Happy Friday, Washington! Oh, wait. It's Tuesday. But we're not going in to work tomorrow! Oh, wait again. We have to come in on Thursday. And Friday. This is confusing. We'll have some more info for you later today on how to avoid the crowds and have a stellar 4th of July celebration -- just as soon as we can wrap our heads around the idea of stumbling to our desks on the 5th, totally unprepared to be back there so soon. Since President Bush is in such a magnanimous mood, can't he just commute all of our work days on Thursday and Friday and make this an extra-long weekend? It's not as though he'd need to consult anyone about it before making the call.

Council Goes Relatively Easy on Rhee: Yesterday's confirmation proceedings for interim D.C. Schools Chancellor Michelle Rhee weren't nearly as acrimonious as had been expected, considering how openly skeptical several members of the council have been about her experience and selection. The Post reports that a parade of witnesses, arranged by Rhee, came in to testify warmly on her behalf, and apparently impressed the council. As the Examiner notes, the most tense moment may have been Rhee was unable to produce documentation regarding claims that she increased test scores among her students when she was a teacher in Baltimore -- but she managed to turn that around to her advantage, arguing that school administrations must work harder to better support educators by providing documentation as to what impact teachers are having on their students.

Racial Make-Up of Fenty's Cabinet Examined: The Post has a long story today that gathers reactions from residents to Mayor Adrian Fenty's choices to hire non-blacks in four of the city's top positions. The article indicates a divide exists between older black residents, who lived through segregation, and younger ones of Mayor Fenty's generation, who did not, regarding the importance of choosing African Americans for leadership positions in D.C. government.

Briefly Noted: Parking meter rates go up in Arlington ... Assault charge against Dorothy Brizill will be dropped ... Police investigate toddler's death as a homicide ... Allen Iverson testifies in court ... Series of dumpster fires in Silver Spring investigated.

This Day in DCist: In 2006 we asked you what Washington's best drives are and got ready to celebrate Butterstick's first birthday.

Photo by esshots.