Bethesda Students Put Kindness into Action

The kids at Bethesda's Carderock Springs Elementary School are learning more than just academics. They’ve discovered how great it is to help others.

It started at the beginning of October with a book called “The Lemonade Ripple: An Adventure in Philanthropy” by Paul Reichert, the father of a Carderock student. The story tells of a young girl who opens a lemonade stand to help get a new wheelchair for her friend, which creates a “lemonade ripple” that draws the whole community to help.

What the book did in Bethesda was to inspire students from kindergarten to the fifth grade to do their own acts of charity all through the month of October, visiting nursing homes or selling items to raise money for charity. One second grader created and sold homemade cards; a fourth-grader donated clothes and toys to the Salvation Army. Others made pictures for teachers or gave toys to the National Center for Children.

At the end of October, the students donated the $1,860.50 they’d earned to a Bethesda organization called “Just Tryan It,” a nonprofit that gives financial assistance to the families of children fighting cancer. And they’re not stopping now that October is over. During November they’ll hold a winter coat drive for the needy, and students plan to adopt families that they can help for the upcoming holiday season. The fourth-grader who gave to the Salvation Army is now getting socks and creams for homeless people with diabetes.

The book shows how small acts of kindness can lead to wonderful things, and a group of elementary school students put the idea into action. Bethesda is filled with great people, excellent schools, and a community that cares for others.

Come join us! Contact me, Mynor Herrera, today for expert help buying or selling in the DC, MD, & VA areas! I also specialize in Bethesda and Chevy Chase, as well as the sub-divisions of Rosemary Hills, Rock Creek Forest, East Bethesda & Whitehall Condominium.

A Small Bethesda Business with a Big Impact

Anyone who lives here knows there’s always great stuff happening in Bethesda. Add to that list Savenia Labs, a small start-up company making a big environmental impact.

The company was started by John Jabara, a Bethesda resident, to provide consumers with the energy cost of operating various household appliances. A few years ago John was in the market for a coffeemaker and wanted to know not only how much energy it used, but also the long-term cost to both himself and the environment of using the different units on the market. Because this information wasn’t readily available, he started a company that could provide it.

Jabara states that an energy-efficient toaster can reduce 1200 pounds of carbon dioxide over six years, and a house filled with such appliances “would reduce the environmental impact by 20,000 pounds of carbon dioxide over the same period.” According to Jabara, this equals about 154 tanker trucks full of pollution that won’t get into the environment.

Headquartered at Bethesda Green, Savenia puts products through a 10-step test process to determine the true cost of operating the appliance. This includes market research, how much an appliance is used, and the energy consumption of a typical user. But they then go on to also study how far an item travels to get to a store and if packaging is made of recycled content, which also have an environmental impact. Oh, and they also test that the products perform their essential functions, like making coffee.

Savenia has tested over 200 appliances to date including coffeemakers, toaster ovens and microwaves—items that Energy Star does not cover. Jabara hopes that his energy rating system will push manufacturers to produce products with better energy-saving capacities.

Because the lab is independent and also independently funded, they don’t accept donations from manufacturers and buy all the products they test. Jabra envisions his profits coming from the sale of Savenia’s ratings to retailers, letting them use his labels in their stores.

There’s currently a display of Savenia’s energy-rated products in Bethesda and Silver Spring at Strosniders Hardware Stores, and it’s drawn a lot of interest from the public. Most people are very interested in choosing an energy-efficient product.

Bethesda Green and the College Park area are known for supporting and encouraging new businesses that promote sustainable living practices. This is just another reason why Bethesda is one of the greatest places in the country to call home.

Contact me, Mynor Herrera, today for expert help buying or selling in the DC, MD, & VA areas! I also specialize in Bethesda and Chevy Chase, as well as the sub-divisions of Rosemary Hills, Rock Creek Forest, East Bethesda & Whitehall Condominium.

Learn how to protect Rock Creek Park

Advocates for Rock Creek have spotted and reported water main breaks, spills and mud washing into storm drains. Come to a short training session to learn what to look for and how and where to report any problems you might see in the creek, its tributaries, or surrounding neighborhoods. Speakers include a water quality expert from DDOE and a National Park Service ranger.


This is great for all of my neighbors in Rosemary Hills and Rock Creek Forest. Hope you can make it!

Wednesday, October 26, 6:30 – 8:00 pm
Rock Creek Nature Center, 5200 Glover Road NW

Register here so enough refreshments and materials are on hand!

Call Joan Furlong, Rock Creek Conservancy, 202-215-4637 for more information.

Historic and Haunted Fun in Maryland

Attention residents of Bethesda and the general DC, Maryland and Virginia areas: If you’re in the vicinity of Clarksburg over Halloween weekend, you may run into some very “spirited” characters. 

A book store called Novel Places—which just happens to be the site of the old Clarksburg Trading Post and the Wilson General Store of the 1950s and 60s—may be visited by the Maryland Goatman and the Snallygaster beast. These two haven’t been seen in this area since the early 20^th century, but Halloween is their time for fun and an old building the perfect place to play.

On October 28, 29 and 30, Rockville resident Larry Rodman will take folks through the building in a guided tour called “Famous Monsters of Maryland: The Haunted General Store.”  Rodman will place his own “artifacts” such as puppets and other animated objects on the store’s front porch to start the story of the two wily ghosts.

According to legend, the Goatman always carries an ax and the Snallygaster is a fast-moving creature that no one has ever seen clearly. Rodman’s tale will weave the folklore of the spirits into the history of Clarksburg and the surrounding area. This is a live show that will be viewed in small groups and if needed Rodman will tailor the script to each group.

The program will be geared toward families and young children, with a “full-scale monster surprise” at some point during the show when you will be asked to help find the Goatman and Snallygaster, but there is no blood or gore.

While it’s lower key than a typical haunted house, the Clarksburg version could be a wonderful new Halloween tradition. When you think about it, you can learn about the DC area's historic and haunted past—all at the same time!

Contact me, Mynor Herrera, today for expert help buying or selling in the DC, MD, & VA areas! I also specialize in Bethesda and Chevy Chase, as well as the sub-divisions of Rosemary Hills, Rock Creek Forest, East Bethesda & Whitehall Condominium.

Homes in DC Area More Affordable Than Ever

If you’re buying in or relocating to the Metro DC area or the surrounding suburbs, you can breathe a little easier. For 252 zip codes in the DC area, the yearly income needed to buy a home has dropped dramatically from 2007 to present says the Washington Post.

Here’s how the numbers tell it.

• Since 2007, general interest rates have dropped from 6.58 percent to 4.62 percent.
• The average cost of a single-family home has fallen from $424,000 to $329,990.
• Therefore, the amount of income you need to buy a home has gone from $103,776 annually to $65,088. That’s a staggering 37% less than 4 years ago.

In fact, there are now 134 zip codes in the DC area where you can buy a home with $80,000 or less of annual income, up from just 42 zips in 2007.  According to the Post, the most affordable zip codes in the greater DC area are:

• Maryland: Brentwood 20722
• Washington 20019
• Virginia: Manassas 20109

Even the areas that are considered pricey are more affordable than 2007.  The income needed to buy in DC has dropped 17 percent to $217,056, Chevy Chase is down 28 percent ($181,536) and McLean fell 36 percent ($201,264).

The graphic below from the Post provides more detailed information from each area. Click here  to see the Post website for more details.

The DC area has so much to offer, and it’s more affordable to live here than ever before! Contact me, Mynor Herrera, today for expert help buying or selling in the DC, MD, & VA areas! I also specialize in Bethesda and Chevy Chase, as well as the sub-divisions of Rosemary Hills, Rock Creek Forest, East Bethesda & Whitehall Condominium.

Metro DC: The Best No-Cost Events Anywhere!

As you’ve heard from me over and over, I love living in the Metro DC area. From DC proper to Bethesda and Silver Spring, I believe no other place can challenge my home for diversity of things to do. Whether it’s arts, history, government or fun, DC offers it almost every minute of the day and night. But what’s especially unique about Metro DC and the surrounding areas is that so much can be had for free.

And don’t worry--while these events have no cost, it’s definitely not a case of “you get what you pay for.” Our free programs are every bit as wonderful and educational as any for which you’ll lay out lots of cash, while their variety can keep you busy for days on end.

Here’s a sampling of October events from the website Free in DC, which describes itself as “dedicated to all the cool, free, and low-cost things to do in Washington, DC - proving that you needn't spend a lot to live a rich life in this town!”

·         See a film: If you’re a fan of Asian cinema, Friday nights at 7:00 at the Freer Gallery this October could be your bag, baby. The ambitious Boxer Rebellion tale, 55 Days at Peking, featuring Charlton Heston and Ava Gardner, is playing October 7. You can check out Bernardo Bertolucci’s The Last Emperor, the aptly-titled film about Puyi, the last emperor of China on October 14. And in Rebels of the Neon God, October 21, a street hood gets a overly zealous student admirer.

·         Gaze into the starry, starry night: Get all romantic and hold hands with that special someone while you do some stargazing at the museum’s Public Observatory at the Air and Space Museum. No excuses, guys. You’ve got three dates to choose from—October 8, 21 or 22.

·         Do the locomotion: Receive a history lesson in cinematic form, courtesy of the Smithsonian American Art Museum. American Experience: Transcontinental Railroad covers the six-year construction of the Transcontinental Railroad, in all its laborious glory Thursday, October 20 at 6:30.

The Free in DC site is just one of many places to learn about cheap or no-cost events in the area. So pull out your computer, grab your calendar, and start making a plan to enjoy what DC offers—for free!

Think of the fun you could have if you lived here! Contact me, Mynor Herrera, today for expert help buying or selling in the DC, MD, & VA areas! I also specialize in Bethesda and Chevy Chase, as well as the sub-divisions of Rosemary Hills, Rock Creek Forest, East Bethesda & Whitehall Condominium.

Summer Fun at Rock Creek Forest Block Party

This past June, the residents of Rock Creek Forest got together to hold a wonderful summer block party. The weather cooperated with a lovely day so that neighbors could share food and conversation while kids found each other for games and general fun.

Here are some pictures of this great event:

Rock Creek Forest Block Party - June 2011

Rock Creek Forest is just one of many great neighborhoods in the DC area. Contact me, Mynor Herrera, today for expert help buying or selling in the DC, MD, & VA areas! I also specialize in Bethesda and Chevy Chase, as well as the sub-divisions of Rosemary Hills, Rock Creek Forest, East Bethesda & Whitehall Condominium.