Parenting Through Divorce
How to make it easier on the kids if you decide to call it quits
FAMILY, FRIENDS, AND YOU
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CON TENTS
■ FEATURES
PARENTING
54 When Parents Split
More than a third of U.S. marriages end in divorce. Here are some ways to make it easier on the kids if you decide to call it quits.
EDUCATION
62 Blackboards and Bots
Artificial intelligence has entered the classroom. The verdict is still out on how exactly generative AI will reshape education, but a revolution is coming.
68 Lessons Learned
Seasoned educators share their favorite stories, revelations and takeaways from their years on the job.
76 College Bound
Which colleges and universities were most popular among this year’s Arlington graduates? See where the Class of 2024 applied and where they reported being accepted.
COMMUNITY
92 To the Rescue
Who to call when you discover orphaned racoons, injured foxes, stunned birds and other wildlife that need your help.
ON THE COVER: Illustration by Claire Goode and Laura Goode
Danielle Day, a special education teacher at Washington-Liberty High School
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CON TENTS
132 Places to Eat
Consult our dining guide for bitesize write-ups on more than 250 area restaurants and bars near you.
146 Shop Local
Upcycled vintage jewelry and a sassy stationery line that will make you say “hooray”!
Head out for hilarious stand-up comedy, fall festivals, art sales and Halloween fun. Plus, the blockbuster musical Dear Evan Hansen comes to Tysons.
A newcomer’s strategy for meeting people proved to be more than a trivial pursuit.
Life is short. Why not have a whimsical dining room?
122 Prime Numbers
The area’s most expensive home sales, plus real-estate trends by ZIP code.
126 Restaurant Review
Peter Chang’s Sichuan small-plates restaurant in National Landing is a taste sensation.
130 Home Plate
She
Meet the new sausage king of Falls Church. Plus, where to get buzzed on espresso martini flights and Persian-style craft cocktails.
148 Driving Range
Calling all wizards: This Virginia town is prized for its annual festival of mischief and magic.
156 Get Away
Escape to the Chesapeake Bay, the Potomac highlands of West Virginia or the foothills of the Shenandoah.
160 Back Story
Once upon a time, Arlington implemented a ban on school dances.
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letter from the publisher
Breaking Bad
MY PARENTS SPLIT UP my senior year in college. My older sister and I were home for the holidays, and our folks sat us down the day after Christmas to break the news. The timing wasn’t great (Merry Christmas, kids, we’re getting a divorce!). But they had to navigate our schedules and my sister was heading back to Boston the next day. In hindsight, I should have known something was up when I came home for Thanksgiving and saw a “For Sale” sign in the front yard.
My mom and dad, who are wonderful and loving, delivered the news in a kind, calm and supportive way. To her credit, my sister handled the news well. I, on the other hand, did not. I was a wreck and in a funk for months, maybe years. With a lot of distance (and therapy), I think the breakdown of our family unit was especially hard because I am adopted. Adoptees often struggle with lifelong issues, such as loss, rejection and a lack of identity. The end of my parents’ marriage dredged up a lot of fear and anger, and I felt abandoned all over again.
Divorce is hard on everyone, especially children. That’s why we decided to pursue a story that examines ways to minimize the impact on your kids if you decide to end your marriage. In “When Parents Split,” writer Robyn Gearey uses her own divorce as a starting point for the story. She shares her experiences and insights, best practices from the experts, and helpful anecdotes from other families who’ve been through it. Although splitting up is tough and presents a lot of challenges, there can be positive outcomes if you manage it right.
Turning the spotlight to another life-changing topic for our kids, it’s safe to say that our area is college obsessed. This dynamic explains why our annual College Bound chart, which shows where Arlington seniors applied and were accepted to college, is so popular. Anyone with college-age kids knows the admissions process has become wildly competitive
over the past few years. (For more on this topic, please refer to “Admissions Madness” in our September/ October 2022 issue.)
To personalize the trend, I thought I’d look at the application numbers for my kids’ colleges. Our oldest daughter goes to the University of Wisconsin-Madison and our middle daughter attends James Madison University. If you compare the Class of 2024’s numbers to the Class of 2021’s numbers, UW-M saw a 20% increase in applications while JMU experienced a whopping 63% increase. Yikes. We have a junior in high school, and I read recently that the demand may be even greater when she applies. (Sorry, kiddo. Keep studying and building your CV.)
This issue also includes a fascinating examination of the early impacts of AI on public K-12 education. Writer Kim O’Connell interviews educators, administrators and students to share how teachers perceive AI and are starting to use it in their classrooms, and what students think and how they’re adapting to it. She also provides perspective on the understandable challenges the technology presents to our local school districts as they try to formulate coherent policies on its use.
I hope you enjoy our September/October Education issue. As always, please email me anytime with questions, feedback or story ideas. Letters to the editor should be sent to jenny.sullivan@arlingtonmagazine. com. Thanks so much for being a reader. Also, when you get a chance, please check out our new, much improved ArlingtonMagazine.com. The site is awesome, and it will be worth your time. Enjoy!
Greg Hamilton Publisher & Owner
Joni lives in Chantilly with her husband. You might run into her at the gym or the grocery store. We’re real, we’re in your community, and we’re ready to get personal in order to achieve your nancial goals.
■ contributors
Robyn Gearey
LIVES IN: West Springfield
ALMA MATERS: Swarthmore College and Virginia Commonwealth University
IN THIS ISSUE: Writes about parenting through divorce and how to make the transition easier on the kids
WORK LIFE: A former journalist, Gearey recently earned a master’s degree in social work from VCU and is now a therapist working with individuals and couples in private practice. She also serves on the board of Encore Stage & Studio in Arlington.
ON PARENTING: “I decided when my kids were very young that I would never lie to them. I kept the truth age-appropriate over the years, but I always answered any question they asked as honestly as possible, whether it was about Santa or religion or ‘What is the f-word?’ Now that they are 20 and 17, they trust that they can take me at my word.”
LIFE LESSON: “Have one thing in your life that is just for you, whether it’s yoga, a hobby or just kid-free time with friends or your partner. Don’t feel guilty about taking time away from your kids. It will help you to be more engaged and present when you’re with them.”
CURRENTLY WORKING ON: “Taking a break! I’m taking most of September off to catch up on sleep, see friends and travel to Italy.”
ONLINE: Robyngtherapy.com and @robyngtherapy on Instagram
Michael Gueltig
LIVES IN: Herndon
ALMA MATERS: “I have a B.A. in English and a B.S. in missions from FreedHardeman University, and a master’s in education from The George Washington University.”
IN THIS ISSUE: Interviewed teachers for our “Lessons Learned” feature
WORK LIFE: A former middle school teacher for D.C. Public Schools and Fairfax County Public Schools, Gueltig is now a freelance writer, editor and training consultant. He and his husband own The Simple Greek restaurant in the Colonial Village Shopping Center.
ON PARENTING: “As two gay men, my husband and I had to work hard to become parents. We don’t take the responsibility and privilege lightly and are mindful of the example we’re setting for our kids.”
LIFE LESSON: “My students were with me through my wedding, the birth of my son and the death of my mother. They wrote the sweetest cards and made such thoughtful gifts. If teaching is your profession, you must be 100% in, or you should get out—because you really are molding lives for the future.”
CURRENTLY WORKING ON: “Leading workshops on leadership and team building, as well as editing and ghostwriting books. I am also PTA president of Hutchison Elementary in Herndon and on the board of our community swim team.”
PUBLISHER & OWNER
Greg Hamilton
EDITOR
Jenny Sullivan
ART DIRECTOR
Laura Goode
PRODUCTION MANAGER
Danny Ryan
DIGITAL EDITORS
Stephanie Kanowitz, Helen Partridge
WEB PRODUCER
Erin Roby
DINING CRITIC
David Hagedorn
COPY EDITORS
Sandy Fleishman, Barbara Ruben
CO-FOUNDER
Steve Hull
WRITERS
Susan Anspach, Christine Koubek Flynn, Robyn Gearey, Michael Gueltig, Wendy Kantor, Dawn Klavon, Colleen Kennedy, Kim O’Connell, Jesse Rifkin, Jennifer Shapira
PHOTOGRAPHERS & ILLUSTRATORS
Stephanie Bragg, Skip Brown, Donn Dobkin, Stacy Zarin Goldberg, Claire Goode, Lisa Helfert, Tony J. Lewis, Deb Lindsey, Donna Owens, Hilary Schwab, Kate Simon, Mary Ann Smith, Dola Sun, Joseph D. Tran, Michael Ventura, Verb House Creative, J. Michael Whalen, Stephanie Williams
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MA GA ZINE
AROUND TOWN
by Colleen Kennedy
NOTE WORTHY
SEPT. 7, 1-7 P.M.
Rosslyn Jazz Fest
Join the Rosslyn BID and Arlington Arts for an afternoon of live outdoor music, food trucks and lawn games. This year’s lineup includes NPR Tiny Desk break-out stars El Laberinto Del Coco, New Orleans’ 2024 Grammy nominated The Rumble, twotime Grammy winners Ranky Tanky and D.C. singer-songwriter Cecily. Free. Gateway Park, 1300 Langston Blvd., Arlington, rosslynva.org
MUSIC
SEPT. 1, 7 P.M.
Band of Horses with City and Colour
Wolf Trap Band of Horses (“The Funeral,” “No One’s Gonna Love You”) and City and Colour (“Northern Wind,” “Sleeping Sickness”) team up for an epic night of alternative rock. Tickets start at $40. Filene Center, 1551 Trap Road, Vienna, wolftrap.org
SEPT. 6, 7 P.M.
Waxahatchee with Snail Mail and Tim Heidecker
Wolf Trap
Indie faves Waxahatchee and Snail Mail join comedian and musician Tim
Heidecker for an evening under the stars. Tickets start at $49. Filene Center, 1551 Trap Road, Vienna, wolftrap.org
SEPT 6, 7:30 P.M.
John Cafferty & The Beaver Brown Band
The Birchmere
The rockers who provided the soundtrack for the film Eddie & The Cruisers are celebrating their 50th anniversary with such classics as “On the Dark Side,” “Tender Years” and “Tough All Over.” $39.50. 3701 Mount Vernon Ave., Alexandria, birchmere.com
SEPT. 10, 7:30 P.M.
Squeeze and Boy George
Wolf Trap
This totally ’80s double-header features popstar Boy George (“Karma Chameleon,”
“I’ll Tumble 4 Ya,” “Do You Really Want to Hurt Me”) and new wave Brit band Squeeze (“Tempted,” “Cool for Cats,”). Tickets start at $52. Filene Center, 1551 Trap Road, Vienna, wolftrap.org
SEPT. 12-OCT. 24, 4:30-6:30 P.M.
Jazz @ Met
Metropolitan Park
Back for another season, the Thursday night music series features traditional jazz and fusion artists from across the DMV. Bring a blanket and picnic and groove to the sounds of the Lyle Link Group (Sept. 12), Collaboration (Sept. 19), Veronneau (Sept. 26), Paul Bailey Quintet (Oct. 3), Cissa Paz (Oct. 10), Alison Crockett (Oct. 17) and Los Day Trippers (Oct. 24). Free. 1330 S. Fair St., Arlington, nationallanding.org
SEPT. 21-22, 7:30 P.M.
Atlantic Starr
The Birchmere
The group’s R&B hits include “Always,” “Secret Lovers,” “Circles” and “Masterpiece.” $65. 3701 Mount Vernon Ave., Alexandria, birchmere.com
SEPT. 25, 7:30 P.M.
Suzanne Vega
The Birchmere
The folk revivalist known for “Tom’s Diner” and “Luka” performs familiar tunes and new works. $55. 3701 Mount Vernon Ave., Alexandria, birchmere.com
OCT. 5, 7:30 P.M.
Raven’s Night Presents
Alchemy
The Birchmere
This 13th annual Halloween-themed belly dance performance produced by D.C. dancer Belladonna and drag king Ken Vegas is billed as an evening of “dark decadence.” $39.50. 3701 Mount Vernon Ave., Alexandria, birchmere.com
OCT. 9, 7:30 P.M.
Rickie Lee Jones
The Birchmere
The American musician, storyteller and two-time Grammy winner has a sound that bridges rock, R&B, pop, soul and jazz. $55. 3701 Mount Vernon Ave., Alexandria, birchmere.com
OCT. 11, 7:30 P.M.
Bilal
The Birchmere
Singer, songwriter and producer Bilal blends elements of jazz, Afrofuturism,
STAND-UP GUY
SEPT. 26-28, 7 AND 9:30 P.M.
Tim Meadows
The actor, writer, comedian and former SNL cast member known for playing kooky characters, as well as a scene-stealing straight man in the ABC sitcom The Goldbergs and the teen comedy Mean Girls, brings his signature wit to the stage with a few thoughts on dating, family, single parenting and being Black in America. $30. Arlington Drafthouse, 2903 Columbia Pike, Arlington, arlingtondrafthouse.com
classic soul, alternative R&B, rock and classical. $39.50. 3701 Mount Vernon Ave., Alexandria, birchmere.com
OCT. 12, 8 P.M.
Virginia Chamber Orchestra: Serenades and Suites
Falls Church Episcopal
This evening concert includes a performance of Tchaikovsky’s Serenade for Strings and Suites featuring musicians Juan Ramirez and Laura Constance Netzel. $35-$40; $30 for seniors and groups; free for students. 116 E. Broad St., Falls Church, vco.events
OCT. 13, 7:30 P.M.
Both Sides Now: The Music and Lives of Joni Mitchell & Leonard Cohen
The Birchmere In this endearing cabaret performance, musicians Danielle Wertz and Robbie
Schaefer chronicle (through song) the brief love affair between two of the 20th century’s most iconic singer-songwriters. $39.50. 3701 Mount Vernon Ave., Alexandria, birchmere.com
OCT. 23-26, 8 P.M.
Graham Nash
The Barns at Wolf Trap
The two-time Rock and Roll Hall of Fame legend shares 60 years of stories and songs, including classics like “Our House,” “Teach Your Children” and “Just a Song Before I Go.” Tickets start at $97. The Barns, 1635 Trap Road, Vienna, wolftrap.org
OCT. 27, 3 P.M.
The Viano Quartet
The Barns at Wolf Trap
The young ensemble performs music by Debussy, Dvořák and up-and-coming local composer Alistair Coleman. Tickets start at $50. The Barns, 1635 Trap Road, Vienna, wolftrap.org
Comedian
Tim Meadows
PERFORMING ARTS
THROUGH SEPT. 15
Soft Power
Signature Theatre
In this regional premiere by Tony Award winners David Henry Hwang (Yellow Face, M. Butterfly) and Jeanine Tesori (Fun Home, Kimberly Akimbo), a Chinese American playwright is injured in a hate crime after the 2016 election and subsequently hallucinates a tryst between a Chinese theater producer and Hillary Clinton. Nominated for the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, this electric and subversive musical challenges notions of democracy and cultural appropriation. Tickets begin at $40. See website for show times. 4200 Campbell Ave., Arlington, sigtheatre.org
SEPT. 7-22
Little Women: The Musical
The Arlington Players
Based on Louisa May Alcott’s
autobiographical novel, Little Women follows Jo March’s journey from adolescence to early adulthood as she pursues her ambition to become a worldrenowned writer. The storyline chronicles Jo’s upbringing during the Civil War with her steadfast mother and close-knit sisters. $30; $25 for seniors and military; $20 for students and kids. See website for show times. Thomas Jefferson Community Theatre, 125 S. Old Glebe Road, Arlington, thearlingtonplayers.org
SEPT. 10-OCT. 20
Primary Trust
Signature Theatre
The protagonist of this touching and funny play by Eboni Booth, winner of the 2024 Pulitzer Prize, is a bookstore employee who is reluctantly confronted with new beginnings after he loses his job. Tickets begin at $40. See website for show times. 4200 Campbell Ave., Arlington, sigtheatre.org
SEPT. 12-OCT. 6
The Waverly Gallery 1st Stage
This 2019 Tony Award-nominated play by
Kenneth Lonergan (Manchester by the Sea) centers on an elderly art gallery owner who loses her faith (and perhaps her mind) when a coffee chain tries to take over her spot in Greenwich Village. $25-$55. See website for show times. 1524 Spring Hill Road, Tysons, 1ststage.org
SEPT. 13, 8 P.M.
Kristin Chenowith with Alan Cumming
Wolf Trap
The Broadway stars and real-life besties transform Wolf Trap into the Great White Way for an evening of songs and stories. Tickets start at $29. Filene Center, 1551 Trap Road, Vienna, wolftrap.org
SEPT. 16-17, 7 P.M.
Hannah Gadsby: Woof!
Capital One Hall
After taking the world by storm with the 2018 Netflix special Nanette (which garnered an Emmy, a Peabody and an Australian Academy Award), the comedian staged two more Netflix specials and co-curated a feminist reexamination of
■ around town
Picasso’s legacy at the Brooklyn Museum. Gadsby’s latest stand-up tour, Woof!, makes a stop in Tysons. Tickets start at $39.50. 7750 Capital One Tower Road, Tysons, capitalonehall.com
SEPT. 20-22
Shrek the Musical
Capital One Hall
Everyone’s favorite ogre joins forces with Princess Fiona and a wisecracking donkey to defeat the evil Farquaad in this Tony Award-winning musical based on the hilarious DreamWorks animated film. See website for show times and ticket prices. 7750 Capital One Tower Road, Tysons, capitalonehall.com
OCT. 18-20
Dear Evan Hansen
Capital One Center
After debuting at D.C.’s Arena Stage, this heartbreaking musical—about an anxious teenager, a classmate’s suicide and a big lie—received six Tony Awards, including Best Musical, in 2017. The show returns to the DMV as part of Capital One Hall’s Broadway in Tysons series. See website for show times and ticket prices. 7750 Capital One Tower Road, Tysons, capitalonehall.com
OCT. 19, 2 & 8 P.M.
Mark Morris Dance Group and Music Ensemble
George Mason University
Prolific choreographer Mark Morris stages a spectacle of mesmerizing movement at GMU. $36-$60 (half-price for youth through grade 12). GMU Center for the Arts, 4373 Mason Pond Drive, Fairfax, cfa.gmu.edu
OCT. 24-26, 7 & 9:30 P.M.
David Koechner
Arlington Drafthouse
The Second City and SNL alum is known as the notoriously NSFW Todd Packer on The Office and as sportscaster Champ Kind in Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy In addition to his stand-up sets, Koechner will host an Office-themed trivia contest on Oct. 26 at 4 p.m. $25. 2903 Columbia Pike, Arlington, arlingtondrafthouse.com
OCT. 29-JAN. 12
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
Signature Theatre
All roads lead to ancient Rome in Stephen Sondheim’s zany musical comedy—a raucous tale of mistaken identities, tricks and ruses, as well as love with a happy
Arlington Visual Art Studio Tour
Artists all across the county will open their workspaces to the public during this 7th annual studio tour, with works for sale and the opportunity to meet the creators in person. The two-day showcase features South Arlington studios on Saturday and North Arlington studios on Sunday. Find printed tour maps with studio locations at Arlington art venues and public library branches. Free. arlingtonartstudiotour.org
ending. Tickets begin at $40. See website for show times. 4200 Campbell Ave., Arlington, sigtheatre.org
ART
THROUGH SEPT. 29
Home, An All-Media Exhibit
Falls Church Art Gallery
Member artists explore expressions of “home,” a theme chosen by the gallery’s social media followers, in this group show. Gallery hours 11 a.m.-6 p.m., TuesdayFriday; 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday; 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday. Free. 700-B West Broad St., Falls Church, fallschurcharts.org
SEPT. 4-28
Jessica Mickey: Close Encounters
Gallery Underground
A solo show featuring photorealistic works by Arlington oil painter Jessica Mickey. Opening reception 5-7 p.m. Sept. 6. Gallery hours 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Wednesday-Friday; noon-6 p.m. Saturday. Free. The Shops at 2100 Crystal Drive,
Arlington, arlingtonartistsalliance.org/ gallery-underground
SEPT. 13-15
It’s a Steal Art Show and Sale Arlington Artists Alliance
Need some new art in your life? Find original paintings, sculpture, pottery, glass, prints and other works by Arlington Artists Alliance members, all priced at $150 or less. Opening reception 6-8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 13. Saturday hours 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Admission is free. Church of the Covenant, 2666 Military Road, Arlington, arlingtonartistsalliance.org
SEPT. 13–DEC. 6
Faces & Figures: Identity Through Printmaking in South Africa
George Mason University Arlington Campus
This student-curated exhibition explores expressions of identity in contemporary South Africa through the lens of printmaking. The show features more than 100 prints by alumni and students of the
Sherry Trachtman, “Journal Page” (mixed media)
Artist Proof Studio (APS), a community printmaking collective in Johannesburg. Gallery hours noon-5 p.m. ThursdaySaturday. Free. 3601 Fairfax Drive, Arlington, masonexhibitions.org
SEPT. 13-28
Scenes in the City Plein Air Festival
City of Falls Church
Artists from across the mid-Atlantic will paint outdoors in The Little City from Sept. 13-27, then enter their works in a juried competition that includes community voting and an awards ceremony on Saturday, Sept. 28 at City Hall. Paintings will be on public display and available for purchase. For details, visit fallschurcharts.org/2024-falls-churcharts-scenes-in-the-city-plein-air-festival/
OCT. 5, 4-7 P.M.
Arlington Art Walk: A Cultural Celebration
The third annual art walk and self-guided tour includes multiple gallery stops, a Made in Arlington pop-up market and
other entertainment, including video displays celebrating the 40th anniversary of Arlington Public Art installations. A preview event from 3-7 p.m. on Oct. 3 brings the Arlington Art Truck to Ballston’s Welburn Square, where Baltimore artist Scott Pennington will host a bean bag toss game to educate participants about waste disposal. Free. For more information and a downloadable map, visit arlingtoneconomicdevelopment.com
OCT. 5, 5-8 P.M.
Art After Hours
MoCA Arlington
Raise a glass to kick off the Museum of Contemporary Art Arlington’s fall shows, including a MoCA biennial and an exhibition by resident artist Marisa Stratton. Admission is free. Refreshments will be available from a cash bar. 3550 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, mocaarlington.org
OCT. 5-NOV. 17
The Beauty of Diversity
Falls Church Art Gallery
Works by local artists explore the beauty
Commemorating 50 Years in the Community OAR of Arlington, Alexandria and Falls Church OAR GIVING GUIDE
Donations of all levels are welcome
$250
supports ID retrieval for participants needed to secure housing and employment.
supports one month of coaching for a participant including wrap-around direct services and employment assistance. $500
$1,000 $2,500 $5,000
supports housing assistance (rent, application fees, security deposit, evictionprevention,andmore)foroneparticipant.
supports reentry services (transportation, housing assistance, mental health support,substanceusedisordertreatment,laptopswithinternet,smartphones withminutes/data,etc.)forparticipants.
supports OAR’s Alternative Sentencing and Diversion Programs including courtfeesandcostsforparticipantssothattheycanstay inthecommunity.
supports family connection and reunification for 200 children and families whohaveaparentorpartnercurrentlyexperiencingincarcerationorhas beenrecentlyreleased. $10,000
Donate online on the OAR website at http://bit.ly/oardonate Mailed donations to P.O. Box 41030, Arlington, VA 22204
“Upstream,” we are confronting and dismantling individual racism and racism in the legal system and across all systems. “Downstream” we are on the journey with individuals of all genders returning from incarceration and their families and offer alternative sentencing options (including community service) and diversion programs so people can avoid the trauma of incarceration and instead help the community thrive.
and strength of diversity—including expressions of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, experiences, abilities and opinions. Opening reception 7-9 p.m. Oct. 5. Gallery hours 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Tuesday-Friday; 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday; 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday. Free. 700-B West Broad St., Falls Church, fallschurcharts.org
BOOKS & AUTHORS
SEPT. 12, 7-8:30 P.M.
The Desegregation of Stratford Junior High
Arlington Historical Society
Unitarian Universalist Church archivist Bill Fogarty will discuss the church’s role in quelling fears of violence when four Black students desegregated Arlington’s all-White Stratford Junior High School in 1959. Free. A virtual streaming option will be available. Marymount University Reinsch 1400 N. Uhle Street, Suite 704,
■ around town
Library Auditorium, 2807 N. Glebe Road, Arlington, arlingtonhistoricalsociety.org
SEPT. 19, 6:30 P.M.
Arlington Reads: Hope Larson
Arlington Central Library
The library’s fall author talk series begins with illustrator and cartoonist Hope Larson, creator of the graphic novel Salamander Dream, as well as A Wrinkle in Time: The Graphic Novel, an illustrated adaptation of the classic by Madeleine L’Engle. Free. A virtual streaming option will be available. 1015 N. Quincy St., Arlington. RSVP at library.arlingtonva.us/ author-talks/arlingtonreads
OCT. 10, 6:30 P.M.
Arlington Reads: Nnedi Okorafor and Roseanne Brown
Arlington Central Library
Nigerian American YA sci-fi/fantasy author Nnedi Okorafor has won the Hugo, Nebula and World Fantasy Awards for her Afrofuturist works, including the Binti trilogy and Nsibidi Scripts series. Ghanian American writer Roseanne Brown is author of the bestselling A Song of Wraiths and Ruin and its sequel, A Psalm of Storms and Silence. Free A virtual streaming option will be available. 1015 N. Quincy St., Arlington. RSVP at library.arlingtonva.us/author-talks/ arlingtonreads
OCT. 24, 6:30 P.M.
Arlington Reads: Damian Duffy and John Jennings
Arlington Central Library
The Black comic book authors discuss their award-winning graphic novel adaptations of Octavia Butler’s dystopic classics Kindred and Parable of the Sower. Free. A virtual streaming option will be available. 1015 N. Quincy St., Arlington. RSVP at library.arlingtonva.us/author-talks/ arlingtonreads/
OCT. 30, 7 P.M.
Vessels and Passages:
A Poetry Series
MoCA Arlington
Hosted on the last Wednesday of each month, this poetry series at the Museum of Contemporary Art Arlington features established and emerging mid-Atlantic poets reading and discussing their work. 3550 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, mocaarlington.org
SEASONAL
SEPT. 1 & OCT. 6, NOON-5 P.M.
Makers Market
Westpost Plaza
Shop for wares by more than 20 local artists in this open-air pop-up market featuring live music, games, fun activities and tasty bites from local restaurants. Free. 1201 S. Joyce St., Arlington, westpostva.com
SEPT. 14, 9 A.M.-1 P.M.
Fall Community Parking Lot Sale
McLean Community Center
Clean out your closets and join some 70 other vendors in this community garage sale. Residents selling household items are welcome, as are a limited number of flea market dealers. See website for vendor fees and to register. 1234 Ingleside Ave., McLean, mcleancenter.org/calendar/ special-events
SEPT. 14, 10 A.M.-4 P.M.
Falls Church Festival and Taste of Falls Church
City Hall and Community Center
The 48th annual fall festival returns with a beer garden, live music, children’s entertainment, pony rides, craft booths and tastes from more than 15 local restaurants and food vendors. Admission is free. Tickets required for food and beverages. 300 Park Ave., Falls Church, fallschurchva.gov/638/Falls-Church-Festival
SEPT. 14, 10 A.M.–NOON
EcoAction Arlington Annual Cleanup and Trash Tally
Barcroft Park
Ready to clean up your act? Volunteer to pick up trash and debris in Barcroft Park as part of this event held in conjunction with Clean Virginia Waterways. Free. 4200 S. Four Mile Run Drive, Arlington, ecoactionarlington.org
SEPT. 15, 8 A.M.
2024 FCEF Run for the Schools 5K
Cherry Hill Park
Break a sweat to support Falls Church City schools. The USATF Certified 5K course winds through Falls Church City, with awards in multiple categories. The fundraiser also includes a 1-mile loop and virtual running options. Proceeds benefit
the Falls Church Education Foundation. Strollers welcome. $40; $20 for participants 18 and under. 312 Park Ave., Falls Church, potomac.enmotive.com
SEPT. 16, 12:30-7:30 P.M.
10th Annual AFAC
Golf Tournament
Army Navy Country Club
This tournament benefiting the Arlington Food Assistance Center has a shotgun start at 12:30 p.m. Play 18 holes and enjoy lunch provided by Sloppy Mama’s BBQ, followed by dinner at the club with a full open bar. Sponsorship only packages are available. Email jolie.smith@afac. org for details. 1700 Army Navy Drive, Arlington, givebutter.com/AFAC-Golf
SEPT. 20 & OCT. 26, 7:30 P.M.
Sunset Cinema
Cherry Hill Park
Bring your blankets and chairs for a family friendly film or back-to-school movie night. Popcorn, candy and drinks sold onsite. Free. 312 Park Ave., Falls Church, fallschurchva.gov/sunsetcinema
SEPT. 21, 1-4 P.M.
Old Firehouse Block Party
Old Firehouse
Celebrate the 34th anniversary of this beloved McLean landmark with games, crafts, music, food, amusements, giveaways and more. Free. 1440 Chain Bridge Road, McLean, mcleancenter.org
SEPT. 28, 1-5 P.M.
Columbia Pike’s Pet Fair
Penrose Square
Head out with your four-legged bestie for professional pet portraits, a parade, treats and meet-and-greets with local vets, sitters, groomers and trainers. Looking for love? Help a pet from the local shelter find its forever home. Free. 2501 Ninth Road S., Arlington, columbia-pike.org/ pawsonthepike-2024
OCT. 1, 5:30-7 P.M.
Family Fun Night
Jefferson District Park
Hosted by the Falls Church Chamber of Commerce, this autumn evening stressreliever includes minigolf, a bounce house, face painting and other fun. Tickets $20 (early bird) or $25 at the door; $10 for kids ages 5-18; free for children under 5. 7900 Lee Highway, Falls Church, fallschurchchamber.org
R EASON TOROC K Music Festival
OCT. 5–31
Falls Church Halloween
Window Painting Festival
City of Falls Church
Sponsored by Falls Church Arts, this annual city decorating project invites locals to paint store windows with images of bats, witches, scarecrows, pumpkins, ghosts (the friendly kind) and other Halloween-y creatures. Participation is open to artists of all ages. For details, visit halloweenfc.com
OCT. 5, 8 A.M.
McLean 5K
McLean Community Center
Run, walk and roll to support the McLean Community Foundation, which provides funding for fire trucks, playgrounds, social services and more. Registration begins at $35. mcleancenter.org/mclean-5k/
OCT. 5, 10 A.M.-3 P.M.
Farm Day
Cherry Hill Park
The family-oriented event includes a petting farm, pony rides, pumpkin
decorating, birdhouse painting, scarecrow stuffing, live music, tours of the Cherry Hill farmhouse and blacksmith demonstrations. Entry is free, but some activities require purchased tickets. 312 Park Ave., Falls Church, fallschurchva. gov/500/Events
OCT. 12, 6-9 P.M.
Homeward Trails Animal Rescue Chili Bingo
Lyon Park Community Center
Feast on all-you-can-eat vegetarian chili with all the fixins’, plus salads and desserts. A fundraiser for the pet rescue operation Homeward Trails, the gathering also includes bingo games and a silent auction. Bingo supplies, raffle tickets and beer and wine will be available for purchase. 414 N. Fillmore St., Arlington, homewardtrails.org/chili-bingo
OCT. 13, 6 A.M.-1 P.M.
Army Ten-Miler
Pentagon
Now in its 40th year, the annual race that starts at the Pentagon draws more
than 35,000 runners and wheelchair athletes. For more info and to register, visit armytenmiler.com
OCT. 26
Halloween Carnival
Cherry Hill Park
Enjoy carnival games, inflatables, candy and other treats at this spooktacular Halloween event for ghouls and superheroes of all ages. Costumes encouraged. Free. 312 Park Ave., Falls Church, fallschurchva.gov/500/Events
OCT. 27, 8 A.M.
Monster Mash Dash 5K
Franklin Sherman Elementary School
Dress up and lace up for this Halloweeninspired 5K. The fundraiser includes both live and virtual options, as well as an alternate 1-mile course. $30. 6633 Brawner St., McLean, prraces.com/
Got a calendar event we should know about? Submit it to editorial@arlingtonmagazine.com
Pollen Count
A collaborative school art project looks at plant spores in a new way.
FUNNY HOW CERTAIN patterns repeat themselves in nature. Capillaries look like trees, honeycombs resemble tessellated fish scales, and Fibonacci’s spiral is expressed in objects ranging from nautilus shells to pine cones. So one could easily be forgiven for interpreting this third-floor permanent
art installation inside Meridian High School in Falls Church as an homage to ocean life. At first glance, the 1,200 or so ceramic forms look like a vibrant coral reef. In fact, they were inspired by pollen spores viewed under a microscope, says local sculptor Marc Robarge, who orchestrated the project
with funding from the Falls Church Education Foundation.
“I had gone to a natural history museum in Norway with a big display about pollen. I was struck by how many different shapes and forms there were,” explains Robarge, a former art teacher for Falls Church City Public Schools
big picture ■ by Jenny Sullivan | Photo by J. Michael Whalen
and Arlington Public Schools. Though he retired in 2022, this project—which engaged more than 850 Meridian students and faculty in making the clay pods—is evidence that he is still teaching.
“The pollen was a metaphor everyone could get their heads around,” he says. “The kids got into it. They used all kinds of things to create different textures—nuts, bolts, electrical components, chopsticks, walnuts. Some were obsessively precise about it. Others were wild and more organic.”
Nature has long been a source of fascination for Robarge, whose body of work includes likenesses of tree limbs, burls, leaves and fungi. When he first presented the 3D mural concept for “Through the Looking Glass: A Murmuration of Cellular Life” to the Meridian community, he described the overall shape as evoking a flock of birds. (A murmuration is when birds form a synchronized cloud in the sky.)
Holly Garcia, a Spanish teacher at
the school, was reminded of the John Updike poem “The Great Scarf of Birds,” in which the writer describes feeling uplifted by the spectacle of starlings taking flight.
“This was after Covid, so part of this project was to reunite people and bring joy,” Robarge says. “The poem was so much about that. The shape of the installation is almost like a sine wave— a great scarf across the wall. I studied a lot of images of bird murmurations and realized not only does the shape morph as the birds fly, but there’s also a density that happens.”
Installed in the summer of 2023, the mural features a colorful cascade of diverse forms, fulfilling the project’s goal to “affirm our connection to one another and the natural world” and to “be a part of a schoolwide community project whose whole is greater than the sum of its parts.”
In July, Robarge completed a similar project with 650 students and faculty at Oak Street Elementary School near his home in Falls Church. Illustrating that school’s “Local to Global” motto, the wall mural depicts a colorful school of ceramic fish swimming in the direction of nearby Tripps Run, a small stream that runs into the Potomac River, the Chesapeake Bay and ultimately the Atlantic Ocean. ■
Like a Mother
Candace Lightner lost a child and mobilized a nation to make our roads safer.
IT’S BEEN 44 YEARS since Candace Lightner sparked a massive movement that changed America’s attitudes about drunk driving and raised the legal drinking age to 21. Curled up on a couch in her Northern Virginia home, she describes those victories as bittersweet.
“I wish I hadn’t started MADD,” she says, referencing Mothers Against
Drunk Drivers (now Mothers Against Drunk Driving), the advocacy organization she launched in 1980 after her 13-year-old daughter Cari was struck and killed while walking to a church carnival in Fair Oaks, California. “I’m glad lives were saved, but frankly, I’d rather have my daughter back.”
Cari’s death wasn’t the first time Lightner’s life had been upended by an
impaired driver. Years earlier, a crash caused by an intoxicated motorist had injured her mother and Cari’s twin sister, Serena. Soon after, Lightner’s son, Travis, who was four years old at the time, was run over in their cul-de-sac by a drug-impaired, unlicensed driver.
“She didn’t see Travis and ran over him completely. I helped lift the car off of him,” Lightner says. Travis suffered critical injuries and was in a coma for four days, but eventually recovered. He suffered permanent brain damage, “although you wouldn’t know it if you were to meet him today,” she says.
The crash that killed Cari was a breaking point for Lightner. What happened next is history. The petite, single mom of three took the country by storm, mobilizing a grassroots pres -
■ familiar faces
sure campaign to enact drunk driving laws and lower the number of alcoholrelated fatalities. She took her fight to schools and state legislatures, community centers and PTA meetings, and Capitol Hill.
Lightner was with her friend Leslie Hidley less than a week after Cari’s death when she conceived the idea for the nonprofit that would prompt her to leave a career in real estate and chart a new course. “She was enraged,” remembers Hidley, who lives in Ojai, California. “I thought, She is ideal for putting a stop to this She gets things done.”
Soon, local MADD chapters were popping up in every state, formed mostly by mothers (and some fathers) of victims killed by drunk drivers. Widespread media attention followed, as did endorsements from celebrities such as Burt Reynolds and Jamie Lee Curtis.
Children of the ’80s still remember attending school assemblies featuring
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somber police officers, victims’ families and mangled cars as evidence of alcohol’s deadly effects.
“Almost single-handedly changing laws, changing minds, changing how we look at a car—she did that,” says Cindy Schreibman, a marketing professional in New York City who worked with Lightner on MADD branding in the nonprofit’s early days. “She did it out of love and she did it out of anger, but with all of that came global, sweeping mindset reform that has really saved more lives than we know. We all owe her a gigantic thank-you.”
In 1982, Lightner was appointed to President Ronald Reagan’s National Commission on Drunk Driving. America’s legal drinking age was subsequently raised to 21. MADD changed the second “D” in its acronym from Drivers to Driving—to condemn the act of drunk driving, not the person behind the wheel.
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By 1985, the organization had more than 400 chapters and some 2 million members pushing for legislative changes at the state and federal level.
Time Magazine lauded Lightner as a trailblazer in a feature called “Seven Who Succeeded.”
Looking back, Lightner has conflicted feelings about her “success.” In some ways, she regrets starting the organization that consumed so much of her time and energy. “It took me away from my surviving children,” she says plainly.
She parted ways with MADD in October of 1985, wrote a book about grief and focused on raising Serena and Travis. “I really started grieving for Cari after I left MADD,” she says. “With MADD, I dealt with the anger, but I didn’t deal with the pain.”
Five years later, her kids were grown and out of the house. She took a job with the American Beverage Institute, a trade group representing the restaurant
industry on alcohol-related issues (a career move for which she was roundly criticized) and relocated from California to the D.C. area. The job was short-lived, but her stay in the area wasn’t. “I moved to take that job, which didn’t last really long because I was so brutalized by the media,” she shares candidly. She eventually settled in Shirlington and took up other kinds of consulting work.
With the arrival of smartphones in the early aughts, concerns about road safety were back on her radar. In 2011, Lightner founded We Save Lives, a nonprofit that brings the dangers of “The Three D’s”—drunk, drugged and distracted driving—to the public forefront through legislative advocacy, media campaigns, consumer education and coalition building with more than 60 partner organizations.
Distracted driving is “a horrible problem and it’s socially acceptable,” says the activist, 78, who recently relo-
cated to Alexandria and runs her latest operation from her home. (Travis lives close by in Arlington with his wife and three children.)
In 2022, more than 3,300 people died and some 290,000 were injured in vehicle crashes involving distracted drivers, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. There’s more work to be done.
“Candace is someone who has the ability to get people to say, ‘Oh, I see why that’s important.’ She is a force to be reckoned with,” says Ed Wood, a resident of Tucson, Arizona, who met Lightner 13 years ago after his son was killed by a drug-impaired driver. He now serves as We Save Lives’ director of legislative affairs.
Pepper Edmiston, a longtime friend of Lightner’s living in Pacific Palisades, California, offers a similar assessment: “She’s brilliant and she’s extremely aggressive and bossy, and she always
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has a solution for everything, even if you didn’t ask her. She turned the world’s view of drunk drivers around. She’s a woman—in a man’s world. I admire her more than almost anyone I know.”
Though Lightner’s impact on our roads and highways is significant, some say her most enduring legacy is the playbook she created for grassroots organizing.
“What she was able to do created a path that was recognizable and repeatable for other issues and other important ideas,” says Lorne Adrain, a board member for We Save Lives. “The whole idea of social advocacy—she played a huge role in showing people how to do that.”
Out of her darkest moment, a devastated mom became a light for others. ■
Writer Dawn Klavon seeks out stories about extraordinary people—barrierbreakers, overcomers and game changers.
Jesse Rifkin
Michael Ventura
Trivial Pursuits
How playing and hosting local quiz nights helped me find my people in Arlington.
I MOVED TO Arlington from the Los Angeles area in January 2015, just in time for a winter storm. The sunny, 75-degree temperatures I’d just left lingered in my psyche. California dreamin’ on such a winter’s day, indeed.
During those initial despairing Janu-
ary and February months, I had no local contacts, the sun set nightly at 4:30 p.m. and the job prospects I’d hoped would materialize from the journalism fellowship that brought me here began to seem increasingly unlikely. What got me through? Joining a local trivia group.
I’ve long enjoyed trivia, ever since I competed with my Connecticut high school’s quiz bowl team on the New England televised competition As Schools Match Wits. Even though my teammates never let me live down the moment when, asked which woman’s face adorned the silver dollar, I confidently replied “Sacagawea,” only to be told it was Susan B. Anthony.
To ride out the winter, I joined a Meetup.com group called NoVa Bar Trivia Players that competed at several Arlington venues, including the now-closed Heavy Seas Alehouse in Rosslyn. My teammates and newfound friends Andrew, Deb and Eric helped
me navigate the heavy seas of my new location and new life.
Two years later, I pivoted from competing to hosting trivia nights around Arlington. What’s not to love? Not only do I get paid to stand at the microphone, in addition to revealing the correct answers, I get to quote The Simpsons and make whatever puns and Washington Wizards basketball game predictions I want.
Another nice perk: Most trivia contestants don’t realize I’m reading the answers off a screen. While I often do know the answers, I’m not Ken Jennings—I don’t know everything . But most players think I legitimately have archived in my brain obscure facts about forgotten 1800s vice presidents or capitals of the world’s smallest nations. Unless asked, I don’t see
a reason to disabuse contestants of this notion.
There are some idiosyncrasies that reflect Arlington’s proximity to the nation’s capital. A few months ago, a question asked: What is the national economy’s current interest rate? Though the “official” answer was 5.5%, one player came up to me and noted that the Federal Reserve technically sets a narrow range—which at the time was 5.25% to 5.5%. Sure enough, this guy worked for the Fed.
Trivia questions occasionally reveal Arlington’s blind spots, too, like the time multiple teams guessed Ruth Bader Ginsburg to be the first woman Supreme Court justice when the correct answer was Sandra Day O’Connor. Perhaps that’s to be expected in an area where “The Notorious R.B.G.” T-shirts
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and “You can’t spell truth without Ruth” bumper stickers abound.
Still, for the most part, the trivia teams here are good. Perhaps even too good. I audition annually to be on Jeopardy, optimistic that I’ll get the call, but this area supplies an abundance of contestants on the show. One infamous local team called The Proper Villains is so named because their roster consists almost entirely of former Jeopardy champions. In the words of Wilt Chamberlain, “Nobody roots for Goliath.” And that team is Goliath. Through the years, I’ve hosted trivia at several Arlington venues, starting with Courthaus Social, where I emceed on Wednesday nights until Covid put a halt to public gatherings. In the March 11, 2020, match—the last such event before the world shut down—first
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place went to a team called Quentin Quarantine-o.
Post-pandemic, I switched to Bar Bao in Clarendon, where a husbandand-wife pair of lawyers, Sean and Krista, usually earned first or second place. Sean once corrected me that, even though the political redistricting practice known as “gerrymandering” is pronounced with a soft g, its namesake, former Massachusetts Gov. Elbridge Gerry, actually pronounced his last name with a hard g. (Clearly, Krista is a saint.)
This spring, I jumped to Quincy Hall in Ballston, where I currently emcee on Tuesday nights, often to a packed house. One recent faceoff drew a whopping 39 teams and 155 players. I recommend the pub’s “Ballston Banger” pizza with sausage, roasted garlic, tomato sauce and mozzarella.
Though the victors do get money knocked off their tabs, these contests aren’t as much about winning as they are about being out in the community, supporting the local economy and having a great time with friends. Exhibit A: the squad called Drinking Team with a Trivia Problem.
Nevertheless, the intellectual currency of this area is evident. I moved here from L.A., where, as Dorothy Parker once quipped, the only two things people read are screenplays and the Hollywood sign. Here, most people probably know that the silver dollar depicts Susan B. Anthony. And thanks to my vaunted spot on the microphone, they think I do, too. ■
Jesse Rifkin is a writer in Arlington. His work has appeared in The Washington Post, Politico, Roll Call, USA Today, the Chicago Tribune, the Los Angeles Times and CNN Opinion. His three best trivia categories are probably movies, music and American history.
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Women in Business Profiles
Thuy Ruggiano
DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCES THE MATHER
Thuy’s savvy team-building skills and decade of experience in human resources are invaluable in growing and nurturing the workforce at The Mather, a brand-new luxury wellness destination for those 62 and better. Her background includes HR roles at Dominion Hospital, The George Washington University Hospital and MGM Resorts International.
7929 Westpark Drive Tysons, VA 22102 571-617-0200 www.themathertysons.com
Q: What are your top priorities?
A: I am focused on serving our amazing team and ensuring they are happy, supported and fulfilled. At The Mather, we support personal well-being with a positive and supportive culture, valuable on-the-job perks, opportunities to learn and advance, and, of course, a competitive benefits package. I want to make sure these difference-makers know that they are cared for and are happy to come to work each day! We are well underway recruiting top hospitality talent who share a passion for creating an atmosphere that transcends the ordinary. This all stems from our organizational values— inclusive, resilient, bold and impactful—and our vision to change the way society views aging.
Q: What do you look forward to when you go to work every day?
A: It’s all about the people. I look forward each day to making meaningful connections with team members and residents here. I will always find opportunities to make a positive impact, no matter how small.
Q: Why do you do what you do? What motivates and inspires you?
A: Every team member at The Mather makes a difference in people’s lives and serving them allows me to do the same for them. From navigating career transitions to being a source of comfort when things are turbulent in life, I do what I do because I have a passion for creating positive change. And working in a new community has given me a unique opportunity to contribute to building a positive and welcoming workplace culture!
Arlington Law Group
MARISSA N. WHITAKER
BRIDGET A. ALZHEIMER, ESQ.
ANNA S. GOLDBERG
Arlington Law Group’s attorneys are licensed in Virginia, Maryland and the District of Columbia. They specialize in estate planning, probate and trust administration, guardianship and conservatorship, business law, contract law, commercial leasing, and commercial and residential real estate transactions. Contact us or visit our website to schedule your initial consultation.
1739 Clarendon Blvd., Arlington, VA 22209 703-842-3025 | clients@arlingtonlawgroup.com www.arlingtonlawgroup.com
Q: How can Arlington Law Group help my family if I become incapacitated or die?
A: We regularly receive calls from clients with concerns like: “Mom has dementia, and we need to sell her house” or “Dad passed away, and we need help transferring his assets.” In each situation, we meet with our clients to review documents and determine the best course of action. If the family member did not do any planning, we can help with guardianship, conservatorship and probate through the courts. Or if they had a financial power of attorney, trust, will or transfer-on-death deed, we advise our clients on how to fulfill their roles as the agent, executor, trustee or beneficiary. We can help with complex court filings and coordinate even the most basic logistics of changing locks, sorting through tangible
property and preparing real estate for sale.
Q: What is Arlington Law Group’s approach to estate and trust administration?
A: Dealing with the death or incapacity of a loved one is a challenging and emotional situation. Our experienced attorneys and staff have the necessary knowledge of fiduciary laws, taxes and court procedure. We bring compassion and strong communication skills, offering clear and concise guidance to our clients while acknowledging the significance of these major life events. Our clients feel a huge sense of relief after their initial meeting, as they are better able to understand their legal, financial and tax obligations. As a trusted partner, we support our clients through each step of the estate and trust administration process.
Donna Hamaker
REALTOR® BUCK & ASSOCIATES
Certified Residential Specialist (CRS), Certified International Property Specialist (CIPS), Accredited Buyer’s Representative (ABR), Certified Real Estate Negotiator (CREN), NVAR Lifetime Top Producer, Certified Digital Marketing Expert (e-PRO®)
2519 Wilson Blvd. Arlington, VA 22201 703-582-7779
donna@BuckRealtors.com www.donnahamaker.com
Q: What advice would you give to women starting out in business?
A: One simple yet powerful piece of advice I can offer is to build a supportive network. Surround yourself with accomplished women who strive for excellence in their fields. Seek their mentorship, learn from them and emulate them. You’ll receive invaluable guidance and motivation.
I also encourage anyone starting out to get involved in the community. Your involvement in local organizations and businesses will foster connections and open doors to new opportunities. And no matter what obstacles you encounter, stick with it! Your expertise, dedication and perseverance will inspire other women to pursue their passions, overcome obstacles and achieve success. By following these simple tips, women can thrive in any business they choose to pursue.
Q: What is success in business?
A: For me, success is earning the trust and confidence of my clients. Whether it’s navigating complex transactions, providing strategic advice about selling or purchasing a home, or making investment decisions, I leverage my experience to help individuals achieve their goals and dreams and do whatever I can to make a positive impact in their lives.
Q: What fuels your passion in real estate?
A: It’s the opportunity to connect with people from all walks of life. I gain insights and inspiration from nearly everyone I meet, and I am continually expanding my expertise. Being able to learn from a diverse group of clients and look at challenges from different perspectives is vital for problem-solving. It’s also immensely rewarding.
TONY J. LEWIS
Manisha Grover, DDS
CLARENDON DENTAL ARTS
Dr. Grover graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University’s School of Dentistry and completed her residency with the New York Medical College at Metropolitan Hospital. With an integrative approach, she treats the mouth as the gateway to overall well-being, exploring the systemic links to disease and emphasizing the importance of total dental health.
2700 Clarendon Blvd.
Arlington, VA 22201
703-525-5901
cdarts@clarendondentalarts.com www.clarendondentalarts.com
Q: What advice would you offer women just starting out?
A: Running your own business is challenging yet remarkably empowering. Don’t underestimate yourself or convince yourself it’s too difficult. Women often doubt themselves, feeling like they need to look or be like someone else to succeed. As a relatively young businesswoman with no prior experience owning a dental practice, I’ve learned that the key to success is setting your sights on a goal and pursuing it step by step. Break it down into manageable, bite-sized pieces.
One of the most empowering aspects of dentistry is the ability to own your practice and shape your legacy. I feel fortunate to be my own boss, set my own hours and lead my team in the direction I want without compromising my personal life—
like taking time off for my kids’ spring break without needing permission. The flexibility to mold your career as you wish is truly liberating.
Q: How have you mentored or inspired others who are following in your footsteps?
A: Mentorship is integral to my practice. Many women in our industry shy away from leadership or further education because of self-doubt. Visualization is powerful—if you can see yourself in a role, you can achieve it. I relish helping women envision themselves in roles they deserve and take pride in having several dental assistants who have gone on to hygiene, even dental school. I also love offering high school interns interested in dentistry insight into the field, narrating procedures and fostering a deep appreciation for our impact on patients’ lives.
The Shops at Wilson
AUTUMN CLAYTON | COVET
SARAH ALLEN | THE URBAN FARMHOUSE
At Covet and The Urban Farmhouse, two of Arlington’s most unique home and gift shops, owners Autumn Clayton and Sarah Allen work diligently to provide a warm, one-stop shopping experience and build community. Known together as “The Shops at Wilson,” these locally owned shops are housed in a refurbished,120-yearold farmhouse in Arlington’s Bluemont neighborhood.
5140 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA 22205 2covet@gmail.com theurbanfarmhouse@icloud.com
703-247-9797 | 703-718-4897
Q: What’s the most important lesson you’ve learned during your career?
A: Autumn: That I can meet challenges head-on. There have been a few times where I was ready to throw in the towel because I was spread so thin. My stubbornness has saved this business more than once.
Sarah: To trust your gut. It gives you the courage to take risks and make big decisions–like taking over a gift shop at the height of a global pandemic! It gives my shop authenticity, too. Everything I stock is something that I love and would choose for my own home or a friend.
Q: What do you love most about your work?
A: Autumn: I really enjoy the merchandising–like working on displays–and my customers. Many have become
friends. I‘ve watched their kids grow from toddlers into adults, and I have employed quite a few of them. That’s been super fun!
Sarah: Building community. Small businesses support local artists, hire local high school students and hold school fundraisers. Today, when so much is done online, having a physical place where people can come to shop and support the community is so important.
Q: What qualities should a successful businesswoman have?
A: Autumn: Any woman can run a successful business if she finds one that fits her lifestyle and ignites her passion. Getting started requires confidence–you have to believe you can do it! Listening skills are helpful too, whether it’s to a workshop leader, a client or just your own inner voice.
MICHAEL VENTURA
Mullett Dove & Bradley Family Law, PLLC
JENNIFER MULLETT, LAURA DOVE AND JENNIFER BRADLEY
Awards/Honors: Best Lawyers™; Washingtonian Top Lawyers; Super Lawyers™; Martindale-Hubbell Client Champion; U.S. New and World Report Best Law Firms; Northern Virginia Top Lawyers; Arlington Magazine Top Attorneys; Virginia Business Legal Elite
Three Ballston Plaza
100 N. Glebe Road, Suite 1100, Arlington, VA 22201 703-522-8100 | www.mdbfamilylaw.com
Q: How do you measure success?
A: Our goal is to help our clients resolve their disputes in a way that leaves them as whole as possible and in a position to successfully move on to the next chapter in their lives. We take an individualized approach to every case, and we measure our success by client satisfaction. We ensure clients are fully informed throughout the process, explain all of their options, explore realistic solutions and pursue the best approach to meet their goals.
Q: What’s changed for women in business during your career?
A: In our experience, clients are increasingly seeking women attorneys for various reasons. Men frequently find that having a female attorney handle their divorce provides them with better insight into their spouse’s position in negotiations. Women often find that we’re more sensitive to their needs and better able to relate to their interests when going through the divorce process.
Q: What was a major turning point in your career?
A: Before founding our firm in 2012, the lawyers of MDB worked for one of the best family law attorneys in the country—Betty A. Thompson. She was the first female president of multiple local, state and national legal organizations. She helped write Virginia’s existing divorce laws and built a reputation as the “queen” of divorce. When she passed away, we felt compelled to continue her legacy by adhering to the highest ethical standards, maintaining the most advanced knowledge of the law, and serving our clients and community to the best of our ability.
Tutoring Club of McLean
MICHELLE SCOTT OWNER AND DIRECTOR
Consistently voted best in its category by Arlington, Northern Virginia and Washington Family Magazine readers, Tutoring Club of McLean provides individualized academic assistance to students of all ages and abilities. “From early learning to college preparation, we are a dedicated and trusted partner for every step of the journey,” says Club Owner Michelle Scott.
6228 Old Dominion Drive, McLean, VA 22101 703-237-TUTOR (8886) | McLeanVA@TutoringClub.com www.tutoringclub.com/mcleanva
Q: What makes your business unique?
A: Tutoring Club’s award-winning, personalized approach to education ensures that every student receives the support and encouragement they need to thrive academically and beyond. Recognizing that every educational journey is unique, we prioritize personal connection as the foundation for guiding our students toward achieving their individual goals. By fostering a positive and welcoming environment, we get to know each child as both a student and a person, enabling us to create customized roadmaps for mastering subject matter and developing strong study skills.
As educators and mentors, we are genuinely invested in our students’ long-term academic success and strive to nurture independent, confident and self-motivated learners for life. Passionate about showing that knowledge can be both fun and exciting,
we’ve curated a lively learning atmosphere with dynamic instructors, engaging contests and compelling incentives that make learning enjoyable and inspiring.
Beyond our classrooms, we reinforce our dedication to educational excellence by promoting literacy programs for those in need and supporting local schools.
Q: What advice would you offer for women just starting out?
A: Believe in your ability to succeed. Research shows that women often harbor more self-doubt than men, which can hold them back from reaching their full potential as leaders. Embrace the strengths and passions that have brought you to this point; rely on them as you chase your dreams. At Tutoring Club, we empower women—as we do our students and staff—to unlock their potential, pursue excellence and achieve their goals.
MICHAEL VENTURA
From Left: Karry W., Education & Center Administrator; Ryland P., Instructor; Michelle Scott, Owner/Director; Laura B., Lead Instructor & Enrolment Coordinator; Emma S., Instructor
Vie Nguyen
REALTOR®, PEARSON SMITH REALTY
With nearly $70 million in career sales and a host of industry honors, Vie Nguyen is a compassionate, savvy, highly sought-after Realtor® who is dedicated to helping clients achieve homeownership. Offering concierge-style service, she provides trusted recommendations and empowers clients by keeping them informed. Vie’s design expertise and integrity make her an invaluable partner in real estate.
8315 Lee Highway, Suite 430
Fairfax, VA 22031
703-409-3126
vie.nguyen@peasonsmithrealty.com www.vienguyenrealestate.com
Q: Why do you do what you do? What motivates and inspires you?
A: I love helping people achieve their dreams of becoming homeowners. Homeownership is one of the most impactful milestones in someone’s life, and every time I can help a new client and create a valuable relationship, I feel extremely grateful for their trust in allowing me to be part of their journey. I never take this lightly or for granted.
Q: What was a major turning point in your career?
A: Leaving the corporate world to start my own residential real estate business. Despite holding a degree in information systems, my passion for design and real estate and my deep knowledge of the Washington Metropolitan market, especially Northern Virginia (as a Fairfax native and resident), drove me to take a leap of faith. This decision has been incredibly fulfilling, allowing me to use my strategic negotiation skills and commitment to client-focused service to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives.
I attribute my success to unwavering perseverance, consistency, integrity, and, most importantly, my ability to build genuine connections with clients and partners. Dedicated to improving my craft, I continually educate myself about the industry to stay current. I’m proud of how my business has evolved and my own personal growth. From being wary at first of whether my agency would be sustainable to selling millions in real estate annually, I am humbled and appreciative.
Cindy Toukan
LUXURY INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL ADVISOR
LITTERINI TRAVEL
“Whether you’re seeking off-the-beaten-path adventure, cultural immersion or a tranquil escape to recharge, I’ll help you transform your wanderlust into a once-in-a-lifetime travel experience.”
1-833-464-2539 x768
Cindy.Toukan@LitteriniTravel.com cindytoukan.wixsite.com/litterinitravel
Q: What do you enjoy about doing business in this area?
A: I love the diversity and the many multicultural influences in Arlington, where I live with my family. It reminds me of Europe. The myriad languages, nationalities, ethnic groups—and the amazing restaurant options (I’m a foodie!)—there’s an exciting, international feel. I love that people here are well traveled. It’s truly one of the best forms of education.
Q: What motivates and inspires you?
A: Family means everything to me. I stayed close to home in Pittsburgh, PA until I met my husband, whose career with the Department of Defense gave us the opportunity to travel throughout Europe. While living in Stuttgart, Germany, one of our
favorite cities, I realized how inspirational travel was for me. We were exposed to so many different people and cultures. I remember the thrill I felt during each new adventure and now I try to bring the same excitement to my clients. There’s a quote I love that I’ve always found inspiring: “We must take adventures in order to know where we truly belong.” This is what has guided me in my career and my life.
Q: With such a busy career, how do you maintain balance?
A: Through my experiences traveling. I’m fortunate that travel is not just a professional commitment but a personal passion that brings me immense joy. Living in other countries, experiencing different cultures and lifestyles—it’s a wonderful way to recharge and stay centered.
Shannon J. Cothran, MD, FACOG
Meno-Start™, founded by board-certified OB/GYN Dr. Shannon J. Cothran and certified fitness and nutrition coach Dulany Washington, offers a personalized and integrated approach to menopause. Thoroughly exploring patients’ needs, they develop individualized success plans focusing on hormone therapeutics, mental health, sexual health and metabolism management.
2010 Corporate Ridge Road, Suite 510
McLean, VA 22102
571-297-4200 | info@meno-start.com www.meno-start.com
Q: What woman inspires you and why?
A: My former partner, Dr. Janice Emery. She navigated medical school and training when being a woman in surgical fields like gynecology was incredibly rare. A working mother in an unsupportive environment, she dedicated herself to improving medicine for future women doctors. Dr. Emery was always encouraging, never making me choose between career and family. She tragically passed away shortly after retiring, but her legacy lives on at Meno-Start. Her mentorship gave me the courage to leave corporate medicine and pursue my vision. I keep her picture in my office and hope she is proud of my new venture.
Q: What made you decide to open Meno-Start?
A: Women now live decades during and
beyond menopause, yet many still lack a comprehensive understanding and support for this phase of life. With Meno-Start, I aim to create a welcoming space where women are provided with the medical consultation and support they need, along with collaboration and services to aid in their fitness, nutrition, bone health and overall well-being to enhance longevity and quality of life. By offering communitybuilding activities, I hope to foster a supportive environment where women can forge friendships and thrive during this stage of their lives.
Owning my practice also allows me to lean into what makes me happiest: genuinely connecting with and caring for my patients. I love getting to know them and collaboratively crafting plans to meet their needs.
Northern Virginia Orthodontics
DR. DANIELLE ROBB AND DR. JESSICA ITANI
2200 Clarendon Blvd., Suite R140, Arlington, VA 22201 703-327-1718 | www.nvorthodontics.com
Q: What’s the best advice you’ve received and how has it helped you?
A: Dr. Jessica Itani: Some of the best advice I’ve received is: “Be comfortable with being uncomfortable.” This powerful mantra reminds me to embrace discomfort, as it helps us discover our potential and build resilience. It encourages continuous learning, pushing boundaries and growth—fueling my passion and hunger for what the future holds.
Q: How do you measure success?
A: Dr. Danielle Robb: I measure success through personal fulfillment and the impact on my patients’ lives. Personally, it’s witnessing smile transformations and boosts in self-esteem. On a business level, it’s about the steady growth of our practice and the trust we’ve earned. The highest compliment is when patients refer loved ones, reflecting our exceptional care and genuine connections.
Christine Dolan, MBA
FOUNDER & CEO C. DOLAN & ASSOCIATES
703-868-8664 | christine@cdolanfinancial.com www.cdolanfinancial.com
Q: Why do you do what you do? What motivates and inspires you?
A: I love helping people and going above and beyond to make a meaningful difference in their lives. As a Daily Money Manager, C. Dolan & Associates provides personalized, in-home assistance to a diverse, primarily high-net-worth clientele — including seniors, adult children supporting their parents, busy professionals and organizations. From bill payment and management to budgeting, document and tax organization, estate and insurance management, as well as special projects and much more, C. Dolan & Associates strives to put clients at ease, knowing someone they trust is managing their fiscal well-being. There’s not a single day that I don’t look forward to going to work, knowing I’m making a tangible difference in our clients’ lives and helping them achieve financial peace of mind.
Ivy Horan
PRESIDENT & OWNER
MGI CORPORATE GIFTS LLC
Founded by Ivy Horan, MGI (Make Great Impressions) specializes in meaningful, personalized gifts and awards for events. Proudly SWaM certified and a finalist for the 2024 Arlington Chamber of Commerce Best Small Business Award, MGI serves a diverse clientele and has grown from two clients in 2019 to over 60 in 2023.
202-800-4438 info@mgicorporategifts.com www.mgicorporategifts.com
Q: What woman inspires you and why?
A: Hands down, my mother, Mary Pivec. My parents married in 1970 and I was born in 1971. Despite working full-time, my mother pursued her education, graduating Magna Cum Laude with a BA in English, Spanish and Education. By 1981, she’d earned her Master of Liberal Arts and law degree (Cum Laude).
Her energy and perseverance in juggling a demanding career and family life are truly inspiring. Her journey was challenging, but she endured and, with the support of my dad and extended family, achieved her dream of becoming a successful attorney. I am incredibly proud of everything she has accomplished.
Q: What was a major turning point in your life and/or career?
A: Being laid off from my previous employer after 12 years was a pivotal moment that, as shocking and traumatic as it was then, I now look back on with gratitude. With my husband’s support and encouragement, I leveraged my knowledge and expertise in the corporate gifts industry to launch my own business on my terms.
The daily commute into D.C.—45 minutes each way—was such a drain on my time. I was missing precious moments with my young son and valuable family and personal time. Now, with a flexible schedule that suits my needs, I prioritize being present for my family. I volunteer at my son’s school, participate in his activities and actively contribute to my community. I’m truly thankful for where I am today and grateful to have found this fulfilling work-life balance.
BBG Financial Planning
6402 Arlington Blvd., Suite 900, Falls Church, VA 22042 571-327-5999 | financialplanning@bay-biz.com www.bbgfp.com
Q: What qualities do you think a successful financial advisor should have?
A: All financial advisors should be deeply committed to fiduciary standards—clients first, always. They should be honest, approachable, respectful and able to coach clients to meet their financial goals. The best financial advisors are good listeners, valuing clients’ perspectives over assumptions.
Q: What brings you the most satisfaction in your work?
A: I’ve always loved helping people. Whether guiding families to save for college and retirement, assisting newly divorced women in rebuilding financially, or advising young professionals on smart financial decisions, it’s so exciting to see people taking off on their next adventures.
Disclaimer: Securities offered through Avantax Investment ServicesSM, Member FINRA, SIPC. Investment advisory services offered through Avantax Advisory ServicesSM. Insurance services offered through an Avantax-affiliated insurance agency.
Gema Island, DDS
ISLAND CHILDREN’S DENTISTRY & ORTHODONTICS
8605 Westwood Center Drive, Suite 501, Vienna, VA 22182 (703) 790-1320 | smiles@islandchildrensdentistry.com www.islandchildrensdentistry.com
Q: What was a major turning point in your life and/or career?
A: Expanding and relocating my practice. I founded Island Children’s Dentistry ten years ago, and now, with a team of four highly skilled doctors, we’ve moved to a larger space to better serve our community. We’re excited to offer enhanced services, including orthodontia, airway assessment, tonguetie releases and pediatric sedation dentistry, giving parents peace of mind with premium dental care.
Q: What’s the most important lesson you’ve learned during your career?
A: Never take anything for granted. Always show gratitude to your patients, their families and your team. With so many options available, when families choose you and keep coming back, it’s because you’ve created a lasting connection. I cherish watching our little patients grow and celebrating their accomplishments.
From left: Julie Bradsher, CFP®; Lisa Toews Daugherty, CPFA® CRPS®; Laura Fisher
Lucia Lukosik, AKBD
DESIGN DIRECTOR TOP BUILDERS
With an MBA in Economics, Lucia Lukosik forged a successful career in project management at industry leaders like Nike and Gemor Fashion before joining Top Builders in 2009. Her meticulous eye ensures harmonious design elements. She believes homes should reflect their owners, guiding her team in creating modern, livable spaces that exceed client expectations.
3309 Langston Blvd. Arlington, VA 22207 703-675-7083 info@topbuilders.com www.topbuilders.com
Q: What motivates and inspires you?
A: The ever-evolving nature of design, with its new technologies, trends and materials, keeps me motivated and excited. Each project is a fresh opportunity to create. The most rewarding part is seeing a project come to life and knowing I’ve contributed positively. The pride and accomplishment from well-executed designs and happy, returning clients drive me to keep designing. I draw daily inspiration from social media platforms like Pinterest and Instagram and from observing my surroundings, especially when visiting new places and countries.
Q: What changes or innovations are on the horizon in your industry? How are you preparing for them?
A: The interior design industry is rapidly changing, with innovations like virtual and augmented reality (VR/AR) and artificial intelligence (AI) reshaping how designs are created and experienced. We use VR to offer our clients immersive walkthroughs of their spaces. With Chief Architect software, we provide 360-degree 3D views, allowing our clients to visualize transformations in real-time. This software lets us apply various textures, finishes and specific products, like appliances or wall paint, ensuring hyper-realistic renderings. Such realism empowers clients to make informed decisions and ensures the final design meets their expectations.
AI tools, such as ChatGPT, enhance our ability to deliver personalized recommendations and spark creativity with diverse design suggestions. Additionally, AI simplifies material searches using tools like Google Lens or Pinterest image search, streamlining the design process.
Megan R. Borak, DDS
QUINCY STREET DENTAL
801 N. Quincy St., Suite 110, Arlington, VA 22203 703-778-7610 | manager@quincystreetdental.com www.quincystreetdental.com
Q: How do you measure success?
A: By creating an office environment where both my team and patients feel genuinely happy and valued. I have always strived to build a compassionate team that finds joy in caring for our patients and excels at comforting our most apprehensive ones. Providing a safe, comfortable space where smiles can flourish is incredibly rewarding, and having a cohesive, motivated staff makes overcoming the challenges of dentistry well worth it.
Q: Why do you do what you do? What motivates and inspires you?
A: I have the best job because dentistry combines medicine and art! There’s true artistry in shaping and choosing the style and shade of a tooth—there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. I love improving smiles, whether fixing a chip, cavity or stain to create a seamless and natural look.
Christine Searle, CIA, CRMA, EA
SEARLE BUSINESS SOLUTIONS, LLC
Practical Solutions for Businesses and Nonprofits christine@searlebzllc.com
Q: How do you measure success?
A: Getting all my tax returns filed by the deadline! Seriously, success in my tax preparation and nonprofit financial controls business is when I’ve resolved an issue, clarified a complexity or relieved a stressor. It’s all about doing purposeful work and helping clients achieve their objectives.
Q: What has been an unexpected surprise since starting your business in Arlington?
A: The many volunteer opportunities where I can direct my financial and nonprofit experience. I never realized how much charitable nonprofits in our community rely on the help of business professionals. I’ve lived in Arlington since 2001, but since starting my business here in 2014, I’ve had an even better appreciation for our rich sense of community and the many opportunities to be involved more fully.
Heather Groves, PA-C
FRANCHISE OWNER
4EVER YOUNG FALLS CHURCH
4Ever Young Falls Church offers personalized cuttingedge aesthetic and wellness treatments to enhance wellbeing. Embracing a proactive—not reactive—approach, our expert medical team uses modern science and technology to help individuals look and feel their best, empowering them to enjoy life to the fullest.
108 N. West St., Falls Church, VA 571-562-7100 | info@4everyoungfallschurch.com www.4everyoungantiaging.com/location/falls-church-va
Q: What advice do you have for women who are new to their journey?
A: Build your support system, seek balance and practice patience. Lean on your partner, faith or community—having a solid support network is essential. Remember, you can’t pour from an empty cup, so allocate your time wisely between yourself, your family and your business to achieve efficiency and success. Stay patient and persistent, knowing that every step brings you closer to your ultimate goal. Some days will be challenging; dig deep, discover your inner strength and keep moving forward.
Q: What was a significant turning point in your life and/or career?
A: Starting a family. Burned out after years as an emergency medicine physician assistant, balancing the demands of my career with the responsibilities of new motherhood became overwhelming. It forced me to pause, reflect and reconsider my priorities.
4Ever Young embodies my passion for aesthetics (I worked for years alongside a renowned McLean plastic surgeon) and wellness. I love helping men and women look and feel their best, and I cherish the flexibility to prioritize my family.
Q: What drives and inspires you in your work?
A: I am passionate about my profession and the meaningful connections I build with my patients. My family is my ultimate motivation, and I am dedicated to improving the lives of those under my care. I draw strength and inspiration from the exceptional individuals I collaborate with and learn from. Like many women in medicine, I strive to make a lasting impact on both my patients and the broader medical community.
When Parents
Sometimes divorce is unavoidable. Here are some ways to make it easier on the kids if you decide to call it quits.
BY ROBYN GEAREY
While waiting for a parent-teacher conference for my then-second-grader, I caught sight of his “About Me” poster hanging on the wall. Below the usual facts—older sibling, two cats, gymnast—he’d written in wobbly letters, My parents are divorced. That is sad for me.
It felt like a gut punch. My ex and I had separated when our kids were 2 and 5 and divorced a year later. Since then, we’d spent every birthday, Thanksgiving and Christmas together, along with countless family dinners. What’s more, we were all preparing to go to New York for their father’s wedding—myself included. My ex and I got along well. We never fought in front of the kids. Hadn’t I done everything right?
That was 10 years ago. Looking back, I still think the answer is mostly yes. And yet, it’s also true that having divorced parents has shaped my kids in ways I couldn’t appreciate back then. Some are amazing (they have a wonderful stepmother and two half-brothers we all adore) and some less so. My oldest child, Grace*, now 20, recently recalled how lonely it was being one of the few kids with divorced parents at our military-heavy elementary school in Alexandria. “There was a huge focus on the nuclear family,” Grace said, “and I just couldn’t relate to that.”
*Pseudonyms used for privacy
While there’s no way to prevent divorce from affecting children, there are ways to minimize lasting harm. Lisa Herrick, a D.C.-based clinical psychologist who frequently works with couples in Arlington, says that while divorce is almost always sad for kids, it needn’t leave scars if parents handle it the right way. “I don’t minimize the impact of divorce—it’s huge,” she says, “but it’s important to know that you have the power to protect your children.”
CAREFUL UNTETHERING
In the United States, about 43% of first marriages end in divorce, according to the Centers for Disease Control, and 50% of all children will go through a divorce. By the time parents have decided that breaking up is the best option for them—often after years of stress and unhappiness—they may assume the next step is to tell the kids. But experts urge parents to first make some key decisions around what their family life will look like in the near term.
“It’s helpful to have a little bit of a vision of what’s going to happen [that you can share with] the children,” says Herrick. Even older kids will benefit from having at least a loose framework and some idea of what’s coming next.
■ when parents split
How to Tell the Kids
Clinical psychologist Lisa Herrick offers a guide to telling your kids about the divorce on her website, lisaherrick.com. Here are a few of her tips:
• Plan to talk to the kids together a few weeks before the separation. Pick a quiet time when you feel able to remain calm. The beginning of a weekend can be a good time because it gives the kids a few days to process.
• Consider letting your child’s teachers know a day in advance so that they are prepared if the child is upset or acts out at school.
• Be prepared to share the basics of what will happen next. Who will move out and when? Where will they go? How will you share parenting time? It’s OK not to know every detail.
• Stress that the kids are not to blame for the separation and can’t do anything to stop it from happening.
• Let them know it’s normal to have a wide range of feelings. Encourage them to feel free to express any emotions they are feeling to you.
• Emphasize that even though the family structure is changing, you are still a family and will help each other get through this. Check in again a few days after the initial conversation to answer any questions kids have and allow them to express any feelings they’re having.
Some divorcing parents are able to do this without outside help. When Arlington resident Ava* and her then-husband decided in 2019 that their marriage wasn’t working, they waited about four months to tell their three children, who were in elementary, middle and high school. In the interim, they found an apartment and ironed out how they’d start sharing parenting time.
Once they broke the news, they took turns staying in the apartment while the other parent was with the kids in the family home—an arrangement called “nesting.” It worked well for about eight months, when Ava found a nearby home for sale and jumped at the chance to have her own place.
“Nesting is a great, child-focused short-term solution,” says Christian Lapham, a family law attorney at the Arlington firm Bean, Kinney & Korman. It allows both parents to remain close—and it’s less disruptive for children. Staying put in the same house means they don’t have to worry about accidentally leaving their homework at Dad’s, or their flute at Mom’s, or discovering at bedtime that they don’t have their favorite stuffed animal.
“I don’t think it’s a long-term solution,” Lapham says, “particularly when people get involved with significant others. But as an interim solution for six to 12 months, it’s great.”
To formalize their divorce, Ava and her spouse hired a mediator—a trained professional (often an attorney) who works with both parties to come to a settlement agreement outside of court—and found they were aligned on most issues. The split was “very cordial,” Ava says. She and her former husband still take the kids on family vacations together and continue to share a bank account for kid-related expenses.
Of course, not all divorces are quite so harmonious. Couples who are experiencing more conflict may want to hire a parenting coordinator—a sort of couples’ therapist for divorcing parents.
Notably, every expert interviewed for this story urged parents to try to stay out of court, a process that often turns out to be expensive, time-consuming and exhausting. According to Lapham, the average cost of a contested divorce in this area (one that lands in court) is between $125,000 and $300,000, versus $5,000 to $20,000 for mediation. Divorce attorneys are professionally obligated to fight for the best outcome for their clients, which can ramp up the acrimony and exacerbate stress on everyone in the family. And when a divorce case goes to trial, the outcome is ultimately in the hands of a family court judge.
“When things get hard, it’s really easy to say, ‘Well, we’re just going to let a judge decide,’ ” says Ellice Halpern, founder of Little Falls Mediation in Arlington. “But we have no control over what the judge is going to do. And so I’ll say to people: ‘You’re the experts on this dispute. Don’t give away your power.’ ” Lapham concurs. “Nobody is in a better position to resolve these issues than the parents themselves,” he says. “They know what’s going to work best for their family.”
Another option that’s gained popularity of late is collaborative divorce. In this scenario, each parent has their own attorney, but everyone signs an agreement to stay out of court. Sometimes a parenting coordinator or child psychologist is in the mix. Some couples hire professional divorce coaches who may also be financial planners, mental health professionals, lawyers or mediators.
As Herrick puts it: “You have a team of people, and we’re all sort of rowing in the same direction. Our focus is not getting as much as we can for one client or the other—as much money or as much time with the children. Our focus is really what is going to work best for your family.”
This is true even in divorces that are less than amicable. “It’s not necessarily all warm and fuzzy,” Herrick says. “People go into [mediation or collab-
orative divorce] even when they’re furious or betrayed or angry or mistrustful. But it’s still a much better process than duking it out in court or with litigating lawyers.”
Even if it’s painful, negotiating out of court has the upside of preparing parents to work together as their kids’ needs change over time. In the months and years after the divorce, co-parents may find themselves navigating unforeseen physical and mental health conditions, disciplinary challenges or academic concerns around their kids, as well as happier considerations like college planning, weddings and grandchildren.
As Lapham tells his clients: “You’ve got a lifetime of issues to sort through with this other person. If you can get it right [in the beginning], it’s going to give you positive momentum moving forward.”
THE PARENTING PLAN
No matter which process parents choose to settle their differences, they will ultimately have to file a marital settlement agreement with a family court. This legal document covers financial matters such as alimony, child support and the division of property, as well as a parenting plan.
Parenting plans aren’t just about custody. They include specifics such as where the children will sleep each night, and how holidays, birthdays, vacations and other special occasions will be handled.
In recent decades, joint custody has become much more common. One study published in the peer-reviewed social sciences journal Demographic Research noted that joint custody rates rose from 13% in 1985 to 34% in 2014, with even higher rates among more affluent couples. Many Northern Virginia parents opt for 50-50 joint custody, according to the experts in this story. Are there best practices around shared parenting? A lot depends on the ages of the kids. For very young chil-
A Few Key Terms
Child specialist: Often engaged during a collaborative divorce, a child specialist meets with parents and children to provide guidance in creating a parenting plan or assessing how well an existing plan is working. Most are mental health professionals with training in child development.
Collaborative divorce: In a collaborative divorce, each party has their own attorney, but signs an agreement that they will resolve their differences out of court. Financial advisors, child specialists and divorce coaches may also be part of the process.
Co-parenting: In a co-parenting relationship, parents who are no longer married or partnered work cooperatively to raise their children. A good co-parenting relationship features minimal conflict and open communication between parents.
Divorce coach: A divorce coach supports and guides individuals through the divorce process. Divorce coaches may have a variety of backgrounds, including mental health, financial planning, and law or mediation.
Mediator: A neutral third party who helps divorcing couples resolve their dispute outside of the court system. Mediators undergo a certification process and often have a legal background.
Nesting: A housing arrangement in which the kids stay in the family home full time and the parents move in and out during their custodial time. Parents either have separate homes where they live during “off” periods or sometimes opt to share a house or apartment.
Parallel parenting: An alternative to co-parenting for divorced parents who find interactions with each other stressful or high conflict. Under this arrangement, parents minimize contact with each other, but stay involved in their children’s lives. Each may have their own separate household rules and routines.
Parenting coordinator: A parenting coordinator (PC) may be appointed by a judge in a high-conflict divorce or hired privately as a consultant. The PC’s role is to help parents negotiate a parenting plan that is in the best interest of the kids. PCs are often mental health professionals, and many are trained as child specialists and divorce coaches.
Parenting plan: A plan that divorcing parents file with the court as part of their marital separation agreement. The plan details who will have physical and legal custody of the kids, how birthdays and other special occasions will be handled, child support and other financial arrangements, how the parents will communicate with each other and other practical aspects of parenting.
Sources: custodyxchange.com, psychologytoday.com, vacollaborativepractice.com, vamediation.org
■ when parents split
dren, Herrick, the clinical psychologist, says being away from either parent for more than a few nights can be too much. She recommends a rotating 2-2-3 schedule in which parent A has the kids, say, Monday and Tuesday; parent B has them Wednesday and Thursday; and then parent A has them Friday through Sunday. The following week, the schedule flips. This ensures that youngsters are never away from either parent for more than three nights.
The main downside of this approach is that it involves frequent transitions, which can be emotionally and logistically difficult for both kids and parents, especially in the early days of separation and divorce.
Once children are in elementary school and involved in activities, consistency becomes the higher priority. Families in this life stage may prefer a 2-2-5 plan, in which parents always have the kids on set weekdays, but alternate weekends. This structure establishes a predictable weekly routine and allows the kids to have longer stretches of time with each parent.
By middle school and high school, alternating weeks is common. Teens can tolerate being away from one parent for a longer stretch of time, and they may dislike the hassle of constantly switching households. Plus, there are more opportunities at this age for parents to stay involved outside the home by attending events like sports and arts performances.
Sometimes parents naturally fall into certain roles. “I had a case where Dad’s thing was he loved taking the three kids to their different soccer games and practices,” mediator Halpern says. “Mom was always welcome to come to practices and games, too. But that was something he loved doing, and Mom loved it because it gave her a break.”
In families with several children, kids may have different needs based on their ages and personalities that warrant a divide-and-conquer approach. “A lot of
It’s important for kids to feel at home wherever they are, and not like overnight guests.
parents have the instinct that, ‘We don’t want to split up the kids,’ ” notes Herrick, “and that’s a good instinct. It can be very comforting to be traveling with your sibling.” At the same time, she says, it’s also nice for each child to get some alone time with a parent. “One-on-one time is like gold for children.”
NEW TRADITIONS
When it comes to holidays and special occasions, every family charts its own course. Until a few years ago, when my oldest started college, my kids and I always spent holidays as a family with their dad. Those gatherings also included whichever extended family members were in town—and eventually, their dad’s new wife and her family.
“Sure, I guess it would have been nice to have two Christmases,” says my oldest child, Grace, “but having everyone together was more meaningful.”
For Sarah*, an Arlington mother of two teens whose divorce was more
contentious, every holiday and birthday is spelled out in the parenting plan— in some cases down to the number of hours—but she and her ex have found flexibility within that framework.
She cites the example of her most recent birthday, when she was technically entitled to have the kids for four hours, even though it was their dad’s week. “That just seemed miserable,” she says. She opted to celebrate the occasion on another day when they could all relax and enjoy their time together without being rushed.
Come the holiday season, Sarah and her former spouse decided their kids would spend Thanksgiving with him and Christmas with her. That plan has worked well for their family, but younger children might find such an arrangement confusing, cautions Herrick, the clinical psychologist.
“Kids might wonder why you never want to have them on Thanksgiving,” Herrick says. “Don’t give up a holiday to be nice or because you don’t care about it, unless you’ve really thought through how it’s going to feel for your children.” Kids appreciate the opportunity to create traditions with both parents, she offers.
Of course, much of this advice works best when divorced parents live relatively close to each other. That’s the ideal scenario.
“What I’ve seen not work well is when one parent moves farther away— even if it’s only 10 or 15 miles—and the child is expected to go there on the weekends,” says Matt Levine, a family therapist and founder of Summit Counseling in Arlington. “They have no friends in that area.”
Whatever the living arrangements, it’s important for kids to feel at home wherever they are, and not like overnight guests. When Sarah and her husband separated, her oldest child (then in high school) accompanied her to open houses and helped Sarah choose her new home.
Ava took her three kids shopping to select new bedding and towels, and she bought duplicates of the family’s favorite board games to keep in her new house. She also shopped on Etsy for decor from different decades so that everything in the house wasn’t brand-new. “It helped the place feel lived in,” she says.
PARALLEL PARENTING
Low-conflict co-parenting during and after divorce may be the goal, but it isn’t always possible. What’s best for the kids when the dynamic between parents is more volatile? This is where an approach called parallel parenting can be invaluable.
In parallel parenting, explains Andrea Andrews, a resident counselor at Seven Corners Psychotherapy, “one parent might have a totally different set of rules around bedtime, meals, and what they expect for academics or sports. For the other parent it might look totally different. But the kid at least knows what to expect. There’s consistency: This is how it is at Mom’s house; this is how it is at Dad’s house.
“I think a lot of parents feel pushed into co-parenting,” Andrews continues, “but there’s something to be said for parallel parenting for parents who are really high conflict. You don’t want to put children in the middle of that.”
Parallel parenting has worked well for Sarah, whose relationship with her ex is still strained. “We rarely have to communicate aside from the occasional text or email,” she says. Some families use apps like OurFamilyWizard that include family calendars, messaging tools and expense tracking so parents can share information in a neutral place. Keeping hand-offs between parents calm and conflict-free is important for kids. Timing them around normal school drop-offs and pickups can be effective. Sarah, whose family follows a week on/week off parenting schedule, has found that Fridays are an ideal transition day for everyone.
“Sundays were just too emotional,” she explains, “but everyone is happy on Friday afternoons.” The Friday switch also gives each parent a full weekend— either for activities with the kids or to relax on their own.
With parallel parenting, Andrews clarifies, parents may not always know everything that’s happening in the other home—and that’s OK. Asking children to report back “can make the kids feel uncomfortable. It can also make the other parent feel like they’re under a microscope.”
What if your ex does something that pushes your buttons or reopens an old wound? Resist the temptation to criticize the other parent or share details about the split with the kids. “You’re going to have feelings, and not all those feelings are always going to be good,” Andrews acknowledges. “We have to really think about respecting and honoring ourselves, our co-parent, and our child by not airing and putting our feelings onto our kids.”
Levine agrees. “The parent has to be this stronger, wiser attachment figure that the child needs during a divorce,” he advises. “If you’re telling your child [inappropriate] stuff about the relationship, then you’re reversing roles, which is really damaging to the kid. It creates mistrust about the parent who said it, and also mistrust of the other parent as well.”
That doesn’t mean you have to swallow your emotions. Just choose your sounding boards wisely. Perhaps try therapy. “Parents have to resource themselves. They have to take good care of themselves and how they present,” therapist Levine says. If a parent is anxious, kids will notice.
“Parents will try to hide their feelings,” Andrews adds, “but kids are really, really smart and they know when we’re pretending.”
After his divorce, Keith*, an Arlington dad, made a conscious effort to rebuild his own circle of friends and informal support network. “Sometimes [dads’] social lives have been run by
their partners,” he says, and “when they find themselves outside of that relationship, they don’t really have a social network to fall back on.”
Keith also prioritized self-care: “It’s difficult to go through a divorce without a significant amount of rebuilding, and I don’t think men in particular are very good about acknowledging that.” He started therapy, took up meditation and carved out time to relax. “I’ve gotten more massages in the last seven years than I did in the previous seven years,” he says.
Therapy can be helpful for children, too—especially if tensions are high. Two of Ava’s kids went to therapy for a time, and she made sure all three knew it was available. “Even if you don’t take your parent up on it, at least you know that you’re not completely being left alone,” she says. “You have an option if you want it.”
MOVING FORWARD
Once the divorce is final, it may feel like the hardest part is over. But as kids get older and their needs change, the parenting plan may need to evolve.
Keith’s son was a toddler when he and his ex-wife parted ways. Issues like screen time weren’t even on their radar. It’s not uncommon for divorced parents to return to mediation or consult with a parenting coordinator as new issues arise. “That’s something that nobody talks about when you’re getting divorced,” he says. The marital separation agreement covers “your assets, your money, child support, custody. That’s it. It’s really just a narrow lens of what you’re going to have to navigate.”
Speaking from experience, he advises parents to check in with each other regularly—in person or over the phone, if possible—to assess how their child is doing and address any new issues that have come up, academically, developmentally or socially. “So much gets locked up in texts that are not actually productive,” he says.
■ when parents split
Helpful Resources
BOOKS
Getting to Yes: Negotiating Agreement Without Giving In, by Roger Fisher and William Ury
Raising the Kid You Love With the Ex You Hate, by Edward Farber
The Good Divorce and We’re Still Family, by Constance Ahrons
PODCASTS
Divorce on Planet Earth Divorce Survival Guide
WEBSITES
Virginia Bar Association Guide to Divorce in Virginia vsb.org/Site/news/pubs/divorce-va.aspx?WebsiteKey=9aca9defc0bf-442c-a75f-a5835bd1233a
Bean, Kinney & Korman: Divorce Tool Kit beankinney.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/ 419_Divorce-Toolkit.pdf
Virginia Bar Association Low-Cost Consultation vlrs.community.lawyer/
Guide to Telling the Kids About the Divorce lisaherrick.com/separation-and-divorce-work/guide-to-tellingthe-children-about-the-divorce/
Another major milestone is when one or both parents start dating again. How and when should you introduce new partners to your children? Many experts recommend waiting at least six to 12 months.
“Don’t jump into any serious new relationships…where the kids feel like they’re forced to be around or like this person,” Levine advises. Understand that it’s normal for a child to be hesitant about a parent’s new partner. It’s a reminder that the family has changed, and the parent has moved on.
“Don’t try to force a relationship with stepmom or stepdad,” he cautions. “If you honor who they want to have a relationship with, [you show] the child,
‘I value and respect what you want. If you don’t want to be close with this person, I get that.’ ”
Under the right circumstances, stepparents can be a wonderful addition to a child’s life. That has certainly been true in my family. “In some ways I’m grateful for the divorce,” says my oldest. “Otherwise I wouldn’t have my stepmom and my two little brothers.”
When I told my kids’ stepmom, Lisa, about this article, she reminded me that when she first came into my kids’ lives, I assured them it was OK to be friends with her, and that doing so wasn’t a betrayal. From my perspective, having another adult around who cared about my kids could only be a plus.
“It made such a big difference,” Lisa says. “I could tell that Grace, especially, felt conflicted. You gave the kids permission to like me.”
A few months ago, I drove down to Richmond to attend a birthday party for my kids’ youngest half-brother. When I arrived, the birthday boy, 4-year-old Leo, jumped into my arms, eager to tell me about his Spider-Man cake. His older brother, 7-year-old Joe, gave me an animated tour of the train cars (we were at a science museum) and challenged me to a race.
I’ve been part of these kids’ lives since they were born—something that wouldn’t be possible had I not maintained a good relationship with my ex and his wife. It’s a friendship that some find hard to fathom. I’ll admit it’s certainly not something I could have imagined 15 years ago, amid the pain of divorce and the fear of what my new life would hold.
Although it’s not what anyone hopes for when they get married, divorce is sometimes unavoidable. It’s almost always sad. But it’s also survivable and can pay unexpected dividends as parents and kids adapt and grow.
“The process kind of forces you into figuring a lot of things out that should help you be a more resilient, thoughtful person,” Ava says. For couples who are just now deciding to separate, she offers this assurance: “Know that [resilience and clarity] can be part of your future, even if it’s just a faith process for now.”
If parents are intentional and careful, the kids will be OK, too.
“There are millions of people whose parents are divorced who have thrived and they’re functioning great,” Herrick says. “And I don’t even mean their parents were [models] for divorce. They were just relatively cooperative and communicative, the kids were allowed to love them both, and the kids had a really nice life in both homes. They’re very well-adjusted. They’re not damaged.” ■
Robyn Gearey, MSW, is a writer and therapist at River Grove Therapy in Alexandria. She can be reached at robyng therapy@gmail.com.
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Blackboards AND
eborah Waldron’s first encounter with ChatGPT was nearly two years ago, when one of her students demonstrated how well it could write code. Intrigued, the Yorktown High School physics teacher began experimenting with ways to incorporate the AI chatbot into her classroom. But she quickly discovered that the artificial intelligence got things wrong nearly as often as it got things right.
So she decided to use the generative AI program’s inherent flaws to her and her students’ advantage. She asked ChatGPT to create a 10-question multiple-choice quiz for her 11th-grade physics students about the relationship between mass and acceleration when the force is held constant.
The resulting quiz questions were fine, but Waldron noticed that more
Generative AI is being used in K-12 classrooms whether we like it or not. Are schools and teachers ready?
BY KIM O’CONNELL ILLUSTRATION BY DOLA
SUN
than half the answers provided were incorrect. Rather than ditching the whole exercise, she asked her students to determine which answers ChatGPT whiffed on and correct them. She also challenged students to identify the overall misconception that had prompted
the ChatGPT “brain” to spit out answers that were wrong.
“This is an unbelievable untapped tool that in five years could completely change so much of what we do,” Waldron says. “We’d be damaging the kids long term [if we ignore generative AI]. I would say to teachers, ‘Your job isn’t going to be replaced by ChatGPT, but your job might be replaced by someone who knows this skill set.’ ”
IN NOVEMBER 2022 , ChatGPT, arguably the best-known generative AI program, reached 1 million users within just five days of its release. By the summer of 2024, the program had about 600 million monthly visits, according to its parent company, OpenAI. But ChatGPT is just one star in a rapidly expanding AI universe.
Generative AI—a type of artificial intelligence that uses existing data to create writing, imagery, music or other new content—is showing up in our online searches, social media feeds, political campaigns, design and entertainment apps, and much more.
Not surprisingly, it’s showing up in our schools, too. Student use of ChatGPT and other generative AI for research, writing and other purposes is growing exponentially, leaving administrators and teachers struggling to keep pace with the technology. Because the field is evolving so rapidly, teachers have largely been left to do their own research and experimentation with AI. Today’s tech-savvy kids are often miles ahead of them.
To test out ChatGPT for myself, I asked the program to write an opening paragraph for this article. (As a journalist, I know that passing off other writing as my own is verboten, but this was research.) In about two seconds, the program wrote this:
“In Arlington’s vibrant educational landscape, generative AI is poised to revolutionize K-12 learning experiences. As schools embrace cutting-edge technologies, generative AI stands out for its ability to personalize education, foster creativity and enhance student engagement.”
A little vague, and maybe a little overblown, but not terrible. I wasn’t surprised that a ChatGPT response would emphasize the positives of its own existence.
Educators are more wary of AI’s sudden ubiquity. Last fall, a Pew Research Center survey of K-12 teachers nationwide found a quarter of respondents saying the use of generative AI in K-12 education is more harmful than beneficial. Nearly a third (32%) said AI tools offer an equal mix of harm and benefits, while only 6% of teachers saw the technology as a net positive. The remaining 35% of teachers said they simply weren’t sure—reflecting a poten-
tially concerning lack of understanding about a technology that is progressing by the second.
Parents are leery, too. “Generative models are unreliable, unregulated and unchecked for accuracy,” one Arlington mother of two elementary-age students recently told me. “They are dangerous to the entirety of society.”
With this sentiment in mind, I then asked ChatGPT to summarize the downsides of using generative AI in primary and secondary education. Uploading prompts to ChatGPT is as easy as sending a text, and I couldn’t help but picture a little chatbot scratching its head before responding.
“The use of generative AI in K-12 education presents several downsides,” the program wrote, “primarily revolving around issues of dependency, equity and data privacy. Overreliance on AI tools for tasks such as writing, problem-solving and studying can inhibit students’ development of critical thinking and creativity.”
That pretty much nailed it. These AIdriven paragraphs were accurate and coherent, but that was about the extent of it. ChatGPT wasn’t going to help me write about how artificial intelligence is being used in my neighborhood school specifically—and how it could be used in the future—because there just isn’t enough publicly available data to assimilate yet. And it couldn’t replicate my own literary voice—that undefin -
able thing that makes someone’s writing unique to them.
Nevertheless, the speed with which the program produced usable content was compelling. I could see how a stressed-out high schooler with an essay due on Romeo & Juliet would be tempted to use it.
MANY STUDENTS HAVE
already given in to that temptation. Last fall, Pew also conducted a nationwide survey of U.S. teens to gauge their experiences with ChatGPT. The survey showed that 19% had used ChatGPT to help them with schoolwork, with higher percentages of upperclassmen (juniors and seniors) using the tool versus lower grades. From an ethical standpoint, 69% of teens felt it was acceptable to use for research, 39% said it was acceptable for solving math problems and 20% considered it acceptable for writing essays.
Anecdotally, local students seem to feel similarly. I polled 14 Arlington public high school students—all sophomores, juniors or seniors from Wakefield and Washington-Liberty—promising anonymity so they could speak candidly. Although it’s an admittedly small sample size, 11 out of the 14 said they had used ChatGPT in one or more classes. Most used it for English or history.
“I used it to help me come up with a thesis statement in English,” one student said.
“I’ve used it to summarize chapters of books as well as give me ideas for projects,” shared another. “It helped summarize stuff in exactly the way I needed.”
A third student noted: “It was helpful because it allowed me to either get started on the work by giving me a seed idea, or allowed me to check my answers and ensure I was right.”
Yet another student confessed: “I’ve used it for all my classes because I didn’t feel like doing the work.”
At the same time, these local students had concerns. Chief among them: that using a tool like ChatGPT would be considered cheating even if they were only using it for research or ideas; that it would inhibit their learning; that the material it generated would be the same as for other users; and that the information would not be correct.
“I can see how it is being used maliciously, but when calculators were invented, they weren’t banned for giving an unfair advantage,” one student surmised. “If someone can write a good essay with generative AI, what is the issue? I have never been good at using ChatGPT, and in its current state I don’t think it’s very useful. I just don’t understand why this is [potentially viewed] as cheating when we treat spell-check and other writing assists as tools.”
A nationwide survey by the RAND Corp.’s education and labor unit, published earlier this year, reported that only about one in five K-12 teachers (18%) had used AI tools in the classroom. But the vast majority of those users (73%) expected their use of AI programs to grow—especially virtual and adaptive learning platforms such as Khan Academy’s Khanmigo app, as well as chatbots such as ChatGPT or Google Gemini. As of last fall, only 5% of school districts surveyed had adopted AI-specific policies for students.
Local school districts are developing policies around AI, but the rollout has understandably been slow. Frank
“I just don’t understand why this is [potentially viewed] as cheating when we treat spell-check and other writing assists as tools.”
Bellavia, a spokesman for Arlington Public Schools says APS has provided guidance to staff on the ethical and responsible use of AI in the classroom, and that administrators will begin working on an official AI policy this fall. The Arlington County Advisory Council on Teaching & Learning (ACTL) is keeping close tabs on the process as well.
“The ACTL Council and the ACTL educational technology subcommittee have touched on this topic in the past year and will delve more deeply in the coming year in conjunction with APS’ work to develop guidance for teachers and students,” ACTL Chair Jenny Rizzo shared in an email. “With how rapidly the field of AI is moving, school systems will need to be nimble and willing to adjust frequently to keep pace. ACTL looks forward to supporting APS in doing so.”
As an International Baccalaureate Continuum school division (and in keeping with the IB program’s stance on AI), Falls Church City Public Schools (FCCPS) has decided not to ban the use of AI software. “We recognize that artificial intelligence has the potential to become as integral to our daily lives as traditional tools like spellcheckers, translation software and calculators,” FCCPS spokesman John Brett said in an email. “Our goal is to equip our students with the skills to use AI responsibly and effectively, upholding our core values of academic integrity and ethical conduct.”
Fairfax County school officials have contracted with the nonprofit International Society for Technology in Education to test best practices around AI and innovation in learning. The Virginia Department of Education, for its part, has also made resources available to educators about generative AI, but so far the technology hasn’t been referenced in protocols for the Virginia Standards of Learning or other official policy.
As of last fall, the RAND survey noted that only 23% of school districts nationwide had provided training to teachers on the use of generative AI, although 37% of districts said they had plans to provide such training within the 2023-24 academic year. Presumably, those numbers will continue to grow this school year.
The survey also underscored that, as with a lot of digital technology, historically disadvantaged school districts had less access to generative AI tools. The study found 27% of districts serving mostly White students having provided some teacher training by fall 2023, compared with 11% of districts serving mostly students of color. “Faster takeup of AI in historically advantaged settings,” the authors concluded, “will only widen already large disparities in students’ opportunities to learn.”
THIS LEAVES
MOST
TEACHERS navigating the digital brave new world on their own. To share her experiences and what she’s learned, Yorktown’s Wal -
■ blackboards and bots
dron has made presentations to other teachers, both in person and online, in Arlington education forums.
“The core issue [about AI] that scares teachers is that it is easy for kids to take the easy way out,” Waldron says. (Like all the teachers quoted in this article, she is speaking only of her own experience and not on behalf of APS officially.) “It’s going to be our job as educators to teach them how to use AI to be smarter, more creative thinkers. We saw similar things back in the ’90s when graphing calculators came out. We didn’t know half of what they could do, but the kids quickly learned how to cheat with them. We’re in the very same spot with AI, and there are easy ways to use it poorly. We have to find ways to show kids that ‘Hey, you can’t get away with cheating, and here are ways to use it wisely.’ ”
Waldron notes that free generative AI tools for educators can be quite handy and save busy teachers invaluable time. Gamma and Canva use AI to help build presentations; Eduaide and Magic School can help generate lesson plans; and QuestionWell, Twee and Blooket all create quizzes and assessments.
Jennifer Kirschbaum, a French teacher and the world languages chair at Bishop O’Connell High School, reports that the local Catholic diocese is working on an official AI education policy, although digital assists are already part of world languages anyway—think of Google Translate or Duolingo—so it’s a natural space for AI experimentation and learning.
At the same time, the easy availability of ChatGPT has instigated a return to old school pen and paper. “In my classes, I had students writing a short story [longhand] to show off their understanding of past tenses,” Kirschbaum says. “If they have a personal connection to the topic, they want to tell it in their words. You can’t just say, ‘Don’t use AI.’ You can create situations where AI is not useful. It’s about giving students the opportunity to want to tell something they care about because
they don’t have to rely on tech.”
Megan Lordos, an English Learner teacher at Wakefield High School, has gone back to pen and paper with her students, too. “I know we’re not moving back to word processors, but I’ve redesigned some prompts so they are micro-specific to the school, so I know they can’t use AI,” she explains. “I’ll ask them something like, ‘Do you think it’s unfair that the B hallway has more windows?’ Sometimes it’s fun that it’s a shared experience.”
Teachers are always facing new technologies, apps and programs, Lordos says, but with AI, the pace is accelerated. “Teachers have become accustomed to playing catch-up with technology, but the catching up never happens. There’s always something new in technology that you have to master, and we have to do it quickly, because the students are already there.”
The AI boom makes social-emotional learning even more important, Lordos adds: “You have to build trust in the classroom so you can have open discussions about AI. Sometimes we’re going to have to scrap all these other lessons because we have to set expectations about honesty and trust.”
WHERE DO ELEMENTARY-AGE
students fit into the picture? Even though they might be too young to use ChatGPT for schoolwork, chances are that AI is part of their lives already, some way, somehow.
Jennifer Burgin, a special projects teacher who works with K-5 students at Hoffman-Boston Elementary in Arlington, contends it’s important for younger students to have controlled exposure to AI, so they begin to understand that it’s a tool, albeit an imperfect one. AI’s elasticity is quite useful, she asserts, to help young learners have a growth mindset and a willingness to experiment with different ideas.
AI also has the potential to make classrooms more equitable and adaptable for students spanning a wide range of reading levels and learning abilities. Take the example of a class in which
a majority of students are reading at a sixth-grade level. “An English learner can drop an article on the Roman Empire into AI and make it [understandable to them] on a fourth-grade reading level,” Burgin offers. “But the headline and concepts are the same as what the rest of the class is reading [on a higher level].”
For a recent AI-based art challenge, she asked students to make original art based on a series of prompts, while she fed the same prompts into generative AI programs like NightCafe. Students then compared their own creations with the sometimes beautiful, sometimes ridiculous art that the AI created.
One prompt asked students to draw pictures of white-tailed deer under falling autumn leaves—an exercise aligned with Virginia social studies and science Standards of Learning. Student images were highly varied, including a Pokémon-looking deer with wide eyes, a 3D paper deer in autumnal hues and a deer in the shape of an ice cream cone (my personal favorite). The AI images were generally less imaginative—usually a stock image of one or two deer standing in a fall forest—but many were odd in some way, with misshapen faces and extra limbs. In one case, an eyeball appeared to be floating by itself.
“I told my students that AI was a program where people were using algorithms to teach it to think for itself in a computer kind of way,” Burgin says. “We talked about how you can’t always expect AI to be perfect, and the children would comment on how crazy it looked.”
There was an unanticipated upside: Burgin says students benefit when they see that they don’t have to be perfect either. “One of the things I loved most about showing the children the AI artwork is that it was hit-or-miss, just like humans,” she says. “High-performing children are often afraid to take risks because the result might not be perfect. They don’t know that I’ve had to grow as an artist and as a writer. We don’t often show the process of failing attempts and making mistakes.”
ON A SATURDAY AFTERNOON in June, I stopped by the Columbia Pike Blues Festival—not just to listen to music, but to visit a vendor booth touting Ello, a new, AI-driven literacy app that helps young children to read.
Jackie Neumann, the company’s “head of people and partnerships,” demonstrated the app while a costumed mascot named Ello the Elephant waved and took photos with kids walking by. Using speech recognition software, Ello is shown on screen “listening” to the child read the story aloud, while Ello provides encouragement and gently corrects words the child is struggling with.
According to Elizabeth Adams, the Falls Church-based co-founder and chief experience officer at Ello (she’s also a clinical psychologist), ed tech products tend to be either highly engaging and pedagogically questionable, or pedagogically sound but dry and boring.
Ello, she says, is an attempt to strike the perfect balance between the two.
“The idea of Ello was to re-create the experience of a child sitting with a reading tutor,” she says, “but instead of a person, it’s this elephant. We’re leaning into engagement.”
The company maintains an astonishing 700-book library that users can read either online or in hard copy, mostly written with the use of generative AI.
One Ello book called We Are Engineers tells a simple story about two friends who build a model of a wooded hillside and a bridge that a ball can roll down without falling off the edge.
So far, Ello has focused on selling its product directly to families, but the company hopes to one day have reading stations in libraries. “We’ve reached out to local libraries, including Arlington, asking them if they want an Ello station,” Adams says. “Our mission is to teach any child to read a book from
start to finish, which means eventually we go into the schools. That’s on the road map.”
In May, OpenAI launched ChatGPT Edu, a version of ChatGPT designed specifically for universities. The program is designed to assist with various objectives, including personalized tutoring for students, helping researchers write grant applications and assisting with grading and student feedback. The company says that ChatGPT Edu is more sophisticated and advanced than the standard program, while ensuring high levels of security and data protection.
Could a ChatGPT designed expressly for K-12 schools be next? And if so, will we be ready for it? ■
Kim O’Connell is a writer in Aurora Highlands and the mother of two teenagers. She also writes the magazine’s Back Story column on local history.
Le ons Learned
Seasoned
educators share their favorite stories and takeaways from their years on the job.
INTERVIEWS BY SUSAN ANSPACH, MICHAEL GUELTIG AND WENDY KANTOR
Lisa Harkins
EQUINE DIRECTOR
Congressional School
Years teaching: 20
Harkins was a school-based substitute teacher at McKinley (now Cardinal) Elementary in Arlington for 13 years before joining Congressional School as a sub and then taking over its equine program in 2019. An avid rider for more than two decades, she maintains a stable of eight horses on the school’s 40-acre campus in Falls Church.
Congressional offers after-school riding lessons and a summer Pony Camp, but we also try to incorporate the horses during the school day. Kids will come down for art class and sketch them. In science class, they learn about photographer Eadweard Muybridge,
who showed that all four feet come off the ground when a horse is in a gallop. You can’t see it with your naked eye because it’s so fast.
During my time at McKinley, I was subbing anywhere I was needed— if a fourth-grade math teacher had a meeting, or first-graders needed recess monitoring. Sometimes I had to wing it. That job prepared me well for this one. Things don’t always go as planned. Sometimes the horse I want to use is feeling sick. It’s an opportunity to teach kids about change. It’s not going to be exactly the same, but it’s going to be OK.
I believe in teaching kids responsibility. Horses are big, and they can be a little intimidating. Safety is important. I teach the kids how to feel comfortable around these animals. One huge accomplishment for students is learning how to pick up a horse’s hoof to check for dirt or rocks. There’s an art to it.
There are so many horse metaphors that also apply to kids. You can lead a horse to water but you can’t make him drink. Kids, like horses, need boundaries, but if you hold the reins too tightly, you’re going to run into resistance.
If I’m in a bad mood, my horses teach me to be in the moment. They’re not thinking about what happened yesterday. They’re only focused on now.
Horses are magical, empathetic creatures. No wonder they are used in therapy. They allow the students to braid their manes and tails. To see a kid smile on horseback melts my heart.
We have one horse, Roi, who is leery and skeptical of new things. We have to approach him carefully and let him sniff whatever we are introducing. He can be scared and anxious. I think kids with anxiety issues can absolutely relate to this. Hey, I’m like that too!
–Wendy Kantor
Danielle Day
SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHER
Washington-Liberty High School
Years teaching: 11
An Arlington native, Day is co-department chair of the special education program at W-L, where she teaches in the Secondary Program for Students with Autism (SPSA). She was named Arlington Public Schools’ 2024 Teacher of the Year.
Figuring out how my students learn brings me joy as a teacher. I work with students with autism who may present as typical or having no needs, so it can take time to understand what their needs really are. I want my students to not merely fit in at school or in society. I want to help the world learn how to adapt to them as well.
After three years studying business, I realized I didn’t feel fulfilled. I came home to Arlington and applied to work in the extended day program of what became the Shriver Program [now housed inside H-B Woodlawn] for those with special needs. Immediately I felt called to continue in this line of work. This led me to the Secondary Program for Students with Autism at W-L. I really enjoy creating new lessons, because students with autism have such varying needs. Every person and every year is different. I know it can be difficult for others to work with these students, due to their struggle with communication and interaction. I find those challenges exciting.
Students have differing abilities. Some may become frustrated with classroom activities that others consider simple. At one point I was responsible for a coloring activity and realized that not every student could hold a crayon. I had to get creative. I took old crayons, tore the paper off, put them into a muffin pan and melted them down into discs. The new shape allowed all students to grasp the crayons and enjoy coloring without being frustrated.
Everything can be made accessible if we take the time to think of how. –Michael Gueltig
Laurie Sullivan
PROJECT DISCOVERY
STEAM TEACHER
Barrett Elementary School
Years teaching: 37
Sullivan leads Barrett Elementary’s Project Discovery Lab, a STEAM class for grades pre-K through 5. As Virginia’s first elementary NASA Explorer School, Barrett has access to visiting engineering and education specialists, funding for teachers to attend robotics training at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California, and numerous other STEM resources. White House Astronomy Nights have given Sullivan’s students the opportunity to meet astronauts Buzz Aldrin and Sally Ride, and President Barack Obama. At press time, Sullivan was one of three Virginia finalists for the 2024 Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching.
When I started my career in the late ’80s, I did not have a science background, but anytime we did something science-related, my first- and secondgraders had questions. They wanted to dig in. Back then, it was called “themat-
ic teaching”—take a concept and read and write and do experiments about it. The brain loves connections—projects that weave in science, tech, engineering and math. Many astronauts talk about the creativity that comes with the arts.
When we see astronauts on the Space Station saying they were inspired in kindergarten, that inspires me to reach my students. Every single Virginia science SOL can be taught through NASA. One of our students was one of nine finalists out of 28,000 entries to name a rover. His essay was engraved on the Mars 2020 rover, which is currently roving Mars.
Another project that’s really special is Bridging the Americas: Unidos por las Aves (United by Birds), through the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center. You’re partnered with a class in Panama, Nicaragua or Venezuela to study migratory birds in two locations. In the fall, my students learned about songbirds and raptors that fly from here to Panama. We sent our research (about
food, habitats, etc.) and artwork to a classroom in Panama. Toward the end of the school year we received a package back, with photos of students there observing the same birds in a mangrove forest, along with bird ornaments they made and papers they had written.
I’ve learned to minimize the amount of talking I do. I take time to sit at the tables with the kids and ask them what they’re thinking. Sometimes I leave things purposefully a little nebulous because the kids will tackle a problem in a way I hadn’t thought about. I’ll tell them, “This is our goal, but if you have an idea for a different approach, let’s explore that.”
I often ask Barrett graduates to come back and talk to current students about a hardship they experienced and how they overcame it. Kids think somebody’s lucky and that’s how they came by their success. It’s interesting for them to hear, “This happened to me.” Perseverance. It’s something we stress. –Susan Anspach
William “Bill” Betthauser
AP ECONOMICS AND INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS TEACHER
Bishop O’Connell High School
Years teaching: 12
Originally from Minnesota, Betthauser was named 2023
Virginia Outstanding Economic Educator of the Year by the Virginia Council on Economic Education.
I really like this age group. I love helping students apply the skills from class to their lives.
The difference between a good teacher and a great one lies in the abili-
ty to develop positive relationships with students. This happens by having great conversations with them, going to their games and events, and supporting them in the pursuit of their dreams.
It’s amazing seeing the light bulb turn on when they finally grasp a concept and apply it to what is happening around the world—topics like investing in high-speed rail, toll roads and space exploration. Viewing these advances through the lens of economics really challenges students to think more deeply and differently. When former students return and share how my classes prepared them for their future, that always brings a smile.
I love seeing students collaborating and problem-solving. This is a learning process in and of itself, beyond the content of the curriculum. Many times, students want TikTok answers when in fact it takes time to come to the right or best answers.
I personally get excited about economics and business—not always the most tantalizing of topics for high schoolers, but I put that excitement on display. Once students realize they can be excited about something, everything changes. We’ve all seen people walk into jobs they don’t enjoy, and it shows all over their faces. I don’t wish that on anyone. –Michael Gueltig
Denice Arroyo
ENGLISH LEARNER TEACHER
Abingdon Elementary School
Years teaching: 14
Raised in Herndon, Arroyo worked as a kindergarten teacher for Alexandria City Public Schools before moving to Arlington Public Schools, first as an educator at Barcroft Elementary and then at Abingdon Elementary, where last year she taught fifth grade. This year she is an English Learner teacher.
Since Covid, there’s been so much turnover in teaching. Last year, I had a handful of students who’d had three different teachers for fourth grade. The parents had a sour taste in their mouth with how fifth grade was going to go. I pride myself on my relationships with parents. I reach out in the beginning.
I want to know where they are coming from, how it’s going.
The turnover, the dysfunction: These kids are really Covid kids. The pandemic disrupted their foundation. They would ask me all the time, “Are you going to stay?” I was gone for four days and they would ask me, “Are you coming back?”
Fifth-graders sometimes aren’t so different from kindergartners. Developmentally, they’re still kids who need reassurance—still need someone to know who they are. They still want to tell you what they had for breakfast. They want you to go to their soccer games.
At my school, most families don’t speak English. I call parents a lot and
rely on LanguageLine [a live phone translation service]. If something great happens, I want them to know immediately.
For students with behavioral challenges, the best behavioral plan is a good relationship. People want to work for you—and with you—if you have a good relationship. I want to go to my students’ games, buy them lunch or clothes if they need them. Make them feel safe in school.
Last year, my first kindergarten class graduated from high school. Three kids looked me up and invited me to their graduation. There was a bike rodeo with a student I had two years ago. The parent called me about it. I said, “OK, I’ll see you there.”
–Susan Anspach
Barbara Thompson
FORMER PRINCIPAL (RETIRED)
Arlington Community High School
Years teaching: 47
Originally from Ohio, Thompson began her career as a special education teacher and eventually became a school administrator, serving as principal of Arlington Community High School for 40 years, from 1984 to 2023. Now retired from that post, she is an adjunct professor at Johns Hopkins University, where she trains fellow educators and teaches classes such as Special Education Law.
Arlington Community High School began as a night school in 1929. Today it helps students 16 and older earn their high school diplomas by offering flexible curricula and both day and evening classes. There’s no upper age limit.
Sometimes people leave school because of family situations, or because they have to work. They can always come back and finish.
If students aren’t learning, you’re not teaching them. Part of a teacher’s job is to find out what it takes for students to learn and teach to that. Mainstream schools often teach to the middle, but a lot of students learn differently. You have to be flexible. You have to adapt.
I’ve never stopped teaching or learning. Every educator knows that everybody needs to continually learn.
My hope is that my current students [at Johns Hopkins] become compassionate and caring teachers. There’s a phrase: Students won’t care to learn until they learn that you care. I’ve carried that with me throughout my career. You need
to build trust, build that relationship.
When you’re presented with a problem, there’s a way around it. Maybe it’s my special ed background, but my thought is, if this is too difficult, let’s find a way that works. I think that goes for everything. If you’re not learning it, let’s find another way to give the material to you. Let’s find another way to explain it. Let’s find another way for you to test it.
I am so proud of the resilience and dedication of the fantastic students at Arlington Community High School. They are inspiring to all. Their perseverance fuels the work that everyone does in the school.
There’s a story behind every student who graduates. It’s emotional knowing that you made a difference. ■ –Wendy Kantor
Laura K. Biederman, Esq.
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I’ve spent 18 years excelling in the competitive landscape of the DC real estate market and worked collaboratively, behind the scenes, with hundreds of other agents. But my main priority is you. As a seller, you want the most effective and beautiful marketing campaign, to ensure the highest possible price for your home. As a buyer, I am a patient and assertive partner, with you every step of the way to help you purchase just the right home for you.
The hallmarks of my practice and the reasons for a business built on repeat clients and referrals are my directness, thorough research, my legal background, expert negotiating skills and the ability to keep people and deals on track – in a calm and professional manner. Much of what agents do sounds similar on paper, but what varies (often profoundly) is how they do it and the resulting outcome and experience for their clients. Call me for a first class experience.
Where Arlington high school graduates applied to college and where they were accepted
The following is a list of the colleges and universities where Arlington Public Schools (APS) high school graduates (Class of 2024) applied and where they were accepted. (Note: The acceptance data is “self-reported” by students and school officials are unable to verify its accuracy.) Data are provided for H-B Woodlawn Secondary Program, Wakefield High School, Washington-Liberty High School and Yorktown High School, as well as the
Arlington Career Center (ACC), whose full-time programs include Arlington Tech, the Academic Academy, the Program for Employment Preparedness and the English Language Institute. The data reflect completed applications only. For brevity’s sake, we limited the list to colleges and universities with at least five applicants from the combined high schools. Data for Northern Virginia Community College was not available.
■ college bound
■ college bound
■ college bound
ACC/ARLINGTON
PRIVATE SCHOOLS
Essential Information on 18 Independent Schools
Y Y $20,893 $20,893
Y
Progressive Education in Alexandria, VA
Founded in 1946
Grades JK to 8th 6:1 Student Teacher Ratio
Before and After Care Available
Limited
Sergeant Cliff Ballena, now AWLA’s director of community services, after rescuing a heron that was caught in a fishing line
Rescue To The
Who to call when you discover orphaned racoons, stunned birds and other wild creatures that need your help.
BY STEPHANIE KANOWITZ
Ican now add “mouse hero” to my résumé.
A few months ago, we discovered that a deer mouse had built a nest for her two babies in the grill on our deck. My children were immediately smitten, so we skipped cooking steaks and left the tiny family alone to flourish. But when we checked on our guests a few days later, the babies had fallen into the grill’s grease trap. One was dead and the other, coated in grease, was struggling. The mom was gone.
A couple of frantic calls later (our kids were freaking out), I was on the phone with the Animal Welfare League of Arlington (AWLA). Most know the nonprofit near Four Mile Run as the
place to go if you want to adopt a dog or cat, but AWLA also has a contract with Arlington County to provide animal control services. Its officers respond to calls involving animal bites as well as reports of abused, neglected, sick or injured animals that need help. Sometimes they connect callers with volunteer wildlife rehabilitators with the necessary expertise.
Which is how I ended up driving the greasy baby mouse to the home of an Arlington Forest resident who is specially trained in rodent rehab. A few weeks after the grill incident, I asked her for a status check. “Mousie was released in a safe place (not my yard),” she replied.
How to Help Animal Neighbors
A common mistake people make upon finding an injured or orphaned animal is handling it, says AWLA’s Jennifer Toussaint. Here are her tips for safely interacting with a creature that may need help.
Don’t touch it with your bare skin.
“This protects both you and the animal,” she says. “If you knowingly expose yourself to that animal, then there are concerns about disease transmission.”
Contrary to popular belief, “birds won’t disown their young because you touch them,” she adds. “That’s folklore that was created to prevent small children from picking up fledgling birds. Birds are great parents.”
Monitor the animal from a safe distance. In other words, no cuddling.
“These are not companion animals,” she says. “They don’t want to be petted or touched. They don’t find comfort in it.” Human contact may actually scare them and make them feel even more unsafe.
Call the experts. Don’t try to rescue the animal yourself. In Arlington, call AWLA (703-931-9241), or, if you are outside county lines, contact the local animal control. “There are some really amazing wildlife groups all across our region and state, extending into D.C. and Maryland, who do this work,” Toussaint says.
THE MOUSE SPECIALIST —in this case, an angel among us who prefers not to be named—is one of 23 permitted wildlife rehabilitators that AWLA works with through its Wildlife Resource Center. Established in 2021 and tucked into a small room in the nonprofit’s headquarters on Arlington Mill Drive, the center provides community education and outreach in addition to emergency field response to injured, orphaned and sick wildlife. Its services are funded almost entirely by donations.
All kinds of critters have passed through the center since its founding three years ago. Animals are triaged and then transported, often by volunteer drivers, to licensed wildlife rehabbers who care for them until they can be released back into the wild. Animals that are too sick or injured for rehab are humanely euthanized.
Jennifer Toussaint, AWLA’s chief of animal control, loves to share the stories with happy endings. She still remembers the time an owl arrived at the center stuck to a turtle—one that it presumably had been eyeing as a meal. The turtle had clamped its shell shut on
the raptor’s talon to defend itself.
“We had to very gently work to separate the two of them, and the owl had a minor injury to one of his toes,” says Toussaint, also senior director of community resources at AWLA. “The turtle, when he finally came out to look at us, was like, Aha! I did it. Both animals went to licensed rehabilitators. The turtle was uninjured, so he was quickly released back into the wild.”
Earlier this year, an abandoned raccoon kit was brought to the center, where it snuggled with a stuffed animal, getting warm and rehydrated, before entering the custody of a rehabber who nursed it until it was old enough to be released.
AWLA has relied on volunteers for all of its 80-year history. Founded in 1944
A young squirrel in triage
A rescued raccoon kit cuddles a plush toy.
as one of the first humane organizations in Virginia, it contracted with Arlington County to operate as an animal shelter a few years later. In 1977, AWLA was accredited by the Humane Society of the United States, and in 1983, it assumed animal control responsibilities from the county’s police department.
Today, the organization provides pet adoption, community support, fostering, and spay and neutering services, as well as emergency assistance in Arlington County. “We are in the field, in uniform, from 7 a.m. until 10:30 at night, 365 days a year, and we respond overnight for emergencies,” Toussaint says.
Prior to the creation of the Wildlife Resource Center, AWLA’s collaboration with qualified rehabbers was more haphazard, says senior communications specialist Chelsea Jones. “It would be just like a lot of frantic phone calls to see if there was someone that would take [animals],” she says.
Now, the triage process happens quickly and efficiently, with the center functioning like a hospital emergency room. Animals dropped off by AWLA officers or community residents are evaluated and then transported to the homes of state-permitted rehabilitators. The center is not licensed to provide care for longer than 24 hours.
For field officers responding to calls from concerned citizens, time often is of the essence. “[Those calls] save lives,” Toussaint says. “The fox kit in the backyard with the peanut butter jar stuck on its head—it doesn’t have hours, it has minutes. We can get out there in 10 minutes and get that off and save that life.”
Shirlington resident Kimberly Tower called AWLA in June after happening upon a starling that appeared to be injured while she was out walking her dog. She scooped up the feathered creature and brought it into her apartment building, using a decorative birdcage as a temporary shelter.
“It was maybe an hour from the time
Volunteers Needed
Volunteer wildlife rehabilitation experts play a critical role in nursing sick and injured animals back to health, but their ranks have been declining. “[Most] are older women, and some of them needed to retire from the work because it’s very intense,” says Chelsea Jones at AWLA. “Many of them have tons of animals in their home that need 24-hour care. Some of them just were not able to do the work anymore.”
Interested in becoming a wildlife rehab expert? The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) requires certain credentials for anyone caring for sick, injured, orphaned or debilitated wildlife. To earn a state permit, volunteers must complete a two-year apprenticeship and pay a $10 fee. For details, visit wildlifecenter.org/professional-training/careers-working-wildlife/ getting-started-wildlife-rehabilitation
Rehabbers working with federally protected migratory birds must also have a $50 permit from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
that I called to the time that the animal control woman…came and did a medical inspection in the lobby,” Tower says.
After determining that the bird was in shock but not hurt, the officer took it for additional evaluation. “I had a lovely experience with them,” Tower says.
April Snoparsky, who lives in Arlington View, has called AWLA more than once to assist injured birds and rab-
bits. She once discovered four newborn bunnies so young they didn’t have fur and their eyes were still shut. Rabbit moms often leave the nest during the day, AWLA told her, but when the mother failed to return after a day and a half, AWLA sent an officer to retrieve the babies.
“They are always kind, compassionate and responsive,” Snoparsky says.
AWLA’s Danielle Sassin feeds an orphaned baby squirrel.
n to the rescue
TODAY, THE WILDLIFE Resource Center responds to more than 3,000 calls for assistance annually. In fiscal year 2023, it treated 1,116 animals—down from about 1,500 the year prior. (Fluctuating numbers are typical, Jones says.)
Birds and squirrels are among the most common beneficiaries of rescue operations, but raccoons, foxes, coyotes, ducklings, goslings, frogs, bats, snakes and turtles have also been treated and released.
One recent patient, a terrified beaver, had been chased deep into a Pentagon City parking garage by people who were trying to take a selfie with it. “There was no way for me to lead her out [of the garage],” says Toussaint, who ended up coaxing the animal into a dog crate and then carrying it to safety. “It really upset her.”
What about deer, Arlington’s most ubiquitous hoofed herbivore? “We used to take fawns,” Jones says, “but unfortunately, right now, we can’t” because of an outbreak of chronic wasting disease, a fatal, infectious neurologic disease in the local deer population. To contain the spread, AWLA is legally prohibited from sending any deer to rehab. The illness also affects elk and moose, although research indicates that it’s not a threat to humans.
The most high-profile animals rescue crews work with are bears. It’s common for three or four black bears to show up in Arlington each year. While AWLA’s wildlife center is not equipped to handle an injured or sick bear—that work falls under the jurisdiction of the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR)—officers do help to steer wayward bears to safer habitats by monitoring them and providing location coordinates to DWR. Healthy bears will follow the watershed on their own to find wilderness areas where they can forage in peace.
“We had one here earlier this year that we safely got through the community,” Toussaint says. “He went into Fair-
fax, and then [toward] Vienna. He went up a tree, and then the word got out on Nextdoor. People came rushing to the area like it was a zoo. That’s the kind of
[human] behavior we have to discourage. We have to let bears do their bear thing and continue on their path.”
In June, two other bears were not
A pheasant that fell ill after ingesting road salt is taken in for treatment.
A deer rescue (here and left) prior to the current hold on deer interventions due to an infectious disease outbreak
as lucky. A 100-pound black bear was found dead in a plastic bag on the Custis Trail in Arlington. The animal had apparently been struck by a car on I-66 in Prince William County and then dumped by a Virginia Department of Transportation contractor who had been called to clear the carcass from the road. A few weeks later, another vehicle fatally struck a bear on I-395 near the Pentagon.
“He got off path because people were feeding him and centralizing him into the neighborhood. We were trying to move him back up along the ridgeline toward the water,” Toussaint says, noting that the bear was first seen along the Potomac River near Chain Bridge Road. “He couldn’t figure out which direction he was supposed to go, and he ended up on our highway and was struck and killed.”
FOR ALL THE times human intervention proves fatal, other stories paint an opposite picture. In the spring of 2023, an Arlington family spotted a baby black vulture in their backyard and called AWLA. Responding officers confirmed that the fledgling was too young to be out of its nest and noticed it was limping, then worked with the homeowners to build a temporary enclosure for the bird in their garage. AWLA representatives stopped by for periodic checkups for several weeks until the bird was ready to fly.
“I would say 99% of the time, when Arlingtonians reach out, they want to help the animal,” Toussaint says. “They want to be part of the plan and are willing to go to extraordinary lengths to work with us toward a humane outcome.”
The same is true of the rehabilitation volunteers who often work round the clock—for instance, feeding baby birds every 20 minutes with an oral syringe or small dropper filled with specialized formula. “They just are the biggest-hearted, kindest people you will ever meet,” Toussaint says.
AWLA supports volunteer wildlife rehabbers by providing supplies (much of them donated) such as blankets, heating pads, syringes, bottles, birdcages and animal baby formula. It also helps cover the cost of continuing education classes and protective health measures, such as rabies vaccinations for rehabilitators that otherwise would cost several hundred dollars out of pocket.
“Tens of thousands of animals would be euthanized across the state every year if it weren’t for licensed rehabilitators and wildlife centers,” Toussaint says, “and we need those animals. They are critical [to the ecosystem].”
Indigenous animals help to spread seeds and eat invasive plants and insects. And though it’s a tough reality for some to swallow, native predators also prevent the overpopulation of certain species in the food chain.
“It is this very foundation that makes our Wildlife Resource Center work so vital,” AWLA president Samuel Wolbert wrote in an email. “Centering the wellbeing of our native wildlife and our natural spaces will ensure the prosperity of our community for many years to come.”
As in any hospital or urgent care network, the needs are 24/7. On the day I rushed the baby mouse to the rehab specialist, she had just accepted an injured bird (she treats those, too). When I texted her the next day to check on the mouse, she replied that it was eating and seemed fine, albeit still greasy. She then added that she had just successfully extricated a bird from a glue trap. ■
Stephanie Kanowitz, a digital editor for Arlington Magazine, is the mother of two children and two rescued cats, and narrowly avoided becoming a mouse mom, too.
Animal control officers respond to a coyote stuck between two fences.
Home Experts Profiles
Renata Briggman
THE ARLINGTON EXPERT
Awards/Honors:
Arlington Magazine Top Producer 2019-2024
Best of Washingtonian 2015-2024
Best of Northern Virginia Magazine 20162024
5-star ratings on Google, Zillow and Yelp
KW Metro Center
2111 Wilson Blvd., Suite 1050 Arlington, VA 22201
703-217-2077
renata@thearlingtonexpert.com www.thearlingtonexpert.com/
Q: What does home ownership mean to you?
A: Owning and creating your own home is a privilege you just can’t take for granted. When I was growing up in Soviet Lithuania, we didn’t get to choose where we lived. Our family of five shared a onebedroom apartment that was assigned by my parents’ employer. So when I arrived here 26 years ago, home ownership was the cornerstone of my American Dream. It took many years of hard work, but I feel truly blessed to own a home I love in the community I adore. I never forget this when I’m helping my clients fulfill their dreams and navigate transitions.
Q: What’s the most fun in your work?
A: It has to be home-staging transformations! My home stager and I
work very hard to prepare homes for the market and showcase them in the best possible light. We follow the latest design trends, make a plan and walk people through their own HGTV experience. Every Tuesday I post a #tuesdaytransformation on social media to showcase the dramatic “before and after.” Nothing is more satisfying than hearing “I can’t believe it’s my home!” from the seller.
Q: What keeps you going after 21 years of being a Realtor?
A: I’m a pure servant at heart, and I love helping people through their real estate transitions. It’s a process filled with stress, uncertainty and an overwhelming to do list. With warmth, expertise and hands-on help, we get through it together, one step at a time. That’s where I find my meaning.
Monument Home Loans
ARLINGTON’S HOMETOWN HOME LOAN TEAM – AND YOUR VA LOAN EXPERTS!
Specialties:
VA Loans, Construction Loans, First-Time Homebuyers, Conventional Loans, Renovation Loans, USDA Rural Development Loans, Reverse Mortgages, Mortgage Down Payment Assistance, Mortgage Refinancing
Robert Martinson, Branch Manager NMLS #470762 Joe Prentice, Sales Manager NMLS #1610163
4075 Wilson Blvd., Suite 823, Arlington, VA 22203 703-650-7431 | info@monumenthomeloans.com www.monumenthomeloans.com | nmlsconsumeraccess.org
Mann Mortgage, LLC is not endorsed by nor acting on behalf of or at the direction of the U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development, Federal Housing Administration, the Veterans Administration, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, or the Federal Government. All programs are subject to credit and income qualification. This is not a guarantee of financing, or a firm offer of credit. NMLS#2550
Q: Why choose Monument Home Loans instead of a bank?
A: Home mortgages are what we do—and all we do. Instead of juggling auto loans, ATMs and asset management, we focus solely on ensuring that every client has a smooth and predictable financing experience. As a company, we are committed to hometown values, solid partnerships, streamlined processes and cutting-edge technologies. We are experienced in working with clients from a wide range of backgrounds—first-time buyers, experienced buyers, refinancing, jumbo loans, self-employed, credit-challenged— and can easily find the right options for any situation for our customers. Regardless of your circumstances, every member of our team shares a common objective: to close your loan on time, as expected and as efficiently as possible.
Q: What sets Monument Home Loans apart?
A: Our service. While our interest rates are quite competitive, our customer service is what sets us apart. From your first phone call until your final signature, our loan officers and processing team are fully accessible whenever needed, day or night, weekday or weekend. We also understand that mortgages should not be one-size-fits-all. That’s why we offer one of the widest arrays of mortgage products in the DMV and work closely with clients to identify the program that best meets their needs and goals. As a result, we enable people from all walks of life to experience a smooth, predictable process that results in the best mortgage for their circumstances—and to have an experienced loan officer with them every step of the way.
DeFalco Home Design
TRIPP DEFALCO, AIA
Bachelor of Architecture, Syracuse University
Licensed Architect, VA & NC
NCARB Certified to practice nationally
25 years practicing as an Architect
10 years managing a Design/Build firm
Arlington Magazine Winner, Best Architect 2022 & 2024
3409 N. Potomac St.
Arlington, VA 22213
703-483-2427
info@defalcohomedesign.com www.defalcohomedesign.com
Q: How do you help your clients during construction?
A: I want my clients’ designs to be executed as we envisioned, so I spend a lot of time on construction sites. Though reviewing shop drawings and product submittals from the comfort of an architect’s office is helpful, there is no substitute for observing the build as it progresses. Without the presence of an architect to help both client and builder make decisions and solve inevitable issues, the process can be stressful and the end product disappointing.
Q: What brings you the most satisfaction in your work?
A: Making a genuine difference in people’s lives. It sounds corny, but it is true. I started my career designing institutional and commercial projects,
where a “job well done” meant the design firm avoided a lawsuit. In my residential practice, doing a good job for a client creates real happiness for them.
Q: What makes you different than other architects/builders?
A: In between the two architecture firms that I founded, I spent more than ten years working as a design-builder. I held a Class A general contractor’s license, building what I designed. I learned the pressures that builders face and the obstacles they have to overcome. It’s not as easy as it looks! For my architecture clients, this translates into me having some “inside baseball” in working with their builder. I find it easier to avoid an adversarial relationship between client and builder when I’m able to offer an explanation for what may otherwise look strange to someone outside the profession.
BY
PHOTO
STEPHANIE BRAGG; BUILT BY ALAIR HOMES ARLINGTON
Alair Arlington
CHAD HACKMANN, REGIONAL PARTNER
JASON CHANEY, GENERAL MANAGER
ANDREW HALL, PROJECT MANAGER
JONATHAN OLARTE, PROJECT MANAGER
MASEEH EXEER, PROJECT MANAGER
GREG PATTON, PROJECT MANAGER
NARI Regional Contractor of the Year (2024, 2020, 2019)
NVBIA Custom Builder of the Year (2023, 2022)
NARI National Contractor of the Year (2021)
Arlington Green Home Choice Platinum Award (2020)
NARI Community Service Award (2020)
P.O. Box 100221, Arlington, VA 22210 703-791-1317 | chad.hackmann@alairhomes.com www.AlairArlington.com
Q: What sets Alair Arlington’s team apart?
A: Under the leadership of long-time Arlingtonian and twenty-year industry veteran Chad Hackmann, our award-winning team excels in navigating Arlington’s small lots and setback requirements. We pride ourselves in presenting homeowners with creative solutions to achieve their vision.
Q: What can clients expect when working with you?
A: Transparency. Our Client Control® system was designed so homeowners can seamlessly track every hour, dollar and selection related to their project, eliminating unexpected costs. We build project budgets with our clients during planning and stick to them during construction. We’ve developed detailed systems to give every homeowner the oneon-one attention they deserve. We assign
a dedicated project manager to support them from pre-construction to post-move-in. One satisfied homeowner recently shared, “Our project manager, Jonathan, was an invaluable asset. He was with us every step of the way, offering guidance, support and expertise. Jonathan’s dedication and professionalism made him feel like family, and we are grateful for his unwavering commitment to bringing our vision to life.”
Q: What is your advice for someone considering a home renovation?
A: Take time to do your homework before you sign a contract. Walk through completed homes, browse social media and have in-depth conversations with prospective contractors to evaluate your options. If you need help deciding whether to renovate, build new or sell your home, call us. We are happy to discuss your options, even if it means talking ourselves out of a job.
SVP of Design Katie Peters and VP of Architecture Bob Braddock meet post construction with client Katy Johnson.
Bowers Design Build
For 34 years, Bowers Design Build has honed an exceptional new custom home and renovation experience. They offer a complete turn-key operation, with onstaff architects and interior designers creating customized designs and onstaff construction experts building with quality-minded focus and excellent project management skills. The entire Bowers team is committed to delivering a great experience for their clients.
6715 Whittier Ave., Suite 200, McLean, VA 22101
703-506-0845 | info@bowersdesignbuild.com www.bowersdesignbuild.com
Q: How would your clients describe you?
A: Satisfied clients describe the Bowers Design Build team as creative, detail oriented, dedicated, honest, fair and great project managers. They recognize that our employees are talented people focusing on customer care. In fact, many of our customers have said they wouldn’t change a thing about their experience and 30% of our projects are with repeat customers.
Q: What is your guiding principle for servicing your clients?
A: While Bowers Design Build’s singular goal is to create an extraordinary design and construction experience for our clients, it has to start with a great design. Our on-staff architects, led by Bob Braddock, former principal of Red House Architects in Arlington, focus on creating beautiful structures that enhance the functionality of the home.
Our in-house staff of interior designers guide clients through the detailed product selection process so that all finishes deliver on the client’s vision. After design, our construction project managers and craftsmen bring the design to fruition with a detailed schedule and fixed “no surprises” budget. Their proven process provides clients with peace of mind.
Q: How do you define success?
A: While winning industry awards for exceptional design and construction for more than 30 years is wonderful, the true measure of the Bowers team’s success is happy clients. Our team of professionals goes above and beyond to ensure overall client satisfaction. Proof that their hard work is paying off: recent results from independent survey research firm, GuildQuality.com, show that 100% of our clients surveyed would recommend us to a friend.
MICHAEL VENTURA
Natalie U. Roy
BICYCLING REALTY GROUP, KW METRO CENTER ARLINGTON
Licensed in VA, MD and D.C.
Awards/Honors:
Arlington Magazine “Top Producer” 2024
Washingtonian “The Face of Real Estate” 2024 Washingtonian “Top Agent” 2024 Northern Virginia Magazine “Best and Top Producing Real Estate Agent Winner”2023
Virginia Living “Top Realtor” 2023
Arlington Magazine Winner, “Best Real Estate Agent” 2022
2111 Wilson Blvd., Suite 1050
Arlington, VA 22201
703-224-6000 (o)
703-819-4915 (c) natalieuroy@gmail.com www.bicyclingrealty.com
Q: How did Bicycling Realty Group come to be?
A: After years of running non-profit organizations, I found real estate to be a natural fit, since it is fundamentally a service industry. I learned that I love the challenge of helping people deal with the biggest financial decisions most will ever make. I brought my environmental ethic and energy into the business and, voila, Bicycling Realty Group was born.
Q: What makes you stand out in this crowded marketplace?
A: My team of highly motivated professionals offers clients a unique service: house hunting via bicycle. There is no better way to get to know a community than to bike or walk through it. But don’t worry—if you’d prefer to
go by car or metro, that works too! Most importantly, our energetic team is committed to getting every client to the finish line with a smile on their face.
Q: What is the key to being a good Realtor?
A: Real estate is personal. It is all about relationships, meaning it is critical to find the right fit, whether it is house hunting and finding that perfect neighborhood or choosing a real estate agent to sell your home. I take that to heart in my business. I walk clients through what can seem a daunting process, answering questions such as: Are we in a housing bubble? Will prices keep increasing? Am I better off waiting to sell? While these are all great questions, and we answer them as best we can, no one has a crystal ball.
Classic Cottages
Northern Virginia-based Classic Cottages provides turnkey solutions for Arlington families looking to build or buy a new home. Whether it’s a carefully crafted model home or a custom home from scratch, Classic Cottages can handle everything from concept to completion through its skilled in-house acquisitions, sales, architecture, design and construction departments.
433 E. Monroe Ave.
Alexandria, VA 22301
703-844-9936
sales@ccottages.com www.ccottages.com
Q: Are there any new faces at Classic Cottages?
A: Yes! We are delighted to welcome our new Sales Director, Janet Million, to the Classic Cottages team. She brings a robust background in real estate as well as business management. Her transition to the role as Sales Director reflects her enthusiasm for real estate and her dedication to leveraging her expertise in management, finance and leadership to benefit Classic Cottages and its homebuyers. With over eight years of experience working in the local real estate market, Janet looks forward to continuing to build enduring relationships with clients and guiding them through the exciting journey of finding their dream homes.
Q: What are some exciting projects your team is currently working on?
A: We have been working on some
outstanding custom projects this past year, including several in Great Falls, Virginia at Crestview, our seven-acre private enclave of three exclusive luxury homes. VP of Architecture Ryan Buell leads our custom home program and is woven into the fabric of every architectural detail as well as the sales journey, allowing the most discerning clients the greatest level of options for designing and building a signature custom home. His work in Arlington and Fairfax counties has attracted the attention of a different caliber of custom homebuyers, providing the opportunity for Classic Cottages to expand its domain west into Loudoun County. We look forward to showcasing these completed custom homes in the coming months! To learn more about the remaining custom homes for sale at Crestview, please visit www.crestivewva.com.
Michelle Sagatov
GOLD GROUP W/ WASHINGTON FINE PROPERTIES
Arlington Magazine Winner, Best Real Estate Agent 2024; Top Vote Getter 2019-2023
Arlington Magazine Top Producer 2019-2024
Real Trends, America’s Best, 2019-2024
Washingtonian Top Agent, 2019-204
Northern Virginia Magazine Best Real Estate Agent 2019-2024
4200 Fairfax Drive, Suite 250
Arlington, VA 22203
703-402-9361
michelle.sagatov@wfp.com
michellesagatov.com
Q: I see you were voted Best Real Estate Agent by Arlington Magazine for 2024. How does that feel?
A: I am extremely proud and honored to have won Best Real Estate Agent, especially since I started The Gold Group last year. It’s been a very exciting and busy year, and we have had the pleasure of helping so many home buyers and sellers with their real estate goals.
We have continued to help clients in all price ranges in VA and D.C. Our expertise in new construction has helped serve my clients when they are looking for new homes or finding a builder. Our process for sellers has truly benefited their goals and needs, making their sale very successful and fruitful. We continue to be thankful that sellers trust us to sell their largest asset. Their success is our success.
Q: Who is your typical new construction client?
A: Our buyer client profiles can vary significantly because we assist clients of all types with their new construction needs. Over the past year, we have assisted clients who desire a fully custom home in finding suitable buildable lots, designing and constructing the house, and even providing interior design. Additionally, we have assisted clients in researching other builders, reviewing construction documents and serving as a reliable source of information for any questions about different aspects of the building process. We also assist clients in purchasing spec homes. We make a great team and are new construction experts.
We look forward to helping more buyers and sellers in the coming year!
TriVistaUSA Design + Build
We do cool projects for cool people.
The TriVistaUSA design team (from left): Carlos Nyce, Marni Thompson, Maedeh Ziaei Moayyed, Bethany Lewis, Hassan Darab, Michael Sauri, Frank Chu, and Alex Kober. Photo taken at Ferguson showroom.
3103 N. 10th St., Suite 200 Arlington, VA 22201 703-243-3171 www.trivistausa.com
Q: What is unique about your process?
A: At TriVistaUSA Design + Build, we take pride in a process fueled by collaboration. We engage our internal build team alongside our architects and designers during the design development phase. Every TriVistaUSA member takes part in outside-the-box thinking to craft innovative design concepts. This approach results in multiple high-design solutions, all of which respect the budget, each with a unique artistic bent. From the very first presentation, we encourage client collaboration. A recent client said it best: “What sets TriVistaUSA apart is the continuous synergy and collaboration throughout the entire design and build process. They combined our vision with the creativity and expertise of their team to create a design perfectly tailored to our family. They gave us the custom home of
our dreams, and we couldn’t be happier with the results.”
Q: What sets TriVistaUSA’s design team apart?
A: We do “cool projects for cool people.” Our clients ask us to be fun and creative—they come to us with some pretty remarkable home remodeling dreams. Our design process is unique in the way that we see a partnership: We dream with our clients, collaborating to create one-of-a-kind, custom designs. A bedroom coffee bar, a disco bathroom, a speakeasy lounge, a kids secret bedroom hideaway, an immersive golf simulator room … just to name a few.
This is fun! What could be cooler than making someone’s dreams come to life? We like to think of ourselves as your fairy godmother, except with CAD (computer-aided design) instead of a magic wand.
Heartland Design and Remodeling
6712 Old McLean Village Drive, McLean, VA 22101 703-369-3000 | info@heartlanddesign.com www.heartlanddesign.com
Q: What brings you the most satisfaction in your work?
A: Hands down, being able to offer our clients the ability to rethink how they use their home through a combination of space planning and creative use of existing spaces. We have the expertise and the experience to offer many “what ifs” for a client to think about regarding how they might change the use of new or existing spaces in their home.
Q: How do you employ new technology to help your clients?
A: Technology to help clients bring their vision to life has come a long way. We can now create custom materials and show the client in 3D their exact finishes. We can even put clients in a virtual reality world and have them virtually walk through their spaces.
Avanza Landscaping & Maintenance
NOE LOARCA
2221 S. Kenmore St., Arlington, VA 22206 571-969-3555 | sales@avanzalandscaping.com www.avanzalandscaping.com
Q: How would customers describe you?
A: I would say most, if not all, of my customers would say I’m passionate about what I do and I love to talk. Most customers know everything about my family, and even ask about Matthew, my son, by name.
Q: What brings you the most satisfaction in your work?
A: I personally love the idea of a before and after. This is amplified when I come into a family’s outdoor space and they have no idea what to do with it, then we create an outdoor living space they could never have imagined previously. Also, my mother recently retired after being an Arlington County social worker for over 30 years. Now she’s joined me in the business and is getting to enjoy landscaping!
LISA HELFERT
From left: Dawn Parker, Sales Consultant and Designer; Marty Fletcher, Director of Production; Liz Lee, CKBD, UDCP, CAPS, Architectural Designer
Diane Lewis
REALTOR, THE LEWIS TEAM, WASHINGTON FINE PROPERTIES
Awards/Honors:
$20+ Million in Sales in 2023
Top Producer 2024, Arlington Magazine
Top 100 Real Estate Agents, Washingtonian 2024 2024 Top Agent, RealTrends Verified
1364 Beverly Road, Suite 100 McLean, VA 22102
703-973-7001
diane@lewisteam.com LewisTeam.com
Q: Any advice for buyers and sellers today?
A: The market is hard to figure out at the moment. Because of the lack of inventory, it’s a great time to sell. Buyers are still looking—despite higher interest rates. Homes priced well and in good condition get multiple offers and few contingencies. It’s also a great time for buyers to get into the market because there’s less competition. Experts predict that if rates drop one percent, prices will go through the roof with so many buyers on the sideline. One prediction we heard is that home prices could go up 8-10%.
Q: Why should you work with the Lewis Team?
A: We’ve been doing this for more than 25 years, and we are consistently recognized as top-producing agents and
one of the region’s leading teams. We’ve seen all kinds of markets and know how to navigate them for buyers and sellers. You especially need that experience in today’s challenging conditions. We deliver first-class service, expert marketing knowledge and trustworthy advice, helping clients make the best real estate decisions for their particular lifestyles. Our clients remember the personal and compassionate care they received. Ninetyeight percent of our business comes from client referrals and they say it best:
“Diane was amazing selling our house in McLean and buying our condo in North Arlington. She handled everything, knew exactly what to do, was super-responsive, and gave us 100 percent comfort that she was on top of it. I can’t say enough great things about her and the Lewis Team!
Arlington Designer Homes
ANDREW MOORE
Arlington native Andrew Moore has served his community as a translator at the Arlington Free Clinic, on public school planning commissions and as president of the Custom Builders Council. Most recently, he was presented the prestigious Best Green Building, Gala award by the Northern Virginia Building Industry Association (NVBIA). We build for the way you live!
4719 N. 24th Road
Arlington, VA 22207
703-243-1752
arlingtondesignerhomes@gmail.com www.ArlingtonDesignerHomes.com
Q: Can you help us decide whether to remodel or build a new home?
A: Yes, at Arlington Designer Homes we do both remodeling and new custom homes. Our process for each follows the same steps and gives homeowners the information they need to determine the best path forward for them. We analyze your timeline, investment, customization and then present you with options. In the end, the decision is up to you—we give you the information you need to make that decision.
Q: How much does it cost to build new vs. remodel?
A: As custom home builders and remodelers, there is no “standard” answer. We work with the homeowner to determine what the parameters are and
then we determine the scope of work. Once we have a scope of work, we can start to drill down on the timeline and investment for the project. It is a process and we have worked hard over the past 40 years to customize this process to the homeowner’s needs. So, every project is different and unique, just like our customers.
Q: How do you determine how much a project costs?
A: Since every project is unique, we use our 40 years of experience and the data we’ve collected to provide a good-faith estimate based on past and present job costs. Using this information, we have created a matrix that helps translate the scope of work into real-world and realtime cost estimates.
LISA
VSG Homes
VERONICA SEVA-GONZALEZ VICE PRESIDENT | COMPASS
Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist™ Real Estate Consultant, D.C., MD, VA
I am very grateful for my clients’ trust, repeat business and referrals. In 2024, I received multiple awards, including recognition in The Wall Street Journal REAL Trends “America’s Best” list, and I made “Top Producer” lists in Arlington and Washingtonian magazines. In 2023, I ranked as a top five individual agent in the Compass Arlington office.
202-361-6098 (m) | 703-266-7277 (o) veronica@compass.com VSGHomes.com | CompassConnected.com
Q: What do your clients say about you?
A: According to one happy client: “Veronica is top notch—you will not find another Realtor like her in this area. I have worked with her for over 15 years, and she has helped me purchase and sell two homes. She is compassionate and a great listener, which sets her apart from most other Realtors. She makes sure you get the home you want instead of trying to sell you the most expensive property. My latest sale was the smoothest process ever and, thanks to her and her incredible team, I had multiple offers above asking and closed in less than a month. Veronica stands out from other Realtors in that she truly cares about her clients. It’s not about how much money she will make in the end. For her, it is all about helping people find their perfect home and helping them get the best benefit when they sell.”
Q: How would you describe your relationships with your clients?
A: My passion for the industry is matched only by my dedication to my clients. My two decades of experience has given me a deep appreciation for the importance of building strong, trusting relationships. My extensive network of contacts and knowledge of the local market ensure that my clients receive unparalleled service and support throughout every step of the buying or selling process. Whether you are a homebuyer or seller, I have the skills and expertise necessary to help you achieve your goals.
Susan Wisely
REALTOR®, COMPASS
With over two decades of experience, Susan has established herself as one of the nation’s leading Realtors®, earning the trust and admiration of clients and colleagues. Her success is rooted in her knowledge of local markets, mastery of the real estate process and unwavering commitment to delivering unparalleled service to every client.
6849 Old Dominion Drive, Suite 400 McLean, VA 22101
703-927-3126 | susan@choosewiselygroup.com www.choosewiselygroup.com
Q: What sets you apart from the competition?
A: In today’s competitive market, I stand out as the Realtor who combines industry expertise with finesse. With over 24 years of unparalleled success, I am renowned for my meticulous approach to preparing homes for sale. My “how you live” and “how you sell” concepts breathe new life into spaces, captivating potential buyers and allowing them to envision their ideal lifestyle. I am a trusted advisor who can guide my clients through the complex process of both buying and selling their most valuable asset: their home.
Q: How does your personal background contribute to your professional success?
A: Having lived in Northern Virginia since the mid-1980s, I possess an in-depth understanding of this area’s unique
dynamics. Growing up in a military family, with a retired Navy Admiral father, I have experienced multiple relocations, providing valuable insights into the challenges of moving.
Q: Why should potential clients consider working with you?
A: Now more than ever, hiring an experienced agent is so important! I have the knowledge to help you get the most for your home and provide a smooth transaction from beginning to end. Preparing homes for sale is my passion and, if needed, I have contractors to help get work done so you can show your home in its best light and not leave money on the table! I care deeply for my clients and stay in touch long after the sale.
If you are interested in making a move, it would be my pleasure to assist you … Choose Wisely.
Commonwealth Restorations + CR Custom Homes
JOSH NEWFIELD
Specialties:
Whole-house renovations
New homes on our lots or yours
Additions of any size (rear/side additions, pop-tops, kitchens, bathrooms, screen porches)
2430 S. Kenmore St., Arlington, VA 22206
2902 N. Sycamore St., Arlington, VA 22207
703-525-5255
office@commonwealthrestorations.com
www.commonwealthrestorations.com
www.builtbyCR.com
Q: What should prospective clients know about you?
A: Since 1971, Commonwealth Restorations has served Arlington and the greater Northern Virginia area as an innovative leader in the construction and remodeling industry. With that breadth of experience, we understand the unique needs of Arlingtonians and the nuances of the local market. Our process is quite collaborative, and we work closely with clients throughout the course of the project to ensure that we exceed their expectations. We pride ourselves on paying attention to the details from the beginning of each project and using the highest selection of products as a starting point. We aim to deliver a superior customer experience for our clients, with open communication, transparent budgeting, staffing and on-site organization.
“The Commonwealth Difference” is our attention to detail, uniqueness of design and high-quality results that we apply to every custom home project. We’re not the type of builder that offers limited options, saying take it or leave it. We encourage our clients to make custom choices that will work best for them within their budget and style.
Q: What’s new and exciting at Commonwealth Restorations?
A: This past year, Commonwealth Restorations launched CR Custom Homes, an in-house, designated new-build division. CR Custom Homes is dedicated to better serving those looking to build a new home, sell their lot or buy new. We are excited about this growth within our company, and we look forward to delivering more new high-quality homes in the Arlington and McLean communities.
EL Studio
“EL Studio made our dream home come true!! They listened to every one of our ideas, likes and quirks, and got to know us and our family. As a result, we felt like they knew who we truly were, how we lived and what kind of home would complement us.” —A happy client
1319 Naylor Court, NW Washington, D.C. 20001 202-365-3598 info@elstudioarch.com elstudioarch.com
Q: What should prospective clients know about EL Studio?
A: We are an award-winning architecture and design firm dedicated to experimentation, collaboration and advocacy. We specialize in innovative design within challenging constraints and eagerly tackle complex problems through research and testing. Our commitment to rethinking the standard uses of techniques and materials allows us to develop unique solutions for each project in collaboration with our design partners. We act as our clients’ advocates, addressing their current and future needs while promoting equitable and sustainable design. Our hands-on approach ensures that the spaces we design are not only visually appealing but also finely crafted and comfortable to live in.
Q: How do you measure success with your clients?
A: The highest measure of success we can imagine is building a sustaining relationship with a client—or a house!
A notable example of this is a home in Arlington for which we completed several projects over the course of about five years, including a significant renovation and addition to the roof. Things were quiet for about eight years, but when the homeowners sold the property, they recommended us to the new owners who have now reached out to us to make further updates. This opportunity to revisit and enhance a past project with more improvements with a wonderful new client not only highlights the enduring quality of our work, but also the trust and confidence our clients place in us.
STEPHANIE WILLIAMS
The EL Studio team at a past-—and current— project. From top: Sarah Beth Combs, AIA; Emma Wierzel; Mark Lawrence, AIA; Kate Troutman; Elizabeth Emerson, AIA
John Mentis
REALTOR®, LONG & FOSTER REAL ESTATE
#1 Long & Foster Arlington office agent 2020, 2021, 2022
Multi-year Top Producer recognition by the following: Arlington magazine, DC Modern Luxury magazine, Northern Virginia Assn. of Realtors, Northern Virginia magazine, Washingtonian magazine and Virginia Life magazine
4600 Cherry Hill Road, Arlington, VA 22207
703-522-0500 | john.mentis@longandfoster.com johnmentis.com | IG: @johnmentis
Q: What is “The John Mentis Experience”, and how does it benefit your clients?
A: As an award-winning Realtor® and a top agent in Long & Foster’s Arlington office, I’ve cultivated a reputation for going above and beyond to make my clients’ journeys seamless—something they have lovingly dubbed “The John Mentis Experience.” With two decades of real estate excellence and licensures in Virginia, Washington, D.C. and Maryland, I am adept at empowering and helping my clients secure their dream properties.
My greatest joy and motivation is helping my clients move from a mindset of doubting their ability to reach their goals to one of confidence and empowerment that they can and will. Seeing that shift keeps me going in this challenging business.
Q: How would you characterize your approach to customer service?
A: It centers around attentively listening to my clients. I have an extensive knowledge of the area, a trustworthy demeanor and a talent for communicating important transaction information. I help clients develop a plan of action, broken down into manageable pieces that get them to their goal. During the transaction, clients come to appreciate the personal care and attention given to their specific needs.
While I have experience working throughout the DMV region, I’ve spent much of my career helping residential clients buy and sell homes in Arlington. Some of my proudest career highlights have come when clients repeatedly come back to work with me, allowing me to help them transition through various phases of their lives. For me, this business is about people.
Pond Roofing
“A+++. I had an outstanding experience with Pond Roofing. They came out right away, did a thorough roof inspection and then provided a range of options to consider. Once we decided, it was quickly scheduled and completed. These folks are true pros. Do yourself a favor and use them for your next roofing project.”
2985 Prosperity Ave.
Fairfax, VA 22031
703-573-8000
info@pondroofing.com www.pondroofing.com
Q: What is your corporate mission?
A: Pond Roofing & Exteriors was built upon a foundation of values that includes integrity, accountability, open communication, relentless improvement and excellence in all we do. Family-owned and -operated since 1964, we proudly serve customers in the NOVA region. Our mission is simple: to make life better for our customers, teammates and community. We do our best to deliver a peaceful experience on every project, earning the respect and praise of our valued customers.
Q: What is one thing potential clients should know about you?
A: Whether your home needs new roofing, siding, gutters or another exterior upgrade, we’ll make your project worryfree with our Pond Proven Process. We’ll update your home with industry-leading
products, and we’ll back our work with some of the best warranties in the business to protect your investment. Go ahead, breathe a sigh of relief. Pond Roofing is ready to earn your trust.
Q: How do your clients describe you?
A: Having quality, lasting relationships with our customers as well as manufacturers and suppliers is something we’re very proud of. Today, over half of our clients are generated through referrals or repeat business. We pride ourselves on maintaining long-term relationships with our prior customers— and we have installed second- and third-generation roofs for second- and third-generation families. Check out our website to learn what our customers have to say about us and see why they keep coming back. We hope you will become one of our loyal customers too!
AJ Building Services
ANDY JELONEK
DANIEL SANDERS
TYLER JELONEK
“AJ Building Services did a major renovation and addition for our home in Vienna. The owners, Daniel and Andy, are fantastic and one of them was on site every day. AJ Building Services are professional, genuinely care about your vision, and are willing to go above and beyond. We would gladly use them again!”
703-638-4666 | aj.bld.services@gmail.com www.ajbuildingservices.com | @ajbldservices
Q: What makes AJ Building Services the premier Arlington contractor?
A: We’re a family-owned and -operated home remodeling company specializing in custom home remodels, additions and carpentry. Our vast experience is invaluable for projects in Arlingtonarea homes, which have a wide range in ages, styles, building materials and homeowner needs. Over our careers, we’ve seen just about everything and solved many building challenges for our clients.
A: What would you say is the key to your success?
A: Our philosophy is that consistent communication is integral to our clients’ needs. We pride ourselves on accessibility. Building or remodeling can be challenging, so from start to finish we are on site supervising our teams. We strive to ensure the highest-quality craftsmanship and satisfaction. With the many concerns that a homeowner can have during construction, we are here to guide you through and deliver high-quality projects in an efficient manner.
Q: Tell us about AJ Building Services’ owners.
A: Andy Jelonek and Daniel Sanders have over 60 years of combined experience in the building industry with expertise in custom carpentry, building new homes, restoring older homes, and all types of projects large and small. They understand the importance of having a project manager that is knowledgeable, runs a project smoothly and efficiently, and works within the homeowner’s budget. Andy and Daniel enjoy listening to their customers’ dreams of their home’s potential functionality and beauty, and then making them a reality. They work tirelessly to deliver projects on time.
Spray-Net Northern Virginia
KSENIA KAPOOR
We’re painters dedicated to making your home surfaces look newly replaced, not just repainted. Whether it’s kitchen cabinets, siding, brick, stucco, doors, or windows, our factory finish-like coatings ensure a flawless result. “I tip my hat to Spray-Net for giving my 23-year-old kitchen an amazing facelift. I feel like it’s brand-new!”
571-531-8265
www.spray-net.com/en-us/locations/ northernvirginia/
Q: What is the one thing that your clients should know about you?
A: We started this business to be embedded in the community. We live in McLean and our kids go to school here. For years, we worked remotely or in an office. While we made an impact in our respective fields, we felt disconnected from the community and wanted to engage with our diverse neighbors. Our customers come from different countries and backgrounds, but what unites them is the desire to take care of their homes.
Q: What makes you different than other home professionals?
A: One of our key differentiators is our 15year no-peel warranty. If you’ve ever painted a house or a kitchen, you know how quickly paint can peel and require maintenance. Our coatings are custom-formulated using Spray-Net paint exclusively to guarantee top-
notch results. We employ a patented sprayon application technique, complemented by custom-formulated industrial-strength paints for each surface. This innovative approach guarantees a smooth, factory-quality finish that surpasses what conventional methods can achieve.
Q: What brings you the most satisfaction in your work?
A: The initial reaction of our customers after the transformation is truly priceless. They entrust us with beautifying their homes and the results consistently exceed their expectations. It’s not uncommon for customers to continue sharing compliments they receive from their family and guests after our work is complete. Some customers have even hosted prospective clients to showcase our results. Ultimately, these smiles and expressions of satisfaction drive us in our business.
TONY
Ioana Tzatcheva
IOANA TODOROVA DESIGNS LLC
I believe that living spaces have a direct influence on people’s wellbeing, their connection with self and others, and their philosophy of life. I love creating beautiful and elegant spaces that inspire and nurture, filled with natural light and smartly organized to bring the best out of the available architectural features.
2317 N. Monroe St., Arlington, VA 22207 703-303-7719 | ioana@decoratingden.com ioana.decoratingden.com
Q: Who are your ideal clients?
A: Modern homeowners with large families often need homes with space like a master retreat that allows them to keep a measure of privacy in a blended environment. I provide the knowledge and style needed to create relaxing, private spaces to recharge, refresh and regroup. I provide fresh contemporary styling and trendsetting design to successful professionals. I help people redesign their homes after life-altering events, such as divorce or children leaving the home. I assist my clients in reimagining their living space, often combining different periods and styles to better reflect who they’ve become in this new stage of life.
Q: What distinguishes your business?
A: My affiliation with Decorating Den Interiors, the world’s largest and longest-established interior decorating franchise, allows me to provide a true end-to-end decorating service. From the initial in-home consultation to the design plan, product selection, project management and final installation, we handle everything. Working directly with an extensive collection of quality home furnishing suppliers allows us to source anything needed to beautifully decorate a space, within a wide range of budgets and lifestyles.
Q: What should clients know about working with you?
A: My process begins with listening, then formulating a design concept that reflects how clients want to feel in their home, curating the perfect pieces to support that vision, and layering in color, pattern and texture. Floor plans address the way clients live and visual tools aid their understanding. In the final stage, I organize everything up until the very last accessories are in place.
The Prendergast Team
703-626-7500 | Marianne@ThePrendergastTeam.com 703-434-2711 | Will@ThePrendergastTeam.com www.theprendergastteam.com
Q: What sets The Prendergast Team apart from the competition?
A: For more than 30 years, The Prendergast Team has provided unparalleled service, maintained the highest level of integrity and delivered outstanding results. Our team’s deep knowledge of the D.C. metro real estate market goes beyond licensing. We are ranked among the Top 200 Real Estate Teams nationwide by The Wall Street Journal and have been in the top 1% of Realtors for 30 consecutive years. Additionally, our team is regularly recognized with Best Realtor and Top Producer awards by various publications including Arlington, Washingtonian and Northern Virginia magazines. What we are truly known for is stellar service and exceptional results. From first-time home buyers to empty nesters, The Prendergast Team provides a hands-on, personalized approach to each client.
Outdoor Aesthetics
1612 N. Fillmore St. Arlington, VA 22201 703-282-5172 erika@outdoor-ae.com www.outdoor-ae.com
Q: How would your clients describe you?
A: Flexible and pragmatic. Homes reflect their owner, and gardens, like apparel, are an outer layer for all to see. I want my clients to feel that their gardens represent who they are and what makes them happy. While I won’t implement materials that are hazardous to the environment, I say let the client be happy.
Q: What brings you the most satisfaction in your work?
A: I approach every project with an open mind and ensure that every finished product is unique. Whether getting the right combination of materials that fits a new homeowner’s aesthetic, or balancing play and relaxation in a family’s home, I’m most satisfied with my work when I know the client has a space that feels right for them.
TONY J. LEWIS
Shapira
Flights of Fancy
Goldberg
Wild colors and patterns elevate this Arlington dining room.
AS THEIR TWO teenage sons got taller, Troy and Kathleen Palma’s family literally outgrew the Cape Cod they had lived in since the boys were small. In March of 2020, they moved into a new build by Wormald Homes in Arlington’s Williamsburg neighborhood and called designer Nicole Lanteri. They loved her playful, maximalist aesthetic, having already collaborated with her on their previous home.
“They came to us and were like, ‘Can you do what you did to our other house? Make it fun?’ ” says Lanteri, who lives in Ashton Heights and has a studio on Capitol Hill in D.C. Taking cues from her repeat clients, she transformed their new home’s neutral tableau with a riot of bold hues and organic patterns.
The starting point in the 200-squarefoot dining room was a whimsical
wallpaper by Schumacher. With its flowering branches, birds and butterflies, it reads as equal parts fanciful garden party and life-size coloring book.
“It really pulled all these colors together,” Lanteri says, and juxtaposed nicely with the builder’s wainscoting and dark-stained maple hardwood floors. “We tried not to undo things that had been done.”
Mindful of her clients’ budget, Lanteri repurposed many of the furnishings she had already sourced for the Palmas’ previous home, including a Scandinavian white oak table from Design Within Reach and curvy, black Kartell Masters chairs.
The azure buffet, painted in Benjamin Moore’s “Hudson Bay,” is a vintage furniture restoration by Reston-based artist Martha Leone that stores service for 12. Above it hangs a tangerine sculp-
ture, “Everything I Wish,” by Belgian artist Thomas Gromas (also a carryover from the Palmas’ previous house).
A metal chandelier with lights resembling twisty twigs echoes the branches in the wallpaper. The window coverings are gray-and-white-striped Roman shades from the Shade Store. Lanteri scored the red Chinese cabinet at auction.
For the Palmas, Lanteri’s fearlessness provided just the edge they were looking for. She added “daring” elements and splashes of color that Kathleen says “were to our taste, but also things that we wouldn’t select ourselves.” ■
great spaces ■ by Jennifer
| photo by Stacy Zarin
June’s Most Expensive Home Sales
22201 (Arlington)
2600 Third St. N.
List Price: $1.83 million
Sale Price: $1.83 million
Days on Market: 137
Listing Office: Keller Williams Capital Prop.
Neighborhood: Lyon Park
Year Built: 2023
Bedrooms: 6
Full/Half Baths: 6/1
22202 (Arlington)
2636 S. Lynn St.
List Price: $1.7 million
Sale Price: $1.7 million
Days on Market: 41
Listing Office: Keller Williams Realty
Neighborhood: Oakcrest
Year Built: 1964
Bedrooms: 5
Full/Half Baths: 3/1
22203 (Arlington)
418 N. Nelson St.
List Price: $1.5 million
Sale Price: $1.68 million
Days on Market: 5
Listing Office: Century 21 New Millennium
Neighborhood: Ashton Heights
Year Built: 1938
Bedrooms: 3
Full/Half Baths: 3/1
22204 (Arlington)
4633 Second St. S.
List Price: $1.25 million
Sale Price: $1.36 million
Days on Market: 5
Listing Office: Compass
Neighborhood: Barcroft
Year Built: 1947
Bedrooms: 4
Full/Half Baths: 3/1
This information, courtesy of Bright MLS as of July 15, 2024, includes homes sold in June 2024, excluding sales in which sellers have withheld permission to advertise or promote. Information should be independently verified. The Bright MLS real estate service area spans 40,000 square miles throughout the mid-Atlantic region, including Delaware, Maryland, Washington, D.C., and parts of New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia. As a leading Multiple Listing Service (MLS), Bright serves approximately 100,000 real estate professionals who in turn serve over 20 million consumers. For more information, visit brightmls.com.
903 Turkey Run Road, McLean SALE PRICE: $9.95 MILLION
■ prime numbers
22205 (Arlington)
1503 N. Buchanan St.
List Price: $2.7 million
Sale Price: $2.68 million
Days on Market: 6
Listing Office: I-Agent Realty
Neighborhood: Waycroft-Woodlawn
Year Built: 2024
Bedrooms: 6
Full/Half Baths: 6/1
22206 (Arlington)
3452 25th Court S.
List Price: $925,000
Sale Price: $914,700
Days on Market: 39
Listing Office: RE/MAX Allegiance
Neighborhood: Bowmans Hill
Year Built: 2007
Bedrooms: 3
Full/Half Baths: 2/2
22207 (Arlington)
3430 N. Abingdon St.
List Price: $4 million
Sale Price: $3.85 million
Days on Market: 78
Listing Office: Keller Williams Realty
Neighborhood: Country Club Hills
Year Built: 2008
Bedrooms: 7
Full/Half Baths: 7/4
22209 (Arlington)
1881 N. Nash St., #TS02
List Price: $3.35 million
Sale Price: $3.4 million
Days on Market: 32
Listing Office: Dream Realty
Neighborhood: Turnberry Tower
Year Built: 2009
Bedrooms: 3
Full/Half Baths: 3/1
22213 (Arlington)
3580 N. Powhatan St.
List Price: $3.4 million
Sale Price: $3.9 million
Days on Market: 1
Listing Office: Urban Living Real Estate
Neighborhood: Minor Hill
Year Built: 2024
Bedrooms: 6
Full/Half Baths: 6/2
22101 (McLean)
903 Turkey Run Road
List Price: $10.5 million
Sale Price: $9.95 million
Days on Market: 128
Listing Office: Washington Fine Properties
Neighborhood: Turkey Run
Year Built: 2011
Bedrooms: 6
Full/Half Baths: 7/2
22102 (McLean)
8600 Brook Road
List Price: $5.35 million
Sale Price: $5.13 million
Days on Market: 28
Listing Office: Compass
Neighborhood: Woodhaven
Year Built: 2019
Bedrooms: 7
Full/Half Baths: 6/3
22041 (Falls Church)
6519 Jay Miller Drive
List Price: $1.15 million
Sale Price: $1.4 million
Days on Market: 4
Listing Office: William G. Buck & Assoc.
Neighborhood: Lake Barcroft
Year Built: 1954
Bedrooms: 4
Full/Half Baths: 3/0
22042 (Falls Church)
7101 Westmoreland Road
List Price: $1.6 million
Sale Price: $1.6 million
Days on Market: 114
Listing Office: Compass
Neighborhood: Woodley
Year Built: 2023
Bedrooms: 5
Full/Half Baths: 4/1
22043 (Falls Church)
2146 Lily Pond Drive
List Price: $2.2 million
Sale Price: $2.2 million
Days on Market: 5
Listing Office: Compass
Neighborhood: Churchill
Year Built: 2014
Bedrooms: 5
Full/Half Baths: 4/1
22044 (Falls Church)
3434 Malbrook Drive
List Price: $2.4 million
Sale Price: $2.37 million
Days on Market: 125
Listing Office: Smith | Schnider
Neighborhood: None listed
Year Built: 2023
Bedrooms: 5
Full/Half Baths: 5/1
22046 (Falls Church)
1017 Poplar Drive
List Price: $2.2 million
Sale Price: $2.2 million
Days on Market: 27
Listing Office: Compass
Neighborhood: Westbriar
Year Built: 2024
Bedrooms: 6
Full/Half Baths: 6/1
3430 N. Abingdon St., Arlington SALE PRICE: $3.85 MILLION
Real Estate Sales Trends
22201
22206
22202
22207
22203
22209
22204
22213
22205
22102
22041
22042
22043
22044
22101
22046
Tofu salad with house-made chewy tofu skin (top) and a farmer’s stir-fry of eggs, tofu skin, hot peppers and Chinese celery
Hello,
Flavor!
Peter Chang’s Sichuan small-plates restaurant is a taste sensation.
BY DAVID HAGEDORN | PHOTOS BY DEB LINDSEY
I’M ABOUT TO dive into three cold dishes at NiHao, Peter Chang’s Chinese spin on tapas-style dining in National Landing. Knowing the chef’s penchant for the hot and numbing one-two punch of Sichuan chilies, I prepare for a tonguetingling hello. It’s only fitting, considering ni hao means “hello” (literally “you good?”) in Mandarin.
Sure enough, the first bite delivers, its noodle-like strands of tofu skin splashed with a bit of chili oil and mingled with cilantro, red pepper and red onion. To make this dish, Chang rehydrates bean curd sheets in a broth flavored with star anise and cinnamon, then rolls the sheets into logs and slices them into “noodles.” The flavors harmonize rather than overpower each other, and I love the slightly chewy texture of the tofu paired with the slight prickle of Sichuan peppercorns.
The tingle and heat factors are turned up a notch on the second plate—braised chicken tossed with house-made chili crisp, crushed peanuts, chili oil and sesame seeds, served atop chunks of cucumber to cool the palate.
Next up: a melange of wood ear mushrooms dressed with red onions, cilantro, garlic, pickled Thai chilies, black vinegar and house-made scallion oil. The combo is vibrant and earthy with a kick of back heat.
For devotees, Chang’s dramatic history is now lore. Rising from poverty in China to become one of its most heralded chefs, he came to the U.S. in 2001 when he nabbed a plum
assignment helming the kitchen at the Chinese Embassy in Washington. Two years later, his stint ended and he went on the lam with his family, hopping around the Southeastern U.S. and cooking in various Chinese restaurants until he got his legal affairs in order.
Today, he lives in Donaldson Run with his wife, Lisa (also a chef); their daughter, Lydia; and Lydia’s toddler daughter, London. The family owns 18 restaurants, including Peter Chang
Peter and Lydia Chang
Arlington (open since 2015), NiHao in Baltimore (which Lydia opened in 2020) and Peter Chang McLean, which debuted in October.
For this second iteration of NiHao, the restaurateurs decided to adopt the (mostly) small-plates model that has become so popular in American restaurants. “It’s a good way for people, especially tables of two, to try a lot of different things,” Lydia says. “We want to get away from the idea that Chinese restaurants serve large portions of everything.”
Faith Rubin, who runs the bar program at sister restaurant Chang Chang in D.C., crafted the beverage list at NiHao, with nine signature cocktails incorporating Chinese ingredients and named after notable Chinese films. The Happy Together (rose vodka, lychee, red grapefruit and cava) and the You Are the Apple of My Eye (shochu, plum wine, Campari and ginger) are tasty ways to start a meal. Tsingtao beer also goes nicely with the bold flavors that are hallmarks of Chang’s cooking style.
One word to the wise: The food comes out lightning fast, so it’s best to order only a few items at a time. Doing so allowed me to gauge my appetite along the way and control the pacing of the meal, even if it didn’t stop me from over-ordering with abandon.
The prices are quite reasonable. On one dinner visit, our $100 check (not including tip) covered two cocktails, eight dishes with leftovers and dessert.
Fans of Chang’s other restaurants will recognize a few familiar offerings, such as dry-fried eggplant (or green beans), dan dan noodles and Lisa Chang’s signature scallion bubble pancake.
I never pass up the eggplant. Crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside, the fried batons are wok-tossed with Sichuan peppercorns, chilies, cilantro and scallions. This dish has been a Chang classic for 19 years for good reason.
The dry-pot chili shrimp is a terrific seafood version of the eggplant. Its ma la (“hot and numbing”) combination of dried chili peppers and Sichuan peppercorns is a predomi -
nant element on NiHao’s menu, also featured in a colorful trio of spicy edamame, smoked tofu and diced carrots that packs a wallop. Ma la pork riblets get a similar treatment, with crinklecut french fries thrown in, even if they seem superfluous.
For a showstopper, a whole branzino (one of two large-format fish specialties) is deep-fried, wok-seared with ma la spices and tons of dried chilies, then plated on white porcelain, bathed in hot oil and topped with scallions and Sichuan peppercorn powder. The heady aroma, along with hints of cumin, fills the dining room.
The chef’s non-ma la dishes are just as satisfying—even seemingly simple ones such as velvety sliced chicken breast and snow peas in a rich stock-
Chicken noodle soup
Vanilla cake roll with raspberry sauce
based sauce. The restaurant sources many of its ingredients from an Amish farm in upstate New York, including eggs, chickens and older laying hens that are used to make stock.
The same magical broth is the base of another must-order dish: a stoneware pot of bubbling chicken soup perfumed with ginger and teeming with rice or egg noodles (diner’s choice), tender bok choy and morsels of braised bone-in poultry.
I was especially intrigued by a duo of lotus-leaf packets that arrived at our table in a bamboo steamer. Unwrapping them revealed a savory-sweet amalgam of glutinous rice stuffed with pork, dried shrimp, Chinese sausage and shiitake mushrooms.
“This is a homestyle village recipe,” Lydia says. “The rice is toasted first, then mixed with aromatics, mushroom
soy sauce, oyster sauce and chicken stock. The lotus leaves impart a tealike flavor.”
Another homey offering carried over from the family’s Fairfax restaurant, Mama Chang, is a quick stir-fry of scrambled eggs, tofu skin, hot green peppers and Chinese celery. This intense and herbaceous combination may well be my favorite. Wok hei, the smokiness imbued from stir-frying over an open flame, permeates the eggs and adds umami that makes this simple dish irresistible.
NiHao’s 3,000-square-foot space, designed by D.C.-based Nahra Design Group, seats 70, including a six-seat bar with windows that open to the sidewalk facing Crystal Drive. White and jade green tiles form stunning geometric patterns on the walls, complementing a jade green tray ceiling, aubergine banquettes, side chairs upholstered in teal shag fabric and terracotta flooring. It’s a charming space, but not a quiet one. Be prepared for the noise that bounces off all those hard surfaces.
All isn’t perfect at NiHao—just nearly so. I loathe paper napkins in general, but especially the flimsy and practically useless ones here.
Another bummer: an order of stodgy soup dumplings that stuck to their parchment paper lining and tore open when I tried to lift them with chopsticks, thus depriving me of the big payoff (the luscious soup inside!).
WHAT TO DRINK
In addition to a full bar, NiHao offers nine signature cocktails ($13) named after Chinese films. Among them: the Crazy Rich Asian (cognac, scotch, sweet vermouth and blood orange) and A Chinese Odyssey (baijiu, Sichuan green peppercorn, tequila, lime juice).
Nine wines (one sparkling, one rosé, four whites and three reds) are available by the glass ($10 to $12) and bottle ($35 to $48), as are three beers and a cider ($7).
NIHAO ARLINGTON
1550 Crystal Drive, Arlington 703-512-4109
nihaoarlington.com
HOURS
Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
PARKING
Plenty of garage parking. The garage at 1550 Crystal Drive is free on weekends.
PRICES
Small plates: $4 to $15
Large-format dishes: Chicken noodle soup ($14) and two whole branzino preparations ($38)
Desserts: $6 to $9
Of the two desserts on the menu, I found the deep-fried rice cakes unpleasantly gelatinous, but they were redeemed by the other sweet option: a vanilla and whipped cream cake roll topped with raspberry sauce. These are minor quibbles, especially given the need for good quality, fullservice Chinese (or Asian, for that matter) restaurants in National Landing. The neighborhood seems delighted by NiHao’s arrival. At 5:30 p.m. on a Saturday, the place was full and the tables on either side of me turned over twice before I left. ■
Whole branzino with scallions and chilies
Hagedorn
Bar Hopping
In May, restaurateur Reza Farahani did a smart thing. He took the 2,000-square-foot bar and lounge area of Joon, his ultra-chic Persian finedining spot in Tysons, and turned it into MayBar, a restaurant-within-arestaurant that offers a more casual dining experience.
Chef Chris Morgan has created an expansive menu for the spinoff. Snack-y offerings include three styles of chicken wings ($16) and wonderful house-made potato chips sprinkled with Persian seasoning and served with baba ghanoush, hummus and/or yogurt dip ($10 for one dip; $25 for three). The sandwich options include a beef kubideh burger ($19) with American cheese and crispy onions; and several Italian-inspired focaccia sandwiches ($16-$17), including a winner made with mortadella, pistachio pesto and stracciatella. From the cocktail list of some 15 creative concoctions ($16-$19), consider a Caspian Sour (date syrup, whiskey, lemon juice) or a delightful Joon Spritz made with Antica Torino (a wine-based aperitif) and Lambrusco. Spirit-free libations include apricot basil soda ($8) and a mango ginger spritz ($12).
MayBar (“may” means wine in Persian) seats 80 inside, but in nice weather, a 1,500-square-foot patio decked in lush greenery and comfy peacock-blue sofas beckons, with outdoor seating for 44.
Diners at MayBar may also order from Joon’s menu, but not vice versa. A DJ plays on the patio on weekends, and the restaurant recently unveiled a special outdoor grill where the chef plans to offer prime rib, lamb racks and other specialties. eatjoon.com
MayBar's Delroba cocktail combines vodka, sour cherry, lime and soda.
A mortadella sandwich with pistachio pesto
Prime Proteins
“Trust Your Local Butcher!” commands a giant dry-erase board behind the counter of Brick House Butcher, which opened in May in Falls Church City’s Old Brick House Square. In this case, it’s two butchers—husband and wife Mike and Emma Ferguson, who double as the shop’s operating managers. Owners Afsheen and Arash Tafakor also own Dominion Wine & Beer next door.
Considering the pristine meats, poultry, fish and seafood items on display, the trust is merited. The Fergusons proudly post the local sources of their products, including beef from Burner’s Beef (Luray, Virginia) and Roseda Farm (Monkton, Maryland); pork from Autumn Olive Farms (Waynesboro, Virginia); lamb from Elysian Fields (Waynesburg, Pennsylvania) and chicken from Chapel Ford Farm (Gettysburg). Fish and seafood come from Lobster Maine-ia in Chantilly.
Stock up on pork chops ($21.99/ pound), loin lamb chops ($27.99/ pound), flank steak ($17.99/pound) and boneless rib-eye ($25.99/pound), to name a few of the choice options.
All Abuzz!
I always love an opportunity to drink dessert, and Carbonara, chef Mike Cordero’s “old school Italian” restaurant in Ballston, provides a sweet and boozy one: a flight of three espresso martinis ($45), perfect for sharing. The trio of flavors includes pistachio (house-made pistachio butter, whipped cream vodka and Demerara sugar); tiramisu (amaro, Nutella syrup, reposado tequila and whipped cream vodka topped with whipped cream and torched brown sugar); and Ferrero Rocher (whipped cream vodka, hazelnut liqueur and chocolate bitters). carbonarava.com
The market also carries a limited selection of produce, dry goods, farm eggs, cheese and charcuterie.
Born in Arlington and raised in Falls Church, Mike Ferguson was captivated by international food cultures during two Marine Corps deployments and went on to attend culinary school at L’Academie de Cuisine in Gaithersburg (now closed). After working in various DMV restaurants and dabbling in his own barbecue business, he landed a
job at JM Stock Provisions, a wholeanimal butchery in Charlottesville. He then completed a four-month apprenticeship at a farm in the Tuscany region of Italy (where he learned pig butchery) and worked at The Organic Butcher in McLean and Oliver’s Corner Butcher Shop in Great Falls. The latter is where he met his now wife, who also worked at The Whole Ox butchery in Marshall, Virginia.
Sausage-making is Mike’s passion and the flavors ($12.99/pound) change according to his whim. Recent variations have included chicken parm, banh mi, loaded baked potato, Italian fennel and jalapeno cheddar. brickhousebutcher.com
Mike and Emma Ferguson
House-made sausages at Brick House
places to EAT
ARLINGTON
2910 Kitchen & Bar
2910 Columbia Pike, instagram.com/2910rest aurant. Save your appetite for prime rib, scallop risotto and duck confit with house-made potato gnocchi. R D $$$
A Modo Mio Pizzeria
5555 Langston Blvd., 703-532-0990, amodomio pizza.com. Dig into authentic Neapolitan pies, house-made gnocchi, lasagna, spaghetti del mare and cannoli. o L D V $$
Aladdin Sweets & Tandoor
5169 Langston Blvd., 703-533-0077. Chef Shiuli Rashid and her husband, Harun, prepare family recipes from their native Bangladesh. L D $$
Ambar Clarendon
2901 Wilson Blvd., 703-875-9663, ambarrestau rant.com. Feast on Balkan fare such as stuffed cabbage, mushroom pilav and rotisserie meats.
O R L D G V $$
Arlington Kabob
5046 Langston Blvd., 703-531-1498, arlingtonka bobva.com. Authentic Afghan fare includes kebabs, shawarma and lamb shank with rice. L D $$
Astro Beer Hall
4001 Campbell Ave., 703-664-0744, astrobeer
hall.com. The space-themed saloon and coffee shop promises a fun time with made-to-order doughnuts, fried chicken, burgers and old-school arcade games. o B R L D A $$
B Live
2854 Wilson Blvd., 571-312-7094, bliveva.com. Go for beach-inspired eats, a bloody mary bar and live music five nights a week. o R L D A $$
Bakeshop
1025 N. Fillmore St., 571-970-6460, bakeshopva. com. Hit this tiny storefront for coffee, cupcakes, cookies, macarons, icebox pies and other treats. Vegan sweets are always available. B V $
Ballston Local s
900 N. Glebe Road, 703-852-1260, ballstonlocal. com. Pair your local brew with a plate of poutine or a New York-style pizza. L D V $$
Banditos Tacos & Tequila
1301 S. Joyce St., 571-257-7622, banditostnt. com. Mexican street food, tequila, mezcal and sugar-skull décor keep the party going at this Westpost cantina. o L D G V $$
Bangkok 54
2919 Columbia Pike, 703-521-4070, bangkok54res taurant.com. A favorite for Thai curries, grilled meats, stir-fry, noodles and soups. L D V $$
Bar Bao
3100 Clarendon Blvd., 703-600-0500, barbao.com. The trendy watering hole serves dishes reminiscent of Chinese and Taiwanese street food, plus sake, soju and Asian fusion cocktails. L D V $$
Barley Mac
1600 Wilson Blvd., 703-372-9486, barleymacva. com. Upscale tavern fare, plus more than 100 kinds of whiskey and bourbon. R L D A G V $$
Bartaco
4238 Wilson Blvd. (Ballston Quarter), 571-3908226, bartaco.com. A lively spot for tacos (13 kinds) and tequila. Feels like vacation. L D V A $$
Basic Burger
1101 S. Joyce St., 703-248-9333, basicburger. com. The homegrown eatery and food truck cooks with locally sourced, certified Angus beef and cagefree, antibiotic-free chicken. L D $$
Bayou Bakery, Coffee Bar & Eatery
1515 N. Courthouse Road, 703-243-2410, bayou bakeryva.com. Chef David Guas’ New Orleans-inspired menu changes often, but you can always count on beignets and gumbo. Breakfast all day on weekends. O C B R L D G V $
Beauty Champagne & Sugar Boutique
576 23rd St. S., 571-257-5873, beautybysociety fair.com. Find champagne, cookies, cocktail fixings, small plates and gifts at this woman-owned bistro and market. Closed Mondays. L D $$
KEY: Price designations are based on the approximate cost per person for a meal with one drink, tax and tip.
$ under $20
$$ $21-$35
$$$ $36-$70
$$$$ $71 or more
o Outdoor Dining
c Children’s Menu
B Breakfast
R Brunch
L Lunch
D Dinner
A After Hours/Late Night
G Gluten-Free
V Vegetarian
s Best of Arlington 2023 or 2024 Winner
Ambar
■ places to eat
Bethesda Bagels
1851 N. Moore St., 703-312-1133, bethesdabagels. com. The popular D.C.-area chain has an outpost in Rosslyn. Eat a sandwich! O L V $
BGR the Burger Joint
3129 Langston Blvd., 703-812-4705, bgrtheburger joint.com. Top your dry-aged beef, veggie or turkey burger with add-ons like grilled jalapeño, pineapple or fried egg. C L D V $
Big Buns Damn Good Burger Co. s
4401 Wilson Blvd., 703-276-3032; 4251 Campbell Ave., 703-933-2867, eatbigbuns.com. Satisfy your cravings with “designer” burgers, shakes, beer and booze. L D $$
Bluefish Bistro Sushi & Kitchen
950 S. George Mason Drive, 703-270-0102, blue fishbistro.com. Try specialty rolls with names like Green Dragon and King Kong, or go for a “chef’s
choice” spread of sushi or sashimi and be surprised. Closed Tuesdays. L D G V $$
Bob & Edith’s Diner
2310 Columbia Pike, 703-920-6103; 539 23rd St. S., 703-920-2700; 5050 Langston Blvd., 703-5940280; bobandedithsdiner.com. Founded in 1969, the 24-hour eatery whips up pancakes, eggs, meatloaf, and pie à la mode. C B L D A V $
Bollywood Bistro Express
4238 Wilson Blvd. (Ballston Quarter), 571-3121071, bollywoodbistroexpress.com. Build your own bowl with fillers such as chicken tikka, paneer, chana masala and pickled onions. L D V $$
Bonsai Sushi at Crystal City
553 23rd St. S., 703-553-7723, crystalbonsai sushirestaurant.com. A go-to for sushi, sashimi, yakisoba, tempura, teriyaki. Closed Mondays. L D $$
Bostan Uyghur Cuisine
3911 Langston Blvd., 703-522-3010, bostanuyghur. com. The Uyghur Chinese dishes include kebabs, lagmen (hand-pulled noodles), manta (dumplings) and honey cake. L D $$
Brass Rabbit Public House
1210 N. Garfield St., 703-746-9977, brassrabbit pub.com. Pair carrot “fries” and lettuce wraps with craft cocktails like the El Conejo, featuring tequila, carrot juice, ginger, lime and cilantro.
O R L D V A $$
Bronson Bierhall
4100 Fairfax Drive, 703-528-1110, bronsonbier hall.com. Find communal tables, German and regional beers, sausages, schnitzel and cornhole in this 6,000-square-foot ode to Munich.
O L D A $$
Bubbie’s Plant Burgers
1721 Crystal Drive, bubbiesburgers.com. Grab a plant-based or kosher burger, a fried green tomato sandwich or a plate of avocado fries at this outdoor kiosk in National Landing’s Water Park. O L D V $
Buena Vida s
2900 Wilson Blvd., 703-888-1528, buenavida gastrolounge.com. Savor the flavors of Mexico, from tacos to churros, and head to the top floor for one of the best rooftop bars around. O R L D $$
Burger Billy’s Joint
3800 Langston Blvd., 703-512-0102, burgerbillys joint.com. Order smashburgers made from grassfed, locally sourced Angus beef (or plant-based), as well as hot dogs, wings and fries, using a food locker pickup system. L D V $
Busboys and Poets
4251 S. Campbell Ave., 703-379-9757, busboys andpoets.com. Known for its poetry slams, onsite bookstore and social justice programming, the café offers an eclectic menu with oodles of options for vegetarians. O C B R L D G V $$
The Café by Kitchen of Purpose
918 S. Lincoln St., 703-596-1557, kitchenofpur pose.org/cafe. Operated by the nonprofit Kitchen of Purpose (formerly La Cocina VA), this lunch spot serves soups, salads, sandwiches, pastries and Swing’s coffee. L V $
Café Colline
4536 Langston Blvd., 703-567-6615, cafecolline va.com. The cozy French bistro in the Lee Heights Shops satisfies with paté maison, duck confit and chocolate pots de creme. O L D $$
Café Sazón
4704 Columbia Pike, 703-566-1686, cafesazon. com. A homey Bolivian café specializing in dishes such as silpancho and empanadas. B L D V $$
Carbonara
3865 Wilson Blvd., 703-721-3905, carbonarava. com. Savor house-made pastas, eggplant parm, chicken cacciatore and the spirit of Sinatra at chef Mike Cordero’s old-world-meets-modern Italian trattoria. L D V $$$
Caribbean Grill
5183 Langston Blvd., 703-241-8947. Cuban preparations such as jerk-style pork, fried plantains and black bean soup are mainstays. C L D G V $
Carlyle
4000 Campbell Ave., 703-931-0777, greatameri canrestaurants.com/carlyle. The original anchor of Shirlington Village is a reliable pick for fusion fare, happy hour and Sunday brunch.
O C R L D G V $$$
Roggenart
CarPool Beer and Billiards
900 N. Glebe Road, 703-516-7665, gocarpool. com. Mark Handwerger’s garage-themed watering hole has pool, pub grub and an extensive beer list, including “house” suds brewed at sister bar the Board Room. D A $
Cava
1201 Wilson Blvd., 703-652-7880; 4121 Wilson Blvd., 703-310-6791; cava.com. Build your own salad, wrap or bowl, choosing from an array of Greek dips, spreads, proteins and toppings. L D G V $$
The Celtic House Irish Pub & Restaurant 2500 Columbia Pike, 703-746-9644, celtichouse. net. The pub on the Pike serves up pints alongside favorites like corned beef and traditional Irish breakfast. C R L D A $$
Charga Grill
5151 Langston Blvd., 703-988-6063, chargagrill. com. How do you like your chicken? Choose Peruvian, jerk, Tandoori or Pakistani charga or sajii at this flavor-packed eatery and takeout. L D $$
Chase the Submarine
1201 S. Joyce St., 703-865-7829. Subs at this Westpost sandwich shop include meatball, banh mi, and PBJ with potato chips. L V $
Chiko s
4040 Campbell Ave., 571-312-0774, chikodc.com. Fan favorites at this Chinese-Korean joint include cumin lamb stir-fry and double-fried chicken wings. C D G V $$
Circa at Clarendon
3010 Clarendon Blvd., 703-522-3010, circabis tros.com. Bistro fare ranges from salads and small plates to steak frites and wild mushroom pizza. Sit outside if you can. O R L D A G V $$$
Coco B’s
2854 Wilson Blvd., 571-312-7094, lovecocobs. com. The sister to B Live features a rooftop bar, live music, tiki drinks and tropical dishes like ceviche and jerk chicken. Closed Monday and Tuesday. O D A V $$$
Colada Shop
2811 Clarendon Blvd., 571-771-8400, coladashop. com. Hit this colorful Caribbean coffee cafe and bar for beachy vibes, tropical drinks and Cuban-inspired eats. C B R L D V $$
Colony Grill
2800 Clarendon Blvd., 703-682-8300, colonygrill. com. The Stamford, Connecticut-based pizza chain specializes in ultra-thin-crust “bar pies” with a spicy, pepper-infused hot oil topping. L D G V $$
Copperwood Tavern
4021 Campbell Ave., 703-522-8010, copperwood tavern.com. This hunting-and-fishing-themed saloon serves up steaks and chops, draft beers and 30 small-batch whiskeys. O R L D $$$
Cornerstone
2900 Columbia Pike, 703-512-2056, pikecorner stone.com. The menu is heavy on apps and shareables such as wings, nachos and mini skewers,
but you’ll also find salads, burgers and rib-sticking entrees. C O R D A $
Corso Italian
4024 Campbell Ave., 703-933-8787, corsoitalian. com. Find fresh pastas, porchetta and veal chop Milanese at this Italian trattoria, a joint venture of chef Cathal Armstrong and Cheesetique “cheese lady” Jill Erber. Closed Mondays. O L D V $$$
Cowboy Café
4792 Langston Blvd., 703-243-8010, thecowboy cafe.com. Cool your heels and fill up on sandwiches, burgers, brisket and chili mac. An outdoor beer garden features a mural by Arlington artist MasPaz. Live music on weekends. O C R L D V $$
Cracked Eggery
1671 Crystal Drive, crackedeggery.com. Sandwiches on toasted challah include the Abe Froman (sausage, scrambled egg, cheese) and the Inigo Montoya (chorizo, fried egg, pepper-jack and arugula with lemon aioli). C O B R L $
Crush Pizza + Wine
1601 Crystal Drive, crushpizzaandwine.com. Enjoy New York-style pizza, wines by the glass and patio crushers at this al fresco dining spot in National Landing’s Water Park. O L D V $$
Crystal City Sports Pub
529 23rd St. S., 703-521-8215, ccsportspub.com. Open 365 days a year, it’s a sure bet for big-screen TVs, pool tables, trivia and poker nights, beers and bar snacks. C B R L D A G V $$
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■ places to eat
Crystal Thai
4819 First St. N., 703-522-1311, crystalthai.com. A neighborhood go-to for traditional Thai curries, grilled meats and house specialties like roast duck. L D V $$
Dama Restaurant & Cafe
1503 Columbia Pike, 703-920-3559, damapas try.com. The Ethiopian family-owned business includes a breakfast café, market and dining room. B L D V $$
Darna
946 N. Jackson St., 703-988-2373, darnava.com. Grilled kebabs, mezze and traditional Lebanese comfort foods are served in a modern setting. The upstairs is a hookah bar. L D V $$
DC Dosa
1731 Crystal Drive, dcdosa.com. Fill a dosa (lentil crepe) with vegan options such as masala potatoes, eggplant, crispy cauliflower and your choice of chutneys. O L D G V $
Delhi Dhaba Indian Restaurant
2424 Wilson Blvd., 703-524-0008, delhidhaba.com. The best bargain is the “mix and match” platter, which includes tandoori, seafood, a curry dish and a choice of rice or naan. O L D G V $$
Detour Coffee
946 N. Jackson St., 703-988-2378, detourcoffee co.com. This comfy cafe has a college vibe and serves up locally roasted coffee, light bites and weekend brunch. O B R L V $
District Taco
5723 Langston Blvd., 703-237-1204; 1500 Wilson Blvd., 571-290-6854; districttaco.com. A local favorite for tacos and gargantuan burritos. C B L D G V $
Don Tito
3165 Wilson Blvd., 703-566-3113, dontitova.com. Located in a historic building, the sports bar specializes in tacos, tequila and beer, with a rooftop bar. O R L D $$
Dudley’s Sport and Ale
2766 S. Arlington Mill Drive, 571-312-2304, dudleyssportandale.com. A spacious sports bar with wall-to-wall TVs, a roof deck, a ballpark-inspired beer list and weekend brunch. O C R L D A $$
Earl’s Sandwiches
2605 Wilson Blvd., 703-647-9191, earlsinarling ton.com. Made-to-order sandwiches use prime ingredients, like fresh roasted turkey. O B L D G V $ East West Cafe
3101 Wilson Blvd., 571-800-9954, ewcafe.com. The Clarendon cafe serves espresso drinks, brunch (try the massive Turkish breakfast spread), sandwiches, tapas, beer and wine. B L D $ El Paso Café
4235 N. Pershing Drive, 703-243-9811, elpaso cafeva.com. Big portions, big margaritas and bighearted service make this Tex-Mex cantina a local favorite. C L D G V $$ El Pike Restobar 4111 Columbia Pike, 703-521-3010, elpikeresto bar.com. Bolivian dishes satisfy at this no-frills institution. Try the salteñas stuffed with chicken or with beef, olives and hard-boiled egg. L D $ El Pollo Rico
932 N. Kenmore St., 703-522-3220, elpollorico restaurant.com. A local institution, this rotisserie chicken mecca gained even more street cred after a visit from the late Anthony Bourdain. L D V $ El Rey 4201 Wilson Blvd., 571-312-5530, elreyva.com.
The Ballston outpost of the beloved U Street taqueria serves tacos, margs and draft brews in a colorful interior featuring street-art murals by Mike Pacheco. L D A $$
Elevation Burger
2447 N. Harrison St., 703-300-9467, elevationburger. com. Organic, grass-fed beef is ground on the premises, fries are cooked in olive oil and the shakes are made with fresh-scooped ice cream. O L D V $ Eli’s Taqueria
3207 Columbia Pike, 703-663-4777. Dig into beef birria tortas, shrimp tacos and pupusas at this homey spot (a spin-off of the Taqueria La Ceibita food truck) run by Nevi Paredes and his daughter, Yorktown alum Elizabeth Marquez. L D $ Endo Sushi
3000 Washington Blvd., 703-243-7799, endosu shi.com. A neighborly spot for sashimi, teriyaki, donburi and maki. L D V $$
Epic Smokehouse
1330 S. Fern St., 571-319-4001, epicsmoke house.com. Wood-smoked meats and seafood served in a modern setting. O L D G $$$
Falafel Inc.
1631 Crystal Drive, falafelinc.org. Fill a pita or bowl with falafel, pickled veggies and your choice of sauces. The eatery donates a portion of its sales to feed refugees. O L D V $
Federico Ristorante Italiano
519 23rd St., 703-486-0519, federicoristorante italiano.com. Go for pasta and chianti at this trattoria co-owned by Freddie’s Beach Bar proprietor Freddie Lutz. L D V $$
Fettoosh
5100 Wilson Blvd., 703-527-7710. Overstuffed pita sandwiches and kebabs keep the kitchen fired up at this bargain-priced Lebanese and Moroccan restaurant. C R L D G V $
Fire Works
2350 Clarendon Blvd., 703-527-8700, fireworks pizza.com. Enjoy wood-fired pizzas and more than 30 craft beers on tap. You can also build your own pasta dish. O C L D A G V $$
First Down Sports Bar & Grill
4213 Fairfax Drive, 703-465-8888, firstdownsports bar.com. Three cheers for draft beers and snacks ranging from sliders to queso dip. L D A V $$
For Five Coffee Roasters
1735 N. Lynn St.; 2311 Wilson Blvd., 571-257 7219, forfivecoffee.com. This micro roaster serves everything from espresso drinks to espresso martinis, plus breakfast sandwiches, acai bowls, avo toast and “stuffed” cookies. B R L G V $
Four Sisters Grill
3035 Clarendon Blvd., 703-243-9020, foursisters grill.com. A go-to for banh mi sandwiches, papaya salad, spring rolls and noodle dishes. O L D $$
Freddie’s Beach Bar
555 23rd St. S., Arlington, 703-685-0555, freddies beachbar.com. Freddie Lutz’s long-standing “gay, straight-friendly” hangout is always a party, with pink and purple Barbiecore décor, flashy drinks, drag bingo and weekend brunch. Snack on nachos, crab cakes, fried shrimp baskets and chicken wraps. O R D A V $$
Galaxy Hut
2711 Wilson Blvd., 703-525-8646, galaxyhut.com. Pair craft beers with vegan bar foods like “fricken” (fake chicken) sandwich melts and smothered tots with cashew cheese curds. L D A G V $$
Gharer Khabar
5157 Langston Blvd., 703-973-2432, gharerkhabar togo.com. Translated as “home’s food,” this artfilled, 14-seat café serves Bangladeshi fare cooked by chef Nasima Shreen. L D $$
Good Company Doughnuts & Café
672 N. Glebe Road, 703-243-3000; 510 14th St. S., 703-894-1002; gocodough.com. The family- and veteran-owned eatery serves house-made doughnuts, Intelligentsia coffee and savory cafe fare. B L V $$
Good Stuff Eatery
2110 Crystal Drive, 703-415-4663, goodstuff eatery.com. Spike Mendelsohn’s Crystal City outpost offers gourmet burgers (beef, turkey or mushroom), shakes, fries and salads. L D G V $
Grand Cru Wine Bar and Bistro
4301 Wilson Blvd., 703-243-7900, grandcrubistro. com. This intimate European-style café includes a wine shop next door. O R L D G $$$
Green Pig Bistro
1025 N. Fillmore St., 703-888-1920, greenpig bistro.com. Southern-influenced food, craft cocktails, happy hour and brunch draw fans to this congenial neighborhood hideaway. R L D G V $$$
Guajillo
1727 Wilson Blvd., 703-807-0840, guajillo mexican.com. Authentic Mexican dishes such as carne asada, mole poblano and churros are favorites. O C L D G V $$
Guapo’s Restaurant
4028 Campbell Ave., 703-671-1701, guaposres taurant.com. Expect hearty portions of all the TexMex standbys—quesadillas, enchiladas, fajitas, tacos and burritos. O C R L D G V $$
Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ
1119 N. Hudson St., 571-527-0445, gyu-kaku.com. Marinated meats, veggies and seafood are cooked on tabletop grills. L D $$
Gyu San
4300 Wilson Blvd., 571-312-7373, gyusan.com. Go for Japanese barbecue, sushi, soba noodles and saki. L D G $$$
Hal & Al’s BBQ
4238 Wilson Blvd., 703-400-8884, halandals bbq.com. There’s no pork on the menu at this halal ’cue joint. Go for beef brisket, turkey sausage or beef “Dino” ribs rubbed with Old Bay and other spices. L D $$
Hanabi Ramen
3024 Wilson Blvd., 703-351-1275, hanabiramen usa.com. Slurp multiple variations of the namesake noodle dish, plus rice bowls and dumplings. L D $$
Happy Eatery
1800 N. Lynn St., 571-800-1881, thehappy eatery.com. Asian comfort foods are the draw at this Rosslyn food hall from the team behind Roll Play, Lei’d Poke and Chasin’ Tails. L D $$
Haute Dogs
2910 N. Sycamore St., 703-548-3891, hautedogs andfries.com. Cookout fare goes gourmet with hot dog toppings ranging from banh mi with sriracha mayo to a buffalo dog with blue cheese. L D $
Hawkers Asian Street Food
4201 Wilson Blvd., 703-828-8287, eathawkers. com. Satisfy that craving for hot chicken, pork belly bao and other Asian street foods, plus sake, whiskey and zero-proof quaffs. G V L D $$
Heidelberg Pastry Shoppe
2150 N. Culpeper St., 703-527-8394, heidelberg bakery.com. A local favorite for baked goods and
Old Country specialties such as bratwurst and German potato salad. Closed Mondays. B L $
Highline RxR
2010-A Crystal Drive, 703-413-2337, highlinerxr. com. A Crystal City bar offering draft beers, draft wines, a whiskey menu and a retractable wall that opens up in nice weather. O L D A $$
Hot Lola’s
4238 Wilson Blvd. (Ballston Quarter), 1501 Wilson Blvd. (Rosslyn), hotlolas.com. It’s all about Kevin Tien’s Nashville-meets-Sichuan hot chicken sandwiches. L D $
Idido’s Coffee & Social House
1107 S. Walter Reed Drive, 703-253-1576, ididos socialhouse.com. Devotees go for the pastries, sandwiches and Ethiopian coffee. B L V $
Inca Social
1776 Wilson Blvd., 703-488-7640, incasocial.com. Empanadas, saltados, ceviche, sushi and pisco sours round out the menu at this Peruvian cousin to the original in Dunn Loring. R L D G V $$
Ireland’s Four Courts
2051 Wilson Blvd., 703-525-3600, irelandsfour courts.com. Stop in for a pint and an EPL game over an order of fish and chips. C R L D A $$
Istanbul Grill
4617 Wilson Blvd., 571-970-5828, istanbulgrill virginia.com. Feast on Turkish meze and kebabs at this homey spot in Bluemont. L D V $$
The Italian Store s 3123 Langston Blvd., 703-528-6266; 5837 Wash-
ington Blvd., 571-341-1080; italianstore.com. A cultstatus favorite for pizzas, sandwiches, prepared entrées, espresso and gelato. O L D G V $
Kabob Palace
2315 S. Eads St., 703-486-3535, kabobpalaceusa. com. Open 24 hours, this Crystal City storefront serves grilled halal meats, pillowy naan and savory sides. L D A G V $$
Kanji Izakaya
4301 Fairfax Drive, 703-512-0017, kanjiarlington. com. Dive into teriyaki, ramen, yakitori and hibachi dishes, plus traditional and signature sushi rolls. L D G $$
Khun Yai Thai
2509 N. Harrison St., 703-536-1643, khunyaithai va.com. The family-owned restaurant serves “homestyle Thai” cuisine. L D G V $$
King of Koshary
5515 Wilson Blvd., 571-317-7925, kingofkoshary. com. Washington Post critic Tim Carman dubbed its menu “Egyptian food fit for royalty.” Try the hearty namesake dish, grilled branzino, beef kofta, roasted chicken or any of the tagines (stews). L D G $$
Kusshi
1201 S. Joyce St., 571-777-1998, kusshisushi. com. Feast your way through shishito peppers, sushi, oysters and mochi at this Westpost café. Or splurge for omakase. O L D G V $$$
L.A. Bar & Grill
2530 Columbia Pike, 703-685-1560, labargrill.com. Regulars flock to this dive bar on the Pike (L.A.
stands for Lower Arlington) for cold brews and pub fare. D A $$
La Coop Coffee
4807 First St. N., 571-257-7972, lacoopcoffee. com. Stop in for single-origin Guatemalan coffee, house-made horchata, breakfast sammies, empanadas and ice cream. B L $
La Côte D’Or Café
6876 Langston Blvd., 703-538-3033, lcd6876.com. This little French bistro serves standards like crepes and steak frites. O R L D G V $$$
Láylí
3033 Wilson Blvd., 703-512-3094, layligarden.com. Chef Samer Zeitoun’s menu centers on the flavors of Lebanon, Turkey and Greece in dishes such as hand-rolled grape leaves, beef tenderloin shawarma and hummus with duck confit. O R L D $$$
Lebanese Taverna
5900 Washington Blvd., 703-241-8681; 1101 S. Joyce St., Pentagon Row, 703-415-8681; lebanese taverna.com. A hometown favorite for shawarma, kebabs, flatbreads and more. O C L D G V $$
The Liberty Tavern 3195 Wilson Blvd., 703-465-9360, thelibertytavern. com. This Clarendon anchor offers a spirited bar and creative cuisine fueled by two wood-burning ovens. O C R L D A G V $$$
Livin’ the Pie Life 2166 N. Glebe Road, 571-431-7727, livinthepielife. com. The wildly popular pie operation started as an Arlington farmers market stand. B L V $$
■ places to eat
Lost Dog Café
5876 Washington Blvd., 703-237-1552; 2920 Columbia Pike, 703-553-7770; lostdogcafe.com. Known for its pizzas, subs and beer selection, this deli/café supports pet adoption through the Lost Dog and Cat Rescue Foundation. L D G V $$
Lucky Danger
1101 S. Joyce St., Unit B27 (Westpost), luckydanger. co. Chefs Tim Ma and Andrew Chiou put a fresh spin on Chinese American takeout with dishes such as duck fried rice and lo mein. L D V $$
Lyon Hall s
3100 N. Washington Blvd., 703-741-7636, lyonhall arlington.com. The European-style brasserie turns out French, German and Alsatian-inspired plates, from charcuterie and sausages to moules frites. O C R L D A V $$$
Mah-Ze-Dahr
1550 Crystal Drive, 703-718-4418, mahzedahr bakery.com. Café fare at this bright and tempting bakery includes coffee, pastries, focaccia, sandwiches and snacks. O B L D $
Maison Cheryl
2900 Wilson Blvd., 703-664-0509, maisoncheryl. com. Seared duck breast, steak frites and madeleines are among the offerings at this French American bistro. R L D V $$$
Maizal Latin Street Food
4238 Wilson Blvd. (Ballston Quarter), 571-3966500, maizalgrill.com. South American street food—arepas, empanadas, churros. L D V $
Makers Union
1450 S. Eads St., 703-419-3504, makersunionpub. com. Pop in for comfort food (mac ’n’ cheese, Nashville hot chicken, steak frites), creative cocktails and live music several nights a week. R L D G V $$
Mala Tang
3434 Washington Blvd., 703-243-2381, mala-tang. com. Chef Liu Chaosheng brings the tastes and traditions of his hometown, Chengdu, to this eatery specializing in Sichuan hot pot. O L D G V $$
Mario’s Pizza House
3322 Wilson Blvd., 703-525-0222, mariospizza housemenu.com. Open into the wee hours, it’s been cooking up subs, wings and pizza since 1957. O C B L D A $
Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls
4017 Campbell Ave., 571-431-6530, masons lobster.com. Order lobster rolls your way (butter or mayo) at this Shirlington outpost of the Annapolisbased seafood chainlet. L D $$
Mattie and Eddie’s
1301 S. Joyce St., 571-312-2665, mattieand eddies.com. Chef Cathal Armstrong’s Irish pub serves farm-to-table dishes like lobster pot pie, house-cured corned beef, sardines on toast, and Irish breakfast all day. O R L D $$$
Maya Bistro
5649 Langston Blvd., 703-533-7800, bistromaya. com. The family-owned restaurant serves Turkish and Mediterranean comfort food. L D V $$
McNamara’s Pub & Restaurant
567 23rd St. S., 703-302-3760, mcnamaraspub. com. Order a Guinness and some corned beef or fish and chips at this friendly watering hole on Crystal City’s restaurant row. O R L D A $$
Meda Coffee & Kitchen
5037 Columbia Pike, 571-312-0599, medacoffee kitchen.com. A casual café serving coffee, baked goods and traditional Ethiopian dishes like kitfo and tibs. C B L D G V $$
Me Jana
2300 Wilson Blvd., 703-465-4440, mejanarestau rant.com. Named for an old Lebanese folk ballad, this Middle Eastern eatery offers prime peoplewatching in Clarendon. O C L D G V $$
Mele Bistro
1723 Wilson Blvd., 703-522-0284, melebistro.com.
This farm-to-table Mediterranean restaurant cooks with fresh, organic, free-range, regionally sourced, non-GMO ingredients. O R L D G V $$
Metro 29 Diner
4711 Langston Blvd., 703-528-2464, metro29. com. Classic diner fare includes triple-decker sandwiches, mile-high desserts, burgers, roasted chicken and breakfast. C B R L D V $
Mexicali Blues
2933 Wilson Blvd., 703-812-9352, mexicali-blues. com. The colorful landmark dishes out Salvadoran and Mexican chow. O C R L D G V $$
Moby Dick House of Kabob
3000 Washington Blvd., 703-465-1600; 4037
Taco Zocalo
Campbell Ave., 571-257-8214; mobyskabob.com. Satisfy that hankering for Persian skewers and flavorful sides. L D $$
Mpanadas
2602 Columbia Pike, 571-312-0182, mpanadas usa.com. Try barbecue pork and cheeseburger empanadas, birthday cake paletas and java chip macaroons. B L D $
Mussel Bar & Grille
800 N. Glebe Road, 703-841-2337, musselbar.com. Chef Robert Wiedmaier’s Ballston eatery is known for mussels, frites, wood-fired pizza and more than 100 Belgian and craft beers. O L D $$ Nam-Viet
1127 N. Hudson St., 703-522-7110, namvietva.com.
The venerable restaurant in what was once Arlington’s “Little Saigon” neighborhood specializes in flavors of Vietnam’s Can Tho region. O L D V $$ Nighthawk Pizza
1201 S. Joyce St., nighthawkpizza.com. Visit this Westpost brewpub and sports bar for personal pizzas (both thick and thin crust), beer and smashburgers. L D V $$
NiHao
1550 Crystal Drive, 703-512-4109, nihaoarlington. com. Sichuan small plates by chef Peter Chang include walnut shrimp, spicy dry-fried eggplant, and pork ribs with fries. Enjoy cocktails made with baijiu, a Chinese liquor, or tea-infused whiskey.
O L D G V $$
Northside Social Coffee & Wine s
3211 Wilson Blvd., 703-465-0145, northsidesocial va.com. Tucked inside a red house on the edge of Clarendon, the two-story coffee and wine bar with a big patio is always busy...which tells you something. O B L D V $$
Ocean Shack
2163 N. Glebe Road, 703-488-7161, oceanshack arlington.com. Dig into a seafood boil, a fried oyster basket or an order of fish tacos and pretend you’re at the beach. R L D A $$
Oh K-Dog
4238 Wilson Blvd. (Ballston Quarter), 703-5673376, ohkdog.com. Try a fried Korean rice dog with add-ins like sweet potato, cheddar or squid ink. L D $
Old Dominion Pizza Co.
4514 Langston Blvd., 703-718-6372, olddominion pizza.com. Order thin crust or “grandma style” pies named after local high school mascots. L D G $
Open Road
1201 Wilson Blvd., 703-248-0760, openroadgrill. com. A solid pick for burgers and beers or a proper entrée and a craft cocktail. O L D $$
Origin Coffee Lab & Kitchen
1101 S. Joyce St., 703-567-7295, origincoffeeco. com. The industrial-chic coffee shop roasts its own beans and serves all-day breakfast, bar munchies and dinner plates. O B R L D V $$
Osteria da Nino
2900 S. Quincy St. (Village at Shirlington), 703820-1128, osteriadaninova.com. For those days when you’re craving a hearty portion of spaghetti and clams, or gnocci with pesto. O D G V $$$
O’Sullivan’s Irish Pub
3207 Washington Blvd., 703-812-0939, osullivans irishpub.com. You’ll find owner and County Kerry native Karen O’Sullivan behind the bar, pouring pints and cracking jokes. L D A $$
Our Mom Eugenia
4044 Campbell Ave., 571-970-0468, ourmom eugenia.com. See Falls Church listing. L D $$
Padaek
2931 S. Glebe Road, 703-888-2890, padaekdc. com. Chef Seng Luangrath’s kitchen in Arlington Ridge turns out Lao, Thai and Burmese fare—satay, curries and noodle dishes. O L D G V $$
Palette 22
4053 Campbell Ave., 703-746-9007, palette22.com. The Shirlington gallery-café specializes in international small plates and is a hoppin’ brunch spot. O R L D V $$
Peking Pavilion
2912 N. Sycamore St., 703-237-6868. This family-owned restaurant serves standbys such as moo shu pork and beef with broccoli. L D $$
Peruvian Brothers
1450 S. Eads St., 703-625-6473, peruvianbroth ers.com. Dig into sandwiches (try the chicharron with pork, sweet potato and salsa criolla), saltados, empanadas, rotisserie chicken and power bowls. Grab a bottle of hot sauce to take home. L D V $
Peter Chang Arlington
2503-E N. Harrison St., 703-538-6688, peterchang arlington.com. The former Chinese Embassy chef brings his fiery and flavorful Sichuan cooking to the Lee Harrison Shopping Center. C L D $$ Pho 75
1721 Wilson Blvd., 703-525-7355, pho75.res taurantwebexpert.com. Purported to have curative properties, the piping-hot soup at this local institution is all about fresh ingredients. O L D V $
PhoWheels
1731 Crystal Drive, phowheelsdc.com. The popu lar food truck serving Vietnamese pho and banh mi now has a kiosk at Water Park. O L D G $ Pie-tanza
2503-B N. Harrison St., 703-237-0200, pie-tanza. com. Enjoy pizza (including gluten-free options), cal zones, lasagna, subs and salads. C L D G V Pines of Florence
2109 N. Pollard St., 703-566-0456, pinesofflor encearlingtonva.com. The classics include linguine with pesto, veal parm and chicken cacciatore, plus housemade pizza and subs. L D V $$
Pirouette Café & Wine Shop
4000 Fairfax Drive, pirouette.cafe. Pair your favor ite vino with cheese, whole roasted fish, a pork cutlet for two and other enticing plates at this Ballston cafe and wine shop. L D G V $$
Poppyseed Rye
cooks.com. Grab a fried chicken sandwich and a side of duck fat fries at chef Rock Harper’s kiosk in the Water Park at National Landing. O L D $
Quincy Hall
4001 Fairfax Drive, 703-567-4098, quincyhallbar. com. Go for pints, meatballs and New York-style pizza at this spacious beer hall in Ballston. L D $ Quinn’s on the Corner 1776 Wilson Blvd., 703-640-3566, quinnsonthe corner.com. Irish and Belgian favorites such as mussels, steak frites, and bangers and mash, plus draft beers and a big whiskey selection. B R L D A $$
Ragtime 1345 N. Courthouse Road, 703-243-4003, ragtime restaurant.com. Savor a taste of the Big Easy in offerings such as jambalaya, catfish, spiced shrimp and oysters. There’s a waffle and omelet bar every Sunday. O R L D A V $$
Rasa 2200 Crystal Drive, 703-888-0925, rasagrill.com. Build a bowl with options like basmati rice, chicken tikka, lamb, pickled vegetables, lentils, chutneys and yogurt sauces. O L D G V $
Ravi Kabob House 350 N. Glebe Road, 703-522-6666; 250 N. Glebe Road, 703-816-0222. Curries, kebabs and delectably spiced veggies keep this strip-mall café plenty busy. C L D V $$
818 N. Quincy St., poppyseedrye.com. Pick up sandwiches, biscuits, salads, flower bouquets and gift items (beer and wine, too). O r L D G V $
Pupatella s
5104 Wilson Blvd.; 1621 S. Walter Reed Drive, 571-312-7230, pupatella.com. Enzo and Anastasiya Algarme’s authentic Neapolitan pies are considered among D.C.’s best. O L D V $$
Pupuseria Doña Azucena
71 N. Glebe Road, 703-248-0332, pupuseriadona azucena.com. Beans, rice and massive pupusas at dirt-cheap prices. C L D V $
Quarterdeck
1200 Fort Myer Drive, 703-528-2722, quarterdeck arlington.com. This beloved shack has served up steamed crabs for 40 years. O C L D V $$
Queen Mother’s Kitchen 1601 Crystal Drive, 703-997-8474, queenmother
The Renegade 3100 Clarendon Blvd., 703-468-4652, renegadeva. Serving
www.sushizen.com
■ places to eat
com. Is it a coffee shop, restaurant, bar or live music venue? All of the above—with snacks ranging from lambchop lollipops to lo mein. B L D A $$
Rhodeside Grill
1836 Wilson Blvd., 703-243-0145, rhodeside grill.com. Find chops, meatloaf, burgers and po’boys accompanied by every kind of hot sauce imaginable. O C R L D A V $$
Rice Crook
4238 Wilson Blvd. (Ballston Quarter), ricecrook.com. Korean-inspired rice bowls, salads and wraps made with locally sourced meats and produce. L D $$
Rien Tong Asian Bistro
3131 Wilson Blvd., 703-243-8388, rientong.com. The large menu includes Thai and Chinese standards, plus sushi. L D V $$
Rocklands Barbeque and Grilling Co. s 3471 Washington Blvd., 703-528-9663, rocklands. com. Owner John Snedden has been slow-cooking barbecue at this Arlington favorite since 1990.
O C L D G V $
Roggenart European Bakery, Bistro & Café 4401 Wilson Blvd., 703-721-3182, roggenart.com. Stop in for breakfast, coffee, pastries and sandwiches on house-baked bread. B R L D V $$
Ruffino’s Spaghetti House
4763 Langston Blvd., 703-528-2242, ruffinosarling ton.com. Fill up on classics such as veal Parmigiana and chicken piccata. C L D V $$
RusUz
1000 N. Randolph St., 571-312-4086, rusuz.com. The family-run bistro serves hearty Russian and Uzbek dishes such as borscht, beef stroganoff and plov—a rice pilaf with lamb. L D $$
Ruthie’s All-Day s
3411 Fifth St. S., 703-888-2841, ruthiesallday. com. Chef Matt Hill’s “meat and three” serves up wood-smoked proteins with creative sides like crispy Brussels sprouts with fish sauce vinaigrette. Breakfast (with house-made biscuits) offered daily. O B R L D G V $$
Ryu Izakaya
3030 Columbia Pike, 703-399-9052. A spot on the Pike for sushi, sake and yakitori. L D G $$
Sabores Tapas Bar
2401 Columbia Pike, 571-970-1253, saboresva. com. Dig into ceviche, lomo saltado and classic gambas al ajillo at this tapas bar on the Pike. R L D G V $$
Saigon Noodles & Grill
1800 Wilson Blvd., 703-566-5940, saigonnoodles grill.com. Traditional Vietnamese pho, banh mi and noodle dishes round out the offerings at this restaurant and takeout owned by Jovian Ho. L D $$
Sakaki Izakaya
3227 Washington Blvd., 703-718-4931. Try mini “sushi burgers,” Wagyu fried rice and the dazzling Egg on Egg dish (king salmon, quail egg, ikura and wasabi soy in a smoking bowl). Closed Tuesdays. L D A G $$
Salt s
1201 Wilson Blvd., 703-875-0491, saltrosslyn.com. The speakeasy-style cocktail bar serves cheese plates and carpaccio, classic sazeracs and old-fashioneds, as well as nouveau craft cocktails. D $$
The Salt Line s
4040 Wilson Blvd., 703-566-2075, thesaltline.com. Hit this seafood-centric oyster bar for clam chowder, lobster rolls, stuffies, smashburgers and fun cocktails. c O R D $$$
Samuel Beckett’s Irish Gastro Pub
2800 S. Randolph St., 703-379-0122, samuel becketts.com. A modern Irish pub serving Emerald Isle recipes. O C R L D A G V $$
Santé
1250 S. Hayes St. (inside the Ritz-Carlton), 703412-2762, meetatsante.com. Mediterranean fare includes shrimp saganaki, whole roasted branzino and lamb “osso bucco.” B R L D G V $$$
Sawatdee Thai Restaurant
2250 Clarendon Blvd., 703-243-8181, sawatdeeva. com. The friendly eatery (its name means “hello”) is frequented by those craving pad thai or pad prik king. L D V $$
Screwtop Wine Bar and Cheese Shop
1025 N. Fillmore St., 703-888-0845, screwtop winebar.com. The congenial wine bar and bottle shop offers tastings, wine classes, and small plates for sharing and pairing. O C R L D G V $$
Seamore’s
2815 Clarendon Blvd., 703-721-3384, seamores. com. Dine on sustainably sourced seafood, from clams and mussels to arctic char and yellowfin tuna. Brunch on weekends. O R L D G V $$$
Seoulspice
1735 N. Lynn St., 703-419-5868, seoulspice.com. Korean fast-casual comfort food, anyone? L D G V $
SER
1110 N. Glebe Road, 703-746-9822, ser-restau rant.com. Traditional Spanish and Basque dishes in a colorful, friendly space with outstanding service. O R L D V $$$
Sfoglina Pasta House
1100 Wilson Blvd., sfoglinapasta.com/rosslyn. Fabio Trabocchi’s urbane trattoria serves housemade pasta (you can watch it being made), a “mozzarella bar” and Italian cocktails. Closed Sundays. O L D V $$$
Silver Diner
4400 Wilson Blvd., 703-812-8600, silverdiner. com. The kitchen cooks with organic ingredients, many of which are sourced from local suppliers. Low-calorie and gluten-free menu choices available. O C B R L D A G V $$
Skydome
300 Army Navy Drive, 703-416-3862, hilton.com. Savor craft cocktails, Mediterranean-influenced dishes and views of the D.C. skyline in this revolving restaurant atop the DoubleTree Hilton in Crystal City. Closed Sunday and Monday. D G V $$$
Sloppy Mama’s Barbeque
5731 Langston Blvd., 703-269-2718, sloppyma mas.com. Joe and Mandy Neuman’s barbecue joint offers wood-smoked meats galore, plus pimento cheese, hearty sides and banana pudding for dessert. O B R L D V $$
Smokecraft Modern Barbecue
1051 N. Highland St., 571-312-8791, smokecraft bbq.com. Every menu item here is kissed by smoke, from ribs, crabcakes and spaghetti squash to the chocolate cherry bread pudding on the dessert list. O L D G V $$
Snouts & Stouts
2709 S. Oakland St., 571-317-2239, snouts nstouts.com. Grab a beer and some pulled-pork pretzel bites with beer cheese while your pup runs around this indoor dog park and bar. L D $
Soul Thai Kitchen & Bar
6035 Wilson Blvd., 703-300-9655, soulthaikitchen andbar.com. The restaurant in the former Meridian
Pint space serves curries, noodle dishes and other Thai classics. L D G V $
South Block
3011 11th St. N., 703-741-0266; 1550 Wilson Blvd., 703-465-8423; 4150 Wilson Blvd., 703-4658423; 2121 N. Westmoreland St., 703-534-1542; 1350 S. Eads St., 703-465-8423; southblock.com. Cold-pressed juices, smoothies and acai bowls.
O B L V $
Sparrow Room
1201 S. Joyce St., 571-451-7030, sparrowroom. com. Scott Chung’s back-room mahjong parlor presents dim sum and Chinese-inspired craft cocktails in a sultry setting. Open Thursday through Sunday, 5-11 p.m. D $$
Spice Kraft Indian Bistro
1135 N. Highland St., 703-527-5666, spicekraft va.com. This contemporary concept by restaurateurs Anthony Sankar and Premnath Durairaj gives Indian classics a modern spin. O L D $$
Spider Kelly’s
3181 Wilson Blvd., 703-312-8888, spiderkellys.com. The “come as you are” bar offers a sizable beer list, creative cocktails, salads, burgers, snacks and breakfast at all hours. C D A G V $$
Stellina Pizzeria
2800 S. Randolph St., 703-962-7884, stellina pizzeria.com. Pay a visit for Neapolitan pies, fried artichokes and a deli counter with house-made pastas, sauces and dolci to take home. O R L D $$
Supreme Hot Pot
2301 Columbia Pike, 571-666-1801, supreme hotpot.kwickmenu.com. This Pike eatery specializes in Szechuan hot pot, skewered meats and a few Cajun seafood dishes. D G $$
Surreal
2117 Crystal Drive, surrealpark.com. Find playful dishes like a foot-long Boomdog, “swirl” pancakes and old-fashioneds made with cornflake-infused whiskey at chef Enrique Limardo’s all-day diner in National Landing. O B L D $$
Sushi Rock
1900 Clarendon Blvd., 571-312-8027, sushirockva. com. Play a little air guitar while sampling sushi rolls and beverages named after your favorite bands, from Zeppelin to Ozzy to Oasis. D A G V $$
Sushi-Zen Japanese Restaurant
2457 N. Harrison St., 703-534-6000, sushizen. com. An amicable, light-filled neighborhood stop for sushi, donburi, tempura and udon. C L D V $$
Sweetgreen
4075 Wilson Blvd., 703-522-2016; 3100 Clarendon Blvd., 571-290-3956; 575 12th Road S., 703-8881025; 2200 Crystal Drive, 703-685-9089; sweet green.com. Locally grown ingredients and compostable cutlery make this salad and yogurt chain a hub for the green-minded. O C L D G V $
Sweet Leaf
2200 Wilson Blvd., 703-525-5100; 800 N. Glebe Road, 703-522-5000; 650 N. Quincy St., 703527-0807; sweetleafcafe.com. Build your own sandwiches and salads. O C B L D $$
Taco Bamba s
4000 Wilson Blvd., 571-777-1477; 4041 Campbell Ave., 571-257-3030; tacobamba.com. Taco options range from classic carnitas to cheffy creations like the El Rico Pollo, stuffed with chicken, green chili, aji Amarillo aioli and crispy potato. B L D V $
Taco Rock
1501 Wilson Blvd., 571-775-1800, thetacorock. com. This rock-themed watering hole keeps the Mi-
cheladas flowing alongside tacos on housemade blue-corn tortillas. B L D V $$
Taqueria el Poblano
2503-A N. Harrison St., 703-237-8250, taqueria poblano.com. Fresh guacamole, fish tacos, margaritas and mole verde transport patrons to the Yucatan. C L D G V $$
Tatte Bakery and Café
2805 Clarendon Blvd., 571-312-8691, tattebakery. com. Grab a breakfast sandwich, tartine, panini or grain bowl from the all-day menu, or keep it simple with a coffee and pastry. O B R L D G V $
Ted’s Bulletin & Sidekick Bakery
4238 Wilson Blvd. #1130 (Ballston Quarter), 703848-7580, tedsbulletin.com. The retro comfort food and all-day breakfast place has healthier fare, too— which you can undo with a visit to its tantalizing bakery next door. C B R L D G V $$
Texas Jack’s Barbecue
2761 Washington Blvd., 703-875-0477, txjacks.com. Brisket, ribs and pulled pork, plus sides like raw carrot salad and smashed cucumbers. O L D A $$
T.H.A.I. in Shirlington
4209 Campbell Ave., 703-931-3203, thaiinshirling ton.com. Pretty dishes include lemongrass salmon with black sticky rice. O L D G V $$$
Thai Noy
5880 Washington Blvd., 703-534-7474, thainoy.com. Shimmering tapestries and golden Buddhas are the backdrop in this destination for Thai noodles, curries and rice dishes. L D $$
Thai Square
3217 Columbia Pike, 703-685-7040, thaisquarerestaurant.com. Enjoy options ranging from crispy squid with basil and roasted duck curry to pig knuckle stew. O L D G V $$
Tiger Dumplings
3225 Washington Blvd., 571-970-4512, tiger dumplings.com. There are dumplings, of course, plus five-spice beef, roast duck and vegan options like tofu skin with peanuts. L D G V $$
Tiki Thai
1651 Crystal Drive, tikithai.com. Order up a round of tiki drinks, crispy Thai spring rolls and khao soi noodles. O L D $$
TNR Cafe
2049 Wilson Blvd., 571-217-0766, tnrcafe.com. When you have a hankering for Peking duck, moo shu chicken, Szechuan beef or bubble tea. L D G V $$
Toby’s Homemade Ice Cream
5849-A Washington Blvd., 703-536-7000; 510 14th St. S.; tobysicecream.com. Stop in for cups, cones, floats and sundaes. Coffee, pastries and bagels available in the morning. B L D V $ Tortas Y Tacos La Chiquita
2911 Columbia Pike, 571-970-2824, tortasytacosla chiquita.com. The beloved eatery that started as a food truck does tacos, alambres, huarache platters, flautas and more. B L D $
Trade Roots
5852 Washington Blvd., 571-335-4274, fairtrade roots.com. The Westover gift shop and cafe serves fair-trade coffee, tea, pastries, salads, organic wine and snackable small plates. O B L $
Troy’s Italian Kitchen
2710 Washington Blvd., 703-528-2828, troysitalian kitchen.com. Palak and Neel Vaidya’s mom-andpop serves pizza, pasta and calzones, including a lengthy vegan menu with options like “chicken” tikka masala pizza. L D G V $
True Food Kitchen s
4238 Wilson Blvd. (Ballston Quarter), 703-5270930, truefoodkitchen.com. Emphasizing “anti-inflammatory” fare, the menu will convince you that healthy tastes good. O L D G V $$
Tupelo Honey Café
1616 N. Troy St., 703-253-8140, tupelohoneycafe. com. The Southern fusion menu includes dishes like roasted snapper with sweet potato and farro. C R L D $$
Turu’s by Timber Pizza
4238 Wilson Blvd. (Ballston Quarter), timber pizza.com. Neapolitan(ish)-style pizzas fresh from a wood-fired oven. L D V $$
Uncle Julio’s Rio Grande Café
4301 N. Fairfax Drive, 703-528-3131, unclejulios. com. Tex-Mex highlights include mesquite-grilled fajitas, tacos and margaritas. O C R L D $$$
UnCommon Luncheonette
1028 N. Garfield St., 571-210-0159, uncommon luncheonette.com. The comfort fare at this Manhattan-style diner includes biscuits and gravy, poutine and Nashville hot chicken sandwiches. B L $$
Upside on Moore
1700 N. Moore St., upsideonmoore.com. Rosslyn’s newest food hall includes DMV concepts Ghostburger, Stellina Pizzeria, Lucky Danger, Laoban Dumplings and a rotating roster of pop-ups.
L D G V $$
Urban Tandoor
801 N. Quincy St., 703-567-1432, utandoorva.com. Sate your appetite with Indian and Nepalese fare, from tandoori lamb to Himalayan momos (dumplings). Lunch buffet daily. L D V $$
Variedades Catrachas Restaurant
3709 Columbia Pike, 703-888-0906, variedades catrachas.com. The Latin fare at this nearly 24-hour homey Honduran eatery includes huevos rancheros, pupusas, carne asada, fried fish with plantains, cervezas, tequila drinks and horchata. B L D A G V $
Water Bar
1601 Crystal Drive, nlwaterbar.com. The succinct menu at this sleek oyster and cocktail bar overlooking National Landing’s Water Park includes salads, sandwiches and sharable seafood dishes.
O L D G V $$
Weenie Beenie
2680 Shirlington Road, 703-671-6661, weenie beenie.net. The hot dog stand founded in 1954 is still serving half smokes, bologna-and-egg sandwiches and pancakes. B L D $
Westover Market & Beer Garden 5863 N. Washington Blvd., 703-536-5040, westo vermarketbeergarden.com. It’s a hive for burgers, draft microbrews and live music. O C L D A $$
Westover Taco
5849 Washington Blvd., 703-297-3030, westover taco.com. Tacos, guac, margs and beer keep things casual at this neighborhood hangout. L D V A $
Which Wich
4300 Wilson Blvd., 703-566-0058, whichwich.com.
A seemingly endless menu of sandwiches and wraps with more than 60 toppings. O B L D V $$
Whino
4238 Wilson Blvd., 571-290-3958, whinova.com.
Part restaurant/bar and part art gallery, this latenight spot features cocktails, shareable plates, brunch, street-art murals and “low brow” art exhibits. R L D A $$
Your Hometown Barbeque Since 1990 3471 Washington Blvd., Arlington, VA 22201 | 703-528-9663 www.rocklands.com
703-888-0845
BALLSTON LOCAL
William Jeffrey’s Tavern
2301 Columbia Pike, 703-746-6333, william jeffreystavern.com. This pub on the Pike features Prohibition-era wall murals and mixes a mean martini. O C R L D A G V $$
Wilson Hardware
2915 Wilson Boulevard, 703-527-4200, wilson hardwareva.com. Order a boozy slushy and head to the whimsical roof deck. The menu includes small plates, burgers and entrées like steak frites and duck confit. O R L D A G V $$$
Ya Hala Bistro
5216 Wilson Blvd., yahalabistrolounge.com. Enjoy shawarma, kabobs and traditional mezze at this cocktail and hookah lounge in Bluemont.
L D A G V $$
Yayla Bistro
2201 N. Westmoreland St., 703-533-5600, yayla bistro.com. A cozy little spot for Turkish small plates, flatbreads and seafood. Pita wraps available for lunch only. O C L D $$
■ places to eat
Yume Sushi
2121 N. Westmoreland St., 703-269-5064, yume sushiva.com. East Falls Church has a destination for sushi, omakase (chef’s tasting menu) and a sake bar with craft cocktails. L D V G $$$
FALLS CHURCH
2941 Restaurant 2941 Fairview Park Drive, 703-270-1500, 2941. com. French chef Bertrand Chemel’s sanctuary-like spot offers beautifully composed seasonal dishes and expert wine pairings. C L D V $$$$
Abay Market Ethiopian Food
3811-A S. George Mason Drive, 703-820-7589, abaymarketethiopian.com. The seasoned grassfed raw beef dish kitfo is the specialty at this friendly, six-table Ethiopian café. L D $$ Al Jazeera
3813-D S. George Mason Drive, 703-379-2733. The top seller at this Yemeni cafe is oven-roasted lamb with yellow rice. L D $$
Alta Strada
2911 District Ave. (Mosaic District), 703-2800000, altastrada.com. Chef Michael Schlow’s menu includes house-made pastas, pizza and modern Italian small plates. R L D $$$
Anthony’s Restaurant
3000 Annandale Road, 703-532-0100, www.an thonysrestaurantva.com. The family-owned diner serves standbys like spaghetti, pizza, gyros and subs, plus breakfast on weekends. R L D V $$ B Side
8298 Glass Alley (Mosaic District), 703-676-3550, bsidecuts.com. Nathan Anda’s charcuterie, smashburgers and beef-fat fries steal the show at this cozy bar adjoining Red Apron Butcher. L D $$
Badd Pizza
346 W. Broad St., 703-237-2233, baddpizza.com. Order a Buffalo-style “cup-and-char” pepperoni pie and a “baddbeer” IPA, locally brewed by Lost Rhino Brewing Co. L D $$
Bakeshop
100 E. Fairfax St., 703-533-0002, bakeshopva.com. See Arlington listing. B V $
Balqees Restaurant
5820 Seminary Road, 703-379-0188, balqeesva. com. The Lebanese and Yemeni specialties include lamb in saffron rice, saltah (a vegetarian stew) and saffron cake with crème anglaise. O L D V $$
Bamian
5634 Leesburg Pike, 703-820-7880, bamianres taurant.com. Try Afghan standards like palau (seasoned lamb with saffron rice) and aushak (scallion dumpling topped with yogurt, meat sauce and mint). C L D V $$
Bartaco
2920 District Ave. (Mosaic District), 571-549-8226, bartaco.com. See Arlington listing. L D V A $$
Bing & Bao
7505 Leesburg Pike, 703-734-0846, bingandbao. com. Chinese street foods are the main attraction at this fast-casual eatery. Founders Rachel Wang and Mark Shen hail from Tianjin, China. L D V $
Caboose Commons
2918 Eskridge Road (Mosaic District), 703-6638833, caboosebrewing.com. The microbrewery has a hopping patio. Order house brews and creative eats, from wings and fried pickles to plant-based buddha bowls. O L D V A $$
Café Kindred
450 N. Washington St., 571-327-2215, cafe kindred.com. Pop in for a yogurt parfait, avocado toast, grilled eggplant sandwich, or an espresso fizz. B R L V $$
Celebrity Delly
7263-A Arlington Blvd., 703-573-9002, celebrity deliva.com. Matzo-ball soup, Reubens and tuna melts satisfy at this New York-style deli founded in 1975. Brunch served all day Saturday and Sunday. C B L D G V $
Chasin’ Tails
944 W. Broad St., 571-777-9596, chasintailsss. com. The Viet-Cajun menu includes crawfish boils,
Sushi Rock
char-broiled kimchi oysters and scallop crudo with citrus vinaigrette. L D $$
Chay Restaurant
6531 Columbia Pike, 571-378-1771, chayrestau rant.com. A destination for vegetarian hot pot, spring rolls, noodles and other plant-based Vietnamese specialties. L D G V $
Clare & Don’s Beach Shack
130 N. Washington St., 703-532-9283, clareand dons.com. Go coastal with fish tacos, coconut chicken or one of the many meatless options, and maybe catch some live outdoor music. Closed Mondays. O C L D A G V $$
Colada Shop
2920 District Ave., 703-962-3002, coladashop. com. The Mosaic District “cafecito” attached to Bloomie’s hits the spot with empanadas, Cuban sandwiches, strong coffee and vacation-y cocktails. O B R L D V $$
District Dumplings
2985 District Ave. (Mosaic District), 703-884-7080, districtdumplings.com. Asian-style dumplings, sandwiches and wraps. L D $$
District Taco
5275-C Leesburg Pike, 571-699-0660, district taco.com. See Arlington listing. C B L D G V $
Dogwood Tavern
132 W. Broad St., 703-237-8333, dogwoodtav ern.com. The menu has something for everyone, from ancient grain Buddha bowls to jambalaya, burgers and coconut-curry salmon.
O C R L D A V $$
Dominion Wine & Beer
107 Rowell Court, 703-533-3030, dominionwine andbeer.com. Pairings come easy when a café shares its space with a wine and beer shop. Order up a plate of sliders, a cheese board or some Dragon shrimp to snack on while you imbibe.
O R L D V $$
Duangrat’s
5878 Leesburg Pike, 703-820-5775, duangrats. com. Waitresses in traditional silk dresses glide through the dining room bearing fragrant curries and grilled meats at this long-standing destination for Thai cuisine. O R L D V $$
El Tio Tex-Mex Grill
7630 Lee Highway, 703-204-0233, eltiogrill.com. A family-friendly spot for fajitas, enchiladas, lomo saltado, combo plates and margaritas. O L D $$
Elephant Jumps Thai Restaurant 8110-A Arlington Blvd., 703-942-6600, elephant jumps.com. Creative and comforting Thai food in an intimate strip-mall storefront. L D G V $$
Elevation Burger
442 S. Washington St., 703-237-4343, elevation burger.com. See Arlington listing. O L D V $
Ellie Bird s
125 Founders Ave., 703-454-8894, elliebirdva. com. From the owners of D.C.’s Michelin-starred Rooster & Owl, a neighborly place serving cheffy dishes such as kimchi bouillabaisse, octopus ceviche and braised lamb shank alongside kid-friendly fare. c o D G V $$$
The Falls Restaurant & Bar
370 W. Broad St., 703-237-8227, thefallsva.com. Dig into crabcakes, clever salads and other seasonal dishes in the restaurant formerly known as Liberty Barbecue. But don’t worry, Liberty fans: The fried chicken and brisket are still on the menu. O R L D G V $$$
Fava Pot
7393 Lee Highway, 703-204-0609, favapot.com. Visit Dina Daniel’s restaurant, food truck and catering operation for Egyptian eats such as stewed fava beans with yogurt and lamb shanks with okra. And oh the bread! B L D G V $$
First Watch
5880 Leesburg Pike, 571-977-1096, firstwatch. com. Popular dishes at this breakfast and lunch café include eggs Benedict, lemon-ricotta pancakes, housemade granola, power bowls and avocado toast. O C B R L V $$
Godfrey’s Bakery & Café
421 W. Broad St., 571-378-1144, godfreysbakery cafe.com. Pop in for breakfast sandwiches, housebaked breads and pastries, grazing boards, Romanstyle pizza and Illy coffee drinks. B R L D V $$
Haandi Indian Cuisine 1222 W. Broad St., 703-533-3501, haandi.com. The perfumed kebabs, curries and biryani incorporate northern and southern Indian flavors. L D V G $$
Harvey’s
513 W. Broad St., 540-268-6100, harveysva.com. Chef Thomas Harvey’s casual café brings roasted chicken, beer-cheese cheesesteaks, banana splits and other comfort fare to the City of Falls Church. O C B R L D V $$
Hong Kong Palace
6387 Seven Corners Center, 703-532-0940, hong kongpalacedelivery.com. This kitchen caters to both ex-pat and American tastes with an enormous menu of options. C L D $$
Hong Kong Pearl Seafood Restaurant
6286 Arlington Blvd., 703-237-1388. Two words: dim sum. L D A V $$
Huong Viet 6785 Wilson Blvd., 703-538-7110, huong-viet. com. Spring rolls, roasted quail and shaky beef are faves at this cash-only Eden Center eatery. C L D G V $$
Ireland’s Four Provinces
105 W. Broad St., 703-534-8999, 4psva.com. The family-friendly tavern in the heart of Falls Church City serves pub food and Irish specialties. O C B R L D $$
Jinya Ramen Bar
2911 District Ave. (Mosaic District), 571-3272256, jinyaramenbar.com. Embellish your tonkotsu or umami-miso broth with more than a dozen toppings and add-ins. O L D A V $$
JV’s Restaurant
6666 Arlington Blvd., 703-241-9504, jvsrestaurant. com. A dive bar (the best kind) known for its live music, cold beer and home-cooked meatloaf, lasagna and chili. L D A V $$
Kirby Club
2911 District Ave., 571-430-3650, kirbyclub. com. From the owners of D.C.’s Michelin-starred Mayd¯an, a lively kebab concept (with a great bar) that allows diners to mix-and-match proteins, dips and sauces. R D V $$
Koi Koi Sushi & Roll
450 W. Broad St., 703-237-0101, koikoisushi. com. The sushi is fresh and the vibe is fun. Teriyaki, tempura and bento boxes round out the menu. O L D $$
Kreole
2985 District Ave., 571-378-1721, kreoleseafood. com. Love seafood? Choose your preferred catch, pick a sauce and a spice level, and then pile on
add-ons like sausage, ramen noodles or Old Bay fries. Or dig into a pile of steamed crabs. D $$
Lantern House Viet Bistro
1067 West Broad St., 703-268-2878, lantern houseva.com. Satisfy that craving for pho, noodles and banh mi at this family-owned Vietnamese eatery. L D G V $$
Lazy Mike’s Delicatessen
7049 Leesburg Pike, 703-532-5299, lazymikes deli.com. A Falls Church institution churning out homemade ice cream, packed sandwiches and breakfast faves. O C B R L D G V $
La Tingeria
626 S. Washington St., 571-316-6715. A popular food truck in Arlington since 2012, David Peña’s concept also has a brick-and-mortar location in Falls Church. The queso birria tacos are a must. Open Wednesday-Sunday. L D $
Little Saigon Restaurant
6218-B Wilson Blvd., 703-536-2633, littlesaigon restaurant.us. Authentic Vietnamese in a no-frills setting. O L D $$
Loving Hut
2842 Rogers Drive, 703-942-5622; lovinghut fallschurch.com. The Vietnamese-inspired vegan eatery offers menu items like rice vermicelli with barbecued soy protein and clay pot rice with vegan “ham.” L D G V $$
MacMillan Whisky Room
2920 District Ave. (Mosaic District), 240-994-3905, themacmillan.com. More than 200 kinds of spirits are offered in tasting flights. The food menu includes U.K. and American pub standards. O R L D $$
Mark’s Duck House
6184-A Arlington Blvd., 703-532-2125. Though named for its specialty—Peking duck—it also offers plenty of other tantalizing options, such as short ribs, roasted pork and dim sum. R L D A V $$
Meaza Restaurant
5700 Columbia Pike, 703-820-2870, meazares taurant.com. Well-seasoned legumes and marinated beef are signatures in this vivid Ethiopian banquet hall. O C L D G V $$
Met Khao
6395 Seven Corners Center, 703-533-9480, padaekdc.com. Chef Seng Luangrath has transformed the former Padaek space into a fast-casual eatery serving Thai and Laotian fare. L D G V $ Miu Kee
6653 Arlington Blvd., 703-237-8884. Open late, this strip-mall hideaway offers Cantonese, Sichuan and Hunan dishes. L D A $$
Moby Dick House of Kabob 444 W. Broad St., 703-992-7500, mobyskabob.com. See Arlington listing. L D $$
Mom & Pop
2909 District Ave. (Mosaic District), 703-9920050, dolcezzagelato.com. The little glass cafe serves light fare, snacks, gelato, coffee, beer and wine. O B R L D A $$
Nhu Lan Sandwich
6763 Wilson Blvd., 703-532-9009, nhulancafe.com. This tiny Vietnamese deli at Eden Center is a favorite for banh mi sandwiches. L D V $
Northside Social Falls Church s 205 Park Ave., 703-992-8650, northsidesocial va.com. Come by in the morning for a breakfast sandwich and a latte. Return in the evening for a glass of wine and a plate of charcuterie, or a woodfired pizza. O B L D V $$
■ places to eat
Nue
944 W. Broad St., 571-777-9599, nuevietnamese. com. The elegant Viet-modern menu (think grilled oysters, coconut-curry risotto and a seafood tower with yuzu nuoc cham) has a stunning space to match. R L D G v $$$
Oath Pizza
2920 District Ave. (Mosaic District), 703-688-6284, oathpizza.com. The dough here is grilled and seared in avocado oil (for a crispy texture) and the toppings are certified humane. L D G V $$
Open Road
8100 Lee Highway, 571-395-4400, openroadmerri field.com. See Arlington listing. O C R L D $$
The Original Pancake House 7395-M Lee Highway, 703-698-6292, ophrestau rants.com. Satisfy your breakfast cravings with pancakes, crepes, waffles, French toast and more. C B R G V $
Our Mom Eugenia
2985 District Ave. (Mosaic District), 434-3394019, ourmomeugenia.com. This family-owned spot is beloved for its real-deal Greek fare, from saganaki to souvlaki. O L D $$
Panjshir Restaurant
114 E. Fairfax St., 703-536-4566, panjshirrestau rant.com. Carnivores go for the kebabs, but the vegetarian chalows elevate pumpkin, eggplant and spinach to new levels. O L D V $$
Parc de Ville
8926 Glass Alley (Mosaic District), 703-663-8931, parcdeville.com. Find French fare such as salmon rillettes, duck confit, tuna nicoise and steak frites at this spacious Parisian-style brasserie. Hit the rooftop lounge for cocktails. O R L D $$$
Peking Gourmet Inn
6029 Leesburg Pike, 703-671-8088, pekinggour met.com. At this James Beard Award semifinalist for “Outstanding Service,” it’s all about the crispy Peking duck. C L D G V $$ Pho 88
232 W. Broad St., 703-533-8233, pho88va.com. Vietnamese pho is the main attraction, but the menu also includes noodle and rice dishes. Closed Tuesdays. L D $$ Pho Ga Vang
6767 Wilson Blvd., 571-375-8281, phogavang. com. Find more than 12 kinds of pho, plus other Vietnamese homestyle dishes at this Eden Center café. L D G $$
Plaka Grill
1216 W. Broad St., 703-639-0161, plakagrill.com. Pop in for super satisfying Greek eats—dolmas, souvlaki, moussaka, spanakopita. L D V $$ Preservation Biscuit
102 E. Fairfax St., 571-378-1757, preservation biscuit.com. Order the signature carb with housemade jams, or as a sandwich with fillers ranging from fried chicken to guac and egg. O C B L V $ Pupuseria La Familiar
308 S. Washington St., 703-995-2528, pupuseria lafamiliar.com. The family-owned Salvadoran eatery turns out pupusas, fried yucca, chicharron, carne asada and horchata. L D $$
Puzukan Tan
8114 Arlington Blvd., 571-395-4727, puzukantan. com. From brothers Sam and Kibum Kim comes this Korean barbecue destination featuring tabletop grills, dry-aged meats, banchan and ramen. O L D $$$
Raaga Restaurant
5872 Leesburg Pike, 703-998-7000, raagarestau rant.com. Chicken tikka, lamb rogan josh and cardamom-infused desserts. O L D G V $$
Rare Bird Coffee Roasters
230 W. Broad St., 571-314-1711, rarebirdcoffee. com. Lara Berenji and Bryan Becker’s charming Little City café roasts its own beans and makes an artful latte. Try one of the seasonal specials. L D $
Rasa
2905 District Ave. (Mosaic District), 571-3780670, rasa.co. See Arlington listing. L D G V $
Red Apron Butcher
8298 Glass Alley (Mosaic District), 703-676-3550, redapronbutchery.com. The premium butcher shop and deli sells hot dogs, burgers, charcuterie, prime steaks and sandwiches. L D V $$
Rice Paper/Taste of Vietnam
6775 Wilson Blvd., 703-538-3888, ricepapertasteofvietnam.com. Try a combo platter of pork, seafood and ground beef with rice-paper wraps at this Eden Center favorite. L D G V $$
Roll Play
944 W. Broad St., 571-777-9983, rollplaygrill. com. Stop by this Founders Row eatery for Viet street foods such as banh mi, pho and build-yourown rice paper rolls. L D G V $$
Settle Down Easy Brewing
2822 Fallfax Drive, 703-573-2011, settledowneasy brewing.com. Pair a pint from the nanobrewery’s rotating beer list with tacos from neighboring El Tio Tex-Mex Grill. Closed Mondays. O L D $
Sfizi Café
800 W. Broad St., 703-533-1191, sfizi.com. A family-owned trattoria, deli and wine shop serving classic Italian fare—pasta, pizza, parm. L D $$
Silver Diner
8150 Porter Road, 703-204-0812, silverdiner.com. See Arlington listing. C B R L D A G V $$
Sisters Thai
2985 District Ave. (Mosaic District), 703-280-0429, sistersthai.com. The menu is traditionally Thai, but the vibe feels like you’re dining in your cool friend’s shabby-chic living room. L D G V $$
Solace Outpost
444 W. Broad St., 571-378-1469, solaceoutpost. com. The Little City microbrewery serves housebrewed suds, plus fried chicken, five kinds of fries and wood-fired pizza. D A V $$
Spacebar
709 W. Broad St., 703-992-0777, spcbr.com. This diminutive and funky bar offers 24 craft beers on tap and 18 variations on the grilled cheese sandwich. D A V $$
Sweetgreen
2905 District Ave. (Mosaic District), 703-9927892, sweetgreen.com. See Arlington listing. O C L D G V $
Sweetwater Tavern
3066 Gatehouse Plaza, 703-645-8100, great americanrestaurants.com. A modern alehouse serving seafood, chicken, ribs, microbrews and growlers to go. C L D G $$$
Taco Bamba s
2190 Pimmit Drive, 703-639-0505, tacobambares taurant.com. Tacos range from traditional carne asada to the vegan “Iron Mike,” stuffed with cauliflower, salsa macha and mole verde. B L D $
Taco Rock
1116 W. Broad St., 703-760-3141, thetacorock. com. See Arlington listing. o B L D V $$
Taco Zocalo
6343 Columbia Pike, 571-376-3859, zocalotaco. com. Chow down on tacos, chimichangas, quesadillas and burrito bowls with sides of Mexican street corn and refried beans. O L D $
Takumi Sushi
310-B S. Washington St., 703-241-1128, takumi va.com. The sushi and sashimi here go beyond basic. Think tuna nigiri with Italian black truffle, or salmon with mango purée. Closed Sundays and Mondays. L D V $$
Ted’s Bulletin
2911 District Ave. (Mosaic District), 571-830-6680, tedsbulletinmerrifield.com. See Arlington listing. C B R L D $$
Thompson Italian
124 N. Washington St., 703-269-0893, thompson italian.com. Gabe and Katherine Thompson’s celebrated kitchen turns out house-made pastas and some of the best desserts around. O C D $$$
Trio Grill
8100 Lee Highway, 703-992-9200, triomerrifield. com. Treat yourself to steaks, seafood, raw bar, craft cocktails and live piano music. O D $$$
True Food Kitchen s
2910 District Ave. (Mosaic District), 571-3261616, truefoodkitchen.com. See Arlington listing. O C R L D $$$
Uncle Liu’s Hotpot
2972 Gallows Road, 703-560-6868, uncleliushot pot.com. Customers do the cooking in this eatery inspired by the ubiquitous hot pots of China’s Sichuan province. L D V $$
MCLEAN
Agora Tysons
7911 Westpark Drive, 703-663-8737, agoratysons. com. The Dupont Circle mezze restaurant brings its Turkish, Greek and Lebanese small plates to a second outpost in Tysons. R L D G V $$$
Amoo’s Restaurant
6271 Old Dominion Drive, 703-448-8500, amoos restaurant.com. The flavorful kebabs and stews are crowd pleasers at this hospitable Persian establishment. O C L D G V $$
Aracosia s
1381 Beverly Road, 703-269-3820, aracosia mclean.com. Score a table under strings of white lights on the covered patio and order savory Afghan specialties such as braised lamb shank and baadenjaan chalou (roasted eggplant with saffron rice). O L D V $$
Badd Pizza
6263 Old Dominion Drive, 703-356-2233, badd pizza.com. See Falls Church listing. L D $$
Big Buns Damn Good Burger Co. s 1340 Chain Bridge Road, 571-456-1640, eatbig buns.com. See Arlington listing. L D $$
Café Tatti French Bistro
6627 Old Dominion Drive, 703-790-5164, cafe tatti.com. Open since 1981, this romantic little bistro whips up classic French and continental fare. Closed Sundays. L D G V $$$
Call Your Mother Lil’ Deli
6216 Old Dominion Drive, 571-395-9097, call yourmotherdeli.com. The wildly popular “Jew-ish” deli serves bagel sandwiches and babka muffins from a pink trailer in the Chesterbrook Shopping Center. o b R L V $
Capri Ristorante Italiano
6825-K Redmond Drive, 703-288-4601, capri mcleanva.com. Known for tried-and-true dishes like spaghetti carbonara and veal Marsala. O C L D G V $$$
Circa
1675 Silver Hill Drive, 571-419-6272, circabistros. com. See Arlington listing. O L D V $$$
Eddie V’s Prime Seafood
7900 Tysons One Place, 703-442-4523, eddiev. com. Total steakhouse vibe, except with an emphasis on seafood (and steaks, too). L D G $$$$
Él Bebe
8354 Broad St., 571-378-0171, el-bebe.com. Feast on tamales, tacos, street corn, mole and tequila-based cocktails. C O L D V $$
El Tio Tex-Mex Grill
1433 Center St., 703-790-1910, eltiogrill.com. See Falls Church listing. L D $$
Esaan Tumbar
1307 Old Chain Bridge Road, 703-288-3901, esaanmclean.com. This tiny eatery specializes in northern Thai dishes—papaya salad, larb, nam tok. A good bet for those who like heat. L D $$
Fahrenheit Asian
1313 Dolley Madison Blvd., 703-646-8968, fahren heitasian.com. A no-frills destination for Sichuan spicy noodles, dumplings, mapo tofu and other Asian comfort foods. L D V $$
Fogo de Chao
1775 Tysons Blvd., 703-556-0200, fogodechao. com. This meaty chain showcases the Brazilian tradition of churrasco—the art of roasting meats over an open fire. R L D $$$
Founding Farmers
1800 Tysons Blvd., wearefoundingfarmers.com. The spacious farm-to-table restaurant features Virginia-sourced dishes and drinks. B R L D $$$
Han Palace
7900 Westpark Drive, 571-378-0162, hanpalace dimsum.com. Pay a visit to this all-day dim-sum emporium for made-to-order buns, dumplings, crepes, roast duck and noodles. L D $$
J. Gilbert’s
6930 Old Dominion Drive, 703-893-1034, jgil berts.com. Everything you’d expect in a steakhouse and lots of it—prime cuts of beef, lobster, wedge salad, steak-cut fries and cheesecake. C R L D G V $$$
Joon
8045 Leesburg Pike, 571-378-1390, eatjoon.com. Savor refined Persian dishes such as lamb-pistachio meatballs with pomegranate glaze and rotisserie-style duck with sour-cherry rice.
L D G V $$$$
Kazan Restaurant
6813 Redmond Drive, 703-734-1960, kazanrestau rant.com. Zeynel Uzun’s white-tablecloth restaurant, a fixture since 1980, is a nice spot for kebabs, baklava and Turkish coffee. L D V $$
The Kitchen Collective
8045 Leesburg Pike, Suite L160, 571-378-0209, tkcfoodhall.com. The takeout-only “virtual food
hall” has pizza, kebabs, acai bowls, cookies and much more. C L D G V $$
Kura Sushi
8461 Leesburg Pike, 571-544-7122, kurasushi. com. Choose maki and nigiri from a revolving conveyor belt at this Tysons sushi bar, where drinks are served by a robot. L D G V $$
Lebanese Taverna 1840 International Drive, 703-847-5244, lebanesetaverna.com. See Arlington listing.
O C L D G V $$
Lost Dog Café
1690-A Anderson Road, 703-356-5678, lostdog cafe.com. See Arlington listing. L D $$
Maman Joon
1408 Chain Bridge Road, 571-342-4838, maman joonkitchen.com. Find dolmeh, falafel, lamb shank and kebabs (plus a built-in Z Burger with shakes in 75 flavors) at this Persian eatery. L D V $$
Masala Indian Cuisine
1394 Chain Bridge Road,703-462-9699, masa lava.com. A specialty here are “momos,” Nepalese dumplings with meat or vegetable fillings. The menu also includes tandoori biryani and Indian curries. L D V $$
MayBar
8045 Leesburg Pike, 571-378-1390. Snack on tuna tartare, hummus with dry-aged duck and Turkish flatbread with ground lamb at this bar and patio adjoining upscale Persian restaurant Joon. From the cocktail menu, try the Tehrooni Negroni (gin, blanc vermouth, bergamot orange liqueur, saffron ice, mint and basil). O L D G V $$$
McLean Family Restaurant
1321 Chain Bridge Road, 703-356-9883, themcleanfamilyrestaurant.com. Pancakes, gyros and big plates of lasagna hit the spot. Breakfast served until 3 p.m. daily. C B L D V $$
Miyagi Restaurant
6719 Curran St., 703-893-0116. The diminutive sushi bar gets high marks for its friendly service and fresh maki and nigiri. L D $$
Moby Dick House of Kabob
6854 Old Dominion Drive, 703-448-8448; 1500 Cornerside Blvd., 703-734-7000; mobyskabob.com. See Arlington listing. L D $$
Mylo’s Grill
6238 Old Dominion Drive, 703-533-5880, mylos grill.com. Enjoy spanakopita, souvlaki and American classics like burgers and cheesesteaks. Friday is prime-rib night. O B L D $$
Neutral Ground Bar + Kitchen
6641 Old Dominion Drive, 703-992-9095, neutralgroundbarandkitchen.com. Chef David Guas is serving up whole branzino, fried quail, bone-in pork chops and “social hour” specials in a beautiful new space. O D G V $$$
Ometeo
1640 Capital One Drive N., 703-748-7170, ometeo texmex.com. An upscale “texmexeria” with Mexican renditions of duck, venison, beef and a wide variety of sea creatures. O L D G $$$
Pasa-Thai Restaurant
1315 Old Chain Bridge Road, 703-442-0090, pasa thaimclean.com. Go for a classic Bangkok curry, or a chef’s special such as spicy fried rockfish with chili-basil-garlic sauce. O L D $$
Patsy’s American 8051 Leesburg Pike (Tysons), 703-552-5100, pat sysamerican.com. For those who find comfort in
the familiar, Patsy’s serves greatest-hit dishes from other Great American Restaurants properties in a space resembling a vintage railway station. O C R L D A G V $$
Peter Chang McLean
6715 Lowell Ave., 571-405-6686, peterchang mclean.com. See Arlington listing. L D G V $$
Pikoteo
6811 Elm St., 703-891-0123, pikoteo-usa.com. Escape to warmer climes with Latin and Caribbean delights such as ceviche, arepas, mofongo, smoked pork ribs and arroz con pollo. O R L D $$
Pulcinella Italian Kitchen
1310 Chain Bridge Road, 703-893-7777, pulcinellarestaurant.com. A stop for classic spaghetti and meatballs, linguine and clams and wood-fired pizza since 1985. L D $$
Randy’s Prime Seafood & Steaks 8051 Leesburg Pike (Tysons), 703-552-5110, randysprime.com. Treat yourself to prime cuts, duck-fat fries, seafood towers, massive slabs of chocolate cake and other steakhouse standards. L D G $$$$
Rocco’s Italian 1357 Chain Bridge Road, 703-821-3736, roccos italian.com. The Juliano family makes everything in-house from family recipes, including minestrone, pizza, calzones, subs, pasta and cannoli.
O C L D G $$
Roots Kitchen & Bar
8100 Old Dominion Drive, 703-712-7850, roots provisions.com. Find sandwiches, smoothies, salads, espresso drinks, pie, cocktails and grab-andgo snacks and pantry staples. B L G V $
Silver Diner
8101 Fletcher St., 703-821-5666, silverdiner.com. See Arlington listing. C B R L D A G V $$
Simply Fresh
6811 Elm St., 703-821-1869, simplyfreshva. com. A local favorite for pulled pork, chicken and brisket. Plus Greek diner fare, family-style takeout meals and breakfast. O C B L D G V $ Starr Hill Biergarten
1805 Capital One Drive, starrhill.com. Anchoring an 11-story-high sky park, this indoor-outdoor beer garden offers more than 20 brews on tap, and snacks like soft pretzels with beer cheese. O C L D V $
Stellina Pizzeria
1610 Capital One Drive, stellinapizzeria.com. See Arlington listing. R d V $$
Sushi Umi
7599 Colshire Drive, 571-378-0903, sushiumiva. com. Stop in for Wagyu beef and fried chicken bowls, and sushi. Closed Sundays. L D $$
Tachibana
6715 Lowell Ave., 703-847-1771, tachibana.us. Stellar sushi aside, the chef’s specials here include starters such as clam miso soup, monkfish paté and savory egg custard. C L D $$
The Union
1379 Beverly Road, 703-356-0129, theunionres taurant.us. An eclectic, global menu from Giridhar Sastry, former executive chef of the Mayflower Hotel in D.C. o C L D $$
Wren
1825 Capitol One Drive S., thewatermarkhotel. com. Topping the Watermark Hotel, chef Yo Matsuzaki’s sleek izakaya offers Japanese American fare (hamachi tartare, Wagyu burgers, miso-marinated sea bass), stupendous cocktails and sweeping skyline views. D G V $$$
shop local
by Colleen Kennedy
Hooray for cake! A birthday card from Tiny Hooray.
Laughing Stock
The cheeky sentiments in Beth Roszkowski’s Tiny Hooray statio nery line—from “dumpster fire” stickers and pun-filled notebooks to birthday cards for tired people— are born of her lived experience.
As owner, designer and self-pro claimed “wearer of all the hats,” Roszkowski says her one-liners often arise from quips she’s shared with friends, pop-culture touch stones and the daily chaos of par enting young children.
“I’m at the stage of life where I could just cry, but I laugh instead,” says the Arlington mom of three, a natural wordsmith, doodler and former librarian at George Mason University who now works out of her home in Tara-Leeway Heights (although she says some of her best light bulb moments happen while sitting in D.C. traffic).
Launched in 2014, her prod uct line also includes pens ($12) imprinted with funny mantras for introverts, grammar police, book snobs and “grown-ass ladies.” The bestselling Horrible Meeting Bingo Notepad ($10) features such relatable squares as “awkward silence,” “meeting runs late” and “speaker laughs at his own joke.”
Now they’ve been resurrected as stud earrings with enamel and pearl accents and 14K gold posts ($160-$175), courtesy of Alla and Jefry Weinberg.
After moving from Michigan to Arlington to be closer to their grandkids, the retired couple launched Icon Line Design in 2021, sourcing their materials from collectors, estate sales and upscale vintage shops. The Zoom meetings that rose to prominence during the pandemic presented an opportunity.
Like any good comedian, she keeps a notebook of musings that carry her through moments of writer’s block. The custom lowercase font featured in many of her greeting cards ($5.50-$6) is her own handwriting.
“I’m kind of a Luddite,” she deadpans, “which I guess is why I like stationery.” tinyhooray.com
“We wanted [people] to still look professional from the waist up,” says Jefry, who spent years working in specialty and custom clothing stores. The upcycled baubles also appealed to customers who wanted to treat themselves to a touch of luxury during difficult times, Alla says.
Though their customer base is now worldwide, the Weinbergs take pride in building meaningful connections, from helping brides find the perfect “something old” for their big day to curating bespoke pieces for special occasions.
Shop their wares at various DMV pop-ups and markets, including Eastern Market and Union Market in D.C., and at iconlinedesign.com
Designer upcycled earrings by Icon Line Design
Festival attendees dressed as Harry Potter and Hagrid
Where Wizards Meet
Staunton, Virginia’s annual Queen City Mischief & Magic festival is a spellbinding place to play.
BY CHRISTINE KOUBEK FLYNN | PHOTOS BY KATE SIMON
“All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players.” If William Shakespeare’s famous line holds true, there may be no better place to play your part than Staunton, Virginia. Located about 150 miles from Arlington, this Shenandoah Valley city with a population of roughly 26,000 boasts a cultural scene that rivals much larger locales. The American Shakespeare Center and its Blackfriars Playhouse—the world’s only re-creation of Shakespeare’s indoor theater—is here, along with comedy shows, open mic nights, live music and the annual Queen City Mischief & Magic festival, a fan event that attracts more than 20,000 revelers of all ages who love a good cosplay.
A popular draw for Potterheads (aka Harry Potter aficionados), the festival is not affiliated with author J.K. Rowling or Warner Bros. Entertainment, but it does celebrate the beloved book and film series with dozens of activities; some require tickets though most are free.
My now-grown oldest son and I devoured the Harry Potter books, then movies, when he was a young teen. With each new book we grew more enamored with Rowling’s characters—especially as we learned Snape’s backstory (he’s not as evil as he seems), and how even the kind and seemingly all-knowing Albus Dumbledore made mistakes and had his regrets. And of course, we treasured the epic story of friendship that had the power to conquer huge obstacles.
That same power of friendship— among business owners, individuals and city staff—brings a palpable magic to Staunton’s transformation into a bewitching village each fall. Last year’s event included character arrivals by train at Platform 9¾, Quidditch matches, a “Beware of Low Flying Owls Avian Show,” a snake show, potions classes, a wand shop, wizarding workshops and an adults-only dance party. You don’t need to be a wizarding fan to enjoy the fun, as my traveling companion (not a devout Potterhead) discovered.
Sarah Lynch, owner of local restaurant Baja Bean, dreamed up the festival in 2016. She had read most of the Harry Potter books with her son, Henry, and the eighth story in the series,
Staunton’s Queen City Mischief & Magic festival
n driving range
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, was set to come out on July 31—the birthday of both Harry and Rowling. She saw an opportunity to celebrate its debut in real time.
Lynch contacted the owners of Staunton’s beloved Pufferbellies Toys & Books with an idea. Together, they began approaching other downtown businesses about rallying around a midnight book release (to be hosted by Pufferbellies at Baja Bean), where Lynch promised to supply the party and a birthday cake.
In April of that year, Lynch began asking fellow business owners if they wanted to plan complementary themed events at their stores and restaurants. By July, Lynch says, there were 70 participants.
“It all felt like that scene in Cinderella where the dress, coach, etc. materialize magically—birds sewing and mice poofing into coachmen,” she recalls. “It really still feels like that most years.”
City staff got involved after a Facebook post two weeks ahead of the event generated 25,000 shares and 100,000 interactions within a couple of days. The city closed festival streets to traffic to keep people safe and continues to provide support.
Last year’s two-day festival featured more than a dozen blocks of immersive fun. I recommend exploring the night before to get your bearings. We wandered downtown—nonalcoholic “butterbeer”-inspired drinks in hand— and passed under the specter of flying ghouls strung high above the street, with black flowing fabric resembling Rowling’s “dementors.”
Staunton’s downtown, with its beautiful old architecture—from a brickturreted building and a Gothic-style church to a 1903 beaux arts-style bank building—proved an ideal setting to create a magical world.
A STEADY RAIN the next morning didn’t deter townspeople and visitors from gathering at the train station for the arrival of enactors dressed as Hogwarts professors. As the train ap-
proached (courtesy of a city partnership with Virginia Scenic Railway), a red carpet was rolled out on the platform. A family dressed as Harry, Snape, Draco Malfoy and Dobby the house elf wandered through the jovial crowd, which was filled with others wearing costumes of their favorite characters.
The police were in on the fun, giving out sticker badges between crowd cheers and boos, depending on which faculty member disembarked. From there, the professors made their way to Beverley Street, where you could meet them and take photos.
We explored the wharf area dubbed
“Do Good Alley” (a take on Diagon Alley), alongside Staunton’s weekly farmers market. It was full of tented booths where you could make wizard-themed crafts or buy items such as socks for Dobby (who needed a sock to be set free). You know you’re in “Do Good Alley” when you spot an iconic Virginia “LOVE” sign with a pair of Harry Potterstyle spectacles set atop the “O.”
Many of the stores and restaurants near this part of the festival offered activities, too. I waited in line for a Rowling-inspired “sorting hat” to descend above my head and announce what house I’d be in. (To participate, you
An actress dressed as Bellatrix Lestrange
circle three traits about yourself from a long list and hand it to a volunteer.)
As the hat hovered above me, I looked out at the crowd. “Gryffindor,” the announcer said. I smiled and wondered if the hat had taken a clue from the burgundy apparel peeking out from beneath my rain jacket.
A few storefronts down, we popped into Essentially Zen, where I watched people blend essential oils and add a crystal of their choosing in potions class, each “wizard” leaving with a custom scent. A short walk from there, Sunspots Studios held a blow-yourown glass prophecy orb workshop.
Even without a workshop, the store is a must-see for the beautiful glass wands blown around copper handles.
LATER THAT AFTERNOON, we returned to the station to watch as an actor dressed as Hagrid welcomed students arriving by train (there were four train arrival events during the festival).
Volunteers Craig and Melanie Brimhall, done up as Albus Dumbledore and Professor Minerva McGonagall respectively, oversee the festival’s characters and work throughout the year to recruit and train a cast of roughly 90 people.
“This town is magic,” Lynch says as
she describes the Brimhalls’ work and the hundreds of other volunteers. “Our minds are blown every year with what these creative creatures come up with to make sure our visitors feel like they are in another world.”
When asked if there are any new wonders in store for the 2024 event, Lynch says, “This is the Year of the Dragon, so I think you’ll see some surprises along those lines.” There were already plans to add more dragonthemed elements when organizers realized the Chinese zodiac matched up.
Trinity Episcopal Church’s grand dining hall-style evening banquet, with its head table of costumed characters, is worth booking in advance. (The 2023 menu included shepherd’s pie, bangers and mash, a nonalcoholic “butterbeer” and shortbread cookies.) Arrive early to explore the grounds and snag a seat at your preferred table with place settings that include a wand and protective charm. Pick up a self-guided interior tour brochure to learn about the stories behind the church’s gorgeous stained glass windows. Check trinity staunton.org for pricing and times.
On Sunday, Staunton stores and venues were open again for activities. We meandered down the hill to catch a Quidditch match. While many participants practice ahead of time for the games, there are opportunities for festivalgoers to try their hand at it, too (check queencitymagic.com for details).
Kids competed to get balls through rings and capture the golden snitch while spectators cheered and jockeyed for better viewing positions around the playing field (a parking lot not far from the train station). It was easy to spot characters roving solo and in groups. I snapped a photo of villains that included a woman dressed as Bellatrix with her piercing glare. “He who shall not be named” roamed the crowd, too.
As I wandered around the sidelines, I glimpsed a woman dressed as Professor Trelawney, the eccentric divination teacher with Coke-bottle glasses who was played brilliantly by actress Emma Thompson in the third Harry
Kids awaiting train arrivals on the platform
A train transporting wizards and muggles
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Potter film. She’s one of my favorites—a hippie chick who teaches fortune-telling.
I hoped to get some intel on how the 2023 event compared to the previous one, but all she said was, “Even in the rain yesterday, there were many for our arrival,” then leaned down to meet my dog. “And who is this beautiful, magical creature?”
As was the case for all the characters I’d met or watched, she was fully in character in her speech and mannerisms. I decided to ask a simple question about the festival. “Do you think the rain had a big impact on this year’s attendance?”
She smiled and granted a divination of sorts: “You know what they say: The show must go on.” ■
Christine Koubek Flynn reports on what is new and notable in mid-Atlantic travel in our Get Away column. Her travel stories have also appeared in The Washington Post and Coastal Living, among others, and she teaches at The Writer’s Center in Bethesda.
If You Go
Tips
Scan QR codes printed on cards located throughout the festival for a map and a schedule. Check the Facebook page (facebook.com/queencitymagic) for the latest updates on activities and weather-related changes. The rainy Saturday in 2023 forced modifications in the Quidditch schedule and resulted in the cancellation of an evening dance party event, but most of the show went on as planned.
Street and garage parking are available around the festival’s perimeter, though it’s sometimes tricky to get a spot. Free parking and shuttle service is available. See queencitymagic.com for details.
Look for a blue-shirted “prefect”— the volunteers who escort characters through the festival and roam the streets to assist festivalgoers—if you get lost, require a bathroom or just need a photo assist.
Explore
Extend your stay to check out some of Staunton’s most popular muggle attractions, including the American Shakespeare Center (americanshakespearecenter.com), the Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum (woodrowwilson. org), and, outside Staunton’s city limits, the peaceful Harmony Harvest Farm (hhfshop.com), a 20-acre cut flower site in Weyers Cave that offers a pickyour-own flower experience, farm tours, workshops and a farm shop.
Stay
The Blackburn Inn, a Shenandoah Valley gem within walking distance of the festival, opened in 2018 after the Jeffersonian-style building received a modern makeover that highlighted its vaulted ceilings, original heart pine floors and a reproduction antique drafting table that serves as the reception desk. Guest rooms include
pillowtop beds and spacious marble bathrooms, some with soaking tubs. Rates begin at $249. 301 Greenville Ave., 540-712-0601, blackburn-inn.com
Family- and pet-friendly Tru by Hilton Staunton is right off I-81, about 2½ miles from town. The hotel’s minimaliststyle guest rooms have pegs, rather
Harmony Harvest Farm
The American Shakespeare Center
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than closets, for hanging clothes. You’ll also find comfy lobby seating, board games, a complimentary breakfast and festival-themed decor galore. Rates begin at $419. 120 Crossing Way, 540-213-4000, hilton.com/en/hotels/ shdstru-tru-staunton
Next door to Tru, the Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Staunton offers similarly well-rated accommodations, with a bit more in the way of amenities and an upscale vibe. Rates begin at $500. 114 Crossing Way, 540-2134100, marriott.com/en-us/hotels/ shdfs-fairfield-inn-and-suites-staunton
Eat & Drink
Festival organizer Sarah Lynch’s restaurant, Baja Bean, is right in the mix on Beverley Street. The Mexican menu includes freshly made salsa and hot sauces. Visit their website for details on live music and dance party nights. 9 W. Beverley St., bajabean.com
Marino’s Lunch is a Staunton restaurant tradition that goes beyond lunch, serving breakfast (with a full bar) through dinner (think wings, hot dogs, burgers and fried green tomatoes) and doubles as a music venue with
Staunton, VA
jam sessions. Visit their website for dates and times. 901 N. Augusta St., marinoslunch.com
Pizza Luca, a popular newcomer to Staunton’s dining scene created by Justin Hershey, chef-owner of nearby Chicano Boy Taco, offers brick-fired pizzas, pastas, salads and other Italian American favorites. 213A N. Lewis St., pizza-luca.com
Remedy Burger looks like the place where a grown Quidditch crew would congregate for a postgame cocktail at the bar and specialty burgers, such
as a house-made vegetarian broccoli/ Parmesan burger with American cheese, pickles, white onion, iceberg lettuce and the special Remedy Sauce on a sesame bun, or one of the many popular beefy choices. 12 E. Beverley St., remedyburger.com
Head to Reunion Bakery & Espresso sooner rather than later (to avoid sellouts) for coffee and baked goods. This locally owned and operated bakery’s fare includes delicious quiches, muffins and a selection of festival themed treats. 26 S. New St., reunionbakery.com
A mocha “cruffin” at Reunion Bakery & Espresso
Scenic views on Skyline Drive near Staunton
HARMONY & ADVENTURE
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Immerse yourself in the heart of Bar Harbor at any of our properties.
It's not just a stay; it's a genuine, warm embrace of the Maine way. We focus on you—your comfort, your smiles, and creating the perfect launchpad for your adventures in Acadia National Park. With seven unique locations in Bar Harbor and Ellsworth, there's a perfect fit for your lifestyle. Stay with us and discover where harmony meets adventure.
© Kristin Sweeting Photography
by Christine Koubek Flynn
Bay Haven
Tucked away on a secluded cove on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, The Oaks Waterfront Hotel emerged from a $10 million-plus renovation in May 2023 that included the original circa1748 building and other structures, as well as the grounds. Furnishings in warm whites and seaside blues impart a coastal vibe that carries through to the outdoors, thanks to new porches, patios, beautiful landscaping, firepits, and an old dock transformed into a pavilion for outdoor dining and watching movies under the stars.
While weekends are often booked with wedding guests, weekdays make for a peaceful getaway or even a remote work retreat—think laptop on a terrace overlooking the water, a midday stroll along the property’s winding brick path and an evening bath in an oversize soaking tub.
The 11 rooms and suites include king or queen beds, elegant tile bathrooms with heated floors, robes and Apple TV. Select rooms and all
four of the cottages on the property have soaking tubs, private patios and water views. One of the cottages also includes a full kitchen and fireplace. Dinner is currently available in The Oak Room on Wednesday and Thursday evenings with a menu featuring soups, salads, burgers, a veggie panini, and fish and chips made from Maryland blue catfish with malt vinegar aioli. Alternately, a driver can transport guests, gratis, to shops and restaurants in nearby St. Michaels, Oxford and Easton. (Harley Peet, executive chef of Bas Rouge in Easton, was recently named “Best Chef: MidAtlantic” by the prestigious James Beard Foundation.)
Book the hotel’s 40-foot Hinckley Picnic Boat for a scenic fall sunset cruise or to explore an Eastern Shore town. Midweek rates begin at $389 per night and include a hot breakfast served in the dining room, plus complimentary use of bicycles, kayaks and paddleboards. The Oaks Waterfront Hotel, 25876 Royal Oak Road, Easton, Maryland, 410-745-5053, the-oaks.com
Borrow a bike, or charter a picnic boat cruise (below).
Discover Elkins
Opened in February in Elkins, West Virginia, the six-story, brick Tygart Hotel is modern in decor while also giving a nod to the past. Local art on display throughout the lobby and guest room floors reflects the area’s bygone days.
The historic property is an ideal base from which to explore this Appalachian mountain town and nearby Monongahela National Forest trails, flora and fauna. While no two of the 56 guest rooms and suites are alike, you’ll find rooms with a king, queen or double queen beds dressed in quality linens, bathrooms with roomy walk-in showers, flat-screen
Stay in Luray
Located within walking distance of Luray’s historic downtown near the Shenandoah River, the historic Mimslyn Inn was purchased earlier this year by an ownership group that includes retired four-star Gen. John R. Allen (whose family is from the Shenandoah Valley) as well as Arlington residents Marc Chretien and Cito Vanegas.
A noted Civil War historian, Allen plans to conduct an occasional symposium and tour of Civil War actions in the area. Chretien, who served with Allen in Iraq and Afghanistan, is now the managing owner of Mt. Defiance Cidery & Distillery in Middleburg, and plans to add specialty spirits to the inn’s offerings.
Mimslyn’s expansive grounds are home to walking paths, a hammock garden, firepits, 10 guest cottages, two homes (available as rentals) and 45 guest rooms and suites in the grand manor-style main house. Grab a good book from the inn’s library and relax by the fireplace in the firstfloor living room.
Guest rooms are appointed
TVs and large desks.
Dine onsite at Oxley House Cocktail Bar and Restaurant for American fare such as fried green tomatoes and shrimp and grits. Off property, visit the Elkins Depot Welcome Center for details on the Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad, which offers a variety of scenic rides on vintage trains to see wildlife, waterfalls and sweeping mountain views.
Big Timber Brewing, just a block from the hotel, is the place for local beers. Byrd’s House of Donuts serves sugary treats, sweet tea and an array of other comfort foods. Hotel guests receive a complimentary day pass to the Elkins YMCA, just a couple minutes’ walk from the hotel.
Rates begin at $131 and include a
breakfast of fresh fruit, locally made doughnuts, yogurt, eggs, bacon, sausage and biscuits with gravy.
The Tygart Hotel, part of the Ascend Hotel Collection, 206 Davis Ave., Elkins, West Virginia, 304-924-4279, tygarthotel.com.
with classic furnishings and large windows overlooking the landscape. Following on the heels of recent main floor and dining room renovations, guest rooms are slated for updates in the year ahead.
Mimslyn’s Speakeasy Restaurant and Bar is the place for casual Southern cuisine and weekly live entertainment. The onsite Circa ’31 Restaurant is open for breakfast, Sunday brunch buffet and dinner, with Northern Italian specialties such as chicken and couscous with porcini mushroom sauce. Visit the new patio bar for a weekend afternoon lunch.
Popular nearby attractions include Shenandoah National
Park, Luray Caverns, New Market Battlefield, Luray Zoo (a home for rescued animals), the Shenandoah Spirits Trail and the LurayHawksbill Greenway, a paved Virginia Bird and Wildlife Trail. Rates start at $199
The Mimslyn Inn, 401 W. Main St., Luray, Virginia, 540-743-5105, mimslyninn.com
The Mimslyn Inn
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Cutting Loose
A ban on school dances in the early 1960s didn’t stop Arlington teens from finding their groove.
IN SEPTEMBER 1959, only months after the first Virginia schools desegregated, an Arlington lawyer and school board member named L. Lee Bean stood up in a meeting and read aloud a newly passed Virginia state law, Joint Resolution 97.
“No athletic team of any public free school,” Bean read, “should engage in any athletic contest of any nature within the State of Virginia with another team on which persons of the white and colored race are members.”
If Arlington schools didn’t comply, the state had the authority to close them, so the school board voted to end all athletic events in desegregated public schools. This meant no school-sponsored dances, either. The law was part of a statewide
“Massive Resistance” movement in which lawmakers and education officials created policies designed to undermine desegregation in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court’s 1954 Brown v. Board of Education decision.
But long before Kevin Bacon shimmied into a fictional town that had banned dancing in the 1984 film Footloose, Arlingtonians were working to create safe spaces where Black and White teenagers could dance. One such place was Mount Olivet United Methodist Church on North Glebe Road.
In a published church history, Saundra Green, a longtime resident of Arlington’s historically Black Halls Hill neighborhood, recalled how her parents had allowed her to attend dances
there “because they knew she would be safe at Mount Olivet.”
During the ban, the county Parks and Recreation Department also organized integrated dances held at McKinley Elementary School, Wakefield High School and other locations (skirting the law with the stipulation that the dances were not school sponsored).
In an oral history recorded in 1992, Constance McAdam, then the parks department’s assistant director, remembered convening a cross-section of community leaders, as well as the police department, to hold the dances and keep them safe. “There was some apprehension at the beginning,” McAdam recalled, “but it really didn’t take very long for us to come together because it was in a setting where it was important for the social action to take place.”
Athletic events were reinstated in the schools by the 1961-62 school year, but school-sponsored dances were slower to return. In the meantime, teenagers “kicked off their Sunday shoes” for many years at Mount Olivet, Arlington United Methodist Church, community centers and other local venues. ■
