Bethesda Magazine - January/February 2026

JANUARY/FEBRUARY

BEST RISING STAR

Sports broadcaster Alexa Landestoy covers the Caps

Thank You

to our staff and physicians who work tirelessly to provide high-quality, personalized care.

Suburban Hospital Emergency Department

Reader’s Pick, Best Emergency Department

•Only Level II Trauma Center in Montgomery County

•Magnet designated hospital

•Adult and Pediatric ERs

•Center of Excellence for stroke and ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI)

•Specially trained emergency physicians, trauma surgeons and nurses

suburbanhospital.org

Sibley Memorial Hospital

Women’s and Infants’ Center

Reader’s Pick, Best Hospital for Birthing

•Magnet designated hospital

•Large center with private labor and delivery rooms

•Spacious family centered care rooms for recovery

•Special care nursery staffed with a team of experienced neonatal nurses and neonatologists

•Maternal fetal specialists see women with high-risk pregnancies

•Support services including childbirth classes and lactation consultants

•One of the most trusted birthing center in the Greater Washington area

sibleybaby.org

Strickler, Platnick & Hatfield offers clients throughout MD, VA, DC, and even internationally the benefit of over 80 years’ combined experience in family law. We have extensive experience with numerous circumstances that can complicate family disputes, and we provide a wide range of dispute resolution options that allow us to customize our approach to each client’s unique needs.

146 Celebrations of the Year

FEATURES

140 Bethesda Interview: Daryl Davis

How a Silver Spring musician took a stand against hate BY MIKE UNGER

146 Celebrations of the Year

Four events that made a big impression BY SOFIA APPOLONIO AND DANA GERBER

DEPARTMENTS

Issei

Celebrate America’s birthday all year in

Experience all things maple in Virginia’s Highland County

Locals walk with doctors while discussing medical topics

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MAKE A LASTING DIFFERENCE

A Tribute to the Best

EVERY YEAR, WE FILL OUR BEST OF BETHESDA ISSUE WITH OUR EDITORS’ PICKS AND THE EXCITING RESULTS OF OUR READERS’ POLL. There’s so much to discover in our list of editors’ picks, including new eateries, cool stores and break-out-of-your-rut ways to exercise. You don’t need to make a resolution to try salsa dancing or take a class surrounded by Porsches—just do it.

When I started catching sports reporter Alexa Landestoy on Monumental Sports Network before or after a Washington Capitals game a couple years ago, I became a fan. She’s knowledgeable about hockey, and personable when she’s interviewing players and coaches. She’s a rising star in the sportscasting world, and we were thrilled to include her on our cover and in our Best of Bethesda Editors’ Picks (page 52).

Readers vote every year for their favorites, and what rises to the top always brings surprises along with winners that make the list year after year (page 86).

This issue also includes a story on local chapters of a national organization that invite people to hear a short health talk from a doctor, followed by a walk with a few physicians (“On the Path to Health,” page 210). Read about inspiring people, including a musician who’s worked to change the minds of Ku Klux Klan members (“Bethesda Interview,” page 140) and a Bethesda mom who started a candy company so her kids would have a healthier treat (“Sweet Sensation,” page 36).

WHEN I THINK of the most memorable stories in recent issues of Bethesda Magazine, many were the work of Amy Halpern, who lived in Potomac and started writing for us about five years ago. Amy died in November of breast cancer.

For an assignment about a year ago to write about a Silver Spring family who started a foundation that has raised millions for research on pediatric brain cancer, Amy interviewed a local family whose daughter was being treated for cancer, and it was hard to read the story without crying. In a 2021 story, Amy wrote movingly about two sons helping their mom as she was living with ALS. Her look at gun owners in Montgomery County in 2021 was eye-opening. An in-depth piece in our September/October 2024 issue on Montgomery County Public Schools won Amy an award from the American Society of Journalists and Authors.

Since the beginning of our Women Who Inspire feature, Amy played a key role, from helping select the honorees to writing the profiles. She shined onstage while moderating the Women Who Inspire luncheon panel in 2024.

I’m going to miss Amy’s enthusiasm, work ethic and stellar writing. T he magazine won’t be the same without her.

KATHLEEN NEARY EDITOR

CONTRIBUTOR SPOTLIGHT

LOUIS TINSLEY

WASHINGTON, D.C.

BACKGROUND: “I am a freelance commercial and portrait photographer. I specialize in photographing people in their spaces.” Tinsley was born and raised in Washington, D.C. He lives in D.C.’s Petworth neighborhood.

IN THIS ISSUE: Tinsley took the photos of Alexa Landestoy on the cover and in Best of Bethesda Editors’ Picks (“Best Rising Star,” page 54).

FAVORITE MOCO SPOT: “I bounce around all over, but I had an early dinner at Mon Ami Gabi [in Bethesda] recently after a shoot and loved the escargot and martinis.”

WHAT HE DOES FOR FUN: “I’ve dived back into reading. I am working my way through Hugo Award winners. I just read Hyperion and Neuromancer, both great. I’m almost done with The Three-Body Problem.”

CONTRIBUTOR SPOTLIGHT

ERIN GIFFORD

BROADLANDS, VIRGINIA

BACKGROUND: Gifford is a freelance writer focusing on outdoor recreation, road trips and wellness travel. She writes about hiking trails in Virginia at gohikevirginia.com and has written three hiking guidebooks for FalconGuides. Her writing has appeared in The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post and Outside magazine. Gifford grew up in Fairfax, Virginia, and spent every other weekend in Potomac with her dad and stepmother.

IN THIS ISSUE: Gifford traveled to Virginia’s Highland County Maple Festival for “In Search of Sweetness,” page 202.

FAVORITE MOCO SPOT: A now-shuttered video rental store in what is now Cabin John Village. “Growing up, my stepsiblings and I went there every other Friday night to pick out videos.”

WHAT SHE DOES FOR FUN: “I enjoy hiking and family road trips. I’m completing a quest to run a half-marathon in every U.S. state.” Gifford’s final race to complete the challenge is the Maui Oceanfront Half Marathon in Hawaii on Jan. 18. “The quest has been the fun part. The running, maybe a little less so.”

BETHESDA MAGAZINE EDITORIAL

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR

Linda Fears

EDITOR

Kathleen Neary

MANAGING EDITOR

Amy Orndorff

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Jillian Lynch

ART DIRECTOR

Olivia Sadka

CONTRIBUTING DESIGNER

Diana Ramírez

INTERN

Sofia Appolonio

CONTRIBUTING EDITORS

Louis Peck, Carole Sugarman

COPY EDITORS

Elisabeth Herschbach, Steve Wilder

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Caralee Adams, Jennifer Barger, Rachel Pomerance

Berl, Stephanie Siegel Burke, Meg Drennan, Christine Koubek Flynn, Dana Gerber, Wendy A. Jordan, Dawn Klavon, Nevin Martell, Buzz McClain, Jacqueline Mendelsohn, David Montgomery, Mike Unger, Carolyn Weber

PHOTOGRAPHERS & ILLUSTRATORS

Skip Brown, Jimell Greene, Deb Lindsey, Lindsey Max, Brendan McCabe, Louis Tinsley

BETHESDA TODAY EDITORIAL

EDITOR

Julie Rasicot

MANAGING EDITOR

Amy Orndorff

REPORTERS

Ashlyn Campbell, Elia Griffin, Ceoli Jacoby INTERN

Michael Hromalik

PUBLISHER

Jennifer Farkas

PUBLISHING

DIRECTOR OF STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS

Sherri Greeves

DIRECTOR OF ADVERTISING OPERATIONS

Amélie Ward

SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES

Arlis Dellapa, LuAnne Spurrell

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES

Jeni Hansen, Peter Scott

DIRECTOR OF MARKETING & EVENTS

Stacy Cantor

SALES & MARKETING COORDINATOR

Mariam Bukhari

DIGITAL PRODUCER

Josephine Jack

INTERN

Ella Makleff

ADVERTORIAL EDITOR

Stephanie Siegel Burke

ADVERTORIAL WRITERS

Jennifer Beekman, Karen Singer

ADVERTORIAL PHOTOGRAPHER

Hilary Schwab FOUNDERS

Steve and Susan Hull

TODAY MEDIA

PRESIDENT/CEO

Robert F. Martinelli

SECRETARY-TREASURER

Richard Martinelli

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DIRECTOR OF DIGITAL STRATEGY

Greg Mathias

ASSOCIATE DIGITAL PUBLISHER

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DIGITAL PRODUCER

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CIRCULATION

SENIOR AUDIENCE DEVELOPMENT MANAGER

Lisa Bennett

CUSTOMER SERVICE MANAGER

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ADMINISTRATION

CONTROLLER & DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS

Donna Kraidman

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ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE SPECIALIST

Nancy Evans

IN MEMORIAM

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

Bethesda Magazine is published six times a year by Today Media. © 2026

Story ideas and letters to the editor: Please send ideas and letters (with your name, the town you live in and your daytime phone number) to editorial@BethesdaMagazine.com

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Coming up at

David Foster & Katherine McPhee

Wed, Feb 4

Stories and songs from Broadway, pop, and beyond

Kurt Elling:

In the Brass Palace with the Strathmore Jazz Orchestra

Fri, Feb 13

Bold jazz vocals meet big band

Tango After Dark

Sun, Feb 22

Authentic, electrifying Argentinean tango

Big Head Todd and the Monsters Winter Tour 2026

Tue, Feb 24

40 years of bluesdrenched rock ‘n’ roll

RENT in Concert

Wed, Feb 25

Concert-style symphonic production with Broadway vocalists

People Watching

BY CARALEE ADAMS

Despite having more therapists, diagnostics and medications than ever before to treat young people struggling with anxiety and depression, the situation keeps getting worse, says Will Dobud. In Kids These Days: Understanding and Supporting Youth Mental Health (New Society Publishers, September 2025) written with co-author Nevin Harper, Dobud challenges the current approach to treatment. “The whole system is created around this medicalized understanding of mental health that creates this labeling and more othering of children,” says the 38-year-old social worker and researcher who divides his time between Chevy Chase and Charles Sturt University in Australia, where he is a senior lecturer. The book suggests revisiting the basics of what works, such as promoting social connections and giving kids opportunities to experience success and mastery, says Dobud, who graduated from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County and earned his master’s degree and doctorate in social work in Australia. “We have a lot of passive interventions: Take this and then everything will be better,” he says. “We need to treat kids as active participants.”

In high school, Tiffany Nesfield drafted a business plan for a comprehensive fitness company somewhat like the one she opened in September in downtown Bethesda at 7832 Wisconsin Ave. Nesfield Performance offers personal training, physical therapy, therapeutic massage, fitness classes and nutritional coaching under one roof. Nesfield, a state champion hurdler who attended high school in Prince George’s County, was a physical therapy intern in high school at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, where she says she realized the need for a coordinated approach in helping patients recovering from injuries. After competing in track at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and studying sports management, Nesfield became a personal trainer and massage therapist. “In my core, I love being a part of people’s growth, and that’s what we do here,” says Nesfield, 39, of Chevy Chase, who has 11 employees. “The vision is to have an integrated system in one location ... where everyone is on the same page.”

After retiring from the National Institutes of Health in 2022, scientist Lynn Rust, 64, of Silver Spring looked forward to pursuing her lifelong passion for painting. But arthritis in her right hand caused too much pain. Friend Sherwood Mackel, 65, who also lives in Silver Spring, drilled a hole in a golf ball and pushed a paintbrush through it to help keep Rust’s hand in what therapists call a safe “C-Shape” position, which prevents pinching of the thumb and forefinger. It did the trick, allowing her to paint without discomfort. “It was such a Goldilocks moment,” Rust says, knowing she could hold the ball and paint all day. The two adapted the device into different sizes for tasks such as writing, eating, playing guitar or crocheting. They launched their product line in November 2024. What they call the “Sher-Hold” device is patent pending. The motto of their business Gripz is for people with hand pain to “get their grip back on life.” Rust says being able to paint and help others “gives me such a sense of jubilation.” Devices are sold on their website, gripz.biz

—Meredith Carlson Daly

Herta Feely’s Strange Shape of Love (Castle Bridge Media, September 2025) is a suspense novel about young journalist Charlotte Cooper, who is caught up in a blackmail scandal after someone threatens to publish nude photos of her online. Feely, 74, who lives in Chevy Chase, says the story was inspired in part by the news of a hacker releasing nude photos of celebrities including Jennifer Lawrence and Kirsten Dunst about a decade ago. “I remember thinking what a terrible invasion of privacy and how awful it must have been for those women,” says Feely, whose debut novel, Saving Phoebe Murrow (Upper Hand Press & Twenty7 Books, 2016), focused on the struggle of a mother trying to keep her teenage daughter safe from cyberbullying. “I wanted to write this book as kind of a continuation of examining the impact of the internet and social media on our lives.”

Last summer Natalie Bahmanyar says she opened a TikTok account (@colourmenat) to share her “grandma activities” of crafting, coloring and cooking. On a whim, she posted an unedited short video of dozens of crows flying in and eating from her seventh-floor apartment balcony with zero expectation that it would take off. The video received 1 million hits within a day and 4.6 million as of early December. “It’s absolutely bonkers to me,” says the 36-year-old who lives in North Bethesda and works for a market research company. “It has brought so much joy to my heart. The overwhelming number of comments were positive.” Filmed at sunset in October and set to eerie-sounding music, Bahmanyar posted with the caption: “i left out snacks once and now im responsible for a murder. #crowtok #witchyvibes #autumnmagic #crowsoftiktok #spookyseason.” She’s posted about seven more crow videos as of early December, continuing to feed dry dog food to her beloved birds. She says it never gets old when there’s a big response from the crows. “It’s awe-inspiring,” Bahmanyar says. “I just stand out there being baffled and struck by what I’ve gotten myself into.”

READING LIST

Andrea Gomirato was searching social media for new recipes and says he found other people who enjoyed cooking. Some wanted to sell their food but didn’t know how. In September, Gomirato launched FromScratch (fromscratch.one), an online platform for individuals to post available homemade items and link up with nearby customers. “The main idea is the marketplace has to be hyperlocal and very focused on a neighborhood. This allows people to see what’s cooking around the corner from them,” says Gomirato, 40, who lives in the Asburton neighborhood of Bethesda. In Maryland, home-based “cottage food” businesses are allowed for some baked goods, jams and candies (see the state’s website for rules). On the FromScratch website, shoppers can browse ever-changing options such as carrot pineapple cake, low-sugar strawberry jam and classic granola. A map shows the general location of the sellers, and addresses are shared after the purchase to arrange for pickup. Gomirato says the business, which is only focused on lower Montgomery County for now, is connecting people with food they couldn’t get elsewhere and is building community as neighbors get to know one another with each sale.

When Royce Hanson was told by Montgomery County officials that a park was going to be named in his honor, the 94-year-old says his first reaction was to tell them to wait until he died. “But they convinced me that it was a good idea to go ahead, and, as I said at the dedication, it was a lot more fun than a funeral,” jokes Hanson, former chair of the Montgomery County Planning Board and longtime advocate for environmental preservation. In November, the Royce Hanson Conservation Park at Broad Run opened at 21820 Club Hollow Road in Poolesville in the county’s Agricultural Reserve on nearly 500 acres. Hanson, who lives in Montgomery Village, says he’s been to the park several times to walk on its 5 miles of trails. Hanson has written extensively on strategic land-use policy and has held several academic positions, including research professor at the Institute of Public Policy at George Washington University. “A lot of people are remembered for what they built,” Hanson says. “I’m happy to be remembered for what we left alone.”

Recent Books By Local Authors

Best Offer Wins (Celadon Books, November 2025) by Cabin John resident Marisa Kashino

Special Teams (Peachtree Publishing, November 2025) by Silver Spring resident Fred Bowen

American Reich: A Murder in Orange County, Neo-Nazis, and A New Age of Hate (Little, Brown and Company, January 2026) by Bethesda resident Eric Lichtblau

Have an idea for People Watching? Email editorial@BethesdaMagazine.com.

These were the best-selling books at Wonderland Books in Bethesda in October 2025.

Fiction

1 The Impossible Fortune

Richard Osman

2 Heart the Lover

Lily King

3 What We Can Know

Ian McEwan

4 The Correspondent

Virginia Evans

5 The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny Kiran Desai

6 Alchemised

SenLinYu

7 The Secret of Secrets

Dan Brown

8 Buckeye

Patrick Ryan

9 Wreck

Catherine Newman

10 Frozen River

Ariel Lawhon

Nonfiction

1 On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century

Timothy Snyder

2 107 Days

Kamala Harris

3 1929: Inside the Greatest Crash in Wall Street History—and How It Shattered a Nation

Andrew Ross Sorkin

4 Everything Is Tuberculosis: The History and Persistence of Our Deadliest Infection

John Greene

5 The Gales of November: The Untold Story of the Edmund Fitzgerald

John U. Bacon

6 Good Things: Recipes and Rituals to Share With People You Love

Samin Nosrat

7 Giving Up Is Unforgivable: A Manual for Keeping a Democracy

Joyce Vance

8 Make Me Commissioner: I Know What’s Wrong With Baseball and How to Fix It

Jane Leavy

9 Paper Girl: A Memoir of Home and Family in a Fractured America

Beth Macy

10 Abundance

Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson

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BEST BETS

Music

Jan. 16

BSO: Kings of Soul

The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra performs hits from Motown greats and soul legends including Marvin Gaye, James Brown, Otis Redding, The Temptations and Smokey Robinson. Byron Stripling will conduct the orchestra and vocalists Chester Gregory, Michael Lynche and Darren Lorenzo in concert at The Music Center at Strathmore in North Bethesda. strathmore.org

Jan. 17

The JoGo Project

Prepare to get funked up at this tribute to the legendary band Parliament Funkadelic at BlackRock Center for the Arts in Germantown. Led by saxophonist and former Strathmore artist-in-residence Elijah Jamal Balbed, the JoGo Project, a Washington, D.C., jazz and go-go group, puts its spin on the groovy and psychedelic sounds of George Clinton’s P-Funk collective. blackrockcenter.org

Jan. 24

Chrisette Michele

The R&B singer won a Grammy Award in 2009 for her song “Be OK,” which features rapper will.i.am from the Black Eyed Peas. She performs at the Bethesda Theater as part of her Home Tour. bethesdatheater.com

Feb. 3

Yo-Yo Ma

Washington Performing Arts presents the famous cellist in an intimate solo concert featuring Bach suites and music by contemporary composers at The Music Center at Strathmore in North Bethesda. strathmore.org

Feb. 7

Sun Ra Arkestra

Blending big-band swing and free jazz since the 1950s, the Afro-futurism pioneers perform at BlackRock Center for the Arts in Germantown. Expect the kind of singing, dancing and pageantry that carries on founder Sun Ra’s legacy of positivity through music. blackrockcenter.org

Feb. 13

Niko Moon

The country-pop singer-songwriter who has penned songs for Zac Brown, Rascal Flatts and Morgan Wallen scored a hit with his solo debut single, “Good Time.” His latest record, American Palm, released in July, is a concept album about seaside getaways and beach trips. Catch the tropical vacation vibes at his concert at The Fillmore Silver Spring. fillmoresilverspring.com

Feb. 25

Rent in Concert

A live cast and band perform songs from the Tony Award- and Pulitzer Prize-winning Broadway musical Rent at The Music Center at Strathmore. Loosely based on the Puccini opera La Bohème, the show is about a group of artists living in New York City’s East Village in the 1990s. Come early for a preshow dialogue about LGBTQ+ community-building. strathmore.org

Feb.

27

Earlybirds Club

This dance party aimed at the middle-aged crowd, featuring music from the ’80s, ’90s and 2000s, runs from 6-10 p.m. so revelers can get their groove on and still be in bed before midnight. The roving event—it’s hit clubs in New York, Chicago, Philadelphia and Seattle, among other places—comes to The Fillmore Silver Spring. fillmoresilverspring.com

Feb. 28

BSO: The Rite of Spring

Spring will still be a month away, but the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra will pay homage to the season with a performance at The Music Center at Strathmore that includes Russian composer Igor Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring. The concert, conducted by Jonathon Heyward, also features the more introspective D’un Matin de printemps (Of a Spring Morning) and The Tears of Nature, a percussion concerto that includes instruments such as big Chinese drums, marimba, Tibetan singing bowls, a slapstick, wood blocks and cow bells. strathmore.org

Theater/Variety

Jan. 17, Feb. 21

The Magic Duel Comedy Show

Part magic show, part comedy duo and part reality contest, this show pits magicians Mark Phillips and Meadow Perry against each other in a competition to win the audience’s favor using illusions, jokes and plenty of snark. The show at The Writer’s Center in Bethesda is appropriate for all ages. themagicduel.com

Feb. 7-March 1

The Enchanted Mermaid Baltimore’s Beale Street Puppets brings its show to The Puppet Co.’s stage in Glen Echo Park. The show features traditional Japanese Bunrakustyle puppets (typically about half the size of a person, with moveable heads and arms, and flowing fabric covering the “body” or frame) and elaborate sets. Based on a short story by Walter de la Mare, the play tells the tale of a man who tries to rescue a maiden who has been transformed into a mermaid. The show is appropriate for all ages. thepuppetco.org

Feb. 8-March 8

Little Miss Perfect

Writer and performer Joriah Kwamé’s song

“Little Miss Perfect” went viral on the internet after he submitted it to a musical theater competition in 2019. Since then, he has turned the song into a new musical. It tells the story of high school senior Noelle, who’s dealing with the pressure of living up to high expectations as a Black student at a mostly white school and trying to earn a scholarship to Howard

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University. The show at Olney Theatre Center features pop music, hip-hop and show tunes. If it were a movie, it would be rated PG-13. olneytheatre.org

Feb. 11-March 15

Nothing Up My Sleeve

Illusionist Dendy regales audiences with magic tricks and the story of how he became a magician in this world premiere one-man show at Bethesda’s Round House Theatre. The show is recommended for age 10 and older. roundhousetheater.org

Feb. 13-March 29

Freckleface Strawberry the Musical

In this musical based on the children’s book by actress Julianne Moore, the titular character Freckleface wishes she could remove her freckles. With the help of her classmates, she learns that it’s people’s differences that make them special. The show at Adventure Theatre MTC in Glen Echo is appropriate for all ages but best enjoyed by school-age children. adventuretheatre-mtc.org

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Feb. 14-March 7

Havana Hop

Paige Hernandez, a playwright, performer and choreographer who grew up in Baltimore, based this one-woman show at Imagination Stage in Bethesda on her childhood. It follows a young dancer, Yelia, who wants to be a star but struggles with stage fright. While visiting her grandmother in Cuba, Yelia learns about her cultural roots and gains confidence. The family-friendly show, recommended for ages 5 to 10, features hip-hop, salsa dancing and audience participation. imaginationstage.org

Feb. 28

Play in a Day

Six local theater companies participate in this annual event that challenges them to write, produce and perform an original play in 24 hours. Playwrights and directors convene on Feb. 27 and receive an assigned prop and theme they must incorporate into their 10-minute play. They work through the night to draft and rehearse their show. See the results when they perform at Imagination Stage the next day. Participating companies include Adventure Theatre MTC, Imagination Stage and Olney Theatre Center. bethesda.org

Dance

Jan. 18, Feb. 15

Sarau de Samba

optional interactive portion for young dancers in the audience. The MBT is a dance school with studios in Gaithersburg and Clarksburg. ci.ovationtix.com/36017/ production/1250913

Feb. 22

Tango After Dark

Expect glamour and passion at this performance celebrating Argentinian tango at The Music Center at Strathmore. The show features eight dancers—including world tango champions German Cornejo and Gisela Galeassi—two vocalists and a live band.

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Dancers and musicians present a showcase of samba, the traditional Brazilian genre of music and dance, from classic rhythms to modern carnival beats. Attendees are invited to join in and sing, dance and play instruments. The monthly event is held in the Glen Echo Park Spanish Ballroom Back Room and is open to all ages and skill levels. The session starts with a beginner dance lesson. It’s presented by Glen Echo Park in partnership with EducArte, an organization that seeks to connect community members through Brazilian performing arts. glenechopark.org

Jan. 19

Metropolitan Ballet Theatre: A Day of Service

See how dancers from the Metropolitan Ballet Theatre (MBT) interpret the words of Martin Luther King Jr. in this contemporary ballet performance at the Arts Barn in Gaithersburg. The 45-minute performance includes an

Community Events

Feb. 14

Black History Month Family Day

Play traditional African music, test your knowledge of historical African American figures, and share what freedom means to you at this free family-friendly event at Woodlawn Manor Cultural Park in Sandy Spring. Story times will be held at 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Recommended for age 6 and older. montgomeryparks.org

Feb. 14

Cupid’s Chase 5K

You might meet the love of your life while also raising money for a good cause at this 5K in Wheaton Regional Park. The race raises funds for Community Options, a nonprofit that supports housing and employment for people with disabilities. Runners who are looking

Feb. 15

History Hour: Jubilee Voices Black History Month Concert

Part of the Washington Revels cultural arts group, Jubilee Voices preserves African American traditions through programs that include a cappella music, drama, spoken word and dance. The ensemble will perform at the Josiah Henson Museum and Park in North Bethesda. Purchase tickets online or on-site. The museum will also be open for self-guided tours. Parking is available at Wall Local Park a few blocks away. montgomeryparks.org

Art

Jan. 9-Jan. 31

Blair G. Ewing Art Show

Bethesda’s Gallery B exhibits large- and smallscale prints by students and alumni of the Blair G. Ewing Center, a Montgomery County Public Schools alternative education center designed to serve students with different learning and social-emotional needs. Art teacher John Charles crafted the school’s visual arts program to allow students to express their creativity and emotions. bethesda.org

Feb. 4-25

Thresholds: A Global Journey Through Architecture

Photographer Jenny Nordstrom blurs the lines between photography and painting in her pictures depicting colorful doors, arches and architectural details from Morocco to Mexico to Scotland. Her artwork will be on exhibit at the Invited Artists Gallery at Artists & Makers Studios in Rockville. An opening reception is planned for Feb. 6. artistsandmakersstudios.com

Trusted

Courtside Camaraderie

With a combined 45 years of coaching, the heads of girls and boys basketball at a Bethesda high school are a dynamic duo

BY DAVID ELFIN

In March 2010, Chris Lun and Pete Kenah were in Las Vegas to celebrate their successful seasons coaching basketball at Bethesda’s Walt Whitman High School—Lun coaches the boys team and Kenah the girls team—when they entered a free throw shooting contest at their hotel along with about 50 other people.

As former high school and college players who still spend hours on the court, Lun and Kenah faced each other in the final. The coaches, then in their 30s, geared up to shoot for a customized Schwinn bicycle and were joined by two former NBA players as it was announced that the best team, not the best man, would win the prize. Lun’s partner, Ed O’Bannon, made all his shots, while Kenah’s partner, former Col. Zadok Magruder High School star Jerome Williams, missed four. Lun won the bike.

“Chris hasn’t let me forget it since,” Kenah says.

That competitiveness and friendship has helped produce hundreds of victories, including a state title for each, since the pair began their Whitman tenures more

than two decades ago. They are so close that they attended each other’s bachelor party and wedding.

“There’s no way anybody in the county gets along better than the two of us,” says Lun, 48, who graduated from Seneca Valley High School in Germantown in 1995 and played at Penn State’s Mont Alto campus before transferring to the State College campus. He’s been coaching at Whitman since 2004 and lives in Bethesda.

Kenah, 49, a 1994 graduate of Richard Montgomery High School in Rockville who was a walk-on player at Towson University, has been coaching at Whitman since 2001 and also lives in Bethesda. “There’s no animosity that maybe you hear sometimes at other programs where one coach is big and the other isn’t doing as well, or one coach wants the other one’s job, or they’re fighting over gym time,” Kenah says.

Lun, whose team captured the state crown in 2006, led the Vikings to the title game the past two years and has recorded 12 straight winning seasons. Kenah’s teams haven’t gone as far lately, but he has posted 16 consecutive winning seasons, including 2016, when his team won the state championship. Kenah’s team returned to the title game in 2017 despite losing four starters to graduation.

As successful as they have been on the court, Lun, a math teacher since 2013 at Thomas W. Pyle Middle School in Bethesda, which feeds into Whitman, and Kenah, who’s in his 24th year as a social studies teacher at Whitman, have made an impact by connecting with students.

“They’re both accomplished coaches, but what sets them apart is that they’ve developed these programs that bring so much joy and have really become a community focal point,” says Laura Leonhardt of Bethesda, whose daughter, Eva, is a co-captain on Kenah’s team this season and worked at Lun’s first girls camp last summer.

Says Lun, “We run our programs like extended family because we’ve known the kids from camp to middle school to high school, on the court and off the court.”

The coaches have been at Whitman so long that they get invited to former players’ weddings and baby showers. “When you get hired at 25, you think it’s just going to be X’s and O’s, but it has grown into so much more,” Kenah says. “We

have an alumni game over Thanksgiving weekend, which is one of my favorite times the whole year, getting to see what everyone has grown into.”

Kenah’s favorite team remains the 2016 state champions. Five players received Division I scholarship offers, including Washington Post All-Met Abby Meyers, who went on to star at Princeton and Maryland, play briefly in the WNBA and is now playing in Spain.

“At the professional level and even at the college level, there are some coaches where it’s just a business relationship,” says Meyers, a four-year varsity player at Whitman. “Your job is to get wins for them, and you don’t necessarily have a social relationship outside of basketball. Kenah really cares about every one of his players. Our team would go to hibachi restaurants. We would play dodgeball after practice. The culture that Kenah shaped during my four years at Whitman is one reason we were so successful. When you value each other and trust each other

you’re going to be able to communicate effectively. Effective communication leads to successful teams.”

Lun is on a group text thread with some of the players from the 2006 state title team, including Washington Post AllMet selection Michael Gruner, who scored 23 of the defensive-minded Vikings’ points in their 39-38 upset of Greenbelt’s Eleanor Roosevelt High School.

After Lun got the Whitman job, he met with Magruder boys coach Dan Harwood, who had won a state title three years earlier and entered the 2025-2026 season with 611 victories, a county record. Harwood says he knew after the two-hour discussion that the then-27-year-old was going to be successful. “When Chris took over, Whitman had had some lean times, so he was smart to emphasize defense,” Harwood says. “You can’t always control your offensive talent, but if you get your kids to play hard and buy into the defensive system, you can be successful. His team last year was solid, but I didn’t think they were

a state championship team. Chris always gets the most out of his players.”

Antoine White, the point guard on the 2006 team, had dropped out of community college after suffering a knee injury when Lun asked him to help at Whitman in 2009. White soon became Lun’s assistant and junior varsity coach and then guided Kenah’s teams in spring ball, an unofficial prelude to the following winter’s season.

Lun eventually pulled White aside and said, “I don’t know if this is what you want to do with your life, but I think you might have a future in coaching.” White was so energized that he soon returned to college. He graduated at 27 and began working at Mount St. Mary’s University in Emmitsburg, Maryland, where he has been the women’s head coach since 2021.

“Chris and Pete ... are great basketball minds, but they’re even better people,” White says. “The biggest things I’ve taken from them are how to go about your business the right way, how to treat people, and how to build a program and a culture.”

Sweet Sensation

How a Bethesda mom went from making plant-based mochi gummies in her kitchen to selling them in nearly 6,000 stores across the country

BY KATHLEEN NEARY

When Mika Shino’s sons were little, she paid attention to what she was feeding them, trying to give them only healthy foods, mostly made from scratch. “I was obsessed with everything they ate,” says Shino, who was born in Japan, moved to the U.S. when she was 8 and has lived in Bethesda since 2015.

“As they got older and wanted candy and treats—we have great candy in Japan—I felt guilty about candy with corn syrup, preservatives,” Shino, 54, says. “We were going to California and I let them choose stuff in the airport, and it was all junk. I thought, Is this the best we can do?”

Shino started experimenting with mochi, a food she grew up eating. Often made from pounded rice, it can be baked, fried, grilled or steamed and has a chewy

texture. She fondly remembers eating mochi cakes while sipping green tea as an afternoon snack with her family.

Shino began baking sheets of mochi and cutting it into small pieces to make little gummies. “I was on a baking frenzy. We don’t eat mochi as a candy in Japan. This was new. I didn’t know anything about food,” says Shino, who lived in Paris for 17 years, working at UNESCO for 15 years and traveling all over the world. In 2021, she started sharing the gummies—she describes them as “between marshmallow and gummy bear”—with people she knew, and the positive feedback encouraged her to pursue a business.

In Japan, mochi is a baked good that you eat fresh, so she consulted a food scientist to learn about making a product

that’s shelf-stable. She wanted to get away from industrial gelatin, which contains animal products. With rice flour, tapioca, cane sugar, natural flavor and natural color (beets, carrots and turmeric add the hues), Shino’s gummies are plant-based and don’t contain any gelatin, gluten, artificial flavors or artificial colors (though the varieties covered in chocolate have milk as an ingredient so are not labeled as plant-based). “It’s what’s called a long chew—it bounces back after you start eating,” Shino says.

She named the brand Issei, which means a first-generation Japanese immigrant to the U.S., she says, and launched in September 2022 in Whole Foods Market. Nearly 6,000 stores now carry Issei products, including Target and Walmart. Sour watermelon, strawberry, mango, yuzu,

BY BRENDAN MCCABE

The gummies are made with rice flour, tapioca and sugar.

peach, tangerine, sour apple, sour cherry, chocolate-covered strawberry, chocolatecovered peppermint, chocolate-covered coconut and chocolate-covered cherry varieties are available. Unlike traditional gummy bears, which are liquid and can be poured into molds during production, Issei mochi gummies are cut from a dough into nonuniform cube shapes. A 2-ounce bag costs $4.99 and a 4-ounce bag costs $6.99.

What began with Shino hand-cutting the gummies has evolved into manufacturing operations in Washington state, where the gummies are steamed and produced in a custom-made machine. An Issei warehouse in Rockville is used for fulfilling orders and is being outfitted to be the company’s future factory. The business is based in Bethesda, where Shino lives with her husband and sons, now 12 and 17.

As the founder and CEO of the company, Shino was among five women featured on the cover of Inc. magazine in 2024 for a story on top female founders of businesses. Issei won a 2024 Most Innovative New Product Award at the Sweets & Snacks Expo organized by the National Confectioners Association for its dark chocolate-covered strawberry mochi gummies. “We never chocolate cover things in Japan. Being in the U.S., I love it. It’s similar to chocolate Raisinets,” she says.

A video posted to Issei’s TikTok account in October about the brand’s backstory and products got 1.4 million views in the first few days (views reached 2.9 million in early December). “It lifted sales in all the stores and on Amazon and our website,” Shino says. “The next chapter is leaning into online sales and not just retail.” She also plans to keep innovating and creating new mochi products.

David Hagedorn contributed reporting for this story.

What advice would you offer to a first-time hybrid shopper?

For a first-time hybrid shopper, start by understanding your daily driving habits. Hybrids perform best when they match your lifestyle, so think about your commute distance, how often you sit in traffic, and whether your priority is maximum fuel savings, performance or versatility. This will help guide you toward the right hybrid type.

One important note many shoppers don’t realize: traditional hybrids do not need to be plugged in. They recharge themselves through the gas engine and regenerative braking, making them extremely convenient for everyday driving. Plug-in hybrids, however, offer an additional EV-only range for those who want more electric driving.

Consider the long-term value, not just the initial price. Hybrids typically offer substantial fuel savings, strong

resale value and lower maintenance needs. Some models may even qualify for state incentives, depending on battery size.

Test-drive multiple hybrids, because every brand’s system feels different. Pay attention to the smoothness of the gas-to-electric transition, regenerative braking feel, cabin quietness and overall responsiveness. Brands like Toyota are known for exceptionally refined hybrid performance.

Review hybrid battery warranties, which are often eight to 10 years, offering peace of mind. Finally, ask your salesperson to explain realworld MPG expectations and how to use drive modes and regenerative braking to maximize efficiency—many drivers exceed EPA numbers once they understand the system.

Rob Smith, President

FITZGERALD AUTO MALL

16 locations in the greater Washington, D.C. region 301-881-4000

FitzMall.com

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

The Fitzgerald automobile family has grown from a onecar Bethesda showroom in 1966 to today's 25 locations. The company's longevity and success are predicated on late founder Jack Fitzgerald's original guiding principle to provide exceptional value in the most comfortable, customer-friendly sales and service environment possible. Once the FitzWay, always the FitzWay. There's just no better way to go!

Awards & Honors

-Certified to ISO9001, Certified to ISO14001

-Community Leader of the Year, Montgomery County Chamber (2024) -In 2025, founder Jack Fitzgerald was posthumously inducted into the Child Passenger Safety Hall of Fame by the Manufacturers Alliance for Child Passenger Safety and was honored by the Montgomery County Business Hall of Fame.

Wondering how to evaluate builders with confidence?

If you're considering building a home, you don't have to choose between settling for an existing property or paying premium prices for full custom construction. Semi-custom building offers a smart middle ground—but the builder you choose matters.

Whether you already own a lot or are still searching for one, selecting the right builder partner makes all the difference. If you already have a lot, your builder should be able to assess its feasibility quickly and accurately. Look for a team that can evaluate slope, utilities, setbacks, access and overall buildability—then clearly explain which floor plans will fit and what sitework costs to expect. Transparent upfront guidance helps you avoid surprises later.

If you're still searching for a lot, partner with a builder who takes the time to understand your budget, preferred neighborhoods, timeline and architectural preferences. Experienced

builders often maintain their own lot inventory and proactively search for new opportunities on your behalf, making the process far more efficient.

Also look for personalization—not a blank slate. Your builder should offer structural options, curated design selections and the flexibility to adjust spaces without overwhelming you with endless decisions, creating an ideal blend of guidance and customization.

With more than 130 years of combined regional expertise, Evergreene Homes provides complimentary lot studies, award-winning floor plans and a thoughtful approach to semi-custom design.

If you’re ready to explore building a home tailored to your ideal lifestyle, we’re here to guide you with trusted care, clarity and craftsmanship. Visit our model at the Stratton Place Community: 7203 Barnett Road, Bethesda, MD 20817 or call 703-667-7878 to schedule a consultation.

Mark Giganti, Chief Operating Officer

3684 Centerview Drive, Suite 120 Chantilly, VA 20151

703-667-7878

MyEvergreeneHome.com EVERGREENE HOMES

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Chief Operating Officer Mark

Giganti brings more than 40 years of homebuilding leadership to Evergreene. He previously led D.R. Horton’s Capital Division, serving as division president, VP of operations and division vice president. He has extensive sales, operational, construction and purchasing experience as well as a solid background in land acquisition, planning and development.

Awards & Honors

Evergreene has earned multiple industry honors, including a 2025 NVBIA GALA Award of Merit for Best Design and Architecture, three 2025 Delaware Regal Awards, for Community Home of the Year, Kitchen Design and Primary Suite Design, plus a 2022 NVBIA GALA Award for Best Design and Architecture.

If all youth athletes grow, why don’t they all hurt?

Every youth athlete goes through periods of rapid growth — but not all of them experience pain or injury along the way. So, what separates the athletes who stay healthy from those who get sidelined?

Growth itself isn’t the issue. The real challenge lies in how the body adapts to increases in size, speed and overall physical stress. During growth spurts, bones often lengthen faster than muscles and tendons can keep up. This mismatch can affect coordination, control and overall movement quality. Without adequate relative strength, movement competency and physical capacity, young athletes are more vulnerable to overuse injuries such as Osgood-Schlatter’s, Sever’s disease and even stress fractures.

At Rehab 2 Perform, we focus on bridging the gap between rehabilitation and sports performance with a proactive, development-based physical

therapy approach. Our rehab program includes age-appropriate movement assessments, targeted strength training and education for both athletes and their parents. We don’t simply help young athletes rehab and recover; we help them build resilience, confidence and the physical foundation needed for long-term success.

By moving beyond the traditional “rest and wait” approach—or ignoring pain altogether—we empower young athletes to understand their bodies, address their weaknesses and take ownership of their development. Growth doesn’t have to equal growing pains. With the right environment, coaching and training principles, athletes can grow stronger, move better and stay on the field.

At Rehab 2 Perform, we believe the true measure of success isn’t just returning to play—it’s creating durability and longevity in sport and in life.

Dr. Josh Funk, DPT

REHAB 2 PERFORM

6710A Rockledge Drive, Suite 120A

Bethesda, MD 20817

301-798-4838

Rehab2Perform.com

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dr. Josh Funk, DPT, is the Founder and CEO of Rehab 2 Perform, a leading performance-based physical therapy company with 14 locations across the Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia region. A former collegiate and pro lacrosse player, Dr. Funk specializes in bridging the gap between rehab and performance for athletes of all levels.

Awards & Honors

Individual:

EY Entrepreneur of the Year

Finalist (Mid-Atlantic) 2024, 2025

APTA Peer2Peer Honoree

Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Graduate Daily Record VIP 40 Under 40

Rehab 2 Perform: Inc. 5000 Fastest Growing Company (2020–2025)

U.S. Chamber CO-100 Growth Accelerator Honoree

WebPT Innovator of the Year 2022

How is Pattana Restaurant Group redefining Washington’s suburban dining experience?

I discovered my love for cooking at an early age, watching my mother prepare the bright, bold flavors of Southern Thailand. Those moments taught me food is more than nourishment—it's memory, culture and connection.

I moved to Virginia in the late ’90s as a graduate student and, after completing my master’s degree, took a position at a small restaurant in Vienna. There, I learned restaurant operations under the owner and executive chef, whose mentorship shaped my future. When he opened a new location—Thai At Silver Spring—I followed, learning every aspect of the business. With his encouragement, I eventually took over operations.

To help with the transition, I partnered with my childhood friend, Parasak “Sing” Chokesatean, marking the beginning of our journey as restaurateurs. That was in 2005, and I remain humbled by the support we've received.

Today, I bring that same passion to five restaurant brands across the region— including Dok Khao Thai Eatery in Chevy Chase Lake and Sense of Thai, opening at 5400 Westbard Square Ave. in Bethesda in winter 2026. With each location we open or operate, my goal is the same: to pair authentic Southern Thai cuisine with Thai culture and create elevated dining experiences for the communities we serve.

Our menus draw from my mother’s recipes and celebrate the harmony of Thai flavors. Thai dining is inherently familystyle, with dishes arriving together so everyone can share. Every detail—from carved wood panels to chandeliers—is sourced from Thai artisans and paired with accents reflecting each neighborhood.

For me, Pattana Restaurant Group is more than a business—it is an extension of my family and a way to share my culture with the Washington area, one meal at a time.

Dok Khao 8551 Connecticut Ave, Suite 201 Chevy Chase, MD 20815 301-718-8889 DokKhao.com

Chef Porntipa Pattanameka, founder of Pattana Restaurant Group, is celebrated for bringing elevated Southern Thai cuisine to the DMV. Her restaurants have won multiple regional awards, and her innovative approach to cocktails, community engagement and hospitality continue to shape the area’s culinary landscape.

Awards & Honors

Her restaurants have earned recognition from EATER, Northern Virginia Magazine and USA Today for bringing authentic Southern Thai flavors to the Washington, D.C. region. Honors include Best New Restaurant, Best Thai Restaurant in Northern Virginia and multiple “Best Asian Restaurant” distinctions, celebrating her commitment to culture, craft and communitycentered dining.

Can AI replace my financial advisor?

As AI tools like ChatGPT gain popularity for everything from suggesting what to make for dinner to serving as a personal travel advisor, you might be wondering if it could replace your financial advisor. The short answer? Not really.

While AI can be helpful in giving basic insights, such as flagging potential investment risks or offering a starting point, it can’t dig into the details of your unique financial situation the way a human can.

For example, when we tried AI on a blended family scenario, it came back with a safe but overly simplistic plan. Key questions—like how to best take care of family members with special needs —didn’t come up unless we specifically prompted it. On the investment side, it tended to stick to textbook recommendations, putting clients into generic risk categories without really understanding the full picture.

The value of a human advisor lies in asking the right questions, uncovering the “unknown unknowns” and tailoring advice to the client’s real-life context. Plus, AI reflects biases from the data it’s trained on. Therefore, while it can save time or assist in research, it doesn’t replace the judgment, empathy, or trust that comes from a long-term relationship with a fiduciary advisor.

We see AI as a helpful research tool, not a replacement for a financial advisor. Nothing beats a human who can adapt to changing markets and tax law, adjust to your situation and guide you with trust and reassurance.

Since 1982, we’ve helped high-networth clients not just manage money but navigate uncertainty, address risks they didn’t know to ask about and gain the confidence to make informed decisions. AI can assist, but it can’t replace the human insight and care that define our approach.

Main Office: 2010 Corporate Ridge Road, Suite 530, McLean, VA 22102 703-847-2500

Maryland Office: 14941 Shady Grove Road Rockville, MD 20850

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Since 1982, West Financial Services has served clients with an approach grounded in financial planning, communication, creativity and genuine care. We go beyond asset management–understanding each individual, family and business to coordinate every aspect of their financial well-being. Plus, we coach you every step of the way.

Awards & Honors

-Washingtonian’s Top Financial Adviser 2025

-Northern Virginia Magazine’s Top Financial Professionals 2025

-Five Star Wealth Managers 2025 -Best RIAs to Work For 2025

How does your new concierge model benefit patients?

For more than two decades, we’ve been committed to providing compassionate, highquality, relationship-centered care to families across Iowa, Nashville, and now Maryland. In recent years, however, steadily declining insurance reimbursements—coupled with relentless pressure to see more volume of patients a day—made it impossible to sustain an independent practice while still giving each person the time and attention they deserve.

Transitioning to concierge, or membershipbased, medicine allows us to preserve our independence and return to practicing medicine the way it was meant to be— unhurried, deeply personal and rooted in trust.

By intentionally limiting the number of patients we serve, we can finally give each person the time they need. Appointments last 30–60 minutes—no rushing, no clockwatching. This lets us truly know you and your family, pay attention to details, address every concern and practice proactive, preventive medicine that far exceeds what’s typically possible in high-volume settings.

In return for an annual membership (with flexible payment options to keep it accessible), our patients receive benefits that fundamentally change how healthcare feels:

• Direct, 24/7 access to your personal physician—for urgent or after-hours needs

• Same- or next-day appointments, preventing exhausting urgent care and E R trips

• Little to no waiting

• Virtual consultations (tele-visits) w hen appropriate

• Coordination of care during hospitalization or specialist visits

Our philosophy centers on prevention and long-term wellness. We partner with you to create personalized strategies—nutrition plans, lifestyle changes, sustainable habits— that prevent and sometimes even reverse disease rather than merely treating symptoms. Ultimately, concierge care lets us deliver what our patients have always deserved: accessible, relationship-driven, highly personalized medicine built entirely around you.

15215 Shady Grove Road, Suite 304 Rockville, MD 20850

301-284-8990

301-644-2835 (membership inquiries) MyFamilyMedDocs.com

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Drs. Manisha Kalra and Rohit Seem are board-certified family physicians and fellows of the American Academy of Family Physicians, with a special focus on preventive care and nutritionbased medicine. Dr. Kalra trained at the Mayo Clinic; Dr. Seem at the University of Iowa.

Both completed their residencies in Des Moines, Iowa.

Awards & Honors

Dr. Kalra: Consumer Research Council of America "Top Family Doctor," four-time Patients' Choice Award recipient; Compassionate Doctor recognition

Dr. Seem: Eight-time recipient of the Consumer Research Council of America's "Top Family Doctors" award; Compassionate Doctor recognition

What type of lasers get rid of age spots?

Age spots and sun damage can make skin appear uneven, dull and prematurely aged. Advanced laser treatments can safely restore a brighter, more youthful complexion. At Capital Laser & Skin Care, every journey begins with a skin evaluation to ensure your skin is healthy and free of potentially pre-cancerous lesions. Once cleared, we design a customized treatment plan tailored to your skin type, pigmentation concerns and lifestyle.

Several laser and light-based technologies precisely target pigmentation. Fraxel Dual delivers controlled heat to targeted skin layers, stimulating collagen while improving sunspots, age spots, fine lines and wrinkles. Halo combines ablative and non-ablative wavelengths to resurface the skin and address years of sun damage by targeting multiple layers at once.

For gentle non-ablative rejuvenation with minimal downtime, MOXI treats early signs of aging and sun damage while BBL

quickly brightens larger areas using broadspectrum light. UltraClear offers customizable resurfacing to even tone, refine texture and boost collagen production, and Clear + Brilliant enhances overall radiance while reducing freckles and pigment irregularities.

For patients needing deeper or more targeted correction, we also offer ProFractional and Erbium resurfacing to stimulate natural healing and address more stubborn sun damage and discoloration.

Each treatment is selected based on your individual goals to ensure safe, effective and personalized results. Together, these therapies reduce age spots, correct discoloration, improve texture and restore luminous healthy skin with results that continue to improve over time.

At Capital Laser & Skin Care, we believe beautiful skin begins with healthy skin and our advanced technologies and thoughtful customized care make that possible for patients of all skin types and ages.

LASER & SKIN CARE

5471 C2 Wisconsin Ave., Suite 200 Chevy Chase, MD 20815 301-798-9699

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Board-Certified dermatologists with more than 20 years of expertise, Dr. Geeta Shah and Dr. Tania Peters specialize in advanced laser treatments, injectables and body contouring. Members of leading dermatology societies, they provide personalized gentle care for aging skin, wrinkles, sunspots, redness, rosacea, scars and acne, delivering natural-looking results.

Awards & Honors

Capital Laser & Skin Care has been recognized multiple times with Best of Bethesda Awards, winning for Dermatology Practice in 2026, 2025, 2024, 2022, 2020 and 2018 and for Medical Aesthetics Practice in 2026, 2025, 2024, 2022 and 2020, reflecting excellence in care.

Should I consider taking a GLP-1 medication for weight loss?

A recent poll shows about 12 percent of Americans are taking a GLP-1 medication. Some say using GLP-1s for weight loss is taking "the easy way out." Others see a miracle drug. Undeniably, they've changed the trajectory of obesity in America—adult rates have dropped nearly 3 percent since 2022. They've shifted the conversation around weight and impacted consumer behavior, reducing fast-food consumption and grocery spending.

For many, GLP-1s offer hope, unlocking a level of control over food not previously attainable—when food noise quiets and taste preferences change, making healthier choices comes easier. By slowing digestion, GLP-1s suppress hunger and increase satiety. But that can also cause gastrointestinal issues like bloating, nausea and constipation. Health benefits beyond weight loss include lowering the risk of heart attacks and strokes; protecting liver and kidney function; and improving blood sugar, blood pressure

and cholesterol levels. Early data show potential neuroprotective benefits as well. GLP-1 users should be followed for changes in body composition, muscle strength and function, nutrition, and physical activity levels to ensure that weight loss is happening in a safe and healthy way. GLP-1s are not for everyone. They should be avoided in pregnancy or if nursing, and they're contraindicated with certain medical histories. The cost of these medications can be a major barrier for many patients, especially since insurance coverage is often difficult to obtain without meeting extensive criteria.

Obesity is a chronic disease often requiring long-term treatment. With any weight loss attempt, there is a natural tendency to regain weight after stopping the intervention. Developing and sustaining health-promoting behaviors, prioritizing nutrition and staying active remain essential for progress both on and off the medication.

Stacy Hom, MD, Founder & Owner

BODYWISE HEALTH

Triangle Towers 4853 Cordell Ave. PH10, Bethesda, MD 20814 240-262-3194

@bodywisehealthmd

BodyWiseHealthMD.com

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dr. Stacy Hom is a double boardcertified Family Medicine and Obesity Medicine physician. She founded BodyWise Health to provide high-touch, personalized care for weight management, with a focus on chronic disease prevention. She empowers patients to take a proactive approach to their care to safeguard their long-term health. Dr. Hom has no conflict of interest or financial ties to the makers of any of the drugs mentioned in this article. The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and does not substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

and why does it matter?

Downsizing is one of the biggest transitions a homeowner can make. While everyone’s path looks different, most people fall into a few general “downsizing styles.” Understanding which one fits your situation helps us provide the right level of planning, support and emotional pacing.

Some clients are “Rental Explorers”— seeking flexibility while deciding where to land next, or navigating kids in flux and not ready for a long-term commitment. Others are “Rightsizers,” ready for a home intentionally designed around their next chapter—often closer to family, walkable communities, or simplified living. “Luxury Downsizers” trade maintenance for amenities, while “Conservative Downsizers” prefer a streamlined move with minimal disruption and maximum clarity.

No matter your style, the principles of a successful downsize are the same. Start with the new home: a floor plan is your blueprint for what stays, what goes and what needs reimagining. Some clients love mapping it themselves; others prefer a designer—we support both approaches.

Next, tackle belongings with three simple questions:

1. What do you need ?

2. What do you love?

3. What can you let go?

When letting go, get creative. Send surprise boxes to family or friends with personal notes. Tag and store items temporarily so adult children have time to decide. Plan mini-events, like a weekend treasure hunt, where loved ones select what they’ll keep—turning the process into a meaningful memory instead of a chore.

For the rest, decide what stays local, what gets sold and what gets donated. Many organizations offer curbside pickup or accept larger household items. For valuable pieces, estate teams or resale experts can help maximize returns.

At Trent & Co., we believe home is a feeling. Our job is to help you carry that feeling forward—bringing what matters, letting go of what doesn’t and stepping confidently into your next chapter.

We find this topic so important that we have created a local downsizing group. If you’re interested in joining, contact Mary Noone at mary@trentandco.com or Ilana Tanowitz at ilana@trentandco.com.

Trent Heminger & Mary Noone

Licensed in MD/DC/VA 5471 Wisconsin Ave., Suite 300 Chevy Chase, MD 20815

M: 240-461-3928

O: 301.298.1001

Trent@trentandco.com

Mary@trentandco.com TrentAndCo.com

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Trent & Co. combines more than 90 years of real estate expertise with a results-driven, clientfirst approach. Led by awardwinning duo Trent Heminger and Mary Noone, they’re nationally recognized among the DMV’s top most effective agents, delivering personalized strategies and exceptional service that help clients confidently navigate every market—from first homes to luxury estates.

Is your body signaling that it needs

your attention?

Feeling “off” is incredibly common, but it is not something you need to accept as normal. Your body is always communicating through your energy, digestion, mood, sleep, cravings and even your clarity of thought. The first step to feeling good every day is learning to pay attention to those signals instead of pushing through them.

Start with a two-minute daily checkin. Ask yourself: How’s my energy? How’s my mood? How did I sleep? How does my digestion feel? When you begin noticing patterns, you can start making simple shifts that create meaningful change.

Next, build non-negotiable daily basics. Hydrate as soon as you wake up. Prioritize protein at every meal to stabilize blood sugar and support hormones. Move your body every day! Even a 10-minute walk after meals can improve digestion and metabolism. Also,

honor your sleep routine because poor sleep can drive inflammation, raise cortisol and drain your energy.

From there, support the systems that influence everything from your gut to your hormones and more. When these are out of balance, you feel it through low energy, brain fog, bloating, stubborn weight, skin changes and mood swings. The good news is that with the right testing and guidance these systems can reset and begin working with you again.

At Juve, we help you understand your internal landscape through wellness testing, weight-loss support, hormone evaluation and targeted treatments like IV hydration, clinical supplements, peptides and aesthetic care. When you combine consistent daily habits with strategic support, you do more than feel better. You feel steady, aligned and fully connected to your body again.

Juve.beauty JUVE BEAUTY LOUNGE

5423 Friendship Blvd. Chevy Chase, MD 20815 240-802-2755

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Rhonda Bray is a trailblazer in aesthetic wellness, blending her Cleveland Clinic nursing background with proven success in health innovation. After founding a leading remote patient monitoring company, she created Juve Wellness and Beauty to unite science, luxury and meaningful care. Her leadership reflects a commitment to access, empowerment and elevated client experiences.

Awards & Honors

2025 Bethesda Magazine Faces of Bethesda

What are the five keys to transforming your body—and life?

Transformation starts with setting your goals based on where you are right now — physically, mentally and in life. Whether you’re 20 and just learning to exercise, 50 and navigating menopause or 82 and working on strength and balance, it’s about starting where you are and creating structure that puts the habits in place to make your healthiest life possible.

Here are the five keys I focus on with every client:

1. Discover your “why.” Motivation drives long-term change, and it has to come from within. Whether it’s strength and overall fitness, maintaining your health or being able to play actively with your grandkids, it’s important to pay attention to what’s driving you.

2. Reconnect with past successes. Think about the times you felt your best. Was it feeling strong, energetic, or maybe confident in your favorite clothes? Building on those successes creates momentum and reconnects you with what makes you feel amazing.

3. Focus on healthy habits. Sleep, hydration, stress management, nutrition and movement all work together. Small, practical

tweaks reduce stress, boost energy and support lasting transformation without feeling overwhelming.

4. Start small and stay consistent. Daily manageable habits build the foundation for growth in more substantial ways. Even 2030 minutes per day of exercise, coupled with balanced nutrition, can make a difference. Over time, these habits become second nature, translating into long-term health and well-being.

5. Build support and accountability. Coaches, partners and family can help you stay on track. Many clients train in small groups or with a partner, making fitness social and motivating. Sharing your goals with family or community strengthens consistency and commitment.

At Teri Fitness, we will start working toward your goals on day one. Together, we will create a plan that addresses your personal goals both in the gym and out in the real world so you can enjoy everything you love. My goal is to help you realize your best health is within your reach—one push-up at a time.

MD

Voted Bethesda’s Best Personal Trainer in 2008 and 2010 and six-time Top Vote Finalist (2015-2026), Kim Teri brings 30 years of dance and fitness experience, guiding clients of all ages through personal training and nutrition coaching to achieve their individual health and wellness goals.

How is AI impacting home buying and selling?

AI is transforming nearly every aspect of real estate transactions, often for the better, but it's also bringing back an old principle: consumer beware. While technology helps us market properties more effectively and showcase their potential, it's crucial to understand both its benefits and its limitations. AI can enhance listing photos to attract more prospective buyers—for instance, turning a less-than-ideal window view into something more appealing, adjusting wall colors or reimagining landscaping. But there's a fine line between improving photo quality and creating representations that don't accurately reflect what buyers will see in person.

Some of our favorite tools, like AI Remodel and DreamzAR AI Landscape Design, are fantastic for visualizing renovations and upgrades. Used responsibly, they spark creativity and help buyers see past cosmetic issues to a property’s full potential. Still,

nothing replaces physically stepping inside a home—which is why we remain committed to previewing properties ourselves.

In addition to participating in Tuesday Compass Broker Opens, most Fridays you'll find our team out looking at new inventory that has been activated for sale later in the week. Seeing homes in person is the only way to truly get a feel for their natural light, how they sit within a neighborhood, nearby amenities and all the subtle qualities that matter just as much as square footage or bed-and-bath count. We don't believe AI will ever replace our value as real estate agents. Instead, we see AI and human expertise partnering to elevate the buying and selling experience. For us, it’s simply another smart tool that, paired with experience and personal guidance, helps clients make confident, wellinformed decisions about one of life's most important investments.

Banner Team

5471 Wisconsin Ave #300

Chevy Chase MD, 20815

Compass: 301-298-1001

Direct: 301-365-9090

info@BannerTeam.com BannerTeam.com

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

The Banner Team is an awardwinning real estate powerhouse with a national reputation. Specializing in luxury and upperbracket properties across the DMV, their impressive track record dates back over three decades. Implementing a team-oriented approach to every transaction, The Banner Team's commitment to excellence ensures clients receive unparalleled dedication throughout their buying or selling journey.

Awards & Honors

-Wendy Banner was voted “Best Realtor” and the Banner Team

“Best Real Estate Team” by Bethesda Magazine readers (2025)

-Bethesda Magazine “Top Producer” (2024)

-RealTrends Verified: Top three team in Maryland by volume (2024) and ranked No. 131 nationally

-Greater Capital Area Association of Realtors: 2024 Recognition

Awards Platinum Winner (Large Teams)

Why is early enrichment the impactful time to begin learning?

A trend I often observe is that families enroll older siblings in our program while holding off on younger ones, saying they’re too young to begin. It’s completely understandable, but early childhood is when the brain is most open to forming the habits that shape reasoning and problemsolving. Mathematics, when taught correctly, does far more than provide skills. It develops critical and logical thinking, nurturing mental processes that make learning feel natural later on.

At the Russian School of Mathematics, our approach has been to meet children at the point in their learning, where new concepts stretch thinking just enough to spark growth. Just as physical exercise strengthens the body, deep and thoughtful mental exercises strengthen the mind.

That's why even our youngest students, ages 4-5, not only play with blocks, but also explore variables, patterns and early algebraic ideas. These experiences help

children compare, analyze and approach new concepts with confidence. In today’s fast, overstimulating world, this early development of focus, patience and flexible thinking is more valuable than ever.

My belief in early enrichment also comes from personal experience. My brother and I were taught math and reading at age 2 and participated in chess tournaments by age 4. Those early cognitive experiences shaped the trajectory of our lives, instilling confidence, curiosity and the ability to tackle challenges with discipline and persistence.

Starting early isn’t about acceleration. It’s about giving children the mental tools they will rely on throughout their lives. Whether through math, chess, music or other disciplines, early enrichment builds a strong cognitive foundation, enabling children to not only thrive academically, but to approach the world as curious, capable learners.

RUSSIAN SCHOOL OF MATHEMATICS

202-843-8080 MathSchool.com

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Tamari Kharebava is the principal of the Russian School of Mathematics in Chevy Chase and founder of Terra Nova Kids in Bethesda. She has spent the past decade teaching mathematics and has evaluated thousands of children throughout her career, guiding families across the DMV. Tamari holds an MBA from the University of Maryland.

Awards & Honors

Tamari leads the Chevy Chase branch of the Russian School of Mathematics, the largest academic enrichment program in the DMV region, serving over 1,200 students as part of its 5,000-student DMV network. She is a top one-percent MBA graduate from the University of Maryland and a member of the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society.

E ST OF

229 PLACES

TO GO, THINGS TO DO AND PEOPLE TO KNOW, AS CHOSEN BY OUR EDITORS AND READERS

BY

By Sofia Appolonio, Mariam

BE THE S D A

Bukhari, Stephanie Siegel Burke, Meg Drennan, Rebecca Gale, Michael Hromalik, Jack Kiyonaga, Jillian Lynch, Alyssa Martin, Beth Meyer, David Montgomery, Kathleen Neary, Ashley Neyra, Amy Orndorff, Claudia Rosenbaum and Natasha Tynes

Alexa Landestoy, right, on the pregame show for the Caps’ 50th anniversary season opening night in 2024

Best Rising Star

uring a span of about 19 hours in mid-October, multisport, multiplatform broadcaster Alexa Landestoy worked the sidelines of a game between football rivals Brigham Young University and the University of Utah in Provo for Fox Sports, then made it back to Washington, D.C., to co-host live pregame and postgame shows for the Washington Capitals’ contest against the Vancouver Canucks on Monumental Sports Network. On that road trip, Landestoy, 28, had in tow husband Michael, 31—a former professional scout for baseball’s Pittsburgh Pirates who is now exploring other front office opportunities in the game—and their 6-month-old daughter, Isabella.

“The fans are like, ‘Did you teleport?’ ” Landestoy says. “ ‘[Because] how did you work a night game in Utah and a day game here in D.C.?’ So yeah, it’s a bit crazy, but you know, crazy that I asked for, and that I love.”

Things have been happening fast

for Landestoy, who was born and raised in Southern California, since she landed a job with NBC Sports Washington and moved to Bethesda in 2019. Landestoy was already hosting Caps coverage for NBC when Monumental acquired that regional sports network a few years later. Since then, she’s also taken on hosting for the NHL Network and, most recently, college football sideline reporting on the Fox broadcast team that includes former quarterback Robert Griffin III, who played for Washington’s football team.

“I’m just the crazy one with a 6-month-old and three jobs and a brand new house and all these things going on,” she says. Her approach to life is “just jump on every opportunity.”

Bethesda Magazine spoke with Landestoy in October in the clubhouse of the Bethesda development where she and her husband had their first house built in 2024. The interview has been edited for length and clarity.

After Isabella was born, you took some time off and then went right back to work. How are you managing?

I worked up until the baby. We were covering the Ovi Chase [Alex Ovechkin’s quest to surpass Wayne Gretzky’s record for most career goals], so every time I saw Ovi, I’d be like, let’s score some more goals, right? But I was at peace if it happened when I was in the hospital or if I was covering them. But I did get to cover his passing Wayne Gretzky before I went out.

You have to have a good village and a good support system around you. We had parents, we had the inlaws. My husband is the best dad and so supportive, and then having the village around us has really allowed us to be able to do what we do. It’s super hard to leave her now with all the milestones she keeps hitting. But hopefully one day she’ll be proud of mom and everything she’s doing.

What drew you to Bethesda?

I had no family or friends that lived here on the East Coast and nobody to refer to, so I just gave it a shot and moved into Bethesda and we never left. We absolutely love it. We decided to plant our roots in Bethesda. We just love the walking trails and the family community. If I’m not working, you’ll probably catch me on the Capital

Crescent Trail or doing something on Bethesda Row. A lot of the Caps’ players live in Arlington, but every time I see them, I’ll say how great Bethesda is. I joke that more Caps players are going to start living in Bethesda, too.

You quickly became a well-known part of the D.C. sports media landscape. How did you manage the transition?

I owe so much to the Capitals’ fans that are so supportive. I think when I started, though, it was a little like, ‘Who’s this girl coming in here and hosting?’ And the sweetest thing is now they’re like, ‘OK, I see why. Like, we love you.’ They’re so supportive of me, and this community really is a hockey family, a Caps family. I’m just so lucky. I’ve never left it, I’ve just added onto my plate.

You’re pretty open on social media about your life outside work, your family, your pregnancy.

I’ve always just been transparent with who I am, and also wanted people to connect with me and who I am. You could sit up there and break down a game, but they connect with you as a mom and as a wife. The same person you see in Bethesda is the same one on the broadcast. I feel that being yourself ultimately is what sets you apart.

—David Montgomery

Clockwise from top left: Alexa and Michael Landestoy with daugher Isabella on the Capital Crescent Trail in Bethesda; sideline reporting at a college football game; with Alex Ovechkin

BEST

Best Takes on the Dubai Chocolate Craze

What’s gooey, crunchy, salty and dripping with chocolate? The viral Dubai chocolate obsession that swept the country and left everyone clamoring for a taste. The rich milk chocolate bar filled with gooey pistachio and crunchy pastry bits first appeared at Fix Dessert

Chocolatier in the United Arab Emirates city in 2022, according to the BBC. After taking social media by storm, a few local spots have put their own twists on the trend.

Sports & Social went the ice-cold route with its Dubai chocolate sundae dessert. Creamy vanilla bean ice cream is layered with pistachios, crisp kataifi pastry and fresh whipped cream, and drizzled with chocolate. The result is a frozen mixture that is rich, crunchy and smooth, and feels almost as luxurious as Dubai itself.

11800 Grand Park Ave. (Pike & Rose), North Bethesda, 240-747-3006, sportsandsocial.com/bethesda

The pastry chefs at Summer House Santa Monica added a Dubai chocolate chip cookie to their menu in 2025. This warm cookie is made with semisweet European chocolate chips and has a “Dubai filling” made in-house with Irca pistachio cream, toasted kataifi, tahini and salt. The result is a crunchy chocolate cookie with an oozy, velvety pistachio cream center. The cookie is available at the chain’s Cookie Bar grab-and-go counters alongside classic flavors such as chocolate chip and snickerdoodle. 11825 Grand Park Ave. (Pike & Rose), North Bethesda, 301-881-2381, summerhouserestaurants.com/ north-bethesda

If you are looking to travel to Dubai for breakfast, head to Chateau de Rockville. The cafe, which opened in June, has created two inspired croissants—a pistachio cream-filled pastry covered in the chopped green nuts, and its newest take, a Dubai matcha strawberry croissant filled with a strawberry cream and dusted with matcha. 1701 Rockville Pike, A-11 (The Shops at Congressional Village), Rockville, 301-233-1654, instagram.com/chateauderockville/?hl=en

Best Way to Savor Nepalese Food Without Using a Passport

Suman Pradhan—owner of Indian restaurants Tikka Masala in Bethesda; Indian Wok in Frederick County, Maryland; Tikka Masala Street Food in Arlington, Virginia; and Tikka in Washington, D.C.—decided it was time to introduce others to his love of Nepalese food. He opened Royal Durbar Kitchen in Rockville in September with a menu that includes chow mein noodles and freshly made dumplings. “It’s pretty difficult to make the people understand what my cuisine is,” says Pradhan, who grew up in Nepal. “They ask, ‘What is the difference between Indian and Nepalese cuisine?’ I can’t really explain, but once you eat it, you will know.” Pradhan is so invested

in ensuring his food is authentic that he insists on using Himalayan spices flown in from Nepal, and he recruited a chef from there. The distinct flavors shine through in the restaurant’s Mustang dal, with black beans, onion, garlic and Himalayan spices, and in its momos (handmade dumplings) that come filled with vegetables, chicken or buffalo. Get that Kathmandu feeling by sampling the Royal Thali, a spread of offerings, in the dining room under a portrait of Mount Everest while sipping a curry martini or a Himalayan old-fashioned. 1321 Rockville Pike, #C, Rockville, 240-796-2071, royaldurbarkitchen.com

Best New Locally Roasted Coffee

These neighborhood cafes are hot spots for freshly roasted java

BEST FOR POUR-OVERS

The owners of Neighbors Coffee in Rockville are married couple Spencer Trach and Lulu Parajuli, both 30, of Gaithersburg. They met at Ridgeview Middle School and graduated from Quince Orchard High School, both in Gaithersburg. The bean-based business was born in 2023 after Trach had begun roasting coffee in his garage. The couple started selling the coffee at the Main Street Farmers Market in Gaithersburg. The 1,200-square-foot cafe opened in August. Neighbors Coffee sources beans directly from farmers in Nicaragua, Guatemala and Colombia and the beans are roasted on-site. Trach says there’s a rotating menu of roasted coffee. “We have a pretty extensive pour-over menu now, so we’re doing lighter, more fruit-forward coffees,” he says. 1101 Nelson St. (Woodley Gardens), Rockville, neighborscoffee.shop

BEST FOR SINGLE-ORIGIN

Meron Cherenet, 40, who grew up in Ethiopia and arrived in the U.S. for her sophomore year in high school, and her husband, Ashenafi Demese, 44, opened CoffeeFi Roastery in Bethesda in August. The cafe has lots of cozy seating and a peaceful vibe. The owners live in Rockville and own Butopia Buna Factory, a coffee roasting company for single-origin Ethiopian coffee that launched in 2020. Cherenet says she is the third generation of her family to work in the coffee industry. CoffeeFi serves Buto-

pia coffee, which is sourced from Ethiopia and roasted weekly in Frederick, Mary land. “That’s why we say this coffee is from our farms to your cup, for real,” Cherenet says. “The whole thing, the whole supply chain, is in our hands.” 4929 St. Elmo Ave., Bethesda, 443-548-1193, @coffeefi_roastery on Instagram

BEST FOR CUSTOM BREWS

Clear tubes track across the ceiling at Celtic Cup Coffee, which opened in January 2025 in downtown Silver Spring. Those are what owner Doug Ilg, 61, of Silver Spring, designed to help load coffee beans into hoppers at one end of the roughly 500-square-foot microroastery and cafe. Ilg’s goal is for the coffee curious to find a custom combo they love. “Whenever I found [coffee shops] that did roasting … I would often find a bean that I was interested in trying, but they wouldn’t have it on a roast level that I wanted,” says Ilg. Customers choose the roast level and the beans (there’s a rotating selection of singleorigin coffees), and Ilg can make a cup in a pour-over machine. Before opening shop, he says he sold his coffee in fundraisers for the Greater Washington Ceili Club, an Irish music club where he’s a member. Ilg says the club is the “namesake” for his shop. 8455 Colesville Road, Suite 101B, Silver Spring, 240-660-9700, celticcupcoffee.com

Best Peruvian Lunch

Pisco y Nazca, part of a small chain with additional restaurants in Florida, Virginia and Washington, D.C., opened its Bethesda location in March, offering Peruvian fare in a chic 6,000-square-foot space. The restaurant has created an introductory tasting journey that makes for a tasty midday meal. For $17.95, the “Pick-Two” lunch lets diners choose a duo of dishes from set offerings. Appetizer picks include empanadas filled with a Peruvian chicken stew, traditional ceviche, or tuna tartare tacos. The options for main dishes include an anticucho de pollo platter (grilled chicken skewers with jasmine rice and anticuchera sauce) or a half arroz con mariscos (a seafood rice with squid, shrimp and mussels). Desserts—a Peruvianstyle flan with grilled pineapple, or suspiro, a caramel custard with meringue—can be added for $5. For a fuller Peruvian journey, order a pisco sour to drink. Follow up with a siesta, if you can swing it.

7401 Woodmont Ave., Bethesda, 301-514-4830, piscoynazca. com/bethesda

Most Photogenic Bubble Tea Drinks

Giving vibes of colored sand art in a bottle, the bright drinks at bubble tea spot Heytea in Rock ville are layered with ingredients, some of which stay separate until you twirl a wide straw through your beverage. Green matcha, blue spirulina, white coconut milk, orange mango puree and other natural ingredients bring the hues. Served in sturdy plastic cups with simple line drawing logos, the dazzling drinks call for an Instagram post. Even the Supreme Brown Sugar Bobo Milk Tea looks like art with its brown sugar syrup, black tea and milk swirling above brown sugar tapioca pearls.

Heytea, which started in China and now has more than 4,000 shops around the world, debuted at Wintergreen Plaza in June. The minimalist decor (there are no large posted menus to check out) combined with the staff uniforms of gray aprons over khaki shirts make the space feel like a chemistry lab. One of the concoctions being mixed up is a creamy “cloud” foam made with cheese and real milk. It’s a signature ingredient that tops many offerings. With items that change seasonally, the menu is best browsed in the app rather than on the tablet at the register so you have time to customize a drink to your taste— deliciousness and aesthetic.

891-F Rockville Pike (Wintergreen Plaza), Rockville, 301-762-2970, heytea.com/en

Best Tiki-Themed Weeknight Escape

Fans of TV’s Survivor or Gilligan’s Island might enjoy a quirky Tiki bar pop-up at House of Foong Lin in Bethesda. Every Thursday, the restaurant’s bar area is aglow with puffer fish lanterns, Tiki masks and tropical emblems. Lighted torches outside the restaurant beckon guests for weekly tropical beverage specials. Enjoy a rotating offering of three featured cocktails from the restaurant’s wide menu for $9 each from 6 to 9 p.m., with the fan favorite Mai Tai ’44 always available. Ask about selected drinks served in the bar’s Tiki mugs. House of Foong Lin offers a souvenir mai tai glass for $20. Grab one of many Hawaiian shirts off a rack next to the bar and immerse yourself in a Tiki getaway.

4613 Willow Lane, Bethesda, 301-657-3740, @ttathofl on Instagram

BEST

Best Reopening of a Neighborhood Staple

Olney Ale House, which for years drew in loyal diners, including many who were attending performances at Olney Theatre Center across the road, has been lovingly restored after a fire destroyed part of the structure six years ago. Owners and brothers Serkan and Selim Kantar made sure in their painstaking restoration to stay true to the original restaurant’s cozy and friendly vibe. The new haunt has exposed wood beams, a brick wall, a 1920s-style drop tin ceiling, three televisions over the bar and a covered patio with heaters. The kitchen brought back some of the hits from the previous menu—fish and chips, braised brisket and their signature Olney burger—and added 14 beers on tap (for a new total of 24), oysters on the half shell, alehouse prime steak and cheese sandwiches, pizzas and more. For the local residents who awaited the reopening, the October debut couldn’t have come fast enough. “From the amount of phone calls and people that have been coming to check on us while we were remodeling, we knew it was going to be crowded from the start,” Serkan Kantar says.

2000 Olney Sandy Spring Road, Olney, 301-774-6708, olneyalehouse.com

Most Fun New Mall Eatery

Kapow Buddy brings the popular “bowl style” concept of Cava and Chipotle to Thai street food. Opened in October 2024 at Westfield Montgomery mall, this fast-casual restaurant is the brainchild of Kuen Deeprachakorn, a Rockville resident, who tired of grab-and-go meals from chains near where he worked in Bethesda and wanted to re-create the flavors he grew up with in Thailand. Build your own bowl with a base of rice, noodles or salad, then add a protein (crispy pork belly is a standout), vegetables (don’t miss the crispy basil), a sauce (pick the heat level) and a fried egg or omelet. If you’re overwhelmed by the options, choose a Signature Bowl such as the Street Classic with chicken or ground pork, or the Fans’ Favorite with crispy pork belly and purple rice. At daily happy hour, get deals on Thai-inspired cock tails and snacks such as wings, curry puffs and spring rolls. Comfy couches, a swing, an outdoor courtyard and a selection of games make this one of the rare mall eateries where you may want to linger rather than just grab a quick bite during a shopping trip or movie outing.

7101DemocracyBlvd.,SPC1158 (Westfield Montgomery mall), Bethesda, 518-875-2824, kapowbuddy.com

Most Striking New Spot for Wine Tasting

Burnt Hill Farm in Clarksburg is the brainchild of three siblings: winemaker Lisa Hinton, farmer Drew Baker and operations lead Ashli Johnson, all of whom also own Old Westminster Winery in Carroll County. Burnt Hill is home to a vineyard that was established in 2019. A tasting room for their in-house wine and snacks opened in August.

Burnt Hill’s adults-only tasting room blends a rustic farm aesthetic with modern, open architecture—complete with wide windows overlooking Sugarloaf Mountain. The farm’s table wine offerings are made with grapes grown on Burnt Hill and at Old Westminister, including a honey-soaked chardonnay, rosé and cabernet sauvignon. The reservation fee for a three-hour time slot in the tasting room

or lounge is $26 per person and includes a greeting glass of a Blanc de Blancs.

From there, guests can enter into the tasting room experience for $85 per person—which includes three estate wines (made only with Burnt Hill grapes, with the first batch from 2021), heir loom wheat sourdough bread and snacks, such as a Honeycrisp apple fennel salad. For a communal dining experience, guests can reserve seats in the lounge for $55, featuring an a la carte menu of sharable plates accommodating parties of up to eight guests.

Keep an eye out for a new experience in 2026 where guests can dine on a multicourse meal with wine pairings.

25001 Burnt Hill Road, Clarksburg, 667-788-8636, burnthill.farm

Best Gluten-Free Recipe Site From a Local Mom

Being gluten intolerant shouldn’t mean missing out on family meals and birthday cake, Brianne Izzo decided. “Because when my kids have a birthday, I don’t want to not have a slice of birthday cake,” she says.

Izzo, 46, who lives in Clarksburg, was diagnosed with a gluten intolerance in 2011. She soon began creating gluten-free recipes— stuffed peppers, crustless pumpkin pie, lemon bars—that could be enjoyed by the whole family, first just for herself to make and then to help others by sharing her recipes and meal plans on her website, Cupcakes & Kale Chips, starting in 2012, when her oldest son was 2. (Her sons are now 12 and 15.) What started as a hobby turned into a business. She now averages 250,000 to 300,000 page views per month and has more than 18,000 email subscribers.

“I decided that as a gluten-free mom with a family that can eat anything, that I wanted to help support that community with a focus on familiar flavors, comfort foods and straightforward baking,” Izzo says. “Now, getting a comment from somebody who was able to bring something they love back into their life again keeps me moving forward and wanting to keep creating more recipes.”

cupcakesandkalechips.com

Fastest New Way to Grab a Feel-Good Meal

Eat Sprout Café Bakery is a family-owned mix between a restaurant and a market, offering quick and healthy food and drinks. The business started as a food truck and has six locations now. The menu is updated monthly with new and seasonal items, including ready-to-eat entrees, small plates, spreads and artisanal breads.

The chef-crafted entrees are prepared and packaged weekly, ensuring people have a variety of options they can grab conveniently. Each dish and drink is made from scratch in small batches, using locally sourced organic ingredients and packaged in-house using compostable containers.

Meals are labeled for the dietary restrictions and preferences they accommodate, making it easy to choose the right option. The cafe also offers an espresso bar, plus a selection of market items such as coffee beans and local honey. 4926 Elm St., Bethesda, 240-630-8662, eatsprout.com

Best Spot for Over-the-Top Ice Cream Treats

Marking a milestone, commemorating another trip around the sun or even “just because” all are good excuses for an extravagant dessert. The milkshakes and sundaes that pile on the sweetness at Max’s Best Ice Cream in Bethesda check the going-all-out boxes. There’s the Cookie Monster extreme milkshake (pictured) that starts with cookie dough ice cream mixed with malted milk. Then come the add-ons: mini-Oreos, cookie dough pieces, crushed Oreo, and fudge and caramel sauces. Oh, and a full-size chocolate chip cookie. The colossal dessert is finished with whipped cream and a cherry. Sundaes—including the Towering Chocolate Chip with three kinds of ice cream, a brownie, an ice cream sandwich and more—are just as jam-packed with treats.

Max’s serves Vanderwende’s ice cream, which has a creamery and shop in Bridgeville, Delaware, and four seasonal locations, including Delaware’s Dewey Beach and Fenwick Island. Bethesda residents Cory and Angela Alexander opened Max’s Best Ice Cream with co-owner Best Buddies International, a nonprofit that has a jobs program that partners with employers who hire individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Cory and Angela, who are the father and stepmother of a son, Max, named the business after him. Slide into a leather booth or grab a stool at the counter in the parlor, which took over space once occupied by The Blue House gift store and opened in June. The extreme milkshakes and sundaes—plus boozy milkshakes, frozen hot chocolate and floats— make the simple scoops of ice cream here seem, well, vanilla. 7770 Woodmont Ave., Bethesda, 301-902-0790, maxsbesticecream.com

Best Chinese Comfort Food

Michelin-recommended Nan Xiang Soup Dumplings opened a branch at Westfield Montgomery mall in Bethesda in October. The restaurant is named for the canal town, which is now part of Shanghai, where soup dumplings originated. Order Lucky Six Soup Dumplings, an ideal way to sample steamed dumplings—gourd (green), chicken (yellow), truffle (black), pork (white), scallop (orange), and crab and pork (white with yellow in the center). The hues come from natural ingredients. Follow the directions on the card at your table on how to eat them so you don’t miss a drop

of the plentiful broth that’s inside the dumplings. You can watch the dumplings being filled and shaped in the open kitchen. Among the restaurant’s other offerings: dim sum (served by a robot), soups (try the flavorful braised beef noodle with its tender meat), all-day breakfast (spring rolls, scallion pancakes and puffs) and chef’s specials such as the Shanghai sweet and sour spare pork ribs. Nan Xiang’s soup dumplings and soup are the ultimate in comfort food.

7101 Democracy Blvd., Suite 2350 (Westfield Montgomery mall), Bethesda, 301456-6888, nanxiangxiaolongbao.com

Best

Mural Capturing MoCo Spirit

There are many people and places to spot in the mural that covers more than 1,500 square feet on the side of the Home Arts Building at the Montgomery County Agricultural Fairgrounds in Gaithersburg. There’s Ye Old Cheese Barn with the late Ed Hogan standing in his green apron. There are racing pigs dashing around a bend. At the far end? Carrie McQueen on her stilts, standing tall against an illuminated midway. Eric Goulette and James Favata, artists with In The Paint Murals of Monrovia, Maryland, worked for two years on the project, capturing the essence of a summer tradition for Montgomery County families. The duo started by sifting through photos of the Montgomery County Agricultural Fair for “what stood out the most,” Favata says, and then it became a “game of whack-a-mole” to get in all the important elements. They painted through two fairs—including the 75th anniversary in 2024—and passersby would stop and identify friends or even themselves in the panorama, Favata says. The artists finished the painting in August. Favata says he will return to the annual fair with his two daughters—“now it’s our yearly tradition.” 16 Chestnut St., Gaithersburg, 301-926-3100, mcagfair.com

BEST

Best Town for an Art Safari

Visit a park in the town of Kensington and you might see foxes, native birds, raccoons, bears and even a chameleon. The animals are statues, all carved out of wood by artist Jason Swain. Since 2008, the Kensington resident, who also works as the town’s supervisor of public works, has carved 12 wooden statues that now “live” in public loca tions around Kensington. The self-taught artist uses chainsaws of varying sizes and hand tools to create the sculptures in his workshop at the Kens ington public works facility. Most of the wood he uses comes from old trees cut down around town. Swain’s first town commission was Ernest the Eagle, which debuted in Ernest Memorial Park in 2008. The most recent—Slicky the bright green cha meleon—was installed in St. Paul Park in August. Check out Kensington’s self-guided art walk to see all of Swain’s creations in town by visiting md.gov/art-walk-carvings.

Best New Place for the LGBTQ+ Community

Montgomery County’s first resource hub dedicated to the LGBTQ+ community opened in August offering health screenings, support groups, cultural events and other services. The Montgomery County Pride Family Resource Center is located at the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Regional Services Center in downtown Bethesda. Also known as the MoCo Pride Center, it brings together several organizations in one physical location: The Coalition for Inclusive Schools and Communities, Drag Story Hour DMV, Live in Your Truth, Maryland Trans Unity, MoCo Pride Prom, Poolesville Pride and Trans Maryland.

Pride Center CEO Phillip Alexander Downie. “For the first time, LGBTQIA+ people in Montgomery County have a place where they know they belong, built with intention for communities who are too often pushed to the margins. This center was created for us. It is not a borrowed space or a temporary setup; it is a home.”

A library of LGBTQ+ inclusive titles is available at the venue, which also hosts regular events, including yoga, drag story times, game nights and a monthly Wellness Weekend and vendor market featuring LGBTQ+ businesses.

“The impact has been both practical and deeply emotional,” says MoCo

4805 Edgemoor Lane, second floor, Bethesda, mocopridefamily.org/pride-center-home

Best New Luxury Bridal Shop

Large display windows showcase sumptuous Italian fabrics and delicate French lace at Sareh Nouri, which opened in June at The Collection at Chevy Chase. Inside is a luxurious bridal shopping experience courtesy of fashion designer Sareh Nouri, who’s established herself in the bridal space with her

collection of gowns sold in various retailers and her Livingston, New Jersey, flagship store.

Nouri decided to open her second bridal salon in Chevy Chase because she has family in the area. In oneon-one consultations, brides explore a stunning collection of “modern but romantic” dresses, according

to a spokesperson at Sareh Nouri. In addition to made-to-order bridal gowns, with prices starting around $5,000, Sareh Nouri offers general formalwear and gowns for the mother of the bride or groom.

5481F Wisconsin Ave., Suite 102 (The Collection at Chevy Chase), Chevy Chase, 240-858-6191, sarehnouri.com

Best Workshop for Axolotl Fans

Easy Little Plants owner Savannah Scollar, 23, is a self-taught expert in houseplants and, by chance, axolotls, those fully aquatic salamanders that can regrow limbs and whose cuteness launched them into social media popularity. Scollar’s tiny Olney shop opened about two years ago and became a home to axolotls after she found eggs in the tank of her two “boy” axolotls. While the store, with its eclectic greenery and curios, is open to shoppers Tuesday through Saturday from 1 to 7 p.m. and Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m., it is best experienced through one of its workshops.

Among the recurring workshop options is an hourlong axolotl feeding and teacup garden- or terrarium-making event. Attendees use tweezers to drop pellets into the water of a transparent tub and watch the axolotls gobble up the food. After the axolotls have had their meal, the terrariums and teacups come out. Scollar, a Silver Spring resident who worked for a chain plant shop before opening Easy Little Plants, shows participants how to mix soil, then fill terrariums or teacups with soil, plants and all-you-care-to-use decorations, such as stickers, tiny plastic axolotls and glow-in-the-dark pieces. While the axolotls are available as pets, Scollar likens obtaining one to adopting a dog or cat, and caregivers can redirect kids’ attention to axolotl merch: stuffies, stickers, shirts and such.

3412 N. High St., Suite B, Olney, 240-907-7032, easylittleplants.com

Best New Boutique for Wholesome Gifts

The aromas of essential oils greet customers who walk through the doors of Green & Bean, a gift shop in Bethesda. With more than 40 brands from around the world, owner Ail Mulaga, 28, of Germantown, strives to make shopping for sustainable, ethically produced gifts easy. Among the offerings are homemade candles from Wonky Wick, Mulaga’s other business. With items such as recycled wool blankets and spices from around the world, Mulaga aims to offer unique gifts for a variety of recipients and occasions. She says she wants Green & Bean to be a welcoming community spot where visitors can come in to enjoy a quick game of checkers and to learn about the different products.

4600 East West Highway, #110, Bethesda, greenbeanboutique.com

Best Big & Little Mani/Pedi Experience

A mani/pedi can be a fun family bonding opportunity. Nailsaloon, a local chain that opened its Chevy Chase location in December 2023, caters to kids ages 2 to 13 with “youngin’ manis” and “youngin’ pedis” at a reduced rate of $25 (adult prices start at $30). Nailsaloon focuses on a clean space (complete with state-of-the-art ventilation ensuring scent-free air) and nontoxic nail care (polishes are free of the top five chemicals typically found in polishes, and tools are single-use or undergo hospital-grade sterilization), says Hannah Logan, director of brand strategy and marketing. Technicians also skip cuticle cutting and gel polishes on children. The staff goes out of its way to ensure kiddos have a special adapted experience by offering a booster seat/pillows to sit higher in the chair, a kidfriendly drink in a bedazzled cup, fun nail art stickers (about 50 cents each), step stools to reach the sink, and coloring pages to keep entertained. The space also can be rented for private or semiprivate events, such as kids birthday parties. 5449 Wisconsin Ave., Chevy Chase, 240-858-6963, thenailsaloon.com

Best New Self-Care Trend

The newest self-care trend to hit the Bethesda area is the rise of head spas luxurious treatments focused on scalp health and relaxation. Combining massage, exfoliation and water-based tools such as sprayers, these treatments allow clients to recline while a stylist customizes the experience to address issues including oily hair, dryness and buildup.

At Franz Sebastian Salon in Bethesda, marketing director and hairstylist Anai Limber says head spas have existed for centuries in Asia. In India, the practice is known as champi. “Head spas exploded in popularity in the U.S. because of TikTok,” Limber says. “In Japan, about half of the hair salons offer a head spa—we predict it will be similar here in the U.S.”

Franz Sebastian offers 30-, 60- and 90-minute sessions, with the Signature 60-minute and Express 30-minute options being the most popular. Three of the salon’s head spa technicians— including Limber—are licensed stylists trained in the Yume technique, a Japanese-inspired approach that combines shampooing with pressure-point massage and deep cleansing to promote relaxation and scalp health.

At Serenity Head Spa in Rockville, the Supreme service begins with a scalp analysis, followed by deep cleansing, exfoliation, steaming and a calming scalp massage using natural ginger and herbal formulations. Online reviews frequently mention the peaceful atmosphere—lush

greenery, warm lighting and soft water sounds—and the sense of full-body renewal that follows.

At Essence Head Spa in Gaithersburg, clients can opt for the “Supreme Scalp Experience,” which incorporates advanced techniques such as cryo-stone gua sha, microcurrent therapy and custom masks. According to the spa, these treatments “promote healthier hair growth, relieve scalp tension, and provide an elevated sense of calm in a luxe setting.”

Franz Sebastian Salon, 4917 St. Elmo Ave., Bethesda, 301-907-8080, franzsebastiansalon.com; Serenity Head Spa, 309 N. Washington St., Rockville, 301-301-9998, serenityheadspas.com; Essence Head Spa, 8903 Shady Grove Court, Gaithersburg, 903-336-1116, essenceheadspa.com

Most Pictures of Dogs in a Local Bookstore

Before Wonderland Books opened its doors in December 2024, owners Gayle Weiswasser and Amy Joyce knew the space they built would be friendly to dogs and people alike. After all, both are dog owners. Weiswasser has a mixed breed named Hobart, and Joyce has a sproodle—a mix between a springer spaniel and poodle—named Rosie. In the lead-up to Wonderland’s opening they toured local bookstores and noticed a wall at East City Bookshop in the Eastern Market area of Washington, D.C., that featured pictures of neighborhood dogs. With the East City owner’s encouragement, Wonderland now has a photo gallery of dogs that spans three walls and has close to 600 photos, all taken with a Fujifilm Instax camera they keep inside the store. Dogs are welcome on leashes, and Joyce says pet owners often take selfies with their dogs in front of the wall. But Wonderland maintains that it’s an equal opportunity pet-friendly bookstore: People who look closely at the wall can spot three cats photographed there.  7920B Norfolk Ave., Bethesda, 301-347-7136, wonderlandbooks.com

Best New Social Spot for the Littlest Ones

The Bunny Hive , a “social club” that opened in October, is designed for tiny tykes (2 weeks through kindergarten) and their grown-ups. Part of a national chain with more than 30 locations, the studio offers about a dozen classes, from culinary exploration to music to baby massage. Most classes are 30 minutes to keep the little ones’ attention. The 1,473-square-foot space across from Imagination Stage boasts a neutral white/cream-toned palette that is clean, calming and aesthetically pleasing. According to studio owner Jordan Smith, classes are capped at eight families, a sizable enough group for socializing while also remaining intimate. Toys and materials are carefully curated to support learning but to not be overstimulating, such as a small kitchen for imaginative play, and wooden slides to promote gross motor skill development, Smith says. With two young daughters of her own, Smith can “relate to the sentiment of being a new parent and moving to an area where you need to make friends in the same stage of life,” she says. Various membership, class-pack and drop-in options are available (they are family-based, not per child) and include access to the space before and after class for playing and socializing.

4925 Auburn Ave., Bethesda, 202-893-1152, thebunnyhive.com

Most Captivating Asian Pop Culture Trend to Come to the County

Once a relic of 1980s and ’90s video game arcades, claw machines— and their coin-operated toy dispensing machine cousins—are making a comeback. Originating in Japan, arcades featuring claw machines (aka “clawcades”) and “gachapon” machines (put in a coin, turn a crank and receive a toy in a plastic capsule) have come to Montgomery County. Their popularity is driven by collectible culture—some prizes include Sanrio (Hello Kitty) and Pokemon merch—and the allure of “just one more try.”

Meow Claw opened in a tiny space in December 2024 and expanded to a larger spot in December 2025. It now has more than 60 claw machines with prizes such as trendy animal plushies, collectible key chains and figurines. Each machine takes one to four tokens per play; tokens cost $1. New prizes are added weekly. There are also arcade games.

1701 Rockville Pike, Suites B 4-6, Rockville, 240-888-8637, meowclaw.us

Capsule Galaxy, which opened in November 2024, features more than 150 gachapon machines full of prizes—bag charms, small tech gadgets, interactive figurines—enclosed in plastic capsules. Unlike the claw machines where you might not win a prize depending on your luck and skill manipulating the claw, with gachapon machines, you win every time. The thrill comes from not knowing exactly what you’ll find when you open the capsule. Tokens cost $3; machines take two to three tokens per play.

7101 Democracy Blvd. (Westfield Montgomery mall), Bethesda, 240-883-7661, instagram.com/thecapsulegalaxy/?hl=en

Best New Creative Hangout for All Ages

Step inside District DabbleLab at Bethesda's Westbard Square and you’ll be greeted by bright colors, cheerful murals, and shelves lined with craft kits and whimsical gifts. Founder Emily Yeskel Rubin, 45, of Bethesda curates every item, from art supplies and cookbooks to vision board kits and DIY projects that you won’t find at big-box stores. Rubin brings a blend of business and creative experience to the studio, with a business degree and a background touching on fashion, retail, interior design, vintage curation and upcycling, along with her perspective as a mom.

The studio offers after-school art classes for kids, weekend birthday

parties with themes such as Taylor Swift’s new album, and open-studio sessions where visitors of any age can choose a project from a menu, such as birdhouses or tote bags, and make it their own. Adults get their creative fix through “Ladies Who Lab” evenings, where groups gather for crafting, food and drinks.

Unlike traditional art studios that focus on a sin gle medium, DabbleLab embraces variety. “I came up with the name because I think ‘dabbling’ is important, trying new things is important,” Rubin says. The space officially opened its

brick-and-mortar studio and shop in March, after Rubin spent six years running DabbleLab out of her home basement studio.

5312 Zenith Overlook (Westbard Square),

Teso Life, the Japanese department store that opened in November 2024 and sells Asian beauty products, housewares and snacks, has a bank of about 10 claw machines with prizes such as stuffed animals and figurines. Each machine takes two tokens per play; tokens cost $1. 1701 Rockville Pike, Suite A-12, Rockville, 240-669-8571, tesolife.com/en

Best Classes for Teens and Adults Not Afraid of Heights

For a new physical challenge, a novel way to enjoy nature and a throwback to childhood, consider Canopy Connection, classes offered by Montgomery Parks that teach participants how to climb trees. The three-hour classes, taught by professional parks department arborists, are an introduction to tree-climbing using equipment such as ropes, pulleys and harnesses. There’s a class for adults 55 and older and another for teens 14 to 18. After a lesson on how to use the gear and some basics on caring for trees, students ascend into the treetops. Some of the trees are 60 to 80 feet tall. The class for teens also includes a discussion on professional tree-climbing careers.

Most of the participants are first-timers curious about treeclimbing and looking for a fun physical activity, according to Michael Coppersmith, director of parks activation. And while climbing can be daunting, participants are rewarded with class camaraderie, self-confidence and a tremendous sense of accomplishment, he says. The next sessions are scheduled for April and May in Clarksburg Neighborhood Park. Registration opens Feb. 17. montgomeryparks.org/activities/ tree-climbing

Best Hometown Hero Soaring to New Heights

The Dominique Dawes Academy, a gymnastics and ninja space created by the former Olympian with Silver Spring roots, is ever-expanding. What began in Clarksburg in 2020 has since grown across the region to locations in Rockville, Columbia and Ashburn, Virginia, with no plans to stop. Over the next four to five years, the company’s aim is to open more than 40 gyms nationally, CEO Adam Zeitsiff says.

“Our goal has always been to build a positive,

kind and compassionate community that uplifts the self-esteem of every child who walks through our doors,” Dawes says in an email. She mentions that it’s a contrast to her experience in gymnastics, where the setting was harsh and toxic, even from a young age. Although she no longer resides in Montgomery County, Dawes will attend the academy’s newest opening in Silver Spring in early 2026. 5626 Randolph Road Suite B, Rockville, 240-690-4138, dominiquedawesgymnasticsacademy.com

Best Way for Kids to Try Cricket

Bails, wickets, bowlers and stumps—in cricket, learning the lingo is part of the fun. Since 2023, the Youth Cricket Academy, in a partnership with Montgomery County Recreation, has given local kids the chance to try the sport. Now, the academy encompasses nearly 50 athletes ages 6 to 16. The program is free with weekly practices that include instructional development and internal scrimmages. In the spring and fall, the academy meets at Calverton-Galway Local Park, and winter practices are at the East County Community Recreation Center, both in Silver Spring. For youngsters looking to try something new, the Youth Cricket Academy is a great option, says Amanda DeFilippo, countywide programs manager for Montgomery County Recreation. “You learn the fun and fundamentals,” she says. The county provides bats, balls, wickets and more. Just bring closed-toe shoes. “Sign up at any time, come out and they’ll be welcomed with open arms,” DeFilippo says. montgomerycountymd.gov/rec/ activitiesandprograms/sports/ cricket.html

Best Workout for Your Social Life

To spice up your fitness routine, add some salsa. As you learn how to move your feet in sync with the lively music, chances are you’ll meet new people. Salsa with Silvia, a Latin dance studio in Bethesda, is a hive of positive energy where introductory and advanced salsa and bachata dance lessons are offered. Crank up the heat on your romantic life at Friday date nights for couples or a speed dating event; both outings include wine and beer. Speed dating starts with a group dance lesson, then transitions to paired conversations, with the men rotating among tables. Patrons write down their top three “dates.” If there’s a match, the studio will contact you. Romance aside, friendships are a common byproduct of salsa’s shared physical exertion and upbeat vibes. Clients often hang out, set up group chats, and meet at salsa events in the D.C. area. 4731 Elm St., Second Floor, Bethesda, 301-760-4423, salsawithsilvia.com

Best Way to Experience a Luxury Brand While Breaking a Sweat

Vroom-vroom, vinyasa? While unlocked Porsches may lure luxury car enthusiasts, Porsche Studio Chevy Chase aims to attract a different segment of the market with its regularly scheduled Pilates and yoga classes. Open since September 2024, the studio is an extension of the automaker’s dealership at Pike & Rose in North Bethesda. Features include a configuration room with drawers of paint and leather swatches for clients to reimagine their ride, a free coffee bar, meeting areas, unlocked vehicles to peruse and Porsche merch for sale. Once a month, most of the cars are moved aside and yoga mats are rolled out on part of the floor in the roughly 5,700-square-foot studio. Rotating guest instructors guide around 30 participants through a 30- to 60-minute yoga or Pilates class. Porsche provides the mats and goodie bags with “selfcare essentials” such as grip socks or juice shots, according to Damaris Alvarez, a Porsche product specialist who manages the studio. A post-class

social hour includes free refreshments and photo ops with the cars. Classe s are free with registration required through Eventbrite links, which are accessible through the studio’s social media accounts. In December, Porsche offered its first class at its dealership in North Bethesda to accommodate even more attendees, though most classes will still happen at the studio. “We’re trying to target a more youthful crowd—driven women, driven youth and creative leaders as well—trying to let them know that a Porsche is also attainable for them,” Alvarez says. “They don’t have to be intimidated to walk in here, and they can ask their questions, build their curiosity and envision themselves in a Porsche.”

5471 Wisconsin Ave. (The Collection at Chevy Chase), Chevy Chase, 227-233-5100, porschestudiochevychase.com. Registration links are announced one month before each event on Facebook, X and Instagram @porschestudiochevychase

READERS’ PICKS

From bagel shops to yoga studios, Montgomery County and Upper NW D.C. have a lot to offer. This year, 8,410 people voted in our online Best of Bethesda readers’ poll to select the best shops, restaurants, services and more. We named winners in 192 categories. The winners and finalists are listed in order of the number of votes they received with ties indicated.

FOOD & DRINK

BAGEL

Bethesda Bagels

Call Your Mother

Ize’s Deli & Bagelry

Georgetown Bagelry

BAKERY

Fresh Baguette

Tatte Bakery & Cafe

Breads Unlimited

Tout de Sweet Pastry Shop

BAR/RESTAURANT TO WATCH A GAME

Caddies on Cordell

Tommy Joe’s Bar + Grill

Quincy’s Bar and Grille

BT’s Bethesda Bar & Grill

BEER SELECTION

World of Beer

Caddies on Cordell

Barrel and Crow (tie)

Dog Haus (tie)

BREAKFAST

Silver Diner

Tastee Diner

Tatte Bakery & Café

First Watch (tie)

The Original Pancake House (tie)

BREWERY

BabyCat Brewery

Lone Oak Farm Brewing Co.

7 Locks Brewing (tie)

Silver Branch Brewing Co. (tie)

BRUNCH

Silver

MoCo’s Founding Farmers

Java Nation

Mon Ami Gabi

BURGER

Five Guys

Duke’s Grocery

Caddies on Cordell

Clyde’s

BUSINESS LUNCH SPOT

MoCo’s Founding Farmers

Mon Ami Gabi

Black’s Bar & Kitchen

Duke’s Grocery

CARIBBEAN/CUBAN RESTAURANT

Cubano’s

Cuba de Ayer

Negril

CHINESE RESTAURANT

House of Foong Lin

Meiwah Restaurant

Q by Peter Chang

Far East Restaurant

COCKTAILS AND ZERO-PROOF DRINKS

Hip Flask

Rooftop Bar

MoCo’s Founding Farmers

Caddies on Cordell (tie)

No Regrets Pizza Co. (tie)

COFFEE SHOP (LOCALLY OWNED)

Java Nation

Quartermaine Coffee Roasters

Neighbors Coffee

Grace Street Coffee

DATE NIGHT RESTAURANT

Mon Ami Gabi

Aventino

Melina

Barrel and Crow

DESSERT MENU

MoCo’s Founding Farmers

Mon Ami Gabi

Barrel and Crow (tie)

Seasons 52 (tie)

DOG-FRIENDLY RESTAURANT/BAR

Caddies on Cordell

Barrel and Crow

Java Nation (tie) Silver (tie)

FAMILY-FRIENDLY RESTAURANT

Silver Diner

Silver

Caddies on Cordell (tie)

Uncle Julio’s (tie)

FARMERS MARKET

Bethesda Central Farm Market

Norman’s Farm Market

Freshfarm Downtown Silver Spring Market (tie)

Kensington Farmers’ Market (tie)

FOOD TRUCK

Silver and Sons Barbecue

Arepateca

Money Muscle BBQ

Pita on the Plaza

HAPPY HOUR

Caddies on Cordell (tie)

King Street Oyster Bar (tie)

Barrel and Crow

Black’s Bar & Kitchen (tie)

Gringos & Mariachis (tie)

ICE CREAM SHOP

Sarah’s Handmade Ice Cream

Max’s Best Ice Cream

Carmen’s Italian Ice (tie)

Jeni’s Ice Creams (tie)

INDIAN RESTAURANT

Kadhai

Commonwealth Indian

Passage to India

Tikka Masala

ITALIAN RESTAURANT

Olazzo

Aventino

Gregorio’s Trattoria

Il Pizzico

JAPANESE/SUSHI RESTAURANT

Raku

Kusshi Sushi

Sushiko

Rakugaki

KOSHER RESTAURANT

Al Ha’esh

Oh Mama Grill

Siena’s Restaurant

LATIN RESTAURANT

Pisco y Nazca

Arepateca

Guardado’s

Joy by Seven Reasons (tie)

La Limeña Grill (tie)

MEDITERRANEAN/MIDDLE

EASTERN RESTAURANT

Ala

Bacchus of Lebanon

Melina

Moby Dick’s House of Kabob

MEXICAN RESTAURANT

Guapo’s

Gringos & Mariachis

Uncle Julio’s

Fish Taco

NEW RESTAURANT

Pisco y Nazca

Duke’s Grocery

Bouboulina

Silver and Sons Barbecue

OUTDOOR DINING

Mon Ami Gabi

Old Angler’s Inn

Caddies on Cordell

Java Nation

OVERALL RESTAURANT IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY/ UPPER NW D.C.

Mon Ami Gabi

Il Pizzico

Aventino (tie)

Barrel and Crow (tie)

PIZZA

No Regrets Pizza Co.

Andy’s Pizza

Ledo Pizza

Frankly...Pizza!

PRIVATE DINING SPACE

Seasons 52

All Set Restaurant & Bar

Mon Ami Gabi

Barrel and Crow (tie)

Lia’s Restaurant (tie)

RESTAURANT IN BETHESDA

Mon Ami Gabi

Aventino

Olazzo

Barrel and Crow

RESTAURANT IN CHEVY CHASE

Clyde’s

La Ferme Restaurant

Lia’s Restaurant

The Capital Grille

RESTAURANT IN GAITHERSBURG/ NORTH POTOMAC

Coastal Flats

Vasili’s Kitchen

Sin & Grin

Il Porto

RESTAURANT IN GARRETT PARK/KENSINGTON

Black Market Bistro

Frankly...Pizza!

The Dish & Dram

Knowles Station Wine & Co.

RESTAURANT IN NORTH BETHESDA/ROCKVILLE

Julii

Melina (tie)

No Regrets Pizza Co. (tie)

Summer House Santa Monica

RESTAURANT IN OLNEY/ SANDY SPRING

Salt & Vine Trattoria

GrillMarX Steakhouse & Raw Bar

Mannequin Pis

Sisters Sandwiches & Such

RESTAURANT IN POTOMAC

Hunter’s Bar and Grill

Duke’s Grocery

MoCo’s Founding Farmers

Old Angler’s Inn

RESTAURANT IN SILVER SPRING

Zinnia

All Set Restaurant & Bar

Parkway Deli

J. Hollinger’s Waterman’s Chophouse

RESTAURANT IN UPPER NW D.C.

Millie’s

Opal

Et Voila!

La Piquette

SANDWICH SHOP

Jetties

Bradley Food & Beverage

Sisters Sandwiches & Such

Capo Deli

SPECIAL OCCASION

RESTAURANT

Mon Ami Gabi

Bistro Provence (tie 2nd)

The Capital Grille (tie 2nd)

Aventino (tie 3rd)

Il Pizzico (tie 3rd)

SPECIALTY MARKET

The Market at River Falls

Balducci’s

The Organic Butcher of Bethesda

Grosvenor Market

STEAKHOUSE

The Capital Grille

Medium Rare

Nationally recognized for precision and patient-centered results, Dr. Philip Schoenfeld focuses on rhinoplasty, revision rhinoplasty, deep-plane facelifts, and eyelid surgery—welcoming patients from around the world for primary and complex revision surgery. As a respected leader in his field, his insights on aesthetic medicine have been featured in multiple local and national publications. He also serves on the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. Dr. Schoenfeld is dedicated to restoring confidence after trauma, cancer, or cosmetic concerns. In fact, his mission is to restore confidence and improve the quality of life for his patients through both his Marylandbased practice and his work with international non-profit organizations.

Morton’s The Steakhouse (tie)

Ruth’s Chris Steak House (tie)

THAI RESTAURANT

Sisters Thai

Kiin Imm Thai Restaurant

Sala Thai

Ruan Thai

VEGETARIAN DISHES

Planta

Rooted3

True Food Kitchen

St.Veg

VIETNAMESE RESTAURANT

Pho Nom Nom

Pho Viet USA

Pho 75

Mi La Cay

WINE LIST

Olazzo

Cooper’s Hawk (tie)

The Crossvines (tie)

Mon Ami Gabi (tie)

Best Dog

SHOPPING & SERVICES

ACCOUNTING FIRM (LOCAL)

Councilor, Buchanan & Mitchell

Adeptus Advisors (tie 2nd)

Sullivan & Co., CPAs (tie 2nd)

CLA (formerly Dembo Jones) (tie 3rd)

GRF CPAs & Advisors (tie 3rd)

ANTIQUES AND VINTAGE STORE

My Big Finds

Heirloom

New4You Thrift Boutique (tie)

Sugar Pea Vintage (tie)

AUTO DEALERSHIP

Chevy Chase Acura

Euro Motor Cars

Fitzgerald Auto Mall

Jim Coleman Toyota

BIKE STORE

Griffin Cycle

Terrapin Bicycles

REI

Bethesda Bike & Ski (tie)

Conte’s Bike Shop (tie)

CHILDREN’S BOUTIQUE

Rue + Roe

Pink Chicken

The Blue House

Lilac

COMMERCIAL

REAL ESTATE FIRM

AMR Commercial

The Tenant Agency

CBRE

COMMUNITY BANK

EagleBank

Atlantic Union Bank (formerly Sandy Spring Bank)

Founders Bank

Forbright Bank (tie)

M&T Bank (tie)

CONSIGNMENT/RESALE STORE

My Big Finds

Reddz Trading Uptown Cheapskate

Kid to Kid (tie)

Sunflowers Consignment Boutique (tie)

DOG WALKING SERVICE

Bethesda Dog Walkers

A Walk in the Park

Community Happy Dogs

4 On the Floor Dog Training

EMERGENCY VETERINARY PRACTICE

Friendship Hospital for Animals

BluePearl Pet Hospital

Veterinary Referral Associates

Potomac Animal Hospital

FAMILY LAW ATTORNEY

Erin Kopelman

Lloyd Malech

Jessica Markham

Bianca Pinnock

FINANCIAL ADVISER

David Hurwitz

Keyan Abrishamkar (tie)

Anna Benham (tie)

Paula Landau

FINE JEWELRY STORE

Boone & Sons Jewelers

Alan Furman & Co

Kaufmann Jewelers

Brilliant Earth

GIFT STORE

The Blue House

My Big Finds (tie)

Occasions Gift Store (tie)

Red Orchard (tie)

MARIJUANA DISPENSARY

Peake ReLeaf

Rise

Health for Life

Liberty Cannabis

NEW STORE

Wonderland Books

District DabbleLab

Maximum Magic Shop

Rails

PERSONAL INJURY ATTORNEY

Michael Nakamura

Paul Chung

Andy Bederman (tie)

Seann Malloy (tie)

PET BOARDING

DogiZone

Dog’s Day Farm

Bone Jour

Dogtopia

PET BOUTIQUE/ SPECIALTY STORE

DogiZone

Bone Jour

Pet Wants

Liora’s Whole Pet (tie)

Wag N Wash (tie)

PET DAY CARE

DogiZone

Bone Jour

Dog’s Day Farm Dogtopia

PET GROOMING

Bone Jour

DogiZone

Elysiem

Olde Towne Pet Resort

PET TRAINER

Your Dog’s Friend DogiZone

4 On the Floor Dog Training (tie)

Rollins Family Dog Training (tie)

PHOTOGRAPHER FOR FAMILY PORTRAITS

Erica Land Photography

Michael Bennett Kress Photography

Alexia Ballantine

Photography (tie)

Danielle Sara Photography (tie)

PLACE TO BUY GLASSES (NOT A NATIONAL CHAIN)

Moda Optic

Wink Eyecare Boutique

Voorthuis Opticians

Colonial Opticians

PLACE TO BUY HIGH-END APPLIANCES

Bray & Scarff

ABW Appliances

Appliance Distributors

Unlimited

ApplianceLand

SHOPPING CENTER

Shops at Wildwood

Westfield Montgomery

Cabin John Village

Bethesda Row

TAILOR

Montgomery Custom Tailor

Bethesda Custom Tailors (tie 2nd)

SK Cleaners and Custom Tailors (tie 2nd)

5 Star Cleaners (tie 3rd)

Super Cleaners (tie 3rd)

TRAVEL AGENT

Gurvinder Ravery

Lisa Cohen Dumani

Jamie Baraff Pond

Guido Adelfio (tie)

Alexis Anolik (tie)

TRUSTS AND ESTATES ATTORNEY

Meredith Hill

Gary Altman

Patrick Howley

Justin DeVault

VETERINARY PRACTICE

Potomac Animal Hospital

Benson Animal Hospital

Alpine Veterinary Hospital

Veterinary Park Potomac

WEALTH MANAGEMENT FIRM

Chevy Chase Trust

Ameriprise Financial (tie)

Key Wealth Managers (tie)

Morgan Stanley

WOMEN’S CLOTHING BOUTIQUE

Belina Boutique

Apricot Lane Boutique

Jurisdiction Clothing (tie)

Sassanova (tie)

FITNESS & BEAUTY

BARRE STUDIO

Barre3

Pure Barre

Hotworx

BOOT CAMP/CROSSFIT GYM

Fitness Edge MD

Orangetheory Fitness

Burn Boot Camp

The St. James Performance Club

CYCLING STUDIO

SoulCycle

Hotworx

The St. James Performance Club

Pulse Fitness

DAY SPA

Woodhouse Spa

Ohana Wellness

Blu Water Day Spa

Red Bloom

GYM

Onelife Fitness

The St. James Performance Club

Life Time

Pulse Fitness

Dr. Elizabeth Shin Founder & President

Bethesda Chevy Chase Pediatric Dentistry

Thank you, Bethesda, for voting us Best Pediatric Dental Office. Every child receives one-to-one, concierge-style care in a calm, joyful space. We welcome insurance and are the only practice in the area offering in-office IV sedation.

HIGH INTENSITY INTERVAL

TRAINING (HIIT) STUDIO

Hotworx

Orangetheory Fitness

Fitness Edge MD

Pulse Fitness

NAIL SALON

Nailsaloon

Sandy Nails

Acqua Nails

Blu Water Day Spa

PERSONAL TRAINER

Jennifer Blackburn

Kim Teri

Debi Schenk

Lisa Platnik

PILATES STUDIO

RTR Pilates

Pulse Fitness

Club Pilates

Solidcore

PLACE FOR KIDS HAIRCUTS

Salon de Colores

Cartoon Cuts

Sharkey’s Cuts for Kids (tie)

Tiny HeadQuarters (tie)

PLACE FOR MEN’S HAIRCUTS

Jack the Clipper

7 Locks Barber

Denise Sharpe Style

Framarini’s

SALON IN BETHESDA

Bella Bethesda Salon

Denise Sharpe Style

Plane Jane Salon

Salon Nader

SALON IN CHEVY CHASE

Salon Roi

Gleaming Goddess Hair Lounge

Dessange

SALON IN GAITHERSBURG/ NORTH POTOMAC

O’Hair Salon

Aurelia Salon\Spa

Rooted Hair Co

Shear Reflections

SALON IN NORTH BETHESDA/ ROCKVILLE

Progressions Salon Spa Store

Oasis Hair Salon

Kindle & Boom

Jenn Shin Studios (tie)

New Wave Salon and Spa (tie)

SALON IN POTOMAC

Zohra

Potomac Hair Design

Bella Moda (tie)

Salon Moses (tie)

SALON IN UPPER NW D.C.

PR at Partners

Salon Familia

Bare Hair Studio

YOGA STUDIO

PureFire Yoga

ExtendYoga

SoulFire Collective Yoga

CorePower Yoga

ZUMBA CLASSES

Z Sweat Dance and Fitness

The St. James Performance Club

Onelife Fitness

Crunch (tie)

YMCA (tie)

HEALTH & WELLNESS

AUDIOLOGY PRACTICE

Potomac Audiology

Feldman ENT

The Family Hearing Center at The Treatment and Learning Centers (tie)

Yu Audiology (tie)

CHIROPRACTOR

Daniel Kraus

James Hook

Michael Moskowitz

Liza Moskowitz (tie)

Ali Perez (tie)

Joseph Pollack (tie)

CONCIERGE MEDICAL PRACTICE

Signature by MedStar Health

Capital Integrative Health

One Medical Primary Care Clinic

Bethesda Internal Medicine Partners

COSMETIC SURGEON

Dr. Ronald Perlman

Dr. Philip Schoenfeld

Dr. Joseph Michaels

Dr. Douglas Forman (tie)

Dr. Adam Singleton (tie)

DERMATOLOGY PRACTICE

Capital Laser & Skin Care

Gerson Zatezalo Skin + Face

Chevy Chase Dermatology Center

Icon Dermatology & Aesthetics

GENERAL DENTISTRY PRACTICE

Jason A. Cohen, DDS

Smiley Dental Care

Jay H. Samuels DDS PA

EJL Dental

HOSPITAL EMERGENCY ROOM

Suburban Hospital

Sibley Memorial Hospital

MedStar Montgomery Medical Center

Holy Cross Hospital

HOSPITAL FOR BIRTHING

Sibley Memorial Hospital

Holy Cross Hospital

Adventist HealthCare Shady Grove Medical Center

MedStar Montgomery Medical Center

INDIVIDUAL THERAPIST

Leda Kaveh

Jen Fields

Carissa Strohecker Hannum

Jaime Fryburg

IN-HOME HEALTH CARE SERVICE

Synergy HomeCare

Family & Nursing Care

CarePlus Home Health

Advanced Nursing & Home Care

MARRIAGE/FAMILY THERAPY PRACTICE

Alvord, Baker & Associates

The Counseling Center Group

Bethesda Therapy

Washington Psychological Wellness

MEDICAL AESTHETICS PRACTICE/PLACE

Capital Laser & Skin Care

Jenny Luu Skin Care

Renu by Dr. Schoenfeld

Plastic Surgery Institute of Washington

NUTRITIONIST

Livleen Gill

Jen Silverman

Lauren Eden

Natalie Eatedali (tie)

Daisy Miller (tie)

OB-GYN PRACTICE

Capital Women’s Care

Beckerman Women’s Health

Rockville Gynecology

Bloom OB/GYN (tie)

Reiter, Hill & Johnson of Advantia (tie)

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY PRACTICE

Milestones4Kids

The Point Occupational Therapy

Canyon Kids Occupational Therapy

The Treatment and Learning Centers

OPHTHALMOLOGIST

Dr. Laurie Wenger

Dr. Charles Bahn

Dr. James Heltzer

OPTOMETRIST

Dr. Rachel Cohn

Dr. Jennifer Karmiol

Dr. David Ephraim

Dr. Gregory Katchuk (tie)

Dr. Marcie Lerner (tie)

ORTHODONTICS PRACTICE

Harmony Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics

Gerlein Orthodontics

EJL Dental

Dr. Jill Bruno Orthodontics (tie)

Rad Orthodontics (tie)

ORTHOPEDIC PRACTICE

OrthoBethesda

Summit Orthopedics

MedStar Health Orthopedics

Washington Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine

PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY PRACTICE

BCC Pediatric Dentistry

Harmony Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics

DC Pediatric Smiles

EJL Dental

PEDIATRICIAN

Capitol Medical Group

The Pediatric Care Center (tie)

Potomac Pediatrics (tie)

Spring Valley Pediatrics

PHYSICAL THERAPY PRACTICE

ProAction Physical Therapy

Shira Racoosin Physical Therapy

Elevated Strength Rehab

MedStar Health Physical Therapy

PODIATRIST

DD Podiatry

Foot & Ankle Specialists of the Mid-Atlantic

National Foot & Ankle

Foxhall Podiatry (tie)

Mark N. Levy, DPM (tie)

Shady Grove Podiatry (tie)

SENIOR LIVING COMMUNITY

Leisure World of Maryland

Maplewood Park Place

Arbor Place

Charles E. Smith Life Communities

THERAPIST FOR CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS

Caroline Green

Leda Kaveh

Kate Scharff

Claire Weinberg

URGENT CARE CENTER

MedStar Health Urgent Care

Patient First

PM Pediatric Care

AllCare

VEIN CARE PRACTICE

Center for Vein Restoration

Vein Treatment Clinic

Capitol Vein & Laser Centers

Center for Vein Disease (tie)

MedStar Health Heart and Vascular (tie)

HOME & GARDEN

ARCHITECT FOR CUSTOM HOMES

GTM Architects

Anthony Wilder Design/ Build (tie)

Ileana Schinder (tie)

Claude C. Lapp Architects

ARCHITECT FOR HOME RENOVATION

GTM Architects

Case Architects & Remodelers

Anthony Wilder Design/Build BOWA

BUILDER FOR CUSTOM HOMES

Sandy Spring Builders

Douglas Construction Group Structure.

Anthony Wilder Design/Build

BUILDER FOR HOME RENOVATION

Pinehurst Design Build by Tom Gilday

Boss Design Center Structure.

Monarch Prime

CONTRACTOR FOR OUTDOOR LIVING SPACES

Fine Earth Landscape

Anthony Wilder Design/Build

Monarch Prime Logan Design & Build

CUSTOM DRAPERIES/WINDOW TREATMENTS

Rockville Interiors

Budget Blinds of Bethesda and Silver Spring (tie)

Yi’s Upholstery Interiors (tie)

The Shade Store

ELECTRICIAN

Silco Electric

C & T Contracting

Steel City Electric

New Age Lighting

FURNITURE STORE

Hardwood Artisans

Urban Country

West Elm

Arhaus (tie)

Room & Board (tie)

GARDEN CENTER/NURSERY

American Plant

Good Earth Garden Market

Johnson’s Florist & Garden Centers

Potomac Garden Center

HOME STAGING FIRM

Wowed Home Staging

JS Home Design

Town & Country

Sub Urban Staging + Design

HVAC COMPANY

Don Hoffacker’s Air

Conditioning & Heating

Davis & Davis Air

Conditioning & Heating (tie)

GAC Services (tie)

B&B Air Conditioning & Heating Service

INTERIOR DESIGNER

Todd Howard Ezrin

Dara Beitler

Sydney Levy

Wendy Danziger

KITCHEN DESIGN FIRM

Boss Design Center

Case Architects & Remodelers

Jack Rosen Custom Kitchens

Anthony Wilder Design/Build

LANDSCAPING COMPANY

Fine Earth Landscape

Great American Landscapes

Garden Gate Landscaping

Backyard Bounty

LUXURY APARTMENTS

Crescent at Chevy Chase

The Palisades of Bethesda

Cecil Apartments

4909 Auburn

LUXURY CONDOMINIUMS

Lionsgate

Somerset House

The Darcy

LUXURY TOWNHOME COMMUNITY

The Brownstones at Park Potomac

The Townes at Grosvenor Place

MORTGAGE BROKER

Rob Mercer

Deb Griffin

Matt Gilday

Amy Bass

PLUMBER

Leahy Plumbing & Heating

Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup

Acker & Sons

George the Plumber (tie)

Thomas E. Clark (tie)

REAL ESTATE AGENT

Shiva Zargham

Carolyn Sappenfield

Margie Halem

Lydia Benson

REAL ESTATE BROKERAGE

Long & Foster Real Estate

Northgate Realty

Compass Real Estate

TTR Sotheby’s International

Realty

REAL ESTATE TEAM

The Fairweather Team

Pearlman Meekin & Co. of Compass

Carolyn Homes

Capital Crest Group of Long & Foster Real Estate

KIDS & SCHOOLS

ART CLASSES

Glen Echo Park

Red Panda Art Studio

District DabbleLab VisArts

CHILDREN’S THEATER

Imagination Stage

Adventure Theatre MTC

The Puppet Co.

DANCE STUDIO

Bethesda Conservatory of Dance

Dawn Crafton Dance Connection

C-Unit Dance Studio

Bethesda Dance Center

INDOOR PLAY SPACE

My Gym Potomac

Play Street Museum

Hyper Kidz

The Little Towns Children’s Museum

KIDS SWIM LESSONS

Fins Swimming

Goldfish Swim School

YMCA Bethesda-Chevy Chase

Tollefson Swimming

MARTIAL ARTS SCHOOL

Groundworks BJJ

East West Tae Kwon Do (tie)

Flying Kick Fitness Center (tie)

Kicks Karate (tie)

MUSIC CLASSES

International School of Music

Bach to Rock

Washington Conservatory of Music

Levine Music

PLACE FOR KIDS PARTIES

Glen Echo Park

My Gym Potomac

District DabbleLab

Encrypted Escape

PRESCHOOL

Christ Episcopal School

Geneva Day School

Bradley Hills Presbyterian Church Nursery School

Washington Episcopal School

PRIVATE SCHOOL FOR ACADEMICS

Washington Episcopal School

McLean School

Christ Episcopal School

Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart

PRIVATE SCHOOL FOR ARTS/MUSIC

Christ Episcopal School (tie)

Washington Episcopal School (tie)

McLean School

Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart

PRIVATE SCHOOL FOR BOYS SPORTS

Georgetown Preparatory School

McLean School

Landon School

Bullis School

PRIVATE SCHOOL FOR GIRLS SPORTS

Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart

McLean School

Holton-Arms School

Bullis School

PRIVATE SCHOOL WITH PROGRAM FOR NONTRADITIONAL LEARNERS

McLean School

The Siena School

The Diener School

The Harbor School (tie)

Ivymount School (tie)

The Katherine Thomas School (tie)

PRIVATE SCHOOL WITH RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION

Washington Episcopal School

Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart

Christ Episcopal School

Georgetown Preparatory School

PRIVATE SCHOOL—LOWER SCHOOL

Christ Episcopal School

McLean School

Washington Episcopal School

Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart

PRIVATE SCHOOL—UPPER SCHOOL

McLean School

Georgetown Preparatory School

Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart

Bullis School

SUMMER ARTS CAMP (DAY)

Glen Echo Park

District DabbleLab

Creative Summer at Holton-Arms School

VisArts

SUMMER DAY CAMP

Washington Episcopal School

SummerEdge at McLean School

Geneva Day School

Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart

SUMMER OVERNIGHT CAMP Camps Airy & Louise

Capital Camps

Camp Tall Timbers

Camp Ramah New England (tie)

Young Artists of America (tie)

SUMMER SPORTS CAMP (DAY)

WJ Basketball Camp

Georgetown Preparatory School

Coach Lun Basketball Camp (tie)

Landon School (tie)

TUTORING FIRM

Gold Signature Writers

No Anxiety Prep

Marks Education

Capital Learners Educational Services (tie)

Learning Essentials (tie)

YOUTH SPORTS PROGRAM

Koa Sports (tie)

Montgomery Soccer Inc. (tie)

Flag Star Football

BCC Baseball (tie)

Bethesda Soccer Club (tie)

THINGS TO DO

ANNUAL FESTIVAL

Bethesda Row Arts Festival

Taste of Bethesda

The Montgomery County Agricultural Fair (tie)

VisArts’ Rockville Arts Festival (tie)

LIVE MUSIC VENUE

Strathmore

Glen Echo Park

Caddies on Cordell

Hank Dietle’s Tavern

PERFORMING ARTS/THEATER VENUE

Strathmore

Round House Theatre

Glen Echo Park

Olney Theatre Center

PRIVATE GOLF COURSE

Woodmont Country Club

Lakewood Country Club

Columbia Country Club

Bethesda Country Club (tie)

Manor Country Club (tie)

PUBLIC GOLF COURSE

Falls Road Golf Course

The Crossvines

Sligo Creek Golf Course

Northwest Golf Course

TRIVIA NIGHT

Caddies on Cordell

Quincy’s Bar & Grille

7 Locks Brewing

BabyCat Brewery (tie)

World of Beer (tie)

WEDDINGS & EVENTS

CATERER

Dawson’s Market

Ridgewells Catering

Nourish Culinary

Corcoran Caterers

EVENT PLANNER

Shaymah Ansari Weddings

Jamie Kramer Events

Save The Date LLC Events

O’Neil Events

FLORIST

LuLu Florist

Edge Floral Event Designers

Bethesda Florist (tie)

Suburban Florist (tie)

HAIRSTYLIST

Denise Sharpe Style

Beauty Laboratory Studio

Concierge Hair Services

Salon Roi

HOTEL FOR OUT-OF-TOWN GUESTS

Hyatt Regency Bethesda

Marriott Bethesda Downtown at Marriott HQ

AC Hotel Bethesda (tie)

Canopy at Hilton (tie)

LIMO AND BUS SERVICE FOR WEDDINGS & EVENTS

RMA Worldwide Chauffeured Transportation

Awards Limousine Service (tie)

Celebrity Limousine & Chauffeur Service (tie)

MAKEUP ARTIST

KEO Designs

Fernanda Celidonio

Makeup & Hair

Emily Cosmetics & Beauty

Valerie Hammer

Makeup Artistry

PHOTOGRAPHER

Michael Bennett Kress

Photography

Freed Photography

Erica Land Photography

Eli Turner Studios

PLACE FOR A WEDDING RECEPTION

Glen Echo Park

Lakewood Country Club

Marriott Bethesda Downtown at Marriott HQ

The Crossvines

PLACE FOR BAR/BAT MITZVAH

Glen Echo Park

Lakewood Country Club

Marriott Bethesda Downtown at Marriott HQ

The Crossvines

PLACE TO BUY A WEDDING DRESS

Love Couture Bridal

Fairytale Bridal

Anthropologie (tie)

Say Yes for Less (tie)

PLACE TO BUY AN ENGAGEMENT RING/WEDDING RINGS

Boone & Sons Jewelers

Kaufmann Jewelers

Brilliant Earth

Alan Furman & Co

WEDDING CAKES

Creative Cakes

Classic Bakery

The Red Bandana Bakery

Personalized Care. Real Results.

At BNWS, you’re supported by a team—not just a provider. Whether you’re managing diabetes, improving heart health, or building better habits, we’ll help you make confident choices that support lifelong wellness.

Our physicians, nurse practitioners, dietitians, and mental health professionals work together to deliver comprehensive, compassionate care tailored to your needs. From nutrition counseling and chronic disease management to ongoing lifestyle support and women’s health, our team collaborates to help you achieve lasting health—so you can be well today and stay well for tomorrow.

CONFIDENCE begins with EXCEPTIONAL HAIR

Honored as a Best of the City Winner 2025 and Readers' Pick Finalist for Best Wedding Stylist, Eulaysha Holley creates bridal looks that become one of the most unforgettable parts of the day. With expertise in luxury extensions, dimensional color, and timeless styling, she ensures every bride feels confident, radiant, and beautifully remembered.

202.710.0817 I beautylaboratory.studio beautylaboratorybethesda@gmail.com IG: @beautylaboratorystudio

BETHESDA

Reader' Pick, Best Hotel for Out of Town Guests

Potomac Audiology

2026, 2025, 2024, 2020, 2018, 2016, 2014, 2013: Winner, Audiologist 2022: Finalist, Audiology Practice

11300 Rockville Pike, Suite 105 Rockville, MD 20852 240-477-1010

Dr. Gail Linn and daughter Dr. Tricia Terlep achieve consistent best results by always using Real Ear measurements—the gold-standard of hearing aid fitting. Measurements that allow us to precisely see what the hearing aid is delivering to the eardrum while considering the acoustic properties of each unique ear canal. Without it, there is no way to know whether a hearing aid is providing the amplification across the appropriate frequencies to correct the hearing loss.

Carolyn Homes

2026, 2025, 2024, 2023, 2021, 2019: Finalist, Best Real Estate Team 2026, 2025: Finalist, Best Real Estate Agent 2019-2025: Top Producer

Carolyn Sappenfield TTR Sotheby’s International Realty 4809 Bethesda Ave. | Bethesda, MD 20814 240-353-7601 | carolyn@carolynhomes.com CarolynHomes.com

Ranked in the top 1 percent of agents nationwide with more than $700 million in career sales, Carolyn Sappenfield and her team deliver exceptional service and maximize client returns in every transaction. As lifelong Washington, D.C. area residents, they draw on deep local expertise and an extensive network to guide clients confidently from start to finish. The team’s success is grounded in integrity, creative problem-solving and unwavering dedication. Their thriving referral-based business reflects both a proven track record and the lasting trust they’ve built with clients over time.

Fine Earth Landscape

2026, 2025, 2020: Winner, Contractor for Outdoor Living Spaces

2026, 2025, 2023, 2021, 2019, 2017, 2015, 2013: Winner, Landscaping Company 2011: Winner, Landscaper

Joel Hafner and Bernie Mihm, Co-Owners 301-972-8810

FineEarth.com

In business for nearly 50 years, Fine Earth Landscape offers the experience, reliability and resources to meet your landscape needs as we create beautiful outdoor environments that will delight you. Our landscape architects and designers offer a cohesive vision, from initial plan to completion, from choosing the right plants for you to designing and building extensive hardscape projects. Our depth of knowledge includes everything from plantings and plant maintenance to patios, water features, retaining walls, site grading and layout and swimming pool design/construction.

Capital Laser & Skin Care

2026, 2025, 2024, 2022, 2020: Winner, Dermatology Practice

2026, 2025, 2024, 2022, 2020: Winner, Medical Aesthetics Practice/Place Top Doctor, 2023, 2019

5471Wisconsin Ave., Suite 200 Chevy Chase, MD 20815

301-798-9699

CapitalSkinLaser.com

Capital Laser & Skin Care is the premiere aesthetic dermatology practice in the Washington, D.C. metro area. We are an award-winning dermatologic laser center dedicated to delivering the most advanced and natural-looking treatments in a welcoming environment. Board-certified dermatologists Dr. Geeta Shah, Dr. Tania Peters and Dr. Elizabeth Tanzi use state-of-the-art technology, years of clinical experience and dedication to a patient-centered approach to truly customize each treatment plan to maximize outcomes and patient satisfaction.

No Regrets Pizza

2026: Finalist, Cocktails and Zero-Proof Drinks 2026: Winner, Pizza 2026: Finalist, Restaurant in North Bethesda/Rockville 2025: Editors Pick, Best Pizza

5454 Nicholson Lane N. Bethesda, MD 20852 301-200-3003 NoRegretsPizza.com

No Regrets Pizza Co. was founded in 2024 by mortgage bankers Richard Weiner and Nicholas Framarini, turning a passion for food into an award-winning pizzeria. The menu features housemade pasta, Italian street sandwiches, gourmet salads, and three pizza styles—Neapolitan, Roman and New York. Nearly everything is made from scratch with premium ingredients. With a full bar in North Bethesda and a new QSR Bethesda location opening in 2026, No Regrets continues to serve with heart and flavor.

CarePlus Inc.

22026: Finalist, In-Home Health Care Service 2024, 2022: Finalist, In-Home Health Care Provider

7361 Calhoun Place #301 Rockville, MD 20855

301-740-8870 CarePlusInc.com

CarePlus has been a trusted partner for more than 30 years, supporting adults aging in place and collaborating with senior living communities across the region. Led by Chief Clinical Officer, Dr. Heather Najjar, our highly trained team provides compassionate in-home care to help adults live safely and independently. Our dedicated RNs, LPNs and CNAs also deliver dependable clinical support for adults in senior communities with complex medical needs.

Contact CarePlus today for better care, better health.

Malech Law

2026: Finalist, Family Law Attorney 2024: Finalist, Family Law Practitioner 2022: Winner, Family Law Practitioner

7910 Woodmont Ave., Suite 1430 Bethesda, MD 20814 202-441-2107 MalechLaw.com

Lloyd Malech, managing partner of Malech Law, is proud to be named again as a finalist for Best Family Law Practitioner—a trusted attorney whom families rely on throughout the community. Malech Law has long represented high-net-worth families with empathy, excellence and discretion. From divorce and custody to high conflict matters, Lloyd delivers expertise to help clients achieve the best possible outcomes. His Ask Lloyd series supports families with answers—reach out anytime to ask your question. Malech Law: Family Law Re-envisioned.

Margie Halem

2024, 2021: Finalist, Real Estate Team 2023: Winner, Real Estate Agent 2010–2021: Finalist, Real Estate Agent

The Halem Group of Compass 301-775-4196 margie@compass.com TheHalemGroup.com

The Halem Group is led by Margie Halem and is a highly experienced and successful real estate team specializing in the DMV. Their expertise and impressive track record of more than 1 billion in career sales make the Halem Group a compelling choice for anyone looking to buy or sell in the DMV. Whether a first-time buyer, senior seller, builder or investor, The Halem Group makes time for everyone and is committed to providing top-notch white glove service.

Bray & Scarff

2026, 2025, 2021: Winner, Place to Buy High-End Appliances

2023: Winner, Home Appliances Retailer

2011: Finalist, Kitchen Store

2007: Finalist, Kitchen Design Store

6801 Wisconsin Ave.

Bethesda, MD 20815

301-654-4150

BrayAndScarff.com

Bray & Scarff , established in 1930, has been a trusted name in the Washington D.C. and Baltimore areas for more than 90 years. As the leading local, independent appliance retailer, we pride ourselves on employing factory-trained experts who provide personalized service and guidance. Our commitment to excellence includes a price match guarantee and a streamlined repair process, ensuring customers receive the best value and support. With more than 20,000 kitchens installed, our in-house designers and installers work diligently to turn dream kitchens into reality.

Dr. Rachel Cohn & Dr. Jennifer Karmiol

2026, 2025, 2023, 2021, 2015: Finalist, Place to Buy Glasses (Not a National Chain)

2022, 2019, 2017, 2013, 2010, 2008: Winner, Place to Buy Glasses (Not a National Chain)

2024: Winner, Locally owned glasses

2026: Winner, Optometrist, Dr. Rachel Cohn

2026: Finalist, Optometrist, Dr. Jennifer Karmiol

2025, 2023, 2019: Winner, Eye Doctor, Dr. Rachel Cohn

2017: Finalist, Eye Doctor, Optometrist, Dr. Rachel Cohn

Wink Eyecare Boutique

1095 Seven Locks Road | Potomac, MD 20854

301-545-1111 | Wink.net

At Wink Eyecare , our focus is on you. We’ve created a warm and welcoming environment. Longer appointment times allow Dr. Cohn and Dr. Karmiol to get to know each patient. Using the latest technology, we provide comprehensive eye exams designed to ensure the best possible care for your vision. Our highly trained optical team will guide you in finding the perfect frame from our handpicked selection of eyewear from around the world—so you can look and see your best.

Peake ReLeaf

2026, 2025: Winner, Marijuana Dispensary 2024, 2022, 2020: Finalist, Medical Marijuana Dispensary

2001 Chapman Ave. Rockville, MD 20852

301-703-2400 PeakeReLeaf.com Instagram.com/peakestagram YouTube: Releaf.tv/yt

“Committed to Community.” Since 2015, Peake ReLeaf has been Rockville’s trusted source for premium medical and adult-use cannabis. We combine deep industry expertise with community care to offer a dispensary experience that is knowledgeable, safe and tailored to your unique needs. Whether you seek hands-on guidance from our specialists or a seamless visit, we are dedicated to improving your quality of life. Discover the higher standard of natural wellness at Peake ReLeaf.

Kenwood Animal Hospital and Canine Clubhouse

2025: Finalist, Pet Day Care

2022, 2021, 2020, 2018: Finalist, Veterinary Practice 2021: Finalist, Best Dog Day Care

2019: Finalist, Vets for Dogs

2017: Finalist, Vets for Cats 2014, 2007: Finalist, Best Veterinarian

5439 Butler Road | Bethesda, MD 20816

301-654-3000 | KenwoodVet.com

Nestled in the heart of Bethesda, MD, our hospital has been a beacon of compassionate pet care since the 1930s. Our services are provided by our wonderful veterinarians and a legacy of family ownership that spans decades.At Kenwood , we believe in holistic veterinary care that honors the triad of our community: pet owners, our staff and the pets we love. Every visit is met with the highest levels of kindness, respect and professional care.

Jason A. Cohen, DDS

2026, 2025, 2023, 2011: Readers’ Pick, Winner, Best Dentist

2021, 2019, 2017, 2015, 2013: Finalist, Best Dentist

5530 Wisconsin Ave. #560 Chevy Chase, MD 20815

301-656-1201

CosmeticDDS.com

Dr. Jason A. Cohen and his team strive to provide dental treatment with the professional care, skill and judgment we would want for ourselves and our family members. This includes personalized treatment for each patient’s unique desires and needs. Their goal is to preserve, protect and enhance your dental health by creating a caring and gentle atmosphere, where the level of treatment is second to none.

Monarch Prime

2026: Finalist, Builder for Home Renovation

2026: Finalist, Contractor for Outdoor Living Spaces Member of National Kitchen + Bath Association and National Association of Home Builders

407 North Stonestreet Ave. Rockville, MD 20850

301-208-0348

info@monarchprime.com www.monarchprime.com

Monarch Prime is a woman-owned design-build firm led by Amy Hetz, a doctor-turned-contractor known for her construction-forward design approach. Working throughout Montgomery County and Northwest Washington, D.C., the firm guides homeowners through design, planning, and construction with high touch project coordination and communication. Monarch Prime focuses on practical design, quality materials and careful craftsmanship to bring thoughtful, lasting improvements to every home. Reimagine. Remodel. Redefine.

Emily Porter Gerson, MD, FAAD

2026: Finalist, Dermatology Practice

2022: Finalist, Dermatology Practice

2014: Finalist, Best Dermatologist

2011: Winner, Best Dermatologist

2009: Finalist, Best Dermatologist for Adults and Best Dermatologist for Adolescents

Gerson Zatezalo Skin & Face 4910 Massachusetts Ave., NW | Washington, DC 20016 P: 202-991-9000 | F: 202-793-4900

Dr. Emily Porter Gerson is a board-certified dermatologist with over 25 years of experience, known for providing exceptional care to both children and adults. Well known for her expertise in medical and cosmetic dermatology, she leads a patient-focused boutique practice that emphasizes individualized attention and highquality outcomes. Her practice—conveniently located in Washington, DC’s Spring Valley neighborhood—has earned numerous awards, reflecting her commitment to excellence and a warm, personalized approach to dermatologic care.

GTM Architects

2026, 2025, 2020, 2018, 2016: Winner, Architect for Custom Homes 2026, 2025: Winner, Architect for Home Renovation 2024, 2022: Finalist, Architect for Custom Homes 2023, 2015, 2013, 2012, 2010, 2008: Finalist, Architect 2021, 2019, 2017: Winner, Architect 7250 Woodmont Avenue, Suite 200 Bethesda, MD 20814 240-333-2000 | ask@gtmarchitects.com GTMArchitects.com

Founded in 1989 by George Myers, GTM Architects delivers award-winning, customized architectural and interior design solutions, blending creativity, precision, and functionality. Now celebrating over 36 years of transformative design, GTM’s 70+ professionals across Bethesda, Washington, D.C., and Frederick, Maryland, have completed over 15,000 projects nationwide. Specializing in residential, commercial, multifamily, retail, and hospitality design, GTM’s success stems from a commitment to delivering exceptional client service and innovative design. “We see each new architectural project as an opportunity to create lasting spaces that inspire and enrich the lives of those who experience them.”

Sandy Spring Builders, LLC

2026, 2025, 2024, 2022, 2020, 2018, 2016: Winner, Best Builder for Custom Homes 2023, 2021, 2019, 2017, 2015, 2013, 2010, 2008: Winner, Best Builder 2020: Finalist, Best Builder for Home Renovations 2018, 2016: Finalist, Best Remodeling Firm 2014: Winner, Best Remodeling Firm 2012: Finalist, Best Remodeler 2012: Finalist, Best Green Builder

4705 West Virginia Ave. | Bethesda, MD 20814 301-913-5995 | SandySpringBuilders.com

Sandy Spring Builders is the premier custom homebuilder in the Washington, D.C. area. For over 40 years, they have built award-winning new homes and renovations, bringing their clients’ vision to life. They have won Bethesda Magazine’s Best of Bethesda award for “Best Builder” every year since its inception, and myriad other awards. They are full-service custom builders, and their expertise is unmatched in the industry. They are your builder for life.

Altman & Associates

2026: Finalist, Trusts and Estates Attorney 2025: Winner, Trusts and Estates Attorney 2023: Finalist, Estate Attorney

11300 Rockville Pike, Suite 708 Rockville, MD 20852 301-468-3220 AltmanAssociates.net

This is an honor we cherish. The community’s trust in our estate planning law firm inspires us to create wills, trusts, powers of attorney and advance directives with clear guidance and rocksolid strategies tailored to each client. Planning your estate is one of the most important steps you can take for your loved ones and for securing your legacy. We use a collaborative, personalized approach to create an estate plan tailored to your unique circumstances.

Leahy Plumbing & Heating, Inc.

2026, 2025, 2023, 2021, 2014, 2012, 2010: Winner, Plumber

2008: Finalist, Plumber

5519 Wilkins Court Rockville, MD 20852

301-652-0478

LeahyPlumbing.net

Established in 1927, Leahy Plumbing & Heating is a family-owned business, proudly operated by its thirdgeneration owner, John Leahy. With nearly a century of experience, we specialize in providing residential plumbing service and repairs throughout Bethesda and Montgomery County. As your neighborhood plumber, we are committed to delivering exceptional service and maintaining the trust and satisfaction of our customers. We are grateful for our loyal customers and thank you for once again voting us Best of Bethesda’s Best Plumber.

Drs. Ensor, Johnson & Lewis

2026: Finalist, General Dentistry Practice

2026, 2025: Finalist, Pediatric Dentistry Practice 2026, 2025, 2024, 2020: Finalist, Orthodontics Practice

2018: Winner, Orthodontia Practice

11810 Parklawn Drive, Suite 101 | Rockville, MD 20852

301-881-6170 | info@ejldental.com EJLDental.com

Drs. Ensor, Johnson and Lewis provide top-tier dental and orthodontic care to residents of Rockville, Bethesda and Kensington. Their skilled team offers personalized care using the latest technology for all ages, from infants to adults. Services include pediatric dentistry by Drs. Lewis, Ensor and Patel, orthodontics by Dr. Johnson, and restorative, cosmetic and preventive care by Drs. Matelis and Staub. The EJL team is dedicated to building lasting relationships with compassionate, expert care for the entire community.

Your Dog’s Friend

2026, 2025: Readers’ Pick, Winner, Best Pet Trainer

12221 Parklawn Drive Rockville, MD 20852 301-983-5913 info@yourdogsfriend.org YourDogsFriend.org

Your Dog’s Friend is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization with a mission to keep dogs out of shelters by educating and supporting their humans. We offer training classes for puppies and dogs of all ages in North Bethesda/Rockville and online; a free online Dog Training Foundations class, free webinars; free personalized guidance; and referrals to trusted dog professionals. We are committed to force-free, positive methods of training that are effective and fun.

Feldman Hearing Studio

2026, 2025, 2024, 2018, 2016, 2014, 2013: Finalist, Audiology Practice 2022, 2020: Winner, Audiology Practice 301-652-8847 FeldmanHearingAids.com

Feldman Hearing Studio prides itself on optimal customer service in a friendly atmosphere. We are committed to bringing you the latest technology with a customer service experience above all others. Our audiologists are committed to providing the best service possible. We thank you for choosing us for all your hearing and hearing aid needs.

Dr. Ronald S. Perlman

2026, 2025, 2017: Winner, Cosmetic Surgeon 2019: Finalist, Cosmetic Surgeon

5225 Wisconsin Ave., Suite 200A, Chevy Chase, MD 20015 202-362-7300 RonPerlmanMD.com

Dr. Ron Perlman, M.D., F.A.C.S. , is a nationally recognized plastic and reconstructive surgeon with more than 35 years of experience serving the Washington, D.C. region. Renowned for his artistic precision, surgical expertise and compassionate, patient-centered care, Dr. Perlman has long been affiliated with Sibley Memorial Hospital. Beyond his clinical work, he is deeply committed to service, providing pro bono reconstructive surgery to survivors of abuse and serving on multiple national nonprofit boards dedicated to healing, advocacy and restoring dignity.

2026: Winner, Real Estate Agent 2025: Finalist, Real Estate Agent

7200 Wisconsin Ave., Suite 100 Bethesda, MD 20814 240-893-4195 ShivaZargham.com

Thank you to my amazing clients for voting me Best of Bethesda—your trust means the world. I fell in love with real estate because it marries my three passions: people, design and numbers. Here’s how I work: I treat every home like it’s mine— negotiating fiercely, caring deeply, and obsessing over every detail. I love what I do, and I’m thrilled to keep serving you with heart and dedication.

Capital Crest Group of Long & Foster Real Estate

2026: Winner, Real Estate Brokerage, Long & Foster Real Estate

2026: Finalist, Real Estate Team

1101 Wootton Parkway, Suite 560 Rockville, MD 20852

240-663-8516 | CapitalCrestGroup.com

With more than five decades of combined experience, Capital Crest Group delivers exceptional results across Montgomery County, Washington, D.C. and Northern Virginia. The team’s personalized approach blends deep market knowledge with strategic insight to seamlessly guide clients from listing to settlement. Having sold more than $235 million in volume, Capital Crest Group is annually recognized among Long & Foster’s top producers—valued for integrity, expertise and an unwavering commitment to helping every client achieve their real estate goals.

Counseling Center Group

2026: Best Therapist for Children and Adolescents

(Caroline Green, LGPC, pictured on right)

2026: Finalist, Best Individual Therapist (Jen Fields, LMSW, pictured on left)

2026: Finalist, Best Marriage/Family Therapy Practice

2025: Best Therapist for Children and Adolescents

“(Emily Rizzo, LCPC/LPC)

2025: Best Marriage/Family Therapy Practice (CCG)

8030 Woodmont Ave., Third Floor Bethesda, MD 20814

301-742-2282 | CounselingCenterGroup.com

Expert, personalized support from day one, suited to your unique needs.

At the Counseling Center Group we guarantee you’ll be paired with the right therapist for your unique needs, and every member of our team provides care only in areas where they have deep clinical expertise. With us, you’ll receive expert, personalized support from day one. Live a life you love.

Dana Rice Group

2026: Finalist, Compass, Real Estate Brokerage

2025: Winner, Compass, Real Estate Brokerage 2024, 2022, 2020: Finalist, Compass, Real Estate Brokerage for Luxury Homes

2018-2023: Finalist, Real Estate Team

2023, 2021: Finalist, Real Estate Agent

5471 Wisconsin Ave. #300 Chevy Chase, MD 20815

202-669-6908

DanaRiceGroup.com

From first showing to final signature, Dana Rice Group delivers more than real estate expertise. They deliver peace of mind. With experienced agents, creative staging and a designer’s eye for detail, this awardwinning team turns every transaction into a seamless experience. Personalized service, local insight and a touch of fun are always part of the process. Choose Dana Rice Group and discover how moving forward can feel effortless.

Dogtopia

2026: Finalist, Pet Boarding, Pet Day Care

2025: Finalist, Pet Boarding, Pet Day Care, Pet Trainer

2024: Winner, Dog Boarding

2017: Finalist, Dog Spa

2013: Winner, Doggie Day Care

2009: Finalist, Pet Boutique

Dogtopia of Bethesda | 4936 Fairmont Ave. Bethesda, MD 20814 | 240-283-7131

Dogtopia.com/Bethesda

Dogtopia of White Flint | 4920 Wyaconda Road North Bethesda, MD 20852 | 240-389-5124

Dogtopia.com/North-Bethesda-White-Flint

Dogtopia of Bethesda and White Flint are proud Best of Bethesda winners, recognized for Doggie Day Care and Dog Boarding, and finalists in Pet Boarding, Day Care and Training.

We provide safe, supervised play, expert training and loving care for every pup. Enjoy peace of mind with live webcams, track activity with DASH collars and keep your dog healthy with our wellness plans. Experience award-winning care and fun! Schedule your dog’s first day of daycare today.

Douglas Construction Group

2026, 2025, 2022, 2020, 2018, 2016: Finalist, Builder for Custom Homes

2025: Finalist, Builder for Home Renovation 2023, 2021, 2019, 2017, 2015: Finalist, Builder 2014, 2012: Winner, Green Builder

8429 Fox Run | Potomac, MD 20854

301-983-6947 | Doug@dcghomes.com DCGHomes.com

We have been building and renovating unique homes for our neighbors for more than 25 years and we recently completed our 235th home! Our mission is simple: to provide our clients with an extraordinary home building experience. Our dedication to client care and dependable communication provides peace of mind throughout the entire process. Our clients will be confident knowing our unwavering attention to detail, award-winning craftsmanship and commitment to advanced building techniques result in a comfortable and beautiful living space that they will be proud to call home.

Lerch, Early & Brewer

2026, 2025: Winner, Family Law Attorney, Erin Kopelman

2024, 2022, 2020: Finalist, Family Law Practitioner, Erin Kopelman

2018: Winner, Family Law Practitioner, Erin Kopelman

7600 Wisconsin Ave., Ste. 700 Bethesda, MD 20814

301-347-1261

LerchEarly.com/Attorneys/Erin-L-Kopelman

Erin Kopelman is a divorce attorney who handles cases involving domestic relations and family law, including divorce, custody, child support, property settlement, alimony, post-judgment issues, prenuptial agreements and postnuptial agreements in Maryland and the District of Columbia. She is a fierce advocate for those she represents in negotiations and in the courtroom. Erin is straightforward and communicative, making sure her clients have the information to make the best decisions for themselves and their children.

Anthony Wilder

2023, 2021, 2019, 2017, 2013, 2012: Finalist, Architect 2026, 2025, 2020: Finalist, Architect for Home Renovation 2020: Finalist: Builder for Home Renovation 2021, 2019, 2015, 2013: Finalist, Builder 2022, 2018, 2016, 2014, 2012: Finalist, Remodeling Firm 2017, 2015: Finalist, Interior Designer 2026, 2025, 2024, 2022, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2016: Finalist, Architect for Custom Homes 2026, 2025, 2022, 2020, 2016: Finalist, Kitchen Design Firm 2026, 2025, 2020, 2018, 2016: Finalist, Builder for Custom Homes 2026, 2025: Finalist, Contractor for Outdoor Living Spaces 2022 2020: Winner, Contractor for Outdoor Living Spaces

7913 MacArthur Blvd | Cabin John, MD 20818 301-907-0100 | Info@anthonywilder.com

At Anthony Wilder, we strive to understand how our clients live and what brings them joy. Through open dialogue, we embrace their vision and exceed expectations. We care for homes as if they were our own and guide decisions in their best interest. Our mission is to deliver the ultimate design-build experience, inspiring everyone to live their dreams with creativity and unwavering commitment.

The Hill Law Group

2026: Winner, Trusts and Estates Attorney, Meredith Hill

7200 Wisconsin Ave., Suite 500 Bethesda, MD 20814 301-244-9040 TheHillLawGroup.com

Meredith Hill is the owner and principal attorney of The Hill Law Group . She focuses her practice on estate planning and administration throughout Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia. Providing estate planning to individuals and families is one of her passions, especially after seeing the devastating impact of improper planning. Meredith enjoys teaching the community, empowering families with knowledge, and making the planning process clear and approachable. She is grateful for the trust her clients place in her.

“I’m a rm believer that the best memories are made around the table.”

- SUSAN LACZ, CEO

Ridgewells Catering

2026: Finalist, Caterer

2025, 2023, 2021, 2019, 2017, 2015, 2013, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2007: Winner, Caterer

5522 Dorsey Lane Bethesda, MD 20816 301-652-1515 Ridgewells.com

Gathering, and the shared experience of delicious food, is the heart of what we do. For more than 97 years, our talented chefs and visionary event designers at Ridgewells Catering have built a legacy on bringing people together to create unforgettable memories and extraordinary experiences. From intimate family dinners to epic galas, for the milestone celebrations, traditions, and all of life’s most precious moments—our team is with you every step of the way.

Logan Design & Build

2026: Finalist, Contractor for Outdoor Living Spaces

301-941-7261 info@logandb.com LoganDB.com

The experience is just as exceptional as the result. We partner with homeowners to deliver thoughtful, creative renovations that elevate daily life and maximize your investment.

Kitchens • Bathrooms • Whole Home Renovations Thank you to our clients for trusting us with your homes.

Limited 2026 openings.

Maplewood Park Place

2026, 2008: Finalist, Best Senior Living Community 2025-2010: Winner, Best Senior Living Community

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

Experience the magic of Maplewood Park Place , a quaint, suburban neighborhood inside the Capital Beltway that’s calling your name. Welcome to a right-sized community where residents are empowered to make meaningful connections and friendly neighbors create a unique sense of belonging. As the only resident-owned community in the area, we pair an intimate atmosphere with countless opportunities for a vibrant, independent lifestyle, including our 20 clubs and committees. That’s what we call living that’s just right.

Geoffrey S. Platnick

2024: Finalist, Family Law Practitioner, Geoffrey Platnick, Strickler, Platnick & Hatfield, P.C. 2022: Finalist, Family Law Practitioner, Geoffrey Platnick

Strickler, Platnick & Hatfield 1201 Seven Locks Road, Suite 360-7A Potomac, MD 20854 240-617-0404 ModernFamilyLawFirm.com

Geoffrey Platnick (“Geoff”) is managing partner of Strickler, Platnick & Hatfield , which concentrates its practice exclusively in family law in Maryland and the District of Columbia. As an exceptionally skilled litigator and negotiator, Geoff’s singular focus is achieving his clients’ goals. He is respected for his creative problem-solving and strategic approach to complex divorce, custody and other family law disputes, as well as his relentless focus on achieving his clients’ objectives in a manner that suits their unique needs.

Washington Psychological Wellness

2026: Winner, Individual Therapist, Leda Kaveh

2026: Finalist, Therapist for Children and Adolescents

2025: Finalist, Marriage/Family Therapy Practice

2025: Finalist, Therapist for Children and Adolescents (Dr. Kaveh)

2022: Winner, Therapist for Children and Adolescents

Rockville, Gaithersburg and Online | 301-769-5878 Washington-PsychWellness.com Info@washington-psychwellness.com

Washington Psychological Wellness is a boutiquestyle mental health practice offering personalized, attentive and deeply compassionate care. Our award-winning clinicians provide tailored therapy for children, teens, adults, couples and families in our thoughtfully designed Rockville and Gaithersburg offices, as well as through warm, seamless telehealth. We accept insurance and provide superbills for out-of-network plans. Reach out today for your complimentary 15-minute consultation and experience the difference of truly individualized, boutique mental health care.

SAVE THE DATE, LLC EVENTS

2025, 2023, 2021, 2019, 2017: Winner, Best Event Planner 2026, 2015: Finalist, Best Event Planner

Cara Weiss Potomac, North Bethesda, and Rockville, MD 301-983-6222 | SaveTheDateLLCEvents.com

SAVE THE DATE, LLC Events offers event services that guide clients through every step of the planning process. We believe the journey should be just as enjoyable as the celebration itself. Our award-winning company has collaborated on weddings, mitzvahs, and milestone events across the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, bringing creativity, expertise, and heart to every occasion. We offer day of only and fully customized services for gatherings of all sizes — from intimate socials to large corporate events. By educating and empowering our clients, we provide the tools and support needed to create successful, memorable, and budget-friendly celebrations. At SAVE The DATE, LLC Events, we don’t just plan events — we create moments, memories, and a whole lot of magic.

Palisades of Bethesda

2024, 2021, 2020, 2016, 2015: Winner, Best Luxury Apartments

2026, 2025, 2023, 2022, 2019: Finalist, Best Luxury Apartments

4835 Cordell Ave. Bethesda, MD 20814 301-725-4723 PalisadesBethesda.com

At The Palisades of Bethesda , we offer indescribable luxury and charming sophistication. Boasting a premier location on the corner of Cordell and Woodmont avenues, this beautiful high-rise community offers a living experience that far exceeds expectations and delivers customer service that is second to none. The Palisades of Bethesda provides the perfect blend of convenience, comfort and residential services that you’ve been looking for.

Andy Alderdice

2026, 2025: Winner, Real Estate Brokerage, Long & Foster

2024, 2022, 2020: Winner, Real Estate Brokerage for Luxury Homes, Long & Foster 2019: Finalist, Real Estate Agent

7373 Wisconsin Ave., Suite 1700 Bethesda, MD 20814

301-466-5898

Andy4Homes.com

We are thrilled to be included in Bethesda Magazine’s Best of the Best. We know there are many Realtors to choose from to represent you; we never stop striving to be even better and our clients agree. With a combined experience of more than 50 years, we are proven and continue to grow and change with the market. We are always at the forefront of new technology, support, marketing and negotiation strategies. Integrity. Experience. Commitment. Local.

Bethesda Interview

THE SILVER SPRING MUSICIAN AND ACTIVIST ON PERFORMING WITH A LONG LIST OF LEGENDS, HELPING PEOPLE RID THEMSELVES OF HATE, AND THE STATE OF RACE RELATIONS IN OUR COUNTRY

A CONVERSATION WITH

DARYL DAVIS

By Mike Unger

The wood-paneled walls of Daryl Davis’ Silver Spring living room are covered with framed photos of him with … just about everyone. Here he is with Little Richard. There’s Bill Clinton. Look—it’s Davis and Chuck Berry. But near a picture of Davis with Bob Seger and another in which his arm is around Fats Domino, is an image that truly stands out, almost inconceivable in its contrasts. In the shot, Davis, a Black man wearing black clothes, stands next to Roger Kelly, a white man dressed in the white robe and hood of the Ku Klux Klan. Neither wears much of an expression on their face.

he says, seemingly still puzzled more than a half-century later.

“I never set out to convert anybody. That was not my mission.”

Davis, 67, says he and the former imperial wizard of the KKK in Maryland are old friends. They met when Davis, a renowned blues pianist, was pursuing his other calling: searching for an answer to a question that has eaten away at him since he was 10 years old.

“How does somebody hate somebody else when they don’t even know them?”

Davis’ intellectual curiosity and almost preternatural open-mindedness led him to dozens of encounters and interviews with members of the white supremacist organization for his 1997 book, Klan-destine Relationships: A Black Man’s Odyssey in the Ku Klux Klan. In the ensuing years, he has continued to nurture relationships with those who ostensibly should hate him simply for the color of his skin. Now a lecturer (and still a full-time musician), Davis speaks at schools, corporations, civic organizations, churches, synagogues and police departments around the world about race relations. He says he has helped hundreds of Klan members, neo-Nazis and other purveyors of hate realize the error of their ways.

“I never set out to convert anybody,” he says. “That was not my mission. … A leopard cannot change its spots, and a tiger can’t change its

stripes, but those are immutable characteristics they are born with. The Klansman is not born with that hood. The Nazi is not born with that swastika armband. Those are learned behaviors, and what can be learned can be unlearned.”

Davis was born in Chicago and lived in several countries growing up as the son of a Foreign Service officer before his family settled in Montgomery County when he was a teenager. A 1976 graduate of Thomas S. Wootton High School in Rockville, he earned his undergraduate degree in music from Howard University. He still practices on the Kawai electric piano he got in 1983 that sits in the house he’s lived in since 1990, performs with his band, and plays in others at venues throughout the U.S., including occasionally the Bethesda Theater. In 2024, he released another book, The Klan Whisperer, and hopes someday to open a museum dedicated to understanding both hate and reconciliation.

“Music is my profession,” Davis says, “but trying to improve race relations is my obsession.”

The interview has been lightly edited for clarity and length.

WHEN DID YOU START PLAYING THE PIANO?

Kind of late in life. I never played until I was 17. I’ve always liked music, going to see concerts and things like that. I saw Elvis Presley, I saw Chuck Berry. And when I saw them, I decided that’s what I want to do. They made millions upon millions of people all over the world happy with their music. They touched them through their music. The fact that they could impact people like that without even knowing them and make them happy and joyous was something that really appealed to me.

WHAT WAS IT THAT GRABBED YOU ABOUT THEIR STYLE OF MUSIC?

One was the effect that it had on people, but also it is the undercredited genre that contributed to Civil Rights. Because back in the day, let’s say in the 1940s, Sinatra, [the] Glenn Miller Orchestra, Tommy Dorsey, would be playing in concert halls and theaters that were segregated—if they allowed [somebody like] me in at all. That same Jim Crow law was still in effect in the 1950s, but [something] happened: The invention of rock and roll by Black musicians like Chuck Berry, Little Richard, Fats Domino, Bo Diddley and others, and the popularization of it by white musicians like Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, Buddy Holly and others.

When those artists, Black or white, came out onstage playing this new beat, white kids and Black kids could not sit still. They jumped up out of their seats, started dancing and boogying in the aisles together, and so a lot of rock and roll concerts would get banned because they [thought] this new thing called rock and roll was corrupting white youth and causing race mixing. Music had brought people together.

WHAT

WAS THE BREAK THAT ALLOWED YOU TO START MAKING A LIVING AS A MUSICIAN?

Being in the right place at the right time. And persistence. Chuck Berry was my idol, and I wanted to play with him. I started writing him letters even before I could play, telling him, ‘I’m going to learn how to play, and I want to play with you

NAME: DARYL DAVIS

FROM: CHICAGO LIVES IN: SILVER SPRING

AGE: 67

COLLEGE: HOWARD UNIVERSITY, BACHELOR OF MUSIC OCCUPATION: MUSICIAN, AUTHOR, LECTURER

one day.’ He no longer traveled with a band, so the local promoter had to supply a band. He was playing in Baltimore, and so I called the promoter. I said, ‘You need to hire me because I know more about Chuck Berry than anybody else.’ So he hired me, and Chuck liked what I did. I worked with Chuck Berry for 32 years.

AS A TRAVELING MUSICIAN, DID YOU OFTEN FIND YOURSELF AS THE ONLY BLACK MAN IN A ROOM FULL OF WHITE PEOPLE?

Yeah, quite a bit. [The venues] weren’t segregated by law; that was before my time. But they were segregated, I guess, by preference. At a lot of the Chuck Berry or the blues shows, you wouldn’t find that many Black people in the audience unless you’re in Chicago or somewhere the blues is part of the culture. Black people tend to move on a lot quicker than white people. Now, when I say Black people, I’m specifically referring to Black Americans. White Americans have a sense of nostalgia, like the oldies. Black Americans don’t. They’re always moving on to something else, because they had no ties, no roots.

DO YOU REMEMBER THE FIRST TIME YOU FACED OVERT RACISM?

Yeah, I do. I was 10 years old. It was one of the times we had come back from overseas. We were in Massachusetts, and I was one of two Black kids in my entire school. And I was a member of a Cub Scout troop, and I was the only Black Scout anywhere in the area. During a parade, I had soda pop cans and bottles and rocks thrown at me. It was also the first time I was ever called a n-----. It was by one of my classmates.

HOW DID YOU REACT?

I was very angry. She was standing right next to me, and she took off running. I went running after her. Her adrenaline must have kicked in because I was the fastest kid in our school, but man, she outran me. A couple of my friends on the playground circled the block and trapped her and dragged her kicking and screaming and crying back to where I was. And I made her apologize to me.

YOU SEEM TO REMEMBER THAT QUITE WELL.

Oh yeah. Those are formative events. It’s never left me.

HOW DID YOU ENCOUNTER YOUR FIRST KLANSMAN?

My first Klansman or my first positive experience with a Klansman?

LET’S HEAR ABOUT BOTH.

OK. So I was in Frederick, Maryland, one night, and when we finished playing I went to get something to eat at an all-night restaurant. After I pulled into the parking lot, maybe 20 feet away I saw a guy on the sidewalk outside of the restaurant straddled across a woman. She was lying on her back, and he was sitting on her chest. He was banging her head into the sidewalk and smacking her in the face. And there were three or four other white guys standing there watching. Not one of them was intervening or calling the cops. There were no cellphones back then, but there was a whole bank of pay phones. So anyway, they’re just there watching. And I’m going to get over there and yank the guy off. The slamming of the car door caused him to look up. He looked up at me, and I’m looking at him, and he says, ‘What the f--- are you looking at, n-----?’ And I said, ‘I’m looking at you.’ He goes, ‘You want a piece?’ I said, ‘Yeah, I do.’ And he got up and came at me, and I beat the daylights out of him. And then one of the white observers went and called the cops. … Turns out the guy was a Frederick County firefighter.

AND THE POSITIVE ONE?

So the positive one was in the same area: Frederick, Maryland. The Silver Dollar Lounge had a reputation, which I

knew before I’d ever gone there. It was not welcoming to Black people. I was a fulltime musician now. I’m out of college with my degree, and I don’t want to have a day job. I want to play music. Country and blues is basically the same music. Same three chords, so it was very easy for me to play. So I joined this country band that was pretty well established here in Maryland. They had played the Silver Dollar Lounge many times. Now I’m the only Black guy in the band. So here I am in the Silver Dollar Lounge. People looked at me when I came in, but they didn’t bother me.

“It’s exhausting, but you know what? It’s more exhausting for them than it is for me.

Hate is exhausting.”

some Black guy and want to hang out and buy him a drink. So you know this guy is joking with me. I’m laughing at his joke. He went inside his pocket, pulled out his wallet, and handed me his Klan membership card. It wasn’t funny anymore. I gave it back to him, but we talked about the Klan and different things, and he gave me his phone number and wanted me to call him whenever I was to return to the Silver Dollar to see, as he put it to me, the Black guy who plays like Jerry Lee. And I’d call him every six weeks, and he’d come.

WHY DID YOU CALL HIM?

And we played, people danced to our music. On the break, I feel somebody from behind reach over and put their arm across my shoulder. It was a white guy, and he was 15, maybe even 20 years older than me. Big smile. And he’s saying, ‘You know, man, I sure love the way you play that piano.’ I said, ‘Thank you,’ and I shook his hand. He said, ‘It’s the first time I ever heard a Black man play piano like Jerry Lee Lewis.’ I was not offended by the statement, but I was surprised, given his age, that he did not know the Black origin of Jerry Lee Lewis’ piano playing. So I proceeded to tell him. And he was incredulous. ‘I ain’t never seen no Black man play like that before.’

I said, ‘I know Jerry Lee Lewis. He’s a friend of mine. He’s told me himself.’ He didn’t believe that either. But he was fascinated with me and insisted that I come back to his table and let him buy me a drink. I don’t drink alcohol, but I let him buy me a cranberry juice, and he took his glass and he clinked my glass. Then he said, ‘You know, this is the first time I ever sat down and had a drink with a Black man.’ Now I’m even more mystified. I said, ‘Why?’ He was silent. His buddy hit him with his elbow and said, ‘Tell him, tell him, tell him.’ I said, ‘Tell me.’ He looked at me and said, ‘I’m a member of the Ku Klux Klan.’ And I just started laughing at him because I know a whole lot about the Klan, and I know they don’t just come up and embrace

Why not? He enjoyed the music. He wanted to share it with his friends. He’d come, and on the breaks I’d make my way over to his table, thank him for coming. I’d meet some of the other Klan people. Two of them, when they would see me coming, they’d get up and walk to the other side of the room. Eventually I quit the band and forgot about the guy, more or less. And then it dawned on me. I had formed a question in my mind at the age of 10 after the bottle- and rock-throwing thing, which was, ‘How can you hate me when you don’t even know me?’ I’d always been looking for an answer to that question. And so it dawned on me: Daryl, the answer that’s been plaguing you since the age of 10, it fell right into your lap. You didn’t even realize it. Who better to ask that question of than someone who would go so far as to join an organization with [an] over 100year history of hating people who don’t look like them? So get back in contact with that Klansman in Frederick and get him to fix you up with the Klan leader from Maryland. Interview the guy. Write a book on the Klan. No book had been written by a Black author on the Ku Klux Klan from in-person, face-to-face interviews. So I decided mine would be the first.

HOW MANY KLANSMEN DID YOU INTERVIEW FOR THE BOOK?

The ones who made it into the book, there were probably over a dozen.

But I interviewed, I’d say, between 40 and 50.

WAS YOUR GOAL TO CONVINCE THEM TO LEAVE OR JUST TO LEARN FROM THEM?

I never set out to change anybody. I thought that’s who they are. All I wanted to know is: How can you hate me? You don’t even know me. Just tell me that and then we’ll say goodbye and part ways. And something interesting happened. Over time, interviewing these people, some of them began changing. When the first person quit, I thought it was a fluke. But then it happened again and again. I began wondering, what is it that I’m doing that’s causing them to quit?

WHAT CONCLUSION DID YOU ARRIVE AT?

I was applying something that I had absorbed subliminally because I grew up in a diplomatic family. When you combine my childhood travels with my adult travels, I’ve played in all 50 states, I’ve been to 64 countries on six continents. My dad’s job was to foster better relations between a foreign country’s government and our U.S. government. That’s the purpose of a diplomat, right? Being around that and seeing my dad talk to these people, I think I picked up on a lot of things.

I narrowed it down to five core values that every human being in the world wants. Everyone wants to be loved. Everyone wants to be respected. Everyone wants to be heard. We all want to be treated fairly and truthfully. And we all want the same things for our family. If we can learn to apply those five core values when we find ourselves in some adversarial situation or some cultural society in which we are uncomfortable or unfamiliar, I can guarantee you that your navigation of that situation, that culture, that society will be much more smooth, much more positive, and much more productive.

HOW ARE YOU ABLE TO CONTROL YOUR EMOTIONS OR YOUR ANGER WHEN YOU HEAR SUCH VILE WORDS DIRECTED RIGHT AT YOU?

Everything we do in life, starting from day one, is a stepping stone to what

we’re going to be doing later. If I had grown up here my whole life and never traveled, and my first experience with white people was having rocks and bottles thrown at me, maybe I wouldn’t be doing this work today. But I had been exposed to people from all over the world, every color. And I saw people whiter than those people, from Sweden and Finland and places like that, who treated me better. So it had nothing to do with the color of my skin, it had to do with the culture in our country.

WHY DO YOU KEEP PHYSICAL RELICS LIKE KLAN ROBES AND HOODS?

I don’t know why I wanted my first robe, but I wanted it. … I have a bunch of them now. I keep most of them locked up offsite. I want to start a museum. It’ll be an interactive museum where people—former racists or even racists—can come and explain why they feel that people like me should not exist or whatever. I don’t care. Come tell me. Come tell everybody.

DO YOU EVER LOSE FAITH IN HUMANITY?

It’s exhausting, but you know what? It’s more exhausting for them than it is for me. Hate is exhausting. It takes a lot to hate. I’ve heard them tell me they wake up in the morning wondering who am I going to hate on today? Maybe I’ll hate on the Jews today, or hate on the gays, or the Muslims, or the Blacks, or whatever.

HOW DO YOU ASSESS THE STATE OF RACE RELATIONS IN OUR COUNTRY?

Right now, we’re in a bad place, but we are in the best place ever. Donald Trump has put us there. And I’m not a Donald Trump fan. What do I mean?

For the longest time, this country has turned a blind eye to racism. If I don’t see it, I don’t hear it, it doesn’t exist, right? Oh, and we’ve had a Black president. Racism is over.

YOUR SMILE. EXPERTLY CRAFTED.

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That’s what people have been doing. If I don’t see it, I can’t fix it.

Now we hear it. Now we see it. Now we have to fix it. We’re in a very good place right now because if we don’t fix it, it’s our own fault.

Mike Unger grew up in Montgomery County and lives in Baltimore.

No, it’s not over. Donald Trump has put it front and center. No matter which way you turn, you’re seeing it. You’re hearing it. So now is the best time to fix it and address it because you can’t hide from it. It’s sort of like, if you live here in Montgomery County and you want to take a trip down to Georgia. You hop in your car, but by the time you hit the [Interstate] 95 exit in Springfield, your car starts making all kinds of racket. So you go to a mechanic right there and you ask the guy, ‘Can you drive my car around the block and see what this noise is?’ So he hops in the car, and you all ride around, and the noise is gone. So he tells you, ‘Well, I can’t fix what I can’t hear.’

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Celebrations Year of the

Bashes that took the cake—two chic weddings, a home-run bar mitzvah and a glam 50th birthday party

A

‘Wicked’ Good Time

These brides defied gravity and thunderstorms at their vibrant Woodend

Sanctuary wedding

BY SOFIA APPOLONIO

THE COUPLE: Kara Charpentier, 28, is a District of Columbia Public Schools special education teacher originally from Chicago. Kendall Jones, 25, works as a fleet coordinator for an electric vehicle fleet management company and is from Nashville, Tennessee. The couple lives in NoMa, Washington, D.C.

HOW THEY MET: The two matched on the dating app Hinge while in Nashville before their work took them to D.C. Kara was in grad school at Vanderbilt University and Kendall was on summer break from the University of Tennessee, at the time. After agreeing to meet at a coffee shop for their first date, initial impressions were somewhat disastrous. Kendall jokes about how she talked the entire time, leaving Kara conflicted. “My mom [said], ‘I think she’s probably nervous, you should give her a second chance,’ ” Kara says. “So we give my mom a lot of credit for our relationship.”

THE PROPOSAL: Kendall popped the question in March 2024. The couple’s friends waited in the bushes around the United States National Arboretum in D.C. to capture pictures of the moment. Kara says the proposal didn’t come as much of a surprise. “I mean, [Kendall was] like, get dressed nice. … And we’re getting in this Uber and my parents were in town and I’m just like, ‘OK.’ ” While the element of surprise wasn’t on Kendall’s side—a friend of theirs slipped out of the bushes before the big question— the joy of the moment couldn’t be spoiled. The two laughed throughout their engagement photoshoot. Kendall did manage to surprise Kara with an engagement party that night. Kara gave her own proposal to Kendall on the beach in April 2024 during a trip to Valencia, Spain. They each picked out their rings from Etsy vendors.

THE CEREMONY: After considering multiple venues in the D.C. area, Kara and Kendall selected Woodend Sanctuary & Mansion in Chevy Chase for their summer evening cer-

emony. In front of 112 guests, they got married on July 12, 2025. For the brides, part of Woodend’s appeal was its lush outdoor areas, but a sudden thunderstorm threw a wrench in their plans. “We might have all died by a tree being struck by lightning, so we did not have our ceremony outside,” Kara says. Fortunately, before the storm hit, the brides and wedding party posed for a photo shoot against the backdrop of the sanctuary’s resplendent garden, with the members of the bridal party dressed in the lesbian flag color scheme—pink, orange, red and purple.

A last-minute swap placed the cocktail hour before the ceremony. With the evening moving indoors, the brides entered down the stairs of the mansion to kick off the night’s events. Hor’s d’oeuvres were passed, with bacon-wrapped scallops becoming a favorite. The brides used their middle names in the monikers of their signature cocktails: “Jane,” a pineapple paloma, for Kara; and “Elaine,” a cucumber gin rickey, for Kendall. Kara embroi-

dered cloth cocktail napkins with hearts with “K+K” in the middle, which everyone could take home. Guests soon moved into their assigned seats for the reception to watch the ceremony. “It was very intimate. Everyone got to hear us very well and see everything. … There [were] people like 5 feet from us or less,” Kara says.

THE RECEPTION: In celebration of lesbian pride, touches of pink, orange and red accentuated the dining hall and call room—a space featuring a guest book, gift table and dessert table. Pops of blue lined the tables and napkins for dinner. Eyecatching portraits on the mantels highlighted family members of the brides and notable lesbian couples, with a sign honoring the “love stories that paved the way.” Guests were invited to sign playing cards and grab a cute temporary tattoo. “This love is forever. These tattoos are temporary,” one sign read. Sustainability was another theme of the event, which featured reusable dining items and cocktail napkins. Part of the rental fee for the venue went toward sustainability efforts, an important cause to the brides.

During the party, Kendall brought out orange and white pom-poms to honor her alma mater, and guests waved their orange, white and pink fans while dancing the night away. After changing into her second look, Kendall sang “Defying Gravity” from the musical Wicked. The impromptu performance was in “true Kendall fashion,” Kara says.

THE OUTFITS: “My first wedding dress was pink, this big ball gown, tier, tulle and it reminded me of Glinda,” Kendall says of the Vagabond Bridal dress she picked up from a bridal salon in Nashville. “I had several [elements] that were very Glinda or Ariana Grande-related, like my hairstyle. … My nails ended up being Glinda-inspired nails I saw on Pinterest with bubbles.” Kara opted for a slimmer, flower embroidered Watters gown from Anthropologie.

THE FOOD: Upon RSVP’ing, guests selected their main dish for the evening. A grilled peach salad started off the summery menu. Entrees included vegetable lasagna, blackberry chicken, and red snapper with corn and tomato. A heart-shaped

cake featuring the initials of the couple in lacy pink frosting was reserved for glutenand dairy-sensitive guests. For others, the couple chose a spread of churros, brownies, Key lime pie bites and tiramisu.

THE HONEYMOON: The couple did a minimoon to an all-inclusive resort in Cancun and are planning a honeymoon to Northern Italy and Amsterdam.

VENDORS: Baked goods, Sweet Crimes Bakery; boutique/dress, Anthropologie Bridal (Kara), A&Bé Bridal in Nashville (Kendall); catering, Corcoran Caterers; DJ, MyDeejay/ Brian Jones; flowers, Wildly Native; hair and makeup, JKW Beauty; planning: Glow Weddings and Events, photography, Cait Kramer Photography; rings, Etsy; tailor, StreetSmart Tailoring; transportation, RMA Worldwide Chauffeured Transportation.

Le Temps de L’Amour

This wedding reception in Poolesville immersed guests in its sultry French bistro theme

BY SOFIA APPOLONIO

THE COUPLE: Joanna Horn, 31, who was raised in Potomac, is the head of special projects to the CEO of an AI company. Alex Klaris, 34, is from New York and works in the business side of Walmart through its advertisement group, Walmart Connect. The couple lives in Los Angeles.

THEIR FIRST DATE: Their love story began on a dating app during the COVID-19 pandemic. “We couldn’t see each other, so we randomly started FaceTiming, and kind of went from there,” Joanna says. After four months of talking online, the couple went on their first date in June 2020, but not in Maryland. When they both realized they’d be taking separate trips with friends to Delaware, the couple made plans to meet up for sandwich wraps and a walk along the beach. For Joanna, the occasion reminded her of summers in the area with her family and the couple agrees it was a “highly anticipated day.”

THE PROPOSAL: Alex asked Joanna’s parents for her hand on Thanksgiving in 2023 and proposed in January the next year. Joanna’s preference of understated moments inspired him to go for an intimate proposal, forgoing flashy cameras and spectacle. He popped the question in their apartment one morning, before the couple had their morning coffee.

THE CEREMONY: Designed with a “sexy French bistro” concept in mind, the duo wedded at Aix La Chapelle farm in Poolesville on Oct. 5, 2024, in a dreamy Parisian-inspired ceremony. The rich eggplant, maroon and olive green color scheme complemented the elegant black chuppah the couple married under. On the farm’s lawn, 210 guests filled simple onyx chairs that looked like they were taken from a French cafe exterior. Mini statues of cherubs hid in plain sight around the farm, clutching bouquets of red roses in their marble hands. Joanna’s mother, Karyn, made the chuppah. Karyn was heavily

involved in planning the day. “The chuppah had things from my house growing up, so the table and the sculpture and the chandelier were things I grew up around,” Joanna says. The honor of marrying the couple went to the wife of one of Alex’s best friends, who was also a childhood camp friend of Joanna’s.

Selecting the farm for the day was a no-brainer for the couple, due to Joanna’s family connections with the owner. “My grandma was really good friends with the owner’s mother,” she says. “It had a little special family tie.”

The couple exchanged vows on a sunny afternoon. “I loved hearing Alex’s vows,” Joanna says. “I was surprised that the ceremony was one of my favorite parts. I mean, I felt like everyone just looked forward to the party, but I really loved the ceremony.” Joanna says the good weather was not mere luck. A month prior, her mother buried a bottle of bourbon upside down on the farm, honoring a southern tradition for clear ceremony weather.

THE RECEPTION: The couple’s early evening ceremony extended deep into the night for a lavish reception. Fairy lights stretched from every corner of the reception tent, covering three long banquet tables and illuminating the night sky around Aix La Chappelle. On tables, mini black vase centerpieces spilled over with rich red, purple and orange ranunculus and roses. Beside them were large bouquets of crimson roses, enhancing the sultry bistro vibe. Guests could also spot assortments of artichoke, garlic and eggplant throughout the reception venue, with little lamps on cocktail tables for an intimate restaurant feel in the reception area. Everyone was in their evening best including elegant gowns in maroon, green and buttery shades. Guests dined on a variety of passed hors d’oeuvres, including mahi-mahi tacos, soft-shell crab sliders and Peking duck handhelds. Of course, the charcuterie board and wine couldn’t be left out. Alex was excited to see some of the closest people in their lives meeting each other for the first time.

For the final evening celebration, guests filed into a hall complete with a checkerboard tiled floor for dancing, plush chairs and couches, and cocktail high tables.

THE MUSIC: The couple treated guests to a harp player for the ceremony and a violinist and DJ during cocktails, switching over

to a saxophonist accompanying their DJ, Drew Pierce, for the rest of the evening.

THE OUTFITS: Guests followed through on the glamorous theme in various yellow, black and purple outfits. Joanna shined in an ivory Michael Lo Sordo gown, which she ordered online. Her flowy top for the ceremony arrived from Floral Bridal.

THE CAKE: What is a trip to France without a stop by a bakery? Omitting a traditional cake-cutting ceremony, the couple featured a chic pop-up bakery with treats from Catering by Seasons. Guests perused the open window display of mini-desserts, including cupcakes, sandwich macarons and cannoli.

THE HONEYMOON: Once the festivities were over, the couple went back to Potomac to regroup with friends and family before setting out to Riviera Maya, Mexico, for their honeymoon.

THE VENDORS: Baked goods and catering, Catering by Seasons; band, Zandi Entertainment; DJ, Drew Pierce; flowers, Mickey Rubenstein; hair, Salon Jean and Day Spa; makeup, Kayla Balkin Beauty; photography, Eli Turner Studios.

A Grand Slam

This bar mitzvah knocked it out of the park with a doughnut wall, party favors and plenty of dancing BY DANA GERBER

THE BAR MITZVAH: Ryan Sternberg, 13, lives in Bethesda. He is a seventh grader at Thomas W. Pyle Middle School, also in Bethesda.

THE PREP: To learn his Torah portion, a section of the Jewish scripture, Ryan worked with a tutor, and to write his accompanying speech, he did a “boot camp” at his synagogue, Temple Sinai in Upper NW Washington, D.C., says his mom, Stacey Kaltman. As for his mitzvah project—a good deed that kids do ahead of their bar or bat mitzvahs—Ryan ran dozens of miles for the American Heart Association, collecting more than $4,000 in donations. “I felt proud of myself,” he says.

artistic photography for life's cherished moments

THE CEREMONY: About 115 guests, including roughly 40 kids, gathered to watch Ryan make the rite of passage at Temple Sinai on Aug. 23, 2025. Ryan had some jitters on the big day, but they were short-lived, he says—especially once he saw his friends in the congregation. “Once a few minutes had passed, I was like, ‘OK,’ ” he says. In his speech, “Ryan talked about how we, all the time, have to make decisions and we can make decisions that have good consequences or decisions that have bad consequences,” Kaltman says. He then discussed how that’s a dilemma he faces often on his travel baseball team. “When the coach isn’t looking, is he going to practice really hard? And if he does, then the consequences are usually really good, that he plays well in the games,” Kaltman says. “He kind of ended by saying that we should all really consider the consequences of our actions more.”

Kaltman was a bit worried about whether Ryan’s friends, mostly boys, would stay quiet during the ceremony, “but they were awesome. They were so well behaved,” she says. Afterward, as Ryan went down the aisle to leave, “All his friends shouted so loud for him when he walked by,” she recalls. Though the occasion is supposed to mark the transition from boy to man, Ryan isn’t so sure about that part. “I’m still a kid,” he says. “I don’t feel any different.”

THE RECEPTION: As guests made their way into the reception, also at the temple, they were greeted with pops of blue and pink, Ryan’s favorite colors. Napkins, pillows, and even the kids’ drink bar were emblazoned with the logo designed for the occasion, featuring Ryan’s greatest passions: doughnuts, dogs and baseball. “If Ryan had a baseball team, that would be the logo of the team,” Kaltman says. Throughout the party, nods to Ryan’s love of America’s pastime were everywhere: Boxes of popcorn served as place cards, baseball “trees,” made from an upright bat and faux greenery, adorned tables as centerpieces and baseball highlights played above the DJ on a screen, meant to evoke a jumbotron. The party favors were baseball caps featuring Ryan’s logo, as well as more popcorn boxes and takeaway bags for guests to stuff with candy.

In between playing a mix of oldies and modern hits, the DJ led games such as a rock-paper-scissors tournament and Ryan-themed trivia. Air hockey and an electronic basketball game were also on offer, but guests kept coming back to the dance floor. “They ended up dancing the whole night,” Kaltman says of Ryan’s friends. Meanwhile, Ryan’s grandma led a conga line, and Ryan was lifted in a chair during the hora. “Of course, my dad kept, like, fake-dropping me,” he says.

Though Kaltman was relieved when the day was over—“It was a lot of work,” she says—she was glad to see Ryan get the recognition he deserves. “He doesn’t call a lot of attention to himself, and so it was particularly fun planning this thing for him, just celebrating him and seeing him be successful,” she says. Ryan, meanwhile, seemed to enjoy his stint as the center of attention. “It was the best day of my life, for a short 13 years,” Ryan says.

THE OUTFIT: Ryan went to Nordstrom to get his first-ever “tailored, good suit,” he says, for the ceremony—a gray-blue blazer and matching slacks, a powder-

blue shirt, and a navy tie (with baseballs on it) from Vineyard Vines. “I was all blue-d out,” he says. He changed into more comfortable duds for the party.

THE FOOD: What was Ryan most excited about for the big day? “The food,” he says— and the spread did not disappoint. “The idea was to kind of have it be like ballpark food, but a little elevated,” Kaltman says. For Ryan and his friends, that meant appetizers of pigs-in-blankets and soft pretzels, followed by slider and flatbread stations, which also served up nachos and macand-cheese cups. The kids even sipped a signature mocktail: “Ryan’s Home Run,” a combination of juice, La Croix and dragon fruit powder. The adults, meanwhile, chowed down on hors d’oeuvres of mini chicken tacos and caprese skewers alongside the pigs-in-blankets and had a grain bowl station in addition to more grown-up versions of the kids’ stations (think Brussels sprout flatbreads and a portobello burger option). For dessert, there were Key lime and apple pie “shots” for the adults, “dirt” cups (crushed Oreos, chocolate pudding and gummy worms) for the kids, and doughnuts for everyone; guests could grab them from pegs on a wall surrounded by LED lights. “Could’ve ate the whole wall,” Ryan says.

VENDORS: Basketball and hockey games, Snap Entertainment; catering, Simply Fresh Events; decorations and doughnut wall, Electric Events DC; DJ, Unique Dreams Entertainment; logo, Camper Design Studio; photography, Jessica Latos Photography; planning and day-of coordination, Save the Date, LLC Events; venue, Temple Sinai.

Making a Statement

On View | National Mall

From the red carpet to the museum, get a close look at a rst-ofits-kind collaboration between quillwork artist Joe Big Mountain (Mohawk/Cree/Comanche) and luxury fashion brand Gucci.

See the two gowns Oscar-nominated actress Lily Gladstone (Siksikaitsitapi [Blackfeet]/Nimiipuu [Nez Perce]) wore at the 96th Academy Awards and the Vanity Fair Oscar Party.

Something Sweet

A Gaithersburg woman used her 50th birthday as a reason to let loose with more than 200 of her friends and family members—and show off her dessert-making chops

BY DANA GERBER

THE CELEBRANT: Neelma Kohli, 51, lives in Gaithersburg with her husband, Pawan. She owns and runs Swaadish by Neelma, a luxury dessert catering company.

THE PLANNING: Kohli didn’t initially imagine an elaborate soiree for her 50th birthday party. In Indian culture, Kohli says, “celebrations are larger-than-life, and we all like to celebrate each other. So it started off with, like, ‘OK, well why don’t we have something small,’ ” she says, but before she knew it, “it turned into this big party.” It was her family’s first happy gathering in nearly two years; in late 2022, her eldest brother died from a sudden cardiac arrest. “Losing him was devastating for our family,” Kohli says, and her other brothers skipped parties for their milestone birthdays. But as her 50th birthday approached, her parents, who live in Iran, told her they wanted to honor the occasion alongside

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her—marking their third trip to the U.S. since Kohli relocated here in 1996. “The main purpose for this party was truly to celebrate my family and bring everyone together since my brother’s passing, especially to honor my parents and to give them some happiness,” she says. “We were trying to get back to life.”

THE VENUE: More than 200 guests packed into the Mehfil Banquet Hall & Conference Center in Germantown for the fete on Nov. 16, 2024. “It’s a one-stop shop, so you as a host really don’t have to do anything,” says Kohli of the venue, which supplied necessities such as tables, chairs and dishware. A stage area was festooned with artificial florals in white, pink and orange hues against a golden velvet backdrop, as well as plenty of faux greenery.

THE MUSIC: Kohli’s daughters, then 22 and 17, served as emcees, kicking off the celebration with a light roast of their mom.

After that, some of Kohli’s friends got up to perform a choreographed, flash mob-style dance to a folk Punjabi song. “I knew they would do something, but I had no idea that it was going to be like this,” Kohli says. “It was hilarious. It was so much fun to watch them do this—especially the guys, because guys don’t normally do these things.” There was also a live musician playing a doubleheaded drum called a dhol. Before long, Kohli recalls, “the party just broke out, and everybody was on the dance floor.” Guests

grooved to Indian tunes, spun by the same DJ who had performed at Kohli’s wedding to her husband nearly 30 years prior. “It was just a thing that he just had to DJ this party,” she says.

THE FOOD: The evening’s feast—ranging from butter chicken to goat curry—was served buffet style. As a professional confectioner specializing in South Asian fla-

vors, Kohli knew the desserts had to be the star of the show. So she whipped up around 400 sweet treats, such as mango mousse, gulab jamun tres leches and Grand Marnier carrot cake. With her parents staying in her house, finding the “peace and quiet” to make the desserts was no easy feat. “That was my biggest stress,” she says. “But it was a good decision, because in the end, everyone loved them.” She even hired a “content creator” to make social media-ready videos showing off the spread, laid out on a lavish table dripping with gold sequins, to help give her business a boost. “I’m like, ‘There is no way I’m not going to have this captured,’ ” she says. “I think that truly was the best investment of this event for me.”

THE OUTFIT: Kohli asked a longtime friend in India, a designer, to create her bigday outfit, called a lehenga—a yellow skirt paired with a blazer-like top, both of which featured plenty of pearls. “I just gave her this inspiration picture, and I said, ‘All I know is I want pearls. So do what you have to do and make it look pretty,’ ” Kohli says. “She did her magic, and it looked amazing.” To finish off the look, she wore a dramatic gold necklace,

earrings, and headpiece called a maang tikka. She also asked guests to incorporate pearls into their outfits.

SPECIAL MOMENT: During the festivities, Kohli’s father told her he wanted to say a little something. “He never speaks at any event,” she says. “I’m like, ‘Well, what are you going to say?’ He’s like, ‘Leave it to me.’ ” Seated beside Kohli and her mom on the stage, he recited an emotional poem for her in Farsi, then translated it into English, which Kohli described as “a surreal moment.” “When I looked up, everyone in that hall was silent and crying,” she says. “It melted my heart.” Afterward, she asked him who had written the poem. “He’s like, ‘I did,’ ” she says. “I’m like, ‘Wait, what? You’re 90 years old, and I didn’t even know that you could write?’ ”

VENDORS: Catering, Silk Banquet & Catering; content creator, Sarah Mahmood (@sfmoods_ on Instagram); decor, Spoonful of Sugar Party Decor; desserts, Swaadish By Neelma; DJ and dhol player, Extra Hot DJs; hair and makeup, Glam By Jeet; photography, Navjeet Saggu Photography; venue, Mehfil Banquet Hall & Conference Center.

Potomac Audiology

DR. GAIL LINN, AUDIOLOGIST, CCC-A

DR. TRICIA TERLEP, AUDIOLOGIST, CCC-A

“We’re not just selling hearing aids; we’re improving the quality of life,” says audiologist Gail Linn. “We’re helping people hear again, and that’s amazing.”

11300 Rockville Pike, Suite 105 Rockville, MD 20852 240-477-1010

PotomacAudiology.com

At Potomac Audiology, delivering highquality audiology services using the latest technology is a family affair. A native of Iowa, Gail Linn founded the practice after moving to Maryland in 1998; in 2011, following a position at Georgetown University Hospital, her daughter Tricia joined her. Vince Terlep, Tricia’s husband, manages the business. Using cutting-edge technology has been key to the practice’s success. Real Ear Measurements, the use of a microphone inserted into the ear to determine whether hearing aids are amplifying adequately at the correct frequencies, are used to optimize the effectiveness of hearing aids. Though considered the gold standard, Real Ear Measurements are not commonly used by audiologists, and Gail is working with ASHA to require their use industry wide.

Gail collaborates regularly

with researchers and hearing aid manufacturers working to advance the industry. She has partnered with audiology researchers at NIH and is currently working with a Korean manufacturer to distribute a tinnitus blocker, a device that masks “ringing” in the ear. Tricia, a specialist in pediatric audiology, treats central auditory processing disorder, a disorder that prevents the brain from processing sound. Today, Potomac Audiology has grown to five audiologists who, in addition to their work, regularly supervise doctoral students from area universities. A second office is now open in Frederick. “We’re not just selling hearing aids; we’re improving the quality of life,” Gail says. “If you or a loved one is missing out on the sounds of life, please contact us. We’re helping people hear again, and that’s amazing.”

Family Medicine Shady Grove

MANISHA KALRA, MD, FAAFP

ROHIT SEEM, MD, FAAFP

Drs. Kalra and Seem are boardcertified family physicians and fellows of the American Academy of Family Physicians. They emphasize nutrition as a cornerstone of disease prevention and reversal, working with patients to incorporate sustainable diet and lifestyle changes rather than simply managing symptoms. Dr. Kalra trained at the Mayo Clinic; Dr. Seem at the University of Iowa. 15215 Shady Grove Road, Suite 304 Rockville, MD 20850

301-284-8990

301-644-2835 (membership inquiries) MyFamilyMedDocs.com

In an era when most doctors feel pressured to see 20 to 30 patients a day, Drs. Manisha Kalra and Rohit Seem are bucking the trend. After practicing together in high-volume corporate settings since 2002, the husbandand-wife, board-certified team opened Family Medicine Shady Grove in 2014 to return to the kind of thoughtful, relationship-driven care they had always believed in—and to do so together, under one roof, the way family medicine was meant to be.

Their shared belief in preventive care, nutrition as medicine, and whole-person wellness gives every patient—from age 6 through adulthood—a uniquely seamless and collaborative healthcare experience: The same two physicians know your entire family history, collaborate instantly on complex cases and deliver consistent, coordinated guidance. In late 2025, Drs. Kalra and Seem transitioned to a membership-based concierge model to give patients the unhurried, relationship-driven care they deserve.

The difference is immediate: 30–60-minute appointments, same- or next-day scheduling, 24/7 direct access to your personal physician, virtual visits when appropriate and proactive wellness planning that incorporates diet and sustainable lifestyle changes, often preventing—or even reversing—chronic conditions like diabetes and heart disease.

Today, the practice reflects their commitment to both clinical excellence and innovative modalities. Patients also benefit from cutting-edge offerings rarely found in traditional practices, including Galleri multi-cancer early detection blood test and in-office medical-grade red light therapy to support healing, reduce inflammation and improve memory and bone health.

Grounded in shared values and a unified vision of holistic health, Family Medicine Shady Grove delivers compassionate, modern primary care built on trust, relationships and truly personalized medicine.

Home

Everything you need to create a beautiful space

Hot Chocolate

Brown is back, in shades from mocha to mink, adding warmth and sophistication to your home

BY CAROLYN WEBER

1 Bowled Over

Elevate everyday meals like spaghetti with these pasta bowls in a rich cocoa color. Part of the Latte stoneware collection: Amelie edition, the stackable bowls measure 7¾-inches around, have a smooth glazed surface and are dishwasher-safe. $48 for a set of four at Anthropologie, 4801 Bethesda Ave. (Bethesda Row), Bethesda, 240-345-9413, anthropologie.com

2 Stylish Seat

Curl up in this timeless roll-arm chair upholstered in espresso-colored faux mohair velvet. Appropriate for a living room, bedroom sitting area or den, the Penelope chair complements most decor styles and color schemes. $1,249 at Pottery Barn, 4750 Bethesda Ave., Bethesda, 301-654-1598, potterybarn.com

3 What’s Cookin’

As part of the warming trend, BlueStar introduced Signal Brown to its line of colorful appliances. The shade coordinates with many cabinet colors. A 36-inch freestanding dual fuel range starts at $11,995, and a 36-inch Ridgeline exhaust hood starts at $7,495 at ABW Appliances, 5526 Nicholson Lane, North Bethesda, 301-770-8579, abwappliances.com

4

4 Take Cover

It’s cold outside, so add another layer to the bedding with a waffle blanket. This breathable organic cotton cover is useful year-round and is available in three sizes and multiple colors, including this cozy walnut brown. $239 to $279 at Boll & Branch, 7280 Woodmont Ave. (Bethesda Row), Bethesda, 240-973-2626, bollandbranch.com

5 Moody Hues

Benjamin Moore’s 2026 paint color of the year is Silhouette AF-655, a complex shade of rich espresso with charcoal undertones. Use it to create a dramatic accent wall or as a wholeroom neutral backdrop. $82.99 per gallon for Regal Select in eggshell at Regal Paint Center, 500 Hungerford Drive, Rockville, 301-424-8555, regalpaintcenters.com (and at additional stores)

6 Check Mate

Preppy gingham gets a tasteful update thanks to a muted color called mink. The Hyannis linen duvet cover comes in twin, queen and king sizes, and matching shams are available. $358 to $528 for duvets and $128 to $148 per sham at Serena & Lily, 7121 Bethesda Lane (Bethesda Row), Bethesda, 240-531-1839, serenaandlily.com

3 6 5

central

These enchanting spaces give tots, tweens and those in between room to grow

BY WENDY A. JORDAN

SPACE RANGER

n planning her son Liam’s bedroom, interior designer Liz Potarazu of Potomac-based LP & Co. says she “wanted a room that would grow.” While celebrating the themes he loved as a 6-year-old when the room was completed in 2023, she says she included “some things that would not need to be switched out as he got older.”

At the time she remodeled the 14-by-16-foot room in their Potomac house, “he was into space and dinosaurs.”

Design liftoff came when Potarazu found Ruggable’s 8-by10-foot “Dinosaurs in Space” rug featuring, yes, dinosaurs in space sporting astronaut helmets. She took it from there, creating a room that “feels like a planetarium, and is warm, enveloping and cozy,” she says.

Spacelike navy blue wraps the room, from the Benjamin Moore Polo Blue wall and crown molding paint to the Spoonflower “Night Sky Stars” ceiling wallpaper, which has gold highlights that almost shimmer. The two-tone, roomdarkening curtains from Pottery Barn Teen include dark blue, too. A few white accents—on the window, window frame and curtain rods—set off the vast blue.

Space-themed touches, including art, can be easily swapped out as interests change.

Flanking the bed are adjustable sconce lights from Wayfair that are shaped “a little like a space station,” Potarazu says. When Liam was younger, she used one as she read to him. Now that he is a strong reader, he likes to read by himself in bed. The white At Home table lamp on the dresser also has a space-age vibe.

Potarazu scouted out space-themed art—“it’s not hard to find,” she says—and floated unframed images on the walls. Some rest on transparent display shelves. All can be swapped out easily.

So can the space theme bedding from Pottery Barn Kids. None of the furniture will need to be replaced. That was part of her plan to design “an elevated kids room, a room that is not too juvenile” or overdone. The finish of the bed and dresser from Pottery Barn Teen is dark espresso, a tone that works as well in the cozy planetarium room as in a teen’s room. They match the Crate & Barrel nightstands.

The camel-tone leather West Elm recliner chair is neutral enough to fit the room now and later. All the furniture is “decent quality,” Potarazu says, so it should last for many years.

Liam’s interests have already changed. At 9, “he’s into baseball cards,” Potarazu says. No problem. In place of the telescope, his card collection is arranged on a nightstand.

Transparent shelving gives the illusion that books, art and bobbleheads are floating.

FINDING THEIR NICHE

ll three of Rob and Jen Rathmell’s kids—preteen girls and a 13-year-old boy—like to chill out in the one-of-akind reading nook in their Potomac house. Lisa & Leroy, a full-service design firm in Washington, D.C., remodeled the basement of the 1953 house in 2024, designing a gathering room that opens to the patio. During the planning process, Lisa Shaffer, company CEO and creative director, says the Rathmells often complained about the unneeded and “weird built-ins and closets” in the basement. She removed them. The Rathmells also emphasized that “they wanted a special space for the kids, a place where they could lie down, take a nap, do something besides watch TV,” Shaffer says.

Looking at a particularly odd storage built-in facing the gathering area, Shaffer put two and two together, gutting the storage closet and tucking a nook into the space. “When we opened it up, we found more space behind the built-in. That happens a lot” in older houses, Shaffer says. Here, it allowed Lisa & Leroy to nest an irregular pentagonal nook, about 30 inches front to back and 70 inches long, behind the wall of the main room. It’s snug and cozy, yet big enough for someone to stretch out and read, or even for a couple of tweens to hang out.

The nook entry, a 4-foot-diameter circle about 20 inches off the floor, offers “a fun peekaboo moment,” Shaffer says. It lures everyone inside. Even the cat.

“We built up the nook floor to 15 inches to accommodate a 3-inch-thick cushion” at entry level, says Meggie Ladonis, a senior designer at Lisa & Leroy. Inna Sew Versatile of Leesburg, Virginia, crafted the custom cushion and a wedge-shaped back cushion, upholstering them with Granada Truffle by Fabricut. Inna Sew Versatile covered a pillow with a floral velvet from Fabricut. The green pillow is from Ryan Studio.

The sophisticated fabrics and wall colors were a conscious choice. “We stay away from primary colors” and bright shades in kids spaces, says Shaffer, because they look “too juvenile.” The Rathmell kids like orange. Lisa & Leroy painted the nook in Sherwin-Williams 7583 Wild Currant, which is “a moody” burnt orange, says Shaffer, that “will grow with them as they grow older.” The color also offsets the Grasscloth from York Wallcoverings outside the space.

Wall cubes inside the nook are great for books, decor and water bottles. The nook “is a great spot to have a high-low budget,” Ladonis says. “Splurge on the statement fabrics and save on basic cubes.” These are Ikea cubes, Eket style, in light gray-blue.

With an adjustable wall sconce and a wall outlet to power devices, the nook has everything for kids, whether they want to squeeze in together or use it alone as “I need a minute” getaway space, Shaffer says.

HOME SWEET PLAYHOUSE

uliette Poussot and Duko Hopman moved with their two young children from Miami to a new house in Chevy Chase in August, just before the school year started. As an icebreaker, their 5-year-old daughter’s new school asked each child, “What’s one thing we should know about you?” For her, the answer was easy: “There’s a playhouse inside my house!”

Poussot was delighted. A design director at the architectural firm Gensler, she created the built-in playhouse as “something for my kids to get excited about” after moving to a new house. Garrett Park builder Patrick Keating and his daughter Bretton Mork partnered with Bethesda-based GTM Architects to design and construct the contemporary shingle-style spec house, incorporating a large basement as a recreation area. Coming from Florida, where most houses lack basements, Poussot says she wanted to tap into the “basement culture.” She set up one end of the 18½-by-42-foot room as a lounge, and the other as “an inviting place the kids would want to be in.” Setting up a basement kids zone was a way, she adds, of “keeping the rest of the house pristine.”

A recess about 2½ feet deep spans much of the end

wall and was an ideal place for a built-in. Poussot designed an elegant ensemble with shelving and storage cabinets on two sides and a playhouse in the middle. Features such as angled top pieces keep the shelving from looking “too stiff or library-esque,” she says. Nodding to the style of the house itself, the playhouse has the same roof pitch. White oak veneer panels on the playhouse rooftop, pediment and walls, and the luxury plank basement flooring by Mott, pick up the tones of the oak flooring elsewhere in the house.

Abernethy Sticks of Kensington fabricated the built-ins, delivering them in sections that fit down the stairs and reassembling them on-site. The company programmed a router to cut grooves in the playhouse’s roofing panels to simulate shingles. Abernethy stained some components and painted others using Benjamin Moore blue-gray Amsterdam paint, which Poussot chose for its warm contemporary aesthetic. She accented it with bright yellow light fixtures and fabrics for a combination that “pops.”

Inside the playhouse is a cushioned bench with cubbies below. Poussot upholstered the cushion herself with commercial-grade Kvadrat Ria fabric. BulbSquare yellow sconces light each end of the playhouse’s interior. Poussot had a little pup-

Ample storage means the playhouse can become a coffee shop or grocery store with a simple swap of toys.

With curtains drawn open, the stage is set for a puppet show.

pet theater growing up, so a puppet show window with a ledge and a citroncolored curtain made from Designtex’s Curtain Call drapery occupies center stage on the playhouse.

Poussot and Hopman’s 2½-year-old son loves that opening. These days he plays barista or storekeeper. The kids often use the playhouse as a clubhouse, a cozy spot and a place to bring friends.

But this is “our forever home,” Poussot says, “and I want it to stand the test of time.” Solution: The playhouse is removable. “It’s screwed onto the face frame and can be popped off” when the family outgrows it, says Joe Abernethy, owner of Abernethy Sticks. Distinctive trim tracing the roof shape is a permanent element, but details such as the bench fabric can be updated easily. The whole built-in wall structure, Poussot says, “will remain a beautiful bookshelf and seating area.”

Diverse Experience. Singular Focus.

We appreciate how your legal issue affects you, your family, your business, and your future. Whether working with our attorneys in estate planning, family law, business law or any of our other 7 practices areas, we are committed to keeping our clients informed, prepared and protected No matter how high the stakes, no matter how complex the legal issue, we see law on a personal level

Shiva Zargham, voted Bethesda Magazine’s 2026 best realtor.

Shiva has always believed that real estate is not just about transactions—it’s about trust, connection, and achieving dreams. Her relentless dedication to her clients and her profound knowledge of the Bethesda market have consistently set her apart.

We are proud to announce that the readers of Bethesda Magazine have recognized this commitment by voting Shiva the Best Realtor in the Best of Bethesda Readers’ Poll!

This prestigious title is a testament to the thousands of hours Shiva has spent advocating for her clients, providing unparalleled market insight, and delivering exceptional results. She is the agent you choose when you demand a seamless, strategic, and successful real estate journey.

-Your Trusted Advisor: As a Bethesda resident and expert, Shiva offers a distinct advantage, turning market complexity into clarity for you.

-A Proven Track Record: Her strategy is simple: deep preparation, focused attention, and tenacious negotiation for every client.

Ready to partner with the best?

HOME SALES

A peek at one of the area’s most expensive recently sold houses

SALE PRICE:

$6.5 million

LIST PRICE: $6.8 MILLION

Address: 2824 Chain Bridge Road NW, Washington, D.C. 20016

Days on Market: 8

Listing Agency: TTR Sotheby’s International Realty

Bedrooms: 5

Full/Half Baths: 4/1

SALE PRICE:

$6.3 million

LIST PRICE: $6.5 MILLION

Address: 11105 Bellavista Drive, Potomac 20854

Days on Market: 1

Listing Agency: TTR Sotheby’s International Realty

Bedrooms: 7

Full/Half Baths: 8/1

SALE PRICE:

$4.85 million

LIST PRICE: $4.95 MILLION

Address: 9900 New London Drive, Potomac 20854

Days on Market: 0

Listing Agency: TTR Sotheby’s International Realty

Bedrooms: 7

Full/Half Baths: 5/3

SALE PRICE: $4.6 million

LIST PRICE: $4.84 MILLION

Address: 5711 Potomac Ave. NW, Washington, D.C. 20016

Days on Market: 12

Listing Agency: EXP Realty

Bedrooms: 5

Full/Half Baths: 5/1

SALE PRICE:

$7.3 million

LIST PRICE: $7.5 MILLION

Address: 2 Oxford St., Chevy Chase 20815

Days on Market: 137

Listing Agency: TTR Sotheby’s International Realty Bedrooms: 6

Full/Half Baths: 6/2

SALE PRICE: $4.18 million

LIST PRICE: $3.8 MILLION

Address: 4822 Quebec St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20016

Days on Market: 6

Listing Agency: Washington Fine Properties

Bedrooms: 5

Full/Half Baths: 4/1

SALE PRICE: $3.25 million

LIST PRICE: $3.25 MILLION

Address: 6455 Barnaby St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20015

Days on Market: 0

Listing Agency: TTR Sotheby’s International Realty

Bedrooms: 5

Full/Half Baths: 5/1

SALE PRICE: $3.2 million

LIST PRICE: $3.2 million

Address: 5907 Aberdeen Road, Bethesda 20817

Days on Market: 1

Listing Agency: TTR Sotheby’s International Realty

Bedrooms: 5

Full/Half Baths: 4/1

SALE PRICE: $3 million

LIST PRICE: $2.88 MILLION

Address: 11318 Cushman Road, Rockville 20852

Days on Market: 22

Listing Agency: Coldwell Banker Realty

Bedrooms: 6

Full/Half Baths: 6/2

SALE PRICE: $2.95 million

LIST PRICE: $2.95 MILLION

Address: 5060 Overlook Road NW, Washington, D.C. 20016

Days on Market: 3

Listing Agency: Washington Fine Properties

Bedrooms: 6

Full/Half Baths: 6/0

SALE PRICE:

$2.95 million

LIST PRICE: $2.95 MILLION

Address: 4915 Cumberland Ave., Chevy Chase 20815

Days on Market: 6

Listing Agency: TTR Sotheby’s International Realty

Bedrooms: 7

Full/Half Baths: 4/1

SALE PRICE: $2.9 million

LIST PRICE: $3.3 MILLION

Address: 2911 45th St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20016

Days on Market: 3

Listing Agency: Long & Foster Real Estate Bedrooms: 7

Full/Half Baths: 5/1

SALE PRICE: $2.9 million

LIST PRICE: $2.9 MILLION

Address: 5059 Glenbrook Terrace NW, Washington, D.C. 20016

Days on Market: 125

Listing Agency: TTR Sotheby’s International Realty

Bedrooms: 5

Full/Half Baths: 6/0

SALE PRICE:

$2.64 million

LIST PRICE: $2.55 MILLION

Address: 126 Grafton St., Chevy Chase 20815

Days on Market: 7

Listing Agency: Serhant

Bedrooms: 5

Full/Half Baths: 5/1

BY CRAIG WESTERMAN

SALE PRICE:

$2.63 million

LIST PRICE: $2.65 MILLION

Address: 4900 Palisade Lane NW, Washington, D.C. 20016

Days on Market: 24

Listing Agency: Washington Fine Properties

Bedrooms: 5

Full/Half Baths: 4/1

SALE PRICE:

$2.5 million

LIST PRICE: $2.54 MILLION

Address: 4224 Van Ness St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20016

Days on Market: 160

Listing Agency: Samson Properties

Bedrooms: 7

Full/Half Baths: 6/0

SALE PRICE:

$2.5 million

LIST PRICE: $2.5 MILLION

Address: 4613 Chase Ave., Bethesda 20814

Days on Market: 62

Listing Agency: RLAH @properties

Bedrooms: 5

Full/Half Baths: 4/1

SALE PRICE: $2.46 million

LIST PRICE: $2.2 MILLION

Address: 3910 Livingston St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20015

Days on Market: 6

Listing Agency: TTR Sotheby’s International Realty

Bedrooms: 5

Full/Half Baths: 4/1

SALE PRICE: $2.42 million

LIST PRICE: $2.5 MILLION

Address: 10036 Chartwell Manor Court, Potomac 20854

Days on Market: 27

Listing Agency: Compass Bedrooms: 5

Full/Half Baths: 5/1

SALE PRICE: $2.42 million

LIST PRICE: $1.86 MILLION

Address: 6917 Renita Lane, Bethesda 20817

Days on Market: 290

Listing Agency: Toll MD Realty

Bedrooms: 4

Full/Half Baths: 4/1

SALE PRICE: $2.4 million

LIST PRICE: $2.5 MILLION

Address: 3100 44th St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20016

Days on Market: 80

Listing Agency: TTR Sotheby’s International Realty Bedrooms: 5

Full/Half Baths: 4/1

SALE PRICE: $2.4 million

LIST PRICE: $2.5 MILLION

Address: 4501 Walsh St., Chevy Chase 20815

Days on Market: 55

Listing Agency: Long & Foster Real Estate Bedrooms: 7

Full/Half Baths: 5/1

SALE PRICE: $2.36 million

LIST PRICE: $2.4 MILLION

Address: 10726 Normandie Farm Drive, Potomac 20854

Days on Market: 5

Listing Agency: Compass Bedrooms: 6

Full/Half Baths: 5/2

REAL ESTATE TRENDS

20832 (Olney)

20855

20850 (Rockville)

20877

20814

20851 (Rockville)

20878 (Gaithersburg/North

20815 (Chevy

20852 (North

20879 (Gaithersburg)

20853 (Rockville)

20882 (Gaithersburg)

20854 (Potomac)

20895 (Kensington)

20901 (Silver Spring)

20903 (Silver Spring)

20910 (Silver

20902 (Silver Spring)

20904 (Silver Spring)

20912 (Takoma

Information courtesy of Bright MLS, as of Nov. 15, 2025. The Bright MLS real estate service area spans 40,000 square miles throughout the mid-Atlantic region, including Delaware, Maryland, Washington, D.C., and parts of New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia. Bright serves approximately 100,000 real estate professionals who in turn serve over 20 million consumers. For more information, please visit brightmls.com. This information includes single-family homes from Oct. 1, 2025, to Oct. 31, 2025, as of Nov. 15, 2025, excluding sales where sellers have withheld permission to advertise or promote. Information should be independently verified. Reports reference data provided by ShowingTime, a showing management and market stats technology provider to the residential real estate industry. Some sale and list prices have been rounded.

Discover The Kensington Bethesda

Assisted Living • Memory Care • Couples Care

elcome to The Kensington Bethesda, a premier senior living community, privately owned and operated by a close-knit group of founders and partners who are local to Greater Washington. Together, with their dedicated teams, they proudly uphold their promise to love and care for your family as they do their own. From our heart to yours, we invite you to join the Kensington family.

Join us for a celebratory New Year Open House with light brunch bites! Sunday, January 11, 2026 from 11:30am-1:00pm RSVP to Anne Buckley at ABuckley@KensingtonSL.com.

Summer Camps

Adventure Theatre

Watch your child take the stage with their friends in a two-week (or three-week), full day, in-person camp that culminates in a delightful ensemble musical.

Barnesville School of Arts & Sciences Summer Camp 2026 Nature, Art, Science

DayCoed Rising Grades 1-6 & Rising Grades 7-12

DayCoed3.5-14

Barrie School

On-site swimming, canoeing, sports, archery, arts, nature, outdoor living skills, STEM, karate, science, theatrics, music, and leadership training.

Calleva

Calleva focuses on empowering kids through exciting outdoor adventure experiences, with Maryland & Virginia locations & transportation pickup points throughout the DMV. Some programs include overnight.

DayCoed3.5-14

Glen Echo, Rockville, MD

& PHONE

adventuretheatre-mtc.org/ camps/summer-programselementary 301-251-5766

Barnesville, MD barnesvilleschool.org/ summer-camp 301-972-0341

Silver Spring, MD barrie.org/camp 301-576-2818

Day & Overnight Coed5-17

Camp Tall Timbers

Voted one of the area’s best summer camps. ACA accredited. Variety of Sessions and Activities offered. Aquatics, Horseback riding, Sports, Aerial Park and Outdoor Programs, Creative and Performing Arts. We focus on building confidence, independence, and friendships in a safe, nurturing environment.

Camp Woodend Nature, STEM, Cooking, Photography

Creative Summer at Holton-Arms

Create your own summer: We offer classes in the arts, crafts, dance, music, outdoor exploration, sports, swimming, tennis, theater, academics, and more. Bus Service and Aftercare available.

C-Unit Dance Studio

Join us for one or more of our summer camps/summer intensives from ages 3 & up. Intensives include celebrity guest choreographers!

OvernightCoed7-16

Dickerson, MD & Poolesville, MD calleva.org 301-216-1248

High View, WV camptalltimbers.com 301-874-0111

Day, Overnight, Travel Coed

Grades K-9

Chevy Chase, MD natureforward.org/ camp-woodend 301-972-0341

Day/ Sports Coed4-13 Bethesda, MD holtoncreativesummer.org 301-365-6003

DayCoed 3 & upBethesda, MD c-unitstudio.com 301-664-7900

ESF Camps

Traditional Day Camps, Multi-Sports Camp, Specialty STEAM Camps DayCoed

Rising Grades Preschool to 10th Kensington, MD esfcamps.com/bethesda 301-493-2525 l

Essential information on Summer Camps 18

Green Acres Camp

Swimming at our on-campus pool; Create your own path in science, technology, sports, music, art and more while exploring our 15-acre campus!

KID Museum

Coding; Building and Engineering, Art, Design, and Textiles; Woodworking; 3D Printing and Fabrication; STEM; Creative Problem-Solving; and more

Montgomery County Recreation Specialties include art, dance, leadership, magic, music, sports, STEAM, therapeutic recreation and more

Oneness-Family School Summer Programs

Montessori, Hiking, Swimming, Gymnastics, Environmental Education, Waterplay, Museums, Pool & Beach Visits, Playground Field Trips, Theater, Art

Panda Programmer

Our camp offers a perfect blend of coding, creativity, and fun! Students create games and animations using Scratch. Robotics, Python and JavaScript are available for advanced students. Kids will thrive with expert guidance, outdoor adventures, games, and other extracurriculars.

Round House Theatre

One-Week and Multi-Week camps for youth and teens. Focus on acting, playwriting, storytelling, design and more. Inspire creativity and explore your imagination!

Steve and Kate’s Camp

Sewing, Coding, Stop Motion Animation, Baking, STEM & Maker Crafts, Virtual Reality, Sports & Rec and More!

Stone Ridge Summer CampUs

Choose your own adventure from over 45 classes including: musical theater, STEM, basketball, soccer, painting, cartooning, jewelry making, sculpture, dance, cardboard boat regatta, cooking, swimming, diving, adventure camps, Trout Lines Fishing Camp, and more!

DayCoed4-13

N. Bethesda, MD greenacrescamp.org 301-468-8110 ll

DayCoed Grades 2-9 Bethesda, MD kid-museum.org/programs/ summer-camp 301-941-4905

DayCoed3.5-18

Located throughout Montgomery County mocorec.com/camp 240-777-6840

DayCoed Age 2Grade 8 BethesdaChevy Chase, MD onenessfamily.org/ summer 301-652-7751 ll

Day Camp with full day and half day options available

Coed5-13

Day Coed5-18

Bethesda, Gaithersburg, Silver Spring, MD and Washington, DC pandaprogrammer.com 443-267-2632

DayCoed4-12

DayCoed4-17

Bethesda, Silver Spring, MD roundhousetheatre.org/ camp 301-585-1225

Chevy Chase & Silver Spring, MD steveandkatescamp.com/ dmv-camps 425-389-5437 l

SummerEdge at McLean School

With full-day and half-day sessions for kindergarten through grade 12, campers of all ages are sure to increase their edge in reading, writing, math, science, and beyond.

DayCoed5-18

Bethesda, MD stoneridgesummercampus. org 301-657-4322 ext. 5001 l

Potomac, MD summeredge.org 240-395-0679 l

Full-Day Weekly Programs

Ages 4–18

June 15–July 31, 2026

Little Gators (Pre-K–Grade 1): Hands-on activities, water play, science, games & crafts.

Gator Grab Bag (Grades 2–8): Mix & match on-campus classes in arts, sports, STEM, swimming, cooking & more.

Adventure Camps: Off-campus adventures for Grades 4–12, including our popular Trout Lines Fishing Camp.

High School: Take enriching summer classes or join an Adventure Camp.

Don’t

Good Life

COLD-WEATHER FRIENDS

From patterned prints to bold showstoppers, we’ve got you covered with these stylish statement coats BY JACQUELINE MENDELSOHN

COLOR STORY

“Laurent” cocoon dickey coat, $1,198 at Veronica Beard, 4840 Bethesda Ave. (Bethesda Row), Bethesda, 240-425-4808, veronicabeard.com

4852 Bethesda Row), Bethesda,

PLAID ABOUT YOU

French shadow navy blue coat, $256 at Jurisdiction, 7937A Tuckerman Lane (Cabin John Village), Potomac, 301-250-6987, jurisdictionclothing.com

TWICE AS NICE

“Aurora” reversible coat, $2,225 at Jenni Kayne, 4856 Bethesda Ave. (Bethesda Row), 301-364-9160, jennikayne.com

TIED UP

Shearling jacket, $3,850 at Tory Burch, 7101 Democracy Blvd. (Westfield Montgomery mall), Bethesda, 240-345-1211 toryburch.com

SPOT ON “Leo” statement coat, $89 at Scout & Molly’s, 11882 Grand Park Ave. (Pike & Rose), North Bethesda, 301-348-5047, scoutandmollys.com

Philladelphia mascots promoting the “Phambassador” welcoming committee for the city’s events honoring Americas’s 250th anniversary; Below: The city will host special events every weekend in 2026.

Traveler’s Notebook

Philadelphia is a hub for celebrating 250 years of American independence

BY CHRISTINE KOUBEK FLYNN

Firsting With Pride

On the eve of America’s 250th birthday, the city of Philadelphia has trained thousands of “Phambassadors”—locals eager to share their civic pride, culture, history and neighborhoods—to create one giant welcoming committee as the city hosts a yearlong semiquincentennial celebration that includes 52 weeks of “firsts.”

Each Saturday in 2026, a “First-ival” (visitphilly.com/52-weeksof-firsts) will commemorate a groundbreaking event that took root in the City of Brotherly Love, with observances throughout town. January and February activities will honor milestones such as the nation’s first folk parade (established in 1901, this rowdy neighborhood tradition became the longest-running event of its kind in the U.S.); America’s first professional basketball league, founded in 1898; the 1775 formation of the nation’s first abolitionist society (through which activists laid the groundwork for a national movement to end slavery); and the establishment of the nation’s first medical school in 1765.

Discover lesser-known facts about the Declaration of Independence at the Museum of the American Revolution (amrevmuseum. org), where a new exhibit called The Declaration’s Journey is a

centerpiece of Philadelphia’s 2026 semiquincentennial happenings. On view through Jan. 3, 2027, this multimedia experience— featuring more than 120 historic artifacts, documents, artworks and videos—illustrates the Declaration’s enduring influence in the U.S. and abroad.

The National Constitution Center (constitutioncenter.org), the nation’s only museum dedicated to the U.S. Constitution, will unveil two new galleries in 2026. America’s Founding Gallery, slated to open in February, tells the story of the early struggles for American independence. The Separation of Powers Gallery, debuting in May, will delve into the government’s three branches and the balance our forefathers sought to establish between the federal government and states’ rights. An original copy of the U.S. Constitution—one of only 14 surviving copies—and a rare first printing of the 17 constitutional amendments will also be on display throughout 2026.

See visitphilly.com/2026-philadelphia for a list of events, attractions and hotel packages.

Stay Classy

Hotel Anna & Bel opened in August 2024 in Philly’s artsy Fishtown neighborhood, its name a nod to the property’s femalefocused history, as well as its location at the intersection of Susquehanna Avenue and Belgrade Street. The brick building, which in the late 1800s served as the communal Penn Home for Indigent Widows and Single Women, is now a hip hotel with 50 unique guest rooms, including studios and one- and two-bedroom suites.

Each room has its own character, thanks to custom wood bed frames, nightstands and bespoke bathroom tiles, combined with creature comforts such as eco-friendly mattresses, luxe linens, Frette terry towels, Nespresso machines and electric kettles. Select suites have sleek kitchenettes tucked inside locally crafted built-ins. Interior-facing guest rooms open onto a wrap-around balcony overlooking a pool and courtyard reminiscent of New Orleans’ French Quarter.

Elements from the past, preserved during the restoration, lend character to the architecture in the form of exposed brick walls, decorative fireplaces, wood-beamed ceilings and an original window seat on the grand staircase landing. Bastia, the hotel’s Mediterranean cafe and restaurant, features Sardinian and Corsican inspired cuisine. The storzapretti (ricotta dumplings with guanciale) are a guest favorite.

Relax by the fire in the inviting lobby lounge, or warm up after a day of exploring in the fitness center’s infrared sauna. A heated outdoor plunge pool is open from late spring through the fall. Rates begin at $300 per night.

Hotel Anna & Bel, 1401 E. Susquehanna Ave., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 267-682-8253, annaandbel.com

Philadelphia’s Calder Gardens features inspiring art displays. Left, from top: The city skyline sets a backdrop to the new arts destination; guests can take in modern works in its galleries; Alexander Calder installing a sculpture in 1949

Mobile Access

Works by legendary sculptor Alexander Calder inspire curiosity and contemplation at Philadelphia’s new Calder Gardens, which opened in September on 1.8 city acres, immersing visitors in a confluence of architecture, art and nature. Gardens and meadows conceived by famed Dutch landscape designer Piet Oudolf form the backdrop for large-scale installations by the museum’s modernist namesake, a third-generation artist and sculptor who spent his formative years in Philly.

The museum building itself—a gently curved structure with a shimmering metalclad north facade and an understated wood south facade—is reminiscent of the bohemian home in Roxbury, Connecticut, where Calder spent much of his adult life.

Works on display, both indoors and outdoors, range from towering forms made of painted sheet metal to rarely seen masterpieces such as a suspended mobile called  Black Widow  (1948). Another mobile, 29 Feuilles Blanches (1960), is on public view for the first time. In a deliberate break from gallery tradition, Calder’s pieces are presented without text, allowing viewers to derive their

own interpretations of what they see.

“Calder Gardens embodies a kind of ‘no-design’ architecture, allowing the works of art to express their diversity and ambiguity,” says museum designer Jacques Herzog, a partner with international architecture firm Herzog & de Meuron. “It’s a place where you can sit, wander and observe, whether it’s nature or art, with the ease one has when one sits under a tree.”

Sound- and movement-based performances, self-guided audio walks narrated by noted cultural figures, horticulturefocused initiatives, film screenings and readings and are in the works for 2026.

Visit the gift shop for books, apparel, illustrated playing cards and other art mementos. The museum and gardens are open Thursday through Monday. Admission is $18 for ages 19-64, $16 for 65 and older, $5 for college students (with valid ID) and teens, free for kids 12 and younger.

Calder Gardens, 2100 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 215-278-7250, caldergardens.org

The Local Writer’s Showcase will celebrate all selected winners at the awards ceremonies and readings.

Friday, March 13 at 7pm

Essay & Short Story Awards Ceremony & Reading

The Bethesdan Hotel – 8120 Wisconsin Avenue

Wednesday, March 18 at 7pm

Poetry Awards Ceremony & Reading

The Writer’s Center – 4508 Walsh Street

For more information, visit www.bethesda.org or www.bethesdamagazine.com

In Search of Sweetness

SAMPLE VIRGINIA’S MAPLE HERITAGE IN HIGHLAND COUNTY

BY ERIN GIFFORD

Tucked into the Allegheny Mountains near the West Virginia border, Virginia’s Highland County is home to 10 working sugar camps where the sap from sugar maple trees is collected and boiled into liquid gold. These sugar camps operate seasonally, relying on the freeze-thaw rhythm of late winter to coax the sap from the trees.

Since 1959, visitors have flocked to the annual Highland County Maple Festival to witness the “opening of the trees,” to see how sap becomes syrup and to celebrate a way of life that hasn’t changed much in generations. March marks the festival’s 66th year, when upwards of 60,000 visitors are expected in the town of Monterey and the surrounding area. The 2026 festival is scheduled for March 14-15 and March 21-22.

As I began planning a visit in 2025, I

quickly realized there was far too much going on for just one day. So my son Max and I made a weekend of it, driving from Ashburn, Virginia, visiting five sugar camps on Saturday, overnighting in Staunton, Virginia (lodging in Highland County is limited), and continuing the sticky-sweet adventure on Sunday.

A Slower Way of Life

The moment we turned off Interstate 81 in Mount Crawford, Virginia, and started winding west, I knew I was no longer in the hectic D.C. area. The road meandered through misty valleys, past red barns and rolling ridges. The farther we drove, the more the noise of modern life faded away. Highland County is a place where cell service wanes, conversation comes easy and, on festival weekends, the air carries a faint sweetness. That sweetness, of course, comes from the county’s sugar maple trees.

In late winter, warm days (above freezing) and cold nights create pressure inside sugar maple trees, causing sap to flow. Producers drill small holes and insert taps to channel the sap, which is nearly clear and mostly water, into buckets or plastic tubing. To turn it into syrup, the sap is boiled for hours until most of the water evaporates, leaving behind pure maple sweetness.

It takes about 40 gallons of sap to produce one gallon of syrup. Flavor depends on many factors, from the heat source used to boil the sap to the time in the season when it’s collected. Early-season syrup tends to be lighter and milder, while later batches are darker and richer.

“Winter can be pretty slow here. The festival opens up the spring season for us. There’s just an energy that’s in the air,” says Chris Swecker, executive director of the Highland County Chamber of Commerce. “It’s a way of life that is just not around anymore, the smalltown, community-oriented festival. That really is pretty unique.”

A Taste of Tradition

We arrived in Monterey around 10 a.m. on opening day. Highland Elementary School buzzed with people waiting in line for pancakes doused with local maple syrup. The line snaked down hallways as local volunteers flipped pancakes by the dozens as part of a fundraiser. The smell of sizzling batter and warm syrup made the hourlong wait feel like a prelude to something special.

Festival map in one hand, fork in the other, we sketched a twoday plan to visit every sugar camp. Most of the 10 working farms open their doors only during the festival’s two weekends each year. Some are sleek and modern, others are rustic, still simmering sap over wood fires in century-old pans.

Plan in hand, we headed to Claire’s Cakes & Café on West Main Street for maple lattes. On one wall, a wooden hutch was for the “Mug

5 MAPLE FESTIVAL MUST-DO’S

Ahead of this year’s Highland County Maple Festival, we caught up with Chris Swecker, executive director of the Highland County Chamber of Commerce, for his take on what not to miss at the festival:

GET A MAPLE DOUGHNUT. “That’s your first,” Swecker says.

VISIT A SUGAR CAMP. “That sounds silly to say, but you’ve got to get some syrup from one of the camps.”

GO TO A PANCAKE BREAKFAST. “If you wait an hour, it’s worth it,” he says.

CHECK OUT THE ARTS AND CRAFTS. Local artisans set up in Monterey and McDowell.

STOP IN A LOCAL SHOP. Pop into a country store or restaurant “just to get some of the local flair,” Swecker says.

Club,” where first names identified the cups’ owners. Regulars simply grab their mug when they stop in for a cuppa.

Steam and Sweetness

Our first syrup-tasting stop was Mill Gap Farms in Monterey, where gleaming stainless steel evaporators boiled maple sap. The guide explained that Mill Gap is Virginia’s only producer of certified organic maple syrup. In addition to bottling its syrup, the farm also produces flasks of Farm Stand maple syrup, a label created to help smaller farms bring syrup to market.

From there, it was a short drive to Duff’s Sugar House at Fair Lawn Farm in Monterey, run by Tim and Terry Duff, who marked their 20th year welcoming festival visitors in 2025. By early afternoon, the fullsize flasks were sold out, but I was able to snag a petite souvenir bottle.

Unlike most camps, Duff’s proudly keeps things old school. Inside, wood fires crackle beneath open pans just as they did in the 19th century. There’s a reason for this devotion to tradition. “We tell people during the tour, if one of the camps doesn’t continue doing it the old way, in another generation or two it’ll just be something you have to read about,” Tim Duff says.

Duff’s process is hands-on by design and intentionally slow. “We get the kids and parents involved. They actually feed the fires. They skim the syrup for us. We have a very, very interactive sugar house,” Duff explains.

Last year, Duff’s produced about 50 gallons of syrup, each imbued with flavor only patience can create. “We don’t want to do fast cooking. We want our syrup to linger, which allows the sugars to fully develop their flavors,” he says. “There’s more depth of flavor in a pan-cooked syrup.”

Following the Maple Trail

By lunchtime, we were fully immersed in Highland County’s maple magic. At Back Creek Farms in Monterey, a taco truck parked out front lured hungry visitors. Inside, a sweet haze hung in the air. Samples of a dozen syrups lined a metal tray—each slightly different, depending on when the trees were tapped and how long the sap simmered. The adjacent shop offered bottles of syrup, cookbooks and packs of maple stout.

Before the day ended, we visited Townsend Draft Goods in Monterey,

a new shop devoted to balancing “spirit and health,” where I discovered Sap! maple soda, a sparkling beverage made from maple tree sap and birch tree sap. We then ventured to Southernmost Maple in Bolar, complete with a barbecue truck and, blessedly, indoor restrooms. Our last stop, the Sugar Tree Country Store in McDowell, was alive with outdoor vendors selling kettle corn and maple doughnuts. By 8 a.m. on Sunday, we were back on the trail, first to Tonoloway Farm in McDowell, the only producer in Highland County crafting black walnut syrup, a darker, more robust cousin of maple. Then came Puffenbarger’s Sugar Orchard in Blue Grass, where plastic tubing zigzagged among trees, collecting precious maple sap. Inside, volunteers sold hot dogs and snacks to grateful guests.

At Rexrode’s Sugar Orchard in Monterey, we stepped into living history. Operated by the same family for six generations, the small, steamy sugar house radiated heat and nostalgia. The syrup here carried a faint smokiness from the wood fire. A taste of the past is preserved in every pour.

Modern Makers

Our next stop, Laurel Fork Sapsuckers in Hightown, blended innovation with tradition. The sugar camp sits behind a snack shack famed for its maple BLTs, a sweet-savory pileup of crispy bacon, fresh lettuce, a tomato slice and a drizzle of maple syrup. We ordered one

WHERE TO EAT, DRINK & STAY

Each March, Highland County springs alive for the Highland County Maple Festival (highlandcounty.org/maple-festival). However, lodging in this quiet part of the Allegheny Mountains is limited, so plan ahead.

Book early at the Monterey Inn (montereyinnva.com), a beautifully restored 1905 Victorian with just five guest rooms in downtown Monterey. Each room offers a plush bed, luxe bathrobes and inviting views. Guests are treated to a daily breakfast. Think stuffed French toast and hearty breakfast frittatas

If rooms are full, make your base 45 miles southeast in Staunton at Hotel 24 South (hotel24south.com). Opened in 1924 and restored in 2005, this 124room landmark pairs historic elegance with modern comforts. Expect pillow-top mattresses, a well-equipped fitness center and a heated indoor pool, along with a relaxed 1924 Lounge for casual bites and handcrafted cocktails.

For breakfast or a light lunch, Claire’s Cakes & Café (clairescakeco.com) on West Main Street in Monterey satisfies with signature breakfast sandwiches and housemade quiche. Across the street, The Curly Maple (facebook.com/ thecurlymaple) wins fans with maple lattes and warm pastries.

In Monterey, High’s Restaurant (highs restaurantmonterey.com), a favorite since 1934, serves comfort fare such as fried trout and country fried steak. Highlander (highlandermonterey. com) is a reliable spot with favor ites such as pizza, subs and fried chicken.

Monterey’s Big Fish Cider Co. (bigfishcider.com) features crisp hard ciders made from local apples. Try the Allegheny Gold, a sparkling semidry cider that captures the sweet heritage of Highland County.

for each of us, and after the first bite, I understood the hype. Behind the shack, a short interpretive trail led through the woods, where plastic tubing crisscrossed the trees like translucent veins.

“Our goal is to educate people. It is very important to us that when you come to our sugar house that you learn something and you have a new appreciation for maple syrup and how it’s made,” says Missy Moyers-Jarrells, a third-generation producer and events manager for the sugar camp.

Laurel Fork Sapsuckers makes about 300 gallons of syrup annually, and its creativity knows no limits. It offers a handful of infused syrups including elderberry, cinnamon-vanilla (which tastes remarkably like French toast), and even wild blueberry. “Every July, my mom and I go out and pick blueberries [on the farm] to freeze and use for pies. Then I was like, ‘Hey, let’s try syrup with this,’ ” Moyers-Jarrells says.

Authorized Dealer

The result was a hit.

The farm has since added bourbon barrel-aged syrup and maple vinegar to its lineup. “It’s trial and error,” she says, already dreaming up a hibiscus-infused maple syrup.

Before heading home, we made one last stop at Eagle’s Sugar Camp in Doe Hill, home to a small outdoor hut serving warm maple doughnuts. Outside, metal pails clung to tree trunks, gradually filling with sap.

Small-Town Spirit

Back in Monterey and McDowell, the festival buzzed with small-town energy. Grassy lawns overflowed with more than 100 artisans and crafters from throughout the region, their booths offering everything from hand-knit scarves to maple cotton candy. At The Highland Center in Monterey, twangy bluegrass music filled the air, entertaining festivalgoers.

“We have a rural charm and hospitality,” says the Chamber’s Swecker. “If people can take that away with them, then that’s a win. The real measure of success is if everybody’s having a good time, and you just see the smiles on people’s faces. That’s what’s rewarding.”

Beyond the Syrup

By Sunday afternoon, my son and I had sampled and stocked up on enough maple syrup to last the year. But the festival offered more than sweetness. It provided a glimpse into the soul of Highland County.

Home to about 2,300 residents, it is Virginia’s smallest county by population, but its heart feels remarkably large. As we motored north along the interstate, back toward the familiar hum of suburban life, I found myself reflecting on what makes the county so special.

Highland County isn’t just about maple syrup. It’s about preserving tradition, supporting local makers and celebrating the simple rewards of hard work and community.

Ashburn, Virginia-based travel writer Erin Gifford enjoys spending her free time on the hiking trails, often turning her outdoor adventures into stories that encourage others to get out and explore.

On the Path to Health

Local walks with doctors offer tips, connections and more

BY CHRISTINE KOUBEK FLYNN

On a sunny Saturday morning in May, nearly two dozen people gather by the main entrance of Brookside Gardens in Wheaton for the monthly Walk with a Doc event. The participants listen to a talk on the benefits of dietary fiber before heading to a trail with three doctors for a stroll and casual chats about everything from stress management to favorite recipe websites.

Dr. Asha Subramanian, a family medicine physician who works with Commu-

nity of Hope health center in Washington, D.C., and with clients virtually, met Walk with a Doc founder Dr. David Sabgir, an Ohio cardiologist, in 2017 at an American College of Lifestyle Medicine conference.

Soon after, Subramanian asked Dr. Aruna Nathan, an internal medicine physician who now works in lifestyle medicine at AbsoluteCare in Prince George’s County, if she’d like to co-found a Montgomery County chapter of Walk with a Doc. The

two set out to find a good place to host the organization’s simple format—a brief health talk followed by a group walk. They thought Brookside Gardens’ 1-mile “Heart Smart Trail” loop was ideal for all ages and paces given the trail is stroller-, walkerand wheelchair-friendly.

Subramanian and Nathan spread the word for their first walk in 2018 by emailing patients, hanging flyers in libraries and coffee shops, and reaching out to

primary care doctors. They quickly had a core group that attended monthly, and have since watched the outings grow and evolve as people bring friends and family. Now, about 20 people typically attend.

Dr. Marsha Seidelman, a retired pulmonologist who speaks about lifestyle topics at area homeless shelters and to community organizations, joined as a fellow leader in 2022. The three doctors have 80 years of combined experience as physicians and are certified in lifestyle medicine by the American Board of Lifestyle Medicine. Similar to Sabgir, the physicians had grown increasingly interested in ways to help their patients and others address medical conditions through lifestyle choices.

Before hitting the trail at the May walk, Subramanian spoke about how fiber can contribute to weight loss, improved gastrointestinal health and immune support and a decreased risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

“Fiber is in plant foods,” she says, listing several sources: fruits, vegetables, beans, lentils, whole grains, nuts and seeds. “Increasing the number of plant foods in your diet boosts the diversity and health of your gut microbiome—30 plants a week is a good goal.”

“IT COMBINES TWO OF MY FAVORITE THINGS—WALKING OUTDOORS AND PRACTICAL MEDICAL ADVICE.”

–DEB RANSING, A GAITHERSBURG RESIDENT AND NEONATAL NURSE PRACTITIONER WHO ATTENDED A WALK IN AUGUST

Before anyone could worry about how to reach 30, she points out the variety you can get in a morning bowl of oatmeal if it includes things such as cinnamon, berries and flaxseed.

“I had spaghetti for breakfast,” one walker says.

Everyone laughs.

Subramanian doesn’t miss a beat. “Tomatoes, basil...”

People ask about the best ways to improve your gut microbiome following a course of antibiotics, how a food’s preparation impacts its effectiveness,

the brain-gut connection—and if there are any shortcuts. “If you could pick one food that would nourish your body, what would that be? And you can say beer,” one walker jokes.

“Can I name three?” Seidelman says with a smile. “Berries, dark leafy greens and cruciferous vegetables, which are cabbage, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, broccoli—and arugula is even in that class.”

The conversations continue as the group hits the trail. The doctors stagger

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themselves among groups walking at various paces so that everyone has a chance to talk. Nathan shares lifestyle medicine’s approach through six pillars of health: physical activity, healthy eating, restorative sleep, effective stress management, social connections and avoiding risky substances such as tobacco and excessive alcohol.

Dr. Thu Tran, an OB-GYN who recently retired from Capital Women’s Care in Rockville and joins the walks often, mentions a seventh unofficial pillar: time in nature and how it has been shown to alleviate stress, improve sleep and more.

Shortly after joining Walk with a Doc, Seidelman was thrilled to witness several pillars in action when one of her patients, who lives at Leisure World in Silver Spring, joined a walk and met someone who also lived at the community for 55-and-older residents. “By the end of the walk they’d exchanged numbers and made plans to continue walking together,” Seidelman says.

Subramanian recalls the time a woman returned for a walk and said, “I listened [to the talks] and I’ve lost 15 pounds, and it wasn’t as hard as I thought it would be.” Says Subramanian, “Maybe she’ll now influence someone in her family.”

Having multiple physicians on the trail allows for ample opportunities to chat with at least one along the route. Participants each month can opt to walk a portion of the 1-mile loop up to two full loops, taking in the beautiful gardens through the seasons.

Deb Ransing, a neonatal nurse practitioner who lives in Gaithersburg, attended her first walk in August. “Getting this health info while walking was a bonus for me,” she says. “It combines two of my favorite things—walking outdoors and practical medical advice.”

Nathan hopes other doctors form their own walking groups. “It has been a great experience for all of us as physicians to have this opportunity to connect with people in the community,” she says.

As of November, there were 646 Walk with a Doc chapters in the U.S. and other countries; 182 of them were established in 2025. “We are very blessed to be seeing some hockey stick growth,” Sabgir says of the upward trend of new chapters forming. “And we attribute a lot of that to increased awareness.”

WALK WITH A DOC LOCAL CHAPTERS

THERE ARE FOUR CHAPTERS OF WALK WITH A DOC IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY: THE WHEATON CHAPTER, ONE IN SILVER SPRING THAT STARTED IN 2024, AND OTHERS IN BETHESDA AND POTOMAC THAT LAUNCHED IN 2025. ALL WALKS ARE FREE; SOME REQUIRE REGISTRATION. FOR DETAILS, VISIT WALKWITHADOC.ORG.

Dr. Sylvia Gonsahn-Bollie’s SILVER SPRING chapter meets the first Saturday of every month at 8 a.m. at Sligo Creek Walk Trail (125 Dale Drive near Piney Branch Road). Gonsahn-Bollie, an obesity physician-researcher, co-led a Richmond, Virginia, chapter before founding her own in Silver Spring.

The BETHESDA chapter— founded by Dr. Simran Malhotra, a lifestyle medicine physician and certified health coach— meets at 9:30 a.m. the second Saturday of every month at Fleming Park’s pavilion (9929 Fleming Ave.) then walks on the Bethesda Trolley Trail.

Founding physicians Anjali Srivastava, Sonia Juneja, Suzan Song and Oluyemisi Famuyiwa’s POTOMAC chapter also meets on second Saturdays. Currently on a winter hiatus, the group will resume monthly walks at Gaithersburg’s Rio in March. Meet at 9 a.m. at the “X” next to Uncle Julio’s, in front of the walking bridge.

Find the WHEATON chapter with Subramanian, Nathan and Seidelman to the right of Brookside Gardens’ Visitor’s Center on the third Saturday of every month, at 10 a.m. from September through May, and at 9 a.m. June through August.

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Simply the Best

BY MYLES MELLOR

ACROSS

1. Local nursery American

4. Onelife Fitness, for one

6. One of many served alongside steak at a French bistro

9. There are 18 at most country clubs

11. Showy annual, or the name of a Silver Spring eatery

13. Yoga equipment

15. Dry, as wine

18. Chemical symbol for sodium

19. The Purple

21. Hardcover or paperback

24. A can- person

27. French for friend

28. This Potomac school is home to the Bulldogs

30. Fashion brand with a store in Bethesda Row

31. Innovative

32. Bar drink

33. Lane is home to Sassanova and Hawkers Asian Street Food

38. Tennis umpire’s cry

39. Gold measurement, briefly

41. Expressed gratitude

42. Try throwing this in Glen Echo Park

45. Used a bench

47. Exclamation of discovery

48. choy (Chinese cabbage)

49. Bethesda theater, 2 words

52. Nonprofit music venue

53. Grass squares for lawns

DOWN

1. Liora’s, Bone Jour, Elysiem or Wag N Wash client

2. Connecticut and Georgia , abbr.

3. Football score, abbr.

4. Woodmont (closed in November)

5. The Weather Girls’ 1982 forecast

6. This org’s White Oak campus is home to its headquarters

7. Tech company that created Watson

8. Consume

10. Legislature member, for short

12. Hotel freebie

14. Tiny bit of matter

16. Regional Park

17. School website ending

20. WAMU is a member of it

22. Little Spa in North Bethesda

23. Museum in Bethesda

25. Where to find MedStar Montgomery Medical Center

26. Opposite of dark

28. Bar & Kitchen

29. Compass direction, briefly

34. First Lady Roosevelt

35. Talks

36. Genetic material, abbr.

37. Notify

40. Restaurant bill

42. Comedian Margaret

43. Praises highly

44. Produce

46. Sightseeing trip

47. Yellowfin tuna

50. Letter afterthought, abbr.

51. Chestnut, Elm or Thornapple , abbr.