Bethesda Magazine - May/June 2025

MAY/JUNE 2025 | $4.95

THE FUTURE OF MONTGOMERY MALL • BACKYARD BIRDING • 10 WAYS TO GET ON THE WATER

Hot Fresh PIZZA 6 NEW SPOTS WORTH THE DOUGH

OUTRAGEOUS Cocktails

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S P EC I A L A D V E RT I S I N G S ECT I O N

C U LT U R E WA T C H Charlotte’s Web

BASED ON THE BOOK BY E.B. WHITE PRESENTED BY ADVENTURE THEATRE MTC APRIL 25 – MAY 25 This timeless tale celebrates the power of friendship and the enduring impact of kindness as the spider, Charlotte, begins a triumphant crusade, to save a pig from his death at the hands of a farmer.

For ages 4 and up. Runtime around 70 minutes with no intermission.

Tickets $25 each www.adventuretheatre-mtc.org 301-634-2270

The Art of Dance

SPRING GALA PERFORMANCE PRESENTED BY AKHMEDOVA BALLET ACADEMY (ABA) SATURDAY, MAY 17, 7PM

D CAPTIVATE YOUR SENSES

at Montgomery College Cultural Arts Center Welcome to Pictures at an Exhibition, Dance of the Hours, Contemporary and Character Masterpieces!

Join us for an unforgettable experience. Immerse yourself in the beauty of dance as we showcase stunning choreographies. From vibrant colors to intricate details, this event will surely captivate your senses. Don’t miss this opportunity to appreciate the art of dance and be inspired by the creativity of talented artists. Get ready to be amazed!

P

T Y g e i p t T

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Enrollment for our Professional Training Program 25/26 is open!

Tickets: www.akhmedovaballet.org/showevents www.akhmedovaballet.org | 301-593-6262

13th Annual Rockville Arts Festival PRESENTED BY VISARTS SATURDAY, MAY 3, 10AM TO 5PM SUNDAY, MAY 4, 10AM TO 5PM FREE | Rain or Shine East Middle Lane & Maryland Avenue in The Square Explore artists from across the country, featuring returning award winners, fan favorites, standout local creators, and fresh faces. Discover unique works in ceramics, jewelry, sculpture, glass, painting, photography, printmaking, wood, metal, mixed media, and fiber—each creatively inspired and expertly crafted.

Enjoy live demos and experience artistry in action, including the third annual chalk art competition.

Savor flavors from Auntie Anne’s Pretzels and a lineup of crave-worthy food trucks. Wander the makers market for handcrafted finds—artful apparel, stylish accessories (for you and your pup), statement pieces for your home and garden, indulgent soaps and skincare, and gourmet treats like small-batch sauces, teas, cheeses, and handcrafted candy.

Visit VisArts’ galleries for contemporary exhibitions and support neurodiverse artists at the VisAbility Art Lab booth. Make a day of it—and take home something special!

www.visartscenter.org/rockville-arts-festival 301-315-8200

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

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C U LT U R E WA T C H Dance With MYB!

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With three studios in Montgomery County, and additional studios across the DMV, CityDance offers a wide variety of dance classes available to beginners through advanced levels. Our Conservatory division provides rigorous pre-professional training for ages 7-19 in ballet, contemporary, and commercial dance. Our Studios division welcomes ages 4 to adults offering weekly classes, workshops, and camps. Discover your passion at CityDance! www.citydance.net | inquiries@citydance.net

Award-Winning Professional Theatre, Classes, and Camps for Children PRESENTED BY IMAGINATION STAGE BETHESDA, MD

SUMMER CAMPS FOR AGES 4-18 These programs nurture and empower young people of all abilities in a fun and inclusive environment. Imagination Stage is a great place to make new friends, explore new interests and delve deeper into existing ones. Camps range from full scale theatre productions and the making of short films, to classroom settings that explore specialty themes. They have locations in Bethesda, Rockville, and DC including a new location at Cardozo Education Complex!

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MAY/JUNE 2025 VOLUME

22

Slices from AP Pizza Shop in Bethesda

ISSUE

3

The Food & Drink Issue

92

New Pizza in Town These six hot pizza places are worth the dough

BY DAVID HAGEDORN

104

Plates of Yore

110

Boozy Beauties They smoke, they glimmer—these mixed drinks are full of pizzazz

BY NEVIN MARTELL

118

Table Talk

LEFT PHOTO BY DEB LINDSEY; BOTTOM PHOTO BY SCOTT SUCHMAN

Take a seat at Tally Ho in Potomac and be transported to a bygone era

BY AMANDA CHERRIN

New barbecue in Bethesda and a wellstocked spirits shop

BY DAVID HAGEDORN

122

Dining Guide Where to eat in Montgomery County COVER PHOTO OF AP PIZZA SHOP BY DEB LINDSEY 10 MAY/JUNE 2025 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

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FEATURES

138

144

150

156

Make a splash kayaking, tubing and more

BY MELANIE D.G. KAPLAN

NPR’s Asma Khalid on covering the White House

BY MIKE UNGER

The benefits and challenges of finding activities for neurodivergent kids

BY REBECCA GALE

Taking stock of Westfield Montgomery mall’s future

BY AMY HALPERN

10 Ways to Get on the Water

Bethesda Interview

The Climb

What’s in Store

TOP PHOTO BY JOSEPH TRAN; BOTTOM PHOTO COURTESY ANNAPOLIS SAILING SCHOOL

PAGE 156 The future of Westfield Montgomery mall

12 MAY/JUNE 2025 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

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S C O L A PA S TA / C H A R ’ D / R A B B I T TA C O

S C O L A PA S TA / C H A R ’ D / R A B B I T TA C O

S C O L A PA S TA / C H A R ’ D / R A B B I T TA C O

TA S T E . U N PA R A L L E L E D.

TYSONSGALLERIA.COM

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3 6 LA DI ES S OCI A L NI GHT Estelle Schwalb plays cards at a gathering in Potomac.

226 DRI V I NG RA NGE Prowl about a modern sculpture collection.

DEPARTMENTS TO OUR READERS CONTRIBUTORS

23 Banter 24

5 THINGS WE LOVE

26

10 QUESTIONS FOR

What’s making us smile right now Makenna Morris on being drafted to the Spirit soccer team

28

PEOPLE WATCHING

30

READING LIST

32

BEST BETS

36

COMMUNITY BUILDING

The latest on local notables

38

Top books at local libraries Calendar of upcoming events The ‘Saturday Night Ladies’ gather for fun and friendship

‘CALM CONFIDENCE’

Silver Spring golfer Jack Bonifant aims for the U.S. Adaptive Open

217 Good Life 218 SHOPPING

The latest trends in fashion

220 MADE IN MOCO

From pancakes to artisan jewelry

222 TRAVELER’S NOTEBOOK

Three must-visit destinations

226 DRIVING RANGE

Chestertown, Maryland, is a coastal arts haven

HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS We’re blushing for pink

168 ROOMS WE LOVE

Dining alfresco—almost

170

OUTDOOR LIVING

179

BY THE NUMBERS

How to bring birds to your yard

PAGE 218 J. McLaughlin skort

232 CELEBRATIONS

A county councilmember’s waterside nuptials

236 HEALTH

How an endocrinologist helps women uncover hidden illnesses

240 WHAT I KNOW

Silver Spring’s Lori Gardner on nonprofit management

INSIDE THIS ISSUE: TODAY MEDIA TRAVELER’S GUIDE

165 Home 166

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: PHOTO BY PAMELA COWART-RICKMAN; PHOTO BY LINDSEY MAX; COURTESY PHOTOS

18 18

PAGE 166 A rose-colored wine glass

Advertising Sections 39

FACES of Bethesda Magazine

162

Long & Foster

175

Builders & Architects Profiles

183

Ask the Senior Experts Profiles

Real estate trends by ZIP code

14 MAY/JUNE 2025 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

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The McGuire Family Food Pantry

WHY WE

GIVE

“… in addition to needing tuition scholarships, [students] also needed support in the form of food …’’

CONNIE MCGUIRE MONTGOMERY COLLEGE FOUNDATION DONOR

The McGuire Family

D

uring my 20 years of teaching in the Business and Economics Department at Montgomery College, I had the opportunity to get to know many students personally. I learned that a number of them, in addition to needing tuition scholarships, also needed support in the form of food and emergency funds.

A simple online search of the phrase “food insecurity in colleges” opened my eyes to the enormity of the problem.

There is a strong correlation between food insecurity and lower GPAs and graduation rates. Alarmingly, some studies report food insecurity levels in colleges around the country that reach as high as 25%. There are many wonderful food programs in the K–12 schools, but the need for assistance doesn’t end with high school graduation.

Bringing a basket of granola bars and nuts to the classroom could only go so far. My husband, John, and I began donating to various programs designed to provide students with basic necessities.

Eventually, we established the McGuire Family Food Pantry at Montgomery College. At the pantry, students have access to the food staples most of us have on our kitchen shelves—pasta, peanut butter, cereal, etc.—as well as fresh produce and hygiene products.

Ensuring that students have nutritious food and the wrap-around support services many of them need to focus on their education is Why We Give to the Montgomery College Foundation.

We hope you will join us.

CONNIE MCGUIRE

MAKE A LASTING DIFFERENCE Join others like Connie and John who support Montgomery College as donors by contacting Bernadette Maldonado at bernadette.maldonado@montgomerycollege.edu or 240-967-1661.

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montgomerycollege.edu/give

4/8/25 3:32 PM

We have so much to share—check us out at BethesdaMagazine.com to read stories from Bethesda Magazine and breaking news, all in one place. Find out about topics that matter in Montgomery County and Upper NW D.C.

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be giant be gentle be noble

be home.

F I N D YO U R H O M E AT

C O R C O R A N .C O M | 2 0 2 . 5 52 . 5 6 0 0

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© 2024 Corcoran. All rights reserved. Corcoran and the Corcoran Logo are trademarks of Corcoran Group LLC. The Corcoran System is comprised of company owned offices which are owned by a subsidiary of Anywhere Advisors LLC and franchised offices which are independently owned and operated. Corcoran Group LLC fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act.

TO OUR READERS

CONTRIBUTOR SPOTLIGHT

NATASHA TYNES ROCKVILLE

I MUST NOT BE THE ONLY ONE AROUND HERE WHO CAN EAT PIZZA SEVERAL TIMES A WEEK AND NOT GET TIRED OF IT. At least that seems to be true based

on the number of pizza places that have opened in the past few years.

Our cover story, “New Pizza in Town” (page 92), has already helped me expand my list of go-to spots for a good pie. I recently had the Romanstyle pizza—puffy crust, light on cheese and cut into squares—at No Regrets Pizza Co. in North Bethesda, and it has worked its way into my family’s pizza rotation. I hope you find something that appeals to you in our roundup. I’ll be checking out the other newcomers soon.

When I was listening to NPR in my car last fall, I heard reporter Asma Khalid discussing a PBS television series she was a part of called American Muslims: A History Revealed. Khalid, who lives in Bethesda, talked about the episodes she worked on, including one on Mamadou Yarrow, an enslaved Muslim man who lived in Montgomery County and was able to buy his freedom. Khalid, who is Muslim herself, spoke of the importance of knowing Islam’s deep roots in this country. I wanted to learn more about her, and writer Mike Unger sat down with her for this issue’s Bethesda Interview. She shares stories of growing up in Indiana and her experiences covering the White House starting on page 144.

Every so often, a friend or colleague wonders aloud about Westfield Montgomery mall—how did it make it through the pandemic, does anyone still shop there, what changes are coming and will it survive? Other than Westfield Wheaton, it’s the only mall in Montgomery County these days. Writer Amy Halpern checks out how things are going and what the future holds for Westfield Montgomery mall in “What’s in Store?” starting on page 156.

I hope you enjoy this issue of Bethesda Magazine. Please contact me at Kathleen.Neary@BethesdaMagazine.com with any feedback.

KATHLEEN NEARY EDITOR

IN THIS ISSUE: Tynes wrote a profile about Dr. Monika Mannan, an endocrinologist who has helped women uncover less common health issues (page 236).

FAVORITE MOCO SPOT: “I love hanging out at Rockville Town Square—it’s walkable and has great food options and a cozy library. I’m also a big fan of the trails in the area, especially Lake Needwood, and I enjoy going to concerts at the Strathmore.”

WHAT SHE DOES FOR FUN: “I play the violin with the NIH Community Orchestra, and I also have my own string quartet. And as host of the podcast Read and Write with Natasha, I love connecting with fellow creatives and authors through meaningful conversations.”

CONTRIBUTOR SPOTLIGHT

DIANA RAMÍREZ WEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDA

BACKGROUND: “I was born in Queens, New York, but my parents are Colombian. They decided to move back to Colombia when I was around 3 or 4 years old, so I grew up in Bogotá. I’ve been in South Florida for almost 20 years now. I graduated with a degree in graphic design and multimedia. My husband, who is also a graphic designer, and I run our own design company, Rainy Sun.” IN THIS ISSUE: Ramírez designs pages in every issue, such as our shopping roundup (page 218) and Traveler’s Notebook (page 222).

FUN FACT: “I have a habit of singing and dancing a lot—not to perform, just naturally. I’m not particularly good at either. I sing both actual songs and ones I make up on the spot, mostly when I’m alone.”

WHAT SHE DOES FOR FUN: “I love to paint and sketch, but you can just as easily find me reading or playing video games—both of which I enjoy very much—or spending time with my dog.”

FROM LEFT: PHOTO BY JIMELL GREENE; COURTESY NATASHA TYNES; COURTESY DIANA RAMÍREZ

Pizza Refresh

BACKGROUND: “I’m originally from Amman, Jordan. I’m a writer, ghostwriter, content creator and published author. I’m the founder of Suburban Media Group, a content and storytelling consultancy. I’m the author of They Called Me Wyatt, a murder mystery set between the U.S. and Jordan, and I’m currently working on a new novel.”

18 MAY/JUNE 2025 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

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John Coloe Photography

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A N T H O N YW I L D E R .CO M

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PUBLISHER Jennifer Farkas

BETHESDA MAGAZINE EDITORIAL

PUBLISHING

TODAY MEDIA

EDITOR

DIRECTOR OF ADVERTISING OPERATIONS

Amélie Ward

PRESIDENT/CEO Robert F. Martinelli

MANAGING EDITOR

SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE

SECRETARY-TREASURER

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

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Kathleen Neary Amy Orndorff

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DIGITAL

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Jeni Hansen, Peter Scott

ART DIRECTOR

DIRECTOR OF MARKETING & EVENTS

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Stacy Cantor

SALES & MARKETING COORDINATOR

CONTRIBUTING DESIGNER

Diana Ramírez

Mariam Bukhari

DIGITAL PRODUCER

CONTRIBUTING EDITORS

CUSTOMER SERVICE MANAGER

Onecia Ribeiro

COPY EDITORS

INTERN

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CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

ADVERTORIAL EDITOR

ADMINISTRATION CONTROLLER AND DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS

Donna Kraidman

ADVERTORIAL WRITERS

ACCOUNTING MANAGER

Jennifer Beekman, Ann Cochran, Betty Siegel

Nicole Jones

ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE/LOGISTICS MANAGER

ADVERTORIAL PHOTOGRAPHERS

Skip Brown, Jimell Greene, Lisa Helfert, Gel Jamlang, Hannele Lahti, Deb Lindsey, Lindsey Max, Brendan McCabe, Scott Suchman, Louis Tinsley, Joseph Tran

CIRCULATION SENIOR AUDIENCE DEVELOPMENT MANAGER

Stephanie Siegel Burke

PHOTOGRAPHERS & ILLUSTRATORS

Sabrina Sucato

Lisa Bennett

Elisabeth Herschbach, Steve Wilder Caralee Adams, Jennifer Barger, Rachel Pomerance Berl, Stephanie Siegel Burke, Meg Drennan, Christine Koubek Flynn, Dana Gerber, Amy Halpern, Wendy A. Jordan, Dawn Klavon, Nevin Martell, Buzz McClain, Jacqueline Mendelsohn, Mike Unger, Carolyn Weber

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ASSOCIATE DIGITAL PUBLISHER

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RESTAURANT CRITIC

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STAFF ACCOUNTANT

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JUNIOR STAFF ACCOUNTANT

Steve and Susan Hull

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BETHESDA TODAY EDITORIAL

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EDITOR

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SENIOR REPORTER

IN MEMORIAM

REPORTERS

CHAIRMAN Angelo R. Martinelli (1927–2018) VICE PRESIDENT Ralph A. Martinelli (1962–2019)

Ginny Bixby

Ashlyn Campbell, Elia Griffin

Bethesda Magazine is published six times a year by Today Media. © 2025 Story ideas and letters to the editor: Please send ideas and letters (with your name, the town you live in and your daytime phone number) to editorial@BethesdaMagazine.com.

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11977 Billys Point Lane, Easton $6,800,000 Laura Carney +1 410 310 3307

6616 Lybrook Court, Bethesda $3,999,500 Kelly Basheer Garrett +1 202 258 7362

6806 Florida Street, Chevy Chase $3,395,000 Kirsten Williams +1 202 657 2022

100 Beech Place, Easton $2,650,000 Laura Carney +1 410 310 3307

1737 Church Street NW, Dupont Circle $2,600,000 Frank Snodgrass +1 202 257 0978

3415 Fulton Street NW, Observatory Circle $2,395,000 Frank Snodgrass +1 202 257 0978

© TTR Sotheby’s International Realty. All Rights Reserved. The Sotheby’s International Realty trademark is licensed and used with permission. Each Sotheby’s International Realty office is independently owned and operated, except those operated by Sotheby’s International Realty, Inc. TTR Sotheby’s International Realty fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act.

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Butterflies are back at Brookside Gardens.

Bethesda-raised brothers get a top prize for their film.

PHOTOS COURTESY MONTGOMERY PARKS, M-NCPPC; PHOTO COURTESY MERIDIAN HILL PICTURES

WHAT PEOPLE ARE TALKING ABOUT

A mud volcano, mud kitchens and more make for a messy—and fun—time at Montgomery Parks’ MudFest. PAGE 33

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BANTER THINGS WE LOVE

5

2

THINGS WE LOVE SIP A SAMPLER RIGHT NOW

1

With a growing list of more than 20 coffee drinks to choose from, Baruch Café in Bethesda makes it tough to pick just one. The coffee flight allows you to try four small versions of any of the java offerings for $15.

Presented in pretty cups, the choices include (pictured above, from left) a caramel frappe, Nutella cappuccino, tiramisu cappuccino and pistachio cappuccino. You can substitute regular milk with oat, almond or coconut milk for an extra 75 cents. Founded by Claci and Ignacio Noboa, Baruch Café opened in December. Food on the menu offers a world of flavors, with dishes inspired by Italian, Peruvian and Hawaiian cultures.

THE MAGIC OF BUTTERFLIES

A butterfly exhibit returns to Brookside Gardens’ South Conservatory House this spring for the first time in six years. Slated to run through Sept. 21, The Butterfly Experience gives visitors an opportunity to see and learn about hundreds of butterflies from all over the world. You also might interact with them—they’re fluttering all around and sometimes will land on you. The exhibit, which had been offered annually beginning in 1997, was last held in 2019, says Stephanie Oberle, Brookside Gardens’ director. Pandemic restrictions and staff vacancies kept Brookside from offering the exhibit again until this year, according to Oberle. Tickets are $14, $9 for ages 3 to 12, and free for children younger than 3. Purchasing tickets in advance is recommended.

1500 Glenallan Ave., Wheaton, 301-962-1400, montgomeryparks.org/parks-and-trails/brookside-gardens/ special-events/the-butterfly-experience-at-brookside-gardens

3 CRAFTING CHEAPLY

Walking into the Art Supply Thrift Shop on the second floor of Germantown’s BlackRock Center for the Arts is like walking into a crafty treasure box of bits, bobs and baubles. The creative wonderland, which opened in its permanent location in mid-January, is the passion project of Gaithersburg’s Kate Coates.

The mission, she says, is to make art accessible to all through pay-whatyou-can pricing and to divert usable supplies from landfills. People can donate just about anything art-adjacent and, as of late March, some 5,100 pounds of paints, fabrics, buttons and more had been kept from the trash, Coates says. The shop is open Saturdays from noon to 4 p.m., and money that’s raised supports programming at BlackRock.

12901 Town Commons Drive, Germantown, 301-528-2260, blackrockcenter.org

FROM LEFT: PHOTOS COURTESY MONTGOMERY PARKS, M-NCPPC; PHOTO BY MARIAM BUKHARI; PHOTO BY AMY ORNDORFF

4841 Del Ray Ave., Bethesda, 703-864-4558, baruchcafe.toast.site

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4 PUT TOGETHER PRETTY PETALS

It turns out you don’t have to be a professional floral designer to whip up an elegant seasonal centerpiece. At a floral design workshop in March at Rolling Ridge Farm in Laytonsville, about 20 participants gathered around metal workbenches with snips and floral foam in hand, guided by Emmi Bergmann, who owns the farm with her husband, Glenn. The class filled round woven baskets with low-lying combinations of potted hyacinth bulbs, cut Gerbera daisies and other flowers, along with faux robin eggs and tiny ceramic rabbits.

In addition to the full-service floral shop, which occupies an enclosed loft above some stables, the property also has an equestrian facility, garden, greenhouses and an Airbnb. The flowers at the March workshop were purchased for the event, but the arrangements often feature blooms grown on-site, says Melissa Bonds, venue manager for the farm. Upcoming workshops include three Mother’s Day-themed events on May 11, a “Hand-Picked Peonies” event on June 1 and “Daddy & Me Build-A-Boat” on June 8. Adult classes range from $75 to $110. Children’s classes start at $30.

7409 Brink Road, Laytonsville, 301-919-1316, rollingridgemd.com

FROM TOP: PHOTOS BY JILLIAN LYNCH; PHOTO COURTESY MONTGOMERY PARKS, M-NCPPC

5

MORE MERRY TO GO AROUND

Hop on a gallant zebra’s back or take a whirl in a chariot at Wheaton Regional Park’s new carousel, which opened in April. The vibrant attraction—36 feet in diameter and painted in a red, white and blue color scheme—was installed earlier this year, replacing a historic carousel that was relocated to Clarksburg and will eventually be reopened (no date has been announced). For their two-minute spin, riders can choose from 22 fiberglass horses, 11 zebras, an ADA-accessible chariot and a hand-painted, double-bench chariot.

Look around for patriotic details, such as bald eagles. Each ride is $4 per person.

Rides are free for children younger than 2 with a paying adult.

2002 Shorefield Road, Wheaton, montgomeryparks.org/parks-andtrails/wheaton-regional-park/ wheaton-miniature-train

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BANTER NEWSMAKERS

10 QUESTIONS

for Makenna Morris

BY CARALEE ADAMS

Makenna Morris says it was a great moment when, surrounded by her Maryland family, she was drafted in January 2024 to play

professional soccer for the Washington Spirit. “It was always in the back of my mind: ‘What if I went to the Spirit?’ I was like, ‘There’s no way, that’ll never happen,’ ” says the 23-year-old forward who grew up in Germantown.

Now in her second season with the Spirit, Morris says her parents, who still live in Germantown, attend every home game— often driving her to D.C.’s Audi Field from her home in Ashburn, Virginia. “After the game, I always make sure that I find them, and I give them a hug,” says Morris, who played for Bethesda Soccer Club, McLean ECNL and St. John’s College High School in Washington, D.C., graduating in 2020.

Morris earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Clemson University, where she helped her soccer team make it to the NCAA Division I Women’s College Cup semifinals in 2023.

This interview has been lightly edited for clarity and length.

1 Do you have any pregame rituals or superstitions?

I try not to be so superstitious. In college, I was. Everything needed to be exactly the same. I do listen to the same seven or eight songs before a game, almost in the exact same order. And if my mom is there, she’s the only person I let braid my hair.

2 What’s on your playlist?

Rod Wave—that’s my favorite artist. I actually like to listen to sad songs before games—very chill vibes. In the locker room, everybody’s hyped. We’re yelling. We’re getting ready. So before the game I try to be really super calm, super mellow.

3 What’s your typical pregame meal?

Ever since coming to the Spirit, before the game we always have pancakes. I feel I’ve ate enough, but not too much.

4 What do you do to relax in your free time?

I love to read. That’s like my big hobby. I love to go outside and bring my dog [a rottweiler named Bear] and have him sit with me and read. He takes up a lot of my time—and I love it. I love him.

5 What’s the last book you read that you really liked?

My favorite series, which shocks me to this day, is a fantasy book called A Court of Thorns and Roses. [Also], Freida McFadden, a thriller kind of mystery writer. She’s one of my favorite authors.

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6 Who would you invite to a dinner party?

Serena Williams.

7 What’s your favorite high school memory?

When we won the WCAC [Washington Catholic Athletic Conference] championship game [my sophomore year in 2017]. I actually scored our very last PK to win it, which was just such a great feeling.

8 What has been your proudest moment as a pro?

Scoring my first goal. I had just gotten back from an injury. It was my first start as a professional, and I scored in the first five minutes of the game.

9 Do you have any advice for aspiring young soccer players?

Always trust and believe in themselves. Set your dreams high and don’t let anybody tell you that you can’t do something.

10 What do you think you’ll be doing in 10 years?

I hope to be still playing soccer.

PHOTO BY LISA HELFERT

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BANTER NEWSMAKERS

People Watching

BY CARALEE ADAMS

Ashley Parker got her start in journalism at The Black & White, the student-run newspaper at Bethesda’s Walt Whitman High School, where she was in the class of 2001. After graduating from the University of Pennsylvania, Parker worked at The New York Times for 11 years and at The Washington Post, covering the White House and politics for eight years. Parker, 42, took a job as a staff writer at The Atlantic in January. “I always wanted to try magazine writing and work those muscles,” says Parker, who now lives in Washington, D.C. “I’m looking forward to a little more time and space, to the challenge of writing some articles at least that are 10,000 words instead of 800 or 2,000. ... The other thing I really like about The Atlantic is the ability to do my beat and break news, but also to write about ideas and culture, and in a personal way, when it makes sense.”

TOP PHOTO COURTESY MERIDIAN HILL PICTURES; BOTTOM PHOTO COURTESY ASHLEY PARKER

Brothers Brandon and Lance Kramer, who grew up in Bethesda, took home the documentary film award for Holding Liat at the Berlin International Film Festival in February. Two distant relatives of theirs in Israel were among the hostages taken on Oct. 7, 2023.

When family members came to Washington, D.C., to advocate for their release, the brothers say they felt a responsibility to document their story. Over the Filmmakers Lance (left) and Brandon Kramer course of a year and a half, Lance, 41, a producer on the film, says they tried to represent each famians,” Brandon said in his speech. “In this polarized moment, ily member’s experience with empathy and care. “For every many people told us it would be safer to shy away from tellmoment that the camera was rolling, there were many more ing a story like this because it didn’t fit neatly into a box or moments that the camera was down and we were just trying provide any easy answers. This is exactly why this story was to be supportive,” he says. Brandon, 38, directed the film and so important to be told.” The Kramers, who live in Washingaccepted the award in Berlin. “We had a rare and intimate ton, D.C., co-founded Meridian Hill Pictures in 2010. The film window into a family wrestling with conflicting points of will be shown at festivals around the world, including a likely view on how to return their loved ones, hold on to their valupcoming date in D.C. ues, and seek a more peaceful future for Israelis and Palestin-

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CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: PHOTO BY DAN GROSS; BOOK COVER COURTESY THE NEW PRESS; COURTESY MANNA FOOD CENTER; COURTESY TIFFANY DRAGOS

Tiffany Dragos, 35, says time in her garden makes her feel rebalanced and grounded when she’s frustrated or stuck. The Ashton mom of a 3-yearold son wants to help others feel that way, too, and make the most of their outdoor space. Last summer, Dragos started Golden Hour Garden Co. to share what she’s learned about how to successfully design, plant and maintain a garden—with an emphasis on sustainability and what works in the local climate. “I want people to enjoy what they’re doing so gardening doesn’t feel like a chore,” says Dragos, who grew up in Rockville. A fan of raised garden beds for vegetables, native plants that support pollinators, and often a trellis to make the setting beautiful, Dragos puts on workshops at local nurseries and coaches clients on how to customize a garden.

“What I teach really resonates with other young, busy moms,” she says. “A lot of clients want to figure out how to create an experience for their kids to learn to connect with nature.”

Bethesda’s Miranda Spivack says that when citizens try to get answers about a problem by filing a public records request, they often face an “information blockade” from government officials. In her book, Backroom Deals in Our Backyards: How Government Secrecy Harms Our Communities and the Local Heroes Fighting Back (The New Press, May 2025), the former Washington Post reporter and editor shares the stories of five people who have learned to become local watchdogs. And she provides a playbook for those she calls “accidental activists.” One chapter is devoted to Richard Boltuck, who worked for years to obtain public records about safety along River Road and ultimately got a traffic light installed near his Bannockburn neighborhood in Bethesda. “There is hope. Individuals do have the ability to identify problems, seek solutions, pressure government and private industry, and achieve change,” says Spivack, 73, now an independent journalist.

Gaithersburg’s Manna Food Center has a new CEO: Craig Rice, 53, who served as a Montgomery County councilmember from 2010 to 2022 and lives in Darnestown.

Rice says he’d like to take the organization to the next level and expand services to the community, operating as a hub to link people to other available support. “The ultimate goal is to make sure that the people who are coming to us are more needing temporary food assistance and not long-term food assistance,” says Rice, who took over in February. “Until we start taking this seriously and—more than just a meal—really providing wraparound services to families, we’re not going to get to that ultimate goal.”

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BANTER NEWSMAKERS

READING LIST These were the top circulating books in the Montgomery County Public Library system from Feb. 1 to Feb. 28.

Fiction 1 Onyx Storm Rebecca Yarros 2 Fourth Wing Rebecca Yarros 3 Iron Flame Rebecca Yarros 4 The Crash Freida McFadden 5 The Women Kristin Hannah

Part coffee shop, part “preloved” clothing store—that’s what Eduardo Carcamo, 42, says of his new business, Upcycled.

Located at 18959 Bonanza Way in Gaithersburg, there also are two tables set up inside with board games and puzzles for customers to enjoy. “The idea is to create a community to the business where people can come hang out, connect, and maybe even make friends,” says Carcamo, who lives in Gaithersburg, works in real Eduardo Carcamo (left) with his son, Jason, at Upcycled estate and runs Upcycled as a side gig with his mother, Ana, 62, and his 22-year-old son, Jason, with input from his daughter, Savannah, 19. “The vibe is very relaxing and inviting. We always have music playing and a candle going, so it’s a super chill atmosphere.” To give back to the community where Carcamo has lived since he came from El Salvador at age 12, the business plans to donate some of its proceeds each quarter to a different local nonprofit.

6 Demon Copperhead Barbara Kingsolver 7 The God of the Woods Liz Moore 8 Remarkably Bright Creatures Shelby Van Pelt 9 The Covenant of Water Abraham Verghese 10 James Percival Everett

Nonfiction 1 The Demon of Unrest: A Saga of Hubris, Heartbreak, and Heroism at the Dawn of the Civil War Erik Larson 2 Elon Musk Walter Isaacson 3 Be Ready When the Luck Happens Ina Garten 4 On Call: A Doctor’s Journey in Public Service Anthony Fauci 5 Educated: A Memoir Tara Westover 6 The Message Ta-Nehisi Coates 7 The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness Jonathan Haidt 8 An Unfinished Love Story: A Personal History of the 1960s Doris Kearns Goodwin 9 Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis J.D. Vance 10 Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones James Clear

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: COURTESY MACMILLAN PUBLISHERS; PHOTO BY DAVID BARATZ; COURTESY PHOTOS; PHOTO BY CARALEE ADAMS

You Deserve to Know (Forge Books, March 2025), Aggie Blum Thompson’s fourth psychological thriller, centers on the lives of three tight-knit mom friends in East Bethesda whose lives are changed when tragedy strikes at one of their weekly Friday night dinners. “It’s a typical whodunit in that it’s on a small cul-de-sac, a fixed number of people, one person is murdered and everybody is a suspect,” says the 54-year-old Bethesda author and former newspaper crime reporter. “But there are a lot of twists and a lot of unraveling of this quiet community. The last chapter takes everything you thought you understood about them and kind of upends it.” Thompson says she got the idea while thinking about how suburban parents often are connected through their kids’ shared interests but don’t really know each other—and then imagined a dark scenario that underscored the fragility of the friendships.

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Nils Frahm Thu, May 8 Experimental acoustic pianist

Chucho Valdés Irakere 50 Sun, May 11 Legendary Afro-Cuban jazz band Wise Reagon Arts & Strathmore Present

Over My Head, I Hear Music in the Air

SEASON

Coming up at

2024 2025

Step Afrika!

Celebrating 30 Years Fri & Sat, June 27 & 28 Featuring two world premieres, and revisiting favorite choreography from 30 years of percussive performances.

A Prairie Home Companion with Garrison Keillor Wed, June 18 The popular live variety radio show on tour.

A Celebration of the Life and Legacy of Bernice Johnson Reagon Fri, May 16

Toshi Reagon hosts an evening of reflection and congregation with singers, scholars, poets, and creatives.

From top: Step Afrika!, Garrison Keillor, Nils Frahm by Markus Werner, Chucho Valdés

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Co-presented by Strathmore May 30–31 Celebrating women and marginalized composers.

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BANTER BEST BETS

MAY/JUNE May 10-11

Bethesda Fine Arts Festival Artists from around the country—more than 100 in all—will sell paintings, drawings, photographs, jewelry, sculptures and other original creations at this annual street festival in downtown Bethesda’s Woodmont Triangle. The event is free, and there will be food for sale from local restaurants and live musical performances. bethesda.org/arts/artsfestival.htm

May 17

Gaithersburg Book Festival Fiction writers Ibi Zoboi and Louis Bayard, humorist Dave Barry, sports journalists David Aldridge and Joe Posnanski, mystery author Jeffery Deaver and Caldecott-winning authors Vera Brosgol and Brian Lies are just a few of the big names who will participate in book talks and panel discussions at this annual literary festival in Gaithersburg’s Bohrer Park at Summit Hall Farm. The event features more than 100 authors in genres ranging from fiction to nonfiction, poetry, children’s literature, graphic novels, science fiction, mystery/thrillers and young adult literature.

The free festival also includes writing workshops, book signings and children’s activities. gaithersburgbookfestival.org

May 24-25

Hometown Holidays The annual two-day music festival is back in Rockville Town Center after a few years at RedGate Park. The city’s free summer kickoff party features two stages with live music, food and beverages from local vendors, and yard games and crafts for kids. New this year will be an arts market. rockvillemd.gov/665/ hometown-holidays-at-town-center

June 7

Sandy Spring Strawberry Festival After taking a year off to reevaluate its size and focus, this popular festival returns to the grounds of the Sandy Spring Museum in Sandy Spring. Strawberries are the star of the show, so expect strawberry drinks, strawberry desserts and a strawberry shortcake-eating contest. In addition, there will be a petting zoo, hands-on crafts and demonstrations, a juried craft show and a plant sale.

Tickets, available for purchase online, will be required and limited to 5,000 people. sandyspringmuseum.org/ strawberry-festival

COMMUNITY EVENTS May 15

Best of Bethesda Party After a five-year hiatus, Bethesda Magazine’s event celebrating the year’s Best of Bethesda winners is returning with live music, drinks and food. Guests can nibble on offerings from 2025 readers’ favorites and editors’ picks, including No Regrets Pizza Co. (Best New Pizza Parlor With Creative Cocktails), Burtons Grill & Bar (Best AllergyFriendly Brunch) and Läderach Chocolatier Suisse (Best New Indulgences) at the Kid Museum in Bethesda. Tickets are available

for purchase online. bethesdamagazine.com/ best-of-bethesda-party

May 26

Memorial Day Ceremony and Parade Rockville’s annual Memorial Day observation starts with a ceremony in Rockville Town Center to remember fallen veterans and continues with a parade that includes military and community groups, dance troupes and other organizations. The procession begins at North Washington Street and Martins Lane and ends at East Montgomery Avenue and Monroe Street. rockvillemd.gov/2402/ memorial-day-ceremony-and-parade

June 1

Invent the Future Expo Visitors to this event at the Kid Museum in Bethesda can participate in science, technology, engineering and mathematics activities. Inventions by middle school students—such as firefighting drones and water filtration systems—designed to solve environmental problems will be on display. Business leaders and entrepreneurs in science- and technology-related fields will discuss their proposals to make life better.

The expo is free, but registration is required. kid-museum.org/programs/ invent-the-future-expo

FROM TOP LEFT: PHOTO COURTESY BETHESDA URBAN PARTNERSHIP; PHOTO COURTESY KID MUSEUM; PHOTO COURTESY CITY OF GAITHERSBURG

FESTIVALS

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IT’S A MUD, MUD WORLD Clean freaks beware! MudFest, Montgomery Parks’ annual celebration of dirt, returns to Woodstock Equestrian Special Park in Beallsville on June 14. The park’s grassy lawn is transformed into a giant mud pit. montgomeryparks.org/events/mudfest

Here are five things to know before you go: 1. MudFest is the local celebration of International Mud Day. The idea behind

it is to encourage play and to get in touch with nature, according to Katrina Fauss, an organizer of the local event. The county’s first large-scale MudFest was held in 2018. This will be the fifth MudFest after a pause for three years due to the pandemic.

June 14

Suds & Soles 5K Lace up your running shoes for this 3.1mile course through Rockville Town Center and the surrounding neighborhoods. Then reward yourself with a beverage from a local brewery at this annual race that benefits the Rockville Youth Recreation Fund and youth and beginners running programs of the Montgomery County Road Runners Club.

The event is known for its after-race party, which features live music and refreshments.

Runners 21 and older receive beverage samples with their registration. rockvillemd.gov/669/suds-soles-5k

June 28

PHOTO COURTESY MONTGOMERY PARKS, M-NCPPC

SummerFest Gaithersburg lights up the night at this annual festival at Bohrer Park at Summit Hall Farm. The free event features live musical performances, food trucks, beverages to purchase from local breweries and activities for kids.

Fireworks start at dusk and are followed by a SummerGlo after-party with music and glow sticks. gaithersburgmd.gov/ recreation/special-events/summerfest

June 29

Pride in the Plaza Montgomery County’s celebration of LGBTQ+ communities takes over Veterans Plaza

in Silver Spring with a resource fair, health screenings, musical and drag performances, and a pride ball. The free event also includes food and drinks from local vendors and family-friendly activities. liveinyourtruth.org/ pride-in-the-plaza

THEATER May 28-June 22 King James

It’s the 2003-2004 NBA season and LeBron James is a rookie player with the Cleveland Cavaliers when basketball fans Shawn and Matt meet. This comedy at Bethesda’s Round House Theatre follows their relationship over the course of time and James’ career.

On the surface, the play written by Pulitzer Prize finalist Rajiv Joseph is about sports, but underneath it’s about friendships and the things that divide people and bring them together. roundhousetheatre.org/on-stage

June 27-Aug. 17 The Lightning Thief

Based on the bestselling book by Rick Riordan, this musical opened on Broadway in 2019. The novel is the first in the Percy Jackson & the Olympians series, in which Percy tangles with Greek gods and other mythological creatures. Adventure Theatre-MTC’s version in Glen Echo makes the story accessible

2. The dirt is pre-sifted and recycled.

About 120 cubic yards of dirt are brought in each year for MudFest, but organizers also try to keep and reuse as much as possible from year to year, Fauss says. Before it’s mixed with water to create the muddy slop, the dirt is checked to make sure there’s nothing sharp or dangerous in it. Still, closed-toe footwear is recommended.

3. Feel free to bring your own toys.

Think beach gear, but dirtier. Plastic pails and shovels, goggles, and even inflatable snow tube sleds and pool floats can add to the fun. There will also be buckets, shovels and mud kitchen utensils available to use.

4. Returning features include a mud volcano, a large pile of dirt with a water hose in

the middle that creates a constant mud stream; mud kitchens with wooden “burners” and “ovens” and pretend sinks for making amazing mud pies; a mud art studio for making mud paintings; and a “tinker town” where folks can use loose parts, such as funnels, gutters and tennis balls, to create mud ramps and more. There are also mud slides that land in a large mud puddle.

4. Entry is $20 per vehicle. Hose-off

stations and changing tents are available for cleaning up, as are trash bags for collecting muddy items. Come ready to have fun. A DJ and food trucks will be on-site.

—Stephanie Siegel Burke

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BANTER BEST BETS

DANCE/MUSIC May 13 Bush

These British grunge rockers had a string of hits in the ’90s, including “Glycerine,” “Comedown” and “Machinehead.” Expect to hear those and more when they take the stage at The Fillmore Silver Spring on their “Loaded: The Greatest Hits Tour.” Fellow rock band Filter opens the show. fillmoresilverspring.com/shows

May 16

Over My Head, I Hear Music in the Air Bernice Johnson Reagon was a civil rights activist, composer and American history professor. A curator with the Smithsonian and founder of the Washington, D.C. all-Black female a cappella group Sweet Honey in the Rock, she passed away last year at age 81. This event at The Music Center at Strathmore, curated by

Y EA

V SER F RS O

ICE

her daughter, musician Toshi Reagon, brings together singers, scholars and poets to celebrate and reflect on her life and work. strathmore.org

June 24

Los Lonely Boys The band, made up of three brothers from Texas, won a Grammy Award for its debut single, “Heaven,” in 2005. Known for blending rock ’n’ roll, soul, country and Tejano music, the group is set to perform at The Fillmore Silver Spring. fillmoresilverspring.com/shows

June 27-28 Step Afrika!

Founded in 1994, this dance company blends stepping, a percussive dance form traditionally performed by African American fraternities and sororities, with African and contemporary dance styles. The group celebrates its 30th anniversary at The Music Center at Strathmore with performances that include the world premieres of two dances. strathmore.org

ART May 23

Start of Summer Party Swing by Compass Art Center in Kensington for artist demonstrations, a new exhibition in the Wheaton Arts Parade Gallery 2 and family-friendly arts activities. thecompassatelier.com/event-listings/ startofsummer2025

SPORTS Late May-July

Cal Ripken Sr. Collegiate Baseball League Montgomery County is home to four teams that play in the Cal Ripken Sr. Collegiate Baseball League: the Bethesda Big Train, Gaithersburg Giants, Olney Cropdusters and Silver SpringTakoma Thunderbolts. Last season, the Big Train won its 11th league championship after beating the Southern Maryland Senators. calripkenleague.org —Stephanie Siegel Burke

PHOTO COURTESY STEP AFRIKA!

for younger audiences. adventuretheatre-mtc. org/shows/2024-2025-professional-shows

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BANTER COMMUNITY BUILDING

Barbara Kenner (left) and Sylvia Wagner bond over cards and laughs at a Saturday Night Ladies meetup.

Live From Potomac, It’s…

SNL has a different meaning for this group of women who meet weekly for games and companionship BY MEG DRENNAN “We are the Saturday Night Ladies!” laughs Sylvia Wagner, 84, of Potomac

when introducing the circle of women who gather for games and friendship once a week. “Most of us are widows and don’t want to be alone. But many couples don’t realize how important it is to include their single friends in their social lives.”

Unhappy with that situation, Wagner joined forces four years ago with longtime friend Ellen Forman, also a widow, to write a new script for Saturday nights.

“At first we just went out to eat,” says Forman, 88, of Potomac. “But then I thought, why not do something different? Why not play games, too? Other friends, friends of friends heard about it and asked to join us.”

Since then, the Saturday Night Ladies or

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SNL has grown to include 18 women. Most of its members are in their 80s (the youngest is 73). They all live independently.

On one Saturday in February, it’s games night at the Park Potomac Place condominium building, where Wagner and Forman reside along with several other members. The wood-paneled clubroom is prepped for the party—wine and soft drinks arrayed on the bar, and platters of cheese, crackers and kale dip laid out on the coffee table by the fireplace.

The main attractions, however, are the four card tables neatly set up for mahjong, bridge and canasta.

At the mahjong table, the women expertly flip over the white tiles, scanning the colorful symbols, such as bam-

boo, Chinese characters and circles, to find the ones they need to win the game.

The play is fast as the women quickly assess, rearrange and discard tiles in practiced, fluid motions.

“I’ve been playing mahjong for 50 years, ever since I was first married,” says one woman. The others nod in agreement, acknowledging the decades of experience among them.

In the back of the large room, the bridge players take turns bidding, trying to signal to their partners which suit they want to play based on the strength of the cards they are holding. “One club. One heart.

Two clubs. Pass. Three hearts. Pass.” Once trump is settled, then the action begins.

Hands fly, scooping up tricks.

PHOTO BY LINDSEY MAX

4/11/25 10:27 AM

“I find bridge very stimulating mentally,” says Ruth Lee, 86, of North Bethesda.

Two tables are dedicated to canasta, a fast-paced card game that is a variation of rummy. “Canasta is a lot less stressful than bridge or mahjong,” Wagner jokes.

The weekly SNL gatherings, however, are more than just fun and games. The women also help each other navigate the minor and major transitions of older age, from needing a ride to a doctor’s appointment to moving out of a beloved home or losing a spouse.

“My husband, Stanley, died a year ago.

We were married 65 years. He used to tease me about this group, but now I say, ‘Thank God for the widows,’ ” says Ellen Albert, 86, of Potomac. She attended elementary school in Baltimore with Ruth Lee and another SNL member, Sondra Snyder, 86, of North Bethesda.

Friendships and good companions later in life may slow down the aging

process. According to a 2024 report from the Population Reference Bureau, strong social connections boost mental acuity, improve sleep quality, and help older adults weather traumatic events and maintain their independence longer, among other advantages.

Potomac’s Karen Friedman, 60, believes her mother, Barbara Kenner, 89, benefits from being a part of the group. “These are really smart women. They’ve figured it out.

They keep an eye on each other. They’ve gone through life’s journey together. This is another part of that journey.”

But it takes work to have fun.

“You have to force yourself to do things, even if you don’t want to,” Lee says. “The most important thing is to keep busy and be social. We all try to keep up. Some women take courses, others still volunteer.”

Forman and Wagner encourage the women to make suggestions and take turns

organizing their events. If someone is not comfortable with computers and sending out emails, then another will help them.

“This is our shared project. Everyone contributes in their own way. A lot of these women were very active before—lawyers, pharmacists, teachers, business owners.

Now this is another aspect of having a fulfilling, productive time in our senior years,” says Wagner, who traces her friendship with Forman to 1977.

What’s coming up next? An NIH Community Orchestra performance, dinner at an Indian restaurant followed by Rummikub, and possibly, one day, a short cruise.

“Maybe Bermuda. We’ll play cards and just go wherever the boat goes,” Forman says with a laugh. “I wanted to start something to make people happy. Now, 18 people are happy. I hope others will be inspired to do the same thing, to keep inventing a new chapter of their life.”

Our aim is for you to feel

HEARD Dr. Rose Buchbinder, Au.D., CCC-A

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E B R AT I N

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(Annapolis, North Bethesda) OF

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BANTER SPORTS

‘Calm Confidence’ Despite partial paralysis, Jack Bonifant competed in Division I golf in college. He hopes to be teeing off at this summer’s U.S. Adaptive Open in Rockville.

BY CARALEE ADAMS

“I don’t remember not playing,” Silver Spring resident Jack Bonifant, 34, says of getting his start in golf.

Bonifant began hitting the ball with a kid-size club at Argyle Country Club in Silver Spring when he was about 2 years old with the encouragement of his parents, Jim and Debbie. He was competitive on the local junior golf circuit, played in high school and walked on to the Division I golf team at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia. He excelled despite an accident when he was 6 weeks old that fractured his skull and resulted in partial paralysis on the left side of his body.

“My parents always wanted me to figure it out myself and not use my left side as a reason not to play with everybody,” says Bonifant, who went through years of physical and occupational therapy. He walks with a slight limp and wears a left foot and ankle brace for stability when he golfs.

Three years ago, Bonifant began competing in the U.S. Adaptive Open, a tournament sponsored by the U.S. Golf Association for players with a variety of disabilities. In a field of 96 players, he placed seventh in 2022, 12th in 2023 and 11th in 2024. Bonifant hopes to qualify in the coordination impairment category for the 2025 U.S. Adaptive Open, which will be held at Woodmont Country Club in Rockville from July 7-9. Bethesda Magazine is a tournament sponsor.

“For years I played [golf] in spite of my left side, and with the [Adaptive Open], —JACK BONIFANT that’s the first thing that I’ve ever played in because of my left side,” Bonifant says.

“Growing up, I just wanted to be better than everybody. The main goal was to play Division I golf, and I’m a pretty determined person.”

At JMU, Tim Driver was a senior when Bonifant showed up for practice. “He was mature beyond his years and was focused,” says the 39-year-old Driver, who lives in Holly Springs, North Carolina. “Even though he was a freshman and a walk-on, he was a leader right away.”

Bonifant has a natural swing, Driver says, although it was appar-

Golfer Jack Bonifant at Argyle Country Club in Silver Spring, the course he grew up playing and where he’s now a board member

ent he had to overcome obstacles. “That probably made him develop and become so mature so quick,” he says. “It made him stronger.”

Bonifant says he was into baseball as a kid, but stopped in high school when the game got faster. Football was out because of the potential for a head injury. “Golf just leveled the playing field for me, I think more so than any other sport,” Bonifant says. “I felt like I could compete, and it wasn’t so glaring.”

Bonifant was on the golf teams at Our Lady of Good Counsel High School in Olney and Sherwood High School in Sandy Spring, making The Washington Post’s All-Met First Team in 2008 as a senior.

Bonifant acknowledges he had a bit of a temper on the golf course when he was younger. Now, his pre-game ritual includes stretching, putting, hitting a few balls and putting again before going to the first tee. That routine, along with listening to music, puts him in a place of “calm confidence,” Bonifant says.

As life gets busier—he’s a federal account executive for Salesforce and lives with his wife, Genna, and son, Carter—Bonifant says he likely won’t play in as many tournaments this season but is focused on training more efficiently. He is active at Argyle, where he’s served on the board of directors for the past six years.

Bonifant says he hopes his son will enjoy the same love of golf that has been central to his life. “It’s such a great game, I can’t wait to teach my kid,” says Bonifant, who gave Carter his first golf club when he turned 1 in March.

“GOLF JUST LEVELED THE PLAYING FIELD FOR ME, I THINK MORE SO THAN ANY OTHER SPORT.”

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PHOTO BY LOUIS TINSLEY

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Advanced General and Implant Dentistry SMILES OF CHEVY CHASE DESPINA M. MARKOGIANNAKIS, DDS

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miles of Chevy Chase: Elevating Dentistry to an Art Form. Under the expert guidance of Dr. Despina M. Markogiannakis, Smiles of Chevy Chase is redefining the standard of dental care in the Washington, D.C. area. A pioneer in advanced general and implant dentistry, Dr. Markogiannakis blends cutting-edge technology with unmatched artistry to deliver stunning smile transformations.

At the forefront of digital dentistry and from implant reconstructions to custom porcelain crowns and clear aligners, her practice offers a comprehensive range of services tailored to each patient’s unique needs.

At Smiles of Chevy Chase, sophistication meets unparalleled craftsmanship. Our practice offers a bespoke approach to restorative dentistry, creating porcelain crowns that seamlessly blend beauty, durability and precision. Utilizing the latest in digital impressions,

we provide an enhanced experience— eliminating the discomfort of traditional molds and ensuring a flawless fit with unrivaled accuracy.

Every treatment is designed with care, including nitrous sedation for those seeking a more relaxed experience.

For the discerning individual seeking an exquisite, long-lasting solution, Smiles of Chevy Chase is your destination. Our precision-driven approach to dental implants preserves your jawbone, enhances oral health, and delivers a natural, lasting solution that’s both easy to maintain and transformative. Trust us to elevate your smile with the artistry and expertise it deserves.

Smiles of Chevy Chase—where beauty, precision and trust converge for a truly exceptional smile.

Call to schedule your complimentary consultation to better assess your needs and meet our team.

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Beauty RHONDA BRAY | JUVE BEAUTY LOUNGE

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ounder. Health Innovator. Trailblazer in Aesthetic Wellness.

Rhonda Bray brings a rare blend of clinical expertise, business leadership and creative vision to everything she does. A former Cleveland Clinic nurse, she went on to found Rhythm Management Group,

a nationally recognized, remote patient monitoring company. Today, she leads the Health Assurance Foundation, championing equitable access to healthcare through innovation and community-based solutions.

Now based in Chevy Chase, Rhonda brings her

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passion for wellness to JUVE Beauty—a luxury aesthetic lounge blending science, self-care and elevated experiences for clients who expect more. As one of the few Black women to lead in both health tech and beauty, she continues to break barriers with purpose and grace.

A nurse’s heart, a founder’s vision, a woman’s touch.

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Bethesda's Best Builder SANDY SPRING BUILDERS, LLC | FROM LEFT: BRIAN ABRAMSON, RAY SOBRINO, MIMI BRODSKY KRESS, PHIL LEIBOVITZ, TOM BENNETT, TYLER ABRAMS

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andy Spring Builders is the premier custom homebuilder in the Washington, D.C. area. For over 40 years, Phil Leibovitz and Mimi Brodsky Kress have been building new and doing large-scale renovations of award-winning homes and bringing their client’s vision to life. Sandy Spring Builders has won the Best of Bethesda Magazine award for “Best Builder” every year since its inception.

Their incredible team, who are among the most talented and passionate in the industry, have built a portfolio of spectacular homes for their clients. They are full-service custom builders, and their expertise is unmatched in the industry. Their clients, including friends and family, are the biggest testament to an enduring theme that everyone at Sandy Spring Builders goes by, “We are your builder for life.”

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Excellence in Family Law MALECH LAW

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hen families face major transitions, an experienced lawyer who approaches each situation with empathy and expertise makes all the difference.

Whether it’s custody arrangements, asset division, or spousal support, it’s critical to work with the right attorney.

For decades, Lloyd Malech of Malech Law has provided Bethesda families with skilled and compassionate representation in family law matters. His client-centered representation helps clients navigate complex challenges and make informed decisions. He customizes his approach to the specific needs of each client, offering guidance and zealous representation. Malech Law offers resources and strategic representation sensitive to the highly personal nature of family law. When dealing with a narcissistic spouse, a complex marital estate, or co-parenting challenges, having trusted legal representation ensures you can approach the process with clarity and confidence. Malech Law offers advice, representation and resources to manage the transition to a better life.

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Best Practice for Medical Aesthetics & Dermatology CAPITAL LASER & SKIN CARE

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apital Laser & Skin Care is a world-renown center of excellence dedicated to delivering advanced, effective dermatologic treatments in a warm and welcoming environment. Board-certified dermatologists, Drs. Geeta Shah, Tania Peters and Elizabeth Tanzi use state-of-the-art technology and innovative techniques to customize each treatment plan, maximizing outcomes and patient satisfaction.

We use non-invasive treatments to deliver naturally radiant results that enhance personal features without creating an overdone look.

Voted the "Best Dermatology Practice" and “Best Place for Medical Aesthetics” by Bethesda Magazine readers since 2018, Capital Laser & Skin Care specializes in cosmetic and non-invasive treatments to enhance and maintain skin health and beauty.

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THE FACE OF

General, Cosmetic & Implant Dentistry JASON A. COHEN, DDS

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r. Jason Cohen’s patients appreciate the artistry that goes into his dentistry. His practice offers gentle treatment in a caring atmosphere and aims to preserve, protect and enhance patients’ dental health, while treating patients like family. He and his staff prove that going to the dentist can be an enjoyable experience.

Ranging from simple aesthetic bonding to complex implant dentistry, Dr. Cohen’s office utilizes digital radiography and photography to ensure the most ideal aesthetic results. Dr. Cohen, a detail-oriented perfectionist, and his team have a commitment to continuing education that enables them to provide the most current, state-of-the-art care.

Practicing in the area since 2002, Dr. Cohen lives in Bethesda with his wife, Stacy, and sons Corey and Blake.

301-656-1201 CosmeticDDS.com

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Westbrook Neighborhood Homes DANA RICE GROUP OF COMPASS

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pecializing in the unique collection of “Westbrook” neighborhoods (Westmoreland Hills, Westgate, Brookdale, Green Acres, Crestview, among others), Dana Rice is a familiar and trusted resource in Bethesda and Chevy Chase real estate.

“Homes in these neighborhoods are well-built and extremely desirable for their proximity to Friendship Heights and D.C.,” says Rice. “My team lives and works here, which makes a huge difference as we serve our clients.” From small bungalows to expansive custom new homes, through Bethesda, Chevy Chase and Washington, D.C., Dana Rice brings a depth of community knowledge that makes a difference for sellers and buyers alike. With unmatched marketing insight, an on-staff stager, an interior designer and a roster of go-to experts, the Dana Rice Group brings concierge service to each client.

O: 301-298-1001 D: 202-669-6908 DanaRiceGroup.com

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Business Law NAZARETH BONIFACINO LAW BENEFIT LLC

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azareth Bonifacino Law is more than a law firm; it is a force for good.

Maryland's first Certified Benefit Corporation legal practice, this award-winning firm is dedicated to driving positive change throughout the mid-Atlantic region. Trusted as general counsel to businesses, nonprofits and independent private schools, the attorneys at Nazareth Bonifacino Law bring joy and purpose to their work, transforming communities for a

brighter future.

The firm, founded by Natasha Nazareth and Ginny Bonifacino, offers deep proficiency, intuitive problem-solving and innovative resolutions in business, intellectual property and education law, empowering clients to thrive.

Experience their personal, collaborative and affordable approach tailored to your needs, with intentional listening and honest conversations that redefine legal practice standards.

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THE FACE OF

Dyslexia Education THE SIENA SCHOOL

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he Siena School, a national leader in dyslexia education, serves bright, college-bound students with languagebased learning differences on campuses in Silver Spring, Md., (grades three through 12) and Oakton, Va., (grades three through 12).

In 2024, Siena opened a satellite campus in Silver Spring for grades three and four, continuing to refine students’ elementary experience with necessary early intervention, self-advocacy lessons and multisensory reading techniques.

Siena’s mission-focused innovative dyslexia education is designed for students with strong interests in the arts, sciences, history, social justice and more. Technology, individualized reading instruction, multisensory teaching, lessons in self-advocacy and executive functioning, and collaboration with faculty and staff help meet students’ learning needs.

Siena also provides virtual tutoring and a summer academic program.

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Modern Family Law GEOFFREY S. PLATNICK, HADRIAN N. HATFIELD AND SCOTT M. STRICKLER

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amily dynamics are constantly evolving, and so should your legal representation.

Strickler, Platnick & Hatfield understands the profound impact its actions have on clients' lives and, with decades of experience in family law— even with the complex and contentious cases— stands as a beacon of compassionate guidance, expertise and dependability. At the forefront of the ever-changing family law landscape, managing partner Geoffrey S. Platnick and the Strickler,

240-617-0404 Platnick & Hatfield team work collaboratively, ModernFamilyLawFirm.com leveraging their collective knowledge and experience to secure optimal outcomes. Whether you're navigating divorce, custody disputes, property division allocation, alimony calculations or any family conflicts, Strickler, Platnick & Hatfield recognizes every family deserves tailored solutions.

"Achieving clients' goals is our highest priority; we pursue those objectives intently through creative strategies and fervent advocacy," says Platnick.

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Retirement Planning DAVID B. HURWITZ, CFP®, BFA™, CRPC™, CRPS™, RICP®, APMA™, AIF®

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he alphabet soup after my name is evidence of my commitment to the specific needs around retirement planning strategies.

I hold the Accredited Investment Fiduciary® (AIF®), Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor™ (CRPC™), Chartered Retirement Plans Specialist™ (CRPS™), Retirement Income Certified Professional® (RICP®), Accredited Portfolio Management Advisor™ (APMA™), and the Behavioral Financial Advisor (BFA™) designations, on top of being a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ practitioner (CFP®).

Our team helps clients not only plan for how to make their money last throughout retirement, but also all the other challenges, like planning for kids and grandkids, dealing with volatile markets, and often coaching people on how to spend and enjoy their money. When it comes to retirement planning strategies, we can help with saving, growing, preserving or gifting your nest egg. Visit our website to request an initial consultation.

301-263-8509 AmeripriseAdvisors.com/ David.B.Hurwitz David B. Hurwitz, CFP®, AIF®, CRPCTM, CRPS®, RICP®, APMA®, BFA™ is a Private Wealth Advisor with Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC in Bethesda, MD. He specializes in fee-based financial planning and asset management strategies and has been in practice for 20 years.

Advisor is licensed and registered to do business with U.S. residents only in the state of MD. The initial consultation provides an overview of financial planning concepts. You will not receive written analysis and/or recommendations.

Investment products are not insured by the FDIC, NCUA or any federal agency, are not deposits or obligations of, or guaranteed by any financial institution, and involve investment risks including possible loss of principal and fluctuation in value.

Investment advisory products and services are made available through Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC, a registered investment adviser.

Securities offered by Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC. Member FINRA and SIPC. © 2025 Ameriprise Financial, Inc. All rights reserved.

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Audiology Experience GAIL LINN, AU.D. | POTOMAC AUDIOLOGY

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ince 1998, Dr. Gail Linn has been providing doctorate level hearing care people can trust. The practice added a pediatric specialist when Dr. Linn’s daughter, Dr. Tricia Terlep, joined in 2007. Over her 35 years in practice, Dr. Linn has become a leading voice in the industry for Real Ear Measurements, a procedure that allows her to

measure exactly what the hearing aid is delivering to the ear through a tiny tube attached to a microphone in a patient’s ear. While not widely done, Dr. Linn considers this the most important component of a hearing aid fitting. There is no reason to risk spending thousands of dollars on hearing aids that may not be programmed to the best of their ability.

PotomacAudiology.com 240-477-1010

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THE FACE OF

Wealth Management BRIAN SALCETTI, AIF, CIMA CEO, MANAGING PARTNER OF SANDBOX FINANCIAL PARTNERS

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re you confident in your financial future? Whether you're preparing for retirement, managing wealth, or navigating a major life transition, having a trusted advisor can make all the difference.

For the fifth year in a row, Brian Salcetti is the Face of Wealth Management—a reflection of his dedication to helping clients simplify their finances, reduce taxes and avoid costly mistakes. As fiduciaries, Sandbox Financial Partners removes the conflicts of interest common at banks, brokerage firms, and insurance companies—providing only honest, transparent advice, tailored to your goals.

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Buyer and Seller Success in Bethesda Real Estate TRENT HEMINGER AND MARY NOONE | TRENT & CO AT COMPASS REAL ESTATE

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he real estate market may seem daunting right now, but with our expertise and the aid of Compass's proprietary tools—we are here to make the process simpler!

For buyers, we have exclusive access to private, off-market properties powered by Compass search technology and our expansive network of agents. Finding the perfect home is

easier with Trent & Co. For sellers, Compass has developed a multiphased marketing strategy for your home that creates demand, builds momentum and ensures you are best positioned for maximum success. Utilizing our system allows us to validate pricing and generate demand before launching publicly, positioning your home to attain the best possible results.

Licensed in MD/DC/VA M: 240-461-3928 O: 301-298-1001 TrentAndCo.com

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Kitchen & Bath Remodeling CORNERSTONE REMODELING

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ornerstone Remodeling: Elevating Homes, One Exquisite Transformation at a Time. Since 2011, Cornerstone has been the trusted choice for discerning homeowners across central Maryland seeking innovative design and exceptional craftsmanship in their kitchen, bath, basement, and home addition projects.

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Estate Planning Law SELZER GURVITCH RABIN WERTHEIMER & POLOTT, P.C.

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elzer Gurvitch, recognized for its comprehensive knowledge of estate law and taxation, provides estate planning services that go beyond mere tax savings. The firm's experienced and compassionate attorneys craft wills, trusts, family partnerships, LLCs and charitable trusts/foundations, with a strategic focus on preserving assets for the benefit of clients' families and supporting their philanthropic goals for future generations.

From tax-efficient planning to estate administration

and probate, Selzer Gurvitch offers clear, proactive guidance at every step. Whether creating a trust for future generations or structuring a philanthropic vision, the firm delivers sophisticated, comprehensive and customized solutions tailored to each client's unique needs—all with precision and care.

With Selzer Gurvitch, clients can plan with confidence, protect what matters most and build a lasting legacy. Visit www.selzergurvitch.com to learn more.

301-986-9600 SelzerGurvitch.com

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A Game Changer POTOMAC PRESTIGE

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obody knows new construction like TTR Sotheby's International Realty agent Toni Gage, the trusted insider for Washington, D.C.'s most discerning home buyers and sellers. With 37-plus years in the industry and a sharp eye for securing prime off-market properties while avoiding costly missteps, she provides expert, comprehensive guidance in acquiring and building new homes, ensuring a seamless, strategic process from start to finish.

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Engaged Living INGLESIDE AT KING FARM

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mbrace life without compromise at Ingleside at King Farm. This dynamic community offers a continuum of care, including independent living, assisted living, memory support assisted living, skilled nursing, home care and a social day program. Explore an engaged lifestyle through innovative programming, exceptional amenities and spacious apartments. At the Center for Healthy Living, every day is a chance to focus

on your body, mind and spirit. Enjoy a variety of experiences, from creative pursuits in the cultural arts center to relaxation in the saltwater pool.

Stay active in the yoga studio, grab something to drink at the coffee shop, or explore even more engaging amenities—there’s always something to do. Located in the walkable King Farm neighborhood, there is convenient access to parks, shopping, dining and the nation’s capital.

Here, you can discover life without compromise.

240-455-4559 IKFMD.org

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Home Entertainment AVI BENAIM, PRESIDENT, AND PETER PELLEGRINO, RESIDENTIAL ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE

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.B.E. Networks is the Washington, D.C. metro area’s leading provider of residential and commercial technology design and custom integration, with over 30 years of experience. The award-winning firm takes a comprehensive approach, emphasizing collaboration, aesthetics and future-proof solutions. Known for exceptional customer service, from initial contact to continuing care, A.B.E. Networks builds lasting client relationships.

Services include dedicated home theaters, highfidelity audio/video systems, landscape audio, video walls, automated lighting and shading control, wired and wireless enterprise-grade data networks, security cameras, technology consulting, motorized window treatments, access control, custom automation solutions, structured wiring and multimedia meeting rooms. Every project is tailored to seamlessly integrate technology with design, enhancing both functionality and style, delivering unparalleled value and satisfaction.

301-495-0964 ABENetworks.com info@abenetworks.com

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Persistence and Success RLG LAW | MARIA ATHANASAKIS, GLORIA H. LEE, ANDREW R. ITALIA, ZHIA L. SHEPARDSON, DONNA K. RISMILLER, MARY C. LOMBARDO AND MONICA GARCIA

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LG Law offers deep expertise in family law, employment law, business planning and formation, trusts and estates, and civil litigation. Firm attorneys blend their experience and compassion with legal smarts to provide effective representation with integrity, professionalism and unrivaled commitment to their clients’ best interest.

Many firms offer aggressive litigators or collaborative peacemakers, but RLG handles all

resolution methods—mediation, alternative dispute models, collaborative methods, litigation and everything in between. Working in partnership with clients, they don't just tell clients what to do. They carefully explain all possible options and likely outcomes, with a goal-centric approach. RLG attorneys map out a plan custom-tailored to each client’s goals, to create an effective strategy to achieve the desired outcomes.

Through RLG Law’s persistence, success is attainable.

301-340-1616 RLG-Lawyers.com

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Home Renovation OMAR SHAWQI AND MATT COVELL, STRUCTURE.

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ne of the most exciting building and remodeling firms in the area, STRUCTURE. is leading a new generation in home construction.

The core of the team is Matt Covell and Omar Shawqi, renovation specialists with a fresh take on home aesthetics and a soulful, creative approach to how home improvement is experienced.

Established talent in the local building scene, they have a reputation for high quality, highly customized projects that shine with undeniable style. Their unique work has been recently featured on the cover of HGTV Magazine and highlighted in The Washington Post, Bethesda Magazine and others. With more and more STRUCTURE. signs appearing in yards across the area, home envy is becoming more prevalent with Covell and Shawqi working next door!

240-994-1520 StructureCustomHomes.com

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Summer Camp VALLEY MILL CAMP INC.

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alley Mill Day Camp has been serving families in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area since 1956.

Conveniently located in Darnestown, Md., it offers an enriching experience for children ages 4 to 14. The camp creates a safe and adventurous atmosphere where kids can learn new skills, forge friendships, and build lasting memories.

With programs available during both summer and spring, it caters to diverse interests. Activities

include archery, rock climbing, swimming, gymnastics, kayaking, canoeing, pioneering, soccer, basketball and arts and crafts Additional opportunities for more challenging experiences like adventure camp and advanced kayaking trips are also offered. Accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA), Valley Mill Camp activities promote adventure, fitness and personal growth. Transportation is provided. Visit us! Open House dates are posted on our website.

301-948-0220 ValleyMill.com

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Adoption and Assisted Reproductive Law SLATTERY LAW, LLC MODERN FAMILY FORMATION LAW OFFICES

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lattery Law, LLC – Modern Family Formation Law Offices is a law firm focused on helping families grow. Led by Catelyn Slattery, Esq., who brings over a decade of experience, the firm provides customized legal representation to clients in Maryland, Washington, D.C., and Virginia.

Focusing exclusively on adoption and assisted reproductive technologies like surrogacy and donor agreements, the firm guides clients through the legal complexities of forming their families.

"Our mission is to support individuals or couples on their exciting yet intricate journey to parenthood through adoption, surrogacy, and donor services. At Modern Family Formation Law Offices, we believe that every individual and family should have the opportunity to create a family in a way that suits their unique needs” says Slattery.

240-245-7765 ModernFamilyFormation.com

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Architecture ELIE BEN ARCHITECTURE, LLC

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lie Ben Architecture is an award-winning architectural firm that provides premium architectural services throughout the Washington, D.C. area, including designing custom and speculative homes, residential additions and renovations, and commercial interiors and facilities improvements.

Driven by her passion for neighborhood reinvigoration through innovative home designs, founder and principal architect Maryam Tabrizchi, AIA, NCARB, strives to create costeffective projects that are welcoming from the outside and functional and loving on the inside.

"Each of our custom homes is unique, representing each owner's needs and lifestyle," says Tabrizchi.

Elie Ben Architecture values clients' expectations and is committed to a seamless client experience. With clients' vision in mind, the firm's team designs inspiring and timeless living spaces.

202-860-7050 Maryam@eliebenarch.com ElieBenArch.com

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Women’s Health ROCKVILLE GYNECOLOGY - CAROLYNN YOUNG, M.D.

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ockville Gynecology is proud to be the face of women’s health in the Washington, D.C. metro area.

We practice personalized, high-quality care for women in all stages of their lives. We treat women with compassion and respect, as we would hope to be treated ourselves. As leaders in the field of women’s health, we strive to optimize well-being and provide cutting-edge

options to treat a wide range of medical conditions. Rockville Gynecology offers the Emsella chair, a new treatment for urinary issues. Dr. Carolynn Young is the only surgeon in the area to perform Sonata, a noninvasive treatment for fibroids. Our goal at Rockville Gynecology is to educate, empower and support women to make positive changes that improve their quality of life.

301-330-7007 RockvilleGynecology.com

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Advocacy in Divorce and Family Law MATTHEW D. ALMAN, ESQ. & ELLIOTT A. ALMAN, ESQ. | ALMAN & ALMAN, LLC

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he attorneys at Alman & Alman, LLC have over 50 years of experience in the fields of divorce, alimony, custody, child support and domestic violence in Maryland.

They understand that along with determined legal work, family law matters require honest, dedicated and empathetic counsel. And because every case is unique, they take extra time to learn the details of their clients’ issues so that they can zealously advocate for them.

As a boutique firm, Alman & Alman, LLC ensures that their clients are knowledgeable partners and understand their rights, best options and likely outcomes. Together, they work closely to resolve matters by negotiation, mediation or trial.

Elliott Alman is a past Family Law Chair at the American Association for Justice. Elliot and Matthew have both been named in the Maryland “Super Lawyers” list.

301-330-0010 AlmanLaw.com

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Resilience ADVANCED BEHAVIORAL HEALTH

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dvanced Behavioral Health (ABH) is a familyoriented clinic offering comprehensive mental health services across Maryland, with offices in Montgomery, Baltimore, Frederick, Greenbelt, and Westminster. ABH provides a wraparound approach to treatment, offering individual and family therapy, psychiatry, medication management, telehealth and youth mentoring.

Our compassionate and dedicated team prioritizes wellness, diversity, integrity and collaboration in its treatment approach. ABH for the second year in a row has

been recognized as a 2025 Top Workplace by USA Today, 301-345-1022 ABHMaryland.com highlighting its commitment to fostering a positive work environment where employees thrive.

CEO Vera Kurdian emphasizes the organization's focus on excellence, stating, “We prioritize excellence not only in client care but also as an employer. Whether someone is a therapeutic mentor, practice coordinator, social worker, counselor, or intern, we prioritize their well-being and professional growth. Our staff are the heartbeat of the organization."

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Dental Implants IMPLANTS DC

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hen you need specialized dental care, expertise is paramount. Drs. Israel Puterman and Chris Barth offer an unparalleled blend of cutting-edge technology and personalized attention to ensure you receive the highest level of care in a comfortable, relaxing office environment. From dental implants to treatment for gum recession, gum disease or a gummy smile, or simply offering their expert opinion, Drs. Puterman and Barth excel in helping with a wide range of

periodontal and implant dentistry needs.

ImplantsDC uses the latest, trusted technology, including 3D microscopes, digital guided surgery, laser periodontics, and minimally invasive techniques, to provide optimal results with minimal discomfort.

You can also rest comfortably with IV sedation.

Perennially voted by peers as a "Top Dentist," with Drs. Puterman and Barth, you'll receive worldclass periodontics and implant dentistry in a most welcoming atmosphere.

301-652-0939 ImplantsDC.com

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Experienced Divorce Attorneys WEBB SOYPHER MCGRATH, LLC

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he intricacies of a family law matter can be complicated and overwhelming.

Trust Webb Soypher McGrath's dynamic team of seasoned, highly-skilled attorneys to help you protect what matters most. Recognized as top family lawyers by their peers and numerous publications, these attorneys and their team routinely handle complex cases, including such contentious issues as high-conflict divorce, business and

professional valuations and asset tracing, and child custody. With integrity and compassion, they expertly guide clients through what is often the most challenging time of their lives, helping them make informed, goal-oriented decisions. Webb Soypher McGrath's primary goal is to help clients reach fair settlements outside the courtroom, but when that isn't an option, the firm's attorneys draw from vast trial experience to achieve optimal outcomes.

301-298-8401 WSMFamily.com

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Happy Clients BARBARA NALLS, SENIOR VP, TTR SOTHEBY'S INTERNATIONAL REALTY

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ow do you celebrate an Olympic Gold Medal? For internationally celebrated Triple Jump star Thea LaFond and her coach/husband Aaron Gadson, the answer is you buy a house! Fresh from the thrill of representing her native Dominica in Paris, the couple were referred to Barbara by previous Dominican clients and she was delighted to help. “Thea and Aaron were very clear regarding where they wanted to be and the style of the home they were looking for.” she says. Together they found gorgeous 15-year-old “newish” construction in the perfect Silver Spring location, close to Thea’s proud parents, and a short drive to the training facility where Aaron makes the magic happen for Thea and for other track and field stars. Congratulations all around!

As the top individual agent for TTR's Bethesda office for seven consecutive years, Barbara's success is predicated on market experience, strategic insight, persistence, warm sincerity— and a good sense of humor.

240-602-9035 BarbaraNalls.com

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Orthopedics in Bethesda SUMMIT ORTHOPEDICS

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or over 30 years, Summit Orthopedics, a division of the Centers for Advanced Orthopedics, has been a trusted leader in orthopedic care in the DMV area. As a multispecialty practice, we offer a full spectrum of surgical and conservative treatments, ensuring personalized care for each patient. Our team of highly skilled orthopedic surgeons, physician assistants and physical therapists is dedicated to restoring mobility and enhancing quality

of life. We specialize in joint replacement, sports injuries, spine care, hand and upper extremity treatments and advanced minimally invasive procedures. With state-of-the-art technology and a patient-first approach, we provide cutting-edge care in a compassionate environment. Whether recovering from an injury or managing a chronic condition, Summit Orthopedics is committed to helping you move better and live pain-free.

301-657-9876 Summit-Orthopedics.com

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A Top Divorce Lawyer and Podcast Host JOSEPH GREENWALD & LAAKE, PA

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warded as a Leader in Law for Alternative Dispute Resolution by the Maryland State Bar Association, David Bulitt is a nationally recognized family law specialist who advocates for his clients’ best interests with the same fervor he would want someone to fight for his. A skilled mediator and litigator with extensive knowledge of divorce’s impact on special needs children, Bulitt is not afraid to think outside the box and is often sought out by other attorneys and appointed by local courts to mediate high-conflict custody and financial disputes.

Married to a family therapist for more than 38 years, a father of four daughters and with uncommon insight into mental health issues, Bulitt brings a unique perspective to every client’s case.

David also hosts his law firm’s podcast “JGL Law for You” and co-hosts with his wife the relationship centric show, “Conversations for Couples.”

240-399-7888 JGLLaw.com/attorneys/david-bulitt

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Play-Based Learning GEORGETOWN HILL EARLY SCHOOL

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eorgetown Hill is a nonprofit, familyoperated preschool and childcare provider that offers a safe, nurturing and joyful learning environment for infants through school-agers. For more than 40 years, we have provided an unsurpassed early childhood experience for families in Montgomery, Frederick and Prince George’s counties. We have created warm, welcoming environments, and recruit dynamic teachers who are the heart of our school.

In 1980, our founder Ellen Cromwell developed a play-based curriculum framework that supports children’s cognitive, physical and social-emotional growth within a familycentered community. As Georgetown Hill has grown over the years, we continue to support Ellen’s vision and remain dedicated to our mission: to partner with our families through the challenges, changes and celebrations of raising young children.

301-284-8144 GeorgetownHill.com

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Custom Homes DOUGLAS CONSTRUCTION GROUP (DCG)

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wenty-five plus years ago, Doug Monsein blended his business acumen with a passion for building, deep knowledge of construction and a fanatical eye for detail to create the Douglas Construction Group (DCG). With delighted clients as their best ambassadors, they’ve just delivered their 225th home.

With every client’s vision of their new custom home as their north star, the DCG build process includes: 1. Extraordinary communication before, during and after construction 2. A keenly organized and stress-free fixture and finish selection process aided by an experienced on-staff decorator 3. Trade professionals and vendors dedicated to DCG’s high standards and expectations 4. A deep commitment to green building practices. DCG is the only builder to receive the recognition of Bethesda’s Best Green Builder as voted by Bethesda Magazine readers

301-983-6947 DCGHomes.com

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Collaborative Pediatric Dental Care DRS. SHOLANDER & GOODMAN | HARMONY PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY & ORTHODONTICS

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armony takes a functional approach to treatment by looking at dental health as it relates to the whole body. A child’s growth and development is influenced by many factors, including genetics and lifestyle habits. The way a child’s mouth develops will affect not only their teeth but also how well they breathe and even sleep! Collaborative care involves family education such as discussing lifestyle habits like food choices or bedtime

routines. Other times it means helping kids kick thumb and pacifier habits or recommending early orthodontic treatment to redirect growth.

Drs. Goodman and Sholander are boardcertified specialists who’ve created a patientcentered practice with an integrative and efficient style. As winner of the Best Orthodontics Practice 2024 and Best Pediatric Dentist finalist, we offer comprehensive dental care for children and orthodontics for the entire family.

301-664-4220 HarmonyBethesda.com

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Family Law TUCKER PLLC

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ucker PLLC’s attorneys help individuals and families navigate divorce, custody and relationship issues with skill and compassion. With a team of 14 highly respected attorneys—many frequently recognized by Bethesda Magazine, Washingtonian and Northern Virginia Magazine, and named to “Best Lawyers” and “Super Lawyers” lists—the firm is known for its solutions-focused approach to resolving family law matters while minimizing

emotional and financial impact.

Tucker’s attorneys frequently handle complex, high-conflict and high-net-worth cases, guiding clients toward solutions designed to meet their long-term goals and move forward with confidence, whether through mediation, negotiation, litigation or collaborative divorce.

One of the largest family law firms in the region, Tucker has locations in Maryland, Washington, D.C., and Virginia.

202-936-3636 TuckerFamilyLaw.com

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Annapolis Waterfront Real Estate LONG & FOSTER REAL ESTATE, INC.

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eid and Meagan Buckley of Buckley Waterfront Homes uphold the legacy of the Mr. Waterfront brand, founded in 1994. With a focus on the water-oriented lifestyle, they bring innovation and expertise to the waterfront real estate market. Their reputation, built on over $1.5 billion in career sales, offers clients a unique, curated experience. Specializing in waterfront and water access properties in Annapolis, Anne Arundel County, and Maryland’s Eastern Shore, Buckley Waterfront Homes continues to be the trusted source for luxury real estate. Looking ahead, the team is excited to launch new partnerships, further emphasizing their expertise. Grounded in family values, we are a team of specialists who believe that our customers MUST be treated like members of our own family.

Your Waterfront Property, Our Expert Navigation.

410-266-6880 WaterfrontHomes.org

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A Top Pediatric Dentist in Bethesda BCC PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY

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r. Andie Shin's pediatric dental practice, opened three years ago, has swiftly become a beacon of excellence in pediatric dentistry. Under her guidance, the practice has maintained the highest quality of care, earning Dr. Shin the Best Top Pediatric Dentist award every year since its inception. Pioneering a concierge model, the practice offers unparalleled, dedicated one-on-one attention to both parents and patients, ensuring a personalized and comforting experience.

This innovative approach to pediatric dental care has earned the practice over 400 five-star reviews from grateful parents. Visit and discover why Dr. Shin's practice is transforming pediatric dental care.

Call and find out why Dr. Shin is leading the way in pediatric dentistry.

301-941-7374 BCCPediatricDentistry.com

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Complex Divorce and Family Law THE MCKEON LAW FIRM

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avigating divorce and family law matters can be overwhelming, but the right legal team makes all the difference.

With offices in Bethesda and Gaithersburg, The McKeon Law Firm focuses exclusively on family law, combining the personalized attention of a boutique firm with the extensive legal experience and resources of a larger practice.

Whether handling a complex divorce involving business assets, advocating for custody, or

securing fair support arrangements, attorneys Shelly D. McKeon and Jessica S. Kern provide strategic, hands-on guidance. Their courtroom experience makes them formidable negotiators, while their roles as parents and spouses shape their compassionate approach to litigation.

With a reputation built on results and referrals, The McKeon Law Firm is deeply committed to client success, offering more than legal representation—an investment in your future.

301-417-9222 MckeonLawFirm.com

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Effective Therapy THE COUNSELING CENTER GROUP

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ive a life you love.

At the Counseling Center Group, we are committed to providing treatment that is grounded in robust empirical research and proven efficacy, ensuring that our clients receive the highest standard of care. Unlike others who may claim to practice modalities like Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) but fail to adhere to its structure, we provide these therapies with meticulous precision.

These techniques are not only effective but

301-742-2282 transformative—when followed to the letter, they CounselingCenterGroup.com yield remarkable results.

Our team, united in these shared values, helps you achieve the life you most desire. We focus on moving forward—step by step—toward your personal goals, rather than dwelling solely on the past. Using proven, short-term therapies, we help you make meaningful progress quickly, while building resilience and breaking unhealthy cycles. Together, we work to create a life filled with hope, passion and purpose.

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Hand and Upper Extremity Orthopedics THE ORTHOPAEDIC CENTER | DIVISION OF CENTER FOR ADVANCED ORTHOPAEDICS

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xperience, expertise and compassion are the hallmarks of Dr. Berdia and his hand and upper extremity practice. He uses cutting-edge surgical techniques such as the minimally invasive endoscopic carpal tunnel release. Additionally, his interests include upper extremity fractures, such as distal radius fractures, joint replacements and rotator cuff tears.

Dr. Berdia believes in the benefits of teambased health care and works closely with his physician assistant, medical assistant and scribe to provide a comprehensive patient experience. He also works closely with his certified hand therapists to achieve the best possible patient outcomes.

As a team, they strive to communicate and collaborate for the common goal of optimizing each patient’s recovery.

301-251-1433 CFAOrtho.com

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Eyecare & Fashionable Eyewear WINK EYECARE BOUTIQUE

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tressed eyes need a caring touch.

Amid the endless Zoom calls, screen strains, dryness and now spring allergies, too, award-winning Wink Eyecare Boutique in Potomac offers the relief you seek. With cutting-edge lens technology, unique eyewear and the latest dry eye and allergy treatments, Drs. Rachel Cohn and Jennifer Karmiol have helped hundreds of patients see, feel and look their best.

Founded by Dr. Cohn in 2006 to provide a patient-centered, personalized approach to eyecare, Wink blends innovation with fashion and premium customer service. From comprehensive eye exams to chic handpicked frames that perfectly fit your face and prescription and match your style, visit Wink Eyecare for the care you—and your stressed eyes—deserve.

301-545-1111 Wink.net

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Cosmetic Dermatology MARAGH DERMATOLOGY, SURGERY & VEIN INSTITUTE SHERRY L.H. MARAGH, MD, FAAD, FACMS, FACS

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he groundbreaking work Dr. Maragh is performing within her practice and as National Aesthetic Medical Director for Advanced Dermatology and Cosmetic Surgery's 150-plus offices nationwide is literally changing the "face" of cosmetic dermatology.

Board certified in general, surgical, cosmetic and laser dermatology, Dr. Maragh has been recognized as a Top Doctor, Best Dermatologist in the D.C. Suburbs, and Patient’s Choice Award recipient for excellence in patient care.

Her unique practice offers the full spectrum of dermatologic care for skin and hair health, whether you’re managing a chronic condition, on an aesthetic journey to enhance your appearance, or undergoing facial reconstruction after skin cancer removal. Her services range from BOTOX Cosmetic, dermal fillers and laser procedures, to advanced cosmetic surgeries and highly effective Mohs skin cancer procedures.

“Face” life with confidence. Talk to Dr. Maragh today to learn how to enhance the health and radiance of your skin.

301-358-5919 MaraghDermatology.com

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Bethesda's Premier Boutique Brokerage NORTHGATE REALTY

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s owners of Northgate Realty, Lee and Angela Goldstein bring a boutique approach to buying and selling in Bethesda and beyond. They believe every client deserves personalized service, expert strategy and hands-on support to ensure a smooth, successful real estate journey. Real estate is about more than transactions—it’s about trust, connection and thoughtful guidance. Lee and Angela

take the time to understand each client’s unique goals, ensuring a stress-free experience from start to finish. Their deep market knowledge, strong negotiation skills and commitment to integrity have earned them the trust of buyers, sellers and investors alike. Whether moving across town or making a major transition, they provide the insight and expertise to help clients move forward with confidence.

301-263-6307 NorthgateRealty.com

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Experience and Integrity in Real Estate LONG & FOSTER ALL POINTS

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ndy and Jessie Alderdice are a topproducing and trusted mother-anddaughter real estate powerhouse with over 50 years of combined experience. Their secret to success? Close client relationships.

As the market changes, they adapt seamlessly, leveraging their extensive industry knowledge and experience to advise clients on the best strategic paths forward. Andy and Jessie take personalized service to the next level. "We intentionally limit our

client list, so when you work with us, you genuinely work directly with Jessie and me," says Andy. Born and raised in area neighborhoods, the fifth- and sixth-generation Washingtonians offer clients unparalleled local insight and community ties.

Licensed across Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia, Andy and Jessie deliver realistic property valuations, savvy market acuities and expert advice tailored to each buyer and seller’s needs and goals.

301-466-5898 Andy4Homes.com

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Domestic Litigation CORDELL & CORDELL

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s a single mother who raised three successful young adults, Cordell & Cordell's Bethesda-area family law attorney, Lisa Winer, understands the uncertainty and stress her clients face during life's toughest transitions. Drawing on both personal and professional experience, Lisa provides masterful guidance and compassion in navigating divorce, custody and other family matters.

Clients benefit from the resources and support of one of the nation's largest family law firms while Lisa delivers the tailored case planning, strategy and attention of a boutique firm. "The most gratifying part of my work is providing the support people need to move forward with confidence," says Lisa. "At Cordell & Cordell, we ensure our clients are fully informed, empowered and prepared to achieve long-term goals that align with their family's best interests.

866-323-7529 CordellCordell.com

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SPEC IA L A D V E RTISING SECTION

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ed by Compass Bethesda founding agent Margie Halem, the Halem Group is one of the Washington metropolitan area's most acclaimed real estate teams. With more than $1 billion in career sales and a top 1 percent ranking nationwide by The Wall Street Journal, they bring unrivaled expertise and personalized attention to every transaction.

Voted "Best Real Estate Agent" by Bethesda Magazine readers in 2023, the Halem Group consistently delivers exceptional results and a seamless real estate experience through its client-centric, service-driven and tech-savvy approach. Over four decades, Margie has built lasting relationships with clients, agents and builders, giving clients an edge through her vast network of contacts.

The Halem Group is proud to be the Washington, D.C. metropolitan partner for the Private Client Network, linking clients with top-tier residential real estate experts nationwide.

Licensed in MD, D.C. and VA 301-775-4196 TheHalemGroup.com

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ocated on the Sibley Memorial Hospital campus, Grand Oaks is proud to offer residents a full spectrum of medical services—all at their doorstep. Residents enjoy on-campus specialty services, dentistry, imaging, lab services and care led by four seasoned and dedicated clinical leaders.

Beth Abate, a doctoral-prepared nurse practitioner, heads up the team. Jill Youens, director of nursing, brings additional skills as a

certified music therapist and wound care nurse.

RNs Michelle Hill, director of resident services, and Sylvia Thompson, director of memory care, are both certified dementia practitioners and share the team’s passion for residents’ health and well-being. With over 50 years of combined experience, these outstanding professionals deliver unsurpassed, compassionate medical care while ensuring that every resident feels safe, comfortable and valued.

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The kids’ nook, interactive wall-toys, costume sunglasses and movies bring your littles closer to comfort. “These decisions help kids gain confidence,” says Dr. Karen.

As an airway-focused pediatric dentist, Dr. Karen provides newborn, toddler and children's functional tongue-tie releases to optimize growth of the facial skeleton. We work collaboratively with orthodontists, pediatricians, ENTs, lactation counselors, speech pathologists, occupational therapists and chiropractors to support our patients from infancy. Oromyofunctional therapy surrounding tongue posture is critical for proper "face-forward" growth trajectories.

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New

PIZZA

In Town

THERE’S SOMETHING SO alluring AND irresistible ABOUT THE SIMPLE COMBINATION OF DOUGH, SAUCE AND CHEESE fresh out of the oven, WHICH MAY EXPLAIN WHY PIZZA SHOPS ARE ALWAYS OPENING. HERE ARE six MONTGOMERY COUNTY SPOTS THAT HAVE OPENED SINCE 2023 AND GARNERED OUR ATTENTION. B Y

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D A V I D

H A G E D O R N

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No Regrets Pizza Co. in North Bethesda offers three styles of pizza: New York, Roman and artisanal.

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AP Pizza Shop WE’RE FANS OF AVENTINO, THE ROMAN JEWISH-INSPIRED ITALIAN RESTAURANT THAT CHEF MIKE FRIEDMAN’S RedStone Restaurant Group, which includes business partners Mike O’Malley, Colin McDonough and Gareth Croke, opened in Bethesda in January 2024, so it’s no surprise that we give a thumps-up to AP Pizza Shop, the adjacent 800-square-foot, 19-seat pizzeria that opened with it. In addition to The Red Hen in D.C., the company’s portfolio includes two locations of All-Purpose Pizzeria (AP’s namesake), so Friedman’s experience with pizza-making professionally dates to 2016 when the first All-Purpose opened in D.C. Friedman, who is 43 and lives in Olney, drew inspiration for All-Purpose from Westfield, New Jersey, the predominantly Italian suburb of New York City where he grew up.

He refers to his New York-style pizzas as New Jersey-style, a nostalgic nod to Ferraro’s and Cosimo’s, his family’s go-to restaurants for pizza there. (Those establishments are still going strong.)

Forty percent of the flour in Friedman’s dough is whole wheat, which gives it a nuttier flavor and chewier texture than most New York-style doughs. The rest is King Arthur-brand 00 (double zero) white pizza flour. He enhances the dough with diastatic malt powder, which adds caramel notes and umami, and uses a starter to make it, which lends sourdough notes. The dough ferments in the refrigerator for three days.

The pies bake at 565 degrees on stone in electric PizzaMaster deck ovens.

AP offers six pies by the slice or whole (18-inch) from 11:30 a.m. until 4 p.m. Standard cheese pizza is $5/$23; all others are $6/$30. After 4 p.m., 10 types of 12-inch pizzas ($15 to $21) are available (whole only; no 18-inch pies after 4 p.m.). At lunch, you can mix and match eight slices to make a pie ($40). Standouts include the Funghi (Parmesan, mushrooms, onions, rosemary and black truffle sauce), the Sedgewick (whipped ricotta, Taleggio cheese, Parmesan, truffle honey, chives) and the Il Supremo (black olives, sausage, pepperoni, peppers, mozzarella, Parmesan).

4747 Bethesda Ave., Bethesda, 301-961-6451, appizzashop.com

PHOTO BY DEB LINDSEY

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Red Hound Pizza IT MAKES PERFECT SENSE THAT ONETIME PHARMACY STUDENTS CHARBEL ABRACHE, 37, AND ANDREA ALVAREZ, 35, wound up making bespoke pizza.

At Red Hound Pizza, which the husband and wife opened in Takoma Park in July 2024, they combine various compounds with precision to create amalgams people ingest to feel better.

A year into the pharmacy school at which they met in their native Venezuela, Abrache switched course and went to culinary school in Caracas.

He then trained to become a pastry chef in Argentina, got into bread- and pizza-making and wound up in Tarrytown, New York, in 2016 working at famed chef Dan Barber’s Blue Hill at Stone Barns restaurant. There he met baker Jonathan Bethony, who expanded his horizons. “I wasn’t into fresh-milled flours at the time or different grains,” Abrache says. “In Venezuela, there were only two options for flour: white flour or cake flour.” He took a job in Washington, D.C., when Bethony opened Seylou Bakery & Mill in 2017 and remained there, developing and running its pastry and pizza program, until a few months before Red Hound opened.

Abrache, Alvarez and their 22-monthold son, Tomas, live in Takoma Park, D.C. The 450-square-foot restaurant, named after the couple’s basset hound, seats 10 inside and 20 outside. Abrache offers four kinds of Roman-style pizza daily, baked in olive oil-coated 12-by-12-inch pans in a Moretti Forni electric deck oven imported from Italy.

Abrache’s dough is crispy, lofty and ultra-flavorful, with nutty umami undertones, its whole grains sourced from local millers such as Migrash Farm and Purple Mountain Grown in Maryland, and Grapewood Farm in Virginia. “The germ and bran add weight, so there isn’t as much volume in the dough as with white flour.

Whole grains also make creating gluten harder,” Abrache

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Inside Job

HERE ARE THREE PIZZA SOURCES THAT POPPED UP IN UNEXPECTED PLACES IN THE LAST FEW YEARS: Inside the Burger King food court at 16004 Shady Grove Road in Gaithersburg is Ripieno’s Express, an outpost of Ripieno’s Italian Bistro of Ocean City, Maryland. They offer thin-crusted, extra-cheesy 16-inch ($17 to $21) or 28-inch ($30 to $40) wood-fired pizzas.

The 28-inch cheese and pepperoni pizzas are available by the (enormous) slice ($9 and $10). @ripienosshadygrove on Instagram

Red Hound Pizza co-owner Andrea Alvarez (center) puts out freshly made pizzas.

says. (Glutens are the strands of protein and water that expand and trap air to make bread rise.) He uses two starters, one yeast-based, called a poolish, and one sourdough, to boost leavening during its overnight ferment.

Two kinds of pizza, versions of pepperoni and Margherita, are always available. The other two offerings, rotated every two weeks, are always a vegan option and another that’s meat-based. All are sold as 12-inch-square whole pizzas ($28 to $33), by the slice ($4.50 for Margherita; $5 for all others) or half and half of two kinds. A veggie offering we sampled—with sunchokes, black olives, za’atar and parsley sauce—was otherworldly, as was the pepperoni topped with dollops of whipped ricotta.

7050 Carroll Ave., Takoma Park, 240-531-2988, redhoundpizza.com

PHOTOS BY DEB LINDSEY

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Inside the red-and-white automated PizzaForno vending machine in Silver Spring are 12-inch pies that come out boxed, piping hot and delicious in four minutes. We tried the pepperoni ($11.99) and meat lovers (pepperoni, ground beef, sausage, bacon, oregano, mozzarella, $13.99).

Vegetarian, four cheese, barbecue chicken, and a breakfast pie with scrambled eggs and bacon are also available.

The machine on the street in front of 8750 Georgia Ave. holds 70 pizzas. thepizzaforno.com Inside Corned Beef King’s carryout at 330-C N. Stonestreet Ave. in Rockville on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 5 to 10 p.m., Rockville resident Jason Hubbarth operates Pizza Monkey, selling Detroitstyle pizzas (baked in pans with tomato sauce on top of the cheese) for carryout and delivery. Large (8-by-14-inches, eight squares) is $20; small (8-by-10-inches, four squares) is $14. Toppings are extra ($1.50 small; $2 large). thepizzamonkey.com

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A Roman-style pie at No Regrets Pizza Co., with tomato sauce, soppressata, mozzarella, Asiago, Parmigiano-Reggiano, basil and hot honey

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No Regrets Pizza Co. Richard Weiner (right), co-owner of No Regrets Pizza Co., keeps an eye on a pie as it goes into the oven.

RICHARD WEINER, WHO OPENED NO REGRETS PIZZA CO. IN MAY 2024, LIKES TO TALK ABOUT THE FOUR P’S: “I picked everything, I procured everything, I placed everything, and I paid for everything,” he says, referring to the 2,400-square-foot, 45-seat (plus 32 outside) North Bethesda restaurant he co-owns with business partner Nicholas Framarini. Weiner, 67, has been a mortgage broker for 35 years and will soon be moving his Bethesda-based business, Mortgage Star, into a 1,000-square-foot space adjacent to No Regrets. The expansion will also house a new prep kitchen and oven, the dishwashing station and a separate takeout facility.

Weiner started experimenting with Neapolitan-style pizza dough in 2017, having been inspired by visits with his wife, Nancy, to pizzerias around the U.S. “We thought we could do better. I tried making my own dough but had no idea. I got on the internet and maybe 300, 400, 500 variations later, I think I got it,” Weiner says. To hone the craft, he opened a pizzeria of sorts at his home in Potomac’s Avenel neighborhood with an Italian brick oven, a bar, a communal table and a firepit, and started making pizzas for friends on weekends and getting feedback.

Why would an already successful person take on the notoriously risky restaurant business? “Beginning the last third of my life, I wanted to do something that made me happy and that I could share with others. Most of my friends said I would have massive regrets in this decision, so I decided to name it

PHOTOS BY DEB LINDSEY

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No Regrets,” Weiner says. “Who knows? They might be right.”

Not content to do just one thing well, Weiner offers three styles of pizza: 12-inch round artisanal (Neapolitanstyle, with a thin crust, very puffy perimeter and soupy center), 18-inch round New York-style (thin but firm-in-thecenter crust with a slightly puffy perimeter) and rectangular Roman-style (thick crust baked in an 8-by-12-inch pan). The three doughs, all fermented for a minimum of 72 hours, have different mixing processes, hydrations and salt levels. Each pizza cooks at a different temperature for a different amount of time in separate PizzaMaster deck ovens that have differing stone bases. “The thickness of the stone determines how much heat it holds, and the texture determines how much contact the dough has with it,” Weiner says. “I made it really complicated.”

It pays off, though. No Regrets offers roughly 11 kinds of pizza, plus daily specials, on their on-site menu, which changes frequently. Most are available in all three styles. (Margherita is artisanal only.) Roman and artisanal pies are $17 to $23; New York pizzas are $24 to $33. We like all three styles but are especially fond of Roman-style with mashed potatoes, mozzarella and asiago cheese, scallions and bacon; New York-style cheese with julienne strips of basil; and artisanal pear with blue cheese, arugula and balsamic drizzle.

5454 Nicholson Lane, Suite 180, North Bethesda, 301-200-3003, noregretspizza.com

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One Pizzeria, Two Dreams

Chef and Silver Spring resident Ruth Gresser always dreamed of owning her own restaurant, and she achieved that goal in 1991 when she opened Pizzeria Paradiso in Dupont Circle.

She was 32. Now, her thin-crusted, Neapolitan-style pizzas baked in wood-burning ovens are available at four locations, including Upper Northwest D.C.’s Spring Valley neighborhood.

In September, Gresser made Carlos Delgado, who started working for Pizzeria Paradiso as a dishwasher in 2000, a part owner and the managing partner of the business. “When I turned 50, I told Barbara [Johnson, my wife] I was going to retire, so I’m 15 years late,” Gresser says.

Over the years, many people approached Gresser to buy or buy into her business, but she preferred to transfer ownership to staff. Delgado was always part of those conversations.

“He has been the day-to-day in the kitchen for the last 15 years, and for the last five has grown into full operations,” Gresser says. “At the appropriate time, I will stop being as available for him to consult and he will buy out my shares.

We are still figuring that part out.”

Now 44, Delgado grew up poor in El Salvador, where his mother washed clothes for other people. He immigrated to the U.S. at 18 and got a job at Paradiso. He hated dishwashing and got it into his head one day to try making pizza dough in the restaurant’s giant mixer, which exploded with flour when he turned it on. Gresser was walking into the kitchen at that moment. Delgado expected to be fired, but Gresser burst out laughing and a mentorship and true friendship were born.

Gresser attended Delgado’s U.S. citizenship ceremony in 2017.

He met his wife, Maria Velasquez, at Paradiso, where she was a cook. They married in 2002 and live in Beltsville, Maryland.

She’s currently the kitchen leader at the Dupont Circle location.

Delgado doesn’t plan to make big changes. “We have great food and great service already. We just want to keep that going and maintain the culture that Ruth created. We may add brunch.

The dream is to open more places,” he says.

Says Gresser, “People ask me why I chose Carlos, but I always tell them he chose himself.”

El Jefe Wood Fired Pizza

CHEF EDWIN GARCIA, 38, GOT INTO THE PIZZA GAME IN 2019, WHEN HE GRADUATED FROM THE CULINARY ARTS PROGRAM at the Carlos Rosario International Public Charter School in D.C. and started an internship at Cipolla Rossa Pizzeria, a mobile business selling pizzas in the D.C. area from a wood-fired oven on wheels.

Garcia began working in the food indus-

Pizzeria Paradiso, 4850 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, D.C., 202-885-9101, eatyourpizza.com

PHOTO COURTESY DAVID HAGEDORN

Ruth Gresser (left) with Carlos Delgado

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try when he was 17—at The Cheesecake Factory, various delis and George Washington University—with the goal of opening his own business one day.

When Cipolla Rossa’s owners moved to Florida, Garcia, who lives in Hanover, Maryland, decided to go into business for himself, buying a mobile wood-fired pizza oven from Fiero Forni, a company based in Brewster, New York.

In 2022, he started El Jefe Wood Fired Pizza, catering events and selling 10-inch pizzas at the Bethesda Central Farm Market on Sundays. (He continues to sell at the market.) He opened a stall in Silver Spring’s Solaire Social food hall in July 2024. The oven there is gas-fired, per the building’s regulations.

Garcia’s menu features 10-inch pies ($13 to $17) in 10 varieties, one of them vegan. They are Neapolitan-style: thin-crusted and slightly soupy in the center after having been cooked in an 800- to 900-degree oven for 90 seconds. That produces a puffy-crust perimeter dotted with leopard spots of char. The dough is made with

high-gluten flour and Italian 00 (double zero) flour and, as leaveners, sourdough starter for tang and a small amount of yeast.

Along with standards such as Margherita and caprese pizzas, Garcia has two unique offerings based on Mexican street foods. “I always wanted to infuse Mexican cuisine in pizza. I’m not Mexican, but I used to live there,” says Garcia, who moved to the U.S. from Guatemala in 2003. He started making his street corn pizza, loaded with corn, mozzarella, cotija cheese, chipotle aioli and cilantro, during his first summer at the farmers market when there was a surfeit of corn from other vendors. His birria pizza is rife with mozzarella, Jack cheese, cilantro, red onions, and beef that has been braised in a flavorful broth and shredded. It’s served with a side of braising liquid just like birria tacos are.

8200 Dixon Ave. (Solaire Social), Silver Spring, 571-623-9380, solairesocial.com

The street corn pizza at El Jefe Wood Fired Pizza

PHOTO BY DEB LINDSEY

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Andy’s Pizza

Colony Grill

COLONY GRILL IS A NINE-OUTLET EAST COAST CHAIN OF IRISH PUBS BASED IN CONNECTICUT, where it started in Stamford in 1935. Its first Maryland location opened in the back of Cabin John Village’s mini-mall in June 2023, seating 175 in its dining room, bar and patio.

The only items on the food menu are their signature 12-inch bar pies made of thin, crustless rounds of dough (almost like a large cracker), baked with a thick

says. “New York pizza is cooked at 500 degrees for 10 minutes, and Neapolitan is 900 degrees for 90 seconds.

We bake ours at 700 for five minutes on stone in a Bakers Pride oven, so we have a bastard-style pizza.” Whatever it is, it’s terrific, with a thin, flavorful crust whose dough undergoes a three-day cold fermentation process that gives it a slight tang. The sauce is made with tomatoes and salt, nothing else. The cheese is Grande-brand whole milk mozzarella from Wisconsin. That combination of dough, sauce and cheese won Brown a top prize at the International Pizza Challenge in Las Vegas in 2021.

Andy’s offers 11 pies (18-inch, $22.50 to $32.50), five of them classic (such as cheese, pepperoni, and sausage and pepper) and six of them specialty (such as burrata Margherita, carnivore, and the house specialty, made with pepperoni cups, burrata, Mike’s Hot Honey and grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese). Most pizzas are available by the slice ($4.50, classic; $6 or $7, specialty). One pizza, the Miller Time, is plant-based. The indecisive can opt for 8 Makes a Pie ($26.50), mixing and matching any eight classic slices.

4600 East West Highway, Bethesda, 240-204-6883, eatandyspizza.com

layer of cheese and drizzled with zesty chili-infused oil. The basic pizza is $11.95, plus $1.95 per topping, such as sausage, cherry peppers, stringer peppers and bacon. We love the breakfast pizza ($14.95) with a thin layer of scrambled eggs covering the pie’s surface, which is dotted with a choice of bacon or sausage. There is a salad on the menu, but there’s a hitch: It’s piled on top of a bar pizza ($14.95).

Colony Grill’s decor features a Wall of Heroes with framed photos of first responders and veterans. Diners can submit photos of folks (in uniform) they wish to honor.

11325 Seven Locks Road (Cabin John Village), Potomac, 301-985-2000, colonygrill.com

TOP PHOTO COURTESY @SV_IMAGES; BOTTOM PHOTO COURTESY COLONY GRILL

ANDY BROWN, WHO OWNS THE D.C.-AREA CHAINLET ANDY’S PIZZA, IS A MONTGOMERY COUNTY GUY—born in Takoma Park, raised in Silver Spring and then Rockville, and a graduate of St. Andrew’s Episcopal School in Potomac. So it was only a matter of time before he’d open a MoCo location, which he did in Bethesda in September 2023, a stone’s throw from Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School. It seats 70 inside and 40 outside. (It also features a mini beer and wine shop.)

It took a while for Brown, who’s 35 and now lives in Arlington, Virginia, to get in the pizza groove. He studied business at Stevenson University in Baltimore County (“It took me six years to graduate. I had trouble in school,” he admits), then worked as a DJ and in restaurants owned by D.C.-based Mission Group. An avid home cook, Brown took up bread-making, which segued into pizza. (“Bread topped with things,” he observes, aptly.)

It became an obsession. He ordered a 120-volt commercial pizza oven for his D.C. studio apartment and started having industry nights for his restaurant pals on Mondays, all the while maintaining spreadsheets of dough hydrations and fermentation times, and making adjustments. In 2017, he took a leap and launched Eat Pizza, a frozen pizza company he operated from a commercial shared kitchen space. (The pizzas, now produced in a D.C. facility Brown owns, are available in Whole Foods and other outlets.)

Brown opened his first Andy’s Pizza in Tysons Galleria in 2018. He has 11 locations and plans to have 15 by the end of the year, including Gaithersburg, Silver Spring and Westfield Montgomery mall.

“We call it New York-style, but it’s not really,” Brown

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Tally Ho owner Pete Vellios (left) and his son, Andreas, manager of the Potomac restaurant

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PLATES OF

BY AMANDA CHERRIN PHOTOS BY LOUIS TINSLEY

It’s been nearly 60

years since Tally Ho opened in Potomac.

Here’s how the legendary restaurant keeps hungry diners coming back.

I

t’s 9 a.m. on a Tuesday morning. Though hardly rush hour, a steady stream of customers is filtering through Tally Ho Restaurant in the Potomac Village Shopping Center in downtown Potomac. Some, clearly on their way to work or a pressing appointment, hurriedly walk to the register and order a breakfast sandwich or a bagel to go. Others grab a four- or two-top table in the restaurant’s dining area, which is decorated with paintings of foxes in snow and hunters on horseback, a nod to the restaurant’s name that is also a sporting rally cry. Tally Ho’s manager, Andreas Vellios, is the only server on the floor, and he handles the traffic with ease, greeting each customer by name and asking if they’d like “the usual.”

In one corner of the restaurant, several wellheeled ladies chat excitedly while sipping mimosas, their furs and Louis Vuitton handbags draped over the wooden chairs. A solo diner enjoys a plate of eggs and a cup of coffee at the mint-green counter while reading The Washington Post. Occasionally he looks up from the paper to talk to Andreas as he passes through the open kitchen to deliver order tickets to the cook and grab plates of steaming food to bring to hungry customers. Across the dining room, Lauren Lynch Schuster is having breakfast, an egg and cheese sandwich, with her colleague Miranda Levin, 28, who ordered a steak and eggs platter.

Schuster, 34, grew up down the street from Tally Ho. Even though she now lives in Baltimore, where her luxury handbag resale business is based, Schuster makes sure to stop by for a meal during her monthly buying treks to the area. “It’s the nostalgia that keeps us coming back,” says Schuster who recalls making trips to the diner with her parents for a snack after soccer and dance practices. “Childhood memories.”

Schuster is one of many who have been patronizing the family-run diner for decades. “Our customers are like family,” says Andreas, 46, who lives in Potomac with his husband, Keith SpanglerVellios, 58, and their two teenage children, Peter and Georgia, who occasionally work as servers and delivery drivers at Tally Ho. “We watch them grow up. We watch their kids have kids.”

TALLY HO GOT ITS START IN 1968 AS A 10-SEAT SODA FOUNTAIN SERVING BURGERS, homemade

sodas and ice cream floats in the back of the old Potomac Village Pharmacy, where the Citi bank now sits on River Road. “Back in the day, every drugstore had a fountain counter,” says Pete Vellios, 72, Andreas’ father, who was 13 when his family emigrated from the mountain town of Karpenisi in central Greece and came to Montgomery County to join other family members who had settled among the area’s large Greek community.

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Andreas Vellios fills an order. Some of the restaurant’s customers have been coming for decades.

Pete started as a busboy in Georgetown, launching a restaurant career that would span more than half a century. In the late 1960s, his brother, Chris, was looking for a partner to take over ownership of a soda fountain founded by another set of entrepreneurs a few years earlier. Pete jumped at the opportunity to go into business with his brother, and from there the two siblings and Pete’s wife, Youlla, began the process of turning Tally Ho into a Potomac institution.

It was a family affair from the start, with Chris and Pete manning the grill while Youlla, who emigrated from Cyprus with her family as a child, waitressed, managed the register and charmed the guests.

“She was a talker, a schmoozer,” Andreas says of his mother. “She made people feel like family.” The rest of the family pitched in, with Youlla’s cousin Tina Fragoyannis and sister Christina Xenohristos waiting tables. Christina, 65, started washing dishes at Tally Ho at age 12 and eventually was promoted to waitress. “I enjoyed working there so much,” she says, recalling the decades alongside her family members.

Christina describes Tally Ho in the 1970s and ’80s like a scene from the sitcom Cheers, with a group of regulars affectionally named “The Coffee Club” com-

ing in every morning for some breakfast and banter with Pete.

“He was the fastest cook ever,” Christina says, remembering Pete frying up eggs and hotcakes with unmatched quickness. She recalls that lunchtimes meant lines of construction workers out the door looking to get a steak and cheese sandwich or a burger to take back to their jobsites. The afternoon shift would bring private school children in uniforms for an after-school milkshake and locals looking to take advantage of Pete’s daily specials, which included a rotating menu of hot dishes such as Salisbury steak and other midcentury staples.

John Stock, 85, a landscape contractor and designer who used to be based in Bethesda, has been coming to Tally Ho since it was part of the old pharmacy. “I’ve never had a bad meal at Tally Ho,” he says, recalling decades of trips to the lunch counter for a late breakfast or a sandwich when he had business in the area. These days, Stock drives almost 40 miles from his home in Middletown, Maryland, to the new location in the Potomac Village Shopping Center to visit his old friend Pete and enjoy his favorite item on the Tally Ho menu: the Potomac Satisfier, a hearty sandwich with grilled ham, melted Swiss, bacon, lettuce, tomato, onions and mayo. “The portions are very generous,” Stock says. “I eat half [of the sandwich] one day and half the next.”

The Vellios family’s younger generation was also put to work in the restaurant. Andreas remembers washing dishes on weekends with Christina’s son Ted Xenohristos—who is now 47 and the co-founder and chief concept officer of the Mediterranean fast-casual chain Cava—to earn spending money. “We’d wash a couple little dishes and my dad would give us maybe $2,” says Andreas, recalling memories from Tally Ho’s original location.

“Then we’d go buy baseball cards in the pharmacy.” Christina often would bring Ted with her for shifts at Tally Ho, and he would bus tables, wash dishes and chat with customers, who would give him a quarter as a tip. “It was my first experience in the restaurant business, and it led me to where Cava is today,” says Ted, who also co-owns North Bethesda restaurants Melina, Julii and Bouboulina. “I enjoyed it from the first moment.”

Ted also soaked up his uncle Pete’s approach to food and hospitality. “I used to watch my uncle make food from scratch, which really stood out to me. In Greek cuisine, it’s all about the quality of the food,” says Ted, who still returns to Tally Ho for hotcakes—

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In the 1980s at the original Tally Ho location: Pete Vellios with his son, Andreas, and Pete with his wife, Youlla (below)

the dish he’s loved since childhood—now with his young son in tow. “He would say hello to everyone who came in, welcoming everyone into the restaurant like you would your home.”

Ted isn’t the only Tally Ho alum who went on to open a restaurant. Tina and her husband cofounded the Mamma Lucia Italian restaurant chain with a partner in 1992. In 2005, Christina and fellow Tally Ho employee Agie Ziotis opened Greek Islands Grill, which operated in Silver Spring for more than a decade before closing in 2017.

PHOTOS COURTESY ANDREAS VELLIOS

IN 1989, THE VELLIOS FAMILY MOVED TALLY HO TO A NEW SPACE AFTER LEARNING THAT THE PHARMACY WOULD BE CLOSING. The timing was fortu-

itous as the family “wanted to go bigger” with the business, according to Andreas. They were able to secure a location nearby on Falls Road, where two adjacent businesses—a TV repair shop and a bookstore—were closing. The Vellioses combined the two spots to create an L-shaped space with ample room to accommodate the growing business.

The location’s redbrick exterior is adorned with a forest-green awning that displays Tally Ho’s circular logo—a horse trotting through a field—emblazoned in white. Inside, Tally Ho’s history is documented on a wall in the vintage photos of the Vellios family working at the original soda fountain. The family’s Mediterranean heritage is apparent throughout the restaurant, from the baklava in the dessert case to the imported Mythos beer in the mini-refrigerator to the framed photo of the Acropolis that Youlla took during one of the family’s many trips to Greece.

With the larger kitchen, the Vellioses were able to showcase their heritage in their food as well, moving beyond burgers and breakfast to offer Greek specialties, including moussaka, chicken souvlaki and roasted leg of lamb. Avgolemono—a lemony chicken soup of Greek origin—was Tally Ho’s biggest seller during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, soothing Potomac residents who were ill or stressed out by the community lockdown. These days, Tally Ho’s menu reads like an encyclopedia of options, with dishes ranging from submarine sandwiches to Italian specialties such as chicken Marsala and eggplant parmigiana. “It’s all homemade here, using family recipes,” says Andreas, who is partial to Tally Ho’s stuffed grape leaves, which he describes as “the best I’ve ever had.”

The new site made it possible for Tally Ho to accommodate larger groups of diners, offer catering services and host events, such as gatherings for local high school sports teams. Tally Ho also started offering delivery services. Ted, who grew up in nearby Silver Spring, delivered takeout orders as a teenager in the 1990s. “I still know all the roads in Potomac by heart,” he says.

Perhaps the most dramatic post-move shift in

“

You see everyone there—construction workers, Supreme Court justices, retired football players—and everyone talks to everyone.

SUSAN SHINDERMAN, POTOMAC RESIDENT AND TALLY HO REGULAR

Tally Ho’s business came from the introduction of its now-famous pizza to the menu in 1990. The homemade dough, expertly spiced sauce and bevy of topping choices made Tally Ho’s pizza the stuff of local legend, putting it in families’ permanent meal rotation and drawing the area’s teenagers for a snack after school or sports practice. “Our pizza is a big thing, especially with young kids,” says Andreas, adding that the boom in business resulting from the popularity of its pizza and the other post-move adjustments resulted in Tally Ho doubling its profits in the new Potomac Village location.

One of Tally Ho’s menu items comes with a word of caution: The blueberry hotcakes, which have been known to induce labor. The “pregnancy pancakes” legend was created a decade ago, when one of Tally Ho’s regulars went into labor after eating their hotcakes.

When the same customer had the same result during her second pregnancy—this time three weeks before her due date—the reputation was cemented. After word got out, Tally Ho had very pregnant customers traveling from as far as Capitol Hill, attempting to kickstart their labor over breakfast. “I now warn anyone

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Famous faces on the wall at Tally Ho include José Andrés, Sylvester Stallone and Lynda Carter.

pregnant who orders the pancakes,” Andreas says.

Fortunately for its longtime customers, the Vellios family kept its all-day breakfast, which features the likes of omelets, hotcakes and eggs, all served with a choice of bacon, ham or scrapple—a fried pork patty that’s a favorite for many. They also kept some of the original sandwiches from the lunch counter.

“There’s some things on the menu that we’ve been making for over 60 years, like the Potomac Satisfier and the OK Treat [a burger with two beef patties, cheese, slaw, tomato, lettuce, onions and mayo],” says Pete, who co-owned Tally Ho with his brother until the 1980s, when Chris moved back to Greece and Pete and Youlla became sole proprietors. “We’re good at what we’re doing, so we have repeat customers. They love the family business.”

One of those customers is Debbie Simon. Tally Ho was a regular dining destination for Simon, 44, who grew up in Potomac in the 1980s and ’90s. She first ate at Tally Ho as a child with her parents, and later, as a teen at Winston Churchill High School in Potomac, Simon would come to the diner with friends for pizza. After she had her own family, Simon moved back to the area and now brings her young son to Tally Ho for omelets or scrambled eggs,

which he always orders with a side of fries. “I’ve fallen in love with the place even more as an adult with my own child,” says Simon, an advertising professional who lives within walking distance of the diner. “It’s such a family-friendly environment.”

NEARLY 60 YEARS AFTER SERVING HIS FIRST BURGER, PETE STILL CAN BE FOUND WORKING THE GRILL FROM TIME TO TIME, preparing his famous chili and engag-

ing with customers. “We appreciate everything that the town of Potomac does for us,” says Pete, who still lives with Youlla, 71, in the same Potomac house that they purchased in the 1970s and where they raised their two children, Andreas and his sister, Christina.

Andreas has become the heart of Tally Ho since being named manager in 2002, though his parents’ presence still looms large. “Customers are always asking, ‘How are your parents doing?’ ” he says. “That’s the kind of establishment we are. It’s for family.” The line between family and customers has blurred over the years. When Andreas and Keith, a hairstylist at Tres Jolie Salon in Friendship Heights, were expecting their children in 2008, the baby shower at Andreas’ sister’s house was full of customers—one of whom was slated to be a godparent—looking to share in the happy event.

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“[The restaurant’s atmosphere has] a lot to do with Andreas. He keeps it easy and makes you feel at home, like one of the family,” says Susan Shinderman, a Potomac resident who has frequented Tally Ho for more than 10 years. Now a retired government analyst, Shinderman patronizes Tally Ho at least weekly, either dining with her family or bridge group, or ordering pizza for delivery. “You see everyone there— construction workers, Supreme Court justices, retired football players—and everyone talks to everyone.”

Tally Ho has seen its share of famous faces. CNN’s Wolf Blitzer, former NFL player Chris Samuels and celebrity chef José Andrés regularly dine at the restaurant, according to Andreas. Signed pictures of celebrity patrons, including actors Lynda Carter and Sylvester Stallone and singer-turned-Congressman Sonny Bono, are mounted on the wall. They hang next to autographed trading cards of former NBA players Gheorghe Muresan and Patrick Ewing, whose love of Tally Ho’s fresh-squeezed orange juice is legendary. “He used to drink glasses and glasses of the stuff,” Ted says. Stock recalls once seeing Ewing downing glasses of juice while dining with some fellow basketball players, all four men struggling to fit

their long limbs around one of Tally Ho’s four-tops, their knees visible above the table.

Some might say that Tally Ho has had its own 15 minutes of fame. Restaurant regulars include several cast members from The Real Housewives of Potomac, which has filmed the Bravo series twice at Tally Ho, giving the diner—and Andreas, who made a cameo—some national TV coverage. Beverly Hills, 90210 creator Darren Star also dined at Tally Ho while growing up in Potomac, according to Andreas.

The TV series, which was originally going to be called Potomac, 20854 based on Star’s hometown, features a diner called the Peach Pit, which according to local lore, is based on Tally Ho. As you leave Tally Ho, there’s a collection of framed pictures hanging next to the door: various operating licenses, a painting of a fox in winter, and a wooden sign that says, “You can’t make everyone happy.

You’re not pizza”—a sentiment that usually rings true, but somehow the Vellios family seems to have done it with ease for the past six decades.

AMANDA CHERRIN LIVES IN CHEVY CHASE AND IS A FORMER REPORTER FOR SPORTS ILLUSTRATED MAGAZINE.

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BOOZY Beauties

Cocktails filled with theatrics—flaming rice paper, a sliver of dry ice, a striking glass—are popping up at local spots. We found five that are sure to make their way into social media feeds.

BY NEVIN MARTELL

S

|

PHOTOS BY SCOTT SUCHMAN

itting down at a bar these days can feel like taking a seat in a theater. Cocktails aren’t just drinks; they’re sensory-enveloping

performances. Spotlighting bold flavors, vibrant colors, clever glassware and garnishes galore, they sometimes arrive tricked out with smoke, fire or dry ice. They’re so eye-catching and engaging that most patrons reach for their phones to record the drinkable drama before they take a sip.

The experience isn’t over when the glass is drained—drinkers love sharing these overthe-top cocktails on social media, where they

garner lots of likes and cascades of comments. “Instagram, TikTok and Facebook are why you’re seeing so many cocktails that are so visual,” says Mel Woodham, 36, marketing manager for Common Plate Hospitality, which owns Turncoat speakeasy in Chevy Chase, as well as The Heights food hall next door and other concepts. “These drinks allow people to show off. They say, ‘Hey, we’re participating in fun activities, seeing exciting new things, and are out and about in the world.’ ” Get in on the action with these five striking sippers that provide top-shelf entertainment.

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Indigo Smoke Show at Turncoat

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Turncoat bartender Christian Pizzo makes an Indigo Smoke Show, which changes from a deep blue color to this pinkish purple hue.

I n d i g o S m o k e S h o w

T U R N C O A T

T

he Indigo Smoke Show ($22) at Turncoat is so showy and spectacular it should win a Tony Award. The striking indigo-

colored cocktail gets its hue from Conniption Kinship gin, which is shaken with dry vermouth, lemon juice and a touch of absinthe. It’s poured over a large ice cube made of butterfly pea flower tea, a petalpowered Southeast Asian tea that initially has a deep blue color. As the ice melts, a magical reaction occurs. The butterfly pea flower tea interacts with the acid of the lemon juice, altering its pH balance and transforming the drink into a glamorous pinkish purple hue. That’s not the only element to dazzle drinkers. The cocktail arrives under a glass cloche filled with smoking cherry wood chips, adding another layer of flavor, a whoosh of heady aroma and presentational pizzazz.

The Indigo Smoke Show marks a larger shift for the speakeasy’s cocktail program. “Last year, our cocktails were more ingredient focused, including a lot of preparation behind the scenes and some odder flavors, such as vermouth infused with blue crab,” Woodham says. “This year, we’re pivoting to focus on presentation and experience. Cocktails will be more interactive and in your face with a surprising wow factor.” Think a spicy margarita served with a serpentine cucumber twist inside a smoking box, or a blackberry martini that glimmers thanks to luster dust in its purply depths and a rim of edible gold dust.

Woodham loves seeing patrons react to Turncoat’s new showstopping cocktails. “You could just give them a drink,” she says, “but we’re giving them an experience they’ll hopefully remember and look back on fondly.”

TURNCOAT, 5406 WISCONSIN AVE., SUITE A, CHEVY CHASE, 240-8003822, THETURNCOATBAR.COM 112 MAY/JUNE 2025 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

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T h e

T P H e r f E e c t S S A t o r L m T L I N E

T

his origin story begins with a glass. Not an ordinary piece of drinkware, but rather a splashy ceramic tiki glass encircled by a giant lobster. “And if you have a

ridiculous glass, you have to have a ridiculous cocktail to go in it,” reasons Donato Alvarez, 38, beverage director for Long Shot Hospitality, which owns The Salt Line in downtown Bethesda and other restaurants in D.C. and Virginia.

Alvarez and his team were thinking about brunch options, so they brainstormed what might appeal to a diner nursing a hangover and looking for something to take the edge off. They ultimately created The Perfect Storm ($30), a bloody mary strengthened with a double shot of vodka and incorporating tomato juice, olive brine, carrot juice (to balance the acidity), and a hit of soy sauce in place of the usual Worcestershire.

Then came the ridiculousness: How many garnishes could they add to it? “It was a game of Tetris for a while, seeing what would fit, what didn’t fit,” Alvarez says.

Ultimately, they managed to fit a cocktail shrimp, a raw oyster, a crab claw or lobster leg, and a skewer featuring pickles, olives and a fried salt cod fritter. “Basically, it’s a mini-platter of our raw bar,” says Alvarez, noting The Perfect Storm towers a foot and a half tall, plus it arrives with a plate for discarded shells and the skewer.

Though the cocktail is officially only on the brunch menu, the bar team is happy to whip one up at any time if they have the ingredients available.

THE SALT LINE, 7284 WOODMONT AVE., BETHESDA, 240-534-2894, THESALTLINE.COM

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B r a z i l i a n

H I P Z F o m L b i e A S K

T

he bar team at Hip Flask Rooftop Bar offers an ever-changing list of trendy forward-thinking cocktails

that delight the palate and the eye.

Standouts from the rotation include the Ohh Berries, a vodka boosted bevvy with a regal lavender tint courtesy of ube (Filipino purple yam), the pale green Pandamonium, powered by pineapple and coconut rums and topped with toasted shredded coconut, and the almond accented Trinidad Sour, garnished with an edible Japanese maple leaf.

Despite the desire for constant change and innovation, the Brazilian Zombie ($15), one of Hip Flask’s top-selling cocktails, is never going away. “If we removed it from the menu, people would be knocking on our front door to make sure it came back the next day,” says Dupree Braswell, 40, director of restaurant operations at the Marriott Bethesda Downtown, where the bar is located.

The smooth-drinking tropical fiesta features fresh lime juice, grapefruit juice mixed with essential oils, cinnamon syrup, spiced rum and cachaça, a Brazilian spirit distilled from fermented sugarcane. “It’s a little bit of bitter, a little bit of sweet, and a little of spice,” Braswell says.

Its taste is only half the appeal.

The breezy sipper arrives in a photo-worthy tiki glass garnished with a pointed pineapple frond, a dehydrated lime wheel and a cinnamon stick, which is ignited with a small blowtorch.

“It’s a conversation piece that creates buzz,” Braswell says.

“And people love posting about it on social media. That’s a win-win.”

HIP FLASK ROOFTOP BAR, 7707 WOODMONT AVE., BETHESDA, 301-276-7707, HIPFLASKROOFTOP.COM

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Gyuzo bartender Jonathan Campi strains gin, yogurt, lemon and sake to make the Inflation cocktail (bottom).

N

obody likes inflation, but anyone can develop a love for Inflation ($13), a blinged out cocktail-turned-social media star at Gyuzo Japanese BBQ in Rockville Town Square.

It all starts with house-infused matcha lemongrass gin, yogurt, lemon and sake shaken together and strained into a coupe glass.

A wooden honey dipper glistening with honey is plunged into its creamy depths. For a headturning finishing touch, a replica of a $100 bill made of rice paper is clipped to the edge of the glass and set ablaze with a miniature blowtorch when the drink is served.

“As soon as people see the blowtorch, they ask the server to hold on so they can take a picture or video,” says Will Dotson, 26, the restaurant’s bar manager and assistant general manager.

Fo r D o t s o n , I n f l a t i o n i s emblematic of Gyuzo’s approach to cocktails. “We have a pretty heavy emphasis on presentation,” he says. “After all, cocktails have always been entertainment. We’ve just evolved with the modern times.”

Case in point is another eyecatcher, the AI Sakura. A heady mixture of silver tequila, lime juice and pineapple juice, it features an edible QR code floating on its surface. Scan the code and point the Instagram filter at the cocktail to watch a digital cherry tree magically blossom above it.

I n f l a t i o n

G Y U Z O J A P A N E S E B B Q

GYUZO JAPANESE BBQ, 33 MARYLAND AVE., UNIT B, ROCKVILLE, 240-403-7670, GYUZOBBQ.COM

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B l a c k

O N W i S d o w T. E L M O BRAZILIAN ZOMBIE

FROM HIP FLASK ROOFTOP BAR AT MARRIOTT BETHESDA DOWNTOWN

With only five ingredients, this creative cocktail can be whipped up at home. Cachaça (a Brazilian spirit distilled from fermented sugarcane) is available at most liquor stores, and Seacrets spiced rum can be ordered online from various retailers.

MAKES 1 SERVING

Ingredients

2 ounces fresh grapefruit juice 1 ounce cachaça ¾ ounce fresh lime juice ½ ounce cinnamon syrup ½ ounce Seacrets spiced rum

Directions

1. Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice.

2. Shake vigorously for 15 seconds.

3. Pour into a tiki glass filled with cubed ice and serve.

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Sarah Rehman, co-owner of On St. Elmo, puts the finishing touches on a Black Widow.

T

he Black Widow ($16) looks like something out of a witch’s lair. A sliver of dry ice bubbles away in its shimmering lilac depths, creating a mystical mist that

enwreathes the dazzling concoction. Its spellbinding hue comes from Empress 1908 indigo gin, complemented with lavender syrup and lemon juice. A lemon peel perches jauntily on the rim of its coupe glass.

“The cocktail is an immersive experience that keeps you in the moment,” says Sarah Rehman, 36, who co-owns On St. Elmo with her husband, Michael Romeo, 50, a veteran nightlife impresario and restaurateur who owns 13 venues in D.C. She could say the same thing about On St. Elmo, the restaurant, bar and lounge they opened in November with hopes of bringing a chic city sensibility to downtown Bethesda. The space’s color scheme takes its inspiration

from peacocks, so it’s flattered with rich emeralds, dark purples, golds and royal gem tones. Adding further flair are cerise accent lights, gleaming black marble bar tops, and a centerpiece cherry-red couch.

No matter what you order to drink, it’s designed to go well with all the glitz and glamour. Another prime example is the flashy Cotton Candy Sparkling Rosé. A small cloud of cotton candy speckled with edible glitter sits on the rim of a wine glass filled with a beguiling pink mixture of sparkling rosé, vodka and lemon juice. To enjoy, the fluffy spun sugar is plunged into the drink, where it dissolves instantly, adding shimmer and glimmer, and surely eliciting oohs and aahs.

ON ST. ELMO, 4915 ST. ELMO AVE., BETHESDA, 301-701-6728, ONSTELMO.COM

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DINING TABLE TALK

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I’ve been following Jarrad Silver’s career since he was laid off from his chef’s job at D.C.’s Birch and Barley restaurant in the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic and struck out on his own, starting a takeout barbecue business in 2021 called Silver and Sons Barbecue from his Kensington home. He parlayed that into a

food truck business, retrofitting a retired mail truck. In a June 2022 Bethesda Magazine piece I wrote, he described his fare as “my take on barbecue, combining my Jewish background and Middle Eastern cuisine. It’s not kosher but is pork-free.”

The chef, now 36, told me early on that his goal was to open a brick-and-mortar

PHOTOS BY BRENDAN MCCABE

4/9/25 9:45 AM

Jarrad Silver at his recently opened Silver and Sons Barbecue in Bethesda’s Westbard Square, where he sells brisket, shredded lamb shoulder and more

shop one day; that dream came true in January, when he opened Silver and Sons Barbecue, an 800-square-foot space with a six-seat counter in Bethesda’s Westbard Square development.

“I grew up in the area and know it really well. I wanted a place not too downtown-y or in a random shopping center, someplace

with a community feel,” Silver says.

At the new shop, Silver’s gas-powered Old Hickory smoker uses oak and hickory chips. The barbecue items and sides I raved about in 2022 remain, among them smoked chicken, brisket, shredded lamb shoulder, short rib pastrami and baby back beef ribs—plus he has added merguez kofta (lamb sausage) and turkey breast to the menu (half-pound for $14 to $32; a pound for $25 to $50). His tasty pastrami-spiced mushrooms remain, too ($14/half-pound), as do the terrific, fluffy challah rolls. The proteins are also available as platters and sandwiches.

Specialty sandwiches are new, among them a gooey steak and cheese made with smoked brisket, Gruyere and fried chicken skin on a sourdough challah hoagie roll ($19), a pastrami Reuben ($18) and smoked turkey, lamb bacon and avocado with pimiento aioli on rye ($16). Salad bowls ($12) are available with protein add-ons ($4

to $6). Nightly specials include a Sunday night eight-piece fried chicken dinner that comes with four buttermilk biscuits, four chicken pot pie croquettes and two orders of mac and cheese ($52). Frozen goodies to take home include brisket chili ($12/quart), rugelach dough ($18 for a 12-piece log) and lamb shepherd’s pie ($38).

Silver uses high-quality products such as FreeBird chickens from Pennsylvania and Creekstone Farms Black Angus beef.

The locals appreciate it. On my visit there in March, one made a point of telling Silver, “Excuse me. I’m not here for anything today, but I just wanted to tell you that the food I got from you the other day is the best I ever had. It’s not that it’s cheap, but it’s the best.”

Silver and Sons Barbecue, 5362 Westbard Ave., Bethesda, 301-500-3140, silverandsonsbbq.com —David Hagedorn

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DINING TABLE TALK

Lifted Spirits Thirty-eight-year-old Bethesda resident Michael Silverman had had his fill working for Goldman Sachs in procurement and vendor management, so in 2023, he left behind the finance world to concentrate full time on a side gig he had started in 2020: selling a highly curated selection of beer, wine and spirits, specializing mostly in whiskeys, at his DMV Spirits shop. “I focus on premium and ultra-premium selections, the enthusiasts who want a high-quality product and aren’t looking to empty it out like a bottle of Tito’s, and people looking to get a special gift for someone,” Silverman explains.

“Perhaps Chartreuse or a pinnacle of ultra-premium tequila, like Tears of Llorona Extra Anejo.” That goes for $269.99.

Silverman created DMV Spirits in 2020, acquiring retail space in two rooms of a nondescript office building called Capital Workspace just off Massachusetts Avenue in D.C.’s Spring Valley neighborhood. He received his liquor license in 2021 and is open Friday through Sunday from noon to 6 p.m. and on other days by appointment.

One of the rooms is a tasting room, where customers can sample any of the 300 items currently in stock, 270 of them whiskey from the U.S., the U.K., China, Taiwan, India and beyond. He opened in D.C. to avoid the notoriously draconian system of purchasing alcohol from the governmentrun alcohol control boards in Virginia and Montgomery County, which makes it nearly impossible to move quickly to acquire highly sought after spirits in short supply. Spring Valley is convenient for residents in both of those places, who make up a large part of his clientele, he says.

Born and raised in Potomac and a graduate of Thomas S. Wootton High School in Rockville, Silverman is a Montgomery County guy through and through. He’s also a qualified firefighter and EMT who

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At his DMV Spirits shop, Michael Silverman sells a curated selection of beer, wine and spirits, including 270 whiskeys that are available to sample.

does one 14-hour shift (5 p.m. to 7 a.m.) a week at the Cabin John Park Volunteer Fire Department (Station 6) on River Road.

In that role, he oversees the ambulance, assesses, treats and transports patients, and trains other volunteers to become certified. “I started in August 2020. I always believed Hillary [Clinton] when she said it takes a village, so I figured this could be my small way of giving back, which seemed way more fun than working in a soup kitchen,” he says.

Here are five whiskeys that Silverman recommends, with notes.

“Our favorite single barrel rye, from Northern Louisville, known as Nulu, is aged for six years in its barrel, then for another one and a half years in a second barrel to bring out its prominent vanilla nose and oaky finish.”

Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series Rye from Kentucky ($59.99)

Kings County Single Batch Select Bourbon from Brooklyn, New York ($129.99)

“This six-year aged rye finished in American oak and cherry wood barrels is perfect entry-level rye.”

Ben Holladay Soft Red Wheat Rickhouse Proof Bourbon from Missouri ($69.99) “A six-year cask-strength bourbon made with soft wheat from Missouri.”

Nulu 7.5-year, Single Barrel Double Oaked Rye from Kentucky ($99.99)

Widow Jane Decadence 10-Year Bourbon from Brooklyn, New York ($99.99) “This bourbon is finished in barrels from upstate New York that have been used to age maple syrup. An excellent dessert bourbon or beginner glass for those learning the unique flavors of whiskey.”

“Our favorite and hottest new brand out of Brooklyn features cask-strength bourbon with deep and rich toasted notes from Kings’ use of smaller barrels and 20% malted barley.”

DMV Spirits, 4315 50th St. NW, Suite 100, Washington, D.C., dmvspirits.com.

Appointments available at opentable. com/r/dmvspiritscom-washington-dc.

—David Hagedorn

PHOTO BY BRENDAN MCCABE

4/9/25 1:32 PM

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Dining Guide

Choosing a restaurant in Montgomery County and Upper NW D.C. can be daunting, so we’re putting together an editor-curated guide to the area. In this issue, we’re including some listings of local restaurants.

We’ll be adding more in future issues.

feta with honey. Gluten-free pizza crust available upon request.

bBD$$

b✓L$$$$

ANDY’S PIZZA (Editors’ Choice)

BETHESDA CRAB HOUSE

bLD$$

bLD$$$$

AVENTINO (Editors’ Choice)

BETHESDA CURRY KITCHEN

4600 East West Highway, 240-204-6883, eatandyspizza.com This branch of a local chain offers New York-style slices and pies in addition to wings, fries and salads. Build your own pie or try the Pepperoni Special topped with burrata, basil and Mike’s Hot Honey.

KEY B R L D

Best of Bethesda Readers’ Pick 2025 Editors’ Choice Outdoor Dining Reservations Accepted Breakfast Brunch Lunch Dinner

$ $$ $$$ $$$$

most entrees under $15 most entrees $15–$20 most entrees $21–$30 most entrees $31 and up

b ✓

BETHESDA AJI-NIPPON

6937 Arlington Road, 301-654-0213 A no-frills Japanese restaurant serving reasonably priced sushi, teriyaki, sukiyaki, tempura and udon. Lunch specials include a sushi and sashimi combo with miso soup and a house salad. ✓LD$$

ALA BETHESDA

4948 Fairmont Ave., ala-dc.com This outpost of the D.C.-based Michelinrated restaurant offers colorful Levantine fare and a curated cocktail program. A bottomless brunch is offered on weekends; at dinner, try the six-course tasting menu.

b✓RD$$$ ALATRI BROS.

4926 Cordell Ave., 301-718-6427, alatribros.com The owners of Olazzo and Gringos & Mariachis run this Italian-inspired eatery serving small plates, salads and wood-fired pizzas. Don’t miss the whipped

happy hour menu at the bar Monday through Friday.

4747 Bethesda Ave., 301-961-6450, aventinocucina.com Lauded local chef Mike Friedman brings Roman Jewish-inspired Italian cuisine to Bethesda with an elegant restaurant boasting aperitivi, antipasti, handmade pastas, protein-rich mains and shareable sides, plus sophisticated wine offerings that emphasize Italian vintages.

✓RLD$$$$ BACCHUS OF LEBANON

7945 Norfolk Ave., 301-657-1722, bacchusoflebanon.com A Bethesda stalwart with authentic Lebanese cuisine and a year-round outdoor patio. Try the hummus, lamb chops and fried cauliflower with tahini. A weekend belly dancer elevates the experience. b✓LD$$$

THE BARKING DOG

4723 Elm St., 301-654-0022, barkingdogbar.com This multilevel neighborhood watering hole serves traditional pub fare and more than 20 beers on tap, many of them local. Happy hour specials offered on weekdays from 3 to 7 p.m.

bLD$$ BARREL & CROW (Editors’ Choice)

4867 Cordell Ave., 240-800-3253, barrelandcrow.com A Woodmont Triangle neighborhood eatery serving contemporary mid-Atlantic cuisine in a nice casual setting with windows that slide open to a patio.

Highlights include fried green tomatoes with pimento cheese and seasonal soft-shell crabs. b✓RD$$$

BETH’S

4948 Fairmont Ave., bethsrestaurant.com Serving classic American food such as burgers and small bites crafted from locally sourced produce. Check out the all-day

4958 Bethesda Ave., 301-652-3382, bethesdacrabhouse.com A no-frills institution since the 1960s offering steamed blue crabs, oysters and the like. Call in advance to reserve your crabs; picnic table seating is first-come, first-served.

4860 Cordell Ave., 301-656-0062, bethesdacurrykitchen.com Traditional Indian cuisine by chef Anil Kumar. For lunch or dinner, try the masala dosa, a lentil- and rice-filled crepe, or aviyal, a vegetable-heavy coconut milk curry. ✓LD$$

BISTRO PROVENCE

4933 Fairmont Ave., 301-656-7373, bistroprovence.org Ideal for date night or a special occasion, serving flawlessly executed French fare by renowned chef Yannick Cam. Standout dishes include the lobster purse appetizer and the rack of lamb. The green-fringed patio is a plus.

b✓LD$$$$ BLACK’S BAR & KITCHEN (Editors’ Choice) 7750 Woodmont Ave., 301-652-5525, blacksbarandkitchen.com A New American restaurant that emphasizes seafood dishes, wood-grilled meats and cocktails, it’s part of the Black Restaurant Group. Stop in for happy hour or dinner on the outdoor patio.

Voted “Best Wine List” by the readers of Bethesda Magazine in 2025.

b✓LD$$$$ BT’S

4866 Cordell Ave., 240-802-2418, btsbethesda.com Founded by Walt Whitman High School alumnus Brian Lacey, BT’s is a sports bar offering American comfort foods and craft beers. D$$$

CADDIES ON CORDELL

4922 Cordell Ave., 301-215-7730, caddiesoncordell.com This dual-level sports bar has a large covered patio and TVs for game day. Pop by for happy hour, trivia night, live music or the rotating weekly specials featuring half-price pizzas and handhelds.

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Voted “Best Bar/Restaurant to Watch a Game” by the readers of Bethesda Magazine in 2025.

b✓RLD$$

CASA OAXACA

4905 Fairmont Ave., 240-858-6181, casaoaxacamd.com Enjoy Mexican cuisine at this casual, family-friendly Woodmont Triangle eatery with outdoor picnic tables and string lights. Standout plates include the braised short rib tacos, quesadillas and sugar-encrusted churros.

b✓RLD$$$ CHEF TONY’S

5225 Pooks Hill Road, 240-858-6735, cheftonysseafood.com Milan-born chef Tony Marciante plates Italian-inspired dishes alongside desserts prepared by his wife, pastry chef Sonia Marciante. Seasonal menus may include soft-shell crab and tomato mozzarella salad with watermelon.

b✓RD$$$ CHERCHER RESTAURANT

4921 Bethesda Ave., 301-652-6500, chercherrestaurant.com D.C.-based cult favorite Chercher showcases such traditional Ethiopian specialties as beef tibs, kitfo and doro wot. Try the crowd-pleasing vegan combo platter served over injera, a slightly sour pancake-like flatbread.

b✓LD$$ CITY LIGHTS OF CHINA

4953 Bethesda Ave., 301-913-9501, bethesdacitylights.com Classic Chinese with an emphasis on Sichuan-inspired dishes such as kung pao chicken and pan-fried green beans. Saddle up to a leather-backed booth in the casual restaurant or order takeout.

LD$$

CORELLA CAFÉ & LOUNGE

4646 Montgomery Ave., 301-656-2260, corellabethesda.com A chic cafe at the AC Hotel with housemade pastries, hearty salads and sandwiches, plus a variety of small plates and locally sourced entrees in the evening. Try the espresso martini on tap.

b✓BLD$$$ CUBANO’S (Editors’ Choice)

4907 Cordell Ave., 301-347-7952, cubanosrestaurant.com A traditional Cuban restaurant serving popular dishes such as Cuban sandwiches and croquetas in addition to tender meats such as ropa vieja and lechon asado; order yours with a round of mojitos.

✓LD$$

DALIA’S FALAFEL

7750 Old Georgetown Road, 240-858-6918, dalias-falafel.square.site This falafel-focused pint-sized hut is best for take-out or delivery.

Order your housemade chickpea patties wrapped up in a pita or in a rice bowl topped with tahini and spicy green schug. bLD$

EDITH’S PIZZA

6910 Arlington Road, 301-686-3224, edithspizzas.com The owner of neighboring Breads Unlimited brings his dough-making expertise to a casual eatery offering all-day breakfast burritos and omelets as well as sandwiches and pizza until 7 p.m. daily.

bBLD$$ FISH TACO

7251 Woodmont Ave., 301-652-0010; 10305 Old Georgetown Road (Wildwood Shopping Center), 301-564-6000; fishtacoonline.com A fast-casual eatery with sustainably sourced Baja-inspired fare in the form of salads, bowls, tacos and burritos plus a selection of draft beers and margaritas. Don’t miss the housemade guacamole with fresh corn chips.

bLD$

FLOWER CHILD

10205 Old Georgetown Road (Wildwood Shopping Center), 301-664-4971, iamaflowerchild.com This Arizona-based chain serves good-for-the-soul food with an emphasis on ethically sourced proteins as well as seasonal vegetable sides and salads. Bundles serving four to six are ideal for families and groups. bLD$$

FRANK PEPE PIZZERIA NAPOLETANA 7101 Democracy Blvd. (Westfield Montgomery mall), 301-304-7373, pepespizzeria.com New Haven-style pizzeria serving coal-fired slices and pies with a thin and chewy crust.

Try the famous white clam pizza with garlic, oregano and freshly grated pecorino Romano cheese. b✓LD$$

GREGORIO’S TRATTORIA

4611-A Sangamore Road (The Shops at Sumner Place), 301-347-6830, gregoriostrattoria.com A family-friendly trattoria with exceptionally accommodating staff serving large portions of Italian classics in addition to an extensive kids menu and a selection of gluten-free pizzas and pastas.

b✓LD$$$

GRINGOS & MARIACHIS (Editors’ Choice) 4928 Cordell Ave., 240-800-4266, gringosandmariachis.com Authentic Mexican

street fare served in an edgy setting with brick walls, roped chandeliers and tattoo art-style murals. Grab a seat at the bar for happy hour drink and food specials. Voted “Best Cocktails and Zero-Proof Drinks,” “Best Happy Hour” and “Best Latin Restaurant” by the readers of Bethesda Magazine in 2025.

bRLD$$ GUAPO’S

8130 Wisconsin Ave., 301-656-0888, guaposrestaurant.com This family-owned and -operated Tex-Mex restaurant gives greenhouse vibes with a glass ceiling and a plethora of plants. Groups will appreciate the enchilada, taco and fajita party packs to go that serve four, six or eight. b✓RLD$$$

GUARDADO’S

4918 Del Ray Ave., 301-986-4920, guardados.com Savory Spanish and Latin American cuisine by Salvadoran chef Nicolas Guardado, formerly of Jaleo. The paellas and extensive tapas, such as gambas al ajillo and papas fritas, are best for sharing.

b✓LD$$$ HAWKERS

7117 Bethesda Lane, 240-203-8135, eathawkers.com Bold Asian small plates including dumplings, spring rolls, wings, curries, noodles, soups and the like are served inside or on the covered, heated patio.

Weekday happy hour features discounted beers, spirits and select dishes. bLD$

HOUSE OF FOONG LIN

4613 Willow Lane, 301-657-3740 Chinese cuisine served in a dining room anchored by a U-shaped thatched bar known for specialty tiki cocktails. Standout dishes include the crispy fried whole fish and Peking duck.

✓LD$$

HOUSE OF MILAE

4932 St. Elmo Ave., 301-654-1997, houseofmilae.com Authentic Korean comfort food in a modest, family-friendly setting. Try the hot stone bibimbap, short rib bulgogi, and kimchi fried rice topped with shrimp and mushrooms. b✓D$$$

KADHAI (Editors’ Choice)

7905 Norfolk Ave., 301-215-7189, kadhai.com This beloved neighborhood restaurant excels at traditional Indian cuisine. Try the potato and pea samosas, palak chaat and any of the vegetarian or meat entrees served with Kadhai’s signature saffron and cardamomstudded rice.b✓LD$$

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KUSSHI SUSHI

7820 Norfolk Ave., 301-654-7851, kusshisushi.com Formerly Hanaro, this rebranded spot continues to delight after a renovation. The menu boasts Izakaya street food, tempura, teriyaki and noodles, but sushi remains the focus. Come with a group for the epic 76-piece sushi boat. b✓LD$$$

LA CATRINA LOUNGE

4935 Cordell Ave., 240-204-8460, lacatrinalounge.com A two-story venue featuring a first-floor Mexican restaurant below a cocktail lounge with DJs and live music. Try the Santa Diabla cocktail blended with tequila, prickly pear, coconut and lime.

✓RD$$$ LA PANETTERIA

4921 Cordell Ave., 301-951-6433, lapanetteria. com This Italian restaurant stands out with a menu section devoted to Argentine fare, courtesy of its Buenos Aires-born coowner, as well as a sunlit atrium graced by hanging baskets, period paintings and white tablecloths. b✓D$$$

LILIT CAFÉ BEER & WINE

7921 Old Georgetown Road, 301-654-5454, lilitcafe.com A low-key cafe and gourmet grocery with an all-day menu featuring omelets, soups, salads, sandwiches and pizza as well as dinner items such as lamb chops and crabcakes, plus an extensive gluten-free menu. BLD$$

MAMAN

7140 Bethesda Lane, 301-656-1526, mamannyc.com This French-inspired cafe boasts rustic farm tables, antique decor and botanical accents to complement delectable pastries, breakfast dishes and tartines as well as coffee, tea and cocktails. The outdoor patio is a plus. bBL$$

MAMMA LUCIA

4916 Elm St., 301-907-3399, mammaluciarestaurants.com This familyfriendly local chain is known for its New Yorkstyle pizzas and oversize portions of Italian mains, such as penne alla vodka and chicken marsala, which serve two. b✓LD$$$

MATCHBOX

7278 Woodmont Ave., 240-465-0500, matchboxrestaurants.com Specializing in bistro-style fare and wood-fired pizzas, this local chain features a large patio. Make sure to order the crowd-pleasing mini burgers on

✓ Reservations Accepted B Breakfast R Brunch

L Lunch D Dinner $ most entrees under $15

brioche buns served atop a pile of crispy onion straws.

b✓RLD$$

MEDIUM RARE

4904 Fairmont Ave., 301-215-8379, mediumrarerestaurant.com This D.C.-based chain delights meat lovers with a single prixfixe dinner menu comprised of rustic bread, a green salad and culotte steak with hand-cut fries. Eggs and French toast are available at brunch. b✓RD$$$

MON AMI GABI

7239 Woodmont Ave., 301-654-1234, monamigabi.com A traditional French bistro offering a three-course prix-fixe lunch, an extensive steak frites menu and rotating evening specials, plus a robust menu for tiny gourmands. Patio seating is first-come, firstserved. b✓RLD$$$

MORTON’S THE STEAKHOUSE

7400 Wisconsin Ave., 301-657-2650, mortons.com An upscale steakhouse specializing in prime-aged steaks and chops, fresh seafood and timeless desserts such as key lime pie and crème brûlée. The dining room, with white tablecloths and leatherbacked chairs, is ideal for business dinners.

✓D$$$$ MUSSEL BAR & GRILLE

4903 Cordell Ave., 301-900-2599, musselbar.com/locations/bethesda Seafood enthusiasts will find thoughtfully crafted food in a casual setting, with an expansive Belgian beer list and wines and cocktails too. Mussels are the star.

b✓RLD $$$

NOT YOUR AVERAGE JOE’S

10400 Old Georgetown Road, 240-316-4555, notyouraveragejoes.com Made-from-scratch comfort food and cocktails in an industrialinspired environment. The wide-ranging menu offers soups, salads, handhelds, pizza and mains to satisfy every craving. Family-style meals, serving four to six, are available for takeout. b✓RLD$$

OISHII RAMEN CAFÉ

4901 Fairmont Ave., 240-956-4156, oishiibethesda.com Fresh, authentic ramen and bubble tea in a pint-size shop with firstcome, first-served high-top seating that’s open daily for lunch and dinner. Try the classic Tonkotsu made with pork and a softboiled egg. LD$$

$$ most entrees $15–$20 $$$ most entrees $21–$30 $$$$ most entrees $31 and up

OLAZZO (Editors’ Choice)

7921 Norfolk Ave., 301-654-9496, olazzo.com Italian fare in a relaxed setting with exposed brick walls, wooden tables and votive candles. Try the chicken cardinale tossed with sun-dried tomatoes in a tomatocream sauce over penne. Happy hour at the bar on weekdays. bRLD$$

ON ST. ELMO

4915 St. Elmo Ave., 301-701-6728, onstelmo.com Find Mediterranean-inspired dishes and a club-like vibe with live entertainment. It also has weekday specials such as all-day happy hour on Tuesdays and half-price wine bottles on Wednesdays.

✓D$$$$ THE ORIGINAL PANCAKE HOUSE

7700 Wisconsin Ave., 301-986-0285, ophrestaurants.com An all-day breakfast chain serving everything from egg dishes and sweet crepes to pancakes and waffles in a casual setting. Try the Dutch baby dusted in powdered sugar, a house special.

bBLD$$

PASSAGE TO INDIA

4931 Cordell Ave., 301-656-3373, passagetoindia.info British Colonial decor feels fitting at this traditional Indian restaurant.

Weekday lunch specials include a main, such as palak paneer or chicken tikka, accompanied by saffron rice pilaf, lentils and salad. ✓RLD$$

PASSION FIN

4611 Sangamore Road (The Shops at Sumner Place), 301-229-2848, passionfinmd.com A conveniently located Asian bistro and sushi bar inside the Shops at Sumner Place with an expansive menu ranging from sushi and hibachi to teriyaki and fried rice dishes plus a handful of Thai curries. ✓LD$$$

PERSIMMON (Editors’ Choice)

7003 Wisconsin Ave., 301-654-9860, persimmonrestaurant.com Couples love this cozy American bistro. You can’t go wrong with the wasabi-crusted oysters or the daily fresh catch topped with a lemon butter sauce.

Pop in on Tuesdays for half-priced wine.

b✓LD$$$ PHO VIET

4917 Cordell Ave., 301-652-0834, phovietus.com One of four locations around the D.C. area, Pho Viet offers authentic Vietnamese food in a comfortable setting with

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melinagreek.com | 301.818.9090 | @melinagreek Pike & Rose

melinagreek.com | 301.818.9090 | @melinagreek GREEK CUISINE WITH FRESH, QUALITY melinagreek.com melinagreek.com | 301.818.9090 | 301.818.9090 | @melinagreek | @melinagreek Pike & Rose INGREDIENTSPike IN & APike FINE CASUAL SETTING Rose & Rose

GREEK CUISINE WITH FRESH, QUALITY melinagreek.com | 301.818.9090 | @melinagreek GREEK GREEK CUISINE CUISINE WITHCASUAL WITH FRESH, FRESH, QUALITY QUALITY INGREDIENTS IN A FINE Pike & Rose SETTING melinagreek.com | 301.818.9090 | @melinagreek INGREDIENTS INGREDIENTS IN A FINE IN A CASUAL FINE CASUAL SETTING SETTING Pike & Rose

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julii.com | 301.517.9090 | @jullieats Pike & Rose

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cavamezze.com | @cavamezze Rockville and Olney locations

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Bouboulina redefines the classic steakhouse.

The chef-driven menu celebrates impeccably cooked steaks complemented by meticulously crafted cocktails, all set within an ambiance of understated sophistication.

CO SO MIN ON G

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Best of Bethesda Readers’ Pick 2025 Editors’ Choice Outdoor Dining

Asian artwork and a four-seat bar. Regulars praise the shrimp summer rolls and nourishing bowls of pho. b✓LD$

PICCOLI PIATTI PIZZERIA

10257 Old Georgetown Road (Wildwood Shopping Center), 240-858-6099, piccolipiattipizzeria.com Kid-friendly Neapolitan-style pizzeria with wooden tables and bench seating serving everything from antipasti and salads to sandwiches and pizza made with imported ingredients plus homemade Italian desserts. Gluten-free options available. bLD$$

PINES OF ROME

4918 Cordell Ave., 301-657-8775, pinesofrometogo.com Authentic Italian fare, such as veal Milanese and meatballs with spaghetti, served in a casual, family-friendly environment. Large trays serving eight or more are available for takeout. LD$$$

PIZZERIA DA MARCO (Editors’ Choice)

8008 Woodmont Ave., 301-654-6083, pizzeriadamarco.net A family-friendly eatery featuring Italian antipasti, bruschettas and Neapolitan-style pizza. Try one of the freshly made salads (large enough for two), the burrata con pesto pizza and half-priced wine on Wednesdays. bLD$$

PLANTA

4910 Elm St., 301-407-2447, plantarestaurants.com Serving 100% plantbased food, with offerings such as vegan sushi, brick oven pizzas and mushroombased “chicken and waffles” that taste just as delicious as they look. Try the weekday happy hour for discounted sips and snacks.

b✓RLD$$$

PRALINE BAKERY & BISTRO

4611 Sangamore Road (The Shops at Sumner Place), 301-229-8180, pralinebistro.com A charming French bistro serving well-executed classics such as steak frites and salmon paillard plus a first-floor bakery with artisanal housemade pastries. The second-floor patio is a hidden gem for lunch.

b✓RLD$$$ Q BY PETER CHANG (Editors’ Choice)

4500 East West Highway, #100, 240-8003722, qbypeterchang.com Modern Szechuan cuisine by renowned chef Peter Chang in a contemporary 8,000-square-foot space.

Don’t miss the Peking duck served with

✓ Reservations Accepted B Breakfast R Brunch

L Lunch D Dinner $ most entrees under $15

housemade pancakes, scallions and sweet bean sauce. b✓RLD$$$

RAKU (Editors’ Choice)

7240 Woodmont Ave., 301-718-8680, rakuasiandining.com Find modern Asian fare with Chinese, Japanese and Thai flavors.

The deluxe bento box offers a sampling of fresh sushi and warm tempura. Voted “Best Japanese Restaurant” and “Best Sushi” by the readers of Bethesda Magazine in 2025.

b✓LD$$$ RAKUGAKI

$$ most entrees $15–$20 $$$ most entrees $21–$30 $$$$ most entrees $31 and up

served with a choice of protein, as well as the mango with sweet sticky rice.

✓LD$$ THE SALT LINE (Editors’ Choice)

7284 Woodmont Ave., 240-534-2894, thesaltline.com Part of a D.C.-area chain, this coastal-themed restaurant offers an extensive raw bar with Chesapeake Bay oysters, clams and lobster rolls, plus locally sourced seafood entrees such as panroasted rockfish.

b✓RLD$$$$

10223 Old Georgetown Road (Wildwood Shopping Center), 240-858-4856, rakugaki.com A stylish Japanese restaurant offering colorful sushi platters, homemade noodle dishes, Asian small plates and more.

Try the Teishoku set comprised of a proteinrich main such as tonkatsu or black cod, a side dish, miso soup and rice.

SEVENTH STATE RESTAURANT & LOUNGE

ROCK BOTTOM RESTAURANT & BREWERY

SILVER

b✓LD$$$

7900 Norfolk Ave., 240-465-0777, rockbottom.com A Denver-based brewpub chain offering casual fare such as pizza, sliders and handhelds to complement a wide selection of brewed beers and seltzers made in house. Copious seating makes this large space ideal for groups. b✓LD$$

ROOTED3

4916 Cordell Ave., 240-206-1265, rooted3.com Fast-casual beachy, botanicalinspired cafe serving plant-based food free of the top nine allergens. Try the umami shroom bowl, buffalo cauliflower bites and an organic cocktail, best enjoyed in the outdoor courtyard. bLD$

RUTA

7707 Woodmont Ave., 240-539-3410, seventhstaterestaurant.com In the lobby of the Marriott Bethesda Downtown sits a business-friendly all-day eatery featuring modern American cuisine with a mid-Atlantic twist and locally sourced ingredients served in a light-filled space. b✓BRLD$$$ 7150 Woodmont Ave., 301-652-9780, eatatsilver.com A New American brasserie serving upscale comfort food in an art decoinspired space with cozy red booths. Kids love the breakfast menu, served all day, plus the hand-spun milkshakes.

b✓BRLD$$$ SILVER AND SONS BARBECUE (Editors’ Choice) 5362 Westbard Ave. (Westbard Square), 301500-3140, silverandsonsbbq.com Founded as a food truck by Jarrad Silver, this brick-andmortar spot serves smoked chicken, brisket, shredded lamb shoulder and other meats, while offering a blend of American, Jewish and Mediterranean flavors on its menu.

LD$$

4862 Cordell Ave., 240-316-1257, rutadc.us/ ruta-md Named after a legendary flower from ancient Ukrainian mythology, Ruta is one of Maryland’s first Ukrainian restaurants. It offers traditional dishes such as borscht, holubtsi and varenyky, along with modern fusion dishes in a rustic atmosphere.

SMOKE BBQ

b✓RLD$$$

bLD$$

SALA THAI

4828 Cordell Ave., 301-654-4676, salathaibethesda.com Thai cuisine served in a nice casual setting with wood tables.

Loyal locals praise the well-executed pad thai,

4858 Cordell Ave., 301-656-2011, mysmokebbq.com A casual barbecue joint serving spice-rubbed smoked meats and craft beers with outdoor seating in the alley.

Weekday happy hour and game day specials, such as wing trays and sliders, are available.

TACOMBI

4749 Bethesda Ave., 877-632-7610, tacombi.com This New York-based restaurant brings Mexican street fare to Bethesda with an emphasis on tacos. Colorful, spacious

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The Barking Dog has the largest private space in Bethesda for your next event. Our second floor is available for everything from Bar/Bat Mitzvahs to Weddings and reunions. We have full media capability with a large screen for business presentations as well. Total standing capacity is 255 and seated depends on table arrangements as well as chairs only during presentations.

The room can be configured to meet any needs you have.

In addition to our DJ booth and dance floor, we have a dart board, corn hole toss for your entertainment. We strive to make your next event at the Barking Dog one that your family, friends, or staff talk about forever.

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interiors and reasonably priced dishes make Tacombi ideal for a casual meal. Giant doors open in nice weather for a seamless indooroutdoor experience. b✓LD$

TAKO GRILL

4914 Hampden Lane (The Shoppes of Bethesda), 301-652-7030, takogrill.com This contemporary Japanese grill serves a variety of Asian dishes, including noodles, teriyaki, donburi and tempura in addition to sushi and sashimi. Platters, available for takeout, are great for a crowd. LD$$$

TASTEE DINER

7731 Woodmont Ave., 301-652-3970, tasteediner.com This local diner has retro vibes and serves old-school American diner classics such as all-day breakfast, handhelds and daily specials such as country fried steak and meatloaf. BLD$

TATTE BAKERY & CAFÉ

7276 Wisconsin Ave., 240-534-2115, tattebakery.com A Boston-based cafe with a cult following, Tatte features tantalizing pastries, espresso drinks and a variety of North African-inspired fare in an airy space with leather banquettes and bistro tables.

Voted “Best Bakery” by the readers of Bethesda Magazine in 2025.

bBRLD$

TIA QUETA

4839 Del Ray Ave., 301-654-4443, tiaqueta.com A casual Mexican cafe with a rooftop bar where you can enjoy pitchers of margaritas and tacos. Weekday happy hour offers discounted quesadillas and nachos plus drink specials. b✓LD$$$

TIKKA MASALA

4929 Elm St., 301-312-8191, tikkamasala.us Traditional Indian cuisine plus a handful of IndoChinese wok dishes served in a contemporary setting. The lunch buffet offers a variety of classics such as tikka masala and biryani plus appetizers and dessert.

✓LD$$

TOMMY JOE’S

7940 Norfolk Ave., 301-312-8282, tommy-joes.com A casual dual-level sports bar and American grill with more than 40 TVs, daily specials and a year-round rooftop. Try the “Poho style” chicken wings glazed in a blend of hot and peanut sauces.

b✓LD$$

✓ Reservations Accepted B Breakfast R Brunch

L Lunch D Dinner $ most entrees under $15

TRATTORIA SORRENTO (Editors’ Choice)

4930 Cordell Ave., 301-718-0344, trattoriasorrento.com A family owned and operated trattoria serving traditional Italian fare. Order the Italian Martini, made with limoncello, and the homemade spinach and ricotta ravioli baked with mozzarella in tomato sauce.

✓D$$$

TRUE FOOD KITCHEN

7100 Wisconsin Ave., 240-200-1257, truefoodkitchen.com Health-driven dishes comprised of seasonal ingredients served in a bright, airy setting that’s suitable for adults and children alike. Outstanding plates include the charred cauliflower, ancient grain bowl and smoked Gouda turkey burger. Voted “Best Vegetarian Dishes” by the readers of Bethesda Magazine in 2025.

$$ most entrees $15–$20 $$$ most entrees $21–$30 $$$$ most entrees $31 and up

Try a curated beer flight or design your own.

Voted “Best Beer Selection” by the readers of Bethesda Magazine in 2025.

bLD$$

ZAO STAMINA RAMEN

7345 Wisconsin Ave., Unit B, 301-312-8399, zaostaminaramen.com This spacious restaurant run by a Tokyo-born chef offers comforting bowls of ramen made with homemade noodles. Try the Stamina Ramen prepared with spiced chicken broth, curly noodles, pork belly and a poached egg.

bLD$$

CABIN JOHN FISH TACO

b✓RLD$$$

7945 MacArthur Blvd. (MacArthur Plaza), 301-229-0900, fishtacoonline.com See Bethesda listing.

UNCLE JULIO’S

bLD$

4870 Bethesda Ave., 301-656-2981, unclejulios.com It’s always a party at the Bethesda outpost of this national Tex-Mex chain where groups flock for celebrations.

Expect hacienda-style interiors, mesquitegrilled fare and an extensive margarita menu.

Voted “Best Mexican Restaurant” by the readers of Bethesda Magazine in 2025.

b✓LD$$$ VIRRAAJ

4914 Cordell Ave., 301-847-7225, virraaj.com Authentic Indian cuisine served in an upscale setting with black and gold decor. The wideranging menu boasts multiple biryanis, more than a dozen vegetarian entrees and several chaats. b✓LD$$$

WOODMONT GRILL (Editors’ Choice) 7715 Woodmont Ave., 301-656-9755, woodmontgrill.com Modern American comfort food, hand-crafted cocktails and sushi served in clubby interiors with tufted red booths.

Order the Crisp Martini made with gin and sauvignon blanc and leave the kids at home.

Voted “Best Business Lunch Spot” and “Best Restaurant in Bethesda” by the readers of Bethesda Magazine in 2025. ✓LD$$$$

WORLD OF BEER

7200 Wisconsin Ave., 240-389-9317, worldofbeer.com This national brewpub features hundreds of global beers and classic American fare in a brick-walled space with high-top tables and a large outdoor patio.

SAL’S ITALIAN KITCHEN

7945 MacArthur Blvd. (MacArthur Plaza), 240-802-2370, salsitaliankitchen.net Italian comfort food such as panzanella salad, Sicilian cauliflower with fried capers, and chicken marsala by Bethesda-raised Damian Salvatore, owner of Wild Tomato, served in a family-friendly setting with wood tables and hanging plants.

bD$$$ WILD TOMATO

7945 MacArthur Blvd. (MacArthur Plaza), 301-229-0680, wildtomatorestaurant. com Chef Damian Salvatore, the owner of neighboring Sal’s Italian Kitchen, dishes up modern American comfort food at this casual eatery. Try an entree-size bistro salad, juicy Angus burger or 12-inch pizza.

bLD$$$

CHEVY CHASE CLYDE’S

5441 Wisconsin Ave., 301-951-9600, clydes.com With multiple locations in the D.C. metro area, Clyde’s offers expansive seating for groups and an all-day menu with classics such as crabcakes and farm-fresh beef burgers. Try their daily oyster happy hour.

Voted “Best Restaurant in Chevy Chase” by the readers of Bethesda Magazine in 2025.

b✓RLD$$$

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The Cheers of Potomac Since 1978

10123 River Road | Potomac, MD 20854 | (301) 299-9300 info@huntersbarandgrill.com

NOW OPEN IN POTOMAC Visit us daily from 5 am - 5 pm!

9812 Falls Road - (301) 299-7701 - Also in College Park and Hanover!

BUY ONE LARGE PIZZA, GET A SECOND LARGE CHEESE FOR $0.99 EVERY TUESDAY *DINE-IN & CARRY-OUT ONLY

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CHEVY CHASE 0525_Full page ad template.indd 21

COLLEGE PARK

MIDDLE RIVER

POTOMAC VILLAGE

TRAVILLE 4/8/25 3:23 PM

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ELENA JAMES

8551 Connecticut Ave. (Chevy Chase Lake), 240-723-7093, elenajamescc.com From the owners of Nina May and Opal, this neighborhood place serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. Try the wedge salad, pork meatballs with red sauce, fried duck wings and rainbow trout. There’s a small market where guests can purchase housemade pasta and other similar items.

b✓BLD$$$ THE HEIGHTS FOOD HALL

✓ Reservations Accepted B Breakfast R Brunch

L Lunch D Dinner $ most entrees under $15

LIA’S

4435 Willard Ave., 240-223-5427, liasrestaurant.com A family-friendly neighborhood eatery with a large outdoor patio and Italian American plates, including shrimp scampi with housemade pasta and a signature burger topped with gorgonzola, crispy onions, wild mushrooms and garlic aioli.

b✓RLD$$$ MANOLI CANOLI

bRLD$$

8540 Connecticut Ave., 301-951-1818, manolicanoli.com Find Greek specialties such as pork souvlaki and moussaka alongside pasta Bolognese and chicken parmigiana prepared with hand-pulled mozzarella at this family-owned and operated Mediterranean restaurant. Catering trays are a hit with groups.b✓LD$$$

THE HUNTER’S HOUND

MEIWAH RESTAURANT

5406 Wisconsin Ave., Suite A, 240-800-3820, theheightsfoodhall.com This elevated food hall boasts a full-service restaurant and bar, speakeasy and eight food stalls. Look out for family-friendly event programming, such as a summer music series, kids fun fest and more.

5471 Wisconsin Ave., Suite 206A, 301-969-8281, thehuntershound.com A modern Irish pub with wooden tables and a camel-colored tufted leather banquette. You can’t go wrong with classic fish and chips, bangers and mash or shepherd’s pie along with a pint of Guinness. b✓RD$$$

JOY BY SEVEN REASONS

5471 Wisconsin Ave., 202-417-8968, sevenreasonsgroup.com From the Seven Reasons Group and famed chef Enrique Limardo comes a Chevy Chase outpost with a playful Latin American menu featuring fusion dishes such as Caribbean seafood coconut rice and Venezuelan-style lasagna.

b✓RD$$$$ JUNCTION

5471 Wisconsin Ave., Suite 206B, 586-949-2035, junctionbakery.com This family-friendly all-day bistro boasts Commonwealth Joe espresso, freshly baked pastries and colorful plates such as spiced salmon with rainbow quinoa and a citrus salad topped with pistachios and pomegranate seeds. bBRLD$$$

LA FERME (Editors’ Choice)

7101 Brookville Road, 301-986-5255, lafermerestaurant.com Ideal for a romantic tête-à-tête, La Ferme offers elegant country farmhouse decor, live piano music and an expertly executed classic French menu. Grab a seat at the bar for a more casual bite.

✓RLD$$$$

457 Willard Ave., 301-652-9882, meiwahrestaurant.com This contemporary Chinese restaurant offers everything from lo mein and fried rice to moo shu chicken and kung pao shrimp. Chef’s specialties include Beijing duck with homemade pancakes and a Cantonese-style whole steamed seabass.

✓LD$$$ SUSHIKO (Editors’ Choice)

5455 Wisconsin Ave., 301-961-1644, sushikorestaurants.com An upscale Japanese restaurant with an eight-seat sushi bar. Standout dishes include the crispy Brussels sprouts with spicy soy caramel and the Element roll comprised of tuna tartare, avocado and a potato crisp.

b✓LD$$$$ TAVIRA

8401 Connecticut Ave., 301-652-8684, tavirarestaurant.com This old-world establishment with white tablecloths and muraled walls features Mediterranean wines and Portuguese plates. Save room for the pastel de nata, a traditional tart made with puff pastry and lemon cinnamon custard.

✓LD$$$

GAITHERSBURG/ NORTH POTOMAC ASIA NINE

254 Crown Park Ave., 301-330-9997, asianinemd.com A hip Asian fusion restaurant

$$ most entrees $15–$20 $$$ most entrees $21–$30 $$$$ most entrees $31 and up

with leather-backed booths serving everything from Korean sizzling beef and Thai barbecue chicken to Cantonese fried rice and sushi rolls. b✓LD$$

CHARLEY PRIME FOODS

9811 Washingtonian Blvd., L9 (Rio), 240-4777925, charleyprimefoods.com This gastropub delights with a 100-seat patio overlooking the Rio waterfront, an inventive craft cocktail menu and dishes to suit every palate, ranging from freshly caught fish to perfectly seared chops. b✓RLD$$$

CHENNAI HOPPERS

136 Paramount Park Drive, 240-813-0061, chennaihoppers.com Combining traditional cooking techniques with modern touches, Chennai Hoppers lets you experience authentic South Indian cuisine. Customer favorites include Pallipalayam chicken (chicken with coconut, curry), uthappam (rice pancake) and kozhi 65 (fried chicken).

b✓LD$$ HAN SPOT

9811 Washingtonian Blvd. (Rio), 301-417-4616, hanspotmd.com A Chinese garden-like ambiance where diners can order a la carte or choose an unlimited tasting menu. There is additional seating in a waterfront outdoor patio. b✓LD$$$

INFERNO PIZZERIA NAPOLETANA (Editors’ Choice) 12207 Darnestown Road, 301-963-0115, inferno-pizzeria.com The 38-seat, first-come, first-served restaurant means you’ll likely need to wait for a table. But chef-owner Tony Conte’s neo-Neapolitan pies, baked in a wood-burning oven, are worth the wait. The seasonal menu utilizes local ingredients.

D$$

IXTAPALAPA TAQUERIA

411 N. Frederick Ave., 240-702-0217, ixtataqueria.com A counter-service Mexican joint with a menu that boasts 13 types of tacos ranging from the standard al pastor and chicken mole to unique options such as beef tongue and small intestine, plus burritos and antojitos.

bLD$ KENAKI SUSHI COUNTER (Editors’ Choice) 706 Center Point Way (Kentlands), 240-2247189, kenakisushi.com This sushi spot by siblings Ken and Aki Ballogdajan (who also

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own Kema by Kenaki) has a wide range of menu items. In addition to artfully prepared sushi, the pork belly buns and hamachi crudo are favorites.

bLD$$ LANZHOU HAND PULL NOODLE

3 Grand Corner Ave. (Rio), 240-403-7486, handpullnoodle.peblla.com Pop in for a steaming bowl of soup made with savory broth, your choice of meat, radish slices, cilantro, scallion, red chili oil and tender noodles that are cut and cooked on demand.

b✓LD$ LAPU LAPU

216 Market St. W. (Kentlands), 240-477-7764, lapulapubreakfast.com The same family behind Kuya Ja’s Lechon Belly in Rockville serves breakfast sandwiches here, featuring Filipino and American classics. Buns are made by Gwenie’s Pastries, the bakery owned by chef Javier Fernandez’s sister and mother.

bBRL$

MISS TOYA’S SOUTHERN KITCHEN

229 Boardwalk Place (Rio), 240-261-4127, misstoyasouthernkitchen.com A Black- and woman-owned Southern restaurant offering Creole specialties such as gumbo, shrimp and grits, Cajun chicken pasta and fried golden catfish in a vibrant setting punctuated with pops of red. LD$$$

RANKEN NOODLE HOUSE

133 Commerce Square Place (Kentlands), 240-800-1077, rankennoodlehouse.com This spot may be best known for its noodles (tonkatsu ramen, soba and beef udon), but it also offers much more, from skewers and rice to katsu and curry. b✓RLD$$

QUINCY’S

616 Quince Orchard Road, 301-869-8200, order.toasttab.com/online/quincys-bar-grille This lively quintessential neighborhood bar is the perfect game day hangout thanks to its 20-plus TVs. Don’t miss the robust events schedule, which includes happy hour, trivia,

A FESTIVAL FOR ALL IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY! JUNE 14 - 19, 2025

Celebrate Freedom. Honor Legacy. Uplift Community.

Join the DMV's largest Juneteenth celebration, where culture, history, and joy collide! Now in its third year, the Scotland Juneteenth Heritage Festival brings thousands together for a powerful weekend honoring the legacy of Black communities in Montgomery County and beyond.

"Montgomery County is a powerful blend of cultures and purpose. The Juneteenth Festival isn’t just a celebration, it’s a homecoming. Come honor our history, uplift our voices, and experience the joy of true community."

- LaTisha Gasaway-Paul, Festival President

bingo, live bands and karaoke.

b✓RLD$ SILVER DINER

9811 Washingtonian Blvd. (Rio), 301-770-2828, silverdiner.com For a classic, nostalgic, all-day diner experience, look no further. Open from 6:30 a.m. to 2 a.m. most days, you can get all your diner favorites—some with a healthy take—no matter the time. Milkshakes are a must. Voted “Best Family-Friendly Restaurant” by the readers of Bethesda Magazine in 2025.

bBRLD$$ TED’S BULLETIN

220 Ellington Blvd. (Downtown Crown), 301990-0600, tedsbulletin.com The Gaithersburg outpost of this D.C.-based cult favorite cafe boasts all-day breakfast and a wide selection of American fare ranging from handhelds and salads to steak frites and pan-seared fish, plus boozy milkshakes.

b✓BLD$$$

Festival Highlights Include: Fireworks and tailgating

Carnival with amusement rides Youth sports clinics ✨ Live music and performances Interfaith community brunch Art, culture, and family activities Local food vendors

Clarence "Pint" Isreal Juneteenth

Classic with Bethesda Big Train Events held across Bethesda and Potomac

Scan the QR code to get your tickets, explore the schedule, donate, and discover how you can get involved!

BROUGHT TO YOU BY

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TRUE FOOD KITCHEN

221 Rio Blvd., Suite 221 (Rio), 240-821-6660, truefoodkitchen.com See Bethesda listing.

b✓RLD$$$ VASILI’S KITCHEN

705 Center Point Way (Kentlands Market Square), 301-977-1011, vasiliskitchen.com Authentic and fresh Mediterranean fare served in a nice casual setting in the heart of Kentlands Market Square. Find a diverse array of meze dishes, perfect for sharing. Opt for the large covered patio.

b✓LD$$$ VILLAGE GREEN RESTAURANT

120 N. Frederick Ave., 301-948-0584 This no-frills diner dishes up all-day breakfast, deli sandwiches and homemade soups in a casual environment that caters well to families. Order the Mickey Mouse pancakes for your little ones. BL$

GARRETT PARK/ KENSINGTON BLACK MARKET BISTRO

4600 Waverly Ave., 301-933-3000, blackmarketrestaurant.com This neighborhood bistro from Black’s Restaurant Group, housed in a former Victorian-era post office, delights with a lovely porch and New American salads, sandwiches, pizzas and mains such as grilled pork chops and steak frites. Voted “Best Restaurant in Garrett Park/ Kensington” by the readers of Bethesda Magazine in 2025.

b✓RLD$$$$ BUNS N RICE

10509 Metropolitan Ave., 301-949-2199, bunsnrice.com A fast-casual Korean deli serving up everything from bibimbap and bulgogi tacos to pork bao buns and kimchi pancakes in a small space with a few tables; best for carryout. bLD$

THE DISH & DRAM

10301 Kensington Parkway, 301-962-4046, thedishanddram.com At this neighborhood gastropub with a curated whiskey menu, expect seasonally inspired small plates and mains, such as butternut squash studded risotto, roasted chicken with smashed potatoes and grilled salmon with sauteed spinach. b✓RLD$$$

✓ Reservations Accepted B Breakfast R Brunch

L Lunch D Dinner $ most entrees under $15

$$ most entrees $15–$20 $$$ most entrees $21–$30 $$$$ most entrees $31 and up

FRANKLY...PIZZA! (Editors’ Choice)

BOB’S SHANGHAI 66

b✓D$$

BOMBAY BISTRO (Editors’ Choice)

10417 Armory Ave., 301-832-1065, franklypizza.com This brick-walled eatery with an outdoor patio serves 12-inch personal pizzas, beer and wine. Try the Hot Mess, a white pie topped with pickled jalapenos, caramelized onion, house-cured bacon, mozzarella, Gruyere and Romano cheeses. Voted “Best Pizza” by the readers of Bethesda Magazine in 2025.

KNOWLES STATION WINE & CO.

10414 Detrick Ave., 301-272-9080, knowlesstation.com A retail wine and craft beer shop that also has tables and a bar serving 20 beers on tap and 25 wines by the glass. Fare includes shareable snacks, salads, sandwiches and larger plates such as housemade falafel and wild mushroom risotto.

b✓LD$$ STELLA POINT GRILLE

3739 University Blvd. W., 301-946-9400, stellapointgrille.com This neighborhood sports bar boasts 19 TVs and hosts events such as karaoke, trivia and bingo with a menu featuring crowd-pleasing plates such as bacon-wrapped scallops, margherita flatbread and triple-layer smashburgers.

RLD$$

GLEN ECHO THE IRISH INN AT GLEN ECHO

6119 Tulane Ave., 301-229-6600, irishinnglenecho.com Enjoy Irish classics such as shepherd’s pie plus American plates such as crabcakes and short ribs at this casual pub with a spacious outdoor deck.

Live entertainment is offered Sunday through Thursday. b✓RLD$$$

NORTH BETHESDA/ ROCKVILLE A & J RESTAURANT

1319-C Rockville Pike, 301-251-7878, aandjrestaurant.com This casual eatery is a destination for dim sum with handmade noodles and dumplings. Standout dishes include the pan-fried potstickers, cucumber salad in hot garlic sauce, Peking beef wraps and thousand-layer pancakes. LD$

305 N. Washington St., 301-251-6652, bobsshanghai66.com When the dumpling cravings hit, head here. An extensive dim sum menu featuring favorites such as Pork XLB (soup dumplings) is complemented by popular mains such as spicy Chengdu chicken. Voted “Best Chinese Restaurant” by the readers of Bethesda Magazine in 2025. RLD$$ 98 W. Montgomery Ave., 301-762-8798, bombaybistro.com This family-owned neighborhood bistro has been serving traditional Indian cuisine for more than three decades. Tandoori, biriyani, dosa and more bring diners on a culinary adventure across India. Voted “Best Indian Restaurant” by the readers of Bethesda Magazine in 2025.

b✓RD$$ BOTANERO

800 Pleasant Drive, #160 (King Farm Village Center), 240-474-5461, botanerorockville.com Globally inspired small plates shine at this neighborhood gem serving European wines by the glass. Equally scrumptious is the brunch menu. Think bottomless cocktails, benedicts, omelets, waffles, grits.

b✓RLD$$ CARUSO’S GROCERY (Editors’ Choice)

11820 Trade St. (Pike & Rose), 301-245-1226, carusosgrocery.com When you want an old-school, classic Italian meal, this cozy Pike & Rose restaurant has all the comforting favorites—chicken Parmesan, spaghetti and meatballs, shrimp scampi, garlic bread, tiramisu—to satisfy those cravings.

b✓RLD$$$ CHINA BISTRO

755 Hungerford Drive, 301-294-0808, chinabistrorockville.com Chinese food cravings will be satisfied at this neighborhood bistro featuring more than a dozen varieties of dumplings, plus other hits such as crispy spicy bean curd and crispy spicy beef.

RLD$

CHINA GARDEN

11333 Woodglen Drive, 301-881-2800, chinagardenhangongrockville.com/order Authentic Cantonese food is the name of the game at this local institution founded in 1973. Whether you’re looking for lighter bites (dumplings and buns) or larger entrees, this menu will keep you coming back. ✓LD$$

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CITY PERCH KITCHEN + BAR

11830 Grand Park Ave. (Pike & Rose), 301231-2310, cityperch.com This sleek space overlooking Pike & Rose boasts a large patio, plenty of bar seating, and elevated classics such as lobster mac and cheese, steak frites, crabcakes and braised duck poutine.

b✓RLD$$$ COMMONWEALTH

11610 Old Georgetown Road (Pike & Rose), 240-833-3055, commonwealthindian. com Favorite authentic Indian dishes at this upscale-yet-casual restaurant include crab curry, tandoori octopus and butter chicken. A stylish bar features Indian beer and wine.

b✓LD$$$ COOPER’S HAWK WINERY & RESTAURANT

1403 Research Blvd., 301-517-9463, chwinery.com With more than 50 locations across the country, Cooper’s Hawk specializes in wine-centric dining in a

nice casual setting with American dishes comprised of seasonal ingredients. Monthly themed wine dinners are exclusive to wine club members. b✓LD$$$$

EAT A LAO

1327 Rockville Pike, Unit K, 301-909-9181, eatalao.com From the owners of Kiin Imm Thai, this family-owned restaurant features beef, chicken, seafood and vegetable dishes cooked in Southeast Asian spices with customizable spice levels in almost all dishes.

✓LD$$ FILO CAFE

4836 Boiling Brook Parkway, 410-639-5405, linktr.ee/filocafe An intimate cafe for breakfast all day, plus Filipino favorites such as lumpia and boba. Don’t skip the Kamayan Platter— crispy skin pork belly, fried rice, beef or pork, lumpia (egg rolls) and noodles. bBRLD$

FOGO DE CHÃO

11600 Old Georgetown Road, 301-841-9200,

fogodechao.com/location/bethesda/#menus Come hungry—the Churrasco experience, continuous tableside cuts of fire-roasted meats, requires an appetite. The fixed price includes the market table and Feijoada bar (salad bar) and traditional Brazilian sides. A la carte entrees are also available.

b✓RLD$$$$ IL PIZZICO

15209 Frederick Road, 301-309-0610, ilpizzico.com A well-established Italian restaurant serving up a variety of homemade pastas, seafood and hand-crafted desserts in a sophisticated yet relaxed dining room. Don’t miss the mushroom filled ravioli slathered in pistachio-cream sauce. Voted “Best Italian Restaurant” and “Best Restaurant in North Bethesda/Rockville” by the readers of Bethesda Magazine in 2025. ✓LD$$$

JINYA RAMEN BAR

910 Prose St. (Pike & Rose), 301-816-3029, jinyaramenbar.com Grab a seat at the outdoor

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fire table and enjoy a satisfying bowl of ramen. Small plates, such as salmon poke tacos, tempura Brussels sprouts and crispy rice with tuna, round out the menu.

b✓LD$$ JULII

11915 Grand Park Ave. (Pike & Rose), 301-5179090, julii.com Mediterranean-inspired French plates and exquisite cocktails served in a chic bistro setting with a large U-shaped bar.

The French onion soup and scallop-studded risotto with mushrooms are a must. Voted “Best Date Night Restaurant” by the readers of Bethesda Magazine in 2025.

b✓RLD$$$ JUMBO JUMBO CAFE

15192 Frederick Road, 301-738-9798, jumbojumbocafe.com This no-frills, fastcasual spot has all the authentic Taiwanese street food favorites, plus an extensive drink menu featuring smoothies and boba tea.

Popular picks include Taiwanese chicken, beef noodle soup and taro melty.

LD$$

KIIN IMM THAI

785-D Rockville Pike, 301-251-1888, kiinimmthai.com From dumplings and skewers to curries and noodles, Thai cravings can be satisfied with fare from the country’s street food scene. Popular dishes include drunken noodles, panang curry and pad see ew. Voted “Best Thai Restaurant” by the readers of Bethesda Magazine in 2025.

✓LD$ KUSSHI SUSHI

11826 Trade St. (Pike & Rose), 240-7700355; 36-G Maryland Ave., 240-770-0355, kusshisushi.com See Bethesda listing.

✓ Reservations Accepted B Breakfast R Brunch

L Lunch D Dinner $ most entrees under $15

(beef heart) and seco de cordero a la norteña (lamb shank) are other favorites.

b✓LD$$$ LAO SZE CHUAN (Editors’ Choice)

20 Paseo Drive, 301-968-2096, laoszechuandmv.com The Chicago Chinatown institution has made its way to Montgomery County, serving traditional Sichuan cuisine in a modern, lofty space.

From small dim sum bites to the popular Peking duck, the menu covers it all.

✓LD$$$ LITTLE MINER TACO

39 Maryland Ave., Suite A, 301-312-4220, littleminertaco.com Previously located inside The Block at Pike & Rose, Little Miner started as a food truck. It’s now known for its streetstyle birria tacos, burritos and loaded fries— all made from scratch.

bBLD$$ MELINA (Editors’ Choice)

905 Rose Ave. (Pike & Rose), 301-818-9090, melinagreek.com Created by the same founders as Cava and Julii, Melina’s chic, Mediterranean-inspired space boasts a lengthy bar and offers modernized Greek classics. Signature dishes include grilled octopus, braised short rib and slow-roasted lamb. b✓RLD$$$$

MOSAIC CUISINE

186 Halpine Road (The Shops at Congressional Village), 301-468-0682, mosaiccuisine.com French fusion cuisine dished out in a spacious, contemporary dining room with neutral decor. Regulars praise the attentive service, weekday happy hour specials and airy waffles served at brunch.

✓LD$$$

b✓BRLD$$$

KUYA JA’S LECHON BELLY

MYKONOS GRILL

(Editors’ Choice) 5268-H Nicholson Lane, 240-669-4383, kuyajas.com The name of the game here is the Lechon Belly—boneless pork belly slowroasted over charcoal. Lumpia, rice bowls, chicken sandwiches and other Filipino dishes will fool you into thinking you’re across the globe. LD$

121 Congressional Lane, 301-770-5999, mykonosgrill.com Both the food and decor transport diners to the Mediterranean. Choose from dozens of authentic Greek delicacies, such as dolmades, spanakopita, lamb shank, whole branzino and kebabs.

LA LIMEÑA GRILL

1066 Rockville Pike, 301-296-1856, gopikekitchen.com This food hall offers a variety of unique Asian concepts, with choices ranging from barbecue wings and ramen to sushi and bibimbap. LD$$

1093 Rockville Pike, 301-417-4922, la-limenagrill.weeblyte.com This restaurant offers an authentic taste of Peru. Three styles of ceviche start meals off strong. Anticuchos

b✓LD$$$$ PIKE KITCHEN FOOD HALL

$$ most entrees $15–$20 $$$ most entrees $21–$30 $$$$ most entrees $31 and up

SHEBA ETHIOPIAN

5071 Nicholson Lane, 301-881-8882, shebarockville.com Tucked away just off Rockville Pike, this hidden gem boasts authentic Ethiopian dishes that are great for sharing. Doro wot (chicken stew) and beef tibs are popular, and plenty of vegan options are available.

b✓LD$$ SILVER DINER

12276 Rockville Pike, 301-770-2828, silverdiner.com See Gaithersburg/North Potomac listing. BRLD$$

SUMMER HOUSE SANTA MONICA (Editors’ Choice) 11825 Grand Park Ave. (Pike & Rose), 301881-2381, summerhouserestaurants.com California-inspired dishes prepared with seasonal produce and sustainable meats are the focus at this coastal-themed restaurant.

On weekdays from 3-6 p.m., kids are invited to build their own pizza with chefs or order a DIY pizza tray tableside. b✓RLD$$$

TACO BAMBA

1627 Rockville Pike (Congressional Plaza), 301-822-2334, tacobamba.com From bacon, egg and cheese empanadas for breakfast to roasted cauliflower tacos topped with labne Caesar dressing for dinner, Taco Bamba offers more than 20 types of tacos. Grab a margarita or cocktail at the bar to go with your fastcasual food order.

bBLD$ THAIROCK

12071 Rockville Pike, 240-833-8186, thethairock.com An expansive menu of rich, flavorful traditional street food, curries, noodles and rice served in a modern setting.

✓LD$$ TORCHY’S TACOS

12266A Rockville Pike (Federal Plaza), 240400-7801, torchystacos.com Founded as a food truck in Austin, Texas, this fast-casual spot boasts a menu of flavorful tacos, rice bowls and drinks along with vegetarian options in all categories of the menu.

bBLD$ Z&Z

1111 Nelson St. (Woodley Gardens), 301-2964178, zandzdc.com/bakery This family-owned bakery started at farmers markets and now cranks out manoushe (handmade flatbreads)

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at their Rockville space. Manoushe, including favorites Lebanese Bride and Hot Halaby Honey, are boxed like pizzas—great for takeout. bRLD$

POTOMAC ATTMAN’S POTOMAC DELI

12505 Park Potomac Ave. (Park Potomac), 301-765-3354, attmansdeli.com This breakfast-all-day spot transports diners with an authentic New York deli experience.

Favorites include corned beef, pastrami, chopped liver and hand-sliced lox.

Catering is available.

bBRLD$$ BROOKLYN’S DELI

1089 Seven Locks Road (Potomac Woods Plaza), 301-340-3354, brooklynsdelimd.com Breakfast is served all day, but don’t skip the generous specialty sandwiches (meats are cooked in-house) and always popular matzah

ball soup at this classic New York-style deli.

bBRLD$$ COLADA SHOP

7993 Tuckerman Lane (Cabin John Village), 240-332-8870, coladashop.com This D.C.based Cuban cafe offers nibbles such as empanadas, croquetas and pastelitos in addition to larger plates such as ropa vieja and guava barbecue ribs in an airy setting with plentiful outdoor seating. Voted “Best Caribbean Restaurant” by the readers of Bethesda Magazine in 2025.

b✓BLD$ COLONY GRILL

GREGORIO’S TRATTORIA

7745 Tuckerman Lane (Cabin John Village), 301-296-6168; 12505 Park Potomac Ave. (Park Potomac), 301-284-8702, gregoriostrattoria.com See Bethesda listing.

b✓LD$$$ GRINGOS & MARIACHIS (Editors’ Choice) 12435 Park Potomac Ave. (Park Potomac), 301-339-8855, gringosandmariachis.com See Bethesda listing.

bRLD$$ THE GROVE

11325 Seven Locks Road (Cabin John Village), 301-985-2000, colonygrill.com A bit of a misnomer, this “grill” is actually a pizza joint that retained its 1935 Irish tavern founding name. Bar-friendly, thin-crust pies are slightly smaller and finished with their signature hot oil topping.

7747 Tuckerman Lane (Cabin John Village), 240-386-8369, thegrovemd.com After initially opening as a fine dining establishment, the Grove rebranded as a family-friendly bar and grill, featuring favorites including jambalaya, the blossom burger and Instagram-worthy Ferris wheel fries. b✓RLD$$$

bRLD$

District Bistro specializes in classic American cuisine featuring highquality ingredients sourced from local farms co-ops and creameries when possible.

Boasting three decades of experience with notable establishments such as the Tabard Inn, 8407 Kitchen Bar, and Bluebird Cocktail Room in Baltimore, Chef Pedro has founded and leads District Bistro with his two sons, Derek and Marlon.

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KEMA BY KENAKI

11325 Seven Locks Road, Suite 115 (Cabin John Village), 240-907-2194, kemasushi.com An elevated fast-casual concept by brother-andsister duo Ken and Aki Ballogdajan featuring playful Japanese cuisine. Standout dishes include the chunky spicy tuna hand roll and the strawberry-banana parfait topped with cornflakes. LD$$

KING STREET OYSTER BAR

12435 Park Potomac Ave. (Park Potomac), 301-296-6260, kingstreetoysterbar.com A seafood-centric restaurant with a buzzing daily happy hour featuring discounted drinks, half-priced oysters and a variety of small plates ranging from shrimp po’ boys and tuna tacos to salmon BLT sliders and wings.

b✓RLD$$$ MOCO’S FOUNDING FARMERS

12505 Park Potomac Ave. (Park Potomac), 301-340-8783, wearefoundingfarmers.com This LEED and Three-Star Certified Green Restaurant majority-owned by American family farmers emphasizes made-in-house food such as bacon lollis and skillet cornbread as well as craft cocktails blended with Founding Spirits. Voted “Best Brunch” by the readers of Bethesda Magazine in 2025.

b✓BRLD$$$ OLD ANGLER’S INN (Editors’ Choice)

10801 MacArthur Blvd., 301-365-2425, oldanglersinn.com Catering to everyone from hikers (it’s near the Billy Goat Trail) and happy hour seekers to families and fine diners, this Potomac institution offers something for all with its green-fringed patio, old stone bar and formal dining room. Voted “Best Outdoor Dining” and “Best Restaurant in Potomac” by the readers of Bethesda Magazine in 2025.

b✓RLD$$$$ QUINCY’S

1093 Seven Locks Road (Potomac Woods Plaza), 240-500-3010, quincyspotomac.com See Gaithersburg/North Potomac listing.

b✓RLD$$ SISTERS THAI

7995 Tuckerman Lane (Cabin John Village), 301-299-4157, sisterscabinjohn.com Loyal customers praise this cozy Thai restaurant for its home-like decor, attentive service and sizable patio. Try the drunken noodles with beef, crispy duck red curry, and pottery shrimp with glass noodles.

b✓LD$$

✓ Reservations Accepted B Breakfast R Brunch

L Lunch D Dinner $ most entrees under $15

TALLY HO RESTAURANT

9923 Falls Road (Potomac Village Shopping Center), 301-299-6825, tallyhorestaurant. com A Potomac institution since 1968, Tally Ho dishes out Italian- and Greek-inspired subs, pasta and pizza in addition to breakfast in a no-frills space.

bBLD$$ YIRASAI SUSHI

12525 Park Potomac Ave., Building G (Park Potomac), 301-654-5599, yirasaisushi.com A casual Japanese eatery serving all of the classics from teriyaki and udon to yakisoba and sushi. Reasonably priced lunch specials include an entree, miso soup, salad and rice.

✓LD$$$

SILVER SPRING ALL SET RESTAURANT & BAR (Editors’ Choice) 8630 Fenton St., Plaza 5 (Montgomery Center), 301-495-8800, allsetrestaurant.com Imagine you’re in New England at this navy and white coastal-themed restaurant with rope accents and a seafood-heavy lineup. Try the mix-and-match lunch special, which pairs items from a curated menu of soups, salads and sandwiches.

b✓RLD$$$ AMINA THAI

8624 Colesville Road, 301-588-3588, aminathai.net This cozy, casual Thai spot serves up curries, soups, noodles, rice and more (you choose the spice level). The food is Halal certified, and there are plenty of vegetarian-friendly options.

RLD$$

BETESEB RESTAURANT (Editors’ Choice) 8201 Georgia Ave., 301-448-1625, betesebrestaurant.com This casual family-owned restaurant offers an array of traditional Ethiopian dishes, such as beef tibs and beef kitfo, alongside injera (flatbread). There are also a variety of vegetarian/vegan-friendly dishes.

✓BRLD$$ CITIZENS & CULTURE

8113 Georgia Ave., 301-234-6226, citizensculture.com Boasting lofty, industrial ceilings and modern design touches, this chic space is a great option for happy hour, Sunday rooftop buffet brunch and everything in between. Don’t miss the $25 bottomless

$$ most entrees $15–$20 $$$ most entrees $21–$30 $$$$ most entrees $31 and up

mimosas/sangria on weekends.

b✓RD$$$ FRYER’S ROADSIDE

12830 New Hampshire Ave., 443-594-3029, fryersroadside.com A casual joint specializing in made-from-scratch dishes such as fried chicken, slow-smoked Texas brisket pizza and Carolina pulled pork sandwiches. Save room for a hand-spun milkshake or a waffle cone piled high with soft serve.

bLD$ J. HOLLINGER’S WATERMAN’S CHOPHOUSE (Editors’ Choice)

8606 Colesville Road, 301-328-0035, jhollingers.com An upscale chophouse in downtown Silver Spring showcasing an extensive raw bar, fresh seafood and seasonally inspired mains plus craft cocktails.

The duck confit with cherry balsamic compote is a standout.

✓RD$$$ KALDI’S SOCIAL HOUSE

918 Silver Spring Ave., 301-557-9990, kaldissocialhouse.com This all-day cafe with industrial-inspired decor pleases with a wide-ranging menu featuring bowls, toasts, waffles, pancakes, soups, sandwiches and more. Grab a seat at the U-shaped counter or in a comfy leather lounge chair.

b✓BLD$$ KUSSHI SUSHI

8512 Fenton St., 301-238-7727, kusshisushi. com See Bethesda listing.

b✓LD$$$ LIME & CILANTRO

1909 Seminary Road, 443-288-1234, limecilantro.com For a modern take on Latin favorites, this is the place to visit. Favorites include pupusas benedict, Maria’s duo tamales and crispy fish tacos. Pups are welcome—there’s even a dog-friendly menu.

bBRLD$$ MANDALAY RESTAURANT & CAFE

930 Bonifant St., 301-250-4078, mandalayrestaurantcafe.com A casual, family-run eatery serving up authentic Burmese dishes including traditional stews and spicy curries with plenty of options for vegans and vegetarians. LD$$

PACCI’S TRATTORIA

6 Post Office Road, 301-588-0867, paccistrattoria.com This former general

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store-turned-neighborhood restaurant dishes up Neapolitan-style wood-fired pizzas, homemade pastas and Italian desserts in a family-friendly setting. The Nutella pizza is a win. b✓RLD$$$

PARKWAY DELI & RESTAURANT

8317 Grubb Road, 301-587-1427, theparkwaydeli.com This New York City style deli and full-service restaurant with leatherbacked booths and a back patio hits the spot for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Don’t miss the extensive selection of smoked fish. Voted “Best Restaurant in Silver Spring” and “Best Sandwich Shop” by the readers of Bethesda Magazine in 2025.

bBLD$$ QUARRY HOUSE TAVERN

8401 Georgia Ave., 301-844-5504, quarryhousetavern.com A below-ground watering hole with an extensive beer selection, around 250 types of whiskeys and satisfying pub fare such as Buffalo

cauliflower, juicy burgers and customizable crispy tots. All whiskeys are 20% off on Wednesdays. D$

SOLAIRE SOCIAL FOOD HALL

8200 Dixon Ave., 301-328-0765, solairesocial. com This food hall boasts 10 diverse vendors for weekend brunch, after work drinks, a meal or a snack. Check the event calendar for game nights and drink specials. b✓RLD$$

SPICE STREET RESTAURANT

8242 Georgia Ave., 301-755-6144, spicestreetmd.com A contemporary restaurant serving northern Indian street food plus traditional curries, tandoori and the like. Stop in for lunch to try the Thali platter featuring multiple dishes that vary daily.

✓LD$$ SUSHI JIN

8555 Fenton St., 301-608-0990, sushijinnextdoor.com This convenient sushi spot in the heart of downtown Silver Spring

offers both tables and sushi bar seating for those interested in watching the action.

Appetizers, noodles and rice are available as well. ✓LD$$

TRIPPY TACOS

12134 Georgia Ave., 301-949-5060, trippytacos240.com/takeout Whether dining in or taking out, this Latin street food spot, which started as a food truck, will satisfy all your cravings, from burritos and quesadillas to fries and nachos. Tip: Tacos are $2.50 on Tuesdays.

bRLD$ ZINNIA (Editors’ Choice)

9201 Colesville Road, 301-704-6653, eatzinnia.com From chef Danny Wells comes a multifaceted New American concept eatery with a cafe, tavern, dining room and outdoor garden with plentiful seating. Weekday happy hour at the bar features discounted dishes and craft cocktails.

b✓BRLD$$$

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10 WAYS TO GET ON THE Water with stand-up paddling, aqua dance, overnighting on the water or whatever else floats your boat.

BY

M E L A N I E

D . G .

K A P L A N

PHOTO COURTESY MONTGOMERY PARKS, M-NCPPC

MAKE A SPLASH THIS SUMMER

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Ride the pontoon boat at Black Hill Regional Park in Boyds (see page 143).

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Learn to

PADDLE The Wharf

Slip into one of Washington, D.C.’s most active waterways to take in the Wharf’s glittering skyline, swoon over yachts in the marina and peek into a neighborhood of houseboats.

Explore Washington Channel (and farther, the Potomac and Anacostia rivers) from single and double kayaks, stand-up paddleboards (SUPs) and canoes, available by the hour from Boating in DC at the Wharf (single kayaks and SUPs are $16.80 on Thursdays, $22 on other weekdays, and $24 on weekends and holidays). Life jackets for dogs—and humans, of course—are free with all rentals. Insiders know there’s a complimentary jitney to the Wharf from East Potomac Park, where you can park for free, picnic and visit the newly renovated mini-golf course.

Stop by the family-owned Southwest Soda Pop Shop at the Wharf for soft serve, smoothies and shakes for post-paddle refueling. Kayak tours are offered during Wharf events, including WorldPride festival (June) and Oktoberfest.

If you’ve always yearned to take the helm, you need not look further for lessons than America’s sailing capital. Annapolis Sailing School offers three-day Basic Sailor Certified courses twice a week through October for students 16 and older ($875/$925 for weekday/ weekend courses). You’ll spend a little time in the classroom and plenty of hours practicing on a Rainbow 24 daysailer, a 24-foot teaching boat with a heavy keel that keeps the boat stable, typically used with three students and one instructor. After three days, you’ll be able to get out on the water and return safely (and yes, you will be tested). Beyond Basic Sailor ($700) is a two-day course that teaches more advanced skills, such as docking under sail, wind shifts and boat handling. Rather someone else does the work? Hop aboard the Woodwind or Woodwind II (of Wedding Crashers fame) for a sunset cruise out of Annapolis on a 74-foot schooner.

ANNAPOLIS SAILING SCHOOL, 7001 BEMBE BEACH ROAD, ANNAPOLIS, 410-267-7205, ANNAPOLISSAILING.COM. SCHOONER WOODWIND, 80 COMPROMISE ST., ANNAPOLIS, 410-263-7837, SCHOONERWOODWIND.COM

TOP PHOTO COURTESY BOATING IN DC; FLAG IMAGE BY GETTY; BOTTOM PHOTO COURTESY ANNAPOLIS SAILING SCHOOL

1

SAIL

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TOP PHOTO COURTESY TORTILLA FLOTILLA SUP; BOTTOM PHOTO COURTESY POTOMAC WATER TAXI

3

Spend a lazy day on the Gunpowder River in Monkton, Maryland, a little oasis halfway between Baltimore and York, Pennsylvania. Rent a tube from Monkton Bike & Tube, located in the basement of the historic Monkton Hotel. Then head out for a quarter-mile walk up the river on the NCR Trail, float back down to the hotel and repeat.

(Put in farther up the river for a longer ride.) Pro tip: Tube rentals are free on your birthday. The hotel’s cafe sells sandwiches, wraps, smoothies and local ice cream. Rates are $30 for large tubes and $15 for small tubes for the day; the last rental is at 4 p.m. While in town, check out Manor Mill, a restored gristmill that’s now an art gallery, creative/wellness center and community gathering spot, and Inverness Brewing, a short drive away.

MONKTON BIKE & TUBE, 1900 MONKTON ROAD, MONKTON, 443-212-5951, MONKTONHOTEL.COM/BIKE-AND-TUBE

Now in its fifth season, Tortilla Flotilla is a social stand-up paddling (SUP) group that hosts Friday evening paddles at various locations around Maryland, mid-May through mid-September.

These free events, which sometimes include a stop at a dock bar or beach, are a great way to explore local waterways and meet fellow SUP’ers. Beginners and experienced paddlers are welcome, as are kayakers. BYO SUP, but with a request in advance, one of the regulars might be able to bring an extra board for you to borrow.

On the Eastern Shore, paddlers will gather on Aug. 3 for Eastern Shore SUP’s third annual circumnavigation of Tilghman Island. The event offers 5-, 9-, and 15-mile SUP races ($50 until June 15) for weekend paddlers and serious racers alike.

SUP’ER Club

TUBE It

4

FIND “MARYLAND SUP & KAYAK MEET-UP - TORTILLA FLOTILLA” ON FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM AND MEETUP. THE CIRCUMNAVIGATION-TILGHMAN ISLAND 2025 DETAILS AND ENTRY: PADDLEGURU.COM

5 Hail a TAXI

City Cruises’ Potomac Water Taxi connects some of our favorite waterfront destinations—Georgetown, the Wharf, Old Town Alexandria and National Harbor—for strolling, shopping, dining and picnicking. Enjoy the views as you cruise along the Potomac, past monuments, neighborhoods and parks (some routes offer audio sightseeing tours). Check online for current schedules.

Advance purchases are recommended, but can also be made at the ticket booth, based on availability. One-way rates start at $11, round trips at $19. (Note: All locations are Americans with Disabilities Act compliant except the Georgetown dock.) City Cruises also offers brunch, lunch, dinner and holiday cruises.

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7KAYAKING Take on

Calleva is known for its rad kayaking camps for kids, but adults can get in on the fun, too. The outfitter’s $950 Zero to Hero course teaches white water kayaking newbies to run class II and III rapids in one month. (Rapids are classified on a scale of I to VI, based on difficulty and danger.) The team at Calleva provides gear and instruction for six river classes and three rolling sessions (you also have access to Tuesday night practices during the month of your course) and each outing will take place at a different section of the Potomac River. The graduation trip heads through Mather Gorge, below Great Falls.

And if you’re not feeling like a total kayak hero at that point (or at least satisfied you’ve learned the skills of the sessions), Calleva invites you to attend more classes for free until you rock that roll and feel confident in the current. The outfitter also offers private instruction and coaching, and programs for kids.

CALLEVA RIVER SCHOOL, 13015 RILEYS LOCK ROAD, POOLESVILLE, 301-216-1248, CALLEVA.ORG/RIVER/WHITEWATER

SPLASHDANCE

OUR SPECIAL HARBOR, 6601 TELEGRAPH ROAD, ALEXANDRIA, 703-922-9841, FAIRFAXCOUNTY.GOV/PARKS/RECENTER/ FRANCONIA/FAMILY-RECREATION-AREA

8

Think the county pool is just for lap swimmers and water walkers? Think again!

Montgomery County Recreation offers aqua lovers a smorgasbord of classes, including the ever-popular aqua cardio dance, which is basically a Zumba workout in the agua.

Held at the Olney Swim Center, Silver Spring Recreation and Aquatic Center and Martin Luther King Jr. Swim Center, the multi-week class is nothing short of a Latin dance party, with all the calorie burning and none of the high-cal snacks. MoCo also offers a yogaPilates fusion class called Aqua Yo-Lates, classes in water polo and deep-water running (great for range-of-motion exercise, which can be challenging on land if you have hip or knee replacements) and aqua spin. Classes are open to residents and nonresidents; fees vary. Check online for schedules and prices.

MONTGOMERY COUNTY RECREATION, 240-777-6840, ACTIVEMONTGOMERY.ORG

TOP PHOTO COURTESY OUR SPECIAL HARBOR SPRAY PARK; BOTTOM PHOTO COURTESY MONTGOMERY COUNTY RECREATION

Seize the SPRAY

All are welcome at Our Special Harbor, a 7,000-square-foot sprayground in Alexandria’s Franconia Park. The park was designed with the physical, emotional and social needs of kids of all abilities in mind, making it a favorite among area families. Little ones will find a Chesapeake Bay-themed wonderland with a spraying osprey nest, Chessie the sea serpent, misting sunflowers, a computerized water maze, and a dumping crab basket. Young patrons who want a quieter space may enjoy the more peaceful “beach” area, with gentle fountains and interactive water tables. General admission is free for Fairfax County and out-of-county families (small per-person fee for larger groups). Sensory Friendly Time, which limits the capacity and offers a quieter environment for individuals with autism or sensorysensitivity needs, will be held weekly starting June 18 at 10 a.m. Water wheelchairs are available.

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PONTOON TOP PHOTO COURTESY MONTGOMERY PARKS, M-NCPPC; BOTTOM PHOTOS COURTESY FLOHOM

in the Park

Hop aboard the pontoon boat at Black Hill Regional Park in Boyds for a nature cruise with a few of your pals on Little Seneca Lake. Bats & Beavers sunset outings (hopefully with bat and beaver sightings) are scheduled for May 28, June 9, July 14 and Aug. 4, 13 and 27 (90 minutes, $8 per person). A Pride on the Pontoon tour will be offered June 30, and a Grandparent and Child pontoon boat tour on Aug. 22. If you want to bring all your besties (20 max), rent out the entire pontoon boat for an hour cruise ($150). Black Hill rents out kayaks, rowboats, canoes, stand-up paddleboards and pedal boats, too. Enjoy the shorebirds and other wildlife along the two-hour self-guided paddle around the 505-acre lake.

BLACK HILL REGIONAL PARK BOATHOUSE, 20930 LAKE RIDGE DRIVE, BOYDS, 301-528-3466, MONTGOMERYPARKS.ORG

10

SLEEPOVER on the Potomac

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The coolest new lodging option at National Harbor in Prince George’s County is Flohom, an Airbnb-style houseboat with a rooftop deck. Flohom, which launched in 2023 (find their houseboats in Annapolis and Baltimore as well), now has three floating homes at National Harbor. Each posh unit has one or two bedrooms. (Children 10 and older are welcome.) New for ’25: the option to hire a personal chef who will whip up dinner in the full gourmet kitchen, complete with a wine refrigerator. Each home also has smart TVs, Wi-Fi and a washing machine. Nightly rates range from $400 to $800 (not including taxes and a cleaning fee), and a two-night minimum is required unless there’s availability within 30 days of the booking. During your stay, check out National Harbor’s outdoor movie series or military concerts, or join a free fitness class on the Waterfront Plaza.

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White House correspondent Asma Khalid at National Public Radio’s headquarters in Washington, D.C.

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Bethesda Interview

A CONVERSATION WITH

ASMA

KHALID THE BETHESDA RESIDENT AND NPR WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT ON THE INTIMACY OF RADIO, GROWING UP MUSLIM IN THE MIDWEST, AND HER FAVORITE ICE CREAM SPOT

BY MIKE UNGER

IT’S RATHER QUIET AT SOUND BITES, the cafe on the

ground floor of National Public Radio’s headquarters on North Capitol Street in Northeast Washington, D.C. As a few people stroll in to pick up lunch, the radio feed in the lobby of the building airs news reports about the previous night’s speech President Donald Trump delivered to a joint session of Congress. March 4 was a late one for many who work here, including White House correspondent Asma Khalid, who, after broadcasting live and recording The NPR Politics Podcast, didn’t get back to her Bethesda home until 1 a.m.

Although she’s tired—and because she’s fasting for the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, unaided by coffee—she’s animated as she discusses the speech and her remarkable journey from a small Midwestern town to one of the most prestigious journalism jobs in the country.

“I have to take a step back sometimes and remember that the job I have is beyond my wildest imagination as a kid,” she says. “It is an amazing, amazing privilege to be able to try to help Americans understand the deluge of news that they are facing every single day.”

Maybe it’s her 5-foot-5-inch build or her youthful exuberance when she discusses politics or her profes-

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sion, but Khalid seems younger than 41.

Her voice has been a fixture on NPR since 2015, when she joined the network’s Washington team to fulfill a job posting for a reporter focused “on the intersection of demographics and politics.” Born in Elmhurst, Illinois, and raised in Crown Point, Indiana, she’s a Hoosier through and through, having earned degrees in journalism and political science from Indiana University in Bloomington before going on to obtain a master’s in philosophy at the University of Cambridge in England.

Her reporting has taken her to Pakistan, the United Kingdom and China, but some of her greatest personal challenges have come at home. While covering the 2016 presidential campaign, Khalid, who wears a headscarf, faced hatred and harassment that would have shattered a less dogged reporter.

“Sometime in early 2016 between a Trump rally in New Hampshire, where a burly man shouted something at me about being Muslim, and a series of particularly vitriolic tweets that included some combination of ‘raghead,’ ‘terrorist,’ ‘bitch’ and ‘jihadi,’ I went into my editor’s office and wept,” she wrote in a piece for NPR.

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Incidents like this hurt but don’t hobble Khalid, who keeps a generally positive outlook on life. She moved to Bethesda in 2019, where she now lives with her husband and their two children, and says that despite the hurdles she’s living her dream.

“Today in the Metro, a guy I didn’t know tapped me and said, ‘Thank you. I really appreciate the work you’re doing,’ ” Khalid says. “That was incredibly kind. When those moments happen, it reaffirms my belief that what we are doing is important. In my core, I believe very deeply in the idea of public service journalism. I believe deeply in the value of a free press for the health of a democracy.

These are not just slogans to me.”

This interview has been lightly edited for clarity and length.

You spent last night covering President Trump’s address to Congress. What did you make of it?

I was struck by how much was a celebratory look back at what he’s accomplished in his first six weeks. And he’s done a lot. He talked about withdrawing from the World Health Organization, freezing foreign aid, his idea of a gold card for wealthy, successful people to sort of buy residency into the United States.

I had expected to hear more about inflation, given that when the president won, he said he won because of the border and because of grocery prices. We heard a lot about the border. We didn’t hear that much about grocery prices. We also didn’t hear as much as I would have expected about his legislative agenda.

What’s on your agenda for today?

We’re working on a project that is beyond the White House. It’s a look at politics and culture in this moment in time. We had a meeting with a couple of historians, some folks within our podcast team, a few editors. It’s the stuff I love best about NPR. I think that we do a really good job of giving you the 30,000—let’s say the 90,000— foot view not just the incremental developments on what’s happening day-to-day.

I’m also trying to keep an eye on the tariff news. You have your White House days where you’re physically at the White House, and when I’m not on White House duty I’m either hosting The NPR Politics Podcast or working on a feature.

When did you first become interested in journalism?

At a very young age I read a kids version of a biography of Nellie Bly, who was this muckraking journalist in the [late 1800s to] early 1900s. And I fell in love with her.

I remember we had this thing at school where you could dress up like a character from a biography or a book that you read.

I don’t remember how exactly I did this or what my character looked like, but I wanted to dress up like Nellie Bly. I just fell in love with her story of how she was able to speak truth to power. And at a very young age, I resolved I wanted to do something like that.

So I ended up as the editor of our high school student paper. I went to the School of Journalism at Indiana University and also majored in political science and worked on the student paper there.

I mention the student paper because for much of my life I thought I was going to be a writer. It wasn’t until after I graduated and ended up in the U.K. and I did an internship with the BBC that I fell in love with the power of audio.

What do you love about it?

I think there’s an intimacy and aesthetic that is really, really hard to find in any other medium. You hear the intonations in a person’s voice. You hear the pauses and the pacing. It’s beautiful and powerful. I felt that it could tell me more than what I could write with a pen and paper.

You’re a true Hoosier. What was it like growing up in Crown Point, Indiana?

Crown Point is in northern Indiana. I would say it’s a suburb of Chicago—Chicagoans might disagree. But it was very different than being in a metro area. My family is Muslim. There were not a whole lot of Muslims at that time in Crown Point.

It was not a particularly diverse racial or religious community to grow up in, but I also really loved it. It’s a fairly small town, and so as a result, people knew us, knew our family. And there’s something to be said about Midwestern hospitality and being seen as an individual.

I was always treated and seen as an individual, which frankly, living now on the East Coast and being much more public facing, I haven’t always had that experience. It’s very strange to have people make

assumptions about who you are based on what you look like or your religion because I didn’t actually have that happen growing up in this very small town in a fairly red state.

Did your experience there change at all after 9/11?

It didn’t. My sisters and I were recently trading notes about this because I was wondering if I had a false memory, but I have no recollection of anybody saying anything to us after 9/11. I recognize this is not the experience that other people had who were Muslim growing up in other communities. It may have also been the fact that I knew a lot of people in this town.

9/11 happened when I was a senior in high school, so I had gone to high school with all of these same kids. If anything, I remember shortly after 9/11 there was a homecoming game, and my best friend and I decided to tie-dye my headscarf the school colors. I remember walking around school and a bunch of people complimenting me on it. The jocks were like, ‘Hey, that’s great.’

As I recount the story, it sounds like a Hallmark movie. You’re like, ‘Oh, this really wouldn’t happen.’ But it did. And it makes me nostalgic for a time and a period in which I think we as Americans really did see people. Maybe not everywhere. I realize my experience is not the experience many other people had. But I feel very lucky that I got to grow up and be seen as an individual.

What was your first professional job in journalism?

My first internship was for the Post-Tribune, which was the newspaper in northwest Indiana. It was our local newspaper that our family used to get. My first full-time job was at NPR as an overnight production assistant on Morning Edition. Working the nights teaches you a lot about this job, about this craft. Over the years I have worked for some member stations, including WBUR in Boston. I have worked within the family of public radio my entire adult career.

Why is public radio so special to you?

[Growing up], we did not subscribe to any of the prominent newspapers like The New York Times or The Washington Post. I did not

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know those papers. I know that might sound strange, but I don’t recall reading a single thing in The New York Times until I was in college. If I wanted to read a big-city paper, I would read the Chicago Tribune.

But we did have access to NPR as a family, and I distinctly remember hearing NPR as a kid and being infatuated with the idea that this source of information could tell me about things that were happening far, far away from Indiana. I’ve always been a curious soul. And as much as I love my hometown, I was always very curious about what else was out there.

Now as an adult, I believe deeply in the idea of people having access to good, reliable information, no matter where they live, and no matter whether or not they can pay to access that information. NPR tries to do that.

I spent many years, going back to covering the 2015-2016 election cycle, where I traveled all over the country interviewing people. It was such a gift to really see America in all of her beauty and sometimes warts.

ing funerals and memorials for the victims. And then, of course, there was the manhunt. It was a tough story.

You rejoined NPR in Washington in 2015 to cover ‘the intersection of demographics and politics.’ What does that mean?

The politics team that I joined didn’t have that job in existence before. The editors were interested to understand, given the changing demographics of the country, how that would intersect with politics. It was an amazing beat. I got to do all kinds of stories about different voting groups. I also ended up covering all of the Republicans that were running that cycle and the Democrats, Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton. I feel like I saw the full scope of what was happening politically.

Oftentimes as a beat From: Lives in: Age: reporter covering politics, you don’t get the full scope of what’s Crown Point, Indiana Bethesda 41 going on. But that election cycle, I went to so many differOccupation: College: ent states and I got to see all the White House correspondent for Bachelor’s degrees in different candidates running. I journalism and political science NPR. Contributor to ABC News.

When you worked at WBUR, was at Trump events, I was at Previously held other positions from Indiana University, Ted Cruz events, Marco Rubio you happened to be at the at NPR, including political Master of Philosophy from the 2013 Boston Marathon just events. And I covered different reporter and producer.

University of Cambridge. before the bombs exploded. voting communities. Exit polls What was that day like? slice and dice different demoWe were new to the city and graphics. The thinking was, in everyone told us, ‘You have to go to the was so new to the city, I didn’t know how my view, to put a human face to what the marathon. It’s the thing to do.’ So of course to get there. So I Googled it. I grabbed my exit polls actually say. my husband and I went. I tend to get rather cellphone and charger and a bike because hungry and cranky when I don’t eat, so at I knew all the roads were closed. When I When you were reporting throughout the some point in the afternoon I said, ‘I really got there, I was one of the first journal- country, what bigotry or skepticism did want to go and eat something.’ My hus- ists outside the hospital. It became a huge you face? band wanted to go to the finish line, so reporting scene by the end of the night.

2016 was a hard election cycle to cover.

It was a really hard week. You think you This election cycle was less difficult, actuwe were debating what to do. We ended up going home, and really soon after we feel tired when you cover election campaign ally. I don’t know that I fully have ever sat down, we started hearing about the cycles, but this was different. It was a very reflected on how challenging that election bombings. We were very thankful that we traumatic event that hit a very celebratory cycle was for me. I journaled throughout were not at the finish line. Immediately I sporting event in the city. And I think all of it. Maybe one day I’ll write a book. The cligot in contact with my editor, who asked us who were covering [it] felt the emotional mate in the country was really different. me to go to Mass General Hospital, where baggage as well as the sheer physical tiredI think that the first thing some peoa number of victims were being taken. I ness of covering the story every day, attend- ple saw—and perhaps the only thing that

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ABOUT

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people saw—was my headscarf and the fact that I was Muslim. That moment was particularly volatile. Donald Trump made a number of comments about Muslims and Islam. I was yelled off of someone’s doorstep in Ohio. This woman started shouting about there being a Muslim on her property.

Things like that hadn’t happened before.

And I will say I don’t know that they’ve happened so much after. I relish the fact that I’m from the Midwest. I’ve often thought of the Midwest as a very hospitable place. And so it was strange and hurtful to me in particular that that incident happened in the Midwest.

I’m not an immigrant. My grandparents [who were born in India] moved to this country [from Pakistan in 1962], so at some point you sort of wonder, how many generations does it take to be a complete part of the American fabric and story?

Because I don’t feel like any other place is my home. I only feel at home in America. And so that was strange.

You became NPR’s White House correspondent in 2020. Over the course of his four years in office, did you notice any cognitive decline in President Joe Biden?

What I will say is that we as White House reporters did not have tremendous access to Joe Biden. Did I notice physical struggles at times? Yes. We’ve all seen moments where he perhaps tripped going up the stairs of Air Force One or over a sandbag. But the White House press corps as a whole did not have tremendous access.

If I look at the [first] six weeks of Donald Trump, I’ve had an opportunity already, in a cabinet meeting, to shout a couple of questions at [him].

Donald Trump has spoken a lot of times. Every time that there is a foreign leader here, there are multiple questions [asked] by the press. For Joe Biden, foreign leaders would come and sometimes there’d be press conferences. It was somewhat different during his last press conference that he gave at NATO, where he took a bunch of questions. I was called on during that press conference, but prior to that I will say we didn’t have tremendous access to the president.

You posted a video earlier this year on Instagram from your radio booth in the White House, with an accompanying

message that read, ‘I’m not sure the job is the best fit for me. My favorite stories are the ones that touch on people and policy. (Not politicians!)’ What did you mean by that?

When you’re covering the White House, you’re often covering what a president says and not the implications of a particular policy. And I love policy. I did a whole series around what it means to make things in America during the Biden years. We went out and interviewed a manufacturer in Minnesota who was frustrated by the China tariffs that were put in place by President Trump but were also kept in place under Joe Biden. And I thought it offered a real human element of what this means to have tariffs. That to me is the great power of radio, right? The intimacy of it.

When you cover the White House, it is the president, whether it’s a Democrat or Republican, who drives the news of the day. And so often there’s interesting stories that I think are on the periphery, but we can’t do them because the news of the day dictates what we have to cover. And I understand that. But sometimes it feels like those other stories, you don’t have the time or the capacity to do.

That being said, what’s the best part about the job?

Look, it is a tremendous privilege to be witness to what is happening. I know a lot of people get news via social media, but I think there’s still tremendous value in taking a beat and having four or five minutes of really good explanatory journalism to explain the context of what’s happened.

Sometimes I get to ask the president of the United States questions. [In February] at his cabinet meeting, I had an opportunity to do that. And there are not very many people who get a chance to do that. With that privilege comes a lot of responsibility. I think about that a lot. That’s not lost on me.

Do you just shout your questions or does someone call on you?

At the cabinet meetings we just shout the questions. If you’re in the Oval Office, you can just shout questions. At press conferences, in the Biden years, they would often call on you explicitly. Under this president, he’ll sort of motion to you, it seems. But if you’re in an Oval Office setting, or if you’re

catching the president on Air Force One, you can just ask questions. At the cabinet meetings I try to get in front. I’m not too tall, so if you get in front of a tall person, you have at least the line of sight.

You’re all over social media. What’s your relationship with it? Is it a healthy thing? Is it sometimes scary?

I wonder about this all the time because I think social media offers a tremendous value, but I also think it can be tremendously toxic. There are specific journalists who I follow on X. It’s sort of [like] creating my own little personal newspaper. You can find things about places or communities you want. For example, I have a little list on [my phone] about Indiana. I have a list on here about fashion. Things I like in addition to the political news. But there is a sense of toxicity also where I think people feel very liberated with the anonymity of social media to say harmful things that they might not otherwise say. It takes a lot more effort to write somebody a handwritten letter or an email than it does to spew off something particularly hurtful online.

How is the climate here in Washington these days toward journalists?

What I can say is that one of the questions that’s been on my mind a lot is the value that we as journalists provide to everybody.

A lot of people I know, whether it’s friends or family, don’t necessarily consume traditional mainstream news on a regular basis.

They’re not unique. People are consuming their news a lot through social media, which is part of why I see the value in being there. But it has made me wonder: Do people not trust us? I would argue the trust deficit is not necessarily just on the right or the left. I think it’s on both. Are there ways in which we can be more transparent that could yield greater trust? I think the burden is on us to figure out how we can convey to people that what we are doing is really important. I think about this a lot.

What role does your faith play in your life?

I don’t talk a lot about my faith, but since you asked, my faith is a very big part of my life. When things feel very difficult, I find comfort and solace in God and prayer.

I also think that it has helped me to not get frazzled by some of the very hurtful things

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that have been spewed at me over the years.

It gives me sort of an inner calm and peace.

You moved to Bethesda in 2019. What do you and your family like about living there?

When we first moved there, we didn’t really know what to expect. I sort of chose it based on the fact that it’s on the Red Line.

And I heard it had pretty good schools. I think Bethesda is such a lovely place, especially with small children. There’s a lot to do. We like to go on the Capital Crescent Trail for walks. There are beautiful parks everywhere. We like to go to the Great Falls entrance on the Maryland side, which I feel is a hidden gem because it’s never as crowded as the Virginia side.

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Are you a fan of any particular restaurants?

I have little kids, so we enjoy Andy’s Pizza, which is exceptionally good. Beyond the confines of Bethesda, there’s some really unique cuisine. Z&Z [in Rockville] makes this really good Palestinian flatbread with za’atar, which is so delicious. … One of the best things about living in Bethesda is being in such close proximity to so many ice cream shops. We’re particularly big fans of Sarah’s Handmade Ice Cream and the unusual flavors they have.

During Ramadan, when you break your daily fast at sunset, is there a certain food you look forward to the most?

I’m working like a crazy person at the White House and have two small kids, and so I am like the classic very traditional home cook who freezes whatever I can when I have time on a weekend and then takes it out in batches. My mom used to make these, I don’t know what I would call them, version of a samosa. But they’re made with Pepperidge Farm Puff Pastry Sheets. Inside you put ground beef that I make with a recipe that I got from an Indian cookbook. So I make those and I freeze them, and I love to [break] the fast with them because you can just take them out of the freezer and pop them in a toaster oven for 20-ish minutes, and they’re ready to go. I’m sure some people eat them with chutney, but we eat them with ketchup.

Mike Unger is a writer and editor who grew up in Montgomery County and lives in Baltimore.

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THE

FOR NEURODIVERSE KIDS, THE SEARCH FOR THE RIGHT SPORTS TAKES CREATIVITY

BY REBECCA GALE

CLIMB On a gray January afternoon, people of all ages and abilities scale the craggy walls at Movement, a rock climbing gym in Rockville. Tucked in a corner of the 38,000-square-foot facility, Irina Vlasova, rock climbing coach and front desk supervisor, encourages two third grade boys to come off the wall and go over the plan for the day, which she has written on a handheld whiteboard.

Opposite: The writer’s son Micah at Movement in Rockville

One boy comes over to sit and listen. The other, Micah, is my child. Watching with the outsize energy of a parent prepared for any event to go awry, I see he ignores the request. Irina tries again, asking Micah to correct any of her spelling mistakes, a running joke between the two of them. He considers this.

“Off the wall,” she calls again as he traverses the lower level of the climbing wall in one of the areas that is safe to climb without a harness and attached rope. “You need to know the plan.” She shows him a list of the drills they will do. Micah responds that drills will be a waste of his time.

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“Do you want to be a better climber?” she asks him.

Micah appears to listen. He claims again that it will be a waste of time, but comes off the wall to sit with her. After a brief conversation, his harness is hooked into a carabiner and he starts climbing another section of the wall—stopping halfway to complain about the posted level of difficulty but continuing to move up steadily while Irina holds the rope below.

Rock climbing is the latest sport that Micah has tried, and the one that has lasted the longest, primarily due to Irina’s patience and willingness to work with him. Micah has a slew of eccentricities that put

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Climbing requires a lot of unusual moves that we don’t usually do when walking or running or exercising on the ground.

— Irina Vlasova, Micah’s teacher him squarely in the neurodivergent camp. Neurodiversity is a set of terms used nonmedically to reflect the idea that learning and processing differences, including ADHD and autism, aren’t seen as deficits, according to a blog post by Harvard Health Publishing. As his parents, we’d given up—after many failed attempts— on team sports, where the unpredictable behavior of other children made it far too difficult for Micah to modulate his reactions.

But then, in third grade, Micah made a close friend at school, giving us another family to collaborate with in finding a physical activity the boys could do together. They’d heard of Movement, and after a few calls and emails we were connected to Irina.

Most weekends, the two boys share a one-hour private lesson with Irina, 39, who has been at Movement for more than two years. Micah is one of four neurodivergent climbers she works with on a regular basis. All of the climbing instructors and coaches at Movement are trained to work with neurodiverse kids, and Irina has additional training by Kennedy Krieger Institute in Baltimore and is a parent of a neurodiverse child herself.

Climbing is particularly helpful for neurodiverse kids, she explains, because it helps them increase their understanding of where their body is in space, which is something that doesn’t always come easily. “Climbing requires a lot of unusual moves that we don’t usually do when walking or running or exercising on the ground: constant change of our center of gravity, weight shifting and balancing, while pulling and pushing. You need to be very in control of your body to be able to deal with gravity,” she says. “And it trains your brain to develop this body awareness better.”

When Micah yells down that the climb is too hard, the posted difficulty level is inaccurate, or that he needs the rope untangled, Irina uses a good-natured response to redirect him to the climb.

When he moves past a particularly hard turn on the overhang— a part of the wall that juts out so the climber is at an angle—she shouts, “You got it, Micah!” He perseveres and touches the finish hold to signal he’s reached the end of the climb, then yells, “Ready to lower,” so Irina can allow slack in the rope to help him come down.

“How was it?” I ask him.

“Tiring.”

“Did you have fun?”

He sighs. “Sort of.” But within a few minutes he is ready to go again, and soon he is up and cheering on his friend, who is taking his turn to climb.

I’ll take that as a yes.

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IS SOMETHING MOST PARENTS WANT FOR THEIR KIDS: It can help with emotional regulation, academic performance, and reducing anxiety. But for neurodiverse kids, who often have difficulty with sensory processing, social interaction, executive functioning and transitions, group activities like traditional sports teams present one-too-many challenges.

A child like Micah, whose level of cooperation can fluctuate widely, needs the Irinas of the world—people who possess the deep well of patience and understanding required for complicated kids to achieve success.

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Micah, opposite, stands hooked in a harness at Movement in Rockville while instructor Irina Vlasova helps another student get ready to climb.

For Natalie Liniak of Gaithersburg, a lack of sports options for her neurodiverse kid pushed her and her husband, Tom, to create Sports Plus, a nonprofit that provides instructional fitness programs to learners with developmental disabilities.

Back when her oldest son, Jon, was diagnosed with autism 26 years ago, “No one really knew what autism was,” she says.

Natalie and Tom felt they needed to be part of the solution. In 2004, they began

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meeting up with six to seven other families with neurodiverse kids at an “empty, raggy field” to play soccer and later added track and field. Within a year, there was such an outpouring of interest that they created Sports Plus.

“It was overwhelming—we couldn’t serve everybody,” Natalie says. “We were still trying to figure out what to do, how to structure these classes, so that the kids who come to the program are sup-

ported properly. We really wanted to put on something that was special and customized for them.” They began to focus on fitness and running programs, keeping a 1-to-4 instructor to student ratio to provide enough support for the kids. They also began creating social programs for neurodivergent young adults and teens— meeting up for activities that included rock climbing, bowling and mini-golf.

Swimming has been another focus area.

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Above and below: Ahmed Agha takes swim classes at the Bender JCC in Rockville. His father says swim lessons are a lifesaving skill.

When Jon was 5, Natalie took him to a local swim class—at a location she declines to name—and was horrified when the instructor dunked him underwater. “She said, ‘This is how we teach all of our special needs kids.’

My son was so traumatized by this it took three years for us to fix that,” Natalie says.

In 2007, Sports Plus began offering swim lessons for a “range of kids on the spectrum,” as Tom describes it. Some communicate clearly and would be considered to have high-functioning autism, while others are nonverbal. The swim program aims to meet kids where they are. Lessons take place on Saturdays at the Bender Jewish Community Center of Greater Washington in Rockville and Lakewood Country Club in Rockville. The programs are open to anyone with a developmental disability, and the costs are subsidized through grants and donations, with parents paying about $60 per lesson. “We’ll take any space we can get,” Tom says. “It’s really hard to find pool space in Montgomery County.”

ON A SATURDAY IN FEBRUARY, ALEX PLANTE, ACCOMPANIED BY HIS FATHER, Jean-Frederic, showed up for Alex’s half-hour swim lesson at the Bender JCC. Alex, 14, gleefully kicked off his sandals and entered the water easily, holding on to a floating barbell to help him swim laps across the pool. Alex has been taking lessons here for two years— it was the only swim option Jean-Frederic could find for his son when they moved to Rockville from San Diego in 2021.

Alex initially refused to get into the water, but persistent, gentle coaching began to change that. “I really thought it was a high bar for [Alex] to be able to swim,” Jean-Frederic says.

Tom and Natalie have what he describes as a “blind confidence” for what Alex and the other kids in the program can achieve, similar to the confidence that Irina has in Micah’s abilities. “This blind confidence is both contagious and frankly refreshing,” says Jean-Frederic, and I can attest to this.

Alex is still reluctant to put his head in the water, but he can swim on his own.

Last summer, Jean-Frederic was surprised to discover at the pool that Alex was actually having fun swimming. “Two years ago we couldn’t get anywhere close to this,” he says.

That same day at the JCC, 9-year-old Ahmed Agha enthusiastically jumped into the water for his lesson. He had refused to get in for the first two months, having such a high level of anxiety that he would cling to the instructor and be unwilling to let go. But the gentle persistence of the Sports Plus instructors paid off, and Ahmed was smiling and splashing in the water with his arms before grabbing the barbell and listening to the instructors for his lesson.

“These swimming lessons are the most essential thing in my kid’s overall upbringing,” says Agha Saadat, Ahmed’s father.

“These kids don’t know the depth of the water, they don’t know the danger of the water, they don’t know what can go wrong in two or three minutes.”

Ahmed’s parents, who live in Bethesda, have been happy with the services Ahmed gets through Montgomery County Public Schools, but his father believes swimming should be a part of that. He is beginning to lobby the Montgomery County Board of Education to include some swim instruction in its autism services. “The school has already invested a lot in his skills, but this,” he says, pointing to the kids in the water, “should be included.”

Saadat’s concerns are substantiated.

For children with autism, the risk of drowning is 160 times greater than for the general pediatric population, according to a 2017 study from Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health. In the summer of 2024, after two local children drowned, there was increased demand for swim lessons, Natalie says.

The lifesaving skills of swimming are crucial, but there is also a confidence boost that Natalie and Tom see in the kids who have been coming to the pool, pointing out more than one kid who has made tremen-

COURTESY PHOTOS

These swimming lessons are the most essential thing in my kid’s overall upbringing. — Agha Saadat, Ahmed’s father

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dous progress—the child who cried and now puts his face in the water, the one who refused to dunk his head and can now swim laps. They’ve even started a mini-swim team at Lakewood Country Club—and some of their swimmers have gone on to do summer swim teams or even high school swim.

Tom recounts his son Jon’s experience with the summer swim team at Lakelands swim club. “To them he was just another kid. He wasn’t Jon with autism, he was just Jon the swimmer, part of the team. This is the feeling we want to give to everyone.”

BEYOND SECURING POOL SPACE, another constant challenge Tom and Natalie face is keeping a full roster of instructors who have the blend of qualifications and energy to work with a neurodiverse population. “Our kids can judge belief,” Tom says. “They can spot right away who believes in them and who doesn’t.” The instructors are paid positions—many work in public health, medicine or special education—and they are paired with competitive high school swimmers who are there as volunteers.

After observing a swim class, I talked to Micah about the option of restarting swim lessons. He has some swim skills, but they could use a refresh. Up until now, the bulk of his swim lessons have been with wellintentioned teenagers at the North Chevy Chase swimming pool. “These new teachers,” I tell him, “will be like Irina. They will understand you. They will get you. They will want to work with you.”

Maybe Tom is right. Maybe Micah has the innate ability to suss out who will believe in him and who might consider him difficult.

Who are the instructors who will want to champion his success, even if it looks different than what they are used to? And isn’t that what we all want for our kids?

Micah is wary. He doesn’t agree right away and certainly lacks the enthusiasm that Alex and Ahmed have for their lessons, but that took time and persistence.

Finally, he tells me “maybe.”

I’ll take that as a place to start.

Rebecca Gale is a writer with the Better Life Lab at New America, where she covers child care. She lives in Chevy Chase with her husband and three kids, and writes a newsletter on Substack, It Doesn’t Have to Be This Hard.

Who Pays for Summer Camps When Parents Are Divorced?

When parents divorce, navigating child-related expenses can become complex, especially when it comes to extracurricular activities like summer camp. While summer camps can be a fun and enriching experience for children, they also serve a practical purpose as a form of work-related child care for many parents. In Maryland, child support laws address work-related child care expenses, including the costs of summer camp, under specific circumstances. Understanding these obligations can help divorced parents determine who is responsible for covering these costs.

Work-Related Child Care and Child Support in Maryland Maryland law recognizes child care expenses as part of child support calculations when the care is necessary for a parent to work or attend school. The Maryland Child Support Guidelines specifically include work-related child care costs as an add-on to the basic child support obligation. This means that, in many cases, parents are expected to contribute to these expenses proportionally based on their incomes.

Work-related child care expenses can include daycare, before- and after-school programs, and summer camps if they serve as a substitute for child care.

When children are out of school, summer camps serve as child care while a parent is at work.

Who Pays for Summer Camps?

If a child attends summer camps during the day while a parent is working and is therefore a form of necessary child care, then payment responsibility will typically be divided in accordance with each parent’s proportional share of income as determined by the Maryland Child Support Guidelines. For example, if one parent earns 60% of the combined parental income and the other earns 40%, they will generally be responsible for covering the summer camp costs in that same proportion.

What Happens If Parents Disagree?

If one parent believes summer camp is necessary for work-related child care and the other does not, or one parent wants to send the child to a camp that may be more expensive than the other agrees is necessary, the issue may need to be resolved through mediation or court intervention. A judge will consider whether the camp is necessary for child care purposes, the parents’ financial situations, and whether attending the camp is in the child’s best interests.

Final Thoughts For divorced parents in Maryland, determining who pays for summer camp depends on whether the camp qualifies as work-related child care and the parents’ financial responsibilities under the Maryland Child Support Guidelines. If you have questions about your particular case, it is best to reach out to a family law attorney to answer your questions and discuss your options.

Monica is a partner in Stein Sperling’s family law group, where she has practiced for more than 20 years.

She focuses her practice on divorce, child custody, child support, pre- and post-nuptial agreements, alimony, property distribution, adoptions, and guardianships.

MONICA GARCIA HARMS Principal, Family Law

STEIN SPER LING ATTORNEYS AT LAW

301-340-2020 www.steinsperling.com

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WHAT’S

IN STORE TAKING STOCK OF WESTFIELD MONTGOMERY MALL’S FUTURE

I

BY AMY HALPERN | PHOTOS BY JOSEPH TRAN

t’s a Saturday afternoon in early March, and Bobby Mozumder is striding through his 4,500-square-foot store at Westfield Montgomery mall in Bethesda, snapping photos of the glittery saris and lehengas he plans to showcase on Instagram and Facebook and in online ads.

Though much of the mall is bustling, Mozumder’s Indian and Pakistani clothing shop, Mela—located on the lower level next to the long-shuttered Sears department store—is empty, except for one salesclerk with him. Across from his shop, longtime stalwart Forever 21 is closing for good. Large signs plaster its windows: “Everything must go.”

Few shoppers find their way to this end of the mall, other than a handful of harried parents and nannies who sit on plastic benches along the perimeter of Westfield’s PlaySpace in the hall just outside Mozumder’s store. They alternately check their phones and watch their young charges climb on sturdy play equipment painted to look like smiling cartoon animals.

When it opened in April 2023, Mela was situated across from Urban Outfitters on the lower level of the mall’s Nordstrom wing. Six months later, a tenant with deeper pockets wanted the space. “We’re on a temporary lease [so] in exchange for reduced rent, they can move us around,” says Mozumder, who lives in Germantown.

Mostly, he’s just grateful to be here.

Before opening at Westfield Montgomery, Mela was at Lakeforest Mall in Gaithersburg, where “a lot of the indie … stores were crappy,” he says. When that mall closed in 2023, Mozumder was thrilled that management at the more upscale Westfield Montgomery accepted his application to relocate here.

Still, Mozumder looks forward to the day when something replaces the Sears store—which has been closed for six years. The billboard that covers what used to be the department store’s gaping entranceway announces: “We’re Reimagining the Future.” But it’s been up for so long that Mozumder has started to wonder if it’s true. “Nobody wants to be without an anchor right next to it,” he says.

Since opening its doors in 1968, Westfield Montgomery mall has seemingly survived it all: a changeover of most of its anchor ten-

ants, the online shopping phenomenon, a worldwide pandemic that decimated malls across the U.S., and the whiplash of vacillating between promises of transformation into a retail and residential megacomplex and threats of divestiture.

As recently as six years ago, the mall’s owner, Paris-based Unibail-RodamcoWestfield (URW), hoped to expand Westfield Montgomery into what it then called

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Shoppers in the Nordstrom wing of Westfield Montgomery mall, which has a mix of local stores, such as Anya by Vivien and A Beautiful Closet, and national chains such as Tory Burch and Gap

“a lifestyle destination” complete with several residential components and a “woonerf”—a European-style pedestrianfriendly street lined on both sides with cafes, high-end dining and entertainment, and a smattering of retail. The four-phase preliminary plan the company submitted to the Montgomery County Planning Board in 2018 also included a fitness center, a hotel and a large-scale expansion of the mall’s existing footprint.

But the proposal got waylaid by a housing moratorium the county put in place

for the Walter Johnson High School cluster. By mid-2020, when the county lifted the ban and approved the plan, the pandemic was underway and the company was reconsidering its options.

Less than two years later, URW announced it would “radically reduce its financial exposure in the U.S.,” according to a company spokesperson, and it began selling its U.S. mall properties.

After off-loading more than half of them, it reversed course and said it would keep its 11 “flagship” malls—including Westfield

Montgomery—according to news reports.

Its immediate plans for the mall shifted, however, from expansion toward shoring up its post-pandemic tenant base and reaffirming itself as one of the county’s top draws.

Behind the scenes, says Jason Dyer, the mall’s senior general manager, URW is getting the mall poised for eventual growth. “It’s not like we’re on a standstill by any means. We’re still moving, and we’re moving the pieces of the puzzle to get us where we need to be.”

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Bobby Mozumder at Mela, his shop selling Indian and Pakistani clothing next to the long-shuttered Sears store in Westfield Montgomery mall

Perched for nearly 60 years off Interstate 270, just outside the Capital Beltway, West-

field Montgomery is now one of only two major indoor shopping malls still operating in the county. The other, Westfield Wheaton, has moved toward more of a big-box format; three of its five anchors are now Costco, Target and Dick’s Sporting Goods. Like Westfield Montgomery, the Wheaton mall survived URW’s divestitures and is still owned by the company.

The two malls “have just gone in two different directions,” says Stephen Fluhr, senior vice president of development at URW, which has owned both malls since 2018, when French real estate company Unibail-Rodamco acquired Westfield Corp., the Australia-based company that had owned both malls since the 1990s.

The county’s other longstanding malls are gone. White Flint in North Bethesda— once anchored by upscale department stores Bloomingdale’s, I. Magnin and Lord & Taylor—shuttered in 2015 after a nearly 40-year run. Eight years later, Lakeforest Mall in Gaithersburg, a hub for families in the county’s outer suburbs of Gaithersburg, Germantown and Damascus, closed after 45 years in operation.

Even Mazza Gallerie in D.C.’s Friendship Heights, which played host to luxury retailer Neiman Marcus for more than 40

years, closed in 2022 and is being transformed into luxury apartments.

Now, the county’s push for more housing has become URW’s priority, too, at least once it is “economically viable,” according to testimony presented on behalf of URW at a county council hearing in March.

“We have heard the need from Montgomery County for more residential units and have adjusted our plans accordingly,” Fluhr said in an email.

Though the details are still being tweaked, the first two phases of URW’s new plan for Westfield Montgomery include building more than 800 residential housing units—nearly 100 more than its 2018 proposal envisioned in its first two phases, according to a company spokesperson. Of these, 127 are expected to be moderately priced dwelling units, also known as MPDUs. Most of the new housing would connect to the mall via a “main street”-style outdoor thoroughfare offering retail, restaurants and entertainment, the spokesperson says.

According to Fluhr, some of the mall’s existing retail space would be redesigned to face outward to serve as the other side of the new main street-style corridor. The existing Sears store, its former auto repair center and its parking lot would be demolished to make way for the construction.

As for adding retail space inside the mall, URW’s new vision scales that back considerably. “When we looked at our [2018] plans, they were a little too big,” Fluhr says. “From a retail perspective, generally speaking, we have more than enough [space] to reinvent kind of forever. … Our [previous] plan added 120,000 square feet of new retail to the site. … So what we did is we stepped back and [said] let’s take another pass at the plan.”

URW will also need to partner with a residential developer, Fluhr says, and selecting one could take the better part of a year. “We’re retail developers. We were great master planners with the site. We definitely control the vision,” he says, “but we want to partner with a multifamily developer that knows their thing.”

In the meantime, URW is preparing to expand two of its other U.S. malls: Westfield Garden State Plaza in Paramus, New Jersey, and Westfield Old Orchard mall in Skokie, Illinois. Both will soon see the addition of housing complexes, outdoor spaces and more retail and dining. Neither project has broken ground yet, but both are slated to begin this year or early in 2026, says Fluhr, who is based in New Jersey. “These are going to be great examples to start looking at” for what will eventually be proposed for Westfield Montgomery, he says.

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County Councilmember Andrew Friedson (D-Dist. 1), whose district includes Westfield Montgomery, says he’s prepared to give URW the time and flexibility it needs to move at its own pace. The company, he says, “forward funded multimillion dollars of … improvements for the transit hub that is there, [it has] made major investments, and my hope is that [it] will continue to make major investments, because the whole community is relying on Westfield Montgomery being successful.”

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On the same afternoon that Bobby Mozumder is taking photos in his shop at Westfield Montgomery, Brookeville resident Tarra

Foggie is sitting on a sleek silver chaise at the Anya by Vivien dress boutique in the mall’s Nordstrom wing, watching as her 17-year-old daughter, Kendall, tries on prom gowns.

The whole family has come to Westfield Montgomery this day, including Foggie’s husband, Kirk, and their 15-year-old son, Tristan, who sits next to his mother and is playing games on his phone. It was Kirk who read about Anya by Vivien and thought it was worth checking out.

The shop was founded by Nigerian-born Vivien Agbakoba, who lives in Potomac and is best known for creating custom gowns for one of reality television’s Real Housewives of Potomac stars.

Anya by Vivien has been in the mall since 2021 and is now in its second home.

It’s one of many Black-owned local businesses that have opened in the mall over the past few years. The store’s first location was smaller—too small for Agbakoba to realize her dream of creating a “mini fashion academy,” as she calls it, for economically disadvantaged young people with an interest in dressmaking, fashion merchandising or modeling.

“I thought it would be nice to have them be trained here so they can see the whole process,” she says.

In 2023, she moved to a larger space, remodeled it and added classrooms by the dressing rooms, but has yet to open her academy. Though business skyrocketed for a while after the pandemic— when people resumed planning big events that had been put on hold—it has slowed again, and orders for $5,000

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“It went back to what you would call normal traffic,” she says, and now, “I’m seeing with the new government, people are afraid of their jobs … and they’re being extremely intentional and cautious in purchasing.”

Foggie is concerned about the economy, too, but she still wants to support local businesses, she says. A shopping bag by her son’s feet adds credence to her words.

It’s from Embrace Ur Greatness, a streetwear store that opened in the mall in November, the brainchild of 33-year-old Vinnie Lucas, who grew up in Potomac’s historically Black townhouse community of Scotland and graduated from Bethesda’s Walt Whitman High School in 2010.

His custom-designed line of streetwear has been a hit since his store opened, Lucas says, and now he’s thinking of signing a longer lease when his current 12-month agreement expires. A sweatsuit he designed for his Black Friday sale sold out within six weeks, and he’d ordered 250 of them.

Lucas doesn’t attach price tags to his items, so interested shoppers have to ask.

It gives him the flexibility to reduce the price if an offering is just beyond someone’s means, he says. “I don’t want anybody to come in, see the price and walk out.”

Dyer, who has spent the past six years helping shore up Westfield properties in California, says he’s striving for at least an

80/20 balance at the mall, meaning that at least 80% of its retail space is occupied by national or international brands with long-term leases of between seven and 20 years, and 20% or less is occupied by locally owned shops with leases of three years or less. “That percentage may fluctuate back and forth,” he says, “just to make sure that, you know, we’re still providing our community with what they want.”

URW says it doesn’t report on occupancy data on a shopping center-byshopping center basis, but according to

800-plus global locations; and bohemian-chic fashion chain Free People, which opened a small boutique in the mall in 2013 and closed it in 2024 after announcing only a handful of such closings for the year.

Both retailers still have locations at Tysons Corner Center in Virginia.

On the other hand, several national retailers have signed new leases over the past year, including 40-yearold Barcelona, Spain-based fashion chain Mango— which opened at Westfield Montgomery in April 2024.

“We say that our shopper is the Bethesda mom and her daughter,” says Mango store manager Kirby Markivich. A solid base of her store’s customers, she says, are those who see their offerings via celebrity sightings on Instagram or TikTok and come in to try them on. Among the brand’s recent viral trends: its cropped faux fur “Beethoven” jacket, which was seen being worn by several European celebrities.

Other recent arrivals at the mall: luxury women’s brand Tory Burch; more casual-leaning Abercrombie & Fitch (which closed a store at the mall in 2021); and children’s clothing retailer Carter’s, which pledged in 2023 to open 250 new stores across the U.S. by 2027.

Among this summer’s arrivals is Japanese clothing and accessory store Uniqlo.

It’s expected to open in the space long occupied by fashion retailer Express, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and closed in 2024. URW says at least 10 additional tenants for Westfield Montgomery will be announced soon.

Uniqlo—which focuses on diversity in its hiring and sustainability in its clothing—may be good for the mall’s business beyond filling an empty storefront: A 2024 survey by Deloitte Global found that more than 60% of millennials (born between 1981 and 1996) and Gen Zers (born between 1997 and 2012) say they want more sustainable goods and are willing to pay more for them.

’s Among this summer arrivals is Japanese ory clothing and access cted store Uniqlo. It’s expe long to open in the space retailer occupied by fashion at least Express. URW says s for 10 additional tenant y will Westfield Montgomer be announced soon.

Morningstar Credit, the mall’s occupancy in 2023 was up more than 20% from 2022, but its net cash flow was 10% lower.

Industry experts say that a higher percentage of short-term or temporary leases could be among the culprits.

That’s not necessarily a bad thing, Fluhr says. “Short-term leases give [URW] more flexibility,” he says. “We want to be able to control those spaces as we move into development mode.”

Plus, he says, “We … want to make sure that we include our community partners in here. … [One of them] could be the new up-and-coming retailer in the future.”

According to Fluhr, the biggest challenge the mall faces right now is attracting more “omnichannel” retailers, those who have a seamless online, mobile and brick-and-mortar presence. “We’ve been … positioning ourselves strategically to ensure that we’ve got the … right kind of space to attract those retailers,” he says.

In today’s complex retail climate, the most successful national chains want to keep some physical stores operating, but only their best performers, Fluhr says. For some notable tenants, Westfield Montgomery hasn’t met that criteria.

Among them: luxury fashion brand Michael Kors, which closed its store at the mall in 2022 as it culled about 15% of its

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don’t

“My focus is really working on the customer journey,” Dyer says. “I’ve actually … stopped individuals [in the mall] just to ask them: What are you feeling? What are you missing?”

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Dyer is part of a new management team brought in this past fall to help move Westfield Montgomery in a positive direction.

Among the team’s changes: The background music is now a more tailored mix of ’90s, 2000s and 2020s pop, Dyer says— and management is using social media to better promote the mall’s community and holiday events.

The mall also has hired a new public relations firm that’s been diligently publicizing the mall’s new retailers, food outlets and entertainment venues. “In the past, we have used a couple different PR agencies. I don’t think to the scale that we have right now,” says Catherine Brady, Westfield Montgomery’s new marketing director.

The changes have already had an impact, according to URW. A company spokesperson says sales during the 2024 holiday season were up 11% over 2023.

Pamela Sofola, owner of international clothing boutique A Beautiful Closet, on the lower level of the Nordstrom wing, says she has noticed the improvements the new management has put in place, yet she’s skeptical of whether the mall can return to its pre-pandemic glory.

The Potomac-based certified public accountant opened her shop about six months ago, bringing in unique clothing she discovers on her world travels and a few pieces she designs herself. She used to have a shop upstairs with similar offerings, but that closed mid-pandemic. “I think they’re trying their best,” she says of mall management, “to attract, you know, customers to come back.”

Still, as she looks around at all the baby strollers and teenagers and speed walkers who have returned to the mall in greater abundance than she’s seen in recent years, she laments, “How many people do you see with shopping bags?”

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6 BR/6.5 BA Tudor architectural style with every luxurious modern amenity.

Delivery in Autumn of 2025.

Wendy Banner 301.370.5076 or Jody Aucamp 240.778.8227

“A Team Behind Every Transaction”

4/8/25 3:59 PM

IT’S THE ONE.

HELLER COLEY REED TEAM The Cheval – 4960 Fairmont Ave, PH-4, Bethesda

Zelda Heller | Jamie Coley | Leigh Reed m 202.669.1331 | o 240.497.1700 hellercoleyreed@gmail.com

$2,625,000

Welcome to your extraordinary luxury corner penthouse at the prestigious Cheval in downtown Bethesda, where breathtaking views await you from every room, the balcony and your private rooftop terrace! The expansive 2,530 sq ft open floor plan effortlessly connects the foyer, elegant living room, inviting dining room, and chef’s kitchen equipped with high-end appliances. The luxurious primary bedroom suite and ensuite bath are thoughtfully set apart from the other bedrooms, each with an ensuite bath and walk-in closet. Enjoy the convenience of the two garage parking spaces and EV charger. This is more than just a home; it’s a spectacular opportunity to elevate your lifestyle!

CHRIS RHODES A Washington native, Chris Rhodes began his real estate career with Long & Foster in 1999, he quickly became a Top Producer, ranking in the top 1% nationally in sales.

LIZ ABELE

m 202.550.3222 | o 240.497.1700 elizabeth.abele@longandfoster.com $1,559,999

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Sun-filled contemporary in Persimmon Tree on a wooded lot, perfect for entertaining and outdoor living. Features an updated gourmet eat-in kitchen, a spacious primary suite with a modern bath and walk-in closet, and an open dining/living area with double windows leading to a deck with serene treetop views.

Includes a 2-car garage. Whitman cluster.

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Known for his professionalism and deep market expertise, Chris has guided countless buyers, sellers, investors, and developers to success. His sharp pricing insight, negotiation skills, and commitment to toptier service set him apart.

Roads to Home 571.438.0111 | o 240.497.1700 | roadstohome@gmail.com Licensed in MD, DC, VA, DE

4/8/25 3:59 PM

166

Pops of pink for the home

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An outdoor kitchen with a side of nature

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: COURTESY PHOTO; PHOTO BY PEAK VISUALS; PHOTO BY HANNELE LAHTI

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO CREATE A BEAUTIFUL SPACE

Explore how locals are making birds feel right at home in their backyards. PAGE 170

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HOME HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS

Pinky KEEN

2

Welcome the warm weather and liven up your home decor and table settings with shades from rose and blush to coral and magenta BY CAROLYN WEBER

1 Colorful Cooking

Upgrade your kitchen tools for the season with this pink four-piece set of cooking utensils. It includes two spoons and two spatulas, each with flexible BPA-free silicone heads and eco-friendly bamboo handles. $6.99 at World Market, 12266 Rockville Pike (Federal Plaza), North Bethesda, 301-816-2480, worldmarket.com

2 Block Party

Cloth napkins always make a table setting fancier. The Lainey block print cotton napkins come in a mixed set of four prints.

Each features motifs in shades of pink with green accents and measures 20 inches square. $40 at Pottery Barn, 4750 Bethesda Ave., Bethesda, 301-654-1598, potterybarn.com

3 On a Roll

When it comes to home organization, think pink and add a pop of color to a home office, pantry or playroom with a handy three-tier rolling cart. This blush-colored model measures 30⅝ inches high by 17 inches wide and 14¼ inches deep. $39.99 at The Container Store, 1601 Rockville Pike (Congressional Plaza), Rockville, 301-770-4800, containerstore.com

3

COURTESY PHOTOS

1

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5

6

4 4 Cool Customer

Making ice cream, sorbet or frozen yogurt at home is fun for the entire family with this ice cream maker from Cuisinart. It’s easy to operate and easy to clean, and the 1.5-quart capacity double-insulated freezer bowl keeps desserts at a cool, even temperature. $50.99 at Best Buy, 10901 Georgia Ave., Wheaton, 301-942-1877, bestbuy.com

5 Sweet Dreams

Striped sheets are a preppy seaside classic for summer. The Beach Club stripe percale sheet set (shown in the seashell color) is trimmed with white piping for a tailored look and comes in five sizes. $258 to $328 at Serena & Lily, 7121 Bethesda Lane (Bethesda Row), Bethesda, 240-531-1839, serenaandlily.com

6 Rosé All Day

Relax and enjoy a cool drink in a hot-looking glass. The Morgan stemless wine glasses are sold in a set of four, hold 12.7 ounces and are available in seven colors, including this cheerful medium pink. $56 at Anthropologie, 4801 Bethesda Ave. (Bethesda Row), Bethesda, 240-345-9413, anthropologie.com

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HOME ROOMS WE LOVE

Almost Alfresco A Kensington family put a roof over what they loved most about backyard living—a firepit, grill, and plenty of comfy seating BY WENDY A. JORDAN Jason Andrew loves firepits, grilling and being outdoors—even when the weather is bad. “I’d see him grilling outside, getting poured on,” says his wife, Meena Andrew, “and I thought, ‘Let’s put a roof over the grill.’ ” The couple, each in their early 50s, ended up doing so much more, adding an outdoor kitchen and gathering area to the back of their Kensington home. The space blends the verdant views, natural soundscape and fresh breezes that come with being outside with the plush comforts of being indoors.

Screens on three sides offer views of the tree-lined backyard, vegetable garden and flower-filled planters, and give the space an outdoor feel, says designer Maureen Robinson of Arlington, Virginiabased Blue House Gardens.

The 36-by-16-foot room was completed in August.

The kitchen area is mostly composed of noncombustible metal, concrete and brick, and equipped with Hestan built-in stainless steel outdoor kitchen products, including a pizza oven and a grill with an exhaust hood. Under the

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counter, slide-out trash bins, refrigerated drawers and storage cabinets have black toned door panels against a white painted brick base. The light gray cement countertop, which was poured and sealed in place, incorporates a removable chopping board so cuttings can be dropped into the trash bins below.

Matching cement shelving and a buffet with a black inset prep sink line the opposite wall. Also matching is the cement surface of a Robinson-designed table made with pressure-treated lumber, its frame and legs stained in black. Project builder Wilber Garcia of NW Home Ser-

vices in Boyds built the custom pieces. The 10-foot-long, 40-inch-wide table fits up to eight teak-and-rope counter stools from Essentials For Living and accommodates the couple, their two teenage children and friends, “a priority for me,” Meena says.

The other side of the room is an inviting space for gatherings, anchored by a gasfueled RH (formerly Restoration Hardware) Ixtapa rectangular fire table with a black concrete surround. “We loved the table and bought it nine months before we built the room,” Jason says. Two teak RH sofas with linen cushion covers provide comfortable seating around the table. The Surya rug is outdoor safe, as are the ipe wood flooring and the Azek guardrails with ipe top rail.

To complement the room’s white and black features, interior designer Anabel Hering of Black Salt Home Design in Kensington chose whites, soft grays, blues and pops of green for the furnishings. The firepit table and Bromic ceilingmounted infrared patio heaters warm the space. Outdoor ceiling fans by Visual Comfort keep it cool.

PHOTOS BY PEAK VISUALS; STYLING BY KRISTEN ALCORTA

4/9/25 9:48 AM

Sell Your Home With Confidence This Summer With a trusted team and a global network, we’re here to help you navigate the market and achieve the maximum net return!

For exceptional service and proven results, call Carolyn Homes!

Carolyn Sappenfield 240.353.7601, carolyn@carolynhomes.com Licensed in Maryland, Washington DC & Virginia

6404 Maiden Lane | Bethesda, MD | $2,695,000 Under Contract

6211 Poe Road | Bethesda, MD | $1,650,000 Multiple Offers, Sold 10% Over List Price

© TTR Sotheby’s International Realty. All Rights Reserved. The Sotheby’s International Realty trademark is licensed and used with permission. Each Sotheby’s International Realty office is independently owned and operated, except those operated by Sotheby’s International Realty, Inc. TTR Sotheby’s International Realty fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Bethesda Brokerage 4809 Bethesda Ave +1 301 516 1212

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HOME OUTDOOR LIVING

FLOCK ING TO YOUR YA R D Here’s how you can beautify your outdoor space and support local and migratory birds

E

very morning, Allie Chamot wakes up and heads out to her Chevy Chase garden. “I love seeing the

different colors that come into the space,” she says. Chickadees and wrens nest there, and she particularly enjoys the whitethroated sparrow’s mellifluous song.

But this vibrant garden brimming with wildlife used to look a lot different. When Chamot and her husband, Jorge, moved from New York City in 2018, she thought their new house “had this beautiful landscaped yard with many trees.” Later, however, a friend who works for New York’s parks department visited and identified numerous invasive species—including Bradford pear trees, nandina and English ivy—that don’t support birds and pollinators, and often edge out much-needed native plants.

“When I learned I had the opportunity to help wildlife outside my home, my game was transformed,”

Chamot says. She removed the invasive plants and replaced them with native shrubs and perennials that provide nectar, seeds, berries and a habitat for caterpillars.

She started reading books, such as University of Delaware entomologist Doug Tallamy’s Nature’s Best Hope, to understand the importance of providing a welcoming habitat for birds and pollinators.

Chamot also volunteered to remove invasive species elsewhere with Nature Forward, a Chevy Chase nonprofit that aims to connect residents with the natural riches around them. Now Chamot works there part time as a naturalist ambassador, sharing how anyone with a yard or planter can boost local bird populations. Her hands-on advocacy also enriches the couple’s daughters, ages 3 and 6.

“It’s been amazing to see how open they are to understanding that wildlife is also meant to be in these shared spaces.”

LEFT PHOTO BY CALVIN SCHNURE; RIGHT PHOTO BY HANNELE LAHTI

BY AMY BRECOUNT WHITE

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Allie Chamot fills a birdbath in her Chevy Chase yard.

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HOME OUTDOOR LIVING

With an abundance of native plants, Francesca Grifo’s Bethesda yard is a haven for birds.

study led by Cornell University. We’ve lost more than one of every four birds that formerly dotted our skies. While multiple factors have contributed to this decline, the main reason is the loss of habitats, the study says. As wild areas are developed, birds can’t find supportive spaces in which to reproduce.

Montgomery County residents can create welcoming habitats by ensuring birds have shelter, food and water. Choosing native plants over popular nonnative plants (burning bush, leatherleaf mahonia, butterfly bush, privet) can provide these necessities.

Yards with mainly nonnative plants are basically “food deserts” for native insects—and thus for birds—says a 2018 study by Tallamy and others that monitored the reproduction and survival of Carolina chickadees within residential yards across the Washington, D.C., region. Their conclusion: To better support local and migratory birds, residents should aim for 70% of their plants to be native species, including trees, shrubs, perennials and groundcover.

“Migratory birds need places to stop and refuel,” says Alice Sturm, the restoration director for Nature Forward. “Every single year that they’re migrating, there are fewer safe places to do that.” Maryland is part of the Atlantic Flyway, a major migratory

path for millions of birds in the spring and fall.

Tallamy’s work inspired the Homegrown National Park movement, which encourages people to reenvision their spaces as contributing to wildlife havens and corridors. He focuses on “keystone species”—oaks, serviceberry, holly, sunflowers, asters and goldenrod—that support the largest numbers of insects.

Without these plants, vital food webs could fail, Tallamy says.

AS A NATURALIST AMBASSADOR, CHAMOT FINDS THAT PEOPLE MISTAKENLY ASSUME THEY NEED A GREEN THUMB TO GROW NATIVE PLANTS. While native plants may require a little babying

during the first year or in drought conditions, they have evolved to thrive here. Sturm says some people don’t realize that native plant gardens can be “beautiful and aesthetic” while also welcoming wildlife. To help visitors envision the myriad possibilities, one section of Nature Forward’s Woodend headquarters “demonstrates the types of habitats you can create, the types of gardens and landscaping you can make with native plants for different aesthetics,” says Sturm, a licensed landscape architect.

Sturm suggests that homeowners expand their “plant palette” to include bird-supporting blooms that flower in different seasons, such as blue star (spring), multitoned lobelia (late spring), sunflow-

PHOTO BY HANNELE LAHTI

SINCE 1970, THE U.S. AND CANADIAN BIRD POPULATION HAS PLUMMETED BY NEARLY 3 BILLION BIRDS, according to a 2019

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PHOTO BY CALVIN SCHNURE

ers (summer), and colorful asters and goldenrod (fall). “We’re lucky enough to live in a place that has four distinct seasons,” she says.

“That is such an opportunity to see different colors” and provide sustenance for birds and insects year-round.

Francesca Grifo realized about 10 years a g o t h a t h e r g ra s s lawn wasn’t good for the birds she loved to observe. She says she “took a very normal 10,000-square-foot suburban lot [in the Glen Mar Park neighborhood of Bethesda] and completely transformed it with native plants” to provide habitat, shelter and food. But, she cautions, “you can’t do it all at once, and you can’t do it in one season.” Grifo is now a state director of the Montgomery Bird Club and sees 18 bird species—from woodpeckers to goldfinches to nuthatches—nest in her yard, and she regularly spies hawks and hears owls.

“My favorite thing is in the spring when [the baby birds] are fledging and you have these silly little clumsy babies stumbling around your yard,” Grifo says. She also enjoys the welcome songs of 15 species of warblers that migrate through her yard.

While the initial inclination may be to remove any tree or plant that isn’t native, Sturm recommends leaving mature trees that may provide a better habi tat than a newly planted shrub. She advises replacing dead trees, shrubs and perennials with native plants, and adding them by taking out portions of lawn or expanding understory plantings.

WORKING FROM HIS BETHESDA HOME IN THE WOOD ACRES NEIGHBORHOOD DURING THE PANDEMIC, Calvin Schnure

became curious about the birdcalls he heard. He turned to Cornell’s Merlin Bird ID app to identify them and took online classes. He is now an enthusiastic birder and photographer (see his photos of a Cooper’s hawk on page 170 and robin, below).

“I’ve stopped using any pesticides or insecticides,” Schnure says. “I’ve provided food, and I’ve stopped killing their food.”

He plans to remove much of the nonnative lawn grass and add native plants. “We’ve moved into their living space. Our backyard is really their home.”

While mature birds subsist on seeds, berries and other foods, 96% of terrestrial North American birds feed their chicks insects—mainly caterpillars, the larval state of moths and butterflies that are fatand-protein-rich morsels. Chickadee parents need to gather 390 to 570 caterpillars per day to support a clutch of four to six chickadees, Tallamy’s research has found.

With more than 16 days from hatching to fledging, that adds up to between 6,000 and 9,000 caterpillars per clutch, Tallamy says.

“Sometimes people say, ‘I want to garden for birds, but I don’t want to garden for bugs,’ ” Sturm says. “You have to be gardening for insect populations because that’s what birds are eating and feeding their young.” At least 310 North American bird species consume caterpillars to survive, according to Tallamy’s study.

When they hear “insect,” though, many people think of pests, such as mosquitoes, and that has led to widespread insecticide spraying in suburban areas. Unfortunately, such sprays can’t target only one species, despite advertising claims: “There is no way for companies to spray these broadspectrum insecticides in your yard without also killing other insects they come in contact with, including bees, butterflies, caterpillars, ladybugs, dragonflies and other beneficial insects,” David Mizejewski and David Weber wrote in a 2022 National Wildlife Federation blog post.

A thriving ecosystem that welcomes birds and

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HOME OUTDOOR LIVING A downy woodpecker enjoys a bite to eat at a feeder in Leila Holtsman and Dave Rubenstein’s Garrett Park yard.

other mosquito consumers will best control their levels. Purple martins, yellow warblers, hummingbirds, bats and dragonflies all dine heartily on mosquitoes. Sturm and Tallamy recommend using Bti (Bacillus thuringiensis isrealensis) mosquito dunks, which are toxic to mosquito larvae laid in standing water. Schnure also dumps standing water so they can’t breed. Dense English ivy is also attractive to mosquitoes, another reason to eliminate it. Birders also recommend avoiding using any rat poison, indoors or out, because birds may consume the poisoned rodents and die.

SINCE MOVING INTO THEIR GARRETT PARK HOME IN 2011, LEILA HOLTSMAN AND HER HUSBAND DAVE RUBENSTEIN WANTED TO

“create a birding haven” with native evergreen ground cover and layers of deciduous plants. That was a tall order because their yard was a former “weed-covered construction dumping ground,” Holtsman says. The yard had too much calcium and magnesium and not enough phosphorous, she says. However, she didn’t test the soil until years after she started planting, which she now regrets.

While native plants thrive in conditions that match their needs, many grow better if compost is added when they are planted.

Grifo also recommends creating layers of habitat: “You want to have big trees, small trees, shrubs, ground covers and vines because that’s what creates the habitat complexity and the places where birds can hang out, eat and—if all goes well— have baby birds.” The Montgomery Bird Club offers classes and a newsletter for guidance.

“It’s essential to have some place where the birds can duck into,” Rubenstein says. They’ve noticed the birds particularly love their leafy native cherry tree and a pine tree. To attract birds, Rubenstein also supplies winter feeders, places to perch and two water sources, one with running water. During a two-day period last winter, all six species of locally residing woodpeckers visited their yard.

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They also enjoy hearing birds. “One morning, we were woken up by the yellow-bellied sapsucker,” Holtsman says.

How you handle your summer and fall landscaping can impact local insect and bird populations, Sturm says. Many insects overwinter or lay eggs in fallen leaves, plant stalks or stems and brush piles. To protect the eggs, leave the leaves by raking at least some under shrubs and trees or over perennials, and avoid deadheading plants (cutting off the spent blooms or seed heads). “Summer blooming plants—wild bergamot, purple coneflower, black-eyed Susans—all of those seeds are an amazing resource for birds. It’s like a grow your own bird feeder,” Sturm says. If you use storebought feeders, be sure to clean them often to prevent the spread of disease or bacteria. In the winter, she stocks her feeders with dried mealworms, which are nutrient dense and attract songbirds.

Tallamy and other experts recommend making your outdoor lighting more bird-friendly by using warm spectrum lighting that’s shielded and directed downward. Bright upward lighting may disorient nocturnal and migrating birds.

“Birding is the most delightful stress reliever,” Grifo says.

“A reminder that there’s a whole lovely planet out there.” In fact, birding can result in “higher gains in subjective wellbeing and more reduction in distress than more generic nature exposure, such as walks,” according to a 2024 North Carolina State University study.

Chamot finds that joy every day in her garden. “It’s seeing life like I’ve never seen it before and knowing that I put [these native plants] in the ground. I’m making a small difference in my small piece of land when I can’t control other things that are happening elsewhere.”

Amy Brecount White replaced most of her Arlington lawn with native plants where insects and birds can find welcoming habitats.

PHOTO BY HANNELE LAHTI

4/11/25 11:10 AM

Builders & Architects

PR OF IL E S

Special A D V E R T I S I N G S E C T I O N F R O N T ( L T O R ) : R I C K C O N R AT H , N C A R B ; GEORGE MYERS, AIA , NCARB; JAMES MYERS M I D D L E : R O L A N D O VA L D E Z ; R O S A N A T O R R E S , AIA , NCARB; MARK K AUFMAN, AIA , LEED-AP; T R A C I W E E M S , A I A , L E E D A P B D + C ; B A C K : D AV I D K O N A P E L S K Y, A I A , N C A R B ; J E F F W H I T M A N , R A ; LUKE OLSON; ROBIN MENGE, LEED AP; STEVE M U L H O L L A N D , A I A L E E D A P ; M AT T H E W S H E L L E Y

GTM Architects GTM Architects is a nationally recognized, award-winning design firm specializing in architecture, planning, and interior design. With a collaborative, client-focused approach, the firm creates inspired, enduring designs across residential, commercial, and multifamily sectors.

7250 Woodmont Ave., Suite 200

H I L A R Y S C H WA B

Bethesda, MD 20814 240-333-2012 ask@gtmarchitects.com GTMArchitects.com

Celebrating 36 years of award-winning design, GTM Architects has grown from a small-town firm in Kensington, Maryland, to a nationally recognized leader in architecture and interior design. Known for blending creativity, precision, and functionality, GTM has shaped some of the region’s most familiar spaces, from vibrant restaurants and retail hubs to striking custom residential and commercial projects.

With over 70 professionals in Bethesda, Washington, D.C., and Frederick, GTM operates through a collaborative studio structure, ensuring tailored solutions for each client’s vision.

This approach has led to the success of many admired and recognized projects.

As the firm evolves, GTM is excited to design its new office at Bethesda Row, set to open in May 2025, reflecting its commitment to innovation and collaboration.

Founder George Myers credits the firm’s success to strong client relationships and a philosophy rooted in integrity. “We treat people the way we would want to be treated,” he says, a mindset that has fueled GTM’s expansion beyond the DMV. Since launching GTMDC in 2019, the firm has deepened its engagement with the District’s agencies and communities. Licensed in most states, GTM has completed over 15,000 projects and earned more than 150 industry awards.

From beautiful custom homes to multifamily and commercial spaces, GTM continues to push the boundaries of thoughtful design, creating places that inspire, enrich, and endure.

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PR PROF OFIL ILEESS

Builders & Architects

Pinehurst Design Build

by Tom Gilday “Making the simple complicated is commonplace; making the complicated simple, awesomely simple, that’s creativity.” Hans Hofmann 11716 Parklawn Drive North Bethesda, MD 20852 301-383-1600 PinehurstDB.com

Tom Gilday brings his widely known excellence and experience to Pinehurst Design Build. Tom and his skilled team of architects, designers, project managers and master craftsmen flawlessly execute beautifully designed renovations that reflect each client’s aesthetic and lifestyle.

With collective decades of experience and an impeccable reputation, Pinehurst has streamlined the remodeling process, which is notoriously known to be complicated and often unpleasant.

Using a design-build approach, they have unified planning, design and construction under one roof, aligning all the players on one team to foster a collaborative, problem solving environment with shared objectives.

Their process has three phases: explore, build and enjoy. First, the team

listens and learns about clients’ dreams and goals for their project. During this phase the design team explores possibilities and creates a customized plan that includes drawings, material selections and pricing. Once the client approves the design and budget, the construction phase begins.

During construction, a designated master craftsman and a project manager continually communicate with the client and the team of architects and designers.

This collaborative approach yields efficiencies in time and cost savings.

Upon completion, the project manager walks through the project to ensure the fulfillment of every detail. Pinehurst Design Build believes each home transformation should be beautifully designed, flawlessly executed and awesomely simple.

H E AT H E R V I C T O R I A

Special A D V E R T I S I N G S E C T I O N

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Builders & Architects

PR OF IL E S

Special A D V E R T I S I N G S E C T I O N

Craftmark Homes “When folks move into our homes, the best thing that can happen is they wake up the first morning living there and think they’ve made the best decision of their lives, to buy from Craftmark.”

Ken Malm, Founder & President

H I L A R Y S C H WA B

1355 Beverly Road #330 McLean, VA 22101 703-734-9855 CraftmarkHomes.com

For nearly 35 years, Craftmark Homes has enhanced the residential landscape of the Washington, D.C. metro area with an unwavering commitment to quality, innovation and thoughtful design. As second-generation leaders, Bethesda natives Robby and Chris Malm are carrying forward that legacy. Born and raised in the community, the brothers graduated from Walt Whitman High School and bring a deep-rooted passion for crafting homes that reflect both livability and lasting value.

“Craftmark takes pride in designing and building homes that stand the test of time.

To us, quality isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s about superior construction, energy efficiency and a home designed to enhance the way you live,” says Chris.

That philosophy has led Craftmark to build in some of the area’s most soughtafter neighborhoods. From walkable

townhomes in Rockville and city-style single-family homes in North Bethesda to grand estates with easy D.C. commutes in North Potomac and Lorton, Craftmark aims to offer residents convenience, connectivity and lasting character.

“We’re focused on Craftmark’s longterm legacy,” Robby says. “We don’t answer to outside shareholders. We hold every home to the same standard as the ones we build for our own families.”

Whether a homebuyer is searching for their first home, a forever home move-up or an elevator-ready home perfect for a stylish and comfortable retirement, Craftmark Homes can help build that dream. With floor plans that offer spacious, upscale living in neighborhoods chosen for their convenience and amenities, this local hometown builder is ready to satisfy every client’s goals.

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PR OF IL E S

Builders & Architects Special A D V E R T I S I N G S E C T I O N

Bethesda Contracting MIKE THIEDE, CO-OWNER & PRESIDENT J A S O N H E N R Y, C O - O W N E R & V I C E P R E S I D E N T K A R A T H I E D E , O P E R AT I O N S M A N A G E R

Celebrating their 40th year, Bethesda Contracting has built a reputation for high-quality craftsmanship and integrity that has been the cornerstone of the family-owned business since its inception. Specializing in residential additions and remodeling, the firm has expanded its work to include full design-build services, with a staff of designers and a showroom of cabinetry and finishes in downtown Bethesda.

Second-generation owners Mike Thiede and Jason Henry approach each home as though it were their own and pride themselves on having served multiple generations of families. Both born and raised in Montgomery County, they’re invested in the county, too, and are familiar faces at community events. Today, they continue the family legacy, bringing clients’ visions to life and in the process, creating beautiful lasting results.

H I L A R Y S C H WA B

4304 East West Highway Bethesda, MD 20814 301-656-9020 BethesdaContracting.com

MPR Architecture M I C H A E L P. R O U S E , A I A N C A R B , P R I N C I P A L A R C H I T E C T 1232 Hamilton Street, NW | Washington, D.C. 20011 202-450-3126 | mike@mprarchitecture.com MPRArchitecture.com

Q What qualities set your company apart from other residential architects and designers?

A In one word: listening. MPR Architecture works with clients to turn their needs and desires into functional, beautiful and enduring spaces. The most important part of that process is listening to clients and responding thoughtfully to the unique characteristics of the site with our architectural solutions.

We bring a creative and independent eye to all solutions and advocate for our clients through teamwork with consultants, interior designers and contractors.

A Beyond helping to synthesize our client’s thoughts and wishes, we offer a full range of services including design, bid and the construction process. Our focus is creating the custom design for the project while bringing creativity, energy efficiency, and thorough documentation to help keep unforeseen costs at bay. We help guide decisions, analyze project costs, negotiate contracts and serve as advocates during construction. Our goal is to make the process as seamless and as enjoyable as possible.

MICHAEL VENTURA

Q Why should clients consider a residential architect like MPR Architecture?

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HOME BY THE NUMBERS

FEBRUARY’S MOST EXPENSIVE

HOME SALES

Data provided by

SALE PRICE:

SALE PRICE:

LIST PRICE: $5.5 MILLION Address: 4119 Rosemary St., Chevy Chase 20815 Days on Market: 471 Listing Agency: Long & Foster Real Estate Bedrooms: 6 Full/Half Baths: 5/2

LIST PRICE: $3 MILLION Address: 8205 Beech Tree Road, Bethesda 20817 Days on Market: 74 Listing Agency: Haverford Realty Bedrooms: 7 Full/Half Baths: 6/2

$5.2 million

A peek at one of the area’s most expensive recently sold houses

SALE PRICE:

SALE PRICE:

LIST PRICE: $5.13 MILLION Address: 6419 Brookside Drive, Chevy Chase 20815 Days on Market: 116 Listing Agency: Washington Fine Properties Bedrooms: 6 Full/Half Baths: 6/1

LIST PRICE: $3 MILLION Address: 7105 Marbury Road, Bethesda 20817 Days on Market: 60 Listing Agency: RE/MAX Realty Services Bedrooms: 5 Full/Half Baths: 5/1

$4.83 million

SALE PRICE:

SALE PRICE:

LIST PRICE: $3.98 MILLION Address: 8561 Horseshoe Lane, Potomac 20854 Days on Market: 7 Listing Agency: Compass Bedrooms: 6 Full/Half Baths: 7/2

LIST PRICE: $2.9 MILLION Address: 7813 Custer Road, Bethesda 20814 Days on Market: 2 Listing Agency: Compass Bedrooms: 5 Full/Half Baths: 4/1

$3.9 million

$2.9 million

SALE PRICE:

SALE PRICE:

LIST PRICE: $3.4 MILLION Address: 5801 Lenox Road, Bethesda 20817 Days on Market: 247 Listing Agency: TTR Sotheby’s International Realty Bedrooms: 6 Full/Half Baths: 6/2

LIST PRICE: $2.95 MILLION Address: 6514 Western Ave., Chevy Chase 20815 Days on Market: 73 Listing Agency: Compass Bedrooms: 7 Full/Half Baths: 6/0

$3.25 million

$2.85 million

SALE PRICE:

SALE PRICE:

LIST PRICE: $3 MILLION Address: 5131 Cathedral Ave. NW, Washington, D.C. 20016 Days on Market: 7 Listing Agency: Compass Bedrooms: 6 Full/Half Baths: 5/1

LIST PRICE: $3.13 MILLION Address: 11820 Gainsborough Road, Potomac 20854 Days on Market: 42 Listing Agency: RLAH @properties Bedrooms: 7 Full/Half Baths: 6/1

$3 million COURTESY PHOTO

$2.95 million

$2.83 million

$2.7 million

SALE PRICE:

$2.65 million

LIST PRICE: $2.75 MILLION Address: 7600 Massena Road, Bethesda 20817 Days on Market: 135 Listing Agency: RE/MAX Realty Services Bedrooms: 6 Full/Half Baths: 6/1

SALE PRICE:

$2.65 million

LIST PRICE: $2.7 MILLION Address: 7715 Radnor Road, Bethesda 20817 Days on Market: 68 Listing Agency: RLAH @properties Bedrooms: 5 Full/Half Baths: 6/1

SALE PRICE:

$2.61 million

LIST PRICE: $2.35 MILLION Address: 11106 S. Glen Road, Potomac 20854 Days on Market: 5 Listing Agency: Washington Fine Properties Bedrooms: 6 Full/Half Baths: 6/1

SALE PRICE:

$2.6 million

LIST PRICE: $2.6 MILLION Address: 6020 Wilson Lane, Bethesda 20817 Days on Market: 4 Listing Agency: Compass Bedrooms: 7 Full/Half Baths: 6/1

SALE PRICE:

$2.56 million

LIST PRICE: $2.8 MILLION Address: 4926 47th St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20016 Days on Market: 28 Listing Agency: TTR Sotheby’s International Realty Bedrooms: 5 Full/Half Baths: 4/1

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HOME BY THE NUMBERS

SALE PRICE:

SALE PRICE:

SALE PRICE:

LIST PRICE: $2.43 MILLION Address: 5201 Acacia Ave., Bethesda 20814 Days on Market: 1 Listing Agency: Pearson Smith Realty Bedrooms: 6 Full/Half Baths: 4/1

LIST PRICE: $2.37 MILLION Address: 8805 Lowell St., Bethesda 20817 Days on Market: 2 Listing Agency: TTR Sotheby’s International Realty Bedrooms: 5 Full/Half Baths: 4/1

LIST PRICE: $2.25 MILLION Address: 10601 Willowbrook Drive, Potomac 20854 Days on Market: 55 Listing Agency: Long & Foster Real Estate Bedrooms: 4 Full/Half Baths: 5/1

$2.43 million

$2.35 million

$2.25 million

SALE PRICE:

SALE PRICE:

SALE PRICE:

LIST PRICE: $2.5 MILLION Address: 6707 Broxburn Drive, Bethesda 20817 Days on Market: 69 Listing Agency: Compass Bedrooms: 5 Full/Half Baths: 4/1

LIST PRICE: $2.3 MILLION Address: 9413 Thrush Lane, Potomac 20854 Days on Market: 6 Listing Agency: Compass Bedrooms: 6 Full/Half Baths: 6/1

LIST PRICE: $2.18 MILLION Address: 5907 Beech Ave., Bethesda 20817 Days on Market: 20 Listing Agency: Long & Foster Real Estate Bedrooms: 6 Full/Half Baths: 5/1

$2.41 million

$2.3 million

$2.22 million

SALE PRICE:

SALE PRICE:

SALE PRICE:

LIST PRICE: $2.35 MILLION Address: 4905 Klingle St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20016 Days on Market: 6 Listing Agency: Capital Residential Properties Bedrooms: 4 Full/Half Baths: 3/1

LIST PRICE: $2.3 MILLION Address: 8606 Rayburn Road, Bethesda 20817 Days on Market: 7 Listing Agency: RE/MAX Realty Centre Bedrooms: 6 Full/Half Baths: 6/1

LIST PRICE: $2.2 MILLION Address: 5908 Bradley Blvd., Bethesda 20814 Days on Market: 2 Listing Agency: TTR Sotheby’s International Realty Bedrooms: 7 Full/Half Baths: 6/2

$2.35 million

GTM ARCHITECTS.COM

$2.26 million

$2.2 million

240.333.2000

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BY ZIP CODE

REAL ESTATE TRENDS FEB. 2024

FEB. 2025

4 $1.74 Mil. 15 2 1 4

9 $1.34 Mil. 13 4 4 9

20015 (Upper NW D.C.)

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

20016 (Upper NW D.C.)

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

4 $2.95 Mil. 51 0 2 4

9 $2.03 Mil. 7 4 3 9

FEB. 2024

FEB. 2025

5 $1.24 Mil. 44 1 3 3

10 $1.62 Mil. 14 5 1 8

20814 (Bethesda)

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

20815 (Chevy Chase)

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

9 $2.03 Mil. 45 4 5 8

10 $2.36 Mil. 87 3 6 9

20816 (Bethesda)

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

20817 (Bethesda)

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

FEB. 2024

FEB. 2025

7 $1.46 Mil. 4 7 0 7

9 $2.18 Mil. 19 4 3 9

20 $1.5 Mil. 18 8 8 16

18 $2.04 Mil. 46 7 11 17

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20832 (Olney)

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

20850 (Rockville)

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

20851 (Rockville)

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

FEB. 2024

FEB. 2025

4 $768,475 14 2 1 0

4 $734,125 7 2 1 0

8 $909,777 4 8 0 2

10 $844,910 5 7 1 2

13 $525,768 12 7 3 0

4 $566,275 24 1 3 0

20852 (North Bethesda/Rockville)

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

20853 (Rockville)

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

20854 (Potomac)

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

6 $727,169 14 3 3 0

5 $1.24 Mil. 42 3 2 3

11 $739,589 15 7 4 1

10 $809,640 12 8 1 0

20 $1.51 Mil. 15 13 6 15

21 $1.72 Mil. 15 11 8 18

20855 (Rockville)

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

FEB. 2024

FEB. 2025

2 $606,500 10 1 1 0

7 $1.01 Mil. 21 6 1 4

20877 (Gaithersburg)

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

7 $593,203 6 5 1 0

4 $593,750 28 2 1 0

FEB. 2024

FEB. 2025

8 $577,753 29 2 5 0

18 $725,352 37 7 9 3

20901 (Silver Spring)

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

20902 (Silver Spring)

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

7 $650,714 17 5 1 0

18 $666,543 21 8 5 1

20878 (Gaithersburg/North Potomac) 20903 (Silver Spring)

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

10 $968,290 31 4 4 4

20879 (Gaithersburg)

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

7 $596,642 14 3 2 0

20882 (Gaithersburg)

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

5 $926,200 68 3 2 1

20895 (Kensington)

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

10 $976,230 17 5 3 3

8 $915,462 20 4 4 2

6 $725,191 31 3 3 1

8 $810,625 47 3 3 1

13 $1.01 Mil. 26 5 4 5

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

5 $696,000 52 1 3 1

4 $580,025 14 2 2 0

20904 (Silver Spring)

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

12 $700,227 41 5 6 1

5 $711,991 7 2 1 0

20910 (Silver Spring)

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

6 $822,583 24 5 1 0

13 $836,607 38 4 6 2

20912 (Takoma Park)

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

4 $802,500 21 2 2 2

6 $667,291 21 4 2 1

Information courtesy of Bright MLS, as of March 15, 2025. 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. Bright serves approximately 100,000 real estate professionals who in turn serve over 20 million consumers. For more information, please visit brightmls.com. This information includes single-family homes from Feb. 1, 2025, to Feb. 28, 2025, as of March 15, 2025, excluding sales where sellers have withheld permission to advertise or promote. Information should be independently verified. Reports reference data provided by ShowingTime, a showing management and market stats technology provider to the residential real estate industry. Some sale and list prices have been rounded.

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Ask the Experts: Seniors & Aging

Special A D V E R T I S I N G S E C T I O N

The Grandview, Erickson Senior Living Conceptual Rendering

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Conceptual Rendering

The Grandview The sales center has renderings of the 33-acre planned community, floor plans, virtual tours and information about timeline and pricing. The best way to learn more is by joining The Priority List. Priority List members are the first to receive updates on construction, get invited to special events and much more.

Erickson Senior Living 6701 Democracy Blvd.

Bethesda, MD 20817 301-781-6201 TheGrandviewSeniorLiving.com The Grandview is pending approval from the Maryland Department of Aging.

Q What is the timeline for The Grandview?

A Construction of The Grandview, in Bethesda, is on schedule to open this fall, and will be managed by Erickson Senior Living, a nationwide leader in the field. Since 1983, Erickson Senior Living has been committed to providing exceptional care and service that enable seniors to live better lives. Residents at The Grandview will benefit from Erickson’s strength, experience and resources.

This new senior living community is over 90 percent reserved. Due to the incredibly high demand, construction on The Grandview's second residence building, Woodmont Terrace, is underway.

Reservations will begin this summer, and residences are scheduled to open in the fall of 2026.

Q What can seniors expect from The Grandview?

A The Grandview will open with 247

independent living apartment homes for active seniors, age 60-plus. Located just minutes from all the dining, shopping and entertainment of downtown Bethesda, The Grandview will have a wide range of modern, maintenance-free one- and twobedroom apartment floor plans of varying styles and budgets, as well as resort style amenities.

Q What kinds of amenities will it offer?

A From the fitness and aquatic center to game rooms, an urban park with walking paths and a great lawn for movies and concerts, an outdoor bocce court and much more, The Grandview will offer many opportunities for residents to stay active and engaged.

Restaurants will include a top-floor venue with a wine bar and stunning views. An onsite medical center will offer a full range of services.

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Special A D V E R T I S I N G S E C T I O N

Conceptual Rendering B E T H E S D A M A G A Z I N E . C O M | M AY/J U N E 2 0 2 5 1 8 5

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FEATURED IN THE KENSINGTON'S NEW MODEL SUITE: NICOLE BALLENGER, SALES LEADER; ANNE BUCKLEY, SALES DIRECTOR; TIFFANY TOMASSO, CO-FOUNDER; DAVE FAEDER, CO-FOUNDER; TANYA WALKER WIRTH, PARTNER; BROOKE ORCINO, OUTREACH DIRECTOR; MICHAEL RAFEEDIE, PARTNER; DEZY IKEOTUONYE, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR; MARY MELL, MANAGING DIRECTOR

The Kensington Bethesda

Q There's no place like home. What makes The Kensington Bethesda an exceptional choice for aging adults?

The Kensington Bethesda, scheduled

devotion to family, heartfelt care and preservation of quality of life, characterized by a spirit of collaborative teamwork. Assisted living with a concierge-level option and three tiers of memory care enable residents and families to experience loving support in meaningful ways. Couples may live together, even if their needs differ.

A tenured team, full spectrum of individualized clinical care, on-site rehabilitative therapies, innovative enrichment programs and six culinary venues create an atmosphere that inspires connection, renews the spirit, and champions well-being.

to open this summer, is the fourth Kensington Senior Living residence in Greater Washington and eighth overall.

For the past 15 years, we are proud that we have upheld Our Promise “to love and care for your family as we do our own”.

—The Kensington Founders, Partners & Leaders The Kensington Bethesda 240-752-8600 TheKensingtonBethesda.com Kensington Park 301-946-7700 KensingtonParkSeniorLiving.com

A The Kensington Bethesda exemplifies

Q How has the hands-on support of The Kensington founders, partners and leaders upheld the highest standards of care for the past 15 years?

A The Kensington founders and partners are career-long senior living professionals known for their uncompromising commitment to excellence in care and service. Driven by a passion for aging adults, they have poured their hearts into developing, staffing, and operating eight residences marked by professional expertise and warm hospitality.

Together with loyal and dedicated teams, they draw from decades of experience to participate fully in the lives of residents throughout every step of their journey. Further, as D.C. metro locals whose loved ones have lived in their residences, they proudly give back to the community they’ve called home by offering to everyone the same exceptional care and support they’ve provided for their own families.

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Ask the Experts: Seniors & Aging

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Special A D V E R T I S I N G S E C T I O N

Family & Nursing Care

Q How does Family & Nursing Care engage with caregivers to support the delivery of quality care?

Founded in 1968 by Sandy Kursban,

serves as a resource for caregivers. The team manages the caregiver onboarding process, helping new caregivers complete required paperwork, navigate timecard and reporting systems and get set up to accept client referrals. They also verify that caregivers' professional certifications, licenses and qualifications meet regulatory requirements and our company's high standards and are available to support caregivers on an ongoing basis.

Additionally, the team ensures Family & Nursing Care Select caregivers have the tools, resources and guidance needed to deliver exceptional care and receive free access to continuing education and skills development courses, further enhancing their expertise and ability to provide outstanding care.

Family & Nursing Care is a leading resource for home care services in the Washington Metropolitan region.

Awarded its 10th consecutive National Business Research Institute Circle of Excellence Award in 2025, 96 percent of surveyed clients would recommend Family

TONY LEWIS JR PHOTOGR APHY

& Nursing Care to friends and family.

1010 Wayne Ave., Suite 1100 Silver Spring, MD 20910 301-588-8200 FamilyNursingCare.com

A Our Caregiver Services Department

Q What role does Family & Nursing Care's Human Resources team play in fostering a positive, productive work environment?

A Family & Nursing Care's Human Resources Department plays a vital role in recruiting, developing and retaining top corporate office talent to support clients and professional partners and to carry out the company's rigorous caregiver screening process. The team focuses on retention through strategic recruitment, ongoing training and professional development, competitive benefits and a comprehensive wellness program. By fostering a positive work environment where employees feel respected, valued, and supported, Human Resources helps strengthen employee satisfaction and long-term organizational growth— ultimately enabling staff to provide the highest level of service.

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Specialty Care Services HALEY STINSON, DIRECTOR OF MARKETING “We pride ourselves on providing customer support that is second to none. Eighty percent of our referrals come from friends and family of those who have used our services and who feel 100 percent comfortable leaving their loved ones in our care.” —Al Simons, Founder and Manager 855 16th St., Suite 101 Silver Spring, MD 20910 301-585-6300 SpecialtyCareServices.com

Q Why is in-home care an important option for seniors?

A Home care gives seniors the choice to “age in place” in their home rather than receive care in an outside community.

While senior communities offer a host of amenities and social activities, many elderly people prefer to receive care in familiar, private surroundings, where they feel most comfortable.

Specialty Care Services offers several forms of assistance for seniors in their home, including licensed caregivers, nurses and social workers who can help them address their changing physical, mental and emotional needs.

Q How is Specialty Care Services different from its competitors?

A With an average of six years in the industry, our caregivers are both compassionate and highly experienced. We offer every client the opportunity to meet with multiple caregivers and choose the one they’re most comfortable with. In addition to affordable rates, we offer a lower minimum number of hours of required service than many of our competitors. We’re locally owned and have been in business for 23 years, with scores of five-star Google reviews attesting to the quality of our services.

receive a care plan customized to their unique needs, whether it’s companionship, assistance with daily activities, postoperative or respite care. Our professional care manager can provide additional assistance by acting as a liaison with doctors, hospitals, banks and attorneys to coordinate care and services.

COURTESY PHOTO

Q What does the process of getting care entail?

A Following an evaluation by a registered nurse, all clients

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Ask the Experts: Seniors & Aging

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Special A D V E R T I S I N G S E C T I O N

Brightview Senior Living Brightview Senior Living checks all the boxes for safe, engaging and personalized assisted living and dementia care. For over 25 years, Brightview has been East Coast seniors’ trusted choice for exceptional care, vibrant lifestyles and true peace of mind.

TR ACY BROWN

BETHESDA Brightview Grosvenor 301-615-0119 ROCKVILLE Brightview Fallsgrove 240-569-5683 Brightview West End 301-781-7985 BrightviewCommunities.com

large entrance fees with a simple monthly rental model. This flexible approach ensures residents enjoy premium assisted living and dementia care without longterm financial commitments. Families can focus on what truly matters—peace of mind, top-quality care and an enriching lifestyle—without worrying about complex contracts or hefty upfront costs.

Q How does Brightview’s care model provide peace of mind for families and residents?

A Brightview makes senior living seamless by offering both assisted living and dementia care within the same vibrant community. Our care teams are also qualified to provide specialized support for ALS, Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis and other complex conditions— offering a warm, homelike alternative to nursing homes. As residents' needs evolve, families have complete peace of mind knowing their loved ones are aging in place safely, surrounded by familiar faces, compassionate care and an engaging environment.

Q How does Brightview create a true sense of home beyond just care?

A Brightview is more than just

Q What makes Brightview’s financial model a smart and stress-free choice?

A Brightview eliminates the burden of

exceptional care. It’s about joy, connection and feeling at home.

Thoughtfully designed communities feature pet-friendly policies, chefprepared meals and engaging programs that spark fulfillment. Our dedicated team builds meaningful relationships with every resident, ensuring they feel valued, secure and excited about each day.

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CarePlus Home Health 7361 Calhoun Pl #301 Rockville, MD 20855 301-740-8870 Info@CarePlusInc.com CarePlusInc.com

Q What is “aging in place,” and how can caregivers help?

A For many older adults, home is where they feel safest. Aging in place means remaining at home while adapting to changing health needs. A trusted caregiver provides essential support, including medication reminders, nutrition, companionship and mobility assistance. Personalized in-home care helps seniors maintain independence, dignity and quality of life in a familiar, comfortable environment.

Q How can a caregiver support the senior living experience? social engagement and quality care. However, some residents may need additional support. A compassionate caregiver offers personalized assistance, and as medical needs evolve, skilled nursing with a trusted provider ensures flexible care options while prioritizing safety and well-being.

COURTESY PHOTO

A Senior living communities provide excellent amenities,

Riderwood 3140 Gracefield Road Silver Spring, MD 20904 1-800-610-1560 Riderwood.com

Q With so many senior living options available, how do you determine the best fit for your lifestyle, finances, and future? community in Silver Spring, offers this advice: Find a community that helps you stay active. At Riderwood, you’ll enjoy an abundance of amenities and 250-plus clubs, classes and activities like yoga, travel, continuous learning opportunities and much more.

Get the most value for your money. Many people are surprised by all that’s included at Riderwood. A predictable Monthly Service Package covers day-to-day expenses like signature dining in 11 on-site restaurants, all utilities, maintenance, property taxes and more.

Plan ahead for future needs. With continuing care health services at Riderwood, you’ll have access to multiple levels of support right on-site. You may never need additional care, but what a secure feeling to know it’s available.

COURTESY PHOTO / CONCEPTUAL RENDERING

A Riderwood, the premier continuing care retirement

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Ask the Experts: Seniors & Aging

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Best Senior Care A L E X P E T U K H O V, O W N E R & N AT E L I YA C A N C E L , M A N A G E R Since 2002, award-winning Best Senior Care has provided personalized and compassionate expert home care, helping older adults live confidently and age gracefully at home. Schedule your free in-home assessment, and the Best Senior Care team will develop a customized care plan specifically tailored to your or your loved one's unique needs.

MICHAEL VENTURA

17830 New Hampshire Ave., Suite 302 Ashton, MD 20861 301-717-2212 BestSeniorCare.us

Q How Does Best Senior Care support seniors and their families?

A As the American population ages and life expectancy rises, more seniors require longterm care. We've found that aging at home leads to a more fulfilling and graceful aging process—familiar surroundings and routines provide comfort, stability and independence.

For 23 years, Best Senior Care has provided high-quality, affordable, customizable home care, available up to 24 hours a day.

Our services empower seniors to continue creating cherished memories with family and friends while maintaining their independence and quality of life. Our caregivers assist with daily living and companionship and can help prevent hospitalizations by reducing accident risks. Studies also show that home care can lower hospital readmission rates by 25 percent for those with chronic conditions.

Q What are the advantages of working with a private, familyowned company?

A Hiring through an agency offers

assurance and protection. As a familyowned company, we can provide top-tier service at lower costs, free from franchise fees and unnecessary bureaucracy. We prioritize building lifelong relationships with our clients, ensuring open, direct communication and personalized solutions tailored to each family's needs. Our experienced, compassionate caregivers treat every client with the same expertise, patience and kindness they would for their own loved ones.

Q How do you choose your caregivers?

A We take extraordinary care in selecting our caregivers, many of whom have been with us for years.

All are certified nursing assistants supervised by registered nurses and undergo a rigorous screening, training and vetting process. We seek experienced, dependable and empathetic professionals dedicated to their work.

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Maplewood Park Place 9707 Old Georgetown Road | Bethesda, MD 20814 301-850-1950 | MaplewoodParkPlace.com

Q What distinguishes Maplewood among senior living communities?

A Maplewood is Bethesda's only true cooperative senior living community, offering all the financial advantages of homeownership—equity growth, tax benefits and estate preservation—without the burdens of home maintenance. Our all-inclusive fee covers services and real estate taxes, ensuring financial predictability. Residents actively shape the community by serving on the board or participating in 20-plus resident-led clubs and committees. With a full continuum of care, Maplewood provides long-term stability and peace of mind.

Q How does moving to Maplewood help seniors maintain their independence? free lifestyle with abundant activities and clubs. Residents engage at their own pace while benefiting from our 5-star health care program—including a full-service on-site clinic, fitness trainers and wellness services—allowing them to thrive without sacrificing autonomy.

H E AT H E R F U E N T E S

A Maplewood offers active seniors a vibrant, maintenance-

The Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders 6410 Rockledge Drive, Suite 660 Bethesda, MD 20817 301-571-0019 CCBDMD.com

Q What services does your practice provide?

A Our two offices, in Bethesda and Germantown, have in-

Q How does your practice provide advanced cancer care?

A Patients have access to over 60 clinical trials, so they don’t have to travel far to get the latest treatment options.

By providing both cancer care and research under one roof, we provide patients with convenient access to a robust set of treatment options that can be personalized to their individual needs.

Q What are the most recent developments in cancer care?

A The Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders serve patients with state-of-the-art infusion therapy, including immunotherapy.

COURTESY PHOTOS

THE CCBD TEAM INCLUDES BOARD-CERTIFIED MEDICAL ONCOLOGISTS A N D H E M AT O L O G I S T S R A L P H V. B O C C I A , M D , FA C P ; V I C T O R M .

PRIEGO, MD; AND MARK G O L D S T E I N , M D , FA C

house laboratories, pathology and a specialty pharmacy. Our patients have support services including nutritional advice and financial counseling.

1 9 2 M AY/J U N E 2 0 2 5 | B E T H E S D A M A G A Z I N E . C O M

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TRAVELER’S GUIDE Must-See Destinations and Hidden Gems from New York to Maryland and Beyond

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SUPPLEMENT TO MAGAZINES

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RAFTERS PHOTO COURTESY OF POCONO MOUNTAINS VISITORS BUREAU; SETTLER'S INN PHOTO COURTESY OF RARE BRICK PHOTOGRAPHY

As the temperatures rise and the days get longer, wanderlust takes hold, urging the winter-weary to crank up some traveling tunes and hit the road. Fortunately, many day- or multi-daytripping destinations await within easy driving distance of home, offering activities and ambiance for every interest and inclination.

By Marilyn Odesser-Torpey

OUTDOOR ADVENTURES

Pocono Mountains

Hawley, PA

Thirteen miles long with 52 miles of uninterrupted shoreline, Lake Wallenpaupack is a shimmering jewel set in Northeast Pennsylvania’s Pocono Mountains, and the little town of Hawley is at the center of all the water and land action.

DO. Angling aficionados will find the lake stocked with yellow perch, striped bass, and walleye. The Visitors Center lends out rods, reels, and tackle boxes full of hooks.

(2512 Rte 6, Suite 1, 570.226.2141, poconomountains.com) From mid-June through Labor Day, Wallenpaupack Scenic Boat Tours & Rentals takes guests out on the water for a 50-minute narrated cruise. For self-guided tours of the lake with time for swimming, fishing, and picnicking, the company also rents pontoon boats for two-hour to full-day excursions. (2487 US-6, 570.226.3293, wallenpaupackboattour.com) A unique experience is pedaling a two- or four-person, custom-made electric-assisted railbike on railroad tracks that follow the scenic, 10- or 20-mile route of the Lackawaxen River. Two- to four-hour tours are available from Pennsylvania Rail Bike.

(Hawley Train Station, 4 Columbus Ave, 570.229.2147, parailbike.com) After a day of recreation, visitors can settle in and enjoy an evening of music

The Settler’s Inn - Pocono Mountains

spanning a range of genres from opera to funk, comedy, and dance at the outdoor amphitheater Harmony in the Woods.

(19 Imagination Way, 570.503.6685, harmonyinthewoods.org) EAT. Seasonal specialties such as veal cheek gnocchi and kale, and mushroom lasagna paired with an expansive wine menu make the restaurant at The Settlers Inn one of the Poconos’ premier dining spots. (4 Main Ave, 570.226.2993, thesettlersinn.com) Italian cuisine, including handcrafted pasta, is the star attraction at Ravyn & Robin Food & Wine. (301 Main Ave, 570.226.4166, ravynrobinitalian.com) STAY. A lovely place to spend the night is The Settlers Inn, a 1920s Arts & Crafts period

bed and breakfast in downtown Hawley.

Surrounded by gardens and woodlands on the Lackawaxen River, the inn provides a comfortable home away from home. Bikes are complimentary for exploring the town.

Rye, NY

From its nature-centric attractions to its historic amusement park, the city of Rye, located in Westchester

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RYE PLAYLAND AND WESTCHESTER CHILDREN'S MUSEUM PHOTOS COURTESY OF WESTCHESTER COUNTY TOURISM & FILM; DOWNTOWN SPRING LAKE PHOTO COURTESY OF JIM THOMPSON

RAFTERS PHOTO COURTESY OF POCONO MOUNTAINS VISITORS BUREAU; SETTLER'S INN PHOTO COURTESY OF RARE BRICK PHOTOGRAPHY

Rye Playland

Westchester Children’s Museum

County on the Long Island Sound, is a delight for all ages.

of jumbo shrimp, calamari, clams, and mussels in lobster sauce. (1 Playland Pkwy, 914.274.4211, tikibeachrye.com) A neighborhood favorite, The Rye Grill & Bar offers a varied menu, including street tacos, pizza, sandwiches, and full entrées such as crab meat-stuffed Idaho brook trout and short rib ravioli. (One Station Plaza, 914.967-0332, ryegrill.com)

DO. Playland Park, a 280-acre amusement destination, has been a county icon since 1928. Designed in the period’s Art Deco style, it is a must-visit for families and history buffs (it was the first planned amusement park in the country and has been designated a National Historic Landmark). More than 40 rides and attractions offer fun for all ages. (1 Playland Pkwy, 914.820.3000, playland.com) Kids can develop their creativity and learning skills through a host of STEM- and STEAM-based activities at the Westchester Children’s Museum. They can build a roller coaster, harness wind power, create a mural, explore world cultures, and more. (100 Playland Ave, 914.421.5050, discoverwcm.org) Binocular alert! Bird watchers can spot a multitude of species as they travel the migratory flyway and land on the 85-acre lake at Edith G. Reade Wildlife Sanctuary.

The sanctuary, with its three miles of trails and accessible shoreline, is recognized as an “Important Bird Area” by the National Audubon Society. (1 Playland Pkwy, 914.967.8720, friendsofreadwildlifesanctuary.org) Families can learn a lot about the earth’s flora and fauna at the Rye Nature Center during entertaining and engaging workshops and programs. Some upcoming programs will focus on dinosaurs, pollinating creatures, reptiles and amphibians, aquatic dwellers, insects (think Madagascar hissing cockroaches), gardening, and maple sugaring. (873 Boston Post Rd, 914.967.5150, ryenaturecenter.org) EAT. Situated on the boardwalk of Playland Amusement Park with gorgeous ocean views, Tiki Beach Pier Restaurant specializes in seafood from simple fish and chips to the belly-busting Boardwalk Empire consisting

STAY. Originally constructed in 1872 as a convent and chapel, The Abbey Inn & Spa has been transformed into a luxury lodging place. It sits adjacent to Fort Hill Park, overlooking the scenic Hudson River Valley, an important lookout post for George Washington’s army during the Revolutionary War. A featured package includes a private helicopter tour for two. (900 Fort Hill Rd, Peekskill, 914.736.1200, theabbeyinn.com)

Spring Lake, NJ

For an old-fashioned, laid-back seashore experience with two miles of pristine sandy ocean beach, a sophisticated upscale boardwalk free of flashy distractions for leisurely strolls, a pretty park surrounding a spring-fed lake, and a dynamic downtown shopping district for browsing, Spring Lake has earned its nickname the “Jewel of the Jersey Shore.”

DO. Whether the goal is jumping waves with the kids, breaking out the surfboard, taking a brisk saltwater swim, or building elaborate castles in the sand, Spring Lake is the ideal destination. The boardwalk is non-commercial, but the cute, tree-lined Third Avenue downtown shopping district has plenty of non-chain boutiques selling everything from art and antiques to jewelry and clothing to satisfy any shopping craving.

Downtown Spring Lake, NJ

With 13 original buildings open for exploring, many staffed by interpreters, artisans, and crafters, The Historic Village at Allaire, about 20 minutes away from Spring Lake, recreates life in this former iron-producing factory town in the boom year 1836. This living history museum provides hands-on activities to give visitors an interactive, firsthand experience. A self-guided audio tour is available. (4263 Atlantic Ave, Farmingdale, 732.919.3500, allairevillage.org) They’re all around us, but most of us know so little about them and many are even misjudged. At Insectropolis, visitors get a bug’s-eye view of the insect world, how these creatures work together to survive, what they contribute to our lives, and their place in various cultures. (1761 Rt 9, Toms River, 732.349.7090, insectropolis.com) EAT. The wrap-around porch is a prime location for dining on fresh seafood, such as “angry” lobster over black linguine with a spicy red sauce at Amelia’s By the Sea. (Inside the Grand Victorian Hotel, 1505 Ocean Ave, Spring Lake, 732.769.5700, ameliasbythesea.com) Arugula Spring Lake offers interesting twists on traditional favorites such as drunken swordfish, and lamb osso bucco. (306 Morris Ave, Spring Lake, 732.974.2800, arugulaspringlakenj.com) STAY. In Spring Lake, Victorian-era architectural details have been lovingly restored, and The Hewitt Wellington Hotel is a prime example. Spacious, sunlit rooms and wrap-around porches overlooking the

COVER PHOTOS CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: COURTESY OF GARRETT COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE; POCONO MOUNTAINS VISITORS BUREAU; WESTCHESTER COUNTY TOURISM & FILM; THE M.S. HERSHEY FOUNDATION; KYKUIT, WESTCHESTER COUNTY TOURISM & FILM

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crustacean in a dip, a soup, a no-filler-added cake, and stuffed in or paired with chicken, steak, or fish. (1520 Deep Creek Dr, 301.387.6500, pinelodgesteakhouse.com) STAY. The tiny houses at Blue Moon Rising provide a very different eco-friendly accommodation. Tucked away over 116 acres of woods, these rustic cabins, constructed out of reclaimed materials, can sleep up to four guests. Dogs are welcome, too.

(89 Blue Moon Rising Way, 240.442.5287, bluemoonrising.org)

Lewes, DE

Centuries of historical experiences await around every corner in the southern Delaware coastal town of Lewes. Delaware’s first European settlement, it was founded by the Dutch in 1631 as a whaling and trading post. Nearby Cape Henlopen State Park has uncrowded white sand beaches for ocean and bay swimming and sunbathing.

Deep Creek - McHenry, MD

lake or the property’s private pool make this 19th-century-built boutique accommodation a standout. Amenities include two beach badges and a light continental breakfast each morning. (200 Monmouth Ave, 732.974.1212, thehewittwellington.com)

McHenry, MD

Deep Creek, Maryland’s largest (3,900-acre) freshwater lake, is the recreational hub of Western Maryland’s mountainous Garrett County. The town of McHenry is convenient to the area’s plethora of lake and land activities and is loaded with laid-back charm.

DO. No one who visits Deep Creek can resist taking a spin out on the lake, and the Aquatic Center makes it easy to get out on the water with hourly to all-day rentals of pontoon and sport boats, single and double kayaks, and stand-up paddleboards. (634 Deep Creek Dr, 301.387.8233, aquaticcenter.com) At Wisp Resort, a mountain coaster provides the dual thrills of an Alpine slide

and roller coaster as it twists, turns, dips, and rolls 3,500 feet downhill. Spectacular mountain and lake views are the reward for riding Wisp’s chairlift up the slopes. The Hunger Games books and films have revived an interest in archery and, at Wisp, honing skills and competing with friends and family in this ancient art hits a bullseye in terms of fun. (296 Marsh Hill Rd, 800.462,9477, wispresort.com)

DO. Nine restored and period-decorated 18th- and 19th-century residence, commercial, and community buildings in the Historic Lewes Town Campus are open for self-guided tours (110 Shipcarpenter St, 302.645.7670, historiclewes.org) Housed in a colorful building of 17thcentury Dutch design is the Zwaanendael Museum, ideal for an overview of Lewes’ maritime, military, and social roots.

(102 Kings Hwy, 302.645.1148, history. delaware.gov) At Cape Henlopen State Park, hiking and biking are popular on the three-mile Gordon’s Pond Trail and the almost six-mile Junction and Breakwater Trail. Visitors can

EAT. Moonshadow is a cute little restaurant that serves some pretty sophisticated dishes, like pistachio-crusted Norwegian salmon and black garlic mushroom risotto. Live music is featured in the evenings. (145 Bumble Bee Rd, 240.442.5542, moonshadow145.com) As the name implies, beef is the specialty at Pine Lodge Steakhouse. Still, anyone with a serious craving for crabs (after all, this is Maryland, where crabs are Lewes Inn - Canal Square king) will find their favorite

DEEP CREEK PHOTO COURTESY OF GARRETT COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE; LEWES INN PHOTO COURTESY OF VISIT DELAWARE

FUN FAMILY GETAWAYS

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EAT. Upscale French-influenced fare such as coquilles St. Jacques and Parisian lobster gnocchi make the menu at Bramble & Brine at The Buttery très magnifique. (102 2nd St, 302.645.5375, bramble-brine.com) Not surprisingly, Matt’s Fish Camp Lewes’ menu focuses on seafood, but it also features some great comfort classics such as shrimp and grits and beef stroganoff.

(34401 Tenley Ct, 302.644.2267, mattsfishcamplewes.com) STAY. The location on the waterfront in downtown Lewes, a half mile from the beach, couldn’t be better, including the inviting guestrooms and suites. A complimentary European-style breakfast is included. (122 Market St, 888.644.1911, theinnatcanalsquare.com)

Hershey, PA

How could a town built on chocolate not bill itself as The Sweetest Place On Earth? And this Central Pennsylvania destination certainly lives up to its billing, with a thrilling theme park, stunning gardens, creatures from bats to bears to butterflies, and the biggest candy store anywhere.

DO. Fifteen scream-inducing coasters are guaranteed adrenaline boosters at Hersheypark. There are also plenty of gentler rides for the little ones. An 11-acre water park lets everyone get wet and wild. (100 W Hershey Park Dr, 800.437.7439, hersheypark.com) A ticket to Hersheypark includes admission to its neighboring ZooAmerica, home to mammals, birds, and reptiles from all over North America (201 Park Ave, 717.534.3900, zooamerica.com) For a sweet extravaganza, visit Hershey’s Chocolate World, where guests can take a free amusement park-like simulated factory tour, create their own candy bar, enjoy an official chocolate tasting, immerse themselves in a movie adventure, and shop for the most tempting treats. (101 Chocolate World Way, 717.534.4900, chocolateworld.com) At Hershey Gardens’ Butterfly Atrium, visitors are surrounded by hundreds of these delicate beauties, including dozens of rare species from around the world. An interactive Children’s Garden keeps the kiddos happy, and the 3,000 blooms in the Historic

Rose Garden make this an attraction for all ages. (170 Hotel Rd, 717.534.3492, hersheygardens.org) EAT. Named for Hershey’s hometown hockey team, the sports-themed Bears’ Den boasts a menu ranging from hefty burgers to chocolate barbecue St. Louis ribs. (Hershey Lodge, 325 University Dr, 844.330.1802, hersheylodge.com) The Chocolate Avenue Grill in downtown Hershey offers a thoughtful children’s menu as well as innovative adult-driven creations, including hot honey scallops and cranberry bourbon pork chop. (114 W Chocolate Ave, 717.835.0888, chocolateavenuegrill.com) STAY. Hershey Lodge warmly welcomes families with its chocolate-themed décor and cozy furnishings. A popular guest amenity is the indoor pool complex with interactive water features. (325 University Dr, 844.330.1802, hersheylodge.com)

Washington, DC

It doesn’t take a lot of cash to make the most of a visit to the nation’s capital. Many of the attractions, including 17 intriguing museums and galleries, and a fantastic zoo, are free.

DO. More than 12,000 years of history of over 1,200 indigenous cultures across the Americas are showcased at the National Museum of the American Indian through maps, ceremonial, work, and domestic life artifacts, photographs, art, and interactive

HERSHEY GARDENS PHOTO COURTESY OF THE M.S. HERSHEY FOUNDATION; WASHINGTON MUSEUM PHOTO COURTESY OF WASHINGTON.ORG

borrow a bike from the Seaside Nature Center, which is worth a visit for its touch tank and other exhibits. Another attraction is Fort Miles Historical Area, a key World War II defense site with an artillery park, barracks buildings, an orientation center, and an observation tower with a killer view.

(15099 Cape Henlopen Dr, 302.645.8983, destateparks.com) There’s plenty of booty and even more excitement on the high seas (actually, the Lewes Canal) when kids board the Pirates of Lewes boat for a day of daring escapades, including stories, songs, dancing, treasure hunting, and a water cannon battle. (Anglers Marina, 400 Anglers Rd, 302.249.3538, lewespirates.com)

Washington Natural History Museum

Hershey Gardens

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HERSHEY GARDENS PHOTO COURTESY OF THE M.S. HERSHEY FOUNDATION; WASHINGTON MUSEUM PHOTO COURTESY OF WASHINGTON.ORG

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Thomas Cole National Historic Site, Greene County

displays. (Fourth St and Independence Ave SW, americanindian.si.edu) Among the don’t-miss exhibitions at the Smithsonian Museum of African American History and Culture are a first-person- and -artifacts exploration of slavery and freedom from 15th-century Africa and Europe through the U.S. Civil War and Reconstruction, the Civil Rights Movement, and music from jazz to hip-hop. (1400 Constitution Ave NW, 844.750.3012, nmaahc.si.edu) Two new giant pandas, Bao Li and Qing Bao, have just made their debut at the National Zoo. They are among over 1,500 animals spanning 300 species waiting to greet their adoring public. (3001 Connecticut Ave NW, 202.633.2614, nationalzoo.si.edu) What kid isn’t fascinated by dinosaurs?

From Tyrannosaurus rex, Diplodocus, and the woolly mammoth, the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History’s collection of 700 fossil specimens traces the earth’s evolution and offers a glimpse into its future. And that’s only the beginning…

(1300 Constitution Ave NW, 202.633.1000, americanhistory.si.edu)

EAT. Firefly is known for its easy-going atmosphere and serious emphasis on fresh treatments of seasonal ingredients such as roasted organic Cornish hen with creamy black cherry sauce for the adults and chicken and waffles for the kids. (1310 New Hampshire Ave NW, 202.861.1310, firefly-dc.com) Eastern Market offers a multicultural feast from France, Mexico, the Philippines, and the American South. (225 Seventh St SE, 202.698.5253, easternmarket-dc.org) STAY. The Capitol Hill Hotel offers familyfriendly amenities such as kitchenettes with microwaves or full kitchens and a daily continental breakfast. Four-legged guests get their own beds, bowls, and treats. Bikes also are available to borrow. (200 C St SE, 202.543.6000, capitolhillhotel-dc.com)

Ulster, Orange and Greene Counties, NY

A field full of flowers and a sky full of stars with a place to play, a water tour, and a historic landmark in between. They all add up to a memory-making family foray into the heart of the Hudson Valley.

EAT. In addition to its notable lodging, seasonal activities, spa treatments, hiking trails, and new ferrata rock climbing, Mohonk Mountain Resort presents elaborate “Chef’s Table” weekends on Fridays and Saturdays throughout the summer. A nine-course gourmet tasting menu accompanied by wine pairings follows a “behind the scenes” tour of the kitchen. (1000 Mountain Rest Rd, New Paltz, 866.618.8242, mohonk.com)

LEGOLAND PHOTO COURTESY OF LEGOLAND NEW YORK RESORT; THOMAS COLE PHOTO COURTESY OF PETER AARON

LEGOLAND - Goshen, NY

DO. Board Hudson River Cruises’ Rip Van Winkle II, sit back, relax, and take in the shoreline scenery, including lighthouses, waterfront mansions, charming villages, lush vineyards and orchards, and other sights well-worth seeing. Daytime and sunset tours are available. (1 E Strand St, Kingston, 845.340.4700, hudsonrivercruises.com) Legos are beloved by kids — and adults — of all ages. So, what could be more fun than immersing the family in the world of LEGOLAND, where the ubiquitous bricks rule the wet and dry rides, games, entertainment, charismatic characters, and other attractions in seven themed lands made to fire the imaginations of children ages 2 to 12.

(1 LEGOLAND Way, Goshen, 866.249.0908, legoland.com) Historic Huguenot Street covers over three centuries of a community through its various populations, including French-speaking Protestants, Indigenous and enslaved African peoples, and Dutch settlers. The 10-acre site tells their stories through period rooms and exhibits in seven stone-house mansions, a reconstructed French church, an original burial ground, and a reconstructed Native American wigwam. (81 Huguenot St, New Paltz, 845.255.1660, huguenotstreet.org) The John R. Kirk Planetarium at SUNY New Paltz presents star- (and planet-) studded evenings by zooming in on digital images of heavenly bodies, constellations, and galaxies and simulating celestial motions with its high-tech projection system. On Astronomy Nights, for visitors ages 10 and up, the Smolen Observatory is open for telescope viewing if skies are clear. (1 Hawk Dr, New Paltz, 845.257.3818, newpaltz.edu) Mid-19th-century artist and environmentalist Thomas Cole founded the Hudson River School of American landscape painting. His birthplace and studio have been preserved at the Thomas Cole National Historic Site, where visitors can see exhibitions of his work and that of other landscape artists from the period. (218 Spring St, Catskill, 518.943.7465, thomascole.org)

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LEGOLAND PHOTO COURTESY OF LEGOLAND NEW YORK RESORT; THOMAS COLE PHOTO COURTESY OF PETER AARON

Tarrytown, NY

Wildflower Farms Resort- Gardiner, NY

A blend of French, Bengali, North African, Basque, and Vietnamese flavor profiles makes dining at Runa Bistro a unique experience. (10 Plattekill Ave, New Paltz, 845.419.5007, runanewpaltz.com) STAY. Set on 140 acres of meadows and woodlands with stunning views of the Shawangunk Ridge, Wildflower Farms Resort is a world away from the day-today. Suites, cabins, and cottages feature floor-to-ceiling windows and bring the beauty of the outdoors inside with natural furnishing materials. The suites feature two bathrooms, terraces, and private hot tubs. The on-site Thistle spa blends seasonal, locally sourced ingredients with time-honored therapies. Check the calendar for cooking and mixology classes, winetasting dinners, and other special events.

(2702 Main St, Gardiner, 855.472.3188, aubergeresorts.com)

Castle-like mansions owned by the rich and famous in the 19th and 20th centuries gave the village of Tarrytown, NY, on the Hudson River in Westchester County the nickname “Millionaire’s Colony.” Some of the original grand estates here and in its adjacent sister village, Sleepy Hollow, are still open for tours.

DO. One of the most magnificent estates is Kykuit, the 1902 home to four generations of the family of John D. Rockefeller, philanthropist and founder of Standard Oil. (381 N Broadway, Sleepy Hollow, 914.366.6900, hudsonvalley.org) Sunnyside, the 1835 cottage-style residence of Washington Irving, author of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and Rip Van Winkle is not quite as sumptuous but still grand. (3 W Sunnyside Lane, Irvington, 914.366.6900, hudsonvalley.org) Philipsburg Manor, a living history museum, gives visitors a glimpse of the lives and work of the former farming, milling, and trading center’s enslaved community in 1750 through generations of personal and family histories. (381 N Broadway, Sleepy Hollow, 914.366.6900, hudsonvalley.org) Sunlight filtering through the masterfully crafted stained-glass windows by Marc

Chagall and Henri Matisse bathes the Union Church of Pocantico Hills with an otherworldly glow. (555 Bedford Rd, Tarrytown, 914.366.6900, hudsonvalley.org) After opening to the public in 2018, the 3.6-mile Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge path has attracted walkers and bikers. It features sculptures, a mural, and six scenic overlooks with interpretive history displays. (mariomcuomobridge.ny.gov) Since 1885, Tarrytown Music Hall has been an important regional center for the performing arts known for its historic ambiance and excellent acoustics. (13 Main St, 914.631.3390, tarrytownmusichall.org) EAT. Over two dozen authentically Spanish small plates make for a fun sharing experience at Basque Tapas Bar Restaurant.

(61 Main St, Tarrytown, 914.801.9200, basquetapasbar.com) The view of the Hudson River from Hudson Farmer & The Fish is as delicious as the menu offerings, including a full raw bar, pizza, and other specialties made from ingredients fresh from the sea and their own farm. (11 River St, Sleepy Hollow, 914.631.8380, farmerandthefish.com) STAY. Custom mahogany furniture and posh pillowtop beds are worthy décor details for the mansion house at Tarrytown House Estate, which is set amid acres of gardens.

Amenities include outdoor and heated indoor pools, and pets are welcome.

(49 E Sunnyside Lane, 914.591.8200, tarrytownhouseestate.com)

WILDFLOWER FARMS: COURTESY OF WILDFLOWER FARMS, AUBERGE RESORTS COLLECTION; TARRYTOWN HOUSE: COURTESY OF WESTCHESTER COUNTY TOURISM & FILM

HIDDEN GEMS

Tarrytown House Estate

Road Games

Before the kids can ask “Are We There Yet?” for the nineteenth time, engage them with a simple word game. Before you know it, you will be there.

LICENSE PLATE GAME—look for plates from all 50 states.  I SPY—choose something you see and everyone tries to guess what it is.  20 Questions—the person who is “it” thinks of a person, place or thing and the other players get 20 questions to try to guess what it is.  NAME THAT COUNTRY—one person thinks of a country’s (or state or city’s) name and announces the first letter of that name. The first person who guesses correctly gets to do the same thing.  TWO TRUTHS AND A LIE—out of three statements, players have to guess which is the lie.

Bethlehem, PA

Founded in 1741, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, is designated a National Historic Landmark District, and last year, its 10-acre Moravian Church Settlements-Bethlehem

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WILDFLOWER FARMS: COURTESY OF WILDFLOWER FARMS, AUBERGE RESORTS COLLECTION; TARRYTOWN HOUSE: COURTESY OF WESTCHESTER COUNTY TOURISM & FILM

THE HUDSON VALLEY’S MOST ICONIC RESORT

VOTED THE BEST RESORT OF THE MID-ATLANTIC

RECONNECT AT MOHONK MOUNTAIN HOUSE There’s no better place to unplug from everyday life and reconnect with nature, your loved ones, and yourself. With curated programming specially tailored to enhance your family vacation or romantic getaway, Mohonk is the perfect place to gather around a table and share a meal or to take time for self-care with wellness offerings. We make it easy for you—dining and countless activities are included in your overnight rate. In 2025, set your intention to create lasting memories and experience the magic of Mohonk.

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RESERVE A LUXURY SPA DAY, DINING, OR THE ULTIMATE OVERNIGHT GETAWAY

866.618.8242 | mohonk.com | New Paltz, NY

3/24/25 3:50 PM

Historic Hotel Bethlehem

Groovin’ Down the Road

DO. Downtown Bethlehem is so rich in history that its 90-minute World Heritage Tour covers only a two-square-block area. The nine structures, four ruins, and cemetery on the tour tell the story of the Moravian settlers as they lived, worked, and worshipped when they arrived in the 18th century and as they continue to do today. Among the historic buildings is the Gemeinhaus, the Moravian Museum of Bethlehem.

(66 West Church St, 610.691.6055, historicbethlehem.org) Period-furnished and decorated rooms, galleries, and changing exhibits trace changes in style spanning three centuries starting in the mid-1800s at the Kemerer Museum of Decorative Arts. The gardens feature stainless steel sculptures created by a local artist, and next door is one of the largest antique dollhouse collections in the U.S., with 44 structures and 6,000 pieces from 1830 to 1930. (427 N New St, 610.868.6868, historicbethlehem.org) ArtsQuest offers one-day workshops in cartoon drawing, needle felting, watercolor painting, jewelry making, and more. (25 W 3rd St, 610.332.1300, artsquest.org) EAT. Edge combines French and Asian influences to create intriguing dishes such as orange teriyaki-glazed salmon and coconut-crusted tofu with a ginger soy dipping sauce. (74 W Broad St, Suite 220, 610.814.0100. www.edgerestaurant.net)

The live musical accompaniment changes weekly, but the elaborate Sunday Brunch at 1741 Terrace at the Historic Hotel Bethlehem is always special. (437 Main St, 855.274.5665, hotelbethlehem.com) STAY. From its grand lobby to its handsomely appointed guestrooms, the Historic Hotel Bethlehem has been the heart of downtown hospitality for over 280 years.

(855.264.2598, hotelbethlehem.com)

Frederick, MD

On beautiful spring and summer days and evenings, the locals like to gather at Carroll Creek Linear Park, a nearly one-mile-long public space in downtown Frederick, Maryland.

The park features some astounding art and frequent live music entertainment. Set against a skyline of soaring church spires and the Catoctin Mountains, this lively town brings together history, culture, and a major shopping area with over 200 specialty boutiques, art galleries, breweries, and distilleries.

DO. Through artifacts, exhibits, and personal accounts, the National Museum of Civil War Medicine traces the experiences of soldiers and surgeons during the war’s bloodiest battles and how the innovations from that time changed the tools and practices of modern medicine. (48 E Patrick St, 301.695.1864, civilwarmed.org) Consisting of a manor house, icehouse, log cabin, blacksmith shop, a carriage collection, and two barns, Rose Hill Manor Park and Museums’ hands-on exhibits give children the opportunity to engage

On the Road Again  Willie Nelson Life Is a Highway  Rascal Flatts Fast Car  Tracy Chapman Road Trippin’  Red Hot Chili Peppers Don’t Worry, Be Happy  Bob Marley Soak Up the Sun or Every Day is a Winding Road  Sheryl Crow Vacation  The Go-Go’s New York State of Mind  Billy Joel Take Me Home Country Roads  John Denver Day Tripper  The Beatles Escape (The Pina Colada Song)  Rupert Holmes Holiday  Madonna Adventure of a Lifetime  Coldplay Born to Be Wild  Steppenwolf Roam  The B-52s Come Away With Me  Norah Jones I’m So Excited  The Pointer Sisters Go Your Own Way  Fleetwood Mac I Get Around  The Beach Boys Little Red Corvette  Prince Happy  Pharrell Williams Take the Long Way Home  Supertramp I’m Outta Here  Shania Twain The Wanderer  Dion

HOTEL BETHLEHEM PHOTO COURTESY OF DISCOVER LEHIGH VALLEY®

collection of 18th-century structures was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site, one of only 26 in the U.S. In addition to its historic significance, the town is also a vibrant center of traditional and contemporary culture

Pump up the Pandora or set Spotify's volume on high for some road-tripping inspiration from this playlist:

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Cooperstown, NY

Frederick, MD

in activities, from carding wool to playing with period toys, that were part of early American daily life. (1611 N Market St, 301.600.1650, recreater.com) An iron bridge transformed into a trompe l’oeil (French for “fool the eye”) mural masterpiece signifying community spirit is only one of the works visitors can encounter on Frederick’s Public Art Trail. A map of the 17 stops along the two-mile trail is available at the Visitor Center. (151 S East St, 301.600.4047, visitfrederick.org) The former 1926 movie palace, now the Weinberg Center for the Arts, and its more intimate New Spire Arts theater, present year-round programs of professional music, dance, stage productions, comedy, and classic movies. (20 W Patrick St, 301.600.2828, weinbergcenter.org)

Cooperstown, New York, home of the Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, offers a thrilling experience for fans of “America’s Favorite Pastime.” Another draw for visitors is Otsego Lake, the inspiration for Glimmerglass in 19th-century author James Fenimore Cooper’s famous Leatherstocking Tales. (The village was established by Cooper’s father in 1786.)

DO. Beginning with the film Generations of the Game, the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum immerses visitors in highlights from the sport’s past and present and its influence on American culture.

More than 40,000 one-of-a-kind artifacts and memorabilia from the plaque gallery honoring the game’s greats to uniforms and equipment all have compelling stories to tell.

(25 Main St, 607.547.7200, baseballhall.org) Visitors can travel back in time to the late 18th- to -early 20th centuries through restored buildings, hands-on activities, and craft demonstrations at Fenimore Farm and Country Village, formerly owned by James Fenimore Cooper and still a working farm.

(5775 State Highway 80, 607.547.1450, fenimorefarm.org)

EAT. For anyone serious about steak, the Wine Kitchen on the Creek offers the Daily Butcher’s Flight, samples of three different cuts. (50 Carroll Creek Way, #160, 301.663.6968, thewinekitchen.com) Sabor de Cuba serves up family recipes of traditional Cuban favorites from Pollo a la Plancha (citrus-marinated chicken breast) to seafood paella. (9 E Patrick St, 301.663.1036, sabordecubarestaurant.com) STAY. All eight of the suites at The Inn at Springfield Manor are lovely, but literary aficionados might want to book The Edgar, named after Edgar Allan Poe. Legend has it that Poe spent his honeymoon at the inn and carved his name in the glass windowpane with a diamond wedding ring.

The property also features a gorgeous lavender field, vineyard, winery, brewery, and distillery. (11836 Auburn Rd, Thurmont, 301.271.0099, innatspringfieldmanor.com)

The Otesaga Resort Hotel

National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum Cooperstown, NY

The Thaw Collection of American Indian Art at the Fenimore Art Museum showcases centuries of everyday and decorative items, from baskets, pots, and dolls to jewelry, clothing, and masks. Another collection focuses on the works of folk artists, such as quilts, cigar-store figures, carvings, decorated stoneware, paintings, and ship figureheads. (5798 State Highway 80, 607.547.1400, fenimoreartmuseum.org) Following the contours of Lake Otsego, the 18-hole championship Leatherstocking Golf Course at The Otesaga Resort Hotel is as challenging as it is scenic. (60 Lake St, 607.544.2546, otesaga.com) EAT. Thirty-six-day dry-aged prime is about as good as beef can get, so it’s no surprise to find it on the menu at the elegant 1909 restaurant at the Otesaga Resort Hotel.

Recent non-beef selections included miso yuzu marinated, roasted cod, and Peruvian roasted chicken. (60 Lake St, 607.547.9931, otesaga.com) The prosciutto, fig, and truffle Neapolitan pizza is a triumph at Bocca Osteria, and the gnocchi and fettuccine are made daily by a real Italian mama. (5438 State Hwy 28, 607.282.4031, boccaosteria.com) STAY. Palatial in scope and warm in personality, The Otesaga Resort Hotel on Lake Otsego combines the amenities of a luxury accommodation with the coziness of

WEINBERG PHOTO COURTESY OF CITY OF FREDERICK - JAMIE TURNER PHOTOS; OTESAGA AND BASEBALL MUSEUM PHOTOS COURTESY OF OTESAGA RESORT HOTEL; MUSEUM PHOTO COURTESY OF THE NATIONAL BASEBALL HALL OF FAME AND MUSEUM

MUST-SEE SITES

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WEINBERG PHOTO COURTESY OF CITY OF FREDERICK - JAMIE TURNER PHOTOS; OTESAGA AND BASEBALL MUSEUM PHOTOS COURTESY OF OTESAGA RESORT HOTEL; MUSEUM PHOTO COURTESY OF THE NATIONAL BASEBALL HALL OF FAME AND MUSEUM

The Catskills are Calling

Book Your Stay Today EmersonResort.com

(845) 688-2828 • Mount Tremper, NY

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Also at The Emerson:

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a country house. An on-site spa combines herbs and other nourishing ingredients to create relaxing, refreshing, and rejuvenating head-to-toe treatments. Guests can also rent canoes to paddle out on the lake.

DO. A fun introduction to the city’s four centuries of history is a walking tour of its downtown streets, including a stop at the Maryland State House, with a Colonialgarbed guide. A 45-minute highlight tour of the U.S. Naval Academy can be added.

(410.268.7601, watermarkjourney.com) Wednesday nights in spring and summer are especially exciting in Annapolis when the

Yacht Races - Annapolis, MD

yachts compete in a weekly race on the bay sponsored by the Annapolis Yacht Club. The best places to watch the races are on Spa Creek Bridge or, even better, the Schooner Woodwind or Woodwind II, on which passengers, or “guest crew,” can help steer.

(Annapolis Waterfront Hotel, 80 Compromise St, 410.263.7837, schoonerwoodwind.com)

Surrounded by rivers and the bay, it’s no wonder that water sports are popular here. Just 15 minutes from Annapolis is South River Jet Ski Rentals. (48 S River Rd South, Edgewater, 410.212.4202, annapolisjetskirentals.com) One of the finest examples of Colonialera architecture in Annapolis is The Hammond-Harwood House, built in 1774.

YACHT RACE PHOTO COURTESY OF WALTER COOPER

Annapolis, MD

Annapolis is more than just the capital of Maryland; it is also “America’s Sailing Capital,” with all kinds of watercraft plying the Chesapeake Bay for fun and sport.

With a wealth of historic sites, the city is also referred to as “A Museum Without Walls,” warranting a stroll of its downtown area to discover its stories and secrets.

GREAT VIEWS. BETTER PRICES.

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YACHT RACE PHOTO COURTESY OF WALTER COOPER

Tours take visitors through rooms furnished with the former resident families’ collections of fine and decorative art while revealing details about their lives and those of the enslaved people who served them.

(19 Maryland Ave, 410.263.4683, hammondharwoodhouse.org) The Rams Head On Stage presents headline and local talent in music and comedy in an intimate setting. (33 West St, 410.268.4545, ramsheadonstage.com) EAT. Captain Lou’s Platter at Cantler’s Riverside Inn, brings you everything that you love about Maryland — a crab cake, soft shell crab, and rockfish filet. (458 Forest Beach Rd, 410.757.1311, cantlers.com) A three-hour Annapolis Food Tour includes stops at several local restaurants for small plates and tastings showcasing their specialties. (410.248.6276, annapolisfoodtours.com) STAY. It’s hard to believe that the upscale boutique hotel that is now 1313 West was originally a 19th-century farmhouse. West Street was once a horse-racing circuit, and the hotel’s guests-only Jockey Club

Lounge takes some decorating cues from those equestrian roots. (1313 West St, 410.417.7888, 1313west.com)

ROMANTIC GETAWAYS Easton, MD

If there was ever a town made for arts- and antiques-seekers, it is Easton, Maryland. The idyllic downtown can be covered in 15 minutes at a brisk walk, but no one can resist peeking in the windows or browsing the numerous galleries and boutiques.

DO. Over 100 dealers selling everything from rare books and historical maps to furniture, jewelry, silver, porcelain, and crystal to memorabilia from the Civil War through World War II are displayed in downtown and around Easton’s antiques and collectibles shops. A few must-visits are Foxwell’s Antiques & Collectibles. (7793 Ocean Gateway, 410.820.9705, foxwells-

collectibles.edan.io), Vintage Books and Fine Art (7 E Dover St, 410.562.3403), and The Big Rooster Mall. (125 Kemp Lane, 410.936.7400, bigroostermall.com) Easton’s numerous art galleries display regional, national, and international talent in various media and styles, from classic to contemporary and even representing different cultures. You’re bound to find something to enhance your home décor among the oil, watercolor, and pastel paintings, bronze and clay sculptures, and stained-glass mosaics.

Some must-stops are Troika Gallery (9 S Harrison St, 410.770.9190, troikagallery.com), Studio B Art Gallery (7B Goldsborough St, 443.988.1818, studiobartgallery.com), The Zebra Gallery (5 N Harrison St, 410.253.9131, thezebragallery.com), and The Trippe Gallery (23 N Harrison St, 410.310.8727, thetrippegallery.com).

Academy Art Museum displays works from the 17th century to today by masters such as Ansel Adams, Mary Cassatt, Francisco Goya, Pablo Picasso, and Rembrandt van Rijn. Check their events calendar before you visit to find one-day hands-on art workshops, discussions, performances, and films.

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Bas Rouge - Easton, MD

out with blinds and platforms, birders can spy more than 30 species of songbirds as well as waterfowl, shorebirds, waders, wild turkeys, and eagles. (11450 Audubon Lane, 410.822.4903, pickeringcreek.org) The performing arts are also central to Easton’s culture. At the 400-seat, recently restored Art Deco Avalon Theatre, once heralded as “The Shore’s Most Beautiful Show Place,” live music is just the ticket for an evening of great entertainment. The 60-seat Stoltz Listening Room at the Avalon is a more intimate, cabaret-style venue. (40 E Dover St, 410.822.7299, avalonfoundation.org) EAT. For a true taste of Hunter’s Tavern at the Tidewater Inn, an icon on the Eastern Shore, start your meal with a bowl of the restaurant’s renowned snapping turtle soup.

Seafood is a specialty such as a recent menu offering of red snapper served over spicy jambalaya. (101 E Dover St, 410.822.4034, tidewaterinn.com) Viennese and other European classics, such as jumbo lump crab spaetzle and flounder roulade with shellfish mousseline and warm lobster bring a taste of the Continent to the Eastern Shore at Bas Rouge. (19 Feder-

GALLERY PHOTO COURTESY OF TALBOT COUNTY - MARK SANDLIN; RESTAURANT PHOTO COURTESY OF NICOLE FRANZEN

Academy Art Museum - Easton, MD

(106 South St, 410.822.2787, academyartmuseum.org) Various protected habitats over 400 acres attract a wide array of feathered residents and migrating visitors to Pickering Creek Audubon Center. From over four miles of trails decked

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GALLERY PHOTO COURTESY OF TALBOT COUNTY - MARK SANDLIN; RESTAURANT PHOTO COURTESY OF NICOLE FRANZEN

al St, 410.822.1637, basrougeeaston.com)

Nourishing Noshables

Kids seem to run out of fuel quickly, and on a road trip, that can mean stopping at fast-food and convenience stores to refuel. To avoid those timeand money-wasting stops, just tuck a few of the snacks below into a bag before you take off on your adventure.

String cheese Rice cakes with nut butter Beef jerky Homemade popcorn Almonds Grapes Squeezable applesauce Roasted chickpeas

Stay. A stay at Tidewater House feels like a globe-trotting adventure. The antique and reproduction furnishings in each of the six guestrooms in this gorgeous 1874 mansion are themed to reflect various international locations and experiences, including an English garden, a French chateau, a visit to exotic Asia, or an African safari. Some of the rooms have steam showers and air jet tubs. (202 Dover St, 410.822.1300, tidewaterinn.com)

Dutchess and Columbia Counties, NY

Walking on water, drinking in nature, engaging in art, and tasting the best of what the land has to offer are only a few activities available in New York’s Dutchess and Columbia counties.

DO. The Walkway Over the Hudson stretches 1.28 miles, 212 feet above the river, from Poughkeepsie to the Town of Lloyd. The world’s longest elevated pedestrian bridge, it was first opened in 1889 as a railroad bridge

and today invites visitors to stroll, run, bike, or skate its length. QR-coded signage and a GPS-based audio tour explain the histories of the walkway and surrounding area and the river’s ecology. (Poughkeepsie entrance: 61 Parker Ave, 845.454.9649, walkway.org) Nineteenth-century landscape artist Frederic E. Church was inspired by travels in America and throughout the world and his time studying with Thomas Cole, founder of the Hudson River School art movement. His home at Olana State Historic Site is open for tours and visitors are welcome to stroll the surrounding 250 acres he designed.

(5720 State Rte 9G, Hudson, 518.751.0344, olana.org) The tasting room at Milea Estate Vineyard provides the perfect atmosphere for sampling the wines made from hybrids of European and Native American grapes, including centuries-old heirloom varieties, grown on their own property and sourced from other small, sustainable, New York growers. Any oenophile would love the special two-hour private tour of the expansive farm and wine tasting in a private cottage accompanied by local cheese and charcuterie, and seasonal hummus. (450 Hollow Rd, Staatsburg,

Located in the heart of the Hudson Valley, directly across from The Culinary Institute of America and minutes from the Walkway over the Hudson. Inn at Bellefield is a world-class hospitality and culinary tourism destination. Indulge in luxurious accommodations, thoughtfully curated experiences, and farm to table cuisine with local wine, craft beer and spirits.

25 OLD VINEYARD PLAZA . HYDE PARK, NY . 845.414.6750 . WWW.MARRIOTT.COM/SWFHR TODAY MEDIA TRAVELER’S GUIDE |

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Culinary Institute of America - Hyde Park, NY

845.266.0384, mileaestatevineyard.com) Dia Art Foundation was founded in 1974 in New York to support contemporary artists whose work is of a scale or scope that most traditional galleries cannot accommodate.

Dia Beacon showcases one such installation at a time from the 1960s to the present.

(3 Beekman St, Beacon, 845.440.0100, diaart.org) A lovingly restored early 20th-century building has been transformed into the Stissing Center for Arts & Culture, a Hudson Valley hub for music, dance, theatrical

performances, comedy, and the visual arts.

(2950 Church St, Pine Plains, 518.771.3339, thestissingcenter.org) EAT. At the Culinary Institute of America, the nation’s future top chefs get the best training in the world. Foodies can get a taste of their talents at several globally inspired on-campus dining spots. (1946 Campus Dr, Hyde Park) American Bounty puts the emphasis on regional and seasonal ingredients, creating innovative upscale fare. (845.451.1011, americanbountyrestaurant.com) Bocuse

Restaurant gets its sophisticated menu inspirations from Paul Bocuse, one of France’s most famous chefs. (845.451.1012, bocuserestaurant.com) The cuisine at Ristorante Caterina de’ Medici is delectably true to its Italian roots. (845.451.1013, ristorantecaterinademedici.com) STAY. Country comfort coupled with a distinctive personality is what guests can expect at the Millbrook Inn. The more-thancentury-old grand Colonial home is furnished with a mixture of authentic period pieces,

FOOD PHOTO COURTESY OF THE CULINARY INSTITUTE OF AMERICA; OLANA PHOTO COURTESY OF PETER AARON

Olana Historic Site - Hudson, NY

Bethesda’s Top Destination for Dining Events

&

Join us during your next stay in Bethesda, MD, to savor bold flavors & craft cocktails at Hip Flask, our stunning rooftop bar, or indulge in locally inspired cuisine at Seventh State Restaurant & Lounge.

Planning an event? Our expert Catering & Events team offers unforgettable flavors and seamless planning to bring your celebration to life in the heart of downtown Bethesda!

301-276-7707

WWW.MARRIOTT.COM/WASBD

7707 Woodmont Ave, Bethesda, MD 20814

Wonderful Hospitality. Always.

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Lancaster, PA

HOT AIR BALLOON PHOTO COURTESY OF DISCOVERLANCASTER.COM

FOOD PHOTO COURTESY OF THE CULINARY INSTITUTE OF AMERICA; OLANA PHOTO COURTESY OF PETER AARON

found objects, and eclectic art to create a one-of-a-kind aesthetic. Breakfast ranging from freshly baked scones and yogurt bowls on weekdays to eggs, bacon and pancakes on weekends is included. (3 Gifford Rd, Millbrook, 845.605.1120, themillbrookinn.com)

The clip-clopping of horse-drawn Amish buggies and miles of idyllic rolling farmland are reminders that Lancaster is the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch Country. That heart also has a romantic side with high-in-thesky, moonlight and backroads tours, world-class art, international dining, and elegant accommodations.

DO. There’s nothing as heady as the sensation of being caressed by the soft breeze while floating nearly a mile above picturesque small towns and surrounding countryside in a hot air balloon. The entire experience lasts between 2.5 and three hours, which includes about one hour in the air. (2727 Old Philadelphia Pk, Bird-in-Hand, 800.763.5987, lancasterballoonrides.com)

On a moonlight tour of the Wolf Sanctuary of PA, visitors learn about species conservation and meet the more than 50 residents who have been rescued from life-threatening situations or homes where they were kept as pets. Following the tour, a roaring bonfire awaits. Daytime tours are also available. (465 Speedwell Forge Rd, Lititz, 717.626.4617, wolfsanctuarypa.org) Sweethearts can share a scoot coupe for two or drive their own vehicle on a guided backroads cruise with Strasburg Scooters.

A special date night offering includes a certificate for mini-golf and ice cream or dinner at a local restaurant. (246 N Decatur St, Strasburg, 717.344.2488, strasburgscooters.com) Lancaster City boasts six independent craft breweries, and on a Walk-a-Bout Brewery Tour of Lancaster, participants will sample flights at three of them, take some exclusive factory tours, and meet the producers. During the tour, guides will relate

Lancaster, PA

historical facts and anecdotal tales about the city. (717.660.0767, ultimatecraftbeer experience.com) Set on 33 acres of gardens and woods, Historic Rock Ford features the circa 1794 General Edward Hand Mansion and the John J. Snyder, Jr. Gallery of Early Lancaster

Bob Leitch

ONE SPECTACULAR EXPERIENCE world-renowned garden • historic mansion tours • 25 miles of paths and trails • galleries & exhibitions

800.448.3883 • winterthur.org Winterthur is nestled in Delaware’s beautiful Brandywine Valley.

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EAT. Small bites and shareable dishes make Passerine a destination for romantic dining.

The French influence is evident in dishes such as savory butternut squash crepe cake and whole grilled branzino with tarragon cream and salmon roe. (114 N Prince St, Lancaster, 717.283.2996, cafepasserine.com) A wood-burning hearth, Neapolitan oven, and handmade pastas distinguish the Italian-influenced dishes at Luca. Sundayonly meatballs are a fan favorite.

(436 W James St, Lancaster, 717.553.5770, lucalancaster.com)

D SC VER VER

STAY. The Lancaster Arts Hotel’s public spaces and guestrooms feature locally crafted furnishings and original works by established and emerging Pennsylvania artists, giving the ambiance of a fine gallery.

The suites have whirlpool jet spa tubs. A deluxe continental breakfast is included as is the use of bicycles for touring downtown.

(300 Harrisburg Ave, Lancaster, 717.219.2715, lancasterartshotel.com)

Wilmington, DE

Magnificent mansions, glorious gardens, and a multitude of museums and historical sites make visiting Wilmington, Delaware, a colorful and educational experience.

This vibrant cosmopolitan center in the heart of the Brandywine Valley also features world-caliber dining and accommodations.

the birthplace and residence of Henry Francis du Pont, built between 1839 and 1842, has been called the “largest and richest museum of American furniture and decorative arts in the world.” The graceful, 175-room mansion, which sits on 1,000 protected acres, including a 60-acre garden, is accessible through guided and self-guided tours. It showcases a collection of nearly 90,000 objects made or used in America since 1640. (5105 Kennett Pk, Winterthur, 800.448.3883, winterthur.org)

DO. The industrialist du Pont family left a legacy of extraordinary architecture, gardens, art, and artifacts, making a major impact on Wilmington’s past and present.

Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library,

5/2 & 5/3

THE AVETT BROTHERS

5/9 & 5/10

CLOSED FOR A PRIVATE EVENT

SAT 6/14

THE FAB FAUX

PERFORMS A HARD DAY’S NIGHT & ABBEY ROAD IN THEIR ENTIRETIES

SAT 6/28

RUMORS ATL: A FLEETWOOD MAC TRIBUTE

FRI 7/11

GRAHAM NASH

THU 7/17

DARYL HALL

WED 8/20

BONNIE RAITT

SUN 9/14

THE TESKEY BROTHERS

WED 9/17

STEVE WINWOOD

A TRIBUTE TO QUEEN WITH PHILADELPHIA FREEDOM: A TRIBUTE TO ELTON JOHN

TUE 9/30

STEVEN WILSON

SAT 6/7

MARK NORMAND

SAT 10/18

CLOSED FOR A PRIVATE EVENT

THU 6/12

THERESA CAPUTO

THU 5/8

LITTLE FEAT

THU 5/15

CLOSED FOR A PRIVATE EVENT

5/16 & 5/17

LAKE STREET DIVE

THU 5/29

914CARES BENEFIT CONCERT

FRI 5/30

JESSIE’S GIRL

SAT 5/31

SMOKEY ROBINSON

FRI 6/6

ALMOST QUEEN

WITH CRIS JACOBS

BLUES TRAVELER

COMEDY AT THE CAP

SCAN FOR TICKETS

4840 Kennett Pike, Wilmington, DE 19807 delmns.org | 302-658-9111

Le Cavalier - Wilmington, DE

FOOD PHOTO COURTESY OF TAYLOR MICKAL PHOTOGRAPHY

County Decorative Arts. Guided tours of the Hand Mansion reveal details about the lives of this Revolutionary War adjutant general to George Washington and the tenants, servants, and enslaved, indentured, and free laborers who worked the property.

Architecture, furnishings, and rare artifacts represent the period between 1794 and 1807. The Snyder Gallery displays furnishings, portraiture, tall case clocks, silver, long rifles, and other items from 1760 to 1820.

(881 Rockford Rd, Lancaster, 717.392.7223, historicrockford.org)

SAT 11/1

WITH GLENN TILBROOK

WITH JIMMIE VAUGHAN & THE TILT-A-WHIRL BAND

LAWRENCE

THE FAMILY BUSINESS TOUR PART 2

The Original Rock Palace TAKE METRO-NORTH RIGHT TO OUR DOORS • GET OFF IN PORT CHESTER THECAPITOLTHEATRE.COM // 149 WESTCHESTER AVENUE // PORT CHESTER, NY

22 | TODAY MEDIA TRAVELER’S GUIDE

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HOTEL PHOTO COURTESY OF MOONLOOP PHOTOGRAPHY

FOOD PHOTO COURTESY OF TAYLOR MICKAL PHOTOGRAPHY

The Hotel Du Pont - Wilmington, DE

Alfred I. du Pont created the 77-room mansion Nemours Estate between 1909 and 1910. Furnishings, art, technology, and staff stories allow visitors to glimpse how this illustrious family lived, worked, and played. The 200 acres of gardens were modeled after those at the Palace of Versailles. A collection of rare autos is also on display. (1600 Rockland Rd, 302.651.6912, nemoursestate.org)

Hagley Museum and Library stands on the 235 acres on the Brandywine River that were the site of the original gunpowder works founded by E. I. du Pont in 1802. In addition to the du Pont family’s first home and gardens in America, this indoor-outdoor museum encompasses restored mills and a workers’ community from the period. Five generations of the family lived at Hagley, and today, its furnishings and art collections reflect both their American lifestyles and treasures brought from France, from which they emigrated in 1799. (200 Hagley Creek Rd, 302.658.2400, hagley.org) Pea Patch Island, the site of Fort Delaware, built around 1859 in the middle of the Delaware River to protect the ports of Wilmington and Philadelphia, must be reached by ferry. During the Civil War, the fort was a camp for Confederate POWs, housing over 10,000 at one time, and visitors can learn about its wartime history from costumed interpreters. Pea Patch Island is also home to one of the largest Atlantic Coast nesting sites for herons, egrets, and ibises, a major draw for birders. (Ferry dock is at 45 Clinton St, Delaware City, destateparks.com)

EAT. Le Cavalier in the Hotel Du Pont’s menu blends the flavors of North Africa and the Provence region of France. A recent menu featured lamb shoulder tagine and veal sugo, an Italian meat sauce, with guanciale and thyme. (42 West 11th St, 302.594.3154, lecavalierde.com) The décor is whimsical, and the dishes are original at Krazy Kat’s. Think crispy skin duck breast with crushed hazelnuts and pomegranate molasses and pork osso buco with cranberry glaze. (528 Montchanin Rd, Montchanin, 302.888.4200, krazykatsde.com) STAY. The Hotel Du Pont is such an icon of Wilmington that it has been nicknamed “The Grande Dame” of the city. Originally constructed in 1913, it retains its elegant Gilded Age style and grand architectural details while welcoming guests without pomp and pretense. Nearly a dozen presidents have stayed here, as have celebrities from Elizabeth Taylor to Meryl Streep, Charles Lindbergh to Amelia Earhart, Stevie Wonder to Jon Bon Jovi, and Lucille Ball to Julie Andrews. The hotel is pet friendly. A courtesy car is available for downtown exploration. (42 W 11th St, 302.594.3100, hoteldupont.com)

TODAY MEDIA TRAVELER’S GUIDE |

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218

Take a swing at the tenniscore trend.

232

A county councilmember ties the knot by the water.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: COURTESY PHOTO; PHOTO BY MICHAEL BENNETT KRESS PHOTOGRAPHY; PHOTO COURTESY KENT COUNTY TOURISM

SHOPPING, TRAVEL, WELLNESS AND MORE

With little shops and a lively arts scene, the Eastern Shore’s Chestertown, Maryland, is a quaint spot for a weekend getaway. PAGE 226

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GOOD LIFE SHOPPING

CLASS ACT

“Samira” skort, $168 at J. McLaughlin, 4851 Bethesda Ave. (Bethesda Row), Bethesda, 301951-5272; 10243 Old Georgetown Road (Shops at Wildwood), Bethesda, 301-263-3304, jmclaughlin.com

MATCH POINT Serve up sporty style on or off the tennis court

BY JACQUELINE MENDELSOHN

PETAL PERFECT

Bee Active “Willah” tennis dress, $258 at Johnny Was, 4867 Bethesda Ave. (Bethesda Row), Bethesda, 301-263-3505, johnnywas.com

SHADE GAME

ACE LACE

On “The Roger” women’s tennis sneaker, $140 at Nordstrom, 7111 Democracy Blvd. (Westfield Montgomery mall), Bethesda, 301-365-4111, nordstrom.com

COURTESY PHOTOS

Drew sunglasses, $95 at Warby Parker, 4821 Bethesda Ave. (Bethesda Row), 240-614-4317, warbyparker.com (has additional local stores)

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VARSITY BLUES

Tami knit V-neck sweater and skort set, $89 at Scout & Molly’s, 11882 Grand Park Ave. (Pike & Rose), North Bethesda, 301-348-5047, northbethesda.scoutandmollys.com

RALLY CHIC

Beyond Yoga “If You Pleats” miniskirt, $86 at Flex All Day, 10231 Old Georgetown Road (Shops at Wildwood), Bethesda, 202-760-0876, flexallday.com

CAP IT

Kule “The Tennis Kap” baseball cap, $58 at Madewell, 4839 Bethesda Ave. (Bethesda Row), Bethesda, 240-956-5160; 7101 Democracy Blvd. (Westfield Montgomery mall), Bethesda, 301-469-0104, madewell.com

COURT COUTURE

Simkhai “Tovi” knit mini-dress, $595 at Sassanova, 7134 Bethesda Lane (Bethesda Row), Bethesda, 301-654-7402, sassanova.com

FASHION LOVE

Striped tennis tote, $398 at Tory Burch, 7101 Democracy Blvd. (Westfield Montgomery mall), Bethesda, 240-345-1211, toryburch.com

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GOOD LIFE MADE IN MOCO

Stacks and Stones A pancake house owner flips over jewelry making

BY DAWN KLAVON

Once a slinger of pancakes and syrups, Jeff Bulman now pours his heart into gold and silver. The mostly retired Bethesda resident and owner of three Original Pancake House restaurants is now soldering semiprecious gemstones into unique necklaces, rings, earrings and bracelets— a hobby he has transformed into a lucrative side hustle.

“It’s just a passion of mine,” the 82-year-old says. “I love the process of making jewelry.”

The shift from businessman to artisan was circuitous. Bulman always had an interest in art, even earning a bachelor’s degree in environmental design at the now-defunct Philadelphia College of Art after receiving a business degree from Bryant University in Smithfield, Rhode

Bulman designs and makes statement pieces in his home workshop.

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Bethesda’s Jeff Bulman owns pancake restaurants and turned his love of jewelry making into a rewarding side hustle.

Island. He ultimately chose to pursue business, but that longing to work in a creative capacity stayed with him.

“I worked for some design firms, a builder, and built some houses,” he says, noting that he spent 15 years selling highend office furniture. In 1991, Bulman had the opportunity to get into the restaurant business, a calling that ran in the family—his brother Larry Bulman owns Burger King restaurants and his uncle Roy Passin owned Roy’s Place in Gaithersburg. Now Bulman owns pancake restaurants in Bethesda, Rockville and Falls Church, Virginia.

In 2016, a friend mentioned jewelrymaking lessons at SilverWorks Studio & Gallery in Glen Echo Park.

“I said, ‘Gee, that sounds like fun,’ ” he says. “I took one class, now I’ve taken maybe 15. I got completely hooked.”

The results are handmade statement pieces: big and bold or small and simple earrings and necklaces, as well as bracelets and rings for men and women. The design and construction happens in his home workshop, where Bulman spends four to six hours a day, five days a week, perfecting his craft. The artisan incorporates sterling silver, gold, handblown glass and precious and semiprecious stones into his pieces.

“Jeff has a great eye for design,” says Jan Solomon, a fellow jewelry designer based in Washington, D.C. “He tries new techniques and incorporates them into his work.”

Noting that they are “kindred spirits,” Solomon has witnessed Bulman’s metamorphosis in the jewelry-making world, often attending markets where he sells his wares and observing customers’ responses. She has even invested

PHOTOS BY JIMELL GREENE

4/9/25 4:44 PM

in a triangular pink glass pendant created by Bulman, who partnered with Massachusetts glassmaker Carrie Gustafson for the handblown piece. Hanging from a delicate gold chain, the fuchsia pendant displays subtle variations and a bold hue that stands out beautifully against the warm gold.

“For me to buy a piece of somebody else’s jewelry, it has to be something that I don’t do myself,” she says. “I finally said, ‘Quit ogling it, just buy it already.’ It’s just lovely.”

Susan Calderon and her partner, Steve Lash, wanted bespoke rings to symbolize their commitment to each other. Conventional store-bought jewelry wouldn’t do.

“I wanted to get something unique, and I got [Bulman’s] name from a friend of mine,” says Calderon, who lives in Vienna, Virginia. “Jeff took his time with us—it was a great experience—it really was a collaboration.”

The couple loves wearing the final product. Forged in the cool luster of

“JEFF TOOK HIS TIME WITH US. ... IT REALLY WAS A COLLABORATION.” —SUSAN CALDERON, WHO ORDERED BESPOKE RINGS FROM BULMAN white gold, the identical commitment rings embody the essence of unity and enduring love. The wide bands have a single continuous indentation encircling each ring’s circumference, a whisper of depth and dimension against the smooth, polished surface.

“There’s a beautiful simplicity, I would say maybe even a little elegance,” Calderon says, describing the rings.

Bulman sells his products at local markets, on his website, jbulmandesigns.com, and through Instagram @jeff.bulman. He

also shows pieces at Bethesda’s Waverly Street Gallery, and says he finds inspiration from nature, sculpture, paintings and architecture.

“I absolutely love the process; I don’t follow trends,” he says.

Washington, D.C.-based artist Pam Gregory is another fan who owns numerous Bulman originals.

“His rings are beyond beautiful,” she says. “The thing about them is that they’re different; I’ve never seen anything like them.”

Bulman says he sells 30 to 40 pieces a year at prices ranging from $150 to $2,500.

He’s happy to continue creating heirloom-quality jewelry and leaves the daily operation of his three restaurants to his son-in-law. But he says he enjoys staying connected to high-level business dealings.

“Being a jeweler without the name of Cartier, you’re not going to feed yourself,” he says. “That’s why I still own the restaurants.”

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GOOD LIFE TRAVEL

Traveler’s Notebook

From a restful retreat to a heart-thumping adventure, these three destinations are worth a visit this summer BY CHRISTINE KOUBEK FLYNN

Great Oak Manor’s expansive lawn and waterfront setting allow guests to connect with nature. The hotel’s well-stocked library (right) is a cozy spot to relax.

Tucked away on 12 peaceful, bayside acres on the outskirts of Chestertown, Maryland, the elegant Great Oak Manor

reemerged in 2024 after extensive renovations from the inside out—ready to welcome guests to its serene setting.

Designed as a place to unplug and connect—with others, with nature and yourself—the waterfront property is a respite from the digital grind. The manor invites guests to take a break from their cellphones with “cellphone sleeping bags” in its guest rooms. Then, head outdoors, where a gazebo amid the trees and Adirondack chairs lining the lawn provide front-row seats to vibrant sunsets over the Chesapeake Bay. Inside the manor, find a good read in the well-stocked library or gaze with binoculars at birds through the conservatory’s glass windows.

Each of the manor’s luxurious 12 rooms and suites—six with bay views—features unique decor in a mix of soft whites, subtle greens and blues, a king or queen bed, Molton Brown bath amenities, bathrobes, a flat-screen TV, Wi-Fi and yoga mats. Some rooms also have a fireplace, desk or built-in bookshelves.

Another lodging option, the two-level, two-bedroom Carriage House suite, feels like a home away from home with a full kitchen, leather sofa and chairs, fireplace, spacious bathroom with a soaking tub and walk-in shower, and numerous windows overlooking the bay.

Seasonally inspired farm-to-table dinners designed by the manor’s chef feature ingredients sourced from area farms and suppliers, as well as Great Oak’s garden.

Check the schedule for upcoming culinary event weekends. Previous themes have included “Love and Chocolate” and “An Appalachian Food Experience.”

Rates begin at $369 per night and include a gourmet breakfast, plus coffee, tea, sodas and snacks throughout the day. Read more about Chestertown on page 226.

Great Oak Manor, 10568 Cliff Road, Chestertown, Maryland, 410-778-5943, greatoakmanor.com

COURTESY GREAT OAK MANOR

Recharge by the Water

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Take a Flying Leap

FROM TOP: PHOTO BY NICK STEERS; PHOTO BY ALEX POTVIN

Care for a thrill? The Great Bungee Company is set to open the country’s first quarry-based bungee jumping site this summer, not far from West Virginia’s

Harpers Ferry National Historic Park.

Select a body harness or an ankle/body harness for the 150-foot plunge high above the sparkling, spring-fed oasis of Old Standard Quarry, then dive forward or fall backward, with the option of dipping into the water below for a body-chilling blast.

Enjoy a glimpse of historic Schoolhouse Ridge battlefield as you rebound approximately 80% of the way back up before the elastic cord loses its slack and gravity prevails. The whole experience takes about an hour; the jump itself is about a minute. Check out the videos on Great Bungee’s website for a sense of what’s in store.

The Great Bungee Company was founded by Bungee Consultants International’s Matt Lawrence and Nick Steers, both of whom have worked on bungee and zip line projects in several countries.

To up the ante on the day’s adrenaline rush, try white water rafting with nearby River Riders.

The first jump is $141.51, with additional jumps for $70.75. A package for $188.66 includes the jump, an HD video of your plunge and a T-shirt. Two jumps (same day, same person) plus video go for $250 (prices do not include tax).

Above and below: Divers take the plunge with the Great Bungee Company at a site in Canada.

The Great Bungee Company, Old Standard Quarry, Peregrine Lane Entrance, Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, 304-202-3159, greatbungee.com

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GOOD LIFE TRAVEL

Dubbed Titania’s Veil, this suite at Shenandoah Mansions features a canopy bed and a seating area under an archway.

Cozy up in a Canopy Bed tique hotelier Ash’s fifth creation (its fourth, the Ulysses hotel in Baltimore, opened in 2022). The elegant six-story brick hotel was once a luxury apartment building financed by suffragist and entrepreneur Ellen Kidd, who made her fortune in the pickle business.

Decor throughout the 73-room hotel includes hand-painted lamps with motifs inspired by early American folk art, vintage textile upholstery and bathrooms done up in Delft tile. Several high-ceilinged guest rooms and suites feature a mahogany four-poster canopy bed with textured-cotton drapes. Some also have a writing desk.

Take a bath with a view in the elegant Serpentine Suite, which offers a freestanding cast-iron tub, large bay windows overlooking Monument Avenue, restored hardwood floors and a private living room with a wet bar.

Richmond’s Firehouse Theatre, Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Virginia Museum of History & Culture and a handful of parks are all a five- to 20-minute stroll away. Pop into the hotel’s Phone Inn, an intimate cocktail bar serving drinks such as the Star Daughter (named for Shenandoah Valley starry nights), a refined take on an espresso martini featuring Richmond’s Cirrus Vodka and a homemade espresso liqueur made from Blanchard’s Beartrap espresso beans.

If you’re partial to living like a local, visit Common House, a social club for coworking, coffee, events and music, or exercise at the nearby Gold’s Gym— passes for both are complimentary. Use of a cruiser bicycle is, too. Catch a concert downtown at the new Allianz Amphitheater at Riverfront. The outdoor venue’s star-studded summer lineup includes Boyz II Men, Dave Matthews Band and Alison Krauss & Union Station.

Rates begin at $239. Dogs are welcome for a $75 fee.

Shenandoah Mansions, 501 N. Allen Ave., Richmond, Virginia, 804-381-0099, ash.world/hotels/ shenandoah-mansions

COURTESY ASH

Opening in May in Richmond’s Fan District, home to Virginia Commonwealth University, Shenandoah Mansions is bou-

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GOOD LIFE DRIVING RANGE

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A R T S

on the Shore

Artists have flocked to this Eastern Shore town for years. Now its quaint streets and leafy parks are home to a sprawling contemporary sculpture walk. B Y C H R I S T I N E K O U B E K F L Y N N

A

LIFELIKE PACK OF “WOLVES” CREATED BY ENGLISH ARTIST SALLY MATTHEWS is just one of the art installations that have turned a stroll around historic Chestertown, Maryland, into a search and discover mission.

The walkable downtown—named a “distinctive destination” by the National Trust for Historic Preservation for its 18th- and 19th-century architecture—is also an enclave of galleries, artist studios and the new Kent Cultural Alliance Resident Artist Program.

Founded in 1706 along the Chester River, Chestertown was Maryland’s second busiest port city in the mid-18th century, and is home to Washington College, the nation’s 10th-oldest college. Today, it’s also a thriving arts community.

PHOTO BY PAMELA COWART-RICKMAN

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ON THE DAY OF THE TOUR, our group meets Tilghman at “Broad

Reach,” a massive steel wave sculpture by American artist David Hess that was installed in Wilmer Park in 2016 as the town’s first commissioned work. Back then, the newly formed Chestertown Public Arts Committee was looking for “art of the moment,” Tilghman explains. The structure’s evocation of a rolling sea frames views of tall grasses in the distance alongside the Chester River.

But by 2023, the town was getting ready to anchor numerous local landmarks—from Sumner Hall, an African American museum, to the small Betty Ann Connolly Park, which honors a longtime champion of Chestertown’s trees— with pieces from the Woicke collection.

The acquired works, Tilghman explains, reflect the Woickes’ international travels and love of art. Peter was an executive at the World Bank. Hanna served as curator at the Visual Arts Center of New Jersey after studying art history at Saarland University in Germany. When the couple, who live in St. Michaels, Maryland, decided to donate their entire collection as a complete set, they considered a few Eastern Shore towns. They chose Chestertown for its support of the arts and its careful attention to how the pieces would be presented for public enjoyment.

Leading us toward Chestertown’s historic district, a charming enclave of Georgian-, Queen Anne- and Federal-style architecture, Tilghman says that the Woicke pieces will be intentionally scattered throughout town—not concentrated in a single sculpture garden—so that townspeople can live among them. “There is all sorts of research that public art has great public health benefits,” he says.

We stop by Robert Ortiz Studios on South Cross

Chestertown’s art-forward public spaces include, from top, “Fully Empowered”

by Ella Tulin, “Broad Reach”

by David Hess and “Freedom” by Constance Elizabeth Swaniker.

TOP AND BOTTOM PHOTO BY PAMELA COWART-RICKMAN; MIDDLE PHOTO BY GEOFF T GRAHAM

I learned about the Woicke Sculpture Collection—an eclectic trove of 23 large-scale works gifted to the town by art patrons Peter and Hanna Woicke— during a spring 2023 tour led by Ben Tilghman, an associate professor of art history at Washington College and chair of the Chestertown Public Arts Committee. Though he teaches medieval art, Tilghman describes contemporary art and sculpture as his “first love.” He moved to Chestertown eight years ago. “I was excited when I came across the town’s public art master plan and already trying to brainstorm ways to get involved with bringing its vision to life when I learned about the Woicke Collection,” Tilghman says.

Since then, Tilghman has worked with John Schratwieser, director of the Kent Cultural Alliance, and various artists and community members to thoughtfully plan the placement of each sculpture. “I’m just constantly in awe of the [local] talent, energy and goodwill,” he says. “Chestertown is a lively, vibrant place because there’s a real spirit of working together to make things happen here.”

The tour with Tilghman was arranged, in part, by Hilari and Dave Rinehart, owners of Brampton 1860, a historic inn set on 35 acres on the outskirts of town. The couple chose Chestertown for their next chapter when they bought the property in 2020, relocating from Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. Today they host popular “Dining Under the Stars” dinners with local chefs, holiday wreathmaking workshops and other seasonal events.

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TOP PHOTO BY SAM SHOGE/KENT COUNTY TOURISM; TOP RIGHT PHOTO BY PAMELA COWART-RICKMAN; INSET ART COURTESY RAPPISI FINE ARTS STUDIO

Above: “Reading Dog” byJay Lagemann; Left: A view of downtown Chestertown and the Chester River; Inset: A work from Diane Rappisi Fine Art Studio

Street, where custom furniture maker Robert Ortiz creates commissioned pieces after taking clients to a Pennsylvania farm where they can select their preferred wood—often walnut or cherry. Next, we walk down the street and around the corner to the Diane Rappisi Fine Art Studio, whose namesake artist, known for painterly portraits and landscapes rendered in oil, pastels, charcoal and graphite, also exhibits and teaches at the Academy Art Museum in Easton, Maryland. Students travel from afar to attend her classes and workshops, which focus on figurative, still-life and landscape painting.

At nearby Massoni Art, an elegant gallery and fixture in the Chestertown art scene for more than 35 years, we chat with owner Carla Massoni before strolling to an intimate pocket park where a hand-carved wooden sculpture, “Ancient Connection” by Walter Bailey, has taken on a silvery patina.

By the time we pause for a break in Fountain Park near the circa-1899 “Hebe Fountain” (crowned by a classical representation of Hebe, the Greek goddess of youth and beauty), I am smitten. I make a mental note to revisit this captivating town at a future date for more arts immersion.

MAKING GOOD ON THAT GOAL, I return to Chestertown in December

2024—at which point some 17 sculptures in the Woicke collection have taken up permanent residence in public spaces. My first stop is the 5-foot-tall “Reading Dog” by Jay Lagemann that greets bibliophiles outside the rear entrance to the town library. Cast in bronze, the whimsical canine figure conjures memories of many a good evening spent reading with my sons.

Next, I make my way to “The Dance,” a striking painted steel work by Shakiru-Ola Erogbogbo depicting a Nigerian woman performing a ritual dance. This welded figure comprised of found objects stands outside Sumner Hall, a circa-1908 structure (restored

in 2014) and one of only two African American Grand Army of the Republic buildings still standing in the U.S. Now a museum, the building houses a performance stage, social hall and gallery.

At the time of my visit in December, the final six sculptures in the Woicke collection were scheduled to be permanently installed

by May. They include three pieces by American artist Don Rambadt, whose work evokes the beauty of birds, and one by the late Ella Tulin, whose 7-foot-tall “Fully Empowered,” a depiction of a woman reaching for the sky, served as centerpiece for the United Nations’ “Progress of the World’s Women” exhibit in 2000.

Lee Kelly’s steel “Inchworm (for John Coltrane)” was due to be installed, its swirling forms paying homage to the legendary jazz musician’s fluid style. The title references a composition the saxophonist adopted and added to his band’s repertoire. Installed in February, the piece’s home is at the head of the nearby Wayne Gilchrest Trail, aka the Chestertown Rail Trail (an intentional nod to Coltrane’s nickname, “Trane”).

Collage artist and author Marianne Sade, who serves on the Chestertown Public Arts Committee, says she delights in observing public reactions to the works—from children patting the heads of the “Wolves” to lively debates over the perceived meaning or message behind a particular sculpture.

“They have the ability to transform, uplift and engage us in conversations about possibility,” Sade says.

Heading out to revisit the “Wolves” among the trees in Wilmer Park—as Matthews envisioned them—I’m reminded of initial concerns among the locals that the skulking lupine figures might scare young children.

But as I approach the pack, a chubby-cheeked preschooler lets go of his mother’s hand and runs gleefully toward the lead wolf, looking straight into its squinted blue-gray eyes, and gives it a long hug.

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IF YOU GO THINGS TO DO

Pick up a walking tour map for the Woicke Sculpture Collection at the Kent Cultural Alliance site or the Kent County Public Library-Chestertown. You can also read about the collection and its artists at chestertownpublicarts.com. For architecture aficionados, a Walking Tour of Historic Chestertown Architectural Guide, published on kentcounty.com, is available at area inns.

The annual Chestertown Tea Party Festival (chestertownteaparty.org), held May 23-25 this year, is the town’s

Carla Massoni of Massoni Art (massoniart. com) collaborates with architects, interior design firms and art consultants to curate artworks in settings ranging from corporate offices and New York City lofts to American embassies throughout the world. Spring exhibitions at the gallery include landscape paintings of water and reeds, workboats and watermen by two of its most popular artists.

Diane Rappisi Fine Art Studio (rappisiart. com) is a gallery, working art studio and teaching space helmed by Rappisi, a contemporary realist painter whose portraits are rendered in oil, pastels, charcoal and graphite.

A terrace and gardens at Brampton 1860, which has spacious rooms, above

Discover rising artists at the Kent Cultural Alliance at the Raimond Cultural Center (kentculture.org), which hosts working artists in residence. Current works exploring food themes will be on display from May 2 through the end of June.

Take a class at RiverArts Chestertown (ctownra.org), which offers art instruction and workshops to participants of all ages, including a clay studio and “Kidspot” with free art activities on Saturdays from 9 a.m. until noon.

oldest and largest festival. It celebrates Chestertown’s famed resistance to British rule with a tea toss reenactment, Colonial parade, street performances, strolling musicians, 5K and 10-mile runs and other fun.

The National Music Festival (nationalmusic.us), held June 1-14, welcomes international musicians to perform orchestral and chamber works. Rehearsals and many concerts are free.

WHERE TO EAT & DRINK

The Retriever Bar (theretrieverbar.com) has an apt motto: “Come.

Sit. Stay.” The raw bar menu highlights oysters from the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. Main plate options include Maine mussels steamed in miso, garlic and ginger, and a buttermilk fried chicken sandwich. Open Monday-Saturday, evenings only.

The Kitchen at the Imperial (imperialchestertown.com), helmed by chef and owner Steve Quigg, serves seasonal farm-to-table (or water-to-table) fare, including a Sunday brunch.

Evergrain Bread Co. (evergrainbreadco.com) is a carb-lover’s heaven specializing in fresh breads, including rustic sour-

FROM LEFT: PHOTO BY CHRISTINE KOUBEK FLYNN; PHOTOS BY JUMPING ROCKS

Hegland Glass Studio (heglandglass. com), founded by Patti and Dave Hegland, is a destination for kiln-formed art glass, including a collection of intricately colored bowls and platters.

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ANDY & JESSIE ALDERDICE dough and light, flaky croissants. Grab a loaf to go or linger over pastries and good coffee.

Bad Alfred’s (badalfreds. com) is a brewpub and distillery serving wood-fired pizza (including a deep-dish option), local craft beer and a popular crab dip.

WHERE TO STAY

With lush landscaping, meadows and woodsy paths, the h i s t o r i c B ra m p t o n 1 8 6 0 (bramptoninn.com) is less than 2 miles from Chestertown’s historic center. Enjoy morning coffee on the wraparound porch or sip a drink by the fire while relaxing in one of the brick patio’s Adirondack rockers. The inn’s seven spacious rooms and suites— plus six private cottages dotting the property—offer a range of perks, from soaking tubs to private porches. Rates start at $279 per night. Gourmet breakfast (puff pancakes and huevos rancheros are two guest favorites), homemade scones, afternoon tea and fresh-baked cookies are all included.

The new owners of White Swan Tavern (whiteswantavern.com), located a short walk to the town’s galleries and restaurants, completed a 2023 renovation that blends antique and reproduction furniture with modern amenities such as updated bathrooms with glass-enclosed showers.

Each of the six period-style guest rooms and suites has a comfortable bed with luxury linens. Rates begin at $150 and include coffee and tea any time of day, plus a full hot breakfast. Read about another place to stay, Great Oak Manor, on page 222.

Christine Koubek Flynn’s travel and arts stories have also appeared in The Washington Post, Coastal Living and Arlington Magazine.

LOOKING FOR A CHANGE? We’d love to help!

Our thriving real estate business continues to reside in the heart of the DMV. With over 50 years of combined local real estate expertise, Jessie and I continue to serve our clients with dedication and success.

That said, if you’re looking for a change of pace or an additional space, Chestertown offers a welcome escape — historic homes, steps to the Chester River, locally owned restaurants and shops, and popular, annual town and water events.

The unbeatable proximity to DC — just 1 hour and 20 minutes — makes it the perfect getaway without the hassle of long beach commutes.

Let’s talk real estate — whether in the DMV or delightful Chestertown!

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GOOD LIFE CELEBRATIONS

The Party Line

A county councilmember’s spring wedding brought 300 guests to a sprawling resort on the Choptank River BY DANA GERBER 232 MAY/JUNE 2025 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM

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The couple: Demi Friedson (née Zitel-

man), 37, grew up in North Potomac and graduated from Thomas S. Wootton High School in Rockville. She works as a director of sales enablement for Toast, a restaurant technology company. Andrew Friedson, 39, grew up in Potomac and graduated from Winston Churchill High School in Potomac. He represents District 1 as a member of the Montgomery County Council. They live in Bethesda.

How they met: Demi and Andrew

connected online—either through JSwipe, a Jewish dating app, or Hinge; they can’t remember—in 2017. Later they discovered through resurfaced Facebook photos that they had attended several of the same parties over the years. “You see those scenes in a movie and you’re like, ‘That’s not real.

That could never happen.’ ... It turns out, it actually is real,” Andrew says. There was chemistry on their first date, at Uncle Julio’s in Bethesda, but Andrew was preoccupied with planning his first run for the county council. (He was elected in 2018, and again in 2022.) “The timing wasn’t right,”

he says. Nevertheless, they kept in touch, and in 2021—after receiving COVID-19 vaccines—they decided to go out again, this time to Tiki on 18th in the Adams Morgan neighborhood of Washington, D.C. Sparks flew again—in no small part because of all their shared roots. “Being from the same area and having so much overlap and just mutual connections, it was a sense of comfort and familiarity,” Demi says.

The proposal: Andrew popped the question outside the Louvre Museum in Paris on Aug. 4, 2023. “There is a beautiful corridor where we somehow were able to have literally nobody there,” Andrew says.

Waiting for them was a violinist Andrew had enlisted to play two of the couple’s favorite songs—“Joy” by Andy Grammer as the pair was approaching and “You Are the Reason” by Calum Scott as he got down on one knee.

The venue: “I love the water, and so I had this idea of wanting to do [the wedding] on the water,” Demi says. A visit to the Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay in

Cambridge, Maryland—a large resort that could accommodate their guest list and was available on their desired dates during Memorial Day weekend—sealed the deal.

The outfits: When it came to finding a

dress, “I basically knew what style I was looking for,” Demi says. “I wanted it to be strapless. I wanted it to be kind of form-fitting to the waist, and then kind of go ball gown.” She picked out a Martina Liana creation, which featured floral details cascading down the skirt, from Betsy Robinson’s Bridal Collection in Baltimore. Demi had the dress altered to remove the straps and give it more of a plunging neckline.

Andrew, meanwhile, paired a charcoal tuxedo with a pair of navy blue velvet loafers and a matching bow tie. He finished off the ensemble with his grandfather’s mezuzah cuff links (containing a scroll with text from the Torah), his other grandfather’s military ID bracelet, and a watch gifted to him from Demi on their wedding day.

The ceremony: The pair got married in front of about 300 guests on May 26,

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GOOD LIFE CELEBRATIONS

2024, on the resort’s Manor Lawn, with a panorama of the Choptank River as the backdrop. The couple’s personal touches— they wrote their vows, and the officiant was Andrew’s longtime rabbi—made the ceremony “our favorite part of the wedding,” Demi says. In lieu of bridesmaids and groomsmen, the couple’s 10 young nieces and nephews walked down the aisle. “That allowed us to really center our families as part of the ceremony,” Andrew says. Demi and Andrew were escorted to a transparent chuppah, festooned with white hydrangeas, delphiniums and orchids, by their parents. After saying “I do,” the newlyweds walked back up the aisle to “Joy”—a callback to the proposal.

The reception: After an outdoor cock-

tail hour, the festivities migrated indoors to one of the resort’s ballrooms for what Andrew describes as a “party-forward” reception. “The event itself was very much no distractions, everybody just having a good time together,” he says. That approach carried over to the modern, understated decor. “I have a very simple style,” the bride says. A white-and-champagne color

scheme inspired the tablescapes, where ivory-colored blooms mingled with pillar and taper candles in sleek glassware.

The food: For dinner, guests dug into

pistachio-crusted salmon and a salad of romaine hearts, watermelon radishes, pepitas, heirloom cherry tomatoes and focaccia croutons. Afterward, a surprise awaited them for dessert. “Being local people is important to us, and so we wanted to have something that was local,” Andrew says. Instead of a formal wedding cake, they opted for Maryland’s official state dessert: several Smith Island cakes in chocolate, Funfetti, cookies and cream, and strawberry flavors. The signature cocktails—“his,” an old-fashioned, and “hers,” a skinny margarita—were joined by a joint “ours” option: an espresso martini.

The music: After Demi and Andrew had

their first dance to “You Are the Reason”— the other song that was played for them at their Paris engagement—an 11-piece band named Free Spirit got guests onto the dance floor with a mix of modern and classic tunes. But its real feat was getting

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making full use of the resort’s amenities.

“We changed into bathing suits and then jumped in the pool,” Demi says.

The honeymoon: The couple had

scored an all-inclusive trip to Antigua at a silent auction for Bethesda’s Imagination Stage. So a few days after the wedding, they traveled to the tropical island in the Caribbean for a week of beach time. “It was [a] crazy stressful time for work, and then straight into the wedding,” Andrew says. “So having that time for just us to relax was great.”

Vendors: Band, Free Spirit; catering Demi onstage to sing Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’.” “Everyone that knows me knows that that’s, like, the farthest thing from my comfort zone,” Demi says, but after Andrew got onstage and her loved ones encouraged her, “I just went for it.” And, of course, she had a superfan

in Andrew, who says, “It was one of the greatest moments of my life.”

The after-party: Once the excite-

ment of the reception died down, the newlyweds’ photographer, Michael Bennett Kress, suggested one last photo op,

and venue, Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay; dress, Betsy Robinson’s Bridal Collection; florals, B Floral Event Design; hair, Caleigh Era Hairstylist; invitations, Creative Parties; makeup, Shenoa Nicole Makeup; photography, Michael Bennett Kress Photography; planning, Belle of the Ball Weddings and Events; videography, Rivion Wedding Films.

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GOOD LIFE WELLNESS

The ‘Other’ Women’s Health Doctor

An endocrinologist shares stories of the hormone issues she’s helped women uncover BY NATASHA TYNES Dr. Monika Mannan is a mechanic for the human body. When “everything is in perfect balance, the human body is a perfectly running machine,” the Rockville endocrinologist says. But when hormones go awry, that machine can falter, leaving women feeling unwell and it is her job to figure out the problem.

When you think of a women’s health professional, the first person who comes to mind is likely a gynecologist. However, another specialist plays a vital role in the well-being of women: the endocrinologist.

These experts help manage conditions that affect everything from metabolism to fertility. Mannan, 54, is one of those doctors who specialize in hormones and the glands that produce them. Endocrinologists diagnose and treat conditions related to hormonal imbalances, such as diabetes, thyroid disorders and adrenal or pituitary gland issues.

Mannan graduated from Silchar Medical College in India, and completed her internal medicine residency at UM Prince George’s Hospital Center in Cheverly, Maryland. She earned her endocrinology and metabolism degree from George Washington University in 2004 and has been practicing as an endocrinologist since 2005. She specializes in diagnosing and treating hormonal disorders such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), thyroid disease, and other metabolic conditions such as diabetes and insulin resistance, helping patients—especially women—find answers after years of unexplained symptoms.

We chatted over Zoom with Mannan at her Rockville office, Montgomery Endocrinology, in mid-February to dissect the critical role endocrinologists play in women’s health, especially when it comes to deciphering misdiagnosed diseases.

The Case of the Overlooked Tumor

Mannan says her patients often come to her feeling unheard. Many have been

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Dr. Monika Mannan, an endocrinologist, examines a patient at her Rockville office.

referred by their primary care doctors after blood work indicated conditions such as thyroid disorders, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, prediabetes or diabetes.

However, a significant number find her through word of mouth, including recommendations from community groups and neighborhood WhatsApp chats in which patients share their experiences and seek trusted specialists.

Mannan says that some of her patients are women who have been told their fatigue is just “part of aging; their weight gain a consequence of motherhood; their palpitations a symptom of anxiety.”

She recalls the story of one patient, a young mother who had recently given birth to her third child. She was struggling with weight gain that diet and exer-

cise would not fix. “She told me, ‘This is not me. I’m just gaining weight. Nobody listens to me,’ ” Mannan says.

Doctors had assured the woman that it was normal postpartum weight retention and dismissed her concerns as anxiety or stress from being overwhelmed by motherhood. But Mannan suspected something more. “I observed her frustration while she was giving me her history and the concern she had about her medical problem,” she says. “She had not come to see me for weight. She had come for other thyroid problems, and this was just a side thing I found by just listening to her and evaluating.”

After running tests, Mannan found the culprit: a tumor on the woman’s adrenal gland, which was causing an overpro-

PHOTO BY LINDSEY MAX

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duction of cortisol, the body’s stress hormone associated with weight gain. “Surgery removed the tumor, and [the patient] was happy with the result.”

“We are always thinking of uncommon problems in a common scenario,” Mannan says. “Had she gone untreated, she would have kept suffering.”

The Silent Dangers of PCOS

For years, PCOS has been discussed primarily as a fertility issue, but Mannan wants women to know it’s more than that.

“PCOS is a complex condition,” she says.

“Women who have PCOS are at increased risk of developing prediabetes, diabetes, high cholesterol and high blood pressure.”

PCOS affects 6% to 12% of women of reproductive age in the U.S. and is linked to serious health conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Symptoms such

as irregular periods, acne and excess hair growth are common diagnostic criteria for PCOS. Despite its prevalence, up to 70% of women with PCOS remain undiagnosed worldwide according to the World Health Organization, suggesting that these symptoms may often go unrecognized or inadequately addressed.

“Staying physically active and eating less processed food decreases their insulin resistance,” Mannan says. Lifestyle adjustments, she says, can sometimes restore ovulation naturally, reducing the need for fertility treatments.

The Woman Who Was ‘Just Stressed’

Mannan digs deeper into her patients’ cases by listening to them. “I listen carefully to their complaints and never disregard them as frivolous,” she says. “That encourages patients to talk more about their problems and concerns.” From there, she gathers critical details by ask-

ing targeted questions, conducting thorough physical exams and ordering relevant tests based on a patient’s history.

“The answer is almost always in the patient’s history and exam,” she says, “and it’s complemented by imaging and blood work.”

Mannan recalls the case of an 80-yearold woman who, Mannan says, had suffered from heart palpitations for two decades. Each time the patient saw a doctor, Mannan says, she was told it was anxiety. “ ‘Don’t worry about it,’ they told her,” Mannan recalls.

After a deeper look, Mannan discovered a 10-centimeter pheochromocytoma—a rare, hormonally active tumor that had been flooding the patient’s body with stress hormones for years. “I looked at her and said, ‘I’m so surprised, so glad that you’re alive,’ ” Mannan says. Left untreated, “the condition could have led to a fatal hypertensive crisis.”

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GOOD LIFE WELLNESS

The Misinformation Epidemic

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Despite the critical role endocrinologists play, many women don’t know when they should see one.

Mannan encourages women to seek specialist care if they experience persistent symptoms such as: • Unexplained weight gain or loss • Chronic fatigue • Irregular menstrual cycles • Excessive hair growth or hair loss • Sudden changes in blood sugar levels • Recurrent miscarriages or infertility with no clear cause

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For all the medical advancements in endocrinology, Mannan’s greatest battle isn’t always with disease—sometimes it’s with misinformation. “Everything is blamed on hormones,” she says. Patients come in demanding to have all their hormone levels checked, convinced their cortisol or thyroid is the root of all their issues.

She often explains that stress-related cortisol fluctuations don’t require medical treatment. “Unless the cortisol overproduction is pathologic—[which] means there’s a tumor source—there’s no treatment for that,” she says. Instead, she encourages patients to focus on such stress management techniques as mindfulness and better sleep habits.

Another trend that worries her is the rise of unregulated hormone therapies and supplements. “Patients should get their information from the right source,” she warns, adding that many wellness clinics sell costly hormone tests and treatments that lack scientific backing. “They need to seek care from board-certified specialists rather than falling for trendy health fads.”

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“If your symptoms aren’t improving with standard treatment, or if you feel like something deeper is going on, an endocrinologist can help uncover the root cause,” she says.

Mannan believes that as awareness of hormonal health continues to grow, endocrinologists like her will remain allies for women trying to understand the complexities of their bodies. “Women need to know

they’re not alone,” she says. “Their symptoms are real, and there are answers.”

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GOOD LIFE WHAT I KNOW

How I Transformed Toxicity Into Empathy Silver Spring’s Lori Gardner has spent her career managing large and small nonprofits. Since July 2024, the energetic 69-year-old has been president of the Washington, D.C., chapter of Les Dames d’Escoffier International. She has served the nonprofit, which is led by women in the culinary industry (Julia Child is among Les Dames’ notable alumnae), in various roles since 2016. Starting with a short stint as a teen waitress at a Bob’s Big Boy restaurant in Bailey’s Crossroads, Virginia, Gardner’s culinary experience also includes her blog, Been There, Eaten That, in which she reviews D.C.-area restaurants.

The website, which she started in 2010, has been dormant since her last entry in January 2024, when she shared the joys and struggles of eating well through her February 2023 leukemia diagnosis and subsequent treatment. In that blog entry, Gardner, who considers dining part of her identity, describes how cancer “put a wicked spin” on her life. She says Les Dames’ success depends on the efforts of a network of volunteers. Gardner believes leaders of nonprofits should inspire others. She says this wasn’t always the case in her career.

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I’ve worked with people who have been very demanding, to the point of being toxic.

I regret not feeling empowered to do anything about it, not standing up for myself or for others when they felt they have been treated unfairly. I think this is how I came to approaching my leadership of a women’s organization in a field that is often male dominated—my approach to leadership has been from a position of empathy.

I think empathy is really important, particularly in the environment we’re living in now. And when you have a volunteer

organization, you have people with all different kinds of priorities in life—family, paid jobs, and then volunteer work. You need to be mindful and have empathy towards people, you need self-awareness.

Toxicity is when someone in a position of power makes someone else feel powerless. Many organizations have a hierarchy that imposes a way to do things; I had one supervisor in particular who was very hierarchical and insisted I should only talk to the people right below me, not two levels below me. That made people at lower

levels feel not respected and their opinions were not valued. I never wanted anyone to feel ‘less than,’ and I think there’s a balance as a supervisor. You have a responsibility to value their input and respect it.

As the president of a volunteer organization, I am empowered to have a culture of collaboration. You have to take

into account those other priorities in life I mentioned and allow for flexibility and different viewpoints. But I’m going to confess, I’m not the most patient person: I want things done—and not everyone operates at the same speed that I do, and I have to acknowledge that with compassion and empathy and understanding.

I’m a cancer survivor. I spent 2023 in treatment pretty much all year. So that also gives

me empathy and an understanding of what people are going through. You try to take time to get to know people and what’s going on in their lives—it’s really important. You hope they enjoy being part of a team. You hope people are having fun.

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