January 2016: Secrets of the City

What’s Their Secret?

Want the tricks to great small talk? Or a sure-fire way to get out of jury duty? How can you snag a meeting with someone powerful? Washington cognoscenti spill their strategies. Edited by Sherri Dalphonse.

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Features

Aniekan Udofia, the artist behind the now-infamous Bill Cosby mural outside of Ben’s Chili Bowl. Photograph by Jeff Elkins.

The Best Little Roadhouse in Rockville

Right across the Pike from a gleaming new development replacing White Flint Mall, the oldest bar in Montgomery County is still going strong. By Eddie Dean.

Building Dressing

City-sanctioned graffiti—a familiar sight in Baltimore and Philadelphia—is relatively new around here. Meet five local mural artists who are making their mark. By Michelle Thomas.

Enabling the Environment

Gallaudet University has quietly become an outpost for architectural invocation—and it’s about to reshape the suddenly hot Northeast DC neighborhood outside the school’s gates. By Amanda Kolson Hurley.

Washingtonians of the Year

Twelve locals whose generosity, creativity, and compassion make Washington a better place to live. By Leslie Milk.

In This Issue

See what Alexandria was like after Virginia seceded to the Confederacy in 1861 in PBS’s Mercy Street when it premieres January 17. Photograph by Antony Platt/PBS.

Capital Comment

Ben Bradlee’s mausoleum maddens Georgetown traditionalists . . . The new face of Loudoun . . . Iraqi Airways’ dubious plan to fly to Dulles . . . Airbnb’s local hot spots.

Behind the Scenes

A morning with the 106-year-old Potomac Hunt.

Where & When

The performances, exhibits, and other things worth your time this month.

Diane Rehm says giving up her slot is “not an act of generosity—rather, one of realism.” Photograph by Andrew Propp.

IQ

Interview NASA’s chief scientist on getting humans to Mars—and more women into science.
Washington Read Inventing the pop-culture President.
Media WAMU prepares for life after Rehm—and other big changes.

Bars and restaurants are teaming up with cideries for limited-edition bottles. Photograph by Scott Suchman.

Taste

David Chang expands his Momofuku empire to CityCenterDC, Masseria brings fine dining to Union Market, Tony Conte—once of the Oval Room—slings Neapolitan pizzas in a Gaithersburg strip mall, everything you need to know about cider, and more.

Snowshoe is the biggest ski resort in the Mid-Atlantic—and the best. Photograph by Chris McLennan.

Life

Ski Locally Seven resorts for skiers of any level.
Beyond the Beltway How to do Philly, Washington style.
Well + Being Which meal-delivery services is right for you? Take the quiz.

If you’ve got 30 seconds and a smartphone, you’re on your way to a simplified space. Photograph by Dan Chung.

Home

Get Organized Simplifying your space might be easier than you think.
Real Estate What the end of low interest rates means for home buyers and sellers.
Future Look The high-density, walkable developments set to replace some DC strip malls.
Neighborhood Guide What to do, see, and eat in Arlington—plus little-known facts and what it was like for Yelp’s CEO to grow up there.
Pets Now you can take your dog or cat along on Amtrak.