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Best of NoVA 2021: Personalities

We wake up with them on our TVs, ride to work listening to them on the radio, and spend our off hours watching them on the field or rink. These are the people NoVA finds most compelling.

alex ovechkin
Photo courtesy The Washington Capitals
mike jones
Photo courtesy DC101

Afternoon/Evening DJ: Mike Jones, DC101

Ready to rock out? When you listen to Jones, you’ll get the best alternative jams, but you’ll also hear his thoughts on wrestling, baseball, and video games. Prepare for silliness and music trivia galore when you listen to this longstanding DJ.

doreen gentzler
Photo courtesy NBC4

Evening Female News Anchor: Doreen Gentzler, NBC4

Gentzler is a NoVA native—she grew up in Arlington—so she knows her way around the area. Perhaps that’s why we look to her as an authority for our after-work updates. With more than 30 years behind the anchor desk, she’s earned some R&R, but she spends her off hours biking the W&OD Trail.

Jim Handly
Photo courtesy NBC4
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Evening Male News Anchor: Jim Handly, NBC4

Since 1992, Handly has made NBC4 his home away from home. And when he’s not riding the airwaves? You’ll probably find him at a farmer’s market or spending the day on a foodie staycation in Middleburg. He often burns it off with a bike ride to Dyke Marsh Wildlife Preserve in Alexandria.

moonshine society
Photo courtesy The Moonshine Society

Local Band: Moonshine Society

Soulful vocalist Black Betty leads a troupe of three Berklee College of Music alumni in blues riffs sure to get listeners out on the floor. Both she and guitarist Joe Poppen have been inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame, but despite international acclaim, you can still catch the band playing here in the DMV.

Local Professional Athlete: Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals

He’s got 15 consecutive 30-goal seasons, just one accomplishment that this Moscow native has crushed in his 16-year career with the Caps. Off the ice, he’s a family man, sharing two sons with wife Nastya.

ron rivera
Photo courtesy The Washington Football Team
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Local Professional Coach: Ron Rivera, Washington Football Team

Back when he played for the Chicago Bears in 1985, Rivera was the first American of Puerto Rican descent to win a Super Bowl. He’s been coaching the Washington Football Team only since the start of 2020, but we’re convinced he’ll bring his fighting spirit to FedEx Field for years to come.

Morning DJ: Elliot in the Morning, DC101

Smell my face! Since 1999, Elliot Segal and The Class have given commuters a reason to wake up. Yes, there are gross-out stunts that one might expect from a morning variety show, but the interviews with celebrities are just as worthy of your attention.

Eun Yang
Photo courtesy NBC4

Morning Female News Anchor: Eun Yang, NBC4

Starting at 4 a.m. every weekday, Yang is on our TVs, a beacon of early-morning good vibes. She’s proud of her Korean heritage and says that her perfect day includes Korean barbecue in Annandale, followed by a visit to Shilla Bakery for shaved ice. Check out her Instagram for more of her foodie recommendations.

Morning Male News Anchor: Robert Burton, ABC7

Burton’s been with his station as a weekend sports reporter and anchor since 2014, but he just got the morning co-host gig last year and has already shot to the top of the list of favorites among readers. The Chicago native still loves his hoops, so if you see him, challenge him to a game of H-O-R-S-E.

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Sports Anchor: Dave Johnson, NBC4

Johnson doesn’t mind getting up early if it means catching English Premier League soccer matches at Ireland’s Four Courts in Arlington, and he’ll stay up late for events at George Mason University. In between, you might find him at one of the Bolivian restaurants in Falls Church that D.C. United fans have taught him to love.

Doug Kammerer
Photo courtesy NBC4

Weathercaster: Doug Kammerer, NBC4

When we’re making plans for the hours and days ahead, there’s one local voice we apparently trust above all others to chime in and tell us whether to bring our umbrella or not to worry—sunny skies ahead! Kammerer once again picked up the prize in this category. When the forecast is fine, you’ll likely catch him in Great Falls for a hike and picnic—it’s one of his favorite spots in NoVA.

Feature image courtesy Washington Capitals

This story originally ran in our June issue. For more stories like this, subscribe to our monthly magazine.

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