We are expecting cold weather soon! If you have warm clothing items you no longer need, please consider donating to Silver Spring Cares’ third Annual Winter Clothing Drive benefiting Linkages to Learning at JoAnne Leleck Elementary at Broad Acres.
We’re collecting warm clothing now through December 8th. Items accepted include Winter Coats, Jackets, Hats, Gloves, Scarves, Boots, Sweatshirts, Sweaters, Pajamas, Pants, Fleece, Socks, Blankets, etc! If it’s warm and in great condition, it’ll happily find a new home this winter! Please only donate items that are in dignity condition. Please do not donate items that are missing buttons, have stains or tears.
If you’re within a 15-minute drive of downtown Silver Spring, you can schedule your donation pick-up. You can also drop-off donations at the Go Brent office between 9am – 3pm (@ 914 Silver Spring Avenue next to Kaldi’s).
Silver Spring Cares, Go Brent’s not for profit, works to strengthen the Silver Spring community through the power of connection. Linkages to Learning is a school-based collaboration among the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services, the Montgomery County Public Schools and community-based service providers.
There’s little inventory now but as you know the DC-area market typically explodes come Spring. If you intend to buy or sell (or both) in 2020, now is the perfect time to meet with an agent to ensure you have a strategy in place and don’t miss out.
Go Brent agents are full-time Realtors who have an unrivaled command of the local market. In the past three years, we’ve successfully assisted our clients to buy and sell nearly 400 homes.
We work throughout Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties and Washington, DC; from first-time homebuyers to seasoned home sellers, we’ve got you covered. Put our expertise to work for you – contact Go Brent to schedule your free consultation.
Casseroles for a Cause is back just in time for the Fall season! From October 11th through the 20th, Silver Spring Cares will partner with Kokua Foods, Shepherds Table, and The Arc Montgomery County. Our goal is to collect 2,000 delicious meals and help keep freezers full for many of our neighbors.
“Did you know that one easy way to support local organizations and families is by preparing casseroles? Volunteering to make a casserole or two helps to keep the freezers full for many of our most vulnerable neighbors. Your effort saves organizations and volunteers time, money and helps to eliminate any immediate food insecurity issues they may be experiencing. And you don’t even have to leave the house!”
Sign-up here to participate in the latest Casseroles for a Cause. Together let’s help make a difference in our community!
Learn more about Silver Spring Cares and how we work to strengthen the Silver Spring community through the power of connection. Whether you are looking to donate items, donate funds, or donate time, Silver Spring Cares is your destination for information on our community’s needs and opportunities for service. By engaging the diverse needs and resources of our residents, we can create a community in which all of us may thrive.
As a native Washingtonian, Natalie Thomas has grown up in Silver Spring’s Woodside Park and had even purchased her first home in Woodside Forest. She definitely knows her way around from boutiques to bakeries and everything in between.
Get to know Natalie in this latest agent spotlight as she takes you through her favorite spots in and around the DC-Metro area.
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Growing up here and having been fortunate enough to travel to various cities, I have really come to appreciate the beauty and diversity of our metropolitan area and just how much it has to offer. There is a little something for everyone here – whether urban, suburban, waterfront, or mountains – our metropolitan area has it all.
While we live in a very transient area, I have come to love this about our area because it brings people from all over the world together! I can’t imagine living anywhere else.
TEMPT YOUR TASTEBUDS: FOOD SPOTS!
More of a foodie? Well, the food scene just keeps getting better. With so many different cultural influences in this city, no cuisine is left unturned.
PassionFish – Bethesda
Barcelona – Cathedral Heights
Buena Vida – Silver Spring
Where do your tastebuds take you for a nice dinner out with family or friends?
Barcelona – 14th St or Cathedral Commons (DC)
Mi Rancho, Olazzo (Silver Spring)
Blacks Market (Kensington)
Le Diplomate (14th St)
What are of your favorite places to order in from?
Amina Thai (Silver Spring) – Grubhub delivers.
Jewel of India (Silver Spring) – Postmates delivers.
Spring Garden (Silver Spring) – Free delivery.
Favorite Happy Hour spots?
Urban Butcher (Silver Spring)
Mrs. Ks (Silver Spring)
Olazzo (Silver Spring)
Ruths Chris (Bethesda)
Blacks (Bethesda)
Gringos & Mariachis (Bethesda)
Jaleos (Bethesda/DC)
PassionFish (Bethesda)
Favorite Mexican Restaurants?
Lauriol Plaza (Adams Morgan)
Gringos & Mariachis (Bethesda)
Mi Rancho (Silver Spring)
Uncle Julios (Bethesda)
What’s the best breakfast or brunch spot in the area?
Buena Vida – Great brunch spot – unlimited small plates (Silver Spring)
La Pain Quotidien (Bethesda)
LET’S TALK SHOPPING!
Wildwood Center
Friendship Heights
Reddz Trading
Where’s the best shopping in the town? Are there any good boutiques?
Friendship Heights (DC) – Great combination of high-end retail mixed with off-price apparel chains like Marshalls and TJ Maxx. My favorite part of shopping in Friendship Heights is having access to all different types of retail while being able to pop in and out of shops and enjoy the outdoors.
Reddz Trading (Bethesda) – Second hand designer clothing store. Unique designer finds at unbeatable prices.
Wildwood Center (Bethesda) – Mix of boutiques and designer stores.
GET ACTIVE!
Love the great outdoors and mountains? Within an hour you can be hiking at the Shenandoah National Park or sipping wine at a vineyard with mountain views. Our nation’s Capital is full of history from the Capitol, to the White House, to the monuments or museums.
Gravelly Point Park
OrangeTheory – Silver Spring
Billy Goat Trail
Are there any good hikes or bike trails?
C&O Canal (DC) – Hiking and biking
Great Falls (MD) – Billy Goat Trail
Rock Creek Pkwy (MD) – Hiking and biking
Harpers Ferry (VA)
Gravelly Point Park (DC) – Great walking/biking trails
Patapsco Valley State Park (MD) – Great hikes
Sugar Loaf Mountain (MD) – Hiking
Theodore Roosevelt Island (DC) – Walking
Are there any recommendations for workout classes in the area?
Yoga: Blue Heron Wellness (Silver Spring)
Pure Barre (Silver Spring)
Orange Theory (Silver Spring)
LOCAL BREWS & SIPS
Denizens Brewing Company
3 Stars Brewing Company
Kaldi’s Social House
So many to choose from. What are some of your favorite local breweries?
Denizens (MD) – I love that you can bring your dog and sit outside.
3 Stars Brewing Company (DC) – love that you can bring in your own food and get a cold beer.
Best coffee spots in the area?
Kaldis (Silver Spring)
Blue Bottle Coffee (DC – Wharf) – AMAZING DRIP COFFEE
HAVE A SWEET TOOTH?
Pie Sisters
JennyCakes Bakery
Dolcezza
What’s the best bakery in town?
Nothing Bundt Cakes (Silver Spring)
Jenny Cakes Bakery (Kensington)
Baked & Wired (Georgetown)
Pie Sisters (Georgetown)
Tout de Sweet Shop (Bethesda)
Velatis (Silver Spring)
Dolcezza (DC)
District Donut (DC)
FUN IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD!
The best part about our city is that most of these activities are free and can be enjoyed through so many means of transportation – kayaking, paddle boarding, biking, scootering, or even a Segway tour!
Great Falls
Eastern Market
Union Market
What are fun weekend activities to do in the neighborhood?
Farmer’s Market
Kayak/Paddle Board (DC)
Yoga Class/Barre Class
Union Market (DC)
Museums (DC)
Vineyards/Breweries
Hikes/Biking
Favorite Farmers Markets?
Silver Spring
Capitol Hill – Eastern Market
Are there any cool historical spots worth visiting?
Pretty much anything downtown! White House / Capitol / Museums / Monuments, etc.
What’s your favorite park to take the kids and / or pet to or just take a scroll in?
Great Falls – It’s by far my favorite walk in the area…gorgeous/scenic views.
Interested in keeping up with Natalie? Follow her on instagram!
Go Brent is local, small and mighty! We are excited to have five agents recognized in Washingtonian’s Top Agents List which hit newsstands this month. Liz Brent, Cari Jordan, Debbie Gerald, and The Thomas Group – Tammy Thomas & Natalie Thomas were all listed among Washington’s Top-Producing Agents.
Washingtonian magazine annually recognizes agents and teams producing the highest sales volume in the area.
We’re proud of our agents’ good work and thrilled to work with such amazing clients.
This custom 4-bedroom Dutch colonial is designed and built specifically for the lot and neighborhood.
Property Details:
Address: 1917 Grace Church Road, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910
Bed / Bath: 5 Bedrooms / 5 Baths
Price: Offered at $1.238M
Square Footage: 4,288 Square Feet
The main level features a formal living room, formal dining room and open concept kitchen with center island seating area and family room with fireplace and breakfast nook. A main level den or guest room is serviced by a private full bath. The second floor has a master suite with large bath and walk in closet. The second bedroom has an en-suite bath as well. Bedrooms 3 and 4 share a bath. The laundry room is centrally located on the upper level. The lower level offers a bedroom and full bath along with large family/playroom.
Hardie Plank siding and Boral trim provide low maintenance long lasting exterior. There will also be a thermal slate front walkway and stone foundation accents. The home will feature custom cabinets, high-end appliances, wide plank hardwood flooring, and upgraded trim/doors/finishes. Bathrooms with custom tile design, heated floors, glass enclosures, upgraded finishes and fixtures. No builder grade materials anywhere in the house.
1917 Grace Church Road is conveniently located inside the Beltway near local shops including Snider’s Grocery, Woodside Deli, ALDI, Goldberg’s Bagels, and CVS. Montgomery Hills Park offers a playground , basketball court, and tennis court; hike/bike local trails in Sligo Creek Park, Capital Crescent Trail, or Rock Creek Park. The local public elementary school is located in the neighborhood. It’s an easy walk or drive to downtown Silver Spring’s restaurants, shops, entertainment venues, and year-round farmers market. Commuters have quick access to local bus routes, Forest Glen and Silver Spring Metros, and the future Purple Line as well as Georgia Avenue, 16th Street, and the Beltway. An active neighborhood association keeps the community connected.
The beloved Silver Spring brewery, Denizens Brewing Co., has branched out to Prince George’s County, opening their second location in Hyattsville’s Riverdale Park Station.
The 150-seat taproom offers not only their popular go-to brews, but an array of seasonal specials, cocktails, and wine that can fit any palate. The kitchen serves many pub-style eats from burgers and wings to steamed mussels — as well as dishes that incorporate many of their signature brews.
Denizens is located at: 4550 Van Buren St, Riverdale Park, MD 20737
Taproom Hours: Sunday – Thursday: 11am – 11pm Friday and Saturday: 11am – 1pm Brunch is served 11am – 3pm every weekend.
There’s been much conversation lately about accessory dwelling units. Councilmember Hans Reimer has introduced legislation to amend specific sections of the Montgomery County Zoning Ordinance.
So, what is an ADU? An ADU is an accessory dwelling unit, a second dwelling unit that is subordinate to the principal dwelling on the property. An ADU can be an addition, a basement, or a detached/separate structure.
Some see ADUs as a beneficial way to help to increase the housing supply; ADUs can be more affordable and can also supply homeowners with supplemental income. About 7 out of 10 seniors indicate they would like to age in place and ADUs may be helpful in allowing for this.
The Zoning Text Amendment (ZTA) proposal would require the property to be owner-occupied, inspected and licensed, separate from the principal dwelling unit with a full kitchen, bathroom and separate entrance, and located on a property with at least two off-street parking spaces, unless the owner obtains a waiver – as allowed under current law.
The proposal removes the maximum size limit on ADUs and additions to ADUs, the prohibition on ADUs in houses that are less than 5 years old, and the requirement that an ADU be a minimum distance from other ADUs. Additionally, the ADU cannot be used as a short-term rental, such as Airbnb, and it allows no more than two unrelated individuals to reside in an ADU.
The meeting was attended by about 100 people, with the great majority of speakers in favor of relaxing regulation. Most opposed had concerns about parking and much of the conversation centered around Takoma Park since many homes there had been “chopped up” into apartments prior to zoning restrictions.
Liz Brent attended the forum, “I am definitely a proponent of changes in laws that would allow for more of the ‘missing middle’ housing. Less restrictive ADU laws are a good starting point.” Additionally, she believes, “we’re going to have to make larger changes in the R60 (single family) zoning to put a dent in the problem. We need to allow single family housing to be converted to multi family or be replaced by multi-family construction in busy urban corridors such as Colesville Road, Georgia Avenue, Wayne Avenue, and Piney Branch Road. These would be small buildings of 4 to 6 apartments or condos.”
The PUBLIC HEARING will be held on Tuesday, February 26 at 7:30PM at the Council Office Building 100 Maryland Avenue, Rockville in the 3rd floor hearing room. If you are interested in testifying, you can sign-up in advance.
The winter season brings little inventory but as you know the DC-area market typically explodes come Spring. If you intend to buy or sell in 2019, now is the perfect time to meet with an agent to ensure you have a strategy in place and don’t miss out.
Go Brent agents are full-time Realtors who have an unrivaled command of the local market. In 2018, we successfully assisted our clients to buy and sell 145 homes.
Go Brent is expanding once again! We are excited to welcome Don Bunuan to the team. Don is a realtor licensed in Maryland and DC.
“A successful full-time realtor, Don works with both buyers and sellers. Don is best known for his honesty, integrity, attentive service, and ability to effectively communicate with clients. A lifetime DC-area resident, Don focuses his business efforts on the Hyattsville area as well as the Route 1 corridor. Prior to starting his real estate career, Don worked as both a high school teacher and managing grants and contracts for the Department of Education. Don’s excellent communication and negotiation abilities, along with his experience writing contracts, serve him well as he helps clients navigate the process of buying or selling a home.”
As a dynamic real estate team, Go Brent looks for full-time agents who are dedicated to providing our clients with excellent customer service. If you are a real estate agent licensed in Maryland and/or Washington, D.C. and are interested in learning more about our team, please contact us: liz@gobrent.co.
