Yesterday, the Post ran a story by Jay “Challenge Index” Mathews profiling Bell Multicultural High School in Ward 1, which offers only Advanced Placement (AP) English courses to its 11th and 12th graders. I read the story with interest, not just because the students and teachers Mathews interviews are my former students and colleagues from the years I taught at Bell (2005-2007), but because I was also an “AP for all” teacher, and once struggled... [continue]

“Always keep your bowler on in times of stress. And watch out for diabolical masterminds.” -- “Talented amateur” British TV super-spy Mrs. Emma Peel, to her debonair and refined partner in espionage, John Steed, 1967. Sound advice. Before John Steed, of course, Charle Chaplin’s most famous character, The Tramp, wore a bowler, and Rene Magritte appropriated the bowler-as-surrealist-emblem around the same time Steed was partnered up with the future Pussy Galore. You can add to... [continue]

Adrian Tomine is not the same person as Ben Tanaka, the main character in his graphic novel, Shortcomings, so please don't get all angry at him. Just because they're both nebbishy, early 30s Japanese-American guys who are a little obsessed with their dealings with the opposite sex, doesn't mean Tomine is anywhere near as cynical, uptight and petulant as Tanaka -- at least as far as we can tell. The similarities between the two men... [continue]

Following up on Friday's entry about a gay couple who was kicked out of the Rite Aid at 13th and U Streets NW, the New Gay is organizing a hug-in set to take place at the store tomorrow night at 7 p.m., just before the annual 17th Street High Heel Race. If you plan to go, be sure to pledge your attendance via evite. The New Gay asks two things for everyone participating in...... [continue]

Now that it's getting darker earlier, bicyclists in the city need to be more careful about riding at night. But if you're like me, you've been putting off buying a safety light for oh, forever. So I'm planning on being first in line this Friday, November 2 at the Suntrust Plaza in Adams Morgan to snag free front and rear bike lights courtesy the Washington Area Bicyclist Association and DDOT. All you have to do...... [continue]

Flickr user quemino of the world took this shot in Columbia Heights last week, giving the illusion of expansive prairie fields next to these rowhouses. The lens flare and the light shining through the field gives it a lovely romantic look. EXIF....... [continue]

Saddle Creek Records was kind enough to let us offer DCist readers a couple of free MP3s in honor of the first Georgie James music video, which just hit the Internets for the first time yesterday. Sure sure, you're busy listening to the new Radiohead album you just downloaded this morning, but go ahead and download these while you're at for later listening. They're free, after all. Both tracks are from the band's recently...... [continue]