Bethesda Magazine: March/April 2024 Digital Edition

NURSING

NURSING EXCELLENCE

Thanks to our nurses’ commitment to excellence, Suburban Hospital has earned Magnet recognition for the second time — the most prestigious distinction a hospital can receive for nursing excellence and high-quality patient care.

Suburban Hospital remains the only Magnetdesignated hospital in Montgomery County.

Learn more at Suburbanhospital.org/magnet

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Congratulations, Joshua!

St. Andrew’s students know they don’t need to follow a predetermined route to succeed — whether at school or in life. We encourage our students to create their own path, whether by eschewing a single free period during their four years of high school or taking a deep into learning how to play, repair, and even build organs.

For Joshua Cohen ’24, his passion for learning and discovery led him to take summer classes before his ninth-grade year to allow him to take more rigorous course from the start. It helped

prepare him to not just play the organ at school events at Washington National Cathedral, but to know how to assist in repairing an organ at Harvard University, where he will matriculate this fall as a member of the Class of 2028.

At St. Andrew’s we know exactly why over the past eight years, eight of our students have been named a Bethesda Magazine “Extraordinary Teen.” Because St. Andrew’s students know how to pave their own roads to success.

Congratulations, Joshua!

THE REAL ESTATE ISSUE

96 Home $weet Home

What your money will get you at various price points in Montgomery County

BY DAWN KLAVON

108 The Top Producers

A list of the real estate agents and teams with the top total sales in this area

129 Real Estate Trends

We explore housing sales data in Bethesda-area neighborhoods

146 Stylish and Safe

Bathrooms with universal design offer function with flair

BY WENDY A. JORDAN

PAGE 182

Guillermo Molina, a junior at Don Bosco Cristo Rey High School, is one of this year’s Extraordinary Teens.

FEATURES

170

5 Weekend Getaways

Whatever you’re looking for, we have your plans ready

BY ALICE LEVITT, NEVIN MARTELL, BRIDGET REED MORAWSKI AND RENEE SKLAREW

182 Extraordinary Teens

Meet 10 high schoolers who are making a difference every day

BY CARALEE ADAMS AND JULIE RASICOT

194 Are Our Streets Really Safer?

Millions have been invested to make local roads less dangerous. But is it working?

BY AMY HALPERN

42 STAYCATIONS

Get away without actually going away.

DEPARTMENTS

20 T O OUR READERS

20 CONTRIBUTORS

25 Banter

26 SPEED READ

Get your garden growing with these tips

28 MS. MOCO

Are the drivers on DMV roads really the worst?

30 BE ST BETS

The season’s biggest events, and where to see cherry blossoms right here in MoCo

32 MEDIA REPORT

MoCo natives doing cool things, plus local bestselling books

34 GREEN PEA CE

Montgomery County’s first natural cemetery connects loved ones to nature

36 THE THREE A QUATEERS

A shared goal of swimming to age 100 pushes Rockville nonagenarians

39 Good Life

40 SHOPPING

Spring into the season with botanical motifs

36 IN THE SWIM

Three 90-somethings take the plunge for better health.

42 WELLNESS

A staycation can be good for your health

44 CELEBRATIONS

An intimate Rockville wedding

50 HEALTH

Three unique fitness classes

52 FIELD TRIP

Spotlight on downtown Bethesda

54 TRA VELER’S NOTEBOOK

Shenandoah camping and other springtime adventures

58 DRIVING RANGE

A treehouse getaway

75 Dine

76 SMALL BITES

Tidbits of restaurant news

78 T ABLE TALK

The perfect baguette, and a cheese guy named Brie

82 REVIEW

The Grove serves up sophisticated Spanish-influenced fare

209 Business

210 MARC STEREN

Five rules for entrepreneurs

212 BUSINESS ROUNDUP

Notable local biz news

214 MADE IN MOCO

Tasty Knots takes off

216 WHAT I KNOW

Paul Sheehy’s life lessons

142

153

FROM LEFT: ILLUSTRATION BY JING LI; COURTESY PHOTO; PHOTO BY SKIP BROWN; PHOTO BY DEB LINDSEY

The new Verstandig Pavilion is open. And with it, a world of possibilities for patients.

Our MedStar Georgetown University Hospital team continues to deliver trusted, world-class care, now in a new world-class Pavilion. The Verstandig Pavilion features:

• 31 state-of-the-art operating rooms

• Expanded and modernized new emergency department with 32 private rooms

• Access to the most advanced treatment technologies

• 156 private patient rooms with natural, healing light

Visit MedStarHealth.org/Pavilion to learn more.

CONGRATULATIONS TO DR. JESSICA HEPPEN

New President and CEO of the American Institutes for Research

AIR’s mission is to generate and use rigorous evidence that contributes to a better, more equitable world.

The American Institutes for Research® (AIR)

WWW.AIR.ORG

An Ownership Change

AS YOU MAY HAVE HEARD, TODAY MEDIA, ONE OF THE COUNTRY’S LEADING PUBLISHERS OF LIFESTYLE MAGAZINES, acquired Bethesda Magazine and MoCo360 from Scott Copeland in early February.

I’m honored that Rob Martinelli, the CEO of Today Media, asked me to be the publisher. I’ve been working for the magazine and news site in various positions dating back to 2007, most recently as chief operating officer for Scott. I’m excited to be leading the business as we move forward under the Today Media umbrella.

With the new ownership, there have been some personnel changes. Most notable is the departure of Executive Editor Anne Tallent. It is an understatement to say that Anne transformed the magazine and MoCo360, expanding the coverage area and increasing the diversity of the people who were featured and the staff that covers them. Her passion for local journalism and her high journalistic and ethical standards are an inspiration.

I’m pleased to announce that Kathleen Neary and Julie Rasicot are now the magazine and news site editors, respectively. Kathleen served as associate editor of Bethesda Magazine from 2015 through 2022, and Julie is a former managing editor of MoCo360. Julie is also a former senior editor at the magazine, and as a writer is a longtime contributor to it. Both are talented editors who understand the community and what’s important to our readers.

When Scott bought the business from founders and longtime owners Steve and Susan Hull in 2021, he did so to serve Montgomery County, understanding how critical strong local journalism is to the well-being of a community. I want to thank him for his vision and commitment.

Today Media has magazines and websites in four other East Coast markets: Westchester County and the Hudson Valley in New York, the state of Delaware, and suburban Philadelphia. As Rob said when the acquisition was announced, Montgomery County and Bethesda Magazine are a “great fit” with Today Media.

In the months and years ahead, Bethesda Magazine will continue to report on the lives and lifestyles of local residents—and to tell the stories that engaged citizens want and need to know. (And our MoCo360 news site will continue to be the primary source of news in the Bethesda area.) With the backing of Today Media, we’ll be able to fulfill our mission better than ever.

We’re just getting started!

Sincerely,

JENNIFER FARKAS PUBLISHER

CARALEE ADAMS BETHESDA

BACKGROUND: Adams is a freelance writer who grew up in Iowa and has lived in the Springfield neighborhood for nearly 25 years.

IN THIS ISSUE: Profiled extraordinary teens and chronicled MoCo natives doing cool things for Culture Counter.

FAVORITE MONTGOMERY COUNTY HANGOUTS:

“Great Falls Park for hiking and views of the Potomac. Glen Echo for concerts and art shows. I also love biking on local trails with my husband—we recently rode along the C&O Canal and stayed overnight in a historic lockhouse in Cabin John.”

JACQUELINE MENDELSOHN LARCHMONT, N.Y.

BACKGROUND: The freelance writer lived in Bethesda’s Kenwood neighborhood before recently moving to New York state. She focuses on travel, food and drink.

IN THIS ISSUE: Pulled together the Shopping picks and covered the local restaurant scene for the Small Bites page.

FAVORITE MONTGOMERY COUNTY HANGOUTS:

“I’m a die-hard Quartermaine coffee fan, love Julii for cocktails, and our best family dinners are at Pizzeria da Marco. You can also find me on a bike at SoulCycle, walking the Capital Crescent Trail with my kids or scoping out a new restaurant.”

PHOTOS

EDITORIAL

EXECUTIVE EDITOR

Anne Tallent

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Kelly Martin

MANAGING EDITOR, LONG-FORM

Kelly Kendall

SENIOR EDITOR

Amy Orndorff

ART DIRECTOR

Ellen Minsavage

ASSOCIATE ART DIRECTOR

Olivia Sadka

MOCO360 EDITOR

Julie Rasicot

MOCO360 REPORTERS

Ginny Bixby, Courtney Cohn, Elia Griffin

RESTAURANT CRITIC

David Hagedorn

CONTRIBUTING EDITORS

Louis Peck, Carole Sugarman

COPY EDITORS

Elisabeth Herschbach, Steve Wilder

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Caralee Adams, Jennifer Barger, Rachel Pomerance Berl, Stephanie Siegel Burke, Christine Koubek Flynn, Dana Gerber, Amy Halpern, Dawn Klavon, Nevin Martell, Buzz McClain, Jacqueline Mendelsohn, Kristen Schott, Jennifer Tepper, Mike Unger, Carolyn Weber

PHOTOGRAPHERS & ILLUSTRATORS

Skip Brown, Heather Fuentes, Annabelle Gordon, Jon Krause, Jing Li, Deb Lindsey, Brendan McCabe, Pete Ryan, Jason Schneider, Brian Taylor, Joseph Tran, Helena Wu

PUBLISHER

Jennifer Farkas

PUBLISHING

VICE PRESIDENT OF SALES

Kim Sebastian

DIRECTOR OF AUDIENCE ENGAGEMENT & MARKETING

Karen Singer

DIRECTOR OF ADVERTISING OPERATIONS

Amélie Ward

SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES

Arlis Dellapa, Penny Skarupa, LuAnne Spurrell

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE

Jeni Hansen

ADVERTISING PRODUCTION MANAGER

Mel Korobkin

DIRECTOR OF EVENTS & SPECIAL PROJECTS

Ashley Fletcher DIGITAL PRODUCER

James Musial

OFFICE EXECUTIVE ADMINISTRATOR

Rachel Collins

CUSTOMER SERVICE MANAGER

Onecia Ribeiro

INTERNS

Nathaly Osorio, Katherine Umanzor

ADVERTORIAL EDITOR

Stephanie Siegel Burke

ADVERTORIAL WRITERS

Jennifer Beekman, Ann Cochran, Betty Siegel

ADVERTORIAL

Heather Fuentes, Lisa Helfert, Tony Lewis, Hilary Schwab, Michael Ventura, Stephanie Williams

FOUNDERS & ADVISERS

Steve and Susan Hull

IN MEMORIAM

CHAIRMAN

Angelo R. Martinelli (1927–2018)

VICE PRESIDENT Ralph A. Martinelli (1962–2019)

Bethesda Magazine is published six times a year by MoCo360, a division of Today Media. © 2024

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@MoCo360.Media.

MoCo360

6116 Executive Blvd., #740 North Bethesda, MD 20852

Phone: 301-718-7787 MoCo360.Media

TODAY MEDIA

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Robert F. Martinelli

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30

What’s on stage this season

32

The latest reads from notable local writers

THE REGION’S FIRST NATURAL CEMETERY / MS. MOCO / HOW DOES YOUR GARDEN GROW?

Three great places to get your cherry blossom fix right here in Montgomery County PAGE 31

Get Your Garden Growing

Ka-bloom! It’s time to ready your garden and grounds to ensure a bountiful, beautiful growing season.

BY NEVIN MARTELL

DO PREP WORK. Now is the time to clean and sharpen garden tools, including shears, pruners and shovels. If you need new equipment, Vanessa Pierre, a garden coach and educator with Homestead Hustle & Healing in Silver Spring, recommends taking advantage of lower off-season pricing. Check any deer netting or enclosures to see if they require repairs. “And you can never, ever go wrong with adding at least an inch to 2 inches of compost on your garden beds every year,” Pierre says.

PICK YOUR PLANTS. When deciding what to grow, Pierre suggests first thinking about why you’re gardening. Are you hoping to inspire healthier eating habits? Would you like a steady supply of freshly cut flowers to display? Do you want to replace or supplement cooking staples? Let your reasoning guide your planting, because you don’t want to produce an abundance that will just end up in the compost pile or the yard-trimmings bin.

PLAN YOUR PLOT PROPERLY. The Square Foot Gardening Method is an easy-peasy approach for newbies. Divide your bed into 12-inch by 12-inch squares. Each will be filled with one, two, four, nine or 16 plants, depending on the size and spread of what you’re growing. For example, in

a single square you can grow one tomato plant, two kale plants, four bok choy plants, nine leeks or 16 carrots. Check out squarefootgardening.org to learn how many plants fit in a square.

PLANT AT THE RIGHT TIMES. MoCo is mostly in growing zone 7b with parts of the north and west in 7a, so by midMarch you can begin planting seedlings of cold-hardy annual flowers, such as pansies, primroses and ranunculus, as well as such cool-weather vegetables as hearty greens, broccoli and cauliflower. In March and April, put in shrubs or trees. Summer crops go in last. “The rule of thumb is Mother’s Day” which is on May 12 this year, says Dave Johannes, owner of Good Earth Garden Market in Potomac, who warns to keep an eye out for lateseason frosts that can damage or destroy young plants.

LET’S TALK TOMATOES. Tomatoes are one of the most popular plantings, but also one of the most misunderstood and mishandled. Unlike most seedlings, they need to be planted deep, with roughly two-thirds of the stalk underground. Make sure to fill the hole with fertilizer to give it a boost, then add additional fertilizer

every six to eight weeks. If aphids often decimate your tomatoes, plant marigolds nearby. “They will volunteer as tributes,” Pierre says. “The aphids will eat this trap crop and leave your tomatoes alone.”

FOCUS ON NATIVE SPECIES. When it comes to upgrading your landscaping, opt for native species, which are most beneficial to local flora and fauna. The University of Maryland Extension maintains a list of recommendations (extension.umd. edu), which can be purchased at local nurseries and garden centers—including Good Earth Garden Market, Pablo’s Garden Center in Rockville, Wildflower in Bethesda, and J R Wright & Sons in Silver Spring. Good options include flowers such as black-eyed Susans and butterfly weed, shrubs such as spicebush and winterberry holly, and serviceberry and black gum trees.

CHECK OUT A FREE LITTLE PLANT STAND. Like a Little Free Library, but for plants, these take one, “leaf one” initiatives can be good spots to score gratis seedlings and seeds to kick-start your gardening projects. Locations dot the county; find one at freelittleplantstand.com/ locations.

A new high-efficiency heating and cooling system from Constellation Home will help keep your home comfortable all year long. Plus, our 100% satisfaction guarantee is backed by hundreds of certified, professional technicians. When it comes to total home comfort, we’ve got you covered.

Priority scheduling from our local service office

Drive Her Crazy

Are the people on DMV roads really the worst? Ask Ms. MoCo.

BY RACHEL POMERANCE BERL

Never the honker, always the honkee. That’s how I felt when I moved back to this area from Atlanta more than 13 years ago. No sooner would the light change than the blaring began. It’s enough to give you a permanent twitch.

I’d grown accustomed to offering a wave and a mouthed “thank you” for a swift shift into the exit lane. But if you’re seeking a courtesy cut on the Beltway? You’re better off waiting for the next exit.

Like every other urban dweller, I figured our drivers must be the worst. But shockingly, we are …wait for it… the best? Well, D.C. anyway, according to a 2023 Forbes Advisor analysis of the worst drivers, which ranked states and the District according to fatal car accidents from drunken and distracted driving, and from disobeying traffic laws and cops. Texas

topped the list for terrible drivers, followed by Louisiana, Kansas, Oklahoma and Kentucky. Maryland came in at No. 40, crushing Virginia at 28.

However, Maryland ranked 19th for road rage (D.C. wasn’t included in this separate list). Forbes Advisor ranked states according to such benchmarks as being forced off the road, blocked from changing lanes, cut off and yelled at, and insulted or threatened. The worst offenders: Arizona, Rhode Island, West Virginia, Virginia and Oklahoma. So much for Southern gentility. The top reasons people cited for confrontations were heavy traffic, running late and feeling stressed, angry and tired.

So perhaps our area is populated by a lot of stressed, angry and tired rulefollowers. Still, despite the onslaught of attorneys among us, I find that those of us who live in Montgomery County rarely confront each other beyond the veil of our cars.

I once was accused of throwing something out my window on the Beltway and onto someone’s windshield—as if my aim could be that accurate. I was actually tousling my hair. Believe it or not, a cop later arrived at my home with the Kafkaesque accusation.

As for face-to-face faceoffs, I can recall very few. When I was a 20-something, a schoolmarmish class president type about my age reprimanded me for bringing a Gatorade on the Metro plat-

form. “No food or drink is how we keep our Metro nice and clean,” the stickler reported. I was living in New York at the time and could only fathom how such an exchange would end up on the NYC subway.

I FIND THAT THOSE OF US WHO LIVE IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY RARELY CONFRONT EACH OTHER BEYOND THE VEIL OF OUR CARS.

Maybe the honkers around here think they are similarly doing a good service. A polite friend of mine in Los Angeles prides herself on honking. She says that since all the LA drivers are busy on their phone, she thinks she single-handedly keeps the traffic flowing.

Still, maybe MoCo drivers could wait just a teensy bit longer before blasting the horn. Consider perhaps a light courtesy toot. Or if you’re really feeling generous, a wave and a smile? No, that might freak people out and cause a pileup. Just try the wave.

Sincerely,

The Honkee

BANTER

Two Weekends Two Great Shows Aix La Chapelle Farm

Spend your weekend shopping in our farm village!

Mid Atlantic Antiques Festival

April 27 & 28, 2024

Saturday 10 -5 & Sunday 10 -4

Featuring over 60 fine nationally known antique dealers. Showcasing 18th and 19th C furniture, Folk Art, Americana, Garden décor, Architectural, fine art, estate & vintage jewelry, prints, advertising, and quilts.

midantlanticantiquesfestival.com

Old Line Market

May 4 & 5, 2024

Saturday 10 -5 & Sunday 10 -4

Vintage and artisan market featuring over 75 vendors featuring: handmade goods, home decor, vintage clothing, art glass, ceramics, furniture, garden decor, flowers, and plants.

oldlinemarket.net

Aix la Chapelle Farm

19120 Jerusalem Rd, Poolesville, MD 20837

aixlachapellefarm.com landmadebeer.com

MARCH/APRIL

MUSIC

March 8

Ladysmith Black Mambazo

Founded in the 1960s, the South African a cappella group brought its distinctive Zulu harmonies to the world stage. The artists’ collaboration with Paul Simon on his 1986 album Graceland made them international stars. See the five-time Grammy-winning group at The Music Center at Strathmore. strathmore.org

March 18

Rhiannon Giddens

A founding member of Black folk music revival acts Carolina Chocolate Drops and Our Native Daughters, the two-time Grammy-winning musician is also a MacArthur “Genius Grant” recipient and 2023 Pulitzer Prize winner. Last summer she released You’re the One, her first album of all original songs. This spring, see the singer and player of multiple stringed instruments, including the fiddle, viola and banjo, at The Music Center at Strathmore. strathmore.org

March 22

Buckwheat Zydeco Jr.

Growing up, Sir Reginald M. Dural played and toured with his father, the late Stanley “Buckwheat” Dural Jr., and his Buckwheat Zydeco band. After his father’s death in 2016, Dural stepped into his shoes as Buckwheat Zydeco Jr., keeping his dad’s music and legacy alive with the Ils Sont Partis Band, which includes longtime members of Buckwheat Zydeco. They’ll bring the sound of Creole jazz from

Louisiana to Germantown’s BlackRock Center for the Arts blackrockcenter.org

March 30

Keiko Matsui

A Tokyo native, the keyboard player and composer blends Asian and Western music into a mix of new age, jazz, pop and R&B. She performs at the Bethesda Theater to promote Euphoria, her latest album bethesdatheater.com

April 8

Busta Rhymes

With an unmistakable flow and style, the “Woo-Hah!! Got You All in Check” rapper is one of a kind. His tour, promoting his latest album, Blockbusta, comes to The Fillmore Silver Spring livenation.com

THEATER

April 10-May 5

A Jumping Off Point

This drama about the confrontation between a Black writer who just landed a deal with HBO and the white man from her grad school cohort who accuses her of plagiarizing his work has its world premiere at Round House Theatre as part of the National Capital New Play Festival. roundhousetheatre.org

April 11-28

Islander

With a bare-bones set and cast, this musical at Olney Theatre Center uses live looping and mixing to create dramatic sonic landscapes evoking the mythical Scottish island where it takes place. The story centers on two girls—among the island’s last inhabitants—who form a friendship after they discover a beached baby whale. olneytheatre.org

COMEDY/ VARIETY

March 22

Fairytales on Ice

Peter Pan, Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, the Little Mermaid and other fairy tale characters sing and glide on synthetic “ice” during this performance at the Montgomery College Cultural Arts Center in Silver Spring. The show, which sold out last year, combines professional ice skating with elements of magic, circus arts and a modern soundtrack. mcblogs. montgomerycollege.edu/cac/event/foi-2024/

April 12

Alan Cumming

Whether you know him as Nightcrawler in X2 (the X-Men sequel), Eli Gold on The Good Wife, or from one of his many other roles onstage, in films and on television, you can see the Scottish actor when he comes to the Robert E. Parilla Performing Arts Center on the Rockville campus of Montgomery College. Cumming will discuss his life and Emmy- and Tony-winning career with Olney Theatre Center Artistic Director Jason Loewith. montgom erycollege.edu

FROM LEFT: COURTESY MANAGEMENT; ANNE FISHBEIN; EBRU YILDIZ

Rhiannon Giddens

April 13

David Sedaris

The satirist and author of more than a dozen books of stories and personal essays, including Me Talk Pretty One Day, Barrel Fever and his latest, Happy-GoLucky, comes to The Music Center at Strathmore to regale audiences with humorous readings and recollections. strathmore.org

ART

March 7-31

cussion and Q&A session with the filmmakers. bethesda.org/ bethesda/bethesda-film-fest

COMMUNITY EVENTS

March 16

St. Patrick’s Day Parade

CHERRY, CHERRY

Celebrate the Feminine

This solo exhibition at Bethesda’s Gallery B features paintings, sculptures and drawings depicting women by Deborah CC LaCroix. The Washington, D.C., resident got her start in art in her 40s and in 2009 retired from a 30-year law career to pursue her passion full time. bethesda.org

FILM

March 15-17

Community Stories

Film Festival

Started in 2010, this free festival features documentaries made by DMV filmmakers, and all the topics are about people, places or events from our region. The festivities at the Silver Spring headquarters of Docs in Progress include in-person and virtual screenings and live Q&As with filmmakers. docsinprogress.org

April 5-6

Bethesda Film Fest

All the movies are short—just five to 30 minutes—at this annual showcase for local documentary filmmakers, but the subjects are wide-ranging. After the screening at Landmark Bethesda Row Cinema, stick around for a dis-

Celtic dancers and bagpipe bands star in this procession, along with school groups, equestrian units, fire trucks and community organizations. Find a spot on the route along Rio Boulevard and Grand Corner Avenue at Rio Lakefront in Gaithersburg for best viewing. gaithersburgmd.gov/recreation/ special-events/st-patrick-s-day-parade

April 21

Kensington Day of the Book Festival

Meet authors, poets and members of literary and community organizations at this annual book festival in the heart of Kensington’s historic district. The event also includes poetry readings, cookbook demos, guest speakers, children’s programs and live musical performances. dayofthebook.com

April 26-28

Olney Days

Three days packed with events celebrate the Olney community. Highlights include an outdoor movie night, a Rec Regatta in which teams of two race homemade cardboard boats across the pool at Olney Swim Center, an outdoor festival with live music, games, inflatables and fireworks, and, of course, a parade. olneycivicfund.org

April 27

Carousel Day

Glen Echo Park’s 103-year-old carousel opens for the season with a celebration that includes free musical performances, hands-on arts and crafts activities, and open artist studios and galleries. glenechopark.org/ carouselday

—Stephanie Siegel Burke

The National Cherry Blossom Festival runs from March 20 through April 14, but you don’t have to go into D.C. to see the heralds of spring. Here are a few places in Montgomery County to get your petal fix:

Kenwood (Bethesda and Chevy Chase)

About 1,200 Yoshino cherry trees—the same kind that bloom around the Tidal Basin—line the streets of the neighborhood. They were planted by a developer in the 1930s to draw residents to the community. The display has become popular for blossom viewers, so go early in the morning to avoid crowds. Parking is not allowed in the neighborhood, so find a space at a garage in downtown Bethesda, grab a cup of coffee to go, and walk the Capital Crescent Trail to access Kenwood on foot. Kenwood and Dorset avenues and Kennedy Drive provide some of the best viewing.

Glenview Mansion (Rockville)

The driveway leading to the 1926 Neo-Classical Revival mansion in Rockville Civic Center Park is lined with Kwanzan cherry trees that sprout fluffy, double pink blooms about a week later than the Yoshino variety. The formal gardens behind the mansion are home to more cherry trees, including the delicate white-petaled Yoshinos. Parking is usually plentiful, and picnics are welcome on the public grounds, but check the website before heading there to make sure it isn’t closed for a private event.

rockvillemd.gov/389/glenview-mansion

Brookside Gardens (Wheaton)

Walk the paved trail through the gardens and you’ll see more than 60 flowering cherry trees, including several particularly beautiful weeping varieties. Just over half of the cherry trees, comprising 10 different types, are rooted among the hills and ponds in the Japanese-style Gude Garden. The rest are planted throughout the grounds. There is ample parking at Brookside Gardens, but food and beverages aren’t permitted. Picnic facilities are available nearby in the Shorefield Area of Wheaton Regional Park.

montgomeryparks.org

Culture Counter

BOOK

The Blues Brothers: An Epic Friendship, the Rise of Improv, and the Making of an American Film Classic (Atlantic Monthly Press, March 2024) is a dual biography of John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd, as well as a deep dive into the iconic 1980 movie, according to author Daniel de Visé. “It probably stands as the single greatest work of either guy,” says the Garrett Park writer, who also has praise for the contribution of director John Landis.

“The film works brilliantly as a comedy and a musical. Then it enters this whole other level by being an artifact of some of the greatest figures in American music.”

MOVIE

BY CARALEE ADAMS

Two actors with MoCo roots landed roles in the movie Origin, based on Isabel Wilkerson’s bestselling book Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents. Directed by Ava DuVernay, the film was released in January. Jon Bernthal (above left), 47, who grew up in Cabin John and graduated from Sidwell Friends in D.C., plays Brett Hamilton, Wilkerson’s husband. Myles Frost (above right), 24, born in Silver Spring and a graduate of Thomas S. Wootton High School in Rockville, portrays Trayvon Martin in the new film. In 2022, Frost won the Tony Award for best actor in a musical for his performance as Michael Jackson in MJ the Musical

BOOK

In a departure from his usual crime novels, George Pelecanos says there are no murders in his 22nd book, Owning Up (Mulholland Books, February 2024). This collection of four novellas is, however, among his best writing, says the Silver Spring author, 66. The tales involve characters looking back on their lives and seeing how far they’ve come. “I often write about events in Washington, but not about powerful people who were involved in those events,” he says, “but rather people who were living their lives during these events and were almost powerless to stop them.”

BOOK

A murder occurs at a garden party in a posh Montgomery County neighborhood during cherry blossom season in Aggie Blum Thompson’s latest book, Such a Lovely Family (Forge Books, March 2024). “It’s somewhere between a mystery and a thriller. I like to call it ‘Knives Out in Chevy Chase,’ ” says the Bethesda author, referencing the 2019 mystery movie. “I wanted to write something in that Agatha Christie kind of spirit. More of a traditional whodunit with a large cast of characters in a specific setting where everyone is a suspect.”

READING LIST Here are the top-selling books at Loyalty Bookstores, 923 Gist Ave., Silver Spring

Fiction

1 Let Us Descend | Jesmyn Ward

2 Happiness Falls | Angie Kim

3 Moonrise Over New Jessup | Jamila Minnicks

4 The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store | James McBride

5 Above Ground | Clint Smith

6 Company: Stories | Shannon Sanders

7 Gwen & Art Are Not in Love | Lex Croucher

8 Chain-Gang All-Stars | Nana Kwame AdjeiBrenyah

Non-Fiction

1 And Then We Rise | Common

2 1000 Words: A Writer’s Guide to Staying Creative, Focused, and Productive All Year Round | Jami Attenberg

3 A Man of Two Faces: A Memoir, A History, A Memorial | Viet Thanh Nguyen

4 Native American History of Washington, DC | Armand Lione

5 The Hundred Years’ War on Palestine | Rashid Khalidi

6 King: A Life | Jonathan Eig

7 Black Punk Now | James Spooner and Chris L. Terry

8 All About Love | Bell Hooks

Where your home story begins.

Sara and Arash, partners in real estate and in life, married for 10 years, have been Montgomery County natives for over 40 years. They bring a breadth of knowledge and experience to every home story with a mission to provide an unparalleled client experience. They have managed to be top producers while also chasing their six year-old twins, River and Rumi. With a combined experience of over two decades in real estate, including Sara’s tenure with an esteemed home builder, they look forward to creating wonderful new home stories with you in the year ahead.

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Green Peace

Montgomery County’s first natural cemetery, slated for Cloverly, connects loved ones to nature

BY KATHY JESSE

When Basil Eldadah’s father, Adnan, died in 2012, his body was wrapped in a cloth shroud to honor his request for a simple burial. But then he was laid to rest in a concrete vault in a conventional cemetery, miles from his Rockville home.

“He believed that our bodies should go back to the earth in simplicity, but he did not necessarily expect that for himself, because he, like the rest of us, did not know that there were any options,” says Eldadah, a program manager for biomedical research who lives in Rockville.

Later this year, Eldadah and others hope to open a “natural” cemetery in the Cloverly area of Silver Spring that would have granted the last wishes of his father and others like him. Reflection Park, which is awaiting approval from the Department of Permitting Services as of press time, would cover 40 wooded acres on New Hampshire Avenue.

“This is a way for a loved one’s body to continue to give back to the earth,” Eldadah says. “It’s also a space to enjoy the majesty of nature.”

Natural cemeteries are the opposite of conventional cemeteries that one might imagine. Rather than rows of headstones, there are modest-size memorial markers, flush with the ground. Instead of manicured grass, the landscaping is whatever disturbs existing flora the least.

Below ground, burial containers are made of natural products—think willow,

bamboo or pine—rather than concrete burial vaults. Toxic embalming fluid is verboten. Cemeteries that stick to these standards can be certified by the Green Burial Council.

A goal of Reflection Park organizers is to plant and preserve native trees and flowers—as many or more trees than they take down, Eldadah says. An entrance gate will be one of the only indicators that the area is a cemetery and organizers plan for every grave to be within 20 feet of at least one tree that will benefit from the fertilization that decomposition will offer.

Natural cemeteries “aren’t just warehouses for the dead,” says Lee Webster, former board president of the Green Burial Council, a national information clearinghouse. “They are places where we are using burial as a means of connecting people to nature. ... It’s also a deliberate strategy for saving land.”

“THIS IS A WAY FOR A LOVED ONE’S BODY TO CONTINUE TO GIVE BACK TO THE EARTH.”

—BASIL ELDADAH, CO-FOUNDER OF REFLECTION PARK

Natural cemeteries are a trend that is growing in the state—the first such cemetery in Maryland was Serenity Ridge Natural Burial Cemetery and Arboretum in Baltimore County in January 2023—and nationally. The number of green burial cemeteries in the U.S. has more than tripled since 2015, with 109 then to 355 in 2023, according to data compiled by New Hampshire Funeral Resources and Education.

Other cemeteries, such as the Garden of Remembrance in Clarksburg, are hybrid sites that set aside a portion of land in conventional settings for natural burials. Such cemeteries are on the rise in Maryland, from just a couple a few years ago to eight today, according to Jennifer Downs, board president of the Green Burial Association of Maryland.

Funeral home directors are getting on board with the green burial concept, too. “We’re adapting,” says Jack Mitchell, a board member of the National Funeral Directors Association and head of the Mitchell-Wiedefeld Funeral Home in Baltimore. “Whatever the family wants, we want to support them.”

Eldadah also says Reflection Park may be less expensive than a conventional burial. A 2021 study by the National Funeral Directors Association put the average cost of a casket burial in the United States at $7,848, with cremation averaging $6,970. The additional cost for a burial plot varies widely by location and can top $10,000. At Reflection Park, cost for the gravesite, interment and a memorial marker would be between $4,500 and $5,000, according to Eldadah.

While cremation is not considered to be an ecologically sound practice—it involves running a furnace at nearly 2,000 degrees for up to two hours, producing emissions comparable to driving a car 500 miles, according to the Green Burial Council —cremains will be allowed at Reflection Park. They will be mixed with a soil amendment that reduces alkalinity and promotes their degradation, according to Reflection Park’s website.

Downs sums up the mission of natural cemeteries succinctly: “It’s returning the body to the earth in a natural, simple and dignified way.”

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The Three Aquateers

Shared goal of swimming to age 100 pushes Rockville nonagenarians

BY TOM PETERSON

Sy Herman’s love of swimming began in a lake in the Catskills. For Bob Verkouteren, it was a country club pool in Montgomery County. The lakes of Minneapolis inspired Peggy Adams.

The three residents of the Ingleside at King Farm retirement community in Rockville now share more than a fondness for water. They share a goal. Meet the Three Aquateers, natatorial nonagenarians swimming their way to their 100th birthdays.

“We’re going to do it, all three of us,” proclaims Herman, who turns 96 in March.

A commitment to fitness draws them to Ingleside’s aquatic center in the early morning. Verkouteren, who turned 96 in January, usually arrives at

6 a.m., with Herman checking in soon after. Adams arrives a bit later. Verkouteren and Herman aim to swim daily; Adams joins them three days a week.

“My dream was to always swim before breakfast,” says Herman, a retired CPA and attorney. “I met Bob almost right away the first time, so we became good friends, and then Peggy came along.”

It didn’t take long for them to discover their common goal and embrace their Three Aquateers nickname.

“I don’t normally ask a woman her age,’’ Herman says, bursting into a grin, “but Bob was 95 and I was 95.”

“They didn’t dare ask me my age!’’ says Adams, who turned 96 in November.

But when the new friends discovered their birthdays fell within a span of four months, a plan was soon hatched.

“We’re headed toward the century club,” Herman says.

Swimming offers physical and mental health benefits for all ages, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, with specific advantages for older people, including improved quality of life and decreased disabilities. An Australian study found that swimming improves balance, noting that regular swimmers were 33% less likely to experience a fall than non-swimmers.

The aquatic center, Herman recently wrote in Ingleside’s Reflections newsletter, adds “years to our lives and lives to our years.”

For these three, there’s a bonus. They flat out enjoy their time in the water.

“It’s a wonderful way to start the day,” says Adams, a former nurse and later a stay-at-home mother who raised five children.

Verkouteren, also a retired CPA and attorney, likes to sprint a lap, take a break and repeat. Herman favors a steady sidestroke. Adams powers through 10 laps in two sets of five.

“[Bob is] so fast,” Adams says. “He’s boom-boomboom, and I’m boom (pause), boom (pause), boom.”

Amid the varied styles, collegiality rules.

“You know [Bob] gets that first lane and I like the first lane, too,” Herman says. “So he’s such a nice guy [that] he kind of shortens his time [and] goes into the Jacuzzi.”

All three keep a lively schedule at Ingleside. Verkouteren walks every floor of Ingleside’s seven stories daily, the third floor twice, for an additional workout. Herman and Adams have been active members on the board of Westminster Ingleside Foundation, which supports residents and employees in the retirement community. Among the foundation’s goals is raising money to help residents in financial need.

From left: Sy Herman, Peggy Adams and Bob Verkouteren plan to swim to their 100th birthdays.

BANTER AGING WELL

“And no one’s ever left here for financial reasons,’’ Herman proudly interjects.

The key to retirement living, Adams says, is staying busy.

“I think just activity, physical and mental. I think keep yourself involved,” Adams says. “Find something you like physically and do it.”

The swimmers have an impact throughout this community of 542 residents, who range in age from 61 to 104, says Kenya Bryant, Ingleside’s executive director.

The three-lane, 65-foot-long pool is a hive of activity in the mornings. From 6 to 9 a.m., there are often 25 or so residents swimming laps, warming up on the deck or soaking in a whirlpool, Bryant says. She sees their influence and inspiration extending beyond the pool and throughout the community.

“It’s like throwing the stone into a pond and it ripples,” Bryant says. “We have seen where other groups have

“I THINK JUST ACTIVITY, PHYSICAL AND MENTAL. I THINK KEEP YOURSELF INVOLVED ... FIND SOMETHING YOU LIKE PHYSICALLY AND DO IT.”

PEGGY ADAMS, ON THE KEY TO RETIREMENT LIVING

gotten together and have been encouraged…to do fitness and wellness together through utilizing all areas of our fitness center,” she says.

The Aquateers have become ambassadors for fitness.

“So to have three residents who are 96 years old encourage wellness and fitness and do it at least three times a week, yeah, that’s our motivation,” Bryant says.

With each lap, the three move closer to their goal.

A four-month celebration is scheduled to begin on Nov. 20, 2027, Adams’ 100th birthday. She’s already sent out “remem-

ber the date” messages to friends and Ingleside staffers. Verkouteren’s 100th birthday is in January 2028, followed by Herman’s that March.

“Oh, we’re going to have music, dancing and a meal of your choice. You can have a steak, anything you want, and I’ll cover it with the help of [Ingleside],” Herman says. “If we make it, boy, it’ll be terrific!”

That party will celebrate the end of a chapter, but not the end of the story. It will not be a retirement from swimming.

“Noooo,” Adams says. “Never stop!”

YOU NEED

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treehouse getaway in a leafy enclave

Get fit to the sounds of K-pop (or try one of these other fun workouts). PAGE

FLOWER

Spring into the season with botanical motifs

POWER

BY JACQUELINE MENDELSOHN

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Mignonne Gavigan “Alba” floral earrings, $175 at Sassanova, 7134 Bethesda Lane (Bethesda Row), Bethesda, 301-654-7402, sassanova.com

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Veronica Beard “Raphael” top and “Tonelli” pant, $348 (top) and $528 (pant) at Veronica Beard, 4840 Bethesda Ave. (Bethesda Row), Bethesda, 240-425-4808, veronicabeard.com

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Reformation “Tagliatelle” linen dress, $278 at Reformation, 4823 Bethesda Ave. (Bethesda Row), Bethesda, 240-551-5125, thereformation.com

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Zadig & Voltaire “Kerry” scarf, $178 at Belina Boutique, 10215 Old Georgetown Road (Wildwood Shopping Center), Bethesda, 301-897-2929, belinaboutique.com

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Zimmermann linen and silk dress, $2,950 at Nordstrom, 7111 Democracy Blvd. (Westfield Montgomery Mall), Bethesda, 301-365-4111, nordstrom.com

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Kate Spade New York wicker mini handbag, $428 at Macy’s, 7125 Democracy Blvd. (Westfield Montgomery Mall), Bethesda, 301-469-6800, macys.com

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Johnny Was “Ruksana” silk shirt, $295 at Johnny Was, 4867 Bethesda Ave. (Bethesda Row), Bethesda, 301-263-3505, johnnywas.com

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Brodie cardigan, $358 at Sequel, 10303 Old Georgetown Road (Wildwood Shopping Center), Bethesda, 301-530-4423, justperfectcollection.com

Staycation Therapy

Getting away—without going away— can be good for your health

Caroline Miller wanted a break. Nothing fancy or expensive—just a night away from her three young kids that she could spend with other moms drinking wine, gorging on junk food and relaxing in the pool at a local hotel.

So the Rockville mom and scientist created an online invitation for Mom’s Day Off—a Friday-night stay at a local hotel that would commence at 6 and end by noon Saturday—and emailed it to friends and co-workers. The staycation itinerary promised lots of time to relax and asked participants to bring snacks in assigned colors just for fun. Think Ruffles potato chips, Jolly Rancher Hard Candy and Rice Krispies Treats, all of which come in blue packaging, or items in purple such as BBQ-flavored Pringles and grape Nerds candy.

Three other women signed up, and the group headed off in mid-August to share

BY JULIE RASICOT

a room at the Cambria Hotel Rockville. “I wanted something that had a pool, and it had to be affordable—and it was really affordable,” Miller says. The room was around $140, she says, so split four ways the bill came to about $30 each.

Feeling stressed and overwhelmed? Think about taking a staycation like Miller did—a quick getaway without actually going away to recharge from the demands of daily life. While men are just as capable of escaping to a local hotel suite and hanging up the “Do Not Disturb” sign, the concept seems to be a particular draw for women.

“It’s a wonderful idea for women to find time for themselves, whether it’s leaving the house or whether it is closing the door” to just be alone, says family and sibling therapist Karen Gail Lewis, who has an office in Silver Spring. That’s a message that women, especially mothers, need to

hear, she says.

“It has to be the women feeling, It’s OK to say ‘I need time for myself.’ And so many women in our society have not received a societal message that they’re still a good mother if they say, ‘I need time for myself,’ ” Lewis says. She notes that scheduling a staycation may not be an option for all because “not everyone can afford to head to a hotel or afford to find somebody to stay with the kids if they’re single parents or the husband is busy traveling.”

For those who can, the options are unlimited, with websites and blogs suggesting outings like spending a day at a local winery or going glamping for everyone from stay-at-home moms to busy entrepreneurs. Low- or no-cost ideas include hiking and picnicking in a local park or finding a quiet spot to unplug.

Miller, 33, says her group spent the evening swimming in the hotel pool, eating takeout and snacks, doing their nails, and watching TV before heading to bed. Conversation among the women—some of whom had just met—flowed from work to child care to the best products for nails. “It’s nice to just know everyone’s daily [routine], what they do every day,” Miller says. “Three of us are in science, so three of us were talking about science, and then one of us is not in science, so she was telling us about what she does in her job.”

The next morning, some slept in and others headed back to the pool. The group gathered for lunch before going home.

For Stacy Farrar, a night at the Kimpton Hotel Monaco Baltimore Inner Harbor proved to be just what she needed after coaching the Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School girls track team at a meet north of the city on Memorial Day weekend

in 2019. Farrar didn’t want to drive home to Silver Spring after a long day and then drive back to the meet the next day.

After checking in, she ate dinner in the hotel restaurant and then walked around the Inner Harbor. “I just sort of felt the liveliness of the harbor, but I didn’t need to talk to anybody or teach anybody or entertain. It was just fun to be there,” says Farrar, who’s in her 50s and now teaches yoga at Springbrook High School in Silver Spring.

Up early the next morning, she borrowed a bike from the hotel, rode around the city and stopped at a local spot for breakfast before heading back to the meet. More than four years later, she still recalls how much she enjoyed the short break. “Instead of being in my car, being home exhausted and fixing myself something to eat, I had this great little adventure,” Farrar says.

Carol Lin, a Rockville mom with three young kids, says she was looking for some time alone when she used her hotel rewards to book an overnight stay at the Bethesda Marriott in the fall of 2022.

“When your children are very young, it is difficult for parents to take care of themselves and have alone time. In particular, it’s hard to get away to somewhere far away, and it’s hard to be away from your kids for a long time,” says Lin, 45, a medical officer with the Food and Drug Administration. “So that’s kind of why I like these staycation-type of things. You want to do something that’s, like, logistically easy for yourself and for your family.”

Before heading to the hotel, Lin got a massage and a pedicure at local spas and enjoyed a long, leisurely lunch while scrolling on her phone without interruption. After checking in, she spent 90 minutes in the hotel gym, using the treadmill and doing stretching exercises. “Then after that, I took a really long shower and slathered skin care products all over myself,” says Lin, whose husband later joined her for dinner at the hotel but did not stay the night.

“I did feel rejuvenated,” Lin says of her overnight stay. “It was a nice respite, even if it was just for one day. I was very happy.”

Chapter

BY DANA GERBER

THIS COUPLE KEPT THEIR INTIMATE ROCKVILLE WEDDING SIMPLE with a Polaroid guest book, a glow stick-filled dance floor and a Wegmans cake that proved all the rage

The couple: Becky Monfort (maiden name Miller), 35, grew up in Silver Spring and graduated from Glenelg High School in Howard County. She is a senior marketing manager at the American Chemical Society. Meaghan Monfort, 37, grew up in Columbus, Ohio. She is a tax lawyer at Deloitte. They live in the Cleveland Park neighborhood of Washington, D.C.

How they met: Becky and Meaghan matched on Tinder in 2019 and soon after went on their first date to a Blue Bottle Coffee in D.C. “I said, ‘We should hang out again,’ and she says, ‘That sounds great— I’m going to Costa Rica tomorrow.’ And I was like, ‘OK,’ ” Meaghan says. “We did actually do old-school emailing while she was traveling.” When Becky returned, they went out to Lapop, a literary-themed bar in Adams Morgan. “She just seemed really confident and comfortable in herself,” says Becky of why she was drawn to Meaghan. “She was her own person.”

The proposal: The pair was gearing up for a trip to Philadelphia for Thanksgiving weekend in 2021 when Meaghan suggested a dinner date at Tail Up Goat in D.C. the night before they left. After dinner, they took a walk to the Line DC hotel, the site of their first kiss, and that was where Meaghan popped the question—with a ring hidden inside a hollowed-out book. “She can’t tell a lie or keep a secret for anything,” Becky says. “I think she was equally happy that I said yes and that she had successfully pulled it off.”

The ceremony: Meaghan and Becky tied the knot on April 2, 2023, with about 90 guests present on the back lawn of the Mansion at Strathmore in Rockville. Before the ceremony, the pair signed the ketubah—the Jewish marriage contract— and said “I do” beneath a wooden chuppah that Meaghan’s dad had constructed and driven in from Ohio. “That was really special,” she says.

The reception: After the outdoor ceremony, the celebrations moved inside the Georgian mansion, where tables were split across the main hall, the library and the dining room, with the dance floor in the wood-paneled music room. Lush floral arrangements of buds such as dark blue delphinium and mother-of-pearl roses were repurposed from the ceremony, but “you don’t have to do much, decor-wise, because it’s so pretty,” Meaghan says of the venue. For the guest book, partygoers took photos with instant Polaroid cameras, writing messages to the newlyweds on the bottom— while saving a few of the snapshots for themselves. “We wanted

it to be elegant and a chance for people to dress up, but also comfortable and accessible,” Becky says.

The music: When guests RSVPed to the wedding, they were also asked, “What song will get you out on the dance floor?” Becky says, and the DJ did not disappoint. After the brides’ first dance to Al Green’s “Let’s Stay Together,” guests boogied to such favorites as “Take Me Home, Country Roads,” “Party in the U.S.A.” and “Uptown Funk.” “The glowsticks were a huge hit,” says Meaghan.

The outfits: “I never really grew up picturing my wedding,” Becky says, so she didn’t have a dress in mind when she went to The Bridal Room in McLean, Virginia. But she fell in love with a strapless Elysian Bridal gown. The selling point? “It has pockets, of course,” she says. Meaghan, meanwhile, chose a custom-made gemstone blue-green suit with the wedding date embroidered on the inside pocket, finishing off the ensemble with a matching bow tie.

The menu: “It was pretty eclectic,” says Meaghan of the day’s “spring-forward-ish menu,” which began with passed hors d’oeuvres including mission fig flatbread, short rib tacos and avocado corn salsa; Becky’s aunt did the blessing over the challah bread. For the main course, guests dined on their choice of chicken with figs and port, roasted baby lamb chops or a glazed salmon fillet. A small vanilla confection served as the “cutting cake,” but the real hit of the evening was the Wegmans gold cake with buttercream frosting. “People were like, ‘Oh my god, the

cake was amazing,’ ” Meaghan says. Each of the brides also had a signature cocktail: “The Meaghan” was an Aperol spritz, while “The Becky” was a watermelon gin and tonic.

The honeymoon: In August, the newlyweds spent a week taking in the sights of Ireland. “We went to Dublin for a couple days, and then we rented a car and drove kind of across to Galway, and then up and over the top into Northern Ireland,” says Becky. Right afterward, Becky had to go to England for work, so the pair “continued the spirit” of the honeymoon for a weekend in London, says Meaghan.

Vendors: Cake, Mah-Ze-Dahr Bakery; caterer, Catering by Seasons; dress, The Bridal Room; entertainment, Matt Waller Music; florist, Christine Chung Flowers; hair and makeup, Bella Bethesda Salon; photography, Darcy Troutman Photography; suit, The Tailory; venue, The Mansion at Strathmore.

CULTURE WATCH

Sing Down The Moon:

Appalachian Wonder Tales

ADVENTURE THEATRE MTC

APRIL 26 - MAY 26, 2024

Journey into the Appalachian Mountains in this award-winning musical that deftly weaves four fairy tales of Cinderella, Jack and the Beanstalk, and more plus original music into a keepsake quilt of mountain lore and wisdom for the whole family. This play with music incorporates singing, mountain dances, music, and puppets to create a highly theatrical storytelling style. Recommended for all ages.

Tickets are $25 each.

ADVENTURETHEATRE-MTC.ORG | (301) 634-2270

Two Great Shows Now On Stage!

Cinderella: A Salsa Fairy Tale

FEBRUARY 15 – APRIL 7

Book and Lyrics by Karen Zacarias

Music by Deborah Wicks La Puma

Directed by Nadia Guevara

A bilingual Cinderella with a twist that kids will love!

Best for ages 5+. Tickets start at $12

Summer Dance

MARYLAND YOUTH BALLET

JUNE 24 - AUGUST 10, 2024

Train with Maryland Youth Ballet this Summer! Classes, workshops, camps, and intensives for beginner, intermediate, and advanced dancers ages 2-16. Classical and contemporary ballet, modern and jazz, performance opportunities, and more. Audition required for new students ages 8+. MYB’s Summer Festival student’s will get the opportunity to perform in Rumpelstiltskin at Wolf Trap’s Children’s Theatre-in-the-Woods. info@marylandyouthballet.org

MARYLANDYOUTHBALLET.ORG | (301) 608-2232

Inside Out and Backwards

MARCH 2 - 31

Written and Directed by Kathryn Chase Bryer and Natasha Holmes

Music by Tim Guillot

It’s bedtime, and two children use their imaginations to turn their room inside out, into a wonderland of mess! Best for ages 1-4. Tickets $19.50.

Classes and Camps

Now on Sale

Our 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. Register today!

Award-winning Professional Theatre, Classes and Camps for Children Bethesda, MD

IMAGINATIONSTAGE.ORG (301) 280-1660

Professional Dance Summer

Intensives – Train with the Best!

AKHMEDOVA BALLET ACADEMY

JUNE 17 - AUGUST 10, 2024

For serious dancers 8-23, ABA’s Summer Intensives give students a perfect opportunity to continue improving ballet technique, artistry, pointe, performance skills, contemporary, character, Pilates mat and Reformer. Taught by our esteemed faculty in the Vaganova method of training, dancers will leave with greater strength, confidence and a better knowledge that helps them achieve better results for the new school year. Students who wish to attend ABA PTP will be carefully evaluated for the year-round programs. For admissionaudition in person or per video: Contact@AkhmedovaBallet.org

AKHMEDOVABALLET.ORG | (301) 593-6262

CityDance Conservatory–

Where Talent Meets Training

CITYDANCE CONSERVATORY JUNE - AUGUST 2024

CityDance Conservatory brings world-renowned guest artists and companies PHILADANCO!, Koresh Dance Company, and more to the DC metro area each summer. This year we are also thrilled to announce that Ballet Hispánico will join our incredible line-up. Our individualized programming focuses on each dancer’s unique goals and stage of development through our Foundations Program (age 6) Young Training Program (ages 7-9) and Conservatory (ages 10-20) Intensives. Register to audition and secure a coveted spot for summer 2024. Audition in person or submit a video audition. Don’t miss this exciting summer of training and performances!

CITYDANCE.NET | (301) 581-5204

WATCH

Bethesda Film Fest

BETHESDA ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT

APRIL 5 - 6, 2024 AT 7 PM

Landmark Bethesda Row Cinema

7235 Woodmont Avenue, Bethesda, MD

The 12th annual Bethesda Film Fest will feature five short documentaries made by regional filmmakers. The films were selected by a panel of judges, and will be shown at two screenings on Friday, April 5 and Saturday, April 6, and each screening will be followed by a moderated discussion with the filmmakers. Tickets are $15 and available for purchase online and at the door.

BETHESDA.ORG | (301) 215-6660

Montgomery County’s Cultural Hub

CULTURALSPOTMC

Uncover the gems of Montgomery County’s Arts and Culture at CulureSpotMC.com. From captivating exhibition to live performances, our online events calendar is your portal to the best local artistic experiences. Join us in celebrating the richness of our community’s creativity, and the diverse array of events and programs waiting for you to explore!

CULTURESPOTMC.COM

Work It

Stroller Barre

Need to switch up your usual workout routine? Check out these unique local fitness classes to find a new groove.

BY ALYSSA LANGER

WHERE: Fit4Mom, which offers several types of classes; details vary depending on season, so check the website for current locations around Montgomery County, montgomerycounty.fit4mom.com

WHAT IT IS: This 60-minute class incorporates moves inspired by barre, ballet, Pilates, general fitness and yoga—all the while using strollers for balance. Equipment (bands, light weights) is incorporated sometimes, and there’s usually a mix of standing and floor exercises.

COST: $25 per class without membership; otherwise, price varies by membership

Fit4Mom Montgomery County is one of about 230 franchises around the country providing fitness classes “for moms in all stages of motherhood, from prenatal classes to well beyond,” says Heather Galladora, who owned the local Fit4Mom franchise for about 10 years before passing the reins this past December. But it’s more than just fitness classes; it’s a community, complete with post-workout playgroups, moms’ nights out,

family events and a book club. “I have made many friends over the last eight years,” says Monica Taylor, 46, of Silver Spring. Sidra Jeffries, also of Silver Spring, likes the mom camaraderie. “Not only does it allow you to bring your kids to your workout, but all of the other people you are working out with understand the mom-life struggle,” Jeffries says. “You showed up late because your kid had a blowout in the car right before class? We’ve all been there.”

Classes are offered in person and online. “They’re really inclusive. As an older mom, I’ve never felt unwelcome,” says Melissa Joy, 48, of Kensington, who became a regular during the pandemic. In-person workouts are often outdoors (though some are moved inside during the winter). “Moms are welcome to bring as many kids as they have or are responsible for at any given time,” says Jessica Gilbertsen, the new Fit4Mom Montgomery County franchise owner. If you’re worried about keeping your kid(s) occupied, rest assured that “the instructors are very engaging and sing songs, have books, toys, or bubbles to entertain the kids during

the class,” Taylor says. And if your kid(s) have outgrown the stroller, you’re still welcome to join the class strollerless (or even childless).

KaribFit Signature

WHERE: KaribFit 7117 Maple Ave., Takoma Park; 8630 Fenton St., Silver Spring; 7611 Piney Branch Road, Silver Spring (plus locations outside Montgomery County), karibfit.com

WHAT IT IS: KaribFit Signature is a 60-minute dance fitness class that blends choreography and fitness for a high-energy, full-body workout, complete with toning, strength and cardio. It’s all set to soca music, a genre born from calypso that originated in Trinidad and Tobago in the 1970s.

COST: $25 per class without membership; otherwise, price varies by membership

When KaribFit was founded in 2015, “there were no other fitness or dance formats in our area focused on the rich culture of Africa and the Caribbean,” says founder and owner Neki Meya. Her goal was to focus on her family’s Ghanian and Caribbean heri-

A Stroller Barre class at the BenderJCC

tage, create workouts to soca and other African music genres, and ultimately combine fitness and cultural dance traditions. According to Meya, “All of the dance movements that we do are centered and grounded in the cultural connections and dance styles that our ancestors did, things that were brought from Africa to the Caribbean and to the States.” It’s this cultural tie that drew member Tamia Pleasants, 45, to the studio in 2015. “[It is] the most unique Black-Afro-Caribbean womanowned fitness business,” says Pleasants, who lives in Bowie. “For me, as a Black woman, it’s so refreshing to see someone with curves carve out a new narrative for healthy.”

Best of all, you may forget you’re working out. “It’s like a party atmosphere with incredible instructors and great music. I love a workout that doesn’t feel like your typical gym workout,” says Tanisha Pryce, 42. She’s so dedicated to the classes that she’s been commuting to KaribFit from her Baltimore home since 2015. Woryeneh Benson, 33, of Silver Spring, says, “It feels like I am at the club on a mini vacation.” The studio welcomes all lev-

Impulsivity

els, including people who are new to dance, new to working out, or returning to working out after some time away; instructors are trained to modify the choreography to meet each person where they are, Meya says. Class sizes average around five people, and sessions are available virtually, too.

K-pop

WHERE: N2 Studios, Gold’s Gym Wintergreen Plaza, 835 Rockville Pike, Rockville, n2studios.dance

WHAT IT IS: Learn the choreography to hit Korean pop songs in 90-minute classes. COST: $27 per class without membership; otherwise, price varies by membership

If you’ve ever dreamed of pulling off the moves in the “Butter” video, K-pop class may be for you. It’s one of many dance sessions offered by N2 Studios, which opened in the fall of 2021. These classes are “not just a fun way to exercise, but also an opportunity to engage with Korean pop culture,” says Niki Yu, one of N2’s owners. N2

The

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includes links to the songs/music videos (and choreography time stamps) on their class schedule so you know in advance what you’ll learn and can choose the class that will teach you the moves you’re dying to learn, whether they’re from BTS, Blackpink, NewJeans, Twice, Seventeen or another band. Classes, which are limited to about 10-15 people, are available to all levels and all ages (no previous experience is necessary) and are all in person.

Most students are already K-pop fans when they join, as “their passion for K-pop is often what brings them to our studio,” Yu says. But the studio also welcomes those who are totally new to K-pop. Students quickly learn that K-pop is more than just dance, Yu notes—it’s the synergy of the song, performance and fashion. “This comprehensive and visually appealing approach makes K-pop unique,” Yu says, “allowing students to engage not only in dance, but also in singing and styling, inspired by their favorite K-pop idols.”

At Strathmore, the arts are for all of us. All to create. All to enjoy. All to share. All to cherish.

Downtown Bethesda

With premium retailers, a lineup of notable dining options and a plethora of arts and entertainment venues, Bethesda draws happy crowds day and night

Bethesda, for those who remember it three to four decades ago, was once a sleepy hamlet of old-school shops and vintage diners. Then, in 2001, the neighborhood expanded from the quaint streets of Woodmont Triangle to Bethesda Row’s modern streetscape when developers completed a shining mix of skyscrapers and sophisticated shops along the pedestrian-friendly streets. The expansion led to more dining options, some of which were operated by the DMV’s top chefs. Today, Bethesda has three theaters, six art galleries and The Writers Center, where local authors meet to hone their craft. Downtown Bethesda has become a bustling place, where active folks

COMING UP

Imagination Stage debuts Inside Out and Backwards, a show for children ages 1 to 4, which runs from March 2 to 31.

Bethesda Urban Partnership hosts the 2024 Poetry Awards & Reading at The Writers Center on March 14, followed by the 2024 Essay Awards & Reading on March 15 at the Hyatt Regency Bethesda.

The Bethesda Film Fest features local and regional documentary makers screening and discussing their films at Landmark Bethesda Row Cinema on April 5 and 6.

BY RENEE SKLAREW

can enjoy biking on the Capital Crescent Trail or a workout in exclusive gyms and yoga studios. Afterward, they can reward themselves with sweet treats—Bethesda has more than a dozen crave-worthy bakeries, with cases full of European pastries and gooey cookies. Locals and commuters love the free Bethesda Circulator bus, with its 20 convenient stops. You could spend a week in Bethesda and never run out of discoveries in this ever-evolving neighborhood.

DRESS Bethesda has a wealth of apparel stores, from upscale chains to independently owned shops. But notable among the broad offerings on Bethesda

Clarksburg

Damascus

Germantown

Gaithersburg

Olney

Aspen Hill

Rockville

Potomac Bethesda Silver Spring

Poolesville

Kensington

GOOD

Lane is Wylie Grey, a fashion boutique that began as a pop-up. Local owners Nikki Yazdanian and Rachel Grinney focus their offerings on elevated basics, from jeans to sweaters and winter coats. Look for such sustainable and emerging brands as Ulla Johnson, Sabina Musayev and Sea. 7125 Bethesda Lane, wyliegrey.com

PLAY Kids need a creative outlet, and Imagination Stage has them covered, whether it’s watching a show with professional actors or participating in hands-on acting classes. The programs here cater to children ranging from 12 months old to high school seniors, with dance, filmmaking, musical theater and improv. While the main hub is a contemporary theater complex in Bethesda, the 45-year-old organization has 50 satellite locations. 4908 Auburn Ave., imaginationstage.org

BROWSE Ask locals where to find that special gift for their favorite people and they’ll likely point to The Blue House. For nearly three decades, this shop has sold whimsical home decor, seasonal items, jewelry, clothing and accessories in the Woodmont Triangle neighborhood. Owner Connie Cissel stocks both the trendy and the tried-and-true, including treasures you didn’t even know you needed (earbud cleaning kit, anyone?). 7833 Woodmont Ave., thebluehousebethesda.com

NOSH This is the original location of Bethesda Bagels, and after 42 years the bakers are still serving arguably the best bagels in the DMV. But the menu doesn’t stop with sesame, poppy, flagels (flat bagels) or multigrain. The lineup changes seasonally, with favorites such as pumpkin and blueberry popping up on the menu. Diehards swear by the pepperoni pizza bagel. 4819 Bethesda Ave., bethesdabagels.com

DISCOVER Bethesda Theater opened its doors in 1938 and has since morphed

from a movie house to its current iteration as a dinner theater and event space. Audiences will find a wide range of performances by famous comedians, jazz artists, go-go acts and Christian bands—but always with a side of drinks and dining. 7719 Wisconsin Ave., bethesdatheater.com

DRINK Despite the skyline of soaring office space and apartments, there’s only one penthouse speakeasy, and it sits atop a Marriott hotel, next to the company’s international headquarters. Hip Flask Rooftop Bar opened in 2022 with far-reaching views of Bethesda from its 12th-floor perch. Find a seat beside the floor-to-ceiling windows or on the outside patio from 5 to 7 p.m. for happy hour to try a signature cocktail such as the Smoking Beauty or MoCo’s Waredaca on draft. 7707 Woodmont Ave., hipflaskrooftop.com

SHOP Among the plethora of high-end shops is Pampillonia, a jewelry store with superb service and a selection of gems you can’t help but covet. While there are many more affordable jewelry stores around here, none has this level of quality—that includes estate pieces, colorful Arcobaleno enamel jewelry, and recycled metals and diamonds. The jewelers are experts in creating custom engagement rings, too. 7114 Bethesda Lane, pampillonia.com

MANGIA One local family has brought years of joy to the neighbors. Olazzo, an Italian restaurant owned by brothers Roberto and Riccardo Pietrobono, has been a Bethesda fixture since it opened in 2002. You can expect nearly every day to see regulars devouring the luscious homemade pastas and meatballs. The menu has hefty sandwiches, tasty apps, bountiful salads, and a stellar selection of Italian and California wines. The Pietrobonos also own Bethesda’s Alatri Bros. pizzeria and two Gringos & Mariachis restaurants. 7921 Norfolk Ave., olazzo.com

One With Nature

BY CHRISTINE KOUBEK FLYNN

Nestled near Luray, Virginia, which is famous for its dramatic caverns, Spacious Skies Campgrounds-Shenandoah Views offers a peaceful, family-friendly haven surrounded by mountain views, rolling hills and friendly cows that greet campers along the fence line. Set up your home away from home at one of the campground’s RV sites, cabins, tent sites or glamping yurts. Most sites include firepits and picnic tables. A new camp store, two pools, dog park and playground with a new jumping pillow round out the fun.

Spacious Skies’ Luray location is one of 15 sites in a collection of campgrounds that begins in Savannah, Georgia, and runs north through the Carolinas and into the Northeast, all the way to Abbot, Maine. Early April is an ideal time to visit the Shenandoah area for spring blooms. Download the Seek by iNaturalist app (or bring another plant and flower identifier) and spot wildflowers, hepaticas, asters, Turk’s-cap lilies, spiderworts, anemones, wild azaleas and more along Skyline Drive and Shenandoah National Park’s many hiking trails.

Nearby attractions also include the Luray Zoo, Hawksbill Brewing Co., Bear Mountain Ziplines, Luray Caverns, the Car and Carriage Caravan Museum, and Shenandoah River Outfitters. Tent site rates begin at $27 as of March 8. RV sites with full hookups (water, electric and sewer) start at $51 for a gravel site, $64 for a pull-through site with concrete patio, and $50 for a deluxe pergola site. Yurts rent from $82 per night, and cabins with bathroom and kitchen from $88. Many of the sites have cable and WiFi services.

Spacious Skies Campgrounds-Shenandoah Views, 3402 Kimball Road, Luray, Virginia, 540-743-7222, spaciousskiescampgrounds.com/shenandoah-views

PHOTOS COURTESY SPACIOUS SKIES CAMPGROUNDS

GOOD LIFE TRAVELER’S

Bunk down with views of the Shenandoah at Spacious Skies Campgrounds.

Bon Vivant Style

Enjoy with Gusto Hospitality Group, the company behind some of Easton, Pennsylvania’s top restaurants, poured a passion for chic one-of-a-kind design into its first boutique hotel—Townley House. Opened along Easton’s “Millionaire’s Row” in December 2020, the more than 150-year-old property was transformed into a boutique hotel with nods to an architectural history found in the original 1866 wood moldings, hand-carved mahogany staircase, and fireplaces with tiles originally crafted at Moravian Pottery and Tile Works in 1898 by Henry Chapman Mercer. Each of the 16 cozy guest rooms includes its own unique headboard (many vibrantly colored), luxury bedding, mini fridge, TV, tiled walk-in shower, bathrobes and slippers, plus turn-down service complete with a lavender pillow mist and sweet treat. Begin your evening in the garden adjacent to the hotel’s Bar Bix

and order a creatively crafted (and named) cocktail. Guest favorites include the Tequila Mockingbird and the Practice What You Peach. For design inspiration, check out the garden’s claw-foot tubsturned-planters. From there, head to dinner at River Grille or Three Oak Steakhouse, two of Enjoy With Gusto’s restaurants. Both are a short walk from the hotel. Rates begin at $220.

Townley House, 130 N. Third St., Easton, Pennsylvania, 484-544-4801, townleyhouse.com

PHOTOS COURTESY TOWNLEY HOUSE

Clockwise from top left: Outside Townley House; a guest room bedroom; cocktails from the Bar Bix

Bird Is the Word

Spend a weekend savoring songs—from birds and humans — at Merriweather Lakehouse Hotel in Columbia, Maryland. The nature- and music-inspired hotel is a tree-lined walking path away from Merriweather Post Pavilion, the iconic concert venue. The hotel’s one-of-a-kind partnership with The Birdsong Project (thebird songproject.com), launched in 2023, adds tweets and warbles to the music mix. The optional immersive in-room experience includes a boxed record set of more than 200 tracks of original music and bird-related spoken poetry. Spread the 20 art-covered albums across the floor and have fun choosing tracks to play on a Crosley record player from a flock of musicians and writers. Poets Ocean Vuong, Joy Harjo and Ada Limón are featured (some reading their own work), and actors such as Sean Penn and Daryl Hannah (who reads Pablo Neruda’s “Ode to the Hummingbird”) lend their voices to more, plus there’s music performed by Elvis Costello, Beck, Bette Midler and others.

The experience can be booked with a balcony/lakeview room or a suite and also includes boxed water, trail mix and a pair of Warby Parker “Birdoculars” to borrow for assistance in spotting birds from your balcony or during exploration of the walking trails. Raptors, terns, flycatchers, swallows, thrushes, warblers and orioles are just a few you may find. The Maryland Bird Guide is one project element that’s meant to be taken home. The guide, which was authored and co-illustrated by local birding enthusiast Xaviana Leis when she was 11 years old, is full of fun facts about birds of prey and backyard birds.

Nods to Merriweather Post Pavilion are scattered throughout the 212-room hotel in posters from concerts past and guest room photographs of performers through the decades, such as Janis Joplin and Led Zeppelin. The Osprey Cafe, the Rookery Bar & Lounge and the restaurant Lāk are all located on the lobby level, and the floor-to-

ceiling windows of each overlook Lake Kittamaqundi. Lāk’s menu changes seasonally, featuring locally sourced ingredients from Maryland farms and seafood suppliers. Rates begin at $319 per night; $419 for a balcony suite with Birdsong Project amenities. Better still: Combine your visit with a concert at the pavilion (walk or take the hotel’s VIP shuttle service) and grab a bite from the midnight munchies snack cart when you return.

Merriweather Lakehouse Hotel, 10209 Wincopin Circle, Columbia, Maryland, 410-730-3900, merriweatherlakehouse.com

PHOTOS COURTESY MERRIWEATHER LAKEHOUSE HOTEL

The Birdsong Project record set

From left: The Merriweather Lakehouse Hotel swimming pool; mussels from the restaurant; a lakeview guestroom

A lakeview vista

THE TOP A VIEW FROM

By Nevin Martell

A TREEHOUSE GETAWAY IN THE NORTHWESTERN MARYLAND WOODS IS FOR THE INNER CHILD IN ALL OF US

Icouldn’t believe it: A childhood dream was finally coming true.

Before me was The Gathering Tree, one of four adorable arboreal abodes at Ella’s Enchanted Treehouses, a magical getaway nestled in the woods of Grantsville, Maryland. That spring night, I was going to sleep in this fetching treehouse, like I was in The Swiss Family Robinson

Eyes ablaze with childlike wonder, I climbed the wooden stairway to the cabin’s large front deck, which offered an immersive view of the surrounding forest, all sleeved in green in celebration of spring’s unfolding. After pausing to appreciate the stillness, I entered the treehouse, pinching myself as I crossed the threshold.

The surprisingly spacious main room, with a ceiling two stories above, combined a living room, dining area and kitchen; the master bedroom, with a queen-size bed, and the bathroom completed the first floor. Spiral steps led to the cozy L-shaped loft, home to a pair of double beds snuggled under the eaves.

Constructed almost entirely of wood with a backwoods-chic aesthetic, the treehouse felt like it was straight out of Johann David Wyss’ classic castaway saga of a family shipwrecked on a remote uninhabited island, where they learn to live off the land and thrive as rulers of their own wild kingdom. Their homestead is a surprisingly luxurious treehouse, a proverbial castle in the clouds. As a kid, I loved the idea of a home cradled by the limbs of a tree, closer to the sky and the stars, creating the sensation that you were floating between the heavens and the earth.

I never felt I was marooned on a deserted island at The Gathering Tree, because it’s outfitted with modern living in mind. There is a compact kitchen with a microwave, toaster oven, small fridge-freezer, coffee maker, dual hot plates, a few pots and pans, and serving ware. There’s also an outdoor firepit that’s ideal for roasting s’mores or maybe doing some cooking in the coals. This is not the place to whip up grand feasts, but it has everything you need to

create simple, satisfying meals.

I was happy I brought a book to enjoy since there are lots of nooks inside and out that beckon for a good read. If you want to watch a movie, there is a combo TV/DVD player accompanied by a small selection of familyfriendly titles. Sadly, The Swiss Family Robinson is not among them.

Not that I had any interest in resorting to screen time. When I wasn’t marveling over my treehouse accommodations, I explored the surrounding Garrett County. Forged from the 656-square-mile triangular northwestern corner of Maryland, a two-and-ahalf-hour drive from Bethesda, it’s the state’s youngest county. The glimmering crown jewel is Deep Creek Lake, Maryland’s largest freshwater body, sprawling across 3,900 acres, ringed by 65 miles of shoreline, and plunging as deep as 72 feet.

The county aims to be a four-season destination. The region is most active from Memorial Day through Labor Day, but it draws tens of thousands of visitors for its annual five-day Autumn Glory Festival (happening Oct. 9-13 this year), and Wisp Resort’s 33 slopes are thronged with ski bums during the snowy months. I visited in late May, just in time to bask in the start of the sunny weather, but ahead of the crowds.

Check-in at Ella’s isn’t until 4 p.m. (and checkout is at 10 a.m., which made my single-night stay feel a bit truncated), so at lunchtime I made a beeline for Ace’s Run in nearby Oakland, perched on the shores of Deep Creek Lake. At my table alongside the wide windows, I was treated to gorgeous views of blue sky and cotton ball clouds reflecting off the placid water. The walk-ins-only restaurant features a large menu of Americana standards:

Left: The Gathering Tree at Ella’s Enchanted Treehouses. Above: The kitchen awaiting you inside.

MORE TREEHOUSE GETAWAYS

THE TREEHOUSE CAMP AT MAPLE TREE CAMPGROUND

The crown jewel of this bewitching collection of magical treehouses is the Dragonfly Fairy House, a whimsical two-story cabin for up to 10 guests with a sweeping deck, covered porch, and tower bedazzled with stained glass windows. There’s no electricity, but cooking can be done on the woodstove or outdoor grill. Rates for the Dragonfly Fairy House start at $150 per night for up to four people. 20716 Townsend Road, Rohrersville, Maryland, thetreehousecamp.com

PRIMLAND RESORT

Crafted from gleaming cedar and tucked into the trees overlooking the picturesque Kibler Valley, these three adultsonly luxe treehouses are perfect for a romantic getaway. The 450-square-foot Mountain Top Tree House offers a king bed, fireplace, and large deck featuring a hot tub and outdoor shower. Rates for the Mountain Top Tree House start at $2,300 per night. 2000 Busted Rock Road, Meadows of Dan, Virginia, aubergeresorts.com/primland/stay/treehouses

TRILLIUM TREEHOUSE

Notched between three trees, the gnome-worthy cabin looks like it was transported from the pages of a fairy tale. With room to sleep four, the glamping-style structure features battery-powered lighting, a gas stove for cooking and heating, and a small deck where one might enjoy a morning coffee or a glass of wine in the evening (there’s a composting toilet in an adjacent outhouse). Rates are generally $202 a night. Linden, Virginia (full address provided at time of booking), airbnb.com/rooms/13493938

indulgent starters (think a giant pretzel topped with crab dip, or deep-fried local cheese curds), burgers, salads, sandwiches, and surf ’n’ turf entrees.

I ordered a righteous fried chicken sandwich on a brioche bun piled high with cabbage slaw and a monstrous slice of tomato. Since I opted for a side salad rather than fries, I felt I deserved a treat. So I ambled a short distance down the road to Lakeside Creamery, where summertime memories are served a scoop at a time. I savored a thick peanut-butter-and-chocolate milkshake at one of their picnic tables overlooking the water, soaking in the sun and riding the sugar rush.

The neighboring town of McHenry

TOP PHOTO COURTESY GARRETT COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE; BOTTOM PHOTO BY SUSAN LEOPOLD

is packed with bric-a-brac shops geared toward the tourist hordes. I enjoyed poking around Bear Creek Traders, a colorful emporium brimming with country kitsch, tacky souvenirs and, naturally, an endless array of bear curios. To spare myself the chore of cooking dinner, I popped into FireFly Farms Market in Accident, just a short distance away, where you can put together an impressive grazing board punctuated with cheese and charcuterie, find gourmet snacks galore, and pick up fantastic cheese-centric sandwiches.

In the afternoon, I hiked Deep Creek Lake State Park’s Meadow Mountain Trail, a rising and falling 5.5-mile loop through a verdant forest coming alive in the spring, its hilly terrain punctuated by giant boulders, fuzzy with moss and

splattered with lichen. By the time I was ensconced in my treehouse for the evening, I was happily worn out, my belly growling for sustenance. As I noshed on a toothsome baguette brimming with goat cheese, fig jam and prosciutto, a requisite pack of salt ’n’ vinegar chips on the side, I listened to the sounds of the forest—the rising, falling insect orchestra; gentle breezes flickering through the leaves to create a soothing shooshing; the lonely call of an owl. It was the epitome of tranquility. Later, cuddled into the big bed, sleep came easily.

I was up at 5 a.m. to kick-start my day and savor as much time as possible in the treehouse before checkout. After brewing a pot of strong coffee, I headed outside to the comfy side porch off the main bedroom. Settling into

one of the two chairs nestled against a small side table, I sipped my coffee as I watched birds flitting among the trees and flickering through soft rays of golden light from the gently rising sun. A rooster crowed somewhere nearby. The air was redolent with the smells of spring: the damp following the thaw, the arrival of fresh growth, the remains of autumn leaves giving up the ghost as they disintegrated into the woodland floor.

The raw beauty, the decompressing calm and the potential of the day yet to unfold reminded me of a line from The Swiss Family Robinson: “It was one of those happy days that God grants us sometimes on earth to give us an idea of the bliss of heaven.”

My inner child beamed, and so did I.

PHOTOS BY STACIE GRIFFITH

Left: A scenic overlook at Meadow Mountain. Above: Get ready to get cozy inside some of Ella’s Enchanted Treehouses.

WHERE TO STAY, EAT & SHOP

ELLA’S ENCHANTED TREEHOUSES

Treehouses starting at $315 per night; two-night minimum usually required. 1218 Frank Brenneman Road, Grantsville, Maryland, eetreehouses.com

ACE’S RUN

This family-friendly lakeside restaurant serves stick-toyour-ribs Americana fare, including burgers, surf ’n’ turf classics and shareable apps. 20160 Garrett Highway, Oakland, Maryland, acesrun.com

FIREFLY FARMS MARKET

The charming roadside market offers a well curated selection of bougie bites—from charcuterie to thoughtfully composed sandwiches highlighting favorites from the cheese case. 309 S. Main St., Accident, Maryland, fireflyfarms.com

FROM TOP LEFT: PHOTO BY STACIE GRIFFITH; PHOTO COURTESY FIREFLY FARMS

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WHERE TO STAY, EAT & SHOP

LAKESIDE CREAMERY

Choose from a rainbow of ice creams in a dozen flavors, as well as shakes, smoothies and sundaes, then head outside to enjoy your frozen treat at a picnic table with water views. 20282 Garrett Highway, Oakland, Maryland, lakesidecreamery.com

BEAR CREEK TRADERS

The epic souvenir shop is packed with every kind of touristy tchotchke imaginable, including countless T-shirts, stickers, mugs and figurines embracing the boutique’s bear theme. 24586 Garrett Highway, McHenry, Maryland, bearcreektraders.com

Jack Rosen Custom Kitchens

12223 Nebel St. | Rockville, MD 20852 240-595-6732 | BeautifulRosenKitchens.com

BIO

As Bethesda Magazine’s only five-time winner for Best Kitchen Design Firm, Jack Rosen Custom Kitchens, Inc., continues to be one of the most renowned kitchen design firms in the Washington, D.C. area. Offering custom cabinetry for culinary, closets, baths, entertainment and work-from-home spaces, with outstanding service for more than 42 years.

OUR WORK

Jack Rosen Custom Kitchens is widely recognized for creating spaces with synergy—designed just for you. The photo at the top shows a modern classic kitchen with Elmwood cabinets painted white and green with two Calacatta Bella marble islands, one for prep and one featuring an eat-in countertop, as well as a Vonn Lighting chandelier to add chic sophistication. The second photo shows the complementary custom bar/coffee zone with marble backsplash and open shelving in walnut—creating a captivating environment perfect for entertaining. Jack Rosen Custom Kitchens, Inc., believes every award-winning space should be laid out to fit one’s lifestyle and serve as the central hub for gathering, entertaining, or working from home.

Loovely Interiors

4520 Harling Ln. | Bethesda, MD 20814 | 202-999-9910 Info@loovely-interiors.com | loovely-interiors.com

BIO

Isy Jackson is the creative force and visionary founder behind Loovely Interiors, an exclusive design studio located in the heart of Bethesda, Md., offering bespoke commercial and residential powder room solutions. The name derives from ‘Lovely Loo’ as Isy is British and feels that the powder room is a small but mighty space. With a master’s degree in interior architecture from George Washington University and a background in a commercial D.C. firm as well as having worked for a renowned D.C. residential designer, we are well placed to create tailored solutions to elevate your powder room into an on-brand luxury experience for your guests.

OUR WORK

Our meticulous attention to detail is evident in every project, whether it's transforming home powder rooms into luxurious retreats or elevating commercial powder rooms to new heights of opulence. If clients want to simply add wallpaper, we can find the perfect choice and it will instantly add gravitas, or we can completely transform and redesign everything down to lighting placements and monogrammed accessories. Let Loovely elevate your loo!

Maplewood Park Place

9707 Old Georgetown Road | Bethesda, MD 20814 301-850-1950 | MaplewoodParkPlace.com

BIO

Welcome to Maplewood Park Place, Bethesda’s only residentowned retirement community. Here in a walkable, wooded, suburban neighborhood, you’ll enjoy fine dining, fabulous amenities, opportunities to form meaningful connections through a host of activities, and a complete continuum of high-quality care, if ever needed. We call it living that’s just right.

OUR WORK

Maplewood Park Place sets the standard for exceptional senior living, starting with our artfully crafted one-, two- and threebedroom apartment homes. You’ll enjoy all of the tax advantages of owning a home, and none of the chores. You'll also have the opportunity to work with our in-house remodeling team to make it your own. With The Kenwood, which is a two-bedroom, two-bath walk-in model with sunroom, you’ll have plenty of room for creative expression. The possibilities start with an inviting foyer, our popular living room/dining room combination, designer kitchen with pantry and nicely separated bedrooms for extra privacy. Other thoughtful details include two convenient walk-in closets, an enclosed balcony and a washer and dryer. The Kenwood is waiting for you to make it your own.

Hopkins & Porter Construction, Inc.

12944 Travilah Road, Suite 204 | Potomac, MD 20854 301-840-9121 | Hopkinsandporter.com

BIO

For more than 45 years, Potomac’s Hopkins & Porter Construction has been transforming the way families live by providing fullservice, custom design/build services. From start to finish, with our hands-on process and comprehensive design/build system, we approach each project uniquely, simply because it’s the way we care.

OUR WORK

The award-winning designs from Hopkins & Porter include a variety of remodeling and home improvement projects. Whether it is an addition, a multi-level remodel, a kitchen or bathroom transformation, updating a home office or creating a multi-functional space, our seasoned project managers and skilled builders can handle any remodeling challenge.

James McDonald Associate Architects, PC

10135 Colvin Run Road, Suite 200 | Great Falls, VA 22066 703-757-0036 | jamesmcdonaldarchitects.com

BIO

James McDonald Associate Architects is an award-winning firm specializing in residential architecture. We design our projects around each individual client’s project needs and wishes. The homes we design range in size from jewel box cottages to grand estates. Each home, no matter the style or size, is designed to meet the client’s needs.

PROJECT

Our client wanted a modern home tucked away on their wooded lot in Great Falls. We designed a white stucco and limestone home with soaring glass window walls, a dynamic and open floor plan, and access to a covered outdoor loggia to create a flowing indoor/ outdoor living environment. From the foyer you can see the floating metal staircase looking out onto the wooded rear yard, and a threestory drip waterfall providing the central node of the home. From the inside you feel you are nestled within the trees; from the outside the homeowners live in a clean modern home.

Cheltenham Interiors

4520 Harling Ln. | Bethesda, MD 20814 | 202-999-9910

Info@cheltenham-interiors.com | cheltenham-interiors.com

BIO

Cheltenham Interiors is an upscale interior architecture and design studio located in Bethesda, MD, led by Isy Jackson. With a master's degree in interior architecture from George Washington University and a background in a commercial D.C. firm, as well as having worked for a renowned D.C. residential designer, Isy is well-placed to create tailored solutions to elevate your spaces into a haven of refined comfort.

OUR WORK

Our expertise spans full home interior design encompassing space planning, lighting planning, architectural finish and fixture specifications, furniture and antiques procurement and art curation. Drawing from a rich background in Art History from University College London, we bring a unique perspective and particularly enjoy working on properties with traditional or historical features. We love color, pattern and mixing antiques with modern furnishings. Yet we are versatile in creating diverse design aesthetics, from traditional to midcentury, art deco, bohemian, coastal and minimalist modern catering to each client’s unique taste and personality.

Aidan Design

Celebrating over 20 years in business, Aidan Design specializes in residential kitchen and bathroom design in the Washington metro area. Understanding clients' needs is first and foremost. Thoughtful and creative design is paired with close attention to detail and exceptional customer service.

301-320-8735 | 8935 Brookville Road | Silver Spring, MD 20910 aidandesign.com

Architessa

Certified Women-Owned and family-operated since our founding, Architessa brings generations of passion and experience to our industry. We are a comprehensive tile and stone company that works with homeowners, designers, and architects to find the perfect tile for every project.

1-800-287-1742 | sales@architessa.com

Cabin John Builders

Cabin John Builders, an acclaimed custom home builder, excels in luxurious renovations, expansions and bespoke new homes. Discover the ease and delight of your major construction projects with our dedicated, expert team in the Washington, D.C. area.

301-637-3566 | josh@cabinjohnbuilders.com cabinjohnbuilders.com

Amicus Green Building Center

Since 2005, Amicus has created fresh spaces-fresh designs, fresh air and water and a fresh take on what our buildings can do for us. Working with your contractor or ours, our products and expertise can help you create a wonderful space that looks fantastic and feels great.

301-571-8590 | 4080A Howard Ave. | Kensington, MD 20895 amicusgreen.com

BOWA

For projects ranging from kitchens and primary suites to whole-house and condo remodels, you can count on BOWA to deliver sophisticated, luxury transformations with stunning results, all while ensuring your remodeling experience is second to none.

7900 Westpark Drive, Suite A180 | McLean, VA 22102 703-734-9050 | bowa.com

Chase Builders

Chase Builders is a premier home builder, with over two decades of industry excellence. Our skilled professionals create customized, luxury homes, ensuring perfection from concept to completion. Committed to quality, innovation and exceptional service, trust Chase Builders for your own dream home. Contact us today!

301-588-4747 | ChaseBuilders.com

Instagram: @chasebuildersinc

Chesapeake Kitchen Design

Chesapeake Kitchen Design has been working with D.C. area homeowners transform their kitchens and bathrooms into luxurious new spaces for over 40 years. From stylish and expansive kitchens perfect for entertaining, to ornate and spa-like bathrooms, our team has completed a wide range of luxury remodeling projects throughout the greater D.C. community.

8001 Wisconsin Ave., Suite 102 | Bethesda, MD 20814 301-652-7880 | chesakitdes.com

Elie Ben Architecture

An award-winning Architecture firm, designing custom & speculative homes to promote a timeless, intuitive living experience. Our goal is to cherish client’s expectations and design a living space that is both inspiring and functional. Contact us for consultation about your project.

202-860-7050 | ElieBenArch.com

Glickman Design Build

Glickman Design Build, with over 40 years in transforming homes, excels in wholehouse renovations, interior and accessible design, aging-in-place remodels and ADUs, crafting spaces that merge luxury with tailored functionality.

301-444-4663 | 15757 Crabbs Branch Way | Rockville, MD 20855 info@glickmandesignbuild.com | glickmandesignbuild.com

DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen of NW DC

"With over 20 years of experience in interior residential remodeling in Washington, D.C. we are ready for the Grand Opening of our Design Center in 2024! Our customers will enjoy the one-stop experience, from design to build. Enhancing lives, improving homes!"

3414 Idaho Ave. NW | Washington, D.C. 20016 202-920-1180 | Info@DreamMakerNWDC.com

DreamMaker-Remodel.com/NWDC

Fisher Lumber

Family owned and operated since 1947, Fisher Lumber provides top quality building materials. Our selection includes only the best materials from the brands professionals trust. With an enthusiastic and friendly staff, our focus is outstanding service that exceeds customer expectations.

301-424-6500 | FisherLumber.com

Hopkins & Porter Construction, Inc.

The Designers, Builders, and Remodelers at Hopkins & Porter have transformed homes and lifestyles in the DMV area for over 45 years. Known for our creative solutions and quality work, together let’s plan your next remodel, addition, kitchen, or bathroom project.

12944 Travilah Road, Suite 204 | Potomac, MD 20854 301-840-9121 | HopkinsAndPorter.com

Hughes Landscaping

Since 1983, Hughes has been providing comprehensive landscaping, hardscaping, tree removal and construction services for residential and commercial properties in Bethesda, Potomac, D.C. and the surrounding areas. Expertly transforming spaces to meet all your needs! Contact us today!

301-330-4949 | HughesLandscaping.com

Kristin Peake Interiors

KPI is a luxury interior design firm, now branching out to design and transform the typical dorm room into a bespoke and fun space. For more information, call the number below or send us a message.

301-545-0441 | info@kristinpeakeinteriors.com

Natelli Homes, LLC

Offering personalized and trusted design and building services for custom homes and renovations for almost 4 decades. The quality brand known throughout the DC market now serves Bethany, Rehoboth and the Delaware beaches.

301-938-5933 | NatelliHomes.com

Kitchen Tune-Up

Kitchen Tune-Up is dedicated to saving you money and time with high-quality kitchen transformations in under two weeks. We offer cabinet painting, refacing and redooring, custom cabinets and one-day wood restoration all with a focus on respect, trust and communication.

240-221-5460 | teambethesda@kitchentuneup.com

KitchenTuneUp.com/bethesda-potomac-gaithersburg

Manion + Associates, Architects

Thomas Manion, AIA founded his design firm over 40 years ago. Specializing in custom residential design, we serve the entire Washington D.C. Metro area. We value a collaborative approach with our clients, which has helped us achieve multiple design awards.

301-229-7000 | www.manionarchitects.com

New America Restoration

Restore your home's health with our expert mold remediation services! Say goodbye to harmful mold and enjoy a clean, safe environment. Trust our skilled team for effective solutions. Your home deserves the best care. Serving Montgomery County, MD. Call us today!

240-855-4225 | newamericarestoration.com | IICRC Certified Firm

Sandy Spring Builders

We are the premier custom homebuilder in the area with our integrated, full- service team. With over 40 years of experience and vast portfolio of well-built homes, our happy clients have made us Best of Bethesda every year since its inception. Our expertise is unmatched in the industry and we are proud to be our client’s “Builder for Life”.

301-913-5995 |

SandySpringBuilders.com

structure.

Renovation specialists with a fresh take on home aesthetics and a soulful, creative approach to how home improvement is experienced. The STRUCTURE team has a reputation for high quality, highly customized projects that shine with undeniable style. This boutique renovation and home building firm provides the keys to a well-loved home.

4810 Creek Shore Drive | North Bethesda, MD 20852 240-994-1520 | info@structurecustomhomes.com

StructureCustomHomes.com

TOBE Design Group

Life is complicated. Designing a space doesn’t have to be. TOBE DesignGroup is a full-service interior architecture + design firm creating inspiring solutions that are beautiful, functional and unparalleled. Our areas of practice include residential, multifamily residential, corporate and retail projects.

301-656-6600 | hello@tobedesigngroup.com tobedesigngroup.com

Spectrum Design Build

Spectrum Design Build excels in remodeling with unmatched care and standards. From innovative designs to custom craftsmanship, we collaborate closely with clients, bringing new life to homes. A local and national award-winning company, our decades of experience ensure creative, sustainable building to realize your dream space.

301-585-6630 | spectrumdesignbuild.com

Instagram: @spectrumdesignbuild

Smith Thomas & Smith

Since 1960, we have provided our residential clients with in-house design services, value-engineered, competitive pricing and effective project scheduling and completion. Our full-service remodeling includes handyman repairs, kitchens, bathrooms, whole-house renovations and small and large additions.

301-656-0141 | SmithThomasSmith.com

Wilets Architecture

Wilets Architecture creates custom residential and community buildings, crafting inspired spaces for people who live, work and play within. Our architectural vision, construction knowledge and collaborative process propel projects from concept to completion, improving lives and adding value to communities.

Scott Wilets, AIA | Bethesda, MD 20817 | 301-980-4823 info@wiletsarchitecture.com | wiletsarchitecture.com

GORAN KOSANOVIC

DAKHABRAKHA

Fri, March 1

Ukrainian “ethno chaos” band

LADYSMITH BLACK MAMBAZO

Fri, March 8

South Africa’s cultural ambassadors to the world

ARTURO SANDOVAL PEDRITO MARTINEZ

Sun, March 10

Cuban music masters

NICKEL CREEK

Thu, March 14–Limited tickets

EMMET COHEN

LIVE FROM EMMET’S PLACE WITH SPECIAL GUESTS

Fri, March 15

Jazz piano virtuoso

RHIANNON GIDDENS

Mon, March 18–Limited tickets

PAT METHENY DREAM BOX TOUR

Wed, April 3

Grammy-winning jazz guitar pioneer

SONA JOBARTEH

Sun, April 7

Trailblazing female kora maestro

CAETANO VELOSO MEU COCO

Tue, Apr 9–Limited tickets

Grammy-winning Brazilian music icon

BERNARD/EBB SONGWRITING AWARDS CONCERT & AWARDS CEREMONY

Fri, Apr 12

Celebrating the best songwriters in the region

AN EVENING WITH DAVID SEDARIS

Sat, April 13

Best-selling author and humorist

50TH ANNIVERSARY OF A PRAIRIE HOME COMPANION

Thu, April 18

Anniversary tour of the popular live variety show

Strathmore and Washington

Performing Arts Present TERENCE BLANCHARD

With the E-Collective, Turtle Island Quartet & Andres F. Scott FIRE SHUT UP IN MY BONES: OPERA SUITE IN CONCERT

Featuring Justin Austin and Adrienne Danrich

Fri, April 26

Concert version of the “opera in jazz”

78

The beauty of a really great baguette

80

A cheese guy named Brie? Yes.

KOMA CAF É / FILIPINO SWEET STUFF / COMINGS & GOINGS / A COCKTAIL PRO

The duck breast dish at The Grove, a hotly anticipated new restaurant in Potomac’s Cabin John Village PAGE 82

BY JACQUELINE MENDELSOHN

COMINGS & GOINGS

Terrain Café, inside Anthropologie in Bethesda, closed in November. … Stone Silo Brewery, a family-owned farm operation, opened in late January in Damascus. … D.C. star chef Mike Friedman launched the longawaited Aventino and AP Pizza Shop in January in Bethesda.

Dig, a New York City-based healthy fast-casual chain, was scheduled to open this winter in Bethesda. … Sarah’s Handmade Ice Cream, a Bethesda-based parlor, announced the imminent opening of a Rockville location … Celebrity chef Jose Garces is slated to open Buena Onda Baja Taqueria, a beachinspired, fast-casual restaurant, in Rockville in April.

Koma On, Koma On

Adorned with an oversize mural of a fernlike latte art design painted by local artist Chris Lynch, Koma Café is a welcome addition to the Long Branch neighborhood of Takoma Park. The all-day eatery owned by Jared Mack, Marc Pickering and chef Brad Feickert (of Soko Butcher) provides a spot for neighbors to socialize over quality food, craft cocktails and European wine. Breakfast fare includes a variety of oat and chia bowls, egg dishes and six toasts ranging from honey-lemon ricotta layered with mint and thyme to burrata and tomato jam laced with raspberry balsamic. Salads, sandwiches and breakfast are served until 4 p.m. In a nod to its Italian-leaning menu, Koma has a daily aperitivo from 4 to 6 p.m. with discounted beer and wine, $7 cocktails and shareable bites such as charcuterie and a caramelized onion-fig spread. The dinner menu shines with artisanal pizzas made with a three-day fermented dough as well as housemade pastas, including an umami-rich fusilli tossed in a miso pesto with 24-month Parmesan, ricotta, basil and sunflower seeds. Pair it with one of the five sparkling wines on offer.

8006 Flower Ave., Takoma Park, koma-cafe.com

RESTAURANT DISCOVERY

Pinch of Wisdom

“Chilling the glass before savoring any cocktail enhances its allure. This imparts a refreshing quality to the drink and ensures frothy goodness, elevating its overall presentation.”

—CARLOS (TICO) RODRIGUEZ, BAR MANAGER AT JULII AT PIKE & ROSE IN NORTH BETHESDA

Red Ribbon Bakeshop, which opened in Wheaton in September, has quickly gained a cult following for its Filipino-style cakes and pastries, many of which are made with a soft, buttery chiffon base and feature ingredients such as mango and ube, a yam native to the Philippines. The Filipino-owned business originated in 1979 and has since expanded to over 500 locations worldwide, including more than 30 across the United States. While many customers seek out Red Ribbon for a specialty cake to celebrate an occasion, everyday shoppers can purchase cake by the slice, as well. Sweet tooths should try the bestsell ing Mango Supreme Cake, the purplehued Ube Overload Cake or the dense Rocky Road Cake, a chocolate pound cake studded with cashews and marshmallows. Order in advance via the bakery’s website for carryout, or stop in for counter service. Other unique offerings include four types of empanadas; savory meals such as arroz caldo, a soup made with rice and chicken; and various flavors of mamon, a muffin-shaped chiffon cake that comes in singles or in packs of six.

2501 University Blvd. W, Silver Spring, redribbonbakeshop.com

CLOCKWISE

FROM TOP: PHOTOS BY MACK ORDAYA AND AMY LOWE;

PHOTO BY KELLY MARTIN;

PHOTO BY DEB LINDSEY

Clockwise from top: Ricotta toast, the interior of Koma Café and a beachside boulevardier cocktail

Baguette Bonanza

Behold the baguette. It’s such a simple thing—flour, salt, water and yeast. And yet so many available in the DMV are subpar, devoid of the trademark shatter-y crispiness of the crust and the billowy interior found in any boulangerie in France—and one in Potomac: Boulangerie Christophe. “So many of our customers tell us, ‘This is the first baguette I’ve had that tastes like the ones in France!’” says Sylvie Grattier, who co-owns the bakery with her husband, baker Stéphane Grattier, and their partner, Didier Martin. The Grattiers immigrated to the United States in 2017 from Grenoble, France, where they once owned six bakeries, for Stéphane to work for Fresh Baguette. He left to join Martin at Boulangerie Christophe in Georgetown in 2019. The Cabin John Village location opened in May 2022.

Grattier’s baguettes are award-winning, earning the Best Sourdough Baguette in the USA designation from the Tiptree World Bread Awards in New York 2019 and, after the awards were halted during COVID, in 2022. (The awards didn’t take place in 2023.) This didn’t happen by chance. The bread takes two days to make in a meticulous process using the best ingredients. Grattier imports Label Rouge T65 flour (10.8% protein) from France, an additive-free flour that contains a higher percentage of germ than American varieties generally do. The French government ascribes the red label only to products it considers superlative.

Above: Stéphane Grattier bakes baguettes at the authentically French Boulangerie Christophe in Potomac. Right: The fruits of his labors.

“SO MANY OF OUR CUSTOMERS TELL US, ‘THIS IS THE FIRST BAGUETTE I’VE HAD THAT TASTES LIKE THE ONES IN FRANCE!’ ”

—SYLVIE GRATTIER, CO-OWNER, BOULANGERIE CHRISTOPHE

To make the baguettes, Grattier mixes the flour, water, levain (starter), a little yeast and fleur de sel Guérande (natural French sea salt) at low speed for 10 minutes and lets the flour absorb the water (this is called “autolyse”) for two hours. The dough’s hydration—the percentage of water versus flour—is 70%, which will create an airy product. Then the dough is stored in plastic containers and put in a proofer at around 37°F for 12 to 24 hours. Grattier portions the dough the following day, lets it rest for 30 minutes, then forms the loaves and lets them rest an hour before baking at 500°F for

24 minutes in a wood oven fired with oak pellets. He adds water to the oven to create steam, which facilitates formation of a thin, crunchy, deep brown crust. On an average day, Grattier bakes 150 to 200 plain and seeded baguettes ($4.50) and 20 to 40 (1.2-pound) loaves ($9). Sometimes the simplest things aren’t so simple after all.

—David Hagedorn

BOULANGERIE CHRISTOPHE, 11321 Seven Locks Road (Cabin John Village), Suite 100, Potomac; 301-2989878; boulangeriechristophe.com

Brie, the Cheese Guy

Before a dinner party in Bethesda around the holidays, I remarked on the rich, tangy Colston Bassett Stilton cheese friends served with small dollops of fig jam on rice crackers. “Oh, our cheese guy at Whole Foods [in Rockville] recommended it. He’s terrific,” one said, before dropping the buried lede: “And his name is Brie!” A week later, at a party in Kensington, the top of a wheel of barkbound Jasper Hill Harbison had been lopped off so guests could spoon the creamy, velvety cow’s milk cheese onto slices of French bread. “Oh my God, where did you get this cheese?” I asked.

“From my cheese guy at Whole Foods. His name is—”

“Don’t tell me. Brie?”

“Yes! How did you know?”

I had to talk to the cheese guy named Brie.

“The name comes from having insane Greenwich Village parents in the ’50s,” jokes Brie Salzman, 66. “My middle name was Ely de Bretagne. A dear friend of my

great-grandmother was named that, and my parents didn’t want people calling me Ely, so they added the Brie.” Salzman’s early fascination with cheese dates to food shopping trips with his father to Dean & DeLuca and Murray’s Cheese, a well-known cheese emporium that was a few blocks from their house. He deepened his knowledge in the ’80s working for a wine, cheese and olive oil distributor in Spain. Returning to the States, he worked in medical reporting for magazines, winding up in Maryland in 1998 to take care of his mother, who had breast cancer. In 2013, a friend told him about a job opening at the Whole Foods cheese counter, where he became a Certified Cheese Professional. He works there Thursday through Monday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Salzman loves his job, matching people’s tastes and needs to the 250 to 300 cheeses the market carries. “If I feed someone something comforting and new, that’s a great way to start a relationship,” he says.

“IF I FEED SOMEONE SOMETHING COMFORTING AND NEW, THAT’S A GREAT WAY TO START A RELATIONSHIP.” —BRIE SALZMAN

Brie Salzman, cheese monger at the Rockville Whole Foods

Three cheeses selected by Whole Foods cheese monger Brie Salzman, from front to back: Pommier Brie, six-month aged Manchego, Midnight Moon goat’s milk gouda

Here are Salzman’s suggestions for putting together a cheese board. (He says to take soft cheese out 30 minutes before serving and hard cheeses one hour before.)

n PUT A CREAMY CHEESE IN THE MIDDLE—say, La Tur, a tangy soft-ripened cheese from Lombardy in Italy, made from goat’s, sheep’s and cow’s milk. Then add various sheep’s, cow’s and goat’s milk cheeses of different textures (soft, semi-soft, semi-hard, hard) and flavor intensities.

n SHEEP’S MILK CHEESE: Six-month-old Manchego (Spain) with quince paste and Marcona almonds; Pecorino or truffle-laced Moliterno al Tartufo (Italy); Ossau-Iraty, P’tit Basque with cherries or Roquefort (France).

n GOAT’S MILK CHEESE: Pata Cabra (Spain); Bamboozle, a semi-soft goat’s and cow’s milk cheese from Goat Rodeo Farm near Pittsburgh; Sofia ashed goat cheese from Capriole Creamery in Indiana.

n COW’S MILK CHEESE: Le Cremeux, a relatively new Swiss cheese that’s a creamier, milder version of Gruyère; French Comté, which Salzman calls “consistently magical, almost like cashew butter”; Grayson, a washed rind cheese from Meadow Creek Dairy in Galax, Virginia; and Moses Sleeper, a Brie-like cheese with a bloomy rind from Jasper Hill Creamery in Vermont, “one of the shining lights of American terroir,” says Salzman.

—David Hagedorn

FIND BRIE SALZMAN at the Whole Foods Market at 11355 Woodglen Drive, Rockville; 301-984-4880; wholefoodsmarket.com

Readers’ Pick, Best Restaurant in Potomac & Italian Restaurant

Faux cherry and apple blossoms cascade from the ceiling and burst forth from flower beds, creating a lush ambience for a meal at The Grove in Potomac.

THE SPLENDOR OF THE GROVE

Madrid-born chef Jose Lopez-Picazo serves up sophisticated Spanish-influenced fare in a floral setting at Cabin John Village

BY DAVID HAGEDORN • PHOTOS BY DEB LINDSEY

Toasted crystal bread with fresh tomato salsa gets any meal off to a delicious start at The Grove, a new restaurant in Potomac.

Indulge me

while I wax poetic about the bread at The Grove, a lovely upscale Mediterranean restaurant that opened in Cabin John Village in November. Chef Jose Lopez-Picazo imports his pan de cristal from a bakery in Barcelona; it’s known as glass bread because its high hydration (meaning more water than flour) results in a light loaf with enormous air bubbles and thin, crispy crust that shatters when you break it. Think of it as an ethereal, highly evolved form of gossamer-like ciabatta. To finish this Catalan specialty, Lopez-Picazo slathers slices of toasted bread with Spanish garlic, grated peeled fresh tomatoes, a hefty drizzle of Spanish Arbequina olive oil and a sprinkle of Maldon salt, the amalgam soaking into the bread like gravy. It’s served with a pintxo (little snack) skewer of anchovies, piquillo pepper, pickled guindilla pepper,

THE GROVE

7747 Tuckerman Lane, Potomac; 240-386-8369; thegrovemd.com

FAVORITE DISHES:

Toasted crystal bread; smoked black truffle burrata; tuna tartare with avocado cream; halibut with calamari and cockles; duck breast with celery root puree; cheesecake with apricot marmalade

PRICES:

Appetizers: $14 to $28; entrees: $26 to $48; desserts: $11

LIBATIONS:

The Grove has an extensive cocktail list of 19 libations ($15 to $24), two of them nonalcoholic. The wine list features 34 bottles: five sparkling ($60 to $240); 14 white ($60 to $120); and 15 red ($60 to $160). Wines by the glass (five sparkling; six white; six red; and two rosé) range between $14 and $28.

SERVICE:

Engaging and informed

an olive and a cornichon. On the side is a spoonful of sobrasada, a luxuriant Mallorcan spread of raw, cured ground pork laden with Spanish paprika. Heap it on the crystal bread and take a bite of heaven.

The only DMV place I’ve had pan de cristal just as good as The Grove’s is at Del Mar in Washington, so it’s not surprising that Lopez-Picazo, 67, was that Spanish fine-dining restaurant’s opening chef. He also worked for José Andrés at Jaleo in D.C. starting in 1998, then opened that restaurant’s Bethesda outlet in 2002 and Crystal City outlet in 2004. Stints in Las Vegas working for renowned chef Julian Serrano followed, first at Julian Serrano Tapas in the Aria Hotel, then at Picasso in the Bellagio Hotel, which earned two Michelin stars during his tenure. He returned to the DMV in 2017 for the Del Mar position. Alexandria-based Common Plate Hospitality group tapped him to helm its first Maryland operation, The Grove; the company opened The Heights food hall in Friendship Heights in December.

Ben Webne of HGA architects designed the 4,000-square-foot space, which seats 151 inside, including 22 at a large bar, and 35 outside. Brooklyn-based Raven Hollow Guild is responsible for the interior, an “urban indoor environment” (hence the restaurant’s name)

with a profusion of faux cherry and apple blossoms cascading from the ceiling or attached to birch trees surrounded by beds of faux roses in various shades of pink and red. The giant rose motif is repeated on white brick walls, one of which bears the words, “Let it Bloom.” Mission accomplished!

Lopez-Picazo, a Burtonsville resident, clearly reveres letting high-quality ingredients speak for themselves, coaxing maximum flavor out of them with refined technique and presenting them attrac-

Charcoal halibut encrusted with crispy potato “scales” is accented with calamari, cockle clams, cherry tomatoes and a creamy yellow pepper sauce.

A truffle burrata salad combines smoked buffalo mozzarella and sweet corn cream.

tively. This is refined but not avant-garde cooking that is just up to date enough to not feel old-fashioned, except, maybe, for an overreliance on foams, a flourish of yesteryear.

A starter of six oysters poached in white vermouth, each perched in Chinese spoons and topped with hollandaise sauce and Osetra caviar, may not be the newest idea, but they are certainly delicious in their juxtaposition of richness and brininess. His take on burrata is to first infuse the creamy orb of buffalo milk mozzarella overnight with sliced black truffles, then smoke it slightly and serve it on top of corn cream flavored with guanciale (cured pork jowl), finishing the dish with a ring of bright green herb oil and a savory latticework cookie crown made from porcini powder and squid ink. The truffle’s earthi-

soned with nothing more than a sprinkling of Maldon salt, the other third mashed avocado enhanced only with lemon juice and salt. It’s a high-wire act dependent solely on the inherent flavor and texture of its two main ingredients. Around the tartare is a simple dressing of soy sauce, bonito flakes, uzu, olive oil, rice vinegar, ginger and lemongrass, a foil that adds the right touch of saltiness, acid, richness and sweetness. Taro chips serve as conveyances for the tartare.

Simplicity rules the day with ceviche, too, where cubes of pristine snapper garnished with blood orange segments, aji amarillo (Peruvian yellow peppers) and pickled shallots dance with a sauce of passion fruit, honey, ginger, lime juice and olive oil poured tableside.

I appreciate that The Grove’s generous entrees come fully composed with a starch and vegetables rather than forcing diners into side dish up-sell territory. The crispy skin on expertly cooked mediumrare duck breast has been completely rendered of its fat (that inedible rubber band of thick white fat on duck breast is a major pet peeve) and comes with a wedge of confited potatoes, broccolini, celery root puree and blood orange demi-glace. Halibut, encrusted with crispy, thin, roasted potato “scales” is also cooked just right—moist, flaky and toothsome, complemented but not overwhelmed by its accompanying rings of lightly fried calamari, steamed cockles, roasted cherry tomatoes and yellow pepper sauce.

People who avoid ordering chicken because they can make it at home would be erring at The Grove, missing out on Lopez-Picazo’s riff on Spanish chilindron (stew); his is a succulent breast cooked sousvide, then seared (to crisp the skin), roasted, and paired with a hearty red pepper and tomato sauce. (I could do without the foam.)

The Grove offers many tasty craft cocktails (some, such as the gin, honey and tea-based Bees Tees, tend to the sweet side) and an intriguing wine list curated by sommelier Julia Ollar, who happily makes helpful suggestions, such as the delightful 2023 St. Innocent Pinot Noir from Oregon’s Willamette Valley we savored. It paired particularly well with braised lamb shank served in a glass cloche and opened at the table to reveal whiffs of smoke that lightly kiss the tender meat.

For dessert at The Grove, I’m a fan of creamy cheesecake that Manchego cheese imbues with a subtle, salty tang nicely balanced by the sweetness of an apricot marmalade topping. I’m not sure why churros at most DMV restaurants are subpar, but count The Grove’s dry, lackluster ones among them. Opt instead for a spheroid of chocolate topped with gold foil; break into it to reveal tiramisu of ladyfingers soaked with espresso and amaretto and layered with mascarpone cream. It’s just one of the many surprises the talented Mr. Lopez-Picazo has up his sleeve.

David Hagedorn is the restaurant critic for Bethesda Magazine.

Don’t miss the tuna tartare, simply but beautifully prepared with big-eye fresh tuna, avocado cream, nori, toasted sesame seed, Osetra caviar and soy sauce.

Long & Foster Top Producers — Individuals

Endeg Abebe

Andy Alderdice

Lisa Bradburn

Susan Sonnesyn Brooks

Teresa Burton

Kimberly Cestari

Deborah Cheshire

Lily Cole

Kat Conley

Dave Dabbondanza

Gary Ditto

MaryAnne Fiorita

Kate Fraser

Aryan Frizhandi

Alexa Goulding

Bob Graves

Becky Harris

Todd Harris

Rene Hernandez

Tim Horst

Joe Hu

Hersh Kapoor

Steven Katz

Steve Kelley

Max Koteen

Gail Lee

Anna Mackler

David Maplesden

Paul Marston

Ava Marvastian

Peter Maser

Meaghan Tobin Miller

Christina O’Dea

Uzoma “Uzi” Ogbuokiri

George Papakostas

Philip Piantone

Kellie Plucinski

Robyn Porter

Thomas Powers

Joshua Pratt

Valbona Qerimi

Christopher Rhodes

Audrey Romano

Franco Saladino

Corey Savelson

Steve Schuck

Cindy Souza

Trish Stovall

Rima Tannous

Helen Trybus

Xinya (Yaya) Zhang

Long & Foster Top Producers — Teams

The Banner Team

The Bernstein Group

The Ciment & Shields Team

Dart Homes

The Estridge Group

The Jane Fairweather Team

The Faraji Team

Pennye Green Team

Heller Coley Reed

The Elaine Koch Group

Levin Group

The Victor Llewellyn Group

Murtagh Properties

Roman Mychajliw Team

The Pirovic Team

Julie Roberts Home Team

Savercool Team

The Scott Team.

The Ron Sitrin Team

The Sky Group

Eric Stewart Group

Umanzor & Associates

Michelle Yu Team

Josh is not just selling houses; he’s multiplying them like bunnies! With each successful year in real estate, another Pratt baby magically appears. He’s on a mission to discover the secret behind his real estate and baby boom, and he suspects it has to do with canceling his Netflix subscription. He’s not just a real estate mogul; he’s a master at navigating the chaos of parenthood. Move over, Property Brothers — meet the Diaper Daddies!

Behind his success is his wife Tiffany — the MVP of the Pratt family. The driving force behind Josh’s real estate triumphs, she negotiates a bedtime deal like no other. Forget about closing costs; it’s all about closing eyes. Josh credits Tiffany and the little Pratts for inspiring him into the best version of himself, ready to tackle any real estate challenge.

A heartfelt thank you to Josh’s clients who have become lifelong friends. Your impact is felt in many ways. Whether you’re in the market for a dream home or just want to compare baby names, Josh is your go-to guy. He’s not just selling houses; he’s building a legacy — one baby and one house at a time!

m 301.675.2241 | o 301.907.7600

www.AlexaGoulding.com

Alexa moved to Maryland 33 years ago, and considers building a thriving real estate business from scratch one of her greatest joys and accomplishments. Born and raised in Budapest, Hungary, she was educated on both sides of the Ocean. She arrived here knowing only her husband Dave, and is now one of the top Realtors® at Long & Foster with a long list of happy clients, friends and much-appreciated awards.

Alexa loves the small town feel of Kensington, where she lives and raised Gregory and Grace, now young adults. “It has been a wonderful journey, helping so many of my clients, friends and neighbors with realizing their real estate dreams. I love being a part of not only assisting them, but building a community as well!”

This is Alexa’s 21st year in real estate, but the referrals and awards never get old. If you need any help, just “ASK ALEXA!

301.466.5898 | o 301.229.4000 | andrea.alderdice@lnf.com | www.andy4homes.com

Recently lauded in Bethesda Magazine’s Best of the Best in Real Estate issue, Andy & Jessie Alderdice understand there are many Realtors® in Maryland, DC, and Virginia to choose from and never take your trust for granted. They are always striving to be even better and their clients agree. With a combined 48 years of experience and superior customer service, they are proven and continue to grow and adapt to whatever the market throws at them — they’ve seen them all! Always on the forefront of new technology, support, marketing, and negotiation strategies, they have consistently been acclaimed as a Top Producing Realtor team in the Washington, DC area.

Andy & Jessie have assisted many Washington Metropolitan area residents in the sale and/or purchase of their first AND second homes since 1994, and look forward to helping you too!

Integrity. Experience. Commitment. Local.

“My brother and I found Andy & Jessie as Realtors® with wisdom born of long experience. They communicated well, provided us with sound advice, and counseled us on what was possible, as well as outcomes that were unlikely. They helped us prepare our home for the market, and obtain a fair and reasonable sale price on the family home during a downturn in the real estate market and rising interest rates. A wonderful experience with people of integrity.”

VALBONA QERIMI

c 202.669.9936 | o 240.497.1700

valbona.qerimi@LNF.com | www.homesbyvalbonalnf.com

Valbona is a top producer in the DC metro area. She combines her executive experience and marketing skills in negotiating the best deal and experience for her clients. She speaks several languages and is able to quickly connect with buyers and sellers of any background and culture. She has successfully managed sales in all price ranges to include multi-million dollar complex transactions. Real Estate is something she enjoys. For her, every sale is more than a transaction, it is a commitment, building trust and life-long relationships with her clients. For the first time home-buyer, it is fulfilling the American dream.

In her clients words “If you work with Valbona, you are in good hands.”

“She is very professional, open, honest, patient, kind and caring.”

“Valbona is a superb real estate agent! She will not only help you buy and sell your home but also become your dear friend.”

“Valbona is by far the best and most accomplished agent. We will always recommend her for any type of real estate deal.”

Meet the award-winning Souza Group of Long & Foster Real Estate, serving their clients’ needs in Maryland, Washington DC and coastal Delaware. As a resident of Bethesda and the Rehoboth Beach areas for over 36 years, Cindy knows these areas intimately and can guide her clients to reach their real estate goals. With three decades of experience, it means the Souza Group has a deep understanding of shifting markets and can position their clients for success in all kinds of markets.

Cindy, along with team members, Brett Souza and Marzi Kahnamelli, represent clients buying and selling a variety of property—from resale, new construction, investment, farm/land, and beachfront! Brett and Marzi each serve clients in MD, DC as well as Northern Virginia. Cindy and the Souza Group have consistently received recognition for exceptional results and service to their clients—Top 100 agents of Long & Foster; and voted as one of DC area’s “Best Real Estate Teams” by readers of Bethesda Magazine.

AVA MARVASTIAN

301.792.2484 | o 301.907.7600

Ava.Marvastian@LNF.com

www.LongandFoster.com/AvaMarvastian

Ava joined Long & Foster with over a decade of experience as an architect, construction project manager, and property sales manager. With a master’s degree in architecture, she brings creativity and a deep understanding of home construction to her real estate business. Buyers benefit from her keen ability to envision the full potential of any home, along with possibilities for renovation and expansion. Sellers value Ava’s artistic eye and skill in staging their homes for sale.

Affiliated with Long & Foster’s award-winning One Bethesda office, Ava achieved the prestigious position of 2023 top producer for an impressive seven months — a testament to her exceptional dedication, work ethic, and ability to consistently deliver results.

For Ava, real estate is about building relationships and assisting people in moving on to a new chapter in their lives. Fluent in Farsi, she enjoys working with a diverse clientele and helping them navigate the challenging and highly competitive D.C. area real estate market. Ava’s approach is marked by a meticulous understanding of her clients’ needs. One of the most rewarding aspects of her career is her clients’ smiles during their home closing and the joy they experience in their new homes. It is a truly fulfilling experience to be a part of such significant milestones in their lives.

When she’s not showcasing or marketing a property, Ava enjoys art, yoga, and spending time with her husband.

TOP PRODUCERS 2024

“Ava Marvastian’s approach to real estate is a delightful blend of professionalism and warmth. Her caring nature and sweetness shine through, creating a personalized experience. Ava’s hard work and dedication made our home purchase in North Bethesda, a smooth journey. Grateful for her outstanding service.”

“I don’t know where to begin…we started working with Ava while we were living 3 hours away. She was so helpful, understanding of life and our schedules, and really tuned in to any comments we made about things we liked/didn’t like when looking at houses. She was very patient on our house hunt. Ava is responsive and always follows through with any thing she says she will do. We can’t say enough about Ava, she really is the best!”

AWARDS AND HONORS

Over $157 Million Sold & Settled, 2023 • Top Producers, Long & Foster One Bethesda, 2023 • Washingtonian Top Producer Awards 2023 • Real Trends America’s Best Real Estate Professionals 2023 • Top Vote Getter, Best of Bethesda Real Estate Team, 2023 • Best Real Estate Teams in Maryland Realtrends.com 2023 • Donated More Than $158,500 to Local Charities, Pay it Forward Program, 2017-2023

Front Row: Gail Gordon, Julia Fortin, Wendy Banner, Michelle Teichberg, Ilene Gordon Back Row: Ashley Vonada, Pat Karta, Emily Moritt, Mireille Pioppo, Jody Aucamp

MEAGHAN T. MILLER

m 301.908.2759 | o 240.497.1700

realmegmiller@gmail.com

Meaghan Miller is from a real estate family from Bethesda’s Old Farm neighborhood. She dove into real estate as a second career and immediately began accumulating accolades, achieving Top Agent status her first year and is a member of Long & Foster’s prestigious Luxury Alliance group. She was named on Washingtonian’s list of Best Agents and Bethesda magazine’s list of Top Producers from 2020 to 2023.

She brings freshness and passion that comes from discovering what she is truly meant to do. Meaghan’s fun, high-energy personality, combined with her knowledge and integrity endears her to clients — many whom she now counts as friends. She’s proud that much of her business comes from repeat clients and referrals. Meaghan builds relationships for a lifetime!

”Meaghan was an absolute delight to work with! She was knowledgeable, understanding, and had the negotiation skills of a shark. She continually had our best interest in mind and helped us ease through our first home buying experience.”

Bob has been working in the Maryland real estate industry for 35 years. Having lived most of his life in Montgomery County, he has developed a deep understanding of the local real estate market and has helped numerous clients make life-changing moves.

With a wealth of experience and knowledge, Bob has successfully helped buyers and sellers navigate the constantly changing market. Whether you are interested in a starter house or a luxury estate, he has the expertise to guide you through every step of the buying or selling process. He is committed to providing his clients with top-notch service and personal attention, ensuring that their unique needs and goals are met.

Bob is a Gold Team member of Long & Foster Real Estate, a liated with North Potomac O ce in Maryland. Najam, a long time Realtor®, is an experienced decorator, stager and creator of special deals for her clients.

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How much “house” can you buy here?

153

Welcome to the Neighborhood: Cabin John

TOP REAL ESTATE PRODUCERS / STAGING A HOME FOR SUCCESS / TIME TO DOWNSIZE?

Bathrooms can be as safe, convenient and accessible as they are stylish.

Home $weet Home

What your money will get you in Montgomery County

BY DAWN KLAVON

Montgomery County homebuyers must dig a little deeper in 2024, as home prices are on the rise. From November 2022 to November 2023, the median home price in MoCo rose 4.7%, says Bright MLS Chief Economist Lisa Sturtevant.

“The biggest constraint continues to be a lack of inventory,” she says. “If there were more homes for sale, I bet we would have more homes sold.”

Montgomery County’s median home price is $580,000, Sturtevant says, but the single-family home, townhouse or condo you’ll find for the price tag differs wildly among communities.

So what will you get for your hard-earned money? With the help of Bright MLS, here are examples of homes that sold for around $580K, $1 million, $2.5 million and $4 million in 2023 in MoCo communities.

WHAT CAN YOU GET FOR $580K?

PORTER AND DIANA OLSEN SCROLLED THROUGH LISTINGS on Zillow for entertainment, so they knew what they were looking for when they started to search for a single-family home as a step up from their Olney townhome. On the plus side, the house had been on the market for more than 80 days, and the homeowners had finally dropped the listing price to the Olsens’ price point of $583,000. On the minus side, the dated Olney Oaks Colonial home, built in 1986, had only one full bathroom, and the home’s size—1,632 square feet—was comparable to the Olsens’ townhome. But, the Olsens reasoned, the backyard was lush and wooded—just what they were looking for. They pulled the trigger.

“It was a combination of curb appeal and an opportunity,” Porter says. “The real kicker at the end was the backyard—it’s just this gorgeous view that you wake up to in the morning.”

Real estate agents: Galen Roop, Cummings & Co.; Ken Abramowitz of RE/MAX Town Center

$583,000

4208 Sandcastle Lane, Olney

1,632 square ft.

3 bedrooms

1 ½ bathrooms

WHEN DANIEL AND NDIDI ALVAREZ moved from Chicago to the DMV for work, they had their eyes on Silver Spring for its schools and proximity to D.C.

The couple rented to start and looked for about six months before purchasing the three-bedroom, two-bath single-family house on Tenbrook Drive in the Argyle Club Estates neighborhood last November. To their relief, there were not multiple bids on the home—something they had experienced several times in their homebuying journey. Plus, the circa 1948, 1,700-square-foot Colonial with an updated interior was in the same school district as their rental, so their two sons were not displaced. And commute-wise, Ndidi could easily travel to her job in D.C.

“The neighbors came out and were greeting us, inviting us over for dinner. There were kids playing outside—I really did not expect that,” she says. “It was a pleasant surprise.”

Real estate agents: Jaime Willis, Compass; Hillary Balogh, The Schiff Home Team of eXp Realty

WHEN UNIT 9-105 WAS PUT ON SALE in the Sumner Village condominium complex, just off Sangamore Road in Bethesda last November, real estate agent Tony Calkins, with The Calkins Group at Compass, knew it was special.

“Sumner Village is really sort of a hidden gem—it’s 27 wooded acres in the middle of Bethesda, which is hard to find,” Calkins says.

The buyers work in Washington, D.C., so the home’s proximity to their jobs was a motivating factor in their purchase. Offered at $569,000, the dated 1,491-square-foot, two-bedroom, two-bath unit built in 1975 came with an added incentive—a lovely patio overlooking a lush, wooded area that Calkins’ clients loved. The $1,053 monthly HOA fee disclosed on the Redfin listing fit the buyers’ budget.

“The key here was the spaciousness, the view and access to the outside,” Calkins says. “I think that’s what got them.”

Real estate agents: Trish Sweeney, Compass; Tony Calkins, The Calkins Group at Compass

WHAT CAN YOU GET FOR $1M?

SAMANTHA HE WORKED AS THE SELLING AGENT FOR A COUPLE who purchased this million-dollar property in Clarksburg. She says the new homeowners, formerly of Gaithersburg, looked in Bethesda and Potomac but were enticed by the Clarksburg Village neighborhood as well as the brick-front, Georgian-style house, built in 2013. Such features as a custom wine wall and outdoor fireplace sealed the deal.

Multiple buyers bid on the home, pushing the price tag from its $939,990 list price to the winning bid: $1,010,000. He says seven other potential buyers competed for the home, with two bids exceeding $1 million. Her clients, who offered a cash deal, won out, and soon settled into their sixbedroom, 5 ½-bath home.

Real estate agents: Donna Pfeiffer, RE/MAX; Samantha He, DMV Landmark Realty

$1,002,000

JOSHUA AND MICHELLE BOYD PURCHASED

THEIR 2,972-SQUARE-FOOT CRAFTSMAN HOME in Kensington last year for just over $1 million. Moving from a half-mile away, the couple needed more space now that they have a child, but they wanted to live in the same general area.

“There were probably easily 50 to 100 houses that we looked at over the last year and a half,” Joshua says. “When we both toured the house…it was pretty damn near perfect. There were a few things that we wanted to change, but it’s move-in ready.”

The Boyds gained a one-car garage, two additional bedrooms (four total), two more bathrooms (3 ½ total), a walk-in shower and a family-friendly neighborhood. The home’s location was important since Joshua’s parents and aunt live nearby. Joshua works from home in cybersecurity, and Michelle is a nurse in Rockville Town Center.

The Boyds offered $30,000 over the asking price of $975,000 to purchase the 2-year-old home, but have no regrets.

“It just felt meant to be,” Joshua says.

PATRICIA ST. CLAIR AND HER HUSBAND RAISED TWO SONS in their 3,197-square-foot Potomac Colonial home, built in 1966. After 36 years and the death of her husband, St. Clair decided it was time to downsize and move closer to a son and his family in the Atlanta area.

Though the house had been meticulously cared for, the family had not updated the original kitchen or bathrooms. Displaying wallpaper, vinyl flooring and laminate countertops, the home was priced conservatively, comparable to other nonrenovated homes in the area.

Real estate agent Jared Russell’s low pricing gamble paid off. He listed the four-bedroom, 2 ½-bath home at $800,000, received 30 offers, and sold it in a matter of hours for $1,002,000.

“I still can’t believe the price I got for that beautiful home,” St. Clair says.

Real estate agents: Jared Russell, DMV Living; Zhang Tian, Signature Home Realty

4110 Denfeld Ave., Kensington

IN-CASA MEDIA/WILLIAM HINOSTROZA; DEREK & VICTORIA

WHAT CAN YOU GET FOR $2.5M?

ANDY AND SAIRA SPICKNALL WERE LIVING IN BETHESDA but needed more space for their three elementary school-age children.

“We love the community here. We love the school district. So we wanted to stay in the area,” Saira says.

An open house was held over the Easter weekend at the 12-year-old 5,330-square-foot, fivebedroom, 4 ½-bath Craftsman on a quiet cul-de-sac in the Mohican Hills neighborhood. The Spicknalls were out of town and missed it but made a beeline to take a look the day after.

“The proximity to where we were already living was a plus, but also this neighborhood feels quieter,” Saira says. “It feels a bit secluded…like a little bit of your own personal getaway compared to where we were living before.”

The fact that the home was listed over a holiday weekend may have worked to the Spicknalls’ advantage, Saira says. “Had it been on the market for longer, I think that it would have been more competitive to get than it was—we jumped on it very early.”

Real estate agents: Jim Begg, Compass; Abby Schulten, Washington Fine Properties

$2.495 million

5504 Mohican Road, Bethesda

5,330 sq. ft.

5 bedrooms

4 ½ baths

$2.6 million

4819 Wellington Drive, Chevy Chase

The Hidaka family had lived abroad with their two children, calling Tokyo, Singapore and London home. But when it came time to move back to the States, Masaki Hidaka, a part-time professor at American University, told her husband she “really wanted to be able to walk,” after living in such pedestrian-friendly cities.

The family started with a townhouse, and last year purchased a 4,464-square-foot Colonial home, built in 2015.

The five-bedroom, 5 ½-bath home touted a landscaped backyard with a gas fireplace and spacious patio. The 9-year-old house is steps from shops and restaurants, and a short commute to the Hidakas’ jobs and to their children’s high school.

Real estate agents: Hans Wydler & Dina Miller, Compass; Lauren Davis, TTR Sotheby’s International Realty

WITH TWO KIDS AND A NEED FOR TWO HOME OFFICES, Eric and Lindsey Aberg had outgrown their three-bedroom condo in Northwest D.C. The District-based attorneys were tired of urban living, desiring less traffic, more quiet and a bigger home.

“The curb appeal is unmatched,” Lindsey says of the 4,731-square-foot traditional Georgian brick home that was built in 1926 and caught her eye when she did a drive-by through the Hillmead neighborhood. And with its six bedrooms and 5 ½ baths, there was more than enough room.

Since an open house was set for two days after the day she did her drive-by, the couple sprang into action. They did a walk-through a day later and offered the list price. Lindsey even wrote a letter to the homeowners, sharing their story. The sellers could have gone through with the open house to see if they received any additional interest, but instead chose to cancel it and accept the Abergs’ offer.

Real estate agents: Lauren Davis, TTR Sotheby’s International Realty; Carolyn Sappenfield, RE/MAX Realty

$2.495 million

8603 Long Acre Court, Bethesda

HOMEVISIT/NICHOLAS BOWIE; DAVID MOLINA

WHAT CAN YOU GET FOR $4M?

$4.025 million 5306 Kenwood Ave., Chevy Chase

CHRISTOPHER AND LENA BRYANT FELL IN LOVE WITH AN 11,840-SQUAREFOOT, SIX-BEDROOM, 7 ½-BATH English country manor in the heart of Potomac.

“We really loved the layout,” Lena says. “When we walked through, we were like, This feels like home to us.”

The couple, their 14-year-old daughter and 11-year-old son, along with their two black Labrador retrievers moved from Seattle last summer to be closer to aging parents and Lena’s work headquarters. Finding a place nearby for their equestrian daughter to ride and board her horse was a factor.

“We were drawn to this street, oddly enough, through another house in our initial search,” Christopher says. “This house came up for sale and we quickly jumped on it.”

As the price tag indicates, the massive home offers many amenities. The Bryants can go for a dip in the saltwater pool, enjoy a meal in the gourmet farmhouse kitchen and gaze at the 100-year-old reclaimed beams from a Pennsylvania farmhouse in the great room. At this 2.79acre estate, guests can also grab a bottle of vino from the wine cellar or get a sweat on in one of multiple workout rooms.

“There’s something for everyone in the house,” Christopher says. “The kids have their pool and the trampoline. We’re really happy with the choice we made.”

Real estate agents: Gary & Lisa Rudden, Rudden Bobruska team, RE/ MAX Realty; Joshua Baumgardner, TTR Sotheby's International Realty

JENNIFER AND ROB KELLER MOVED BACK TO MONTGOMERY COUNTY from the San Francisco Bay Area, where Rob’s in-house legal position at Cisco is based. The couple, parents of two school-age daughters, transplanted the family to the Kenwood section of Chevy Chase, within walking distance of Washington Episcopal School, which one of the girls attends.

“We feel very, very fortunate because it was kind of a tight market here last summer,” Jennifer says. “There weren’t that many houses available, and also we really wanted a swimming pool.”

The Kellers’ 6,636-square-foot brick Colonial, built in 1941, has six bedrooms, 6 ½ baths, a library, exercise room, and in-ground pool and spa combo. The home underwent a renovation in 2002 and offers custom shelving, an updated kitchen and custom cabinetry. The Kellers were so convinced that the Kenwood Avenue home should be theirs that they made an offer within 24 hours of viewing photos of the house—without ever walking through it, not even via video.

“We like a traditional house,” Jennifer says. “It was the style, the size we needed—as soon as I saw pictures and the pool, I was like, That’s it.”

Real estate agents: Ralph Nichols, Fairfax Realty Premier; Dana Rice, Compass

$3,850,000

Red

10809

Barn Lane, Potomac

COMPASS REALTOR MARGIE HALEM’S OUT-OF-STATE CLIENT wanted to live on Bethesda’s Wessling Lane because he had lived on it years earlier—and loved it. So when this home at 5120 Wessling Lane went on sale last year, Halem brokered the deal. Originally listed for $3,850,000, the 6,710-square-foot Craftsman in the Bradley Hills neighborhood garnered multiple offers and sold for $4 million.

“They loved the space, the warmth and the location—the location was huge,” Halem says about why the new owners chose the six-bedroom, six-bath home. “It is a really nice house—it was perfect for his family.”

Located within walking distance of downtown Bethesda, the home was built in 2015 with every bell and whistle, including a chef’s kitchen, floor-to-ceiling cabinetry, a home theater with built-in projector, a bathroom with heated floors and a freestanding soaking tub. The modern, open floor plan seamlessly integrates with the landscaped backyard and built-in firepit.

“It doesn’t feel like you’re in an urban setting,” Halem says. “It’s just a peaceful, quiet street but literally you’re a stone’s throw from everything—that’s the appeal.”

Real estate agents: Emily Sower & Robert Crawford, Washington Fine Properties; Margie Halem, Compass

TOP 2024 REAL ESTATE PRODUCERS

PLUS: AGENTS SHARE THEIR EXPERTISE FOR SELLERS LOOKING TO DOWNSIZE, THE LATEST IN LUXURY AND HOW TO STAGE A HOUSE FOR MAXIMUM RETURNS BY

LINDA SCHUBERT

Here are the top real estate producers in the county and Upper Northwest D.C. (ZIP codes 20015 and 20016) with sales from Nov. 1, 2022 through Oct. 31, 2023 of at least $8 million for individual agents and at least $16 million for teams.

TOP PRODUCERS

* TOP-TIER PRODUCERS are agents with at least $15 million in sales, and teams with average sales of at least $7.5 million per licensed team member.

THE AGENCY DC

TEAM

Team Nurit & Alex *

BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY

HOMESERVICES PENFED REALTY

TEAM

The Mike Aubrey Group

COAKLEY REALTY

AGENT

Michael P. Rose *

COLDWELL BANKER REALTY— BETHESDA

AGENTS

Ellen Cohen

Bradley Griffin

Heidi Hawkins

Jeannie J. Kim

Leigh Adams Slaughter

Marjorie Dick Stuart *

COLDWELL BANKER REALTY— POTOMAC-ROCKVILLE

AGENTS

Natalya Ogorodnikova

Cathy Paulos

Loretta Saba

Catalina Sandoval

COMPASS—ARLINGTON

AGENT

Catherine Arnaud-Charbonneau

COMPASS—BETHESDA

AGENTS

Alana Aschenbach

Jim Begg

Kate Bohlender

Annabel Burch-Murton *

Tammy Gruner Durbin

Leslie Friedson *

Avi Galanti *

Traudel Lange

Cheryl Leahy *

Brian Lumpkin

Michael Matese *

Altaf Mohamed

Sondra Mulheron

Amanda Provost *

Kyle Richards

Pam Ryan-Brye

Stacey Styslinger

Kathy Whalen

Shiva Zargham

TEAM

The Halem Group

COMPASS—CHEVY CHASE

AGENTS

Katrina Abjornson

Steve Agostino

Lee Arrowood *

Christy Bakaly *

Katie Bocock

Erich Cabe *

Chad Dudley *

Carmen Fontecilla *

Melissa Hamlin

Gitika Kaul

Rina Kunk

Cheryl Kurss *

LUXURY HOMES: It’s all about the details

WITH ITS PROXIMITY TO WASHINGTON, D.C., and a median household income of $125,583 according to the U.S. Census Bureau from 2018-2022, it’s not surprising that Montgomery County’s real estate market includes plenty of high-end homes. But what defines a luxury home? A swimming pool and tennis court? Not anymore.

For Sintia Petrosian of TTR Sotheby’s International Realty office in Bethesda, it’s about the grade of the appliances, the quality of the finishes, and the defined spaces— a formal living room, formal dining room and even a second kitchen.

“You can have a 5,000-squarefoot home in a very desirable area, but only basic appliances and finishes, and I would not consider that a luxury home,” she says. Look for a kitchen with commercial-grade

Lindsay Lucas *

Nancy Mannino *

Danielle Mannix

Dina Miller

Kelvin Reaves Esq.

Dominique Rychlik

Michael Seay Jr.

Michael Shapiro

Arash Shirazi

Laura Steuart *

Keene Taylor

Susan Van Nostrand *

TEAMS

Brito Associates

Cara Pearlman Group *

Casaday Allison Group *

Dana Rice Group *

Erich Cabe Team

Ferris Levin Collaborative

Shorb Fafoglia Group

Team Koki *

The Donovan Wye & Mandle Group *

The Rebecca Weiner Group

The Synergy Group of Compass

Trent & Co.

Wydler Brothers of Compass *

COMPASS—LOGAN CIRCLE

AGENTS

Margaret Babbington

Toni Ghazi

Ellen Grant

Sina Mollaan

TEAM

Jenn Smira Team

appliances plus high-end hardwood floors and tiles throughout the home, as well as an additional separate suite with a living area, private bath, kitchenette and sleeping area, Petrosian says.

Nicole Harriott, with The Sky Group of Long & Foster in Washington, D.C., agrees. “You want to make sure the interior design has appliances that are high-end, from the refrigerator to the stove to the microwave. The kitchen sells the house.

“It doesn’t have to be an eightbedroom mansion; it can be a twobedroom condo,” Harriott says. “It all depends: Does it have white oak flooring or just concrete flooring?”

Petrosian says she’s seen areas such as the Crown neighborhood in Gaithersburg and the Pike & Rose area in North Bethesda gaining footholds in

COMPASS—MCLEAN

AGENT

Sherif Abdalla

COMPASS—POTOMAC

AGENTS

Steve Baumgartner

Rocky Bowers

Damian Buckley

Adam Chasen

Kristy Deal

Jennifer Eckel

Caryn Krooth Gardiner

Kevin Grolig

Chris Koons-Byrne

Deirdre Lofft

Wendy Lord

Carrie Mann

Brett Rubin *

Craig Sword

Maureen Weaver

Fabiana Zelaya

TEAM

Jeweler Burton Group

COMPASS—WASHINGTON, D.C.

AGENTS

Michael Gailey *

Mark McFadden *

DOUGLAS ELLIMAN REAL ESTATE

AGENTS

Dani Kotz *

the luxury market.

“They are coming in and building these luxury townhomes that are almost going for the same price as five- and six-bedroom homes in some neighborhoods,” she says.

Petrosian credits the “township feel,” with plenty of social amenities within walking distance. “People stay put and it’s convenient, so those neighborhoods are growing in the luxury market because of their lifestyle.”

For Harriott, Bradley Boulevard in Bethesda is “a hot commodity right now,” as well as Potomac. She credits the schools in the area as a big draw.

So what’s the most-requested amenity these days? “An elevator,” Petrosian says. “All my clients want an elevator. They don’t always need one, but they want an elevator. And they almost expect one in homes over $2.5 million.”

—Linda Schubert

Nicole Harriott

Sintia Petrosian

Bottom Row: Marc Fleisher (Managing Partner), Lee Arrowood (Managing Partner)

Top Row: Travis Fleisher (Realtor), Katherine Pennington (Realtor), Emily Hardie (Social Media Manager), Elizabeth Lawson (Realtor), Stephanie Corcoran (Director of Marketing and Operations)

TOP PRODUCERS

* TOP-TIER PRODUCERS are agents with at least $15 million in sales, and teams with average sales of at least $7.5 million per licensed team member.

EXP REALTY

AGENT

D’Ann Melnick *

TEAM

The Karen Rollings Team of eXp

Realty

FORUM PROPERTIES

AGENTS

Paul Biciocchi *

Antoinette King *

GREYSTONE REALTY

TEAM

The Balow Band Olinger Group

KELLER WILLIAMS CAPITAL PROPERTIES—BETHESDA/CHEVY CHASE

AGENTS

Dana Scanlon

Jen Vo

Theresa Taylor

LONG & FOSTER—BETHESDA ALL POINTS

AGENTS

Andy Alderdice

Kat Conley

Becky Harris

Robyn Porter

Joshua Pratt

LONG & FOSTER—CHEVY CHASE CIRCLE

AGENTS

Lisa Bradburn

Kimberly Cestari *

Cindy Souza

Rima Tannous

TEAM

Julie Roberts Home Team *

The Ron Sitrin Team at Long and Foster

LONG & FOSTER—DOWNTOWN SILVER SPRING

AGENT

Paul Marston

LONG & FOSTER—ONE BETHESDA

AGENTS

Susan Sonnesyn Brooks

Deborah Cheshire

Lily Cole

Gary Ditto

Kate Fraser

Alexa Goulding

Todd Harris

Anna Mackler *

Ava Marvastian

Meaghan Tobin Miller

Christina O’Dea *

Uzoma “Uzi” Ogbuokiri

Valbona Qerimi

Christopher Rhodes

Steve Schuck

Helen Trybus *

Xinya (Yaya) Zhang

TEAMS

The Banner Team *

The Bernstein Group

Dart Homes *

The Elaine Koch Group

The Estridge Group *

The Faraji Team *

Heller Coley Reed

The Jane Fairweather Team

Levin Group *

Murtagh Properties *

Pennye Green Team *

The Sky Group

Umanzor & Associates

LONG & FOSTER—NORTH POTOMAC/ ROCKVILLE

AGENTS

Aryan Frizhandi

Bob Graves

Hersh Kapoor

Steven Katz

Max Koteen

Philip Piantone

Kellie Plucinski

Audrey Romano

Franco Saladino

Trish Stovall

TEAM

Roman Mychajliw Team

LONG & FOSTER—PARK POTOMAC

AGENTS

Teresa Burton

Peter Maser

TEAM

Michelle Yu Team *

LONG & FOSTER—POTOMAC VILLAGE

AGENT

Gail Lee

LONG & FOSTER—ROCKVILLE CENTRE

AGENTS

Dave Dabbondanza

MaryAnne Fiorita

Rene Hernandez *

STAGING: Showing buyers the best a house can be

EVEN DURING A HOT REAL ESTATE MARKET, sellers can still use some help in attracting the most interest and the best offer for their home. That’s where staging can come in.

“We are big, big, big believers of staging,” says Larry Prigal of RLAH @Properties in Chevy Chase. Staging consultants advise clients about things such as what to keep, what to change and what to paint.

“In this market, things are selling so quickly either way. But I think [staging] gets more of a ‘wow’ factor and gets more offers and higher offers,” he says.

and $3,000 for 30 days. Most focus on the main living area, kitchen and either the dining room or owner’s suite. Prigal says it’s also helpful to stage a room that has an undefined purpose. (Is it an office? A child’s playroom?)

Prigal and his team pay for an initial consultation with a professional stager, with the client paying for furniture rental if they decide to professionally stage their home—usually between $2,700

For Jamie Coley, with Heller Coley Reed of Long & Foster in Bethesda, it’s about first impressions. “You’ve got one chance in showing the house in the best possible condition,” he says. His team has an in-house stager who walks through the seller’s home “to figure out what to move out, put away, pack away, room by room to stage it.”

For vacant homes, Coley’s team uses a professional staging company, furnishing the living room, dining room, family room and primary bedroom, plus decorating the kitchen and bathrooms with colorful towels and lots of

tchotchkes—which can run about $4,300 for 90 days and includes a consultation, setup, moving fee and furniture rental.

“It really makes a huge difference,” Prigal says. According to a 2020 survey by the Real Estate Staging Association, 85% of staged homes sold for 5% to 23% over list price.

—Linda Schubert

M.301.775.4196 | O. 301.304.8444

margie@compass.com | margiehalemgroup.com

Licensed in DC|MD|VA

The Halem Group is led by Margie Halem and is a highly experienced and successful real estate team specializing in the Montgomery County area. Their expertise and impressive track record of over one billion in career sales certainly make the Halem Group a compelling choice for anyone looking to buy or sell in MOCO. The Halem Group makes time for everyone and is committed to providing top-notch white glove service to their clients.

The Halem Group is a team of well-respected and highly regarded seasoned agents including, Harrison Halem, Courtney Halem, Elizabeth Meltzer, Lori Silverman, Benjamin Pate, Matthew Gloger, and Shannon Irlander. Margie is the founding agent of Compass Bethesda and has been consistently recognized for her unparalleled service by the Readers of Bethesda Magazine year after year.

Jamie Coley

Larry Prigal

Tim Horst *

Joe Huff

Steve Kelley

George Papakostas

Thomas Powers

Corey Savelson

TEAMS

TOP PRODUCERS

* TOP-TIER PRODUCERS are agents with at least $15 million in sales, and teams with average sales of at least $7.5 million per licensed team member.

TEAM

The Stokes Group *

MCENEARNEY ASSOCIATES— KENSINGTON

AGENT

Mark Hudson

The Ciment & Shields Team

Eric Stewart Group *

The Scott Team. *

The Victor Llewellyn Group *

LONG & FOSTER—SILVER SPRING

AGENT

Endeg Abebe

TEAMS

The Pirovic Team * Savercool Team *

LONG & FOSTER—TAKOMA PARK

AGENT

David Maplesden

MCENEARNEY ASSOCIATES—D.C./ SPRING VALLEY

AGENTS

Marysol Bonilla

Craley Davis

MCENEARNEY ASSOCIATES—MCLEAN

AGENT

Ann McClure

PREMIER PROPERTIES

AGENT

Carl Becker *

RE/MAX BETHESDA

AGENTS

Andrew Goodman *

Alex Goumilevski *

Jeremy Lichtenstein *

Frances McGlaughlin

Helena Pulyaeva

John Williams

TEAMS

Ross|Residential *

Carolyn Homes Team *

Rudden|Bobruska Team

The Michael Altobelli Team *

The Butterfield Group *

RE/MAX CLARKSBURG

AGENTS

Jill Coleman *

Lynn Holland

Adam Murphy *

Vicki Reyes

Lavina Samtani *

TEAMS

The Sabelhaus Team

Kolick Realty Group *

The Fox Team

RE/MAX TOWN CENTER GERMANTOWN

AGENTS

Donna Pfeiffer

Saji Sebastian

TEAM

The Ken Abramowitz Group *

RE/MAX OLNEY

AGENTS

Eunice Chu

Ellen Coleman

Bill Coulter

Ellie Hitt

Pablo Hurtarte

Mario Padilla

Seema Rodriguez

Andy Rubin

David Wagner *

TEAM

The Susan Ellis Home Team *

RE/MAX ROCKVILLE

TEAM

The Myers Team *

REDFIN

AGENTS

Russell Chandler

Janette Coffee

Emily Cottone *

Delilah Dane

Charles Gilroy *

Michael Gonzalez

Lisa Greaves

Eric Hovanky *

Mandy Kaur *

Bryan Kerrigan *

Antonia Ketabchi *

Litsa Laddbush

Claudia MacDonald

Long Ngo *

Kris Paolini *

Mike Patton

Phil Reding

I’m honored to be named a Bethesda Magazine TOP PRODUCER for 2024. I continue to work hard and smartly for my clients, making sure that their home buying and selling experience is seamless and top notch. Whether you are planning to list your home or search for a new home, put my years of experience, my legal background and my extensive real estate knowledge to work for you.

Tamara Kucik Team

Marilyn Emery

Andrew Essreg

TOP PRODUCERS

TOP PRODUCERS

* TOP-TIER PRODUCERS are agents with at least $15 million in sales, and teams with average sales of at least $7.5 million per licensed team member.

* TOP-TIER PRODUCERS are agents with at least $15 million in sales, and teams with average sales of at least $7.5 million per licensed team member.

Lupe Rohrer *

Lupe Rohrer *

Agne Salgado

Agne Salgado

Ruby Styslinger

Kiki Tesfaye

Kiki Tesfaye

RLAH @PROPERTIES

RLAH @PROPERTIES

AGENTS

AGENTS

Melissa Bernstein *

Melissa Bernstein *

Jordan Chronopoulos

Jordan Chronopoulos

Mike Delp

Mike Delp

Marilyn Emery

Andrew Essreg *

Andrew Essreg *

Omar Flores

Omar Flores

Daniel Llerena

Amalia Morales Garicoits

Amalia Morales Garicoits

Jami Rankin

Jami Rankin

Waled Sayed

Waled Sayed

Jill Schwartz

Jill Schwartz

Jack Wang

Jack Wang

Molly Branson Worden

Molly Branson Worden

TEAMS

Jennifer Chow Group

Jennifer Chow Group

The Prigal Brothers and Associates *

The Prigal Brothers and Associates *

Tamara Kucik Team

Tamara Kucik Team

The Washingtonian Group

The Washingtonian Group

STUART & MAURY, INC.

STUART & MAURY, INC.

AGENTS

AGENTS

Robert Jenets *

Scott Matejik

Scott Matejik

Matthew Maury *

Matthew Maury *

Kate Slawta

Kate Slawta

TTR SOTHEBY’S INTERNATIONAL REALTY—BETHESDA

TTR SOTHEBY’S INTERNATIONAL REALTY—BETHESDA

AGENTS

AGENTS

Lindy Gelb

Megan Bonanno

Ehad Hancioglu

Lindy Gelb

Ehad Hancioglu

Leo Lee

Leo Lee

Barbara Nalls

Barbara Nalls

Eris Norman

Eris Norman

Sintia Petrosian

Sintia Petrosian

Marie Tongol

Marie Tongol

Kari Wilner

Kari Wilner

TEAMS

Lauren Davis Team *

TEAMS

Lauren Davis Team *

Adam Isaacson Team *

Adam Isaacson Team *

The Robert & Tyler Team

The Robert & Tyler Team

TTR SOTHEBY’S INTERNATIONAL

REALTY—CHEVY CHASE

TTR SOTHEBY’S INTERNATIONAL REALTY—CHEVY CHASE

AGENTS

William Fastow *

Kirsten Williams

AGENTS Fastow *

Kirsten Williams

TEAMS

The Kimberly Casey Team

TEAMS

The Burr Group

The Kimberly Casey Team

The Burr Group

Finnell Lee Homes *

Finnell Lee Homes *

TTR SOTHEBY’S INTERNATIONAL REALTY—DOWNTOWN

TEAM

TTR SOTHEBY’S INTERNATIONAL REALTY—DOWNTOWN TEAM HEIDER *

HEIDER *

TTR SOTHEBY’S INTERNATIONAL REALTY—DOWNTOWN/CHEVY CHASE

TTR SOTHEBY’S INTERNATIONAL REALTY—DOWNTOWN/CHEVY CHASE

AGENTS

AGENTS

Mansour Abu-Rahmeh

Mansour Abu-Rahmeh Yianni Konstantopoulos

Yianni Konstantopoulos

TEAMS

TEAMS

Burns & Noble * Home in Collective

Burns & Noble * Home in Collective

TTR SOTHEBY’S INTERNATIONAL REALTY—GEORGETOWN

TTR SOTHEBY’S INTERNATIONAL REALTY—GEORGETOWN

AGENTS

Russell Firestone *

AGENTS

Russell Firestone *

Jonathan Taylor *

Jonathan Taylor *

TEAMS

TEAMS

Ritzert Weiss Partners *

Ritzert Weiss Partners *

Jeff Wilson Team *

Jeff Wilson Team *

Premier Partners

Premier Partners

WASHINGTON FINE PROPERTIES

WASHINGTON FINE PROPERTIES

AGENTS

Boucie Addison

AGENTS

Boucie Addison

Clare Boland

Clare Boland

Matt Cheney

Matt Cheney

Alyssa Crilley *

Alyssa Crilley *

Patty Daniels

Patty Daniels

Kira Epstein Begal *

Kerry Fortune Carlsen

Kira Epstein Begal *

James Gregory

Kerry Fortune Carlsen

Heidi Hatfield

James Gregory

Heidi Hatfield

Cynthia Howar

Cynthia Howar

Daryl Judy

Daryl Judy

Anne Killeen *

Anne Killeen *

Lori Leasure *

Lori Leasure *

Delia McCormick

Eileen McGrath

Delia McCormick

Kay McGrath *

Eileen McGrath

Richard Newcomb Jr.

Kay McGrath *

Richard Newcomb Jr.

Joanne Pinover

Joanne Pinover

Kara Sheehan *

Kara Sheehan *

Liz Lavette Shorb *

Liz Lavette Shorb *

Lisa Stransky *

Lisa Stransky *

Jennifer Wellde

Margot Wilson

Jennifer Wellde

Margot Wilson

TEAMS

Anne & Nate *

TEAMS

Anne & Nate *

HRL Partners *

HRL Partners *

The Itteilag Team *

The Itteilag Team *

Keane & Bertinelli *

Keane & Bertinelli *

Marsha Schuman & Betsy Schuman

Marsha Schuman & Betsy Schuman

Dodek of The Schuman Team *

The NTB Group

Dodek of The Schuman Team *

The Meg & Allison Team *

The NTB Group

The Roth Team *

The Meg & Allison Team *

The Roth Team *

DOWNSIZING: Don’t get overwhelmed—get help

THE KIDS ARE GROWN and out of the house. The thought of spending more time enjoying life and less time on housework and home maintenance beckons. It’s time to think about downsizing, an idea some may find intimidating.

“When people first start thinking about it, they become overwhelmed at all the stuff they have, and it stops them in their tracks,” says Jan Brito, founder of Capital Senior Solutions in Chevy Chase, part of Compass. Her team works with clients to help them through the entire process. “We act as a project manager from start to finish.”

They come in early (sometimes an entire year early) to help clients evaluate their housing needs, tour homes and senior communities, coach them and connect them with professional move

managers, estate attorneys and others.

“The biggest thing that the downsizer needs help with is not so much the selling of the home, but what to do with all their stuff,” says Adam Isaacson of the Adam Isaacson Team at TTR Sotheby’s International Realty in Bethesda.

His team has a senior move manager who coordinates the process. It also partners with an elder law attorney and an estate attorney. “We’re a one-stop shop,” he says.

the same thing” and hear from “graduates.” An online “downsizing wheel” assigns homework each month, such as paring down kitchen utensils or organizing photos.

Isaacson’s team holds seminars at synagogues, libraries and churches. “It may seem overwhelming,” he says, “but if you hire the right team to help you through it, it can actually be a positive experience.”

—Linda Schubert

For those thinking of making the move, there are plenty of resources available.

Once a month, Capital Senior Solutions hosts a free Downsizers Club on Zoom. “It’s a small support group. They can talk with peers going through

A Boutique Real Estate Firm since 1956

Jan Brito

Adam Isaacson

Individual Agents

Sherif Abdalla

Katrina Abjornson

Steve Agostino

Catherine Arnaud-Charbonneau

Lee Arrowood

Alana Aschenbach

Margaret Babbington

Christy Bakaly

Steve Baumgartner

James Begg

Katie Bocock

Kate Bohlender

Rocky Bowers

Hilary Bubes

Damian Buckley

Annabel Burch-Murton

Erich Cabe

Adam Chasen

Eva Davis

Kristy Deal

Charles Dudley

Jennifer Eckel

Carmen Fontecilla

Leslie Friedson

Michael Gailey

Avi Galanti

Caryn Gardiner

Toni Ghazi

Ellen Grant

Kevin Grolig

Tammy Gruner Durbin

Gitika Kaul

Chris Koons-Byrne

Rina Kunk

Cheryl Kurss

Traudel Lange

Cheryl Leahy

Deirdre Lofft

Wendy Lord

Lindsay Lucas

Brian Lumpkin

Carrie Mann

Nancy Mannino

Danielle Mannix

Meredith Margolis

Michael Matese

Mark McFadden

Dina Miller

Altaf Mohamed

Sina Mollaan

Sondra Mulheron

Mary Noone

Amanda Provost

Kelvin Reaves

Kyle Richards

Brett Rubin

Brett Rubin

Pam Ryan-Brye

Dominique Rychlik

Michael Seay Jr

Michael Shapiro

Arash Shirazi

Laura Steuart

Stacey Styslinger

Craig Sword

Keene Taylor

Susan Van Nostrand

Maureen Weaver

Kathy Whalen

Shiva Zargham

Fabiana Zelaya

Teams

Brito Associates

Cara Pearlman Group

Casaday Allison Group

Dana Rice Group

Donovan Wye & Mandle

Erich Cabe Team

Ferris Levin Collaborative

Jenn Smira Team

Jeweler Burton Group

Shorb Fafoglia Group

Team Koki

The Halem Group

The Rebecca Weiner Group

The Synergy Group of Compass

Trent & Co.

Wydler Brothers of Compass

GITIKA KAUL

Senior Vice President, Compass Principal, Kaul Home Group

gitika.kaul@compass.com

m. 202.810.3395 | o. 301.298.1001

Kaul Home Group was born out of a desire to create something unique — something authentic that offered an unmatched level of service across all price points, ensuring the highest level of integrity and professionalism while also remaining approachable. We speak to clients the way we speak to our dearest friends. We believe everyone deserves a fierce advocate they can trust. This is not just marketing speak, but how we live and operate every day.

That’s why we take a consultative approach. Before we dive in, we always talk strategy, focus objectives, and ensure alignment before taking action. Our approach works and our clients say it best:

“Gitika is an amazingly skilled agent and a wonderful person who will soon feel like a friend you have known for years. She spent multiple conversations with me really listening to what I wanted and needed in my next home...She will deliver.” —Bethesda

Buyer

102%

LIST PRICE TO SALES PRICE RATIO 1.5%

TOP AGENT NATIONWIDE REALTRENDS

#40

INDIVIDUAL AGENT BY VOLUME IN MARYLAND 6

EMMYS WON

WYDLER BROTHERS

Hans Wydler

m: 301.523.6313 | o: 301.298.1001

hans@wydlerbrothers.com

Steve Wydler

m: 703.348.6326 | o: 301.298.1001

steve@wydlerbrothers.com

We sell the most important home, yours.

“You have to talk to these guys… they’re different.” Hans & Steve Wydler founded Wydler Brothers 20 years ago to provide their clients with the highest level of professionalism, integrity and intelligence in the industry. Since then, they have grown their business to consistently be one of the top teams both in the Washington DC region and the entire United States.

Along the way, they’ve achieved numerous awards and recognitions, including being recognized as “The Most Innovative Real Estate Agent in America” (Inman, 2014), written several articles for The Washington Post, authored a book, “Inside the Sell”, co-founded a real estate tech

company which sold to Move, Inc. in 2013, and built Wydler Brothers into a highly respected boutique brokerage with 70 agents and employees which they sold to Compass in 2019. Currently, Wydler Brothers is among the top 3 teams in the DMV and was the #1 Compass Team in 2022. Oh, and in 2015, Hans managed to survive a train crash (Hans 1, Amtrak 0).

CARA PEARLMAN

cara@compass.com

m. 202.641.3008 | o. 301.298.1001

For two decades, Cara has been a pillar in the soughtafter suburbs of Washington DC, helping clients find their perfect homes. Whether assisting first-time homebuyers or partnering with luxury home sellers, Cara is dedicated to serving the community she calls home. Using a consultative approach, extensive experience, and genuine empathy, she ensures a stress-free, seamless experience in every transaction.

$17.3M RECORD SALE

$500M+

TOTAL SALES

CHERYL KURSS

cheryl.kurss@compass.com

m: 301.346.6615 | o: 301.298.1001

Cheryl began her career in real estate as an attorney, negotiating commercial contracts and conducting real estate settlements. For the past 25+ years as a realtor, she has brought her expertise and commitment to her clients by helping to make the process of buying and selling their homes as stress free and enjoyable as possible. She has the great delight and honor to now help many generations of the same family as they find their place.

Cheryl has won many top producer awards including Washingtonian Top Producer/Best Agent 2015-2023, Bethesda Magazine Top Producer, GCAAR 2023 Individual Gold Award, DC Modern Luxury Real Estate Award, and Five Star Professional Award. She is committed to her clients and the community and to foster dogs who also are among her many happy clients in happy new homes.

CHRISTY BAKALY & CHRIS KOONS-BYRNE

Christy Bakaly | Vice President christy.bakaly@compass.com

m. 301.412.8830 | o. 301.298.1001

Chris Koons-Byrne | Vice President chris.byrne@compass.com

m. 240.672.6628 | o. 240.219.2422

We love serving clients in the Maryland suburbs and the DC communities!

DEIRDRE LOFFT

deirdre.lofft@compass.com

m. 571.213.5056 | o. 301.304.8444

As a former police officer in the area, I’ve handled tricky situations and tense negotiations. I bring a tough but wholehearted approach to every deal, and I love working with clients to help turn their vision into reality. I even have a team of contractors ready to prep or renovate any home for sale. Here’s what my clients say about me:

“Living 3,000 miles away, I had to rely on Deirdre’s vision, her contractors, her oversight, and judgment. Thank God I trusted her. She even sold my parents car for me because I lived too far way to conduct the sale. Who does that? Deirdre!” —

C. Benson

“She is bright, articulate, organized, street smart, professional and very competitive. She asked me what

my goal was, and I told her to sell it for the neighborhood record, and that’s exactly what she did!” — D. Harbison

“We are a dual military family, and we have had our share of moves. Deirdre is by far the best agent that we’ve had the pleasure of working with.” — T. Pierson

“Deirdre has the ideal personality for that work, warm, funny, caring, serious but not overly serious. She made the entire process very easy.” — J.Keilson

SHIVA ZARGHAM

shiva.zargham@compass.com

m. 240.893.4195 | o. 301.304.8444

Best of Washingtonian 6 Years

Bethesda Magazine Top Producer 3 Years

Certified Negotiation Expert

What sets you apart from other agents?

My philosophy is that being a real estate agent is like being a matchmaker. Finding and selling a home is a huge investment in time and money. But it’s also an emotional one. That’s why I use my background in the visual arts, and my deep knowledge of market data, to make sure my clients have everything they need to buy and sell with confidence. I want buyers to find not just any home, but the one that’s perfect for the life they want to live. And I want sellers to present their homes in the best possible light, from initial staging to open houses. Together, we all find that magic spark.

What brings the most satisfaction in your work?

I get to meet my clients at an important junction in their lives, one where they are making a huge decision, and need a trusted advisor to help them navigate their options. It brings me tremendous joy when my clients find a new place to call home or when they realize the full potential of their property.

What made you decide to get into your line of work?

I love real estate because it combines everything that I am passionate about. It is the cross-section of design, finance, and marketing. It is entrepreneurial, personal, and creative. Every transaction is unique as the properties and people involved.

MICHAEL SHAPIRO

michael.shapriro@compass.com

m: 301.503.6171 | o: 301.298.1001

There is no substitute when selling and buying mid-century modern homes.

Michael has true passion for mid-century modern design. For the past 16 years, he has dedicated his real estate efforts to specifically connecting buyers and sellers who have a similar passion for modern architecture, art and furniture.

Licensed in Maryland, D.C. and Virginia, Michael and his website (moderncapitadc.com) are well recognized for specializing in homes designed by noted modernists such as Charles M. Goodman, Thomas Wright, Chloethiel Woodard Smith, Harold Esten, Deigert & Yerkes and Keys, Lethbridge & Condon, among others.

TRAUDEL LANGE

traudel.lange@compass.com

m: 240.463.6918 | o: 301.304.8444

What sets you apart from other agents?

I am devoted to my clients and do everything in my power to earn their trust. In return, they receive a premium level of service, consistent communication, and a results-driven strategy that together yield the target end-result. When you list with me, you can rest assured that your home is in the best hands.

How can you help buyers in this challenging market?

Securing a home in this challenging market with low inventory and higher interest rates requires skill to make it happen. I will be vigilant in looking out for the buyers’ best interests and guiding them to a smooth settlement.

What advice would you give to someone looking to navigate the market today or in the near future?

Work with an experienced, honest agent who is there to safeguard your best interests and helps you accomplish your ultimate goal of selling or buying a home.

Best career advice you’ve ever received?

Have your client’s best interest in mind!

CHERYL LEAHY

The Cheryl Leahy Homes Team

m: 301.370.2484 | o: 301.304.8444

CherylLeahyHomes.com

Wherever you are on your real estate journey, count on us to guide you every step of the way.

“Competent, capable, connected, caring, taking concierge level service to the next level. Just a few words to describe what it’s like to work with Cheryl. She managed every step with grace, diplomacy and a sense of humor. She was an invaluable asset to us.”

Experienced. Connected. Authentic.

DANA RICE GROUP

dana.rice@compass.com

m: 202.669.6908 | o: 301.298.1001 danaricegroup.com

Looking for a strategic partner in your next move?

Get Dana Rice Group on your side. With savvy and smart agents, an on-staff designer. not to mention complimentary staging for all our sellers, you have a full-service team dedicated to you from search to settlement. Dana Rice Group has the real estate chops that makes a difference to their clients. Featured on CNBC, the Wall Street Journal. Washington Post and more, why not tap into the expertise of Dana Rice Group for yourself. Go ahead and give us a call. We’d love to partner with you.

TAMMY GRUNER DURBIN

Vice President | Associate Broker tammy.grunerdurbin@compass.com

m. 301.996.8334 | o. 301.304.8444

“Tammy is simply a pro and I highly recommend her services. She is highly attentive to detail, strategic yet pragmatic, business oriented yet completely empathetic to the human side of these significant transactions. She’s nothing less than consistently excellent.” - Bethesda Seller

RealTrends 2023 - America’s Best Real Estate Professionals

Top Agent 2023 Washingtonian

Best of Bethesda Top Producer 2023

NANCY MANNINO

Vice President nancy.mannino@compass.com

m. 301.461.1018 | o. 301.298.1001

“Nancy is simply the best! She has helped me buy and sell three properties in the Washington, DC area over the years. She has deep knowledge of DC area real estate, and works extremely hard for her clients.” -Buyer and Seller

“Nancy made this the easiest sale ever, keeping close in touch in planning, pricing and execution. Everything went without a hitch. She knows the important things to focus on to get the deal done with all the required elements but not a lot of fluff. And by using Compass’ Private Exclusive option, we were able to get a fair price and a quick sale process.” -Seller

“Nancy is amazing! So communicative and warm, and always ready to answer questions. She totally respects your preferences (even the weird ones) and gives great advice. It made the experience so stress-free for us!” -Buyer

WENDY LORD

wendy.lord@compass.com

m: 301.789.8114 | o: 240.219.2422 www.wendylord.com

Wendy Lord is an experienced and dedicated real estate agent who is committed to providing a positive buying or selling experience for each of her clients. With a background in commercial lending and asset management, she brings over 30 years of expertise to her role as a Seniors Real Estate Specialist. Wendy strives to provide the best personalized service to each and every one of her clients along their real estate journey, whether it is buying, selling, or both. Her personalized marketing plan is tailored to each home, including social media, print ads, and a

10+ YEARS AS AN AGENT

strong referral network to streamline the process. She collaborates with a range of partners, including financial experts, title companies, renovation/repair contractors, downsizing and organizing professionals, and estate sales specialists. As a long-term resident of Maryland, Wendy is actively involved in the community, serving on the Board of the Fox Hills West Citizens Association. In her leisure time, she enjoys tennis, golf, skiing, and taking walks with her neighbors, embracing her neighborhood where she and her son reside.

100K+ POUNDS OF PAPER SHREDDED FOR CLIENTS

30+ YEARS IN COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE $20M+

46% MARKET SHARE IN FOX HILLS WEST IN 2023

MICHAEL SEAY HOMES

michael@seayhomesdc.com

m: 202.415.4992 | o: 301.298.1001

Thank you to our clients, friends, and family for your continued support and referrals. As native Washingtonians and part of a family business going back generations, we care in a way that transcends the traditional real estate experience. It’s critical to have an agent that listens to your needs and provides the value and honest guidance required for successful outcomes in this ever changing and competitive market. If you or a loved one is struggling with a decision to sell or needs help finding your dream home or getting an offer accepted, give us a call.

100%

PAM RYAN-BRYE

pam.ryanbrye@compass.com

m: 202.276.6902 | o: 301.304.8444

Why do you love what you do?

I love helping my buyers and sellers throughout every step of a transaction, and making their dreams a reality. I love looking at property and helping clients imagine the life they might one day build there. Most of all, I love forming enduring relationships with my clients, and meeting them at every real estate milestone.

What’s your biggest differentiator?

I have over 30 years of industry experience and a background in interior design, both of which I leverage for my clients’ benefit to maximize results. I’ve called the DC area home since the 1970’s, and I look forward to every opportunity to help others find their place here just as I’ve found mine.

LINDSAY LUCAS

Senior Vice President lindsay.lucas@compass.com

m: 301.467.4090 | o: 301.298.1001

Lindsay was named the #1 Individual Compass Agent in the DMV and has consistently been named Washingtonian and Bethesda Magazine’s “Top Agent.” All it takes is one look at the milestones Lindsay Lucas has reached to know there’s a deep-rooted purpose driving her to be the best agent she can be. For Lindsay, that purpose emerged at a young age, when she would stroll around her Potomac neighborhood and imagine what it would be like to help others build a life there someday. Years later, Lindsay is a dedicated Realtor licensed in DC, MD and VA with nearly 2 decades of hands-on experience. Known for her unwavering commitment to her clients, Lindsay will do whatever it takes to help each one achieve their goals.

If she is not selling real estate, Lindsay can be found spending time with her two sons, playing tennis, and giving back to her community. Connect with Lindsay today for an experience that always delivers.

HOME SALE

in 14 ZIP codes

ARE HOUSING PRICES RISING? Are more homes being sold? Where are homes selling the fastest? The following chart answers these questions with data on the number of sales, the average sale price and the average number of days on the market for single-family homes in 14 Bethesda-area ZIP codes from 2019 to 2023. The neighborhoods included had at least five total sales during the last

five years and at least one sale in the past year. The totals for each ZIP code reflect all sales in that ZIP code, not just the totals for the selected neighborhoods. Real estate agents may enter sales into the Bright MLS database retroactively; as a result, some of the historical data may vary from what has been published in previous years. Some numbers have been rounded.

GLEN ECHO 20812

BETHESDA 20814

BETHESDA 20816

BETHESDA 20817

CABIN JOHN 20818

Paul E. Biciocchi, Principal Broker

Antoinette

GARRETT PARK 20896

SILVER SPRING 20902

Nothing compares to a local agent with worldwide connections.

Expertise wherever you are and wherever you want to be.

Sotheby’s International Realty is the only truly global real estate brand, with a global network of residential brokerage companies. Through our personal relationships, our sellers reach a highly qualified global clientele — and our buyers receive access to remarkable properties and agents everywhere.

Megan Bonanno

Finnell Lee Homes

FINNELLLEEHOMES.COM

M +1 202 329 7117 | FINNELLLEEHOMES@TTRSIR.COM

Powerful Reach, Extraordinary Results: This is the hallmark of Finnell Lee Homes, the top producing team in the Chevy Chase office of TTR Sotheby’s International Realty since 2020. Anne-Marie Finnell, Kelly Lee, and their team of dynamic and dedicated professionals are committed to making the buying and selling process as smooth, enjoyable, and profitable as possible. Finnell Lee Homes is licensed in DC, MD, and VA and stands ready to help you with all of your real estate needs!

Lauren Davis

LAURENDAVISTEAM.COM

M +1 202 549 8784 | LDAVIS@TTRSIR.COM

Lauren Davis is recognized as one of the top real estate agents in the Bethesda area, earning praise and respect from clients, colleagues and competitors alike. She grew up in Edgemoor and attended Bethesda - Chevy Chase High School and Denison University.

“I truly understand the value of owning a home in this area and love helping new neighbors find their place in the community.”

Russell Firestone

RUSSELLFIRESTONE.COM

M +1 202 271 1701 | RFIRESTONE@TTRSIR.COM

Russell has won multiple sales awards including the award for the top individual TTR Sotheby’s agent in Washington DC for 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2017 for total sales volume, top team in 2018 and 2019 and top individual agent in 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023. He has had multiple properties featured in the Wall Street Journal, Washington Post and many other publications and websites. Russell has spent most of his professional career in marketing. Russell and his family reside in both Georgetown and Middleburg, Virginia.

Home in Collective

M +1 202 816 4159 | DDESANTIS@TTRSIR.COM

At Home in Collective, we are your real estate partners. Just not the partners you’d expect. We’re not simply here to close on a sale; we’re here to connect you with a home that lets you live your best life. While other realtors put themselves first, we call ourselves “a collective” to emphasize our collaborative nature. When you work with one of us, you get all of us. Collaboration is at our core.

Lindy Gelb

LINDYGELB.SOTHEBYSREALTY.COM

M +1 202 271 9619 | LGELB@TTRSIR.COM

Lindy Gelb is a top Bethesda and metro DC realtor and for nearly two decades, she has earned glowing reviews, repeat business, and generous referrals from hundreds of clients. What’s her secret? She’s masterful at orchestrating all the moving parts behind the scenes while simultaneously providing concierge-style service that delivers exceptional results for every client, every time. Tough to do, but Lindy makes it look easy. She guides her clients to successful outcomes with superior marketing, unmatched industry knowledge, and a hands-on approach that sets her apart from other realtors.

Adam Isaacson Team

ADAMISAACSON.COM

M +1 301 775 0900 | AISAACSON@TTRSIR.COM

Luxury is an experience, not a price point. Our team lives where we sell - From Bethesda MD to Rehoboth Beach DE, our vision is to provide clients with luxury representation and service at every price point. We also feel strongly about giving back to the communities where we sell homes. In 2023, with our non-profit partner, So What Else, we donated 1000’s of diapers, backpacks, school supplies and clothing to families in need throughout Montgomery County.

Eris Norman

WWW.SOLDBYERIS.COM

M +1 301 674 9929 | ENORMAN@TTRSIR.COM

A life-long native of Potomac, Eris Norman blends unparalleled market expertise with a unique understanding of local communities, ensuring each client’s goals are met with exceptional service, whether buying or selling. Your real estate success is her priority. Licensed in DC, MD and VA, Eris can help take you from the life you have to the life you are dreaming of.

Barbara Nalls

BARBARANALLS.COM

M +1 240 602 9035 | BNALLS@TTRSIR.COM

An industry leader for almost three decades, Barbara’s style is passionate, strategic, client oriented…and a bit of fun. Working across a variety of communities, styles, and price points, she brings deep experience, professional recognition, creative marketing, and strong local knowledge to every transaction. More than a tough negotiator, her goal is always to serve her clients interests and support their unique needs through a time of transition. Home. Let’s get there together.

Sintia Petrosian

SINTIAREALTY.COM

M +1 301 395 8817 | SPETROSIAN@TTRSIR.COM

In her 24+ year career, Sintia Petrosian has built bridges for her clients both literally and figuratively. An accomplished real estate agent specializing in luxury properties, Sintia is redefining customer service in the real estate industry imbuing first-time buyers or the more seasoned homeowners with the knowledge and confidence required to make one of the most important financial investments of their lifetimes. She marries her wealth of experience with honesty, integrity, and trademark zeal making her one of the top-producing agents in the greater Washington, DC area. Representing buyers and sellers in DC, MD, VA, and NY.

The wet area in Sally and Richard Skillman’s Potomac bathroom has a non-slip mosaic tile floor.

Stylish

and Safe

When Nancy and Mariano Lim began to redo the small, dark primary bathroom in their 1964 ranch house in Ashton, they had Nancy’s needs in mind. Nancy uses a cane, and they anticipated her mobility might diminish. Their goal was to remodel the bathroom with a beautiful design that didn’t appear to have accessibility modifications.

Integrating safety, ease and convenience into stylish spaces—an approach called universal design—is in demand for homeowners who want to age in place, prepare for multigenerational inhabitants, or accommodate those with physical conditions or other requirements. Universal design is of particular importance in the bathroom, where falls and other mishaps can occur, says Bethesda-based interior designer Sheryl Steinberg.

Safety features should be baked into the design, Steinberg says. As an example, she suggests “layers of lighting” that include general illumination, task lighting and motion sensor lights for nighttime use. All light fixtures, cabinetry and other products selected for the bathroom should be “damp rated,” she advises, to ensure safety and durability.

For slip prevention in wet areas such as the shower and bath zones, Steinberg recommends flooring with small nonglossy tiles and many grout lines. Storage should be designed for use without having to bend or strain; that means roll-out drawers and easily reached shelves.

Bathrooms with universal design offer function with flair

BY WENDY A. JORDAN

[Taraneh] Razavi requested good water pressure in the shower; it’s a necessity, she says, to help relieve “the aches and pains of arthritis.

I wish more people would do this. It’s a very necessary item.”

Originally a typical 5-by-7-foot space, the Lims’ bathroom, which was finished in 2022, is now 8 by 12.4 feet and has been tailored to Nancy’s needs. “It’s very roomy now,” Nancy, now 75, says. “I like the feel of it, and I don’t feel afraid of falling. It’s a real blessing.”

But in a nod to universal design being truly for everyone, the bathroom was put to the test after the Lims’ adult daughter broke her wrist and leg. She used a wheelchair for weeks and couldn’t manage a standard bathroom. She used her parents’ bathroom instead and “got around fine,” Nancy says.

The work had been done by WLC-Design of Rockville. Russell Wickham and David Lin, co-owners of the architectural design company, absorbed space from an unneeded adjacent hallway to enlarge the bathroom. The old space had no bathtub, just a shower stall separated from the room by a 4-inch threshold. The new space features a bright and open wet room that incorporates a tub and a curbless shower with a rain showerhead, handheld spray, jets to wash the entire body, and easy-access controls.

Ample built-in seating serves both the tub and shower. Nancy says the illuminated storage niche above the seating “has

been great. We have it on so when we get up at night we have lighting.” Recessed LED ceiling fixtures bathe the entire room in balanced, shadowless light, while sconces add task lighting. An overhead sun tunnel suffuses the room with natural light. “We installed reverse blinds at the window” that close from the bottom up, Wickham adds, “to let light through but provide privacy.”

Penny tiles in the shower area are slipresistant. They form a stylish complement to the nonslippery slate-looking porcelain flooring elsewhere in the room. A barn door at the entry conserves floor space. The multifunction comfort-height commode has bidet settings. (Comfort-height toilets are 17-19 inches tall, the height of most chairs.)

Grab bars, some vertical and some horizontal for practical use, are in place by the shower, tub and toilet. Nancy splurged on a sleek cherry vanity and custom linen cabinet. Not only is the vanity beautiful—“I saw

Razavi and Schlisserman’s Chevy Chase bathroom is on the first floor.

Razavi suggests strong water pressure to ease arthritis aches and pains.

something like it in a magazine and I had to have it,” she says—but it also has large easy-glide drawers and is firmly attached to the wall so Nancy can lean on it for support. Lever handles for the faucets and doors are handsome and easy to use, as are the wide, slider light switches.

Glickman Design Build of Rockville specializes in work that enables clients to stay in their homes, refreshing them with chic designs that incorporate safety and accessibility features, while also preparing habitats to meet changing needs. Owner Russ Glickman’s company website offers a printable checklist for aging-in-place remodeling that covers what to do in all areas of the house. The checklist recommends such specifics for the bathroom as contrasting colors to identify the edges of countertops, and a wallsupported vanity that can be removed easily for height adjustments and is finished under the sink to allow legroom for a seated user.

While none of the families in this story used property tax credits for their renovations, Glickman says credits can be claimed for medically necessary home accessibility modifications. Montgomery County Design for Life credits include 50% of eligible costs up to $2,500, with an annual limit of $100,000. Program details are at montgomerycountymd.gov/design, including a “program at a glance” in the resource center. Eligible bathroom modifications include maneuverable space, reinforced walls with grab bars, and a walk-in or roll-in shower or tub.

Maryland’s Independent Living Tax Credit allows state claims of up to 50% of qualifying expenses, with an annual maximum of $5,000. See marylandtaxes.gov/tax-credits. php. Federal tax deduction rules for medical expenses are described in IRS Publication 502; no specific dollar amounts are included.

Glickman says federal credit claims require a doctor’s note identifying the person’s medical need along with the home modifications indicated, and also a report listing the costs that pertain to the accessibility improvements. An appraiser’s report on what the modifications add to the value of the home is a good idea, too. It’s best to consult a tax professional for financial advice on qualifying for all these tax credits. Glickman’s company and others can provide the tax professional with supporting documentation.

COURTESY RUSSELL WICKHAM

In the Lims’ bathroom, penny tiles and slate-look floors are less slippery.

Layers of lighting are important safety features in the Lims’ bathroom.

The Lims were able to add a tub when their bathroom was enlarged.

An ample amount of open floor space provides maneuverability for a wheelchair, a

walker or a person accompanied by an assistant.

Sally and Richard Skillman have loved nearly everything about their house in Potomac for all of its 34 years. About 10 years ago Sally began thinking about ways to update the primary bathroom, which was dated and made poor use of space. Now that the Skillmans, both in their 70s, have had hip and knee replacements, the bathroom also needed to be made safer.

The 13-by-12-foot space was ample, but a large whirlpool tub hogged one end of the room, making a significant chunk of the double vanity’s surface unusable. Plus, the windowless room was dull, with tired colors, spotty lighting that created shadows, and a dim, cavelike shower stall. Rockville-based House to Home Solutions reinvented the room in 2020 by creating an expansive wet area featuring a large curbless shower with a gently sloped, nonslip mosaic tile floor for water drainage, and a freestanding soaking tub that isn’t as deep as the whirlpool and is easier to enter. Wall niches, an attached bench, and easy-access sprays and controls make the shower safe and pleasurable. A tub-side shelf is convenient and doesn’t protrude.

For comfort, House to Home Solutions President Daniel Carrero always recommends an inline heater to keep tub water hot. He also suggests installing heated floors and a quiet exhaust fan equipped with a sensor for efficient humidity control.

Polished nickel grab bars at the bathtub, shower and commode match the rest of the Skillmans’ bathroom hardware. An ample amount of open floor space provides maneuverability for a wheelchair, a walker or a person accompanied by an assistant. The electrical switches on the wall next to the bathroom door have been placed to allow the doorway to be widened if needed.

Taraneh Razavi and Stuart Schlisserman are middle-aged internists in Menlo Park, California. Razavi grew up in the Chevy Chase, Maryland,

PHOTOS BY CHRIS ZIMMER

A freestanding tub in the Skillmans’ bathroom is shallower than the previous tub and easier to enter and exit.

Nickel-finish hardware repeats throughout the Skillmans’ bathroom.

spring AT THE BSO

MUSIC DIRECTOR JONATHON HEYWARD RETURNS

Carmina Burana

FRI, MAR 15, 8 PM THE CLARICE

SAT, MAR 16, 8 PM STRATHMORE

Jasmine Habersham, soprano

Nicholas Phan, tenor

Elliot Madore, baritone University of Maryland Concert Choir Maryland State Boychoir

Prepare to be blown away by Carl Orff’s monumental work for choir and orchestra.

Mahler Symphony No. 6

SUN, MAR 24, 3 PM STRATHMORE

Jonathon Heyward and the BSO delve into the emotionally complex “Tragic” symphony, with the help of the signature “Mahler hammer.”

Elliot Madore

Nicholas Phan

Jasmine Habersham

Jonathon Heyward, Music Director

house where her mother still lives. When the next-door neighbor died a few years ago, the couple bought the property. In coming years, they hope to spend winters in their Chevy Chase house, perhaps retiring there in a decade or so.

Landis Architects | Builders of Washington, D.C., rebuilt the 1,600-square-foot 1950s bungalow as a 2,800-square-foot, two-story home in a modern farmhouse style in 2023. Zahraa Alwash of Zee Design Studio, Architecture and Interior Design in Vienna, Virginia, led the creation of the house’s interior,

including the bathroom design. The primary bedroom and bath are on the main floor to enable one-story living for Razavi’s mother, should she ever move in with them, or for the couple themselves.

The 10-by-9-foot bathroom is loaded with accessibility features. Openings into the room, shower and commode area are 34 inches wide to accommodate a wheelchair or walker. A pocket door slides out of sight to provide floor space. The shower entry is curbless, and its glass door panels are fitted with grab bars. Additional blocking was added behind the wall for the easy installation of more grab bars in the future. A wall niche keeps shower items in reach. Radiant floor heating helps keep the nonslip floors soothing and dry.

Razavi requested good water pressure in the shower; it’s a necessity, she says, to help relieve “the aches and pains of arthritis. I wish more people would do this. It’s a very necessary item.”

It’s wise to plan for bathroom function and accessibility modifications sooner rather than later. As a physician, Razavi knows well that “things happen, and then people can’t use their bathrooms.” She adds, “I can’t tell you how many of our patients have to go back and make these adjustments to their homes when it’s a big hassle for them.”

Writer Wendy A. Jordan lives in upper Northwest, D.C. Her books include Universal Design: Great-Looking, Great-Living Design for All Ages, Abilities, and Circumstances.

Grab bars are a feature of universal design.

HOME

Michael P. Rose

COAKLEY REALTY, INC.

Ranked in the Top 1 percent of all Realtors nationwide, Michael P. Rose earned a degree in Economics from Georgetown University and an MBA in Real Estate and Urban Development from American University. His 30 years of experience in the real estate industry includes selling, leasing, acquisition, appraisal, development, finance, management, consulting and litigation support.

20 Courthouse Sq., Suite 107 Rockville, MD 20850

O: 301-340-8700, x1103

D: 301-814-3200 mprose57@aol.com MichaelPRose.com

Q W hat is your approach to a successful real estate career?

A I 've built my career on five unwavering pillars: 1. Listen. Listening is paramount to gaining trust; it allows me to better analyze a client's situation and offer the best solutions. 2. Continue Learning. Identifying and interpreting changing market forces enhances credibility and builds confidence. As an economist, I prioritize analytics, attain credible data and stay ahead of market trends, ensuring my clients are best equipped to make informed decisions. 3. Live by the Golden Rule. Show me an ethical person who treats his clients and peers with compassion and sincerity, and I'll show you someone successful in their career. 4. Pay it Forward. Give back by pouring yourself into the people and causes you truly care about. 5. Be Remembered. Make a great first impression—not just a good one.

Q W hat makes you different from other real estate agents?

A I a m extremely hands-on. Some might aspire to create a larger machine with multiple assistants and team members, but my product would be less of me—and that's not what my clients want. I like being the "Little Big-Realtor."

Q W hat do your clients say about you?

A I don't request testimonials from my clients nor promote myself to the masses to win awards. Aside from being No. 1 Dad, World's Greatest Husband and Best Friend, nothing else really matters. But I am proud of the feedback that I receive: high ethical standards, efficiency for the process, advanced negotiating skills, persuasive closer, unending patience and overall satisfaction for their entire experience.

Carolyn Sappenfield

CAROLYN HOMES

Carolyn has been a top-producing agent for more than 20 years. Her online reviews and testimonials tell the important story behind her success. Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer, investor, moving up, or downsizing, she and her team are dedicated to their clients’ needs and journey as if it were their own.

RE/MAX Realty Services

4825 Bethesda Ave., Suite 200 Bethesda, MD 20814

C: 240-353-7601

O: 301-652-0400

Carolyn@CarolynHomes.com

CarolynHomes.com

Q How would your clients describe you?

A M y clients describe me as an extremely knowledgeable, highly experienced real estate professional prioritizing open and honest communication. I am consistently praised for my flexibility in meeting clients' needs, my thorough, methodical process, which helps guide clients through the home buying or selling journey, my team's efficiency, and our extensive resources, which enable us to provide concierge service to our clients. The majority of my business comes from repeat clients and referrals, a testament to my proven track record and long-lasting relationships with clients.

Q W hat brings you the most satisfaction in your work?

A For many, real estate can be their largest asset, and I am honored to be a trusted advocate. I have always centered my business on creating lifelong relationships with clients. My focus is on ensuring that my clients make wise real estate investments, and my greatest satisfaction comes from helping them grow their wealth through real estate.

Q W hat should homeowners know about today’s market?

A Today's market is extremely dynamic, and demand is strong. With declining interest rates, homebuyers are even more eager, but inventory is very low, creating a strong seller's market. However, selling successfully is not a matter of luck. It is imperative to have a strong real estate professional on your side, ensuring that the necessary preparation is completed and a robust and comprehensive marketing plan is in place to guarantee optimal results. If you're a homebuyer, having a strong buyer's agent as your advocate is equally important to navigate this complex market.

The Lee Ann Wilkinson Group

LEE ANN WILKINSON, CEO, ASSOCIATE BROKER

Honors & Awards:

No. 1 Agent in Coastal Delaware for 30-plus years; Consistently ranked No. 1 Sales Team in Delaware; Ranked No. 2 nationally for Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices/PenFed Realty

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices/ PenFed Realty

16698 Kings Highway, Suite A Lewes, DE 19958

O: 302-645-6664

C: 302-542-7125

LeeAnn@LeeAnnGroup.com leeanngroup.com

Q W hat advice would you give potential buyers right now looking for that beach getaway or investment property?

A W e've seen many upward market shifts since 2020 and, quite frankly, I don't see that trend ending here anytime soon. I would advise them that even though interest rates aren't as low as they were a couple years ago, all evidence points to home prices continuing to increase. Basically, invest NOW. The second homes you're browsing now will have a much higher price tag as we near 2025. You can always refinance as rates drop in the next 24 months.

Q W hy does Coastal Delaware attract so many people from the Washington area?

A W hether it’s a second home or a forever home, people in the surrounding major cities, especially Washington, D.C.,

have always loved escaping to our small towns and beach life. Not only is the tax-free aspect appealing, but there's an instantaneous relaxed feeling that comes over them as they arrive at the Delaware beaches. From our amazing restaurants and nightlife to our gorgeous landscapes, there’s something for everyone. Festivals like Sea Witch and the jazz festival plus seasonal events like Schellville and Lewes in Bloom make coastal Delaware a truly magical place to live year-round.

Q How do you employ new technology and marketing to help your clients?

A From new forms of advertising like CTV to enhanced digital outreach and search engine optimization, we strive to stay ahead of the curve with innovative advertising for our clients’ properties and to make buying and selling as seamless as possible.

Northgate Realty

LEE AND ANGELA GOLDSTEIN, BROKER & CO-OWNERS

Northgate Realty is where clients become friends, and friends become clients. Where they deeply care for their individual needs, not just for the transaction at hand. They want their clients and friends to feel as though they can drop by their homes for a casual cup of coffee, engage in heartfelt conversations and seek expert advice on all things real estate, without ever feeling the weight of expectation. Northgate Realty is redefining what it means to feel at home in the world of real estate.

4800 Hampden Ln., Suite 200 Bethesda, MD 20814 301-263-6307 team@northgaterealty.com northgaterealty.com

Q W hat makes your client experience unique?

A A t Northgate Realty, our team doesn't just sell homes; we curate experiences far beyond any real estate transaction. "From our home to yours" isn't just our slogan; it's the heartbeat of our business and the philosophy that guides our every interaction. We understand the profound impact a home can have on people's lives and have woven our personal experience into every aspect of our approach to helping clients. We found each other after previous marriages and kids and feel incredibly lucky to have found an amazing home to share; a place that has become central to our blended family and where so much of our happiness exists. Our journey together drives our commitment to bringing that same joy to each client through real estate.

Q W hat do you love most about what you do?

A P artnering with clients on their journeys toward home and helping them build the foundation for their future happiness. We never take for granted that our clients have trusted us to help them make one of the biggest decisions—and largest purchases—of their lives. We see every property as a canvas for creating lasting memories, turning houses into homes and dreams into reality. Our personalized approach draws upon our wealth of market knowledge, experience, creativity, integrity and compassion to ensure that the often-overwhelming buying or selling process unfolds as seamlessly and enjoyably as possible.

SARAH RACHAEL

Rudden Bobruska Team

GARY RUDDEN, LISA RUDDEN, NICK BOBRUSKA,

COLE BUTTERFIELD

Honors & Awards:

RE/MAX Diamond & Platinum, 20182024; Bethesda Magazine Top Producer, 2019-2024; Best Washingtonian, 20182024; Real Trends America’s Best Real Estate Professionals, 2019-2024; Top 100 D.C. Metro Real Producers, 2019-2024

RE/MAX Realty Services

4825 Bethesda Ave., #200 Bethesda, MD 20814

Office: 240-403-0399

Direct: 301-351-2247

garyjrudden@remax.net ruddenbobruskateam.com

Q W hat’s most important for people to know about your team?

A W e’re a highly successful, topproducing team with years of experience in the Washington, D.C. metro area’s ever-changing real estate market. Our expertise and services go well beyond what the average Realtor or real estate team can offer. We’re technically savvy and strategically showcase our listings on all major social media platforms and websites to maximize exposure. We fully prepare our listings for the market with home staging services ranging from interior design to “extreme makeovers” that include large-scale repairs and renovations. While most Realtors must seek outside help for renovation and construction, we’re uniquely able to offer these services through our in-house licensed and bonded Maryland home improvement services team.

Q W hat other advantages can you offer your clients?

A B uyers can get advice on repairs, upgrades and costs from our construction expert. Our vast network allows us to premarket homes for sellers and discover homes for buyers before they even hit the market. All our team members are knowledgeable, experienced and committed to providing the highest level of service. We work in all price ranges and are truly a full-service, one-stop shop for clients. “This team is pure magic as they held my hand and sold my house of many years in 72 hours,” said one of our recent sellers. We strive for this magic every day.

Trent Heminger & Mary Noone

TRENT & CO AT COMPASS REAL ESTATE

With more than 90 years of collective real estate expertise, Trent & Co is one of the top teams in the DMV. Team leader and longtime Top Producer Trent Heminger has been recognized consistently as one of "America’s Best Real Estate Agents" and a "Top Agent" in the Washington, D.C. metro area.

5471 Wisconsin Ave., Suite 300

Chevy Chase, MD 20815

O: 301-298-1001

C: 240-461-3928

info@trentandco.com

trentandco.com

Licensed in D.C. | MD | VA

Q W hat are the three P’s of real estate?

A P rice, presentation – and patience! During the pandemic, inventory was low, pushing prices up. Today, there are more homes on the market, yet price expectations are still high, making a home’s presentation more critical than ever. Presentation is Trent & Co’s niche! In her former life, Mary was a buyer for Hecht’s, a job that required a keen eye for fashion, and Trent, with over 20 years of condo conversion experience, has a natural eye for home décor. With the help of the Compass Concierge renovation program, we use our combined talents to prepare properties to show like model homes, allowing them to sell at higher prices. Another benefit for sellers is that they can delay payment for these services until settlement! Whether it’s a simple countertop replacement or extensive renovation, we do it all – minimizing the work and stress for sellers.

With listings, the idea is to always get people in the door. When an asking price is too high the market will let you know with low – or no – traffic. The market will also let you know when a home is priced low. Just this week we wrote an offer on an underpriced home that had 12 offers! D.C. area buyers are savvy; if a home is worth more it will get more! The best strategy is to price smart. In today’s market we’re still seeing multiple offers when a home is priced and presented well.

LISA HELFERT

RLAH @properties

STACY BERMAN & KATHLEEN RYAN

Realtors, Licensed in MD, D.C., VA

4600 N. Park Ave. #100 | Chevy Chase, MD 20815

Berman Cell: 301-466-4056

Ryan Cell: 240-418-3127

Office: 301-652-0643 | rlahre.com

Q W hat advice would you offer to someone just starting out in your profession?

A L earn from established Realtors by observing and asking questions, and give yourself grace with mistakes. Treat every client with respect and understand that each client is unique in their housing needs and desires.

Q How would your clients describe you?

A C lients tell us we are easy to work with, warm and welcoming, professional, diligent and creative marketers.

Q W hat should prospective clients know about you?

A A s Realtors since the early 2000s, we are great problem solvers. We never take no for an answer when fighting for our clients’ goals. With our advice, they usually get the house they want at the price they want. We are dedicated to client delight!

The NTB Group

RANKED #1 MEDIUM SIZE TEAM IN THE CAPITAL REGION

Nancy Taylor Bubes | 202-386-7813

Marion Smith Buglione | 917-952-2367

Washington Fine Properties 2624 P St., NW, Washington, D.C. 20007 | thentbgroup.com

Q W hat do you look for when employing an agent?

A N ancy Taylor Bubes: Someone who is always professional and shares my values and commitment to exceptional customer service. The NTB Group is the top-selling medium-sized team in the Washington Metropolitan area, built on agents who are humble and trustworthy, excellent communicators who are accessible to clients, listen attentively to their wants and needs, and fervently advocate for them to achieve optimal outcomes.

Q W hat makes your client experience unique?

A Mar ion Smith Buglione: My clients benefit from my background selling luxury real estate in Manhattan's fast-paced and ultra-competitive market, combined with my knowledge and understanding of the D.C. area market and community as an eighth-generation Washingtonian now living in Bethesda. I work tirelessly to guide my clients seamlessly into their next chapter.

MICHAEL VENTURA

DAN CHUNG

TTR Sotheby’s International Realty

BARBARA CARNEMARK NALLS, S ENIOR VICE PRESIDENT

Honors & Awards:

Top Individual Agent, Maryland offices, TTR|Sotheby’s International Realty, 2018-2023; Top Producer, Bethesda Magazine, 2019-2023; Top Agent, Washingtonian, 2014-2023.

4 809 Bethesda Ave. Bethesda, MD 20814 240-602-9035

barbaranalls@gmail.com Barbaranalls.com

Q W hat advice would you offer to someone just starting in your profession?

A B e kind. You've got to recognize that this job isn't transactional; it's about building relationships with people during transitional, often challenging periods of their lives. Remember, there's always a reason for a move or a sale, and most of those reasons are emotionally stressful—a growing or downsizing family, job relocation, estate work, first-time buyers. My advice to everyone thinking about a career in real estate is to ask yourself if you are willing to meet people where they are personally—emotionally, financially, etc.—and bring your best self to make this the best experience for them that it can possibly be.

Q W hat brings you the most satisfaction in your work?

A Happy clients, full stop. I recently visited clients I helped buy in 2021, a returning Foreign Service family coming home to America after serving many years overseas. Now, they're all moved in, everyone's thriving, and the place really felt like a home. I can't tell you how happy I was to see that.

Q W hat is the biggest challenge in your job?

A T hese days, it's finding inventory for my clients. The national media makes it sound like higher interest rates scared all the buyers away, but that's not the case in our local market. I have many buyers waiting for houses, ready to pay top dollar for something that meets their needs. I'm well-connected and better than most at rooting out inventory, but it's still a challenge we'll likely encounter for a while.

LISA HELFERT

The Robert & Tyler Team

ROBERT CRAWFORD, TYLER JEFFREY, ABBY SCHULTEN, PA M RICH, MIKE FAVAZZO

TTR Sotheby’s International Realty

5101 Wisconsin Ave. NW Suite 100 Washington, D.C. 20016

M: 202-746-2319

O: 301-967-3344

robertandtyler.com

Q W hat question are you most frequently asked about buying and selling real estate?

A " Is this a good deal?" A good deal can be getting the best price, submitting the winning bid, or buying in a convenient neighborhood.

While our priority is that our clients love their home, we also help them understand its worth as an investment. We discuss appreciation and potential rental income. We counsel them on the improvements they make and how to maximize their budget.

Acting as reliable advisors for a buyer is the best way to ensure that we'll get a call if they sell. Our team works in a wide range of price points, which helps us navigate the selling process for our clientele, in all stages of life.

David Wagner

WAGNER HOME GROUP | RE/MAX REALTY CENTRE

3300 Olney Sandy Spring Road Olney, MD 20832 301-221-7342 | 301-774-5900

david@wagnerhomegroup.com

wagnerhomegroup.com

Q W hat brings you the most satisfaction in your work?

A B uilding lasting relationships with clients as well as other agents. For me, numbers aren't the heart of real estate; it's about developing meaningful connections, understanding buyers' and sellers' unique needs and goals, and understanding how each decision impacts their lives. My clients are not transactions; they become part of my extended family. I've built my business on referrals, which is a testament to the trusting relationships I've cultivated with both clients and colleagues.

Q W hat is your best tip for people looking to sell?

A R emember, first impressions are everything, and you only get one shot. So, don't rush your home onto the market before it's ready. And listen to the market; don't overreach or overprice.

HILARY SCHWAB

DAN CHUNG

Dana Rice Group of Compass

DANA RICE, REALTOR, EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT

5471 Wisconsin Ave., Suite 300 Chevy Chase, MD 20815 202-669-6908

dana.rice@compass.com danaricegroup.com

Q How does a team benefit a buyer or seller?

A W ith a team, buyers and sellers always have access to personal, hands-on support. My team has been together for seven years. We have different backgrounds that include expertise in architecture, interior design, marketing, sales and communication. We enjoy working with first-time buyers and those moving into the upper brackets.

Q W hat stands out about the current market?

A M y “hot take?” It’s a seller’s market and a buyer’s market at the same time. There is low inventory, which benefits sellers, but there are fewer people looking to buy at this moment. If someone does not need to move now, they are waiting. In these interesting times, it is more critical than ever to be with an experienced, savvy agent.

Q W hat is a challenge that you face?

A S ince the real estate market is dynamic, things have changed since clients last sold or bought a house and their previous experience may not be relevant today. That can be frustrating.

Q W hat sets you apart from most other agents?

A I don’t want clients to lift a finger. From the beginning, I’ve offered free staging. My warehouse is chock full of great furniture and accessories. Some people only need a few final touches. Others need a whole house transformation. To manage this process, we have a fulltime, enthusiastic designer on the team because when a potential buyer walks through the door, that moment in time is very important. And it’s all free!

DAVID MOLINA

FRONT ROW, FROM LEFT: LISA RESCH, KAREN KELLY, DANA RICE, ROSE MEIMA, KCRYSTAL BOSCHMA

BACK ROW, FROM LEFT: KATE FRALIN, SOL GEHRING, CATIE MARTIN, INMA ALDAMIZ, MELISSA WAGAR, BRIAN MYLES

Judy Martin

CENTURY21 REDWOOD REALTY

Residential Real Estate: licensed in Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia

Certified Relocation Specialist

Military and Corporate Relocation

Certified Buyer Representative

6116 Executive Blvd., Suite 305 | North Bethesda, MD 20852

M: 301.379.1700 | O: 301.208.2288

judy@judymartinsellshomes.com

judymartinsellshomes.com

Q W hat brings you the most satisfaction in your work?

A I find satisfaction from helping clients find their dream homes, navigating the complexities of real estate transactions and building lasting relationships. The joy often comes from turning clients' visions into reality, whether it's finding the perfect property or successfully closing a deal. Searching for the right home requires dedication and attention. In areas like ours where supply is low, it’s imperative to be updated about new listings and to act fast. Building trust and contributing to significant life moments for clients can be a rewarding aspect of the real estate profession.

Rowena De Leon

COLDWELL BANKER REALTY

C: 240-423-2422

O: 301-718-0010

rowena.deleon@cbrealty.com

rowenadeleon.com

Q W hat do you enjoy most about what you do?

A A R ealtor is the eyes and ears of her clients, and I love helping people seamlessly navigate one of the most important decisions of their lives, one that will impact them every day for a long time. While I pride myself on bringing a high level of professionalism, I approach each transaction with the profound understanding that this is a deeply personal journey for my clients; I will always operate with their best interests in mind.

Q W hat is something in your professional life that you're particularly proud of?

A T he lasting relationships I've built with clients and as a native Washingtonian, I led hosts John Begeny and Christine Louise in exploring Rockville, MD., real estate and history on PBS' If You Lived Here (Aired 12/4/23).

HEATHER FUENTES

STEPHANIE WILLIAMS

Nancy Shahin Itteilag

WASHINGTON FINE PROPERTIES

3201 New Mexico Ave., NW Suite 220

Washington, D.C. 20016

Office: 202-944-5000 | Direct: 202-905-7762

itteilag@gmail.com

nancyitteilag.com

Licensed in D.C./MD/VA

Q W hat advice would you offer for someone just starting out?

A B e realistic: Save at least 12 months’ salary prior to starting in real estate, so that you have a cushion. To learn from the best, consider being an assistant to an experienced agent for two years.

Q How would your clients describe you?

A M y clients describe me as their trusted advisor and one of the hardest-working agents they’ve ever worked with. Many clients have used my services for more than 25 years through multiple sales, including seeking my advice for family, neighbors, friends and employees. When happy clients seek me out repeatedly, that gives me great satisfaction.

Q W hat is your professional background?

A A s a former IBM marketing representative, I ranked in one of the top four teams in the country. My resume includes being certified by the National Trust for Historic Preservation in their Historic Homes Marketing Program. A bachelor’s degree from Georgetown University and MBA from The Wharton School are the foundation upon which I credit my success.

Q W hat is the one thing that your clients should know about your team?

A I c an’t limit my praise of my team to one thing! We are detail-oriented, and our follow-up is impeccable. We always hear how much more responsive and timelier we are than our competition. In 2022, our average listing sold for $2.1 million, which is a record for any individual agent. Because other agents love to work with us, our network of agent relationships is another key to our success.

Matt Cheney

CHENEY & CO. | WASHINGTON FINE PROPERTIES

3201 New Mexico Ave., Suite 220

Washington, D.C. 20016

Cell: 202-465-0707

Office: 202-944-5000

Matt.Cheney@wfp.com

MattSold.com

IG: @matt.cheney

Q W hy should potential clients work with you?

A A s a trusted client advocate for two decades, I have guided buyers and sellers through more than a thousand successful transactions. My vast local knowledge, sharp negotiating skills and ability to remain calm in stressful situations ensure success in a competitive, high-end market. Sellers who partner with me also benefit from targeted online and social media placement as well as additional exposure through video marketing, my special passion.

Licensed Broker, Maryland, Washington, D.C. and Virginia; Master of Science in Real Estate (MSRE), Johns Hopkins University; Certified New Homes Marketing Professional (CMP); Graduate, Realtor Institute (GRI)

Kimberlee Randall Group

KIMBERLEE RANDALL, REALTOR TEAM LEAD

eXp Realty 240-650-9895 | 240-905-5700 livelovedmvhomes.com

Q How do your clients describe you?

A A s a seasoned and professional real estate team with 20-plus years of experience, we’re known for delivering exceptional service. Clients appreciate our personalized approach, deep market understanding and complimentary services like home warranties. Education is a priority, keeping clients well-informed about market trends. Described as "stress-free," our curated approach and thoughtful gestures leave a lasting impression. Accessibility through various channels and the team’s collaborative efforts enhance the experience.

Q W hat brings you professional satisfaction?

A For Kimberlee Randall Group at eXp Realty, true satisfaction comes from fulfilling our tagline, "Bringing Your Dreams Home." Witnessing clients' joy as they enter their dream homes transcends transactional success. Turning aspirations into reality is more than real estate; it's about making a tangible impact on lives by realizing homeownership dreams.

MICHAEL VENTURA

HILARY SCHWAB

Redfin Premier

TIMOTHY MALLER, MARKET MANAGER

“For buyers and sellers, our Montgomery County Redfin Premier Agents get results.

In 2023, our team of 14 agents closed 592 transactions with a total sales volume of over $371 million. Each one of these transactions represents a changed life; our customers are our top priority.”

—Tim Maller, Market Manager

540 Gaither Road, Suite 500 Rockville, MD 20850 301-685-0420 redfin.com

ANTONIA KETABCHI, AGNE SALGADO, BRYAN KERRIGAN, CHARLES GILROY, DELILAH DANE, EMILY COTTONE, ERIC HOVANKY, KRIS PAOLINI, LISA GREAVES, LONG NGO, LUPE ROHRER, MANDY KAUR, MICHAEL GONZALEZ & RUSSELL CHANDLER

Q W hy should a buyer or seller choose a Redfin Premier agent?

A I n the realm of high-stakes real estate, where significant financial investments and intricate transactions are commonplace, selecting the right real estate advocate becomes crucial. It's not merely about buying or selling a property; it's about engaging in a journey that requires expert guidance. This is the forte of the Redfin Premier team in Montgomery County.

With an impressive collective experience of more than 230 years, this team is ranked in the elite top 1 percent of luxury real estate agents. Our deep understanding and expertise in the local market is unparalleled, and we offer insights and direction to each other to give our clients every advantage. Partnering with a group of experts enables people to realize their real estate aspirations.

Q How does your team work to put the customer first?

A C entral to our ethos is a steadfast dedication to honesty and integrity, so all the information is on the table and there are no surprises. Knowledge is power. We prioritize our clients' needs above all, ensuring that every decision aligns with their best interests. Our goal is to make the real estate process as smooth as possible.

Our proactive approach, combined with Redfin's cutting-edge technology, ensures that clients are perfectly positioned for success. From navigating market dynamics to negotiating the best possible terms, this team is committed to providing top-tier service.

Ellie Hitt

RE/MAX REALTY CENTRE

3300 Olney Sandy Spring Road, Suite 200 Olney, MD 20832

240-888-8448

ellie@homeswithellie.com homeswithellie.com

Q How would your clients best describe you?

A T hey describe me as a go-getter. Tenacious and passionate, I’m relentless in ensuring that I produce results beyond their expectations. I give my all to each of my clients, whether they’re first-time homebuyers, multi-million-dollar clients or downsizing seniors.

Q W hat brings you the most satisfaction in your work?

A G reat satisfaction comes from being able to work in the industry that I love every day. The long-lasting relationships that have resulted through trust have led to recurring referrals, repeat business and multigenerational life-long connections. I also find great joy in having a good work-life balance, making it my priority to spend quality time with the people I love, especially my son, James.

Richard Newcomb, Jr.

WASHINGTON FINE PROPERTIES

7033 Arlington Road Bethesda, MD 20814

O: 301-322-0050

C: 240-672-5008

Richard.Newcomb@wfp.com wfp.com

Q W hat makes you different from other real estate agents?

A T he level of individualized care and commitment I give to every client I'm privileged to work with. I listen attentively, diving deeper into their goals, and work diligently to actualize their vision. My inherent fierce loyalty translates into genuine, fervent advocacy. I'm not just about getting the job done; I'm fully invested in getting my clients the results they're after.

Q W hat brings you the most satisfaction in your work?

A C reating winning strategies for my clients; I love creative problem-solving and thinking outside the box to defy real estate expectations. From setting new neighborhood price records to helping buyers secure their dream property in competitive situations, nothing beats helping people achieve something other realtors have repeatedly told them can't be done.

HEATHER FUENTES

STEPHANIE WILLIAMS

Cabin John

Riverside retreat

BY CAROLYN WEBER

Bethesda’s Cabin John neighborhood is defined by the Beltway to the north and west, the Cabin John Parkway connector to the east, and the Potomac River to the south. The ZIP code is 20818.

AMENITIES This is a nature lover’s dream, with easy pedestrian access to the river and the C&O Canal towpath for hiking or biking. There are two public parks, Cabin John Local Park and Seven Locks Local Park, as well as the private Palisades Swim & Tennis Club. Montgomery County Recreation operates a community center, which has a preschool, summer camps and other activities. The shopping center is MacArthur Plaza with a post office, deli, salon, dry cleaner, restaurants and the Bethesda Co-Op. The Alpine Veterinary Hospital is nearby. An active citizens association publishes a monthly newsletter and advocates for residents on issues such as pedestrian safety, I-495 expansion, airplane noise reduction, and repairs to the C&O Canal. Public school students attend Bannockburn Elementary School, Thomas W. Pyle Middle School and Walt Whitman High School.

VIBE Cabin John doesn’t feel like a typical suburban Bethesda neighborhood. There’s a relaxed atmosphere in this close-knit village, with streets that wind through the woodsy

PHOTO BY ANNABELLE GORDON

hills above the Potomac. Neighbors enjoy casual get-togethers such as potlucks and trivia nights, as well as annual events, including a July 4th parade, turkey trot and community canoe trip. The chicken and crab feast has been a Cabin John tradition for decades. It began in a resident’s backyard and is now held outside at the community center to accommodate many residents and friends.

HOUSING STOCK There are about 700 houses in the neighborhood, in architectural styles from every era in a wide range of sizes and prices. The eclectic mix includes

HOME SALES DATA

13

historic farmhouses and bungalows, midcentury ranches and split levels, and new contemporary and colonial homes. Cabin John Gardens is a 100-house cooperative on the south side of MacArthur Boulevard. The modest dwellings were built by the federal government to house employees of the David Taylor Model Basin in the early years of World War II. In the 1950s, the residents formed a cooperative and purchased the 19 acres and the houses from the government for $400,000. It has operated as a co-op ever since, and most of the original homes have been remodeled and enlarged.

$720,000 HOMES SOLD IN 2023

21 MEDIAN SALE PRICE

AVERAGE DAYS ON MARKET

Getaways WEEKEND 5

WE HAVE YOUR PLANS READY TO GO, WHETHER YOU’RE IN SEARCH OF A ROMANTIC SETTING, COASTAL CHARM OR A JOHN WATERS-INSPIRED HOTEL

BY ALICE LEVITT, NEVIN MARTELL, BRIDGET REED MORAWSKI AND RENEE SKLAREW PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY ELLEN MINSAVAGE

Clockwise from top left: Sky Meadows State Park; Greenhill Winery & Vineyards; chocolate confections from The Conche

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: VIRGINIA STATE PARKS; GREENHILL WINERY & VINEYARDS; ANDREW SAMPLE PHOTOGRAPHY

Day 1

MORNING On your way to Middleburg, stop in Aldie, a sneezeand-you’ll-miss-it village with a 200-year-old grist mill. Pop into Greenheart (greenheartjuiceshop.com) for hand-pressed juice or an acai bowl to fuel your day, and visit the Aldie Mill Historic Park (novaparks.com) on Saturdays for a grinding demonstration. From there, drive into Middleburg to visit the National Sporting Library & Museum (nationalsporting.org), which celebrates the equestrian heritage of the region with artifacts, paintings, sculptures and books.

AFTERNOON For lunch, head to Red Bar Sushi & Best Thai Kitchen (redbarsushi.net), a hidden gem with flavorful renditions of Thai classics. Then shop the boutiques along Washington Street. Begin with Crème de la Crème (shopcremedelacreme. com), with its European housewares and signature candles. Zest Clothing & Co. (zestclothingandco.com) carries trendy items, and Chloe’s of Middleburg (chloesofmiddleburg.com) sells clever handbags and pet gear. Brick and Mortar Mercantile (just brickandmortar.com) stocks merchandise featuring an irreverent sense of humor. End up at Mt. Defiance Cidery & Distillery (mtdefiance.com) to taste local ciders. Return to your room to enjoy house-baked cookies or maybe a treatment at the inn’s Massage Studio.

EVENING

Before dinner, wander the bucolic grounds of the Salamander Resort (salamanderresort.com). Owner Sheila Johnson designed the resort to resemble a chic Virginia manor house with fireplaces and cozy corners overlooking the stunning grounds. Fine dining at the resort is anything but stuffy at Harrimans, where items from the resort’s garden are put to good use in the kitchen.

Day 2

MORNING Enjoy Red Fox Inn’s complimentary breakfast delivered to your room before heading out for a hike. As you drive through picturesque Loudoun and Fauquier counties, you’ll pass farms, vineyards and hamlets on your way to Sky Meadows State Park (dcr.virginia.gov). Sky Meadows has multiple trail options, from gentle sloping to rigorous rock scrambles, and access to the Appalachian Trail (nps.gov/appa). The views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and Virginia Piedmont are spectacular.

AFTERNOON You’re in Northern Virginia wine country, so return to Middleburg for an afternoon of tastings. Begin at Greenhill Vineyards (experiencegreenhill.com), where you can order a Spanish, Italian and French mezze plate to accompany the exceptional wines. Next, visit Cana Vineyards (canavineyards.com), where winemaker Melanie Natoli has perfected the art of making rosé. Finish at Boxwood Estate Winery (boxwoodwinery.com), a local favorite for its beautiful tasting room and splendid scenery.

EVENING By now, you may need a designated driver or rideshare service to return you to The Tavern at Red Fox for a four-course dining experience, or to continue your oenophile’s journey at Tremolo Bar (tremolobar.com) in downtown Middleburg. This modern wine shop/restaurant is owned by chef Jarad Slipp, whose menu pairs perfectly with the stellar wines by the glass.

Day 3

MORNING Drive to Morven Park (morvenpark.org) to explore the scenic grounds and formal boxwood gardens. Continue on to downtown Leesburg for a stroll through the historic district, poking around shops such as Rouge Spa & Boutique (rougespa.com), with its cornucopia of beauty products, and Global Local (glo ballocalshop.com) for Virginia-themed and international items.

AFTERNOON Before heading home, treat yourself to a chocolate-themed brunch at The Conche (the-conche.com). The restaurant, helmed by celebrity chef Santosh Tiptur, incorporates subtle touches of chocolate into dishes such as the Conche burger and huevos rancheros, and save room for a sweet confection.

—Renee Sklarew

Right: Chloe’s of Middleburg

Bottom: Boxwood Estate Winery

Fredericksburg

THE HISTORY BUFF GETAWAY

1 HOUR, 15 MINUTES

George Washington slept here? In Fredericksburg, Virginia, he did more than that. The site of the first president’s childhood home, this small city is rife with early American history.

STAY HERE

Make your home base as much a part of Fredericksburg’s history as the sights. The Richard Johnston Inn (therichardjohnstoninn.com) was built in 1770, based on the design of John Taylor, a then-prominent architect. The inn is named after a 19th-century mayor of Fredericksburg who made the downtown domicile his home. You’ll wish you could do the same. Choose from among seven uniquely appointed rooms—our favorite is the red, white and blue Virginian— and two suites, and enjoy a memorable breakfast each morning of your stay if you choose to stick close to home. Rates begin at $170.

Above: Trolley Tours of Fredericksburg. Below: Hugh Mercer Apothecary; Ferry Farm.

Day 1

AFTERNOON As you ease into town, stop at George Washington’s Ferry Farm (kenmore.org), where the future leader spent his formative years. Though the cherry tree story is probably fictional, we cannot tell a lie: The first president moved to this property when he was 6 years old. Tour the carefully reconstructed version of his home and learn about Colonial life for both the free Washingtons and the enslaved people who lived on the property. At Hyperion Espresso (hyperionespresso.com), refresh with a latte flavored with syrups made in-house from blackberries and other local ingredients. Around the corner, Caroline Street is loaded with antiques stores, including the gigantic Fredericksburg Antique Mall & Clock Shop (facebook. com/925carolinestreet/). But perhaps the most fun store nearby is more concerned with what’s alive now. Possum-bilities (awe somepossumz.com) sells gifts and apparel, but petting the rescued opossum ambassadors who spend their days at the store will be a highlight of your trip.

EVENING Chef Alex Casey, a Fredericksburg native, is the mad culinary scientist behind the flavor-forward menu at Casey’s (caseysfxbg.com). Start with confit duck wings in mumbo sauce, then move on to hickory-smoked scallops over Israeli couscous. Save room for dessert at Carl’s Frozen Custard (carlsfrozen custard.com). With its neon sign, it looks every bit of its 1947 vintage and tastes as satisfying as the melting treat did then.

Day 2

MORNING

Not much younger than Carl’s, 2400 Diner (facebook. com/2400diner) opened in 1955 and still serves one of the most satisfying breakfasts in town. The saline country ham is part of a feast that includes two eggs, a side of your choosing and bread.

AFTERNOON One of Virginia’s most appealing burgers awaits at Foode (foodefredericksburg.com) , an all-day restaurant inside a former bank at which Abraham Lincoln once orated. For a bit of romance, sit inside the vault, which is typically filled these days with tables of happy customers. This might get you wondering about the dining and drinking habits of the Colonial era. You’ll learn all about them at the Rising Sun Tavern (washington heritagemuseums.org), a former residence of George Washington’s youngest brother, Charles, that later opened for thirsty business in 1792. Reenactors follow a script that informs and entertains. The same can be said for a tour of the nearby Hugh Mercer Apothecary Shop, which operated as a medical building in the 18th century.

EVENING One of Virginia’s best steakhouses, Fahrenheit 132 (fahrenheit132.com) is named after the temperature at which the meat has achieved a medium-rare doneness. Here, chances are it was reared locally. The Tuscan creamed kale is a standout side.

Day 3

MORNING After grabbing some doughy rounds at Freddy Donuts (freddydonuts.com), where fresh strawberry glazed and s’mores are sure to win fans, consider taking a ride with Trolley Tours (fredericksburgtrolley.com). A 75-minute jaunt in the merry red vehicle fills visitors in on the stories of the people and places in town since its founding in 1728.

AFTERNOON

On the return trip home, take a detour to The Battlefield Country Store (battlefieldcountrystore.com). Oversize sandwiches piled with Kunzler bacon on fresh bread are part of the appeal, but you can’t claim to be truly in the know unless you’ve tried one of the shop’s famous milkshakes. Each weekly special is rich on its own, but the piles of cookies, candy and cake on top are what have earned this store a social following.

Alice Levitt

Right: Chicken and waffles at Foode. Left: A possum ambassador at Possumbilities.

Right: Caroline Street

Boyce

THE ‘VIRGINIA IS FOR LOVERS’ GETAWAY 1 HOUR, 25 MINUTES

Picturesque and packed with charm, Clarke County, Virginia, is perfect for romantic getaways. Plan on snuggling up with your sweetie at a lavish retreat in between scenic treks, shopping expeditions, a touch of culture and history, and delicious dining.

STAY HERE

Treat yourself to a sumptuous experience at L’Auberge Provençale (laubergeproven cale.com), a luxurious Euro-style B&B. Top-line rooms—each named for a French icon, including Voltaire and Larousse—feature a king-size bed, spa-level two-person steam shower, fireplace, and snapshot-worthy views of rural grandeur. If you’re staying in the main inn building, choose to have the included breakfast served in your room so you can savor freshly baked pastries, farmfresh eggs and seasonal pancakes while remaining in your bathrobe. Rates begin at $199.

Clockwise from left: Shenandoah National Park; L’Auberge Provençale; figs at La Table Provençale; Hunter’s Head Tavern phone booth.

CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: COURTESY NPS/NEAL LEWIS; L’AUBERGE PROVENÇALE; HUNTER’S HEAD TAVERN

Day 1

AFTERNOON After checking in, head down to the B&B’s parlor for a sweet treat and something to sip on, which can be enjoyed in the comfort of an easy chair inside or out on the front porch. To work up an appetite for dinner, visit the State Arboretum of Virginia at Blandy Experimental Farm (blandy.virginia.edu). To start, take a stroll along the native plant trail. Though it’s only a half-mile long, it wends its way through woodlands, wetlands and a meadow, a diverse set of habitats that are home to songbirds, turtles, deer and other wildlife. For an ad hoc aromatherapy session, wander through the herb garden while savoring the heady scents.

EVENING

Tin Top Art & Handmade offers an array of gifts by independent artists and crafters.

goods, including cards, gifts and novelties. For a trip down memory lane, there’s Time Traveler Toys and Collectibles (facebook.com/chucks toys), a nerd-culture paradise chockablock with action figures, trading cards and nostalgic tchotchkes. Power up with a pit stop at Hopscotch Coffee & Records (hopscotchcoffeeand records.com), where the espressos are strong and there’s vintage vinyl galore to browse.

Return to the B&B to dine at its award-winning restaurant, La Table Provençale (laubergeprovencale.com/northernvirginia-restaurant), which offers an extravagant chef’s tasting menu crafted with old-world techniques and locally sourced seasonal ingredients. Feeling truly indulgent? Start the meal with caviar or add freshly shaved truffles to a course.

Day 2

MORNING

Spend the day exploring nearby Winchester, beginning with the Museum of the Shenandoah Valley (themsv. org), where four galleries showcase the art and history of the region, contemporary works, and a collection of dainty miniature houses. Allow time to walk the trails that thread through a 90-acre on-site park punctuated with outdoor art, and also through the Glen Burnie Gardens, a tranquil oasis highlighted by vibrant floral plantings and a small spring-fed pond aglitter with golden trout.

AFTERNOON Grab lunch at Water Street Kitchen (waterst kitchen.com), an ever-bustling cafe serving up comforting fare such as fried green tomatoes, a bacon-topped double cheeseburger, and blackened Chesapeake catfish. While away the remainder of the afternoon by poking into the shops around town. A must-hit spot is Tin Top Art & Handmade (tintopart. com), with its thoughtfully curated selection of maker-crafted

EVENING For a cozy farm-to-table dinner, pop into Hunter’s Head Tavern (huntersheadtavern.com), a British-minded gastropub that makes its home in a historic building dating back to the mid-18th century. (Before you go in, get a picture in the classic red British phone booth outside.) A strong selection of starters and salads—including a formidable wedge crowned with blue cheese crumbles and housecured bacon—precedes a menu focusing on organic, humanely raised meats sourced from nearby Ayrshire Farm. Save room for the tender, caramel-drenched sticky toffee pudding for dessert.

Day 3

MORNING Order a gourmet picnic from L’Auberge Provençale and then head over to Shenandoah National Park (nps.gov/ shen) to hike the Snead Farm Dickey Ridge Loop Trail, a moderate 4-miler with a few inclines that will get your heart rate up. The workout is worth the payoff: a scenic overlook where you can take in sweeping valley views and enjoy lunch. Keep an eye out for bears, which are frequently spotted in the vicinity.

AFTERNOON Before heading home, pick up some tasty mementos. Nalls Farm Market (nalls farmmarket.com) brims with seasonal produce, local honey, homemade preserves and freshly baked pies. Another worth y visit is Burwell Morgan Mill (clarkehistory.org/mill. html), one of America’s oldest operating grist mills, where you can purchase freshly milled flours, cornmeal and grits.

Nevin Martell Left: A Northern Flicker at Blandy Experimental Farm. Right: A bear cub at Shenandoah National Park.

Baltimore

THE URBAN GETAWAY

1 HOUR

Wrapped in coastline, Charm City is for the traveler who loves mid-Atlantic cuisine, boutique shopping and eclectic museums. Baltimore is a cache of treasures—some well known, others fresh on the scene, including a revitalized food market and a new waterfront hot spot.

STAY HERE Baltimore filmmaker John Waters would feel right at home at Ulysses (ash.world/hotels/ulysses), a boutique hotel that opened in 2022 in historic Mount Vernon. From the moment you arrive, your senses are on high alert, from the mesmerizing fragrance in the lobby to the clinking glassware in Ash Bar and the gemstone hues brightening the walls. Ulysses has quickly become a trendy gathering space, with exceptional dining and drinking options. Make this dazzling vision of hospitality your home base to say, “Good Morning Baltimore.” Rates begin at $169.

Clockwise from top left: Topside; Walters Art Museum; the National Aquarium. Below: The Baltimore skyline.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: HOTEL REVIVAL BALTIMORE; JASON VARNEY; VISIT BALTIMORE; ELI KAPLAN

Day 1

MORNING Begin strolling the European-inspired Mount Vernon neighborhood with Romanesque, Italianate, Greek Revival and Queen Anne architecture that dates to the 19th and early 20th centuries. Pass by Baltimore’s George Washington Monument (mountvernonplace.org), which predates Washington, D.C.’s, on your way to the Walters Art Museum (thewalters.org), which offers free tours and is home to Egyptian, Renaissance, Impressionist, Asian and Middle Eastern artwork. For a pick-me-up, try Cuples Tea House (cuplesteahouse.com) and peruse the Vinyl & Pages bookstore (vinylandpages.com).

AFTERNOON Lexington Market (lexingtonmarket.com), Baltimore’s historic food hall, reopened last year in a sparkling new building with an array of local merchants. Choose from Baltimore classics, international cuisine and a host of sweet treats before continuing your journey. At the Maryland Center for History and Culture (mdhistory.org), discover the breadth of the Old Line State’s contributions to American heritage and the arts. The center’s collection contains artifacts from 5,000 B.C. to the present day, and the creations of Maryland-born designer Claire McCardell, who refined women’s fashion in America, are a must-see. Walk by Edgar Allan Poe’s gravesite at Westminster Hall & Burying Ground (westminsterhall.org); the writer died in Baltimore in 1849.

EVENING Grab a drink at Bloom’s in the Ulysses before dining at Topside at the Hotel Revival (hotelrevivalbaltimore.com) This midcentury marvel’s rooftop restaurant provides panoramic views of Baltimore.

Day 2

MORNING Have breakfast at Kneads Bakeshop (kneadsbake shop.com) in Little Italy, where you can power up for a busy day with avocado toast or shakshuka. The bakery is the modern incarnation of H&S Bakery, a Baltimore family-run institution since 1943. Drive to the American Visionary Art Museum (avam.org) to see If You Build It, They Will Come, an exhibit featuring handcrafted spaces and interactive maps.

AFTERNOON Walk to the top of Federal Hill to take in views of Baltimore’s Inner Harbor. For lunch, visit Cross Street Market (crossstmarket.com), a revitalized 19th-century destination with modern eateries. Check out Watershed (watershedbaltimore.com), the market’s rooftop restaurant; it’s a great place to try Maryland crab soup. Then take a cruise around the harbor on the Baltimore Water Taxi (baltimorewatertaxi.com).

EVENING Baltimore Peninsula (baltimorepeninsula.com), a development on restored waterfront, has become the city’s hot spot. Visit Sagamore Spirit distillery (sagamorespirit.com) for whiskey tasting or cocktails, then dine at Nick’s Fish House (nicksfishhouse.com), with its beachy vibe, live music and menu for both seafarers and landlubbers.

Day 3

MORNING For your last day, have a hearty brunch at Bunny’s (bunnysbaltimore.com), a new diner owned by Top Chef contestant Jesse Sandlin. After chicken-waffle sammies and cinnamon crunch French toast, wander around the cobblestone streets of Fells Point (fellspointmainstreet.org). This neighborhood was founded by the city’s mariners beginning in 1726 and became home for Irish, German, Jewish, Polish and Eastern European immigrants. Spend time in a cornucopia of stores, such as Su Casa (sucasa.furniture) for home goods, E.C. Pops (ecpops. com) for Maryland-themed products, Zelda Zen (zelda-zen. business.site) for jewelry, and Katwalk Boutique (the katwalkboutique.com) for cutting-edge apparel.

AFTERNOON You don’t have to be a kid to love the National Aquarium (aqua.org) . This undersea world of wonder offers observations of sharks, jellyfish, giant turtles and other marine creatures.

EVENING Before heading home, stop in Limoncello (limoncellobaltimore.com) for a legendary Kobe beef meatball and bowl of bucatini alla amatriciana.

—Renee Sklarew

From top: Sagamore Spirit distillery; a Nick’s Fish House crab feast; the Cosmic Egg sculpture at the American Visionary Art Museum

Havre de Grace

THE CHESAPEAKE BAY GETAWAY

1 HOUR, 40 MINUTES

Driving along I-95, the exit sign for Havre de Grace, Maryland, literally looms large overhead. While many motorists are just passing through en route to one of the larger northern cities, the historic coastal town’s dining and antiques scene make it a worthwhile place to stop.

STAY HERE Hunker down blocks from the bay and socialize with fellow guests at the Vandiver Inn (vandiver inn.com), a 17-room boutique hotel stretched across three pastel green Victorian homes. Although each room is different in size and furnishings, several boast four-poster beds, fireplaces and other country-style decor reminiscent of the era. But no matter which house you stay in, head to the main building, the Vandiver Mansion, to dine and mingle on its buzzing wraparound porch or enjoy the manager’s nightly reception. Rates begin at $149 per night.

Carved kingfisher on a pier in Havre de Grace

A sailboat cruises the waterfront in scenic Havre de Grace.

Top: Concord Point Lighthouse. Bottom: The patio bar at Coakley’s Pub.

Day 1

AFTERNOON After checking in, hit the pavement and stroll the brick storefronts along St. John and Washington streets, sneaking peeks of the bay at the corners. The surrounding neighborhood is dotted with gift, decor and furniture shops, as well as art hubs such as Arts by the Bay Gallery (hdgarts collective.org/arts-by-the-bay-gallery), a shoppable display of work by local artists that’s run by the Havre de Grace Arts Collective. If you prefer hunting for forgotten treasures, carve out more time for the antiques shops, such as Bahoukas Antique Mall (bahoukas.com) and Seneca Cannery Antiques (facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063637240007)

EVENING

Freshen up back at the inn and stick around for a drink with fellow guests in the salon. Prefer to skip happy hour and head straight to dinner? Hit up Coakley’s Pub (coak leyspub.com) and grab a high top on the stone patio if it’s a warm evening. The mango habanero chicken wings will be great fuel for tomorrow if you manage to avoid downing too many $9 orange crushes.

Day 2

MORNING Get your caffeine fix (and add a cinnamon crumb cake to your order for good measure) at Java by the Bay2 (java-by-the-bay2-llc.business.site). If you have a minute, take a seat and enjoy the cozy retro vibe. Otherwise, pack your breakfast to go—you’re getting out on the water. Sign up to learn the basics of sailing at the Baysail School of Sailing (baysail.net), or rent a 22-foot keelboat for a day on Chesapeake Bay. If you want less of a time commitment, Beach Bee Yoga (beachbeeyoga.com) offers private and group paddleboard yoga classes between May and October. Or make the quick trek to the Conowingo Dam (facebook.com/exelon recreation), about 20 minutes away, for world-class birdwatching, and bring your camera—dozens of bald eagles make their home here year-round, and hundreds more flock to the area from November through January.

AFTERNOON After that adventuring, reward yourself with a scoop (or two) on the expansive porch or in the retro parlor at Bomboy’s Ice Cream (bomboyscandy.com). Not much of an ice cream person? Bomboy’s has a sister store across the street—Bomboy’s Candy—with enough variety to satisfy any sweet tooth.

EVENING Dinner has to be at The Vineyard Wine Bar (vine yardwinebar.com); order a few French-inspired small plates, such as the duck confit and bacon flatbread, to share between sips from an extensive wine list. Afterward, walk along the bayside promenade from the Concord Point Lighthouse and Keeper’s House to Millard Tydings Memorial Park, enjoying the sculptures and expansive bay view along the way.

Day 3

MORNING Following a decadent evening, keep it simple with a breakfast of the classics, like eggs Benedict or a Monte Cristo, at Vintage Cafe (vintagecafehdg.com). Or ignore your better judgment and grab a hot dog smothered in housemade crab dip.

AFTERNOON Monuments and plaques commemorating Havre de Grace’s past are scattered throughout town, but walk back down to the Concord Point waterfront for a unique history lesson. A tour of the Havre de Grace Decoy Museum (decoymuseum.com) requires only an hour or two, but the exhibits and guides take you through the surprisingly thought-provoking history of duck hunting in the region and the carved floating “birds” treasured by hunters and art lovers to this day. Don’t give a hoot about birds? Head up to the second floor of Bahoukas Antique Mall to admire the vast collection of vintage booze bottles at the Beer MuZeum.

Bridget Reed Morawski

EXTRAORDINARY

Meet 10 high schoolers making a difference every day

BY CARALEE ADAMS & JULIE RASICOT

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOSEPH TRAN

Many thanks to the members of our 2024 Selection Committee members for their help and guidance with this year’s Extraordinary Teen Awards:

Kaarmin Ford, seniordirector, communications &engagement, Leadership Montgomery

Kelly Kendall, managing editor/longform, Bethesda Magazine

Nate Roberts, earlycollege coordinator, Montgomery College

Anne Tallent, executive editor,Bethesda Magazineand MoCo360

AFTER GOING TO A SMALL SCHOOL WITH OTHER DEAF STUDENTS

THROUGH EIGHTH GRADE, Silver Spring’s Savannah Brown was up for a challenge. She wanted to take more rigorous classes, such as organic chemistry, and that meant transferring to a public school.

“It was really scary,” Savannah says, to go from a school of 100 students to being the only deaf student among over 3,200 at Montgomery Blair High School in Silver Spring. Initially shy and feeling isolated, Savannah says she found friends with similar interests in science and joined several clubs. “Now I look at people and feel like we’re exactly the same—except I was not born with the ability to hear.”

Savannah, 17, who has been deaf since birth and whose parents are deaf, has sign language interpreters alongside her all day. She gives a short presentation at the beginning of classes each semester to dispel myths about deafness (her brain is the same as everyone else’s), share her tips on ways to communicate (texting or gesturing) and break the ice with humor (we do not bite; deaf people are cool).

“She was not afraid to address that subject in front of every-

one in a funny and practical way. It was endearing,” says James Demma, Savannah’s Advanced Placement biology teacher. He describes her as smart, social, confident and a leader in class. “She made me realize deaf people can do anything—and she can do anything she wants,” Demma says.

Savannah will have taken 11 AP classes by the time she graduates this spring. She is active in the Health Occupations Student Association, which promotes biomedical and health-related careers, and was ranked fifth in the state for her achievements in a biotechnology competition.

In college, Savannah plans to double major in global health policy and biomedical engineering. To encourage more students like her to consider pursuing science, she organized a STEM fair for deaf students this winter. Savannah has shared her experience with families of deaf students as part of a countywide Montgomery County Public Schools panel since she was a freshman. “I explain to them what I’m involved in to reassure parents that deaf children can be successful if you give them the right tools,” she says.

—Caralee Adams

avannah Brown MONTGOMERY BLAIR HIGH SCHOOL

mmi Sellman ACADEMY OF THE HOLY CROSS

VARSITY VOLLEYBALL COACH DAVE GEISER RECALLS WHEN HIS ACADEMY OF THE HOLY CROSS TEAM WAS LOSING A MATCH LAST FALL that he thought it should be winning. During a timeout, he was expressing his frustration in the huddle when his star player, Emmi Sellman, spoke up.

“She said, ‘We just got to be positive.’ I was like, ‘OK, OK,’ ” Geiser recalls. “She ran the rest of the timeout. We easily won, and it was a good lesson for me.”

Keeping a positive attitude and learning to move on from mistakes are the most important lessons that Emmi, 18, says she’s learned while becoming one of the country’s topranked high school volleyball players. “Learning to deal with frustrations because, you know, you might make a mistake, but then you have the next point to play and you don’t want to make another mistake,” she says.

To Geiser and others, those attributes define this student-athlete, whose resume includes playing for the U.S. women’s national teams, age 19 and under in 2022 (as an alternate) and 2023, and age 21 and under in 2023. A Burtonsville resident, she was named The Washington Post’s All-Met Player of the Year in 2022 and 2023.

Named Holy Cross’ most valuable player in 2023, Emmi led her team to four consecutive first-place finishes in the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference regular season and to the championship in 2023, when she was co-captain.

Emmi, an outside hitter who was Gatorade’s 2022 Player of the Year in Maryland, is also listed at No. 5 in Prep Dig’s 2024 national high school rankings. Recruited by Ohio State, she is now studying veterinary sciences at the u niversity after graduating in December from Holy Cross in Kensington.

Nominating Emmi for the 2023 Gatorade Player of the Year award, Geiser wrote that she was “the single best all-around player on the team in each of her seasons,” combining that positive attitude with “a high level of athleticism with an exceptional work ethic.”

Emmi dreams of playing volleyball in the Olympics, but she also is focused on coaching and mentoring younger players, and on volunteer work. “I really do like to use my talents to help others,” she says. “I think that’s definitely something that defines me.”

—Julie Rasicot

EXTRAORDINARY TEENS ALUMNI: WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

WILLIAM TAVEL

Building on his interest in designing everything from computers to skateboard half-pipes, William Tavel studied engineering in college. He earned his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering and master’s in engineering management at Case Western Reserve University in Ohio.

After working at car, chemical and consulting companies, Tavel was looking for a job that aligned with his values.

“I was tired of taking money from people, instead of making the world a better place,” says Tavel, 28, who grew up in Rockville. “I realized if I stayed on the track of engineering, I’d never really be able to create the type of impact I wanted.”

Tavel got a position with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a private investment arm of the World Bank, as an analyst in the education and health care sector. He found he had a knack for translating the needs of technical experts to finance investors in order to serve communities in emerging markets. Tavel says it’s fulfilling work, and he gets the added benefit of collaborating with a multinational team and traveling internationally. He is now an associate and program manager with the IFC, and last year started his own impact management consulting firm.

Tavel married in 2020, downsizing the wedding because of the COVID-19 pandemic from a guest list of 150 to four: his parents and hers, at a park in Georgetown, followed by an Italian takeout dinner. Thanks to the money saved, the couple bought a house in Washington, D.C., which they now rent out, and another in a historic neighborhood of Cleveland, his wife, Kirsten’s, hometown.

uillermo Molina

DON BOSCO CRISTO REY HIGH SCHOOL

WHILE MAINTAINING TOP GRADES, WORKING AS A WAITER AND SERVING A CORPORATE INTERNSHIP, 17-year-old Guillermo Molina makes time for his main passion: music.

The Silver Spring teen says “music has been a foundation for my learning” since he began playing the drums around age 1. “I even have video evidence of playing percussion since I was very little,” he says.

Guillermo explores his passion with Façade, a student band he co-founded at Don Bosco Cristo Rey High School in Takoma Park, where he is a junior. The band performs at school functions and plays a variety of music, he says.

“Think [Frank] Sinatra to modern music, like we’re talking about the 2010s, all the way back,” he says. “Right now we’re starting to move towards a lot of Hispanic songs because that’s what Don Bosco Cristo Rey is really about—adding a lot of diversity, and that’s what we’re trying to do, as well.”

Student interest in the band led the school to offer a music class this year to juniors and seniors who want to learn how to play instruments, according to Angel Sanks, the school’s chief impact officer for innovation, integration and teacher learning. The school hopes to build a music program in the coming years, she says.

Guillermo, who plans to be the first in his family to go to college, says the new music class showed him how even a small group like the band’s founders could create change at the school. It was impactful, he says, “for all of us just to see how something could change in very, very little time, like a group of four to really, you know, change a whole lot, the whole school and how the system really works.”

Sanks, who taught geometry to Guillermo, says the teen stands out for his kindness and willingness to help others as much as his music and leadership of the band. Guillermo is the assistant leader of one of the school’s 12 houses, which are groups of students that represent all grades.

“He’s just a genuinely nice person. And he’s always willing to help anytime. You don’t even have to ask him,” Sanks says. “That’s the biggest thing for me is just how incredibly kind he is to everyone.”

—J.R.

tephanie Muoka

GEORGETOWN VISITATION PREPARATORY SCHOOL

QUILLIAN HARALSON, A GEORGETOWN VISITATION PREPARATORY SCHOOL SCIENCE TEACHER, often tells his students to take advantage of the opportunity to tap into the expertise of faculty at the many colleges and universities in the Washington, D.C., area.

Not many of his students at the all-girls Catholic high school in Northwest Washington, D.C., take his advice, Haralson notes.

But Stephanie Muoka, Haralson’s student during her sophomore year, did just that, cold-calling and emailing about 100 professors at Georgetown University and the University of Maryland. She landed an ongoing internship that year at the University of Maryland SENSE Lab and has focused on researching the impact of carbon emissions in different District neighborhoods, finding that low-income areas suffer more.

“She is passionate about science, and she’s one of those students that I know, when I look down the road some years, she’s gonna be doing some amazing things because she just has that tenacity to get where she wants to go,” Haralson says.

Stephanie, a senior who lives in Silver Spring, says she’s focused in her research and other activities on being “an advocate for people who don’t have the resources to do so themselves,” especially as she’s learned about racial and socioeconomic disparities around her. “I become sort of passionate about just making sure that we spend more time focusing on supporting those who can’t do it themselves,” she says.

After volunteering with her lab team at the Boys and Girls Club of America in D.C., Stephanie was inspired to create a program called Project STEM4K to provide more STEM opportunities to students in marginalized communities through mentorship, resources and lesson plans.

In addition to her research, Stephanie, 17, helps raise money and run donation drives for Project Pink Tax, an organization dedicated to providing people in need with menstrual products. At school, she’s co-president of the Mathletes club, an executive board member of the Black Women’s Society, and president of the Visi for Reform club.

“I love talking to so many different people in so many different clubs, just because I love, like, branching out,” says Stephanie, who plans to study mechanical engineering and computer science in college.

—J.R.

Elena Crouch is on her way to becoming an infectious disease specialist.

She enlisted in the U.S. Air Force after earning her bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of Pennsylvania. Crouch went to medical school at the Uniformed Services University in Bethesda and is in her second year of residency in internal medicine at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas.

“I wanted to be a vet for a while, but I changed my mind,” says the 29-year-old, who grew up in Chevy Chase and was influenced by her parents, both of whom are physicians. “I figured with medicine there was a lot more opportunity.”

In high school, Crouch was enamored with photography, and taught it as a form of therapy to children undergoing High

cancer treatment at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda.

Now, as part of her service, she travels widely and says she is drawn to tropical medicine, where she feels she can have the most impact on global health. She recently worked on the USNS Mercy hospital ship in the South Pacific.

When she’s not putting in 12-hour shifts at the hospital, Crouch is often running, biking or swimming. She has completed 10 triathlons—both sprint and Olympic distance. In 2022, Crouch married her husband, Timothy Park, an engineer in the Navy Reserve; in 2023, they had a wedding celebration in Italy, where much of her extended family lives.

School, Class of 2013

ELENA CROUCH

(PEARSON) BELL

Connelly School of the Holy Child, Class of 2012

As a teenager, Julianne Pearson put in hundreds of community service hours, tutoring students, coaching youth basketball and volunteering at camps for underprivileged kids. She also sang in her school’s chorus and played in the jazz ensemble.

Pearson continued to pursue those interests at Bucknell University in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, where she participated in three service-learning trips to Nicaragua and sang in a college a cappella group. After earning a degree in psychology and Spanish, she taught ninth and tenth grade Spanish in rural Louisiana for a year, followed by an administration job at a high school in San Francisco.

Next, Pearson made a career change and took a job at a tech startup. “It was challenging, but also exciting,” says the 30-yearold, who lives in Sacramento, California. “It definitely built up my confidence working in a new industry—and I learned a lot on the fly.” For nearly two years, she has been a partner operations manager for a business coaching and consulting firm.

In 2019, Pearson married her wife, Erin Bell. Julianne Bell says coming out as queer in her mid-20s was a big life shift. “It’s been a beautiful one—definitely hard at times—but one that I’m really grateful to have made,” she says. She’s a big advocate of therapy and mental health, adding: “It’s really helped me get to be who I fully am and live a healthy, grounded and balanced life.” The couple had a son, August, last fall.

—C.A.

igonto Chatterjee

THOMAS S. WOOTTON HIGH SCHOOL

DIGONTO CHATTERJEE DESIGNED A SCIENCE FAIR PROJECT IN MIDDLE SCHOOL USING OPEN-SOURCE DATABASES TO ANALYZE gene mutations in cancer patients. He has been fascinated with genetics research ever since.

Digonto went on to land internships at Bethesda’s Uniformed Services University, the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, and RTI International, a nonprofit research institute. Researching genes of pancreatic cancer patients by racial category, the 18-year-old from North Potomac discovered the vast majority of data was only for white patients. “That led me to look at the lack of diversity in clinical trials and got me interested in health equity,” he says.

His research has led to recognition among his peers and professionals. Digonto coauthored a chapter in a cancer and biology textbook and has presented his findings at professional events, such as a conference of the American Association for Cancer Research in April 2022. He was a runner-up in the 2022 Maryland BioGENEius Challenge.

Among his leadership positions at Thomas S. Wootton High School in Rockville, Digonto, a senior, is captain of the Science Bowl team, which has grown from 10 students in his freshman year to more than 20. He also volunteers with the Science Bowl team at Robert Frost Middle School.

“I really like helping younger students get interested in science,” Digonto says. “I try to be very passionate about the competition myself and create a friendly space where kids don’t feel intimidated to try.”

Digonto has a calming presence with the high-energy middle schoolers that is very effective, says Cheryl Levine, a science teacher and Science Bowl coach at Frost. “He’s so down to earth,” she says. “He stresses, ‘Make mistakes now. We’re here to help you.’ He’s super supportive, but in a very quiet way.”

Combining his interests in science and debate, Digonto co-founded Darch AI, a free artificial intelligence-powered debate evidence search engine.

Aside from academics, Digonto enjoys music—specifically, the tabla, a drum used in northern Indian classical music that he has played since he was 8 years old. “It’s a very different style of music, almost entirely based on improvisation,” says Digonto, who performs solo and with groups.

Digonto has been accepted to the University of Pennsylvania, where he plans to study bioengineering and will likely pursue a career in research.

—C.A.

llison Xu

WALTER JOHNSON HIGH SCHOOL

WALTER JOHNSON HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR ALLISON XU HAS ALWAYS but she began to truly discover her own voice while exploring other writers and participating in online writing groups during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We all share this common passion for words, and getting to interact with all these different types of people really for writing and poetry,” she says. “And that really motivated me to spread this love for words to various other people and communities.”

Allison, who lives in Rockville, is focused on using her writing to explore the transformative teen years and to provoke thinking about social issues. In 2023, she was named Montgomery County’s youth poet laureate by Words Beats & Life, a hip-hop-based arts educational nonprofit in Washington, D.C. In that one-year role, Allison has promoted arts and literacy among young people and performed at local events, including the American Courage Awards hosted by the D.C.-based nonprofit Asian Americans Advancing Justice. She also has collaborated with local public libraries to offer free poetry workshops.

In addition, Allison, 18, is an online editor-in-chief of her The Pitch, and of The MoCo Student, a local student-run online publication, as well as senior editor for , an international student-run literary magazine. Her work has appeared in more than 30 magazines, journals and anthologies. She was an honorable mention winner in the high school essay category of the 2023 Essay and Short Story Contest co-sponsored by Bethesda Urban Partnership and MoCo360. She also received the 2022-23 Fran Abrams Creative Writing Award given by the Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomery County for her skill and commitment to creative writing.

In September 2021, Allison founded Simply Soft Skills, an international team of 16 high school and college students that provides resources to help students develop soft skills, including leadership and teamwork, through a website and in-person events. She plans to study economics or public policy and business in college.

Though Allison has accomplished much and has received numerous awards for her work, she remains humble, says Kathy Simmons, her AP U.S. history teacher.

“There is not a single part of her that has any sort of arrogance,” Simmons says. “I think one of the things that makes her so successful is that she honestly, in everything she does, she wants to do better.”

—J.R.

echenDyson-Marshall

ONENESS-FAMILY MONTESSORI HIGH SCHOOL

AFTER ATTENDING A NATIONAL MONTESSORI FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE CONFERENCE IN CHICAGO LAST JUNE, Dechen Dyson-Marshall was inspired to do a diversity audit of their school’s library.

They reviewed 600 books at Oneness-Family Montessori High School, recommending that about 50 be retired (including outdated books about Christopher Columbus and Thanksgiving), and that others about African Americans and equity be added. The goal, Dechen says, was “to have a library that is both reflective of us and that evokes learning through multiple perspectives.”

The 17-year-old senior from Silver Spring pitched another project in the summer of 2022: to design a self-discovery space for students at the private school in Chevy Chase. With a $10,000 budget, Dechen purchased furniture and created a room where students could meditate, relax and collaborate.

“What makes Dechen an extraordinary student is that they’ve had both a physical and cultural impact,” says Andrew Faulstich, a social studies teacher. “They are stewards of our school’s culture in terms of support, mentorship and kindness they show in our community, but also they’ve physically transformed space

in really meaningful ways.”

As a teaching assistant in U.S. history, Dechen facilitated discussions on the Colonial settlement of Jamestown for two weeks last fall (with another adult in the classroom), when Faulstich was away. “They respect me essentially as a staff member,” Dechen says of their classmates.

Dechen is a leader with student government, the yearbook, the school’s annual fall fair, and many community service activities.

“Dechen is a pillar in the community. They are seen as someone you can go to with any of your problems or challenges,” says Amber Bhatti, an English teacher of Dechen’s for three years. “They have a wisdom that goes beyond their years.”

Dechen wants to become a mental health counselor for adolescents. Curious about American Sign Language, they suggested their school offer an ASL class, which has led to an interest in working with the deaf community. In college, Dechen plans to major in psychology and minor in gender studies and deaf studies. In their spare time, they love to do research and play the ukulele.

oshua Cohen

ST. ANDREW’S EPISCOPAL SCHOOL

JOSHUA COHEN WAS IN THIRD GRADE WHEN HE SWITCHED FROM PIANO TO ORGAN LESSONS. He was drawn to the sounds of an organ on his digital keyboard and looked up pictures of massive cathedrals with organs that had more than 10,000 pipes.

“I’ve always had an affinity for complicated things and how they work—and had a passion for music,” says Joshua, 18, a senior at St. Andrew’s Episcopal School in Potomac. “I just kind of got hooked and haven’t moved away from it.”

Accepted to Harvard University, Joshua plans to study music and likely another field in the fall, although he’s not sure what that will be.

Joshua has become an accomplished organist, performing at his school’s graduation ceremonies at the Washington National Cathedral. His initial interest in playing the instrument expanded to understanding its mechanics. He has volunteered with a crew that restores and tunes pipe organs in Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C. In ninth grade, during the early days of the pandemic, he built his own digital organ in the basement of his Rockville home and has taught himself about sound recording.

No matter what the subject, Joshua has a sheer intellectual curiosity to learn, says his English teacher, Morgan Evans. “He’s just voracious and driven to be as good as he can at whatever task is in front of him,” Evans says.

Joshua is one of the editors-in-chief of The Mane News at St. Andrew’s. In addition to effectively keeping the staff organized, Evans says, Joshua taught himself to do layout, help redesign the publication and bring back a print version of the student newspaper.

At St. Andrew’s the past two years, Joshua has challenged himself with a seven-class academic schedule and thrived, according to Ginger Cobb, head of school. “No other student has accomplished such a rigorous schedule before in the history of the school,” she says. “He’s very talented, but he’s very understated, respectful and flies under the radar.”

Joshua says his fascination with the organ includes its cultural significance and history, as well as the technology and music. “Anything I’m interested in, in some way relates to the organ,” he says. “It kind of acts as a lens to view everything else.”

—C.A.

After graduating from Walt Whitman High School in Bethesda, Sasha Berger attended Washington University in St. Louis, where she majored in anthropology with a concentration in global health and environment, and minored in environmental studies. She became interested in the interaction between people and the built environment, and how policy and social movements interact with climate change.

Berger briefly considered environmental law but instead pursued a career in public policy. She worked for five years with the National Association of City Transportation Officials in New York City, where she helped plan events and run the leadership development program. Berger recently completed her master’s degree in public and urban policy at The New School in Manhattan.

Now 29, Berger is a policy adviser at the New York

SASHA BERGER

High School, Class of 2012

State Department of Labor, focusing on the green jobs transition and workforce development. “We want to make sure that those who have been disproportionately harmed by climate change or left out of the conversation are the ones who will benefit from the jobs that will come, which are plentiful,” she says.

As she works with advocacy organizations in her job, Berger says she leans on teamwork and listening skills she gained in high school through her involvement with theater and while serving as president of the drama club. She says she’s found her community in Brooklyn, New York, and is continuing with her love for the arts, singing in a choir, taking dance classes and being active in a pottery studio.

—C.A.

Cynthia Betubiza says she realized she liked writing in third grade, when she kept a diary about her life. In high school, she became active in theater and raised money to help a charity for children in Uganda.

Betubiza combined her interests and love of storytelling in all its forms to become a journalist.

“Storytelling has had such a massive impact upon my life,” says the 31-year-old, who lives in her hometown of Bethesda. “It has really shaped my world view and given me access to lived experiences of other people that I never would have been able to understand otherwise.”

After graduating from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Betubiza went to New York City with her bachelor’s degree in journalism and landed an internship (and later a contract job) on the editorial team of TED Conferences.

CYNTHIA BETUBIZA

of the Sacred Heart, Class of 2010

ONE

SATURDAY A MONTH, SENIOR SHIRIN GHORBANI AND FELLOW STUDENTS AT BETHESDA-CHEVY CHASE High School head to Ward 7 in Washington, D.C., where they set up a stand to provide free fresh produce to residents of the underserved neighborhood.

The students are members of Fresher Choice, a school club that Shirin started in September 2020 after learning about District neighborhoods that are considered food deserts because they lack local grocery stores and transportation for residents to get to other areas.

“I found that a lot of these people living there, because they can’t access fresh produce from a grocery store, they have to resort to fast food, which could lead to a lot of health conditions,” says Shirin, 17, who lives in Bethesda.

She learned about leadership and establishing a community venture by participating in a program offered by LearnServe International, a District nonprofit that equips high school students with the skills to tackle social challenges.

More than three years after forming Fresher Choice, Shirin receives donations to supply the stand from a variety of sources, including social media and GoFundMe, and has established partnerships with community groups including the Marvin Gaye Greening Center, an urban farm in Ward 7. Club members, who number about 40, volunteer one Saturday a month at the farm. Barbara Paulsen, master gardener and volunteer coordinator at the urban farm, says she is impressed by Shirin’s mission, communication skills and commitment to volunteering with her club. “She showed leadership and initiative and consistency,” Paulsen says.

Shirin’s other big passion is her blog, TBHBaking, where she posts photos and recipes of desserts that she’s made, including Iranian recipes from her childhood.

Though Shirin will leave the club behind when she graduates, she is confident that other members can continue its mission to help others. “I just feel like there’s a lot of big problems in this world,” says Shirin, who plans to study economics in college. “So these problems seem really difficult to handle and they definitely are, but if we try to just put our best foot forward and all make small changes ... at least some change can be made, and some change is always better than no change.”

—J.R

Looking to expand her multimedia skills, Betubiza earned her master’s degree in journalism from Columbia University in Manhattan in 2019. She went on to work at American Public Media’s radio program Marketplace, and at National Public Radio’s Planet Money and On Our Watch, a limited-run podcast looking at police misconduct.

Betubiza now works on the audience development team for NOVA, which airs on PBS. In 2020, she launched Become-All.com, a website focused on the power of inclusive storytelling. Her advice for young people just starting out: “No matter what highs and lows you experience in achieving your goals, you should keep trying... and it’s OK to take time off to take care of yourself.”

—C.A.

hirin Ghorbani

BETHESDA-CHEVY CHASE HIGH SCHOOL

uth Tilahun

ROCKVILLE HIGH SCHOOL

AS AN INTERN FOR THE MONTGOMERY COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD, Rockville High School senior Ruth Tilahun has discovered that she has the power to make change.

Now in her third year of service, Ruth, 18, says she has learned a lot about the legislative process at both the county and state levels while advocating for issues such as providing free school breakfasts and lunches, safeguarding children’s online interactions, and restricting firearms in designated areas, including schools.

“I really just learned that you have to kind of speak up and talk about the issues that you care about,” she says. “I feel like a lot of people struggle to understand that they have power, and that they have the ability to really make that change and help make what they want a reality. Doing these experiences really helped me realize that it is something that’s totally in my capabilities.”

When she’s not dealing with school or legislative issues, Ruth is focused on researching public health policy, which she plans to study in college. Her interest was sparked by her childhood experiences with asthma, which was not diagnosed correctly when she was a young child in Ethiopia. Her family moved to Wyoming when she was 4, and later to Montgomery County. As she grew up, she became aware of health care disparities throughout the country.

“I have always just been interested in seeing…the amount that a country spends on health and stuff and how that relates to health outcomes,” says Ruth, who lives in Rockville.

A top student in the International Baccalaureate program, she volunteers in the mother and baby unit at Adventist Healthcare White Oak Medical Center in Silver Spring, helping younger moms with their newborns. At home, Ruth helps care for her two younger siblings; her mom, a midwife, died of cancer when Ruth was 16.

IB Coordinator Laurie Ainsworth has no doubt that Ruth will be successful at whatever she chooses to do.

“Her passion for the causes that are important to her is one thing, but there’s also the passion for learning,” says Ainsworth, who has taught Ruth. “This is a kid that just likes to learn about so many things.”

—J.R.

ARE OUR STREETS REALLY SAFER?

MILLIONS HAVE BEEN INVESTED TO MAKE MONTGOMERY COUNTY ROADS LESS DANGEROUS. WHETHER IT’S WORKING IS UP FOR DEBATE. BY

AMY HALPERN

Patricia Bibes still has panic attacks every time she hears an ambulance siren or sees a white “typical contractor minivan,” she says, “and they are everywhere.”

It’s been almost two years since Bibes’ 18-year-old son, Enzo Alvarenga, was killed on Old Georgetown Road in North Bethesda—mere blocks from her home—but her emotions remain raw, as if the tragedy happened yesterday.

In June 2022, Alvarenga, a freshman at the University of Maryland, College Park, was riding his bicycle about 4 p.m.—on what was then a narrow walking path alongside the busy roadway—when he swerved to avoid some tree branches extending across the sidewalk. He lost his balance and fell into oncoming traffic. He was struck almost immediately by a commercial minivan and was declared dead at the scene, according to news reports.

Early the next morning, county maintenance crews trimmed back the branches that Alvarenga had tried to avoid the day before, Bibes says. And within weeks, the county picked up the pace on an extensive and controversial bike lane project that has since narrowed and removed a car lane in each direction and added almost two miles of dedicated bike lanes along the busy roadway.

A few years earlier, the county reduced the speed limit on Old Georgetown Road and began the first phase of changes after another local teenage bicyclist was killed not far from where Alvarenga was struck.

“If there had been bike lanes [then], Enzo [and the other boy] would be alive,” Bibes says.

Still, the bike-lane project created so much outcry that Bibes says she deactivated her local Nextdoor social media account shortly after the lanes were added because reading all the online complaints was too upsetting. Even today, a petition on Change.org to remove the bike lanes has more than 9,200 signatures.

North Bethesda resident Hope Page, who added her name to the petition last summer, says the bike lanes “are a death waiting to happen.”

Page volunteers at a dog shelter in the northern part of the county that she reaches by driving north on Old Georgetown Road and turning right onto Interstate 270. She says she has yet to see a bicyclist use the bike lane, but if cyclists were to use them, they’d likely get hit by motorists turning onto I-270 or I-495 because there is no stop sign for either the bicyclists or the drivers. “Very bad design,” she says.

Old Georgetown Road is one of many thoroughfares that county leaders, activists and residents have focused on in the name of traffic safety over the past several years. In many parts of the county, new bike lanes, reduced speed limits, and “road diets”— in which driving lanes are narrowed to encourage

motorists to slow down—have received cheers from safety advocates, environmentalists and the biking community; and criticism from nearby residents dismayed by the addition of flex posts and blocked-off roadways where travel lanes and street parking used to be, and what they call frustratingly low speed limits, traffic backlogs, and ill-conceived design.

Yet despite the millions of dollars being spent to help make roads safer, the number of traffic deaths in the county in 2023 was about 33% higher than in 2017, according to Zero Deaths Maryland (ZDM), a database that tracks road safety throughout the state. The county implemented its sweeping Vision Zero initiative in 2017 with the goal of eliminating all roadway-related fatalities and serious injuries by 2030.

Wade Holland, the county’s Vision Zero coordinator since 2020, admits that part of the problem in addressing road safety across the county is that “you basically see a complete inverse relationship [in which] the communities with the least amount of traffic crashes [produce] the most [requests for attention].”

“That’s where that starts to build into inequity,” Hol-

“IF THERE HAD BEEN BIKE LANES [THEN], ENZO [AND

2017-2021 FATAL CRASH RATE PER 100 MILLION VEHICLE MILES TRAVELED, BY STATE

MARYLAND WASHINGTON, D.C. VIRGINIA UNITED STATES (ALL)

Source: Vision Zero FY23 Report

land says, adding that the county has begun to prioritize roads that are the most dangerous statistically and not just “where we’re hearing the most complaints.”

According to ZDM, not only were there more traffic deaths overall in 2023 than in 2017, but also more pedestrians and bicyclists who died after being struck by vehicles. In 2023, 15 pedestrians and one bicyclist were killed by motorists, compared with 14 pedestrians and no bicyclists killed in 2017.

Included in the 2023 figures: a 70-year-old Latin American woman who was struck by two vehicles while trying to cross Veirs Mill Road in Rockville on Dec. 26 with groceries she’d just bought across the street, says District 6 Councilmember Natali FaniGonzález. Her district borders the intersection where the fatality occurred.

“We are moving the needle, but not fast enough,” says Fani-González, whose district also includes portions of University Boulevard and Georgia Avenue that are part of the county’s High Injury Network (HIN), where many of Montgomery County’s most serious and fatal crashes tend to occur.

According to the Vision Zero fiscal 2023 annual report, which covers the period from July 1, 2022, to June 30, 2023, the network represents only 3% of the county’s non-interstate roadways, but 41% of its most serious and fatal crashes. Vehicle speed as well as distracted and aggressive driving are blamed for most road fatalities, safety advocates say.

The intersection of Georgia Avenue and University Boulevard, in Wheaton, is “one of the most dangerous stretches…[in the] nation…for pedestrians,” says Jose Ortiz, Fani-González’s director of community engagement, adding that it is “producing around 3.1 deaths a year, repeatedly.”

“It’s heavily populated by Latinos,” Ortiz says. Most of them are immigrants who don’t speak English or have the time or resources “to organize themselves and fight for [safer roads] in a more aggressive way,” he says.

A DRIVE NORTH ON GEORGIA AVENUE, from 16th Street in Silver Spring, past University Boulevard, and into Aspen Hill, reveals some of the safety issues that exist. Without enough crosswalks along vast stretches of the roadway, those who rely on public transportation and live just off the main drag or in nearby garden apartments must walk as far as a quarter-mile or more out of their way to cross Georgia Avenue to get to their bus stop or nearest grocery store via demarcated crosswalks.

More often, pedestrians and bicyclists opt to cross the six-lane thoroughfare when the roadway looks clear. But with cars traveling much faster than the newly posted 25 and 35 mph speed limits (down from 45 mph in some stretches), some pedestrians and bikers don’t make it across safely.

In February 2023, Ruth Nohemy Bermudez Chavez, 22, was fatally struck crossing Georgia Avenue in Aspen Hill while carrying a bag of groceries that she’d purchased at a store on the other side of the six-lane road, Ortiz says. She wasn’t in a crosswalk, he adds; the nearest one was a quarter-mile away.

Four months earlier, 19-year-old William Villavicencio was also killed along the busy thoroughfare. He was struck by a hit-and-run driver as he attempted to cross the road on his bicycle. He’d exited a bus with his girlfriend about 11 p.m. She made it safely across Georgia Avenue by foot. He tried to follow her moments later, after fetching his bike from the bus, but was hit before getting across, according to his mother, Sandra Ort, who was at the scene just after the ambulances arrived.

The vehicle that struck Villavicencio still has not been identified, nor has the driver, according to Montgomery County police. Investigators say they believe the vehicle that hit him was a 2003-2007 dark red Honda Accord that lost its right sideview mirror in the collision.

As in Chavez’s case, Villavicencio and his girlfriend didn’t cross at a crosswalk. The nearest one was a block from the bus stop in the wrong direction from where they were heading, says Villavicencio’s half brother, Jonathan Rivas. It’s not always practical, Rivas says, “to go in a complete opposite direction just to come back down to go where…you need to go.”

In 2021, a 63-year-old Aspen Hill woman was struck and killed on Georgia Avenue, blocks from where her husband was hit and killed five years earlier, according to news reports.

Walter Marks, who lives with his wife in a small one-story house on Georgia Avenue, in Silver Spring, says he sees cars speeding along the road all day long. There aren’t enough speed cameras to serve as a deterrent, he says, and the fines are too low to prevent drivers from speeding.

“Somebody’s got to…put pressure on the governor,” he says, “to do what he has to do to make it safe for our children and for…people that have to walk to get a bus to go to work to feed their family.”

Democratic Gov. Wes Moore agrees. “We are

THE OTHER BOY] WOULD BE ALIVE ,” BIBES SAYS.

2017-2021 FATAL CRASH RATE PER 100 MILLION VEHICLE MILES TRAVELED, BY MARYLAND COUNTY .50

.56

.73

PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY HOWARD COUNTY MONTGOMERY COUNTY Source: Vision Zero FY23 Report

Patricia Bibes holds a photo of her son Enzo Alvarenga, who was hit and killed by a commercial minivan in 2022.

ROAD SAFETY BY THE NUMBERS

$0

WHAT MARYLAND FAMILIES CAN COLLECT WHEN A VICTIM IS FOUND EVEN 1% NEGLIGENT

11 HIGH INJURY NETWORK CORRIDORS UNDER STUDY, DESIGN OR CONSTRUCTION IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY

31 BIKEWAY PROJECTS UNDERWAY, 8 UNDER CONSTRUCTION IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY

29% OF ALL TRAFFIC FATALITIES IN THE U.S. IN 2021 WERE SPEED RELATED

Sources: Maryland judicial precedent; Vision Zero FY23 Report; National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

serious about making this happen,” he told reporters, following a walking tour of downtown Wheaton last May.

Fani-González, who had invited the governor on the tour, says she’s been working with him to study the feasibility of adding a grassy median strip and vegetation to a long stretch of Georgia Avenue and turning it into an urban boulevard. The state has also been working with the county to add pedestrian hybrid beacons at intersections on state-maintained roads with notoriously hazardous conditions, she says.

The federal government has contributed resources too— including a $28.5 million grant announced in early January to improve road safety across Maryland, according to a press release issued by the office of U.S. Rep. David Trone (D-Potomac). The release states that nearly $1 million of it has been allocated to projects in Montgomery County.

DEATHS ON THE ROADS, 2015-2022

Serious and fatal crashes in MoCo

Fatal crashes in MoCo by roadway user

STILL, IT’S GOING TO TAKE “a significant amount of culture change” before the crash data shows consistent improvement, says Eli Glazier, Montgomery Planning’s acting countywide transportation planning supervisor.

Source: Vision Zero FY23 Report

Glazier was project manager of the county’s 2023 Pedestrian Master Plan, one of several programs, acts and guidelines approved by the Montgomery County Council over the past few years to support Vision Zero’s goals. Other programs include the 2018 Bicycle Master Plan, the 2021 Complete Streets Design Guide, and the Safe Streets Act, which became law in September 2023 after passing the council by unanimous vote. The Safe Streets legislation prohibits right turns on red at busy intersections in downtown areas.

For many years, Glazier says, the priority—not only locally but also state- and nationwide—was to keep traffic congestion down and commuting times short. So “you end up with wide lanes, a long distance between signals…[and] sidewalks and other pedestrian things being an afterthought.”

These days, with the emphasis shifted toward slowing down and staying safe, “that’s a lot of road-

way miles that are going to need to be reimagined,” he says. “We may not actually see it in the statistics in terms of severe injuries and fatalities until we’ve reached some sort of critical mass where enough of these high injury roads have been redeveloped.”

To that end, the county has made some strides, Holland says, especially along the HIN corridor, which includes state-maintained thoroughfares such as Old Georgetown Road, Rockville Pike and Connecticut Avenue, as well as county-maintained roadways including Montgomery Village Avenue, Shady Grove Road, and East Gude Drive.

“We [are] seeing a stronger decline on the High Injury Network because of [our] focus on those roads,” Holland says.

And indeed, Vision Zero’s 2023 report states that “in 2022, serious and fatal crashes decreased 13% compared to the 2015-2019 annual average” and that “on [High Injury Network (HIN)] corridors where safety

VEHICLE OCCUPANT PEDESTRIAN CYCLIST

SERIOUS CRASHES FATAL CRASHES

39 FATAL CRASHES IN 2020

26 FATAL CRASHES WITH VEHICLE OCCUPANT(S) IN 2021

16 FATAL CRASHES WITH PEDESTRIANS IN 2020

2017: VISION ZERO ACTION PLAN LAUNCHED

2017: VISION ZERO ACTION PLAN LAUNCHED

projects, outreach, and law enforcement were prioritized, there was a significant 28% reduction compared to a 1% decrease on non-HIN roadways.”

“It takes a long time to make the overall macro numbers change, but we are seeing…the numbers go down in those areas,” Holland says.

At the same time, the report acknowledges that crashes occurring in “equity emphasis areas,” or EEAs, rose one percentage point during the same period, from an average of 37% in 2015-19 to 38% in 2020-22. EEAs are defined as locations with “high concentrations of low-income individuals and/or traditionally disadvantaged racial and ethnic minorities,” according to the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments.

Holland says Vision Zero’s no-deathsby-2030 goal was always considered more motivational than realistic. “The idea was to push ourselves to think what can we double down on or do differently if we could eliminate serious and fatal crashes in 10-15 years,” he says.

Olney’s John Seng, founder and chair of the nonprofit Maryland Coalition for Roadway Safety, believes a cultural shift is necessary to curb deaths. “Here in Montgomery County…the thinking [is] that if we can only fix the infrastructure, fewer lives will be lost,” he says. “For instance, [we tend to think that] fewer bikers will be killed if we only created that bike lane…few[er] pedestrians would be killed if we only [add the] Safe Streets Act.

“I think all these things are good, don’t get me wrong…but the data shows that the major risk factor is speeding and aggressive driving,” he says. “How many times have you been driving on a county road and looked up in the rearview mirror thinking, you know, I…don’t want to go any faster… [but] I’ve got somebody riding my bumper?

“It’s this pressure, this bullying, really,” he adds. “If [we] drive the roads like it’s [our] kids on these roads, that would be a nice message for people to embrace as they get behind the wheel of their car.”

Estate Planning Jitters? You Asked, We Answered During This Key Month!

April is financial literacy month. In the spirit of spring cleaning, some key Q&A regarding basic estate planning.

Why Do I Need a Will?

You want to remain in control of your final dispositive wishes. If you die without a Will, you die “intestate,” which can have serious and unanticipated consequences for both your estate and your loved ones. The laws of your state of residency will dictate who controls the administration of your estate and who ultimately receives your assets. The court decides, not you.

What Is a Power of Attorney (POA) and Why Do I Need One?

A power of attorney (POA) is a legal document that allows someone else to act on your behalf now or after an incapacity. There are two types of POAs – Financial, sometimes called Durable Power of Attorney; and Health Care, also called Health Care Directive. Often, if an incapacity or other issue should befall you without these documents in place, the alternative is a costly court proceeding for guardianship.

How Do Beneficiary Designations Affect My Estate Plan?

Beneficiary designations dictate who may receive a certain asset. You must ensure consistency because a valid beneficiary designation will override an alternate disposition under a Will/Trust. Failing to monitor or update such designations could be catastrophic and sometimes can be the undoing of a complex estate plan.

How Often Should I Review My Documents/Portfolio?

Regularly revisiting your existing estate planning documents is crucial.

Ask yourself:

• When was the last time I read these documents?

• Do they align with my current goals?

• Have circumstances changed, necessitating a reassessment of asset allocations and beneficiaries?

• Are the individuals in charge of my affairs still appropriate given current circumstances?

• Have the laws changed?

If you haven’t reviewed these documents in a few years, now is the time!

S TEIN SPERLING BENNETT DE JONG DRISCOLL PC

Journalist Amy Halpern has worked in print and television news and as the associate producer of an Emmy Award-winning documentary. She lives in Potomac.

summer camps

Summer Camps

Adventure Theatre

Put on a full musical on Adventure’s professional stage. DayCoed Rising Grades 1-6 Glen Echo, MD adventuretheatre-mtc.org/ camps/summer-programselementary 301-251-5766

Barrie School

On-site swimming, canoeing, sports, archery, arts, nature, outdoor living skills, STEM, karate, science, theatrics, music and leadership training.

Bullis Summer Programs

Campers can choose from a wide variety of options including day camp, athletics camps, leadership training, and unique specialty camps such as aviation, farm camp, theatre performance camp and STEM-based programs.

DayCoed3.5-14 Silver Spring, MD barrie.org/camp 301-576-2818

DayCoed3.5-16 Potomac, MD summer-programs.bullis.org 301-983-5741

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Camp Lessans JCC

Outdoor pool with water play area, splash pads and water slides. Art, drama all the way to rock climbing. For rising 3rd-4th grade we offer various specialty programs. In house field trips for groups (1st grade and below) in addition to off campus trips for groups (2nd grade and up).

Camp Tall Timbers

oted Best of Bethesda 2015, 2017, 1019, 2020 & 2021. ACA accredited. Variety of sessions offered & activities. Specialties: aquatics, equestrian, sports programs, challenge & great outdoors, archery, arts and more..

ESF Camps

ESF offers six award-winning camps for every age and interest, for boys and girls, PreS-10th grades. Day, MultiSports, Specialty and Technology Camps offer flexible enrollment with 1-8 week options. Extended day available from 7:30 – 6:00pm. Optional lunch program.

Experiment in International Living Experiment in International Living provides immersive summer abroad programs for high school students. Programs are 3-4 weeks long during the month of July and focused on critical global themes: Cultural Discovery & the Arts; Language Training; Peace, Politics & Human Rights; STEM; and Sustainability & The Environment in addition to programs offering College Credit & Internships. We also have a fully funded virtual exchange program for high school students ages 14-19 in the U.S. and MENA region that is only 2-4 hours per week this summer, The Experiment Digital: Leadership in STEM.

DayCoed 4 (by Sept. 1, 2024)-21 Rockville, MD benderjccgw.org/camp-jcc 301-348-3883

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Geneva Day School

Nine weekly themes, special visits, recreation, intergenerational summer friendships

OvernightCoed7-16 High View, WV camptalltimbers.com 301-874-0111

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DayCoed3.5-15 Bethesda, MD esfcamps.com/bethesda 301-493-2525 l

Overnight/ Travel Coed 14-19

Global-10 participating countries experiment.org 1-800-345-2929 l

DayCoed 2-6Potomac, MD genevadayschool.org 301 340 7704

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Essential information on Summer Camps 17

Georgetown Hill Early School

Summer Camp at Georgetown Hill brings exploration, discovery and FUN to our preschool and school age families! Count on an assortment of interactive recreations such as games, music, swimming, sports, nature, art, cooking and joyful wonder.

KID Museum Summer Camp

Be a KID with us as we invent, explore, and make our way through the summer! KID Museum’s camps are designed and led by our professional maker educators and develop real-world skills through fun, hands-on projects.

Lowell School

Horsemanship, outdoor program, onsite swimming pool, STEM and theater arts programs and extended programs into August including an Aquatics camp.

Montgomery County Recreation

Specialties include art, cooking, dance, leadership, music, performing arts, sports, STEAM, therapeutic recreation and more.

National Philharmonic Music, strings performance

Round House Theatre

One-Week and Multi-Week camps for youth and teens. Focus on acting, playwriting, storytelling, design and more. Inspire creativity and explore your imagination!

St. John’s College High School Summer Sports Camps Baseball, basketball, field hockey, football, lacrosse, soccer, softball, sport performance, track and field and volleyball

The St. James

Sports, gaming, lunch, indoor, before and after care and transportation.

Valley Mill Camp

Kayaking, canoeing, swimming, horseback riding, rock climbing, archery, air rifle, gymnastics and more. Adventure program for children 11 -14. Transportation provided.

DayCoed2-12

Locations throughout Montgomery County

georgetownhill.com/ daycare-programs/ summer-winter-andspring-break-camps 301-284-8144

DayCoed7-15 Bethesda, MD kid-museum.org/summer 301-941-4905

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DayCoed3-14

Washington, D.C. lowellschool.org 202-577-2006 lll

DayCoed3-18

Locations throughout Montgomery County

mocorec.com/guide 240-777-6840

DayCoed 4th-12th grade Bethesda, MD nationalphilharmonic.org/ssi 301-493-9283

DayCoed5-18

Bethesda, Silver Spring, MD roundhousetheatre.org 301-585-1225

DayCoed 7-17

Chevy Chase, D.C.     stjohnschs.org/athletics/ summer-camps 202-363-2316

DayCoed6-15 Springfield, VA thestjames.com/camps 703-239-6870 l

DayCoed4-14

Darnestown, MD valleymill.com 301-948-0220 ll

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Keegan-Michael Key touts Choice Hotels

216

What sports taught Paul Sheehy about business

AN EXPERT ENTREPRENEUR’S FIVE LESSONS / MOCO IS A NONPROFIT HUB / BIZ BRIEFS

Good boy! A Poolesville climbing instructor invented Tasty Knots dog treats out of reclaimed rope. PAGE 214

PHOTO BY HANNELE LAHTI

HOTELS INTERNATIONAL; BRIAN TAYLOR

Five Things Every Entrepreneur Should Know

Marc Steren has made a career out of founding companies. Here’s his best advice. BY JULIE RASICOT

Ever since entrepreneur Marc Steren started his first business—mobile ticketing company ZebraPass—in the late 1990s, finding solutions to problems has been his “life’s work.”

“People think of entrepreneurs as people out there just earning dollars,” Steren says. “The reality is that great entrepreneurs, and I certainly don’t consider myself one of these, are out there for just that smile and that service when they see the solution making someone better off in life. That is really exciting, captivating and gets you up in the morning.”

The Gaithersburg resident, 53, has founded companies involving technology, real estate and franchising. He is the former co-director of the Georgetown University Summer Launch program and in 2020 was named director of the Lab for Entrepreneurship and Transformative Leadership at The Universities at Shady Grove in Rockville. He’s also the author of three books, including The Student’s Guide to Entrepreneurship.

Steren’s latest venture, with longtime business partner John Jabara, is University Startups, a Bethesda-based tech company that offers an online curriculum to help students from low-income communities. The idea is to build personalized pathways to college, job opportunities and career success by fostering an entrepreneurial mindset.

less risk-averse by going through entrepreneurship. You’re willing to try new things. That’s what life’s about.”

Here are five things Steren says every entrepreneur should know.

Don’t partner with a buddy.

“Many people will say, ‘I’m going to work with someone who has the exact same

so one of you is going to have to go.’ You need to bring on people who have a skill set that you just don’t have.”

Find a mentor.

“One day you think you have a unicorn company and you’re going to be on a private island, and another day you think you’re going to go out of business. So you need someone to just talk to, to get advice from. But you need someone who you trust, who will give it to you straight, be sympathetic and empathetic, but someone who will listen to you.”

“Entrepreneurship teaches you empathy. It teaches you to listen; it teaches you to get feedback,” Steren says. “You become

skill set as me, thinks like me.’ That can be a recipe for disaster for two reasons: One, there’s no pushback. Two, when a venture capitalist comes in, he says, ‘You guys are exactly the same, I don’t need both of you,

Your speed is your secret weapon.

“Speed of action is the really competitive advantage of any startup. Imagine an organization that goes into a community, listens, understands their problems, builds solutions quickly, gets feedback from the customer as to what works and what doesn’t work, and builds something out within a week.”

Investment is not validation.

“People confuse the two. Validation is customers using and paying for your product. People think, I’ve raised $5 million from ‘X’ investor . That’s not validation—it’s a belief that you may turn it into validation.”

Keep learning.

“I read or listen to over 100 books a year. I’m a junkie for learning. It is the exponential competitive advantage that I have as an entrepreneur.”

“ENTREPRENEURSHIP TEACHES YOU EMPATHY. IT TEACHES YOU TO LISTEN; IT TEACHES YOU TO GET FEEDBACK.”

MARC STEREN, CEO OF UNIVERSITY STARTUPS

Marc Steren of Gaithersburg has founded a host of companies.

BY JULIE RASICOT

A Real Steal

A Florida real estate investment and management firm planted its first stake in the metropolitan Washington, D.C., market with the December purchase of a 16-story office building in the heart of downtown Bethesda—and for a bargain price, no less.

In-Rel Properties paid just under $30 million for 7500 Old Georgetown Road, according to published reports. That’s more than $100 million less than the roughly $133 million that the sellers, Rockwood Capital and Stonebridge, paid for the building in 2019.

The location, long known as the Clark building because it houses offices of Clark Construction, offers the advantage of sitting next to the Bethesda Metro station. Another plus: The building was renovated in 2022.

“The timing might not have been favorable for the previous ownership, but they did an outstanding job renovating the exterior, lobbies, bathrooms, gym, and conference center,” In-Rel President Dennis Udwin said in a press statement.

“We are here to build on that foundation and unlock the property’s full potential.”

Nonprofit Hub

The Key to Success?

Fans might remember KeeganMichael Key from his star-making turn with Jordan Peele in the Key & Peele sketch show a decade ago, or for his roles in films such as Pitch Perfect 2 and The Lego Movie

Now the actor and comedian has turned his talents to promoting the brands of North Bethesda’s Choice Hotels International.

In January, the company announced that Key is starring in its largest marketing campaign ever—“A Stay for

Any You.” It targets four of the company’s 22 brands: Radisson Hotels, Cambria Hotels, Comfort Inn and Quality Inn.

Key appears in a series of national TV and streaming ads that he cowrote and that highlight how Choice Hotels International’s 22 hotel brands can accommodate the needs of all types of travelers, according to the company. Newly headquartered in Pike & Rose, the company has hotels in local communities including Rockville, Gaithersburg and Takoma Park.

Montgomery County boasts the largest number of nonprofits in the region outside Washington, D.C., according to the Montgomery County Economic Development Corp. Among the county’s major selling points, the agency says, are the short commutes by Metro to power brokers at the White House and the Capitol.

In one of the ads, Key plays several roles, including a “business big leaguer” taking a meeting at a Radisson Hotel and a “free hot breakfast hero” flipping waffles onto a boy’s plate at a Comfort Inn.

FEEL LIKE YOU WERE RIPPED OFF BY THAT AUTO REPAIR SHOP? Got a half-done project by a home contractor who ghosted you?

The mission of the Montgomery County Office of Consumer Protection (OCP) is to enforce consumer protection laws and to investigate complaints about local businesses.

Here’s how the office performed in fiscal year 2023, which ran from July 1 to June 30.

1,169 COMPLAINT CASES RECEIVED (11.7% INCREASE)

62% CLOSED CONSUMER PROTECTION CASES THAT ARE RESOLVED BY OCP (5% INCREASE)

38 AVERAGE NUMBER OF WORKDAYS TO INVESTIGATE AND CLOSE A COMPLAINT (12.6% DECREASE)

Source: Montgomery County Office of Consumer Protection. Some percentages have been rounded.

Keegan-Michael Key co-wrote and stars in a new ad campaign for Choice Hotels International.

Knotty, But Nice

Climbing instructor creates tasty dog toys with reclaimed rope

BY DAWN KLAVON

The idea for Tasty Knots all started with a chipped tooth.

Bill Witkoski was told by a veterinarian that his rescue puppy, Jasper, needed softer toy alternatives to the brittle dog treats he was gnawing on. Witkoski, a professional ropes course builder and climbing instructor at Calleva in Poolesville, tied some old rope into knots to keep

the Australian shepherd-Catahoula leopard mix busy.

“As a puppy, he was a menace,” Witkoski, 31, says. “He would tear up my shoelaces; he would tear up the carpet—he needed something to do.”

Jasper seemed to like the rope toys, which kept him occupied and out of trouble, so Witkoski upped the ante.

“I started putting his puppy food inside the knot itself, and it was, like, game over,” he says. “He would play with it for hours at a time. It was the perfect thing—it was safe on his teeth and it kept him busy.”

Since creating the first one for his dog in 2019 and starting the business in late 2021, Witkoski and his team have crafted more than 4,000 Tasty Knots toys for canine and feline friends. A majority of the toys are made in Poolesville, though Witkoski and Jasper have since moved from Poolesville to Point of Rocks, Maryland.

Witkoski says most rope toys on the market are made from rope that is already frayed, while the strong inner core of the climbing rope he uses for Tasty Knots is protected by an outer sheath, making it much stronger and harder to shred. His toys for dogs include a Milk-Bone biscuit tied inside; kitty toys contain catnip.

Because Witkoski uses donated rope from rock climbers and area climbing gyms, Tasty Knots requires little overhead. Over time, climbing ropes are retired, meaning they can no longer be used for climbing. Tasty Knots gives local climbers and gyms a safe outlet for retiring their ropes while also ensuring they’ll get recycled rather than sit in a landfill.

“We love to support local causes, organizations and businesses that align with our mission and values and are making a difference in the world,” Krista Nickerson says in an email. Nickerson is the director of Movement, a climbing gym in Rockville that was the first gym to give rope to Tasty

Bill Witkoski plays tug-of-war with his dog Jasper, using a Tasty Knots rope toy.

Knots, according to Witkoski. “Donating ropes to Tasty Knots is a great way to give our retired ropes a beautiful new life.”

Customers can choose from a variety of durable and colorful rope toys that are available in small, medium and large sizes. Dog toys range from $8 for a mini knot to $10 for the original knot and $12 for an advanced knot, appropriate for larger pooches. Cat toys are $6, or three for $15.

“I first learned about Tasty Knots when I was over at a friend’s house and saw his dog playing with one; I hadn’t seen a dog toy like it before,” says customer Nate Fosbenner, 31, an enterprise software salesman in Annapolis. “I loved the idea of a safe toy made from recycled climbing rope and decided to buy one for my own dog; I have been a repeat, happy customer ever since.”

Customers say they appreciate the durability of the items and the use of retired rope. Products are available at tastyknots.com, at Locally Crafted in

Gaithersburg, at the Calleva store in Poolesville, and in a few stores in Frederick and Pennsylvania.

“My first experiences with Tasty Knots involved my dog, Dempsey; he is a destroyer of toys,” says customer Grace Hassler, a 28-year-old grad student in Philadelphia. She rescued the mutt from a shelter. “Tasty Knots are the only thing he can’t destroy.”

Witkoski has trained a handful of Montgomery County locals to tie rope knots at their homes to keep up with demand. He pays the part-time team by the knot, offering flexibility for the side gig. The toy master says he has used more than 28,000 feet of rope to make his masterpieces since starting the business. Each quarter, Witkoski says, Tasty Knots donates 10% of its profits to local animal shelters.

“That first shelter [we donated to] was the shelter we got Jasper at,” Witkoski says, referring to a site in New Jersey. “Jasper is 5 years old, and 100% a good boy.”

EXPERIENCE THE PAINT DIFFERENCE.

A wall features prototypes for Tasty Knots toys, made from reclaimed climbing rope.

‘What Sports Taught Me About Business’

Bethesda native Paul Sheehy, 60, is co-owner with his brother and sister of the ubiquitous 27-dealership Sheehy Auto Stores (he runs the used car division). He also co-owns Old Glory DC, the local Major League Rugby franchise that plays its home games at the Maryland SoccerPlex in Boyds. Sheehy still lives in Bethesda with his wife, Nicky; their three sons and daughter have recently flown the nest. We asked Paul, businessman and player in the 1991 Rugby World Cup, about who said the right things at the right time that changed his professional and sporting life. Not surprisingly, he cited the wisdom of two rugby coaches—and the legendary football coach Vince Lombardi.

I was playing for a rugby team, and the coach, Clarence Culpepper, sent the players a letter saying what he expected from us: It was “supererogation.” I didn’t know what that meant, so I looked it up. It means simply “to do more.” And that was very similar to my dad [Vincent Sheehy III], who started [Sheehy Auto Stores], and how he always looked at things: Hard work is the foundation of what you have to do in our business. So, whether

“HARD WORK IS THE FOUNDATION OF WHAT YOU HAVE TO DO IN OUR BUSINESS. SO, WHETHER IT WAS RUGBY OR STARTING A CAR DEALERSHIP, I JUST SIMPLY HAD TO PUT IN THE EXTRA WORK.”

—PAUL SHEEHY

it was rugby or starting a car dealership, I just simply had to put in the extra work. And I thought that was hugely important.

I’m reading When Pride Still Mattered: A Life of Vince Lombardi, and there’s a quote of his in the same vein, which I love: “Leaders are made, not born.” They’re made by hard effort, which is the price all of us must pay to achieve any worthwhile goal.

I also think about “that which doesn’t kill you makes you stronger,” because at one time I had to run one of our tougher dealerships. It was hard for 10 years, and I’d say I came out of that far better than if I’d had an easier opportunity. …It really comes down to hard work and putting in the hours and leading your team.

Another lesson came from rugby. In 1993, I was captain of the Washington rugby club and we were playing for the Rugby 7s national title. USA Rugby disqualified us and the (Bethesdabased) Maryland Exiles because of a paperwork error. We had the best teams that year, so I’m livid. We drove to the national game and protested in the middle of the field. When we finished the protest, the coach of the USA national team, Jack Clark, told me, “When decisions are being made by people whose boots haven’t been on the ground in a while, we’re in deep trouble.”

I’ve taken that to apply to my own business. I always talk to our people who are actually meeting our customers and ask them, “What are you really seeing? How are (corporate) decisions impacting you?” You go to the source. The decisions are being made by me and my brother, but I always talk to our people who are actually doing the hard work every day up front, getting their feedback and their input. That’s how we run our company. I’ve told Jack many times that was probably the best advice I’ve ever gotten.

—As told to Buzz McClain