VIP Alexandria Magazine | April 2022 by VIP Alexandria Magazine

APRIL 2022

HOME + HISTORY APRIL 2022 • 1

WITH KRISTEN JONES

Washingtonian's Best Real Estate Agent 2018-2021 Northern VA Magazine Best Real Estate Agent 2018-2021 DC Modern Luxury Real Estate Award 2020-2021 2021 RealTrends America's Best Real Estate Professionals Proud Sponsor of Old Town Boutique District 703.851.2556 | kristenjones.com | kristen@kristenjones.com | Licensed in VA 109 S. Pitt St, Alexandria, VA 22314 | Equal Housing Opportunity

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

since 1995

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BauerFinancial, Inc., the Nation’s Premier Bank and Credit Union Rating Firm, congratulates United States Senate Federal Credit Union, Alexandria, Virginia on its 106th consecutive 5-Star Rating. To earn this top rating, the credit union must excel under a rigorous, independent analysis of its financial condition and the United States Senate Federal Credit Union has done so continuously since December 1995. Only credit unions, like United States Senate Federal Credit Union, that have earned this top rating for 100 plus consecutive quarters can call themselves a “Best of Bauer Credit Union”.

1310 Braddock Place • Alexandria, VA 22314 800.374.2758 // ussfcu.org Membership eligibility required. Federally insured by NCUA

Bank and Credit Union data compiled from financial data for the period noted, as reported to federal regulators. The financial data obtained from these sources is consistently reliable, although; the accuracy and completeness of the data cannot be guaranteed by BauerFinancial, Inc. Since 1983, BauerFinancial has relied upon this data in its judgment and in rendering its opinion (e.g. determination of star ratings). BauerFinancial, Inc. is not a financial advisor; it is an independent bank research firm. No institution can pay for or opt out of a BauerFinancial rating. Star-ratings are all available for free at bauerfinancial.com.

APRIL 2022 • 3 BAUERFINANCIAL, INC. P.O. Box 143520 • Coral Gables, FL 33114 // bauerfinancial.com // 800.388.6686

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APRIL 2022 • 5

VO LU M E 4 • I S S U E 3

P U B L I S H E R / OW N E R KELLIE GUNDERMAN M A N AG I N G E D I TO R C RYS TA L M O S S E R A N D E R S O N E D I TO R A N D R E W G AT E S GRAPHIC DESIGNER J U L I A N N E WO E H R L E S O C I A L M E D I A M A N AG E R N ATA L E I G H W E B E R AC C O U N T E X E C U T I V E S M A RT H A C A R U C C I J O R G E M A RT I N E Z S TA F F W R I T E R S WESLEY JEFFERIES L I E S E L S C H M I DT P H OTO G R A P H E R S JULIE CARRASCO JEFF HEENEY S A M M I D D L E TO N LU C I A S M I T H J O S H WAT K I N S

W W W.V I PA L X M AG . C O M VIP ALEXANDRIA ALEXANDRIA MAGAZINE MAGAZINE 66 •• VIP

APRIL 2022

Home. It’s a word that holds so much meaning, even in just those four little letters. It can be a place, a person, even a feeling. Regardless of what the word is being used to describe, home gives us a place to come back to, a place to find sanctuary and solace, a place to find rest. Home is what this issue is all about—in all its many forms. Take a look at some of the special—and sometimes very strange—historic homes in Old Town, get to know some of the amazing designers that have worked their undeniable form of magic on some local homes and meet an incredible group of the talented and passionate people who keep Alexandria’s real estate industry booming. As a military spouse, home is something that I’ve had to create in so many places, with so many people. In such a special place, with such a special sense of community as Old Town, I’ve found home for my family and my amazing team at VIP Alexandria. We welcome you to this issue and thank you for your continuing support in making this publication a success. Welcome home. Love to you all,

HOME + HISTORY O N T H E C OV E R : PAT S C A N N O N , M . D. , P H . D. , D E R E K A B B E Y, P H . D. & D R . C O L I N C O L B O U R N O F P R OJ E C T R E C OV E R

KELLIE GUNDERMAN P U B L I S H E R , V I P A L E X A N D R I A M AG A Z I N E

FLIP • CLICK • TAP

W H E R E P R I N T + D I G I TA L C O L L I D E

TECH TECH

IS S U E

TECH

IS S U E

IS S U E TECH TECH

IS S U E

COMING MAY 2022 Tech Titans of Alexandria • Work From Home Gift Guide STEM Summer Camps • Smart Home Tours • Events

SALES@VIPALEXANDRIAMAG.COM APRIL 2022 • 7

APR22 the home & history issue VIP FAMILY 1 6 • ALX Dog Walk 1 9 • Fontaine Coloring Page 2 0 • Orthodontics... What You Should Know 2 2 • April Super Mom: Shawna Wentlandt

VIP LIVING

Planning a Spring Soirée

HOME PROFESSIONAL PROFILES 2 8 • Kellye Clarke, RGS Title 3 0 • Sue + Allison Goodhart, The Goodhart Group 3 2 • Susan Gray, Gray Attiliis Homes 3 4 • Kristen Jones, McEnearney Associates 3 6 • Bryan Montgomery, Coldwell Banker 3 8 • Britt Patterson, The Patterson Group

4 0 • Aaron Podolsky, The Podolsky Group 4 2 • Marks-Woods Construction

LOCAL HOME REDESIGNS 4 6 • Arlington Condo Remodel 5 4 • Shutter's Hill Kitchen Remodel 5 8 • Wine Cellar Renovation

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APRIL 2022 • 9

APR22 the home & history issue 64

COVER FEATURE The Project Recover Story

LOCAL HISTORY 7 2 • The Ten Thousand Villages Story 7 6 • In Spite of It All: The Spite Houses 8 4 • Alexandria Historic Garden Week

MAY WE SUGGEST

VIP LUXURY HOME TOUR

NEW + NOTEWORTHY

Grill Master Gift Guide

Michael Nash Open Kitchen Design

VIP EVENT COVERAGE 1 4 • Matt & Tony's Grand Opening 2 4 • BNI Positive Power Meetup 4 4 • The JOINT Grand Opening 5 2 • Champagne & Chocolates 5 6 • Boxwood's Into the Woods 6 2 • Nepenthe Art Gallery Grand Opening 6 9 • To What Remains Film Screening 9 4 • A Concert for Ukraine 9 6 • A Night for Ukraine 10 • VIP ALEXANDRIA MAGAZINE

While the weather is warming up, its about that time to warm up your hair vibe to effortless, beachy waves. This look is perfect: feminine, earthy, soft, and sexy all at the same time. There are different ways to to achieve this beachy texture to your locks. 1. If your hair is fine and straight, maybe it’s time to consider a beach wave perm. 2. If you already have texture or waves, then it’s all about the product application. I am loving “I Create Waves” by INNERSENSE to create beautiful, boundless, and touchable waves. 3. If product application isn’t enough, the best beach waiver I have found is the Tidal Hair Waver. This triple barrel styling tool instantly makes serious tidal waves in your hair. To make your waves less uniform, just switch the direction of the beach waiver when using on your tresses. Not sure which technique is best for your hair? Well, Team ZEN is here for you. Let waves carry you into Spring and crash you into Summer.

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APRIL 2022 • 11

WHAT'S HAPPEN APRIL 2022 CALENDAR OF EVENTS

APR 9

OLD TOWN ANNUAL BUNNY HOP

APR 16-17

EASTER EGG HUNT Lee-Fendall House, various times

Various locations, 11am-2pm

Please join us for the Old Town Boutique's District annual Easter Bunny Hop. Participating stores will have activities and treats for the kids. More details to come at oldtownbusiness. org.

APR 10

CHERRY BLOSSOM JUBILEE The Torpedo Factory, 6:30-7:30

Stop by The Torpedo Factory to enjoy cherry blossomthemed activities, including a live performance by taiko drum group Nen Daiko by the Waterfront entrance. Afterward, view cherry-blossom-inspired works of art throughout studios and galleries on all three floors. Enjoy music and live art demonstrations from participating TFAC artists. Free, All Ages 12 • VIP ALEXANDRIA MAGAZINE

Find Easter eggs hidden in the Lee-Fendall garden on this socially distant take on their popular annual egg hunt. Face masks are required. Advance reservations only. Bring your own basket. To book, visit www.leefendallhouse.org.

APR 20

SIPPIN' PRETTY COCKTAIL PARTY King + Rye,5-9pm

Get exclusive early access to this Cocktail Garden preview event. Sample the seasonal menu with passed hors d'oeuvres and explore the beverage list with a complimentary drink token.

NING? AUG 10

OUTDOOR BLUEGRASS CONCERT The Rectory on Princess St., 5-6pm, 6:30-7:30pm

APR 23-24

HISTORIC PLANT + GARDEN SALE Mount Vernon, 9am-3pm The same plants grown at George Washington's estate can now adorn your garden. Shop for plants, perennials, shrubs, and trees grown in the Mount Vernon greenhouses.

APR 24

OLD TOWN CHARITY CHILI COOK-OFF Augie's Mussel House, 4-6pm

The father-son team Ken & Brad Kolodner crosses the boundaries of Old-Time, Bluegrass and American Roots music in a transfixing, elegant program played in sophisticated arrangements for banjo, hammered dulcimer and fiddle featuring distinctive songs, traditional pieces and original music. Part of the Classical Movements Sounds of Hope & Harmony series. For tickets, visit www.classicalmovements.com

This year, six culinary competitors will take part in the 2nd Annual Old Town Alexandria Charity Chili Cook-Off! A special guest judge panel will help us determine the winner of the BEST tasting chili and YOU (attendees) will help to choose the People's Choice winner! Come taste the competing chilis and have fun while helping to raise donations for Feed It Forward (feeditforwarddc.org). Purchase tickets at eventbrite.com

MAY 22, 2022

FESTIVALOFSPEEDSTYLEALEX.COM 13 • VIP ALEXANDRIA MAGAZINE

APRIL 2022 • 13

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOSH WATKINS Matt + Tony's All Day Kitchen + Bar recently opened their doors at 1501 Mt. Vernon Avenue in Del Ray. Co-Owners Tina and Matt Sloan were joined by Chef Todd Miller and local officials for a ribbon-cutting to inaugurate the new restaurant. Matt + Tony's will feature brunch classics, vegan options, locally sourced coffee from Compass Coffee, cocktails and local brews including Aslin Beer Co.'s Hazy IPA. To book your reservation, visit www.mattandtonysva.com.

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APRIL 2022 • 15

INTRODUCING

VIPfamily

VIP

CELEBRATING ALEXANDRIA FAMILIES IN ALL OF THEIR BEAUT Y + DIVERSIT Y

Event: ALX Dog Walk Activity: Fontaine Coloring Page Wellness: Orthodontics... What You Should Know Super Mom: Shawna Wentlandt

To partner with VIP Alexandria on our NEW VIP Family section, please email hello@vipalexandriamag.com 16 • VIP ALEXANDRIA MAGAZINE

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOSH WATKINS

What do you get when you bring together a community of adorable dogs with people who love to care for the environment and do good work? Easy… the ALX Dog Walk fundraiser, which was recently held in Old Town Alexandria. Dogs of every kind and from all over the DMV gathered in historic Old Town Alexandria for a two-mile dog walk to raise funds to help beautify and protect the city’s environment and educate citizens about best sustainability practices. To learn more, please visit www.alxdogwalk.com

APRIL 2022 • 17

All Things Easter!

Alexandria S for ign u p a tod clas ay! s

Discover the power of family music-making. 1 2 2 S . R O YA L S T. A L E X A N D R I A (703) 567-4518 @SHOP529KIDSCONSIGN

Del Ray • Seminary Hill www.MusicTogetherAlexandria.com • (571) 494-1869

BREAKFAST / LUNCH / DINNER

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18 • VIP ALEXANDRIA MAGAZINE

Scan the QR code with your mobile device to learn more about our NEW winter hours, daily menus, weekly specials, special events & much, much more! 119 SOUTH ROYAL STREET ALEXANDRIA, VA 22314 (703)-535-8151 • FONTAINEBISTRO.COM

BRING YOUR COMPLETED COLORING PAGE TO FONTAINE CAFFE FOR A FREE KID'S HOT COCOA! 119 South Royal Street, Alexandria, VA 22314 APRIL 2022 • 19

20 • VIP ALEXANDRIA MAGAZINE

VIPfamily Orthodontics... What You Should Know Brought to you by Greater Washington Dentistry

Braces are most commonly associated with straightening teeth, but did you know that they can help achieve a healthier smile as well? The American Association of Orthodontics recommends that all children have an orthodontic evaluation by the age of seven. The earlier a plan can be created between parents and the dentist, the sooner the child can be on a path to their healthiest smile. Therefore, a pediatric dentist evaluation is important to identify the best phase of growth to begin treatment. This allows for a reduction of the time a child needs to wear braces.

At Greater Washington Dentistry (GWD), both offices are equipped to provide children with an accurate diagnosis. This allows for the proper treatment plan to be created, then explained to the parents. Common problems are crowding, overbite, underbite and missing teeth. Dr. Sharif is experienced in both Invisalign and traditional metal braces. In today’s world, the wide variety of options allows treatment to be individuallytailored for optimal results. The best way to know is to ask. Do not hesitate to call and schedule a consultation for yourself or your child.

“We know that baby teeth are replaced by permanent teeth, but are we aware that there is a delicate relationship between the space we have in our mouths and the space we need? Teeth that work in harmony are critical to healthy biting [and] chewing, and are a foundation for clear speech,” says Dr. Shohreh Sharif, who has practiced and taught dentistry for over 25 years. She is a diplomate of both the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry and the American Orthodontic Society.

COMPREHENSIVE PLAN

There is a seamless transition between the pediatric dentist, who monitors a child's growth since their first appointment, and the timing of orthodontic treatment. Dr. Sharif's offices have offered orthodontic services since 1990, and she acknowledges the pivotal role of early orthodontic treatment and how it has increased over the years. “It is our job to catch any potential obstructions to the development of healthy teeth and smile[s]. It is essential to recognize the problems early,” she says. A major factor is parents who are eager to give their children every advantage possible.

PLANNING A WINNING SMILE

The primary purpose of GWD’s comprehensive treatment approach is to achieve a healthy, functional and aestheticallypleasing orthodontic result that will remain stable throughout the patient’s life. The GWD process combines tooth straightening with a focused assessment of physical and facial developments currently underway.

Above all, precipitous orthodontic treatment can eliminate the need to remove permanent teeth later, or to implement jaw re-alignment procedures. GWD’s orthodontic records help determine the type of appliances needed, the probable duration of treatment and the optimal frequency of visits. Records consist of models of the teeth, x-rays and photographs. During a child’s initial consultation, the records help forecast whether early treatment is appropriate.

Dr. Shohreh Sharif, D.D.S., FAAPD, FICD Diplomate, American Board of Pediatric Dentistry • Associate Professor, Howard University College of Dentistry • Diplomate, American Orthodontic Society (703) 992-9222 | www.washingtondentist.com APRIL 2022 • 21

april vip supermom

"I wanted my kids to know that, through hard work and tenacity, all our dreams are possible.”

Shawna Wentlandt

MOM - PROFESSOR - MARINE SPOUSE

story by liesel schmidt A college professor with a PhD in leadership and organizational change, Shawna Wentlandt teaches many different courses at different institutions throughout the year. Naturally, education is extremely important to her. And as a mom, so is balancing her responsibilities to her job with her responsibilities to her family. “It’s obviously less busy now than in years past, but my kids' education needs have been the primary focus as I have homeschooled them all at one time or another,” says Wentlandt, whose three children are aged 26, 21 and 15. “My youngest is still attending school 22 • VIP ALEXANDRIA MAGAZINE

online from home. I didn't always feel I did a good job at it in the hardest days and had a lot of 'mom guilt' for working on my own goals when they were little. We have moved 14 times for my husband’s job with the Marines since we got married in 1999, so earning my own college degrees, being a single mom when my husband traveled extensively, working and taking care of the kids was exhausting at times. Working from home helped because I could get a lot done before everyone else was awake or during naps when the kids were small. I have really mastered multitasking and working whenever the opportunity presents itself around the needs of my family and I wanted my kids to know that, through hard work and tenacity, all our dreams are possible.” As a working mom, Wentlandt feels that she has shown her kids an invaluable example of pursuing and achieving dreams. “For the past 12 years, I have had the amazing opportunity to work 100 percent from home, so being here all the time plus earning extra income is the best of both worlds—working and being at home for my kids when they needed me. I am proud to be the first person in my family to even go to college, and my kids saw the grind that was. They know that they have the ability to go after whatever they want because we told them—and showed them—in the ways my husband and I aggressively pursued our goals while also focusing on our family and the benefits that stability provided. It makes me a better mom because I am happy in myself, which reflects in my relationships with my husband and kids.”

STOMACH

SLIMMING PACK

With her kids reaching the age that they are starting their own lives and families, Wentlandt hopes they remember her dedication to them. “I want them to remember that I was always here,” she says. “They never had to be latchkey kids. They never had to wonder where I was or if I would be there when they needed it. I hope they know they were the priority in my career decisions and how I set up our home life so that they always had at least one parent home all the time.”through hard work and tenacity, all our dreams are possible.”

NOMINATE A VIP SUPERMOM VIP Alexandria Magazine's VIP SUPERMOM, is a feature dedicated to celerbating the resilient, courageous and selfless women who are raising Alexandria's next generation of movers and shakers! If you would like to nominate a local mother for this feature, please email us at hello@vipalexandriamag.com

APRIL 2022 • 23

POSITIVE POWER MEETUP PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOSH WATKINS

LUSH Interior Design, and its owner Emilie Kyle, recently hosted the VIP Alexandria Magazine team at a BNI Positive Power meeting. The event – held at the Franconia Moose Lodge in Alexandria – featured almost thirty business professionals from different industries, including home services providers. BNI is the world's leading business networking and referral organization providing business owners from different industries and trades to build long-term business relationships with others. For additional information about BNI, please visit www.bninovasouth.com.

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APRIL 2022 • 25

Story by Marilyn Patterson | Photography Courtesy of Joyous Events

Woo Hoo! It’s finally springtime! Everything is blooming. The rainbow of yellows, oranges, lavenders, pinks and whites are sprouting out of the greening landscapes. The mild temperatures are calling us to come enjoy the outdoors. While it’s not quite sundress season yet, we can certainly pack up most of the sweaters as we move to this cheerful time of the year. If this season beckons you to reconnect with family and friends in an intentional and fun way, you’re not alone! What better way to kick off the joy of this beautiful season than by hosting a celebration at your favorite place? Executing will be stress-free and enjoyable if you consider the following tips as a guide to organizing your spring soirée. 26 • VIP ALEXANDRIA MAGAZINE

1 • PURPOSE Why? Before you do anything else, get clarity on why you are having the party. Even a ‘just because’ party will ultimately need a unifying theme so that it is worth your effort and your guests’ time. Keep this first step simple – to enjoy laughter and fellowship, to give visibility to a new entrepreneur, to support a charity, to build a community around a cause… Celebrate everything! 2 • THEME Think focus. A theme unifies the whole experience and can be as simple as choosing a color like white parties, alumni gatherings, game night, philanthropy, gender-specific; the options are

endless. The chosen theme impacts everything that follows. Planning the overall experience through the senses by being intentional about what your guests will see, hear, taste, smell and touch translates into how much you care. Guests will recognize it and praise you for it. 3 • TIME OF DAY Day parties rule! The popularity of day parties is surging. Picture an afternoon gathering between noon and 6:00 p.m., the perfect temperature to get some Vitamin D, the perfect time to have fun and the freedom to leave in time for later day commitments. Awesomeness! Moms with school-aged children will treasure this afternoon delight! Another beautiful time is early evening as it gradually becomes dusk. A well-lit outdoor environment makes for a picture-perfect soirée! Consider it… 4 • GUEST LIST Think depth versus breadth. Soirées typically evoke thoughts of intimate, informal, social gatherings where engaging conversations can blossom. This is deeper than corporate networking chit-chat. Keep your numbers under control. As you curate the guest list, consider your backup plan in the event of inclement weather. Be sure that your enclosed option (in the house, canopy, tent, etc.) can accommodate the numbers if you must transition the location of the party on short notice.

guests and everyone is having a fabulous time. The ambiance is perfect. The scenery is beautiful. The food and beverages are amazing. The conversations are flowing. Grab a glass of your favorite beverage, get everyone’s attention and offer a toast, "To health, well-being, good friends and community! Cheers!" Celebrate joyously! A picture-perfect soirée can be the springboard to a summer and fall filled with entertainment, fun and new relationships. Be the catalyst for it all with these time-tested tips in your pocket. Your spring soirée will be the talk of the town!

5 • FOOD AND BEVERAGE The choice of culinary treats can make or break a party! As you consider what to serve that compliments the theme, be mindful of the various dietary sensitivities of your guests. During the pandemic, many have taken time to explore new and healthier options. Plant-based enthusiasts are certainly on the rise, so plan to incorporate savory and sweet plantbased options to your menu. Mocktails are also all the rage! Introducing great non-alcoholic mixology will also add to the conversation starters. Be creative! 6 • HIRE HELP Be a guest at your party! Plan well, consider all the factors previously mentioned, then get a support staff to execute on the day of the soirée. Make your guests feel special by giving them your undivided attention. Others can ensure that the food and beverages are perfectly displayed and replenished and that the environment is well-maintained throughout the party. Be the soirée ‘hostess with the mostest’ and be a rock star by delegating, not doing. 7 • CHEERS! It’s time to celebrate! Take a moment to observe the scene. You’ve planned and executed an amazing experience for your

MARILYN PATTERSON is the Chief Experience Organizer with Joyous Events LLC, an event consulting and management company headquartered in Alexandria since 2004. Over the past 18+ years, Joyous Events has organized and executed over 500 socials, weddings, fundraisers and festivals. As you make plans for your next soirée, consider the Joyous Events motto: “Building relationships. Delivering excellence.” Because delivering excellence builds relationships. APRIL 2022 • 27

Kellye Clarke K E L LY E C L A R K E RGS TITLE

Story by Liesel Schmidt As a partner with the law firm of Shreves Schudel Saunders Parello & Clarke, PLC and counsel RGS Title, Kellye Curtis Clarke practices a different kind of law; the kind that helps people fulfill their dream of becoming property owners. “Growing up, my dad always told me that I’d be a lawyer and follow in the footsteps of one of my aunts and a family friend,” notes Clarke. “Those two women always served as a resource to the family and community. His words of encouragement stayed with me and I decided at an early age that I also wanted to help others in this manner. Also, researching land records during college highlighted the importance of owning real property and the significant challenges that communities of color faced throughout history to become property owners. It was enlightening and infuriating to read the discriminatory

restrictive covenants that were so frequent in many of the land records that I reviewed. I wanted to have a part in helping others own real property, and I do. Every transaction is different and comes with its challenges. I’m a problem-solver and my work allows me to use my skillset to assist others. I focus on the people involved in each transaction and the accomplishment and family legacy they are creating by being homeowners.” Specializing in primarily residential real estate closings, Clarke also works with small businesses, churches and nonprofit organizations by providing counsel and guidance with transactional details of buying, selling and financing commercial real property. “One of my favorite quotes is from Maya Angelou: ‘I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.’”

526 KING ST. STE 311 ALEXANDRIA, VA 22314 • (703) 519-7600 • RGSTITLE.COM 28 • VIP ALEXANDRIA MAGAZINE

APRIL 2022 • 29

SUE + ALLISON GOODHART THE GOODHART GROUP, COMPASS

Story by Liesel Schmidt With a combined 44 years of experience between them, motherand-daughter duo Sue and Allison Goodhart make a dynamic pair at the Goodhart Group, each bringing their strengths and passion to the table, surrounded by an outstanding team of seasoned agents and staff. For Allison, following her parents’ footsteps into the industry was somewhat of a happy accident. “I was just helping out after graduation to fill a vacancy on my parents’ team while I looked for a job,” Allison recalls. “I instantly fell in love with the marketing side of the real estate world and decided to stay a little longer than expected. Soon after, I decided I wanted to transition to become an agent and make it my career.” Naturally, each woman has their niche. “I work with both buyers and sellers but spend most of my time with people who are

selling their home,” says Sue. Adds Allison, “I love educating first-time buyers about the purchasing process and helping them identify the right place to live.” For each, there are also unique rewards. “The ability for people to build wealth through owning their own home is incredibly satisfying to me,” says Sue. For Allison, fulfillment comes from “being a part of such a personal journey." She adds, "It is most people’s largest personal and financial decision, and I love helping them through that process."

"I AM DEDICATED TO MY FAMILY, CLIENTS AND COMMUNITY WITH ALL MY HEART.” – SUE GOODHART

106 N LEE ST, ALEXANDRIA, VA 22314 • (703) 362-3221 • THEGOODHARTGROUP.COM 30 • VIP ALEXANDRIA MAGAZINE

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Susan Gray S U S A N G R AY

COLDWELL BANKER REALTY, GRAY ATTILIIS HOMES & INTERIORS

Story by Liesel Schmidt With 30 years as a Realtor under her belt, Susan Gray has a particular expertise that she brings to the table—but there’s another layer to her that adds to her strengths. Beginning her career as an Executive Sales Representative with Giorgio Armani Fashion Corp., it was the birth of her second child that caused her to re-evaluate her needs. Already an investor in real estate, Gray saw the advantages of going full bore into the industry. Now three decades in, she’s still passionate about the path she chose. “I continue to enjoy the never-ending rewards of meeting new people, making great lifetime friends and the satisfaction of helping clients fulfill their homeownership dreams,” says the Coldwell Banker Realtor of Gray Attiliis Homes & Interiors—a company Gray created with her daughter and business partner, Alexandra Attiliis.

Through her work at Gray Attiliis Homes & Interiors, Gray does more than just assist her clients through a real estate transaction. “Waterfront homes, land and luxury property sales have been my specialty since the beginning of my career,” she says. “However, we serve clients in all price ranges, encompassing the full gamut of residential housing in addition to offering services in interior design, renovation and staging. When clients come to us, they know they will have a smooth and fun experience with great attention to detail from start to finish. Alexandra and I really enjoy our quality time with our clients, working together as a team, whether we’re working on renovations and staging or finding the perfect home for our buyers. I am extremely passionate about my work, detail oriented, enthusiastic and a patient, yet fierce negotiator. I also strive for the entire process to be filled with lots of fun and laughter along the way!”

Susan & Alexandra are a dynamic mother-daughter duo, 3rd & 4th generation Alexandria naives serving the Northern Virginia community for 30 years. Offering concierge service to clients in all price ranges. Ranked Top 7% of Coldwell Banker Agents Worldwide.

(703) 203-9900 • susan.gray@cbmove.com

GrayAttiliisHomes.com Equal Housing Opportunity

APRIL 2022 • 33

Kristen Jones KRISTEN JONES MCENEARNEY ASSOCIATES

Story by Liesel Schmidt

and that has become the keystone of her business.

In calling herself a “hyperlocal agent who has the inside track on the market,” Kristen Jones isn’t overselling herself. She does many things for her real estate clients, including helping them pick the perfect paint colors and stains for their hardwood flooring, ordering light fixtures and furnishing their new homes. She’s truly hands-on, taking personal interest in her clients to ensure that no detail is overlooked before, during or after the buying process.

“My clients can expect someone who is genuinely interested in helping them achieve their goals, someone who works hard and provides an extraordinary experience,” says Jones, a McEnearney Associates Realtor. “Many clients text and ask me for all kinds of local recommendations.” One client recently dubbed her as an influencer in the Alexandria area, saying, “If you want to know what’s going on, call or text Kristen!”

Over the past five years, Jones has consistently hit impressive sales numbers as an individual agent, closing more than $43M in sales in 2021 alone. The secret to her success is her immersion in the community, her relationships with other agents and her impressive knowledge of the area. Her trademark dedication to her clients has led to more referrals

Specializing in new construction and downsizers in the Alexandria area, Jones maintains her passion for her work because of her clients. “They are the reason I do this,” she says. “When I assist people in buying or selling a home, I help them begin the next chapter of their lives. I’m honored that they chose me to help them!”

109 S PITT ST, ALEXANDRIA, VA 22314 • (703) 851-2556 • KRISTENJONES.COM 34 • VIP ALEXANDRIA MAGAZINE

2022 April VIP Ad.indd 1

3/22/22 4:07 PM

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BRYAN MONTGOMERY COLDWELL BANKER

Story by Liesel Schmidt After interning with an investor during college, Bryan Montgomery fell in love with the real estate industry. Amazed by the many options available both on the consumer and professional sides, he worked on some projects in Washington, DC with his family. It wasn’t until the onset of the pandemic in 2020, however, that he decided to obtain his license. By 2021, he secured his license in DC, Maryland and Virginia.

“I BRING COMMITMENT AND INTEGRITY TO EVERYTHING I DO. ” “Real estate was the first form of investing that made clear sense to me,” says the Coldwell Banker Sales Associate. “I've always enjoyed the potential that exists with it, from finding

someone the perfect home to identifying opportunities for investment and development. There are so many layers to this industry and infinite opportunities.” With great strengths in negotiation and people skills, Montgomery found success on his new path, despite facing a tough market. “Many of the agents I have worked [with] have said that my negotiation skills have gotten our deals to the closing table,” he notes. “I'm also a people person and believe that relationships are the foundations of great business. I practice this with my clients and the agents that I work with. I'm also a true native of the DC metro area. Being from the DMV and having lived in various locations within the region, I'm a major resource to my clients because I'm familiar with the area. This allows me to help a myriad of consumers, no matter their needs.”

310 KING ST, ALEXANDRIA, VA 22314 • (301) 404-1182 • BRYANMONTGOMERY.CBINTOUCH.COM 36 • VIP ALEXANDRIA MAGAZINE

B RYA N R E A L

M O N T G O M ERY ESTAT E

A G E N T

Member FINRA & SIPC

 Investment Management  Education Funding  Retirement Planning  Wealth Management

Connect with Bryan to craft your unique listing strategy.

310 King St. Alexandria, VA 22314 | O: 703.518.8300 C: 301.404.1182 | bmontgomery@cbrealty.com

McLaughlin Ryder Investments has built a solid reputation as a trustworthy, knowledgeable, full-service investment firm. Our focus is on providing investment advice with integrity and first-class personal service.

Shawn P. McLaughlin, AIF®, Founder, President & CEO Jacobson P. Truex, CFP®, Vice President/Financial Advisor 1421 Prince Street, Suite 200 Alexandria, Virginia 22314

Coldwell Banker Realty, Owned and Operated By NRT LLC

www.mclaughlinryder.com

703-684-9222

APRIL 2022 • 37

Britt Patterson B R I T T PAT T E R S O N

THE PATTERSON GROUP, TTR SOTHEBY’S INTERNATIONAL REALTY

Story by Liesel Schmidt

“Britt is deeply passionate about people and community, and she makes Alexandria a better place by connecting people to one another and connecting them to Alexandria.” – Paige Patterson (sister) As the daughter of a real estate queen, one might say that Brittany Patterson has real estate in her blood, though she didn’t start off her career following the family path. A graduate of Virginia Tech, Patterson majored in Business Marketing and minored in Real Estate, using her passion to pursue a degree that would open doors to a fulfilling professional life. After two years spent working in political fundraising, she joined the family business in 2008 and later became the vice president of the Patterson Group at TTR Sotheby’s International Realty, earning accreditation as a staging professional.

The accomplishments Patterson and her team have made professionally are worthy of great pride, though Patterson finds her greatest reward in bringing new homeowners to the area. “I hope I impact the Alexandria community by inviting, involving and connecting more great people to this great place and by telling its story and showing its value where and when I can,” she says. Additionally, she and her team support numerous local organizations. Patterson dedicates much of her free time to serving on the boards of the Alexandria Seaport Foundation and Inova Health Foundation in addition to being an ambassador for Spring2Action as well as Alexandria Chamber’s Young Leaders Network Chair. She is also a contributing member of the Alexandria Stylebook and Old Town Boutique District.

400 S WASHINGTON ST, ALEXANDRIA, VA 22314 • (703) 310-6201 • PATTERSONREALESTATE.COM 38 • VIP ALEXANDRIA MAGAZINE

The Patterson Group of

The Patterson Group is amongst the most experienced and trusted real estate teams in the area, serving the Alexandria community for more than 30 years, and proudly ranked as The #1 Small Real Estate Team in Virginia. For those seeking unmatched local expertise, and service that’s as elevated as your standards, choose The Patterson Group. T H E PAT T E R S O N G R O U P 70 3. 3 1 0.6 2 0 1 PAT T E R S O N R E A L E STAT E .C O M

Featured property above: 2306 Valley Drive, Alexandria

APRIL 2022 • 39

Alexandria Brokerage 400 S Washington Streett, 703 310 6800, ©2022 Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates LLC. All Rights Reserved. Sotheby’s International Realty® is a licensed trademark to Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates LLC. Each Office Is Independently Owned And Operated. SIR1

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Aaron Podolsky AARON PODOLSKY PODOLSKY GROUP, COMPASS

Story by Liesel Schmidt With his background as an institutional equity trader, Aaron Podolsky is uniquely positioned to guide families and individuals in maximizing the asset that is their home—and that was precisely what led him to shift careers into real estate during the financial crisis. Ten years in, he has seen his specialty shift as the industry has evolved. Podolsky’s role as Real Estate Strategist and founder of the Podolsky Group enables him to offer such services as concierge remodeling at no upfront cost to his sellers, access to a massive network of agents across the country and private exclusive transactions; a major tool in the current real estate market. “This has become our secret weapon in the current environment, executing more than 10, year-to-date,” Podolsky notes.

As much as has changed over the course of a decade, the passion and dedication Podolsky gives to his clients is a constant. “I find joy in seeing an individual or family purchase a house they will call their home!” he says. “It’s rewarding to help people make big decisions about their largest asset and thinking outside the box to create and develop new strategies that help my clients reach their goals. I’m driven to be the best at what I do and surround myself with the best in the business to provide my clients access to lenders, contractors, home inspectors, insurance agents and anything else they may need or want in the home sale process and beyond.”

“THE PODOLSKY GROUP STANDS BY ITS TAGLINE: SERVICE. INTEGRITY. RESULTS.” -AARON PODOLSKY

Service. Integrity. Results. Contact Aaron to set up your listing strategy session today!

Aaron Podolsky

202.271.3050 | podolskygroup.com aaron.podolsky@compass.com podolskygroup

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. 1004 King Street, 1st Floor, Alexandria, VA 22314 | 703.229.8935

APRIL 2022 • 41

Marks-Woods MARKS-WOODS CONSTRUCTION GREG MARKS | BYRON WOODS | DREW MARKS

Story by Liesel Schmidt Offering an array of design and building services throughout NOVA and the DC area, Marks-Woods Construction has made a name for itself through the quality of work performed by their in-house tradesmen—something that sets them apart from many other companies in the industry. Since their founding over twenty years ago, Marks-Woods offers industry expertise, an enjoyable customer experience and results that exceed expectations. Combining their years of experience and their shared dedication to excellence, founders Byron Woods and Greg Marks created a dynamic partnership that was later joined by Greg’s brother, Drew. In their 21 years, Marks-Woods has come to find its métier as a design-build firm fully committed to bringing their clients’ visions to life. “We believe that a successful project requires that the client is completely satisfied—not only

with the end result, but also with the customer experience and expertise demonstrated by our team during every step of the process,” says Greg, who now serves as Director of Business Development.

“OUR REPUTATION SPEAKS FOR ITSELF AND IS APPARENT TO PROSPECTIVE CLIENTS BY WAY OF COUNTLESS POSITIVE REVIEWS, REPEAT CLIENTS AND CLIENT REFERRALS.” The industry leader for major additions, kitchen renovations, interior design and a variety of other major residential construction services, Marks-Woods boasts an extensive list of completed projects and continues to grow with the hopes of future expansion to other areas.

205 S UNION ST, ALEXANDRIA, VA 22314 • (703) 838-9788 • MARKSWOODS.COM 42 • VIP ALEXANDRIA MAGAZINE

205 S. Union Street

Alexandria, VA

www.markswoods.com

703.838.9788 APRIL 2022 • 43

GRAND OPENING PHOTOGRAPHY BY JEFF HEENEY

The Joint Chiropractic - Landmark, owned by Dr. Justin Velez-Hagan, recently celebrated its grand opening. The new veteran-owned clinic provided guests with free consultations, adjustments and massages, prizes and, of course, the chance to be featured in VIP Alexandria Magazine! The Joint Chiropractic - Landmark is dedicated to family chiropractic and spine health, providing all patients with a pathway to wellness with chiropractic's natural, drug-free approach to healthcare. To book your appointment, visit www.thejoint.com/10033.

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NOW OPEN!

FREE VISIT TEXT LANDMARK TO 56468 (JOINT)

LANDMARK (703) 662-5502 6244 E Little River Turnpike Alexandria, VA 22312 Walk ins welcome No insurance needed. M-F 10am-7pm, Sa 10am-5pm the joint.com

Dr. Justin Velez-Hagan

APRIL 2022 • 45

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arlington CONDO REMODEL Story by Liesel Schmidt | Photography by Christy Kosnic

As a certified kitchen and bath designer for 18 years, Anna Gibson has a substantial portfolio of work to back her name. On top of that, the relationships she has forged with industry experts has created a strong network that gives her company, AKG Design, an even greater edge.

sound and added remote control window treatments on the main window, keeping the view accessible, the room private with light control and the view front and center. In the kitchen, we opened all the walls, bringing the view in with plenty of countertops, storage and space to host.”

Hired to redesign a condo that had all the hallmarks of a builder-grade special, it was that network that brought her to the condo owner’s attention. “I was recommended by her contractor, and after reviewing our previous projects and our discovery call, she realized that we were the right fit to make her vision come true,” Gibson recalls.

As with any redesign, there were challenges to overcome. “Being that this was a condo, we had to leave a few things in place, but we were able to hide them or work around them,” Gibson says. “We also originally planned to drop the ceiling

That vision was one of Old-World glamour, bringing the condo from “drab to fab” in a way that would fit the client’s lifestyle. “The builder-grade style was not going to fit our client’s needs and style,” Gibson notes. “When she bought this unique twostory condo, it had a beautiful view into Washington DC, but most of the finishes were original, with a few ‘updated’ that were very much outdated and didn’t fit her unique style. One of the main goals was to bring high style and functionality to the condo. Beyond the update of the flooring and the bathrooms, the kitchen was small and dysfunctional, and the master bedroom was open to the office below, leaving it with little privacy. The owner wanted to make sure the master bedroom had privacy that still allowed sunlight and a stunning view of the National Cathedral. We came up with a glass enclosure to match the existing windows that would also block any APRIL 2022 • 47

"Anna was recommended to me by my contractor and helped me completely update my condo. She brought in creative design ideas to make my space both functional and beautiful and shepherded me through the reno process end to end. I loved how seamlessly she worked with my contractor team and every individual supplier and could not be happier with the end result!

- Sarah

and add recessed lights, but because of the location of the fire sprinkler system, we were limited on how much we could drop it. So we installed a tube LED system in the drywall, allowing us to spread light throughout the room. We also had to keep the wall to the right of the island and built it into the design, as the plumbing to the island had to run through it.” Using a mix of materials, finishes, textures and intricate patterns, Gibson achieved the glamour that her client aspired to, still keeping the spaces clean and modern, yet timeless. Seven months after beginning, the project was complete. “Our client loves every corner of her new place,” says Gibson. “Having the very specific style and look she was going for, I think we absolutely nailed it.” 48 • VIP ALEXANDRIA MAGAZINE

Creating stylish & practical spaces that bring our clients joy. akgdesignstudio.com • info@akgdesignstudio.com • 571-446-1108 APRIL 2022 • 49

Additions • Kitchens • Bathrooms • Basements Outdoor Living Spaces • New Homes 703.641.9800 | michael-nash.com 8630A Lee Hwy, Fairfax, VA 22031 Serving Northern Virginia Only A Michael Nash Company 50 • VIP ALEXANDRIA MAGAZINE

APRIL 2022 • 51

Champgane & Chocolates PHOTOGRAPHY BY JEFF HEENEY

The National Symphony Orchestra was recently invited to perform at George Washington’s Mount Vernon as part of a three-part series. Guests had the opportunity to learn more about the history of Mount Vernon before enjoying the intimate chamber music. The concert was followed by a reception of champagne & chocolates with the musicians. Dessert selection was provided by Ethel M Chocolates. To purchase tickets to the next performance or any other Mount Vernon events, please visit www.mountvernon.org.

52 • VIP ALEXANDRIA MAGAZINE

Say, “I do” on the historic grounds of Gunston Hall

With 500+ acres of breathtaking landscape and a modern indoor facility, your opportunities are endless. Schedule a tour and start planning an event for the history books! 703.550.9220 | nicole.ryan@gunstonhall.org | gunstonhall.org

Waterfront Dining

Hummingbird Flies to the top of Old Town Restaurants ~ Washington Post

APRIL 2022 • 53

K I TC H E N R E M O D E L Story by Liesel Schmidt | Photography by Jeff Heeney

As an expert in remodeling for 20 years, Cynthia Murphy always knew that she wanted to focus her talents primarily on the functional design of kitchens, baths and basements—a focus that would allow her to marry form with function, beauty with practicality. “It’s perfect for my left/right brain balance,” says Murphy, who co-owns Murphy’s Design LLC with her husband. Beginning the design and planning of a Shutter’s Hill kitchen remodel in late February of 2021, Murphy found herself facing the challenge of material shortages, backorders and lead time for cabinetry and appliances that put the actual build on hiatus until November of that year. The objective of the project was relatively simple: “We needed to bring the existing kitchen up to current standards,” she says. “There had been an update with stock cabinets, flooring and countertops sometime in the early 2000 timeframe, and it was like they just wanted to put lipstick on a pig because it was very poorly done. You couldn’t fully open the refrigerator, the dishwasher was not properly installed and the door would trap you into a corner so you couldn’t unload it. The range was no better, as it had no space on either side to stand so that, when you opened the door, you had to keep backing up.” With the plan in place, progress moved forward—and then came the complications. “The first challenge we ran into was the structure,” Murphy notes. “It was so old that all of it had to go. Once we got everything out, including the drywall, we could really see what we were dealing 54 • VIP ALEXANDRIA MAGAZINE

with. We had to reframe all the walls for cabinetry and we found that the cinderblock had big gaps and holes and no insulation. In addition, electrical, plumbing and gas all had to be brought up to code.”

In modernizing the space, Murphy made some dramatic changes. “The moment we took the wall separating the dining room and kitchen down, it was like a breath of fresh air,” she recalls. “Being able to create proper aisles and countertop areas as well a significant amount of storage was incredible, and getting a spacious pantry was life-changing. The key to this kitchen really was adding storage, storage and more storage within its relatively small footprint.” The aesthetic was also key, as the homeowners wanted a space that would remain true to the home’s classic architecture, updated for modern living. “We planned on incorporating family antiques that could add an element of timelessness and accentuated them with period lighting and hardware finishes,” Murphy says.

"Working with Cindy was amazing because she has a great eye for color and design, which she used to help me achieve my vision for the kitchen. For instance, the first thing friends compliment when they see my new kitchen is the backsplash, which Cindy picked out after I suggested possibly going with blue. I really love the greyblue tones of the backsplash and island with white cabinets and brass hardware."

- Ann Broeker

Murphy’s Design is a Northern Virginia-based design and build remodeler who has served the region for over 16 years. Specializing in Kitchens, Bathrooms, and Reorganizing outdated floor plans they focus their energies on the designing and planning that creates a uniquely you home. As an industry leader in 2020, when many remodeling firms pulled back, Murphy’s Design launched their Free Zoom consultation platform where Cynthia meets with homeowners and gives them valuable advice and costing information. Now, Murphy’s Design has added a full range of virtual design and planning services helping the next generation of homeowners create beautiful one-of-a-kind homes. If you’re looking for top experts in design, planning, project management and building this team can deliver the home of your dreams!

Murphy’s Design Inc.

John & Cynthia Murphy, CKBR 703-328-5978 www.murphysdesignllc.com APRIL 2022 • 55

Into the Woods

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOSH WATKINS VIDEOGRAPHY BY SAM MIDDLETON

For the second event of a 3-part series, Boxwood guests were invited to watch a live panel discussion entitled 'Into the Woods.' The intention of the discussion, led by VIP Alexandria Magazine's Kellie Gunderman, was to celebrate powerful and local women who inspire Boxwood's design and art. Panelists included Mickey Sauls, Jean Molesworth Kee, Sue Henry and Campbell Minister. Following the discussion, guests were invited to enjoy hors d'oeuvres, catered by Food by Zaria, and nonalcoholic cocktails provided by Umbrella Dry Drinks. To watch a short video of the evening, please scan the QR code below.

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wine cellar R E N O VAT I O N

Story by Liesel Schmidt | Photography Courtesy of June Shea

With a background in store interiors, June Shea honed her skills as a designer and founded her own business in 1990, turning her focus to designing interior spaces in 1997. Since then, Shea Studio has worked with countless clients on bringing out the best in their homes. Having worked with particular clients on their kitchen, powder room, living room and master bedroom, it eventually came time to create a customized wine room in the small basement of their townhome. The objective, as well as the challenge, was to accommodate a rather extensive 400-bottle wine collection as well as a tasting area and washer and dryer, still allowing space enough for an adult child to stay while visiting. “The size of the space, the low ceiling height and little quirks in a circa 1800 house were all things that we had to contend with during the project,” says Shea. “There were so many goals to accomplish, so we had to find solutions.” After four months of planning, the construction finally began in June of 2021. “All immovable objects were removed. The drywall ceiling came out and we left the beams exposed, partly because they were original to the space and showed evidence of a long-ago fire and also because we got extra head room,” Shea recalls. “I removed walls and created a laundry closet and an open sleeping/lounging nook. Then, we used the old well, long ago filled with concrete, to become something of a tasting area. The lack of ceiling height meant

that everything had to be customized, from the racking to the cabinetry. We even removed an unsightly cabinet that covered up a gas meter and enclosed it with a custom cabinet.” Even with all of its many quirks, the project was one that Shea took great enjoyment in. “My clients love to challenge me to find solution[s] and I just love the way it all pulled together; the custom chairs made from wine barrels, the chandelier made from wine bottles, the sconce I made with a welder friend where I used a cobalt blue bottle as the shade, the live edge tasting table with the Bordeaux colored river, the barn doors that hide the HVAC and laundry. There was nothing but special features in the space and we utilized every inch of available space under and around the steps and above the old well, where my contractor created a shelf that we repurposed as a bourbon display.” In total, five months of work were poured into the project. “My clients are over the moon,” says Shea of the space, which has a particularly Old-World Tuscan feel that reminds her clients of the tasting rooms in Europe. “They’ve had many wine tastings in the new space and their guests are in awe of the transformation.” The transformation was, indeed, awe-inspiring, and one that Shea takes great pride in. “As challenging as it was,” Shea says, “these are the things that keep me passionate about my work, even after 30 years.” APRIL 2022 • 59

testimonial

"Working with June was like having a trusted extension of our family at work in our home, She allowed us to express ourselves while giving us choices that would all work together! She gave us the courage to make bold choices and to make what looked like an impossibly tiny dark space into our favorite space!"

OFFICE: (703) 891-1570

MOBILE: (703) 624-0989

EMAIL: OFFICE@SHEASTUDIO.COM

WHY YOU SHOULD HIRE US:

We bring our product knowledge, creativity, project management skills and over 25 years of experience to every project so that our clients get much more than they dreamed possible. It takes guts to have something great and we can give you the confidence to take risks that make a space come alive!

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LIKE me on FACEBOOK af fb.com/SheaStudioInteriors SEE my work at houzz.com/pro/juneshea/shea-studio

www.sheastudio.com

Say it with your eyes!

WINK LASH ART

300 S. Washington St., Suite 202 Alexandria, VA 22314 WinkLashArt.com

APRIL 2022 • 61

GRAND OPENING

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JEFF HEENEY

Nepenthe Gallery recently celebrated the grand opening of its new Hollin Hall shopping center location. The gallery will feature artwork by both local/emerging and established artists. A custom frame shop and photographer Reneé C. Gage’s personal art studio will also be on-site. For more information, please visit www.nepenthegallery.com.

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Judy Heiser "Roads to Everywhere" Mixed media on canvas 40x30

Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 11am-6pm and by appointment 7918 Fort Hunt Road Alexandria VA 22308 Ph: 571-347-7961 www.nepenthegallery.com

ORGANIC + ECO-FRIENDLY

BOOK ONLINE AT HOLISTICHAIRSTUDIO.COM Holistic Hair Studio's mission is to provide expediential salon services utilizing the beauty industry’s BEST organic products while maintaining an eco-friendly sustainable environment. All of our products are organic, fair trade, vegan, and cruelty-free. We are a certified Green Circle Salon. 1433 POWHATAN ST., ALEXANDRIA | 703-473-6864

APRIL 2022 • 63

Left to Right: Pat Scannon, M.D., Ph.D. Derek Abbey, Ph.D., Dr. Colin Colbourn of Project Recover 64 64 •• VIP VIP ALEXANDRIA ALEXANDRIA MAGAZINE MAGAZINE

UNTIL TH E Y ALL C O ME H OME TH E P R O J E C T R E C OV E R STO RY Story by Wesley Jefferies | Photography by Jonathan Thorpe

“I was sort of a knucklehead. I started going into the mangrove swamps by myself and I got into a predicament one day. I was carrying about 70 pounds of gear because I knew there had to be a plane in this mangrove. I had all kinds of cameras and I had way too much stuff - and mangroves are complex jungle structures where you have to crawl sideways and so on - and I didn’t bring any water! 70 pounds of gear and no water! I was rapidly becoming dehydrated. But I made it.” A reserved and thoughtful man with a neatly-trimmed beard and professorial air, gently sipping on his coffee on a cool spring morning, Dr. Scannon looks every bit the part of the Victorian gentleman adventurer of ages past. As our conversation in the coffeehouse gets underway, he subtly studies his surroundings and the people around him, observing the layout of the room. He is crisp and precise in his speech and word choice, but in the kindly and avuncular manner of a man who might be teaching his nephews how to play baseball for the first time. Behind his soft-spoken demeanor is nerves of steel which served him well in his earliest expeditions where he would often venture on his own into waters or swamp jungles accompanied perhaps only by a local guide or translator. The origins of his vision and passion began while he was on holiday in the Palau archipelago. He was invited to go scuba diving with some friends in the local waters and they came across the remains of a Japanese ship that was sunk in 1944 by a daring young Navy pilot known as Lt. George Bush. His curiosity about other sea and jungle wreckages was piqued. After he came across the wing of the American B-24 bomber in the shallow waters of the mangrove swamp, he found a deeper and more meaningful passion that has driven him ever since; finding and returning the remains of the servicemen who bravely flew in these aircraft and gave the ultimate sacrifice in the defense of their homeland and the free world. APRIL 2022 • 65

widow of the deceased veteran or their next of kin to receive a folded U.S. flag draped over the casket or urn containing the veteran’s remains. In this instance, Dr. Scannon and his team bring the flag to the site where they had originally fallen in combat before presenting it to the family after decades of waiting. “You never forget. Every family who has someone missing in action has a special place in their home dedicated to that person, whether it’s photos or a cabinet where there are memorabilia. He’s revered from generation to generation. There’s an increasing mystery. And the kids grow up with this.” When Project Recover is able to reunite the remains of a serviceman with his family, there is what Dr. Scannon refers to as a ‘suspended grief’ that is both painful and cathartic. “It’s sad,” he explains, “but it’s what I call a joyful sadness. Finally, they know.” Listening to Dr. Scannon share his vision and passion, one is reminded of a scene from Homer’s Odyssey where the spirit of Elenor, a comrade-in-arms of Odysseus who had fallen on a distant island during a retreat, pleads with him, “not to leave me there unwept and unburied … raise a mound for me by the shore of the grey sea, in the memory of an unfortunate

Top: Heaven Can Wait Crew, Below: Heaven Can Wait B-24

It was on a solo expedition to the mangrove swamp, where he risked his life overpacking and forgetting to bring any water, where he considered that wandering alone in marshes and jungles was not the most prudent strategy. “I went two or three years by myself and that’s probably not a good thing to do when you’re in a swamp. I kind of realized maybe it’s better to have a team. So I started to put a team together.” Dr. Scannon paused for a moment in our conversation and looked away. “Actually, I was really doing a sort of a strange thing. I didn’t think anybody would be interested. I would come back from a dive dirty and muddy and all the tourists would be clean. I would stink from the swamp. But it turns out, I was able to pull a team together.”

man, so that those yet to be will know the place.” By honoring the dead, Project Recover is also honoring their families, their communities and the future generations yet to come.

The volunteers he originally assembled evolved to become what is now Project Recover, a non-profit organization that works to retrieve and repatriate the remains of American servicemen who have gone missing in action (MIA) since the Second World War. Starting as an amateur archaeological endeavor, Project Recover has grown to play a critical role in bringing closure and confirmation to those families whose loved ones went missing during combat operations. When a correspondent asked him about the archaeological aspects of his project, Dr. Scannon was keen to emphasize that, “we don’t care so much about the wreckage. It’s not our target. The wreckage is a tombstone - it’s a marker.” As soon as they encounter such a finding, they prepare to look for the remains of the servicemen who might have perished at the site and for their potential repatriation to their homeland and their reburial with their families. "We hold a ceremony where we bring American flags for each person who is missing,” Dr. Scannon explains as he grips his coffee mug and stares into its swirls. At military funerals, it is a common practice for the 66 • VIP ALEXANDRIA MAGAZINE

Besides the expertise and technology that Project Recover leverages to identify potential locations for missing remains, the team also relies on a significant degree of navigating and interacting with social networks in the local communities that experienced the war. This is one of the more delicate tasks facing the team as they must start with building trusting and respectful relationships with these communities while also

considering the painful legacies that historical memory of invasion and occupation may have embedded in the local consciousness. This is where our conversation becomes a little tenser. The worst atrocities committed against American servicemen during World War II were in the Pacific theater. The cruelty and depravity inflicted on these brave young warriors, some of whom lied about their age to enlist in the U.S. military, were almost without parallel in the history of modern war. Captured U.S. troops who surrendered or were captured in the Pacific were often tortured and murdered. When a missing serviceman survived being downed, the team looks for evidence of killing fields rather than wreckages. Just as having war veterans share the stories of what they have endured can be a sensitive task, requiring a certain degree of diplomacy and respectful empathy, encouraging village elders and other surviving eyewitnesses of wartime atrocities to be forthcoming about war crimes can be a difficult and delicate endeavor. It is nonetheless one that is uniquely suited for Dr. Scannon’s cool temperament, studious attention to detail and deliberate and precise manner. “In a sense, time is both working with us and against us,” says Dr. Colin Colbourn, Project Recover’s Lead Historian. “Earlier, we could not have done this because the memories of the war were still fresher in everyone’s minds. They were raw.” Yet the passage of time also means the remains of missing servicemen and the sites where they had their last moments are being worn away by the elements as the decades pass on. There is a moral and temporal urgency to Project Recover’s work. And the passage of time does not heal all wounds. “The families never forget. It’s weight in your heart that you cannot explain,” Dr. Scannon stresses. “It’s not about the MIA statistics. It’s about their loved one, their unresolved grief.” The families of fallen heroes have also made unimaginable sacrifices for the defense of their homeland and the free world. It is at the core of Project Recover’s mission to recognize and honor them by finding and bringing them home. Donate at projectrecover.org

APRIL APRIL2022 2022 • • 6767

Creating Effective Communication Strategies for Your Business

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TO WHAT REMAINS SCREENING PHOTOGRAPHY BY JEFF HEENEY + LUCIA SMITH

VIP Alexandria Magazine & Kissal Communications recently hosted a fundraiser at Old Dominion Boat Club for Project Recover. The evening included a cocktail hour, a special screening of the documentary "To What Remains" and a Q+A with the Project Recover team, led by ABC7s Jonathan Elias.

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THE TEN TH OU S A ND V I L L A G ES S T O R Y STORY BY LIESEL SCHMIDT PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF TEN THOUSAND VILLAGES

Regardless of what you might be looking for, it’s hard not to fall for the charms of the quaint yet bustling Boutique District of Old Town—though there is one little shop that stands out from the rest, for ten thousand reasons more than just its uniqueness. True, the individuality one finds at Ten Thousand Villages is certainly a point in its favor, but that individuality and specialness comes from the fact that the store's eclectic selection of goods is both fair trade and 100 percent ethically sourced from all over the world. It’s a mission statement come to life in every item sold, and the people who work there live and breathe that ethos every day. 72 • VIP ALEXANDRIA MAGAZINE

While the boutique on King Street has been there since 1994, it all began more than 70 years ago, when Edna Ruth Byler made the first purchase that later led to a movement: handembroidered textiles from women who didn’t have access to a market in which to sell them. Byler bought them at a fair price, took them home and sold them to friends and neighbors on the makers’ behalf. As she sold textiles from the trunk of her car, Byler told the stories of the artisans who made them, creating something that grew into lasting partnerships and ignited the spark of global fair trade.

“I think people know that we’re a global maker-to-market [organization], but I don’t think people often know that we’re a non-profit,” she goes on. “We carry the name Ten Thousand Villages because we want to support our artisans. We’re a part of that network and incredibly proud to be part of it.” - Kate, McMahon, Manager Over the decades, Byler’s relationships grew to include artisans in more than 30 developing countries. Growing awareness to inequity in international trade—especially in marginalized communities—served as the impetus for the founding of the World Fair Trade Organization. Byler’s work, joined by that of countless others, has changed lives across ten thousand villages—and those ten thousand villages were inspiration for Ten Thousand Villages US, an independent 501c(3) non-profit. Employing a majority of female artisans from those ten thousand villages and beyond, the organization puts people and the planet first. To that end, the store carefully ensures that makers earn a fair and livable wage in safe working conditions while creating wares that come from recyclable, renewable materials in their environment. Having already celebrated 25 years in business and fast approaching the 30-year mark, the King Street location of Ten Thousand Villages has been part of the chain reaction, the butterfly wings that beat to start a monsoon. The impact that the store has made in nearly three decades is incalculable—and the store, like the corporate entity that is Ten Thousand Villages, has quite the story to tell.

915 King St., Alexandria • 703.684.1435 • TenThousandVillages.com/Alexandria APRIL 2022 • 73

Veteran volunteer Julie Becker started as a shopper more than 20 years ago, but connected with the mission and wanted to get involved. “I love that we’re able to sustain our artisans instead of just offering a one-time sale,” Becker explains. “During the holidays, we get beautiful palm leaf garlands. There was a young mother of two named Ronnie Mani who was living in a mud hut on the side of the road, and she showed us that she could make these folded palm leaf garlands. Ten Thousand Villages arranged for her to build a workshop, and in time, Ronnie became the president of her village, her children went to college and she employed most of the town.” Stories like Ronnie’s abound at Ten Thousand Villages. “We’re providing vital income for people who can’t find it in their home countries,” explains Kate McMahon, director for the local Alexandria division. “We give them the dignity to say that they’re earning their own living. It’s not charity, it’s a relationship that we’re building with our artisans. I get excited about the creativity of the products that the artisans make, the resources that they use and the stories we get to share with our customers so that we can buy more.” In one such story, McMahon talks about Rosa, a Peruvian domestic violence survivor who moved just outside of Lima for work to support her nine children. In the process of trying to rebuild her life, an earthquake destroyed her home. Despite the challenges, Rosa stayed strong, taking her homemade vicuña dolls to the local market to sell. Ten Thousand Villages placed an order for 1,000 vicuñas, paying upfront. As a result, Rosa was able to rebuild her home in a safe area, send her children to school and begin her own storefront within the village. “Our founder, Edna Ruth Byler, is famously quoted as saying, ‘I'm just a woman trying to help other women.’ It was a simple idea, a single action that had the power to bring about monumental change, and we are still seeing that change today,” McMahon says. “I think people know that we’re a global maker-to-market [organization], but I don’t think people often know that we’re a non-profit,” she goes on. “We carry the name Ten Thousand

Villages because we want to support our artisans. We’re a part of that network and incredibly proud to be part of it.” With an average buying relationship of 25 years, there’s little wonder as to why they’re proud to be part of that network. Artisans see enough time pass for their communities to develop and thrive when given the resources provided by Ten Thousand Villages, and in the time that Ten Thousand Villages Alexandria has been open, parents have seen their children grow up healthy and go to college, artisans have rebuilt homes and maker skills have been passed from one generation to another. As the website proudly boasts, “When women gain financial independence, their daughters, families and communities flourish, breaking the cycle of poverty.” It seems an incredible feat from such a simple concept, but the joined efforts of the makers’ hands and Ten Thousand Villages are indeed changing the world one product at a time. “Take our Essential Companion Tote, for example,” says McMahon. “The tote is created by Rishilpi Handicrafts Limited, a non-profit, non-governmental development organization in southwest Bangladesh that was founded to improve the lives of people of the Rishi caste, who have lived for centuries at the margins of Bengali society. Our store alone has sold well over 600 in the last 25 years, and the benefits that those sales bring to the artisans include education sponsorship, health care, microcredit savings programs and early marriage prevention support for their adolescent daughters. This is a tangible change—just one of many—and our store has been providing Old Town with sustainable and purposeful goods and gifts, crafted by hand, for home and life for 28 years.”

915 KING STREET, OLD TOWN ALEXANDRIA • 703.684.1435 • TENTHOUSANDVILLAGES.COM/ALEXANDRIA

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IN SPITE OF IT ALL T H E S P IT E H O U S E S O F A L E X A N D R I A Story by Liesel Schmidt | Photography by Lucia Smith

The Old Town landscape is rife with interesting buildings that hold centuries of history, complete with all the architectural peculiarities that come from that history—and the aptly named spite houses are among those quirky characteristics that make the area such a gem. Called "spite houses" because they were literally built to spite neighboring property owners, these structures are, by design, utterly impractical and strange. Creating obstructions to light or blocking access to adjacent buildings, these are the embodiment of rebelliousness, a brick-and-mortar example of just how intensely property owners could go toe-to-toe to assert their rights and mark their territory. Amidst the oldmeets-newness that makes Old Town Alexandria such a spectacularly charming community, spite houses pop up like wildflowers in a field of hothouse roses, mischievous little sprites among stoics. Imbued with stories and all the character that comes from withstanding the passage of so much time, the malice from which these architectural oddities were created has since been replaced by a sense of charm. The spite house that stands at 523 Queen Street is no exception, measuring seven feet wide and approximately 25 feet deep, its bright blue façade boldly announces its place as the narrowest house in America. Boasting a modest 325 square feet, the historic Hollensbury Spite House is two stories of spiteful planning at its finest. Built in 1830 by John 76 • VIP ALEXANDRIA MAGAZINE

Hollensbury, a local brickmaker and city council member who also owned the buildings on either side, the infinitesimal home was constructed with the explicit intent of barring passage for horse-drawn wagons and keeping rowdy loiterers out of his alley. More enclosed alleyway than house, the brick walls of the older houses create the side walls—complete with pockmarks from wagon wheels in the living room that testify to Hollensbury’s reasons for building it.

Predating the city’s other spite houses, 205 King Street is also one for the books. Built somewhere in the late 18th or early 19th century, it’s wider than its fellow spite houses, measuring just under 12 feet. And while the house’s red brick matches well with the buildings flanking it, its robin’s egg blue door adds a splash of color to the otherwise unremarkable façade, while large, mullioned windows on both stories flood the space with light. In the early 1900s, the spite house was used as a cobbler shop. It continues to be an enchanting retail space today, home to the She's Unique jewelry store, despite the spite that brought about its existence.

At only one story high and measuring just over eight feet wide, 1401 Prince Street is the most diminutive of Old Town’s spite houses, seemingly a miniature version of the six row houses neighboring it to its left. It is painted the same color as its adjacent buildings and boasts a small fish scale mansard roof that mirrors its larger counterparts. While tax records indicate that it may have been built in 1900, the tiny spite house was most likely built shortly after 1912 and bears a variation of Victorian architecture.

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Boasting a whopping 600 square feet of living space plus a 240 square foot basement, 403 Prince Street’s sevenfoot-nine-inch wide façade belies just how large it is inside. Built sometime in the 1800s, this deceptively spacious spite house was, once-upon-a-time, painted to blend seamlessly with the buildings on each side. Recently, it was renovated to stand out in the best possible way and shine like the unique little treasure it is. Natural brick offset with white trim, black shutters, a red door and beautiful copper accents including a downspout and new Bevolo light all make it quite the charmer.

112 S FAYET TE STREET ALEXANDRIA, VA 22314 @AIYANAATELIER TEXT: 571-312-5658 AIYANAATELIER.COM APRIL 2022 • 77

MEATBALL MADNESS PHOTOGRAPHY BY JEFF HEENEY

In celebration of National Meatball Day, Lena’s Wood-Fired Pizza & Tap recently hosted their first Annual Meatball Madness Relay. Teams raced while balancing Lena’s signature giant meatballs on spoons. All entries were donated to Carpenter’s Shelter, a local charity on a mission to support at-risk/homeless individuals in need of housing, guidance, education and advocacy.

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Grill Master Gift Guide TOP 10 NEEDS FOR EVERY GRILLMASTER

Brought to you by Village Hardware | Story by Liesel Schmidt | Photography by Jeff Heeney

1. A GREAT GRILL

You can never go wrong with a Weber Grill! From a charcoal start-up to the most advanced built-in natural gas or liquid propane grills, always look at a Weber first! The Village recommendation: The Weber E-435

2. SAFETY

You can never be too safe. Keep your grill clean! Get a good cover for the grill, a cleaning brush, an apron, mittens (or gloves) for moving hot products and all of the correct grilling utensils needed for transferring products. The Village recommendation: A basic E-435 grill cover, cleaning brush and utensil set

3. ACCESSORIES

Whether you are an avid griller or just starting out, eventually you’ll find your niche as to how (and what) you like to cook. If you like a smoky flavor, you may want a rotisserie to go with your grill (use Weber Smoking Chips). Or you could be a fan of cast iron (Lodge Cast-Iron) cooking. There's a thousand accessories for anyone’s taste and style of grilling. The Village recommendation: A fitted rotisserie assembly for the Weber E-435

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4. SMOKE

Having already mentioned smoking products, don’t hesitate to get frisky and add some smoke to your cook. With a gas grill, you can get a smoker box and smoking chips that will add a great deal of flavor. We have several varieties of chips, wraps and planks to enhance any cook. The Village recommendation: Weber smoking chips in multiple varieties

5. SAUCES, RUBS, SPICES AND MARINADES

There’s no accounting for what a person tastes, so at Village Hardware, we’ve arranged for anyone looking to season their product the opportunity to sample any one of hundreds of our products to fit your and your family’s individual pallets or to fit a great party for everyone! The Village recommendations: EAT BARBECUE “Zero to Hero” (a rub), HOOSIER DADDY smokehouse hickory bbq sauce, AR's hot southern honey (just great to cook with)

6. A THERMOMETER

So you’ve decided to do a big rotisserie chicken or roast on the grill. You can’t hook a wired thermometer to the product as the wires would tangle up the whole project. Instead, use the new MEATER thermometer; a wireless thermometer that registers the ambient temperature of the grill and the product temperature simultaneously right to your phone up to 165 feet away.

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7. VEGGIES

There is nothing tastier than seasoned grilled veggies. The way to protect them and prevent any mishaps or lost food is to use a copper mesh product called the Yoshi grill mat. It separates the food from the grates and keeps everything intact with beautiful grill marks included. The Village recommendation: Yoshi grill mats

8. SIDES

There should always be sides; just something fun to cook for folks to sample prior to the main event. We recommend Buffalo wings made with Frank & Teressa's Original Anchor Bar Buffalo Wing Sauce. We have the medium heat sauce and the suicidal hot sauce, all original recipes. The Village recommendation: Frank and Teressa's Original Anchor Bar Buffalo Wing Sauce

9. CLEAN-UP

Before finishing up, you’ll want to take care of the grill and help prep it for the next time out. We have a variety of grill cleaning products available that will eliminate even the toughest grilled-on product. The Village recommendations: Simple Green Heavy Duty BBQ grill cleaner and Weber stubborn stain remover

10. YOU

No, we haven’t forgotten the most important element of them all… you! That's why we’ve started stocking a great variety of bar products including some fantastic bloody mary mixes, margarita mixes, strawberry mixes, oldfashioned bitters, Woodford reserve bitters and much, much more. The Village recommendation: Bloody Revolution roasted garlic bloody mary mix

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STORY BY KIM DAVIS PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF GARDEN CLUB OF VIRGINIA

APRIL 23 OLD TOWN ALEXANDRIA HISTORIC GARDEN WEEK TOUR PROVIDES INSPIRATION TO HOME AND GARDEN ENTHUSIASTS The advent of spring awakens wanderlust in those aspiring to spruce up their homes and gardens and there is nothing like going behind the gates of Alexandria’s chic properties to gather ideas and inspiration. Old Town Alexandria’s 89th Historic Garden Week Home and Garden Tour provides first-time homeowners, as well as those who need to hit the refresh button, an opportunity to tour gardens of all shapes and sizes, gather interior design ideas and see how our neighbors have created inviting spaces.

direct descendant of Thomas Jefferson. A beautifully designed and curated garden features many ornamental elements including a female goddess sculpture from Bali. 206 Duke Street: The property was originally built in 1836. It replaced the previous structure built by George Coryell (whose father was George Washington's guide during the Revolutionary War) in 1794. The family was said to have rowed Washington across the Delaware River in December, 1776 for the surprise attack. Current owners renovated the property in 2013, adding environmentally-friendly geothermal wells underground that heat and cool the house. A feature of the stunning garden is a large birdhouse replica of the Grand Pagoda at Kew Gardens in Great Britain.

Slated for Saturday, April 23 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., the tour showcases five historic private homes and gardens adorned with exquisite floral arrangements designed and executed by garden club members as well as six historic public properties. Hosted by two local garden clubs, Hunting Creek and the Garden Club of Alexandria, the tour is part of a statewide tradition conceived by the Garden Club of Virginia (GCV) in 1929. Featuring homes in the city’s southeast quadrant, highlights include: 515 South Fairfax: The land was purchased in 1796 and backed onto an oyster processing plant. The current owner completed a beautiful renovation in 2019 and frequently finds oyster shells in her garden. 508 South Fairfax: The restored carriage house built in 180107 as a horse stable and remodeled in 1874 was owned by a APRIL 2022 • 85

George Washington’s Mount Vernon: A national treasure and historic landmark dating to 1674, the 500-acre property has a Palladian-style home with four beautifully cultivated gardens and is the burial site of George and Martha Washington. Green Spring Gardens: The gardens feature native plants, a wooded stream valley with ponds, 20 thematic gardens and a historic house. It is acclaimed landscape designer Beatrix Farrand's only Virginia garden. Gunston Hall: Home of George Mason, author of the Virginia Declaration of Rights, Gunston Hall is a 550-acre National Historic Landmark. The estate consists of a Georgian mansion, circa 1755, with a historic boxwood garden on the Potomac River. Tickets are $55 at www.vagardenweek.org and at the Alexandria Visitor Center (221 King Street) on tour day. 323 Duke Street: Constructed around 1800, the property was renovated in the 1950s by a local restorationist and again by current owners who added a second floor bedroom, bath and dormer. 512 Prince Street: Once the residence of Patsy Ticer, the first female mayor of Alexandria, the house core was built in 1783. A series of archways in the basement displays foundational remnants that predate the home. The tour also includes these six public properties: GCV Carlyle House: British merchant John Carlyle’s home, built in 1753, was a grand mansion featuring stone architecture, fine furnishings and decorative ﬁnishes. The rear garden showcases a boxwood parterre. Lee-Fendall House: Built in 1785 by Philip Fendall on land purchased from Revolutionary War hero “Light Horse Harry” Lee, this home is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. River Farm: The property has a rich history including settlements by Piscataway Native Americans, ownership by Giles Brent, a participant in Bacon’s Rebellion and ownership by Founding Father George Washington, in 1760. In 1971, the property was bequeathed to the American Horticultural Society by philanthropist Enid Annenberg Haupt. The 25-acre gardens overlooking the river feature a blend of formal and naturalistic gardens including a four-acre meadow, an orchard, a children’s garden and a teaching garden. 86 • VIP ALEXANDRIA MAGAZINE

Metro transportation: Blue Line to King Street, King Street Trolley to Historic district. Paid parking recommended in one of Alexandria’s many Old Town garages. The tour is part of the GCV's eight-day statewide event from April 23-30 encompassing 128 private homes and gardens. Proceeds fund the restoration and preservation of more than 39 of Virginia’s historic public gardens and landscapes, a research fellowship program and several Virginia State Parks.

MEET KIM DAVIS Kim Davis is a member and past president of Hunting Creek Garden Club, one of the presenting clubs for the Old Town Alexandria Historic Garden Week Tour. She had a 25-year career as a public relations professional, served on the Board of Governors for the Center for Alexandria’s Children and is a past president of the St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes Association of Parents and Teachers. She is currently a freelance writer.

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“Kitchens are out of isolation and being hidden; open kitchen floor plans are here to stay” - Sonny Nazemian, MCKBR, Master Certified Kitchen and Bath Remodeler

Story by Liesel Schmidt | Photography Courtesy of Michael Nash Design, Build & Homes

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With more than three decades backing the name, Michael Nash Design, Build & Homes has become an area leader for home remodels and additions, creating changes that are both functional and beautiful. As their website says, “Our culture has been shaped by the personal needs of local homeowners, who have consistently challenged us to expand our capabilities, and who have, likewise, honored us with their confidence in our ability to satisfy their always-evolving requirements.” For the owners of a home in Ashburn, those requirements meant changing almost everything about their single-family house, updating the outdated and cramped spaces to meet their needs. The couple had used the team at Michael Nash for previous projects in the bathrooms, and their next step in the multi-phase process was the kitchen. “[The homeowners] felt cramped in the outdated kitchen, and a big closet was taking way too much real estate out of the kitchen space,” says Sonny Nazemian, founder and CEO of Michael Nash Design, Build & Homes. “We removed the load-bearing wall to the adjacent family room in order to expand the kitchen and accommodate a massive island with [a] sink, dishwasher and microwave. The gas line and a new 48” professional stove was relocated to the west wall, where we also installed a long run of floor-to-ceiling cabinetry. The north wall where the closet used to be now houses a large refrigerator and freezer as well as pantry space, along with a double-stacked conventional and steam oven.”

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Additional features to the space included wide plank espresso hardwood flooring that flows into the other spaces of the home to unify it, as well as new lighting that includes gorgeous pendant lights hung above the center island. The traffic flow has also been improved, allowing large gatherings. A chevron tile backsplash behind the range adds visual interest to the white space and breaks up the traditional offset pattern of the subway tile. Thick white quartzite countertops finish out the space. Moving to the master bath, the space was enlarged to accommodate more shower space and a free-standing tub. Floating, wall-mounted vanities with vessel sinks keep the area from feeling cluttered and add sleekness to the space. Large-scale Carrara-look porcelain tiles on the floor and shower walls offer elegance. In the hall bath, a bathtub was converted to a walk-in shower, complete with wood-look porcelain tile and pebble tile flooring. The backyard was also within the scope of the project. Two feet of land was excavated to allow for a retaining wall bench surrounding a newly-installed patio. A combination of largescale flagstone and stacked stone gives the space natural beauty. With so much done to transform the home, there’s little wonder that Michael Nash Design, Build & Homes won awards for the project, including the NARI 2021 Regional CotY Winner Award for Region 2 Southeast for the Entire House Under $250,000, the 2021 NARI Capital CotY, Merit award, Entire House under $250,000 2021 Chrysalis Award for Outdoor Living Under $75K as well as the Whole House Under $300K. 90 • VIP ALEXANDRIA MAGAZINE

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New 'I Love You' Art Installation NOW Open At Alexandria's Waterfront Park

TRASHY this Earth Day in Old Town

Could you live without throwing trash away... for a day? A week? A year?! "TRASHY: a zero waste film" is a feature documentary that tries to answer that question by following its director over the course of a year, as she tries not to throw anything away. That's because zero-waste is one of the easiest ways to help the planet! Spend your Earth Day learning how to make the world a cleaner place while enjoying the view of the Potomac from the fifth floor of the Torpedo Factory Office Building. Food and drinks start at 6pm, with the advanced screening starting at 7pm. Stay afterwards for a special Q&A with the director, award-winning journalist Heather Gustafson. The City of Alexandria unveiled its newest public art installation, I Love You, in Alexandria’s Waterfront Park (1 Prince St.) on March 25. This new temporary installation by Roberto Behar and Rosario Marquardt of R&R STUDIOS is the fourth in the Site See: New Views in Old Town annual public art series. The installation will be on view through November 2022. Commissioned to create an original installation for Waterfront Park in Old Town, Behar and Marquardt focused on the community-building possibilities of public art. I Love You captures public imagination in a celebration of friendship and camaraderie in the heart of Alexandria. The installation features the words “I Love You” illuminated in pink neon lights. Mounted 15 feet high, the scripted letters will bathe viewers in a soft pink hue. Below, a hand-painted ground mural of a pink and white carpet will define the space as an open room welcoming everyone. It’s an unexpected and luminous contemporary social space in the heart of Old Town that beckons visitors to get lost for a few moments in this fictional realm. “I Love You provides physical evidence of the possibility of the fantastic as part of everyday life,” R&R STUDIOS wrote in their artist statement. “It is an instant landmark that brings people together with a simultaneously universal and personal message.” The Site See: New Views in Old Town temporary public art series highlights Waterfront Park as a civic space. Waterfront Park is a key location for original commissioned art in Alexandria. This installation follows Mark Reigelman’s 2021 Groundswell, Olalekan Jeyifous’s 2020 Wrought, Knit, Labors, Legacies and SOFTlab’s 2019 Mirror Mirror installation. R&R STUDIOS was selected to create this site-specific artwork by a community task force with approval from the Alexandria Commission for the Arts. The City of Alexandria will also work with regional artists for activations in response to I Love You later this year. Visitors can see I Love You at Waterfront Park from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily starting March 25. The artwork will remain on view until November 2022. Installation begins March 9. 92 • VIP ALEXANDRIA MAGAZINE

This is a free event. Register at : www.eventbrite.com/e/trashy-a-zero-waste-film-advance-screening-andqa-discussion-tickets-261192783647 Donations can be made at: www.gofundme.com/f/trashy-a-zerowaste-film

National Park Week + 38th Annual Parkway Classic The 38th Annual Parkway Classic will take place on Sunday April 24th during the week of National Park Week (April 16-24). The event will once again feature two distance choices for runners (10 Miler or 5K) as well as a Kids Dash that features pre-race family-friendly activities. The 10-mile course will return to start at the beautiful Mount Vernon Estate. Every runner 21+ will receive a complimentary beverage from local brewery Port City Brewery. Participants will also get a shirt and commemorative race medal. New race sponsor DC-based Mighty Meals will provide a special cookie treat for all the finishers crossing the finish line. The finish festival will feature live music from area favorite The Joe Chiocca Band, Port City Brewery pop-up, and other special activities to celebrate the runners. For registration information, race route details, and event day activities, visit: https://www.parkwayclassic.com.

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A CONCERT FOR

Ukraine PHOTOGRAPHY BY SAM MIDDLETON

In response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Alexandriabased Classical Movements held its spring seasonopening performance in solidarity with Ukraine. The concert served as a fundraiser, with a portion of ticket sales being donated to various Ukrainian relief organizations. Musicians from the National Symphony and the Washington National Opera/Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra were joined in their performance by Ukrainian violinists Zino Bogacheck and Natasha Bogachek, violist Eric DeWaardt and cellist Loewi Lin. For more information on Classical Movements performances in the Secret Garden of the Rectory on Princess Street, please visit www.classicalmovements.com

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A NIGHT FOR UKRAINE PHOTOGRAPHY BY JULIE CARRASCO

Above ALX Community recently hosted A Night for Ukraine, a fundraiser for CORE (Community Organized Relief Efforts). CORE is on the ground in Poland and Romania supporting the immediate needs of people fleeing Ukraine in the wake of a massive humanitarian catastrophe. VIP Alexandria Magazine was proud to partner with renowned DJ Lanie B to provide entertainment for the evening. You can make a donation to CORE at www.coreresponse.org.

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Above ALX Community is a brand new venue in the heart of Old Town Alexandria. Our premier rooftop offers sweeping views from the Potomac to the sights of DC, just steps from charming King Street. Whether a corporate retreat, wedding reception, birthday bash, or any other festive affair, we can't wait to welcome you and your guests to Above ALX!

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VIP Alexandria Magazine | April 2022

Articles inside

A Night for Ukraine

A Concert for Ukraine

Alexandria Historic Garden Week

In Spite of It All: The Spite Houses

The Ten Thousand Villages Story

Boxwood's Into the Woods

Nepenthe Art Gallery Grand Opening

Wine Cellar Renovation

Arlington Condo Remodel

Shutter's Hill Kitchen Remodel

Champagne & Chocolates

The JOINT Grand Opening

Marks-Woods Construction

Aaron Podolsky, The Podolsky Group

Kristen Jones, McEnearney Associates

BNI Positive Power Meetup

Kellye Clarke, RGS Title

Britt Patterson, The Patterson Group

April Super Mom: Shawna Wentlandt

Susan Gray, Gray Attiliis Homes

Matt & Tony's Grand Opening

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