REAL ESTATE:
WHAT’S SELLING, WHAT’S NOT
HOME SALES BY NEIGHBORHOOD
BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM
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TOP-PRODUCING AGENTS & TEAMS
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TOP TEENS The winners of our 10th Annual Extraordinary Teen Awards are among the most amazing yet
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March/April 2019 | Volume 16 Issue 2
contents P. 97
FEATURES 120 Facing the Pain Four years ago, therapist Marjorie Kreppel suffered serious burns over 20 percent of her body. As part of her recovery, she started sharing her story. BY DINA ELBOGHDADY
130 In the Mood for Mexican We have a long-standing love affair with Mexican dishes and the food inspired by them. Here are 10 offerings that highlight the crunchy, cheesy, citrusy, picante deliciousness that keeps us coming back for more. BY DAVID HAGEDORN
140 Taking Off
TOP TEENS photo shoot at
ON THE COVER
BethesdaMagazine.com
97 Extraordinary Teens
111 Where Are They Now?
From a social justice activist to an award-winning poet, these 12 students make their marks in and out of the classroom. Meet the winners of our 10th annual Extraordinary Teen Awards.
For the 10th year of the Bethesda Magazine Extraordinary Teen Awards, we checked in with some past winners to see what they’ve been up to since high school
BY CARALEE ADAMS AND AMY REININK
BY CARALEE ADAMS
12 MARCH/APRIL 2019 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM
BY DINA ELBOGHDADY
148 Bethesda Interview Professional soccer player Collin Martin talks about high school life at B-CC, coming out via Twitter, and being an openly gay male athlete in a major league sport BY STEVE GOLDSTEIN
COVER: Pictured from left: Dani Miller, Devin Lucas, Andrew Cha and Amalia Marmolejos. Photo by Edgar Artiga.
PHOTO BY EDGAR ARTIGA
See a video of the
When acrobatic gymnast Nicole Powell needed a new partner, her brother, Shawn, reluctantly stepped up. Now the Bethesda siblings have their sights set on the 2020 world championships.
contents P. 196
166 What’s selling and What’s Not
172 home sales By the Numbers
Homes sales are down and prices are up in Montgomery County, but the overall numbers don’t tell the whole story
Highlights from home sales in 2018, and home sales trends in more than 440 neighborhoods
BY MICHELE LERNER
14 MARCH/APRIL 2019 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM
196 Amenity Wars
202 The Top Producers
From pet spas and wine lockers to outdoor fireplaces and rooftop pools, apartments and condos are taking luxury living to the next level
Meet the agents and teams that sell the most real estate in Montgomery County
BY MARGARET ENGEL
PHOTO COURTESY GALLERY/DONOHOE
WHAT'S NEW IN REAL ESTATE
Steve Wydler Associate Broker / VA, DC & MD 703.348.6326 Going Grey Wise “Best Realtor” Arlington Magazine Dartmouth, Vanderbilt JD
Hans Wydler Associate Broker / DC, MD & VA 301.640.5701 Gone Grey Wiser “Best Realtor” Bethesda Magazine Yale, Harvard MBA
Compass is a licensed real estate broker and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only. Information is compiled from sources deemed reliable but is subject to errors, omissions, changes in price, condition, sale, or withdraw without notice. No statement is made as to accuracy of any description. All measurements and square footages are approximate. Exact dimensions can be obtained by retaining the services of an architect or engineer. This is not intended to solicit property already listed. Compass is licensed as Compass Real Estate in DC and as Compass in Virginia and Maryland. 5471 Wisconsin Ave, Suite 300, Chevy Chase, MD 20815 | 301.298.1001
contents
DEPARTMENTS 22 | TO OUR READERS
P. 262
31
good life
237
art. festivals. culture. day trips. hidden gems.
262 | TABLE TALK What’s happening on the local food scene
238 | BE WELL A Chevy Chase therapist talks about anxiety in kids, the power of social media and finding time to slow down
36 | BEST BETS Can’t-miss arts events
40 | ARTS CALENDAR
240 | MILLIE’S GIFT
Where to go, what to see
61
health
banter
people. politics. current events. books.
64 | FIGURATIVELY SPEAKING Trash and recycling by the numbers
68 | QUICK TAKES News you may have missed
72 | BOOK REPORT New books by local authors, literary events and more
BY STEVE ROBERTS
293
etc.
When a 6-month-old from Rockville died in 2016, her heart went to a newborn in North Carolina who needed a second chance at life
294 | SHOP TALK
248 | BRIDGING THE GAP
298 | WEDDINGS
Wendy Taylor’s son Harrison was diagnosed with a brain tumor four months before he started kindergarten, and she quickly learned how hard it can be to navigate the nexus of doctors and schools. Now she and another mom have started a business to make things easier for families of children with medical conditions.
How two college friends became something more
254 | WELLNESS CALENDAR
76 | HOMETOWN As president of the Healthcare Initiative Foundation, Crystal Carr Townsend wants to make sure families living in poverty have the health and wellness services they need
266 | DINING GUIDE
257
Our picks for jackets to usher in spring. Plus, a Potomac woman’s jewelry subscription service.
302 | GET AWAY Your cheat sheet for a weekend away
304 | DRIVING RANGE Frederick is packed with places to eat and drink, from a shop with 100 varieties of pasta to an organic distillery with awardwinning gin
310 | PETS
dine
Parents aren’t the only ones who get sad when kids go off to college
258 | REVIEW At El Sapo Cuban Social Club in Silver Spring, chef Raynold Mendizábal makes noise in a captivating way
312 | OUTTAKES
AD SECTIONS PROFILES: ONES TO WATCH 50
HOME MAKEOVER GUIDE 80
LONG & FOSTER AD SECTION 157
16 MARCH/APRIL 2019 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM
COMPASS AD SECTION 207
PROFILES: REAL ESTATE AGENTS 216
SUMMER CAMPS AD SECTION 282
PHOTO BY DEB LINDSEY
24 | CONTRIBUTORS
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❱❱ ONLINE ARCHIVES Explore past issues and stories using our searchable archives.
❱❱ JOB BOARD
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❱❱ STAY CONNECTED Follow Bethesda Beat at @BethesdaBeat Find Bethesda Beat at facebook.com/BethesdaBeat 18 MARCH/APRIL 2019 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM
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To enter, go to BethesdaMagazine.com/giveaways
COURTESY PHOTOS
Bethesda Beat is Bethesda Magazine’s local news site. Each weekday, Bethesda Beat publishes an average of eight news stories covering local politics and government, development, crime, schools and restaurants. Read Bethesda Beat at BethesdaMagazine.com.
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At Chevy Chase Trust, our team is anything but ordinary. CFAs and MBAs. Tax attorneys and entrepreneurs. Researchers and economists. We hire the “best in class” from different practices and backgrounds to bring unique perspectives to each client’s situation. You’ll be in good company working with us. Call Stacy Murchison 240.497.5008 or visit us online at ChevyChaseTrust.com to learn more.
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to our readers
10 YEARS OF EXTRAORDINARY TEENS WHEN WE BEGAN PROMOTING the first Extraordinary Teen Awards in 2009 and the fact that parents could nominate their own kids, someone on the Walt Whitman High School listserv wrote that it “was like throwing red meat to the lions.” Point taken. Over the last 10 years, we have received more than a few nominations from overzealous parents. Those nominations all seem to begin with some variation of: “I know that all of the teens that are nominated are extraordinary, but my son/daughter really is extraordinary.” As a judge for the awards in each of the 10 years, I can say that virtually all of the nominees really are extraordinary. I decided to start the Extraordinary Teen Awards after reading about the “All- Met” athletes in The Washington Post. At the end of each high school sports season, the Post highlights the best players (as selected by the coaches) in each sport. Three of my four kids played high school sports at Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School, so I appreciated the coverage of local student-athletes in the Post and The Gazette. I realized, however, that students who excelled in other pursuits received virtually no coverage. The Extraordinary Teen Awards recognize students who are standouts in school, are well-rounded and are passionate about one or more extracurricular activities (including sports). We’ve honored students who are actors, directors, dancers, musicians, artists, writers, debaters, scientists, computer programmers and entrepreneurs. Most have been school leaders, deeply committed to community service. Many of our winners have had unique interests. There was the expert on Clara Barton from HoltonArms, the Bullis student who was working to design
22 MARCH/APRIL 2019 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM
drones to help locate disaster victims, the bagpiper from Rockville High School, and the Whitman senior who started a business photographing kids with special needs after taking pictures of his younger brother, who has autism. Nominations for the Extraordinary Teen Awards come from teachers, counselors, principals, coaches, friends, neighbors, employers, aunts and uncles, grandparents, siblings and, yes, parents. I’m moved the most by nominations from siblings, perhaps because I can’t imagine either of my older brothers nominating me back when I was a teenager. (They might have if there had been such a thing as “Annoying Teen Awards.”) I have the privilege every year of reading all of the nominations we receive and weighing in on the choices. In doing so, I get a glimpse of the difficulty that college admissions officials face when deciding who to accept and who to reject. The vast majority of the nominees are impressive and inspiring. Choosing the award winners this year was harder than ever. The 12 who were selected demonstrate a level of sophistication and commitment that I couldn’t have imagined when I was their age. Our profiles of the 2019 winners begin on page 97—followed by an update on the lives and accomplishments of several of our winners from the first two years. I hope you enjoy reading about the Extraordinary Teen winners—and all of the other stories in this issue. Thank you for reading Bethesda Magazine.
STEVE HULL Editor & Publisher
Congratulations to our 2019 Bethesda Magazine Top Producers
2019 Bethesda Magazine Top Producers Front Row: Anslie Stokes I Kathy Byars I Sue Hill Back Row: Ann McClure I Tom Williams I Patty Rhyne-Kirsch I Mark Hudson Spring Valley 4315 50th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20016 I Kensington 3804 Howard Avenue, Kensington, MD 20895 14th Street 1803 14th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20009 I DC +1 202.552.5600 I www.McEnearney.com
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IN THIS ISSUE: Wrote about Becca Zweig and Matt Katz’s wedding.
WHAT HE DOES: A mixture of freelance photography and videography. “Usually journalistic, but I chase anything that catches my eye.”
WHAT SHE DOES: As the marketing associate for Bethesda Magazine, she coordinates digital advertising operations. She is also a regular contributor to the magazine and to Bethesda Beat. In her spare time, she freelances for the Twenty Thousand Hertz podcast.
HOW HE GOT HIS START: At the University of Maryland, he worked as a photographer for The Diamondback newspaper, hosted his own radio show, and eventually had images published in multiple on-campus publications. He earned degrees in journalism and film studies.
HOW SHE GOT HER START: She received her master’s degree in creative writing from the University of Maryland. Her poetry has appeared in Gargoyle Magazine and Eclectica Magazine. Before Bethesda Magazine, she worked in television production and marketing for Discovery.
HOW HE SPENDS HIS OFF DAYS: “Printing negatives in the darkroom, or splitting a good bottle of wine with friends.”
FAVORITE PLACES: “My heart will always be with my childhood home of Annapolis, Maryland, but Ireland has also played a formative role in my life. I studied in Dublin as a college student, and returned to teach while I was in graduate school.”
MOST UNFORGETTABLE TRIP: “A trip to Oaxaca, Mexico, to make photo essays on the local slaughterhouse and markets, and life around town.”
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24 MARCH/APRIL 2019 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM
WHEN SHE’S NOT AT WORK: She’s at Rock Creek Sports Club or cooking vegetarian dishes. “My favorites are curry lentil soup, black bean burgers and tempeh Reubens.”
COURTESY PHOTOS
IN THIS ISSUE: Photographed Chris Hugill building beer pong tables for a story in Banter, and Trivia Night at Urban Winery in Silver Spring.
Christina O’Dea
Lynda O’Dea
Lifelong residents of Bethesda, Lynda O’Dea & her daughter Christina help buyers & sellers navigate the often complex real estate sales process. With expertise in business, technology, marketing & online advertising, plus staging & interior design — clients receive added-value services to maximize value & minimize stress, helping make the process more enjoyable. Please give us a call to arrange a confidential no-obligation conversation!
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EDITORIAL EDITOR
Steve Hull SENIOR EDITOR
Cindy Rich ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Kathleen Seiler Neary DEPUTY EDITOR
Julie Rasicot CONSULTING ART DIRECTOR
Sylvia Gashi-Silver DEPUTY ART DIRECTOR
Laura F. Goode ASSOCIATE ART DIRECTOR
Jenny Fischer BETHESDA BEAT MANAGING EDITOR
Lloyd Batzler BETHESDA BEAT REPORTERS
Caitlynn Peetz, Dan Schere, Charlie Wright WEB PRODUCER
Ellyse Stauffer RESTAURANT CRITIC
David Hagedorn CONTRIBUTING EDITORS
Eugene L. Meyer, Louis Peck, Carole Sugarman COPY EDITORS
Sandra Fleishman, Steve Wilder EDITORIAL INTERN
Setota Hailemariam DESIGN INTERN
Laiz Dias CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Caralee Adams, Jennifer Barger, Stephanie Siegel Burke, James Michael Causey, Dina ElBoghdady, Margaret Engel, David Frey, Michael S. Gerber, Steve Goldstein, Janelle Harris, Melanie D.G. Kaplan, Rachael Keeney, Christine Koubek, Laurie McClellan, Melanie Padgett Powers, Amy Reinink, Steve Roberts, Charlotte Safavi, Kelly Sankowski, Jennifer Sergent, Mark Walston, Carolyn Weber, Adrienne Wichard-Edds, April Witt PHOTOGRAPHERS & ILLUSTRATORS
Edgar Artiga, Skip Brown, Laura Chase de Formigny, Erick Gibson, Stacy Zarin Goldberg, Lisa Helfert, Alice Kresse, Deb Lindsey, Josh Loock, Liz Lynch, Amanda Smallwood, Mary Ann Smith, Michael Ventura Bethesda Magazine is published six times a year by Kohanza Media Ventures, LLC. © 2009-2019 Letters to the editor: Please send letters (with your name, the town you live in and your daytime phone number) to letters@bethesdamagazine.com. Story ideas: Please send ideas for stories to editorial@bethesdamagazine.com. Bethesda Magazine 7768 Woodmont Ave., #204, Bethesda, MD 20814 Phone: 301-718-7787/ Fax: 301-718-1875 BethesdaMagazine.com
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MARCH/APRIL 2019 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM
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art. festivals. culture. day trips. hidden gems.
good life
PLAY TIME
COURTESY OF THE ST. JAMES
A FULL DAY OF step-away-from-your-screen indoor fun can be found at The St. James, a 450,000-square-foot palace of sports that opened in September in Springfield, Virginia. You can play stick and puck ice hockey, have a Nerf battle, try your hand at a game of squash, and kick a soccer ball around on a regulation-size field. The two-story building is home to two ice rinks, four basketball courts, a gym with cardio equipment and weights, batting cages, two studio rooms offering yoga, barre and dance, a rock-climbing wall, a full-service spa, a water park and more. Patrons run the gamut from gym-goers and families to Olympic and professional athletes (speedskater Maame Biney frequently trains there). Family-friendly “Super, Awesome & Amazing” occupies 30,000 square feet of The St. James and includes a trampo-
line jump, a Nerf battle zone, climbing structures, an American Ninja Warrior-style course, and virtual reality bays where you can box, play soccer and more. The on-site restaurant, Vim & Victor, serves fare such as seared salmon and cauliflower nachos. The St. James is open daily for 24 hours (with limited hours for certain activities). One to two hours at “Super, Awesome & Amazing” is $15-$38. Nonmember admission for the gym and fitness classes is $40; $100 for access to the sports and entertainment facilities (except for the gym and fitness classes); and $125 for a full complex day pass. A la carte admission to some features is available. 6805 Industrial Road, Springfield, Virginia; 703-239-6988; thestjames.co. —Christine Koubek BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM | MARCH/APRIL 2019
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good life
IF YOU’VE EVER FANTASIZED about being on a game show or called out the answers to NPR’s Wait Wait… Don’t Tell Me! program, you might be the next contestant at trivia night at Urban Winery in Silver Spring. Many trivia contests are hosted at pubs and sports bars, but Urban Winery’s free trivia night on Wednesdays is a good fit for those who prefer syrah and flaming halloumi cheese to pints and wings (although a solid local beer list is available). Arrive with a team of up to six players—or be a solo “team”—and place your drink and food orders (the Mediterranean small plates and charcuterie are good choices). 32
MARCH/APRIL 2019 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM
The tables in the small tasting room fill up early for the high-energy games, which start promptly at 7 p.m. Trivia questions range from Shakespeare to sports, and music to movies. The competition is intense and fast-paced, so don’t plan to gab with teammates until trivia night ends at 9. (The winery stays open until 10.) Prizes include drinks and gift cards for the winery. Trivia night at Urban Winery is on Wednesdays from 7 to 9 p.m. 949 Bonifant St., Silver Spring; 301-585-4100; theurbanwinery.com —Aviva Goldfarb
PHOTO BY JOSH LOOCK
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good life
BEST BETS
Our picks for things to see and do in March and April BY STEPHANIE SIEGEL BURKE
March 3
March 8-24
HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL
When the American Girl line of dolls debuted in the 1980s, there were only three characters—pioneer Kirsten, turn-of-the-century Samantha and World War II-era Molly. The brand has grown to include dozens of dolls representing various periods of American history, books (many written by Silver Spring resident Valerie Tripp) and movies. Now, the American Girl characters take to the stage in American Girl Live, a new Broadway-style musical about a group of girls who come together at sleepaway camp. The story interweaves six iconic American Girl characters and shows that lessons they learned through history are still relevant to girls today. 2 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.; $30-$76, $100-$130 VIP; The Music Center at Strathmore, strathmore.org
The Gaithersburg Arts Barn and Rockville Musical Theatre will stage Heathers: The Musical, a performance based on the 1989 cult-classic film Heathers, which starred Winona Ryder and Christian Slater. The story centers around a trio of queen bee high school students—all named Heather—and Veronica, the misfit girl who plans to put them in their place. The show features lots of fun songs, but it also goes to some pretty dark places as characters lose more than their social status; some lose their lives, making this production best for ages 15 and older. 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday; $22, $18 students ages 15-21; Gaithersburg Arts Barn, gaithersburgmd. gov/recreation/performing-arts/theater/ heathers
36 MARCH/APRIL 2019 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM
March 8
NO WONDER In comics and movies, superhero Wonder Woman comes from the mythical island of Themyscira. But in real life, she comes from the mind of psychologist and lie detector inventor William Moulton Marston, who created the character in 1941. Learn about the origin of Wonder Woman from National Park Ranger Heidi Dietze at her lecture, Merciful Minerva! Suffrage and the Birth of Wonder Woman. The program focuses on the link between the suffrage movement of the early 20th century and the creation of Wonder Woman. The event begins with a beer tasting from Rockville’s True Respite Brewing Co. Tasting starts at 7 p.m., talk starts at 7:30, $10, registration required, Gaithersburg Community Museum, gaithersburgmd.gov
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good life
BEST BETS April 6-7
STUDIO TIME
“Elinor,” a mixed media painting by Kathy Moore Wilson
Tour artist studios and speak with resident artists about their work during Artists & Makers’ Open Studio Weekend. The event, featuring artist demonstrations and original artwork and crafts for sale, takes place at both Rockville locations of Artists & Makers Studios (on Parklawn Drive and Wilkins Avenue). While you’re visiting the Parklawn site, check out Steve Loya’s “Splotch Monster” paintings; “Lions, Tigers and Bears” paintings and drawings by Kathy Moore Wilson; and paper and paint creations by Ronni Jolles in the galleries. An opening reception with light refreshments will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. on April 5. The exhibitions will stay on view through April 24. Noon to 5 p.m., free, Artists & Makers Studios 1 and 2, artistsandmakersstudios.com
March 8
Fans of music competitions like American Idol and The Voice will want to check out Bethesda’s version, the Bernard/Ebb Songwriting Awards concert. The contest, produced annually by the Bethesda Arts & Entertainment District, invites songwriters from Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C., to compete for $10,000, plus free time in a recording studio. During the awards show concert, finalists will perform their original songs in front of a live audience and a panel of music industry judges who will choose the winner. 8 p.m., $15, Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club, bethesda.org
April 28
GO GREEN Kids can don safety gear and climb trees with Montgomery County arborists at GreenFest, a county festival celebrating nature and highlighting ways to reduce residents’ impact on the environment. The event features workshops and demonstrations on ways to go green, and lots of family-friendly activities, including a car show with electric and hybrid vehicles, live music, dance performances, arts and crafts, and food trucks. Visitors to the festival at Brookside Gardens in Wheaton are also welcome to stroll the trails and explore the grounds. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., free, Brookside Gardens, montgomerycountygreenfest.org 38 MARCH/APRIL 2019 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM
April 9-10
STRINGS ATTACHED Neither Wil B. nor Kev Marcus had any great interest in learning to play the violin when they were kids; both came to the instrument somewhat by accident. But now, the men, who perform as Black Violin, play genre-melding music that mixes classical, pop and even hip-hop sounds. They entertain at an average of 200 shows a year and have appeared with Wu-Tang Clan, Alicia Keys and Wyclef Jean. 8 p.m., $26-$72, The Music Center at Strathmore, strathmore.org
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good life arts & entertainment
CALENDAR COMPILED BY JENNIFER BEEKMAN
MUSIC March 1
ROSANNE CASH & BAND. The multiple Grammy Award winner and daughter of Johnny Cash performs songs from her latest album, She Remembers Everything, and selections from Norma Rae, the musical she’s penning with husband John Leventhal. 8 p.m. $35-$75. The Music Center at Strathmore, North Bethesda. 301-581-5100, strathmore.org.
March 1
YOUNG ARTIST AWARD CONCERT. Winners of the City of Gaithersburg and the Kentlands Community Foundation’s annual competition for aspiring musicians ages 12-18 will perform. 7:30 p.m. See website for prices. The Arts Barn, Gaithersburg. 301-258-6394, gaithersburgmd.gov.
March 2
RONNIE SPECTOR. Lead singer of the Ronettes, Spector is a legendary Rock & Roll Hall of Fame artist who recorded some of rock ’n’ roll’s greatest hits, including “Be My Baby.” 8 p.m. $55; $45 for students. Robert E. Parilla Performing Arts Center, Montgomery College, Rockville. 240-5675301, montgomerycollege.edu/pac. RAIN: A TRIBUTE TO THE BEATLES. Celebrate the 50th anniversary of Abbey Road with a tribute band’s theatrical live performances of songs from the album— and other Beatles favorites. 8 p.m. $49$89. The Music Center at Strathmore, North Bethesda. 301-581-5100, strathmore.org.
March 5 Rosanne Cash will take the stage at Strathmore on March 1.
40 MARCH/APRIL 2019 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM
WASHINGTON PERFORMING ARTS: SIR ANDRÁS SCHIFF. The piano legend performs an expansive program that includes J.S. Bach and Bartok, among others. 8 p.m. $40-$80. The Music Center at Strathmore, North Bethesda. 301-5815100, washingtonperformingarts.org.
PHOTO BY MICHAEL LAVINE; COURTESY OF STRATHMORE
March 2
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good life March 7 PAUL GALBRAITH. The internationally renowned guitarist changed the game by developing the eight-string “Brahms Guitar.” His music has appeared in the Top 10 on Billboard’s classical chart. 7:30 p.m. $30. The Mansion at Strathmore, North Bethesda. 301-581-5100, strathmore.org.
March 10
BE IN THE KNOW
POLINGER ARTISTS OF EXCELLENCE CONCERT SERIES: CARTER BREY & BENJAMIN PASTERNACK. The New York Philharmonic’s principal cellist since 1996, Brey is joined by pianist Pasternack for a night of Debussy, Britten and Mendelssohn. 7:30 p.m. See website for prices. Bender Jewish Community Center of Greater Washington, Rockville. 301-8810100, benderjccgw.org.
March 11 THE PRESIDENT’S OWN U.S. MARINE BAND GALA CONCERT. The U.S. Marine Band, Marine Corps Heritage Foundation and Choral Arts Society of Washington celebrate the 200th anniversary of great American poet Walt Whitman. 7:30 p.m. Free. Reservations required. See website for specific event details. The Music Center at Strathmore, North Bethesda. 301-581-5100, strathmore.org.
March 15 LOSTON HARRIS. The pianist and jazz vocalist, who performs at many starstudded functions and charity events, plays from his fifth release, Swingfully Yours. The show will also feature jazz guitarist Mark Whitfield and acoustic bassist Gianluca Renzi. 8 p.m. $25-$40. AMP by Strathmore, North Bethesda. 301581-5100, ampbystrathmore.com.
March 21
Bethesda Magazine’s daily news dispatch
MONTEREY JAZZ FESTIVAL ON TOUR. Copresented by Strathmore and Washington Performing Arts, the next generation of jazz stars helps celebrate one of the longestrunning jazz festivals. 8 p.m. $38-$68. The Music Center at Strathmore, North Bethesda. 301-581-5100, strathmore.org.
March 22
MAGAZINE.COM
REMEMBERING THE QUEEN OF SOUL: A TRIBUTE TO THE MUSIC OF ARETHA FRANKLIN. The Brencore Allstars band, featuring R&B recording artist Ameya Taylor, will honor the Queen of Soul by performing some of her greatest hits. Following such chart toppers as “Respect” and “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman,” Franklin became the first woman
42 MARCH/APRIL 2019 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM
inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1987. 8 p.m. $35, $40 at the door. $20 food/beverage minimum per person not included with ticket. The Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club, Bethesda. 240-3304500, bbjlive.com.
March 22 ROCHELLE RICE. The multifaceted singersongwriter—and former Strathmore Artist in Residence—offers a unique blend of jazz, pop and soul/R&B. 8 p.m. $15-$30. AMP by Strathmore, North Bethesda. 301581-5100, ampbystrathmore.com.
March 23 BSO: HARRY POTTER AND THE ORDER OF THE PHOENIX IN CONCERT. Presented by CineConcerts, the Harry Potter series’ fifth installment is projected onto a giant screen while the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra performs the score. 3 p.m. $45-$85. The Music Center at Strathmore, North Bethesda. 301-581-5100, bsomusic.org.
March 24 A FESTIVAL OF CHILDREN’S CHOIRS. The Strathmore Children’s Chorus hosts top ensembles from several children’s choirs in Maryland, D.C. and Virginia to perform separately and together. 4 p.m. $20; free for kids younger than 18, but tickets are required. The Music Center at Strathmore, North Bethesda. 301-5815100, strathmore.org.
March 26 TINSLEY ELLIS & COCO MONTOYA. Enjoy a night of epic blues-rock as these two master guitarists share the stage. 8 p.m. $25-$40. AMP by Strathmore, North Bethesda. 301-581-5100, ampbystrathmore.com.
March 30 NATIONAL PHILHARMONIC SOUNDS OF NEW ORLEANS: A TRIBUTE TO LOUIS ARMSTRONG. Trumpet virtuoso and vocalist Byron Stripling will share his energetic performance of the jazz icon’s greatest hits. 8 p.m. $20-$89. The Music Center at Strathmore, North Bethesda. 301-581-5100, strathmore.org.
March 30 SINGER SONGWRITER CONCERT SERIES: DEAD ROCK WEST. Cindy Wasserman and Frank Drennen’s music—part ’70s country, part ’60s soul—features their blended voices and textured melodies. Workshop at 3 p.m. Concert at 7:30 p.m. $45 for concert and workshop; $25 for concert. The Arts Barn, Gaithersburg. 301-2586394, gaithersburgmd.gov.
March 31
THE THIRTEEN CHOIR. The professional choir’s signature tight harmonies shine in “Bach Reflections,” an evening of Bach, Handel and more. The performance will also feature New York-based REBEL Baroque Orchestra. 5 p.m. $15-$35. Bradley Hills Presbyterian Church, Bethesda. 301-3652850, thethirteenchoir.org.
April 2
WASHINGTON PERFORMING ARTS: A GLENN MILLER SWING CELEBRATION. The U.S. Air Force Airmen of Note honor the 75th anniversary of Maj. Glenn Miller’s passing by regaling the audience with some of the USAF Band creator’s hit songs. 8 p.m. Free, but tickets are required. The Music Center at Strathmore, North Bethesda. 301-581-5100, washingtonperformingarts.org.
April 4
ANTONIO SANCHEZ & MIGRATION. The fivetime Grammy winner, innovative drummer and composer will perform numbers from his latest work, Bad Hombre, which
features improvisational drumming infused with electronic textures. 8 p.m. $28-$42. AMP by Strathmore, North Bethesda. 301581-5100, ampbystrathmore.com.
April 6
MS. LISA FISCHER & GRAND BATON. Fischer—the former backup singer for such high-profile artists as the Rolling Stones and Sting—and her band will be accompanied by musicians from the National Philharmonic. They’ll perform hits from Luther Vandross, Tina Turner and more. 8 p.m. $38-$78. The Music Center at Strathmore, North Bethesda. 301-5815100, strathmore.org.
April 7
GINA CHAVEZ. The bilingual Latin folkpop artist—and advocate—won the John Lennon Songwriting Contest Grand Prize in 2014 for “Siete-D,” which she wrote about her experience volunteering in gang-torn San Salvador in El Salvador. Q&A to follow the performance. 8 p.m. $25-$30. AMP by Strathmore, North Bethesda. 301-5815100, ampbystrathmore.com.
April 8
KRISTIN CHENOWETH. One of Broadway’s biggest stars, the Tony and Emmy Award-winning actress dazzles with her combination of humor and powerhouse vocals. 8 p.m. $78-$158. The Music Center at Strathmore, North Bethesda. 301-581-5100, strathmore.org.
April 10, 24
ARTISTS IN RESIDENCE: CALISTA GARCIA. The 2019 National YoungArts Foundation winner in the voice/singer-songwriter category plays guitar, piano, ukulele, bass, mandolin and harmonica. Her folk-rock blues sound is reminiscent of Fleetwood Mac and Joni Mitchell. 7:30 p.m. $17. The Mansion at Strathmore, North Bethesda. 301-581-5100, strathmore.org.
April 11
CAROLINA EYCK. The young German prodigy is reintroducing the lost art of the theremin—known for its eerie sound and hands-free playing technique. 7:30 p.m. $30. The Mansion at Strathmore, North Bethesda. 301-581-5100, strathmore.org.
“Doors slam, trios are sung, seductions are interrupted, faces are slapped and a very good time ensues.” – The New York Times
APR 10 - OlneyTheatre.org 301-924-3400 MAY 12 BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM | MARCH/APRIL 2019 43
good life April 13 GUITAR POETRY WITH HIROYA TSUKAMOTO. Join the guitarist and songwriter for a night of tranquility and inventive cinematic guitar poetry. 8-10 p.m. $25; $15 for ages 18 and younger. The Arts Barn, Gaithersburg. 301-2586394, gaithersburgmd.gov.
April 14 POLINGER ARTISTS OF EXCELLENCE CONCERT SERIES: MIRÓ QUARTET. Enjoy a night of Schubert with the string quartet known for its musical interpretations and exciting performances. 7:30 p.m. See website for prices. Bender Jewish Community Center of Greater Washington, Rockville. 301-881-0100, benderjccgw.org.
April 15
April 18 THE TRIPLETS OF BELLEVILLE CINECONCERT. Composer Benoit Charest and Le Terrible Orchestre de Belleville recreate Charest‘s original Oscar-nominated score for The Triplets of Belleville, while the animated classic, rated PG-13, plays in the background. 8 p.m. $35-$45. The Music Center at Strathmore, North Bethesda. 301-581-5100, strathmore.org.
April 23 JACK & JACK. The pop/hip-hop duo— and childhood friends—from Omaha first rose to stardom on the now-defunct social media app, Vine. 8 p.m. $26.50. The Fillmore Silver Spring, Silver Spring. 301960-9999, fillmoresilverspring.com.
DANCE April 4 BSO: CIRQUE GOES HOLLYWOOD. Troupe Vertigo’s acrobats, aerialists, jugglers and other entertainers perform to the tune of Hollywood’s hottest hits, played by the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra SuperPops. 8 p.m. $35-$90. The Music Center at Strathmore, North Bethesda. 301-5815100, bsomusic.org.
In “BSO: Cirque Goes Hollywood,” Troupe Vertigo entertainers will perform to music by the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra SuperPops on April 4 at Strathmore.
THEATER, TALKS AND FILMS Through March 3
THE GONDOLIERS. Rockville-based Victorian Lyric Opera Company presents Gilbert & Sullivan’s lively tale of two brothers— working as gondoliers in Venice—who find out one is heir to the throne in the Kingdom of Barataria. 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday. $28. F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre, Rockville. 240-314-8690, fscottfitzgerald.showare.com.
Through March 31
OIL. Following mothers and daughters over two centuries, this stage drama tackles such timely issues as feminism, imperialism and environmentalism. See website for times and prices. Olney Theatre Center, Olney. 301-924-3400, olneytheatre.org.
March 13
CINEMA J PRESENTS: RBG. This 98-minute documentary offers a peek into the
44 MARCH/APRIL 2019 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM
inspiring life and career of U.S. Supreme Court Justice—and unexpected pop culture icon—Ruth Bader Ginsburg. 7:30 p.m. $10; $12 at the door. Bender Jewish Community Center of Greater Washington, Rockville. 301-881-0100, benderjccgw.org.
March 15 FINIAN’S RAINBOW. Part of the Olney Theatre Center’s “Applause Series”—onenight-only concert versions of musicals accompanied by a large orchestra— Finian‘s Rainbow follows an Irishman and his daughter on their journey to America. 8 p.m. $60. Olney Theatre Centre, Olney. 301-924-3400, olneytheatre.org.
March 15-17 HEAR EYE STAND. D.C.-based playwright Caleen Sinnette Jennings’ story of a teenage theater troupe offers a window into the challenges and joys of adolescence in the 21st century. The 17th Annual Sarah Metzger Memorial Play is performed by the Round House Teen Performance Company. 8 p.m. Friday; 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday.
PHOTO BY GEORGE SIMIAN
OFERTÓRIO: CAETANO, MORENO, ZECA & TOM VELOSO. Brazilian superstar and Grammy-winning musician Caetano Veloso collaborates with his sons on his latest project. 8 p.m. $45-$85. The Music Center at Strathmore, North Bethesda. 301-5815100, strathmore.org.
$20. Round House Theatre, Bethesda. 240-644-1100, roundhousetheatre.org.
BRAHMS PIANO CONCERTO
March 15-24 TITANIC. The Tony Award-winning musical brings to life the hopes and dreams of those who stepped aboard the “unsinkable” ship for its ill-fated maiden voyage. 8 p.m. Fridays; 2 and 8 p.m. Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays. See website for prices. The Highwood Theatre, Silver Spring. 301-587-0697, thehighwoodtheatre.org.
THURS, MAR 28 SUPERPOPS:
CIRQUE GOES HOLLYWOOD THURS, APR 4
April 3 DAVID SEDARIS. The New York Times bestselling author brings his satirical humor and social commentary to the stage. 8 p.m. $39-$79. The Music Center at Strathmore, North Bethesda. 301-5815100, strathmore.org.
PORGY AND BESS
THURS, APR 11 MOVIE WITH ORCHESTRA:
April 5-28 AN ACT OF GOD. In David Javerbaum’s satirical comedy, God takes on human form and comes to Earth to set the record straight. 8 p.m. See website for showtimes and prices. No performances April 7 and 19-21. The Highwood Theatre, Silver Spring. 301-587-0697, thehighwoodtheatre.org.
AN AMERICAN IN PARIS THURS, MAY 2
TCHAIKOVSKY VIOLIN CONCERTO
April 5-28 APPROPRIATE. Dark family secrets are drudged up when every estranged member of the Lafayette family returns to their Arkansas homestead following the death of their patriarch. 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays. No performances April 19-21. $22-$25. Silver Spring Stage, Silver Spring. 301-5936036, ssstage.org.
ABOVE: LARS VOGT PERFORMS BRAHMS PIANO CONCERTO NO. 1
THURS, MAY 9
April 7 BETHESDA FILM FEST. The seventh annual event, sponsored by the Bethesda Urban Partnership, will feature screenings of five documentaries made by local filmmakers. Each screening will show the same five films and will be followed by a Q&A with the filmmakers. 6 and 8:30 p.m. $10. Online ticket sales will close at 3 p.m. on April 7. The remaining tickets will be sold at the door at 5 p.m. Imagination Stage, Bethesda. 301-215-6660, bethesda.org.
April 10-May 12 KEN LUDWIG’S A COMEDY OF TENORS. Hilarity ensues when star tenor Tito Merelli refuses to perform at a Three Tenorsstyle concert, leaving his two sidekicks in search of a replacement. See website for
CIRQUE GOES HOLLYWOOD
PORGY AND BESS
AN AMERICAN IN PARIS
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good life times and prices. Olney Theatre Center, Olney. 301-924-3400, olneytheatre.org.
April 12 DAVID MENESES. The D.C.-area magician and mentalist’s street magician style often features ordinary objects defying reality. Recommended for ages 15 and older. 8-10 p.m. $20; $18 for students ages 15-21. The Arts Barn, Gaithersburg. 301-2586394, gaithersburgmd.gov.
April 14 LEWIS BLACK. The Daily Show star, who grew up in Silver Spring, brings his comedic gold social commentary rantings back to Montgomery County with “The Joke’s on US Tour.” 7:30 p.m. $35-$89. The Music Center at Strathmore, North Bethesda. 301-581-5100, strathmore.org.
April 18-20 COLLEGE PERFORMING ARTS SERIES: STUDENT SHOWCASE. Montgomery College students’ talent is on display with performances in music, dance and theater.
8 p.m. Thursday-Friday; 2 p.m. Saturday. $10; $8 for seniors; $5 for students with ID. Robert E. Parilla Performing Arts Center, Montgomery College, Rockville. 240-5675301, montgomerycollege.edu/pac.
April 24 ALAN CUMMING. In his cabaret-style show Legal Immigrant, the Tony Awardwinning actor reflects on his 10 years as a U.S. citizen, aging, and what it feels like to be an immigrant in today’s America. 8 p.m. $35-$85. The Music Center at Strathmore, North Bethesda. 301-5815100, strathmore.org.
April 25-26 LOCAL WRITER’S SHOWCASE. The winners and finalists in the annual essay and short story contest—co-sponsored by Bethesda Magazine and the Bethesda Urban Partnership—and the Bethesda Poetry Contest will read their work. 7 p.m. Free. Gallery B, Bethesda, Friday for poetry; Bethesda Hyatt, Saturday for essays/short stories. 301-215-6660, bethesda.org.
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April 27 TEDXBETHESDA 2019: VISIONARY. The show will feature TEDx Talks by global thought leaders and TED Talk video screenings. 1 p.m. $55. The Music Center at Strathmore, North Bethesda. 301-5815100, strathmore.org.
ART March 2 and April 6 RESIDENT ARTIST OPEN HOUSE. Stop by and meet the 11 artists in residence at the Sandy Spring Museum. Watch them work and learn more about their craft. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Free. Sandy Spring Museum, Sandy Spring. 301-774-0022, sandyspringmuseum.org.
March 20-May 19 REALLY LARGE NUMBERS LABORATORY. Artists Julia Oldham and Chad Stayrook have been collaborating since 2011. Their work, which uses a wide variety of media, including video, performance and
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good life installation, blends science, fantasy and dream language. Noon-4 p.m. WednesdayThursday and Saturday-Sunday, noon-8 p.m. Friday. Opening reception and artist talk 7-9 p.m. March 29. Free. VisArts at Rockville, Rockville. 301-315-8200, visartscenter.org.
March 20-May 19
JOHN SCHLESINGER. The sculptor’s siteresponsive artwork—crafted using locally sourced demolition rebar, bent neon and resin-soaked photographs—offers a poignant view of our local environment. Noon-4 p.m. Wednesday-Thursday and Saturday-Sunday, noon-8 p.m. Friday. Opening reception 7-9 p.m. March 29. Free. VisArts at Rockville, Rockville. 301315-8200, visartscenter.org.
March 22
MAKE IT/TAKE IT: ALTERED BOOKS. Let your creativity fly—and give new life to used books—during this art happy hour. For ages 21 and older. 7 p.m. $20 (includes admission, supplies, snacks and two drinks). Preregistration online is recommended. The Mansion at Strathmore, North Bethesda. 301-5815100, strathmore.org.
Sculptures by John Schlesinger will be on view at VisArts at Rockville from March 20 to May 19.
March 22-April 21
April 6-May 26
KALEIDOSCOPES: SPECTRUM. The Brewster Kaleidoscope Society and the Mansion at Strathmore curate this juried kaleidoscope exhibition that encompasses the full spectrum of kaleidoscope art in the 21st century. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m.9 p.m. Wednesday, noon-4 p.m. Sunday. Opening reception 1 p.m. April 14. Free. The Mansion at Strathmore, North Bethesda. 301-581-5100, strathmore.org.
April 6-May 26
THE ARTIST’S HAND: LIS ZADRAVEC. The artist is known for expressive portraits created primarily using colored pencils. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Wednesday, noon-4 p.m. Sunday. Opening reception
1 p.m. April 14. Free. The Mansion at Strathmore, North Bethesda. 301-5815100, strathmore.org.
CHILDREN AND FAMILIES Through March 10
HUCKLEBERRY FINN’S BIG RIVER. Based on Mark Twain’s classic book and William Hauptman’s Tony Award-winning Big River, this story about the power of friendship is re-created for young audiences. Recommended for all ages. See website for show times. $20. Adventure Theatre MTC, Glen Echo. 301-634-2270, adventuretheatre-mtc.org.
Through March 24
RAPUNZEL. Hand puppets are used to tell this story—adapted from the Brothers Grimm fairy tale—of fate and destiny. Recommended for children ages 3½ -9. 11 a.m. Thursdays and Fridays; 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. $12. The Puppet Co., Glen Echo. 301-6345380, thepuppetco.org.
March 9
YOUR ALIEN. The newest musical from ArtsPower, a traveling theater company that produces literature-based theater for young audiences, tells an uplifting story
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about the lasting friendship between a stranded alien and the boy who finds him. Recommended for kids in pre-K through second grade. 11 a.m. $4-$7. Robert E. Parilla Performing Arts Center, Montgomery College, Rockville. 240-567-5301, montgomerycollege.edu/pac.
March 9 and April 27
KIDS TALK & TOUR. Young art enthusiasts are taken on a guided tour of the Mansion at Strathmore. Art activity to follow. For ages 7 and older. Reservations required. 10:15 a.m. $5 per child (accompanying adults are free). The Mansion at Strathmore, North Bethesda. 301-5815100, strathmore.org.
March 16-17
THE MAGIC SCHOOL BUS. Join Ms. Frizzle for a ride into outer space in this hourlong musical adaptation based on the original book series. Recommended for kids in kindergarten through fifth grade. 10 a.m. (sensory-friendly performance), noon and 3 p.m. Saturday; noon and 3 p.m. Sunday. $20. Olney Theatre Center, Olney. 301924-3400, olneytheatre.org.
March 28-May 5
JACK AND THE BEANSTALK. Jack learns that happiness comes from helping others in this version of the classic children’s tale,
COURTESY OF JOHN SCHLESINGER
OUT OF THE BOX. VisArts at Rockville’s VisAbility Art Lab is a supported art studio for emerging adult artists with disabilities. The exhibition will feature video, animation, painting, drawing, collage, ceramics, sculpture and digital painting. Noon-4 p.m. Wednesday-Thursday and Saturday-Sunday, noon-8 p.m. Friday. Opening reception 7-9 p.m. March 29. Open studio/screening 6-9 p.m. March 29. Free. VisArts at Rockville, Rockville. 301-315-8200, visartscenter.org.
told with rod puppets. Recommended for children ages 5-9. 11 a.m. Thursdays and Fridays; 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. $12. The Puppet Co., Glen Echo. 301-634-5380, thepuppetco.org.
March 29-May 26 WINNIE THE POOH. Follow Pooh and Piglet on their journey to find the Heffalump and help Eeyore search for his tail in this performance based on A.A. Milne’s book. Recommended for all ages. See website for show times. $20. Adventure Theatre MTC, Glen Echo. 301-634-2270, adventuretheatre-mtc.org.
March 30-31 MADELINE & THE BAD HAT. Greg Gunning’s charming adaptation of Ludwig Bemelmans’ beloved Madeline series tells the story of a young Parisian girl who learns that first impressions aren‘t everything, after starting off on the wrong foot with a new neighbor. Recommended for kids in kindergarten through third grade. 10 a.m. (sensory-friendly performance), noon and 3 p.m. Saturday; noon and 3 p.m. Sunday. $20. Olney
Theatre Center, Olney. 301-924-3400, olneytheatre.org.
April 28 ROCKVILLE SCIENCE DAY. The 30th annual event includes rocket building and launching, telescope viewing, a traveling planetarium, robotics, backyard wildlife and more. Noon-5 p.m. Free. Montgomery College, Rockville. 240-3868111, rockvillesciencecenter.org/rockvillescience-day.
SEASONAL AND FESTIVALS March 16 ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARADE. Sponsored by the City of Gaithersburg with The Peterson Cos. and RIO Washingtonian Center, the 19th annual event will feature dozens of community groups, music and dancing. 10 a.m.-noon. Free. RIO Washingtonian Center, Gaithersburg. 301-258-6350, gaithersburgmd.gov.
April 6 ARBOR DAY CELEBRATION AND TREE
GIVEAWAY. In celebration of its 30th consecutive year as an Arbor Day Foundation Tree City USA community, the City of Rockville will hold a ceremony celebrating Arbor Day and give away 300 trees. City staff will provide tree planting demonstrations and offer advice on caring for the trees. See website for details. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Free; advanced signup is required. Rockville Senior Center, Rockville. 240-314-8877, rockvillemd. gov/freetree.
April 28 KENSINGTON DAY OF THE BOOK FESTIVAL. The 14th annual street festival is a celebration of books and literature. Festivities include “meet and greet” opportunities with authors, illustrators, publishers and others in the literary/ arts industry, live music, poetry readings, a children’s stage and food vendors. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. rain or shine. Free. Old Town Kensington, Kensington. 301-949-9416, dayofthebook.com. ■ To submit calendar items, or to see a complete listing, go to BethesdaMagazine.com.
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Ones to Watch | PROFILES Leading Young Professionals
Michelle L. Locey, Esq. Caitlyn E. Yuschak, Esq. Michelle Locey and Caitlyn Yuschak specialize in family law, handling issues involving separation, divorce, spousal support, custody, child support and property division. Michelle and Caitlyn are also trained in Collaborative Law. They are honored to have been mentored by Armin Kuder and Susan Friedman, both recently retired. Michelle, a graduate of The George Washington University Law School, joined the firm in 2006 and has been listed annually as one of Thomson Reuter’s DC “Super Lawyers”since 2016. Caitlyn is a graduate of The Columbus School of Law at The Catholic University of America. Prior to joining the firm in 2016, Caitlyn clerked for the Honorable Anthony C. Epstein, Superior Court of the District of Columbia. Kuder, Smollar, Friedman & Mihalik, P.C. has been committed to helping clients in D.C., Maryland and Virginia with family law matters for more than 40 years. Their attorneys are experienced litigators, skilled negotiators, and wellversed in alternative dispute resolution methods, including Collaborative Practice. 1350 Connecticut Ave. NW, Suite 600 | Washington, D.C. 20036 202-331-7522 | www.ksfmlaw.com
HILARY SCHWAB
KUDER, SMOLLAR, FRIEDMAN & MIHALIK, P.C.
Sogand Zamani, Esq. ZAMANI & ASSOCIATES PLLC
2121 K St. NW, #900 Washington, D.C. 20037 202-510-9112 szamani@zamaniassociates.com www.zamaniassociates.com 50
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STEPHANIE BRAGG
Zamani & Associates founder Sogand Zamani worked hard to build a child-centric family law practice, helping families work through divorce and separation processes that support healthy parent-child relationships, even in high-conflict families. Sogand has devoted time and effort to learning to recognize the signs and symptoms within families that contribute to complex dynamics. Mental health issues, special needs where parents diverge on approach, and children who resist spending time with one parent, are especially difficult. With the experience necessary to effectively advocate for clients in those circumstances, Sogand helps clients avoid crises post-separation. She brings years of experience to bear, skillfully negotiating durable custody and divorce agreements, and is equal to the task of litigation. Whenever needed, she involves other professionals to prioritize the emotional health of her clients and their children as the family goes through this significant transition. Zamani & Associates serves families in Washington, DC and Maryland.
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Morgan Gale CRNP, OWNER, PHYSICIANS LASER CENTER Morgan Gale, 39, has been performing cosmetic laser and injectable treatments for over 18 years and has developed expertise in over 20 different laser systems and injectable treatments. Morgan graduated from the University of Maryland at College Park with a Bachelor’s Degree in biology in 2001, a nursing degree, and, in 2016, a Master’s Degree as an Adult Nurse Practitioner. “I wanted to do something in healthcare that was cutting edge. When the opportunity to work in sales for a cosmetic laser company presented itself I knew I had found my calling,” says Morgan, who evolved from sales rep to provider. In 2008 he opened his first Physicians Laser Center in North Bethesda and began performing laser treatments. Over the next three years he opened two more locations, in Annapolis and Tysons Corner. Morgan is board certified in cosmetic and aesthetic laser surgery by the American Board of Laser Surgery. His greatest satisfaction comes from providing patients with treatment options that were never before available. “One woman came to me with a pronounced red birthmark on her face,” he says. “She had to wear heavy “movie makeup” to cover it up. I was able to completely fade the birthmark with one of my vascular lasers. When she came in for her follow up, her smile could not have been brighter.” People who come to Physicians Laser Center to address their aged appearance such as loss of volume and collagen in their face, neck and chest are ideal patients. Morgan can turn back the clock by using a variety of non-surgical skin rejuvenation devices combined with filler products. “Looking as good as you feel is my specialty,” he says.
HEATHER FUENTES
“Looking as good as you feel is my specialty.” 11119 Rockville Pike, Suite 204 North Bethesda, MD 20852 301-875-2729 mrgale@physicianslasercenter.net www.physicianslasercenter.net BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM | MARCH/APRIL 2019
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Rachel Siegel PRE-KINDERGARTEN TEACHER, NORWOOD SCHOOL
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“Once a trusted relationship is developed, the best kind of learning can happen.”
8821 River Road Bethesda, MD 20817 301-841-2130 admission@norwoodschool.org www.norwoodschool.org
STEPHANIE BRAGG
Imagine a job where you find yourself smiling and laughing throughout the day—all while surrounded by people who are full of wonder, joy, kindness and genuine affection. Rachel Siegel has that job. In fact, she is hard-pressed to call it a job. She says it’s more like an extended family gathering. As a pre-kindergarten teacher at Norwood School in Bethesda, Rachel spends her days with 21 busy and chatty four- and five-year-olds. She and her teaching partners, Adam Cooper and Sarah Cali, have created a child-centered environment where young learners are free to explore, create and question. “There’s definitely magic happening in that classroom,” says Head of School Matthew Gould, “an audible buzz of hands-on activities that fully engage the minds of young children.” An early childhood educator for the past 10 years, Rachel embraces the opportunity to build a solid foundation of skills and readiness that prepares young children for success throughout their school years. “It’s less about being a teacher to me,” she says. “It’s more about building relationships and a community where children feel loved, supported and safe to take risks.” Rachel fully endorses Norwood’s unique approach to early childhood education. “Norwood doesn’t prescribe to one specific style of early childhood pedagogy,” she explains. “The teaching team blends the best of their backgrounds and philosophies, whether it be Montessori, Reggio Emilia or a more traditional approach.” The key is using the best approach for each child and situation. “It’s important for me to develop authentic connections with children. Once a trusted relationship is developed, the best kind of learning can happen. There’s so much unbridled joy during childhood, so much discovery and wonder. I love being a part of that.”
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Ones to Watch
Anne Grover
HILARY SCHWAB
PARTNER, JOSEPH GREENWALD & LAAKE, PA Anne Grover understands the emotional, financial and psychological difficulties that arise in a separation and divorce. “The legal system is not intuitive and can be extremely challenging for anyone to navigate,” she says. Grover, a partner at Joseph, Greenwald & Laake, P.A., is supportive and understanding with her clients, who are often at the worst place in their lives. “People need strong advocates during such a trying time,” she says. “My clients are often overwhelmed and need direction and assistance in protecting themselves financially and safeguarding their children’s welfare.” Grover’s clients reiterate how important it is to have such a strong advocate protecting their children and making sure there is someone who knows how to calculate and go after support they may need, find hidden assets and is always mindful of their goals. Many of Grover’s clients lament not engaging her sooner and are impressed with her knowledge, experience and ability to go after what may seem impossible, especially when they are already going through the court system. “Some of my clients have had multiple attorneys before meeting with me,” she says. “They have felt left out of the process; like observers in their own lives. I am careful to explain the process and answer any questions they may have. I am also candid about what relief a court can give and what is likely or not.” Unlike many attorneys, Grover believes it is always better for the parties to reach a reasonable settlement, resulting in savings for the family coffers with less spent on attorneys and experts. “But, if one side won’t be reasonable,” she says, “you need to be prepared to aggressively go after what you want in court.”
“I am candid about what relief a court can give and what is likely or not.”
111 Rockville Pike, Suite 975 Rockville MD 20850 240-399-7896 agrover@jgllaw.com www.jgllaw.com
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Ones to Watch
PROFILES
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Mary O’Donoghue FOUNDER AND MANAGING DIRECTOR, COREWOOD CARE
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“Corewood is one of the fastest growing multi-state home care and care management companies in the area.”
4701 Sangamore Road, Suite S225 Bethesda MD 20816 301-908-8117 www.corewoodcare.com
HEATHER FUENTES
Mary O’Donoghue, a woman in her early 30’s, stands out in a predominantly male dominated eldercare industry. Mary pursued a law degree, but she had a stronger desire to build her own business, one that involved helping others. Personal experience fueled this interest. Her father, a physician, was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s when he was only 56 and she was 11. “As his disease progressed, he became agitated and combative,” she says. “We had care come in and the caregivers gave us all care and support. It changed our lives.” Opening her business, Corewood Care, required considerable research. During the nine-month licensing process, she learned everything she could. She enrolled in a certified nursing assistant course and spoke to fellow students to hear about their lives and why they were going into health care. She networked at industry events and learned about area providers and the industry across the U.S. “Hearing about inefficiencies and problems that caregivers and clients were facing,” she says, “I was determined to do better.” After just a few years, Corewood is one of the fastest growing multi-state home care and care management companies in the area. They use technology and provide an array of services to stand out in a crowded industry. Corewood is also one of a handful of companies offering diversified services including care managers, therapists, dietitians and money managers. “We also differentiate ourselves through hiring only the best caregivers,” O’Donoghue says. “We hire only the top 5 percent of applicants.” Looking forward to the future, O’Donoghue’s goals include adding a fourth state to Corewood’s footprint and building multiple assisting living facilities to provide a physical location for their holistic care model.
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Ones to Watch
Maureen Renehan, Heather Sweren and Kristina Badalian
TONY J. LEWIS
BRODSKY RENEHAN PEARLSTEIN & BOUQUET The attorneys at Brodsky Renehan Pearlstein & Bouquet focus on family law issues, including divorce, child support and custody. The firm also focuses on protecting their clients from domestic violence and child abuse, and protecting reputation and assets. Three partners, all of whom are mothers, are part of the larger team. According to Heather Sweren, every case is different. “Just when you think you’ve heard everything,” she says, “a new client comes in and shows you otherwise. What’s most challenging is dealing with people at their worst.” Having gone through her parents’ divorce when she was an adolescent, Sweren has abundant empathy. Married with two young children, she says, “I understand juggling family and work like a game of Jenga, and how divorce can send the whole thing crashing down.” Kristina Badalian, also a mother of young children and with parents who divorced, points to an ability to balance as an asset in this field. “Understanding my client’s emotions while zealously advocating their interests means that I can be soft when I need to be, and tough all the time,” she says. Time management skills may be one key to the success of another of the attorneys, Maureen Renehan, mother of three children age 5 and under. With similar experience negotiating and litigating complex custody and financial matters in separation and divorce, Renehan is hard working, detail organized and effective both in and out of the courtroom. All three attorneys were drawn to this work because they wanted to help people, and they have abundant opportunities to do that at Brodsky Renehan Pearlstein & Bouquet, a firm that appreciates and supports working mothers who provide sophisticated representation to clients.
“All three attorneys were drawn to this work because they wanted to help people.”
16061 Comprint Circle Gaithersburg, MD 20877 301-869-1700 info@brpfamilylaw.com www.brpfamilylaw.com
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PROFILES
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Lauren Lewis, DDS DRS. ENSOR, JOHNSON & LEWIS
11810 Parklawn Drive, Suite 101 North Bethesda, MD 20852 301-881-6170 info@ejldental.com www.ejldental.com
HILARY SCHWAB
Dr. Lauren Lewis is a working mom of two daughters who applies the lessons she has learned as a parent to her own practice philosophies. She treats her patients with the same level of care and understanding that she gives to her own children. She personalizes every experience to each child’s individual needs and tailors her care to each family’s unique situation and lifestyle. She prides herself in her expertise in treating children and adults with special needs, both in the office and in the operating room. Dr. Lewis is best known for the relationships she builds with her patients and their families, providing a fun and comfortable atmosphere for both the patients and the dental team, and for her super fun collection of sneakers! Her goal is to create a positive and lasting impact on every patient, and to inspire a lifetime of superb dental health.
Meg Hobbins and Rachel Zoghlin GROSSMAN YOUNG & HAMMOND
4922 Fairmont Ave., Suite 200 Bethesda, MD 20814 240-403-0913 www.grossmanyoung.com 56
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DARREN HIGGINS
Grossman Young & Hammond Senior Attorneys Meg Hobbins and Rachel Zoghlin advocate for foreign nationals facing ever-increasing barriers to legal immigration status. Meg Hobbins has worked for over a decade assisting individuals from all over the globe with humanitarian and family-based immigration matters. She has a passion for international justice and navigating clients through the seemingly endless maze of immigration bureaucracy. Meg also represents clients before INTERPOL to challenge politically-motivated arrest warrants. She is known for her tenacious commitment to the most challenging cases. Rachel Zoghlin zealously advocates for individuals and families in all stages of their immigration processes, including winning special immigrant visas for teenagers who suffered child abuse or neglect, and successfully litigating asylum cases for women fleeing domestic abuse. Rachel’s efforts have resulted in highly skilled individuals obtaining extraordinary ability visas, including an international award-winning chocolate maker, a global energy economist and a jazz piano child prodigy.
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Ones to Watch
Left: Jessie Golden, Executive Director Center: Hope MacDonald, Founder and CEO Right: Jackie Jurgens, Creative Director
Hope MacDonald
HEATHER FUENTES
FOUNDER AND CEO, BELLA BALLET In the five years since lifelong dancer Hope MacDonald opened Bella Ballet, the studio has grown to instruct and delight over 500 children weekly and has been honored with many local and regional awards, including “Best Dance Studio” from Bethesda Magazine. Bella Ballet offers many classes in the Kentlands, including the Princess Ballet Program for children 2-5 and the Elite Dance Program for children 6-12. Additionally, they have mommy and me sessions, tap, jazz and hip-hop. Specialties that MacDonald, a dancer since age 3, has developed include Hopeful Steps for children with special needs and programs for babies, moms and boys-only. Children can also enjoy musical theatre classes and summer camps. “Bella Ballet is more than just a typical dance school,” says MacDonald. “Our mission is to provide the finest dance education while empowering children with self-confidence, leadership, and positive body image.” Each week, classes begin with a discussion of an important core value such as inclusion. That leads to open dialogue in a safe space. Three years into the business, at a young age, MacDonald was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). “I teach my students every day how to overcome adversity and this was a huge test, causing me to practice what I preach,” she says. “Life isn't always sunshine and rainbows, but a matter of how you power through despite adversity.” Through faith, family and a supportive community, MacDonald is doing well. MS definitely does not define this active business owner. She has learned different tools and holistic means of coping, reports that she is stronger than ever and enjoys a new passion in motivational speaking.
“Our mission is to provide the finest dance education while empowering children with self-confidence, leadership, and positive body image.”
347 Kentlands Blvd. Gaithersburg, MD 20878 301-977-7300 bellaballetdance@gmail.com www.bellaballetdance.com
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Ones to Watch
PROFILES
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Morriah Horani and Adam Swaim PARTNERS, PASTERNAK & FIDIS, P.C.
7735 Old Georgetown Road, Suite 1100 Bethesda, MD 20814 301-656-8850 www.pasternakfidis.com
Allyson Price, Matt McDonald, Jennifer Verbeke and Heather Summers
HILARY SCHWAB
Partner Morriah Horani focuses on resolving family disputes. After many years in family law, Morriah began litigating estate, trust and other fiduciary disputes that often involve families and complex legal issues. She is a seasoned litigator who practices in Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia. In addition to his complex estate planning work, partner Adam Swaim was recently named the head of the firm’s Estate and Trust Administration Group. Adam guides clients and their loved ones through a sometimes very complicated process. “Although estate planning and administration require a deep knowledge of tax law, I enjoy untangling confusing technical matters to convey information and options to our clients in an understandable way.” Morriah and Adam are friends outside the office and are pleased to complement each other’s practices at work, each having depth in their respective skill sets and a dedication to outstanding work on behalf of their clients.
MCDStudio MATTHEW S. MCDONALD, AIA, PRINCIPAL
4948 St Elmo Ave., Suite 304 Bethesda MD 20814 301-215-7277 matt@mcdstudio.com www.mcdstudio.com 58
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DARREN HIGGINS
Matt McDonald is excited to be among those leading the charge of new, young architecture firms energizing the D.C. design and construction industry. Along with fellow principal Jennifer Verbeke, architect Allyson Price and associate Heather Summers, all under 40, there’s a combined 50+ years of experience. The architectural diversity in and around D.C., from Colonial to Modern styles, brings challenges that are fun for the MCDStudio team, which excels at interesting design solutions. Working collaboratively, and with high-tech tools that allow clients to better see outcomes in virtual reality, the team practices intimate customer service with a wide variety of clients and projects. “We set aside ego and help turn our clients’ goals and visions into reality with our guidance, expertise and creative thinking,” says McDonald. “We present fresh ideas, and love when a client says, “That’s exactly what we needed, but never thought of doing it in that way.””
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Ones to Watch
Nathan Harris
LISA HELFERT
PRESIDENT, MR WASH CAR WASH Nathan Harris never intended to follow in his father’s and grandfather’s business footsteps, but hearing him talk so fondly about the Mr Wash business and its employees, it makes perfect sense. Robert Harris, Nathan’s grandfather, opened his first car wash in 1958, and two more followed. His father, Steven Harris, grew it to 9 locations. Meanwhile, Nathan went to college, majoring in economics and planning for a career in real estate. After graduation, he attended an industry meeting with his dad and, he says, “I caught the bug.” Along with honoring the corporate culture that his family has always made a priority, Nathan has made technology his focus, traveling the world looking at car washes. Improved cleaning and faster processes are the key to customer satisfaction. They’ve invested significant sums in new machines to reduce customer waiting time. A trend customers also like is the Mr Wash Unlimited Club that enables you to come in for a car wash every day. “Unlimited Members have a dedicated lane just for them,” says Nathan. “They pull up to the machine and the gate opens for them.” “No matter what we spend on equipment and facilities,” he says, “our employees are our secret sauce. We share the same goals of great service for happy customers.” Treated like family, many have been with the company for decades, and there are a few three-generation stories. Nathan is excited to be expanding the business to a third state. For Washington area customers who enjoy the nearby beaches, Mr Wash opened a new location on Route 1 in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware.
“No matter what we spend on equipment and facilities, our employees are our secret sauce.”
3817 Dupont Ave. Kensington, MD 20895 301-933-4858 www.mrwash.com
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Ones to Watch
PROFILES
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Aaron Blank, Sarah Cline and Joy Einstein efficiently resolve legal problems for their clients. As a testament to their success, the three were recently promoted to shareholders of the Potomac-based law firm Shulman Rogers. “At Shulman Rogers, I am encouraged to treat each transaction holistically and advise clients on every aspect of the deal, applying my industry expertise where it matters most,” says real estate attorney Cline. Employment law attorney Einstein echoed similar sentiments. “I have wonderful mentors at Shulman Rogers who taught me how to listen to clients, understand their concerns and address their needs. That hands-on guidance now helps me provide comprehensive service to my clients.” “As an associate, I was encouraged to provide my insights and frequently appeared in court. That access to training accelerated my career and honed my skills, which I now use to fight for clients,” says Blank, medical malpractice attorney.
Wendy Muhammad FRANCHISEE PARTNER, MASSAGE ENVY DOWNTOWN SILVER SPRING
955 Wayne Ave. Silver Spring, MD 20910 301-264-5154 www.facebook.com/MassageEnvyDowntownSilverSpring 60
MARCH/APRIL 2019 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM
LISA HELFERT
An international entrepreneur, Wendy Muhammad is one of the partners and operators of the award-winning Massage Envy in downtown Silver Spring. She consistently works with her team to develop a level of hospitality that offers a customized experience to their clients. This is only one of her many roles that she is passionate about. As President and Director of Business Affairs for the Minimally Invasive Vascular Centers, Muhammad says the brand has expanded throughout the U.S. and Africa. Wendy is also the creator and developer of the Mind of an Entrepreneur™ Movement that produces a radio show, and authors and publishes books on mental strategies for navigating the world of business. She also owns and operates a business development and crisis management firm that serves entrepreneurs, corporate executives and celebrities. She invests in commercial real estate, specializing in the acquisition and development of historic properties. Wendy’s passion is helping others gain access to life-changing opportunities.
people. politics. current events. books.
banter GAME PLAN Bethesda dad Chris Hugill aims to elevate beer pong by building sophisticated wooden tables
PHOTO BY JOSH LOOCK
BY AMANDA CHERRIN
CHRIS HUGILL HAS ALWAYS had a passion for games. Growing up in Ohio, he enjoyed playing board games and street hockey, transitioning to competitive skiing as a teen and then pool at Reed College in Portland, Oregon. It wasn’t until he was in his late 20s, pursuing an MBA at Babson College in Wellesley, Massachusetts, that he finally found the game that would define his adult years: beer pong. Aiming to elevate the game’s lowbrow image, Hugill left his job as a management consultant last
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year to launch Victory Tables, which he touts as the maker of “the world’s first luxury beer pong table.” “I wanted to build a nicer beer pong table, something that would allow the more mature beer pong enthusiast to enjoy the game they love,” Hugill, 38, says of the popular collegiate game. Teams of players try to toss a Ping-Pong ball into plastic cups of beer set up in a pyramid formation at the opposite end of a table. “It doesn’t have to be about soggy cardboard. It doesn’t have to be about drinking. It can be about bringing people together in the spirit of fun and competition, like any great game.” Victory Tables operates out of Hugill’s Bethesda home, where he lives with his wife, Andrea, and two children, ages 3 and 5. In his garage-turned-woodworking studio, he personally designs and builds maple, cherry and walnut tables that are refined enough to use for serving Thanksgiving dinners and children’s birthday cakes as well as lining up cups of beer. As he builds his business, Hugill is targeting Bethesda’s active beer pong scene, which includes the Maryland 62
Beer Pong league and weekly beer pong tournaments at Tapp’d Bethesda. Moving beyond the plastic and aluminum tables that currently dominate the market, Hugill’s solid wood tables include ball storage racks, adjustable feet for a level game, and a foldable design for convenient storage and transport. “It’s a showpiece for sure,” says Ryn Burns of Georgetown, a friend who uses his table to host everything from intimate family gatherings to beer pong tournaments. Hugill was introduced to carpentry when he volunteered as a theater technician in college. After graduating, he built sets for theater companies across the country. In 2007, he arrived at Babson, where he built his first beer pong table. After months of bonding with classmates over beer pong played on a beer-soaked cardboard box, Hugill surprised a friend with a handcrafted pine table for his birthday. Friends raved about the table, leaving Hugill wondering if he had stumbled onto something that could be big. After graduating from Babson, he spent years helping other companies bring products
MARCH/APRIL 2019 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM
to market while thinking his beer pong tables should be among them. Changing careers wasn’t an easy decision, though; the Hugills had recently welcomed their second child and purchased their Bethesda home. “It was hard for him to leave the traditional path,” says his wife, Andrea, 38. “I’m a big believer in following your dreams, and he needed an encouraging voice, not a skeptical one.” Launching his business with his wife’s support, Hugill spent the first part of 2018 working full time to build a social media presence and perfect the design of his flagship table, the Victory One, which retails for $1,050. This January, Hugill wrapped up a Kickstarter campaign that surpassed its fundraising goal of $8,000. The seed money will allow Hugill to partner with a local company to expand his production capacity and begin personalizing tables to suit customers’ preferences. “Who knows what the future will hold, but I feel like I’m on the cusp of building something,” Hugill says. “In many ways, business is a game, and I’ve always loved playing a good game.” n
PHOTO BY JOSH LOOCK
Chris Hugill designs and builds solid wood beer pong tables in his garage-turnedwoodworking studio.
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BY KELLY SANKOWSKI
FIGURATIVELY SPEAKING TRASH AND RECYCLING BY THE NUMBERS
Montgomery County is broken into two districts for trash collection: One district receives county trash and recycling pickup; the other receives county recycling services but must use private companies for trash. (Municipalities, such as the Town of Kensington and the City of Rockville, contract with private companies for both waste and recycling.) The county collects trash from about 92,000 single-family homes, and recyclables from about 218,000 singlefamily homes in nonmunicipal portions of the county. There are six facilities for receiving and processing trash or recyclables plus two landfills that are full and now closed. Nonrecyclable waste is burned at a facility in Dickerson. The heat is used to generate electricity or steam, metal is removed and recycled if possible, and the ash byproduct is reused with asphalt for paving roads. Here’s a look at trash and recycling in Montgomery County, by the numbers:
12-14%
55,480
amount of material received at the recycling center that is contaminated and cannot be recycled
tons of organic material processed at the composting facility in Dickerson in 2017
1,404 tons of electronics recycled in Montgomery County in 2007
2,235 43.2%
tons of electronics recycled in Montgomery County in 2017
recycling rate in 2007
1,222,475
56%
tons of waste and recyclables generated in 2007
recycling rate in 2017
1,103,051
70%
tons of waste and recyclables generated in 2017
goal for recycling rate by end of 2020
Note: Data is for single-family homes, multifamily homes and businesses. All data from 2007 is for the fiscal year (July 1, 2006, to June 30, 2007). All data from 2017 is measured in the calendar year. Some numbers have been rounded.
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$4.5 MILLION revenue the county received from recycling material sales in FY 2018 (July 1, 2017, to June 30, 2018)
$160
$105-$120
approximate daily pay for a garbage truck driver
approximate daily pay for a worker collecting the trash for a truck
Source: Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection’s Division of Solid Waste Services
INFOGRAPHICS BY AMANDA SMALLWOOD
(amount of material that is recycled divided by the total waste generated)
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STANDING UP A young activist from Bethesda lobbied for a change in the county schools’ health curriculum
MAEVE SANFORD-KELLY was 5 years old when she first participated in a protest, holding a homemade sign and a big inflatable duck as she stood outside a 2010 trade association conference for chemical companies in Baltimore with her mom and others who were objecting to toxic chemicals in children’s toys. “I feel like [most weekends] in my childhood we were doing something,” says Maeve, now 14, who often tagged along with her mom, Ariana Kelly, a former executive director of NARAL Pro-Choice Maryland who now represents District 16, which includes Bethesda, Chevy Chase and Potomac, in the Maryland House of Delegates. When Maeve was 4, she and her mom waited in line for two hours to attend a rally in Bowie for Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton. Kelly says she took Maeve because she wanted her daughter to experience “the historic nature of Hillary’s campaign.” In third grade, Maeve read Clinton’s 2003 memoir, Living History, before donning a navy blue pantsuit, modeling Clinton’s style of dress, to portray her for a school project. 66
Maeve Sanford-Kelly, a freshman at Walter Johnson, helped push for legislation requiring MCPS to teach middle and high school students about consent.
MARCH/APRIL 2019 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM
PHOTO BY LAURA CHASE DE FORMIGNY
BY CARALEE ADAMS
“I was always making the connection between things that were happening and people that were doing them. I think that’s sort of what politics is,” says Maeve, who has stamped envelopes, knocked on doors and handed out flyers at Metro stations during her mom’s delegate campaigns. The Bethesda teen campaigned for Clinton in Pennsylvania during her 2016 presidential run and was particularly disappointed when Donald Trump won, especially because voters chose him even though several women had accused him of inappropriate behavior. The experience left Maeve feeling that the voices of girls and women didn’t matter. Her mother suggested they take action. Now, a little more than two years later, students in Maryland’s public middle schools and high schools are learning about consent in health class, in part because of the efforts of Maeve, now a freshman at Bethesda’s Walter Johnson High School. Those efforts began in late 2016 when Kelly and other lawmakers proposed legislation that would require Montgomery County Public Schools to teach students about consent. Maeve and her friends campaigned in favor of the bill, and she argued during a public hearing in Rockville held by the Montgomery County legislative delegation that lessons about respect and consent should be taught alongside pregnancy prevention and abstinence beginning in middle school. The delegation supported the bill, which was soon expanded to cover all
Maryland public schools, but the proposal stalled in the state Senate during the 2017 General Assembly session. “Once we lost, it felt obvious to me to try it again,” Maeve says. In 2017, Montgomery County Public Schools and Baltimore City Public Schools voluntarily implemented the bill’s requirements. Meanwhile, Maeve and other students again lobbied for passage of the legislation, which the General Assembly approved last year. Gov. Larry Hogan signed it into law in May. Since Maryland adopted the legislation, students elsewhere have contacted Maeve to ask about replicating her efforts. “Maeve is very articulate and a great public speaker, which helped gain momentum for this issue,” Kelly says. At Walter Johnson, Maeve participates in student government, the Young Democrats club, and MoCo for Change, a student group that formed last year to advocate for gun control and has since expanded to include other issues. She lobbies with the Montgomery County Regional Student Government Association, which is promoting proposed state legislation to expand voter registration and access to mental health services in schools. “I have no ability in my brain to comprehend not being active. To me, the entire world that I live in is based on the policies that affect me and the laws that govern my life,” Maeve says. “The idea that I wouldn’t be trying to make them the best they can possibly be—I can’t comprehend not trying to do that.” n
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QUICK TAKES
News you may have missed BY THE BETHESDA BEAT STAFF
LOBSTER AVOIDS STEAMER Fishmongers at Ocean City Seafood in Silver Spring experienced a rare find in a shipment from Maine before the holidays: a nearly 2-pound calico lobster. The University of Maine’s Lobster Institute says about 1 in 30 million lobsters have the distinctive orange and black mottled shell, a genetic mutation. The shop’s owner plans to send the lobster, named Eve, to a university aquarium. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) had another suggestion: “Give this beauty her freedom and return her to the ocean, where she’ll be able to pursue everything that’s natural and important to her.”
SHIFTING GEARS After a year of testing in Silver Spring and Takoma Park, Montgomery County has expanded a dockless bike rental program to North Bethesda. Customers register online for the privately held company’s service and use a GPS-linked phone app to find and electronically unlock the closest twowheeler; there are no bikeshare docks like those on some Bethesda corners. Cities across the country where dockless scooter and bike rentals have been introduced are considering regulations— and fines—to discourage customers from haphazardly abandoning the bicycles in yards or blocking sidewalks. Montgomery County’s pilot program found that 7 percent of the dockless bikes were dropped in a way that caused an “obstruction.”
ELECTRIFYING HIS WHEELS County Executive Marc Elrich has a new all-electric car as his official ride. Elrich, who preached on the campaign trail of the lofty goal of a carbon-neutral county by the middle of the century, ordered a Chevrolet Bolt from the county’s motor pool after he took office in December. The $34,000 car—which the manufacturer, GM, says can travel up to 238 miles on a single charge—won’t replace a hefty fossil fuel-powered SUV when Elrich is accompanied by his security detail on some of his official rounds, a spokesman said. Elrich’s personal car is a battery-powered Nissan Leaf.
What is believed to be the first high school-level class in Maryland probing the history of hip-hop music debuted this semester at Montgomery Blair High School in Silver Spring. “This idea has been in my spirit for a long time,” said Kenneth Smith, the social studies teacher who launched the course, which includes topics such as the culture and evolution of rap and its place in social justice and feminism. The teacher says the class is a way to find common ground among students from different socioeconomic backgrounds and with varying academic skills.
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banter After receiving an unexpected Facebook message from a college friend, Frank Inserra learned more about his father’s life during World War II.
A PIECE OF THE PAST Nearly 75 years after his father served in World War II, a Rockville attorney heard from a French count with ties to his family
FRANK INSERRA WAS STANDING in line at Starbucks near his Washington, D.C., office in February 2018 when he noticed a Facebook message on his phone from a college friend: “Is this your dad?” The friend had shared a post from a French count who was searching for relatives of a Frank Inserra who served in World War II and stayed at his family’s chateau in 1944. Inserra, whose father’s name was also Frank Inserra, was intrigued, but skeptical. “When something comes out of the 70
blue like that, your first impression is like: What is this?” Inserra says. Inserra, an attorney with the Federal Communications Commission, was too busy during the workday to deal with the post. But he went online at home in Rockville that evening and read about Aymeric de Rougé and his 2,400-acre estate outside of Paris known as Chateau de Baronville. Inserra looked through a memento box of his father’s from the war that had felt like ancient history— until that moment.
MARCH/APRIL 2019 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM
Among the letters and trinkets, Inserra found two photos that were identical to what had been posted on Facebook: one of his dad in front of a troop transport, and another of a young boy in shorts wearing a U.S. Army helmet. The latter was Bertrand de Rougé, Aymeric’s father. “By the end of the night I thought, ‘This is pretty cool,’ ” says Inserra, who emailed de Rougé and shared about 10 other photos of their fathers’ time together. “My initial suspicion of
PHOTO BY LIZ LYNCH
BY CARALEE ADAMS
PHOTOS COURTESY OF FRANK INSERRA
PHOTO BY LIZ LYNCH
ADDITIONS
motives was replaced with delight that my dad was recalled warmly after so many years.” The story of the French-American connection by the next generation was covered last year in an article in The New Yorker. In the summer of 1944, Inserra’s father, then 32, was bivouacked at Baronville with his Army Medical Corps unit. He befriended Bertrand, then 12, who had stuck his head into the soldier’s tent when he was popping popcorn. “In a sense, they were in need of one another. My father had a lot of younger brothers and had been overseas for a long time,” says Inserra, adding that his dad’s unit was friendly with the locals and welcomed after the German occupation. “Even back then, ‘hearts and minds’ was a big deal.” Frank’s father, a physician, was from
Boston and served in the corps from 1941 to 1946. He spoke enough French to communicate with Bertrand, and the two corresponded for several years. He also spent time with a family in England and with villagers in the Philippines. “The more I live, the more I realize how many lives he touched,” Inserra says of his father. These days, de Rougé runs Baronville as a commercial enterprise with a winery and venue for special events and movie shoots. In a Skype call last year, Inserra and his sister, Donna Inserra of Chevy Chase, got a glimpse at the elegant residence that their dad had told them about years ago. “It was very fun to see the son of the boy I heard so much about,” Donna says of the call. “My father didn’t talk about the tough times. He talked about the good times. His time with this family was very special to him, so he had lovely memories of it.” Through their emails, Frank Inserra learned that de Rougé summered in Maine. This past August, Inserra and his wife, Judy, had lunch with de Rougé and his family at de Rougé’s in-laws’ summer home. Will Inserra take up de Rougé on an offer to visit Baronville? “In the fullness of time, when we are in France,” Inserra says. “Given what’s happened, stopping by to see what this is all about in the flesh for an afternoon is probably at least in the cards.” ■
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BOOK REPORT
Kathleen Day needed a textbook to teach an ethics course in the graduate real estate program at Georgetown University, but couldn’t find one that covered U.S. financial crises from Colonial times to the bursting of the housing bubble more than a decade ago. So she wrote Broken Bargain: Bankers, Bailouts, and the Struggle to Tame Wall Street (Yale University Press, January 2019). In it, she explains complex business and monetary terms in a manner accessible to a broad audience. “It’s a book for anyone who wants to understand in plain English a history of financial crises in the country,” says Day, a business journalist who lives in Upper Northwest D.C., and has worked for such publications as The Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times and USA Today. 72
After writing two young adult novels, Potomac’s Caroline Bock has published a collection of 47 short stories. Carry Her Home (Washington Writers’ Publishing House, October 2018) includes 100-word “flash” fiction and long-form literary magazine pieces. Many of the stories are autobiographical, says Bock, who was raised by her Jewish father after her Italian mother was institutionalized because of a stroke when Bock was 4. “The stories weave back and forth from the 1960s in New York City to present day,” says Bock, who teaches creative writing at The Writer’s Center in Bethesda. “The themes are a mixture of deep love and deep grief. Grief is sad, but sometimes it’s also funny and poignant and full of life.”
MARCH/APRIL 2019 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM
Filling a gaping hole in other biographies about Babe Ruth, former Washington Post reporter Jane Leavy focused her latest book, The Big Fella: Babe Ruth and the World He Created (Harper, October 2018), on the baseball legend’s difficult childhood and three-week victory lap across the U.S. after hitting his recordsetting 60th home run in September 1927. “He changed everything about the game and he created a template for how to be famous in America,” says Leavy, who lives in Upper Northwest D.C., and has also written books about Hall of Fame baseball players Sandy Koufax and Mickey Mantle. “[Ruth] was lucky enough to come along at the exact moment in history when mass media, marketing and public relations were combining to amplify fame.”
It’s well known that about half of all new small businesses in the U.S. are gone within five years of opening. “It’s not because they don’t know how to do good things, produce good things or sell good things. It’s that they don’t know how to compete,” says Ken Schmidt, a business consultant from Potomac. In his new book, Make Some Noise: The Unconventional Road to Dominance (Simon & Schuster, November 2018), Schmidt shares his experiences as communications director for Harley-Davidson, where he helped build the motorcycle company’s brand as an American icon. “What changes a business profoundly is when top leadership makes competing to become dominant their top priority and then eventually builds every function of their business around that goal,” Schmidt says.
ALL BOOK COVERS FILE PHOTOS
BY CARALEE ADAMS
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READING LIST
LITERARY
DATA PROVIDED BY
The top-selling books in our area. Data is based on books sold at Politics and Prose’s Connecticut Avenue location in Upper Northwest D.C., from Jan. 1 to 15, 2019.
EVENTS CALENDAR
Note: Author event sales may influence the presence of some titles on these lists.
March 7
March 14 NANCY ALTMAN. Join the former Harvard faculty member as she discusses her book, The Truth About Social Security. Specializing in the areas of social security and private pensions for 40 years, Altman is a renowned expert on the 84-year-old government program. 1:30 p.m. Free. RSVP via email at info@ littlefallsvillage.org or phone at 301-320-3267. Little Falls Library, Bethesda.
April 2 EVAN THOMAS. The journalist and historian reflects on his latest book, First, a look at the inspiring life of Sandra Day O’Connor, America’s first female Supreme Court justice. Q&A and book signing to follow discussion. 7 p.m. Free. Politics and Prose, Washington, D.C. (Connecticut Avenue location). 202-364-1919, politics-prose.com.
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HARDCOVER FICTION 1.
Circe, Madeline Miller
2.
There There, Tommy Orange
3.
Warlight, Michael Ondaatje
4.
Washington Black, Esi Edugyan
5.
The Overstory, Richard Powers
6.
Florida, Lauren Groff
7.
An American Marriage, Tayari Jones
8.
The Man Who Came Uptown, George Pelecanos
9.
The Power, Naomi Alderman
10. The Friend, Sigrid Nunez
HARDCOVER NONFICTION 1.
1.
When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing, Daniel H. Pink
2.
Asymmetry, Lisa Halliday
3.
Less, Andrew Sean Greer
4.
Milkman, Anna Burns
5.
Improvement, Joan Silber
6.
Other Minds: The Octopus, the Sea, and the Deep Origins of Consciousness, Peter Godfrey-Smith
7.
Conversations With Friends, Sally Rooney
8.
Ruth Bader Ginsburg: In Her Own Words, Helena Hunt
9.
The Bad-Ass Librarians of Timbuktu: And Their Race to Save the World’s Most Precious Manuscripts, Joshua Hammer
10. Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind, Yuval Noah Harari
The Truths We Hold: An American Journey, Kamala Harris
2.
Becoming, Michelle Obama
3.
Shade: A Tale of Two Presidents, Pete Souza
4.
Fault Lines: A History of the United States Since 1974, Kevin M. Kruse, Julian E. Zelizer
5. 6.
PAPERBACK
CHILDREN’S 1.
This Promise of Change: One Girl’s Story in the Fight for School Equality, Jo Ann Allen Boyce, Debbie Levy
55, Underemployed, and Faking Normal: Your Guide to a Better Life, Elizabeth White
2.
The Wicked King, Holly Black
The First Conspiracy: The Secret Plot to Kill George Washington, Brad Meltzer, Josh Mensch
3.
Charlie & Frog, Karen Kane
4.
The Hate U Give, Angie Thomas
7.
Educated, Tara Westover
5.
The Snowy Day, Ezra Jack Keats
8.
The Spy and the Traitor: The Greatest Espionage Story of the Cold War, Ben Macintyre
6.
Superheroes Are Everywhere, Kamala Harris
7.
Rosie Revere and the Raucous Riveters (The Questioneers Series, #1), Andrea Beaty
8.
The Cruel Prince, Holly Black
9.
On a Sunbeam, Tillie Walden
9.
A Rope From the Sky: The Making and Unmaking of the World’s Newest State, Zach Vertin
10. Leadership: In Turbulent Times, Doris Kearns Goodwin
MARCH/APRIL 2019 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM
10. The Gilded Wolves, Roshani Chokshi
ALL BOOK COVERS FILE PHOTOS
THE LESSANS FAMILY LITERARY SERIES: IDRA NOVEY. Celebrate International Women’s Day with Novey, whose fortuitously timely novel, Those Who Knew, explores the emotional toll of staying silent, and the mixed reward of speaking up in a politically divided climate. Book signing to follow discussion. 7 p.m. $15 ($40 includes book). Bender Jewish Community Center of Greater Washington, Rockville. 301-348-3756, benderjccgw. org/litfest.
Congratulations, Devin Lucas! At St. Andrew’s, we believe in creativity with a purpose. We encourage our students to explore social problems, to research their causes, and to use empathy and interdisciplinary skills to create a better future. To understand the problems facing a person or community and work with them to design a lasting solution. Whether it’s founding her own theatre company to performing in the school musicals to engaging in student-led political movements, Devin Lucas ‘19 epitomizes the St. Andrew’s ideals of being open to new opportunities, working hard to excel, and fighting for what you believe in. At St. Andrew’s, we know exactly why one of our students has been named a Bethesda Magazine “Extraordinary Teen” for four years in a row. Because St. Andrew’s students are working to create lasting change in the world. Congratulations, Devin!
St. Andrew’s Episcopal School is a private, coeducational college preparatory day school for students in preschool (age 2) through grade 12, located in Potomac, Maryland.
banter | HOMETOWN Crystal Carr Townsend at her Germantown office
BY STEVE ROBERTS
ON A MISSION
WHEN CRYSTAL CARR TOWNSEND was a young girl, her father was a minister at a Methodist church in suburban Baltimore County. She often joined him on his pastoral rounds, visiting sick and grieving parishioners, and one woman—a former gravedigger at the church who had lost a leg to illness— left a vivid impression. “She cursed like crazy,” Townsend recalls, “and I was like, ‘Wow, isn’t this wrong, Dad? Like, really?’ ” “My dad said, ‘You know, she gave a lot to the church, and she’s angry and upset now and she’s in pain and she needs people to visit her,’ ” Townsend says. “From that experience I learned 76
that sometimes people are not their best selves, but you honor what they gave to the community and honor who they are. I think that’s what my dad was trying to impart—let your values lead you.” That lesson has guided Townsend her entire life. Now 43, she is president of the Healthcare Initiative Foundation, which provides grants to nonprofits devoted to improving the health of Montgomery County residents. The foundation,
MARCH/APRIL 2019 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM
started by Suburban Hospital in 1973, distributes about $1.5 million a year to a wide range of projects, from internships for nursing students to pet therapy visits for shut-ins. Montgomery County is one of the richest counties in the country, but one in six families live below 200 percent of the federal poverty line, and 14 percent of children lack food security. In one census tract in central Bethesda, the
PHOTO BY MICHAEL VENTURA
As president of the Healthcare Initiative Foundation, Crystal Carr Townsend wants to make sure families living in poverty have the health and wellness services they need
PHOTO BY MICHAEL VENTURA
average life expectancy is 92 years; in another tract less than 5 miles away, in Kensington Heights, it drops to 78 years, according to a recent study by Virginia Commonwealth University. In a way, Townsend is a pastor like her father, caring for a flock that’s in pain and need. “If I can make it a little bit easier for a child or a mom or a dad to get to where they are not struggling every day, that’s my main goal,” she tells me. Townsend has known plenty of struggles in her own life. Her parents grew up in Damascus, on the northern edge of the county, and when her mother became pregnant with Crystal at 15, they married and moved to rural Kentucky, where her father was attending seminary school. The family lived in a small trailer and depended on food stamps and homemade clothes. “They had a tough road,” Townsend says, and it didn’t get much smoother when they moved back to Maryland after her father was ordained. “I remember my dad being very frustrated [that] we were still at the poverty line even though he was working,” she recalls. The strain helped splinter her parents’ marriage when she was 12, and her mother—who today has two master’s degrees and teaches at a community college—returned to school and juggled two jobs. “I grew up really fast,” Crystal says. “I was taking care of my sister and brother. I was making the dinners. I was responsible for helping with the bills.” By 14, she was working several jobs herself—at a pizza parlor, a clothing store, a local pool. She attended Hood College in Frederick, aided by a lacrosse scholarship, and earned a master’s in public administration from Rutgers University in Camden, New Jersey. One class involved knocking on doors in dangerous neighborhoods, urging pregnant women to attend prenatal clinics. Her friends wondered, “ ‘Like, are you crazy?’ ” she says. But the minister’s daughter was unfazed: “I knew how to do it.” After graduation, Townsend spent two years in Romania as a Peace Corps volunteer, then cycled through several jobs
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banter | HOMETOWN in the nonprofit world before joining the Healthcare Initiative Foundation seven years ago. Its grants have a “broad reach,” she says, based on an understanding that many factors contribute to overall wellness, from asbestos-free housing and lead-free water to safe places for walking and exercise, and accessible stores for buying nutritious food. She came to realize, however, that the service providers promoting wellness were clustered in the southern part of the county, while the population, drawn by cheaper housing, was exploding north of Gaithersburg. Townsend lives in Germantown with her husband, John, an engineer, and 5-year-old daughter, and that city “has the fastest-growing population in Montgomery County, but also the fastest growth of poverty,” she says. “There were no services up here, community dollars had not yet come to this area.” The Healthcare Initiative Foundation
chose one Germantown school, Captain James E. Daly Jr. Elementary, as a pilot project. The population is 90 percent minority, nearly half Hispanic, and three-quarters of the students qualify for free and reduced-price meals. About 135 of the 600 children at Daly live in the county’s only mobile home park. Townsend’s strategy is to “look at the whole household” and bring together a wide range of services to attack health problems before they start—and to do it from many angles. Delivering those services through a school made a lot of sense, she says. “We try to go where families feel safe, and they felt safe at the school.” She has recruited eight other nonprofits to join the effort at Daly. The Boys & Girls Clubs set up after-school programs and provided scholarships so that students could join for free. The Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind has screened 188 children for vision problems and
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www.jssa.org 301-881-3700 78
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donated glasses for 44 of them, since better eyesight can improve academic achievement. Future plans include a legal clinic, focusing on undocumented immigrants, and classes in starting a small business. “What is the phrase—‘the tale of two counties,’ right?” Townsend says. Schools in wealthy areas can raise money to build expensive sports fields, she notes, while in other county neighborhoods, most students are poor enough to receive federally subsidized food. “There is such a discrepancy of opportunity.” Townsend’s mission is to close that gap, to preach the gospel of equality, to honor the poor “and who they are.” She learned that from her father. n Steve Roberts teaches journalism and politics at George Washington University. Send ideas for future columns to sroberts@gwu.edu.
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MERIDIAN HOMES, INC.
At Meridian Homes, we specialize in luxury renovations and custom home building. Our mission is to create exceptional residences that exceed expectations. Our highly personalized design process and careful management of every project has earned us a reputation over many years for outstanding client service and solid, beautiful craftsmanship. 80
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4938 Hampden Lane #330, Bethesda, MD 20814 301-652-4440 | info@meridianhomesinc.com www.meridianhomesinc.com
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12223 Nebel St., Rockville, MD 20852 240-595-6732 | www.BeautifulRosenKitchens.com
Voted “Best Kitchen Design Firm, 2018” by the readers of Bethesda Magazine, Jack Rosen Custom Kitchens, Inc. continues to be one of the most celebrated kitchen design firms in the Washington, DC area. Offering award-winning designs and fine cabinetry for culinary, closets, home offices and entertainment with outstanding service. BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM | MARCH/APRIL 2019
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Celebrating our 40th anniversary in the D.C. area! We design and install customized storage solutions. We are not a franchised company and own our own manufacturing facility in Rockville. We also specialize in building home offices, laundry/utility room storage, wine cellars and media/entertainment centers. 82
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12201 Nebel St., Rockville, MD 20852 301-468-1090 | solutions@closetstretchers.com www.closetstretchers.com
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APPLIANCE DISTRIBUTORS UNLIMITED & THE APPLIANCE SOURCE
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Appliance Distributors Unlimited & The Appliance Source want to help pick out appliances for your dream kitchen. With our knowledge, experience and selection you will be nothing short of inspired. If you are building a home or remodeling, come see us for exceptional service. Come visit us at one of our eight locations.
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PORCELANOSA NORTH BETHESDA
Inspired by stone, XTONE features extra-large and thin slabs of porcelain that can be incorporated into a number of applications— including countertops. XTONE is highly resistant to water, chemicals, temperatures and impacts. Visit your local Porcelanosa showroom for more information! 84
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11500 Rockville Pike, North Bethesda, MD 20852 240-290-1120 | info@porcelanosa-usa.com www.porcelanosa-usa.com
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BOWA DESIGN BUILD RENOVATIONS
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7900 Westpark Drive, Suite A180, McLean, VA 22102 301-657-3947 | info@bowa.com | bowa.com
What if we could promise you a remarkable remodeling experience like these folks had? Whether you’re looking for a stunning kitchen, condo or whole-house remodel, our design/build experts will deliver a remodeling experience you can enjoy while also providing advocacy, quality and value that are second to none. BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM | MARCH/APRIL 2019
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KIT C HEN & BATH SHOWC AS E
DAVIDA’S KITCHEN & TILES
Visit our showroom showcasing an array of materials including custom cabinetry, the finest selection of tile and exquisite countertops. We pride ourselves on attention to detail and exceeding expectations as we transform your kitchen or bath into a space that adds comfort, beauty and value to your home. 86
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435 A&B East Diamond Ave., Gaithersburg, MD 20877 240-361-9331 | davida@davidaskitchenandtiles.com www.davidaskitchenandtiles.com
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CAPITOL HARDSCAPES
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301-887-1880 | www.capitolhardscapes.com
Capitol Hardscapes can create curb appeal that will enhance the beauty and increase the value of your home. Founded on providing superior customer service and personal attention, we bring the heart of a gardener, the eye of an artist and the discipline of an architect to each project we undertake. BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM | MARCH/APRIL 2019
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KIT C HEN & BATH SHOWC AS E
KITCHEN & BATH STUDIOS, INC.
For 25 years we have been designing and providing beautiful kitchens with outstanding service. This kitchen was transformed into a bright flat-in space with a great new traffic flow and warm textures. New exterior windows and wider door flood light into the new space. 88
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7001 Wisconsin Ave., Chevy Chase 301-657-1636 | www.kitchenbathstudios.com
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GILDAY RENOVATIONS
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9162 Brookville Road, Silver Spring, MD 20910 301-565-4600 | info@gilday.com | www.gilday.com With over 40 years of experience, Gilday provides its clients with a highly collaborative design-build process that seamlessly blends the expertise of its award-winning integrated team of architectural designers, interior designers and master builders. Pictured, a porch addition, with custom made removable screens and glass inserts, becomes a stunning three-season room. BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM | MARCH/APRIL 2019
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ROCKVILLE INTERIORS
Since 1971 Rockville Interiors has been manufacturing custom draperies, valances, cornices, swags and all types of window treatments in our workroom on the premises. Roman shades manual or motorized are our specialty. Our professional technicians measure and install all our products. Amazing selection of fabrics in our showroom. Designers to help. 90
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5414 Randolph Road, Rockville, MD 20852 301-424-1900 | www.RockvilleInteriors.com
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CARNEMARK DESIGN + BUILD
7550 Wisconsin Ave., Suite 120, Bethesda, MD 20814 301-657-5000 | info@carnemark.com www.carnemark.com Fed up with their 1980s-era kitchen, these McLean homeowners were ready for a modern chef’s kitchen with space to entertain. Bumping out the original kitchen made room for two parallel islands plus a minimalist yet hard-working wall of gray cabinetry with integrated appliances—and a walk-in pantry hidden behind a pair of false cabinet doors. BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM | MARCH/APRIL 2019
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EXPER T ADVICE D ANIEL A. CAR R ER O , PR ESI D EN T H OUSE TO H O ME SO L UTI O N S, L L C 15745 Crabbs Branch Way | Rockville, MD 20855 301-762-6621 | www.housetohomesolutions.com Considering doing a large home renovation? No longer should you settle for the customary threeestimates approach. I believe you should conduct interviews with potential companies. It’s important to establish a comfortable and mutual relationship, get a sense of how the company operates, how they intend to work with you in designing your living space, and ultimately how they manage the project to bring your vision to fruition. When interviewing potential companies here are a few details you should consider. Can they articulate their process and how it fits your needs? Will they guide you through each step? Will they send you to showrooms, or do they have a welcoming Design Studio from which to collaborate? How do they utilize the latest technology for your renovation? With my many years of experience in every facet of construction, I have developed a process that takes the stress and worry out of your project. Count on my team and me to guide you through each step toward creating your dream renovation.
GLENN SCHWARTZ | PRIVATE WEALTH MORTGAGE GROUP USB ANK | N ML S # 6 5 8 9 2 11810 Grand Park Ave., Suite 500 | North Bethesda, MD 20852 301-455-7777 | glenn.schwartz@usbank.com Whether you are buying your first property, inspired to renovate your current home, or wish to custom build your dream home, Glenn is the leading go-to for all of your residential mortgage requirements. Glenn offers his exclusive 1 time close Construction-Perm financing for any project in the country. Consistently one of the top producers of all mortgage companies for the last 25 years, Glenn can assist you with properties nationwide. If you are looking for assistance identifying a lot or finding an off-market fixer-upper to flip, Jill Schwartz, top producing Realtor and EcoBroker, with KW Capital Properties Luxury Division, can help. Join Jill’s Sustainable Conversation at JillSchwartzGroup.com to talk about the incentives available for sustainable building and homeownership in our community. Jill has been a D.C. Metro Green Ambassador since 2010. This Real Estate Power Couple provide start-to-finish guidance for everything you need to purchase, renovate or build your dream home.
HOME M AKEO V ER GUIDE RES O U RCE G U IDE
Founded in 2001, Aidan Design is a boutique design firm known for creating thoughtful living spaces that reflect the unique character and lifestyle of each client. Our specialties include kitchens, bathrooms, mudrooms, built-ins, and many other custom cabinetry applications.
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APPLIANCE DISTRIBUTORS UNLIMITED & THE APPLIANCE SOURCE Let us help pick out appliances for your dream kitchen. Whether you are building a home or remodeling, come see us for exceptional service. Come visit us at one of our 8 locations.
844-900-8600 | www.adu.com www.theappliancesource.com
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AIDAN DESIGN LLC
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CHASE BUILDERS, INC.
What if we could promise you an enjoyable remodeling experience? While guiding you through every step of your home or condo remodel, our design build experts will deliver while also providing unparalleled advocacy, quality and value. Call today to learn how!
Chase Builders is an awardwinning company for custom/ spec homes in the metro area. Although they differ in style, floor plan and size, our unique homes have this in common— they are thoughtfully designed and well-built with each homeowner in mind.
301-657-3947 | bowa.com
301-588-4747 | www.chasebuilders.com
CAPITOL HARDSCAPES
CLOSET STRETCHERS
Capitol Hardscapes is a family owned company founded on providing superior customer service and personal attention. We bring the heart of a gardener, the eye of an artist and the discipline of an architect to each project we undertake.
We’ve been designing and installing customized storage solutions for 40 years. Because we are not a franchised company and own our own manufacturing facility in Rockville, we can keep prices low and offer a quicker turnaround time to our customers.
301-887-1880 | capitolhardscapes.com
301-468-1090 | solutions@closetstretchers.com www.closetstretchers.com DESIGN
CARNEMARK DESIGN + BUILD
DAVIDA’S KITCHEN & TILES
From whole-house remodels and additions to condo, kitchen, bath and exterior renovations, CARNEMARK creates design-build solutions that flow—meeting practical needs in contemporary life through a client-responsive and environmentally sensitive process.
Visit our showroom and discover why our projects have been featured in multiple publications. Our showroom features custom cabinetry; the finest selection of tile in glass, porcelain, ceramic, stone and more. Call to schedule your complimentary design assessment.
301-657-5000 | www.carnemark.com
240-361-9331 www.davidaskitchenandtiles.com BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM | MARCH/APRIL 2019
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FISHER LUMBER
HOUSE TO HOME SOLUTIONS
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.
A luxury home renovation company with award-winning customer service and functionally beautiful designs that focuses on understanding the customer’s vision and translating that vision into highly effective and aesthetically pleasing outcomes. Their streamlined process, from conception through completion, is designed to provide a positive experience.
301-424-6500 | www.fisherlumber.com
301-762-6621 | www.housetohomesolutions.com
GILDAY RENOVATIONS
JACK ROSEN CUSTOM KITCHENS, INC.
With over 40 years of experience, Gilday provides its clients with a highly collaborative design-build process that seamlessly blends the expertise of its award-winning integrated team of architectural designers, interior designers and master builders. Gilday Renovations helps you make your home truly your own.
Voted “Best Kitchen Design Firm, 2018” by the readers of Bethesda Magazine, Jack Rosen Custom Kitchens, Inc. continues to be one of the most celebrated kitchen design firms in the Washington, DC area. Offering award-winning designs and fine cabinetry for culinary, closets, home offices and entertainment with outstanding service.
301-565-4600 | www.gilday.com
240-595-6732 | info@rosenkitchens.com www.BeautifulRosenKitchens.com
GLICKMAN DESIGN BUILD
KITCHEN & BATH STUDIOS, INC.
Glickman Design Build is a home remodeling firm with a focus on creating homes for life. Glickman develops designs based on master plans that can be implemented over time. They have specialized experience with aging-inplace, accessible and universal design.
For over 25 years Kitchen & Bath Studio’s has built a great reputation in the D.C. Metropolitan area. Our showroom features four cabinet lines displaying a vast array of cabinet styles and finishes. Five designers on staff provide functional design with no upfront design fees.
301-444-4663 | GlickmanDesignBuild.com
301-657-1636 | www.kitchenbathstudios.com
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RES OURCE GUIDE
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MERIDIAN HOMES, INC.
GLENN SCHWARTZ | USBANK
At Meridian Homes we specialize in luxury renovations and custom home building. Our highly personalized design process and careful management of every project has earned us a reputation over many years for outstanding client service and solid, beautiful craftsmanship.
Glenn Schwartz, a known, local, 25+ year Top Producer, shares his extensive knowledge of the mortgage industry. With USBank’s Private Wealth Division, Glenn offers his exclusive 1-Time ConstructionPerm Program on any NewBuild, renovation, or custom home, anywhere in the country.
301-652-4440 | info@meridianhomesinc.com www.meridianhomesinc.com
301-455-7777 | glenn.schwartz@usbank.com
PORCELANOSA NORTH BETHESDA
WENTWORTH, INC.
Porcelanosa features a luxurious selection of tile, bath, hardwood and kitchen collections. Porcelanosa’s showrooms display full vignette installations and product libraries with samples available. Visit a Porcelanosa showroom to meet with their creative design consultants about your project today!
There’s an art to remodeling an older home. And that’s where we come in. Because we offer architecture, interior design and construction under one roof, we are able to manage every detail of your project without losing sight of your design needs and budget. Contact us to schedule an appointment.
240-290-1120 | info@porcelanosa-usa.com www.porcelanosa-usa.com
240-395-0705 | www.wentworthstudio.com
ROCKVILLE INTERIORS
WIEDEMANN ARCHITECTS
Since 1971 Rockville Interiors has been manufacturing custom draperies, valances, cornices, swags and all types of window treatments in our workroom on the premises. Our professional technicians measure and install all our products.
Award-winning Wiedemann Architects is a full-service architectural firm with over 30 years of design excellence for new homes, residential additions, vacation homes, farms and estates in the mid-Atlantic region. Our work has been recognized for both traditional and modern design.
301-424-1900 | www.RockvilleInteriors.com
301-652-4022 | www.wiedemannarchitects.com BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM | MARCH/APRIL 2019
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TEENS From a social justice activist to an award-winning poet, these 12 students make their marks in and out of the classroom. Meet the winners of our 10th annual Extraordinary Teen Awards. BY CARALEE ADAMS AND AMY REININK PHOTOS BY EDGAR ARTIGA 97 March/April 2014 | BethesdaMagazine.com
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EMILY TIAN
Senior, Richard Montgomery High School For Emily Tian, writing poetry is an opportunity to crystallize abstract ideas in a few stanzas, reflect on life, and create a powerful connection with others. “People can read my poetry and feel they, too, have something in common with me,” says Emily, whose work has been published in more than a dozen literary magazines and has won national and international awards. When reading poetry, she says it’s essential to respect the poet’s voice. “It doesn’t matter if they are long dead from the 17th century, I don’t judge the author for being who they are in their poetry,” she says. A senior who’s enrolled in the International Baccalaureate program at Richard Montgomery High School in Rockville, Emily is editor-in-chief of the school newspaper, The Tide, plays on the varsity lacrosse team, and is known among teachers for her natural curiosity. “It’s refreshing to have kids who don’t just want to know what’s on the test,” says Charles Goetz, Emily’s IB physics teacher. “Emily really works hard and is so wellrounded. … She’s going to go very far in life.” In addition to her passion for writing poetry, Emily, 17, has been fascinated by the law since elementary school. The North Potomac teen is founder and president of Richard Montgomery’s Student Legal Association, and is an advocate for criminal justice reform. She has completed internships at the state’s attorney’s office and the Office of the Public Defender in Montgomery County. Emily competes on her school’s mock trial team and is a volunteer for the county’s Teen Court, where she recommends consequences for juveniles facing charges ranging from shoplifting to underage drinking. Through Teen Court and her internships, Emily says she’s gained a new perspective about the legal system and is considering becoming a defense attorney. “You take people who often don’t have much of a voice at all in their circumstances—maybe they’ve committed a crime or made a big mistake,” Emily says. “Being able to stand in for them and communicate their stories and their histories in a way that helps uphold the integrity of the entire judicial system, I think is something that’s really noble and an empowering profession.” Her ultimate goal? “I’d love to end up as a judge,” she says.
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DEVIN LUCAS Senior, St. Andrew’s Episcopal School
After U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan of Wisconsin refused to meet last spring with Devin Lucas and other concerned teens about the federal government’s family separation policies at the U.S.-Mexico border, the teens staged a peaceful protest outside his Capitol Hill office. Devin, then a junior at St. Andrew’s Episcopal School in Potomac, was among five students arrested and charged with obstructing a doorway. “It was nerve-racking. You never know how the police are going to react,” says Devin, whose hands were restrained in zip ties before she was taken away by the U.S. Capitol Police. Captured on video by her mother, Heather Lucas, the incident did generate publicity—the teens’ goal— and Devin says she’d do it again for a cause she strongly supports. The charges against the protesters eventually were dropped, and Devin has since met with Maryland legislators to share her opinions. Devin, 18, of Bethesda, says her political activism was first sparked by the 2018 mass shooting at a Parkland, Florida, high school. “I have the luxury to feel safe going to school, but many others don’t,” says Devin, who has joined efforts to promote gun control, including the 2018 March for Our Lives in D.C., where she was widely quoted in the media. “She is a deep, independent thinker,” says Andrew Seidman, her English teacher. “It’s one thing to talk about issues in class. It’s another to watch a student really put that thinking on the line and in the real world.” Beyond her commitment to social justice, Devin is passionate about the arts. A singer and actor, she has participated in several school and community productions, and last summer co-founded The Free Theatre, a studentled nonprofit focused on giving more teens access to performing arts. “I always want activism to be part of my life,” says Devin, who plans to attend Emory University in Atlanta this fall. “Ideally, in the future I hope to use writing and the arts to make my voice heard. I think film and visual arts can be incredible mediums for activism.”
AMANDA LIU
Junior, Montgomery Blair High School
Like many teens, Amanda Liu started each day last summer by heading to work. Unlike most teens, she prepped for her summer job by suiting up in a lab coat, gloves and goggles before synthesizing drugs for the treatment of muscular dystrophy. Amanda was a paid intern at NIH’s National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences Institute in Bethesda and worked in a medicinal chemistry lab. Her name will appear on a research paper about muscular dystrophy written by her mentor and others in the lab. “It was a pretty surreal experience, seeing myself in all the gear,” says Amanda, 17, who lives in Bethesda and is now a junior in Montgomery Blair High School’s science, mathematics and computer science magnet program. As a co-captain of the Silver Spring high school’s chemistry club, Amanda hosts weekly lectures on topics ranging from chemiluminescence to geoengineering. She received a perfect 800 on the Math Level 2 SAT test. But she is as committed to the humanities as she is to math and science. As a freshman, she helped spearhead the revival of Silver Quest, the magnet’s long-dormant literary publication, in hopes of encouraging students to embrace creative pursuits. She is now head of production, and wants to distribute future Silver Quest issues to all public middle schools in the county to raise awareness of the magnet program at Blair, which she thinks would increase the diversity of its students. She is also a writer for Silver Chips, Blair’s school newspaper. As a sophomore, Amanda won a $10,000 scholarship in the Junior Achievement Essay Competition, in which she argued the importance of a college education. Adam Clay, who taught Amanda’s freshman English class, says he still talks about a narrative she wrote about something that happened to her grandmother. “She made it come alive with impressive imagery, figurative language and dialogue,” Clay says. “I was actually on the edge of my seat while reading it.” Amanda is also a competitive swimmer with the Rockville-Montgomery Swim Club and has won state and local honors. She plans to swim in college and to pursue science research. BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM | MARCH/APRIL 2019
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ANDREW CHA
Senior, Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School
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Andrew Cha watched in dismay with his family as details emerged each night on the news about the 2014 water crisis in Flint, Michigan. Then in eighth grade, Andrew had long been sensitive to the plights of the less fortunate—his father, Victor Cha, is an expert in North Korean affairs, and Andrew grew up hearing stories about human rights abuses there. Andrew, whose family is from South Korea, wanted to help the people of Flint. His older brother, Patrick—a 2015 Extraordinary Teen Awards winner who raised funds for
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victims of the Boston Marathon bombings of 2013—challenged him to create an innovative and thoughtful fundraising effort. So in 2015, Andrew founded a nongovernmental organization called Serv4all and sought pledges based on the number of hours he practiced tennis. He has since raised nearly $10,000 and has traveled to Michigan to meet with residents and representatives from United Way, with which Serv4all partners. “Driving everything I do is my desire to give a voice to those who don’t have the opportunity to speak for themselves,” says Andrew, 17,
who lives in Chevy Chase. Andrew is also co-editor of his school’s newspaper, The Tattler, and has been published in The Baltimore Sun, the Human Rights Policy Journal at Harvard, Teen Ink and Columbia University’s Journal of International Affairs. He also produces “!nDig!—A Podcast on Human Dignity and Social Justice,” which aims to raise awareness about the sex trafficking of minors. A National Merit Scholar semifinalist and an AP Scholar with Distinction, Andrew plays on B-CC’s tennis team and teaches English every Saturday morning
GRACE SCHULER
Senior, Our Lady of Good Counsel High School
In eighth grade, Gaithersburg’s Grace Schuler won first place in a public speaking competition after reciting President Ronald Reagan’s five-minute speech about the 1986 explosion of the space shuttle Challenger. “I couldn’t believe I won,” says Grace, who earned a scholarship from the sponsor, Our Lady of Good Counsel High School in Olney, the school she was planning to attend. “I did it without a lot of experience and wondered what kids could do with some experience.” Inspired by her victory, Grace created a free public speaking program called “Speak Out!” for middle school students. The program provides after-school activities and mini-competitions to help students overcome their nervousness about public speaking and is now offered at two Catholic schools, one in Gaithersburg and one in Rockville. To date, the program has served more than 100 students, including six who have earned scholarships through the same public speaking competition that Grace won. “It was very impressive how Grace took it on. She was super organized and had a plan,” says Helene Redmond, Grace’s English teacher at her former school, St. Martin of Tours in Gaithersburg. Grace put in more than 600 hours building the “Speak Out!” program, earning the Girl Scouts’ highest honor—the Gold Award—for her efforts. She hopes the program will continue after she graduates, with the help of younger high school students she’s recruited. Grace, 18, is also a member of Good Counsel’s speech and debate team, and its chamber choir. She’s active in her church and has taken service trips in the U.S. and to the Dominican Republic. She realized at age 10, while helping to organize her grandmother’s surprise 70th birthday party, that she wanted to be an event planner, so she is planning to study hospitality management in college.
in Southeast Washington, D.C., to immigrants who are preparing for the U.S. citizenship exam. David Lopilato, The Tattler’s faculty adviser, says Andrew’s intellect and ability to analyze complex issues are matched by his social intelligence, humility and work ethic. “One Friday afternoon, we were all here late, grinding away at an edition of the paper, and Andrew learned he got into Stanford,” Lopilato says. “He didn’t miss a beat. It was like, ‘That can wait. We have a paper to put out.’ ” Andrew plans to major in Asian-American studies in college.
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DANI MILLER
Senior, Winston Churchill High School
ANDREA ARESTA-KATZ
Senior, Sandy Spring Friends School
When Andrea Aresta-Katz was 12, a family friend with the neurological disorder dystonia became unable to walk. Andrea’s mother told her that the girl’s insurance company had denied paying for a procedure that could have eased her symptoms. There are many forms of dystonia, but generally it is characterized by involuntary muscle spasms. Andrea has dystonia herself, but a far less debilitating and more treatable form. When she heard about her friend’s predicament, Andrea says she became “infuriated.” That year, Andrea participated in the Dystonia Medical Research Foundation’s Dystonia Awareness Day, joining a group of volunteers to educate members of Congress about the condition and to advocate for more research funding. The Chevy Chase teen has discovered a passion for medicine and genetics. “Over the years, she has grown into a role where she comfortably speaks with members of Congress and staff, especially explaining the impact on young patients and families desperate for help,” says Jessica Feeley, editor and special projects coordinator for the foundation. When she was 14, Andrea noticed that some lawmakers seemed bored during the foundation volunteers’ verbal presentations. So she produced a video featuring a teen with dystonia struggling to overcome the condition, then benefiting from technology, including a surgically implanted brain stimulator. It is shown annually to legislators on Dystonia Awareness Day. Andrea, now 18, has organized other fundraisers for the foundation, including an ice skating night in Silver Spring. Along with her sister, she creates and sells handmade soaps, and donates 10 percent of the profits to the Dystonia Medical Research Foundation. She has interned with the National Institute of Standards and Technology in Gaithersburg, where she coded genetic data to be used as a baseline for artificial intelligence. She also spent a summer at the Kennedy Krieger Institute in Baltimore, where she shadowed doctors and genetic counselors, and cut and froze spinal cords from mice to be used by researchers. Andrea, who is also an accomplished equestrian, hopes to become a genetic counselor. 104
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Following the mass shooting that killed 17 students and staff members in Parkland, Florida, in early 2018, Dani Miller wanted to take part in the National School Walkout to protest gun violence. Dani, then a junior at Winston Churchill High School in Potomac, couldn’t find anyone at the school organizing a walkout, so she did it herself. Within a couple of weeks, she had teamed up with students from the county to form a group now known as MoCo for Change. The group orchestrated a walkout and a march on the Capitol, soliciting the donation of a fleet of buses and hundreds of Metro cards to transport nearly 3,000 teens. MoCo for Change has remained active under her leadership, holding voter registration drives, participating in rallies and protests, and lobbying for gun control. Time magazine chose Dani, who lives in Potomac, to be part of its iconic “Guns in America” cover last fall. She received the 2018 Peacemaker of the Year Award from the Metro D.C.-Baltimore chapter of Pax Christi, an organization that promotes nonviolence. “It bothered me that no one [at Churchill] was doing anything after Parkland, so I thought, ‘Why not me?’ ” says Dani, 18, who is co-president of MoCo for Change. She is also president of Churchill’s Slam Poetry Club, and frequently performs with the DC Youth Slam Team. Her academic tutor, Llacey Simmons, says Dani has inspired her and her family to become more active in their community and to get more involved in issues they care about. After Simmons’ 6-year-old son listened to a recording of one of Dani’s speeches, he raised more than $1,000 to help the homeless by calling friends and family, and through requests for donations on his mother’s Facebook page. “He was inspired to see someone ‘young like him,’ and wants to be just like Dani when he grows up,” Simmons says. “She’s not just a model A student—she’s a force for change.” Dani will attend Pitzer College in Claremont, California. She hopes to become a documentary filmmaker.
TOP TEENS
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CHRISTIAN JOYA MELGAR Senior, Rockville High School
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Early in his sophomore year at Rockville High School, Christian Joya Melgar had an experience that altered the course of his life. The son of Salvadoran immigrants, Christian had spent his first eight years of school in English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes and was often bullied. He says he started high school “goofing around in classes and getting straight C’s in on-level classes.” But when he visited his cousin at the University of Maryland, something clicked for Christian,
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now a 17-year-old senior. “I realized if I kept acting the way I was acting, I would be working 12-hour shifts and two jobs like my parents, which is not what they want for me,” Christian says. “And I realized that just because I’d acted one way in the past didn’t mean things had to stay that way.” The Rockville teen enrolled in his school’s International Baccalaureate Career Program for his junior year. He started getting up at 4 a.m. to take boot camp classes at the Soldierfit
gym in Rockville, eventually losing 45 pounds. He set his sights on becoming a teacher. His first year of AP and IB classes was rocky, and he often visited his counselor’s office in tears, wanting to drop out. Still, he completed his junior year with a 3.61 GPA. “He sought help and persevered,” Rockville High School IB Coordinator Laurie Ainsworth says. As a senior, Christian is student-teaching a third-grade class at the Barrie School in Silver Spring as part of a child
KEIRA DIGAETANO
Senior, Richard Montgomery High School
Keira DiGaetano’s favorite moments are those when the students involved in a Richard Montgomery High School theater production gather before the curtain opens. “There’s a feeling of camaraderie. You know that even if the show messes up, the people are going to be there to support you,” she says. “Everyone understands—whether you are there doing it for fun or it’s what you want to do in life—you are all there giving it 100 percent, and that’s a really great feeling.” Passionate about all things theater, Keira has experimented with roles both on and off stage in school and local theater productions. She has designed costumes, acted, worked in lighting, directed productions and researched plays as a dramaturge, crafting insightful notes for playbills. “I’m a big proponent of directors having experience in every sector,” says Keira, who lives in Rockville. “Simultaneously working on and off stage, I think it helps you build empathy. Having both those perspectives helps me communicate better.” Keira says she likes how a production can create a platform to share ideas. “What I love about the theater is the space and energy makes you so comfortable to feel emotion,” says Keira, who plans to major in drama and English at Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, New York, in the fall. At Bethesda’s Round House Theatre, Keira has worked with a current playwright on a production—a rare opportunity for a high school student. “She’s an intensely driven young woman. She has a vision,” Round House Literary Manager Gabrielle Hoyt says. “She wants to reach out and drink up the world.”
development internship. He has participated in theater at his school and in leadership activities through CASA de Maryland, a Langley Park-based organization that advocates for Latino and immigrant residents. “I see myself as a very unique role model for kids,” he says. “I want to help those who look down on themselves to see themselves differently, so they can succeed.” Christian will attend Bucknell University in Pennsylvania on a full academic scholarship. BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM | MARCH/APRIL 2019
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ELIZA POGGI
Senior, National Cathedral School
As a member of the Choir of Men and Girls at Washington National Cathedral, Eliza Poggi sang at the funerals of President George H.W. Bush and Sen. John McCain in 2018. She has dedicated about 15 hours per week since sixth grade to the selective group (just one singer is admitted out of every five that try out) and has taken on a leadership role as a head chorister. “She works exceptionally hard,” says Canon Michael McCarthy, music director at the private National Cathedral School in Washington, D.C. “She has not been shy about speaking out.” Eliza chose not to participate when the choir sang at President Donald Trump’s inauguration in January 2017 for several reasons, including his anti-Muslim rhetoric and stance on climate change. She did participate in the inaugural prayer service. “I could reconcile that because no matter what side you are on [on] the political spectrum, you can agree the president right now needs some prayers,” says Eliza, 18, of Chevy Chase Village. Eliza’s interests include studying Arabic and geology. Her internship at the University of Maryland involved traveling to California’s Catalina Island to collect rock samples with a team led by Sarah Penniston-Dorland, an associate professor of geology. “She is a real go-getter, [a] quick learner, and is able to synthesize information quickly,” Penniston-Dorland says. In the fall, Eliza plans to study geology and geophysics at Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut. At home, Eliza helps her family take care of her father, Matt, a former U.S. Navy doctor with multiple sclerosis who became a quadriplegic the summer before her freshman year. The experience has taught her resilience and empathy, especially when dealing with others who used to annoy her with their complaints about how busy they are. “I have no way of knowing what’s going on in their lives,” she says.
AMALIA MARMOLEJOS
Senior, Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart
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TOP TEENS
Amalia Marmolejos grew up with the scents of her grandmother’s Mexican hot chocolate and tamales wafting out of the kitchen of her family’s home in Friendship Heights in D.C. She spoke Spanish with her extended family and traveled to visit relatives in Mexico and the Dominican Republic. A student at Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart in Bethesda, Amalia always knew her experience was different from that of her school friends, who didn’t have a lot of exposure to Hispanic culture. As a junior,
after attending the 2017 Student Diversity Leadership Conference in Anaheim, California, she made it her goal to widen her peers’ horizons, to assert her own identity and to start conversations about race and identity. “I came back [from the conference] thinking, ‘I can bring change to this school,’ ” says Amalia, 18. The star student—whose senior-year schedule is one of the most demanding the school’s administration says it has witnessed—became co-leader of Amigas, Stone Ridge’s Hispanic
affinity group. She set up “brownbag” lunch meetings, at which all students are invited to discuss topics such as sexism, racism and immigration. She helped revamp the school’s Multicultural and Diversity Festival from a parent-led event to one that is run by students. Amalia also lobbied successfully to have free tampons in the school’s bathrooms. And after the confirmation hearings for Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh, she began organizing a discussion with boys from Georgetown Preparatory School—
considered a “brother school” to Stone Ridge, and Kavanaugh’s alma mater—about consent and sexual assault. “Amalia is always pursuing the ‘why,’ ” says Stephany Fontanone, Stone Ridge’s upper school dean of students. “She’s constantly engaging others, and she’s not looking for an echo chamber of ideas similar to her own.” Amalia is also a member of the Nation’s Capital Swim Club, captain of her school’s swim team and an accomplished artist. She hopes to study political science in college.
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TOP TEENS JUBILEE ROBINSON
Whether she’s writing for her school’s newspaper or talking to her classmates, Jubilee “Lee” Robinson is working to change perceptions of the LGBTQ community at Watkins Mill High School in Gaithersburg and beyond. “I think the reason a lot of people are discriminated against is because people aren’t educated,” says Lee, who leads the school’s LGB TQ + Club and has written editorials for The Current opposing legislation that bans transgender individuals from using bathrooms that align with their gender identity, among other issues. “When I write, I want to give people the opportunity to step into someone else’s shoes.” Lee is the newspaper’s associate editor and the editor-in-chief of the school’s literary magazine, The Keyhole. “Everybody has something that clicks with them in their brain and it just makes sense. For me, it’s writing,” says Lee, 17. “I fell in love with being able to publish a story, getting feedback and knowing what you wrote mattered.” The teen, who lives in Montgomery Village and has two moms (her dad transitioned to a woman beginning when Lee was 6), says her own gender expression varies. “I don’t need to put myself in a box,” says Lee, who has tried to curb her peers’ use of offensive language about sexual orientation. During National Coming Out Day in October, she spoke to classes about how to support others who are ready to disclose their sexual orientation or gender identity. She also has written a guide to help students who want to come out. Lee’s efforts have helped create a more tolerant school community, says English and journalism teacher Sara Confino, who noted the LGBTQ+ Club ran out of wristbands and rainbow ribbon pins due to high demand during an April 2018 fundraiser for the National Day of Silence, a student-led movement to protest bullying and harassment of LGBTQ students and those who support them. “Watkins Mill is, without a doubt, the most LGBTQplus friendly environment I’ve experienced, and I do think a large part of that is due to Lee’s tireless work,” Confino says. Lee says she is applying for an ROTC scholarship and is considering majoring in science, math or engineering when she attends college in the fall. ■
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TEENS WERE PHOTOGRAPHED AT STONE RIDGE SCHOOL OF THE SACRED HEART
Senior, Watkins Mill High School
WHERE ARE THEY
O N W?
Jassiem Dingle, who appeared on the cover of the March/ April 2010 issue of Bethesda Magazine, is featured on page 115.
For the 10th year of the Bethesda Magazine Extraordinary Teen Awards, we checked in with some past winners to see what they’ve been up to since high school
BY CARALEE ADAMS BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM | MARCH/APRIL 2019
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WHERE Y ARE THE NOW?
2010 Extraordinary Teen
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E. Smith Jewish Day School in Rockville and Walter Johnson High School in Bethesda, Max Levine was devoted to the arts—from painting and digital art to playing the drums, French horn, piano, guitar, saxophone and baritone horn. He was also a competitive swimmer. He expressed a career interest in digital art or psychology.
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PHOTOS BY ERICK GIBSON
Max Levine
THEN: As a student at Charles
COURTESY PHOTO; 2011 PHOTO BY ERICK GIBSON
PHOTOS BY ERICK GIBSON
NOW: On a typical day, after his housemates leave in the morning, Levine practices his drums for an hour or two—getting in a zone akin to meditation. The 26-year-old is serious about his music, often playing in bars and clubs in Washington, D.C. In the afternoon, Levine turns to art—painting in his home studio in Riverdale, Maryland, or working on a sculpture at a woodshop in Rockville. His first big sale was a 16-by-14-foot wooden sculpture, “Trees are Beautiful,” that his alma mater, Wesleyan University in Middletown, Connecticut, purchased to hang in its visitors center. Levine’s main focus now is on a wooden sculpture commissioned for a Chevy Chase home. Evenings are devoted to private in-home art lessons for kids ages 7 to 17. Many of his students are on the autism spectrum, a population he worked with as an aide at The Frost School in Rockville. “Ultimately, my goal is to have a creative center of music and art—a family business with my brothers—a gathering place for people to meet each other and exchange ideas,” says Levine. “We would offer classes in things like painting, sculpture, woodworking and music.”
NOW: Lewis, 26, works in Kent, Washing-
Ben Lewis 2011 Extraordinary Teen THEN: Ben Lewis always loved building things, and he aspired to be an engineer. He was the captain of Thomas S. Wootton High School’s Rubik’s Cube team and completed internships at the Naval Surface Warfare Center in Bethesda and the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C.
ton, as a systems engineer at Blue Origin, an aerospace manufacturing company. Owned by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, Blue Origin is working toward opening up space to regular citizens. Lewis works on engineering and launch operations for the crew capsule for New Shepard, a suborbital and reusable rocket designed to take everyday people and payloads into space. “Space is just really cool,” Lewis says of his career choice, which was inspired by watching space shuttle launches while growing up. At Rice University in Houston, Lewis majored in physics and designed vehicles with the Solar Car Team. He interned at a lab in Berlin, Germany, helping build a new type of particle accelerator. While earning a Master of Science degree in aerospace engineering at the University of Colorado Boulder, he worked at BioServe Space Technologies, designing and building a microscope used on the International Space Station to study images of human heart cells beating under the effects of microgravity. “I have a strong feeling that part of our strategy as a human race—to combat global warming and to move forward as a species—is to, inevitably, move into space,” Lewis says. “Now is almost an explosive time in space travel. We are on the verge of making space travel really accessible and affordable.” Does he want to explore space firsthand? “Absolutely. I will ride as soon as I have the opportunity,” he says.
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WHERE Y ARE THE NOW?
Sarah Marx Levin, with her husband, Oded, studying in Israel
2010 Extraordinary Teen THEN: As a teenager in Chevy Chase, Sarah Marx (now Sarah Marx Levin) was home-schooled through much of high school. She directed a youth play at Round House Theatre in Silver Spring, completed a fellowship at the Folger Shakespeare Library in the District and interned at NARAL Pro-Choice Maryland.
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College in Annapolis for a liberal arts education that focused on the study of great books. The Torah, by far, had the greatest impact on her. Raised culturally Jewish, Marx Levin says reading the Hebrew Bible for the first time as a historical and literary text in college was life-changing. “I began to realize that my fascination was deeper than intellectual,” says Marx Levin, who wrote her senior thesis on the Book of Genesis. A week after graduation, she was on a plane to Jerusalem to live, learn and work in a Jewish community. She became an Orthodox Jew and still lives in Jerusalem, where she studies six hours a day with a group of young women who aspire to be leaders in their religious community. Last year she married a local man, Oded Levin, and she’s teaching him English. They are expecting their first child in May. Now 25, she works as a freelance writer, creating business materials for Israeli startups and translating text from Hebrew to English. “I love being able to read a page of the Torah and then say the same words when I’m grocery shopping,” Marx Levin says. “It’s a kind of fluidity between my religious experience and my practical life that I could not have anywhere else in the world.”
COURTESY PHOTO; 2010 PHOTO BY ERICK GIBSON
Sarah Marx Levin
NOW: Marx Levin attended St. John’s
Jassiem Dingle 2010 Extraordinary Teen
PHOTO BY MICHAEL BECKER; 2010 PHOTO BY ERICK GIBSON
THEN: At Rockville’s Thomas S. Wootton High School, Jassiem Dingle was a student ambassador, guiding visitors and greeting incoming freshmen, and was known for his smile and friendliness. He didn’t like to focus on the loss of his father in the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center, but said the experience made him want to become a “global citizen.”
NOW: Dingle, now 26, says his father’s death has shaped the way he thinks about life, family and relationships. “It made me feel you have to cherish time you have with people,” says Dingle, who works in marketing and advertising in Los Angeles. “The memory of my father has really helped me focus on what I want to achieve in life. Thinking about who he was as a person—how he loved life, he loved people, that smile—being that light in the room is something I take to heart and try to emulate.” Dingle earned his bachelor’s degree in international relations and the global economy from the University of Southern California. After graduation, he was hired by a global media agency to work on strategies for Adidas. Last year, Dingle took a job as manager of marketing and operations for The Seventh Spark Company, a startup that builds mobile apps and platforms for nonprofit organizations, including churches. The creative vibe on the West Coast is appealing to Dingle, along with the laid-back culture. “It’s about working hard but also enjoying life,” he says. “Who is going to lie and say warm weather, palm trees and sunshine are not a draw as well?” BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM | MARCH/APRIL 2019
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Sam Taussig
2011 Extraordinary Teen
THEN: In high school, Sam Taussig had a list of countries to visit and adventures he wanted to experience. He was a social activist who organized several community service projects, and was a supervising ambassador for LearnServe International, a D.C.-based program that encourages teens to lead social change. He had an interest in international relations and hoped to join the Peace Corps.
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Chevy Chase High School, Taussig has traveled extensively and is currently head of global policy at Kabbage, a nonbank lender with nearly 500 employees globally that caters to small businesses in search of working capital. The company uses data and artificial intelligence to assess borrowers and provide loans quickly. The 26-year-old lives in Atlanta, where Kabbage is headquartered. He travels to New York City, Washington, D.C., San Francisco, Brussels and other places, working with government officials and community development organizations on issues ranging from financial regulatory reform to privacy and the responsible use of data. Before joining Kabbage, Taussig worked on development and microcredit projects in Haiti, Zambia and Indonesia with various organizations. “I believe if you give people a little bit of financial edge with seed capital, startup capital or equity, they will do all the rest of it and follow their dreams,” he says. Taussig majored in economics at the University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee. He was considering a career in medicine, but vividly remembers adjusting his path after witnessing extreme poverty while doing relief work on a trip to Haiti in college. “I thought, ‘Why put a Band-Aid on this? Let’s go to the root solution,’ ” he recalls. “People needed economic opportunity.”
PHOTO BY DYLAN YORK; 2011 PHOTO BY ERICK GIBSON
NOW: Since graduating from Bethesda-
Caroline Queen 2010 Extraordinary Teen
THEN: Caroline Queen was an accom-
PHOTO BY MICHAEL VENTURA; 2010 PHOTO BY ERICK GIBSON
plished competitive kayaker who just missed a spot on the 2008 U.S. Olympic team. She was a straight-A student at Bullis School in Potomac and was interested in international relations and sports psychology.
NOW: Queen went on to qualify for the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. “It was very cool to have an opportunity to compete at that level,” says Queen, 26, who lives in Washington, D.C. A miscalculation on the kayaking course brought her competition to an early end. Still, she says she relished the experience and isn’t ruling out jumping back into the sport for the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. Queen earned a degree in psychology from Davidson College in Davidson, North Carolina, and has worked for Marriott International since 2015. She is a program manager for its Ritz-Carlton Leadership Center in Tysons Corner, Virginia, a management consulting boutique that helps organizations improve customer service and employee engagement. Queen says she didn’t want to flaunt her Olympic experience in college and have it define her, but over time she’s learned how to leverage and appreciate it. She says the discipline required for athletics has translated to the workplace and helped her develop new skills as a professional and to work as part of a team. She has shared her Olympic story with students at Bullis, Girl Scout troops and college sports teams, emphasizing themes of time management and integrity. n BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM | MARCH/APRIL 2019
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Capriccio Baroque Mar. 30 at 5:30 PM, May 2 at 7:30 PM, May 4 at 7:30 PM Chevy Chase, MD & Chevy Chase Washington, DC Capriccio Baroque is Washington’s premier venue for harpsichord music. Forthcoming concerts include performances of 17th century English music on harpsichord, muselar and ottavino by acclaimed British keyboardist Colin Booth, and a concert featuring music by J.S. Bach, Haydn, and F. Couperin performed by celebrated American harpsichordist Andrew Appel. Full program details and tickets on Capriccio’s website. Tickets available online only starting at $55 (includes complimentary refreshments) CAPRICCIOBAROQUE.ORG | 202-285-0323
CityDance Jun. 17 – Aug. 23, Ages 4 and up CityDance’s themed summer programs offer learning and fun through culture and creativity. Campers take daily dance classes, enjoy arts and crafts and get the chance to perform for friends and family! MD camps: summer@citydance.net | 301-581-5204 DC camps: tenley@citydance.net | 202-545-7207 CITYDANCE.NET
Summer Camps at Glen Echo Park Glen Echo Park Partnership for Arts and Culture Jun. 10 – Aug. 30 At Glen Echo Park WE ARE HAPPY CAMPERS! Camps & workshops for kids and teens (4-19) in visual & performing arts, aquatic life & nature, July 4th mini-camps, and more. After-camp programs, too! GLENECHOPARK.ORG/CAMPS | 301-634-2255
Camp Levine
Library After Dark Gala
LIBRARIES
TAKE YOU Friends of the Library, Montgomery County Rockville Memorial Library PLACES 21 Maryland Ave, Rockville, MD 20850 Apr. 13 at 7:30 PM Discover the library like never before at Library After Dark Gala, an elegant affair at the stunning Rockville Memorial Library. Enjoy an evening of fine food, wine, music, and delightful items from regional businesses in our silent auction while we celebrate Montgomery County Public Libraries and bestow those volunteers, staff, and philanthropists with the highest honors we award. Hurry, only 200 tickets will be sold. Tickets: $80 Members, $90 Non-Members FOLMC.ORG | 240-777-0020
Levine Music – MD Campus: Strathmore Session 1: June 24-July 12 Session 2: July 15-August 2 Join us for an engaging, fun-filled experience for children of all musical backgrounds through instrumental and vocal music, movement, visual art, theatre, games, and more! LEVINEMUSIC.ORG/CAMP | 301-987-5100
Gilbert & Sullivan’s Princess Ida The Victorian Lyric Opera Company Jun. 7,8,14 & 15 at 8 PM Jun. 9 & 16 at 2 PM Instead of honoring her childhood betrothal, Princess Ida founds a women’s university. Her intended infiltrates the castle disguised as a maiden. What could go wrong? VLOC.ORG | 240-314-8690
National Philharmonic @ Strathmore Sounds of New Orleans – Mar. 30 at 8 PM Byron Stripling, trumpet Piotr Gajewski, conductor Celebrate the spirit of the great Louis Armstrong!
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Verdi Requiem – Apr. 13 at 8 PM Danielle Talamantes, soprano Piotr Gajewski, conductor This powerful work unveils unsuspected depths in the human predicament. NATIONALPHILHARMONIC.ORG | 301-581-5100
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Facing
the Pain Four years ago, therapist Marjorie Kreppel suffered serious burns over 20 percent of her body. As part of her recovery, she started sharing her story.
M
MARJORIE KREPPEL SAW THE flame jump onto her right arm before she felt it. The pot she was holding crashed to the kitchen floor. She ran out the nearby sliding glass door and dropped onto the snow-covered deck. She remembered to roll—stop, drop and roll—but every time she did, she’d see fire somewhere else on her body. Her arm, then her leg. She kept rolling. That night, Kreppel had been in the dining room of her Potomac townhouse framing the diploma, license and certificates she’d received for her training and work in mental health counseling. After two decades in the food marketing business, she’d gone back to school part time at age 45 to become a therapist. It was Jan. 21, 2015, and she’d opened her own practice in Bethesda about a week earlier. The
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mother of three felt a surge of positive energy as she puttered around. Years of sacrifice had gone into this career move. She felt poised to take off. She’d hang the framed credentials above her desk and scatter a few scented candles around the office. Not just any candles, but a specific fragrance she loved. The candle she wanted had been discontinued, but she had an old one that she could melt and disperse into pretty glass containers. She tossed that one into a pot on her electric stove, set the heat on low, and turned her attention to the framing project. About 10 minutes later, the smoke alarm went off. Kreppel ran back to the kitchen and saw the pot engulfed in flames. She slammed a sheet pan on top of it, but the flames shot out around the edges. She shoved her hands
PHOTO BY LISA HELFERT
BY DINA ELBOGHDADY
PHOTO BY LISA HELFERT
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into a pair of oven mitts and carried the pot to the sink. The flames leaped higher. “I was thinking my house was going to burn down,” she says. “I just wanted to carry the pot outside.” She was moving toward the sliding glass door when she saw fire on her sleeve. Kreppel does not know what sounds came out of her mouth that night as she rolled in the snow—screams, moans, words, full sentences, maybe nothing at all. But she’ll never forget the voices in her head. Oh my God, what have I done to my children? It’s over. I don’t want it to be over. For a moment, she felt peace, a sense of surrender. But the selftalk returned. What have I done to my children? Then somehow, the flames vanished. The rolling stopped. Kreppel picked herself up and went back into the kitchen, her body wracked with pain. She saw her 17-year-old daughter, Jennie, standing 122
somewhere between her and the front door talking on her cellphone. That’s when the voices started again: What had her daughter seen? NEARLY FOUR YEARS AFTER the acci-
dent, Kreppel, 52, is sitting at a round glass table in her kitchen, wearing jeans, a navy blazer and a striped top. Her golden retriever, Riley, saunters in and out. She’s “living life again,” as she puts it. This past summer she spent time with her kids on the boat she keeps in Woodbridge, Virginia, pulling them through the water on skis and inner tubes. For a year after the accident, Kreppel couldn’t stay in the sun. She’s been traveling a lot—“glamping” with friends in Ithaca, New York, and vacationing in the Baltic region last June. She skis in the winter, another passion she shares with her kids, and goes running. There are no obvious traces of that
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harrowing January night in her house or on her face. Before she was released from the hospital, a friend replaced the burned chairs around her kitchen table so Kreppel wouldn’t have to see them. The only small reminder of the accident is a scuffed area on the wooden floor where the pot landed. The mark used to be a solid black circle before Kreppel refinished the floor. Looking at it sometimes makes her wonder: What if I’d just left the pot in the sink that night? The what-ifs still swirl around in Kreppel’s head: What if she’d known where her fire extinguisher was—and how to use it? (She now has one on every level of her home.) What if the fire had happened in her old house, where the nearest exit led to a porch with an awning that would have kept the ground clear of snow? What if she’d just focused on one thing at a time? “I feel like it’s my fault because I was
PHOTO BY LISA HELFERT
Kreppel (left) and her daughter, Jennie, were at home the night of the fire; Jennie was upstairs doing homework. Four years later, Kreppel is “living life again.”
multitasking,” Kreppel says. “I feel I was being so self-absorbed, framing my certificates and an award I’d received. It felt like it was all about me, an ego thing. Why was I even doing that?” Kreppel suffered second- and thirddegree burns over 20 percent of her body—on both of her arms, her abdomen and right hip, and some of her lower right leg. She had a few small patches on her upper left leg, and superficial to moderate second-degree burns on her face and neck. But she and her daughter didn’t know any of that as they waited for the ambulance that night. Jennie had been upstairs in her bedroom doing homework when she heard
avoid eye contact with her mother as they waited. “I kept looking down at her legs,” she says. “There were holes in her pants from the fire. I did whatever I could to avoid seeing her face—and the pain.” They could hear a siren in the distance. “They’re close,” Jennie kept telling her mom. “They’re coming.” When paramedics arrived, they placed Kreppel on a stretcher, cut off her clothes and gave her morphine. The pain disappeared. Kreppel cried a lot, and asked the paramedics to comfort her daughter. On the way to the Burn Center at MedStar Washington Hospital Center
whereas the inflammation caused by a large burn affects nearly every system in the body as plasma leaks out of the spaces around the damaged skin. The loss of fluid can lead to low blood pressure, shock and death if the fluid is not replaced in a carefully monitored way. In the mid-1970s, people with severe burns covering more than 20 percent of their body almost always died, according to the National Institutes of Health. But the statistics are much less grim these days thanks to medical advances. Now, patients with burns over 90 percent of their body can survive, the NIH says, though they often end up with permanent impairments.
PHOTO BY LISA HELFERT
Kreppel does not know what sounds came out of her mouth that night as she rolled in the snow—screams, moans, words, full sentences, maybe nothing at all. But she’ll never forget the voices in her head. her mother scream. She rushed downstairs. “I saw the fire jump on her shirt,” she says. She immediately dialed 911 as she watched her mom run outside to the snow-covered deck. She stayed on the phone with the dispatcher, who’d asked her to remain on the line, and when her mom was back inside, Jennie helped her to the front porch. Kreppel paced. She fixated on Jennie’s bare feet and felt an urgent need to find shoes for her. Two neighbors walked by. One of them took off her rain boots and gave them to Jennie. Kreppel was frantic, worrying about her daughter and what to do with her dog. Her neighbors urged her to stop moving. “I was in so much pain,” she says. “But I felt like I needed to be in action. I was very focused on what had to be done.” Her sons—Andrew, then 15, and Michael, then 14—were at their father’s house. Jennie, still on her phone, tried to
in Northwest D.C., Jennie canceled her mother’s patient appointments for the following day and reached out to her grandparents in Florida and a handful of close friends, just as her mother had instructed. Kreppel was calm by then, assigning tasks from the back of the ambulance as Jennie sat in the front passenger seat. Kreppel happened to have a meeting scheduled at Washington Hospital Center the next morning for some consulting work she was doing. “Tell them I’ll be early,” she told her daughter, trying to make light of the situation. Every once in a while, she’d ask the paramedics: “Is my face OK? Don’t tell me. Is it OK? Don’t tell me.” DR. LAURA JOHNSON, the burn surgeon
who operated on Kreppel, compares severe burns to ankle sprains. Both cause swelling, she says, but the swelling of an injured ankle is contained,
About 500,000 people in the U.S. receive treatment for burns each year, and roughly 8 percent of them are hospitalized, according to the American Burn Association. Approximately 73 percent of the injuries treated in burn centers occur in the home. Washington Hospital Center, where Kreppel was treated, sees about 1,000 burn patients annually and admits 600. Kreppel’s cousin, Marion May, remembers arriving at the hospital that first night—along with Kreppel’s brother. “What hit me was that smell of burned flesh—I was overwhelmed by it,” May says. Kreppel was on a stretcher, her body covered except from the shoulders up. “She was blistered, peeling, charred, and her beautiful hair was singed. Pieces of it were missing. But she still looked like my cousin, and she was speaking.” By the next day, Kreppel was practically unrecognizable. “One eye was
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swollen shut, one was a slit,” May says. “If you didn’t know it was Marjorie in that bed, you might not have known it was Marjorie.” Kreppel’s parents were at her bedside by then. Jennie returned in the afternoon, unable to get through the school day. She’d held it together until lunchtime, then broke down crying in the cafeteria and went to see the guidance counselor. “I remember walking into her room in the intensive care unit and her whole face was bandaged, and there was a tube up her nose,” Jennie says. “I didn’t realize how bad it was until that moment.” Kreppel refused to look at herself in the mirror, even when the nurses offered. She did not want her younger kids to see her that way, either, and insisted that her boys hold off on visiting until she was out of the ICU. To ward off life-threatening infections, Kreppel had to endure more pain. She remembers being wheeled into a brightly lit room—the “tank,” as it’s widely known in burn units—to get her wounds washed as she lay on a metal stretcher. Skin is the body’s largest 124
organ and the primary barrier against infection, so keeping burn injuries clean and covered is critical. Showerheads hanging from the ceiling sprayed warm, low-pressure water that peeled the loose skin hanging on her body. Even though Kreppel was heavily sedated, she says no amount of medication in the world could stop the pain. The cotton washcloths used to bathe her felt like metal bristles scraping against her skin. “Being on fire is so painful,” she says. “This was worse.” Her first time in that room was the night she arrived at the hospital, and she was there again the following morning— though she doesn’t distinctly remember each visit. On Jan. 23, day three, she was in the tank again, and then on the operating table for nearly seven hours. Johnson shaved the dead tissue from the burned areas of Kreppel’s body and then covered the wounds with a layer of healthy skin from her left thigh and lower left leg. Before that, the healthy skin was put through a mesher, a machine that expands the tissue so it can cover more surface area. The machine also pokes
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diamond-patterned holes into the skin, enabling fluids from the underlying burn wounds to seep through so the new skin can adhere. On her left leg, where the surgeon removed the healthy tissue, the exposed nerve endings led to pain that was the equivalent of a new seconddegree burn. For three days after the surgery, Kreppel was still so tightly bandaged that she couldn’t move, even to scratch her nose. The dressing is designed to compress the skin grafts and keep them from moving around. Her body temperature fluctuated, so she had to push a button to have a nurse adjust her blanket. Her arms were in stints. “I felt like a nuisance,” she says. Visitors weren’t allowed to spend the night. “I wanted the nurse to stay with me, but I didn’t feel I could ask her to do that. [The first night] was the longest, loneliest night ever.” Still, nothing compared to the horror of the tank, she says. For years, she’d push away any thought of it. “If it crept into my mind for a split second, I’d moan and shake,” Kreppel says. Until a few months ago, she never spoke of it.
PHOTO BY LISA HELFERT
Kreppel with her kids—from left, Andrew, Jennie and Michael—and the family’s golden retriever, Riley
KREPPEL SPENT 10 DAYS in the hospi-
tal. Soon after she was released, she went to one or two support group meetings for burn patients at the hospital. She also saw a trauma therapist around that time, but says the visit was pointless. She had no prior therapeutic relationship with that person and, knowing what she knows now, it was just too soon: She wasn’t ready for treatment. Instead, she self-monitored, applying what she knew from working with patients on anxiety, depression, grief and
says she distanced herself from her mother a bit after the accident. So did her younger brother Andrew. Seeing his mom in the hospital shook him, Kreppel says. At first, she didn’t recognize that her older children had withdrawn from her. She sees it now, though, and attributes some of it to disruptions in the family’s routine. After the accident, a stream of visitors descended on her home. Her parents moved in for a few months to help. “There were just so many people managing the kids, which
“It reminded me of how my body felt during the accident,” she says. “It put me into my body at a time I thought I was going to die.” She became hypervigilant about TV shows and movies. “The hardest thing for me is the visual stuff, when I actually see someone on fire, because I know what that feels like,” she says. All of these issues faded with time, though she still doesn’t watch fiery movie scenes. REBEKAH ALLELY, A BURN rehabilitation
therapist at Washington Hospital Center,
“I remember walking into her room in the intensive care unit and her whole face was bandaged, and there was a tube up her nose,” Jennie says. “I didn’t realize how bad it was until that moment.” emotional regulation to her own situation. After earning a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling from Marymount University in Arlington, Virginia, in 2013, she worked at a private psychiatric practice and for a partial hospitalization program that served families of troubled adolescents. She’d learned about trauma, but she had yet to dive deeply into it. That came later. Still, Kreppel knew enough to recognize that her extreme reaction to memories of the tank was a sign of untreated trauma, and so were her bad jokes. “I’d tell the kids how I ‘took one for the team’ by trying to save the house,” she says. These types of comments unnerved her youngest son, Michael, she says, but that was part of how she coped. Michael played caregiver—fluffing her pillow, making her coffee, bringing her blankets—in the hospital and at home. He made her laugh. “Mom, you look a lot better,” he told Kreppel about four months after her accident. “You used to be more red. Now you’re just pink. And magenta.” Jennie, now a junior at Penn State,
was hard for them,” Kreppel says. Jennie says family life felt chaotic back then, so she spent lots of time with friends. For a few months she wouldn’t even talk to her mother about what she witnessed the night of the accident. “I was overwhelmed by the situation,” Jennie says. “It was hard for me to stay [emotionally] connected to my mom and to talk to her about everything the way I do now. It was an unconscious thing.” Kreppel says her own struggle with the psychological fallout of the accident initially manifested itself in unexpected ways. She never developed a fear of fireplaces, grills or candles. She never had dreams or visual flashbacks about what happened, the way patients who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder often do. Instead, she kept hearing the self-talk and self-blame that filled her head when she was on fire. Walking across a road also spooked her, as did sitting in the front passenger seat of a car. Both triggered an anxiety-inducing “zero control” feeling, she says, especially when the driver got too close to the car in front of them.
was pleasantly surprised to receive a call from Kreppel this past summer. Allely had worked with her for at least six months after the surgery—pushing her to sit up, get out of bed and walk. (Burned skin shrinks as it heals, so Kreppel had to stay active in order to preserve her range of motion and dexterity.) But the two women had lost touch for at least a year after that. Kreppel called to reconnect and to enroll in a burn survivor support group that Allely hosts at the hospital. Before Kreppel attended her first group session, the two women met one on one. Kreppel wanted to know more about the tank: Had she imagined all that pain? “It was very validating to hear from Rebekah that many patients don’t remember their experience in the tank,” Kreppel says. Allely told her that some patients even hallucinate during or after that experience. “It validated the fact that it really was that bad.” The conversation marked a turning point for Kreppel. She began to open up about the experience, which reinforced what she already knew as a therapist: Telling the story is key to recovery.
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Dermatologist Cynthia DeKlotz marks one of several surgical sites on Kreppel prior to a laser procedure in November. The lasers are used to improve the scarring.
Kreppel is prepped for surgery with DeKlotz (left) at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital in November.
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“A lot of burn patients often feel that they did something stupid to cause the injury, so sometimes forgiving themselves is part of the recovery process,” Allely says. That process can play out for years. “It’s not uncommon to have burn survivors who are still dealing with some emotional or psychological aspect of their injury five or 10 years after the fact,” she says. Two years ago, Allely says, a “great looking, fit” firefighter told her that he dreads the start of summer because it means he’ll be in shorts, exposing the scarring he sustained from a fire injury a decade earlier. Kreppel hears similar anecdotes when she attends the group meetings, which include a mix of the hospital’s current and former burn patients. She hopes that sharing her story offers reassurance to others who are scared. “I feel like I’m with my people,” she says of the sessions. “We’ve all been through it.” It’s helpful to know that somebody else understands, she says, like the grandmother who kept wondering, what if her young grandson had been by her side when her barbecue grill exploded? The meetings are an education in how people tend to shove down their pain, Kreppel says. When one burn victim told the group that she sometimes locks herself in her bedroom for a good cry, another said that she refuses to hold a “pity party” for herself, and defended that position for quite a while until she suddenly stopped talking and started crying. In her own work now with trauma patients, Kreppel engages in Dialectical Behavior Therapy Prolonged Exposure, which involves having patients repeatedly recount the trauma they experienced in painstaking detail, gradually honing in on the aspects of it that are most distressing. The goal is to confront the fear. “It’s to allow the memory, and understand that it can’t hurt you,” says Kreppel, who now runs a group practice with 12 counselors. “The memory is safe.” Kreppel says she
PHOTOS BY LIZ LYNCH
facing the pain
MONICA GARCIA HARMS gradually tried to embrace this approach in dealing with her own darkest memories. Soon she hopes to work through the experience with a therapist. “The biggest thing I’ve learned about trauma from my own personal experience is that you have to deal with it incrementally,” Kreppel says. She feels she now has a better sense of when to push patients to confront their deepest fears and anxieties, and when to hold off. “I needed to be a victim before I could get to a place where I was ready to be a survivor.” WHEN KREPPEL FINALLY RETURNED
home on Jan. 31, 2015, adjusting to life outside of the burn unit’s protective atmosphere posed its own challenges. “The first day back was scary,” she says. “The thought of not having my vitals checked all through the night was frightening.” Her left leg wasn’t healing properly, and she developed complications. Changing her bandages was tough. Taking a shower required careful planning and pain meds. (Her mother helped with all of that.) Even the feel of cold air from the refrigerator hurt her skin— dashing any hopes of skiing with her kids anytime soon. As Kreppel tried to adjust to her new normal, her father suffered a mild heart attack in her home just a few weeks after she left the hospital, another devastating medical scare for the family. (He made a full recovery.) Sheryl Margolis, a neighbor and longtime friend, remembers walking into Kreppel’s house for a visit one morning several months after the surgery only to find her dressed for work. “She was going to see a patient,” Margolis says. “I was like, ‘Oh my God, you’re a superhero,’ and I don’t say these things lightly.” Friends and relatives say one of the cruelest twists in the ordeal was the timing of the accident, which happened just as Kreppel was opening her private practice and positioning herself to be her own boss again. Getting to that point
Principal
Family Law Attorney
HOW PARENTS’ MENTAL ILLNESS IMPACTS CHILD CUSTODY CASES
Mental illness is a broad term covering a wide range of conditions varying in severity. However, the rule and analysis regarding how any parent’s condition impacts a child custody case can be universally applied. The focus of any child custody case remains on the child’s best interest. Some of the questions to ask in analyzing whether and to what extent mental illness will have an effect on a custody case are: • Is the parent self-aware of the condition? • Is the parent willing to seek and adhere to treatment? • Does the condition cause symptoms that negatively impact the parent/child relationship? • Is the parent prone to emotional instability? • Does the condition cause symptoms that interfere with sound decision making capacity? • And most importantly, does the mental illness impact a parent’s ability to provide a physically and emotionally safe and stable environment for the child. Mental illness does not preclude a parent from being a fit and proper person to have custody of his/her child as long as the condition is managed effectively. If mental illness is an issue in a child custody case, it is important that a parent retain the services of a family lawyer experienced in handling these types of cases to navigate the delicate issues involved.
25 West Middle Lane • Rockville, Maryland 20850 301-340-2020 • www.steinsperling.com Monica Garcia Harms co-chairs the Family Law department at Stein Sperling. Her thorough knowledge and understanding of her clients’ circumstances and needs distinguish her approach to the practice of family law. Monica represents clients in complex matters including divorce, contested custody, support and property allocation. BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM | MARCH/APRIL 2019
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facing the pain
had been a lengthy journey for Kreppel, who once ran a mom-and-pop business for about a decade that sold Mexican food to supermarket chains. Eventually she put that business on autopilot and started looking for a second act. She’d been volunteering back then for the nonprofit organization now known as Autism Speaks—and was later hired to handle its event planning—when she started to notice how children with autism struggled to regulate their emotions. That sparked her interest in the mental health field. For the next few years, Kreppel juggled school and a few jobs to help support her children. By the time she launched her practice in 2015, she had a half-dozen patients lined up. Then the fire happened. It would all have to wait. She didn’t work for six months,
and when she did, she could only see one or two patients for a limited amount of time. Staying seated wasn’t easy. Her patients were kind and understanding, she says. One of them brought her a getwell balloon. For nearly a year, Kreppel wore compression garments custom-made for her legs, arms and abdomen to protect her skin and improve the scarring. At first, she’d hide the garments under her clothing. But by spring she didn’t mind wearing a tank top in public, and for her youngest son’s bar mitzvah she had green compression sleeves made to match her dress. “You have to have a sense of humor about things,” she says. She stopped wearing the compression garments after about 10 months, when she started seeing Dr. Cynthia DeKlotz, a pediatric and adult dermatologist at
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Washington Hospital Center and MedStar Georgetown University Hospital. By then, Kreppel’s wounds had healed, but the scars covered roughly 40 percent of her body. There were flat pink spots, hyperpigmented brown areas, and keloids—raised cords and nodules of thickened tight skin that extended well beyond the original wounds. “The scars were itchy and painful, and she couldn’t sleep on one side due to the discomfort,” DeKlotz says. “They were affecting her ability to fully extend and move her arms and other parts of her body.” Today, after undergoing at least 14 laser procedures, some of Kreppel’s scars have improved by 75 percent, and the rest by at least 60 percent, and they may get even better with more treatments, DeKlotz says. She used four different types of lasers to treat Kreppel, but the main one was the fractional CO2 laser, which breaks up and softens scar tissue by punching thousands of microholes into it and stimulating skin repair. In an operating room, with Kreppel under mild sedation, DeKlotz would sometimes laser the scars for up to two hours. “Before, your eyes couldn’t miss the scars on her elbows and arms,” DeKlotz says. “Now, you can glance at them and it doesn’t catch your eye. You just see Marjorie.” Kreppel says the scars are no longer debilitating, neither emotionally nor physically. She has a visual record of them on her laptop, where she’s kept many of the photos that she sent to doctors when she suffered a complication or when they wanted to see her progress. “I won’t say that I never look at [the photos] and wish it was different,” she says. But she accepts those scars now as part of her story. Every once in a while, she’ll just look at the pictures as a reminder of how far she’s come. n Dina ElBoghdady spent more than two decades as a journalist at several newspapers, most recently The Washington Post.
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In the Mo od for
Mexican We have a longstanding love affair with Mexican dishes and the food inspired by them. Here are 10 offerings that highlight the crunchy, cheesy, citrusy, picante deliciousness that keeps us coming back for more. BY DAVID HAGEDORN | PHOTOS BY DEB LINDSEY
ALAMBRE TACO WITH GRILLED STEAK AT IXTAPALAPA TAQUERIA
J
osé and Teresa Valdivia, who own Taco Bar—the Gaithersburg taco stand within a gas station that food world insiders have thronged to since 2003— opened Ixtapalapa Taqueria in June 2017. The handsome (distressed wood, exposed brick, gleaming open kitchen), stand-alone, fast-casual res-
taurant, also in Gaithersburg, pays homage to the street food of the Valdivias’ hometown, Ixtapalapa, a borough of Mexico City. Ixtapalapa Taqueria’s tacos are the stuff of dreams: Most simply feature an enormous pile of protein (such as chicken, slow-roasted marinated pork, tripe, grilled steak, shredded beef cheek and
short rib) on top of two warm corn tortillas. You dress the tacos as you prefer from a fixings bar that includes three salsas (hot habanero, mediumspiced red, mild green), pickled red onions, chopped white onions, lime wedges, julienned radishes and chopped cilantro. Our seal of approval goes to a taco that comes with more than just protein: the
alambre taco, on which the meat of your choosing (go for the steak) is topped with bacon, grilled onions and red peppers, and melted Oaxaca cheese. It’s a blessed marriage of a taco and a cheesesteak. Ixtapalapa Taqueria, 411 N. Frederick Ave., Gaithersburg; 240-702-0217; ixtataqueria.com
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<< QUESO LOADED AT NADA
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n November, Cincinnati-based Boca Restaurant Group opened its fifth outlet— first on the East Coast—of Nada at Pike & Rose in North Bethesda. A signature dish of the Mexican-influenced restaurant—a take on queso blanco called queso loaded—came with it. One taste confirms why the company refers to it as liquid gold. Chef Ford Barsi, an alum of Carmine’s in the District, explains how it’s made. “We melt smoked Gouda and sharp white cheddar cheese, then add Velveeta and cream cheese to get that crazy creaminess. Then we fold in our habanero kreeper salsa, made with corn, apple cider vinegar, roasted tomatoes, tomatillos, onions and habanero chiles.” The molten cheese goes into a copper Turkish coffee pot and gets an Instagrammable moment as it’s poured tableside into a bowl holding black bean purée, more habanero kreeper salsa (the heat “kreeps” up on you, Barsi says), pico de gallo and pickled red onions and peppers. When you dig in with the flaky white corn tortilla chips that come with the queso, you get a different flavor combination with each scoop. Nada, 11886 Grand Park Ave. (Pike & Rose), North Bethesda; 301-770-4040; eatdrinknada.com
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<< LOBSTER QUESADILLA AT MILLIE’S
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he allure of a quesadilla comes down to two things: crispy griddled flour tortillas and, in between them, melted cheese. Other fillings can be just about any ingredient under the sun, but it’s one that’s closer to the ocean—lobster—that intrigues us at Millie’s in D.C.’s Spring Valley neighborhood. “When we opened the original Millie’s in Nantucket in 2010, we took the bounty of seafood available there and wrapped it in a Mexican envelope,” says Executive Chef David Scribner, who co-owns Millie’s with Bo Blair. “The
lobster quesadilla was an instant hit.” It was also a hit at the Millie’s in Spring Valley when it opened in 2017. Inside the warm, crispy tortillas of the Steps Beach quesadilla (named after a Nantucket beach) are plentiful chunks of knuckle and claw lobster meat, cubes of sautéed zucchini, Monterey Jack and Chihuahua cheese, and oven-roasted tomatoes. On the side are two excellent complements: sour cream flavored with lime zest, and a salsa made with roasted tomatoes, dried chili peppers, jalapeños, grilled onions and cilantro. “There’s something luxurious about that lobster and the gooey cheese all melted together—it’s simple and delicious,” Scribner says. We concur. Millie’s, 4866 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, D.C.; 202-733-5789; milliesdc.com
TORTA CUBANO AT TACOS, TORTAS & TEQUILA (TTT)
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andwiches known as tortas are such a vital part of the Mexican culinary lexicon that they get top billing at Silver Spring’s Tacos, Tortas & Tequila (TTT), the first-floor fast-casual bar and eatery that shares building space with Buena Vida, its more formal second-floor sister restaurant. What makes a torta so distinctive, in addition to its bread (pan francés), slightly crunchy on the outside and fluffy on the inside, is abundance. TTT’s tortas—among them one with a crispy breaded chicken breast cutlet, avocado, black bean purée and chili peppers—have that in spades. The one we keep going back for is the Cubano, loaded with chunks of shredded braised-then-griddled pork (carnitas), salty Broadbent’s country ham from Kentucky, crunchy pork rinds, thick slices of avocado, a surfeit of melted Gruyère cheese, peppers, a slathering of mustard and, right smack in the center, a split and griddled hot dog. It’s a thrilling exercise in excess, with a snappy side of pickled vegetables (cauliflower, carrots, serrano peppers, onions, garlic cloves and red peppers) to boot. Tacos, Tortas & Tequila (TTT), 8407 Ramsey Ave., Silver Spring; 301-755-6132; tttrestaurant.com BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM | MARCH/APRIL 2019
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ENCHILADAS DE MOLE AT TIA QUETA
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t Tia Queta, a Bethesda mainstay since 1980, owner Roberto Montesinos knows most guests, sometimes three generations' worth, by name. A signature dish at the restaurant is enchiladas de mole—folded corn tortillas stuffed with roasted chicken that are sauced with traditional Oaxacan black mole, topped with Monterey Jack and mozzarella cheese and broiled until the cheese is bubbly. Raw white onions and chopped fresh cilantro are final adornments. (Montesinos hails from the Mexican state of Oaxaca.) “To make the mole, we mash mulato, ancho, guajillo and pasilla peppers using the same wooden mallet we’ve used for 25 years,” says Andrew Montesinos, Roberto’s 31-yearold son, who manages the business now. “Then we simmer that with a sauce made with charred tomatoes and white onions, peanuts, sesame seeds and raisins, and then blend it with an immersion blender until smooth. We add roasted plantains for sweetness and then, at the end, Mexican chocolate spiced with cinnamon and cloves.” It takes a full day to do that. Then they let the flavors meld overnight and cook the sauce even more the next day to concentrate its bold, complex flavor, evident in every bite. Tia Queta, 4839 Del Ray Ave., Bethesda; 301-654-4443; tiaqueta.com
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<< CHILES RELLENOS WITH TEX-MEX SAUCE AT CHUY’S
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he Rockville branch of Chuy’s, the Austin, Texasbased Tex-Mex chain with more than 90 outlets nationwide, feels like a momand-pop business. You’re greeted warmly, the staff is well-informed and gracious, and the food is mighty tasty. “We make everything fresh except the french fries, the ketchup and the push-pops,” says the location’s general manager, Michael Weser, “including all of our corn and flour tortillas. If there are any left over, we throw them out and start over the next day.” The Chuy’s dish that gets our top vote is chiles rellenos, a New Mexican specialty of stuffed fire-roasted-then-peeled Anaheim chili peppers. Although they are offered with a variety of fillings (including chicken or ground
sirloin), we prefer those stuffed simply with Monterey Jack cheese before being dipped in buttermilk, coated with seasoned flour and deep-fried to encase each pepper in a thin, crispy shell. You can choose from seven house-made sauces as a topping (they’ll do a free sampling and explanation of all if you ask), but go for the Tex-Mex sauce, which is actually a combination of two sauces: one a beefy, cumin-laced chili con carne, and the other a purée of rehydrated dried green chile peppers. Cut into the center, then let the cheese ooze out and mingle with the sauces. Chuy’s, 12266 Rockville Pike, Rockville; 301-603-2941; chuys.com
DUCK CONFIT NACHOS AT THE DISH & DRAM
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achos are the Jenga game of appetizers—before deciding which tortilla chip to pull from the pile, you peruse them all to determine which one will yield the most satisfying result. In Kensington, we’re crazy for The Dish & Dram’s version, which co-owner Zena Polin calls a mash-up of French and Tex-Mex flavors mixed with inspiration from Peking duck nachos at a San Juan, Puerto Rico, restaurant she once frequented. To make The Dish & Dram’s nachos, chef and coowner Jerry Hollinger braises duck legs in duck fat until tender (that’s confiting), then tops fried corn tortilla chips with the pulled and shredded meat, vinegar-andketchup-based Carolina barbecue sauce, and a blend of pepper jack and cheddar cheese. He bakes them until the cheese is melted, then finishes the dish with more barbecue sauce, scallion-laced sour cream, sliced house-made pickled jalapeños and pico de gallo, a zesty salsa made with tomatoes, red onions, cilantro, jalapeños and lime juice. The result, Polin says, is a trifecta of heat from the pepper jack, jalapeños and salsa, balanced by the richness of the sour cream and duck confit. It’s also the best-tasting Jenga game in town. The Dish & Dram, 10301 Kensington Parkway, Kensington; 301-962-4046; thedishanddram.com
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BIRRIA BURRITO AT GRINGOS & MARIACHIS
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he trouble with burritos is that too many places subscribe to quantity over quality. At Gringos & Mariachis in Bethesda and Park Potomac, you get both of those things in the form of a birria (short rib) burrito. The process of making this behemoth starts with braising short ribs for four hours in an adobo sauce made with rehydrated dried chili peppers (guajillo, morita and ancho), garlic, onions, cinnamon, cloves, thyme and oregano. Once tender, the meat is shredded and tossed in adobo sauce and rolled in a flour tortilla along with jasmine rice (tinted green from poblano peppers and epazote, a green Mexican herb), black beans, lettuce, queso fresco (a creamy cow’s milk cheese) and avocado salsa (diced avocado, lime juice, garlic, jalapeño and cilantro). Dip the burrito into the condiments layered on top of each other on the plate—green tomatillo sauce, red guajillo pepper sauce and sour cream. Ask for more of them—and extra napkins. Gringos & Mariachis, 4928 Cordell Ave., Bethesda; 240-8004266; 12435 Park Potomac Ave., Potomac, 301-339-8855; gringosandmariachis.com
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e love that Potomac resident Francis Namin and his homegrown chainlet Fish Taco, which opened its flagship fastcasual eatery in Cabin John in 2013, hit the nail on the head with the right concept at the right time, combining everyone’s craving for tacos with a desire for more healthful versions of them. (At least perceived as more healthful.) We say skip the signature taco with beerbattered, deep-fried fish; we much prefer the grilled cobia taco, the protein imparted with a subtle smokiness by the grill while maintaining its flakiness and moistness. The fish is served in a grilled flour tortilla and topped with chili lime sauce made with mayonnaise, toasted ancho and guajillo chiles, roasted garlic and fresh lime juice; cabbage and radish slaw dressed with seasoned vinegar for added crunch and acid; a salsa of diced mango, red onion, roasted jalapeño, tomato, cilantro and fresh lime juice for a hint of sweetness; and cotija cheese for a touch of saltiness to balance the salsa’s sweetness. Fish Taco, 7251 Woodmont Ave., Bethesda, 301652-0010; 10305 Old Georgetown Road (Wildwood Shopping Center), Bethesda, 301-564-6000; 7945 MacArthur Blvd., Cabin John, 301-229-0900; fishtacoonline.com
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GRILLED FISH TACOS AT FISH TACO
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CEVICHE AVENTURA AT GUAPO’S he regular menu at Guapo’s includes an antojito (starter) called ceviche mixto, a bright combination of cooked shrimp, calamari, scallops, cilantro, lemon juice and chopped jalapeños. But ceviche, the beloved preparation of (usually) raw fish cured with citrus juice that’s popular throughout Latin America, including Mexico, also gets its own menu at the local chain’s six restaurants (two are in Montgomery County), with 11 variations to choose from. One dish caught our eye as it made its way across the dining room: the ceviche aventura, a nod to Peru. It’s a generous mound of fresh raw tilapia, sliced poached octopus and perfectly cooked whole shrimp tossed with thinly sliced Peruvian red onions, julienned cilantro leaves and a sunny yellow vinaigrette made with lime juice, a touch of mayonnaise and yellow pepper purée. The delightful salad is crowned with cubes of avocado and accompanied by cancha (toasted corn nuts), a dollop of sweet potato purée and a salsa of red rocoto peppers. We like to mix the red pepper salsa into the ceviche for a kick of heat. ■ Guapo’s, 8130 Wisconsin Ave., Bethesda, 301-656-0888; 9811 Washingtonian Blvd. (RIO Washingtonian Center), Gaithersburg, 301-977-5655; guaposrestaurant.com
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Taking
Off
When acrobatic gymnast Nicole Powell needed a new partner, her brother, Shawn, reluctantly stepped up. Now the Bethesda siblings have their sights set on the 2020 world championships.
BY DINA ELBOGHDADY | PHOTOS BY SKIP BROWN
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NICOLE POWELL REMEMBERS THE crowd cheering as she confidently stood on her partner’s shoulders, ready to be thrust into the air. She would flip backward twice, her body curled into a tight ball, before landing on her feet. She’d nailed the move, a double tuck, many times before. But this time, at an acrobatic gymnastics competition in Milwaukee in 2017, she landed on her rear end. The 13-year-old quickly regained her footing and pushed through the rest of the performance, knowing that she and her partner had lost their chance of advancing to more competitions anytime soon, if ever. “I kept thinking: Why did this happen? ” says Nicole, now 14. “I just couldn’t believe it.” “Acro” gymnasts like Nicole fuse acrobatics with music and dance, Cirque du Soleil style. Unlike artistic gymnasts, they do not perform on the vault, uneven bars or balance beam. They work only on the floor, with at least one partner. Nicole, who entered the sport at age 10, excelled at women’s pairs. She and her partner of three years had earned a gold medal for their age group at an international competition in Poland in 2016. They’d been building on that momentum by the time they arrived in Milwaukee the following summer, but the fall crushed them. The mistake cost them a spot on the U.S. acrobatic gymnastics team, which meant they would not be invited to compete in any international events in 2018—including the world championships, widely considered the Olympics of acrobatic gymnastics, a non-Olympic sport. The botched performance also underscored a truth they’d been trying to ignore for some time: Nicole had physically outgrown her partner, who could 142
Nicole and Shawn, who teamed up in August 2017, now practice together six days a week for a total of roughly 20 hours.
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Clockwise from top left: Nicole and Shawn with one of their coaches, Brandon Cephas, at Xtreme Acro & Cheer in Rockville; Shawn, pictured with Cephas, had never done gymnastics before he started training with his sister; Nicole stretches at the gym.
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taking off
Shawn and Nicole at home in Bethesda with their parents, William Powell and Maryam Seifi (center), their sister, Nina Kimmel (left), and Nina’s husband and children.
no longer support Nicole’s height or weight, as often happens in the sport. Nina Kimmel, Nicole’s 34-year-old half sister and de facto manager, knew it was time for a change. She began an online search for other sports that might appeal to her sister, perhaps competitive cheerleading. She was still on her phone looking for options on day two of the Milwaukee competition as she watched a boy-girl duo (called a “mixed pair”) perform. That’s when the idea came to her. Seated next to Kimmel was her younger half brother, Shawn, who was 14 at the time. She looked at him and thought: He’ll do.
NICOLE AND SHAWN NOTICED the sideward glances from other gymnasts the first time they practiced together at their gym in August 2017, not long after the Milwaukee competition. “Everyone was looking at me like I was crazy,” says Nicole, now a freshman at Holton-Arms School in Bethesda. Her teammates at Xtreme Acro & Cheer in Rockville recognized Shawn. He was Nicole’s brother, the guy who came to all of her competitions and chatted with them at her birthday parties. Funny and likable. But also short and scrawny, especially for a “base,” the gymnast tasked with lifting, supporting and tossing the “top” gymnast, in this case, Nicole. “They looked at my size and they 144
didn’t think I’d make it,” says Shawn, now 16. “Nobody thought it would last.” Nicole’s coach, Juli Eicher, had serious doubts. “Frankly, I was in shock when [the family] came up with this crazy idea,” says Eicher, the acro program director and head coach at Xtreme Acro. She also had seen Shawn a few times before. He was almost the same size as Nicole. He couldn’t do a cartwheel, let alone reliably lift his sister over his head for a sustained period. But as Kimmel tells it, Shawn was Nicole’s best bet. “I knew we could motivate him, watch his diet, bulk him up,” she says. “That was within my zone of influence because he’s family—and he’s a sweetheart. Going outside the family for a partner would have been harder. …Plus, he happened to be sitting next to me when I was super desperate to find a boy.” At first, Shawn resisted. The thought of wearing a leotard intimidated him (“too tight,” he says), as did the challenge of mastering a sport in which he had no experience, especially since he wasn’t much of an athlete. He enjoyed playing soccer, but wasn’t a star player. Nicole and Nina, however, proved persuasive. They helped him fully grasp what he describes as the “physical and social benefits” of acrobatic gymnastics. Nicole puts it more bluntly. “He means muscles and girls,” she explains. “Lots of acro girls.” Shawn, a sophomore at
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Landon, an all-boys school in Bethesda, looks sheepish. He insists that he also wanted to help Nicole. “I’ve been around her all her life,” he says. “I knew I could do a good job working with her.” He figured he’d give it a try, and bow out if he didn’t like it. Early on, Shawn struggled to keep up with his teammates during conditioning. At practice, he could only do three or four push-ups at a time. “I’d always be the last one to finish anything,” he says. “It was difficult and upsetting, and sometimes I wanted to quit.” Brandon Cephas, the gym’s assistant acro coach and tumbling coach, kept him going. They tackled basic tumbling skills six to seven days a week, most notably the handstand, and worked on Shawn’s strength, stability and stamina. A few months into the training, Shawn noticed improvements. “I could hold Nicole up for a bit longer,” he says. “We kept working and working, and next thing I knew, I could lift her up with one arm, and all of a sudden we were flipping all over the place.” Shawn is now 35 pounds heavier than he was when he started, and at least an inch taller, at 5 feet 8½ inches. He’s developed six-pack abs and impressive upper body strength. Still, the hard work wasn’t enough to make up for the vast difference in their skill levels, at least initially. With her previous partner, Nicole had competed
in the 12-18 age group, an elite level that involves challenging skills and routines. When she and Shawn teamed up, they intended to compete one level lower, in the 11-16 group. But a few months into the partnership, as they approached a major competition in Las Vegas, their coach nudged them to drop one rung lower to Level 8, which is not defined by age but requires less demanding skills. “I was kind of relieved, because I knew we weren’t ready,” Nicole says, echoing Shawn’s thinking. When they got to the Vegas Acro Cup in February 2018, they blew away the competition, Eicher says. “That’s when we knew we were back on track.” In July 2018, Nicole and Shawn won gold at the USA Gymnastics Championships in North Carolina for mixed pairs at the 11-16 age level. Soon after, they were selected for the U.S. team that will compete at international events in 2019.
“It’s pretty unusual for someone who has no background, not even a gymnastics or dancing background, to progress to that level so quickly,” Eicher says. The Bethesda siblings have set their sights even higher for 2020, when they hope to be chosen for the team that will compete at the world championships in Geneva. At a family gathering in Kimmel’s Bethesda home one recent afternoon, Shawn and Nicole showed off their new leotards and ticked off the previous year’s successes. “We proved everybody wrong,” Shawn says with a smile.
COACHES AND TRAINERS WHO’VE worked with Nicole and Shawn say one key to their success is their connection on the floor, which helps sell the storytelling aspect of their performances to judges. Arthur Davis, the siblings’ Los Angeles-based choreographer, says acro gymnastics is a physical manifestation
of an intense relationship that requires immense trust—a confidence that your partner will catch and support you, even if you’ve had a nasty spat. He sees that kind of connection and understanding between Shawn and Nicole. Even as Shawn struggled to catch up to his sister’s skill level in the early days, she was patient with him. “She was willing to wait, and that’s a beautiful thing,” Davis says. “There’s a general ease between them.” Their mother, Maryam Seifi, says the siblings have always had each other’s backs. When family friends threw a party and relegated the children to the basement to watch television, 6-yearold Shawn insisted that the other kids make room for his little sister in the front row so she could see the screen. In third grade, Nicole confronted an older boy whom she believed was bullying her brother and told him to knock it off. That instinct to protect one another
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taking off has grown stronger since they teamed up for gymnastics, Seifi says. Nicole acts as a caregiver of sorts when she practices with her brother, who was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at age 12 and wears a glucose monitor that sets off an alarm on his phone when his sugar level is off. Early on in their partnership, she roomed with him when they were on the road so she could make sure he woke up to the alarm if necessary. Shawn acts as Nicole’s number one defender, recently pleading for leniency on his sister’s behalf when she set up a sleepover at their house without her mother’s permission. “I was going to take her phone away, but he talked me out of it,” says Seifi, a dentist who owns StarBrite Dental in Rockville and District Smiles in D.C. Like all siblings, they bicker occasionally. One point of friction is rooted in their personality differences, Shawn says. At practice, they tend to quarrel about things like whether she’s tucking her knees close enough to her chest during a flip or whether he threw her too low, both of which can lead to a fall. The falls happen often during practice, but rarely in competition. “If we fall on one of our skills, my thinking is we shouldn’t keep getting upset about it, but Nicole keeps getting upset, and that can lead to an argument,” Shawn says. “I’m a bit more laid-back than she is, even when it comes to school or doing chores. I don’t get stressed very easily.” Nicole says the disagreements tend to ramp up when they’re not nailing their moves in the weeks leading up to a major competition. “I get frustrated, and he gets mad at me for being frustrated, and then I get mad at him for getting mad at me,” she says. “Sometimes we’ll just finish the practice without talking to each other. It can be five to 10 minutes, or maybe longer.”
NICOLE’S FASCINATION WITH THE sport started in the summer before fifth grade, when she and Shawn spent the weekdays at their sister Nina’s house. Kimmel was busy tending to her 146
At practice, they tend to quarrel about things like whether she’s tucking her knees close enough to her chest during a flip or whether he threw her too low, both of which can lead to a fall. newborn baby, their parents were working, and Shawn seemed content to eat cereal in front of the TV all day. Nicole was bored, so Kimmel enrolled her in acro gymnastics classes, which eventually led her to join the Xtreme Acro team that September and commit to the sport year-round. “I loved it because it made me feel like I could fly,” Nicole says. A year later, Nicole was rushed to the emergency room after falling on her neck and spraining it during practice. The attending doctor declared an end to her gymnastics career, placed a brace around her neck and said she had to keep it on for six months. “There she was, an 11-year-old in a neck brace crying her eyes out because the doctor said she was done with gymnastics,” Seifi says. “She looked at me and said, ‘Mom, that cannot happen. It absolutely cannot.’ ” Kimmel, who manages her mother’s Rockville dental office, says Nicole saw a few doctors that week for other opinions. One suggested taking off the brace. He said keeping it on would weaken her neck muscles and slow her recuperation, so off it went. A mere 12 days after the scare, Nicole eased her way back to practice, and Kimmel became her manager by default, in part because she had a flexible boss.
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Today, the family’s life revolves around gymnastics. Kimmel coordinates Nicole and Shawn’s practice schedules, books their travel and helps select their leotards, which are custom-made in Spain. The siblings practice six days a week for a total of roughly 20 hours. A nanny takes them to weekday practices, and their father, William Powell, usually picks them up. “I’m basically a chauffeur, videographer, fan and check writer,” says Powell, who runs his wife’s D.C. office. Last year, Seifi arranged to have her annual staff getaway in Milwaukee so she could drive straight to Chicago afterward for one of Nicole and Shawn’s competitions. The siblings skipped a Thanksgiving vacation in Florida in November to squeeze in more training leading up to an event. The family didn’t even plan its usual Christmas getaway for the past two years because the kids had to practice. On the plus side, scheduling logistics are less complicated now than they were with Nicole’s previous partner. “At least we’re dealing with the vacation plans of one family instead of two,” Kimmel says. The demands of the sport leave little time for socializing. Shawn was transitioning into his freshman year at Landon from Cabin John Middle School when he
took up gymnastics, which left him with little time to bond with new classmates after school, he says. In the gym, he’s one of only two male athletes, so most of his social interactions are limited to the girls around him. “Everyone at the gym understands the time constraints,” says Shawn, whose former girlfriend was also a gymnast. A typical weekday for him and Nicole consists of school, practice, then two to three hours of homework before bed. So far, their school work hasn’t suffered, even though they’ve had to miss two weeks of class this year for competitions and a visit with their choreographer in California, their mother says. They’re mindful that they need to keep their grades up: Nicole wants to be a dentist one day, and Shawn hopes to be a mechanical engineer with his own company. (If acro makes them more attractive to colleges, that would be a plus, their mom adds.)
“A lot of my friends at school are athletes, too, so they get it,” Nicole says. “They know that when I can do something with them, I do.” But it’s easier to spend time with her acro friends, whose schedules easily sync with hers, and five of them hang out together away from the gym in the limited free time they have. She and Shawn don’t complain much about the toll the sport has taken on their social lives, though sometimes Nicole wonders what it would have been like if she’d chosen a different sport, like skating or dance, which attracts more boys. “I go to an all-girls school and I’m in pretty much an all-girls sport,” she says. At their gym, a nondescript cinder block warehouse with an open floor, mats strewn all around it and practice belts and ropes hanging from the ceiling, Nicole and Shawn are a fixture. She remains the fierce competitor who enjoys doling out advice to any young
gymnast who asks for it. He’s the guy with a smile on his face who’s quick with a joke to defuse a tense moment. He no longer stands out as a curiosity, though once in a while he’ll attract unwanted attention. “When his sugar is low, his phone goes off and the whole gym hears it,” Nicole says as she chalks her hands midway through their 3½-hour practice one evening this past December. Shawn can now press his sister straight into the air with one arm as she grips his fist with both hands. She maneuvers herself into a straddle position and he eases himself to his knees and then into a seated position, his sister still high above him. A gaggle of young girls practicing nearby pauses to watch. One of them mouths: “Wow.” ■ Dina ElBoghdady spent more than two decades as a journalist at several newspapers, most recently The Washington Post.
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interview
A CONVERSATION WITH
COLLIN MARTIN The professional soccer player talks about high school life at B-CC, coming out via Twitter, and being an openly gay male athlete in a major league sport
BY STEVE GOLDSTEIN | PHOTO BY EDGAR ARTIGA
ON JUNE 29, 2018, Collin Martin wrote a tweet heard ’round the world. Martin, a professional soccer player, announced via Twitter that he is gay. The 24-year-old midfielder grew up in Chevy Chase as a soccer prodigy. At age 12, he moved to Ohio by himself to train for 18 months at a soccer academy owned by longtime U.S. national team goalkeeper Brad Friedel. He later attended Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School, spent a year away at college, and then turned professional in 2013. He was a member of D.C. United for four seasons before being traded to Minnesota United in January 2017. In the public worlds of entertainment, media, the arts—even politics—such an announcement barely registers as news. Professional male sports are the exception. Currently, there are about 4,430 male athletes playing professionally in Major League Baseball, Major League Soccer, the NFL, the NBA and the NHL. When Martin came out last summer on Pride Night in Minneapolis—an event that celebrates the LGBTQ community—he was alone in affirming his homosexuality. Robbie Rogers, a former University of Maryland and professional soccer player, came out in 2013 but is now out of the game. Ditto Jason Collins, who played in the NBA and retired in 2014. Most recently, there was Michael Sam, who was drafted 148
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and had a brief career in the NFL before retiring for mental health reasons. Martin, who has just earned an undergraduate degree in history from George Washington University in D.C., is the next-to-youngest of five siblings. He still has a journal that he kept during fourth grade at Chevy Chase Elementary School. “I want to be a professional soccer player,” he wrote at the time, an ambition that never changed and was finally fulfilled, even though it meant being away from home at times for training and competing against older boys. Martin was raised in what he describes as a supportive, loving and religious household. (His family is Episcopalian.) His father, Gerard Martin, is an eminent pediatric cardiologist with Children’s National Health System in the District, and his mother, Roberta, is a pastoral counselor. Still, his parents were among the last people he told. Coming out is still a fraught decision, even in a supposedly enlightened era. For a professional athlete who has to factor in teammates, coaches, owners and sponsors, the equation is even more complicated. Bethesda Magazine spoke with Martin in November, during a break between soccer seasons, about his decision to come out publicly and the tortuous, emotional and courageous journey that he hopes may inspire other young people.
NAME Collin Martin AGE 24 WHAT HE DOES Major League Soccer player GREW UP IN Chevy Chase
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interview When did you begin to think that you might be gay? Maybe some people can pinpoint it, but it’s hard. I feel like maybe I knew as early as second grade. …I knew something was there; I just didn’t like girls. I didn’t know exactly what that meant. Growing up in a heteronormative world you’re taught this is what happens [dating the opposite sex]. When you think you’re gay, it takes awhile to understand that—especially as a kid. What was your high school life like? In high school, I had no thought of dating anybody, no thought of acting on certain feelings of wanting to get with a guy or letting it be known. I dated some girls in high school because I felt pressured. I didn’t want to date girls. I felt pressure from friends…a lot from my teammates. You could lie, or beat around the bush. The lying took a mental toll on me. I had to pretend, to be someone I wasn’t. It took a lot to keep up that lie. Fast forward…that year in college [at Wake Forest University] was hard for me, as well. That was the last real year where I was thinking: What’s going on here? Am I going to have to marry a woman? Did you think then of confiding in your siblings? Not at all. I always talked to them, but that topic wasn’t one that was open to me. I never felt comfortable talking about my sexuality with them until I came out. Maybe I didn’t feel it was OK. Maybe I didn’t feel that I’d be completely accepted. In the end, they were completely supportive. For kids now…it’s a lot more accepted, and kids are coming out earlier…knowing they will be loved and supported. And I would have been, too. It was going to be a big step for me, and it wasn’t going to happen yet. How did you deal with hearing homophobic remarks? I have a thick skin. I had a unique experience with that type of language because it’s language I would use as well as my dearest friends at B-CC. I knew they didn’t mean it that way, so I brushed it off. 150
Collin Martin, a midfielder with Minnesota United, announced via Twitter last June that he is gay.
My friends at the soccer academy would call someone they didn’t like ‘gay.’ It was tough for me. We have work to do with the use of that language. You spent a year at Wake Forest University. Describe your time at college. It was an interesting time. I had to grow up. I graduated from BethesdaChevy Chase High School in three years because I knew I wanted to kick-start my [soccer] career. I had an offer to go play for the TSG 1899 Hoffenheim reserve team in Germany or go to college and then turn pro. There was a lot I had to learn. I intended to continue at Wake, but in the summer after my freshman year [2013], D.C. United offered me a very good contract. Plus, they worked it out that I was able to transfer credits to George Washington University and continue my education. So how did you finally come out to your family? After I signed a contract with D.C. United, that first year I said, I have to figure this out. The first people I came out to were [gay] people I was meeting. During my second season, I told my two dearest friends from B-CC and some other friends, including my D.C. teammate Chris Rolfe, who went to Wake. They were supportive, of course, but at first they thought I was messing with them. But I was dropping lots of hints.
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I’d say, ‘Oh, that guy looks really attractive.’ Then when we were at our house in Bethany Beach [in 2015], my sister Bethany actually asked me, so I told her and my older sister, Erin, who wasn’t at the beach. I think my brother Trevor already had guessed, and my younger brother, Tyler, may have heard it from my close friends who I’d already told. They never urged me to tell our parents; it took a full year more before I told my parents. How did you approach telling your parents? That was the toughest for me. A lot of people knew, and I felt great; I was thankful I started this process. I actually told our best family friends first to gauge their reaction. To be honest, I got kind of a neutral reaction from the friends, and they said it might be hard for my parents to wrap their heads around it. A lot had to do with the religious aspect for me. I grew up in a religious family. When I told my mother’s closest friend, I got the support I needed from her—but it was hardly like, ‘OK, tomorrow go and tell your parents.’ She said, ‘I don’t know how they will react.’ And I knew it was going to be hard. And was it? I told them in the spring [of 2016], before my last season with D.C. United. The three of us just had dinner together. It went well, but it was very emotional over the two hours we talked. They were
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interview completely surprised; they said they had no clue. My mom was crying a lot. They had a lot of questions. Was I being safe? Did I need therapy to deal with the stress [of keeping a secret]? When I left them, I was feeling good. It was hard for them to hear that I told some of their friends first. But the crazy thing was, a week after I came out, I told them I was having a friend visit and asked if I could bring him to their house. And they said sure, no problem. And we started dating not long after that. And I dated him for two years—he was invited right into the family. During your time in D.C., did you have any guidance from anyone? I became friends with an older man. And then I decided I needed to find someone my own age, and I found a student at [a local college]. After a time, I told the student friend I was no longer interested. I was in the middle of my season, still deep in the closet, and he stalked and harassed me. He told me he was going to out me to journalists. It was one of the hardest times of my life. So I went to my older friend, who told me I had legal recourse. He helped me prepare legal papers, which I sent to the kid and his parents. I was so angry. I felt completely at the mercy of someone else. The idea of being outed like that…getting the decision taken away from you is pretty horrible. How did you decide on making a public announcement? It was Pride month in Minneapolis and I had participated in Playing for Pride [a fundraiser for LGBTQ causes], which was started by Austin da Luz, a North Carolina FC [Football Club] player who I knew at Wake Forest. A journalist asked me why I was participating, and I just said that I was supporting my friend. At this point, my Minnesota teammates knew—I had done a full season with my boyfriend around the team. At the same time, I knew that there was no male athlete out in the pro leagues. I didn’t want to be that guy, but I also realized, ‘Hey, I can be that guy!’
How did you choose the moment to announce? Our Pride [Night] game was at the end of the month [June, 2018] and I wanted to do it before the game. I had about a week to figure it out. I wanted to celebrate with the fans. My brother Tyler flew out to support me, and that was really nice. He helped calm me down when I had to do a television interview that morning. I had told my parents only a few days before that this was what I was going to do [go public]. My boyfriend said, ‘Do you realize how big this is going to be?’ He helped me get it on the local and national news. We wrote a nice tweet and it just blew up. It really blew up! I didn’t get any negative reaction that was super bad. I received lots of supportive messages from celebrities, like actors Gabrielle Union and James Corden. Before your tweet, did you consult with any of the other pro athletes who had previously come out? Not before. Afterwards, Robbie Rogers gave me a call, and that was really nice. It’s hard for a professional athlete: Why would you talk to someone who doesn’t know you? It’s a pretty personal thing. So no one currently in pro sports reached out, which neither surprises or doesn’t surprise me. I looked up to Robbie, and when he came out, I thought I wouldn’t have to. I thought I could just play in peace and quiet—but that’s not the case. Do you think coming out is more difficult for athletes in other pro sports? It may be. Possibly because of their sponsors—or a macho image. But it’s just as hard if you’re playing soccer abroad, in Spain or Italy or Africa. There’s not a single [male] person who’s out in any other pro league around the world. There’s so many soccer players who are in the closet and can’t come out because of their clubs and their sponsorships, especially in Spain. There’s tons. Do you wish you had been able to go public while playing in D.C.? No, it was just a matter of timing. The gay
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interview community in Minneapolis is incredible; big and supportive and welcoming. I didn’t know how large it was. That’s one of the things that’s been great for me. Both teams—in D.C. and Minnesota—have been very supportive, and both would have given me the same opportunity. Your announcement surprised many people. Did anything about the reaction surprise you? The social media reaction to my tweet. I had no idea so many people would care about my coming out. It still amazes me today that I’m the only male athlete out in the five major sports currently playing. That’s incredible to me. I’m glad someone is doing it. I wish there was more of me. The reality is, if you’re gay or you’re speaking out politically and your team doesn’t want you to do that… you’re putting yourself out there and it’s a disadvantage. In my experience, that hasn’t been the case. My team cares about my performance, how I play on the field. That should be the case in most places. But there are players who don’t want to risk it, and others who just aren’t there yet. Some may just want to keep it private and not talk about who they are sleeping with. A straight athlete is not expected to announce he’s sleeping with girls. Maybe [gay athletes] haven’t been accepted by their family, haven’t felt the love, so why would they expect to be accepted by the public? Did you think you might serve as an example to young boys who are struggling? When my coach [Adrian Heath] talked to me the day before my announcement, he said, ‘I realize this is bigger than yourself. You’re going to help a lot of people.’ That wasn’t the exact reason I did it, but it’s a big reason. And the messages I’ve gotten from all over the world support that. I got messages from guys around the league like Jozy Altidore and Landon Donovan. Plus I got thousands of messages thanking me for standing up for 154
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FAMILY LAW
gay people. I still get messages every day—it’s a bit overwhelming—some of them from boys or young men asking my advice on whether to come out. How do I respond? Do I have a responsibility to respond? That’s kind of hard. Why do you think women athletes have come out in greater numbers? I think they have the support within the team. Now that so many girls have come out, they know they can get that acceptance in the team. And that’s who you care about—the team. Who cares if the public doesn’t agree with me as a person, or people I don’t know don’t like that I’m gay? My teammates, the people who I’m with every day, that’s who I care about. There are tons of women [who have come out]—there’s a ripple effect. Do you want to play in Europe? As a kid, I always did. It might not happen, we’ll see. It would have been interesting how my career would have gone if I had chosen to play in Germany right out of high school. I don’t think I would have been ready for it. It would have been a big wake-up call. My career is just chugging along. I could probably go to Europe and play second or third division and love it. We’ll see how this next year goes. How about life after soccer? It’s interesting. My goal was always to be a professional soccer player. I never set goals beyond that, so now that I’ve achieved that, I have to figure the rest out. I just got an A-minus on my thesis, so I’m graduating now with my undergraduate degree from GW. I’ve been taking part-time courses at GW for five years now. I’ll have a degree in history. When I left Wake to go pro for D.C. United, I transferred my credits to GW, and for the four seasons I was able to get a lot of credits done. So for the last two seasons in Minnesota I’ve been taking online courses at GW. I’ve had an amazing professor, Tom Long, who helped me with online courses. My thesis concerns
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interview the Civil War and the Battle of Vicksburg. I really enjoyed my studies and I’m glad I did something I cared about. I’d like to travel, to interact with people. Have you gotten any outside work— endorsements, etc.? No endorsements. But a lot of opportunities have come my way. In November, the night before I left Minnesota to come home, I had a big party for a magazine called Essential Homme. Sponsors included Baccarat glassware and John Varvatos clothing. They were telling me I might potentially be doing some modeling stuff. So that and advocacy work. I spoke at the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) dinner in Minneapolis. I have another magazine shoot coming up. Do you enjoy public speaking? I’ve already done speaking engagements with Athlete Ally [a nonprofit organization whose mission is to make sports
more inclusive]. My first speech was in Los Angeles with USC and UCLA students, hosted by ESPN. We did a panel and I was asked questions—I was extremely nervous. When we broke down into smaller groups, I was more relaxed. When the students were told that I was the only male athlete out in the five major sports, they were amazed. It was cool to see their reaction. So there’s definitely a space for [speaking]. But it’s very difficult to do during the season. I’ve gotten pretty comfortable. The HRC speech was hard, but the gay crowd is pretty forgiving [laughs]. When you talk about your life, you’re not making any big proclamations. But there’s a learning process. I hosted a fundraiser for our governor [Minnesota’s newly elected Tim Walz]—I’ve gotten involved a bit in local politics. It sounds like you’ve had a good reaction to your announcement. There’s been almost nothing negative;
I’ve had a lot of support from the people I care about. You hope to make an impact. I’m pretty confident in myself. I like being a trendsetter, putting myself out there and maybe doing something that others wouldn’t do. How is it being home? Oh, it’s great. I have tons of friends from B-CC. We have our five-year reunion coming up, and I’m excited to see a lot of people I haven’t seen in a while. I’m very fortunate to have lots of people I can talk to. And I’m going to Europe with some high school friends. But before that, I’m going by myself to Amsterdam, just to go to the Van Gogh Museum. I’m obsessed with Van Gogh! ■ Steve Goldstein is a freelance writer and editor and the former bureau chief in Moscow and in Washington, D.C., for The Philadelphia Inquirer. The Bethesda Interview is edited for length and clarity.
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Source: Information included in this report is based on data supplied by BRIGHTMLS and its member Association(s) of REALTORS, who are not responsible for its accuracy. Does not reflect all activity in the marketplace. January 1, 2018 – December 31, 2018, as of January 29, 2019. Luxury is defined as homes priced $1 Million and above. Information contained in this report is deemed reliable but not guaranteed, should be independently verified, and does not constitute an opinion of BRIGHTMLS or Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc. ©2019 All rights reserved. Christie’s International Real Estate in select areas.
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WE THANK YOU FOR ANOTHER RECORD-BREAKING YEAR! Congratulations to Our 2018 Top Producers! • Nancy Mannino • Laura & Anne Emmett • Susan Jaquet • Lydia Benson • The Bob Moorman Team • Ken Bennett • Andy Alderdice • Robyn Porter • Marie McCormick • Kelly Bohi
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We look forward to working with you in 2019! Call to find out why 42 agents chose to join our office in 2018! • Offering our Luxury Clients specialized Christie’s International Real Estate Marketing • An executive Approach to Real Estate • A Top Producing Long & Foster Office with Award-Winning Agents • Serving the DC MD VA areas • Relocation Services
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What’s new in
REAL ESTATE
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What’s selling and What’s Not Homes sales are down and prices are up in Montgomery County, but the overall numbers don’t tell the whole story BY MICHELE LERNER
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home sales By the Numbers Highlights from home sales in 2018, and home sales trends in more than 440 neighborhoods
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Amenity Wars From pet spas and wine lockers to outdoor fireplaces and rooftop pools, apartments and condos are taking luxury living to the next level JENNIFER BORTEN/GETTY IMAGES
BY MARGARET ENGEL
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The Top Producers Meet the agents and teams that sell the most real estate in Montgomery County BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM | MARCH/APRIL 2019
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WHAT’S SELLING AND WHAT’S NOT Homes sales are down and prices are up in Montgomery County, but the overall numbers don’t tell the whole story BY MICHELE LERNER
F
OLLOWING A NATIONWIDE TREND,
Montgomery County’s housing market slowed in 2018, hampered by low inventory, higher prices and rising mortgage rates, according to local real estate agents. Home sales declined 4 percent countywide in 2018 when compared with 2017, according to Rockvillebased Bright MLS. The number of pending sales (homes under contract but not yet closed) was down 7.9 percent at the end of 2018 when compared with the end of the previous year. And the number of sales, pending sales and active listings were all below the five-year average, according to Bright MLS. The good news for sellers was that the median sale price was up 4.8 percent to $440,000, compared with about $420,000 in 2017. But the facts and figures don’t tell the whole story. Buyer preferences have shifted in recent years, resulting in more people seeking walkable neighborhoods, shorter commute times and homes that require
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less renovation work and maintenance. That evolution of buyer tastes means that homes in walkable communities and inside the Beltway continue to sell well, as do more affordable properties, while more expensive properties, especially in car-oriented communities like Potomac, aren’t moving as quickly. Potomac saw a 50 percent drop in the sale of homes priced above $2 million between 2005 and 2018, according to an analysis of Bright MLS data by Avi Galanti, a vice president at Compass, a real estate brokerage. In Bethesda and Chevy Chase, however, there was a 67 percent increase in the number of homes that sold for more than $2 million during the same period. Here are the key trends that are affecting the Bethesda-area real estate market.
Supply Is Down…
Multiple factors led to a decline in the number of houses for sale in Montgomery County in 2018. In December, there were 1,649 active listings in Montgomery County, according to Bright MLS, well
MARCH/APRIL 2019 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM
below the five-year average of 1,913 (but 5.1 percent above the 1,569 listings in December 2017). The number of active listings in Potomac was down 15.5 percent, from 148 in December 2017 to 125 in December 2018, while in Bethesda, active listings dropped 1.4 percent year-over-year, from 213 to 210. Silver Spring saw an equal number of listings year-over-year at 280, while Chevy Chase registered a 3.5 percent increase, from 86 homes on the market to 89. Inventory has been low for several reasons. For one, homeowners aren’t as eager to sell when they aren’t confident they can find and afford a new home, says Kara Sheehan, an agent with Washington Fine Properties. Low inventory becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy when people decide against moving up or downsizing because they can’t find anything to buy. Empty nesters, for example, face a conundrum if they own an older home that requires time and money to make it palatable to today’s buyers and also
PHOTO BY MICHAEL VENTURA
Homes in Battery Park and other neighborhoods near downtown Bethesda remain in high demand by buyers who want to leave their cars in their driveways and walk to restaurants and shops.
are unable to locate homes on the market that match their preferences. These homeowners are more likely to keep their homes than sell, which limits the number of properties available to firsttime or move-up buyers. “Baby boomers are not downsizing as expected because they find out that they can’t downsize their cost of living,” Galanti says. “If they try to sell their 5,000-square-foot home and buy a 2,000-square-foot condo of similar quality, they face a price jump and have to pay a high condo fee. So they just delay selling and stay in place, which reduces inventory.” In addition, the extremely low mortgage rates that many homeowners have hold them back from selling. A homeowner with a mortgage rate of 2.75 percent is less likely to want a new 30-year mortgage at 5 percent, agents say.
“Now that interest rates are on the rise, the cost of moving has become far more expensive, as move-up buyers have to face the prospect of abandoning their low rate on their existing home and taking on more debt at a higher rate to buy the next one,” says Hans Wydler, an associate broker at Wydler Brothers with Compass. “The double whammy is more than many families are willing to take on, which is one of the main drivers of the 2018 drop in sales.” Another reason for low inventory in the county is that new construction, particularly of single-family homes, has not kept up with demand—as is the trend nationwide, Sheehan says. The number of new home starts, which refers to developments where construction has begun, declined from 2017 to 2018 in Montgomery County by about 13 percent, from 1,245 to 1,079, according to
Metrostudy, a residential construction research firm with offices nationwide. Much of the active new construction is in high-density areas like downtown Bethesda and North Bethesda’s Pike & Rose, as well as Crown in Gaithersburg and downtown Silver Spring, where construction cranes at high-rise rental developments dot the skyline.
…But Prices Are Up
Low inventory has been driving prices higher for several years, which could be contributing to the slower pace of sales. “For the past several years, homebuyers have become more price sensitive,” Sheehan says. “They’re more discerning and don’t want to overpay.” The median sale price in Montgomery County increased 4.8 percent from 2017 ($420,000) to 2018 ($440,000), according to Bright MLS. In Potomac,
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“POTOMAC SUFFERS FROM THE ‘TOO’S’: IT’S TOO FAR AWAY, THE HOUSES ARE TOO BIG, THEY HAVE TOO MUCH LAND AND YOU SPEND TOO MUCH TIME IN YOUR CAR,” REAL ESTATE AGENT JANE FAIRWEATHER SAYS.
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the median sale price rose 1.8 percent, from $889,259 to $905,000. In Silver Spring, the median sale price was up 5.2 percent, from $380,000 to $399,600. In Bethesda, the median sale price rose 0.9 percent, from $857,000 to $865,000. And in Chevy Chase, the median sale price was essentially unchanged at $950,000.
Neighborhoods Close to Urban Areas Are Hot
While the number of homes sold in Bethesda declined 6.3 percent from 2017 to 2018, demand remains high for housing near downtown, resulting in higher prices there, too. “The Bethesda market has changed as the urban district has grown,” says Jane Fairweather, a Long & Foster agent. “Downtown Bethesda and nearby neighborhoods are in the right place at the right time now that the central desire of downsizers, millennials and even young families is to avoid driving long distances in traffic.” With more buyers looking to leave their cars in the driveway, it’s no secret that the most in-demand locations are in downtown Bethesda and adjoining neighborhoods where residents can walk to restaurants and shops, says Lauren Davis, an agent with TTR Sotheby’s International Realty. In 2018, the number of home sales in the 20814 ZIP code, which includes downtown Bethesda, were flat when compared with the previous year, but were up 18 percent over 2014. (See “Home Sales Trends” chart on page 174.) During that same five-year period, the average price of new homes in 20814 increased 15 percent to $1.2 million. By contrast, in the 20816 ZIP code, which is comprised of Bethesda neighborhoods west of River Road, the number of home sales decreased from 199 in 2017 to 174 in 2018 and were almost the same in 2014 as in 2018. While homes within walking distance of downtown Bethesda are in high
MARCH/APRIL 2019 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM
demand, some buyers who don’t want to pay their increasingly costly sale prices are turning to other walkable communities. Sales of condos are strong at Pike & Rose in North Bethesda, which offers walkability to restaurants and entertainment but is more affordable than downtown Bethesda, Fairweather says. Downtown Silver Spring—with an abundance of restaurants, shops and nightlife, as well as Metro access—has increased in popularity, too. In downtown Silver Spring’s 20910 ZIP code, average home prices increased 4.4 percent from 2017 to 2018. Up north, at Crown in Gaithersburg, new condos, townhouses and singlefamily homes in the Downtown Crown and Crown West neighborhoods account for some of the increase in home sales and listings for that area of the county. Nearly 540 homes have sold in Crown since it opened in 2013, or about 100 per year. In Crown West, a handful of townhouses and single-family homes are still available. In Downtown Crown, 65 of the 128 condos in The Copley have sold since sales began last spring. New condos in Crown East from Pulte Homes are expected to be on the market soon. Residents can walk to restaurants, shops, parks and activities in Downtown Crown and the adjacent RIO Washingtonian Center, and take a shuttle to the Shady Grove Metro station.
The Potomac Market Is in Bad Shape…
The flip side of buyers’ growing preference for walkability and access to public transit is that neighborhoods with longer commutes and plenty of land are becoming less desirable, at least among buyers with deep pockets. Potomac, known for its extravagant mansions on multiple acres, has been losing steam for years, according to real estate agents. “Potomac suffers from the ‘too’s’: It’s too far away, the houses are too big, they have too much land and you spend too
PHOTO BY MICHAEL VENTURA
Sales of larger homes in Potomac have dropped in recent years as buyers seek locations with shorter commutes and other urban amenities.
much time in your car,” Fairweather says. In 2005, 46 homes in Potomac sold for more than $2 million each, says Galanti, including 16 that went for more than $3 million. Those $2 million-and-up homes sold within an average of 112 days. In 2018, according to Galanti, only 24 sold for more than $2 million, and only seven for more than $3 million. “The average time on the market for a house in Potomac priced above $2 million in 2018 was 214 days, a 100 percent jump compared to 2005,” he says. Agents cite numerous examples of Potomac homeowners who sold their homes for much less than what they paid for them, including a home in Avenel that sold for $4.5 million in 2006 and recently was purchased for $2.85 million, even though the departing owners had spent $500,000 on landscaping and the installation of a swimming pool. Potomac’s housing market also is a victim of the changing preferences of younger buyers, according to Marc Fleisher, head of The Fleisher Group with TTR Sotheby’s International Realty. “Fifteen years ago, people said that places like Avenel were a great place to raise kids, had a strong sense of community and had
value because you could get more land for your money,” he says. “Now that the original owners are empty nesters and want to sell, the next generation that would naturally buy there would rather be close to downtown Bethesda or D.C.” Fleisher says many of his affluent clients have kids who attend public and private schools in Montgomery County and the District, so they want to live in a middle ground where the commute to these schools is easier and shorter.
...Except Where It’s Not
Despite the crash of the higher-end market, overall home sales in Potomac were up in 2018. In the 20854 ZIP code, which includes Potomac and small parts of Rockville, 538 homes sold in 2018, a 15 percent increase over 468 sales in 2014. During the same period, the average sale price declined slightly to $1.08 million, largely the result of the slumping values of upper-end homes. The reason for the dichotomy in Potomac is straightforward: The dramatic increase in prices inside the Beltway has forced homebuyers who want to spend less than $1 million to buy in the suburbs. In Potomac, properties priced in the
range of $600,000 to $800,000 are desirable, says Annabel Burch-Murton, a Compass agent. “In neighborhoods like Regency Estates, sales were up 123 percent between 2017 and 2018,” she says. “With housing affordability plummeting, many buyers have been pushed further out into the burbs, benefiting communities like Potomac and Gaithersburg, which saw year-over-year increases, while the closer-in and more expensive communities all saw a year-over-year falloff in sales,” Wydler says. In the 20878 ZIP code, which covers Gaithersburg west of I-270, including North Potomac, home sales and the average sale price reached five-year highs in 2018.
Buyers’ Preferences Are Changing
Today’s consumers want newer homes with open floor plans and a modern look, which means that unrenovated older homes tend to sit on the market longer unless they are priced low enough to appeal to buyers, agents say. Sellers need to decide if they’re willing to drop the price or spend money to renovate before putting their homes on the market. “Buyers’ expectations have changed,”
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“BUYERS’ EXPECTATIONS HAVE CHANGED,” SAYS MARGIE HALEM OF COMPASS. “THEY WANT EVERYTHING DONE BEFORE THEY MOVE IN.”
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says Margie Halem, a senior vice president with Compass. “They want everything done before they move in. They see HGTV and [the website] Houzz and they expect every house to have a current kitchen and bathroom.” Some buyers don’t want to spend the time it takes to renovate a house, according to Burch-Murton. “Buyers are very willing to sacrifice size for a quality renovation and a great location,” she says. “They want houses that are open and light, and they don’t want a yard.”
Condo and Townhouse Options
The area’s condo developments, with their range of amenities and services, are also attractive to buyers looking for a certain style of living. But while living in a condo in a walkable community like downtown Bethesda may seem appealing, some people are finding that the math in the current housing market doesn’t work in their favor. “Homeowners whose homes were once worth $1.5 million and are now worth $1 million are frustrated and not willing to pay the premium on a condo,” says Jamie Coley, an agent with the Heller Coley Reed team at Long & Foster. “They’re pulling back and waiting and watching to see if condo prices come down or their home values rebound.” The condo market is showing signs of the strain. The average sale price per square foot for condos in Bethesda, including resales and newly constructed buildings, dropped 10 percent in 2018 from the previous year, Sheehan says, while the number of sales declined 21.7 percent. In 2017, 355 condos sold in Bethesda at an average price of $416 per square foot; in 2018, 278 condos sold at an average price of $376 per square foot, she says. “Bethesda’s not necessarily ready to pay $1,000 per square foot for a condo,” Davis says. “That’s why the condo market is struggling a little and there’s inventory that hasn’t sold.”
MARCH/APRIL 2019 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM
“It takes a long time to build a condo, and in Bethesda, the building of highend condos has now outpaced demand,” Sheehan says. “Sales will probably pick up again in a year or two, when that supply is depleted.” Townhouses, on the other hand, are a “home run” for builders, Fleisher says, because very few new units are available. Among the new townhouse developments under construction are The Brownstones at Chevy Chase Lake, Grosvenor Heights, Westside at Shady Grove Metro, and Montgomery Row, all by EYA. At Chevy Chase Lake, 41 of the 62 townhouses have sold since sales began in July 2016. At the other three communities, all of which started sales in 2015, 123 of 142 townhouses are sold at Grosvenor Heights, 135 of 148 have been purchased at Westside, and 149 of 168 are spoken for at Montgomery Row. “This market in Bethesda and Chevy Chase is missing a lot of townhouses, so those that are in a good location, especially if they have an elevator or an elevator shaft to add one later, sell fast,” Halem says. “In 2017, 35 townhouses sold in Bethesda at an average [price] of $978,000 and for an average of 98 percent of the asking price. In 2018, 56 sold by Nov. 1 at an average price of $990,000, which was an average of 99 percent of the list price, so clearly there’s great demand there.”
The 2019 Forecast Is Uncertain
Hopes for a strong real estate market in 2019 in the thriving local economy are tempered by concerns about the overall confidence of consumers in the face of rising mortgage rates, a volatile stock market and political turmoil. Galanti anticipates a slight increase in sales this year because of the expected bump in listings and because more millennials are reaching milestones that encourage them to buy, such as starting a family. Adds Wydler: “The real estate market has generally been pretty flat the last couple of years, with a couple hot
PHOTO BY MICHAEL VENTURA
spots sprinkled around, typically around gentrifying neighborhoods in town. We expect the market to remain fairly stable and are cautiously optimistic that we may even see a mild uptick.” Sellers becoming more realistic about pricing is a key to a better market in 2019, Burch-Murton says. “People think the economy’s doing great and so they should price their house higher,” she says. “But this is an unforgiving market. If you have a place to sell that’s priced under $1.5 million and there’s not a lot of action, then that means it’s overpriced for its condition and location.” Sellers also should remember that “everyone is time-starved in this area and no one wants to renovate,” she says. “Buyers are willing to wait until they find the right place.” And that means sellers
Gaithersburg’s Crown development continues to attract buyers with its variety of housing options, including condos, townhouses and single-family homes.
will need to adjust expectations about how quickly they can sell and for how much, depending on where their home is located and its age and condition, agents say. “The past five to 10 years proves that we’re a vibrant market, but everyone needs to be mindful now of the downward shift in our market,” Coley says.
“Sellers are going to have to be more realistic about getting their homes in good condition, staging them and pricing accordingly.” n Michele Lerner has been covering real estate, business and personal finance for more than two decades as a freelance journalist.
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HOME SALES HIGHLIGHTS Which neighborhoods and ZIP codes have the highest selling prices for homes? Hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a snapshot of 2018 home sales in the area. Neighborhoods
Highest Average Sale Price in 2018*
KENWOOD FALCONHURST EDGEMOOR BRADLEY FARMS
Chevy Chase Potomac Bethesda Potomac
BRADLEY HILLS GROVE
Bethesda
AVENEL**
Bethesda
BRADLEY HILLS***
Bethesda
VILLAGE OF CHEVY CHASE LONGWOOD WESLEY HEIGHTS LANDON WOODS
Chevy Chase Bethesda Upper Northwest D.C. Bethesda
CHEVY CHASE SECTION 6 & 7
Chevy Chase
SOMERSET HEIGHTS
Chevy Chase
SPRING VALLEY
Upper Northwest D.C.
MERRY-GO-ROUND FARM
Potomac
MARWOOD
Potomac
ENGLISH VILLAGE****
Bethesda
CHEVY CHASE SECTION 3
Chevy Chase
WEST CHEVY CHASE
Chevy Chase
PINEVIEW
Bethesda
$2,787,143 $2,596,875 $2,507,667 $2,368,750 $2,201,018 $1,989,484 $1,909,857 $1,897,611 $1,802,500 $1,793,479 $1,789,500 $1,753,333 $1,748,115 $1,718,329 $1,715,625 $1,708,333 $1,703,000 $1,660,375 $1,659,038 $1,643,669
ZIP Codes Highest Average Sale Price in 2018 20016
Upper Northwest D.C.
20815
Chevy Chase
20015
Upper Northwest D.C.
20814
Bethesda
20816
Bethesda
20817
Bethesda
20818
Cabin John
20854
Potomac
20812
Glen Echo
20896
Garrett Park
$1,506,830 $1,408,017 $1,230,904 $1,202,748 $1,163,560 $1,152,143 $1,111,274 $1,079,830 $995,833 $868,855
Data is for single-family homes and was provided by Bright MLS and MarketStats for ShowingTime. Statistics generated on Jan. 14, 2019. Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed.
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MARCH/APRIL 2019 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM
*Minimum of three sales **Amount is only for homes in ZIP code 20817 (does not include homes in 20854) ***Amount is only for homes in ZIP code 20814 (does not include homes in 20817) ****Amount is only for homes in ZIP code 20817 (does not include homes in 20814)
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real estate
Data provided by Bright MLS and MarketStats for ShowingTime. Statistics generated Jan. 14, 2019. Information deemed reliable, but not guaranteed.
HOME SALES TRENDS In more than 440 neighborhoods
to account for misspellings and inconsistencies. Real estate agents may also 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. Bright MLS recently changed the methodology for calculating the average days on market; we did not include that data in this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s chart. Instead, the chart includes the average sold price to original list price ratio (SP/OLP) for homes sold. Sometimes referred to as the percent of asking price, this represents the average of the ratios for the gross sales price to the original list price for individual listings that closed. Some numbers have been rounded.
2014
2015
2018
2018
2017
2017
2016
2016
2015
2015
2014
2014 6
4
1
8
3
$1,111,667
$916,771
$1,495,000
$927,250
$995,833
85.1%
96.1%
96.5%
96.9%
94.2%
6
4
1
8
3
$1,111,667
$916,771
$1,495,000
$927,250
$995,833
85.1%
96.1%
96.5%
96.9%
94.2%
Alta Vista
7
22
18
16
11
$925,429
$998,680
$908,972
$951,377
$982,507
95.5%
97.8%
96.1%
95.4%
97.7%
Alta Vista Gardens
4
8
6
7
5
$1,035,000
$1,105,418
$1,252,292
$1,416,284
$1,313,000
93%
97.1%
96%
98.3%
93.6%
Battery Park
11
9
11
9
5
$1,100,345
$1,336,222
$1,298,727
$1,473,222
$1,249,222
95.9%
102.7% 96.6%
95.4%
99.5%
Bethesda Mews
0
1
2
1
1
NA
$1,452,235
$1,579,561
$1,600,000
$1,480,000
NA
100.2% 98.6%
100%
109.6%
Bradley Hills
6
10
12
9
7
$1,416,167
$1,840,900
$1,473,792
$1,513,556
$1,909,857
98.6%
98.5%
94.6%
98%
Bradley Village
1
2
1
2
3
$1,080,000
$1,224,000
$1,180,000
$2,635,000
$1,504,705
98.2%
101.9% 102.6% 100%
Cedarcrest
3
2
1
2
1
$770,000
$783,500
$650,000
$1,122,500
$788,000
100.1% 101.3% 100%
96.3%
98.6%
Columbia Forest
3
9
8
6
9
$1,218,333
$1,617,819
$1,596,250
$1,472,667
$1,375,485
93.1%
95.9%
95.9%
97.5%
97.3%
Edgemoor
8
8
12
3
12
$2,970,625
$2,043,125
$2,846,964
$2,893,333
$2,507,667
92.8%
94.1%
90.6%
87.2%
91.2%
English Village
3
5
4
8
3
$958,333
$1,206,500
$1,388,750
$1,469,125
$1,431,333
103.7% 94.6%
93.1%
96.1%
85.8%
Glenbrook Knolls
3
3
1
2
3
$780,142
$900,500
$1,100,000
$847,500
$931,667
98.2%
100.1% 94.4%
99.2%
96.1%
Glenbrook Village
15
8
15
14
9
$965,233
$857,125
$1,051,260
$927,246
$1,351,111
98.9%
97.4%
96.9%
98.8%
98.9%
Glenwood
5
5
5
3
4
$940,400
$794,303
$879,000
$952,333
$957,875
99.2%
97.4%
96.9%
99.7%
95.1%
Greenwich Forest
4
8
8
6
4
$1,104,625
$1,260,000
$1,327,688
$1,457,317
$1,093,000
89.4%
97.1%
95.1%
93.8%
96.3%
Grosvenor Heights
0
0
0
8
2
NA
NA
NA
$1,613,378
$1,514,000
NA
NA
NA
105.8% 95.1%
Grosvenor Woods
3
2
3
1
3
$1,050,000
$1,072,500
$1,098,600
$985,000
$1,030,000
97.2%
96.9%
96%
87.6%
96.2%
Huntington
1
0
2
1
1
$949,000
NA
$990,500
$2,100,000
$1,275,000
100%
NA
93.3%
100%
98.3%
Locust Hill Estates
5
8
8
10
9
$731,950
$918,988
$822,800
$807,600
$940,056
97.8%
92.6%
99.5%
97.5%
98.2%
Maplewood
3
6
9
5
9
$919,967
$645,750
$824,556
$919,600
$882,667
97.5%
101.3% 96.4%
99.6%
97.2%
Maplewood Estates
1
6
4
7
3
$839,000
$759,042
$749,125
$839,786
$901,667
94.8%
102.1% 97.6%
99%
96.7%
Subdivision
2018
Average Sold Price to Original List Price Ratio
Average Sale Price
No. of Homes Sold
2017
sold? The following chart answers these questions with data on the number of sales, the average sale price, and the average sold price to original list price ratio for single-family homes in more than 440 Bethesda-area neighborhoods from 2014 to 2018. 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. Also, real estate agents entering sales data into Bright MLS are not required to follow a standard nomenclature; where possible, we combined subdivision names
2016
ARE HOUSING PRICES RISING? Are more homes being
GLEN ECHO 20812 Glen Echo 20812 TOTAL
BETHESDA 20814
174
MARCH/APRIL 2019 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM
89%
98.7%
THE FLEISHER GROUP PRESENTS
7205 Arrowood Road
Unparalleled in its use of the finest materials and expert workmanship, this incredible new home constructed by acclaimed Magruder Companies and designed by award winning GTM Architects will impress the most discerning buyer. Exquisitely sited on a gorgeous one acre lot, the home consists of 12,000 finished square feet of incomparable quality. A traditional yet open floor plan incorporates transitional elements and is ideal for full scale entertaining as well as comfortable family living. A center hall foyer introduces formal living and dining rooms while the stunning gourmet kitchen opens to a sensational family room and adjoining sun filled breakfast room. A fabulous library/office can double as first floor master bedroom and accesses a private loggia overlooking the stunning grounds. Five suite bedrooms and an informal studio adorn the upper level including a deluxe master bedroom suite with dramatic "his" and "her" baths, fully outfitted dressing rooms and private deck. The fully finished lower level is complemented with family room, game room, theater, guest suite and large exercise room. Further enhancing the home's uniqueness is a spectacular pool house/guest wing with 12 foot ceilings, full service gourmet kitchen and private bedroom/bath with exposures to the gorgeous swimming pool and back yard. From the full service elevator, to the stunning exotic stonework and custom millwork, to the four car attached garage, no detail has been compromised in presenting this home of distinction. A once in a lifetime opportunity.
MARC FLEISHER +1 202 438 4880 cell
thef leishergroup
marc@thefleishergroup.com
MICHAEL KAY
+1 301 728 8858 cell michael@thefleishergroup.com
Mar 7205 Arrowood.indd 1
+1 301 967 3344 office
5454 Wisconsin Ave, Chevy Chase MD 20815
2/12/2019 12:22:17 PM
real estate
3
1
1
1
$734,900
$784,333
$1,377,500
$575,000
$880,000
100%
98.8%
2
1
2
1
1
$1,160,000
$1,000,000
$865,000
$900,000
$1,075,000
103.2% 84%
96.3%
102.9% 97.8%
North Bethesda
3
1
1
2
4
$886,667
$1,582,963
$820,000
$888,500
$1,107,175
93.3%
98.9%
91.2%
95.7%
North Bethesda Grove
8
9
3
7
5
$780,375
$850,611
$649,667
$859,579
$1,063,200
97.7%
95.3%
100.5% 97.1%
97.2%
Page Hill
1
3
0
0
3
$1,500,000
$860,667
NA
NA
$773,667
100%
95.6%
NA
NA
98.7%
Parkview
5
3
7
4
7
$686,800
$685,667
$723,929
$689,200
$765,000
98.9%
98.3%
98.7%
94.3%
100.5%
Parkwood
21
9
16
8
15
$809,286
$826,500
$882,869
$693,050
$891,254
97%
99%
97.5%
95.7%
99.3%
Rosedale Park
6
11
10
12
13
$916,500
$932,818
$730,620
$1,162,492
$1,052,827
94.8%
99.2%
100%
96.3%
98.9%
The Forest
1
1
0
1
2
$810,000
$750,000
NA
$944,000
$888,500
104.5% 96.8%
NA
100%
98.1%
West Chevy Chase Heights Westboro
2
4
6
3
5
$1,193,000
$1,395,000
$1,378,500
$908,333
$1,347,000
107.3% 97%
96.9%
96.9%
99.4%
4
7
2
5
2
$1,311,250
$1,070,643
$1,017,000
$1,495,200
$1,198,580
102.9% 100.5% 100.7% 96.4%
99.7%
Wheatley Hills
0
2
1
1
1
NA
$1,255,500
$1,490,000
$1,046,000
$1,900,000
NA
Whitehall Manor
2
1
4
4
8
$1,050,500
$2,290,000
$1,282,250
$1,739,000
$1,345,844
100.1% 91.8%
Wildwood Estates
0
3
4
2
2
NA
$861,000
$685,975
$1,167,000
$735,000
NA
Wildwood Knolls
2
0
3
2
1
$710,000
NA
$784,667
$777,000
$810,000
Wildwood Manor
10
16
12
9
14
$754,200
$762,000
$891,147
$769,556
$856,677
165 203 210 195 193
$1,056,720
$1,085,392
$1,149,282
$1,161,510
Chevy Chase
27
13
9
10
6
$1,304,196
$1,495,232
$978,967
Chevy Chase Commons
0
1
2
3
1
NA
$1,875,000
$1,255,000
Chevy Chase Gardens
6
7
2
3
4
$1,194,167
$1,202,857
Chevy Chase Manor
4
5
1
3
6
$834,375
$1,363,272
Chevy Chase Park
4
6
3
5
2
$999,500
$1,193,083
Chevy Chase Section 3
11
5
13
7
12
$1,128,450
Chevy Chase Section 5
17
14
16
14
16
Chevy Chase Section 6&7 Chevy Chase Valley
1
1
0
0
0
3
1
Chevy Chase Terrace
7
8
7
Donnybrook Estates
2
4
Drummond
0
Dunlop Hills Farmington
96%
93.2%
104.7% 98.3%
97.5%
110.1% 86.6% 95%
97.2%
100%
96.9%
106.4% NA
100.2% 98.2%
92.6%
97.4%
96.5%
100%
97.9%
99.4%
$1,202,748
97.6%
97.6%
96.4%
97.2%
97.3%
$1,627,975
$1,260,684
93.1%
95.5%
96.2%
96.4%
95.7%
$1,505,000
$1,550,000
NA
94.9%
91.6%
94.7%
91.4%
$1,510,000
$995,700
$1,511,000
97.4%
99%
88.9%
103.4% 99.3%
$2,150,000
$1,458,000
$1,070,333
98.7%
93.2%
93.9%
97.2%
95.8%
$2,064,262
$1,411,080
$1,340,000
113.2% 93.9%
95.2%
96.3%
99.6%
$1,394,500
$1,082,506
$1,449,143
$1,660,375
97.7%
97.9%
96.1%
94%
98.3%
$1,159,853
$1,275,571
$1,365,094
$1,340,029
$1,434,738
97.4%
95.6%
99%
94.7%
99.6%
3
$920,000
$1,355,000
NA
NA
$1,753,333
96.8%
93.6%
NA
NA
92%
2
1
NA
$713,900
$750,000
$717,500
$675,000
NA
96.9%
100.1% 100.2% 90%
6
7
$1,316,071
$1,473,761
$1,136,714
$1,211,167
$1,159,500
92.9%
93.4%
97.4%
2
3
4
$625,500
$664,875
$625,500
$700,133
$693,500
96.5%
97.6%
102.4% 98.1%
95.1%
2
1
0
6
NA
$2,675,000
$1,500,000
NA
$1,469,167
NA
97.2%
78.9%
NA
98.8%
6
4
7
5
5
$912,417
$863,000
$894,357
$904,600
$1,098,800
100.9% 88.1%
96.6%
101.6% 96.4%
1
1
1
3
4
$1,599,000
$830,000
$1,385,000
$1,089,667
$1,605,000
100%
64.1%
90.2%
95.2%
91.7%
Kenwood
16
12
9
13
7
$2,145,406
$1,985,000
$1,997,778
$2,209,769
$2,787,143
91.9%
93.9%
94.7%
92.4%
92.9%
Martins Additions
14
9
17
20
12
$1,109,264
$1,430,683
$1,180,706
$1,181,375
$1,235,103
97.2%
97.3%
96%
97.3%
Meadowbrook Village
1
1
1
0
4
$825,000
$1,288,000
$820,000
NA
$820,863
97.1%
99.5%
102.6% NA
North Chevy Chase
5
10
19
6
5
$758,500
$844,070
$818,447
$979,567
$881,700
99.2%
99.3%
97.7%
Norwood Heights
5
3
6
2
3
$1,607,800
$1,409,167
$1,515,583
$1,047,500
$1,081,333
98.4%
97.3%
96%
97.4%
104.6%
Park View Estates
4
1
2
1
1
$933,750
$957,000
$1,166,500
$1,600,000
$1,137,000
94%
103.5% 87.5%
88.9%
99%
Parkcrest
0
1
2
2
1
NA
$915,000
$827,500
$737,500
$795,000
NA
101.7% 97.7%
93.5%
100%
Pinehurst Village
5
6
5
6
4
$1,001,400
$1,083,500
$823,700
$886,667
$882,500
99%
94%
93.9%
99.4%
101.4%
Ridgewood Village
5
3
1
1
3
$1,168,400
$949,500
$1,850,000
$1,575,000
$1,323,000
97.4%
96.1%
100.1% 96.9%
98.9%
Rock Creek Forest
20
21
20
12
14
$811,860
$722,476
$701,795
$753,865
$789,393
99.3%
97.3%
99%
99%
101%
Rock Creek Knolls
6
7
4
1
4
$638,500
$699,429
$758,750
$570,000
$747,928
100.9% 98.4%
97.8%
91.2%
99.8%
Rollingwood
12
9
10
10
8
$1,307,688
$1,363,722
$1,096,950
$1,012,300
$1,404,500
95.6%
98.5%
97.4%
97.2%
103.4%
Rollingwood Terrace
0
0
2
0
4
NA
NA
$1,024,500
NA
$1,161,000
NA
NA
96.2%
NA
90.9%
Sacks
1
0
1
2
2
$900,000
NA
$1,225,000
$2,055,000
$1,212,500
100%
NA
111.4% 96.1%
20814 TOTAL
96.3%
2018
2015
1
Meadowbrook Village
98.7%
2017
2014
2018
2018
2017
2017
2016
2016
2015
2015
2014
2014
Maplewood Manor
Subdivision
2016
Average Sold Price to Original List Price Ratio
Average Sale Price
No. of Homes Sold
100.6% 102%
CHEVY CHASE 20815
176
MARCH/APRIL 2019 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM
102.1% 101.6%
92.4% 101.3%
104.4% 100.7%
121.6%
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181112-SSB_UpdateYourStatus.indd 1
11/13/18 9:38 AM
real estate 2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2018
13
7
14
13
$2,206,364
$1,803,346
$1,620,087
$1,368,121
$1,748,115
96.4%
93.5%
99.9%
93.2%
99.9%
4
5
2
0
3
$694,125
$1,026,200
$1,022,500
NA
$747,667
97.1%
98.8%
90.9%
NA
96.8%
Town of Chevy Chase
19
35
37
30
32
$1,311,523
$1,309,771
$1,501,457
$1,387,950
$1,452,647
97.3%
96.9%
97.8%
95.6%
98.5%
Village of Chevy Chase
24
22
28
31
27
$1,894,619
$1,779,132
$1,860,018
$1,654,129
$1,897,611
96%
94.5%
94.7%
95.5%
95%
West Chevy Chase
3
4
5
8
5
$1,809,000
$1,260,073
$1,202,000
$1,396,875
$1,659,038
99.2%
104.6% 105%
95.8%
92.5%
256 251 259 245 243
$1,290,775
$1,285,821
$1,255,600
$1,327,302
$1,408,017
96.8%
96.3%
96.7%
97.8%
Brookdale
4
3
3
1
2
$896,250
$1,033,333
$1,205,667
$674,000
$985,001
95%
100.4% 100%
90%
103.4%
Brookmont
3
4
4
5
5
$1,133,333
$1,236,250
$1,016,500
$1,583,000
$1,288,000
90%
100.8% 98.4%
99.8%
97%
Crestview
5
6
8
7
7
$843,900
$753,333
$724,250
$940,286
$921,328
101.3% 92%
96.4%
100.1% 98.9%
Fairway Hills
2
4
3
5
2
$759,335
$1,195,722
$800,667
$811,000
$1,130,000
100.6% 99.8%
97.4%
106.1% 98.2%
Fort Sumner
6
4
6
7
3
$1,215,833
$966,750
$1,015,000
$1,175,000
$1,034,667
98.1%
97.3%
99.1%
96.5%
Glen Cove
4
1
4
4
3
$1,094,000
$730,000
$1,267,000
$1,254,031
$1,323,333
96.3%
100.7% 97.8%
100.7% 100%
Glen Echo Heights
29
29
29
32
33
$1,239,910
$1,242,417
$1,188,580
$1,093,609
$1,276,846
98%
93.8%
96.8%
96.4%
97.1%
Glen Mar Park
11
6
10
12
8
$1,123,364
$1,250,667
$1,116,300
$976,195
$1,013,063
98.2%
98.5%
97.1%
96.7%
99.1%
Greenacres
3
6
7
6
8
$655,500
$894,833
$817,314
$872,567
$1,170,625
99.9%
96.1%
97.8%
100.5% 101.7%
High Point
2
3
2
3
1
$923,500
$887,333
$1,727,500
$909,333
$945,000
106.3% 100.9% 98.4%
Mass. Ave. Hills
7
3
4
3
2
$890,786
$1,169,667
$1,037,500
$1,095,000
$1,210,000
99.8%
91.4%
99.6%
93.1%
97.3%
Spring Hill
0
0
2
1
2
NA
NA
$1,562,500
$2,850,000
$1,667,500
NA
NA
94.5%
96.6%
99%
Springfield
20
12
23
22
15
$969,600
$989,500
$1,034,087
$1,340,091
$1,105,602
98.4%
97.6%
96.6%
99.2%
98.3%
Sumner
17
11
26
15
15
$1,138,588
$1,064,045
$1,128,635
$1,204,000
$1,177,067
98.1%
97.3%
97.9%
96.6%
99.7%
Tulip Hill
0
5
3
3
5
NA
$1,576,000
$1,141,667
$2,256,633
$1,164,500
NA
93.1%
93.3%
96.6%
94.9%
Westgate
12
11
7
19
7
$947,333
$1,019,591
$1,049,290
$1,074,526
$1,197,678
97.3%
97%
106.8% 97.8%
99.7%
Westhaven
3
2
5
3
4
$1,031,667
$947,500
$1,153,800
$1,084,667
$1,102,500
100.8% 101.2% 97.3%
91.8%
99.5%
Westmoreland Hills
17
23
22
22
20
$1,309,118
$1,263,522
$1,261,864
$1,466,852
$1,357,375
95.5%
98%
99.8%
Westwood
4
6
5
1
3
$1,093,875
$1,027,833
$1,137,000
$839,000
$1,581,667
102.2% 97.8%
99.6%
100%
95.1%
Woodacres
12
10
14
18
21
$961,180
$1,022,173
$883,561
$950,608
$943,518
99.7%
99.4%
100%
100.2%
Yorktown Village
2
3
4
1
1
97%
2017
2017
2016
2016
2014
2015
11
Springhill
20815 TOTAL
2018
2014
Somerset Heights
Subdivision
2015
Average Sold Price to Original List Price Ratio
Average Sale Price
No. of Homes Sold
BETHESDA 20816
96.7%
98.4%
96.8%
100.2%
100.4% 97.9%
$915,554
$777,333
$985,000
$950,000
$915,000
104.4% 100.1% 100.8% 89.6%
104.6%
172 164 199 199 174
$1,092,490
$1,133,544
$1,098,822
$1,176,286
$1,163,560
98.2%
98.8%
Al Marah
5
3
8
3
1
$1,170,840
$1,050,000
$998,063
$1,031,667
$1,001,000
Alta Vista
6
3
9
5
4
$956,250
$794,667
$920,216
$911,980
$853,250
Alta Vista Terrace
9
18
10
14
6
$833,889
$982,813
$1,075,900
$1,011,600
$993,333
92.9%
99.7%
Arrowood
1
1
1
2
3
$1,055,000
$1,162,625
$1,880,000
$1,515,000
$1,166,667
92.1%
84.6%
100.3% 88.5%
93.3%
Ashburton
24
25
23
25
22
$690,250
$690,454
$754,857
$749,396
$766,500
97.8%
97.5%
100.1% 99.4%
97.6%
Ashleigh
0
4
6
2
3
NA
$1,233,000
$945,833
$1,032,500
$1,148,667
NA
94%
95.1%
94.9%
98.5%
Avenel
11
18
15
6
16
$1,566,727
$1,486,581
$1,617,700
$1,442,500
$1,989,484
94.8%
89.3%
94.1%
93.2%
93.6%
Ayrlawn
11
16
10
6
10
$1,046,071
$1,111,965
$1,147,603
$1,053,250
$1,148,350
98.8%
97.9%
97.1%
99.5%
96.9%
Bannockburn
12
13
16
19
5
$971,277
$973,146
$1,340,906
$1,297,126
$835,000
94%
95.5%
97.6%
94.8%
98.1%
Bannockburn Estates
4
10
5
7
6
$1,301,250
$1,231,000
$1,142,000
$1,464,214
$1,115,833
93.2%
91.3%
94.3%
92.5%
90.1%
Bannockburn Heights
1
3
4
8
4
$901,000
$2,146,333
$1,506,250
$1,421,250
$1,384,725
100.1% 95.4%
93.9%
88.2%
98.1%
Bradley Hills
3
6
4
7
3
$1,511,333
$1,560,417
$996,000
$1,312,143
$1,358,100
98.6%
95.2%
92.8%
95.1%
94.9%
Bradley Hills Grove
10
11
10
12
14
$2,637,697
$1,893,318
$2,057,400
$2,079,000
$2,201,018
94.5%
94.5%
91.6%
88.3%
92.5%
Bradley Manor
3
3
6
6
2
$1,121,733
$1,063,333
$1,137,500
$1,106,383
$1,042,500
97.6%
95.6%
92.8%
94%
92.6%
Bradley Park
4
5
4
6
6
$1,094,563
$1,305,800
$1,224,972
$928,333
$1,065,000
92.3%
96.7%
92.3%
98.4%
97.1%
Bradmoor
18
13
9
19
24
$970,583
$987,385
$936,967
$1,276,868
$1,030,621
100.7% 97.1%
96.4%
96.9%
98.9%
20816 TOTAL
96.4%
97.8%
97.8%
87.3%
92.7%
95%
103.7% 97.9%
98.1%
BETHESDA 20817
178
MARCH/APRIL 2019 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM
98%
95.4%
94.8%
99.2%
100.1% 98.8%
100.4%
C O N G R AT U L AT I O N S T O O U R T O P P R O D U C E R S MONTGOMERY COUNT Y
The Fleisher Group
The Lauren Davis Team
Finnell Lee Homes
Corey Burr Team
Adam Isaacson & Co
Barbara Nalls
Lindsay Lucas
Katherine Buckley
Kevin Friend
Kirsten + Frank
Christine Basso-Fitzgerald
Carlos Evans
Shahab Nasrin
Ashk Adamiyatt
B E T H E S D A , M D B R O K E R A G E 4 8 0 9 B E T H E S D A AV E N U E , B E T H E S D A , M D 2 0 8 1 4 | ttrsir.com
real estate 2015
2016
2017
2018
2014
2017
2018
2
1
$1,912,500
$2,775,000
$4,800,000
$1,455,000
$1,150,000
89.4%
88.8%
89%
94.8%
100%
Burning Tree Estates
7
12
8
10
12
$1,146,143
$881,167
$1,056,875
Burning Tree Manor
1
3
5
1
3
$858,000
$1,129,967
$833,440
$931,150
$815,775
93%
95.9%
96%
96.8%
93.4%
$880,000
$1,218,000
104%
97.6%
98%
89.8%
Burning Tree Valley
4
7
7
8
7
$1,289,513
$1,232,143
$1,363,286
95.4%
$1,289,750
$1,272,143
97.4%
97.9%
95.5%
97.1%
Carderock Springs
21
26
17
22
22
$852,095
$925,804
94.3%
$941,693
$891,890
$1,000,432
96.6%
98.6%
97%
97.6%
99.8%
Charred Oak Estates
5
8
9
10
3
$935,800
Cohasset
4
9
6
6
4
$1,029,250
$1,043,363
$889,889
$1,100,300
$1,176,667
91.7%
96.5%
97%
95.2%
97.2%
$873,989
$1,045,583
$901,483
$848,750
98.7%
98.8%
99.1%
97.2%
Cong. Country Club Estates
3
4
4
5
3
$927,833
100%
$943,750
$1,312,500
$849,800
$1,065,667
97.7%
94.6%
99.4%
98.5%
99.2%
Cong. Forest Estates
3
4
4
5
2
$1,403,750
$1,083,750
$1,723,125
$1,276,000
$1,510,000
91.6%
Country Club Forest
3
0
2
3
1
$783,333
NA
$993,000
$787,333
$871,000
93.1%
93.6%
95.6%
89.5%
NA
105.1% 99.8%
Country Club Village
4
2
3
3
7
$1,587,750
$842,500
$1,476,667
$906,333
$1,415,822
96.2%
95.3%
84.4%
99.1%
97.9%
Courts of Wyngate
4
3
8
5
3
$847,625
$841,333
$813,600
$864,000
$860,417
97.2%
99.1%
95.3%
99.9%
107.1%
Edgewood
1
2
0
4
1
$837,000
$1,007,500
NA
$1,277,625
$1,860,000
98.6%
100%
NA
101.2% 104%
English Village
7
8
5
5
5
$1,276,786
$1,697,375
$1,840,900
$945,000
$1,703,000
94.3%
94.4%
90%
95.5%
Fairway Hills
0
0
2
0
3
NA
NA
$1,309,500
NA
$1,256,667
NA
NA
103.8% NA
100.2%
Fernwood
4
10
7
11
8
$714,650
$709,926
$787,857
$733,545
$770,388
99%
96.4%
96.6%
98.1%
101.4%
Foggys Pasture
1
1
1
1
1
$1,160,000
$1,492,500
$1,455,000
$1,110,000
$1,340,000
98%
90.5%
95.4%
76.6%
90.6%
Georgetown Village
14
7
17
9
12
$603,071
$763,329
$760,135
$702,482
$730,396
97.9%
98.4%
96.4%
94.8%
97.8%
Green Tree Manor
6
4
2
7
2
$769,917
$816,319
$732,500
$841,571
$827,500
99.2%
95.3%
99.1%
91.1%
98.7%
Greenwich Forest
4
1
2
3
2
$1,084,569
$2,038,000
$1,748,096
$1,489,667
$1,425,000
99.5%
94.8%
99.2%
97.7%
103.4%
Hendry Estates
5
7
10
5
4
$652,415
$852,286
$1,044,200
$736,400
$896,125
101.6% 98.7%
98.4%
96%
100.5%
Hillmead
12
14
8
12
17
$895,625
$882,750
$1,187,312
$1,245,417
$1,064,059
99.4%
98.6%
97.7%
97.3%
96.5%
Huntington Terrace
12
13
4
13
9
$928,758
$1,291,923
$1,377,820
$1,181,108
$1,190,372
99%
101.3% 95.7%
96.4%
95.1%
Kafauver Tract
2
1
5
3
1
$2,662,500
$1,760,000
$1,732,000
$909,667
$1,699,000
91.4%
92.7%
86.2%
95.4%
98.5%
Kenwood Park
14
15
20
19
17
$1,286,061
$1,338,783
$1,186,276
$1,376,158
$1,289,759
96.2%
93.2%
99%
97.8%
96.6%
Landon Woods
3
5
5
3
5
$1,495,885
$1,506,000
$1,578,000
$798,167
$1,789,500
100.6% 96%
96.1%
78.1%
97.8%
Longwood
1
1
2
7
4
$1,025,000
$1,600,000
$1,712,500
$1,397,214
$1,802,500
102.5% 94.4%
93%
86.5%
94.7%
Lybrook
5
3
4
1
6
$1,404,363
$1,783,300
$1,625,625
$1,150,000
$1,474,000
96.9%
86.3%
100%
98.1%
Mary Knolls
2
4
5
1
2
$1,300,500
$973,125
$896,000
$1,065,000
$902,500
90.1%
102.1% 97.5%
109.9% 99.4%
Marymount
0
4
2
2
2
NA
$942,500
$524,000
$967,500
$774,500
NA
101%
97.6%
90.7%
Mass. Ave. Forest
4
2
3
3
5
$951,500
$790,000
$1,131,333
$1,300,000
$1,289,000
99.3%
97.1%
95.1%
98.6%
96.2%
Merrimack Park
4
5
8
7
6
$752,250
$1,135,000
$940,500
$1,262,843
$744,250
99.1%
96.6%
97.7%
96.1%
95.3%
Oakmont
3
1
2
5
5
$1,013,333
$1,299,000
$920,000
$962,800
$998,100
99%
88.1%
99.2%
98.6%
92.1%
Oakwood Knolls
5
10
11
9
6
$1,233,842
$1,163,414
$1,378,864
$1,192,211
$1,251,931
101.7% 97.6%
92.8%
99.4%
99.5%
Pineview
2
3
3
2
4
$1,735,622
$1,410,000
$1,715,000
$1,427,500
$1,643,669
99.3%
93.6%
98.5%
95%
94.9%
Smithfield
1
1
5
1
6
$1,195,000
$1,199,000
$1,196,500
$1,215,000
$1,183,333
100%
100%
96.9%
97.3%
96.7%
Sonoma
4
4
2
4
6
$971,588
$1,044,750
$965,500
$1,327,904
$955,500
100.7% 97.6%
103.2% 94.4%
99%
Stratton Woods
5
6
6
9
13
$763,780
$669,250
$677,583
$721,915
$776,942
97.8%
93.8%
100.3% 99.7%
99%
The Palisades
2
5
0
5
3
$1,357,500
$1,262,240
NA
$1,367,000
$1,161,667
97.9%
94.9%
NA
93.2%
90.7%
West Bethesda Park
1
0
2
1
1
$960,000
NA
$1,725,000
$2,145,000
$1,160,000
96.5%
NA
94.7%
97.7%
97.1%
Wildwood Hills
3
1
2
1
1
$804,333
$875,000
$1,450,000
$700,000
$735,000
94.5%
92.2%
96.7%
100%
122.5%
Wilson Knolls
2
1
1
5
5
$2,042,500
$790,000
$740,000
$1,254,544
$1,044,800
97.6%
108.3% 100%
102.3% 96.9%
Woodburn
3
3
8
3
1
$687,667
$814,667
$914,625
$759,000
$872,000
98.5%
100.2% 98.9%
98.9%
Woodhaven
6
9
9
8
14
$1,057,417
$1,164,444
$1,070,111
$1,168,613
$1,208,830
96.4%
97.9%
95.5%
97.2%
99.7%
Wyngate
26
26
20
26
22
$875,342
$882,358
$962,915
$1,026,688
$969,877
95%
97.7%
96.9%
98.6%
97.4%
$1,103,878
$1,123,807
$1,159,085
$1,131,810
$1,152,143
96.6%
96.4%
96.4%
96.2%
96.9%
93%
2016
2017
1
MARCH/APRIL 2019 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM
2015
2016
2
387 453 437 460 427
2014
2015
2
20817 TOTAL
2018
2014
Burning Tree
Subdivision
180
Average Sold Price to Original List Price Ratio
Average Sale Price
No. of Homes Sold
94.2% 103.7%
99.3%
100%
99.7%
Thinking about buying or selling? Settle for nothing less than Exceptional Service and Proven Results. Call the Carolyn Homes Team today!
SOLD!
SOLD! 410 11TH STREET, NE #6 Sold Price: $510,000
7354 HEATHERHILL COURT, BETHESDA Sold Price: $1,001,000
OFFERINGS FROM OUR NEW CONSTRUCTION DIVISION
S
Luxury New Build with 2 Master Suites, 3 Car Garage
C PE
C TA
UL
IO AT OC
N!
L AR
H RC
RY
IVE
L DE
MA
8303 WHITMAN DRIVE, BETHESDA List Price: $1,850,000
5618 OLD CHESTER ROAD, BETHESDA List Price: $2,345,000
• • • • •
Gorgeous Custom Home on Deep Lot, No Thru Street
We work with all the Leading Builders in the Bethesda Market Custom Build/Design Consultations Off-market Lot Opportunities Custom Marketing Programs Designed to reach specific Markets 14+ years Experience in New Construction
CAROLYN SAPPENFIELD RE/MAX Realty Services • Bethesda Row • 301-652-0400
240-353-7601 • Carolyn@CarolynHomes.com
Serving Maryland, Washington, DC & Virginia
CarolynHomes_v5.indd 1
2/13/19 2:55 PM
real estate
100%
2018
2015
98.7%
2017
2014
2018
2018
2017
2017
2016
2016
2015
2015
2014
2014
Cabin John Gardens Coop
7
3
4
4
4
Cabin John Park
25
20
9
16
15
$1,077,896
$1,045,738
$1,007,778
$1,167,069
$1,245,400
96.1%
96.3%
97.6%
95.8%
98.9%
37
25
20
22
25
$954,224
$1,005,710
$873,862
$1,049,164
$1,111,274
97.1%
96.5%
96.3%
96.1%
97.5%
Bealls
3
2
3
3
2
$407,000
$497,500
$582,667
$658,333
$450,200
99%
103.9% 93%
Burgundy Hills
1
4
0
1
1
$290,000
$356,750
NA
$262,000
$450,000
103.9% 99.8%
Burgundy Knolls
6
4
4
3
2
$352,417
$374,375
$408,050
$487,633
$417,000
96.5%
101.4% 101.5% 101%
97.6%
College Gardens
10
5
16
12
8
$563,550
$613,800
$611,144
$622,042
$636,988
96.7%
98.8%
98.7%
99.4%
99.2%
Croydon Park
3
11
4
10
10
$441,500
$413,455
$443,419
$396,790
$425,354
97.4%
93.6%
96%
98.1%
96.8%
Englands 2nd Addition to Rockville
2
3
1
5
4
$350,000
$399,167
$330,000
$484,800
$381,000
96%
97.9%
100.2% 98.7%
95.5%
Fallsgrove
11
8
11
7
11
$987,909
$1,015,250
$978,948
$1,007,000
$1,012,773
95.7%
97.1%
98.1%
94.3%
96.4%
Fallsmead
3
1
2
5
1
$776,333
$730,000
$822,500
$804,000
$825,000
96.5%
94.1%
99.7%
97.8%
100%
Glen Hills
11
10
11
10
6
$862,000
$1,049,900
$809,536
$815,110
$773,000
97.4%
94.5%
94.2%
97%
95.3%
Glen Park
4
5
1
5
4
$736,250
$709,980
$649,900
$802,100
$709,975
93.1%
98.5%
94.2%
95.8%
98.7%
Glenora Hills
3
0
1
2
3
$618,333
NA
$700,000
$672,450
$586,667
101.4% NA
93.5%
100.5% 96.4%
Harriett Park
4
6
3
1
3
$303,994
$435,667
$357,400
$380,000
$551,367
96.2%
95.2%
94.9%
102.7% 99.1%
Hunting Hills Woods
2
1
5
4
7
$762,500
$768,000
$763,000
$759,750
$815,714
98.6%
98.5%
97.6%
96.9%
Janeta
2
0
0
2
1
$665,000
NA
NA
$473,500
$435,000
95.1%
NA
NA
100.4% 100.5%
0 King Farm Baileys Common King Farm Watkins Pond 6
0
2
3
3
NA
NA
$762,500
$734,270
$745,000
NA
NA
95.4%
104.5% 90.7%
9
7
13
3
$840,000
$811,833
$878,571
$855,500
$814,333
97.6%
97%
99%
97.8%
Lakewood Estates
6
2
1
3
3
$1,011,333
$936,000
$1,550,000
$840,000
$1,211,667
90.1%
92.8%
100%
94.5%
94.2%
Lakewood Glen
1
3
3
2
2
$905,500
$895,000
$869,967
$1,422,500
$980,000
96.4%
97.5%
98.6%
96.2%
96%
Lincoln Park
6
8
3
10
9
$233,833
$285,125
$294,967
$394,590
$350,722
98%
87.3%
85.6%
91%
99.4%
Maryvale
11
15
17
14
10
$262,364
$298,289
$310,322
$323,807
$369,700
94.9%
94.7%
93.6%
98%
99.6%
New Mark Commons
4
10
9
9
4
$594,500
$601,445
$550,272
$618,056
$658,750
98%
98.8%
95.7%
97.2%
100.2%
Piney Glen Village
0
3
3
1
4
NA
$1,247,000
$1,236,267
$1,200,000
$1,162,925
NA
97.6%
97.8%
98.4%
97%
Potomac Highlands
8
1
5
4
4
$781,974
$790,000
$773,800
$818,500
$943,250
94.6%
98.8%
94.2%
96.2%
97.1%
Potomac Oaks
4
4
3
1
1
$924,375
$836,750
$861,667
$888,800
$843,000
98.9%
98.8%
92.3%
95.1%
Rockdale
0
1
2
0
2
NA
$372,000
$365,000
NA
$378,500
NA
101.9% 100.5% NA
Rockshire
13
7
12
11
13
$665,915
$646,786
$663,142
$663,591
$701,769
101.3% 99.3%
97.4%
97.9%
Rockville Estates
8
10
11
5
7
$609,188
$624,590
$571,161
$686,000
$647,571
95.1%
96.3%
97.7%
98.6%
100%
Rockville Heights
2
0
4
2
3
$553,750
NA
$628,750
$617,450
$696,000
94.1%
NA
93.8%
98.9%
95.3%
Rockville Park
4
5
2
7
2
$427,990
$403,000
$602,745
$458,478
$672,500
96.4%
102%
96.4%
99.6%
96.1%
Rose Hill
4
2
2
3
2
$904,625
$860,000
$940,000
$976,667
$949,000
97.9%
95.6%
96.7%
97.5%
98.8%
Roxboro
6
8
2
7
3
$471,333
$504,188
$605,000
$626,240
$560,000
90.4%
97.7%
96.9%
96.5%
96.6%
Travilah Grove
1
2
2
0
2
$1,210,000
$1,250,000
$1,211,500
NA
$1,035,000
100.8% 93.3%
95.9%
NA
91.4%
Watts Branch Meadows
0
3
1
1
5
NA
$757,667
$715,000
$770,000
$693,780
NA
98.9%
94.1%
97.6%
96.2%
West End Park
19
22
17
22
20
$541,642
$571,090
$566,093
$603,569
$612,483
94.8%
98.7%
97.9%
98.8%
97.2%
Willows of Potomac
13
11
14
10
10
$1,053,808
$1,094,727
$1,066,229
$1,111,000
$1,157,800
97.1%
95.9%
96.1%
96%
97.3%
Woodley Gardens
8
6
7
7
8
$599,113
$603,750
$608,429
$625,357
$636,313
97.9%
99.1%
98%
99.4%
101.5%
Woodley Woods
0
1
3
2
1
NA
$599,900
$612,833
$632,450
$650,000
NA
100%
97.4%
97.1%
95.6%
$656,678
$637,917
$681,605
$683,443
$699,175
96.4%
96.9%
96.4%
97.4%
97.9%
Subdivision
2016
Average Sold Price to Original List Price Ratio
Average Sale Price
No. of Homes Sold
CABIN JOHN 20818 20818 TOTAL
$585,843
$571,000
$560,500
$588,375
$496,250
99.5%
98.9%
97.1%
ROCKVILLE 20850
20850 TOTAL
182
218 223 224 242 211
MARCH/APRIL 2019 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM
NA
94.5%
103.7%
93.6%
105.9%
99.3%
97%
99.3% 98% 99.8%
TOP PRODUCER
Anh Boesch
Andrew Essreg
The Washingtonian Group
Daniel Llerena Group
Jeff Reese
real estate 2018
2017
2015
2016
2014
2018
2017
2016
2015
2018
2014
2017
2016
2015
Franklin Park
9
5
8
6
4
$393,267
$380,100
$386,750
$426,800
$438,500
96.5%
94.5%
98.2%
99.7%
Heritage Walk
2
2
3
7
9
$1,155,750
$769,500
$820,000
$1,042,857
$953,000
98.4%
99.6%
85.8%
96.1%
96.5%
Hollyoak
2
0
0
2
4
$1,030,010
NA
NA
$964,000
$1,245,000
99.8%
NA
NA
100%
97.9%
Hungerford
33
19
22
26
24
$466,978
$459,846
$466,123
$492,138
$508,813
98.2%
96.2%
98%
99.7%
99.2%
Luxmanor
13
19
19
12
18
$1,151,077
$1,087,079
$1,120,158
$1,382,417
$1,577,789
96.8%
94.5%
93.4%
97.4%
99%
Montrose
4
2
6
8
6
$594,000
$619,750
$574,967
$655,291
$652,333
97.7%
97.3%
95.3%
99.5%
98%
Montrose Park
5
5
4
3
5
$434,580
$388,380
$407,250
$484,333
$422,900
97.6%
100%
100.6% 106%
104.4%
Neilwood
2
0
1
2
1
$764,500
NA
$820,000
$949,500
$1,175,000
99.3%
NA
89.1%
97.1%
100%
North Farm
99.4%
99%
Subdivision
2014
Average Sold Price to Original List Price Ratio
Average Sale Price
No. of Homes Sold
NORTH BETHESDA/ROCKVILLE 20852 97.2%
3
9
7
6
10
$804,333
$852,667
$831,571
$826,667
$826,850
97.7%
96.9%
98.7%
Oaks at North Bethesda 1
2
2
4
1
$1,424,000
$1,439,690
$1,375,000
$1,592,500
$1,310,280
105.5% 98.4%
96%
92.6%
NA
Old Farm
9
18
21
19
$767,697
$810,544
$790,611
$819,048
$851,963
98.1%
97.5%
98.6%
99.9%
Old Georgetown Estates 3
5
3
2
4
$875,000
$1,226,000
$1,088,000
$1,205,000
$1,124,750
93.6%
94.7%
91.4%
99.3%
Randolph Farms
4
2
5
3
2
$379,350
$382,500
$375,580
$511,000
$439,000
96%
98.7%
107.7% 96.4%
99.7%
Randolph Hills
35
36
36
48
33
$374,553
$373,183
$394,239
$427,201
$455,036
96.7%
96%
98.5%
100%
99.2%
Tilden Woods
9
11
9
9
11
$720,222
$718,263
$722,222
$772,833
$720,000
98.9%
99.1%
98.8%
96.9%
96.5%
Timberlawn
2
1
4
4
4
$1,038,750
$1,225,000
$1,053,750
$1,083,875
$1,040,125
95.8%
96.1%
91.9%
92.8%
94.2%
Windermere
1
5
3
4
1
$1,150,000
$963,600
$908,333
$887,625
$886,418
100%
95%
95%
96.9%
95.4%
152 144 162 175 160
$616,010
$655,649
$667,168
$718,667
$786,484
97.6%
96.6%
97.1%
98.5%
99%
Avenel
19
26
22
18
27
$1,402,316
$1,672,015
$1,451,711
$1,537,633
$1,533,000
94.5%
93.7%
92.9%
94.4%
94.6%
Beallmount
2
4
2
1
4
$1,149,500
$1,212,500
$962,500
$938,000
$1,084,125
105.3% 81.8%
91.7%
99.3%
96.3%
Beallmount Grove
1
2
0
4
2
$1,378,000
$1,580,000
NA
$1,191,250
$1,442,500
88.1%
93.7%
NA
91.2%
94.5%
Bedfordshire
12
10
16
21
19
$942,242
$903,900
$819,250
$857,381
$883,818
96.9%
97.3%
94.8%
97.4%
101.1%
Bells Mill Estates
3
6
2
5
4
$1,244,167
$1,225,083
$1,229,500
$1,217,860
$1,255,450
94.5%
95%
91.2%
98.4%
99.3%
Bells Mill Village
2
3
3
3
1
$822,500
$753,297
$790,000
$801,667
$810,000
98.8%
98.3%
91.2%
100.3% 98.2%
Beverly Farms
4
0
4
6
6
$821,250
NA
$709,250
$1,020,584
$838,333
98.7%
NA
99.3%
99.9%
93.7%
Blenheim
2
2
2
4
2
$1,375,000
$1,191,000
$1,257,500
$1,228,750
$1,277,500
86.3%
93.7%
94%
92.8%
98.3%
Bradley Farms
3
2
4
8
4
$1,650,000
$2,062,500
$2,581,250
$3,061,250
$2,368,750
87.3%
83.3%
85.4%
74.7%
85.5%
Camotop
3
2
3
1
1
$2,900,000
$1,540,000
$1,817,333
$1,475,000
$875,000
83%
85.5%
86.4%
89.7%
76.1%
Clagett Farm
5
10
3
1
3
$1,325,400
$1,252,600
$1,321,000
$1,365,000
$1,360,000
98.5%
94.9%
97.9%
97.6%
97.9%
Concord
2
0
0
2
1
$858,500
NA
NA
$883,000
$935,000
95%
NA
NA
98.1%
95.9%
Copenhaver
11
13
14
16
11
$804,436
$853,269
$879,471
$902,658
$876,964
98%
97.2%
95.9%
96.5%
98.1%
Country Place
0
1
2
0
3
NA
$875,000
$895,000
NA
$953,000
NA
100%
97.7%
NA
95.9%
East Gate of Potomac
6
9
6
12
15
$994,833
$844,864
$959,050
$885,991
$895,600
99.9%
96.2%
97.6%
94.1%
96.5%
Esworthy Park
3
0
1
1
3
$1,066,296
NA
$964,000
$1,399,999
$996,667
94.2%
NA
90.5%
83.1%
91.7%
Falconhurst
2
3
5
7
4
$2,660,000
$1,845,000
$2,409,000
$1,990,357
$2,596,875
86.5%
88.8%
87.7%
93.3%
74.9%
Falls Bend
1
2
0
0
5
$825,000
$802,500
NA
NA
$977,180
100%
99.7%
NA
NA
94.7%
Falls Farm
1
1
4
0
2
$940,000
$1,069,000
$906,000
NA
$955,525
94.1%
100%
93.6%
NA
98.8%
Falls Orchard
3
4
2
0
3
$722,333
$657,500
$722,629
NA
$704,667
98.9%
92.6%
96.7%
NA
95.5%
Fallsberry
2
1
1
2
3
$1,112,500
$681,000
$1,040,000
$989,500
$1,000,533
94.7%
97.3%
96.7%
100%
95.4%
Fallsmead
4
8
9
6
7
$815,125
$788,875
$734,236
$736,833
$759,914
99.1%
97.4%
97.7%
95.9%
97.4%
Fallsreach
10
4
11
4
7
$873,025
$832,886
$905,818
$933,875
$935,929
94.8%
95.1%
94%
97.2%
99.2%
Fallswood
2
1
4
2
3
$653,500
$680,000
$679,325
$692,500
$694,275
99%
97.1%
97.6%
100.2% 96.4%
Fawcett Farms
2
4
5
2
6
$2,484,000
$951,225
$1,073,000
$1,207,500
$1,414,167
89.2%
96.3%
92.5%
92.2%
93.3%
Fox Hills
16
24
20
25
17
$799,725
$804,329
$806,975
$889,504
$836,475
96.9%
99.4%
98.5%
98.6%
98.2%
Fox Hills West
5
1
4
1
4
$792,600
$825,000
$825,750
$722,000
$756,375
97.4%
91.7%
98.6%
99.7%
97.1%
20852 TOTAL
16
97.6%
102.6%
POTOMAC 20854
184
MARCH/APRIL 2019 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM
COLDWELL BANKER Potomac I 6 Beds/6 Baths/2 HB $2,450,000 11512 Morning Ride Drive
Ellicott City I 5 Beds/5 Baths/2 HB $1,000,000 10111 Saddle Brook Farm Trail
Stacy Henderson 301-252-6190
Potomac I 6 Beds/6.5 Baths $1,825,000 10828 Lockland Road Carol Nerenberg 202-957-5559 Ellen Cohen 240-462-6000
Search MDHW230008 on cbhomes.com
Search Address on Cbhomes.com
Cabin John I 4 Beds/3.5 Baths $899,000 6420 83rd Street
Rockville I 6 Beds / 3.5 Baths $879,000 4904 Norbeck Road
Washington, DC I 2Beds /2.5 Baths $825,000 127 Bates Street NW
Potomac I 4 Beds/3.5 Baths $799,000 8445 Bells Ridge Terrace
Marlene Aisenberg 301-785-6313
Joe Zorc 301-351-5274
Search 1000439548 on cbhomes.com
Search DCDC348656 on cbhomes.com
Joe Zorc 301-351-5274
Marlene Aisenberg 301-785-6313
Silver Spring I 6 Beds/4.5 Baths $699,900 10409 Colesville Road
Brookeville I 6 Beds/3.5 Baths $709,990 21325 Ridgecroft Drive
Gaithersburg I 4 Beds/2.5 Baths $515,000 10740 Game Preserve Road
Gaithersburg I 3Beds/2.5 Baths $425,000 95 Chevy Chase Street
Catalina Sandoval 301-536-3560
May Shlash 301-257-2449
Search Address on cbhomes.com
Search for Address on cbhomes.com
Search 1002276650 on cbhomes.com
Search Address on cbhomes.com
Search 1009954706 on cbhomes.com
Dalys A. Keith 410-336-5516
Jeff Jacobson 301-332-2543
Search MDMC455438 on cbhomes.com
Rockville I 5 Beds/4.5 Baths $989,000 4008 Wild Grape Court Joe Zorc 301-351-5274
Search Address on cbhomes.com
Diane Naedel 301-219-9997
Search 1006155854 on cbhomes.com
INTERESTED IN A CAREER IN REAL ESTATE? Tammie Henderson Branch Vice President, Bethesda Tammie.Henderson@cbmove.com
Kelly R. Vezzi Branch Vice President, North Potomac/Rockville Kelly.Vezzi@cbmove.com
Downtown 301.718.0010 4800 Montgomery Lane, Suite 100 Bethesda, MD 20814
Fallsgrove Village 301.921.1040 14955 Shady Grove Road, Suite 170 Rockville, MD 20850
The property information herein is derived from various sources that may include, but not be limited to, county records and the Multiple Listing Service, and it may include approximations. Although the information is believed to be accurate, it is not warranted and you should not rely upon it without personal verification. Real estate agents affiliated with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage are independent contractor sales associates, not employees. Any affiliation by you with the Company is intended to be that of an independent contractor sales associate, not an employee. Š2018 Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Owned by a subsidiary of NRT LLC. Coldwell Banker and the Coldwell Banker Logo are registered service marks owned by Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. 503182MA_11/18
real estate 2018
2017
2016
2015
2014
2018
2018
2017
2017
2016
2016
2
1
1
2
2
$1,078,750
$1,150,000
$1,310,000
$1,260,000
$1,124,500
88.1%
83.6%
93.9%
91.8%
87.4%
Glen Oaks
7
7
5
7
4
$927,571
$872,286
$866,500
$825,571
$1,030,750
95.4%
98.6%
94.8%
98.2%
100.2%
Glen Park
5
2
2
5
3
$698,755
$721,250
$682,200
$797,720
$852,333
99.9%
97.5%
97.9%
98.7%
97.9%
Great Falls Estates
5
5
7
3
7
$2,387,000
$1,317,000
$2,169,284
$1,366,641
$1,545,000
93.4%
95.7%
89.8%
91.8%
91.4%
Heritage Farm
3
6
5
6
6
$968,333
$1,125,833
$1,078,000
$1,185,833
$1,003,333
97.2%
95.2%
99%
94.5%
98.5%
Highland Stone
16
18
15
7
8
$696,969
$672,470
$688,450
$736,714
$735,250
97.8%
97.5%
97.6%
102.8% 100.8%
Horizon Hill
10
11
14
11
16
$693,573
$704,818
$678,115
$720,268
$706,967
94.8%
96%
96.5%
96.7%
97.9%
Inverness Forest
8
6
11
7
8
$820,188
$897,333
$821,619
$854,571
$898,050
96.8%
99.1%
95.5%
96%
99.4%
Kentsdale Estates
4
3
4
3
2
$1,610,625
$1,119,333
$1,563,750
$1,586,667
$1,292,500
95.3%
96.6%
92.2%
96.3%
98.9%
Lake Normandy Estates
7
8
12
8
8
$860,057
$840,500
$869,500
$762,050
$864,125
95.4%
90%
92.5%
95.7%
96.5%
Lake Potomac
6
5
2
4
2
$1,618,000
$1,323,400
$1,311,000
$1,108,750
$1,217,500
94.9%
93.1%
94.3%
92.5%
79.7%
Marwood
3
2
5
3
3
$2,060,000
$1,897,500
$1,851,000
$1,993,833
$1,708,333
88.9%
96.1%
87.9%
91.9%
95%
Mass. Ave. Highlands
2
2
1
0
1
$1,102,450
$1,137,500
$1,100,000
NA
$1,289,000
97.7%
90.7%
91.7%
NA
95.6%
Mazza Woods
2
3
1
4
3
$1,550,000
$1,219,667
$1,289,000
$1,536,750
$1,151,500
96.3%
91.9%
92.1%
94.3%
90.5%
McAuley Park
5
8
8
8
14
$1,292,753
$1,215,625
$1,100,125
$1,305,613
$1,392,750
93%
97.3%
94.3%
93.6%
94.9%
Merry-Go-Round Farm
3
5
2
3
8
$1,776,667
$1,977,000
$937,500
$1,585,000
$1,715,625
91.8%
93%
80%
103.8% 88.9%
Montgomery Square
11
11
15
5
14
$637,355
$650,000
$644,993
$676,900
$690,393
97.1%
99.5%
97.6%
98.1%
99.1%
Oldfield
3
3
6
3
1
$857,333
$784,667
$889,167
$813,267
$1,100,000
100.5% 96.6%
97.4%
99.2%
103.9%
Orchard Ridge
4
7
8
9
8
$794,755
$777,143
$730,000
$763,600
$691,363
101.5% 99%
97.9%
97.7%
96.7%
Palatine
3
5
3
4
8
$1,760,000
$1,382,400
$1,646,333
$1,738,750
$1,529,688
94.7%
92.5%
83.3%
92.9%
85.9%
Pine Knolls
4
7
4
5
3
$1,026,063
$977,143
$1,121,500
$933,600
$1,102,667
96.2%
94.5%
96%
97.2%
96.9%
Piney Glen Farms
3
4
4
4
1
$1,570,333
$1,392,500
$1,651,250
$1,038,750
$3,000,000
94.4%
89.7%
88.6%
88.4%
91%
Piney Glen Village
9
8
5
11
9
$1,040,311
$1,086,625
$941,960
$1,044,071
$1,094,500
93%
96.2%
97.3%
94.5%
97.8%
Potomac
3
3
3
5
1
$811,667
$1,060,833
$1,018,333
$1,470,600
$1,049,500
93.6%
88.1%
94%
89.2%
100%
Potomac Commons
12
11
19
11
10
$799,243
$813,682
$817,837
$832,024
$874,800
96.5%
96.8%
97.6%
98.6%
97.6%
Potomac Crest
3
1
2
1
5
$1,136,667
$1,100,000
$1,077,500
$1,450,000
$1,311,627
89.7%
88%
96%
96.7%
97.7%
Potomac Falls
5
4
2
3
4
$2,099,000
$3,017,500
$3,730,000
$1,801,000
$1,622,250
78.2%
87.6%
82%
84.9%
78.4%
Potomac Glen
3
1
1
0
3
$1,071,667
$960,000
$950,000
NA
$1,091,667
94.4%
93.7%
95.7%
NA
96.5%
Potomac Hills
2
0
2
1
6
$1,840,000
NA
$1,131,719
$1,205,000
$897,667
80.2%
NA
83.5%
104.8% 96.2%
Potomac Manor
4
4
5
5
4
$1,666,250
$1,890,000
$1,797,778
$1,621,650
$1,625,000
89.5%
93.4%
92.6%
89.1%
85.4%
Potomac Ranch
5
2
0
6
4
$1,143,500
$1,050,000
NA
$1,547,890
$1,184,750
87.4%
91.6%
NA
93.1%
92.4%
Potomac View Estates
6
6
4
5
2
$1,780,833
$1,354,397
$1,105,625
$1,456,020
$1,296,450
85.9%
92.9%
79.3%
89.5%
87.4%
Potomac Village
10
8
12
14
11
$1,265,400
$1,125,438
$1,097,500
$1,200,071
$1,391,273
95.4%
95.5%
90.2%
96.2%
96.7%
Potomac Woods
10
12
17
15
10
$675,090
$631,075
$664,235
$692,629
$677,480
97%
94%
98%
100.4% 97.8%
Potomac Woods East
4
6
4
4
3
$692,500
$713,983
$795,000
$748,975
$750,000
96.5%
95.5%
97.8%
97.6%
94.3%
Red Coat Woods
0
1
6
4
4
NA
$850,000
$784,083
$747,505
$892,500
NA
95%
98.4%
104%
102.6%
Regency Estates
29
27
27
21
35
$652,507
$672,937
$657,889
$678,493
$723,974
98.3%
98.1%
97.8%
97.7%
98.8%
Regent Park
4
9
2
6
6
$631,250
$635,028
$715,000
$662,500
$729,333
98.6%
96.6%
94.5%
106.7% 97.8%
Ridgeleigh
2
0
2
2
1
$940,000
NA
$1,065,000
$912,500
$800,000
98.2%
NA
97.2%
92.5%
River Falls
21
15
15
23
20
$1,162,976
$1,232,367
$1,128,700
$1,220,537
$1,213,700
96.6%
96.7%
96.1%
96.2%
96.1%
River Oaks Farm
0
1
2
2
2
NA
$1,665,000
$1,332,500
$1,305,000
$1,525,000
NA
98%
87.8%
86.9%
78.8%
Rivers Edge
3
1
1
4
7
$1,734,167
$998,000
$1,285,000
$1,078,500
$1,164,286
96.8%
86.8%
98.9%
96.9%
93.6%
Roberts Glen
4
6
3
2
5
$776,875
$742,150
$695,000
$799,500
$854,800
93.2%
93%
95.6%
100.5% 95.8%
Saddle Ridge
2
3
3
6
5
$1,550,000
$1,675,000
$1,097,667
$1,537,083
$1,377,000
91.7%
82.7%
91.1%
86.6%
93.2%
Saddlebrook
0
3
0
7
4
NA
$628,933
NA
$653,857
$633,750
NA
97.6%
NA
97.8%
98%
Timberwood of Potomac 1
1
2
3
3
$715,000
$750,000
$837,000
$790,000
$881,167
94.2%
96.8%
98.4%
101%
100.3%
Travilah Meadows
3
2
5
1
3
$1,016,667
$1,028,500
$1,181,000
$1,150,000
$1,031,500
89.4%
98.8%
94.4%
92.1%
92.1%
Willerburn Acres
9
7
5
10
9
$949,000
$766,571
$869,200
$915,318
$893,556
95.2%
92.7%
90.4%
96%
96.7%
MARCH/APRIL 2019 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM
2015
2015
2014
2014
Glen Mill Village
Subdivision
186
Average Sold Price to Original List Price Ratio
Average Sale Price
No. of Homes Sold
95.5%
1
2
5
$806,600
$675,000
$830,000
$761,119
$823,900
96.7%
89.4%
105.1% 100.5% 98.7%
5
5
1
2
$921,800
$950,440
$1,005,000
$865,000
$972,500
96.1%
93.9%
98.2%
Winterset
3
6
6
4
3
$980,000
$1,023,333
$1,289,098
$1,127,500
$956,000
91.2%
94.6%
102.7% 97.2%
96.2%
Woodrock
0
0
1
2
2
NA
NA
$1,187,600
$1,177,500
$1,048,745
NA
NA
96.9%
96.8%
94.1%
$1,093,763
$1,057,306
$1,034,290
$1,099,711
$1,079,830
95%
95%
94.5%
95.6%
95.5%
98.9%
2018
2015
2017
2014
2018
2018
2017
2017
2016
2016
2
5
468 481 518 493 538
2015
2015
5
Windsor Hills
20854 TOTAL
2014
2014
Willowbrook
Subdivision
2016
Average Sold Price to Original List Price Ratio
Average Sale Price
No. of Homes Sold
103.1%
NORTH POTOMAC/GAITHERSBURG 20878 Ancient Oak
9
10
13
12
9
$595,722
$644,000
$567,838
$615,546
$634,722
94.6%
96.6%
94.7%
99%
99%
Belvedere
0
4
2
2
2
NA
$1,257,500
$1,161,000
$1,157,000
$1,244,250
NA
95.6%
91%
98.8%
100%
Bondbrook
1
3
2
5
2
$445,000
$690,333
$707,450
$743,960
$667,000
89.4%
97.1%
100.3% 98.5%
95.6%
Crown
0
0
3
1
2
NA
NA
$1,663,093
$1,754,940
$1,400,595
NA
NA
100%
100%
102.3%
Darnestown Hills
1
2
2
2
2
$725,000
$651,625
$645,000
$717,500
$600,000
98.7%
86.6%
99%
94%
89%
Diamond Courts
2
5
8
3
6
$421,389
$430,010
$467,250
$458,167
$454,467
90.6%
95.8%
97.7%
100.3% 95.3%
Dufief
15
10
14
15
14
$616,200
$577,760
$626,829
$638,249
$635,243
96.1%
97.7%
98.1%
98%
Dufief Mill
17
10
12
13
17
$728,824
$705,100
$813,199
$720,277
$734,100
98.9%
97.7%
97.1%
97%
97.6%
Dufief Mill Brook
0
1
1
4
3
NA
$765,000
$790,000
$673,911
$627,633
NA
98.7%
97.2%
94.8%
101.5%
Dufief Mill Estates
6
6
4
7
5
$672,150
$731,231
$740,000
$744,414
$753,500
99.3%
98.4%
99.8%
98.2%
97.6%
Esworthy Park
2
0
2
1
1
$949,000
NA
$791,038
$750,000
$568,000
97.6%
NA
94.8%
93.9%
139.6%
Farmlands
0
2
1
4
3
NA
$1,009,950
$699,900
$838,225
$883,333
NA
95.8%
100%
99.5%
92.1%
99.6%
Top Producing Real Estate Team
Visit: www.laurendavisteam.com
@laurendavisteam
Bethesda Magazine Readers’ Pick A Top Vote Getter - Best Realtor & Top Producing Real Estate Team
BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM | MARCH/APRIL 2019
187
real estate Average Sold Price to Original List Price Ratio
2015
2016
2017
2018
2014
2018
2017
2017
2015
2016
2014
2015
4
2
5
5
5
$507,000
$430,000
$526,878
$515,200
$543,556
99%
98.2%
99.5%
99.5%
101%
Gaithersburg Town
2
1
2
3
3
$445,000
$513,000
$422,500
$468,300
$414,967
99.1%
99.6%
94.5%
92.6%
102.2%
Haddonfield
2
1
1
1
1
$844,750
$905,000
$930,000
$940,000
$938,000
99.4%
92.8%
98.9%
97.4%
98.7%
Harvest Hunt Farm
0
1
2
1
3
NA
$635,000
$710,000
$799,000
$893,333
NA
99.4%
96.3%
100%
96.9%
Highlands of Darnestown 3
5
6
5
1
$696,667
$712,190
$711,000
$703,400
$944,000
93.6%
97.4%
96.1%
97.5%
99.4%
Hunters Trace
0
0
1
3
3
NA
NA
$500,000
$595,833
$540,333
NA
NA
94.3%
101.4% 96.5%
Kentlands
13
18
18
9
20
$857,592
$771,140
$796,150
$903,211
$913,293
97.7%
96.3%
96.5%
97.7%
97%
Kentlands Gatehouse
9
2
4
5
6
$819,222
$982,000
$912,250
$908,200
$841,917
94.6%
98%
96.3%
95.9%
99.2%
Kentlands Hill District
7
4
2
4
6
$746,429
$756,550
$622,500
$797,475
$676,000
97.7%
97%
100%
96.8%
97%
Kentlands Midtown
1
0
1
2
1
$610,000
NA
$615,500
$707,500
$525,000
100%
NA
99.3%
97.8%
95.5%
Kentlands Old Farm
1
1
1
0
2
$780,000
$639,000
$790,000
NA
$733,750
102.6% 100%
96.1%
NA
101.9%
Kentlands Upper
3
1
1
2
2
$911,667
$825,000
$960,000
$875,000
$758,950
98.4%
97.2%
96.1%
94.3%
92.2%
Lakelands
24
25
25
13
25
$852,625
$780,940
$797,604
$913,577
$840,440
97.7%
98.5%
97%
97.8%
97%
Lakelands Great Seneca 3
4
3
3
2
$625,000
$596,875
$584,333
$631,500
$647,500
96%
96.2%
99.1%
99.9%
99%
Mills Farm
10
6
8
5
8
$572,290
$536,082
$577,238
$582,178
$620,363
97.3%
96.2%
97.3%
97.1%
99.1%
Mission Hills
2
2
1
1
3
$585,000
$655,000
$655,000
$641,000
$706,833
99%
94.5%
97%
98.8%
96.9%
Mountain View Estates
1
4
3
4
7
$850,000
$565,000
$851,833
$599,750
$686,286
94.5%
96.8%
95.9%
98.7%
95.4%
Natalie Estates
1
3
3
4
5
$1,008,000
$937,000
$937,667
$913,500
$957,020
102.4% 95.7%
98.3%
94.1%
97.8%
Orchard Hills
4
4
5
1
7
$590,000
$621,500
$628,400
$531,100
$644,700
95.4%
96.7%
96.6%
98.6%
Owens Glen
2
1
4
4
4
$692,000
$775,000
$698,125
$738,500
$739,947
93.8%
98.1%
99%
101.2% 100.7%
Parklands
3
1
1
0
1
$633,333
$560,000
$944,036
NA
$420,000
96.1%
97.4%
131.1% NA
96.6%
Parkridge
1
0
3
6
2
$525,000
NA
$523,300
$493,500
$518,750
96.3%
NA
100%
98%
97.4%
Pheasant Run
9
9
7
9
4
$491,556
$505,811
$493,200
$516,950
$564,975
94%
96.5%
97.9%
99.4%
100.3%
Potomac Chase
20
23
20
20
17
$646,653
$635,609
$696,613
$691,456
$669,456
98.6%
98.5%
96.8%
98.2%
97.8%
Potomac Grove
3
7
0
6
3
$739,333
$736,127
NA
$718,233
$560,629
94.1%
95.8%
NA
97.7%
96%
Potomac Ridge
8
7
14
16
13
$615,250
$600,771
$602,443
$611,769
$621,800
99.2%
97.2%
100.4% 98.8%
99.8%
Quail Run
6
9
2
4
4
$837,500
$753,833
$1,012,500
$780,000
$738,500
93.8%
97.4%
91.6%
97.7%
95.9%
Quince Haven
1
8
3
3
5
$694,500
$687,488
$651,967
$684,133
$725,245
97.8%
97.1%
97.3%
100.3% 98.3%
Quince Orchard Estates
2
2
5
1
6
$586,000
$629,500
$694,000
$655,000
$659,086
94.6%
96.4%
94.9%
100.8% 98%
Quince Orchard Knolls
14
20
12
18
13
$589,529
$550,120
$543,542
$570,794
$697,231
95%
95.9%
98.3%
96.2%
97.9%
Quince Orchard Manor
10
17
7
12
12
$478,900
$459,765
$477,786
$475,440
$504,283
98.7%
96.1%
98.1%
98.5%
98.7%
Quince Orchard Park
7
6
8
7
9
$547,714
$599,250
$597,862
$614,571
$616,361
97.7%
98.8%
97%
95.5%
96.8%
Quince Orchard Valley
7
17
5
14
13
$447,514
$454,794
$474,500
$515,921
$547,994
99%
97.1%
94.9%
98.2%
98.7%
Relda Square
2
2
2
5
1
$328,950
$365,000
$455,500
$382,180
$420,000
85.4%
93.6%
96%
98.9%
102.4%
Rollinmead
2
5
2
1
3
$977,500
$974,800
$1,006,944
$1,065,000
$906,000
96.9%
95.8%
97.3%
97.3%
95.5%
Seneca Highlands
4
0
3
1
3
$662,500
NA
$709,167
$996,184
$810,450
94%
NA
98.9%
NA
104.7%
Stonebridge
22
17
19
8
13
$801,864
$788,914
$824,600
$816,500
$815,835
97%
96.4%
97.8%
98.6%
97.9%
Washingtonian Village
1
8
7
3
2
$535,000
$482,688
$472,843
$466,667
$544,500
97.3%
97.2%
96.8%
100.2% 100.4%
Washingtonian Woods
11
15
19
12
12
$671,127
$677,287
$666,001
$663,292
$720,450
97.6%
98.1%
95.3%
95.2%
101%
Watkins Mill Town Center 1
1
2
3
3
$648,655
$620,000
$622,250
$698,667
$601,333
100%
99.2%
94.3%
95.8%
96.3%
West Riding
5
5
4
6
4
$453,300
$450,000
$445,725
$470,483
$452,250
95.3%
97.6%
95.4%
96.7%
98.1%
Westleigh
18
22
20
22
25
$658,667
$633,164
$660,650
$645,156
$638,155
97.5%
96.4%
94.6%
97.3%
99.3%
Willow Ridge
2
8
6
7
4
$727,500
$814,619
$694,167
$689,843
$625,250
89.3%
95.3%
97.5%
98.9%
97%
Woodlands
1
1
1
2
3
$900,000
$841,000
$940,600
$1,037,500
$1,010,000
100%
105.1% 99%
96.7%
99.6%
325 378 365 357 382
$685,074
$669,436
$693,219
$674,106
$700,632
96.8%
96.7%
96.9%
97.5%
98.2%
6
$696,576
$726,250
$790,286
$760,000
$769,375
96.2%
96.7%
98.8%
91.6%
101.4%
20878 TOTAL
2018
2014
Fernshire Farms
Subdivision
2016
Average Sale Price
No. of Homes Sold
95.9%
KENSINGTON 20895 Byeforde
188
4
7
1
2
MARCH/APRIL 2019 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM
2016
2017
9
21
23
$966,441
$940,478
$1,035,000
$903,232
$1,057,293
95%
93.3%
95.3%
96.5%
22
11
18
13
$582,231
$619,411
$619,685
$631,875
$638,636
100.4% 100.9% 98.4%
98.7%
100.2%
Homewood
14
30
30
16
22
$499,177
$449,533
$491,756
$496,818
$547,090
94.9%
97.6%
98.2%
98%
98.3%
Kensington
22
23
28
21
19
$649,745
$685,035
$826,524
$725,943
$952,258
95.3%
96.1%
97%
96.4%
98%
Kensington Estates
11
10
11
21
21
$764,909
$705,500
$824,500
$841,448
$879,929
98.2%
95.3%
96.5%
97.1%
98.5%
Kensington Heights
17
26
25
25
17
$479,582
$499,877
$475,802
$530,926
$584,841
98%
95.8%
96.8%
97%
97.7%
Kensington Knolls
1
3
2
10
3
$580,000
$451,667
$437,500
$447,235
$491,500
96.7%
98.3%
100%
97.3%
100%
Kensington View
10
11
5
7
6
$503,365
$462,673
$625,507
$526,214
$528,917
98.3%
95.7%
96.6%
95.8%
99.4%
Larchmont Knolls
1
2
2
1
2
$780,000
$859,950
$935,000
$925,000
$825,000
97.6%
99.5%
92.7%
98.7%
94.1%
Newport Hills
8
5
6
11
6
$409,506
$423,000
$437,408
$463,455
$478,500
97.1%
98.6%
99%
96.4%
96.5%
North Kensington
13
24
19
15
7
$395,445
$504,279
$456,590
$495,150
$418,429
97%
100%
98.3%
97.9%
100.5%
Oakland Terrace
5
6
6
9
4
$415,181
$389,150
$428,558
$425,267
$469,125
94.6%
97.8%
99.4%
98.2%
98.3%
Parkwood
19
19
24
22
20
$759,754
$780,592
$833,617
$719,409
$797,418
98.6%
98%
98.1%
98.3%
98.9%
Rock Creek Highlands
6
8
8
7
2
$765,408
$754,063
$884,688
$980,374
$956,050
98.9%
97.7%
99.4%
100%
104.3%
Rock Creek Hills
19
24
18
22
23
$875,100
$843,604
$847,083
$887,864
$873,185
99.2%
97.3%
97.4%
98.8%
99%
Rock Creek Palisades
31
33
35
43
37
$450,694
$446,977
$435,761
$474,208
$493,108
97.9%
98.4%
96.9%
98.7%
99.4%
Warners/Kensington
4
1
5
5
6
$690,350
$539,000
$659,000
$951,378
$727,317
97.4%
98.2%
98.9%
94.8%
98.6%
White Flint Park
4
8
2
5
4
$573,722
$604,313
$666,500
$709,300
$697,725
95.4%
99.6%
107.8% 100.2% 100.3%
$623,868
$612,848
$637,772
$650,257
$717,238
97.1%
97.4%
97.6%
97.7%
2018
2015
2014
2018
2017
2016
2015
23
13
238 285 259 283 242
2014
2018
2017
2016
20
Garrett Park Estates
20895 TOTAL
2015
Chevy Chase View
Subdivision
2014
Average Sold Price to Original List Price Ratio
Average Sale Price
No. of Homes Sold
96.7%
98.5%
REAL EXPERIENCE • REAL RELATIONSHIPS • REAL ESTATE Jill Schwartz is defined by the convergence of boldness and passion. This dynamic blend is reflected in every aspect of her business as she caters to a variety of clients, from her hometown neighbors in Bethesda to the high profile clientele in DC. Call Jill today to discuss selling your home in today’s market.
SOLD!
SOLD!
Bethesda’s Famous Mushroom Home 4949 Allan Road
Top Producing Group with over 25 million in Sales and 25 Million in Listings for 2018.
The Cheval penthouse
Licensed in DC/MD/VA, Jersey Shore & Delaware Beaches
JillSchwartzGroup.com 301.758.7224 BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM | MARCH/APRIL 2019
189
real estate 2018
2015
2017
2014
2018
2018
2017
2017
2016
2016
2015
2015
2014
2014 14
14
14
8
17
$803,464
$810,071
$774,707
$888,434
$868,855
96.9%
97.8%
96.8%
98.1%
93.1%
14
14
14
8
17
$803,464
$810,071
$774,707
$888,434
$868,855
96.9%
97.8%
96.8%
98.1%
93.1%
Arcola
8
6
8
7
8
$424,875
$415,167
$444,110
$459,571
$444,000
91.7%
96.8%
96.4%
99.3%
Arville
1
0
1
0
3
$285,000
NA
$291,500
NA
$399,633
81.7%
NA
100.5% NA
96.5%
Blueridge Manor
1
6
5
2
2
$301,000
$413,633
$398,800
$395,500
$448,330
87.3%
92.5%
101.4% 94.7%
99.9%
Cameron Heights
6
15
13
7
11
$373,567
$379,127
$375,660
$365,700
$397,491
93.7%
98.4%
97.7%
102.4% 99.3%
Carroll Knolls
23
29
24
22
28
$369,426
$376,196
$375,454
$413,345
$442,739
97.4%
97.1%
96.3%
97.2%
Chestnut Hills
7
8
9
8
5
$288,986
$316,750
$325,500
$400,163
$384,800
98.5%
95%
95.2%
95.5%
97.1%
Chestnut Ridge Manor
12
11
11
11
11
$383,924
$365,318
$380,614
$395,091
$436,082
98.9%
95.2%
99.7%
98%
100.5%
College View
2
8
4
3
2
$408,750
$431,738
$510,475
$438,330
$419,500
94.4%
97.1%
97.7%
97%
98.6%
Conn. Ave. Estates
17
20
17
20
11
$276,082
$282,900
$321,059
$328,530
$350,609
97.3%
102.8% 102.4% 100.8% 100.6%
Conn. Ave. Hills
5
7
0
3
5
$355,960
$340,386
NA
$406,032
$401,754
99.1%
100%
NA
92.2%
Conn. Ave. Park
0
4
1
9
1
NA
$331,500
$295,000
$339,767
$412,900
NA
99.7%
100%
101.6% 97.2%
Connecticut Gardens
8
15
15
10
11
$328,006
$356,340
$380,193
$394,728
$412,455
96%
95.7%
96.5%
98.3%
98.2%
Evans Parkway
6
3
2
1
5
$421,083
$382,333
$395,500
$449,000
$391,280
95.6%
99.5%
92.1%
100%
101.2%
Forest Estates
20
14
20
16
25
$456,140
$449,057
$434,214
$463,481
$505,740
99%
98.9%
97.4%
101.8% 100.8%
Forest Glen Homes
1
4
3
2
2
$375,000
$404,500
$461,000
$509,500
$495,625
101.6% 97.3%
102%
100.9% 101.4%
Forest Grove
5
2
4
6
2
$659,300
$525,250
$600,000
$585,817
$688,750
100.2% 93.3%
95.1%
100.7% 97.6%
Subdivision
2016
Average Sold Price to Original List Price Ratio
Average Sale Price
No. of Homes Sold
GARRETT PARK 20896 Garrett Park 20896 TOTAL
SILVER SPRING 20902 98.2%
98.8%
96.9%
Exquisite Country Villa in Bradley Hills Grove
This extraordinary custom home features the finest in materials & craftsmanship with 11,000+ square feet, showcasing five bedrooms, seven stunning new full baths & one half bath on a professionally landscaped one-acre lot. The expansive Great Room opens onto a professional chef’s kitchen with a dramatic 14’ island--perfect for culinary fetes. The luxurious master suite offers new marble bath & dressing areas. The must-see walk-out lower level is complete with a sensational seated bar. The gorgeous exterior features a two-level stone & brick patio with a heated pool & outdoor fireplace—ideal for parties! This magnificent home is the epitome of luxury living inside the Beltway, located minutes to award winning public/private schools, downtown Bethesda, DC, Tysons & Amazon’s future HQ2.
www.8921burdette.com
Jan M. Evans
Offered at $4,897,000
301 873 3596 301 967 3344 office jevans@ttrsir.com 5454 Wisconsin Ave. Chevy Chase, MD 20815
190
MARCH/APRIL 2019 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM
2017
2018
2015
2014
2018
2018
2017
2017
2016
2016
2015
2015
2014
2014
Glen Allen
4
0
0
2
2
$526,000
NA
NA
$623,000
$626,275
97.5%
NA
NA
Glen Haven
6
2
4
4
5
$338,083
$345,000
$435,000
$414,000
$443,100
95.5%
91.5%
101.2% 96.9%
Glenfield Manor
12
8
9
5
5
$423,150
$429,675
$436,778
$436,000
$444,200
97.3%
99.2%
99%
98.7%
99.5%
Glenmont Forest
2
16
17
9
12
$342,250
$304,181
$346,870
$361,156
$363,000
100.8% 95.8%
95.1%
99%
99.7%
Glenmont Village
7
4
3
4
4
$262,633
$258,225
$309,000
$280,952
$337,100
99.1%
94.9%
101%
103%
99.2%
Glenview
4
11
4
6
6
$488,750
$460,636
$422,588
$486,833
$456,015
96.5%
96%
100.1% 95.1%
97.2%
Grays Estates
3
1
1
2
2
$538,333
$595,000
$725,000
$545,000
$531,000
93%
97.5%
122.9% 103.9% 95.5%
Hammond Wood
2
3
4
8
2
$393,550
$377,883
$476,188
$458,750
$561,000
98.1%
99.8%
103.5% 100.9% 104.3%
Highland Woods
2
1
4
6
3
$310,000
$317,700
$347,938
$358,900
$373,333
96.3%
93.5%
99.1%
96.2%
100.1%
Kemp Mill Estates
31
30
39
42
31
$440,669
$441,180
$423,583
$437,853
$487,810
96.8%
96.2%
98%
98.5%
99%
Kemp Mill Farms
2
2
6
3
6
$495,000
$497,875
$608,333
$593,667
$562,000
94.1%
90.3%
93.2%
98.6%
96.7%
Kemp Mill Forest
3
3
1
2
2
$507,300
$479,333
$458,099
$540,000
$531,250
95.8%
97.8%
90.4%
99.2%
98.4%
Kemp Mill Hills
3
1
2
2
1
$395,467
$325,000
$417,950
$409,500
$430,000
94.6%
101.6% 99.6%
98.8%
97.7%
Kensington Heights
2
1
0
1
1
$375,950
$340,000
NA
$368,000
$550,000
100.4% 100.3% NA
98.4%
100%
Kingswell
6
8
3
7
7
$332,063
$365,250
$372,667
$368,429
$357,786
95.4%
98.1%
101%
100.4% 97.1%
McKenney Hills
6
15
16
11
6
$466,833
$489,533
$472,478
$530,932
$467,646
97.5%
98.3%
99.4%
99.1%
96.1%
Montgomery Highland Estates
2
2
3
0
1
$292,500
$396,500
$333,633
NA
$410,000
95%
97.3%
97.1%
NA
102.5%
Northbrook Estates
7
5
7
6
4
$453,000
$445,780
$431,156
$463,817
$418,750
98.1%
97%
99.7%
100%
99.1%
Oakland Terrace
3
4
1
2
3
$425,333
$477,000
$470,000
$536,000
$476,000
96.6%
99.7%
100%
98.7%
99.2%
Parkway
5
4
3
7
5
$391,600
$424,375
$331,963
$440,507
$453,900
98.1%
99.4%
100.7% 100.2% 101.8%
Subdivision
2016
Average Sold Price to Original List Price Ratio
Average Sale Price
No. of Homes Sold
98.9%
103% 98.9%
Readers’ Pick A Top Vote Getter
Best Real Estate Agent
11/13/2018
301.466.5898 Bethesda All Points Office 301.229.4000
ANDY ALDERDICE https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/#inbox/FMfcgxvzLXFHTcTZhwGSbwGQSKCllgjs?projector=1&messagePartId=0.1.0
1/1
Wow! Thank you to Bethesda Magazine readers and many of my past and present clients for voting me as a “2019 Best of Bethesda” winner. After over 24 years of serving the MD, DC & VA area it is gratifying to know that my years of successfully assisting buyers and sellers with their real estate needs has been recognized. I look forward to many years ahead of providing the same hands-on customer service you deserve. Please let me and my team know how we can assist you and your friends and family in the future.
‘‘
‘‘
2019 Top Vote Getter Icon.jpg
andy4homes@gmail.com | www.andy4homes.com BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM | MARCH/APRIL 2019
191
real estate 2018
2017
2016
2014
2018
2018
2017
2017
2016
2016
2015
2015
4
2
2
3
1
$405,875
$416,000
$440,000
$452,000
$470,000
98.8%
92.4%
95.8%
97%
94.1%
Regnid
2
0
0
2
3
$320,000
NA
NA
$374,450
$447,333
91.5%
NA
NA
99.4%
103.9%
Rock Creek Palisades
2
5
1
4
3
$620,000
$587,000
$619,000
$643,775
$680,000
101.3% 95.4%
100%
104%
100.6%
Springbrook Forest
2
5
5
4
3
$486,750
$564,000
$544,004
$597,500
$895,000
90.4%
94.1%
88%
92.3%
98%
Stephen Knolls
1
3
3
2
11
$331,500
$453,333
$329,667
$361,250
$418,264
100%
101.1% 92.8%
95.1%
101.5%
Weismans
7
12
7
3
7
$289,357
$272,400
$290,714
$356,000
$329,000
97.2%
93.1%
95.2%
97.3%
95.7%
Westchester
2
1
0
2
5
$387,500
$414,500
NA
$350,000
$427,780
97.6%
100%
NA
90%
100.2%
Wheaton Crest
9
8
16
10
7
$344,767
$319,688
$338,650
$368,355
$405,399
94.4%
102.6% 96.3%
98.9%
97.7%
Wheaton Forest
5
8
4
7
4
$397,300
$346,484
$400,625
$419,271
$439,000
98.2%
95.7%
100.1% 100.1% 97.7%
Wheaton Hills
29
33
31
30
34
$315,587
$352,167
$345,676
$366,351
$395,085
97.7%
98.1%
97.9%
99.6%
Wheaton View
6
3
2
6
1
$393,184
$397,333
$406,000
$469,250
$427,000
89%
96.9%
95.1%
98.9%
100.6%
320 378 364 347 334
$388,561
$390,354
$404,445
$422,942
$443,040
96.9%
97.2%
97.5%
99%
99.3%
Blair
22
14
21
11
13
$466,723
$561,607
$567,793
$560,797
$708,238
96.6%
100%
97.3%
97.9%
97.9%
Capitol View Park
16
16
18
9
11
$484,756
$553,297
$439,522
$629,889
$488,695
95.1%
97.6%
95.2%
100.4% 94.4%
Carroll Springs
2
3
3
1
2
$467,500
$515,000
$480,000
$599,000
$535,750
100%
93.1%
97%
100%
Dilles/Linden
1
1
2
2
3
$805,000
$540,000
$584,000
$675,500
$642,467
98.3%
98.4%
100.4% 94.9%
Forest Glen
2
2
5
3
3
$560,750
$496,000
$446,400
$607,833
$677,500
100.3% 87.5%
101.7% 101.2% 93.7%
Forest Glen Knolls
2
2
5
4
2
$427,500
$467,500
$544,600
$432,750
$629,000
98.9%
97.7%
20902 TOTAL
2014
2014
Plyers Mill Estates
Subdivision
2015
Average Sold Price to Original List Price Ratio
Average Sale Price
No. of Homes Sold
100.1%
SILVER SPRING 20910
Boundless Luxury & Unmatched Elegance 10204 Riverwood Drive, Potomac Offered at $2,795,000
99%
94.7%
Urban Living at its Best
MY
The Adagio, Unit 8006, Bethesda Offered at $1,275,000
OF
Just minutes to Potomac Village and built by award-winning builder Chris Bogdan and designed by world renowned artist, Yankel Ginzburg., this breathtaking estate has a transitional floor plan with a dramatic, modern artistic flair throughout all 8,400+ SF.
192
MARCH/APRIL 2019 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM
A beautifully-appointed 1,953 SF bi-level penthouse condo boasting floor-to-ceiling windows, furnished with upscale appliances and finishes, and bird's eye views of downtown Bethesda and charming treed streets.
97.5% 101.1%
100.1%
2018
2017
2016
2014
2018
2018
2017
2017
2016
2016
2
2
9
8
$475,000
$453,250
$480,500
$563,389
$583,550
100.9% 91.4%
95%
98.3%
3
3
3
5
3
$612,333
$598,833
$499,333
$613,900
$634,667
98.3%
99.9%
96.2%
100.2% 97.3%
Montgomery Hills
6
5
6
3
3
$619,300
$571,400
$602,267
$658,333
$606,333
100.7% 97.2%
99.7%
101.1% 100.3%
North Woodside
4
8
6
9
9
$572,250
$515,188
$640,583
$533,978
$599,556
97.1%
96.4%
99.3%
97.9%
100.9%
Northmont
4
4
7
4
7
$409,975
$454,155
$528,071
$523,725
$557,071
98.4%
93.6%
97.3%
94.3%
99.2%
Rock Creek Forest
5
5
3
7
3
$529,700
$559,000
$633,167
$588,700
$621,333
95.9%
97.4%
100%
100.3% 93.1%
Rosemary Hills
9
7
7
3
6
$573,778
$542,250
$666,000
$536,667
$609,875
101.2% 103.8% 99.9%
98.5%
98.6%
Seven Oaks
10
8
9
6
3
$633,500
$596,500
$623,456
$618,817
$750,000
99.2%
94.5%
98.1%
98.8%
98.4%
Silver Spring
14
21
20
20
21
$487,018
$656,405
$559,891
$581,851
$711,440
94.7%
97.8%
100.9% 98.8%
101%
Sixteenth Street Village
3
1
3
2
3
$432,833
$430,000
$494,667
$519,888
$629,000
100.6% 86.9%
100.1% 96.5%
103.7%
Sligo Park Hills
24
29
30
19
17
$558,896
$611,864
$593,410
$548,158
$591,412
99%
98.1%
98.1%
95.6%
97.9%
South Woodside Park
5
6
3
4
5
$588,380
$697,667
$811,000
$814,750
$672,400
99.8%
99.4%
89.5%
100.2% 97.5%
Takoma Park
7
5
9
8
8
$512,629
$610,000
$523,111
$575,335
$653,625
101.4% 95.3%
100%
98.6%
97.5%
Woodside
14
27
12
8
8
$609,006
$608,426
$615,158
$639,688
$634,338
96.3%
95.5%
97.7%
98.2%
91.2%
Woodside Forest
8
12
15
12
13
$624,581
$603,138
$659,275
$676,375
$699,915
92.9%
96.9%
99.3%
97.2%
97.4%
Woodside Hills
0
1
3
4
6
NA
$262,000
$655,000
$591,875
$548,175
NA
95.3%
94.6%
100.5% 98.7%
Woodside Knolls
2
1
4
1
6
$540,000
$469,000
$508,614
$525,000
$518,333
97.4%
97.9%
101.3% 98.7%
Woodside Park
24
18
23
24
24
$716,371
$706,883
$766,065
$820,678
$819,736
96.3%
96.4%
96.5%
100.8% 97.5%
$559,221
$590,488
$588,964
$614,145
$640,506
97.4%
97.1%
98%
98.5%
203 222 237 202 201
2015
2015
2
McNeills
20910 TOTAL
2014
2014
Forest Glen Park
Subdivision
2015
Average Sold Price to Original List Price Ratio
Average Sale Price
No. of Homes Sold
96.8%
95.2%
97.9%
2018 M.C. Builders Association Awards of Excellence Winner Outstanding New Home Showpiece 5BR/4.5BA Arts & Crafts home designed by Studio Z & built by renown Churchill Classics sited on a 12,000 SF lot in Glen Echo Heights offering a premium backyard uncommon for area new-builds.
Taking Real Estate to the Professional Level it Deserves! 301-340-8700 ext. 103 direct | 301-814-3200 cell | mprose57@aol.com BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM | MARCH/APRIL 2019
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real estate 2018
2017
2016
2015
2014
2018
4
2017
2018
1
2016
2017
2
2015
2016
3
2014
2015
2014
Subdivision
Average Sold Price to Original List Price Ratio
Average Sale Price
No. of Homes Sold
UPPER NORTHWEST D.C. 20015 American University Park 0 Chevy Chase
133 145 149 147 134
Hawthorne
6
20015 TOTAL
6
7
4
5
139 157 159 153 145
NA
$876,667
$955,750
$875,000
$1,096,750
NA
$1,065,001
$1,095,099
$1,104,537
$1,139,453
$1,243,635
100.7% 99.5%
101.3% 100.1% 99.4%
$1,001,917
$768,220
$999,124
$789,350
$1,146,000
91.6%
$1,062,278
$1,079,864
$1,099,726
$1,128,739
$1,230,904
100.3% 99.6%
99.8%
102.6% 98.7% 99.8%
107.1%
101.1% 101.1% 97.7%
103.5%
101%
101.3%
UPPER NORTHWEST D.C. 20016 American University Park 66
85
60
80
81
$998,341
$1,063,812
$1,117,884
$1,105,121
$1,126,872
100.7% 100.9% 103%
Chevy Chase
12
4
8
10
9
$1,105,054
$1,012,375
$1,129,934
$1,287,050
$1,462,544
102.3% 108.5% 99.5%
101%
100.8%
Spring Valley
51
35
34
50
36
$1,753,267
$1,618,429
$1,812,029
$1,974,809
$1,718,329
95.4%
94.3%
97.2%
Wakefield
2
5
5
4
8
$1,002,500
$1,111,200
$1,003,578
$1,047,179
$1,378,125
102.6% 102.2% 101.1% 99.3%
99.4%
Wesley Heights
19
13
15
18
12
$1,586,911
$1,632,846
$2,229,967
$1,996,806
$1,793,479
96.3%
95.9%
92.6%
94.4%
99.7%
$1,437,144
$1,409,413
$1,605,785
$1,561,310
$1,506,830
98.2%
98.5%
98.6%
98.2%
99.1%
20016 TOTAL
222 220 210 253 233
96.3%
94.4%
101.4% 101.2%
Data for this section was provided by Bright MLS—the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) for the D.C. Metro area—and ShowingTime.
ABOUT BRIGHT MLS
ABOUT SHOWINGTIME
The Bright MLS real estate service area spans 40,000 square miles throughout the mid-Atlantic region, including Delaware, Maryland, Washington, D.C., and parts of New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia. As a leading Multiple Listing Service (MLS), Bright serves approximately 85,000 real estate professionals who in turn serve more than 20 million consumers. For more information, visit brightmlshomes.com.
ShowingTime is the leading showing management and market reporting technology provider to the residential real estate industry. Its showing products take the inefficiencies out of the appointment scheduling process, while its analytics tools help subscribers generate interactive, easy-to-read local market reports.
PRESIDENTIAL DIALOGUE SERIES | 2018–2019
Arne Duncan: Radical Inclusion in Education – March 5, 2019 Join Montgomery College President DeRionne P. Pollard for a dialogue with Arne Duncan, former US Secretary of Education under President Obama Breakfast 8:30 a.m. Program 9 a.m. Rockville Campus
51 Mannakee Street, Rockville, MD Robert E. Parilla Performing Arts Center
In such a competitive market, it’s a huge advantage to have a realtor that knows the neighborhoods and how to get through the process smoothly and quickly. Stacey Styslinger is that agent and more! As an award winning agent in her billion dollar Bethesda office and a long time resident of Montgomery county, Stacey has a unique perspective on local areas, market trends and what’s hot! Honest, energetic and knowledgeable...a winning combination! Whether listing your existing home or finding your dream home, let Stacey put her talents to work for you!
STACEYSTYSLINGER.COM 240-351-7635 194
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The 2018–2019 Presidential Dialogue Series will explore the politics of radical inclusion. While intolerance appears to be on the rise, an alternative movement—radical inclusion—is gaining traction. This year’s series will delve into the question: How can our nation create a politics of radical inclusion?
montgomerycollege.edu/dialogues
Special thanks to our media sponsor:
Event is free and open to the public. For more information, call 240-567-5267.
BETHESDA Bethesda Magazine’s Online News Briefing
real estate
AMENITY WARS From pet spas and wine lockers to outdoor fireplaces and rooftop pools, apartments and condos are taking luxury living to the next level BY MARGARET ENGEL
T
HE BETHESDA AREA HAS been transformed in recent years by the arrival of fancy highrise living in both apartment and condominium buildings. To attract renters and buyers, developers are outdoing themselves in providing amenities to make life easier and more interesting. The high-rises come with concierges, who handle many of the bothers and errands of daily life, including receiving packages and grocery hauling. They even help with your tech needs. Builders have added luxury communal space, giving residents the ability to entertain within the building, but outside their living quarters. Fireplace seating, large-screen TV viewing areas, private dining rooms, gyms, rooftop kitchens, coffee bars and fully equipped business centers have become common.
The white-glove service is aimed at a “turn the key and leave” lifestyle. Chores like mail collection, plant watering, and cat and fish feeding are handled. The staff will tend to many household details that family members, neighbors and friends once were asked to do. “We’re providing the hospitality of a luxury hotel for everyday living,” says Mike Ennes, vice president of residential properties at Federal Realty Investment Trust, which owns 930 Rose, a luxury condo building in North Bethesda’s Pike & Rose development. “It’s a level of convenience mixed with dining, retail, entertainment and green space.” Here’s what’s offered in some of the newest luxury apartments and condominiums in the Bethesda area.
DARREN HIGGINS PHOTO COURTESY CHEVAL
Cheval Bethesda’s rooftop
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Don’t Lift a Finger
Your Personal Assistant
Would having your own butler make your personal wish list? Wish granted at the Flats 8300 apartment complex in Bethesda, which has hired the New York-based “Hello Alfred” service to provide a free weekly light cleaning of your apartment, including making your bed and taking out the trash. You’re also given a phone app menu of options for a fee, such as picking up prescriptions or cleaning your refrigerator. Nearly every tiresome chore (oven cleaning, car washing) can be handled for a fee by your personal helpmate. At The Palisades of Bethesda apartments, free monthly maid service is provided for residents of the 51 penthouse units.
Making travel arrangements and organizing parties require attention to detail that you might wish to off-load on others. At 930 Rose condominiums, concierge Greg Timpone uses his training from the St. Regis, Four Seasons and InterContinental hotels to book travel, arrange babysitting and suggest restaurants. He also plans anniversary parties and birthday celebrations. Like most concierges, he’ll also schedule and handle any service calls to your home, lifting the burden of having to wait for the cable guy.
No-Excuse Exercise There are no barriers to fitness for residents at Quarry Springs, the ultra-luxury condominiums just outside the Beltway on River Road in Bethesda. Quarry Springs has the largest outdoor pool of the area’s newer luxury condominium and apartment complexes; an expansive 1,000-square-foot fitness center with a multitude of machines and space to meet with a trainer; a yoga studio; and separate men’s and women’s steam rooms and saunas. At the Flats 8300 apartment complex, there are four free exercise classes a week (often Zumba and Tabata) and trainers are on call. There’s also a separate yoga studio at the fitness complex at Cheval Bethesda, a new luxury condo building.
A Dog’s Life No more pet carriers for your Fido or Meowser. At the Flats 8300 apartment complex, pet groomers and vets will come to you, for a fee. Moreover, it’s just an elevator ride away to have your animal treated at a pet spa that includes two dog washing stations (for small and large breeds). The menu includes blueberry facials for dogs, milk conditioners for cats, and nail buffing and teeth brushing for all. You can show off their beauty at monthly “yappy hours,” with treats for the pets and wine for their owners. Basics like dog walking and feeding also are handled by a pet care company. The Element 28 apartment building in Bethesda also offers pet grooming, walking, training and vet services through a pet care contractor. And there are dog washing stations at 7700 Norfolk, The Brody (with a dog run), Gallery Bethesda and Gallery Bethesda II (rooftop dog run), all apartment buildings in Bethesda. The condos at 930 Rose also have an ample dog park.
Up on the Farm Green roofs, lush interior courtyards and landscaped rooftops have sprouted at many Bethesda-area high-rises. But at the 930 Rose condominiums, residents can see their future zucchini salad growing in a 17,000-square-foot rooftop garden. Condo owners get a discounted price on the produce through its farm membership program and never have to pull a weed. Residents also get a break on prices at the restaurant and bar in the Canopy by Hilton hotel, which is in the same building as 930 Rose.
Rooftop Entertaining Residents of The Brody apartments are encouraged to entertain outside with an outdoor fireplace, wraparound terrace, TV screening lounge and rooftop kitchen. At the Element 28 apartment building, there are no worries about a downpour affecting your party in its indoor/outdoor rooftop lounge (the glass walls slide shut). The rooftop terraces at Hampden Row, The Lauren and Stonehall Bethesda, all condominium buildings in Bethesda, have large dining areas with high-end couches, all-weather furniture and sophisticated landscaping for sunset parties. Residents of the Gallery Bethesda II apartments bake their own creations in the rooftop kitchen’s brick pizza ovens, which are flanked by outdoor grills.
Pool Time For water lovers, nothing beats a convenient pool. Serious lap swimmers can do their workouts in an ultramodern Olympic-length pool atop the 17-floor 7770 Norfolk apartment building in Bethesda. The poolside view is expansive—to the Mormon temple in Kensington and beyond. At the Flats 8300 apartment complex, swimmers and waders get their own space in two large rooftop pools atop the ninth floor, with impressive views of downtown Bethesda. Lifeguards are on duty during business hours. The Gallery Bethesda and Gallery Bethesda II apartment buildings both have rooftop pools with terrific views. All the rooftop pools are open air and are surrounded by lounge areas and umbrellas that can be used for relaxing year-round.
Breakfast’s on Us! For the residents of The Palisades of Bethesda’s 51 penthouse apartments, making breakfast is one more chore that’s vanished. Free breakfast is served Monday through Friday in the 12th-floor penthouse lounge, with fresh fruit, oatmeal, sweet rolls, cereals, juices, hard-boiled eggs and premium coffee.
Wheels Pampered Cars and bicycles get special attention with charging for electric engines, car washing, and bike repair and storage available at nearly all high-rises. At The Lauren condos, residents get 24-hour valet parking. BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM | MARCH/APRIL 2019
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real estate
Cyclists at the Flats 8300 apartments can choose between two bicycle repair rooms, each with storage space for 60 bicycles and permanent air pumps, loaner tools and workstations. You’ll also find bike repair stations at The Brody, Element 28, Gallery Bethesda and Gallery Bethesda II.
Come Together In-house experiences for community building and neighborly fun are a central part of the offerings at the Flats 8300 apartment complex. Professional comedians are hired for regular comedy nights, along with guest lecturers and musicians. The ground-floor lobby becomes a small auditorium filled with rows of chairs for the special events, which are held about every other month. Residents and the public are invited to fine art shows in the expansive lobby of the Quarry Springs condominiums.
Vintage Service Wine is taken seriously, with many buildings offering wine and cheese gatherings. At the Element 28 apartment building, a concierge places your wine arrivals into a temperature-controlled cooler in the lobby. At The Lauren condominiums, residents can store their own bottles in a wall of wooden wine lockers that line a special lounge. You can uncork your wine with friends in the lounge’s formal dining space. There’s also a nearby fireplace and cozy couches for a casual place to raise a glass. n
The clubroom at Flats 8300
Luxury Apartments 7770 Norfolk
7770 Norfolk Ave., Bethesda; 301652-7340; live7770.com ✦ Concierge on-site 24/7 and oncall maintenance service 24/7 ✦ Fitness center ✦ Rooftop swimming pool ✦ Rooftop living rooms with grills ✦ Resident lounge with double fireplace ✦ Clubhouse ✦ Lobby coffee and snacks lounge ✦ Pet washing station ✦ Bike storage
The Brody
4901 Montgomery Lane, Bethesda; 301-347-7187; brodyapts.co ✦ Concierge daily, 7 a.m.-11 p.m. ✦ 24/7 package retrieval system ✦ Fitness center ✦ Rooftop lounge with TV screening room ✦ Wraparound terrace with outdoor fireplace ✦ Rooftop kitchen and catering kitchen ✦ Pet spa and dog run ✦ Bike repair station
The rooftop at the Flats 8300 apartment complex includes this lounge area and two pools.
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100 Commerce Lane, Bethesda; 202-719-2329; element28apts.com ✦ Concierge on-site 24/7 ✦ Fitness studio ✦ Rooftop lounge with retractable glass walls ✦ Rooftop service kitchen with bar ✦ Lobby-level temperature-controlled wine lockers ✦ Contracts for dog walking, mobile vet care, grooming and training ✦ Bike storage area with repair station ✦ Monitor with real-time transit information
PHOTOS COURTESY FLATS 8300
Element 28
Gallery Bethesda’s rooftop pool
Cheval Bethesda’s clubroom
The lobby lounge at Gallery Bethesda
Luxury Condos Flats at Bethesda Avenue
7170 Woodmont Ave., Bethesda; 301-795-2896; flatsatbethesda avenue.com ✦ Concierge on-site 24/7 ✦ Fitness center, yoga space ✦ Rooftop lounge with demonstration kitchen, fire pit, bar ✦ Two-level clubroom with fireplace, pool table, kitchen ✦ Outdoor patio with landscaped courtyard ✦ Coffee lounge with Wi-Fi ✦ Bike storage area
GALLERY PHOTOS COURTESY DONOHOE; RENEE ALEXANDER PHOTO COURTESY CHEVAL
Flats 8300
8300 Wisconsin Ave., Bethesda; 301-683-7425; flats8300.com ✦ Concierge on-site 24/7 ✦ “Hello Alfred” weekly butler service ✦ Fitness center with four free classes weekly ✦ Rooftop lap pool and wading pool ✦ Rooftop lounge with fireplace, eating areas, demonstration kitchen ✦ Fireside lobby lounge with coffee bar, Wi-Fi ✦ Clubroom with three-sided fireplace, pool table, bar, TV area ✦ Courtyard with water feature, sculptures, path ✦ Multiple bike rooms with repair stations ✦ Pet spa and dog washing area ✦ Entertainment (comedy shows, classes) seven times a year
Gallery Bethesda
4800 Auburn Ave., Bethesda; 240654-4800; www.vmimgmt.com/ apartments/md/bethesda/gallerybethesda ✦ Concierge on-site 24/7 ✦ Fitness center ✦ Rooftop pool ✦ Rooftop lounge with pool table,
grills, fireplace ✦ Cyber lounge with Wi-Fi, computers, printers, coffee bar ✦ Pool table, multimedia center ✦ Indoor party kitchen ✦ Bike room with tools and repair stand ✦ Pet washing/grooming area and dog run
Gallery Bethesda II
4850 Rugby Ave., Bethesda; 240287-4850; www.vmimgmt.com/ apartments/md/bethesda/gallerybethesda-ii ✦ Concierge on-site 24/7 ✦ Fitness center ✦ Rooftop pool ✦ Rooftop lounge with grills, pizza ovens ✦ Clubroom ✦ Coffee lounge ✦ Business center with Wi-Fi ✦ Bike area with tools and repair stand ✦ Rooftop dog run (artificial turf) ✦ Pet washing station
The Palisades of Bethesda
4835 Cordell Ave., Bethesda; 240-681-2652; southernmanagement. com/communities/palisades-ofbethesda ✦ Concierge on-site 24/7 ✦ Fitness center with free access to personal training ✦ Rooftop lounge ✦ Residents’ lobby lounge ✦ 24/7 business center with computers, printer and Wi-Fi ✦ Car washing station ✦ Full backup generator supplying 100 percent of electrical needs ✦ Free monthly maid service to the 51 penthouse units, plus free continental breakfast Monday through Friday
930 Rose
930 Rose Ave. (Pike & Rose), North Bethesda; 301-747-3634; 930rose.com ✦ Concierge daily during business hours ✦ Rooftop fitness center ✦ Rooftop garden terrace with grills, dining area, entertaining kitchen ✦ Dog park ✦ Bike storage ✦ Rooftop farm (17,000 square feet) that provides produce to residents at a discount through a farm membership program ✦ Located above Canopy by Hilton boutique hotel with special rates for residents for meeting rooms, catering services, restaurant and bar
Cheval Bethesda
4960 Fairmont Ave., Bethesda; 301-476-1527; chevalbethesda.com ✦ Concierge on-site 24/7 ✦ Concierge arranges dog walking and grooming, car detailing, transportation, in-residence catering ✦ Fitness center and yoga studio ✦ Clubroom ✦ Rooftop living room with bar ✦ Bike storage
Hampden Row
4915 Hampden Lane, Bethesda; 855-298-0316; hampdenrow.com ✦ Concierge on-site 24/7 ✦ Rooftop terrace lounge with fireplace, grills, dining tables, sunbathing area ✦ Rooftop fitness center ✦ Residents’ lounge ✦ Bike storage
The Lauren
4901 Hampden Lane, Bethesda; 301-463-7012; thelaurenresidences. com ✦ Concierge on-site 24/7 ✦ Fitness center ✦ Rooftop terrace with outdoor dining, lounge, sunbathing area ✦ Rooftop catering kitchen ✦ Residents’ lounge with fireplace, TV, dining room, bar, personal wine lockers, Wi-Fi ✦ Pet services and away-from-home services ✦ Bike storage ✦ 24-hour valet parking ✦ Car detailing available ✦ Tech assistance ✦ Loaner tools
Quarry Springs
8101 River Road, Bethesda; 240-762-6809; quarrysprings.com ✦ Concierge daily during business hours ✦ Fitness center with yoga studio, men’s and women’s steam rooms, saunas, locker rooms ✦ Outdoor resort pool ✦ 10,000-square-foot clubhouse with library, catering kitchen, game rooms and lounge ✦ Direct-entry elevators ✦ Gated community with 24/7 attendant ✦ Terraced gardens and waterfall
Stonehall Bethesda
8302 Woodmont Ave., Bethesda; 301-747-3217; stonehallbethesda. com ✦ Concierge daily, 7 a.m.-7 p.m. ✦ Fitness center ✦ Rooftop terrace, garden, dining tables ✦ Clubroom with bar
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real estate
THE TOP PRODUCERS
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MARCH/APRIL 2019 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM
Meet the agents and teams that sell the most real estate in Montgomery County RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE IS big business in Montgomery County. Last year, 12,312 homes were sold for a total sales volume of $6.67 billion. Not surprisingly, Montgomery County has attracted a small army of real estate agents who do business here—7,790 agents work in the county. But not all real estate agents are created equal. A small percentage of the agents sell a large percentage of the homes. On the following pages we list the top producers—the individual agents with total sales in the county of at least $7.5 million between Nov. 1, 2017, and Oct. 31, 2018; and teams with at least $12 million in sales during the same period. In the list, we tag an elite group of agents and teams as “top tier producers.” Agents with that designation had at least $15 million in sales, and teams had average sales of at least $5 million per team member. Top tier producers are designated with the TOP symbol. The agents and teams are listed in alphabetical order under the offices where they work. The list reflects the brokerage the agents/teams were affiliated with as of Jan. 23, 2019. The sales data was provided by the real estate brokerages and offices that are listed.
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TOP
Buyerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Edge AGENT Stephen Carpenter-Israel
Coakley Realty AGENTS Rory S. Coakley Lori Maggin TOP Chris Nagel TOP Michael P. Rose
TOP
TOP
Coldwell Banker Bethesda Downtown office AGENTS Marlene Aisenberg Diana Keeling
TEAM The Sandoval Group
TEAMS Atlas Group TOP Casaday Allison Group Ferris Levin Collaborative Carmen Fontecilla Group TOP Leslie Friedson Group Galanti Group TOP Margie Halem Group Mandy and David Team Cara Pearlman Group TOP Real Estate Top Dog Team TOP Dana Rice Group TOP Jenn Smira Team Trent & Co
AGENTS Jan Brito TOP Hans Wydler
TOP
AGENTS Mark Goldberg Todd Harris TOP Cheryl Leahy TOP Stacey Styslinger Kathy Whalen TOP
TOP
TEAMS The Coleman Group The Faraji Team Levin Group The Sky Group
Long & Foster Bethesda All Points office AGENTS Andy Alderdice Lydia Benson Kelly Bohi TEAM Emmett Homes
TOP
Forum Properties
Coldwell Banker Potomac office AGENTS Rebecca Lewis Cathy Paulos Sunno Sahani-Jhangiani
Compass Chevy Chase office
204
Long & Foster Bethesda office
Compass Wydler Brothers
Coldwell Banker North Potomac/Rockville office
AGENTS Christy Bakaly Annabel Burch-Murton Erich Cabe TOP Peter Ferguson Maya Hyman Gretchen Koitz Cheryl Kurss TOP Rhonda Mortensen Connie Lopez Parker Lindsay Reishman Kirsten Rowan Ellie Shorb TOP Sam Solovey
Laura Steuart Susan Van Nostrand Mary Lynn White
= TOP TIER PRODUCER
TOP
AGENT Paul E. Biciocchi
Long & Foster Bethesda Gateway office
Keller Williams Capital Properties Bethesda-Chevy Chase office AGENTS Jill Schwartz Martin Signore Theresa Taylor TEAMS Dana Global Advantage Mynor & Associates
TOP
Keller Williams Capital Properties Rockville office AGENTS Buffy Foster Jacque Grenning Doug Lunenfeld Cedric Stewart
MARCH/APRIL 2019 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM
AGENTS Thais Austin Arthur Dunning TOP Ben Fazeli Alexa Goulding Nikolas R. Groshans-Lozada Aaron Jeweler Michael Matese TOP Jane McGuire Sterling Mehring Eldad Moraru Kathy Morgan Matt Murton Linda Picasso Merlin Rodriguez Helen Trybus Kristen Waksberg TEAMS The Banner Team TOP The Buckley Group TOP The Debbie Cohen Team
TOP
The Ditto Group TOP The Estridge Group TOP The Jane Fairweather Team Fitzpatrick Group TOP Sarah Funt TOP Judi & Caryn+ TOP The Donna Karpa Team TOP Pennye Latimer TOP Lynda O’Dea TOP The Rozansky Group TOP Pam Ryan-Brye TOP The Schuck Group TOP The Souza Group TOP Umanzor & Associates TOP The Wiesenfelder Group TOP
TOP
Long & Foster Burtonsville office TEAM Savercool Team
Long & Foster North Bethesda/ Rockville office AGENTS Joanna Argenio Molly Carter Jennifer Chow MaryAnne Fiorita Chris Hager Becky Plesset Denise Szczur
TOP
TEAM Barbara Ciment’s Real Estate Team
AGENT Ron Sitrin
Long & Foster Christie’s International Real Estate Bethesda office
TOP
TEAMS Heller Coley Reed TOP The Elaine Koch Group Speicher Group TOP
TOP
TEAMS David Dabbondanza Team Joe Huff Team Victor Llewellyn Group TOP Powers Brothers TOP Robert Qawar Group Scott Team International Eric Stewart Group TOP The James Wu Team
AGENTS Teresa Burton Stacey Sauter
AGENTS Gail Chisholm Judith Kogod Colwell
TEAMS The Abrams Group TOP Michelle Yu Team TOP
TEAM Finn Family Group
TOP
TOP
Maury Real Estate Long & Foster Potomac Village office AGENTS Ehad Hancioglu Theres A. Kellermann Toni Koerber Debbie Leyba Holly Lynn Smith TEAM The Jennifer Chow Group
TEAM Brian & Amy Maury
McEnearney Associates AGENTS Kathy Byars Sue Hill Mark Hudson Ann McClure Anslie Stokes Milligan Patty Rhyne-Kirsch Thomas Williams
TOP
Long & Foster Evers & Co. AGENTS Linda Chaletzky Karen Kuchins Laura McCaffrey
TOP
Mark Day Tim Horst Steve Kelley Mike McDermitt George Papakostas Corey Savelson Nazir Ullah Yaya Zhang
Long & Foster Takoma Park office
Long & Foster Park Potomac office
Long & Foster Chevy Chase/ Uptown office
AGENTS Betty Batty TOP Greta Nicoletti Kyle Richards
TEAMS Susan Berger & Ellen Sandler Murtagh Properties TOP
Long & Foster Rockville Centre office TOP
AGENTS Michael “Rocky” Bowers Russell Brazil
RE/MAX Elite Services North BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM | MARCH/APRIL 2019
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TOP
RE/MAX Elite Services North Bethesda office TEAM Nurit Coombe & Team
TOP
RE/MAX Realty Services
RLAH Real Estate
AGENTS Matt Ghazarian Lorraine Gottlieb Alex Goumilevski TOP Audrey June-Forshey Jeremy Lichtenstein TOP Brian Lumpkin Mac McCord Jennifer Nangle Miguel Ruiz John Williams TOP Douglas Tyler Wood
AGENTS Anh Boesch Andrew Essreg TOP Daniel Llerena Jeffrey Reese Andres Serafini TOP
Stuart & Maury Realtors AGENT Matthew Maury
TEAMS The Butterfield Group TOP Carolyn Homes TOP The Congressional Team Dart Homes TOP The Melinda Hines Team TOP The McGlaughlin Team TOP The Myers Team TOP Ross Residential TOP Alex Stefan & Helena Pulyeava
Redfin AGENTS Russell Chandler Delilah Dane TOP Catherine Davila TOP Pamela DuBois Michael Gonzalez TOP Lisa Greaves TOP Mandy Kaur TOP Bryan Kerrigan TOP Antonia Ketabchi TOP Litsa Laddbush Amanda Lasko TOP Rheetuparna Pal Mahajan Matt Modesitt TOP Emeka Mokwunye John Monen TOP Nicole Neal Long Ngo 206
Kris Paolini TOP Caroline Reynolds Annette Sante Ruby Styslinger TOP Marcus Wilson
TOP
TOP
Sunshine Properties Inc. AGENT Michael Ray
TTR Sothebyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s International Realty Chevy Chase office TOP
AGENTS Ashk Adamiyatt Katherine Buckley TOP Corey Burr Carlos Evans Christine Basso Fitzgerald Kevin Friend Joseph Himali TOP Lindsay Lucas Barbara Nalls TOP Shahab Nasrin TEAMS Ai & Co. TOP Lauren Davis Team TOP Finnell Lee Homes TOP The Fleisher Group TOP Kirsten + Frank TOP
MARCH/APRIL 2019 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM
= TOP TIER PRODUCER
Washington Fine Properties AGENTS Kira Epstein Begal Lisa Stransky Brown TOP Dan Corr Alyssa Crilley Nancy Itteilag TOP Kathy Kiernan Anne Killeen TOP Traudel Lange TOP Lori Leasure Kay McGrath TOP Adaline Neely Richard Newcomb Jr. Joanne Pinover Tom Riley Kara Sheehan TOP Liz Lavette Shorb Lynne Tucker TEAMS HRL Partners McCormick Gregory Team TOP The Meg & Alison Team TOP Robert & Tyler The Schuman Team TOP
Weichert, Realtors Bethesda office AGENT Weiming Qi
Your home. Our mission.
Top Producers
At Compass, we believe no barrier should stand between where you are and where you belong. By pairing knowledgeable agents with intuitive technology, we deliver a modern real estate experience in Virginia and beyond.
Cheryl Kurss
Cara Pearlman Group
Maya Hyman
Jenn Smira Team
Dana Rice Group
Margie Halem
Trent & Co.
Christy Bakaly
Casaday Allison Group
Atlas Group
The Friedson Group
Compass is a licensed real estate brokerage that abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. This is not intended to solicit property already listed. Compass is licensed as Compass Real Estate in DC and as Compass in Virginia and Maryland. 1313 14th Street NW, Washington, DC 20005, 202.386.6330 | 5471 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 300, Chevy Chase, MD 20815 | 301.298.1001 | 1232 31st Street NW, Washington, DC 20007, 202.448.9002 | 660 Pennsylvania Avenue SE, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20003, 202.545.6900 | 6849 Old Dominion Drive, Suite 360, McLean, VA 22101, 703.310.6111 | 3100 Clarendon Boulevard. Suite 200, Arlington, VA 22201 703.266.7277
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T OP PRODUC E R S
Maya D. Hyman Realtor® DC, MD
maya@compass.com
301.466.4677
Maya Hyman believes that finding the right home can change someone’s life. It’s this very conviction that informs her approach to real estate, from the best-in-class services she provides to the unrivaled market insight she offers. Together, Maya and her team create personalized experiences for every client they advise, from first-time home buyers to seasoned sellers. Work with Maya today to be seen, be heard, and most of all, to find where you belong.
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Cara Pearlman Group
T OP PRODUC E R S
Realtor® DC, MD, VA cara@dcsuburbhomes.com 202.641.3008
Realtor® DC, MD, VA elysia@casadayallison.com 301.787.4147 Realtor® DC, MD, VA brittany@casadayallison.com 301.461.0084
The Casaday Allison Group strives to create a real estate experience unlike any other. With a fresh and innovative approach, they combine unrivaled technology with bestin-class service—regardless of price point or location. The client connections they forge endure long after the deal closes, and they love being there to guide people through life’s most important moments.
Casaday Allison Group
The Cara Pearlman Group recognizes that buying or selling a home is an important milestone, and they are honored to be trusted advisors as clients make the biggest investments of their lives. By harnessing Compass tools like Collections and Market Insights, the Cara Pearlman Group adds efficiency and value to every client interaction, while keeping an eye on the market to maintain their competitive edge.
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Realtor® DC, MD, VA trent@trentandco.com 202.210.6448 Realtor® DC, MD mary@trentandco.com 240.461.3928
Trent & Co. For Trent & Co, real estate is about so much more than a simple transaction. Their mission? To create a seamless, stress-free, and successful real estate experience for every client they advise by pairing unrivaled expertise with world-class service. The team offers a concierge approach to buying and selling homes, assisting clients with anything and everything, from market analysis to summer camp recommendations. For sellers, Trent & Co provides staging services that inspire, taking the time to go room by room, transforming a home into a potential buyer’s ultimate dream. For buyers, the team loves putting their problem-solving skills to use by helping clients navigate the process of finding their dream home through the complicated “contract to close” process. As community leaders, Trent & Co team members give back to the community they call home by donating trees, supporting school foundation events, and hosting benefits to raise money for local causes. Whether you’re a first-time buyer, a downsizer, or a seasoned seller, Trent & Co will be there at every step of your real estate journey.
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Jenn Smira & Shelley Gold As two of the most esteemed agents on the regional real estate scene, Jenn Smira and Shelley Gold decided to team up in 2017 to serve their clients seamlessly and successfully. Together, Shelley and Jenn work to make the real estate process fun and personal, while always maintaining an aura of professionalism.
Realtor® DC, MD, VA jsmira@compass.com 202.340.7675
Realtor® DC, MD, VA shelley@shelleygold.com 202.271.5885
Last year, Shelley was named as the #2 Top Producing Individual Agent at Compass DC, while Jenn and her team were also named as the #2 Top Producing Team regionally. Both Shelley and Jenn are excited to be building the future of real estate, and they can’t wait to help even more clients find their place in the world in the months and years to come.
The Friedson Group With 20 years of award-winning real estate experience, Realtor Leslie Friedson has earned a stellar reputation for her unbeatable industry know-how and her passionate devotion to clients. Delivering world-class service paired with savvy negotiation skills and marketing prowess, her success is evidenced by the fact that nearly 100 percent of her clients are repeat customers or referrals. As the leader of The Friedson Group, Leslie is proud to serve everyone from first-time buyers to empty-nesters, from Washington, DC downtowners to Maryland and Virginia suburbanites.
Realtor® DC, MD leslie@thefriedsongroup.com 301.455.4506
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Dana Rice Group Realtor® DC, MD
danaricegroup@compass.com
202.669.6908
Looking for a strategic partner in your next move? Get the Dana Rice Group on your side. Navigate the world of real estate with experts you can trust. With over 50 years of combined expertise and nearly $68M in volume in 2018, we’ve helped countless sellers and buyers achieve their real estate goals. Featured on CNBC, Nightly Business Report, Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post and Curbed DC. Go ahead and give us a call! We’d love to partner with you.
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Cheryl Kurss Realtor® DC, MD, VA cherylkurss@gmail.com 301.346.6615
As a former real estate lawyer, Cheryl carefully protects her clients’ best interests in the process of home selling and buying. While she is skilled with documents and in negotiations, of most importance to Cheryl is establishing personal relationships with her clients, many of whom have become her friends. In over twenty years as a Realtor, Cheryl has developed a large network of clients that often spans several generations within the same family. A top producing Realtor, Cheryl also speaks French. Together with her rescue dog, Moose, she welcomes new clients from around the world.
Consistently recognized as one of Bethesda’s top realtors, Christy is passionate about helping both buyers and sellers navigate their most valuable financial investment. Prior to real estate, Christy worked extensively with high-level political figures and business leaders at the White House, where she spearheaded numerous marketing and media campaigns for national and internal conferences. It was in this capacity that Christy cultivated invaluable communication and negotiation skills, which she demonstrates daily for her clients. As an agent, Christy has sold over $70 million in transactions and has been distinguished as a top producer by Washingtonian Magazine. She has also secured several placements in the Washington Post, including “House of the Week”. While wellversed in all aspects of the area’s competitive real estate market, from Potomac, to Georgetown and beyond, Christy is exceptionally skilled in the art of relocation. No matter where your real estate journey may take you next, you can count on Christy to be by your side every step of the way.
Christy Bakaly Realtor® MD, DC christy.bakaly@compass.com 301.412.8830
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Realtor® DC, MD, VA margie@compass.com 301.775.4196
Margie Halem With over 34 years of experience, Margie’s enduring passion for real estate shines through as she seamlessly guides her clients through the process of buying or selling a home. She is known for offering unrivaled market insight and innovative marketing tactics to maximize results, though she knows that nothing can replace the personal relationships she cultivates along the way. As one of the most distinguished agents in the DC region, Margie has been voted one of the area’s best Realtors by readers of Bethesda Magazine, and has been named as one of the top agents nationwide in The Wall Street Journal. Margie gives back to the community she calls home through her involvement with several charities— including Autism Speaks, and The American Heart Association. Margie and her tenured team of eight serve Washington, DC, Virginia, and Maryland.
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Atlas Group Realtor® DC, MD
If you don’t believe that real estate can be fun, then you’ve never worked with the Atlas Group. Atlas creates tailored experiences for every client they serve, while infusing each part of the process with just the right amount of humor and cheer. For Atlas, clients quickly become lifelong friends who they support and guide through each of life’s most notable real
atlasgroup@compass.com
240.401.4720
estate milestones— from a first home purchase, to the decision to downsize years later. Characterized by an unrelenting poise and deep sense of professionalism, the team is revered—by both clients and industry professionals—as leaders and experts in the communities they serve, a role they don’t take lightly.
They prioritize collaboration and innovation, believing in the power of sharing ideas and in challenging outdated norms to strengthen client outcomes. Wherever your next real estate journey may take you, you can count on Atlas to help you navigate it with ease while guiding you to the results you deserve.
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Real Estate Agents PROFILES
Erich Cabe SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, COMPASS How would your clients describe you? Hardworking, diligent and very effective. Our team had over $75 million in sales in 2018, and our business is 90 percent referrals from past clients. This indicates that we are definitely doing our jobs well. Today, we facilitate transactions all across the metro area, and mainly within Downtown D.C., Upper Northwest, Bethesda, Chevy Chase, Cabin John and Potomac. We work with every type of consumer: new buyers, high-end markets, previous clients, growing families and downsizers. We connect well with people. After all, real estate is a relationship business. That’s why technology hasn’t replaced us. Still, it’s key to have up-to-date local knowledge and insights. Our clients know they’re in competent hands while navigating the process of selling a propertyand finding a new home. What is the one thing that your clients should know about you? I believe the “secret formula” in real estate is doing the right things steadily and consistently. We use many tried and true strategies that make the journey as uncomplicated as possible, but every transaction is unique and customized for them and their specific concerns. Our slogan is “Knowledge, Integrity and Experience”—all three are indispensable to our business.
AWARDS AND HONORS Sold over $75 million, 2018; REAL Trends, “Top Agent;” Zillow, “Premiere Agent;” Top 1 percent, Realtors International; “Top Agent & Best Agent,” Washingtonian 2015-2018
5471 Wisconsin Ave., Third Floor Chevy Chase, MD 20815 301-298-1001 | D: 202-320-6469 Erich.Cabe@Compass.com | www.ecrealtor.net 216
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“...it's key to have upto-date local knowledge and insights. Our clients know they're in competent hands while navigating the process of selling a property and finding a new home.”
What’s an example of something in your professional life that you’re particularly proud of? I’m very proud to have pulled together the team we have today. It’s very satisfying to use my interpersonal aptitude, team-building experience and love of real estate to help people with one of the most important transactions of their lives. Growing and fine-tuning our business is fascinating, fun and a commitment I am so glad I made almost 15 years ago.
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Real Estate Agents TOP PRODUCER
Nurit Coombe THE NURIT COOMBE TEAM, RE/MAX ELITE SERVICES What is your professional and educational background? For the first 11 years of my professional life I was the marketing director of the Israeli Armament Development Authority, Rafael USA. I managed numerous defense programs, interfacing with U.S. Special Forces and Israeli Defense Forces. I am always surprised how much my military career helped me to become a successful real estate agent. I’m very strategic and analytical; I see many steps ahead and plan for them. In an industry that changes rapidly, I can easily adapt to different market conditions, diverse clientele and new tools to deliver the best results.
TONY J. LEWIS
How do you employ new technology? Being an Israeli and working in defense, technology has always been my passion! I have implemented this passion and forward thinking within my business and my team. We are innovators in real estate technology and have developed tools that no one else has; such as our customized Alexa “Open House Tour Guide.” Ask any question about the house and Alexa can provide you with the answer! With this we have created a huge buzz in the industry. What brings you the most satisfaction in your work? The most satisfaction I get is seeing a young couple get their dream home or helping a client move out of the home they have lived in for 40+ years; working with them throughout the process, hugging them along the way and forever being a part of their story. We touch people and we stay in touch. I love that! I always say, “It’s more than your home, it’s your life!”
“In an industry that changes rapidly, I can easily adapt to different market conditions, diverse clientele and new tools to deliver the best results.” AWARDS AND HONORS #1 RE/MAX Team in Maryland; #1 Team (from all agents) in Montgomery County; RE/MAX Circle of Legends; America's Best Agents, Wall Street Journal; A 2019 Top Vote Getter, “Best Real Estate Agent,” Bethesda Magazine
6101 Executive Blvd. Suite 230 North Bethesda, MD 20852 301-346-5252 | 301-463-7500 nurit@teamnurit.com www.teamnurit.com
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LONG & FOSTER ALL POINTS How would your clients describe you? From notes received from two recent sales: “We’ve been using Andy for over 20 years whenever we bought and sold homes in Bethesda-Chevy Chase and Silver Spring. She knows the marketplace very well, works tirelessly and is extremely professional. She’s so easy to deal with, patient and understanding, honest and straightforward. And she has a great sense of humor too! She is one of the best in the business.” - Michael P. “She was very knowledgeable about the Bethesda/D.C. area. She really helped us identify the kinds of homes we wanted to look at. She was extremely responsive when we had questions from start to finish. When it came to closing her guidance and professionalism made the process as painless as possible. She was honest and we never questioned that she was in there pitching for us.” - Ellen P. What makes you different than other real estate agents? Personal attention. You will always deal with one of us, not a junior team member. This ensures effective communication and service, as you’re always working with Andy and/or Jessica. You receive weekly updates on the market so you’re able to make a well-informed decision, whether buying or selling. What’s an example of something in your professional life that you’re particularly proud of? Right now, it’s our honor of being named “A Top Voter Getter” for Best Real Estate Agent in the Bethesda Magazine Best of Bethesda Readers Poll. Not being part of a big team, we never thought we could compete with larger groups for this distinction. We accomplished it with hard work, professionalism and integrity, and we're really happy to share it with our friends and clients. 218
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“We've been using Andy for over 20 years whenever we bought and sold our homes in Bethesda-Chevy Chase and Silver Spring.” AWARDS AND HONORS “A Top Vote Getter” for Best Real Estate Agent, Bethesda Magazine’s Best of Bethesda Readers Poll, 2019; Top Agent, Washingtonian, 2018; #2 sales team in metro region, 2017; Top 1 Percent, Christie's International Luxury Alliance
4701 Sangamore Road Bethesda, MD 20816 301-466-5898 andy4homes@gmail.com www.andy4homes.com
JAMES KIM
Andy & Jessica Alderdice
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Real Estate Agents TOP
Front Row, L-R: Ilene Gordon, Michelle Teichberg, Pat Karta, Wendy Banner, Julia Fortin, Jody Aucamp, Gail Gordon. Back Row, L-R: Brooke Bassin, Emily Moritt. Not shown: Paula Nesbitt, Sharyn Goldman.
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The Banner Team What is the one thing that your clients should know about you? What's more important than being number 1 is that we have a professionally trained opera singer, a native Brazilian, a gymnast, a serious Wisconsin Badgers fan, an avid skier, rock climber, world travelers, and a foster mom for local dog rescues on our team. What makes you different than other real estate teams? We’re a real team of 15 women and, besides our professional relationships, we're besties. We do weekly yoga sessions together. We have an annual work retreat at the beach that's fun and productive, too. We laugh a lot and that's important, because we work hard to provide our clients with less stress and more success. We think our diverse backgrounds, our willingness to go above and beyond for clients and our mutual love of fulfilling dreams leads to our success. The Banner Team is a fixture in Montgomery County, and a top 200 real estate group in the nation year after year.
LISA HELFERT
What brings you the most satisfaction in your work? We love working with each other. But we also love helping people, no matter what their situation or needs. Whether you're a first-time buyer, a seller wanting to downsize, or family looking for additional space, we get excited and commit to giving you a happy and memorable real estate transaction. Our team successfully helped over 120 families move in 2018 and settled over $134 million in sales—our best year ever! What’s an example of something in your professional life that you’re particularly proud of? Joining this amazing team!
“We laugh a lot and that's important, because we work hard to provide our clients with less stress and more success.” AWARDS AND HONORS Over $1 billion sold and settled; Washingtonian, Best Team, 2018; Top-producing group, Long & Foster Bethesda Gateway Office, 2018; Top 200 Realtors Nationwide, REAL Trends
Bethesda Gateway Office 4650 East West Highway Bethesda, MD 20814 301-365-9090 | Info@bannerteam.com www.BannerTeam.com
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Kirsten Williams & Frank Snodgrass VICE PRESIDENTS, TTR SOTHEBY’S INTERNATIONAL REALTY What brings you the most satisfaction in your work? Helping our clients achieve their goals, whether it is wanting to own their first home, or selling one of their largest, most important financial assets. There's no greater satisfaction than walking through a place and knowing that you've just found your clients their new home. What is your professional and educational background? Kirsten: I grew up in California and Oregon and have a BA in Communications from Saint Mary's College of California, and a master's degree in Psychology from Boston University. I moved to Washington, DC and worked for two highly regarded commercial interior goods firms. Frank: I grew up in Washington, DC, graduating from Landon School in Bethesda and Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana. I have been working as a real estate agent my entire professional career, over 16 years. What is the one thing that your clients should know about you? We bring over 37 years of real estate experience to each client. We both have broker’s licenses and are currently on the Board of Directors for the Greater Capital Area Association of Realtors (GCAAR). The depth of our experience and personal networks have enabled us to get deals completed, often without our clients ever knowing all of the work going on in the background. What makes you different than other real estate agents? We don’t look at each deal as just a transaction. We love building relationships with our clients that have, in many cases, lasted for years. We have a lot of fun throwing parties and events for our clients and bringing people together.
“We love building relationships with our clients that have, in many cases, lasted for years.”
5454 Wisconsin Ave. | Chevy Chase, MD 20815 Kirsten: 202-657-2022 | kcwilliams@ttrsir.com Frank: 202-257-0978 | frank@franksnodgrass.com O: 301-967-3344 | kirstenandfrank.ttrsir.com 220
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TONY J. LEWIS
AWARDS AND HONORS Board member, Chevy Chase Historical Society; Directors, Greater Capital Area Association of Realtors (GCAAR)
PROFILES
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
Real Estate Agents TOP PRODUCER
Carolyn Sappenfield CAROLYN HOMES, RE/MAX REALTY SERVICES What brings you the most satisfaction in your work? Buying or selling a home is one of the most emotionally resonant and financially intimidating experiences you’ll go through in your lifetime. The most rewarding aspect of my job is helping my clients as they navigate through this process, whether they are firsttime homebuyers, custom building their dream home, investing or downsizing, and seeing their real estate goals come to fruition.
HILARY SCHWAB
What is your professional and educational background? After earning my BA in Education from American University, I spent several years as an elementary school teacher before transitioning into my career in real estate. I’ve been able to apply many of the skills I gained as a teacher to my current profession, in particular my ability to be methodical, capable of handling unexpected challenges with patience and pragmatism, and to educate my clients throughout the process. What makes you different than other real estate agents? I’m proud to lead an all-female team of native Washingtonians who have a deep-rooted network in this region. The intimate understanding we have developed from decades of experience living and working in this community allows us to deliver unparalleled expertise to our clients, not only on market conditions but also on schools, vibes of various neighborhoods, local dining and recreation options, and much more. Above all, we are committed to providing an unmatched level of service and dedication to our clients, and developing lifelong relationships with them long after their real estate transactions are closed.
“The intimate understanding we have developed from decades of experience living and working in this community allows us to deliver unparalleled expertise to our clients.” AWARDS AND HONORS Washingtonian, “Best Real Estate Agent,” 2015-2018; Bethesda Magazine, A Top Vote Getter, “Best Real Estate Team,” Best of Bethesda Readers' Poll, 2019; RE/MAX Diamond Club, Lifetime Achievement Award
4825 Bethesda Ave., Suite 200 Bethesda, MD 20814 301-652-0400 | D: 240-353-7601 carolyn@carolynhomes.com www.carolynhomes.com
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Atlas Group COMPASS REAL ESTATE ALANA ASCHENBACH, SARAH ASCHENBACH, MIKE DELP, AMANDA PROVOST & LAURA QUIGLEY What advice would you offer for someone just starting out in your profession? Never stop learning. Surround yourself with other great agents. Explore neighborhoods and research areas so you have background knowledge. Tour and preview as many properties as you can. Ask to attend home inspections with other agents to learn about "behind the scenes" sides of properties. Discuss "best practices" with other agents. You can draw upon these experiences. What is your professional and educational background? Two of us have MBAs (one from Harvard), while two are home flippers and designers. Two of us speak second languages. One comes from an education background. We have an agent who graduated college and immediately launched her real estate career, and several who previously worked in the corporate world. We even have a Hall of Fame lacrosse coach! What makes you different than other real estate agents? We believe in collaboration—both with each other and our clients—to maximize results. We also strive to make the process enjoyable for clients. We recognize the intensity and emotional commitment that come with buying or selling a home, but there’s no reason we can’t have a little fun along the way! What is the most significant change in real estate during your career? In a world where everything—including real estate—is a click away, potential buyers aren’t sitting around waiting for an agent to call with the latest and greatest, they’re seeking out that information themselves. However, an experienced agent has access to supplemental inventory, including off-market listings, coming soons and a network to connect for additional insights.
PHOTO CREDIT
7200 Wisconsin Ave., Suite 500 Bethesda, MD, 20814 O: 301-463-7800 | D: 240-401-4720 alana.aschenbach@compass.com
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TONY J. LEWIS
AWARDS AND HONORS Top Producer, Bethesda Magazine, 2019; Top Producer, Washingtonian, 2018
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Real Estate Agents TOP PRODUCER
Jill Schwartz PRINCIPAL AND CEO, JILLSCHWARTZGROUP.COM How would your clients describe you? “Jill’s inherently positive and genuine qualities are contagious. She is an easy choice for an agent.” “She elevates the profession by being present, authentic and honest. As a consistently award-winning top producer, notable transactions were listing Bethesda’s famous Mushroom Home and selling the Penthouse in downtown Bethesda’s new construction, The Cheval.”
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What is the one thing that your clients should know about you? We do it all “boutique style.” We assist our clients with commercial, residential, listings, purchases, investments and new developments. Our claim to fame is our inside track for offmarket properties. Our team personally guides clients through every step. Specializing in relocation services is our jam, and a typical introduction to our neighborhood includes a Starbucks and a tour around town. KW International is launching a new state-of-the-art technology platform and we’re excited to be spearheading the new Capital Properties Luxury Division in Bethesda. It’s a natural progression as we continue to leverage our expertise to provide clients, developers and investors with the latest technology, tools and resources for their individual and business real estate transactions. What makes you different than other real estate agents? I bring a vast range of experience, from time spent working in the mortgage and settlement industry to IT, but that’s just my resume. Equally important to me is cultivating genuine relationships with my clients so I can better relate to what they’re going through. I have earned my LEED AP Green and National Association of Realtor Green Associate that my homebuilders and investors love. I support my clients wherever they want to live, develop, invest and grow.
“I support my clients wherever they want to live, develop, invest and grow.” AWARDS AND HONORS #1 Individual Agent, Long & Foster, 2015; Top Producer Compass, 2017; Top Producer, Washingtonian, every year; Top 1 percent of Realtors nationwide
7801 Woodmont Ave. Bethesda, MD 20814 301-758-7224 jillschwartzgroup@gmail.com www.JillSchwartzGroup.com
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The Coleman Group
TOP PRODUCER
OF LONG & FOSTER BETHESDA What is the one thing clients should know about you? We listen and we care. We are life changers, where it counts—on the home front. That’s the foundation of our commitment to provide exceptional service in all real estate transactions, while developing long-lasting relationships and lifetime clients. By exceeding expectations, not only do we provide our clients with a successful and enjoyable settlement, we also receive repeat business and referrals for years to come. That’s the core of our business. What’s an example of something in your professional life that you’re particularly proud of? Within a few years of becoming an agent in 1985, I was asked to train new agents. I continued to mentor new agents throughout my career, including all members of The Coleman Group. I'm proud that they are all phenomenal Realtors today. Between the five of us we have over 75 years of experience and provide excellent service to the entire DMV area.
L-R: Marcela Zoccali, Rosa Mendoza, Dennis Coleman, Cathleen Banner, Nanci Miller
TOP PRODUCER
7700 Old Georgetown Road, Suite 120 | Bethesda, MD 20814 240-497-1700 | Dsc4homes@aol.com | rm4homes@gmail.com nanci.miller@lnf.com | marcela.zoccali@lnf.com | cathleen.banner@lnf.com www.thecolemanrealestategroup.com
SALUTATION STATION
AWARDS AND HONORS Top 1 percent of Realtors nationwide; Long & Foster’s “Top 100 Elite Performers”
Michelle Yu THE MICHELLE YU TEAM OF LONG & FOSTER REAL ESTATE, INC. What is the one thing that your clients should know about you? I bring tremendous passion to my work and interaction with clients—and get a great deal of satisfaction helping our clients to have a smooth and pleasant transition to their next stage of life. I also have a diverse and international network, and my team offers a select group of industry leaders to handle all staging and marketing needs and make your listing stand out like no other. How would your clients describe you? Here are some comments from my clients: “An extraordinary real estate agent!” “Masterful knowledge of the business, is exceptionally responsive and is a very attentive listener.” “Her enthusiasm, local knowledge, and genuine interest in helping us was apparent.” “She works tirelessly and will go after every last dollar.” “...she gets results.” “Michelle Yu and her team are the epitome of real estate professionals.”
12500 Park Potomac Ave., Suite 101S | Potomac, MD 20854 O: 301-469-4700 | D: 240-888-5076 | michelleyurealestate@gmail.com www.michelleyurealestate.com 224
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TONY J. LEWIS
AWARDS AND HONORS Top 1 percent of nationwide sales; Long & Foster Gold Team, Platinum Level; President, Montgomery County PTAs, 2002-2004; Diamond Club Recipient, Re/Max, 2015-2017; master's degrees, International Law & Diplomacy & Political Science
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Avi Galanti PRINCIPAL, GALANTI GROUP SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, COMPASS What is the one thing that your clients should know about you? Passion always drives where I focus my attention. I’m passionate about many things, especially my family! Our three kids have great senses of humor, and they keep me grounded and focused on what’s important in life. I’m also a political junkie (unfortunately), and I care deeply about broad issues affecting our country. I’m also very passionate about my work and my clients’ best interests. I am fully invested in producing the best possible outcome for the people I work with. I know that exceptional service most often starts with listening. What brings you the most satisfaction in your work? Always an entrepreneur, I’m constantly looking to problem-solve and tackle the next challenge. I've always had a burning desire to build a company. In 1999, on a flight to New York, an idea struck me, and I immediately grabbed a stack of airplane sick bags and wrote out my first business plan. I’ve been on the go ever since. Building Galanti Group into a premier real estate team encompasses so much more than being a great marketer and negotiator. It’s about building relationships and helping people achieve their goals. I love every aspect of it.
LISA HELFERT
AWARDS AND HONORS Top Agent, Washingtonian, four years in a row; Top 1 percent of agents nationwide
7200 Wisconsin Ave., Suite 500 Bethesda, MD 20814 301-906-4996 avi@galantigroup.com www.galantigroup.com BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM | MARCH/APRIL 2019
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Michael P. Rose COAKLEY REALTY, INC. What advice would you offer someone just starting out in your profession? 1) Listen. Listening is paramount to success. It helps to gain trust and confidence and allows you to better analyze a client's situation and offer the best solutions. 2) Continue to learn. Identifying and interpreting market forces enhances credibility and builds trust. With a degree from Georgetown in economics and an MBA in real estate from The American University, it's natural for me to place importance on analytics, attain credible data and stay ahead of market trends to ensure my clients get the best possible information and options. 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 that you truly care about. When personal connections are sincere and not conducted to prospect for business, true character shows, making a great impression—not just a good one. How would your clients describe you? I don’t request testimonials from my clients and never promote myself to the masses in order to win awards. Aside from being #1 Dad, World's Greatest Husband and Best Friend... nothing else really matters. But the feedback that we receive makes me proud: high ethical standards, efficiency for the process, advanced skills as a negotiator, effectiveness as a closer, unending patience and overall satisfaction for their entire experience. What makes you different than other real estate agents? I am extremely hands-on. You wonder about creating a larger machine with multiple assistants and team members. But then my product would be less of me—and that's not what my clients want. I like being the “Little Big-Realtor.”
20 Courthouse Square, Suite 107 Rockville, MD 20850 O: 301-340-8700, x103 D: 301-814-3200 | mprose57@aol.com www.MichaelPRose.com 226
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DARREN HIGGINS
“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.”
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TOP PRODUCER
Real Estate Agents
Cindy Souza THE SOUZA GROUP, LONG & FOSTER REALTORS, INC. How would your clients describe you? Knowledgeable about the markets we work in. We work very hard to make sure our clients can make the best decision for themselves, and we will always be their trusted advisors on the properties they are interested in, with quick responsiveness by text, email or old-fashioned calls. What brings you the most satisfaction in your work? My highest level of satisfaction comes when a client is happy about the outcome of the transaction. If they are buyers, this means they got the home they wanted. If sellers, it means they sold the house for the terms that worked for them. What are your interests outside of work? I love the beach, and I've have had a home in Delaware for 32 years, and I'm now licensed there too! Travel to anywhere new is always fun. This could be to any of the galleries or museums in the D.C. area, or as far away as San Francisco or the Galapagos Islands (one of my favorite family vacations!). I’m always ready to explore.
HEATHER FUENTE
What is the most significant change in real estate during your career? The use of technology. I remember seeing fact sheets with a photograph glued to a front page. Today, with online virtual tours, when a buyer physically comes to see a home, it is really their second time to see it. They already know floorplans, color schemes, improvements made, and other details by studying the virtual tours and Google Earth views of the property. The other striking technology advancement is e-signatures. Today a client can be anywhere and sign needed documents on their tablets, phones or desktops.
“My highest level of satisfaction comes when a client is happy about the outcome of the transaction.”
AWARDS AND HONORS Washingtonian, “Best Agent Award”, 2018; President, Long & Foster Gold Team, 2018; Long & Foster Luxury Alliance
Bethesda Gateway Office 4650 East West Highway | Bethesda, MD 20814 D: 301-493-9878 | C: 301-332-5032 Cindy.Souza@LNF.com www.Souza-Group.com BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM | MARCH/APRIL 2019
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Barbara Carnemark Nalls VICE PRESIDENT, TTR SOTHEBY’S INTERNATIONAL REALTY How would your clients describe you? Positive, creative, hardworking, proactive, unflappable and cheerful to a fault. I know this because I get so many thank you notes. Some of them are so nice they really make me blush—and very proud! What is the one thing that your clients should know about you? This job never gets old for me. That’s why I love it so much. Not a day goes by that I don’t get to solve a problem for someone or help in some way. I love being of service! I am honestly blown away by the magnitude of the trust people put in me —it’s their home, and 99 percent of the time it’s their largest financial asset. They trust me to guide the transaction. What a privilege! Even on the bumpy deals—maybe especially on the bumpy deals—I can’t imagine wanting to do anything else.
5454 Wisconsin Ave. | Chevy Chase MD 20815 301-967-3344 | D: 240-602-9035 | barbaranalls@gmail.com www.BarbaraNallsHome.com
TOP PRODUCER
TONY J. LEWIS
AWARDS AND HONORS Top Individual Agent, TTR Sotheby's Chevy Chase Office, 2018; Top Montgomery County Listing Team L&F, 2015; Top Producer, Bethesda Magazine, 2019; Top Agent, Washingtonian, 2014 - 2018
Adam Isaacson, Steve Donahoe & Steven Lasik TTR | SOTHEBY’S INTERNATIONAL REALTY How would your clients describe you? We were “A Top Vote Getter” in the 2019 Best of Bethesda Readers Poll, and we’ll let our clients tell you why: “The best experience with a team of Realtors in my 19 moves!” “Extremely knowledgeable and market savvy.” “A no pressure and refreshingly honest approach.” “We need more people like Ai & Co.” Local experience. Personalized service. Hustle. We make it happen.
5454 Wisconsin Ave. | Chevy Chase, MD 20815 Adam :301-775-0900 | aisaacson@ttrsir.com Steve: 703-568-1128 | sdonahoe@ttrsir.com Steven: 703-371-0085 | slasik@ttrsir.com www.adamisaacson.com 228
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TONY J. LEWIS
AWARDS AND HONORS Top 100 residential real estate agent, Washingtonian, 2014-2018; A top producing team, Bethesda Magazine, 2019; A top producing team, DC Real Producers, 2018-2019; Proud partner, Stepping Stones Shelter, Rockville, MD
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SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
TOP PRODUCER
Real Estate Agents
Thomas Williams MCENEARNEY ASSOCIATES What is your professional and educational background? I am a native Washingtonian, born and raised in Chevy Chase, DC. After graduating from St. John’s High School, I attended Regis College in Denver where I earned a degree in political science. I then returned to Washington, DC where I spent time working on Capitol Hill. In 1990 I realized my passion for real estate and became a full-time agent. What is the biggest challenge in your job? The biggest challenge for any successful real estate agent is understanding that no two clients are the same. Each buyer or seller has their own unique wants and requirements. Taking the time to understand every aspect of what my client’s needs are is something that I take great pride in. It’s because of this and my dedication to my clients that I am able to guide them through every aspect of buying or selling a home and help them successfully navigate today’s real estate market. What is the one thing that your clients should know about you? As a lifelong Washingtonian I have an intimate knowledge of the entire D.C. landscape. I grew up here and also raised my own family here. I have been fortunate enough to have a front seat as our city has grown and evolved over the years, and I been able to incorporate this into helping my clients find their dream home. Whether my clients are looking for a home with a yard and basketball hoop or a condominium downtown, I will use my experience, market knowledge and expertise to find them exactly what they are looking for.
“I have been fortunate enough to have a front seat as our city has grown and evolved over the years and I been able to incorporate this into helping my clients find their dream home.”
DARREN HIGGINS
AWARDS AND HONORS GCAAR Platinum Award Recipient, 1997-2018; McEnearney Associates Realtors Top Producer, 2007-2018; Licensed in Washington, DC, Maryland and Virginia
4315 50th St. NW | Washington, DC 20016 D: 202-552-5611 | C: 202-255-3650 twilliams@mcenearney.com | www.tomwilliamsrealtor.com BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM | MARCH/APRIL 2019
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Dana Scanlon
GRI, CIPS, GREEN, THE DANA GLOBAL ADVANTAGE TEAM What makes you different than other real estate agents? Anyone can send you a list of homes. But it takes experience, insight and negotiating skills to help you navigate homebuying or selling. By being deeply engaged in the D.C. area market we know a bad deal when we see one, and have been called “fierce advocates” by our clients. We deploy cutting-edge global marketing to sell homes. With a relentless passion for service, we educate our clients so they make wise decisions. We are driven by more than selling homes. We forge relationships for life, treating clients like family. What are your interests outside of work? When not negotiating for my clients, I might be enjoying a ride with my horse, or advancing the mission of Days End Farm Horse Rescue. Actively serving on the board of this outstanding organization and giving back through philanthropy.
KW Luxury Homes Division, Keller Williams Capital Properties 7801 Woodmont Ave. | Bethesda, MD 20814 D: 301-575-4915 | O: 240-383-1350 dana@danaglobaladvantage.com | www.danaglobaladvantage.com
TOP PRODUCER
HEATHER FUENTES
AWARDS AND HONORS Top 1 percent of agents nationwide; Top 100 in the D.C. metro market; Best of Washingtonian, 2014-2018; Bethesda Magazine, A Top Vote Getter, Best Real Estate Agent, Best of Bethesda Readers Poll, 2015
Catalina Sandoval THE SANDOVAL GROUP | COLDWELL BANKER RESIDENTIAL What brings you the most satisfaction in your work? Knowing that I went above and beyond my call of duties for a client. I believe in always placing my client's needs first and never losing sight of our goals. Finding homes, researching market stats, negotiating contracts and helping our clients find a home that meets their expectations is what we do best. We love real estate! What is the one thing that your clients should know about you? We are your best choice in real estate professionals and we will provide you the best real estate transaction possible. Buying and selling can be challenging, and we are here to smooth the way and keep you worry-free. We are all different and stand out in our various ways. I have faith in what I do, and our team loves helping people buy and sell homes—it’s what we do!
14955 Shady Grove Road., Suite 17 | Rockville, MD 20850 Main: 301-536-3560 | D: 301-804-2896 Catalina@TheSandovalGroup.com | www.TheSandovalGroup.com 230
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HILARY SCHWAB
AWARDS AND HONORS #19 team, greater metro area, November 2018; #7 team, greater metro area, December 2018; Top 250 sales, NAHREP Latino agents; Top 100 Latino agents nationally
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SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
Real Estate Agents
TOP PRODUCER
Phyllis Wiesenfelder
LONG & FOSTER | CHRISTIE’S INTERNATIONAL REAL ESTATE What should prospective clients know about you? Working in the close-in areas of Montgomery County and bordering neighborhoods of D.C., I’m fortunate to have listed and sold some of the most beautiful homes in the D.C. metropolitan area. As a native Washingtonian, I bring a lifelong knowledge of the area to my work. Clients are drawn to my skills and market savvy. Most important to me — they see me as a trusted advisor. I specialize in the Somerset/Chevy Chase West community, where my husband and I have lived for 37 years. Its smalltown warmth, civic involvement of its residents and proximity to D.C. are a great source of enjoyment and pride to me. I want others to have the same special experience my family and I have had, wherever they decide to live. People’s real estate needs vary, whether they’re first-time buyers or sellers looking to downsize after years in the same home. I try hard to satisfy those needs and am grateful to have the resources and support of the billion-dollar Bethesda Gateway Office. How would your clients describe you? I am hands-on and deeply involved with my buyers and sellers—from preparing their homes for sale, to negotiating offers to guiding them to a successful settlement. Clients tell me they sleep better at night knowing I’ll do all the work—and the worrying—for them. What are your interests outside of work? I enjoy reading and traveling, and I love spending time with my children and grandchildren. Collecting antiques and memorabilia is another longtime passion of mine. I have a keen eye for finding hidden treasures—a gift I use in real estate.
PHOTO HILARYCREDIT SCHWAB
“Clients tell me they sleep better at night knowing I’ll do all the work—and the worrying—for them.”
Bethesda Gateway Office 4650 East West Highway Bethesda, MD 20814 301-529-3896 PhyllisW@LNF.com BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM | MARCH/APRIL 2019
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SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
Jennifer Chow JENNIFER CHOW GROUP How would your clients describe you? Attentive, caring and completely committed to my clients diverse needs. Whether they are a first time homebuyer; well-respected veteran; move-up client, or when it is an appropriate time for them to downsize, I am there to help. Nothing makes me happier than seeing my client’s smile at their successful closing! What’s a challenge that you’ve faced in your life and how did you overcome it? Balancing family while expanding my professional career. Raising three boys in and of itself is challenging. Incorporating the fast paced competitive real estate market has reinforced the importance of time management to succeed at both.
Not Pictured: Laura Patallo Sanchez and Joanne Goldberg
Long & Foster, Potomac Village 10200 River Road | Potomac, MD 20854 O: 301-983-0060 | D: 301-213-5364 | jennifer.chow@lnf.com www.jenniferchowgroup.com
TONY J. LEWIS
AWARDS AND HONORS Top Realtor, Washingtonian, 2017; Long & Foster Luxury Alliance, 2017-2018; Top Agent Network, 2017-2018; Long & Foster Gold Team, 2016-2018; Long & Foster Community Award, 2017
TOP PRODUCER
Teresa Burton LONG AND FOSTER REAL ESTATE, INC.
12500 Park Potomac, Suite 1015 | Potomac, MD 20854 O: 301-469-4700 | D: 240-286-7493 | Teresa.Burton@lnf.com www.TeresaBurtonRealEstate.com 232
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TONY J. LEWIS
What is the one thing that your clients should know about you? A lifelong resident of the D.C. area, Teresa has been helping clients find and sell homes for 20 years. Hundreds of happy clients benefit from her unmatched knowledge of the market, deep connections within the industry and skillful negotiation. She knows what it takes to win the bid, get your house sold on time and create a perfect first impression in this busy market. Whether it’s getting a sense of the market, finding that hidden gem, working with lenders, writing a contract or anything in between, Teresa takes care of everything so that you can focus on your life, family and your next move. You will never doubt you are in good hands with a trusted, respected professional who doesn’t mind rolling up her sleeves and getting to work. Full-service Realtor, nothing is too small or too big; Master’s degree, Johns Hopkins University; Undergraduate degree, University of Maryland; relocation specialist; Gold Team and Luxury Alliance Member.
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
PROFILES
Real Estate Agents TOP PRODUCER
Trent Heminger & Mary Noone TRENT & CO – COMPASS REAL ESTATE What brings you the most satisfaction in your work? Nothing makes us happier than succeeding for our clients! For our sellers, getting their property under contract quickly and over asking price. For buyers, it's finding that perfect place. For sellers, we exceed our clients’ expectations with a well-executed plan that motivates them to invest in updates or stage the property to make it look its best. For buyers, we want to support their vision of a property’s potential. The stars always align. While it doesn’t seem that way going through the process, in the end we always win for our clients!
TONY J. LEWIS
What makes you different than other real estate agents? When it comes to selling, we take the process to another level of detail. In this area it’s critical to get the presentation right. We take the time to walk room-by-room and discuss what will get you the most return, offering our resources and personally staging the home. We support our buyers and sellers with contractors, managing the process because they're busy, or adding the important final touches. It makes all the difference. We’ve taken stale listings that have been on the market 100+ days and sold them quickly and successfully with a few Trent & Co special tweaks. What’s an example of something in your professional life that you’re particularly proud of? So many times our Bethesda clients will come to us and ask, “Are we a teardown?” They think they can only get $800,000 at most for their beloved home they’ve lived in for 20+ years. We get excited because we can help them with minimal investment achieve bigger returns.
“We’ve taken stale listings that have been on the market 100+ days and sold them quickly and successfully with the Trent & Co touch.” AWARDS AND HONORS $800 million+ in career sales; America’s Best Real Estate Agents, Wall Street Journal and REAL Trends; Top Producer, Top Agent, Washingtonian
5471 Wisconsin Ave., Third Floor Chevy Chase, MD 20815 O: 301-298-1001 | D: 240-461-3928 Mary.Noone@compass.com www.trentandco.com
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Real Estate Agents
PROFILES
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
TOP PRODUCER
L-R: Kathleen Savitz, Josh Ross, Alexandra Ross, Antione Hudson and Tracey Evans
RE/MAX REALTY SERVICES What advice would you offer someone just starting out in your profession? Kathleen Savitz: “Continue to learn by taking advantage of training opportunities.” Josh Ross: “Always be prospecting. Don’t get discouraged or be afraid to go beyond your comfort zone.” Antione Hudson: “Soak up as much knowledge as you can. Visit open houses, ask questions and network.” What brings you the most satisfaction in your work? Tracey Evans: “Helping people turn houses into homes and exceeding their expectations.” Josh Ross: “We impact people’s lives in so many positive ways, and that’s very gratifying for me.” We really love what we do, working with area families and homeowners to make the best deals possible for them and find them the perfect place to live. What is the biggest challenge in your job? Alexandra Ross: “Managing expectations and staying calm in the face of the unknown that may occur in a transaction.” Kathleen Savitz: “Helping clients reconcile the difference between unrealistic expectations and realities of the market.” Our industry and marketplace are filled with challenges, but it’s how we face and overcome them that makes us a special team for your real estate needs. What makes us different than other real estate agents? Our team brings you the benefit of different backgrounds and specialties. We’re also extremely detail-oriented and take pride in maintaining our excellent customer service. ROSS | RESIDENTIAL offers a unique energy level and enthusiasm for our work across the team, and our clients benefit in every move and transaction. 234
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“ROSS | RESIDENTIAL offers a unique energy level and enthusiasm for our work across the team, and our clients benefit in every move and transaction.” AWARDS AND SPECIALIZATIONS Seller and buyer representation, developer/ builder representation, Washington, DC and Montgomery County; Licensed in DC, MD and VA; RE/MAX “Titan's Award,” 2018
4825 Bethesda Ave., Suite 200 Bethesda, MD 20814 240-404-7787 | Homes@RossRem.com www.rossrem.com
TONY J. LEWIS
ROSS | RESIDENTIAL Team
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SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
Real Estate Agents TOP PRODUCER
The Dana Rice Group
COURTESY PHOTO
How would your clients describe you? We attract people that want to be with agents who are deeply knowledgeable about the nuances of each neighborhood, plus really dialed into home trends and all the possibilities of a particular house and property. We also tend to attract buyers and sellers that want it all—smarts, marketing strategy and fun. We are very proactive and excellent communicators, which helps in so many ways, not just with our clients, but with everyone along the way. My feedback is that our clients stick with us because we provide what they really need, which is the insight to know what they are most anxious about (sometimes anxieties they don't recognize in themselves), and taking care of the particular issues so they don't feel that way. Bringing solutions to a complex transaction is the inherent value we provide. What makes you different than other real estate agents? We get it. In this age of transparency and immediate access to information, we better bring value beyond just pointing out some houses and sending a computer-generated list. We use our “Compass Collections” tool to create a super-easy virtual dialog between our client and us. It may sound funny, but a good, effective relationship between a client and an agent is like dating. You need to connect as like-minded partneres and be in tune with them all the time, whether it’s a weeklong relationship or lasts for years. That’s the only way to make the best, most informed decisions about your real estate needs.
“In this age of transparency and immediate access to information, we better bring value beyond just pointing out some houses and sending a computergenerated list.”
5471 Wisconsin Ave., Suite 300 Chevy Chase, MD 20815 202-669-6908 Dana.Rice@compass.com www.compass.com
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Bethesda Arts & Entertainment District presents the
BERNARD/EBB SONGWRITING AWARDS
LIVE CONCERT FRIDAY, MARCH 8 • 7:30PM Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club 7719 Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda, MD
Songwriting Awards Finalists Roquois Ruut DeMeo Peter Garza with Band of Us Heather Aubrey Lloyd Heather Mae
Young Songwriter Finalists Sarah Baumgarten Davis Gestiehr Emily Mitchell
Produced by
Sponsored by
Tickets: $15 & $20 • Purchase at www.bethesda.org. $10,000 Grand Prize & $2,500 Young Songwriter Prize to be announced at the close of the show.
BWSongwriting-BethMagAd2019.indd 1
2/1/19 12:37 PM
fitness. wellness. medicine.
PHOTO BY LIZ LYNCH
health
Wendy Taylor (pictured with her son Harrison) and Julie Schumacher started a business to help families communicate with teachers, doctors and others when a child has a medical condition. For more, turn to page 248.
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health | BE WELL
TOUGH TIMES A Chevy Chase therapist talks about anxiety in kids, the power of social media and finding time to slow down BY KATHLEEN SEILER NEARY | PHOTO BY LAURA CHASE DE FORMIGNY
ONE OF PSYCHOLOGIST Lisa Sanchez’s clients, a high school student, recently told her that she wasn’t happy with how she looks. They talked about the amount of time the teen spends looking at herself, trying to take a cute selfie that will get lots of “likes” on Instagram, and how social media makes her feel bad. “There actually is research that shows that the more that you’re on social media sites, the worse you feel, because people put their best foot forward and you get these unrealistic expectations, and you see what you’re missing out on,” Sanchez says. When she said to the teen, “It sounds like you’re thinking of maybe cutting back,” the girl responded, “Oh, no. I can’t do that.” The impact of social media and technology is contributing to a rise in anxiety among young children and teens, says Sanchez, 43, whose office is in Chevy Chase. Overscheduling and a focus on grades and competition play a part, too. While she sees adults and kids with a range of concerns, including ADHD and depression, Sanchez has the most experience and interest in anxietybased conditions such as OCD, selective mutism, phobias and social anxiety. Sanchez says there are several signs of anxiety in kids and teens, things like trouble sleeping, headaches and avoiding activities. “Your easygoing kid might turn into a more moody and irritable kid. They might start complaining about not wanting to go to school. They might be complaining of stomachaches,” she says.
Some children have tantrums or behavior problems; some seek reassurance by asking questions. “I call it the ‘what-if train,’ like, ‘Mommy, what if you go out and then you don’t come home?’ The other day a kid asked, ‘What’s cancer?’ ” Growing up in New Jersey, Sanchez was “more of an introverted child, so I did a lot of watching and observing rather than a lot of talking.” Her parents were social workers. “They’re first-generation immigrants and they really wanted to divert me towards… being a ‘real’ doctor, a lawyer, that sort of thing,” she says. At Tufts University, she was most interested in psychology, so she majored in that and Spanish. She attended the University of Maryland for a Ph.D. in clinical psychology, which included training at Children’s National hospital in D.C. She spent almost nine years at Alvord, Baker & Associates, a psychotherapy practice in Rockville, before starting her own practice in 2017. Sanchez, who lives in Silver Spring with her husband and 4-year-old son, manages her own stress by prioritizing sleep, exercising twice a week and practicing mindfulness meditation through apps on her phone. One thing she recommends for all of her clients? Find time in the day to do nothing. “We’re in a world full of distractions,” she says. “When’s the last time you’ve waited for an elevator, or you’ve waited on line at Starbucks, and just not done anything and just been aware of your surroundings and just lived in the moment?” ■
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IN HER OWN WORDS... FEAR FACTOR “We should have anxiety. Our brain is wired for that for a reason. It has a protective function. When does it become a problem? When your alarm bells are going off and there’s no good reason for it, when it gets in the way of daily functioning, when it gets in the way of sleep, mood, if you’re avoiding things. It’s OK if you avoid bungee jumping—no one’s saying you need to go bungee jumping. But if you’re avoiding trying a new activity, like, I think doing ice hockey would be fun, but I’m too scared—I don’t think the other kids are going to like me. Or you’re avoiding taking on a new position at work or taking on a new challenge—that’s a problem.”
OVERSCHEDULED “One of the biggest red flags is when a parent calls and they’re like, ‘Oh my gosh, Dr. Sanchez, we really need to see you—our son or daughter is having all these problems.’ I’ll say, ‘Great, you know what? I just had an opening at 4:30 on Wednesdays.’ ‘Oh, but the only time we can do it is gonna be Mondays at 6 p.m.’ That happens all the time. What does that tell us? You can’t find the time to schedule therapy for your kid about how to help them relax? OK, big picture, what’s that all about?”
THEY’RE WATCHING “One of the biggest tools that you have is to reflect on your own behavior. If you have a kid who has very poor frustration tolerance, the first thing that you might think about doing is to reflect on your reactions when you have obstacles. I had a parent who told me that they were in the car using Waze. They missed a turn or something. They started kind of yelling, and then the kid started getting panicked. It’s like, well, let’s think about that, what message does that send?”
LABELING EMOTIONS “With my 4-year-old, I have a book about feelings. It’s a picture book, and it literally just has one word per page: ‘frustrated’ or ‘proud.’ We talk about, ‘What does that person look like? Oh, he looks mad. Look at that big frown on his face. I think he’s mad because…’ He can tell me, ‘I’m mad because you’re being mean.’ I think kids need to learn to identify that, and to be able to share that. We talk about how to deal with [the emotion] when it happens. If you’re mad, it’s still not OK to hit or have tantrums, but it is OK to stomp your feet or ask for help.”
ON PERFECTIONISM “It’s really hard to sell the idea that you don’t need to get straight A’s. One of the things that I do is: ‘We’re going to practice doing things where you look a little foolish, where you’re going to make mistakes. You’re going to turn in a homework assignment a day late.’ Or, ‘You’re going to set a timer for the realistic time frame to study for a test, and we’re just going to go with that.’ They’ll say, ‘I can’t do that. That’s my AP physics class.’ My rule is, then you’ve got to give me something you could say yes to. If you want things to change, then something has to change, right? You have to take this risk.”
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health
Millieâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Gift
When a 6-month-old from Rockville died in 2016, her heart went to a newborn in North Carolina who needed a second chance at life
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BY MIKE UNGER
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Millie Lilliston passed away three years ago after being abused by her day care provider.
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health
IN THE EARLY MORNING hours of April
23, 2016, Melanie Lilliston and Becky Williams each kissed their daughter for the final time. It was a Saturday, the end of a week that had started off as unremarkably as the one before it, and the one before that. On Tuesday, Williams had dropped off Millie, their gray-eyed, blond-haired 6-month-old baby, at day care in Rockville before heading downtown to her job at the State Department. Hours later, she received a frantic call from her wife. Millie was at Shady Grove Medical Center. Now, four days later, they walked alongside their daughter’s hospital bed as it was wheeled down a hallway at Children’s National in Washington, D.C., where Millie had been airlifted due 242
to the graveness of her condition. They couldn’t accompany her in the elevator because it opens directly into a surgical suite on a lower floor. As the doors closed, they gazed at her, knowing she wasn’t coming back. “We knew this was goodbye,” Williams says. The day before, Millie had been declared brain dead. Injuries sustained at the hands of her day care operator had proved too serious for the 14-pound infant, whose moms playfully called her Ladybug. Grief-stricken but resigned to her fate, her parents had made the difficult decision to donate her organs. “We couldn’t do a lot of things, but what we could do was try to honor her the best way we could, and we felt that her being
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generous and trying to help someone else was a nice way to honor her and remember her,” Lilliston says. She’s sitting with Williams on a couch in the living room of their Twinbrook home on a cold and rainy November night. Flames are flickering in the fireplace, into which Lilliston often stares while recounting the heartbreaking last days of her daughter’s life. The surgery to remove Millie’s heart, liver and lower intestine marked the end of a nightmare from which neither woman will ever fully recover. “What we’ve come to realize is that for someone else, that’s when their story starts,” Williams, 39, says. “There’s a baton passing that I didn’t fully appreciate or respect. We made our decision,
COURTESY PHOTOS
Becky Williams (left) and Melanie Lilliston with their newborn daughter, Millie. The couple decided that donating their daughter’s organs would be the best outcome from the worst situation imaginable.
Millie’s parents, who playfully called her Ladybug, describe her as a curious baby who really liked to be around people.
we said goodbye to Millie, and then we went home. For someone else, a totally other story began.” OLLIE MARLEAUX IS A lucky boy for no
shortage of reasons. Among the more trivial is that he gets to celebrate his life with a party—and cake, of course—on both his birthday and on April 23 each year. That’s the date he received Miller Williams Lilliston’s heart. His parents, who live in Charlotte, North Carolina, have dubbed it his “heartiversary.” Evan and Alice Marleaux sobbed when they heard that a heart had become available for their 7-week-old son, who would have died without a new one. The tears they shed were not all joyful. “I remember how grateful and happy I was, and also feeling this grief for a family that I don’t even know,” Alice says. “It’s a paradoxical feeling. You’ve been given a second chance at life that another child didn’t get. I don’t think I realized the weight of getting that kind
Ollie Marleaux, now 3, was born with a heart condition and needed a transplant to survive.
of a gift.” That emotional murkiness is one reason organ donation is not a topic many people like to discuss. It’s a conversation that forces people to confront their own mortality—or that of their loved ones. “We’re both organ donors on our [driver’s] license, but other than that, it was not on the radar in any shape or form,” Lilliston, 40, says. There are more than 114,000 people
on the national transplant waiting list, and more than 2,400 live in the Greater Washington area, according to the Washington Regional Transplant Community (WRTC), the federally designated organ procurement organization for D.C., Northern Virginia, and several counties in suburban Maryland, including Montgomery. Another name is added to that list roughly every 10 minutes. About 20 people on it die every day. “Those people are not waiting for a
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Ollie, pictured with his parents, Evan and Alice, received Millie’s heart on April 23, 2016, when he was 7 weeks old. His parents now call April 23 his “heartiversary.”
new medication to come out, they’re waiting for a family in the hell of their grief from losing a loved one to say yes to organ and tissue donation so that they have a chance to live,” says Matthew Niles, WRTC’s director of clinical services. About 99 percent of people die because their heart stops beating, Niles says. Only the remaining 1 percent who succumb to severe brain trauma from an event such as a car accident, stroke or brain aneurysm can potentially donate their heart, lungs, kidneys, liver, pancreas and small intestine. One organ donor can save up to eight lives. When someone suffers a devastating neurological injury, an official at one of the 45 hospitals in WRTC’s territory notifies the organization, which sends a clinical recovery coordinator to evaluate the patient’s viability as a donor. The coordinators are on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If a patient is deemed a good candidate (a decision that’s based largely on the person’s medical history and the condition of their organs), a WRTC family support coordinator approaches the next of kin to talk about donation. 244
Two days after Millie was admitted to Children’s National, a WRTC official walked up to Lilliston outside the infant’s hospital room. Still in shock, Williams wasn’t quite ready to participate in the discussion. “One of the first things she said to me was that Millie was unique because all of her organs were still in such great condition, and that a lot of times that isn’t the case, especially with children so young,” Lilliston says. “At that point, I realized how special this could be. My takeaway when I came back to Becky was, ‘This is our chance to make something good come out of something horrible.’ ” Conversations with a potential donor’s family are difficult, Niles says. People grieve differently. Some become angry, others quiet and detached. But in all of the discussions, one of the most important topics covered is an explanation of brain death. “Someone in a coma has some type of neurological function,” Niles says. “They might have a gag reflex, they may have a pupillary response. People that are brain dead have no neurological function. Once our brain completely dies, it does
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not come back. This can be very difficult to understand. If someone’s on a ventilator, you can see them breathing, but they’re not breathing. The ventilator’s doing that work. They’re still warm to the touch. You can see their heartbeat on the monitor in the ICU. Everything we associate with death—being cold, no heartbeat and not breathing—isn’t happening in someone who’s brain dead.” In the D.C. area, 61 percent of all residents are registered organ donors, according to WRTC. That’s a legally binding status, and when a person is declared brain dead, the organization is legally and ethically bound to follow that individual’s wishes. For those who don’t have a little red heart on their driver’s license or who haven’t signed up at BeADonor. org, obtained a donor card, or specified their desire in their will—or for anyone under the age of 18—the decision falls to the next of kin. In Millie’s case, that was Lilliston and Williams. After a conversation in the hospital cafeteria, they decided that donating their daughter’s organs would be the best outcome from the worst situation imaginable. WRTC takes over the management of a donor once the patient has been declared brain dead. The person’s organs are evaluated and their blood is tested for its type, and for diseases such as HIV, hepatitis and syphilis. All the while, the patient remains on a ventilator so that oxygen continues to flow to the organs, keeping them viable. If the organs are healthy, as Millie’s were, identifying a recipient comes next. The national transplant waiting list isn’t so much a list as it is a pool. Based on the donor’s height, weight, blood type and genetic makeup, a group of potential recipients
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is produced. Among the criteria: A person must be sick enough to need a transplant, but healthy enough to withstand the major transplantation surgery. “There are some exceptions, but organs are typically placed locally first, then regionally, then nationally,” Niles says. “The heart and the lungs can only be outside the body for four to six hours, so there’s no way I can get a heart to California. For a liver, we have 16 to 18 hours.” Once a suitable recipient is identified, a physician from that person’s transplant center travels to the donor’s hospital for the removal procedure. Time is of the essence. Millie’s heart was packed in ice and traveled 400 miles—first by helicopter to Dulles International Airport in Virginia, then by plane to Levine Children’s Hospital in Charlotte, where an 8-pound baby boy was prepped for surgery.
FORTY-EIGHT HOURS AFTER Oliver
Marleaux was born, his newly expanded family headed home from the hospital. Those early days, which followed a routine pregnancy, were a blissful blur for the first-time parents. “He did great for the first 2½ weeks,” his mother, Alice, says. “Then he stopped nursing. His cry changed. It used to be this newborn bigger cry and it got much more muted. He seemed to be in a lot of pain.” The family’s pediatrician thought he might have a reflux issue, or perhaps a virus. But when his breathing got faster, they were sent to the hospital, where doctors discovered that his heart was 1½ times larger than it should have been. The diagnosis was hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. “I don’t think it really sunk in until Ollie’s cardiologist sat down with us and said, ‘You have a very sick boy. The
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only thing that will save his life is a heart transplant,’ ” Alice says. “He said to us, ‘If this had happened 30 years earlier, we would have sent you home with your baby and said enjoy the time he has.’ ” While the Marleauxs essentially lived at the hospital in an excruciating waiting game, life couldn’t have been sweeter for Millie and her moms. The Rockville women, who met while playing rec league soccer in 2010 and were married three years later, had always wanted kids. When Lilliston gave birth to Millie on Sept. 29, 2015, they named her after Williams’ maternal grandmother. “Some babies come out and just want to sleep, but she came out ready to go,” Lilliston says. “She would have her eyes open and would look at you. She was real curious. As she got older, she really liked to be around people. Crowds didn’t bother her. She didn’t cry unless she
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Evan and Alice Marleaux sobbed when they heard that a heart had become available for their 7-week-old son, who would have died without a new one. wanted something. She was a good eater and a fairly decent sleeper, as newborns go. As first-time moms, we didn’t know how unique that was.” They settled into a lovely rhythm. Williams would drop Millie at day care in the mornings, and Lilliston picked her up in the evenings. Before bed, they’d sing “You Are My Sunshine” to her. Their reality was shattered when Lilliston received a phone call from the wife of Kia Divband, Millie’s day care provider. One day Millie was a healthy, happy baby; the next, doctors were saying she wouldn’t make it. Before they decided to donate Millie’s organs—her liver went to an anonymous recipient; her lower intestine was to be used for research—her parents asked whether the process would affect an autopsy. It does not. According to an October 2017 article in The Washington Post, an autopsy found that Millie had 23 fractures to her ribs, two fractures to her left arm and three fractures to her legs. In September 2018, Divband was convicted of first-degree child abuse resulting in death and other charges. He was sentenced to 50 years in prison. While Lilliston and Williams agreed to talk to Bethesda Magazine about donating Millie’s organs, they did not want to discuss the case or the specifics of how their daughter died. SEVEN HOURS AFTER Ollie Marleaux
was taken into surgery, his parents were permitted to see him. They wore gowns, masks and gloves to protect against infecting their son, whose immune 246
system was vulnerable. But they could touch their boy. The doctor told them Ollie’s new heart was “beautiful.” After a smooth two-week recovery, the Marleauxs were allowed to take Ollie home. But before she left the hospital, Alice felt compelled to write to the family of the donor. She went to Target to pick out a card, but the standard thank you or sympathy messages didn’t feel right. “They don’t have cards that say, ‘Thank you for saving my son’s life,’ ” she says. She settled on one with a picture of a person on a bicycle. To her, it symbolized the start of a journey. Inside, she tried to express her torrent of emotions. She can’t remember exactly what she wrote, but the sentiment she felt is burned into her mind. Today we’re bringing our son home because of you. I’m going to do all that I can to honor your decision, and raise my son knowing there are good people out there who love deeply. Both parties must agree before correspondences can flow from a recipient to a donor, or vice versa. Alice’s note was delivered by her transplant coordinator to WRTC, which sent it to Lilliston and Williams. “It was really nice to know that others remembered Millie and her gift,” Williams says. “We wrote back because we felt like it was a nice way for us to talk about Millie and honor her. They understood her life was important.” When Alice received the note from Lilliston and Williams, she waited for her husband to get home from work so they could read it together. “I was so grateful to hear from them,” she says. “All of the emotions of everything that we had
MARCH/APRIL 2019 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM
gone through with Ollie on our side, we suddenly got this very much more personal look into what was happening on the other side. Even just putting Millie’s name to our thoughts made it feel a lot more real. I remember sitting on Ollie’s chair in his nursery, watching him sleep and thinking how much my heart grieves for the fact that Melanie and Becky don’t get to do that with Millie.” Alice writes to Lilliston and Williams around Thanksgiving and on Ollie’s “heartiversary.” She struggles with sharing news of Ollie’s accomplishments— crawling, walking, talking, milestones that Millie will never experience. “I am very aware that I have something that someone doesn’t,” Alice says. “It’s such a precious gift they gave us; I don’t know that I will ever be completely at peace with it.” Ollie turns 3 this March. Aside from a scar on his chest and the daily anti-rejection medicines that he’ll have to take for the rest of his life, he’s as normal as a little boy can be. At some point in the future, perhaps in 15 to 20 years, he’ll need another heart transplant, but his parents try not to think about that now. Before bed each night, the family recites “gratitudes.” Along with chocolate milk and Thomas the Tank Engine, Ollie lists his “special heart.” “It’s a piece of her that lives on, but it’s his now,” Lilliston says. “He can take it on whatever adventures he wants.” n Mike Unger is a writer and editor who grew up in Montgomery County and lives in Baltimore.
THANK YOU, Delegate Ariana Kelly for being a co-sponsor in 2018 of the Health Insurance Down Payment Plan! Our health care costs too much. One reason is that people without health coverage often get medical care in the most expensive way possible—in emergency rooms. It’s called uncompensated care, and those unpaid costs drive up everyone’s insurance premiums. That’s why Delegate Kelly and dozens of other Maryland legislators got behind a proposal called the “Down Payment Plan” which helps expand the insurance pool. People get the care they need while the state shrinks uncompensated care, holding down insurance costs for everyone.
For more information, see www.HealthCareForAll.com Paid for by the Maryland Citizens’ Health Initiative Education Fund
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Harrison Taylor, now 10, and his mom, Wendy
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Bridging the Gap Wendy Taylorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s son Harrison was diagnosed with a brain tumor four months before he started kindergarten, and she quickly learned how hard it can be to navigate the nexus of doctors and schools. Now she and another mom have started a business to make things easier for families of children with medical conditions. BY STEVE GOLDSTEIN | PHOTOS BY LIZ LYNCH
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I
IN AUGUST 2012, 4-year-old Harrison Taylor began having dizzy spells. He would freeze in his tracks and yell—“a bloodcurdling scream,” his mother says. Sometimes he’d throw up. The first few specialists couldn’t detect a cause, nor were any of the doctors more enlightening when Harrison was examined during visits to the emergency room. A CT scan performed during one trip to the ER came back normal. Later, it was determined that the scan had been misread. Frustrated and bewildered as the months went by, Wendy Taylor made an appointment for her son at D.C.’s Children’s National Medical Center 250
Wendy Taylor (left) and Julie Schumacher started Power UP this past August.
in May 2013, and brought along a binder documenting Harrison’s history of examinations and tests. A doctor ordered an MRI. The following morning, the Gaithersburg mom received a phone call from the neurologist. He asked where she was. The question frightened her, Taylor recalls, “because I knew in my gut it wasn’t migraines or epilepsy.” Later that day, Taylor and her husband, Chris, met the neurologist at the Children’s National outpatient clinic in Rockville. After describing the cerebellar tumor pushing into their child’s brain stem, the doctor said he’d already made appointments for the Taylors with
MARCH/APRIL 2019 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM
the heads of neurosurgery and neurooncology. It was painful to listen to, Taylor remembers, but given her frantic mindset she was grateful to be told what to do. When she later tried to explain the nature of the ailment to Harrison, he interrupted her. “A thingamadoodle, right?” the preschooler asked, and she nodded, both relieved and terrified that her child’s life-threatening illness could be reduced to a trivial epithet. On June 14, neurosurgeon John Myseros operated on Harrison for six hours, removing all of the tumor except some unreachable cells. Forty days in a physical wilderness followed, with
Harrison forced to relearn the most basic motor functions. Then another two years of outpatient therapy, which included riding on a horse named Mystic. Coping with Harrison’s special needs thrust Taylor into a steep learning curve; explaining them to others required something akin to a special language. A year after her son’s surgery, Taylor met someone who spoke that language when she was introduced by a mutual friend to Julie Schumacher, a marketing strategist who lives in Bethesda. In early 2014, Taylor hired Schumacher to redesign the website for Learning Essentials, the academic tutoring and coaching service she founded in 2005. Gradually, the two discovered a deeper connection: Both had been dealing with the challenges of having a child with serious health problems. Schumacher’s younger son had a childhood disease that plagued him until high school. (Her son did not want to be identified or interviewed for this story.) Taylor’s own trials with Harrison emerged slowly, painfully in their conversations, as the two women discussed the impact that a chronic illness can have at home and at school. They talked about some of the lesser-known conditions that can cause problems in the classroom, including PANDAS, short for pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal
infections, and POTS (postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome), a disorder involving the autonomic nervous system. Symptoms of PANDAS include motor and verbal tics, separation anxiety, behavioral changes, incontinence and even changes in handwriting. POTS, which mostly affects teens, can manifest in fatigue, dizziness, nausea and confusion, often referred to as “brain fog.” Schumacher related stories she’d heard from friends who found themselves swamped by their kids’ medical appointments, school schedules and academic requirements, making it a struggle for the parents to keep up with the demands of work and home. A child in her community suffered a concussion during a soccer game, and the transition back to school proved difficult, requiring the girl’s parents to communicate more often with school staff and make sure their daughter’s workload was adjusted. Another child required frequent bathroom breaks due to Crohn’s disease—an inflammation of the digestive tract—and her parents had to intervene after teachers suspected that she was malingering, Schumacher says. Taylor spoke of some clients at Learning Essentials who felt as if they were under house arrest. “They are raw, exhausted and overwhelmed,” she says. The women’s shared experience, as well as what they’d learned from others, suggested that doctors and educators were islands in need of a bridge between the two to help reduce stress on the child—and the parents. They envisioned a kind of liaison who would supply support services: an advocate for the child; a stand-in for parents at school meetings; a translator for “med-speak” in classroom settings; even a “bad cop,” should a breakdown in communication result in an adverse outcome for a client. They sought the opinion of pediatricians. “No one is doing this,” the doctors said. In April 2018, Taylor and Schumacher lingered over lunch on the sunny patio at MoCo’s Founding Farmers in Potomac. A merely intriguing idea was becoming irresistible. Over the summer, they
consulted with other professionals and more parents. Taylor concluded that they could help manage a child’s school experience by providing useful information from medical professionals and continually updating the teachers and school staff, including the nurse. A website for their new business went up in August, followed by a kickoff event in September. Schumacher describes their mind-meld as “two moms, two kids and an opportunity for change.” The name they chose, Power UP, reflects the power, or energy, one needs for a long and difficult journey.
JULIE SCHUMACHER, 54, is buoyant and extroverted, a dynamic force who cut her sales and marketing teeth as a representative for a pharmaceutical company. Wendy Taylor, 44, is tall, carries herself like an athlete but is shyer than one might expect. She is reserved, measuring her words and moderating her emotions. As a team, they are yin and yang, and appear to balance each other well. Taylor trained in special education; she grew up with horses and has experience as a therapeutic riding instructor. Through her professional background, she had “an understanding of what happens” when children with learning disabilities or medical conditions have to navigate their way through standard educational situations, she says. The moment that situation became personal, however, it seemed unreal and paralyzing. That moment arrived in 2013 as Taylor and her husband sat in a large boardroom at Children’s National. It was near the end of her son’s 40-day stay at the hospital. Arrayed around the table were Myseros, several other doctors, a physical therapist, an occupational therapist and other figures in white coats. “When you leave here,” Taylor heard them saying, “Harrison won’t be able to walk, eat or take care of himself.” She immediately thought of her other two boys—one older, one younger. “Hearing the amount of care that he was still going to need was overwhelming,” she says. Her son had a Stage II cerebellar
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Coping with Harrison’s special needs thrust Wendy Taylor into a steep learning curve; explaining them to others required something akin to a special language. astrocytoma, a cancerous childhood tumor that usually spreads slowly within the cerebellum. After surgery, Harrison would not undergo radiation or chemotherapy to eradicate any remaining cancer cells. Instead, he would have MRIs and appointments with his medical team every three months for the first year, and imaging every six months until his five-year mark. A prolonged hospital stay, the postsurgery rehabilitation, the endless doctor visits and therapy sessions—and the strain on her husband and her other sons—eventually forced Taylor to realize that Harrison would soon be in school and she would need help. But where would she find it? Even with financial resources, how would she navigate the often frustrating, time-consuming and always exhausting nexus of doctors, schools and work? Harrison left the hospital in July 2013, and his recovery progressed quickly enough that he was able to start kindergarten at Gaithersburg’s Diamond Elementary School in late August. He received physical and occupational therapy several times a week for two years after his surgery. “Before starting kindergarten,” Taylor says, “it was imperative that we built an educational support plan that was in line with his medical needs and team recommendations.” Since Harrison was relearning how to walk, his mother drove him to school. A teacher met them at the front of the building and escorted Harrison to his classroom to ensure that he did not get bumped in the hallway. “His medical team considered him a fall risk,” Taylor says. He had a special chair that made it easier for him to balance when he sat, and a rest area in the classroom. Taylor says she worked closely with both the 252
medical and educational teams during the first few months as her son learned new skills and required different types of support. That meant calls and emails almost daily. As first grade was ending in May 2015, Taylor says there was a “disconnect,” a difference of approach between the school’s physical therapist and her son’s private therapy team. Taylor had to step in and resolve it. “We had to collaborate and relay information, as he was in multiple therapies,” she says. “His support looked differently over the span of days, weeks and years as his needs changed.” For a while, he needed help moving from classroom to classroom, navigating playground equipment and participating in activities during recess. At home, Taylor says, “we were just trying to survive.” She jokes that her youngest son was raised in a doctor’s waiting room. Harrison is 10 years old now, an eager fifth-grader— and thingamadoodle-free.
TAYLOR USED TO TAKE Harrison to the Pediatric Development Center in Rockville, which specializes in speech and occupational therapy. Audrey Burns, the center’s outreach coordinator, recognized the stress Taylor was under as she also had a child, a daughter, who survived a brain tumor. One day, Burns trailed Taylor into the parking lot and they shared their stories. After surgery, “you just don’t know if your child will be the same,” Burns says. “And the schools are not equipped, either in money or resources, to cope with this.” Burns says her daughter’s public school was unable to give her all the support she needed. “During her first months back after her operation, she was struggling in the classroom and playground without social/emotional support,” Burns says.
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“I think through Wendy’s own experience she looks at children and their families in a totally different way,” Burns continues, “and she brings that viewpoint and that energy to Power UP.” In its first few months of operation, Power UP developed action plans and resource kits for its clients— “transforming symptoms into strategies,” Taylor calls it—in the hopes of helping educators understand what children with medical needs are going through. When a student suffers a concussion, for instance, there are often questions about how much time is needed to recover, and the transition back to school can be tricky. Some of the symptoms, such as impulsive behavior, inattentiveness, nausea, dizziness and lack of concentration, can occur well after the injury, so Power UP has developed “watch lists” from neurologists to help classroom teachers know what to look for in postconcussive students. “By summarizing the condition, sharing information, creating action plans, we are hoping to promote [the] management of conditions—including debilitating injuries—at an early age and empower students to advocate for themselves,” Schumacher says. She and Taylor usually meet with a prospective client during what they call an “uptake” session to assess the scope of services that may be needed. Typically, fees are $1,000 for the uptake and $200 per hour after that, but both women stress that the rates are adjustable, and they are researching the feasibility of providing “scholarships” for families with limited income. Taylor says school protocols for a child with a chronic medical condition don’t always match a doctor’s instructions. “So we try to get the school and
the doctors to speak the same language to support the student, and in doing so, we are supporting the family,” she says. With the parents’ consent, they communicate with a child’s doctors when needed. “Essentially we’re opening up the conversation that the families are unable to have: They are running a marathon. They are exhausted, trying to juggle family life with the demands of a child who requires a lot of attention, time for appointments, for treatment and so on.” The child’s illness or injury is always their starting point. “We don’t care about the [formal] diagnosis—we care about the symptoms that manifest in the classroom,” Schumacher says. To this end, they’ve created a professional development program called “Walk a Mile” that’s aimed at educating schools and allied health care providers. The program, which they ran this past October for The Siena School in Silver Spring— a private school serving students with
language-based learning differences, such as dyslexia—is a simulation that demonstrates how medical issues may present in the classroom, and offers strategies that educators can use to assist students. If a child is falling asleep at a desk, would a teacher believe that the behavior could be a symptom of POTS? “Highly unlikely,” Schumacher says. Power UP recently assisted a client whose son is severely allergic to peanuts. The boy was in a preschool that had a peanut-free classroom, but his parents learned during a parent-teacher conference that some of his teachers didn’t know about the allergy. Taylor, who had experience with Harrison’s allergy to bees, knew immediately what was needed. She and Schumacher provided the boy’s mother with questions to ask the school, and developed information packets and role assignments—such as who will carry the EpiPen on field trips— to give to the staff. Taylor accompanied the client to school meetings, something
Power UP can do at a parent’s request. “Wendy and Julie encouraged me to change my mindset,” says the boy’s mother, who was shocked and upset but also worried about being an overbearing parent. “They validated my concerns and told me I’m not alone. They said they would help me to feel confident as I advocate for my child.” Schumacher describes Power UP’s mission as creating collaboration to support children. “You have families, you have a child with a condition, and you have a need,” she says. “I’m a liaison. If I can help someone navigate through a process—getting them information, educating and empowering them—then we’ve succeeded. “We want more good days for these kids.” ■ Steve Goldstein is a freelance writer and editor and the former bureau chief in Moscow and in Washington, D.C., for The Philadelphia Inquirer.
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May 8, 2019 • 6:30–8:30 p.m. MONTGOMERY COLLEGE CULTURAL ARTS CENTER 7995 GEORGIA AVENUE, SILVER SPRING, MD 20910 GET YOUR TICKETS AT:
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CALENDAR COMPILED BY JENNIFER BEEKMAN series and T-shirt); $10 per week. Wood Local Park, Rockville; Seven Locks Park, Cabin John. healthykidsrunningseries.org.
April 13 LIONS’ ROAR KATE TRUAX 5K AND 1K. The Our Lady of Lourdes community commemorates beloved teacher Kate Truax, who died at age 32 in 2012. The annual event benefits school tuition assistance. 9 a.m. Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School, Bethesda. See website for additional information. bethesda-lourdes.org.
April 20 CARE PACKAGES AT CARDEROCK 5K, 10K AND HALF. In partnership with Operation Turbo, an organization sending “Boxes of Home” to deployed military. 8 a.m. for halfmarathon; 8:15 for 10K; 8:30 for 5K. $60$65 half-marathon; $40-$45 10K; $25-$30 5K. Carderock Recreation Area, Potomac (see website for best address for GPS). bishopseventregistrations.com.
Paws in the Park on April 28 will include a 1-mile dog walk and festivities.
April 28
March 2 SENECA CREEK GREENWAY TRAIL MARATHON AND 50K. Traverse rolling hills along Seneca Creek. 8 a.m. $35; $25 for Montgomery County Road Runners Club members. Seneca Creek State Park, Gaithersburg. senecacreekgreenwayrace.com.
March 24 PIECE OF CAKE 5K AND 10K. Celebrate Montgomery County Road Runners Club’s 23rd birthday. Runners should arrive early. 7:30 a.m. for 10K; 7:45 a.m. for 5K walk/ run and quarter- and half-mile fun runs. Youth 2.8K to follow at 7:50 a.m. $10; $5 younger than 18, free for MCRRC members. Seneca Creek State Park, Gaithersburg. mcrrc.org.
March 30 CARDINAL 5K AND HALF-MILE FUN RUN. Holy Redeemer Catholic School’s fundraising event includes a 5K course that winds from the school through Rock Creek Park. All youth fun runners earn finisher’s prizes. 8:30 a.m. $33, $28 for military, children and halfmile fun run/walk; $175 for team/family
April 6 BEN’S RUN. Includes 5K, 5- and 1-mile courses and helps fund cutting-edge research in pediatric cancer at Children’s National hospital. 8:30 a.m. See website for prices. Stonegate Elementary School, Silver Spring. 301-602-7288, bensrun.org.
April 6 SILVER SPRING 5K/GLOBAL DANCE-A-THON. To benefit Global Health Fitness Initiative, a nonprofit bringing free health and fitness services to low-income communities. 8:30 a.m. $30 for 5K, $25 for DC Capital Striders members; $10 for fun run for kids younger than 12; $15 for Dance-A-Thon. Sligo-Dennis Avenue Local Park Activity Building, Silver Spring. 301-565-8219, active.com/silverspring-md/running/5k.
April 7, 14, 28 and May 5, 12 HEALTHY KIDS RUNNING SERIES. Each week kids pre-K through eighth grade compete in age-appropriate events. All participants earn prizes; trophies awarded to top boy/girl scorers in each age group. 3-4 p.m. $35 (for
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PAWS IN THE PARK. Features a 1-mile dog walk and festivities. Hosted by the Montgomery County Humane Society and the City of Gaithersburg to help homeless and abandoned animals. Noon-4 p.m. $15 ($25 on-site registration), free for children 12 and younger. Bohrer Park at Summit Hall Farm, Gaithersburg. 301-258-6350, gaithersburgmd.gov.
April 28 PIKE’S PEEK 10K. A post-race festival awaits at Pike & Rose, where the course ends. 7:50 a.m.; 9:30 a.m. for 50-meter tot trot; 9:45 a.m. for quarter-mile kids fun run. $52-$60; $10 for quarter-mile or tot trot. Race starts at the Shady Grove Metro Station, Rockville. pikespeek10k.org.
SCREENINGS/CLASSES/ WORKSHOPS March 6, 13, 20, 27 and April 3, 10 GENTLE YOGA FOR SENIORS. Stay fit and help prevent falls by improving balance in this Suburban Hospital WellWorks class. 12:151:15 p.m. $60 for the series. Clara Barton
PHOTO BY MARLEEN VAN DEN NESTE
RUNNING/WALKING
sponsorship. Holy Redeemer Catholic School, Kensington. cardinal5k.com/registration.html.
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
Community Center, Cabin John. 301-8963939, events.suburbanhospital.org.
March 9 and April 20 HEARTSAVER: ADULT/CHILD/INFANT CPR/ AED. For non-health professionals. Topics include: CPR, choking rescue techniques and correct usage of an Automated External Defibrillator. 9 a.m.-2 p.m. $70. Holy Cross Resource Center, Silver Spring. 301-7548800, holycrosshealth.org.
March 13 MCPS PARENT ACADEMY TALKS: WHY DON’T MY KIDS LISTEN TO ME? Held in partnership with the Parent Encouragement Program, a nonprofit educational organization, parents of children 5 to 18 years old receive advice on healthy conflict resolution. 7-8:30 p.m. Free. Redland Middle School, Rockville. Registration required. 301-929-8824, pepparent.org.
March 13 EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION STRATEGIES FOR ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE. This Suburban Hospital WellWorks program offers strategies for staying connected and communicating with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia patients. 1-2 p.m. Free. Friendship Heights Village Center, Chevy Chase. Registration requested. 301-896-3939, events.suburbanhospital.org.
March 13 SURVIVAL GUIDE FOR FIRST-TIME GRANDPARENTS. In addition to brushing up on diapering, swaddling and more, new grandparents learn infant and child CPR and choking rescue techniques in this Suburban Hospital WellWorks class. 6-9 p.m. $45; $75 per couple. Oasis at Macy’s Home store, on the second floor, Westfield Montgomery mall, Bethesda. Registration requested. 301-8963939, events.suburbanhospital.org.
March 14 PREDIABETES CLASS. For people with a family history of diabetes or who have been diagnosed with prediabetes. Participants discuss healthy choices that can prevent or slow the onset of the disease. 5-7:30 p.m. Free. Adventist HealthCare Shady Grove Medical Center, Rockville. Registration required. 800-542-5906, adventisthealthcare.com.
March 14 and April 18 OVERCOMING BACK PAIN AND SPINE DISEASE. Strategies for managing these conditions are discussed by field experts. 6:30-7:30 p.m. at Holy Cross Germantown
DENTIST
FINDER
Your Guide to Leading Dentists in the Bethesda Area
PERIODONTICS, DENTAL IMPLANTS
DR. ROY ESKOW Bethesda Dental Implant Center
5626 Shields Drive Bethesda, MD 20817 301-493-6200 www.bethesdadentalimplantcenter.com
Dental School: University of Maryland School of Dentistry Expertise: We provide state of the art periodontal therapy in a comfortable and caring environment. 30 years experience in dental implant surgery, periodontics, oral medicine, dental sleep apnea. Paramount is building a quality relationship with each and every patient.
GENERAL DENTISTRY, COSMETIC DENTISTRY
DR. H. BRANDT FOSTER Comprehensive Contemporary Dentistry 4702 Chevy Chase Drive Chevy Chase, MD 20815 301-986-8804 www.fosterdds.net
Dental School: University of Maryland, Baltimore College of Dental Surgery Expertise: At our office we love what we do. We believe dentistry should be painless, functional and esthetic. We are committed to exceptional personalized care and use the latest technology to help you achieve a healthy beautiful smile.
GENERAL DENTISTRY, COSMETIC DENTISTRY
DR. JOHN J. HIGGINS John J. Higgins, DDS PA 5648 Shields Drive Bethesda, MD 20817 301-530-8008 www.johnjhigginsdds.com
Dental School: Georgetown University Expertise: Provide patients with excellent care and health education in a contemporary and comfortable atmosphere
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Hospital (March 14); 2-3 p.m. at Asbury Methodist Village, Gaithersburg (April 18). Free. 301-754-8800, holycrosshealth.org.
March 21 HEALTHY COOKING SERIES: GOOD FOR YOUR BRAIN. Keep your mind and memory sharp by eating the right foods. This class, offered by Suburban Hospital, includes a demonstration and samples of recipes that are good for your brain health. Copies of all recipes will be provided. 6-8 p.m. $25. Total Wine & More Corporate Office, Bethesda. 301-896-3939, events.suburbanhospital.org.
March 23 2013 | 2016 | 2017 | 2019
SAFE SITTER. To equip 11- to 13-yearolds with the essentials of babysitting, this Suburban Hospital WellWorks course includes strategies for handling emergencies, basic first aid and overall child care skills. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. $105. Bethesda-Chevy Chase Regional Services Center, Bethesda. Registration required. 301-896-3939, events. suburbanhospital.org.
March 25 POWER TOOLS FOR POWER STRUGGLES FOR DADS. This session from the Parent Encouragement Program, a nonprofit educational organization, will explore parentchild conflict and help fathers to navigate those power struggles. 7-9 p.m. $35; $31.50 for PEP members. The Grilled Oyster Co., Potomac. 301-929-8824. pepparent.org.
March 28 CARING FOR THE CAREGIVER. For non-health care professionals. Topics covered in this class offered by Suburban Hospital include strategies for coping, resiliency and building self-care. 1-2 p.m. Free. Rockville Senior Center, Rockville. Registration requested. 301-896-3939, events.suburbanhospital.org.
March 29 VILLAGE AMBASSADOR PROGRAM: RETHINKING HOW WE AGE IN A CHANGING WORLD. Suburban Hospital Board Chair Howard Gleckman, author of Caring for Our Parents, offers advice on aging at home. 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Free. Normandie Farm, Potomac. Registration required. 301-8963939, events.suburbanhospital.org.
SUPPORT GROUPS
TO YOUR NEW ROLE. Discuss challenges— and joys—of motherhood. 10:30 a.m.12:30 p.m. Adventist HealthCare Shady Grove Medical Center, Rockville. Registration required. 800-542-5096, adventisthealthcare.com.
March 5-April 9 CHRONIC DISEASE SELF-MANAGEMENT PROGRAM. This Suburban Hospital WellWorks program offers participants strategies for managing symptoms of their chronic health conditions for better living. 6-8:30 p.m. Tuesdays. Free. Total Wine & More Corporate Office, Bethesda. Registration required. 301-896-3939, events. suburbanhospital.org.
March 13-April 24 GRIEF SUPPORT WEDNESDAY: NINE-WEEK SERIES SUPPORT GROUP. For those grieving the death of a loved one. 6-7:30 p.m. Wednesdays. Holy Cross Resource Center, Silver Spring. Registration requested. 301754-7742, holycrosshealth.org.
March 14, 28 and April 11 and 25 YOUNG ADULTS WITH CANCER SUPPORT GROUP. 6:30-8 p.m. Beaumont House, Bethesda. 301-634-7500, hopeconnectionsforcancer.org.
March 29 and April 26 TALK AND WALK. For breast cancer patients and survivors. A discussion on relevant topics is followed by a walk through the mall. 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Oasis at Macy’s Home store, on the second floor, Westfield Montgomery mall, Bethesda. Registration required. 301469-6800; press 1; extension 211. For more information, contact Jamie Borns at 301-8966798. events.suburbanhospital.org.
April 3-May 15 FACING FORWARD: A POST-TREATMENT BREAST CANCER SUPPORT GROUP. Open to women who have completed treatment within the past year, this six-week support group facilitated by an oncology social worker allows new breast cancer survivors to voice their feelings and concerns about life after treatment. 5:30-7 p.m. Wednesdays. Johns Hopkins Health Care and Surgery Center, Bethesda. Registration required. 301-8966837. For more information, contact Susan Jacobstein at 301-896-6837 or sjacob20@ jhmi.edu. events.suburbanhospital.org. ■
Support groups are free unless otherwise noted.
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To submit calendar items, go to BethesdaMagazine.com.
restaurants. cooking. food. drinks.
PHOTO BY STACY ZARIN GOLDBERG
dine
Cuban fare, including bay scallop and coconut ceviche, is on the menu at El Sapo Cuban Social Club, which recently opened in Silver Spring. For our review, turn the page.
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JOIN THE PARTY At El Sapo Cuban Social Club in Silver Spring, chef Raynold Mendizábal makes noise in a captivating way BY DAVID HAGEDORN PHOTOS BY STACY ZARIN GOLDBERG
A SERVER CARRIES A Dutch oven through the lively, clamorous dining room of El Sapo Cuban Social Club, the thrilling new Silver Spring restaurant that Urban Butcher chef and owner Raynold Mendizábal opened in October. After he sets the pot on the table and removes the lid, alluring aromas of its contents—four meaty oxtails, orange slices, cherry tomatoes and a tangle of oregano stems mingling in a dark, rich braising liquid—seduce the diners who ordered it. A few tables away, manager Judita D’Oliviera ignites a sky-high sparkler attached to a bottle of cava and starts singing “Happy Birthday” to a celebrant. Salsa music fills the air, and throughout the dining room, whether they realize it or not, patrons are moving their shoulders and tapping their feet to the rhythm of the beat. Mendizábal, a Cuban native who lives in Silver Spring, calls El Sapo a social club rather than a restaurant because he wants guests to experience Cuba’s culture. “The music, the colors, the food, the laughter—I want everyone to feel a part of it, to sing, to spontaneously get 258
The street food sampler at El Sapo Cuban Social Club serves four and comes with empanadas, burgers, a Cubano sandwich and other items.
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Overall Rating:
A-
El Sapo Cuban Social Club 8455-1 Fenton St., Silver Spring; 301-326-1063; elsaporestaurant.com FAVORITE DISHES: Blistered okra; bay scallop and coconut ceviche; braised oxtails; street food sampler PRICES: Appetizers: $6 to $18; Entrées: $22 to $28; Desserts: $6 to $12 LIBATIONS: The fun and creativity in the dining room and on the food menu at El Sapo carry over to the drinks. The cocktail list includes lots of rum cocktails, such as a mojito, a Cuba Libre and the Hot Pasión, made with passion fruit, ginger and chili peppers. Go for the Manhattan de Miami, prepared tableside with a barrel-aged house-made rum concoction. The wine selections are Spanish: two cavas, seven whites and eight reds ($32 to $72); and four “Chef’s Rare Finds,” among them a 2014 Arrocal Tempranillo from the Ribera del Duero wine region of Spain for $72. The dessert list features four aged rums, such as Zacapa Solera 23, $8 for 1 ounce. Teetotalers can enjoy fresh coconut water, orange juice and ginger-cilantro citronade. Happy hour at El Sapo runs from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday and all day on Sundays. Look for lower prices on street food items, Cubano sandwiches, mojitos and house beer and wine. SERVICE: On their game, especially given the amount of tableside service required at El Sapo.
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up and dance. We want it to be contagious because our culture is contagious,” he says. The welcome mat at El Sapo says “entra bailando” (enter dancing), and, if you follow its foot diagram for salsa steps, you will. At the host stand, there’s no host—just a musician and his keyboard, jamming as D’Oliviera walks up and greets you. El Sapo, which occupies the ground floor of the recently built Central Silver Spring development, is basically a big concrete box. It’s so loud (93 decibels, “between motorcycle and food blender” on my phone’s Decibel X app) that you may leave hoarse and with your head ringing. That drawback, in my book, makes the experience a three-run home run instead of a grand slam. Go warned and yield to the fun. Mendizábal, 48, is a Havana-born academic in mathematics and physics who left Cuba on a raft when he was 24. He was picked up at sea, spent a year in a refugee camp in Guantanamo Bay and arrived in the United States in 1995. He wound up in Pittsburgh, where he rose from dishwasher to cook in the restaurant business. In 2000, he came to Washington, where his career included chef stints at Pesce restaurant and Fujimar. He opened Urban Butcher in Silver Spring in 2013. Sapo is toad in Spanish and represents good luck to Mendizábal. The Chinese introduced a lottery game in Cuba called la charada china, in which 36 numbers correspond to 36 various animals and objects. In the game, the number 22 is the toad. “I came to the U.S. on Oct. 18, 1995, and signed a lease on Oct. 18, 2017, 22 years later,” he says. Giant glass garage doors that can open fully comprise two sides of the building. The club seats 100, plus 60 to 80 more in good weather when the mojito garden 260
and patio are open. Design elements include tufted lime-green banquettes, a mural of a lively party scene and large decorative crosses made by D’Oliviera, mirrored wall sconces with flickering candles, and fuchsia and lime-green accent walls. The menu here shows that Mendizábal has a keen understanding of marketing, with categories that highlight today’s popular trends: cocktails, ceviches, street foods, small plates, home cooking and entrées for two. On many tables you’ll notice whole coconuts branded with El Sapo’s name. They have large holes cut into their tops to turn them into drink receptacles for saoco cocktails made of fresh coconut water and
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Bacardi coconut rum. Having one easily leads to two. You will also notice at other tables that many diners have ordered large Chúpate los Dedos (lick your fingers) platters perched on stands with little Cuban flags poking up from their contents. These are sampler assortments of the menu’s six street food offerings— empanadas; salt cod croquettes; puerco asado (Cuba’s national dish of slowroasted pork in bitter orange sauce) on grilled bread; tostones (plantain patties); spicy beef burgers; and fried yuca batons—plus a Cubano sandwich (a hot pressed ham, cheese, roast pork, pickle and mustard sandwich) with french fries. The platter serves four for
Clockwise from opposite page: El Sapo chef-owner Raynold Mendizábal; braised oxtails; blistered okra; the Manhattan de Miami cocktail, which is prepared tableside with a barrel-aged house-made rum concoction.
a hefty $78, but you can order its components à la carte. Don’t miss the flaky empanadas filled with picadillo (a thick, cumin- and cinnamon-infused sauce of ground beef, capers, olives and raisins) and the crispy, garlicky yuca (like steak fries, but starchier), which you should dip lavishly in the bold, verdant mojo sauce of jalapeño, vinegar, garlic, olive oil and cilantro. I also advise ordering as a starter the exquisite side dish of panblistered whole okra pods tossed with roasted garlic and lemon and lime slices. Mendizábal wisely keeps things simple with his ceviches, which are put
together to order rather than prepped ahead to wither in their citrus marinades. I give two of them high marks. Razor-thin conch slices, red onion slivers and cherry tomatoes tossed with orange and lime juices and a hit of fiery habanero pepper have a perfect acidic brightness. Bay scallops, cubed mango, red onions, red peppers and cilantro get tossed in lime juice and coconut milk, bringing forth the mollusk’s sweetness. For main courses, I reiterate praise for the oxtails, brined and braised until the meat falls off the bone but still preserves some bite. Goat meat—dried into jerky
and braised into a thick stew with honey, cumin and chopped onions, green peppers, tomatoes and garlic—becomes a topping for creamy polenta-like tamal in what is a luscious, hearty casserole. Some dishes don’t hit the mark—overcooked, overcharred grilled salmon can’t be saved by its pineapple and red pepper salsa. Head-on, shell-on tiger prawns in a thick tomato and olive sauce are mushy and too messy to eat. Churros for dessert are undercooked and pasty. Opt instead for creamy pineapple crème brûlée with its crunchy sugar armor. Or, better yet, have an espresso-laced cortadito martini or a shot of aged rum before you head out the door, dancing. n David Hagedorn is the restaurant critic for Bethesda Magazine.
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ON FIRE IN DECEMBER, CHEF Ruth Gresser, 60, opened the fifth outpost of her Pizzeria Paradiso chainlet, which ignited the Neapolitan-style wood-fired pizza trend when the first location opened in Washington’s Dupont Circle in 1991. Her latest outpost is in the Upper Northwest D.C. neighborhood of Spring Valley. We caught up with the Baltimore native, who lives in Silver Spring with her wife, Barbara Johnson, to ask about her career. How did you wind up becoming a chef? I went to college to be a chemist, but when I walked into second-year chem lab, I knew I wouldn’t last because it didn’t smell good. The other thing I wanted to be was a chef. I grew up in a family that cooked. I graduated in 1980, moved to San Francisco because I was a lesbian and it was a mecca for food at that time. There I was introduced to [chef and cooking authority] Madeleine Kamman’s work. I went to study at her cooking school in New Hampshire. She placed me in D.C. around 1987. I wound up at Obelisk as [chef] Peter Pastan’s sous-chef. Paradiso opened in 1991. We were co-owners for 10 years. You were a pioneer in bringing thin-crust, Neapolitan-style pizza made in a woodburning oven to the D.C. area. I got tired of high-end cooking. I was interested in a more casual environment that my friends could come to. I always liked working with dough, making bread. We made bread at Obelisk and pizza for family dinner [staff meal]. Pizza is bread with things put on top of it and baked. No one was focusing on making pizza in woodburning ovens like we did. So it seemed like a good idea. Why Spring Valley? Before the Chicken Out was Chicken Out, I saw a ‘for lease’ sign on the space. I
thought, ‘That would be a great place for a Pizzeria Paradiso.’ But it never happened. So, to come back to it 10 or 15 years later, what was true then is true now—it’s a small market with a big draw. Spring Valley is a surprising, dense neighborhood—it can draw from across the river into Virginia, out to Bethesda, from [American University]. And there’s no pizza here! We like to go places where there isn’t any pizza. You were an early craft beer pioneer. The Spring Valley location has 14 beers on draft and 165 canned or bottled beers. The whole idea is that pizza and beer go really well together. Our beer program started with the original Paradiso, but we had limited space. We always had local beer on tap and never sold large-brewery beers. In 2006, I turned a downstairs space at the Georgetown location into the Birreria. No one at the time was focusing on craft breweries, on the unique, the best beers in the world. We were also careful
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about the glasses, the equipment we used and the temperature of the beer. What has changed the most about the restaurant business since 1991? The amount of competition: There are so many restaurants opening and there is development in a lot of neighborhoods now, offering more choices. And social media. There used to be a sense that if you made good food and provided a good experience that you could make it in the business. Now, that might not be enough. Where do you eat in Montgomery County? Noodle King in Silver Spring. Our favorite meal there is deep-fried salt-and-pepper tofu and leek flowers sautéed with garlic, which is high praise from an avowed carnivore. In addition, Mi La Cay, Ruan Thai, Hollywood East, Pollo Mex and, for a burger, The Limerick Pub [Pollo Mex is in Silver Spring; the others are in Wheaton]. And Zena Polin’s The Daily Dish for brunch.
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TOOL TIME COOKING IS A LOT more fun and engaging when you can measure with a banana tablespoon and stir with an eggplant whisk, according to Marci Heit, a professional voice-over artist who lives in Silver Spring and owns an animation production company there. In December, she launched Q.D. Foodie, a seven-piece set of vibrantly colored, easy-grip kitchen utensils with fruit-and-vegetable-themed handles. The adult-size kitchen tools include measuring spoons and cups marked in metric and British imperial units and braille; a spatula; a whisk; a mixing spoon; and fork-and-spoon salad servers. “They are very kid-friendly,” says Heit, who has a 7-year-old daughter. “I wanted to create something that would make kids get excited about being in the kitchen, bring families 264
together and lead to making healthier choices because they’re involved in their food.” Q.D. is the nickname for Quinn Daisy, the main character of Q.D. Foodie, an animated show Heit created and pitched to networks. (It hasn’t sold yet.) Q.D. is
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blind and loves to cook with friends in her watermelon-shaped treehouse. The kitchen tools started out as illustrated props for the show. Then Heit realized there could be a market for them and turned them into merchandise. The project had a steep learning curve.
She had to find an industrial designer, hire a manufacturer (the tools are made in China because Heit couldn’t find a U.S. manufacturer to take on the job) and trademark and patent the product. She teamed up with a company called 52Launch to help get the product to market, and raised $50,000 from a onemonth Kickstarter campaign to finance production costs. The Q.D. Foodie set ($49.99) is available online at qdfoodie.com. Heit has big plans for the future. “We have 30 more pieces designed, such as bowls, colanders and safety kitchen shears,” she says. “We hope to move forward with them by December.”
&
COMINGS GOINGS Matchbox Vintage Pizza Bistro plans to open this summer in the former American Tap Room space in Bethesda.
Also this summer, local chainlet Bethesda Bagels will open a fifth location, this one in Bethesda’s Wildwood Shopping Center. In the same shopping center, sister restaurants Oakville Grille & Wine Bar and
Wildwood Italian Cuisine were slated to close in mid-February. Mike Isabella’s Kapnos Kouzina closed in Bethesda in December, part of the crumbling of the celebrity chef’s restaurant empire. Sister restaurants NaiNai’s Noodle and Dumpling Bar and Scion in Silver Spring closed in January. n
Dazzle. Gourmet menus inspired by warmer days. Outstanding attention to detail. Memories of culinary perfection.
I T ’ S J U S T W H AT W E D O.
C E L E B R AT I O N S
WEDDINGS
CO R P O R AT E
&
MAJOR
EVENTS
301.652.1515
ridgewells.com
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DINING GUIDE
CHECK OUT THE ONLINE VERSION OF THE DINING GUIDE AT BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM
BETHESDA AJI-NIPPON 6937 Arlington Road, 301-654-0213. A calm oasis on a busy street, where chef Kazuo Honma serves patrons several kinds of sushi, sashimi, noodle soups, teriyaki and more. Try a dinner box, which includes an entrée, vegetables, California roll, tempura and rice. L D $$
ALATRI BROS. (EDITORS’ PICK) 4926 Cordell Ave., 301-718-6427, alatribros.com. The folks behind Olazzo and Gringos & Mariachis bought Mia’s Pizzas and revamped it with a new name and décor. They kept the Naples-style pies that come from a wood-burning oven, but added small plates and healthy options. Sit in the cheery dining room with green, gray and white accents or under an umbrella on the patio. L D $$
&PIZZA 7614 Old Georgetown Road, 240-800-4783, andpizza.com. Create your own designer pizza from a choice of three crusts, three cheeses and eight sauces or spreads. Toppings for the thin, crispy crusts range from the usual suspects to falafel crumbles, fig marsala and pineapple salsa. This location of the hip, fast-casual chain has limited seating. L D $
BACCHUS OF LEBANON (EDITORS’ PICK) 7945 Norfolk Ave., 301-657-1722, bacchusoflebanon.com. This friendly and elegant Lebanese staple has a large, sunny patio that beckons lunch and dinner patrons outside when the weather is good to try garlicky hummus, stuffed grape leaves, chicken kabobs, veal chops and dozens of small-plate dishes. ❂ L D $$
BANGKOK GARDEN 4906 St. Elmo Ave., 301-951-0670, bkkgarden. com. This real-deal, family-run Thai restaurant turns out authentic cuisine, including curries, soups and noodle dishes, in a dining room decorated with traditional statues of the gods. L D $
THE BARKING DOG 4723 Elm St., 301-654-0022, barkingdogbar.com. A fun place for young adults, with drink specials nearly every night and bar food such as quesadillas and burgers. Salsa dancing on Tuesdays, trivia on Wednesdays, karaoke on Thursdays and a DJ and dancing Fridays and Saturdays. ❂ L D $
BARREL + CROW 4867 Cordell Ave., 240-800-3253, barrelandcrow. com. Contemporary regional and southern cuisine served in a comfortable setting with charcoal gray banquettes and elements of wood and brick. Menu highlights include Maryland crab beignets, shrimp and grits and roasted trout. ❂ R L D $$
BEEFSTEAK 7101 Democracy Blvd. (Westfield Montgomery mall), 301-365-0608, beefsteakveggies.com. The fast-
casual spot from chef José Andrés is heavily focused on seasonal vegetables for build-your-own bowls and salads (or pick one of their suggested combinations). Toppings such as poached egg, chicken sausage and salt-cured salmon are also in the lineup. L D $
Key
BENIHANA 7935 Wisconsin Ave., 301-652-5391, benihana. com. Experience dinner-as-theater as the chef chops and cooks beef, chicken, vegetables and seafood tableside on the hibachi. This popular national chain serves sushi, too. The kids’ menu includes a California roll and hibachi chicken, steak and shrimp entrées. J L D $$
Price designations are for a threecourse dinner for two including tip and tax, but excluding alcohol. $ up to $50 $$ $51-$100 $$$ $101-$150 $$$$ $151+ Outdoor Dining b Children’s Menu B Breakfast R Brunch L Lunch D Dinner
BETHESDA CRAB HOUSE 4958 Bethesda Ave., 301-652-3382, bethesdacrab house.com. In the same location since 1961, this casual, family-owned dining spot features jumbo lump crabcakes, oysters on the half shell and jumbo spiced shrimp. Extra large and jumbo-sized crabs available year-round; call ahead to reserve.
❂ L D $$
BETHESDA CURRY KITCHEN 4860 Cordell Ave., 301-656-0062, bethesda currykitchen.com. The restaurant offers lunch buffet and Southern Indian vegan specialties, served in a spare and casual setting. There are plenty of choices from the tandoor oven, as well as vegetarian, seafood and meat curries. L D $
BGR: THE BURGER JOINT 4827 Fairmont Ave., 301-358-6137, bgrtheburger joint.com. The burgers are good and the vibe is great at this frequently packed eatery next to Veterans Park. Try the veggie burger, made with a blend of brown rice, black beans, molasses and oats. ❂ J L D $
THE BIG GREEK CAFÉ 4806 Rugby Ave., 301-907-4976, biggreekcafe. com. Owned by the Marmaras brothers, the café serves Greek specialties, including a top-notch chicken souvlaki pita. L D $
BISTRO PROVENCE (EDITORS’ PICK) 4933 Fairmont Ave., 301-656-7373, bistroprovence.org. Chef Yannick Cam brings his formidable experience to a casual French bistro with a lovely courtyard. The Dinner Bistro Fare, served daily from 5 to 6:30 p.m., offers a choice of appetizer, main course and dessert for $35.
❂ R L D $$$
BLACK’S BAR & KITCHEN (EDITORS’ PICK) 7750 Woodmont Ave., 301-652-5525, blacksbar andkitchen.com. Customers count on the impeccable use of fresh and local ingredients and enjoy dining on the expansive patio. The bar draws crowds for happy hour. ❂ R L D $$$
BRICKSIDE FOOD & DRINK 4866 Cordell Ave., 301-312-6160, brickside bethesda.com. Prohibition-era drinks meet Italian bar bites and entrées. Dishes range from fried pork and waffles to short ribs. Try one of the colorfully
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named punches, which include Pink Murder Punch and Snow Cone Punch. ❂ R L D $$
CADDIES ON CORDELL 4922 Cordell Ave., 301-215-7730, caddieson cordell.com. Twentysomethings gather at this golfthemed spot to enjoy beer and wings specials in a casual, rowdy atmosphere that frequently spills onto the large patio. ❂ J R L D $
CAFÉ DELUXE 4910 Elm St., 301-656-3131, cafedeluxe.com. This local chain serves bistro-style American comfort food in a fun and noisy setting with wood fans and colorful, oversized European liquor posters. Menu options include burgers, entrées, four varieties of flatbread and mussels served three different ways.
❂ J R L D $$ CAVA
7101 Democracy Blvd., Suite 2360 (Westfield Montgomery mall), 301-658-2233; 4832 Bethesda Ave., 301-656-1772; cava.com. The guys from CAVA Mezze restaurant have created a Greek version of Chipotle. Choose the meat, dip or spread for a pita, bowl or salad. House-made juices and teas provide a healthful beverage option. ❂ (Bethesda Avenue location) L D $
CESCO OSTERIA 7401 Woodmont Ave., 301-654-8333, cesco-osteria.com. Longtime chef Francesco Ricchi turns out Tuscan specialties, including pizza, pasta and focaccia in a big, jazzy space. Stop by the restaurant’s Co2 Lounge for an artisan cocktail before dinner. ❂ L D $$
8021 Wisconsin Ave., 240-497-0000, cheesypizzibethesda.com. In addition to the standard offerings of a pizza joint, this spot (formerly Pizza Tempo under different owners) has sandwiches and boat-shaped Turkish pizza known as pide. Delivery is available. L D $
CHEF TONY’S 4926 St. Elmo Ave., 301-654-3737, cheftonys bethesda.com. Chef-owner Tony Marciante focuses on Mediterranean seafood tapas, offering dishes ranging from fish and seafood to chicken, steak and pasta. Desserts include Drunken Strawberries and Classic Creme Brulée. J R L D $$
CHERCHER ETHIOPIAN 4921 Bethesda Ave., 301-652-6500, chercherrestaurant.com. The second branch of a D.C. Ethiopian spot, this restaurant and bar took over the space housing Suma. The décor is moderncontemporary and the menu features dishes—from beef to vegan—served on one large platter, meant for sharing, and Ethiopian wine. L D $
CITY LIGHTS OF CHINA 4953 Bethesda Ave., 301-913-9501, bethesda citylights.com. Longtime Chinese eatery serves familiar Sichuan and Beijing fare, including six types of dumplings and seven handmade noodle dishes. Red walls and chocolate-colored booths give the place a sharp look. L D $$
DELINA ERITREAN URBAN KITCHEN
COOPER’S MILL 5151 Pooks Hill Road, 301-897-9400, coopersmillrestaurant.com/bethesda. The restaurant showcases a modern, stylish menu with stone-oven flatbreads, homemade tater tots and locally sourced produce. Local beers on draft and by the bottle, plus regional bourbon and gin. Happy hour and private dining are offered.
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THE CORNER SLICE 7901 Norfolk Ave., 301-907-7542, thecornerslice. net. New York-style pizza, available by the slice or as a 20-inch pie. Specialty pizzas include the spinachartichoke white pie with ricotta, mozzarella and parmesan and the Buffalo Chicken Pie with blue cheese and hot sauce. ❂ L D $
CRAVE 7101 Democracy Blvd., Suite 1530 (Westfield Montgomery mall), 301-469-9600, cravebethesda. com. Minnesota-based chainlet offers an eclectic melting pot of American dishes, including bison burgers, lobster-and-shrimp flatbread and kogi beef tacos. The restaurant is also known for its extensive selection of wine and sushi. J L D $$
DAILY GRILL One Bethesda Metro Center, 301-656-6100, dailygrill.com. Everyone from families to expenseaccount lunchers can find something to like about the big portions of fresh American fare, including chicken pot pie and jumbo lump crabcakes.
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4914 Cordell Ave., 240-630-8579, delinakitchen. com. This Ethiopian/Eritrean restaurant features small plates. Pick from an assortment of vegetables, two types of tsebhi (a traditional stew), ground fish, kitfo (a steak tartare preparation) and more. L D $
DOG HAUS BIERGARTEN 7904 Woodmont Ave., 301-652-4287, bethesda. doghaus.com. This fast-casual California-based chain serves hot dogs, sausages, burgers and chicken sandwiches. The hot dogs are all beef and hormone- and antibiotic-free. The industrial-chic space includes picnic tables, TVs, a bar and more than two dozen beer choices. J L D $
DON POLLO 10321 Westlake Drive, 301-347-6175; donpollogroup.com. Juicy, spiced birds and reasonable prices make this Peruvian chicken eatery a go-to place any night of the week. Family meals that serve four or six people are available.
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DUCK DUCK GOOSE (EDITORS’ PICK) 7929 Norfolk Ave., 301-312-8837, ddgbethesda. com. Thirty-five-seat French brasserie owned by chef Ashish Alfred. Small plates include steak tartare, and squid ink spaghetti with Manila clams and Fresno chilies. Among the entrées, look for updates of French classics, such as dry-aged duck with Bing cherries, and halibut with scallop mousse and puff pastry. ❂ L D $$
PHOTO: D. PAPARAZI
CHEESY PIZZI
To all who enjoyed a celebration or dined with us over the past 37 years, we say THANK YOU! We made many friends and we will miss you all. God Bless You.
Chef Kwok
Shanghai Village
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dine EJJI RAMEN 7101 Democracy Blvd. (Westfield Montgomery mall), 240-534-2842, ejjiramen.com. At this outpost of a Baltimore ramen shop, you’ll find build-your-own ramen and various spins on the noodle soup (pork, vegetarian, seafood). There’s also the Ejji Mac & Cheese Ramen Dog, a hot dog wrapped in ramen and cheese, then fried. J L D $
FARYAB AFGHAN CUISINE 4917 Cordell Ave., 301-951-3484. After closing for more than a year, Faryab reopened in 2017 and serves well-prepared Afghani country food, including Afghanistan’s answer to Middle Eastern kabobs, vegetarian entrées and unique sautéed pumpkin dishes, in a whitewashed dining room with native art on the walls. D $$
FISH TACO 7251 Woodmont Ave., 301-652-0010; 10305 Old Georgetown Road (Wildwood Shopping Center), 301-564-6000, fishtacoonline.com. This counterservice taqueria features a full roster of seafood as well as non-aquatic tacos, plus margaritas and other Mexican specialties. JLD$
FLANAGAN'S HARP & FIDDLE 4844 Cordell Ave., 301-951-0115, flanagansharp andfiddle.com. This stylish pub features live music several days a week, Tuesday night poker and Monday quiz nights. In addition to traditional stews and fried fish, Flanagan's offers smoked ribs, salmon and traditional Irish breakfast on weekends. ❂ J B L D $$
GARDEN GRILLE & BAR 7301 Waverly St. (Hilton Garden Inn), 301-6548111. Aside from a breakfast buffet featuring cooked-to-order omelets, waffles, fruit and more, the restaurant offers an extensive menu, from burgers to crabcakes, short ribs and pasta dishes. J B D $$
GEORGE’S CHOPHOUSE 4935 Cordell Ave., 240-534-2675, georgesbethesda.com. This modern bistro with pop-culture décor features a seasonally changing menu of house-made pastas, plus a raw bar and a variety of steaks. The braised beef cheek fettucine combines two specialties: house-made pastas and slow-cooked meat. L D $$$
GRINGOS & MARIACHIS (EDITORS’ PICK) 4928 Cordell Ave., 240-800-4266, gringosand mariachis.com. The owners of the popular Olazzo Italian restaurants in Bethesda and Silver Spring trade in the red sauce for salsa at this hip taqueria with edgy murals and plenty of tequila. LD$
GUAPO’S RESTAURANT 8130 Wisconsin Ave., 301-656-0888, guapos restaurant.com. This outpost of a local chain has everything you’d expect: margaritas and chips galore, as well as a handful of daily specials served in festive Mexican surroundings. Perfect for families and dates. J R L D $
GUARDADO’S 4918 Del Ray Ave., 301-986-4920, guardados.com. Chef-owner Nicolas Guardado, who trained at Jaleo, opened this hidden gem devoted to Latin-Spanish cooking in 2007 and has developed a following with tapas specialties like shrimp and sausage, stuffed red peppers and paella. J L D $
GUSTO FARM TO STREET 7101 Democracy Blvd. (Westfield Montgomery mall), 301-312-6509; 4733 Elm St., 240-396-
6398; eatgusto.com. The fast-casual eatery aims to serve healthy fare, with a focus on pizzas and salads. The menu includes suggested combos but you can also build your own. Pizza crust comes in cauliflower, whole grain or traditional, and housemade dressings top heirloom tomatoes, butternut squash and other salad items. ❂ (Elm Street location only) L D $
HANARO RESTAURANT & LOUNGE 7820 Norfolk Ave., 301-654-7851, hanarobethesda. com. The restaurant’s modern dark woods combined with a light-filled dining room brighten its corner location, and the menu includes sushi and Asian fusion main courses such as pad Thai and galbi (Korean ribs). The bar offers a daily happy hour. ❂ L D $$
HIMALAYAN HERITAGE 4925 Bethesda Ave., 301-654-1858, himalayan heritagebethesda.com. The menu includes North Indian, Nepali, Indo-Chinese and Tibetan cuisines, featuring momos (Nepalese dumplings), Indian takes on Chinese chow mein and a large selection of curry dishes. L D $
HOUSE OF FOONG LIN 4613 Willow Lane, 301-656-3427, foonglin.com. The Chinese restaurant features Cantonese, Hunan and Sichuan cuisine, including chef’s recommendations, low-fat choices and lots of traditional noodle dishes. L D $$
HOUSE OF MILAE 4932 St. Elmo Ave., 301-654-1997. The Kang family, who own Milae Cleaners in Bethesda, bring simple Korean dishes to their first food foray. Chef “M&M” Kang prepares home-style fare such as bulgogi, galbi and bibimbap. The kids’ menu has one item: spaghetti, made from the recipe of owner Thomas Kang’s former college roommate’s mother. JLD$
THE IRISH INN AT GLEN ECHO 6119 Tulane Ave., 301-229-6600, irishinnglenecho. com. This historic tavern has been a family home and a biker bar, but its incarnation as the Irish Inn has been delivering smiles and hearty food since 2003. Traditional Irish music on Monday nights, The 19th Street Band or other live music on Wednesday nights and live jazz on Sunday nights. ❂ J R L D $$
JALEO (EDITORS’ PICK) 7271 Woodmont Ave., 301-913-0003, jaleo.com. The restaurant that launched the American career of chef José Andrés and popularized Spanish tapas for a Washington, D.C., audience offers hot, cold, spicy and creative small plates served with outstanding Spanish wines. Voted “Best Small Plates” by Bethesda Magazine readers in 2017. ❂ R L D $$
JETTIES 4829 Fairmont Ave., 301-769-6844, jettiesdc. com. The only suburban location of the popular Nantucket-inspired sandwich shop, which has five restaurants in Northwest Washington, D.C. Aside from the signature Nobadeer sandwich (roasted turkey and stuffing with cranberry sauce and mayonnaise on sourdough), look for large salads and an innovative children’s menu. ❂ J L D $
KADHAI (EDITORS’ PICK) 7905 Norfolk Ave., 301-718-0121, kadhai.com. This popular Indian restaurant formerly known as Haandi serves a variety of traditional chicken, lamb and seafood dishes, plus rice and vegetarian dishes and a selection of breads. An extensive lunch buffet is offered daily. Voted “Best Indian Restaurant” by Bethesda Magazine readers in 2018. ❂ L D $$
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LA PANETTERIA 4921 Cordell Ave., 301-951-6433, lapanetteria. com. La Panetteria transports diners into a quaint Italian villa with its impeccable service and Old World atmosphere, serving such Southern and Northern Italian classic dishes as homemade spaghetti and veal scaloppine. L D $$
LE PAIN QUOTIDIEN 7140 Bethesda Lane, 301-913-2902; 10217 Old Georgetown Road (Wildwood Shopping Center), 240-752-8737, lepainquotidien.com. New Yorkbased Belgian-born bakery/restaurant chain with farmhouse vibe, featuring organic breads, European breakfast and dessert pastries, savory egg dishes, soups, Belgian open-faced sandwiches, entrée salads, wine and Belgian beer by the bottle. ❂ JBRLD$
LE VIEUX LOGIS 7925 Old Georgetown Road, 301-652-6816, levieuxlogisrestaurantmd.com. The colorful exterior will draw you into this family-run Bethesda institution, but classic French dishes such as Dover sole meunière and mussels in a white wine broth will keep you coming back. ❂ D $$$
LOUISIANA KITCHEN & BAYOU BAR 4907 Cordell Ave., 301-652-6945, louisiana bethesda.com. The popular Bethesda institution offers a Cajun- and Creole-style menu, complete with divine fried items. The pain perdou and beignets remain a great way to start a Sunday morning. B R L D $
LUCY ETHIOPIAN RESTAURANT 4865 Cordell Ave., 301-347-7999. The authentic Ethiopian menu here includes beef and lamb plates, such as kitfo (raw beef) sandwiches and boneless braised yebeg alicha (Ethiopian mild lamb stew). The interior is decorated with Ethiopian-inspired art and features a full bar. Beef and vegan samplers are available at the Bethesda location. L D $
LUKE’S LOBSTER 7129 Bethesda Lane, 301-718-1005, lukeslobster. com. This upscale carryout features authentic lobster, shrimp and crab rolls; the seafood is shipped directly from Maine. Try the Taste of Maine, which offers all three kinds of rolls, plus two crab claws.❂ L D $
MAKI BAR 6831 Wisconsin Ave. (Shops of Wisconsin), 301907-9888, makibarbethesda.com. This tiny 30-seat Japanese restaurant and sushi bar offers 60-plus kinds of maki rolls, categorized as Classic (tuna roll), Crunch Lover (spicy crunch California roll) and Signature (eel, avocado, tobiko, crab), along with sushi, sashimi, noodle bowls and rice-based entrées. L D $$
MAMMA LUCIA 4916 Elm St., 301-907-3399, mammalucia restaurants.com. New York-style pizza dripping with cheese and crowd-pleasing red sauce, and favorites like chicken Parmesan and linguini with clams draw the crowds to this local chain. Gluten-free options available. ❂ L D $$
MEDIUM RARE 4904 Fairmont Ave., 301-215-8739, mediumrare restaurant.com. A prix fixe menu that comes with bread, salad, steak and fries is the sole option at this small chain outpost (there are two Medium Rares in D.C.). Desserts cost extra. Weekend brunch also features a prix fixe menu. D $$
MODERN MARKET 4930 Elm St., 240-800-4733, modernmarket. com. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner daily, this Bethesda Row eatery is part of a Denver-based chain. The focus is on seasonal, from-scratch fare and ingredients such as nitrate- and hormonefree bacon. Sandwiches, soups, salads and pizza dominate the menu. ❂ J B R L D $
MOMO CHICKEN & GRILL 4862 Cordell Ave., Bethesda, 240-483-0801, momofc.com. Skip the breasts, and head for the wings or drumsticks at Bethesda’s first Korean fried chicken spot. Options such as seafood pancakes, bulgogi and bibimbap are part of the extensive offerings, all served in a hip space with framed record albums gracing the walls. ❂ J L D $$
MON AMI GABI 7239 Woodmont Ave., 301-654-1234, monamigabi. com. Waiters serve bistro classics such as escargot, steak frites and profiteroles in a dark and boisterous spot that doesn’t feel like a chain. Live jazz Thursday nights. ❂ J R L D $$
MORTON’S, THE STEAKHOUSE 7400 Wisconsin Ave., 301-657-2650, mortons. com. An ultra-sophisticated steak house serving pricey, large portions of prime-aged beef and drinks. The restaurant is known for a top-notch dinner experience but also offers lunch and a bar menu. L D $$$
MUSSEL BAR & GRILLE 7262 Woodmont Ave., 301-215-7817, musselbar. com. Kensington resident and big-name chef Robert Wiedmaier serves his signature mussels, plus
wood-fired tarts, salads and sandwiches. Wash them all down with a choice of 40 Belgian beers, a list that was voted “Best Beer Selection” by Bethesda Magazine readers in 2017. ❂ R L D $$
NOT YOUR AVERAGE JOE’S 10400 Old Georgetown Road, 240-316-4555, notyouraveragejoes.com. This Massachusettsbased chain’s moderately priced menu offers burgers, big salads and stone-hearth pizzas, plus entrées including Anything But Average Meatloaf. ❂ J L D $$
OLAZZO (EDITORS’ PICK) 7921 Norfolk Ave., 301-654-9496, olazzo.com. This well-priced, romantic restaurant is the place for couples seeking red-sauce classics at reasonable prices. Founded by brothers Riccardo and Roberto Pietrobono, it was voted “Best Italian Restaurant” by Bethesda Magazine readers in 2018. ❂ L D $$
THE ORIGINAL PANCAKE HOUSE 7700 Wisconsin Ave., Store D, 301-986-0285, ophrestaurants.com. Along with the classic flapjacks on this chain’s menu, you’ll find flavorpacked items such as apple pancakes with a cinnamon sugar glaze. And it’s not just pancakes to pick from: The restaurant serves a variety of waffles, crepes, eggs and omelets. J B L $
PASSAGE TO INDIA (EDITORS’ PICK) 4931 Cordell Ave., 301-656-3373, passagetoindia. info. Top-notch, pan-Indian fare by chef-owner Sudhir Seth, with everything from garlic naan to fish curry made to order. ❂ R L D $$
PASSIONFISH BETHESDA 7187 Woodmont Ave., 301-358-6116, passionfish bethesda.com. The second location of Passion Food Hospitality’s splashy seafood restaurant features stunning coastal-themed décor and an extensive menu of shellfish, caviar, sushi, chef’s specialties and fresh catches of the day. Voted “Best Happy Hour” by Bethesda Magazine readers in 2018. J L D $$$
PAUL 4760 Bethesda Ave., 301-656-3285, paul-usa. com. Fifth-generation, family-owned French bakery becomes an international chain, with locations in close to 35 countries. Aside from breads and pastries, look for soups, sandwiches and quiche. ❂BLD$
PENANG MALAYSIAN & THAI CUISINE & BAR 4933 Bethesda Ave., 301-657-2878, penang maryland.com. At this Malaysian spot decorated with exotic dark woods and a thatched roof, spices run the gamut of Near and Far Eastern influence, and flavors include coconut, lemongrass, sesame and chili sauce. L D $$
PINES OF ROME 4918 Cordell Ave., 301-657-8775. Longtime Italian restaurant, formerly on Hampden Lane, still serves traditional pasta, pizza, fish and seafood at prices that are easy on the wallet. The white pizza is a hit, and don’t forget the spaghetti and meatballs. LD$
PIZZERIA DA MARCO (EDITORS’ PICK) 8008 Woodmont Ave., 301-654-6083, pizzeria damarco.net. Authentic Neapolitan pizzas fired
Exquisite French food, charming atmosphere, and attentive service. In the heart of Chevy Chase, the charm of the country side at your door step.
“La Ferme is one of the area’s most pleasant places to catch up with friends, do business or toast a big day.” Tom Sietsema, Food critique of the Washington Post (March 4, 2018)
7101 Brookville Road Chevy Chase, MD 301-986-5255
LaFermeRestaurant.com
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dine in a 900-degree Italian brick oven range from the Siciliana with eggplant confit and black olives to the Solo Carne with sausage, pepperoni and salame. Salads, antipasti and calzones available, too. ❂LD$
POSITANO RISTORANTE ITALIANO 4940-48 Fairmont Ave., 301-654-1717, epositano.com. An authentic Italian, family-run restaurant popular for private events, large and small. Colorful rooms are decorated with Italian landscapes, copper pots and hanging plants, and the outdoor patio is one of the most beautiful in the county. ❂ L D $$
PRALINE BAKERY & BISTRO 4611 Sangamore Road, 301-229-8180, praline-bakery.com. This sunny restaurant offers a tempting bakery takeout counter, full dining service and a patio. The food, which includes chicken pot pie and pralines, is French with an American accent. ❂ J B R L D $$
Q BY PETER CHANG (EDITORS’ PICK) 4500 East West Highway, 240-800-3722, qbypeterchang.com. Notable chef Peter Chang’s high-end flagship restaurant offers traditional Chinese dishes in an attractive, modern space. Peking duck, double-cooked pork belly and other authentic Sichuan cuisine are served, and some dishes are “ultimate spicy” for brave palates. ❂ J L D $$
RAKU (EDITORS’ PICK) 7240 Woodmont Ave., 301-718-8680, rakuasian dining.com. Voted “Best Sushi” by Bethesda Magazine readers in 2018, this casual restaurant has bamboo walls that do little to dampen the noise, but the menu satisfies with everything from sushi to kung pao chicken. ❂ L D $$
RICE PADDIES GRILL & PHO 4706 Bethesda Ave., 301-718-1862, ricepaddies grill.com. This cute copper-and-green eat-in/carryout makes quick work of Vietnamese favorites such as pork, beef and vegetable skewers infused with lemongrass and the classic beef noodle soup known as pho. L D $
ROCK BOTTOM RESTAURANT & BREWERY 7900 Norfolk Ave., 301-652-1311, rockbottom.com. India Pale Ales and specialty dark brews are among the award-winning beers crafted in-house at this cavernous yet welcoming chain, which offers a vast menu. The burgers are the real deal. ❂ J L D $$
RUTH’S CHRIS STEAK HOUSE 7315 Wisconsin Ave., 301-652-7877, ruthschris. com. A dark and clubby feel makes this elegant chain popular with families as well as the happyhour crowd. Don’t skip the fresh seafood choices, which include Caribbean lobster tail and barbecued shrimp. D $$$
SALA THAI 4828 Cordell Ave., 301-654-4676, salathaidc. com. This Thai mainstay cooks the classics and offers diners a nearly panoramic view of Woodmont Avenue through huge, curved windows. Live jazz Friday and Saturday evenings. L D $$
SAPHIRE CAFÉ 7940 Wisconsin Ave., 301-986-9708. A relaxing spot for tasting everything from Maryland-style crab soup to Argentine skirt steak, Saphire pumps it up a notch on Friday and Saturday nights with drink specials and DJs. Tiki bar open Wednesdays through Saturdays. ❂ L D $
SATSUMA 8003 Norfolk Ave., 301-652-1400, satsumajp. com. Bethesda’s first yakiniku (Japanese barbecue) restaurant has built-in grills at each table. Diners select a cut—short rib, chuck rib, skirt or tongue— and prepare it themselves. There’s also an extensive sushi and sashimi menu, as well as interesting cooked dishes. L D $$
SHANGRI-LA NEPALESE AND INDIAN CUISINE 7345-A Wisconsin Ave., 301-656-4444, shangrila bethesda.com. Northern Indian and Nepali specialties such as butter chicken and fresh flatbreads known as naan shine here. The extensive menu ranges from soups and salads to tandoori and kabobs.J L D $
SHARE WINE LOUNGE & SMALL PLATE BISTRO 8120 Wisconsin Ave. (DoubleTree Hotel), 301-652-2000, doubletreebethesda.com/dining. aspx. Share some buffalo chicken sliders or avocado bruschetta, or go for main courses ranging from Yankee pot roast to cedar plank-roasted salmon. B L D $$
SILVER (EDITORS’ PICK) 7150 Woodmont Ave., 301-652-9780, eatatsilver. com. Upscale, tonier version of the homegrown Silver Diner chain, with modern takes on American classics and an emphasis on healthy, local and organic ingredients. Sleek interior takes its cue from the 1920s. ❂ J B R L D $$
SMOKE BBQ BETHESDA 4858 Cordell Ave., 301-656-2011, smokebbq.com. Pulled pork, beef brisket, smoked chicken, ribs and all the fixin’s, plus starters including smoked tomato soup and fried pickles served in a friendly, casual space. Delivery available for orders over $15. J L D $
SWEETGREEN 4831 Bethesda Ave.301-654-7336, sweetgreen. com. The sweetgreen fast-casual chain—with its focus on local and organic ingredients— concentrates on salads (devise your own, or pick from a list) and soups. Look for eco-friendly décor and a healthy sensibility. ❂ L D $
TAKO GRILL 4914 Hampden Lane (The Shoppes of Bethesda), 301-652-7030, takogrill.com. Longtime, popular sushi destination relocated to the space formerly occupied by Hinode Japanese Restaurant. Look for the same traditional sushi menu, plus some new options, such as griddle-cooked teppanyaki at lunch, and more varieties of yakitori at dinner. L D $$
TANDOORI NIGHTS 7236 Woodmont Ave., 301-656-4002, tandoorinightsbethesda.com. Located in the heart of downtown Bethesda, the restaurant serves traditional Indian fare ranging from tandoori chicken, marinated in yogurt and spices, to a biryani flavored with saffron, nuts and raisins. ❂ L D $$
TAPP’D BETHESDA 4915 St. Elmo Ave., 240-630-8120, tappdbethesda.com. Beer-centric gastropub offering 40-plus beers on tap, 100-plus bottles and beer flights. Food menu includes standard American fare: soups and salads, char-grilled wings, beer-battered onion rings, burgers, brats and mains such as crabcakes, barbecue ribs and beer-can chicken pot pie. Top it off with a root beer float. ❂ J L D $$
TARA THAI 7101 Democracy Blvd. (Westfield Montgomery mall), 301-657-0488, tarathai.com. Thai cuisine
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goes high style at Bethesda Magazine readers’ pick for “Best Thai Restaurant” in 2018. With colorful murals of ocean creatures looking on, diners can try dishes ranging from mild to adventurous. L D $$
TASTEE DINER 7731 Woodmont Ave., 301-652-3970, tasteediner. com. For 80 years, this crowd-pleasing if slightly sagging spot has served up everything from breakfast to burgers to blue-plate specials such as steak and crabcakes to crowds of loyal customers. Open 24 hours. J B L D $
TERRAIN CAFÉ 7228 Woodmont Ave., 240-345-9492, shopterrain. com/restaurants. Located inside the Anthropologie & Co. at Bethesda Row, this quaint café changes its menu with the seasons. Look for cheese boards; salads; toast topped with eggplant, smoked salmon or fig; and entrées such as duck breast and a fried cauliflower sandwich. ❂ R L D $$
THELO GREEK GRILL 8009 Norfolk Ave., 301-654-7335. Greek classics such as gyros and meat skewers are the main offerings at this small full-service restaurant in the former Bistro LaZeez space.
❂ L D $$ TIA QUETA
4839 Del Ray Ave., 301-654-4443, tiaqueta.com. This longtime family and happy-hour favorite offers authentic Mexican food such as moles and fish dishes, as well as the usual Tex-Mex options. Drink menu includes American and Mexican beers. ❂ J L D $$
TOMMY JOE’S 7940 Norfolk Ave., 301-654-3801, tommyjoes. com. This Bethesda institution is now in the space formerly housing Urban Heights. The second-floor, window-filled corner location suits its sports bar persona, and the vast rooftop is ideal for outdoor drinking and snacking. Fare includes wings (Pohostyle, grilled and smoky, are a good option), burgers, crabcakes and ribs. Chunky brisket chili, on its own or on nachos, is a winner. ❂ L D $$
TRATTORIA SORRENTO (EDITORS’ PICK) 4930 Cordell Ave., 301-718-0344, trattoriasorrento. com. This family-run Italian favorite offers homemade pastas, baked eggplant and fresh fish dishes. Half-price bottles of wine on Wednesdays. D $$
TRUE FOOD KITCHEN (EDITORS’ PICK) 7100 Wisconsin Ave., 240-200-1257, truefoodkitchen.com. Health-focused chain prides itself on serving fresh ingredients and features an open kitchen. The eclectic, multicultural menu changes from season to season, and includes sandwiches, salads and pizza. Beer, wine and freshfruit and vegetable cocktails are also available. Voted “Best New Restaurant” by Bethesda Magazine readers in 2018. ❂ R L D $
TYBER BIERHAUS 7525 Old Georgetown Road, 240-821-6830, tyberbierhausmd.com. Czech, German and Belgian brews served in an authentic beer-hall setting, furnished with the same benches as those used in the Hofbrau brewhouse in Munich. Pub menu features mussels, hearty sandwiches, schnitzel and goulash. R L D $$
UNCLE JULIO’S 4870 Bethesda Ave., 301-656-2981, unclejulios. com. Loud and large, this Tex-Mex eatery packs in families and revelers fueling up on fajitas, tacos and more. Kids love to watch the tortilla machine.
Voted “Best Kid-Friendly Restaurant” by Bethesda Magazine readers in 2017. ❂ J R L D $$
VILLAIN & SAINT 7141 Wisconsin Ave., 240-800-4700, villainand saint.com. Listen to live music while digging into salt-roasted beets or slow-smoked pork ribs at this hip bar, courtesy of chef Robert Wiedmaier’s RW Restaurant Group. Delightfully dated décor includes lava lamps and photos of late great rock stars. The menu is divided into hearty dishes (villain) and vegetarian options (saint). ❂ R L D $$
VÜK 4924 St. Elmo Ave., 301-652-8000, vukpinball. com. VÜK owner (and MOM’S Organic Market CEO) Scott Nash consulted restaurateur Mark Bucher for the only thing offered on the short menu of his Bethesda pinball arcade other than Trickling Springs Creamery’s soft-serve ice cream: thin-crust New York-style pizza and thick-crust Sicilian pizza sold by the slice or as whole pies: cheese, sausage, pepperoni and mushroom/onion. L D $
WILDWOOD KITCHEN (EDITORS’ PICK) 10223 Old Georgetown Road (Wildwood Shopping Center), 301-571-1700, wildwoodkitchenrw.com. Chef Robert Wiedmaier’s attractive neighborhood bistro serving fresh and light modern cuisine. Entrées range from Amish chicken with a scallion potato cake to grilled Atlantic salmon with creamy polenta. L D $$
WOODMONT GRILL (EDITORS’ PICK) 7715 Woodmont Ave., 301-656-9755, hillstone. com. Part of the Houston’s chain, the eatery offers such classics as spinach-and-artichoke dip and its famous burgers, but also house-baked breads, more exotic dishes, live jazz and a granite bar. Voted “Best Restaurant Service” by Bethesda Magazine readers in 2018. ❂ L D $$$
WORLD OF BEER 7200 Wisconsin Ave., 240-389-9317, worldofbeer. com. Craft beer-focused tavern chain offers 50 brews on tap rotating daily and hundreds of bottled options. Food is classic pub fare, including hamburgers, wings and bratwurst sandwiches, as well as flatbreads and salads. ❂ J R L D $
YUZU 7345-B Wisconsin Ave., 301-656-5234, yuzu bethesda.com. Diners will find authentic Japanese dishes, including sushi, sashimi and cooked tofu, vegetable, tempura, meat and fish dishes, prepared by sushi chef and owner Yoshihisa Ota. L D $$
CABIN JOHN FISH TACO 7945 MacArthur Blvd., 301-229-0900, fishtacoonline.com. See Bethesda listing. ❂JLD$
SAL’S ITALIAN KITCHEN (EDITORS’ PICK) 7945 MacArthur Blvd., 240-802-2370, salsitalian kitchen.net. Persimmon and Wild Tomato owners Damian and Stephanie Salvatore replaced their Asian concept Indigo House with a return to their roots. Find traditional Italian fare, such as bruschetta, risotto balls, Caprese salad, meatball subs, fettuccine Alfredo, chicken cacciatore and shrimp scampi. ❂ L D $$
WILD TOMATO (EDITORS’ PICK) 7945 MacArthur Blvd., 301-229-0680, wildtomatorestaurant.com. A family-friendly
neighborhood restaurant from Persimmon owners Damian and Stephanie Salvatore, serving salads, sandwiches and pizza. Voted “Best Neighborhood Restaurant” by Bethesda Magazine readers in 2017. ❂ J L D $
CHEVY CHASE ALFIO’S LA TRATTORIA 4515 Willard Ave., 301-657-9133, alfios.com. This Northern Italian classic on the first floor of The Willoughby of Chevy Chase Condominium has been feeding families and casual diners for more than 30 years. Look for traditional pasta, veal and chicken dishes (plus pizza), served in an Old World environment. J L D $$
THE CAPITAL GRILLE 5310 Western Ave., 301-718-7812, capitalgrille. com. The upscale steak-house chain, known for its He-Man-sized portions and extensive wine list, is located in The Shops at Wisconsin Place.Entrées also include chicken, lamb chops, salmon and lobster. L D $$$$
CLYDE’S 5441 Wisconsin Ave., 301-951-9600, clydes. com. The popular restaurant features a frequently changing menu of American favorites and a collection of vintage airplanes and cars, as well as a model train running on a track around the ceiling. ❂ J R L D $$
T S E G M R A L Y ROO
PART YTHESDA! IN BE
BARKINGDOGBAR.COM
301-654-0022 4723 Elm Street Bethesda, MD 20814
DON POLLO 7007 Wisconsin Ave., 301-652-0001, donpolloonline.com. See Bethesda listing. L D $
LA FERME (EDITORS’ PICK) 7101 Brookville Road, 301-986-5255, laferme restaurant.com. This charming Provence-style restaurant serving classic French cuisine is a popular choice for an intimate dinner. Cognac Le Bar at La Ferme, a bar within the restaurant, opened in fall 2016. The bar serves small plates, and cocktails include the French 75, with cognac, simple syrup, lemon juice and champagne. Voted “Best Romantic Restaurant” by Bethesda Magazine readers in 2018. ❂ R L D $$$
LIA'S
DON’T LET
OUR NAME FOOL YOU!
4435 Willard Ave., 240-223-5427, chefgeoff.com. Owner Geoff Tracy focuses on high-quality, low-fuss modern Italian-American fare at this modern space with a wine room. Pizzas, house-made pastas and fresh fish please business lunchers and dinner crowds. Voted “Best Restaurant in Chevy Chase” by Bethesda Magazine readers in 2017. ❂JRLD$
MANOLI CANOLI RESTAURANT 8540 Connecticut Ave., 301-951-1818, manolicanoli.com. Italian and Greek specialties abound at a fun family eatery that features a large prepared foods section, dishes made with olive oil from owner Stavros Manolakos’ family farm in Greece and homemade mozzarella on pizza and subs. ❂ J L D $
MEIWAH RESTAURANT 4457 Willard Ave., 301-652-9882, meiwah restaurant.com. This modern restaurant on the second floor of a Friendship Heights office building offers top-quality Chinese dishes that are hard to beat. There’s also a sushi bar with an extensive menu. A fountain sparkles on the outdoor patio. ❂ L D $$
Yes, our oysters are awesome but there’s a lot more you’ll absolutely love: • Fresh local seafood • Burgers, tacos & salads • Weekend brunch
YOUR “GO TO” SPOT IN CATHEDRAL COMMONS & CABIN JOHN SHOPPING CENTER WWW.THEGRILLEDOYSTERCOMPANY.COM
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dine MOBY DICK HOUSE OF KABOB 7023 Wisconsin Ave., 301-654-1838, mobyskabob. com. This kabob takeout/eat-in mainstay was one of the first kabob places in the area. It makes its own pita bread. The menu includes a variety of salads and vegetarian sandwiches and platters. LD$
PERSIMMON (EDITORS’ PICK) 7003 Wisconsin Ave., 301-654-9860, persimmon restaurant.com. Owners Damian and Stephanie Salvatore’s popular restaurant offers casual fare from salads to sandwiches to meat and seafood entrées in a bistro setting featuring a lively bar, cozy booths and bright paintings on the walls. ❂ R L D $$
POTOMAC PIZZA 19 Wisconsin Circle, 301-951-1127, potomac pizza.com. This cheery, casual dining room provides a break from the ultra-posh shopping surrounding it. In addition to pizza, subs and pastas are popular. Beer and wine available. ❂ J L D $
SUSHIKO (EDITORS’ PICK) 5455 Wisconsin Ave., 301-961-1644, sushiko restaurants.com. Known as one of the Washington, D.C., area’s most respected sushi restaurants, Sushiko offers a wide range of sushi and other dishes. Kōbō, a restaurant within the restaurant, allows eight people to dine on 12- to 15-course tasting menus. ❂ L D $$
TAVIRA 8401 Connecticut Ave., 301-652-8684, tavira restaurant.com. Fish stews and several versions of bacalhau (salted cod) figure prominently on the menu of this intriguing Portuguese restaurant, which manages to be charming and attractive despite its location in an office building basement. L D $$
GARRETT PARK BLACK MARKET BISTRO (EDITORS’ PICK) 4600 Waverly Ave., 301-933-3000, blackmarket restaurant.com. Sublime American bistro fare served in a restored Victorian building next to railroad tracks; the building once served as a general store and still houses a post office. Entrées range from swordfish to a burger and pizza, including several vegetable options. ❂ J R L D $$
KENSINGTON THE DISH & DRAM 10301 Kensington Parkway, 301-962-4046, thedishanddram.com. The owners of The Daily Dish in Silver Spring serve comfort food made with local ingredients in a 2,800-square-foot space in Kensington. Steak frites, Maryland crab soup, burgers and house-made desserts are on the menu. J R L D $$
FRANKLY…PIZZA! (EDITORS’ PICK) 10417 Armory Ave., 301-832-1065, franklypizza. com. Owner Frank Linn turns out high-quality pizza in a rustic brick-and-mortar restaurant. The menu offers wood-fired pies topped with home-cured meats and tomato sauce made from an 80-yearold family recipe. Wines and homemade sodas served on tap, too. Voted "Best Pizza" by Bethesda Magazine readers in 2018. ❂ L D $
K TOWN BISTRO 3784 Howard Ave., 301-933-1211, ktownbistro. com. Try filet mignon, duck breast à l’orange, chicken marsala and other classic continental dishes from this family-run eatery owned by Gonzalo Barba, former longtime captain of the restaurant in the Watergate Hotel. L D $$
Maryland locale for Great American Restaurants, a Fairfax-based chain. Seaside-inspired décor extends to the menu, which offers lobster and shrimp rolls, fried grouper and Key lime pie. Steaks, pasta and burgers also served. Voted “Best Restaurant in Gaithersburg/North Potomac” by Bethesda Magazine readers in 2018. ❂ J R L D $$
COPPER CANYON GRILL
NORTH POTOMAC/ GAITHERSBURG &PIZZA 258 Crown Park Ave. (Downtown Crown), 240-4998447, andpizza.com. See Bethesda listing. ❂ LD$
ASIA NINE 254 Crown Park Ave. (Downtown Crown), 301-3309997, asianinemd.com. Pan Asian restaurant with a first location in Washington, D.C.’s Penn Quarter offers dishes from Vietnam, China, Thailand and Japan. Specialties include grilled lamb chops served with mango-soy coulis and miso honey duck breast drizzled with a sake butter sauce. R L D $$
ATHENS GRILL 9124 Rothbury Drive, 301-975-0757, athensgrill. com. This casual, friendly, family-run restaurant specializes in authentic Greek cooking, using recipes handed down through generations. Specialties such as rotisserie chicken, chargrilled salmon with a lemon dill sauce and lamb kabobs are cooked on a hardwood grill. L D $
BARKING MAD CAFE 239 Spectrum Ave., 240-297-6230, barkingmad cafe.com. Cooking from a wood hearth and selecting vegetables, herbs and edible flowers from its aeroponic (grown in air/mist but without soil) organic garden, Barking Mad Cafe has a corner spot in Watkins Mill Town Center. Look for madefrom-scratch brunch, lunch and dinner sweets and savories, such as breakfast pizza, watermelon salad and farro salad. ❂ R L D $$
BONEFISH GRILL 82 Market St., 240-631-2401, bonefishgrill. com. While fresh fish cooked over a wood fire is the centerpiece of this upscale Florida chain, the steaks, crab cakes and specialty martinis make it a fun option for happy hour and those with hearty appetites. R L D $$
BUCA DI BEPPO 122 Kentlands Blvd., 301-947-7346, bucadibeppo. com. The Kentlands outpost of this national chain serves huge, family-style portions of Italian specialties from fresh breads to antipasti and pasta dishes amid a sea of Italian kitsch. Desserts include Italian Creme Cake and tiramisu. J L D $$
CAVA 213 Kentlands Blvd., 301-476-4209, cava.com. See Bethesda listing. ❂ L D $
COAL FIRE 116 Main St., 301-519-2625, coalfireonline.com. Homemade crusts fired by coal and topped with your choice of toppings and three different sauces: classic, spicy and signature, which is slightly sweet with a hint of spice. Salads, sandwiches and pasta also available, plus a full bar. ❂ L D $
COASTAL FLATS 135 Crown Park Ave. (Downtown Crown), 301869-8800, greatamericanrestaurants.com. First
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100 Boardwalk Place, 240-631-0003, ccgrill.com. Large portions of American classics such as salads, ribs and rotisserie chicken prepared with seasonal ingredients at family-friendly prices are the bill of fare at this spacious and casual chain restaurant. J L D $$
DOGFISH HEAD ALEHOUSE 800 W. Diamond Ave., 301-963-4847, dogfishale house.com. The first Maryland outpost of the popular Rehoboth Beach brewpub, the restaurant is packed with revelers and families clamoring for the Dogfish Head brews, burgers, pizzas and ribs. Check out the burger of the week. ❂ J L D $$
DON POLLO 9083 Gaither Road, 301-990-0981, donpollogroup. com. See Bethesda listing. ❂ L D $
EAST DIAMOND BREWING CO. 227 E. Diamond Ave., 240-261-6196. This American restaurant in a turn-of-the-century building in downtown Gaithersburg serves its own beers and other local beers on tap and a full menu with sandwiches, pasta and house-made crabcakes. The upstairs bar area, which has occasional live music, has kept the previous name of the business: Greene Growlers. J L D $
FIREBIRDS WOOD FIRED GRILL 390 Spectrum Ave., 301-284-1770, gaithersburg. firebirdsrestaurants.com. Part of a chain, this restaurant in the Watkins Mill Town Center cooks steaks and seafood over a wood-fired grill. Designed to look like a Colorado lodge, the eatery tends toward classic fare for entrées (surf-and-turf, salmon, burgers) and dessert (chocolate cake, Key lime pie, carrot cake). ❂ J L D $$
GUAPO’S RESTAURANT 9811 Washingtonian Blvd., L-17, 301-977-5655, guaposrestaurant.com. See Bethesda listing. ❂JRLD$
HERSHEY’S RESTAURANT & BAR 17030 Oakmont Ave., 301-948-9893, hersheysat thegrove.com. Fried chicken that tastes like it was made by an aproned elder is served up in a clapboard building constructed in 1889. Besides the fab fried chicken, Hershey’s serves up warm rolls, inexpensive prices and live music. ❂ J B R L D $$
IL PORTO RESTAURANT 245 Muddy Branch Road, 301-590-0735, ilporto restaurant.com. A classic red-sauce menu, elegant murals of Venice and an authentic thin-crust pizza are hallmarks of this friendly, unfussy Italian restaurant tucked in the Festival Shopping Center. Fried calamari and the white pizza are among customer favorites. ❂ L D $
INFERNO PIZZERIA NAPOLETANA (EDITORS’ PICK) 12207 Darnestown Road, 301-963-0115, inferno-pizzeria.com. Tony Conte, former executive chef of Washington, D.C.’s Oval Room, goes casual with his first restaurant, an authentic Neapolitan pizzeria offering sophisticated toppings such as shaved truffles and garlic confit. Cozy dining room seats 39, with a tiled, wood-burning pizza oven as the centerpiece. D $
IXTAPALAPA TAQUERIA 411 N. Frederick Ave., 240-702-0217, ixtataqueria.com. The owners of Taco Bar (in a gas station in Gaithersburg) serve Mexican street food at this fast-casual spot. Pick a protein to go on corn tortillas and then pile on toppings at a fixings bar. Or try a taco that comes already topped (the alambre with bacon, grilled onions and red peppers and Oaxaca cheese is good). ❂LD$
KENAKI SUSHI 706 Center Point Way, 240-224-7189, kenakisushi. com. This sushi counter at Kentlands Market Square offers what the owners call a “modern take on traditional sushi.” Experiment with the Black Magic roll, which comes with truffle oil and black sushi rice. Lunch is more informal, but at dinner there’s full service. L D $
THE MELTING POT 9021 Gaither Road, 301-519-3638, themeltingpot. com. There’s nothing like dipping bits of bread, vegetables and apples into a communal pot of hot cheese to get a date or a party started. The Melting Pot chain also offers wine, oil or broth to cook meat tableside and chocolate fondue for dessert. J D $$
NOT YOUR AVERAGE JOE’S 245 Kentlands Blvd., 240-477-1040, notyouraveragejoes.com. See Bethesda listing. ❂ J L D $$
OLD TOWN POUR HOUSE 212 Ellington Blvd. (Downtown Crown), 301-9636281, oldtownpourhouse.com. One of the eateries from Chicago’s Bottleneck Management restaurant company, this place features more than 90 local and international brews on tap. Classic American cuisine is served in a setting with copper-inlaid bars and high ceilings. ❂ L D $$
PALADAR LATIN KITCHEN & RUM BAR 203 Crown Park Ave., 301-330-4400, paladarlatinkitchen.com. This Cleveland-based chain covers the spectrum of Latin cuisine, with dishes from Cuba, the Caribbean and Central and South America. From Brazil, there’s feijoada stew; from Cuba, ropa vieja; and from Jamaica, jerk chicken. Bar selections includes 50 varieties of rum, 15 tequilas and six types of mojitos. ❂ J R L D $$
POTOMAC VILLAGE DELI 625 Center Point Way, 301-299-5770, potomacvillagedeli.com. Traditional Jewish deli in the Kentlands, offering all-day breakfast and all the classics, from bagels, smoked fish, knishes, matzo ball soup, corned beef, pastrami and chopped liver to overstuffed combo sandwiches, Reubens, subs, wraps, burgers, salads, pizza and New York cheesecake. J B L D $$
QUINCY’S BAR & GRILLE 616 Quince Orchard Road, 301-869-8200, quincysgroup.com. Energetic neighborhood pub with a sports bar atmosphere, Quincy’s also has an extensive menu with wings, pizza, build-yourown burgers and chicken sandwiches, plus entrées including Guinness-braised brisket. Live music is also a big draw. L D $
RED HOT & BLUE 16811 Crabbs Branch Way, 301-948-7333, redhotandblue.com. You’ll find generous portions of hickory-smoked barbecue, plus burgers, salads and wraps, and a Southern attitude at this chain popular for its office party takeout and its family-friendly, kitschy roadhouse décor. J L D $
RUTH’S CHRIS STEAK HOUSE 106 Crown Park Ave. (Downtown Crown), 301-9901926, ruthschris.com. See Bethesda listing. D $$$
SIN & GRIN 353 Main St., 301-977-5595, singrintacos.com. Located in the heart of Kentlands Market Square, Sin & Grin is a fast-casual restaurant owned and operated by the Hristopoulos family, which also runs Vasili’s Kitchen. Pick from eight tacos, rotisserie chicken and an assortment of Mexican cuisine. L D $
TANDOORI NIGHTS 106 Market St., 301-947-4007, tandoorinightsmd. com. See Bethesda listing. ❂ L D $
TARA THAI 9811 Washingtonian Blvd., L-9, 301-947-8330, tarathai.com. See Bethesda listing. ❂ L D $$
TED’S BULLETIN 220 Ellington Blvd. (Downtown Crown), 301990-0600, tedsbulletin.com. First Maryland location of the modern diner chainlet from the folks at Matchbox Food Group. Boozy milkshakes, homemade pop tarts and the Cinnamon Roll As Big As Ya Head (served weekends only) are among the specialties. ❂ J B R L D $$
TED’S MONTANA GRILL 105 Ellington Blvd. (Downtown Crown), 301-3300777, tedsmontanagrill.com. First Maryland location of billionaire and bison rancher Ted Turner’s restaurant chain, which uses bison as the showpiece in a humongous selection of dishes, including burgers, meatloaf, nachos and chili. Soups, salads, American classics and spiked milkshakes also available at this saloon-style eatery. ❂ J L D $$
THAI TANIUM 657 Center Point Way, 301-990-3699, thaitanium restaurant.com. Authentic Thai food laced with lots of chilies and garlic as hot as you like. Try one of the Thai street food dishes, such as roasted pork with Thai herbed sweet sauce and noodle soups. ❂JLD$
UNCLE JULIO’S 231 Rio Blvd. (RIO Washingtonian Center), 240-6322150, unclejulios.com. See Bethesda listing. ❂ J R L D $$
VASILI'S KITCHEN 705 Center Point Way, 301-977-1011, vasilis kitchen.com. Tan and brown décor lends a cozy vibe to this 4,700-square-foot Kentlands restaurant. The owners ran the popular Vasili’s Mediterranean Grill in another Kentlands location for more than a decade before closing it to focus on Vasili’s Kitchen. The Mediterranean menu is heavy on seafood dishes. ❂ J D $$
THE WINE HARVEST, THE KENTLANDS
FINE ITALIAN FOOD MADE FRESH DAILY
Catering available anytime for any occasion Private Parties | Family Style Dinners | Opera Night
114 Market St., 301-869-4008, thewineharvest. com. Stop by this popular Cheers-like wine bar locally owned by the Meyrowitz family for a glass of wine or a Belgian beer. The menu includes salads, sandwiches and cheese plates. ❂ L D $
YARD HOUSE (NEW) 211 Rio Blvd., 240-683-8790, yardhouse.com. Part of a chain with locations in California, Illinois and Texas, this RIO Washingtonian Center spot is big: The 13,000-square-foot restaurant has more than 100 beers on draft, and more than 100 items on its menu, from poke nachos and Nashville hot chicken to Parmesan-crusted pork loin and ginger-crusted salmon. ❂ J L D $$
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dine YOYOGI SUSHI 317 Main St., 301-963-0001. yoyogisushi.wixsite. com/yoyogisushi. A no-nonsense neighborhood sushi place offering the familiar sushi, teriyaki, tempura and green tea or red bean ice cream. ❂ LD$
ZIKI JAPANESE STEAK HOUSE 10009 Fields Road, 301-330-3868, zikisteakhouse. com. This large steak house on a busy corner charms patrons with its fountains, stone Buddhas and geisha mannequins. Food offerings include sushi, as well as meats cooked on a tableside hibachi. J L D $$
POTOMAC ADDIE’S (EDITORS’ PICK) 12435 Park Potomac Ave., 301-340-0081, addies restaurant.com. Longtime North Bethesda restaurant from the Black Restaurant Group that closed in 2013 is reborn in the Park Potomac development. Date nights call for the signature entrées for two. ❂ R L D $$
ATTMAN’S DELICATESSEN 7913 Tuckerman Lane (Cabin John Village), 301765-3354, cabinjohn.attmansdeli.com. This landmark Baltimore deli has run a second location in Potomac since 2013. The menu offers the same legendary corned beef, pastrami and other deli specialties. Third-generation owner Marc Attman is at the helm. J B L D $
BROOKLYN’S DELI & CATERING 1089 Seven Locks Road, 301-340-3354, brooklyns delimd.com. From chopped liver to chicken soup, Brooklyn’s serves all the deli specialties, plus more. Think hot pastrami with coleslaw and Russian dressing on pumpernickel. ❂ J B L D $
CAVA 7991 Tuckerman Lane (Cabin John Village), 301200-5398, cava.com. See Bethesda listing. ❂LD$
ELEVATION BURGER 12525-D Park Potomac Ave., 301-838-4010, elevationburger.com. Fast-food burgers go organic and grass-fed at this Northern Virginia-founded chain. Veggie burgers, chicken sandwiches, grilled cheese and a BLT available, too. Shake flavors range from banana to Key lime and cheesecake. ❂LD$
GREGORIO’S TRATTORIA 7745 Tuckerman Lane (Cabin John Village), 301296-6168, gregoriostrattoria.com. Proprietor Greg Kahn aims to make everyone feel at home at this family-owned restaurant serving a hit parade of traditional Italian favorites, with all the familiar pasta, pizza, chicken, veal and seafood dishes; the gluten-free menu offers pizza, cheese ravioli and quinoa pastas. J L D $$
THE GRILLED OYSTER CO. (EDITORS’ PICK) 7943 Tuckerman Lane (Cabin John Village), 301299-9888, thegrilledoystercompany.com. This Chesapeake-style seafood eatery features small plates, salads, sandwiches and entrées. The sampler of four grilled oysters—with ingredients such as coconut rum and cucumber relish— showcases the namesake item. ❂ J R L D $$
GRINGOS & MARIACHIS (EDITORS’ PICK) 12435 Park Potomac Ave., 301-339-8855, gringosandmariachis.com. See Bethesda listing. ❂D$
HUNTER’S BAR AND GRILL 10123 River Road, 301-299-9300, thehuntersinn. com. At this Potomac institution and popular English hunt-themed spot, try a big salad or hamburger for lunch and a traditional pasta dish or filet mignon for dinner with the family. ❂ J R L D $$
LAHINCH TAVERN AND GRILL 7747 Tuckerman Lane (Cabin John Village), 240499-8922, lahinchtavernandgrill.com. The menu of this sister restaurant to The Irish Inn at Glen Echo commingles Irish standards (traditional sausage roll, shepherd’s pie, bangers and mash, lamb stew) with fare such as Alaskan halibut. Lahinch is a coastal town in Ireland’s County Clare. J R L D $$$
LE PAIN QUOTIDIEN 7991 Tuckerman Lane (Cabin John Village), 240205-7429, lepainquotidien.com. See Bethesda listing. ❂ J B R L D $
LOCK 72 KITCHEN & BAR (EDITORS’ PICK) 10128 River Road, 301-299-0481, lock72.com. Well-known chef Robert Wiedmaier’s RW Restaurant Group runs this upscale American pub (formerly called River Falls Tavern). Entrées include panroasted duck breast, crabcake, rockfish and New York strip steak. ❂ R L D $$
MOCO’S FOUNDING FARMERS 12505 Park Potomac Ave., 301-340-8783, wearefoundingfarmers.com. Farm-inspired fare in a modern and casual setting; this is the sister restaurant to the phenomenally popular downtown D.C. Founding Farmers. Bethesda Magazine readers chose it as “Best Restaurant in Potomac,” "Best Cocktails" and "Best Brunch" in 2018. Try the warm cookies for dessert. ❂ B R L D $$
NORMANDIE FARM RESTAURANT 10710 Falls Road, 301-983-8838, popovers.com. This fine-dining French restaurant, open since 1931, strives to preserve its classical heritage while embracing new traditions. Dinner entrées run from seafood to beef and lamb. The restaurant offers quick service, a casual café option and a violinist at afternoon tea. ❂ J R L D $$
O’DONNELL’S MARKET 1073 Seven Locks Road, 301-251-6355, odonnells market.com. This market, from the family that ran O’Donnell’s restaurants in Montgomery County for decades, features a 10-seat bar for lunch and happy hour (11:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.). The menu includes a raw bar, salads and many O’Donnell’s classics, among them a lump-filled crabcake sandwich, salmon BLT, seafood bisque and crab gumbo. ❂L$
OLD ANGLER’S INN 10801 MacArthur Blvd., 301-365-2425, oldanglers inn.com. Open since 1860 and known for its refined American food and beautiful fireplaces and grounds, it features live music on weekends. Signature cocktails include hard cider sangria and a pumpkin pie martini. Voted “Best Outdoor Dining” by Bethesda Magazine readers in 2018. ❂ R L D $$$
POTOMAC PIZZA 9812 Falls Road, 301-299-7700, potomacpizza. com. See Chevy Chase listing. J L D $
RENATO’S AT RIVER FALLS 10120 River Road, 301-365-1900, renatosatriver falls.net. The Italian restaurant offers fish dishes among its menu of pastas and classics such as penne with eggplant, and chicken parmigiana.
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Traditional Italian desserts include tiramisu, profiteroles and cannolis. ❂ J L D $$
SUGO OSTERIA 12505 Park Potomac Ave., 240-386-8080, eatsugo.com. This stylish spot starts you off with honey-thyme butter on rustic bread. The menu focuses on Italian small plates, meatballs, sliders, pizza and pasta. Chef specialties include blue crab gnocchi and charred octopus. ❂ R L D $$
TALLY-HO RESTAURANT 9923 Falls Road, 301-299-6825, tallyhorestaurant. com. A local fixture since 1968, the eatery serves an expansive diner-style menu with Greek and Italian specialties. Choose from options ranging from burgers and deli sandwiches to pizza, calzones and dinner entrées. ❂ J B L D $
THE WINE HARVEST 12525-B Park Potomac Ave., 240-314-0177, thewineharvest.com. See Gaithersburg listing. ❂LD$
ZOËS KITCHEN 12505 Park Potomac Ave., Suite 115, 240-3281022, zoeskitchen.com. A fast-casual restaurant, Zoës features Mediterranean dishes such as kabobs, hummus and pita sandwiches. It specializes in takeout dinner for four for under $30. ❂ JLD$
ROCKVILLE/ NORTH BETHESDA A & J RESTAURANT (EDITORS’ PICK) 1319-C Rockville Pike, 301-251-7878, aj-restaurant. com. Northern dim sum is the specialty at this hard-to-find cash-only spot in the Woodmont Station shopping center. Warm-colored walls surround the crowd digging into thousand-layer pancakes and fresh tofu. R L D $
AKIRA RAMEN & IZAKAYA 1800 Rockville Pike, 240-242-3669, akiraramen. com. This minimalist Japanese eatery serves house-made noodles and vibrant food such as a poke salad. The sleek establishment, located on the first floor of the Galvan at Twinbrook building, features an open kitchen and several variations of ramen to choose from. L D $
AL CARBÓN 200 Park Road, 301-738-0003, alcarbonrestaurant. com. Serving authentic Latin American fare across the street from the Rockville Metro station, this unassuming roadhouse has a loyal following for its arepas, empanadas, tapas and more. Try one of the natural juices including mango and tamarindo. ❂BLD$
AL HA'ESH 4860 Boiling Brook Parkway (Randolph Hills Shopping Center), 301-231-0839, al-haesh.com. Kosher Israeli grill serves vegetable and protein skewers (including chicken, lamb, beef, chicken livers and sweetbreads). All entrées come with small ramekins of salads (think curried chickpeas; marinated red cabbage; and balsamic marinated mushrooms). ❂ L D $$
AMALFI RISTORANTE ITALIANO 12307 Wilkins Ave., 301-770-7888, amalfirockville. com. A family-run, red-sauce Italian restaurant with specialties including white pizza and lasagna. Lots of antipasti choices, too. The gazebo is a charming
6 N. Washington St., 301-545-0966, amicimieiristorante.com.Previously located at the Potomac Woods Plaza, this upscale Italian restaurant serves wood-fired pizzas, homemade pastas and creative salads. The new, smaller establishment is cozier than the last with a menu that changes twice a year. L D $
AMINA THAI RESTAURANT 5065 Nicholson Lane, 301-770-9509. Pleasant and bright, Amina Thai is run by a husband-andwife team and bills itself as the first Muslim Thai restaurant in the area, using only halal meats and serving familiar Thai dishes. Chef’s specials include pineapple fried rice and grilled salmon. L D $
&PIZZA 11626 Old Georgetown Road (Pike & Rose), 240621-7016, andpizza.com. See Bethesda listing. ❂LD$
BARONESSA ITALIAN RESTAURANT 1302 E. Gude Drive, 301-838-9050, baronessarestaurant.com. Pizzas made in a woodburning oven and more than two dozen Italian entrées star on the menu at this 100-seat stripmall restaurant. Trivia nights and kids pizza-making classes are offered. J R L D $$
THE BIG GREEK CAFÉ 4007 Norbeck Road, 301-929-9760; 5268 Nicholson Lane, 301-881-4976, biggreekcafe.com. See Bethesda listing. L D $
BOB'S SHANGHAI 66 305 N. Washington St., 301-251-6652. Dim sum and rice and noodle dishes are the specialties at this popular eatery offering Taiwanese, Shanghai and Sichuan cuisine. It’s also one of the area’s top destinations for soup dumplings, where you can even watch the chefs making them in a glassenclosed booth. R L D $
BOMBAY BISTRO 98 W. Montgomery Ave., 301-762-8798, bombaybistro.com. Bombay Bistro opened in 1991 as one of the first Indian restaurants in the area to combine high style, reasonable prices and a fresh take on traditional Indian, and it has been packed ever since. House specialties include tandoori lamb chops and shrimp and scallops masala. J L D $$
BONCHON CHICKEN 107 Gibbs St., Unit A (Rockville Town Square), 301637-9079, bonchon.com. International fried chicken franchise with Korean roots serves up wings, drumsticks and strips with soy-garlic or spicy hot garlic sauce, plus other traditional offerings such as bulgogi, bibimbap and scallion seafood pancakes. LD$
BOTANERO 800 Pleasant Drive, Suite 160, 240-474-5461, botanerorockville.com. Located in the King Farm neighborhood, this small plates restaurant and wine bar features cuisine that changes seasonally. Some recent offerings include a fig and prosciutto flatbread and quinoa grilled salmon. B L D $
CAVA 12037 Rockville Pike (Montrose Crossing), 240235-0627; 28 Upper Rock Circle, 301-200-5530; cava.com. See Bethesda listing. ❂ L D $
CAVA MEZZE (EDITORS’ PICK) 9713 Traville Gateway Drive, 301-309-9090, cavamezze.com. The dark and elegant CAVA Mezze offers small plates of everything from fried Greek
CHINA BISTRO 755 Hungerford Drive, 301-294-0808. Extensive Chinese menu features many familiar favorites, but this is the place to go for dumplings. With tender dough wrappers and chock-full interiors, these beauties come 12 to an order and with 16 different filling choices. Fresh, uncooked dumplings are also available for carryout. L D $
CHUY’S 12266 Rockville Pike (Federal Plaza), 301-6032941, chuys.com. Drawing inspiration from New Mexico, Mexican border towns, the Rio Grande Valley and Texas’s deep south, Chuy’s is part of a family-friendly chain that serves up a Tex-Mex experience. Colorful food meets colorful décor, where “If you’ve seen one Chuy’s, you’ve seen one Chuy’s” rings true—eclectic collectibles give each location its own flair. Free chips are served out of a car trunk display. ❂ J L D $
CITY PERCH KITCHEN + BAR 11830 Grand Park Ave. (Pike & Rose), 301-2312310, cityperch.com. Located above the entrance to the iPic Theaters at Pike & Rose, City Perch offers creative, seasonal American cuisine in a rustic, inviting space. The menu includes raw-bar selections, small plates, shareable salads and entrée options such as grilled shrimp and Long Island duck. ❂ R L D $$$
CLYDE'S TOWER OAKS LODGE 2 Preserve Parkway, 301-294-0200, clydes.com/ tower. Here is Clyde’s version of a lodge in the mountains. Well-prepared food runs the gamut of American desires, from burgers to fish, plus a raw bar. Check out the twig sculpture spanning the ceiling of The Saranac Room. Voted “Best Restaurant Décor” by Bethesda Magazine readers in 2018. J R L D $$
THE CUBAN CORNER 825 Hungerford Drive, 301-279-0310, cubancornerrestaurant.com. Pork and empanadas shine at this small space brimming with ethnic pride (there’s a tribute wall to famous Cuban-Americans). Don’t skip the Cuban coffee or the Cuban sandwich, a sub bursting with ham, pickles and tangy mustard. LD$
CSNY PIZZA 1020 Rockville Pike, 301-298-3650, csnypizza. wixisite.com/sneaksite. Carry out a New York-style pizza from this spot by the owners of Pizza CS. Their second Rockville location also offers six seats for guests to dine in, and serves whole pies, hot subs and pizza by the slice. L D $
DEL FRISCO’S GRILLE 11800 Grand Park Ave. (Pike & Rose), 301-8810308, delfriscosgrille.com. This is the Texasbased chain’s second location in the area. Look for upscale takes on American comfort foods, such as filet mignon meatloaf and short rib stroganoff, plus trendy items such as kale and Brussels sprouts salad, deviled eggs, flatbreads and ahi tuna tacos. Plenty of burgers, sandwiches and salads, too. ❂ R L D $$
DON POLLO 2206 Veirs Mill Road, 301-309-1608, donpollogroup.com. See Bethesda listing. L D $
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Award winning salon serving the community for over 20 years | 10317 Westlake Drive, Bethesda | www.SalonCentralBethesda.com
AMICI MIEI RISTORANTE
cheese, octopus and orzo in cinnamon tomato sauce to crispy pork belly and macaroni and cheese. There are martini specials, too. ❂ R L D $$
Salon Central
spot to dine during the summer. J L D $$
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dine EAST PEARL RESTAURANT 838-B Rockville Pike, 301-838-8663, eastpearl restaurant.com. Choose from many options of Hong Kong cuisine, including familiar dishes featuring chicken, beef, poultry, pork and even duck, as well as those for adventurous tastes. Try the soups ranging from egg drop to seafood with bean curd. LD$
EL MARIACHI RESTAURANT 765-D Rockville Pike, 301-738-7177, elmariachi rockville.com. Serving Tex-Mex and South American food in a bright, pleasant space made lively with colorful art. In addition to the usual enchiladas, tacos and burritos, look for Peruvian seafood and Cuban beef specialties. L D $
EL PATIO 5240 Randolph Road, 301-231-9225. This bustling café with pretty green umbrellas on the patio serves up the traditional meat-heavy dishes of Argentina, as well as pizzas and freshly made baked goods. Look for mouth-watering empanadas, beef tongue and sausage specialties. ❂ J B L D $
FAR EAST RESTAURANT 5055 Nicholson Lane, 301-881-5552, fareastrockvillemd.com. Owned and operated by the same family since 1974, this classic Chinese restaurant greets customers with two royal stone lions out front and sticks to the familiar ChineseAmerican basics. Check out the daily specials and dim sum menu. L D $$
FINNEGAN’S WAKE IRISH PUB 100 Gibbs St. (Rockville Town Square), 301-3398267, finneganswakerockville.com. Irish pub with a nice selection of bourbons, whiskeys and Irish beers and a very limited bar menu offering such fare as bangers and mash, poutine (french fries, gravy and cheese curds), a chicken club sandwich, fish and chips, wings and a burger. L D $
FLOR DE LUNA 11417 Woodglen Drive, 240-242-4066, flordeluna md.com. Latin American fare includes tamales and lomo saltado (a stir-fry of beef and peppers) at this 75-seat restaurant near Whole Foods Market. Tacos, nachos and quesadillas are also in the lineup. Finish off your meal with the tres leches (three milks) cake. ❂ J R L D $$
FLOWER CHILD 10072 Darnestown Road (Travilah Square Shopping Center), 301-545-6750, iamaflowerchild.com. A fast-casual restaurant that’s part of a national chain, Flower Child has an emphasis on vegetarian eating (grain-based bowls, vegetable plates, salads) but also offers protein add-ons such as chicken, salmon and steak. ❂ L D $
FONTINA GRILLE 801 Pleasant Drive, 301-947-5400, fontinagrille. com. A trendy spot with its curvy maple bar and wood-burning pizza oven, Fontina Grille is a favorite gathering place for the King Farm neighborhood. Pizza, pasta and salads are the main attractions. Three-dollar pasta dishes available on Monday nights and half-price bottles of wine on Tuesdays. ❂ J R L D $$
GORDON BIERSCH 200-A E. Middle Lane (Rockville Town Square), 301340-7159, gordonbiersch.com/restaurants. The national brewpub chain prides itself on house beers and friendly service. The shiny bar is boisterous, and the menu includes bar favorites with some barbecue and Asian touches, small plates, salads, pizza and flatbreads. J L D $$
GRAND FUSION CUISINE 350 East Fortune Terrace, 301-838-2862, grand fusionrestaurant.com. Diners will find something for everyone seeking a taste of the Asian continent, a full sushi bar, and Chinese, Malaysian and Singaporean specialties. Chef’s specials include Crispy Eggplant in Spicy Orange Sauce and Double Flavored Shrimp. ❂ L D $
GYROLAND 1701-B3 Rockville Pike, 301-816-7829, gyrolandmd.com. Build-your-own salads, open-face and wrapped sandwiches, and other Greek choices star at this fast-casual spot near Congressional Plaza. For dessert, Gyroland serves loukoumades, a bite-size fluffy Greek doughnut soaked in hot honey syrup. L D $
HARD TIMES CAFÉ 1117 Nelson St., 301-294-9720, hardtimes.com. Good American beer selections, hearty chili styles ranging from Cincinnati (cinnamon and tomato) to Texas (beef and hot peppers), and hefty salads and wings bring families to this Wild West-style saloon for lunch and dinner. L D $
HINODE JAPANESE RESTAURANT 134 Congressional Lane, 301-816-2190, hinode restaurant.com. Serving traditional Japanese cuisine since 1992. All-you-can-eat lunch and weekend dinner buffet offers 40 types of sushi, 14 hot foods and a salad bar. Check out the patio with full bar service. L D $$
IL PIZZICO 15209 Frederick Road, 301-309-0610, ilpizzico. com. Setting aside the strip mall location and lack of pizza (il pizzico means “the pinch” in Italian), chef-owner Enzo Livia’s house-made pasta dishes, gracious service and extensive wine list of mainly Italian wines make even a weeknight meal feel special. L D $$
IRON AGE 1054 Rockville Pike, 301-424-1474, ironagekoreansteakhouse.com. Part of a small chain of all-you-can-eat Korean barbecue restaurants, this branch opened in 2012. Garlic pork belly, spicy chicken and beef brisket are among the dozen-plus offerings. There are two menu options (the pricier one includes a few more items, such as steak and octopus). J L D $$
JINYA RAMEN BAR 910 Prose St. (Pike & Rose), 301-816-3029, jinyaramenbar.com. A 74-seat eatery that’s part of a chain, Jinya serves 12 different types of ramen, ranging from the classic wonton chicken to a creamy vegan option. Try the Jinya Mini Tacos, which come with a choice of salmon poke, pork chashu and kimchee, or spicy tuna. J L D $
JOE’S NOODLE HOUSE 1488-C Rockville Pike, 301-881-5518, joesnoodlehouse.com. Chinese ex-pats and many other customers consider the Sichuan specialties (soft bean curd with spicy sauce and hot beef jerky) among the area’s best examples of gourmet Chinese cooking. L D $
KUYA JA’S LECHON BELLY 5268-H Nicholson Lane, 240-669-4383, kuyajas. com. This fast-casual restaurant that started as a pop-up in the Rockville area specializes in serving lechon, a Filipino pork belly dish. Chef and owner Javier J. Fernandez, a native of the Philippines, shares the flavors of his home country through ricebowls, spiced wings and homemade pastries. LD$
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LA BRASA LATIN CUISINE 12401 Parklawn Drive, 301-468-8850, labrasa rockville.com. A bold, yellow awning marks the unlikely industrial location of the popular La Brasa. Customers rave about the rotisserie chicken, lomo saltado (Peruvian marinated steak), Salvadoran pupusas and Tres Leches. ❂ L D $
LA CANELA (EDITORS’ PICK) 141-D Gibbs St. (Rockville Town Square), 301-2511550, lacanelaperu.com. Sophisticated, modern Peruvian cooking shines in a regally furnished dining room in a yellow stucco building graced with curvy black ironwork. The menu includes artfully prepared seafood, pork, chicken and beef dishes. ❂ L D $
LA LIMEÑA GRILL 1093 Rockville Pike, 301-417-4922. An offshoot of nearby La Limeña Restaurant, this Peruvian eatery with a spacious patio serves several traditional seafood dishes, including Ceviche Mixto, an appetizer of lime-marinated tilapia served with glazed potatoes and crispy dried corn kernels. The Chicha Morada, a sweet corn-based drink, pairs nicely with authentic and tender braised-beef entrées. ❂ J L D $$
LA LIMEÑA RESTAURANT 765 Rockville Pike, 301-424-8066, lalimena restaurant.com. Diners can choose dishes such as beef hearts, tripe and homemade pastries in this tiny but well-appointed eatery. Desserts include passion fruit mousse and vanilla flan. And of course, there’s rotisserie chicken to go. L D $
LA TASCA 141 Gibbs St., Suite 305 (Rockville Town Square), 301-279-7011, latascausa.com. The Rockville location of this regional chain strives to keep things interesting with 45 tapas dishes and six kinds of paella, including Paella Mixta with chicken, shrimp, chorizo, scallops, mussels, squid and clams. ❂ R L D $$
LEBANESE TAVERNA CAFÉ 1605 Rockville Pike, 301-468-9086; 115 Gibbs St. (Rockville Town Square), 301-309-8681; lebanesetaverna.com. A casual and pleasant family spot for lunch or dinner after shopping on Rockville Pike, the café is a more casual offshoot of the local Lebanese Taverna chain, serving hummus, pita, falafel, chicken and lamb kabobs. J L D $
LIGHTHOUSE TOFU & BBQ 12710 Twinbrook Parkway, 301-881-1178. In addition to the numerous tofu dishes ranging from Mushroom Tofu Pot to Seafood Beef Tofu Pot, diners at this Korean stalwart can try barbecue, stirfried specialties and kimchee, the national dish of pickled cabbage. L D $
LITTLE DIPPER HOT POT HOUSE 101 Gibbs St. (Rockville Town Square), 301-6057321. An offshoot of an Asian restaurant in Virginia, this 90-seat restaurant serves individual fonduestyle meals. Pick a pot base (including miso and curry), the level of spiciness, the protein and the starch (either rice or noodles), and cook your food right at your table in a bowl of hot stock. J L D $$
MAMMA LUCIA 12274-M Rockville Pike, 301-770-4894; 14921-J Shady Grove Road, 301-762-8805; mammalucia restaurants.com. See Bethesda listing. ❂ L D $$
MATCHBOX VINTAGE PIZZA BISTRO (EDITORS’ PICK) 1699 Rockville Pike, 301-816-0369, matchbox restaurants.com. Look for mini-burgers, a “ginormous meatball” appetizer and thin-crusted
pizza with toppings including herb-roasted chicken and portobella mushrooms or fire-roasted red peppers and Spanish onions served in a super-cool space in Congressional Plaza. ❂ J R L D $
MISSION BBQ 885 Rockville Pike, 301-444-5574, mission-bbq. com. This outpost of a national chain, known for its support of U.S. military troops and veterans, serves its barbecue—including brisket, ribs and pulled pork—alongside a slew of add-your-own sauces. Come for lunch and stay to recite the national anthem at noon. J L D $
MOA 12300 Wilkins Ave., 301-881-8880, moakorean restaurant.weebly.com. A welcoming Korean restaurant in the midst of an industrial stretch. Try the seafood pancake appetizer—a satisfying, crispy frittata bursting with squid, clams, shrimp and scallions. Dol Sot Bibimbap, a mix of rice, vegetables and protein in a hot pot, is a customer favorite. L D $
MODERN MARKET 1627 Rockville Pike (Congressional Plaza), 301603-2953, modernmarket.com. See Bethesda listing. ❂ J B R L D $
MOSAIC CUISINE & CAFÉ 186 Halpine Road, 301-468-0682, mosaiccuisine. com. A diner with a soft European accent. Try the fresh Belgian waffles for breakfast. For those with hefty appetites, the waffle sandwiches are worth the trip, but don’t overlook the homemade soups or light dinner entrées. J B R L D $$
MYKONOS GRILL 121 Congressional Lane, 301-770-5999, mykonosgrill.com. An authentic Greek taverna with whitewashed walls with Mediterranean blue accents on a busy street, Mykonos Grill turns out legs of lamb and fresh seafood expected at any good Greek restaurant. ❂ L D $$
NADA 11886 Grand Park Ave. (Pike & Rose), 301-7714040, eatdrinknada.com/n-bethesda. Part of a small national chain, Nada serves street tacos with fillings such as caramelized cauliflower, fried tofu and pork carnitas. The brief menu also includes soups, salads and a fajita plate. Margaritas and seasonal cocktails are available. R L D $$
NAGOYA SUSHI 402 King Farm Blvd., Suite 130, 301-990-6778, nagoyasushirockville.com. Cheery yellow walls decorated with shelves of Japanese knickknacks greet customers who come for the large selection of sushi at this unassuming sushi spot in King Farm. L D $$
NANTUCKET’S REEF 9755 Traville Gateway Drive, Rockville, 301279-7333, nantucketsreef.com. This casual New England-style eatery offers a wide range of reasonably priced seafood dishes, including raw and baked oysters, stuffed cod, fried Ipswitch clams, seafood tacos, tuna and salmon salads, and lobster items. Signature cocktails are made with Nantucket Nectars juices. ❂ R L D $$
NICK’S CHOPHOUSE 700 King Farm Blvd., 301-926-8869, nickschop houserockville.com. Aged Angus beef cooked over an open fire is the specialty at this upscale spot, but seafood lovers can get their fill from big crabcakes. Signature steaks include slow-roasted prime rib weighing 10 to 32 ounces. Separate bar menu. ❂ L D $$
NIWANO HANA JAPANESE RESTAURANT 887 Rockville Pike, 301-294-0553, niwanohana. com. Clean Asian décor and elegant wooden screens greet diners at this friendly and busy sushi spot located in Wintergreen Plaza. There are the usual sushi rolls, plus creative options such as a Spicy Scallop Roll with mayonnaise and chili peppers, noodle dishes, teriyaki and yakitori. L D $$
THE ORIGINAL PANCAKE HOUSE 12224 Rockville Pike, 301-468-0886, ophrestaurants.com. See Bethesda listing. This location stays open until 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. J B L D $
OWEN’S ORDINARY (EDITORS’ PICK) 11820 Trade St. (Pike & Rose), 301-2451226, owensordinarymd.com. This Americanstyle restaurant, barroom and beer garden from Neighborhood Restaurant Group boasts 50 rotating drafts and more than 150 types of bottled beer. The 175-seat restaurant serves salads, burgers, beef, pork and fondue entrées, and those looking to grab a drink can make the most of the space’s 60-seat beer garden. ❂ R L D $$
TWINS. TWO MORE REASONS WHY WE SHOULD SUPPORT JOEY, A HERO WOUNDED IN SERVICE TO OUR COUNTRY. Will you help thank those who have answered the call?
PETER CHANG (EDITORS’ PICK) 20-A Maryland Ave. (Rockville Town Square), 301838-9188, peterchangarlington.com. Chef Peter Chang’s Sichuan specialties are showcased in an apricot-walled dining space. Garnering a cult-like following over the years, Chang is best known for dishes such as dry-fried eggplant, crispy pork belly and duck in a stone pot. L D $$
PHO 75 771 Hungerford Drive, 301-309-8873. The restaurant is one of the Washington area’s favorite spots for the Vietnamese beef noodle soup known as pho. Soup can be customized with bean sprouts, Thai basil, chilies, lime, and hot and hoisin sauces. Beverages include interesting options such as Iced Salty Pickled Lemon Juice. L D $
PHO 95 785-H Rockville Pike, 301-294-9391. Pho, the Vietnamese beef noodle soup, is king here. Other offerings include fat rice-paper rolls of shrimp, noodles and herbs with a sweet and spicy peanut sauce, Grilled Lemon Grass Chicken and Grilled Pork Chop and Shredded Pork Skin. L D $
PHO HOA BINH 11782 Parklawn Drive, 301-770-5576. This pleasant pho restaurant offers the full gamut of variations on the beef noodle soup, plus about a dozen grilled entrées. The Adventurer’s Choice features “unusual” meats, including tendon, tripe and fatty flank. The Vietnamese iced coffee is divine. L D $
THEY GAVE 100% so WE GIVE 100%
PHO NOM NOM 842 Rockville Pike, 301-610-0232, phonomnom. net. As the name suggests, the specialty is pho, but there are also grilled dishes, noodles and the Vietnamese sandwich known as banh mi. House specials include Vietnamese beef stew and pork and shrimp wontons. L D $
PHOLUSCIOUS VIETNAMESE GRILL 10048 Darnestown Road, 301-762-2226, pholuscious.com. This casual restaurant and bar is home to traditional Vietnamese cooking, with fresh ingredients, minimal use of oil and many herbs and vegetables. The menu features pho, noodle dishes, rice plates and lots of protein dishes. Beverages include bubble tea, smoothies, beer and wine. L D $$
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dine PIKE KITCHEN 1066 Rockville Pike, 301-603-2279, pikekitchen. com. The 6,200-square-foot, 100-seat Asian food hall at the Edmonston Crossing shopping center includes eateries dishing up Vietnamese banh mi sandwiches, pho, poke, ramen, bibimbap and more. ❂ LD$
PIZZA CS 1596-B Rockville Pike, 240-833-8090, pizzacs.com. Authentic Neapolitan pies are offered in a sub-shop atmosphere. Choose from a list of red and white pizza options, or build your own pie with herbs, cheeses, meats and vegetables. ❂ J L D $
POTOMAC PIZZA 9709 Traville Gateway Drive, 301-279-2234, potomacpizza.com. See Chevy Chase listing. ❂ JLD$
QUINCY’S SOUTH BAR & GRILLE 11401 Woodglen Drive, 240-669-3270, quincysgroup.com. See North Potomac/ Gaithersburg listing. ❂ L D $
ROLLS ‘N RICE 1701 Rockville Pike (Shops at Congressional Village), 301-770-4030, rollsnrice.com. This Asian café serves more than 25 varieties of rolls, from a volcano roll (spicy tuna, white fish, salmon, tomato, jalapeño, fish eggs and vegetables) to a Philadelphia Roll (smoked salmon, cream cheese and avocado). J L D $
SADAF HALAL RESTAURANT 1327-K Rockville Pike, 301-424-4040. An elegant alternative to the run-of-the-mill kabob places dotting Rockville Pike, Sadaf is pristine, with lace curtains and glass mosaic tiles in front. In addition to kabobs, it offers Persian curries and fish dishes. ❂ JLD$
SAM CAFÉ & MARKET 844 Rockville Pike, 301-424-1600, samcafemarket. com. Fill up on the kitchen’s juicy skewered meats or interesting entrées, including pomegranate molasses stew and marinated grilled salmon, then have a gelato and check out the hookahs. ❂ LD$
SEASONS 52 11414 Rockville Pike, 301-984-5252, seasons52. com. A fresh, seasonal menu featuring items under 475 calories. Choose from flatbreads including Blackened Steak & Blue Cheese and Grilled Garlic Pesto Chicken to entrée salads to meat and seafood dishes. Nightly piano music. ❂ L D $$
SHANGHAI TASTE 1121 Nelson St., 301-279-0806. Co-owner and chef Wei Sun, a Shanghai native, specializes in preparing three different flavors of soup dumplings at this small restaurant in a strip mall. The menu also includes traditional Chinese-American dishes, such as General Tso’s chicken and fried rice. LD$
SHEBA RESTAURANT 5071 Nicholson Lane, 301-881-8882, sheba rockville.com. The menu features authentic Ethiopian cuisine with lots of vegetarian and vegan options. House specialties include Dulet Assa, chopped tilapia mixed with onion, garlic and jalapeño and served with a side of homemade cheese. L D $
SICHUAN JIN RIVER 410 Hungerford Drive, 240-403-7351, sichuanjin river.com. Customers find terrific Sichuan cuisine served in a no-frills setting. Take the plunge and try
something new with the authentic Chinese menu, including 23 small cold plates. L D $
SILVER DINER 12276 Rockville Pike, 301-770-2828, silverdiner. com. Customers flock to this trendy diner that still offers tableside jukeboxes. The latest food trends (think quinoa coconut pancakes) share company on the enormous menu with diner staples such as meatloaf and mashed potatoes. JBRLD$
SPICE XING 100-B Gibbs St. (Rockville Town Square), 301-6100303, spicexing.com. Chef and owner Sudhir Seth, who also owns Bethesda’s Passage to India, serves up small plates and dishes that reflect the history of culinary influences on India. Try the all-you-can-eat lunchtime buffet. ❂ J R L D $$
THE SPOT 255 N. Washington St., thespotdmv.com. This 6,200-square-foot, 200-seat Asian food hall, not far from Rockville Town Square, includes a handful of vendors, including Mian Pull Noodle (dumplings and noodle dishes), Poki DC (the Hawaiian-inspired raw fish dish called poke) and Alpaca Dessert (shaved snow ice and ice cream-filled waffle cones). LD$
STANFORD GRILL 2000 Tower Oaks Blvd., 240-582-1000, thestanford grill.com. From the Blueridge Restaurant Group, owner of Copper Canyon Grill restaurants, comes this 300-seat American eatery on the ground floor of an office building. Salads, burgers, steaks and seafood, plus sushi, with an eye toward high quality. ❂ R L D $$
STELLA BARRA PIZZERIA 11825 Grand Park Ave. (Pike & Rose), 301-7708609, stellabarra.com. Adjacent to its sister restaurant, Summer House Santa Monica, Stella Barra is an artisan pizzeria with a hip, urban vibe. Look for crisp crusts with chewy centers topped with butternut squash and candied bacon or housemade pork sausage and fennel pollen. Italian wines available. ❂ R D $$
SUMMER HOUSE SANTA MONICA (EDITORS’ PICK) 11825 Grand Park Ave. (Pike & Rose), 301881-2381, summerhousesm.com. An airy, light and stunning space sets the scene for modern American cuisine with a West Coast sensibility. Fare includes salads, sushi, tacos, sandwiches and steak frites. Do not miss the bakery counter. Voted “Best Restaurant in Rockville/North Bethesda” by Bethesda Magazine readers in 2018. ❂ J R L D $$
SUPER BOWL NOODLE HOUSE 785 Rockville Pike, 301-738-0086, superbowl noodlehouse.com. Look for a large variety of Asian noodle dishes in super-size portions, plus a wide selection of appetizers. Also, bubble tea and desserts, including Sweet Taro Root Roll and Black Sugar Shaved Ice. ❂ L D $
SUSHI DAMO 36-G Maryland Ave. (Rockville Town Square), 301340-8010, sushidamo.com. A slice of New York sophistication, this elegant restaurant offers sushi à la carte or omakase, chef’s choice, plus beef and seafood entrées and an impressive sake list. L D $$
SUSHI HOUSE JAPANESE RESTAURANT 1331-D Rockville Pike, 301-309-0043, sushihouse1331.com. A tiny, plain restaurant
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serving a large selection of fresh sushi, including sushi and sashimi combinations. Lunch specials for under $7. It’s popular, so be prepared to wait. L D $$
SUSHI OISHII 9706 Traville Gateway Drive, 301-251-1177, sushioishii.com. This charming sushi bar in the Traville Gateway Center offers friendly service and 24 specialty sushi rolls, bento boxes and a few grilled items, including beef, poultry and seafood teriyaki. L D $$
TAIPEI TOKYO 14921-D Shady Grove Road (Fallsgrove Village Center), 301-738-8813; 11510-A Rockville Pike, 301-881-8388; taipei-tokyo.net. These sister restaurants offer a sizable roster of Chinese, Japanese and Thai dishes. The Fallsgrove Village location is the younger and sleeker of the two, with full sit-down service. The older sister, opened in 1993, is more like a noodle shop/cafeteria. L D $$
TARA THAI 12071 Rockville Pike, 301-231-9899, tarathai.com. See Bethesda listing. ❂ L D $$
TEMARI CAFÉ 1043 Rockville Pike, 301-340-7720. Deep-fried oysters, classic rice balls, ramen noodle soup, sushi and sashimi and comic books to peruse while you await your order set this Japanese restaurant apart from the rest. L D $$
THAI FARM 800 King Farm Blvd., 301-258-8829, thaifarm restaurant.com. A tastefully modern dining room soaked in a soothing yellow light. The usual suspects are on the menu here, but chef’s suggestions include an intriguing broiled fish wrapped in banana leaf and stir-fried duck. L D $$
THAI PAVILION 29 Maryland Ave., Unit 308 (Rockville Town Square), 301-545-0244, thaipavilionrestaurant.com. The soaring ceilings decorated with red chandeliers shaped like giant, stationary spinning tops give the feel of a modern museum. When the menu says spicy, believe it. ❂ J L D $$
THAT’S AMORE 15201 Shady Grove Road, 240-268-0682, thatsamore.com. This local chain focuses on familystyle portions of classic Neapolitan dishes such as lasagna and chicken Parmesan in a more elegant setting than might be expected. Good for groups and large families. J L D $$
TRAPEZARIA 11 N. Washington St., 301-339-8962, thetrapezaria. com. This down-to-earth and hospitable Greek/ Mediterranean restaurant serves top-notch and unfussy small plates and entrées. Choose among a variety of dips, vegetarian mezze, souvlaki, sausages and more-involved fish and lamb dishes. Save room for the baklava. L D $$
URBAN BAR-B-QUE COMPANY 2007 Chapman Ave., 240-290-4827; 5566 Norbeck Road, 301-460-0050, urbanbbqco.com. Urban BarB-Que Company, a tiny joint run by a couple of local friends, has a winning formula and features fingerlicking ribs, burgers and wings, plus salads, chili and smothered fries. Staff is friendly, too. J L D $
URBAN HOT POT 1800 Rockville Pike, 240-669-6710, urbanhotpot. com. On the first floor of the Galvan at Twinbrook building, this hot pot spot features a conveyor belt where food travels to diners. A prix fixe all-you-can-
eat menu allows you to create your meal at your table using one of the stationed iPads. Choose from a selection of noodles, vegetables and meat to add to a bowl of hot stock, then do it again if you’re still hungry. L D $$
VILLA MAYA 5532 Norbeck Road (Rock Creek Village Center), 301-460-1247. Here you’ll find all the traditional Mexican and Tex-Mex favorites from quesadillas to fajitas that are sure to please the whole family. R L D $$
THE WOODSIDE DELI 4 N. Washington St., 301-444-4478, thewoodside deli.com. A second location of the venerable Silver Spring eatery and caterer that has been dishing up matzo ball soup since 1947. Choose from a wide selection of sandwiches, burgers and entrées. This one has a pickle bar. ❂ J B R L D $
WORLD OF BEER 196B East Montgomery Ave., 301-340-2915, worldofbeer.com. See Bethesda listing. ❂ JRL D $
XI’AN GOURMET 316 N. Washington St., 301-875-5144, xian-gourmet.business.site. This casual diner prides itself on its comfort food. Named after an ancient city, Xi’an heavily features Sichuan and Shaanxi cuisines, after the chefs’ regional heritage. Go for the Shaanxi cold steamed noodles or the Shanghai soup dumplings. L D $
YAMACHAN RAMEN 201 E. Middle Lane, 301-666-6685, yamachanramen.com. This Rockville Town Center restaurant lets diners customize their bowls of ramen, from the soup base and noodles to protein and toppings. The eatery shares an address with Pearl Lady, a bubble tea shop. L D $
YEKTA 1488 Rockville Pike, 301-984-1190, yekta.com. Persian cuisine, including a selection of beef, chicken and lamb kabobs, is served in a beautiful dining room. Try a dessert such as frozen noodle sorbet or saffron ice cream. Check out the adjacent market after polishing off your kabob. L D $$
YUAN FU VEGETARIAN 798 Rockville Pike, 301-762-5937, yuanfuvegetarian.com. From tea-smoked “duck” to kung pao “chicken,” the whole menu is meatless, made from Chinese vegetable products. There is a large selection of chef’s specials, including Pumpkin Chicken with Mushrooms in a hot pot and Baby Abalone in Tomato Sauce. L D $
SILVER SPRING ADDIS ABABA 8233 Fenton St., 301-589-1400, addisababa cuisine.com. Authentic Ethiopian-style vegetables and fiery meats are served atop spongy bread in communal bowls. Traditional woven tables and a roof deck add to the ambience. There’s a weekday lunch buffet, too. ❂ RLD$
ALL SET RESTAURANT & BAR 8630 Fenton St., 301-495-8800, allsetrestaurant. com. American cuisine with a focus on New England specialties. Look for clams, oysters and lobster, plus crab cakes and rockfish, and beef and vegetarian options. The snazzy space is also the
setting for clam bakes and fried chicken on Sunday nights. ❂ J R L D $$
AMINA THAI 8624 Colesville Road, 301-588-3588, aminathai silverspring.com. See Rockville/North Bethesda listing. L D $
AZÚCAR RESTAURANT BAR & GRILL 14418 Layhill Road, 301-438-3293, azucarrestaurant.net. The name means sugar, and it fits: The colorful Salvadoran spot is decorated in bright purple and orange with Cubist-style paintings. The pork-stuffed corn pupusas are stars. Also look for more elegant dinners, including fried whole trout. L D $$
BETE ETHIOPIAN CUISINE 811 Roeder Road, 301-588-2225, beteethiopia. com. Family-run Ethiopian restaurant with a modest dining room but some exemplary cooking. Don’t miss the vegetarian sampler, and in nice weather, opt for eating outside in the lovely, shaded back patio. ❂ J B L D $$
THE BIG GREEK CAFÉ 8223 Georgia Ave., 301-587-4733, biggreekcafe. com. See Bethesda listing. L D $
BUENA VIDA (EDITORS’ PICK) 8407 Ramsey Ave., 301-755-6132, buenavidarestaurant.com. The second-floor fullservice restaurant (its sister restaurant Tacos, Tortas & Tequila fills the first floor) has a menu with à la carte items, or you can pay a set price for unlimited Mexican small plates. Offerings include ceviche, guacamole, salads, tacos and enchiladas. The space is light-filled, with vibrant murals and a 720-bottle tequila and wine rack. R L D $$
DON POLLO 12345 Georgia Ave., 301-933-9515; 13881 Outlet Drive, 240-560-7376, donpollogroup.com. See Bethesda listing. L D $
EGGSPECTATION 923 Ellsworth Drive, 301-585-1700, eggspectation. com. This Canadian import features fresh and creative egg plates in an elegant yet casual dining room complete with a fireplace and colorful Harlequin-themed art. It also serves great salads, dinners and dessert. ❂ B L D $$
EL AGUILA RESTAURANT 8649 16th St., 301-588-9063, elaguilarestaurant. com. A cheery bar and generous plates of TexMex favorites such as enchiladas and Salvadoran seafood soup make this eatery popular with families and others looking for a lively night out. ❂ L D $
EL GAVILAN 8805 Flower Ave., 301-587-4197, gavilan restaurant.com. The walls are bright, the music’s upbeat, the margaritas are fine and the service is friendly. The usual Tex-Mex fare is here, as well as Salvadoran specialties such as tasty cheese- or pork-filled pupusas. J L D $
EL GOLFO 8739 Flower Ave., 301-608-2121, elgolforestaurant. com. Friendly, home-style Latin service is the hallmark, as attested to by the many Salvadorans who stop in for lunch and dinner. Pupusas, soups and beef dishes such as carne asada as well as more adventurous choices can be found in the charming, raspberry-colored dining room. ❂ JRLD$
EL SAPO CUBAN SOCIAL CLUB (EDITORS’ PICK)
CAVA 8515 Fenton St., 301-200-8666, cava.com. See Bethesda listing. ❂ L D $
COPPER CANYON GRILL 928 Ellsworth Drive, 301-589-1330, ccgrill.com. See Gaithersburg listing. ❂ J R L D $$
CRISFIELD SEAFOOD RESTAURANT 8012 Georgia Ave., 301-589-1306, crisfieldseafood.com. With its U-shaped counter and kitschy, oyster-plate-covered walls, this landmark seafood diner has customers lining up for the Eastern Shore specialties such as oysters and crabmeat-stuffed lobster that it has served since the 1940s. L D $$
CUBANO’S 1201 Fidler Lane, 301-563-4020, cubanos restaurant.com. The brightly colored tropical dining room and the authentic Cuban cooking evident in dishes such as ropa vieja (shredded beef in onions, peppers and garlic) and fried plantains keep customers coming back. ❂ L D $$
THE DAILY DISH 8301 Grubb Road, 301-588-6300, thedailydish restaurant.com. A neighborhood favorite serving seasonally inspired, locally sourced comfort food, including bar bites and brunch dishes. Full-service catering is available, too. ❂ J R L D $$
DENIZENS BREWING CO. (EDITORS’ PICK) 1115 East West Highway, 301-557-9818, denizens brewingco.com. The bright-orange building houses Montgomery County’s largest brewery, featuring core beers and seasonal offerings, along with drafts from other regional breweries. Menu of snacks, sandwiches and salads includes vegetarian options. There is a large outdoor beer garden and indoor seating overlooking the brewery. ❂ D $
8455 Fenton St., 301-326-1063, elsaporestaurant. com. Cuban specialties are the focus at this restaurant from owner and chef Raynold Mendizábal, who also owns Urban Butcher in Silver Spring. Small bites such as empanadas and cod croquettes are on the menu with dishes that Cuba is known for, including the beef entrée ropa vieja and puerco asado (roasted pork). See our review on page 258. L D $$$
ETHIO EXPRESS GRILL 952 Sligo Ave., 301-844-5149. Ethiopian food goes fast-casual in this counter service eatery that offers your choice of carbohydrate bases (i.e., injera, rice, pasta), plus grilled meats (or tofu), sauces and lots of vegetables (the spicy lentils and yellow split peas are especially good). L D $
FENTON CAFÉ 8311 Fenton St., 301-326-1841, fentoncafesilver spring.com. An out-of-the-way crêperie serving 31 kinds of sweet crêpes and 16 varieties of savory crêpes. Savory versions range from cheese and ham to roasted eggplant with zucchini, bell pepper, sundried tomato, garlic and onion. B L D $
FIRE STATION 1 RESTAURANT & BREWING CO. 8131 Georgia Ave., 301-585-1370, firestation1. com. A historic firehouse made over as an eatery serves 21st-century pizza, sandwiches, meat, seafood and vegetarian entrées. Try the Cuban sandwich with seasoned pork, chipotle mayo, Dijon mustard, pickles and Swiss cheese on a ciabatta roll. L D $
GHAR-E-KABAB 944 Wayne Ave., 301-587-4427, gharekabab.com. In the heart of downtown Silver Spring, Ghar-EKabab offers a mix of authentic Indian and Nepali
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dine cuisine. From Indian staples such as chicken tikka masala and lamb curry to Nepalese appetizers such as furaula (vegetable fritters) and cho-e-la (marinated duck), this intimate joint presents a variety of South Asian flavors. J L D $$
THE GREEK PLACE 8417 Georgia Ave., 301-495-2912, thegreekplace. net. Here are big portions of better-than-average food at reasonable prices. The bifteki pita sandwich, a seasoned ground lamb and beef patty with tzatziki, tomatoes and red onions, is especially good. L D $
GUSTO FARM TO STREET 8512 Fenton St., 301-565-2800, eatgusto.com. See Bethesda listing. ❂ J L D $
ITALIAN KITCHEN 8201 Fenton St., 301-588-7800, italiankitchenmd. com. Casual, attractive pizzeria with bar seating also turns out homemade sandwiches, calzones, salads and pasta dishes. Pizza and paninis are top notch. L D $
JEWEL OF INDIA 10151 New Hampshire Ave., 301-408-2200, jewelofindiamd.com. Elegant décor and excellent northern Indian cuisine make this shopping center restaurant a real find. Diners will find a good selection of curries, and rice and biryani dishes. L D $$
KAO THAI 8650 Colesville Road, 301-495-1234, kaothai restaurant.com. This restaurant turns out top-notch curries, noodle dishes and vegetarian options, plus house specialties, such as Siam Salmon with Spicy Thai Basil Sauce and Thai Chili Tilapia. Dishes are cooked medium spicy. ❂ L D $$
LA CASITA PUPUSERIA & MARKET 8214 Piney Branch Road, 301-588-6656, lacasita pupusas.com. Homemade pupusas, tamales and other Salvadoran specialties are available, plus a full breakfast menu and a small selection of grocery items. B L D $
LA MALINCHE 8622 Colesville Road, 301-562-8622, lamalinche tapas.com. Diners will find an interesting selection of Spanish and Mexican tapas, plus a full Saturday and Sunday brunch featuring huevos rancheros, variations of tortillas Espanola and more. R L D $$
LANGANO ETHIOPIAN RESTAURANT 8305 Georgia Ave., 301-563-6700, langano restaurant.com. Named for the popular Ethiopian vacation spot, Lake Langano, this longtime restaurant offers fine Ethiopian cuisine such as doro wat (spicy chicken stew) and tibs (stewed meat) in a cozy white- and red-accented dining room. Lunch specials on weekdays. L D $
LEBANESE TAVERNA CAFÉ 933 Ellsworth Drive, 301-588-1192, lebanese taverna.com. See Rockville listing. J L D $
LUCY ETHIOPIAN RESTAURANT 8301 Georgia Ave., 301-589-6700. See Bethesda listing. L D $
MAMMA LUCIA 1302 East West Highway, 301-562-0693, mammaluciarestaurants.com. See Bethesda listing. ❂ L D $$
MANDALAY RESTAURANT & CAFÉ 930 Bonifant St., 301-585-0500, mandalay restaurantcafe.com. The modest dining room is packed most evenings with families and large groups who come for the Burmese food, a cross between Indian and Thai. L D $
MCGINTY’S PUBLIC HOUSE 911 Ellsworth Drive, 301-587-1270, mcgintys publichouse.com. Traditional Irish pub and restaurant features corned beef and cabbage, live music and dancing. Early-bird special, three-course menu for $15, from 5 to 7 p.m. ❂ J R L D $$
MELEKET 1907 Seminary Road, 301-755-5768, meleketrestaurant.com. This family-owned, Ethiopian-Italian restaurant serves classic vegetarian, beef and chicken Ethiopian plates, alongside Italian entrées such as pesto pasta with chicken. For breakfast, try a traditional Ethiopian dish of kinche (a buttery grain porridge) or firfir (bread mixed with vegetables in a red pepper sauce). B L D $
MI RANCHO 8701 Ramsey Ave., 301-588-4872, miranchomd.com. You'll find a boisterous party atmosphere every night at a place where customers can count on standard Tex-Mex fare at good prices. The outdoor patio, strung with colorful lights, is the place to be in nice weather. ❂ L D $
MIX BAR & GRILLE 8241 Georgia Ave., #200, 301-326-1333. Modern American bistro with charcuterie and cheese plates, brick-oven flatbreads, ceviche and other light fare. Look for lots of wines by the glass and beers on tap. ❂ R L D $$
MOD PIZZA 909 Ellsworth Drive, 240-485-1570, modpizza.com. First Maryland location of this Bellevue, Washingtonbased chain offers design-your-own fast-casual pies (hence, Made on Demand, or MOD). Pizzas, cooked at 800 degrees for three minutes, can be topped with a choice of nearly 40 sauces, cheeses, meats, spices and veggies. ❂ L D $
MRS. K’S RESTAURANT 9201 Colesville Road, 301-589-3500, mrsks.com. Here’s an elegant, antique-filled option for special occasions and brunch. This historic restaurant beckons a younger crowd with the Wine Press, a European-style wine bar downstairs, which has its own more casual menu. ❂ R L D $$$
NOT YOUR AVERAGE JOE'S 8661 Colesville Road, 240-839-3400, notyouraveragejoes.com. See Bethesda listing. ❂ J L D $$
OLAZZO (EDITORS’ PICK) 8235 Georgia Ave., 301-588-2540, olazzo.com. See Bethesda listing. ❂ J L D $
PACCI’S NEAPOLITAN PIZZERIA (EDITORS’ PICK) 8113 Georgia Ave., 301-588-1011, paccispizzeria. com. This stylish eatery turns out top-notch pizzas from a wood-burning oven. Choose from red or white pizza selections, plus four kinds of calzones. ❂ JLD$
PACCI’S TRATTORIA & PASTICCERIA 6 Old Post Office Road, 301-588-0867, paccis trattoria.com. Diners will find a range of classic Italian dishes, including homemade meatballs and sausage, from the owner of Pacci’s Neapolitan Pizzeria, also in Silver Spring. L D $$
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PARKWAY DELI & RESTAURANT 8317 Grubb Road, 301-587-1427, theparkway deli.com. Parkway features a bustling back dining room that makes this popular spot so much more than a deli. Longtime waitresses greet regular customers and kids with hugs during busy weekend breakfasts. All-you-can-eat pickle bar. ❂ B L D $
PHO HIEP HOA 921-G Ellsworth Drive, 301-588-5808, phohiephoa. com. Seventeen kinds of Vietnamese soup called pho can be customized to taste in this upbeat restaurant overlooking the action in the downtown area. ❂ L D $
PHO TAN VINH 8705-A Colesville Road, 301-588-8188, photanvinh. com. A family-owned Vietnamese restaurant, Pho Tan Vinh was opened in 2014 by Tiffany Chu, who sought the traditional food she ate in her youth. She and her chef mother serve emergent classics such as pho and put their own spin on items such as the Tan Vinh special, a “deconstructed” banh mi sandwich. L D $
PORT-AU-PRINCE AUTHENTIC HAITIAN CUISINE 7912 Georgia Ave., 301-565-2006, paphaitiancuisine.com. The eatery serves a small menu of Haitian fare: five appetizers, five entrées (plus an entrée salad) and two desserts. Chicken wings, fritters, whole red snapper, fried turkey and legume casserole are among the highlights. A Sunday brunch buffet draws crowds. R D $$
QUARRY HOUSE TAVERN 8401 Georgia Ave., 301-844-5380, facebook. com/quarryhouse. Closed for nearly three years after a fire, this basement-level dive bar reopened in its original space. The inside holds the same 1930s-era feel as the original bar, and burgers and Tater Tots are still on the menu. D $
SAMANTHA’S 631 University Blvd. East, 301-445-7300, samanthasrestaurante.com. This white-tablecloth, Latin-Salvadoran spot in an industrial neighborhood is popular because of its welcoming attitude toward families with young children. The steak and fish specialties are good. L D $$
SERGIOS RISTORANTE ITALIANO 8727 Colesville Road, 301-585-1040. A classic red-sauce Italian restaurant that manages to feel special, with soothing wall murals and high-quality service, despite a basement location inside the DoubleTree Hotel. Ravioli with asparagus and cheese in a tarragon sauce is popular. L D $$
THE SOCIETY RESTAURANT & LOUNGE 8229 Georgia Ave., 301-565-8864, societyss. com. A sleek and modern atmosphere catering to a nightlife crowd, Society offers fare with a Caribbean accent. Check out the rooftop seating and daily drink specials, which include $25 beer buckets. ❂ L D $$
SUSHI JIN NEXT DOOR 8555 Fenton St., 301-608-0990, sushijinnextdoor. com. The eatery is spare, clean and modern, and offers terrific udon noodle soup and impeccable raw fish. Choose from 11 appetizers and seven soups and salads. L D $$
SWEETGREEN 8517 Georgia Ave., 301-244-5402, sweetgreen. com. See Bethesda listing. L D $
TACOS, TORTAS & TEQUILA 8407 Ramsey Ave., 301-755-6132. Also called TTT, this first-floor fast-casual spot is below its fancier sister restaurant, Buena Vida. The focus is on
quesadillas, tortas and tacos—beef tongue, duck carnitas and house-made chorizo among them. There’s a full-service bar and an outdoor patio. ❂ BLD$
TASTEE DINER 8601 Cameron St., 301-589-8171, tasteediner. com. See Bethesda listing. ❂ J B L D $
THAI AT SILVER SPRING 921-E Ellsworth Drive, 301-650-0666, thaiatsilver spring.com. The Americanized Thai food is second to the location, which is superb for people-watching on the street below. A modern and stylish dining room with a hip bar in bold colors and good service add to the appeal. ❂ L D $$
URBAN BAR-B-QUE COMPANY 10163 New Hampshire Ave., 301-434-7427, urban bbqco.com. See Rockville listing. L D $
URBAN BUTCHER (EDITORS’ PICK) 8226 Georgia Ave., 301-585-5800, urbanbutcher. com. Hip, eclectic setting is the backdrop for this New Age steak house, with its home-cured salamis, sausages and other charcuterie, plus meat dishes made from local animals of yesteryear breeds. There’s a lounge, bar, meat curing room, retail counter and dining area. Voted “Best Restaurant in Silver Spring” by Bethesda Magazine readers in 2018. R D $$
URBAN WINERY 949 Bonifant St., 301-585-4100, theurbanwinery. com. Silver Spring residents Damon and Georgia Callis open the first and only urban winery in the midAtlantic area. Tasting facility offers craft wines made with local and international grapes, and customers can even create their own wines (by appointment). Light menu includes artisan cheese, charcuterie and smoked seafood platters, plus Greek mezze. D $
VEGETABLE GARDEN 3830 International Drive (Leisure World Plaza), 301598-6868, vegetablegarden.com. The popular vegan, vegetarian and macrobiotic Asian restaurant features a wide variety of eggplant and asparagus dishes, plus vegetarian “beef,” and “chicken” dishes often made with soy and wheat gluten. L D $$
VICINO RISTORANTE ITALIANO 959 Sligo Ave., 301-588-3372, vicinoitaliano.com. A favorite neighborhood red-sauce joint that hasn’t changed in decades, Vicino features some fine seafood choices in addition to classic pasta dishes. Families are welcome. ❂ L D $ $
THE WOODSIDE DELI 9329 Georgia Ave., 301-589-7055, thewoodside deli.com. See Rockville listing. J B L D $
UPPER NW D.C. ARUCOLA 5534 Connecticut Ave. NW, 202-244-1555, arucola. com. The restaurant serves authentic Italian cuisine in a casual setting, with a changing menu that includes creative treatment of traditional dishes, homemade pasta and pizza from the wood-burning oven. ❂ L D $ $
THE AVENUE 5540 Connecticut Ave. NW, 202-244-4567, theavenuedc.com. A family-friendly neighborhood restaurant and bar with dishes such as crab pasta, poutine, burgers and baby back ribs. Fun décor includes classic posters and a giant magnetic scrabble board. ❂ J B L D $$
BLUE 44
MACON BISTRO & LARDER (EDITORS’ PICK)
5507 Connecticut Ave. NW, 202-362-2583, blue44dc.com. The menu features classic American favorites infused with the flavors of Italy and France, including ratatouille, pork schnitzel and bouillabaisse. ❂ J R L D $$
BUCK’S FISHING AND CAMPING 5031 Connecticut Ave. NW, 202-364-0777, bucksfishingandcamping.com. Diners can enjoy a seasonal menu that changes daily, and offers hip takes on comfort food such as roast chicken (locally raised) in an artsy-chic setting. D $$$
CAFÉ OF INDIA 4909 Wisconsin Ave. NW, 202-244-1395, cafeofindiadc.com. Here’s a cute corner café with two levels of dining and an extensive menu that includes vegetarian and tandoori entrées, dosas, samosas, tikkas, curries and kabobs. ❂ L D $$
CHATTER 5247 Wisconsin Ave. NW, 202-362-8040, chatterdc. com. A group that includes Gary Williams, Maury Povich, Tony Kornheiser and Alan Bubes bought this neighborhood hangout in 2017 and renovated it while maintaining its Cheers-like atmosphere. It offers a full menu beyond bar food, including salads, steaks, seafood and sandwiches. ❂ R L D $$
COMET PING PONG (EDITORS’ PICK) 5037 Connecticut Ave. NW, 202-364-0404, cometpingpong.com. Landmark fun spot where you can play ping-pong or admire local art while you wait for your wood-fired pizza. Choose from over 30 toppings to design your own pie. ❂ R L D $
DECARLO’S RESTAURANT 4822 Yuma St. NW, 202-363-4220, decarlosrestaurant.com. This is a family-owned neighborhood staple, with a traditional Italian menu and upscale/casual atmosphere. Signature dishes include agnolotti, veal scallopini, broiled salmon and hand-made pasta. ❂ L D $$
GUAPO’S RESTAURANT 4515 Wisconsin Ave. NW, 202-686-3588, guaposrestaurant.com. See Bethesda listing. ❂ R L D $$
I’M EDDIE CANO (EDITORS’ PICK) 5014 Connecticut Ave. NW, 202-890-4995, imeddiecano.com. A play on the way “Americano” is pronounced, I’m Eddie Cano is an Italian joint with nostalgic 1970s-themed décor. The standouts on executive chef James Gee’s menu include fried zucchini, spaghetti and meatballs, spaghetti with clams, escarole salad and eggplant parmigiana. D $$
JETTIES 5632 Connecticut Ave. NW, 202-364-2465, jettiesdc.com. See Bethesda listing. J L D $
LE CHAT NOIR 4907 Wisconsin Ave. NW, 202-244-2044, lechatnoirrestaurant.com. This cute, cozy neighborhood bistro is run by French restaurateurs, who cook traditional fare such as steak frites, bouillabaisse and braised lamb cheeks. R L D $$
LE PAIN QUOTIDIEN 4874 Massachusetts Ave. NW, 202-459-9141, lepainquotidien.com. See Bethesda listing. ❂ JBRLD$
LITTLE BEAST CAFÉ & BISTRO 5600 Connecticut Ave. NW, 202-741-4599, littlebeastdc.com. At this dinner spot on the corner of McKinley Street NW, find pizza cooked in a woodburning oven, sharable dishes such as Brussels sprouts, and entrées such as lamb ragu. ❂ D $$
5520 Connecticut Ave. NW, 202-248-7807, macon bistro.com. Southern and French cuisine converge at this airy, charming restaurant in the historic Chevy Chase Arcade. Appetizers include raclette and fried green tomatoes, and steak frites is offered alongside short ribs with grits for main courses. Voted “Best Restaurant in Upper Northwest D.C.” by Bethesda Magazine readers in 2018. ❂ R L D $$
MAGGIANO’S LITTLE ITALY 5333 Wisconsin Ave. NW, 202-966-5500, maggianos.com. The restaurant features oldstyle Italian fare that’s a favorite for large groups and private celebrations. Check out the signature flatbreads and specialty pastas, including lobster carbonara. J R L D $$
MASALA ART 4441-B Wisconsin Ave. NW, 202-362-4441, masalaartdc.com. Here is fine Indian dining featuring tandoor-oven specialties and masterful Indian spicing. Start off by choosing from a selection of nine breads and 17 appetizers. L D $$
MILLIE’S (EDITORS’ PICK) 4866 Massachusetts Ave. NW, 202-733-5789, milliesdc.com. This eatery in the Spring Valley neighborhood may be from up north—it’s the second location of a popular Nantucket restaurant—but its flavors are distinctly south-of-the-border. The menu offers coastal takes on tacos, quesadillas and salads that are as summery as the bright, nautical décor of the dining room. ❂ J R L D $$
PARTHENON RESTAURANT 5510 Connecticut Ave. NW, 202-966-7600, parthenon-restaurant.com. This is a neighborhood eatery taken up a couple notches, with an extensive menu full of authentic selections familiar and exotic, including avgolemono (egg/lemon soup), tzatziki, moussaka, dolmades and souvlaki. ❂ L D $$
PETE’S NEW HAVEN STYLE APIZZA 4940 Wisconsin Ave. NW, 202-237-7383, petesapizza.com. The crunchy-crusted New Havenstyle pizzas can be topped with a choice of almost three dozen ingredients. There's also pasta, panini, salads and house-made desserts. ❂ J L D $
SATAY CLUB ASIAN RESTAURANT AND BAR 4654 Wisconsin Ave. NW, 202-363-8888, asiansatayclub.com. The restaurant prides itself on providing a comfortable/casual setting with a menu that spans Japanese sushi, Chinese moo-shi vegetables, Thai curries and Vietnamese spring rolls. L D $
TANAD THAI 4912 Wisconsin Ave. NW, 202-966-0616. The extensive menu ranges from noodles, rice and curries to vegetarian entrées, and even a Thai lemonade cocktail. House specialties include pad Thai and Drunken Noodles. ❂ L D $$
TARA THAI 4849 Massachusetts Ave. NW, 202-363-4141, tarathai.com. See Bethesda listing. ❂ L D $$
WAGSHAL’S RESTAURANT 4855 Massachusetts Ave. NW, 202-363-5698, wagshals.com. Longtime popular deli expands grocery and carryout section, and adds a casual sit-down restaurant in the Spring Valley Shopping Center. Same high-quality fare, including the overstuffed sandwiches. L D $ n
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SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
summer camps CAMP
TYPE
GENDER
AGES
LOCATION
WEBSITE
PHONE
Adventure Theatreâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Summer Musical Theater Camp
Day
Coed
6 - 12
Glen Echo
www.adventuretheatre-mtc. org/camps.html
301-251-5766
Adventure Theatre's Summer Musical Theater Training Program
Day
Coed
12 - 17
Rockville
www.adventuretheatre-mtc. org/camps.html
301-251-5766
American Volleyball Camp
Day & Overnight
Coed
9 - 18
Washington, DC
www.americanvolleyballcamps. 202-885-3031 com
Barrie Camp
Day
Coed
4 - 14
Silver Spring
www.barrie.org/camp
301-576-2815
Beauvoir Summer
Day
Coed
3 - 17
Washington, DC
www.beauvoirschool.org/ summer
202-537-6485
Bretton Woods
Day
Coed
5 - 15
Potomac
www.bwrc.org
301-948-3375
Calleva
Day
Coed
4 - 17
DC Metro area
www.calleva.org
301-216-1248
Camp Arena Stage
Day
Coed
8 - 15
Washington, DC
www.arenastage.org/camp
202-600-4064
Camp Horizons
Overnight
Coed
6 - 16
Harrisonburg
www.camphorizonsva.com
540-896-7600
Camp JCC
Day
Coed
4 - 21
Rockville
www.benderjccgw.org/camp
301-348-3883
Camp Olympia
Day
Coed
3.5 - 15
Rockville
www.camp-olympia.com
301-926-9281
Green Acres School Summer Camp
Day
Coed
3 - 12
N. Bethesda
www.greenacres.org
301-468-8110
Imagination Stage Summer Camp
Day
Coed
3.5 - 18
Bethesda
www.imaginationstage.org
301-280-1636
Lowell School Summer Programs
Day
Coed
3 - 14
Washington, DC
www.lowellschool.org
202-577-2006
Oneness-Family School Summer Programs
Day
Coed
Chevy Chase
www.onenessfamilyschool.org
301-652-7751
Randoph Macon Academy Summer Programs
Day & Overnight
Coed
Front Royal, VA
www.rma.edu/summer
540-636-5484
Round House Theatre Summer Camps
Day
Coed
5 - 18
Silver Stars Gymnastics
Day
Coed
3.5 - 16
Strathmore Summer Art Camp
Day
Coed
Summer At Holy Cross
Day
Girls & Coed
Grades 1-10 Grades 1-12
Summer at Sandy Spring
Day
Coed
Summer at WES
Day & Overnight
SummerEdge at McLean School
3.5 11+ Grades 6-12
Bethesda, Silver www.roundhousetheatre.org Spring Silver Spring, www.GoSilverStars.com Bowie
301-585-1225 301-589-0938
N. Bethesda
www.strathmore.org/artcamp
301-581-5100
Kensington
www.academyoftheholycross. org/summer
301-942-2100
3 - 16
Sandy Spring
www.summeratsandyspring.org 301-774-7455
Coed
3.5 - 14
Bethesda
www.w-e-s.org/summer
301-652-7878
Day
Coed
3 - 18
Potomac
www.summeredge.org
240-395-0690
Valley Mill Camp
Day
Boys camp Girls camp
4 - 14
Darnestown
www.valleymill.com
301-948-0220
Washington International School Summer Camp
Day
Coed
3 - 17
Washington, DC
www.wis,edu/summer-camp
202-243-1792
Washington Sailing Marina
Day
Coed
8 - 15
Alexandria
www.washingtonsailingmarina. com
703-505-9353
Westmoreland Children's Center
Day
Coed
2-5
Bethesda
www.wccbethesda.com
301-229-7161
YMCA Bethesda-Chevy Chase/Ayrlawn Center
Day
Coed
4 - 15
Bethesda
www.ymcadc.org
301-530-8500
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HORSES
FIELD TRIPS
WATER SPORTS
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
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Celebrating 40 years, it will be an unforgettable summer as they take their final bow in a musical theater show! Two weeks of singing, dancing, costumes, props and acting. With a trip to NYC or a role in Les Miserables to choose from based upon your choice of session, this inclusive three week training program develops students’ performance training by providing focused instruction in an immersive musical theatre environment. Ask about our scholarships. American Volleyball Camps are the most fun and challenging camps in the DMV. From beginner to elite, all levels (youth, middle school, high school) are welcome. On-site swimming, horseback riding, sports, overnights, special event days, arts and crafts, nature, outdoor living skills, martial arts, dramatics, music, and CIT program. Swim instruction/pool time, before and after care, outdoor adventure excursions, arts and crafts, dance, music, cooking, STEAM, robotics, chess, sports and games for PK-5th graders. Counselor-in-Training leadership experiences for 6th-12th graders. Our specialties are adventure, day, tennis, golf, soccer, field games, arts and crafts; swim lessons included in day camp. Lunch included in all camps. Free swim for all camps. High ratios staff to camper. Transportation, before and after care available. Calleva offers exciting outdoor adventures in nearby wilderness areas -"Rivers, Trails, Rocks & Farm." Transportation included. Some programs include overnight. Celebrating 15 years of Art and Community, Camp Arena Stage is a summer experience with over 75 activities including acting, filmmaking, dance, theater, sculpture, and more! We encourage campers to be creative and independent, have fun and make friendships that last a lifetime. Activities include aquatics, sports, outdoors adventures, horseback riding, performing/visual arts and more. Camp JCC is the place to be this summer. Explore everything we have to offer from arts, sports, theater, STEM, daily swimming and so much more. Horseback riding, swimming, soccer, tennis, gymnastics, basketball, track and field, and more. Transportation and extended care available! Daily, on-site swimming instruction; Create your own path in science & Technology, Sports, Music and Art.
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More than 100 1, 2, 3, & 4-week camps in drama, dance, musical theatre, and filmmaking.
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Horsemanship, outdoor program, onsite swimming pool, newly expanded teen, STEM, and theater arts programs, and extended programs into August including an Aquatics camp. Daily nature exploration (1st-5th grade), pool trips & water-play, yoga, thrilling creative arts & sciences, low camper to counselor ratio, and extended care! Enrichment camp focusing on creativity, collaboration, imagination, and innovation. Choose four academic sessions centered around the theme of Space Exploration and Investigation. 1-Week and Multi-Week camps for youth and teens. Focus on acting, playwriting, storytelling, design and more. Inspire creativity and explore your imagination! With 18,000 square feet of space Silver Stars Gymnastics offers kids the opportunity to learn cartwheels, climb the ropes, flip on the trampolines and make memories with new and old friends. Young artists spend summer days in a working gallery on a vibrant arts campus with excellent instruction and room for inspiration! Aftercare is available. Holy Cross offers Co-Ed Summer Stock and HSPT Prep classes and All-Girls Sports Camps. Details on our website.
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Campers can choose from a wide variety of workshops and specialty camps that include sports, adventure, arts, technology, academics, music, robotics, and much more! Nine sessions that include archery, robotics, cooking, sculpture, animation and video game development, basketball, hiking, entrepreneurship, dance, and more! From producing a blockbuster movie to conducting eye-opening science experiments, SummerEdge at McLean School offers some fun and learning for everyone.
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Great summer days spent learning the wonderful sport of sailing on the Potomac River. It is empowering, fun and healthy! Camps available for beginners through advanced. Each theme oriented session includes water play, special events, special projects and music. Outdoor playground and well-equipped preschool classrooms. Low teacher to child ratio.
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SUMMER PROGRAMS CAMP 2019 DATES: JUNE 24-AUGUST 2
LEARN MORE & REGISTER! www.OnenessFamily MontessoriSchool.org
REGISTRATION
DAY-CAMPS
Begins January 25 Early-Bird Ends March 1
PEACE WEAVERS (Ages 3½-6½ years old) • Unique weekly themes with related arts, play and projects • Water-play and trips • Fun-fitness games, creative movement and yoga • In-house entertainment and off-campus field trips EARTH KEEPERS (Rising 1st-Rising 5th+ graders) • Daily outdoor excursions to wilderness areas of MD, VA and D.C. • Interactive exhibits at nature centers and museums • Exploring with fossils, animal tracks, fishing nets and bird-calls • Swimming and climbing time
Pool & Water Play
Moon Bo Field Trips Yo g a unce A r t works Mindfulness Environmental Education
Hikes
Chesapeake Bay
CONTACT US! SUMMER@ONENESSFAMILY.ORG – (301) 652-7751
S U M M E R A T H O LY C R O S S CO -E D S U M M E R STO C K PE R FOR M I NG ARTS
Lowell Summer Arts and Technology Programs
G R A D E S 6 – 11
Online ation Reg istrins Be g y1 Januar
Classes in: Musical Theatre Dance, Musical Theatre Singing, Improvisation, Filmmaking, Acting
June 17 - 28 Final Performance: Mary Poppins Jr. Friday, June 28 • 7:00 pm MARY POPPINS JR. A Musical based on the stories of P.L. Travers and the Walt Disney Film MARY POPPINS JR. is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.MTIshows.com
CO-ED SUMMER ENRICHMENT
GIRLS SUMMER S P ORTS CAM P S
GRADES 7 – 8
G R A D E S 1 — 12
High School Placement Test Prep (HSPT) Course
Basketball, Cross Country, Field Hockey, Lacrosse, Softball, Volleyball
June 17 - 21
June - August All-Girls, Grades 9-12 • 301-942-2100 4920 Strathmore Ave, Kensington MD
www.AcademyOfTheHolyCross.org/Summer
I am a thinker, an athlete, an artist.
Day camp programs for preschool through teens on our expansive 8-acre campus • Staged Musical Production • Mini-Musical Review • Backstage Tech, Crew, and Creative
• Science, Engineering, Math, and Woodworking • Dance, Sports, and Fitness • Onsite Pool 1640 Kalmia Road NW Washington, DC 20012 202-577-2006
www.lowellschool.org 284
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summer Camps
Sessions start as early as June 17 and extend through August 23 • On site daily swim instruction • Sports, arts & technology • Low counselor-to-camper ratio • Extended day & transportation options available • Memories of a lifetime
Apply Today at benderjccgw.org/camp. Visit benderjccgw.org or call 301.348.3883.
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summer Camps
summer camp for boys and girls Pre-K - Grade 8
NINE WEEKLY SESSIONS June 10 - August 9, 2019
Awesome adventures include archery, robotics, cooking, sports, and more. There’s something for everyone. Day camp located in the heart of Bethesda on the Washington Episcopal School campus – open rain, shine, or heat wave! Before Care and After Care available. Check out the Sleepaway Camp for children entering Grades 3-8. Starting March 1, private tours of campus facilities available. Please call 301-652-7878 to schedule a tour.
Register online at www.w-e-s.org/summer today!
WASHINGTON EPISCOPAL SCHOOL 5600 Little Falls Parkway, Bethesda, MD 20816 | www.w-e-s.org | 301-652-7878
BRETTON BRETTON WOODS WOODS SUMMER SUMMER CAMPS! CAMPS! 10 WEEKLY SESSIONS! • JUNE 17 – AUGUST 23
Register now! Prices increase May 1
HOT LUNCH AND SNACK INCLUDED!
DAY CAMP ages 5 & up
An exciting outdoor experience with a wide range of weekly themes & activities including arts & crafts, field games, archery, bottle rockets, slip n’ slide and free swim. Swim lessons for all ages and abilities included! Soccer and tennis lessons available.
ADVENTURE CAMP ages 6 & up A fun, active, one-of-a-kind camp! The activities for the week are ropes course, zip line and giant swing, hiking and primitive skills, canoeing, tubing, stand up paddle boarding, rapid swimming and native craft.
Young artists spend summer days immersed in an actual gallery on an arts campus, surrounded by the beauty and power of creativity.
TEEN ART CAMP Week of July 29 Grades 7–10
KIDS ART CAMP Weeks of August 5 & 12 Grades 1–6 Aftercare available for all camps.
www.BWRC.org
camp@bwrc.org camp@bwrc.org •• 240-848-9128 240-848-9128 BUS SERVICE AVAILABLE • Camp open to non-club members
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STRATHMORE.ORG/ARTCAMP | 301.581.5100 10701 Rockville Pike, North Bethesda, MD 20852
summer Camps
2019 SUMMER CAMP 4 -week camps for ages 3.5 -18 d n a , 3 , 1, 2
ACTING | MUSICAL THEATRE | DANCE | FILMMAKING imaginationstage.org | 301-280-1636
Best of D.C. 2018 Ages 4-14
Celebrating 60 yrs!
Transportation Provided
Valley Mill Day Camp www.valleymill.com
Spring and Summer Programs BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM | MARCH/APRIL 2019
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summer Camps Sign-Up Today!
DISCOVER THE RISE THIS SUMMER.
Register for Summer Day Camp at YMCA Bethesda Chevy-Chase Enroll online at www.ymcadc.org Camps available for kids and teens ages 4-15 Call 301.530.8500 or 301.530.3725
Curiosity. Imagination. Innovation. THE POWER OF SUMMER.
2019 Camp Theme: Space Exploration and Investigation Two-week and four-week sessions for rising 6th-8th graders available June 30-July 26, 2019. High School Flight Camp also available. OPEN HOUSES: March 24th and April 28th WWW.RMA.EDU | 540-636-5484
Gallop to the beat of Summer fun!
Camp Olympia
Co-Ed Instructional Sports Program Camp June 17 - August 30
Spring Break Camp: April 17, 18, 19 & 22
Open House Dates:
March 9, 23 & April 13 week minimum Ages 3-1/2 - 15yrs Door to Door Transporation Extended Care Available
Activities Include: nclude:
• Horseback Riding • Football ball • Basketball • Gymnastics • Swimming • Soccer
• Te TTennis nnis • Mountain Biking • Games and more!
5511 Muncaster Mill Road, Rockville, MD 20855
www.camp-olympia.com • 301-926-9281 288
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The YMCA of Metropolitan Washington is a 501(c)3 nonprofit charity that fosters the spiritual, mental and physical development of individuals, families and communities according to the ideals of inclusiveness, equality and mutual respect for all.
Best. Summer. Ever.
MAKE YOUR 2019 SUMMER
ONE BIG PARTY When? Summer 2019 Where? River, Trail, Farm & Forest Ages 4-5: Cubs Ages 6-9: Explorers Ages 9-15: Adventure Camp Ages 12+: High Adventure Trips & Leadership School Transportation included: Pickup points throughout the DC metro area
www.calleva.org
2019 Registration is UNDERWAY!
summer Camps
Fun-Paced Learning at McLean School STEM ACADEMICS
PreK - Grade 12
SPORTS
June 17 - August 9 240.395.0690 Readersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Pick Best Summer Day Camp
ARTS SERVICE LEARNING TRAVEL BEFORE & AFTER CARE
summeredge.org
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summer Camps Washington Sailing Marina Summer Sailing Camp Programs
Summer fun along the Potomac River • • • •
Full-day Sailing and Windsurfing Camps Transportation Available from Bethesda/Chevy Chase Area Week-long Sessions Beginning in June Ages 8-15 Welcome!
Registration at www.washingtonsailingmarina.com Questions e-mail amy@sharethewind.com Washington Sailing Marina Alexandria, VA
A MULTI-ARTS SUMMER DAY CAMP FOR YOUNG PEOPLE AGES 8–15
45 acres of
@
Ages 4-14 Early Bird Discount Ends March 12
Barrie Camp is an extraordinary environment for summer learning, exploration, and fun with on-site swimming, horseback riding, coding, archery, musical theater, and more!
ARENASTAGE.ORG/CAMP
Come see for yourself!
Open House
MUSICAL THEATER TRAINING COMPANY One-on-one training from the nation’s best musical theater professionals ARENASTAGE.ORG/ACADEMY
REGISTER TODAY! 290
SESSIONS BEGIN JUNE 24, 2019 CALL 202-600-4064
MARCH/APRIL 2019 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM
Sunday, March 10 1-3 pm
barrie.org/camp 13500 Layhill Road Silver Spring, MD
Camp
Layhill Metro Road Minutes from the13500 ICC & Glenmont Spring, MD 20906 Transportation Silver and extended hours available
summer Camps Campers nursery (by 9/1/19) to kindergarten: June 24 - August 2 Campers 1st - 6th grades: June 24 - July 12 and/or July 15 - August 2
Choose Your Camps. July 20-21
Hitter, Setter, Libero
July 27-29
Prospects, Serving, Setter Hitter, Digging Defense
July 29-Aug 1
All Skills
Aug 3-4
Hitter, Setter, Libero
Explore the continents through creative art, science, and sports activities.
Aug 5-6
Advanced Setter Strategies, Advanced Hitter Blocker Setter Hitter, Digging Defense
GAC 2.0* for Grades 2-6: Create your own program!
Aug 7-8
VolleyTots, Youth , Middle School, Serving
Looking for camp in August?
Sign up for August 5-9! Passport to Fun!*
Ages 3 (by 9/1/19) - Grade 1: 5 continents in 5 days!
Choose among Sports, STEM and Art classes.
Head Coach, Barry Goldberg
*Prior Summer 2019 session not required.
www.greenacres.org
2019 Inducted into AU Athletics Hall of Fame 2013 NCAA Regional Coach of the Year, Sweet 16 7x Patriot League Coach of the Year 17 NCAA tournament appearances 30 seasons at American University
www.AmericanVolleyballCamps.com On The Campus of American University Washington, DC
You’ll get an “A” for advertising in the upcoming Education Issue in the Private School Guide Special advertiSing Section
Beauvoir Summer offers an array of exciting activities for pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade campers, all led by experienced adult counselors!
Private SchoolGuide
Beauvoir Summer runs June 10 to August 2, 2019. thinkstock
Choosing a private sChool for your child isn’t easy. There are scores of good schools to chose from and a countless number of factors that you need to consider. Co-ed or single gender? A school with a religious affiliation or not? What’s the educational philosophy and approach? Bethesda Magazine’s Private School Guide will help you to find the school that’s the best fit. In the following pages, we provide essential information on 40 schools. You’ll find the information you need to narrow your search and to start your exploration in a targeted and effective way.
Field trips • Swimming lessons • Outdoor camps • Delicious daily lunches • Leadership programs • Specialty camps in technology, art, dance, fencing, sports, and more.
www.beauvoirschool.org/summer
108 September/October 2014 | BethesdaMagazine.com
private school guide_layout.indd 108
8/14/14 9:42 AM
Reserve your space in the September/October issue Email advertising@bethesdamagazine.com to get started!
Our programs are located at Beauvoir, The National Cathedral Elementary School 3500 Woodley Road NW, Washington, DC 20016
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summer Camps Washington International School
SUMMER CAMP Weekly Sessions June 24 to August 9, 2019
This summer, let your child’s imagination run wild!
LEARN MORE
www.wis.edu/summer-camp
Star in a full-scale musical!
Summer Musical Theatre Camp Rising Grades 1–6 Monday–Friday
ready for the
best summer
ever?
REgister now for a summer of discovery, friendship & outdoor Fun! Camp Horizons is a sleep-away camp for kids, ages 6-16 Just 2 hours away in Virginia’s beautiful Shenandoah Valley
540.896.7600 • www.camphorizonsva.com Classes • Birthday Parties • Open Gym • Competitive Team • Camps
2 Week Sessions Glen Echo Park
It’s Not Just Gymnastics, It’s Gymtastic!
REGISTER NOW FOR CAMP!
NO SCHOOL! DAY CAMP • SPRING BREAK CAMP SUMMER CAMP
summermusicaltheatrecamp.org
& ATMTC ACADEMY
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Register online at www.gosilverstars.com
Two Great Locations! 2701 Pittman Drive, Silver Spring, MD 301-589-0938 301-589-1717 fax 14201 Woodcliff Ct, Bowie, MD 301-352-5777 301-352-8414 fax
shopping. beauty. weddings. pets. travel. history.
PHOTO BY LAURA CHASE DE FORMIGNY
etc.
Boxes from a Potomac-based jewelry subscription service feature three or four accessories each month. For more, turn to page 296.
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etc.
BY ADRIENNE WICHARD-EDDS
SHOP TALK
LIGHTEN UP Usher spring into your wardrobe with a chic pastel jacket in the prettiest neutrals that will serve you well for seasons to come
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COURTESY PHOTOS
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1.
J.Crew’s perfect rain jacket in pink blush, $120 at J.Crew (5335 Wisconsin Ave. NW, Washington, D.C.; 202-537-3380; jcrew.com)
2.
Anthropologie’s Marrakech parkway moto jacket in terra, $160 at Anthropologie (4801 Bethesda Ave., Bethesda; 240-345-9413; anthropologie.com)
3.
Halston Heritage’s three-quarter sleeve satin trench shirtdress in dark almond, $475 at Saks Fifth Avenue (5555 Wisconsin Ave., Chevy Chase; 301-657-9000; saksfifthavenue.com)
4.
Weekend Max Mara’s patch pocket topper jacket in sand, $795 at Macy’s (Westfield Montgomery mall, Bethesda; 301-4696800; macys.com)
5.
Sanctuary’s snow trooper fishtail parka in pink fizz, $169 at Nordstrom (Westfield Montgomery mall, Bethesda; 301-365-4111; nordstrom.com)
6.
Burberry’s Kensington hooded trench coat in chalk pink, $990 at Bloomingdale’s (5300 Western Ave., Chevy Chase; 240-744-3700; bloomingdales.com)
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SPECIAL DELIVERY
DEB SHALOM WANTS TO help women up their jewelry game. Early last year, the 59-year-old Potomac resident and veteran jewelry buyer reinvented Leila Fine Gifts & Jewels as an online subscription service she calls LeilaBox. (She closed the brickand-mortar store in 2017 when the Cabin John Shopping Center changed hands.) She aims to share her knack for finding off-the-beaten-path baubles with a wider audience—and to encourage women to experiment with their accessories. “Everyone has their special pieces that they wear every day, but this is a great way to try different things, wear them for a few weeks, then ship them back and start all over again,” Shalom says. She describes LeilaBox as a Rent the Runway (an online dress rental company) for jewelry, and calls her service “the ultimate try-andbuy” for women who want to test trends and change up their accessory wardrobe 296
without making commitments. Here’s how it works: For $22 a month, you receive a customized selection of earrings, bracelets and necklaces based on your lifestyle and preferences. Wear whichever items you like for however long you want, and when you’re done, send back the shipment in the prepaid return envelope, keeping any items that you’d like to purchase. Most items retail for $50$125 but are offered at a 25 to 50 percent discount. Each shipment, which arrives in a wrapped-and-ribboned box, contains three items (and often a bonus fourth item) that Shalom selects based on an initial “style profile” that you fill out and any feedback you send from subsequent shipments (each delivery contains comment cards). You can also request jewelry for special occasions; Shalom welcomes pictures of outfits or hairstyles to help her find the right piece.
MARCH/APRIL 2019 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM
Shalom seeks out lesser-known and up-and-coming American designers. “I stay away from the department store brands and trendy designers,” she says. You might even find a little something that nudges you outside of your comfort zone. “I sent this woman a giant red leather cuff,” Shalom says. “She wasn’t sure it was her style, but when she wore it, she told me she’d received more compliments on that piece than she’d ever imagined. She was thrilled, and now she’s willing to experiment more.” LeilaBox ships anywhere in the continental U.S., and Shalom says her target customers are women who like to “get a little dressed up every day”— and men who want to buy those women something special but don’t know what to pick out. LeilaBox; 202-798-1085; leilabox.com ■
PHOTOS BY LAURA CHASE DE FORMIGNY
A Potomac-based subscription service sends new accessories to your mailbox each month
YOU â&#x20AC;&#x2122;RE IN VIT E D!
First Year Anniversary Celebration Saturday, April 13 | Open 10 am - 9 pm Events will be held between Noon & 4 pm Hair & Makeup Touch Ups Personalized Styling Sips & Snacks Gift Card & Merchandise Raffles Tell us you saw this ad in Bethesda Magazine and get a free pair of Banx earrings with any purchase. 11882 Grand Park Ave, North Bethesda, MD 20852 301.348.5047 scoutandmollys.com/north-bethesda
etc.
PHOTO BY MICHELLE LINDSAY PHOTOGRAPHY
WEDDINGS
298 MARCH/APRIL 2019 | BETHESDAMAGAZINE.COM
BY LEIGH MCDONALD
Finding the Spark How two college friends became something more THE COUPLE: Becca Zweig, 32, grew up in Bethesda and graduated from Walt Whitman High School. She is a field marketing manager for software company Yext. Matt Katz, 32, grew up in West Caldwell, New Jersey, and is a property manager for The Bozzuto Group. They live in Brooklyn. HOW THEY MET: Becca and Matt went
PHOTO BY MICHELLE LINDSAY PHOTOGRAPHY
to the University of Delaware and both majored in hotel, restaurant and institutional management. They got to know each other through classes, and at barbecues and tailgates thrown by mutual friends. “Matt was my go-to buddy,” Becca says. But Matt always wanted something more. “I’ve pretty much always had a crush on Becca,” he says. “It was common knowledge to everyone but Becca.” Although they shared a kiss or two in college, they were just friends.
WHEN IT ALL CHANGED: Becca and Matt moved back to their respective hometowns after college, but kept in touch through calls and texts, and saw each other at university homecoming and alumni weekends. In 2012, Becca moved to New York City for a job; Matt had already been living there for a couple of years. The two picked up where they left off, going to happy hours and trading stories about dating in the city. “We were such good friends,” Becca says. “It was super comfortable.” In the spring of 2013, Matt asked Becca to come with him to a work function. “I wasn’t sure if it was a date or not,” she says. But when Matt paid for their post-
event drinks, she knew. “We’d always split the bill.” A few days later, Matt asked Becca to dinner. “It took a few dates to get out of the friend zone, but once we did, I was very happy,” she says.
THE PROPOSAL: The couple lived together in Brooklyn for two years before getting engaged. Even though they’d talked about marriage, the proposal took Becca by surprise. In January 2017, Matt proposed at a Citizen Cope concert on the Lower East Side. The soulful blues-rock singer holds special significance in their relationship; they’ve seen Citizen Cope perform several times. “It was kind of the perfect place to have done that,” Becca says. In the middle of a song, Matt handed her a card. (The concert was an early 30th birthday present.) When Becca finished reading the card, she looked up and Matt was holding a lighted ring box with an engagement ring inside. “It was sparkling and amazing,” she says. “I was shocked in the moment. I actually waited a couple seconds before saying, ‘Oh my God, yes.’ ” She shouted out into the crowd that they’d just gotten engaged, and Citizen Cope played his bluesy slow-song “Sideways” to commemorate the moment. The couple would later have their first dance to the love song.
Susan Shankman of Washington Hebrew Congregation (WHC) married them. (Becca grew up going to WHC.)
THE DAY-OF GIFTS: The couple opened gifts from each other the afternoon of the wedding. He gave her a bracelet with a heart in the middle—rose gold to match her engagement ring and their wedding bands. She gave him monogrammed cuff links, also in rose gold. Becca had Matt’s wedding band engraved with the Citizen Cope lyric “you’ve got my tomorrow” from the song “If There’s Love.” Matt had quoted the same lyric in the card he gave Becca during the proposal. THE VENUE: It was important to Becca and Matt that they marry in or near Becca’s hometown, especially since they plan to move to the D.C. area someday. But they also wanted to represent their life in New York City. “We really wanted that Brooklyn warehouse vibe so that part of our life was part of the wedding,” Becca says. “Dock 5 was the perfect medium for that because we could transform it into whatever we wanted.” They used drapery to partition the 8,000-square-foot Union Market space into separate areas for the ceremony and reception. THE DRESS: Becca wore a ruched satin
THE WEDDING: Becca and Matt were married on May 5, 2018, at Union Market’s Dock 5 in Washington, D.C., in front of 267 guests. “We just wanted to have a massive celebration,” Becca says. Rabbi
Jenny Lee dress from Say Yes for Less in Potomac. A swatch of her mother’s lace wedding dress was sewn between the layers of fabric and visible when the back of the dress was bustled. “It made me so
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etc. WEDDINGS
happy knowing it was part of the dress,” she says. “My mom loved it. She cried every time she saw it.” During the reception, Becca wore gold sequin sneakers with pink ribbon laces.
THE RECEPTION: A calligrapher wrote guests’ table numbers on the venue’s garage doors. “It was my mom’s idea,” Becca says. “It was pretty brilliant.” Dinner included gazpacho soup with a choice of beef with poblano margarita sauce, cornmeal-crusted chicken or paella-stuffed peppers. The tables were accented with copper vases and candles, and flower arrangements that held white and pink roses.
THE DESSERT: The couple had a doughnut “cake,” a three-tiered stand with Duck Donuts on each level. “We still had the moment of feeding each other with cake, but it was with doughnuts,” Becca says. They also had a wall of doughnuts. Guests were encouraged to bring some home in small paper bags with “Donut leave without a treat!” written on them.
THE MUSIC: EastCoast Entertainment’s Modern Luxe performed at the reception. “The band killed it,” Becca says. “They were so good.” For their final song, they played “Bohemian Rhapsody” by Queen. “Everyone was singing along and jumping up and down.” THE HONEYMOON: The couple honeymooned in the Society Islands of French Polynesia a few days after the wedding. They flew into Tahiti and spent five nights
in Bora Bora in an overwater bungalow, then went to Moorea. “It was just perfect to have 10 days to relax and spend that time together,” Becca says.
VENDORS: Alcohol, Ace Beverage; bridesmaids’ dresses, Show Me Your Mumu; calligraphy, Calligraphette and Co.; catering, Windows Catering Company; décor, Social
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Supply; engagement ring, M.A. Jewelers; flowers, Philippa Tarrant Custom Floral; hair, StyleMeBar; makeup, Ebby Makeup; photographer, Michelle Lindsay Photography; photo booth, RUMOR Photo Media; rentals, Perfect Settings and Table Manners; signage, Field & Gown; suit, Alan David Custom; wedding band, Mervis Diamond; wedding planner, Cherry Blossom Events. n
PHOTOS BY MICHELLE LINDSAY PHOTOGRAPHY
A MEMORABLE MOMENT: Because the couple met in Delaware, Becca’s dad made sure to incorporate the state into his speech. He pulled out a Delaware flag as a prop, but ended up holding it upside down as he talked. “It was just hilarious— everyone was laughing,” Becca recalls. Her father passed away eight months after the wedding.
ONE MORNING THAT CAN BRING A LIFETIME OF GOOD HEALTH
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GET AWAY
SET ON 256 ROLLING acres among the foothills of Virginia’s Appalachian Mountains, Eupepsia Wellness Center opened last May with a mission to give guests a chance to focus on their bodies, minds and spirits, whether on a weekslong, weekend or one-day visit. The center embraces the science and philosophy of Ayurveda, a holistic approach to health that originated thousands of years ago. Offerings are tailored to each guest’s health and fitness goals, and might include yoga and meditation classes, health screenings, spa treatments and nutrition workshops that help you shed winter weight. Eupepsia’s 26 guest rooms are simply yet elegantly decorated in slate gray and yellows, and include either a king or two twin beds. Tennis courts, a fitness center with sport courts, a movie lounge and a relaxing outdoor pergola are among the amenities. A two-night wellness retreat starts at $548 per person and includes meals, yoga and other activities, and access to the 302
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spa and fitness center. The cost of treatments and workshops are extra. One- and two-week programs are also available. Eupepsia Wellness Center, 12940 W. Blue Grass Trail, Bland, Virginia; 276-722-0584; eupepsia.com
PHOTOS COURTESY OF EUPEPSIA WELLNESS CENTER
WELLNESS WONDERLAND
SAY CHEERS
GUINNESS BREWERY PHOTO COURTESY OF QUAKER CITY MERCANTILE; HOTEL ROCK LITITZ PHOTO COURTESY
TWO HUNDRED YEARS AFTER the first Guinness beer arrived in America, the company has built a family-friendly brewery in the Baltimore area with a tasting room and restaurant. The Guinness Open Gate Brewery & Barrel House, which debuted last August, uses a 10-barrel system oriented to small experimental batches, and a 100-hectoliter (about 85 barrels) system for brews produced on a national scale, such as Guinness’ new Blonde. (The company’s classic stouts, including Guinness Draught, continue to be brewed in Dublin and imported.) Learn about Guinness’ headquarters in Ireland and the company’s history on a guided tour for $10 (a free self-guided tour with museumlike signage is also available). Taste brews in the taproom or out on the lawn, where you’ll find
giant Jenga, cornhole and food trucks. March brings a month’s worth of experimental brews, and events that include St. Patrick’s Day celebrations and opportunities for patrons to communicate live with the experts at the mother brewery at Dublin’s St. James’s Gate. Live music on the lawn begins in April. The brewery’s restaurant, called
1817 (the year Guinness was first sent to the U.S.), serves up burgers and crab bisque. Small plates are available in the taproom. Guinness Open Gate Brewery & Barrel House, 5001 Washington Blvd., Halethorpe, Maryland; 800-909-2645; guinnessbrewerybaltimore.com
INDULGE YOUR INNER ROCK STAR LOCATED ON THE ROCK Lititz live-event production campus in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, a new boutique property called Hotel Rock Lititz has a “We Will Rock You” vibe that likely would appeal to touring crews, music aficionados and other visitors to the area. More than 30 live-event-focused companies are clustered on the 96-acre campus, which is also home to a rehearsal studio for production crews and artists to perfect their performances before going on tour. The hotel, which opened in November, offers 139 rooms and suites, each with a mini or full fridge, comfortable bed and sofa, and black sliding bathroom doors made from repurposed concert equipment cases. The wallpaper on the rooms’ accent walls was created from photos of more than 1,000 backstage concert
passes for acts such as Billy Joel and Beyoncé. Two penthouse suites come with a full kitchen and luxury master bath (but not the wallpaper). Additional concert elements are incorporated throughout the hotel, including a chain mesh creation in the lobby that shows some of the
sound waves from the Fleetwood Mac song “The Chain.” Public areas are adorned in tour posters. Rates at Hotel Rock Lititz start at $189 per night. 50 Rock Lititz Blvd., Lititz, Pennsylvania; 717-925-7625; hotelrocklititz.com ■
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A Taste of
Frederick BY CAROLE SUGARMAN | PHOTOS BY STEVE WALKER
caption caption caption The caption Maryland caption caption caption caption caption caption caption city is caption packed withcaption caption places to eat and drink, from a shop with 100 varieties of pasta to an organic distillery with award-winning gin
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CHEF BRYAN VOLTAGGIO AND co-owner Hilda Staples put Frederick on the map as a fine-dining destination when they opened Volt in 2008. While the nationally recognized restaurant remains a go-to for gourmands, a growing group of eateries, food shops, breweries and distilleries gives visitors many more reasons to eat (and drink) there. As Maryland’s second largest city with a population of about 70,000, Frederick radiates hipness, history and small-town charm all at once. The city has seen a recent influx of millennials and retirees, thanks to its quality of life, affordability and proximity to major cities and airports. With the new residents have come a raft of craft beers, sophisticated cocktails and trendy menus that include vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free fare. Food and drink are far from the only draws, as Frederick offers a host of other attractions, including historic churches and homes, hidden courtyards, antiques shops, parks and public art (don’t miss local artist William Cochran’s trompe l’oeil murals, such as the one on the southwest corner of West Church and North Market streets). With so much to do, it’s easy to spend a weekend in Frederick, and there are a few bed-and-breakfasts downtown in Victorian mansions (see visitfrederick. org/places-to-stay/bed-and-breakfasts). The Barbara Fritchie House on West Patrick Street can even be rented through Airbnb. (Fritchie was a devoted and outspoken Unionist during the Civil War.) There are plenty of places to refuel between your meanderings. Here are some of the newer and notable restaurants, markets and beverage companies that have opened in the last few years.
Chef Bryan Voltaggio’s Volt restaurant is housed in this 19th-century brownstone mansion in Frederick.
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Left: Sandwiches, cheese and wine are among the items sold at Crisafulli’s. Above: Candied bacon arrives in a pint glass at White Rabbit Gastropub.
restaurants and markets Crisafulli’s
This well-stocked and multipurpose cheese, charcuterie and wine shop is run by three generations of hometown women (Betty Gardiner, daughter Sharon Crisafulli and granddaughter Caitlin Crisafulli). They offer a rotation of more than 200 cheeses, pantry items (crackers, olive oil, jam and more), refrigerated antipasto, cheese boards, wine and gifts; hold cheese-tasting classes; assemble catering platters and gift baskets; and field online orders, including cheese-of-the-month clubs. Sandwiches (with cheese, of course) are served at lunchtime, and for those who aren’t carrying out, two tables provide seating for enjoying such options as The Betty Brie (double crème brie with ham, Dijon and cornichons on ciabatta). 8 E. 2nd St., Suite 104, 301-631-2439, crisafullischeeseshop.com 306
Glory Dough & Diner
This vegan doughnut and lunch shop is quaint, welcoming and out of the ordinary. Aside from freshly baked doughnuts that come in flavors such as rosewater, salted Earl Grey and French toast, the menu includes Belgian waffles infused with Pabst Blue Ribbon lager, huevos rancheros made with a tofu fried “egg,” and salads, tacos and vegan burgers. Located in a renovated townhouse, Glory has limited seating and funky music—and a line for doughnuts that can wind out the door. 244 E. Church St., 240-651-3467, glorydoughnuts.com
Hippy Chick Hummus
What started as a stand at Frederickarea farmers markets in 2016 turned into a vegan café and draft kombucha bar in 2017 for 28-year-old Erika Brown.
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A native of Frederick, Brown graduated from Towson University in 2013, then lived in Greece, traveled around Europe, volunteered on organic farms, and hitchhiked around Kauai, Hawaii, before starting her business. Decorated with belongings from her college bedroom (with walls painted the same yellow, orange and green as her Towson digs), her colorful shop includes a handful of counter seats and a peaceful back patio for enjoying hummus platters, rice crust pizza, tacos and falafel or acai bowls. Rotating hummus flavors, such as coconut curry or everything bagel, are creamy and flavorful, and also available in containers to go. 237 N. Market St., 240-815-7175, hippychickhummus.com
Hootch & Banter
This dark, clubby eatery features Maryland beer on tap and unfussy cocktails, some made with local libations. For brunch, the classic Bee’s Knees (here spelled “Beez Knees”)
is shaken with Forager Gin from Frederick’s McClintock Distilling Co. and is an unexpectedly good companion for the buttermilk lime pancakes. The restaurant recently doubled its bar space, with a morning coffee station on the second floor transforming into a lounge in the evening that serves cocktails and small plates. 49 S. Market St., 301-732-4971, hootchandbanter.com
The Pasta Palette
It’s hard to imagine you couldn’t find a pasta to please your palate at The Pasta Palette, an Instagram-worthy shop that showcases 100 varieties of dry and fresh-frozen noodles from Pappardelle’s, a Denver company. The garlic chive, basil garlic and Italian pesto blend pastas are three of the top sellers, and there’s high demand for the almost two dozen gluten-free options. Co-owners Terri and Mike Winder also own four other downtown Frederick food businesses; the newest is Good Juju, a smoothie and juice bar that serves vegan and gluten-free breakfast and lunch. The Pasta Palette, 121 N. Market St., 301-682-2706, facebook.com/ thepastapalette; Good Juju, 300 E. 2nd St., 301-378-0042, facebook.com/ goodjujujuicebar
MAP ILLUSTRATION BY LAURA GOODE
White Rabbit Gastropub
There’s a lot to like about this hip two-story gastropub that opened in July 2017. Thick slabs of candied bacon and a terrific take on avocado toast are among the appetizers, while inventive iterations of steak frites and steak sandwiches share menu space with plenty of vegetarian, vegan and glutenfree options. There are 38 beers and four wines on tap. The tap handles, affixed to a background mural of pennies, are made from antique Victorian cabinet handles. On the second floor, doors from old row houses in Baltimore serve as tables, while the seats are pews from a Washington, D.C., church. 18 Market Space, 240-651-1952, whiterabbitgastropub.com
BREWERIES Attaboy Beer, House Cat Brewing and Idiom Brewing Co. Park once and hit this trio of distinctive breweries within a stone’s throw of one another, with food truck fare at each. Attaboy Beer, a laid-back spot with concrete floors, a large bar and indoor and outdoor seating areas, opened in January 2017 and specializes in New England IPAs and Belgian-style brews. A few doors down at House Cat Brewing—open since last July—framed pictures of customers’ cats hang on the 120-seat taproom wall, and the focus is on sour beers. (The cat theme stems from co-owners Jack Sheppard and Joe Idoni’s discovery 11 years ago that they were not only dating the same woman unknowingly, but also sharing
the same cat with her.) Right across Carroll Creek from Attaboy and House Cat, Idiom Brewing Co. started serving a variety of beer styles when it opened in November in a refurbished 1920s hosiery factory. After all that beer, walk to nearby McCutcheon’s Apple Products’ factory store, where you can stock up on jam, jelly, honey, relish, salsa, sauces, mixes and other items you never knew McCutcheon’s sold. Attaboy Beer, 400 Sagner Ave., #400, 301-338-8229, attaboybeer.com; House Cat Brewing, 400 Sagner Ave., #100, housecatbrewing.com; Idiom Brewing Co., 340 E. Patrick St., #104, 240-5784152, idiombrewing.com; McCutcheon’s factory store, 13 S. Wisner St., 301-6623261, mccutcheons.com/factory-store
Rockwell Brewery and Midnight Run Brewing
These two breweries with taprooms,
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DISTILLERIES
prolific and innovative 19th-century Frederick inventor. Following in the creative footsteps of the distillery’s namesake, the partners claim that their Reserve is the first American gin to be aged in French cognac barrels. Their Forager Gin is vapor-infused with 21 botanicals. McClintock offers tastings, tours and classes, and can be rented for weddings and special events. 35 S. Carroll St., 240-815-5259, mcclintockdistilling.com
McClintock Distilling Co.
Tenth Ward Distilling Co.
Left: Sour beers and a cat theme take center stage at House Cat Brewing. Above: McClintock Distilling Co. produces gin in its Frederick facility, Maryland’s first and only USDA-certified organic distillery.
oddly situated in strip shopping centers outside the historic district, are small and within walking distance of each other. Rockwell, which brews a variety of styles, including IPAs, stouts, porters, blondes and reds, is located behind Family Meal, chef Bryan Voltaggio’s diner. The brewery serves a few dishes made at Family Meal, including fried chicken and double-stack burgers. There’s no food at Midnight Run, but the brews, which this winter included a gingerbread ale with molasses, ginger, cinnamon and clove, are unique. Rockwell Brewery, 880 N. East St., Suite 201, 301-732-4880, rockwellbrewery. com; Midnight Run Brewing, 912 N. East St., 240-651-1424, midnightrunbrewing.com 308
College buddies Braeden Bumpers and Tyler Hegamyer have come a long way in a short time with their distillery, winning a slew of awards since they opened in 2016, including a double gold medal for their Reserve gin in the 2018 New York International Spirits Competition. Bumpers, 29, grew up in Cabin John and graduated from Bethesda’s Walt Whitman High School, and Hegamyer, 30, hails from Frederick. Their facility, located in a century-old former mechanics shop, is Maryland’s first and only USDAcertified organic distillery and is named after McClintock Young, a
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Friendly Frederick native Monica Pearce, the owner of Tenth Ward, has the distinction of making Maryland’s first absinthe, launched in July 2018. Her Absinthe Nouvelle registers at 140 proof and must be diluted with water and sweetened with sugar before drinking (with the help of an absinthe fountain available in the tasting room). The anise-flavored liquor is only one of Pearce’s locally sourced specialties, which include smoked corn whiskey, caraway rye and applejack. In November, she moved her tasting room a few blocks to within the historic district, and at press time was putting
the finishing touches on an upstairs event space. Tenth Ward will add a bar/ lounge this spring. 55 E. Patrick St., 301-360-5888, tenthwarddistilling.com
oldies but goodies Brewer’s Alley
Frederick’s first brewpub opened a fabulous rooftop deck and first-floor terrace in 2016. It continues to brew seasonal and test beers on-site, but the bulk of its beer has been made at Monocacy Brewing Co. since 2012. Right outside downtown, Monocacy is also worth a stop. Brewer’s Alley, 124 N. Market St., 301631-0089, brewers-alley.com; Monocacy Brewing Co., 1781 N. Market St., 240457-4232, monocacybrewing.com
Firestone’s Raw Bar Kim Firestone expanded his stretch of North Market Street in 2016 with an upscale raw bar between Firestone’s Culinary Tavern and his food and gift shop called Market on Market. Firestone’s Raw Bar serves oysters, charcuterie and small plates. 105 N. Market St., 301-682-2856, firestonesrestaurant.com
Flying Dog Brewery Maryland’s highest-producing craft brewery exudes corporate coolness, complete with a terrific tour that includes five beer samples and plenty of humor. On weekends, the place is hopping, with its large bar, indoor and outdoor seating areas, food truck, cornhole, and a gift shop that sells everything from Flying Dog golf balls to hot sauce and soap.
Bottled sodas—more than 500 varieties— star at North Market Pop Shop.
4607 Wedgewood Blvd., 301-694-7899, flyingdog.com
Lucky Corner This Vietnamese restaurant has been a popular destination for pho since 2006. In 2016, the owners opened a sister location a few miles away. 700 N. Market St., 301-624-1005; 5100 Buckeystown Pike, Suite 174, 301-3605913, luckycornerrestaurant.com
North Market Pop Shop Carrot cake, bacon, buffalo wing, apple pie, toxic slime—they’re among the soda flavors at this store that stocks more than 500 bottled varieties. The toxic slime is a bright blue concoction that’s part of the Totally Gross Soda line at Avery’s Beverages. Don’t pass up a float made with Trickling Springs ice cream and any soda in the shop. 241 N. Market St., 240-575-9070, northmarketpopshop.com
The Tasting Room A perennial favorite among Frederick Magazine readers, taking first-place awards in several categories over the last few years, including “Best Restaurant,” The Tasting Room features a modern setting and interesting takes on standards such as salmon, steak and rack of lamb. The lunchtime swordfish Milanese is lovely. 101 N. Market St., 240-379-7772, trrestaurant.com
Volt Chef Bryan Voltaggio’s chic restaurant, located in a 19th-century brownstone mansion, continues to set the bar for cooking in Frederick with its inventive modern American cuisine. The $35 three-course weekend brunch is a stunning sampler. 228 N. Market St., 301-696-8658, voltrestaurant.com n
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BY JULIE RASICOT
LEFT BEHIND
Without the author’s daughters around, Daisy, a beagle mix, was left to snuggle with a stuffed animal.
AFTER OUR TWO DAUGHTERS got up each morning, our 7-year-old beagle mix, Daisy, would pad down the hall and into one of their bedrooms. She’d hop onto the bed and paw back the covers near the pillow, creating a shallow nest where she’d curl up and doze for hours, basking in the warmth and smells left behind by one of her two favorite people. When she wasn’t sleeping on a bed, Daisy could count on snuggling with one of the girls on the living room couch or heading out for a walk with either of them, followed by her favorite treats. All that changed last fall when both daughters left for college. Natalie, 18, headed off to her freshman year at Clark University in Worcester, Massachusetts, and Emily, 21, returned to William & Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia, after taking 18 months off for medical treatment. The bustle and noise of our home was reduced to a quiet that was often disconcerting. It was an emotional time as my husband and I adjusted to our new lives as empty nesters. Within days of the girls’ departure, I noticed that Daisy no longer ventured into our daughters’ rooms in the morning. Instead, she spent hours curled up in a small ball in a corner of the couch, her head resting morosely on her two front paws. If she headed down the hall at all, it was to jump on the bed in 310
Emily’s room, where she would nestle into the fur of Bernard, a big, floppy St. Bernard stuffed animal. Often, her bowl of kibble would sit untouched for hours. Some of my friends with pets also noticed a change when their children left home. One says her aging cocker spaniel/ collie mix, Mike, became more lethargic and spent more time in his crate after her youngest daughter went off to college in 2017. I wondered: Could our pets be suffering from empty-nest syndrome? Not in the sense that parents do, says Mary Huntsberry, an associate certified applied animal behaviorist whose Gaithersburg business, Helping Pets Behave, offers consulting and training classes for pets and their owners. “There is no indication that dogs have the cognitive ability to understand that a person is moving out and never coming back,” she says. “What they do have and thrive off is routine. When these routines get disrupted, some dogs are better able to bounce back than others.” So while it may seem to pet owners that our dogs are depressed, it’s really that they don’t know how to handle the changes in their lives. “Dogs are creatures of habit, they like things to stay the same,” says Dr. Kathleen Dougherty, owner of Kenwood Animal Hospital in Bethesda. A few weeks after our daughters left,
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my husband and I took Daisy to see each of them at college for their September birthdays. We figured it would help Daisy to know that they hadn’t disappeared forever. Sure enough, Daisy ran right up to each one when we arrived, and we were happy to see her excitement and joy. But Huntsberry says the visits certainly meant more to all of us than to Daisy. Owners come up with such plans because they want to help their pets, she says, but “there’s no way for dogs to know that, ‘Oh, Suzy’s fine.’ They don’t know where college is or what an apartment is.” Huntsberry and Dougherty say cheering up a pet who seems out of sorts can be as simple as taking over the activities of the person who has left, such as feeding, taking walks and grooming. “A little extra attention” should help, Dougherty says. In the short term, pet owners can also try using calming pheromones, which are available as a spray or even in a collar, to relieve a dog’s anxiety. Anti-anxiety medications aren’t usually needed, she says. Huntsberry also suggests that creating a new routine with our pets—such as taking a daily walk along a different route—will help them snap back to their normal selves. “If it breaks a pattern and the dog feels better, go for it,” she says. “It teaches them that everything is going to be OK.” n
PHOTO COURTESY OF JULIE RASICOT
Parents aren’t the only ones who get sad when kids go off to college
140 MASTER ARTISTS
ARTISANAL FOOD
Artwork by Eric Heitmann
LIVE ENTERTAINMENT
ART DEMONSTRATIONS
Art Is For Everyone! Saturday May 4 & Sunday May 5 11 AM - 5 PM PRESENTED BY
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Edgar Artiga photographed Major League Soccer midfielder Collin Martin—featured in the Bethesda Interview on page 148—at the Sofive Soccer Center in Rockville. “It was very cool to learn that he grew up playing for the Bethesda Soccer Club, which is the club my 9-year-old son, Desi, plays for now,” says Artiga, who took portraits and action shots of Martin. “Towards the end, I had the brilliant idea of having him shoot the ball a few feet to the right and left of me, hoping he wouldn’t hit me or my lights. Luckily he’s a pro and no one got hurt.”
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PHOTO BY EDGAR ARTIGA
OUTTAKES
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