CHAD RICARDO:
MOMENTS. STYLED.
From special occasions to life’s biggest milestones, it all comes together here. Find a thoughtful gift, define your perfect look, and celebrate in style.
RALPH LAUREN / ST.
JOHN /
TORY
BURCH
Men of Momentum
June arrives with a sense of momentum: an invitation to reflect, to gather, and to celebrate the men who shape our communities with purpose and quiet influence. In this Men’s Issue, we explore the many dimensions of leadership, creativity, and legacy, told through voices both familiar and newly discovered.
At the intersection of sport and storytelling, Chad Ricardo sets the tone from Audi Field, where the global energy of the FIFA World Cup 2026 begins to take hold. Alongside him, figures like Grammy Nominee Jason Cerda and James Wood of the Washington Nationals remind us that performance: whether on stage, the field, or behind the scenes, is rooted in discipline and vision. From the courts of the Tennis Channel, Brett Haber brings a seasoned perspective on storytelling in sport, while Rockville Soccer Club underscores the importance of cultivating the next generation.
This issue also celebrates the spaces that ground us. The Market at River Falls and REALM DC serve as reminders that community is often built not in grand gestures, but in the everyday rituals of gathering, dining, and connection. Meanwhile, artist Kelly Towles captures the cultural pulse of the region, translating movement, energy, and identity into visual form.
In honor of Father’s Day, we turn our focus to the enduring influence of fatherhood. Our feature on professional dads, including Pratap Verma and Dr. Richard Myles Sr., offers a thoughtful exploration of balance, responsibility, and the values passed from one generation to the next. Their stories reflect a broader truth: that leadership at home often shapes leadership everywhere else.
And as always, our Around Town guide invites you to engage fully with the season. June’s calendar is rich with opportunity, from cultural gatherings to community celebrations that bring us together in meaningful ways.
This issue is, at its heart, about presence; showing up for our work, our families, and our communities with intention. It is a celebration of men not only for what they achieve, but for how they lead, support, and inspire.
KC COLE, PUBLISHER @POTOMACLIFESTYLEDC
June 2026
PUBLISHER
KC Cole | KC.Cole@CityLifestyle.com
EDITOR
Bianca Bain Villegas
Bianca.BainVillegas@CityLifestyle.com
ADMINISTRATIVE COORDINATOR
Ceylon Mitchell | Ceylon.Mitchell@CityLifestyle.com
PUBLISHER ASSISTANT
Brittany Ford | Brittany.Ford@CityLifestyle.com
SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATORS
Anicia Juarez | Anicia.Juarez@CityLifestyle.com
Natasha Anderson
Natasha.Anderson@CityLifestyle.com
SALES MANAGER
Adam Taylor | Adam.Taylor@CityLifestyle.com
STAFF WRITER
Marie Robey Wood
Marie.RobeyWood@CityLifestyle.com
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Glen Cox, Marie Robey Wood, David Robert Lambert, Debra Wallace, Finn Aldrich, Elizabeth McKinley, Anicia Juarez, Brittany Ford, Bianca Bain Villegas
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Jack Hartzman & Alison Tremby, Dr. Ceylon Mitchell | M3 Mitchell Media, Erica George, Jonathan Thorpe, THNXXED, Reinox, Bob Mackey Photography
Corporate Team
CEO Steven Schowengerdt
President Matthew Perry
COO David Stetler
CRO Jamie Pentz
CoS Janeane Thompson
AD DESIGNER Zach Miller
LAYOUT DESIGNER Kirstan Lanier
QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Megan Cagle
Learn how to start your own publication at citylifestyle.com/franchise.
Proverbs 3:5-6
In the past century, the market has fallen more than 20% on 22 separate occasions, with the average bear market decline reaching -37%. If history repeats itself, and it usually does. Think about it.
Are you prepared to lose 30% or more of your portfolio in the next 12 months?
THE UNCOMFORTABLE TRUTH
Millions of investors believe they have active “money management,” when in reality they are paying for a buy-and-hold strategy with no protection. When markets fall, most advisors do nothing and still collect their fees. That’s not management. That’s exposure & neglect..
THERE IS A BETTER WAY
In his new book, John F. Reutemann Jr., CLU®, CFP®, reveals what most advisors won’t tell you and what you can do to protect yourself. With over 50 years of experience, he outlines how to:
• Recognize early warning signs of market downturns
• Avoid advisors who rely on outdated strategies
• Use disciplined approaches like sector rotation and trend signals
• Demand real risk management, not excuses
DON’T LET YOUR MONEY BECOME THE BEAR’S NEXT MEAL
If your portfolio dropped significantly in past market crashes and you were told it was “normal,” you’re not alone.
But you do have a choice moving forward.
Collars & Co.
Founded in 2021 by Justin Baer, Collars & Co. has redefined modern menswear with its signature dress collar polo, featuring a structured, patent-pending collar that balances polish and ease. Based in Bethesda, the brand gained national attention on Shark Tank, securing a $1 million investment from Mark Cuban and Peter Jones. Its Rockville storefront at Congressional Plaza offers a refined retail experience. collarsandco.com
Hugs & Hats
Drawing on decades of craftsmanship and profound personal loss, Anthony Gaskins channels purpose into compassion through his initiative, Hugs and Hats. After losing close family members to cancer, he began offering free hats and hands-on classes to patients, restoring dignity, confidence, and self-expression. For Gaskins, each hat is more than an accessory, it is a gesture of care, a source of strength, and a quiet act of healing. hugsandhats.org
The Grandview IS NOW OPEN
Sassanova + Nova Man
Introducing Nova Man, a new menswear shop from Sassanova. Our mission is to shake up the traditional menswear experience, offering casual, fun, and contemporary apparel that men actually want to wear (and shop for, too). From triedand-true brands, to your new favorite labels, it’s fair to say we’ve got you covered from the boardroom to the beach. sassanova.com
AROUND TOWN
Your Guide to All Things June in the Area
ARTICLE BY BIANCA BAIN VILLEGAS
PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED
SMITHSONIAN FOLKLIFE FESTIVAL
The National Mall March – November
For the U.S. semi-quincentennial in 2026, the Smithsonian expands beyond the Mall with “Of the People: The Smithsonian Festival of Festivals.” Spanning March through November, the initiative partners with nearly 40 festivals nationwide, with programming at the National Museum of American History, Anacostia Community Museum, and a Folklife Marketplace at the Arts + Industries Building. festival.si.edu
TEACH GIVE INSPIRE FRIDAYS
TPC at Avenel Farm, Potomac
June 5 | 9:30 AM – 12 NOON
Begin summer with intention at TGIF. Centered on the theme “Step Into Your Power: Own Your Voice, Story and Purpose,” this morning gathering invites connection, clarity, and renewed perspective across both work and life. eventbrite.com
BETHESDA URBAN PARTNERSHIP SUMMER CONCERT SERIES
Corner of Norfolk & St. Elmo Ave
Every Friday All Summer | 6 PM – 8 PM
A seasonal favorite returns with live music each Friday evening through September 18, bringing an effortless rhythm to downtown Bethesda’s open-air setting. bethesda.org
BSO @ MUSIC CENTER AT STRATHMORE
5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda
June 6 | 8 PM
Music Director Jonathon Heyward leads an inspired program featuring Shostakovich’s Festive Overture, a world premiere by Billy Childs with Demarre and Anthony McGill, and Rachmaninoff’s Symphony No. 3. my.bso.org
DC/DOX FILM FESTIVAL
Various venues across Washington, DC
June 11 – 14
Four days of compelling documentary storytelling unfold across the District, with screenings and conversations hosted at leading cultural
institutions including the National Archives and the National Museum of African American History and Culture. dcdoxfest.com
BSO @ MUSIC CENTER AT STRATHMORE
5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda
June 12 | 7 PM
Verdi’s Rigoletto closes the BSO season in a powerful in-concert presentation, featuring a distinguished cast and the Washington Chorus in a sweeping tale of love, betrayal, and vengeance. my.bso.org
UFC FREEDOM 250 (TOPURIA VS GAETHJE)
The White House, South Lawn
June 14 | 7 PM
Marking the nation’s 250th anniversary, this landmark UFC event pairs elite competition with cinematic storytelling. Weigh-ins are expected at the Lincoln Memorial on June 12. Ticketed event with live broadcast on Paramount+.ufc.com
SMITHSONIAN
SOLSTICE SATURDAY
Various Smithsonian Museums
June 18 – 21
Celebrate the first weekend of summer
with extended hours, performances, and special programming across Smithsonian institutions, offering rare after-hours access. Free admission. si.edu
HOME RULE MUSIC FESTIVAL
The Parks at Walter Reed
June 20
A celebration of DC’s music and cultural identity, the festival highlights emerging talent through a Youth Showcase alongside a full day of live performances. homerulemusicfestival.com
FÊTE DE LA MUSIQUE –WORLD MUSIC DAY
Throughout Georgetown and at La Maison Français
June 21 | 3 PM – 7 PM & 6 PM – 10 PM
Georgetown hosts its lively edition of the global music celebration, featuring genres from jazz to bluegrass across multiple stages, including the French Embassy. georgetowndcmusic.com
NATIONAL YOGA DAY
The Yards DC
June 21 | 8 AM
An open-air, all-levels yoga session at The Sundeck invites participants to begin the day with movement
and mindfulness. Bring a mat and water. theyardsdc.com
WORLD REFUGEE DAY: AN EVENING OF SOLIDARITY
Mindspace, 1301 K St NW
June 24 | 6 PM – 8:30 PM
An immersive evening of storytelling and connection brings together voices and supporters to reflect on journeys of resilience and rebuilding. unrefugees.org
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC MUSEUM OF EXPLORATION
OFFICIAL OPENING
1600 M St NW | June 26
A new immersive destination opens, blending innovation, photography, and storytelling to illuminate the wonders of the natural world. moe.nationalgeographic.org
GIANT NATIONAL CAPITAL BARBECUE BATTLE
Pennsylvania Ave NW between 3rd and 7th Streets | June 27 – 28
Pitmasters and local chefs transform Pennsylvania Avenue into a lively culinary showcase, complete with tastings, demonstrations, and live music. bbqindc.com
JAZZ IN THE GARDEN
National Gallery of Art, Sculpture Garden, 6th St & Constitution Ave Fridays through July | 6 PM – 8:30 PM
An iconic summer tradition, this openair series pairs live jazz with the serene setting of the Sculpture Garden. Entry is free via lottery. nga.com
ADAM PENDLETON: LOVE, QUEEN Hirshhorn Museum & Sculpture Garden, Independence Ave & 7th St NW
Through Jan. 3, 2027 | 10 AM – 5:30 PM
Pendleton’s first solo presentation at the Hirshhorn showcases paintings and video works that reflect his influence on contemporary American art. Free admission. si.edu
INSIGHT: PHOTOS AND STORIES FROM THE ARCHIVES
National Museum of the American Indian, 4th St & Independence Ave SW
Ongoing | Museum Hours
Drawn from an archive of more than 500,000 images, this exhibition offers a rare and intimate look into Indigenous lives across the Western Hemisphere. si.edu
A Hometown Swing
How Family, Friendship, and Focus Built a Big-League Career for Nationals Outfielder James Wood
ARTICLE BY DEBRA WALLACE
PHOTOGRAPHY BY ERICA GEORGE
For outfielder James Wood of the Washington Nationals, playing organized sports is embedded in his family’s DNA.
Born in Rockville, Maryland, the 23-year-old Olney, Maryland native grew up playing baseball and basketball from a young age, following in the footsteps of his father, Kenny Wood, who played forward for the Richmond Spiders Men’s Basketball Team at the University of Richmond.
His dad, later inducted into the school’s hall of fame, went on to play professional basketball in the U.S. and Europe. Meanwhile, Wood’s mother, Paula, Wood’s two older sisters, Kayla and Sydney, and a large extended family were always nearby as enthusiastic cheerleaders for him.
By fourth grade, Wood realized he had to choose which sport to pursue more seriously. He chose baseball. But he continued to play basketball through his junior year in high school, in keeping with his father’s advice not to specialize in one sport over the others too early in their development.
“Growing up, I liked hitting the ball hard and far,” Wood said. “Baseball teaches you how to deal with failure, how to stay present, and how to work through all the ups and downs that come with it. It teaches you a lot about life.”
CONTINUED >
During his junior year of high school at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, Wood has fond memories of playing with the summer travel baseball team. He remains in touch with many of his Olney Pirates teammates, whom he played with from ages 7 - 14.
Even years later, he remains close with many of those teammates, including Josh Moylan, now with the New York Yankees, and Jackson Merrill of the San Diego Padres. His proud former coaches also continue to come out to the park to watch him play.
Despite how far he has come in his professional journey, Wood says conversations with his old travel-team friends rarely revolve around their baseball dreams. “I just hope to them that I’m the same kid, the same person I was when we were playing ball together growing up,” he said.
Knowing the slim odds of reaching the majors, roughly one in 1,000 high school players, made Wood’s MLB debut in 2024 even sweeter for him and his family.
“Finding out was pretty surreal,” Wood said. “The first thing I did was call my parents.”
Soon after, the whole family joined a FaceTime group to celebrate. “Since everyone is local, it didn’t take a whole lot of logistics to get everybody to D.C.,” he said. “I loved having everyone there.”
During spring training with the Nationals in West Palm Beach, Florida, as he prepared for the 2026 season, Wood said interactions with young fans are among the most rewarding parts of the job.
“One of my [former] teammates, pitcher Derek Law, showed me a video of one of his sons picking up a bat, turning his front foot, and imitating my swing,” Wood said. “Other parents show me videos like that, too. Those are ‘pinch-me’ moments.”
Baseball has long been a family affair. Wood remembers going to Washington Nationals and Baltimore Orioles games on his birthday with his grandparents and relatives, while sharing his father’s love of the New York Yankees during their 2009 championship run.
“I remember watching those guys when I was a kid and never thinking about how ridiculously low the odds are,” Wood said. “I don’t know that this dream really occurred to me back then.”
Growing up, Wood and his sisters were constantly on the move with practices and games, so family time was precious, and still is.
His middle sister, Sydney, was a Big Ten Champion basketball player at Northwestern University and is now an assistant coach with the Austin Spurs, while his oldest sister, Kayla, now an environmental scientist, played basketball in high school, winning a conference championship with Holy Child, and then managed women’s basketball at Notre Dame.
When he’s home, Wood enjoys backyard barbecues, home-cooked meals (including his mom’s lasagna and crème brûlée French toast, his dad’s steaks, and breakfast burritos), or grabbing a breakfast sandwich or burger at
the family-friendly Sunshine Store in Brookeville, near Olney.
Kenny Wood says there was never a rigid formula for raising three athletic kids. “I never told my son, ‘You’ve got to do this to become a major league player,’” he said. “It was always about the process and the drills to become a better player. I remember the camaraderie I had with my teammates, so it was also about focusing on the relationships you make as part of a team.”
For his mother, Paula, watching games at Nationals Park can feel like an emotional roller coaster.
“There are a lot of highs and lows,” Paula Wood said. “During different parts of the game, I get more nervous. But it’s definitely surreal walking into the stadium and seeing fans wearing my son’s jersey. We are always fiercely proud!”
She added that the family never takes the experience for granted. “We appreciate being able to hop on the Metro or drive over to the stadium and watch him play.”
For Wood, seeing fans wearing his No. 29 Nationals jersey still takes some getting used to.
“It’s definitely a little bit of a shock at first, but it’s becoming more familiar now,” he said. “I’m always super appreciative of people who show up every day, come to the field, and support us. The love from the fans is the best.”
CHAD RICARDO
Achieving Your Dreams Through Life’s Unexpected Twists and Turns
ARTICLE BY MARIE ROBEY WOOD
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JACK HARTZMAN & ALISON TREMBLAY
At a very young age Chad Ricardo knew what he wanted to be when he grew up: a sports broadcaster and a unifier like his hero Martin Luther King. Through many twists and turns throughout his life Ricardo, now 44, was able to achieve his dream of broadcasting sports and becoming a unifying force in bringing people together: “This is what my style is today, unifying and uplifting communities in everything I do.” The youngest of four children, Chad and his family moved to Hampton, Virginia, when he was eight years old. After playing football in high school and college, he realized that “I always knew that I loved the game but I didn’t love it from a playing perspective.” Consequently, he decided to focus on academics, graduating with a degree from James Madison University’s School of Media Arts and Design in 2004.
Life after college proved challenging, with no connections he couldn’t find a job in broadcasting: “At the time there was no one on tv who looked or sounded like me, no role models. I wasn’t sure there was a place for me in sports broadcasting, so I went back to JMU for grad school.” Then came a stroke of serendipity: while walking through a mall he saw an ad that a local radio station was running a contest called “Who Wants to Be A DJ?” and even though he had no broadcasting experience Chad entered and won. “I was on my path now.”
Chad with Alex Ovechkin, courtesy of Fox 5
Courtesy of Fox 5
Realizing he needed to make a change, he moved to Tampa and found a job hosting inperson events. He discovered he loved performing in front of a live crowd. After a year in Tampa, he decided to move to New York but with a stopover in DC for a year. That one year turned into 18 years, and he has never left. More opportunities followed: the Washington Talent Agency, which throws parties for the bar and bat mitzvah industry, hired him. He started off as a dancer at bar and bat mitzvahs, then began emceeing. He loved it from the beginning: “Family means the world to me, and these mitzvahs are special
CONTINUED >
Chad with Fox 5 Anchor Shomari Stone, courtesy of Fox 5
Chad emceeing a Bat Mitzvah
Chad with DJ Ruben Agreda, Zach & Olivia, and the DC Defenders super fan Lemon Guy
moments in a family’s life.” He adds that he took to it immediately and has become the most booked emcee south of New York.
Despite his success in events, Ricardo never abandoned his dream of sports broadcasting. Fox Sports 1340 AM wanted him to do a podcast under their label and he started “The Ricardo Report” covering youth football, building relationships with 10 to 12-yearold kids and their parents. Later he could get interviews with Caleb Williams, Chase Young, and Blake Corum, having known them when they were young. More opportunities followed: a job working for the NBC Sports Washington’s digital channel by day, then as a color analyst for Monumental Sports and Entertainment, all the while still emceeing bar and bat mitzvah events on Saturday nights, which sustained him financially.
Then another challenge loomed: married in 2019 and with a son, Covid hit in 2020, and his work as a contractor with live crowds in sports and the mitzvah entertainment stopped. “It was hard on me but as a family it was a blessing because my son and I built a special bond because I was at home with him.” Through it all he kept showing up for his community by documenting local athletes and he finally landed an audition for Fox 5 Television, his second, and they hired him to start as a contributor for one day a week, (still freelance), followed by two and then three days a week, and finally full-time, 11am to 7 pm. During the NFL season he works Wednesdays through Sundays, off season Tuesday - Saturdays.
Ricardo reflects that it has been a 20-year journey that makes sense only in hindsight: He adds, “Right now I am walking in the path that I always set out for myself: sports and bringing people together.” He sees a relationship with what he does in mitzvahs to sports: “Everything I do is high energy, the fans are with me and we are throwing a party together.” Ricardo is grateful for the outcome of his long journey: “It’s a blessing to be so impactful in the community whether I’m covering a Commanders game or doing a mitzvah on a Saturday night, it’s the same thing, it’s all come together: sports and entertainment.”
From childhood, Chad Ricardo set out to blend two passions: sports broadcasting and uniting people. Today, that vision defines his career. After earning a media degree from James Madison University and overcoming early industry barriers, a chance radio contest launched his path. His journey took him from live event hosting to becoming one of the region’s most soughtafter emcees, while steadily building a name in sports media. Now a full-time broadcaster, Ricardo’s work—on air and on stage—centers on energy, connection, and community. Whether covering games or leading celebrations, he brings people together, just as he always intended.
Chad and his family
Brett Haber
Flying the World for Tennis; Flying Dogs to the Rescue
While Brett Haber’s career takes him across the globe, bringing the world of tennis into millions of homes, it is at home in Potomac where he feels firmly grounded.
A 17-time Emmy Award-winning broadcaster, Haber has built a distinguished career in sports media. Early in his journey, he earned recognition as a host on SportsCenter, where his work garnered one of his first Emmy awards, setting the stage for a career that would span over three decades, and
multiple cities across the country, including time at local and national networks in New York City and Washington DC. While his resume is diverse, covering many sports over the years, he has always had a special interest in tennis coverage from early on at ESPN, and as a host and playby-play announcer for NBC’s Olympic coverage. His love of the sport ultimately lead to his current role as the lead host and play-by-play announcer at The Tennis Channel.
ARTICLE BY MARIE ROBEY WOOD | PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED
While his professional accomplishments are impressive and significant, they are not\ what define him most. In recent years, a more personal passion has taken flight. Haber started taking flying lessons and became a licensed private pilot three years ago. He now flies his Cirrus SR20 all over the country, transforming what began as a personal pursuit into a meaningful avenue for service.
Partnering with the non-profit organization Pilots-N-Paws, he flies rescue missions on short notice to transport dogs to their new adoptive homes and foster families around the country, giving them a second chance.
His aviation efforts have also extended to a humanitarian response. Following devastating hurricane damage in western North Carolina in 2024, the Habers personally flew essential supplies they collected from local friends, family, and neighbors, including food, diapers, toiletries, and pet provisions directly into impacted communities, delivering aid where it was most urgently needed. For Haber, flying is not about escape, it is about access, and the ability to respond, to contribute, and to make a tangible difference.
That same ethos defines his life at home. Together, he and Kim remain actively engaged with local organizations such as The Anchor Fund, Junior Tennis Champions Center, and The Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts, supporting initiatives that strengthen both individuals and the broader community.
Though his work regularly places him on the world stage, it is his commitment to service, philanthropy, and community that most clearly defines him. Whether in the cockpit, in the broadcast booth, or at home in Potomac, Brett Haber has built a life centered not just on achievement, but on impact.
Through Their Eyes: Fathers of Potomac
... And How I Changed My Life
ARTICLE BY BIANCA BAIN VILLEGAS | PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED
PARTAP VERMA
Children change everything. I still remember the first time I held my eldest son. His little hands, curly toes and the soft baby murmurs were enough to forget all the problems in the world. And from that point on, my perspective completely changed. Every challenge, every problem in the world shifted in my mind. Fatherhood forces change and priorities and with great responsibility. Strong fathers make strong children. I’ve learned that leading by action and example are the most important virtues of a father. You have to carve out time because you will always be busy and distracted. If I can pass one thing off to my children, it is to understand that you can achieve anything you want in life, you just have to push every atom in your body towards that goal. That is where the magic happens! Fatherhood is an honor and a privilege and I am thankful for it!
Partap Verma is an award-winning luxury home builder (Avatar Design Build), attorney and community leader. Born and raised in the DMV, he has served his community in a variety of roles as neighborhood activist, a local Hindu leader and as Planning Commissioner. He lives in Potomac with his family and has three children who attend the Bullis School.
Becoming a father didn’t just add a new role to my life; it reshaped how I see everything. I’ve always been driven, from my days as a college quarterback and team captain to building a career as a top 1% managing partner in financial services. I understood discipline, leadership, and responsibility. But fatherhood introduced something deeper—purpose beyond achievement.
JOSEPH LAPIETRA (“COACH LALA”)
“
My son, Joseph, has taught me what truly matters: presence. He doesn’t measure success by titles or accolades. He watches how I show up each day how I handle pressure, how accountable I am, and how committed I am to growing as a man. That awareness has made me more intentional in every aspect of my life.
Coach LaLa: One of the hardest parts of fatherhood is resisting the instinct to fix everything. As fathers, we want to protect our children from struggle. But I’ve learned that growth comes from facing adversity head-on. Sometimes the most powerful thing I can do is step back and allow my son to navigate challenges on his own, even when it’s uncomfortable to watch.
One of the hardest parts of fatherhood is resisting the instinct to fix everything. As fathers, we want to protect our children from struggle. But I’ve learned that growth comes from facing adversity head-on. Sometimes the most powerful thing I can do is step back and allow my son to navigate challenges on his own—even when it’s uncomfortable to watch. That’s where confidence is built, and where resilience takes root.
Through my work with Mastery of The Mind, impacting over 3,000 students, I’m building a legacy grounded in discipline, ownership, and mental strength values I strive to instill in my son every day. Fatherhood, to me, is about preparing him not just for success, but for life.
Joseph LaPietra , known as Coach LaLa, is a former college quarterback, top-performing managing partner in financial services, and founder of Mastery of The Mind, a program dedicated to developing mental resilience in youth. He lives in the DMV area and is passionate about empowering the next generation through leadership and discipline.
CONTINUED
>
JOHN (JACK) F. REUTEMANN, JR.
Travel has always meant more to me than simply getting away. As a father, some of my most meaningful memories were created not at home, but through the shared experiences of family trips with my children. There is something special about stepping outside of our daily routines and exploring the world together. Whether it was a beach getaway or traveling abroad, those moments gave us the opportunity to truly connect—time to laugh, talk, and be present with one another in a way everyday life often doesn’t allow. What mattered most was never just the destination. It was watching my children experience something new, their excitement, curiosity, and sense of wonder. Travel gave us stories that stayed with us. It taught us patience, flexibility, and gratitude, and those lessons became part of our family’s foundation.
Now, experiencing those same moments with my grandchildren adds an entirely new layer of meaning. There is a deep joy in watching the next generation discover the world, surrounded by the same sense of togetherness that defined those earlier years. These trips have become more than memories, they are traditions that continue to shape our family.
Looking back, I realize these experiences have been one of the greatest gifts of my life. They strengthened my bond with my children, and now with my grandchildren, and continue to give purpose and perspective to what matters most.
John (Jack) F. Reutemann, Jr., CLU, CFP® is the Founder and CEO of Research Financial Strategies, an SEC-registered investment advisory firm specializing in active portfolio management. With more than 50 years of experience in the financial industry, he is recognized for his expertise in technical analysis and risk management. He is also the author of Your Financial Advisor Is Not Managing Your Money (And Never Was) and co-creator of the “No More Pies!” program, where he trains advisors in active investment strategies.
DR. RICHARD D. MYLES, SR.
Becoming a father at 17 made me realize what it meant to be responsible for someone other than yourself. Having my first daughter, Tee, changed my whole perspective on what a father should be. I balanced my career as a student-athlete in Washington, D.C. while getting my first apartment to help raise my daughter. I secured a job with my aunt’s moving company to provide for basic needs, along with assistance from my parents. Today, I look at my five grown children proud of what and who they have become. Two of my children have successfully completed military service: my youngest boy served as a gunnery sergeant major and earned a Purple Heart, and my youngest daughter served as an Army sergeant. My eldest daughter runs a nonprofit that helps young girls with growth and development while balancing a career in government service. My oldest son is an entrepreneur who has built a successful business raising cane corsos. My middle daughter has over a decade of
experience in the local government. What makes me most proud today is the lives they lead as good human beings who are all raising their own families, making me a great-grandfather. Fatherhood has taught me patience and understanding go hand in hand with unconditional love. I am proud of the Myles family legacy that each of them continues. Being a father is my most important title.
Dr. Richard D. Myles, Sr., a Washington, D.C. native, entrepreneur, and business executive, is the CEO/Chair and Founder of the nation’s only professional developmental football league, The Minor Football League. In addition to leading the MFL, known as the “laboratory of change,” he is also the President and CEO of the Minor Football League Foundation, dedicated to outreach, education and prevention. The father of five is also a chaplain who previously served as an Assistant Dean of students and owned other businesses throughout the DMV.
Bob Mackey Photography
The Most Powerful Porsche Ever.
1,139 HP. SUV utility meets hypercar speed. Turbo Model: 0-60 in under 3 seconds
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Built for the thrill.
Battery integrated into the body for rigidity and a lower center of gravity.
PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED
Culture, Community, and a Limitless Canvas
ARTICLE BY ANICIA JUAREZ
Kelly Towles is the D.C. artist, designer, and curator whose public murals stretch from Washington to Tokyo.
Kelly Towles
Kelly Towles is a Washington, D.C.-based artist, designer, and curator whose practice spans large-scale public murals, studio objects, and cultural programming. Born in Ohio and raised in Alice Springs, Australia, his early visual influences included animation, comic imagery, and broadcast-era pop aesthetics. That foundation shaped a body of work defined by bold character work, graphic patterning, and a visual language that sits at the intersection of street culture, design, and contemporary storytelling.
Towles works across formats with consistency. His murals appear on exterior walls in cities including Tokyo, Taipei, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Austin, and Washington, D.C. In the studio, he has developed engraved tile and other surface-driven work that treats texture, line, and finish as narrative tools.
His client and collaborator list reflects the range of his practice. Apple, NASA, NPR, the Human Rights Campaign, Red Bull, Heineken, Jameson, The Phillips Collection, the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, and Tishman Speyer are among those who have commissioned or presented his work. Additional collaborators include D.C. United, DC Brau Brewing Company, Twelve Snowboards, Ginkgo Bioworks, and Dolcezza, among others.
Towles also serves as Director and Curator of D.C. Walls Mural Festival, a platform dedicated to bringing artists and communities together through public art experiences across Washington, D.C.
kellytowles.com | @kellytowles @dcwallsfestival
• Pool brushing
• Skimming the pool surface
• Emptying the skimmer baskets
• Checking the water balance and adjusting according to county standards
• Backwashing the sand filter or cartridges / DE grids rinsing
• System inspection
• Email the photos and test results upon completion
JASON CERDA’S NEXT ERA
GLOBAL MOMENTUM, HOMETOWN ROOTS, AND HIS NEW SUMMER SOUND
ARTICLE BY BRITTANY FORD PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED
There has always been something kinetic about Jason Cerda . Long before genre-blending became the norm, Cerda was already creating a sound built on movement; Latin rhythms, pop instinct, bilingual storytelling, and the kind of magnetic energy that turns every performance into an experience. A native of the Washington, D.C. area, Cerda has spent years building a career that feels both global and deeply personal, earning Billboard Top 20 recognition with singles including Al Lado Mio, Color Favorito, and Un Poco Mas.
Photo by Jonathan Thorpe
What has always set Cerda apart is that his artistry has never existed in just one lane. Music, dance, performance, and entrepreneurship have all moved in tandem. Beyond the studio booth and stage lights, he is also the owner of his own dance studio, a reflection of his commitment to cultivating creativity and community in the same region that raised him. It is that balance, artist and architect, that continues to define his career.
For Cerda, movement has never been metaphorical. Summer after summer, he has performed around the world, bringing his signature energy to international stages and audiences far beyond his hometown roots. That global reach was on full display last summer with his high-profile project alongside Les Twins, the world-renowned dance duo whose influence spans music, fashion, and live performance. The collaboration underscored what longtime supporters have known for years: Cerda thrives in spaces where artistry, innovation, and performance collide.
Now, that momentum carries into a new chapter with the anticipated release of his forthcoming EP, How Did We Get Here? (Como Llegamos Aquí?) this summer. The title itself feels introspective, a question layered with growth, experience, and the perspective that only comes from years of evolution. If previous chapters of Cerda’s career were about proving his versatility, this next one feels poised to reveal something deeper.
Summer has always suited Cerda. His music naturally lives in motion: late-night drives, rooftop speakers, dance floors, and moments that become memories before sunrise.
Yet How Did We Get Here? suggests more than a seasonal soundtrack. It hints at an artist taking inventory of the road behind him while stepping confidently into what comes next.
For those who have followed Cerda from his early breakout years to now, this project arrives with the excitement of an artist entering a sharper, more refined era. For new listeners, it may be the perfect introduction: polished enough for playlists, personal enough to resonate.
Jason Cerda has never been defined by one title alone. He is a performer, creator, businessman, and hometown success story with international reach. As summer approaches, How Did We Get Here? feels less like a question and more like a statement: Jason Cerda is only getting started.
Photo by Reinox
Photo by Jonathan Thorpe
Photo by THNXXED
AN EXCERPT FROM EPISODE 6 OF SHARE THE LIFESTYLE, A CITY LIFESTYLE PODCAST
Photographer: Brittany Dawn Short
Creative Director: Jen Birn
Stylist: Stephanie Coultress O’Neill
Location: Hotel Saint Cecilia, Austin, TX
MIKE JOHNSON HAS BUILT HIS LIFE AROUND ONE QUIETLY RADICAL IDEA: THE STANDARD YOU SET PRIVATELY IS THE ONLY ONE THAT MATTERS.
After eight years in the Air Force, a celebrated run on national television, and a health crisis abroad that sent him deep into supply chains and ingredient certifications most founders never touch, the result is Oshun — a luxury ritual brand built on provenance you can trace and integrity you can verify. In an exclusive conversation for the Share the Lifestyle podcast, Mike shares what it actually takes to build something worth putting your name on. Read the highlights below, then scan the QR code for the full episode.
Q: YOU BECAME A FAN FAVORITE ON THE BACHELORETTE AND THEN LEFT THE SPOTLIGHT. YOU MOVED TO MEXICO, LEARNED SPANISH, THEN COSTA RICA, AND BUILT A COMPANY. WHAT DID THAT EXPERIENCE TEACH YOU ABOUT HUMAN BEHAVIOR?
A: “If you’re a good person going in, that shows. If you’re not, that shows too. I also learned that people form this parasocial relationship with you — they assume things about you. When all actuality, different circumstances bring out different parts of who you are. I was on TV trying to find love. The kindness people were showing after felt a bit fake, because they wanted to be a part of something that isn’t who I am individually, but a part of what they saw on TV. And so I had to get away from everybody and everything and the noise.”
THE QUIET STANDARD:
MIKE JOHNSON
“Too many people have prayed for me. So I’ve got to get up and do the walking.”
— Mike Johnson
Q: YOU JOINED THE AIR FORCE RIGHT OUT OF COMMUNITY COLLEGE. WHAT WERE YOU ACTUALLY RUNNING TOWARD?
A: “There was something in me that was saying: I’m not living up to my full potential. I was being a follower. My uncle said, ‘What’s going to make you become an adult the fastest?’ I said, obviously, the military. The Air Force broadened my thought process more than anything. We’re so caught up in our own perception — when you learn to understand different people’s perspectives, it adds to you in so many ways.”
Q: WITH OSHUN, YOU OWN YOUR MANUFACTURING, YOU EMPLOY A CHEMIST, EVERY PRODUCT HAS A BATCH NUMBER TRACEABLE TO ITS ORIGIN DATE. WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO GO THAT DEEP WITH THE BRAND?
A: “The EU bans 1,100 ingredients in personal care products. The U.S. bans nine. That’s my starting point. Oftentimes, it might be the same ingredient, but it comes from a place where it doesn’t have the highest purity. And 60% of what we put on our skin is absorbed. Every product Oshun makes carries a batch number that goes back to the exact day it was created — I can show you every single supplier, the date, the origin. I own more than one part of the supply chain because that’s the only way I can stand behind what’s in the bottle.”
This conversation is just the beginning. Mike goes deeper into why he’s buying land up north, the family in the Philippines who prayed over his factory floor, and what he’d tell every person ready to stop performing and start building. Scan the QR code for the full, exclusive City Lifestyle interview on the Share the Lifestyle podcast.
MIKE JOHNSON
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Q: My pet seems totally fine — do they really need senior bloodwork every year?
A: I get this question a lot, especially when pets are acting normal. The hard part is that as dogs and cats get older, many problems start long before we see any changes at home. Things like kidney disease, thyroid problems, or early diabetes can show up on lab work months or even years before a pet seems sick.
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If your pet is getting into their senior years, this is a good time to check in and make sure everything still looks the way it should.
– Dr. Kara
Have a question for Dr.
Monica?
We’d love to hearyour questions for our doctors to be featured in the March issue. Send them to hello@veterinaryparkpotomac.com.
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ARTICLE BY DAVID ROBERT LAMBERT PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED
THE MARKET at RIVER FALLS
An Award-Winning Gourmet Market Where Clean Food is the Only Option
A MARKET REBORN
A Community Institution Since 2001
The Market at River Falls has been a fixture at 10124 River Road in Potomac since 2001, when a visionary founder, fondly remembered by staff only as “Jeff,” built it from the ground up over 12 years. But in the fall of 2014, the market closed abruptly, and the community mourned the loss. Then, three months later, just before Christmas of that same year, the lights came back on.
Neighbors
to the Rescue
The people who revived it were already part of the neighborhood. Jim McWhorter had been a vendor to the market for years. His wife, Yasmin Abadian, had lived in Potomac since she was seven years old, attending Carderock Springs Elementary when it first opened, then Churchill High School before it transitioned to Walt Whitman. When the market closed, it was Yasmin who turned to Jim and asked, almost casually, “How hard would it be to open that place back up?”
Jim knew the answer. He had spent decades in the food business. In 1978, he co-founded L&M Produce, a wholesale produce company that grew through a series of mergers and acquisitions to become part of Fresh Point, now the largest fresh produce distributor in the nation. He knew quality suppliers, the community, and the market’s potential. Three months after the doors closed, The Market at River Falls was open again, and they’ve been running ever since, going on twelve years now.
WHAT ARE CLEAN FOODS?
The term clean eating first surfaced in the bodybuilding community around 1990, referring simply to high-protein, low-sugar
diets for building lean muscle. It gained broader meaning in the early 2000s through Tosca Reno’s popular Eat-Clean book series, which expanded the concept to mean whole foods free of processing and artificial ingredients. By 2015, Collins Dictionary named Clean Food their Word of the Year. This was a clear signal it had entered mainstream vocabulary. So, it’s a cultural and marketing term, not a legal or scientific one.
THE CLEAN FOOD PHILOSOPHY
No Six-Syllable Ingredients
Walk into The Market at River Falls, and you won’t find a single six-syllable ingredient you can’t pronounce. No artificial preservatives. No high-fructose corn syrup. No GMOs. No feedlot beef. The market’s commitment to clean food isn’t a marketing slogan; it’s a deeply personal standard set by the owners themselves. Yasmin explains the philosophy directly: “We will not sell anything to people that we wouldn’t eat or give to our kids and grandkids.” The kitchen switched from canola oil to non-GMO sunflower oil sourced from Italy, and olive oil comes from Europe, specifically because American oils often contain GMOs.
Ethical Sourcing of Meats
All meats are grass-fed or pasture-raised. The lamb comes from New Zealand and the veal from France, chosen because those countries maintain stricter animal welfare standards and do not inject livestock with the antibiotics and growth hormones common in American feedlot operations. Jim sums it up: “In a lot of ways, I think we’re protecting people’s health without their knowledge.”
FROM THE SEA TO YOUR TABLE
Signature Items
The market’s top-selling item is Blue Circle salmon, sourced from Norway and prized for its exceptional quality. Close behind are the house-made crab cakes, still prepared using the original recipe created by the market’s founder — unchanged for nearly 25 years. Catering drives a significant share of the business, particularly around the holidays.
A Global Seafood Case
The seafood case tells a story of thoughtful global sourcing. Among the offerings:
• Halibut from Iceland
• Arctic char from Iceland
• Cod from Iceland
• Norwegian and New Zealand salmon
• Chilean sea bass
• Bronzino from Greece and Turkey
• Tilapia from Ecuador
• Lobster from Canada
• Tuna from Panama and the Dominican Republic (winter) / local waters (summer)
• Crab meat from Mexico and the Gulf of Mexico
Jim notes an interesting footnote on lobster: “Lobsters are coming mostly from Canada now, because it’s gotten too warm for them in Maine; they’ve migrated north over the last couple of decades.” And on Maryland crab: less than half of one percent of the global crab meat supply comes from the Chesapeake Bay. What matters, Jim says, is quality and freshness, regardless of where the source.
LOCAL AT HEART
Supporting Local Vendors
Despite its global reach in seafood sourcing, The Market at River Falls is deeply rooted in the local community. Eggs come from Nick’s Organic Farm, right here in Potomac. The beer cooler features craft brews from seven local breweries, including Brawling Bear (Gaithersburg), Jailbreak Brewery (Laurel), and DC Brau, alongside the mainstream brands that, as Jim says with a smile, simply have to be there if you want to stay in business.
Breads, cookies, and sweets come from a rotating roster of local and regional artisan bakeries, including Whisked! by Jenna Huntsberger, based in Washington, DC. The prepared foods lineup of salads, soups, and entrees is made entirely in-house, giving the team full control over every ingredient.
Personal Service, Personal Pride
The personal service model is intentional. From the moment a customer walks through the door, a single staff member follows them through the entire visit, answering questions, making recommendations, and seeing them to checkout. It’s a model from a different era of retail, one that has clearly resonated with Potomac shoppers.
“People don’t vote in these awards because they like paying $38 for a piece of fish,” Jim says of the Best of Bethesda and Best of Potomac Readers’ Choice Award honors. “They vote because of how they’re greeted and how they’re taken care of.”
VISIT THE MARKET AT RIVER FALLS
The Market at River Falls is located at 10124 River Road in the village of Potomac, Montgomery County, Maryland 20854. Hours are Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Online ordering, local delivery, and curbside pickup are available at marketriverfalls.com. To reach the market directly, call 301-765-8001
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WE ARE: FIFA World Cup 2026
THE MOST CELEBRATED SPORT ON THE PLANET RETURNS TO THE AMERICAS
ARTICLE BY FINN ALDRICH
PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED
The anticipation surrounding the 2026 FIFA World Cup is unlike anything the sport has experienced in a generation. Set to unfold across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, the tournament marks the first time three nations will co-host the world’s most celebrated sporting event, expanding to 48 teams and more than 100 matches across the continent. What makes this moment particularly compelling, however, is not only its global scale but the cultural and generational shift it is already catalyzing at the grassroots level. Across North America, the World Cup has become a powerful accelerant for youth engagement. Investment in community programming, school initiatives, and local infrastructure is steadily increasing, driven by a shared
“THE IDEA OF
SEEING WORLD CLASS ATHLETES COMPETE IN NEARBY STADIUMS, OR EVEN TRAINING IN SIMILAR SYSTEMS, RESHAPES HOW YOUNG PLAYERS ENVISION THEIR OWN TRAJECTORIES.”
ambition to translate global spectacle into lasting local impact. Organizations are positioning the tournament not simply as a month-long event, but as a legacy opportunity, one that expands access, nurtures talent, and embeds the sport more deeply into the fabric of everyday life. Initiatives tied to the World Cup aim to engage thousands of young players, particularly in underserved communities, reinforcing soccer as both a unifying force and a vehicle for personal development.
This rising tide is being felt most vividly within youth clubs, where participation, ambition, and visibility are all on the rise. Take Rockville Soccer Club, for example, and any youth club in the area. They offer a compelling lens into this shift. Long known for its emphasis on technical training and player development, Rockville and other clubs now find themselves operating within a broader moment of cultural momentum. Young athletes are no longer just playing for weekend competition; they are growing up in the shadow of a World Cup that will unfold on home soil.
For players within clubs like Rockville, the proximity of the tournament transforms aspiration into something tangible. The idea of seeing world-class athletes compete in nearby stadiums, or even training in similar systems, reshapes how young players envision their own trajectories. It elevates commitment, sharpens focus, and introduces a new level of seriousness to youth competition.
Yet, alongside this excitement lies a critical conversation around access. While enthusiasm is surging, the cost of youth soccer in the United States remains a barrier for many families, underscoring the importance of inclusive programming as the sport grows.
Still, the prevailing sentiment is one of optimism. The 2026 World Cup is not simply arriving in the Americas; it is embedding itself into communities, shaping the next generation of players long before the opening match. In places like Rockville, that future is already taking the field. rockvillesoccerclub.com | fifa.com
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