John Eric Home - Oct | Nov | Dec 2016

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JE JOHN ERIC R E A L E S TAT E

C: 703.798.0097 O: 202.333.1212 E: john@johneric.com www.johneric.com

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FEATURES

Issue 35

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BARCELONA

WOOLWORTH

CROWNING GLORY

CELEBRATION!

Barcelona, here we come! Ringing in 2017 in this slice of Catalonia.

Living in the Clouds: The remaking of the Woolworth Building.

Using trim to create dramatic effects in a room.

Time to toast 2016 and welcome 2017 with this group of cheery, warm cocktails.

DESTINATIONS

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FEATURE

HOME TRENDS

MIXOLO GY

HANDCRAFTED LUXURY.

ABSOLUT ELYX IS MADE OF SINGLE ESTATE WHEAT FROM THE RÅBELÖF CASTLE IN SOUTHERN SWEDEN. EACH BATCH IS DISTILLED BY HAND IN A 1921 COPPER STILL TO CREATE A REMARKABLY SILKY VODKA. WINNER, DOUBLE GOLD MEDAL

SAN FRANCISCO WORLD SPIRITS COMPETITION

ENJOY RESPONSIBLY. ABSOLUT ELYX® VODKA. PRODUCT OF SWEDEN. 42.3% ALC./VOL. DISTILLED FROM GRAIN. ©2016 IMPORTED BY ABSOLUT SPIRITS CO., NEW YORK, NY.

DEPARTMENTS

Issue 35

12 | DETAILS Anticipating the coming snow?

Don’t be frozen out – make sure to pick up one of these fabulous shovels.

13 | JOHN’S FAVORITES Giving Back 24 | DESIGNER SPOTLIGHT Lauren Liess decorates Washington.

25 | CULTURE The US Botanic Garden and the National Zoo glam it up for the holidays.

26 | TRENDING 2016 DC Design House

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32 | CALENDAR Upcoming events in Washington D.C. 33 | DC FUN FACTS The Albert Einstein Memorial edition.

36 | SPECIAL Celebrating Thanksgiving at a friend or family member’s home? Here are five Thanksgiving dinner host/hostess gifts to create a fun buzz.

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38 | FOODIE Sea Scallops with Celery Root And Meyer Lemon Salad, Red Wine Braised Short Ribs and Milk Chocolate Soufflés With Nougat Whip will take center stage at any holiday event.

42 | SPECIAL The City Life: What do the young people of DC do for the holidays?

46 | HEALTH & WELLNESS What Money Can’t Buy: Celebrating healthy wishes for 2017

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48 | STYLIST Accessorizing in 2017. What not to miss!

50 | MONEY & FINANCE It’s that time again, time for year end and holiday financial planning strategies.

52 | REAL ESTATE John Eric’s real estate highlights 56 | BUZZ The news that all of Washington is talking about.

57 | DIPLOMACY Day of the Dead at the Mexican Embassy, Dinner in Tunisia and Itamar Zorman sponsored by the Embassy of Israel.

58 | BLACK BOOK Don’t dim the lights!

Crank them up with these holiday displays!

IN EVERY ISSUE 8 | CONTRIBUTORS 9 | LETTER FROM JOHN

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HOME JUST AS YOU IMAGINED

GEORGETOWN, DC DOWNTOWN, DC MCLEAN, VA OLD TOWN, VA CHEVY CHASE, MD COMING SOON TO ARLINGTON 2300 CLARENDON BLVD

TTRSIR.COM ©MMXVI TTR Sotheby’s International Realty, licensed real estate broker. Sotheby’s International Realty and the Sotheby’s International Realty logo are registered service marks used with permission. Each Office Is Independently Owned And Operated. Equal housing opportunity. All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Price and availability subject to change.

Georgetown, DC +1 202 333 1212 | Downtown, DC +1 202 234 3344 | McLean, VA +1 703 319 3344 | Old Town, VA +1 703 310 6800 | Chevy Chase, MD +1 301 967 3344 OCT | NOV | DEC 2016

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CONTRIBUTORS CHARLES M. TAPPAN, JR. Before joining Republic National Distributing Company LLC, Charles worked in finance, as a broker on Wall Street and as an equity trader. He decided to make the leap into the Hospitality industry in 2011 while looking for the fountain of youth, and since

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then he has worked as a bartender at some of the best hotels and restaurants in Washington, DC, including Blue Duck Tavern at Park Hyatt and the Jose Andreas Think Food Group. Not only is he a member of the US Bartender’s Guild and DC Craft Guild, but he is highly decorated in the mixology community.

FOUNDER | PUBLISHER John Eric

MARC SCHLIEFER has been in the financial planning business since 1978, when he joined

MANAGING EDITOR

Equity Planning Institute, Inc. He became President of Equity Planning Institute, Inc. in 1996.

Angela Casey

With over 33 years of practicing financial planning, Marc has worked mainly on individual financial planning and counsels clients on all aspects of their financial life.

SHERRY MOELLER co-founder and principal of MoKi Media, was a previous editor in chief of Capitol File magazine/Niche Media covering politicians, celebrities, fashion, travel, hospitality and lifestyle in Washington, DC and around the country. She now specializes in public relations for interior design, architecture and hospitality clients, among other luxury brands.

SENIOR EDITOR-AT-LARGE LK CREATIVE DIRECTOR Hillary Broadwater PHOTOGRAPHY

JOAQUIN “JOCKO” FAJARDO has been in the Capitol area for over 12 years. Jocko was educated at the London Cordon Bleu and The Culinary Institute of America. Working in the homes of celebrities, politicians, CEO’s and American elite, Jocko combines a flair for the creative in his cooking. “I live for fresh, delicious, colorful and hearty cooking.

DAVID BROWN became a pioneer of design in some of DC and Virginia’s most up-and-coming

Sean Shanahan Emilio Pabon EDITORIAL e-mail | angela@johneric.com

neighborhoods. As an executive with Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton & Valentino, he has been

EDITORIAL INTERN

fortunate to travel extensively across the United States and Europe through his work. David’s

Dani Averill

eclectic style and appreciation for architecture is reflected in his work thanks to his unique cultural perspective gained through his travels.

JEANINE FINELLI is a 2008 graduate of the Institute of Integrative Nutrition. She is the founder of Love Yourself to Health, and has a background in the pharmaceutical industry, which includes Sales and Marketing, and Assistant Project Management. She is an Executive Health Coach, a Speaker, and the published author of Love Yourself to Health...with Gusto –Toxic relationships, Toxic food, Toxic thoughts…no more!

ADVERTISING phone | 703.798.0097 ONLINE www.johneric.com facebook | johnericwdc twitter | thejohneric LinkedIn | johneric YouTube | johneric

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WELCOME

Hard to believe but another year has almost passed. In less than three months, we will be saying goodbye to 2016 and welcoming 2017! The holiday season is officially upon us!

Let’s face it, along with the merriment and festivities comes the stress that is part-and-parcel with planning and attending the bountiful dinners, parties and events that we will be attending. This month’s issue of John Eric Home is a cure to relieve that stress! Our feature articles can be used as a practical guide to usher in the joy simply and easily.

Start with our Mixology and Foodie sections full of fabulous recipes that are sure to be dinner and party hits. Our special feature on Thanksgiving host/hostess gifts will provide you with cool tokens to present -- the same old boring bottle of wine or bouquet of flowers. Peruse our Calendar, Diplomacy and Culture sections and pen into your calendar fun and interesting events that are happening in the Washington region and make sure to read our Money and Finances section to read some great tips on end-of-the-year financial planning. We even have New Year’s covered in our Destinations feature as we take off to Barcelona to ring in the holiday. And, in Black Book we celebrate the season through international light shows that are not to be missed!

Do you ever wonder what the young things in Washington do around the holidays? We answer that question in a feature that tackles that theme. It may surprise you. Also, is the interesting read on the re-imagining of the iconic Woolworth Building in New York.

So, dip into this special issue of John Eric Home and enjoy. And, as always, I wish you and yours the happiest and safest holiday season. All of the best from all of us at John Eric Home!

Enjoy,

John Eric

John Eric Publisher, Principal and Realtor

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La Bienvenida a Destinations

2017

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In Barcelona, on La Nochevieja, which means ‘the old night’ in Spanish, families and friends often gather together to enjoy a late meal before hitting big parties on what we call in English – New Year’s Eve. While sun-drenched beaches, art and architecture generally come to mind when thinking of this Spanish city, many don’t realize that this area of Catalonia rings in the New Year with panache and fun. In this issue’s “Destinations,” we head to Barcelona and vibe on the Spanish spirit of welcoming the future.

According to Spanish tradition, you should wear red underwear and eat twelve grapes at midnight, one at each chime of the clock in the countdown. These two traditions are said to bring good luck. As one of the central spots of the city, it’s no surprise that Plaça Catalunya gets absolutely packed on New Year’s Eve with people ready to party. If you forget your grapes, never fear, there will be plenty of people around ready to help you out…for a price. Grapes are sold quite readily. If you’re looking for crowds, this is the place to be.

In an attempt to lure people out of the central part of the city, the Agbar Tower started its own tradition. This iconic piece of the

Barcelona landscape in Glòries puts on a giant light show to welcome in the New Year with the entire façade lit up in different colors, timing it perfectly with every chime of the clock.

Of course, like in The United States, much New Year’s action is found in pubs, bars or clubs throughout the city. For those who live in or visit Barcelona on December 31st, there is a plethora of hotspots to see or to be seen in.

Whether your scene is to quietly raise a glass or celebrate by clubbing throughout the night, Barcelona is full of fun places to usher in 2017.

Marmalade, a chic lounge bar in the Raval district, is a cool meeting place of both international and local revelers. Flaherty’s Irish Bar is one of Barcelona’s favorite Irish pubs and offers a relaxed three-course dinner and late night party.

For those who plan to don party clothes and dancing shoes, make sure to ring in the New Year at Pacha Barcelona which normally hosts global clubbing giants and superstar DJ’s. SLOW Cocktail Bar, which is one of the city’s slickest cocktail bars, is sure to ring in the New Year with energy and enthusiasm as it always does.

Whatever you do, make sure to eat your obligatory 12 grapes for luck and welcome the New Year like a Catalan star!

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Details

ShovelS PUSH, SCOOP & PLOW

THE MAMMUT ALUGATOR TWIST SHOVEL The pre-shaped, rotating shaft of the Mammut Alugator Twist Shovel delivers maximum performance in any situation.

The variety of possible shaft positions in the blade guarantees optimal transfer of strength when shoveling or cutting out blocks.

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ROLLING SNOW PUSHER The Rolling Snow Pusher is over two feet wide and is equipped with large wheels to make snow removal easier. The padded handle adjusts from 45” to 50” and the lightweight, but tough plastic snow blade has a steel reinforced bottom. The handle swivels up to make storage easier too. Easy assembly.

ULINE SNOW SHOVEL Push aside snow and slush to keep walks and entryways clear. Galvanized steel reinforced blade edge. Steel core handle with sure-grip cover. Snow and ice slide off the tough, hardened polyethylene blade.

KID’S SNOW SHOVELS – FROZEN Little ones will enjoy hours in the winter snow with this Disney Frozen or Spiderman’s kid’s snow shovel & glove set. The shovel is 30.12”H x 8.76”W x 1.18”D and comes with 2 gloves.

John’s Favorites The holiday season is upon us.

Most of my pick’s this month center on the theme of giving, something I wholeheartedly encourage not only just during the holidays, but throughout the year.

Whether it is a donation of time or food or toys, these organizations distribute what is most needed to those having the greatest need throughout our area.

TOYS FOR TOTS

THE PARTISAN The Partisan is a full-blown bar and restaurant joined at the hip with Red Apron, their butcher shop on D Street in Penn Quarter, which serves a mind-boggling selection of charcuterie. It, also, features one of this town’s finest wine, beer and cocktail programs. 709 D St NW

The mission of the U. S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program is to collect new, unwrapped toys during October, November and December each year, and distribute those toys as Christmas gifts to less

DC CENTRAL KITCHEN Now, over 25 years after its founding, the Arlington Food Assistance Center remains dedicated to its simple but critical mission of obtaining and distributing groceries, directly and free of charge, to people living in Arlington who cannot afford to purchase enough food to meet their basic needs.

Manna Food Center’s singular mission is to eliminate hunger in Montgomery County, Maryland. Through food distribution, education and advocacy, they work on behalf of more than 78,000 county residents who experience hunger and food insecurity.

DC Central Kitchen is a nonprofit developer of innovative social ventures that break the cycle of hunger and poverty. They fight hunger differently by using career training, job creation, and sustainable business practices to strengthen local food systems and reduce disparities in health and economic opportunity.

DUCK DONUTS Nothing pleases the taste buds more than Duck Donuts, where delicious donuts are made and iced right in front of you. No more stale dough, icing that is crusty or flavors that you have to accept to fill the dozen. 2511 N Harrison St Arlington, 10694 Fairfax Blvd Fairfax, 300 Elden St A Herndon and 1327 Rockville Pike, Rockville

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LIVING IN THE

CLOUDS The Reimagining and Redesign of the Woolworth Building Renderings by Brand by Williams New York.

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F

or those familiar with the New York skyline, the Woolworth Building, is a favorite sight of downtown Manhattan. One of America’s earliest skyscrapers, this neo-Gothic feat, was designed by Cass Gilbert and opened in 1913 with much fanfare and delight. President Woodrow Wilson flipped a switch in the White House to illuminate what was then the world’s tallest building. The original site of the building was co-owned by famous dime store tycoon, Frank W. Woolworth, from which it receives its name. For over one hundred years, the Woolworth Building has stood sentinel over downtown, soaking in the rich atmosphere and history of its space.

Serving as its moniker “The Cathedral of Commerce” suggests, tenants spanning all types of industries have walked through its doors – from banking to education to the recording industry – such as when Columbia Records operated a recording studio from the property. The building has welcomed changes and, now, more change has come and it is receiving rave reviews.

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Architect, Thierry W. Despont

Gilbert Lounge

Three years ago, Alchemy Properties purchased the top thirty floors of the Woolworth Building with the intention of creating luxury condominiums. As the tower’s new lead owner, they hired renowned architect, Thierry W. Despont and tasked him with the Herculean effort of transforming the uppermost section of this iconic building into a modern-day zip code full of comfort and amenities. And, of course, a certain amount of “Je ne sais quoi…”

Born in Limoges, France, Despont, has designed top flight homes and buildings dotting the world, such as the compound for Bill and Melinda Gates on a lake outside of Seattle, a $75 million mansion on London’s Kensington Palace Gardens and a chalet in Saint-Moritz purchased by Indian steel tycoon Lakshmi Mittal. He is also well known for his restoration of The Statue of Liberty and The Ritz Hotel in Paris. Despont not only succeeded in his assigned task at the Woolworth Building but surpassed the “I don’t know what…” quotient by leaps and bounds.

The French architect has made his mark on the 33 unique residences that boast river, park and cityscape views. The spaces are open and express style in its simplest beauty as they seamlessly flow into each other. Nothing has been spared, as rooms are outfitted with the best materials and offer occupants luxury in their living spaces.

For example, the kitchens are equipped with integrated Miele appliances with custom overlay panels, custom Dada cabinetry crafted by the Molteni OCT | NOV | DEC 2016

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19 Woolworth Pool

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Group and are furnished with Calacatta Caldia marble countertops and backsplashes. While the kitchens are noteworthy, the master bathrooms in the condominiums are lavish. Calacatta Prima marble floors, walls and surrounds with Nero Marquina marble accent trim, radiant heat floors, steam showers and free-standing tubs offer an in-house spa experience. Such attention to detail is the mark of these residences.

A private entrance and amenities package at The Woolworth Tower Residences are unprecedented for a building of this size. These amenities include the Woolworth Pool with spa features, including a sauna and hot tub where residents can relax in quiet spaces. The Gilbert Lounge, which is an exclusive entertainment salon located on the twenty-ninth floor, is perfect for unwinding. The building also offers a fitness studio, wine storage and tasting room and on-site parking. Private mail delivery is an added bonus.

As throughout its history, new tenants are going to be moving into the Woolworth Building. But, these tenants aren’t going to be using its office spaces during the day. They are going to be residing in its luxurious condominiums at night.

Price Range: $4.575M for one bedroom to $26.4M for a full floor residence. For more information on properties in the Woolworth Building, contact Stan Ponte or Joshua Judge of Sotheby’s International Realty. www.woolworthtower.com OCT | NOV | DEC 2016

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Crowning Home Trends

G L O R Y

Anything that gives a house a more stylish or elegant appearance will raise its appraised value. Simple, inexpensive additions like crown molding can add dollars when an appraiser walks through your house. It doesn’t matter if the home is shabby or cluttered. In the buyer’s mind, if your home has crown molding, it is LUXURIOUS! So why wouldn’t you add it to your property? It isn’t that expensive. Do a room at a time, follow your painting projects and this small element will add infinite amounts of value to your home while you are living there and you will see your investment pay you back when you sell later.

While often overlooked, trim can have a dramatic effect on the way a room is perceived. Interior trim can give a room balance, definition and proportion.

Trim also highlight points of architectural interest and ornamentation and sets the tone and character for the space. It can take the form of window and door casings, baseboards, wainscoting and paneling, pillars and mantels and crown, picture and chair-rail molding.

Think of trim like the frame of a painting – it outlines and enhances the beauty of what’s inside.

At its most elemental, trim adds punctuation to a room’s elements. Crown molding signals that the wall is ending and the ceiling is beginning. Baseboards announce the transitions between wall and floor. Casings define the perimeter of doors and windows.

But trim also has the aesthetic function of enhancing or changing the perception of a room’s size and shape. By using trim to create strong lines, you can make a room seem larger. You can also use trim to break up soaring walls and make them seem cozier. Through the use of trim you can both enhance and complete the design style you envision for the space.

It is imperative you use the right size of molding.

Crown molding comes in widths from about 1 1/2 inches to 6 or 8 inches wide, and in a variety of shapes and

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by David Brown

patterns.

Don’t put a wide 6- or 8-inch molding in a tiny room or a trim 2-inch molding in a large living area. Use a simple molding in a small area or a plain bedroom; feel free to experiment with a more complex shape in a larger dining or living room.

In recent years, there has been an increased awareness of the benefits of molding, both for design purposes and for the practical reason that it allows for perfect cutting-in and edging when painting a room. But in the 1950s and 1960s, when both interiors and exteriors were being streamlined and the famous architect Le Corbusier stressed, “To create architecture is to put in order,” modern designers were more likely to remove molding altogether. Through the 1990s, when minimalism was the trend, molding lost its popularity altogether and builders were creating rooms that were long, lean and open. The idea of perfection in the modern home was one where there were few visual interruptions between the ceiling, the walls and the floor. In the last few years, however, the influence of French country styles and the re-emergence of classical inspirations in our homes have shifted the balance towards molding once again.

For a contemporary room, design experts suggest using techniques that help the trim blend with the room color.

This can be achieved by painting the trim the same color as the walls or a tinted version of it. It gives the room a fresh, unified look. If the walls are warm-toned,

it’s usually a good idea to stick with a warm trim. Likewise, pair cool wall tones with cool trim tones. Sticking with the same undertones keeps a room from looking disjointed and the colors from looking muddy. For open floor layouts, where rooms flow into each other or are adjoined by open entryways, keeping trim style and color consistent throughout provides a sense of cohesiveness, especially if the wall color changes from room to room.

For classic or traditional interiors, using a white or off-white paint can really play up the trim and bring out its historical or intricate qualities. Many design experts consider white the perfect color for any trim, regardless of interior style or wall color. With dark walls, white trim lightens and brightens the room while making the wall color really “pop.” When walls are painted light or muted colors, white trim makes the color appear crisp and clean. Pure white, which is often thought of as cool or blue white, is ideal in a room with great natural light. It pairs well with cool-toned walls, has the most reflective quality and is ideal for southern climates and ocean views. In northern climates, or in rooms with limited natural light, pure white may look too gray. For these conditions, use creamy whites with warm (yellow) undertones.

A trend that has grown in popularity of late is selecting dark colors for trim – even black. Dark trim gives a room more depth than white or light trim does and very effectively frames views when used on window casings. In addition, dark trim contrasts nicely with some of today’s trendiest room colors: soft aquas, powder blues, greens – from lime to celadon – and the gamut of grays. Going dark doesn’t have to mean just dark brown or black – consider selecting a color that’s several shades deeper than the color you’ve chosen for the walls.

Homes built in the late 19th century and earlier normally included beautifully intricate woodwork stained or varnished in colors ranging from mahogany to honey.

Here are a few tips to create an illusion in every space: • Raise the roof. Install crown molding around the perimeter of the ceiling and paint it a darker color than the ceiling to draw the eye upwards. Another technique is to take the door trim right up to the ceiling, creating what is called “entablature.” This appears to make the ceiling rise.

• Lower the ceiling. Install picture-rail or chair-rail molding on the walls of the room and paint the rail and/or the wall area above it.

• Enlarge a room. Paint the trim the same color as or a lighter shade than the wall color to make the walls feel like they are receding.

• Shorten a room. To make a long room appear shorter, install wood panels on the end wall.

• Highlight an architectural feature. Paint the feature – be it an archway, pillar or mantel – a color that contrasts with but is of equal intensity to the walls, to guide the eye to the feature.

• Lighten it up. To keep dark walls from looking oppressive, consider adding a chair rail or wainscoting to the lower half.

• Achieve Old World style. If you want a room to reflect a colonial-style design, try pairing off-white or cream walls with contrasting trim – for example, gray-blue, muted green, mustard yellow or barn red.

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Designer Spotlight

LAUREN LIESS Eight years ago, Lauren Liess & Co. was founded with the idea of helping clients create homes that reflect who they are -- homes that are more personal than perfect and more loved than simply lived in.

While balance, proportion, and scale are key components to any well-designed home, the designers at Lauren Liess & Co. recognize that they are only part of the equation. The “je ne sais quoi” of a well-done home comes about from a true partnership between client and designer: a melding of combined experiences and vision that creates something fresh and authentic.

Liess’ work has been featured in the pages of magazines such as House Beautiful, Garden & Gun, Country Living, Luxe and Better Homes and Gardens.

Local press such as Washingtonian, NPR, and The Washington Post have covered the design firm extensively.

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Culture SEASON’S GREENINGS: NATIONAL PARKS AND HISTORIC PLACES Immerse yourself in the sights, smells and sounds of the season in the annual holiday show ‘Season’s Greenings’ produced by The United States Botanic Gardens. See thousands of blooms from exotic orchids to a showcase of heirloom and newly developed poinsettia varieties.

Throughout the Conservatory, the gardens celebrate the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service and the 50th anniversary of the National Historic Preservation Act, including displaying one of the largest indoor trees decked out with ornaments from national parks. In this year’s model train show, the trains will chug around, below, through and above plant-based recreations of iconic national parks and historic places such as the Grand Canyon, Old Faithful Inn, the Gateway Arch, Mount Vernon, and the Statue of Liberty, to name but a few. Their collection of D.C. landmarks, all made from natural materials, will return to fill the Garden Court.

The United States Botanic Garden Season’s Greenings: National Parks and Historic Places November 24 - January 2, 2017 Conservatory The National Zoo: Zoolights November 25 to January 1 (except December 24 & 25)

ZOOLIGHTS ‘ZooLights’ at the National Zoo in Washington, DC is a winter holiday event for the whole family. The National Zoo presents a display of thousands of sparkling lights featuring sculptures of many of the Zoo’s most popular animals, including giant pandas, Asian elephants, gibbons, a sea lion, an octopus, and a Komodo dragon. Visitors enjoy winter-themed activities, a laser light show, musical performances, train rides, tubing and animal exhibits and can warm up inside the animal houses and enjoy nocturnal animals. The Small Mammal House, Great Ape House, Reptile Discover Center, Think Tank, and Kid’s Farm are open every night. More than 500,000 environmentally-friendly LED lights transform the Smithsonian’s National Zoo into a winter wonderland complete with a dazzling light show set to music.

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DESIGN Intriguing wall and ceiling treatments take center stage in the annual showhouse benefiting Children’s National

House 2016

Above & Facing Page Bottom: Kelley Proxmire, Kelley Interior Design - The Cozy, Coral Family Room.

by Sherry Moeller Photos by Angie Seckinger/DC Design House

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Facing Page Top: Betsy Barmat Stires, Frog Hill Designs – Kitchen/Breakfast Room

The 9th Annual DC Design House, which is open from October 1 to 30, offers inspiration around every turn. From Jonathan Senner’s Paris-inspired Dining Room with shimmering wallpaper reminiscent of antiqued mirror on the ceiling to the warmth of Nadia N. Subaran and Megan M. Padilla’s China Pantry with custom vintage aqua Wood-Mode cabinets complemented by Farrow & Ball’s Ranelagh paper to Lena Kroupnik’s powder room alive with animal print wallpaper accented by dramatic Russian sconces, the 2016 DC Design House, which benefits Children’s National Health System, provides awe-inspiring designs for every room of the house.

FIRST FLOOR Located at 2509 Foxhall Road, NW, Washington, DC 20007, the Design House is the former temporary residence of the French Ambassador. Situated on a three-quarter-acre site, the five-story home features eight full and two half baths, seven bedrooms, five fireplaces and three kitchens. Equipped with a sauna, wine cellar, elevator and exercise and party rooms inside as well as an infinity pool around back, the home, designed by GTM Architects and built by Gibson Builders, starts with an impressive walkway that passes front gardens designed by D. Blake Dunlevy and Gina Palmer.

The front door opens to an entry hall and stairway by Eve Fay of Farrow & Ball, this year’s paint sponsor.

Senner’s Dining Room and Subaran and Padilla’s China Pantry to the right lead to Betsy Barmat Stires’ Kitchen featuring Thos. Moser’s Aria Stools at the counter and Harpswell Chairs and Georgetown Table in the Breakfast Room.

Stires worked with FRED Home Improvement to prep the walls, which were hand painted in a plaid pattern by Pluntke Decorative Painters, complementing the rich tones of Thos. Moser’s Handmade American Furniture as well as the custom cabinetry. Just beyond the Breakfast Room is La Salon Del Celebrity by Camille Saum where Ali Nassari Atelier painted celebrity caricatures on one wall.

Kelley Proxmire’s Cozy, Coral Family Room anchors the first floor and offers a study in blending saturated hues including a custom Farrow & Ball paper along the walls with elegant upholstery fabrics and collected pieces including blue and white porcelain. Step outside onto the Terrace by Kimberly Asner of Country Casual Teak, which brings the colors and comforts of the interior into an outdoor oasis.

The neighboring Library and Whiskey Bar by Josh Hildreth and Victor Sanz of Josh Hildreth Interiors is enveloped in wood paneling and OCT | NOV | DEC 2016

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artwork ranging from a circa 1760 tapestry to contemporary works, while the furnishings are a mix of materials, styles and periods. The Whiskey Bar is tucked away in a former closet.

The Library opens to the Living Room designed

by Pamela Harvey that showcases elegant black draperies and white furniture, including a black lacquered baby grand piano, paired with pear green accents.

SECOND FLOOR The blue and cream Master Bedroom Suite by Victoria Sanchez encompasses the back of the second floor and includes not only a curved sitting area within the bedroom, but also an opulent bathroom just beyond the entry alcove.

A Thos. Moser Aria Desk and Chair in the hallway separates Charles Almonte’s Bedroom decked out in shades of orange and Andrea Houck’s vibrant pink and purple Mademoiselle Chambre. Up next is The Healing Garden hallway designed by Lisa Tureson and Tracie Weir of Studio Artistica featuring artwork by patients, staff and volunteers at Children’s National in collaboration with Tureson and Weir. They also created Happiness Is and Garden of Wings galleries with proceeds of the art sales donated to Children’s.

The Chic Laundry Room by Allie Mann of Case Design/Remodeling, Inc. proves that even work spaces can be sleek and sophisticated.

Floor-to-ceiling cabinetry coupled with a beautiful backsplash and wood-look porcelain floor tiles make this space one to remember. The Lady Lair by Rachel Dougan of ViVi Interiors rounds out the second floor with its modern take on lounging in style. Dougan’s answer to the man cave, the Lady Lair is fashioned after a Pullman Car taking one away from the everyday and into the Far East with a curated collection of fabrics, finishes, fixtures and furnishings plus a tucked-away bar to relax and rejuvenate.

THIRD FLOOR The top level of this year’s design house features a Vintage Cabana/Roof Deck by Quintece HillMattauszek inspired by the vintage Hollywood glam of the Beverly Hills Hotel. From the botanical wallpaper to the pineapple motif finials to the dry bar with color-changing lights, this space complements the treetop setting.

The Loft by Melanie Hansen, Steve Corbeille and Pooja Mittra blends shades of blue from bold navy walls to subtle tones in the niche’s paper, while the Chic Retreat with Dressing Room and Bathroom present another getaway space featuring a dazzling chandelier, ethereal wallpapers and plenty of places to display and store jewels and mementoes.

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Above: Josh Hildreth and Victor Sanz, DMG Interiors/Josh Hildreth Interiors – The Library and Whiskey Bar Facing Page: Rachel Dougan, ViVi Interiors – Lady Lair

LOWER FLOOR The Formal in the Woods Lower Garden by Stephen Wlodarczyk and Joshua Dean is right outside the Boutiques Level of the DC Design House and offers a center fountain flanked by granite cobblestones, a curved teak bench and seasonal fall colors. The Boutiques this year include Jeff L Designs, Whyte House Monograms, Ibhana Boutiques and Coco Blanca with a portion of all sales going to Children’s National. In addition, a portion of sales of designer items, which are items in each room mentioned above, also benefits the charity. For more info, go to www. dcdesignhouse.com.

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“SIMPLICITY IS THE ULTIMATE SOPHISTICATION.”

DESIGN | PRINT | PACKAGING | WEB

www.qmdesigngroup.com | 661 250 9914

THE CUMBERLAND COLLECTION

FREEPORT, MAINE . BOSTON . NEW YORK . PHILADELPHIA . WASHINGTON, DC . SAN FRANCISCO

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Calendar DC’s Upcoming Parties, Concerts, Celebrations and Events PUMPKINLAND FESTIVAL Summers Farm 5620 Butterfly Lane, Frederick, Maryland September 24 - October 31 Pumpkinland festival is open with fall farm attractions including a cornfield maze, hay rides and slides, pig races, and a jumping pillow. Also included are farm animals, pick your own pumpkins, a flashlight corn maze and more.

DAS BEST OKTOBERFEST National Harbor, MD Saturday, September 24th 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Over 150 international, domestic and local Maryland beers, domestic wines and schnapps (available in souvenir tasting glasses) will be on (or in your) hand as oompah bands and live music entertain. Bratwurst, knockwurst, potato pancakes, pretzels and pickles will all be available.

VETERAN’S DAY WREATH LAYING CEREMONY World War II Memorial (17th Street, between Constitution and Independence Avenues, NW) November 11, 2016, 9 a.m.

The World War II Memorial, located on the National Mall in Washington DC, is a beautiful place to visit and pay your respects to World War II veterans.

At 9 a.m., the wreath will be laid in remembrance.

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SCOTTISH WALK WEEKEND Old Town, Alexandria December 2-3, 2016

HALLOWEEN FLIGHT FRIGHT NIGHT National Air & Space Museum Sites October 26 (The Mall) / October 28 (Chantilly) On Thursday, October 26, the building on the National Mall hosts “The Dark Side of the National Air and Space Museum,” featuring bizarre and puzzling tales of aviation and space exploration. Visitors will howl as staff and volunteers recount the Great Moon Hoax of 1835, the obsessions of Howard Hughes, the hallucinations of astronomer George Ellery Hale, the disappearance of Amelia Earhart and other haunted headlines.

The Udvar-Hazy Center hosts the museum’s second annual “Air & Scare” beginning at 4 p.m. on Saturday, October 28. Spectacular stories from the stratosphere and beyond will haunt the aviation and space hangars, along with a host of hands-on activities. The youngest visitors will enjoy hearing the true tale of space spider Anita and get to make their own orbital arachnid to take home.

THANKSGIVING DAY TROT FOR HUNGER Beginning at Freedom Plaza (between 13th Street, NW and 12th Street, NW) November 26, 2015, 8:30 a.m.

Sponsored by SOME (So Others Might Eat), this popular 5K fun run and family walk benefits programs for the homeless and helps SOME to serve more than 800 meals to the hungry every day of the year.

During the Scottish Christmas Walk Weekend, hundreds of Scottish clansmen parade with their bagpipes through Old Town Alexandria. The familyfriendly holiday event is a traditional favorite of the local community. The city celebrates its heritage with a weekend of festivities including a tour of historic homes, a children’s tea party, a Celtic Concert and a Christmas Marketplace and Café.

CHANUKAH ON ICE Pentagon Row Ice Rink December 8, 2015, 6-8:30 p.m.

An ice menorah carving show, menorah lighting and ice-skating, all to celebrate Chanukah.

The event is hosted by Chabad Lubavitch of AlexandriaArlington.

DC Fun Facts

Albert Einstein Memorial Edition 1

The bronze figure weighs approximately 4 tons and is 12 feet in height. Three caissons, totaling 135 tons, sunk in bedrock to a depth of 23 to 25 feet, support the monument.

2

n his left hand, Einstein holds a paper with mathematical equations summarizing three of his most important scientific contributions: the photoelectric effect, the theory of general relativity and the equivalence of energy and matter.

3

The star map at the statue’s base—a 28-foot field of emerald pearl granite from Larvik, Norway—is embedded with more than 2,700 metal studs representing the planets, sun, moon, stars and other celestial objects accurately positioned by astronomers from the U.S. Naval Observatory as they were on the dedication date, 1979.

4

The sculptor, Robert Berks, known for his portrait busts (John F. Kennedy at Washington’s Kennedy Center), based the work on a bust of Einstein he sculpted from life in 1953.

5

Along the back of the bench, behind the statue, three famous quotations from the scientist are inscribed:

“As long as I have any choice in the matter, I shall live only in a country where civil liberty, tolerance and equality of all citizens before the law prevail.”

“Joy and amazement at the beauty and grandeur of this world of which man can just form a faint notion ...”

“The right to search for truth implies also a duty; one must not conceal any part of what one has recognized to be true.”

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Mixology

FOREVER BRILLIANT Glassware: Chilled Cocktail / Martini Glass Method: Combine ingredients into a cocktail shaker, add ice and shake to a slow 13 count. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass, garnish with an apple slice.

Serve and enjoy!

Ingredients: 1.5 oz. Lot 40 Rye Whisky 1 oz. Apple Juice .5 oz. Pineapple Juice .5 oz. Simple Syrup 2 Dashes Fernet Branca (about ½ bar spoon) Garnish: Apple Slice This cocktail starts its journey with apple and whiskey, the historic pairing, popular for centuries. The Lot 40 lays a foundation of spice and richness that can only come from a 100% rye copper pot distilled whiskey. The word Whiskey comes from old Gaelic “Uisge Beatha” which itself was a translation from old Latin “Aqua Vita” meaning “Water of Life.” To further enhance the flavor of the two legendary cradles of health, a simple splash of golden pineapple juice adds brilliance and a little fruit forward enlightenment. Tying the flavors together is a touch of sugar, harkening back to a medicinal practice of yore referred to as the “Julep,” which was known as a drink sweetened with sugar, mainly used as a vehicle for making medicine more palatable. Finally, Italian Amaro adds a touch of European medicine to complete the flavors of autumn. This October, raise a glass to health and longevity by taking a bunch of classic “medicines” combined together to stay ‘Forever Brilliant.’

REGAL REMEDY Glassware: Highball Glass Method: Combine Apple cider, honey syrup and Chivas Regal into a cocktail shaker and shake to a 13 count. Strain over ice into a highball glass, top with a float of stout beer and 3 dashes of plum bitters. Serve and enjoy!

classic highland medicine, Scotch Whiskey. The legendary Chivas Regal 12 draws upon its blend of sweet and smoke to craft the beginning of a classically styled wintery libation. Apple cider and honey syrup (long used as an herbal remedy) follow, layering flavors of sweet, sour and spice, forming a concoction that can reminisce a comfortable feeling much needed on a frigid November eve. As the cocktail comes to completion, the addition of a stout layer and plum bitters add balance of bitter sweet, almost like a desert capping off a November feast. Remember -- an apple a day keeps the doctor away and the addition of a little Chivas Regal will help to ensure the ability to make every November event special!

SHAKE SENORA Glassware: Champagne Flute Method: Combine ingredients into a cocktail shaker, except for hard apple cider, and shake to a 13 count. Strain into a chilled champagne flute and top with hard apple cider. Garnish, serve and enjoy!

Ingredients: 1.5 oz. Power’s Signature Irish Whiskey .5 oz. St. George Spiced Pear Liqueur .75 oz. Lemon Juice .25 oz. Rich Turbinado (sugar in the raw) Syrup Hard Apple Cider Garnish: Lemon Twist December may be the last month of the year; however, it is certainly not last in the quantity or quality of celebrations. The month dances the night away; Christmas, Chanukah, Boxing Day, Eat a Red Apple Day, Festivus and many more around the world, all lead into the goliath of festivities, the upcoming New Year soiree. The Shake Senora uses Power’s Irish whiskey as the starting point -- simple and smooth, the triple distilled Irish whiskey has the perfect notes of caramel and honey to position a cocktail for poise, yet also a little fun. Notes of spiced pear, cinnamon and natural sugar combine to breathe life, richness, and vibrancy to offset the December cold. The coup de grâce, hard cider, adds the finishing touch on the libation, completing a cocktail worth of any special celebration. Stay healthy in December and set the tone for the New Year.

Ingredients: 2 oz. Chivas Regal 12 yr.

2.5 oz. Apple Cider .5 oz. Honey Syrup Garnish: Float of Stout beer and 3 dashes of Fee Brothers plum bitters.

November is truly the month of feasts and celebrations. Coming right from October’s Halloween, starting with Dia de Muertos (Day of the Dead), there is Thanksgiving, birthdays, All Saint’s Day, Black Fridays, an election day, and on and on……Keep November healthy by using a little OCT | NOV | DEC 2016

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Thanksgiving Special Gifts THANKSGIVING IS UPON US! Quite possibly the favorite holiday for most Americans, many of us will be having a traditional turkey dinner at the homes of family and friends. While we are always excited to share the day with those near and dear, we are not necessarily excited about figuring out the perfect host/hostess gift to bring along to the affair. Nothing says “I-didn’t-really-think -muchabout-it” and just stopped off at the store on my way enroute like a bottle of wine – regardless of its vintage – or a bouquet of flowers that are already wilting. This year, go bigger or you may need to go home. Try out one of these and marvel at the result!

COOKBOOK Cookbooks are always well received by those who like to command the kitchen. Best part? There are multitudes to choose from.

Whether it is a traditional Julia Child’s Mastering the Art of French Cooking or a compendium such as The Essential New York Times Cookbook, it will be appreciated.

FUN TEA TOWELS Tea towels are always fun and flirty – and practical. They come in all sorts of designs and styles. A pack that expresses the personality of the host or hostess, the guest’s personality or something that is just downright fun or unique is a great way to say thanks throughout the year, not just on Thanksgiving Day.

SPICE SET If you are the guest of a gourmet chef this Thanksgiving Day, think about creating a basket of gourmet delectables that are different or unique. Start with Baharat and Ginger and Kala Jeera. Add some Himalayan Pink Salt and a grinder paired with a bottle of peppercorns.

You will have a spectacular addition to a gourmet kitchen.

PACKS OF CUSTOM PLAYING CARDS After dinner is done and everyone is spread throughout the living room watching the big game on the television, drifting in-and-out of consciousness from the tryptophan in the turkey, it might be a good time for the host or hostess to take some time for themselves. A unique pack of playing cards can serve the purpose of enjoying a good game of solitaire the old fashioned way sans screen. Of course, guests might be motivated to leave the game and play a competitive game of gin rummy of their own when several decks are combined!

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FOOD CONTAINERS Everyone has them and uses them.

And, most of us are always in need of either new ones or more of the ones that we already have.

Whether deciding on traditional Tupperware type models or the new Pyrex glass food containers, these are always welcomed additions to the home.

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Foodie SEA SCALLOPS WITH CELERY ROOT AND MEYER LEMON SALAD SERVINGS: 4 2 Meyer lemons, plus more for garnish or, 1 tablespoon finely grated lemon zest plus 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 tablespoon capers, soaked and drained if packed in salt, rinsed if packed in vinegar, chopped Fine sea salt, freshly ground black pepper 12 large dry-pack sea scallops 1 tablespoon neutral oil, such as canola or grapeseed 6 cups finely julienned peeled celery root (from about 1 softball-size celery root) ¼ cup parsley leaves with tender stems Flaky sea salt Supreme lemons, reserving peel. Chop lemon flesh and transfer to a small bowl. Very finely chop peel until you have about 1 Tbsp.; add to bowl with chopped lemon. Juice remaining lemon and add 2 Tbsp. to lemon mixture, along with mustard, oil, and capers. (If you’re working with a conventional lemon, stir in zest and juice here.) Season mixture with fine sea salt and pepper and more lemon juice, if needed.

Season scallops with fine sea salt and pepper. Heat neutral oil in a nonstick pan over medium-high. Pat scallops dry and sear in pan, spacing scallops 1” apart (you may need to work in batches). Cook, undisturbed, until underside is caramel brown, about 1 minute. Turn scallops and cook until warmed through but still a bit translucent in the center, about 1 minute.

Toss celery root, parsley, and lemon mixture in a medium bowl. Season with fine sea salt and pepper, if desired. Serve salad with scallops; sprinkle with flaky sea salt and garnish with lemon wedges.

SHORT RIBS • Season short ribs with salt and pepper. Heat oil in a large heavy pot over medium-high heat. Working in batches, cook short ribs until browned on all sides, 8–10 minutes per batch; transfer to a plate. Pour off fat from pot.

• Add pancetta to same pot and cook, stirring occasionally, until fat is rendered and pancetta begins to brown, 5–7 minutes. Add onion, thyme, and carrots. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is softened, about 5 minutes. Add wine and tomatoes and bring to a boil. Return short ribs to pot, pressing down to submerge. Cover pot, reduce heat, and simmer until short ribs are very tender and meat is almost falling off the bone, 3 1/2–4 hours.

• Transfer short ribs and carrots to a large baking dish or platter and cover with foil to keep warm; discard thyme and any bones in pot.

Strain cooking liquid through a fine-mesh sieve into a medium bowl; return to pot. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium, and simmer until thickened and reduced by half, 15–20 minutes; season with salt and pepper. Return short ribs to pot and turn to coat.

• Do Ahead: Short ribs can be cooked 2 days ahead. Cover and chill.

GREMOLATA AND ASSEMBLY • Combine parsley, chives, garlic, and orange zest in a medium bowl; season with salt and pepper.

• Place short ribs, carrots, and sauce on a large serving platter; serve with gremolata.

RED WINE BRAISED SHORT RIBS SERVINGS: 8 SHORT RIBS 5 lb. English-style bone-in beef short ribs, cut between the bones (about 10) Kosher salt, freshly ground pepper 1/4 cup olive oil 4 oz. pancetta (Italian bacon), chopped 1 medium onion, finely chopped 4 sprigs thyme 1 lb. young carrots, unpeeled, halved if large 1 750 ml. bottle full-bodied red wine (such as a Rhône variety) 1 28-oz. can chopped tomatoes GREMOLATA AND ASSEMBLY 1 cup finely chopped fresh, flat-leaf parsley 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh chives 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped 1 tsp finely grated orange zest Kosher salt, freshly ground pepper

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Foodie

MILK CHOCOLATE SOUFFLÉS WITH NOUGAT WHIP SERVINGS: MAKES 8 INDIVIDUAL SOUFFLÉS SOUFFLÉS 12 ounces high-quality milk chocolate (such as Lindt, Perugina or Valrhona), chopped 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream 2 large egg yolks Pinch of salt 6 large egg whites, room temperature 2 tablespoons sugar NOUGAT WHIP 1 large egg white, room temperature 1 1/2 tablespoons honey 1/3 cup chilled heavy whipping cream 1 tablespoon amaretto or other almond liqueur 1/4 cup whole almonds, toasted, chopped Special Equipment 8 3/4-cup soufflé dishes

SOUFFLÉS • Butter eight 3/4-cup soufflé dishes; sprinkle with sugar, tilting cups to coat completely and tapping out any excess. Arrange prepared soufflé dishes on large baking sheet.

• Combine chocolate and cream in large metal bowl. Set bowl over saucepan of barely simmering water and stir until chocolate is melted and mixture is smooth. Remove bowl from over water. Stir egg yolks and salt into chocolate mixture. Using electric mixer, beat egg whites in another large bowl until soft peaks form. Gradually add 2 tablespoons sugar, beating until semi-firm peaks form. Using rubber spatula, fold 1/4 of beaten egg whites into chocolate mixture to lighten.

Fold remaining egg whites into chocolate mixture in 2 additions.

Divide chocolate mixture among prepared soufflé dishes, filling dishes completely. (For step-by-step photos, see our How to Prepare Chocolate Soufflés Slideshow.) DO AHEAD Can be made 2 days ahead. Refrigerate uncovered until cold, then cover and keep chilled.

NOUGAT WHIP • Using electric mixer, beat egg white in medium bowl until soft peaks form. Gradually add honey, beating until soft peaks form, about 3 minutes.

• Combine cream and amaretto in another medium bowl and beat until thick and soft peaks form. Fold whipped cream mixture and almonds into meringue. DO AHEAD Can be made 2 hours ahead. Cover and chill.

• Position rack in center of oven and preheat to 400°F. Bake soufflés on baking sheet until puffed and tops feel firm, about 16 minutes if at room temperature and about 18 minutes if chilled.

• Serve soufflés immediately, passing nougat whip alongside.

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CITYLife THE

What Do the Young People of D.C. Do for the Holidays?

by Dani Averill

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From October to December, people all over the world are called to celebrate. Celebrations for Rosh Hashanah and Muharram kick-start the holiday season within the first couple days of October and many more are quick to follow. Yom Kippur, Diwali, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas and finally, New Year’s—this time of year offers festivities for billions. There are few places better fit to celebrate this season than the multicultural community found in an urban city. From official holidays to enjoying simple, seasonal activities, a city’s unparalleled diversity offers a perfect environment for the collective joy and positivity that captures the last quarter of the year.

For the young residents of D.C., this time of year is especially significant. They have ventured to the city for opportunities on Capitol Hill, at engineering firms, in law, finance, and computer science. They live the city life, dealing with expensive rent and difficult commutes and ultimately falling into sync with the fast pace of life. Though many Maryland and Virginia locals move to the city for work, thousands of others leave their hometowns and face the city’s challenges without the comfort of family nearby. After conversations with several local friends, however, it is clear that while the season evokes a craving for home, the geo-political epicenter of the world has more holiday warmth than one may imagine.

The city of Washington uniquely captures the child in each of us during the holiday season. As Halloween approaches, D.C. begins its celebrations with a number of fall festivals in the area. Maybe the twenty-somethings aren’t big fans of the petting zoo anymore, but you can’t deny the comfort of a caramel-dipped apple. Every weekend in October, Maryland’s Butler’s Orchard holds their annual Pumpkin Festival with hayrides, live music, and classic festival munchies. Two of my 20-year-old friends have attended this festival annually from a very young age. Butler’s has been a family

favorite for over thirty years and its beautiful landscape and Farm Market remain some of Maryland’s most festive attractions all-year-round.

A short drive into Northern Virginia can bring you to another exciting festival at Cox Farms. Visit the Festival Market for their delicious apple cider and kettle corn or, stroll around in search of the perfect carving pumpkin. Honestly, how can one refute the simple and familiar enchantment of a pumpkin patch? Perhaps we have Cinderella’s carriage to thank for that! Local residents are especially fortunate to have dozens of these destinations located in some of D.C.’s most beautiful neighboring suburbs.

Halloween parties signal the District’s entrance into its last few weeks of comfortable outdoor weather. There may be fewer bikers on the National Mall at night and less Frisbee to be played at Gravelly Point Park, but the city is nonetheless flowing with young blood. The transition to winter brings about a peace that all city dwellers crave. A 23-year-old friend says the holiday season is often the most peaceful time to be in the city and maybe the best time to invite friends and family to visit. With this, the locals tend to explore and discover the best-kept secrets of the region.

One seasonal adventure leads people to the local trails for some pre-Thanksgiving damage control. Much of the hiking and biking takes place at Rock Creek Park or along the C&O Canal, though there are dozens of other popular options. The breathtaking beauty of the Appalachian Trail can be especially rewarding for those willing to venture a little further from the city center. With changing leaves and woodland views, these classic destinations make for an ideal November day. Another park is gaining popularity and not only for its 45 miles of paved and wooded paths. The Washington & Old Dominion Trail, running through Virginia from Shirlington to Purcellville, courses along the former W&OD Railroad and hosts a true diamond in the rough. Located just off the trail in Vienna, Caboose Brewing Co. can be found at a break in the trees, offering a well-deserved reward to the bikers and joggers of the area.

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Caboose Brewing offers freshly brewed craft beers and a locally sourced menu in an effort to construct the experience of a smalltown pub within a modern, industrial atmosphere. It’s highly awarded brewmaster, Chris Mallon, crafts the beer in a fifteen-barrel brewhouse. And, when one’s favorite beer is discovered, growlers, sixtels, and even half barrels are available for purchase. Need a fun gift for a friend? I think we’ve found it! Mallon works closely with executive chef Brandon McDermott to create beautiful pairings of beer and pub food. Caboose’s culinary team has formed relationships with many regional farms in an effort to uphold a sustainable farm-to-table focus that caters to the younger generation. Their menu shifts with the seasons, adjusting ingredients to preserve the quality and freshness of their creations. McDermott takes pub food to a new level and the customers that come for the beer will leave with a special appreciation for the warmth of his locally inspired menu.

As Thanksgiving approaches, many young adults in the region seek a surrogate for the traditional, home-cooked holiday meal. And, in accordance with the significance of the holiday, D.C. residents are especially thankful for the restaurant scene! With the growing practice of Friendsgiving, restaurants welcome crowds of millennials for holiday 44

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celebrations. A foodie favorite, Park Hyatt’s Blue Duck Tavern, hosts an inventive and copious Thanksgiving menu and its midtown location makes this contemporary-cozy environment all the more popular. In fact, one of my friends has a holiday dinner plan already in the works.

Upon December, D.C. fully welcomes peak celebration season and its young adults are uniquely prepared to unwrap the holiday spirit. With an independence that frees them from traditional expectations, the scarcity of snow is hardly disappointing amongst the city’s numerous lights displays, shows at the Kennedy Center, and holiday sales on the streets of Georgetown. If one’s ideal holiday celebration is a solo walk in the evening, there are lampposts decorated with string lights and storefront wreaths just waiting to be appreciated. One can go on an ice-skating date at rinks in the Sculpture Garden, Washington Harbor or Canal Park and share a cup of hot chocolate after chasing the aroma to Co Co Sala or Tryst. Beneath the shadow of the White House, one can experience the National Christmas Tree Lighting with friends and take time to truly appreciate the beauty and worldwide significance of our Nation’s Capital.

D.C. invites people to celebrate the holidays in full accordance with their personalities and wishes, eliciting a genuine holiday thrill. The holidays captivate the city with an incomparable spirit of joy and its young adults are uniquely equipped to embrace the season’s brevity but yet find peace in the simple pleasures of holiday cheer.

Ultimately, the year concludes with numerous days that invite us to welcome in the New Year and reflect on the previous, to be grateful and generous and to reset our priorities. It is impossible to know what the future has in store and it is easy to question what could have been. But, in all of this, we are reminded to celebrate—the unknowns, the would’ve’s should’ve’s - could’ve’s and the present.

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Health & Wellness

What Money Can’t Buy

by Jeanine Finelli

The holiday season is here, and with it comes a roller coaster of emotions.

Stress, sadness, longing, joy, wonder, excitement, anticipation, love, kindness, compassion‌.

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I recently took a short poll and asked some peeps to fill in the blanks in this sentence. Most answers came from adults, both male and female, but there were a few answers from young teenagers as well. Sure, there were jokes about more shoes, wine and jewelry, just as much as there were comments about less fat, less traffic and less infidelity.

This holiday season, I need MORE_________ and LESS _________.

Some of the responses made me laugh and some caused me to reflect.

Some seemed spot on, while others made me see outside the box. All answers were anonymous; a safe space for brutal honesty was opened up!

On some level and at some point in time during my life’s journey, I found myself being able to relate to all of these answers. I think it makes perfect sense though, because as we experience life, our perception changes. As we begin to shed everything we think society expects us to be, there we stand in our own space. We learn that while we love to receive pretty sparkly gifts, we need to give love and receive love to truly enjoy the gifts of the season.

More…

Presence Unity Conversation Peace Sex with love Self-confidence Discernment Time with people Family time Time to exercise Patience Sleep Technology free family time Water Communing Creativity Missing someone Money Healthy options Treats that get you fit Love

The takeaway from this exercise is pretty darn awesome. Essentially, regardless of age, what most people wish for this holiday season isn’t anything that can be bought with dollars in a store on Black Friday at 6am. Keep the faith in all things good because there IS an undeniable surge in not only kindness, but in empathy as well. Sure, those things don’t command the ratings that hatred and rebellion do, but they are alive and well just the same. More and more people are loving themselves to health by standing up for what is true and heart centered.

They are saying NO to foods that make them feel sick and to people that drain them. They are saying YES to healthier relationships and quality foods and a big “Hell Yes” to protecting the things that matter most.

What do you want more of? What do you want less of? Happy Holidays to you, you beautiful courageous warrior of your own life! Live like you mean it and love yourself to health...wine, shoes, family, and all!

Less…

Presents Division Entertainment Violence Sex without love Insecurities Deception Shopping for people Hate in the world Hatred Stress Soda Consuming Expectations Kissing someone Struggling Food addictions Bad snacks Judgment Stress of finding the perfect gift Unhealthy food on the go

Unity Peace Love Family Time

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Stylist

Today, it is normal, when walking down the street to see people sporting red, blue or even green hair. Colors like yellow and purple are becoming common to see. Hair is becoming an accessory, akin to a handbag or a pair of shoes. On the tips, highlighted strands throughout or color covering the entire head, the choice is yours. If you color your hair, don’t forget to use

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products to protect it!

This winter, jewelry cannot be forgotten! Pearl necklaces are coming back. Asymmetrical designs are imposing themselves. Big bangle bracelets and necklaces are making a comeback. From classic style to punk, Baroque evolving to Pop – you can have it all!

Men will be keeping things relaxed in 2017 with baseball caps for the casual look. Nineties street style is coming back with muted caps featured in Versace and Balmain.

Switch things up with different shapes and tones.

Maintain casual, yet put together looks with the humble slipper. The latest styles and shapes provide both comfortable and polished fin-

ishes. Keep things classic by pairing slippers with traditionalist trenches reminiscent of Burberry Prorsum or incorporate a slipper with more colourful, casual looks a la Moschino.

Our guest contributor, Mathilde Mistrih, is a native of France and currently lives in the Caribbean.

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Money & Finance

Holiday YEAR END AND

by Marc Schliefer

FINANCIAL PLANNING STRATEGIES As we get into the holiday season and, as we get close to the end of the year, there are planning strategies that we recommend to our clients on a regular basis. Some of the strategies involve family and gifts, others involve charity and others involve tax and open enrollment periods to pick your benefits for next year.

Since it is the holiday season and that time it is a good time to discuss giving strategies. There are several ways to give. One way is directly to family members. You can give anyone $14,000 per year as a gift. If you are a couple, each person can give anyone $14,000 per year and not have to file a gift tax return. The recipient of the gift does not have to file a gift tax return either. This can be anything from a small dollar amount to a gift of a down payment on a property.

If you go over the annual gift limit of $14,000 per person, you would then be looking at using up part of your $5.45 million exemption per person. That exemption is the same exclusion that you would have before you would have to worry about estate taxes. This should be more than enough for most people. If you are a couple and want to do more, you would actually have $10.9 million that you could use. It is important to understand that any amount over $14,000 per person will require that you file a gift tax return to report the value of the gift to the IRS to insure that it is properly reported and disclosed. At your death the amount of the gift over the $14,000 per year will come off of the estate tax exemption.

This gift limit does not apply to charities. If you want to make a donation larger than $14,000 each to a charity, you are able to do this without any gift tax return. You are able to deduct up to 50% of your adjusted gross income (AGI) for donations. I would check with your tax preparer to verify how this will help you in your particular circumstance.

With the Alternative Minimum tax, you may lose some of your charitable deductions; your tax preparer will need to help determine how to maximize your deduction.

If you’re making donations to a charity not in the form of a check, you need to keep a good record of your donations. In some cases, you may need to get an appraisal depending on what type of property is being donated.

The IRS will need proof of the value and an appraisal from a properly credentialed appraiser. This will help you prove your deduction, along with coaching from you tax preparer.

Now is also a good time to evaluate unneeded items that you may want to discard that possibly may help someone in need. You may be able to help them and yourself at the same time. It can be a win-win situation for everyone involved. Check with your tax preparer or advisor.

The next set of strategies involves benefits and tax withholding for the following year. If you want to maximize your retirement contributions or at least increase them, many companies have open seasons for benefits at this time of the year. If you feel that you can increase your contributions to your 401K or other type of employer provided retirement plan, or to your own plan if you are self-employed, now is the time set up for next year.

Also, if you feel that you still have time and the extra cash flow, it may be a good time to look at increasing your contribution for the balance of this year. If you are over age 50 and you have not taken advantage of the catch-up provision of your retirement plan, you still have enough time to do that for this year. This would be particularly advantageous if there is a company match.

It is also a good time to look at disability insurance; make sure that you have as much disability insurance as you can get through your employer and see if you have the ability to purchase more. Also, take note of the disability premiums; if you pay them yourself, make sure that you are paying the premiums with after tax dollars. If you are paying with after tax dollars and you become disabled, the benefits are not taxed. If you pay the premium with pretax dollars or the employer pays the full cost of the coverage, your benefit will be taxed to you. The premiums are fairly small compared to the disability benefit that you may receive if you become disabled. If you do not have the option of group disability through your employer or if the coverage is not adequate, you should look at getting individual disability coverage.

Make a habit of reviewing everything this time of year. It is also good to reevaluate your goals and determine what is needed to insure you stay on track. I encourage you to meet with your financial advisor and make sure that you are developing a strategic plan that will help you attain your goals. If you need help with structuring your financial goals, please feel free to email me at marcs@equityplanning.com.

I hope you have a great holiday season and that you move into a prosperous 2017.

Content in this material is for general information only and not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. This information is not intended to be a substitute for specific individualized tax advice. Data provided is for tax year 2016 and subject to change in future tax years

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Real Estate

IMAGINE THE VERY BEST OF EVERYTHING PRESENTED IN ONE SETTING. JOHN ERIC’S CURRENT PROPERTY LISTINGS

These exclusive listings bring you John Eric’s luxury properties that are currently on the market. They illustrate the range of exceptional listings that John represents. No one understands luxury real estate like John Eric. Whether you are a buyer, a seller or someone who is interested in the current market, we invite you to peruse these pages and contact John Eric with any luxury property questions.

JE JOHN ERIC

®

R E A L E S TAT E

To browse through our luxury listings or to request additional information regarding these properties, visit www.johneric.com

John Eric is affiliate with TTR Sothebys, 1206 30th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20007

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JOHN ERIC HOME

4931 33RD RD ARLINGTON, VA 22207

2010 NORTH STAFFORD ARLINGTON, VA 22209 CHERRYDALE

5446+ SQ.FT. EST. BEDROOMS: 5 BATHROOMS: 4.5 PRICE UPON REQUEST

5,000 SQ.FT. EST. BEDROOMS: 5 BATHROOMS: 4.5 PRICE UPON REQUEST

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430 M STREET NW WASHINGTON, DC 20001

2818 CONNECTICUT AVENUE WASHINGTON, DC 20008

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JOHN ERIC HOME

849 SQ.FT. EST. BEDROOMS: 2 BATHROOMS: 2 PRICE UPON REQUEST

750 SQ.FT. EST. BEDROOMS: 1 BATHROOMS: 1 PRICE UPON REQUEST

4135 N. 27TH STREET ARLINGTON, VA 22207

1201 N. NASH STREET #106 ARLINGTON, VA 22209 MEMORIAL OVERLOOK

3527 SQ.FT. EST. BEDROOMS: 4 BATHROOMS: 4 UNDER CONTRACT

1,028 SQ.FT. EST. BEDROOMS: 1 BATHROOMS: 1 UNDER CONTRACT

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Buzz

WIFI Metro General Manager Paul Wiedefeld announced that public Wi-Fi service will be launched in select Metro stations for a 45-day trial period. Metrorail passengers passing through six of the system’s most heavily-trafficked stations (Gallery Place/Chinatown, Metro Center, L’Enfant Plaza, Union Station, Judiciary Square and Archives/Navy Memorial) will have access to free Wi-Fi — and a real-time train tracking feature — as part of a pilot program. The WiFi service will operate similarly to other public wireless internet, with an accompanying terms of service, capacity-based browsing speeds and no data encryption.

(Urban Turf)

DEAN & DELUCA Gourmet food retailer Dean & DeLuca has signed on with The JBG Cos. to open in Bethesda — only its second location in Greater Washington. The Wichita, Kansas-based specialty grocer will open in JBG’s two-story market building at 4749 Bethesda Ave., likely in the fourth quarter of 2017. Dean & DeLuca will lease all of the roughly 13,500-square-foot building’s first floor, half of the second and half of its rooftop deck space.

JBG broke ground in August 2015 on the roughly 13,500-square-foot market building, which was designed in “neo-industrial” style by New York architect Morris Adjmi. The market building will sit at the foot of a larger, 14-story trophy office building being developed at 4747 Bethesda Ave. JBG will program the remainder of the market building’s space to tie into the adjoining office build-ing.

(WBJ)

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE TRAIL IMPROVEMENTS

DISTRICT WINERY Oenophiles, rejoice. Construction on District Winery has begun.

Washington’s local spirits game has grown rapidly within the past few years, yielding both brewing and distilling operations inside city limits. But there is still no made-in-the-District wine, despite a thriving winemaking community in the nearby Virginia and Maryland suburbs. Slated to open in 2017, District Winery plans to change that. It will open in Yards Park at the corner of Water and Fourth Streets SE, offering a winemaking facility, tasting room, restaurant, and events space with expansive river views.

District Winery will be the second major winery from the team behind Brooklyn Winery, which has been crafting and pouring small-batch and artisanal wines since 2010. Plans for the winery were initially announced last year, but construction has started and they’re finally getting closer to getting those doors open. Wines will be produced and aged on site, but since the actual winemaking process takes several years, the first wines sold when District Winery opens will come from the Brooklyn facility; they’ve crafted and designed a specific portfolio of reds and whites that have been set aside just for the D.C. location until the locally made wines are ready for sale. (dcist) 56

JOHN ERIC HOME

A 15th Street protected bikeway that extends through the Mall and a Mount Vernon trail with more connections are two of the many changes that a new plan from the National Park Service (NPS) would make to the region’s trails. In its recentlyreleased Paved Trails Study, NPS makes 121 recommendations for improvements that include everything from bridge access to safety and closing missing gaps in the trail network. It prioritizes 18 projects for implementation in the next two years.

(GGW)

Diplomacy

SATURDAY NIGHT AT THE RESIDENCE OF THE AMBASSADOR OF TUNISIA Embassy of Tunisia/Ambassador’s Residence 5131 Broad Branch Road NW October 15 At a new embassy event, the Ambassador of Tunisia, Fayçal Gouia, will welcome guests to his home for a unique Tunisian experience.

The embassy’s chef will provide a meal full of Tunisian delicacies including merguez (Tunisian hot sauce and ground beef) and pastries. After guests enjoy a delicious meal they will then experience Tunisian culture first hand with a traditional dance and art presentation. The event will be held at the ambassador’s residence. Tickets are $50 per person.

BLACK TIE DAY OF THE DEAD MASQUERADE GALA Embassy of Mexico/Mexican Cultural Institute 2829 16th Street, NW November 4 On Friday, November 4th, the embassy will host a gala to celebrate both the American Halloween season and the Mexican holiday, Day of the Dead. The spiritual event is held to gather family and friends and remember those who have passed away. The festivities will include a traditional ceremony along with a buffet. After the ceremony a live mariachi band will perform to celebrate the life. The night will be filled with food, dancing and laughter. The price per guest is $90 and the suggested attire is black tie.

THE EMBASSY SERIES: ITAMAR ZORMAN Embassy of Israel December 1

by Katherine Eschenbach

To celebrate the Paul Ben-Haim’s 125th birthday, the embassy series and the Embassy of Israel will host accomplished violinist Itamar Zorman. In 2011 Zorman was the joint winner of the International Tchaikovsky Competition. As a solo artist, Zorman has been featured in the American Symphony Orchestra in Carnegie Hall, Het Gelders Orkest in Amsterdam’s Concertgebouw and the Tokyo Symphony in Japan’s Suntory Hall. He has also been a part of numerous established orchestra groups. Suggested attire is business professional. Tickets are $75. The location will be announced at a later time at: http://www.embassyseries.org/.

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Black Book If you’re traveling during the holiday season, the world is abundant with celebratory lights that should not be missed. If you happen to be in one of these fine cities, make sure to check out the dazzle…

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL Since 1995, Brazil’s largest insurance company has set up the ‘tree’ in the Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon and has ensured it remains among the largest Christmas trees in the world.

Labasin Falls, this special place invites customers to taste popular Filipino dishes while fresh spring water from the falls flows under and over their feet, making this an unforgettable experience. As you can imagine, it’s nowhere near as impressive as Niagara, but visitors who don’t mind getting their clothes wet can sit right under the rushing waterfall and get their pictures taken.

VIENNA In Vienna, the holidays mean the streets are awash with the glow of thousands of Christmas lights. The Graben is illuminated by garlands of bulbs while Christkindlmarkt is festive with its colors and activities. Tokyo, Japan

TOKYO, JAPAN Holiday lights have become extremely popular in cities across Japan, starting in early November and continuing through January.

The Shiodome Caretta Illumination is a blast of flash and color.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA The best show in Sydney can be found at the city’s Town Hall.

There you’ll see spectacular light demonstrations projected onto the building’s sandstone surface. The digital animations are accompanied by special performances by Australian Children’s Music Foundation (ACMF) ambassadors and local artists.

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM London lights up at Christmas – Take a stroll down Oxford Street or Regent Street to admire gorgeous lights, usually turned on in early November. Each year highlights a different theme.

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INC.

We take a holistic and comprehensive approach to your finances.

We listen to our clients and understand their unique financial situation and develop customized strategies for them.

Marc S. Schliefer, CFPÂŽ Equity Planning Inc. 7910 Woodmont Avenue, Suite 900 Bethesda, MD 20814 Phone: 301-652-8702 Fax: 301-652-9066 www.equityplanning.com marcs@equityplanning.com www.linkedin.com/in/marcschliefer/

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