Faves and raves by Phil Andrews
Montgomery County Councilman
PERSONAL STATS
AGE: 51
NUMBER OF YEARS IN D.C. AREA: 38 years. I was born in D.C., lived abroad in England and Okinawa, Japan, for six years as a child, and have lived in Montgomery County off and on since 1960.
NEIGHBORHOOD: Gaithersburg
– Brian Hughes
1. FAVORITE NEIGHBORHOOD HANGOUT
Neal’s Bagels (12141 Darnestown Road) in Gaithersburg. Steve’s granola bagel is a meal by itself.
2. BEST MODE OF TRANSPORTATION
Varies depending on when and where one is traveling. What is constant is that without Metro and Ride-On, traffic would be much worse. My favorite mode of transportation is walking, which I do a lot of since I frequently go door-to-door to speak with constituents.
3. FAVORITE LOCAL SPORTS EVENT
Legg Mason Tennis Classic at 16th and Kennedy. I like the early round matches on the side courts where you can get so close you can hear the spin of the ball and what the players mutter under their breath.
4. BEST PLACE FOR OUT-OF-TOWN VISITORS
The view of the National Mall from the Washington Monument.
5. BEST PLACE FOR LIVE MUSIC
The Strathmore, which has world-class acoustics and excellent seats.
6. FAVORITE MUSEUM
The Smithsonian Museum of American History.
7. MOST ROMANTIC SPOT
The Jefferson Memorial at night.
8. FAVORITE WAY TO SPEND A LAZY SUNDAY
Reading newspapers and a book, playing tennis and watching a movie with my wife.
9. BEN’S CHILI BOWL, OLD EBBITT GRILL OR CAFE MILANO?
It would be unfair to rank them since I haven’t been to all three.
10. BEST RETREAT OUTSIDE THE BELTWAY
The Seneca Creek Greenway Trail is an outstanding natural surface trail. The section between Black Rock Road and Route 118 in Germantown is hilly and wildernesslike. My favorite retreat way outside the Beltway is the stunningly beautiful Yosemite National Park, a hiker’s utopia.
11. BEST RETREAT INSIDE THE BELTWAY
Theodore Roosevelt Island, off the George Washington Parkway. It’s a small gem — a wooded park designed by [Frederick Law] Olmstead with a 1.6-mile loop trail. The memorial includes a statue of Theodore Roosevelt.
12. BEST PLACE FOR LATE-NIGHT EATS
My favorite is Gordon Biersch in Rockville Town Center, in part because I can walk to it from the County Council building.
13. PROUDEST PART OF LIVING IN D.C.
The interest in and respect for people of different cultures.
14. MOST EMBARRASSING PART OF LIVING IN D.C.
The shameful lack of voting rights in Congress for the people of the District of Columbia.
