Oh these are the people in your neighborhood… in your neighborhood… inyour neighborhood! (Yes, if you’re hearing Ernie & Bert right now, you’redoing it right.)Welcome to our series where TheListAreYouOnIt.com takes you on aninsider stroll through the neighborhoods that make our region so special.These Are The People in Your Neighborhood celebrates the local charm,hidden gems, and vibrant personalities that give each area its soul.Whether you’re a longtime local or just poking around somewhere new,consider this your permission slip to wander, explore, and fall a little bit inlove with your own backyard.Spotlight on Downtown BethesdaWhere Culinary Delights, Artistic Flair, and Cultural Adventures ConvergeA Vibrant Urban ExperienceLocated just outside Washington, D.C., downtown Bethesda is a lively,walkable hub known for its mix of dining, shopping, and culture. This is aneighborhood made for meandering. Grab a coffee, pop into a shop, catcha show, and end the night with a great meal. It’s totally that kind of place.Retail Therapy and Unique BoutiquesShopping alert: Bethesda Row brings together popular national brands andlocal favorites. You’ll find jewelry from Mejuri, Gorjana, and Kendra Scott,plus fashion-forward favorites like Evereve, Rails, FP Movement, Sephora(NEW!), Veronica Beard, Vuori, Madewell, and Reformation. Keep an eyeout for ALO and Johnnie-O opening later this spring.If indie shops are more your speed, Woodmont Triangle is your happyplace. Wander into Wonderland Books for monthly book clubs and events,then pop into The Blue House, Reddz Trading (Vintage Alert!), Bone Jour,and Big Planet Comics. This little pocket of Bethesda feels like a choose-your-own-adventure in retail form.Energize and Elevate: Wellness and Fitness in BethesdaLooking to treat yourself? Bethesda has self-care on lock. Indulge in facialsand spa treatments at Glo 360 Facials and Medspa, Aveda Salon & Spa,and Red Bloom Wellness Spa. Try sensory deprivation and contrasttherapy at Hope Floats, IV therapy at Prime Hydration & Wellness, orHaloTherapy and full-body detox at Bethesda Salt Cave.For fitness, you can go full-service luxe at Equinox or The St. James, spin itout at SoulCycle, stretch at Barre3, or sweat it out at Orangetheory. Anddon’t miss the free fitness-in-the-park events this summer, always a greatexcuse to move your body and meet your neighbors.Fabulous Food FindsDowntown Bethesda is a playground for people who plan their days aroundwhat they’re eating next. Explore global flavors at Pisco y Nazca forPeruvian, The Salt Line for seafood, Ramen Menri for Japanese, Q byPeter Chang for Chinese, Mexican at Gringos & Mariachis, and Italian atAventino. There’s Andy’s Pizza for casual cravings, and Bistro Provence forFrench flair. Everything is walkable and Metro-accessible, so convenient.Exciting news, so many new spots coming soon in 2026: Call Your MotherDeli (bagels!), Agora (Mediterranean), Bob’s Shanghai (Chinese), CoffeeRepublic, DUA DC Coffee, and Uchiko. Bethesda is not slowing downanytime soon.If cooking is your love language, so many ways to stock up like at TheOrganic Butcher, Pesca Deli (for fish!), Butcher’s Alley, Vace ItalianDelicatessen, and the weekly Bethesda Farmers Market.Late Night Finds & The ArtsNight owls, you’re covered. Grab late-night drinks at Hip Flask Rooftop Bar,Babycat Brewery (NEW!), BT’s Bethesda, or Corella Café. Prefer yournightcap with entertainment? Catch live music at Bethesda Theater, a showat Round House Theatre, or poetry readings and author events at TheWriter’s Center.Arts & Entertainment:Downtown Bethesda is a state-designated arts and entertainment district,and it shows. Pop into Gallery B, Amy Kaslow Gallery, or the WaverlyStreet Galleries. Watch artists at work at Studio B and Triangle Art Studios.Bring the kids to Imagination Stage for live theatre, classes, and camps.A Scenic Adventure for AllBethesda isn’t just about great art, food & shopping. The Capital CrescentTrail is where you get your heartbeat up. You can walk, run, or bike all theway to Georgetown, or wander into Rock Creek Park for a hit of greenspace. Consider it your pre-dinner appetite builder.A Hub of Community and CultureDowntown Bethesda knows how to throw a good community party. Markyour calendar for:Savor Bethesda Restaurant Week: Feb. 19–March 1Play in a Day: Saturday, February 28 at 7 pmLocal Writer’s Showcase: March 13 and March 18 at 7 pmBethesda Film Fest: Friday, April 10 and Saturday, April 11 at 7 pmBethesda Art Walk: Friday, April 17Bethesda Fine Arts Festival: Saturday, May 9 and Sunday, May 10Summer Concerts: Friday evenings beginning May 15These are the moments that turn a neighborhood into a community andBethesda does it beautifully.

Harmony CPA blog interviewed Nycci on navigating the new media landscape, and protecting your brand. See all of her insight and suggestions, here.

With Valentine’s Day just days away, Nycci shares a variety of last-minute ways to enjoy the long holiday weekend in and around Washington, DC. From classic dinner-and-a-show plans to creative, experience-driven outings, she emphasizes that there’s still plenty of time to plan something meaningful. Options include live performances, theater, rooftop cocktails, museum exhibits, and interactive activities that pair culture with dining. For those looking to stay active, Nycci highlights outdoor adventures like scenic hikes followed by cozy spots to unwind, as well as unique indoor experiences perfect for groups or couples. For anyone hoping to truly go all out, she notes that hotels and spas across the city are offering special Valentine’s packages that combine relaxation, dining, and entertainment. Nycci has rounded up all of these ideas and more on TheListAreYouOnIt.com, making it easy to plan a memorable weekend.

Hey everyone, it’s Nycci Nellis, and welcome back to Industry Night, where we go behind the scenes with the people shaping the hospitality industry, not just through food and drink, but through culture and community. Today’s show is a special one. I’m coming to you from one of my favorite rooms in the city, a.kitchen + bar at Hotel AKA,  a place that's the perfect backdrop for conversations about leadership and vision (and a killer burger!).This episode is about family and what it really takes to build something lasting in hospitality, especially at a moment when so many restaurants are fighting just to stay open.Later in the show, I’ll be joined by Ellen Yin and Chef de Cuisine George Madovsky for a conversation about thoughtful cooking in one of the city’s most beloved dining rooms.But first,  a conversation I’ve been looking forward to for a long time. I’m genuinely excited because I’ve known Omar and Fatima Popal since they were in their early twenties, long before The Popal Group became one of the most respected hospitality families in Washington, D.C. When the Popal family opened Café Bonaparte in Georgetown in 2003 — what many of you now know as Lutèce — they weren’t just opening a restaurant. They were building a new life. They were also some of the very first advertisers on http://TheListAreYouOnIt.com , and watching their journey unfold over the years has been nothing short of remarkable.Today, Omar Popal is the Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer of The Popal Group, leading concept development, design, and long-term vision for restaurants including Lapis, Lapop, Lutèce, Pascual, and Maison Bar à Vins. Fatima Popal, Co-Founder and Chief Financial Officer, oversees financial strategy, human resources, growth, and philanthropy.  All while fiercely protecting the people-first culture that defines the group.Together, they represent a powerful family story rooted in Afghan heritage and a hospitality group that continues to grow while staying deeply authentic.Let’s get into it. Listen to the full episode here and watch it here.