Life + Culture

Style on the Menu:

Inside Scout & Molly’s with Jane Abraham Article by Yankel Polak At Scout & Molly’s, fashion is never just about clothes. For owner Jane Abraham and her daughter, Betsy, style is woven with story, connection, and, like a beautifully curated dinner party, the joy of bringing people together. “When women walk into our stores, we want them to feel like they’re stepping into their best friend’s closet,” Jane says. “Outfits should reflect your personality, and make you feel beautiful. And they have...

Food + Beverage

Mindful Meals

How McLean Teen Amelia Cho Is Redefining Food and Education Article by Yankel Polak In McLean, food often feels abundant, but for high school junior Amelia Cho, it’s about more than access—it’s about responsibility. After moving from Korea at age ten, Amelia was struck by the difference in school lunches. “In Korea, meals were balanced and diverse. Here, I saw unhealthy pizza and cheese sticks being served consistently. This was the first moment that made me realize the social gap between food...

Health + Wellness

From Seashells to Smiles

A Fresh Look at Pediatric Dentistry in McLean Article by Yankel Polak Island Children’s Dentistry doesn’t just change how kids care for their teeth—it changes how they feel about visiting the dentist. When you walk through the doors, you’re immediately transported, not just into a dentist office, but into an oasis. The calming blues of the ocean, sandy accents, and playful sea creatures adorning the walls suggest you’re closer to the beach than the Beltway. For Dr. Gema Island, this aesthetic...

Arts + Culture

Artist: Nia Stratos

A Life in Color, a Canvas of Joy Article by Yankel Polak Nia Tavlarides Stratos speaks about her art with a quiet intensity—a reverence that suggests painting, for her is more than just expression. From the first moment you encounter her artwork—vivid, multilayered works that shimmer with pigment, glass, and gold leaf—you sense that this is an artist in conversation, with her environment, with her materials, with her ancestry, and with the ever-shifting chaos and beauty of being alive.  ...