They’ve been looking for something low or no maintenance where they can forget about housekeeping, laundry and cooking and enjoy this new chapter in their lives. They’re excited to be moving to a place where they can have a car but don’t need a car. At Brightview, they can walk to restaurants, local specialty shops, the theater, movies and more. They can hop on the Circulator, take the Metro to downtown D.C. and enjoy the local Bethesda trails. A new lifestyle provides new energy. And although many things are within arms’ reach, there’s plenty to do right in the building.

COURTESY PHOTO

What design elements and considerations went into new construction for senior living? Brightview Bethesda Woodmont is recognized as a work of art by the American Institute of Architect’s Design for Aging Review. Beyond the artistic, we were also recognized for our multigenerational elements, including a theater, coffee shop and spa. The top floor of our community will have a penthouse feel, with two rooftop decks, a fireplace and the dining room and pub. Every aspect of our community was designed with our residents in mind. From the high-end finishes to the large windows that create bright spaces, residents can enjoy many amenities while being part of an intimate community. Not only was the design intended to serve and delight residents, but also to be a place that they would feel proud to invite friends, family and guests. Brightview Bethesda Woodmont is opening its doors this summer. 8120 Woodmont Ave. Bethesda, MD 20814 240-558-5605 www.BrightviewBethesdaWoodmont.com BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM | MAY/JUNE 2019 281

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Alex Petukhov, OWNER Nataliya Cancel, MANAGER BEST SENIOR CARE

How do you choose your caregivers? Many of our aides have been with Best Senior Care for over 17 years. We take extraordinary effort to find multi-lingual, certified, licensed and carefully screened caregivers. We look for individuals with passion, experience, deep family ties, dependability and certain medical backgrounds. We provide them with substantial training in common safety issues, fall prevention, understanding mental health disorders, bed mobility, incontinence care, nutrition and conflict management. We will not send out caregivers without being confident that they are equipped with all the necessary tools to professionally respond to any sort of emergency. We are very fortunate to have such a strong team. 282

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17860 New Hampshire Ave., Suite 302 Ashton, MD 20861 301-717-2212 www.bestseniorcare.us

LISA HELFERT

Why choose in-home care? When you choose in-home care, you are giving your loved one the opportunity to age positively in the comfort of their home where they can continue to be independent, have no restrictions on the family’s involvement, be surrounded by the same trusted helpers, be at less risk of infections and falls and be able to afford the life they want to lead. According to the AARP, nearly 90 percent of adults over 65 want to remain in their current homes as they grow older. We allow our clients to do just that. We assist with personal care, which involves bathing, eating, dressing toileting and grooming. We take care of running the household by cooking, cleaning, doing laundry and going shopping. For our clients’ health, we keep track of medication schedules and take them to physician’s appointments. And for their emotional well-being, we provide companionship, accompany them to activities they love, and help them remain involved in the community.

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Jim Thompson and Mayda Tsaknis ASBURY RESIDENTS, WORKING PROFESSIONALS ASBURY METHODIST VILLAGE What drew you to Asbury? Jim: I have lived in Montgomery County since childhood and been involved with Asbury since the 1980’s. I was their legal counsel and our law firm represented Asbury on land use and zoning, among other things, which helped transform Asbury from a 128-acre farm with just an administration building to the thriving senior living community it is today. I remained their legal counsel and served on the board for a number of years. I was always impressed with the way leadership conducted themselves, making decisions in the best interests of their residents and planning for the long run. Mayda and I decided that Asbury would be a great place to live and give us the flexibility to age the way we want. In 2013 we moved into Asbury’s Courtyard Homes even though we still practice law part-time.

COURTESY PHOTO

Why do you think Asbury is a good choice for today’s senior? Jim: Asbury is a community that attracts smart, active people who are leaders in a variety of professions. I think many of us chose Asbury because it’s a place we can enjoy our “senior status” but keep involved in what we think is important. Mayda: I’ve given a lot to the community through my work, but I’d like to do more things for myself and my family. The Asbury lifestyle helps me do that. You have so many things to choose from, plus it’s a beautiful campus and a nice place to be. Jim: Asbury offers so many opportunities to “get into life” and participate in the resident-run Keese School for Continuing Education, countless activities, events and more. We’re always asking, “What am I going to get into next?” We also know we’re in a place that really cares about us.

201 Russell Ave. Gaithersburg, MD 20877 301-591-0748 www.AsburyMethodistVillage.org BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM | MAY/JUNE 2019 283

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Mary Sweeney, Priyanka Tyagi-Lazarte and Pam Rosen SENIOR LIVING SALES COUNSELORS, CHARLES E. SMITH LIFE COMMUNITIES

6121 Montrose Road Rockville, MD 20852 301-770-8448 www.smithlifecommunities.org

HEATHER FUENTES

Why should someone begin to think about senior living options and what should they look for? Engaged senior living isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t just about supportive services, although that can be one piece of the decision-making process. Choosing a senior living residence that provides you with a strong sense of community and personal fulfillment will ensure that you are living your best life. As an older adult, you should be thoroughly enjoying each and every day. Charles E. Smith Life Communities has award-winning lifestyle and leisure programs with that goal in mind. Whether it be listening to the beautiful sounds of our in-house classically trained musical trio, enjoying a fine kosher dining experience or being part of an excursion to local attractions with friends, finding a vibrant community is paramount. With all the amenities available to our residents, our primary care for older adults at Hirsh Health Center is a bonus to those who want access to the care imperative to our well-being as we age.

Bill Gelfeld PRINCIPAL, COMFORT HOME CARE

121 Congressional Lane, Suite 201 Rockville, MD 20852 301-984-1401 bill@choosecomforthome.com www.ChooseComfortHome.com 284

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LISA HELFERT

What is the difference between the terms ADLs and IADLs? Among the most difficult aspects of aging is the eventual inability to perform important daily tasks. Determining an individualâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s limitations is the first step we take in thoughtfully developing a care plan that provides the appropriate amount of assistance to each client. The two most commonly referenced groups of tasks are Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs). ADLs are everyday personal-care activities that are fundamental to caring for oneself and maintaining independence. They include eating, bathing, dressing, toileting, mobility and continence. IADLs are self-care tasks that require more complex thinking and organization, such as cooking, using the telephone, taking medications, cleaning and managing money. For more than 20 years, Comfort Home Care has been assisting our clients with safely aging in place. We invite interested seniors or their adult children to contact us to schedule a complimentary assessment with one of our Transitional Care Specialists.

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(L-R): Rachelle Splechter, MT-BC; Khyla Anderson, MT-BC; Melissa Pate, MT-BC; Jessie Power, MA, MT-BC

Mary Mell EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, MHSA, LNHA, CDAL, KENSINGTON PARK SENIOR LIVING

HILARY SCHWAB

Why did Kensington Park establish an in-house Creative Arts Therapy program? Our program seeks to reach the very heart and soul of our seniors. Whether it is to create meaningful moments of connection or ease pain, agitation and anxiety through nonpharmacological means, our primary goal is to improve the quality of our residentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; lives. We are excited to explore opportunities to ignite personal passions, expand possibilities for joyful self-expression and connect generations. Our owners are deeply committed to a holistic approach to care. We are a community that appeals as much to the emotional, social and spiritual wellness of residents as we do to their mental and physical health. Music and art therapy are burgeoning fields supported by a growing base of promising research in the fields of neuroscience, psychology and gerontology. With research led by organizations like NIH taking a global stage, we wanted to offer the benefits of these therapies in our own community. What makes your Creative Arts Therapy program unique? We chose to build our own in-house team of four board-certified music therapists who are on-site daily, which allows us a more integrated approach. Our therapists not only consult on creative arts for our general population, but also conduct highly individualized one-on-one, dyad and small group sessions. The process begins with an in-depth assessment of areas of functioning, from which personalized goals and service plans are established. This evidence-based, clinical use of music intervention is most often focused on non-musical goals. These goals can include improving mood or increasing social interaction and cognitive stimulation. Our therapists involve family members in the process with monthly progress reports, regular photos and videos, and invitations to sessions and performances. The joy that this program has brought to residents, families, staff and the larger community has been profound.

3620 Littledale Road Kensington, MD 20895 301-946-7700 www.kensingtonparkseniorliving.com

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Irene Cady-Harrington OWNER, AT HOME CARE, INC.

15304 Spencerville Court Burtonsville, MD 20866 301-421-0200 irenecadyh@athomecareinc.com www.athomecareinc.com

TONY J. LEWIS

What are some recent changes in home health care? Longevity is having an impact on home health care. In the 1970’s, most of our clients were in their 70’s. Our last seven inquiries were from people in their 90’s. The good thing is that we are staying active and productive longer. I’m relieved that Baby Boomers are more educated about achieving their golden age goals. They’re less resistant to availing themselves of care than their parents were. Without shame about getting help, they make sensible decisions about cooking, standing on ladders and even driving. The vast majority of us (nearly 90 percent according to AARP and MetLife) want to stay in our own homes as we age. Well, let’s be realistic. You can’t age in place successfully if you aren’t willing to use the tools that are available. Getting home care is flexible and affordable. You contract for the care you need and live on your own terms.

Susy Elder Murphy BA, CMC, OWNER, DEBRA LEVY ELDERCARE ASSOCIATES

11120 New Hampshire Ave., Suite 505 Silver Spring, MD 20904 301-593-5285 www.care-manager.com 286

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STEPHANIE WILLIAMS

What are the most valuable services you provide for your clients? Many clients are informed consumers, but the variety of options and pricing for homecare and communities can be bewildering. Because we don’t have financial relationships with any facilities or resources, our objective recommendations are based on clients’ preferences and budgets. Whether they’re considering a CCRC, assisted living, skilled nursing care or staying at home, we help navigate the process of making the best choice and can remain involved afterward, as needed. Because we’ve done this for more than 30 years, we know what is out there, and keep abreast of changes. Many of our calls are from adult children looking for guidance on how to evaluate their parents’ need for care. More and more, though, we are meeting with clients, often Baby Boomers, who are proactively planning for their own future. While we can provide support to families in crisis, there are always more options when planning ahead to meet the challenges of aging.

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Lindsey E. Hamilton, Director of Sales and Marketing; Cory Hall, Associate Director of Sales; Sandy Short, Outreach Marketing Manager; Tia Ervin, Senior Residency Counselor/Diversity Educator, and Terri Mosley, Administrative Assistant

Collington

TONY J. LEWIS

What should people look for in a retirement community? When researching and selecting a retirement community there are many important factors to prioritize before you visit. Do you want or need a continuing care retirement community (CCRC)? Do you want a maintenance free lifestyle? Is it important to live in a thriving intellectually stimulating community where you learn something new almost every day? If you enjoy being a volunteer, make sure there are opportunities to give back. With health care as a very high priority, ask about the health and medical care, and how they are rated. Also ask how they ensure keeping quality of life as the utmost, absolute top priority through the end of life. They should be able to share their plans to improve and adjust to the growing needs of the residents and healthcare industry to remain competitive and innovative. What mistakes do they make in prioritizing something that won’t matter much once they move in? I would say it’s the size of their home. Most people move to a community with downsizing in mind. Once they see the size of the floorplans, it’s common to go up a few hundred square feet than originally planned. Many prospective residents devote considerable energy on square footage and measurements, as opposed to exploring the more human components of a community, such as the culture, the value system, and, most importantly, the people. Time and time again, after a resident has lived in a community for a time, it’s the overall lifestyle that they appreciate far above the particulars of their residence. Living with people of like minds and shared interests helps to nurture the connections we all need to thrive.

10450 Lottsford Road Mitchellville, MD 20721 301-541-5003 www.collington.kendal.org

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Riderwood Continuing Care Retirement Community AN ERICKSON LIVING COMMUNITY

3140 Gracefield Road | Silver Spring, MD 20904 1-800-610-1560 | www.RiderwoodCommunity.com

COURTESY PHOTO

There are places people move to retire—and there are places like Riderwood, where people move to live! As the nation’s largest senior living community, Riderwood has everything an older adult needs to enjoy their freedom years. Riderwood’s sprawling 120-acre campus is minutes from the metro area’s many dining establishments, museums and cultural attractions. On campus, community members are free to enjoy over 250 resident-run clubs, plus premium amenities including fitness centers, a full-service salon and day spa, a pharmacy, convenience store, bank and seven restaurants. Riderwood’s on-site medical center is staffed by six doctors and a variety of specialists, so residents have easy access to quality health and wellness care. If health needs change, higher levels of on-campus care are also available. Best of all, Riderwood apartment homes are maintenance free. Residents can do as much or as little as they like each day, without the hassles of house upkeep.

Tom Najjar, FOUNDER, AUTHOR & ADVOCATE Heather K. Najjar, MSN, CRNP, FNP-C CAREPLUS HOME HEALTH INC.

221 Booth St. Gaithersburg, MD 20878 301-740-8870 www.careplusinc.com 288

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STEPHANIE WILLIAMS

When families are considering home health care support, how do they find the right match? We’re fortunate to have many great home health care agencies in Montgomery County. Finding the right match starts with questions: Is the agency licensed and insured? Is it an agency or a registry? How long has the company been in business? Are caregivers trained and are they supervised by a registered nurse? What types of services does the agency provide? Is there a 24/7 number? What happens in inclement weather? What happens with changes or emergencies? What are the costs? As important as these questions are, it is equally important to remember that agencies have differing philosophies and personalities. Knowledgeable and professional agencies will help you navigate through the process. We’ve been in business for 24 years. With that expertise, we can provide reassurance that each personal plan allows for a successful in-home experience. The right fit matters. We treat your family, as family.

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Steve and Cathy Lorberbaum OWNER, CERTIFIED SENIOR ADVISOR, ASSISTING HANDS HOME CARE How do you determine what services are needed in the home? Assisting Hands Home Care recognizes that individuals have different needs and requirements and those needs are constantly evolving. When we get a call, we listen. Communication is key. Our clients want to be as independent as possible, so after we have a good understanding of the clientsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; needs, we help with that goal by providing a wide range of nonmedical and personal care services: companionship, transportation to medical appointments, errands and shopping, meal preparation, light housekeeping, bathing and personal grooming. These services may be needed on a temporary or long-term basis, a few hours a week or 24/7. We work with clients and their loved ones to develop flexible and customized support programs to assist with daily living. Our clients include those wishing to age in place, surgical recovery, dementia care and patient advocacy in a facility.

HEATHER FUENTES

How do you choose the caregiver? Our caregivers are the heart of Assisting Hands Potomac. Each caregiver is an employee, not a contractor. We screen and train each prospective employee. Our caregivers are state licensed Certified Nurse Aides and specifically trained to provide inhome care. All the caregivers are bonded, insured, certified in CPR and receive national, state and local background and motor vehicle checks. Based on conversations with the prospective client and family, we select the caregiver that best meets their needs based upon their skills and personality. We take pride in finding the right caregiver for each unique situation. If ever a caregiver is not the exact right fit, we gladly make a change so that everyone is completely satisfied.

4853 Cordell Ave., Suite PH 10-A Bethesda, MD 20814 301-363-2580 slorberbaum@assistinghands.com www.assistinghands.com/potomac BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM | MAY/JUNE 2019 289

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A frothy Blackberry Blossom cocktail is garnished with edible pansies at the new Julii restaurant in North Bethesda. For our review, turn the page.

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dine | REVIEW The roasted bone marrow is a good way to start a meal at Julii. Chef Sasha Felikson (opposite, top) also shines with salmon crudo (opposite, bottom).

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Overall Rating:

BISTRO BEAUTY A French Mediterranean restaurant at Pike & Rose turns heads BY DAVID HAGEDORN PHOTOS BY DEB LINDSEY

SINGING ENTHUSIASTICALLY, CHEF Sasha Felikson maneuvers a cart through the narrow pathways of Julii, a small French Mediterranean bistro and café that opened in North Bethesda’s Pike & Rose development in December. After capturing every diner’s attention in the packed room, Felikson arrives at a table and whisks a copper bowl of egg-based vanilla custard sauce with one hand while pouring a pitcher of liquid nitrogen into the bowl with his other hand. Clouds of frosty vapor waft as if from a witch’s cauldron, the magic show ending once the liquid custard turns into silken ice cream, which Felikson lavishes

Julii 11915 Grand Park Ave. (Pike & Rose), North Bethesda; 301-517-9090; julii.com FAVORITE DISHES: Salmon crudo, roasted bone marrow, crispy trout, New York strip au poivre, tableside nitrogen ice cream, chocolate soufflé PRICES: Appetizers: $11 to $15; entrées: $21 to $38; desserts: $9 to $12 LIBATIONS: The compact beverage list includes six cocktails that veer to the sweet side, such as the Rossa di Sicilia (tequila, blood orange juice, Chartreuse, agave, lemon); seven beers; two sparkling wines (one available by the glass); seven white wines (all available by the glass); and nine red wines (six available by the glass). You’d expect a French bistro to have a longer and more comprehensive list (the only true Champagne is Lanson Rosé for $120, and an Haut-Monplaisir Cahors Malbec 2016 for $56 tastes less and less interesting with each successive sip), but space limitations prohibit a larger inventory. SERVICE: The servers are gregarious, well-informed and efficient. They work as a team, so you won’t hear, “I’m sorry, that’s not my table” at Julii. Every table is everybody’s table, which is a refreshing change of pace.

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with rainbow sprinkles. (At minus 320 degrees Fahrenheit, the nitrogen freezes the custard so fast that ice crystals stay very small, resulting in an ultra-creamy product.) Julii’s owners—Ted Xenohristos, Ike Grigoropoulos and Dimitri Moshovitis— grew up in Montgomery County and created CAVA Mezze restaurant in 2006, which was spun off into what is now the national fast-casual chain CAVA. They hired Felikson, 31, to helm Julii, named after the Forum Julii, a marketplace on the Mediterranean coast (near what is now Cannes, France) that Julius Caesar established as a trade center between Rome and Gaul. Felikson grew up in Rockville (he and his parents were religious refugees from the Soviet Union), earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Maryland’s Salisbury University, then went to Colorado and began working in restaurant kitchens. Although he didn’t go to cooking school, he has learned from many well-known chefs, among them Washington, D.C.’s Mike Isabella, Eric Ziebold and Johnny Spero. He was the chef at the Southeast Asian restaurant Doi Moi in Washington before taking the Julii post. Julii is a visual charmer. Surrounded on three sides by glass, the 2,000-squarefoot, 60-seat eatery has the feel of a Parisian art nouveau bistro, with its brass accents, gray marble-topped bar, opaque globe pendant lights and some cane-backed bistro chairs. Tufted hunter-green velvet dining chairs, sleek pencil-slim modern silverware and herringbone-patterned wood flooring are chic design elements, as are copper serving vessels and cut-glass cocktail glasses. A wide-mouthed cocktail glass (coupe) filled with a frothy Blackberry Blossom cocktail (gin, blackberry purée, St-Germain liqueur, basil, egg whites) that’s garnished with edible pansies is a lovely way to begin a meal here. 294

I’m not a fan of restaurants charging for bread, so Julii’s first menu item, four dinner rolls for $8, makes me grumpy. They arrive at the table fluffy but pale; one gummy bite confirms my suspicion that they are underbaked. Skip the rolls and order roasted marrow bones topped with garlic butter. Scoop out their luscious custardy marrow, slather it on the accompanying wheat baguette slices (I wish they were toasted) and sprinkle it with coarse sea salt before devouring. Next to the bones, to balance the marrow’s richness, is a divinely simple

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herb salad of leaves (parsley, lovage and celery) and red onion slivers lightly dressed with lemon juice and olive oil. Another winning starter is Scottish salmon fillet that has been lightly torched, slightly cured with sherry vinegar and sugar, and cut into thin slices. Lemon vinaigrette, vivid orange Aleppo oil (Aleppos are sweet, mildly spiced dried red peppers), bright green oil made with dill, parsley and chive, and red onion slivers dress the pretty dish. The French onion soup is what you want it to be: a bold beefy broth acting as a

Clockwise from opposite, top: Felikson prepares tableside nitrogen ice cream; crispy trout; frosty vapor from the liquid nitrogen used for the tableside ice cream; Blackberry Blossom cocktail; New York strip with green peppercorn cream sauce

backdrop for gobs of gooey Emmental cheese broiled on top of it. Oversalted foie gras terrine riddled with black truffle slices manifests Felikson’s tendency to use a lot of components where a few would serve the dish better. Take away the apple preserve dollops, the orange and green oils, the freeze-dried garlic bits, the pistachios— foie gras is so luxuriant it doesn’t need that much help. The same is true of the stuffed cabbage entrée of two cabbage leaves, each rolled into a log filled with a stuffing of

carrots, rice, turnips and mushrooms. They rest on a creamy potato purée and are topped with mushroom gravy and crunchy slices of shiitake mushrooms. The dish, tasty and satisfying on its own, doesn’t need the assault of pickled mustard seeds (a current ingredient darling among chefs) all over the plate. (I moved most of them to the side.) I wish there were more fish dishes on Felikson’s menu, especially if they’d be as good as the boneless butterflied trout fillet draped over roasted potatoes and celery root purée and served with its crispy skin up. Red pepper purée highlights the fish’s sweetness nicely. Duck confit (duck legs braised in duck fat and then seared to make the skin crackly) is dry and stringy, and its stewed bean sidekick is a disappointing stand-in for the usual accompaniment to that French bistro standard, garlicky fried potatoes. Felikson’s Angus cheeseburger on a brioche bun looks

majestic dressed with lettuce, tomato, red onions and garlic mayo, but I wish it were cooked to medium instead of all the way through. (They don’t ask for your preferred degree of doneness here.) Another beef option—Roseda Farm’s New York strip with green peppercorn cream sauce—scratches the itch if you’re yearning for a good steak. Side dishes at Julii—among them Brussels sprouts with garlic mayo, green beans with goat feta cheese, and wedge fries that are crisp on the outside, fluffy on the inside—are executed with aplomb. End dinner with the ice cream for the tableside show alone, but order the chocolate soufflé (more an airy egg-white-enhanced cake than a true soufflé), too, and spoon it over the ice cream to achieve nirvana. Skip the rubbery panna cotta with underripe caramelized bananas. Julii is a pretty restaurant with an enthusiastic staff, none more so than Felikson, who makes frequent appearances in the dining room, bouncing from table to table like a live pinball. I like his enthusiasm and many of his French bistro dishes, but wish he’d keep his eye on the road instead of trying to reinvent the wheel. n David Hagedorn is the restaurant critic for Bethesda Magazine.

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BY DAVID HAGEDORN | PHOTO BY DEB LINDSEY

Karen Hayes, chef of Lock 72 Kitchen & Bar in Potomac

Chef Naomi Gallego took the helm at Little Beast last year. The Chevy Chase, D.C., restaurant features wood-fired pizzas.

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TAMING THE BEAST NAOMI GALLEGO MADE her name as a pastry chef at such illustrious restaurants as Washington’s Blue Duck Tavern, Le Diplomate and Vidalia. But the Michigan-born, Texas-raised chef’s initial culinary training and focus in professional kitchens was on the savory side. Gallego, 43, earned a degree in culinary arts management from St. Philip’s College in San Antonio and a master pastry diploma from the Konditoren Meisterschule in Cologne, Germany. In October, the restaurant Little Beast opened in Chevy Chase, D.C., and Gallego, who lives in that neighborhood, started off as a consultant creating the dessert and pastry offerings. Little Beast features wood-fired pizzas and initially it was an all-day café and restaurant. By December, the eatery, which seats 74 (plus 44 outside), switched to evenings-only, the opening chef was gone and Gallego took the helm. The result? A smoothly running restaurant serving top-notch food—from a perfectly balanced Caesar salad and leopard-spotted pizzas to a glazed short rib to die for and one of the best chocolate cakes in town. We caught up with Gallego, who talked about Little Beast’s new brunch menu and shared some news about her health. How did you get into cooking? I was interested in cooking as a kid. I had an uncle who was bicoastal. His wife was a food stylist and a chef. I visited them alone in

New York City when I was 10 in 1985. They lived in an amazing brownstone. I had never seen food prepared that way. I started baking cakes at home and got my first cookbook, Rose Levy Beranbaum’s The Cake Bible. So you were always into pastry? I got into it professionally by accident. I was working in a classical French restaurant, breaking down sides of veal, making court bouillon [a refined broth used as a poaching liquid], then slowly the chef started showing me how to make things like soufflé glacé Grand Marnier and classic opera cake. I decided to make the switch and went to work at La Mansión del Rio Hotel in Alamo City and went full-on pastry. How did you wind up at Little Beast? I consulted for Aaron [Gordon, the owner,] four or five years ago when they opened Bakers & Baristas [in D.C.] and I launched their dessert program. We kept in touch and looked at several properties together, but nothing came to fruition. I wasn’t looking when Little Beast came up, but the opportunity presented itself. I’m close to Tracy Wilson, the director of operations. It was like I was joining a family. That closeness is important? I was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. At this time of my life, I really need that kind of environment. I work for people

who are saying, ‘We’re going to do everything we can for you, we’ll be flexible with your schedule.’ I’ve seen people in situations like mine lose their jobs multiple times and I think that is so unfair. Their support means everything. It is so different from any other place I’ve worked. Tell me about the brunch that started in March. It’s a balance between breakfast and lunch—ricotta pancakes, huevos rancheros (which is a necessity for me as a Texas person), a croissant egg sandwich, a fried chicken biscuit sandwich, the ubiquitous avocado toast, some pizzas, a breakfast pizza, a kids oatmeal. A brunch salad with chicken, avocado and quinoa— things like that. Let’s talk about your killer chocolate cake with chocolate glaze. I didn’t set out to make a recipe for chocolate cake necessarily to be vegan, but it turned out that way. Wait, that cake is vegan? I had no idea. Yes, it has olive oil and white balsamic vinegar in the batter, Valrhona cocoa powder, Valrhona chocolate in the glaze—the vegan part is just sort of a surprise. But the whipped cream on the side is not vegan. Little Beast, 5600 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington, D.C.; 202-7414599; littlebeastdc.com

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Sweet Success “LET THEM EAT CANDY!” may as well be the motto in Jenna Goldblatt’s realm. The Gaithersburg resident is the creator of Candy Cake Explosion, a homegrown business featuring whimsical, towering, custom-made “cakes.” They are fashioned from Styrofoam rings covered and filled with all kinds of individually wrapped pieces of candy or candy bars, such as Blow Pops, Starburst, gummy bear packets, Twix bars, Nestle’s Crunch bars, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, Mike and Ikes, and Nerds. The creations are wrapped in cellophane and decorated with curling ribbon. (They’re especially great as centerpieces for special occasion parties.) As is the case with many entrepreneurs, Goldblatt happened onto the business,

which she runs out of her Lakelands home. “Our older son, Bennett, doesn’t like cake or ice cream, so for every birthday we did a cookie cake for him. Our family has always loved candy, so for his 11th birthday party [in August 2017] I created a candy cake for him. All the parents and kids loved it.” Bennett loved it, too. “We were at a pool in Potomac and Bennett was showing a picture of the cake to everyone and he sold one to someone,” Goldblatt says. “I told him we don’t make cakes and he said, ‘Well, we do now!’ ” Goldblatt called her husband, Dan, and told him they had to make and deliver a cake by

Wholesome Bites her daughter, Bridget Greaney, 25, couldn’t find nutritious onthe-go snacks they liked, so they took matters into their own hands. They embarked on a year of research and development in Becker’s home, experimenting with a recipe Greaney worked on in college. The two lacked experience in the food business so they enlisted a food scientist and a professional chef to help tweak the recipe. Working out of a commercial kitchen in Baltimore, Becker and Greaney launched 2Betties rounds in 2017. “We wanted a name that didn’t scream healthy and that started a ‘What is that?’ conversation. And a Betty in some female circles means a confident chick or a best friend,” Becker says. She puts 36 years of experience in the business-to-business publishing world to use as the company’s chief customer officer; Greaney is its chief product officer. The treats, which are grain-, gluten-, peanut-, dairy- and refined sugar-free, come in packets of two 2-inch rounds (they look like little doughnuts) that are 100 calories each. Flavors are vanilla bean, maple cinnamon, mocha chip and chocolate chunk. (Sweet almond comes out in early summer, pumpkin spice in the fall.) 2Betties’ products are available online in boxes of six packets for $13.99. In Montgomery County, they are available at Barre3 Bethesda, Potomac Grocer and, in the summer and fall, at the Patriot’s Chesapeake Farmhouse in Beallsville. 2Betties.com

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COURTESY PHOTOS

DARNESTOWN RESIDENTS NANCY BECKER, 58, and

the next day—and they did. A business was born. The cakes come in four sizes ranging from 6 to 10 inches in diameter, and from 6 to 9 inches in height. A small cake serves two to three people; an extra large one, well over 10. They range in price from $55 to $95, plus shipping. They are available on the Goldblatts’ website (candycakeexplosion.com) and online through Dylan’s Candy Bar and Etsy. Bouquets of candy are also available on the Candy Cake Explosion website. Now the Goldblatts make about 200 cakes a month. Says Jenna: “We didn’t think it would blossom into what it is today, but we are happily surprised.”

COMINGS GOINGS The San Diego-based fast-casual chain Urban Plates, which opened in Westfield Montgomery mall in March, will open outlets in Chevy Chase and Gaithersburg in late 2019. California-based hot dog chain Dog Haus Biergarten, which already has a Bethesda location, plans to open in Kentlands Market Square in Gaithersburg in July. Celebrity chef Michael Schlow is taking over the former Taylor Gourmet space in Bethesda Row and opening

his first fast-casual restaurant, Prima, in late spring. Cajun restaurant Louisiana Kitchen and Bayou Bar closed in Bethesda in March after a 10-year run. Silver Spring Cuban restaurant Cubano’s has taken over the space. Rockville Town Square’s Little Dipper Hot Pot House closed in March. Macdara’s Grille in Wheaton closed in February, as did Paisano’s Pizza in Silver Spring. ■

Exquisite French food, charming atmosphere, and attentive service. In the heart of Chevy Chase, the charm of the country side at your door step.

“La Ferme is one of the area’s most pleasant places to catch up with friends, do business or toast a big day.” Tom Sietsema, Food critique of the Washington Post (March 4, 2018)

7101 Brookville Road Chevy Chase, MD 301-986-5255

LaFermeRestaurant.com

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DINING GUIDE

CHECK OUT THE ONLINE VERSION OF THE DINING GUIDE AT BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

BETHESDA 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) 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 $$

&PIZZA 7614 Old Georgetown Road, 240-800-4783, 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 (EDITORS’ PICK) 7945 Norfolk Ave., 301-657-1722, bacchusoflebanon.com. This friendly and elegant Lebanese staple has a large, sunny patio that beckons lunch and dinner patrons outside when the weather is good to try garlicky hummus, stuffed grape leaves, chicken kabobs, veal chops and dozens of small-plate dishes. ❂ L D $$

BANGKOK GARDEN 4906 St. Elmo Ave., 301-951-0670, bkkgarden. com. This real-deal, family-run Thai restaurant turns out authentic cuisine, including curries, soups and noodle dishes, in a dining room decorated with traditional statues of the gods. 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. Karaoke night is held weekly. ❂ L D $

BARREL + CROW 4867 Cordell Ave., 240-800-3253, barrelandcrow. 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 and roasted trout. ❂ R L D $$

BEEFSTEAK 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 $

Key

BENIHANA 7935 Wisconsin Ave., 301-652-5391, benihana. com. Experience dinner-as-theater as the chef chops and cooks beef, chicken, vegetables and seafood tableside on the hibachi. This popular national chain serves sushi, too. The kids’ menu includes a California roll and hibachi chicken, steak and shrimp entrées. J L D $$

Price designations are for a threecourse dinner for two including tip and tax, but excluding alcohol. $ up to $50 $$ $51-$100 $$$ $101-$150 $$$$ $151+ Outdoor Dining b  Children’s Menu B Breakfast R Brunch L Lunch D Dinner

BETHESDA CRAB HOUSE 4958 Bethesda Ave., 301-652-3382, bethesdacrab house.com. 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, 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, bgrtheburger joint.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 $

THE BIG GREEK CAFÉ 4806 Rugby Ave., 301-907-4976, biggreekcafe. com. Owned by the Marmaras brothers, the café serves Greek specialties, including a top-notch chicken souvlaki pita. L D $

BISTRO PROVENCE (EDITORS’ PICK) 4933 Fairmont Ave., 301-656-7373, bistroprovence.org. Chef Yannick Cam brings his formidable experience to a casual French bistro with a lovely courtyard. The Dinner Bistro Fare, served daily from 5 to 6:30 p.m., offers a choice of appetizer, main course and dessert for $35.

❂ R L D $$$

BLACK’S BAR & KITCHEN (EDITORS’ PICK) 7750 Woodmont Ave., 301-652-5525, blacksbar andkitchen.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 $$$

BRICKSIDE FOOD & DRINK 4866 Cordell Ave., 301-312-6160, 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 $$

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CADDIES ON CORDELL 4922 Cordell Ave., 301-215-7730, caddieson cordell.com. Twentysomethings gather at this golfthemed spot to enjoy beer and wings specials in a casual, rowdy atmosphere that frequently spills onto the large patio. Voted “Best Bar/Restaurant to Watch a Caps Game” by Bethesda Magazine readers in 2019. ❂ J R L D $

CAFÉ DELUXE 4910 Elm St., 301-656-3131, 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

7101 Democracy Blvd., Suite 2360 (Westfield Montgomery mall), 301-658-2233; 4832 Bethesda Ave., 301-656-1772; cava.com. The guys from CAVA Mezze restaurant have created a Greek version of Chipotle. Choose the meat, dip or spread for a pita, bowl or salad. House-made juices and teas provide a healthful beverage option. ❂ (Bethesda Avenue location) L D $

CESCO OSTERIA 7401 Woodmont Ave., 301-654-8333, cesco-osteria.com. Longtime chef Francesco Ricchi turns out Tuscan specialties, including pizza, pasta and focaccia in a big, jazzy space. Stop by the restaurant’s Co2 Lounge for an artisan cocktail before dinner. ❂ L D $$

dine CHEESY PIZZI 8021 Wisconsin Ave., 240-497-0000, cheesypizzibethesda.com. In addition to the standard offerings of a pizza joint, this spot (formerly Pizza Tempo under different owners) has sandwiches and boat-shaped Turkish pizza known as pide. Delivery is available. L D $

CHEF TONY’S 4926 St. Elmo Ave., 301-654-3737, 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 $$

CHERCHER ETHIOPIAN 4921 Bethesda Ave., 301-652-6500, chercherrestaurant.com. The second branch of a D.C. Ethiopian spot, this restaurant and bar took over the space housing Suma. The décor is moderncontemporary and the menu features dishes—from beef to vegan—served on one large platter, meant for sharing, and Ethiopian wine. L D $

CITY LIGHTS OF CHINA 4953 Bethesda Ave., 301-913-9501, bethesda citylights.com. Longtime Chinese eatery serves familiar Sichuan and Beijing fare, including six types of dumplings and seven handmade noodle dishes. Red walls and chocolate-colored booths give the place a sharp look. L D $$

COOPER’S MILL 5151 Pooks Hill Road, 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, thecornerslice. net. New York-style pizza, available by the slice or as a 20-inch pie. Specialty pizzas include the spinachartichoke 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, dailygrill.com. Everyone from families to expenseaccount 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 $$

DELINA ERITREAN URBAN KITCHEN 4914 Cordell Ave., 240-630-8579, delinakitchen. com. This Ethiopian/Eritrean restaurant features small plates. Pick from an assortment of vegetables, two types of tsebhi (a traditional stew), ground fish, kitfo (a steak tartare preparation) and more. L D $

DOG HAUS BIERGARTEN 7904 Woodmont Ave., 301-652-4287, bethesda. doghaus.com. This fast-casual California-based chain serves hot dogs, sausages, burgers and chicken sandwiches. The hot dogs are all beef and

hormone- and antibiotic-free. The industrial-chic space includes picnic tables, TVs, a bar and more than two dozen beer choices. J L D $

DON POLLO 10321 Westlake Drive, 301-347-6175; donpollogroup.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 are available.

❂LD$

DUCK DUCK GOOSE (EDITORS’ PICK) 7929 Norfolk Ave., 301-312-8837, ddgbethesda. 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 $$

EJJI RAMEN 7101 Democracy Blvd. (Westfield Montgomery mall), 240-534-2842, ejjiramen.com. At this outpost of a Baltimore ramen shop, you’ll find build-your-own ramen and various spins on the noodle soup (pork, vegetarian, seafood). There’s also the Ejji Mac & Cheese Ramen Dog, a hot dog wrapped in ramen and cheese, then fried. J L D $

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 7251 Woodmont Ave., 301-652-0010; 10305 Old Georgetown Road (Wildwood Shopping Center), 301-564-6000, fishtacoonline.com. This counterservice 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, flanagansharp andfiddle.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 $$

GEORGE’S CHOPHOUSE 4935 Cordell Ave., 240-534-2675, georgesbethesda.com. This modern bistro with pop-culture décor features a seasonally changing menu of house-made pastas, plus a raw bar and a variety of steaks. The braised beef cheek fettucine combines two specialties: house-made pastas and slow-cooked meat. L D $$$

GRINGOS & MARIACHIS (EDITORS’ PICK) 4928 Cordell Ave., 240-800-4266, gringosand mariachis.com. The owners of the popular Olazzo Italian restaurants in Bethesda and Silver Spring trade in the red sauce for salsa at this hip

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taqueria with edgy murals and plenty of tequila. LD$

GUAPO’S RESTAURANT 8130 Wisconsin Ave., 301-656-0888, 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, guardados.com. Chef-owner Nicolas Guardado, who trained at Jaleo, opened this hidden gem devoted to Latin-Spanish cooking in 2007 and has developed a following with tapas specialties like shrimp and sausage, stuffed red peppers and paella. J L D $

GUSTO FARM TO STREET 7101 Democracy Blvd. (Westfield Montgomery mall), 301-312-6509; 4733 Elm St., 240-3966398; eatgusto.com. The fast-casual eatery aims to serve healthy fare, with a focus on pizzas and salads. The menu includes suggested combos but you can also build your own. Pizza crust comes in cauliflower, whole grain or traditional, and housemade dressings top heirloom tomatoes, butternut squash and other salad items. ❂ (Elm Street location only) L D $

HANARO RESTAURANT & LOUNGE 7820 Norfolk Ave., 301-654-7851, hanarobethesda. 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 $$

HIMALAYAN HERITAGE 4925 Bethesda Ave., 301-654-1858, himalayan heritagebethesda.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, foonglin.com. The Chinese restaurant features Cantonese, Hunan and Sichuan 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, irishinnglenecho. 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, The 19th Street Band or other live music on Wednesday nights and live jazz on Sunday nights. ❂ J R L D $$

JALEO (EDITORS’ PICK) 7271 Woodmont Ave., 301-913-0003, 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

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dine Spanish wines. Voted “Best Small Plates” by Bethesda Magazine readers in 2019. ❂ R L D $$

JETTIES 4829 Fairmont Ave., 301-769-6844, jettiesdc. 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, 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. Voted “Best Indian Restaurant” by Bethesda Magazine readers in 2018. ❂ L D $$

LA PANETTERIA 4921 Cordell Ave., 301-951-6433, lapanetteria. com. La Panetteria transports diners into a quaint Italian villa with its impeccable service and Old World atmosphere, serving such Southern and Northern Italian classic dishes as homemade spaghetti and veal scaloppine. L D $$

LE PAIN QUOTIDIEN 7140 Bethesda Lane, 301-913-2902; 10217 Old Georgetown Road (Wildwood Shopping Center), 240-752-8737, 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, 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 $$$

LUCY ETHIOPIAN RESTAURANT 4865 Cordell Ave., 301-347-7999. The authentic Ethiopian menu here includes beef and lamb plates, such as kitfo (raw beef) sandwiches and boneless braised yebeg alicha (Ethiopian mild lamb stew). The interior is decorated with Ethiopian-inspired art and features a full bar. Beef and vegan samplers are available at the Bethesda location. L D $

LUKE’S LOBSTER 7129 Bethesda Lane, 301-718-1005, lukeslobster. 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, 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, 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 4904 Fairmont Ave., 301-215-8739, mediumrare restaurant.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 $$

MODERN MARKET 4930 Elm St., 240-800-4733, 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, 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 (EDITORS’ PICK) 7239 Woodmont Ave., 301-654-1234, monamigabi. 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. Live jazz Thursday nights. Voted “Best Restaurant Wine List” by Bethesda Magazine readers in 2019. ❂ J R L D $$

MORTON’S, THE STEAKHOUSE 7400 Wisconsin Ave., 301-657-2650, mortons. com. An ultra-sophisticated steak house serving pricey, large portions of prime-aged beef and drinks. The restaurant is known for a top-notch dinner experience but also offers lunch and a bar menu. L D $$$

MUSSEL BAR & GRILLE 7262 Woodmont Ave., 301-215-7817, musselbar. 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. ❂ R L D $$

NOT YOUR AVERAGE JOE’S 10400 Old Georgetown Road, 240-316-4555, 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 $$

OLAZZO (EDITORS’ PICK) 7921 Norfolk Ave., 301-654-9496, 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 Bethesda Magazine readers in 2018. ❂ L D $$

THE ORIGINAL PANCAKE HOUSE 7700 Wisconsin Ave., Store D, 301-986-0285, ophrestaurants.com. Along with the classic flapjacks on this chain’s menu, you’ll find flavorpacked items such as apple pancakes with a cinnamon sugar glaze. And it’s not just pancakes to pick from: The restaurant serves a variety of waffles, crepes, eggs and omelets. J B L $

PASSAGE TO INDIA (EDITORS’ PICK) 4931 Cordell Ave., 301-656-3373, passagetoindia. info. Top-notch, pan-Indian fare by chef-owner Sudhir

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Seth, with everything from garlic naan to fish curry made to order. ❂ 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 2018. J L D $$$

PAUL 4760 Bethesda Ave., 301-656-3285, 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, 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 $$

PINES OF ROME 4918 Cordell Ave., 301-657-8775. Longtime Italian restaurant, formerly on Hampden Lane, still serves 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. LD$

PIZZERIA DA MARCO (EDITORS’ PICK) 8008 Woodmont Ave., 301-654-6083, 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, 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, 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 $$

Q BY PETER CHANG (EDITORS’ PICK) 4500 East West Highway, 240-800-3722, qbypeterchang.com. Notable chef Peter Chang’s high-end flagship restaurant offers traditional Chinese dishes in an attractive, modern space. Peking duck, double-cooked pork belly and other authentic Sichuan cuisine are served, and some dishes are “ultimate spicy” for brave palates. ❂ J L D $$

RAKU (EDITORS’ PICK) 7240 Woodmont Ave., 301-718-8680, rakuasian dining.com. Voted “Best Sushi” by Bethesda Magazine readers in 2018, 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 $$

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, rockbottom.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, ruthschris. com. A dark and clubby feel makes this elegant chain popular with families as well as the happyhour 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, salathaidc. com. This Thai mainstay cooks the classics and offers diners a nearly panoramic view of Woodmont Avenue through huge, curved windows. Live jazz Friday and Saturday evenings. L D $$

SAPHIRE CAFÉ 7940 Wisconsin Ave., 301-986-9708. A relaxing spot for tasting everything from Maryland-style crab soup to Argentine skirt steak, Saphire pumps it up a notch on Friday and Saturday nights with drink specials and DJs. Tiki bar open Wednesdays through Saturdays. ❂ L D $

SATSUMA 8003 Norfolk Ave., 301-652-1400, satsumajp. com. Bethesda’s first yakiniku (Japanese barbecue) restaurant has built-in grills at each table. Diners select a cut—short rib, chuck rib, skirt or tongue— and prepare it themselves. There’s also an extensive sushi and sashimi menu, as well as interesting cooked dishes. L D $$

SHANGRI-LA NEPALESE AND INDIAN CUISINE 7345-A Wisconsin Ave., 301-656-4444, shangrila bethesda.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, 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 (EDITORS’ PICK) 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, 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 $

ST. ARNOLD'S MUSSEL BAR 7525 Old Georgetown Road, 240-821-6830, starnoldsmussel.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 $$

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, 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, 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 $$

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dine TAPP’D BETHESDA 4915 St. Elmo Ave., 240-630-8120, tappdbethesda.com. Beer-centric gastropub offering 40-plus 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 crabcakes, 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 2018. 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, tasteediner. 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 crabcakes to crowds of loyal customers. Open 24 hours. J B L D $

TERRAIN CAFÉ 7228 Woodmont Ave., 240-345-9492, shopterrain. com/restaurants. Located inside the Anthropologie & Co. at Bethesda Row, this quaint café changes its menu with the seasons. Look for cheese boards; salads; toast topped with eggplant, smoked salmon or fig; and entrées such as duck breast and a fried cauliflower sandwich. ❂ R L D $$

THELO GREEK GRILL 8009 Norfolk Ave., 301-654-7335. Greek classics such as gyros and meat skewers are the main offerings at this small full-service restaurant in the former Bistro LaZeez space.

❂ L D $$ TIA QUETA

4839 Del Ray Ave., 301-654-4443, 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. Drink menu includes American and Mexican beers. ❂ J L D $$

TOMMY JOE’S 7940 Norfolk Ave., 301-654-3801, tommyjoes. 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 (Pohostyle, grilled and smoky, are a good option), burgers, crabcakes 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, trattoriasorrento. com. This family-run Italian favorite offers homemade pastas, baked eggplant and fresh fish dishes. Half-price bottles of wine on Wednesdays. D $$

TRUE FOOD KITCHEN (EDITORS’ PICK) 7100 Wisconsin Ave., 240-200-1257, truefoodkitchen.com. Health-focused chain prides itself on serving fresh ingredients and features an open kitchen. The eclectic, multicultural menu changes from season to season, and includes sandwiches, salads and pizza. Beer, wine and freshfruit and vegetable cocktails are also available. Voted “Best New Restaurant” by Bethesda Magazine readers in 2018. ❂ R L D $

UNCLE JULIO’S 4870 Bethesda Ave., 301-656-2981, unclejulios. 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. ❂ 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 $$

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 KITCHEN (EDITORS’ PICK) 10223 Old Georgetown Road (Wildwood Shopping Center), 301-571-1700, wildwoodkitchenrw.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, hillstone. com. Part of the Houston’s chain, the eatery offers such classics as spinach-and-artichoke dip and its famous burgers, but also house-baked breads, more exotic dishes, live jazz and a granite bar. Voted “Best Restaurant Service” by Bethesda Magazine readers in 2018, and “Best Restaurant in Bethesda” by readers in 2019. ❂ L D $$$

WORLD OF BEER 7200 Wisconsin Ave., 240-389-9317, worldofbeer. com. Craft beer-focused tavern chain offers 50 brews on tap rotating daily and hundreds of bottled options. Food is classic pub fare, including hamburgers, wings and bratwurst sandwiches, as well as flatbreads and salads. ❂ J R 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, fishtacoonline.com. See Bethesda listing. ❂JLD$

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

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shrimp scampi. ❂ L D $$

WILD TOMATO (EDITORS’ PICK) 7945 MacArthur Blvd., 301-229-0680, wildtomatorestaurant.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 2019. ❂ J L D $

CHEVY CHASE ALFIO’S LA TRATTORIA 4515 Willard Ave., 301-657-9133, 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, capitalgrille. 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, 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 $$

DON POLLO 7007 Wisconsin Ave., 301-652-0001, donpolloonline.com. See Bethesda listing. L D $

LA FERME (EDITORS’ PICK) 7101 Brookville Road, 301-986-5255, laferme restaurant.com. This charming Provence-style 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. Voted “Best Romantic Restaurant” by Bethesda Magazine readers in 2018, and “Best Restaurant in Chevy Chase” and “Best SpecialOccasion Restaurant” by readers in 2019. ❂ R L D $$$

LIA'S 4435 Willard Ave., 240-223-5427, chefgeoff.com. Owner Geoff Tracy focuses on high-quality, low-fuss 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. ❂ J R L D $

MANOLI CANOLI RESTAURANT 8540 Connecticut Ave., 301-951-1818, manolicanoli.com. Italian and Greek specialties abound at a fun family eatery that features a large prepared foods section, dishes made with olive oil from owner Stavros Manolakos’ family farm in Greece and homemade mozzarella on pizza and subs. ❂ J L D $

MEIWAH RESTAURANT 4457 Willard Ave., 301-652-9882, 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 $$

MOBY DICK HOUSE OF KABOB 7023 Wisconsin Ave., 301-654-1838, mobyskabob. 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. LD$

PERSIMMON (EDITORS’ PICK) 7003 Wisconsin Ave., 301-654-9860, persimmon restaurant.com. Owners Damian and Stephanie Salvatore’s popular restaurant offers casual fare from salads to sandwiches to meat and seafood entrées in a bistro setting featuring a lively bar, cozy booths and bright paintings on the walls. ❂ R L D $$

POTOMAC PIZZA 19 Wisconsin Circle, 301-951-1127, 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, 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 $$

TAVIRA 8401 Connecticut Ave., 301-652-8684, tavira restaurant.com. Fish stews and several versions of bacalhau (salted cod) figure prominently on the menu of this intriguing Portuguese restaurant, which manages to be charming and attractive despite its location in an office building basement. L D $$

GARRETT PARK BLACK MARKET BISTRO (EDITORS’ PICK) 4600 Waverly Ave., 301-933-3000, blackmarket restaurant.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. Voted “Best Restaurant in Garrett Park/Kensington” by Bethesda Magazine readers in 2019. ❂ J R L D $$

KENSINGTON THE DISH & DRAM 10301 Kensington Parkway, 301-962-4046, 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 R L D $$

FRANKLY…PIZZA! (EDITORS’ PICK) 10417 Armory Ave., 301-832-1065, franklypizza. com. Owner Frank Linn turns out high-quality pizza in a rustic brick-and-mortar restaurant. The menu offers wood-fired pies topped with home-cured

meats and tomato sauce made from an 80-yearold family recipe. Wines and homemade sodas served on tap, too. Voted "Best Pizza" by Bethesda Magazine readers in 2018. ❂ L D $

Looking for the freshest fish in the DC area? Find it here in Bethesda for lunch, brunch and dinner!

K TOWN BISTRO 3784 Howard Ave., 301-933-1211, ktownbistro. 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, andpizza.com. See Bethesda listing. ❂ L D $

ASIA NINE 254 Crown Park Ave. (Downtown Crown), 301-3309997, 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, athensgrill. 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 $

7187 Woodmont Avenue • 301-358-6116

PASSIONFISHBETHESDA.COM

BARKING MAD CAFE 239 Spectrum Ave., 240-297-6230, barkingmad cafe.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 madefrom-scratch brunch, lunch and dinner sweets and savories, such as breakfast pizza, watermelon salad and farro salad. ❂ R L D $$

59th

BONEFISH GRILL 82 Market St., 240-631-2401, 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, bucadibeppo. 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 $$

CAVA 213 Kentlands Blvd., 301-476-4209, cava.com. See Bethesda listing. ❂ L D $

COAL FIRE 116 Main St., 301-519-2625, coalfireonline.com. Homemade crusts fired by coal and topped with your choice of toppings and three different sauces: classic, spicy and signature, which is slightly sweet with a hint of spice. Salads, sandwiches and pasta also available, plus a full bar. ❂ L D $

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dine COASTAL FLATS 135 Crown Park Ave. (Downtown Crown), 301869-8800, 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. Voted “Best Restaurant in Gaithersburg/North Potomac” by Bethesda Magazine readers in 2018. ❂ J R L D $$

COPPER CANYON GRILL 100 Boardwalk Place, 240-631-0003, 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, dogfishale house.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, donpollogroup. com. See Bethesda listing. ❂ L D $

EAST DIAMOND BREWING CO. 227 E. Diamond Ave., 240-261-6196. This American restaurant in a turn-of-the-century building in downtown Gaithersburg serves its own beers and other local beers on tap and a full menu with sandwiches, pasta and house-made crabcakes. The upstairs bar area, which has occasional live music, has kept the previous name of the business: Greene Growlers. J 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 $$

GUAPO’S RESTAURANT 9811 Washingtonian Blvd., L-17, 301-977-5655, guaposrestaurant.com. See Bethesda listing. ❂JRLD$

HERSHEY’S RESTAURANT & BAR 17030 Oakmont Ave., 301-948-9893, hersheysat thegrove.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 $$

IL PORTO RESTAURANT 245 Muddy Branch Road, 301-590-0735, ilporto restaurant.com. A classic red-sauce menu, elegant murals of Venice and an authentic thincrust 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. Voted “Best Restaurant in Gaithersburg/North Potomac” by Bethesda Magazine readers in 2019. ❂ 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 $

IXTAPALAPA TAQUERIA 411 N. Frederick Ave., 240-702-0217, ixtataqueria.com. The owners of Taco Bar (in a gas station in Gaithersburg) serve Mexican street food at this fast-casual spot. Pick a protein to go on corn tortillas and then pile on toppings at a fixings bar. Or try a taco that comes already topped (the alambre with bacon, grilled onions and red peppers and Oaxaca cheese is good). ❂LD$

KENAKI SUSHI 706 Center Point Way, 240-224-7189, kenakisushi. com. This sushi counter at Kentlands Market Square offers what the owners call a “modern take on traditional sushi.” Experiment with the Black Magic roll, which comes with truffle oil and black sushi rice. Lunch is more informal, but at dinner there’s full service. L D $

THE MELTING POT 9021 Gaither Road, 301-519-3638, themeltingpot. 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, notyouraveragejoes.com. See Bethesda listing. ❂ J L D $$

OLD TOWN POUR HOUSE 212 Ellington Blvd. (Downtown Crown), 301-9636281, oldtownpourhouse.com. One of the eateries from Chicago’s Bottleneck Management restaurant company, this place features more than 90 local and international brews on tap. Classic American cuisine is served in a setting with copper-inlaid bars and high ceilings. ❂ L D $$

PALADAR LATIN KITCHEN & RUM BAR 203 Crown Park Ave., 301-330-4400, 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, 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, quincysgroup.com. Energetic neighborhood pub with a sports bar atmosphere, Quincy’s also has an extensive menu with wings, pizza, build-yourown burgers and chicken sandwiches, plus entrées including Guinness-braised brisket. Live music is also a big draw. L D $

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RED HOT & BLUE 16811 Crabbs Branch Way, 301-948-7333, 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, ruthschris.com. See Bethesda listing. D $$$

SIN & GRIN 353 Main St., 301-977-5595, singrintacos.com. Located in the heart of Kentlands Market Square, Sin & Grin is a fast-casual restaurant owned and operated by the Hristopoulos family, which also runs Vasili’s Kitchen. Pick from eight tacos, rotisserie chicken and an assortment of Mexican cuisine. L D $

TANDOORI NIGHTS 106 Market St., 301-947-4007, tandoorinightsmd. com. See Bethesda listing. ❂ L D $

TARA THAI 9811 Washingtonian Blvd., L-9, 301-947-8330, tarathai.com. See Bethesda listing. ❂ L D $$

TED’S BULLETIN 220 Ellington Blvd. (Downtown Crown), 301990-0600, 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, thaitanium restaurant.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. ❂JLD$

UNCLE JULIO’S 231 Rio Blvd. (RIO Washingtonian Center), 240-6322150, unclejulios.com. See Bethesda listing. ❂ J R L D $$

VASILI'S KITCHEN 705 Center Point Way, 301-977-1011, vasilis kitchen.com. Tan and brown décor lends a cozy vibe to this 4,700-square-foot Kentlands restaurant. 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, thewineharvest. 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 $

YARD HOUSE 211 Rio Blvd., 240-683-8790, yardhouse.com. Part of a chain with locations in California, Illinois and Texas, this RIO Washingtonian Center spot is big: The 13,000-square-foot restaurant has more than 100 beers on draft, and more than 100 items on its menu, from poke nachos and Nashville hot chicken to Parmesan-crusted pork loin and ginger-crusted salmon. ❂ J L D $$

YOYOGI SUSHI 317 Main St., 301-963-0001. yoyogisushi.wixsite. com/yoyogisushi. A no-nonsense neighborhood sushi place offering the familiar sushi, teriyaki, tempura and green tea or red bean ice cream. ❂ LD$

ZIKI JAPANESE STEAK HOUSE 10009 Fields Road, 301-330-3868, zikisteakhouse. 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 ADDIE’S (EDITORS’ PICK) 12435 Park Potomac Ave., 301-340-0081, addies restaurant.com. Longtime North Bethesda restaurant from the Black Restaurant Group that closed in 2013 is reborn in the Park Potomac development. Date nights call for the signature entrées for two. ❂ R L D $$

ATTMAN’S DELICATESSEN 7913 Tuckerman Lane (Cabin John Village), 301765-3354, 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, brooklyns delimd.com. From chopped liver to chicken soup, Brooklyn’s serves all the deli specialties, plus more. Think hot pastrami with coleslaw and Russian dressing on pumpernickel. ❂ J B L D $

CAVA 7991 Tuckerman Lane (Cabin John Village), 301200-5398, cava.com. See Bethesda listing. ❂LD$

ELEVATION BURGER 12525-D Park Potomac Ave., 301-838-4010, elevationburger.com. Fast-food burgers go organic and grass-fed at this Northern Virginia-founded chain. Veggie burgers, chicken sandwiches, grilled cheese and a BLT available, too. Shake flavors range from banana to Key lime and cheesecake. ❂LD$

GREGORIO’S TRATTORIA 7745 Tuckerman Lane (Cabin John Village), 301296-6168, 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 Village), 301299-9888, thegrilledoystercompany.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 $$

GRINGOS & MARIACHIS (EDITORS’ PICK) 12435 Park Potomac Ave., 301-339-8855, gringosandmariachis.com. See Bethesda listing. This location voted “Best New Restaurant” by Bethesda Magazine readers in 2019. ❂D$

HUNTER’S BAR AND GRILL 10123 River Road, 301-299-9300, thehuntersinn. 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 Village), 240499-8922, lahinchtavernandgrill.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 $$$

LE PAIN QUOTIDIEN 7991 Tuckerman Lane (Cabin John Village), 240205-7429, lepainquotidien.com. See Bethesda listing. ❂ J B R L D $

T S E G M R A L Y ROO

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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 panroasted duck breast, crabcake, rockfish and New York strip steak. ❂ R L D $$

MOCO’S FOUNDING FARMERS 12505 Park Potomac Ave., 301-340-8783, wearefoundingfarmers.com. Farm-inspired fare in a modern and casual setting; this is the sister restaurant to the phenomenally popular downtown D.C. Founding Farmers. Try the warm cookies for dessert. Voted “Best Restaurant in Potomac,” "Best Cocktails" and “Best Brunch” by Bethesda Magazine readers in 2018, and also “Best Brunch” in 2019. ❂ B R L D $$

NORMANDIE FARM RESTAURANT 10710 Falls Road, 301-983-8838, 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, odonnells market.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 crabcake sandwich, salmon BLT, seafood bisque and crab gumbo. ❂L$

OLD ANGLER’S INN 10801 MacArthur Blvd., 301-365-2425, oldanglers inn.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 2018. ❂ R L D $$$

POTOMAC PIZZA 9812 Falls Road, 301-299-7700, potomacpizza. com. See Chevy Chase listing. J L D $

RENATO’S AT RIVER FALLS 10120 River Road, 301-365-1900, renatosatriver falls.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. Voted “Best Restaurant in Potomac” by Bethesda Magazine readers in 2019. ❂ J L D $$

SUGO OSTERIA 12505 Park Potomac Ave., 240-386-8080, eatsugo.com. This stylish spot starts you off with honey-thyme butter on rustic bread. The menu focuses on Italian small plates, meatballs, sliders, pizza and pasta. Chef specialties include blue crab gnocchi and charred octopus. ❂ R L D $$

TALLY-HO RESTAURANT 9923 Falls Road, 301-299-6825, tallyhorestaurant. 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, thewineharvest.com. See Gaithersburg listing. ❂LD$

ZOËS KITCHEN 12505 Park Potomac Ave., Suite 115, 240-3281022, zoeskitchen.com. A fast-casual restaurant, Zoës features Mediterranean dishes such

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dine as kabobs, hummus and pita sandwiches. 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, 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 $

AKIRA RAMEN & IZAKAYA 1800 Rockville Pike, 240-242-3669, akiraramen. com. This minimalist Japanese eatery serves house-made noodles and vibrant food such as a poke salad. The sleek establishment, located on the first floor of the Galvan at Twinbrook building, features an open kitchen and several variations of ramen to choose from. L D $

AL CARBÓN 200 Park Road, 301-738-0003, alcarbonrestaurant. 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. ❂BLD$

AL HA'ESH 4860 Boiling Brook Parkway (Randolph Hills Shopping Center), 301-231-0839, al-haesh.com. Kosher Israeli grill serves vegetable and protein skewers (including chicken, lamb, beef, chicken livers and sweetbreads). All entrées come with small ramekins of salads (think curried chickpeas; marinated red cabbage; and balsamic marinated mushrooms). ❂ L D $$

AMALFI RISTORANTE ITALIANO 12307 Wilkins Ave., 301-770-7888, amalfirockville. 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 $$

AMICI MIEI RISTORANTE 6 N. Washington St., 301-545-0966, amicimieiristorante.com. Previously located at the Potomac Woods Plaza, this upscale Italian restaurant serves wood-fired pizzas, homemade pastas and creative salads. The new, smaller establishment is cozier than the last with a menu that changes twice a year. 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, andpizza.com. See Bethesda listing. ❂LD$

BARONESSA ITALIAN RESTAURANT 1302 E. Gude Drive, 301-838-9050, baronessarestaurant.com. Pizzas made in a woodburning oven and more than two dozen Italian

entrées star on the menu at this 100-seat stripmall restaurant. Trivia nights and kids pizza-making classes are offered. J R L D $$

THE BIG GREEK CAFÉ 4007 Norbeck Road, 301-929-9760; 5268 Nicholson Lane, 301-881-4976, biggreekcafe.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, bombaybistro.com. Bombay Bistro opened in 1991 as one of the first Indian restaurants in the area to combine high style, reasonable prices and a fresh take on traditional Indian, and it has been packed ever since. 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, 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. LD$

BOTANERO 800 Pleasant Drive, Suite 160, 240-474-5461, botanerorockville.com. Located in the King Farm neighborhood, this small plates restaurant and wine bar features cuisine that changes seasonally. Some recent offerings include a fig and prosciutto flatbread and quinoa grilled salmon. B L D $

CAVA 12037 Rockville Pike (Montrose Crossing), 240235-0627; 28 Upper Rock Circle, 301-200-5530; cava.com. See Bethesda listing. ❂ L D $

CAVA MEZZE (EDITORS’ PICK) 9713 Traville Gateway Drive, 301-309-9090, cavamezze.com. The dark and elegant CAVA Mezze 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, 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 flair. Free chips are served out of a car trunk display. ❂ J L D $

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CITY PERCH KITCHEN + BAR 11830 Grand Park Ave. (Pike & Rose), 301-2312310, cityperch.com. Located above the entrance to the iPic Theaters at Pike & Rose, City Perch offers creative, seasonal American cuisine in a rustic, inviting space. The menu includes raw-bar selections, small plates, shareable salads and entrée options such as grilled shrimp and Long Island duck. ❂ R L D $$$

CLYDE'S TOWER OAKS LODGE 2 Preserve Parkway, 301-294-0200, 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. Voted “Best Restaurant Décor” by Bethesda Magazine readers in 2018. J R L D $$

THE CUBAN CORNER 825 Hungerford Drive, 301-279-0310, 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$

CSNY PIZZA 1020 Rockville Pike, 301-298-3650, csnypizza. wixisite.com/sneaksite. Carry out a New York-style pizza from this spot by the owners of Pizza CS. Their second Rockville location also offers six seats for guests to dine in, and serves whole pies, hot subs and pizza by the slice. L D $

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, donpollogroup.com. See Bethesda listing. L D $

EAST PEARL RESTAURANT 838-B Rockville Pike, 301-838-8663, eastpearl restaurant.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. LD$

EL MARIACHI RESTAURANT 765-D Rockville Pike, 301-738-7177, elmariachi rockville.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. 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 $

FAR EAST RESTAURANT 5055 Nicholson Lane, 301-881-5552, fareastrockvillemd.com. Owned and operated by

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, flordeluna md.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 $$

FLOWER CHILD 10072 Darnestown Road (Travilah Square Shopping Center), 301-545-6750, iamaflowerchild.com. A fast-casual restaurant that’s part of a national chain, Flower Child has an emphasis on vegetarian eating (grain-based bowls, vegetable plates, salads) but also offers protein add-ons such as chicken, salmon and steak. ❂ L D $

FONTINA GRILLE 801 Pleasant Drive, 301-947-5400, fontinagrille. 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 $$

GOLDEN SAMOVAR 201 N. Washington St. (Rockville Town Square), 240-671-9721, goldensamovarrestaurant.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 $$

GORDON BIERSCH 200-A E. Middle Lane (Rockville Town Square), 301340-7159, 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 $

GYROLAND 1701-B3 Rockville Pike, 301-816-7829, gyrolandmd.com. Build-your-own salads, open-face and wrapped sandwiches, and other Greek choices star at this fast-casual spot near Congressional Plaza. For dessert, Gyroland serves loukoumades, a bite-size fluffy Greek doughnut soaked in hot honey syrup. L D $

1117 Nelson St., 301-294-9720, hardtimes.com. Good American beer selections, hearty chili styles ranging from Cincinnati (cinnamon and tomato) to Texas (beef and hot peppers), and hefty salads and wings bring families to this Wild West-style saloon for lunch and dinner. L D $

HINODE JAPANESE RESTAURANT 134 Congressional Lane, 301-816-2190, hinode restaurant.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 (EDITORS’ PICK) 15209 Frederick Road, 301-309-0610, 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 $$

IRON AGE 1054 Rockville Pike, 301-424-1474, ironagekoreansteakhouse.com. Part of a small chain of all-you-can-eat Korean barbecue restaurants, this branch opened in 2012. Garlic pork belly, spicy chicken and beef brisket are among the dozen-plus offerings. There are two menu options (the pricier one includes a few more items, such as steak and octopus). J L D $$

JINYA RAMEN BAR 910 Prose St. (Pike & Rose), 301-816-3029, jinyaramenbar.com. A 74-seat eatery that’s part of a chain, Jinya serves 12 different types of ramen, ranging from the classic wonton chicken to a creamy vegan option. Try the Jinya Mini Tacos, which come with a choice of salmon poke, pork chashu and kimchee, or spicy tuna. J L D $

JOE’S NOODLE HOUSE 1488-C Rockville Pike, 301-881-5518, joesnoodlehouse.com. Chinese ex-pats and many other customers consider the Sichuan specialties (soft bean curd with spicy sauce and hot beef jerky) among the area’s best examples of gourmet Chinese cooking. L D $

JULII 11915 Grand Park Ave. (Pike & Rose), 301-5179090, julii.com. A French Mediterranean bistro from the owners of CAVA, Julii looks like a glass box from the outside and serves fare such as salmon crudo, roasted bone marrow, crispy trout, New York strip au poivre and tableside nitrogen ice cream. See our review on page 292. L D $$

KUYA JA’S LECHON BELLY 5268-H Nicholson Lane, 240-669-4383, kuyajas. com. This fast-casual restaurant that started as a pop-up in the Rockville area specializes in serving lechon, a Filipino pork belly dish. Chef and owner Javier J. Fernandez, a native of the Philippines, shares the flavors of his home country through ricebowls, spiced wings and homemade pastries. LD$

LA BRASA LATIN CUISINE 12401 Parklawn Drive, 301-468-8850, 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 $

BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM | MAY/JUNE 2019

Award winning salon serving the community for over 20 years | 10317 Westlake Drive, Bethesda | www.SalonCentralBethesda.com

FINNEGAN’S WAKE IRISH PUB

HARD TIMES CAFÉ

Salon Central

the same family since 1974, this classic Chinese restaurant greets customers with two royal stone lions out front and sticks to the familiar ChineseAmerican basics. Check out the daily specials and dim sum menu. L D $$

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dine LA CANELA (EDITORS’ PICK) 141-D Gibbs St. (Rockville Town Square), 301-2511550, 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 GRILL 1093 Rockville Pike, 301-417-4922. An offshoot of nearby La Limeña Restaurant, this Peruvian eatery with a spacious patio serves several traditional seafood dishes, including Ceviche Mixto, an appetizer of lime-marinated tilapia served with glazed potatoes and crispy dried corn kernels. The Chicha Morada, a sweet corn-based drink, pairs nicely with authentic and tender braised-beef entrées. ❂ J 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, 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 115 Gibbs St. (Rockville Town Square), 301-3098681, lebanesetaverna.com. A casual and pleasant family spot for lunch or dinner, the café is a more casual offshoot of the local Lebanese Taverna chain, serving hummus, pita, falafel, lamb kabobs, salmon and chicken. ❂ J L D $

LEBTAV 1605 Rockville Pike, 301-468-9086, lebanesetaverna.com. LEBTAV has a shorter menu than its fast-casual sibling Lebanese Taverna Café. You’ll find sandwiches, bowls, hummus, falafel, chicken and lamb kabobs. 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 $

MAMMA LUCIA 12274-M Rockville Pike, 301-770-4894; 14921-J Shady Grove Road, 301-762-8805; mammalucia restaurants.com. See Bethesda listing. ❂ L D $$

MATCHBOX (EDITORS’ PICK) 1699 Rockville Pike, 301-816-0369, matchbox restaurants.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 $

MISSION BBQ 885 Rockville Pike, 301-444-5574, mission-bbq. com. This outpost of a national chain, known for its support of U.S. military troops and veterans, serves its barbecue—including brisket, ribs and pulled pork—alongside a slew of add-your-own sauces.

Come for lunch and stay to recite the national anthem at noon. J 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, modernmarket.com. See Bethesda listing. ❂ J B R L D $

MOSAIC CUISINE & CAFÉ 186 Halpine Road, 301-468-0682, mosaiccuisine. com. A diner with a soft European accent. Try the fresh Belgian waffles for breakfast. For those with hefty appetites, the waffle sandwiches are worth the trip, but don’t overlook the homemade soups or light dinner entrées. J B R L D $$

MYKONOS GRILL 121 Congressional Lane, 301-770-5999, 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 $$

NADA 11886 Grand Park Ave. (Pike & Rose), 301-7714040, eatdrinknada.com/n-bethesda. Part of a small national chain, Nada serves street tacos with fillings such as caramelized cauliflower, fried tofu and pork carnitas. The brief menu also includes soups, salads and a fajita plate. Margaritas and seasonal cocktails are available. R L D $$

NAGOYA SUSHI 402 King Farm Blvd., Suite 130, 301-990-6778, nagoyasushirockville.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, 301279-7333, 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, nickschop houserockville.com. Aged Angus beef cooked over an open fire is the specialty at this upscale spot, but seafood lovers can get their fill from big crabcakes. 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, niwanohana. 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 $$

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THE ORIGINAL PANCAKE HOUSE 12224 Rockville Pike, 301-468-0886, ophrestaurants.com. See Bethesda listing. This location stays open until 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. J B L D $

OWEN’S ORDINARY (EDITORS’ PICK) 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, pork, seafood and fondue entrées, and those looking to grab a drink can make the most of the space’s 60seat beer garden. Voted “Best Restaurant Beer Selection” by Bethesda Magazine readers in 2019. R L D $$

PETER CHANG (EDITORS’ PICK) 20-A Maryland Ave. (Rockville Town Square), 301838-9188, peterchangarlington.com. Chef Peter Chang’s Sichuan specialties are showcased 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. 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, phonomnom. 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, 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 $$

PIKE KITCHEN 1066 Rockville Pike, 301-603-2279, pikekitchen. com. The 6,200-square-foot, 100-seat Asian food hall at the Edmonston Crossing shopping center includes eateries dishing up Vietnamese banh mi sandwiches, pho, poke, ramen, bibimbap and more. ❂ LD$

PIZZA CS 1596-B Rockville Pike, 240-833-8090, pizzacs.com. Authentic Neapolitan pies are offered. Choose from a list of red and white pizza options, or build your own pie with herbs, cheeses, meats and vegetables. ❂ JLD$

POTOMAC PIZZA 9709 Traville Gateway Drive, 301-279-2234, potomacpizza.com. See Chevy Chase listing. ❂ JLD$

QUINCY’S SOUTH BAR & GRILLE 11401 Woodglen Drive, 240-669-3270, quincysgroup.com. See North Potomac/ Gaithersburg listing. ❂ L D $

ROLLS ‘N RICE 1701 Rockville Pike (Shops at Congressional Village), 301-770-4030, 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 $

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, samcafemarket. com. Fill up on the kitchen’s juicy skewered meats or interesting entrées, including pomegranate molasses stew and marinated grilled salmon, then have a gelato and check out the hookahs. ❂ LD$

SEASONS 52 11414 Rockville Pike, 301-984-5252, 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 $$

SHANGHAI TASTE 1121 Nelson St., 301-279-0806. Co-owner and chef Wei Sun, a Shanghai native, specializes in preparing three different flavors of soup dumplings at this small restaurant in a strip mall. The menu also includes traditional Chinese-American dishes, such as General Tso’s chicken and fried rice. LD$

SHEBA RESTAURANT 5071 Nicholson Lane, 301-881-8882, sheba rockville.com. The menu features authentic Ethiopian cuisine with lots of vegetarian and vegan options. House specialties include Dulet Assa, chopped tilapia mixed with onion, garlic and jalapeño and served with a side of homemade cheese. L D $

SICHUAN JIN RIVER 410 Hungerford Drive, 240-403-7351, sichuanjin river.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, silverdiner. 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. Voted “Best Kid-Friendly Restaurant” by Bethesda Magazine readers in 2019. J B R L D $

SPICE XING 100-B Gibbs St. (Rockville Town Square), 301-6100303, spicexing.com. Chef and owner Sudhir 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 all-you-can-eat lunchtime buffet. ❂ J R L D $$

THE SPOT 255 N. Washington St., thespotdmv.com. This 6,200-square-foot, 200-seat Asian food hall, not far from Rockville Town Square, includes a handful of vendors, including Mian Pull Noodle (dumplings and noodle dishes), Poki DC (the Hawaiian-inspired raw fish dish called poke) and Alpaca Dessert (shaved snow ice and ice cream-filled waffle cones). LD$

SUSHI OISHII 9706 Traville Gateway Drive, 301-251-1177, 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; 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 THAI 12071 Rockville Pike, 301-231-9899, tarathai.com. See Bethesda listing. ❂ L D $$

TEMARI CAFÉ

STANFORD GRILL 2000 Tower Oaks Blvd., 240-582-1000, thestanford grill.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 high quality. ❂ R L D $$

STELLA BARRA PIZZERIA 11825 Grand Park Ave. (Pike & Rose), 301-7708609, 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 D $$

SUMMER HOUSE SANTA MONICA (EDITORS’ PICK) 11825 Grand Park Ave. (Pike & Rose), 301881-2381, summerhousesm.com. An airy, light and stunning space sets the scene for modern American cuisine with a West Coast sensibility. Fare includes salads, sushi, tacos, sandwiches and steak frites. Do not miss the bakery counter. Voted “Best Restaurant in Rockville/North Bethesda” by Bethesda Magazine readers in 2018 and 2019. ❂ J R L D $$

SUPER BOWL NOODLE HOUSE 785 Rockville Pike, 301-738-0086, superbowl noodlehouse.com. Look for a large variety of Asian noodle dishes in super-size portions, plus a wide 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, 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, sushihouse1331.com. 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 $$

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, 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, 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, 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 $$

TRAPEZARIA 11 N. Washington St., 301-339-8962, thetrapezaria. 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 $

URBAN HOT POT 1800 Rockville Pike, 240-669-6710, urbanhotpot. com. On the first floor of the Galvan at Twinbrook building, this hot pot spot features a conveyor belt where food travels to diners. A prix fixe all-you-caneat menu allows you to create your meal at your table using one of the stationed iPads. Choose from a selection of noodles, vegetables and meat to add

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dine to a bowl of hot stock, then do it again if you’re still hungry. 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, thewoodside deli.com. A second location of the venerable Silver Spring eatery and caterer that 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. ❂ J B R L D $

WORLD OF BEER 196B East Montgomery Ave., 301-340-2915, worldofbeer.com. See Bethesda listing. ❂ JRL D $

XI’AN GOURMET 316 N. Washington St., 301-875-5144, xian-gourmet.business.site. This casual diner prides itself on its comfort food. Named after an ancient city, Xi’an heavily features Sichuan and Shaanxi cuisines, after the chefs’ regional heritage. Go for the Shaanxi cold steamed noodles or the Shanghai soup dumplings. L D $

YAMACHAN RAMEN 201 E. Middle Lane, 301-666-6685, yamachanramen.com. This Rockville Town Center restaurant lets diners customize their bowls of ramen, from the soup base and noodles to protein and toppings. The eatery shares an address with Pearl Lady, a bubble tea shop. L D $

YEKTA 1488 Rockville Pike, 301-984-1190, 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 kabob. L D $$

YUAN FU VEGETARIAN 798 Rockville Pike, 301-762-5937, yuanfuvegetarian.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 ADDIS ABABA 8233 Fenton St., 301-589-1400, addisababa cuisine.com. Authentic Ethiopian-style vegetables and fiery meats are served atop spongy bread in communal bowls. Traditional woven tables and a roof deck add to the ambience. There’s a weekday lunch buffet, too. ❂ R L D $

ALL SET RESTAURANT & BAR 8630 Fenton St., 301-495-8800, allsetrestaurant. 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, aminathai silverspring.com. See Rockville/North Bethesda listing. L D $

ASTRO LAB BREWING 8216 Georgia Ave., 301-273-9684, astrolabbrewing.com. A menu of about a dozen items—including handheld savory pies, a sausage roll and a hummus platter—are served in the downtown Silver Spring brewery’s taproom. Grab one of the hop-forward beers brewed on-site to sip at the communal tables or on the patio. ❂JLD$

AZÚCAR RESTAURANT BAR & GRILL 14418 Layhill Road, 301-438-3293, azucarrestaurant.net. The name means sugar, and it fits: The colorful Salvadoran spot is 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, beteethiopia. com. Family-run Ethiopian restaurant with a modest dining room but some exemplary cooking. Don’t miss the vegetarian sampler, and in nice weather, opt for eating outside in the lovely, shaded back patio. ❂ J B L D $$

THE BIG GREEK CAFÉ 8223 Georgia Ave., 301-587-4733, biggreekcafe. com. See Bethesda listing. L D $

BUENA VIDA (EDITORS’ PICK) 8407 Ramsey Ave., 301-755-6132, buenavidarestaurant.com. The second-floor fullservice restaurant (its sister restaurant Tacos, Tortas & Tequila fills the first floor) has a menu with à la carte items, or you can pay a set price for unlimited Mexican small plates. Offerings include ceviche, guacamole, salads, tacos and enchiladas. The space is light-filled, with vibrant murals and a 720-bottle tequila and wine rack. R L D $$

CAVA 8515 Fenton St., 301-200-8666, cava.com. See Bethesda listing. ❂ L D $

COPPER CANYON GRILL 928 Ellsworth Drive, 301-589-1330, ccgrill.com. See Gaithersburg listing. ❂ J R L D $$

CRISFIELD SEAFOOD RESTAURANT 8012 Georgia Ave., 301-589-1306, crisfieldseafood.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, 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, thedailydish restaurant.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

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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 $

DON POLLO 12345 Georgia Ave., 301-933-9515; 13881 Outlet Drive, 240-560-7376, donpollogroup.com. See Bethesda listing. L D $

EGGSPECTATION 923 Ellsworth Drive, 301-585-1700, eggspectation. 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, elaguilarestaurant. com. A cheery bar and generous plates of TexMex 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, gavilan restaurant.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$

EL SAPO CUBAN SOCIAL CLUB (EDITORS’ PICK) 8455 Fenton St., 301-326-1063, elsaporestaurant. com. Cuban specialties are the focus at this restaurant from owner and chef Raynold Mendizábal, who also owns Urban Butcher in Silver Spring. Small bites such as empanadas and cod croquettes are on the menu with dishes that Cuba is known for, including the beef entrée ropa vieja and puerco asado (roasted pork). L D $$$

ETHIO EXPRESS GRILL 952 Sligo Ave., 301-844-5149. 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 $

FENTON CAFÉ 8311 Fenton St., 301-326-1841, fentoncafesilver spring.com. 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. 8131 Georgia Ave., 301-585-1370, firestation1. com. A historic firehouse made over as an eatery serves 21st-century pizza, sandwiches, meat, seafood and vegetarian entrées. Try the Cuban sandwich with seasoned pork, chipotle mayo, Dijon mustard, pickles and Swiss cheese on a ciabatta roll. L D $

GHAR-E-KABAB 944 Wayne Ave., 301-587-4427, gharekabab.com. In the heart of downtown Silver Spring, Ghar-EKabab offers a mix of authentic Indian and Nepali cuisine. From Indian staples such as chicken tikka masala and lamb curry to Nepalese appetizers such as furaula (vegetable fritters) and cho-e-la (marinated duck), this intimate joint presents a variety of South Asian flavors. J L D $$

THE GREEK PLACE 8417 Georgia Ave., 301-495-2912, thegreekplace. net. Here are big portions of better-than-average food at reasonable prices. The bifteki pita sandwich, a seasoned ground lamb and beef patty with tzatziki, tomatoes and red onions, is especially good. L D $

GUSTO FARM TO STREET 8512 Fenton St., 301-565-2800, eatgusto.com. See Bethesda listing. ❂ J L D $

ITALIAN KITCHEN 8201 Fenton St., 301-588-7800, italiankitchenmd. 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, 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 $$

KAO THAI 8650 Colesville Road, 301-495-1234, kaothai restaurant.com. This restaurant turns out top-notch 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, lacasita pupusas.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, lamalinche tapas.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, langano restaurant.com. 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, lebanese taverna.com. See Rockville listing. J L D $

LUCY ETHIOPIAN RESTAURANT 8301 Georgia Ave., 301-589-6700. See Bethesda listing. L D $

MAMMA LUCIA 1302 East West Highway, 301-562-0693, mammaluciarestaurants.com. See Bethesda listing. ❂ L D $$

MANDALAY RESTAURANT & CAFÉ

PARKWAY DELI & RESTAURANT

930 Bonifant St., 301-585-0500, 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, 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 $$

MELEKET 1907 Seminary Road, 301-755-5768, meleketrestaurant.com. This family-owned, Ethiopian-Italian restaurant serves classic vegetarian, beef and chicken Ethiopian plates, alongside Italian entrées such as pesto pasta with chicken. For breakfast, try a traditional Ethiopian dish of kinche (a buttery grain porridge) or firfir (bread mixed with vegetables in a red pepper sauce). B L D $

MI RANCHO 8701 Ramsey Ave., 301-588-4872, miranchomd.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 $

MIX BAR & GRILLE 8241 Georgia Ave., #200, 301-326-1333. Modern American bistro with charcuterie and cheese plates, brick-oven flatbreads, ceviche and other light fare. Look for lots of wines by the glass and beers on tap. ❂  R L D $$

MOD PIZZA 909 Ellsworth Drive, 240-485-1570, modpizza.com. First Maryland location of this Bellevue, Washingtonbased 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, mrsks.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 $$$

NOT YOUR AVERAGE JOE'S 8661 Colesville Road, 240-839-3400, notyouraveragejoes.com. See Bethesda listing. ❂ J L D $$

OLAZZO (EDITORS’ PICK) 8235 Georgia Ave., 301-588-2540, olazzo.com. See Bethesda listing. ❂ J L D $

8317 Grubb Road, 301-587-1427, 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 $

PHO HIEP HOA 921-G Ellsworth Drive, 301-588-5808, phohiephoa. 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 $

PHO TAN VINH 8705-A Colesville Road, 301-588-8188, photanvinh. com. A family-owned Vietnamese restaurant, Pho Tan Vinh was opened in 2014 by Tiffany Chu, who sought the traditional food she ate in her youth. She and her chef mother serve emergent classics such as pho and put their own spin on items such as the Tan Vinh special, a “deconstructed” banh mi sandwich. L D $

PORT-AU-PRINCE AUTHENTIC HAITIAN CUISINE 7912 Georgia Ave., 301-565-2006, paphaitiancuisine.com. The eatery serves a small menu of Haitian fare: five appetizers, five entrées (plus an entrée salad) and two desserts. Chicken wings, fritters, whole red snapper, fried turkey and legume casserole are among the highlights. A Sunday brunch buffet draws crowds. R D $$

QUARRY HOUSE TAVERN (EDITORS’ PICK) 8401 Georgia Ave., 301-844-5380, facebook. com/quarryhouse. Closed for nearly three years after a fire, this basement-level dive bar reopened in its original space. The inside holds the same 1930s-era feel as the original bar, and burgers and Tater Tots are still on the menu. D $

SAMANTHA’S 631 University Blvd. East, 301-445-7300, samanthasrestaurante.com. This white-tablecloth, Latin-Salvadoran spot in an industrial neighborhood is popular because of its welcoming attitude toward families with young children. The steak and fish specialties are good. L D $$

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, 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

PACCI’S NEAPOLITAN PIZZERIA (EDITORS’ PICK) 8113 Georgia Ave., 301-588-1011, paccispizzeria. 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. ❂ JLD$

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 $$

8555 Fenton St., 301-608-0990, sushijinnextdoor. 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, sweetgreen. com. See Bethesda listing. L D $

TACOS, TORTAS & TEQUILA 8407 Ramsey Ave., 301-755-6132. Also called TTT, this first-floor fast-casual spot is below its fancier sister restaurant, Buena Vida. The focus is on

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dine quesadillas, tortas and tacos—beef tongue, duck carnitas and house-made chorizo among them. There’s a full-service bar and an outdoor patio. ❂ BLD$

TASTEE DINER 8601 Cameron St., 301-589-8171, tasteediner. com. See Bethesda listing. ❂ J B L D $

THAI AT SILVER SPRING 921-E Ellsworth Drive, 301-650-0666, thaiatsilver spring.com. The Americanized Thai food is second to the location, which is superb for people-watching on the street below. A modern and stylish dining room with a hip bar in bold colors and good service add to the appeal. ❂ L D $$

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, urbanbutcher. 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. Voted “Best Restaurant in Silver Spring” by Bethesda Magazine readers in 2018 and 2019. R D $$

URBAN WINERY 949 Bonifant St., 301-585-4100, theurbanwinery. 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 $

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, thewoodside deli.com. See Rockville listing. J B L D $

BLUE 44 5507 Connecticut Ave. NW, 202-362-2583, 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, 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, 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 $$

CHATTER 5247 Wisconsin Ave. NW, 202-362-8040, chatterdc. 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 atmosphere. 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, 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, decarlosrestaurant.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 $$

GUAPO’S RESTAURANT 4515 Wisconsin Ave. NW, 202-686-3588, guaposrestaurant.com. See Bethesda listing. ❂ R L D $$

I’M EDDIE CANO (EDITORS’ PICK) 5014 Connecticut Ave. NW, 202-890-4995, imeddiecano.com. A play on the way “Americano” is pronounced, I’m Eddie Cano is an Italian joint with nostalgic 1970s-themed décor. The standouts on executive chef James Gee’s menu include fried zucchini, spaghetti and meatballs, spaghetti with clams, escarole salad and eggplant parmigiana. D $$

JETTIES

UPPER NW D.C. ARUCOLA 5534 Connecticut Ave. NW, 202-244-1555, arucola. com. The restaurant serves authentic Italian cuisine in a casual setting, with a changing menu that includes creative treatment of traditional dishes, homemade pasta and pizza from the wood-burning oven. ❂ L D $ $

THE AVENUE 5540 Connecticut Ave. NW, 202-244-4567, theavenuedc.com. A family-friendly neighborhood restaurant and bar with dishes such as crab pasta, poutine, burgers and baby back ribs. Fun décor includes classic posters and a giant magnetic scrabble board. ❂ J B L D $$

5632 Connecticut Ave. NW, 202-364-2465, jettiesdc.com. See Bethesda listing. J L D $

LE CHAT NOIR 4907 Wisconsin Ave. NW, 202-244-2044, lechatnoirrestaurant.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, lepainquotidien.com. See Bethesda listing. ❂ JBRLD$

LITTLE BEAST CAFÉ & BISTRO 5600 Connecticut Ave. NW, 202-741-4599, littlebeastdc.com. At this dinner spot on the corner of McKinley Street NW, find pizza cooked in a woodburning oven, sharable dishes such as Brussels

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sprouts, and entrées such as lamb ragu. ❂ 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. Voted “Best Restaurant in Upper Northwest D.C.” by Bethesda Magazine readers in 2018. ❂ R L D $$

MAGGIANO’S LITTLE ITALY 5333 Wisconsin Ave. NW, 202-966-5500, maggianos.com. The restaurant features oldstyle 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 4441-B Wisconsin Ave. NW, 202-362-4441, 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 (EDITORS’ PICK) 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. Voted “Best Restaurant in Upper Northwest D.C.” by Bethesda Magazine readers in 2019. ❂ J R L D $$

PARTHENON RESTAURANT 5510 Connecticut Ave. NW, 202-966-7600, 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, petesapizza.com. The crunchy-crusted New Havenstyle pizzas can be topped with a choice of almost three dozen ingredients. There's also pasta, panini, salads and house-made desserts. ❂ J L D $

SATAY CLUB ASIAN RESTAURANT AND BAR 4654 Wisconsin Ave. NW, 202-363-8888, 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. 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, tarathai.com. See Bethesda listing. ❂ L D $$

WAGSHAL’S RESTAURANT 4855 Massachusetts Ave. NW, 202-363-5698, 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

shopping. beauty. weddings. pets. travel. history.

PHOTO BY SUE EISENFELD

etc.

Visitors to Appomattox Court House National Historical Park in Virginia watch a reenactment of the surrender of Gen. Robert E. Lee. For more on the park and other lesser-known Civil War sites, turn to page 328.

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etc.

BY ADRIENNE WICHARD-EDDS

SHOP TALK

TAKE IT WITH YOU It’s the little luxuries that make a trip feel like a vacation. Jet-set in style with these functional and chic travel must-haves.

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1. Parker Thatch’s monogrammed eye mask, $58 at Neiman Marcus (5300 Wisconsin Ave. NW, Washington, D.C.; 202-966-9700; neimanmarcus.com)

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2. Tumi’s Voyageur Just In Case backpack, $100 at Macy’s (Westfield Montgomery mall, Bethesda; 301-4696800; macys.com)

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COURTESY PHOTOS

3. MerSea’s Taupe Thinny Traveler wrap, $68 through Barbie B (call 301-370-2296 to shop by appointment in Potomac; shopbarbieb.com) 4. Clean Essentials Kit, $25 at Follain (4810 Bethesda Ave. No. 24, Bethesda; 240-5342360; follain.com)

5. Original SPIbelt in black, $20 at Core72 (5502 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington, D.C.; 202-686-4258; core72dc.com) 6. Herschel Supply Co.’s Novel duffle bag, $120 at Nordstrom (Westfield Montgomery mall, Bethesda; 301-365-4111; nordstrom.com)

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etc. SHOP TALK

GOOD HAIR DAYS

Iris Rubin, right, started a hair care company with Greg Maged, her brother-in-law.

“EVERY TIME I WOULD go to get my hair done, my skin would break out,” says Harvard-trained dermatologist Iris Rubin, who lives in Potomac. She began investigating potential causes and discovered that the culprit was in the products the salon was using on her hair. “Even rinse-off hair care products leave a residue on the scalp, so obviously it might stick to the rest of your skin,” Rubin says. “People think of teenagers as being prone to breakouts, but it’s a huge issue among adult women, too. If you’re acne-prone, why would you put something on your hair that will run down your face and back that might clog your pores?” Rubin researched the nearly 400 potential ingredients found in hair care products and started testing them on her own skin to see which ones might cause breakouts. When she approached her brother-in-law Greg Maged—who has an 320

MBA from Wharton and previously served as chief of staff to Charles Schwab’s founder— to see if he’d be interested in partnering on a line of noncomedogenic hair care products, he got on board immediately. “Hair and skin products are often created in silos; companies don’t think of the crossover effect,” Maged says. “For Iris to think of them as related was groundbreaking.” The result is SEEN hair care, a line of products that are designed to not clog pores or cause breakouts. The shampoo, conditioner and styling cream (which just won a NewBeauty award for best blowout cream) hit the market this past November, with more products on the horizon. “It’s taken us four years to develop these products, all of which are free of sulfates, silicon, parabens, phthalates and dyes,” Rubin says. “Our big thing was no compromises. A lot of the doctor-created brands don’t smell good or don’t make

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your hair feel good. And not all natural or organic products are skin-friendly. Our line had to accomplish all those things.” Maged adds: “The ingredient list on our label is pretty slim. We’ve achieved what we have not through putting stuff in but taking it out. There’s actually a lot of science underneath it.” Rubin, who grew up in Potomac and graduated from Winston Churchill High School, is a mom of three; Maged lives in Bethesda and is married to Rubin’s twin sister, with whom he has three children. SEEN products are currently available online at helloseen.com and at a few local salons, including Betru Salon in Bethesda. “We call the brand SEEN because if your hair or skin doesn’t look good, you’re not comfortable being seen,” Rubin says. “We want people to feel confident using our products, knowing they’ll look like their best selves.” n

PHOTO BY LIZ LYNCH

A local dermatologist and her brother-in-law launched a line of hair care products without the irritants found in some other brands

May 11, 10am – 6pm • May 12, 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